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

20

On the second floor below. There was a race... A race for the lives of Hifumi, Hare and Sensei. The two students couldn't keep up with the number of androids and drones. Not to mention that the androids at that level looked like they were on steroids. They were bigger. Peroro-sama could not get the attention of all the machines and Hare's defense drones were no match for the sheer number. From going from place to place, they ended up hiding in a room that should not exist in a normal power plant.

''Now, I understand why there are so many of these things. It's not a power plant... It's an Android Factory.''

''Is that what they're using the halos for? To power the factory and create androids, drones and weapons?''

''That's what it looks like....''

''Hare, how far are we from the entrance to the next sublevel?'' Hifumi asked.

She pointed out to him on the map, which she had made, where they were and where the entrance was. They were in opposite places.

''Though it's no use for us to go to the entrance. We don't have access. We have to disable it from the security center on this level and trying to get in there was what led us to this. We don't stand a chance. We'll have to wait...''

''We can't wait...'' Said sensei, ''Every minute that passes... It could be the last one...'' He looked around. ''It seems we will have to use the old reliable one from the action movies. Who of you could fit in there?''

The girls looked to where Sensei was pointing. The rep was thinking of putting one of the two of them in the vent.

''Hare is smaller than me,'' Hifumi hurried to say.

''Hey, no wait...''

''That's true... I'd say by 5 cm she is..." said Sensei looking at her from head to toe, "But... you have to consider that the ducts are not exactly made to carry people so the lighter one should go in..." He looked at Hifumi again.

''What are you trying to say, S-E-N-S-E-I?'' Hare's look was frightening.

''I-I thought you were upset at the idea of getting into... Whatever! Which one of you two weighs less?''

''Sensei! You don't ask a lady her age and weight!'' Hifumi complained.

''This is not the time for that,'' The girls were taking too long to say it. ''I'll have to find out.''

''S-s-s-sensei! What are you doing?!''

''N-n-no! Wait, wait, wait, wait!...''

The sensei reached a verdict by picking up both students.

''Hifumi, you're going for ventilation.''

Hare fell to the floor on his knees with a sense of defeat.

''This is what we will do. Hare will lead you through the ducts to the security room. Once you get there, I'll go out and distract as many of the drones as I can. Once the area is clear, you and Hare will attack the XXXL androids guarding the room... ''

''Sensei, no. That's too dangerous. What would we do if something happens to you? ''

''Be calm. I'll be fine,'' He touched his pocket.

''Mm... Take this! ''

''Peroro-grenades? ''

''Without my ExSkill, it'll only take down a few drones, but they'll buy you some time. ''

The hacker put some devices on sensei and told him that when he left, a couple of the drones she used would follow him and protect as much as possible.

The plan was initiated. As expected, Hifumi arrived at the control room without mishap. The door to the assembly room was ajar. A figure of Peroro-sama rolled up to the enemy drones. The chicken plushie appeared with a song amidst an explosion and smoke. Sensei ran out. The machines went after him. With the area clear, Hare went toward the control room. Five extra large androids were guarding the area.

''Hifumi, are you ready?''

''Ready.''

Hare came into view firing at the huge machines. One of the androids' arms was damaged. The guards began counterattack fire. The pair of drones that remained to the hacker created a shield. A peroro grenade rolled between the legs of one of the robots. The chicken shattered the android. Hifumi's ExSkill caused the others to attack Peroro. The Hare-drones went to disable the android with the damaged arm. Hifumi exited the security room. Three XXXL guards remained. They managed to get rid of one more before Hifumi's ability failed to take effect.

Two against two. Bullets followed the two students. Hifumi had nothing to cover themselves with. Sneaking into the security room would not help Hare and running away would do no good. The only option was to try something Azusa had taught her. He ran towards the android that kept firing at her. It couldn't compare to Asuna's speed. She took off her backpack and threw it towards her opponent. The shots changed direction for a moment. The backpack was pierced. Hifumi slipped between the machine's legs while firing. Standing with her back to the android, she unloaded all her ammunition into the robot's head. The machine fell. Hare hid behind the shield of her drones from the volley of bullets which stopped out of nowhere. Hifumi had caught the android's attention. She tried to end it all with a grenade, but the android caught it before it staked and threw it back towards Peroro's fan. Hare sent her drones to shield her companion. The bird appeared without harming her fan. It was the Hacker's chance. She wasn't as skilled in combat as others, but that was an opportunity anyone could have taken. Her Auto Aimer was busy destroying the last android.

Sensei ran all over the first sublevel as fast as his feet would allow. He felt like Pac-Man being followed by ghosts. Every corner he turned there was the possibility of encountering more androids. The Hadron shield (that's what he called Hare's drones) covered his back from the incessant gunfire. He gave thanks to his hours playing with Yuzu to be able to move through a maze without exploding from stress.

''Sensei, we have disabled the blocked areas and the deployment of more drones and androids. Go to the entrance of the second sublevel we will reach it in a moment.''

''Excellent work. I knew I could count on you. Inform the others. See you down there.''

A pair of Peroro figures fell to the sides of the aisle. The chicken reappeared in the middle of a destructive song. The pieces of machines delayed the other guards giving Sensei time to finally get down to the second sublevel.