Story Reader / Interlude / Treasure / Story
Despite some organizational hiccups, Construct Lucia passed all the required assessments.
Do you mean to send her into combat, sir?
Yeah.
That carries certain risks, sir. I'm sure with more observation...
We will never get real data if we don't deploy her. The Purifying Force exists for that exact eventuality.
Understanding that Nikola had his mind set, the technician shakes her head and pulls up a selection of Military Construct files on the terminal.
Understood. We're allocating new members to Gray Raven... Do you have any special considerations, sir?
A support-type is a must, and also an armored one... no, Kurono leadership can decide on the second member.
Kurono? Why's that?
Just to be fair. They may have their own considerations on who to pair up with Lucia.
Understood. I will send the files to your office once the team members are confirmed.
Work fast.
One day, in the halls of Babylonia
It was an important day. I felt my body tense and seize multiple times, as if I were an old machine with outdated servos.
It was all because of a message from Commandant several days prior.
After careful consideration from the Command Central, we have decided to replenish Gray Raven's ranks, and start preparations for combat operations.
Many more bureaucratic entries followed, but my attention was solely focused on the short, curt notice.
Two reinforcing teammates were coming over, both with groundside combat experience. That is to say, we were combat-ready.
I felt joy at the turn of events, but also worry about what Gray Raven would turn into.
—At least, I hoped history wouldn't repeat itself.
Just daydreaming here did me no good. At Commandant's reminder, I opened the office door.
I...
Two unfamiliar faces in the office turned towards me. Male, blue. Female, pink.
I was at a loss for words, but such was the first impressions I had of my new teammates.
The male Construct noticed me, but made no visible response, coolly appraising his surroundings.
The female Construct, however, kept fidgeting, shifting her position and posture. Whenever our eyes locked, hers would inevitably lower as her face reddened.
Two individuals, clearly different from me, but bursting with personality.
Commandant did not speak, and neither did they. I knew the burden of breaking the silence fell on my shoulders. If I didn't, Gray Raven would never spread its wings, and our story would never start.
So, I—
Hello, my name is Lucia, frame designation BPL-01, Lotus, also the team leader of Gray Raven—
I look forward to working with you!
I felt my M.I.N.D. destabilize as I spoke the words, even though no harm had come to me. I recognized the emotion as "embarrassment", but I resolved to finish the sentence nonetheless.
After the stiff greeting, I felt my respiration resume without realizing it had halted in the first place. As Commandant started clapping slowly in the doorway, I was reaffirmed that I had done the right thing.
Swept along by the emotions swirling in the office, the two Constructs spoke up. The male took the lead.
My name is Lee, frame designation BPN-06, Palefire.
My original team... is not important. I have been assigned to Gray Raven. Dual guns are my weapons of choice.
I am equally adept at strategic planning and close combat.
Lee, Palefire. The file identified him as an Attacker, same as me.
My turn... um, my name is Liv, Support Construct.
I came from Egret... my preferred weapons are levitated weapons platforms. I look forward to working together.
What about your version?
Oh... I'm sorry, designation BPN-08, Eclipse.
Though a bit shy, Liv nonetheless finished her introduction.
Egret, I see... the team well-known for their meticulous strategy...
Lee visibly fell into a short computational cycle, as if seizing on freshly-gathered intelligence.
Uh...
It only served to exacerbate Liv's restlessness.
Lucia, Lee, and Liv.
Those were our names.
Lotus, Palefire, and Eclipse.
The codenames given to our frames.
Katanas, dual guns, and levitating cannons.
The weapons we wielded.
This was the new Gray Raven.
