Chapter Two: Astra-X Awakens

"Today, I do not retreat." Astra-X launched. It pierced the rust-colored storm, the burning clouds, and the intercepting fire of the Void mech swarm. Blue wings carved a straight line through the sky, as if someone had split the darkness over Helios-9 with a giant sword. The Void scout ship completed its charge. A purple-black beam fell toward the city. Leon did not dodge. Astra-X collided with the cannon beam head-on. At that moment, every screen in the mining city went white. Everyone thought the mech would be vaporized. At the center of the light, Astra-X's chest core opened a second structure. A dark blue shield spread before the frame and held against the orbital cannon. The impact drove the mech back into the atmosphere. Armor cracked.