"Back," I announce, entering Shadow Mirror's strategy room in Earth Cradle.
Vindel, Lemon, and a mass-produced W are there, working as usual.
"W16 reported. Good work," Vindel says.
"Not really. Only scratched Grungust, nothing else," I reply.
"If you say so, no one else would've done better. Don't sweat it," Vindel says, unusually encouraging. Snow tomorrow, maybe?
"Welcome back, Axel. How's the new unit?" Lemon asks, giving a quick hug.
"Vaisaga's response lags. T-LINK's superiority stings. Plus, no proper ranged weapons."
"Earth-Slashing Sky Blade's something, no?" Lemon counters.
"Charging energy into the ground, then swinging? Too slow compared to pulling a trigger."
"Fine. I'll rush Grow Savior's overhaul for Desert Cross. Vaisaga can go to W16," Lemon decides.
"W16?" I ask.
"She's your adjutant and guard, right? Vaisaga's swordplay suits her. Lend Raz Angriff to DC. It's a step above their mass-produced Landgriz, and you ditch W16 too often with it. Defeats the guard role."
True, Raz Angriff's rear-support focus clashes with my high-mobility style. It's a mismatch. "Got it. Proceed."
"Excuse me," a masked man interrupts, entering. I recognize him instantly—Wodan Ymir, modeled after Zengar Zombolt.
"W15," I say.
"I'll join Desert Cross. Count on me, Captain," Wodan replies.
"His unit, Lemon?" I ask.
"Still in adjustment. Feff's Machine Cells are tricky. Needs more time, like Grow Savior," Lemon explains.
Machine Cells—Sophia Nate's self-regenerating, self-evolving tech from Zfylud Crystals. Useful but risky for Grow Savior.
"W15, I know your goal. Don't let it compromise us," I warn.
"Understood," Wodan nods. His Zengar-like honor might prioritize pride over Shadow Mirror's interests, like when Zengar switched to Dygenguar.
"That's it. Desert Cross is days away. Prepare thoroughly," Vindel says, dismissing us.
"The overhaul's done?" I ask, arriving at the hangar the day before Desert Cross, greeted by Lemon's beaming smile.
"See for yourself," she says, pointing to Grow Savior. Phantom and Greipnir, wrecked by Beowulf, are fully restored. But something stands out.
"What's under Chronos?" I ask.
Two folded barrels hang beneath Chronos, alongside the usual beam gatling and linear railgun.
"Ranse Kanone from DGG Unit 2, seized from Tesla Lab. You wanted it, but it's too big for Grow Savior alone, so I mounted it on Chronos. It unfolds for firing, like the upper guns," Lemon explains.
So, Chronos now carries four guns—two above, two below, like a Freedom Gundam with Phantom's Strike Freedom vibe.
"Ranse Kanone's limited Tesla Drive boosts mobility, but it's peaky. You'll manage," Lemon adds.
Higher mobility's great, but peaky handling means caution until I'm used to it.
"Look at the head," Lemon says.
A rectangular pod's attached to Grow Savior's left face. "Vulcans?"
"Yup. You wanted head Vulcans. Couldn't fit them inside, so they're external. Swappable pods for reloads—more practical than internal. No control issues."
Vulcans are perfect for missile interception when jammers fail or for pinning enemies. "Thanks. Huge help."
"Also, I tweaked the Earth Cradle ASRS. Longer runtime, better stability. Wanted to upgrade Phantom, but ran out of time."
Phantom's already laser-reflective. What's next, a monster upgrade? Grow Savior's already a frankenstein.
"Axel, Lemon, strategy room," Vindel's voice echoes.
We head over, puzzled.
"Rose reports the Federation's planning to wipe out DC remnants in Africa. Their forces are gathering in Ethiopia's Jijiga region. We'll kick off Desert Cross with a surprise attack there. They want our help," Vindel says.
"Enemy strength?" I ask.
"Small fry, no major units. Hagane's slated to join but hasn't arrived."
Perfect for breaking in Grow Savior. "I'll handle it."
"Good. But Hagane needs delaying," I add. "Surprise attack fails if they swoop in last-minute."
In the original story, Hagane's tied up with Ainst and Alfimi now. They won't make it.
"I've got something for Hagane," Lemon says.
"What?"
"Early-batch test."
"Mass-produced dolls against Hagane?" I ask.
"Yup. Ban might set conditions after last time, but I'm game," Lemon says.
"Fine by me. I want Hagane stalled," Vindel agrees.
"W16, you'll command them," Lemon orders Echidna, lingering in the corner.
"No issue, but I'm Axel's guard," Echidna replies.
"Axel's hitting the Federation. No tough foes, so he's fine. The batch test matters more. Vaisaga's yours now. I'll input simulated experience later," Lemon says.
"Understood," Echidna replies. "Hagane's the target. Attack pattern level 2."
"Push their durability. Losses are fine," Lemon adds.
"Even if they're shot down?" Echidna asks.
"Plenty of early batches. Just bring back data," Lemon says.
"W17 requested a spare synapse," Echidna notes.
"None available. It'll take time. Tell her," Lemon replies.
"Understood. I'll head to your lab for the simulation," Echidna says, leaving.
Simulated experience is efficient, bypassing clunky simulators. But it's no substitute for real combat—better than a game, less than the real thing.
"W17's fine, right?" I ask.
"Her Angelg's secure comms broke. Just a language glitch, no big deal," Lemon says.
"Hope so," Vindel mutters.
"W-series are critical. You get that?" Lemon asks.
"Which is why mistakes aren't allowed. Losses are fine until data's complete, but late batches must be perfect," Vindel says.
"Got it," Lemon nods.
"Enough talk. I'll prep for the ambush," I say.
"Don't go all-out. It's just a shakedown for Grow Savior," Vindel warns. "Ban's sniffing around, suspecting us. You're with DC, so you're a target. No need to hand them intel."
"But DC saw Grow Savior during Archibald's retreat," I point out.
"That was post-battle, neglected. It needed an overhaul right after. Ban's sharp—he'll know that data's useless," Vindel says.
"Fair. I'll keep it light," I agree.
"Weight balance shifted with the upgrades. Don't overdo it, or you'll slip up," Lemon warns.
"Got it." I nod to them and leave.
Time to unveil the revamped Grow Savior.