Mia's head snuck out from the shell. The monstrous turtle smiled at me. Then, the head retracted into the shell again.
I backed away several feet and stared at the inanimate object.
ENERGY: 577/600
I hadn't lost much energy to Mia's attack, but this was going to drive me crazy.
Zoe, I can't take much more of this. Any ideas?
Aim for the shell's openings. Or flip her.
Flip her? Is her belly weaker?
Not necessarily, but it could disorient her and force her to react.
I stared at the entrance where her head and front limbs had retracted. The bottom and top of the shell had clamped close, and I couldn't make out any obvious seam in the green armor. I tried attacking the invisible seam anyway, sending a Sonic Screech at it.
Mia's shell pulsed with a faint glow, absorbing my attack, but nothing changed.
I dashed forward and raked my claws in a parallel line with the seam, searching for a crack in the armor.
Still nothing.
Then, my claws sunk deeper into the shell, barely, but it was enough for me to notice. I pounced on the weakness, inserting the claws of my left and right front paws into the seam, trying to pry the shell open.
I strained hard and something moved. I could see a thin opening now, not even a fraction of an inch. I opened my jaws and sent another Sonic Screech into the gap.
This time, Mia reacted. Her shell burst open, but I was ready for it. I let go and flipped away.
Her head shot out, but her beak snapped shut on empty air.
"Too slow," I purred, waving my tail at her.
Mia charged. I easily sidestepped her, but she spun around at the last moment, swiping her own short tail under my legs to trip me.
I rolled, recovering my footing instantly, but a shockwave burst forth from Mia's shell. It wasn't strong enough to hurt much, but it was enough to distract me.
My back leg exploded in pain as Mia pounced, grabbing it with her powerful jaws. I Phase Shifted immediately, then jumped to the nearest wall and climbed.
ENERGY: 504/600
I had lost a sixth of my energy. Mia had a massive reserve, not to mention her absorption abilities. There was no way she had lost a similar amount.
I stopped climbing a short distance from the ceiling and hung against the wall, watching Mia.
Mia's never used a ranged attack, has she?
Well, she has the wide range blast. Not very focused, though.
Perfect. I watched and waited.
Mia didn't move. Neither did I. I sent a Sonic Screech, but Mia didn't even bother to hide in her shell. She took the brunt of the attack without flinching.
Mia grunted. "Leave the turtling to me, Dustin."
"A taste of your own medicine," I replied, sending another Sonic Screech.
"You realize you'll deplete your own energy doing that before you make a big enough dent in mine?"
ENERGY: 494/600
I mean, she was right. But it was oddly satisfying making her stew for a bit. I sent one more Sonic Screech.
Mia waited patiently. After a while, she retracted into her shell.
So that's how it was going to be. What now, Zoe?
If your goal is to evolve, you need to attack.
I can't try the same thing. She'll be ready for me this time.
True.
I wracked my brains for any ideas. There was one combo I had used before on a Mekanic…
Can I Phase Shift through her shell?
That will hurt. A lot.
As long as I'm dishing it out, too.
I ran down the wall straight for Mia. She didn't move.
I leaped and Phase Shifted, timing the move so I would end up within Mia's shell when it ended.
At the last moment, Mia extended her limbs and scrambled to the side. I activated my Claw Whirl, but Mia had dodged most of the attack. I managed a few swipes past her shell's defense, but most of them scraped against the protective exterior.
Mia backed away. "I was sure you would try that."
"You knew?" And I had thought I was being clever.
"I've studied your moves. Everyone's moves."
"What?"
"You can request access to video recordings of our combat."
Whoa. Mia was one dedicated soldier. I had Zoe's mental video playback, but someone like Mia would keep pace with me, even without that advantage.
"So you know all my moves, huh?"
"But you don't know mine yet." Mia charged again. I leaped away, careful to put more distance between us to avoid her tricky sweeps.
This time, though, Mia turned on the edge of her shell. And rolled.
She shot forward like a bowling ball. I couldn't dodge in time, so I Phase Shifted. Mia's shell crashed into the wall behind me with a heavy boom.
I yelled and leaped out of the way again as she ricocheted off the wall and came flying back towards me like some kind of billiard ball.
I thought turtles were slow!
Mia didn't relent, hurtling back and forth across the training room.
Use your superior mobility. Go for her underside?
The next time Mia rolled past, I dodged to the side of her with her belly and struck with my two rear feet. The claws bounced off the tough armor, but I kicked hard anyways.
Mia wobbled, but her rapid spinning kept her stable enough. I sent another Sonic Screech at the edge of her belly. This time, she lost her balance, skidding across the floor on her back.
I didn't give her a chance to recover. I pounced on Mia's flipped Beastform, pinning her with my weight while clawing at her.
I couldn't have been doing much damage, but I must have been doing something. Several seconds later, a surge of pleasure coursed through my body.
I stopped attacking and screeched.
Mia used the chance to flip me off her. She readied another charge, but I held up a paw.
ENERGY: 700/700
"I did it! I got my evolution," I said.
Mia stamped on the ground with one foot in approval. Then, she unmelded. I followed suit.
"Congratulations," Mia said.
"Thanks, Mia." I shook my head. "You've been holding back this whole time? That spin move was crazy."
Mia smiled, then lowered her voice. "Don't tell the others. It's not wise to reveal your full strength."
I blinked in surprise. "Even to your squadmates?"
Mia's eyes widened slightly. "Surely you would understand? After Staccato? We don't know who else is out there. Who else is watching us?"
"But you showed me the move." I gestured to the walls around us. "They're watching us here, too, aren't they? They're always watching."
Mia bit her lip. "Not today. Dr. Hill said our training session would be private. No surveillance."
"Dr. Hill?" I sputtered. "Wait, what?"
Mia stepped closer to me. A light sheen of sweat coated her forehead, and her long black hair clung to the sides of her face. She reached out to take my hands in hers. Her fingers were warm.
"I respect what you've accomplished here," Mia said. "Your courage, your strength. You're a good person, Dustin."
"Um, thanks?"
What's going on?
I believe she's hitting on you, in her own way.
Shit. "I respect you a lot, too, Mia," I said. "You're the most dedicated person I've met. Courageous and selfless. Always protecting others."
Mia lowered her eyes for a moment, blushing. She took another step forward. Her body was a few inches from mine, her petite breasts almost touching my chest.
"Will you take me?" she whispered. Her eyes flicked up to mine, then back down.
I stared at her. Mia, fierce Mia, acting all coy? Was she asking what I think she was asking?
Dustin, your mouth is open.