Yuuki and his Shipgirls completed the final demolition charges on the western side of the island.
One after another, the known anti-air batteries went dark on Grimm's tactical map.
The concealed SAM sites were marked.
The explosives were armed.
Every major aerial-defense position surrounding the fortress was now under GDI control.
Yuuki looked over the updated tactical display.
"That's everything on our side."
Jarvis confirmed.
"All designated anti-air and SAM installations have been secured."
"Enemy aerial defenses will be unable to effectively engage the incoming strike package once the charges are detonated."
Yuuki nodded.
"Good."
He looked toward the enormous half-pyramid looming ahead.
"Then we can finally go inside."
The group advanced toward the western entrance.
Eugen and Hipper took point.
Several security droids patrolled the approach.
Eugen raised her suppressed pistol.
Pfft.
One droid's optical sensor went dark.
Hipper immediately fired at another.
Pfft.
The machine collapsed against the wall.
Two more appeared around the corner.
Eugen moved first.
She ducked beneath a burst of machine fire before sliding behind a support pillar.
Hipper stepped out from the opposite side.
Pfft. Pfft.
Both droids dropped.
"Clear."
Yuuki nodded.
"Keep moving."
They advanced deeper.
Then Yorktown's voice suddenly sounded in everyone's helmets.
"Commander."
Yuuki immediately stopped.
"What is it?"
"I'm picking up a lot of radio chatter from Grimm."
She brought the intercepted transmissions onto his HUD.
"Several droids aren't responding to their scheduled check-ins."
A pause.
"Security is sending additional units to investigate."
Yuuki looked toward the corridor ahead.
"...They've noticed something."
"Not us specifically."
"Not yet."
He raised his hand.
"Double time, ladies."
The entire group immediately accelerated.
The hydraulic systems of their Echo Suits engaged, allowing them to move quickly without sacrificing stealth.
Nimi reached the entrance first.
She crouched beside a reinforced service door.
"Commander, I'll get it open."
She pulled out a compact bypass tool and began working on the lock.
"Just a few seconds..."
Click.
The door suddenly opened.
Nimi's eyes widened.
"...What?"
A security droid was standing directly behind it.
Before she could react, the machine grabbed her by the arm and violently pulled her through the doorway.
"Nimi!"
The droid raised its weapon.
Yuuki reacted instantly.
His Mark 86 armor surged forward.
FWOOM!
A repulsor blast struck the droid at point-blank range.
The machine was thrown backward and crashed into the wall.
Nimi immediately drew her pistol.
Pfft!
She shot another droid emerging from the corridor.
The machine collapsed.
Yuuki stepped through the doorway.
"Thanks, Nimi."
Nimi caught her breath before standing.
"No..."
She looked toward him.
"Thank you, Commander."
Yuuki gave her a quick nod.
"Everyone inside."
Eugen and Hipper entered first.
Wales followed.
Vestal and the remaining Shipgirls secured the rear.
The heavy door closed behind them.
Thunk.
For a moment...
Everything became silent.
Yuuki looked down the enormous corridor ahead.
This was no longer the outer perimeter.
They were inside the heart of the fortress.
The architecture immediately changed.
Reinforced walls.
Multiple security checkpoints.
Automated turrets recessed into the ceiling.
Blast doors separating each sector.
Every corridor was monitored.
The enemy's inner security network was clearly far more sophisticated than the outer defenses.
Hipper slowly lowered her rifle.
"...We're inside."
Eugen smiled.
"Now the real fun begins."
Nimi looked toward the maze of corridors.
"Commander..."
"Security is going to be much heavier here."
Yuuki nodded.
"I know."
He activated the internal tactical overlay.
"That's why nobody gets separated."
"Stay together."
"Stay quiet."
"And remember..."
He looked toward the enormous structure surrounding them.
"We're here for the people inside."
"Not for a firefight."
A faint smile appeared beneath his helmet.
"Unless they insist."
The Shipgirls quietly readied their weapons.
Yuuki opened the encrypted command channel.
"Hana."
Yorktown immediately answered.
"Yes, Commander?"
"Maintain observation outside. We're inside the fortress."
"Roger."
The tactical feed from Grimm remained active in the corner of Yuuki's visor, giving Yorktown a continuous view of the surrounding compound.
Yuuki switched channels.
"Yuu?"
Yuu answered almost immediately.
"Waiting for your confirmation, Chief."
Her voice was quieter now.
"The detention center is heavily guarded. We need an access route."
"We're not going to breach it blindly."
"So you need to find the mainframe."
"Once Jarvis gets inside, provide us with the internal map."
"Understood."
"We'll make our way there."
Yuuki closed the channel.
"Alright."
"Let's find that mainframe."
The squad moved deeper into the fortress.
Their footsteps were nearly silent beneath the Echo Suit's dampening systems.
Ahead...
A long corridor stretched through the heart of the facility.
Four security droids stood at staggered positions, covering every approach.
Yuuki immediately raised his fist.
Everyone stopped.
The droids hadn't detected them yet.
He brought up the tactical display.
Four red markers appeared.
"Four contacts."
"Avrora."
The Northern Parliament cruiser immediately shifted her position.
"I have one."
She quietly aimed her rifle.
"Wales."
Prince of Wales moved to another angle.
"One marked."
Yuuki looked toward Eugen.
"Eugen..."
Prinz Eugen already understood.
"Distraction?"
"Exactly."
She smiled.
"With pleasure."
Yuuki pointed toward the far end of the corridor.
"Take a shot."
"Roger."
Eugen leaned around the corner.
Pfft!
Her suppressed round struck the wall beside the distant droid.
The machine immediately turned toward the sound.
Its sensors swept the corridor.
Eugen disappeared back behind cover.
"Now."
Avrora moved first.
She drew one of her combat knives.
With a smooth motion—
Whip!
The knife flew across the corridor.
Thunk!
It struck the first droid directly through its optical assembly.
The machine froze.
At the same instant—
Pfft!
Wales fired.
Her shot struck the second droid directly in the head.
It collapsed without making a sound.
Yuuki stepped forward.
The third droid finally detected movement.
Its weapon began to rise.
Yuuki's Mark 86 armor surged forward.
His armored fist struck the machine's chassis.
CRACK!
The droid was driven into the wall.
Before it could recover—
Yuuki fired a short repulsor burst.
FWOOM!
The machine went completely offline.
The fourth droid turned toward Eugen's position.
Eugen calmly raised her pistol.
"Goodnight."
Pfft!
The suppressed round struck its head.
The droid dropped.
Silence returned to the corridor.
Avrora retrieved her knife.
Wales lowered her rifle.
Eugen casually walked forward.
"Four targets."
"Not bad."
Hipper glanced at her sister.
"You enjoyed that far too much."
Eugen smiled.
"Of course."
Yuuki checked the corridor.
"Clear."
He looked toward the deeper section of the fortress.
"Keep moving."
The team advanced.
Behind them, the four disabled droids remained exactly where they had fallen.
For now...
The fortress still didn't know where its intruders were.
But with every step toward the mainframe...
They were getting closer to the heart of its security network.
"All clear."
Yuuki raised one hand, signaling the squad to hold.
"Watch for cameras and security grids."
"We're not ready to cause trouble just yet."
His visor swept across the corridor.
"One alarm and this entire place becomes a shooting gallery."
He looked toward Hipper.
"Hipper, take point."
Admiral Hipper nodded firmly.
"Understood."
She moved ahead, rifle raised, carefully checking every corner.
The rest of the group followed several meters behind.
Eugen watched the upper walls.
Wales monitored the intersections.
Avrora checked the floor for pressure-sensitive systems.
Nimi kept her eyes on the rear.
Vestal continuously scanned for heat signatures.
Yuuki's visor highlighted several cameras.
"Camera."
Hipper immediately stopped.
She waited until the camera rotated away before crossing beneath it.
"Another."
She moved again.
The fortress was becoming increasingly sophisticated the deeper they went.
Motion sensors.
Laser grids.
Security cameras.
Automated doors.
Everything seemed designed to prevent exactly what they were doing.
Eventually, the corridor ended at a reinforced access point.
The path ahead appeared blocked.
Hipper examined the door.
"No route forward."
Yuuki checked the tactical map.
"There's an exterior maintenance route."
"We'll go around."
The team carefully exited through a maintenance hatch.
Cold night air immediately washed over them.
They found themselves high above the surrounding complex.
The sheer scale of the fortress became even more apparent from this position.
Below...
Factories stretched endlessly across the island.
Roads carried autonomous convoys.
Aircraft moved between enormous hangars.
Searchlights swept across the industrial districts.
The half-pyramid command structure rose in the distance like a mountain of steel.
Nimi quietly stared over the edge.
"...This place is enormous."
Wales nodded.
"It is practically a city."
Yuuki looked upward.
Something caught his attention.
A familiar silhouette crossed the moonlit sky.
An ordinary-looking eagle.
Grimm.
The artificial bird flew low over the fortress in stealth mode.
Its sensors continuously transmitted the surrounding terrain.
Yuuki smiled faintly.
"There's Grimm."
Yorktown's voice came through the channel.
"He's still undetected."
"The Raptures continue to classify him as an ordinary eagle."
Eugen looked upward.
"An eagle circling this place repeatedly..."
"Eventually someone might become suspicious."
Yuuki nodded.
"Exactly."
"Hana, tell Grimm to vary his patrol pattern."
"Understood."
The bird banked away, disappearing behind one of the enormous factory towers.
The team returned to the access point.
Yuuki brought up the door's security interface.
"Let's see what we have."
Hipper stood beside him.
"Can you open it?"
"Give me a moment."
Yuuki connected a small interface module.
Jarvis immediately began analyzing the encryption.
"Access protocol identified."
"Bypassing..."
A few seconds passed.
"Access granted."
The door unlocked.
Click.
Hipper immediately took point again.
She opened the door.
And instantly spotted a figure standing inside.
A human silhouette.
Motionless.
Hipper reacted on instinct.
She lunged forward, grabbed the figure and slammed it to the floor.
"Got you!"
The figure hit the ground with a hollow thump.
Hipper froze.
"..."
She slowly looked down.
A mannequin.
A simple training dummy wearing a standard military uniform.
Its plastic face stared blankly at the ceiling.
Silence.
Hipper slowly released it.
"..."
She turned around.
Yuuki was standing there.
So were Eugen.
Wales.
Avrora.
Nimi.
Vestal.
Every single one of them was staring at her.
Hipper's face gradually turned red.
"..."
Eugen's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
Wales looked away to hide her smile.
Nimi covered her mouth.
Even Vestal was struggling not to laugh.
Hipper immediately pointed at all of them.
"Not."
She paused.
"A."
"Word."
She straightened herself and looked away.
"...It looked real."
Eugen finally broke.
"Pfft..."
"Hahahaha!"
Hipper's eye twitched.
"Eugen."
"I said nothing!"
"You were laughing."
"I was breathing!"
Yuuki shook his head.
"Come on."
"Let's keep moving before the mannequin files a complaint."
Hipper groaned.
"...I hate all of you."
But she continued forward.
Behind her...
Eugen whispered to Yuuki.
"She's adorable when she's embarrassed."
"I heard that!"
Then he stopped.
"...What?"
The room was enormous.
Rows of old arcade cabinets filled the floor.
Racing machines.
Fighting games.
Shooters.
Rhythm games.
Even several old prize machines stood along the walls.
Some were covered in dust.
Others...
Were still running.
A few screens flickered with colorful attract modes.
The faint electronic sounds of old arcade machines echoed throughout the room.
Eugen slowly lowered her rifle.
"...Where did they get all this stuff?"
Wales walked toward one of the machines, examining it.
"Perhaps some of the cities they occupied had these."
She glanced around.
"After the destruction, they may have simply salvaged whatever remained."
Eugen looked at the functioning machines.
"That's surprisingly..."
"...normal."
Vestal frowned.
"Normal?"
She gestured toward the surrounding fortress.
"We are currently inside an enormous Rapture military installation."
"And there's an arcade."
Nimi's attention had already been captured.
She walked toward one of the machines.
"...Can I?"
Yuuki looked at her.
"Go ahead."
Nimi sat down.
The machine still had power.
She pressed the start button.
BEEP!
The screen illuminated.
A vintage arcade game appeared.
Nimi's eyes widened.
"It still works!"
She carefully took the controls.
Within seconds...
The room was filled with the familiar sounds of an old arcade game.
Eugen watched her.
"...She's actually playing."
Nimi became increasingly focused.
"Commander..."
"Yes?"
"One moment."
Her eyes never left the screen.
"I'm about to beat this."
Yuuki chuckled.
"I was about to say take your time but, we're on a tight schedule."
Wales smiled.
"Even after everything we've been through..."
"...some things remain surprisingly timeless."
Vestal continued examining the room.
"What in the world is this place?"
Yuuki didn't answer immediately.
Something about the room bothered him.
It wasn't simply an arcade.
The equipment appeared deliberately maintained.
The machines weren't randomly scattered.
They were arranged around several large observation windows.
Yuuki walked toward one.
"Wait."
He wiped some condensation from the glass.
His expression changed.
"...Everyone."
The others immediately gathered around.
Yuuki pointed outside.
"Look."
They did.
And their eyes widened.
Beyond the window was an enormous enclosed urban environment.
A miniature city had been constructed inside the fortress.
Buildings.
Roads.
Intersections.
Apartment blocks.
Office towers.
Vehicles.
Traffic signals.
Even artificial street lighting.
It wasn't a simple set.
It was a fully functional urban training environment.
Eugen stared.
"...Is that a city?"
Wales slowly nodded.
"It appears so."
Vestal stepped closer to the window.
"Why would a military fortress need something like this?"
Yuuki studied the environment carefully.
Then he noticed movement.
Droids were running through the streets.
Some were positioned inside buildings.
Others moved between vehicles.
Suddenly—
BRRRT!
A burst of simulated gunfire erupted from one street.
Several droids immediately scattered.
Another group returned fire from behind concrete barriers.
A vehicle exploded.
Smoke filled one intersection.
Then the entire scene reset.
The destroyed vehicle disappeared.
The droids returned to their starting positions.
The exercise began again.
Yuuki finally understood.
"...This is a training city."
Nimi slowly stopped playing.
She looked toward the urban environment.
"They're training droids to fight in cities?"
"Looks like it."
Yuuki zoomed his visor.
He began identifying the structures.
"Urban combat."
"Close-quarters engagement."
"Building clearing."
"Ambush response."
He paused.
"...This isn't just a training ground."
His expression hardened.
"It's a combat simulation facility."
Eugen looked toward the miniature city.
"They've built an entire city inside their fortress..."
"...just to teach machines how to fight in one."
Wales' expression became grim.
"That means they've been preparing for prolonged ground warfare."
Vestal looked around the arcade again.
"And this..."
She pointed toward the machines.
"...is part of the training environment?"
Yuuki nodded slowly.
"Probably."
He glanced at the old machines.
"Some of these games may have been repurposed."
Eugen smiled faintly.
"So even their entertainment serves a purpose."
"Wouldn't surprise me."
Nimi reluctantly stood from the arcade cabinet.
She looked back at the high score displayed on the screen.
"...I was winning."
Hipper glanced at her.
"We have a mission."
"I know."
Nimi sighed.
Eugen laughed softly.
Yuuki turned away from the window.
"Don't worry, I already have Jarvis scanned the place and we can recreate an old arcade place back in the citadel using these old games."
"Let's keep moving."
But before leaving...
He looked once more at the miniature city.
Droids continued fighting below.
Resetting.
Fighting again.
Learning.
Improving.
Repeating the same battles over and over.
Yuuki's expression became thoughtful.
"Jarvis."
"Yes, sir?"
"Record this facility."
"Already doing so."
"Good."
He looked toward the enormous training city.
"If we're going to fight whoever built this place..."
"...I want to know exactly what they've been training for."
The team moved onward.
Behind them, the arcade machines continued blinking in the darkness...
While outside the window, the artificial city began another simulated war.
"Yuu..."
Yuuki's voice came through the encrypted channel as he watched the training city below.
"...You're seeing this?"
Yuu's reply came immediately.
"Yes, Chief."
Her visor displayed the same live feed.
"It appears they're training humanoid droids."
"Not just for conventional battlefield engagements."
She zoomed in on several units moving through the miniature buildings.
"They're practicing operations in populated areas."
"Places where they wouldn't want to deploy large-scale Rapture formations."
Yuuki's expression hardened.
"So..."
"These droids might be our real ground combat opponents."
"Exactly."
Before anyone could say anything else—
BEEP!
The artificial city suddenly changed.
Warning lights illuminated.
The simulated environment transitioned from training mode into an active combat drill.
Doors opened throughout the miniature buildings.
Dozens of humanoid droids emerged.
Then hundreds.
They spread through the streets with remarkable coordination.
Some occupied rooftops.
Others took defensive positions behind vehicles.
Several squads entered buildings.
Yuuki stared at the rapidly expanding tactical display.
"...Damn."
He looked toward the elevator access point on the far side of the training city.
"They started the exercise on this side."
The elevator was their route toward the deeper levels.
Unfortunately...
The shortest path went directly through the miniature city.
Yuuki checked the map.
The droids were already beginning to disperse into combat formations.
"We can't wait for them to finish."
Hipper looked toward him.
"Then what do we do?"
Yuuki slowly raised his rifle.
A grin appeared beneath his helmet.
"Girls..."
"Join the battle."
The Shipgirls immediately looked toward him.
"Take those droids out."
"We'll use the chaos as cover."
He highlighted their route across the city.
"We need to cut through the training grounds to reach that elevator."
Eugen's eyes lit up.
"Finally."
"A proper fight."
Yuuki's visor highlighted multiple enemy formations.
"They want a fire drill?"
He raised his Mark 86 repulsor.
"Then let's give them one."
"I am authorizing Armor Mode and Speed Mode from now on."
Wales tilted her head.
"Armor Mode?"
Eugen raised an eyebrow.
"Speed Mode?"
Yuuki nodded and gestured toward their Echo Suits.
"Both modes alter the capabilities of your nanosuits. They draw directly from the suit's internal energy reserves, so use them carefully."
He pointed toward Wales.
"Armor Mode redirects that energy into the suit's defensive systems. It reinforces the armor to its maximum level, hardening the outer plating and strengthening the kinetic dampeners. While active, you can withstand impacts that would normally cripple you—even direct hits from rockets."
Avrora's eyes widened.
"Even rockets?"
"Even rockets," Yuuki confirmed. "It also amplifies your physical strength. Your punches will hit harder, allowing you to break through armor, smash obstacles, and stagger larger enemies."
Eugen's smile widened.
"And Speed Mode?"
"Speed Mode channels the suit's energy into your movement systems. It enhances your acceleration, reflexes, balance, and muscle output. You can run much faster, change direction almost instantly, jump higher, and clear greater distances."
Yuuki raised a finger.
"With enough momentum, you can outrun most enemies before they have time to react. You can also reach elevated positions quickly or evade attacks that would otherwise be impossible to avoid."
Hipper looked pleased.
"That sounds considerably more entertaining."
"It is also more demanding," Yuuki warned. "Both modes consume energy rapidly. Armor Mode is for absorbing punishment and overpowering enemies. Speed Mode is for mobility, pursuit, and evasion. Don't activate either one without a reason, and don't leave them running after the danger has passed."
Wales nodded firmly.
"Understood. We will use them responsibly."
Nimi glanced toward the battlefield.
"Of course."
Yuuki gave her a skeptical look.
Eugen smiled innocently.
"I said we would use them."
"Now, use the modes and light them up!"
The Shipgirls immediately moved. Activating the Heroic Mode.
Wales raised her rifle.
"With pleasure, Commander."
Avrora drew her weapons.
"Let us clear the path."
Eugen grinned.
"Now this is more like it."
Hipper sighed.
"I suppose stealth is officially over."
Yuuki laughed.
"Just for this section."
The team rushed toward the access point.
The first wave of humanoid droids spotted them.
Their weapons immediately came up.
BRRRT!
Gunfire erupted across the miniature streets.
Yuuki's Mark 86 absorbed the opening burst.
He returned fire with controlled repulsor blasts.
FWOOM!
Two droids were thrown through a storefront.
Eugen and Hipper moved together.
Pfft! Pfft!
Two suppressed shots struck the optical sensors of another pair.
Yuuki explained that Armor Mode consumed energy to maintain its defensive systems, but that energy was not simply wasted. The armor was designed to absorb the kinetic force of incoming attacks and convert it into power for Heroic Mode.
The more punishment the armor endured, the more energy could be redirected into the weapon systems, increasing their firepower while the user was under attack.
Wales demonstrated the process.
She first remained behind cover and fired at the advancing Raptures with her Volt Auto Rifle. Then, as enemy fire began converging on her position, she activated Armor Mode.
A heavy armored shell formed around her body, locking into place with a series of mechanical clicks. The incoming bullets struck the armor with sharp metallic impacts, but instead of penetrating, their kinetic energy was absorbed and redirected through the suit's internal systems.
The armor's energy reserves began to deplete but, the energy to empower Heroic Mode began to rise.
Wales deliberately drew the Raptures' attention, allowing the others to advance while every shot was redirected toward her.
"Come on, then!" Wales shouted.
The armor continued absorbing the force of the impacts.
Once enough energy had been gathered, Wales switched to Heroic Mode.
The stored power surged through her weapon systems, causing the Volt Auto Rifle's output to intensify. Its muzzle glowed brighter, and each shot struck with considerably greater force.
She fired.
The amplified blast tore through the Rapture line, destroying several machines in a single attack.
By absorbing the kinetic energy of the bullets directed at her, Wales had transformed the enemy's assault into additional firepower for Heroic Mode.
Avrora moved between buildings, rapidly closing the distance.
The training city instantly became a genuine battlefield.
And the GDI Shipgirls were cutting straight through it.
Back at the northern detention center...
Neon watched the live feed appearing across her visor.
Her mouth dropped open.
"...Hey!"
Anis looked over.
"What?"
"They're fighting!"
Neon pointed excitedly at the display.
"The Commander is fighting!"
Rapi watched Yuuki's squad tear through the training city.
"We're supposed to stay here."
"I know!"
Neon looked increasingly offended.
"But they're having a shootout without us!"
Mary tried to hide a smile.
Pepper shook her head.
"Neon..."
"We have our own mission."
"But..."
Neon crossed her arms.
"...I want to shoot something too."
Anis laughed.
"You're unbelievable. At least we can now use Armor Mode and Speed Mode."
Nayuta's clone giggled.
"The Commander did promise that everyone would have a chance to fight."
Neon's eyes immediately brightened.
"See?!"
Rapi sighed.
"That isn't what he meant."
"Still!"
Neon watched another droid get blasted across the miniature city.
"That's so unfair!"
Anis laughed harder.
"You're jealous."
"Yes!"
Neon didn't even try to deny it.
Rapi looked back toward the detention center.
"Let them clear the training ground."
"Once Chief reaches the mainframe..."
"...we'll get our turn."
Neon reluctantly nodded.
"Fine."
She raised her rifle.
"But I'm calling dibs on the first enemy we encounter."
Anis shook her head.
"You're impossible."
Inside the miniature city...
Yuuki and the Shipgirls continued advancing.
Every shot created another opening.
Every destroyed droid created another route.
The enemy training systems continued spawning combat units.
But the exercise had unintentionally become something far more useful.
A live demonstration.
Yuuki's visor recorded everything.
Droid tactics.
Movement patterns.
Weapons.
Coordination.
Response times.
Command hierarchy.
Jarvis analyzed it all in real time.
"Sir."
"I'm recording the combat behavior."
Yuuki fired another repulsor burst.
"Good."
"Save everything."
He looked toward the elevator at the far end of the city.
"We may need this data later."
The GDI force pushed forward.
The training city had been designed to teach machines how to fight humanity.
"Let's use the moment while they still think we're among them!"
Yuuki's voice carried across the squad channel.
The training city was already descending into chaos.
Simulated combat units were moving through the streets.
Droids exchanged fire between buildings.
Sirens flashed across intersections.
Then—
A heavy mechanical rumble shook the pavement.
Yuuki's visor immediately highlighted several large signatures approaching from the eastern avenue.
"...And now we have vehicles."
Rapture combat vehicles rolled into the training district.
Their armored hulls pushed through the simulated traffic barriers as their weapons systems began tracking the GDI squad.
Eugen looked toward them.
Yuuki glanced at her.
"Eugen."
She immediately understood.
"You found rockets, right?"
Yuuki pointed toward several weapon crates stacked inside a nearby training building.
"Mind tearing them apart?"
Eugen's smile widened.
"With pleasure."
She sprinted toward the crates.
The lid of one had already been blown open by the ongoing training exercise.
Inside were simulated weapons intended for the humanoid droids.
Among them...
A familiar launcher.
Eugen picked it up.
"...An old RPG-7."
She pulled one rocket from the crate.
Hipper stared at her.
"Where did you even learn to use that?"
Eugen shrugged.
"Point it at the enemy."
"Pull the trigger."
"Simple."
She loaded the rocket.
Chk-chk.
Eugen stepped into the street.
The approaching Rapture vehicle immediately began tracking her.
"Too slow."
She shouldered the launcher.
WHOOM!
The rocket streaked across the street.
BOOM!
It slammed directly into the vehicle.
The armored machine erupted in smoke and debris.
Its front section lifted from the ground before the vehicle collapsed sideways into a building.
Eugen lowered the launcher.
A satisfied smirk appeared on her face.
"One."
She reloaded.
Another vehicle appeared.
WHOOM!
BOOM!
Destroyed.
A third vehicle attempted to flank them.
Eugen turned.
WHOOM!
Another direct hit.
The vehicle exploded.
Eugen laughed.
"Three."
Yuuki shook his head.
"Advance!"
"Cut through the streets!"
The squad immediately moved.
"Avrora!"
"Wales!"
"Vestal!"
"Provide sniper cover!"
"Yes, Commander!"
The three Shipgirls separated from the main formation.
Their grappling hooks fired upward.
Thwip!
They ascended onto the surrounding rooftops.
Avrora took position behind a ventilation unit.
Wales moved to a neighboring rooftop.
Vestal climbed even higher, establishing a clear line of sight across the training city.
Their rifles came up.
The first wave of humanoid droids emerged from multiple buildings.
Pfft!
One fell.
Pfft!
Another.
Pfft!
A third droid dropped before it could even leave the doorway.
"More droids incoming!" Nimi shouted.
Yuuki's visor immediately displayed dozens of red markers.
"Your Echo Suit shields make you effectively invulnerable to small-arms fire!"
"That doesn't mean you're invincible! It's still annoying they keep shooting at you."
"If they start using heavy weapons, find cover!"
"Otherwise..."
He raised his rifle.
"...take down as many as you can!"
His HUD flashed with combat experience notifications.
"Every enemy you defeat is still experience!"
Eugen's grin widened.
"Don't mind if I do!"
She dropped the RPG launcher after exhausting its rockets.
Her Echo Suit shifted weapons.
The Volt Auto rifle came into her hands.
She immediately opened fire.
BRRRRRT!
A stream of electrical rounds tore through the advancing droids.
Several collapsed simultaneously.
One attempted to take cover behind a vehicle.
Eugen adjusted her aim.
BRRRRRT!
The droid was knocked backward.
"Come on!"
She advanced.
"Keep sending them!"
Hipper moved beside her.
She pulled a grenade launcher from her equipment.
THUMP!
The grenade landed among a cluster of droids.
BOOM!
Several machines were thrown into the air.
Another group rushed from an alley.
Hipper fired again.
THUMP!
BOOM!
"Too many!"
Eugen laughed.
"That's the point!"
Hipper sighed.
"You really are enjoying this."
"Of course!"
Nimi moved through the street behind them.
She raised her Jackhammer shotgun.
A group of droids rushed around a corner.
Nimi fired.
BOOM!
The first droid's chest armor shattered.
She cycled the action.
BOOM!
Another fell.
BOOM!
Another.
"Reloading!"
She ducked behind a concrete barrier.
Yuuki passed her.
"Good work!"
"Thank you, Commander!"
Nimi quickly reloaded.
Then emerged again.
BOOM!
Above them...
The sniper team continued moving.
Wales fired from one rooftop.
Pfft!
A droid carrying a heavy weapon collapsed.
Avrora fired from another.
Pfft!
A machine attempting to flank Eugen dropped.
Vestal watched through her scope.
She noticed several droids preparing to surround the advancing group.
"Commander."
"Three squads approaching from your left."
Yuuki immediately turned.
"Understood."
Vestal fired.
Pfft!
The lead droid fell.
Wales fired.
Pfft!
Another.
Avrora fired.
Pfft!
The third collapsed.
The remaining machines scattered.
Yuuki grinned.
"Excellent cover!"
"Relocating!"
The three snipers immediately moved again.
Grappling hooks fired.
They swung across the artificial city.
Rooftop to rooftop.
Never remaining in one position long enough for the enemy to adapt.
The miniature city was now completely transformed.
What had originally been a controlled training exercise...
Had become a full-scale firefight.
Rapture vehicles burned in the streets.
Humanoid droids poured from buildings.
The GDI Shipgirls pushed through the center of the city.
And Yuuki led them directly toward the elevator.
His visor displayed the objective.
ELEVATOR ACCESS
312 METERS
He raised his rifle.
"Keep pushing!"
The Shipgirls answered.
"Yes, Commander!"
Eugen fired another burst.
Hipper launched another grenade.
Nimi emptied another magazine.
Above them, Wales, Avrora and Vestal continued providing overwatch.
And with every droid they destroyed...
Their combat experience increased.
The enemy had created this miniature city to teach its machines how to fight.
But now...
Yuuki's forces were using the same battlefield to grow stronger.
And they were doing it while the fortress still believed this was merely another training exercise.
The sniper team continued their movement across the rooftops.
Wales fired first.
Pfft!
A Rapture droid attempting to establish an elevated firing position collapsed behind a ventilation unit.
Avrora immediately relocated.
Her grappling hook fired toward the next rooftop.
Thwip!
She swung across the street, released, and landed behind a concrete barrier.
Another droid tried to track her.
Pfft!
Vestal eliminated it before it could fire.
"Roof clear," Vestal reported.
"Moving," Wales answered.
The three snipers continued leapfrogging from rooftop to rooftop, constantly changing positions while eliminating anything attempting to attack Yuuki's advancing group from above.
Below them, the main squad pushed forward.
Yuuki glanced toward the elevator objective.
Still too far.
His visor displayed the remaining distance.
ELEVATOR ACCESS — 541 METERS
"We're going to need a faster route."
Then he noticed something moving through the smoke.
A heavily armored Rapture APC emerged from a side street.
Its turret rotated toward the GDI formation.
Yuuki immediately raised his hand.
"Hipper."
She looked toward him.
"Yes?"
"Can you hotwire that thing?"
Hipper stared at the APC.
Then at Yuuki.
"...You want me to steal an enemy armored vehicle?"
"Exactly."
A small smile appeared on Hipper's face.
"...I can work with that."
Yuuki pointed toward the vehicle.
"Eugen, Nimi."
"Cover her."
Eugen raised her Volt Auto rifle.
"Gladly."
Nimi chambered another shell into her Jackhammer.
"Understood!"
"Avrora."
The Northern Parliament cruiser immediately took aim from the rooftop.
"Take down the gunner."
"Roger."
The APC's turret began rotating.
Avrora squeezed the trigger.
Pfft!
The gunner's sensor assembly shattered.
The turret immediately stopped.
"Gun disabled."
Hipper sprinted toward the APC.
Several humanoid droids emerged from the rear compartment.
Eugen opened fire.
BRRRRRT!
The first droid fell.
Nimi stepped forward.
BOOM!
The second was thrown backward.
Another appeared.
Nimi fired again.
BOOM!
"Clear!"
Hipper reached the APC.
She ripped open the access panel.
Inside was a mess of cables and unfamiliar electronic components.
"...Come on."
She pulled out her bypass tool.
"Where's the ignition..."
The APC's internal systems began flashing red.
SECURITY LOCKOUT
Hipper's eye twitched.
"Oh, you're going to be difficult."
She began cutting and reconnecting several cables.
"Come on..."
Nothing.
"Work..."
Still nothing.
Hipper slammed her hand against the panel.
"Come on, work, you stupid thing!"
Eugen laughed from nearby.
"Need some encouragement?"
"No!"
Hipper connected another cable.
BEEP.
The engine suddenly came alive.
Hipper froze.
The APC rumbled beneath her.
"...Got it."
Eugen grinned.
"Excellent."
Hipper climbed into the driver's compartment.
"Everyone aboard!"
Eugen jumped into the weapons station.
She looked over the controls.
"...Oh."
Her grin became positively predatory.
"Commander."
Yuuki looked at her.
"Yes?"
"I believe I've found my new favorite toy."
Yuuki chuckled.
"Then put it to good use."
Eugen immediately took control of the APC's weapons.
The turret rotated.
A massive cannon locked onto a formation of approaching droids.
THOOM!
The first shell tore through the street.
Several droids disappeared beneath the explosion.
Eugen laughed.
"Now this is much better!"
She swung the turret toward another group.
THOOM!
Another blast.
THOOM!
Another.
The APC advanced through the miniature streets, crushing barricades and scattering enemy units.
Droids attempted to swarm them from the sides.
Eugen simply turned the turret.
BRRRRT!
The vehicle's automatic weapons opened fire.
The streets erupted with sparks and debris.
Yuuki raised his hand.
"Advance!"
The Shipgirls surged behind the APC.
Nimi stayed close to its rear armor, using it as mobile cover.
Hipper focused entirely on driving.
"Left!"
Yuuki pointed.
"Take the next intersection!"
Hipper turned the APC sharply.
The vehicle tore through a simulated storefront and entered the adjacent street.
Eugen immediately spotted another group.
"Oh, you shouldn't have gathered together like that."
She pressed the trigger.
BRRRRRRT!
The automated cannon swept across the formation.
Droids collapsed one after another.
Above them, the sniper team was already descending.
Wales fired from a rooftop.
Pfft!
Avrora fired.
Pfft!
Vestal fired.
Pfft!
The three snipers landed on the street behind the APC, continuing to provide cover from ground level before hitching a ride on it.
"Sniper team is down," Wales reported.
"Good," Yuuki answered.
"Stay with us."
The APC continued forward.
The miniature city was now completely engulfed in simulated warfare.
But the GDI formation had transformed the enemy's own training exercise into their advantage.
They had stolen an APC.
They had taken control of its weapons.
Their sniper team was providing mobile overwatch.
And they were rapidly cutting their way toward the elevator.
Yuuki checked the tactical map.
ELEVATOR ACCESS — 137 METERS
He smiled.
"Keep going."
Eugen fired another burst.
"With pleasure!"
Hipper gripped the controls.
"Hold on!"
The stolen APC accelerated through the artificial city.
"Almost at the elevator!"
Yuuki's visor rapidly counted down the distance.
ELEVATOR ACCESS — 83 METERS
67 METERS
51 METERS
Ahead, the elevator structure finally came into view.
Unfortunately, several barricades stood between them and the entrance.
Hipper glanced toward Yuuki.
"Commander?!"
Yuuki pointed straight ahead.
"Ram it!"
Hipper's eyes widened.
Then a grin appeared across her face.
"Roger!"
She slammed the accelerator.
VROOOOOOM!
Everyone immediately grabbed onto something.
"Hipper!" Nimi shouted.
"Hold on!"
The stolen APC accelerated down the artificial avenue.
Several droids jumped aside.
Others continued firing, their small-arms rounds bouncing harmlessly against the APC's armored hull.
Eugen held onto the weapons station.
"Sis!"
"What?!"
"You're enjoying this!"
"SHUT UP!"
The barricade rapidly approached.
Yuuki braced himself.
"Impact!"
CRAAAAASH!!
The APC smashed directly through the barricade.
Concrete barriers shattered.
Metal fencing folded beneath the armored vehicle.
One simulated civilian vehicle was thrown sideways.
The APC tore through everything before finally skidding to a stop directly beside the elevator access platform.
Smoke poured from the front.
One wheel assembly sparked.
The engine coughed.
Then died.
For several seconds...
Everyone remained silent.
Eugen slowly looked toward the driver's compartment.
"...Sis."
Hipper looked back.
"What?"
"Next time..."
Eugen pointed at herself.
"...I'm driving."
Hipper's eye twitched.
"I got us here, didn't I?!"
"You also killed the APC."
"It was already an enemy vehicle!"
"Everyone out."
Yuuki opened the rear hatch.
The Shipgirls immediately disembarked.
Nimi jumped down first.
Wales followed.
Avrora and Vestal took up defensive positions while Eugen reluctantly abandoned her beloved weapons station.
She gave the destroyed APC one final glance.
"...We had something special."
Hipper stared at her.
"You knew it for three minutes."
"And they were beautiful."
"Move."
The battle continued behind them.
BRRRRT!
BOOM!
THOOM!
Droids continued fighting throughout the miniature city.
Several formations moved between buildings.
Armored vehicles exchanged fire.
Training targets appeared and disappeared.
The entire exercise continued as though nothing unusual had happened.
More importantly...
Nobody was pursuing them.
Vestal looked back.
"...They're still fighting."
Wales watched through her scope.
"They haven't followed us."
Yuuki studied the tactical feed.
"They still think we're part of the drill."
Eugen blinked.
"Even after we stole their APC?"
"Apparently."
Hipper folded her arms.
"What kind of training exercise lets units steal each other's vehicles?"
Yuuki shrugged.
"A realistic one?"
Eugen chuckled.
"I like this place."
"Don't get comfortable."
Yuuki pointed toward the elevator.
"We're not finished."
The squad moved behind several enormous cargo crates positioned near the elevator access point.
Their Echo Suits immediately reactivated stealth mode.
The shimmering silhouettes disappeared.
Yuuki crouched beside the elevator control panel.
"Back to stealth."
The others nodded.
Weapons were lowered.
Suppressors checked.
Movement became controlled again.
The chaos of the training city continued only a short distance away.
Yuuki opened the elevator interface.
"Jarvis."
"Accessing, sir."
The display immediately changed.
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
SECURITY CREDENTIAL REQUIRED
Yuuki connected his suit directly to the panel.
"Override it."
"Beginning."
A progress indicator appeared.
SECURITY BYPASS — 17%
34%
61%
A group of droids ran past their hiding position.
Everyone froze.
The droids didn't stop.
They continued toward the training battle.
82%
96%
ACCESS GRANTED
DING.
The elevator doors opened.
Yuuki raised his hand.
"Move."
Everyone slipped inside.
Hipper entered first.
Then Eugen.
Nimi.
Avrora.
Wales.
Vestal.
Yuuki entered last.
The doors closed.
DING.
The elevator began ascending.
For the first time in several minutes...
Everything became quiet.
The sounds of the artificial battle slowly faded beneath them.
Yuuki looked through the reinforced glass panel along the elevator wall.
Far below...
The miniature city continued fighting.
Explosions flashed between buildings.
Droids moved through streets.
Armored vehicles rolled through intersections.
From this height, the entire battlefield looked like an enormous war game.
Nimi stared downward.
"They really didn't notice."
Vestal nodded.
"They genuinely think we're part of their drill."
Eugen leaned against the elevator wall.
"That's almost insulting."
Hipper looked toward her.
"You wanted them to recognize us?"
"No."
Eugen smiled.
"But a little appreciation for our performance would've been nice."
Yuuki chuckled.
Then—
"Commander!"
Neon's voice suddenly exploded through his helmet.
Yuuki winced.
"What?"
"No fair!"
Neon sounded genuinely offended.
"We want to shoot the droids too!"
Anis immediately sounded behind her.
"Neon, stop yelling!"
"But look at them!"
Neon had clearly been watching their helmet feeds.
"You got an entire training city!"
"Armored vehicles!"
"Rockets!"
"You stole an APC!"
"And Eugen got to use its cannon!"
Eugen smiled proudly.
"She has excellent taste."
"See?!"
Neon continued.
"We're sitting on a roof!"
Rapi's exhausted voice followed.
"Because we're waiting to rescue prisoners."
"I know!"
"Then stop complaining."
"But Commander..."
Neon's voice became dramatically miserable.
"...I wanted experience points too."
Yuuki shook his head.
"Next time, Neon."
"Aww..."
"Right now, we're back in stealth mode."
Neon sighed.
"Fine..."
A pause.
"...Can I drive the APC next time?"
Hipper immediately answered.
"No."
Eugen answered simultaneously.
"Yes."
"Huh?!"
Yuuki laughed quietly.
"Enough."
He looked toward the elevator display.
They were climbing rapidly toward the deeper levels of the fortress.
"Yuu."
"Listening, Chief."
"Maintain your position."
"We've crossed the training sector and entered the internal elevator network."
"Once Jarvis reaches the mainframe, you'll have your route."
"Roger."
Neon immediately sounded again.
"And then we get to fight?"
Anis groaned.
"Neon!"
Yuuki smiled.
"If somebody gets between you and those prisoners..."
"...you have permission."
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"YES!"
Rapi sighed.
"Commander..."
"What?"
"You just encouraged her."
"I know."
Vestal looked through the elevator window one final time.
Far below, the droids were still exchanging fire.
"They really think we're part of the drill."
Yuuki nodded.
"Which means we've been lucky."
His expression became serious again.
"But that luck ends the moment we reach the secure levels."
The elevator continued rising.
The Shipgirls checked their weapons.
Eugen reloaded her Volt Auto rifle.
Hipper checked her grenade launcher.
Nimi chambered another round into her Jackhammer.
Wales and Avrora prepared their rifles.
Vestal monitored the squad's shields.
Yuuki watched the floor indicator climb.
LEVEL 18
LEVEL 19
LEVEL 20
Then Jarvis spoke.
"Sir."
"Yes?"
"We are approaching the secure command levels."
Yuuki's expression hardened.
"Everyone ready?"
The Shipgirls raised their weapons.
"Ready."
Yuuki watched the numbers continue climbing.
The firefight below had given them cover.
The stolen APC had carried them across the miniature city.
The enemy still hadn't identified them as infiltrators.
Now...
They were entering the real heart of the fortress.
Yuuki raised one hand as the elevator began slowing.
"Back to ghosts, ladies."
The elevator chimed.
DING.
The doors began to open.
The elevator slowed.
DING.
The doors began sliding open.
Yuuki raised his rifle.
"Stay alert."
The doors separated.
For approximately half a second...
Nobody moved.
Then every visor lit up red.
MULTIPLE HOSTILES DETECTED
A line of heavily armored units stood directly outside the elevator.
They were larger than the security droids they had encountered earlier.
Heavy plating covered their bodies.
Mounted machine guns were already trained directly on the elevator.
One of them turned its head.
TARGET ACQUIRED
Yuuki stared at them.
"...So much for stealth."
The heavy units opened fire.
BRRRRRRRRRRT!
The corridor erupted with gunfire.
Rounds slammed into the Echo Suits.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The kinetic impacts pushed several Shipgirls backward.
But their armor mode held them in place.
The Mark II Echo Suit's armor shielding absorbed the incoming barrage.
Yuuki barely moved.
Nimi raised her arm to shield her face as bullets sparked against her armor.
"Eeep!"
Eugen laughed.
"They're actually trying!"
Hipper's shield indicator flickered.
"Don't just stand there!"
Yuuki raised his hand.
"Advance!"
The Shipgirls surged forward.
The heavy units continued firing.
But the closer they got...
The less effective the machine guns became.
Yuuki's visor highlighted weak points in the armor.
"Target their joints!"
"Get inside their firing arcs!"
Wales and Avrora moved to either side.
Vestal covered the rear.
Eugen and Hipper pushed forward with Yuuki.
The heavy units attempted to retreat.
Too late.
Yuuki raised both armored arms.
The repulsor cannons charged.
WHOOOOOM!
Twin blasts slammed into the nearest heavy unit.
Its chest armor buckled.
The machine was thrown backward into the wall.
Eugen immediately followed.
Her armored cannon fired.
BOOM!
The second heavy unit was launched across the corridor.
Hipper fired a grenade.
THUMP!
BOOM!
The explosion tore through another unit's armor.
Nimi raised her Jackhammer.
BOOM!
The final heavy unit staggered.
Yuuki stepped forward.
His Mark 86's shoulder cannon deployed.
CHUNK.
A brief charge.
Then—
FWOOM!
The blast struck the heavy unit directly in its center mass.
The machine collapsed.
Silence returned.
Smoke drifted through the corridor.
Fragments of armor scattered across the floor.
Eugen lowered her weapon.
"...That was quick."
Hipper looked at the destroyed machines.
"They weren't expecting us."
Yuuki checked the corridor.
"Neither were we."
Nimi carefully stepped over one of the disabled units.
"Are we still stealth?"
Yuuki looked at the smoking corridor.
He paused.
"...No."
Eugen smiled.
"Good."
Yuuki sighed.
"Keep moving."
He looked deeper into the secure level.
The fortress had finally realized something was wrong.
And judging by the increasing number of red markers appearing on their HUDs...
They were about to find out exactly what.
"Everyone."
"We've been detected."
He raised his weapon.
"So we stop pretending."
The Shipgirls immediately readied themselves.
"Let's get to the mainframe."
Stealth was officially over.
The fortress had detected the intrusion, and there was no longer any reason to waste time pretending otherwise.
Yuuki led the way through the secure corridors.
"Push through!"
Eugen opened fire with her Volt Auto rifle.
BRRRRRT!
A squad of security droids staggered under the barrage.
Hipper followed with a grenade.
THUMP!
BOOM!
The explosion scattered the remaining machines.
Wales and Avrora provided covering fire from opposite sides while Nimi advanced behind Yuuki.
Every corridor became another short firefight.
Every security checkpoint was breached.
The deeper they went, the heavier the resistance became.
But the GDI squad kept moving.
Finally—
Yuuki's visor flashed.
PRIMARY DATA CORE DETECTED
He stopped.
Behind a massive reinforced blast door stood an enormous chamber filled with server racks.
Hundreds of processing units stretched from floor to ceiling.
Cooling systems roared continuously.
Fiber-optic conduits ran through the walls like veins.
At the center of the room stood the mainframe.
Yuuki stared at it.
"...Jackpot."
He immediately rushed toward the central interface.
"Cover me!"
The Shipgirls formed a defensive perimeter.
Yuuki knelt beside the main terminal and connected his Mark 86 directly to the interface.
The moment the connection was established, countless streams of encrypted data flooded his visor.
NETWORK CONNECTION ESTABLISHED
Yuuki grinned.
"Jarvis."
"You know what to do."
Jarvis answered immediately.
"Yes, sir."
The mainframe suddenly reacted.
Security protocols began activating.
================
UNAUTHORIZED CONNECTION DETECTED
FIREWALL ACTIVATED
INTRUSION RESPONSE INITIATED
================
Jarvis began tearing through them.
"Beginning firewall penetration."
"Security architecture identified."
"Countermeasures detected."
"Bypassing."
The enormous blast doors suddenly slammed shut.
CLANG!
Yuuki looked toward them.
"What's happening?"
Jarvis answered calmly.
"I am sealing this chamber."
"All internal security systems have been isolated."
"External access has been severed."
"Security units within the central mainframe sector are being placed into standby."
One by one...
The lights across the chamber changed.
The automated turrets recessed into the ceiling.
The security doors locked.
The alarms stopped.
Silence.
The entire central mainframe had effectively become a GDI-controlled zone.
Yuuki exhaled.
"Good."
Then another voice came through the communications channel.
"Establishing video uplink."
A holographic screen appeared above Yuuki's gauntlet.
Vergil's face appeared.
"Yo."
Yuuki glanced toward the projection.
"Verg."
Vergil looked around.
"Inside the mainframe yet?"
"Jarvis is hacking the security."
"He's breaching the firewall now."
"Once we're in..."
Yuuki glanced at the rapidly changing data streams.
"...we'll have access to everything."
Vergil nodded.
"Then have Jarvis focus on the security systems."
"Once he's finished, leave the data transfer to me."
Yuuki immediately frowned.
"Data transfer?"
"Yeah."
Vergil's expression became serious.
"I can pull the information in this base."
"But there's a problem."
Yuuki already knew.
"The transfer will alert the entire base."
"Exactly."
Vergil brought up a schematic of the network.
"The moment we start pulling large quantities of data, the system will recognize the traffic."
"Even if Jarvis masks the intrusion..."
"...a sustained transfer will eventually trigger an integrity check."
Yuuki looked toward the tactical display.
"How long?"
"About ten minutes."
"Ten minutes?"
"Give or take."
Vergil pointed toward the network map.
"I can mask the transfer for roughly ten minutes."
"But once you disconnect..."
"The system will recognize the unauthorized access."
"And the entire fortress will know someone breached the mainframe."
Yuuki's expression hardened.
"So we locate everyone first."
"Exactly."
Vergil nodded.
"Find the Shipgirls."
"Find the Nikkes."
"Get their locations."
"Find the extraction routes."
"Then we start the transfer."
Yuuki looked toward the detention-center marker.
"And once the system detects us?"
Vergil shrugged.
"...Then we're going loud."
Yuuki switched channels.
"Yuu."
Yuu immediately answered.
"Chief."
"How close are you to the detention center?"
"We're waiting for your data."
"Friday has already identified the general location."
"Good."
Yuuki transmitted the newly triangulated data.
"Once Jarvis finishes mapping the internal network, we'll give you the exact entrance."
Yuu looked at the data appearing on her visor.
"Understood."
Vergil interrupted.
"There's one more thing."
Yuuki looked toward the hologram.
"What?"
"You have ten minutes."
"Once the data transfer begins..."
"...you have ten minutes to get those prisoners out."
Yuuki's expression became serious.
"Ten minutes."
Vergil nodded.
"Ten minutes to bring those Shipgirls and Nikkes out of the prison before the entire base is on your ass."
Yuuki looked around the central mainframe chamber.
The Shipgirls were ready.
Jarvis was inside the network.
Friday was already sabotaging the enemy's aircraft.
Yuu and the Nikkes were waiting at the northern detention center.
Everything was finally falling into place.
Yuuki tightened his fist.
"Then let's make those ten minutes count."
Jarvis spoke again.
"Primary security network breached."
A massive map appeared across Yuuki's visor.
The fortress unfolded before him.
Every floor.
Every corridor.
Every bunker.
Every detention block.
Every hidden weapons system.
And then—
Multiple markers appeared.
SHIPGIRL CONTAINMENT
NIKKE CONTAINMENT
HIGH-VALUE PERSONNEL
Yuuki's eyes narrowed.
"We found them."
Vergil smiled.
"Then move."
Yuuki opened the squad channel.
"Yuu."
"Yes, Chief?"
"I have your route."
"Sending it now."
The coordinates transmitted.
Yuu's visor immediately displayed a concealed underground entrance.
Her eyes widened.
"...We have a way in."
Yuuki looked toward the timer.
The next phase of the operation had begun.
"Get the Nikkes out."
Yuuki transferred the newly acquired map of the northern detention center directly to Yuu's visor.
"We'll handle the rest over here."
"Understood, Chief."
Yuu immediately began studying the route.
Meanwhile, Jarvis continued tearing through the fortress's security architecture.
"Sir."
Yuuki looked toward his interface.
"Security breach is approaching thirty percent."
"However, we have located the Shipgirls."
His visor expanded the upper levels of the fortress.
"They're on the top floor."
Yuuki's expression immediately became serious.
"How are they being held?"
"Suspension tubes."
Jarvis paused.
"The configuration is remarkably similar to the containment systems used inside the Mother Whale."
Several images appeared on Yuuki's display.
Large cylindrical chambers.
Fluid-filled suspension tubes.
Shipgirls suspended inside them.
Yuuki's eyes narrowed as individual identities were automatically matched.
"Bismarck..."
"Tirpitz."
"Diana."
"Palladin."
"Duke of York."
"Anson."
"King George."
"Howe."
He stared at the list.
"They're all here."
Jarvis continued.
"They also appear to have Kashima and Katori in the same containment complex as the Nikkes."
Yuuki exhaled.
"That's almost the entire group we were looking for. I'll let Yuu handle their part."
Wales stepped closer.
"My sisters..."
Her voice softened when she saw the names.
Yuuki glanced at her.
"We'll get them out."
Wales nodded.
"I know."
Jarvis suddenly interrupted.
"Sir."
"What is it?"
"I'm detecting newly entered intelligence within the Rapture network."
Yuuki turned toward the main display.
"Put it up."
A new report appeared.
Jarvis began reading it.
"The Raptures have recently secured additional Shipgirls."
"Three Kancolle Shipgirls and three Royal Navy Shipgirls were captured during a recent operation."
Yorktown's voice immediately came through the communications channel.
"Six more?"
Yuuki frowned.
"Keep going."
"Four of the Shipgirls escaped during the initial assault."
"The remaining two Kancolle Shipgirls and three Royal Navy Shipgirls were captured."
A pause.
"They are scheduled for transfer to this island the day after tomorrow."
Yuuki's expression hardened.
"We can't wait that long."
He immediately switched channels.
"Vergil."
"Yeah?"
"Any updates?"
"Working on it."
Vergil's holographic projection flickered into view.
He was already triangulating the newly discovered information against the Rapture network.
"Give me a second..."
Multiple data streams moved across his interface.
"Wow."
Yuuki looked at him.
"What?"
"Yeah."
Vergil leaned closer to his display.
"The Raptures were attacking an island not far from your current position."
"Looks like they've established a temporary staging area there."
His expression became grim.
"Small groups of humans lived on that island."
Yuuki's eyes narrowed.
"What happened?"
"They were wiped out when raptures invaded the island to establish a staging area."
Silence filled the mainframe chamber.
Vergil continued.
"The Raptures discovered that ten Shipgirls were living among the villagers."
"They were hiding there."
"After the island was attacked, the human population was eliminated."
"And the Shipgirls were captured."
Wales clenched her fist.
"Ten..."
Vergil nodded.
"Four managed to escape during the assault."
"The other six weren't so lucky."
Yuuki looked at the tactical map.
"Where are the six?"
"Still on that island. Three of them already being transported to the ship."
"They're being prepared for transport."
Vergil brought up another schematic.
"They're planning to load them onto a cargo ship."
"Then transfer them here."
"How long?"
"Roughly a week."
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"No."
Vergil looked toward him.
"We're not waiting a week."
"Exactly."
Yuuki turned toward the mainframe.
"Why did they attack that island in the first place?"
Vergil's expression became more serious.
"That's the interesting part."
"The Sirens gave them intelligence."
Yuuki's eyes narrowed.
"About what?"
"Three Kancolle Shipgirls."
Vergil brought up the report.
"Apparently, the Sirens detected that three Kancolle Shipgirls had been transferred from their original world into this one."
"The Raptures were instructed to locate them."
"And when they discovered the island..."
"They found ten Shipgirls instead."
Yuuki stared at the map.
"So the island wasn't the primary target."
"No."
"The Kancolle Shipgirls were."
Vergil zoomed in on the staging area.
"The Raptures simply found more Shipgirls than they expected."
"And now they're bringing the survivors here."
Yuuki's jaw tightened.
"Which means that island is still important."
"Correct."
Vergil marked the location.
"You have the main fortress here."
"The staging island is here."
"And the cargo transfer route will eventually connect the two."
Yuuki studied the three points.
A new tactical picture began forming in his mind.
The fortress.
The detention center.
The staging island.
And somewhere between them...
Six captured Shipgirls waiting to be transported.
Yuuki looked toward Yuu's position on the map.
"Yuu."
"Yes, Chief?"
"Get the Nikkes out first alongside Kashima and Katori."
"Then we'll deal with the Shipgirls in this fortress."
"Understood."
Yuuki switched back to Vergil.
"And the six on that island?"
Vergil looked at him.
"You're thinking about rescuing them too."
Yuuki smiled faintly.
"Of course."
"They're family."
Wales looked toward him.
"So are the others."
Yuuki nodded.
"Which is why we're bringing everyone home."
"Who are they?" Yuuki asked Vergil.
Everyone listening on the open communications channel immediately went quiet.
Vergil pulled up the newly recovered identification files.
"First..."
"Kancolle Repair Ship Akashi."
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"Nyaa?!"
Akashi's voice suddenly exploded through the comms.
"Akashi has a Kancolle version?! Nyaa?!"
Several Shipgirls chuckled.
Akashi, however, sounded genuinely fascinated.
"Another Akashi..."
She paused.
"I want to meet her, nyaa!"
Vergil continued.
"Kancolle Repair and Training Cruiser Asahi."
Silence.
Nobody recognized the name.
Yuuki looked around.
"Asahi?"
No one answered. Clearly a new ship no one knows.
Vergil continued scrolling.
"And..."
He paused.
"...the Kancolle version of Prinz Eugen."
Eugen's eyes widened beneath her helmet.
"Oh?"
A mischievous smile appeared.
"I have a Kancolle counterpart as well?"
She turned toward Hipper.
"How intriguing."
"Sis..."
Hipper already looked tired.
"You now have two of me to deal with."
Hipper's expression immediately darkened.
"As if one of you isn't enough."
She folded her arms.
"I just hope this version is at least respectful toward her older sister."
Eugen placed a hand against her chest.
"Hey, I am respectful."
Hipper raised an eyebrow.
"To whom?"
Eugen smiled.
"To a washing board."
Hipper's face immediately reddened.
"HEY!"
Yuuki sighed.
"Can we stay focused?"
Eugen merely laughed.
Vergil brought up the remaining three profiles after cross-referring their names to the Azur Lane data.
"The other three are Royal Navy."
Yuuki looked toward the Royal Navy Shipgirls.
"Names?"
Vergil answered.
"Royal Navy Glasgow."
Belfast immediately froze.
Her expression changed completely.
"...Glasgow."
Enterprise, standing beside her, noticed.
"Bel?"
Belfast stared at the identification profile.
One of the Royal Maids.
One of her own Town class sisters.
One of the family that had been scattered for decades.
Vergil continued.
"Royal Navy Newcastle."
Belfast's eyes widened further.
"...Newcastle."
Another Royal Maid.
Another piece of the old family.
Then Vergil spoke the final name.
"Finally..."
"Royal Navy Edinburgh."
Belfast stopped breathing for a moment.
"Elder sister..."
Her voice was barely audible.
Enterprise immediately moved closer.
"Bel..."
Belfast looked at the identification file again.
"Edinburgh..."
Her voice trembled.
"She's alive."
Enterprise placed a hand on her shoulder.
"We found them."
Belfast's eyes began to glisten.
"Yes..."
"Edinburgh..."
"She's still alive."
Then her expression changed.
"But..."
Enterprise understood immediately.
"The Commander is still dealing with another operation."
Belfast turned toward Yorktown.
Her composure returned.
The Head Maid straightened herself.
"Commander..."
She looked toward Yuuki.
"What are your orders?"
Every Shipgirl around Yuuki turned toward him.
The atmosphere inside the mainframe chamber became serious.
Yuuki remained silent for several seconds.
He studied the tactical map.
Then he looked toward Vergil.
"Verg."
"Location on the island?"
Vergil brought up a satellite projection.
"Not far from the Daedalus."
"Roughly ten minutes journey using the Razor Gunship."
The island appeared on the display.
"It's a small power-farming base."
"Looks like they established it as a temporary staging area."
Yuuki examined the structures.
"What kind of defenses?"
"Less than the main fortress."
"Mostly droid guards."
"No major Rapture units."
Vergil zoomed in.
"The assault is already over, so the larger Rapture formations have left."
"The island is basically being maintained by automated security."
Yuuki nodded.
"Facilities?"
"Three major installations."
"A refinery."
"A power-harvesting plant."
"And a communications center."
He highlighted another structure.
"The captured Shipgirls are being held there."
"Currently, they're preparing to move them."
Yuuki leaned back slightly.
"So it's not heavily defended."
"Correct."
A faint smile appeared on Yuuki's face.
"We can use that."
Wales looked toward him.
"As a distraction?"
"Exactly."
Yuuki opened the command channel.
"Bel."
Belfast immediately straightened.
"Yes, master."
"Ade."
"Yes, Commander."
"Soda."
"Ready!"
"Cocoa."
"At your service."
"And Arisa."
Arisa answered calmly.
"I'm listening, Master."
Yuuki looked at the five of them.
"I need you to prepare."
Belfast's eyes narrowed with determination.
"I'm sending the five of you to that island."
"I can't send the entire fleet."
"We still have a rescue operation happening here."
"But I need a small team capable of infiltrating the staging facility, locating the captured Shipgirls and getting them out."
"If they've already been transferred to the submarine..."
He highlighted the submarine dock.
"...you infiltrate the submarine."
"And if the submarine has already reached the cargo ship?"
Yuuki looked toward Belfast.
"Then you follow them onto the ship."
Belfast nodded.
"Understood."
Yuuki's expression softened slightly.
"Bel."
Belfast looked directly at him.
"I'm assigning you as the ground commander."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Arisa will be your second."
He turned toward Arisa.
"Assist Belfast and coordinate the extraction."
Arisa gave a small bow.
"It will be done."
Yuuki looked back toward Belfast.
"This is a Royal Navy Maid operation."
"Lead them."
"And bring Edinburgh home. You can introduce her to me once you rescued her."
Belfast's hands tightened.
For decades, she had carried the memories of the Royal Maids who had disappeared.
Now...
Three of her sisters awaiting for her rescue.
She bowed deeply.
"It will be done splendidly, Master."
Ade stepped forward.
"We will watch the Head Maid's back."
Soda raised her fist.
"Leave it to us!"
Cocoa smiled.
"We'll watch over her."
Arisa nodded.
"I'll assist them, Master."
Yuuki smiled.
"Good."
He looked toward the remaining tactical display.
"Go prepare."
Belfast and the others immediately began moving.
Then Yuuki called after them.
"One more thing."
They stopped.
"I would have sent Velvet and Privaty..."
He sighed.
"...but they're still recovering."
Belfast nodded.
"We understand."
Yuuki looked at the five-person team.
"Besides..."
He smiled.
"Four Level 31s and a Level 100 Head Maid should be more than enough."
Soda grinned.
"That's right!"
Ade nodded confidently.
"We'll get the job done."
Cocoa smiled.
"And bring everyone home."
Arisa gave Belfast a determined look.
"Let's go."
Belfast took one final look toward the mainframe.
Then toward the identification profile of Edinburgh.
Her expression softened.
"Edinburgh..."
She quietly clenched her fist.
"Please wait for me."
Enterprise approached her before she left.
"Bring her back, Bel."
Belfast looked at her dear friend.
"I will."
Enterprise smiled.
"We'll be waiting."
Belfast nodded.
Then the Head Maid turned toward her team.
"Royal Maids..."
Ade, Soda, Cocoa and Arisa immediately followed.
"Our mission is simple."
"Find Edinburgh."
"Find the other captured Shipgirls."
"And bring every one of them home."
The five disappeared toward the preparation chamber.
Yuuki watched them leave from afar.
Then he looked back at the mainframe.
Two rescue operations were now underway.
One inside the fortress.
Another on the nearby island.
"Hana."
Yorktown immediately answered through the command channel.
"Yes, Commander?"
"Prepare a Razor Gunship for them."
Yuuki transferred the reconnaissance data onto her tactical interface.
"I've already scanned the island. Put them down on the western approach. That's where the staging area has the fewest guards."
"Hana, watch over them."
"Understood."
Yorktown's voice softened.
"I'll guide Bel and her squad."
"Good."
Yuuki closed the channel and turned toward his own team.
His expression became focused.
"Everyone, listen."
"We've located the Shipgirls."
"Their containment is on the top floor."
He highlighted the upper levels of the fortress.
"Expect heavy resistance."
Eugen immediately smirked beneath her helmet.
"Heh."
"I can't wait to see the Kancolle version of me once this is all over."
Hipper sighed.
"Can we rescue Frau Bismarck and Tirpitz first?"
Eugen glanced at her.
"Of course, sis. Maybe she's not a flat board like you."
Nimi looked at the identification list again.
"I wonder if I have a Kancolle version of my own."
Yuuki smiled.
"We'll find out eventually."
Avrora stared at the names on her display.
Her expression softened.
"Almost there..."
"Diana."
"Palladin."
"I'm coming for both of you."
Wales tightened her grip around her rifle.
"Anson..."
"York..."
"Georgie..."
"Howe..."
She took a breath.
"I am coming to get all of you."
Vestal checked the medical equipment attached to her Echo Suit.
Yuuki looked toward her.
"Vestal."
"Be ready to treat them."
"It will be done, Commander."
"Some of them may have been in those suspension tubes for a long time."
"I'll stabilize everyone the moment they're released."
Yuuki nodded.
"Good."
He looked around at the Shipgirls.
Everyone was ready.
Weapons loaded.
Armor active.
Objectives confirmed.
"Let's go get our girls back!"
The squad answered with renewed determination.
"Yes, Commander!"
Then Vergil's voice came through the main channel.
"Alright."
"Data extraction begins now."
A timer immediately appeared across everyone's HUDs.
====================
DATA EXTRACTION — ACTIVE
MASKED WINDOW: 10:00
====================
Vergil continued.
"I'm pulling everything I can from the Rapture network."
Yuuki looked at the timer.
"Ten minutes."
Vergil nodded.
"That's your window."
"Once the transfer reaches critical volume, their system will notice the abnormal traffic."
"Even with Jarvis and me masking the signatures."
Yuuki glanced toward the upper-floor containment markers.
"Then we don't waste a second."
Vergil continued.
"And remember..."
"You've got another fifteen minutes before Alpha Charlie arrives."
Yuuki's eyes widened slightly.
"Fifteen minutes?"
"Correct."
"The strike package will reach the island in fifteen."
"Which means..."
Yuuki looked toward the tactical map.
"...we have ten minutes to extract the data and five minutes before the Death from Above arrived."
Eugen smiled.
"Sounds like plenty of time."
Hipper stared at her.
"You say that now."
Yuuki opened the squad channel.
"Everyone."
The Shipgirls immediately focused on him.
"We have three objectives."
"First, rescue Bismarck, Tirpitz, Diana, Palladin, Duke of York, Anson, King George, Howe, Kashima and Katori."
"Second, Yuu and the Nikkes extract the prisoners from the northern detention center."
"Third..."
He highlighted the staging island.
"Once both objectives secured, we blow up the sam sites and send the whole base into panic mode.."
Wales nodded.
"We'll handle the top floor."
Yuuki looked toward Eugen.
"And yes."
"You'll eventually meet your Kancolle counterpart."
Eugen's grin widened.
"I'll hold you to that, Teddy bear."
Hipper groaned.
"Can we please focus on the rescue first?"
Nimi quietly laughed.
"She's excited to have a new sister aboard."
"Very."
Eugen looked toward the elevator.
"Come on."
"Let's bring our family home."
Yuuki raised his weapon.
"Move."
The team advanced toward the upper levels.
Behind them, Vergil's data extraction continued.
09:32
09:31
09:30
Every second counted.
Somewhere on the northern side of the fortress, Yuu and the Nikkes were preparing to breach the detention center.
On the Daedalus, Belfast and her squad were preparing to board the Razor Gunship.
And above them all...
The Daedalus waited beyond the island's perimeter.
Alpha Charlie was already on its way.
The fortress had spent years building its defenses.
It had captured Shipgirls.
It had imprisoned Nikkes.
It had stockpiled weapons.
It had trained its machines for war.
Now the GDI had entered its heart.
And within fifteen minutes...
The entire balance of the battlefield was about to change.