[FIC] First Impressions (part 10)

[dd]

A haunting cry of sirens could be heard, like the call of a banshee.

The emerging Venom A.S.es had been spotted. Japanese cities were well aware of the danger a marauding Arm Slave could cause, and had witnessed a titanic struggle between machines of that type.

Sousuke knew that JSDF aircraft would be prepping for immediate launch, and could arrive on scene within a fraction of an hour. As long as the ECS and Lambda Driver worked, he had little to fear. But, if the Venom pilots could work the Lambda Driver, the same could also be said for them.

Perhaps the publicity would be good for the fledgling enemy organization… a show of strength in certain circles. But, the last thing that Mithril wanted was press, especially now. And, if Shunya Chidori had indeed learned about Sousuke’s rather colorful history at the school, the older man may well chalk this all up as another example of a boy’s destructive tendeancies.

“Al, our first priority is to provide opportunity for the vans to escape unharmed. Understood?”

“Roger.” The A.I. operated a number of external cameras, sending real time pictures of the Mithril vehicles to the smaller viewing panels. “That may prove difficult, as there are five visible enemies.”

Five. Of course. Hopefully it would prove symbolic.

“We have dealt with that number before. Our synchronization at the time of that past encounter was complete. As was true then, I no longer hate you. I realize that we are two parts of one thing. We will put our past failure behind us.” Sousuke fought the urge to contact Kaname’s van. Now was not the time to frame some kind of good bye.

The high school student in him wanted to be certain that he told her how he felt one last time, just in case. The soldier in him saw no use for that. Likewise, he saw no reason to dwell on his and Arbalest’s failure in the streets of Tokyo.

“Roger. Training question. As a human, will you be able to do that?”

“I will do that!” Sousuke answered more sharply than he had intended. “While this is not Tokyo, it is also not Hong Kong. Each battle is a new battle. Every set of circumstances is unique. We learned new techniques before, and can use them again now. Otherwise, the past has no bearing.” Just the same, thinking about the skirmish in Hong Kong gave Sousuke a reason to have confidence, both in himself and in Arbalest.

A number of Mithril M9s had been having a difficult time with a single Venom AS, piloted by Fei Jau, who had stolen the machine from Amalgam after their actions had led to the destruction of his home town. . Five other Venoms had shown up, to chastise him on the theft and his subsequent rampage. After they easily disposed of him, leaving his skewered A.S. looking like a hedgehog, the enemy had turned their attention to the Mithril forces.

‘We don’t really have any special business with you guys, but… just wasting one A.S. wasn’t enough. This’ll be perfect combat training. You don’t mind if we kill you, right?’

That had been what one of the Analgam pilots had had said to Clouzot and Mao. The words would have been prophetic, if Sousuke hadn’t be prompted to shown, spurred on by an unexpected meeting with Kaname.

He had doubted himself then. He knew that he was not a hero. He wondered if he was destined to a dark and depressing fate. But, Kaname had shouted at him… kicked him… and told him to get it together. She told him that he needed to be back in Tokyo by the next day… Fifth Period… so he didn’t miss a test and fail World History.

‘So hurry up and settle things.’

That was what she had told him, knowing that there was some crazed Arm Slave pilot destroying the city. She had overheard Mao’s radio transmission, realizing that the other SRT members thought that Sousuke had lost his will and spirit. Her words had lifted him back up to where he needed to be.

“Al, let’s hurry up and settle things.” Sousuke had backed Arbalest slowly away from the waterfront, trying to keep between the enemy and the fleeing vans. At first, it looked like he would be their only target. He wasn’t.

“Roger.” Soon after the A.I. answered, the amplified voice rang out once again, clear indication that the enemy mouthpiece was still in control of his forces.

“THIS SHOULD PROVE ENJOYABLE. THE PILOTS ARE THE BEST THAT AMALGAM HAD TO OFFER, ALL HAPPY TO FIND STEADY EMPLOYMENT. WE CAN SPARE A COUPLE TO KILL THOSE COWARDS WHO FLED.”

Two of the Venoms ran wide, obviously trying to get past Arbalest. One of the other machines charged, while the remaining pair began forming a giant sword and spear out of their Lambda Driver force shields.

“Shit! This is bad.” Sousuke pivoted, increasing the A.S.’s power level from ‘military’ to ‘maximum’. Swearing, he sent Arbalest moving after the vans, moving as quickly as he could. Contacting the Mithril drivers, he warned them that they might be targets. No doubt the personnel would undertake evasive maneuvers, heading for places where they hoped to get lost from view.

That meant that the city and innocent people would be placed at much greater risk. It also meant that Kaname was still in great danger.

“The Lambda Driver system continues to function properly,” the A.I. mentioned. “I wish they could make it a more reliable device, however.”

“I agree,” Sousuke said, too busy to criticize the A.I. for its human-like concerns. “Do you understand the meaning of the word ‘pray’?”

“There are many usages. To request. To entreat. To implore or beseech. In legal terms, at the conclusion of a complaint or petition, it means to formally request judicial judgment, relief and/or damages. But, if I am correct, you are referring prayer, the act of communicating with a deity.”

“Affirmative.” Sousuke monitored the advance of the enemy machines. If he was lucky, he would have a chance to attack one or more in isolated fashion, before they were all able to surround him.

“Training question. Were you intending me to perform such an act, or do I remain better at jokes than you?”

“Guess.” The young soldier brought up a number of screens, determined to see what ammunition stores remained after Arbalest’s sortie into the warehouse. He gripped the control lever tightly when he watched one of the Venoms launch a flight of missiles. They were not targeted on him.

“Humor can often be used to…warning. The lead enemy on the right flank will soon exceed our speed, gaining the angle necessary to get past us. The street configuration does not allow the automobiles to maintain a high rate of speed necessary for escape.”

“I know that!” Sousuke began to sweat, realizing that he might have only one shot to bring the lead A.S. down. He would need to extend the effects of the Lambda Driver over a fair distance to counteract the similar but less capable system on the enemy. “I said we would do this!”

He pointed the ARX-7s shot cannon at the Venom and fired. A long iridescent trail of dazzling light obediently followed the speeding armor-piercing projectile. Despite the presence of Lambda Driver technoilogy in the enemy A.S., the shot pierced the rear of the craft, near the neck-joint. Fragments of armor and parts flew in every direction. The head flew off and crashed into the small building at the front of a steel factory.

“That’s one!” The A.I. called out.

“I told you before, you should not say it before me!” Sousuke hoped that the results of his first attack would be indicative of the confrontation to come. Sighting the other flanking Venom, he fired again, multiple times.

Two of his shots missed, plowing huge gaping gashes along the roof of an industrial complex, taking out a number of huge air-conditioning units. The third shot caught the A.S. in the side, knocking off one arm and entering the upper torso. Half of the destroyed machine was thrown into a large water tower, while the remainder littered the road.

“That’s two!” Sousuke and the A.I. spoke at the same time.

The other Venom ASes had not been idle. While one swerved to pursue the fleeing Mithril teams and Kaname, the other two drew close and attacked.

Sousuke had to worry about his own survival at the moment.

“Warning, enemies approaching at four o’clock and seven o’clock.” The A.I. set off an alarm, which had Sousuke gritting his teeth.

He moved Arbalest upward, having the A.S. make a small jump onto an old smelting furnace destined for a scrap heap. Leaping over to one of the factory buildings showing signs of around-the-clock operation, he bounded higher yet, causing the A.S. to do a series of somersaults in midair, dodging enemy fire.

The whirlwind of force kicked up by his actions turned over parked automobiles and a tanker car sitting on a nearby railroad track. Windows on buildings fractured and blew in. That damage was nothing compared to the havoc raised by the one Venom’s gatling gun and the huge monomolecular cutter swung by the other A.S.

There was no time to take notice of such things. The most distant venom was leaping from one building top to another, easily gaining ground on his comrades.

“Warning, proximity alert!”

Souske caused Arbalest to fall and roll, bring up its own cutter, blocking the downward swing of an enemy Halberd. Sparks jumped out, forming a fountain of glowing metal in the midst of the industrial park. Kicking the Venom away, he used the power of the Lambda Driver to push Arbalest abruptly from its brief resting place, just as projectiles from the gatling gun ripped a deep trough in the asphalt.

The young SRT member swore again. He didn’t have time to mess with these two guys. But, he was on his own. Having already called in a report to Mithril Headquarters, he was well aware that their were no local forces that could come to his aid, and no VSTOL aircraft would arrive at the site in time.

“You’re going down, asshole!” The voice coming over the com system was obviously that of one of the enemy pilots. Sousuke didn’t bother answering. The man might be correct, but the Amalgam pilots in Hong Kong had been taught an important lesson. He hoped that history was about to repeat itself.

“Full utilization!” Sousuke focused his will. The A.I. acted at the same instant. The force filed surrounding Arbalest doubled in size and strength, tossing the two enemy ASes a few blocks away. Given the brief respite, he began chasing after the third enemy.

At one point, the roof of a building he was leaping from collapsed, causing him to fall and crash through an adjacent structure. Building codes did not specify that the edifices needed to support the weight of a full size Arm Slave. Luckily, the buildings appeared abandoned.

“We are too late, Sergeant.”

The A.I. was correct. As Sousuke slid the ARX-7 to a halt, knocking down power lines and streetlights, he saw that the one Venom held a white van its hand. He had no idea at the moment, whether or not Kaname was in that vehicle.

“Stay back…… surrender…” That voice belonged to the pilot that had captured the van. “If you move, I will crush them and kill them all!”

Sousuke felt incredibly tense. This was a repeat of the situation he had faced in Hong Kong, except that the final Venom he had fought that day had picked up a Chinese M6 to use as a shield. But, might the same approach be successful once again?

Dropping the shot cannon, Sousuke toggled his own communications system on. He used a variation on the words he had spoken months before. “I am Sousuke Sagara, Jindai High School, roll-call number 41, second term garbage duty. If you abandon your A.S., I will let you leave unharmed.”

“What… do you think I’m an idiot…” The enemy pilot sounded incredulous.

“Negative,” Sousuke answered. With one of Arbalest’s hands, he used the force shield to deflect shots aimed for his A.S.’s chest area. With the other, he grasped the van that the Venom clutched, twisting gravity and other natural forces in remarkable fashion.

The van itself was untouched, sitting at the eye of the hurricane made offierce energies.

“Warning, enemies approaching from six o’clock and eight o’clock.”

The very road beneath Arbalest’s feet trembled. Stoplights for blocks around swung wildly on their tethers, before the wires snapped and dropped them to the ground. Glass from nearby buildings joined the swirling vortex around the two combatants, keeping the other Arm Slaves temporarily at bay.

“I think you are dead…” Sousuke said, watching as the Venom shattered into numerous pieces, all of which were swept far from view. Before he knew it, there was a hiccup of sorts in the Lamba Driver. He and Arbalest were completely vulnerable.

“You f-cking bastard, how could that possibly happen?” The enemy pilot was shocked, but was able to concentrate on the task at hand. Firing the gatling gun, he intended to take down the ARX-7 while its shield was down.

His fellow pilot swung the other Venom A.S. into position, bringing its Halberd monomolecular cutter down in a sweeping arc. If it had connected squarely, it would have transected the arm of the Mithril Arm Slave. The glancing blow sent sparks flying, and caused Arbalest to lose hold of the van.

“No!” Sousuke slammed forward into his chair as the ARX-7 shook, hit by the heavy projectiles from the enemy multi-barrel weapon. As he watched, the Mithril vehicle bounced off of the roof of a small establishment, and then rolled awkwardly to a stop.

As he watched in horror, the one A.S. pilot deliberately picked up the foot of his Venom, bringing it down upon the helpless vehicle.

“NO!”

Sousuke shouted at the top of his lungs. He had tried to use the Lambda Driver, but the damn system was still off-line. Naturally, it flared back to life, the instant the enemy machine took its foot off of the flattened piece of wreckage.

In a figurative sense, Sousuke saw red. Was Kaname’s lifeless body part of that mangled mess? Even if she were not, those had been his fellow soldiers!

“The Lambda Driver is fully operational again, Sergeant.”

“No,” Sousuke said again, his voice a whisper. His anger building, he was unaware that the wild and swirling forces around him grew with it. The sudden hatred he felt might be unbefitting a true warrior, but he didn’t care.

“How can he do that?” One pilot was shocked. He had fired on Arbalest with no effect. That wasn’t the thing that was so surprising. The huge glowing nimbus surrounding his target was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

“It’s… no… it shouldn’t be possible…” His fellow pilot stammered. “No one told us. I thought that the Mithril Lambda Driver was incomplete, just like ours.”

“Al, let’s finish this.” Sousuke’s voice was low, seething with dark emotions.

“Roger. I find that the destruction of our comrades to have a negative influence on my awareness. It would be good to strike on their behalf.”

Sousuke clenched his fists. He would ignore the implications of the A.I.’s statement, saving his scolding for later. The A.I. was indeed correct. It would be good to enact battlefield justice.

One of the pilots began his retreat. The other fired his A.S.’s gatling gun until it ran out of ammunition. Turning to run, never felt it when Arbalest’s monomolecular cutter sliced diagonally downward, cutting the Venom down from the neck to the waist. Although the machine lay still, Sousuke picked up the shot cannon, placed the barrel into the innards of the inoperative A.S., and then fired repeatedly, until the clip was empty.

He pictured Kaname’s face as he shot.

The remaining Venom headed back towards the waterfront, careening off of buildings and running through an inactive rail yard. The pilot was headed towards a large collection of flashing lights in the distance. No doubt, he intended to turn himself in, figuring that a Mithril soldier would not try to kill him under that circumstance. Or, he would abandon his A.S., trying to disappear in all of the confusion.

Pushing Arbalest past its safe limits, Sousuke cut off that avenue of retreat, driving the Venom towards a further stretch of smaller piers. When they both reached the poorly lit area, the enemy A.S. turned and raised its arms.

“I surrender. I can’t beat you. Now… you Mithril guys… you’re all honorable and stuff. You have to let me live.”

“Wrong!” Sousuke took out Arbalest’s anti-armor dagger. He concentrated, causing the force field to increase in intensity around the hand holding the wicked-looking blade. He was an honorable man, but this was not an honorable enemy. For a moment, he felt as he once had, standing over Russian captives. The same sense of vengeance that had filled him as a young child filled him now.

For the second time that day, the Lambda Driver gave full evidence of its capriciousness.

“Too late!” The enemy pilot was incorrect in that assertion. He died as Sousuke brought the dagger down into Venom’s canopy. But, he had brought up the Venom’s hand-held weapon and fired, barrel placed against the ARX-7.

As Arbalest had been twisting its body in order to strike, the projectiles that managed to pierce its armor did not destroy the Mithril A.S. or kill its passenger. However, both Sousuke and his craft were badly injured.

Blood dripping down into his eyes from a lacerated scalp, Sousuke fought to remain conscious. He had no time to curse the Lambda Driver once again.

“Al, switch to search mode. Open a channel to Mithril. I need you to take control of Arbalest.” Sousuke added that last part after piloting the A.S. into the water. “Do your best to remain undetected. Follow whatever orders you are given.”

“Urzu 7, this is Island Hopper one, do you copy?” The incoming message was quick in coming. Mithril communications officers had been well aware of the small battle going on.

“Affirmative… I… I read you…” Sousuke braced himself by grabbing hold of the control levers. He was terribly dizzy and felt somewhat nauseous.

“Report your status, Sgt. Sagara. Has the threat been destroyed?”

“Tell… tell them, Al…” Sousuke slumped in his chair.

The bubbles that marked the ARX-7s entry into the water were gone by the time that the police made it on the scene.