RM Side Story 24: 8492nd (Part 18-2)

RM Side Story 24: 8492nd (Part 18-2)

"That so call WMD of yours," Morgan, together with Aria, the officers of G&K, and members of Echelon 1, are gathering next to the repair bay designated for SCAR-L, otherwise known as Aliana. "Is not a true weapon per se. Rather, it's a derelict terraforming device that was haphazardly reactivated and weaponized into a ground-based, planetary bombardment installation of sorts."

After Echelon 1 has been safely extracted back to Base 794, they dropped off the captured data onto Morgan. The pilot has been quick to analyze it and is now disseminating the information to the parties involved in the mission earlier. Even Aliana, whose legs are being worked on by HiPer, tunes in to the briefing.

"Terraforming device?" Helian perked up at that. "As in the hypothetical machine that can help transform planets to be more suited for human beings?"

Morgan then makes a finger gun at Helian. "You got that one half-correct, Helian. The terraforming device is coded for an alien species. Its terraforming process, when finished, will make Earth unhabitable for humankind. Hence it took Sangvis almost no trouble at all to convert it to suit their more sinister needs. From what I can see, however, the origin of this device is unknown. As in it bears no resemblance to the architecture of the Relics of your world. As for what its effects are when deploy..."

Morgan then inputs a command, running the holographic simulation of the installation in action for all to see. She then explains further for the rest. "To put it in layman's terms, the weapon will fire a beam of energy into the atmosphere, thus generating a powerful lightning storm in the targeted area. There is an approximately 12-second delay before the lightning storm cloud is visible. 2 seconds after that, the lightning bolts commence. The duration of the strike is proportional to how much energy has been discharged from the installation. Due to the nature of the highly energetic storm, it's safe to say that all technologies in the affected area will be disabled. You can even make the argument that just a single rain droplet in the storm is enough to short-circuit most handheld devices as it's that volatile. I need not explain how much devastation this will bring upon an army group or a populated city, no?"

The others frown, seeing the holographic projection of a storm cloud striking thunders on a hypothetical city. Helian, on her part, has a grave expression. "Just this alone is enough to cripple a nation. If Sangvis is able to get this thing online, then the war is lost before it even started."

Morgan scratches her cheek with a wry smile at that. Aria, who is the most intimate with Morgan, knows that she isn't done with the news train. "There's more to this, right?"

The others turn to Morgan at the question. Sighing, Morgan helplessly nods. "In a way, a terraforming device is a God's toy. Sangvis is basically holding a gun at humanity's head by retrofitting such a device for a more sinister purpose. And the thing is, it's already completed. The only thing left is for Sangvis to test-fire it a month from now. A timeframe that is no doubt has been moved up ahead of schedule after the shenanigan we pulled last night."

"Well, this is just great." Gentiane sighed, suddenly being confronted with the fact that there was a timer on their heads.

"So... What does this mean to us?" P90 asked with an unsure smile.

HiPer answers while attaching a new leg for Aliana. "It means that we have to destroy it as soon as possible, regardless of the cost."

"Yikes... And we just barely got out of that alive." P90 collapsed onto a spare bed with a thud. It's not just her but also the other members of Team FN who are sporting various degrees of battle fatigues.

Kalina, who is helping HiPer pass her the necessary toolings, asks Helian. "Chief, can't we bring the Army in since this is obviously way above our paycheck."

Helian nods, saying. "I am planning to right after this. However, there's still the matter that Sangvis will be able to detect the Army's response force from miles away. Sending in the Army may just force Sangvis to act even faster now."

"But at least we will be able to get whatever help we can. The government may even be willing to loosen the equipment restriction on our company." Gentiane added. "But then again, it may not amount to much when Sangvis literally has the biggest gun. I am deeply afraid for my girls when they decide to unleash a storm of lightning above their heads."

SCAR-SC chimes in. "If the Army isn't the way then why can't the Soviets use their Air Force? I reckon they can bomb everything if they invest enough."

Morgan shakes her head, pulling out the layout of the installation hosting the weapon. "A bombing mission won't be enough. Sangvis literally hollowed out a mountain to hide the weapon. They also set up defensive AA positions and CIWSs all over the mountain range and I doubt this map you gave me showed the full picture of what to be expected. Short of nuking the area, which I highly doubt they will choose to do due to the fallout, the only option left is to mount a major, combined-arms operation to flush Sangvis out of the Carpathians. The only downside is just like what Helian said, they will see this coming."

Aliana, who is already on a bed, sighs melancholy. "If only we didn't need to spring that alarm to get that data package. Perhaps we would have time to formulate a better response."

SCAR-H, who is leaning by her sister's headrest, pats Aliana on the shoulder in silent comfort. Aliana responds by bringing grasping SCAR-H's hand with her refurbished arm. The members of G&K aren't sure about how to proceed. Seeing them in deep thought like that, Morgan and Aria share a knowing look.

It seems like their time has come.

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Despite brainstorming for ideas from early daybreak till late evening, the G&K staff all agree that with the limited options they have available, it's better to warn the government first. As such, Helian has forwarded everything they have to the man-in-charge of G&K, Berezovich Kryuger himself. And using his connection as a retired military officer and former commander of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Neo-Soviet, Kryuger is quick to alert the top brass of the Neo-USSR of the new development. Words fly around that they are appalled and a fire is lit under their seats while they hastily discussed countermeasures to this new threat. A threat that may blow up in their face as it can invoke WW4 and the world as they know it will end.

Kryuger has ordered that all sectors are to be on alert and standby for further directives, Base 794 is also not an exception to this order. As such, it's shocked both Gentiane and Helian, who are resting for the night in their quarters, when Kalina barges into their rooms, screaming the question. "Why is it that the 8492nd Squadron is taking off!? Avalon is not responding to any of my hail and is taxing on the runway right now!"

"WHAT!?" Both Helian and Gentiane hastily put on their coats before dashing for the ATC tower. Something is wrong and they need to know what.

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"This is Commander Gentiane to the 8492nd Avalon Squadron! You better give me a damn good reason why the hell you woke me up to an unauthorized take-off procedure! In the middle of the night no less!" Gentiane nearly screamed over the opened comms channel when she saw the Arias performing their vertical takeoff maneuver. Turning to Kalina, Gentiane questions. "You were the last to talk with them. What were they doing then?"

Kalina scratches her head. "Well, Papasha and I were helping them rearm their planes according to their specification. Back then, they didn't seem like they will do something like this!"

Suddenly, a charming laugh is heard from the other end of the comms channel. "Don't blame Kalina or Papasha, Gentiane. It's not our intention to let you girls know about what we will be doing soon. Had you known about our intention, I doubt you would let us sortie."

Gentiane looks outside, seeing the Arias already hovering above the air, leveling their altitude to that of the height of the ATC tower. While Gentiane and Helian can't see the pilots due to the armor plating on the cockpit, they have a feeling that both Morgan and Aria are staring right back at them. "You say you're sortieing, but for what? There's no ongoing mission nor is there any distress call. Unless..."

Helian finishes that sentence. "You want to deal with the weapon, alone."

Morgan chuckles. "Technically not alone as I have Aria with me, mind you. And in case you've forgotten, both of us are here to deal with an anomaly, one that does not belong in this world's destiny. By now, you should have guessed what I mean."

Gentiane frows, replying with clear frustration in her voice. "That terraforming device is the anomaly, isn't it?" She breathes out. "Even so! You two can't just go at this without support! That's no different than suicide!"

It's Aria that answers Gentiane's exclamation. "We are more than enough, Gentiane. If that installation is not of this world, then we just deal with it on our own terms."

"In other terms, fight fire with fire." Morgan added with a patience and kind tone. "I know you're worried, about us. But you must understand that we are tasked with a mission, one that revolves around the fate of your world. We can't just sit on our laurels now that we learned those new information. And if this world is unfit to defend itself, then we will pick up the slack, alone if we have to. I am not gonna let the friends I've made along the way, perish due to some godforsaken reasons." Aria also hums in acknowledgment of the last sentence.

The others in the tower feel their heart sink at the assertion. They also feel elated that the pilots once again confirmed the new bonds they've helped create. Yet, what they're feeling the most right now is none other than frustration. One that's born out of their lacking strength and not being able to support their comrades in defending the world that's not theirs to begin with. And while they're not sure what to say in return to Morgan's assertion, the door to the ATC tower is swung open as familiar faces pour in.

"Morgan!" Aliana shouted while running toward the viewing windows. She is followed by the rest of Team FN and even Kar98k. Kar98k looks at the G&K officers and nods with a wry smile. "Sorry, madams, I tried to advise them but, as you can see..." Kar98k gestures toward Echelon 1, earning knowing nods from the human officers.

"Morgan! Aria! You don't need to do this on your own!" Aliana shouted at the hovering aircraft. "Surely we can work out something together, one that doesn't involve you two flying in the dark!"

A brief silence follows after Aliana's intrusion before a melancholy sigh is heard. "You girls should be in bed right now... But I guess it would be impossible for you to not wake up after this upheaval movement." Morgan jested.

The young pilot then continues. "As I have said, we are here to fulfill our mission, securing a future for this world, for you. And during our short stay here, we have managed to befriend and even fight together with you, the shining beacons in a brave new world." Morgan then stops before chuckling. "We managed to even snag a love interest or two! I am looking at you, Gentiane, and a few others who are being very vague in their feelings. Hence I can speak for both myself and Aria that this world, while not exactly our home, is worth fighting for due to the experiences we have along the way."

Gentiane, though she blushes at being called out, smiles sadly. "But didn't you two say that you will return to your homeworld when you're done here? That will give me-, us no chance at all to confirm our feelings."

Spoiler[collapse]

Stepping closer to inspect the Doll, which is now jerking nonstop in errors due to the critical damages she suddenly sustained, Morgan places her fingers beneath the Ripper's chin. Pushing the Doll's face up so that she can see her clearly, Morgan is once again surprised by how such a delicate face can be made into a somewhat perfect killing machine. Out of morbid curiosity, Morgan wipes clean of the Ripper's lips before surprisingly interlocking their lips together. An action that seems to clean up the errors of the rogue T-Doll as her purple eyes widen behind her visor. Smirking at the dumbfounded and very much alive expression the Sangvis girl is making, Morgan dances her tongue around the Ripper's own before pulling back. Looking at the stunned Ripper, Morgan chuckles. "You know, I am usually a bit shy about romantic and lewd matters, being the little spoon and all that in my relationships. But somehow," Morgan then boldly presses her palms onto the Ripper's right breast and lady parts. "You girls seem to entice my wilder side."

Morgan then gets her hands underneath the Ripper's purple one-piece armored bikini, checking out a hypothesis for herself. Finding what she is looking for, Morgan smirks. "I must admit, it's a pleasant surprise to know that you have what it's needed to perform sexual activity. Though I doubt you will be able to have a kid though that doesn't matter much in my book." Pushing her fingers inside the Ripper's vagina while fondling her nipple, Morgan comments. "Good elasticity and tightness too, you girls sure know how to tick my checkboxes."

Suddenly, Morgan ceases her activity and stands up, looking down at a breathless Ripper with her face reddish not because of her damage. "But sadly, I must vacate the area, my dear. I have places to see and destructions to be~! If Yggdra will have it, we will be seeing each other again!"

Morgan then walks away with a smile. She makes a few steps before turning around, flicking an object at the shocked Ripper before saying. "Though I have a feeling you will meet my daughter first. For that, you will be needing a little something, a good luck charm."

Leaving behind an anticipating smile, which the Ripper manages to record with her optical scanners, Morgan walks into the shadow of a building and disappears for good. On the Ripper's part, she slowly looks down at the object that Morgan left behind. Despite her logic warning her against it, the Ripper picks up the peculiar object, only to see that it's a mechanical pocket watch, composed of obsidian casing and a golden clock face.

'Just what is the meaning of this...? Of that earlier?' The Ripper wondered, not knowing that she shouldn't have been able to ask those questions in the first place.

Though she doesn't know the answers, if there are any, the Ripper still deposits her pocket watch in a storage compartment. For some reason, she has a feeling that it's best to keep the watch safe and secure by her side.

Now, to wait for a retrieval party.

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Confused.

Truly and utterly confused.

What brings about this change?

What sort of logical developments have occurred?

What kinds of neurotic computer virus has she contracted for her to be serving coffee to an unknown individual?!

Just what the fuck is wrong with her mainframe right now!?

Agent has so many questions!? Questions that she doesn't know whether it's safe to get the answer for!

And why the fuck is Mastermind being fed Red Velvet in the arms of this intruder!!!

And will someone please shoot down those aircraft already!!! Her head is already aching from the absurdity of the sight before her! It doesn't need the constant bombing to serve as the backdrop!

"Come on Elisa, say 'Ah~'"

"Ah~!" Elisa opened her mouth like a good little girl, letting Morgan feed her with the delicious Red Velvet that Agent, somehow, was able to make despite the short notice.

... Agent.exe has stopped working.

Snickering at the cracking poker face of Agent, Morgan then cooed. "Aww~! You're so cute, Elisa! Here, have another slice. Or do you want to taste the coffee that Agent made? I assure you, Agent makes tasty drinks!"

Tilting her head, the white-haired loli replies with an even tone. "I pick coffee... With milk."

Morgan then lightly pinches Elisa's cheek. "An excellent choice! Come now Agent, serves your Mastermind a cup."

Robotically, well, even more robotically than before, Agent pours and presents Elisa with a cup of milk coffee. The maid is acting on full autopilot right now, much to Morgan's amusement. And despite the oddity of the situation, the trio maintains their current... stalemate? Morgan continues to dote on Elisa the Mastermind while the loli herself seems to enjoy the motherly attention. Agent, on the other hand, seems to keep rebooting herself only to fail in keeping a straight face, and ultimately, she crashes over and over.

This laughable circumstance is only broken by the sound of a notification, coming from a large computer behind them. The three turn their heads at the source to see that a program is ready to be executed. Morgan is the first to speak up. "Seems like we will have to cut out fun time short, Elisa. I still have a job to do and you may need to vacate this base soon."

Elisa, on her part, nods, but Agent has woken up and is quick to demand. "What is the meaning of all this?! How could you walk in on us and immediately seized our command status?!"

Morgan just chuckles while patting Elisa's hair, making the Mastermind close her eyes, pleased. Agent nearly has a heart attack at that cute expression but she endures in the end. Morgan explains, but not much. "Well, let's just say that your creator was inspired by someone to make you. And now, you've come to see that inspiration in the flesh. But I assure you, I am here, meaning you no bodily harm. In fact, I will even protect you from what's about to come."

Agent frowns before gesturing to the side. "Protect us, but you did all of this?" Morgan just shrugged at the absolute carnage that she had created before getting here. Drones were completely decimated in the most insane ways Agent had ever seen while the Dolls were incapacitated whenever possible by incomprehensible means! Even Agent herself was incapacitated the moment she tried to raise her four underskirt energy machine guns. Morgan was swift in reversing Agent's gravity, making her fly into the air before disabling her machine guns by encasing them in ice and breaking them.

"Even if I have the command authorization, I still need you to respect my authority. A display of force was needed to ensure that. I apologize if it rattled your mentality for a few moments." Morgan said with a smile. "But it got my point across, no? That if I were serious, we wouldn't be here chatting and enjoying confectionaries."

"... It is as you said." Agent relented, having learned of the difference in power and the apparent lack of resistance from her Mastermind.

Elisa, who has been silenced thus far, chimes in with a singsong voice. "There's no logical reason to resist her. It will be an overwhelming defeat."

"I understand, Master." Agent bowed. "I will not raise the subject again."

"Good, well then... Computer, activates the Balaur cannon at the designated coordinates! Maximum fire rate! Continuous fire until the reactor is overloaded!" Morgan said out loud with a grin, leading Agent to sigh but unable to do anything.

All their work here will soon be gone, encased in flame and rocks.

"Warning! The possibility of friendly fire is detected! The risk of reactor meltdown is detected!"

"Computer, authorization code: Yuki-Victor-0-0-1-1-7." Morgan inputted vocally.

"Authorization code confirmed. Removing safety restrictions of Balaur. The Balaur is firing. Target location, here."

Morgan then picks up Elisa in a princess carry before motioning Agent to follow her. "You may want to have the Dolls evacuate also." Agent sighs but nods and gives out the command through the Sangvis hivemind.

Elisa snuggles into the arms of Morgan, asking. "Where are we going?"

Morgan smiles down at the innocent-looking Elisa, saying. "To see the firework, of course!" She then laughs. "Let's make this first meeting between us more memorable, shall we? And laugh at the world that is ignorantly in upheaval due to what we did."