Chapter 114 Reuion

Despite how calm things seemed no one could bring themselves to relax. It's the end of the world aftr all.

After his conversation with Shizuru Sam went back to his lab to continue his desparate attempt at finding a way to survive. In the meantime Alice was working on another task; unless the Nephilim decide to attack right then and there those who had decided to remain in the base have to prepare to abandon it as soon as possible.

The plan is to go into hiding until a way to fight back is found. That said, it was difficult to see themselves remaining out of sight for long. Their enemy is much more technologically advanced and would most likely sniff them out in no time.

''Guess in the end space is our only choice, huh...'' Sam muttered to himself.

He was in the second lab room fiddling with the Valkyrie heart he was working on before this whole mess escalated. After taking it off he went and put it back together all while a new one is being created. Sadly it would be pointless to just make a perfect copy so he was adding some modification he came up with a while ago, though he had no idea whether they would prove to be of any use.

''Space?''

Turning around Sam was met with the curious eyes of Zero Three.

''Yes. It might be our only choice.'' Sam replied then turned his sight to the glass wall. ''That said, it's somewhat difficult to see us surviving out there.''

Talking about escaping to space and actually doing it are two different things, Sam knew that very well. In the decade since the calamities first appeared humanity had managed to advance enough to make it possible, however no one had made that attempt so far.

'Why...?'

He remembered a little part of what Wolf had told during his visit, about Odin escaping to the stars above. What made him think that the enemy wouldn't follow him? That's a good question. As far as they know those monsters should have the capabilities to travel through space, and seeing that they were ready to massacre an entire race to get what they want it's easy to see them continuing the chase even is the remaining humans somehow manage to make it outside the planet.

''I wonder what it's like out there...?'' Zero Three said.

''Technically you should be able to go there if you want.''

''Really!?'' Three exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

''Yes. I mean, there is no upper limit to the altitude you can reach, and you don't really need air.'' Sam replied.

''Then, maybe I should give it a try the next time I have free time?''

''Good idea. We can use that as an opportunity to gather information.''

'The latest_epi_sodes are on_the Nov elB i n website.',

Whether it will be the solution to their problems or not, a space trip would surely buy them enough time to come up with something to counter the Nephilim, or so hoped Sam.

As his mind returned to focusing on his work, he heard the beeping sound of his phone alerting him that a message has arrived.

[We have been informed that a number of survivors from the headquarters will be relocating here. They're scheduled to arrive in about two hours.]

The message was from Alice, however the contents were a bit confusing. Survivors from the headquarters were coming, but he had no idea as to why.

'Shouldn't they stay somewhere close to the three big settlements?'

The forty sixth base is quite far from from the headquarters so it doesn't make sense for them to send what's left of their forces to it, eve if they were spreading them across the rest of the front-line.

'Well, anyway...'

Knowing that he will get the answers he is looking for soon enough, Sam returned his focus to the task at hand.

~[]~

A couple of hours later Sam left the lab and headed to the runway to greet the survivors that were about to arrive. Something like this shouldn't be a part of his job, but with how things were going lately the base's commander has been seeking his input on most of the big decisions which forces him to be present for occasions such as this.

In just a few minutes the air-crafts became visible in the sky and soon enough they arrived and landed safely. Looking at their outer shell it's clear that they didn't have that smooth of a trip which made Sam wonder if they were attacked on their way here.

''Do you have any idea on who they are?'' Sam asked.

''Sadly, no.'' Alice, who was standing beside him answered. ''At the very least it doesn't seem like any of the higher ups are among them.''

With how things have been going recently the last thing Sam wanted was a high and mighty general from the headquarters to come here ad start ordering them around. That said, he cold always strip their authority away. All he has to do is use the message from the Nephilim to shake the soldiers' trust in the higher ups, no one would be stupid enough to follow their orders after hearing that they might be the reason why humanity had to suffer for all those years.

'Well, that also means we can't interrogate them to see if they know anything...'

It would have been great if wolf was among the survivors, however it doesn't seem like that's the case. The old man seemed to know a lot more than he lets on, he even knows that the Valkyrie blue prints are fake. Though she's doing her best to remain calm, Sam could tell that Alice wasn't feeling well. There have been no news from Wolf ever since his last call, and the fact that he has yet to contact them despite how their conversation had ended told them that he most likely didn't survive. That and everything else that's happening it would be only natural if she's at her limit by now.

The ship opened and the passengers began descending. The looks on their faces were those of soldiers who have sen carnage. No amount of therapy will ever be enough to get them back to how they were. Alice stepped forward to great them making sure to keep her smile to herself, she had to make sure to keep how they feel into account.

As he watched silently from the sides Sam spotted a familiar face in the corner of his eye.

'',

''Miku?''

The moment he muttered her name the young blond Valkyrie seemed to notice him as well causing her expression to brighten instantly. Without paying any mind to the atmosphere in the surroundings she quickly dashed in his direction, tears gathering in her eyes, then threw herself into his arms as he reflexively held his hands up seeing her jump in his direction.

''Doctor!!!'' She cried, tears flowing uncontrollably. ''Doctor! I was so afraid! I did my best, but... but...''

''Now now, everything will be fine.'' Sam said as he gently patted the Valkyries head.

He didn't want to check but he found himself glancing at his surroundings and as expected the reaction from the crowd was nothing but shock.

Alice was shaking her head in exasperation while the arriving solders were frozen in their places. The most amusing reaction was that of Zero Three whose face was completely red as she stepped away from the shock.

''I see that even the Valkyries aren't safe from you.'' An annoyed voice spoke followed by a long sigh.

Returing his gaze in the direction of the ship, Sam found himself eye to eye with an old acquatence.

''Just because it's the end of the world doesn't mean you can go aroud seducing kids''

''Elina...''

Sam didn't know how to react when faced with the disgusted look his ex-girlfriend had on. Thechnically she wasn't in the wrong. He was standing there with a cute young girl crying in his arms, and since there is no way the two of them are related it's only right for the people watching them to assume the worst.

''Well, whatever you did to her, I guess we should be thankful for it.'' said Elina, allowing herself to smile.

''what are you talking about?'' Sam asked.

''It's you, isn't it?'' she asked. ''You are the one who asked her to prioritize her own safety over everything else?''

Hearing that Sam looked down at Miku who was sniffling as she tried to supress her tears.

''I did as Doctor said.'' Backing away from him, the small blond Valkyrie wiped her tears before going on. ''I prioritized my safety over everything else, however I couldn't just run away and leave everyone to die, that's why...''

''If it weren't for her the rest of us would've been forced to fight till the very end.''

Stepping forwordfrom behind Elina, a young woman with silver hair, clearly a Valkyrie as well, spoke with a solemn expression on her face.

''We are very thankful for your directions, doctor Sam Sanderson.''