Pegasus, Like a Falling Star

 

「We’ve broken through. Pegasus I, Pegasus II—take the lead.」

「This is Pegasus I. Roger that. Leave it to us.」

Nyanta of the Pegasus I squad responded promptly to Kou.

「This is Pegasus II. Likewise.」

Aki was leading Pegasus II.

「Pegasus I, Bellerophon—Nyanta, launching!」

Both Nyanta and Aki were piloting new Quattro Silhouettes.
Their custom units were named Bellerophon, after the hero who rode Pegasus—sent by the goddess Athena—and defeated the Chimera. The English pronunciation was used.

In form, they resembled standard Quattro Silhouettes. The most notable difference was an antenna mounted on the head, reminiscent of early Lanius models.

But the most distinctive feature was the shoulder-mounted weaponry. Each shoulder bore a massive thruster the size of a horse’s torso, wings extended on both sides.

「Bellerophon—Pegasus-type’s first sortie. It’s finally time. Let’s go, Aki.」

「Yes, Nee-san.」

The thrusters roared to life—though calling them ‘thrusters’ might be misleading. Mounted like howitzers, they resembled giant missiles more than anything.

The unit was slimmer than