Staring at the screen in a daze, Ivy thanked the runes that kept her in place along with the seatbelt in her mind for the hundredth time. Even though the cabinet twisted and turned, there were shock absorption runes that kept her stable.
'Why is he so good at this?' She wondered as she saw Arthur evade another soldier before dashing toward the door. With a slide, he reached the tunnel that led to the outside world.
They started racing until they reached the end of the tunnel, a fake hill that has been set to camouflage the entrance. The iron doors were closed shut, but Arthur used the offensive runes for the first time as mana guns shot out and destroyed it.
The mecha flew into the air as the forest appeared in front of her eyes, illuminated by the bright spring-sun. With veteran moves, she saw Arthur changed their mobility mode from tires to legs. They started running through the forest and the wilderness as the military alarm rang in their eyes.
***
When Zas heard the alarm, he knew they messed up. After all, they had no time to gather information about the actual schedule of the soldiers guarding the mechas. They had to go in blindly and hope for Arthur to prove himself capable enough.
"Everyone, please gather in the main conference room! General Ro will be waiting there!" Someone came into the hall and announced, starting numerous discussions among the Vetus-rank awakeners. They were gathered here to discuss strategies and formations to defend against the calamity spider, being the elite of the army. Being summoned by the general meant the situation was urgent.
Zas has already taken the time to hinder the work of the cameras by infiltrating the security section of the fortress and switching a few wires and destroying a few artifacts. It would take them a while to find out which wires or runes they need to replace.
When they reached the conference hall, the general was already waiting. His face was grim and his mouth making a thin line, a few beads of sweat above his thin mustache. He was facing the screens where a real-time video was playing.
"Dear sirs, I'm sorry to interrupt your preparations. However, I need to inform you that someone has stolen a mechanical humanoid vehicle." The general nodded their way and the group shifted their attention to the screens. They showed several mechas chasing after a single target in the distance.
"We have no idea who is behind this. Judging by reports, the people behind this had a runes master and a well-trained mecha-pilot. They can be the same person, but that's highly unlikely."
As the group watched on, the general resumed talking. The screens showed how the mecha expertly navigated through the terrain and used runes to throw its pursuers off. No matter how they tried, or how much mana they expanded, the mecha was able to evade them last-minute nimbly.
"That's why I've called you over. The mechas are sturdier, but they lack the abilities that would capture the stolen vehicle." The general seemed reluctant to call the stolen mecha, well, a mecha. As if admitting this was too humiliating or painful. After all, they were the pride and tressures of the kingdom.
"General Ro," A man stepped up from the crowd. He had dead eyes but a pleasant appearance. It was Zas. "With all due respect, I think we have better things to worry about than your soldier's failure of keeping the weaponry safe."
"How can you say that? A single mecha would make a huge difference in the upcoming battle." A military captain stepped up and questioned. "Do you want us to turn a blind eye to this?"
"Well, in normal circumstances, no." Zas shook his head as he appeared regretful. "However, this seems suspicious. A mecha is a national treasure. Unless a runes master who worked for the encryption company was involved, it would be tough to crack without working for several hours, if not a day." Zas's eyes were suddenly sharp.
"With all due respect, again, I can't help but sense a traitor in our midst." His words fell impactful on the minds of the rankers in the hall. The General frowned as well but didn't say anything. "If we leave the fortress now to retrieve a mecha, I feel like we'd be falling into their trap."
Some people nodded in agreement to his words and the captain fell silent. After all, it was suspicious how a mecha was stolen. Was there truly a traitor in their midst? If a key was stolen, it would explain how they able to unlock it so fast. It would also explain how they were so well-versed with piloting the mecha.
"Are there any missing pilots?" General Ro turned to the side and asked a man standing next to him. In a hurry, the man checked and answered that there was none in a few moments.
The hall turned chaotic and some voiced out their opinions, supporting Zas. As for others, they said that it was best to investigate every person involved, the present people included. Unknowingly, cracks started to appear between the awakeners and the army, and between those two factions themselves.
"Brothers!" Zas stepped forward again, his words now held more weight since some of them supported his claim. "This can also be a part of their plan! What if they're trying to sew doubt in our hearts? Even if I was the one who said the possibility, I'm sure many great minds have already seen through it."
He praised and the crowd nodded, even those who have not agreed earlier. They appeared to be wise and scheming, having already thought of many steps ahead. This way, it was easier to coax them.
"In my humble opinion, that can be faulty and accepts correction from the great leaders here, I think that the mecha is merely a bait to disturb our ranks.
"Our nation is under threat from two sides, what would a missing mecha do to harm the situation? The real catastrophe would be if we exhaust our resources and energy as well as doubt each other to reclaim it.
"Let's keep our goal in our mind; it is the well-being of the Union! Protecting our people! Allowing this city to live this day the same as any other, happy and prosperous!"
His speech earned applause from everyone there and an approving nod from the general. This way, the retreat has been issued and the mecha disappeared into the mountains. A meeting then started with the patriotic Zas in the lead, discussing some strategies to defend the fortress and attack the Calamity Spider.
***
"They're gone," Arthur muttered in bewilderment as he commanded the mecha to stop and look around. It had been a while since he lost their trial, but it seemed oddly fishy that they just let him leave.
"It's Zas, probably. Unlike what he looks like, he's quite reliable in improvising. Not as good as Reece, but still reliable." Ivy felt relieved that they were off the hook. If not for Arthur's flawless handling of the mecha.
"It seems that everyone in mistletoe is reliable." Arthur turned around and smiled at her.
"You included," Ivy stood up and leaned on Arthur's seat. "When did you learn how to handle a mecha this way?"
"Well," Arthur paused. "Has Si ever told you how we met?"
"In an arcade," Ivy laughed. "He said that he has never been to one before, but his ability showed him that a good seedling would be there. So, you're saying you've learned this from games?"
"And studying runes, but yeah mostly games." Arthur lied as he never had the time to play games before. The only reason he went there is that he was too nervous about the Union's test, but he luckily met Si who offered him a different path than relying on the Union and their facilities.
It seems that Ivy didn't believe him fully, but he didn't explain further. The reason he was able to control the mecha this well is because of his ability, allowing him to control the runic panel flawlessly. He didn't need to memorize what each rune did, as he knew them instinctively.
"What are we to do now?" Ivy asked, taking Arthur's opinion for the first time.
He pondered for a second and then controlled the mecha to find a place to hide. It was a low hill surrounded by trees with a good viewpoint to see when the calamity spider would be here. It would be a short few hours until it reaches this place.
"Now, we wait." Arthur left the piloting seat and took out his dagger. He started studying it seriously for the first time as Ivy tried to talk to him, but he ignored her.
This would be the key in the upcoming battle. Even the runes association had no idea how to stop the calamity spider except attacking it, but Arthur had a different plan in mind.