High above the skies of Brandt Gate, the Blue Deathster unit Stelvane soared through the clouds, its sleek blue-and-white frame gliding effortlessly. Inside the cockpit, Lieutenant Sabine Merkmal adjusted her controls, feeling the subtle changes in her mech's responsiveness. A familiar voice crackled through her comms.
"So? What do you think?" Asagi's voice was filled with anticipation.
Sabine hummed in thought. "The weight feels lighter, and the sensory response has improved."
"That's right!" Asagi's excitement was evident. "I reprogrammed the detection system. Now you can scan enemies from far away—full 360-degree coverage. No more surprises."
Before Sabine could respond, another voice cut in—Commander Lorkin.
"Your mission is to confirm whether the White Laboratory is still conducting human experiments. If they are, destroy the facility and retrieve any valuable data on the Void."
Sabine nodded, her expression hardening. "Roger that, Commander."
The Stelvane and its accompanying units descended into the snowy expanse below, touching down at the designated landing zone. A group of guards stood at attention, guiding them in. As the pilots disembarked, they were met by a tall woman with glasses and a professional demeanor.
"Welcome, Blue Deathster. I am Topaz, a researcher here. This is Diego, head of security."
Sabine stepped forward. "Lieutenant Sabine Merkmal of the Blue Deathster forces. These are my squadmates, Rondo and Baynard."
Topaz adjusted her glasses. "A pleasure. Shall we begin the tour?"
The facility was massive, its halls pristine and sterile. As they walked, Sabine observed the caged kaiju—massive creatures, their eyes filled with a mix of fury and despair.
"How did you manage to capture this many?" she asked.
"Back when we were funded by Blitz Industries, we had military support," Topaz explained. "But after the… incident two years ago, we were left to fend for ourselves."
Sabine studied her carefully. "I see."
Topaz gestured towards a stairwell. "Next, we'll explore the lower sector of the facility. This way."
Sabine hesitated. "You go ahead. I need to use the restroom."
Rondo and Baynard exchanged glances but nodded. "We'll catch up," Rondo said.
Once the others disappeared down the stairwell, Sabine slipped into a nearby restroom. Checking to make sure no one was watching, she climbed into the ceiling vent, maneuvering through the narrow space until she emerged on the other side of the facility.
What she found made her stomach turn.
Rows of dissected bodies—humans, warbeasts, even space dragons—lay motionless on examination tables, their chests cut open, organs exposed. Some of them still looked fresh. Her grip tightened on her communicator.
"Rondo, it's confirmed. They're still experimenting on people. Seize them."
"Roger that," came Rondo's immediate response.
In the lower sector, Rondo and Baynard wasted no time. With a silent nod, they stunned the unsuspecting security guards accompanying them. Topaz spun around, her expression shifting from composed to shocked.
"Alright, bitch," Rondo said coldly, leveling his gun at her. "Drop the act. You're under arrest, and soon enough, this place is going up in flames."
Back in the restricted sector, Sabine moved quickly, scanning for any valuable data when she suddenly collided with something—or rather, someone.
She stumbled backward, looking up at the figure before her. He was tall and muscular, his white hair slightly disheveled. His eyes glowed an eerie blue, and his veins pulsed with the same unnatural hue.
Sabine steadied herself. "Sir, are you alright?"
No response. The man simply stared, expression blank.
She narrowed her eyes. "Did they do this to you?"
Still, nothing. The silence sent a chill down her spine. Slowly, she reached for her sidearm.
The man moved.
Faster than she expected, he swung a powerful punch toward her head. She barely managed to dodge as his fist slammed into the floor, leaving a crater in its wake.
"Shit!" Sabine fired a shot, but the bullets bounced harmlessly off his skin.
He lunged again, this time landing a hit. His fist crashed into her side, sending her flying into a metal wall. Pain shot through her ribs as she collapsed onto the cold ground.
Meanwhile, back with Rondo and Baynard, Topaz's lips curled into a sly smile. Under her jacket, her fingers pressed against a concealed button.
An alarm blared through the facility.
Baynard's eyes widened. "What did you do?"
A chorus of monstrous roars echoed from the containment chambers.
Topaz took her chance, leaping through a nearby window. Rondo and Baynard fired, but she was already gone.
"Shit!" Rondo cursed. "We need to regroup with the Lieutenant. Grab whatever intel you can before this place goes to hell."
Back in the restricted lab, Sabine gasped as the monstrous man lifted her by the throat, pinning her against the wall. His glowing blue eyes were vacant, devoid of emotion.
Her vision blurred. She struggled against his grip, but he was impossibly strong. Her fingers fumbled at her belt, finding a small cylindrical device. With the last of her strength, she slapped it against the man's forehead.
A shock grenade.
Electricity surged through them both. The man's body convulsed, his grip loosening. Sabine felt the jolt rock through her own body, pain searing through her nerves.
Then, darkness took them both as they collapsed to the floor.