Bab 6: Surface 2
The ceiling above them was narrow, the jagged edges of the tunnel threatening to close in. Dust and debris rained down as the ground beneath Lagann began to crack.
"Hold on tight!" Goro shouted, his hands steady on the controls.
"Do your thing, Lagann!" Kamina yelled, punching the air as Simon crouched next to them, gripping the sides of the cockpit.
The Lagann surged forward with one final burst of energy. The drill's spinning tip caught the edge of the ceiling, and with a deafening crash, it burst through into blinding light.
The cockpit was flooded with warmth and brightness, so intense it made them shield their eyes. As the dust settled and their vision adjusted, the trio stared in awe.
The surface stretched out before them, vast and endless. A brilliant blue sky arched overhead, dotted with fluffy white clouds. The sun blazed brightly, a stark contrast to the dim, confined underground they had always known.
Kamina was the first to break the silence. "We… we did it. We're really here."
Simon's eyes filled with wonder as he whispered, "It's beautiful."
While his friends were caught up in the breathtaking view, Goro's mind was already racing ahead. He glanced at the Lagann's cockpit, his fingers tapping against the controls. This was only the start.
Lagann is strong, but it's far from enough, he thought, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the terrain. First, we need to find the beastmen. Where there are beastmen, there are gunmen. And with gunmen… there's the chance to upgrade Lagann.
The surface was dangerous, Goro knew that better than anyone. Beastmen wouldn't take kindly to humans encroaching on their territory. But their advanced technology, their gunmen… that was exactly what Goro needed to make Lagann unstoppable.
"Goro, what's with that look on your face?" Kamina asked, glancing over.
"Yeah, aren't you amazed?" Simon added, his voice still tinged with wonder.
Goro gave them a small smile. "I am. But this is just the beginning. If we're going to survive here, we need to be prepared. That means making Lagann even stronger."
"Stronger?" Kamina raised an eyebrow. "Lagann just got us through the toughest drill ever! What more do you want?"
Goro's gaze turned serious. "We're not alone up here, Kamina. The beastmen control this world, and they'll come for us. If we're going to fight, we need to win. And for that, Lagann needs to evolve."
Kamina furrowed his brow, leaning against Lagann with his arms crossed. "Hey, Goro," he started, his tone more serious than usual. "You keep talking about beastmen, gunmen, and all this stuff about making Lagann stronger. But how do you even know about any of this? You've been underground with me your whole life. It doesn't make sense."
Simon glanced nervously between the two, his curiosity piqued but unsure if he should speak up.
Goro paused, caught off guard by Kamina's question. He had anticipated the challenges of the surface, but not this, explaining how he seemed to know so much about it.
"Well…" Goro scratched the back of his neck, trying to buy time. "It's not like I know everything. It's just… remember all those old parts and machines we dug up over the years? I spent a lot of time studying them, trying to piece things together. And Gosse told me stories, too. About strange creatures and machines that existed beyond the village. I put two and two together."
Kamina squinted, unconvinced. "Stories and scraps of metal, huh? That's what you're going with?"
"It's not just that!" Goro said, raising his hands defensively. "You've seen the tremors underground, right? The sounds, the vibrations? That's not just random. I figured something big must be causing them, like machines. Gunmen. It's logical when you think about it."
Kamina tilted his head, still looking skeptical. "So you're saying you figured all this out just by thinking? I dunno, Goro, it still feels like you're hiding something."
Goro put a hand on Kamina's shoulder, his expression earnest. "Look, I get it. It sounds crazy. But trust me on this, Kamina. I've been working on these theories for years, trying to make sense of everything. And so far, haven't I been right? Lagann exists. The surface exists. Let me prove the rest to you."
Kamina stared at him for a long moment before finally breaking into a grin. "Alright, alright. You're still my brother, Goro. If you say so, then I believe you."
Simon let out a small sigh of relief, and Goro smiled, masking his own nervousness.
"Thanks, Kamina," Goro said. "The sooner we prepare, the better."
Kamina punched Goro's arm playfully. "Fine, but if you're wrong, you owe me big time!"
As they walked on, Goro exhaled quietly. That was close.
"Well, if it means kicking more beastmen butt, count me in!" Kamina grinned.
Simon hesitated but nodded. "We'll do whatever it takes, Goro."
Goro nodded "Good. Then let's get moving. The surface won't wait for us."
—
The next day
The enemy Gunman loomed over them, its massive frame casting a shadow over Lagann as it delivered another crushing blow, sending the cockpit shaking violently.
"Goro! Do something!" Simon clung to his seat, his face pale with fear.
"I'm trying, damn it!" Goro shouted back, gripping the controls tightly. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he tried to maneuver Lagann to block the next attack.
Kamina, on the other hand, was brimming with energy despite the situation. "Simon! Quit whining! This is our chance to prove what we're made of!"
Simon's teeth chattered as another strike made the cockpit shudder. "I-I don't wanna prove anything! Let's just go back to the village!"
"No way!" Kamina roared. "You're not running away! Goro, use that drill and pierce through this bastard!"
"Shit, easier said than done!" Goro snapped. The controls were heavier than he expected, and Lagann's movements felt sluggish. "This is nothing like the anime! I don't know how Simon pulled it off so easily!"
The enemy Gunman raised its arm for another strike. Goro gritted his teeth, pushing Lagann's drill forward to counter, but the attack barely grazed the enemy's armor.
"We're gonna get smashed!" Simon wailed.
"Shut up, Simon!" Kamina barked. "Goro, focus! You've got this!"
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone