11:30 A.M

Somewhere near Sweden's border, Finland

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[17th day of the Great Transcontinental War]

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Riding on the wings of a fighter jet was something I never thought I would ever do. One could dream of such a thing, but, to actually do it in real life was something else entirely. It felt surreal.

"Ava. Steady yourself," said Lily, who was hanging on the right wing of the fighter jet.

As for me, I occupied the left wing, crouching with my hands and feet wrapped in crimson Aegis crystals. Lily also had wrapped her hands and feet in her own violet Aegis crystals in order to hold onto the metal surface of the wing. Of course, if it weren't for our abilities, either of us would've fallen the moment the fighter jet took off half an hour ago.

The fighter jet both of us were 'riding' hovered near Sweden's airs.p.a.ce. It had slowed down a bit as we took in the sight.

"I figured as much." My ears picked up Lily's faint voice as she muttered those words. Even with the fighter jet slowing down, there was no stopping the sound of its engine from making it difficult for us to converse directly.

Though, we were there just to observe how Sweden's air defense would react to us.

A crackling noise at my left ear startled me.

"Ava, how is it?" said Maltyie over the earpiece.

"M-Maltyie . . . So far, there has been no reaction whatsoever from Sweden's air defense. Maybe it's because of the war?"

"They are tightening their border's defense, but not the air defense I suppose. Are they are preparing something?"

"Oh wait . . . Actually, there are a few missiles coming our way from below."

About a dozen anti-aircraft missiles were fast approaching us. Of course, we already made a countermeasure for this scenario. I glanced at Lily, and sure enough, she was pointing her right hand that was wrapped in Aegis Gear: Glove in the missiles' direction. A few seconds later, the missiles were encased in pink Aegis crystals before plummeting back to where they came from.

"The air defense network doesn't seem to be that effective as long as we have Lily," I said through my earpiece.

"I see. So it's possible to pop in at the Military HQ in Stockholm . . . Alright. I think that's good enough for now. Head back at once."

"Alright."

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Back at the military fortress near Sweden's border, Maltyie spoke out what she had in mind about the enemy's air defense. Beside me and Lily, there were Freya, Ulii, Qara, and Odval in that room as well.

"I managed to hack a few more Anciles!" said Erhi who suddenly burst through the door.

"Ah, good. Have them help guard the compound," said Maltyie.

"Understood."

Erhi, who had been absorbed into Lutalo as a special member, never ceased to amaze everyone with how she repeatedly hacked the C.U's Anciles. Ever since she resided in Chad just like Ulii and the rest, almost every day, she devoted herself to improving her computing skills. After a year, she was able to wrestle control quite a few of the complicated A.I robots, Anciles for her own uses.

"Hi, Erhi!" I waved at her.

"Ava!" She smiled at me. Dark spots stained her cheeks and turquoise winter jacket. Her dark hair was tied into a modest ponytail.

"Don't work yourself too hard," said Qara.

"Haha. I'll try. Thanks."

With that, she closed the door with a bang and resumed her duty. Qara then nodded to himself, somewhat acknowledging how hardworking Erhi was. Though, Odval who was standing next to him pouted at that.

"What?" asked Qara.

"Nothing."

"Ah, I see. You are mad at me."

"Why do you never see me like that . . ."

"Hmm?"

Odval was mumbling to herself, so, aside from Qara and me, no one else heard was she was saying. Still, after discovering my true feelings for Hope, I had become more attentive in how everyone else reacted to their close ones.

"Anyway . . ." Maltyie cleared her throat and we s.h.i.+fted our attention to her. "Back to the reason why we are all here . . . The missiles that Lily had disabled a while ago will definitely give the impression that Ava is fighting on the frontline. So, a.s.suming that Kian is moving with that information alone, he will not be near Stockholm by the time we launch a surprise attack there."

"Wait . . . You are saying that we can get at Amathelia while Kian is out of the way," said Freya.

"Yeah. There will be no better opportunity than this. The sooner we manage to get rid of that woman, more lives will be saved and of course, the war itself will eventually end," said Maltyie firmly.

"How can you be sure that Kian will be at the border instead of protecting Amathelia?" I asked.

"As I said, Lily disabling the missiles before will make them think that both of you have pushed deep into the enemy territory. There's a good chance that Kian will quickly join the frontline in order to intercept both of you."

"Ah, I see. Since Ivar is not in the state to fight, they will need someone else to turn the table quick. And only Kian can do that."

Maltyie nodded.

In the end, everyone agreed with the plan to pop right at the enemy's HQ. It was the best course of action in order to end the war as quickly as possible. And so, Maltyie immediately formed a team that would be partic.i.p.ating in the surprise attack. Lily, me, Freya, and Erhi were to ones that she chose.

"Hmm? What is it, Klaus?" said Maltyie.

A blue hologram projection of Klaus appeared from Maltyie's Hologram Bracelet. From our side, it looked like he was sweating, somewhat nervous to deliver his report.

"What is it?" repeated Maltyie.

"I-It's bad. I have received countless reports, saying that the coup's forces on the frontline were decimated by rays of plasma."

"Huh?! The coup is--"

"Some managed to escape, yes. But hear me out! There's an enemy Teria airs.h.i.+p heading your way! And Kian is on that s.h.i.+p too."

"They have taken the offensive!" said Maltyie. "No, no, no. This is bad. You said there's plasma on the frontline . . . So that means Relly had joined the C.U before the war started. Both of them are heading straight here."

"Relly . . ." I clenched my fists upon hearing that name. "Let's intercept them!"

Maltyie nodded. "Have the non-fighters evacuate this fortress. Everyone else will meet the enemy and intercept them!"

"Understood!"