THE MOMENT
“Is this a joke?” Eph asked the question before his hand was completely raised and gave up the motion. He was sitting among five other peers, but only one was on his team. He'd attended with Lunessa. The six teens represented three groups sitting in the beachside office for the briefing, along with the school's mercenary principal, Ozone, and his assistant, Andie.
“There'd be nothing in it for me if it was,” Ozone shrugged with a grin.
“Don't let the target fool you," He added. "Andie confirmed its power levels, and this thing will take three full teams to bring down. Since you bunch didn't get to participate in the City’s destruction, this is the best we've got for you right now.”
"It's going to take 18 Mechs to bring down a bean monster?" Eph asked again, this time without bothering with the effort of half-raising his hand.
"It's a magical bean monster," Andie helpfully clarified. "You didn't even let Mr. Ozone get to that part."
"Magical?" Jubilee asked. She was there with Monday adding her perspective as well. Monday and Jubilee exchanged glances at the mention of magic, which prompted the question. "Our Mechas are pretty handicapped by magic...," she said.
"That's why we're sending so many of you," Ozone chuckled. "It's only my first year as your principal, but I do know how to run things," he said. The students seemed to relax after his comment, and Ozone continued.
"Not only that, but we're adding in a special wrinkle. Andie and I have noticed your Mechas lacking in magical power, so we'll be adding a special 19th member, or I guess, technically seventh member, depending on how you want to settle it," he said. His grin grew broader when all six of the teenagers looked genuinely confused.
"There'll be a special freelancer on this Mission; she goes by the name 'Magical Girl Redline Express," he said. Monday smiled, but the others still remained unsure. "It's straightforward: defeat the Magical Frijole Monster. The team that does the most damage wins. But, it's also an active disaster scene, and our tireless magical girl is already on-site helping evacuate civilians to make way for your battle. Without giving the whole game away...," Ozone shrugged. "... the first team to meet the bonus criteria will earn combat assistance from Magical Girl Redline Express. It should be obvious to you that having a Magical Girl on your side to fight a Magical Monster will help your score."
"But who made a giant bean monster and why?" Eph was still focused on the wrong details.
"Our client's Abuela accidentally made frijoles using magic beans that were stolen from a witch," Andie explained.
"Boiling them turned them into a giant monster...?" Eph asked.
"Where there's one witch, there's more," Ozone answered with a stern streak in his voice. "Obviously, it wasn't as simple as boiling magic beans. The Abuela herself has a talent for magic and was using an enchanted recipe. Did I mention it was an active disaster scene?" he asked. "A giant Frijole monster has already devastated the city and is on its way to a neighboring town."
"Right, sorry. I'm ready," Eph replied.
"Then, if there aren't any more questions, go get your teams and meet up at the launch site." Ozone nodded at all of them.
"Is damage the only way to earn points?" Eury asked.
"No," Ozone shook his head without elaborating.
"Okay!" Eury nodded as the six of them stood to depart.