Cross Ange: The Knight of Hilda

Chapter 17: Rebellion

(Get some snacks. This is going to be a long one.)

Beneath the waves, a massive shape made its way through the murky deep toward the equatorial belt. Centuries ago, vessels much like it crossed the sea both above and beneath the surf on missions of war waged between the different nations and empires of the pre-Mana world. Now, the Ancient Folk and their nations had vanished into history and the Noa was the last of the Crueset class submersible carriers. Intended for surprise attacks, Crueset submersibles were the largest and most heavily armed ever built. Standard armament included six fore torpedo tubes, a dual beam canon in the bow, port and starboard rail guns, up to six rotary Close In Weapon System turrets, and a 34 tube missile battery; all of which were safely sealed behind airtight panels when submerged. The one drawback to its design was a limited payload of vehicles due to the space taken up by the life support needed to maintain prolonged underwater travel.

On the Noa's bridge, Boss stood at the command post with a grim expression. By his calculations, Julio Misurugi's fleet would already have reached Arzenal. He just hoped the Norma would be able to hold out until they arrived. "What's our ETA?" he asked. At the helm, Fixer plotted their course through the undersea domain. A stocky young man with curly dark hair, Fixer was one of the firstborn, a generation of mixed human/Norma descent that had been born in the original Zion. It had been hoped that the firstborn would inherit their mothers' ability to reject Mana but as it turned out the capability was only passed on to the females. Still, the firstborn played a vital role in the Network by serving as the bulk of their second militia. The youngsters had never forgotten the loss of their home and despite the gravity of their mission, an air of eagerness pervaded the ship's atmosphere. Today would be the day they finally struck their first blow for retribution.

"Another half hour at least," Fixer answered. Behind Boss, the hatch to the main stairwell opened and Major stepped out to join him.

"Any luck?" he asked. The head of the militia shook her head.

"None. No contact. Not even a homing beacon. I'm afraid that we'll just have to assume that the Blue 6 has been destroyed." Boss cursed under his breath. Chaplain had been one of the few remaining friends he had from the old days. "And that's not all," Major continued. "We can't contact either Tusk or the Wildpack. If I had to guess I'd say the other humans have instigated a communications blackout over Arzenal. Nothing can get through. Not with the Light of Mana or radio." If so then the implication of what that meant for Rio and the Norma of Arzenal were worse than they feared. It meant that the other humans knew they were coming which also meant the element of surprise was no longer in their corner. Still, with what was at stake it wasn't as if they could turn around even if Boss wanted to.

"Very well. Tell all riders to suit up and get ready to launch the minute we arrive. The fight's going to start as soon as we breach." Major saluted and took over command while Boss left to make his own preparations. Rio, you and the Norma are just going to have to hold on, he thought. Just stay alive until we can get there.

As the first squad still reeled from the revelation of the DRAGONS' true nature, a Mana window had suddenly opened over the flaming pit before them. "This message is on behalf of the International Aid Armada of the Norma Management Board," the woman on the screen announced. "We would like to thank all of you in your combat against the DRAGONS. In a few minutes, we will be initiating your rescue. Please be patient while we begin evacuation procedures."

"Great," Rosalie muttered. "I wonder where they're gonna stick us now."

"Oh what a relief!" Momoka cried. "Lady Angelise we're safe! Help is on the way!"