Blue Archive - M.O.T.H.E.R. (Volume 1)

18

The mission was presented to the Vice-President of the General Council Student of Kivotos and to the presidents of Millenium, Trinity and Gehenna. The only one who didn't know what was going on was Makoto and, even so, she had no problem acting haughtily and as the know-it-all in the case. Those selected for the mission were:

Unit 1

Strikers:

· Ajitani Hifumi

· Shirasu Azusa

· Ichinose Asuna

· Onikata Kayoko

Support:

· Amami Nodoka

· Omagari Hare

Unit 2

Strikers:

· Sorasaki Hina

Support:

· Kakudate Karin

Doubts about the eight selected were soon heard. However, they said nothing that Sensei had not heard from Hina when they were chosen. Sensei, although he could not say that he had selected all of them conscientiously, had confidence in his chosen ones.

Sensei would soon depart. The trip would be made in a single car. Sensei wanted to keep it as discreet as possible. He was waiting for the other girls to be brought to him when Utaha asked for a moment of his time. She had only been told everything that happened during the attack on the cathedral and up to the finalization of the new Eden Treaty. She couldn't find a way to broach the subject of the shot she had been given and that she was worried about what might happen on the mission. Sensei lifted up his shirt. Utaha turned red and called him an exhibitionist.

''I just lifted my shirt a little. I'm not showing anything you can't see.''

Utaha opened her eyes. He saw the gunshot wound.

''Can I... Can I touch?''

''Go ahead. As you can see I'm... Ah!... Sorry it tickled me... haha...'' He lied to her.

''Sensei... I guess I can't talk him out of going, can I? This mission could be led by someone else...'' Sensei didn't want to answer. ''Since there is no way... I wouldn't forgive myself if something happens to you for not having done anything... Take this,'' she handed him a box, ''I created this for you with the help of Kotori, Hibiki and Arisu.''

The two talked until the girls arrived. They were confused and Asuza was handcuffed. Without asking questions, they got into the car. Sensei said goodbye to Utaha and thanked her. Most of the girls slept during the trip as did the sensei. Asuna drove the first six hours, and then Karin continued driving. At six o'clock in the morning they were over a hill about 3 km from the plant. Sensei was taking a look at the target with Nodoka's binoculars while eating a sandwich.

The plant was circular in shape. It had three entrances along a perimeter of 689 meters and covered an area of 37826 square meters. One of the entrances pointed to the east and the other two to the northwest and southwest. The perimeter was protected by a concrete wall 2 meters high by 0.20 meters wide. Cameras at every 50 meters and 2 red androids at each entrance. Inside the perimeter, 2 pairs of androids walked the perimeter. The plant had ten buildings and the machine area. The largest of the ten buildings was diagonal to the West, the second largest diagonal to the North and the others were about the same size. From Himari's Hacking work, it was known that the two of the three restricted areas were in the largest building and the other in one of the same size buildings. It was also known that, inside each building, minimum, there were six other guards.

''It looks more like a prison than a power plant. What do they want so many guards for...?'' Sensei wondered.

''Sensei, Sensei... Why am I here? Everything happened so fast that I didn't have time to ask him. I was in my room sleeping while listening to the new music album dedicated to Peroro-sama when the Justice Task Force tried to take me out without explanation. Azusa tried to stop it from happening, but...''

''Is that why it took you three hours to arrive?''

''I would have held out for six if I hadn't run out of ammunition.'' Said Azusa.

''That's not the point...''

''I'm sorry it all happened so suddenly.''

''Don't worry, sensei. We from Cleaning & Clearing are used to act with a minimum of information.'' Asuna said

''I don't know if that's a good thing''

''Don't believe her, she usually takes action before she has all the information.''

Hina explained to the girls the reason for the mission and the purpose. Asuna asked what they were expecting. Hare was trying to break the security system so he could infiltrate the unit from the East without much counter time.

''Ah, she's gone,'' Karin said.

''What are...? Asuna!!!!''

The third year C&C veteran had charged straight towards the east entrance. With her ExSkill she was able to move faster than all the others. Sensei ordered unit one to deploy. As they ran down the hill, Sensei begged Hare to hurry up with the Hacking.

''I need a little more time,'' this will only delay the alarm activation by a couple of minutes.

The guards spotted someone unknown. They ordered her to stop and lower her weapon. Asuna turned a deaf ear. The intentions were hostile. The alarm was activated. It did not sound. Without time to wonder what was going on, the androids began firing. The one nicknamed Zero-One did not hesitate at every step. He advanced without stopping. Bullets passed through Asuna's hair and grazed her maid outfit.

''Nodoka, activate your ExSkill. Azusa, step forward and lend support.''

Asuna's vision expanded so much that she could almost predict her enemy's every move just by seeing. One of the guards stepped back. The maid was face to face with the other android. The guard tried to hit her, but it couldn't compete with her speed. Asuna with the rifle blew his head off. A group of attack drones appeared. They all had Zero-One in their sights. Asuza, showing off his skills, unloaded several shots on the machines preventing Asuza from receiving a point-blank attack. More drones appeared. Enough to keep the two combat aces busy and go after the sensei and the other members of the unit.

''Hifumi, this is your time to shine. Release Peroro-sama!''

The plush-grenade appeared. The Mask Swimsuit Gang leader's ExSkill allowed her to force the enemy's attention to another object for a moment. Near the entrance, Azusa was dropping as many drones as her hands would allow. Asuna had entered into direct combat with the machine. Despite the close proximity, the guard was not able to get a direct hit, but neither could Asuna. The effect of Nodoka's ExSkill had worn off. The situation was pressing. Sensei was distracted. He didn't notice the moment he entered the gaze of a pair of drones until Nodoka told him to be careful. Everything became sluggish. His body was paralyzed. Sensei closed his eyes. He heard a couple of explosions.

''Sensei, don't worry. Focus on directing them. I'll take care of covering you,'' Karin said.

''You're the best! Kayoko, it's your turn, activate your ability.''

Azusa had her hands full. The android and Asuna were exchanging bullets in a dangerous dance in which the first one to hit would have the advantage and, for sure, the victory. It was then that the machine's legs stopped. His vision went to where Sensei and his students were. The integrated cameras that served as the android's eyes magnified Kayoko's image. They registered the gaze of the Problem Solver 68 member. The robot took a few steps back as its system was flooded with danger alarms.

''I win,'' Asuna said.

The maid placed the tip of the rifle against the android's chest. The machine's torso exploded into pieces with the shot.