[ Coastal Spaceport 5, Eastern Mid / September 19, 0078 06:57 ]
The arrival area of the spaceport was crowded despite the early hour. Among the disembarking passengers was a tall young woman whose striking figure and short sunny-blonde hair drew eyes. Large shades obscured a good half of her face.
Meeting her was a bespectacled man about the same age, whose long hair of a slightly darker shade of blond was bound into a ponytail.
"Come on, let's not linger," he said without a greeting.
With a nod, the woman followed him to a parked car outside. He first spoke again after starting the engine.
"You have no idea how much I'm risking by helping you."
"I am sorry, Yuuno. I don't have anyone else left on the Mid."
"You made sure of that. You are wanted all over the administrated worlds, and if the Bureau catches wind of you being here, they'll call a manhunt."
"I know. I won't cause you trouble."
"You already have," Yuuno grinned darkly. "Where is Shari?"
"She said it's dangerous and stayed to work on the data."
"She is smarter than you. I don't want to know where you operate from right now."
"I wouldn't tell you anyway," Fate smiled.
"Good, you are learning. When we get there…"
"I know the drill."
"…no getting up close unless nobody is there. I hear Ms. Lanster and Ms. Nakajima are going to visit today, too."
"Those kids," Fate's expression softened for the first time since she arrived. "They are still…"
"They are not kids anymore. But they are just as bad at dealing with loss as you are."
"And I presume you know a lot about loss, then?"
Very deliberately, Yuuno stopped the car and killed the engine.
"Nanoha Takamachi was my friend for years. I loved her as much as you did. If you think that you are the only one hurt here, think again."
"Yuuno…" Fate twitched but he didn't let her finish.
"Two months ago," Yuuno continued very calmly, "the Cradle attacked a non-administrated world, wiping out a group of archeologists studying a Belkan ruin."
"Oh God…" Fate's eyes widened in horror.
"I am the last Scrya now. So don't you fucking tell me about loss."
"I am sorry, Yuuno. I didn't know…" Her hand rose up and fell limp again before it could reach his shoulder.