Chapter 17: The Sound-Speed Massacre.

Core Manufacturing Facility. 10:35 PM.

Team Omega (02 and 03) were waiting outside the Core Manufacturing Facility.

The place was huge. It was a concrete monster carved deep inside the mountains on the far west of the city, far away from any human eye. Thick forests, steep cliffs, and stone walls made it a natural fortress. A single private road cut through the darkness like a scar.

The mayor for once did something intelligent. If a facility like this explodes, it should not be inside the city.

02 and 03 were hidden in the trees, observing the facility from a high ridge. From here it looked like a massive cement block built between mountains. A bunker made by giants.

The security was too tight.

03 whispered, "Why so many in one night...?"

Then 06 suddenly called. Her voice cracked with panic.

"Captain!! Emergency!"

02 answered calmly. Her voice was colder than the mountain air.

"What is it, 06?"

"07 broke the code!" 06's voice screamed through the comms as panic bled into the static. "The whole plan is rubbish! She attacked early at the storage section and now every other facility is alerted! I am watching them now. A whole army left their bases! They are heading to your location! They will reach you in twenty minutes!"

02 didn't flinch. She looked out at the massive complex ahead with an unreadable expression.

"That is more than enough time for them to find this whole area. A flat terrain."

06 paused. "...what?"

"Call the whole team," 02 commanded, ignoring the confusion. "Tell them to relocate to our position in twenty-five minutes."

"Roger, but what do you mean by fla—"

Click. 02 cut the line.

Beside her, 03 checked her rifle, muttering under her breath. "That idiot... she could not catch her own hands."

02 glanced at her vice-captain. "She reminds me of someone."

03 blinked, genuinely oblivious. "Who?"

"...Never mind," 02 sighed, turning away. "We move. You take the north side. I take the west. Do not enter until I give the signal."

03 smirked, patting the sleek metal of her weapon. "Roger. This new sniper better be worth the headache."

She unwrapped the new weapon. An improved core-energy sniper. Tall. Glowing blue. Perfectly built for an E-UNIT. She melted into the forest, taking her position.

02 stood in front of the massive entrance gate.

A door so huge she was physically holding herself back from kicking it.

The door began to open.

They had seen her on security cameras.

02 faced the camera with an angry look. "Oh no you do not."

She flew forward and kicked the entire giant door off its rails, sending it crashing inside.

Behind it waited seven small-size, underdeveloped five-head Behemoths. Twenty? Thirty? And a little army of twin-head mechs. Around thirty of them.

03 spoke on comms. "How did they find that many pilots?"

02 whispered, "A big paycheck can make someone sell their soul. Relocate."

"Roger," 03 replied.

02 stepped forward.

Her cold gaze didn't change at all. Her eyes narrowed like she was staring into the pilots' souls. She slowly drew her blades. The silence was so thick you could hear the metal sliding.

A pilot in an exo-suit approached her.

"Captain 02... good evening."

02 saluted. "Good evening."

The pilot shrugged. "What is the matter of this visit?"

02 explained, "Illegal production of high-threat weapons. Unstable power-distribution systems. Violation of national safety laws."

The pilot asked, "Where is your court order?"

"This operation is under a new E-UNIT branch outside the court system for the time being. Cooperate with us and allow peaceful arrest."

"Us? I only see you... and that maniac hiding in the mountains." He raised his hand. "Team Tiger. Strike her."

02 looked back.

Two missiles launched toward 03's old location. She snapped her blade toward him.

"That is a direct attack on Metromania Police property. You are under arrest. Any unpredicted move will be considered hostile."

The pilot retreated.

02 lowered into position and started chanting.

Step.

Step.

Super Speed. Initiated.

The pilot dove back into his mech.

"Emergency protocol. Initiated!"

Every mech aimed at her.

02 exhaled lightly.

"E-UNIT. Code Red. Initiated."

A storm of bullets and rockets tore the air open.

02 moved.

Her body broke the sound barrier instantly. A blue trail carved through the facility as she danced between bullets. Up, down, left, right. Slicing bullets with her blade mid-air.

The Behemoths panicked.

They switched to fist combat since they couldn't risk shooting their strongest machines.

02 sprinted at them.

She dragged her blade across the floor, sparks flying like fireworks.

A Behemoth threw a punch the size of a car.

02 deflected it with a single blade and slammed it back into the mech's chest.

Another Behemoth launched a double fist.

02 crossed her blades in an X shape and shoved it away.

A shot from the mountain. 03 detonated a Behemoth core.

The pilots froze while searching for a counterattack.

02 didn't.

She darted into the formation, slicing heads clean off Behemoths one after another. She moved too fast to see. Only blue arcs and metal heads flying.

Sleek.Sleek.

Bang.Sleek.

Bang.

Behemoths fell like dominoes.

Fifteen left.

They spread out, hiding behind walls, pulling laser cannons again.

02 activated Ghost Cloning.

03 was shocked. "What...?!"

02 smirked.

The pilots saw her multiply. Three? Six? They couldn't tell.

Was it speed?Was it duplication?

Was it their fear?

The clones rushed the Behemoths.

One pilot looked down. Blood dripped down his stomach.

Then his body split open before he even realized he had been cut. The cockpit glass had a single perfect line carved into it.

More mechs collapsed without being touched. The backline panicked, shooting randomly at her moving copies.

They couldn't keep up.

Then everything stopped.

02 stood in the center with her back facing them.

Behind her, seven Behemoths collapsed and more two-headed mechs were destroyed. Rain fell through the broken entrance as darkness swallowed the hall.

She spoke softly.

But her voice felt like a knife.

"I warned you. I gave you every chance. They say we are ruthless killers... but we give you more mercy than you deserve. And mercy cost me my sister."

She turned, stepping closer. Her footsteps echoed.

"...but you always choose the hard road. So let me show you the consequences. All of you will experience them... one... by..."

She teleported.

A blade was already inside the nearest cockpit. The pilot choked.

"...one."

Panic exploded.

The pilots fired wildly at walls, mechs, machinery. Everything.

02 teleported between cockpits.

Everywhere she appeared:Sleek.

Scream.Sleek.

Scream.Sleek.

A symphony of fear.

03's shots tore through the facility, sending mech parts flying outside.

Then one panicked pilot did the worst thing possible.

He shot the assembly machines.

Sparks flew. Engines whined. Nitrogen tanks outside started to boil.

One pilot screamed, "YOU IDIOTS WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

Panicked pilots snapped back, "WE ARE GOING TO DIE!! SHE IS CRAZY—"

Sleek.

Blood sprayed across the cockpit.

The ground shook.

03 warned, "CAPTAIN! GET OUT! The nitrogen tanks outside are boiling!!"

"Roger," 02 replied.

The mountains shook.

A giant mushroom-shaped explosion rose. The entire facility collapsed.

03 flew up, eyes wide. "CAPTAIN!!!!"

She tried radioing, but everything was dead. The explosion had destroyed all comms.

She smashed the comm device. "YOU USELESS PIECE OF—"

Click.

She turned.

06 and 02 were standing behind her, filming her with a smartphone.

03 shouted, "CAPTAIN!!" and hugged her.

02 grinned. "Why are you destroying the comm device?"

03 blinked. "I was angry and... WAIT, when did you get here, 06?! And since when do you HAVE A PHONE?! I want one!"

06 shook her head. "I arrived long ago. I was destabilizing the nitrogen generator."

03 froze. "THAT WAS YOU?!"

06 nodded. "Yeah. Captain said we needed the facility to be flat."

03 screamed, "I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS LITERAL..."

02 joked, "Your pay will be deducted for the broken device."

03 collapsed. "NO... wait, we do not even get paid..."

02 laughed out loud. "HAHAHA. Exactly. That is why—"

06 and 03 stared at her.

06 whispered, stunned. "...she laughed."

03 yelled, "She LAUGHED."

02 snapped, "YOU TWO THINK YOU ARE FUNNY?! Tomorrow's training will be HELL!"

06 whimpered. "NO!!"

03 paused. "Wait... wasn't an army on the way here?"

06 replied, "…About that..."

Metromania. 10:43 PM.Kyle was just a normal citizen. Twenty-eight years old, stuck in a corporate job, staring at screens his whole life. He never saw anything dangerous. Never felt a real threat.

Wake up at 6:00. Work at 7:30. Leave at 4:00. Repeat. Always.

But these past days the rhythm had broken…He was overworking himself with overtime. The rent had skyrocketed after the major investor Fredric Mil got taken down. When the Mayor fell his company collapsed with him. Fighting corruption was good for the city but those Old Heads had their hands in every part of life. When they fell everyone felt the ground shake. Kyle's boring life had gotten exciting. But not the good kind.

Tonight was different. He was walking home. The bus system was down for some reason. He discovered that reason as soon as he turned the corner into downtown Metromania City.

The glass buildings reflected a single terrifying sight. An entire army of mechs marching down the streets.

"Is this an invasion!?"

"What is going on!?"

"Oh my god... they are rebelling against the E-UNIT!"

Voices rose everywhere. People rushed out of shops, apartments, and balconies. Hundreds of phones pointed toward the streets. Thousands of mechs poured out from different facilities all heading to one place: Metro Robotics HQ. Right in the heart of the city.

Laser cannons. Turrets. Armored plating. The modern slick city suddenly looked like a war showcase. Cars stopped and swerved to clear the road. The mechs didn't even look at the humans around them. They just marched.

​The Capital. Ministry of Internal Affairs. 10:45 PM.

Dr. Nick wasn't there to see it live. He had just finished explaining the second part of his plan to the trio. Redwood, Mikael, and Henry. He was fixing small details on the holographic map.

"Thanks for listening," Nick said wiping his hands. "Sorry for taking a big chunk of your night."

Mikael smiled. "No need to apologize Doctor. I am pleased you are here. Your presence alone is a win."

Redwood leaned back in his chair exhaling a long breath. "Honestly... after seeing how detailed your plan is all my doubts about the first part have disappeared. I can not believe a human brain came up with this."

Henry crossed his arms looking at Nick with new respect. "If Mikael was not here I would steal you for the military. A brain like yours is priceless."

Dr. Nick laughed scratching the back of his head. "Thanks really. Getting showered with..."

The interphone on the desk screamed. Redwood grabbed it annoyed.

"I told you I am in an impor... WHAT!?"

Everyone jumped in their seats. "What the..."

Mikael frowned. "What is wrong with you!?"

Redwood didn't answer. He rushed around his office searching frantically under papers.

"Where is it... WHERE IS IT WHEN YOU NEED IT!?"

He finally found the TV remote under a stack of files and slammed the power button. The news channel appeared instantly.

BREAKING NEWS. A live helicopter view of Metromania.

Thousands of mechs marching in perfect formation toward HQ. A river of steel flowing through the city streets.

Henry whispered in shock. "...what the hell..."

"They lost it!" Redwood gasped.

Mikael narrowed his eyes. "The final swing huh."

Then all three powerful men slowly turned to Dr. Nick. The fear wasn't there. Instead there was disbelief.

"How can you be that right?" Henry asked quietly.

Redwood stepped back half-laughing half-terrified. "This is the perfect cover-up. Nick... I am scared of you."

Mikael grinned. "I told you! I can sense genius from miles away and Nick here is top level."

Dr. Nick looked at the screen. The reflection of the burning city danced in his glasses. His eyes sharpened.

"Part two... has begun," he said softly. And he smirked.

​The Light Lane. 11:00 PM.

The Light Lane pulsed like a blue artery through the sleeping city vibrating under the weight of emergency alarms.

02 was running at full speed the neon tunnel streaking around her like a hyper-charged wormhole. She tapped her comms.

"08 report."

Only screeching metal and desperate breathing answered her."CAPTAIN! The situation is very bad! We are at almost zero energy and that behemoth... it will not give up! Its five pieces are too complicated to fight!"

02's eyes narrowed and her HUD sharpened.

"Elaborate. We are on our way."

A violent crash exploded through the speakers. 08 cried out."It switched to automatic override! No pilot controlling it anymore. That is why it keeps going! Usually we just target the pilots but there is nothing to stop it now! We try to slice it part by part but it uses the other pieces and the other mechs to fix itself! It is SELF-HEALING! And 01's condition is at its limits!"

"We are almost there," 02 said her voice steady even as her speed hit maximum.The location of Team Alpha blinked on her HUD. Only seconds away. Other E-Units appeared behind her in streaks of blue light.

03 spoke with a calm deadly tone. "I will take the high ground."

"Good," 02 answered. "06 take 01 back to HQ. The rest apply our training. We trained for this moment."06, 07, and 03 replied in unison. "Roger that Captain!"

And then they arrived.

The E-Units burst out of the Light Lane and into the battlefield. The scene froze them in place.

01 was barely standing.Her left arm hung broken. Her right arm didn't even exist anymore.

Her metallic skin was cracked, torn, and scorched. Sparks leaked from her joints. She was seconds away from collapsing.

And in front of her three parts of the behemoth had broken off and evolved into humanoid forms.

Each one was taller than the E-Units dripping with blood that leaked from their joints like the machine was feeding on human bodies inside.The corpses of the dead pilots floated in crimson fluid behind the cracked cockpit glass.

07 screamed without meaning to.

"WHAT... the hell is THAT?!"

01 and 08 were dodging wildly with sparks shooting out behind them when they heard the familiar voice of 07. Their shoulders dropped in relief."CAPTAIN!" 08 shouted.

A laser hit her mid-sentence.

Her white skin charred black instantly. She hit the road scraping a long trail in the concrete.

02's fury hit maximum in a heartbeat. Her vision tinted red."01. 08. Retreat immediately."

The image of destroyed 03 from that old mission flashed across her HUD for a split second.

That pain.That emptiness.

01 gave a faint smile and ran toward 06 but fainted before she reached her.

08 pushed herself up shaking pleading through the comms.

"Captain! I..."

"No."

That single word carried so much anger even 08 froze.She didn't argue. She ran.

And then it was only 02, 03, and 07 facing those three horrifying humanoid behemoths.

02 stared down at them with cold disappointment."You caused this to yourselves. Get ready."

In the middle of the road the behemoths aimed their enormous weapons. They were standing close to each other in hope of fixing themselves in a near destruction state.

But the E-Units didn't even blink.

02 raised her hand. 03 on the right and 07 on the left both behind her.

"Code Red. Initiated."And the world exploded in motion.

The three E-Units circled the behemoths at impossible speed. Not normal E-Unit speed but something so extreme that only blue rings of light stayed on the road.

The behemoth's auto-detection system tried locking on but every shot missed firing into the empty circle.

Then in one millisecond 02 appeared right in front of the main behemoth's orange cockpit.

Even the machine couldn't track the movement. The poor behemoth froze unable to move as its energy drained fast.Her blade was already buried in its core.

She held the behemoth's gaze emotionlessly.

03 and 07 mirrored her perfectly each one materializing behind a humanoid form and striking its core at the exact same moment."You will regret it," 02 whispered with a gaze colder than Antarctica.

And then they began.

The slashing was merciless.

Precise.Unstoppable.

The mechs were carved apart piece by piece the parts falling like metallic rain.

Each E-Unit dismantled their target systematically. No wasted movement. No hesitation.

08 watched from afar stunned watching her captain delete a one-ton war machine like it was made of paper.

Red sparks filled the dark street like swarms of fireflies.Every sound was slashing. Cutting. Cracking.

02 took her time.

Her anger made her mechanical precision even sharper. She didn't stop until every piece was shredded beyond repair.

Slash.Slash.

Slash.

Then absolute silence.

A pile of green scrap was all that remained.Normally after so much damage the cores would explode. But these? They didn't even exist anymore. They were erased.

08 approached slowly clapping.

"01 was right."

02 landed gracefully her descent gentle like a fairy touching down.

The terrifying gaze was gone replaced by calm."She says a lot of things about me apparently."

08 chuckled. "If it was up to 01 she would build a whole temple to worship you."

05 arrived flying overhead with medical gear."Alright you maniacs let me take you to get fixed, metal heads."

02 glanced at 07 with a tired look.
"We will talk tomorrow."