Deep within the fortified walls of the citadel, a brightly lit monitoring room hummed with low, constant energy. A network of drones, squires on the ground, and an array of specialized sensors gave the room a window to the practical class. As squads 3 and 9 entered the final, desperate moments of combat a monitor zeroed in on Gilbert. On the monitor, Gilbert and Aisling were attacking the main attackers keeping the beast distracted, as the others attacked from a distance. Even then the beast used its massive jaw and tail to keep them at bay while piling on injuries.
Inside the room sitting in the center, Doctor Wolmer focused on Gilbert as he fought studying his every move while using Pantheon to study his body's parameters and his suit's performance. As Doctor Wolmer hunched over his array of holographic monitors, meticulously studying the battle footage, the door creaked open. A tall man with striking ginger hair and a neatly trimmed beard strode into the room carrying his helmet underarm. Clad in well-decorative power armor, his left pauldron proudly bore four emblazoned scales, while his right showcased two interlocking rings topped with the Roman numeral II.
"I did what you asked, Doctor. But are so bored now that you would have me sabotage some squires?" the man asked in a gruff tone before emptying a table containing research papers to use as a chair.
Without diverting his gaze from the footage, Doctor Wolmer replied calmly, "I wanted to study something."
The armored knight crossed his arms and legs "So, how is it?" he inquired
Wolmer's eyes flickered between the data and the image of Gilbert on the battlefield. "Underwhelming, honestly. There is something off about the way he moves," the Doctor observed. "His movements are fundamentally solid, basic even. Yet there is an anomaly: his movements seem off especially compared to the others. For some reason, his rad energy while at the same level is more potent than the others similar to the fairies."The knight with a bored look slowly chimed in, "His thruster usage is rather unusual. While his technique is straightforward, he employs them deftly - quite adeptly for someone at his rank."
"Yes!" Doctor Wolmer exclaimed, his excitement evident tone lacking its usual clinical detachment. He began tapping on a holographic keyboard, pulling up archived footage of Gilbert's previous clashes.
"he's been using his thrusters more frequently than his peers. And notice, they appear more powerful than standard. Very interesting."
"It's a pity there is not much you can do about this I hope you keep that in mind Doctor because I won't be helping you in the form of experimentation. Last time I checked all of the Mad Doctor assistants are either dead or in graves," said the Knight.
"Don't worry I Know what I must do," he replied
Back on the battlefield, the Tier III Styx lay slain, its large frame marred with countless wounds. Around its motionless form, members of Squad 9 and Squad 3 lay injured and scattered, their labored breaths breaking the silence.
Gilbert forced himself up from the scarred earth, leaving his shattered electro-sword abandoned in the dust. Using his remaining good arm, he quickly sheathed his remaining sword before taking his rifle from his side gripping it tightly. Taking labored steps his injured arm protesting in pain his obligation drove him to watch over the others as they pulled themselves together.
"William, Gilbert, Adam, and I will be watching guard the rest of you help each other as he retreats to the truck," instructed Aisling getting up from the floor.
"This Squire 141, Squads 9 and 3 are requesting permission to retreat we have sustained mass casualties," Gilbert reported
"Permission granting," came squire 3A! across the comms.
Arriving at the truck, it was immediately clear that it, too had suffered an attack. Yet, in stark contrast to their suffering that was hellish, the truck occupants appeared injured but unruffled. Out of the truck, Chen Mei and Squad 3's medic burst forth, sprinting toward their comrades with swift urgency meanwhile the mechanics walked behind them in measured steps. They began removing their tattered armor for emergency treatment, but Aisling's firm voice brought them to a halt.
"Remove your armors one at a time," she ordered, commanding in a strict tone.
Kean, leaning casually against a nearby rock while scanning the ragged terrain, grinned wryly. "Says the girl with a hole in her stomach," he quipped.
Aisling's eyes flashed even as her squad medic worked to slide her chest piece free. "And what if we're attacked while we are stripped down, are you going to attack them with your fist and vast repertoire of wits?" she shot back. The squad then went about methodically preparing for the possibility of another onslaught.
As Anastasia removed Gilbert's armor, Chen Mei quickly moved in to treat his injuries. With quick steady movements of her hands repairing the armor, she asked, "Are you guys okay? I thought- I thought I was going to lose one of you after that message came across the comms." Gilbert looked at her to see her eyes red gently tapping her forehead he said "Have you forgotten who am? Don't worry we haven't even been to space yet how could we die ?"
"Yeah, you're right. You are troublemakers they usually live long" she replied while patching up his armor, she connected to the console to scan for any hidden damages. After a moment, she commented dryly,
"Your suits' thrusters are more damaged than expected. I'll need to replace the jets and back at base, they will need a thorough overhaul. How hard are you using these things? You can't even fly properly!"
Chen Mei then cut in "Okay, I'm done here- we need to move on to the others. Leader, please be careful," she said, hurrying off toward the next injured member. As the injured squads received treatment, low-tier Styx intermittently attacked their positions but the remaining squads held the enemy at bay. Amid the tense atmosphere, their HUDs suddenly flashed a crippling spike in rad levels. The squire's eyes widened in alarm as the warning blared across their screens.
"Stand firm!" 3A1's commanding voice echoed over the comms. No sooner had his words faded when a bright light came from the direction of their battle blinding them than a deafening explosion ripped through the air. In an instant, the soldiers braced themselves, their bodies tensing as the shock wave surged outward, battering them all. The blast sent debris flying, and the ground quaked beneath their feet as they stumbled, desperately trying to cling to their positions. In the aftermath, bodies swayed and weapons clattered to the ground, while the soldiers regained their balance they came to attention watching their surroundings. As they stood in silence they saw 3A1 and his squad return, giving off high energy levels.
"You guys did a good job, pack up were returning to the academy." He said, as he continued speaking to the battered squads the distant rumble of approaching trucks arrived in earshots. Out of the heavily armored vehicles soldiers with stern-faced, clad reinforced helmets and chest pieces stepped down. Each carried chainsaws and hooks that gleamed unnervingly, Collectors. They moved methodically across the battlefield with machine efficiency. Each slain Styx was attended to. Sparks flew as chainsaws gnawed through the carcasses, harvesting valuable alloys from defeated beasts. Slow clinical scavenging of the spoils of war in grim calculus of life, death, and profit. In the vast federation, the metals derived from Styx's body were coveted commodities, used to craft advanced weaponry and power armor modules.
Yet it wasn't just the metal that held value, the meat of some Styxes was prized for their unique properties, a rare delicacy, a potent source of satiety, and a source of biochemical compounds, especially for those in Tier I cities.
"What you guys never seen collectors before, move out now!" 3A1 shouted as he tried to move onto the truck. As they watched them work they hurried loaded into the truck before they made their way back towards the citadel. As they traveled in the truck they saw knights on antigrav bikes escorting their return. Gilbert stared back at the battlefield the relentless machinery of war and profit an unyielding system played before his eyes leaving a bitter aftertaste in his mouth.
Arriving at the citadel they arrived to see Captain Cade standing there his armor drenched in blood preventing them from seeing the decorations his power armor carried, a gun and shield in hand.
" High Knight 3A1 I want a full report on what happened. Everyone else stand at attention!" As they moved into formation they watched as 3A1 saluted the Captain before explaining the process of what happened.
"Everyone, return your armors to the armory and get some rest—you have classes tomorrow. Then report back to field three in two hours. You all did well today. You've brought glory to this academy and yourselves," Captain Caded declared, his authoritative tone carrying across the weary assembly. As the fading light of twilight cast a soft glow over the landscape, mirroring the complex emotions swirling within them, they marched purposefully toward the armory. Just as they were about to depart, a startling sound broke the stillness, drawing their attention. They turned to see Captain Cade soaring through the air, propelled by powerful thrusters, his figure silhouetted against the vibrant hues of the setting sun as he was swept toward the ominous rift.