-2: 70
After exactly two weeks, we managed to move all the Goddessium and other important things from the 5th Weapons Depot to the Outpost.
...There were also a lot of things I needed to catch up on and work through on my to-do list.
Like have that chat with everyone about the fact that I definitely had a small and growing army of probably real life decepticons in the form of Wolfie and the others out there.
That, plus the fact that I had also set up the 5th Weapons Depot to run some side projects in private on the backburner.
Just a few trump cards in case things hit the fan.
But those were a 'when they came up' issue.
Right now, something else took priority.
Today was the day.
Back in the recycling center... which had long been turned into a full-fledged research lab after Maxwell joined Sophia in R+D.
Since I'd been busy with transporting the goods and escorting our new recruits to make sure no Raptures ambushed them on the way back, I hadn't kept up with how the research was going.
But after our last shipment, I got a text to head to the lab since it was finished.
And now...
I picked up the dragon-themed bracer that Maxwell handed me. "So this is it, huh?"
It was familiar.
Was it because Sophia had somehow anticipated my designs from our chat logs? Or did she know me that well?
I called it a 'dragon-themed bracer...'
But isn't this just the goddamned Drago Morpher from Dino Thunder?!
And look, when I turned it into its discreet form, it was a silver bracelet! With a white gem!
That's LITERALLY the Drago Morpher!
I barely hid my excitement as I looked up at everyone present.
Endless, Neon, Maxwell.
Drake, Laplace, Rose.
Red Hood, Rapi, Marian...
Even Suri and Hana.
"...Should I do it?"
Sophia's voice echoed from the speakers. "Creator. We ALL know you want to show off."
Drake cackled. "That's right, Commander! Show us the power of the TRUE Demon Lord!"
Laplace shook her head and pointed a finger at me. "No! Show us the True Brave! Show us the Hero we all need!"
Rapi covered her face. "...Anis is going to be so upset at what she's missed..."
Marian giggled. "Well, I'm sure she's working hard to impress Commander as well, so it's fair."
Neon pumped a fist in the air and said, "YES! Show us the ultimate Firepower, Master!"
Endless hesitantly pumped a fist as well and said, "F-Firepower...?"
"FIREPOWER!"
"F-Firepower!"
Neon laughed. "That's the spirit, Endy!"
Red Hood grinned from her reploid body, which had been upgraded to look more like her old self. "Yeah, Lil Boss. Show us peak human potential combined with peak engineering from Missilis' best mind and your crazy AI gal!"
Suri sighed and adjusted her visor. "I give up. Nothing phases me anymore."
Hana giggled. "It's your reality now, Suri."
"Did you just reference that Monika's song?!"
"Maybe~?"
I laughed. "Alright, alright. Then..." I swung my arm out and placed my hand over the white gem.
'My childhood dream, coming true right now... Thank you whatever goddess sent me here. This was worth it just for this.'
I grinned and said, "Let's do this. It's morphing time! White Ranger! Drago Dinopower!"
Laplace let out a happy squeal and jumped for joy.
Drake burst out into a full villainous 'Ohohoho' laugh.
As for me...
White light... No, white microbots similar to Maxwell's. They bloomed around me and then spread in an instant, turning into a suit.
A white helmet, white breastplate, a belt with a golden coin embedded inside of it that hummed with energy. A goddamned golden dragon over my left shoulder, forged from more microbots. A zweihander on my back, but only half-materialized to make up for the weight and to extend as needed.
Then what looked like a black tunic, but what was actually a proper exoskeleton overlaying my muscles to enhance my strength, dampen forces, and more.
That was what I saw reflected back at me.
Well, that and the discreet Missilis Logo on the side. Just to remove some questions and give plausible deniability.
But anyway, when I saw that reflection...
Spoiler
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I couldn't help but strike a pose. "Have no fear, the White Ranger is here! As long as I stand, the world will never end! Because..." I drew my zweihander and pointed it at the sky, a crystalline white blade materializing into existence as the microbots aligned. "...I am the Valiant! The Hero of Omnipotent Powers Annihilated!"
Laplace let out a happy screech and then jumped towards me to hug. "COMMAAAANDEEEEER!"
Neon saw her do that and jumped as well. "MASTER!"
I easily caught them both in my arms and laughed before shifting them both to sit on my shoulders.
Since they were a bit more petite than the others, it was easy.
Even easier than usual with the enhanced strength.
Laplace laughed and said, "COMMANDER! YOU'RE THE BEST!"
Neon nodded and said, "That's right, Master! Ultimate Firepower! Now... to infinity, and beyond!"
I laughed and set them both down before demorphing. White light rippled over my body before my equipment faded like a mirage. But I could definitely still feel the hum of power over my white dinogem- Or, 'white power gem' bracer.
"Well then." I grinned at my squad and said, "Shall we make a heroic return to the Ark and report a mission success? Who's coming?"
"Ooh!" Neon immediately stuck her hand up. "Me! I wanna see the look on everyone's faces!"
Red Hood laughed. "I'll stick around, Lil Boss. Someone has to keep an eye on things here while the kids have fun, right?"
Rose nodded. "You go on and enjoy yourselves in the Ark... Besides." She glanced at Red Hood then gestured towards herself. "...Some of us would cause a real panic if we showed up."
Maxwell hummed and said, "I want to come along and check on Syuen... but we're close to a breakthrough on that 'Zero' reploid body you penned up, Commander, so I'll stay. Promise to see if she's fine though?"
Laplace's eyes widened. Then she looked nervous. "That's right... Syuen..."
I shook my head. "Laplace and Drake. You stay."
"H-Huh?!" Laplace looked at me. "Why?!"
Drake tilted her head and said, "...Just in case. Right? They were already talking about turning us into 'real' villains like with Wardress."
Laplace froze. "But that's-!" She bit her lip. "...Syuen...!"
I walked over to give Laplace a hug and said, "Don't worry. Your boss is a genius. She's not down for the count yet. But in the worst case scenario, we'll wage war on Missilis for revenge."
Laplace trembled. "A hero... doesn't seek revenge."
"But a hero DOES exact justice." I stepped back. "But for now, wait. What beats heroes aren't enemies, but their backstabbing allies. And right now..."
I shifted my gaze towards the elevator down to the Ark. "...I have a feeling it's a complete political shitstorm down there right now."
Rapi sighed. "That's what I was worried about, Commander..." She brushed a strand of her crimson hair behind her ear. "And that's why I'm coming."
Marian nodded, fixing her silver bangs. "Me too, Commander."
Suri stepped forward and said, "I might as well come along. SOMEONE with commonsense needs to be with you."
Hana hummed. "...I guess that I'll keep running logistics?"
"Alright. Sounds like a plan." I looked at everyone and said, "Looks like the OG Brave Squad plus Suri... Endless, you not coming?"
Endless shook her head. "I would love to. But I believe that Mother will likely have Eternity already there to escort you all. And with both of us present at once..." She giggled. "The Central Government HQ may have a conniption~"
"...You have been hanging around Mari too much."
Endless winked.
...Ah, I'm so screwed.
Whatever.
I nodded and said, "Alright team. Then..." I looked at the elevator back down to the Ark. "...Encounter. Be on your guard."