The Five Star Stories (Paperback)

Across the five star-systems known as the "Joker Systems," kingdoms dot the heavens like stars. Knights, known as "Headliners," control giant robots called Mortar Heads to protect the sanctity of each kingdom. Bound to the knights are the fatimas, fabricated humanoids who possess expanded mental abilities that make it possible for Headliners to control their robotic armor. The ground war between the forces of Di Barrow in search of the dragon nymph's "Water of Life" and the AKD in search of Suezhou's traveling companion, Ladios Sopp, continues with neither side knowing exactly why the other is in Kastenpo. The volume opens with the AKD capturing an enemy officer who informs them that Sopp and his pals are hiding out a marshland just off the battlefield. The AKD decides to deploy its mortar heads to cut Barrow off from the marsh and wait for Aisha to pinpoint Sopp's exact location.