The Threat

"You shouldn't be fighting." Nova's grumped through the blue screen in my visor.

"I'm fine." I pulled a glove tighter as I walked down the corridor. "I drank the damn pill. My brain function is almost normal, and I'm not seeing the shadow people."

"I'm more worried about the implants than the shadow people. You haven't done a full check of the implants yet. There might still be something wrong."

"They'll work. My brain should be safe."

"It's the `should' I'm worried about." Nova sighed. "This is the first class six signal. That's the only reason why I'm not asking Command to keep you grounded. I know she feels the same way."

Thud-thud-thud.

"My launch window is coming up." Nova said. "I'll see you outside."

"See you there." I stepped onto the gantry.

"Pilot on deck!" the overhead speakers announced as Cerviel's head turned to face me.

"Morning, Cerviel! Ready to try again?"

"Welcome, pilot Vega. Yes, I am combat-ready and awaiting your connection."

"I don't think that's entirely true." It was hard not to notice the scars in Cerviel's plates. "Command?"

"We didn't have the time to fix everything. You'll have to make do with what you have."

"Understood."

"It goes without saying, but you'll have to fight more defensively than usual. We don't know what will happen if Cerviel suffers a direct blow against the damaged armor. It might break at first impact."

"Anything else?"

"No. We've repaired and re-calibrated the arm motors, so you should have your full range of movement. Her sensors have also passed all their tests."

"Swell. Weaponry?"

"We've fixed some cracks in her sword. We've also added a shield to Cerviel's current loadout." I could see the bulge of the electrical shield on her left arm. Previous experience indicated it would cover half of her chest once deployed. "I know you're not used to it, so again, please fight more defensively."

Thud-thud-thud.

"A shield is a good idea, thanks." I grabbed the top railing as I swung myself into Cerviel's cockpit. "Do you have any idea what we're facing?"

"We have detected the class six signal and some additional ones. We've been having difficulty getting a lock on the signatures so I don't know the rest of the details. I'll update you as we learn more."

"It's never that easy." I stepped into the command ring. The first of the green lights was already shining inside my visor. "Ready to connect."

"Not seeing any abnormalities on my end. Go ahead."

Two more lights turned on as I connected Cerviel's cables to my arms. I paused as I took hold of the last one. "Cerviel?"

"Yes, pilot Vega?"

"Are your readings normal?"

"Yes. I am operating within acceptable thresholds."

"Please don't try to kill me again." I braced myself as I plugged the cable into my chest. The familiar tingle flashed through my brain. I could feel it dissipating after a few seconds.

One... two... three... four... five...

"You okay in there?"

"Yeah." I blew out the breath I was holding. "Everything's normal. No headache whatsoever."

"You're not lying to me again, are you? I'll lock you out of Cerviel if you are..."

"Cross my heart."

"Hmm. Well, your biometrics are looking good. Neural implants are running at a hundred percent capacity. Looks like we're ready. I'm opening the silo doors and removing the gantries." I heard the mechanical squeals as the building prepared itself for my departure.

"Pilot Vega?"

"Hmm?"

Thud-thud-thud.

"I am sorry I harmed you."

"That's okay... wait? You're sorry?"

"Yes, pilot Vega."

"Since when do you understand the concept of feeling sad?"

"Gantry has cleaned, and silo doors have opened," Command interjected. "You're cleared for launch."

"Cerviel?"

"Yes, pilot Vega?"

"When did you... never mind. We'll resume this conversation later." I briefly narrowed my eyes before bowing my head.

Our Father who art in Heaven. Hallowed be your Name...

Kingdom come, Your Will be done...

Your strength guide my blade...

Your wisdom guide my path...

Your hand deliver us from evil...

And may we take one step closer to Your new dawn...

"Waiting on you, Vega," said Command.

"Angel Two, launching." I pressed the button inside my glove and launched into the air. Valoel was already in position at the western edge of the colony. He kept his eyes on me as I landed beside him.

"Do you see anything?" I asked.

"No, but the cannons are all pointed that way," Nova answered as Valoel pointed halfway up from the western horizon.

"I suggest we meet our enemies head-on."

"Agreed. Let's give Asbestos some breathing space." Valoel drummed its fingers once over the large rifle as we set off. I felt the thuds of our footsteps as we started walking. "Is Cerviel holding up okay?"

"All sensors are in the green."

"That's some nasty gashes over her chest."

"Yup. Command made me promise to avoid taking any direct blows there."

"You should think that's the norm for any fight."

"Easy to say when you're firing from a kilometer away."

"Hmm..."

Change the topic. We can fight later. I cleared my throat. "And you?"

"All systems are green. I only wish I could see the enemy."

"Nothing yet on the radar?"

"Nope."

Thud-thud-thud.

Three streaks of light flew over my head. I didn't see any explosive blasts, so the attacks must have missed.

"Looks like the demons are dodging the pulse cannons."

"Yep." I said. "Command? Is there anything on your side?"

"Signal is starting to clear up. There may be fewer attackers than I anticipated, but we're still trying to get a lock on it."

"Still a class six?"

"I doubt that one is going to change."

"Doesn't hurt to hope." The ground thudded twice as Valoel came to a stop. "Nova?"

"I'm going to stop here. We'll leave Asbestos at risk if we go any further."

"Good call."

"I tend to have those. Now if only some people would listen." He winked through the blue screen.

"We've got signal lock!" Command shouted. "Five signatures, rapidly closing in!" Several red dots appeared on my radar.

"Command?" I kept my eyes on the radar to ensure I wasn't mistaken. The red dots appeared about a quarter of the way from the radar's outer edge. "They're a lot closer than I could have thought."

"I agree. They suddenly appear... wait... who what? Who let him in... no! Go away! Get away from the microphone, you heathen!" Command's voice was replaced with one older and more gruffer. "Kids? Can you hear me? Blast this infernal contraption."

"Father Alcor?" Nova asked. "Is that you? How did you get in there?"

"Never mind... unhand me this instant! I will give you back this infernal device in one minute! Now let me go! I know who they're fighting against!"

Nova bit his lip as he resisted commenting on our guardian's language.

"How? Because I read the scriptures unlike you heathens!" Father Alcor. "Kids? Are you there?"

"We hear you, Father." I said while keeping my eyes on the radar. The red dots had jumped again. They were now only a third of the way from us. "What do you know?"

"Your enemy. One of the engineers gave me the description while I was nearby. Watch out for this one. It's a Prince of Hell named Seir. He's skilled in the way of the sword, and I wouldn't discount any magics like many of his ilk."

"How powerful is he?"

"He's trained with the higher echelons, so very. But that's not the biggest problem. He's--"

A hellish screech cut Father Alcor's voice off as a figure appeared ahead of me. While Cerviel's sensors were fast enough to start reacting, inertia prevented her from moving out of the way. A piercing pain slammed through my chest. Pain flowed through my body as we stumbled backward.

"He's a teleporter!"