"Colonel Vindel, just the designated facilities, correct?" a Tech Team member asked.
"Yes, that's fine," Vindel replied.
On Growsaver's monitor, Vindel was conferencing with the Tech Team, but the discussion wrapped up quickly, and his face filled the screen.
"Axel, it's time," he said. "You ready?"
"Ready," I said. "The moment your declaration ends, we strike. Thanks for picking me for this base's ambush."
The monitor displayed the Colorado base in North America—the same base Krall rebelled against six months ago. Despite us looting it dry then, it had been rebuilt in record time. Even after Vindel reported their crimes, they kept up their corruption. But that wasn't the only reason we chose this base for the rebellion's opening salvo. Today, Albert Gray was here.
Why a third-rate politician was at a small base like this was obvious, given its shady dealings.
"W17, you set?" I called to the mech beside me—an Angelg, twice Growsaver's size, resembling a female knight in armor.
"Preparations complete, Captain Axel," Lamia replied.
Months after her rollout, her sense of self was forming but still far from Lemon's hopes. That might change after the world transfer.
"W1 through W3 are ready to attack anytime," she added.
The mass-produced W-Units—W1, W2, W3—had been with us a while, I realized, picturing them in their El Eins units.
"Lord Vindel, preparations complete," a Tech Team member reported.
And with that, the rebellion's first cry was raised.
Vindel's broadcast began. "Greetings. I am Colonel Vindel Mauser, commander of the Earth Federation's Special Task Force, Shadow-Mirror. This message is for Federation military personnel and government officials. I'll be brief. As of now, Shadow-Mirror declares rebellion against the Federation government. Many of you may wonder why, but time precludes a detailed explanation. We've uploaded the details to the Federation's network—check it yourselves. In short, we are those who can no longer tolerate the rot in the Federation's military and government. Once, they were mighty trees supporting this world, but those trees have decayed. A rotten tree will fall, dragging everything down with it. It must be cut or burned before that happens."
Vindel took a deep breath. "I declare again: Shadow-Mirror wages war against the Federation government! Those with conviction, join us! Comrades, now is the time to forge our ideal world with our strength!"
"W17, ready?" I asked.
"Yes," Lamia replied.
"Let's do this!" I said.
Vindel's speech, though familiar, stirred something primal in me. I pushed Growsaver's thrusters, charging toward the base. We'd been waiting just outside their alert perimeter, so they'd spot us instantly—but that was fine.
"Captain, anti-air systems are active. Missiles incoming!" Lamia reported.
"All units, follow me! Jammer, activate!" I ordered, engaging Growsaver's jammer. Over a dozen missiles veered off course, crashing and exploding harmlessly.
"Don't relax—interceptors are coming," I warned.
Lamia and the W-Units stayed alert as our five mechs barreled toward the base.
"Enemy units detected," W3 reported from his recon El Eins.
I checked the data: in the air, 12 Gespenst Mk-IIs, 5 Lions, 4 Garlions; on the ground, 5 Barrelions, 3 Landlions, and a few Type-82 Government tanks.
"W17, you and the W-Units handle the ground forces. I'll take the air," I said.
"That's over 20 units," Lamia said. "Isn't that too much?"
"Hmph, doesn't matter," I said. "We need to show the world's corrupt scum what Shadow-Mirror's made of."
This battle was being broadcast live to everyone who received Vindel's message. Crushing an overwhelming enemy single-handedly would fuel our rebellion's momentum. Faltering or falling would tank our chances.
"Unidentified units, state your affiliation and names, and follow our orders," a Gespenst Mk-II—likely the interceptors' leader—demanded. "You've breached the base's perimeter illegally. We're authorized to shoot you down."
"I'm Axel Almer, Shadow-Mirror Special Ops leader," I replied. "You heard the broadcast, base personnel. I'm a rebel against the Federation. I don't take orders from Albert Gray's corrupt lackeys!"
"Traitors!" the leader barked. "All units, attack! No mercy for those defying Federation order!"
Mega Beam Rifles, Slash Rippers, Split Missiles, and Lion railguns fired in unison. But—
"Too slow! Telekinetic Field, full power! Jammer, activate! Adaman Halberd, Nine-Tail Mode! Focus!" I commanded.
The Telekinetic Field blocked Mega Beam Rifles and Slash Rippers. The jammer sent Split Missiles astray. Railgun rounds were swatted down by the Adaman Halberd's nine whips. Not every attack was stopped—some hit the same field spot, breaching it, and a few missiles overwhelmed the jammer. But my Focus command heightened my concentration, letting me dodge with minimal grazes. The Halberd's whips sliced through bullets and missiles.
Growsaver took minor damage but was nearly unscathed.
"Impossible! A barrage like that, and you're unharmed?!" the enemy leader gasped.
I smirked, issuing orders to Lamia. "W17, go. Handle the ground forces."
"Understood, Captain. Stay safe," she replied.
As Lamia's Angelg and the W-Units' El Eins charged the ground forces, I maxed my telekinetic power, activating the T-Link System.
"Now it's my turn," I said. "Be the sacrifice for our rebellion—no, our revolution! T-Link System, Full Contact! Phantom!"
Twenty-eight Phantoms—12 from Growsaver, 16 from Chronos—launched, dancing freely to my will.
"What's that number?!" the enemy leader yelped.
I understood his panic. This world had similar weapons—R-3's Strike Shields, Ashsaver's Sword Breakers—but none matched Phantom's sheer quantity. My telekinetic power, amplified by absorbing Ryo and Aya, combined with Tesla Labs and Lemon's enhanced T-Link System, birthed these 28 Phantoms.
"Focus, Direct Hit, Effort," I commanded, reactivating the spent commands.
"The revolution begins now. Fight with all you've got, sacrifices!"
The Phantoms bared their fangs. They pierced cockpits with laser blades, fired from three directions to obliterate targets, and stabbed through mech cores from below. The carnage was everywhere.
"Don't think Phantoms are all I've got," I said, extending Chronos's Beam Gatling barrel and arming Growsaver's left hand with the Halberd Launcher.
"No one escapes!"
Whether by luck or skill, some enemies dodged the Phantom swarm. I targeted them with the Beam Gatling, shredding a Garlion into scraps with its pinpoint accuracy. The Halberd Launcher's beams erased damaged Lions and Gespenst Mk-IIs struggling to stay airborne.
Only one Gespenst Mk-II remained.
"No way… 20 PTs and AMs wiped out in under two minutes?" the leader muttered, stunned, his comms still open from our earlier exchange.
"You're the last," I said, retracting the Phantoms and folding the Beam Gatling. I stowed the Halberd Launcher, leaving Growsaver nearly pristine despite minor damage.
"Eek!" he squealed.
"Touch me, and you'll regret it!" he stammered. "I'm Albert Gray's personal guard pilot!"
"So Gray's lackey," I said. He might've been at the El Eins heist. No mercy this time.
"Then…" I activated the Adaman Halberd, locking it into scythe mode.
"S-stop!" he pleaded.
"I'll send Gray to join you soon. Rest easy," I said.
No need for commands against this guy. I closed in, tweaking Chronos's boosters to slip behind him, and swung the Halberd down.
"Why me…?" His final words cut off as his mech exploded.
Glancing groundward, I saw the battle was over—Lamia's Angelg and the three El Eins stood ready.
"W17, hold position," I ordered. "If any shuttles try to escape, shoot them down without warning."
"Understood," she replied.
I moved Growsaver toward the base, now defenseless after losing most of its forces. Any remaining units—likely fighters or tanks—wouldn't dare challenge us after that display. Gray's pilots lacked the spine.
"Albert Gray, you hearing me? Get on the comms," I broadcast.
No response. I fired Fire Daggers, hitting the runway and empty areas, causing explosions.
"That was a warning," I said. "No answer, and the base goes next."
"I-I'm Albert Gray!" a voice cried. "What do you want?"
The screen showed a classic villainous face—unmistakably Gray, familiar from TV and papers.
"No need for introductions, Congressman," I said. "You know who we are."
"Shadow-Mirror traitors!" he spat. "What do you want?"
"Why do you think our first strike hit this small base?" I asked.
"Because… it's the only one your pathetic forces could take!" he laughed. "Surrender now, and I'll use my authority to grant some leniency."
I glanced at another monitor—Vindel was facepalming, clearly floored by Gray's stupidity. Even as a puppet, how did this idiot survive as a politician?
"Sorry, wrong," I said. "It's because you're here, Albert Gray."
"Me? I don't even know you!" he protested.
"True, we've never met," I said. "But…"
"What?"
"You're the enemy of someone I owed a lot to."
"What are you talking about? I've never wronged anyone!" he shouted.
Is he serious? Or just insane?
"There's evidence," I said. "Your New York organization's computer had emails ordering an assassination."
"Lies! I don't have any shady organizations!" he yelled.
"We have proof," I said. "No use denying it."
"Who'd believe a traitor's word?" he scoffed.
"Want me to air the evidence now?" I offered. "I don't mind."
Vindel had already uploaded it to the network with his declaration, so it was out there, spreading too fast to suppress.
"Stop this nonsense!" Gray screamed, incoherent. "M-my… my…"
He was done. I drew the Gun Rapier from Chronos's rack, got Gray's location from the Tech Team's trace, and glanced at Vindel, who nodded.
"Rotten garbage needs proper disposal to avoid bothering others," I said. "No hard feelings."
"Wha—" Gray started.
I fired the Gun Rapier, cutting him off. Beams pierced the base, and an explosion marked Gray's likely location. Dr. Montague might not approve, but this was my closure. Rest in peace, Doctor.
"Now, corrupt soldiers and politicians," Vindel's voice boomed, "you've seen our resolve. We'll keep showing it."
I returned to the Gyanland, Vindel's words echoing in my ears.
Extra Episode 002 (0054.5): Echoes of Rebellion
At the Timeflow Engine Institute, four figures were in conversation.
"Hey, hasn't it been about a month?" Fiona said suddenly.
"A month since what?" Raj asked.
"Since Axel's last call," Mizuho clarified.
"Right!" Fiona said. "He said we might learn why he'd be busy in a month."
She beamed, but Mizuho hesitated. "Fiona, aren't you scared of Lemon?"
"Her? She's just close to Axel," Fiona huffed, clenching her fists. "I'll take her place one day!"
As the three talked, Raul, who'd been quiet, spoke up. "Guys, something big's happening."
He was watching a news broadcast on his PDA. The others leaned in, intrigued. The anchor's excited voice filled the air.
"We repeat: the Federation reports that DC remnants have launched an armed uprising, attacking a base in Colorado. Details are scarce, but there are reports of heavy casualties. Sources indicate Congressman Albert Gray was inspecting the base and is now missing, likely caught in the attack."
"Wait," Fiona said, her eyes widening. "Could this be what Axel meant?"
Her lovestruck intuition screamed that Axel was involved—though she mistook him for the victim, not the instigator.