"Captain, the enemy has gone silent," Echidna's voice crackled through the comms.
Two months into Shadow-Mirror's rebellion, things were going smoothly. We'd taken down over ten bases, though most were left unoccupied, too vulnerable to Federation counterattacks.
Now, we'd just conquered another. I hadn't joined this battle—Lemon, or rather the Tech Team, insisted Growsaver needed an overhaul after its recent performance. The base was small enough that Echidna, Lamia, and three mass-produced W-Units could handle it, so I stayed behind.
"Captain, long time no see," a voice called.
I turned from watching the battle on Neverland's bridge to see Martin, who'd just docked during the fight, with four mass-produced W-Units behind him.
"Been a while," I said. "You holding up?"
"You're one to talk," Martin grinned. "I saw your rampage when the rebellion kicked off."
That stunt had overtaxed the T-Link System, part of why Growsaver was in the shop.
"You're not doing bad yourself," I said. "Heard you've been crushing terrorists and mafias."
Martin's mission was seizing supplies from such groups and gathering evidence of their ties to politicians and military officials. Vindel was, as usual, uploading that evidence to the net.
"Captain, six enemy signatures detected," a mass-produced W-Unit operator reported from the bridge.
Reinforcements for the base?
"What models?" I asked.
"Five Gespenst Mk-IIs and… one unknown," the operator said, hesitating. "It started as a Gespenst but… unclear."
Likely a custom Gespenst Mk-II, too modified to identify. A strange unease stirred in my chest.
"Want us to handle it?" Martin asked.
"Yeah, go for it," I said. "W16 and W17, join them once you're resupplied."
"Six units? No sweat," Martin said.
"Don't get cocky," I warned.
"Got it. Let's move, team!" Martin led his W-Units off the bridge.
"W16, W17, you copy? New enemy signatures detected. Martin's team is engaging, but back them up once you're ready," I ordered.
"Understood, Captain," they replied.
What's this feeling? A nagging unease—almost dread—grew since Martin left. Was my telekinetic power warning me of something?
"Martin's team, deploying," the operator announced.
The bridge monitor showed Martin's Ashsaver and four Gespenst Mk-IIs launching from Neverland. His team, rarely facing Federation forces head-on, used Gespensts instead of the newer, scarce El Eins.
"Enemies on screen," the operator said.
The monitor displayed five Gespenst Mk-IIs, as reported. Five?
"Where's the sixth—the unknown?" I asked.
"Unknown. It vanished from radar," the operator replied. "Possibly in stealth mode."
A missing unit. Is this what's got me on edge?
"Martin, heads up," I said. "One unit disappeared from radar. Likely has stealth tech."
"Got it," Martin replied.
"W16, W17, deploying," Echidna announced.
The monitor showed Lamia's Angelg and Echidna's customized Landgriz, followed by three El Eins, leaving the hangar.
The enemy had six units, one possibly stealthed, mostly standard Gespenst Mk-IIs. We had nine, including a custom Ashsaver, Landgriz, and Lemon's meticulously crafted Angelg. We outmatched them in numbers and quality. So why wouldn't this dread fade?
Am I forgetting something critical? Gespenst Mk-IIs? The Federation had lost to us repeatedly. Why send an outdated unit like the Gespenst Mk-II instead of newer El Eins for reinforcements?
As realization dawned, an explosion echoed.
"Martin's team: W1 destroyed, W2 heavily damaged and incapacitated," the operator reported.
"Damn it!" I cursed.
This was no ordinary unit. The mass-produced W-Units were top-tier soldiers, yet one was down and another crippled in under a minute. Something was off.
"Martin, Echidna, Lamia—something's wrong with this unit. Pull back—"
"Unknown unit approaching Neverland rapidly," the operator cut in.
Approaching us? Targeting the mothership instead of our mechs?
"Scratch the retreat," I ordered. "Martin, keep the Gespensts busy and draw them to Neverland. Echidna, Lamia, hit the approaching enemy. W1 to W3, support Martin's team. Display the enemy on the monitor."
"Understood," they replied, moving to their tasks.
Martin's team was down to him and W3—two units. Adding my W1 to W3 made five, evening the odds. But the enemy's quick takedown of Martin's team suggested superior skill. The plan: Echidna and Lamia quickly neutralize the unknown unit, then reinforce Martin.
That hope shattered with the next report.
"Enemy on main monitor," the operator said.
A blue mech appeared, wielding a Revolving Stake in its right hand and a Heat Horn on its forehead. Its name…
"Gespenst Mk-III!?" I gasped.
Here? This wasn't just reinforcements—it was the ATX Team. No, the Beowulves already?
"Martin, stop drawing them in. Retreat now. Echidna, Lamia, don't try to beat it—just buy time. Operator, prepare Stealth Shade for immediate deployment once all units are aboard. We're pulling out."
Damn it, Growsaver's in overhaul at the worst time. Echidna and Lamia lacked the experience to face Beowulf, and Martin couldn't either. The mech disparity was too great.
Echidna's Landgriz fired Phalanx and Matrix Missiles to pin the Gespenst Mk-III, but it weaved through them effortlessly, shooting down any close calls with its triple Machine Cannon. As it aimed its Revolving Stake at Echidna, Lamia's Angelg thrust its Mirage Sword—a non-physical blade—at the Mk-III's right arm.
The Mk-III crouched, dodging, and backed off.
"Damn, even together they can't handle it," I muttered.
Glancing at Martin, I saw his El Eins and four Gespenst Mk-IIs retreating slowly, harried by the Beowulves' relentless attacks, unable to gain distance.
"VLS Missile Launcher, prepare to fire," I ordered. "Target behind the enemy Gespensts. Don't hit Martin's team."
"Understood. VLS Missile Launcher ready," the operator replied.
"Martin, missiles incoming. Don't get hit."
"Got it. Make it quick," Martin said.
"Fire!" I commanded.
Missiles launched from Neverland, arcing over Beowulf, Echidna, and Lamia, and detonating behind the Beowulves' Gespensts. The blast hit Martin's team but was mitigated by using enemy mechs as shields. The enemy, caught from behind, suffered Tesla Drive damage across all units.
"Martin, pull back!" I shouted.
"Got it. All units, retreat!" Martin ordered.
Our units withdrew, but the enemy, grounded by damaged Tesla Drives, couldn't pursue quickly. This was our only chance.
"Echidna, Lamia, Martin's team is retreating. Hold that thing with all three of you," I said.
Echidna and Lamia were barely holding defensively, but with Martin, they might shift to offense.
"DOB Cannon, prepare to fire," I ordered the operator, readying a shot at the Mk-III. It wouldn't kill Beowulf, infected by the Aerogators, but it could buy us time to escape.
"Captaaaaain!" Martin's scream tore through the comms.
I snapped to the monitor. The Gespenst Mk-III was aiming its Revolving Stake at Neverland's bridge.
"Damn it, it exploited my orders!" I cursed.
Could the E-Field block it? Unlikely. Slime? No time. Spirit Command: Accelerate? Too slow. My mind raced through options, finding none.
Is this it?
"You're not getting through!" Martin roared.
The Revolving Stake didn't hit the bridge—it pierced Martin's Ashsaver.
"Martin!" I shouted.
"Heh, being your subordinate… was pretty fun…" His words cut off as his Ashsaver exploded.
"DOB Cannon, target that mech—fire!" I yelled.
The cannon fired, hitting the Mk-III, blown into its line of fire by Martin's explosion. A massive blast followed, but it likely wasn't fatal. It should've dealt heavy damage, though. I wanted to finish it, but—
"Five enemy units approaching," the operator reported.
No good. Angelg and Landgriz were too damaged to ignore. We couldn't finish it.
If only Growsaver were here.
"Retreat," I ordered. "Once all units are aboard, deploy Stealth Shade. We rendezvous with Vindel's main force."
Damn it. Losing Martin and barely scratching the enemy—a total defeat. I swallowed the bitter taste as Neverland withdrew.