Epitaph (Tack)

[Tackle Jackie]

"...Heh."

His shoulder's slumped, Akira looked... Quite exhausted, as if thirty years of age had finally been place back on his shoulders.

"I appreciate you and your friend's concern. Maybe a visit to an Earth doctor would be good, and hell, maybe I can ge-"

The old man seemed to tense up a moment before the strange black device rose from the wreck, eyes wide as saucers. "No- They can't have-"

Daichi Akira froze where he stood at the filthy black frame rose up from the wreck of the ship, dread overwhelming him- This clearly wasn't something he had prepared for.

 

[Nemesis]

Rowena noticed as her guest paused in mid speech - and practically jumped at the sound of tearing metal, the Testament rising back to its feet hurriedly, gun drawn. The dozen or so Bizacs that had accompanied her did the same, all of them training their laser rifles on the new arrival. Although it did little more than talk - and indeed, verified the man's story, she had no intention of letting it get the first move. The Testament stepped protectively between the Denjin and the foe, weapon systems already coming online as Pharsti tried to speak.

"Rowena-"

But it was too late.

"Wield this, jackass - Light him up!"

At the Testament's signal, the Bizac's barrels blazed alongside the Tear Bullet, a cacophany of light and sound that poured into the black Orbital Frame's location. The Metatron-enhanced weapons would pack far more a punch than even he was likely expecting - if it meant giving up one of their own secrets: that Earth now had its own Orbital Frames. Round after round was unleashed, pounding into the BAHRAM interloper no matter which way it would go, sending it back to the darkness of Hell from whence it had come.

 

[ShadowVigilante1]

The floating black Orbital Frame made no move to avoid or block the oncoming gun fire from the Bizacs and the Testament. It let itself come under fire as with this model’s performance, it was no more than simply a show piece. And as the dust settled, the black Orbital Frame dropped to the ground, it’s chassis smashing and landing right on top on the ship’s bridge, it’s limbs splayed outwards and hanging loosely. The angel statue on the head seemed to have cracked open and revealed what seemed to be an empty cockpit. But the unit still seemed to have some energy as it slightly craned it’s head up in order to look at Rowena and her rather unusual new companion.

“As I said, you truly are unworthy of such technology. Only knowing how to use it through brute force and nothing more.”

An audible sigh of disappointment could be heard from the voice. It was clear he was expecting… more. For a person piloting what appeared to be a brand new Orbital Frame, it already felt like they have succumb to it’s Will.

“If you would allow me to continue, I have some more… significant information. Unless your displayed intellect is the extent to what you can muster, the instincts of a primate. And in case you wish to further destroy this unit, then be my guest. It is not as if it contains certain data and resources useful to your pitiful cause.”

From there the voice would go silent, waiting for a response with clear and unclouded intent.

 

[Tackle Jackie]

“You can learn plenty from its scraps- They’re nothing but lies and empty promises, filtered through ‘ganger knows how many voices. Why would they be offering to help you before you’ve even faced each other on the battlefield? All I’ve ever seen Barn Hams ever done is lie, and then get lied to. Why would that change now?!”

 

[Nemesis]

The Testament advanced through the smoke in the wake of the barrage, coming to a stop over the enemy OF. At the sight of its empty cockpit, Rowena's brow furrowed. As he finished his speech, the Testament nodded thoughtfully, as though it were considering it-

And then, with a horrifying crunch of metal, brought its foot slamming down on the Inhert's head, silencing it for good. The heel ground the metallic skull into powder, with such force it left an impression on the pavement below. Even she was a little surprised at her own aggression. The Bizacs in the background lowered their weapons, exchanging private looks of concern. Pharsti, at length, decided to speak up.

"Rowena. It's possible we could have acquired more information-"

"I've heard enough."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache wash over her as she closed her eyes.

BAHRAM. For them to come out and gloat, like this was all just a game for them... it made her stomach churn in revulsion. There was nothing to be gained from the toxic words of an adversary with nothing but malice in their heart. It wasn't yet time to engage them with words... Not as she was. Their time would come, when things were more... suitable.

"Collect the other units' wrecks, send them for immediate analysis." She instructed the Bizacs, which began fanning out, grateful for something productive to do.

"I want it on my desk as soon as possible. We can't afford to fall behind schedule."

At last, the Jovian spoke - and the heaviness, the pounding in her head seemed to alleviate somewhat. Despite herself, she couldn't suppress a laugh at Barn-Hams, as the Testament's rifle disappeared back into its vector trap. All things considered, a successful test... but, she'd uncovered something potentially earth-shaking in its scope.

"Come on Mr. Akira." She said, looking back out at the horizon. What had she gotten herself into now?

"I'll lead you... home."

 

[ShadowVigilante1]

Meanwhile…

Far away somewhere in a dark room with but a single holographic monitor, a man with pale features, red eyes and a black coat would sigh with discontent. If these were the people who are developing Orbital Frames within the Earth Sphere, then there was nothing more to be said of them. They acted more like ravenous scavengers rather than a proper civilized organization.

“I suppose you were listening in? Given the resources you have provided, it would not be out of the question if you had a few bugs planted here and there as an… insurance policy.”

The man would place both elbows on top of the table and put his hands together to act as a support for his face as he awaited some type of reply.

 

[Tackle Jackie]

“I just… Want to make sure I understand what you’re telling me.”



“Not only did you and your team fail to secure several of our manned units, but you also let the only damn surviving members of the previous ‘Ganger team run off with three of the new cast?”



“I-I’m so sorry Councilman! It’s just that, we were so focused on sending the Earth vessel through that we didn’t even notice Masters Akira, Nanako, Akara and Miee Miee-“



The technician was cut off by a sharp slap from the well dressed Councilman, grumbling as he adjusted his tie. “Don’t you know how difficult it is to cast Villains? Such a pain… Tell my secretary that our forces are to begin mobilizing immediately. I’m going to have to spin this to the doves on the council- In fact… This will be so much easier to spin if we had captured a traitorous League spy…”



Aboard the massive Executive Colony, there was a muffled bang. And then silence resumed. Plans were in motion. And nothing could change these tides…

 

[ShadowVigilante1]

Nothing but silence… To be expected, they were more focused on their new efforts, especially given the circumstances. The man would have a wry smile on his face, a smug expression as he contemplated the coming storm.

“It seems there is work to be done, and soon all shall feel our vengeance. The League, Britannia, Erebonia, perhaps even those Beastmen who prowl the wastes. All shall bend to our will.“

On the monitor he would be reading what seemed to be an old report. It was listed as “Project Isis”, which seems to have been given a clear mark of failure, but has seemingly been reapproved. For what purpose, it is unknown.

“They may have other wishes… but I shall awaken you. Awaken what you truly are, my masterpiece…”

The console would close, leaving the room dark, the only light remaining reflected in the red pupils of Mons Reddrick’s eyes.

“After all, you are the last key we need for all this.”​

 

[Nemesis]

24 Hours Later
LCC Private Conference Room

In a darkened room, Rowena Koenig closed her eyes and savored the scent of her coffee. Several monitors were arrayed about her - and in characteristic fashion, they displayed the logos of the Corporations, faceless masks for their representatives. The distaste she felt for them was beyond measure - but she couldn't afford to let the mask slip. Not yet. Instead, she cleared her throat, and true to their expectations, began to deliver her report.

"The new LEV performed admirably. With the tests here concluded, we'll be sending it back for further evaluation and development."

She'd miss Pharsti, but Testament still needed some adjustments - ones that couldn't be completed on the surface of the Earth. Orbital Frame maintenance of this level wasn't something they'd come prepared to provide. As she mulled this over, the representative from Omer Science cleared his throat.

"About the events outlined in your report..." He said;

"We verified that the LX-221 is indeed host to an anomalous mass fitting the description provided. We're not making any overt changes to our existing routines, so as to not alert these... Jovians... that you described. Per your suggestion, Operation Red Sheep has been cancelled."

Just as well. Wasn't looking forward to a multi-continent road-trip just for OPSEC's sake. She thought, silently grateful that the monstrous Nilokleras would be able to stay in its sheath for another day - and her new guest would likely appreciate his savior engaging in any acts of mass murder.

"I'm grateful for Omer's consideration. We'll escort Mr. Akira to the United Nations to deliver a full briefing to the security council."

The representative from GA America spoke up now, his baritone heavier and wearier than the corporate-joy espoused by Omer.

"It's an unfortunate, but understandable delay. We're preparing the notes for you to present to the UN already. I understand Rosenthal and BFF have already set to work developing weapons that can handle these... distortion fields, as you call them."

BFF's representative, sounding like a polite corporate secretary, feminine and keen, also interjected.

"We're moving on this as quickly as possible. Maintaining operational security is a must. We are placing a great deal of trust in you, Rowena Koenig. This is a history-making event that will burnish the League's reputation. Do not disappoint us."

The Frightener smiled coldly, her back to the various screens as she looked down into the dark, rich liquid at the bottom of her cup.

"Oh," She said wistfully,

"I wouldn't dream of it..."