The Axiom flew in a high arc over the empty lot between the two main warehouse buildings, safely landing on the opposite end from the two engaged Gamma frames below. None of the rifle rounds made it past her shield as she straightened up, using the few seconds she bought once more to figure what move to make next.

Come on, Sam. Just think. I never had issues pushing this LTAC model to its limits during beta testing.

She then spotted the L-tracker showing no motion from the cloudy traces, hinting they were waiting for her next move or they were moving on foot towards her.

No, it’s my overthinking, she thought as she shook her head, toggling her launcher to user-input detonation and turned off her missile pod safety locks. All it took was one flashback of her mishap-free debut in the Axiom back in Bogota, albeit against much lesser resistance. Nonetheless, it was recent enough to fuel her confidence. I always moved best when no one was looking or really cared. If I could do it in Bogota of all places, I could do it here, too.

She turned off the missile firing system’s auto-tracking and targeted two missiles at the ground near one edge of the building before snapping a U-turn with drives at full burst, launcher out in front. Alright, here goes nothing!

The Gamma frame that immediately came into view was already aiming toward the opposite end where the explosions went off. Chunks of asphalt dinging off of armor must have mixed in with the lock-on alarms as an anti-armor round sailed towards it, gouging its way into the joint between the hip and torso’s basal rotary motor.

Sam saw the other was much quicker to react, already jumping out of the way with equally fast return fire. She planted the Axiom’s feet into the pavement, sending her on another high arcing path upward. She clicked the trigger upon liftoff, feeling the thud of a shockwave sent from the blast now safely below her. She felt another dizzying sensation as a slew of aiming inputs fought for priority, one with an instant victory as her eyes immediately focused on a spot on the ground not far from the other Gamma frame’s location. Clicking the other trigger three times, three missiles fired from each pod and screeched toward the innocent pavement below.

The Gamma pilot had no choice but to put its shield up. Its older frame had a hard time pulling off such a sudden change in direction, and each impact threw enough dirt and asphalt its way to throw off sensors.

Sam continued to roll with the punches from the system, firing off six more pairs of missiles all around her target’s location as she let her feet off the jump booster pedals.

The Gamma pilot lost his advantage of visibility, and it must have known as its next move was to jump straight up. Once it cleared the clouds of dust and smoke, another series of impacts rained down on its shield as missiles battered the Gamma down and off its path.

As Sam landed the Axiom nearby, she now had a clearer shot. Her target was on a faster descent than the frame could handle, taking the only shot angle she had and pulled her right trigger. As predicted, the pilot reacted incredibly well to avoid the direct hit, but Sam already clicked the trigger just a split second after firing. The blast had to have been jarring for how close it was, just enough that it must have not known Sam pulled the trigger once more, firing off her last round that now found its way into the bulkier armor of its right leg unit.

I did it… she told herself with an intense breath of relief, pulling the trigger one last time.

“You took out both without a single one of your shots leaving the area. Most impressive, Samantha,” Tyrus’ voice came up with another bid of confidence, but with the look on Sam’s face in reaction, it wasn’t welcome this time.

I can’t focus if there’s all this damn talking! THAT’s what I was missing from the simulation days- no one fucking opened their traps! Knowing Tyrus had a wide-open door to her communications, she only had one left. “System settings!” she started off with her audio command prompt opened. “Audio output override! Playback command, GSX Radio! Audio input, maximum volume!”

She now shifted her focus to the area where their inbound backup had been intercepted, knowing she had only seconds to spare at this rate. Having no rounds left in her launcher and heavily overworked boosters gasping for air, she depressed the two auxiliary switches that were on her controls near her pinky fingers, pulling back on the control sticks and locking them into new positions on the control arm consoles as a loud, rapid series of intense, high-pitched bangs rang out.

I remember this feeling from Dhaka… everything after this was a complete blur.

At every corner of the Axiom’s frames were force-ejected armor panels designed to break away on-demand, instantly lowering the total mass by more than 33%, greatly alleviating the stress load any subsequent jump boost would have on its drives as well as increasing its acceleration and top speed.

Time to put this mode to its first real-life test, one that I can actually be aware of this time.

Her thoughts joined the sounds of a classic mid-2000’s rock music station, unaware of anything Tyrus might have been trying to communicate, bursting off towards the next clearing and equipping one of her hybridized SMG’s that remained docked under one of the ditched armor panels. Good thing command left these here for me.

.

.

●　● Manila-Malate District

The early morning sun was finally in view, peering through a gap between two rows of high-rise buildings, casting a warming glow upon Isaiah’s nodded head. He sat outside a café in a somewhat secluded corner, evident by the half-eaten croissant and partially drunk cup of tea that he had more than a moment to relax. He was half-slumped over the table as he had his eyes fixed on his mobile screen, reading through several local news outlets on the most recent events.

A businessman wandered through the empty tables and made his way calmly towards Isaiah, carrying only his blazer with him as the morning was already growing uncomfortably warm. He then extended his hand as he approached. “Reaper, I presume?” the man spoke to him through a notable Californian accent, suggesting he was from the NAU.

“Thank you for joining me,” Isaiah returned with a short-lived, polite smile as he looked up, turning off his mobile display and standing to shake the offered hand. “Please, take a seat.”

The man made himself comfortable as he placed his blazer over the table and scooted his chair up. “If you don’t mind, I really only came to speak business,” he said in reference to the light breakfast Isaiah had started on.

“I know how busy the Embassy will be, so please, I won’t mind the brevity,” Isaiah cordially responded.

“I really would like you to,” the man started with an awkward pause, starting back up in a more hushed voice. “…to please hear me out once more on our prepared counteroffer before moving forward with the party in conflict.” He read Isaiah’s hand motion and continued, taking out a small file drive from one of the blazer pockets. “The NAU can locate much better points of entry on this coastline thanks to what we could get thus far working with Tyrus. We are willing to pay double what you and your side are accepting from Beijing so that we can guarantee the outcome will include a unified front. And this would be on demand, prepared within an hour, but only if you agree to cancel your agreements with-”

“-May I remind you, Agent Hill,” Isaiah calmly interrupted him with a hand up, voice kept low. “This is about restoring more inclusive boundary lines between countries, not within one alone. Don’t suggest we focus on what makes us all feel better just because you got cold feet. You had your chance to partner with us a year ago, and your stubbornness has canceled any other reasons I had to hear you out.” He then switched his mobile screen back on, turning it to face him. “You know the news. We have already begun phase two. If you expect us to listen to any further propositions, it’s to do with my next of stops, not this one.”

“I understand, but I’m afraid you and your leader are underestimating the ramifications of surrendering this sovereignty to a former world alliance power.”

Isaiah shrugged his shoulders, unbothered by the stubbornness of the Embassy agent. “You must have secondary thoughts towards the thought of paying our men for services that would be more lucrative, because The Philippines’ fate is already sealed according to the will of the people. I assume you are targeting the former Indo-Pakistani Alliance next?”

“Please, Reaper,” the agent now spoke with a shade of nervousness and haste. “Surely you understand how fast you are moving and this could cause more imbalance in the grander scheme of things. At least give that thought a few more days to mull over what would happen should SEA become-”

“The soon-to-be President elect has already made his decision with my leader. It’s happening in five days.” Isaiah’s voice now grew tenser. “You claimed you had an offer we wouldn’t be able to turn down, but I was wrong to assume you had anything better than a waste of my morning. This isn’t about money.”

“Don’t think you can sidestep everything along the way. It’s what is needed to afford the forces you gather and are set to lose potentially.”

“If you truly think we are financially motivated, make the deal sound more enticing, then, rather than just simply inflating the dollar signs.” He then stood up and gestured the agent to be on his way. “Come back if you have another idea in mind, but don’t forget the deadline. And please, do send Tyrus our best regards.”

.

.

Driving an older model pickup, Isaiah was making his way down the street from the café that was slowly piling up with morning traffic. He affixed his earpiece back in place, clicking it once it was ready. “Marian, what’s their status?”

“Gap restored; backup forces are mostly wiped out. How about your end?” she responded over his headset. “How’d the meeting go with the old Yank’?”

“They’re still pushing the long route to snub Beijing. I thought they might reconsider the bigger picture and offer to fund our next big mutual target, but they’re too focused on-”

“-Sorry, just stop. Give me one second.”

Marian never interrupted him in such a manner, leaving him waiting in silence for over thirty seconds.

“Bloody hell, Isaiah, your sister just took out Rush’s group and she’s in bound on Tamaz’s location.”

He let out a disappointed sigh, following it with a tilt of his head. “Marian, connect me to Hub E1.”

“Wha- wait! No, I thought you were saving that for a last resort?! If you use that now, you might give away our more than we can afford!”

Isaiah clicked his earpiece off, sending the signal to Marian he was serious about something. Seconds later, something in his bag he had next to him began to vibrate in sequence several times. He then reached inside to pull out a mobile docking device, placing it in his lap as he then took a hold of his mobile, tactfully attaching the two devices. He clicked the main button on his earpiece once more, opening his mouth as if to say: “Sam.”

Instead, he only received the blaring guitars of the old 2000’s, startling him enough to cause his car to slightly veer out of his lane. With a wince and a curse, he swiftly removed the docking device from his mobile and changed over to another channel on his earpiece. “Tamaz! Status!” he growled, stoutly irritated either by the unexpected, unintended trolling or by the fact something wasn’t quite going to plan.

.

.

●　● Manila-West Quezon Region

The Samael that Revenant piloted finished its last thrust of its sword through the back of a retreating Ai20 amidst a sizeable collection of abandoned cars and scooters littered across the four-lane street. He then caught the falling LTAC by the shoulder armor, preventing it from falling on top of a car that had been boxed in, passengers unable to escape. He then let it fall to the side toward the empty shoulder.

He took the bought time to finally respond to Isaiah’s radioed request with an irritated tone: “That’s the last Ai unit standing. I am on my way to intercept.”

“You must have-”

“-I know. Cable just informed me of your purportedly incapable little sister you son of a bitch.”

“Calm down, Tamaz,” Marian joined back in over the team channel. “Both of you. We just got confirmation of a Hexa drop pod and they have units inbound on both our held points, including yours. Tamaz, it’s now or never because the clock is ticking dangerously fast.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Revenant popped his knuckles as he loosened up a bit prior to jetting off towards the incoming Axiom.

“No. Pull back,” Isaiah commanded to Revenant’s surprise. “This is all not worth the losses with a possible National Guard intervention in addition. We still have the main event to plan f-”

“-Fuck the plan, Reap’!” Tamaz barked, fully keyed in on the Axiom closing its distance, holding off of his booster drives to hide his location. The mere thought of Isaiah going soft fueled not just his focus but his rage as well, remembering well how Requiem should be there at his side if it wasn’t for Isaiah’s underestimations. “This was a job YOU had to do last time and YOU dropped the ball! Next, YOU promised me the chance and clearly I am the ONLY one willing to see this shit through!”

“Tamaz-” Both Isaiah and Marian tried to respond before being cut off again.

“Shut it!” His intensity continued to climb. It was as if the mere mentioning of letting Sam off the hook once more tipped him over the edge no one was ever aware of until now. “She has no one to save her this time! Now why don’t you two back off and find that damned traitor Tenshi if you want to make yourselves the least fucking bit useful right now!”

He quickly turned off his audio input, now staring down the Axiom that just touched down onto the same emptied street just half a kilometer away. He could even tell she had no idea of his actual location. He knew there was no Devin, no backup, no one from the forewarned reinforcements drop near enough. “It’s just you and me. Finally.”

.

.

Sam had battled the wooziness caused by the effects of the operating system, putting her at tipping point as she continued to fight off the anxiousness and fear so strong, she could taste it in her mouth. It had only just hit her moments ago the sheer lunacy of her decision to pursue the one type of enemy she long learned to fear most. But it was too late to turn back ever since ditching formation. Paranoia had her constantly keeping her shield out up front, not ever sure when or where the Cloak would show up. All she knew was that the backup forces were wiped out with the last one falling less than a minute ago.

The radio blaring on was now a distant echo.

The empty street ahead seemed to stretch on forever.

The eerily quiet sensors were beyond unnerving.

And without ever having afforded the time to think, a screaming alarm pierced through the vocals and lead guitar, kicking her nerves in gear just as a pair of swirling dust clouds in the distance caught her eye. The alarm, however, wasn’t part of her system. Something in her head cried out as her conscious attempt to look more closely zoomed her visible world in on it, confirming there was something approaching her.

There wasn’t even the time to allow her life to flash before her eyes as a sudden bright green glow appeared in a rapid approach. She only felt the most powerful kick to her head, slamming both feet on the boost jump pedals in reaction.

.

Revenant’s thrust missed, feeling the roaring vibrations of booster drive exhaust rumbling by. As he turned to track his target, watching it land safely just under a hundred meters away, the alarm of an overhead object rang out. Looking up, he saw an unregistered Ap50 unit approaching rapidly. “Cable!” he called out, turning his cloaked LTAC all the way around for another charge. “Got an AP dropping and it’s not in the books! What gives?!”

“I’ve been trying to access that one’s history! Give me a minute!” Marian shouted back over the line. “And for God’s sakes Tamaz if you would just pull out this wouldn’t be an issue!”

“Are you blind?! The drop headed right for me!” Revenant continued with the added concern, worrying about more than just time. “I need to know if that thing’s able to see me! Can’t you check the most recent drop permits?!”

“Yeah, erm, that’s the neat part,” Marian replied to Revenant’s chagrin. “We can’t. It’s nowhere in the history logs. No drop pod has been approved internationally for over a week.”

He was aware of the incoming police and national guard air response signals, knowing this had to end quickly. “Fuck it, going for the kill regardless! Taking out baby Knight and getting the hell out of here!”