Year 4667 of the Unified Imperial Calendar:
Fourth Month, Day 18. (8:27 AM)
◇ Astra's POV ◇
The moment the Grand AM Unit appeared, the laser barrage came once again, but this time with 10 lasers. I dashed behind the Grand AM, and went out of the Mobile Armour. The Armour took itself off, and I then opened the hatch from behind the Grand AM.
The moment I entered, relief passed through me as I realized that the controls I knew were similar to what I remember. It didn't have control rods, buttons, nor panels, but instead, a synchronizer.
There was no such thing as a seat inside, but only a place to stand. I stood on it, and space around suddenly shrank, as I felt metal wrap around my entire body, keeping it in place. My vision then turned black, as several places in my body suddenly twitched as I felt something penetrate through my skin. If I remember, it was the Nerve-Synchronizer.
My senses began to change, and the six senses I had began to fade. It was soon replaced by digital data fed by the sensors and scanners, and by the time I knew it, I had become one with the machine. Along with the Unit's name, I now knew everything the machine could do.
I was now the Grand AM Unit, Lupus Series Type-Omega: Fenrir.
Though I was a bit curious as to why the name Fenrir would pop up here, that wasn't my priority now.
I grinned inwardly, and I felt like the machine did along with me, "Hey..." I called out to the piece of shit, "was it fun? Messing around with me?"
Another barrage of lasers came. 'I' took full brunt of it, as the data feeds from the sensors told me it was 'hot'. That's right. I could feel what the Grand AM Unit felt, it was as if it was alive. Only a bit less sentient, but it definitely felt alive. It was like...
'A companion beast...'
I grinned even deeper, and I was now sure. This unit was smiling too. It wanted me to defeat 'our' enemy, and that I would do.
The laser barrage died down, and I looked at the piece of shit. He seemed panicked, as was speaking of something, but I couldn't hear it anymore. All I could think of was how to rip him apart. Yeah... Rip him apart...
Aether Force circulated around 'my' entire body, as 'my' thrusters began to operate. I dashed towards the piece of shit as 'my' claws glowed as it increased in length. Each one of those were beam weapons capable of cutting through any non-magic metal.
I swung down the claws, as the piece of shit's face was now devoid of all colour. And right before it landed, a barrier appeared right around him. It pushed back against the force I exerted, as sparks formed and flew about in the air.
I kept pushing further...
Yeah...Rip him apart... Rip him apart... Rip him apart... Rip him apart...
And when I finally was about to penetrate through his mysterious shields...
BOOM!
A small explosion suddenly hit my flank, as I suddenly detected an incoming Ark. I lost the force I was exerting into the barrier for an instant, and I was pushed back as the accumulated power I had exerted before was reflected to me.
I looked around, and the entire workshop was already devastated. It was done by the lasers, but from the current situation, I doubt anyone would believe me if I told them it wasn't me, huh?
'I see. So the piece of shit wanted to push all the blame to me all this time huh?'
[Unidentified Unit. You are under arrest for destruction of property, robbery, disruption of public order, as well as unjustified murder of dozens of slaves.]
'I see. So he had already contacted the authorities.'
This was bad. I was milady's Warslave, which meant they would assume I was here with her permission. After all, Warslaves aren't supposed to be able defy their master. In other words, everything I do here would reflect to the Tindalerose Family. That fucker...he really played me well, however...
'That tactic only works if I get caught!'
Without answering, I activated my thrusters and flew through the air, as I slashed at the inquisitor with my claws.
[Hmph! Foolish!] the inquisitor scoffed.
He raised his shield in order to block, however...
...'my claws' went through it like a hot knife through butter.
[Eh?] he managed to utter before he, along with his Ark was sliced into pieces. It's Aether Core which was severely damaged, exploded as Aether Particles scattered around, before slowly vanishing.
I had done it.
I was now an enemy to the Empire, so I had no choice but to go all out.
I turned towards the piece of shit. Compared to my current situation, he now seemed to be a completely negligible character now, but I still couldn't forgive him.
I took out an Aether Blaster from the Grand AM's interdimensional inventory, and shot him with it. The shields he had once again appeared, but the compressed penetrative power of the blaster went through almost instantly, as he was then obliterated along with his workshop.
I sighed. It had ended all too easily, and it was nothing satisfying. However, there was a far, far bigger problem for me, and I no longer have any methods of escaping.
'Damn, I should have brought another Transference Cube.' I cursed inwardly, but in the end, there was no use crying over spilt milk.
Yeah. All I have to do now was struggle, and see if I can get out of my current plight.
I purged the unnecessary armour I had, as I had detected several dozens of Arks coming my way. Armour was no use if all it would do was drag me down.
And so, I strained my nerves as I began to think only of the battle ahead.