ME Corp was once a subsidiary of an organization called Anti-Entropy, responsible for producing various types of anti-Honkai equipment and mecha for them.
On the surface, ME Corp was the world's most advanced electronics R&D company, but in reality, it was an extremely dangerous military-industrial enterprise.
According to Fire Moth's investigation, ME Corp had a massive underground arsenal for manufacturing weapons and autonomous armors. Although these arsenals were forced to shut down due to the Great Honkai Eruption, thanks to ME Corp's sturdy architecture, the eruption didn't cause much damage to ME Corp, and most of the facilities inside were well-preserved and operational.
If they could capture this arsenal, Fire Moth could produce weapons and equipment to fight the Honkai. Therefore, ME Corp had always been a key part of Fire Moth's strategy to counter-attack the Honkai.
Because Bronya had always been preoccupied with this place, Seele believed that Bronya and Himeko must have been thinking of capturing the arsenal on their own, without wanting to involve everyone else.
Seele guessed right; that was exactly what Bronya and Himeko were thinking.
But what none of the three expected was that five years after the Great Honkai Eruption, ME Corp was still operating. This included its defense mechs...
Following the traces left by Bronya and her team's battle, Seele quickly found the arsenal's location, but at that moment, she was attacked by a large number of ME Corp's defense mechs.
Unlike the rigid Honkai Creatures, these autonomous mechs equipped with high-risk weaponry proved to be much harder to deal with.
Fortunately, Ryn and Ryn went to block the attacking Honkai Creatures, so Seele's side didn't need to split their forces to set up a defensive line.
Although the ordinary weapons in Fire Moth's hands were no match for the high-tech weaponry of the defense mechs, Seele used her agile movements to draw the fire of the vast majority of the mechs, allowing others to attack them. Just like that, Seele and her team fought their way into the arsenal, bit by bit.
Inside, they found Bronya and Himeko, who were arguing while fighting against the defense mechs.
Bronya took out a mech in the distance that was raising a shell to fire, and shouted at Himeko behind her.
"We can't go on like this. As long as the arsenal is still operating, these defense mechs will be produced endlessly to fight us."
Himeko swung her Corona Greatsword, cutting three defense mechs that were approaching Bronya in half at the waist. Then she and Bronya stood back-to-back, yelling with grim faces.
"That's why I said we should just blow this place up!"
"No! These production lines are crucial! They are our trump card against the Honkai!"
"I can kill all the Honkai Creatures without Anti-Entropy's help!" Himeko shouted as she charged at several more defense mechs that were rushing forward.
"Himeko!"
"Shut up, I'm not going to get myself killed."
Rat-tat-tat—
Seele and her main force opened fire, clearing a temporary safe zone for Bronya and the other.
She then charged to Bronya's side, wielding her scythe, to fight alongside her.
"Big Sis! We're here to support you."
"Seele? How could you..."
"You're a dummy, Big Sis! Why did you have to go on an adventure alone again? Didn't we agree to do everything together?!"
After Himeko cut down a few guardian mechs and retreated, she heard Seele's words, and her angry face fell even further.
"Don't forget I'm here too..."
"Uhm... Himeko, sorry, sorry, I almost forgot about you," Seele said, scratching her head awkwardly and apologizing.
"You little..."
Himeko rolled her eyes helplessly. What do you mean, 'almost'? I was clearly fighting right alongside Bronya. It's you, you rascal Seele, who only has eyes for Bronya!
Like a child who had done something wrong, Bronya said weakly, "I'm sorry, Seele... but there was a reason this time. We originally wanted to investigate the situation at ME Corp and confirm the production lines... We didn't want to put you all at risk. If it were just me and Himeko, we could handle any situation..."
"Is Big Sis saying you don't trust me?!"
"That's not it..."
"Stop with the 'that's not it' this and 'that's not it' that. Can you two sisters not be so clingy the moment you see each other? We're in a battle right now!"
Himeko sternly scolded Seele and Bronya. You two run off to chat, don't you know the pressure on me just skyrocketed?
"Right, let's talk later. The situation is urgent. A large number of Honkai Creatures are attacking this way. The Ryn siblings chose to go and block them. We need to hurry back to support them and form a battle line."
"Two people? Seele, what are you thinking? Since there are so many Honkai Creatures, are you sending them to their deaths?" Bronya shouted angrily at Seele.
"Ryn? Uh... I think we should be worried about those Honkai Creatures," Himeko said, recalling the Heat Vision in his eyes during the engine test with Ryn...
Although Himeko could also shoot Heat Vision from her eyes using Honkai energy if she didn't want her eyes anymore. But whether the enemy would die first, or her own brain would melt first, Himeko wasn't sure.
Suddenly, a team member guarding the door shouted urgently to Himeko and the others.
"Captain! Seele! Leader! Get back, the factory's main gate is closing automatically!"
Seele and the others looked over and saw the several-meter-thick alloy gate closing rapidly. A bad feeling rose in all three of their hearts, and they rushed towards the gate.
The team members used their bodies to desperately block the gate from closing, but how could their mortal strength stand against a torrent of steel?
It was too late. Rushing in now would only get them crushed into pulp midway... Seele and the others could only stand inside the gate and watch it slowly close, separating them from the team members outside.
"We didn't make it... We'll have to find another way out." Seele punched the gate in frustration and regret, but nothing happened.
Himeko said, "Moving without a goal will only waste energy. Let's not waste our efforts. We'll wait here for rescue from the team outside."
Bronya thought for a moment and said, "An arsenal this big must have a centralized management system. If we can reach the control room, we might be able to stop the production of these mechs."
Himeko raised her sword and turned to face the returning guard mechs, speaking to Bronya without looking back.
"By the time you find the control room, our bodies will be cold."
"Trust me... I think I know where the control room is! Follow me."
Bronya hesitated for a moment, then pulled Seele along as she ran, trying to recall her memories of investigating ME Corp with Mei and the others during the Third Honkai War.
Himeko clicked her tongue and, together with Seele, carved a path through the swarm of guard mechs for Bronya to lead the way.
In the end, led by Bronya, the group passed through the assembly line, ran across the main hall, and bypassed many rooms with closed doors...
Finally, Bronya froze in place.
"Don't just stand there, let's go!" Himeko, who was bringing up the rear, shouted angrily when she saw Bronya stop.
"This is it!" Bronya pointed to a room with no nameplate and charged in first.
As Himeko entered last, Seele, who was guarding the door, pulled the switch to close the room's gate, blocking the defense mechs outside.
And inside the room, Bronya had already summoned Project Bunny, preparing to hack into ME Corp's management system.