Chapter Fourteen: In The Midst Of A War.

Shilo had no idea how much time she'd spent in her room, just crying. The truth weighed heavily on her, making it hard to breath properly.

She really was Shilo Vers Allusia. Dr. Beauregard wasn't her father but her attempted murderer. Her sister was in danger on the planet below and she was in the Landing Castle of the mastermind of her assassination. There wasn't anything she could do about it.

Or was there?

Shilo furiously wiped her tears and stood. What was she doing, just crying and feeling sorry for herself!? No. This would not stand. She was a princess for Vers sake! Surely there was something she could think of to help her situation! She quickly tore off the blue gown, throwing it to the side. She shot a glare of disgust towards the garment as she dressed herself in her soldier's uniform. The fabric felt much more comfortable, even if it was a bit on the scratchy side. She felt much more at ease and herself. Next she ducked into the adjoining bathroom. She grabbed a hair tie and put her hair up in a small ponytail. It wasn't much, just enough to keep her bangs out of her face. Shilo took a few moments to stare at herself in the mirror. She thought that she looked older than before. Her eyes held almost no innocent glow, her skin appeared paler. She barely recognized that this was herself. Then again, the last she looked at her own reflection in a mirror had been quite a long time ago. At least that's what it felt like.

The door opened and she heard someone walk inside. She tore the pony tail out of her hair, placing it on her wrist. Hesitantly she stepped out of the bathroom to see it was Count Saazbaum. He eyed her outfit with a raised eyebrow. A silent question she was meant to answer. And answer it she shall. No use giving him any false ideas. She had to appear compliant if what she was planning was to come to fruition.

"I feel much more comfortable wearing this, if that is okay with you, my Lord." Shilo brushed the sleeve of her jacket before straightening up as best she could, "May I ask why you're here?"

"Your sister is making a broadcast to Vers, I thought you might like to see it." He produced a tablet, already cued to a video. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Asseylum enter the screen. With shaky hands she reached out and grasped the tablet.

"Thank you…" She sat on the bed, barely noting the count exiting the room. Asseylum adjusted the microphones in front of her and began to speak.

"I am Asseylum Vers Allusia, I am the royal princess, Grand daughter of Ray Regalia Vers Rayvers, Emperor of Vers. I address the people of Vers, this war is meaningless and I command an immediate halt to it. I am safe, alive and well. It was not the Terrans who made that attempt on my life, it was the orbital knights who want to invade Earth. The Terrans are blameless. Stop the fighting. Stop it now, immediately. And make peace with Earth. I beg you, end this tragedy. Now."

Slaine walked with his hands in front of him, locked in a pair of handcuffs. He was stopped in front of a railing. The lights turned on to reveal a hulking structure before him. A gasp rang out from his lips and he took a step back.

"Wait is that the Tharsis?" He asked.

"I liberated it, from Castle Cruhteo." Saazbaum approached from the side, "Because the count was not worthy of it." Slaine looked up at the kataphrakt reverently.

"It's Aldnoah drive has been deactivated…" He mumbled, "Which means… that Count Cruhteo is truly dead."

"Princess Asseylum's location has been pinpointed." The count went on, like he hadn't said anything at all, "Via laser transmission to the Moon Base." He turned to look at the boy with a blank face, "And it is controlled by those who share my vision. Her highness's heartfelt plea will not reach the ears of anyone. The final battle will be at the enemy's main stronghold. Even with the full might of a landing castle it will not be easy." He went over to the servant that had escorted Slaine here and was handed a gun. The boy felt his stomach drop. He wasn't going to shoot him...was he? Instinctively he backed up. A shot rang out, he braced himself for the pain and the feeling of a bullet tearing through his flesh. But instead of hitting him it shattered the chain between his cuffs and bounced off elsewhere. He looked up at Saazbaum with a questioning glance, "My debt to your father has been fully repaid. You may join my forces if you wish, or you may escape to Earth if that's your choice. Do as you will."

"And Shilo?" Slaine asked, "What is to happen to her?"

"She will not be harmed if that is what you are worried about."

Shilo felt the landing castle jolt and begin moving. It was the familiar movement of the landing sequence. They were probably going to land where Asseylum was. Where she had reached out to their people. About thirty minutes later the resounding thud almost knocked her off her feet.

They'd landed.

The girl carefully crept to the doorway, pressing her ear against the door. To her relief she heard no one. She opened the door and slipped out into the hallway. Her feet took her straight to where the soldier's stored their weapons. As she passed by she took a pistol, holstering it to her belt.

Shilo was going to find Slaine and her sister no matter what it took.