Chapter 69: Mechanized Armor Suits

The hangar bay we walked into was more extensive than I could have ever believed, and I couldn't even make sense of what I saw. First, a row of three people-sized suits on both sides, after was a suit on either side that looked to be around seven meters tall. The thing that stopped us in our tracks was the sleek five-story tall Blue and silver MAS or whatever this thing was.

"You like it?"

We both turned to see that Sasha was waiting for us, and she motioned for us to follow her over to the set of three suits.

"What is that giant thing?"

"That is mine! The Glacial Dragoon, A Large MAS that uses the Beast Shyft System. This system allows the MAS to change shape! This one was created by one of the original Dragorian Shyfts, a race from the supergiant Knell!"

"What is she talking About, Dave?"

"I have no idea…"

"Too Much? Sorry, let's start from the basics then," Sasha started to explain. "We have suits for each member, but that also means there are only two to choose from."

She points to the pair of strange-looking suits in front of us and continues on with her explanation.

"The first suit is Energy Lich, a suit designed to leech Energy from other suits and certain lifeforms, like myself that are Energy based. This Energy is then turned into shield power and melee speed."

The suit was black with green lines, and the helmet looked like a dark king wore it before. Tendrils of braided metal cords draped from the back like chain cape—dual hand scythes attached to the hips in the same color scheme as the suit.

"This looks pretty cool, but then is it dangerous to you?"

"Not if you don't attack me with it, hehe!" Sasha giggled, making her jiggle as well.

"What's this one?" Tama asked as she was looking around the next suit, examining the tinny hexagons covering the suit.

"This is Diamond Edge. It also excels at hand to hand, along with being resistant to non-energy based attacks. When fully upgraded, the suit can even reflect energy attacks. The highlight of the suit is the system override that allows you to push past your normal limits."

"Hmmm, It looks pretty, but I think the Energy Lich is a better fit for me," Tama said with her head in one hand, looking back and forth between the two suits.

"That's fine, I like the sword this one has, and it seems like an up close and personal type of suit."

"Yes, the Naginata can be charged with Dynam, giving different effects. Dynam or Dynamisms are Energy-based manipulations that can have various effects. Some, like me, are born with it, making us elemental/Energy-based beings. Others like Tama and you have to use harvested Dynam near the planet of Knell's sector."

"Wow, this is a lot to take in all at once. Where is everyone else?" I asked while rubbing my head.

"Mmmhmm!And when are we going to get something to eat around here?" Tama asked as her stomach growled audibly.

Sasha looked at us with shock. I think she thought we would be more interested in the suits, but it was already well into the afternoon, and we had already been drinking. So, after the ride, then a shower, and then the ride in the shower, well, I was getting tired and hungry same as Tama. Sasha was quick on the uptake and let us out another door and down a long corridor.

Unlike the landing craft we rode in, the ship had gravity to hold us down. Unfortunately, it was slightly more than the standard Tama, and I was used to, and after a short three hundred meter walk, we arrived at a set of double sliding doors. When Sasha stepped forward, and the door opened, I was greeted by familiar faces.

"DAVE!" Tilly and Mikota both cried out as they ran to me.

Even though they had reminiscent facial features and body shape, the two girls were not the Cat-Kin and Snake-Kin from before. Tilly had smooth teal skin with blue hair, and the bottoms of her ears were shaped into tips, like a reverse elf ear. Tilly also had what looked to be gills on her ribs that started just below her ample breast.

Mikota, on the other hand, looked similar to a Japanese human from my world, except that she had very tanned skin. She was wearing a white kimono with a red sash, and her black hair was held up with a pair of black sticks, presumably chopsticks.

Both girls jumped into my arms, and I held them close while I was showered with kisses. I was surprised that Mikota was so up close and personal with me since we had only gotten closer during the end of the MINI-GAME. Tama was led over to a machine covered in buttons, and a door on it was similar to a microwave, and after Sasha press some buttons, the door opened with a steak and potato and sides. I wasn't able to see clearly, so I dragged over the girls and asked for help.

Both were more than willing to help, and I ended up getting a large plate of chicken and rice. As the microwave opened, the smell of freshly cooked food made my mouth water, and I walked with the girls over to sit across from Tama and Sasha. Tilly and Mikota moved to either side of me, and I dug into the food with gusto.

"We are glad you are the first person we found, Jill, Mikota, and I were here on the ship, but Sasha was already on her way to get you when she woke up. I was really confused since Mikota and I woke up together, and it wasn't until Sasha confirmed her target was you. After that, we both said your name and turned to each other."

"Ya, since the last thing I could remember was that rock troll opening up and that guy crawling out. Then after he disappeared, we activated the soul crystals, wake up here right after. Then this girl Tilly said your name and I asked her how she knew you. After her explanation about this all being a game we play and so on, we have to go along well. This is a pretty interesting place compared to the last place we were. Just wait till you try the MAS units!"

Mikota's eyes lit up with excitement when she mentioned the MAS unit, so between mouth fulls, I asked both girls about the units they used, and Mikota excitedly answered first.

"I use Plague Strider. It's so cool! It uses micro-nano bots that can disassemble even steel at an atomic level. They can also be used to make moving clones able to use the extra pulse rifles it carries!"

"Wow, that's crazy! What about your MAS, Tilly?"

"Adaptamorph: Barrage, I can turn into a weapon once I get more experience, but it still is packed with countless types of rockets. I also specialize in using my rocket-boosted fist!" Tilly gave me a bright and warm smile with the last part, and I wasn't sure if she was excited about the suit or the destructive melee power it had."

"So then what does Jill pilot?"

"She can pilot any of them, but only would use the Glacial Dragoon in emergencies. Jill is the captain, and she works with Alta to chart courses to jump to and deploy defensive protocols. Jill's the big boss around here, but she is excited to see you, Dave," Sasha explained, and she looked like she would say more, but a green light started to flash along with an alarm.

//ATTENTION, DAMAGED UW CRAFT APPROACHING, BUT NO RESPONSE FROM OCCUPANTS

"What does that mean?" Tama asked, confused and worried by the sounding alarm and flashing lights.

Before anyone could answer, the light turned red, and the alarm got worse.

//ALL UW OFFICERS, HEAD TO HANGAR BAY AND SUIT UP, FAST. IMMINENT COLLISION WITH UW DAMAGED AND NON-RESPONSIVE CRAFT IN FIFTEEN MINUTES