Over the final days of our trip to Earth I get pretty healed up, sort things out with my family so any confusion and questions they have get answered, apologize a few times to my father for hurting him so bad when I find out I broke many of his ribs, till he gets me to stop and I also figure out my next steps.

So with permission of the Captain I wrack the AI's brain as well as the information systems on the ship. Still looking for information on this mystery group as deep as we can get, as my mother's still operational AI gets in on the action. It helps me decide much.

But not if I'm going to enlist or not and that still frustrates me because I know I need to figure that out, so I can take the next steps to prepare myself for that path.

I step into the bridge to find my uncle Kurt, and a couple others standing around the holotable. The Captain looks up at me was I politely nod to them and stride forward to the table side.

"So we've heard you have made some breakthroughs on this mystery group." an Admiral's image states from one of the open view-screens as I step into view, bowing my head politely as I set the borrowed tablet I've been using down on the tabletop, letting my mother's AI bring up the information for everyone to scrutinize.

"Yes sir. I was right about them being an old organization. Graves junior is just a small cog in the larger machine. Unlike with the URF where his grandfather was a much larger piece, the youth is far lower on the totem pole. Which I was right to be concerned considering his capabilities if his position turned out to be so low. It lends me to believe those in the command circle are far more trouble." I begin as my mother's AI transfers the information over, which by the man's slight shift as it appears on his screen tells me I've done some good work.

"As of yet however, who and what their intended final goals are, are still out of my reach. But the students actions at the school may have the unintended effect of drawing them out to reveal themselves now that the UNSC has control and at least awareness of the cloning facility and what was found within it. Along with the goings on within the school and the kinds of students they procured. Not a single person is run of the mill. But the cream of the crop for their skill sets that with some effort and training they could either be excellent additions to their own machine or to break that machine into tiny pieces." I continue, flipping over the images of student's pictures with a short description of their particular strengths, including those who were 'graduated' or killed which as the others look this over, the Captain looks up at me seriously concerned.

"Are you sure about this? All of these people were chosen to attend that school...?" he questions and I nod grimly.

"Yes sir. Even those like myself who applied to other schools, they killed those applications so theirs was the only one we could attend. And if we fought or tried to go personally to other schools or those on their 'hit list' didn't apply, they made sure we came there." I explain matter-of-factly while the Admiral relaxes in the seat he's in.

"This is very informative and well put together.." My uncle comments, looking through the files thoughtfully as I motion to my mother.

"An AI in this kind of investigation is indispensable. Let alone two sparing some of their time to assist my research and help me format this for the simple impact of what kind of an enemy we may now be facing." I state before sliding my finger over my tablet and brings up all the files onto the holotable, which forms into a scale system, revealing a small portion of the scale of the group that we've uncovered thus far that causes even Roland, the Infinity's AI to let out a low impressed whistle. The officers surprise quickly turns grim like my expression as I look at the slowly rotating image.

"I asked Cortana to add this format for anyone who wishes to debate that this group is indeed a serious threat. I see few ways with this simple scale anyone could argue this group doesn't deserve serious action to stop them. I've found that over the mass of files and information, visual representations are far better at putting into perspective certain things." I state, looking at the Admiral as I relax to an emotionless stance as he looks over the scale displayed on a projector out of the view of the camera. But his and the others silence doesn't last long as he shifts in his seat, looking directly at me now just as bothered about this as I am.

"This is certainly disturbing information you have gleaned and I will have actions taken immediately to get the UNSC and ONI on this group. Captain Lasky. I will send word shortly on what Highcom decides. In the meantime, keep the students under close watch or guard if need be. If this group has targeted them as high value targets, they may try again to apprehend or kill them entirely now that its obvious they are going to be uncooperative to their plans." He orders and the Captain snaps to attention as I internally sigh to myself.

"Great... Babysitting..." I think to myself before there's a short exchange between the two and the Admiral's view screen snaps off, allowing a short moment for us to breathe as I relax. I slide my borrowed tablet over to the Captain calmly.

"With your permission. I'm going to go get some sleep now.." I look at him wearily as he gently picks the tablet up and nods with a slight understanding smile.

"Alright. You've certainly earned it." he states, slightly swaying the tablet meaningfully in his hand and I nod to him politely before I turn around and leaves.

It doesn't take me long to get back to the barracks I share with my schoolmates who're doing various things, some playing cards, other sparring, a few sleeping and a couple others reading.

"Hey! Ciel's back! How'd it go?!" One of them raises the alarm as I step into the room and exhales a bit tiredly as I begin to unbutton my uniform jacket, closing the door behind myself.

"It raised many eyebrows. And is being given directly to HIGHCOM and ONI with the serious advisement that group should get immediate action to put them down." I explain tiredly as I walk over and sit down on my bunk exhausted.

"And that we're to be babysat for our own safety in case the group comes after us now that we've proven we won't give into them but fight them with all we have. There is concern the group may try to re-kidnap us or just kill us as a result." I exhale as I get ready for bed.

"When was the last time you slept?" Arthur inquires, noting my slow and careful movements to slip my uniform off before I rise and begin putting my uniform away into my locker.

"3 days, 16 hours, and 45 minutes. And only the AI's know how many cups of coffee its taken to keep me going this long." I answer with slight humour as I close my locker and returns to my bedside, pulling the covers back before I sit down.

"Ciel. You really shouldn't beat yourself up about-" he begins to say sympathetically as Solomon throws a sock at him.

"That's not why. She just wanted to get it done so it could be submitted right away when we arrived at Earth." he states before rolling back over with a tired yawn to go back to sleep.

"Now stop your nagging honey." he teases Arthur as I snicker and slips under the covers of my bed.

"Thanks Sol." I muse quietly as one of the other guys puts an arm around Arthur's neck and begins ruffling his hair as everyone goes back to what they'd been doing.

"No probs shorty.." he mutters back and I toss a sock at him, smiling slightly.

"I'm not short." I grumble, hearing him laugh quietly before we both settle back into our bunks and dose off.

Hours later, just as I'm putting a clean uniform on and adjusting the jacket the room's com starts up, which one of the others closest answers politely, speaking with someone for a short time before they finish.

"Hey Ciel. There's a call for you and your parents. They said you can take it on the bridge. The Captain has news anyways." Sandra calls over to me and I nod calmly.

"Thanks Sandy." I smile calmly before leaving and heads up to the bridge, fussing a bit over the look of my clothes and hair as I ride the lift to the level the bridge is on.

"Your parents are going to be delayed, would you like to take the call alone?" Roland inquires while Lasky is looking something else over before turns to acknowledge me as I walk over to the table.

"Go ahead Roland. I can relay things to them when they arrive." I state calmly, covering my mouth as I yawn tiredly.

"Just get up?" Lasky smiles slightly and I snicker, grinning.

"No. The shower made me tired all over again." I smile as a window pops up in front of me with my two brothers shown on it with an oddly black background. But my smile fades when I see the fear and apprehension on their faces and I lean in, placing my hands on the edge of the table.

"Whats wrong boys?" I question as Jay shifts uncomfortably (I've two brothers, Jay which is just about 13 and Franklin, named after my parent's original trainer, Franklin Mendez, who's just turned 8.).

"Ciel... I'm scared..." Franklin whines, holding onto his brother nervously looking at something out of view that is obviously close to the two boys. I notice Jay looks somewhat roughed up in the lighting of their view screen.

"Where are you?" I tense, feeling the material on the back and arms of my uniform begin to pull taught as my muscles tense for combat and my eyes narrow seriously as the view screen turns to someone else only as a rough silhouette.

"Now that we have your attention dear girl. You've proven in the short time of us studying you that your indeed quite the troublemaker. But also quite promising. If you want your brothers to remain untouched and unharmed. I suggest you tell that Captain to turn the youth you've been referring to as Junior, over to you and you will deliver him personally to us. You will be alone. No backup. No one following you. Just you and Junior. Or the boys die and you'll find their bloody bodies at your doorstep when you least expect. You have 3 hours to bring him to us." the man's voice orders with a serious fact he's not playing games as the view screen snaps off just as my parents step in to hear the final demands.

"Trace that communication!" Lasky orders as I grip the edge of the table, making it groan as it begins to deform and I grit my teeth together infuriated.

"Those... BASTARDS!" I think to myself furiously.

_

Oh no! What's going to happen?! First Ciel's family in danger, now her little brothers! What do these twisted people have planned?!

Well, I can guarantee, it's definitely going to be exciting!