Archcore: Echoes of Ion

[21] - [Nobel]

The ODIN had been moved to the front of Proxima's ship. The Sentinel had long since become active after the first attempted attack from Rune. Despite showing the strength of only a fraction of its power, Rune had continued on with their attempts to bring down the ODIN.

Many of the Rune ships fired their own weapons as well as the weapons from their Dreadnoughts. Multiple beams from various directions in front of the ODIN.

Its only response was to raise both its arms, creating a barrier. Once the beams made contact, they were reflected back in multiple directions with some striking Rune ships, destroying them instantly.

Changing their attacks, guided missiles and Dreadnoughts were sent out. But ODIN quickly responded with its own attacks once more.

Embedded in the palms of the ODIN were orb-like objects. From the shoulders to the hands, its arms began to glow a bright blue before firing two powerful beams from its hands. Waving its hands outward, the ODIN destroyed every missile and Dreadnought coming towards it and Proxima.

However, it continued with the attack, striking and destroying more of Rune's ships.

"How much of ODIN's energy was spent?" Proxima asked.

"Just from these few attacks... only ten percent." Rosario answered.

Proxima just nodded in silence.

"What remains of Rune's fleet is backing away." One operator announced.

"Continue for Mars." Proxima said, "As for the ODIN, shut it down for the moment. We need to let it regain what energy was lost in this attack. It must be at full power before we arrive."

At her order, the ODIN was deactivated. Attaching itself to the front of Proxima's ship, the lights around its body and eyes went out as its head slowly leaned forward, and both arms fell limply to its side.

-[Vanadis]-

While waiting for Carla to extract the appropriate amount of Ion from Kate and Erin, all Azuma could do was wait, mentally preparing himself for what was to come. As he did, Gale had decided to speak with him in hopes to calm him and keep his mind off the risks of the Ion.

Coming to Azuma, Gale stopped with a few inches between the two and turned his back to face away from Azuma who did the same, "Do you remember the first time we met?" Gale asked.

"You wanted to fight me. If I recall, you were incredibly hostile to me."

"Yeah, I apologize for that." Gale sighed, "But in the end, you beat me. Your skill and my arrogance cost me that match, but I did give you a place to stay."

"Then challenged me to another match." Gale chuckled at Azuma's response. 

"For a time, I went with a mindset of being an expendable human. What I did wouldn't matter much if I died, another Azuma would take my place. But deep down, I was scared, even now I'm still scared, scared of dying. Having you all did make me feel better, like I was unique to others, but now it only scares me more. Like what if instead of me, it's you all who die? Then I can't help but wonder, what was going through Noir's mind? During all this?"

"Gale, I'm beyond terrified, but I still have to do something. I need to stop Proxima from taking the Ion from Mars."

Gale let out a small laugh, "I envy you, Azuma Lynx."

"You're choosing what life you want to live, meanwhile I have an obligation to my family, to take up my father's place. Just don't forget me when this is all over, because I'd like to have a rematch with you... one last time."