Jane Doe's situation was resolved, yet the metallic ringing beside Ignis's ears still had not faded.
Soldier 11 took two running steps and leapt, the long blade in her hands chopping viciously toward Anby, the weapons of the two white-haired girls colliding in the darkness and erupting in dazzling sparks.
Since the other side had no intention of lowering her weapon, Anby was no pushover either; the chainsword in her hands tilted left, Soldier 11's entire center of gravity pressing down on her blade, and she immediately toppled along the slanted sword body.
Anby flipped the chainsword and shoved forward with a sudden burst of force, her solid back slamming into Soldier 11's arms, instantly raising another bruise.
"You two, that's enough!" Ignis shouted urgently to stop them. "This is your first meeting—why are you both going so hard?"
Soldier 11 met his gaze, confusion and anger burning in her eyes. Ignis could not understand where that anger came from. Was it because someone from the Cunning Hares had taken her prey? Among Space Marines, such things had happened before—battle-brothers swearing to personally purge a specific xenos or heretic, only to have the kill taken by another.
"Soldier 11, we are not enemies," Ignis said as he stepped forward, positioning himself between the two white-haired girls.
She gave no reply. Even with the giant standing between them, she showed no intention of lowering her weapon, her eyes still locked firmly in Anby's direction, maintaining a combat stance.
"Listen. I don't know what you're planning, but my target is Razor. I brought people here today to settle old scores with him. You're not here to interfere, are you? Or rather, the Defense Force wouldn't abandon those abducted hostages either," Ignis said calmly. "We can cooperate."
"So, kind of you," Jane Doe said weakly, lying in the Salamander's arms as she spoke to Soldier 11 about her identity. "I'm an undercover agent sent by New Eridu Public Security's Criminal Investigation Special Response Team. Believe him, kid. This big guy doesn't have bad intentions."
"You just tried to kill me," Soldier 11 said, stepping back twice, leaning forward clearly prepared to attack.
"I was being controlled," Jane Doe said as she jumped down. Her mind swayed, and she nearly collapsed, but the Rat Thiren's resilience far exceeded the norm, and she managed to steady herself.
"It felt like I was trapped in some kind of dream, unable to control my body. Raw rage and the urge to kill seized my flesh, and I could only watch," she said, raising both hands toward Soldier 11 to show she held no weapons, her tail obediently coiled around her leg.
The goggle-wearing girl scanned the surroundings. Seeing that none of them seemed intent on attacking further, she reluctantly eased her guard, though the war blade remained firmly in her grip instead of returning to the mount on her back.
Her gaze fell in turn on Anby, Jane Doe, and finally returned to Ignis. She sighed and voiced her doubt. "Last time, at that power plant in the Volkanic district, you told me something similar. You said the workers were controlled and couldn't be saved—then you burned the place down."
Soldier 11 extended her left hand and pointed at Jane Doe. "Explain. How did she break free? And what exactly was controlling her?"
Hearing that question gave Ignis a headache. How was he supposed to explain Chaos, or psychic power, to this girl? And Jane Doe's survival had been an accident to begin with—largely due to her own iron will. The residual psychic energy he had left in her had only played a supporting role.
"New Eridu has religions, right?" Ignis tried to organize his words. "If I said I come from a world completely different from this one, would you believe me?"
The moment he said it; expressions subtly shifted among those present. Everyone there already knew he was undocumented.
"I know your identity records are fake, and the Defense Force doesn't intend to pursue it," Soldier 11 said, narrowing her eyes. "You're saying you come from an entirely different world…"
The Defense Force elite examined the armor and equipment covering the Salamander. After a long moment, she continued, "Fine. Your gear is indeed far removed from anything I recognize. I'll tentatively accept that."
"In my world, there are certain religions like this. They serve Chaos Gods, using all kinds of methods to please them in exchange for favor. Razor somehow obtained the blessing of a Chaos God and learned forbidden rituals, turning to sacrifice," Ignis explained as simply as he could. "The good news is that here, those gods are still weak. They can't project their influence directly and must rely on people to spread it slowly."
"So, what controlled me… was actually a god from another world?" Jane Doe's expression darkened. "The rage filling my thoughts—that was divine power?"
"Yes. The Blood God craves blood and skulls and delights in conflict. He revels in war and slaughter and grants strength to those who cause such chaos," Ignis said as he expanded a golden psychic barrier, enveloping everyone. "I'm sorry, but I have to ensure our words don't draw His attention."
"And this power of yours?" Soldier 11 reached out to touch the shell-like barrier, cold and solid beneath her fingers.
"It comes from another protector of humanity," Ignis replied. He had wanted to say a god of mankind, but knowing The Emperor disliked that title, he chose otherwise. "After the intrusion of Chaos Gods began manifesting here, he granted this power. When I met Jane Doe before, I used it to help her relax and rest for a while. Perhaps that was when this power seeped into her soul and ultimately protected her."
"Sounds kind of like a vaccine," Jaxcalibur-01 interjected. "So that Razor—he's still human?"
"I don't know. Maybe he's already become something else," Ignis said, looking at Soldier 11. "My purpose here is to eliminate Razor and his accomplices. Believe me, I harbor no ill will toward New Eridu. In fact, I like this place. I have new friends here, a new life. I've only just begun to adapt, and I don't want this world to be destroyed by their invasion."
The Salamander paused. "I've seen worlds consumed and destroyed by Chaos. I have inhaled the ashes of dead worlds. That bitterness and pain—I don't want to feel it again."
Ignis spoke earnestly. Combined with the fact that official records showed no acts harmful to New Eridu—only numerous good deeds—Soldier 11 stared into his ember-like eyes for a long while, trying to find even the slightest flicker of doubt or evasion. But every word from the Son of Vulkan came from the heart, without falsehood.
"Alright. One last question," Soldier 11 said as she slid her war blade back into the slot beside her fuel pack. "The people producing the narcotics in the warehouse—are they the same ones Razor worships?"
"No. They're enemies of each other," Ignis shook his head. "We can discuss the details later. For now, can we act together? Elite of the Defense Force."
"Of course. But why tell me all this?" Soldier 11 extended her hand toward the Salamander.
Ignis raised two fingers. "For future cooperation. Before they're destroyed, they'll only grow more rampant and eventually surface openly. Rather than telling you then, it's better you know part of it now. At the very least, it shows my sincerity."
"I'll report this to my superior," Soldier 11 nodded. "But I can't guarantee they'll believe it."
"Honestly, I didn't believe it either—until I saw it myself," Jane Doe said, shaking her head helplessly. "Piles of skulls, monsters born from blood pools, and being controlled firsthand. If you saw it, you'd believe it too."
Ignis guided the psychic energy back, but not into himself—instead, toward the others present. If Jane Doe could break free through residual psychic power, then planting a seed within them now might help them maintain their true selves when facing Chaos cultists, preventing corruption.
They watched as the psychic barrier around them shattered, fragments flying into their bodies. Soldier 11 and Jaxcalibur-01 instinctively raised their defenses, but it was useless. The golden shards entered them, like a block of ice piercing the chest, taking a moment to acclimate.
"That didn't feel like last time," Jane Doe rubbed her chest.
"Let's move," Ignis said.
Soldier 11 did not respond. She turned and prepared to leave, her gaze sweeping briefly across Anby. Ignis felt that she harbored an inexplicable hostility toward Anby—despite the fact that this should have been their first meeting.
When they returned to Jax-06, the latter did not question the addition of one more person to the team and simply reported on the mission's progress.
"All tactical mechs are now under our control. However, some are no longer operable due to Hollow corrosion. At present, we can deploy roughly two-thirds of the original number—around one hundred units. Awaiting orders."
"Jax-03, report status," Jaxcalibur-01 said over the comms. "Jax-05, we have a new member. Patch her into the channel."
"No anomalies," Jax-03 replied. "There are no enemies within my visual range. The patrol mentioned in earlier reports hasn't appeared either, which is strange. Wait—I think I hear gunfire. But my view is obstructed. I can't see what's happening."
"Drones have already been dispatched for reconnaissance," Jax-05 immediately split off several drones and sent them in formation toward the indicated direction.
"Put the tactical mechs on combat readiness. We'll send the wounded back to rest first," Ignis said, then turned to Jane Doe. "Can you walk?"
"Wow, so proactive today?" Jane Doe looked at the large hand extended toward her and sat on it without hesitation. "I've known you this long, and this is the first time you've invited me like this."
She let out a string of giggles, making the Salamander visibly awkward. He could only put his helmet back on to hide his expression.
"We'll escort the wounded to rest first. Continue surveillance and remain ready for combat," Jax-01 issued the order.
The surrounding tactical mechs lit up one after another as their intelligence cores activated, receiving commands from Jax-05. The mechanical soldiers began checking their weapon systems and corrosion levels, the area instantly bustling with activity.
Jane Doe was not content to sit in the Salamander's palm. Showing her initiative, she climbed up onto his shoulder armor in a few quick motions. However, the smooth surface of the pauldron was not exactly suitable for sitting, so the Rat Thiren had to grab onto the ringed collar of the Mark X Gravis Power Armor, her tail tapping restlessly against the Salamander's helmet.
Ignis paid no mind to her antics. If anything, her having the energy to fool around was proof that she was in good condition. Considering the sacrifices she had made for this undercover mission, the Salamander tacitly allowed it.
When they exited the garage, Jax-03's scream nearly pierced Ignis's eardrums.
"Isn't that the one who almost killed me last time?! Why is she here too?!"
"Calm down. She's friendly this time," Jax-01 replied. "Jax-05, cut his comms. I don't want to hear any complaints."
"Understood."
The communication channel immediately fell silent.
By the time the group returned to the departure point, Nicole had already been released from the old veteran's iron cage. The old veteran was telling stories to the other three members of the Cunning Hares, but it was obvious that only Billy Kid, the Man of Iron, was enthusiastically engaged. Nekomata looked half-asleep, while Nicole wore a worried expression.
"Wounded? Who's hurt? It's not Anby, is it?" She did not even realize that her muttering had slipped out loud.
"Don't worry, Ms. Nicole. They're back," Gotthardt said, drawing the boss of the Cunning Hares' attention back in that direction.
The pink-haired woman followed the direction of the massive, fearless claw. Sitting on Ignis's shoulder was a woman with an excellent figure, occasionally tapping his helmet with her slender tail in a very intimate manner. Recalling what the Salamander had said earlier when asking Nicole to help find someone, she immediately guessed that this must be Jane Doe. But who was the other white-haired one?
"This is Jane Doe, a criminology specialist from New Eridu Public Security's Criminal Investigation Special Response Team," Ignis said, gesturing toward the woman on his shoulder. He then pointed to the white-haired girl. "Soldier 11, a member of the Defense Force's Obsidian Division, Obol Squad. We ran into her in the underground garage. Our objectives align, so we've formed a temporary alliance."
Hearing that one was from Public Security and the other from the Defense Force, Nicole's expression immediately soured.
"Nicole Demara, owner of the Cunning Hares," Jane Doe said as she jumped down from the Salamander and shook Nicole's hand. "I've heard a lot about you. Do you have water? And anti-corrosion meds."
"Ah… uh… hello, hello…" Nicole hurriedly withdrew her hand and pointed at the unmanned vehicle nearby. "There's some in there."
"Don't worry. I'm not that rigid. As long as Hollow Raiders aren't truly heinous criminals, I won't arrest them," Jane Doe said as she pulled a bottle of drinking water from the cargo container. "The Cunning Hares don't have the best reputation, but you're definitely not bad people. If you were, you wouldn't have kept this big guy around."
"Ugh, that's cold," she said, twisting open the cap and taking a sip, then pouring some over her abdomen, trying to rub away the Blood God's mark.
"Anby, what happened to you?" Nicole finally noticed the bruises on Anby's face and body.
"I fought someone," Anby replied flatly, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
"I think I have some ointment. I'll look for it," Nicole said, opening her briefcase and rummaging inside.
Soldier 11 continued to stare fixedly at Anby. She barely spared the others a glance—even massive machinery like the Leviathan Dreadnought was no exception. Ignis wondered if she was holding a grudge a bit too strongly. Now that they knew each other's identities, neither side had gone for the kill. It was just a few bruises.
Just as he was about to say something to the girl, a transmission came in from Jaxcalibur 5.
"No wonder the patrols vanished—they're engaged in combat. Phaethon, can you transmit the feed?"
"No problem," Eous stepped forward. The facial display lit up, broadcasting footage from the drones dispatched by Jax-05.
Members of the Mountain Lion Gang were fighting another armed group, using the firepower of several hidden bunkers to pin them into a small area. It looked like the encirclement was nearly complete. The armed personnel in blue-and-white uniforms were resisting desperately, taking cover among the ruins and trying to return fire.
"They're Public Security," Nicole recognized them at once.
"That's Zhu Yuan!" Jane Doe pointed toward a corner where an officer was firing back, her red-and-black ponytail unmistakable.
"Well, this is lively," Jax-03's voice chimed in again. "First the Defense Force, now Public Security. Damn it—next, is H.A.N.D going to show up? Are we about to see the youngest Void Hunter too? Just how many people did this Razor piss off?"
===BREAK===
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