Lockhart, an excited and confusing ally. (ENF Nightmare)

"Captain," Haruka radioed from the Figurewatch, hovering in the airspace directly adjacent to the enormous tower. "The signature readings are coming from below this structure. Scanners indicate there is life inside the tower. Due to the construction, this is, in all likelihood, intelligent life, although there are no open frequencies to hail. I recommend infiltration by foot."

"Very well, Ensign," Rebecca responded from the bridge of the Figurewatch, already moving and zipping up her pilot suit. "However, I can hardly let you go alone. If this is the end of humanity's long battle, I intend to have a front row seat."

The robot sighed. "So you say... I have known you long enough, Rebecca. You are concerned for my safety, although you needn't be. However, it is true that your presence will increase the odds of mission success. Please deploy a landing craft and join me at once. Bring the Full Figure Cannon stashed in landing bay. I'll take care of infantry threats, but we have to ensure we're bringing enough firepower to destroy whatever it is we find down there."

This time, it was Rebecca's turn to sigh. When she spoke again, she was complaining, but in a light-hearted manner. "I'll bring it there, but you get to carry it afterwards, all right? I'm not too bad with a rifle, but I've got no way to handle this weaponry alone."

"Of course. Understood." Haruka flicked a number of panel switches and engaged the Figurewatch's cloaked stealth mode, making it nearly invisible as she brought it to a crouch on the wide beach outside the tower. She knew Rebecca had to join her, but something told her they were about to walk into the most dangerous part of the mission so far, a total unknown. If possible, she would have liked to spare Rebecca that danger... "Before she arrives, I will enter the tower and deal with any hostiles." Instead of drawing any weapon, as the android departed the cockpit, each of the fingers of her left hand pulled inward, revealing holes in the end. Each of those was capable of firing a laser of variable output: at high output, they could easily cut through steel, so she wasn't concerned about her own defense.

The android approached the doorway in near silence. She didn't have a stealth mode like her unit, but she was capable of moving almost noiselessly like an expert infiltrator. When she reached the heavy wooden door at the base of the tower, she considered cutting through...

... Then, she began to reconsider. This tower had no defenses she could see at all. Even in terms of primitive defenses, there were no moats or apparently stationed guards. In fact... the area surrounding this tower was almost entirely water, with no neighbors in sight. That raised all sorts of even more confusing questions for her, but it was unimportant. The important thing was there was nothing indicating hostility, and there was a ring knocker on the door. Remembering her mission on behalf of the squadron invited diplomacy first, the android simply tried that, hiding her weapon hand behind her back and preparing to instantly whip it out if she sensed danger, or shift it back if she didn't.

When she knocked, there was a sound like a large snore building... Then a sudden pop, and a startled murmuring. Then, some shuffling, more muttering... Finally, the door opened. Haruka was greeted by the last thing she'd expected to see, a somewhat chubby woman, apparently human, in a safari outfit. In spite of the snoring Haruka just heard, the woman seemed to be fully awake and full of pep. "Greetings! I'm Lockhart." She extended her hand for a shake; Haruka warily extended her non-weapon hand, keeping the other hidden. "I'm guessing you're here for the crystal in this tower and the associated adventure? Same as me! I'm feeling more awake and ready than ever, so this must mean the first part of this dream is an adventure! I'll take a nap later."

Haruka shook her head, not comprehending. "The first part of this dream is an adventure" sounded enough like a generic pep talk that she assumed what she'd just heard was some human turn of phrase she didn't know. "You're after the crystal, though? Very well. Are you alone?" As Haruka said it, she noticed some strange presences floating around Lockhart... presences she couldn't seem to scan, but which she didn't interpret as hostile.

"Uh... Basically, yeah," Lockhart muttered, playing with the whip that had been hanging at her side as though it was a new toy she didn't know how to use. "Wait, scanning...? Are you a robot? Or some kinda android?!"

"... Yes, I am some kind of android, "Haruka agreed. "The exact details of my nature are classified, but-"

"Haruka!" Rebecca's voice suddenly shouted from behind Haruka. It wasn't enough to make her jump, but it was definitely a surprise. "Can you... please take... this thing? It's so heavy...!"

When the android turned around, she saw Rebecca dragging the enormous cannon she'd requested behind her in the sand. Wordlessly, she took it from her captain and fixed it to her own shoulder. It was about the size of a small tree trunk, but the android, built with the most advanced human and alien technology, didn't seem bothered or encumbered by the weight at all. What was more concerning for her... "How did Rebecca get here so quickly carrying this? Where is the landing craft? It certainly does not have a stealth mode like the Figurewatch... She must know I would have these questions. If she is not saying anything, it must be she doesn't trust Lockhart. I will remain silent for now."

Rebecca thanked her, then turned to Lockhart. "I'm Captain Rebecca Astara, eager to get moving."

"I'm Lockhart, eager to get going! Let's," the adventurer proclaimed, turning with a goofy smile of determination and stamping into the dark lair ahead of them.

"A succinct introduction," Haruka noted. "She is avoiding giving Lockhart any information. I must keep my guard up as well..."

The trio advanced into the darkness. Who could know what kind of traps and danger lie in wait for them in the ever-shifting tower, or how far they'd have to travel?