Each Fighting Alone

--3:49 AM, June 18, 2043--

Changbai was unforgettable when he went all out. No matter what opinions the people of Shatterdome held about Seti Andrews, they had to admit that Changbai's offensive was extraordinarily fierce.

In terms of operating systems, Changbai surpassed his brothers. He could make more reactions and movements in the same amount of time; in armor thickness, Changbai stood above the rest; and finally, there was his most important trait—his ferocity. Even Shandong considered himself inferior in that regard.

The second batch of Seventh-generation heavy Jaegers truly lived up to their reputation.

'Viper Two' could not cause Changbai much trouble. As one half of a split creature, its tonnage had been drastically reduced, and the kinetic energy behind each attack had been halved as well. Changbai quickly recovered from his initial disadvantage and began to counterattack.

He made a graceful sidestep like a cowboy, dodging 'Viper Two's' direct pounce. Then he abruptly fired the thrusters on his back, caught up to the monster, and answered with a savage blow. 'Viper Two's' body was once again carved open by the giant axe, deep wounds spraying blood everywhere. It roared and spat a stream of acid backward, forcing Changbai away before attempting to burrow down toward the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

But—Seti had already decided to end this battle.

"Where do you think you're going?!"

Seti sidestepped the acid, his fighting spirit blazing as he controlled Changbai to reach out with both hands and decisively seize 'Viper Two's' thick tail.

Then Seti spun at high speed on the motion platform like a discus thrower—Changbai immediately planted his left leg on the seafloor and swung his body, along with 'Viper Two,' through a full 360-degree turn!

"Go sleep forever!"

When Changbai's speed reached its peak, Seti released his grip—'Viper Two' instantly became a discus. It howled in panic, but its body helplessly flew five hundred meters before crashing viciously into the Pacific Ocean.

Changbai's attack had achieved an outstanding effect. 'Viper Two' was thrown completely dizzy, and when it staggered upright and raised its head again, the sea surface had already become brilliantly illuminated.

'Viper Two's' vision blurred—those lights came from the Chinooks' floodlights and the Jaegers' navigation lamps, but the brightest of all was the cold silver gleam shining from the muzzle of the "Improved I-23 Heavy Ion Cannon."

"A full snake banquet." Seti grinned smugly at the stunned 'Viper Two.'

"Commencing immediately—"

Boom!

Amid an earthshaking roar, plasma as thick as a truck blasted out of the barrel and struck 'Viper Two' squarely!

There was no other possible outcome.

In an instant, it was torn to pieces by the energy blast!

This sight brought hope to everyone in the Command Center. Maybe... Jiang Tianzheng thought. Maybe Changbai can turn the tide. Then Seti will also become a core member of the Savior Program. Of course, that was only a possibility.

While Changbai and 'Viper Two' fought tooth and nail, Tang Jia was also fighting for his survival.

FL's abdominal armor had already vanished, exposing the various transmission systems and silicon-based life-form skeleton beneath. Fortunately, they still remained intact and would not cause FL to snap in half.

FL's hands had suffered the worst damage. The 609MM Heavy Cannon on its right arm had been completely destroyed in several collisions. It could only hang from the remaining stump like a severed limb. Tang Jia felt that it was affecting the Jaeger's balance, so he tore it off himself. But do not forget—its nerves were still tightly connected to Tang Jia. What did that pain feel like? Only a burly man like Tang Jia could know.

FL's left hand was just as battered. The 'Tesla Electromagnetic Barrier' had long since lost its function under 'Viper's' fierce assault. Three of its five fingers had lost power, and the arm itself was covered in wounds and gaping tears.

Although Tang Jia had given his all and inflicted several wounds on 'Viper' as well, the situation was extremely grim.

'Viper' finally attacked FL's defenseless abdomen—it lashed out with its heavy tail, and the torque system in FL's abdomen immediately erupted in sparks. The sound of its running engines slowly began to die away.

The brutal duel started by 'Viper' was nearing its end. FL's lower body could no longer move, and it had completely lost its mobility. FL was now nothing more than a giant target over a hundred meters tall.

"FL has lost combat capability!" a staff member reported. At the same time, red warning lights lit up one after another on the sub-screen in the Command Center displaying FL's current condition. Everyone understood that he was at the end of his rope.

"Tang Jia!" Although 'Gecko' was still stationed above Shatterdome, Jiang Tianzheng calmly gave the order. "Open the ejection system immediately. Abandon the Jaeger and escape!"

"I..." Tang Jia's hesitant reply came through the communicator. "I still have to avenge my younger brother..."

"Evacuate immediately!" Jiang Tianzheng repeated loudly.

Just then, 'Viper's' final blow sent FL crashing down completely, and it gradually sank beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

One second later, a strange noise immediately sounded through the communicator—when everyone recognized its source, their faces changed dramatically—it was the sound of surging seawater flooding through the breach in the cockpit!

Along with it came Tang Jia's loud cry of alarm!

"Open the drainage ports immediately!" Jiang Tianzheng ordered at once, though he knew it might already be too late.

Drowning had always been a common cause of pilot deaths. Eighteen years ago, the raging waters of Victoria Harbour had claimed the lives of five heroes—'Crimson Typhoon,' 'Cherno Alpha,' and their pilots had all been laid to rest there.

And at this very moment, another life was struggling desperately in the icy waters of Victoria Harbour.

"I... already opened the drainage ports!" Tang Jia replied through the communicator between coughs. "Starting the ejection now!"

Fortunately, 'Viper' had already lost interest in FL and did not continue its pursuit. Tang Jia had finally bought himself this precious time to escape.

A moment later, the escape pod in FL's head ejected successfully. It left a trail across the sea surface and gradually sailed out of the battlefield. In the Command Center, everyone finally let out the breath they had been holding.

However, after FL lost its combat capability, 'Viper' immediately turned and lunged toward Changbai, who had destroyed 'Viper Two'!

"Changbai! Watch out for 'Viper'!" Jiang Tianzheng said in a low voice. "FL has been destroyed. 'Viper' is heading your way!"

"Perfect!"

Changbai, having just destroyed 'Viper Two,' was riding high. Seti had been wondering where to vent his frustration!

Changbai strode forward and squared off against the original 'Viper' from afar. When enemies met, their eyes burned red with hatred.

Changbai shook the giant axe in his right hand, while 'Viper' bared its sharp fangs.

Neither side said a word. They charged straight at each other!