Ground Forces HQ
Traffic Control/IFF Database
Cranagan, Midchilda
09.01.0088

Victor Stormhawk sighed heavily, rubbing his bleary eyes as hundreds of lines of locational data scrolled across the projected display. He wasn't alone, however; both Lutecia and Vivio sat at identical consoles, scanning over the massive amounts of sensor log data collected by the various probes scattered throughout dimensional space.

The Bureau made a habit of seeding areas of interest with long-range probes, small Device-like satellites that took various readings. Most of the data was of no use to the companions—temperature data, readings on the planets and stars various status. The sensor probes were also configured to detect unusual magical signatures. The individual Linker Cores of mages would not likely be detectable amidst all the background information, but the fish they were attempting to catch was the big one.

Abraham Stele's Linker Core was rated at SS-rank capacities, and the Bureau's ranking system was a logarithmic scale, not a linear one. An SS-ranked mage was an order of magnitude more easy to detect via sensor probes than an S-rank.

Still, it would not be easy at all. So much data to sift through, and time was not on their side. The more time passed, the greater the danger to Celica. Victor grunted softly and returned his attention to the data scrolling across the screen.

"This is getting us nowhere," Lutecia growled in frustration. "Either the sensitivity isn't calibrated correctly, or Stele has discovered a way to mask his Linker Core's signature. He isn't showing up on any of the worlds on Yuuno's list."

"It has to be in here somewhere," Victor said mildly. "Unless you have a better idea?"

"Not really," Lutecia said gloomily, turning back to her screen. Vivio leaned over from her terminal and tapped Victor on the shoulder.

"I actually... think I might have a better idea. Faster, anyway."

Both Shadows turned to the young woman, staring at her quizzically. Vivio blushed slightly, but set her shoulders resolutely and forged ahead.

"There is one person I can think of who knows more about Lost Logia than anyone in the Bureau, even Yuuno..." Vivio trailed off meaningfully, making a small motion with her fingers. "But I don't know."

"Who are you talking about?" Victor wanted to know, staring hard at Vivio. The blond girl opened her mouth to reply, but Lutecia was faster.

"Jail Scaglietti," the summoner said thoughtfully. "Of course he would know more." Victor stared at the two women blankly for a long moment, a stunned expression written across his face.

"Jail Scaglietti, the criminal who created the combat cyborgs, artificial mages, nearly destabilized the entire Midchildan system, unearthed the ancient Belkan dreadnought Saint's Cradle and started the basis for Project F? You mean that Jail Scaglietti?"

"Yeah, Storm. That Scaglietti," Lutecia said matter-of-factly.

"You're both crazy," Victor said incredulously. "We're doing this very, very off-the-record. Do you really think that the Bureau's highest-security orbital prison is just going to let us drop in on the most hated criminal in recent history?"

"The Admiral—"

"Doesn't really have the authority to allow such a thing," Victor cut in. "In attaining his current position, he lost much of his influence in the regular forces. His heroic exploits have not aged well, either."

"This is our best shot, Storm," Lutecia insisted. "Nobody alive knows more about Lost Logia than he does. We may not be able to just show up and have a little chat with him, but perhaps there's another way."

"We could try talking to Fate-mama. She might be able to pull some strings for us, get us a little time to speak with Scaglietti off-the-record. It wouldn't be very long, though, and it would be risky for Fate-mama..."

"Even assuming she would go along with this insane plan," Victor objected, "what makes you think Scaglietti will even talk? Why would he help the people who imprisoned him?"

"Big ego," Lutecia said immediately. "Make him believe someone else is besting him, one-upping him, and he'll probably be glad to tell us. He's never been the tight-lipped type, anyway. Always going off on grand villain's expositions."

Victor stared at the other Shadow and frowned. "I'm not one to put all my eggs in one basket here, but this seems like the best idea yet. Enforcer-Commandant Testarossa-Harlaown has the authority to do this thing without involving anyone else, so..."

"Let's go see Miss Harlaown, then," Lutecia said softly. Both Vivio and Victor nodded, packing up and shutting the terminals down.


Unknown location
09.01.0088

Celica blinked her gray eyes exhaustedly, vainly attempting to moisten them. The rogue NSIS elements didn't harm her, but they sure didn't make her life very easy. She had only been allowed six hours for sleep and another hour to bathe; the rest of the day she spent poring over the Precursor Artifact.

She was hungry, but the guards wouldn't allow her a half-hour dinner break for another two hours. They obviously intended to force her to work on the problem for as much time as possible each day, banking on the hope that she'd make a breakthrough soon.

As the analyst ran several code-sniffers and began to examine what she believed to be a base fragment of the core logic, Celica wondered why she had been chosen for this task. She was very good at what she did, but she was hardly the best choice for a task of this nature. She was an expert at breaking into computer systems—not an expert on Lost Logia.

Really, Dr. Scrya would have likely been a better candidate, thought Celica idly as she waited for the operations to complete. Or they could have busted Scaglietti out of prison...

It didn't make any sense. There were any number of experts out there that knew as much or more than she did, and most of them weren't expert spies and reasonably powerful mages. Without Tizona, Celica's skills were not nearly as impressive, and she could not leverage her magical ability effectively.

So why me?

That was a question Celica could not answer, but her musings were quickly forgotten when the computer let out a soft chime, signaling that the analysis was finished. She immediately focused on the output data and allowed herself a tight smile.

She'd found a way in—the very basics of the core logic used by the Al'hazred magic system could now be translated into modern Midchildan. Now, finally, she could really get to work—the computers would be able to talk to each other, at long last.

This isn't just the computer's language, but the basics of how the Al'hazred used magic. There might be more useful information in here than I thought. Celica glanced around, wary of the technicians assigned to make sure she didn't throw a spanner in the works. She didn't think any of them were as knowledgeable or as subtle as she, and she doubted that they would notice what she planned to do.

Already Celica had managed to translate the Al'hazred system to Midchildan. With some effort, she knew, it might be possible to actually use Al'hazred magic. What she did not know was how effective it would be without the aid of a Device. The Precursors' understanding of magic and how it worked went far beyond that of Midchildan mages. The core logic was different; the results were similar, but the ancients took a different route to obtain them.

It was possible that using what was stored within, she might discover a way to circumvent the AMF that kept her more a prisoner than the guards. Stele was not a technical person; Celica did not think the Belkan warrior would anticipate something like this.

Calm down and think, Celica told herself. If this is even possible, you're only going to get one shot at this.

Sighing loudly in false exasperation, Celica returned to the computers, making sure the technicians and the guards could hear her outward expressions of frustration. She wanted to make sure that her keepers thought she had reached an impasse.


Two hours later:

"Here you are, miss. You have thirty minutes before you are required to return to your duties," the female guard, the same one from before, said politely. Celica gratefully accepted the small tray and moved away from her work, quickly eating the tasteless military rations without complaint.

This tastes remarkably bland, but at least it's nutritious, she thought, shoveling another large bite of unidentifiable synthetic protein gruel into her mouth. It was like eating oatmeal without honey or sugar.

When Celica took her meal break, the technicians took theirs as well. They were gone, having left the computer center to a makeshift dining hall somewhere nearby. The guards remained, however, taking their meals near the doorway leading out, trying their best to avoid the elevated heat levels. Until the processing core was reactivated, the life support systems were only minimally functional. The computer center itself should have been kept much cooler than this, to ensure that the delicate devices did not overheat.

It doesn't make much difference if they're all basically inactive and we have to power them up individually just to take a look inside, Celica thought as she scraped the last bits of her food from the tray. She sat the container down and leaned back against the silvery metal wall, closing her eyes as if she were taking a quick nap.

The guards were eating something that smelled much more appetizing than her gruel, and they appeared to be quite relaxed, secure in the fact that, bereft of a Device and within the field of a very powerful AMF, their charge had been effectively rendered harmless.

Well, this is what their inattentiveness will earn them, Celica thought grimly. If this even works.

The use of magic was something very similar to mathematics; there was a certain method, a formula or equation used to route the chaotic, formless power channeled through the Linker Core into a form that could be manipulated at will. The Anti-Magilink Field was essentially interference, a form of magical jamming that prevented common methods of access from functioning. As a result, Celica could barely detect the presence of her own Linker Core... at least, if she used the commonly-known and understood Modern Midchildan method.

The Al'hazred method had been lost to the mists of time after the fall of their civilization. Pieces of it survived over the centuries, seen within Ancient Belkan and Modern Belkan, but the original core logic of the Precursors was something that Celica alone now knew.

Celica fell deeply within her own mind, cutting out external input, ignoring the armed guards and their low-voiced conversation. She ignored the heat of the computer center, ignored the soft hum of her workstations. She blocked all external influences out as she worked to restructure the connection between herself and her Linker Core.

Her lips split into a wide grin. It would work. It was possible.

It wouldn't be an easy process and it would take some time, but it was possible. She opened her eyes and sighed heavily as the guards stood at attention, staring at her, their rifles held at the ready.

The technicians will be back any minute now, she thought glumly. I best make myself look busy.

With any luck, I won't get a wink of sleep tonight.


Enforcer-Commandant's Office
Time-Space Administration Bureau Main Office
09.01.0088

Lutecia forced a polite smile at the woman behind the desk, trying hard not to let her impatience show. But the receptionist had become an obstruction, one that, in her current state, Lutecia wished nothing more than to instruct Garyuu to remove.

"Calm down, Alphine," Victor said, a note of warning in his voice. Lutecia sighed heavily and stepped back as the receptionist answered another call, ignoring the summoner's ire.

"Vivio, can't you do something?" Victor queried. Vivio nodded slightly.

"I can call her, but if she's in a meeting, it won't do us any good. The receptionist might be lying because we came in unannounced, though."

"Call her and find out," Lutecia growled. "I can feel my blood pressure rising."

"All right," Vivio replied, sending a mental command to her Device. The Intelligent Device, taking the form of a ring while in its suspended state, responded immediately and made the call.

A holographic display materialized in the air mere seconds after Vivio established the communications link. The porcelain-smooth face of Enforcer-Commandant Fate Testarossa-Harlaown appeared on the screen, her features turned up in a smile upon seeing Vivio, but her eyes remained sharp.

"I take it from your expression that you aren't just calling to say hello. Who's there with you? Are you in my office right now?"

"Colonel Harlaown," Victor began, cutting in before Vivio could reply, "we must speak with you privately on a matter of grave importance. A particularly thorny incident involving a Lost Logia and a missing Bureau member."

"Who am I speaking with?" Fate wanted to know.

"Warrant Officer Victor Stormhawk, TSAB Naval Forces," the blond man replied smartly, saluting without hesitation. It was an unfamiliar motion; the Shadows all held positions within the regular Navy, but rarely did they have to use the ranks in their day-to-day duties.

"And Lutecia is with you as well," Fate noted in a neutral tone. She knew of the younger Alphine's connection with NSIS and her job as a Shadow. The supreme commander of the Enforcers was smart enough to deduce that this Warrant Officer Stormhawk was also a Shadow.

"Fate-mama, we need your help," Vivio said earnestly. "Can you meet with us in private?"

"I'll clear my schedule. Give me a moment."

The projected communications pane vanished, leaving the three young mages in silence. The receptionist glanced up from her work, shrugging.

Lutecia broke the silence first. "Well, this is going better than I had hoped."

"Save that until you've told her your crackpot plan," Victor remarked acidly. "This is never going to work."

"Don't be so pessimistic, Storm," Lutecia said softly. "I know you're agitated right now—you know I'd be crawling up the walls if it had been someone else instead of Celica. But we'll get her back, I'm sure of it."

Victor let out a deep breath and allowed his gaze to fall briefly on Vivio's shapely form. Of course, if it had been Vivio who was being held prisoner instead of Celica, Lutecia would not be the only one tearing the entire Bureau down around its own ears.

It stung Victor profoundly. Celica had very few friends. She was invisible outside of NSIS, and as a senior analyst, she was far more boss than friend to most of the other intel weenies. Within the Shadows, only the admiral, Lutecia and Victor truly cared for her.

Vivio Takamachi was a beloved figure within the Bureau, the daughter of two of the most famous aerial mages to ever serve under the aegis of the TSAB. If it were she who had been kidnapped, the Bureau would be moving heaven, hell and the earth with its bare hands to retrieve her.

But it was only Celica Iris-Lynnfield who had been kidnapped, and only two Shadows and a research assistant cared enough to risk their lives for her.

"This is pissing me off," Victor muttered.


"Bardiche, seal the door and erect a phase barrier," Fate requested softly. The Intelligent Device, still locked within its suspended form, complied and flashed with golden light.

"Yes, sir."

A Midchildan magic circle blazed into existence underneath Fate's feet, fiercely glowing with gold light. The air became distorted, losing color and washing out slightly before rippling and returning to normal.

"There, now nobody can listen in on our conversation without an extensive amount of effort," Fate said gently. "Please, sit down."

The two Shadows and Vivio complied, taking their seats on the comfortable divan stretched across one side of Fate's office. The colonel herself took a seat opposite them, on the other couch, and cupped her hands around a mug of tea. Taking a long, slow sip, she looked at her young visitors expectantly.

Victor took a deep breath. "Madame Enforcer-Commandant, we need to speak with Jail Scaglietti."

Fate maintained an iron grip on her emotions, but the request struck her like a blow. Her mouth dropped open slightly in surprise.

"That is an extraordinary request, one I cannot grant lightly."

"These are extraordinary times," Victor went on. "Madame Commandant, I—"

"Please, call me Fate. I can't stand my full title."

"Very well, Fate," Victor said, unperturbed, "I'll get right to the point. You already know that Lutecia Alphine is an agent with the Naval Special Intelligence Service, and I'm sure you've already surmised that I am also a Shadow, as well."

"Correct. Please continue."

"As the supreme commander of the Enforcers, you also know that an NSIS agent, Celica Iris-Lynnfield, has been accused of murder and is currently at large."

"I know of this," Fate confirmed. "We have issued a wide-area arrest warrant for Iris-Lynnfield on suspicion of murdering three Security Division officers, as well as charges of espionage and treason."

"Espionage and treason, too?" Victor echoed incredulously. He glanced at Lutecia warily. The woman, who had been letting Victor do most of the talking, could be silent no longer.

"That's complete bullshit," Lutecia spat coldly. "The Administration is hanging Celica out to dry—and NSIS, too, by association. They have no idea what actually happened."

"Please, start from the beginning," asked Fate, an irritated tone creeping in her voice. "Things aren't as they seem, are they?"

"No, they aren't," Victor agreed. "From what we have discovered, NSIS has been compromised to an enormous degree. Even Admiral Harlaown has no idea how widespread the problem is, but here's the deal: Celica stumbled upon something she shouldn't have during the course of her normal duties. Rogue elements within NSIS attempted to murder her in order to keep their dirty little secret hidden, but Celica proved to be stronger.

"She escaped, taking the incriminating data with her. According to Alphine here, Celica has been running around the entire TSAB system and beyond, trying desperately to find enough evidence to clear her name and hang the traitorous bastards by their balls."

"Celica found the evidence necessary," Lutecia said, picking up where Victor left off. "But the rogue faction within NSIS would not stop there. They sent a powerful mage to take her and the evidence into custody."

"Where is Iris-Lynnfield now?" Fate wanted to know.

"That's what we don't know. She was taken prisoner by a high-ranking member of the rogue faction, but they could be holding her anywhere."

"Why do you need to speak with Scaglietti?" Fate asked bluntly.

"We have reason to believe that the rogue faction has made its base of operations on a world containing remnants of the Al'hazred civilization," Victor explained, watching with interest as the word Al'hazred sent a shadow flickering across Fate's expression. "Nobody alive knows more about the Al'hazred and Lost Logia than he."

"You think Scaglietti might have an idea where this rogue faction has gone to ground?"

"That's correct," Victor replied steadily. Fate did not immediately respond; the blond woman instead took several long, slow sips from her rapidly-cooling tea. Both Victor and Lutecia could almost see the gears and cogs turning within Fate's mind as she contemplated the incredible request. They remained silent, waiting for the senior officer to make her decision.

Vivio wasn't one to wait, however, and her relationship with Fate was far more informal than that of Lutecia and Victor.

"Fate-mama, please. Cia's friend is in danger, the longer it takes to find her, the more likely she is to be killed. And if they make her activate the Lost Logia..." Vivio trailed off meaningfully, knowing full well the ominous implication would bring memories flooding back to the veteran Enforcer.

"All right, you've convinced me," Fate said at length. "I'll arrange everything—under one condition."

"And that would be?" Victor inquired.

"I will be sending one of my own people with you," Fate elaborated. "I would greatly like to accompany you myself, but my duties do not allow me the luxury of gallivanting across the multiverse like when I was younger."

"That is acceptable to us," Victor said guardedly, wondering just who Colonel Harlaown had in mind. He glanced at Lutecia, who shrugged, not bothering to comment.

"Thank you, Fate-mama!" Vivio gushed, tackling the older woman with a close hug. Fate smiled and blushed faintly, returning her adoptive daughter's grateful embrace. The senior Enforcer managed to disentangle herself long enough to open a channel to her receptionist.

"Diane, please instruct Captain Lanster to report to my office for immediate reassignment."


Harlaown residence
Cranagan, Midchilda
09.01.0088

Chrono swirled the Belkan wine around in a fluted glass idly, contemplating the thick, blood-red liquid for a long moment before taking a small swallow. The drink was bitter and strong, befitting of a warrior culture, he thought.

He sat in his study, across from his mother, Lindy Harlaown, the Bureau's representative to the IAFW Administrative Council. The woman, still in the prime of middle age, looked almost as young as she did when she was the captain of the Bureau cruise patrol warship Asura.

There are a few more wrinkles around the mouth, a few lines under her eyes from the stress of her political appointment, Chrono thought. But there was little time to waste with pointless things.

"I wish I could just be a grandmother for the next few days, but the Council hearing into NSIS branch of the Naval Forces begins tomorrow. I need to know, Chrono: are you close to some sort of resolution?"

"As far as I know, my agents are getting closer," Chrono said grimly. "I allowed Lutecia Alphine to bring in Agent Victor Stormhawk, and it seems that my top Field Division agent is also bringing in help of her own from other places. I was informed earlier that Vivio Takamachi now accompanies the two of them, and that they spent some time in Enforcer-Commandant Harlaown's office. Shortly thereafter, they were seen at the main office in the company of Captain Teana Lanster."

"A strong force," Lindy agreed, showing no sign of concern for Vivio's safety, Chrono noted. Lindy knew well that Vivio had inherited her genetic ancestor's Belkan Rare Skill, but more than that, Vivio was an adult, able to make her own decisions. Her grandmother wasn't about to invalidate the young woman's choices.

"Fate told me they came to her, asking for permission to interrogate Jail Scaglietti, and Lutecia recently sent me an operational update, complete with all the information they have gathered so far."

Chrono tapped a string of commands into a virtual console and several displays materialized before Lindy, allowing the woman to examine the data contained in Lutecia's report. The woman was silent for a long time as she digested the information.

"I hope they succeed," Lindy said coolly, closing the displays with a dismissive gesture. "This information is damning, but it's entirely circumstantial and speculative. Without overwhelming concrete evidence—and someone to blame, I might add—the Council will do everything in their power to dissolve NSIS."

"Even if they succeed," Chrono muttered darkly, "the Council may still yet decide that the potential for corruption is too great and dissolve the Shadows anyway."

"That is possible, yes, but even if that happens, at least Iris-Lynnfield will not be made a scapegoat."

"Point," Chrono conceded, leaning back in his seat and taking another sip of his wine. "You should go get some rest, Mother. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."

"I will, dear," Lindy said with a slight smile. "I don't get many chances to visit with my only son, so I want to make the best of this. With the kids and Amy already asleep, this might be the only chance I get to spend time with you alone for a long while."

Chrono chuckled, raising his glass and taking another sip. "More wine, then?"

"Absolutely," Lindy said, grinning and holding out her empty glass.


TSAB Maximum Security Orbital Prison
Aquilae 3, Beta Aquilae
09.01.0088

Lutecia glanced at Victor sidelong as Teana Lanster spoke in rapid-fire speech to the prison warden's obstinate receptionist. The poor woman looked stricken as the red-haired woman towered over her, glowering with impatience.

"My orders come from the Enforcer-Commandant herself," Teana growled, waving her arms impatiently. "I don't care if the warden is on his deathbed; get him in here. I know it's late at night, but this mission is more important than the warden's beauty sleep!"

"Y-yes, ma'am," the frightened secretary said, her face pale. Teana nodded curtly and continued to glare harshly at the woman for a few moments before a door opened and the disheveled prison warden walked in, irritation at being awoken written across his face.

"What do you want, Enforcer? It's the middle of the sleep period; couldn't it have waited until morning?"

Teana frowned slightly and said, "My name is Captain Teana Lanster; I have been ordered by Colonel Testarossa-Harlaown to perform a crucial mission for the Naval Forces." The red-haired woman sent her Device, Cross Mirage, a mental command. A holographic display materialized before the warden, detailing the mission orders and the official magical sigil of Colonel Fate T. Harlaown, Enforcer-Commandant of the TSAB.

The warden's reaction was predictable. His eyes widened and his jaw became slack, staring at the order incredulously. His instructions were brief but to the point.

"Very well, Captain," the warden said after a long moment. "I will take you to Scaglietti, but please, can I get dressed first?"

Teana was magnanimous in her victory, and nodded slightly. Lutecia, Vivio and Victor watched in awe as the imposing form of the prison warden—slightly less so in a plain white t-shirt and boxer shorts—strode back into his quarters to clean himself up.

"Scaglietti is in the highest security cell block," Teana explained, "and security measures being what they are, only one person can be allowed to converse with the prisoner at once. They will be sealed inside a special interrogation room and placed under a heavy AMF/jamming field that even interferes with combat cyborg systems."

Victor raised an eyebrow. "I assumed Colonel Harlaown sent you for that exact purpose?"

"I was ordered to accompany you and assist you in your mission," explained the Enforcer smoothly. "Your entire mission. The Enforcer-Commandant has spoken at length with your superior. It's been decided; whatever's going on here is a major threat to the peace, and the incident has now come up on General Yagami's desk."

"I knew that would happen as soon as it leaked," Lutecia said sourly. This isn't good, Lutecia sent to Victor. If this situation gets any more public, even if the Administration doesn't give NSIS the thumbs-down, all of us are going to be too famous to do our jobs.

I'm well aware of that, Victor replied, but there's little else we can do other than move forward. Celica will be the one harmed the most by this, you know.

Lutecia didn't bother responding to that.

Teana frowned, sensing that thoughtspeech was bouncing back and forth between the two Shadows, but having no way to decrypt it and listen in, she merely shrugged. "Let's worry about the other stuff later. Who will be volunteering to perform the interrogation?"

"I'll take care of this," Lutecia said grimly. "I know the man better than anyone else here; if anyone can get the data we need out of his head, it'll be me."

"Very well," Teana said seriously. "Agent Stormhawk, Vivio, you two can wait in the lounge. I'll get someone to bring you something to eat; make yourselves comfortable."

"Thanks," Victor muttered, somewhat annoyed that he would not be able to listen in on the interrogation through the one-way glass. According to the security protocol, prisoners of the highest lockdown status could only be interrogated by one person, accompanied by an entire squad of guards.

The warden emerged from his quarters, dressed snappily in his dark blue Naval Forces uniform. He whispered something Lutecia couldn't quite catch to his receptionist, who nodded immediately and started entering commands into her console.

"We will head to the maximum-security cell block," the warden said without preamble. "Only one of you can come."

"I'll be the one going," Lutecia said. The warden nodded and beckoned for her to follow, while Teana led Victor and Vivio toward the prison's administrative lounge, where they would be required to wait until the interrogation was over.

Lutecia followed the warden down the austere corridors of the orbital prison. As a correctional facility, the station had very little in the way of creature comforts outside the administration area and the guard barracks. Security was the overriding concern—Lutecia could spot multiple full-resolution video cameras and multifunction sensor nodes at regular intervals. Breaking out of such a facility would be exceedingly difficult.

The AMF did not extend to the corridors, but Lutecia knew there were likely several emergency field generators hidden away within the station, to be activated in the event of an escape.

The warden stopped beside a thick blast door and waited patiently while the scanner examined his Linker Core signature, identifying him and allowing access. The heavy door slid open soundlessly, leading into a small interrogation room bisected by a heavy sheet of impact-resistant glass.

On the other side of the glass sat a very glum Jail Scaglietti, looking none the worse for wear and almost exactly like he did twelve years ago. Surrounding his chair were four heavily-armed Naval Forces marines, outfitted with heavy Barrier Jackets and carrying linear rifles. The marines kept their Devices holstered, for they would do little good under the effects of such a strong AMF.

Lutecia could feel the effects of the field herself, even though it was centered on the opposite side of the room. Her connection to her own Linker Core felt strange, as if she were viewing it through frosted glass.

"You have one hour and then the prisoner must be returned to his cell," the warden said, taking his seat near the door. "I will not interfere, but I must oversee, per regulations."

Lutecia ignored the man and stood before the glass barrier, staring at the shackled man with an apathetic gaze.

"Doctor," she said neutrally.

"Ah, Lutecia," said Jail Scaglietti, the man smiling slightly as he looked up. "What brings you to my neck of the woods? Come to visit your old friend the Doctor?"

Lutecia didn't answer immediately. His eyes seemed to lack the fire they once held. Lutecia wasn't surprised—twelve years in this hell would dampen the spirits of even the most indomitable folk.

"You know I'm not here for small talk," Lutecia said grimly. "This is the first time I've seen you in twelve years. I've come to tell you something."

"Ah, but you never wrote, you never called. I've missed you, my dear Lutecia! It's so wonderful to see you again," the arcanist went on, his face smiling, but there was a hard edge to that smile that Lutecia didn't like one bit.

"Al'hazred ruins, Doctor," Lutecia said coolly. "Someone else has been following in your footsteps. We're trying to find them and stop them."

"Why would I want to help you do that?" Jail said, laughing loudly. "If there are researchers and arcanists out there continuing my work, I wish them luck! I believe we're done here, my dear Lutecia."

"They aren't continuing your research, Doctor," Lutecia replied, a note of sorrow injected into her voice. "They've taken it to a whole new level, above and beyond anything that you ever imagined!"

Jail frowned, his mind frantically sorting through his vast knowledge. Lutecia smiled inwardly—the good Doctor's incarceration hadn't done much to improve his sanity. He had always been egotistical and prone to lengthy bouts of exposition, delighting in proving his intellectual superiority over everyone else.

Lutecia was counting on that very thing. If she could rile him up enough, get him to believe that the rogue faction would eclipse his brilliance with research based off of his own work, he would sing like a bird.

"They'll be the ones who claim the credit, Doctor," Lutecia went on, pressing her advantage without mercy. "I've seen the experimental data myself, and it works. Flawlessly, I might add. All they have to do is perfect the method and even the great accomplishment of Project F will pale in comparison!"

"What have they done?" Jail demanded sharply.

"They've discovered how to artificially increase the capacity of a person's Linker Core, without any physical or genetic modification," Lutecia said simply, relying on the information Celica had saved within Tizona's memory. "Artificial mages and combat cyborgs cannot compare to this, Doctor. There are no side-effects. No expensive and time-consuming maintenance. The experimental bodies are not fragile in any way."

"But—"

"Not only is this possible, Doctor," Lutecia interrupted, "but there is even evidence that they managed to activate dormant Linker Cores with this technology. People completely without magic, suddenly becoming powerful mages!"

"Impossible!" Scaglietti howled. "There is no way that can be done with the current understanding of arcane theory, unless... unless... no, there's no way. They couldn't have found it!"

"Couldn't have found what, Doctor?"

"Al'hazred technology. A secret facility for augmenting and creating mages, used to quickly build a powerful military force in times of crisis," Scaglietti muttered, almost to himself. His eyes widened madly and he held his head in his hands.

The Doctor burst out laughing.

"So, someone else found it! And they found a working processor core! Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn, damn! That was to be my finale! My greatest work, if only I could have found or repaired the processor core!

"NO! I will not let them have it," Scaglietti wheezed, his breath coming out in gasps. He started to jerk ineffectually against his shackles and chains, his body flopping about in the restrictive chair, desperately trying to escape, as if he meant to stop them himself.

"I'll help you, Doctor," Lutecia said soothingly. "Tell me where it is, and I'll stop them for you. I won't let them take all the glory. I used to help you, long ago, Doctor, do you remember?"

Scaglietti's body suddenly ceased its useless thrashing and he locked a suspicious gaze on Lutecia, his vision blurring from the crazed exertions.

"I remember... you will do this favor for me, sweet Lutecia?"

"I promise I'll stop them," Lutecia said firmly, and she meant it. She had always had mixed feelings for the Doctor, even when she worked for him... when she traveled with Zest and Agito. The other two had unabashedly hated Scaglietti, but Lutecia didn't hold such strong negative emotions for the man.

Even now, after so many years, after all that had happened, Lutecia could not truly bring herself to blame the man as much as others did. He had never been completely sane and the TSAB High Council took advantage of him. They had paid for their audacity with their lives, but Lutecia, and many others within NSIS, knew that the true criminals had been given the easy way out.

Still, Lutecia felt slightly sad as the Doctor began to talk rapidly, rambling, reciting dimensional coordinates and the names of worlds. Fortunately for Lutecia, Asclepius was ready, and began to record the data as Scaglietti spoke.

Lutecia hoped it would be enough. Time was running short.


Unknown location
09.01.0088

Celica glanced at the screens of her workstation and then back at the technicians. They had taken a break—unlike her, they could take short breaks whenever they wished, and Celica's docile behavior had lulled them and the guards into a state of complacency.

Quickly, trying not to attract any attention, she deleted the logs from the earlier analysis she ran, making sure that the translated core logic data was incomplete. She would have preferred to erase it completely, but a partial erasure would make it exceedingly difficult for the rogue faction to use while also maintaining the illusion that she was complying with their wishes.

The necessary information was already locked within her mind—she had spent the last several hours committing it to memory. She repeatedly thanked the mnemonic exercises that were a major part of NSIS training, allowing her to memorize such complex formulae.

It would be time for the guard to return her to her quarters. Celica watched out of the corner of her eye as the male guard stood, holding his linear rifle at the ready, while the female guard slung her weapon across her shoulders and walked over to Celica's workstation.

"Miss, it's time to return you to your quarters."

"All right," Celica said graciously, shutting the computers down. She stood up and allowed herself to be escorted out of the computer center, the male guard's rifle aimed directly at her spine, the female guard clasping her upper arm none too tightly.

The walk was uneventful and free of conversation as usual. The female guard opened the door leading to the converted room, ushering Celica inside, who obeyed without resistance. Both guards backed away slowly, keeping their weapons trained on her, and then sealed the door.

Celica sat down on the edge of the military cot and sighed softly. The room's illumination would wink out within the next ten minutes, giving her just enough time to get undressed and climb into bed, but she had no intention of doing so. She had no idea if there were listening devices or recording devices within the room, but it had been a rush job—Celica doubted that the rogue faction would have had time to plant surveillance equipment.

Even if they did, it wouldn't matter at all. As soon as I use any magic, they're going to know something's up.

Celica closed her eyes and stilled her thoughts, focusing her mental energies inward. This would be a long, slow process, but she had a much better understanding of the underlying logic than most people. It took training, or the assistance of a Device, to understand core logic. Most mages spent months in heavy training attempting to set the core logic of their chosen style within their minds, securely linking their consciousness with their Linker Core.

Celica was different. She didn't just use magic, but she often wrote it. She had never attempted to do so before now, but it would not be impossible for her to switch from one core logic to another. When the only choices had been Belkan or Midchildan, Celica opted to remain with the style more suited for her job.

I wouldn't make a very good knight, anyway, Celica thought wryly. She bit her own lip, frowning at her inability to keep her thoughts quiet. Without absolute concentration, she wouldn't be able to do this without Tizona's help.

The hum of the climate control systems faded away as Celica took a deep breath, slowly exhaling, then inhaling with a regular, gentle rhythm. She focused on her breathing, pushing everything else out of her mind, then when the slate was clean, she began to reorganize her link.

As if her thoughts were physical objects, Celica slowly disassembled her existing connection to her Linker Core, while simultaneously rebuilding it with a different pattern and shape. It was a dangerous process—if her concentration was disrupted, she could possibly corrupt her own core logic, leaving her without any magic until the damage could be repaired.

Minutes passed, or perhaps hours—Celica had no way of knowing, so focused was she on her task. So it was with no small amount of relief that she opened her gray eyes and blinked in the darkness as she mentally felt the last piece click into place.

Celica smiled smugly. The AMF permeating her room had not been compromised, yet she could feel her Linker Core blazing as strongly as it ever had, if not more so. The Al'hazred core logic felt vastly more efficient than the Midchildan link, but Celica wasn't about to get too confident just yet.

She had just fundamentally altered the way her own magic worked. It might perform unpredictably, and without Tizona to amplify her output, it might not be powerful enough for her to escape with.

I can't just wait around for a rescue, though, Celica told herself sternly. She stood up from the cot, stretching her stiff muscles—judging from the creaks in her joints, she must've been sitting for at least three hours.

Celica closed her eyes and called forth magical energy. A blazing blue-white hexagonal magic circle sprang into being beneath her feet, bordered and chased with sinuous, curving runes.

"Nova Lancer," Celica called out, holding an outstretched finger in the direction of the door leading from her makeshift cell. A half-dozen motes of blue-white light materialized all around her, suddenly streaking off in the direction Celica had indicated.

One after another, the small magical projectiles slammed into the door and exploded, tearing the metal barrier from its moorings. The smoking, twisted remains of the door slammed into the opposite side of the corridor, clattering loudly to the ground.

The red-haired mage opened her eyes and grinned broadly in the dim light as she gingerly stepped through the hole she had just blasted.

Yeah, this will do just fine.


author's note:

Okay, well, I lied. I was supposed to answer all of the questions raised in Chapter 6, but this was just getting too big, so again, more will be forthcoming in Chapter 8.

The group just keeps getting larger, doesn't it? Three has become four with the addition of Teana, and I suspect that we'll see at least one more person before our heroes make their attack on the Factory to rescue Celica.

Stay tuned for more. Same Bat time, same Bat channel. :)