The atmosphere around the ship changed since my speech back on the bridge. Even though everyone was still in a hurry, they all had this fierceness about them that was a tad bit unsettling. Every time I'd pass a soldier in the hall they'd chant "For Albion" or "For Nova Astra."

The invigorated soldiers aside, I was making my way to the Eidolon hangar getting ready to launch the operation. It would be another 45 minutes before we'd reached Neo Arcadia and the mission would begin. The others outside the ship were about wrapped up with the enemy vessel so they'd be returning to rearm. Thinking of their fight outside got me thinking about the plan. If the fleet is really as big as I was led to believe, taking it down with a few Eidolons was almost suicide.

As my thoughts wandered all over the place I walked into something soft and warm for whatever reason. Snapping out of my daze I found Claudia standing in front of me. "U-Uh s-sorry Claudia," I stammered.

"No need to apologize, I'm sure you have a lot on your mind," she reasoned. "Besides it's good that I've found you."

She stepped out of the way, holding her hand out toward the corridor. It was a bit of an awkward walk down the hall as my stupid brain now could only think about accidentally running into Claudia like an idiot. "Please say something to break this awkwardness," I thought.

"Your speech was admirable," she smiled. "Though you could stand to be a little more dramatic."

"It's weird that being dramatic is the thing you care about."

"You could stand to take the compliment, Commander. A little confidence wouldn't hurt."

"Why? Is it because I'm supposed to be a leader."

Claudia thought for a moment, then strangely enough nudged me on the shoulder. "Women love confidence Commander," she slyly said.

"You sound as though you're speaking from experience," I wondered.

"Actually yes," she admitted. "Even though he's resigned himself to staying at home while he takes care of the kids, My Husband has a unique bravado that I found attractive."

"Woah, you're married?"

"Happily so actually, with three children."

I got a notification from Claudia, a message with a picture attached. It was a picture of her and her family. She held onto a shrewd-looking green-haired Promethean man in a rather nice-looking suit. Out of the children, there was an equally shrewd-looking boy in maybe his late teens, a nerdy-looking girl who also got her looks from her father, and finally the youngest girl who resembled Claudia more than the others.

"Wow... It must be nice to have such a wonderful family."

"I'm sure you'll have one yourself in due time," Claudia said reassuringly. "Just make sure you work hard for it."

"I hope so," I wished.

Our conversation although sweet was cut short when we arrived at the Eidolon hangar. Inside was the same as before with workers scrambling to get the pile of work Talia dumped in their laps done. Although the arrangement of Eidolons was a bit different. For starters, one of the empty spots from before was filled with a machine I hadn't seen before. It was tall and a bit heavily armored. It was also packing some major heat with a missile launcher on its shoulder, a sniper rifle equipped to the backpack, and an assault rifle. There was even a combat knife strapped to its side. The weirdest thing though was that it wasn't an Eidolon. I could tell because it didn't seem anything like Ragnarok.

"So this must be your machine Claudia," I said as I examined the machine more. "You really are an elite soldier."

"I'm flattered," Claudia "But admiring Kriemhild isn't what you should be doing. Now if you'll excuse me I must prepare... and maybe call my husband."

A portion of Kriemhild's chest opened allowing Claudia to float up and enter. Giving her machine a quick salute I set off to my real destination. At the end of the hangar stood Ragnarok, though something about it seemed different. The left arm for starters was completely different. Although still clawed it had some bulky armor around most of the forearm with shallow holes that looked as though something slotted into it. The shoulder armor was lessened as well.

"You like it?" asked Talia as she dropped down from someplace I couldn't see. "Seeing you in action on Necron Arcadia called for a change in design."

"I feel like you've been planning a lot of this, way before Necron Arcadia."

Talia looked around for a moment seeming to check out for anyone listening. "Ok but you cannot Dr. Machina, she'd probably kill me for this."

She took out her datapad and it showed the schematics of both Ragnarok and some other machine. It wasn't an Eidolon but it had an Ether core itself.

"It was an idea that Dr. Machina had to scrap due to the Economic War Armistice," Talia explained. "Eidolons were pretty illegal so there was no reason to build upon them. Though when the Prime Council authorized the use of Eidolons I decided to see if there was anything we could use to help us."

"You stole one of Kat's designs? You're right we should probably keep that one a secret."

Shaking her head, she began to scroll through the support machine's schematics. "I call it the Lumina Cloth. Its original purpose was to serve as a swarm remote-controlled weapon and additional booster system. With some additions and tweaks to the original design, I've made it into a variable backpack. It retained its original design but now has extra defensive and offensive capabilities."

She scrolled to the third schematic that'd been labeled "NAE-000-9 Ragnarok Lumina. The backpack was attached to the machine with most of it hanging over the left shoulder like a cloth or a pelisse. The defensive "cloth" was composed of the cloth bits, the remote-controlled swarm weapons. As Talia scrolled through more of the schematics it revealed that the bits could combine with the left arm for different modes such as a beam sword or beam cannon. Each bit was capable of generating an Ether field that could repel physical and beam projectiles. As the tower shield, the Ether field was its strongest. Next was the weapon that came with the support armament, the Lumis rifle.

"A Beam Smart Gun?" I asked. "That connects with the left arm?"

"This one is my own design," Talia noted. "The Lumis rifle is special and I'm pretty sure if it weren't for the carte blanche the council gave us I'd become a war criminal for it. Ya better use it right."

"Aren't Beam Smart Guns ridiculously powerful? Like... Better than dreadnaught main cannons?"

"Yer complainin'?"

"No... I'm actually a little worried." These weapons had a tendency of exploding after three shots."

"That only causes the idiots who made them think one Eidolon-sized core was enough to fire it. The only reason why Starships can fire them is cause they've got a core big enough."

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"So essentially two cores can give us more shots?"

"Not exactly So-So. Two cores allow you to fire it normally."

"Normally?" I asked.

"Yeah... You'll see when you get into battle. It's almost time for ya to get out there so it's better to see for yourself."

Wanting to protest that copout I remembered that the Animus system allowed the machine to give me that info. So instead of asking her if there was something else I needed to know.

"And about this Anti-Eidolon System? It activated before at Necron Arcadia."

Suddenly Talia started giving me the evil eye. "Right I meant to belt ya one for that. It's a system that was in Bahamut. Don't use it under any circumstances unless ya have no choice. Break my baby and you'll be thrown out of an airlock."

She punched me in my right arm, and rather hard if I could complain. Then she grabbed my jacket inching a little closer to me while resting her head on my chest.

"You make sure you come back in one piece stupid... I can't make more cool stuff for Ragnarok if you're both gone."

Her voice was soft and a bit shaky. Her face became flush and her eyes began to fill with tears. It was then I remembered something Mom had always taught me.

"You must always comfort a lady that cries. It's a man's duty."

I pulled her head close to my chest, running my fingers through her hair, and her shaking stopped.

"Look... I'm not sure how you all feel about me," I admitted. "But I do know that I do care about you all. Though you and I go way back Talia. I even remembered what you said when we met."

We both looked into each other's eyes as I recalled our younger days. "You're Natalia Vitalis... You said you were gonna become the greatest Mecha engineer in the Prime System. Ragnarok will be that Mech. So just believe I'll carve that legend for you."

She sniffled as she wiped her eyes. Pulling away from me, her smile started to return. "T-Then you better not mess this up," she stammered. "There will be hell to pay if you do."

"Come on, who do you think you're talking to?"

The lift from the boarding platform above descended on us. As it touched down I backed onto the platform and it started to rise once more. It was at this moment a scene from Erratic Code popped up in my head.

As I opened my mouth to speak, I saw Talia place her finger over her lips. "Yeah I know, but the truth is I'm still a little worried."

She looked down for a moment, then raised her head once more now looking more determined.

"You have to prevail Roland... To achieve your dreams... And overcome the obstacles before you."

The words Seiri said to Roland, right before he set off toward his final battle. I felt a weird fuzzy feeling well up in my chest as I climbed into Ragnarok. I reached into the lower compartment and found my pilot suit and helmet inside. After changing I set my clothes in the compartment and sat down. The Animus connected to my implant and the data feedback process started. It didn't give me a headache like usual which was a good thing. Once the start-up sequence began I put on my helmet and strapped in. The control yokes and console swiveled from their respective places and I hooked my left arm into its slot.

"Main System: Activating Standby Mode," stated my A.I.

As the start-up sequence finished the control panel displayed the map from the plan. I spent a few minutes analyzing it until a call came through. It was from the Avalon, labeled as Gold Shield.

"So... You think you're gonna be ok?" Andrew worried.

"You know what broseth, I think we're gonna be good."

"Oh ho... Where did this sudden bravado come from? Maybe lady luck?"

"Come on dude. I just feel a little better about this than usual. Can't I have that?"

There was silence for a moment. "You could if you and Talia were more aware of your surroundings."

It took a second to figure out what he was talking about. As the realization hit me, I began to sink into my seat. "Y-Yeah... right..."

"It's cool man, even though this is our first major operation it could very well be our last. Might as well have a tender moment or two while you can."

I'd never let him know this, but I was glad he thought that way. Unlike the operation on Necron Arcadia, we didn't totally have the upper hand. Besides, the operation could very well go the same way or worse.

"I'll be on the front lines, Andrew. Will you be able to look out for everyone?"

Andrew didn't answer for a moment. Instead, the call changed from audio to visual. Even though we weren't even close to each other, Andrew raised his fist toward the screen. "I may have an awesome machine like Ragnarok. But as long as you do your part you can count on me."

I raised my fist as well, "You can count on it."

"Attention Nova Astra crew members," Alice spoke over the intercom. "We will be arriving at Neo Arcadia shortly. Please find your stations in a timely manner. Tower Shield will be preparing for combat."

Andrew and I's call ended and the platform Ragnarok stood on began to move toward the launch bay. I was going to be the first to sortie since I didn't need to resupply. The rest of the Lance unit would join me shortly.

As I reached the launch bay another machine came out of a separate corridor. It was the Lumina Unit along with the Lumis rifle. Moving into the catapult launcher the Lumina unit was docked into Ragnarok's back

"NAEA-009 Lumina Cloth docking procedures complete. Main System: Activating Combat Mode."

The main camera began showing a display of the outside all around the interior. Hearing the hum of both Ether Cores vibrated the machine, then quieted shortly after.

"Is it time to go Soran?" whispered the A.I. Its voice was soft and sheepish much like both Albion and Necron Arcadia.

"Yes... It's time to go," I answered.

As the catapult bay began to open I gripped the control yoke and prepared the thrusters for takeoff. As soon as the catapult doors opened a grin formed on my face.

"Soran Xenthos... Ragnarok Lumina... Launching."

Pushing down on the pedals the thrusters ignited pushing us through the catapult. As soon as we reached open space I turned toward the ship's bow and landed right on top of it. It'd be just a few more minutes until the enemy made their appearance. So I waited patiently while gathering my thoughts.

All we had to do was hold the line. To make sure little to no enemies were able to breach the planet's atmosphere. All to ensure the Prime System Alliance could strike from the rear and eliminate all of the enemy forces in a pincer attack. Thanks to there being two of the Order heading this assault this would prove difficult.

Arjun was a much simpler foe to face since he was just a battle maniac. Yet Laufey's involvement worried me the most. Fighting against someone who uses cyberwarfare in such a calculating way. Depending on how good she was, she could easily create a hole in the Shield unit's defense. Meaning finding the command vessel and taking it out was my only option.

The warning indicator began sounding off before I could assess the situation a little more. Looking ahead there were dozens of ships warping in from an unknown portion of space. Vessels I haven't seen before poured their way into the Prime System. Among them were three dreadnaughts of considerable size and a horde of fighters and mech suits including some Ghosts of various types.

"Attention Crimson Lance," spoke one of the operators aboard the Asterism. "Silver, Obsidian, and Amethyst Lance will be joining you shortly. Please proceed to the mission point and issue the final warning."

"Roger that," I said. Pushing off from the ship's bow, I proceeded to the mission point which had been a few minutes away from the ship. Once in place, I began to broadcast on an open channel to everyone in the area.

"Attention enemy fleet," I began, "This is Commander Soran Xenthos of Nova Astra. You are in violation of the Prime System's space travel edict. Surrender yourselves peacefully and force will not be used to apprehend you."

The declaration was made and now it was up to the enemy commander to either take the hint or start this party.

A response came through the transmission and the image of a rather large man sitting upon a captain's chair with his arms crossed. He'd only been wearing a jacket allowing a full view of his developed muscles and many scars. His long dreads hung over his shoulders as he gazed into the screen. This had been my first time seeing him but I instantly recognized who he was.

"Surrender? To weaklings like you?" Don't make me laugh Faux Solomon."

"As much as I want you to be stupid Arjun, I want you to make the smarter choice here"

He stretched his neck in both directions popping some bones as he did. "This will be a battlefield Xenthos," he coldly stated. "The call for surrender is irrelevant... Killing is all one should be doing right now. So just die like dogs you lesser species. Lord Lucian's utopia has no place for weaklings."

The transmission cut abruptly and there were small flashes of light coming from the enemy forces. The shields of Lumina started taking fire from both beams and explosives. Meaning they'd cast the first stone.

"That was your warning... Now I'll have to show you what happens when you don't back down."

The Lumina Cloth began to shift with the cloth bits detaching from Ragnarok. Aiming right at the enemy fleet with the Lumis rifle. Its barrel opened up allowing the cloth bits to connect to it. Connecting the left arm to the rifle, the cannon began to charge.

"Initiating heavy artillery configuration," the A.I. stated. "Charging process has begun. Lumis rifle now converted to the Luminous Magnum."

Aiming for the dreadnaught to the far left the target reticule turned red. The cloth bits spun rapidly around the barrel as energy-charged throughout the entire suit.

"Dual Ether Core system levels have become critical. The target will be completely annihilated, please proceed with firing."

I took in a deep breath as I aimed carefully, then I gave the trigger a good squeeze.

"Roar! Luminous Magnum!"