Fate series and characters belong to Nasu and TypeMoon


Investigate the Bridge

At the bridge in Fuyuki city, the four had agreed by Olga Marie to start their investigation in the heart of the city.

But, before they could go further, Olga Marie halted and spun to Ritsuka. "Before we start exploring the city, Fujimaru Ritsuka, isn't there something you want to say?"

"No, nothing in particular, Director," Ritsuka replied. The blunt tone of his received a vein popped at Olga Marie's head and a glare to him.

Understood what she meant, Ritsuko went to her brother and nudged him. "Hey, don't tell me you've forgotten?"

Ritsuka turned to his sister and clarified. "Forgotten what?"

Olga Marie's voice called out to him, "You're not very smart, are you? Remember what happened in the Command Room?"

"Huh?"

Mash stopped beside him and whispered, "Ritsuka-senpai, it's about when you dozed off in the Command Room. It'll come back to you if you focus. That was, you know–!"

-0-

"We made it in time, Senpais. Your numbers are," Hours earlier as they arrived, Mash gave a swift glimpse and turned to them. "Single digit, both of you are in the front row. Please take any seats in the front row."

With a nod, the siblings mouthed a 'thanks' and headed to their seats. But as they were to go, Another dizzy spell strike Ritsuka and faltered before being held up by his sister.

"Ritsuka?!" Ritsuko panicked at her brother's abrupt change of his condition.

Mash approached him and recognized it too, "Ritsuka-senpai? You're looking a bit pale…"

Ritsuka shook his head to clear of vertigo, but it merely became worse by his action. "Sorry, I'm starting to space out again…"

"It's an aftereffect of the simulator."

At Ritsuko's furrowed eyebrows, Mash explained to her, "It'd be best to bring him to the infirmary…"

Before Ritsuka could persuade them, he felt something jabbed at his back. His blue orbs moved to catch the silvery-haired woman standing on the stage was giving them an annoyed glare.

Mash noticed and mumbled, "Right in front of the director, what a bad luck."

Lev approached them and told, "Let's cut the chit-chat. It's about to start."

Without an alternative, Ritsuko aided her brother to their seat while the other two headed to the back.

A glance to examine every seat was occupied, the silvery-haired woman talked, "Not quite on time, but it looks like everybody's here. Welcome to Special Organization, Chaldea. I'm the director, Olga Marie Animusphere.

"You have been selected, or discovered from each nation for your rare talents.

"By talent, I mean your aptitude for Spiritrons.

"People with magical circuits capable of becoming a Masters. I'm sure you can't even imagine it, but be sure to keep this in mind. You are about to be reborn as cutting-edge mages, in an unprecedented fusion of magecraft and science.

"That said, although all of you possess special talents, none of you are special. Understand that you all are inexperienced rookies, standing at the same starting point.

"In particular, the mages sent from the Association still seem to be acting like students," Olga Marie's orbs shifted to the particular group at her left. "Fix that immediately. Chaldea is my domain. Family heritage and persona achievements have no meaning here.

"Always remember that my orders are absolute. My position is completely different from yours. I won't allow arguments. You're all mere tools to protect humanity, nothing more."

With no less than a second, gossips chatter among the recruits.

"Geez…"

"Tools?"

"What does that mean?"

The siblings were no exemption as Ritsuko grumbled. "Gee, talk about a bitchy supervisor to have on your first day of duty."

"She's apparently the ones who… Are harsh and stubborn on the outside… But," Another silent yawn escaped Ritsuka's lips. "Also… The ones who are more bitchy and miserable in… The… Inside…"

Olga Marie watching the gossips before her gritted her teeth, called out in an imposing tone. "What's that commotion? Didn't I just tell you I wouldn't allow any arguments?"

"You there," Olga Marie yelled. Her sharp voice made Ritsuko flinched who was struggling to nudge her brother out from dreamland. With a harsh glare, she approached them and asked, "Do you have a problem with what I just said?"

Ritsuko shook her head as a response. But, Olga Marie remained unhappy at the still-sleeping Ritsuka. She tugged his collar up roughly and murmured to herself, "Am I seeing this right? Maybe my eyes are playing a trick on me?"

Whack!

The Director swung her left hand and slapped with a powerful impact. Ritsuko gasped and drew her brother back behind her with a glare, "Hey, what the hell was that for?!"

Olga Marie had a bewildered expression when glancing back-and-forth between her palm and Ritsuka. "Sleeping while standing… No way, right? Not in a million years…"

Ritsuko turned and realized the Director was right. It's a miracle Ritsuka was still dead asleep with the stinging red palm on his cheek.

A second afterward, a female voice cried from Ritsuko's back. "Hey, I didn't sign up for this! We're experts who were summoned here because of our skills! We came all this way on your insistence. Absolute obedience? That's ridiculous!"

Another male voice roared in approval. "She's right, you're way overstepping! Lineage is the most important asset for a mage! How can you brush it off?"

More outburst from other candidates voiced out their irritation. Despite the antagonism and irritation from them, Olga Marie bowed her head and gritted her teeth. Soon, she faced up and yelled, "Quiet! No talking! That's why I say you're still acting like students!

"I'm only telling you what's going on right now. If you don't like it, leave Chaldea at once!" From Olga Marie's jab, there were a few ready to argue back. But, a smirk graced her lips as she continued, "Not that there are flights to send you home.

"Though if you're ready to trek down a snowy mountain 6,000 meters above sea level, that would be commendable."

A silence spread from the hesitated atmosphere among the crowd. With a quick scan from the mellowed candidates, Olga Marie announced, "Very good! Nobody's dropped out. Seriously, don't make me waste my time on such matters."

"I wish you'd realize that how dire our, no, humanity's situation is now," Olga Marie warned. She again pointed to the sleeping Ritsuka set back on his seat by his sister. "Look. He is a good example. No argument, no opinion. Good and obedient."

"You'd better take that last part back once he wakes up, especially once his mouth opens, Director," Ritsuko muttered to herself.

Olga Marie turned on her heels and headed back to the stage. "Now, then, back to the topic. Are you listening? Today is–!"

-0-

In the present, Ritsuka touched his cloth-covered cheek and murmured, "At least I know how the slap came from…"

"And you blame me for waking you up," Ritsuko sighed with a deadpan face.

Mash nodded and asked, "Do you remember now, Ritsuka-senpai?"

"Well, no. I got pulled into that strange place, so my body is there but my soul isn't," Ritsuka answered inside his mind. But, it would sound preposterous and burdened himself into further trouble.

Chose to share this dream with his sister later, Ritsuka replied to Mash. "In a way, Mash."

But, Olga Marie wasn't buying his words and scowled, "Remembered? You weren't listening after all, were you? Honestly! Sit yourself down!"

Pointed to a nearby debris, Ritsuka sighed inwardly and headed there to grab a seat. Olga Marie stood before him and reproached, "How could you come to a Singularity not knowing the situation or your mission? I'm going to have to explain it to you again–!"

"Director, enemies are incoming!" Mash shouted, her shield armed and raised before her. A troop of skeleton heading towards them at a steady trot.

Ritsuko approached Mash and exhaled a relieved sigh, "Good timing, Mash! Let's take them down!"

Ritsuka stood up and nodded, "Let's go–!"

Before he could take off, Ritsuka found himself pulled back to the rubble by no one other than Olga Marie. She asserted, "Not you! Unlike you, that girl who listened to my speech. You're going to stay here and listen to what I have to say!"

"There's more than where that came from?!" Ritsuka showed a disbelief expression on her.

"Why, certainly! Fujimaru Ritsuka! Don't tell me you forgot already!" Olga Marie folded her arms. "I'm only halfway through! In fact, it's the latter half that's important! Make yourself remember!"

After peering at the Director for a while, Ritsuka let out a huge sigh and seated back on the debris. He quietly complained to himself. "What a piece of work she is…"

"Now, now, don't be like that," Romani's laughter sounded out from Ritsuka's wristwatch. He lifted and rested his arm on his lap as the doctor's voice continued. "Director's ramblings can be useful, Ritsuka-kun. Why were you Master candidates summoned to Chaldea? This will explain that."

Ritsuka nodded with a whisper while concentrating on the Director's lecture. "I suppose so…"

-0-

After coming back to the stage from the commotion, Olga Marie resumed her speech. "Listen up. Today of all days, we at Chaldea will achieve something that will be written in history. The science of learning. The invention of religion. The acquisition of navigation.

"The focus of communication. The voyage into space. Our legacy will be on a par with the 'Pioneers of the Stars.' No, it will surpass them. Rather than expanding civilization, we will be the hands of God protecting it."

Olga Marie gazed remained her right hand raised and clenched.

"Stabilizing human history, we will transform the future into a solid resolution.

"The principles of mankind—in other words, to ensure the continuation of humanity.

"That is Chaldeas's, and now your only and absolute purpose."

From the intrigued expression in the audience, Olga Marie gave a satisfied smirk and continued.

"Chaldea has achieved many results to date.

"The development of observation Cyber daemon, Laplace.

"The Global Environment Model, Chaldeas.

"Completion of the Near-Future Observation Lens, Sheba.

"The Heroic Spirit Summoning System, Fate, and the launch of the Spiritron Calculation Engine, Trismegistus.

"With these technologies, we at Chaldea have observed humanity's progress one hundred years into the future."

As she had signaled her hand, a holographic image flashed beside her. Each slide by a wave of her hand showed each of the achieved equipment completed in the room. Olga Marie went on, "We do not predict the future, but observe it. Like many who had observed celestial bodies, Chaldea has been observing the future.

"Whatever it sees, our job has been to ensure that humanity will survive 100 years in the future. Look up, that is Chaldeas's proudest achievement–!"

With her hands directing the crowd, she presented to them the glowing blue globe in the middle of the room. "Created with advanced magical theories, the Global Environmental Model, our Chaldeas.

"Planets have been defined as beings with souls. We copied them into this miniature Earth. Because of the difference in scale, we're unable to read every single human mind. But whatever's on the surface, the city lights can be seen on land, can be observed through Sheba."

The holographic image beside Olga Marie zoomed closer to the Chaldeas globe. Small yellow glowing dots were marked on each part of the continents of the Earth. The Director glanced at it before turning back. "Currently, it's been set to reflect the Earth one hundred years from now. Chaldeas may as well be the future of Earth itself.

"As long as the light of civilization shines within Chaldeas, we can guarantee humans will exist a century further. As long as there's light people will live in cities and serve as the proof of civilization's survival. But–!"

Faced to the rear where Lev stood, the Director ordered. "Lev, could you normalize Sheba's polarization angle?"

With a nod, Lev took out a controller and pushed the few dials on it. The light surrounding Chaldeas globe dulled and dimmed. Its color reduced to a moldy gray-black colored globe, the yellow glowing light faded from the globe.

Olga Marie explained from the crowd's disturbed reaction. "This is the current state.

"Starting six months ago, Chaldeas changed color, and it's become difficult to observe the future.

"The light of civilization, our beacon till now, has become largely unobservable to us."

The confusions of worried chatters among themselves, Olga Marie showed a satisfying smile, "Hmph, the right response. Good to see you've got some sense. That's right. The lack of light means that civilization has become extinct.

"This was considered highly classified, but you have the right to know.

"Our observations indicate that the light of humanity is only visible up to the year 2016. In other words, we've observed, no, proved that humanity will become extinct in that year."

Brows furrowed with a grim expression, the Director amended her words.

"Obviously, this future is not possible.

"It cannot happen, and physically, is impossible.

"There's neither an economic collapse or some sudden seismic event.

"We can't explain how humanity would suddenly just disappear. Over the past six months, we've found the cause of this strange phenomenon—the disappearance of the future. If the reason is not in the present, then it is in the past."

Olga Marie waved her hand to produce the holographic image slide to a figure of timeline chart. "Using Laplace and the Trismegistus, we've reviewed all data for the past 2000 years. We tried to find something that didn't exist in history or was on Earth until this point in time. As a result, we finally found something new. It's this–!"

Another wave of her hand, the hologram projected photographs of a city and worldview of Japan with a red dot on a specific part of the country. Olga Marie placed her finger on the exact dot and illustrated. "Spatial Singularity F, a city in the Japanese countryside in 2004.

"We discovered an 'unobservable zone' that did not exist in history up to the year 2015.

"Chaldea hypothesizes that this is the cause of humanity's extinction.

"We proposed the Rayshift experiment to the U.N. and received approval."

The holographic image shifted then to a diagram of an individual and a coffin-like tube as she went on. "The Rayshift process transforms a human into spiritrons, sending them into the past and allowing them to alter it. Simply put, it's time travel. But not everyone can do it.

"Only people with exceptional magical circuits and the ability to become a Master can be transformed."

As Olga Marie pushed aside the hologram to fade, she shot back to the audience to discuss. "Now—I'm sure that cleared things up. Your task is the investigation of Singularity F. You'll travel 14 years into the past, find Singularity F, and destroy it.

"We are now entering unknown territory. There's no telling what you might find there. But you're selected from among people all over the world. You can do this, and we have high expectations for you."

The earlier commotion mellowed and changed to complete silence from her words. Olga Marie ordered in a decisive tone. "The higher-ups want to know the cause of this at once. We don't have time to waste.

"We'll be performing the first Rayshift experiment in an hour. I'm sure you've all had enough training. For the first experiment, we'll send A-Team, the top 8 scorers, to Singularity F."

Olga Marie pulled up another hologram at her side. It revealed 8 other people of 3 girls and 5 guys under the heading of Team A. "I haven't told the later groups. But they're Master candidates who have been chosen from Chaldea. A-Team has been active for a month now.

"You can call them trained warriors.

"A-Team will go on ahead and set up a base camp at Singularity F, guaranteeing your safety.

"B-Team and below will watch their situation and prepare for the next experiment."

Another slide switched by the Director's hand, she described with the model of a Coffin shown beside her. "Let's register your information with the Klein Coffins, the arks that will send you to the past as spiritrons.

"There's one for each person, and there are no spares. Be very careful with them. B-Team through D will be on standby, in case of trouble with A-Team."

Yet again, commotions restarted from the crowd. Olga Marie frowned at them from their worried expressions and reminded. "What are you doing? I told you what you have to do. You were brought here as a potential Master. You're practically a soldier now.

"You will obey orders and be ready for a fight. Do not make me repeat myself. Or do you have more questions? Hey you, the one who was late with him!" Olga's Marie sharp tone made Ritsuko flinched while she was focusing on the image of the Coffin.

The Director's sharp orbs stared right at her and demanded, "You look confused. I'll give you the chance to ask one question."

From a small gulp, Ritsuko pondered in her mind. She then raised her hand and inquired the one which had remained on her mind. "Is it safe to change the past, Director?"

Eyes twitched with a vexed expression, Olga Marie glowered at her slowness in learning.

"Does the word 'Singularity' means nothing to you?

"The singularity we found doesn't exist in any of our observation records.

"It's like a hole that just appeared out of nowhere. The hole itself is cut off from the temporal axis. The 2004 singularity exists apart from the past and future. There's no need to connect it to our present. It's more stable than regular time travel, and whatever happens, the timeline can still repair itself.

"Singularity F is like a tiny stain on the dress that is human history. It ruins beauty just by its presence. Your job is to extract it. That's what will return humanity to its proper, observed course of history."

Turned her head elsewhere, Olga Marie grumbled to herself. "What is the Association thinking sending me someone who doesn't know basic space-time theory? I told them this plan was a Grand Order, the highest possible duty in the world of magecraft…"

"Well, it doesn't matter," Shifted her head back to Ritsuko, she inquired. "What team are you with? Show me your ID."

The Director raised her wristwatch with Ritsuko's and Ritsuka's ID flashed after the other. Orange orbs widened with rage, she yelled, "What? You two are in the wrong spot! A civilian, and with no combat or training experience? Chaldea is much too important to be wasting valuable slots on people like you!"

Ritsuko glared and clenched her fist. She had been enduring from the beginning of her insult to them, and the slap against her brother. But now, this had was too much even if she's a Director. Before she could rebut, Olga Marie's sharp voice yelled, "Lev! Lev Lainur!"

"I'm right here, Director. Why the yelling? Is there a problem?" Lev walked in from behind and stopped beside Olga Marie.

Olga Marie shifted to him and answered, "There're problems everywhere! Just get this two amateur out of my sight!"

"Oh… So, that's it?" Nodded thoughtfully, Lev replied in a calm tone, "Director, they are chosen Master candidates."

"Having an inexperienced amateur here is a problem!" Olga Marie responded, "What if something happens to my Chaldeas?"

Hummed to himself, Lev turned to Ritsuko looking both at them with an impassive expression. But, beneath under was her well-hidden glare towards the Director. With a beam, he turned back to the Director. "Sure they lack experience, but it's inappropriate to be that rude. Ritsuko-kun has been listening to your speeches even if she lacks the skill."

As Olga Marie to quip back, Lev gave a charming and convincing grin to her. A second afterward, she angrily huffed and replied before stomped off. "Fine! She can stay but get that other out of here! Let Romani handle him! At least get some basic training in!"

Observed her leaving, Lev sighed before turning back, "Hmm, I don't think she likes both of you. All right, orders are orders."

The Professor lifted his hand and signaled Mash to come over. Once she reached, he requested to her. "Mash, show Ritsuko-kun where Ritsuka-kun's room is."

"All right, understood," Mash nodded. "I just need to take Ritsuko-senpai to Ritsuka-senpai's room, right?"

"Yes, thanks," Lev replied with a grin. "I'm busy with the Rayshift experiment and can't leave here."

He spun towards Ritsuko and assured, "Don't worry. This experiment will be over in 2 hours. We'll drop by to your brother's room then."

With a relived breath heaved out, Ritsuko grinned and bowed. "Thank you very much, Prof Lev."

"No need to thank me. You and your brother are really lucky after all." Lev smiled back.

Mash nodded and gestured to Ritsuko. "Come this way. I'll show you to Ritsuka-senpai's room."

Ritsuko nodded and brought one of Ritsuka's arms over her shoulder and followed Mash out of the room…

-0-

"And that's how you were removed from the Command Room. Remember?"

"Ah, welcome back, you two," Turned to where the voice was, Ritsuka greeted them. He nodded to Mash approaching him with Ritsuko. "And not that I remember… At least I know how and why I'm removed from the room."

Turned to Olga Marie, she fumed with a glare at Ritsuka. "You little… You look quiet, but you've got some nerve, don't you?"

"Haven't you ever heard of watching out for the quiet ones, Director?" Ritsuka thought.

Cleared her throat, Olga Marie put her attention at the Fujimaru siblings. "Anyway! Do you finally know how much of a mess you made at that critical moment?"

"Um, Director Marie? I think that's going a little too far…" Romani's voice pointed out from Ritsuka's wristwatch.

"Uh… You weren't planning to dive, so I'm not sure you needed your suit." Mash nodded in agreement and pointed out too.

"I did! I most certainly did!" Olga Marie cried, her feet stomped on the ground. "I had a special Mystic Code made for this mission."

"But Director, you mentioned. 'Is that a problem? What commander heads to the front lines? Didn't I tell you that you were my tools?', why would you dive when your 'tools' here are on the front lines?" Ritsuko mentioned with a smirk, her calm tone mixed with smugness.

As Ritsuka nodded, Olga Marie couldn't find words to rebut by her own remarks. Instead, she settled with a grumble. "Jeez, I didn't even get to wear it once…

"Well, it doesn't matter." The Director shifted her gaze to the siblings.

"Anyway, you understand your responsibilities and duties as a Master candidate now, right?"

By their nod, Olga Marie turned to Ritsuka. "Very well, Fujimaru Ritsuka. I'm ordering you to be my bodyguard. Mash had complimented your abilities to deal with those monsters. Work hard."

A minute later, Ritsuka questioned with a skeptical expression. "Are you trying to be someone you're not?"

"This is who I am! I was just in a hurry back there!" But when Ritsuka rolled his orbs at her, Olga Marie shouted. "Once we get back to Chaldea, you're in for it."

"Aye aye, oh 'great Director'!" Ritsuka replied with sarcasm laced. He ignored the crimson blush appeared on her face and moved to the debris.

With a relieved grin, Mash said, "Good to see you three getting along. Let's move before more enemies show up."

"I'm not even sure if this relationship lasts before we're fired," Ritsuko shook her head tiredly.

Once Ritsuka had drawn out a sturdier metallic pole within the rubble, the group continued walking towards their destination.

End of Section 3 Part 1


Thanks for the fave and follow as always!

This and the coming chapter both will be pretty boring if you guys aren't interested in the terminology part
I had picked the option for more terminology as it's meant for the Fujimaru Siblings
Let me know if the characterization is too OOC or so
And if any other improvements, please do let me know too!