[PGR] Light Upon a Broken World

[Chapter 12] - Mirage Unveiling

(POV - 3RD)

By the time Gray Raven and the lone Strike Hawk member embarked on Watanabe's trail in one direction, dusk has already fell but their trek has led them to a small foundation with pillars and metallic frames rusting everywhere.

Should they be on the right path then they need to take care of their surroundings thus Lee took the initiative to take a short patrol around the area while Lucia held back on the ground while waiting for Kamui and Kiryu to finish their own scouting inside.

"Outer rim survey completed, no possible ambushes confirmed." Lee reported, stepping back down from the ledge he stood on.

"And the route inside?" Lucia asked, almost expectantly.

"Liv's not here, so we have limited data collection capabilities, nothing to do other than to wait for Kamui and Commandant." Replied Lee, shaking his head as Lucia remained silent.

"What's wrong?" The Construct then inquired, sensing his leader's musing.

"Nothing... just thinking back to that time inside the shop, picking up the plushies with Liv..." Lucia began as Lee kept silent now, not wishing to dampen the mood.

"..."

"That sheep plushie, it felt like Liv... it had a warmth that should be unperceivable by all means but... there it was a warm feeling..." Lucia continued.

There was a light frown on her face, almost as if the emotion or thought she was feeling at the moment didn't really make sense... seeing how she is but a machine build for battle, the warmth as perceived by Lucia indeed felt foreign to the Construct.

"Even though Liv was the one who stayed at the back... it feels like she is the one that shines the brightest in battle." Lucia admitted.

"Perhaps when I was assigned to this squadron and under Kiryu... I might have supported his decision to take in Liv because of the light we both possibly saw..." She added.

"If I recall, Liv is the only one out of us three to be rewarded with an honour medal of the highest rankings. I may not express my sentiments well... but I trust her to know what to do in a situation like this." Lee remarked, agreeing with his leader's words.

"I'd think so too... and I'm sure Commandant does as well." Lucia responded with a slight nod.

"He certainly will, being who he is." The gunner Construct said, referring to Kiryu's treatment of the entire team even up to now.

"Speaking of which, he and Kamui are back." He added, both Constructs seeing Kiryu and the Strike Hawk member return.

"Oh, done with calling that 'Strike Hawk guy' now?" The said Construct remarked with a light snark but was cut off by Kiryu.

"Both of you can talk as much as you want later, the entrance we've seen is small enough only for a compact group of Corrupted coming in and out rather than in large quantities."

"Yup, you can basically divide them into two groups, one patrolling in and out and the others wandering outside the ruins." Kamui interjected.

"With all things considered, infiltration is the best option if we are to avoid combat and get to our objective faster."

"Then infiltration it is, everyone in optimal condition?" The Commandant questioned, looking at the team members one by one.

"My frame's all good, no systemic malfunction and my weapons are still working fine." Lee stated as Lucia seconded.

"I have no internal or external damage, weapon is also in optimal condition." 

"I'm ready and waiting, Commandant!" Kamui added, swinging his arms.