(POV - 3RD)

After the harrowing skirmish and passing of Tifa, the ex-Construct of Babylonia who had gone mad from both the loss of her commandant and the infection of the Punishing Virus, the squad was waiting for pick-up while Kiryu was busy reporting through his comms.

"-that's about it, Tifa's signal has been confirmed 'dead' and the nearby Corrupted are all neutralised for the time being." Kiryu stated.

"[Good job, you'll be returning to HQ until your next debrief so for now, wait for the individual sent to pick you all up.]" Replied Celica.

"What will happen to Tifa?" Kiryu asked, glancing at the lifeless body.

"[HQ will retrieve and store it away for analysis and further research into the Punishing Virus, in what exact field is unclear for now.]" Answered the woman.

"I see... if that's the case then is nothing else needed?" 

"[Nope! Oh, Hassen sent his regards and well done on the mission, your father also did so as well.]" Celica added.

"...Got it, thanks." Kiryu said before closing the comms and walking over to his team.

"What's our next course of action?" Lucia inquired.

"Stand-by for now, someone's coming to pick us up." The Commandant replied before Liv called out, pointing in a direction.

"Is that him?" She questioned.

"Ask and you shall receive..." Lee remarked as a Construct emerged from the broken ruins.

Donned in a long white cloak which was laced with bluish armour plating, the blond Construct was relatively tall but still shorter than Kiryu's own height of 1.89m and held within his hand was a large black and white scythe as his cobalt blue eyes zeroed in on their forms.

"Are you the Gray Raven squad?" The Construct asked as he approached them.

"Yes, and you are..?" Kiryu answered along with a curious question of his own, making sure to keep his tone amicable.

"Sorry, allow me to introduce myself properly; my name and designation is simply Chrome, and I'm the leader of Strike Hawk."  He stated.

"As you would have heard, HQ sent me here to pick you guys up, I've already arranged a transport aircraft to bring you back to the nearest base for maintenance." Chrome added.

The four Construct plus human then began making their way out of the ruins, but not before a small beacon was placed by Tifa's side, marking her location for retrieval.

Kiryu only looked the body one last time before making his way out along with the rest, the trip towards the base remained rather quiet but soon with Chrome breaking the lack of chatter.

"You may have heard it from others but I still wish to also commend you all for eliminating the Iron Maiden... although it is regrettable that we had to resort to neutralising a former comrade... but the task of building a stronghold here for humans remains as top priority."

"Is that so..." Lucia awkwardly replied back.

"I heard Strike Hawk is a unique squadron that is solely comprised of Constructs instead of a human leading them, is that correct?" Lee asked, sensing Lucia's... lacklustre social skills.

"Yes, members of Strike Hawk are usually deployed all over the world and work individually but our most urgent mission as of now is to find out all we can about the 'Ascendants'." 

"I was sent here because I just so happened to finish scouting out clues about these 'Ascendants' that was supposedly sighted several blocks from here." Chrome stated.

"Did you find out anything about them?" Kiryu questioned which the Strike Hawk leader answered back immediately.

"Unfortunately, as far as I know, the Ascendants already withdrew from this area before your mission began. However, they are the ones who created Iron Maiden, therefore this unknown power is still a high threat to both Constructs and humans alike."

"I see..." The Commandant murmured.

"Then... do we have any other clues to their activities..?" Liv quietly asked which Chrome then nodded in affirmation.

"Even though the details are sparse, it is enough to act as a foundation into our investigation so you all have my thanks for that but the fact that we'll find ourselves in a much more difficult position soon still remains..." 

Soon enough, Chrome's words ended with the distant thrum of an aircraft engine that progressively got louder and louder as the group looked to see their designated transport.

When they boarded the aircraft, their sights were greeted by a familiar redhead Construct whose battered frame retained multiple wounds which some still bled out fluids.

"Well... you've seen far better days." Lee began with an almost invisible sneer.

"...I would say this is a sight for sore eyes but given the fact that you bit the target first and then experienced the consequences of playing around, I guess not." Kiryu remarked.

"What kind of 'hello' is that?" Vera questioned, leering at him.

"My kind." Was all Kiryu said in return as Lee sighed.

"Commandant, you don't need to humour her or even talk to her, just let her suffer from her own actions." Stated Lee.

"Don't start patronising me when I'm in this state." Vera bit back.

"Which would not had happened if you listened to the given orders... so reflect on your own stupidity." Lee rebuked with a snarky tone as the redhead scoffed.

"Do they know each other?" Chrome asked curiously, sensing their mutual hostility.

"Old acquaintances, probably want to kill each other and still do... maybe." The Commandant replied back, shrugging.

"Should I be concerned?" The Strike Hawk leader asked.

"Ehh... nope." Kiryu said which Chrome gave out a light chuckle at his nonchalance.

Despite the banter, Liv and Lucia simply ignored it and sat besides each other while Lee found a spot near the front of the aircraft, steering away from Vera while Kiryu... sat right next to her.

"Oh~ You must be feeling braver than usual to sit next to someone like me." Vera said, smirking while Kiryu only glanced at her.

"Better brave than foolish, wouldn't you agree?" He retorted.

"Heh, well you are the top dog that graduated out of F.O.S so I would say true to that."

"You know... I was hoping no one knew about that." The Commandant deadpanned.

"How could anyone not know in the first place? The one candidate who pretty much kicked everyone's ass. What's wrong~? Can't handle the fame?" Vera asked with a tease in her tone.

"With fame comes unwanted attention and unwanted attention usually resort in a more physical and... heated encounters." Kiryu answered truthfully.

"And pray tell what kind of 'heated' encounters?" The leader of Cerberus inquired.

"...Not that kind of heat, and you know for a Construct; you are awfully bold if not, degenerative." Kiryu stated with a blank stare.

"That's just how I am~ but I'll lay off you for today... but the next time we meet, I'll be expecting more to come from you especially... Kiryu~" Vera said.

"Likewise, that is if you don't mess up a mission again." Kiryu replied.

"Surprisingly, they got along with each other." Was all Lee thought as he glanced back all the while the trip back to Babylonia proceeded smoothly.

=================================

Meanwhile, Asimov was busy tinkering with a project which Kiryu had also collaborated and contributed in developing thoroughly and since it's been more than a month after the latter had deployed himself and his team to retake Earth, things were looking more dangerous than ever.

Hence, why he decided the usual commandant uniform which comes with its own form of protection would become redundant especially if Kiryu is just going to throw himself at the enemies even though his role was to issue out orders from the backlines.

Normally, the said uniform would only consist of materials capable of absorbing blunt force in order to keep the wearer safe until they can be extracted from danger, but its durability is lowered for flexibility so commandants would have to escape before their suits break down.

Why Kiryu is getting a custom uniform from Asimov no less is due to his and Gray Ravens' repeated success in previous deployments down on Earth, more than tens to nearly hundred of city blocks have been culled of Corrupted and retaken by them which created more strongholds.

More strongholds meant humanity had more space to easily stretch their forces without the hassle of sending them back up to Babylonia and down again, which meant they had Kiryu to thank for that thus Asimov's very project is a compensation for the former's efforts.

Therefore the new suit was made on orders of President Hassen and Vice-president Madoka with Nikola surprisingly agreeing to its development.

=================================

On the other hand, the aircraft transporting the aforementioned team and their Commandant just touched down in the hangar of Babylonia and the passengers slowly moved out and into the medical ward with Kiryu supporting Vera.

"Thanks..." The redhead said almost awkwardly as the Commandant gently laid her onto the medical bed with a personnel taking over.

"Don't mention it, I'll see you around maybe here or on the battlefield." Replied Kiryu, giving Cerberus' leader a wave as he left.

"Yeah, yeah, catch ya later~" Vera called out, waving as well before she was carted off.

Kiryu then resumed waiting outside for a few minutes before his own team walked out, their superficial injuries only grazing their frames instead of actually harming them so treatment and repairs were quick fast.

For now, they can take a short break but the missions cannot wait for long.

"You three head back to the dorm first, I just got a message from Asimov." Kiryu then said, holding his phone.

"Is it urgent?" Lee asked to which the Commandant somewhat shook his head.

"No, it just says; 'come to the lab when it's convenient' so I guess not..." He responded.

"Then we'll see you later, Commandant?" Lucia asked.

"Yeah, just head back and rest, check if your weapons needs maintenance or resupply on anything needed for our next mission." Kiryu stated as the Constructs nodded.

"Alright, come back soon!" Liv called out as he walked off with a wave.

The walk towards Babylonia's laboratory was somewhat peaceful, only broken by the occasional strangers or Constructs and other fellow commandants passing by him, some giving him a salute with him returning the gesture.

Kiryu glanced out the many windows of the station where the golden rays of the glorious sunshine flowed into Babylonia, illuminating the hallways. 

It was an oddly tranquil sight to see but still, his priority comes first.

"I'm here, what is it that you require of me, Asimov?' Kiryu called out, his voice returning to its impassive, professional tone as he entered the lab.

"A test for your new uniform slash combat suit." Replied the scientist, gesturing at the said outfit held within a transparent container.

"My... new suit?" Kiryu repeated, blinking.

"Yes, President Hassen and Vice-president Madoka were both quite insistent about compensating your efforts to reclaim Earth, so this is the fruits of their efforts." Asimov stated.

"But my current suit is completely fine?" The Commandant questioned, only for the slim scientist to shoot him a glare.

"Hours and days of research went into this outfit so that it would suit your body and your... unique capabilities, I would rather not have my time and effort wasted." He said.

"Alright, I hear your point." Kiryu sighed.

"Good, now strip." Asimov bluntly ordered.

"...Couldn't you have worded it more appropriately?" Kiryu asked.

"Just get this over with and pass me your blade, I'll reconfigure any irregularities."

=================================

"How do you feel?" Asimov then asked, as Kiryu walked out, donned in a new grey and black combat suit with mechanical plating and design.

"Less... burdened in some way I suppose, but everything is in optimal condition. There's no liabilities detected." Reported the Commandant.

"Good, but I'll just advise you to watch your own strength since the suit amplifies it." Said the scientist as Kiryu turned to him.

"How exactly does it 'amplify' my strength, when it's just a combat suit?" He inquired as Asimov deadpanned at him.

"Do you want me to go into hours of explanation and precisely detailed lectures to answer all  the single ins-and-outs of your outfit?" He demanded.

"...No." Kiryu admitted, as curious as he is, he suspected that there is another mission waiting for him afterwards so time shouldn't be wasted now.

"Then don't question it, all you need to know is that this suit is specifically made to augment your abilities and body strength." Asimov stated.

"So you can consider it your very own Custom-Omniframe-Body." Asimov said.

"Did you make that up on the spot?" Kiryu questioned, raising a brow.

"No, I did not." The scientist quickly replied without a misstep.

"You're awfully defensive-" Began the Commandant but Asimov cut him off immediately along with another glare.

"Shut."

"...Alright, but also..."

"What?" Asimov asked, annoyed by the questions.

"What's with these claws?" Kiryu asked, raising his hands whereas the fingers suddenly shot out  sharp talon-like nails.

"For grip purposes, but I guess you can also rip into an enemy if you lose your weapon."

"And this jacket?" Kiryu inquired again, looking at the transparent clothing.

"No reason other than the fact it looks complete on the suit." Asimov responded as the Commandant only looked at him in disbelief.

"That does not sound necessary at all..."

"Just shut up and appreciate it and get out of here."

=================================

In contrast to the atmosphere on Babylonia, back down at the surface of the desolated planet and within a ruined city block, stood tens to hundreds of Corrupted, all forms and sizes below a raised platform which a throne was built on.

Enthroned on the seat was a petite young "girl" yet the aura that encompasses and emanate from her very figure is anything but human as evident from her mechanical limbs, the most striking feature however, is her snow-white hair that cascaded down her body in twin-tails.

Her gaze swept emotionlessly across the horde of Corrupted below her all the while another figure stood besides her with a disconcerting smile that seemingly never moved, the figure was donned in a long dark coat but his features were just as similar to the one on the throne.

By his side, the individual held a long curved and serrated blade, his heterochromia eyes of red and yellow also swept across the horde but he seemingly awaited something else, an initiative.

"Since Miss Luna is already here. Are you all ready?" A deep metallic baritone voice spoke out as the figure standing next to the young girl glanced to his side.

"Of course! I've even left a little special gift for our esteemed gusts from Babylonia." The heterochromia figure replied.

"...You're playing around again, Roland." The mechanical voice stated out, impassive yet a sliver of irritation could be heard.

"We all have our passions, do we not, Mr. Gabriel? I just don't have such a lofty and delicate one like yours." Rebuked Roland.

"Machines, Constructs, humans, Punishing Virus, whatever comes of this ragged husk of a world, I have no interest..." He continued.

"I exist and live only to protect Miss Luna and ensure her wishes are fulfilled, that is all."

"..." Gabriel said nothing more as Roland and Luna's attention were drawn back to the horde of machines that began chanting out and pleading as a flock of ravens took flight.

"PLeASe..! pLEasE..! lEt uS In tHe ASceNSiOn-NeTWoRk..!" Multiple distorted and garbled voices chanted out as one, their limbs flailing in veneration and desperation.

Yet Luna, Roland and Gabriel continued watching on in silence.

"pLEasE ShARe wITh Us ThE pOwER oF mIsS LuNA..! AnD ReLIeVe uS Of tHe PuNIsHIng VIruS..!" They howled and still, the three Ascendants said nothing.

Until the enthroned girl spoke out, her voice cold and contemptuous.

"How naïve... only by embracing and accepting it, only then will you be fit to control the power of the Punishing Virus." Luna stated.

"And to wish for relief, you have already forfeited your chance." Roland continued for Luna before raising his blade.

In a single move, Roland instantaneously bisected multiple Corrupted, his weapon transforming into a whip-like blade which culled out the majority of the horde below.

"To join the core of Ascnet and be bestowed Miss Luna's power, you will have to prove yourself." Roland began, ignoring the pained screeches of the machines.

"Prove to us and the Ascnet, that you are crueller... more dreadful... and deadlier... than the Punishing Virus itself." Declared the jester.

"Only then and so, are you fit to become the owner of the virus, do you understand?" Roland questioned, gazing all over the surviving Corrupted.

"ThE OWnEr oF tHe... ViRUs... bEComE ThE... oWNeR!!" Slowly but steadily, the Corrupted began repeating what Roland had said, chanting it like a mantra.

"There will be a band of humans coming here soon. Use this opportunity to prove yourself to Miss Luna." Roland simply commanded as the Corrupted seemingly shook.

"HuMAns... tERmiNATe! dEStroY... hUManS..!! ANnIHilATe... huMAnS!!!"

"Roland." Luna then swiftly said, ignoring the cacophony of mechanical war-cries.

"Yes, milady?" The said Ascendant respectfully responded.

"Do not fool around for too long with sister and her... friends. You know there are other tasks that have yet to be completed." Luna ordered.

"As you command, among those hypocritical and disorganised humans... I'll be sure to find an appropriate..." Roland started, his eyes looking towards the horde.

With their continuous chants, the Corrupted began moving out, trampling and stepping over the rusting and motionless bodies of their dead brethren, spurred on by a singular goal.

"Seedling..." The smiling jester ended ominously.

=================================

"Commandant, we're here." Liv stated, pointing towards the ruined building.

"This is the Museum Estate, the final station of Rail 11 of City 015 and where the Ascendant traces ended." She added.

"Museum? This place?" Kiryu questioned, taking in the sight of collapsed walls and doors, eroding stone and even more ruins.

"Yes, according to the records, this was an estate privately owned by a business magnate of the Transatlantic Economic Community back in the Golden Age." Liv answered.

"This person had a liking to collection, especially bionic machines and opened up the museum of machines for viewing even for normal civilians."

"Interesting, I've heard that bionic research was one of the more well-developed fields back then, various animal replications were successfully made as a result." Lee interjected.

"This museum also had an Anti-Punishing Virus measures built-in since the Post-Pandemic Age, and has acted a shelter facility until the end of the 'Great Withdrawal'." Liv reported.

"Though the viral density is lower here than in City 015, we're still receiving distress signals from recon squads, and the fact that the enemies here are not just the Corrupted..." Lucia began.

"Energy remains originating from the Ascendant have also lingered around this area, so we need to be extra careful." She stated cautiously.

"Alright, if that's the case then Liv, stay behind with Lee, Lucia and I will take up the front." Kiryu commanded with the group taking positions.

The group then trekked into the building, walking past more ruined ornaments and whatever remains of the once proudly standing museum, now reduced to a mere husk of itself.

Their vigilance rose as they spotted multiple inert machineries by the side, sporting quadruple limbs and a large cannon attached to the top of its body yet all of them remained motionless as several cold bodies of mutilated Constructs laid in front of them.

"This is where the distress signal originated." Lucia spoke out, scanning the area.

"...High Construct casualties but low levels of Punishing Virus..." Lee remarked quietly, fingers dancing around his guns.

"Fortunately, they've all managed to recall their consciousness back to Babylonia." Liv added.

"What now, Commandant?" Lucia asked, turning to Kiryu.

"For now, do some preliminary recovery and while we're at that, find out what happened here." He ordered as they moved towards the bodies.

The mechanical corpses weren't anything special to look at from a perspective but the wounds inflicted on them is another story as the circuitry underneath can be seen due to the sheer gaping hole the injuries made from the unknown assailant.

"...Gunshot wounds, and they're covered in them." Lee observed.

"And in mass quantities and heat, everyone be on guard." Kiryu stated before all of them turned around to see some Corrupted which sneaked in.

"Before we resume, get rid the hostiles." He commanded as Lucia rushed forward with her blade raised before effortlessly cutting down the targets.

Thanks to Kiryu's insistent modification and upgrades to their weapons and frames, Lucia alone was more than enough to eliminate the Corrupted which left the Commandant and the two other Constructs free to examine then retrieve the other corpses.

All of them sported similar wounds to each other, gaping holes made by a cluster of bullets fused into one projectile which easily tore apart the Constructs' bodies.

However, before they could move on, the inert quadruple legged machine suddenly moved and leapt into the centre of the room, a garbled voice from disuse speaking out loudly.

"ViSItoR IdeNtIFicAtioN: tHuG. COmmENcE prOgRam; cIVil COntRol."

"Lee, any ideas what these are?" Kiryu questioned.

"Must be the museum's 'security', if I'm correct then these things are called Terrapods." The said Construct answered swiftly as he gunned down the machine.

"Then... someone must have reactivated it before we got it." Liv added in just as the other motionless Terrapods began moving.

"ViSItoR IdeNtIFicAtioN: tHuG. COmmENcE prOgRam; cIVil COntRol."

"ViSItoR IdeNtIFicAtioN: tHuG. COmmENcE prOgRam; cIVil COntRol."

"ViSItoR IdeNtIFicAtioN: tHuG. COmmENcE prOgRam; cIVil COntRol."

"Damn, they're loud..." Kiryu muttered, lock and loading his GUTS Hyper and brandishing his blade as the Corrupted approached them.

"How many guns did they cram into them? Post-Pandemic Age tech could really use some subtlety..." Lee commented, irritated as he readied his guns.

"Well, too late for that... spread out!" The Commandant ordered as the group leapt apart from each other just as the machines started blasting.

Fortunately, had they stuck together as one, the Terrapods would have had an easier time firing their weapons at the group but now they're dividing and conquering with each Constructs' upgraded frames and weapons easily culling the hostiles.

Lucia leapt through the air and then instantly sliced off the cannon on one of the Terrapods which subsequently exploded as the projectile erupted before it was shot out.

Lee unleashed a literal firestorm of bullets towards one of the unfortunate machine that became his target practice, its metallic shell easily twisting and breaking down from the sheer heat before exploding into pieces of flaming fragments.

Liv raised her arms as the cannons behind her lit up a brilliant magenta glow before she released multiple torrents of beams shooting right through the Terrapods and their cores, effortlessly reducing them to scrap metals.

Meanwhile, Kiryu had the privilege of standing at the back because all three of his Constructs are literally decimating everything and leaving nothing for him to cut or shoot upon.

"Perhaps I made them too strong..? Well, at least our mission will proceed faster." He thought, leaning to the side to avoid a flying fragment of a Terrapod.

Kiryu then narrowed his eyes as he spotted a lone Terrapod that hasn't yet been destroyed, its cannon aimed right at Lucia's unguarded back as she cut down another one of its models which prompted the former to aim his weapon at the machine.

"Lucia, look out!" Liv shouted as the said Construct whirled around just to see the Terrapod cannons finish charging up.

Yet before it could fire, a colossal blade shot past the ravenette and effortlessly crushed the malfunctioning machine, a small explosion taking place as looked surprised at the sight.

"HAHAH! Looks like I made it in time!!" A boisterous voice shouted through the area as the Gray Ravens are greeted by the sight of another individual.

Blonde and tall and donned in dark clothing with a hint of green traced around him, the Construct took back his greatsword that was buried in the heaps of metallic junk before hefting it on his shoulder as he turned back to grin at the dumbstruck team.

"I knew my pathfinding instincts will save someone's day, the noises you've been making are quite loud but anywho, are you alright?" The blonde asked.

"Although I was in no immediate danger, your help is greatly appreciated... but who are you?" Lucia answered with a raised brow.

"Whaaaat! Nani! Quoi! Was! Shénme! Lucia, you don't remember me at all? We met when we both entered service!!" The newcomer said with mock shock.

"Though you do look way better than you looked back then, that's for sure!" He added cheerfully, noting Lucia's expression.

"..." Unfortunately, the ravenette could only blink dumbly at the bubbly Construct in front of her which Lee took the chance to interrupt.

"Although your assistance is unnecessary, clearing out the rest of the Corrupted will finish our mission significantly faster." Lee said quite bluntly, shooting down another machine.

"Alrighty! If that's the case then I'm going in!!" The Construct shouted with a grin as he raised his greatsword and lunged straight at the enemies.

Like a whirlwind of destruction, the bubbly Construct showed no signs of stopping his rampage as his massive blade easily tore apart the rest of the Corrupted with strength befitting of a tank.

The newcomer then pierced his greatsword straight through a Terrapod before lifting it up and then swung it around like a baseball bat, smashing several more machines that were close by.

"As always, helping others does make a day better, at least for me!" He remarked to himself happily in contrast to him violently destroying the Corrupted.

"Behind you-!" Lee called out before firing onto a still functioning Terrapod before it could fire its own projectile at the Construct.

"Oh, that wasn't dead yet?" He questioned almost nonchalantly.

"All clear." Lee sighed as the new Construct displayed no signs of surprise but simply optimism that would make anyone envious.

"Well that makes that the last of them! Oh, and you're pretty good at this!" He commented, stating the obvious which Lee raised a brow at.

"Leaving his back open to enemies not dead-checked... I can tell we're not going to get along..." He thought with a frown.

"Anyway, my introduction is way overdue but hello there, Gray Ravens! I am Kamui, a Tank-type Construct and a member of the Strike Hawks." He announced.

"I heard the commotion here when I was on my own mission which is to track down one of the Ascendants that's supposedly been sighted here." Kamui added.

"One of them, huh... which one? And how do they operate exactly?" Kiryu asked with the Tanker answering back, all traces of playfulness gone.

"According to all our data available, they even have something called the 'Ascension-Network' or 'Ascnet' for short, it's the main core and powerhouse that sources their powers."

"Said core members are what we call 'Ascendants', and I'm pretty sure you've all encounter one or two already." Kamui stated.

"Then the one you're tracking after, is there any more information? Does the Ascendant have white long hair with a dark red outfit?" Lucia questioned.

"Does it matter? At the end of the day... we're all just going to exterminate them." Kamui replied though Kiryu picked the tiniest sliver of malice in his tone.

"I think I get your mode of operation now..." Lee remarked as Lucia remained silent at Kamui's logically sound response.

"Yep, nothing a few punches and slashes won't fix!" He declared before beckoning them to follow him in a direction.

"C'mon! We'll pluck this Ascendant straight out of this museum!" 

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New chapter, sorry for the delay but yeah, MC got a new outfit which I wanted to base it on Metal Gear Raiden's original cyborg body from both MGS4 and MGR before he got his default model afterwards. Next chapter is in development and I'm surprised I somehow extended this one to way longer than I wanted it to be.

Anyway, for those waiting for the ULTRAMAN stuff, I can't promise you I can make it as frequent as the protagonists transforming in the series but I will tell you that it's going to be a crucial part of this story so stay tuned if you want.