Unmei Force: Soul

Prologue: Corporal Kyosuke and Lieutenant Colonel Richter


At the Unmei Force's aerial fortress...

The next pre-mission meeting that the Unmei Force had was held in a different meeting room, albeit a much smaller room with much less of the decorations and systems as the main meeting room, and a drastic decrease in number of seats for all participating members. And the meeting only consisted of both of the leaders Gus and Richard, Fox, and Reisen.

"So... Got anything to say before I start talking about where we are heading next?" Richard asked casually, considering his first question to be a regular routine for every meeting he does. "I'm sure you noticed the lack of members being called here. This time, I'm actually disappointed at the lack of members that are fit for this mission."

"Just one, Richard." Gus asked back, as he seems to be a little concerned, evident in his tone. "We really need to slow down with the sortieing, Richard. You're driving us into the ground with all of the fighting and voyaging that we have been doing. We haven't had much rest from our time since that war with the Empire. I suggest you seriously give us a moment to get some good rest. Not everyone runs on mostly determination like you, and I'm starting to believe that you're becoming the workaholic equivalent of a mercenary, for lack of a better term of what we are."

"I refute that, Gus." Richard answered back immediately, as if he expected this reply. "We DON'T have time to wait. Or have you forgotten that our reality is falling apart bit by bit by that twice-damned reality glitch!? People are dying there, Gus, for every moment we waste. In your case, the decision is our physical and mental integrity over the lives we save. I choose the latter, even if I have to compensate for all of you by myself, and shoulder the burden so that you'll all be fine in my stead!"

"I understand that you need to protect everyone, Richard. And I know that this is far more serious and devastating than the Gensokyo-Outside War in the past... " Reisen chimed in with a forceful tone. "But you cannot just neglect our well-being over the matter. We need to recover from our fatigue, or else we won't be efficient and effective enough to have a significant impact in our success!"

"Seriously, Richard. Take a note from Antonio's book, and just chill." Fox replied with a reassuring tone. "I'm sure that we won't take long to recover. After all, we're better soldiers than the rest, right?"

Richard remained silent, as he nudged his head side-to-side with a hand on his chin, pondering about his decision, before he then sighed. "I guess you have a point, Fox." Richard stated with a conceding tone. "Perhaps I may be a little too forceful in driving everyone here into the mud, and I'm getting a little paranoid. Alright, after the meeting, I want to ping me as soon as you're fine enough to operate and work at full capacity. Don't take too long though. I'm giving you guys three days at most, as I will be using the time to consider our course of action in the world we are entering."

"Don't worry, it'll take at most two days for that." Fox responded to that with a calm smile. "Speaking of which, you mentioned the world we're entering is only going to be useful for the four of us."

"Five, actually. I just simply didn't tell you guys earlier." Richard corrected Fox's assumption. "Sanae's taking operator role. She knows the stuff there, and she'll be great help in helping you fight what's there, since she bears outsider knowledge of the world like I do."

"Alright, then what about us then?" Gus asked. "Why just us four as active members?"

"Well, since we have good piloting experience. You forget that you, me mastered the use of the Arwing back when we fought for Corneria, Fox is a damn ace with it." Richard answered back. "Reisen? Considering that she's got decent piloting experience considering how she managed to use one of the Outsider mechas to break us out of a damn fucked-up situation. So considering that she's got experiencing piloting combat robots."

"Well, why not the rest, Link and Antonio?" Fox questioned back. "If all we're going to be using is our Arwings, then what's the point of having them off the team?"

"Yeah, that's what the meeting is going to explain." Richard said, as he activated the projector, where it showed a scene with two factions of military robots fighting against each other. One faction consisted of green humanoid mecha that were short and stubby with plated armour around its limbs, aerial thrusters on the side of their shoulders and a red visor with steel straight antennae on the side of their heads. The other consisted of sleek and slender blue-and-white robots with a fighter-shaped body with a pointed head and back thrusters.

"This is the world of Super Robot Wars, where wet dreams of giant robot fans come true. You get to see robot duke against monster, and sometimes even against each other." Richard introduced the world to them. "Sure, there are land and aerial vehicles here, but unless they're part of a combat robot, they're like paper mooks compared to the likes of these combat robots."

Richard then flipped an arm out. "You see, I wasn't kidding when I was talking about Reisen piloting one of the Outsider mecha. She is a must-have on the mission, considering she'll adapt quickly to using any of the machines there, as most of the combat robot controls share many similarities, save for some extra features or so. Fox is here, because he can pilot the walker, and that thing works almost the same as any standard combat robot, not dismissing differences like I said. And you, Gus, considering you're the all-rounder guy here when it comes to piloting expertise, you're in for it."

"What about you, though?" Reisen asked.

"Ahem!" Richard exclaimed, as he pointed to himself with a tight frown, jabbing at himself with a finger. "Sole pilot of EXEC-HERO, remember?"

"Oh, right, you mean the magitek robot that you used alongside Hisoutensoku to fight off the Outsider combat mechs?" Gus answered back.

Richard merely slaps his fore-head in disappointment. "Seriously, was EXEC-HERO used for so little time, that nobody significant in the war remembered what it has done in the war?" He grumbled. "Either way, we have another signature of a 'X-Stone' there. Pray that it doesn't end up in the wrong hands. Especially not HIS hands!"

"Who?" Fox asked.

"You REALLY don't want to know." Richard instantly responded back to deny the question an answer. "Speaking of which, I'll get the kappa girls to give you guys some sims to practice robot combat with. Sanae did have Nitori and the others prepare all of this in case we have to fight with giant robots. And I'm extending your rest time to a week, given you take the time to use the sims. Fighting in that world is no joke. The pilots are more skilled than they seem from the footage, and I rather not have any of you die in a glorious explosion."

The others solemnly nod at Richard's warning, before they stand up and dismiss themselves. As soon as they have all left, he leaves the room, heading down a different path in the hallways, before he then entered a elevator leading to the hangar inside the super-massive ship.

When he finally got down, he immediately walked through several of the bays, before he entered a particular one, as he opened the bay doors, revealing a combat mecha with green hexagonal eyes, the rest of the humanoid face is shaped into a black mask, and the rest of the head is painted in a white colour, with a golden metal chi-symbol crest on the forehead. The entire body of the mech is fitted with light-yellow armour, with black hexagonal armour plates on the centre of the lower legs of the mech, and golden shoulder-guards that have boost thrusts attached to them. The centre of the chest contains a tinted-purple orb in a opening on the chest. Its fingers are robot-like, being square-like, with large weapon hatches on the top-side of the forearms. It also possesses a large beam rifle and a broad-sword that has a golden hilt, that has a dragon-head attached to the back, and there are also weapon hatches on the side of the shoulders.

Richard merely looked up at his own personal mecha, and smiled, as he walked over, and rubbed his hand over the tough metal of the robot's legs.

"It's been a long time, eh buddy?" Richard talked to no-one in particular, as he marvelled over his combat robot. "I guess we're going to work some of that rust and creak in you with some actual robot-to-robot combat. I just simply can't wait to kick some ass, and act like a complete one-man army."


At the EFA North America Brigade HQ at a undisclosed location...

The mission group of the Unmei Force members soon arrived at the base, appearing on the use of a transport copter that is piloted by one of their fellow crewmates, a well-trained kappa pilot.

"We're here, sir!" The pilot called out. "Hope you'll all be safe. Even legends like you can fall from a careless situation! I've made sure that we've placed the right identification codes for safe entry."

"Understood. Your concern is appreciated, pilot." Richard replied. "But you underestimate us. We're the top survivors of the Gensokyo-Outside War. A Lieutenant Colonel, and three Majors. We ain't to be messed with, no matter what the situation is."

"Good gods, then I pity whoever your enemies will be!" The pilot replied with good humour. "I sure wouldn't be having any clean pants if I heard or seen your exploits!"

"Cut the chatter, pilot. We're almost there." Reisen instructed with a stern voice, as she looked out of the window to see that they were just above the base.

The copter soon slowly made its descent, before it stopped right in front of the entrance of the base, as the rotors were still active.

The team slowly disembarked, as they were dressed in different attire to blend with the world around them.

Richard was now dressed in his military uniform, which was a black light-weighted military camo suit coat as well having black army jeans, that have been reinforced with hard fabric in order to fortify it from attacks. His feet were covered by black leather lace boots. And on the left shoulder of his coat, was a round patch, containing the insignia of the Gensokyo Human Defence Force, a silver shield with the white symbol of a were-hakutaku Keine, with a golden katana crossed over the sword, and the initials in big white letters on the bottom of the shield. And on his eyes were tinted sunglasses, and there was a lollipop in his mouth.

Gus wore a less militaristic attire, as he wore causal grey jeans, and his feet were covered in brown leather shoes, and his only military piece is a black military coat over his chest. Reisen wore her usual attire, which consisted of a black long-sleeved business coat, with a white blouse underneath, and a short white skirt with brown shoes, making her seem more like a covert agent than a actual soldier.

Fox was dressed in a complete pilot suit, complete with rubber boots and leather gloves, in order to hide his animal traits, and his head was completely covered by the same futuristic helmet he used as a mask to hide his identity back in Trillion's world.

As they walked forward, they were soon stopped by the two gate guards, who were armed with assault rifles. They immediately walked in front of the group with their hands out.

"Halt! State your name and rank!" One of the guards called out.

Reisen did not respond to that, as she placed a hand in one of her skirt pockets, causing the guards to place their hands on the weapon in wariness, before she produced their fake identification cards, which the second guard took, as they read over the cards very closely, before they handed the cards back to Reisen, and stepped aside with a crisp salute from each of them.

"Welcome to our HQ, sirs and madam!" The guard spoke in a respectful tone. "We are glad to receive another Lieutenant Colonel here. The one we have here is not the best that we can have, sir!"

"No need for pleasantries." Richard answered back. "You're doing well on your duties, soldiers. And as for what you say about Lieutenant Colonel Hans Weber, I will see that for myself then."

They soon made their way through the base, as they saw the various mechas being repaired and maintained, as everyone recognised the mechas as the ones that were on one of the sides in the conflict they observed back on their own base, before they entered the command building, and entered an elevator to bring them to the command centre floor.

As they were on the elevator, Gus turned to Richard with a worried expression.

"Hey, Richard..." Gus asked. "Are you sure that all the training that we've had will help us? A week's training did help both me and Fox a little in getting use to those... Gespents as you and Sanae call them, but I'm worried that we'll be holding both you and Reisen back, since you're mecha pilot aces."

"Sheesh, Gus." Richard replied with a click of his tongue, before taking his sunglasses off to give him a calm look. "Don't worry about getting yourself shot to oblivion. The guys we'll be working with aren't fresh blood, and if you're lucky, you won't have to fight much at all."

The elevator soon stopped, as they arrived in the corridor leading to the area, as they saw a man with short blue hair that had a slight overhang in front of his fore-head, and brown eyes, wearing a long blue military coat with propped collar, and a black and white suit underneath it, waiting by the corridor, as he noticed the group approaching.

Richard then walked over, and placed a hand out. "Lieutenant Irmgard Kazahara, I take it?" He asks in a friendly tone and a respectful smile. "It seems that it is a pleasure to see one of the aces."

"Well now, it's been a while since I have seen a military guy who is this friendly to his colleagues. Call me Irm." Irm spoke in reply, as he took the hand and gave it a shake, as he regarded the group Richard came with. "Speaking of which, who are you guys? I'm sure that you ain't a part of the EF by the looks of it."

"Ah yes, you are very observant, Lieutenant Irm." Richard answered back, before turning to his group. "My name is Richter Chen, Lieutenant Colonel. The comrades behind me are Xander Calwell, Reisen Inaba, and Fox Mccloud, all Majors. We are of the UF organisation, the organisation of United Front, as one of the lesser forces who are resisting the Divine Crusaders. I have come to observe a certain test regarding a new PT prototype, and my companions had the same idea."

"Really? I'm quite interested as to why you want to oversee the test of the Wildraubtier. It's not exactly up there with the Gespents. But whatever suits you. Just a warning though, I don't trust the bastard Hans Weber. He's got the look of a snake on his face." Irm asked back, as his face darkened at the mention of Lieutenant Colonel Hans Weber.

"Yes, that has been touched upon by the polite gate guards." Richard replied with a solemn nod. "I do hope that this rumour does not prove true. People say seeing is believing and I strongly concur to that philosophy."

"Hm." Irm grunted back, before he then smiled and walked over to Reisen. "So you're Major Reisen Inaba, right? I wonder what kind of man would take your hand. How about you and I get to know each other? I know a way to woo ladies down to the heart with just my words. Besides, those cute rabbit ears of yours make you look so innocent and adorable at the same time. I'd be one to ensure you'll be treated well."

"I must respectfully decline your request, Major Irmgard." Reisen replied back with a stoic tone. "I have no intentions of making relationships too soon with someone like you. And I must tell you to refrain from flirting with me for a while, because I rather not deal with distractions until then."

Irm only cringes and hisses a little, before he takes a deep sigh. "Ooh, those are some strong words there, Reisen." Irm said. "Still, I would respect that wish. If you need someone to talk to, just ask around for me, and I'll be happy to receive you as a visitor."

Richard soon entered the room, which were filled by command personnel, as he saw a blonde man who was dressed in a commander's outfit, and a younger man with brown spiked hair that is stroked to his left side, and a red coat and a black T-shirt over his chest, and red jeans with long yellow boots, talking to each other as the rest of the group came in as well.

"...That's all, you'll be testing the mech." The commander spoke to the other man in the room.

"Sir, I have a question." The young man requested back with a calm gaze.

"What is it?" The commander asked back with a irritated twitch in his eyes.

"I saw the spec sheets of the this mech. The Wildraubtier becomes highly unstable when it transforms." The young man stated his opinion. "It's not capable of handling a live-fire exercise."

"Live-fire? The tanks are only filled with paint rounds. At worst, you'll just have to clean them off your mech." The commander snorted in annoyance at the younger man's reply.

"But live fire is not my only concern." The young man growled.

"Are you trying to disobey my order, Corporal!?" The commander asked back.

"No, sir. I would risk my life to follow your orders." The younger man answered back. "But, I'll have trouble evading enemy fire, so we won'ts get reliable data from the mech. Should we risk a valuable PT just for the sake of conducting some tests?"

"I make the decisions here, Kyosuke." The commander warned Kyosuke, the younger man with a threatening tone.

"But, didn't Gespent Number 2 go missing because of unnecessary testing, sir?" Kyosuke asked back.

"This test is necessary to improve the mech!" The commander roared back. "You disappoint me, don't you have any guts!? Now, report to the testing area, Corporal!"

Kyosuke only remained silent, before he then replied clearly. "Roger that.", and left quickly.

Richard soon walked in front of the commander, as he then regarded Richard carefully. "Ah, so you are the representatives of this so-called United Front." The commander spoke in a condescending voice. "What exactly are you doing here, Lieutenant Colonel. Are you here to undermine my authority here?"

"No, I have no intentions of doing so, Lieutenant Colonel Hans Weber." Richard answered back calmly. "However, I assure that although it is not seen, the UF has done all it can to fight against the DC, and it is nothing to shrug off. What I am here to do is to take a look at the rising prodigy Corporal Nanbu."

"Kyosuke? Him, a prodigy?" Hans scoffed with resentment. "He often question my orders, and he doesn't have the guts to participate in this kind of testing without me pushing him into it."

"Well, then let's have the testing show me the results then, Lieutenant Colonel Weber?" Richard answered back. "By the way, in case there is a emergency, I have my aerial fighter nearby to handle enemy intrusions."

"Hm. I see." Hans answered back.

"The fields are being cleared for the test, Lieutenant Colonel!" A female officer called out, as screens appeared on the front side of the room, showing various cams within the base. After a moment of silence, one of the hangars opened to allow a heavily-armoured white fighter with a red cockpit and a large cannon attached to its underside, to take flight into the skies. "The Wildraubtier is airborne. Target drones are placed and ready to go."

Major Irm then strided into the room, as he activated the room's communications to talk to Kyosuke. "Are you ready, Kyosuke?" He said.

"Yes, sir." Kyosuke's reply was a little fuzzy from the transfer of sound through the communications.

"Good, I'll collect the data now." Irm answered back. "The Wildraubtier is our first variable PT. Treat her well. We don't want her to get wrecked while the Commander is away."

"Roger that."

"Then begin. And have some fun, they're only paint rounds." Hans communicated across.

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, and do please try to do your best not to get hit." Richard added, as he made his debut to Kyosuke. "As another Lieutenant Colonel like your friend, Hans, I rather not be disappointed by a lack of performance from one of the top-grade pilots in this base. Perhaps if you do well, we'll get to meet each other on the ground for a handshake from a job well-done."

"...Roger that." Kyosuke's silence in hesitation did slightly worry Richard, although Richard didn't care much about it.

The drone-operated tanks and fighters soon began to act like a proper enemy force to Kyosuke, as they moved into formation, as Kyosuke guided his flight mech, as he locked onto one of the tanks, and unleashed twin anti-ground missiles, that slammed into one of the tanks and destroyed it. However, the remaining tank immediately angled its barrel at the Wildraubtier, and shot a round at it, as Kyosuke was forced to swerve away, as the round arced back down into the ground, and exploded into shrapnel, shocking both Irm and Kyosuke.

"Lieutenant Colonel Hans, this is Kyosuke! Do you copy!?" Kyosuke shouted into his comms.

"You have a emergency call, sir." The same female operator overseeing the test told Hans.

"Disregard it. He should handle this himself." Hans ordered the operator to cut the call off.

"What the!? I wasn't aware that the drones were loaded with live rounds!" Irm spoke in fury.

"Am I obligated to report such matters to you, Lieutenant Irm?" Hans responded back with a stern look.

Irm only gritted his teeth, as Richard merely gave Hans a dirty look.

"Surely that your use of live rounds is to heighten Corporal Kyosuke's reflexes by having him in a life-and-death situation, isn't it?" Richard asked in a level voice.

"Consider it as you wish, Lieutenant Colonel." Hans responded back without batting an eye towards Richard.

You bastard... Richard thought to himself with anger. Brushing off Kyosuke's danger when I leave you a excuse to use? No wonder Kyosuke hates you.

The test continued on, as Kyosuke seemed to be quite skilled, as the flurry of attacks from the drones only merely landed a few glancing hits and grazes, and each of his shots, whether it was a anti-ground missile, or a blast from the fighter's beam cannon, always took down the enemy in one burst.

"Corporal, let's begin the emergency variable test." Hans ordered Kyosuke.

"What!? If he transforms now..." Irm hissed.

"Why are the drones loaded with live rounds-" Kyosuke was about to roar through the comms.

"Do not question my order, Corporal!" Hans exclaimed.

"Yes, sir, commencing variable test." Kyosuke bitterly responded back.

"No! Kyosuke, abort the mission, and return to base!" Irm shouted.

"You're exceeding your authority, Irm." Hans coolly warned Irm.

"Don't give me that! You're trying to kill him-" Irm was about to shout, before Richard stepped up.

"Both of you, be quiet!" Richard called out. "Lieutenant Colonel Weber, this will be discussed about when I am to meet with other people your ranks and possibly your superiors. Lieutenant Irm, although Kyosuke was threatened by live rounds, he is mostly unscathed. The purpose of the test is to test its aerial potential, and its ability to transform. We have the former down thanks to Kyosuke's performance, but we still have the latter to deal with."

"...Damn it..." Irm muttered under his breath.

"Whatever happens, happens!" Kyosuke spoke, as he made his way above the sea nearby the base, as he starts the variable system, as the fighter slowly transforms, only to be stuck mid-transformation, as sparks and fire sprayed from the broken mech. "It won't finish transforming! AAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHH!"

Kyosuke's cry was cut off by static, as the screen showed the Wildraubtier exploding over the ocean, as Gus was horrified, placing his hands over his mouth, Reisen took a few steps back with wide eyes, Fox was left still, as his expression from under his helmet was shock, and Richard immediately sprinted out of the room.

"Alert! The Wildraubtier went down in the ocean!" The operator reported back.

"Alas, we have lost a fine pilot... Mao Industries must be held accountable for this failure." Hans shook his head in mock pity. "Retrieve the unit and have it sent back to the Moon."

"What the, how... How could you brush your own comrade's death like this!?" Gus demanded in outrage.

"Major Xander, is it?" Hans turned to speak to Gus. "Do well to remember that I exceed you in authority here, and your own Lieutenant Colonel has left the building. I'd advise you watch what you say here. And tell your former partner, Ring, that this is all Mao Industries's fault, Lieutenant Irm."

"Bastard..." Irm cursed silently.

Richard immediately went to the ocean, where he swam across the ocean, until he arrived where we estimated the Wildraubtier would have fallen, and found the wreckage of the mech, with a wounded Kyosuke lolling from the exposed cockpit.

"Corporal Kyosuke... You have done enough." Richard said, as he hopped onto the mech, and placed Kyosuke over his shoulder, and swam back to shore. He then opened communications to the command center with a portable communicator"This is Lieutenant Colonel Richter of the UF. I have retrieved Corporal Kyosuke from the Wilbabutier's wreckage."

"H-He survived the explosion!?" Hans's voice can be heard from the other side, as there were sign of footsteps, as Irm came over to talk.

"Kyosuke! Do you copy, Kyosuke!?" Irm called out from the comms.

Richard immediately placed the communicator next to Kyosuke's head, as the brown-haired pilot merely groaned in reply.

"He is fine. I estimate that the impact might have broke a few ribs in his chest." Richard answered on behalf of Kyosuke. "He's going to be fine, but we'll need to get him some rest."

Richard then slung Kyosuke over his shoulder, as he began to walk back to base, as Kyosuke lifted his head slightly.

"I guess... I managed to survive... again..." Kyosuke moaned.

"Of course you did. This kind of thing isn't easily shrugged off." Richard responded to that, without taking his eyes off the road. "I doubt a certain Hans would be happy about your survival, and will have you expelled from the base. But I believe that you deserve better than that prick anyway. Anyway, Kyosuke Nanbu, I believe that we'll be getting to know each other for a long time. I've always wanted another gambler of fate to admire."

Richard chuckled lightly, as he continued to trudge through the road back to the base.