Nepgear - Ch. 0

I look around the cockpit, glancing at the multitudes of switches, levers, and gauges, all neatly arranged, and labeled. Shifting my weight around in the seat to better place myself, I flick the different tiny switches used to prime the engines, as I hear the crackle of the radio system come to life along with my name being broadcast.

"Come in, do you copy?" the radio says with a female voice.

"Nepgear, yes, I copy you loud and -- do we really have to do it like this? It feels a bit embarrassing having to say these things," I protest, "can't we just chat like usual?"

"B-but you promised you'd go along with it if I let you pilot Nepgeardam v4!"

"Alright, alright, I did promise... *ahem* ... copy you loud and clear, Nepgear. Are we clear for launch?"

"Yes! We're clear for launch, weather conditions are perfect, and the sun is shining, initiating launch sequence."

Various screens appear in front of me as I hear her say that, with each screen showing the outside and Nepgeardam, the mech that I'm piloting, proudly standing, with her arms and hands on its hips. Each screen gives me a different point of view of Nepgeardam, from her front, side and back, letting me have a quick glance if anything seems amiss with her. Nothing seems to be out of place except Nepgear's choice of design on the face, it's cute, but something about it feels off. I check the gauges once more, everything seems to be in good condition, the last few adjustments we did last night fixed some of the issues.

"You're clear for launch! Do the countdown!"

"Copy that."

I begin counting down from 10 and as I do, a faint sound started to ring out, making me pause. Looking around, I'm the only one in this cockpit, none of the gauges seem to be showing any problems. The sound seems to have stopped as well as soon as I paused my countdown.

"What's wrong? You stopped at 8 suddenly." asks Nepgear.

"Uh, nothing, just I heard something odd when I started counting down."

"What did it sound like?"

"I wasn't paying attention, I just noticed it, maybe it's a one time thing, I'll do the countdown again."

"Okay!"

"10... 9 ... 8..."

The sound rings out once more and I pay close attention to it this time as I continue my countdown.

"Gyaaaaaaaaaaa~"

"Nepgear is that you making that sound?"

"Huh? What sound?" asks Nepgear.

"Do you not hear the 'Gyaaaaaaa~' in here? Or am I going crazy?"

"Oh! That? It's ... uh, it's the custom AI I snuck in as a guidance system, it makes that sound when it's readying for launch, I thought I'd surprise you with it!" she blurts out.

"An AI? When did you even have time to program this? We've pretty much spent most of our time together and I've never seen you even open up an IDE."

"Um, I've dabbled on it just before I sleep..."

"That's impressive, you're really talented, huh?"

"Really? That means a lot coming from you..."

"I --" my words were immediately interrupted by the sudden rumble of the mech and a voice almost like Nepgear yet a bit more shrill and monotone.

"We have lift off~! Please fasten your seatbelt and have a safe trip, gyaa~"

I brace myself for the incoming change of pressure as the mech begins to lift off, as one of the monitors indicates. The radio begins to broadcast Nepgear panicking.

"Ahhhhh! What's going on I never programmed her like this! Are you okay over there? Do you have a handle on the situation?"

"Yes, I'm fine, I should be able to maneuver this without any problem, assuming your little AI friend doesn't assume direct control."

"Okay, I think you should be able to control her if you call her name out. Her name is Nepgya, she should respond to that."

"Nepgya? Sounds a bit vain doesn't it?"

"P-please don't mind the name it sounded better in my head..."

"Alright, I'll try to do that."

I check the monitors first and see that everything is within normal parameters. Clearing my throat, I begin to address the AI.

"Nepgya."

A few seconds pass before the voice gives me a response.

"Yes~?"

"What's our coordinates?"

"We are currently just above Planeptune Tower, and rising."

I try to nudge the control sticks to see if I can steer it to no avail.

"System is currently on auto-pilot, please request destination."

"Requesting manual control."

"Affirmative~ hope you know how to fly, gyaaa~"

Immediately I feel a sudden jolt, and notice that one of the gauges is rapidly moving to the left. The mech has begun to fall according to the gauges. Shifting various levers and pedals, I find myself in steady control as the radio crackles with Nepgear's worried voice.

"Are you alright?! The monitors suddenly showed Nepgeardam in free fall for a moment there."

"I'm alright, Nepgear. Just slightly surprised. After requesting manual control, it seems your AI decided to really give me control of everything. I'm currently maintaining altitude with the pedals and levers."

"I see..."

"Is there a way to make Nepgya control the basics while I manually navigate?"

"Um... no. Not yet anyway, I'd have to manually add that functionality in."

"Will we ever add offensive firepower to this?"

"N-no! I don't want Nepgeardam to become a weapon..."

"Okay, I understand. I'll go land Nepgeardam back so we can modify her again, probably with a less obtuse AI."

"Hey! I heard that. I have feelings too you know..." interrupted Nepgya.

"Okay, I'm sorry about that, still you could've warned me about the sudden drop."

"Sorry as well~ would you like me to regain control to land?"

"Alright."

Immediately I feel the controls stiffen in my hands as they move back to their initial positions. As the mech begins its descent back to the launch pad, I hear the same monotone sound played when the mech was launching.

"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~ we've landed, hope you had a fun ride~"

I hear a small blip sound, probably indicating the AI turning herself off. The cockpit begins to open, allowing me to exit the mech. As I exit the mech, Nepgear is waiting outside standing on Nepgeardam's shoulder, her hair and skirt billowing in the wind, her hands promptly holding her skirt down. I wave at her, to which she waves back, letting the wind have its way with her skirt. Her pink-striped panties are in full view, as she tries to cover herself up. Why no one here but me seems to wear pants, I'll never know, but I'm not complaining.

"Y-you wanted that to happen didn't you!" she yells out.

"Want what to happen?" I reply playfully.

"You have a bit of a perverted streak don't you... anyway! Let's go down Nepgeardam's torso to modify her, you wanted to modify a few things right?"

"Well, I'd like to tweak a few things, while you can modify the AI for a middle ground between automatic and manual."

"I'll go down the ladder first," she says holding down her still billowing skirt, "I'm not letting you get another free look like that."

I chuckle, as she begins to climb down the ladder. She finishes her descent pretty quickly and beckons me to follow suit. Going down the ladder, I slide down the ladder to the ledge giving us access to the torso.

"Stop showing off like that, you might fall, I don't want that to happen."

"Alright, I'll be careful."

She opens the hatch to the torso and enters, leaving it open. I see her hand beckon to me as I enter the hatch. Or so I thought.

I see Nepgear's terror fill her face as she sees me fall to my demise. She jumps off and transforms to her HDD form to try and save me but to no avail, she noticed my fall too late. Closing my eyes, I ready myself for the worse.