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"She has returned! Ra'yui has come back to us!" People bowed down as Ratchet walked through the primitive city.

Dante looked at her, "Oh... my full name is Ra'yui Pon'chet. I go by Ratchet now, simpler and easier to say."

"And the people bowing down? That requires a bit more explanation."

An older woman in a very elaborate gown walked towards them. She wasn't alone, she had some warriors with her, "Welcome home. The temple has missed your presence. Please, come with us. Your blessings are sorely needed."

Dante sighed, "That isn't helping any you know. Ratchet, hurry it up. We've got shit to do and I'm finding this hard to care about."

The old woman snarled, "You will address Abuio's priestess properly! Insolent creature. We know who you are. The messages from the other cities label you as "The Beast." You should leave our world of peace."

Ratchet spoke to a younger fox, who shortly ran off, "Don't talk to him that way. We are here for only a few things before I leave again. I have things I need to do, and people I care about."

Dante was staring blankly, "I have a nickname now? Figures. I can't do anything without getting some sort of attention. Ratchet, hurry it up." There was a beep, so he checked his computer, "Well that's new, Jill usually tells me this stuff in person." He spent a few moments reading.

"See you on the ship!" Dante turned to see Ratchet running away, a few differently shaped bags in her hands."

Dante shrugged, "At least she can run." He began to walk, when he felt two hands grab his arms, "I do not recommend that."

"Take us to your ship, we will have our priestess returned!"

Dante spun around, grabbed the arms, and quickly pushed them back and yanked them forward again. The two warriors dropped to the ground, screaming in agony as Dante casually walked away, "I have more things to deal with than you can imagine. So fuck off." He heard an order to fire, so he ran.

..........................................

"Ratchet, do that again and I'll make you fight without armor. Now what did you get?"

She giggled while she spread out on the couch in the lounge, "Some things. Like my bow, some arrows, clothes, and a few trinkets. I'm shocked, I would think The Beast would ask questions about Abuio and my role at my home."

Dante shook his head, "What, in all the time of you knowing me, could possibly make you think I would do that? If it's not necessary, it's not worth my breath. Hey, AI. Get Sere and Jill up here."

Almost as soon as he said that, Sere walked into the lounge, "Hi! I looked at the replacement armor and it's like you thought: a few pieces of metal and a really basic shield. The kind of thing given to grunts. So I messed around a bit, added a tiny generator and some new upgrades. Not as much weather resistance, but definitely more impact resistant. Also, I added a new belt for for Anima. It'll last longer, and she won't move as much."

Dante nodded, "Good job, how's that project I asked you about?"

Ratchet sat up as Sere scratched her cheek, "Well, I have most of the lists done. Also, I made a few more Angel Grenades from what we already had, they're in your room. Not sure where we can get all the parts though."

"And our ammunition?"

"Fully stocked, we could take down an army!"

"That'll be all. Keep checking on things, and if you see Jill tell her to move it. Double time."

Sere nodded, then skipped off. Dante turned around to see Ratchet flexing her bow, eying up an arrow, "Just as I left it. Well, some dust. But the carvings are right, the give is perfect. I missed this old thing. Hey, want to give her a feel?" All Dante had to do was raise an eyebrow, "What? I know you know how to use one, and she's oh so smooth."

"Dante! I have big news. Well, troubling. Confusing. Uh..."

"Spit it out Jill."

She took a breath, "I know we have a mission lined up, but... I got news that my home planet is in trouble. Like, big trouble. Someone at a kingdom is hiring mercenaries and attacking villages. The last one standing is where I grew up. They are packed with refugees. One more attack and they're done for. We can't let that happen. And! And we will get paid! The person who told me can pay us!"

Dante opened his computer, typed in something, then, "Alright. You'll be our guide. First we pick up Cratis and her men. Then we go. Who's paying?"

Jill looked away, "An old friend of mine. But don't worry! She'll pay well! She won't be able to help though."

"Fine, just the way I like it. Get ready, and tell the others to get ready. If we're getting into as much trouble as you say, I want as many weapons prepared as we can. And get Titus and Chey to help with heavy weapons and ammo packs. We won't get caught off guard."

Jill pounced and hugged Dante, "Thank you! Thank you so much! We'll be ready!"

Ratchet bent her head to watch Jill leave, "Huh... didn't think that was gonna happen. I'm not much for multiple enemies you know. But I could fire a rifle."

"You'll take out long range snipers and heavy units. Then we'll put a rifle in your hands. So you get ready too."

....................................

The Albatross landed at the agreed upon location and was met by Cratis and her men, "Commander Dante, we're all set." Cratis was wearing body armor, but no helmet. It was police armor, but serviceable. Her men had full armor, including helmets with thin visors. Dante carefully scanned the men, "Is something the matter?"

Dante didn't say a word, "Uh, follow me please. I'll show you where you can set your things and rest up." Titus looked at Dante as Cratis and her men boarded the Albatross, "Hey, you alright?"

Dante looked up, "This is gonna get messy. Also, keep an eye on Cratis. I don't trust her yet. And her men... I'd rather not think about anything else."

On the ship, Titus finished showing the men to their rooms and was about to show Cratis to her room, "Hey, Lieutenant Titus. How has your time with Dante been? Just thought I'd ask since I'll be on his crew."

"It's been... uh. It's been an experience you won't find anywhere. He's crazy, but he gets results. As long as you follow his orders, everything goes well. Except for last time, but..."

Cratis nodded, "I was talking to Dante about that. Something wasn't right about that mission, and he knew it from the start. Sorry about the loss though. So he said something about a mission near that strange city. Crime lords or something."

Titus leaned against a wall, "Actually, one of our crew members got a new message, so we're going with her mission. It's gonna be tough, but if you and your men survive Dante will be your best friend. Big "if" though, sounds like we're going to hell."

She smiled, "Good, I'd expect no less from The Beast. I want to prove myself and see some action. See you on the battlefield then Lieutenant."

"It's Titus. Just Titus. We don't use titles on this ship that much."

"Alright Titus. Actually, do you have an intel about our mission?" He shook his head, "Damn. More fun for us then."

................................................

They landed a little behind the village, away from the presumed directions of the attacks. Everyone left the ship, carrying ammo and guns. Rachel was carrying a portable medical case to treat any immediate injuries for the village people, "Dante, what is this?"

The people (all feline) were dirty, scared, huddled together in what little shelter the residents of the village could put together. There were a lot of tents, so Jill took the lead, "Come on, to the center. We can meet with the people in charge."

Dante looked at his crew, "Everyone, set up as discussed. I want a wide range, everyone should have spare ammunition. Sere, make sure the ammo is distributed properly, fix any immediate problems, then get back to the Albatross. I need you to monitor the ship. Remember: Focus is first on any vehicles, then on the enemies. Ratchet, set up on that hill over there. Join up with us when the heavies and snipers are gone. Jill, I'm with you for now. Rachel, you come with us too."

Zero Unit went to set up while the three made their way to the largest building, informally known to Jill as the town hall. She could never remember the name. Luckily, they were met outside by the village elder, "Is that... no. Who are you people? Are you the ones Isa sent?"

"Isa? We're here to take care of your problem. Is there an immediate need for any medical treatment?"

"Not that I can say. We have more need for food and protection."

"Can't help with that. Rachel, head back to the Albatross. Alright, we need to know everything we can about the attacks, and any people willing to fight would be helpful."

The elder sighed a long sigh, "We have no people who can fight. Rather, none who will leave their loved ones to go to battle. The attacks are from a man at the castle. He was an uncle to the princess, and is now power hungry. He has very few men of his own, but access to great riches. There is a group of men in yellow armor that fight for him. They come in great numbers, but from what I was told maybe a fraction have firearms."

Jill interrupted, "Sounds like Warbla mercenaries. They consist mainly of criminals and homeless citizens they find. Armor is usually basic, and weapons are all purchased by the individuals, so not many guns. Mostly melee, but since they have nothing to lose they fight harder than most."

Dante nodded, "Good. I need a fight. Keep your people as far away from the field as you can. Worst case scenario, we can hold them off until you can all flee. Jill, let's go. We have a battle to fight."

The two marched on, and set up where they needed to. Luckily, the native citizens put up some crude barricades. Not much cover against advanced weapons, but it could slow them down. Dante took a look around. His Unit was spread around to strategic points, "We're all set Dante."

"Alright, I'll scout ahead. Be ready." Dante set his spare ammunition down and walked out to the field. He actually walked for about three minutes before he saw the mass of mercenaries approaching. He stopped at stared.

"Hey, it's that human! There's a huge bounty on his head!" A few small ships flew over the massive group, "Play nice and we'll kill you quick!"

Dante had a small smirk on his face, and he tossed an Angel Grenade up and down in his hand, "Tell you what, if you can kill me in the next minute, I won't get the chance to fight back. Fair deal, right?" As soon as he saw guns drawn and heard the ships charging their cannons, he casually lobbed the grenade. The light screen popped up, and the mercenaries opened fire.

They screamed as every shot reflected directly back at them. Even a few ships fell to their own cannons. He turned, raised his hand, and flipped them off as he walked away, "Idiots. Killing themselves." The mercenaries fell one after another, but even Dante knew the barrier wouldn't last forever. After his people came into view, he heard the Angel Grenade detonate, "Funny. Hey! They're coming in heavy, get ready for anything. Though... they are pretty stupid."

A bullet flew just past his ear, so he leaped over the crude barricade and took his position, "I see him Dante." Ratchet pulled the trigger, "I'll keep an eye out for any long distance fighters."

Dante smirked as the mercenaries came into view, "As far as I care, they're the ones who took Angel. Kill them all." He would have assisted with the long range fighting, but he took a beam cannon instead of his sniper rifle, "Let's go!" He fired the cannon at a mass of enemies, who then blew up.

The rest of Zero Unit as well as the new police additions opened fire as soon as enemies entered their range. Titus had a rifle, but along with Chey, was using a make-shift gattling gun (compromised of a few pieces of wood, rope, tape, and heavy rifles. Ratchet was busy picking off anyone not carrying a rifle or shotgun, while the Albatross hovered just behind them and focused on the vehicles.

"H-hey Titus? This doesn't look good, there are a ton of them."

He growled over the gunfire, "Yeah, but Dante knows what he's doing. I hope. Just keep firing!"

Dante didn't let go of his trigger, even when he had to reload. The massive crowd still grew closer, and didn't show any signs of retreating yet. A few minutes passed, and still the enemy numbers had not decreased. By this time, Ratchet was by Jill. Dante did notice that most of the surviving enemies, if not all, carried melee weapons now, "Sere, charge the main cannon, not the burp cannon. Fire near the back of the group."

"Roger that." A few seconds passed, and the Albatross unleashed a full power blast to the rear of the mercenaries. They were still great in number, but now it was more manageable, "Dante, the battery is low, we can't fire any more."

"Dante, I'm almost out!"

"Same here!"

The shouts came from everywhere, even Dante noticed that he was on his last rifle clip, and his sidearms wouldn't be much use at a distance. He stopped firing for a moment, as the mercenaries were held up by the bodies that littered the landscape, "Alright everyone, we're low on ammo, but there are more ways to deal with a crowd like this." He looked towards the village, and saw a few people were standing, with any weapon or weapon-like object they could find, "They want this village and its people. I don't think I care for that." He walked up to the barricade and looked out on the advancing enemies, "Like I said, they are probably the ones who took out Angel. The least we could do for her is get some payback. If you want to run, I suggest you do it now."

Ratchet laughed, "I'm with you till the end Dante."

Jill smiled, "Same here!"

"Well if Jill is staying, so am I!" Chey was cheery.

Titus rolled his head and hopped on his toes, "We all gotta die sometime, right? Why not today? Ha!"

Cratis nodded, "I'm with you, so are my men."

Dante examined his rifle, then grabbed it as though it were a blunt object, "Alright then... no mercy!" He jumped over the barricade and bashed the butt of the rifle into a skull. Ratchet landed feet first on another and stabbed him with a knife. Everyone, including the armed villagers, began to attack.

Oddly enough, the gunfire didn't scare them, but the brutal ways that Zero Unit fought back made a few retreat. Dante looked up once after tackling and shooting one enemy and there was a cry, "It's The Beast! I wasn't told he was gonna be here, I'm gone!"

"Not so fast!" Dante pulled out his modified pistol and put a round in his head, "No prisoners, no survivors!"

Zero Unit gained ground against the remaining 100 or so mercenaries. However, they weren't fighting back at this point. They were in full retreat, showing just how frightened they were to their opponent. Always a losing strategy. Zero Unit cut them down one by one until, "Dante, one's too far."

He looked over, grabbed a knife dropped by one of the enemies, and threw it. It hit the attempted escapee in the head, "Done."

...........................................................................

In the village, after some time scrounging for ammunition and guns, an older man greeted them, "Hey, you're that mercenary unit that I heard about. I know you've helped us a lot, and I can't pay you now, but please, I beg of you, help us take down the man who was responsible for hiring those monsters. He is in the castle, so we can pay you after we're done."

Dante stared at the man. Titus noticed, it was the same look he gave to the officers accompanying Cratis, "Well, we're all a bit tired Dante, but I guess it would stop us from having to go through that again. How about it." Dante nodded, "Alright, do you have a place to meet?"

The man smiled and nodded, "We have others who wish to go. Many lost family and loved ones, so the burden will not fall to you alone. Please meet us at the highway, just to the east of the village. It can't be missed. Your ship can't go though, it would tip them off too soon."

Dante turned away, "See you in a bit." The man ran off to rally the others, "Titus, tell Ratchet, Jill, and Chey to get ready. Rachel can treat injuries. I have a bad feeling."

Titus scratched his head, "You also got a bad feeling about those officers, right? Well, they seem legitimate, but... we'll be ready."