Archcore: Echoes of Ion

[12] - [Battle on Vanaheim]

With the first attack coming, Deira in her Calla and Dreadnoughts under the SS, Pale units began to attack as well. Not long after, Dreadnoughts under Vanaheim responded to the attack as well, fighting against each other outside the colony.

With the fighting started, Deira had received a call from Daryl, informing her that he had already found Azuma, leaving only the Raven left as their second target.

"A Dreadnought?" Azuma asked himself as he slowly got to his feet, "No... it's a Psion."

Daryl sighed to himself, "This is the augmented human APEX has? I expected someone better, whatever. Better or not, you'll be dead either way." Dahlia lifted its large gun again, taking aim at Azuma, "Sorry Azuma, nothing personal, but my employers want you dead."

The gun's barrel began to spin as Daryl began to fire while Azuma started running in the opposite direction of Nessa. With the rubble blocking the way, there wasn't much Azuma would be able to do, especially after a shower of gunfire began to follow close behind him. The area began to give in as it collapsed from the damage, causing the floor beneath Azuma to crumble, sending him down several floors, disappearing within the smoke and rubble.

"Damn, I think I might have overdone it. Oh well, one less target left." Daryl said. Pulling back, the Dahlia flew over the area, disappearing from view. As for Nessa, she slowly got up to her feet, "A... Azuma..." She said weakly before Gale appeared, taking her by the hand, "Gale?" Nessa asked.

"This is no time to hang around here, Nessa. Come on." Gale said as he lifted Nessa, laying her against his shoulder as he left the area.

As the assault continued, Pale units continued attacking the Vanaheim Dreadnoughts while others came for the ships in the docking bay, "Jesse, any word on the Raven?" Deira asked.

"None, all we have is-"

"It doesn't matter. If it's unclear, then destroy the ships, it could be in any of them or it could not, willing to take that chance?" Before Jesse could respond, the Calla began firing its gun at the docked ships, destroying the bridge of each before attacking the main body.

"Deira, what are you-"

"Be quiet old man!" Deira yelled, "We're here for the Dreadnought, are you willing to risk that chance?"

Within the station, Proxima, Wallace, and Rosario split from Davide and Hilda, making their own escape from the station. Leaving the meeting area, they quickly found the artificial gravity had come on, making it a little easier for them to move around. Walking through the halls, Proxima looked to her watch, "Bastards," She started, "A hour earlier than expected."

"Was this always the intention? Is this how the SS does things?" Rosario asked. As the trio had come to another turn, Wallace stopped, causing the other two to look back at him, "Wallace? What's wrong?" Proxima asked.

"If we leave now, we risk losing the Raven. While its data is completely wiped, we risk its destruction even further if left alone with SS."

"What are you saying?" Rosario asked.

"Someone needs to stay behind. I'll stay here, you two get to the ship."

"What are you-" Rosario stopped as Proxima put a hand on her shoulder. Looking at her, Proxima simply shook her head before turning to Wallace. Reaching into her coat pocket, Proxima pulled a gun and tossed it to Wallace, "Should you find Lynx, have him stay inside the Raven."

"Yes, Lady Proxima."

With nothing else said between them, Wallace parted ways with Proxima and Rosario.

Meanwhile, the ship used to get from Vanadis to the colony was within the docking bay. Inside, Lulu had connected her tablet with the system, at her sides were Alma and Soma.