"Execute Plan EF?"
On the Gyanland's bridge, I echoed Vindel's words back to him.
A month had passed since my run-in with Hans Viper. In that time, the Federation had reclaimed about 70% of the bases and facilities we'd captured since the rebellion began.
The Beowulfs and Cry Wolves played a role, but the real issue was numbers. Even with our mass-produced W units, we couldn't close the gap with the Federation's overwhelming forces—they swarmed like locusts. We'd lost nearly a hundred units in the last month, roughly 20% of our strength since the rebellion's start. The crippling of the Trilobite-class fifth ship, Blueland, by the Cry Wolves was a brutal blow. The Beowulfs' increasing battlefield presence didn't help either. They attack everyone indiscriminately, but with Shadow Mirror's smaller numbers, each loss hit us harder proportionally.
Given the situation, Vindel's talk of Plan EF was worth considering.
"Yes," Vindel said. "We're gradually losing ground. Plan EF was a last resort, but I'm thinking of moving forward with it. It's still insurance, though. Tomorrow's large-scale battle could make it unnecessary if we win."
Shadow Mirror was being cornered in Europe. To turn the tide, we were planning a major counteroffensive.
"As your Special Operations commander, shouldn't I be in that fight?" I asked.
"The Grow Savior's a major asset, true. But securing Tesla Labs is critical, and I need you focused there."
"What forces can I take for the Tesla Labs assault?"
"I'll need the first through third Trilobite-class ships here. You'll use the fourth, Arcland."
Arcland had been heavily damaged in the fight with the Troye Unit but was repaired as a transport ship due to time and resource constraints. If Tesla Labs was our only target, keeping the combat-capable Trilobite ships for the main battle made sense.
If things followed the original story, I'd likely face the Excellence Team, nearby Federation forces, and possibly Duminas. We'd have to make do with what we brought.
"You can take W16, W17, and Barison's team," Vindel added.
"Barison's team too? You sure?"
"I can't spare combat-ready Trilobite ships, so yeah. This Tesla Labs operation cannot fail. I'm counting on you."
"Got it. How many mass-produced Ws can I take?"
"About twenty should work. Make it happen. And whether our main strategy succeeds or fails, seize any useful units or equipment at Tesla Labs while you're there."
"Understood. I'll head out now."
I gave Vindel a quick salute and left the bridge, heading to the hangar to summon Barison, Echidna, and Lamia.
"Axel, what's up?" Barison asked.
"New orders from Vindel. The four of us, plus twenty mass-produced Ws, are heading to Tesla Labs."
"Tesla Labs? But isn't the big counteroffensive coming up?" Barison pressed.
"It's insurance in case the counteroffensive fails. You heard about Plan EF, right?"
Trusted commanders like Barison had been briefed on Plan EF—a temporary retreat to a parallel world to regroup and return stronger. Some thought it a joke, but those who knew Lemon, Aguieus, and Rykeios understood its deadly seriousness.
"Yeah, the parallel world jump thing," Barison said, nodding. He knew enough about Lemon to take it seriously.
Echidna and Lamia, being Lemon's creations, didn't even question it.
"We're taking twenty mass-produced Ws. Arcland's our transport, so prep now. We're short on time and leaving as soon as you're ready."
"Axel-san, one moment," a mechanic interrupted.
"What's up?"
"Colonel Vindel authorized deploying four mass-produced Ashsaviors to the Ws."
"Seriously?"
The mass-produced Ashsavior, based on the original Ashsavior that inspired the Grow Savior, outperforms even the latest El Eins. Cost constraints left out the Sword Breaker, but otherwise, it's on par with the original. We had a few, typically reserved for commanders like Barison or Martin, or ace pilots. Assigning them to mass-produced Ws meant—
"Vindel's not messing around," I muttered.
Barison nodded gravely, agreeing. Echidna and Lamia remained stoic as ever.
"Alright, get our units loaded onto Arcland," I ordered.
"Yes, sir!" The mechanic hurried off.
Arcland's bridge monitor displayed Tesla Labs. The Stealth Shade kept us undetected.
"So that's Tesla Labs," Barison said.
"You've never been?" I replied.
I'd visited to meet Lemon during Aguieus' development, so I knew the layout. That familiarity likely factored into my assignment.
"Get to your units and be ready to launch," I told the team, heading to the hangar.
Our formation: me, Barison, Echidna, Lamia, each leading five mass-produced Ws. Each squad had one mass-produced Ashsavior, with the rest in El Eins units.
In the Grow Savior, I held a quick briefing while awaiting the launch signal.
"Barison, our squads handle any interception forces from Tesla Labs."
"Got it."
"W16, W17, once we thin out the interceptors, infiltrate and secure the facility. Some researchers may surrender—protect them. Tesla Labs' researchers are invaluable to us. Neutralize resistors, but avoid killing if possible."
"Understood," Echidna and Lamia replied in unison.
Barison interjected, "That's awfully soft for us."
"If we kill them, even potential allies might dig in their heels out of spite."
Normal people might comply under threat, but Tesla Labs was a haven for eccentrics and geniuses—not exactly predictable.
Barison pressed, but I explained Vindel's order to seize useful assets, which required researcher cooperation. He relented, grudgingly.
"Captain, Tesla Labs has spotted us. Defense forces are deploying," a crew member reported.
"How many?"
"Just six mass-produced Gespenst Mk-IIs."
"…What?"
The dumbfounded voice was mine—or maybe Barison's. Definitely not Echidna or Lamia.
No time to gape. "Any follow-up forces?"
"None. Just the six."
"Axel, a trap?" Barison asked.
"Risking a critical facility like Tesla Labs for a trap? Unlikely. Something unexpected must've happened."
"So, stick to the plan?"
"With only six enemies, we accelerate it. W16, W17, ignore the interceptors and storm the facility. Barison and I will handle them."
"Understood," Echidna and Lamia replied, perfectly in sync. Those two were oddly in tune lately.
"Only six enemies, but our target's Tesla Labs. Stay sharp—anything could happen. Launch!"
Twenty-four units deployed from Arcland's hangar, my and Barison's squads first, with Echidna and Lamia's infiltration teams following.
"Grow Savior, Axel Almer, launching!"
Airborne and heading for Tesla Labs, I checked the monitor. Barison's team was already engaging, firing Gun Rapiers and G-Railguns for suppression. Then, my eyes widened—an enemy unit exploded, pierced through the torso by Barison's Gun Rapier.
"…"
I stared at the monitor, speechless.
Barison's team and my assigned Ws mowed down the enemy. Echidna and Lamia's squads, as ordered, bypassed the fight and charged into Tesla Labs.
The interceptors were annihilated, and within ten minutes, Echidna reported, "Tesla Labs secured."
Character Stats: Axel Almer
Level: 24
PP: 60
Melee: 202
Ranged: 220
Skill: 212
Defense: 209
Evasion: 237
Accuracy: 259
SP: 334
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to enhance Slime performance)
Growth Type: All-Rounder/Special
Terrain Adaptability:
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: A
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (SP 4)
Effort (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Hit (SP 20)
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Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Recovery & Focus)
Psychokinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
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Kill Count: 87