Mai was down. Seemingly becoming emotinally unstable for the very first time in a LONG time.

If this were her first division, she'd be punished serverily for such unprofessional behavior. But Mai also knew it from the start.

This division...was changing her.

Anger. Sadness. Despair...worse, helpnessness.

"...damn it...damn it...damn it...I'm...broken...", Mai said, not realizing that she had said that on the open line.

As she tried to get up, she suddenly heard a booming voice.

[quote]"I won't let you hurt anyone!"[/quote]

Mai then looked in the direction of Mist as it was already in the middle of it's attack. The screams of people...then...it just...suddenly shot into the air and just like that it was gone.

"...this is Neo Angel to Base. Sit Rep. Mist just...retreated from the battlefield into orbit...did...cadet Elora had something to do with that?", Mai said, actually sounding more confused than a drone as she also hoped that Lorenzo or Ritsu heard her and would give her a "logical" answer if that were even possible.

But with her cover of a building suddenly brought down, Mai didn't have the time to ponder what just happened. The Cruxi squad was still pursuing her and no doubt, the Cruxi Sniper was waiting for yet ANOTHER opportunity to hit her and perhaps put her down for good.

Then, she heard Katya speak on the comm link. Giving out orders, she then addressed her.

[quote]"Mai, for now this all I can do. Caretaker isn't operating properly ... I'm sorry. This will light you up like Christmas tree."[/quote]

Understanding what Katya had planned, she responed, "Roger."

But now, she had another decision to make. She could try to go for broke with the self-detonation but none of her squad members wished for her to do so. Plus, with Mist gone, the numbers were more even. At least, for now anyways. But as things stand, engaging the Cruxi squad as is would get her killed. And just hearing Katya's orders, there was support being give from cadet Arin. If so, being anywhere near them would be inefficient.

So Mai made perhaps a reckless decision considering that Katya "marked" her with the node.

"Katya. This is Neo Angel. Attempting to regroup with you at H5. Stand by", "Seven" droned.

With no choice but to retreat, Mai proceeded to move north as much as possible. With her legs damaged and her wings damaged to the point of disabling her mini-thrusters, she relied on her main thruster unit to propel her north. She tried to keep low behind cover where possible. All that sniper needed, even at it's distance, was one good shot and Mai could suffer bad luck with her life ending.

And there was some part of her that said, "After that pitiful performance and loss of self-control, you deserve to die". But she shook it off as she focused on regrouping with Katya.

[b]
Note: Proceeding north to H5. Equipped: x2 Magum pistols (8/8), (7/8). Sync: 56%. Damaged legs, wings, mid section.[/b]