The Neptunia Chronicles

Goddess in Exile

It had been a day since the celebration for Noire's and Lance's love, and Andrew was somewhat tired. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Yea?" Andrew asked as he rubbed his eyes.

"Andrew, you and Neptune are needed in Noire's room. There's been a development." Histoire called.

"Coming." Andrew replied. Next to him, Neptune was just waking up from her slumber. They were in a spare bedroom in Lastation's Basilicom, not having left yet due to the ongoing efforts to bring Lastation back up to speed.

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As Neptune and Andrew were walking towards the elevator, the smell of smoke filled the air, though not as heavily as it was a couple days ago. They step into the elevator and go to the top floor, the bright sunlight blinding them with their tired eyes.

"Man I'm tired." Neptune yawned, before laying her head on Andrew's arm. Andrew couldn't help but smile as he wrapped his arm around her, keeping her close. The rest of the ride up was silent. As the door opened, the extent of the damage to Noire's room was apparent. The carpet and furniture were charred and burned beyond repair, and large bits of the ceiling and walls were missing, vaporised when the missiles hit. It was a miracle that the basilicom hadn't collapsed from all the damage it took. Noire, Lance, Fahrid, and someone else had turned around when Andrew and Neptune walked in.

"Ah, Andrew there you are. And Neptune as well. Great, we're all gathered." Noire said with a smile.

"Yea I guess we are. Sorry about the room, by the way." Andrew said meekly as Lance stifled a laugh.

"Hey, it could be worse. All it needs is some TLC and it will be good as new." Fahrid said as he tossed Andrew a rolled up bundle of copied documents.

"Maybe, but much of that furniture had been crafted specially for me, especially that dining table. Even with some repairs, I doubt this place will be the same. Not to mention Uni has no bed anymore." Noire said with a heavy sigh. Andrew turned to Uni, who looked extremely tired.

"Don't ask, I was on the couch downstairs." Uni said with a yawn. With her were some Lastation Military commandos who had volunteered for the mission at hand; rescuing Azure Heart.

"Alright. Since we're all here, let's get down to business." the mysterious man said bluntly. "First of all, I am Titus Lorel, the Minister of War for the democratic government of the Federation of Aurelius. I came here to work with you guys to find and execute a plan to rescue our CPU, the goddess Azure Heart, from Jose's men. Everything that is said will be on the documents you have been handed, so feel free to review them at any time." Titus continued. There was a short pause before IF spoke up.

"I have spoken with the guild and asked for scouting parties. The guild has confirmed that Azure Heart is being held as a slave at a farmhouse currently owned by one of Jose's top generals, Ludwig Schneider. He doesn't possess any special abilities, but the men under his command are elite. Be on your guard over there." IF explained. There was an even shorter pause as IF gazed at the people who would participate in the mission.

"Gentlemen." IF began, facing the commandos. "Uni, Nepgear and Fahrid will lead this mission. You will be injected into the area by a Pelican dropship modified with an optical stealth generator that Titus had kindly given us. It would be as if you were never in the area to begin with. You'll then sneak in, rescue the CPU, and then head back to the forest for extraction. Remember that defenses will be tight. Keep it quick, quiet, and clean. Good luck." IF said, ending her monologue. With that, Nepgear, Uni, Fahrid, and the commandos walk out of the room.