(400 Collection and weekend special! 5 Extra Chapters) Absolute

.....

Up on the surface. counter meets with…..absolute!

Eunhwa:....

Rapi:....

Vesti:...

Neon:...

Emma:....

Anis:...

Shifty:...

Varakiel: Hello Emma, vesti....Eunhwa.

Eunhwa:....hmph.

Vesti: h-hello again commander.

Emma: Hello commander, nice to meet you again.

Anis: a little bit crowded, don't ya think?

Eunhwa: if it bothers you so much, feel free to leave.

Anis: Oooh! Can I?

Varakiel: Then you'll clean the dormitory for a whole month without help.

Anis: Fine…-_-

Eunhwa: I don't get it. why does absolute have to babysit a third-rate squad like this sorry bunch?

Neon: third-rate? Well, three is higher than one and two, right?

Anis: yes, absolutely!

Varakiel: Yep, that's why we are the best.

Eunhwa: shut up you idiots.

Neon: takes one to know one!

Anis. yes, absolutely!

Varakiel: Yep, that's why we are the best…wait a minute.

Eunhwa:....

Vesti: *giggle*

Eunhwa: Are you finding all this amusing?

Vesti: i…erm..no, sorry.

Rapi: Eunhwa, you're not here to 'babysit' us. This is a joint operation.

Eunhwa: joint operation? look around you. you can't possibly think you're on our level.

Emma: All right, steady now. we mustn't judge a book by its cover. Besides, we're doing ingrid a personal favor here. if you keep acting up, i'll have to report you.

Eunhwa:...tsk.

Varakiel: (ohhh! I see who is the leader here now.)

Shifty: hey…anyone there?

Anis: interesting. mention the boss and grumpy pants over their clams right up.

Eunhwa: Listen, you walking junk heap. Just because I entertain your idiocy doesn't mean we're equals. not even close.

Varakiel: junk heap? I still think boobies is the best one yet.

Neon: I agree!

Anis: hey, what side you're on!? and you, you oughta watch your language! i might just tell the boss about your potty mouth *grin*

with a naughty grin anis faces Eunhwa.

*bang*

Smoke wafted up beside Anis's foot.

Anis:....

Eunhwa: keep talking. Next one goes in your head.

Anis: did you…just fire your gun at me?

Eunhwa: What, you didn't catch that? you need to get your eyes examined.

Anis: I don't need an eye exam to see that you need an attitude adjustment.

Eunhwa: What did you say?

Anis: You heard me! What's your problem!?

Emma: Wow, this is the second time someone doesn't back down from Eunhwa.

Vesti: oh…

Emma: hmm? What's up, Vesti?

Vesti:...so cool.

Emma: ha! yeah, it is pretty cool, eh?

Shifty: Can everyone hear me?

Neon: anis usually gets on my nerves, but seeing this, i feel like i can rely on her.

Emma: haha. That I can agree with.

Rapi: Let's move.

Emma goes close to rapi.

Emma: I remember the first time we met so vividly. ah, what a wonderful moment. How have you been Rapi?

Rapi: Hello Emma, is nice to see you again.

Shifty: aw such a warm reunion, but please may i have everyone's attention?

Anis: I know it's you Syuen.

Shifty: how many times do i have to tell you…i was at the training camp when that happened.

Anis: Then say…missilis totally sucks.

Shifty: god, you're so immature!

Anis: yep, it's syuen all right.

Shifty: I am not!

Rapi: shifty. operation overview, please.

Shifty: first things first, you all need to get moving. you've been in this location for far too long.

....

Shifty: commander, the goal of this operation is to collect what we refer to as heretic fragments. In the past, absolute and Matis fought together against the heretics and were victorious. However, a large explosion caused by the heretics being shot down devastated the whole area. The explosion ended up creating a massive crater. The immediate area surrounding it burned for 3 months. The route to the center of the crater was blocked off, and that's where we think the heretic fragments are located. Recently, the flames have died down, so entry is now possible. To summarize, the objective of this joint operation is to enter the center of the crater, collect the heretic fragments, and bring them back to the ark.

Rapi: why did the flames subside?

Shifty: it is believed that all the natural gas underground has been exhausted.

Eunhwa: mark the route and target points.

Shifty: affirmative. marking complete.

Eunhwa: considering how long the fires lasted. Alva particle concentration should be low.

Shifty: uh…yes. That's correct.

Eunhwa: So there's no need for a purification sequence. Let's get this over with. I don't want to spend any more time with these amateurs than I have to.

Anis: how was it?

Eunhwa: What do you mean?

Anis: the heretics. How was it fighting them?

Eunhwa: need-to-know basis. and you don't need to know.

Emma: Absolute and Matis were nearly obliterated.

Eunhwa:....

Emma: luck was on our side. if the lighting hadn't hit that spot when it did. we would have all died.

Eunhwa: enough of that drivel.

Emma: I won't put our teammates at risk by feeding them false information.

Eunhwa. teammates? no, these bums aren't my teammates.

Emma: Need I remind you how they also went up against a heretic and came back almost without a scratch?

Eunhwa:...nothing but dumb luck.

Anis: Yeah, same as you.

Eunhwa: don't even think about trying to compare yourselves to us.

Anis: didn't i just hear you all nearly got wiped out? we fared better than that. and we didn't have the Matis squad helping us out either. Come to think of it, it sounds to me like we're stronger than you.

Eunhwa: If I remember well, you received the help of someone isn't? 

Varakiel: alright both of you enough, we both fought against heretics and prevailed we are equals now focus on the operation

Vesti: uh..!

Emma:...

Rapi:....

Eunhwa:..damn. damn you all.

Eunhwa walks off alone.

Anis: she needs to check the attitude at the door.

Neon: I think it's because you got to her.

Anis: What do you mean? I was just trying to be nice and all I got was attitude from her.

Vesti: hey…anis?

Anis: hmm?

Vesti: c-can you teach me how to talk back?

Anis:....

Varakiel: hahaha, you can do it anis-sensei.

…..

Anis: Let me get this straight. Eunhwa is always berating you. so you want to be able to talk back to her at least once. right?

Vesti: yes, but I don't know how 

Anis: Well, it's not rocket science. but you're up for it?

Vesti: huh? What do you mean?

Anis: from the looks of it, Eunhwa is someone who wouldn't hesitate to bust heads.

Vesti: oh, well…th-that's okay. I'm stronger than Eunhwa.

Anis: I…

Vesti: So how do I stand up to her?

Anis: hmm…all right, listen up. the first thing you need to do is..

Shifty: 9 o'clock! 42 raptures. they'll be at the crossroads in 5 minutes.

Emma: Looks like we've got a fight coming up.

Vesti: i-i'll go.

Anis: What do you mean you'll go?

Vesti: I'll be back in a minute, then you can teach me, okay? this won't take long. I'll make sure they're all dead.

Vesti runs off.

Anis: eh? uh?

Varakiel: *sniff* such a beautiful little killing machine, so awesome.

Emma: haha, do you think that Vesti is awesome as well commander?

Varakiel: Of course I can see she is the strongest from the three of you.

Anis: What do you mean by that! it's too reckless to go in alone! we need to back her up!

Varakiel: don't worry, she can handle it, expert evaluation right here.

Emma: expert? aren't you a newbie yet commander?

Varakiel: That's a secret haha.

Emma: really? But yeah, Vesti is strong, very strong.

…..

Vesti: I-I'm back.

Anis: What is going on here? weren't you supposed to be absolute's weakest link?

Emma: Ha! far from it! She's probably the strongest one amongst us.

Anis:...looks can be deceiving.

Varakiel: Indeed, isn't?

Rapi:.....that's true (says it the mage…)

Neon: yeah…. (says it the dimensional traveler)

Vesti: S-sorry.

Anis: no need to apologize.

Vesti:...

Anis:...well then, let me teach you how to win, but with words. Just do as I say, and you'll have this in the bag.

Anis then whispers in Vesti's ear.

Vesti: Ugh..! That's a bit harsh, isn't it?

Anis: But you don't disagree, do you?

Vesti::...no…

Anis: use it when the opportunity presents itself.

Eunhwa: don't just stand around. If the fight is over, then let's move. we don't have all day.

Anis: now! Now's your chance. go get them tiger.

Vesti: like this?

Eunhwa: what are you doing? get a move on!

Vesti: wh-why don't you….join the itty-bitty titty committee! 

Emma: Bwaha!

Eunhwa:....if you have time to run your mouth, then you've got time to move.

Vesti: huh? O-okay. sorry.

Eunhwa walks away.

Emma: Wait for me!

Emma trails behind Eunhwa.

Vesti:...it didn't work.

Anis: you're right , sorry.

meanwhile with Eunhwa and emma.

Eunhwa: emma.

Emma: huh? What's wrong?

Eunhwa: What do you think?

Emma: hmm..their level is much higher than i expected. the combat power alone must be in the top 10%

Eunhwa: That's not what I meant.

Emma: huh? Then what?

Eunhwa:...

Emma:...?..oh..i didn't think such a thing would get to you.

Eunhwa: Just tell me, is it true?

Emma: Well, I wouldn't know until I feel them!

Eunhwa: forget it then.

Emma: woo hoo hoo. whew, whew.

Eunhwa: keep your hands to yourself!

…..

Neon: Emma, you use such a big weapon.

Emma: yeah, it's got some pretty decent firepower to it.

Neon: !!

Emma: Did I say something wrong?

Neon: no…I feel like I finally found someone like-minded.

Emma: What is that?

Neon: what ammo do you use? and what about extra equipment?

Emma: hmm…sorry. I'm not really knowledgeable in that area.

Neon: ah…

Emma: I just use what Elysion provides us with. I picked the one that looked the most powerful, that's all.

Neon: I…understand.

Emma:...but recently I've felt it could use a little more kick. Is there any way to do that?

Neon: what?

Emma: I'm asking you since you seem like you know a whole lot about this stuff. you could really help me out.

Neon:...

a big smile writes on neon's face.

Neon: Okay, I'll let you know what I've learned so far.

Emma: awesome, thanks!

Neon: first things first, raising your firepower starts within the mind.

Emma: what? from my mind?

Shifty:...

Varakiel: Is something wrong shifty?

Shifty: you're all getting on like a house on fire. I was really worried because I always heard how difficult absolute was to get along with.

Varakiel: Well Eunhwa can give the wrong impression but i can notice she isn't that bad, she is just like a radical anis, she doesn't trust people that fast, and it seems like rapi did something to get her hatred, but i will not dwell into that.

Shifty: Also commander, you seem awfully serious since we came out. Is something wrong?

Varakiel: We are being followed. 

Eunhwa: *nod*

Rapi: *nod*

Rapi and Eunhwa communicate through hand signals.

Rapi: (8 o´clock, 2.5km out, 3 people.)

Eunhwa: (unsure if armed…i have a shot.)

Varakiel then joins the hand signal communication.

Varakiel: (not now, we need to confirm who is their objective, us or the heretic fragments)

Eunhwa: (roger.)

Varakiel then signals to keep moving forward.

Rapi: *nod*

Eunhwa: *nod*

Shifty: Wow commander, you really learned everything in the academy. let's move commander.

...

Shifty: there is a crevice up ahead. depth of 2km. I'm not getting any response from the raptures at the bottom. I recommend setting up camping with your backs to the crevice.

Eunhwa: all of you go set up the decoys.

Varakiel: There's no need.

Varakiel then set's up the light reflector 

Vesti: w-what is that?

Varakiel: is a device that reflects the light in our surroundings nothing outside can see us.

Emma: Wow, isn't that like secret technology?

Varakiel: I had a lot of time in the academy to work.

Vesti: Wow, so the commander is an engineer?

Varakiel: Something like that. 

Eunhwa: very well, then you go set up the tent.

Anis: us?

Eunhwa: Yes, you.

Anis: now?

Eunhwa: now.

Anis: What's wrong?

Eunhwa: We need to set up camp.

Anis: camp?

Eunhwa:...

Anis: you see? This is what I call badgering. It's a useful skill if you want to rile up your opponent.

Vesti: it certainly seems effective. I've never seen Eunhwa this furious. you're amazing, anis!

Anis: haha, don't mention it.

Varakiel: anis you set up the bonfire, Vesti, Emma you are in charge of keeping an eye on our pursuers.

Anis: ugh, fine!

Vesti: roger commander.

Emma: roger….you say they can't see us right?

Varakiel: mhm, if you notice any hostile movement you're allowed to use non lethal tactics, we need to know who they are.

Emma: Roger, I'll leave their capture to you Vesti.

Vesti: L-leave it to me.

Varakiel: rapi, Eunhwa you set up the tents.

Eunhwa:....roger.

Rapi: roger.

Varakiel: neon, you make maintenance to everyone's weapon.

Neon: leave it to me.

Varakiel: good.

....

later at night.

Varakiel: alright Emma, Vesti, come back you seem to have much to talk with rapi.

Emma: But what about them?

Varakiel: let it be, they are currently waiting for us to appear again.

Emma: alright.

....

Emma: rapi.

Rapi: yes?

Emma: Have you ever thought about coming back to absolute?

Eunhwa: You think I'd allow that? we're better off without her. She made her choice. Why the hell would I let her come back?

Emma: No, I suppose you wouldn't…

Eunhwa: exactly, so get that ridiculous notion out of your head.

Vesti: Eunhwa may say that, but I'm sure she misses you the most of all. she kept glazing at the position you always take during battle.

Eunhwa: be quiet.

Vesti: I want you to come back too. it was really cool seeing the two of you work together,

Eunhwa: I said be quiet!

Vesti: s-sorry.

Eunhwa: Let me ask you one thing. Why did you do it?

Rapi:....

Eunhwa: Tell me! Why did you just leave us!?

Rapi:...

Eunhwa: don't you have anything to say? say something.

Rapi: do you remember the mission where the five tyrant class aircraft appeared near the ark?

Emma: yes. I remember. That was a tough mission.

Vesti: if it hadn't been for you two, we'd have been in big trouble.

Rapi: I killed a human on that mission.

Vesti: huh…?

Rapi: It was a grenade.

Varakiel: (I see….)

Emma: accidents happen all the time during missions. no one holds you accountable, you know that.

Rapi: I know. but…as i watched them bleed out with half their body missing. you know what i was thinking? I was irritated that I'd have to write a report.

Emma:....

Varakiel: ( alright there is something wrong in her head, but not her itself, there's something else in her brain, rapi would never think like that)....

Vesti:....

Rapi: I was damaged. my head. my heart. I was made to protect the humans and yet I was treating one of their deaths as an annoyance. i…was disturbed by that. That's why I decided to quit. I didn't know who I was. I wasn't a human, nor could I say I was a nikke. I didn't know who or what I was.

Eunhwa: So is that why you deserted us?

Rapi:....

Eunhwa: Did you ever think about our feelings? you felt bad, so you just up and left. not a single word. not an ounce of regret. I found out you left by reading it off a piece of paper. How do you think I felt then?

Emma: eunhwa.

Eunhwa: What were we to you? answer me. What were we to you?

Rapi: you were…my friends.

Eunhwa: don't bullshit me! no one treats their friends like that! nobody!

Rapi:....

Varakiel: indeed no one treats their friends like that…

Emma: commander, i don't think that helps….

Varakiel: unless it wasn't rapi at that moment.

Vesti: It wasn't rapi at that moment? What does that mean?

Varakiel: a mind switch.

Emma: !! commander you mean?

Varakiel: The trauma of killing a human was so great that she suffered a mind switch, and to cope with that began despising humans she didn't say anything because she couldn't face any of you in that state.

Rapi:...commander….you…you're right…..

Anis: The commander is right. I remember when I started working with rapi, her eyes were hollow like a zombie whenever she saw the ark. I think the last time I saw that was like a year ago.

Rapi:....really anis?

Anis: yeah, I legitimately thought you didn't like the ark for some reason, but I didn't care enough to ask.

Varakiel: So there you have it, someone like rapi wouldn't leave behind her friends without reason.

emma whispers in rapi's ear

Emma: rapi…it seems you found it, or rather it found you.

Rapi:....emma…i think you're right.

rapi has a smile on her face.

Varakiel:....neon come with me for a moment.

Neon: ¿? okay.

Anis: hm? I wonder where are they going.

Vesti: ah, Emma, our pursuers disappeared.

Emma:...you're right where they go?...

….

After 5 minutes neon comes back carrying 2 nikkes. and varakiel carrying another one.

Varakiel and neon then put them gently on the ground.

Vesti: t-they were nikkes?

Emma: Wait a moment…

Eunhwa: aren't they from…

Rapi: matis?