Cross Ange: The Knight of Hilda

Chapter 28: The Beginning of the End

"Marika's been gone a long time," Mary said. "Do you think she's alright?" Despite their wish to follow her, the two of them had held position just like the Commander had ordered them to.

"I don't know," Nonna answered. "We'll give her another two minutes. If not then we'll go after her." No sooner had she said so, sensors detected nine objects moving in on their position just before the assault team finally came into view. And with them were the three machines that had attacked Arzenal alongside the DRAGONs.

"Mistress Rosalie!" Mary called as she and Nonna blasted out from the gorge. Whether it was Ragna-mail or DRAGON, nobody was going to shoot down their mistress while they were around.

"Girls hold it!" Rio warned. "It's okay, they're not the enemy."

"What are you talking about?" Mary demanded. "They attacked Arzenal!"

"Stand down," the Commander ordered. "Sala and the others are friends alright. Now let's go before our real enemies show up."

"Wait a minute," Nonna realized. "Where's Marika?"

"She didn't make it," Vivian admitted. "Sorry girls."

"No," Mary whispered.

"Marika," Nonna half-sobbed.

"Get it together!" Rosalie snapped. "Of have you forgotten that you're mail-riders! Save your tears for later got it!"

"Y...yes mistress," they answered. Taking rear position, Nonna and Mary followed the others as they set course back to the Aurora. Marika why? Nonna thought as tears stung her eyes. Why couldn't you just wait like we did?

The land gave way to sea and Hilda squad flew on to the rendezvous point. At the formation's head, Hilda frowned as she went over everything that had happened. Objectively, the mission was a success. Ange had gotten out and hopefully was on her way to the Aurora while the squad had suffered only a single loss. Personally however, Hilda felt like a failure. Rosalie hadn't said a word since their retreat and Hilda knew she was playing Marika's death over and over in her mind.

"Assault team come in," the radio suddenly blared. "Assault team do you copy?"

"We copy retrieval team," Hilda answered. "Do you have Ange?" No response and Hilda feared the worst. "Retrieval team respond!"

"I'm afraid we lost her," Rhino answered. "Two minutes ago, the beacon for Tusk's Skyhook went dead. Police and emergency crews are all over the place. Vulture and I were forced to pull out. We don't know what happened to either of them." No, she thought. Rescuing Ange was the whole point of the mission. Without her they were as good as lost and Marika's death would be for nothing.

"Hilda," Rio suddenly called. "There's an old boathouse just outside of Misurgi. The Network uses it to hide stolen Para-mail until we can smuggle them out. Let me go back and search for them." Hilda cast a glance at the white unit flying behind her.

"Are you kidding? Didn't you hear what Rhino said."

"Rhino and the Wildpack specialize in guerrilla warfare," Rio replied. "But when it comes to infiltration, I'm the best the Network has to offer. Hilda please?" Hilda pursed her lips before finally relenting.

"48 hours. Whether you find them or not I want you back at the Aurora by then."

"I've had worse odds. You just get the others back to the ship. I'll see you soon." Peeling off from the formation, Rio flew low over the water as he headed back towards the Misurugi coast." Just be careful, Hilda pleaded. And come back safe.