End of Innocence

Malrom (TSAB-administrated world #83)

Malrom is a world that has small population if compared to most of the populated planet, not even reaching a billion. The majority of the people lived concentrated on several mega-cities, leaving most of the landmass in its natural state.

Despite that, the people of the planet are advanced enough to used magitek on a level that is noticeable by the Time-Space Administrative Bureau. Several years ago, the TSAB made contact with the local authority of Malrom and after several months of debates, conferences, and conversations, Malrom became one of the administrated world.

Due to its natural state, Malrom is often visited by people who wanted to explore the nature or having a nice vacation. It's also has a low crime rate.

To put it simply, Malrom can be considered a paradise.

But that is about to change…

At a park, a family of four is currently having a picnic among the rather large amount of people. The father and the mother are currently enjoying the scenery while both of their son and daughter are chasing a butterfly.

"You know, it's a good idea that you chose this planet as our vacation, dear." Said the mother to her husband.

"Well, you should say that to my friend Jack. He may have some…eccentricities. But at least he knows a good place to relax."

"Yeah, give him my thanks when we get back."

Both of them divert their attention to their children. They're still chasing the butterfly but suddenly stop when they look at the sky. Curious, they look at the sky as well and find out why their children seem to be awestruck.

The sky looks like as if it has a wound.

Several days later…

TSAB Mid-Childan Main Office, Cranagan, Mid-Childa

Inside a meeting room, members of the TSAB are gathering due to an event that never happen for a long time in the Bureau history; disappearance of a large number of population due to a raid by unknown party. The majority of the meeting will be led by the Three Admirals, connect from their office through a screen.

"Alright, everyone calm down please." Stated Admiral Midget Crowbel on the screen. "We're going to begin the meeting. Admiral Phils, would you?"

"Five standard days ago, we received a message from the authority of Malrom that two of their cities were ransacked. Inspection revealed that there is not even a single person alive left on the cities." Said Phils.

"Excuse me, Admiral. What do you mean by the last sentence?" Asked a navy personnel.

"When the body count was done, it was revealed that the bodies only represented a small percentage of the citizen on both cities. We can draw a conclusion that the rest were captured by the culprits for some unknown reason."

"How were the culprits managed to ransacked both cities?" Asked Enforcer Fate T. Harlaown.

"The cities on Malrom are not like the ones on Mid-Childa or other worlds. While there are at least thousands of cities on Mid-Childa alone, on Malrom they only slightly exceed a hundred. Furthermore, there were some maintenances on the communication service during the ransacking." Replied Crowbel.

"So, the culprits used both the nature of Malrom and the maintenance to concealed their attacks."

"Indeed, Enforcer Harlaown."

"Do we have any clue about the whereabouts of the culprits?" Asked Admiral Chrono Harlaown.

"That's why the meeting is being held, Admiral Harlaown. The culprits leave no trace whatsoever that indicates either their whereabouts or where they came from. Investigation also revealed that the chances are close to zero that the culprits used magic in their attacks." Said Crowbel.

This revelation sends a shock to almost everyone in the room. Magic has been used as a fundamental basis in the operation of almost everything in the TSAB space, including weaponry. The TSAB has put a ban on mass-based WMD and puts very heavy surveillance on mass-based firearms with some worlds even go as far as banned it altogether, like in Mid-Childa.

However, if the investigation said that magic is not used as a weapon during the attacks, that means the culprits were for some reason used mass-based weapons which will attract a lot of eyes in the TSAB.

"How do we know that they didn't use any magic?" Asked Captain Nanoha Takamachi.

"Most of the buildings remain mostly intact with only several damages, meaning that no heavy weapon was used. While this can mean many things, the major pointer is the result of the autopsy." Said Admiral Largo Kiel before showing a sour face which is soon shared by the other two admirals.

This…could not mean something good.

"According to the autopsy result, some of them died due to having their bodies torn asunder. Some were burned alive. Some were killed by poison…the similarity in almost all cases are that their deaths were an agonizing and painful one."

This almost caused several TSAB personnel to lose the content of their stomach.

"Seeing the reaction, it looks like our decision not to show all of you the photos of the victims are correct." Commented Phils.

"With that done, we're now going to start the discussion on…"

Before Crowbel can finish her words, the screen showing the Three Admirals is suddenly cut in half with the other one now showing a captain.

"Admirals, apologize for interrupting. I know there are procedures in sending a message to the high command, but this is emergency! Something that never happen in the history of the Bureau if I am not wrong!" Stated the admiral with a panic-filled voice.

"What's wrong, Captain Collins?" Asked Crowbel with a worried tone.

The TSAB personnel are well-known for following the procedures (one way or another). So, if someone from TSAB broke them, either he wants to betray the Bureau or something that's out of the box is happening.

"The worlds on Talon system – both the administrated and non – are…they're being invaded!"

Silence falls on the entire room. So silence that if someone drops a pin, the echo can be heard across the room. And the room is capable of holding several dozens of people. The people inside finally break the silence.

"WHAAAT?!"

Several hours ago…

Runesta (TSAB-administrated world #70)

Saying that the situation on Runesta is quite bad is like saying that the sun is rather warm. Currently, several non-TSAB ships are orbiting the planet.

Thought calling the amount of the ships "Several" is also an understatement since there are at least hundreds if not thousands of ships.

In his office, Admiral Karl Felix – responsible for the security of the Talon system – is anxiously waiting for the ships in the orbit for creating a contact with them. They had tried to contact the ships, asking their intention. But so far, they only received silence as the answer. Either their communication method is not compatible or the ships deliberately avoid making any contact.

None of them are good things in Admiral Felix's mind.

Suddenly, one of his staff enters his room to deliver and important news.

"Admiral, the ships finally make a contact with us. We're waiting for your order." Stated the staff.

"Finally!" Thought Admiral Felix. "Get everyone to the communication room and wait for my next order!"

"Yes, sir!"

The staff immediately do as he ordered with the admiral goes directly to the communication room.

Several minutes later…

After waiting, the representatives both military and civilians are now in the communication room. While they usually do this kind of "first contact communication" in a more appropriate room, Admiral Felix feels that something is not right and getting to the room will waste valuable time.

Time for what he's still unsure.

"Admiral, on your mark." Stated the communication staff.

Admiral Felix gives the signal and the staff opens the communication between him and anyone on board the ships.

"[COMMS] This is Admiral Karl Felix of the Time-Space Administrative Bureau. You are currently inside our space zone. Please state your intention so that we can avoid something we will regret!"

After several seconds, there is a sound of someone speaking in gibberish. Slowly thought, the people in the room start to understand what is being said.

"[COMMS] Greetings, Admiral Karl Felix. I am Por'O Tash'var Har'vash of the Tau Empire. I am here to deliver the message given by the Ethereal to all of you. We asked you to join us and served alongside us for the Greater Good…or be terminated where do you stand."

And the prologue is done.

If you have question or suggestion, feel free to tell me.

Review please.