A/N: Welcome back, my readers. I still wonder why you guys are still reading? Anyway, sorry for the very long delay. I just managed to get over my writer's block, and if you follow my progress, you would have noticed that i started two new fics. One for 'Ragnarok Online', another for 'dot hack'. Since i started two more, i feel more pressure... well, i discovered that if i close my eyes while typing, i can get through the plot quite nicely. I deduce that it is due to me not seeing and being so concerned with what i'm typing, and being more focused on my ideas getting down first. Nice tactic, you guys should try it. Remember to listen to nice music.

Elicoor II, Aquaria

Kanai opened the windows of the room which they rented out. Reina had left to get supplies, while Fortrin stayed in the room with Kanai. It felt like the opposite of what happened the other night. Kanai had used the name 'Clair' to track down that individual all the way to the main city.

Kanai's hunch of that person being important was right. From what other people say, this Clair is actually the daughter of a very important commanding officer. Her capabilities had also landed her a job as part of the 'rune guards', a group of highly trained spies/ assassins, that worked closely with the ruling queen of aquaria.

Now, all Kanai had to do was to track down this 'Clair' person, and see if she knows anything about the orb Kanai was sent to observe.

"... Kanai."

"Hm?"

Kanai turned around, and saw Fortrin sitting on the bed, polishing his weapons.

"Captain Carilin's plan... when does it go into effect?"

Fortrin asked.

"... I don't know. But soon. With most of the 'S' rank teams on our side, we should be able to destroy them quite easily."

"But Reina doesn't know."

"She doesn't need to know. She's a simple fool... I've spotted one. Come on, Fortrin."

"I'll contact Reina."

"Tell her to hurry up."

Kanai and Fortrin rushed out of their hotel, and stepped out into the busy streets of Aquaria. The main city of this lush country, with many streams and rivers running through, it was considered to be very beautiful.

The target that they found, was one of the 'Rune Guards'. Another young girl, with short blood red hair. She was doing well in blending in with the crowd, dressed in normal clothes, but she couldn't hide her signature tattoo on her arm that Kanai had learned about from her unknowing informant.

This person seemed to head towards the castle. The public were generally allowed inside the castle and mainly the chapel. It was at the entrance of the castle that they met Reina once more, who claimed to have run back to the hotel room, dumped the supplies, and headed here to meet them, which explains why she looked to have ran a marathon.

The three headed inside, and were moving together with the crowd into the main chapel within the castle. Inside the chapel, Kanai could see why these people worship winged people. Their supposed goddess had wings.

The three stole away from the main crowd, and exited the chapel from the side exit, without any one noticing them. They then activated their cloaks, and stealthily made their way through the hallways. Some rooms had books, others had mechanical equipment.

"These people have technology far pass their actual time."

Fortrin stated, studying their designs.

"There are planets like these. Sometimes their technology can be advanced when their culture isn't."

Reina explained, keeping a look out for any guards passing by. Kanai searched through the papers and books, but nothing related to the object they were sent to look for.

"You would think that they would be smarter to place that object in a safer, and more secured location, don't you think?"

Reina asked, looking at the other two still rummaging through the assortment of items in the room.

"... So it might not be in the castle?"

Fortrin asked, looking at Reina with a look that just spelt pure irritation. Reina did not bother with replying that look, and turned to Kanai, who is actually acting as the team's leader.

"It should be in the castle. Perhaps with the Queen?"

"Logical, Kanai, but it would be very tough to get any information from the Queen herself."

Reina retorted, crossing her arms over her chest, clearly displeased with Kanai being appointed as acting leader.

"The Queen should know. We should observe her, as well as her close attendants. That way we should be able to draw some sort of information."

"Our cloaks can only last another thirty minutes, before needing to recharge. Unfortunately, since we left in a hurry, i didn't bring the battery pack."

Fortrin sighed, lifting his goggles from his eyes.

"We could always hide in the shadows, but the problem would be trying to find a spot to hide that is close enough to listen in for any information."

And it was just at that moment, did two people suddenly walk into the room the trio were in. Since Reina was no longer on look out, she didn't realize they were there till it was too late. Kanai recognized one of the two as the silver haired girl she fought before, Clair. The other, was the red haired girl Kanai and Fortrin tailed to get in.

"Clair, isn't it dangerous to use this room?"

"There isn't much time, besides, it was open already. Nel, i need you to help me."

"What about?"

The one called Nel asked.

"I need to seek out the sacred orb."

"What?! Clair! you know you can't! It's forbidden!"

"But i must! I attacked a sacred being!"

"A sacred being? What are you talking about, Clair?"

Nel asked, looking slightly confused and worried. Kanai and her group stood by the corner of the room, listening silently. Kanai knew that Clair was referring to their short fight. Apparently, Kanai's wings came in handy after all.

"I attacked a God, Nel, or maybe a messenger, but the thing is i attacked a sacred being! The captain said she would help try to appease the Goddess, but I'm still afraid, Nel. I get horrible dreams at night, and i find it hard to concentrate. I must seek out the orb for its guidance!"

"... We could get in a lot of trouble for that."

"I don't care. So, will you help me?"

"... Of course. We're friends, Clair. No matter what, we'll stick together."

"Thanks, Nel. Let's leave tomorrow morning. Meet me by the main gate."

"Why not take the secret passage?"

"Only the Queen can allow us to take it. For now, we have to use the normal route."

"Alright. Let's go."

With that, the two rune guards left. Kanai was the first to deactivate her cloak, pulling her goggles up above her eyes.

"We've got it. The orb that they were talking about must be the same as the one we were sent to observe. Tomorrow morning, huh? Alright, let's get out of here before we get discovered."

Balasfronter

Fuin slammed his hands down on his desk. It caused the many pieces of paper work and stationary to rattle, topple, and fall off his desk. Veskra, who stood before him, was quite shaken by her commanding officer's raging aura. She had not seen him this angry since they went to get Karin from the prison. The person who was still on screen before Fuin stayed silent, waiting for the officer to calm down. But Fuin Barsoles will not be calmed down by this. In fact, he is almost at the brink of destroying everything in his sights.

"What do you mean by that?!"

'"I meant what i said, commander Barsoles. You have your new orders, i suggest you carry them out swiftly and efficiently. We expect her to be at her destination by tomorrow. That is all, admiral Fresgard out."'

The screen blinked once and terminated the connection. The silence that followed was very deadly to Veskra, who dared not to speak. Her commander was in an extremely foul mood, and one wrong step could spell death for anyone.

"... Bridge."

Fuin ordered, and the computer complied, connecting a line to the bridge, where the pilot, who is currently in command of the bridge, stepped up.

'"Sir?"'

"Set a course for Earth."

'"... Yes sir."'

The pilot could also sense Fuin's anger, and immediately complied. Fuin cut the connection, and slumped into his chair, rubbing his head as he tried to sort his thoughts out properly. Everything that he had worked so hard for, now lay in crumbles.

"... Get me Lieutenant Loid."

"Yes sir."

Veskra saluted, and left the room, feeling more relieved to have left such an intense air. Fuin look at his right hand, at his last finger.

"... I'm sorry, Karin... I... can't keep my promise."

Elicoor II

The morning came with a heavy damp mist covering the streets, blanketing the trio's presence as they follow their unsuspecting targets.

"Are you sure that they're the one?"

Reina asked, as the followed the two out of the gates and into the open field.

"Yes, they're the one. Unless you forgot their faces yourself."

Kanai shot back. Reina sighed, deciding to shut up. They continued to follow their targets through the open fields, and had to stop a couple of times when the two girls they were following stopped to make sure no one was following. They walked on for hours, past fields, deserts, rivers, forests. It almost seemed like there was no end in sight. Twice, Reina was complaining to the point where Kanai had to knock her out. It was a tiring journey, no doubt, and it amazed Kanai to see that the girls they were following had not once shown any signs of turning back. Kanai certainly had to applaud the girls for their tireless determination, but exactly were they? Just as Kanai wondered, the two girls stopped and took a rest. After a whole day of walking, they finally reached the base of some large mountain. Reina immediately took the opportunity, and just fell onto the floor on her back.

"Those two finally stopped!"

She groaned. While Kanai wanted to scold Reina for being so relaxed at a time during their mission, she thought it was true. Those two girls had walked for the entire day, and only stopped just. Either they had a lot of energy, or their will power was just too great. But where is this mountain? It is quite some distance from the other cities, but if she remembered correctly, multiple rivers flow from this mountain, and supply the cities of Aquaria with fresh water. Fresh, wasn't the correct term. It tasted beyond that.

"... So this is where the OPA is kept. Quite a location to choose, don't you say?"

Kanai asked, bringing her water canteen to her mouth.

"I've spotted a building that seems to be carved out from the mountain. It's quite high up, though."

Fortrin reported, pointing up the slope of the mountain. It was hard to see normally, but with Kanai's special goggles and trained eyes, she could see it easily.

"... Since we know that it is here, should we continue on? Before those girls, or should we still wait?"

Reina asked, checking her equipment. Kanai thought about the different options they have. There would be guards, plenty for sure, inside. Knowing that, they should try to minimize the number of suspicious activities that they were to engage. Following the two girls inside should prove to make things easier and less complicated, but if they were spotted, they would have to engage in combat immediately, and their escape routes would be closed off. They weren't here to cause a ruckus, but just simple observation.

"... We climb."

Pulling herself up, Kanai took a look to the bottom of the mountain. They were about half-way up on the mountain's almost vertical slope, and the bottom was nearly invisible. By now, those two girls should be waking up from their gas-induced sleep that Reina had provided.

While Reina had complained at first at why she was not permitted to kill them, Kanai had to explain to the girl that killing anyone would basically cause a big mess of plans, and so killing is strictly off-limits.

But Kanai had a feeling that some things were just meant to go wrong. Telling Reina not to kill on a mission where she feels so desperately that killing would solve everything, is like telling her to blow up like a time bomb. She will.

Hauling herself once more, Kanai unclipped a small circular device from her belt, and attached it to the face of the mountain. Activating it, the small device glow dimly, and automatically synchronized itself with another device on Kanai's belt. Fortrin and Reina did the same.

"This would be... the fourth one?"

Fortrin asked, looking back, where three other devices were placed along the face of the mountain with roughly equal distances between each.

"About two more should do it."

Reina calculated, checking her belt to make sure she had enough. Kanai pulled her goggles off her eyes, wiping her eyes which had teared up. She needed to loosen her goggles, since it felt like the thing was going to gorge out her eyeballs.

"Alright, I'm testing mine."

Kanai announced, looking at her wristwatch. Tapping the face of the watch once, the device on her belt, as well as the one attached to the mountain, glowed slightly brighter than before. A faint translucent blue line connected itself from her belt to the device on the mountain. Kanai leaned backwards, testing the new safety rope that she activated.

"... It's good."

She said, grabbing onto the rocks, before deactivating the devices. Checking her gloves, she noted that she still had quite a number of rounds left. She under estimated before the climb, and now she felt like scolding herself.

"Fire one."

She said, aiming her right glove towards a higher point. The small point on top of the glove fired a small clawed hook with a thin line attached. The hook caught a small ledge, and upon contact, it extended outwards, becoming four times its normal size.

"Retract."

Kanai commanded, as the line began to reel itself back, pulling her upwards as well. While the glove did pull her up, she still pushed herself up using rocks that jutted out of place to boost her up. The line may be made of the newest alloy material, but she wouldn't put her entire trust in it. Reina and Fortrin were following close behind. They climbed for another few minutes, before reaching what seemed to be a ledge. Pulling herself up, Kanai found herself on the balcony of an empty room. Taking out her scanner, Kanai did a sweep of the room.

"... Nothing unusual. No traps of any sort."

She said, switching the device form scan, to map.

"We're... about two rooms off. It's better than expected."

Fortrin said, studying the map next to Kanai.

"But not good enough."

Reina grumbled. As usual, Kanai found the younger girl's attitude to be slightly irritating. This was going to be a long mission.

A/N: Coming with ideas and designs for gadgets are not hard at all. I also take ideas from other places... so don't come running to tell me i stole ideas. I admit i take ideas from others, and this would be my disclaimer for that.