Yuuki flew through the storm clouds in his Mark 86 armor, its propulsion systems roaring against the heavy rain.
Beside him, Yuu kept pace effortlessly.
Grimm, the eagle, soared alongside them, riding the wind with powerful wingbeats.
The village was still several minutes away.
"Sir," Jarvis reported through the helmet comms, "estimated arrival in ten minutes."
"Situation, Jarvis?"
"The Takao-class Shipgirls have located two of the maids. They are currently taking an alternate route toward the third maid."
"Good."
A notification appeared across Yuuki's visor.
"Sir. Lady Yorktown attempted to connect."
"Put her through."
The comm channel opened.
"Commander?"
Yuuki smiled.
"Hey, Hana. Anything?"
"Kaguya, Vestal, Mary, Pepper, and the Bulins are on route."
Yuuki blinked.
"Why?"
"You know the doctors. They won't just sit around while civilians are gathering injuries."
"I have Yuu with me."
"Don't worry, Chief."
Yuu's voice came through the channel.
"It's a big village. I need their help as well."
"Hm…"
Yuuki considered it for a moment.
"Understandable. But why Kaguya?"
There was a brief pause.
"She said…"
Yorktown hesitated.
"She found another Arcane Shipgirl."
Yuuki's expression immediately became serious.
"Another one?"
"Yes."
"Someone called Irisviel von Einzbern."
Yuuki's eyes narrowed.
"That name... She's the Arcane Shipgirl of the North?"
"Yes."
Yorktown continued.
"She was the one who led the town's Shipgirls to safety and helped the KanColle Shipgirls when they arrived."
"Irisviel…"
"Yes. Kaguya said her magical energy is getting weaker."
Yorktown's voice became more concerned.
"And it seems to be originating from the island you're heading toward."
Yuuki looked toward the horizon.
"A coincidence."
"Yes."
Yorktown paused again.
"I asked Vice Commander Vergil about it. He pointed toward a Rapture base of operations not far from the village."
"A captured château."
Yuuki's expression hardened.
"He said he detected several Shipgirls on the island, but he can't pinpoint their exact locations."
"Why?"
"It's as though they're deep underground."
Yuuki glanced toward the distant island.
"Kaguya can lead you there. She's on her way to meet you alongside our doctors."
"Thanks for the update, Hana."
Yuuki accelerated slightly.
"I'll meet them there."
"Okay…"
Yorktown's voice softened.
"Love you, Yuuki."
Yuuki smiled.
"Love you too, Hana."
The connection ended.
For several seconds, only the sound of wind and rain filled the comm channel.
Then—
"Ehem."
Yuu's voice came through.
"I love you as well, Chief."
Yuuki glanced sideways.
Even through her helmet, he could practically see the grin on her face.
"I know, Yuu."
He shook his head with an amused smile.
"Thanks for coming with me."
"Pff."
Yuu adjusted her flight posture.
"Consider this our scenic-route date."
Yuuki laughed softly.
"Hana would be jealous."
"Pff. Being connected to you seems interesting."
Yuuki looked at her.
"Connected?"
"Yes."
Yuu's tone became more thoughtful.
"It happened when you touched my shoulder back then."
She looked down briefly at her armored hand.
"I've been trying to understand how it happened."
Yuuki remained silent.
"But I'm not a Shipgirl," Yuu continued.
"I'm a modified human. So I don't understand how I could have formed a connection like that."
"You're sure it wasn't just the Wisdom Cube?"
"I don't think so."
Yuu shook her head.
"It feels different."
Yuuki frowned thoughtfully.
"I've touched you plenty of times."
"Handshakes. Helping you up. Checking your armor."
"But we never connected before."
"It happened recently."
Yuu looked at him.
"Maybe it's one of your hidden abilities."
"My hidden ability?"
"To connect with anyone."
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"I've connected to Wisdom Cubes and Bastion Cubes."
He looked toward her.
"But I don't see that happening with Momo or Kyon when they hug me."
"Maybe…"
Yuu's voice became quieter.
"It only happens with people you care about."
"I care about everyone."
"Cared."
Yuu emphasized the word.
"Maybe you secretly cared about me."
Yuuki's face warmed.
"And the connection somehow reached my heart."
She tilted her head.
"Maybe that's why I'd naturally ignore anyone who said no to me…"
A mischievous smile formed beneath her helmet.
"But when you do it…"
She looked directly at Yuuki.
"I don't."
Yuuki blushed.
"Maybe you just want to listen to me?"
"Not exactly."
Yuu shook her head.
"Vergil said no to me, and I ignored him."
She paused.
"But when you do so…"
Her voice became genuinely curious.
"Maybe I need to explore this connection between us further."
Yuu's smile returned.
"You won't mind my advances from now on?"
Yuuki sighed.
"As long as they're appropriate."
He eyes her as they flew.
"And they don't involve a scalpel."
Yuu laughed.
"That's oddly specific."
"I've seen what you doctors are capable of."
"I only need a tiny sample."
"No."
"A microscopic sample?"
"No."
"Just one drop?"
"Yuu."
"Fine, fine."
She laughed again.
"But now that we're closer than ever, you'll never escape my examination."
"Within reason."
The two continued flying side by side through the storm, their armored silhouettes cutting through the rain as lightning flickered across the darkened sky. Yuuki's Mark 86 armor adjusted its flight path automatically, while Yuu maintained formation beside him with effortless precision in her Mark 49 Rescue Armor. Grimm soared overhead, occasionally banking against the powerful winds.
Ahead, beyond the clouds and sheets of rain, the island slowly emerged from the darkness. Its coastline was barely visible beneath the storm, while distant flashes of light hinted at the fighting taking place near the village.
Yuu studied the island through her helmet display.
"Still, an Arcane Shipgirl of the North…"
Her voice carried a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
"This will be our first opportunity to meet one. I wonder what else we'll discover on this world."
Yuuki looked toward the island.
"Hopefully, answers."
Yuu turned her helmet toward him.
"As long as I'm with you, I'm looking forward to anything."
"Pff…"
Yuuki glanced at her.
"Why do I get the feeling you won't be working at the Autumn Isle after this?"
"I will."
Yuu's tone was calm, though a faint smile colored her voice.
"Remotely, at least."
She looked ahead again.
"Once you establish the chrono gate, I won't need to sleep there every night. I can always come home."
Her voice softened.
"Now that we're connected, being far away from you hurts."
Yuuki's cheeks warmed.
"Oh, you…"
Yuu gave a quiet, satisfied laugh.
"Don't worry, Chief. I'll make sure you receive regular examinations."
"Within reason."
"Of course."
She paused.
"Though I make no promises about how thorough they'll be."
"Yuu."
"What? I'm only being professional."
Yuuki shook his head, unable to hide his smile as they continued toward the island.
The storm raged around them, but neither slowed down.
=======================
Inside the town hall, Gloucester and Manchester led Takao and her sisters through the dimly lit corridors.
The building had been turned into a temporary shelter.
Women and children huddled together behind overturned tables, wooden crates, and whatever furniture the resistance fighters had managed to drag into place. Some mothers held their children tightly against their chests. Others peeked nervously through the gaps in the barricades, watching the four golden-armored figures moving through the hall.
Takao kept her helmet sealed.
Atago, Maya, and Choukai followed closely behind.
Their weapons remained ready.
Then—
KRRRZZT!
A hostile transmission suddenly blasted through the radios.
Mendoza's voice.
"All teams, drop! Now!"
Manchester's eyes widened.
"Everyone down!"
Outside, the sound of engines and mechanical footsteps erupted.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Rapture droids poured into the square surrounding the town hall.
More appeared on the rooftops.
Then several smaller machines descended from above.
WHOOSH!
Rocket droids.
Takao immediately recognized the danger.
"If those things fire into the building—"
"They'll kill everyone inside," Gloucester finished.
Takao reached behind her.
She had brought several spare R59 Pierce sniper rifles specifically for situations like this.
She pulled two free from her inventory and handed them to the maids.
"Take these."
Gloucester caught hers.
Manchester took the second.
Both women immediately understood what Takao intended.
"Sniper support?" Gloucester asked.
"Exactly."
Takao looked toward the windows.
"You two stay here and cover the square."
Manchester nodded.
"And you?"
Takao's helmet tilted slightly.
"We'll handle everything else."
The four sisters disappeared.
FZZZT!
Their camouflage systems activated.
Stealth Mode.
Their golden armor shimmered for a moment before blending into the surroundings.
The resistance fighters inside the town hall stared in disbelief.
One moment, four armored women had been standing there.
The next—
Nothing.
Outside, the Rapture droids advanced.
Several rocket droids raised their launchers.
CLICK.
Manchester immediately fired.
BANG!
The R59 round punched straight through the first rocket droid's head.
It collapsed before it could launch.
Gloucester fired immediately afterward.
BANG!
Another rocket droid exploded.
"Two down!"
A third droid turned toward the town hall.
Before it could fire—
SHNK!
An ionized blade emerged from the shadows.
Takao's ion sword sliced through its body.
The droid split apart and crashed onto the pavement.
Another machine rushed toward her.
Takao vanished again.
SHNK!
Its legs were severed.
Atago appeared behind it and finished it with a single horizontal slash.
Maya descended from a rooftop, her ion blade carving through another droid before she disappeared back into stealth.
Choukai fired her grappling hook.
THWIP!
She launched herself across the square.
Her sword flashed.
SHRAKK!
Another Rapture collapsed.
The rocket droids desperately attempted to acquire targets.
They couldn't.
Every time one locked onto something—
BANG!
Manchester or Gloucester destroyed it.
Every time a ground droid attempted to rush the town hall—
A golden silhouette appeared from nowhere.
SHNK!
SHRAK!
BOOM!
One after another, the Rapture machines fell.
The civilians watched from the windows in stunned silence.
They could barely follow the battle.
The four Takao sisters moved like ghosts.
The maids provided precise sniper fire from the town hall.
Within minutes, the entire square was littered with destroyed Rapture machinery.
The final rocket droid attempted to turn and flee.
Takao appeared directly behind it.
Her ion sword pierced through its core.
KZZZT!
The machine collapsed.
Silence returned.
Smoke drifted through the square.
Then Mendoza's furious voice echoed from somewhere beyond the ruined buildings.
"Damn bitches!"
His footsteps hurried away.
"You'll pay for this!"
Maya emerged from stealth and looked toward the direction of his retreat.
"Coward!"
But Mendoza was already gone.
Maya lowered her sword.
"He ran again."
Atago looked toward the ruined square.
"He's getting desperate."
Takao deactivated Stealth Mode.
"We're wasting time."
She looked toward Gloucester and Manchester.
"Come on."
Manchester slung the R59 across her back.
"Right."
Gloucester nodded.
"Let's reach the reservoir before he sends another wave."
The sisters moved forward.
Behind them, the civilians slowly emerged from their hiding places.
The town hall was silent.
And Mendoza was running out of places to hide.
"Everyone stay behind cover," Manchester ordered.
She looked toward the civilians hiding throughout the town hall.
"Make sure it's safe before coming out."
The resistance fighters nodded.
Once the immediate danger had passed, several of them cautiously emerged from their hiding places and gathered their weapons.
"We'll cover this area!" one of the resistance fighters called.
Gloucester nodded.
"Good. Keep watch for any more Raptures."
The two maids then led Takao and her sisters toward the upper floors of the town hall.
Their objective was the local reservoir.
The group moved quickly through the damaged building, climbing staircases and passing through corridors that had been partially destroyed by the fighting.
Eventually, they reached an elevated section overlooking the reservoir.
Then they heard it.
BOOM!
The entire structure trembled.
Manchester immediately looked over the railing.
"Oh no…"
Below them, a Rapture tank was firing directly at the reservoir.
BOOM!
Another shell slammed into the massive concrete structure.
Cracks were beginning to spread across its surface.
Gloucester's expression paled.
"If that tank keeps attacking it…"
Manchester finished the thought.
"The reservoir will break."
Takao looked down.
"And flood the village."
The tank fired again.
BOOM!
Water began leaking through one of the widening cracks.
Takao's eyes narrowed.
"We stop it now."
Before she could move—
"Takao-nee!"
Maya stepped forward.
"Toss me!"
Takao turned toward her.
"Maya?"
Maya pointed toward the tank below.
"I can reach it from here."
Takao stared at the distance.
Then she understood.
A small smile formed beneath her helmet.
"Got it."
She grabbed Maya by the waist.
"Wait—what are you—"
WHOOSH!
Takao hurled her sister forward.
Maya soared through the air.
Her Echo Suit immediately activated its enhanced jump systems.
FWOOM!
The propulsion burst sent her even higher.
She cleared the railing and descended toward the Rapture tank.
Maya drew her ion sword.
The blade ignited with a brilliant glow.
The tank's turret turned toward her.
Too late.
"Got you."
SHRAAAK!
Maya's ion sword tore through the tank from top to bottom.
The Rapture machine split apart.
Its internal systems sparked violently before the entire vehicle collapsed.
BOOM!
Maya landed on the wreckage.
She looked up toward her sisters.
"Done!"
Atago laughed.
"Nice landing!"
"Thanks!"
But the battle wasn't over.
More Rapture droids were approaching the reservoir.
Takao immediately drew her ion sword.
"Everyone, move!"
The sisters charged along the elevated catwalk.
Gloucester and Manchester followed with their R59 rifles ready.
BANG!
Manchester shot a droid attempting to climb onto the catwalk.
Gloucester fired immediately afterward.
BANG!
Another droid fell below.
Takao and Atago cut through the machines that reached the upper level, while Choukai used her grappling hook to swing across the gaps in the damaged catwalk.
Maya jumped from one platform to another, her ion sword flashing repeatedly.
SHNK!
SHRAK!
KZZZT!
The Raptures never managed to establish a foothold.
Soon, the group reached the far side of the reservoir.
Then Atago noticed something unusual.
A truck was parked near the maintenance area.
Its rear compartment was open.
A mechanical arm was slowly lowering a gun emplacement onto the ground.
Atago frowned.
"That doesn't look like a normal Rapture deployment."
Takao glanced toward it.
"What's it doing?"
"Setting up a gun emplacement."
The emplacement touched the ground.
Its targeting systems activated.
But nothing happened.
Atago immediately realized why.
"It's unprogrammed."
She sprinted toward it.
"Give me a moment."
Atago knelt beside the control panel.
Her armored fingers moved across the interface.
BEEP.
BEEP.
The targeting system flickered.
She accessed the emplacement's identification protocols and changed its engagement parameters.
TARGETING PARAMETERS UPDATED.
HOSTILE IDENTIFICATION: RAPTURE.
Atago stood.
"Let's see if this works."
A Rapture droid emerged from behind the truck.
The gun emplacement immediately rotated.
WHIRRRR—
Its barrel locked onto the droid.
BRRRT!
The machine was shredded instantly.
Atago grinned.
"Perfect."
Takao looked at the automated weapon.
"Leave it here?"
"At least for now."
Atago gestured toward the reservoir.
"It'll defend this area while we move toward the park."
Manchester nodded.
"Then let's keep moving."
Gloucester looked toward the distant rooftops.
"Liverpool is still waiting for us."
Takao tightened her grip on her sword.
"And Mendoza is still searching for us."
She turned toward the route ahead.
"Let's find Liverpool before he does."
Choukai approached the damaged reservoir and pulled out the GIZMO repair gun.
"Let me fix this before we leave."
She aimed the device at the cracked concrete wall.
FZZZZT—
A stream of repair energy washed over the damaged section.
The cracks slowly closed.
Broken concrete reconstructed itself layer by layer, the structural damage disappearing beneath the GIZMO's repair field.
Manchester stared in amazement.
"That weapon can repair buildings?"
Choukai lowered the GIZMO.
"Among other things. Our medics are equipped with healing GIZMOs, allowing them to treat both humans and shipgirls."
She checked the reservoir one final time.
"The structure should hold now."
Takao looked toward the reprogrammed gun emplacement.
"And that should cover this area."
The automated weapon remained pointed toward the surrounding streets, ready to engage any Rapture that entered its newly assigned perimeter.
Gloucester nodded.
"Then we should continue."
The group left the reservoir and followed the main road toward the northwestern section of the village.
They did not travel alone.
Resistance fighters were positioned at various ambush points along the route. Whenever the group approached another intersection, one of the resistance members would emerge from cover and quietly guide them toward the safest path.
The village was still eerily quiet.
Occasional distant explosions echoed through the streets, but the main road remained relatively clear.
Eventually, the resistance fighters guided them toward the end of the road.
Takao looked around at the enormous village.
"How long have the Raptures been attacking this village?"
"Two days," Gloucester answered.
She glanced toward the surrounding buildings.
"Most of the villagers escaped to the north. Some are still hiding inside the buildings."
Gloucester pointed toward the northern end of the village.
"The resistance destroyed the gate leading into the northern village. It was the only way to slow the Raptures' advancement."
Takao nodded thoughtfully.
"Still, this village is quite huge."
Choukai looked toward the distant rooftops.
"It feels more like a small city."
Manchester nodded.
"It is divided into two sections."
She pointed uphill.
"The northern section is up the hill."
Then she gestured toward the lower streets behind them.
"And the southern section is down the hill."
She turned toward the distant cathedral.
"The main gate near the cathedral was destroyed to slow the Raptures' advance."
Her expression became serious.
"Most of the resistance is still holed up there, preventing the Raptures from pushing through."
Before Takao could respond—
KRRRZZT!
A familiar female voice suddenly came through their communications.
"Ladies! Be cautious."
The sisters looked around.
"A Rapture tank, several APCs, and a gun emplacement are guarding the end of this road."
Friday continued.
"The road will bring you to a small area near the park's entrance."
There was a brief pause.
"However, the maids were correct. A Rapture ship crashed there and is blocking the entrance."
Maya looked toward the road ahead.
"So that's the crashed ship."
She glanced at the heavily defended position.
"I guess we need to use the rocket launchers."
Takao nodded.
"Agreed."
The sisters simultaneously reached into their dimensional storage.
THUNK!
Four rocket launchers appeared in their hands.
Maya rested hers against her shoulder.
Atago checked the targeting system.
Choukai loaded a fresh rocket.
Takao looked toward the road.
"Gloucester. Manchester."
The two maids raised their R59 Pierce sniper rifles.
"We'll cover you."
They moved into a protected position behind the group, taking aim toward the road behind them and the surrounding rooftops.
Takao reached into her inventory again and produced additional ammunition.
She handed several rounds to the maids.
"Keep these."
Manchester caught the ammunition.
"Thank you."
Gloucester checked her rifle.
"We'll make sure nothing gets behind you."
Takao nodded.
"Then let's clear the road."
The four sisters raised their rocket launchers.
Manchester suddenly paused.
"Wait."
She looked around.
"Who is that?"
Takao tilted her helmet.
"Who?"
"The woman talking through our radios."
Maya's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh."
She looked toward Manchester.
"That's Friday."
"Friday?"
"The AI of the Echo Suits we wear."
Choukai added,
"She helps us with mission objectives, navigation, enemy identification, and tactical information."
Manchester stared at the helmet speakers.
"So the armor itself has an artificial intelligence?"
"Not exactly," Atago explained.
"Friday is integrated with the Echo Suit's systems, but she's an independent AI."
There was a brief silence.
Then Friday spoke cheerfully through the comms.
"Hello, Manchester. Hello, Gloucester."
Manchester blinked.
"Hello…"
Gloucester looked at the armored sisters.
"You really have changed."
Takao raised her rocket launcher.
"We've had a good commander."
Maya smiled.
"And a very good AI."
Friday replied immediately.
"Thank you, Maya."
Maya paused.
"You heard that?"
"I hear everything transmitted through the suit's communication systems."
"…That's a little creepy."
"I prefer efficient."
Atago laughed.
Takao shook her head.
"Enough talking."
She aimed down the road.
"Let's clear the way to the park."
The four sisters prepared to fire.
Behind them, Gloucester and Manchester settled into their sniper positions.
They didn't bother sneaking this time.
Takao raised her rocket launcher.
"Atago. Maya. Choukai."
The three sisters raised their launchers as well.
"Fire."
WHOOM!
Four rockets screamed down the road.
The first struck the Rapture tank.
BOOOOM!
The explosion engulfed the armored vehicle, throwing chunks of metal across the street.
Before the smoke had even cleared, the sisters fired again.
WHOOM! WHOOM! WHOOM!
Rockets slammed into the APCs and gun emplacement.
BOOM!
KRAK-BOOM!
WHOOOM!
The entire defensive position erupted into fire.
Manchester and Gloucester immediately followed up with their R59 Pierce sniper rifles.
BANG!
BANG!
Any surviving Rapture droid attempting to crawl from the wreckage was promptly eliminated.
The gun emplacement tried to rotate toward them.
BZZZT—
Gloucester fired.
BANG!
Its targeting module exploded.
A group of droids rushed from behind the crashed ship.
Takao calmly fired another rocket.
WHOOM!
The blast swallowed the machines.
Maya laughed.
"That's much easier!"
Atago fired again.
"Less sneaking. More explosions."
Choukai's rocket struck a cluster of Raptures attempting to reinforce the crash site.
BOOOOM!
Within minutes, the road was completely silent.
Smoke drifted through the ruined street.
Burning Rapture wreckage was scattered across the road, while the crashed ship loomed beyond it.
Takao lowered her launcher.
"Area clear."
A moment later, footsteps approached.
A resistance fighter emerged from a nearby alley, rifle in hand.
He stared at the destruction.
Then at the four sisters.
Then at Gloucester and Manchester.
"You're here to help us reclaim the park?"
"Yes," Manchester replied.
She gestured toward Takao and her sisters.
"We brought reinforcements."
The resistance fighter looked at the four golden-armored Shipgirls.
"They look really strong."
He shook his head in disbelief.
"Still can't believe girls and maids like you are this strong."
Maya's voice came through her helmet.
"We've been hearing that a lot lately."
The resistance fighter chuckled nervously.
"Anyway, I'll take you to the resistance at the inn. They're waiting for you."
Takao glanced toward the crashed ship.
"What do they need help with?"
"They need help reclaiming supplies from that crashed ship."
Manchester frowned.
"Didn't the Raptures already reclaim it?"
"Not completely."
The resistance fighter pointed toward the wreckage.
"Most of the Raptures didn't make it through our ambush points."
He then pointed toward the surrounding roads.
"But we saw them bringing in tanks to clear the crash site."
His expression became urgent.
"We need to claim the supplies before the Raptures return in force."
Takao nodded.
"Understood."
The resistance fighter motioned for them to follow.
"This way."
He led them away from the main road and onto a narrow path winding up the hill.
The group followed carefully.
As they climbed higher, the remains of the village spread out beneath them. The northern section sat higher on the hillside, while the southern district stretched below them beneath the dark clouds.
Eventually, the path brought them toward an abandoned inn.
It had once been a quiet place for travelers.
Now its windows were boarded up, its walls were damaged, and resistance fighters had turned the surrounding area into a defensive position.
Manchester recognized the arrangement immediately.
"This is where you've been ambushing the Raptures?"
The resistance fighter nodded.
"Whenever they try to reach the crashed ship, we hit them from here."
He pointed toward several concealed firing positions around the inn.
"We've been holding this position since the crash."
Gloucester looked toward the wreckage below.
"And now the Raptures are bringing heavier forces."
"Exactly."
The resistance fighter looked toward Takao and her sisters.
"That's why we need your help."
Takao rested her rocket launcher against her shoulder.
"Then let's reclaim those supplies."
Maya looked toward the inn.
"And the park?"
The resistance fighter pointed farther up the hill.
"Beyond the crash site."
He smiled faintly.
"But first, we secure what we can."
Takao nodded.
"One objective at a time."
The sisters moved toward the abandoned inn alongside Gloucester and Manchester.
As soon as they entered, they were met by one of the resistance captains.
The man froze.
For a moment, he simply stared.
Four beautiful women stood before him, clad in advanced golden armor, accompanied by two of the most well-known Royal Maids in the village.
Even the resistance fighters behind him were caught off guard.
They had never seen women like them before.
A few of the men stared a little too long.
Maya and Atago noticed.
They slowly turned their heads toward them.
The two sisters said nothing.
They didn't need to.
Their cold, silent stares were enough.
The men immediately looked away and returned their attention to their weapons.
The captain cleared his throat.
"Ah… Lady Gloucester. Lady Manchester."
He looked toward the four armored women.
"Who are these armored women?"
Gloucester stepped forward.
"Fellow allies from beyond the island."
She gestured toward Takao and her sisters.
"They came to find us."
Manchester added,
"And they're here to fight the Raptures alongside us."
The captain looked over the four sisters again.
"I see."
He nodded.
"So you came to help?"
Takao nodded.
"Yes."
The captain relaxed slightly.
"The crashed Rapture ship down there contains supplies."
He pointed toward the distant wreckage.
"The small maid shot it down this morning. We wanted to recover what we could, but the Raptures have been guarding the crash site ever since."
He shook his head.
"We can't get close enough."
Takao glanced toward the wreckage.
"What kind of supplies?"
"Whatever survived the crash. Ammunition, equipment, food, medical supplies… We don't know exactly how much is still usable."
The captain looked toward the park beyond the crash site.
"If we could secure those supplies, they'd help us hold the southern village."
Takao considered the situation.
"I see."
She pointed toward the wreckage.
"Can you clear the area so we can get to the park?"
The captain grimaced.
"It'll take all night."
He gestured toward the roads below.
"There are too many Rapture droids around the crash site. We'd have to fight through them while keeping our people alive."
He looked at the sisters.
"But if you can clear the Raptures attacking us…"
He smiled faintly.
"We can clear the crash site much faster or open a path big enough for vehicles to go through."
Takao nodded.
"Understood."
She turned toward her sisters.
The four immediately checked their weapons.
Takao looked back at the captain.
"Once we've cleared the Raptures, go to the ship."
The captain nodded.
"We'll be ready."
Gloucester tightened her grip on her R59 rifle.
"Then let's get this done."
Manchester looked toward the ruined road.
"And afterward, we can finally reach the park."
Takao raised her rocket launcher.
"Exactly."
The sisters moved toward the defensive positions overlooking the crash site.
The resistance fighters followed.
==========
The Takao sisters quickly moved toward the rooftop overlooking the crash site.
Takao and Atago carried Gloucester and Manchester with them, using their enhanced strength to lift the two maids effortlessly onto the elevated position.
Once they reached the rooftop, Gloucester and Manchester immediately moved into position.
They set up their R59 Pierce sniper rifles and looked through their scopes.
Then both maids widened their eyes.
The view from the rooftop revealed the entire northern section of the village.
And, more importantly—
The park.
A massive structure was being constructed at its center.
Manchester stared at it.
"The Obelisk…"
Choukai looked toward the enormous structure.
"What in the world are they building?"
Gloucester lowered her scope slightly.
"Intel reported that it's an Obelisk."
She pointed toward the towering construction site.
"It can fire a powerful laser. Strong enough to kill anyone attempting to escape north through the park."
Takao studied the structure.
"How far along is it?"
"Only halfway."
Manchester looked concerned.
"But that's still too far along for comfort."
Takao's hand tightened around her weapon.
"We could destroy it now."
"But we can't," Friday suddenly warned through their communications.
The sisters looked toward the park.
"Why?" Atago asked.
"Because there are civilians at the construction site."
Friday's voice remained calm.
"Rapture forces are compelling them to build the Obelisk. A large-scale attack could cause significant civilian casualties."
Takao immediately lowered her weapon.
"So we can't simply bombard the park."
"Correct," Friday replied.
Choukai frowned.
"That makes things more difficult."
Gloucester nodded.
"The resistance tried to reach the park earlier."
She pointed toward the enormous wreckage blocking the road.
"But we couldn't get through."
Takao looked down.
"The crashed Rapture ship?"
"Sheffield shot it down with a missile launcher this morning."
Manchester sighed.
"We were hoping the wreck would fall somewhere away from the road."
She gestured toward the massive hull.
"Instead, it crashed directly across the entrance to the park."
The resistance captain looked over the scene.
"It completely blocked the road."
He pointed toward the narrow passage beyond it.
"Vehicles can't get through, and our people can't safely approach the crash site. At least, it prevent rapture reinforcement from coming through."
Takao examined the battlefield from their rooftop.
"Then we'll clear the obstruction first."
The captain nodded.
"There's a good vantage point farther along."
He led them across the rooftop.
The group eventually reached another elevated position overlooking the crash site.
The situation became immediately clear.
A Rapture flame tank guarded the wreckage.
Several Rapture buggies patrolled the surrounding streets.
Dozens of Rapture droids were moving around the crashed ship.
But there was something else.
The machines weren't simply guarding the wreck.
They were gathering supplies.
Several droids were carrying crates away from the ship and placing them into a single collection area.
Others were working together to move heavier containers.
The resistance captain raised his binoculars.
He studied the activity for several seconds.
Then a smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Oh…"
He lowered the binoculars.
"That shortens our work."
Takao looked at him.
"How?"
The captain pointed toward the gathering supplies.
"They're doing the hard part for us."
He raised the binoculars again.
"The Raptures are collecting everything into one location."
Atago immediately understood.
"So instead of searching the entire wreck…"
"We only need to take the supplies they're already gathering."
The captain nodded.
"Exactly."
Maya glanced toward the flame tank.
"And we just need to deal with those guards."
Takao raised her rocket launcher.
A faint smile appeared beneath her helmet.
"That shouldn't take long."
Gloucester settled behind her sniper rifle.
Manchester checked her ammunition.
The resistance fighters prepared their weapons.
Below them, the Rapture droids continued moving crates, completely unaware that their carefully organized supply collection had just made the resistance's job considerably easier.
Takao looked toward the crash site.
Then she widened her eyes.
Someone familiar was standing among the Rapture forces.
Mendoza.
Again.
The bastard was still alive.
His chest was visibly injured from Takao's earlier slash, while a bullet graze from Choukai's sniper rifle had left another wound across his body.
Yet somehow, he was still fighting.
Maya stared at him.
"He's a hard bastard."
She gave a small, impressed nod.
"I'll give him that."
Atago giggled.
"Ufuu… I'm sure he won't mind another beating."
Takao kept her eyes on Mendoza.
"He's certainly persistent."
Choukai, however, wasn't looking at Mendoza.
Her attention was fixed on the park.
From their elevated position, she could now see the entire area.
The park had effectively been transformed into a miniature Rapture forward base.
Barricades had been erected around the perimeter.
Rapture vehicles patrolled the streets.
Droids occupied defensive positions.
And at the center, the massive Obelisk continued to rise.
Civilians were being forced to work on it.
Choukai's expression hardened.
"What if the four of us attack the base?"
Takao looked toward her.
"Go on, Choukai."
Choukai pointed toward the crash site.
"I mean, if we clear the crash site first, the droids will probably surround the resistance fighters."
She glanced toward Mendoza.
"And with him there, he'll just kill the resistance fighters."
She looked back at her sisters.
"So why don't we split up?"
Maya tilted her head.
"Your suggestion?"
Takao, Atago, Maya, Gloucester, and Manchester all turned toward Choukai.
Even the resistance captain leaned closer.
Choukai took a breath.
"The resistance fighters stay here and wait."
She pointed toward Gloucester and Manchester.
"The maids provide sniper cover."
Then she looked toward the two Royal Maids.
"We can lend them the Ramjet Rifles and have them target critical Rapture droids."
Gloucester's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the weapon.
Choukai continued.
"Takao-nee can engage Mendoza and keep him busy."
She looked toward her elder sister.
"Or force him to retreat again."
Takao nodded slowly.
"And the three of us?"
"We use the hacking device Shikikan-sama gave us."
Choukai pointed toward the Rapture vehicles.
"We can turn their vehicles against each other."
Atago's smile widened.
"Now that's interesting."
"Once the vehicles are fighting each other, we clear the entire base of Rapture droids."
Choukai gestured toward the park.
"That gives the civilians a chance to flee."
She then pointed toward the crashed ship.
"The resistance fighters can open a path wide enough for the workers to get through."
She paused.
"It won't stop the Obelisk from being completed."
Her expression became serious.
"But at least we can extract the civilians and supplies while wiping out the Rapture forces occupying the base."
Takao considered the plan.
Then she smiled.
"And force Mendoza to retreat again."
She nodded approvingly.
"Nice idea, sis."
Atago suddenly wrapped her arms around Choukai from behind.
"Uffuuu… Onee-chan is proud of my little Choukai."
"Mou…"
Choukai's helmet tilted away as Atago hugged her.
"Atago-nee…"
Maya laughed.
Takao shook her head with amusement before turning toward the resistance captain.
"Well, you heard her, Captain."
The captain nodded.
"Understood."
He immediately turned toward his men and began relaying the orders.
"Everyone, wait for their all-clear signal!"
The resistance fighters quickly began preparing.
"Once the Rapture forces are down, move to the crash site!"
"Secure the supplies!"
"And cover the workers!"
Several fighters moved toward the road leading to the crashed ship.
They began clearing rubble and widening the existing gaps, creating a passage large enough for the civilians to escape once the assault began.
Meanwhile, Atago opened her dimensional storage.
THUNK.
She pulled out two large .90-caliber Hawkeye Ramjet Rifles.
She handed one to Gloucester and the other to Manchester.
The two maids stared at the massive weapons.
Atago smiled.
"Your Ship human bodies can handle the recoil."
She tapped the side of one rifle.
"These things are quite powerful."
She handed them additional ammunition.
"So make sure you shoot well."
Gloucester examined the rifle.
"I have never used a weapon quite like this."
Manchester looked at the enormous barrel.
"Neither have I."
Atago's smile widened.
"Then today is a good day to learn before Shikikan-sama inducts you to the GDI."
The two maids nodded.
Gloucester settled the Ramjet Rifle against her shoulder.
Manchester did the same.
Their expressions became focused.
Takao looked toward the crash site once more.
Mendoza was still there.
The Obelisk was still being constructed.
The Rapture forward base was still active.
But their plan was ready.
Choukai checked the hacking device.
Maya prepared her weapons.
Atago secured the remaining ammunition.
Takao drew her ion sword.
Gloucester and Manchester took their sniper positions.
The resistance fighters waited for their signal.
Takao raised one hand.
"Everyone, get ready."
The battlefield below them remained unaware.
For the Raptures, everything still appeared under control.
They had no idea that the resistance had just gained four Shipgirls, two elite Royal Maids, and a plan specifically designed to turn their own machines against them.
================
"Maggots! All of them!"
Mendoza's voice echoed across the Rapture forward base.
He clenched his fists as he stared toward the rooftop where the Takao sisters had positioned themselves.
Shipgirls weren't supposed to be this strong.
The maids were barely a threat. Their sniper rifles were dangerous, certainly, but manageable.
Those new golden-armored Shipgirls were something else entirely.
One of them had already sliced open his chest.
Another had grazed him with a sniper round.
His wounds were still regenerating, but the pain was very real.
Mendoza immediately opened a communications channel.
"Behemoth."
A deep voice answered.
"What is it, Carlos?"
"Damn bitch! You never told me they were this strong!"
Mendoza snarled.
"You have your enhancement. You can deal with them."
"Enhancement?!"
Mendoza touched the wound across his chest.
"One of them just sliced my chest open with a fucking sword! And another one just grazed me!"
There was no sympathy in Behemoth's response.
"Then you know how powerful these GDI pests are."
The voice continued.
"They already attacked the Mother Whale. The transport carrying nine Shipgirls. Exia Island. The forward volcanic base."
A pause.
"And now this place."
Mendoza's expression twisted with fury.
"Meddling pests are everywhere!"
"Find those maids before tomorrow morning."
Behemoth's voice became colder.
"If you fail, I'll blow this entire village apart with a nuclear strike."
Mendoza froze.
"What about those at the château?"
"Better dead than in their hands."
Behemoth didn't hesitate.
"You have six hours."
The connection abruptly terminated.
Mendoza stared at the communicator.
Then he looked toward the park.
The civilians were still being forced to work.
They hauled heavy components into position, assembled structural sections, and continued building the massive laser Obelisk under the watchful eyes of the Rapture droids.
Mendoza clicked his tongue.
"Damn it…"
He rubbed his forehead.
"They didn't pay me extra for this."
Then his expression changed.
A manic grin spread across his face.
He raised his weapon.
"Then…"
He laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"Maggots! Come to me if you dare!"
He never noticed the figure suddenly appearing behind him.
Takao.
Her Stealth Mode disengaged at the exact moment her ion sword came down.
SHRAAAK!
Mendoza's enhanced senses screamed a warning.
He twisted his body at the last possible moment.
The sword missed his torso by inches.
"YOU!"
Rapture droids immediately turned their weapons toward Takao.
BEEP! BEEP!
They acquired her as a target.
Then—
BANG!
BANG!
Two enormous shots rang out from the rooftop.
The Rapture droids were struck by the .90-caliber Hawkeye Ramjet rounds.
Unlike the R59 Pierce rounds, which punched cleanly through their targets, the Ramjet rounds tore straight through the machines and violently blew their bodies apart.
BOOM!
KRAK!
Mendoza looked toward the rooftop in disbelief.
Gloucester and Manchester had already fired again.
BANG!
BANG!
Another pair of droids exploded.
Takao smirked.
"Your support is getting better."
"Thank you," Gloucester replied calmly.
Mendoza roared.
"MAGGOT!"
He lunged toward Takao.
His enhanced strength sent him forward with frightening speed.
He reached out to grab her—
Only to discover that Takao was stronger than he expected.
Takao caught his arm.
Mendoza's eyes widened.
"What—?"
Takao's fist slammed into his ribs.
BOOM!
The impact sent Mendoza flying backward.
He crashed through several crates before rolling across the ground.
Maya stared.
"Wow."
Atago giggled.
"Ufuu… That looked painful."
Mendoza staggered upright.
"You—!"
But before he could recover, Choukai, Maya, and Atago were already moving.
Choukai activated the hacking device.
The device connected to the Rapture vehicles through their control systems.
Yuuki had explained the principle to them beforehand.
Raptures were commanded through lines of code.
Vergil had simply shown them how to alter those commands.
Choukai only needed to change a few critical parameters.
ACCESSING RAPTURES CONTROL NETWORK.
TARGETING PARAMETERS LOCATED.
Choukai's fingers moved across the interface.
"Let's change your priorities."
TARGET: FRIENDLY
She switched the identification parameters.
TARGET: HOSTILE
"Done."
The nearest Rapture buggy suddenly stopped.
Its turret rotated.
Not toward the resistance.
Not toward the Shipgirls.
Toward its own droids.
BRRRRT!
Machine-gun fire tore through several Rapture units.
Maya grinned.
"It worked!"
Atago laughed.
"Then let's make things interesting."
She and Maya connected their own hacking devices.
One by one, the remaining buggies and Rapture vehicles received the modified targeting commands.
A second buggy turned around.
BRRRT!
A group of Rapture droids exploded.
Then the flame tank's turret rotated.
Mendoza's eyes widened.
"What the hell?!"
BOOOOOOM!
The flame tank fired into its own defensive line.
The entire forward base descended into chaos.
Rapture buggies attacked Rapture droids.
Tanks fired upon their own forces.
Gun emplacements changed targets.
The maids continued providing sniper cover from the rooftops.
BANG!
BANG!
Every critical droid that attempted to approach the civilians was eliminated.
The sudden chaos sent the workers scrambling for cover.
"Everyone move!" Takao shouted.
The civilians immediately dropped whatever they were carrying and rushed away from the fighting.
Atago, Maya, and Choukai moved through the construction area, searching for civilians trapped behind barricades, collapsed scaffolding, and damaged structures. Their advanced stealth systems kept them hidden from the Rapture sensors, allowing them to slip through the chaos undetected.
Whenever a droid wandered too close, one of the sisters raised her flechette gun and fired a short burst. The high-velocity projectiles tore through the machines, shredding armor, severing limbs, and dropping them before they could raise an alarm.
The sisters advanced from one group of civilians to the next, eliminating nearby threats while guiding the workers toward the escape route the resistance fighters were clearing near the crash site.
"This way!"
Maya pulled several workers away from a collapsing section.
"Keep moving!"
Choukai opened another path.
"Go! The resistance is waiting for you!"
Atago cut through a metal barrier blocking several civilians.
"Move, move!"
Behind them, Gloucester and Manchester continued firing.
BANG!
A Rapture droid fell.
BANG!
Another exploded.
Takao meanwhile kept Mendoza occupied.
He charged her again.
"Maggot!"
He swung his fist.
Takao blocked it.
The impact sent a shockwave through the ground.
Mendoza snarled.
"You shouldn't be this strong!"
Takao pushed him back.
"And you shouldn't keep coming back."
She raised her ion sword.
Mendoza immediately recognized the threat.
His enhanced senses screamed at him.
He stepped backward.
Takao advanced.
Mendoza's confidence finally began to crack.
Around them, the Rapture forward base was collapsing into complete disorder.
The resistance fighters watched from their positions.
The path to the crashed ship was opening.
The civilians were escaping.
And the supplies were waiting.
Takao looked toward the resistance captain.
"Now!"
The captain understood immediately.
He shouted toward his men.
"To the crash site!"
The resistance fighters surged forward.
They rushed toward the wreckage while the remaining Rapture forces were distracted by their own machines.
Takao looked toward her sisters.
"Keep the civilians moving!"
Atago, Maya, and Choukai nodded.
"Right!"
The three sisters immediately moved toward the civilians, guiding them toward the escape route the resistance fighters had opened.
Meanwhile, Takao remained locked in combat with Mendoza.
She had to admit it.
For a human, Mendoza was quite strong.
His enhanced body allowed him to move with frightening speed, absorb punishment that would have incapacitated an ordinary man, and recover from injuries that should have been fatal.
But Takao was still stronger.
Mendoza charged again.
Takao met him head-on.
BOOM!
Their fists collided, the impact sending a shockwave across the ground.
Mendoza staggered backward.
Takao advanced.
Then—
WOOOOOSH!
A Rapture dropship appeared above the battlefield.
Its cargo bay opened.
A swarm of Rapture droids poured from the vessel, descending toward the battlefield.
Mendoza's grin returned.
"More reinforcements!"
The droids immediately spread out, their weapons locking onto the Shipgirls and resistance fighters.
But before they could fire—
BRRRT!
One of the Rapture gun buggies suddenly opened fire on them.
The machine guns tore through the descending droids.
Several exploded in midair.
Mendoza looked up in disbelief.
"Those damn machines!"
The hacked Rapture vehicles continued their rampage.
Buggies fired upon droids.
The flame tank engaged another group of Rapture units.
Gun emplacements rotated and blasted their former allies.
The entire forward base had become a battlefield between the Raptures themselves.
Then another sound cut through the chaos.
WHUP-WHUP-WHUP-WHUP!
An attack helicopter emerged from behind the buildings.
Its weapons turned toward the resistance position.
Maya immediately spotted it.
"Oh, no you don't."
She swung her rocket launcher upward.
The launcher locked onto the approaching aircraft.
BEEP.
Maya pulled the trigger.
WHOOSH!
The rocket streaked into the sky.
The helicopter attempted to evade.
Too late.
BOOOOOOM!
The rocket struck the aircraft directly.
The helicopter erupted into flames, broke apart in midair, and crashed behind the Rapture barricades.
Maya lowered her launcher.
"Got it."
Atago glanced over.
"Nice shot, Maya."
But another helicopter appeared almost immediately.
Manchester looked up.
"Another one!"
The helicopter banked toward them.
Gloucester calmly brought her Hawkeye Ramjet Rifle to her shoulder.
She tracked the aircraft through her scope.
The massive rifle steadied.
Her breathing slowed.
She waited.
The helicopter's cockpit briefly became visible between two buildings.
Gloucester squeezed the trigger.
BANG!
The .90-caliber Ramjet round punched straight through the cockpit.
The pilot was struck before he could react.
The helicopter immediately lost control.
It tilted violently to one side before crashing into the ground.
KRAAASH!
Manchester stared for a moment.
Then she grinned.
"Nice shot, sis!"
Gloucester simply lowered her rifle.
"Thank you."
At the crash site, the resistance fighters had finally reached the wreckage.
"Move!"
Several men climbed over the damaged hull and began securing the supplies the Raptures had gathered earlier.
"Crates secured!"
"Get those containers over here!"
"Watch the road!"
Other resistance fighters positioned themselves along the newly opened path.
Their weapons remained trained on the remaining Rapture forces as they guided the fleeing workers toward safety.
"Keep moving!"
"Don't stop!"
"Follow the path!"
The civilians hurried through the opening, some stumbling from exhaustion while others helped their companions along.
For the first time since the Raptures had occupied the village, the workers were no longer being forced toward the Obelisk.
They were running away from it.
Atago, Maya, and Choukai continued escorting them.
"Almost there!" Atago called.
"Keep going!" Maya added.
Choukai glanced back toward the battlefield.
The resistance had secured the crash site.
The supplies were being recovered.
The civilians were escaping.
And the Rapture forward base was still tearing itself apart.
Then Choukai noticed Takao.
She was still fighting Mendoza.
"Takao-chan!"
Atago looked back.
Takao had Mendoza pinned in close combat, but the enhanced man was becoming increasingly desperate.
Atago smiled.
"Let's help our Takao-chan."
Maya nodded.
"Right."
The two sisters immediately turned and sprinted back toward the fight.
Takao saw them approaching.
"About time."
Atago laughed.
"Ufuu… Takao-chan shouldn't have all the fun herself."
Maya raised her weapon.
"Let's finish this."
The three sisters surrounded Mendoza.
Takao attacked first.
SHING!
Her ion sword swept across his guard.
Mendoza twisted aside.
Maya struck from the opposite direction.
BOOM!
Her attack slammed into his side.
Before he could recover, Atago followed.
BAM!
Another blow drove him backward.
Takao immediately pressed forward.
The three sisters worked together seamlessly.
One attacked.
Another followed.
The third covered the opening.
Mendoza blocked one strike only to receive another.
He attempted to counterattack, but Takao intercepted him.
He tried to retreat, but Maya was already there.
He turned toward Atago—
Only for Takao's ion sword to slash past him.
SHRAAAK!
Mendoza barely avoided the blade.
His breathing became ragged.
"This isn't possible…"
The three sisters advanced.
Mendoza looked around.
His forces were being destroyed.
The civilians were escaping.
The resistance had secured the supplies.
The helicopters were gone.
His own vehicles were attacking his remaining troops.
And the three Shipgirls were closing in on him.
His eyes narrowed.
Then he reached into his equipment.
"Fine…"
He threw something onto the ground.
FWOOSH!
A thick cloud of smoke erupted around him.
Takao immediately raised her sword.
"Smoke!"
The sisters stepped back as the battlefield disappeared behind the rapidly expanding cloud.
"Don't let him escape!" Maya shouted.
Takao charged into the smoke.
But Mendoza was already moving.
His enhanced legs propelled him upward.
BOOM!
He launched himself over the nearby wall in a single enormous leap.
Takao emerged from the smoke just in time to see his silhouette disappearing beyond the wall.
She stopped.
"…He escaped."
Atago stepped beside her and looked over the wall.
"Ufuu… He ran away again."
Maya sighed.
"Coward."
Takao lowered her ion sword.
She looked toward the battlefield.
Despite Mendoza's escape, the assault had achieved its objective.
The civilians were getting out.
The resistance had secured the supplies.
And the Rapture forward base was collapsing around them.
Takao gave a small smile.
"We'll deal with him later. We'll have our chance."
She turned toward her sisters.
"For now, let's finish clearing this place."
The three sisters nodded.
Behind them, Gloucester and Manchester continued firing from their rooftop positions while the resistance fighters secured the last of the supplies.
The battle for the park was far from over.
But Mendoza was gone.
And the Rapture forward base had lost control of the battlefield completely.
Soon, the last of the civilians made it through the escape route.
Takao watched as the final workers hurried away from the park, escorted by the resistance fighters.
She then turned toward the half-finished Obelisk.
The enormous structure still stood in the center of the park.
Its construction had stopped, but its towering frame remained an imposing threat.
Takao raised her hand.
"What about the half-finished Obelisk?"
She was about to deploy her rigging.
If the workers were gone, there was no reason to hold back anymore.
They could bombard the structure and destroy it before the Raptures had a chance to complete it.
But before she could summon her weapons, their radio suddenly crackled.
"Glow, Chester! Where are you two?!"
It was Liverpool's voice.
"Rapture tanks and APCs are everywhere! We can't hold them for long!"
Gloucester and Manchester immediately looked toward the direction of the transmission.
Takao hesitated.
Atago stepped closer.
"Takao-chan, leave it."
Takao looked at her.
Atago pointed toward the road leading away from the park.
"Let's find Liverpool first. We can deal with the Obelisk later."
She glanced toward the unfinished structure.
"Without any workers, they can't finish it."
Takao considered her words.
Then she lowered her hand.
"…You're right."
There was no point risking time and ammunition on the Obelisk when another Royal Maid was still missing.
"Liverpool comes first."
Suddenly—
WOOOOOSH!
Several shapes appeared above the park.
More Rapture droid ships.
The vessels descended over the battlefield, their hulls shifting as they activated their stealth systems.
Takao immediately recognized what was happening.
"More reinforcements."
Choukai looked toward the resistance fighters.
"We need to go."
The sisters and the two maids quickly activated their own Stealth Modes.
Their golden armor shimmered before their forms disappeared from sight.
Gloucester and Manchester followed.
The group withdrew from the park before the new Rapture forces could establish a perimeter around them.
Behind them, the resistance fighters immediately moved to close the escape route again.
They dragged debris into the gap.
They overturned damaged vehicles.
Others positioned themselves behind buildings and prepared their weapons.
The path was blocked once more.
It would not stop the Raptures permanently.
But it would buy them time.
The captured Rapture buggies and APCs remained behind.
The resistance fighters had deliberately left them in exposed positions, allowing the enemy to see their own vehicles still operating in the area.
For a brief moment, it worked.
The newly arrived Rapture droids immediately engaged the captured machines.
BRRRT!
BOOM!
The buggies returned fire.
The APCs rolled forward and fired their cannons.
The resulting exchange created another layer of confusion around the park.
But it didn't last long.
One buggy was destroyed.
Then another.
An APC exploded after being hit from the side.
A second was overwhelmed by concentrated fire.
Within minutes, every captured vehicle had been wiped out.
But that was exactly what the resistance fighters had wanted.
They had served their purpose.
They had distracted the Raptures long enough for the Shipgirls to escape.
The resistance fighters immediately scattered.
Some moved into abandoned buildings.
Others slipped through alleys.
Several stayed behind to guide the remaining workers toward safer positions.
Their captain watched the last of his men disappear into the streets before turning toward the departing Shipgirls.
"Ladies!"
Takao stopped.
The resistance captain stood near the barricade, rifle resting against his shoulder.
"Leave the park to us."
He pointed toward the road leading toward the northern section of the village.
"Go to the fancy inn."
Takao nodded.
The captain continued.
"My men will keep the workers safe and sneak them toward the northern village."
He looked toward the buildings surrounding them.
"We'll scatter through the area and watch the roads."
Takao looked at him.
"Will you be all right, Captain?"
The captain gave her a tired but determined smile.
"We will, ladies."
He glanced toward the approaching Rapture forces.
"We'll scatter into the buildings."
His expression hardened.
"But we'll prevent those droids from entering the village."
Atago looked at the resistance fighters.
Despite their exhaustion, none of them seemed willing to retreat completely.
Maya gave a small nod.
"You've got guts."
The captain chuckled.
"We've been fighting them for two days."
He looked toward the Shipgirls.
"You ladies have already done more than enough for us."
Takao shook her head.
"We'll come back."
She looked toward the direction of the fancy inn.
"And we'll find Liverpool."
The captain nodded.
"Then go."
He raised his rifle.
"We'll hold them here as long as we can."
The Shipgirls and the two maids exchanged glances.
Then Takao gave the order.
"Let's move."
The group turned and disappeared into the streets, heading toward the fancy inn and their next objective.
Behind them, the resistance fighters vanished into the buildings one by one.
The park was being abandoned.
The workers were safe.
The supplies had been recovered.
And the unfinished Obelisk remained standing.
For now.
But the resistance had bought them something far more valuable than the destruction of a half-built weapon.
Time.
And they intended to use every second of it to find Liverpool.
=============
The group moved quickly through the streets.
But rather than taking the roads, Takao looked up toward the rooftops.
"We'll go across the roofs."
Atago immediately understood.
"That should be faster."
Takao fired her grappling hook.
THUNK!
The hook latched onto the edge of a nearby building.
With a mechanical whir, the cable pulled her upward.
The others followed.
One after another, the Shipgirls carried the Royal Navy maids traversed the rooftops, using their grappling hooks to leap from building to building.
It was considerably faster than moving through the streets.
It also kept them out of sight of most of the Rapture patrols below.
Unfortunately, the rooftops weren't completely safe.
A flash of light appeared from a distant building.
Choukai immediately noticed it.
"Sniper!"
Takao twisted aside.
PEW!
A laser round passed through the space where her head had been moments earlier.
Takao looked toward the source.
A Rapture droid sniper was positioned on a rooftop several buildings away.
"Got it."
Takao fired her grappling hook toward the building.
THUNK!
She swung across the gap.
The droid barely had time to turn before Takao landed beside it.
She pulled out her silenced Falcon pistol and shot it.
The droid collapsed.
Further ahead, another sniper opened fire.
This time, Manchester raised her Hawkeye Ramjet Rifle.
BANG!
The .90-caliber round punched through the droid's upper body and sent its mechanical components scattering across the rooftop.
Gloucester glanced toward her sister.
"Good shot."
"Thank you."
They continued.
Whenever another Rapture sniper attempted to engage them, the group quickly eliminated it before moving on.
Their route became a silent progression across the rooftops—grappling hooks firing, cables tightening, armored figures swinging through the air, and Rapture snipers falling one after another.
Eventually, the fancy inn came into view.
Takao landed on the final rooftop and looked down.
"There it is."
The others gathered around her.
But Atago immediately noticed something unusual.
"Wait."
Two Rapture light tanks were parked beside the inn.
Unlike Rapture's standard light tank, these newer vehicles featured a lower profile, a four-tread drive system, and an improved turret.
They were positioned inside what appeared to be a temporary portable fuel station, surrounded by fuel containers and other equipment.
Maya frowned.
"Two light tanks."
Choukai examined the area.
"And a lot of droids."
Several Rapture droids were moving around the fuel station, servicing the tanks and guarding the area.
Takao looked toward the others.
"We can't approach the inn with those things sitting there."
Atago smiled.
"Then let's remove them."
The sisters and maids quickly descended.
The first droid barely had time to react.
BANG!
Manchester and Gloucester's Ramjet Rifle tore through it.
Takao landed behind another.
SHRAAAK!
Her ion sword cut it apart.
Maya and Choukai moved through the remaining guards, destroying them before they could raise an alarm.
Within moments, the portable fuel station was silent.
Only the two light tanks remained.
Choukai immediately pulled out the hacking device.
She approached the nearest tank and connected to its control system.
"Let's see if these are still using the same command architecture."
The device beeped.
RAPTURE VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM DETECTED.
Choukai smiled.
"Same system."
Atago looked toward the two tanks.
"So we have our ride."
Maya laughed.
"You're thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Ufuu… Of course."
Choukai worked quickly.
The command parameters were altered.
Identification codes were rewritten.
Targeting priorities were adjusted.
Then the system flashed green.
CONTROL TRANSFER COMPLETE.
Choukai disconnected the device.
She looked toward Takao.
"Done."
Takao approached the first light tank and examined it.
"Can we disguise ourselves as reinforcements?"
Choukai nodded.
"The tanks are already registered as Rapture vehicles. As long as we don't give the network a reason to question their identification, we should be able to get close."
Atago climbed into the second tank.
"Then let's make use of them."
Gloucester and Manchester followed, climbing onto the vehicles.
Maya looked at the tanks.
"This is certainly one way to get to the inn."
Takao climbed into the first vehicle.
"Everyone stay alert."
The two captured light tanks started their engines.
VRRRRMMMM!
The sound echoed through the street.
The sisters and maids settled into their positions.
From the outside, they looked like nothing more than another pair of Rapture vehicles returning from the front.
Takao glanced toward the fancy inn.
"Let's hope Liverpool hasn't run out of patience."
Atago laughed over the radio.
"Ufuu… If she's been fighting tanks all this time, I doubt she's going to be happy to see two more."
Maya chuckled.
"Especially when she realizes they're ours."
The two light tanks rolled forward.
For the moment, their disguise was perfect.
They had captured the enemy's machines, and now they were going to use those same machines to walk straight into the Rapture-controlled area surrounding the fancy inn.
=========================
Inside the fancy inn, the situation had become increasingly desperate.
BOOOOOOM!
The entire building shook as another shell slammed into the exterior.
Dust and fragments of plaster fell from the ceiling.
BRRRT! BRRRT!
Machine-gun fire raked across the windows, forcing the resistance fighters inside to keep their heads down.
A Royal Navy maid moved through the battered interior, directing the local resistance fighters toward safer positions.
"Stay away from the windows!"
She pointed toward the deeper sections of the building.
"Take cover behind the walls! Don't give them an easy target!"
The resistance fighters quickly obeyed.
Outside, Rapture forces had surrounded the inn.
Three APCs were positioned around the building, their cannons and machine guns keeping the defenders pinned down.
Two light tanks had taken up positions near a portable fuel station.
Their guns repeatedly fired at the inn.
BOOM!
Another shell struck the building.
The maid glanced toward the damaged wall.
"We can't keep this up forever…"
A resistance fighter looked outside through a narrow gap.
"They're bringing more droids in!"
Rapture droids repeatedly approached the building, peering through windows and doorways, searching for anyone attempting to escape.
The maid raised her weapon.
"Don't let them inside!"
Several resistance fighters opened fire.
BANG! BANG!
The droids fell back.
But the three APCs outside continued hammering the building.
Then—
VRRRRMMMM!
A different sound approached from down the street.
The resistance fighters looked toward the windows.
Two Rapture light tanks were coming toward the inn.
The maid's expression tightened.
"More tanks…"
But something was wrong.
The two vehicles weren't behaving like the other Rapture units.
They rolled directly toward the existing Rapture defensive line.
The first tank suddenly turned its turret.
WHOOOOM!
Its cannon fired.
The shell slammed directly into one of the APCs.
BOOOOOOM!
The APC was ripped apart in an explosion.
The second light tank opened fire almost immediately.
WHOOOOM!
Its shell struck another APC.
KRAAASH!
The vehicle erupted into flames.
The resistance fighters inside the inn stared in disbelief.
"What the hell?"
The first tank fired again.
BOOM!
The third APC was destroyed.
The remaining Rapture light tank finally reacted.
Its turret swung toward the two newcomers.
But it was already too late.
BOOM!
The captured light tank fired first.
Its shell struck the enemy tank directly.
The Rapture vehicle exploded, sending burning debris across the street.
For several seconds, there was silence.
Then the hatches of the two surviving light tanks opened.
Takao climbed out of one.
Atago emerged from the other.
Maya and Choukai followed.
Gloucester and Manchester climbed out behind them, weapons already in hand.
Takao looked around the devastated street.
"Area clear."
Atago smiled.
"Ufuu… That worked better than I expected."
The resistance fighters inside the inn slowly emerged from cover.
The Royal Navy maid stared at the four golden-armored Shipgirls and two familiar maids.
Her eyes widened.
"Chester…!"
Manchester turned toward her.
"Liverpool."
The Royal Navy maid's expression changed instantly.
"Chester! Glow!"
She rushed toward them and hugged her fellow maids.
The reunion would have to wait.
A movement caught Maya's attention.
Several Rapture droids were still crawling out from behind the destroyed vehicles.
Maya raised her weapon.
"Still some left."
Takao drew her ion flechette gun.
"Then let's finish them."
The sisters moved together.
SHING!
Takao shoot through the first droid.
Maya fired into another.
BRRRT!
Choukai and Atago attacked the remaining machines from opposite sides.
Gloucester and Manchester provided covering fire.
BANG!
BANG!
One droid after another collapsed.
Within moments, the street fell silent.
No more gunfire.
No more tank shells.
No more Rapture droids peering through the windows.
Only the crackling of burning wreckage remained.
The Royal Navy maid lowered her weapon.
She looked at the two captured light tanks, then back at the Shipgirls.
"You came in Rapture tanks?"
Atago giggled.
"Borrowed them."
Maya corrected her.
"Captured them."
Choukai nodded.
"And then used them to get inside."
Liverpool stared at them for a moment.
Like Gloucester and Manchester, Liverpool had spent years believing that the Takao sisters were gone.
Now, seeing them standing before her, she could hardly believe her eyes.
They had survived all this time.
Not only that, they had arrived wearing extremely advanced armor unlike anything Liverpool had ever seen. Their weapons were equally unfamiliar, far more sophisticated than the equipment available to the Royal Navy.
Even Gloucester and Manchester carried advanced sniper rifles that Liverpool had never encountered before.
Liverpool looked between them, still struggling to process the reunion.
"Thank you… all of you are…"
Her voice faltered.
The armored figures reached up and began dematerialize their helmets.
One by one, the helmets dismantled and retracted, revealing the familiar faces beneath.
Liverpool's eyes widened.
"The Takao sisters… Chester was right."
She took a step forward, her expression filled with disbelief and relief.
"How did all of you survive?"
Takao exchanged a glance with her sisters.
"It's a long story," she said. "We'll tell you everything once we find Sheffield."
Liverpool nodded, though her eyes remained fixed on them.
"Still, I'm glad to see that fellow Shipgirls survived after all these years."
Manchester smiled faintly.
"Bel is still alive, Pool."
Liverpool's expression changed immediately.
"Bel?"
"She's currently rescuing Edinburgh, Newcastle, and Glasgow, along with the Kancolle Shipgirls," Manchester explained.
Liverpool brought a hand to her chest.
"Sis Bel is still alive?"
Her voice trembled with relief.
"Thank God."
For a moment, the battered inn and the burning wreckage outside seemed to fade into the background.
After years of separation, the survivors were finally beginning to find one another again.