[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1bsXYWs.png[/img][/center]

It takes approximately five and a half minutes for Fiore to realize Cellica is missing.

At first, when the Gunner ran ahead, Fiore supposed she was just clearing the perimeter of any threats, but now it occurs to her that Cellica is nowhere to be seen. Even using her psychic drive doesn’t pick up any signals—Fiore could use her drone, but first, it seems logical to alert Tian-Gui to the Gunner’s disappearance.

[color=f00055]“Tian-Gui, can you recall which direction Cellica ran off to? She’s… gone. Let me see if I can contact her.”[/color] Switching on her communications device, however, makes no difference to the situation as Fiore is presented with nothing but static. 

Tian-Gui tried the comms as well, firing off a few messages before shaking his head. Beginner mistake, not testing the comms out before heading out first. [b][color=ed1c24]“She went forward,”[/color][/b] he replied, looking off to the buildings in the distance. [b][color=ed1c24]“Bring up the map and formulate a path based off her past movements, Fiore. We can probably figure it out from there.”[/color][/b]

The titan sucked in a breath. Slightly uncomfortable, but then again, better to share info than to not. [b][color=ed1c24]“I’ll go report to the Lieutenant about this.”[/color][/b]

[color=f00055]“Oh…”[/color] Fiore brings her hands up to her mouth, biting a nail nervously. What if Cellica gets lost? What if Cellica gets hurt!? [color=f00055]“You’re right. We should focus on finding her; the mission will have to wait.”[/color] 

Soon, however, it becomes obvious that Cellica is not the only thing the two have to worry about. Activating her mini-map, Fiore notices the three Invaders closing in around them; while it is lucky that she spotted them in advance, it doesn’t bode well to enter into combat without a full squad. 

[color=f00055]“Invaders coming from the south,”[/color] Fiore reports, setting a path towards where she hopes Cellica will be. [color=f00055]“We shouldn’t spend much time fighting. Cellica only has herself to rely on.”[/color] 

[b][color=ed1c24]“Lieutenant Isoshima, this is Tian-Gui Jian from Team Afterglow. We’ve lost contact with Cellica Karis, and will be moving to recover her.”[/color][/b] After that curt message, the armored Striker promptly lifted Fiore up onto his shoulder, turned to the direction that Cellica should have gone, and broke off into a run.

The Invaders were faster, for sure, and neither of them had access to ranged weaponry. And if that was the case...well, dude’s gotta do what a dude’s gotta do.

[b][color=ed1c24]“Guide me, Fiore. And give me a warning when those Invaders reach twenty meters of us.”[/color][/b]

[color=f00055]“R-right!”[/color] Despite feeling a bit like a sack of potatoes slung over somebody’s shoulder, Fiore closes her eyes and tries to concentrate, relying on her psychic drive to catch any relevant information.

[color=f00055]“There’s a shortcut through a bit of forest to the left! If you think you can avoid the trees, it could be something we could use to our advantage!”[/color] 

[b][color=ed1c24]“I’ll just charge straight through. Hold on tight!”[/color][/b]

Picking up the pace, Tian-Gui’s feet pounded through the ruptured terrain, his white mane glowing as psychic energy flowed through his body and empowered him. Behind, the Invaders, quadrupedal monstrosities of metal and flesh hummed ever more vibrantly, approaching closer with each step. And then, shifting his body so it was sideways, keeping Fiore away from the brunt of the branches, Tian-Gui rammed straight through. Leaves scattered and branches snapped against his titanic might, one hand shielding his Linker from flying debris, while the other swept around to rip trees out of his path, tossing them behind him in order to stall the Invaders. 

As for Fiore, squeezing her eyes shut and bracing for the impact that never came seemed like the best course of action. It’s only after the panic subsides that she can open her eyes and take stock of the situation, both of the invaders and of their current position. 

First: after being hit by the barrage of greenery, the invaders have sustained minor injuries, but more importantly, they’re angry.

Second: the first checkpoint is not too far from here, which could perhaps be used as a temporary safehouse.

Unfortunately, Fiore is so out of breath these facts come out in a series of gasps. 

[color=f00055]“S-station… Not far… They’re right behind us…!”[/color] [i]Please let Cellica be okay, please let her be close…[/i]

Crashing through the last few trees, Tian-Gui leapt up into the air and skid to a halt, armored boots leaving deep tracks through the grass and dirt. Still positioning himself sideways, the armored titan dug deep into his psychic powers once more as the Invaders caught up in no time at all.

They were angry and injured, no doubt ready to end it all, and the Striker was prepared as well. Blue eyes burned with resplendence as the quadrupedal mechs leaped up, and Tian-Gui’s voice matched their own siren cry in volume.

[b][color=ed1c24]“FLAMESTONE PHALANX!”[/color][/b]

An instant before the three monsters reached him, three golden crosses burst from the ground, skewering and then lifting them up into the air. Dark fluids ran down the aureate constructions as the Invaders struggled, but it was all for naught. Against a foe that specialized in pure brute force, a moment’s of mobility was fatal.

Tian-Gui reached out and, one by one by one, crushed their heads in his hands.

[color=f00055]“...”[/color]

[color=f00055]“...YEAAHHHH!”[/color] 

In an uncharacteristic move for the young woman, Fiore raises one fist, sucks in a deep breath, and screams as loudly as she can. Perhaps it was the adrenaline; perhaps Fiore had really lost her marbles. Either way, she throws her arms around Tian-Gui’s metal form for a quick and uncomfortable hug before slipping down, down, and down until her feet touch the ground. 

[color=f00055]“That was,”[/color] Fiore says, still trembling, [color=f00055]“pretty awesome. Are you hurt? Am I hurt?”[/color] Performing a quick checkup on herself, she finds nothing wrong and turns to survey the damage. [color=f00055]“Okay. O-kay. We should… go that way. Cellica must be nearby.”[/color]

Tian-Gui laughed at the display, his own merriment echoing through his grand helmet as he placed a hand over Fiore's head as well. It was a small victory, all things considered. His Psychic Drive would have allowed him the ability to handle more Invaders than just that, but the petite Linker's exuberance was infectious, and he couldn't help but feel pretty good about that minor fight. Brushing a twig out of her hair as she checked up on herself, the golden titan nodded at her words. [b][color=ed1c24]"I'll send out a global comm message. Maybe one of the other teams had spotted her."[/color][/b]

With that, he switched on his communications again, this time directing a message to all nearby Yamato students.

[b][color=ed1c24]"This is Tian-Gui Jian of Team Afterglow. Our Gunner, Cellica Karris, has gone missing. If you find her, check to see if her comms are working, and reply to us immediately. We will be heading to Point D-4 right now. Thank you, and have a nice day!"[/color][/b]