Chapter 8: Space struggle
"Anomaly! Cease this madness and come with us!" Seraphine bellowed, her voice distorted by static as it echoed through Astra’s mech. Her hands gripped the controls, knuckles white, ready to blitz away at the slightest opening. Sweat trickled down her brow as she panted like a cornered animal.
Through the mech’s lens, Astra saw officers closing in, their machines glinting like phantoms in the abyss. Stars framed the scene like a celestial arena, mocking her isolation. Their police mech loomed over her, their dark blue armor. Stripes of neon yellow ran down its limbs, their reflective sheen catching the faint light of distant stars, outlining small circular indents on their metallic forearms.
[WARNING!]
[Fatigue evident. Brain overloaded! Body will shut down momentarily.]
[Countdown: 10:59...]
"Shut down?" Astra murmured, her voice faint as her grip tightened. Her vision blurred, and Yu’s worried gaze flickered at the edge of her periphery.
[Affirmative!]
[The unnatural noradrenaline intake is straining your brain. Rest is advised.]
"Override it," Astra rasped, forcing her breath into words.
[Denied. Countdown continuing: 10:38...]
"Override it now!" Her voice cracked, a spark of defiance amidst the haze.