ZOE'S POV

I am Zoe Sherman! And my duty now is to protect my new commander, Sergeant Luciano Grazzini! Hmmm...now that I think about it, my new commander's name sounds too long. Maybe I should call him by another name instead?...

"Jumbo, do your thing!"

Jumbo, my pet turret, launched an AP (Armor-piercing) round on the enemy racoon. It did not hit him, but I managed to suppress him into backing off!

Advancing closer...70 meters...60...50 meters...

Eventually, I had the racoon cornered in a nearby ruined building. I was about to kill it when all of the sudden, three explosions hit me. I managed to dodge the blasts and quickly scanned the area.

...two...no...three more Beast Tanks! They're all monkey-types!

I realized I have been led to a trap. Four enemies: one racoon SPG (Self-Propelled gun), two monkey LTs (Light Tanks) and one MT (Medium Tank). This is not good....

I retreated quickly before they got me encircled or cornered. I rushed towards a small hill, shooting them while on the run. However, the enemy MT fired a HE round, blasting me away. I fell and lost my balance.

A normal person should have already died from that blast, but not for a Metal Maiden like myself! It still hurted for a bit though...ow...

I tried to get back up, before long, those four Beast Tanks have arrived too close to my position. No choice - I have to fight them. Close quarters combat.

I rushed towards the enemy racoon SPG. I fired shells at the other tanks hoping to distract them. I noticed that they were not in formation, leaving open space between their ranks. I passed through that space and rushed towards the two LAVs, accelerated right through them, flanked the racoon on my left, and fired at him. It was a hit!

Enemy SPG disabled. Now for the other...ahh!!

Quickly, the monkey MT charged and rammed me, throwing me off guard. My armor could not withstand the impact so I got thrown off unto a wall. Then the other two monkeys blasted me with their ACPR rounds. OUCH!

I suffered heavy damage. I could barely move in the broken debris when another explosion knocked me out. I lost consciousness, my vision got blurred. I thought that I might die here.

...guess it's too early to die. Just before I lost my vision, I saw the enemy blasted away. Then two figures came towards them. Then...then...I heard a blurry noise...it sounded like...like...someone...calling my name...*thud*

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LUCIANO'S POV

"Raisa! Shoot that MT! Lenny, suppress the other two LAVs and get them distracted!"

"ROGER!"

I ran as fast I could towards Zoe as the other two Metal Maidens attacked the enemy. I was lucky to find them when Zoe left earlier.

No way will I leave her behind and drive away to safety. She's my first recruit, we have not yet known each other, so there is no way she should die this early!

"Zoe! Zoe! ZOE!!" I called her name as I tried to wake her up. She didn't so I had to carry her back in the car. While doing that, I watched my reinforcements in action.

"LENNY! Need a hand?! I done knocking out this monkey's turret!", said Raisa as she ran around the damaged MT.

"I can handle this. Don't bother.", said Lenny as she zoomed her way towards one of the monkey LAVs. She managed to put herself in an angle where the other LAV accidently shot his ally, then Lenny jumped over the damaged LAV and shot the other LAV from the air, killing him. Amazing!

Meanwhile, Raisa taunted the MT she's facing after damaging his tracks. Then she shot him with a powerful shell.

"Bye bye! *crazy grin*", then boom, the MT was dead. God, please don't tell me she's a yandere.

I watched them walk back to me as I placed Zoe at the car. They're really strong Metal Maidens. Raisa Stalina and Lenny Heymann.

Raisa is a LT (Light Tank) type MS-1 Metal Maiden. Light purple hair, short (I might not have to remind her that though), and is generally nice as long as you don't piss her off and call her "short". On the other hand, Lenny hardly shows emotion, does not lose her cool, skilled, and...well...I might need to talk to her more. Those two girls are great scouts, and also great fighters. Just what I need.

In case you're wondering how I got to know them in such a short amount of time, it's because I know how to talk quickly with people. Don't get it? You'll find out later...

"Enemy has been neutralized.", said Lenny.

"Good work. Thanks for the assist. We'll be off now." I said, expecting that those two will go somewhere and continue their operations. But then...

"Sir, may we request to escort you through the countryside?", said Raisa.

"Thank you. I appreciate your kindness."

"Just doing our job. Nothing personal.", said Lenny in a way like she doesn't care anyway.

Thus, it was four of us who drove off to Frunze Academy. Or maybe not Frunze...for now.

"......we've noticed increased activity of Beast Tanks in the regions we are located in now. I believe it is not safe yet to travel directly to Frunze." Lenny explained as we travelled cautiously. During the trip, we discussed about the current situation of this Gallian region. Information like enemy movement, number of Metal Maidens assigned, and terrain included.

"I understand, but it is not safe for us to just hide randomly anywhere either. Is there any town nearby we can hide in for the meantime?"

"THE CITY OF LOVE!", Raisa said with an upbeat tone.

"You mean Paris?", I asked. Moments later...

"P-PARIS!! Did someone said that?!" exclaimed Zoe, who until now has been unconscious since that skirmish a while ago.

"Finally, you're awake, Zoe."

"C-commander!? Uhh?...and you two are...?"

"Nice to meet you. Raisa Stalina at you're service!"

"Lenny Heymann. That is all."

"Oh! Uh...umm...I'm Zoe Sherman!! Nice to meet you too!!"

After she woke up, the three Metal Maidens talked with each other, about what happened, their abilities, and some random stuffs. Especially Zoe.

"Wow! I never thought you were that strong! I guess being short has it's advantages!"

"Wow, nice choice of words Zoe!", said Raisa in a seemingly happy tone...

"Really? Why is tha - "

Raisa punched Zoe really hard.

OOOOUCH!!

Sigh. What an airhead. I hope she doesn't pass out again...

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A/N: Next chapter will come next week...or some day. It will be about Raisa and Lenny, yuri moments, and Paris. Yeah :3