No One's POV:

Following Marian, both Ridden and Kojima continue their way to the rendezvous point, sight searching for the other two Nikkes. The Zaku duo used their mono-eyes to survey the area in order to spot anything notable, still having no luck.

Ridden: "Nothing yet.. if this wasn't the location, I'd believe they turned tail and ran."

Marian: "I understand" (gives Ridden a smile) "Hmm.. I've been meaning to ask you, how do your thrusters work?

Ridden: "Well let's see.. me and Kojima both have two types of verniers: the main ones and the sub ones. The main ones are located on our backpack thingies, while the sub-thrusters are located under our legs to help us remain fast without facing problems with our weight."

Marian: "I see.."

Marian abruptly stops. Up ahead, there are Raptures. Not many like before, but still threats. At first, Marian said they is no way around them, until Kojima had a idea; he could use his Zaku Bazooka to distract them while Ridden flies above them with her in tow. As such, Ridden picked her up bridal-style, while Kojima quickly fires the Bazooka, disorienting the Raptures ahead. This gave them a little time to fly above them, which worked. Marian held on to Ridden's armor until they safely landed, in which she hopped off.

Marian: (stern) "Huh? Where is everyone? Did the plan change after the transport ship crashed?"

Kojima: "Well, it seems like-"

The sound of gunshots were immediately heard nearby. The trio immediately rushed towards the site, hoping they are not too late. While they are catching up, two Nikkes, Anis and Rapi are seen already dealing with Raptures, with the former being somewhat grumpy from waiting.

Anis: "How long are we going to wait here?!"

Rapi: "Until they come."

Anis: "We're sitting ducks out here!"

Rapi: "We'll wait until they come."

Anis: "Did you not see how hard they went down?! You saw that explosi-"

Suddenly, a Bazooka rocket hit a portion of the attacking Raptures, shredding those few to bits. Anis became wide-eyed at the attack, and was interrupted by Marian, with Ridden and Kojima behind her.

Marian: "Everyone!"

Anis: "Ah! You scared me!"

Marian: "It's me, Marian. No commanders survived, but the new Nikkes were left unharmed."

Ridden: "Hey. Name's Ridden."

Kojima: "Kojima, here to help."

Anis: "Wait, these ARE those new models?! Aren't those-"

Marian: "Mobile suits? Yes, but they can also be turned into Nikkes."

Rapi: "Leave the questions for later! There are Raptures ahead of us!

Kojima: "I'll take temporary command and give support."

Anis: "Wait, command?! But-"

Kojima: "We're mostly out of options."

Anis: "Oh yeah, the actual ones are dead.. no matter, lets get this party started!"

The group then proceeded to continue the fight, with Ridden charging into the fray like before. Rapi and Marian gunned down the Raptures from their cover, while Ridden and Anis tear them down with their firepower.

Ridden: (Finishes slicing up a Rapture) "There's the Elite!"

Kojima: "I noticed. Giving support."

Pulling out his Bazooka, Kojima stayed in place, now firing at the new Elite Rapture. With all firepower now concentrated on the Elite, it took mere seconds for it to be felled. The Nikkes came out of their makeshift cover, approaching Ridden carrying a oil-stained Heat Hawk.

Anis: "That was easy."

Rapi: "Ridden and Kojima, right? We're Rapi and Anis. Thanks for the assistance."

Ridden: "No problem."

Anis: (sighs) "Well, at least you two survived. Our former commander didn't have the same luck.."

Anis proceeded to explain how their former commander tried to shoot down the Raptures with a glock, hurling insults at them all the same. Marian sternly told Anis she failed in her duty to protect them, with Anis talking back that they would never be safe even if they were willing to sacrifice themselves for it. Ridden and Kojima both looked in confusion, until Rapi wondered about the model the two belonged to. Anis gleefully accepted to do a little digging about them, finding some rather new data.

Anis: "Hmm?"

Rapi: "What's wrong?"

Anis: "These two are the recent Zaku II Nikke models that Zeonic has been making. Thing is, these two are "Custom Units", boasting higher performance than the average one.."

Rapi: "..Custom?"

Anis: "Yeah. They're basically what unique Nikkes are to mass-produced Nikke."

Kojima: "Chatting aside, we should move to the commercial street over there. Much safer."

Thus, Kojima led the way, speeding up the story in the process. As they moved to there, both Zakus couldn't help but feel sorry for what's to come. They know Marian will turn corrupted, and one of them will have to put her down after the upcoming fight. 

At the commercial street, the group took refuge inside one of the buildings, listening to Rapi briefing over their current mission.

Ridden: "So, a search party?"

Rapi: "Yes. They went completely dark, so we decided to send out a search party. During it, an accident resulted in the death of our now-former Commander."

Anis: "The only problem is that the deceased Commander was the only one who knew the coordinates to our destination. I'm sure you don't know anything about that, do you?"

Ridden: "Affirmative."

Anis: "I figured as much."

Marian: "I know the coordinates."

Kojima/Ridden: "Huh?"

Anis: "Wait, what?"

Marian: "That information was inputed into my system when I was send out on this operation. I'll take the lead. Follow me."

Anis: "Oh, okay.."

Kojima: "Jeez, you seem prepared for anything."

Aside from stopping Marian from chastising Rapi, nothing else that's significant happened while they went to their destination. However, Marian didn't seem so well now..

Anis: "Are you okay? You don't look so good."

Marian: "I don't know what it is, but I feel a bit.."

Rapi: "Let me do some maintenance. Take off your top."

Marian: "Wh-What? Right here?"

Both Ridden and Kojima were caught off-guard by Rapi's words. Even if it is necessary, Rapi should have known that at least she should do it somewhere private.

Ridden: "You DO realize me and Kojima are male, r-right?

Marian: "..It must probably be a minor malfunction. I'm still fine!"

Rapi: "Take it off. In the event of a malfunction, it is required that we conduct the necessary repairs. This isn't an option.

Marian: "..I see."

The duo of Zakus (and Anis) immediately turn to look away from them. Flustered, both of them are trying their best to contain their morbid curiousity and avoid taking even a peek.

Kojima: (murmuring to himself) "Don't look, don't look, DON'T LO-"

He snapped back to reality after Rapi told all of them that Marian was fine. Thus, the group continue their path, leaving the commercial street and moving on to reach the Ark.

(TO BE CONTINUED)