Chapter 35: The Cost of a Slacker’s Smile
The scene opens in the scorched garden, the air heavy with the smell of ozone and burnt flesh.
R98 stood perfectly still, his left shoulder a cauterized mess of ruined suit and missing limb. Across from him, Miyeru struggled to her feet, her breathing shallow and jagged.
R56 walked up to R98’s side, his movements heavy with exhaustion. He glanced at the empty space where R98's arm used to be and let out a tired, dry smirk.
"Hey, idiot. That arm is going to be a nightmare to explain to R_N."
R98 finally moved, his "Alien God" persona replaced by an annoyed pout. He snapped his head toward R56.
"What the hell are you talking about, old hag?! You’d rather have that dagger in your heart? This was the only window for a point-blank explosive. Thankfully, I triggered my suit’s Kinetic Shielding Mode just in time to stay in one piece."
R56’s expression flared with sudden anger.
"How many times have I told you not to act recklessly? Even if I died here, HQ would just boot up another 'me' to replace the lost data! You didn't have to throw an arm away for a replaceable unit!"
R98 and R56 stared at each other for a tense second before both broke out into genuine, childish laughter.
It was a bizarre, jarring sound that echoed through the garden—humor that no human in Genova could possibly understand.
Even Miyeru stared at them with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"I can't believe you actually blew your arm off," R56 wheezed, shaking his head.
"Commendable for a slacker like you."
"Yeah, it was hilarious," R98 laughed, though a bead of sweat rolled down his face.
"To think I’d lose a limb for a senior as grumpy as you. Anyway, it looks like we’re in for a long lecture from R_N... and probably some 'Character Roleplay' punishments. But tell me—did R76 finish his job?"
R56’s face smoothed into a professional mask.
"He’s almost done. It’s only a matter of time."
R98 smirked and turned his gaze back to Miyeru. He gestured with his remaining hand toward the smoldering remains of his left arm on the grass.
"Hey, didn't you say you'd wipe your tears with my arm? There it is. Go ahead. Wipe away."
Miyeru stood in deafening silence.
Her fingers trembled against the hilts of her daggers.
"I will kill you," she whispered, her voice a low, vibrating hum of pure malice.
"I’LL KILL ALL OF YOU!"
She tried to lunge forward, but her knees buckled. She slammed into the dirt, her body finally succumbing to the trauma of the blast.
R98 looked down at her fallen form with clinical coldness.
"You severely underestimated us, Variable. The 'humanity' you claim to fight for is exactly what’s holding you back now. Not because you’re weak... but because you still have the capacity to feel pain."
Miyeru didn't answer immediately.
She forced herself back up, her eyes glowing with a violent, unstable purple light.
"You're wrong," she hissed.
"I will burn my very soul if it means protecting my brother!"
A massive, spiraling vortex of purple magic erupted from her body, cracking the ground and pushing the Rangers back.
R56 tasted blood on his tongue and glanced at R98.
"Was that taunt really necessary? You just triggered her Final Form."
R98 looked equally terrified, his eyes wide as the purple energy singed his hair.
"Well... haven't we had enough? R76 is almost there. Let’s go gambling, bro!"
R56 smirked and nodded, drawing his star-plasma gun and checking the charge.
"Let’s finish the shift."
To be continued...
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