Bedevalus, who just finished cleaning up a mess. (Perversion)

With the Figurehead in suspended flight a safe distance from the tower, Haruka's Figurewatch zipped through the sky towards the structure. "That's it..." The ensign's mechanical eyes narrowed behind her visor. "That's the source of his signature. Missing Memory... today's the day it all comes to an end for you!"

She got in range, still a good football field away from the tower. That was as close as the Figurewatch needed to get to engage with long-range equipment. Her opponent had to know she was here... She'd wait a moment to see if he opened himself up. Then, if she had to, she'd close in and scan the tower floor by floor until she knew which one her fleeing opponent had scurried off to. She couldn't allow the artificial empire to rise again... She'd destroy the entire tower, if that was what it took.

Suddenly, movement! The signature was closing in! Without any hesitation, the Ensign engaged Figurewatch's energy launchers. The shoulder panels of the machine opened to reveal two rotating gatling cannons: these weapons weren't ideal for a high-speed battle, but they were perfect for a long-range bombardment. Before her target could react, she unloaded a barrage of energy weaponry. Soon, it was nothing but a cloud of ash. The signature was gone.

"Missing Memory... is destroyed..." Even the ordinarily stoic ensign could hardly believe it, disengaging her visor as if she had to confirm her sensor readings with her naked eyes. "It's all over, Figurewatch... No. I have to be vigilant and investigate. I cannot allow one scrap of that being to remain."

She brought her flying mech at the slowest hover she could manage (still pretty fast) to the opening in the tower. Inside, she could see what looked, improbably, like a gym room, stocked with exercise equipment almost exactly as she'd seen in the Figurehead's. One thing she definitely hadn't seen before, though: there was a muscular man standing there, with brown hair, curved horns, a grey tank top and red shorts, stained with sweat. He was holding an enormous sword over one shoulder and a water bottle in his off hand. "Ho there, mechanical giant!" the creature called to him. "Have I got to teach you a lesson about stealing a warrior's glory?"

"You speak English..." The android's voice displayed from the Figurewatch from a booming speaker. "I am Haruka Goshin, Ensign of the Human Survival Mechanized Squadron serving aboard the Figurehead V. I come in peace. Are you a human?"

"Peace, huh..." Bedevalus rested the tip of his sword on the ground before him, setting his water bottle aside and putting both hands on his pommel. "How boring. Nay, I'm no human, mechanical giant, but a demon knight, Sir Bedevalus!"

"A knight... Am I misunderstanding? Sir Bedevalus, are you saying you... destroyed Missing Memory with that medieval weapon?"

"Is that what you called that thing?" Bedevalus stretched, then rested one meaty arm on the hilt of his sword, which was nearly to his shoulders in height. "Yes, I made scrap metal of it in short order. The creature was haughty, but a trifle. You, however... I saw the attack you unleashed in your kill-steal. To keep that massive hunk of metal floating by the **** of fire alone... No doubt, you're a worthy opponent for me after all! Come, Haruka Goshin! Let us do battle!"

The Ensign couldn't deny the creative part of her programming was curious about this individual... A humanoid alien that called himself a demon knight, and powerful enough to defeat Missing Memory, even if he was in a weakened state? The part of her awakened in the last leg of her voyage, the part that seemed to crave combat, definitely itched to get a look at what he could do... However... "Sir Bedevalus. I would be interested in your challenge, and I think you'll find my Figurewatch can keep up."

"Ha ha!!" For whatever reason, Bedevalus looked almost giddy at the accepted offer. "Oh, yes, I've always wanted a shot at a mechanical giant like you-!"

"But," Haruka stopped him, extending one of her mech's palms outward, "This weapon I pilot is not my property."

"Oh...? Well, fine! Forget that weapon you unleashed, we'll fight bare-handed!" Bedevalus tossed his sword aside, moving into a grappling pose.

"... I don't think you understand. What you see in front of you, this whole mechanical unit, is the weapon I am referring to. I am merely a pilot, inside its cockpit. Should I show you?"

"N-no, no, that's all right. Let us simply fight, my muscles to your mechanical unit, then!"

"Well, that is what I was getting at. This weapon is the property of my squadron. It is not for recreational sparring; it is for military operations. While I would personally be happy to test those muscles of yours, I'm afraid I need to get clearance from my commanding officer. Actually, this would be a good opportunity to extend our alien outreach. Would you like to come aboard the ship?"

Bedevalus sighed. "Could you just, uh... don't you mechanical types have a way of throwing your voices at each other?"

"You mean a radio?"

"Sure! That."

"... I feel it would be better for you to come aboard and ask in person."

The knight sighed. "Very well... but I'm bringing my sword." Bedevalus stepped into the palms of the Figurewatch, which performed a quick 180 spin by firing maneuverable verniers, then began travelling at a quick pace borne of excitement towards its mothership. "You're quite certain we can't simply fight now? If I attack you, would you defend yourself? Nay... Gah. I suppose I am supposed to be an honorable knight, after all..."