Prepare for the attack mission!

- Ship number 036 was taken. Please report ground preparation progress and location.

- Repeat. Ship number 036 was taken. Please report ground preparation progress and location. End.

…

- Oh shoot, Tokuko and her squad always take a step before us. Please hurry up, everyone!

Hoshi, in her worrying state and trembling voice out of panic, looked around quickly, then answered Tokuko to end this short call. She was sure they hadn't made it to her answer, but better not let the other team worry about them.

- We're halfway done. End.

Putting the transceiver to the side, she walks down the hill, where she climbs onto it to get a better signal. Looking at the busy people, Hoshi says loudly:

- The first team captured the ship with number 36, I guess they're closed to the meeting location. How is our progress?

Her team, made of less experienced people (she thinks so and it looks so), was all busy-looking except for Sasaki. Yukari was checking dragon-scale armor, using a hammer to amplify its duration and comfort. Yukino prepares food. Hunger is not a thing, but they surely need lots of healing when entering an enemy ship that contains challenges unknown to them. Yashi, who looks suffering in the middle of countless devices that require setting up, was trying to get an Arma Caeli power alert to work with the true exact frequency. Hoshi hides the transceiver away, not wanting it to be found by any other people, and rushes in to help Yashi. They need these devices, but those also require small sizes to easily bring along without being too heavy or bulky. Sasaki, just like always, is sitting there doing nothing. The working people are on full wattage; they run back and forth like busy ants inside a large, busy nest, ensuring that all the devices are set up and functioning properly. Yashi and Hoshi exchange worried glances, realizing the importance of getting the Arma Caeli power alert to work correctly. They know that any delay or mistake could have serious consequences. They definitely need more help, but nobody here was free except for Sasaki, who, oblivious to the urgency of the situation, remains idle, seemingly unconcerned with the chaos unfolding around them. Despite the challenges, Yashi and Hoshi remain determined to find a solution by themselves, their unwavering dedication driving them to overcome any obstacles in their path. Also, that's the only way to keep their head on the neck after walking out of the enemy spaceship.

- Hey, Sasaki, can you at least do something? The aerial team is about to arrive at our meeting point, and yet we didn't finish halfway through. If you can, help someone!

Yukari looked at Sasaki after ten minutes of just focusing on her own work, uncomfortably telling her to aid them in any way possible. Sasaki glanced up from her own rest, her expression filled with annoyance.

- Be quiet and continue with your work.

- Hey! We don't have much time; you shouldn't be like that!

- Don't worry, little meeky girl. My job comes last.

Sasaki answered, and she continued to lay still on a chopped log, seeming to be sleeping. Yukari sighed. Which thing on earth can motivate this lazy sloth? Tsukino isn't here, either; she's on the captured ship. What if they come and are disappointed in this team's working result? She doesn't want to think anymore and returns to her armor-making role.

The ground preparation team is in Ihrutia, the Southern one, but their meeting place is in Western. One hour later, everything seemed done; it took a total of 1 day and 5 hours to prepare all of those necessary tools to sneak into this dangerous airship mission. That can count as fast preparation in a short time because the number of people who attend this mission is ten. Yukino packed her handmade canned food, compressed to a much smaller size, into a large backpack. Yashi finally got the devices all set and foldable into an easier-to-carry form, while Yukari discovered a way to unactivate the armors to reduce carrying heavy stuff. She guides everyone on how to activate it again and how to carry and preserve it. They check everything in a rush before taking their leave. Hoshi requests connection between two transceivers again, saying so while running to their designated destination.

- Ground preparation team, all set up.

It only took a few minutes of glitching sounds and noises to get a response from Tokuko's team.

- We are entering Ihrutia territory, aiming for Western. Let us use magic, or the ship could break after a realm hop.

Tamao is the one who answered. Listen to that voice. Yashi got a nervous feeling, but she preferred not to say it out. The humans exchange some small talks; all of them own a companion with artifact magic, but not all of them have found a way to unlock and synthesize their own power with them. That's when Sasaki stood up from her log and stretched her back while yawning.

- Yukari, you lend me your companion magic. I have an alternate form, and that will be enough power.

- Sasaki?

Yukari seems unsure; she never saw Sasaki at work before. She asked people around to know if anyone had ever inspected Sasaki's magic before, but none of them did. This is a risky move, and if they're not in a deadly rush, she would wipe that idea to one side. But now, there's no time to be picky or hesitate.

Sasaki, determined to harness her own power, took a deep breath and focused on the connection between herself and Tokuko. At first, she seems to be having a hard time determining where the captured ship is, for that's the first step to take to link their magic power. Yashi got her devices to work, starting with a machine that has an antique-crafted stone inside that she borrowed from Chess. It's antenna moves in a circle before stopping in the west direction, and then the antenna extends its length to be very long. That means the ship is outside of this realm but entering the west side. Sasaki searched for the magic flow before suddenly feeling the energy get connected between them, intertwining their magic. With confidence, Sasaki absorbs and transfers energy from her alternate form, aiding Tokuko and covering her from any leaks. Despite Yukari's uncertainty, they perform it in a perfect way to create the gate to bring the whole ship into this realm. But nobody knew that until Sasaki opened her eyes, looked behind everyone who's awaiting her words, and said:

-Run.

Immediately, the humans summon their companion. Most of them don't have an alternate form yet, but the magic was enough for the critter to carry them at a much faster speed than running on legs. They know the first team has successfully arrived in Ihrutia; they need to not waste any time and bring supplies to the ship as fast as possible.

They met the other team in their designated place - a vast grass field of Western side. Yashi disappeared, but her Cakei is still around, that's enough for her team to know she isn't going missing, but just doesn't want to be on the same ship with Tamao. Gladly, Tamao didn't notice that.

- How long have you been waiting?

Hoshi asked Tsukino, worrying they has come late. But the commander's satisfied expression has calmed her down a lot.

- Just five minutes, don't be worry. Now, let's pack the supply and get them on the ship. Quick.

Don't let her repeat it; the girls immediately stop their conversations or rest and help the second team bring food, armor, and devices to the ship. Kirifuren and Tokuko checked them thoroughly, testing every function when Kiriko got to the pilot chair and started driving the airship to leave. All of them were from different realms, but they all came to one conclusion: they'd defend Ihrutia, the place where their commander stayed. Can't say Tsukino isn't feeling flattered by this.

- All the food, armor, and devices work well. The quantity seems enough for us; as my estimate, we'll find out later.

Tokuko reported after checking the supplies. They expect this attack mission to last less than one week.

- Good, now get on to your seat. I'll announce the plan today. There are multiple forces on their way of saving Ihrutia, and ours is one of the most important ones to take on the responsibility of defending the realm from the enemies' first attack waves, buying time for the other forces to take action. If we fail, there will be terrible destruction coming down into the realm while everyone isn't prepared. That'll be a disaster...

- Commander! Enemy spotted, 800m distance estimated by the eastern direction!

From the pilot's room comes Kiriko's voice. The girls exchange quick looks.

- That's our mission. The first attacking wave has arrived. Let's prepare to face them.

Tsukino gets up and approaches the control panel of their ship's big guns to conclude the brief meeting. With little delay, the other ex-gunners came forward to stand beside her in support. Kiriko uttered harsh words, saying:

- Come on, let's totally rock!