前のエピソード――Chapter Three Part Five | Arrival

[--CHAPTER FOUR : DEUS EX PYGMALION--]

　Where have I gone

　It gets darker the deeper I go

　So much sorrow in their eyes

　Gleipnir operators are issued several weapons. Their primary, a magnetically assisted 72 mm autocannon - (Heikisho兵器廠X) MAK-72 Kikan - MAK being the acronym 'Magnetically Accelerated Kinetic'. It can fire different munitions for respective situations, from simple full metal jacket and armour-piercing discarding sabot, to advanced multi purpose rounds. Despite being officially designated a autocannon, it operates much like a traditional rifle. 35 round magazines, under barrel foregrip, charging handle, every trinket you'd recognise, except simplified and upscaled for usage with Gleipnir Frames.

　Accompanied by a larger sidearm, the 110 mm (Freya Varnarlausnir) Ahurani Var433P. A large blocky semi-automatic pistol, attached magnetically to their Gleipnir's thigh. Used when a operator inevitably runs out of ammo or has their primary destroyed. Sharing many of it's bullet types with the Kikan, it alone can substitute for a primary, should the situation demand it.

　Though, should all else fail, or should a specialized situation occur, a tertiary weapon is magnetically mounted on their lower midsection. A 3.2 metre long tungsten carbide tanto style knife, used for hand to hand combat. Designated simply as Sanji三次. Depending heavily on the operator, this weapon has the potential to be the most effective weapon again Nephilim Gleipnirs.

　However one could have every weapon in the world, but not have the skill, and they'd lose without fail. Without skill, or a gift, operators are bound to die, no matter how much assistance their D.O.S. system supplies or how large their weapons are.

　The final decider is their enemy. While only 3 years prior, a soldier would fight flesh, their fellow human. Now they fight the mechanical enemy; Nephilim. It remains a mystery what they truly are, but in the limited time they've existed, a number of things have come to light. They are indeed biological lifeforms, but not in the sense humans would be familiar. Instead, they act like a virus, specifically a virus targeting electronics and machines. Nephilim need a host for their very existence, so they infect circuit boards, wires, any electrical item suitable for them. Gleipnirs happen to be one of many prime candidates. Before the world could respond efficiently, murderous weapons created ahead or during the 3rd Impact lost their reigns to Nephilim.

　Should an operator, technician, mechanic, or anything leave their machine long enough in poor condition, Nephilim 'spores' find there foothold in these machines. Effectively controlling them and driving them towards their goals. Recent advances in security and defence limits modern equipment from subjugation. Nevertheless, a substantial amount of time was allocated for the Nephilim to fester. Greater than 80% of the world perished to their advances, their weapons falling into Nephilim control.

　«Happy with your history lesson, Kodo squad?» Shigure had idly explained whilst he finalized preparations.

　They already knew some of what he said, each to different levels. But media portrays this as a winning battle, one where humans and their operators have no issue with the Nephilim. Shigure's recount differs from their perception of the narrative. The Captain had shown them images, and images speak more than words. Despite this, Shigure's words seem certain and affirmative. As much as they wish to ignore his words, to remain under the country's guise of victory, that time for them is gone. Now they must truly accept their future, or risk fate reminiscent of operators who came before.

　Zhaojun, who had been attempting to familiarized herself with systems aboard her Gleipnir, gives a rare word. «You have no reason to lie to us. Sir.»

　Takeuchi and Ichijo were slightly jealous that she addressed Shigure, considering she'd never spoken to them. The Captain doesn't respond, not caring to confirm or deny her statement. Instead, he enters a string of commands into the control panel forward of him.

<D.O.S. Full Activation: Confirmed>

　This announcement fills the air throughout everyone's cockpit. A female voice emanating from no-where. «You're a girl now... Sir?» Ichijo, glancing around his compartment, speaks curiously across the open channel, like he truly believes his words.

　He sighs. «No of course not. Don't be an idiot.»

　«What?? Then who-»

　«It is D.O.S.» Shigure interrupts Ichijo's complaints. «I lifted a restriction. It will be your announcer. You can shut her off if you wish and she will function like before.»

　To confirm his statement, the exact words spoken by D.O.S. are logged inside one of the many screens, displayed neatly in a corner. Joined with this are numerous other pieces of information. Diagnostics for hull integrity, hydraulic systems, power status, amongst other things ready for easy access viewing. Clearly Shigure hadn't just lifted the restriction for D.O.S.'s announcement abilities, but also many other operator assistance protocols.

　Listed within each of their respective cockpits, on the same screen, are their assigned callsigns.

　Yato, Kodo-1.

　Ryuuji, Kodo-2.

　Takeuchi, Kodo-3.

　Zhaojun, Kodo-4.

　Ichijo, Kodo-5.