After cutting down a few more Honkai beasts and stray mechs, the team finally reached the heart of the Selena—the control room center. The heavy blast doors sealed behind them with a hiss.
Bronya immediately hurried toward the master console, fingers already flying over the holographic keys as she initiated a full systems breach.
"No hostile units at the bridge. Project Bunny 19C, force access into the main control system." she announced mechanically.
But her voice shifted, tone tightening with suspicion.
"No login passwords... full administrator's privileges granted… non-conformance with standard protocols."
Kouga crossed his arms."Well this is getting weird. This is as if they're giving us a free battleship."
He looked at the three girls."I'll contact Himeko and see what we should do."
Kiana, Mei, and Bronya nodded. Kouga opened the communication link, and Himeko's hologram flickered into existence.
He quickly explained the situation. Himeko's brows knitted."…This is really weird. They're giving us a free battleship?"
Her gaze then turned to Bronya."Be careful, Bronya. The enemy may have hidden a few trojans in the codes."
Bronya paused mid-scan."Major Himeko, the Bronya found a strange mail in the master controller unit."
Everyone froze.
"Mail?" Himeko repeated.
Bronya opened the message and read aloud:
"Dear Kiana! Greetings. We hereby return you the battleship Selene after 14 years.You shall ascend the throne and rule this world.But before that, you'll need to find 4 keys. Lightning of Conquest, Fire of Affliction, Storm of Desire, and Death of Tranquility.PS. The password to the bridge is your birthday."
All eyes turned to Kiana.
"Wait, why is this mail written for me?"
Himeko leaned forward."Kiana, do you know anything about this? Do you know anyone who would write letters like this to you?"
Kiana waved her hands frantically."No… I'm clueless… Other than Kouga don't you think I'd remember if I had a friend so rich they could give me a battleship? Plus, my stupid old man probably can't write anything like this."
She squinted accusingly at Kouga."Is it you?"
Kouga shook his head."Of course not. Sure, I have base-type robots in my Super Sentai arsenal, but none of them look like this."
Himeko murmured to herself, troubled:"Lightning of Conquest… Storm of Desire… they sound really familiar to me."
Kouga thought the same thing—maybe this wasn't meant for this Kiana at all, but for the other one inside her… Sirin.
Himeko straightened."Kiana! Tell Bronya your birthday."
Kiana sputtered."Huh? Why would I tell you girls my birthday? Himeko, this is just a stupid prank."
Mei stepped in gently but firmly."Bronya, Kiana's birthday is December 7th."
"Hey! Mei!!" Kiana protested, lunging toward her.
But Bronya had already typed it in.
"Navigation privileges granted. Re-routing vessel.New destination set: St. Freya High School."
Kiana nearly jumped."What?! They really used my birthday as the password!"
Mei exhaled in relief."We'll fly the battleship back to St. Freya High and get to the bottom of this. It seems the people sending this battleship harbor no ill intent—"
A sudden alarm shrieked through the room.
Bronya froze, body stiffening unnaturally.
"Bronya?" Himeko's voice crackled with concern."What's happening? Bronya?"
Bronya's battle suit transformed—black leotard base, dark gloves, thigh-highs, and a cold red glow in her eyes. Project Bunny materialized beside her, its white "teeth" stark against a new black-and-red frame.
Bronya's voice dropped into a robotic monotone.
"VALKYRIE SYSTEM Bio-chip anomaly detected… force activate emergency system.Rebooting.Switching to troubleshooting mode.Purge all surrounding hostiles."
Project Bunny immediately opened fire.
Kouga, Mei, and Kiana dodged as bullets tore through the consoles, severing their connection with Himeko.
Bronya lunged toward Mei; Kouga intercepted, Ryusoul-Ken sparking against Project Bunny's claws.
Mei reached out desperately."Bronya, wake up! What's happened to you?"
Kouga gritted his teeth."It's the Bio-chip in her head—we need to knock her out."
Kiana fired at Project Bunny, drawing its attention. The mech unleashed missiles at her, forcing her to roll aside.
Kouga charged, slicing off the mech's missile launcher arm. Project Bunny retaliated with a heavy punch, but Kouga sidestepped and flicked a precise strike at Bronya's head—just enough force to knock her unconscious.
Project Bunny dissipated instantly. Bronya's outfit reverted to normal.
Kouga transformed into Kamen Rider Fourze and activated the Medical Module, tending to her immediately.
Mei and Kiana rushed to Bronya's side, worry written all over their faces.
"Bronya! Wake up, Bronya!" Mei pleaded.
Bronya's eyes fluttered open."What happened, Mei nee-sama?"
The three of them sighed in relief—Kouga included.
Kiana grinned shakily."Great! You're finally awake!"
Bronya blinked, realization hitting her."The Bronya… may have lost control over her chip…"
Himeko's hologram flickered back in, her expression tight with worry.
"Valkyries, are the communications back online? Bronya? Are you alright?"
Bronya nodded faintly."The Bronya is alright… Major Himeko, please arrange a full physiological exam for the Bronya at school. The Bronya will not drag anyone down in any way."