James, Musubi, Akitsu, Jasmine, Kuno, and Haruka crouched low in the thick underbrush. They all looked at the bridge ahead. It was an old railway bridge which looked abandoned. y
"It's almost time," James whispered. He looked at his Ultimatrix. The glow was steady.
Beside him, Kuno clung tightly to Haruka. "I'm scared," she trembled. Haruka hugged her tighter.
Musubi leaned in and smiled "Don't be. We're going to get through this together. You're not alone," she said.
"We've planned every step," Jasmine added. She thought with James she got to see so many different things.
Over their earpieces, Matsu's voice crackled through. "Satellite blackout in ten seconds. Get ready," she said as she was typing away.
Elsewhere, Team 2 with Lois, Saeko, and Tsukiumi stood near a substation. "Team 2 is in position," Lois confirmed.
"Team 3 is ready," Saya added from her vantage point near the bridge. She was next to Kusano and Rei. They watched the guards pacing and looking around.
James nodded. "Everyone be careful," he said. He thought they had faced many dangers before including large robots. He knew they would be okay.
Each team acknowledged.
"Satellite is down," Matsu announced, as her fingers flew across her keyboard. "You're clear," she added.
On the bridge nearby, Saya got up. "We're up first," Saya said as she turned to Kusano. "Are you ready?" she asked.
Kusano nodded as she held a small pot of plants. "I'll go," she replied.
"We're right behind you Kuu. Just be careful," Rei added.
Kusano stepped out from cover. She walked calmly toward the checkpoint. She had a smile across her face.
One of the guards squinted. "Hey, there's a girl approaching. Is she lost?" he asked.
Kusano stopped a few feet away. She held up her pot. "Can I go across?" she asked sweetly.
The second guard checked his tablet. His eyes widened. "Wait… she's a Sekirei!" he responded.
Kusano smiled. "Tree Sprawling," she said as from the pot, a massive vine erupted and twisted through the air. The wine snatched both guards off the ground. They screamed as more branches burst forth and slammed into vehicles. The branches tore through barriers and ripped apart the checkpoint.
"We're under attack," one soldier shouted as he scrambled for his weapon.
"Comms are down! We can't call for backup!" another soldier yelled as a branch came from the ground and hit his feet. He fell over.
The vines grew rapidly and splintered concrete. They crushed surveillance towers, and shattered the barricade.
"We need to stop her!" a soldier cried out as he aimed his gun.
Kusano looked at the destruction and tears started to come out of her eyes.
Rei ran forward. She aimed the Sliquifier low and pulled the trigger. A thick stream of purple liquid hissed from the barrel. It splattered across the floor and rapidly formed into a frothy, bubbling pool at the feet of the soldiers. "What is the purple liquid?" one asked. He immediately slipped violently and smashed into the ground with a thud.
"What are you doing?" another soldier asked as he then immediately slipped and fell to the ground.
"It is too slippery," a third soldier shouted as he also fell to the ground with a thud.
Rei ran up and got to Kusano. "Are you okay Kuu?" Rei asked.
Kusano rubbed her eyes and nodded. "I am," Kusano responded. She had a smile on her face as she saw Rei.
At that moment, two armored vehicles roared down the road. Their engines growled as they barreled toward the checkpoint.
Saya raised her Ray Gun. The weapon hummed with a high-pitched whine as it charged. She took aim and her eyes narrowed. A blazing red beam shot from the barrel. It struck the lead vehicle dead-on. The front bumper disintegrated and the metal vaporized on impact. The blast tore through the chassis and exposed the engine deck beneath.
Saya fired again. The red wave left the barrel. The second shot punched through the engine block and sent a plume of black smoke into the air. The vehicle veered violently. The tires screeched as it slammed into the second transport behind it.
The two vehicles tumbled across the pavement and flipping end over end before landing upside down in a twisted heap of metal and shattered glass.
"There are more guards than I expected," Saya muttered. "We should move now," she said.
Meanwhile, Group 2 with Lois and Saeko and Tsukiumi looked at the substation. "Time to destroy this building," Lois remarked.
"Let me do it," Tsukiumi said." "Hydra Blast," Tsukiumi shouted as she raised her palm, and a roaring column of high-pressure water erupted from her hand. It went forward. The blast slammed into the side of the substation and instantly shattered reinforced concrete and sent shards flying in every direction.
The building groaned under the impact. The metal supports bended. There were sparks as water surged into its electrical systems. Steam hissed violently as circuits shorted out, and the lights across the compound flickered and died.
Tsukiumi didn't stop. "Hydra Blast!" she cried again and launched another torrent. This time, the jet punched through the roof and tore it open. Pipes burst, and the structure began to collapse inward. She fired a third blast followed. At that moment, the front wall of the substation exploded outward. It sent debris flying across the street. The building collapsed in on itself leaving behind a smoking and flooded ruin.
Lois smiled. "That is one way of doing it," she said as she looked at Tsukiumi.
"Everyone they have found out," Matsu called out through the head set. "There are multiple vehicles approaching from all sides," she added.
Tsukiumi lowered her hand. "Let them come. I'll wash them all away," she said.
"We will deal with them," Lois responded.
At that moment, Lois spotted three armored vehicles barreling down the road. Their engines roared and tires kicked up dust as they closed in fast. Lois raised her M4W. She switched to the underbarrel grenade launcher. She took aim and pressed the trigger. The grenade launched with a hollow thud. It went through the air and slammed into the ground just ahead of the lead vehicle. There was a loud explosion which tore through the asphalt. It sent a shockwave that lifted the front of the vehicle off the ground. The armored transport veered violently and crashed sideways into a concrete divide.
Lois aimed again and fired. The second grenade struck the middle vehicle dead-on. The blast ripped through its side plating, and the fuel tank ignited with a sudden whoosh of flame. The vehicle erupted and crashed into the third transport behind it.
The third vehicle tried to swerve, but it was too late. The flaming wreckage collided with its front end, and both vehicles tumbled together. They flipped and grinded across the pavement until they came to a smoking halt.
One of them was fully ablaze.
She saw the first vehicle`s door open. Three soldiers left the vehicle with their guns raised.
At that moment, Saeko dashed forward with blinding speed. Her blade sang through the air. She had a twisted expression on her face. The first soldier barely had time to react before Saeko's katana carved across his chest. The blade cut through armor and flesh. Blood sprayed in a wide arc as it painted the pavement. He collapsed to the ground.
She pivoted smoothly and slashed the second soldier in a diagonal slash from shoulder to hip. The man's body buckled. His rifle clattered to the ground as he dropped to his knees. There was blood pouring from the deep gash.
The third soldier tried to retreat. There was panic in his eyes. Saeko spun as her blade flashed in a tight crescent. The tip of her sword sliced across his throat. He staggered backward as he clutched his neck. There was blood spilling between his fingers.
All three were down.
Saeko stood in the center of the carnage. She had a twisted smile on her face. She looked at the soldier dying and smiled. She thought she had killed zombies before. She thought this was no different. She will do anything for Danna-sama.
Lois ran over. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"I am," Sakeo replied.
"Tsukiumi has gone ahead to help James," Lois responded. "We should go as well," she added.
"Yes, for Danna-sama," Saeko said.
Meanwhile on top of a large building, Minaka stood at the top and smiled. "This is interesting, very interesting," he said. "As the Game Master, I am thrilled. It is time to send the Discipline Squad," he added.