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The day hadn't been very exciting after that. Nothing put up as much of a fight as the centipede Warped. But maybe that was for the best. The boots on the ground didn't have the pilots' fancy toys or training. She had to give the average grunt some respect for going up against such deadly opponents with only traditional weaponry. She remained quiet until back to [i]The Horizon[/i], speaking only once she was in front of Yasuda. "Titania, the dance is over."

In a flash of light the Chi-Mechframe collapsed back to its bracelet mode, leaving Norika in the bodysuit from before. She let out a sigh, smiling at Yasuda. "New upgrade worked like a charm, Chiaki," she said. Chiaki smiled back, flashing an A-OK sign with her hands. "Almost felt like I was actually flying."

"Maybe sometime down the line," Chiaki said. "As much as I want to cram every single upgrade in there as possible, time and resources are a limiting factor. That and the general bureaucracy from the brass. If it doesn't benefit them directly, odds are they'll fight tooth and nail unless you can convince them that what you need is absolutely necessary."

"It's the end of the world," Norika huffed. "You'd think they'd quit sitting around with their thumbs up their arses."

"Some things refuse to die. Kind of like someone I know." Chiaki laughed, playfully punching Norika's shoulder. "Go get yourself cleaned up. You've earned it. Plus, I think there's some entrails in your hair."

Norika was disgusted to find that her mechanic friend was absolutely correct. She hadn't noticed in the thick of combat, but her hair was spattered with blood and gore from the Warped. She quickly returned to her quarters, changed out of her bodysuit, and showered until the hot water ran out. Once done she toweled off and dressed in an oversized hoodie and shorts before brushing her hair. She stopped when her stomach audibly growled at her. Norika had been distracted up until now, but she was starving.

She grimaced. That meant going to the mess hall where the others were. Norika sighed. No other choice. [i]Lord, I don't know if You still listen to us down here[/i], she quietly prayed, [i]but if you are, give me the strength to not try to kill any of my fellow Mechframe pilots.[/i] Norika took a deep breath and began heading towards the cafeteria.