Ssssshhhht!
The sharp sound of points ricocheting off walls reverberated across the area, blending with the chaotic symphony of arms discharging,
Bang. Bang. The cacophony continued, each sound punctuated by another body hitting the ground. The area was littered with corpses, their forms twisted and broken in death. Some lay motionless, their intestines spilling out like grotesque decorations. One poor soul had wounds so deep they revealed jagged glimpses of bone, while another had managed to hold onto life—until a blade found his skull. His strangled cry was silenced by the soft flow of blood, his body collapsing into lifeless stillness.
"Fucking horseshit!" Seraniti cursed under her breath, the frustration in her voice cutting through the chaos. "All my stealth, and it goes up in shit!" She spat out another curse, even harsher than the last, as she ducked behind a crate, her chest heaving as 01 hovered in front of her as shrapnel hit it.
With a quick, precise motion, Seraniti extended her hand, gesturing sharply to bring 02 closer. The Battery Rod on 02 disengaged with a faint hiss, the depleted rod sliding out smoothly. At the same time, she switched it with a fresh rod from 01, the cartridge system operating flawlessly as the new rod locked into place with a satisfying click. The transition was seamless—02's system chimed faintly with renewed vitality, ready to fire again.
The cartridge system on 01 was built for efficiency, with a capacity for four Battery Rods, each capable of fueling 36 projectiles. While it was possible to design a system capable of generating its own potential, the space required would far outweigh the benefits. Seraniti grimaced, her fingers brushing the edge of 01's frame as she muttered, "Not like I need another headache to deal with."
She peeked out from behind the crate, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the battlefield. The air was thick with smoke, the metallic tang of blood mixing with the faint scent of burnt sequences. Corpses lay scattered like discarded dolls, a brutal reminder of how quickly a single mistake could turn fatal. Her jaw clenched as her fingers twitched instinctively, her mind calculating her next move.
Get a grip, Sera, she thought. This isn't over yet. How did this happen, one may wonder? Let's rewind time to an hour ago—about 28:07—four hours before a new day begins.
Around that time, Seraniti was sneaking about, her steps light as she navigated the dimly lit streets leading to the aerial docks. The roads, though designed for transport vehicles, were deserted at this hour, giving her the cover she needed. She ducked into an alleyway hidden from prying eyes and sat against a wall, her knees bent as she pulled out her device. With a quick flick of her wrist, the a screen popped up, and she opened a page on the local network. It was here she hoped to find her answer.
Aerial Docking is one of two main types of transportation in Terra II. To understand its significance, one must first consider the plates they operate on—or, as they're more commonly known, sections. Each section serves as an individual hub within the larger framework of the city. One defining feature of these sections is that the docks are always situated along the long sides of the plate. This strategic placement minimizes space consumption and maximizes efficiency.
Seraniti's current location, the city of Brewster Heights, is one of the largest cities on all of Fiesta, with a population of approximately 70 million residents. For comparison, this sprawling metropolis also houses a functioning sea in Section 01—a unique feature for an urban plate—due to its proximity to the Verschlingen Meer, also known as the Sea that Devours.
She scrolled further down the page, glancing over the information while periodically checking her surroundings to ensure no one was watching. Her fingers tapped lightly as she absorbed the details.
Aerial ships come in various sizes, ranging from 500 meters in length with a width of 150 meters—considered average—to larger models stretching 1,000 meters. These lengths are tailored to civilians, but aerial warships are a different matter entirely. Warships can easily double these measurements, depending on whether they are standard aerial warships or high-speed aerial warships. The same scale applies to terrestrial warships, though their docking methods vary slightly.
The Sclera Plates—the foundational structures of the sections—feature dedicated ports specifically designed for warship docking. At the bottom of each plate are rectangular cutouts measuring 400 meters tall and proportionally scaled to the plate's overall height, typically 1/7th of its size. Each of these ports can house two warships at a time or one larger one. For smaller landships, platforms are used to lift them slightly off the ground. These platforms, while functional for smaller landships, are also a common feature in outposts, which operate on the smallest scale compared to their urban counterparts.
Seraniti's eyes flicked back to her screen, her mind processing the layout and logistics of the docks. She tapped further on images, confirming the size ranges and capacity limits for the aerial ships stationed in Section 35. Each dock could hold between three to seven ships, depending on the section's size and the overall capacity of the city's infrastructure. She skimmed over documents of docking mechanisms before pausing to glance around again, her senses on high alert.
Her focus returned to the page as she muttered under her breath, "This city never does anything small, does it?" The sheer scale of Brewster Heights was both awe-inspiring and daunting, a testament to the Common Era's engineering advancements. The aerial docks alone were an example of how far civilizations had come, balancing functionality with the challenges of space constraints.
As she sat there in the shadows, surrounded by the hum of distant machinery and faint city noise, Seraniti knew the information she was gathering would be critical. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she leaned back against the wall. Now, let's find this visitor.
Her thoughts were cut short by the sound of shuffling to her right. Her body tensed instinctively as her eyes darted toward the movement. A K9 emerged from the adjacent building, its canine features illuminated by the dim alleyway lights. Its sword gleamed faintly in its hand, and its dog-like head turned toward her with sharp, predatory precision.
"The fuck you doing here, lady?" the K9 barked, his voice low and gravelly, laced with suspicion. "This is restricted area!"
He didn't wait for an answer. With a practiced motion, he closed the door behind him and hurled a small metallic object into the air. Seraniti's heart sank as her instincts screamed at her to act.
Shit, no! A signal flare!
Her body moved on instinct. She leapt to her feet, grabbing 01's handle and hurling the shield in a wide arc toward the K9. The heavy object cut through the air with a low hum, aimed squarely at his torso. But luck wasn't on her side. The K9 dodged with a swift sidestep, his movements fluid despite his bulky frame.
He howled loudly, a sharp, ear-piercing sound that sent chills down Seraniti's spine. The howl wasn't just a warning—it was a beacon. If anyone hadn't noticed the flare, they would now.
Ssssshhhh… POP!
The flare erupted mid-air, flooding the alley with blinding light. The once-dark pathway was now bathed in an unnatural brightness, every shadow laid bare. Seraniti winced, raising an arm to shield her eyes as she gritted her teeth.
"Dumbass!" she spat under her breath, her free hand yanking sharply to summon 01 back to her side. The shield veered back toward her, narrowly avoiding the K9 as it returned to her grasp. The moment it was back in her hand, she crouched low, her body tense as she scanned her surroundings.
"You think you can get outta here now?" the K9 growled, baring his sharp teeth as he pointed his sword toward her. "Lights are up, lady. You're done."
Seraniti glared at him, her fingers tightening around 01's handle. "Big talk for someone who couldn't even hit a stationary target," she shot back, her voice dripping with venom. She adjusted her stance, her mind racing as she considered her options. The flare would bring reinforcements any second now, and the K9 wasn't about to let her slip away quietly.
The K9 lunged forward, his sword cutting through the air in a swift, calculated arc. Seraniti blocked the strike with 01, the impact sending a jarring vibration through her arm. Sparks flew as metal collided with the shield's durable frame. She grunted, pushing back with enough force to create some distance between them.
"Not bad," the K9 growled, pacing in a slow circle around her. "But you think you can hold off more of us when they get here? You're outta time, lady. Just give it up."
"Not a chance," Seraniti muttered. She shifted her grip on 01, her eyes darting to the edges of the alley. She needed a plan, and fast.
The K9 lunged again, his strikes coming faster now, his sword clanging against the shield in a relentless rhythm. Seraniti gritted her teeth, each blow testing her strength as she parried and deflected with practiced precision. Her arms burned from the effort, but she refused to back down.
Think, Sera. Think.
Her gaze flicked upward, spotting a precarious stack of crates balanced near the edge of the building. An idea sparked, reckless but worth the gamble. She adjusted her stance, sidestepping another swing before slamming 01 into the ground. The shield emitted a faint hum as she activated its reinforced anchoring system, bracing herself for what came next.
"Nice shield," the K9 sneered, his stance shifting as he prepared to charge. "Shame it's gonna break along with you."
"Keep talking, Puto," Seraniti shot back, her free hand gesturing subtly toward the crates above.
The K9 lunged once more, his focus entirely on her. At the last second, she twisted her body, using 01's edge to deflect the strike while simultaneously pulling hard with her free hand. The crates above groaned under the strain of her telekinetic pull before crashing down in a chaotic heap even if she had a weak pull.
The K9 let out a startled yelp as the debris rained down on him. He managed to dodge most of it, but one heavy crate clipped his shoulder, sending him staggering backward before the K9 quickly ran. Seraniti didn't wait. She made 01 float behind her as the same time as 02 went in front of her while 03 went to her left side and sprinted down the alley, her boots pounding against the ground as she moved.
"Get back here!" the K9 roared, but she was already out of reach.
Her breathing was ragged as she rounded a corner, her mind racing. The flare's light still burned brightly in the distance, and she knew it wouldn't be long before reinforcements arrived. She needed to find cover—and fast.
Seraniti moved swiftly, her boots pounding against the ground as she chased the K9 through the winding alleyways. Turn after turn, she followed him, her patience wearing thin with every step. Finally, she had enough. Her eyes narrowed as she gestured sharply, bringing 03 into position ahead of her. The apparatus spun faster, a low hum building as she calculated where he would run next.
Reinforcements would be on her soon—crashing down like the shifting waves of the Black Sand Wüste on the other side of the sea. If she was going to make a stand, it had to be now.
Her lips curled into a grim smirk as she switched ammunition types. The apparatus of 03 glowed faintly, signaling the round chambering itself. "Let's go out with a bang," she muttered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the cannon. She aimed telekinetically, the sleek barrel adjusting with precision to lock onto her target.
Fwoom... The apparatus spun faster, building potential with every second until— Boom!
An incendiary round burst from the barrel, the
Then came the howls.
The echoes of K9s rang out, sharp and guttural, as more emerged from the smoke. Seraniti's jaw tightened at the sound of them laughing—an eerie, hollow noise that grated on her nerves. The sound of their joy was almost worse than their aggression. They leapt and bounded into the chaos like feral animals, the faint glow of the flames dancing across their twisted, dog-like features.
"Lady Seraniti!" one of them taunted, his voice sing-song and mocking. "We've missed you, you know. Those grey eyes of yours always so tired—so bored. What's the matter? Aren't we exciting enough for you?"
Another laughed, crouching on all fours like a beast as his claws scraped against the ground. "The banshee's stiff feathers still look the same! Tired and broken—just like her!" He howled again, his tail wagging in delight as the others joined in, their voices overlapping in discordant chaos.
Seraniti's eyes burned with frustration as she adjusted her stance, her feathers bristling behind her. Fucking animals, she thought bitterly. These K9s weren't like others—there was no honor, no purpose to their existence. They thrived on pain and misery, causing chaos for the sake of it. She had crossed paths with them before, and their handler—the smug bastard lingering in the shadows behind them—was a familiar thorn in her side.
"Get her, boys!" the handler's voice rang out, calm and dripping with amusement. "Make it quick, though. We've got work to do."
Seraniti's smirk returned, cold and sharp as she brought her cannons into position. "Quick? You think they'll last more than thirty seconds?" she called out, her voice carrying over the crackle of the flames.
03 tilted downward as it reloaded, its mechanism hissing faintly as the next round chambered itself. The K9s didn't wait—they lunged forward, laughing and howling as they leapt through the smoke toward her.
With a quick motion, Seraniti pulled 01 into her hand, gripping the operator handle tightly as she slammed it into the ground. The sharp clang of metal meeting concrete echoed through the alley as the shield's anchor points dug deep, stabilizing her position.
"Come on, then," she muttered, raising her red-stained hands to her face. The flames reflected in her grey eyes, cold and tired yet unyielding. Her feathers bristled, stiff and sharp, like a warning to the feral creatures before her.
The K9s paused for only a moment, their laughter turning into snarls as they bounded toward her. Behind them, their handler smile faded slowly, arms crossed as he watched the fools unfold.