Well, after some consideration I decided to translate my shortest fic to English, just to see how it does there... even if it has been so long since I publish the original. Back then I did not trusted my English enough to even try and while I am more certain now... English is not my first language so I do beg your pardon for the grammar errors that I most likely may regardless of my intentions.

Without anything else to add I do hope you enjoy the story.

I

Is This a New Incident?

"So, do we know what the object is, Nanoha-san?" Teana ask. She pull her hair behind her ear and follow the other mage inside the building.

"Not yet, we only know that the 108th Battalion found it near the dimensional distortion" Nanoha replied "they are keeping it in custody until we know what to do with it. We are here to take it to the Main Office for a full analysis. Since we don't know if it's a Lost Logia or not, then we are not risking using a teleportation spell on the object."

The two made their way in to the 108th Battalion's base, located in Mid-Childa's West region. Nanoha had not seen Teana or worked with her since the JS Incident 4 years ago, but looking at her now she was very proud of her former student. Teana had continued her career and become an Enforcer, as her black uniform noted, and while Nanoha could still feel some of Teana's brash attitude, she was glad to notice the young Lanster was more calm and confident when addressing others.

'If only this was a happier time for a reunion' Nanoha thought. So far all she heard were rumors, talks of strange incidents in several Administrated Worlds and readings of odd dimensional activity across the TSAB territory. Villages and isolated towns destroyed by unknown attackers, forces dispatched to deal with the problem and either returning empty handed or not at all. It sounded farfetched but the Dimensional HQ seemed to consider it serious enough and decided to take measures.

The old Riot Force 6 was reactivated under the new name, Special Duty Section 6, and once more Hayate Yagami was appointed as the head of operations. Nanoha did not give credit to the rumors until her old friend had contacted her and asked her to join the unit again, alongside many of the veterans from the original Riot Force 6. It was Nanoha's first long mission since she adopted Vivio and while part of her was glad to be back in the field, another was a bit uneasy leaving her little girl alone, even if she was not so little anymore as Nanoha had to remind herself from time to time.

"Nanoha-san, Teana, over here" Ginga's voice shook Nanoha out of her reflections and back in to the present. The purple-haired Investigator waved at her from behind her desk and saluted when they reached her. "It has been a while, First Captain Takamachi."

"A pleasure as always Captain Nakajima" Nanoha replied to the salute and smiled. Both women relaxed their position at once. "I have been meaning to visit but I just can't seem to find you home. I did meet Subaru a couple of times at work, she seems to be making a lot of progress. Give her and the rest of your sisters my regards when you see them."

"I will, Nove and the rest are quite happy and would be glad to hear from you" Ginga turned her attention to Teana who had remained quiet so far "I guess giving your regards would be a bit redundant since you and Subaru see each other so often…"

"It can't be helped. I mean Subaru is always so pushy" Teana said closing her eyes and nodding.

"I did not hear you complain that much when Subaru tried to…" started Ginga but the orange-headed Enforcer cut her right there.

"Th-that's not something we need to discuss right now!" Teana blushed and looked away. Nanoha chuckled a bit but decided to remain silent, which the younger mage noticed so she cleared her throat and tried to bring the conversation back to the matter at hand: "Anyway, we need to get going. Is the artifact ready for transport?"

"Right, the Major is with it at the lab" Ginga stood up and made a gesture for the other two to follow her towards the elevators. "Whatever it is, it has our technicians confused and truth be told I will be glad when it is gone."

"Why? Is something wrong with it?" Nanoha inquired, confused at Ginga's attitude.

"It's a bit hard to explain" Ginga pressed a button and the trio entered the elevator, getting down to the laboratory. "Many are already a bit nervous so I don't want to contribute to that but… well you will see it soon."

Nanoha and Teana exchanged a confused look, but Ginga did not seem willing to speak more about it, so they let it go. The elevator doors opened and they stepped out into the lab. It was a dark room, only illuminated by the lights of the terminals where men and women dressed in white coats seemed to be working double time. Several large screens showed series of numbers and other information that Nanoha could not fully understand, but assumed they were related to the object they were send to retrieve. Genya Nakajima, the base commander, was reading the latest report but turned around when the doors opened to greet them even if there was a hint of concern on his expression.

"Welcome Captain Takamachi, Enforcer Lanster" the Major said giving them a military salute.

"Is good to see you, Major" Nanoha replied.

"A pleasure, sir" Teana said, saluting as well.

"And with that we can leave the formalities" Genya said. "Being called 'sir' is making me feel old for some reason."

"The Major is not that old" commented Ginga with a smile.

"Or so they say… anyway to business." Genya turned around to one of the technicians "Bring the container. We don't want that thing to remain here longer than necessary."

Nanoha frowned at that, especially when she noticed the relief on the technicians' eyes. It seemed that whatever it was they encountered had everyone a bit uneasy, like Ginga had said. The man soon returned with a featureless black box that look similar to the containers they used to hold the Relics during the JS Incident.

"We tried to find a way to contain its energy and this seems to be up for the task" Genya said, taking the container with both hands "If not, then…"

The Major inputted a security code and opened the box. Nanoha and Teana stepped closer to examine the content. At first glance, it seemed like a small, bluish-purple orb composed of a unique substance floating inside a transparent crystal. No magic seemed to emanate from it but Nanoha could sense a strange and powerful presence, like a crushing consciousness that fell around her as she watched the small orb, fascinated by the patterns across its surface.

Nanoha tried to swallow but her throat had dried up. In a way, that strange device reminded her of the Book of Darkness: a power with such an evil aura and a will that seemed to want to crush reality itself around it. Genya then moved and closed the container which seemed to release the tension. Nanoha took a deep breath, not having noticed that she had been holding her breath until now.

"And this is not a Lost Logia like the Book of Darkness?" Teana asked, breaking the silence. She rinse a small print of sweat that had form on her forehead despite the room's fresh temperature. "It almost feels like it's alive. Maybe it is a device or something like that."

"It could be, but at this time we are not even sure what kind of energy it manipulates." Ginga said, she also seemed a bit affected by the object "it doesn't react to magic nor does it connect to our devices but it seems obvious it possess power and some form of intelligence or programming."

"Yet, what it is or what is its function, we cannot tell" finished Genya. He put the container down on a table. "All I know is that I do not want to remain next to it more than I have to."

"Hopefully we can learn more at the Main Office." Nanoha look at the box and then back at Genya. "I can see why you don't like it here. Being close to it is not a nice experience."

"I should say, the first time we bring it here someone…" An alarm interrupt Genya's words.

The screens in the lab turned red and the information they were displaying changed immediately. Nanoha look for Raising Heart with her left hand and Teana move to secure the container in her arms. Genya quickly took control over the situation and addressed the head technician.

"Report, what is going on?"

"Dimensional disturbance located, sir" replied the woman looking at her screens "it seems similar to the one detected near the object's original location"

"I need to know more, where is located"

The woman nodded and order her team to get better data. Then she turned around with surprise.

"Is right above us!"

The fissure of their portal opened to reveal a clear blue sky and the two figures stepped forward. Crossing the limit seemed a bit odd, like they just stepped into a warm shower; a different sensation from usual, which one of them find quite interesting.

"Hmmm, marvelous, just marvelous. The air composition, the energies flowing… what I would do for a chance to study this a bit more in depth. This world seems to be full of the most curious specimens."

"Irrelevant. Are you sure this is the right location?"

"You have no respect for the scientific method." The first figure moved his hand to readjust his glasses. "Yes, I am sure. You should know better than to doubt me, Ulquiorra."

"And you should focus on the task at hand, Szayelaporro. We are not here for your benefit."

"Maybe, but we can make things a bit more interesting to observe." Szayelaporro smiled and snapped his fingers. The rift expanded until it was way larger than it needed to be for the two of them, looking like an open wound in the sky.

Ulquiorra sensed other presences behind him and turned around to see more clearly. He sighed when he realized what his companion was planning.

"Do as you please, just make sure we fulfill the objective." Ulquiorra said stepping out. He would fulfill Aizen's orders, the rest was none of his business.

"Trust me, Ulquiorra, nothing is higher in my priorities." Szayelaporro gave him a wicked smile. Around him a large number of lesser Hollows gathered and moved into the clear sky, launching their characteristic howls as they went.

Nanoha shiver when she hear the "voices" of the enemy, something strangely human mix with an animal element that shook her to the bone. She and the others decided to leave the laboratory and were reaching the command center to try and get an idea of what was happening. Genya enter first and assume command from a very troubled Lieutenant.

"Status report, what is going on out there?!" Genya shouted to get everyone's attention.

The room quaked when a loud explosion went off nearby and even there, at the core of the base, they could hear the sounds of the battle raging outside. The never ending howling that seem to come out from everywhere, spells being fired and the unmistakable screams from the staff and mages trying to deal with this attack. The large screens in the control room came to live and came in to focus, allowing them a clear view of the exterior.

"We are under attack by unknown entities, sir." A technician said "They have overrun the landing patch, barracks and are pushing in to the armory and medical ward as we speak. We detect at least 200 hostiles but their numbers keep increasing, sir."

"Get me in touch with all the officers and send a message requesting reinforcements!" Genya ordered and then look at the screens "What the Hell are those things?"

A large rapture in the sky, 800 meters above the base, seem to be the origin of the attack. The creatures assaulting the base looked animalistic in nature, coming in different sizes and forms, none of them human and they all had strange holes in their chests; and white masks that look like bone around their faces.

Nanoha tried but failed to recall ever seeing or hearing of such beasts. They were clearly not organized and that had allowed the mages to hold some ground despite the surprise but the number of attackers and their bestial ferocity was threating to overrun the 108th Battalion forces.

"Communications are having difficulties, sir." The communication officer turned to Genya "Too much interference I don't know if our message made it out."

"Why an attack now? And these creatures…" Genya mumbled more to himself than to the others.

"Maybe it has something to do with this thing" Teana said. She was still holding the box with the strange artifact. "It seems too much of a coincidence that we encounter a strange object near a dimensional rift and now we have a new one of the same nature above our heads."

"I agree, it does seem convenient but I think we need to deal with this attack first." Nanoha looked at Genya who did not oppose so she proceed. "With your permission Major I will go out and join the defense. Captain Nakajima and Enforcer Lanster can stay to protect the object and the command center. We need to hold the line until help can arrive."

"You are right, go ahead Captain. We will hold the fort from here." Genya stood up and saluted.

Nanoha smiled and performed a military salute before leaving the room in a hurry. She took hold of device and headed for the exit. Nanoha could feel her heart racing in the anticipation. It had been a while since she had been in a real fight and not just in a training or exhibition match.

Despite the fact, or maybe because of it, that she knew people were being wounded or killed nearby a part of her was exited at the prospect of a real battle and determine to fulfill her duty.

"Raising Heart, Set Up!" Nanoha exclaimed when she reach the door.

"Stand by, ready"

A blinding light surrounded her and her mana flowed across her body, taking the shape of her usual white and blue Barrier Jacket. Raising Heart also transformed becoming a staff in her hands and Nanoha step out in a blast of pink feathers at which time two wings appear at her heels pushing her forwards and into the sky.

Several of the creatures attacking the base took notice of the beam of light that took in to the sky and a large group of them turned around to attack Nanoha. She hold her flight and float in midair to take notice of her surroundings and aim her device at the attackers. A spinning circle appear under her feet and a ball of light concentrate on the tip of her device.

"Axel Shooter!" A series of orbs appear around her and were launch at a great speed towards the creatures.

Each bolt of energy found its mark and exploded, making the attacker vanish in a cloud of smoke from which their bodies fall to the ground. Nanoha frowned when she saw the bodies of the creatures seem to disintegrate at very irregular rates. Some would just disappear when hit, some fell to the ground only to vanish moments later and others still lay there, clearly dead, and not disintegrating like the rest.

Nanoha shook her head and decided to ask questions later. One of the creatures managed to reach her from the side and attacked with large claws forcing her to spin in the air to avoid it. Nanoha move her device to block and cast a shield when the creature try to use its mass to push her down. The shield shook from the impact but held and she was able to cast another spell with her right hand.

"Short Buster!" Nanoha fire the spell at point blank range. The beam was weaker than her usual attacks but strong enough to shatter the mask of the creature and disintegrate its body, freeing Nanoha to deal with the others that were approaching. She aim to a large group and made her device load a couple of cartridges helping the buildup of her spell to be quicker and stronger. "Exellion Buster!"

The beam hit the group right in the center destroying many of the creatures but the rest disperse around the explosion it cause and attack Nanoha from different directions. She retreated and fly backwards barely avoiding the beak of one of the creatures that look like a raven. She try to counter but then another came from under her and nearly impale her leg with a sharp tail.

Nanoha spin in the air and swing her device like a weapon, charging the tip with mana and making a slash towards the bird-like attacker, cutting its wing and making it roar in pain. She then point her palm at the one with the tail and fire a single magic bullet that hit it between the eyes, destroying its mask with an awful sound of bones cracking at the impact.

"Master, behind you!" Raising Heart's warning came just in time.

A creature, that look like it had the bottom half of a snake and the top of a muscular creature with a strange lizard type head and long bone like formations on its arms, rush Nanoha and aim its "blades" towards her chest. The white mage was able to cast a quick barrier but the momentum of the creature push her and the two crash against one of the buildings in the base. Nanoha almost felt how the air leave her lungs on impact but hold her spell against the creature.

"Damn it… Shoot Barret!" Nanoha lift her palm and focus her power. It was a basic attack but she put more mana in to it so it blow her attacker away in a loud explosion. She cough when the smoke cover her and move her hand to try and clear the air around. "Not… one of my best… ideas…"

"Captain Takamachi, are you alright?" Genya's voice came from the communication device.

"I have been better. What is the situation?" Nanoha ask.

"We are holding well so far but is not good, more creatures arrive by the minute. At this rate they will defeat us by sheer numbers. We need to close that portal but they block all our attempts to fire at it"

"I understand. Order your men to pull back and I will destroy it in one blow, Takamachi out" Nanoha cut the communication and move from the crater the impact had made on the wall.

Nanoha look up at the dimensional breach where the creatures seem to be coming out. She saw many lights in the sky that indicate the location of other mages trying to reach it but then they move back leaving the space open. It was now or never. She got on the root of the building and place her feet firmly on the ground. The mana gather around her and a new magic circle appear under her feet glowing with a more intense light and creating a beacon that the creatures could see from the sky. Nanoha aim her device at the breach and load the cartridges, emptying the magazine and replacing with a new one.

"Let's go Raising Heart, we destroy it in one blow" Nanoha smiled when the creatures gather above notice her and move down like one to attack. An aiming scope appear on top of her device and she make sure the dimensional breach was dead center. "Divine Buster Extension!"

The beam of cherry blossom mana destroy any creature on its way and reach the desire target exploding and destroying more of the creatures gather around it and for a few moments blocking the light of the sun. Nanoha did not take her eyes from the place of the impact and she let go a small sigh of relief when the dust clear and the breach appear sealed.

She let her device release all the vapor from its shaft and shirted upwards. Around the base a large cheer was heard from the mages. There were still some stragglers but without the apparently endless reinforcements the TSAB personal had a fighting chance.

"Any new orders Major?" Nanoha ask opening a channel again but to her surprise she only receive static. "Major Nakajima, are you there?"

Before she could try again a telepathic message reach her. It was Teana and her mental voice seem to be full of alarm.

"Nanoha-san, it was a trap! The enemy is in here! They came for the object!"

"Teana? What is going on?" Nanoha try to get an answer but before her student could add anything the building where the command center was exploded with a bright green glow.