"Axel, our Federation infiltrator reports the White Star's surveillance team is nearly wiped out," Vindel says, hinting at the Inspector's arrival.
"White Star's back?" I ask. My spatial storage holds it, so it's not that.
"Not quite. A large fortress appeared, and a few humanoid units crushed all but Hiryu Kai," Vindel clarifies.
A fortress, not White Star. Maybe Nevi'im, hijacked by Ainst as a final boss? My theft of White Star might've been pointless.
"Inspector's here," I state.
"Different from our world, but the missing team confirms it," Vindel agrees.
"Fighting the Federation now is bad timing. Easy prey for Inspector," Lemon warns.
"Ban will pause Desert Cross to hit Inspector first. Alone, until he sees their strength. Then Rose moves," I predict.
"Rose profits from war, but not planetary occupation," Lemon adds.
Vindel smirks. "She's a merchant, not a saint. No Earth, no business."
Vindel takes a call. "Mao Industries fell."
"Inspector?" I ask.
"Who else?" Vindel replies. Per the original, Ryoto's team escaped with a new unit, joining Hiryu Kai.
"Next, the ground. Inspector's teleport ambush—Langley, Tesla Lab, then West Coast," Lemon predicts.
"We want Desert Cross's third phase, but Ban won't budge. We wait," Vindel decides. "Stay ready."
Days later, in the strategy room, Lemon and I await Vindel's meeting with Ban.
"North America's gone to Inspector," I say.
Lemon nods at the blackened map. "Federation couldn't handle teleport attacks."
"No one can blind," Lemon retorts. "We know better now."
"We have counters, so we're here," I agree.
"Risky, though," I add.
"Our forces are stronger than our old world," Lemon counters, gesturing to a frankenstein unit—Lapiesage, built for Ouka, based on ATX data and Bildfalke, with Geim System tweaks.
"Why Geim? It's brutal to pilots," I challenge.
"Agira, via Feff, demanded it. Couldn't refuse the landlord," Lemon explains. "It shuts off after five minutes—my sabotage. But pilot conditioning's beyond my control."
"Cuerbo's on it. He'll stop it," I assure, picturing his earnest face. He won't betray us, especially with Lada's reunion at stake.
"Agira might eliminate Cuerbo. We need to act first," I warn.
"Convince Vindel," Lemon says.
"Me?" Vindel enters, irritated.
"Agira's moves," I clarify. "Ban's response?"
"As expected. Inspector's focused on North America. Ban wants to strike now, delaying Desert Cross's third phase," Vindel says.
"He suspects we know Inspector's tactics," I note.
"Our tech invites doubt," Lemon admits.
"Ban's rallying Neue DC to hit North America. We're sidelined," Vindel confirms.
"Inspector's moves mirror our world. They'll take time for the next step," Lemon adds.
"The stage is set," I muse.
"Recall W17? Numbers are valuable," Lemon suggests.
"No trace of Helios?" I ask, knowing Helios is Gilliam, vital to defeating Ainst and Inspector by staying with ATX.
"Nothing," Lemon confirms.
"W17 stays with ATX, our ace," Vindel decides. "I'll test their strength myself."
"Recruit Hagane and Hiryu Kai?" Lemon asks.
"Not yet. They won't join until they see no other path," Vindel replies.
"W16 or W15?" Lemon asks.
"No, I'll use Trinity Gain," Vindel says.
Trinity Gain—Soulgain fused with Dygenguar and Aussenseiter parts, System XN, and EOT. A top-tier special unit, built since Dygenguar and Aussenseiter needed specific pilots we lack.
"System XN fixed?" I ask.
"Not fully, but teleportation works," Feff answers, entering.
"You pulled Feff in," I note.
"For System XN," Vindel confirms.
"Tech trade," Lemon adds. "We gave Feff Huckebein Mk-II data for Bergelmir."
"No complaints if it boosts survival," I say.
"Lemon, focus on Sophia Nate—'Magus Gebo.' I'll handle this," Vindel says.
"Hagane and Hiryu Kai are stronger now. Don't underestimate them," Lemon warns.
"I've got Vindel's back," I assure.
"You too?" Lemon asks. "What about W17?"
"If she falls, she wasn't enough," I reply. Per the original, Lemon's hopes for W17 should hold.
Vindel turns to Feff. "Your kids ready?"
"Not yet. Use School members. Agira just reconditioned them," Feff replies.
Ouka or Zeora—either way, a step to break Agira's hold. "I'll lead with Axel," Vindel orders.
Feff nods, leaving to arrange with Agira.
"I don't like Feff's kids," Lemon mutters.
"War's not about likes. Their purpose-driven existence is almost beautiful, like your W-series," Vindel says.
"No. Forcing individuality breeds instability, like School kids. They can't surpass their limits," Lemon counters.
Vindel shrugs. "Reliable execution's enough."
A soldier versus a scientist's divide. I lean toward Lemon.
"Enough. I'm taking Trinity," Vindel declares.
"Don't stumble like our world," Lemon warns.
"I won't. Let's go, Axel."
"Yeah."
"Be careful," Lemon says.
I kiss her cheek, following Vindel.