Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rewrite Underway - Chapter Completed 8-26-25

Super Earth. Our Home.

Prosperity. Liberty. Democracy.

Our way of life.

But freedom doesn't come free. It is every man, woman and child's duty to protect our home, our culture, and our families.

Why not make the most important decision of your life?

Make the safety of your family a personal responsibility!

And prove that you have the strength and courage to be free!

Join the HELLDIVERS!

Travel the galaxy! Visit the capitals!

Meet unusual people and represent the federation!

Secure the resources we need to preserve our way of life and create a future for Super Earth!

Spread managed democracy throughout the galaxy!

Become more than you are!

Become.

A Hero!

Become.

A Legend!

Become.

A HELLDIVER!

Aboard the Super Earth Ship -Hammer Of Democracy-

"Helldivers to Hellpods, repeat, Helldivers to Hellpods."

Our vessel stood just above the atmosphere of the planet Meridia in the Umlaut Sector, a once vibrant planet, now turned Terminid super colony. No one could have foreseen that these fascist bugs would develop a resistance, going so far as to thrive and evolve, following the deployment of the Termind Control System, much to the dismay of Super Earth Command and Super Earth scientists.

Following their unlawful, unprovoked and tyrannical assault of the planet, Operation Enduring Peace was green lit. This saw the Helldiver Corp deployed once more onto the planet. Only this time, not to save it, but to ultimately destroy it. The Super Earth Armed Forces Command authorized the use of an exotic substance known to us as 'Dark Fluid'. This material, when massed in extremely large quantities, creates unstable gravitational singularities.

As such, in their infinite wisdom, SEAF Command sought out its use to collapse the planet into a black hole, thus destroying the planet, along with all the Liberty-forsaken bugs that inhabit it.

With a hiss, my 'B-01 Tactical' helmet locked into place, creating a complete seal with the body glove under my 'B-01 Tactical' armor. Ensuring nothing was out of place, I finished my equipment check as I moved over to the operation's room, cape fluttering valiantly in my wake as the Super Destroyer's 'Super Wind Simulator' gave a faint breeze. I strode towards my Hellpod, my boots latching onto the floor's restraints as the elevator lowered me into its hull.

Locking my SG-225 'Breaker' shotgun and P-19 'Redeemer' machine pistol onto the designated weapon rack, I strapped in for launch. Above me, the Hellpod seals itself, a steel plate with the Helldiver's insignia latched onto the entrance, ensuring a perfect seal.

This was a solo drop on my part. The Helldivers that preceded me all perished in their fight for Democracy and all that it stands for. Just before they could deploy the final injector, the cowardly bugs overwhelmed and massacred the heroic Divers.

As such, it was up to me to activate the final injector and extract.

The alarms blared as the Hellpod Launch System locked onto the chosen coordinates, an open patch of land not too far off from the designated Dark Fluid injection site.

"Launch initiated."

My body jerked in reaction as the shaped charges ejected my Hellpod from the Super Destroyer, the sensor suite coming to life as the main screen within connected to the camera's housed on the exterior, giving me a live feed of my descent to the planet.

As I approached the planet, something seemed to be... off.

Various portions of the planet uncovered by the unsightly spores in the atmosphere began glowing. Not in the same sense as light refracting off the atmosphere itself, but in a sort of alien purple glow. More alien than the detestable bugs.

It was more akin to the Dark Fluid containers used to fuel the injectors.

'Is it... working?' I thought to myself.

The unmistakable spatial distortions of FTL drives activating pulled my eyes away from the planet. Fellow Super Destroyers began pulling away from the planet.

'Strange, were they called back for another operation?' I understandably questioned, as there couldn't have been an any more important operation than the one straight from Super Earth.

I gazed back at the planet, the glowing more apparent, with the planet itself distorting. At various points of the atmosphere, dozens of Pelicans sped away in a frantic escape, as if fleeing from something.

The Hellpod's hull slowly heated upon entering the fringes of Meridia's atmosphere, obscuring the camera's view as the friction flames grew in intensity. Despite the vibrations getting increasingly louder, a dull hum pierced past the noise.

I frowned, my concerns steadily growing as I traversed the planet's spores. Finally steering clear, the planet's earth revealed itself. My jaw dropped, my concerns evolving into fear, then terror, as the ground below me caved into itself, as if something below was consuming the ground in a ravenous hunger.

I briefly entertained the thought that the Hive Lords, a dangerous foe from the First Galactic War, may have made a resurgence, characterized by their ability to terraform planets beneath the crust to create large hives and networks of tunnels.

But I inevitably shake off the thought, the brave Helldivers of the First War surely wiped them off the faces of all the planets they inhabited, so there was completely no way they could still exist. Super Earth High Command and its superiors never lie, after all.

If not that, then that would mean Operation Enduring Peace was working. How else was the planet slowly consuming itself, if not for the success of my fellow Divers engaging the Dark Fluid injectors?

A brief smile crosses me, but something heavy weighed down on the back of my mind. Something was definitely wrong, but what? We are winning, are we not?

I glanced back at the screen, my breathing stilled as I finally put two and two together. My heart sank to my stomach, I then realized that I was on a one-way ride towards the same planet we're collapsing.

Panic set in from all sides, my entire body tensed in fear as I approached.

'This is it... then.'

Realizing that there's no way out of this, I accept the fact that this is how I'm going out.

In one last act of patriotism, I looked ahead, steeling myself. As much as the Hellpod would allow, I stood up straight, my eyes locked onto the Super Earth insignia painted onto the inside of the hull.

I raised a fist and brought it down, giving one last salute as best I could, and with all my heart.

"For Super Earth."

A deep and stress-racked sigh escaped her lips.

The flipping of documents and the faint scratching of pen against paper could be heard as the desk jockey worked endlessly, yet futilely to defeat the proverbial mountain of paperwork that dominated a great portion of her desk.

As a universal constant, of course even dire straits could get much, much worse.

The documents she was signing off on were all complaints and requests, all of which could be traced back to the complete and utter disappearance of the General Student Council President.

Infrastructure damage of varying levels of severity.

Rampant crime and dissenting students.

Out-of-line PMCs and dubious corporations stepping in.

And to top it all, the dreaded Eden Treaty.

She felt like she was missing something, despite it all. Bringing her out of her stupor, her phone vibrated. Again, and again, and again.

Ah. That.

A sigh escapes her as she lifted her phone, the screen turning on at the motion. She watched in real time as the message notifications jumped from double, to triple digits, with the messages no doubt coming from the representative's downstairs waiting to talk her ears off.

'Seems like I can no longer stall for time...' She thought to herself.

Another sigh comes from her as she raised herself from her seat and strode towards the elevator.

With a ding, the doors slid open, revealing a standing mirror that reflected her disheveled appearance. A part of her couldn't care less, but as it were, her current standing couldn't -wouldn't let her. After fixing up her clothes and hair as best as possible, it was time to face the music. Hesitation held her hand back from selecting the ground floor, but she pushed forward, the doors sliding closed at her order.

In bated breath, she watched as the LED screen counted down the floors before finally...

DING.

The doors opened once more, revealing the lobby she's seen so many times before, but never before dreaded it so much. She took a step out and waited.

And waited. She raised a brow. Perhaps they left?

Then she closed her eyes, that same hope fading as quickly as it came as numerous footsteps could be heard approaching her. And fast.

"Acting President! There you are!" A purple haired girl called out to her.

Her still closed eyes twitched incessantly before opening them and adopting a customer service smile. Then she turned to face her.

"Ah, Hayase-san." She spoke as she eyed the rest of the girls. "Might you need something of me?" The Acting President continued, speaking in a manner that befitted the title.

One of the others stepped forward. "Ah, I too require your attention." She spoke, her jet-black wings that flanked her sides fluttering slightly.

Then another. "I've come on the behalf of the Prefect Team, Acting President. We have urgent matters that must be discussed with the General Student Council President." This one blonde, with a hefty and large bag strapped over her shoulder.

The Acting President felt a twinge of annoyance, but she had to remain calm and collected.

"I'm afraid you will have to wait. There are matters here at the General Student Council that too need facing."

Yuuka groaned. "Is that all you can say?" She asked in annoyance as she crossed her arms. "Not only with Millenium, for all schools- in fact- you've been saying the same thing and brushing us off!"

Black Wings nodded. "I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Yuuka, Acting President. We've been patient as long as possible, but with how fast Kivotos is deteriorating..." She pursed her lips. "Something must be done."

Blonde Hair chimed in as well as she nodded. "Yuuka and Hasumi are correct, Acting President, the situation with the PMC's in the area, as well as the local gangs is getting out of hand. They've begun raiding a multitude of districts across Kivotos, and our forces, as well as those of other schools, are spread thin."

The Acting President nodded. She was all too familiar with what the representatives said. After all, she has to deal with the aftermath of every single incident that has occurred via paperwork. And those were only the ones that managed to be reported.

She grimaced, but they were right, something needs to be done, and done fast. She remembered that the GSC President had left a letter stating that an adult male, with the requisite skillset, would come in and assist with the dealings of Kivotos. That also included dealing with the rapid deterioration of schools and the suppression of the multitude of gangs and PMC's.

'But where are they?' She questioned.

If they were to appear, now would be a great time for them to show up. Any later and there likely wouldn't be a Kivotos to repair.

With a sigh, she turned around and walked towards the lobby window to gaze at the city.

"H-hey!" Yuuka called out. "We're still talking here!"

The Acting President shook her head. "Indeed, and the interaction can still be held. I'm simply looking out the window."

Hasumi raised a brow then shrugged, joining the Acting President as she took to her side.

Blonde Hair followed suit next, with Yuuka joining in after making a complaint.

Holding my salute, I waited for the embrace of death to take hold of me, hoping that once I pass into the black hole, it would at least be quick.

And waited.

And... waited?

Slowly, I lowered my arm as confusion set in. By this point, I should be dead, no? I leaned in closer on the hull of the pod, the deafening hum from before no longer emanating past the walls of my supposed coffin.

I raised a brow as I reached for the console that controlled the pod's external camera. After trying it a few times, with each attempt bearing no effect, I conclude that whatever's going on outside, it busted the camera.

'Does that mean I'm inside the black hole?' I thought as I put a hand to my chin.

Contemplating my situation, I assume that I'm likely within the black hole. The most confusing part about this is the fact that I'm not dead... yet.

I mull over my situation, my thoughts going in circles between the collapse of the planet, the supposed result of a black hole, and my- perhaps delayed- death.

The welcoming chime of a Super Earth Public Service Announcement pierced the veil, the unexpectedness of the sound causing me to whip my head into the side of the hull.

A slight smile crosses me, despite it all. With instilled discipline and order, I watched the announcement.

Then the smile gradually faded off my face, as instead of a Ministry of Truth mandated broadcast, it confusingly revealed the confines of an old Super Earth monorail. The camera then panned over a woman who sat alone within the car. She wore a pure white uniform, her similarly shaded hair with blue highlights flowing past her shoulders. She sat on a bench that lined across the monorail's wall, a window behind her revealing a beautiful blue sky.

Contrasting it all was the gunshot wound she had sustained to lower abdomen. Blood trailed down from the site of injury, staining her otherwise pure white uniform and pooling below her.

Out of reflex, I reached for my stims housed to my side. My hand gripped one of the devices, only to have my movements be stopped by the confines of the Hellpod, the swift action causing me to slam my elbow into the hull. I winced as I holstered the stim, resigning myself to watching on in confusion and concern.

A few more moments passed before the woman began talking.

"It was all my fault." She began.

I raised a brow, my face obscured behind my 'B-01 Tactical' helmet.

Her facial expression was somehow serene... calm. As if she hadn't been shot.

"My decisions, and everything they caused."

"It had to come to this for me to finally realize that you were right all along..."

She raised her head, eyes seemingly locked onto me. "So forgive me for being so bold, but I must ask for your help."

'Is she... talking to me?'

"You'll forget these words, but it won't matter."

"I believe what matters most are the choices we make, not the experiences we have."

"There are choices only you can make."

A small smile appears on her face, but that's all I can make out, her eyes thoroughly obscured by her hair.

"I didn't truly understand it then, but now I do."

"Adulthood, responsibility, obligation... and the choices you make that extend beyond those ideals."

"I even understand their implications."

"..." She paused, as if contemplating the rest of her words.

"Therefore, Sensei..." She continued, her voice more resolute.

"...you're the only one I can trust."

"Only you can free us from this twisted, distorted fate..."

"...And find the choices that will lead us to a new reality."

"So, Sensei. Please..." She trailed off as the screen eventually faded to black.

'What in Lady Liberty was that?' I questioned as I tried the screen once more, though to no avail.

Then the pod began vibrating once more.

I looked down at the pod, concern welling up within me as the pod creaked and groaned as if re-entering atmosphere. The screen flickered back to life, my head shooting back up in reaction. Each new development caught me off guard, but none so much as the camera revealing what looked like to be urban cityscape.

My mouth parted in awe and relief. Relief that I'm somehow no longer in a black hole. Which then led me to begin questioning why that's the case, but I shake the thought. Looks like Lady Liberty deemed it wasn't my time to die yet. Steeling myself, I watched the screen as I rapidly approached the urban landscape, my drop steadily closing in on a street next to a large office building.

"...So, what're we looking at?" Yuuka questioned, staring at the passersby as they walked towards their destination.

The Acting President nodded slowly. "Just... reminiscing." Her tone switched to a lower note. More somber. "Of a better time."

Yuuka grimaced, she found it tough to give a snarky remark given the Acting President's tone, but she still had problems back home that required a response.

"When will we be able to talk face to face with the President? I understand that matters are difficult here at the Council, but any further delays to a response will be detrimental." Hasumi spoke up, her arms crossed, though with difficulty as her bosom proved to be a large obstacle for the action.

The Acting President glanced to her sides, meeting the eyes of the representatives. Finally, with a sigh, she decided that it would be best to let them know.

"Unfortunately... none of you will be able to meet with the President." She finally said.

They all groaned, understandably, as they've been hearing the same response, simply gilded differently every time they asked. The three girls walked back, forcing the Acting President to turn around away from the window.

"Hayase-san, Hanekawa-san, Hinomiya-san." The Acting President calmly said.

Confused at their names suddenly being dropped, they glanced at each other before looking back at her.

"The truth is... she's missing."

They all went slack jawed.

She held her head low, of course they'd act that way, the only person with the power to fix all of this was gone, and not a single trace of her or where she might have gone to be found.

"I understand that you all may be deeply shocked, but that is the truth." She huffed. "Honestly, we have searched high and low, but-" She cut herself off as she looked back up at the girls.

She raised a brow as she was confused as to why they still had their mouths open.

'Surely the President being missing isn't THAT much of a shock, is it?' She questioned.

She's about to speak up before realizing that they weren't looking in shock at her, but rather at something out the window. Turning around, she gazed out the window.

Then she dropped a jaw of her own.

Outside the window was a rapidly approaching object, whatever it is, was burning as it pierced the air, smoke trailing the object as it burnt in atmosphere.

"Is that a meteor!?" Yuuka yelled as she pointed at the object.

Chinatsu pushed up her glasses as she stared at the object in awe. "I've never seen one enter Kivotos like this..."

"Is it... approaching us?" Hasumi asked in some fear as the 'meteor' grew in size as it blazed through the air.

Narrowing her eyes, the Acting President leaned in closer to get a better view.

Then her eyes went wide.

"Everyone, get back from the windows!" She yelled as she turned around and ran deeper into the lobby.

The girls didn't argue, instead heeding her words and removing themselves from the window. They ducked behind a couch, bracing for impact.

The collision of the meteor shook the ground, the vibrations intense enough to be mistaken for an earthquake. With the sheer force of impact shattering the nearby windows, the girls cried out in fear and confusion, glass shards ripping into the couch as they ducked down harder. As the noise died down, confusingly, they could've sworn they heard the popping of some sort of seal, like a mason jar losing its lid. But much, much louder.

Which is odd, how and what-

"Democracy Has Arrived!"

Engaging the air brakes, I took control of the Hellpod's steering controls and angled my drop vector towards the tall office building. Wherever I was, assumedly one of Super Earth's colonies, getting in contact with my Super Destroyer, or better yet, S.E.A.F Command was my first course of action.

With my course set, I braced for impact.

THOOMP

The Hellpod adjusted to absorb most of the impact, the shock gel doing its job and redirecting the force of impact into itself. I knocked on my helmet, the sudden shift from moving at a few hundred meters a second to zero still affecting me. Shaking the lead out, I reached for the hatch release lever above me.

With a pull, the steel lid flew through the air, the hermetic seal undoing itself with a loud pop, revealing a bright blue sky... with a multitude of haloes populating it. I stared at the sight for a few seconds before shaking my head.

'On a mission.' I reminded myself as I reached for my weapon rack, grabbing my P-19 'Redeemer' machine pistol and holstering it, as well as my SG-225 'Breaker' shotgun and attaching it to my chest plate's sling.

Pressing the button that activated the pod's elevator, I'm slowly raised up and out of the pod, the restraints simultaneously unlocking my feet.

Lifting up my shotgun, I can't help but say-

"Democracy has arrived!"

I stepped off the Hellpod, beginning my mission with a brief scan of my surroundings. The vast urban-scape surrounded me, the buildings- of old design- yet still human. Though not of pre-fabricated hulls and 3D printed concrete, it was all definitely human.

As it should be.

Out of habit, I loosened a strategem beacon from its holding. Strategem Command Terminal at the ready, I inputted the requisite code for a resupply pod.

'Down Down Up Right.' I repeated in my mind.

'Supplies, can never have too much of it.'

I reeled my arm back, ready to throw it before stopping myself. I brought it to my face. It was working as intended. Why was it working as intended?

The beacon glowed a bright blue, signifying that it is loaded with a support strategem.

I wasn't surprised that it was working as intended, I was surprised that it was even working, given that I should be Liberty knows where in the galaxy.

Curiously, I tossed the beacon, the ball rolling a few meters before coming to a stop. Three stabilizing feet shot out of it, before shooting a bright blue pillar of light into the sky. I followed the light all the way up, staring as it pierced the air and into space. Usually, it takes around eight or so seconds for the resupply drop pod to come down, so I take a few steps back, in case that it does come down.

'One, two, three...' I counted off in my head as I continued staring into the sky.

'...Nine, ten, eleven...' I grimaced. Looks like I was on my own.

I glanced back at the beacon, the device still shining its pillar of light. A sigh escapes me as I crouched down, extending a hand out to grab and deactivate the beacon. My hand pauses, the beacon shutting down on its own as it read my mind.

Still, I grab the beacon. Who am I kidding, of course this wouldn't work-

My eyes go wide as I hear the all too familiar reverberating punch of a high velocity object piercing the atmosphere.

A Hellpod.

I dove forward, narrowly avoiding being splattered across the asphalt as the Hellpod pierced the ground, cracking the road open under it. I picked myself up, dusting myself off as I stared at the pod in a newfound awe. The resupply pod went through its normal operation, popping the steel plate and extending the elevator upward, revealing its Democratic payload in the form of four resupply boxes, each containing a fresh supply of ammunition, stimulants, grenades and additional beacons.

I stared not in awe for it working as intended. I stared in awe solely for its existence. If additional Hellpods are being launched, that means there's a Super Destroyer. If there's a Super Destroyer, that means it's in low orbit.

Frantically, I raised my right wrist, accessing the communication unit in hopes of hailing the Super Destroyer that may or may not be in orbit.

"This is Sergeant Allen Hicks of the SES Hammer of Democracy, do you read me?" I say- practically crying- into my comms unit.

PSSSSSSSSSSSSH

I'm met with static.

So I try again.

"I repeat. This is Sergeant Allen Hicks of the Super Earth Armed Forces, current Helldiver heading the SES Hammer Of Democracy, how copy?"

PSSSSSSSSSSSSH

I placed a hand on top of my helmet, my gloves creaking slightly under the pressure I'm applying. I exhaled. It's either my comms is busted, or- though highly unlikely- theirs is. A third option crept up in the back of my mind.

'Perhaps something bigger is up...'

Right now, I'm banking on the first two. More realistic. More believable. More... repairable.

At the very last moment, I caught the tail end of multiple sets of feet stomping my way. A short curse towards myself rings through my head, how could I allow myself to be caught off guard-

"Hands where I can see them!" A female voice yells out, presumably at me.

I turn in the direction of the voice to see four young women, each holding a firearm with their barrels trained on me.

"Don't do anything funny!" The purple haired girl yelled. She wielded a short barreled weapon, a submachine gun, given its short size and slim magazine.

Barring the- to me at least- odd choice in clothing, what threw me off was what hovered above their heads.

They have haloes.

'Am I in Super Heaven?'

Chapter Text

Rewrite Underway - Chapter Completed 8-28-25

The Helldiver Corps.

Humanity's Last Line of Offense.

Though an elite fighting force made up of the best Humanity has to offer, they are few in comparison to the many enemies of Super Earth and her three tenets.

Prosperity.

Liberty.

Democracy.

As such, the Helldiver Corps is equipped with the best possible armaments Super Earth engineers and scientists could come up with.

Enter,

The Strategem.

The most powerful piece of equipment at the Helldiver Corps disposal, a single use costs up to what a single Super Earth Citizen makes in a year.

That is why they are the sole user to be entrusted with such a powerful piece of equipment.

Upon entering the requisite code, the Helldiver will then throw a beacon, lighting up the area where the Super Destroyer in low orbit will launch the chosen strategem.

Be it an Orbital Precision Strike, sending Democracy in the form of an explosive payload sizing three-hundred-and-eighty-millimeters,

The mighty Orbital Laser, immolating anything under its powerful gaze,

Or a quick and true Orbital Railcannon Strike, its precision infallible and power unmatched,

A Helldiver may be outnumbered, but they are never outgunned.

Caught in a standstill, I use the momentary lull to take stock of the situation. Currently, four young women armed with various makes of firearms, of various calibers, of various historical periods. Some of which shouldn't even exist anymore.

Barring that, there's something far more glaring that took my attention away.

Haloes.

I've only ever seen them in old depictions of angels from the back when times, where they were used to reflect purity and all that is good. But they were just that.

Depictions.

I rubbed my helmet's visor. This was no depiction.

But they were undoubtedly human... despite the minute physical discrepancies.

Remembering what I read in the standard issue Super Earth Primer for when deploying onto Super Earth colonies, I assumed the picture-perfect role of a Helldiver. Dropping my 'Breaker', its sling is pulled taut as I balled my hands into fists, placing them onto the sides of my hips before striking a pose, my head angled towards the sky.

"Fear not citizens of Super Earth!" I exclaimed, garnering bewildered looks from them.

I then gave my strongest salute. "For the Helldivers are here!"

Continuing their stares, they lower their guns. Less out of trust, more out of bewilderment.

I dropped my salute and entered parade rest. "Now then, fair citizens of Super Earth, would any of you kindly direct me towards the closest Super Earth Armed Forces Depot?" I then perked my head up.

"Better yet! Please direct me towards the closest Democracy Officer's office!"

Again, they cast askance glances my way.

"...Er, what?" The Purple Haired girl asked, confusion plastering her face as she stowed her submachine gun.

The girls give each other another glance before nodding, stowing their firearms.

"I'm... a bit confused, to say the least, did you say..." The tall one with black wings and a Lady Liberty-endowed chest began. "Did you say Super Earth?"

I raised a brow. "Indeed ma'am." I answered, skepticism on my side growing as well. Why would she question about Super Earth?

Another took a step forward before pushing up their glasses. Judging from her white uniform, she must be an officer... though not one I'm familiar with.

"That aside..." She glanced at the Hellpods. "You... you came out of that?"

I nodded. "Yes ma'am..." I trailed off. Under my helmet, my own confusion grew, thankfully obscured by my helmet.

For whatever reason, they aren't familiar with Hellpods, and by extension Helldivers given their response.

But by Democracy, they questioned Super Earth!

By all accounts, that is treason of the highest degree to be met with reeducation of the highest order.

But...

I glanced around.

The haloes.

The old style of construction.

The dated firearms, even predating the First Galactic War.

The lack of Ministry of Peace mandated S.E.A.F security and the glaring lack of Helldiver Recruitment paraphernalia.

Worse yet,

Not a single Super Earth flag in sight!

I must be very far from Super Earth and her colonies.

I'm brought back down from my thoughts as they continued their questions.

"If you came from that..." This time the blonde haired one asked. "Does that mean you came from the sky?"

A smile formed under my helmet.

'If they lacked the knowledge, all I have to do is teach them!'

"Yes ma'am, though it's a little more nuanced than that. While I did come from the sky, where I started, I was a little bit higher than that."

The gears in her head turned before her eyes widened. "No way..." She muttered before raising her voice. "Space!?"

The rest recoiled in shock before turning their heads towards me.

I began nodding. "You are correct, ma'am." I straightened my posture. "I am Sergeant Allen Hicks of the Helldiver Corps, current Helldiver to be heading the Super Earth Ship, designated Super Destroyer-Class vessel, Hammer of Democracy."

It took a few moments for them to digest my words.

"You say you are a... Helldiver, Mister Hicks?" The tall one in glasses asked.

I nodded. "Yes ma'am, though you can drop the 'Mister', Allen or Hicks works just fine."

She nodded in turn. "Then, Allen, might I ask what brings you to our... planet?" She asked as she turned to her compatriots, who shrugged in response.

"I'm afraid that is classified, ma'am. Any and all mission details are only to be viewed by the Helldiver and their Command. No what's, if's or but's."

She gives me a worried look, but doesn't press any further. "Then..." She stopped before sighing. "...Then, might I ask if you have met our General Student Council President?"

The rest of the girls give her a confused look.

"General Student Council President?" I asked, and Student Council? You're telling me I landed in the middle of a school that has students with guns?

Y'know what? Maybe this place may have a few things in common with Super Earth.

She nodded. "Yes... white hair with blue highlights, an aloof demeanor." She chuckles at that bit. "And she wears a white uniform, not too dissimilar to mine."

As she said that last part, I flinched, which she took notice of very perceptively.

"Have you seen her?" She asked, her voice more resolute.

I lowered my head before shaking it, then raising it to meet her eyes. "That I did, ma'am, though not face to face. Somehow, she had gained access to the communications unit within my Hellpod." I nodded my head back towards said pod.

Her eyes light up. "Then-!" She cut herself off. "-Then does that mean you are the new 'Sensei' we are expecting?"

I raised a brow. "...I'm not sure I would fit the bill of what a 'Sensei' is, ma'am. But she did say that a few times my way."

She clasped her hands together, a bright smile on her face. "Then Allen-Sensei! We have a lot to do!"

Purple Hair looks my way. "You're telling me this adult is Sensei?"

The tall one with the wings gave me an appraising look. "So it would seem."

The blonde hefted the large bag strapped over her shoulder. "Don't worry Sensei, we'll help you the best we can."

I dropped out of parade rest, something very uncharacteristic of me. "Now hold on there, ma'am." I raised my hand. "If memory serves me right, 'Sensei' is a term synonymous with... teacher, correct?"

She nodded.

"I don't know if you can tell-" I knocked on my chestplate. "-But last I checked my credentials, teaching wasn't one of them."

She placed a hand on her chin. "Here in Kivotos-" I raise a brow, I suppose that's the name of this planet. "Sensei's aren't limited to just teaching. While yes, giving lessons is a core part of what makes them a 'Sensei', they are much more than just that."

She placed her arms to her sides, the air around her changed. "They are ready to lend a hand to those that need it. They stand as a beacon for those lost and without light."

"Sensei's... are a lot more than just teachers."

I lifted my head. Now that, is Helldiver worthy.

I stood back in parade rest, her speech reminding me what it means to be a Helldiver. As much as we are a weapon against the terror, under all of our weapons, our armor, we are still human.

And that is our strongest weapon.

"Well then, ma'am." I say, straightening my stance. "Looks like I've just received a new mission directive."

Her eyes light up. "Does that mean-!?"

"Easy there ma'am, I don't know much about this teaching business, but I know one thing for sure, us Helldivers were born and trained to help and defend humanity, against any and all threats. Domestic and otherwise." I panned my head across, getting a good look at all the girls.

"I'll be damned if I refused to help out my fellow man." I coughed. "Fellow woman." I corrected.

They all give me a smile.

"Well then, Allen-Sensei." She grinned. "It's time to get to work."

I nodded. "Born ready."

Following our... little briefing, so to say, we settled on regrouping within their headquarters. Henceforth referred to as the 'General Student Council', it came to me as a mighty large coincidence that I happened to land here of all places. Regardless, until I find a way to contact my Super Destroyer- or better yet- Command, I'd best lend a hand when I can.

Starting with...

Gathering the supply boxes, I hefted them up as they led me into the GSC Building. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that it belonged to one of the Ministry's departments, given the grandiose construction and near spotless walls of windows. With it's relatively more advanced construction, it stands out in comparison to its surroundings. Perhaps by design.

"Say, Allen-Sensei..." Purple Hair- no, Hayase Yuuka? Yuuka Hayase? Either way, Yuuka asked as she pointed at the bright yellow boxes."

"Yes Cadet Hayase?" I answered.

"Cadet?" She shook her head. "Anyways, what're in those boxes?"

"These here are resupply boxes, gathered from that Hellpod that dropped not too long ago." I hefted the boxes, emphasizing the statement.

"Each box contains around a half supply of a Helldiver's given equipment of ammunition, grenades, stimulants and beacons."

She stared at the boxes with a raised brow. "Hmm."

"They're kinda small though, how do they contain all that equipment?"

I nodded. "Each box is tailor made to the Helldiver that is deployed on the mission, as much as possible, at least."

"Given that there's four boxes, a full deployment of a Helldiver squad composes of four Divers, meaning each receives a box with their tailor-made resupply."

I turn my head to look at her as we walked. "Though that doesn't mean that other Divers are unable to make use of other boxes. When the need arises, a good Diver knows when to make full use of everything available."

She nodded, assumedly receiving my explanation well.

"Then, Sensei, might I ask why you are referred to as a Helldiver?" Hanekawa Hasumi asked as she strode to my side.

"Ah, I was wondering when I was going to be asked that." I cleared my throat, adopting my best presentation voice.

"Helldivers are the best of the best... of the best." I began, a sharp grin on my face, obscured by my helmet. "Helldivers are the scalpel to the hammer that is the Super Earth Armed Forces. They are the elite used for deep strikes behind enemy lines to disrupt, destroy and distract key targets. They are the first to drop and the first to fight, and with their expertise do they soften up our enemies to be crushed under the SEAF Army."

"...What?" Hinomiya Chinatsu asked, confusion laden on her face.

"To put it bluntly then..." Yuuka began. "...You're special forces? For your planet's military."

I pursed my lips. "That is putting it extremely bluntly." I say as we passed into the building's doors. "But yes, the Helldiver Corps is Super Earth's special forces."

Setting down the supply boxes, I stood at parade rest again, awaiting orders from my new... temporary command... for however long that temporary is.

"What are my orders, Commander?" I asked Nanagami Rin.

She recoiled in surprise at the sudden promotion. "C-commander?" She shook her head. "N-no, I'm nothing like that."

She cleared her throat. "For now, I'll be giving you the rundown of current events here in Kivotos."

I nodded. "Please proceed."

She exhaled deeply. "For starters, Kivotos is teetering on the edge of complete destabilization."

That caught my attention.

Lifting up a tablet, she tapped away at it a few times before turning it over to me. Taking the datapad, I perused the briefing. Then I grimaced. Looks like wherever I go, there will always be the same enemies of humanity and her very way of life.

"Dissidents." I spat out.

They all give me a look, a mixture of confusion and fear.

"What?" She shook her head. "N-no, nothing as far as that."

I nodded. "I've seen my fair share of dissenters in my life, Commander, and they all do the same no matter what. Harm their fellow humans for their own ill begotten gain."

Her eyes narrowed. "While I don't disagree fully, I also do not agree with how you put it, Sensei." She looked me in the eye. "While their actions are harmful, they are still students- and will be treated and punished as such."

"Even if they are armed and fully capable of harm?"

She nodded. "Yes. Even if they are armed and fully capable of harm."

I exhaled as I relented. "Please continue, ma'am."

I garner looks among the girls, but they keep their words to themselves.

"...Continuing on, the gangs have taken control over the SCHALE club room."

'SCHALE.' I pondered the word. That sounds important.

"As long as they hold control over the club room, even if the GSC President were here, without the activation of the club, we will not be able to get anything done. Including the major and swift repairs needed across Kivotos."

Scratch that, extremely important.

"As such, now that we have Allen-Sensei here-" A hand is waved my way. "-We will be conducting an operation to retake the SCHALE club room and reinstate power to the GSC."

I nodded, so far so good and very reminiscent of what I do.

"Then, Commander, what's the operation's name?"

She raised a brow my way. "Sensei?"

"The operation name, every op needs a name so that it may be archived and studied."

Hasumi gives me a look. "Is that... how you do it on Super Earth?"

I nodded. "No matter how small the operation, there is always something to be studied and learned."

They pondered my words before nodding, coming to their own understanding.

"Anyhow..." Rin continued. "...The plan is to have a helicopter fly us in as close as possible, drop us off, and retake the club room."

"Frontal assault, I like it." I say subconsciously.

That gained me a few looks of disapproval.

I glance around before pointing at myself. "Oh, did I say that aloud?"

They continued their stares.

Rin then cleared her throat loudly. "Anyways, yes, unfortunately there are no openings for a quieter approach, so we have no choice but to hit them fast and loud."

"Wait a minute-" Yuuka spoke up. "-What do you mean 'we'?"

Rin smirked. "Well, Miss Seminar-"

"It's YUUKA!"

"-You've been badgering me to do something about our problems ever since the beginning, so here we are." She gave an evil grin. "Doing something."

Yuuka groans, but doesn't argue, instead crossing her arms and pouting.

"Does that include Chinatsu and I?" Hasumi asked, her wings fluttering as she spoke.

Rin nodded. "Yes, there are more than just a few undesirables between us and the SCHALE club room, so the assistance of the Justice Task Force and the Prefect Team will be greatly appreciated."

Hasumi smiled. "Very well then, consider me a part of this operation."

Chinatsu nodded. "If anyone gets hurt, I'll be there to patch you up!"

I nodded, that makes four. "Perfect, I'll make you all Helldivers yet!" I exclaimed as I looked at the girls.

Again, I receive more incredulous stares.

"Don't be like that Cadets! It's time to saddle up, we're hitting the SCHALE club room in-!" I paused as I turned towards Rin, who rolls their eyes.

"In around ten minutes, or until the helicopter arrives."

"-In ten minutes!"

Aboard the UH-60 Blackhawk, dubbed -Spear Of Liberty-

"Roll call!" I exclaimed into my helmet's comms suite, linked up to the headsets my squad was now wearing.

"H1! Sound off!"

"H-here, Sensei!" Yuuka yelped, startled by my sudden call.

"Wrong, Cadet Hayase! If and when we are deployed, you will refer to me as Sergeant or H4!"

She gives me a look of confusion.

"Again! H1! Sound off!"

"Here, Sergeant!"

I nodded. "H2!"

"Yesh, Sergeant!" Chinatsu replied, though having bit her tongue at the start.

"Close enough! H3!"

"Here, Sergeant!" Last, but most certainly not least being Hasumi.

"Good! We are locked and loaded Commander!"

Over the comms, I hear Rin groan before sighing. "...Of course, Sensei."

"Before we head out, there's one thing I have to let you all know before we deploy."

The trio glance at each other then back to me.

Yuuka spoke up first. "That would be, Sensei?"

"Since we are deploying as a squad of four, which is perfect, I might add, we require codenames for ease of callouts."

"Code... names?" Chinatsu questioned.

I nodded. "Yes, thankfully, the Helldiver's training manual had the perfect system when coming up with codenames."

"You take the first letter of your last name, and place the number of your position after it."

"Huh?" They all sound in unison.

"For example, you take my last name- Hicks- and my position, being the fourth of our squad, and combine it, making my codename 'H4'."

"Simple, clean, efficient and not to mention- fast." I leaned in closer.

Hasumi crossed her arms. "What does fast have to do with anything?"

I grinned. "Well then Cadet Hanekawa, looks like I have a lesson for you."

She raised a brow before looking at her fellow cadets, then back to me.

"One of the strongest selling points of the Helldiver Corps is their speed- the swifter, the better."

I got to my feet and began pacing, hands behind my back. "The faster a squad is, the slower the response of the enemy!" I raised a fist. "You hit them with the force of Democracy itself in one minute, and leave to decimate another force the next!"

I glance over at them, their eyes filled with awe and 'what is he talking about?'.

"Now then." I point at Yuuka. "Codename Cadet Hayase! What is it!"

"H-huh!?" The flustered student exclaimed.

"Too slow! You are H1 from now on!"

"W-what?"

I moved on. "Cadet Hinomiya! Codename!"

"E-er, H-H2?" She replied meekly.

I leaned down towards her. "With your chest Cadet!"

"H-H2! Sensei!"

I nodded before turning towards the final one. "Cadet Hanekawa!"

"H3! Sensei!"

"Good! You all are now one step closer to becoming Helldivers!"

Chinatsu began giggling, causing us all to look her way.

"What's so funny?" Yuuka asked, a smirk on her face.

"W-well, I just thought that all of our last names starting with 'H' was a funny coincidence."

"Liberty be damned." I laughed as I pointed at each of the girls. "Hinomiya, Hanekawa, Hayase-" I then jabbed a thumb at myself. "-Hicks."

"Short controlled bursts!" I yelled, raising my SG-225 'Breaker' shotgun, unloading the magazine of shells as fast as the weapon allowed, contrary to my words.

"RPG! RPG on the rooftop! Southwest!" Chinatsu pointed out, her Broomhandle pistol woefully outranged.

"H3!" I yelled, loading another magazine into my shotgun. "Take 'em out!"

"On it, Sergeant!"

Taking a knee, she mounted her rifle onto the opened doorway of the Blackhawk. Holding her breath, she steadied her heartrate. Just before the helmeted gang member could let loose a rocket, Hasumi pulled the trigger, her round piercing the ordnance, blowing up the unlucky bastard and anyone unfortunate to be nearby.

"Good shooting H3! Keep this up and you'll make Skull Admiral yet!"

She glances my way, confused. "S-Skull Admiral?"

The pilot then comm'ed in. "Sensei! The LZ's too hot, there's no way in heck I'll be able to land, let alone get remotely near the SCHALE club room!"

I grunt in response. "You hear that, Commander?"

"That I did, unfortunate, but I expected that." She huffs. "Pilot, get Sensei and his team as close as possible."

The pilot gives a thumbs up. "That I can do! Hold tight!"

Truth be told, I did have my reservations about shooting the denizens of Kivotos. Though I have faced many a dissident in my days as a Helldiver, it never gets easy, neutralizing and inevitably executing them.

The young.

The able-bodied.

The old.

Even here, in unknown lands where even Super Earth didn't have a modicum of influence, I still had reservations.

So, of course you'd be able to imagine my surprise as these girls- these students- willingly took up their arms and turned them towards their fellow students without a single ounce of hesitation.

Then pulling the trigger.

I fully expected casualties, for blood to be spilt on both sides.

Once the first rounds took flight, I readied my stims for use...

And when they impacted-

"OW THAT HURTS!" Yuuka exclaimed, rubbing her arm where she was hit. "Are they using jacketed hollow points!? That's cheating!"

I watched on in deep confusion, time seemingly slowing down as her hand left the site of impact. From that, it revealed no signs of injury. No signs of penetration. Not even a scratch on her jacket.

Hasumi sat down next to her in the Blackhawk, using her bolt-action rifle to return fire. "Calm down, Yuuka, and besides, hollow-points aren't illegal."

The "injured" in question dusted themself off. "Well, they're illegal at our academy starting right now!"

I watched slack jawed at the development, the girls casually talking about ammunition whilst "casually" being shot at.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Chapter Text

Rewrite Underway - Chapter Completed 9-1-25

Before a Helldiver becomes a Strategem-throwing ace, they are but a humble rifleman first, typically chosen from the ranks of the standard Super Earth Armed Forces Army. Those displaying exceptional skill, bravery- and above all, dedication to the cause, are then hand-picked to become Helldivers.

With further and specialized training, the newly-founded Helldiver is introduced to a much wider variety of armaments.

The primary, secondary and ordnance option of the Helldiver is wholly up to their choosing,

But the Helldiver is to ALWAYS be equipped with all three at all times.

Standard issue is as follows:

The AR-23 'Liberator' -  Chambered in 5.5x50mm, the well-balanced cartridge is more than suited to take on the enemies of Democracy.  Reliable, Powerful. When there is a standard, there is the Liberator.

The P-2 'Peacemaker' -  Chambered in 9x20mm, it combines stopping power and nominal velocity, a balanced sidearm for all needs.  For when the encounter is closer than a Diver would like, or when reloading the Liberator is not possible, make peace with the fact with the Peacemaker.

The G-12 High Explosive Grenade - For when you need a hole in some armor fast. Lacks the shrapnel of its sister variants, but the punch it packs more than makes up for that. Rated to reliably damage armor that would otherwise require Anti-Armor hardware. Rounds out the standard-issue kit of a fresh Helldiver.

Similarly with their armor, standard issue is as follows:

The B-01 'Tactical' Armor Set - Rugged and Reliable, the armor is constructed with the same Titanium-A alloy of the Super Destroyer-class vessels. Lightweight in construction and protects the vitals and extremities. Perfect for anything a Helldiver will need to face.

The B-01 'Foesmasher' - Durable, waterproof and thermally lined, this cape was made to be worn by Heroes. Simplistic in design, but widely recognizable.

Simple armaments, but when in the hands of the Helldiver,

The many enemies of Super Earth tremble against their might.

"Touchdown!" The pilot exclaimed. "Hit it ladies!"

It was a by-the-book hot drop via helicopter. Though not of the same bravado or of the same level of cool that is cracking the earth beneath you with Hellpods, for all intents and purposes it sufficed.

"Time to move Divers!" I yelled as I hopped out first, sweeping the area of any hostiles.

One by one the girls filed out, with Yuuka exiting last.

With a minimal sweep of the area done, I slapped the side of the helicopter a few times, letting the pilot know she's good to go.

"Give me a call and I'll be right back, Sensei!"

I nodded. "Liberty be with you, pilot!"

From the cockpit, I could tell she gave me a weird look, but shrugged as she took off.

I signaled for my squad to form up. "Eyes up Divers, keeps those heads on a swivel. I'll be damned before I let a dissident get the drop on us!" I ordered as we moved down the street in a wedge formation.

Aboard the -Spear of Liberty-

"Alright Divers!" I exclaimed, catching the girls off guard again.

"Sen-" Yuuka cut herself off. "Sergeant! Will you please stop yelling into your microphone?"

If looks could kill.

I cleared my throat. "A-apologies H1." I looked at all the girls. "I just wanted to ask what each of you brings to the table."

"Are you referring to our abilities?" Hasumi asked.

I nodded. "Yes, if the Commander entrusted this mission to you all as well, your skillsets must be something to behold."

That, and I couldn't exactly believe the details Comma- Rin- divulged to me. Within a dossier provided to me, it outlined the fine details of my squad. From armaments, to which... academy? they attended, their current academic standing and all the boring school jargon you could come up with.

Heads and shoulders above it all was their abilities. Abilities. Not physical or mental capabilities, but some sort of advanced phenomena unique to them. Anywho...

A faint blush crept up Yuuka's face. "F-flattery won't get you anywhere!"

We all give Yuuka a look, causing her to blush even harder.

Hasumi coughed. "Anyways, I likely found myself in this position due to my skill with a precision rifle." She lifted her bolt action rifle. "Such as this."

I whistled. "I'll say, you taking out that RPG on the roof while we were in the air is more than commendable."

Her wings fluttered as she accepted the compliment. "Thank you, Sergeant."

Chinatsu raised her hand. "I was probably picked for my medical skills." She then lifted the strap of her bag, likely containing all of her first aid supplies.

I nodded. "Medics, the angels of the battlefield, always happy to have one such as yourself on the team."

She smiled. "Of course, Sen-Sergeant!"

We all turned our heads towards the now no longer flustered student. "H1?" I asked.

"H-huh?" She exclaimed as she turned her head.

"Your skillset, if you would please." I gestured for her to go on.

"O-oh." She shuffled in her seat. "W-well..." She trailed off as she dug into her jacket pocket.

She then produced a small device and shook it.

"Apart from my amazing ability to calculate numbers swiftly-" She began tapping at the small device quickly. "I can also do this!"

As she lifted the device to show it off, a blue shimmering light encapsulated her. Upon closer inspection, one could make out the faint outlines of hexagons interlocking to form a barrier around her.

"Is that...?" I trailed off as I placed a hand onto the barrier, my hand producing a ripple as it rested on it. "You have a personal shield generator?"

She gives me a half yes, half no look. "Kind of, yes. This small device not only handles calculations, but the Engineering Club have also fitted it with a device that can generate a barrier, granted the correct inputs are used."

I raised a brow, looks like technology here is on a sort of sliding scale. On one side, we have extremely dated weaponry used on the field, on the other, we have shield generators that fit into your pockets.

I hummed positively. "Looks like you've signed yourself up to head the front with me, H1!"

"E-eh!?"

Maintaining formation, we kept our weapons ready as we strolled down the street towards the SCHALE club room. Apart from the odd gunshot or explosion far off in the distance, our surroundings were eerily quiet. My eyes maintained watch over the numerous buildings and storefronts that lined the street. Hundreds of windows with perfect sight-lines over the entire street. And we're in the middle of it.

I shuddered. The sunlight glared off the surface of the windows, obscuring whatever's on the other side. If there's a bad actor behind any of them, we'd be none-the-wiser until it's too late.

"It's quiet." I muttered, my eyes going for the rooftops, another oversight on my end.

"Too quiet."

In the corner of my eye, I catch the glint of a sniper's scope, one contact on the rooftop of a hab-complex.

"HIT THE DECK!"

I dove backwards, twisting my body around, 'Breaker' at the ready with its barrel in the general direction of the sniper. My back hits the ground, and with my free hand I jabbed it towards their position. I depress the trigger, my shotgun barking as twelve-gauge buckshot is sent down range, painting the roof they occupied with shells.

"Sniper up top! Follow my shells and give 'em hell, girls!"

Suppressing them under the hail of shells, I ordered my squad to push up, grabbing space to allow Hasumi to take a shot unimpeded. She pushed up behind Yuuka and Chinatsu, lowering herself into a crouch as she steadied her aim. I watched as she lined up the shot, her crosshairs lined up onto the concrete wall, presumably where the enemy sniper sat.

One trigger pull was all it took for her to take them down, the single round fired piercing- no- shattering the concrete. The wall broke apart, and behind it laid the dissenting sniper, knocked out cold. Hasumi stood back up and flicked her hair back, her bolt-action rifle resting on her shoulder.

She gave me a smile. "Sniper's down for the count."

I blink a few times.

'Dossier doesn't do her justice.' I comment within the confines of my mind.

I nod her way. "Good shooting, H3, keep that up and you'll make General Brasch blush."

Following the scuffle, the loud interaction attracted more trouble as a new posse of dissidents made their presence known, shouting and yelling with the odd round flying through the air. My squad ducked down into cover, more rounds sporadically flying through the air, whizzing and cracking the entire way.

"Sergeant!" Yuuka called as she put down some fire. "We have some more gang members inbound!"

Diving into cover behind a wrecked car next to her, I tossed away an empty mag before slamming another into my 'Breaker'.

"What I wouldn't do for some air support!" I exclaimed as I brought myself over the car, moving forward and shelling the dissenting students, knocking them out cold.

As I thought, I wasn't seeing things when their haloes disappeared from sight once they took enough damage. I swing my 'Breaker' around, knocking away the rifle barrel of a zealous student, eager to put a few rounds in me. Another swipe of my gun-stock knocks it out of her hands. She hesitates. But I don't, the barrel of my shotgun leveled with her head. One shell later, another dissident hits the ground.

Still irks me I'm shooting children, but at the very least, no one's dying.

"Hold on, Sergeant! You're pushing up too far!" Yuuka yells out.

Her concern doesn't reach me as another thought occupied my head.

'Wait a minute... SWEET LIBERTY!'

Bringing up the strategem terminal on my left wrist, I grabbed a beacon with the other before inputting a pattern.

'If it worked with the supply strategem, maybe...'

'Right Right Up.'

The beacon whined as it took up an angry red visage. A form of strategem seen so many a time, yet never before welcomed so much.

I grinned. "Fingers crossed girls!" I yelled as I threw the beacon as far as I could into enemy lines.

Within that same instance, one of the dissidents laying down fire swung her submachine gun in my direction, rounds haphazardly sprayed across the battlefield. Unluckily... or luckily, depending on who you ask, one of those rounds rips into my arm. I feel it tear through and-

"SWEET LIBERTY, MY ARRRRM!"

"Sensei!?" My squad exclaimed as they promptly gunned down the perpetrator.

I planted my back against a ruined car, arm held up to inspect the wound. Miraculously, the bullet had evaded any and all portions armored, leaving a rather nasty wound on my forearm. It's a clean wound, having entering and exiting neatly, but the amount of blood leaving me was profuse.

As with all wounds incurred on the field, I resorted to my training as a Helldiver, staying calm, assessing the damage, and reaching for a stim. Before I could enact that last step, though, Chinatsu rushed over, both hands latched onto that over-sized bag of hers.

"Sensei!" She exclaimed, her eyes locked onto my wound.

She crouched to my side, hands shakily reaching for mine. I reel it back, sucking in air as pain shot through my arm.

"Hold on there, H2." I ordered, wincing slightly. "Don't want to get my blood on your hands."

She looked at me and shot back. "Nononono, that's the least of my worries, you've been shot!"

Yuuka and Hasumi worked their ways to our position, their own weapons firing as they advanced.

"Chinatsu! How's Sensei looking!?" Yuuka asked, tossing an empty mag away before grabbing a fresh one from her jacket.

The medic shook her head. "He's hit! It's a clean wound, but the bleeding... it's not stopping!"

"I-I don't have the equipment to fix a wound of this severity!" She exclaimed, her voice shaky.

Despite their protestations of me moving, I couldn't help but lift myself into a crouch to look back at the beacon I threw. An evil grin crosses me as I followed the red pillar of light to the sky. I could barely get a countdown started in my head before the telltale boom and subsequent reverberation of an ATLAS Cannon reported, the three-hundred-and-eighty-millimeter shell and its payload tore through the air, a bone-chilling whistle produced in its wake.

Even through their protestations, their attention was thoroughly redirected as the ordnance in the sky whistled louder.

"What is that!?" Hasumi yelled as she pointed at a rapidly approaching object in the sky.

I stood up, one hand going for my stim pouch. Pulling away with one of the devices, I jab it into my neck, a faint, but definitely audible hiss causing Chinatsu to watch me in grim curiosity.

"W...what?"

An exhale of relief escapes me as I tossed the empty syringe away. Flexing my hand, the pain slowly dissipated as the medicine worked its magic. I don't have the slightest idea as to how it works, but in my case, all I need to know is that it does work.

I roll my neck, the stimulants waking me up. "Good as new."

Chinatsu pulled on my cape. "What did you do?"

I nod her way. "Just a little shot of Liberty."

Before she could press further, the shell in the air once more redirected her attention, the loud whistle of rapidly approaching destruction proving to be an adequate distraction.

I strode over to Hasumi, planting a hand on her shoulder as we watched the air.

"That, H3-" I began as I watched the shell approach with a smile, extending an arm outward. "-Is Freedom."

As my sentence ended, the shell landed a few meters off in front of us, the following explosion annihilating everything within its radius, launching all manner of debris and dissenters into the air.

The force of impact so destructive the resulting shockwave created an intense gust of wind, forcing my cape to wave in its wake. With the ringing in our ears dying down, I could finally hear the after-effects on my squad. The girls began coughing, clearing their airways of dust kicked up from the awesome power of Democracy.

"S-S-Sensei?" Hasumi began, her eyes wide as she beheld the destruction wrought by the ordnance.

Chinatsu rubbed her eyes. "W-what...?" She trailed off, no longer concerned of my injuries.

"...Was that!?" Yuuka finished for them, as she dusted herself off of debris.

"Ha ha! Yes!" I cheered as I turned around. Lifting up my communicator, I attempted once more to hail the Super Destroyer in orbit.

After all, without a Super Destroyer, there's no ATLAS Cannon.

"This is Sergeant Allen Hicks of the Helldiver Corps, current Helldiver to be heading the Super Earth Ship, Hammer of Democracy, do you read me?"

PSSSSSSSSSSH

I'm met with static once more.

My face scrunched up, my hopes dying with each failed attempt at contacting a Super Destroyer that may or may not even be there. But that wouldn't make any sense, how could I be able to call down strategems without one?

A tug on my cape pulled me from my thoughts.

"Sensei!" Yuuka exclaimed, her face filled with concern and fear.

I shivered at her facial expression before coughing. "Y-yes H1?"

"What in Kivotos was that!?" She pointed at the smoldering crater.

"That was an Orbital Precision Strike." I replied as if it was common knowledge.

"Uh huh." She scowled. "But where did it come from!?" She pointed into the sky. "Why did it come?"

I looked up. "I think you know the answer to that." I then glanced at Chinatsu.

She recoiled slightly at my gaze. "From space-?" She then dropped her jaw. "Don't tell me that's from the spaceship you came from!?"

I nodded. "You are correct, H2." I held my wrist, gesturing towards the communication unit. "While strategems might work, communication- so far, anyways- is seemingly impossible."

The girls looked at the wrist-mounted device in varying degrees of awe.

'Though, would that mean that the Hammer of Democracy somehow got sucked in too?' I concluded, as there would be no other possible explanation.

The comms unit then beeped to life. As I hastily reached to accept the call, hopes that it was finally the Super Destroyer reached a high.

"Sensei! Now you answer!" Rin exclaimed on the other side.

My head dropped as I sighed heavily.

"I most definitely know that exaggerated sigh was not directed towards me, was it now, Sensei?" Her tone took a deep turn.

I straightened out my posture real quick. "N-not at all, Commander."

"Mmm hmm." She hummed. "Now then, sitrep, if you would, please."

I nodded. "Understood. Following our deployment off of the Spear of Liberty-" She audibly groaned at that, for some reason. "-We were met with some resistance from the locals. Suffice it to say, we cleared them out and are now ready to move on."

She paused for a few seconds. "I see, now would you be able to explain the ground-shaking explosion that just so happened to have originated in the direction of your position?"

"..." I paused.

"Se-n-se-i?"

I hung up as I turned towards the girls. "Alright squad, time to move out!"

They all look at me with varying degrees incredulousness.

I scratched the top of my helmet. "I'll.. uh, I'll handle the Commander later, for now-!" I cut myself off as I reloaded my 'Breaker'. "-We have a planet to save!"

They glance at each other then back to me before shrugging.

"If... if you say so..." Yuuka says, giving me a raised brow.

Our continued advance towards the SCHALE club room was once more halted as we caught the tail-end of a scuffle turn into a firefight. Rounds began flying through the air past the corner of the building ahead of us, the sporadic drumming of rifle and pistol fire slowing us down as we approached.

We stacked up at the corner, Yuuka insisting on taking the front as she brought ready that device of hers. Trusting in her and her gear, I readied up behind her, with Hasumi bringing up the rear. I raised a hand, counting down from three to push up.

Before we could enact that plan, though, a bundle of grenades rolled past our corner. My eyes went wide as I gripped Yuuka by her jacket, tossing her to the side.

"HIT THE DECK!"

I dove forward, letting my sling catch my shotgun as I grabbed both Hasumi and Chinatsu, placing myself between them and the grenades. They yelp, and-

POP

POP

POP

POP

POP

POP

POP

POP

POP

Nine consecutive deafening and blinding blasts filled our visions. Part of me was glad they were non-lethal, but they might as well have been. We were the ones caught with our pants down. Vision fried and hearing limited, I brought to front my shotgun. Or at least where I thought the front was.

I emptied the mag, the usual loud report of twelve-gauge reduced to mere dull thumps as I held the trigger down. It stops, and I drop it, my right hand going for my 'Redeemer'. The machine pistol dances in my hand as it dumped 9x20mm rounds down range. It clicks empty fast, and I holster it, my hands immediately going for my belt.

A familiar cold and cylindrical feeling occupies my hand as I bring it to my front. At this point, my vision's been recovered. I ready the grenade, my finger hooked through the pin-

"-Hold fire! Hold fire! Friendlies! Friendlies in range!" A girl called out from around the corner.

I stop mid pull.

Waving their hand around the corner, they stepped out. Another student, I presume... though their stature didn't exactly befit the title. Then again, who did?

Silver hair flowed past her shoulders, her ruby red eyes locked onto me and my squad. I raised a brow. As opposed to her fellow students, she bore one wing, with its placement just behind her head, flanking the left side.

Odd placement of the wing, but somehow fitting on the student.

I cleared my throat, no time to be distracted.

With a salute, I greeted her. "Sergeant Allen Hicks of the Helldiver Corps, you must be...?"

"Helldiver... Corps?" She asked before shaking her head. "Introductions first, I am Morizuki Suzumi of the Vigilante Corps, nice to meet you...?" She trailed off as she looked behind me, my squad still suffering from the aftereffects of the flashes.

Her expression dropped a smidge. "Did I do that?"

I raised a brow. "Were you responsible for those flashbangs?"

She shivered. "Er... I think so." She dug into her pocket and pulled out a cylindrical device. "They must've been caught up in my flashbangs."

I lifted my head. "Ah, so you must've been the one in the middle of that firefight then, right?"

She nodded. "Yes, I was on my patrol when I ran into those gang members. There've been more of them lately, so I have been bogged down by rounding them up and turning them in to the authorities."

"Ah." She sounded as she placed a fist on top of her hand. "You must be the new Sensei!"

I nodded. "That's what I've been referred to as of late, so I suppose so."

Her eyes lit up. "Does that mean you're on your way to the SCHALE club room?"

"I'm not sure I should be divulging mission details." I narrowed my eyes.

Then the comms unit on my wrist lit up.

"Don't worry, Sensei, she's a trustworthy student, even if she is a bit headstrong." Rin chimed in.

I nodded. "Understood." I looked back at the student. "Then you would be correct ma'am, my team and I are on our way to retake the club room."

"Also, Sergeant." Rin's voice grew stern as she pulled my rank.

I stood stock still.

"After this operation is completed, I believe you and I have some... discussing to do."

I gulped. "U-understood."

The comms unit turned off, causing me to release the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Sensei?" Suzumi asked as she reloaded her rifle.

I looked in her direction and nodded. "Care to join us in this operation, ma'am? We could always use another pair of hands."

She nodded. "Of course! I'd never turn away those in need."

"Glad to hear it!" I turned towards my squad, who have now recovered from the flashbangs. "Alright team, once you've shaken out the lead, we are double timing it!"

I ordered our formation to tighten as we approached, our squad just shy of the SCHALE building.

"Eyes up Cadets... I'm not liking this..."

The main entrance of the building was fortified, sandbags and obvious emplacements for machine guns. Question is... where's the defenders?

Four booming reports catches us off guard, our heads swiftly turning in response. Multiple bright red and angry projectiles took hold of my vision, their shape eerily alike to-

"GET DOWN!"

I pulled the two closest squad members to the ground with me, the rest ducking down in turn. The projectiles impact the asphalt a few meters off from us, cracking the ground like artillery. The resulting cloud of dust and asphalt gave us momentary concealment as picked ourselves up, weapons brought to bear as we swept the area. Silence befell our surroundings, the ringing in my ears filling in for the lack of noise.

A bone-chilling laugh emanated from the entrance of the SCHALE building. Sultry... but dangerous.

"Well, well. The General Student Council didn't bother to show up in person." The newcomer scoffed. "Not that it matters."

Yuuka balled her hand into a fist. "It's her!"

Hasumi readied her rifle. "It's the Fox of Calamity! We've found the mastermind behind all this commotion, get ready!"

The... so-called Fox of Calamity giggled as she slowly strode towards us, her rifle held across her back as she supported it with her arms. "Looks like the little puppies of the General Student Council have come to stop me. How adorable~."

Without thought, my squad fell for her taunts, with-

-Immediately activating her shield, Yuuka jumped straight into the fray, rushing forward while firing her submachine gun. From her jacket, she somehow produced a second SMG, an exact copy of the first. Both fired in tandem as she filled the air with lead, the Fox dodging each barrage with deadly grace.

Hasumi followed up behind, providing cover fire as she began rapidly working the bolt on her rifle, firing just as she had loaded another round into the chamber.

Contrary to her being a medic, Chinatsu laid down some fire of her own, the pistol bucking in her hands with each pull of the trigger.

Wary to not blind her teammates, Suzumi held off on using her flashbangs. It was all firefight from here on out.

I clicked my tongue. Without team cohesion, I could only hope to hold the line with Yuuka. I advanced, 'Breaker' barking with each trigger pull. A brief thought of using a strategem crossed my mind, but with friendlies all around, and our objective just ahead of us, I held it back.

Instead, we charged, forcing the Fox of Calamity into a retreat... or so I thought.

Deftly dodging and weaving her way through our fire, she worked the bolt on her rifle before performing a backflip and landing on top of a light post. With one hand, she took aim, shrugging off any fire she did take. Pink petals coalesced around her, the strange phenomena stilling my trigger finger. Our guns fell silent as we watched on in awe, with the petals fluttering faster as they swirled around her, before finally resting onto the barrel of her rifle.

Then all hell broke loose.

"AH HELL- HIT THE DIRT!"

I pulled Yuuka back with me once more, hand yanking onto the collar of her jacket. The same explosive projectiles from earlier destroyed the position we just occupied, leaving a smoking crater like the last barrage. More dust is kicked up, allowing us to relocate and regroup once more.

The Fox giggled from her position. "My job here is done. You can take care of the rest~."

Just as things died down, she leapt away, leaving a trail of petals in her wake.

"Ah!" Yuuka sounded out as she swatted away the dust. "She's running away! After her!"

I planted a hand onto her shoulder, eyes still wary to keep watch. "Hold off on that, H1, still gotta job to do."

"Huh?" She turned her head towards me. "Well, fine." She huffed. "I guess it's not our job to catch her."

Hasumi nodded. "Exactly, our current objective is to reach the SCHALE club room, so we must make haste."

With- hopefully- the Fox being repelled, we continued forward, stopping just shy of the stairwell of the building.

"We made it!" Yuuka exclaimed, exasperated. "We're finally at the entrance of the building!"

"Keep those eyes up, Cadets! We're not in the clear just yet."

The familiar rumbling of a heavy, tracked vehicle entered earshot. Its familiarity... shocking. Its existence. Hateful. There's only one enemy of Humanity to exploit its use.

Automatons.

"Huh? What's that sound...?" Yuuka asked, questioning the sudden rumbling.

Chinatsu pointed towards the side of the building. "Watch out! It's a Crusader Tank!"

Rolling past the corner stood the abominable construct of steel and wire. Though not of the same pattern of the abhorrent Automatons, its barrel aimed in our direction was all the confirmation I needed.

"That's a Crusader Type One!" Hasumi noted. "It's the same as the tanks used at our academy!"

Yuuka turns towards her. "It must be stolen! Those thugs must've swiped one meant for the PMC!"

"That means it's no different from a hunk of scrap metal!" She yelled as she readied her device. "I'm going in!"

Rage.

Rage filled me as I stared at the steel construct. The mere visage of the Liberty-forsaken vehicle reminded me of the many brothers and sisters I've lost to these disgusting socialist machines. Just as Yuuka readied her shield, I pulled her to the side as I advanced. Her calls were lost on me as I broke into a sprint, one hand going for a strategem beacon, the other readying the terminal. With swift and practiced movements, I entered the pattern for one of the most destructive, yet accurate strategem at the Helldiver Corps disposal.

Up.

Right.

Down.

Down.

Down.

Chapter Text

The Venerable Eagle.

A Multi-Role Aerospace Superiority Fighter Craft, she is often looked upon as the Angel of Death for the many enemies of Super Earth.

Only seconded by the Helldiver Corps in terms of versatility and modularity, our Heroes of Super Earth utilize the Multi-Role Fighter to accompany their armaments to dominate both land and air.

Though lacking the infallible tempo and earth-shattering firepower of her Orbital counterparts, the Eagle more than makes up for that with, unequivocally, her greatest strength.

Her speed.

For when a horde is in need of swift clearing,

Her Strafing Run delivers Freedom in denominations of thirty-millimeters at three-thousand-and-nine-hundred rounds per minute.

For when armor is in need of a swift resolution,

Her Airstrikes deliver a carpet of destruction, each bomb engineered for quick and efficient Democratic dispensing.

And for when the Liberty-forsaken enemies of Humanity audaciously and futilely release their marginally stronger servants to bolster their lackluster forces,

Her Ace-in-the-Hole,  The Five-Hundred-Kilogram Bomb welcomes their demise.

The Eagle Multi-Role Aerospace Superiority Fighter.

For when ordnance is needed swiftly and precisely,

An Eagle never misses.

The Automatons.

Socialist filth that dared to sully Super Earth's core tenets and attack her colonies, they've worked endlessly in their futile attempts to resist Freedom and Democracy, no matter how hard we give it to them.

They are blood-thirsty, mindless robots coded for nothing but murder and socialist violence. Their origins a mystery, the unthinking hate for Freedom they harbor more than makes them a threat to all citizens of Super Earth.

Despite their ability to replicate their forces utilizing factories and ill-begotten materials stolen from Super Earth colonies and citizens, I've always thought their forces were only limited towards the sectors of our galaxy.

In front of me, against my beliefs, stood one such enemy.

"YOU LIBERTY-FORSAKEN CLANKERS!"

Lobbing the beacon on top of the machine-of-war, I dove to the side, narrowly dodging the payload of the main gun. The shell pierced the air at super-sonic speeds, impacting the asphalt and subsequently bouncing off of it as it ricochets upward, lodging itself into a vacant building and exploding, sending shattered concrete into the air.

Initiating a combat roll, I reserved a split-second to ensure the beacon stuck, its telltale red beacon piercing the sky.

With Liberty speeding my step, I hightailed it in the opposite direction of the heavy armor, waving my arms towards my squad to back off.

"HEAVY ORDNANCE! KEEP BACK!"

I craned my head around to see the tank's cannon slowly rotating my direction. Before it could lock on, the beacon on top of it turned off just as an aircraft piercing the sound-barrier flew by.

And just as quickly as it left, its payload struck the turret, crushing its cannon under the weight of Democracy.

I couldn't help but smile at the sight.

Milliseconds following the ordnance's drop, the five-hundred-kilograms of Freedom exploded in a spectacular fashion, evaporating the Crusader tank and everything within its radius.

The resulting mushroom cloud of ash and smoke billowed upward, the awe-inspiring sight causing me to extend my arms outward to bask in its glory.

"How'd you like the taste of Freedom!?"

As I dropped my arms, the girls took to my side, their expressions on their face stricken with intense emotions. With not a word spoken, I approached the smoldering crater to inspect whatever remained.

To my utmost surprise, four girls laid at the bottom, unconscious and with their entire bodies singed. Despite the bunker-busting capabilities of the five-hundred-kilogram bomb, it wasn't enough to kill, much less bleed the people of Kivotos.

And most notably, their clothing stayed intact.

I raised a brow, but left my questions unasked. Raising the comms unit on my right wrist, I moved to activate it to attempt once more to hail the Super Destroyer in orbit.

Again, how else would I call in strategems, much less an Eagle, without the vessel?

But just before I could, a hand gripped my arm tightly before pulling, turning me to face them. Much to my surprise, their strength much exceeded my own.

As I turned, I came face to face with the perpetrator.

It was Hasumi.

"H3?" I questioned her actions.

She looked at me shellshocked. "What-" She began before having to exhale, calming herself. "What... what was that?"

"That-" I raised a hand at the destruction wrought by the power of Super Earth. "-Was a payload weighing in at five-hundred kilograms, deployed by the finest of the S.E.A.F Air Force."

She shook her head, shaking off her awe-struck expression. "What-, no, how are you able to call... call in these weapons?"

Her eyes narrowed. "The Hellpods, the... Orbital Precision Strike-" She pointed at the gaping crater. "Now five-hundred-kilograms of explosives!?" She raised her voice. "From unidentified aircraft and spaceships!?"

The rest of the girls slowly approached, their eyes no longer viewing me with respect and an ally, but with skepticism and a hint of fear.

"Who... no, what are you, Allen Hicks?"

I, for once in a long time, was at a loss for words. The Helldivers were... are heroes of the Federation, their deeds and heroics celebrated and passed down as stories to be told for years to come, inspiring many to follow in their footsteps.

Their will unbreakable, their actions infallible, their loyalty and allegiance unshakeable.

But this... this tested those waters.

I half expected them to cheer in appreciation at the awesome display of force and military might of Super Earth. Instead, they were scared. Fearful of the destruction I had brought, with weapons that far exceeded their own.

Many a time I landed on Super Earth colonies, their citizens overjoyed at the presence of the Helldivers. Cheers and compliments were always thrown our way, to the point that it became another truth of life to us as we exterminated the bug and stomped out the bot.

Never had I thought to think about how non-Super Earth colonies would react towards our presence, much less our guns.

Suffice it to say, I was... Confused.

"...Huh?" Was all I could manage to get out.

Chinatsu took a step forward, despite how small it was. "Sensei?" Her call was brief and meek, her voice hitched as she breathed.

I dropped my 'Breaker', my sling pulled taut as it caught it, causing them to flinch. At the action, they reached for their guns ever so slightly, before pulling away, whatever trust they have left in me staying their hand.

I sighed as I dropped my head slightly and got to a knee, before lifting my head to look into their eyes. They recoiled slightly at my actions, glancing at each other before locking back onto me.

"I, Hasumi, am a Helldiver." I answered her question, my voice resolute and unwavering.

Her eyes narrowed, distrust ever so present in her ruby red eyes.

"I am a soldier of Super Earth, defender of Humanity." I continued.

"I am her weapon against the many enemies that dare to threaten her."

"I am her shield against those that dare to aim their weapons against her."

"The equipment at my disposal and the weapons I use are but mere tools to act upon those responsibilities. I know that you are distrusting of me following the deployment of S.E.A.F armaments-"

"But know this-" I say, as I rose to my feet and stood at parade rest.

"First and foremost, I am human." I then lifted my hands to remove my helmet.

With a hiss, the hermetic seal was undone as I lifted it up. Stowing it to my side, I looked the girls in the eye.

"That, Hasumi, is who Allen Hicks is." I gave her a smile. "That, is who I am."

Their jaws dropped as they looked at my face.

"That scar..." Yuuka trailed off as she shakily pointed at me.

I traced the scar that began at the top of my brow on the left side of my face, down across to the cheek on the opposite side.

"A parting gift left behind by an enemy of Humanity." I smiled slightly.

"Well, now you know the face behind the Diver."

I then replaced my helmet, the seal once more engaging as I stood back in parade rest. "I do hope you can come to trust me again, if not now-" I panned my head across to look at each of them. "Then hopefully in the future, when I earn it back."

Yuuka tilted her head, the corners of her mouth pointing up ever so slightly. "I... I wouldn't go so far to say we no longer trust you, but... I guess we were just... scared."

"Scared...?" I asked, my posture faltering slightly.

"Yes." Hasumi affirmed. "It would be the truth to say that this is the first we have ever seen such... destruction at a scale such as this."

I nodded, the sentiment not lost on me.

"But-" Chinatsu began, her gaze softer. "But I don't think you're a bad person, Sensei."

She continued. "You wouldn't have gotten shot if you weren't willing to fight for us."

I flinched. "You still remember that?"

She nodded. "Yes, Sensei. A medic never forgets to take care of their patients!" A smile was fully on display, and her demeanor back to normal."

Suzumi chimed in. "I agree, although the things you bring to the table are definitely scary-" She smiled my way. "I think I can trust that you would only use it for good."

I released the breath I didn't know I was holding. "I- thank you, team." A genuine wave of relief washed over me. "I'll do my utmost to maintain that trust."

I then lifted my 'Breaker'. "Now then, let's go save Kivotos!"

"Yes, Sensei!" They all affirmed collectively.

Just as I was about to bust down the front door of the SCHALE building, my communicator ringed to life.

"Commander?" I asked, lifting my wrist up.

"Sensei, I trust that everything is well on your end?" She asked, though her tone was reflecting that of someone that is extremely pissed off.

I gulped. "T-that is correct, Commander." I glanced at the girls, who shook their heads vigorously.

"Ah, is that so?" She huffed. "Then, would you please explain the current news reports?"

"News... reports?" I asked with uncertainty.

"Ah! Sensei, look!" Yuuka exclaimed as she lifted a small datapad, the screen displaying what looks to be the current events of Kivotos.

Filling up literally all of the top headlines were blurred pictures of what I assume to be the Eagle Fighter piercing through the air at extreme speeds.

That, and the deployment of its ordnance with the subsequent explosion of said ordnance.

Taglines read: "Kivotos under Attack!?"

"Aliens are real: Confirmed!?"

"Blur in the sky: GSC Conspiracy? Or Extraterrestrial Contact?"

With the rest following along the lines of aliens, aliens, and more aliens.

Did I mention that they wrote about aliens?

"Er..." I sounded as I shook my head. "Anyways Commander, we retook the SCHALE building and are ready to breach and clear." I attempted to change the subject.

"Do NOT gloss-!" She cut herself off and breathed in and out a few times before sighing. "-I'll be arriving shortly."

"Please. Let us meet in the basement of the SCHALE building. Sensei."

A shudder is sent down my spine as she hung up. Looking back up at the girls, they glanced at each other before shaking their heads at me.

"I'm afraid this battle is solely yours, Sensei." Hasumi stated.

Chinatsu nodded in agreeance. "I'm afraid you brought this on yourself, Sensei."

Yuuka snorted, a smirk on her face, amused at my demise. "Well, it was nice knowing you, Sensei."

"I think, we'll, uh, secure the perimeter, Sensei." Suzumi chimed in, the rest of the girls nodding in affirmation at the suggestion.

Before I could put a word in edgewise, they scattered. "You all are just going to toss me to the wolves!?"

I'm met with silence as they ignored me. With a sigh, I decided to face the music. Passing through the entrance to the SCHALE building, I slowly navigated the interiors before eventually finding the entrance to the basement.

Within the Basement of the SCHALE Building

"I don't see what the big deal is about this place. What am I even supposed to destroy?"

I leaned ever so slightly into the room, the dim lights illuminating the room poorly, but just enough to make out the larger objects of the room.

That included the Fox of Calamity that just so happens to be standing in the middle of the room, perusing the curious objects that littered the area.

I frowned. I know for sure that I am woefully outmatched against this enemy, especially such as one of her caliber, and doubly so without the use of strategems.

So I resort to the next best thing Super Earth is undoubtedly great at.

Diplomacy.

"Oh?" She sounded as she turned my way, her tail swaying at the motion and her pale mask illuminated under the dim light.

"Greetings, citizen of Kivotos!" I approached her.

"Uh..."

"Ara~?

"Ara~ra~ra~?"

"...?" I stood in silence as we continued to lock eyes.

"Uh..."

Might as well break the silence. "Might I ask what an upstanding citizen, such as yourself, is doing within a government building?" I questioned in the nicest tone I could conjure, largely possible thanks to the ever-so engaging Super Earth Helldiver Primer for when landing on colonies.

"Well..." She began as she squirmed.

"I, uh..." She trembled as she gripped her rifle.

"I was just leaving!" She cried as she swiftly escaped the room, her form no more indiscernible than as a black and white blur zipping out the door.

"...?" I merely stood in confusion at the development.

Following the departure of the Fox of Calamity, I stood patiently for the arrival of Acting President Rin. As I stood at attention, I caught the sounds of heels clacking against the floor come within earshot.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I am here now." Rin greeted as she walked down the steps.

She glanced around the room, catching the glimpse of a few pink petals populating the floor.

"Hmm?" She hummed. "Did I miss something?"

I shook my head. "Nothing in particular, Commander."

She raised a brow, but didn't push it further. "If you insist." She walked over towards the desk and picked up a data pad. "Well, here is what the General Student Council President left behind."

"Thankfully, there isn't a scratch on it."

She then presented it to me. "Please. Take it."

I accepted the fragile device and inspected it. "A... data pad?"

She raised a brow. "Data pad?" She questioned before shrugging. "If what you mean is a smart tablet, then for all intents and purposes, yes. This is what the GSC President left for you. The Shittim Chest."

Somehow, at the name drop, I feel a sense of familiarity. Confused at the feeling, I chalk it up to being familiar with data pads... smart tablets.

Staring at the Shittim Chest, she continued. "It may seem like a normal tablet, but its origins are a mystery. Its manufacturer, operating system and components are completely unknown to us."

"The GSC President left the Shittim Chest in your possession, stating that you will be able to take control of the tower with it."

I raised a brow, this small device had the power to hold control over a tower?

She shook her head. "None of the other members know how to activate it, but perhaps you may be able to figure it out."

She then hung her head low. "But if not..."

Silence loomed at the end of her unfinished sentence, but the implications it wrought hung extremely heavy.

A sigh escapes her. "My job here is done. I shall let you take the lead here on out." She then started towards the exit. "I'll step away so as to not interfere."

Just as she walked up the steps, she stopped just short of the door.

"Also, Sensei."

My eyes widened as her tone took a turn, her gaze burning into the side of my helmet.

"Should this be resolved cleanly, I believe I have more than just a few words to be shared with you." Her eyes were closed, but the implied gaze pierced me.

I gulped. "U-understood."

Exiting the room, the door shut behind her and I released my breath. Holding up the data pad, I stared at it for a few seconds. Holding it comfortably in my hands, I pressed down on the power button, the screen subsequently flashing to life.

CONNECTING TO THE SHITTIM CHEST...

PLEASE ENTER THE SYSTEM PASSWORD.

Well Liberty-damn it, just got the data pad and I already hit a wall.

I tapped the side of the device a few times with my finger as I glossed over my options. Lost in thought, my hands moved automatically and begun tapping away at the screen.

WE THIRST FOR THE SEVEN WAILINGS.

WE BEAR THE KOAN OF JERICHO.

'Woah, what just...?' I thought, thoroughly surprised at what just happened.

PASSWORD ACCEPTED.

USER IDENTIFIED AS ALLEN HICKS.

CONFIRMED.

Woah, freaky.

WELCOME TO THE SHITTIM CHEST,  ALLEN-SENSEI.

CONVERTING TO OPERATING SYSTEM ARONA FOR BIOLOGICAL AUTHENTIFICATION AND GENERATION OF VERIFICATION CERTIFICATE.

Within the ?

Just as I blinked once, the world around me changed. I found myself once more in a new, completely different world, this time within the ruins of what looks like an old Super Earth classroom.

I looked around, with the scenery beyond the shattered concrete being a sky-blue ocean as far as the gaze goes. Above was a sky of the same shade, the bright sun shining past the fluffy clouds that populated the blue canvas.

'Where on Liberty's green Super Earth am I?'

Turning around, I find myself greeted with a little girl dozing off on a school desk.

'What...?' I asked myself, each new development leaving me with additional questions.

"Zzzzzzz..." The little girl snored.

"Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz..."

"Munya~... Castella cake... Banana milk... goes better than strawberry milk..." She then muttered in her sleep.

I stopped questioning everything, convinced that I was not going to get any answers.

"Zzzzz..."

I knelt down in front of her to get a better look at her face.

"Hee hee~... There's so much left..."

I glanced around. Save for her, I was pretty much the only person here... wherever this place is.

Getting to my feet, I decide to try and wake her. Gently placing a hand on her shoulder, I nudged her a little.

"Ehe~."

"Ehehe~." I nudged her again.

"Ehe- Huh!?"

She then stood up quickly, knocking the chair she was sitting on over.

Letting out a yawn, she rubbed her eyes to get the sleep out.

"What's going... on?" She asked as she blinked a few times.

"Huh...?" She sounded as her eyes focused, shock steadily creeping up on her as she focused on me.

"Eh...? Areh...? Wha...!?" She began sounding out as surprise crept up on her face.

"S-Sensei!?" She exclaimed.

"I-if you're here..." She placed a fist onto her hand. "Ah! Does that mean you're Allen-Sensei!?"

I smiled. "Indeed, little one."

"What? So I'm right!?" She frantically looked around the room. "What time is it!?"

She started trembling. "Wait..." She inhaled and exhaled rhythmically. "Calm down..."

"Um, so..." She stammered. "Oh! That's right! I forgot to introduce myself!"

She smiled my way. "My name is Arona!"

Chapter Text

The Class-Six Series Crewed Interplanetary Combat Vessel.

Or more colloquially known as the 'Super Destroyer'.

A Faster-Than-Light capable vessel, she is a mass-produced warship designed for use by the Helldiver Corps.

At one-hundred-and-seventy meters long and eighty meters wide, she is a relatively nimble vessel for zero-to-low-gravity maneuvers, a trait perfectly suited for the swift nature of the Helldivers.

With her Faster-Than-Light capabilities provided by the built in Alcubierre Drive, she holds the unparalleled ability to near instantly close the distance between two points by warping space and time around the Super Destroyer.

This allows the Helldiver Corps to strike anywhere at any time.

Be it reinforcing the front or striking deep into enemy territory, the vessel is perfectly equipped to dominate whatever role she is pressed into.

When deployed en masse onto contested planets, the Super Destroyers in low orbit blot out the sky with their vast weaponry, raining down ordnance onto the enemies that dare to attempt to step foot onto the planets that rightfully belong to Super Earth.

And like the Helldivers that crew her, the armaments she is equipped with are just as versatile.

She is armed with a vast array of weapons to provide unparalleled fire support from high above at practically any angle, at any distance, at any time.

Be it raining down High Explosive Ordnance, sizing  one-hundred-and-twenty or three-hundred-and-eighty millimeters with destructive results,

Deploying Concentrated Laser Fire from her High Power Directed Energy Weapon Arrays, immolating and glassing anything unlucky enough to be caught under her gaze,

Or launching Tungsten Penetrators at supersonic speeds, piercing practically everything and anything,

With the firepower she brings and the destruction she can wreak,

There is nothing that can stand up against her might.

Within the ?

"My name is Arona!"

I knelt down to get eye level with the little girl. "Greetings, Arona." I glanced all around before returning my gaze. "Since you seem to know who I am already, would you kindly tell me about yourself?"

She nods before giving me a smile. "I'm the system manager that lives inside the Shittim Chest! I serve as its main operating system, just think of me as your trusty assistant, Allen-Sensei!"

'System manager...?' I thought. 'Could we be...?'

"Are..." I paused, confusion welling up as I raised a brow. "Are you telling me we are inside the Shittim Chest... as of right now?"

She gives me a look. "Uh... yes...?"

"Ooookay, and you're telling me... you are the operating system of the Shittim Chest?"

She gives me another look. "Yes...?"

I tilted my head slightly off, confusion at an all time high... for now.

"...Of course." I shook my head, I'm probably not going to get any proper answers anytime soon.

Arona raised a brow my way before beaming a smile. "Anyways! I'm so glad to finally meet you! I've been waiting a loooooong time!"

"Weren't you sleeping?" I pointed at the desk and tipped over chair.

She blushes, red creeping up on her face. "Well, uh... I guess I might've dozed off their a little... ah ha ha..."

I snort, a smile finding its way onto my face. "Well, it nice to meet you too, Arona."

She beams right back. "Yeah! I'm happy to hear that!"

"Though... my physical form is still small, and my voice could use a serious upgrade..."

What.

"...But I know I can still prove to be useful to you!"

I open my mouth to say something, but find the words somehow lost on me.

She continues. "Oh, right! Let's complete your biological authentication!"

I clear my throat. "Indeed, that's what I am here for... I think."

"So, how will we go about doing that?"

"Well..." She gives me an appraising look. "This is a little embarrassing, but it's all part of the protocol. Would you mind getting a little closer?"

I raise a brow, but relent, shuffling closer to the system manager whilst still on a knee.

"Just a liiiiiitle closer~."

I move a smidge closer, to the point we were basically helmet to face.

"Okay! Now, please place your fingertip against mine."

'This is somehow going to authenticate my fingerprint?' I thought to myself as I followed her orders.

I move to remove my glove... before realizing I didn't have it on in the first place. Now that I think about it, I don't feel the weight of my armor nor cape either... but I still have my helmet for some reason.

'Do as Kivotos does... I suppose.'

I then placed my index finger against hers.

She smiles. "Heehee~. It's kinda like we're making a promise or something, doesn't it?"

"Back where I'm from-" I began, a smile creeping up behind my helmet. "-When we make promises with our brothers and sisters, we clasp hands and headbutt each other with our helmets on." I knock on mine with my free hand.

She gives me a bewildered look. "I-is... is that so?"

I grin. "Care to give it a try?"

She shook her head, adamantly refusing. "N-no! That's uh, that's quite alright."

A few more moments pass before she pulls back her hand.

"And that's it, allllll done!"

She nods a few times with a satisfied look on her face, then glancing at me with a questioning look.

"Say... Allen-Sensei."

"Hmm?" I hummed, still on a knee.

"Can I trouble you to tell me what's been happening as of late?"

Following her question, I proceeded to give her a complete rundown of the events that elapsed the past few hours, from the brief interaction with the GSC President, minus a lot of the graphic sequences, to my arrival, barring the, uh... mishap with Meridia, and up to, what I dub: Operation: Doorkicker.

For that, I explained the heroics my squad and I have done in extreme detail, with a little bit of sugar coating here and there. From the Orbital Precision Strike, the repelling of the Fox of Calamity, to the deployment of the five-hundred-kilogram bomb, I recounted the events, garnering awe-struck expressions from the little system manager.

"Wow~! That is soooooo cool!" She bobbed up and down.

I nodded. "Very much so, and that leads us to now."

She nodded a few times before pursing her lips. "So, that means the General Student Council President is now missing, and there's no way to control the Kivotos Tower now..."

That reminds me. "Who is the General Student Council President anyways?"

She tilted her head. "I have plenty of information on Kivotos, but somehow, I know very little about the president. I don't know who she is really, and nothing on why she disappeared."

I narrowed my lips to a line. Looks like there are plenty of enigmas to be had here in this strange land.

"But!" She continued, a resolute expression on her face. "I think I can help with the Sanctum Tower problem!"

"Oh?" I sounded, I think I missed that part in the mission briefing... "Would you kindly, please?"

"Sure! Just let me restore the access permissions to the Sanctum Tower!" She smiled. "Just a moment please!"

A mechanical whir then reverberated all around me, causing me to glance around uneasy.

Then Arona popped in. "Sanctum Tower admin permissions acquired!"

"We've successfully regained the Sanctum Tower, Allen-Sensei! The tower is now under my control!"

She then bobbed up and down excitedly. "That means all of Kivotos is now in the palm of your hand!"

I froze, the words giving me all sorts of pause.

'A whole PLANET and its controls were just... HANDED off to me!?'

She continued, pulling me back down to the ground. "I can transfer control of the Sanctum Tower to the General Student Council with your approval, Allen-Sensei."

She placed a finger on her chin, adopting a thinking look. "But... are you sure that's what you want to do? You would be giving total control to the General Student Council."

I nodded a fair bit hard. "That would be best Arona. I am but a simple soldier, any and all bureaucratic or political matters are best left to more capable hands."

She nodded. "All right then! Control over the Sanctum Tower will now be transferred to the General Student Council!"

"So, what now?" She asked.

"I suppose the next course of action is figuring out how to leave this place." I replied as I got to my feet.

She froze. "Ah ha ha ha..." An awkward laugh at my statement gave me unease.

"There is a way out of here... right?"

She refused to look me directly in the eye.

This gives me all sorts of pause, causing me to scratch the top of my helmet... yes, I do know the action is counter-intuitive.

"You are the system manager, right?"

She nods, somewhat hesitantly.

"So, don't you have full control over..." I wave my arm towards everything.

Her eyes go wide at my statement, as if realizing that she does indeed have full control over... wherever we are.

She then placed a fist onto her hand. "You're right, Allen-Sensei!"

I exhaled in relief. "Thank Liberty, so you know how to get me outta here, yeah?"

She raised a brow, placing a finger onto her chin. "Well... I haven't had to do this when the president was around, you're kind of the first to be... sucked in, so to say."

"Sucked... in...?" Now it was my turn to be bewildered.

She nodded. "Well, not like it matters too much, I should be able to disconnect you from this server!" She then lowered her voice. "It might hurt a little though."

"Good good- wait was that last par-"

She gave me an old Super Earth salute, setting her hand flat and her arm at a forty-five-degree angle. "Good hunting Allen-Sensei!"

Within the Basement of the SCHALE Building

"OH SWEET LIBERTY MY EVERYTHING!"

Quickly lifting myself up, I propped up my body with one arm and grasped at it with my other.

"Sensei!?" Rin called out, quickly entering the room after tossing the door open.

Just as quickly as the pain set in, it dissipated, causing me to exhale in relief.

She half-ran down the steps before crouching down next to me. "Sensei! What happened!?"

I glanced at her after making sure all my important pieces were still attached... or present at least.

Then I shrugged. "Oh, you know, just had an out of body experience."

Her eyes narrow as she looked at me in disbelief. "What are you talking about...? And why are you on the floor?"

I cough before getting to my feet. "I'm not sure I can answer that for you, and even if I did, you probably wouldn't even believe me."

She scowls. "I think I could, especially after all the..." She then glared at me. "Damage caused by a certain now-important figure that just so happened to have arrived today."

I shivered. "Uh..." I lifted the Shittim Chest. "Got administrative permissions for this."

If looks could kill? Hers could massacre.

Then she sighed, as if an immense burden had been lifted off of her back. "Well done, I suppose, Sensei." She took out her own data pad. "If you would please, transfer said administrative permissions over to my side."

"Done and done." I replied as I tapped away at the various system prompts on the Shittim Chest.

She smiled genuinely. "This will allow us to manage the city as well as we could before the president's disappearance."

"Well done, Sensei. On behalf of the General Student Council, and all of Kivotos for that matter, I want to thank you for preventing the complete destabilization of Kivotos."

I placed my hands onto my hips. "Just doing my job, Commander. After all, that is what Helldivers do!"

She snorted. "Even if it comes with a plethora of collateral damage?"

I sputtered, caught off guard.

Another smile crosses her. "Barring that, you need not worry about the suspended students and thugs that attacked before. They will be tracked down and dealt with accordingly."

I nodded. "Good deal. Dissidents should be caught and punished."

She gives me a look, one of many. "Yes..." She coughs into her hand. "In any case, my duty was only to see that you received and activated the Shittim Chest, so now that's done..."

"Ah." She sounded as another thought came to mind. "But there's one more thing we should do for good measure."

"And that would be?"

"Please follow me, I'd like to properly introduce you to the SCHALE Federal Investigation Club."

That was somewhere in the briefing...

Taking the stairs up, Rin led me towards the lobby, and now with the tower fully reactivated, the lights were all properly on, allowing me to take in the sights unimpeded by darkness.

"This is SCHALE's main lobby." She introduced with a slight wave.

"It's been empty for a long time, but now-" She turned to meet me. "It finally has an owner." She then opened a glass door before stepping into what looks like an office.

"And you can consider this to be the SCHALE club room. This is where you'll be working, starting now."

I frowned a smidge. "Working?"

She nodded. "Indeed, surely you didn't think that you would be fighting-" She paused as she looked back at me, my body language opposing her thoughts. "-And yes, you did think so." Disappointment bled into the latter half of her sentence.

She sighed. "Anywho, SCHALE may have the authority, but it currently has no particular goals. But even though you do not have a specific job to do..."

"...You can freely enter any of the academy districts in Kivotos. From there, you are able to register any of the students willing to join the club, amongst other things."

A smirk crosses her face. "Interesting, isn't it? It may be called the investigation club, but the president never exactly specified what it would be investigating nor its purpose."

"In that sense... you have quite a lot of Freedom, don't you?"

I smirked. 'Ha ha! Yes! She said the thing!'

A small frown then took the place of the smile. "As much as I wish you could ask the president for further details, the fact of the matter is that she remains missing."

"We're using everything at our disposal to look for her, but that leaves us short-handed at dealing with other matters around Kivotos."

"As of now, the General Student Council is being inundated with civil complaints, material and support requests, environmental aid, make-up work for failing students, requests to save clubs..." She waved a hand. "So on and so forth."

She gave me a side-eye. "Perhaps SCHALE could look into a few of these requests, since it looks like you've chanced upon plenty of time."

I gulped.

Pointing at the desk, she continued. "On that note, I've left all the documents on your desk, please review them should you have the time." Then smirked. "Which you have quite a bit of, I might add."

She's not requesting... is she?

She then bowed her head. "We'll be counting on you, Sensei. And best of luck with your new position, please don't hesitate to reach out if you require any assistance."

Concluding introductions to my new position, we stepped outside to find my team hanging out in front of the building.

"Ah! Sensei!" Yuuka exclaimed as she walked my way. "Heh, not too shabby! Everyone in Kivotos will have their eyes on you! I bet it's all over social media as we speak!"

I nodded my head their way. "Don't forget your own contributions, team. Helldivers dive together, after all!"

Hasumi nodded. "Thank you, Sensei, though we will have to part ways for now. I do hope you will visit us at our Trinity General School in the near future."

Suzumi took to her side, nodding as well with a bright smile on her face.

"I'll be reporting what happened here to our head prefect." Chinatsu chimed in. "You're always welcome to stop by and visit the Gehenna Academy, should your work ever take you there."

Yuuka hummed. "I'm sure we'll see each other again, Sensei! Do be sure to visit the Millenium Science School!"

I waved them all off as they left, and with them returning the sentiment, I then raised a fist and pulled it down, saluting them.

"May Liberty guide your steps, Divers!"

They glance at each other with amused looks before laughing. "Bye, Sensei!"

Within the District Outskirts

"Ara~. Now this won't do~."

"Heh heh~... Heh heh heh~."

"Heeheehee~!"

Within the SCHALE Office

A terrifying sense of dread shot down my spine, causing me to glance around the office space.

Frantically searching for the source, I calmed down after finding zero threats.

'Strange...' I thought as I continued to peruse the documents.

...Though not without checking over my shoulder, following the intense fear that washed over me.

Then the Shittim Chest flickered to life. "Heh heh~!" The data pad's system manager sounded out triumphantly.

"Arona?" I asked, a smile slowly creeping up on me as I watched the bubbly blue creature hop around the screen.

"Things got a little hectic for you, wouldn't you say?" She nodded a few times. "But everything should be okay now, and it's all thanks to you!"

"Thanks Arona, but why the sudden appreciation?"

She smiled. "It's all over the internet! Your actions and heroics are on full display! Gotta hand it to you, Sensei, what you did was pretty cool!"

I nodded. "Well, all's in a day's work for a Helldiver."

An evil grin crosses her face. "But this is only the beginning, Sensei! You're going to have to solve all the problems the students of Kivotos are facing!"

I recognized this tone.

"Though seemingly simple, this is an important task. Kivotos is counting on you and SCHALE, Sensei-"

She gave me a heroic look. "Will you answer the call?"

Out of habit, I rose to my feet, the action rolling the office chair away a few meters. With a salute, I answered. "Of course!"

She giggled. "Let's start your first official mission for the SCHALE Federal Investigation Club!"

Chapter Text

The EXO-45 'Patriot' Exosuit.

A heavily armored and armed bipedal Exosuit, it is a mobile weapons platform accessible to the Helldiver upon request. Being a  direct upgrade to the EXO-44 'Stomper' Exosuit, the Helldiver of today will find that all aspects of the armored war machine have faced major overhauls.

Featuring a G-16 Gatling Gun on its right module, it is well suited to annihilating droves of foes under its weight of fire. Loaded with one-thousand rounds of ammunition and capable of firing at one-thousand-six-hundred-and-twenty rounds per minute, it can effectively shred all but the most heavily armored of opponents.

On its left module is seated a rocket pod loaded with sixteen high-explosive-anti-tank rockets, ready to blow apart anything armored just as well as the Exosuit itself.

Combined together, the 'Patriot' is more than well equipped to face any and all foes that dare to step in the face of Liberty.

Though, should the Helldiver face the issue of running completely out of ammo, in their infinite wisdom, Super Earth engineers outfitted the Exosuit with upgraded legs, focusing on increased maneuverability and durability. Equipped with hardened and higher-capacity hydraulics, the Helldiver is now capable of dealing devastating melee strikes with the Exosuit's legs, crushing their foes under the weight of Democracy.

The EXO-45 'Patriot' was also designed with more than just its weaponry in mind. As opposed to the all-in-one construction characterized by the EXO-44 'Stomper', the 'Patriot' features limb modules.

Should a module face catastrophic damage, the Exosuit will then jettison the damaged module, subsequently activating the onboard self-destruct protocol to deny the enemy any Super Earth Armed Forces property and to ensure the Exosuit remains combat effective, unimpeded by the non-functional module.

If, in the unlikely event, all modules face catastrophic damage, the automatic ejection system will quickly remove the Helldiver from the cockpit. Upon the successful ejection of its heroic cargo, the Exosuit will then utilize any remaining fuel and ammunition, alongside the built-in explosives, to destroy the Exosuit, once more denying the enemy of any S.E.A.F property.

With its versatile weapons suite and thick armor plating, it is an imposing sight on the battlefield for its enemy, and more than just a welcoming sight to its allies.

The EXO-45 'Patriot' Exosuit.

From your friends on Tien Kwan,

"Give 'em Hell!  Divers!"

Within the SCHALE Office

"Now the real work begins, Sensei!" Arona cheered from behind the screen.

I lifted the Shittim Chest, bringing her face to face. "Is that so?"

She nodded with a glint in her eyes. "Since our club is just starting out, we don't have a lot of members yet!"

"I think it'll be worthwhile to recruit more students to join SCHALE! This way, we can work more efficiently here at SCHALE, and establish rapport with more students!"

"Recruit..." I nodded. "I like the sound of that!" I then cleared my throat. "So, how does one go about doing that?"

She bobbed on screen. "First and foremost, students can submit their application to join via email, or directly in person!"

"Oh?" I raised a brow.

"Mmm hmm!" She hummed. "Since SCHALE has been activated, students are now free to apply for the assistant program! This way, any and all students can join SCHALE!"

I nodded. "Good deal, when should we expect any fresh recruits?"

Placing a finger on her chin, she glanced up as if thinking. "Well... since it has only been a few hours since SCHALE's been activated, it'll be a while." She smiled. "But don't worry, Sensei! After today's events, I know for sure that students will be waiting to join you in no time!"

"Sounds good." I say as I rose from my seat.

With a stretch, I rolled my shoulders as I shifted my armor to a more comfortable position. "With that, how about a little exploring?" I ask with a grin.

She raised a brow. "Exploring?"

"Indeed!" I raised my voice. "With the many points of interest that lie about, one is bound to find something good!"

Her eyes narrowed. "Find... something...?" She shook her head. "I hope you aren't implying stealing, Sensei."

"Oh sweet Liberty, no." I waved a finger at the screen. "We are merely... liberating items of interest!"

I straightened my posture as I headed towards the door. "Now Arona, let's find those samples!"

"Eh!?"

Within the ANGEL 24 Convenience Store

Playing their welcoming chime, the doors slid open automatically, granting me access into the store. As I stepped in, I took a moment to take in the sight as the doors closed behind me.

"Welcome to 'ANGEL 24'!" Someone yelled from the back, presumably a staff member. "I'll be right with you, please give me a moment!"

Judging from the voice, they seem to be fairly young.

Taking a step forward, the world took a turn around me as I'm suddenly yanked back, as if someone suddenly tugged on the collar of my armor.

With an audible thump, my back collided with the ground.

"Owwwwww." I groaned as I stared at the ceiling.

I stayed on the ground for a few seconds before catching the sounds of someone rapidly approaching.

"Oh my gosh are you okay-!" She cut herself off. "Wait a minute-, Sensei!?"

I lifted my head. "The one and only!"

With a grunt, I got up to sit before craning my head around, finding that my cape had been caught in the door.

In a much lower voice. "A-are, are you okay?"

I laughed. "Not the first time, and most certainly won't be the last."

As I got to my feet, the door's sensors detected movement, subsequently releasing my cape from its un-Democratic hold. Dusting it off, I turned around to meet the staff member.

"Greetings, citizen of Kivotos." I glanced back at the door. "I apologize that you had to see that."

She froze as she looked up to me, her eyes staring into my visor. Noticing that I had accidentally towered over her, I got to a knee to get eye level with her.

Then I extended a hand. "Sergeant Allen Hicks of the Helldiver Corps, nice to meet you, ma'am."

She glanced at my hand then back to me before accepting. "S-Sora, n-nice to meet y-you as well." Her voice was small and meek.

Then she gave me a look. "Helldiver... Corps? Are, aren't you Sensei?"

I nodded. "That I am, ma'am. I am a Helldiver and a Sensei." I smiled. "Ain't that pretty cool?"

She gives a small smile. "W-well, that does sound pretty cool."

"Well then, Sora, before that little mishap-" I jabbed a thumb behind me at the door. "-I was just on my way to explore the SCHALE building, which brought me here." I glanced around the room, noticing the shelves lined with goods.

Returning eye contact, I continued. "I assume this is a convenience store of sorts?"

She nodded. "Y-yes, Sensei. This is 'ANGEL 24', a convenience store that is open twenty-four-seven."

I got to my feet, causing Sora to take a few steps back. "Mind if I look around?"

She shook her head. "N-not at all! Please, take your time, and let me know of you need any help!" Turning around, she then headed off to man her station, being the counter housing the cash register.

Walking up to one of the shelves, I glanced around the store, with it being clean to a fault and housing a wide variety of offerings. Not too dissimilar to the stores on Super Earth, I continued perusing.

"Freedom of choice, eh?" I tapped on the Shittim Chest as I brought it up to show off the numerous options of snacks and drinks.

"Oh ha ha." Arona laughed blandly from behind the screen.

Setting her down on a shelf, I picked up one of the bags of chips. "If memory serves me right, this "Y" symbol stands for 'Yen', correct?"

She nodded. "That's right, are you looking to buy some snacks, Sensei?"

I shook my head. "Not right now, just getting familiar with the land and its offerings."

Replacing the bag, I continued looking around. Nothing too much out of the standard, snacks, drinks, a small assortment of food items under heat lamps, MRE's, empty magazines, boxes of ammunition...

Wait a minute.

Taking a few steps back, I had to rub my visor to make sure I wasn't seeing things. And wouldn't you know it? I wasn't. Lifting up a box, the contents inside shook around, the telltale sounds of brass hitting brass could be heard emanating from it.

"Hey Arona?" I asked for my assistant.

"Sensei?"

"This is a box of 5.56x45... right?"

She nodded. "It is, is there something wrong?" She asks, as if this was normal.

Which it might fully be, given that this is an entirely new land... where everyone has a gun.

"Just making sure." I replied as I set down the box with a sigh.

The surprises only increased as I headed towards the back. Assault rifles, shotguns, handguns, machine guns, hand grenades, anti-personnel mines, rocket launchers. The list went on, and all with their respective calibers and ammunition.

Again, 'Do as Kivotos does.' I thought.

Finishing up getting acquainted with the store's layout and... interesting offerings, I strode up towards the front counter.

"S-so, did you find everything you need, Sensei?" Sora asked as she rubbed her hands.

I nodded. "That I did, didn't have anything in mind to purchase, though."

"O-oh?"

Looking at the young cashier, I couldn't help but ask. "Is it alright if I ask you a few questions?"

She raised a brow. "Y-yes, I don't mind."

"Might I ask how old you are? You seem quite young to be working."

She froze up. "I-I-I assure you that me working here is completely, one-hundred-percent legal! No illegalities being conducted here! No sir!"

Confused at her sudden outburst and defense of her working, I continued. "Woah there, Sora, I'm not here to reprimand you."

She stops trembling as she meets my eyes.

"Instead, I'd much rather commend you for working at such a young age."

This takes her aback somewhat, indicated by her confused and slightly suspicious look.

I smiled. "Back where I am from, it is the duty of every man, woman and child to work towards improving the lives of themselves and the lives of their community."

She nods along, a wave of relief washing over her. Then confusion as she took in one bit that confused her.

She gives me a look. "And child?" Her voice lined with skepticism.

I nodded. "Yes, all hands are onboard as soon as they are able to."

She mulls over my words for a few moments before nodding once more, coming to her own level of understanding.

"Well... t-thanks for understanding, Sensei."

I give her a thumbs up. "Of course! You let me know if you have any problems, I'm always happy to help."

She nodded, a smile beaming from her. "Thanks, Sensei." She laughs. "Y'know? You're a lot different than what social media would say."

I tilted my head. "Is that so?"

"Yeah, here, let me show you." She dug around her apron pockets before producing a small data pad. Tapping on it a few times, she turns it my way.

Accepting the device, I scrolled through the articles. I raised a brow, as most, if not all videos shown are of my squad and I repelling dissidents, the strategems being deployed, and my little stunt of me taking out the tank with a five-hundred-kilogram bomb.

"I thought you were pretty cool, Sensei." She then pointed at the resounding explosion caused by the ordnance. "And where'd the bomb come from!?" She asked excitedly. "Everyone's saying that it came from that blur in the sky, are they with you?"

I smiled. "Heh, awe-struck, are you?" I coughed into my hand... through my helmet. "Indeed, that blur that you see right there is known as an Eagle Multi-Role Fighter. Affectionately referred to as Eagle One."

"So they are with you!?"

I bobbed my head side to side. "Well... they are with me, technically, but I have no way of communicating with them."

She raises a brow. "Why not?"

I lifted my right wrist, showing off the communicator on it. "This here is used to communicate with any friendly units, such as Eagle One... usually, anyways." I shook my head. "Any time I've tried to, I get static. So, it's either mine's busted, there's is, though unlikely, or something's going on that I'm not aware of."

"Huh..."

I pursed my lips. "Yup."

After a few moments, I lifted up her data pad. "Anywho, mind if we watch a few of these videos? I want to see if they got my good side."

She laughs. "Sure, I don't mind."

Scrolling through the, admittedly, scary number of videos of my team and I, all were basically showcasing our heroics, simply at different angles. Though simply changing the angle can give great results.

I nodded approvingly at the end of the video. "What can you say? I am pretty cool."

She glances at me with a smirk. "Pffft."

I smile her way as I returned the small device. "Welp, I suppose it's time for me to head out. Gotta explore the rest of the building to get familiar and what not."

She nodded. "It was good to meet you, Sensei! Don't hesitate to drop by whenever you need something!"

"That I will do, pleasure meeting you, Sora." I say with a wave as I passed through the doors, wary to hold my cape so I don't repeat the incident earlier.

Within the SCHALE Office

With exploring most of the building done, namely its numerous facilities for extracurriculars, before I knew it, the sun had long since set. Deciding that this was enough exploring to be had, I make the call to turn in for the day.

"Say, Arona." I called for my trusty assistant.

The screen to the Shittim Chest came to life. "You called, Sensei?"

"I'm a... 'Sensei' now, right?"

She raised a brow. "That is, uh, correct. Why?"

"What kind of stuff am I slated to do anyways?"

Then she smiled. "I was wondering when you were going to ask! Thankfully, I've already went ahead and made your schedule for tomorrow!"

I nodded. "Good deal, so what's on the docket for tomorrow?"

"Well, you still have the rest of those documents to go over from today, so those will be done first." Then she pursed her lips. "Next, Rin will drop by to, uh, offload more paperwork for you to do."

I sighed. "Surely becoming a paper-pusher isn't all that entails with becoming a 'Sensei'."

"Well, there's also the prospect of you approving any applicants that drop by or by email!"

She then pulled out a blue folder. "And wouldn't you know it, we have one that came by!"

"But that doesn't exactly exempt me from the paperwork, does it?"

She shook her head. "Nope, 'fraid not, Sensei."

Then an idea struck me. "Didn't Rin say that they're applying for SCHALE's assistant position, right?"

An askance glance was sent my way. "That is correct." Her eyes narrow. "Wait a minute, don't tell me..."

"Yes, my dear assistant, whatever you have in mind is correct! If you would, please contact them to come in person should it be convenient for them." I grinned. "I believe we might have a loophole."

"Surely you aren't thinking of offloading your work onto them, Sensei." She deadpans.

I half-shrugged. "A Helldiver rarely dives alone, Arona! Anyhow, what time am I supposed to be ready for tomorrow?"

She frowns my way before rolling her eyes. "Rin will drop by the office around 9 AM, but work hours begin at 8 AM."

I nodded. "Good deal." I glanced at the clock hanging off the wall. 10:47 PM. "Time to hit the rack!"

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

Raising myself out of bed, I grabbed the alarm clock and promptly quieted its alarm. Reading the LED screen, it reported 06:00 AM.

Perfect.

A Helldiver's morning regime is one of discipline.

Early to rise. Early to dive. Early to fight.

With each movement measured and intentional, the elite nature of the Super Earth Armed Forces is reflected in their actions, swift and calculated, with nary a wasted move.

Just as quickly as I had risen, I had finished showering and dressing.

I glanced at the clock. 06:15 AM.

Donning my armor and locking it into place, I adjusted the positioning of it to get comfortable under the Titanium-A alloy plating. Equipping my helmet, it was followed by the faint hiss of the hermetic seal engaging. Giving it a few knocks with my hand, I grabbed my SG-225 'Breaker' and P-19 'Redeemer', holstering them into place.

With a nod, I turned away from the standing mirror.

"Ready to start the day, Sensei?" My trusty assistant yawned, a digital coffee in hand.

I nodded. "Born ready."

Within the SCHALE Office

"Why is there so much paperwork!?" I exclaimed, reluctantly hoisting up another document, glancing over the text briefly, before signing off on it and adding it to a steadily increasing pile.

Rin pushed up her glasses. "I'm afraid that is the nature of clerical work such as this, Sensei." She waved a hand towards the towering pile of paper. "Many of the documents you see pertains to requests for material and support aid, most of which occurring after the president's disappearance."

True to her words, many of the documents were from the many academy districts around Kivotos. A lot of which I don't recognize, like whatever Shanhaijing or Red Winter may be, but three stuck out, namely the Trinity General School, Gehenna Academy, and the Millenium Science School.

"Also." Rin added.

"Hmm?" I hummed, my eyes still glued to the copious amount of paper.

She gave me a look. "Are you certain that you will want to work under all of your... armor?"

I turned my head her way. "I am most comfortable when I am ready to rock and roll!"

An amused look crosses her. "I see, in any case, please continue to look over these-" She glanced back at the paperwork. "-And don't hesitate to ask for assistance."

She sighed, as if a weight had been lifted off of her. "If nothing else, Sensei, I shall take my leave."

I nodded. "See you around, Rin."

With a nod, she turned and left. As the door closed, I made sure her footsteps were out of earshot before letting out a groan.

"Sensei?" Arona called, the Shittim Chest's screen turning on.

Leaning back on the office chair, I moved my head down to glance at the system manager, her data pad stood up against a book.

"Arona." I began, letting my head hang again. "When are those recruits supposed to drop by?"

"Uh..." She trailed off. "I think any time today, as long as it is before closing, which is 5 PM."

Then the intercom housed into my desk rang to life.

Leaning back forward, I pressed the button sticking out of it. "This is Sergeant Allen Hicks, send it."

"E-eh!?" The female voice exclaimed, evidently startled. "I-is, is this not the intercom link to Sensei's office?"

I grinned. "This is Sensei speaking, what have you got for me?"

"Moooouuuu! P-please don't tease me Sensei, and, uh, t-this is Iwabitsu Ayumu, I believe that this will be the first time we will have met."

"Please to meet you Ayumu, wished we could've met face to face-" I shrugged. "But duty calls!"

"Ah ha ha..." She awkwardly laughed before having cleared her throat. "I have a student here that wishes to meet you, are you currently free to take in any applicants for approval?"

I turned my head towards Arona with an evil grin, thankfully obscured by my helmet. To that end, she merely shook her head, a small smile on her face.

"Free as I'll ever be, send her my way, please."

"Yes, Sensei." Then the intercom link was cut.

"Heh, looks like we've got our first recruit!"

"So..." I trailed off as I read off their resume. "Says here you're a treasurer for the Millenium Student Council that goes by Seminar?"

The student in question puffed up their chest with a smug look. "Indeed, Sensei. And quite a good one, I might add."

"Good at numbers." I mumbled as I studied the student.

Hayase Yuuka, a student attending the Millenium Science School and the current treasurer for their respective student council. I flashback to when we retook the SCHALE building.

Her tactical acumen on the battlefield could do with some work, given that she has jumped in headfirst a few times. But with the ballistic resistant nature of the people of Kivotos, I can kind of see why it's lacking. Barring that, given her resume, she has quite the intelligent mind. Quick with all sorts of numbers, I can also see how she landed the treasurer gig.

Looks like she's kind of a big shot. "So, what brings you here then, Miss Seminar?"

She glared at me. "Not you too! It's Yuuka!"

I smirked. "Anywho, since you're on the student council over at Millenium, you must be quite the bigshot, no?"

"W-well, not exactly..." She stammers. "Apart from the odd balancing of our club's budgets, and filing any finances for the council, I'm nothing too important."

I nodded. "I see. But I'm going to have to warn you beforehand." I jabbed a thumb at the mountain of paperwork. "If you were to take up the duty of becoming SCHALE's assistant, this'll be one of the responsibilities you'll have to tackle."

I shook my head. "Mighty boring, I might add."

The Millenium student shrugged. "Nothing out of my league, I've done my fair share of paperwork, Sensei. And plus, I would like to think of this as repaying you for helping restabilize Kivotos!"

I smiled. "Good deal, then." I subtlety nodded in Arona's direction, who signed off on something before giving me a thumbs up. "Well then, Yuuka." I began as I got to my feet and outstretched a hand. "Welcome aboard, Diver!"

She accepted the gesture. "Pleasure to be working with you, Sensei."

Chapter Text

The AC-8 Autocannon.

A fully-automatic-capable Anti-Armor and Anti-Personnel Support Weapon.

When requested by the Helldiver, they are sent a Hellpod equipped with the AC-8 Autocannon itself, and its support backpack filled with ten stripper clips, with each clip holding five rounds of ammunition.

Though, the Helldiver of the today will find that the AC-8 is a side-grade to its predecessor, the AC-22 'Dum-Dum'.

The 'Dum-Dum' is a  magazine-fed twenty-millimeter autocannon, largely characterized by its much bulkier and heavier profile.  Usually reserved for light vehicles or APCs, the brave Helldivers of the First Galactic War sought its use against their enemies as a shoulder-mounted support weapon, bringing Freedom and Peace, twenty-millimeters at a time with explosive results.

Lacking its predecessor's magazine and, thankfully, its bulk, Super Earth engineers decided, in their best judgement, that fielding greater numbers with simpler weapon controls and greater ammunition variety will prove to serve better in Humanity's fight to conquer the stars.

Man-portable, it is a shoulder-mounted support weapon capable of full-auto fire with programmable ammunition, allowing the Helldiver to choose between two options of firepower.

The option of proximity-triggered fragmentation rounds, perfectly suited to shred groups of enemies with piercing shrapnel,

Or the option of Armor-Piercing-High-Explosive-Tracers, for when precision fire is needed to accurately and swiftly eliminate a heavily armored foe.

The versatility of this piece of equipment not only lies in its ammunition, but by its ability to be either crew-served or solo-operated. In its intended purpose of being operated by two Helldivers, the gunner is able to forego the need of picking their shots, as their fellow Diver will ensure that there will be a steady supply of Freedom being loaded into the weapon.

But should it be solo-operated, that does not mean that its efficacy is diminished. The beauty in its ability to be operated by only one Helldiver is that it allows their fellow Divers to be equipped with other support weapons to efficiently dole out Democracy where it is needed.

A truly versatile piece of equipment, its use can be found all across the galaxy. Be it stomping out the bug, or crushing the bot, with its trusted reliability and tested ruggedness, it is a favorite amongst the Helldiver Corps.

The AC-8 Autocannon.

"Anti-Armor & Anti-Personnel Equipment you can trust!"  - 'Admiral Defense Contracting'

Within the SCHALE Office

"Yuuka." I called for my new trusty assistant.

Wordlessly, she glanced my way, unamused by the paperwork that we had the unfortunate pleasure of reading and signing off on.

Slowly turning my head her way, I watched briefly as her hands worked swiftly without her attention, filling out portions of the paperwork that didn't need mine, then slipping it into another pile for me to glance over before giving the final touching up.

I dropped my pen and stretched, shifting my armor as I moved. "I didn't become a Helldiver to fight paper." I shook a fist at my writ foes. "If I did, this place would be ablaze right now!"

She gives me a look, her hands still moving. "I understand how you feel Sensei, but if we don't finish these now, it'll be an endless loop of catching up if more paperwork comes by."

I groaned as I looked at the clock on the wall. 11:41 AM. It's only been about two hours since Rin dropped off the paperwork, but it sure felt like an eternity once we were in the thick of it.

I'd much rather be fighting bugs that doing this, but alas, a true Helldiver never shirks their duties, no matter how monotonous it may be.

"Alrighty then." I mutter as I rolled my shoulder and reequipped my weapon of choice, the mighty pen. "If the bug nor bot couldn't stop me, neither will this!"

"Sweet Liberty! We're finally done!" I cheered as I threw my pen at the finally finished stack of documents, with the pen harmlessly bouncing off and clattering to the ground.

Yuuka exhaled in relief while cracking her knuckles. "Good work, Sensei, for someone who complains a lot, you sure do pull through when it matters."

I point a finger at her, a smirk under my helmet. "Hey, if I wanted to fight paper, I would've joined the S.E.A.F Navy."

A smile crosses her as she rolled her eyes. "Now that the paperwork is done, we are officially done for today. With desk work, anyways. What else is there for us on schedule?"

I glance at Arona, who looks over a clipboard before shrugging, followed by a shake of the head. "That was it for today, good work, Yuuka."

She nodded. "Great, is there anything in mind that you want to do then, Sensei?"

I tapped the chin of my helmet. "Hmm..."

Then an idea most ingenious crossed my mind. Quickly hopping out my chair, I garner a startled yelp from Yuuka as I sent the office chair rolling into the wall.

Grabbing the Shittim Chest with one hand, I waved in the direction of Yuuka before setting off for the door. "Great work today, Yuuka! Take the rest of the day off, I'm going to try something out!"

Before she could protest, I had already set off for the elevator, repeatedly pressing the ground floor button.

Within the SCHALE Training Grounds

Just outside the SCHALE building, I found an open area to be the perfect location to test out my theories. I may not be the most well-versed in the classroom, but I have enough experience under my belt to be able to sniff out whether or not something's gone awry.

And wouldn't you know it? I have an extremely glaring something that has most definitely gone awry. And that's the issue of the Super Destroyer.

I haven't had the chance to confirm its existence, but that in of itself is a problem. If it didn't exist, how in Democracy would I be able to call in strategems? So far, I've been able to requisition a resupply, an Orbital Precision Strike, and by Liberty, even an Eagle Fighter.

'Well, just sitting and thinking on it won't get me anywhere.' I thought as I lifted the strategem terminal and a beacon for use.

'Left Down Right Up Left Down Down.' I repeated in my mind as I went through the actions.

With a high-pitched whine, the beacon lit up blue, signifying that a support strategem has been successfully loaded. Giving it a toss, the beacon rolled for a little before stopping, resulting in a bright blue beacon piercing into the sky.

Then I began counting.

'One, two, three, four...' I trailed off in my mind, crossing my fingers in hopes that it works.

'...Fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine, sixty...'

"Looks like this one's a bust, huh?" I say aloud as I stared at the bright blue light.

Learning my lesson from last time, I waited for the beacon to shut down automatically. Better to sit and wait than to be splattered across the concrete.

Then, to my utmost surprise, the beacon turned off.

Then the deafening rumbling of an all too familiar aerospace craft hovered closer. With a wide smile I turned around to find a sight most beautiful.

A Pelican-Logistical Aerospace Shuttle, with it carrying a payload that would make any Diver cheer. An EXO-45 'Patriot' Exosuit.

Then I shook off the awe and ran towards the Pelican. Waving my arms, I got as close as possible to at least try and get the attention of the shuttle's pilot.

"HEY! OVER HERE!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Without a single pause, the Pelican released its cargo, with the Exosuit hitting the concrete with a resounding impact, cracking and displacing the ground beneath it.

Anxiety at an all-time high, I reacted out of instinct and dashed towards the Exosuit, using it as a platform to raise myself up. Grabbing its numerous handles, I hoisted myself up on top before standing up straight on its hull.

Just before the Pelican could turn, I was allowed a few seconds of unimpeded view into the shuttle's cockpit. With joy, I began to cheer as I waved towards the cockpit to catch their attention. But what I saw caused my heart to sink.

Pelicans were always a beautiful sight for sore, war-stricken eyes. Their sleek hulls and propulsion systems cutting through the battlefield as the report of their autocannon drowned out the fascist bug and commie bot. I half expected for the shuttle's pilot to give their trademark callsign and one-liner as it closed in.

Little did I know that Kivotos had more in stock to whittle down what I thought I had a grasp on. Peeking into the cockpit-

It...

It was empty...

The aerospace craft then took off into the sunset, an orange-purple hue painting its hull as it rode off into distance. I watched as its silhouette slowly shrunk before disappearing into obscurity.

Slack-jawed, I raised my hands to remove my helmet, the hermetic seal becoming undone as I lifted and tossed it to the side, the piece of equipment bouncing off the hull of the Exosuit before ultimately plummeting to the ground.

I couldn't find any words nor thoughts to be had as I simply sat down on the hull of the machine, my head hung low, and my spirits shattered.

With that, all my hopes of finding any way home was crushed.

"Sensei?" Arona called out to me, her voice muffled from behind my chestplate.

I paused for a few moments before slowly taking out the data pad housing the little system manager.

"Is... is everything okay?" She asked, concern lacing her voice. "I, uh, I detected a sudden rise in your heart rate, did something happen?"

Wordlessly, I lifted the Shittim Chest to come face to face with her, the little lady pacing the screen as she stared at me with concern.

"Sensei?"

"I..." I began before sniffling. "You think you can keep a secret, Arona?"

She gives me a look of worry before a small smile took its place. "Yes, Sensei. I'm your trusty assistant, after all!"

I then began recounting my life, where I was born, where I lived, where I trained, where I fought... and eventually, where I lost my way. A Helldiver is just that, one who dives straight into the depths of hell to kick the devil straight in the jaw, smiling and cackling the whole process through as they wreaked havoc deep behind enemy lines.

One often forgets to take in account what happens behind their steel-willed facade.

"Sensei..." Arona whispered.

"Funny, isn't it?" I muttered as I sniffled. "One of Super Earth's finest crying up a storm."

"..."

I wiped my eyes. "That Pelican that dropped by... that might've been one of my last hopes of making it home... and when I looked into it, there wasn't a damned pilot!"

"But Sensei!" She exclaimed, her hands held up to her chest. "Don't lose hope!"

I raised my head to meet her eyes.

She nodded vigorously. "I know I'm in no place to tell you what to do, but you're not alone, Sensei!"

I remained silent.

"Within the short time I've worked with you, no matter how little it seemed, I know for certain that you're a good- no, a great person, Allen-Sensei!"

Even beneath all my sadness, I couldn't help but form a small smile.

"And I'm sure many of the students of Kivotos knows that!" She nodded a few times with a glint in her eyes.

"What I'm trying to say is, Sensei, you aren't alone on this! As much as it is a 'Sensei's' job to listen to their student's troubles, it is also our job to help our 'Sensei' out as much as possible, as best as possible!"

I wiped my eyes once more, a smile fully taking place of my frown.

She beamed. "Whenever you can, Allen-Sensei, please don't hesitate to reach out! As you've said numerous times already-"

At her next action, I couldn't help but have a fervor re-awaken within me.

"-Helldivers dive together!" She exclaimed with a perfect salute.

I hopped off the Exosuit and gathered my helmet. As I inspected it, my eyes hovered over the numerous scratches and dents that populated the surface of the Titanium-A alloy, a stern reminder of the hardships I've endured and the battles I've fought. And won.

This obstacle would simply be another trial I would have to face.

"Y'know Arona?" I asked, a vigor re-awakened within me.

"Hehe~." She giggled. "Yes, Sensei?"

A genuine smile crossed me. "Thank you."

"Of cours- wuh!? Eh!? Huh!?" The system manager blushed as she sounded out in confusion.

Donning my helmet, the hermetic seal engaged once more as I looked towards the sky.

"Being all sad and sappy isn't a good fit for a Helldiver." I lifted up the Shittim Chest. "So I would like to thank you for bringing me back down to the ground."

She beamed a smile. "Of course, Sensei! No matter what, I'll always be here to help!"

"Glad to hear it!" I exclaimed before turning towards the machine-of-war. "For now..." I trailed off as I stared at my newly acquired hardware. "What do we do with this?"

Slowly, Arona turned her head to meet the Exosuit.

"Uh..."

"What in Kivotos is that!?" Rin exclaimed after recovering from her shock.

Slowly approaching the Exosuit, she glanced at its armaments, obviously in awe at the multi-barreled gatling gun and fully armed rocket pod.

I scratched the top of my helmet. "That there's an EXO-45 'Patriot' Exosuit. A mobile weapons platform for all sorts of applications."

She slowly turned her head my way, her eyes twitching incessantly at the new problem I've provided for her. It didn't help that this was occurring just shy of midnight, with her on her way home, no less.

"Se-n-se-i?" She stretched out the title, her tone denoting that she was not at all happy. An unfortunate reoccurring theme.

I slightly flinched at her call. "Er... yes, Commander?"

She shook her head. "I'm... I'm not even going to ask." She then pinched the bridge of her nose. "What I am going to say, though, is how do you plan to deal with this."

With her tone, she wasn't asking.

"I, er... do we have any vehicle stowage areas by chance?"

I earn another glare, one of many. "We do."

I flinch again. "Could I trouble you to direct me towards...?"

With a deep sigh, she pulled out her data pad and tapped at it a few times. After putting it away, she gave me a disappointed look.

Then the Shittim Chest vibrated. At the motion, I took it out to see a message notification at the top. Selecting it opened up an application with an eyebrow raising name.

"Momo... talk?" I asked aloud.

Rin nodded. "Indeed, I've sent you a file with the map of the immediate area of SCHALE, including the motor pool for the club's vehicles.

She glanced at the Exosuit. "I suppose this could be added to the list."

As I strode towards the hatch, I hovered a hand above the access lever before looking back. "Do you maybe want to try it out?" I asked as I pointed at the machine.

She gave me a glare. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline, Sensei. I've had enough troubles for today, thank you very much."

I open my mouth to say something, but find the words lost on me as she subsequently turned around and headed back towards the SCHALE building.

"Hey Arona?"

"Yes?" She answered, muffled behind my chestplate.

"Remind me to properly apologize to Rin one of these days."

"...Yes."

Finally pulling on the access handle, the hatch opened up, allowing access into Exosuit's cockpit. Stepping into the cramped space, I pulled the hatch control lever, shutting the door behind me. As it locked into place, I started up its engines and flicked on its fire control systems.

With a low rumble, the Exosuit fully powered to life and reported all systems nominal.

"Alright then, Arona."

"Huh?"

"Ready to rock and roll?"

"Eh!?"

At a rhythmic and mechanical pace, I controlled the Exosuit forward, following the map pulled up on the Shittim Chest.

"Okay, now take a left at this turn."

Arona, in her infinite helpfulness, assisted me in navigating the SCHALE grounds.

"In about fifty meters, you will reach your destination!"

I nodded. "Thanks Arona."

Lo and behold, I reached the fabled motor pool Rin promised. As the Exosuit strode further into the hangar, I eyeballed the various vehicles housed within.

I nodded in approval, though the vehicles are extremely outdated in Super Earth terms, for all intents and purposes, it would serve the people of today extremely well.

With a full complement of helicopters, SCHALE and any of its forces are well equipped to dominate the air should there be a need. Alongside the air force, SCHALE also housed its own tanks. 'Crusaders', the students called them, the hangar currently housed only three of the armored vehicles. Next to them, was a squad of jeeps, five of them to be precise, all well suited for any swift guerilla movement and tactics.

Stomping my way next to the 'Crusaders', I shut down the Exosuit's engines and turned off its fire control systems. With a tug on the hatch lever, the door unlocked and gave way for me to exit.

Lifting up the Shittim Chest, I glanced at the digital clock.

1:36 AM.

Whoops.

"I think we're a bit late for bedtime, Arona." I joked.

Then she yawned. "You would be correct, Sensei."

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

Another day, another dive into work.

Following yesterdays... events, I decided that until I can truly discover whether or not I can make it home, I'll stick around Kivotos to help its people. After all, what kind of Helldiver refuses to assist Humanity where and when they can?

"Ready to tackle the day, Sensei?" Arona asked with a slight yawn in her voice, a byproduct of the very early morning's events.

With a hiss, my helmet once more engaged its seal. "Born *yawn* ready."

Within the SCHALE Office

"You have a letter, Sensei." Rin stated as she handed a small envelope to me.

I accepted the envelope before eyeing the neatly handwritten addresses.

To: Allen-Sensei, Advisor of SCHALE

From: Abydos High School

"Why for me?" I asked.

She shrugged. "That's only for you to know." Then she gestured towards the envelope. "Why don't you take a look?"

Tearing open the envelope, I took out its contents, with it being a simple letter.

To the Advisor of SCHALE,

Hello, my name is Okusora Ayane, a first-year student at Abydos High School. I hope that this letter reaches your hands as we are in dire need of assistance. Local gangs have set their eyes on our school and have been constantly attacking since. I suspect that they are attempting to take over the academy, so we have been doing our best to repel them. This has left us in a critical state of lacking ammunition and supplies.

As such, I have sent this letter as a request for aid. If it isn't too much to ask. Please help us, Sensei.

Finishing the letter, I got to my feet.

'Finally! A proper mission!' I thought as I turned in Rin's direction with a grin, thankfully obscured by my helmet for her sake.

"Commander, it looks like we have a mission to do!"

She gives me an unamused look. "And what would that mean, Sensei?"

I lifted the letter. "I've received a request for assistance from a school that goes by Abydos. From the letter, it seems dire, so I would like to head out as soon as possible."

She nodded after contemplating my words. "I suppose that would fall under the purview of SCHALE's responsibilities." Meeting my eyes, she continued. "If you're set on continuing, how might I help?"

I nodded. "Good deal, for one, how about providing any information on the school itself?"

Lifting up her data pad, she tapped on it a few times before handing it my way. Accepting the device, I glanced over the screen.

'Dossiers.' I thought as I perused the student's information.

"Though..." I began as I looked back up. "Why are there only five students on file?"

She grimaced. "Abydos High School has a history of misfortune, a lack of a student body being one of its many misfortunes."

I slowly nodded as I looked back at the data pad.

As I re-scrolled through their documents, I did my best to memorize their names and faces. Handing back the device, I got to my feet.

"Next on the list would be figuring out their supply issue."

She raised a brow. "Would you like me to provide ammunition and other essential supplies?"

I nodded. "That would be greatly appreciated."

Tapping away on her data pad again, she looked up from it, meeting my eyes.

"And would it be possible for SCHALE to provide a helicopter escort for me?"

She nodded. "That would be possible, yes. When would you like to schedule a flight, Sensei?"

I grinned. "ASAP."

She gave me a look. "ASAP? As in, right now?"

"Indeed!" I raised my voice. "The sooner, the better!"

She rolled her eyes as she presumably inputted my request. "Then, Sensei, the pilot will be awaiting your arrival at the hangar. As soon as you're ready."

Eyes glued to the window, I am once more reminded that these lands are not what I'm familiar with... as a few kilometers back, I could've sworn that we passed snow-covered lands before suddenly crossing into a desert.

Just below us were vast swathes of abandoned buildings and houses, characterized by their disrepair and sand covered everything.

"This is about as close as I can get you, Sensei!" The pilot exclaimed from her comms link.

I nodded before giving her a thumbs up. "That'll do pilot! Set her down here!"

Sliding open the door, I hopped out, subsequently closing the door shut. With a few slaps to the hull, I gave another thumbs up towards the cockpit.

"I'll be heading back to SCHALE, Sensei! Just give me a call and I'll be right back!"

"Roger that, may Liberty guide your safe return, pilot!"

Then she giggled. "Y'know, Sensei? You say some funny things sometimes!"

"Oh?" I smirked.

"Yeah, but I kinda like it! See ya, Sensei!"

As the helicopter gained altitude, I watched it fly back in the direction we came from before fading into the blue sky.

"Arona?" I asked as I tapped my chestplate.

"Yes, Sensei?" She replied, her voice muffled.

"Ready to rock and roll?"

"Always!"

Lifting up my strategem terminal and a beacon, I entered another pattern.

Down.

Left.

Down.

Up.

Up.

Right.

Chapter Text

The MG-43 General-Purpose Machine Gun.

Conceived as a stationary machine gun, it has been altered and repurposed for use as a squad automatic weapon, bringing higher caliber firepower to mow down hordes of enemies in rapid succession.

Being a modified variant of its predecessor, the MG-94 Machine Gun, it achieves its purpose in a much lighter and maneuverable package, with much of its bulk shaved away from its housing, characterized in its skeletonized design. With much of the barrel exposed, leaving only enough handguard to allow the Helldiver to properly handle the weapon without too much discomfort, it allows the barrel to cool off much faster.

This gives the Helldiver much in leeway when applying its use Liberally, as they should, given the one-hundred-seventy-five round capacity of its box magazine and its selection of three different fire rates.

Depending on the situation on hand, the Helldiver has three options of fire rates should the need arise. In its stock configuration, the MG-43 comes out of the Hellpod ready to rock at seven-hundred-and-sixty rounds-per-minute. Though, should the Diver feel that a steadier rate is needed, the option of six-hundred-and-thirty rounds-per-minute is available, allowing for suppressive fire at a steady, albeit slower rate.

But for when superior firepower is needed now and fast, the Helldiver can select its fastest fire rate at a blazing nine-hundred rounds-per-minute, allowing the Diver to empty its box magazine in just under twelve seconds, while leaving their targets shredded beyond recognition.

Simple in its design and operation, it is no wonder that it finds its way into every fresh Helldiver recruit's hands, giving them a taste of what the Helldiver Corps has to offer, one box magazine at a time.

The MG-43 General-Purpose Machine Gun.

"Spreading Freedom and Peace one round at a time!" - 'Admiral Defense Contracting'

Within the Abydos Outskirts

Tossing the beacon, unlike the previous times where it would roll, it found itself stuck in the sand. I'm no stranger to dry-as-bones areas such as these, like Hellmire in the Mirin Sector, or Fori Prime in the Draco Sector, but Liberty be damned, it is hot.

As I watched the telltale bright blue pillar of light pierce the sky, I sought shade under one of the abandoned houses, one of many in this vast wasteland.

Counting the time it took for my strategem to touchdown, I gazed at the Abydos district. If it wasn't for Rin's briefing, I'd fully expect that this place was always a desert, not a once vibrant and prosperous academy district.

"Arona?" I asked for my trusty assistant as I pulled the Shittim Chest from my chestplate.

"Yes, Sensei?" She replied, her face planted right in front of a standing fan.

I raised a brow, how could she be feeling hot? "Do we have a map of the area?"

Scanning my surroundings, it is pretty apparent that this place was once prosperous, given how far the neighborhood's stretched. If you didn't have a map, there's a decent chance you'd get lost.

"Not currently, but I can get us one!" She nodded as a bead of sweat fell from the movement. "It'll take a few moments though, there isn't a particularly strong connection in this place."

I nodded. "Good deal, I'll see about tending to my strategem.

As if on cue, the beacon shut off before subsequently being crushed under the Hellpod. With a pop, the seal was undone, consequently launching the steel plate into the air before plunging into the sand. Grinning, I watched as the elevator lifted up its Democratic payload.

Strapping on the support backpack filled with ammunition, I hefted the support weapon over my shoulder. Sighting it in, I made sure its reticle was properly aligned before charging the handle, expelling a single round.

With a nod, I finished its checkup, grabbing the expelled round and dusting it off, before loading it back into the internal magazine.

"Woah! What is that!?" Arona exclaimed from her perch on top of a bench.

"Heh, cool, ain't it?" I gestured towards the support weapon.

She nodded vigorously. "Extremely cool! What's it called?"

Bringing it closer, I showed off all of its details to the system manager. "This here is an AC-8 Autocannon, a man-portable, shoulder-mounted support weapon for anti-armor and anti-personnel applications."

"That is so coooooooool!" She bobbed up and down on screen.

I grinned. "Sure is, and the kicker-!" I cut myself off as I turned the autocannon around, revealing a small terminal on the gunner's side. "-Is this here screen that allows us to pick between two types of ammunition, flak rounds and APHET rounds."

"Choosing either-or programs the round to take on the chosen role, making it a very versatile piece of equipment."

Her eyes glittered as she poured over every detail of the autocannon, bobbing and pacing the screen as she took in the sight of the hefty piece of hardware.

I lifted the weapon back over my shoulder. "Before we get a little too ahead of ourselves, what about that map?"

She shook her head, shaking off the awe. "Oh, right! I got the map, Sensei! Here, let me display it for you!"

Lifting up a large leaf of paper, she unfolded it to reveal a map before displaying it fully on screen.

"I'll set us a marker for where we are, and where the Abydos School is!"

As she finished her sentence, a yellow circle blipped on screen, indicating where we stood, and a blue marker a little ways away, indicating where the school is.

I nodded approvingly at the functionality. "Great work, Arona."

"Hehe~."

Slinging the autocannon onto my back, I got to work hiking my way towards the school.

But not before being dusted by a blur of white and blue as whatever it was flew by. Swatting away the kicked up sand and dust, I could barely make out the silhouette of someone on a bike.

Making a U-turn, they strolled back my way, this time without all the speed. Slowing down and stopping just a few steps away, they hopped of their bike before wiping their brow.

"Are you lost?" The white-haired and wolf-eared student asked.

I glanced around before returning eye contact. "Nope, I was just on my way to my destination."

She glanced from my visor to the autocannon slung across my back. At the sight of it, her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "What brings you here to the Abydos district?"

I scratched the top of my helmet. "Well, I was just on my way to the Abydos school, heard that they had a little problem with dissidents."

"Diss...idents?" She trailed off as she raised a brow, continuing to eye me up and down. Then her eyes widened, as if coming to a startling realization. "Wait, does that mean you're Sensei?"

I struck a heroic pose. "The one and only!"

She smirked. "If you're here, does that mean you got Ayane's letter?"

"That I did, I was told you all required assistance, so I came as soon as possible."

She nodded a few times. "Then we have to hurry, the others need to meet you."

I glanced at the map on the Shittim Chest then back to her. "I don't know about you, but we still have a few kilometers of road between us and the school." I shrugged. "Well, I'm no stranger to running multiple kilometers in a row..." I trailed off as noticed her ears stand on edge at my mention of running multiple kilometers.

"Er, what's up?"

She cracked her knuckles. "You wanna race to the school?"

I raised a brow. "I'm not sure about racing, but if we want to make it there in time, I suppose picking up the pace will help greatly."

She nodded as she walked her bike to a nearby lamppost before locking it to the frame.

Gesturing towards the open road, she gave the faintest of smiles. "Shall we?"

Hiking up the autocannon on my back, I grinned behind my helmet. As ridiculous as it sounds, this takes me back to my deployments, hefting multiple kilograms of equipment and ordnance on our backs while absolutely hightailing it towards the next objective as bugs clawed their way towards us.

Good times.

As we jogged, I filled in for noise where the sounds of sand crunching under our feet couldn't.

"I don't know what I've been told!" I sang in a cadence.

"But Titanium-A is hard to fold!"

In the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of the white-haired student giving me an amused look.

"You *huff* sing *huff* during *huff* runs?" She asked in between pants.

I nodded. "Helps control breathing *huff* and increases *huff* lung capacity!"

She raises a brow in my direction before shrugging.

"I don't know what I've been told!" I sang again before noticing she joined me.

We glance at each other before nodding.

"But General Brasch is mighty old!"

Passing through the double doors of the classroom, we took the chance to cool off, with the white-haired student wiping off the sweat on her brow with her scarf before popping open her water bottle.

With Super Earth instilled discipline, I kept my panting to a minimum and scanned the classroom.

"Took you long enough-" A new, this time black-haired student with cat ears, began before pausing at the sight of me. "Wha-!" She then pointed at me. "Who's this adult?"

I jabbed a thumb at myself. "Sergeant Allen Hicks of the Helldiver Corps, at your service!"

She gave me a bewildered look. "...Huh?"

"You must be the new Sensei everyone's been talking about~!" A cheerful voice singsonged as they passed through another door adjacent to us.

Smiling my way, she approached with an outstretched hand. "I'm Izayoi Nonomi, nice to meet you!"

I accepted the gesture. "Pleasure to meet you as well."

She nodded before pulling the two other girls to her sides. Patting the white-haired student's head, she nudged them closer. "This one's Sunaookami Shiroko!" Then the black-haired one. "And this one's Kuromi Serika!"

Shiroko nodded. "Nn, nice to meet you, Sensei."

Serika huffed before glaring at me. "I guess it's good to meet you."

I nodded their way. "Pleasure meeting you girls."

"Aiyaa~, why's it so noisy this time of day~?" Another student, this time with pink-hair, sleepily yawned our way before passing through the same door.

Opening one eye, she glanced up at me before yawning and outstretching a hand.

"You must be Sensei, nice to meet you, I'm Takanashi Hoshino." I catch her eyes quickly glancing between my visor and the autocannon slung to my back.

I accept the gesture. "Nice to meet you as well."

Then another student. "Looks like you're getting well acquainted with the rest." She nodded my way. "I'm Okusora Ayane, thank you for responding to our request."

I nodded. "Not a problem, what kind of Helldiver would turn away a request for aid?"

This earned me a few bewildered looks.

I coughed. "Now then, how about getting me up to speed?"

She pushed up her glasses. "Of course, currently, we are up against the 'Kata Kata Helmet Gang', who have been attacking our school for about a week now. We've been able to repel them without too much trouble on our part initially, but now we are starting to feel the strain of not having any supplies or ammunition readily available."

I nodded. "Have you guys received a shipment as of late?"

This raises everyone's brow. "Shipment?" Shiroko asked.

"Yes, I scheduled a shipment to be off loaded to this school sometime earlier, I believe it was supposed to arrive a couple hours ago?"

Ayane's eyes narrow before turning her head towards Hoshino, who shakes their head.

With a grimace, she turns back to me. "If it was supposed to be here earlier, it was more than likely intercepted."

Serika clicked her tongue at the fact.

I placed a hand on my chin. "Then, how are we looking in the ammo department?"

Shiroko shook her head. "So far, we've only been managing with a couple of magazines between me and Serika."

Nonomi shook her minigun, which is a damn nice looking piece of hardware. "I don't know, maybe enough for a few more fights?" She answered with a shrug.

"I still have more than a few shells, might have to watch my shots though." Hoshino lazily responded, her head resting on her arms as she laid on the table.

I nodded a few times. "Then, would you all kindly follow me outside?"

The girl's glance at each other before turning back to me, with Ayane speaking up first. "What do you have in mind, Sensei?"

I grinned. "Well, since the first shipment was intercepted, looks like we'll have to do this my way."

Again, more weird looks.

I shrugged as I turned towards the door. "It'll be cool, I promise!"

Ayane glanced towards her classmates before back to me with a confused look. "Ooookay, lead the way, I guess?"

In the courtyard, I stood at attention as I waited for the girls to file out of the building.

"Took you all long enough!" I exclaimed, my arms held behind my back.

Serika scoffed. "Well, you didn't even mind explaining what we're even going to do outside."

I waved a finger her way. "Now now, Cadet, I'll first be displaying the logistical capabilities of the Helldiver Corps!"

"...What? ...And Cadet?"

Not responding to her confusion, I lifted up the strategem terminal and a beacon before inputting the pattern for a resupply.

With a high-pitched whine, the beacon lit up blue. Tossing it behind me, I watched as the expressions on their face change from confusion to awe as they followed the pillar of light up towards the sky.

"And now, we wait." I stated, placing my arms behind my back.

Hoshino raised a brow my way. "Wait for what?"

I pointed up. "Wait for that."

Simultaneously, shock plastered all of their faces as their jaws dropped, likely from the sight of a rapidly approaching Hellpod screaming towards us.

Just before they could react properly, the Hellpod engaged its air brakes before subsequently piercing a hole into the sand. With the steel plate launching itself off the entrance, the elevator raised itself up, revealing four yellow boxes ready for use.

The girl's still slack jawed at the sight, I walked over and slapped the top of the Hellpod. "Here's that resupply I promised, fresh from Lady Liberty herself."

The stares continued as silenced loomed over us.

"Uh... you all good?" I questioned as I waved a hand.

Serika shook her head. "What the hell was that!?"

"That, Cadet Serika, was a Hellpod." I replied as I stood back at parade rest.

Ayane rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things. "How...?" She glanced at the girl's then back at the pod. "...What?"

I waved a hand. "No need to get into the nitty gritty." I pointed at them. "You guys needed supplies and ammunition-" I pointed back at the pod. "I obliged."

Hoshino blinked a few times. "Yeah, but-" She cut herself off before laser-focusing onto me. "You... you said you're a, uh, Helldiver?"

I nodded. "That I am."

"Military? PMC?" Her tone treading a fine-line on hostility.

A slight shudder is sent down my spine. "Military, I am Sergeant Allen Hicks of the Helldiver Corps, special forces of the Super Earth Armed Forces."

Her glare eased up as she raised a brow. "Super... Earth?"

"Correct. If it makes it easier on you all, I'm from another planet, and likely another galaxy."

Serika shook her head in disbelief. "Yeah right, from another galaxy." She spat out. "Next thing you're going to tell me is that-" She jabbed a finger at the Hellpod. "-thing came from your spaceship."

I scratched the top of my helmet. "Well, kind of."

Shiroko nudged her with her elbow. "I can kinda believe that, just look at Sensei."

At her words, the girls glanced at each other before eyeing me up and down.

Hoshino nodded. "Well, now that you say it, he kinda does look like he's from space."

"Yeah!" Nonomi affirmed. "Look at his helmet! It's has a kinda space-y feel to it!"

Ayane pushed up her glasses. "Well, even barring all of that, the... Hellpod, you call it, at the angle if came from, there's no way that it could've been launched, if not from space."

I grinned. "Starting to believe me now?"

Serika crossed her arms and huffed. "Well, I guess for now."

I grabbed a supply box. "Great! Now get to rearming yourselves!"

Tossing them towards the girls, we fall short of supplies by one.

"Well, ain't that a shame." I point out as I placed my hands to my hips, turning my head towards Nonomi.

Ayane shrugged before handing her box to the blonde. "I'm not a frontline combatant anyways, you'll need this more than me."

"Aww~, thanks Ayane!" She cheered before gleefully accepting the box.

I nodded in approval at the teamwork. "Great, now crack 'em open!"

Giving me a brief look, the girls then began opening up the boxes.

Hoshino raised a brow. "How'd you know to get me twelve-gauge shells?" Then she whistled. "Magnum buckshot no less, you must have some deep pockets, Sensei."

I shrugged. "Well, I'm not paying for them myself, per se."

"Why're the tips red?" Shiroko asked as she held up a small box of 5.56 with it cracked open.

"Mine're too." Serika followed up.

I pointed at the tipped rounds. "Those are tracers, helps you keep on target as you fire."

They raised a brow at the rounds before shrugging.

"And what are these?" Nonomi chimed in as she held up two cylindrical devices filled with a bright blue liquid. "Some kinda glowstick?"

I put my mouth to an 'o' as I watched them all take out said cylindrical devices from their respective boxes. Now how do I put this lightly?

I point at the cylinders in question. "That's... uh-" I dropped the hand and scratched my helmet. "Simply put, stimulants that rapidly speed up the process of cellular regeneration, usually in the face of extreme trauma."

Nonomi freezes up as she dropped the stimulant. The rest of the girls gave it a funny look before setting it aside.

I sighed. "Yeah, soldiers get some wild stuff, right?"

"Ooooookay..." Ayane trailed off. "What else should we expect in these boxes?"

"Apart from the... ahem, stimulants and the ammo, there's grenades and beacons for use."

She raised a brow. "Beacons?"

"Yup." I grabbed one from its holding before tossing it into the air. "These little guys, I use 'em to call in strategems, like that resupply I called in."

"Huh."

I nodded. "Yuuuuup."

"These are funny looking grenades." Hoshino pointed out as she held up the explosive device.

"Quite so, but very effective at what they do, explode." I exaggerated as I 'blew up' my hands.

She gives me a look.

Clearing my throat, I continued. "Those there are G-12 High Explosive Grenades, big boom without the shrapnel, but when it goes boom, expect a large hole in whatever you threw it at."

In the corner of my eye, I catch Shiroko eyeing them with a deep intensity, before being bonked on the head by Ayane.

"Now that we're resupplied-" I glance over at all the girls. "-What about those dissidents you all were referring to?"

"Dissidents... if what you mean is the Helmet Gang, they've been attacking at random times throughout the days." Ayane tapped her chin. "Speaking of which, they haven't attacked today..."

Then the front gate blew up behind us.

"Hehe~." Hoshino giggled as she loaded a few shells into her shotgun. "Spoke too soon!"

Chapter Text

The GR-8 Recoilless Rifle.

A man-portable, shoulder-fired, anti-armor support weapon, it is best-in-class in terms of destructive power for a support weapon, destroying the heaviest of armor and leveling the toughest of structures.

When requisitioned, the Hellpod is equipped with the GR-8 Recoilless Rifle itself, and its support backpack loaded with five eighty-four-millimeter shells.

Being another support weapon to be refashioned and refurbished from its predecessor, the GR-8 lacks many of the amenities the RL-112 MK3 features, such as its laser sighting module and its significantly enhanced anti-material capabilities. Despite the seemingly steep trade-off, the GR-8 foregoes it all for an updated chassis and the option of programmable ammunition.

Much like its AC-8 counterpart, the eighty-four-millimeter shells the GR-8 utilizes are programmable for anti-armor and anti-personnel capabilities.

Though the RL-112 was designed solely for an anti-armor role, as reflected in its Armor-Piercing-High-Explosive-Capped-Ballistic-Capped munitions, much to the confusion of S.E.A.F Command, many Helldivers from the First Galactic War insisted on utilizing it to eliminate fodder.

As such, in its trade off of its laser sighting module and APHECBC munitions, Super Earth engineers created the GR-8 Recoilless Rifle.  Largely inspired by the heroic actions of the Helldivers during First Galactic War,  it now houses an electronic suite that allows the Helldiver to program their shells for what the situation calls for.

Be it the option of High-Explosive-Anti-Tank shells to defeat super-heavy targets,

Or purely High-Explosive shells to completely annihilate anything less than an armored vehicle,

The GR-8 Recoilless Rifle is capable of both anti-armor and anti-personnel roles.

Similarly with the AC-8 Autocannon, the GR-8 Recoilless Rifle has the capability of being either crew-served or solo-operated. Though not of the same versatility of the autocannon, the Recoilless Rifle leans heavier on its role of pure destruction. When crew-served as intended, the lengthy reload process is largely circumvented, allowing the Helldiver to launch ordnance in quick succession.

Be it rapidly disposing of multiple high-priority targets with H.E.A.T munitions,

Or leveling structures and annihilating droves of clustered enemies with High Explosive shells,

Look no further than the Recoilless Rifle to spread Democracy, eighty-four-millimeters at a time.

The GR-8 Recoilless Rifle.

"Blow 'em to Hell! Divers!"  - 'Admiral Defense Contracting'

Within the Abydos Courtyard

"Keep 'em coming! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! FOR SUPER EAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRTH!"

Valiantly, at the top of my lungs, I screamed as I loaded stripper clip after stripper clip of ammo into the autocannon, watching as the twenty-millimeter rounds flew into the dissident lines, the programmed flak rounds exploding spectacularly into shredding shrapnel, clearing out the helmeted dissenters by the handful.

"Watch those flanks!" I ordered as I let loose a hail of shells into the breach that the Helmet Gang blew into the gate.

Tossing away an empty mag, I drop my 'Breaker' before swapping to my 'Redeemer', the machine pistol releasing a hail of fire, shredding a few more in the barrage.

"Sensei-!" Ayane yelled out as a drone hovered overhead, her voice emitting from it. Craning my head upward, I wave briefly at it. "-We have dozens of Helmet Gang members storming the school! Looks like they're all funneling in through the main gate!"

I nodded as I turned towards Shiroko. "Shiroko! Grenades! Thin 'em out!"

With a nod and with the newly acquired G-12 H.E grenades, she pulled the pin on one before lobbing it over into the middle of the enemy's ranks, the subsequent explosion kicking up sand and dissenters alike.

I grinned at the excellent use of explosives. "Serika! Another! Don't let up the pressure!"

At the order, the Serika pulled the pin of a grenade before letting it loose.

"Good! Their ranks are scattered!" I loaded another magazine into my 'Breaker' before looking over my shoulder. "Nonomi! Sweep and clear!"

"Hehehe~!" With a smile, the cheerful blonde hefted her minigun, the multi-barreled support weapon spinning up before filling the air with 7.62 tracers.

I nodded at the Liberal use of the minigun before turning over to Hoshino, her shield in hand. "Hoshino!" I glanced at her with a grin. "That shield have room for two?"

Giving me a split-second look, she lifted her shield and nodded before turning back to me. "Uhe~, might be a tight fit with you, Sensei, but I think it'll work."

I give her a thumbs up before dropping my 'Breaker', its sling catching it before finally shouldering my autocannon. "I'll trust you with covering me while I give 'em a little Liber-Tea!"

This gained me a bewildered look before returning the thumbs up. "Just don't move too much behind my shield!"

Stacked up behind her, I reprogrammed the autocannon to fire flak rounds. As we pushed up, Hoshino worked her shotgun around her shield, blind firing with one hand and holding up the shield with the other.

Not to be left behind, I leaned past the shield, letting the AC-8 Autocannon sing its Democratic song in twenty-millimeter notes.

Letting loose a single flak round, the report of the expended round momentarily drowned out the noise of the battlefield. Just before the twenty-millimeter round impacted the chest of one of the dissidents, the proximity sensor activated the explosive charge onboard, showering the immediate area in piercing shrapnel.

Those just outside the lethal radius collapsed to the floor, writhing in pain.

"Ha ha!" I cheered as I unloaded another four into the confused and terrified Helmet Gang members. After expending the fifth round, I reached a hand around into the support backpack before pulling away with a full stripper clip of ammo.

Pulling it over the autocannon and locking it to the mag-well, I pressed down, forcing the rest of the rounds into the internal magazine.

Hefting it back over my shoulder, I find Hoshino to be staring at the weapon with intrigue.

Ignoring the rounds pelting her shield, she nodded at the support weapon. "Where'd you get one of those, Sensei? We could use one at Abydos!"

I grinned. "Just another piece of hardware at my disposal!" Then an idea came to me.

Hefting the autocannon off of my shoulder, I nodded at Hoshino. "Wanna give her a test run?"

Her amber and cerulean eyes went wide as she stared at the autocannon. Then an evil grin crossed her as she looked into my eyes.

Handing it off to her, I raised a brow in awe as she effortlessly took it up into her arms before shouldering it. "Uhe~, it's a bit large for me."

I shook my head. "Not at all! You're looking a bit more like Super Earth's finest! Here-" I cut myself off as I leaned over, one hand holding up the shield, the other pressing at the terminal. "-Press this for armor piercing, this one for anti-personnel!"

She looked over the controls before giving me a nod.

"Oh!" I then pointed at the fire selector. "This one's single fire, and this-" I pointed with a grin. "-Is the fun switch, you give them dissenters hell, I'll make sure you're topped up on Freedom!" I patted my support backpack.

She gives me a look as I give her a thumbs up.

"Whenever you're ready, Diver!"

With an exhale, she steeled herself, properly shouldering the autocannon before getting to her feet. Pulling the trigger, the first shot rang out, catching her off guard. Keeping her steady with a hand on her shoulder, I pulled out my 'Redeemer' before gunning down a dissident in our blind spot.

"Now give 'em hell!"

Throwing caution out the window, Hoshino switched the autocannon into full-auto, the support weapon firing at a steady but terrifying rate.

"Keep 'em coming!" I cheered at the pink-haired student. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! FOR SUPER EAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRTH!"

I ignore the crazed looks from behind me as I continued to load ammo for my new artillerist. With the full-auto fire of the autocannon, paired with me reloading for her, the Helmet Gang proved to be no match for the awesome firepower of Democracy.

Loading the final clip of ammo, I patted her shoulder.

"Last clip! We're empty!"

She looked over her shoulder as she fired the final five rounds. "WHAT!?"

I laughed, knowing full well she got carried away from the firepower. I held up a spent clip and shook my head while yelling out 'NO AMMO'.

With a slightly dejected look, she handed the autocannon back before picking at her ears, the concussive force of the constant pounding of twenty-millimeter rounds causing her to go temporarily deaf.

Slinging it over my shoulder, I handed the shield back to her, which, admittedly, is quite heavy, even for me... whereas the same little pink-haired student effortlessly took it up with one hand as she held up her shotgun with the other.

I cleared my throat before continuing. "So, what do you think?"

A smile crossed her. "That was pretty darn cool, Sensei! You let me know if we get any more ammo for that thing, it's a blast to use."

I patted her shoulder. "Well, after Shiroko gets a try, at least."

She turned her head to see Shiroko staring at the spent clips and shells littering the sand with a slightly jealous gaze before looking straight at her with a glare.

Then at me. "I wanna try next."

"Later..." I trailed off as I turned my head towards the breach, watching what's left of the dissidents scramble around as they picked up their wounded and retreated. "For now-" I pointed in the gang's direction. "Do we chase 'em down?"

Hoshino shook her head. Just above her, Ayane's drone hovered close above, this time with a blue holographic of her emitting from below it. "Nope, even if we knock 'em out, we have no place to lock them up."

"So you all have just been beating them back and letting them go after?" I ask with a raised brow.

They all shrug. "Not like we have a jail." Serika replies.

Ayane nodded with a scowl. "Yeah, the previous student council had to put it up for collateral."

I tilted my head slightly, hiking up the autocannon on my back to a more comfortable position. "That is due to the debt, correct?"

This turned heads my way.

Serika then glared daggers. "How'd you know about that?"

I raised my hands defensively. "I had the GSC brief me about the state of Abydos, including the academy that once prospered here, and the few students that remained." I shrugged. "She didn't go too far into detail on the debt though, only informing me that it exists."

Her glare drops, but she scoffs my way as she crossed her arms.

Ayane laughs awkwardly. "Uh... yes, Sensei, that is correct." Her drone turns as her holographic double gestured towards the school. "I'll explain further once you all are inside."

Within the Abydos School Clubroom

As we filed into the classroom, now turned clubroom, I watched as the girls sat around the table posted in the middle of the room, with Ayane standing in front of a whiteboard.

With a nod, I pulled out one of the chairs before seating myself, but not before a blur of white and blue catches the corner of my eye. Before I could fully sit down, Shiroko had taken to my left side with an extreme swiftness.

I give her a momentary glance before shrugging, focusing my attention onto Ayane.

With a smack to the whiteboard, Ayane then cleared her throat. "Good work today everyone, now, it's time to officially start introductions and finish up with a debriefing."

"Introductions?" I asked with a raised brow. "Well, nothing professional, but didn't we already go through that?"

Serika clicked her tongue and jabbed a thumb my way. "Yeah, he already went through our backgrounds, and does he really need to be here for this?"

I turned my head her way with a raised brow.

Another awkward laugh. "Anyways, welcome to Abydos High School, Sensei." She gestured towards all of her classmates. "And this is the Foreclosure Task Force, a club formed to restore Abydos to its former glory." Then she placed a hand on her chest. "I'm Okusora Ayane, a first-year student and the Foreclosure Task Force's medic and technician."

Shiroko raised her hand next to me. "I'm Sunaookami Shiroko, second-year student and the field captain of the Foreclosure Task Force."

"I'm Izayoi Nonomi, a second-year student! I currently don't have a role, but I'm still a member of the Foreclosure Task Force!"

Then after a bout of silence, Nonomi poked the side of Serika.

"Wha- hey!" The black cat exclaimed as she swatted her hand away.

With a smile, Nonomi gestured to Serika to go ahead and introduce herself.

Turning my way, she glares once more before clearing her throat. "Kuromi Serika, first-year student and treasurer of the Foreclosure Task Force." With a huff, she crossed her arms.

With their introductions done, all heads turned in the direction of a certain pink-haired student, who's head is currently tucked into their arms.

Shuffling her seat closer, Nonomi gently jostled her.

"Uheeee~." She sounded as she shuffled in her sleep.

Jostling her again, this time with more force, Hoshino finally relented, raising herself up with a yawn.

"Please proceed with your introductions, President Takanashi Hoshino." With an ice-cold tone, Ayane glared at her small president, who shivered under the gaze.

"U-uhee~, uh, hey Sensei, I'm Takanashi Hoshino, vice-president of the Abydos Student Council, and the President of the Foreclosure Task Force."

Easing up her glare, Ayane turned my way, followed up with the rest of the girls looking my way as well.

I nodded. "I am Sergeant Allen Hicks of the Helldiver Corps, pleasure to meet you all."

This earns me a few looks... again.

Ayane placed a hand on her chin. "You've told us you are special forces from another planet... how'd you come to be a 'Sensei' here?"

I crossed my arms. "Somehow, one of my deployments had me sent here. " I shrugged. "I'm not one to shirk duties, so here I am-" I then jabbed a thumb at myself. "A Helldiver and a Sensei. Pretty cool, eh?"

I catch in the corner of my eye, Shiroko looking at me with a sort of adoration in her eyes.

"What is a Helldiver anyways?" Nonomi asked, propping her head up on the table with her arm.

I grinned. "A Helldiver is an elite soldier of the Super Earth Armed Forces, the scalpel of Super Earth's military might, we deploy deep into enemy lines to disrupt and destroy key targets."

Hoshino raised a brow. "Well, I guess you weren't lying about being military."

"Also!" Nonomi exclaimed, as if remembering something. She then pointed at the autocannon and now empty support backpack sitting next to the door. "What is that?"

"Interested in Super Earth's armaments, are you?" I say with a grin.

She nods a few times, followed by Shiroko a few times next to me.

"That there is an AC-8 Autocannon." I say as I pointed at the support weapon. "Perfect for cracking armor and neutralizing personnel."

Then she gave me an appraising look. "How come only Hoshino got a try?!"

Ayane nodded a few times. "Well, gotta say it was pretty cool to see."

I shrugged. "Well, maybe once it gets resupplied, you all can get a try."

They all nod a few times, including Serika, before Ayane could cut into our talk, bringing this tangent to a close.

"Anyhow!" She exclaimed as she smacked the whiteboard once more. "Thank you for answering our request for aid, Sensei. I suppose this will be the perfect time to discuss pressing matters here in Abydos."

Serika jabs another thumb my way. "Does he really need to be here for that?"

Ayane nods. "Yes, he needs to know the details of what Abydos is facing, including the debt."

The black cat glared my way again. "But he's an outsider."

Ouch.

"But-" Shiroko cuts in, catching her off guard. "-He's the first one that has helped."

Serika glances between her classmate and me before slumping back into her chair. "...I guess."

"Do you know why our club is called the Foreclosure Task Force?" Ayane asked.

I nodded slowly. "From what I've gathered from my briefing earlier at the GSC, the Abydos District fell onto hard times following-" I pointed to the vast desert outside the window. "-A natural disaster. More like unnatural."

She sighed. "Yes, a few years ago a devastating sandstorm of unseen proportions swept across the entirety of the district." Her eyes followed outside. "This left large portions of Abydos buried in sand, effectively halting the district in its entirety."

"This led to the Abydos Student Council to route most, if not all funds towards relief and repair." She shook her head. "Unfortunately, the scale of the disaster was at a magnitude unforeseen, and funds all too quickly dried up."

"Coupled with the fact that most infrastructure was damaged in some way, a lot of the residents packed up and left, similarly with the student body."

She shrugged. "Well, we still have a few residents that live here in some capacity, but compared to what it once was, it doesn't even come close."

With a sigh, she continued. "With coffers dried up, the council had no choice but to look to banks for loans to help pay for the damages, but not a single bank wanted to risk loaning that much money. They even requested aid from other school districts, but even they steered clear."

With a grimace, she glanced up to me. "Not even the General Student Council lent a hand. To them, they simply saw a failing school district that saw no merit in aiding."

That is extremely strange, not even their main governing body attempted to render aid?

"With no other choice, they turned towards shadier loan companies. They assumed that they could eventually pay off that debt once things were cleaned up, but more sandstorms struck the district, and with that, more loans were made."

Her head was held low as she shook it. "It was a deadly spiral, more storms, more loans, more debt."

Unfortunately, I have little experience when it comes to finances, much less debt. All of that was always handled by the Ministry of Finance, who governed over pay, taxes, and Liberty forbid it, debt.

I grimaced under my helmet. "...If I may, how much is the debt?"

"Approximately nine-hundred-sixty-million yen, is the total we are facing." She replied as she met my eyes.

I don't know exactly how much that is, but given that it is in millions, that should be enough of an indicator of how bad things are.

I leaned forward onto the table, hands clasped together. "What is being done to, uh, circumvent the fact?"

She waved a hand towards her classmates. "We've been brainstorming ways to tackle the debt, amongst doing odd jobs here and there. We've been barely able to pay off the interest these days..."

"Leaving isn't an option?" I asked, against my better judgement.

In the corner of my eye, Serika shot me a hard glare, but stayed her hand.

Ayane shook her head. "The moment we leave is the moment the power of the student council is voided." She waved a hand towards Hoshino. "The vice-president here is the last council member that holds power"

With a shake of her head, she continued. "As soon as we leave, Abydos will be dissolved immediately."

I slowed my breathing, the gravity of the situation finally weighing down on me.

"This... loan company." I began, my voice taking an edge that us unlike me. "What might be the name of it?"

Ayane recoiled somewhat at my question. "Kaiser Loans... why, Sensei?"

I sighed as I glanced at Hoshino, who has an eye on me. "I might not look it, but diplomacy is my other strong suit."

This gains me a few askance glances, which I reply to with a wave of my hand.

"Do you... uh, plan on dealing with them somehow, Sensei?" Hoshino asked, her eyes no longer sleepy.

I shrugged. "I would hope so, as a Sensei and a Helldiver, I don't think I could have this injustice continue."

Their eyes light up, notably that of Serika's.

"Though-" I cut in, pausing their rising joy. "-We currently lack information on this... Kaiser Loans. I'll see about getting more information on them from the GSC, if not, from the locals."

The students glanced at each other then back to me.

"Does that mean-!" Ayane began, an unbelieving look on her face.

I nodded as I got to my feet. "Of course!" I raised my voice. "What kind of Helldiver would I be if I refused to aid those in need!"

I glanced at all of them before standing at parade rest. "For now, you let me know what we need-" I paused as I grabbed a strategem beacon and grinned. "-I believe I could oblige."

Chapter Text

The AX/AR-23 'Guard Dog'.

Housed within a support backpack is the AX/AR-23 'Guard Dog', an autonomous drone equipped with a modified AR-23 'Liberator'. Once deployed, the drone will hover above the Helldiver it is paired to, providing overwatch and cover fire.

An experimental version of its predecessor, the AD-334 'Guard Dog' MK3, the AX/AR-23 features four anti-gravity thrusters, as opposed to the AD-334's paltry two. This grants the AX/AR-23 greatly enhanced mobility, allowing it to turn on a dime and shift elevations  swiftly  should the situation call for it.

The AD-334 is also equipped with an integrated SMG-45 'Defender', loaded with Armor-Piercing Stun-Capable ammunition, perfect for keeping soft targets at bay, but leaves much to be desired when facing armored foes.

But unlike the AD-334, the AX/AR-23 is equipped with a modified AR-23 'Liberator' Assault Rifle. Thanks largely in part to the additional anti-gravity thrusters, the drone can fully handle the recoil of the Armor-Piercing Intermediate Cartridges fired from the rifle. Unfortunately, due to design constraints, the 'Liberator' onboard is limited to twenty-round magazines.

Fitted to the support backpack is six additional twenty-round magazines, which the 'Guard Dog' will utilize once its current magazine is empty, automatically ejecting the empty magazine to re-dock onto the backpack before being reloaded.

Due to the limited magazine size and low magazine count, Super Earth engineers and scientists sought ways to improve the firepower of the drone without compromising the weight of the backpack or altering the integrated 'Liberator'.

This came in the form of its bleeding edge artificial intelligence and upgraded targeting software, which allows the AX/AR-23 to target weak points on hostiles with extreme speed and infallible precision. With lock-on's only taking milliseconds to complete, the surgical accuracy of the A.I and targeting software only requires it to expend two-to-three rounds per target before eliminating them, effectively mitigating the ammunition constraints.

With the updated design, the AX/AR-23 'Guard Dog' is the perfect companion to provide three-hundred-sixty-degree cover, and with its integrated 'Liberator' loaded with AP rounds, it can effectively take on and eliminate armored foes with little effort.

Should a Helldiver need someone to watch their back, look no further than the 'Guard Dog'.

The AX/AR-23 'Guard Dog'.

"It's all bark and bite!" -  'Admiral Defense Contracting'.

Within the Abydos Courtyard

"What other things do you have up your sleeves... er, Hellpods?"

I turned my head to meet the small, pink-haired president with a grin as I tossed a strategem beacon into the air a few times.

"Well, Cadet Takanashi, you tell me what we need, and I'll do my best to provide!"

She raised a brow before turning towards her classmates, the same level of confusion shown on their face.

With a shrug, she turned back to me. "Well, for one, after that little fight, we do need more ammo now."

Inputting the pattern for a resupply beacon, I tossed it behind me, the beacon digging itself into the sand before its telltale blue pillar of light pierced the sky. "What else?"

They followed the pillar of light into the sky before continuing. "Uhhh..."

Then I cut them off with a wave. "Who am I kidding?" I say as I shook my head, grabbing another beacon. "Of course, you all need some firepower!"

They all give me a bewildered look.

'Down Left Down Up Up Left.' I repeat in my head as I went through the pattern.

Tossing the beacon to the side, I grab another.

"Uh... Sensei?" Ayane asked, worriedly looking at the beacons I'm suddenly taking out of my pockets.

Not exactly ignoring her, but not exactly acknowledging her either, I continued. 'Down Left Down Up Right.'

Throwing another beacon, the girls started backing off at the sight of three pillars of light suddenly populating the air.

"Sensei?" Hoshino began, the same worried look on her face as she glanced between the beacons and me.

I waved a hand in their direction. "Not now Cadets, can't have Freedom without firepower!"

Then another beacon. 'Down Left Up Left Down.'

With now four beacons planted near each other, the sky immediate to us was now lit up with a laser light show, granted, with only one color filling the sky.

I pointed at Nonomi. "With your minigun, I felt I didn't need to get you anything, is that alright with you?"

The blonde awkwardly laughed as she scratched her cheek. "I, uh, I'm fine with not getting anything, ah ha ha ha..."

I gave her a thumbs up as I stared at the pillars of blue light. "Now we wait."

Shiroko scratched her head. "What, uh, what exactly did you call in?"

I shrugged. "Oh, you know, just the bare minimum of equipment for delivering Freedom!"

Before she could say anything else, four Hellpods breaching the atmosphere came within earshot. As the Democratic payloads screamed towards the beacons, the girls, understandably concerned, backed off a few meters. With glances of the same worry, they looked at me as I stared at the pods.

One by one, the pods breached the sand in quick succession, before rhythmically popping their seals whilst lifting up their equipment.

I nodded at the weaponry. "Alright Cadets!" I exclaimed as I turned their way. "Take your pick!"

Slowly approaching the pods, they eyed the equipment with awe.

Shiroko pointed at one of the support weapons. "What's this one, Sensei?"

"This here is a MG-43 General-Purpose Machine Gun. Fitted with a one-hundred-seventy-five round box magazine, this'll be sure to give those dissenters a reason to think twice." I explained as I hoisted the support weapon.

I pointed at the fire selector on the side. "Not only that, but you have the option of three different rates of fire, right now in its stock configuration, it fires at a nominal seven-hundred-sixty rounds-per-minute."

Eyes still glued to the MG-43, the students nodded along.

With an audible click, I swapped its fire rate. "Right now, I swapped it to its slowest option, at six-hundred-thirty rounds-per-minute. Slow but steady, making it perfect for suppressing fire."

With a nod and another click, I grinned. "And onto my favorite of the three. This setting allows it to fire at a staggering nine-hundred rounds-per-minute, emptying the box in just under twelve seconds."

"Woah..." Shiroko exclaimed, her eyes glittering at the machine gun.

Unlatching the bipod, I set down the machine gun before walking over to the next Hellpod, grabbing the next support weapon.

"This one..." I trailed off before shrugging. "I guess you could call this the MG-43's little brother."

Serika raised a brow. "Why's that?"

"This here M-105 'Stalwart' fires smaller caliber rounds, making it not as effective at piercing armor or structures, as opposed to the MG-43."

Hefting the 'Stalwart' with one hand, I raised a finger with the other. "But, it shines when it comes to shredding anything less. With a huge box magazine holding two-hundred-fifty rounds-" This notably causes the girls to recoil in shock at the unheard-of magazine capacity. "-It can put down lead down range for an extended period of time, more so when you alter its rate of fire."

Hefting it back down into both arms, I continued. "Which brings me to my next point!" I pointed at the fire selector. "Much like its bigger brother, it has three options when it comes to fire rates. In its stock config, it comes out ready to rock at eight-hundred-fifty rounds per minute."

I nodded at the support weapon. "That, and with its huge magazine size, you can go toe-to-toe with entire squads without having to reload once."

Hoshino whistled at the weapon's specifications.

With another click, I continued. "Swapping it to its slowest rate of fire, it fires at a relatively slow seven-hundred rounds-per-minute. At this setting, it'll take ages before you need to reload."

With an evil grin, I swapped it to its fastest option. "And with this-" I shook my head and whistled. "-You'd make anyone run for the hills. At a whopping one-thousand-one-hundred-fifty rounds-per-minute, you can put lead in someone or something faster than they can even realize."

Their jaws dropped at my words, with Shiroko seemingly anxious to get her hands on one of the weapons.

Setting the 'Stalwart' down next to the MG-43, I walked over to the final support weapon.

Picking it up with one hand, I gestured towards it. "A Helldiver's favorite, the GL-21 Grenade Launcher."

Ayane waved her hands in denial before cutting in. "Hold on a minute, Sensei."

I cut my explanation short. "What's up?"

She pointed at the current weapon in my hand. "Grenade launchers aren't all that common to come by, and you just so happen to have one fall from the sky? Literally?"

I shrugged. "Hey, you've already seen the autocannon in action, so a grenade launcher isn't all too different."

Ayane opened her mouth to retort, but somehow found the words lost on her.

With a huff, she crossed her arms. "...Continue."

Clearing my throat, I did just that. "With this piece of hardware, you can launch ten high-explosive forty-millimeter grenades in extremely quick succession, making it the perfect weapon for clearing out just about anything."

Resting it on my shoulder, the action causing the belt of grenades to clink against each other, I placed my other hand on my hip.

"So-" I began, glancing at all the girls. "-Any questions?"

Hoshino raised her hand. "Plenty."

I point a finger at her. "Shoot."

She glanced at the machine guns and grenade launcher in my hand. "You're telling me we can just, uh, take one of those?"

"Yup." I answered with no hesitation.

She gave me a look. "Really?"

"Really." I nodded.

Shiroko jumped in, a glint in her eyes. "Really, really?"

I grinned. "Really, really, really."

Then I tossed the grenade launcher towards Serika, catching her off guard as she fumbled with the support weapon.

"Uwah!" She exclaimed as it slipped from her grasp a few times. Finally getting a good hold over it, she exhaled in relief.

"What the heck, Sensei!?"

I raised a thumb. "Now you're looking like a true Helldiver!" I turned towards the rest, ignoring the piercing glare from the black cat. "Arm up, Cadets! We've a long road to Freedom ahead of us!"

At my say, Shiroko practically tackled the M-105 'Stalwart' on the ground, hefting the machine gun into the air as she stared deeply at its details.

"Uhee~. I guess this Oji-san is stuck with this one~." Hoshino says as she lazily strode towards the MG-43, effortlessly picking up the machine gun with one hand and stowing the bipod with the other.

Ayane sighed. "Well, I suppose I should thank you, Sensei." Then she glanced at me. "This counts as resupplying, right?"

I nodded her way. "Of course!" Then I glanced between her and Nonomi. "You two sure I can't get you anything? I picked up another beacon. "I can think a few options that may suit you girls."

Ayane shook her head. "I'm not meant for the front lines, so the others will work better with them."

"Thanks for offering, Sensei!" The bubbly blonde exclaimed as she hugged her minigun. "But this one here is all I need!"

I gave her a thumbs up. "You let me know if you change your mind, then."

"Though, Sensei." Ayane called, her voice taking an edge for some reason.

A shiver is sent down my spine as I turned to face her. "Yeah?"

She then pointed at the Hellpods. "What're we going to do with these?"

I glanced back at the pods, then to her. "Uhhhhh..." I scratched the back of my head.

As the girls gathered their newly acquired weaponry and supplies, Ayane had me dig up the Hellpods lodged into the sand. Contrary to how they look, they are quite light and reuseable, when retrieved with the proper equipment, that is.

Armed with a shovel and a Helldiver's grit, I got to work digging around the Hellpods, dislodging them slowly, but surely.

Eventually, the sun had set as I had finally dug up the final Hellpod. Though not out of their holes, I had them loosened up enough to be taken out with proper equipment.

"Sensei?" Hoshino called out as she stepped out from the building's doorway.

I grunted as I speared the ground with the shovel. "What's up?"

Glancing between the mounds of sand and the now-loosened Hellpods, she locked back onto me. "You've been out here the entire time? I thought you'd left for SCHALE by now."

I shrugged. "Ayane had me dig up the Hellpods."

"I thought she was joking, aren't those things extremely heavy?"

I nodded. "Relatively speaking, as long as you have the proper equipment, or enough hands, these things can be hefted no problem. Also, I haven't really thought about it, but these pods can easily become a big mess unless cleaned up."

She raised a brow before nodding. "Makes sense."

Picking up the shovel and putting it over my shoulder, I glanced at the pods. "Might have to ask you all for some help though. I may be a Helldiver, but I'm certainly no General Brasch."

She snorted. "Yeah, well, we'll see. Also, Sensei?"

I glanced her way, noticing her tone changed to something somber. "Yes?"

She gave me a smile. "Thanks."

"What for?" I asked, confused at the sudden thanks.

She leaned against the courtyard door. "Thanks for helping us out, Sensei."

I waved a hand. "Ah, no need for that Hoshino, just doing what a Helldiver does!"

"Well, maybe as a Helldiver, but as a Sensei? Thanks for being here for us."

I nodded with a smile. "Well, you're very welcome."

Within the Abydos Clubroom

"You're still here, Sensei?" Ayane asked, looking up from her laptop.

I nodded. "That I am, just finished digging up the Hellpods, just need to proper equipment, or a few extra hands to help me lift them up."

She gave me a look. "You, uh, you actually dug them up?"

"Uh, yes?"

She turned her head towards Hoshino next to me, who simply shrugged. Looking back at me, she sighed. "Well, good work I suppose, Sensei."

Hoshino yawned as she rubbed her eyes before turning to me. "You're going to head out now, Sensei?"

I glanced at a clock on the wall. 10:34 PM. Way past work hours, and way past being able to call in a helicopter escort.

"Doesn't look like it." I answered with a shake of my head. "Past work hours back at SCHALE, and by extension, any helicopter services."

I glanced back at Hoshino. "Have anywhere for me to bunk for the night?"

Looking up as if thinking, she snapped her fingers before locking back to me. "I have a spot, here, follow me."

"We don't have any beds or cushions, but we have plenty of these soft mats."

Tossing a few rolls of said mats onto the floor, she began unravelling them.

"Certainly no five-star experience, but I like 'em. I use them for my naps from time to time."

With a few mats layered on top of each other, she got up before looking at me. "Well, here you go Sensei."

I nodded. "Thanks Hoshino."

She yawned my way. "Not a problem, Oji-san'll leave you to it then."

Heading for the door, she stopped before turning around. "Er, we don't have any blankets either..."

I tugged at the corner of my cape. "Already got one!"

A smile crosses her. "Looks like you have that covered, good night then, Sensei."

Closing the door behind her, I waited till her footsteps left earshot before getting my equipment off. Unlatching the locks on my armor, I set them aside neatly before taking up my cape.

Thankfully, in their infinite wisdom, Super Earth engineers designed the capes used by the Helldiver Corps to be usable in nearly any climate and weather. That just so happens to include the functionality of being a blanket.

Laying down onto the makeshift bed, I pulled my cape over me, the thermally-lined piece of equipment warming me up nicely. Lifting up the Shittim Chest, the screen lit up to life.

With a yawn, my trusty assistant appeared on screen. "Sensei?"

"Ah, sorry Arona, did I catch you in the middle of sleeping?"

She shook her head as she rubbed her eyes. "Nope! Not at all!"

I smiled. "Well alright then, think you can send Rinny a message?"

She nodded before pulling out a pen and notepad. "That I can do, what do you want to tell her?"

"Well, for one, probably need to inform her that I'll be helping Abydos out for a few days, or at least until we can resolve the dissident problem."

She nodded as she wrote into her notepad.

"Also, could you put in that I want to talk to her about the GSC and its responsibilities?"

She stopped writing before looking up at me. "Sensei?"

I nodded. "I've come across troubling information that I want to talk to her about."

Raising a brow, she shrugged before writing that down into her notepad. "Uh, anything else?"

I ahook my head. "Nope, that's it."

With a nod, she set aside the pen and notepad before yawning.

"And with that, it's time to hit the rack. Light's out, Arona."

"Mmm hmm!" She hummed. "Nighty night, Sensei!"

Within the Abydos Clubroom

Another day, another dive into work.

Passing the doors into the clubroom, I'm met with a sight that takes me back to the days of pre-operation checks. On the main table sat all of the support weapons I've requisitioned, including the still empty autocannon and its respective support backpack.

Surrounding the weapons are the girls, who're currently pouring over the details of each weapon, notably over the, to them at least, outrageous fire rates the machine guns are capable of. With a smile, I strode on over.

"Morning Cadets, you all are up early." I greeted them as I glanced at the clock on the wall. 7:34 AM.

With a yawn, Hoshino turned my way. "Mornin' Sensei, sleep well?"

I shrugged. "Reminds me of the bunks back home."

"Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?" Ayane asked, currently buried in her laptop doing... something.

"Mmm hmm." I hummed, not giving a proper answer.

Serika gave me a weird look after poking at the GL-21. "You slept... here?"

I nodded her way. "Stayed here after working hours, and way after being able to call a helicopter for escort."

For whatever reason, she gave me a disgusted look before going back to poking at the grenade launcher.

"Anyhow-" I began before giving a cough. "-How're the support weapons treating you all?"

Shiroko shouldered the M-105 'Stalwart' before lifting up the feed cover and showing clear. I nodded at her proper operational checks before she spoke up.

"You weren't lying, Sensei, the box really does hold two-hundred-fifty bullets." She noted as she shook the box magazine.

"Heh-" I chuckled as I pointed at the 'Stalwart'. "-Just wait till you shoot it at its fastest setting, then you'll think that amount isn't enough."

In the corner of my eye, I see Hoshino poking at the autocannon as she hefted the MG-43 with one hand.

"Missing the firepower of the AC-8?" I asked with a grin.

She recoiled slightly in surprise before pulling out the bipod on the MG-43 and setting it down.

"Uheee~, not really~." She replied unconvincingly.

I grinned. "Maybe one of these days I'll get you all one."

This turned heads my way.

"But-" I cut in, halting their surprising eagerness for an autocannon. "-Let's get you girls acquainted with these here armaments first, yeah?"

Chapter Text

The FAF-14 'Spear'.

A shoulder-mounted, self-guided, anti-tank support weapon, it brings precision where its fellow support weapons cannot.

When requisitioned, the Hellpod is equipped with the FAF-14 'Spear' itself, and its support backpack fitted with three additional sixty-six-millimeter 'Fire-and-Forget' missiles.

A side-grade support weapon from its 'dumb-fired' brother variant, the GR-8 Recoilless Rifle, the FAF-14 'Spear' features a Command Launch Module that the Helldiver utilizes to create a lock onto their target. Feeding that information to the guided system integrated to the FAF-sixty-six-millimeter missiles, upon launch, the missile will then utilize that info to self-guide itself into the designated target.

The missile utilizes a High-Explosive-Anti-Tank warhead fitted with an extensive sensor and guiding suite that takes in long-wave Infrared Radiation to maintain a lock onto the chosen target. Designated as 'FAF', or 'Fire-and-Forget', once the lock-on has been created and the missile subsequently launched, it no longer requires any external assistance from the Helldiver, autonomously following its target and adjusting its heading when need be.

Coupled with the angled frame of the launcher, the FAF-missile will propel itself at that same angle, taking a vector to employ a 'top-attack' flight profile. With its guidance system, the missile will then adjust mid-flight and launch itself into the top of the designated target, usually taking the path of least resistance and armor.

Due to the expensive nature of guided missile systems, unlike its brother variant, the GR-8, the FAF-14 is equipped with only three other missiles for use. But due to that same nature, the FAF-14 will rarely, if ever, miss its lock, generally guaranteeing a successful elimination of a priority target.

To further cement the fact of a guaranteed elimination, the payload contained within the warhead utilizes two shaped charges in tandem. The smaller of the two H.E.A.T charges clears the way of any reactive armor or ablative armor paneling with a stream of molten molybdenum before detonating the second, larger H.E.A.T charge, this time sending a jet of molten copper into the target, confirming the kill.

Like most support weapons, the FAF-14 has the ability to be crew-served or solo-operated. But unlike most support weapons, the FAF-14 is not as reliant on being crew-served. In its intended purpose, the Helldiver operating the FAF-14 'Spear' will lock onto high-priority targets while under the protection of their fellow Divers. In thanks to its Command Launch Module, the need to lead or calculate trajectories can be effectively ignored, and by extension, the need to rapidly reload.

This gives much in leeway as to what other support weapons are brought and utilized, allowing the Helldivers to bring Democracy and Peace as they see fit.

When it comes to removing high-priority targets with extreme precision, look no further than the FAF-14 to 'Spear' your targets.

The FAF-14 'Spear'.

"Spearhead the Assault with AD Arms!"  - 'Admiral Defense Contracting'.

Within the ?

"H4! GET THOSE GUNS UP! WE HAVE DROPSHIPS!"

Blotting out our skies were dozens of Automaton dropships, deploying their Liberty-forsaken payloads in the form of socialist scrap metal. Beset on all sides with bots, we let our guns roar as we fired magazine after magazine of rounds in the name of Freedom.

The Reclamation.

In the northern sector of our galaxy in the Valdis Sector, the Automatons launched a cowardly flash assault on numerous Super Earth colonies, overwhelming their defenses and slaughtering the innocent citizens. Following their assault, Operation Courageous Defense was green lit and saw the deployment of the Helldiver Corps en masse to repel and destroy the Automaton menace.

In a stroke of unfathomable luck, the Automatons held the line as their socialist hands gripped around our once-beautiful worlds, leaving behind countless innocents killed and votes unmade. This led to Operation Menkent Line, deploying the Helldiver Corps once more to create a defensive posture between the planets Menkent and Lesath in the Hydra sector, blocking their supply lines and halting their advances.

At all costs, the line had to be held.

No.

It must be held.

Around me was a cacophony of gunfire, vast swathes of machine gun fire from our MG-43 emplacements cutting down bots by the dozen. Calculated grenades thrown over our makeshift cover from craters annihilated them by the droves.

"KEEP THOSE GUNS HOT!" J2 yelled as he switched his M-105 'Stalwart' to its fastest firing setting, sending five-point-five-millimeter FMJ's down range, shredding anything less armored than a 'Devastator', and bouncing off any that are.

"Calling in a resupply!" A1 yelled as he tossed away an empty box magazine to his MG-43 before locking onto my eyes.

"H4! You're up! Keep the lead coming!"

I nodded as I took up his position, loading in another box magazine into the machine gun, the barrel still smoking hot after minutes of unimpeded fire.

Loading the belt into the feed tray, I slammed home the feed cover before pulling back the charging handle. At nine-hundred rounds-per-minute, the MG-43 kicked and bucked in my hands, the recoil of the eight-millimeter FMJ cartridges sending the stock of the gun into my shoulder at a numbing rate.

"MORTARS! GET THE FU-!"

L3's words were cut short as a rocket eviscerated her top half, sending organic shrapnel and viscera all around. There was no time to mourn her heroic sacrifice, as screaming death approached us from above, its parabolic trajectory outlined by its red glare.

"H4! Grab that gun and haul ass!" J2 ordered as he grabbed my collar and tossed me aside.

Support weapon in hand, the three of us retreated towards a more defensible position, the mortars exploding just a few meters away from our position. Bolts of red flew overhead by the hundreds as droves of Troopers, Devastators and Berserkers were hot on our heels. Annihilator and Shredder Tanks filled the air with laser fire, the occasional explosion from their cannon's payload sending sand into the air.

"Calling in an Eagle!" A1 exclaimed as he tossed the beacon behind him, the device sending a red pillar of light into the night sky.

"-ei!"

I shook my head as we ran, the sound of a female's voice seemingly calling out to me somehow piercing through the noises of my breathing, the drumming beat of my heart, the crunching of sand beneath our boots, and the robotic screeching of our enemies behind us.

Risking a glance over my shoulder, the horizon was filled with an angry red haze, the socialist hue filling the dimly lit wasteland in a disgusting red.

I reached around for a stim before jabbing myself in the neck, the solution rapidly dispersing through my body, allowing me to run for longer. Mirroring my actions, A1 and J2 lifted the cylindrical devices to their necks.

More flashes of red passed us as we hit the deck, the rest of my squad following suit. But A1 hit the ground a little harder than normal. Unresponsive at my calls, I scrambled to my feet to pick him up.

A smoldering hole sat where his left eye should have been, with a clean entry wound smoking from the back of his head.

A harsh yank to the back of my collar brought me back down from my thoughts.

"He's gone, H4! Keep going!"

I shook my head, shaking off the loss of my squad mate.

"-nsei!"

There's that voice again, this time louder and more coherent.

A barrage of rockets sent us into the air, the explosions forcing us from our feet. With a grunt, I struggled to my feet as exhaustion clawed at every ounce of my being.

"UP AND AT 'EM!" J2 roared as he grabbed me by the chestplate and tossed me onto the concrete platform.

"Hand me your machine gun!"

Without pause, I loaded another box into the support weapon as fast as my hands would allow. After sending the charging handle home, I hovered the machine gun over his arm.

MG-43 in his left hand, M-105 in his right, J2 positioned himself against a stack of barrels before unleashing a barrage of Freedom from both weapons, mowing down the socialist scum.

Guns still firing, with the muzzle flashes illuminating his scorched and shattered helmet, he turned his head my way before nodding at the extraction terminal.

"Get extraction up and running! I'll cover you!"

"-ensei!"

Ignoring the voice, I hightailed it towards the extraction terminal, subsequently inputting the pattern.

My comms lit up positively as a most welcomed voice emitted from it.

"This is Pelican-One! ETA one minute from LZ!"

I turned my head towards J2. "One minute! We can hold for one minute!"

With an affirming nod, he tossed the MG-43 back towards me.

"Let's show these clankers who the stars belong to!"

With a grin, I tossed away the empty box mag before grabbing another, hastily pulling the belt into the feed tray before locking the feed cover.

"H4! Cover the left!"

Maneuvering to his left flank, I set the bipod down onto the barrels before sending hate their way. The satisfying crunch of steel crumbing under the weight of fire filled my ears.

"ETA fifteen seconds!"

I nodded as I patted J2's shoulder. "Extraction'll be here in fifteen! Let's pull back!"

With a nod, he pulled back from his position whilst reloading his 'Stalwart', the shifting of spent cartridges ringing out as they clattered away from his steps.

"This is Pelican-One, approaching pick-up! May Liberty speed your steps, Helldivers, LZ's getting too hot!"

Grunting in response, we picked ourselves up and over the concrete barriers, hightailing it towards the Pelican's boarding ramp.

"For Peace!" Pelican-One exclaimed over the booming report of the shuttle's autocannon.

Another barrage of Liberty-forsaken rockets sent us flying in the opposite direction of the shuttle.

"GRRAAAAHHH! LIBERTY DAMNIT MY LEEEEEEEG!" I screeched as I gripped my limp leg, the extremity bent out of place in three different areas.

Through the mind-numbing pain, I reached into my stim pouch... only to grab at air.

My eyes went wide as my hand returned empty. Biting down onto my tongue to keep my screams down, I hefted the MG-43 back into my arms.

Gunning down a group of bots that made it our way, a yank on my cape brought my head around.

"H4-" J2 began as he grunted on his stomach, his bloodshot eyes piercing through his shattered visor. He then slammed a blinking yellow hexagonal container into my chestplate. "-Take this and go."

Before I could get any words out, he stabbed my arm with a stim, bringing me back to life and repairing my shattered leg.

Scrambling to get to a knee, my face fell into shock as I got a glimpse of J2. He had sustained four laser bolts to the abdomen, the entry wounds still smoking from the extreme heat of the projectiles. His right leg was completely missing from the lower thigh down, a result of the rocket barrage that hit us earlier. But despite it all, his eyes were unwavering, a seething hatred emanated from him as he stared down the direction of the socialist bots.

With a gulp, I patted myself down in a futile effort to produce a stim. Dread came down all around me as I failed to find anything to patch up my fellow Diver.

Another tug to my cape pulled me away from the frantic search.

"H4..." He groaned as he pulled up his 'Stalwart', the full box magazine shifting from the movement. "Hand me your MG-43."

Hesitantly, I placed the support weapon into his arms. As he cradled it, he looked back at me. "Time to go, Diver."

"But-!"

With a slam of the MG-43's feed cover, effectively shutting me up, he locked his eyes onto mine. The same unwavering stare pierced into my soul.

"Lady Liberty deemed it was my time." He panted, struggling for breath.

He jabbed a thumb at the Pelican shuttle.

"Launch countdown complete, we have to leave NOW!" Pelican-One exclaimed from over our comms.

Lifting up his fist, he brought it down, saluting me. "May Liberty guide your steps, Helldiver."

Another barrage of rockets and laser fire came over head, bringing us out of our stupor.

"NOW GO! I'LL HOLD THESE CLANKERS OFF!"

Once more armed with both machine guns, he let them both rip, crushing the bots into scrap metal and slag.

As I strapped into the Pelican, I watched as the lift ramp closed, slowly cutting off my view of J2.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA! GET SOME! GEEEEEET SOOOOOOOOOOOME!"

Just as the ramp fully sealed off, a final laser bolt was sent through his helmet, and his guns went silent.

"Extraction complete, Pelican-One beginning ascent!"

With the shuttle lifting off, the sounds of laser fire and rockets pinging and bouncing off the Pelican's armor filled up the pod. As we built enough velocity to escape the planet's gravity, I slumped back into my seat, the restraints hugging ever tighter.

As I closed my eyes, I could still hear the thunderous roar of both machine guns firing.

"Sensei!"

A violent shiver is sent down my spine as I awaken from my thoughts.

Scanning my surroundings, I see Shiroko and Hoshino prone on their stomachs, the former firing the M-105 'Stalwart' on its fastest setting, and the latter firing the MG-43 on its fastest setting as well.

Both are shooting at plywood sheets painted as targets a few dozen meters out.

Taking a deep breath in and steadily exhaling, I recollect myself.

Only a daydream... nightmare.

"Are you okay, Sensei?"

I glance to my left to see Ayane with a complicated expression on her face. Her hands were clasped together as she wrung them nervously.

"Ayane?" I questioned, confused at her actions and demeanor.

She exhaled in relief as she placed a hand onto her chest, a comforting gesture to herself. "You're okay! That's good, okay..."

I raised a brow. "Uh, what... what happened?"

She looked into my visor. "After you took us out here and set up those targets-" She waved a hand towards the two prone students. "-You had Shiroko and Hoshino practice using the... support weapons you gave them."

I nodded as I followed along, drowning out the sporadic sound of machine gun fire in the background as I focused on her.

"After they started firing, you... you, uh..." Ayane began glancing around nervously once more.

"I what?"

She gulped. "You began breathing faster, your hands started trembling, and you were unresponsive to my calls."

I scratched the back of my helmet as I internally cursed myself.

'Thought I had that under control.'

"How long ago was that?"

She lifted up her phone and glanced at the clock. "You started showing those symptoms about three minutes ago..." Ayane looked back into my visor. "Sensei, are... are you okay?"

Her eyes were filled with concern, understandably, being the Task Force's resident medic.

I got to a knee and sighed, glancing up, I met her eyes. "Well, no point beating around the bush." I scratched my helmet. "I've got something like PTSD I'm suffering from."

Her face drops as she wrung her hands again. "T-then-" She glanced back at Shiroko and Hoshino, who're none-the-wiser at our conversation as they continued their fire. "-Does that mean they're triggering-!"

Her eyes went wide as she speedily walked off in their direction. But before she could make it far, I grabbed her hand and turned her back my way.

"Hey, no need for that."

She shook her head. "Nononono, that is not okay, Sensei! We can't be doing drills like this if you're suffering!"

I placed both hands onto her shoulders, straightening her out. "I'm not suffering, Ayane."

She adamantly refused my statement. "Of course you are, Sensei! You just exhibited the symptoms of it! Nervous shakes, unstable breathing, unresponsive to external stimulus!" She listed off of her hand as she trembled. "It'll get worse if we let this continue!"

I let my head hand low for a few moments before locking my eyes back onto her.

"Ayane." I began before taking a deep breath and exhaling. "I'm not going to let something like this stop you all from getting a chance at Freedom from your oppressors. Not here. Not now. Not ever."

Her breathing hitches as she took in my words.

"I am a Helldiver, a weapon born and trained to defeat any and all enemies that would dare harm Humanity." I shook my head. "I knew from the beginning what I was going to face when I signed up to become a Helldiver."

"B-but..."

I patted her shoulder. "Plus-" I cut myself off as I got to my feet and watched the two girls lay down some more heat onto the targets. "-I'll be damned before I let something as small as this weigh heavy on anyone's minds."

I glanced back at her. "I know how to keep myself in check, Ayane. If I ever need help-" A full-blown grin crossed my face. "-Like I always say-"

"Helldivers dive together!" I exclaimed as I gave her a thumbs up. "This affliction of mine is nothing if we work together."

Washing away her frown, a smirk took its place as she placed both hands behind her back.

"Well, if you say so, Sensei."

I leaned in closer. "Which I do!" I interjected with a cocky smile.

She glanced back at me, a small smile on her face. "I'll hold you up to that, Sensei, but if you ever need assistance ever-" She emphasized the second ever as she gazed into my visor with unwavering eyes. "-Please, do not hesitate to let us know."

Nodding a few times, she continued. "You've already helped us out plenty, so when the time comes, we'll be ready to help you out too, Sensei."

I nodded at her words. "Spoken like a true Helldiver."

Chapter Text

The MLS-4X 'Commando'.

An expendable, shoulder-mounted, laser-guided anti-tank missile launcher, it has seen extraordinary changes throughout its service history.

Another support weapon to be redesigned from the ground up, the MLS-4X 'Commando' of today diverges from its predecessor greatly. Under the same designation, the MLS-4X from the First Galactic War served a significantly different purpose. Henceforth referred to as the MLS-4X MK3, Super Earth engineers from the First War designed it to serve an anti-personnel role, as opposed to its anti-tank role of today.

The MLS-4X MK3 features four tubes loaded with eight sixty-six-millimeter High-Explosive-Armor-Piercing missiles, though the AP capabilities are limited, requiring multiple launches to ensure an effective elimination on heavy armor. Two missiles to each tube, each missile is electronically fired, all fitted with an IR sensor suite to lock onto the hottest heat signature available.

Initially conceived as an anti-personnel support weapon, each missile contains a larger HE payload in comparison to its AP capabilities, allowing for a greater explosive radius for area of effect damage. Further cementing its role at the time was its rate of fire, largely in part due to its smaller-than-average missiles and high magazine capacity, the MLS-4X MK3 has the ability to be emptied quickly should the need be, annihilating most, if not all foes under its weight of ordnance.

Approaching the Second Galactic War, the MLS-4X 'Commando' of today found its role reversed, leaning heavier on its anti-tank role. Though retaining its four missile tubes and rate of fire, Super Earth engineers dropped its eight sixty-six-millimeter missile capacity down to four in exchange for full-length and payload H.E.A.T missiles. Continuing its divergence from the anti-personnel role, each missile now contains a payload consisting of a shaped charge lined with copper, creating a jet of molten metal to pierce most materials.

For simpler handling and more predictable results, the IR sensor suite was exchanged for a laser-guided system, allowing the Helldiver to pick and choose their targets. By 'painting' their target with the built-in laser module, any missile subsequently launched will follow the laser till the target is hit. Should the need be, the laser-guidance module onboard the MLS-4X has the ability to be disabled and enabled at any time, swapping between 'dumb-fire' and laser-guided at the Helldiver's will.

This rendition of the MLS-4X also finds itself to be an expendable piece of equipment as reflected in its cheap and efficient housing. Its spartan accommodations only allow enough to house its four sixty-six-millimeter H.E.A.T missiles, the laser-guidance module, and its electronic trigger. Once all of its ordnance is used, it is intended to be disposed of immediately. Though, due to that same nature, the MLS-4X can be repeatedly requisitioned in a short span of time, allowing for effective H.E.A.T munitions to be on hand as soon as it is needed.

Facing significant changes throughout the century, there is one aspect of the support weapon that remains unaltered,

I ts ability to spread Democracy and Freedom.

The MLS-4X 'Commando'.

"Two Galactic Wars and counting!"  - 'Admiral Defense Contracting'.

Within the Abydos Courtyard

"Could do with a little work, but nothing beats accuracy by volume of fire!" I commented with a smirk.

After the little drill I had Shiroko and Hoshino go through, I had them review the grouping of their bursts.

"Though, Sensei-" Shiroko began, lifting up a piece of the plywood target. "-There's not much to go off of this."

True to the white wolf's words, you can't exactly review much off of a target that's been effectively reduced to wood pulp.

"...Right." I instead pointed at the support weapons in their hands. "Then, how about feel? How're they treating you two?"

Hoshino hoisted the MG-43 over her shoulder. "It kicks like a mule, but nothing this Oji-san can't handle."

Shiroko nodded as she fiddled with the feed cover. "Especially on its fastest setting." Then she looked to me with glitter in her eyes. "Can we get more ammo for these guns?"

Without pause, I inputted the pattern for a resupply into my terminal and tossed the requisite strategem beacon behind me.

"By the way, Sensei?" Hoshino asked as she brought the MG-43 back into her arms.

I nodded her way. "What's up?"

Her eyes followed the pillar of light to the sky. "You've been calling in these, uh, strategems, an awful lot, don't you have a limit?"

I shook my head as I jabbed a thumb at myself. "Helldivers have the entire arsenal of Super Earth at their disposal, no questions asked." Then I shrugged. "Or at least till they expire."

They recoil at that last part.

"Expire?" Ayane asked as she approached from behind me. "What about expiring?"

As the resupply pod breached atmosphere and subsequently lodged itself into the sand a few meters off from us, I turned her way.

"Just discussing the nature of Helldivers."

She gives me a look. "That being?"

Shiroko interjected. "About how he has an entire arsenal at his disposal."

Hoshino was next. "Until they-" With air quotes. "-Expire."

"Expire?" Ayane questioned as she glanced my way.

I coughed into my hand through my helmet. "Anyways, where's Serika?" I glanced around the sandy landscape. "Wasn't she supposed to be here to get acquainted with the GL-21?"

The trio give me a stare before deciding to not push it.

"She left for her part time job!" This time the lively blonde decided to chime in.

I nodded her way.

Then she pouted. "How come you didn't bring me along?"

I eyeballed the minigun strapped over her shoulder. "I thought you had a complete grasp over your support weapon." I jabbed a thumb over at Shiroko and Hoshino, support weapons still in hand. "Those two however..."

Nonomi glanced up as if thinking before nodding with a smile. "If you say so, Sensei."

I nodded as I walked over to the Hellpod. "That I do."

"By the way..." I trailed off as I hovered over the supply boxes. "What have you all been doing with the, uh, stims?"

Ayane shook her head. "Well, we didn't know what to do with them, so we've just been leaving them in the fridge."

"The fridge?" I questioned.

She nodded. "You told us that they're some sort of stimulant that rapidly speeds up the healing process of the body, right?"

"Right."

"So I figured that they might need refrigeration to maintain efficacy."

I nodded along, looks like she isn't the Task Force's medic for no reason.

"Aha~, so that's what was taking up all that space in that fridge." Hoshino pointed out as she scratched her head.

Shiroko glanced at me. "Do you use them often?"

I glanced at her and the rest of the girls, as Shiroko's question opened up further intrigue into the stimulants.

I shook my head. "Only when I need to."

She tilted her head, with one of her ears drooping. "And when does that happen?"

"Whenever I sustain a critical injury, or when I need a boost in my step."

This gains me a look from the medic. "Critical injury... and a boost in your step?" She raised a brow. "Sensei, are you sure those, stims, of yours are not addictive?"

I nodded. "Of course! PermaCura guarantees that the combat stimulants they produce are non-addictive."

"Perma... Cura?" Hoshino asked.

"Correct, the leading corporation to specialize in life-saving treatments back home, and that's including the stimulants the Helldiver Corps is issued."

Her eyes narrowed. "That all the more makes it more suspicious."

I waved a finger. "I won't tolerate any bad-mouthing of Super Earth corporations; they have our best interests in mind!"

"Ooooookay?" Ayane continued as she strode over to the supply boxes, a newfound intrigue for the curious yellow boxes.

Grabbing two boxes, I tossed them towards Shiroko and Hoshino. "Load up your support weapons with those and keep hammering away till you can operate them like you've always had 'em!"

Shiroko nodded as she tore into the supply box, pulling out small boxes of 5.5x50 FMJ and belt-links.

"Also." Hoshino began as she tore into her own and held up a box of 8x60 FMJ. "How do you know who gets what box? They seem to always have what we need."

I shrugged. "That I don't know the specifics. But-" I began as I lifted a finger to the air. "-What I do know, is that Super Earth logistics never lets you down!"

She opened her mouth to say something, but ultimately closes it before shrugging. "Whatever brings the ammo to the table, I guess."

I nodded. "Indeed!" I turned back towards Nonomi, who has a hand on a stim, her eyes pouring over the details of the cylindrical device. "So, what's this about Serika and her part time job?"

Looking up from the stim, she handed it back to Shiroko, who grabs it without looking up from her belt links. "Oh, Serika began working more often at a ramen place, Shiba Seki Ramen, I think it was called?"

'Ramen?' I thought to myself.

"Ramen?" I then asked aloud.

She nodded. "Ramen!"

"You do know what ramen is, right?" Ayane asked as she held up the empty supply box.

I placed a hand on my chin. "Refresh my memory."

A quick glance was cast my way before Nonomi dug into her sweater pocket, pulling away with her phone. Typing away at it a few times, she turned it my way. "This!"

Taking up the small device, on its screen was bowls of said ramen. Each image showcasing different renditions of the food item, but all ultimately being the same thing.

"Ramen, huh?" I muttered as I returned the phone.

Pocketing her phone, she looked back at me. "Are you hungry, Sensei?"

I shook my head. "Nope, just curious." Then I raised a brow, an idea coming to mind. "How about we take a little visit?"

"Do you just want to take a look around?" Hoshino chimed in, still working the eight-millimeter cartridges into the belt links on top of a tarp laid on the sand.

"Yup." I answered as crouched down next to her. "No better time like the present to get acquainted with the lay of the land." I glanced at all the girls. "You all want to come with?"

Ayane shook her head. "Not today, unlike Serika, we still have schoolwork to do."

"So that's why she's not present?"

She nodded. "Yes, she finished her work ahead of time." Then she scratched her cheek. "Something a bit unlike her."

Shiroko snorted at the comment as she continued linking cartridges to the belt links.

I grunted as I got to my feet. "Solo op this time around, then."

"Do you have a map of the place? Abydos is notorious for being a maze for the unprepared." Hoshino noted as she looked up from her work.

"Map..." I trailed off as I took out the Shittim Chest. Facing the screen my way, I find Arona ready to rock with a map of the land, further extending the one she had acquired the day prior. With a thumbs up my way, she posted it on screen, placing a map marker where Shiba Seki Ramen stood, and a yellow marker for us.

I nodded her way before turning back to Hoshino. "That I do, just got one right now."

Hoshino continued working the ammo into a belt. "So you're heading out now?"

"Yup, best time to scout is when the sun's still out."

She smiled my way as she looked back up. "Pfft, that one rhymed."

"That it did." I replied as I turned and waved. "You girl's keep practicing!"

Within the Abydos District

Shittim Chest in hand, I followed Arona's map marker towards a more populated part of the district, though that's putting it a bit heavy. Abandoned houses and businesses still pock-marked the area, but there's at least people walking around.

Describing them as people would also be putting it on heavy. Walking around were anthropomorphic cats and dogs, some dressed in business wear, some dressed in more traditional garb by the looks of things, but all without pants, surprisingly.

What required the absolute willpower of me was the sight of Automatons. This world's rendition of them anyways. Lacking any identifiers of the socialist scum, they were more... civilian, dressed in casual or formal wear, they walked, talked and acted like any other citizen.

"Sensei?" Arona called out to me, muffled under my chestplate.

I moved my hand to grab her before noticing that my 'Breaker' was in hand, my grip clasped around the pistol grip so tightly that I could hear the fabric of my glove creak under pressure. Dropping it, my sling is pulled taut as I finally grabbed the Shittim Chest.

Wait, when did I...?

"What's up, Arona?"

She gave me a worried glance. "Your heartrate shot up again when you put me into your chestplate, just like last time. Did something happen?"

I looked at her before glancing back at the passersby. "Nothing, just a case of seeing ghosts."

Another worried look crossed her face before I finally convinced her that nothing was up. As I walked down the street, I found myself tensing up every time an Automaton... robot, I suppose, crossed my path or just happened to be walking the same speed as me.

What threw me off for a loop was the fact that a few had the courtesy to greet me, the occasional wave or nod was sent my way, each time setting off alarm bells in my head.

I'm then nudged violently to the side as something hard runs into my shoulder.

"Hey, watch it bub-!"

In a swift motion, my hand found its way wrapped around the grip of my 'Breaker' once more, the business end of it subsequently shoved into the face of my aggressor.

Recoiling in shock, their face... display, showed off some sort of emotion before raising their hands defensively.

"Hi-hieek!" They screeched, their voice robotic and static-y. "P-please don't hurt me!"

Super Earth discipline and training dictated that I show no quarter to my enemies, but as I stared down the bot at the end of my barrel, all I found was a trembling non-combatant, no matter how... metallic, they may seem.

I glanced around, noticing that I've gathered quite the crowd.

"Hey, isn't that Sensei?" One of the onlookers commented.

Another nodded. "Yeah, now that you say it, that does look like Sensei."

A passerby nudged the other's shoulder. "What's he doin' around these parts?"

I unhooked my finger from the trigger, resting it on the trigger guard as I pulled the barrel away from their face.

Still trembling, their eyes remained locked onto my visor as they slowly lowered their hands. "A-are, are you letting me go?"

I nodded as I let my sling catch my 'Breaker'. "Just watch where you're going next time."

The robot nodded vigorously before running off into a random direction. Just as they left, I glanced around, the crowd still murmuring and watching me with judgmental eyes.

I cleared my throat before raising my voice. "Nothing to see here, citizens, move along."

A few more murmurs filled the air before they finally dispersed, giving me room to breathe.

"Sensei..." Arona whispered from behind the screen.

I lifted the Shittim Chest up to meet her. "Sorry you had to see that, Arona."

"..."

I shook my head slightly. "It's... it's a really bad case of seeing ghosts..."

"Is this..." She began, a hand held to her chin. "Is this from when you were deployed on other planets? When you still fought?"

I nodded hesitantly. "Yes... looks like it follows me, even here."

A weak smile crosses her. "Well, you're safe here, Sensei."

I sighed as I moved my feet towards our marker. "Thanks, Arona."

She beamed a smile. "Anytime, Sensei."

Navigating the maze that is the Abydos district, I finally make it to my destination.

"Shiba Seki Ramen." I read aloud from the sign emblazoned on the front of the building.

"Are you hungry now, Sensei?" Arona grinned as she pointed towards a standing sign, the offerings of the establishment posted onto it for all to browse.

Stepping closer, I leaned down to take in the images. Just like what Nonomi showed me earlier, the images on the sign were that of bowls of steaming ramen, garnished with whatever is offered.

As if on cue, my stomach grumbled, sending another grin across my digital assistant's face.

I shrugged as I glanced back at the front of the store. Rather than a door, a sort of curtain stood in place, with its namesake, 'Shiba Seki Ramen', sown into the fabric.

"I suppose a bowl wouldn't hurt."

Lifting up one of the curtains, I stepped inside, the warm and cozy vibes immediately washing over me. Through my helmet's filters wafted a heavenly scent.

I took in the smell as I scanned the restaurant, empty tables and bars orderly arranged, all equipped with the standard amenities of a sit-down establishment.

"Welcome to Shiba Seki-!" A familiar voice began before cutting themself off as they caught sight of me.

I waved a hand her way. "Fancy meeting you here, Serika." A grin crossed me behind my helmet.

She glared daggers my way as she strangled her notepad. "What are you doing here?"

"Just getting familiar with the lay of the land."

Her razor-sharp gaze maintained its edge. "And that somehow led you here? Specifically?"

I merely shrugged. "Anyhow, you work as a waitress here?" I looked her up and down. "The uniform suits you."

"Ew, gross!" She cried as she took a step back. "You're gross!"

I raised a brow at her reaction.

Then a deep voiced boomed from the back. "Quit troubling our customers, Serika!"

That straightened the black cat out quickly. "Y-yes! Master Shiba!"

With a strained smile, she picked up a menu from her desk as she waved a hand towards a table. "Right this way... dear customer."

I suppressed a laugh, for whatever reason, teasing her is pretty fun.

Setting down the menu at a single seater table, she turned around with a huff. "I'll be back with your water."

Taking a seat, I lifted up the menu to acquaint myself with the restaurant's offerings. Eyeballing the menu, Serika returned with a glass pitcher of water, condensation dripping off the ice-cold surface. Setting it down, alongside a single cup filled with ice, she held up her notepad and pen before side-eyeing me.

"Figured out what you want to order?"

I narrowed my eyes as I continued staring at the menu, hoping a decision would finally come up magically. Giving up, I looked up back at her.

"Uh... do you have any suggestions?"

She gave me a look before rolling her eyes, placing her notepad and pen into her apron pouch. Then she turned the menu around in my hands before pointing at one of the bowls.

"This one." She supplied.

I looked at the suggestion. "Chashu?"

She nodded. "Chashu."

"I'll try one of these, then."

With a nod, she took the menu, placing it under her armpit as she took up her notepad and pen, subsequently writing down my order and tearing out the piece of paper.

With another huff, she headed off for the back.

Slumping back into my seat, I glanced at the water pitcher and the glass filled with ice.

"Chashu ramen, eh?" Arona commented from behind her screen.

Propping the Shittim Chest up against the water pitcher, I came face to face with my cheeky assistant.

I nodded. "Couldn't figure out what I wanted, so I referred to her experience."

She shrugged. "Well, it's a staple, so it's a good starting place!"

Then her face grew something stern, as she walked to the side of the screen, leaning off to the side as if getting a better look at something behind me.

I craned my head around. "See something?"

Then I got a good look at what she saw. Outside the window stood a few of the dissidents we took out yesterday. As much as they tried to not look the part, they were still the most suspicious looking group for miles around, doubly so in a sparsely populated area of the district.

Turning back around, I glanced back at Arona. "Think you can contact the rest of the Task Force? By the looks of things, they're here to ambush someone." Then I looked in the direction of the kitchen. "And something tells me it's for Serika."

Arona nodded. "On it! It'll take a few moments though, connection's weaker, especially since we're farther from the school!"

I grimaced. "Hopefully they come around before closing."

Chapter Text

The Orbital Gatling Barrage.

An offensive strategem designed for swift close-range support, its explosive rounds and sheer weight of fire penetrate and destroy all but the heaviest of targets.

A supplement to the Class-Six Series Crewed Interplanetary Combat Vessel's main cannons, it provides, albeit much less-powered, swift and constant supportive fire from low orbit. Designed as a four-barreled rotary cannon chambered in twenty-three-millimeter autocannon rounds, it can unleash a barrage of Armor-Piercing-High-Explosive-Tracers at a blistering one-thousand-three-hundred-thirty-three rounds per minute, with a full unimpeded burst consisting of three-hundred rounds.

Though, in the case of the Helldivers, each salvo is limited to sixty rounds to mitigate ammunition expenditure, alongside the reduction in the rotary cannon's rate of fire to ensure combat effectiveness over prolonged missions.

Although the rounds fired from the rotary cannon are hampered by a multitude of other factors, such as terminal velocity and air resistance that is not as prevalent with its brother variants, it circumvents the fact through sheer weight of fire.

Each round fired contains a significant High-Explosive payload relative to its weight, and is tipped with a depleted uranium penetrator, ensuring maximum Anti-Personnel and Anti-Armor capabilities despite the aforementioned.

When requested by the Helldiver, the area subsequently lit up by the requisite strategem beacon will then be locked down by the barrage, eviscerating most targets that fall under its fire.  With a maximum effective radius of twenty meters, and with its barrage lasting around twelve seconds, an area can be effectively suppressed and cleared of any enemies that would dare to step in the face of Democracy.

What further differentiates the Orbital Gatling Barrage from its brothers is its ability to be requested at a faster rate. With its one-hundred-twenty and three-hundred-eighty-millimeter counterparts requiring a few seconds at least to reach its target, the OGB takes a fraction of that time.

Similarly with its reload time, requiring a little over a minute to rearm and cooldown, its brother variants require at least two minutes to rearm. This allows the Orbital Gatling Barrage to be requested a multitude of times over the course of a mission.

Though lacking the earth-cracking firepower of its peers, its versatility and speed more than makes up for the lack of, placing it in a position to shore up areas its brothers cannot.

The Orbital Gatling Barrage.

This Democratic Message Is Brought To You By: The Arrowhead Space Agency.

Within the Shiba Seki Ramen Restaurant

Shifting my seat to the other side of the table, I positioned myself to keep an eye on the dissidents hanging out across the street. Sure enough, they were still there, weapons stowed but close at hand. Counting at least a dozen of the dissidents, I twiddled my thumbs, racking my brain for any plans.

"Your ramen." Serika stated blandly as she set down the steaming bowl onto my table.

I turned my head to meet her. "Thanks..." I trailed off as I perked my head back up. "Also, do you mind sitting here with me?"

A hard glare is sent my way.

I glanced at the bowl. "Just hoping we could talk."

She crossed her arms. "About?"

I waved a hand. "Oh y'know, life-" She rolled her eyes. "-School, tactics, your glaring hatred towards me."

She froze up at that last part.

I shrugged. "I don't know what I did to earn your ire, but I wasn't hired as a 'Sensei' for no reason, Serika."

She scoffed my way, shaking her head in disbelief.

"I've had my fair share of cadets under me." I leaned forward onto the table. "All types of people, across all sorts of planets and battlefields." I shook my head. "One doesn't make it to the rank of Sergeant without knowing a thing or two about handling personnel."

She stared into my visor for a few seconds before huffing, ultimately relenting as she pulled up a chair from an adjacent table. Seating herself across from me, she slumped back and crossed her arms once more.

"Of course, I'm not going to interrogate you or anything, merely curious." I looked down at my bowl, searching for anything to eat the ramen that sat in front of me with.

With a sigh, Serika patted her apron a few times before producing a pair of wooden sticks, setting them down onto the table with some force.

"Thanks."

"Mmm hmm." She hummed.

I picked up the sticks and stared at them. Now this definitely isn't standard issue in the mess kit.

"Uh..." I began as I held them up. "Got any forks?"

She raised a brow my way. "You don't know how to use them?"

I drummed my bowl with the sticks. "Nope."

A sigh escapes her as she held up one hand, with the other holding up another pair of sticks.

"Like this."

Placing the one stick in the valley of her index finger and thumb, she had the stick be supported by her ring finger as she placed the other stick to be held with the thumb, index and middle finger.

I raised a brow as I mirrored her actions. Heard of chopsticks before, never actually seen them in action.

With a few clumsy attempts, I finally had the sticks seated in my hand properly. Pinching the sticks together, I nodded approvingly at them before poking at my ramen.

"So, where to begin?" I asked as I lifted up some of the noodles, steam coming off the food.

She exhaled. "Do we really have to do this?"

I nodded. "Yes, anything that affects team cohesion negatively could cost us." I looked up back at the uniformed student. "Quite expensively at that too."

She rolled her eyes. "So? It's not like you're going to be around all that long anyways."

I set the noodles back into the bowl. "What makes you say that?"

"You adults are all the same-" She spat out with malice. "-Quick to sweet talk just because you're all older than us."

Looks like she has a bit of a history. "What do you mean by that?" I questioned as I set down the chopsticks.

She clicked her tongue. "We've had plenty of adults come by to Abydos, promising to help and all that-" She waved a hand outside, presumably towards the desert. "-And look where all that help, got us."

I slumped back into my seat. "So this does have to do with the debt."

She shot me a hard glare as she leaned forward. "You don't get to talk about that."

I crossed my arms, getting somewhere at least. "I don't know how to convince you otherwise, but I'm here to stay and help." I jabbed a thumb at myself. "Wouldn't have gotten you and your squad mates all that equipment otherwise."

She opened her mouth to retort, but held it back.

I leaned in closer. "Look, Serika." I interlocked my hands and let my chin rest on them. "I can't say I know what you all have been through. Given what you told me, it looks like your distrust isn't all that unearned."

"Uh huh." She deadpanned.

"But, what I do know for sure, is that it'll be different this time around."

She shook her head in turn. "How so?"

"Because, my dear Cadet-!" I raised my voice as I got to my feet, knocking down my chair. "-That is what the Helldivers do!"

I jabbed a thumb at myself. "We turn impossible odds into ones that are favorable!"

With a hand outstretched towards her, I continued. "Though, when we work together, we can get that done a little faster."

With a bewildered look, she glanced at my hand, then back into my visor.

"So what do you say, Serika? Care to give this Diver a chance?"

The edges of her mouth crept up ever so slightly. Contemplating whether or not to accept the gesture, she slowly raised her own hand.

"Sensei! Watch out!" Arona cried out.

Shooting my head up, my eyes went wide as I locked onto the dissidents outside. Just as I had let my guard down, the gang surrounded the exterior of the restaurant, guns at the ready and barrels trained on us.

"GET DOWN!"

Just before she could shake my hand, I had leapt forward, knocking the table to the side as I tackled Serika.

"W-w-what are you doing!?" She cried out, a deep flush of red painting her face.

Dozens of rounds flew overhead as they shattered the window, digging themselves into the wall behind us, sending all manner of wooden splinters and shredded paper around.

"Looks like they got tired of waiting!"

Reaching my hand around, I grabbed a G-12 H.E grenade from my hip before ripping the pin out.

"'NADE OUT!"

Throwing the grenade out the window, I placed both hands onto Serika's shoulders before lifting her up.

"Up and at 'em, Cadet! Time to get the lead out!"

I realize she's still in a sort of daze after the ambush.

Pushing her to the side, I took up my 'Breaker' as I positioned myself next to the broken window to return fire. As the Helmet Gang was in the middle of recovering from the grenade, I took the opportunity to put a few shells down range. After putting down a few dissidents, I tossed away the empty mag before dropping the shotgun, my sling catching it as I prepped another G-12 to be thrown.

"Throwing grenade!"

After tossing the explosive device, I vaulted over the windowsill. Assuming cover behind a concrete planter, I patted myself down for another magazine before realizing I never did restock back at Abydos.

I craned my head around towards the restaurant, 'Redeemer' in hand. "Any time now, Cadet!"

A stray round pings off my chestplate, the Titanium-A plating doing wonders to keep the lead out of me. Putting a few bursts down range, I tossed myself out from behind the concrete planter towards a ruined car before throwing away an empty magazine, subsequently slamming another into the machine pistol.

I can hear a few of the dissidents creeping up on me. "Serika! No time like the present, Cadet!"

A burst of rounds flew out from the window and impacted a gang member in my blind spot, the three rounds finding themselves a new home in their helmet.

"Oh, now it's ON!" Serika roared as she clenched a fist.

As she vaulted over the windowsill, something like a blue flame created a circular outline around her before burning out of existence just as quickly as it came.

I left any questions unspoken as I got to my feet, my 'Redeemer' kicking in my hands as I emptied its magazine into a few of the dissidents. Crouching back down into cover, I watched as the now angered black cat engaged the enemy with an unseen swiftness and vigor, rapidly and accurately firing bursts into the helmeted gang members.

"C'mon! I'll take you all on!" She roared as she tossed away an empty mag, subsequently loading in another.

Just as what's left of the gang retreated, a deep thump reverberated all around us. Serika's ears flickered as she looked around to identify where the noise originated from. As I was about to join her, an explosion took us both off of our feet.

Hitting the ground hard, I feel something break as my back met the concrete.

"Sensei!? Serika!?"

Struggling to get any air into my lungs, my diaphragm refusing to cooperate, I reached around into my stim pouch before pulling away with one of the cylindrical devices. Stabbing down onto my thigh, my body shuddered as the solution worked its magic.

With a deep inhale, I picked myself up and scrambled towards Serika, her crumpled form sent a few meters away from where the blast originated. As I approached, she struggled to stay awake, her halo flickering in and out of existence as she slowly blinked.

Crouching down next to her, I inspected her injuries. I grimaced as I looked down at her abdomen, where her clothes were disintegrated, large and deep bruises were revealed, most of which dominating a great majority of her body.

"Hey! Ain't that Sensei!?" One of the dissidents pointed out in the distance behind me.

I catch the sounds of several sets of footsteps come into earshot.

A sharp snap of a bolt being released filled the air. "You're right! What's he doin' here?"

"Hell if I know, but he's here on his own too! We can take him out and get that Abydos brat!"

"Hol' up, doesn't he have that alien ship or whatever?"

"Pfffft!" One of them laughs as a faint slap rang out. "You really believe all that?"

"Yeah right, we can get him out the picture right here and now! Get that flak gun reloaded!"

"Sensei!" Arona began, her voice laced with worry. "They have artillery a few meters out! Be careful!"

No point sticking around to find out if that flak gun really does exist. Picking up her rifle, I attached it to another sling on my chestplate before pulling her up and over my shoulder. With a grunt, I got to my feet and hightailed it in the opposite direction.

"Hey! They're getting away!"

"After them!"

As our assailants pursued us, another deep thump echoed all around us. I grimaced as the shell whistled through the air, the projectile being a stark reminder of-

The shell narrowly hit its mark, the projectile shattering and exploding the asphalt a few meters next to us, sending debris into the air. Throwing the both of us to the side, I held Serika close as I used myself to shield her from the hail of asphalt. Once more hitting the ground, I reach around and stab myself with another stim, my arm that was screaming in pain subsequently calming down as it fixed itself. With exhaustion bearing down on me, I make the call to set Serika down in an abandoned car close by.

With the dust kicked up by the artillery acting as our screen, I took the chance to set the injured student down into the back seat of the car.

I contemplated whether or not to use a stim on her before having those thoughts thoroughly redirected towards our aggressors. With rounds flying through the air, I grabbed a strategem beacon and lifted up my terminal.

'Up Right Right.'

Tossing the beacon as far as I could, I catch a few more rounds to the chest. I internally thank the durable construction of my armor as it deflected the small caliber rounds. With the beacon hitting the ground, an angry red pillar of light pierced the air and sky, the impromptu light show catching the dissidents off guard.

"Hey..." One of them began as the stared at the beacon. "Ain't that the same light thing from when that alien ship or whatever came by?"

The gang members paused to glance at each other before locking back onto the beacon.

Just before any of them could get another word out, the road was subsequently riddled with thirty-millimeter rounds, shredding, shattering and annihilating whatever stood in its way. Strafing run complete, the Eagle fighter sped on by towards the sky, releasing chaff as it disappeared into the blue canvas.

With their ranks broken, I advanced. G-12's in hand, I ripped out their pins and tossed them their way, the high-explosive grenades kicking the dissidents off their feet. Lifting up my 'Redeemer', I put a few rounds into the dazed dissidents, the bullets finding themselves planted into their helmets.

A round jerks my head to the side violently, giving me a minor concussion. With a growl, I turned their way, sending another burst into the air as they jumped for cover. As my machine pistol clicked empty, I holstered it as I tossed myself towards one of the many guns that littered the floor. Pulling away with a rifle, I patted down one of the dissidents for any extra magazines.

Shoving a few into my pouches, I picked myself up into a crouch as I shouldered the unfamiliar rifle. Outnumbered ten to one, I advanced slowly, gunning down any dissident that crossed my sights.

"It's just one guy!"

I catch another round to the shoulder before swinging my rifle around, subsequently putting an accurate burst into their helmet.

"How's he not goin' down!?"

Another round tears through my right thigh. Ignoring the pain, I continued my advance, tossing away my empty rifle before grabbing another from the multitude of unconscious dissidents.

Jabbing another stim into my neck, I tossed away the empty injector before shoulder checking a dissident caught off guard. Submachine gun haphazardly spraying into the air, my chestplate deflected another round as I grabbed the barrel. Disarming the gang member, I turned the weapon back onto them before ripping a burst into their helmet.

"H-holy- I didn't sign up for this!"

"T-that's Sensei!? I'm outta here!"

"O-oi! Get your asses back here! We still have the flak gun!"

True to her words, the flak gun was still in commission. Just as what was left of the gang retreated to a more defensible position, the report of the artillery piece filled the air. With exhaustion bearing down on me, I found myself caught in the open as the flak round pierced the air, a blood-chilling whistle produced in its wake.

Forcing myself to dive to the side, the flak round flew by at sub-sonic speeds before planting itself into an abandoned shop, with the subsequent explosion sending shattered concrete and glass shards into the air. Unfortunately, I didn't escape the shrapnel. Chunks of concrete pelted me, denting my armor on impact, and wherever I wasn't armored, the glass shredded and tore through. On the bright side, the dust kicked up from the explosion created a screen, giving me the chance to retreat.

"H-hey! He's gettin' away!"

"After him!"

Stubborn, I'll give them that, but sorely unorganized. Grabbing another beacon, I lifted my strategem terminal to input another code.

'Right Down Left Up Up.'

Throwing the beacon behind me, I continued my retreat towards Serika. Not risking the chance of glancing over my shoulder, I trusted that the beacon would do its job. And do its job it did, as not too long after, round after round after round of twenty-three-millimeter A.P.H.E.T's impacted the ground, building and dissident alike.

With the area suppressed, I made my way back towards the wrecked car housing the injured student. Still unconscious, I hefted the student back over my shoulder after I re-slung her rifle back onto me. With labored pants, I held her close as I painstakingly moved as fast as I could.

"Oh no, no no no, your heartrate's dropping! Sensei, we need to get you medical assistance now!" Arona cried out as she monitored my steadily decreasing biometrics.

As my vision tunneled, I reached around into my stim pouch. Hoping to pull away with one, I grimaced as I grasped at air before pulling away with nothing. With no other choice but to grit my teeth, I continued my retreat as blood trailed down my armor, painting it red. I grunted in pain as I redoubled my efforts, the adrenaline in my body doing its damnest to keep me awake and moving.

With exhaustion, pain and dread clawing at every ounce of my being, I bit down harder. If they never gave up, how could I?

I am not losing a cadet. Not ever again.

Chapter Text

The A/M-12 Mortar Sentry.

An autonomous weapons emplacement, it is a stationary defensive option for providing overhead supportive fire for when another gun on hand is needed.

One of the many autonomous sentries at the Helldiver Corp's disposal, the A/M-12 provides support in a form that is unlike many of its brothers. Fitted with a mortar battery, it launches forty-millimeter High Explosive mortar rounds from high overhead, firing at a parabolic angle up and over any friendlies or cover. This allows the sentry to fire without the immediate concern of friendly fire.

Being another armament to be refitted from the First Galactic War, it is a direct upgrade from its predecessor, the A/GL-8 MK3 Launcher Turret. Though equipped with a wholly different weapon system, with it being the GL-8 'Obliterator' MK3 Rotary Grenade Launcher, it served the same purpose of launching explosive ordnance from up high at a parabolic angle.

In its stead, the A/M-12 is equipped with a dedicated mortar system and autoloader. With an effective lock-on range of one-hundred-twenty-five meters, the A/M-12 is well equipped to eliminate foes from afar, and with a four-round burst, it can effectively cover large areas with ordnance.

Though lacking the variable payloads provided by the A/GL-8, such as its trademark phosphorous rounds that ignites most surfaces in white-hot fire upon impact, the A/M-12 more than makes up for that with its large ammunition reserves and larger effective range, taking out targets outside of direct line of sight and providing prolonged effective fire from behind cover.

With such a powerful defensive option at the Helldiver's disposal, it is no wonder that it finds itself on a multitude of different fronts, providing supportive fire and shoring up positions where the Heroic Helldiver's cannot immediately. As such, the A/M-12 is a popular option when holding a position is the key objective, finding itself in the loadouts of many Helldivers.

The A/M-12 Mortar Sentry.

"Cover Be Damned!" -  'Admiral Defense Contracting'.

Within the Abydos District.

"*Pant*, *Pant*, *Pant*, *Pant*."

With exhaustion and blood loss gripping at my legs, each stride I took gradually shortened. Taking a moment to stop and breathe, I glanced around the district for a place to hopefully hole up. With numerous abandoned store fronts and apartment complexes littering the street sides, it was just a matter of picking one out.

What tossed a wrench in that plan was the fact that I had left a blood trail to my very position. Though I had some doubts that the Helmet Gang would follow such a trail, it is still a variable I have to be aware of.

Hefting Serika to a more comfortable position over my shoulder, I grimaced as the movement caused her to groan in pain as I unintentionally rubbed my pauldron against her wounds.

"Bear with me, Cadet."

Finding a suitable store to hole up in, I crouched down next to the door, carefully setting Serika down as I sat her against the wall. With a grunt, I gripped the various two-by-fours nailed down to the door frame, preparing to remove the boards. One by one I tore them off before finally gaining access into the dilapidated building.

"Up and at 'em." I whispered as I moved to carry the unconscious student.

Instead of pulling her over my shoulder, I instead took her up in a princess carry as to not agitate her wounds further. Glancing around the barren interior, I found a table nearby for use. Carefully setting her down onto the surface, I rolled my shoulders, the now sore extremities letting me know the full extent of their wear. Gritting through the pain, I removed her rifle from my sling before setting it down next to her.

With that, I limped my way outside. The adrenaline in my body finally subsiding, I felt the weight of my wounds bear down on me from all over.

"Owwwwwwwwwwwwwwww." I groaned as I took up a strategem beacon before lifting up my terminal.

Prepping a resupply, I readied it to be tossed before pausing.

'Once I toss this, I'll be letting everyone know where I am.'

I glanced back into the store. With Serika unconscious and the Helmet Gang still on the prowl, I had to reconsider whether or not to call it in.

Just before I could though, my right leg gave out, the blood loss finally hindering my ability to stand properly. Hitting the ground, I had released my grip around the beacon, with it subsequently sending its trademark pillar of light into the sky.

Sitting myself up as much as my wounds would allow, I crawled away from the beacon towards a more suitable position as to not splatter myself across the asphalt. Just as the Hellpod breached atmosphere, several sets of footsteps stomping my way filled the air. Craning my head around, I groaned in annoyance as a sizable force of the dissidents came over the horizon.

Breaching the ground and subsequently revealing its payload, I crawled over and tore into one of the supply crates. Pulling away with a stim, I jabbed myself in the neck.

"Feels GOOD!"

With a renewed vigor, I shot up to my feet as my body hastily repaired itself, the medicine working wonders on my ravaged body. Digging further into the box, I pocketed what magazines I could before having to take cover behind the pod's elevator.

"I told you he'll be here! All we have to do is follow those light things!" One of the gang members cheered.

"Yeah yeah, here's a cookie." Another snarked.

"For real?"

A faint slap rang out. "No you idiot! Now get 'em!"

At the order, a wave of fire impacted the pod, the small arms fire gradually wearing down on it. Grabbing another beacon, I lifted up my terminal again.

'Down Up Right Left.'

Tossing the beacon to the side, I grabbed another resupply crate and tore into it before pulling away with more magazines, stims and grenades.

Fully rearmed, I broke away from the Hellpod as another broke atmosphere. Assuming cover behind a wrecked vehicle, the Hellpod cracked the ground beneath it, and with an evil grin, I watched as the multi-barreled sentry gun rose from its pod, configuring itself for dispensing Democracy at one-thousand-five-hundred-sixty rounds-per-minute.

As the dissidents watched it with jaws dropped, the facial expression fully obscured by their helmets, they pointed at the turret with varying degrees of horror.

"The hell is that!?" One of them finally spoke up.

Their question fell on deaf ears as the Gatling Sentry opened up, filling the air with 8x60mm FMJ's and tracers. Within that instant, one, two, six dissidents collapsed to the ground, their bodies crumpling to the ground as the unfeeling sentry continued firing.

With the thunderous roar of the turret filling the air, I pushed up, wary to keep a wide berth between me and the sentry. Though being able to differentiate between friendly and foe, one can't say the same for the rounds already in the air.

Fully suppressed, the dissidents found no openings to pop their head over their cover. Those behind thin walls and barriers soon found themselves shredded alongside their paltry cover, with their haloes extinguished as they hit the ground. The few that thought to think themselves clever as they dashed from cover to cover soon found themselves with a few new holes. Figuratively, of course.

Assuming a position in a blind spot in their flank, I readied more G-12's for use. Lobbing them up and over, the explosive devices found themselves planted in between their ranks, the subsequent explosions kicking them off their feet and into the sightlines of the A/G-16 sentry, which all too quickly lights them up.

Emptying its ammo reserves, the turret retreated back into its Hellpod.

'Going to have to dig that up later, can't have Super Earth armaments fall into dissident hands.'

Loading a fresh magazine into my 'Breaker', I chambered a shell as I pushed up to mop up the few remaining gang members.

Still coughing up the dust kicked up from the G-12's, I gave them no time to react as I kicked in their helmets with buckshot. Just as a round narrowly grazed my helmet, I dove to the side and turned their way whilst firing. As I hit the ground, the ensuing hail of buckshot shattered their helmet, sending their crumpled form to the ground with a thump.

Getting to my feet, I glanced around the battlefield, the immediate area littered with spent casings, craters, all matter of debris and most notably, unconscious dissidents. Locking eyes with the last trembling gang member, they tossed away their rifle before raising their hands in surrender.

"I-I-I g-give up!" The dissident stammered out.

As I stepped closer, shotgun trained on their abdomen, their trembling grew worse, causing them to collapse onto their rear end. As our visors met, I crouched down in front of the gang member just shy of a meter away.

"Normally-" I began, my voice taking an edge. "-I wouldn't be taking any prisoners."

Their shoulders dropped as they froze up.

I shook my head. "Normally, anyways." A sigh escapes me as I leaned in closer. "You and your buddies have been giving me an extremely difficult time ever since I got here."

I paused before continuing. "...What's your plan anyways?" I waved a hand around the district. "There's next to nothing here of value." I locked my eyes back onto her's. "Something's up and I want to know what and why."

"I..." She began before gulping. "I ain't ratting them out..." The dissident resisted, though in a voice small and meek.

I shook my head again, unconvinced. "You may think so right now, but I'm currently not in the mood to ask nicely." I racked my 'Breaker', ejecting a shell as it loaded another.

Wasteful, but the action was more than enough to instill fear into the gang member.

"Give me something to work with here."

They turned their head to glance at the ejected shell, then towards the barrel of my shotgun, then back into my visor.

"F-fine!" She relented with a huff. "We were after that Abydos kid back at the ramen shop!"

I leaned in closer. "Why?"

She shook her head. "Boss wanted us to nab the kid so we could ransom her against the rest of her buddies."

"Abydos is filled with debt, what makes you all think that they'd be able to fulfill the ransom?" I asked with a raised brow.

"I dunno, boss said we would get paid handsomely if we do this, so we did!" She huffed. "That's all I know."

Not much to go off of, but it's something. Looks like there might be more than a debt that needs fulfilling. With a sigh, I got to my feet, shotgun still trained on the dissident.

"Are... are you letting me go?" They asked with a hint of hope lacing their voice.

Looking back down at the gang member, I gave no answer as I pulled the trigger, the report filling the air before once more falling into silence. Letting my sling catch my 'Breaker', I made my way back towards the abandoned store.

Stim at the ready, I approached Serika as I adjusted the dosage. Setting it to dispense half of the medicine, I straightened out her arm for a clean site of injection. With a quick jab, the medicine dispersed into her body with a faint hiss, and just as quickly as it was administered, the wounds on her abdomen healed, the deep and nasty bruising fading back into her natural pigment. I internally thanked Lady Liberty that stims do in fact work on the people of this planet. Truth be told, I had some concerns with the physiology of the... student body.

And just as quickly as the wounds healed, she woke up just as fast.

Her eyes shooting open, she raised herself up awake and alert, her head jumping all over the room as she scanned the unfamiliar surroundings. Finally locking onto me, she visibly relaxed before tensing up once more as she patted herself down.

"What... what happened?" She asked as she looked back up to me.

I grinned. "Welcome back to the land of the living."

She gives me a look before dropping her jaw as she gave me a good look over. I shrugged at her reaction, as I'm not exactly the most presentable Helldiver at the moment. Giving myself my own look over, I rubbed the visibly dented and perforated portions of my armor. Anywhere my BDU's aren't shredded, blood caked the clothing. And I might not be able to see it, but you could tell I got shot in the head.

I glanced back at her. "Just another day in the Corps!"

She frowned. "You... you're hurt?" Then her eyes widened. "Blood!" She pointed at the dried blood that painted my armor. "You're bleeding!"

I shook my head. "Was bleeding, patched myself up." I looked back down at myself and frowned. "Might need a change in equipment, though."

Her expression falters as she took in my words. "...Back at the restaurant, you were the one who saved me?"

I nodded. "Of course, no Diver left behind."

"But you also got hurt because of that..." She raised her voice as she sat up on the table. "You also don't have any ties to Abydos! Why go through all the trouble? Why help us?"

I grinned as I got to a knee. "As I've said, Serika, I wasn't hired as a 'Sensei' for no reason." I looked into her eyes. "And as your Sergeant, I'd be damned if I turned tail at something like this."

"I'm a Helldiver, Serika, one of Super Earth's finest born and trained to assist and defend Humanity where it can, when it can." A smile crossed me behind my helmet. "Even if it just so happens to be across the galaxy."

She sniffled before wiping her eyes. "You're stupid."

I nodded as I got to my feet. "That I am. But if what I do works, then I'm not so stupid, right?"

She snorted as she hopped off the table, rifle in hand. "Sure." A genuine smile crossed her face. "What now?"

"Now..." I trailed off as I held up the Shittim Chest, the map displaying numerous red blips approaching us from down the street, around two-hundred meters out.

With a grimace, I continued. "Now we hope that the girls really do make it here on time... this time."

Within the Abydos Clubroom

"Wonder what Sensei's up to." Nonomi commented as she cleaned her trademark support weapon.

Shiroko looked up from her own. "He did say he went to that ramen place Serika works at." She tapped at her chin. "He's probably having a bowl?"

"Maybe we should go visit?" Hoshino chimed in, her head still buried in her arms.

"Mmmmmaybe finish up your homework, President?" Ayane cut in, her voice taking an edge just as sharp as her glare.

A hiccup escapes her as she shuffled in her seat. "U-uhee~, er... later?"

"Field Captain?"

Shiroko's ears perk up. "Yes?"

Not responding verbally, Ayane merely gave her a nod, which was enough for Shiroko to enact upon. Wordlessly, the white wolf approached the pink-haired president, who's currently looking up at her underclassman with a worried look.

"Er, Shiroko-chan?" Hoshino questioned as she slowly backed away.

"Yes, President?" Shiroko responded as she slowly closed the gap.

Her asymmetrically colored eyes glanced between the Field Captain's hands and eyes. "Could you, I don't know, put the hands down?"

Without answer and pause, Shiroko pounced, her hands grasping at Hoshino's sides, aiming to pick her up. Resisting the advance, Hoshino clasped hands against her's, the two struggling in a clash.

Just as chaos ensued in the background, Ayane continued her own work, typing away at her laptop. That is, before she had her attention redirected towards a notification pop-up from her phone, then another. At the vibration, her hand went towards her pocket before pulling away with the small device. With a raised brow, she tapped the notification, subsequently opening up Momotalk. What threw her for a loop was the odd sender of the messages.

"Who's ARONA?" The student asked aloud.

With no one to answer her, she perused the message contents, which only further fueled her confusion.

Sensei and Serika are in danger!

Please help!

- Received 2h ago.

'Slow internet speeds these days... and what's up with this message?' She pondered.

The second message, however, consisted of a string of seemingly random numbers. Her eyes narrowed as she read and re-read the messages, with something as suspicious as this coming from an even more suspicious messenger, she would undoubtedly pass the message off as spam or something.

Sensei and Serika supposedly being in danger, as well as the string of numbers more than caught her eyes though.

'Coordinates?' She thought to herself.

With a shrug, she figured it wouldn't hurt to check out what they could lead to. Turning towards her laptop, she opened up a map of the district before inputting the supposed coordinates. A real eye-brow raiser it proved to be, as it locked onto an area near-

"Shiba Seki Ramen?" Ayane stated aloud.

"They do not know when to let up!" Serika yelled in annoyance as she threw a G-12 over her cover, the subsequent explosion momentarily drowning out the battlefield.

I drop a few shells in the gang's direction before throwing myself back into cover. "If anything, they are relentless!" I added as I slammed another magazine into my 'Breaker'.

Serika locked eyes onto me as she slapped her bolt release. "Don't you have anything else up your sleeves!?"

I shook my head after ducking under a stray round. "Nothing that won't blow us up too!"

She grimaced as she held her rifle up and over her cover before proceeding to blind fire over it. I joined in alongside her, tossing in a few grenades as a little extra to give us some room to breathe.

Following Serika's reawakening, the Helmet Gang, in their unrelenting nature, sent squad after squad of dissidents towards our position. Just before the siege, I had informed her that the gang was planning to ambush and kidnap her to use as a bargaining chip against the rest of her classmates.

And before she could get a call connected to the Task Force, a sharpshooter rendered her phone eighty-sixed, leaving us without direct comms with the Task Force. That is, if I didn't have Arona with me.

"Arona!" I yelled out as I tossed another grenade into the fray.

Instead of replying from the tablet's speakers, she connected directly to my helmet's comms suite. "Yes, Sensei!"

Not in a position to ask how and why, I continued. "Think you can send the girls back at the school another message!?"

"On it!"

Though, she really never told me what form the message would take the shape of.

Just before she could set her phone down, another message popped up, the chime giving her a sort of annoyance as she lifted it back up.

As the sentiment settled in, it was soon replaced with curiosity as a voice mail appeared on screen, thirteen seconds in length. With a raised brow, she turned up her phone's volume to max before playing the message. Upon pressing play, the air was then filled with the sounds of an ensuing firefight, with explosions and gunfire sporadically popping off.

Her eyes widened as she heard two very familiar voices.

"They do not know when to let up!"

The sound of a dull thump, then a man grunting came over the speakers.

"If anything, they are relentless!"

Followed by more gunfire, the clip ended abruptly. With a shock laden face, Ayane turned back towards her classmates, who are sharing similar feelings as they listened in. Wordlessly, she took up her equipment as she inputted the same coordinates into her phone's GPS.

At her actions, the rest of the Task Force took up arms, loading up magazines, loose rounds and their support weapons before setting off for the door.

"Do you know where to go?" Hoshino asked, wide awake and her eyes sharp.

Ayane gulped as she nodded at her serious president. "I have coordinates."

"Let's move."

Chapter Text

The Orbital 380MM High-Explosive Barrage.

A prolonged artillery barrage that covers a large area, it is one of the most destructive conventional strategems in the Helldiver Corps arsenal.

The biggest brother of all the orbital strategems, the 380MM High-Explosive Barrage wreaks destruction at a scale only matched by that of the likes of the NUX-223 'Hellbomb' MK3. Fired from the three-barrel naval cannon fitted to the lowest section of the Super Destroyer's hull, it fires in three-round salvoes at two-and-a-half second intervals, with the entire barrage lasting five salvoes.

Each three-hundred-eighty-millimeter shell carries a significant High-Explosive payload, with the sheer amount of ordnance within the shell allowing it to practically ignore any and all amount of conventional armor, only defeated by the earth itself. Due to the awesome amount of firepower packed into each artillery shell, accuracy by volume of fire is preferred by gunnery control, as compensating for recoil and re-zeroing on target takes away from its lethal tempo.

As such, this gives the 380MM H.E Barrage an astonishing area of effect measuring sixty-meters in diameter, allowing it to annihilate entire static fortifications and everything within. In lieu of the extraordinary firepower afforded by the barrage, rearming for another requires four minutes at the least, leaving the strategem to realistically only be used on strategic targets or for covering tactical retreats.

Given its earth-shattering firepower and wide area of effect, when using such a powerful strategem, Super Earth Command advises all Helldivers to exercise extreme caution with its use, and to prioritize communication with fellow Helldivers when requesting one.

A powerfully popular option of the Helldiver Corps, it unfortunately bears the highest number of friendly fire casualties. Despite its extensive dark history of friendly fire incidents, it still finds its way onto the battlefield, leveling the battlefield one salvo at a time.

The Orbital 380MM High-Explosive Barrage.

'The Arrowhead Space Agency advises utmost caution when utilizing Arrowhead S.A armaments. Failure to do so will result in extreme bodily harm towards the user and others.'

Within the Abydos Economic District

'Up Right Down Right'.

Inputting the requisite pattern, the beacon lit up in an angry red hue with a high pitch whine.

"DANGER CLOSE!"

Diving forward, I simultaneously threw the beacon forward into enemy lines. Ensuring the successful activation of the beacon, I sat myself up with my back against a ruined concrete barrier. Locking eyes onto Serika, who's peeking over the bullet-riddled store front watching the beacon pierce the sky, I waved towards her.

"Ready for some fireworks!?"

With the Eagle fighter breaking the sound barrier, it flew by low to drop its Democratic payload in the form of six one-hundred-kilogram bombs, carpet bombing the dissidents into oblivion. The ensuing explosions shook the ground beneath us as it cracked the asphalt, with the resulting destruction sending all manner of dust and debris into the air, along with the odd dissident.

But even with such an awesome display of firepower, the dissidents kept up their assault. Though with their numbers diminished, they still had enough to keep up the pressure.

And with their flak gun still in action, even if I could take out the gang no problem, the artillery piece still proved to be their saving grace. With another deep thump, I grimaced as its distinct report filled the air, the fired shell whistling through the air, subsequently exploding into piercing shrapnel upon contact with a nearby building.

Ducking under another wave of gunfire sent my way, I crouch-walked back towards Serika's position, who's braced against the window as she lets her rifle roar in full auto.

"How's your ammo looking?" I asked as I loaded another magazine into my 'Breaker'.

Ripping the empty mag out of her rifle, she patted down her ruined uniform before pulling away with nothing. With a frown she turned back to me.

"Empty."

Clicking my tongue, I unhooked my shotgun from its sling before handing it to her. "Know how to use this?"

Raising both her brows in surprise, she took up the weapon with a faint smile as her eyes poured over each detail of the weapon system. "Think so..." She replied as she looked back up into my visor. "Just aim and shoot?"

I nodded. "Aim and shoot." Removing any additional magazines from my pouches, I handed them over.

Slipping my 'Redeemer' out of its holster, I patted myself down for additional magazines. Nodding in approval, I once more entered the fray, sprinting forward as I let the machine pistol let loose in the general direction of the dissidents.

"How much further Ayane!?"

Flinching slightly at her call, she glanced down at her phone again as she ran. Doing her best to keep the screen steady, she narrowed her eyes to make out the estimated time arrival.

"We still got around a kilometer left! Judging from the coordinates, we'll be right in the middle of an intersection!"

Still running, Hoshino glanced over her shoulder to lock eyes with her medic. "Environment?"

Ayane shook her head as she took in a lungful of air, the strain of nonstop running taking its toll on the untested student. "Abandoned buildings and vehicles, no civilians."

The president gave a thoughtful look and nodded before looking back ahead. "Alright guys, just like dealing with the punks at school, I'll be taking the lead!"

As they ran, the sharp cracks of gunfire filled the air gradually, the cacophony being followed with the deep and reverberating pound of artillery fire. With a grimace, the Task Force hefted their armaments ever higher as they slowed their approach.

Over all of the chaos, a single voice pierced the noise.

"SENDING IN AN EAGLE!"

Collectively, their ears perked up as they turned their heads towards the voice. Redoubling their efforts in their strides, attention was once more redirected as another variable made themselves apparent. Stopping and shooting their heads towards the sky, a blur zoomed by, warping the air around as it kicked up a strong gust with its low passing.

And without pause, six subsequent explosions shook the world around them.

The girl's recoiled in shock as they watched the vessel responsible disappear into the blue canvas, only vaguely visible due to the flares released following its ordnance drop. Drifting their eyes towards the billowing dust clouds, a result of the explosives dropped from the... whatever it was, they glanced at each other in extreme confusion with a hint of fear.

"Was that...?" Ayane trailed off as she looked back at her president for any answers.

Just as confused as she is, Hoshino merely shook her head and flicked off the safety to her shotgun. "No time for questions."

With a nod from everyone, they continued their efforts towards the fray.

"SENDING IN AN EAGLE!"

Yelling at the top of my lungs, I threw the beacon as far as my arm would allow, sending it deep into enemy lines. As dissidents rained down on us by the dozen, we made sure to send hell back as Serika and I repelled the gang members as best we could.

The subsequent low passing of the Eagle fighter releasing its ordnance shattered the earth around them once more. Even with another morale draining showcase of Super Earth's aerospace superiority, it wasn't enough to deter them from their continued assault. As I watched the gang members regroup, their actions reflected nothing that of a willed fighting force.

Rather, they seemed desperate.

Shaking the thought off, I noticed our ammunition was drying up quickly. Grabbing another beacon, I entered another pattern for a resupply with a swiftness only seen when a horde of fascist bugs threatened to drown us in chitin and claw.

Tossing the beacon behind me, a dissident got the drop on me as she shoved the barrel of her rifle into my chestplate. Grunting in response, I grabbed the barrel and threw it upward. With a surprised reaction masked by her helmet, she pulled down on the trigger, sending a burst of rounds into the air. Ripping my 'Redeemer' out of its holster, I pistol whipped the dissident, causing her to recoil back in pain. Releasing her grip around the rifle in turn, I maneuvered the barrel back on its owner, wrapping my hand around its grip before emptying the magazine into their abdomen. Watching as they crumpled to the floor unconscious, I tossed away the empty weapon.

Slamming another magazine into the machine pistol, the resupply pod breached atmosphere and subsequently the asphalt beneath. Grabbing two supply crates, I tore into one before turning towards Serika.

"Heads up Cadet!"

Emptying the shotgun in a blindfire, Serika turned to me as she ejected the empty magazine.

"Catch!"

Lobbing the yellow crate towards her, she yelped in surprise as the box threatened to hit her. Dropping the shotgun, she held up both hands the receive the crate. Giving me a disapproving look, any words she had for me had to wait as our cover received an ungodly amount of gunfire.

Risking a glance over our steadily degrading cover, I narrowed my eyes as I locked onto some new hostile forces on the field. Reinforced with the standard fare of dissident, heavier units took to the front wielding terrifying support weapons of their own. Not too dissimilar to Nonomi's, their multi-barreled weapons filled the air with lead and thunderous muzzle flashes.

Terrifying, but I've faced worse. Pushing Serika to the side, I knocked her out of the way just as the unrelenting barrage finally pierced the concrete wall. Another artillery shell took to the air, the projectile finally hitting in our general area as it exploded against the store front adjacent to us. The shockwave kicking us off our feet and onto our sides, I held my helmet as the force of impact rattled my brains.

Serika not faring any better, her ears were leveled flat with her head as she held both hands to her head, her eyes failing to focus properly.

Without us to return fire, the dissidents pushed up, taking advantage in our lull in fire. Threatening to bare down on us with full force, I opted to call in the biggest gun at my disposal.

'No choice now...'

Lifting up my strategem terminal, I entered a new pattern.

Right.

Down.

Up.

Up.

Left.

Down.

Down.

With a final press, the beacon lit up red with a high-pitched whine. Unlike the many other times when using offensive strategems, this one in particular required quite a bit of caution. Doubly so in the hands of a Helldiver. Even as one, I still held reservations in its use.

The level of destruction it can wreak is not to be understated, though there's many a time I had it used to cover a retreat as I, without a second thought, lobbed it towards my feet as I hightailed it away from my pursuers.

Aiming to once more fall back on the tactic, I readied the beacon, leveling my arm to throw it into enemy lines. Reeling my arm back, I stood back up over the concrete wall. Just before the dissidents could shift their aim towards me, several missiles struck them down.

One, four, eight missiles, trailed by smoke as their engines pierced the air, produced vapor in their wake as they locked onto their targets. Meeting the dissidents, the screaming ordnance spelt their demise as they exploded one by one upon impact. Another, this time greater, secondary explosion shook the ground violently. Peeking back over, a large cloud of black smoke filled the air as it billowed upward. Beneath it was a smoldering wreckage of twisted steel and slag. Whatever it was, I assumed it to be the flak gun the gang had, was now far from being operational.

With their guns silent, several sets of footsteps entered earshot from our east. Keeping a death grip on the still-loaded beacon, I slipped my 'Redeemer' out of its holster, leveling the barrel in their direction.

Turning the corner was a very welcoming sight, though surprising. Seeing 'IRON HORUS' emblazoned on the front of the shield in bold lettering, I let out a sigh of relief as I let my arm down.

"Not a moment too late, eh girls?" I comment as I slipped the machine pistol back in its holster.

Lowering the shield, the small pink-haired student responsible for carrying it gave me a grin. "Being fashionably late is what's in these days, is it not-"

Then a frown took its place as her eyes poured over our injuries. Rounding the corner were the rest of the Task Force, guns up and heads on a swivel. Trusting that Shiroko and Nonomi would provide adequate overwatch, Ayane slipped her pistol back in its holster before turning towards us.

Being the team's sole medic, as she locked onto Serika and I, she immediately frowned as she too locked onto our injuries. Then she pointed at me first.

"W-what happened!?"

I poked at the holes that pock-marked my armor. "Just another day in the Corps."

"You-!" She shook her head, obviously not amused by my response.

Just before she could get another word in, I grabbed Serika by the shoulder and placed her in front of me.

I nodded my head at her. "Take a look at her first, she's the one that took artillery to the face."

Giving me a look, she shook her head again as she began running a quick check up on the black cat. With a raised brow, she began poking at her abdomen.

"Hey! That tickles!" Serika hissed as she swatted her hand away.

"You sure she's injured?" Ayane looked back at me. "Apart from the ruined uniform, she's completely fine."

I shrugged. "Well, was injured, I suppose. I had to use one of my stims on her." Then I jabbed a thumb at myself. "Used quite a few on myself as well."

Her jaw dropped as she took in my words and glanced back over my armor. "There's so much blood though! It has practically given you a new paint job!"

I grinned, the facial expression thankfully obscured by my helmet for her sake. "Never doubt Super Earth's Healthcare! Told you, PermaCura takes care of its citizens."

"I..." Ayane began before shaking her head and scratching it out of frustration. "As long as your fine, I guess."

Shiroko popped her head into the building, glancing around before locking onto the red beacon held in my hand. "What's that?"

I lifted the item in question. "A strategem beacon."

"Why's it red?"

"Yeah, why is it red?" Nonomi chimed in.

Serika frowned. "Don't tell my you're just holding onto another... what was it? Airstrike?"

This causes everyone to freeze up as they eyed the beacon with fear.

I laughed. "Don't worry, as long as it's still in my hand, it won't go off-!"

Just as I was about to raise the beacon back up to show off how safe it was in my hand, I clipped the edge of the table hard. Recoiling back in pain, I subsequently released my grip on it. The beacon flew through the air, albeit slowly, as we watched it pass the window before landing onto the asphalt. With it dramatically rolling to a stop, the beacon finally emitted a bright red and angry pillar of light into the sky.

Under my helmet, my jaw dropped as my eyes went wide at the sight.

"OH SWEET LIBERTY!" I screeched as I hurriedly pushed the girls out of the building.

Understanding the urgency in my voice, the girls began running in the opposite direction of the beacon as well.

"You just had to show it off, huh!?" Serika hissed my way as we ran.

"Why do you have airstrikes!?" Ayane followed up.

"Wait, so that was you!?" Shiroko glanced over her shoulder with a sparkle in her eyes.

I shook my head. "Keep running girls, this once just a teeny bit more powerful than an airstrike!"

"Eh!?" Was the collective sentiment amongst the Task Force as we ran.

Well outside the effective radius of the strategem, I urged the girls to keep moving away just to make sure. Turning around, I caught it just in time to see the beacon shut off. Then the show began.

THOOMP

THOOMP

THOOMP

Three deep and reverberating artillery reports vibrated the air around us. Just as the Task Force stopped and took to my sides, three ground-shaking explosions caught them by surprise.

"What the hell!?" Serika exclaimed as her ears stood on edge, the enormous explosions obviously not on anyone's cards.

Another salvo.

THOOMP

THOOMP

THOOMP

Another round of earth-shattering vibrations shook the ground around us.

"Why... what is happening!?" Ayane cried out as she watched the destruction unfold.

I left their questions unanswered as we watched three more salvoes be unleashed onto the thankfully abandoned portion of the Abydos District.

Suffice it to say, the ruins here are now that. Ruins.

As the resulting dust and smoke clouds died down, silence befell all around us, the pounding of artillery and the destruction it wrought being an obvious shock and awe to the girls.

Remembering my lesson from last time, I kept my mouth shut as I stood stock still, waiting for the girls to make their move.

Hoshino would be the first. Rubbing her eyes in disbelief, she blinked a few times before slowly turning her head towards me, a shocked look plastered across her face. Describing it as shock doesn't do it justice.

"Sensei." She called out neutrally.

I turned my head her way.

"What. The. Hell. Was. That."

Each word cut through the air like a knife; the pressure she exuded was that not reflected in her stature.

I gulped. "A... a three-hundred-eighty-millimeter high-explosive barrage, straight from the Super Destroyer in low orbit itself."

I decided to tell the truth straight up. No playing of words with this one, and judging by Hoshino's demeanor, she wouldn't have one bit of it at the least.

Her gaze was equally sharp as her tone, and if it weren't for the aforementioned, she'd be heaps more terrifying. Keeping the comment to myself, I stayed silent as I waited for her to continue.

"You..." She trailed off as she looked back at the further ruined... ruins. "...I suppose you weren't lying about being an otherworldly soldier."

I nodded once.

A sigh escapes her. "I guess it yelling at you wouldn't do much good, your back was against the wall until we intervened." She glared back at me after a moment of deliberation. "No, I will yell at you."

"What were you thinking!?"

I flinched slightly.

"Even if it did work-" She poked my chestplate hard enough to push me back. "-You probably wouldn't be standing here!"

She pointed back at the destruction wrought by the orbital barrage. "Whatever that artillery was, sure it'll hurt us, but it'll-!" Cutting herself off, she glanced at her classmates, who're watching the scene unfold with unsure looks.

Another sigh, followed by a shake of the head in extreme disapproval. "As long as you do not do that again, Sensei."

I nodded.

"Answer." She ordered.

I stood up straight. "Yes ma'am."

Then with a flick of a proverbial switch, the air around her changed, and her demeanor switched back as if nothing happened.

Slouching over, she scratched the back of her head before patting my back. "Glad you both are okay."

With a raised brow, I glanced back at the rest of the girls, who are as equally confused as I am. Shrugging, I decided to play along.

"All's in a day's work for a Helldiver!" I exclaimed with a grin.

Still confused, they decided to shrug it off as well, with Nonomi moving in on Serika for a hug. "As long as we're all okay!"

Taken aback at the hug, Serika resisted, but the motherly strength of the blonde proved to be no match for her. With a single nod, Shiroko joined in as well.

"Glad that you're okay, Serika."

"Gah! You guys! Seriously!"

Chapter Text

The LAS-98 Laser Cannon.

A shoulder-mounted Directed Energy support weapon, it unleashes a sustained beam of energy capable of piercing through heavy armor.

Another support weapon in a long list to be refitted and refashioned from the First Galactic War, the LAS-98 Laser Cannon of today, understandably, has undergone many design changes that differentiates it from the LAS-98 MK3. Most notable of these changes can be seen with the LAS-98's housing, being designed with ergonomics in mind.

Being a direct upgrade under the same designation, the LAS-98 MK3 of the First War was a bulky and unwieldy support weapon, forcing the Helldiver to remain stationary during operation. Though still recommended, its current iteration allows the operator to move and fire simultaneously, allowing for quick repositioning.

Another major design change to be implemented into the Laser Cannon is its cooling system. The MK3, being limited by the technology of the time, was forced to compromise in its design, having the heatsinks protrude from the casing, throwing off the center of mass. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Now equipped with the vastly more efficient Internal Cooling Element, it allows the LAS-98 to fire continuously for fifteen straight seconds. When managed properly, this effectively gives the support weapon a nigh unlimited supply of ammunition.

With the implementation of more efficient cooling systems and miniaturized reactors, it also paved the way for greater damage potential. Unlike the MK3, which was a sidegrade to the MG-94 Machine Gun, the current version is capable of piercing heavy armor by warping the molecular structure of the target, allowing it to tackle fodder and armored units. Alongside the increased energy projection within the beam, the higher temperature also allows it to ignite certain targets, increasing its Anti-Personnel capabilities.

Often referred to as the 'Swiss-Army Knife' of the support weapons, the title is not ill-earned. With its capabilities encompassing a wide range of needs, it has found itself tackling all sorts of fronts that require its flexibility. Unfortunately, that same nature has placed the weapon in a state where it's unable to find a niche.

Despite that, it is nonetheless a great option to shore up an otherwise overwhelmed loadout.

The LAS-98 Laser Cannon.

"Power Overwhelming!" -  'Admiral Defense Contracting'.

Within the Gehenna Prefect Office

"So, what do you think, Chinatsu?"

The glasses-clad elven student raised a brow. "Head Prefect?"

"Of this... Helldiver-Sensei?" The Head Prefect reiterated.

Chinatsu held a hand to her chin to ruminate over the question.

On one hand, Sensei- no, Allen Hicks, is a person that is undoubtedly someone who holds an unimaginable amount of destructive firepower. After all, she had witnessed it firsthand the same day they arrived. But on the other, he has displayed a surprising amount of humanity, as shown in his- admittedly, heartfelt speech about defending Humanity.

He did accept to only use his... power, for good.

Chinatsu dropped her hand and glanced back at the Head Prefect.

"In my opinion, he's trustworthy. I give Sensei that much."

The head prefect nodded as she clasped her hands together to lean on them. "I see, anything else?"

For the Head Prefect, Sorasaki Hina, any outliers, particularly anyone or anything destructive, always appeared on her radar. Of course, as someone befitting of the title, this much is expected. What threw a sizable wrench into that was the new variable that is Sensei.

Chinatsu grimaced. "I've... got nothing else."

Hina gave her an appraising glance before returning her gaze towards the dossier on top of her desk.

'Allen Hicks, a Helldiver of... Super Earth? Currently heading the Super Earth Ship, the 'Hammer of Democracy'.' No matter how many times she glossed over the details, Hina still couldn't really wrap her head around each aspect of Sensei.

'Currently holds the rank of Sergeant, making him somewhat of an important figure within his military, which would explain his combat capabilities and knowledge.'

Hina nodded, that would explain how he took back the SCHALE Clubhouse with no more than a small squad, against the Fox of Calamity, no less.

Then came the problem of this... Super Earth Ship of his. He referred to it a few times as a Super Destroyer, as Chinatsu says. Calling it 'super' might sound childish, but if it has even half of the ordnance the reports say, then it has more than earned the moniker.

A sigh escaped her. No matter how trustworthy Chinatsu says he is, he ultimately wields an unknown weapon with unknown capabilities. Therein also lies the problem that is the unstable political landscape. With SCHALE thrown into the mix, it became increasingly more unpredictable, doubly so with Sensei at the helm.

The sound of ceramic clinking against ceramic filled the air. Glancing upward, Hina was met with a smile as her senior administrator placed a steaming cup of coffee onto her desk.

A nod was given. "Thank you, Ako."

"It is not a problem, Head Prefect." The senior administrator replied.

Nodding approvingly at the caffeinated beverage, Hina brought it up to her lips and took a small sip. Settling it back down onto its plate, she glanced back at Ako, who all too quickly cleared her throat before beginning.

"What do you have in mind, Head Prefect?"

Hina shook her head. "Not enough intel to go off of, unfortunately. Given the shreds of information we do acquire, Sensei is an individual who holds strong values towards Freedom and-" A brow is raised. "-Liberty. Though he still holds quite the number of unknown variables, he has not attempted to use his power to strongarm others into submission."

Ako nodded along. "Perhaps it is only a matter of time? After all, he is able to project impressive amounts of firepower almost anywhere at any time from his... Super Destroyer."

"Hmm..." The Head Prefect hummed as she continued to organize her thoughts.

"What I don't particularly like is what he calls himself." The senior administrator commented.

This gains her a few raised brows from the other two. Unfazed, except under Hina's gaze, she continued.

"He calls himself a Helldiver." Her eyes narrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well..." Chinatsu chimed in. "From what he told us, he is a soldier for his military's special forces, and are trained to be sent deep into enemy lines to cause havoc. And I quote, 'to disrupt and destroy key targets so that they are softened up for the main military'."

This puts a sour taste into both Hina's and Ako's mouths.

"Er... did I say something wrong?"

Hina shook her head. "Not exactly, but you said Helldivers are a special force that specializes in black ops?"

Hesitantly, she nodded. Unknowingly on her part, she had raised the threat level on Sensei a whole bunch.

Ako exhaled in disbelief. "So, you mean to say is that we have a soldier, an otherworldly, special forces soldier that's adept in disrupting all sorts of key operations, in charge of one of the most powerful organizations in Kivotos?"

"Well, when you put it like that..."

The former facepalmed. "That's because I am!" She turned towards Hina with a stern look. "Head Prefect, I suggest we take action before he does. There's no telling what someone of his skillset is able to do."

A rhythmic inhale and exhale. "I suggest you rethink your actions, Ako." The Head Prefect stated as she gave her a piercing glare. "While I do agree that he is capable of destructive results, he also has not done anything to disrupt nor destroy anything." She glanced upward as another thought came to mind. "Nothing important, anyways."

Chinatsu froze as Hina's gaze lingered on her.

"Chinatsu."

"Yes, Head Prefect?"

"You've come to the understanding that Sensei is not someone who would use his power for anything heinous?"

A nod.

Briefly, Hina studied the student before taking another sip of coffee.

"I see... ah." A pause before setting down her cup. "Chinatsu, see what you can do about applying for the assistant position for SCHALE. Currently, they are accepting applications from all academies."

The elven student gave her a questioning look. "Head Prefect?"

"I want you join SCHALE and see if you can figure out his true motives. If he is truly as you say, then he would prove to be a boon to us as an ally." A frown took its place on her face. "If not, then..."

Her sentence was left unsaid, but the implications were loud and clear.

A nod. "I'll see what I can do, Head Prefect."

"Good, if nothing else, you all are dismissed."

Following the order, the Prefect Team members filed out the room. Left to her own devices, Hina reviewed the various videos that were subsequently uploaded following the operation to retake the SCHALE Clubhouse. No matter which way it's put, Sensei was undeniably a wildcard thrust into an unstable house of cards.

This is not at all aided by the fact that Hina was then informed via text message that Sensei was then seen operating within the Abydos District by her informants in the area. Though, given the poorly maintained state of the area, this message took much longer than usual to reach her eyes.

Nonetheless, this would further increase the unpredictability of Sensei.

Hina leaned back into her chair as she gazed outside the window. Another sigh escaped her as her eyes moved towards the sky. Hopefully, despite his abilities, he would remain someone Kivotos could depend on.

Unfortunately, that sentiment all but dried up as a recently uploaded video showed up on her recommended.

"The Situation in Abydos is CRAZY!"

A frown crossed her as the thumbnail loaded. A split-second preview of the Abydos District, with three sizable black blurs screaming towards the abandoned buildings. It could be anything, but she had a sinking feeling that a certain important figure was behind it all.

Pressing play, the shaky cameraperson aimed their phone towards the sky.

"Holy crap! What is THAT!?"

THOOMP

THOOMP

THOOMP

Three deep and reverberating reports filled the air, with the screen zooming in unsteadily on the sky. That's when three artillery shells broke atmosphere.

Hina grimaced as the shells impacted the ruined district with extremely destructive results. Shaking her head at the unnecessary level of destruction, her eyes went wide as the show had yet to end.

THOOMP

THOOMP

THOOMP

Another salvo.

Then another.

And another.

Her mouth was agape as she watched the ensuing barrage level a sizable portion of the district. Last she read up on the area, this portion of the district was completely abandoned. This gave her some sort of comfort to know that no one was seriously hurt.

But her frown grew deeper. She had only seen photos of the aftermath of Sensei's use of his Super Destroyer. It's one thing to see what had happened, it's a whole different story to watch it unfold. The amount of destructive ordnance that rained down came to her as an extreme shock.

Shock wouldn't even describe half of it.

'He's able to call this in whenever, wherever?'

Looks like she had to revise what plans she had in store for him. Firepower at this scale... with not a single way to know when and where it'll strike.

"Haaaaah..." A long and drawn-out exhale could be heard emanate from the Head Prefect's office.

Within the Abydos Clubroom

Following the skirmish and, uh, mishap with the barrage, we decided that today was filled with enough excitement and returned back to the school to debrief.

"Now that I think about it..." Hoshino began as she looked me up and down. "...You got shot quite a lot, huh?"

I raised a brow as I poked at the various dents that pock-marked my armor. "...Quite."

Nonomi scooched her chair closer as she poked at my armor as well. "So, what're you going to do about your, uh, armor?"

I watched as Shiroko got up from her seat just to poke at my helmet. "Nn, your stuff's pretty messed up."

"That... I don't know, but-" I knocked on my chestplate. "-But Super Earth armaments are built tough and rugged. A few low caliber rounds won't penetrate the Titanium-A plating."

Ayane raised a brow as she pointed at my shredded BDUs. "And the parts that aren't?"

I shrugged. "That's what the stims are for."

Collectively, the room frowned at my words.

"Is... did I say something wrong?"

Nonomi shook her head. "No, it's just that... you got hurt pretty bad by the looks of things."

In the corner of my eye, Serika nodded along.

"Well, that's just the nature of my job." I scratched my helmet. "Can't get scared a few injuries."

Serika frowned as she leaned forward onto the table. "Don't you get scared?"

I raised a brow her way. "Huh?"

"You don't have a halo like the rest of us, so you get hurt a lot more easily... but you still went out of your way to rescue me, despite how much you got hurt."

The table went quiet as they looked at me.

"...Well, it's a bit more complicated than that, Serika."

"How so?" Hoshino chimed in.

I glanced her way. "Even I have moments that I'm terrified. Heck, even back when I was deployed, I've always had a time where I was shaking in my boots."

"Then how come you still do the things you do?"

"Because that's what we are trained to do." I grinned. "We stare death in the eye and kick 'em in the jaw as we raise hell."

I looked them all in the eye, finding that a small smile had made its way onto all of their faces.

"Now then, what's next on our to do list, Ayane?"

Her smile grows just a bit bigger as she pushed up her glasses. "Well, after that little skirmish we had..." She paused as she glanced at her wristwatch. "I guess we could postpone it for tomorrow."

I raised a brow. "Postpone what?"

"We had plans to brainstorm some ways for us to best approach our debt today after we finished up with school."

Right, they still have that debt issue.

I nodded. "And I'm guessing...?"

She nodded. "Yup, but it's not all that bad, we have tomorrow off anyways, so we could use up that time figuring things out."

The table nodded along at her words, with Hoshino yawning out loud.

With a clap, Ayane continued. "And with that, this meeting's over. Good work today, everyone."

I glanced out the window, realizing we still have a few hours of sunlight out. Time's good as any to finally call in that helicopter escort.

"Going to head out Sensei? Or are you planning to stay here like yesterday?" Shiroko asked.

I shook my head. "Still got some time left in the day, so their helicopters should still be around for transport."

"Gonna head back then, Sensei?" This time Hoshino chimed in.

"Yup, can't stay away too long from the office."

Slumping back down onto the table, she waved me off. "Well, see ya then, Sensei."

Saying our goodbyes, I found myself back in the courtyard, communication unit at the ready.

"This is Sergeant Allen Hicks, requesting transport to the SCHALE Clubhouse, how copy?"

"PSSSSHT- Hearing you loud and clear Sensei, took ya long enough!" The recognizable, cheery voice on the other side began. "I was wondering where you were at yesterday, did ya sleep over at Abydos?"

I grinned. "Yep, business here's a bit on the hectic side, so I had to stick around. Hopefully I'm not too late today?"

"Nope! You're actually still within working hours. But I'll probably be bleeding into overtime by the time we get back, I'd hope you have the cash for that, Sensei!"

"Just don't take your time, yeah?"

"I hear ya, just sit tight then, I'm on my way!"

Cutting the comm link, I took the time to walk around, Shittim Chest in hand.

"Doing alright, Arona?"

At my words, the system manager popped up on screen. "Sensei?"

"You doing alright in there?"

She nodded. "I am, but are you okay, Sensei? You got hurt a bunch back there!"

I knocked on my helmet. "Ready to take on the world."

An appraising look crossed her. "Are you really sure?"

"I'm always sure."

The welcoming sound of a helicopter cutting through the air entered earshot. On its hull is the SCHALE symbol painted in all white.

Huh, I think I missed that the first time.

Glancing back down, I nodded at AI behind the screen. "Ready to head back, Arona?"

After a moment of deliberation, she gave me a nod. "Always ready!"

Sliding the tablet back into my chestplate, I watched as the heli lowered itself down onto the courtyard grounds. If it weren't for my helmet, all the sand and dust kicked up would be quite annoying.

Setting her down gently, the rotor spooled down to a more manageable speed to approach. Sliding open the door, I pulled myself in and gave the pilot a wave. After a few moments of fiddling with my helmet's comm suite, I connected with the helicopter's.

"Take us home, Pilot!" I say as I strapped myself into my seat.

"Music to my ears!" She replied as she gave me a thumbs up. "Hold tight then, Sensei, before you know it, we'll be back at SCHALE! Hopefully you had a light dinner!"

Within the SCHALE Hangar

The flight back was a bit bumpy, to say the least, but true to her words were back before I knew it. Touching down onto the tarmac of the SCHALE hangar, I slid the door open and hopped out.

"And we're home! With a minute to spare, no less!" The pilot cheered as the rotors died down.

I slapped the side of the hull a few times. "I hope you're up for doing this a few more times, Pilot. Still have business over at Abydos that requires my attention."

"Heehee~! Thought you wouldn't ask! Y'know? Until you came around, business has been slooooooow." She gave me a thumbs up as she flipped up her helmet's visor.

"You let me know when we need to head out, and I'll be ready!"

I nodded her way. "Good deal, I'll be sure to call for you when I need some fancy flying."

"Got it, see ya then, Sensei-! Oh!" She cut herself off as she fumbled with her harness.

Then she gave me a very recognizable salute. Raising her fist up and bringing it down with gusto, she gave me a grin. "Liberty be with you, Sensei!"

I returned the grin and salute. "As with you."

As I made my way back towards the main building, I took out the Shittim Chest from behind my chestplate. "Hey Arona?"

"Sensei?" She asked as she popped up on screen.

I scratched my chin. "Has... have there been cases where my salute's been circulating?"

Arona raised a brow as she pulled up KivoTube in a window.

"I'll say-" She gave me a sly smile. "-You may not know it, but there are quite the number of videos online of you."

I frown. "Videos?"

"Mmm hmm!" She hummed as she pulled one up. Pressing play, the short video was of me saluting the girls from when we took back SCHALE. Judging from the angle it was taken, the onlooker was a few dozen meters away behind a corner of a building.

My frown grew deeper. "And there's... more of this? Of just me milling about?"

Arona nodded as she continued to scroll through the various videos. "Yuuuuup."

She gave me a look. "You wanna look at the comments?"

I grimaced. "I think I'll pass on that... for now, at least."

Chapter Text

The APW-1 Anti-Material Rifle.

The premier long-range support weapon excelling in extreme-distance shooting, it provides surgical Anti-Armor precision when a sniper's touch is preferred.

A large caliber support weapon developed during the interim of the First Galactic War, Super Earth engineers and scientists sought a way to bridge the gap between the Helldiver Corp's primary armaments and the strategic support weapon.

Drawing upon past iterations of the First War's marksman rifles, the Model 82A1 came up on top for inspiration, mixing ergonomics and high caliber firepower. Though bearing the largest conventional ballistic caliber for a primary weapon, able to take on all but the heaviest of armor, the weight of the rifle largely forced the operator to remain stationary during operation.

As such, the APW-1 Anti-Material Rifle was created, featuring a variable zoom scope, stabilizing bipod and muzzle break, all borrowed from the former's accompaniments. The largest differentiator between the two rifles can be seen in their sizes. With its bulk largely shaved down, being more akin to the R-63 Diligence's form-factor, it allows for more rapid maneuvers and repositioning during long range shooting.

The APW-1 also features a, albeit very slightly, larger cartridge than the Model 82A1, with the predecessor being chambered in 12.7.99mm, and the successor in 12.5x100mm. Although the marginal change in caliber, the APW-1 still sports the former's ammunition variety, with standard issue being 12.5x100mm Explosive Incendiary Tracer rounds. A big round for big targets, it easily bypasses most materials, usually destroying the target in one round. Though having the ability to bypass armor, it is, unfortunately, not built to take on targets that would otherwise require dedicated Anti-Tank weaponry, but any sufficiently willed Helldiver will find that it is possible.

A stark contrast to the destructive roster that is the other support weapons, the APW-1 Anti-Material Rifle is an option for the more methodical Helldiver. Its extreme range potential and devastating ammunition allows for priority targets to be picked off while the rest panic.

Not as flashy nor explosive like its brothers, it sees less action in comparison. But when a steady and cool hand is needed, look no further than the APW-1.

The APW-1 Anti-Material Rifle.

"Sniping's a good job!"  - 'Admiral Defense Contracting'.

Within the SCHALE Office

"So, what're we doing back at SCHALE, Sensei?"

Meeting the eyes of my trusty assistant, I propped her up against a pen holder before drumming my hand against the desk.

"I was hoping I could somehow get my exosuit moved over to Abydos..." I continued tapping the desk. "If experience is anything to go off of, we're going to need the heavy armor."

Her eyes widened with a slight glint. "Oooh, we get to ride the big robot again!?"

I grinned in response. "Only if we get the correct transport."

A vigorous nod. "Then, maybe the helicopter?"

"Doubtful, the 'Patriot' is a heavy piece of machinery, suited for transport only by Pelican." I scratched my chin. "Maybe two helicopters?"

Then another thought came to mind. "We'll figure that out later, for now..." I glanced at the clock on the wall. 9:22 PM. "Let's see if Rin's still around."

Arona raised a brow. "Sensei?"

"I want to see what's up between Abydos and the GSC, Ayane said something about not receiving any sort of aid from their governing body."

A sigh escapes me as I leaned back into my chair. "Arona, see what you can do about arranging me a meeting with Rin."

A thoughtful look crosses her as she held up a pen and notepad. "Anything specific?"

"Just ask if she's free for a meeting, if not, then ask if one can be scheduled tomorrow."

Jotting down, hopefully, a coherent and mannered message into her notepad, she tore out the leaf of paper before having it dematerialize. "All done!"

I nodded her way. "Good, now we play the waiting game."

Per Head Prefect Hina's orders, Chinatsu had arrived at the SCHALE Clubhouse, application in hand. Of course, she could've done it online, but she believed that handing it over in-person would boost her chances of becoming an assistant.

What left a sour taste in her mouth was the fact that she was doing this not out of goodwill, but to more-or-less spy on Sensei, to see whether or not he's someone to be trusted. All this cloak-and-dagger didn't sit well with her, but she understood where Hina was coming from. Sensei is quite the unpredictable individual, with his militant background and firepower, with it not at all aided by the fact that he takes to the front himself. Though, she trusted Sensei, by his words or actions, he didn't seem to be the kind of person to use his power for ill.

Alas, orders are orders.

Riding the elevator up towards the main office, the door's opened to reveal a most curious onlooker.

"Yuuka?" The glasses-clad student called.

Surprised, the startled student snapped out of her stupor to turn towards her.

"A-ah, Chinatsu, what brings you around?" Seminar asked, obviously caught off guard.

A brow is raised as she held up a yellow folder. "I was hoping to apply for SCHALE's assistant program... what are you doing?"

Yuuka pursed her lips as she pointed a finger towards the slightly agape door leading into the main office.

'A member of Seminar's council eavesdropping on SCHALE?' Chinatsu thought. No doubt this would be a record-breaking scoop for Kronos if word got out.

"Heya Rinny, glad you could make it."

A scoff. "Please do not call me that."

'Acting President Rin?' She thought. Now she was interested.

"Might I ask the purpose of this meeting, Sensei?" She asked as she eyed my battle-scarred armor.

I nodded as I leaned back into my seat. "Just wanted to share what I could gather from my excursion into Abydos."

She raised a brow. "I see, I take it that there are matters still unfinished in the district?"

"More than unfinished, there's much, much more than just a few problems over at Abydos."

She gestured for me to continue.

"Apart from the whole... desertification of the entire area, the number of dissidents that roam the district are staggering."

Rin opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off with a wave. I wanted to lay out everything before she could get in a word edgewise.

"Then there's the issue with infrastructure, roads, power and water lines, networks-" I listed off of my gloved hand. "I'm sure there's plenty more, but those are the most glaring."

The silence between us hung for a few moments.

"I understand that you've informed me before my mission that, yes, misfortunes befell the Abydos District, with many of the students and citizenry leaving."

I leaned in closer. "But five students chose to stick around, hoping to change that. They fought tooth and nail to cling onto their beloved district."

Rin nodded thoughtfully. "Yes..."

I shook my head. "That's not even the most egregious of the information I've come across."

She frowned at the implications.

"I've heard that many other academies failed to render aid as Abydos was turning into a desert. Including the General Student Council."

I watched as a bead of sweat traveled down her forehead.

"I understand that the General Student Council is the main governing body of Kivotos, correct?"

"...That is correct."

"And the academies defer to the governance of the General Student Council, correct?"

"...Yes."

I folded my hands together. "So, please tell me, Acting President Rin." I raised my voice as annoyance overtook my features, thankfully obscured by my helmet. "Tell me why nothing has been done to aid the failing Abydos District."

She pushed up her glasses. "I've considered the endeavor, Sensei." A pause.

"Go on."

"But every proposal I have made to the Council was denied, nearly every member agreed that the venture was too costly, and the benefit too low."

I held a hand to my chin. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Rin, have you been to Abydos?"

A shake of the head.

"How about your fellow council members?"

"...Not to my knowledge."

My voice took an edge. "Right, but you know who has?"

"..."

"Me, Rin. I. Have." I paused as a sigh escaped me. "There are five, count 'em- five students, fighting against extraordinary odds in hopes to revive their district, their school."

I knocked on my chestplate, the impact of my fist hitting my chest filling the room. "I fought with them, Rin. Against the same odds they're subjected to, does it look like I had it easy? Much less them?"

"I had to resupply them myself, as the shipment you approved was intercepted, I provided higher grade armaments to bolster their force."

I slammed my fist onto the desk. "Rescue one of them as they were a target for ambush and kidnap from the same dissidents that plague the area!"

"..."

I exhaled, taking the moment to cool off. "Was there truly nothing you could do to push the effort? Push your council members to provide aid?"

She grimaced. "I don't know how matters are dealt with in your government, Sensei, but even as Acting President, I can't simply push orders, much less orders on my agenda."

I scoffed, disappointment welling up within me. "Even if it is the right thing to do?"

She choked on her words.

"You are right, Rin, you do not know how my government works." I pointed at myself. "Neither do I."

She dropped her jaw.

I continued. "I am but a simple rifleman, a Helldiver, someone my higher-ups send when matters require a sterner hand. They order; I comply."

"But, what I do know, is that they have what it takes, to do what it takes, to make the harshest of decisions." I pressed my finger down onto the desk with each statement, emphasizing each sentence.

"We fight wars on a galactic scale, we measure losses in the billions, we measure victories by the planets, and most importantly, we do what we can, where we can."

"We do not give up a planet, much less a district, on the simple notion of it not being commercially viable immediately."

I shook my head. "And we most definitely do not give up on our fellow men and women."

"..."

"How long ago were these plans proposed?" I asked as I studied the woefully untested Acting President.

"..."

"Acting President Rin." I pulled her title. "How long ago did you propose the plan to aid Abydos?"

She grimaced. "It's..."

"-Been too long, I can't remember." I finish for her.

I slumped back into my seat. "Rin, do you honestly think I would accept these excuses?" I eyed her down. "Do you think the same five students would accept that?"

"..."

I sighed. "I'll be level with you, I am beyond pissed right now, Rin."

She froze at my tone.

"But, out of my respect for those bearing a higher rank than me, I am trying to keep things civil, diplomatic." I shook my head. "I require answers to keep that in check."

"So..." I leaned in closer. "What matters now is what happens from this point onward."

She nodded hesitantly.

The duo watched the scene unfold between Sensei and the Acting President in shock and uncertainty. Never before have they seen Sensei act this way, much less display a forceful tone against a student. If what he said was indeed the truth, then Chinatsu would have to rethink her actions. It was already known that he held some sort of value towards Freedom and Liberty, as shown in his... actions, and hateful towards anything that should go against that. So should word come out, the real intentions of her applying to SCHALE, and of the plans made by the Prefect Team...

Chinatsu shook her head, she did not want to think of the implications.

First things first though...

She glanced at Yuuka, who has a sour expression on her face, undoubtedly in response to the events within the office. Both were now getting cold feet, understandably. Who would want to face their superior when they were in a terrible mood?

A deep sigh emanated from the office. "So, what you mean to say is, even if you pushed it forward, there are still measures in place to block your efforts?"

"That is correct, Sensei. If, in the unlikely event, that my proposal passed the planning stages, materializing it as a whole is an extremely different story."

Another sigh. "Bureaucracy's one hell of a thing, ain't it?"

"...That it is, Sensei."

Chinatsu redirected her attention back towards the office.

A sigh, one of many. "I suppose I can't blame you for this, Rin." I nodded slowly. "I apologize, I let my emotions get the better of me."

Rin raised her brow in surprise. "T-that's alright, Sensei, I understand that you were reasonably angered."

I pursed my lips. "Looks like we're doing this the old-fashioned way, then."

A questioning look crossed her. "Sensei?"

I glanced back at her. "Say, do you remember the mobile weapons platform I brought the other day?"

"I... do." Her eyes widened in realization. "Sensei, do you mean to utilize that... thing, in the Abydos District?"

I nodded, an evil grin taking over my features. "I do, if what I faced over there is anything to go off of, heavier armaments are in order." I tapped my chin. "Of course, I require suitable transport first."

She raised a brow. "Wouldn't the helicopter suffice?"

"Nope." I shook my head. "The exosuit is a heavy piece of machinery. Maybe two of them would suffice."

"Two transport helicopters?"

I nodded. "Would that be difficult?"

"Not exactly, but when do you expect to have this be done?"

I rose to my feet. "No time like the present!"

She gave me a look. "Really?"

I shrugged. "Abydos is in dire need of help, I intend on providing it."

Rin grimaced, raising her tablet in compliance. Assumedly inputting my request for two transport helicopters, she looked back into my visor.

"Whenever you're ready, Sensei."

"Good deal."

As I made my way for the door, I caught two silhouettes standing near it, their shadows betraying their location. Closing the distance between me and the door, I yanked it open, scaring the two interlopers.

"What brings you two here?" I quickly say as I jumped out from behind the door.

"Uwaaah!"

Scaring the two, they fell onto their rears. As I got a good look at the two students, I had to suppress a laugh as I watched them gather themselves. Placing a hand onto my hip, I used the other to wave a finger.

"Eavesdropping isn't a good thing, you two."

Yuuka gave me a look as she got to her feet, wary to keep her skirt down. Chinatsu, on the other hand, looked like she'd seen an Automaton.

I knelt down in front of the student. "You alright there, Chinatsu? You look like you saw a ghost."

She froze up before shaking her head. "I-it's nothing, Sensei. I'm fine."

I raise a brow, but decided to not push it. "What brings the two of you here?" I asked as I outstretched a hand to lift up the medic.

The duo glanced at each other before Yuuka gestured to Chinatsu to go ahead. Giving her a nod, the elven student inhaled and exhaled, as if psyching herself up for something.

She then held up a yellow folder. "I've come to apply for SCHALE, Sensei."

I nodded. "Fresh recruits! Always happy to have another pair of hands to help around." I gesture for the folder. "Here, let me take a look at that."

Hinomiya Chinatsu, a first-year student, member of the Prefect Team, and in charge of providing medical aid for said Prefect Team. Always a boon to have someone practiced in medicine, even if everyone happens to be extremely bullet resistant.

Without hesitation, I took out a pen from my utility belt before hastily signing off on her application.

Closing the folder, I outstretched a hand. "Welcome aboard, Chinatsu."

She accepted the gesture. "Thank you, Sensei."

I could've sworn she had a complicated expression on her face, but more pressing matters were at hand. Turning towards Yuuka, I nod her way.

I watched as she held up a small piece of paper. Signed off at the bottom, was a decently large number.

"That's a lot of zeros." I commented.

She shook her head. "That it is, Sensei."

"Er... what's it for?"

Her eyes closed, and an unnerving smile overtook her face. "I would hope that you have an answer for me. S-en-se-i."

Outstretching her hand, she moved the small piece of paper closer to me, beckoning me to accept. Hesitantly taking it up, a closer inspection would show that it is a receipt...

For damages...

The strategem damages...

Detailed on the receipt is a list of damage caused by the multitude of strategems I've requested, from the Five-Hundred-Kilogram bomb, the Orbital Precision Strike, and the various Hellpods that had to be unearthed and removed.

I frowned as they had properly named each strategem and matched it with the resulting craters and holes associated. Looks like word spreads a bit too fast.

I glanced back at the office, with Rin overlooking the scene with a, frankly, disappointed look.

"Rin?"

She sighed. "Yes, Sensei?"

I raised the receipt. "You don't suppose that this, uh, bill, is covered by SCHALE?"

She rolled her eyes. "The budget assigned to SCHALE is supposed to be allocated solely towards its endeavors and responsibilities." Then she closed her eyes. "But, the President never specified its responsibilities, so SCHALE's budget and how it is used is up to its advisor."

I grinned. "Which is me."

She nodded once. "Which is you."

I turned back to Yuuka, handing back the receipt. "If you would, dear assistant, bill this... bill, to SCHALE."

With a bewildered look on her face, she took back the receipt.

I give them all a casual salute. "And with that, I'll see you all later."

Bolting towards the elevator, a defeated sigh escaped from Yuuka as she placed both hands onto her hips.

"Keep in mind, Sensei!" She yelled out. "As long as I'm your assistant, you best be prepared to be budgeted!" Then she raised the receipt. "I better not see any more invoices like these!"

I laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."

Chapter Text

The FLAM-40 Flamethrower.

A weapon system capable of projecting searing napalm several meters ahead of the operator, it is often looked upon as the support weapon to be the direct counter to the Terminid menace.

Another weapon in a long list of strategems to face refurbishment from the First Galactic War, the FLAM-40 sees much of its change mainly in its chassis. With a primary focus on cost effectiveness, ergonomics and user safety, the current iteration of the FLAM-40 is a much more rugged and easily used support weapon, with it now no longer at risk of spontaneous combustion from user error.

Though facing little change in other forms, the FLAM-40 of the First War did go under a different designation. Henceforth referred to as the 'Incinerator', it too was a popular choice amongst the Helldiver Corps when facing down the bug menace. Utilizing the same napalm formula, the sticky flames projected from it will adhere to nearly any surface it makes contact with, leaving a lasting puddle of incinerating fire should it be directed at the ground, or if upon contact with the enemy, stick to them, making good on its name as it reduces them to ash.

Capitalizing on the 'Incinerator's capabilities, many Helldivers of the First War often created 'walls' of flame, projecting napalm onto the ground to temporarily block any enemy advancements and to deny area.

Oddly enough, the preservation instincts of the bugs from the First War are not present in the bugs today, with all sightings detailing that they simply run through, engulfing themselves in napalm. Though seemingly counterintuitive, the few bugs that do survive still have the capacity to target and attack the Helldivers, this time having their attacks imbued with napalm.

As such, it is advised that Helldivers that do equip themselves with incendiary weapons to exercise caution and to equip themselves with precautions. Utilizing the maximum range of the FLAM-40 will bring the most optimal results, with most enemies perishing before being able to close the distance.

A popular choice for controlling large crowds, the FLAM-40, understandably, finds much use on the Terminid front, effortlessly incinerating hordes of bugs and cleansing the lands of their corrupting spores.

The FLAM-40 Flamethrower.

"Love the smell of napalm in the morning!" -  'Admiral Defense Contracting'.

Within the SCHALE Hangar

"Uh, are you sure that this will work?"

Giving the load-bearing steel cables a good smack, I nod in approval before hopping off the weapon-of-war. Meeting the eyes of my second pilot, I nod her way.

"I don't see why not." I glance back at the cables hooked to the 'Patriot's' chassis. "Why?"

She glances at the same cables hooked up to the underside of the Blackhawks, then back at the 'Patriot'.

"Oh, I dunno, this thing-" She jabs a finger at the exosuit. "-Looks like it weighs a literal ton."

I shrugged. "And it probably does." I give a thumbs up towards the first Blackhawk, with its pilot giving me one in return. "Well, only one way to find out!"

She gives me an exasperated look before shrugging, flipping down her helmet's visor. "Never a dull moment with you, huh, Sensei?"

I grinned. "Never."

Climbing up towards the cockpit of her respective helicopter, she stops midway. "Which chopper are you gonna load up onto?"

I shake my head as I strode up towards the 'Patriot'. "I'll be in this one."

Her head drops a few degrees, a probable look of disbelief crossing her. "You're joking."

I don't answer her as I pull on the hatch control lever, the door giving access into its cockpit.

"Aaaaaand you aren't."

I'm halfway into the cockpit before I give her a glance. "I trust you two to not drop me."

Shoving myself into the cockpit, I began running through critical system checks. Flicking a few switches here, and pressing a few buttons there, the consoles hummed positively in response, with the engine igniting and all systems returning nominal.

Activating the fire control systems, the main heads-up display returned a live feed of the outside.

Ammo, check.

Engines, check.

Telemetry, check.

Fire controls...

Placing my hands onto the control stick, I spooled up the G-16 Gatling gun, the electronic whir of its motor and mechanical clicking of the empty chamber returning it's ready to rock and roll. Flicking on the safety, I looked over to see the rockets returning all green, their payloads hot and ready. Activating their safeties as well, I just about finished up all checks at the same time as the heli's, their rotors beginning to spool up.

The comms unit then woke up. "All ready on our side, Sensei. How 'bout you?"

"All done on my side as well." I nodded as I looked over everything one last time. "System's green and ready to rock."

I can hear her grin on the other side. "Alrighty then! You ready over there, ROMEO?"

A sigh overtook the comms. "Do we really have to go with these codenames?"

"Of course we do!" They snickered. "C'mon! Don't be such a downer."

"Fiiiiiiiine." She returned with a scoff. "Flight checks done, all ready for go ahead... JULIET."

"Heehee~!"

As their rotors spooled up faster, the ceiling gave way, revealing clear skies.

"Just sight tight, Sensei! This maneuver is a bit on the unorthodox side, but nothing we can't handle!"

"Right... just don't move too much and we'll..." A sigh escapes ROMEO. "We'll get you to Abydos without too much trouble. Hopefully."

I nodded. "Copy that."

Slowly, both aircraft took to the air, the cables eventually pulling taut, the steel creaking under tension but holding. Soon enough the exosuit followed, the hydraulics easing up in the legs before eventually having them dangle.

A sort of weightlessness enveloped me as I stared at the live feed of my surroundings.

"All good in there, Sensei?" JULIET called in.

"A-ok in here, you both have a real knack for flying!"

"Right? Y'know, you're also the first to ever request this kinda thing from us!"

I grinned. "I'm just full of surprises, aren't I?"

ROMEO blew a raspberry. "Well, just don't make it a habit, yeah? Last thing I want to be responsible for is your injury."

"No promises."

"...Uh huh."

Leaning back into my seat, I let the vibrations of the exosuit cutting through the air envelop me as I looked over the consoles. Still returning green, I wrapped my hand around the control stick, its textured grip returning a vaguely familiar feeling.

I closed my eyes.

Tien Kwan.

Theseus Sector.

Operation Valiant Enclosure.

Second Phase; Liberation of Tien Kwan.

Sole home of the latest and greatest Exosuit technology, Tien Kwan was a prime target for the Automatons to attack. Having successfully deployed their forces onto the planet; it was only a matter of time until they discovered the production facilities of the exosuits.

Keen on not letting them get their commie bot hands on our vastly superior technology, a sizeable Helldiver Corp detachment from the frontlines was sent to liberate the planet of the socialist scum.

"Hoooo-wow, and they just have these stockpiled?" A2 asked, giving the machine-of-war a good smack to its hull.

Sat in a trench, surrounded by martyred SEAF forces and slagged bots was one of the fabled EXO-45 'Patriot' Exosuits.

And by Liberty it is a beautiful piece of Democratic hardware. Titanium-A armor plating, a G-16 Gatling gun, a rocket pod filled with HEAT munitions, all wrapped up in a relatively maneuverable frame.

No wonder those commie bots want to get their hands on them, even their so-called 'Hulks' pale in comparison.

"Quit messing around with the exosuit." Y1 commanded before locking onto me. "H4, I want you in the 'Patriot'. Give us covering fire and blast anything armored."

I nodded. "Roger that."

Climbing up the ladder, I had to fiddle with the unfamiliar cockpit hatch for a few seconds before finally gaining access. Glancing inside, the interior left me with many more questions.

I looked back at Y1 as I hanged off its side. "Not familiar with any of these controls."

She rolled her helmet, and by extension, her eyes. "You'll figure it out, Super Earth's finest, am I right?"

I chuckled. "Right."

Seating myself within the cockpit, I eyeballed the console before locking onto the switches.

"Engine." I whispered as I flicked the switch.

Roaring to life, the exosuit stood up straight as the heads-up display flickered to life.

I nodded in response, looks easier that I thought.

"Fire control systems..."

With another flick, a crosshair appeared on screen, with ammo counters to its sides.

"Parking brakes..."

Self-explanatory that one, pressing down on the button caused the exosuit to vibrate some. Laying one hand on the throttle and the other on the control stick, I began moving.

Extremely slowly.

A2 whistled in awe. "Look at those hydraulics."

"With a few of these, we could stomp out those bots and have enough time to be back for dinner." T3 commented.

Laser fire pinged off the armored hull of the 'Patriot', with the odd rocket flying by, narrowly impacting the side.

"SHAKE THE LEAD OUT! DROPSHIPS!" Y1 yelled as she pointed towards the sky.

Maneuverable as it is, the exosuit was still a sluggish piece of machinery. Rotating the suit around, armaments pointed to the sky, I locked onto a dropship fresh from orbit.

With two pulls of the secondary trigger, two rockets were let loose, the ordnance screaming through the sky as it sliced through the air. The first rocket stripped the thruster of its armor, with the second taking it out completely. Losing a critical stabilizer, the dropship spun out of control before crumpling to the ground and exploding spectacularly.

"Clean hits, good shooting H4!" A2 yelled as he returned fire.

"H4! Put that gatling gun to use!" Y1 ordered as she used her rifle to 'trace' the enemy.

Leveling with the horizon, I pulled down on the primary trigger.

Dozens of 8x60mm FMJs took to the air before tearing the bots apart, with the thunderous report of the gatling gun drowning out the battlefield. Under the evening sky, its muzzle flashes lit up the area, faintly illuminating the armored hull of the 'Patriot'.

Easing up on the trigger, the multi-barreled armament spooled down, the barrels smoking and slightly glowing.

"HELL YEAH!" A2 cheered as he got up from his trench.

"Good shooting, H4!" Y1 praised, giving me a thumbs up.

T3 walked up and slapped the exosuit's leg a few times. "Look at that! First timer and already chewing up Automatons in that thing!"

Y1 nodded my way. "Looks like you're on exosuit duty from now on, H4!"

I grinned. "Oh, and have you all miss out on all this fun?"

"WARNING; YOU ARE IN RANGE OF ENEMY ARTILLERY."

The warning cut through the air like a LAS-98, the chilling report of commie weaponry surrounding us as one, two, seven shells took to the air. Given their angle and payload, we're already too late to move outside of their radius.

"Oh hell." T3 muttered, his arms uselessly falling to his sides as he watched.

I aimed the 'Patriot's armaments to the sky before filling it with lead. The rounds shredded and tore apart the shell, rendering it inert.

One down.

I cycled to the next, shredding one more in a hail of gunfire. The subsequent explosion took out another two.

Four down.

I watched as their disgusting red hue got ever closer.

Another two went down in another barrage.

Locking onto the next, I pulled the trigger, the multi-barreled weapon spooling up, but returning a dreaded sound.

Click. Click. Click. Click.

I tore my eyes away from the shells before locking onto the ammo counters.

Empty.

"H4! GET OUTTA TH-!"

The world around me shook violently, with the exosuit collapsing onto its side. Unfortunately having foregone the harness, my head collided with the console, denting it inward and leaving me with a concussion.

One hand held tightly to my helmet in a futile attempt to stop my shaking vision, I waved the other towards the emergency hatch release above the door. With a swift tug, a small hiss emanated from it before popping, the door being sent clean off of its hinges as the shaped charges detonated.

Concussion still giving me a hard time, I reached around into my stim pouch before pulling away with one. In a swift motion, I jabbed myself in the neck. The medicine bringing me back to life, I shook off the daze as I climbed out of the now ruined exosuit. I glanced around, panic setting in as I was sent into a frantic search for my squadmates.

"Y1! T3! A2! SOUND OFF!"

The surrounding area was but a mere crater, the heavy artillery having evaporated anything in its radius, and unearthing vast amounts of dirt.

Scrambling up one of its sides, panic set in as not a single Diver was within sight.

"WARNING; YOU ARE IN RANGE OF ENEMY ARTILLERY."

My frantic search was cut off as I looked upward.

Tens more artillery shells dotted the sky above, their red hue overtaking the moons luminosity.

"Sensei!"

Violently awoken out of my stupor, I sat up straight, with a hand grasped at my chest as I hyperventilated.

"Sensei, wha-what happened!?"

With a deep inhale and exhale, I reached behind my chestplate, leaving away with the Shittim Chest. The screen flickered to life, revealing a very concerned Arona. Giving me a cursory glance, she let out an exhale, slight relief overtaking her features.

"Was..." She paused, her eyes continuing to study me. "Did you have another nightmare?"

I held my head low, nodding only after a few moments.

Her tone took on a somber note. "...Do you... want to talk about it?"

I looked back up; her eyes locked onto my visor.

She frowned. "If you don't want to, I understand..." She paused, as if thinking.

"But I'm always ready to listen, Sensei." She began nodding. "I'm sure plenty other students are willing to help out too."

A small smile crossed me. "You always know what to say."

"Heehee~! Of course, what kind of trusty assistant would I be if I didn't!"

Within the Abydos Clubroom

"Guys! You might want to take a look at this!"

Window wide open, she pointed a finger at a very concerning sight.

A yawn filled the air. "What's with all the yelling, Serika?"

"That! That's what I'm yelling at!"

"Pshaaw, can't be all tha-"

Her eyes widened in response to catching a glimpse of what her underclassman pointed out.

"Uhhhhhhh..." Hoshino drawled out as she turned around, locking eyes with her fellow classmates.

Laden on their faces were the same reactions, shock, awe and-

"What is THAT!?"

The pink-haired president scratched her chin. "Er, I was hoping you would have an answer..."

The resident tech and medic gave her a long side-ways glance.

Shiroko took to the side, squinting her eyes. Her ears then stood on edge, her eyes widening as if coming to a realization.

"I..." She began, a brow raised. "I think that's Sensei."

The girls glanced at her with disbelief.

"How do you know, Shiroko-chan?" Nonomi asked.

The white wolf pointed at the helicopters. "Those helicopters, Sensei left in one of those."

"Mmm hmm." Serika hummed, before jabbing another finger at the helicopters. "Then mind explaining why're there two? And what is that thing their hauling?"

She shook her head. "That, I don't know."

With no other questions, and with a glaring lack of answers, the girls glanced back outside the window, eyes locked onto the approaching... whatever that is.

"Sensei! Still alive in there?"

"Still kicking, I can see we're approaching the Abydos School, see anywhere to land?"

"Hmmmmmm." JULIET hummed. "Not really. Since this place always had gangs on the prowl, landing pads, or any open space for landing at that, are death sentences."

I pursed my lips. "Any ideas?"

"We could let you down into the courtyard and have you cut the cables." ROMEO chimed in.

I raised a brow. "While you two are still in the air?"

"Yeah."

"Only one way to find out, then." I shrugged.

Gradually slowing our approach, we began hovering above the courtyard. I grinned as I noticed a few familiar faces file out of the building. With vaguely confused looks and pointed fingers directed my way, I popped open the hatch.

"Woah! Sensei, what are you doing!?" Arona cried out, shocked at my completely dangerous actions. "We are still a hundred meters above the ground!"

I didn't answer, instead lifting myself up on top of the 'Patriot'. Looking back down, I watched as the Task Force's faces go from confusion to utter shock and horror.

I waved in response.

"Sensei! What in KIVOTOS are you doing!?" JULIET commed in, her voice equally as shocked.

Hopping back inside the exosuit, I picked up on their comms.

"Just thought I'd give them a quick wave, why?"

"You are actually insane." ROMEO deadpans.

I grinned. "Time to set us down?"

"I... uh... yeah?" Juliet replied, utterly confused.

Slowly, we made our descent, with the 'Patriot' touching down first with an impactful thud. As the 'Patriot's legs engaged their hydraulics, suspension and shocks on impact, I opened up the hatch, with myself touching down on the sand.

"Loosening the cables now." I commed in.

"Roger that, let us know when we're free."

"Copy."

Hoisting myself back on top of the exosuit, I began working on removing the steel cables hooked on the chassis.

"Sensei."

Removing one of the hooks, I let it dangle in the air before turning around.

"Hey girls! I got us a pretty nifty tool!" I slapped the top of the exosuit's hull.

Ayane looked the 'Patriot' up and down before locking onto me.

"Sensei..." She began.

The hairs on my neck stood on edge. Hesitantly, I slowly shifted myself towards the other cable, my body still facing her.

"Where did you get this, what are you going to do with it, and why is it here!?"

Finishing up removing the last cable, I waved up towards the helicopters. Receiving thumbs up from both aircraft, I saluted them as they increased elevation before finally leaving, cables dangling in their wake.

I glanced back down. "Er, to answer those questions-" I lifted a hand to count them out. "-I called it in, I'm going to use it to liberate, and it's here because of answer number two."

A resounding facepalm echoed around us as Ayane groaned.

Nonomi laughed awkwardly. "Well, uhm, never a dull moment with you around, huh, Sensei?"

I grinned. "Never."

Hey ya! Quick note, I'll be updating on both (fanfiction.net) and on Archive of Our Own (AO3), so you all can view on which ever platform is most comfortable for you.

That is all!

Chapter Text

Greetings Super Citizens, Admirable Admiral Wis'adel reporting in with a much needed sitrep.  As I promised some time ago, I will be rewriting a few of my stories. With that, as of the release of this update, the first chapter of this fic has been rewritten and reuploaded, give it a gander whenever and let me know what's what, specifically if it's an upgrade (hopefully) or not.

With that, happy reading and-

OH YEAH

SEE YOU ON THE FRONTLINES HELLJUMPERS

As of the release of this update, HD2 will have officially- and canonically- have the ODSTs join the ranks of the Helldivers.

Helldivers and Helljumpers side by side. Oh yeah, they know what the ladies like.

"So check your mouths, find your chairs, and get SET for a combat drop."

(Oh yeah v.2: I have a buncha stuff over at fanfiction.net, that's why I said I'll be touching up a few of my stories)