The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC Part #137 - What will you do when your wings of hope are ripped from your back?

Part 137: What will you do when your wings of hope are ripped from your back?

-Dancing With The Wind-

Helm, accelerate to full speed and set course for the floating city near the lake.
Helmsman Lux: Yes, ma'am.

What shall we do if the enemy attempts to intercept us?

A good question.

We may need to engage them depending on the ferocity of the attack, but I want to prioritize landfall.

Understood.

Also, don't worry about mincing words. Regardless of our ranks, aboard this ship, I am your gunnery officer. I am yours to command.

Understood.

He trained in the Imperial Army's most advanced armored division. Despite his burly, sword-swinging appearance, he is quite capable as a gunner.

...I'm sorry my appearance doesn't match my skills.

Oh, no, no! That's cool, actually!

And, uh, when did you get a chance to change, Olivi--Er, Prince Olivert?
Olivier refuses to wear any clothing that lacks quick-release snaps.

I thought you were coming aboard as a representative of the Empire.

Ha-ha-ha! That, my friends, was but a front!

However, once this is over, my search for love, freedom, and finery shall be at an end. Until then, at least, I wish to dress and be addressed as I please. To you, I shall always be Olivier.

Haha. Dressing up for the funeral, huh?

*sigh* What would the people of Erebonia say if they knew...?

I cannot say I care in the slightest.

How about it, my good reporters? Would you care for a scandalous tell-all interview with an Erebonian prince?

Hang on, you serious?

Oooooh, I better get lotsa pictures, then!

Please, I beg you, do not take any of the nonsense coming from his mouth seriously.

Er, that aside...

How come you two are coming along, Nial?

Wait, if I may guess: Grandmother wished for you to ride along as you did during the incident with the dragon?

Got it in one, Your Highness. Her Majesty put in a good word for us with Brigadier General Bright. He allowed us to come along as war correspondents.

I got loooots of pictures of you being amazing at the gate, Princess Klaudia. ♪ I'll show you them when they're developed!

W-Well! Thank you, Dorothy.

For cryin' out...How does she manage to suck the seriousness out of the room every time?

Heehee!

Oh, yeah! Grandpa, is our Zero Field Generator okay?

Yes, it's working fine for the moment. Assuming nothing happens, it should get us to that flying city easily enough.

Er, one sec. So if something DOES happen...all we got is prayers?

Oh, yes. Without the generator, we crash, no question. The impact would surely kill us all instantly. Or the subsequent explosion would.

Professor, you really know how to calm a girl's fears. Thanks.

*VRAMP* *VRAMP* *VRAMP*

Sensor Operator Echo: Radar contact. Five ships on an intercept course.

-Silver Will: Super Arrange-

Here they come.

Those look like the high-speed interceptors that were docked on the Glorious.

Not really bothering with stealth at this point, are they?

Arm the main gun and maintain full speed! Target only the ships that obstruct our course! We will focus on breaking through!
Echo, Leon, Lux: Yes, ma'am!

I hope you like surprises.

Sensor Operator Echo: Three and four are disengaging.

We did it!

Fantastic!

Goodness me. So this is what the future of aerial warfare looks like.

Mmm...The main gun is incredible. It has quite a bit of power, but virtually no recoil, even for an orbal weapon. It's fantastically accurate.

Haha! Of course it is!

To be honest, I would have liked to mount some point-defense guns with radar tracking as well, but...

Well, one project at a time, I suppose.

*VRAMP* *VRAMP* *VRAMP*

Sensor Operator Echo: Radar conta--Oh, Aidios...Contact is two-hundred-fifty arge in length! Approaching at eight o'clock!

That could only be...!

And here comes the Glorious.

Joshua. Do you know ANYTHING about the performance or armament of that thing?

The Arseille can easily outmaneuver and outrun it.

But it has gigantic main cannons, and large batteries of point-defense guns. There's no way we can attack it directly and live.

Blast it...

Turn to four o'clock, and FLANK speed! Lux, get us over the city and avoid fire from that monster's guns!
Helmsman Lux: Aye, aye!

-Silence-

Video: Defying the Glorious

Whew...

That was scary...

I think about half the nerves in my body are now shot, yes.

Yeeeeah, my heart's about to burst from my chest.

Still, there's not much else the enemy can do to us at this point, right?

No, we shouldn't let our guard down.

Yeah, the society has a common tendency of ignoring stuff like 'common goddamn sense.' We need to watch out until the second we land.

*VRAMP* *VRAMP* *VRAMP*

Sensor Operator Echo: There's an opening in the clouds ahead! We are entering the floating island's airspace!

Video: The Ancient City

-In the Favor of the Goddess-

Holy Stregas...

This is...the jewel of ancient Zemuria.

Even more mind-blowing than I'd imagined.

Hmmmm...Look at that enormous tower-like structure. I'd put good money on that being an important part of the island. If we're going to land, I'd put down near that, Captain.

Good idea, Professor.

Echo, anything on radar? The Glorious?
Sensor Operator Echo: One moment. No enemy contacts within 50 selge. We seem to have left the Glorious in our dust, ma'am.

Good.

Lux, slow to one-third and begin landing. Put us down near that tower.
Helmsman Lux: Aye, ma'am.