Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again.-Chapter 587: Martyrs or heroes?

Outside, the scene was a total disaster_ less of a strategic battle and more like a high-speed car crash involving a lot of sharp teeth and devouring flames. It was a messy, poorly timed nightmare where the army seemed to be swinging at the creatures and missing by a mile.

Through the reinforced glass of the walkway, Sunshine watched another Glacian soldier get swatted aside by a creature that looked like a cross between a piranha and a star fish. "They were not so prepared for this," she muttered, her nose practically pressed against the glass. "It’s painful to watch."

"Sunshine, we need to move!" Princess Lita called out, her voice tight. "The guards say the security perimeter is_" She stopped, noticing Sunshine had gone completely still and she seemed to have no intention of moving forward. The Princess retraced her steps, her heavy regal robes swishing against the floor. "Why have you stopped? This is not the time for a dramatic pause. We need to get to safety. The repairman council does not take it lightly when their people are harmed in a war of another world."

"I need those suits the soldiers are wearing," Sunshine said with grit, ignoring everything else that that the princess was saying.

The lead guard frowned "The soldiers use for deep-trench combat. Why would you want it?"

"Princess, please," another guard interrupted, his hand hovering near his sword hilt. "We have a protocol to follow. You must reach the iron reef vaults within twenty minutes. This... earthling... needs to keep walking as well and if she does not wish to be taken to safety, she can be left to her own means."

Lita didn’t even look at him. She was busy staring at Sunshine, her eyes narrowing. "You can have the suits. I’ll give you as many as you want. But why?" She paused, her eyes widening as the realization hit. "Do not tell me you want to go out there."

Sunshine offered a lopsided, slightly manic grin. "Okay, I won’t tell you. But hypothetically? If I were to go out there, I’d stop those things in five minutes."

A guard scoffed. "Five minutes! You are just a repairman. I would not doubt you if this was about tinkering with machines, but this is a fight against creatures even, we could not defeat in thirty minutes."

"It’s also suicide!" the guard barked. "Those creatures have skin that deflects standard pulse-blades. Half our squad is floating face-down and unconscious! The king will kill us if you go out there.... we know you are a favorite of his."

Nine nodded. "Pump some sense into her."

"Trust me.... your highness." Sunshine said, "I would not go there if I was not sure that I can end this battle. Now I am going to go out there with or without you. So, are you giving me the suit or should I swim out as I am?"

The princess nodded, pointing a thumb toward the armory lockers where the Glacian military dry suits were docked. "Axel will escort you and give you a suit.... the rest of us will continue to the nursery."

They reached the textile armory_ a massive silver building with reinforced doors. Axel keyed in a code and the doors hissed open.

Sunshine stepped inside_ and stopped dead.

Her eyes widened.

Rows and rows of military dry and wet suits stood in illuminated glass cases. Not like the basic dive suits she had seen before. These were sleek. Seamless. Silver-black material that looked both soft and indestructible.

Integrated oxygen regulators. Thermal control panels.

Hydro-thrusters built into the calves.

They did not look like clothing; they looked like weapons.

"System, how come you never gave me one of these?"

[Host, a reminder that you are always on a budget and prefer the cheap stuff. One dry suit here costs at least 12,000,000 in gold coins alone.]

Sunshine froze.

"What?" she shouted.

Nine jumped. "What? What happened?"

She blinked rapidly.

Nine frowned. "Are you startled because I said you are trying so hard to kill us?"

Sunshine stared at the suit. "...No, I am just amazed by how nice this suit is."

Axel cleared his throat. "These suits are designed for combat at extreme oceanic depths. They can withstand pressure, acid, electricity_"

"Good," Sunshine said quickly, grabbing one. "And let’s move on with it."

Nine groaned. "I cannot believe this is happening." He picked up a suit reluctantly.

Sunshine was already stepping into the suit. "Think positive, Nine we are going to save an entire territory, we will be heroes."

Nine growled as he struggled to get one leg through a sleeve.

Axel helped seal their suits. The helmet clicked into place around Sunshine’s head. The display inside lit up softly.

Temperature stable. Oxygen full, pressure control active.

She flexed her fingers. It felt... powerful.

Nine fumbled with his helmet. "I hate water," he muttered.

"That has become a song," Sunshine said.

She reached into her bag and pulled out two pairs of specialized gloves from Ala’s collection.

Nine stared as she handed him a pair. "Is this supposed to give me extra warmth?"

"Put them on." Sunshine instructed.

He examined them suspiciously, after the orange beacon he was not just taking things from Sunshine without asking questions. "Are these safe?"

"I think so." She answered.

"What does that mean?" He asked, curiously.

She showed him how it worked. "It means aim and shoot...the enemy turns to ash."

Nine squinted at her. "Really! Do you know how insane you sound? Also, the repairman disaster rescue agency has been calling us for five minutes now."

Sunshine laughed softly." They must want to evacuate us. Vortan must also be looking for us," she said quietly. She slipped on the gloves. "Ready?"

Nine shook his head immediately. "No."

"Good. Let’s go." She shoved him out.

They exited the armory at a run, entered a transport pod which took them to an exit. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Any second thoughts?" Axel looked at them. "You do know that you are going to be eaten right?"

"Yes....yes...." Nine squealed. He refused to exit the transport pod.

Sunshine could see the fear in his eyes. He was trembling so much that he would be useless even if he followed her. She decided to leave him behind. "Nine stay back and begin with the repairs and once I am done, I will join you."

"And let you take all the credit for being a martyr or hero? No way. If I’m going to be miserable, I’m going to be miserable right next to you," Nine said stubbornly. His mandibles were clicking nervously. "Partners, right?"

She didn’t give him a chance to back out. She grabbed his hand and leaped.

SPLASH!