[b][u]Outside Cluster 26[/b][/u] “Asuna!” “Forget it Erisia. Nothing we can do.” ‘And they say being sensitive is a virtue…’ “Erisia, we’re pulling out. Kerry, follow me.” “Yes Sir!” “All trainees, pay attention! This is not a drill! I repeat, this is not a drill!” Forma yells through the communicator. All trainees on standby, prepare to launch immediately! Follow your orders closely and keep your eyes open!” ‘Launching the students in GM trainers... did he expect this would happen?” The second in command eyed Forma suspiciously, wondering what his agenda really was. “This is Salamis 1. We’ve engaged enemy mobile suits. Please support as soon as possible!” Diving through beam fire Marie swiftly cuts down 2 GMs spinning her naginata, laughing all the while. “More lambs to the slaughter!” Two other Rick Doms continued to fire bazooka rounds at the second Salamis. Near the edge of the conflict a GM trainer pilot led a shuttle holding the rest of the academy students away from the battlefield. “We’ll cover your retreat” ‘The Salamis… Where can we even retreat to?” Emilu pondered how far they would have to be to be ‘safe’ in a situation like this. ‘Asuna…’ Her thoughts for her friend were cruelly interrupted by a blast splitting the GM in half causing it to explode as Emilu watches in shock. ‘This … is war….’ Emilu trembles realizing the pilot she had just heard speaking to them had just been killed. To her horror a Rick Dom flies in front of the shuttle preparing to blast her and everyone else to bits. “This is almost too easy!” Grins Thomas right before being cut off by Marie. “Wait! We’re supposed to take out the Salamis and the mobile suits guarding them. Don’t waste ammo on an unarmed launch!” “I got more than enough ammo right here!” “Spare me your bullshit!” Marie yells back annoyed with the trigger happy pilot. “You waste all your ammo and we aren’t going to make any money on all this! Now go take out those Salamis’!” Thomas pauses before grudgingly complying and speeding off back into the battle. Yahagi: “Those two ships are in trouble!” Yahagi and the trainees with him began returning to support the ships under fire. Erisia: “Launch sighted to starboard! Magnifying now” “I’m moving in to support!” Kerry moved ahead of Yahagi’s GM to cover the shuttle launch. However Yahagi sensed danger as he moved closer. “No! Pull out!” A shot from below blew off the GMs leg while Yahagi cut the thrusters taking over with Synchro-Mode. “Calm down! It wasn’t a direct hit!” “R-Roger.” “I’m switching controls to automatic, can you still move?” Kerry failed to formulate a proper response, still panicking from his death flashing before his eyes. Yahagi quickly grew impatient considering the dire situation, which was only about to get worse. “Hurry it up! And keep your damn mouth shout!” ‘If Yahagi hadn’t taken over by remote Kerry would have been killed just now!’ “Incoming!” Erisia relayed to Yahagi, Akira’s Kampfer closing in to finish Kerry off. Akira grinned at the prospect of facing someone who could potentially match his skills. ‘Didn’t think he’d dodge… just who is this guy?’ “Now this looks like fun.” Akira fired a blast from his bazooka hitting the asteroid below them, the blast rocking both GMs from behind. Yahagi cursed as he lost focus of the Kampfer. “I can see it…!” Erisia moved quickly to counter Akira’s charge. Kerry screamed ineffectually, too frightened of the Kampfer to even move before curling up waiting for death to claim him as Akira had both his bazookas aimed to take out both GMs at once. ‘Distracted by the debris? And now you’re too slow. Die!” Right as Akira is about to blow them to smithereens a remote controlled GM trainer rams into him from behind, knock him off aim and both GMs out of his sights. ‘I couldn’t see it? Don’t get in my way!” Angrily Akira quickly turned and changed his target to the GM, blowing it back with one shot. “Sorry! All I could do was ram him by remote!” ‘Is that Erisia? When did she learn to do that? Never mind that, it’ll have to do!’ “Erisia! Take over Kerry’s suit! Put it on your main viewer!” “Instructor?” “Switching to secondary monitor” ‘A modified Kampfer… is this guy supposed to be a Newtype? ‘ “We’ll distract him, then take him out with Kerry’s suit!” [b][u]Outside Cluster 26, aboard Salamis[/b][/u] “Give me a status report” Forma demanded to the operator on one of the remaining Salamis’. “Yes Sir!” “Asu… A… na… El… ma… What… emer…cy… Asu… Respond! Asuna! Em…ency! Forma sighed before giving up on the hapless trainee. ‘This is pathetic… To think I got my hopes up for this…’ Other operators frantically reported the status of the battle to their respective commanders. “This is Salamis One! We need backup right now!” “One GM Trainer recovered. The student pilot is wounded.” “It’s too risky to abandon ship right now!” “Put everyone on standby!” Forma’s commander clenched his fist before striking his arm rest. ‘What kind of monster thought this up…!’