'Thinking'

"Speaking"

"[Intercomms/Radio Transmission]"

*noises*

======

Forsaken Forward Operating Base
Commander (Y/n) "Ranger" Schmitt - Gray Raven
0949 Hours

*clang!*

"Commandant!" Kamui calls out after successfully blocking the blade of the Musashi IX he is currently fighting.

Taking advantage of it being distracted, (Y/n) rushed in, firing his rifle in full auto, all of the shots piercing the side of its head. Kamui kicked its torso, jumped in the air, and swings his sword downwards, slicing the Musashi in half.

(Y/n) ran past Kamui and gave him a thumbs up as he continues his way to the horde of Corrupted that followed after the initial attack, attracted by the commotion. Kamui followed, but an unattended Musashi suddenly dashed in front of him, going in for an overhead slash. He stopped and raised his sword to block it, almost being brought down to his knees because of the sheer force behind the attack.

Despite this, Kamui still managed to let out a smile, slowly but surely pushing back the Musashi. "Let's dance!"

Meanwhile, the Ranger hides behind a pile of rocks as he engages in a firefight against the Corrupted Sentries. He dove back to cover, pressed the button on his side, and contacts his team members. "Raven 1 to Raven 2 to 4. What's your situation?"

"[I'm currently helping on the evacuation of the wounded Forsakens, Commandant!]" Liv responded, the sound of her Levi-guns and automatic gunfire being audible in the background.

"[I'm with Lee, Commandant! We're currently fighting two Musashi IX!]" Lucia's struggling voice reached him right after, accompanied with sword clangs and laser-like shots from Lee's energy pistols.

"Understood." (Y/n) replied. "Where's Watanabe?"

Gunshots came in the audio transmission, as well as a faint sound of what he assumes is a sword clashing against a metal object. Lee's voice came in seconds later. "[Watanabe disappeared after engaging the other Corrupted within the vicinity, Commandant!]"

"[I tried to call his attention, but— HA! *sword clash* he disappeared along the other soldiers!]" Lucia added in a strained manner.

"Got it." (Y/n) hides behind cover again to reload. He took a grenade from his belt, pressed the button, then tossed it on the Corrupted. It blew up a few seconds later, throwing sand in the air and taking a few Corrupted on its wake. "Kamui, support Lucia and Lee. Liv, rendezvous with them after you're done evacuating the others."

"[Roger.]" The mentioned Constructs acknowledged.

[DISCONNECTED]

(Y/n) peeks from his hiding spot, shooting the Missionaries on their vital parts. He can't have them suddenly dealing electric damage among them, especially that the Forsaken soldiers are not equipped with equipment to withstand such attacks. Speaking of which, the Forsaken soldiers have engaged in the firefight as well, racking up their kills.

"Last two mags!" One of them informs the others.

"Reload them. I'll cover you." The other said.

"INCOMING!!" A Forsaken fighter shouted out of nowhere, alerting the other gunmen within the vicinity.

An Envoy launched itself towards the Forsaken soldiers, throwing them back before they could gain distance from it, all of them landing on their backs. The Envoy is about to kill the soldier on its side, but stopped when it detected heavy footsteps. It looked to where it came from, only to see (Y/n) rushing, rifle in hand.

It took a few steps back, estimated its point of impact, and leaped to attack the Ranger, only for him to slide under and climb on its back. This time, (Y/n) pressed the barrel on its neck then fired another long burst, severely damaging its system. (Y/n) jumped off from its back, causing it to fall face-flat on the sand. He grabbed his combat knife, then slashed the wires to kill it.

The Forsaken fighters watched in amazement on what had transpired, but were snapped back to reality when the munitions of the Sentries whizzed above them, with some impacting on their cover.

"Go. I'll hold 'em off." (Y/n) said, putting his knife back on its sheath. The Forsaken soldiers nodded and retreated without saying any word.

He placed his rifle on his back, and went to the unoccupied machine gun nest for more firepower. He checks the ammo, racks the slide, then said, "Dodge this" before pressing the trigger, mowing down every Corrupted he could find.

With Lucia and Lee, the two have been busy for quite some time, because they were in a two versus two situation, and they were in the defensive throughout the fight.

"Lucia, increase your speed and disable their legs. I'll spray them with bullets, and you finish them off." Lee proposed.

Lucia nodded, agreeing with the plan. "Got it."

Lucia's eyes glowed bright red for a second, before she dashed towards the Musashis with speed even faster than before, giving the bulking sword-wielders no chance to fight back. Not even a second later, they fell forward as their damaged knees could no longer hold their weight. Lee aims each of his pistols at the heads of now incapacitated Musashis, then unloads his entire magazines on them, melting their insides with HE bullets. As told, Lucia delt the finishing blow, cutting off their heads as they rolled down on the sand.

Kamui arrived at the scene, just when after the fight started. "Hey, guys! Do you need... help..."

"You're late." Lee remarked as he reloads his pistols.

Kamui simply gave an awkward laugh and scratched his cheek before joining the two.

On the other side, (Y/n) shot the final Corrupted in the horde, wiping them out. Thanks to the machine gun and supply crates nearby, he didn't ran out of ammunition as he was able to make use of them to fend off fhe Corrupted.

[INITIATING CONTACT]

"[Commandant, can you hear me?]" Asimov came in through the comms.

"What is it now, Asimov?" (Y/n) responded. Just then, he felt something and instinctively jumps to the side, barely dodging the shockwave that came from the left. "Who the fuck..."

A sixth Musashi IX reveals itself, pointing its sword at the Ranger, challenging him to a duel. (Y/n) stared down at the beast in front of him and prepares to fight it.

"[What are you fighting?]" Asimov asked.

"A Musashi IX. Why do you ask?" (Y/n) replied in a calm manner. He pulls out his rifle, aims towards the Musashi's head and presses the trigger, but it used its shield to protect itself from the hail of bullets. He adjusts the sights to its knees, disabling its right leg, as well as emptying his magazine. The Musashi used its sword to stabilize itself, still keeping its eyes on (Y/n).

"Engage in a hand-to-hand combat with it." Asimov said, seemingly excited to conduct his another 'little experiment'. "And before you ask, yes, your armor enhances your physical capabilities. I want to see if the simulations we conducted will match in actual hand-to-hand combat."

"Okay, here goes." (Y/n) placed his weapon onto his back again and ran towards the Musashi.

The Musashi used a left hook, to which (Y/n) just ducked under. He returned with his own punch to its chest, which dented the part severly, even causing electric sparks to come out of the damaged area. The Musashi lets go of its sword, now using is right arm as a support. (Y/n) followed with a left uppercut, a right hook, two sets of one-two combo to its chest, and a roundhouse kick as a finisher, snapping the Musashi's neck.

(Y/n) looks at what he did, and to say the least, he is impressed with the MJOLNIR's strength improvement. Some of his punches even penetrated the Musashi's frontal armor, and with him snapping its neck, he might've as well sent its head flying if he didn't held back.

(Y/n) initiates contact with Asimov after observing the aftermath. "Are you satisfied?"

"Yes. It even exceeded our expectations. Thank you." Asimov expressed his gratitude. (Y/n) is one of his closest friends after all, so it's not surprising that the head scientist would be softer to the Ranger than the others.

"Yeah, yeah." (Y/n) replied. "I'm gonna go now."

[DISCONNECTED]

Soon, (Y/n) regrouped with the Constructs after reloading his empty magazines with the ammunition from the supply crates. At the same time, Liv arrived and approached the group.

"Sitrep." Was the word that came from (Y/n)'s mouth.

"All Corrupted have been eliminated, Commandant." Lucia reported.

"The wounded were safely evacuated as well." Liv added.

"Good job, everyone." (Y/n) commended them. "You all did well today."

(Y/n), of course, did not forget the headpats for Lucia and Liv. Both smiled and let out small giggles as he continues to pat them. The Ranger was letting out his fatherly instincts again, treating them as if they were his own daughters, but the female Constructs... let's just say they have a different viewpoint.

After a few seconds, (Y/n) pulls his hands back, which disappointed Lucia and Liv a little.

"Glad to see you two doing good as well, gentlemen." (Y/n) said to Lee and Kamui, the former replying with a nod and with the latter responding with the thumbs up and a close-eyed big smile.

*boom!*

"What the-?!" (Y/n) turns to the source of the explosion. All Babylonian personnel prepared for battle, the Constructs forming a perimeter around him. He took a small glance at his radar. "Fuck..."

Another horde of Corrupted that is larger in numbers than before emerged from all sides.

"Looks like a flood..." Kamui remarked. "With this amount of Corrupted, y'all sure he didn't plan this?"

"It's obvious by now." (Y/n) said.

"Oi!" Watanabe comes in, clothes filled with soot, and cuts. "You want to die here, Babylonians?! I know where we can get a ride from here! This way!"

Watanabe ran to the rear, and a few soldiers went after him.

"Watanabe, are you sure?" The soldier on his left asked him.

"I know what I'm doing." Watanabe replied. "Spread out! Retrieve the vehicles!"

Having no choice, the Babylonian Squad followed Watanabe, but a few Corrupted had already reached them. (Y/n) stopped running and turns around to hold off the horde and to buy them some time.

"Commandant!" Lucia cried out.

"Go!" (Y/n) shouted back. "Don't worry, I'll catch up!"

Following his orders, the Constructs continued on their run to the vehicles. In the heat of the moment, they didn't notice that Liv was separated from them and was placed on the other vehicle by one of the Forsaken soldiers. Liv became hesitant to enter after seeing Lucia and the others fighting the Corrupted. She needs to be there. She needs to support them. She needs to back them up. She was about to go back, but Watanabe placed his hand on her shoulder, tightening his grip.

"What are you waiting for?! Get in the van!" Watanabe forcefully shoved Liv in the middle passenger seat. Once Liv gon inside, the soldiers who were within the vehicle took her weapon away and placed them on the compartment area of the van.

The Forsaken leader went inside and closed the door, sandwiching Liv between him and the other soldier on her left. "Drive. Go."

======

Lucia - Gray Raven
1025 Hours

"Kamui, stop attacking! Lee, go help him!" Lucia ordered.

Lee complied and went over to assist. "Kamui, get your head down!"

"What?" Kamui asked him, confused.

Lee clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Don't blame me if you get hurt, then!"

*bang!*

Lee shot the Corrupted, hitting it square on its chest, as well as startling Kamui.

"AAAAHHH!! THAT WAS DANGEROUS, YOU KNOW?!" Kamui screeched.

"You not getting in the car is more dangerous!" Lee argued. "Come on!"

Kamui didn't complain any further and ran after Lee. As for Lucia, she had killed more than a dozen Corrupted while waiting for (Y/n). She darts for the vehicle, and in doing so, she calls her commander to check on him.

"Raven 2 to Raven 1, we're falling back, Commandant. Where are you?" She asked.

Rapid gunfire soon came in her comms, followed by (Y/n)'s voice. "[I'm retrieving our vehicle. I'm coming over soon.]"

"We'll wait for you."

"[And get yourselves surrounded? Just go, will ya? I told you I'll catch up, right? I'll be right behind you. ]"

"You better be, Commandant."

[DISCONNECTED]

Lucia soon arrived at their designated vehicle, gaining a considerable amount of distance from the Corrupted. Seconds later, Kamui and Lee had regrouped with the Crimson Blade.

"Everyone, get in the car! Wait..." Lucia looks around. "Where's Liv?"

"There!" Kamui pointed at the van that was speeding off in the distance, alongside other escort vehicles.

"Watanabe!" Lucia screamed in anger.

Lee scurries to the driver's seat, only to see that there was no key in the ignition to start the car. What's worse, the car is also out of gas. He slams his fist in the driving wheel in frustration.

"Damn rats!" Lee uttered.

"Hawk 2 to Raven 1." Kamui calls (Y/n) to report the incident. "Do you copy, over?"

"[Loud and clear, Hawk 2.]" (Y/n) answered. "[What's the situation? Is everybody okay? Did you all got out safely?]"

"About that..." Kamui trailed off, hesitant to tell him what happened.

"[What happened, Kamui? Answer me.]" (Y/n) pressured him. "[Why is Liv out of range? I can't detect her in my radar.]"

"...Liv has been kidnapped by Watanabe." Kamui stated.

"[...Understood. I'm currently making my way to you. ETA one minute.]" (Y/n) stated blankly, and for some reason, the tone he gave off when he said those words gave Kamui chills to his very core.

[DISCONNECTED]

After a minute, (Y/n) had arrived on their location, pressing the brakes so hard the vehicle's rear raised up before slamming back down. "In. Now."

All went inside, taking the positions they have occupied before. Lee went on front passenger seat and took control over the turret, while Lucia and Kamui took the backseat. (Y/n) steps hard on the gas almost reaching the top speed of the vehicle, as well as throwing off sand behind its trail.

"Commandant, they're heading northwest. From the last data in our tracking system, at least." Lucia informed.

"Then we'll go there." (Y/n) turns the vehicle to the said direction, making the vehicle drift across the sand.

"Raven 1 to Raven Actual. Do you copy, over?" (Y/n) contacts Celica for assistance.

"[Raven Actual receiving. Go ahead, Raven 1.]" Celica replied.

"Liv has been kidnapped by the Forsaken — we're currently chasing them." (Y/n) explained the current situation. "I need you to track and display her current location on my HUD. Connect it with the tracking beacon in her."

"[Roger. Linking GPS monitor to Raven 1's HUD.]" Celica said.

[LINKING... PLEASE WAIT...]

[LINK WITH BABYLONIAN GPS SYSTEM CONFIRMED]

[LOCATING BPN-08 LIV...]

[TRACKING SUCCESS]

A small screen which showed the map of Liv's current position popped up on the bottom right of his HUD. As of now, the Forsaken convoy have continued their way as fast as their vehicles could go.

"[Raven 1, you are 120 km away from the Forsaken convoy.]" Celica notified. "[I found no roads for an easier interception, so please continue to take the path you're on. I'll keep you updated.]"

"Roger." (Y/n) acknowledged. 'Gottverdammt... I fucked up.'

A failure as a Commander — that's what he thought himself as. He should've come with them, and not go on his way to hold off the Corrupted on his own. Maybe he could've kept an eye on Liv and prevent her from being kidnapped. He's afraid of losing anyone again, that's why he goes on solo missions ever since the death of the members in his first squad. At least it would only be him that would die and not drag others. Maybe his time being solo took over and made him act like that. Now he's got a team again, he swore to protect them, and yet...

What if they did something bad to her? What if they tore her apart to study her systems and materials? What if they tortured her for intelligence? All kinds of bad thoughts have been running in his head, and it's making him uneasy.

Lucia noticed his unusual silence and rather firm grip on the driving wheel. She reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder, snapping him out of his daze.

"I'm fine, Lucia. Don't worry." (Y/n) assures her.

"Commandant..." Lucia mumbled in concern.

"I've been careless. I should've come with you when we were retreating." (Y/n) said to them.

"Commandant, if you didn't do that, we would've been overrun with the Corrupted before we would even get the chance to get inside our vehicles." Lee stated.

"That's right!" Kamui agreed. "You did the right thing at the time."

"At the time." (Y/n) echoed.

"Commandant, we're the Gray Ravens. So, please... Have faith in Liv. In us." Lucia said, almost begging. "Allow us to share your burden."

"I'm sure Liv is okay right now." Kamui added. "She's a strong girl."

"Yeah, right. Sorry." (Y/n) apologized. "Wait for us, Liv. We're coming. Just a little more."

======

Liv - Gray Raven
1035 Hours

"..." Liv looks at the heat-distorted horizon in the silence, her body bumping along the van's occasional uneven movements.

"... You're behaving a lot calmer than I expected." Watanabe remarked.

"..." Liv doesn't reply nor even bother to look at Watanabe and continues to stare ahead.

"Hey! Mr. Watanabe is talking to you." The guard beside her berated, but he received the same silent treatment.

The convoy had been travelling for the past ten minutes at top speed. They have been on the move in silence, and the Forsaken spoke to hopefully wash out the lack of interaction. Watanabe doesn't know it, but the reason why Liv is calm is because she's confident that her commander is tailing them right now, and is thankful that they didn't bring any EMP gadget.

"I'm waiting for Mr. Watanabe's apology." Liv replied, infuriating the soldier.

"What?! You li—" The soldier was about to lash out, but Watanabe cuts in.

"Hah, made of sterner stuff than your looks entail." Watanabe commented.

"You kidnapped me. For this, you face the risk of warfare with Babylonia. This is not a risk you can afford to take. Not for an organization the size of the Forsaken." Liv jotted down, seemingly threatening everyone in the van, but she mostly focused those words on the heterochromic Construct. "If you require my help, you should've just asked me about it. But instead, you separated us and put my companions — especially my Commandant — in danger."

"..." The Forsaken soldier just closed his mouth shut, unable to reply to her remarks.

"We do not wish to harm you." Watanabe said. This caught Liv's attention. "However, we also do not care about your safety, and will not fear the consequences of what we've done. Babylonia owes us too much. And we've always been ready for a full frontal warfare. But now, we need the coming event to succeed. For this, placing your comrades into danger to slow down the corrupted was all part of the plan."

"..."

"From the start, you never had a choice in the matter but to follow us..."

Liv turns to Watanabe and stared him directly in his eyes. "Mr. Watanabe. Please stop the car and I'll leave here."

"...But—" Watanabe was definitely caught off-guard. Normally, others would've already been shaking, panicking, crying, or a mix of the three, but the Construct beside him is not budging at all. He sighs, giving up on trying to scare her. "If you do decide to aid us, then I can consider... apologizing to your companions."