[ZeroXSEED]

Nobody is here but...

Spoiler for O'brien POV:

Seriously, this is not the time to fight amongst each other. However, I knew we didn’t have any choice…

They’re just teenagers; they’re not ready for this.

No matter if they wield the most powerful weapon in the world, they need more time.

“… Natasha… seems like you have to wait!”

And that stupid boat STILL hasn’t started its engine… man. Hesistantly, I aimed my rifle with its barrel unfolded, and the powerful ammunition S-3191NA [27mm Plasma Warhead Projectille], is loaded into the chamber, ready to be fired.

I was desperate…

But my precious friend is in danger…

What has possessed you, Gospel? ShiroKishi doesn’t give me clear answer; she was crying soundly.

I knew you’re in pain…. Still… please protect Natasha.

[Pwee]

Whoever did this to you… be damned!

[Joshua~]

“KID! TAKE YOUR GIRLFRIEND OUT!”

“[Yes!]”

“[I knew this sound harsh, but her safety is very important… besides, she can’t do anything]”

It’s a rule that you can’t leave your comrade behind, but at the same, your comrade, when lose morale and unable to fight, can become a load… worse, a target practice.

At times like that, if you can’t convince them to fight back, drag them out of the hell that is battlefield.

That person inside Gospel is my precious friend and comrade; I won’t leave her to crumble in the dust…

[La~]

DAMN IT!

I fired my rifle as gospel began to deliver a hail of feather-shaped plasma bolt again, for a while; time feels like went very slowly. Orimura dove right onto the direction of Shinonono, covering her and trying to drag her out of harm-

*WHEEEEZ*

*BAP* *BAP* *BLAM* *BAP* *BAP* *BANG!* * KA-BTOOOOM *

I was surprised that my bullet hit its target as well; Gospel was knocked out of the sky. I myself get some taste of the bolts in exchange, what’s left from my shield battery is drained almost instantly to measly 50... And I can feel burning sensation of my exposed arm… I lost my gauntlet and my I.S. outfit are burned.

Diagnostic system indicate that I have a nasty amount of grade 1 burn injury, what a joke, I don't care about that! What about the kid?

“TCH! Are you okay?!”

With wings retracted for least air resistance, the Red one blasting herself with him in tow… but ByakuShiki, the white unit, seems like heavily damaged, its left booster engine has malfunctioned and is operating at 50% capacity, and his backside armor is smashed…

And I can see his injuries and blood flowing from it…

Gospel quickly dashed out of scene as soon as she gets the chance and went into stealth mode, as expected...

“Ichika… wake up… Ichika… ICHIKAAA!”

“ICHIKAAAA-!”

Not wanting to saw the hearwrenching scene, I closed my eyes and turn my head away.

Her scream of despair still echoing inside my head until hours later…

With its route being blocked by almost 30 I.S. units, it was impossible for Gospel to leave Japan airspace, still, with its stealth system, it should be able to hide and recover its strength…

Once again … I can’t save anyone …