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While Hoopa was preparing the Outpost logistics to preemptively begin moving before the Rapture Queen could throw a wrench in the plans, Andersen and the Goddess Squad were making preparations of their own.
On the elevator back up from the Ark, Andersen, Scarlet, Red Hood, Dorothy, Snow White, and Rapunzel were waiting with a few Helper bots carrying supplies. And standing there with them...
Eunhwa took a look around and shook her head, awe filling her face despite her trying to keep it calm. "I still cannot believe it. Deputy Chief Andersen was the Legendary Commander... and almost all of Goddess is still alive here today."
Emma let out a bright smile and said, "It's truly amazing, isn't it?"
Vesti fidgeted, glancing up at all of the members of Goddess before blushing and looking away. "I-It's so overwhelming..."
Andersen chuckled and said, "It's not like too much has changed. You girls don't need to be so nervous. You've reported to me before, haven't you?"
Eunhwa nodded. "Yes, Deputy Chief. But that was in the capacity of a Deputy Chief. Right now... you're our Commander, aren't you?"
"Ah." Andersen nodded. "I suppose that is true. Hm... that's a weird thought." He rubbed his chin. "I haven't actually done any proper commanding for a long while now out on the field."
Rapunzel smiled and said, "And I thank the Lord that you are able to do so again and more, despite all these decades, Commander."
Red Hood laughed and said, "Yeah, Boss. Honestly." She gave Andersen a once over, genuinely impressed. "I'm surprised you're still this fit. Hasn't it been almost 100 years?"
"Something like that." Andersen chuckled. "I try not to think about it... though I was unconscious for most of that anyway."
Dorothy rolled her eyes, though a teasing smile was on her face. "Leave it to Commander to miss the most important times of human history by being asleep." She subtly adjusted her new shotgun, Pinne, on her side next to her usual equipment.
Scarlet adjusted her cap and said, "Tis the fate of a Hero. To arrive only in the most dire of times... Just like our dearest nephew."
Eunhwa spoke up and said, "Right. About that... is it true?" She looked at Andersen. "Do you have a son, Deputy Chief? And is he really as incredible as Instructor Ingrid said?"
Andersen nodded. "I can assure you, whatever you've heard about my kid undersells what he does and can do."
Emma's eyes sparkled as she teased. "Even the rumors about him having a harem of Nikkes?"
Vesti gasped. "E-Emma!"
Rapunzel licked her lips, giggling. "Oh, I can confirm that one..."
Dorothy groaned. "Rapunzel. Really?"
Snow White sighed. She deliberately decided to ignore the conversation and looked at Eunhwa, saying, "What is Absolute's current operating capacity? Is there any change after receiving the Vapaus?"
Hearing her no-nonsense tone, everyone calmed down and focused.
Eunhwa nodded. "We are at 100% combat capacity. Considering that Instructor Ingrid added a few more functionalities to our frames as well in the process of curing us, it could be said that we are even at 200% capacity or more."
Andersen nodded. "I see. So Ingrid decided to make a proper attempt at turning you all into matches for the Grimms models instead of just saying it."
Vesti fidgeted and said, "I-I don't know if we're THAT strong, Deputy Chief. Instructor had some plans to overspec our frames with things like the anti-gravity modules, but we haven't had the time to yet."
Emma smiled. "I got a few of those features though!" She patted her breasts and said, "I can store a lot of liquid inside me!"
Silence.
Dorothy slowly looked at Emma and said, "...Is that a joke, or...?"
"Nope!" Emma reached inside her 'compartments' and pulled out a small handful of water. "See?"
Andersen held up his chin and murmured, "Are all the Big Three secret perverts...?"
Dorothy sighed. "It would not surprise me... Though, I suppose Mustang appears somewhat honorable."
Red Hood laughed. "Did you forget the way he dresses, Snootie? Mustang is a walking talking exhibitionist. He doesn't hide his culture."
"That's... Ugh. I hate that you're right. Also, stop calling me Snootie! At least call me Doro!"
Red Hood smiled. "Fine, Doro."
Snow White glanced over and slowly said, "Dorothy. You realize she baited you into accepting that name, right?"
Dorothy froze. "That's... Ugh." She massaged her temples. "...I need more sleep."
Andersen clapped his hands and said, "Alright, alright. Let's focus. So." He looked at Eunhwa and said, "Like you're aware, you're under my direct command in this mission. Absolute will work with Goddess as we make our way to meet up with Over the Horizon." He put on a serious expression and said, "This operation is essential. If we can confirm retrieval of the Wings of Victory, then we can advance the Third Surface Reclamation war in a way the previous two attempts haven't."
Eunhwa nodded. But then she frowned and said, "...What do you mean 'in a way the previous two attempts haven't?'"
Snow White nodded and said, "Commander means that we will be able to replicate it. A proper fleet, and likely improved as well. His son, although easily distracted, has a keen enough intellect to reverse engineer and improve technology on a level unprecedented in human history."
Red Hood grinned. "In other words, Lil Boss is a cheat code!"
Rapunzel giggled, her eyes shifting to pink hearts. "Cheating... Oh my... hehehe."
Dorothy sighed. "...Ignore Rapunzel. But yes." She nodded, adopting her serious persona again as she said, "If we can secure the Wings of Victory and the schematics, then Commander Hoopa will be able to derive additional flight technology that can help with air superiority in future clashes against the Raptures."
Emma held up her hand.
Andersen noticed and said, "Yes, Emma?"
"Um. That's fine and all... but even if we do, doesn't Storm Bringer mean that it won't help?"
Andersen rubbed his chin. "Storm Bringer... Right. Is that old chicken still around?"
Eunhwa's eyes widened. "Ch-Chicken?"
Dorothy chuckled. "I suppose that's not inaccurate... But yes, Commander." She focused. "After the Wings of Victory was lost, there hasn't been an aircraft of sufficient firepower or maneuverability to handle Storm Bringer. In the past, we could evade or delay it with our ship, but right now..."
Scarlet nodded. "The Heavens are indeed a difficult battle ground. A blade cannot reach, and normal weaponry falls short..."
Andersen looked at Scarlet, amused. "Don't let the kid hear you saying that. He might decide to do something crazy like make a sword that can extend to a few miles long or something and cut a mountain. But." He looked at Emma. "You have a good point. That old bird had a habit of emitting jammers and magnetic fields... but it should be fine." He nodded towards the Helper bots and supply crates nearby. "We have anti-air weaponry we didn't in the past that are much more efficient... not to mention that my son analyzed and annotated all the weak points of Storm Bringer in his comprehensive Rapture dossier."
Eunhwa slowly blinked. Then she turned to look at Vesti and said, "Vesti. Just how much did we miss?"
Vesti giggled. "A lot."
Andersen chuckled. "We'll fill you in along the way. For now though, just assume that most of your intel has been outdated since your last mission to retrieve the Heretic fragments."
Eunhwa nodded. "Roger."
Andersen glanced over at Dorothy. "Speaking of intel... any news from Eden?"
Dorothy nodded. "I sent over a message to update them, but I guess it's too outlandish for them to believe." She sighed. "I don't blame them, but it is quite frustrating..."
Snow White smiled. "To their credit, everything that has unfolded has seemed like a fairy tale."
Dorothy smiled too. "I suppose that is true. But speaking of fairy tales..." She looked at Andersen and said, "Do you plan on coordinating us with the Second Generation Grimms models, Commander? Little Mermaid confirmed that the rest of them are likely still alive, yes?"
Andersen shook his head. "I don't have any plans to." He looked around at his squad and then at Absolute. "We've learned. We have more resources. And we have the full backing of the Ark. The Second Generation Grimms models are a piece of missing history that could throw everything off. While it's fine for the kid to ally with them, we need to go with what we've got."
Rapunzel frowned. "That's true... We've only just calmed down the believers in the Ark. If it comes to light that there was a second squad after Goddess who not only betrayed humanity, but caused the First Surface Reclamation war to fail..."
Andersen nodded. "Exactly. I'm sure the kid can spin it with his new production line, but we of all people can't."
Eunhwa slowly blinked. "New production line- You know what?" She sighed. "I'll just read the dossier later. At this rate, my questions won't end."
Andersen chuckled. "I'll tell the kid to send you one."
At that time, the elevator stopped, opening up to the surface.
Andersen stepped out first, subconsciously running his hand over his Kingstone belt. Then he looked back at the others and said, "Let's get going then. I've given you all the proper coordinates. No point in wasting time." Electric blue light flashed and he changed into his Black RX armor. "Goddess, Absolute. Deploy."