The salvage unit starts to pivot its weapon toward the street. Then a sleek frame drops from the scaffolding above, landing hard between Chiaki Kaname and the machine.
Homura Akemi rises on her specialized gear, one arm steady, muzzle locked on the corporate chassis. The whole block goes quiet under the emergency lights.
Homura Akemi
Step back. This lane is blocked.
The Mechanized Unit
Interference detected. Civilian removal priority remains unchanged.
Its outer armor hangs open, exposed actuators twitching as it recalculates. Chiaki has a narrow opening now, with the newcomer holding the line.
Homura Akemi
If you are protecting someone behind you, now is the time to move. I can keep it busy.
“Right. (I call down Starlight. My armored Core)”
SUCCESS (Great Piloting, rolled -3)
Chiaki cuts right, and the lane answers with a thunderous impact. Starlight drops from above in a wash of armored shadow, servos screaming as the frame locks into place between the house and the hostile unit.
Dust rolls off its plating. The impact shakes loose a rain of grit from the scaffolding, and emergency lights slide across its hull like red searchlines.
Chiaki Kaname
Starlight, engage.
The mecha settles into a guarding stance, shoulder weapons angling outward while its bulk seals the approach to Madoka's House.
Homura Akemi
Good. Keep it in front of you.
Across the street, the Mechanized Unit adjusts its aim, but the new wall of armor has already claimed the corridor. For the first time tonight, the path to the family house is blocked by Chiaki's own machine.
The Mechanized Unit
Target obstruction confirmed. Reprioritizing.
Quest Complete
Protect the family house from the hostile unit
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Fair→Good