A.N, MB, WN freaks out when I remove notices, but I already have the chapters pre-prepared and I hate notices inflating the chapter count.
The faint sound of various mechanical devices scattered around the lab buzzed through the air. Otto stood in front of the large glass tank, his reflection overlapping with that of the unconscious girl suspended within. K-423 floated weightlessly, her silver hair drifting in the solution, eyes closed, reminding him of the day that K-423 was created, in a tank very much like this one.
He folded his hands behind his back.
So far, the plan had gone perfectly.
The gravitational fluctuations emitted by Welt's Star of Eden from the Eye of the Deep site had provided the perfect opening. Theresa's curiosity, ever the same, had led her to revisit classified records of the Second Eruption. With only minor adjustments to the Memorial Arena's underlying code, K-423 had been guided to relive the events of the Second Eruption from an external perspective. The experience had nearly awakened her. Nearly.
That was enough for now.
The incident had served as the perfect excuse to dispatch Fu Hua to St. Freya under the pretense of containment and retrieval. K-423 was unstable, and could cause an eruption at any moment.
Fu Hua, of course, knew of K-423's existence, but not of Otto's true intention: the deliberate awakening of Sirin. Only Lee had known, and even she had almost spoken too freely during their initial meeting, before Otto had redirected her with a few well-placed words.
Lee was currently "dead." Officially, at least. Remaining on the Lunar Outpost that few were aware even existed. She had been interested in digging around the ruins of even older Era's, and she had gotten her wish. He was interested too, but he didn't have time to investigate.
The arrangement served several purposes.
First, it kept Anti-Entropy unsuspecting. They would never believe that Lee had helped orchestrate Welt and Siegfried's arrival, or that she might have walked them straight into a trap.
Second, it ensured that there would be no convenient resolution this time. No quick end to the Honkai Eruption. The St. Freya group would have to survive without divine intervention. Without Lee.
She would remain "dead" for a while, around a year and a half. Tracing forgotten knowledge while their shared "script" unfolded exactly as planned.
Otto allowed himself a small smile.
Sometimes, when he thought of her, he wondered if she really was another version of himself. She was too sharp, too familiar. Her methods, her reasoning, her selective empathy when it came to her goal, even the way she twisted morality into utility, it was all so very… him.
Lee had called it an "Expy." Another version of the same person. She had laughed when she said it. Another concept related to the "Elation," another foreign concept she'd explained with her usual amused detachment.
He remembered her saying once that there was an "Otto Expy" somewhere in the Imaginary Tree trying to kill the Aeon of Abundance, the very godlike being who had granted Lee her power.
He had humored her then, the same way he humored most things that couldn't be proven. But the thought lingered.
Otto turned slightly toward the far wall display. Lines of data scrolled past, telemetry from the Helios, flight vectors from St. Freya, and encrypted communications between Theresa and Einstein. The Anti-Entropy leadership had been busy. It seemed his dear granddaughter had been secretly negotiating with Einstein for some time. Predictable.
Theresa was now en route aboard the Helios, with the Hyperion still under refit and the Moonlight Throne from the Selene being transferred to it.
Everything was falling into place.
"Keep infusing Honkai energy into the test chamber," Otto said without looking away from the tank. "We won't wake her with such a small dose." He allowed a small chuckle. "It's been quite a while. Welcome home, K-423."
This was after all, the same lab she had been created in.
Amber, silent as always, nodded and continued her work. Her composure never wavered.
Then, quietly, it happened.
K-423's eyes snapped open. Not blue this time, but amber, bright, unnatural.
A moment later, alarms erupted throughout the command chamber. Otto didn't flinch, he simply muted them. The noise died down, replaced by audio from one of the wall monitors. The unmistakable outline of Benares filled the screen, wings unfurling as it emerged from the ice it had slept in for 16 years.
Otto's expression didn't change. "Oh? Swarming back to protect your queen?" he mused.
Switching to the global intercom, his tone brightened, almost cheerful.
"Activate all orbital defense satellites," he said. "DEFCON 1 is now in effect. All Valkyrie units to high alert."
He glanced toward another feed showing the Helios cutting through the stratosphere. "Prepare yourselves," he added, his voice turning low. "A revolution is imminent."
He closed the channel and opened a private line. The holographic projection of Theresa flickered into view, tired, defiant, and far too earnest for her own good.
"What do you plan to do with that toy of yours, Theresa?" He laughed, if it wasn't part of his script, bringing such a small vessel such as the Helios to breach Schicksal HQ's defenses on DEFCON 1 was laughable, "Be a good girl and return to St. Freya. I know you're just going through teenage rebellion, and I won't hold it against you."
Her face hardened, though her tone stayed steady. "Caring and loving as ever, Grandpa. But this time, I will not submit to you."
Otto almost laughed. Her words carried the same stubborn fire he remembered from her childhood.
The Helios' main cannon fired. A single, blinding lance of energy tore through the sky and struck the edge of Schicksal's defense net. The shield flared, wavered, then cracked, just enough to leave a narrow passage. The Helios pushed through, engines blazing behind it.
Otto watched the image for a moment, then sighed softly, ending the call.
"Well," he murmured, almost to himself, "if you had actually turned back, I wouldn't have known what to do."
>>> POV Change<<<
Why had Otto sent her here? Fu Hua frowned, scanning the terminal ahead. According to the signal, the location was just up ahead.
Fu Hua heard explosions before we even reached the terminal. Had she already arrived?
"Ah, how annoying. After all, Master Durandal really likes it clean," a familiar voice called out.
Fu Hua responded simply, "Rita."
She turned, giving a slight bow. "Welcome back, Master Fu Hua. Good work taking care of that Judgement-class Honkai Beast."
Fu Hua studied her carefully. "Why are you the only one here? Where's Captain Durandal?"
Rita's expression remained calm, composed as ever. "Master Durandal has led a squad of Valkyries to purge the Honkai Beasts attacking the HQ."
"I'm surprised she didn't bring you along."
"I do care about Master Durandal's wellbeing," she continued, "but this is different. The Overseer ordered me to welcome you and assist in your mission."
Fu Hua hesitated. She could handle this alone, but Rita wasn't wrong about following orders. "That won't be necessary."
Her gaze met Fu Hua's, steady and unwavering. "It's my job, Master Fu Hua. Please understand."
"...Alright. What's the mission?"
"Theresa-sama and her Anti-Entropy allies have occupied Air Terminal 3. The Overseer wants us to calm her down a little," Rita explained.
Fu Hua nodded, "Understood. On one condition, no killing."
Her lips curved slightly. "No worries. The Overseer wants Theresa-sama and her allies safe as well."
"Let's go, then."
After a second, Rita quietly followed silently, and together we approached the air terminal.
With her enhanced hearing, Fu Hua clearly heard what Rita whispered to herself. "Bringing personal feelings into a fight, that's not very good at all."
Inside, the scene was already chaotic. The enemy had mechs scattered across the terminal, sparks and smoke filling the air.
"Every obstacle has been taken care of. Time to withdraw," Himeko called out.
"Hah. Schicksal is pathetic," said Tesla, "Calling these wrecked mechas was an insult to the mighty Titans."
Rita stepped forward, calm, analyzing the battlefield from the top of a Titan frame. "Oh my, is this Anti-Entropy's new unit? Cleaning up this one might be… slightly more difficult, I presume."
Himeko and Tesla turned to face her, Himeko drawing the red and purple broadsword off her back. Quickly approaching, I rushed in from behind.
"Sorry. This is where it ends," Fu Hua said quietly, my voice firm. "Give up and surrender."
Himeko swung around, swinging her broadsword wildly, missing completely.
"Lay down your weapons! I will not help you! You made a mistake. Kiana…" Fu Hua started to say, however Himeko interrupted.
"She's not the real Kiana. Theresa and I already knew about this…"
"Her powers are unstable. She could rampage at any moment and threaten humanity as a whole."
"Strong words. You're trying to kill an innocent girl, you know that? Is this the type of justice you stand for, Fu Hua?"
"Sacrifices are inevitable in the war against the Honkai. You know that perfectly well, Major. Showing mercy to the wrong people can be disastrous." Fu Hua reminded her.
"You have no idea what "sacrifices are inevitable" means. The tragedy is not how many people have died... but how we've grown accustomed to the idea that people must die for others to live." Himeko shouted.
I have seen more people live, die, fight, and sacrifice themselves then anyone else currently alive, I will always do what is necessary.
Seeing the look on Himeko's face, Fu Hua knew that a fight was inevitable.
Himeko only lasted a few hits before being knocked to the ground. Rita taking out Tesla with a single swipe with the shaft of her Scythe.
"Allow me to deal the coup de grace." Rita spoke up, raising her Scythe for a killing blow.
Fu Hua half turned, sticking out her arm to block her attack.
"I've said it before… if you do not wish to become my enemy as well, then do not hurt them."
"Understood, Master Fu Hua. Then we'll bring them back to the Church, as prisoners."
"This is acceptable."
Casually disarming Himeko, still on the ground, Fu Hua disabled her battlesuit before grabbing her by the legs, and over my shoulder, causing Himeko to grunt in pain.
"Sorry about this, Miss Tesla." as Rita did the same to Tesla.
Running at full speed back towards the 'Church', she was interrupted by Himeko's battlesuits medical alarm.
Dipping into the nearest building, one of the entrances to the underground section of Heilheim labs.
Fu Hua quickly moved into a nearby room, placing Himeko on a bed in one of the containment rooms.
"Whats happening." Fu Hua demanded impatiently, as Rita returned with a medical kit.
Rita connected to Himeko's battlesuits medical system, starting a full diagnostic. Giving several injections from the box. After a while, she spoke up, "The test results are out. Miss Murata's Vitals have returned to normal."
"She's still unconscious."
"Her body has endured extended periods of abuse and over-exhaustion." Rita announced the diagnostic.
Seeing Fu Hua's face, she spoke up again, "Oh, don't blame yourself, Master Fu Hua. It has nothing to do with the battle."
"..."
"We're supposed to send them back to Church. The accident was unexpected. We should treat them first." Rita spoke up.
"I've provided emergency treatment using these facilities. Decent rest will restore her health."
After another pause, "Now, allow me to excuse myself. You see, Dr. Tesla must be accommodated as well. I shall meet you again once everything is in place. I'm leaving this place to your care, Master Fu Hua."
Rita bowed and left the containment room briskly without giving Fu Hua a second glance.
Rita has all corners covered, I'll just forget her for now.
Fu Hua then walked to the side of the bed. It was hard to imagine a strong warrior such as Himeko could appear so vulnerable on the sick bed.
Fu Hua opened her right hand towards her. A warm glow emanated from her palm. A rosy light shone on Himeko's body. Her breathing gradually became less labored.
This will help soothe the pain.
Several pristine feathers sparkled in the light, drifting slowly downwards, scattering about the floor and walls and gave off light as they floated.
When the feathers finally dissipated, a brief moment of pain flashed across Fu Hua's expressionless face.
It's alright… I have more feathers…
She gritted her teeth and continued using the Fenghuang Down.