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"ADA, I think we should look into the MLDF, but lets just observe them for now. I doubt they would go to the trouble of making five frame-runners and not have them enter into the story one way or another, so we will have to deal with them eventually. We should go see what we can find out about them."

[Roger. Based on my records, I recommend observing from a distance and if hailed, making clear that you are not entering the battle.] Jehuty has started moving along a path indicated by an arrow on the HUD. The flight is obviously fast but surprisingly smooth and quiet.

"You're advising me to be a coward?"

[That is not the best way to say it, but yes.]

"You're the one with the records," you say shrugging. You assume this will advance the story and is scripted. It won't be the first time you underestimate the LyfLyk tonight, nor the last.

Jehuty stops and changes it's posture to upright. Your eyes expand as the city below does the same. A massive Martian city unfolds over a chain of mountains gradually, like a woman stripping and even in your current position, you can't see the entire town. It must be the size of two or three Los Angeleses. Buildings reach up toward the orange sky only to topple a moment later. The ground is covered with damaged LEVs and piles of metal that used to be LEVs. The sky is filled with circling Raptors and a few Cyclopes. The middle is occupied by lasers, mostly going down, bullets and one or two falling mechs. The city is getting it's ass handed to it.

"What the hell!? I thought the MLDF was good at what they did? How are they losing?"

[Only a few of the damaged LEVs are MLDF. The rest are the city's own defenses.]

"What about those frames? Are any of them here?"

[Scanning...I am detecting three orbital frames that differ greatly from what are commonly considered enemies.]

"Can you tell their performance?"

[All three are of different efficiencies. However, while only one is a match for Jehuty at it's full potential, all have a high advantage over Jehuty in it's current state. I advise you to put up all available defenses.]

Before you can do so, the three frames ADA mentioned appear. One comes in fast from the distance, bashing and chopping mechs along the way until it reaches the other side of the swarm. A wide path of space is cleared in it's wake. This frame is red with bronze armor-like details. When it stops, you can see its carrying a halberd and small (comparatively) shield. It pauses only for a second, as though admiring it's handiwork, before beginning a new swath of destruction. ADA's displays blink red twice then return to normal.

The second bursts out from a mostly destroyed building, carrying two I-beams like clubs. The silver and gold mech has a feminine appearance, much like Neith, but it's actions are far from ladylike as it smashes through wave after wave of advancing Raptors. Still, though it is basically clubbing them, it moves elegantly, like a dancer using batons. It stops and looks in your direction.

The third, you can't tell what it looks like because all you can see of it is a cloud of distortion, followed by a flash of light and then it vanishes. You observe it, trying to predict where it will appear next so you can have ADA analyze it, but you figure it out yourself. Why one frame is as good as Jehuty at it's peak.

The third frame can use Zero Shift.

[We are receiving an incoming transmission from one of the orbital frames. Shall I connect it?]

"Yes," you say, wondering if it was smart. They might transmit a virus or something.

An image comes up in the communications area of the HUD. It looks like a globe tattooed onto a human hand with a red lightning bolt through it. Above it is written "The time of Earth is over; the time of Mars has dawned" and below "Mars Liberation and Defense ****" and the whole thing is on a gold background. You expect the voice to be deep and distorted artificially like a witness on a cop show. Instead, you instantly recognize the voice of Wendee Lee, sounding like Haruhi Suzumiya doing a Konata Izumi fangirling bit. The runner sounds like she skipped school to fight in this war.

"Is that Orbital Frame Jehuty," she asks, almost giddy.

"...yes." You feel that same doubt as to whether that was the right choice to admit that.

"Oh, wow! I never thought I'd actually see her! She looks so amazing! Boss, you were right! Its Jehuty! She's really here!" This person sounds like she's Jehuty's biggest fan. If she weren't a terrorist, that could make a good in to test how the LyfLyk handles sexual intentions. Then again, she is only taking virtual lives and her voice does sound cute. Not to mention, this is a game and how many ugly girls are in games, really? These thoughts are interrupted as the giant silver face of a Japanese demon stares you in the face from outside of Jehuty and you almost soil the cockpit. It looks for a few seconds.

[A second transmission is being received. Shall I connect?]

"Yes," you say, this time sure. If the first was a cute girl, maybe this one is too. A second MLDF logo appears, this one with a black background with falling cherry blossoms. The voice that comes out is indeed female, but lower, less cute and far less pleased to see you.

"Are you challenging us," it asks simply. You say you aren't. "Then what are you doing here? And don't tell me you just happened by in a Frame like that."

"I got a distress signal and came to investigate it," you say a bit timidly and forgetting that you are in Jehuty after all.

"Go back," the second woman commands. "I don't know who made the call, but they were wrong. The situation is well under control."

You're about to turn and leave when the first voice breaks in. "Sorry, Commander Wakazashi! I-I was the one who made the call!"

"You," both you and the commander say.

"Yes. I know it was behavior not befitting of a member of the MLDF, but I think Lady Jehuty could be a God!"

The commander pauses. "Interesting. Well, runner of Jehuty? Are you God or are you Devil?"

...wait, did cute-voice just call it "Lady Jehuty"?