First Operation

As Eliza began briefing Joseph on his first mission, she introduced it as follows: "This is your first operation, and it comes from a client known as TheForesight."

Eliza played a recorded audio message for Joseph: "The Silver Prism, we have an urgent assignment. Another private organization has developed a mech with potentially catastrophic capabilities, including a nuclear weapon, all controlled by advanced artificial intelligence. Your mission is to eliminate all the AI-controlled mechs and capture one of the engineers behind this project. The facility in question will eventually serve as a military outpost, and its secrets must be protected at all costs. Despite still being under construction, it poses a significant threat to our security. One of the engineers has refused to cooperate and taken control of the facility's security systems. It may seem like a drastic measure, but capturing him is the only way to guarantee his silence. Your mission is crucial to national security. Good luck."

"Before starting the operation, you must had a nickname to conceal your real identity," explained Eliza.

"A nickname? Well then, I'll go with GENESIS," said Joseph.

"GENESIS? Very well," responded Eliza,

As Joseph made his preparations, Eliza handed him a pilot suit and a helmet with a visor. She explained, "This pilot suit contains a special gas that can help control your emotions during combat. It's designed to keep you calm, even in the heat of battle." Joseph nodded

As Joseph settled into his mech and was transported to the hangar bay, Eliza conducted one final briefing. She said, "Our operation will take place in the AI Fortress, an abandoned underground bunker. The mission begins at 21:00. GENESIS, I trust you'll perform admirably."

With a countdown of "3...2...1...," Joseph's mech was launched, and he embarked on his first operation.

As Joseph's mech descended upon the location, one of the guards on duty spotted the unfamiliar sight and exclaimed, "What is that? An unknown mech! We're under attack by an unknown mech!"

With precision and determination, Joseph skillfully eliminated the Ai-controlled mechs one by one, leaving a trail of scattered wreckage in his wake. After a final, well-aimed shot, he heard Eliza's voice over the comms.

"The area is secured. Proceed to move inside," Eliza instructed.

Joseph acknowledged her command and began his advance towards the entrance of the underground bunker. Eliza's voice came over the comms once more, a note of concern in her tone. "Be careful, GENESIS. We do not know what awaits you inside that underground bunker."

The moment Joseph touched down inside the underground bunker, he found himself surrounded by Ai-controlled mechs, their menacing forms closing in on him from all sides. The dimly lit creating a tense atmosphere.

Joseph he realized the gravity of the situation. He knew he had to act swiftly and decisively. Despite being outnumbered, he manage to utilized cover, dodged incoming fire, and exploited weaknesses in the enemy mechs' defenses. It was a fierce and relentless battle, one that tested his skills and resolve to the limit.

As the last Ai-controlled mech fell, The corridors now lay silent, save for the faint hum of his mech's systems. Joseph had managed to eliminate all the threats and secure the area, moving one step closer to completing his first mission.

Eliza's voice over the comms, breaking the post-battle silence. "Very good work, GENESIS, for your first operation," she commended Joseph. Her words were a mix of professional approval and genuine admiration for his performance.

Eliza continue "Proceed to the next area, GENESIS," she instructed. "

Joseph's mech cautiously advanced to the next area, fully aware of the heightened stakes. Eliza's warning echoed in his earpiece, reminding him to stay vigilant. The underground bunker was turning out to be more treacherous than he had ever imagined.

As he entered the dimly lit chamber, Joseph came face to face with the mysterious engineer they had been tasked to capture. The engineer, piloting an impressive mech, exuded an air of confidence that sent shivers down Joseph's spine.

"You cannot underestimate us, intruder!" the engineer declared defiantly.

Eliza's voice chimed in urgently, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. "GENESIS, this one's mech is armed with a nuclear weapon."

In the intense battle against the engineer, Joseph found himself struggling to gain the upper hand. The engineer, confident in their mech's capabilities, taunted Joseph with a chilling declaration.

"You cannot defeat me," the engineer boasted, their voice laced with arrogance. "This mech has an auto-pilot system that makes it unbeatable."

With unwavering determination, Joseph executed his plan. He targeted the vulnerable antenna on the back of the engineer's mech, unleashing a precise barrage of shots. As his shots found their mark, the engineer's machine shuddered, its auto-pilot system disabled.

Now with a fighting chance, Joseph expertly maneuvered his mech, evading the engineer's retaliatory fire. He closed the gap and, with precision strikes, disabled the enemy mech, one limb at a time.

Joseph's relentless assault left the engineer's machine powerless and defenseless, just as he turned his attention to the nuclear weapon. With careful precision, he disabled the weapon, rendering it harmless.

The once-overconfident engineer was now defeated, their mech in ruins. Gasping for breath, they began to speak, their voice tinged with defiance, "Huh, the ARTIFICIAL sent you, right? Listen here, the ARTIFICIAL... you can never hide the truth. We know your secret and what you've done during the Void War."

Joseph, his curiosity piqued, asked, "The Void War?"

"GENESIS will return. Live long for GENESIS," declared the engineer before initiating a self-destruct sequence.

Eliza's voice broke through the tension, "GENESIS, they're going to self-destruct, which means this place is going to be destroyed. You've got five minutes to leave."

With the ominous countdown underway, Joseph had little time to escape the impending disaster. He pushed his mech to its limits, finally managing to escape just in time. As he went through out from the underground bunker, a massive explosion rocked the area, sealing off the path he had used to descend.

Then, a voice from TheForesight, now broadcasted through Joseph's mech, spoke, "Finally, you did it, The Silver Prism. It's okay, even though we failed to capture the engineer. I'll send the payment for your services later."

The Silver Prism motherbase ship arrived to pick up Joseph, and as he disembarked from his mech, Eliza approached him with a congratulatory smile.

"Congratulations, Joseph," she said warmly. "You've successfully completed the operation, and with this, your training as a mech pilot under The Silver Prism has come to an end."

In a surprising and heartfelt gesture, Eliza leaned in and kissed Joseph on the cheek as a reward for his efforts. "Rest well," she whispered before turning away, leaving Joseph with a mixture of emotions and a sense of accomplishment.

As Eliza departed, Kotu couldn't resist commenting to Joseph with a hint of envy in their tone. "You know, you're really lucky."

Joseph, a bit puzzled, asked, "What do you mean?"

Max chimed in with a smirk, "Well, you got a kiss from her. She never does that, and it's pretty rare to see her being so affectionate."

Joseph's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh... I thought she did that for every pilot after a mission," he admitted.

Sally couldn't help but chuckle at Joseph's innocence, amused by his genuine reaction to the situation.

After Joseph return to his room and decide to take a shower. When it's done Joseph decide to sleep. At midnight blaring alarm pierced through the ship, and Joseph, the last to wake, rushed to the gathering point along with everyone else. To his astonishment, he found Eliza had captured two individuals - Jennifer and Erina.

Joseph, standing before them, his voice trembling with disbelief, stammered, "W..ww Wait?! Jennifer, Erina, how can you be here?"

Eliza, unmoved, inquired, "So, Joseph, do you know these two?"

"Of course," Joseph replied, "This is Jennifer, my foster mother, and Erina, one of my closest friends."

Joseph turned to the two with a mix of confusion and concern. "Jennifer, Erina, how did you manage to get on this ship?"

Erina explained, "We sneaked aboard during your interview and hid in a storage room."

Eliza sighed. "I see... Well, it seems I'll have to install CCTV in that area. For now, just keep them with you, Joseph."

Joseph, feeling relieved and grateful, nodded. "Thank you, Eliza... I mean, boss."

As Eliza walked away in silence, the tension in the room eased, and everyone returned to their quarters.

With Jennifer and Erina in tow, Joseph led them to a new room within the Silver Prism's motherbase. The room was simple yet comfortable, equipped with basic amenities for their stay.

Joseph opened the door to the room, revealing a neatly arranged space with two comfortable beds, a small desk, and soft ambient lighting that created a cozy atmosphere.

Jennifer and Erina stepped inside, their expressions a mix of curiosity and exhaustion. Jennifer smiled gratefully at Joseph. "Thank you, Joseph. This is more than we expected."

Joseph nodded, feeling a sense of relief that he could provide some comfort to the two most important women in his life. "You're welcome. Get a good night's rest. See you tomorrow."

"Okay, Joseph. We'll see you tomorrow," Jennifer replied, her motherly concern evident in her eyes.

Erina echoed her sentiment. "Good night, Joseph. And thank you again."

With that, Joseph left the room, closing the door gently behind him. He returned to his own room and decided to get some rest, the events of the past day still fresh in his mind.

The next morning, Joseph was roused from his sleep by an unusual sensation. It felt as though there was something or someone beside him in his bed. He slowly opened his eyes, and to his shock, he found Eliza sleeping beside him, her arms wrapped around him in a tight embrace.

Joseph couldn't believe his eyes. He was taken completely off guard. "What the hell?! How did you get in here?!" he exclaimed.

Eliza, still sleepy, yawned heavily as she woke up. "Oh," she mumbled, her voice drowsy. "I must have been sleepwalking..." With that, she untangled herself from Joseph and quietly left his room, closing the door behind her.

Joseph was left bewildered, his mind in a lot questions about how Eliza had ended up in his bed. It was a strange and unexpected start to the day, leaving him with a sense of confusion.

As Joseph made his way to the cafeteria, he was pleasantly surprised to find Jennifer and Erina already at work there. It seemed that the boss had allowed them to stay on the motherbase, with the condition that they work in the cafeteria.

"Jennifer, Erina, you're working here?" Joseph asked, a hint of amazement in his voice.

"Yes, Joseph," Erina replied with a smile.

Jennifer chimed in, explaining further, "The boss gave us this opportunity, and we thought it would be a good way to contribute and stay close to you."

Joseph nodded appreciatively. "That's thoughtful of you both."

With the aroma of freshly prepared food wafting through the air, Jennifer gestured to a nearby table. "Here are your meals. Let's eat together."

The three of them sat down at the table, sharing not only their meals but also a sense of camaraderie that had endured despite the unexpected turn of events. It was a heartwarming moment amidst the complexities of their new lives within the Silver Prism.

Eliza arrived at Commander Alexander's office to give a detailed report about Joseph's first operation. She entered confidently and greeted the commander.

"Commander Alexander," Eliza began, "I've come to brief you about Joseph's performance in his first operation."

Commander Alexander nodded and gestured for her to continue. "Please, go ahead."

Eliza proceeded to provide a thorough account of the mission, including Joseph's handling of the situation, his combat skills, and his quick thinking during the unexpected encounter with the engineer.

"Joseph exceeded our expectations, Commander," Eliza concluded. "He showed remarkable determination and adaptability."

Commander Alexander leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "I see. Thank you for the report, Eliza. Keep a close eye on him."

Eliza nodded "I will, Commander"

In the dimly lit office of Commander Alexander, Eliza broached the subject of the Void War her voiced filled with curiosity

"Commander," she began, "there's something I need to discuss with you. During Joseph's first operation, the engineer he encountered mentioned something about the Void War."

Commander Alexander's expression shifted subtly, his interest piqued. "The Void War? Where did you come across that term?"

Eliza continue "It was during the engineer's final moments. He spoke of the ARTIFICIAL, their secrets, and the Void War. It was cryptic, but it felt significant."

The Commander paused, and try to absorbing the situation "I see," he said thoughtfully. "The Void War huh… another secret from the ARTIFICIAL?"

Eliza, undeterred, continued, "If the engineer knew about it, Commander, it could mean there's more to the story. Perhaps there are others who hold information about the Void War, and that information could be invaluable to us."

Commander Alexander let out a measured breath, his decision clear. "I'll authorize a covert investigation. We'll send a skilled operative to discreetly gather information and locate any individuals who might be linked to this matter."

Eliza nodded, her resolve unshaken. "Understood, Commander." Eliza once again nodded in acknowledgment of Commander Alexander's decision and quietly left his office.