3/4ths Beat, Finale

[marinefashion]

[There's a familiar, if badly battered mecha flying into docking. When the pilot gets out, she sighs and brushes a hand through her blue locks which had been chopped hideously short.] Man, it hasn't changed a bit.

[In her hands she had a data pad, holding it up.] I wonder if anyone missed me.

[Later on, she'll be found in an unoccupied room, and setting up a presentation. When she's ready, she'll turn to the others.]

I know where DUNE went.

Comments

[nietzsche_waifu]

You do not look too good. It is because of aforementioned DUNE, isn't it?

[marinefashion]

Got it in one. Though I'm glad I found you guys considering everything.

[nietzsche_waifu]

You return, your machine barely holding itself together, and you say you have information about DUNE. It's not that hard to piece the two together.

Good to see you again, Eri.

[marinefashion]

Yeah it went a little crazy there. Almost lost my head too before boarding the mecha as well. [She rubbed the length of uneven hair on her head.]

But we'll get everyone briefed and try to make our way to the location. And thanks Devon, that's actually really appreciated.

[nietzsche_waifu]

Ah. So that explains the haircut.

A chance to finish DUNE off once and for all - we waited for it far too long to let is slip away right now.

[marinefashion]

Yeah, I got a little too close. It wasn't fun at all.

[She nods at that] Yep. So many years of fighting all boiling to this.

1/2

[nietzsche_waifu]

I had no experience with him prior to joining White Chalice, but just that short exposure was enough to cause a hell of a headache.

A threat to the world like so many others, and I intend to make him pay like others, too.

2/2

[nietzsche_waifu]

Also, let me know if you need help fixing your hair. The least I can do - in return for this information, and for... other things from the past.

Re: 2/2

[marinefashion]

Thanks for all of that. Considering it took so much time to get to this point, it would be a waste to let it slip by.

Heh, thanks actually. I could use help with it. [She dragged a hand through her locks, shorn unevenly and a bit charred too.]

[nietzsche_waifu]

It's no problem. You wouldn't expect me to be good with such things, but then - being a mother makes you pick up all kinds of skills, working with hair included. Well, not that short usually, but I won't give up.

Let's focus on the crucial DUNE information first, though. Priorities.

[marinefashion]

It'll be appreciated. I haven't had hair this short since I was a little kid.

Yeah, definitely. What I figured out that he was headed for the impact site of the Rainbow Jewel, where a massive power source is being grown.

[nietzsche_waifu]

Power source? I take it is connected with the Rainbow Jewel somehow.

[marinefashion]

Yeah. It's a concealed source of energy, the first area where the Jewel landed. We figure it empowered a tree in the impact zone, and infused it with mana. So far there's a protective dome around it, but they'll get through it eventually.

[nietzsche_waifu]

What complications do we face if DUNE gets his hands on the tree?

Will the Rainbow Jewel be at risk?

[marinefashion]

With that kind of power, he can turn anything he wants into a lifeless desert, imprisoning humanity in crystal. Destroy the world, he can do that too.

We don't know if the Jewel will provide enough power to defeat him.

[nietzsche_waifu]

So either way, it does not matter. We cannot let him do that.

...

I'll make sure White Chalice changes direction first, so we get there as fast as possible. Everything else can come later.

[marinefashion]

Thanks. I estimate about a week before we're in real trouble. That shield is tough.

[nietzsche_waifu]

We have time then - but I refuse to take any chances. Excuse me, it won't take long.

[marinefashion]

Good. And sorry for dragging the Chalice into this again. We were hoping to finish this but the Getter incident, well...

[nietzsche_waifu]

"Saviours of Mankind..."

[Devon pauses and sighs, thinking of words spoken sarcastically so many years ago. Words that somehow became truth.]

I will do what it takes to make Earth a safe place to live. If it requires bashing in the skull of a nigh omnipotent, almost divine entity - so be it.

And I am sure others on board think the same.

[Spoken almost casually. This is not bragging, this is stating a fact.]

[marinefashion]

[And knowing Devon as well as she did, Eri nodded.] We've beaten things before. It's not going to get us down now.