The Emperor's Jubilee II

[Nanoha Takamachi]

Rapid heartbeats filled Nanoha's ears for the first few moments after they had finished dispatching the last of the ambushing robots; she could feel her pulse racing with the thrill of a fight already invading her system. Training and teaching others was that which she loved but ultimately her greatest skill and calling was for combat and it was at moments like these where her body felt so alive that were the strongest reminders.

However, it was not the most comfortable of situations to be in; ambushed, regardless of how much she expected that eventuality, and teamed up with two people she barely knew and had never seen fight. They had worked together well, but in such a dire and sudden situation instinct and discipline would take over. Only time could tell if more measured combat encounters would lead to teamwork as cohesive as this had been.

While she heard Samus managing to contact Dredd, Nanoha quickly assessed her assets. Linker Core was fine- the exertions from the battle were not so great as to affect her mana reserves much- and Raising Heart's systems were functioning well within operating parameters. Her barrier jacket was undamaged, but the final explosion had caused some superficial lacerations.

"Raising Heart, Auto-Guard: Protection." Nanoha murmured, infusing her Device with another charge of the quick-fire defensive spell. It was obvious they were going to need it again soon.

Auto-Guard system loaded. Systems functioning nominally. Standby, Ready.

Ultimately, the plan Samus suggested was sound. The only real choice they had, even. As she watched the portal above begin to reopen, she turned back toward Samus, "Summon them one at a time. If we're going to get overwhelmed the two of you can take one and I'll get my self out of here. I'd rather we get one whole bike than half of three."

Samus, clearly already concentrating on drawing out her Omnilium, nodded in agreement. It was a good idea to use the unique assets their team had.

Nanoha turned back to the android next to her as the first wave began to erupt through the portal. "Blues, you take front line, I'll give you fire support. Don't go too far, so I can get a barrier up if those nastier ones get out of hand."

"Sounds good to me!" Was his quick reply, before the deafening hum of the incoming foes drowned out his soft-spoken voice.