Mortal Reminder

by lazyfrogofjustice

Ichika Orimura has finally come to a point where his choices and questions take him to another step on his journey in life. However, as his noble cause for those he loves reaches to a standstill, the mystery of the only male pilot in the world deepens when an adversary enters the fray, reminding each and every person dear to him how fickle and short life is.

3. III PROJECT MOSAICA PART 1

III. Project MOSAICA

---

Everything was in silence. Her senses… tense.

Almost like if the smallest pin drop would rattle her and get her on edge. That's what she felt at that current moment. Like the world was entirely muted in the outside. The confines of where she was, made her twice as sensitive and twice as concerned.

Waiting felt like a chore as she moved her eyesight around her, thinking deeply with what was happening while at the same time being bored to how uneventful everything was.

The main reason being…

Was that she was tasked to meet with a certain someone. On paper, it did not seem hard. Not at all. However, because she was already used to doing something, whatever it was in any form having nothing to have her attention at the moment made her feel uneasy. It also didn't help that the whole room was blank to its entirety. White walls across a black tiled floor while being flanked on all sides with one-way windows that to her perspective merely looked like a batch of mirrors being faced on her direction on multiple sides. With her being in the middle, sitting there while doing nothing.

She groans to herself as she stretches her arms. Acknowledging the security camera pointed at her on the far left. There was no threat to where she was and even if there was such a thing she would have gotten out without a problem on her belt. The camera was merely a tool to keep tabs on her but she trusted those who handled her well enough that they wouldn't turn given how much she has given to them.

Part of her still had doubt of course.

It was always the issue of compliance and loyalty as her existence was solely based on a concept meant for good, but there was also an underlying causality to it that prevented it from being that naïve of an idea. She had started to count the numerous things she has accomplished in the short few years she was used as a tool.

She settled back on her chair and looked at the security camera, hoping that they would see how agitated and uneasy she was. She was still human on a deeper level and thinking about it made her contemplative about herself.

Free will was not a concept that they liked out of her, but it was one privilege that she gained after proving that her loyalty was still strong amidst that fact. They still kept on eyes on her but she was free to do a lot more things rather than the mandated schedule that they wanted force down her throat.

Thankfully one person in the team that worked on her was the one who advocated the change.

It was controversial on their part, but with the data she provided it proved that such a change was necessary for her development. Her 'training' to be suitable to the numerous studies conducted on her part. She was already deemed the 'perfect' specimen amongst others like her. She was above them all in terms of every astute factor and with that she was favored and given as much leeway as she could muster.

On some terms at least. Not on an entire basis.

She sighed… trying to go back to the original point that she wanted to think about.

She thought about the numerous missions she undertook.

Thirty-six.

Thirty-six missions comprising of various objectives and priorities. Thirty-six missions in the span of three years. Almost feels like a decade given how large and sensitive those missions were. In a real world scenario, that alone would outclass the newly drafted operatives in service today.

Was she proud of them? She keeps asking those questions over and over as she thought about each person she's asked it to. She has not decided a complete thought about it yet but she has been gravitating to those thoughts for a while. Especially after she was given limited free reign for her efforts.

The world was a complicated place and she knew it wholeheartedly.

Was there a point to the missions?

Certainly… maybe… possibly?

Was their justification to the actions done by those who condoned it?

That part she was not sure about. Amongst other things that she keeps thinking after she went on a full study over a library she was given access to and some articles she has read about it. One would think that it was stupid for those involved to give her knowledge to form an opinion about this, but given the purpose of how she was… created. It was rudimentary thing that they needed to push on to, regardless if they wanted control or not.

As she was meant to be a birthmother.

A shining bright example of the next step.

Amongst other bullshit ideas, the main point of it was that her existence was meant to be a guiding path for others to follow. Amidst the corporate shenanigans and possible scandals related to it, she knew that they had to follow through with the naïve idea that sprouted from it all, the same naïve idea that gave birth to her. As this would allow support and affection from the masses to put this project through for future generations.

It was flawed from the get-go. Ideally flawed. Morally flawed.

And certainly flawed in its entirety for its execution.

The funding changed from private to that of a military application, so instead of a guiding light, it was now a muddied version of what it was. There was a very viable list of reasons as to why it was taken to that direction and she doesn't blame anyone for not seeing the potential towards it.

The word 'perfect' already had tons of meanings and things behind it.

Of course someone would capitalize on it.

The idea still in theory remained, but given how much had happened behind the scenes to try and continue this project… the thought that they still insured that it was still that same naïve idea was stupid. Clearly, this was never the case anymore.

As she was raised as a warrior…

Rather than a progenitor.

She sighs to those thoughts. Overcomplicated stuff now moving inside her brain. Based on her age she was not fit to contemplate on it. She was supposed to be naïve much like the idea that brought fruit to her existence. Yet she was not.

But what should she think about all of this?

What is her opinion, or should there be one at all?

She huffs to that thought, seemingly amused of how complex her thoughts on this was. At the end of the day, it all amounts to nothing given that the dye was already cast and her existence now already hangs by a thread if those who funded the project as a military application don't see results in that matter of the project.

The public opinion on this was already gone from the forefront.

The 'promise' as it would seem is only a painting to present it as it was, not what it is right now.

"Idiots."

She then hovered her eyes over the clock on the wall that was ticking.

Wondering to herself as to what was taking so long for them to call her out of this room. Were they… planning something? Were they using her in an experiment that dictated that she needed to be observed? She curved her lips downwards to that notion.

Did she do something wrong?

But after a debate about pseudo-morality and realism to the situations she was in right now, she simple shrugged it off to simply not care, it was far too tiring to even try and think about it, much less debate what she was right on or what she was wrong on.

With another heavy sigh, she began tapping on the table.

Bored. Frustrated. Uneasy.

She wished that there was at least something to do. Maybe a physical test? A written exam? Something? Anything?

She looked at the clock again and sighed.

"Fun." She whispered in a sarcastic sense. She then looked around herself. Her hands, her legs, her face on the mirror, and her presence within the room. She frowned as she thought about how she looked. It was dull, much like the room around her.

Then again she was not permitted in that department to think about her own appearance.

And much to her research through reading, this was only natural to a girl her age. Maybe if she was a normal girl. Not the person that she was now.

She then plucked a pen from her pocket.

It was not something to behold at. Just a random, normal thing that was as inconspicuous as it can be compared to her. She wished that the term normal applied to her.

She had seen and read about what 'normal' people in her age experience with their day to day lives. It seemed… small and uninteresting to her, but to them it was bliss and part of the many memories that build up who they would be as a person.

What about her?

She then focused her eyes on the pen. Feeling its texture, its weight, its… normality. Almost like what those children her age had for them, a normal fleeting life. Comparing herself to them would be like a pen to a tactical knife.

On the surface, the object could have been used as a weapon, but to have better results, it was always the knife that would triumph.

A clear difference… on two worlds that are not alike.

...

She clicked her tongue on all of the thoughts her mind had conjured on this boring uneventful lapse of time. She was very young after all and she had read that someone in her age bracket was subject to such thoughts. So as incoherent as some of it was, it was a natural, normal thing for someone in her age to do so. She groaned on that.

"Normal." She whispered as she played with the pen in her hands.

As she continued to move the pen within her fingers, the sound of the room's door started to click. It moved afterwards and it opened much to her relief. She looked with a small bit of anticipation on her face as she stared at two armed guards that entered. Both with their assault rifles ready in case something happened. She waited for a moment thinking that this was the standard procedure and whoever that needed to call her would rush in after a few moments.

The guards stared at her as she looked at them both.

It wasn't that her loyalty was in question, but she did know that it was for the safety of the doctors that worked on her, so in that mediated response she sort of understood as to why.

It's not every time that they meet someone who could be a threat even at her age.

She did not boast her abilities nor even flat out exclaim to the world that she was better. Respect was a key aspect that she learned, but she did pity them both. Should a fight break out, the odds were a bit more in her favor. It was not a large gap, but there was a gap nonetheless.

She then heard footsteps from outside the door…

And true enough the person that wanted her presence arrived eventually.

"Hello… it seems like we meet again." A voice said. That of which belonged to a woman.

A woman that had similarities to her appearance.

The same woman that applied for her to have some leeway in with her time on the project.

The woman had a small smile on her face as she walked into the room. An envelope on her arms as she walked towards the table and slid the envelope towards her.

"Consider that an evaluation." The woman said.

"For whom?" she asked.

"That's classified… for now." She stated making her tilt her head as she opened it. Two pieces of paper where in it. One that had a picture and another with a rows upon rows of sentences and words. She skimmed through it and had a general thought of what was needed of her. The picture, got her attention as she stared at it for a few seconds.

"I see… is this, mandatory?"

"Yes. We need your help with a few things in regards to that. Your input may in fact be beneficial once the procedure is finished."

She looked at the woman and moved her eyes to her reflection on the window next to her. She lamented that the woman and her did share similarities in appearance. Black hair, eyes that were astute and strong, as well as a face and some of its features that some may consider as… beautiful.

"Are there specifications as to why I'm exactly needed?"

The woman smiled briefly at her. With that subtle response she sighed in slight annoyance.

"I get it. I'm the first, the best one or some other crap you cooked up in there to describe me."

"I don't like the terms you used, but it's exactly as you say. If you were a bit more appreciative of it, you may find this new development reaffirming, possibly humbling. A thing you should be proud of, maybe even something you can brag if that's what you're in to." The woman replied, her words trying to dissuade her from disagreeing with this new thing she needed to be part of.

She decided to challenge it.

"And if I refuse?"

The woman shrugged and looked at both guards flanking her on both sides.

"I believe you know the answer to that. I may in fact be disappointed, but surely we would never push this into you unless… we really wanted to." She emphasized, knowing full well that her privileges would be cut from her grasp.

"However, I really do need your help on this. I gave you what you deserved and I hope that you can give it back through this way. This is the next part to why you were made. I genuinely wish that this was the main objective from the start, but you already know where that went."

"I do in fact. I know it very well." She replied back to the woman.

"Then please help me with this. I trusted your compliance and you rewarded us with your loyalty and faith. It's time I ask of it you again… in terms that are far better than the case we have now."

She thought about it and made a small nod.

The woman was about to say her thanks when she held her hand out.

"Is this conversation, on-record?"

The woman looked at the two guards.

"No. The circle of trust that I'm part of is growing small. Accredited and approved as this is, the intentions are far more deeper than what those words in that piece of paper I gave you are."

"I see. What would I get out of this then? Surely you know that I don't relatively care about this… cause of yours. Whether if it's those for the people that fund you or the people within your circle of trust that want something more out of this."

"I have deliberated that case to my colleagues. Compensation would be given to you in a degree to how successful this would turn out."

"Hmm… tempting. Though I'm not entirely amused that this is all secretive. I'm intrigued by it however, as I already thought that you didn't want modifications and alterations… maybe even additions to the build that was already cast for mine."

The woman looked at her as she clutched the photo in her hands.

"Do I hear a yes in that tone?"

She looked up to intercept the woman's field of vision.

"One more question. You have contributed a part of you… yes?" she asked in curiosity.

The woman smiled. She then moved her left sleeve up and she saw that the middle of her arm was covered in bandages. Fresh bandages that was seemingly recent, or even more accurate probably yesterday. Her eyes were indicative of it as well. Heavy, bagged but determined and full of vigor to finish what she started.

She then smiled back at the woman.

"Normally someone of your age would have wanted something more natural. Not something out of a lab like me or this new… thing you made." She commented. "But if our terms are met and you give me the level of compensation that I desire… then I would in fact be part of this new specimen you made."

The woman, her eyes full of excitement could only smile. She was holding all of her joy within her as this was still an off-record assignment that was given to her. Still, her enthusiasm gushed over her like she had finally made a large breakthrough in something she was best in.

"Great… now if you please, follow me as we go to our destination."

"Where?"

"To my lab of course!" she said with a grin as she finally stood up and the woman walked out. She looked at the doorway for a second and thought about this woman as she urged her to follow. She did eventually walk out as she stared at both guards for a second before joining her.

What followed was a series of corridors and locked rooms of various kinds that she knew very well in her stay here. It was not something she was fond of, due to it all being so dull and mono-chromatic in nature. It was still the same hallways, same doors, same places, and same facilities that she walked around with. However, given the timeframe that they were in there were not much people around as they walked by. Whole laboratories and rooms in this expansive location was completely cordoned and locked away without lights turned off.

Most of the staff seemed to be off-duty.

And since the nature of this task was off-record, they would definitely pick this time of day to proceed without having any questions thrown at them. She even questioned as to whom these guards that were following them belonged to in terms of loyalty, as they seemed very tight-lipped and quiet in the entirety of the walk towards their destination.

She continued to lament on those thoughts until she noticed that they had walked into a different part of the facility that they were in. A part that she was not familiar with.

Her eyes widened as they approached an electronic gate that barred passage into another set of corridors that led to an elevator. The clearance card that the woman used enabled them to enter as she bid the two guards to stay at the entrance. She wondered what that was as they proceeded in silence together towards the elevator. With the contraption shutting its doors, they were both left alone inside the metal box that she was unsure of to where it was heading.

She looked at the woman who was humming to herself in a low tone.

"You seem to trust me a bit too much." She exclaimed as the woman heard her.

"Don't worry. I know you won't do anything foolish. Besides, I doubt those two would keep up against you if you did do something. I would be a fool to assume that they would be capable to take you out should the need arise."

She shrugged to that response, acknowledging the tone of respect in her voice.

"Even so… even if I did do something, I doubt I'll be able to easily figure out how to escape given that I'm not familiar to where we are right now."

"True. Think of this as a special part of the facility. You see, the project needs a very controlled environment to flourish in. A controlled environment that we can easily manipulate, change, and even replace should we deem so. That's why this is mostly done underground, where a lot of variables can be controlled instead of the multiple underlying factors that may contribute or affect the project should it have existed outdoors." The woman explained, she then started to get a general idea as to where they were with those words alone as the elevator's movement and the feeling of gravity hinted that they were going downwards.

"I believe you are familiar with this place Specimen 1. Just go a little bit further down the rabbit hole… and you'll see what I mean." The woman continued as the elevator stopped. The light above that indicated the floor they were in turned on as the doors opened.

That's when she realized why this place was so unfamiliar to her.

And why in the same context, she was sort of familiar with it.

"Have you managed to piece the dots now?" the woman said as she smiled candidly, she then walked forward as the lights in this new place she was in turned on bit by bit. Illuminating what was hidden in the darkness…

And the past that she remembers less of.

With her surprise elated, and her body seemingly transfixed to the revelation, she stepped forward.

"Is this-

"Yes. This is the place. The place where you were born. Where you were conceived." The woman confirmed as she walked around in silent awe and fascination. At the same time, she was disturbed as she saw what this place was.

At first glance, the entire area seemed to be that of a laboratory. Apparatuses left and right decorated the room with various vials of unknown liquid scattered across the place. Boards filled with notes, files, desks, and working tools of various equipment and uses were also seen.

That was not what caught her attention however as she followed the woman.

"Do keep in mind not to see these things as anything but objects… They have served their purpose and they aren't in any way useful anymore." The woman coldly said as they moved around large capsules that dominated one part of the room.

Capsules filed with amniotic fluid within them.

Trolleys of various kinds filled with surgical equipment and tools were seen. Most of them, bloodied. Organs and various other kinds of grisly material was laid there to be seen by the naked eye. Some of them dripping… fresh.

Saws full of blood as they cascaded down their teeth.

It seemed like something she would see in books about tales depicting killers and horrors of the unknown. Like the scientists that worked here were near to that in level. Although, while not exactly truthfully in the manner of it being sinister, the place was still clean in some parts. But the bad outweighed the good as she saw the capsules in full view.

Her eyes focusing on what was in them.

Control panels of different kinds stood next to each capsule.

Names of designations placed on top of them.

She walked near to one. Seeing how odd it was. The panel labeled as Specimen 26. She then though of her own designation.

And to her bewilderment she wondered if this truly was the place where she was born.

Or in more exact terms… created per say.

She then placed her hand on the glass of the capsules. The amniotic fluid glistening in a serene yellow-orange like color as something inside floated.

A grotesque formation of something that was supposed to live.

Eyes and arms shortened and balling out as if something like a monster that was being formed.

She did not know what to think of it.

As this was one of many capsules inside where she was.

All of them housing fetuses.

All of them glowing in a yellow-orange light from the bulb that was situated within the capsule. Making the amniotic fluids glow in that manner.

She brushed her fingers on the surface of the glass.

Thinking what the woman said. About 'objects' that these were.

Not people.

Not individuals.

Nor even human to be precise.

She wondered if this was what she looked like. If this was what she would be if she had not gained the 'perfect' status that her creators deemed for her. A deep thought indeed.

A horrid thought to muster.

She asked herself if they were alive… or better yet if they were supposed to be.

But then again, what was she to do? What could she possibly do to these… things that have not even developed into something close to being human. Rejected for how blank they were. How their canvass was unpainted and thrown away like nothing.

She moaned lightly to herself at these revelations. It was her first time.

Amongst others.

"Specimen 1… are you coming?" the voice of the woman said behind her as she nodded.

However, before she could reply she decided to once more brush over her palm against the glass surface and suddenly it was as if the eyes of the fetus she was looking at moved to stare at her.

Like it was alive.

She froze at that as those blue eyes gazed upon her.

"Specimen 1?"

She shook her head. They were not alive. The control panels were sure of that. She sighed heavily and joined the woman as they continued walking side by side against this odd and disturbing place. She became quiet as she thought things over. Lamenting everything that she saw.

Questioning if she desired to make an opinion over it.

"You seem… distressed." The woman said.

"What?"

"Distressed. As if you were disturbed with what you saw."

She looked at the woman as they proceeded to walk close to each other.

"So?" she retorted.

The woman seemed to be confused with that as the edge of her lips made a small frown.

"Nothing. Just an observation." She replied as they arrived at a room. The door sliding open once her clearance card was scanned. The lights turning on as they arrived into a more personal-looking office space that seemed to look like a hybrid with a small laboratory covered by a curtain. The woman placed her card on her desk as she offered a chair for her to sit on.

As she sat on it, she began to think about what she saw prior. Her thoughts seemingly stuck to it as she looked around the room. The curtains that covered her small laboratory space making her curious as she wondered what was behind it.

As she waited for this 'task' to happen, she then heard her mysterious companion cursing to herself.

"Did I really just forget th-

The woman sighed heavily to her error as she tried to find something within her desk but to no avail. She then looked at her with frustration filling her face entirely.

"Will you wait for a few minutes?" she asked her.

She did not respond at first, but she nodded after the woman tried to plead to her with a small grin of embarrassment.

"Great. I'll be back in second. There's just one item I need to have so that we can begin."

"Take your time." She responded, a bit less interested than before. The woman did not seem to catch it as she quickly left the room in a hurry. Leaving her by herself to her own thoughts.

As the silence re-emerged…

She thought about herself. She then took out the photo that was in the envelope. She thought for a second that this was what she was going to see in this place after she agreed…

But it was the opposite of that.

What was on the picture was a photo of a normal… male baby that was sleeping on some sheets.

The file seemingly not having a proper designation nor name for him.

She looked at the photo…

Until a small sound was heard. Something… crying?

Weeping?

She looked around the room. The sound disturbing the silence and her concentration as she tried to find its source. A very small sound… like a child crying.

She stood up and tried to find where it was, or if she was being crazy.

But no, there was something crying. A very faint cry within the expanse of this room. She then turned her eyes towards the curtains. The curtains that covered one portion of the room. She moved towards it. Small steps each as not to disturb what was going on.

Her curiosity eating away at her as she drew closer.

As she arrived at the curtains, she then moved them aside slightly. That's when she saw… that within the small laboratory area of the room… there laid a specialized crib.

A cradle that housed a small child within it.

Crying as he looked scared for not having anyone near to safeguard him.

Naïve…

Innocent.

She walked closer towards it and took out the photo. Looking at it and comparing the small child to it. This was him. The one in the picture. The one that they needed her help for. The male specimen.

The first of its kind.

"So you're what's all the fuss is about." She whispered as she recalled the numerous other… specimens outside the room. Looking at one whole child right now made her somewhat relieved.

And pitiful.

The baby then cried as she leaned closer to see it. Hair strands on its head. Black as they were like hers. Eyes… same color like hers and a face that cried at first, but for a moment stopped as the baby looked confused. Like he knew her.

She leaned closer. Unsure of what she was to do as she pointed her finger towards it.

The child reaching out… holding her finger.

And on that moment she felt comfort. Like this small thing made her heart feel endearment.

Positivity. A ray of light within a sea of darkness.

She smiled in glee towards him. The Progenitor of the project…

Meeting the boy that would be her brother someday.

The same boy that was meant to brought about change.

An anomaly in the system, accepted by the perfect specimen. Although to her, the woman that would be Chifuyu Orimura, meeting him was the first normal thing that she has ever experienced in her entire life.

---

PRESENT…

10:06 AM…

Iwanaga Ai sits on one of the chairs close to the monitors within the control room. She had reviewed the footage of Chifuyu talking to their subject within her cell for the past few minutes. Writing and recording any small detail that they missed through the rather heated discussion or debate between the two when they started talking. She wanted to make sure that no detail was amiss and that no shred of fact was blurred out amidst their lengthy conversation.

The footage was repeated over and over in certain parts.

One was one on the part where she explained the merits of the IS Academy.

Second was the implication of what their plan was when they executed the raid on that Phantom Task cell and lastly the final part of the conversation where she mentioned that of a 'phase' within a grand plan that they wanted to fulfill once time came. This was actually the most vital part of the conversation as it implied that something was coming.

Something big.

Add the fact that she was given information from her commanders that they have news from the other countries within the Treaty that have these similar programs that Chifuyu was part of. All of them reporting that their facilities have been systematically attacked across the board. Not just the ones that were part of the treaty but news broke out that there are numerous sightings across laboratories and facilities destroyed or completely wiped off the map by a certain group.

All of them having one similar detail surrounding them.

Either that they researched or had actual history both recent and past about projects similar to those related to the one that Chifuyu Orimura was part in.

Even unsanctioned activities or top secret operations….

All of them systematically attacked all at once.

And all of them resulting in a success, leaving no survivors in their wake.

Anything involved or related to cloning technologies, genetic research, and physical augmentations both mechanical and biological are seized and attacked. Every single part of it reported through various sources and governments all around the world alongside private institutions are now in disarray on all fronts.

Ai felt a chill down her spine as she thought about the woman that she was now reviewing her footage of. She asked herself what exactly was going on, and what was the endgame to all of this. What was the point that grew deeper as each hour passed?

With each new revelation making this harder and harder to quantify.

They mentioned about 'false imitations' and an 'Anomaly'. Both things that she and Chifuyu have discussed heavily about. Both things that they think they have an answer to, yet they were still largely unsure and relatively clueless to what was happening across all of it.

Because at the end of the day, with how seemingly large this operation is…

This would mean that whatever group this woman was affiliated with, it meant that they were a terrorist organization with a large hostile threat to the interests of both countries related to the treaty or even far beyond than that.

The amount of danger they possessed… and the amount of power that they seemingly hold to have access to operations like these worried her because that would mean that they have large affiliations with people or corporations with large amounts of money…

Or even in a more sinister sense, probably those with high positions in political forefronts.

It was impossible that this was a small group of fanatics or something close to what Phantom Task was. Because Phantom Task while dangerous were a closely knit branch of cells that worked together to get what they needed out of technology and they rarely ever attacked once they knew they could actually pull it off.

These individuals… were bold enough to orchestrate and allow their operations to continue without warning or even a clue to their intentions.

Even so, everything seemed to be pre-planned and they all have this network of information that made them easily strike these places without harm or problem.

That also meant that the roots go down deeper.

Far… far deeper.

She started to feel paranoid as she looked around her. The people working inside this room. Both faculty members of the academy and some of the men she came with.

She sighed to herself and reassured that the men in her unit were loyal. She handpicked most of them for her logistical branch in the agency and she was sure of their background and loyalty. Even with that, she felt paranoid. Fearful.

Like everything was an enemy.

Surely she was overreacting, but even with that said she still felt cautious, because if these findings and theories of theirs is correct right to the bone…

Then there was a large problem that was at stake here.

A very large problem that would be a nightmare to solve.

She hoped that Chifuyu can get someone out of that girl.

Some concrete information. Anything that would help them alleviate the cloud of mystery against this problem. Surely maybe his brother can shed some light with this 'anomaly' bullshit, but all in all she hopes that this problem in its entirety is not as big as she thinks of it.

A lot was at stake if that was the case.

And it would put the world into the brink like the tensions that rose before the Alaska Treaty.

Times like those was not something she wanted to return to.

Times like those that she genuinely hoped would not return.

"Ma'am… we have a situation on one of the scanners within the cell." A voice suddenly said. One that broke her out of her train of thought. She looked at one of the people that worked under her command as she nodded and stood up to see it.

The control room's footage on all fronts both regular and other scanners for a variety of things used to indicate or detect something that was not seen by the naked eye. Weapon systems have advanced to a point that something as large as an IS unit can be collapsed into a small object within the person's own body without the need of using so much space. It was mandatory now both in correctional facilities and detention centers. Threats as large as these are not something to laugh at.

Thankfully, the academy was well-funded to have these upgrades and she was happy for it.

"What seems to be the problem?" she asked.

Her colleague then pointed out towards one monitor that was laced in a blue filter. It was the farthest on the right among six others that were watching their 'guest'.

"What's wrong with it?" Ai asked once more as she tried to focus on it. Trying to discern what the problem was. Her colleague then explained to her…

"Ma'am you are aware that this is the encryption-based data collector camera. This is the one that's used to primarily break apart the security code that is shielding an IS unit from being detected or deployed without the need of the user's permission. This is the same technology that was developed by other companies to combat the scenario of a possible hacking towards each individual unit."

"Alright… what seems to be the point that you're getting into?" she said as she then noticed that a small static wave appeared on the screen and subsequently disappeared within a flash. She blinked at it for a second as she found it odd.

"Did you see that?" her colleague asked.

"The blip?"

"Yes. That's not normal ma'am. The camera's situated in a place that would disallow any interference or any sort of static from getting in and breaking apart the data we need."

"But… wouldn't it be an issue with the hardware itself?"

"No… I'm afraid not. The hardware in encased inside a secure compartment. Even if there were issues, the people I've spoken to within this place have confirmed that everything was managed and checked to be up to date and functioning."

Ai then saw the footage again and saw another blip.

It was gone much like the other one prior. With the footage of the woman looking around, almost in a bored sense.

"There's more to this ma'am. As you can see there is no data that is detected from her presence. That feels odd given this blip that appears every single time I see it."

Ai frowned at that small little detail. She was not an expert on electronics, but everything seemed stable and working, with this one camera perspective having a small glitch.

She then waited for it to appear again.

As the blip appeared she counted under her breath until its next appearance.

"Twelve seconds." She said.

"Exactly… the blip is in intervals. A glitch would never be in a systematic order that would continue on with that set time. Unless…"

"… It's interference… from one source." Ai finished as she looked at the blip.

She then looked at the normal camera that was watching their subject of interest. She narrowed her eyes as she saw the woman smile to herself, almost like she reacted to what Ai and the others have discovered. Ai then groaned in annoyance.

"Get me another I.T. team inside here. I want a full network sweep and systems check on the academy's server hub. I'm sure Ms. Orimura would allow it given the situation we're in. If you need permissions, get me to sign on it." She commanded as the man who stood up and rushed to do what was needed of him.

Ai then steadily watched the control panel…

With the twelve second blip occurring again and again.

Making her feel on edge.

Suddenly, the room shook. Ai then jumped into a serious demeanor as someone opened the door and ran to her. It was one of the guards posted outside the control room alongside a faculty member of the school. Both in panicked sense as they faced her.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"We have a situation ma'am… there's-

Ai then heard voices outside the door. A group of voices that were trying to seemingly stop one person from forcefully entering the room. This culminated in the door suddenly bursting open. Revealing a disgruntled Tabane Shinonono who was holding a weapon in her hands.

Multiple other people behind her. Both students and faculty members side by side with her men.

The doctor herself looking like she was in distress.

"Hello… is Chi-chan here?!" the woman said with a large grin on her face.

A grin that was close to being problematic and sadistic.

---

MINUTES EARLIER…

"MY HOUKI-POKI! I found you!"

"T-Tabane?" Houki said in shock as she saw her sister at the doorway, holding a large weapon on her hands. A weapon that was charging even in the presence of so many people that it could possibly endanger. The shock to her however was not registered due to what she was holding or how blatant and without warning her sudden appearance was. Rather, it was due to how she looked like in that very situation, how her state of mind and appearance suggested to what she has been going through to be like this.

Houki knew that her sister would never appear in this way, nor was she ever this distressed, erratic, and above all else disgruntled beyond normal apprehension.

Down to her clothes and everything, she looked tired, worn out, and desperate.

Like everything was taken away from her and now she was down to rock bottom. Trying to salvage what she could within the situation she was in.

However, none of the people inside the room knew that.

All of them felt that this was mostly like her typical visits or sudden entrances, though in a less than surprising or colorful way like how she usually does. Except to Houki, who knew that something was up and as little as her knowledge of what her sister's intentions are, she knew that the woman needed help and she was the closest thing that was her only form of comfort within that time and space.

"Doctor Shinonono please lower your weapon! You may-

"BACK OFF! You're not allowed to speak to me unless I deem so!" she angrily said towards a teacher inside the room who was trying to calm her down. An indication that she was not playing around, especially since she has not in any way raised her voice at all against anyone before. Not even in a pretense that would threaten her.

This was very different.

Like the visage of the mysterious woman suddenly vanished under the destruction of her symphony of smiles. The face that she used to hide from everyone that would derail them from knowing her true intentions was no longer there.

This was her… in her base form.

Her base instincts.

"T-Tabane… just please calm down." Houki said as she moved closer towards her sister.

Tabane never relented however, the weapon still raised and her demeanor cautious and paranoid. Her eyes were full of it, like she thought of everyone within the room as an enemy except for Houki.

"Houki… where is Chi-chan?" the woman replied, not wanting to change her subject nor the reason for her sudden intrusion. Charlotte, Laura, Cecilia, Rin, and Kanzashi standing behind Houki with cautious strides. The rest of the student council and the members of the other classes that were with them all froze, not wanting to risk danger from the woman who created the IS.

"Tabane… just calm down alright? I'm sure we can make Ms. Orimura-

The weapon suddenly turned on. Now fully charged and ready. The nozzle dangerously close to a few faculty staff that were present. Tabane with no indication of care in her ire.

"Please… be a good little sister my Houki-poki. I just wish to straighten a few things out." She said. The grin on her face disappearing, being replaced with something that looked like a pleading one. Something that Houki had never seen before.

She sighed as she saw her friends being ready in case they needed to deploy their units. However, given that they don't know the nature of the weapon that she held, they were cautious to start an uprising of violence within the confines of this room. Especially since there were a lot of stragglers involved. Those of which that would be a problem should something happen.

Houki knew that she needed to diffuse the situation.

She was no proper leader nor even someone strong enough to be there for others that trusted her given how many times she has admittedly failed, but this was her sister…

Her responsibility and she knew that even Ichika would agree for her to follow forward.

There was also one other thing that drove her to towards her sister.

One being that she felt concerned. Worried for what happened to her and what drew her to be like this. Especially what sort of experience that pushed her over the edge to act this way. As the cheery, always smiling woman that was a mystery to her was now on the brink of collapse.

That matter invoking her former memories on her childhood experiences with her.

All of it coming back.

Even the time where she had hurt her feelings. Something that pushed them away from each other. A rift that was formed that still today had not yet closed.

Maybe now was her opportunity. Maybe she could fix it somehow.

She reached her hand out trying to talk to her. Trying to alleviate some of the pain in her eyes that manifested through that angry disposition. Hoping that she can try and make her slow down, even for a bit.

"Sister… please just settle the gun down and let's talk. You don't have to act like this."

Tabane stopped for a second and seemingly contemplated on that statement. But her face contorted quickly and she grabbed her weapon without warning and aimed it at the window.

KRRRZAT!

A stream of pulsating energy shot out towards the window. Those who were in its way ducking for cover quickly as it hit the wall. Blasting the concrete wall with little effort as dust and debris was shot into the air high enough given the amount of pressure and punch that the weapon had.

Houki who was horrified by it could only widen her eyes towards her sister in infamy. All of them intimidated and scared as the woman let the weapon charge once more. Her face not even smiling, the serious and sour mood still continuing on without anything to stop her.

Not even her sister.

"Dr. Shinonono! You have violated and endangered the safety of the students within this academy! We hereby ask you to-

Tabane aimed it at the woman who shouted at her. Instantly she froze as she raised her arms up. Backing away along with the other staff members that were present. Houki and the others still confused and shocked as to why she was acting this erratic.

Without even any visible reason to explain why she was doing it all.

"That was a controlled burst ma'am…" she chided at them all as she looked at her. "If this was at full capacity, not even the shield systems within an IS unit can survive it." She grimly explained as she ripped the bunny-eared contraption at the top of her head that was broken. She then threw it to the ground as she placed the weapon on a nearby desk. One of the students who was hiding there running away towards Houki in fear. The girl being Honne as the standoff continued.

What she proclaimed making everyone uneasy.

Because if that was real, coming from the same person that developed the IS weapon system, then it was no joke to begin with. The damage alone on the wall next to them being an indication of how powerful it was at a controlled burst mode.

"Now… I'm so happy that you're all aware of how excited I am in wanting to see Chi-chan. I've missed her so much these past few days. Especially, after yesterday…" she slowly said, the last few words almost in pain… regret.

Guilt…

She then turned to Houki.

"I would really love to see her right now. If you don't mind." She pleaded with a low tone. Her eyes red, if anything it was close to tearing up.

"Sister… w-what happened to you?" Houki asked.

Tabane bit her lip in response to that. She turned away from Houki's gaze quickly and moved it towards Laura. She then grabbed the weapon again.

"You there…" she pointed out. Laura who looked confused but in a defensive demeanor looked up towards her as she called her out. "Do you know where Chi-chan is? She is your mentor… right?"

Laura stood strong.

"I am not aware of where my instructor is at the current moment. However, I do wish that you would listen to your sister and the authorities within this school… Ms. Shinonono." Laura steadily said.

Tabane flinched with a huff.

"Oh… you don't know yet of what happened huh? Of last night?" Tabane challenged.

Laura narrowed her eyes towards the puzzling statement.

"Um excuse me… in all due respect Dr. Shinonono, but what are you talking about? And what does this have to do with Laura?" Cecilia said. With Charlotte and Kanzashi right behind her next to Houki.

"It has everything to do with it. Everything." Tabane harshly replied as she put her gaze back to Laura who was still perplexed but intimidated. Tabane walked closer and clutched the weapon in her hands. She then sighed as she looked at Laura.

"You really do look like her. A perfect match…" she said with a low tone. A tear trickling down her cheek as the woman wiped it off.

"Sister… just please. Tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help you." Houki said again, wanting to try still in hopes to help her. Tabane did not listen as she walked back towards the faculty members. Aiming the gun at them much to their horror.

They all knew that Tabane was a very unpredictable person. However, it seems that now it is more so than that. As she was now totally unhinged. Not even caring if she hurts anyone with how she was acting.

"Once more… please tell me where Chi-chan is or I will press the button on this wonderful new gun I made." She said with a mocking voice towards her as the woman who was in front of the rest of the faculty staff eventually nodded and gave in to her demands.

Tabane then smiled in slight victory as those that took charge of the school decided to escort her. With her still holding the gun behind their backs as they guided her out of the room. Leaving Houki and the rest of them inside in shambles and shock.

To Houki however, she knew that something was wrong.

Based on how she acted and how she looked at Laura, it felt as if she lost someone as a whole lot of questions piled up. Without warning, she bolted from the room and ran to join her sister. Leaving Cecilia and Charlotte bewildered.

"Houki? HOUKI! Where are you going?" Charlotte said as they saw her run off.

"We need to follow her." Laura said as she too had questions, specifically what she meant by her words earlier. Cecilia was concerned too for her friend as she along with the others decided to follow them. As they ran to catch up, Cecilia looked at Kanzashi. With them all catching up to the younger Shinonono sister.

"Do you know where Ms. Orimura is?"

"N-No… I have no idea. My sister never told me anything about this." She replied.

"I don't understand what happened at all, like why did she act that way? Was she always like that?" Charlotte asked Laura who was as clueless as her.

"S-She mentioned something about me. Something that relates to me at least. I-I don't know why I felt scared after hearing her say those words to me about whatever happened last night." Laura admitted as Rin tried to think of what was occurring.

"Are we sure that this has nothing to do with where Ichika and Tatenashi have disappeared into? Or the secret assignment that Ms. Orimura is in earlier today?" Rin asked.

"We don't know for certain Rin... but if there's one thing I know about my sister, it's that she's never been like this." Houki replied as they doubled their pace.

All of them still reeling in and trying to discern what was happening.

Yet already deep within them, they all sensed that something was amiss and that this was heading to something more than just the sum of its parts. Maybe something even something deeper…

And if this all correlated to what was going on with Ichika…

Then this was going to be a problem in a scale they can't determine.

---

10:13 AM, Control Room…

"Dr. Shinonono." Ai said as she narrowed her vision across the eccentric and dangerous woman. The entire team behind her and the ones near Tabane outside holding their weapons at ready against her. A couple of the academy's students behind them doing the same thing. With one of them Ai recognized as the good doctor's sister herself, Houki Shinonono.

"Well? Isn't this a bit rude to have all of these attention directed towards me?"

Ai never gave in for a second there and steeled her resolve.

"Why are you here?"

"I already told you remember? I want to see Chi-chan? Is she here?"

"What gives you that idea?"

Tabane smiled, the dirt and filth on her face that diminished her natural beauty adding an extra layer of intimidation to her rather sadistic grin. The weapon in her hands glowing with a churning sound of electricity being contained in a vacuum, meaning that it was ready and charged to fire at any given moment.

"Oh I'm sure you would know where she is… Chi-chan gets along with a lot of people. Especially people like you. So…" she leaned closer her smile vanishing. "Don't give me that crap and tell me where she is, so I can talk to her."

"And if I refuse?" Ai challenged.

The weapon then charged as it was aimed at her.

"I think you know the answer to that… oh! By the way, if you want me to make this all the more exciting I guess telling you what this thing is would surely heighten the suspense!" Tabane said as Ai gritted her teeth in response.

"This is a neutron scrambler. State of the art and the first of its kind. Without elaborating the science behind it, let's just say that it's max power and range is enough to single-handedly disable or kill an IS pilot with one direct hit. It sure did a number on physical objects even in the likes of the gold-titanium composites, some of the many materials used in armor for IS units. Even the fourth gen that I created was no match to its proponent strength from a direct hit on to a supposed user." Tabane cheerfully exclaimed as everyone near felt themselves go nervous at her statement.

"However, that was only through my initial tests. I don't really have anything concrete." She then darted her eyes towards Ai who stood still amidst her threats. "Maybe you'll be part of the next tests. Maybe I'll see something red this time instead of burnt and molten steel."

Ai frowned immensely at her threat. Not wanting to back down she steeled her nerves and tried to reply with the utmost bravery she can muster.

"Threats with me won't get you anywhere… so if you decide right here and right now that you should kill me then go do that. I'm sure the repercussions of doing so will only make things worse if whatever did this to you decides to do the same to you."

Tabane flinched.

"Of course no one can do that to me. You all know how dangerous and scary I am." She tried to nonchalantly reply with a grin, though her face said otherwise. Her voice that sort of faltered in the end gave Ai another clue to what this was about.

"I have every right to think that Dr. Shinonono and I do know for a fact that you are dangerous to the point of unpredictability. However, even with that said I don't think you believe what you just told me because at this very moment based on how you look and the actions you're taking, I do know very well enough that you are desperate. Desperate in the terms that someone has duped you."

She then stepped closer.

"Or in a more clear sense… that would mean someone has bested you."

Tabane stopped for a moment but shook her head, aiming the weapon towards Ai's head.

"You don't know me. None of you do, but even if those words were true, what's stopping me from pressing this button and killing you on that spot?!" Tabane reiterated her question with almost a snarl of frustration. Ai to everyone's surprise stood still to her threats even with the weight of how much Tabane reiterated her threats.

That's when everything clicked in place for her.

"Dr. Shinonono… I will be frank in saying this, but based on how erratic you are, I suppose you're here for a certain someone that's in the cells. That certain someone being one of the people that you suspect to be part of those who wronged you."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Tabane said as she froze.

"They attacked you too huh? That's why you're here. That's why… you're this desperate. Afraid."

Tabane lost her smile and pressed the gun forcefully into Ai's head.

"SISTER DON'T!" Houki screamed from the back as everyone was afraid of what would happen next. Ai felt fear within her seeping into her current situation, but she saw the emotions in Tabane's eyes.

"Don't lie to me Dr. Shinonono. If you have a grievance to the people that did this to you, then killing me won't do you good." Ai replied to her, Tabane considering her words.

"I only need Chi-chan... you and everyone else in this room, do not matter."

"We have a lead… Dr. Shinonono. Both me and Ms. Orimura have a lead. If you so much as try to take me out of the picture that lead will be gone in an instant, and none of us will be able to figure out what's going on or where this is all leading to."

Tabane did not look pleased nor in agreement to her words.

"I'm smart. I can figure it out on my own. Chi-chan will help. She's the only one I need and no government spook is going to tell me otherwise. So please, move out of the way or I will kill you."

Houki who was at the back rushed towards her sister through so many people blocking the path between them. Charlotte tried to call her back, but the girl was adamant to put a stop to this. She then grabbed Tabane's arm as the two women saw her.

"Sister… stop this! I-I don't know what's going on but you can't just go and kill people. Especially in front of me! I don't know what's happened to you but I beg you please! Stop!" she pleaded.

Tabane looked at the hand that Houki placed on her.

Memories started to return.

She and Houki, playing in fields of grass… smiling, laughing. At peace.

It then reminded her of someone else. Someone important. A girl with gray hair. A young girl that she cherished almost like a child of hers.

In that small moment, her eyes both twitched. With one of them shedding a tear that she never tried to hold back nor hide from everyone. To those who only knew little of her, this was a surprising moment. Seeing the so-called smartest person in the world in tears.

In her most vulnerable of moments.

It even made Ai almost feel a bit of sympathy towards her.

Tabane lowered her weapon as she looked at Houki. Houki who was also close to tearing up then moved closer towards her sister and took her into her arms. Embracing her. Tabane who was always lacking any sort of empathy or physical contact from those she supposedly cared about simply stood in place. Not even placing her hands on her sister's back.

The feeling was all new to her again.

Feelings of the past that were returning. Back when they were both normal.

Back when they were… sisters.

Charlotte and the others whom were watching could only smile at their friend's attempt. Kanzashi in particular who recalled when she and Tatenashi made up.

Though through those confused and supportive gazes came the opposite of what Tabane was thinking. Sure, Houki did calm her, but it never meant that she was directly okay at that very moment.

She then moved her gaze back to Ai who was still standing there in contemplation.

"Dr. Shinonono. You have no quarrel with me. I'm only here to lend support with whatever's happening. This problem is beyond both of us. So instead of us butting each other's heads over something trivial… I request that we both cooperate." Ai said with a calmer tone.

Tabane bit her lip and looked at Houki who was still clinging on to her.

"Where is Chi-chan?" she asked. Her voice calmer but desperate at its end still.

Ai who looked over at everyone who was present was still not a fan of the idea that she should share sensitive information to everyone that was not part of the initial talks to this operation, but seeing that everyone was in distress with Tabane's mental deteriorating, she decided to compromise with a smile. She did in fact say that cooperation was what they needed at that very moment for them all to find out what was happening. Especially since one of the girls that Tabane's sister was with is part of what she and Chifuyu think as a list of targets that were in risk of termination.

Much like Madoka.

With a sigh she looked at Tabane and decided to talk.

"Ms. Orimura is trying to squeeze information out from a certain person that could help in the investigation of this problem. That certain person being an asset of Phantom Task. One that I believe you should know well… given your connections to them." Ai said as Tabane frowned.

"Phantom Task? This was the problem?" Cecilia said in shock. Much like Houki and the other girls who fought against Phantom Task operatives for a while. They were genuinely surprised to hear it, as that would imply that everything up to this point meant that Tabane had a hand in it from the very start. That point of view gravely making Houki shocked at her.

"Y-You're affiliated with them?" Houki then said as she and Tabane finally separated after that brief pause earlier. Tabane did not respond to her however, deciding only to focus on what Ai had said to her. The woman then turned off her weapon and responded back.

"What do you hope to gain from that little brat?" Tabane asked.

"Well to start of… the moment you arrived last night at the scene of that Phantom Task cell being destroyed, we managed to salvage her out from the wreckage. Being the only one alive at that very moment with her IS core destroyed amongst other burnt bodies within the rubble. She was unreliable at first, not even daring to say anything because of what happened. After you set off however to wherever you went Dr. Shinonono, I was tasked to contact Ms. Orimura for assistance and ever since this morning we have been trying to piece together the pieces of the puzzle while also trying to discern what that girl has witnessed as a factor that would lead us to whoever did this."

The statement bringing everyone who was clueless to what happened shocked to hear it.

"And why did you think the girl was important?"Tabane asked once more.

"We believe there is a causality to all of this, a relation. We are aware that this was not the only attack. All of them having one thing in particular that we think may have caused all of this to happen."

Tabane narrowed her eyes and then moved her gaze towards Laura who was surprised again to see her do it once more. The statements and the dialogue the two had still making the girls confused.

"The Project." She muttered.

"Yes. Anything related to it. Even an attempt was systematically attacked to be razed from the board. All around the world it's happening and we think it all goes back to that very thing you mentioned."

"Wait… hold on for a second. What are you two talking about? What attacks? What do you mean by all of this?" Houki said as the two women looked at her.

"I… never thought this would go that deep." Tabane muttered towards Ai.

"We never expected it to be that way as well. Hearing about the other attacks made this all bigger than what it seemed to be." Ai replied.

"So that's why… that's why Chloe was taken from me." Tabane replied in realization. Her words fumbling and her words breaking apart at each other in sadness.

"Dr. Shinonono… what happened to you if I would ask? You came here like this, then I am certain that something or someone was taken from you."

Tabane looked at Ai.

"My life's work. My lab. Everything is gone." Tabane said, the weight of her words heavy.

The proclamation sent everyone chills down their spine. Even Ai was shocked to hear it.

"Wait… what do you mean by that?" Houki said.

"It's as I said. All my research my projects, my facility is gone. Burnt to the ground. I came back a few hours ago at the brink of dawn to find everything I have ever attempted to do or create destroyed into nothing. There was little that remained. Not even the data of my servers and the information that I tried storing was saved. Everything was gone. Stolen, destroyed, or otherwise… I have lost it all. Especially my Chloe…" she admitted.

Ai was at a loss for words.

"Now you all know… now you see why I want to see Chi-chan. I want answers. I want… my Chloe back." Tabane pleaded. Houki and the others who were still confused still reacted the same way in shock. The mightiest or highest person that world deemed as a genius in almost every aspect was brought low to the ground, and even though she was not crying to her fullest…

The pain in her eyes was evident.

Houki and Ai were about to say something…

When the lights in the room and the hallways sputtered like a glitch in the automated system.

It finally returned to normal… only for Ai to notice something inside the monitors of the control room. All of them were at static. All of them turned off of their live video feeds and replaced with gray backgrounds. With a beeping noise interference that clocked every twelve seconds. There was only one screen in the entire control room that was live and it showed the woman in the cell smiling at the camera. Pleased at what was happening…

Ai then saw her colleague whom discovered the interference with her a few minutes ago having a horrified look on his face.

"Ma'am… there's a signal from the cell. It has hijacked the entire academy's system and software."

"H-How did that happen?" Ai asked.

The man did not reply. Kanzashi and her other friends feeling a chill on their spine as they recalled the last time that the school's systems were compromised. It was a problem back then, but with the new large implications of what was happening, they then realized how different this was.

How… more dangerous it became.

Suddenly, the intercom within the halls and the control room buzzed into life.

A voice coming from the woman's cell emerging.

With her smiling at the camera seemingly watching them all with Tabane and Ai seeing it along with the rest. The woman being very pleased with what occurred.

"Glad to hear you're all trying to piece this all together. A bit far off than what I could expect, but still you are getting somewhere. Especially you Dr. Shinonono… I'm glad we could finally meet after all this time." The woman ominously said through the intercom.

Ai felt the weight of this operation becoming heavier as they all felt being at the doorstep of something far ominous…

And far sinister than anything they have ever encountered before.

---

10:28 AM...

Laura was still confused. The entire situation not sitting well within her as the rest of the people within the control room argued with what to do with what just happened. They stared to formulate a plan that would try and face both Tabane and the woman together however they all agreed that there was a large risk. A risk that the girls still did not yet understood.

There were revelations however that they could piece together.

One being that of Tabane's current status.

And mentions of attacks all around the globe that made them worried. Especially to Laura, who was getting scared with the implications of what these adults said. Especially the woman that Tabane talked to, one she figured to be a person that had a position in a spec ops group that Japan employed. Meaning that whatever information she got, would likely be correct in whatever sense, whether this was a lie or part of it that was excluded from context. Although the words could be trusted, given that Tabane had confirmed it first-hand.

The implication and pressure of such truths made her shudder as she sat there while everybody was talking to each other. Holding the phone that Schwarzer Regen provided for her. Scared to even turn it on and ask for a call.

Scared that no one would reply on the other line.

For the first time in her life she felt fear for her comrades back at home. Fear that she would never see them again. It's not that she never cared for those brave women under her command, but it was more because of how confident she was at their success, at their skill and training that would have pulled through in events such as this.

However, given what they have just been told for now…

That trust and confidence was whittled down to nothing.

Making her vulnerable heart in a state of distress and sadness.

"Laura… are you still with us?" Charlotte said as she tapped her on the shoulder. Laura then noticed that all eyes were on her on the table where they all gathered. A meeting that Ai proposed for all five of them that followed Tabane to this place.

"Y-Yes… I'm sorry I was just… thinking over some things." Laura replied as she quickly hid away the phone into her pockets. Ai noticing that small little detail as she stood over them. Tabane still in the corner trying to 'help' the technicians sort the cyber-attack seemingly done by the woman in the cells. It was hard convincing her to stay put before they send here in, but thankfully to Ai's relief the woman's sister managed to talk her out of it.

"Anyway… I'm sure you all have questions. Questions that I know you're all adamant to know the answers to." Ai admitted as she looked at them all. "However, we have business at the current moment so I will give you the short version and with that entails cooperation from all of you."

"Cooperation for what specifically?" Cecilia asked.

"To help us find out what we're dealing with and the consequences that come with it."

"With all due respect Ma'am… we don't really know what's happening, so before we actually accept any order coming from you we need an explanation that's more than just short. You see we have been having problems as early as today. Everyone is tight-lipped to everything we ask and add the fact that we have a two people we know that are missing because of how secretive everyone is… it does bring up our concerns and why we deserve to know the full picture." Rin explained, making Cecilia to raise her eyebrows in an impressed state, knowing full well that Rin was not the person typical to say such things.

Ai looked over the others.

"Do all of you share this concern?" she asked, all of them replying with a yes or a nod.

Ai hummed to herself in response to that. Recalling what Chifuyu said of 'the others' when pertaining to Ichika. She then realized that those were these individuals. All of them seemingly determined and hard-headed to know the truth.

Making it seem like that the Sarashiki girl was better in terms of patience.

She sighed to herself and looked at them.

"Alright fine. I will tell you, but enough to move things along. We've already spent so much time talking about this instead of doing anything in particular to help. What I only ask is that you all cooperate the moment I finish explaining… understood?"

No one seemed to object much to Ai's relief except for a certain blue-haired girl wearing glasses on her eyes. The sister of the Sarashiki girl she assumed.

"Yes?"

"Ma'am… I just wish to know how viable and dangerous the threat is. We have been attacked numerous times in the past and through those attacks comes improvement to our defenses. Whether it be by security or through cyber threats, but if this… woman I assume can infiltrated our systems, then are we dealing with something greater than that? Something more robust and well-funded that has the capabilities to do this?" Kanzashi said. Ai pursed her lips to that question.

"Yes. We do believe that. Both of us, me and Ms. Orimura as you heard in the conversation. I was asked by my superiors to conduct the investigation here to have her on board with the investigation because of its… theoretical ties to her and her brother. Her cooperation was immensely needed to have this move in a way that would benefit us all. However, it has come to my attention that another individual seemingly came out of the blue in your campus grounds and I have no information in regards to her the moment we arrived here. What I and Ms. Orimura have scrounged up is the only info we have and since Dr. Shinonono has arrived with confirmation of what our fears are… then yes, this is something that warrants all of our attention to solve." Ai explained.

"She arrived here? Alone?" Charlotte said as they all looked at the monitors.

"Yes. That's what your faculty staff has told me. Essentially she wanted to be put here. For what reason, we are yet to know. Fundamentally we all think it has to do with a plan, because through our interrogations, it seems that she mentions phases of what consolidates into a grand scheme."

"A grand scheme of what?" Houki said.

Ai then looked at her and redirected her eyes towards Tabane who was staring into the monitors where the woman was patiently waiting for her. Patiently waiting for all of it to happen soon.

"I have no idea." Ai admitted. "I'm a trained intelligence gatherer for almost seven years in the field. My case has brought about numerous successes and failures throughout my career that I have been generally regarded as a professional in this line of work… but this? This whole thing? It just perplexes me to no end and it scares me what will happen if we don't find out about it soon."

"What is their primary goal in this school?" Laura suddenly asked her voice low.

"Pardon?"

"I said… what is the woman's primary goal when she arrived here. Surely she would have said something about it right? I know for a fact that my mentor would have squeezed some information out of her." Laura said to which everyone agreed on. They knew Chifuyu fairly well that is.

But to Ai who knew the full picture or at least part of it could merely frown at her question.

"I don't really know. We're both clueless. The vague bullshit this woman has given us got us nowhere. It took Ms. Orimura to try and squeeze info out of the other girl just to try and solve this." Ai exclaimed but before she let anyone to rebut her reply, she raised a finger and continued. "But… she did mention about something along the lines of… 'helping the Anomaly to find its way home'. The context of that is still unknown, but that's what she's reiterating over and over to us."

"Anomaly? W-What does she mean by that?" Houki asked.

"Take a guess…" Ai challenged, not just to Houki specifically but to all of them.

"Ichika?" Rin suggested. Ai did not reply as everyone looked at her.

"No… it can't be right. Why is he called an Anomaly then?" Charlotte said.

"What does Ichika have to do with this?" Cecilia exclaimed.

"B-But it does make sense guys… I don't want to accept it either but…" Kanzashi said, not able to finish her sentence but her fear was present. They then looked at Ai who simply shrugged at them in contempt.

"Don't ask me if that's the answer. We don't really know what this all means. However, it is the most compelling idea that Ms. Orimura and I have." Ai admitted.

The others began to try and talk about it until Laura herself intervened.

"What does this have to do with the attacks? With this… Chloe that Dr. Shinonono has said and mentioned, or the point of where this all leading to? Ichika is missing and we don't know where he is and you told us Ms. Orimura is trying to talk to a Phantom Task asset that we don't have the clearance to know about? Where are the answers that we need? That's the main thing we want to know!"

Ai looked at Laura who was clearly upset and scared with how words came out. Ai knew why, as the girl was indeed starting to suspect what was happening, specifically the attacks.

"I'm going to be frank with all of you. This is classified intel; to which I know you all don't have clearance for or general orders to accept the responsibility that comes with it." Ai said to them.

"That is absurd! This academy is a public domain site used and created by the member states that are part of the Alaska Treaty! Your jurisdiction on this soil in particular is a direct violation of that since your operation is never sanctioned nor approved by those countries under the rules governed by the Treaty itself." Cecilia argued, her logic sound.

"Did I say that I won't share what I know? To put it in perspective young lady, true as your words may be, but if your superiors within the school allowed my operation to be conducted here then it's them that you need to bark your problems with, not me." She then turned to the rest. "Then again I'm not here to argue my merits with representative pilots of your own respective nations and to answer the question you all have suggested earlier… then yes. This has to do with that boy named Ichika Orimura, or in broader sense… where him and Chifuyu Orimura came from."

"What does that mean?" Rin said.

Ai crossed her arms together and started to explain to them once more.

"Has it not occurred to you all… how special that boy is? Huh? Has it… ever crossed your mind as to why he has done the things that he's capable of in the past year?"

The entire table went silent.

Ai then turned to Laura.

"You there… I'm sure you have an idea what I'm talking about. Or have they kept the truth from you until you were ready to accept it?" Ai asked. Laura speechless. "Hmph, I suppose you don't know then. However, my point still stands. That point being the origin where the Orimura siblings have come from."

"Do you have an idea what this woman is talking about Laura?" Charlotte asked Laura who was struggling with what words to say.

"Think about it. The only male person in the world that can use an IS unit. A machine that seemingly only allows females to pilot it and yet this boy comes along… with the ability to use it. A fact that not even the creator of the IS can solve..." Ai then looked back at Tabane once more who was standing in the corner being talked to by her personnel as they prepare her for the inevitable meeting, one that the woman was pushing to happen right at that very moment. "I don't really know if she has any idea why the boy can use her creation, but still… you all get my point of how unique the situation Ichika Orimura is in."

"An anomaly." Kanzashi said.

"Correct and we believe that's the 'Anomaly' that this woman is telling us about."

"But… why Ichika and what do you mean by… where the two came from?" Houki asked, almost afraid to know what those answers were. All of them in fact were unsure if they wanted to hear it. To have the most special person in their life in the spotlight.

The person that they knew so much about…

Yet they were now scared of the truth and the implications that would follow.

Especially Laura and how it correlates to her.

"How much do you all know about Ichika Orimura? Because this all starts with him and Chifuyu Orimura along with the past that they both share." Ai said as the truth was laid down to them afterwards.

The truth that they were unprepared to face.

---

10:33 AM…

Tabane stood by the door to the cell that would now allow her to talk to the person she wanted to speak to after all this time. With the steel doors unlocking in a systematic fashion, she steeled herself. Making sure that she did not look scared… nor intimdated.

Whoever this person was…

Whatever her allegiances were…

She was adamant that she would get what she need and to find how to return the things that were stolen from her. All of it. Especially Chloe. The most precious thing to her that was taken from her grasp abruptly and suddenly that she did not even expect it.

Nor even anticipate it.

Being a person who took pride over her expertise, it was… devastating finally feeling the anguish of defeat. Of being bested. Bested to the point that she was relegated into this shadow of her former self. Drastically different in behavior than what she used to be.

That's what she thought of herself at least at that current moment as she stared into the door. With memories returning back to her. Memories of her return that lead to where she was now.

She could almost feel like she was back there again.

…

It was all burning.

Everything in flames as she stood there in silence. The facility in complete cinders, whatever was left of it that is. All of her efforts and plans, gone in a whisk. Her hands shook to the emotions boiling inside her. Unsure how to really react or say at that current moment after seeing it all in person.

The flames burning high enough that the still blackened sky of dawn was illuminated in a deep orange and yellow. Like the sun was replaced by the light of her failure. The light of her negligence.

She froze at that moment as she stared at what was once her most revered achievement, her emotions and mind still reeling in that it was now all gone. Disappearing into the void of light that was cast by the flames.

She tried to walk forward. Hoping to salvage what was left…

However, as she took one step forward, she saw under her shoes… was one of the ribbons that adorned Chloe's hair. Her heart suddenly dropped after seeing that. Her mind caught in a sudden flare of emotions that she did not expect to be inside of her.

But within that sea of emotions came sadness.

Despair.

She grabbed that ribbon in her hand as she squeezed her palm shut. Her eyes staring into the burning void in front of her.

…

"Dr. Shinonono… you're up." A voice from a communicator said as she returned herself back to reality. She nodded as the doors finally slid open. Tabane still silent as she stepped in. A few guards behind her along with her sisters and the other girls watching in the Control room close by.

The atmosphere thick with tension and uncertainty as Tabane finally saw the woman inside the cell. Said woman was sitting there in a very calm state. Almost melancholic in nature, as she was visibly pleased seeing the doctor finally in person for the first time.

She spread her arms out in a welcoming position as Tabane watched her closely.

"We have finally met… I'm happy to say that you look just like how I envisioned you to be. I can see why people call you 'perfect'. You do look the part really well and given your very detailed background, it adds a plus to the list of praise I can give you."

Tabane did not respond.

The woman shrugged as she lent her right hand in a respectful sense towards her. Encouraging her to sit on the chair across from her.

"I assumed based on your behavior and demeanor that you wish to talk to me. Behavior that I seem to be confused by as your track record never indicated that you would indirectly turn yourself like this or otherwise. Your psych profile as some have theorized is that of a sociopath. A recluse person that only caters to your own… or in some aspects, catering to people you deem important, or useful."

Tabane watched as the woman smiled at her, with her having a blank face in response.

"Whether I am right or wrong is not the point is it… in your mind its all the same with you being the center of it all. Much like how people condemned Copernicus at the start in favor of the Geocentric theory, but we all know where that lead to."

Tabane's gaze continued as she held the strap of her weapon by her other hand. The motion gave notice to the woman as she hummed in response.

"You asked for an audience. Yet when the time came, you're not so peachy in terms of talking. Did something bad happen that pushed you to be this negligent?" the woman taunted to get a reaction out of her. Tabane's eye twitched as the woman waited for her response.

Tabane's mind focused heavily on the woman in front of her as she recalled the memory of flames blazing in the background. The sound…

The ribbons in her hand, tied to her wrist at that current moment as she recalled Chloe.

Every exact detail fresh in her mind.

All of it driving her over the edge.

"Come on… you can tell me." The woman said.

For a second Tabane stood there without any reaction yet coming out of her, this brought those who were watching in worry as Ai moved over to the communication device they gave for her…

Only to see her kick the chair beside in a sudden fashion and stuck her foot into the table. Aiming the Neutron Scrambler across towards the woman with a face full of blind hatred. Immediately everyone panicked within the room including Ai as the guards in there with Tabane tried to restrain her.

"Dr. Shinonono don't-

"BACK OFF! All of you! This is at maximum power and with the small confined space we're in everything will go boom." Tabane threatened as she returned her gaze on the woman who sat in place surprised but not intrigued by what just occurred in the sudden twist of events.

In the backroom of the cell Houki and the others rushed in along with Ai who cursed herself not forcing that weapon off of her earlier, but the woman did not budge in the slightest, so they were forced to allow it even with the threat shown. The consequences now showing themselves to everyone.

"Sister! STOP!" Houki said through the door but Tabane did not listen.

The weapon charging as she looked at the woman who was still unafraid with the serious threat presented to her. Ai then commanded the two guards within the room to stand down as Tabane would in fact do what she said unless they obey. The two backed off as the standoff continued.

With everyone's hearts in a dire state, all of them hoping that nothing bad will happen.

It was now all up to Tabane who was in the room… in shambles and grief.

"You wish to kill me?" the woman said with a calm tone.

Tabane did not respond as she neared her finger on the trigger. Countless screams behind her trying to plead her to stop. But she was transfixed solely on the woman with blind hatred and anger. So much anger that she would not care even if this did not help her situation at all.

"How… childish of a thought that you would resort to this. I always highly regarded you for your work and craft Dr. Shinonono, but so far… I am not amused in the slightest."

"SHUT UP!" Tabane screamed.

A tear going down her cheek.

"Tears? Oh… how pitiful. You are human after all, not an emotionless cog that would not react even if people needed her. Passionate as well. The anger that flows in you is raw. Unkempt. Violent. All bound to the one thing you care… is it?"

Ribbons of Chloe's hair flying into her memories as she remembered her.

"A someone. A person… a person you value most. Almost like a daughter."

Tears continued to flow as Tabane aimed, the finger on the trigger as the tension went on.

"That's amusing to know. To think that you care more so of this person than your sister. Tell me… is that really you? The real you that's cooped up inside all of those fake faces you show to everyone? The real… Tabane Shinonono?"

Houki who was hearing it all was simply shocked. The others as well as they saw Tabane at her wit's end at that very situation.

"SHUT UP!" she screamed as her finger clutched the trigger.

The woman smiled as time seemingly slowed down. The sudden realization and fear of everyone present becoming reality.

Screams of people near the room went rampant as the weapon fired…

And a surge of energy lashed out.

BWOOOOOOOM!

It blew the location where the woman was located. The ground trembled to the might of the thunderclap that occurred. The explosion was so devastating that it punched a large hole outside, excessive smoke exiting the large destroyed section of the building they were in. Revealing the outside world in full view. The sunlight entering as the smog blew out.

Chunks of debris were forced out as Tabane slowed her breathing.

Behind her, Houki and the others deployed there IS units just in time to shield people close to them. With Houki shielding Ai beside her. As the smoke cleared, everyone quickly got up and recovered their bearings, with Houki running to her sister as she broke the metal sliding doors at the entrance of the room. She managed to reach her as she saw Tabane in a frozen state.

Her eyes… full of red from all the tears she shed.

And her body weakening to the point that she let go of the weapon in her hand and collapsed in grief on Houki's arms. Houki catching her sister as she settled her down.

"H-Houki…" Tabane called out with a low tone full of despair.

"I'm here sister."

Tabane and her locked eyes on to each other as Laura and Cecilia got to their location. Ai close by as she ordered her men to recover what they can, and if the woman was still alive. Rin and Kanzashi followed as well with Charlotte making sure that the others whom were hurt because of the blast would be guarded well and taken care of.

The two sisters on the other hand shared a small moment of silence as Tabane rested herself on Houki's shoulder. Her younger sister wiping her tears as she too was hurt with what happened. All those words said by that woman. All of those… things.

She did not know what to think of it yet, but she would make sure that Tabane was alright at that very moment. Secure from her own misgivings.

Things were going to settle in… until Kanzashi and Rin saw through the dissipating smoke, a figure standing there with a threatening visage as she stepped into the light of everyone's gaze.

The civilian look was gone…

Replaced by something they have all not seen before.

"That was stronger than I thought… but then again you are the creator of the IS, so I'm not really surprised in the slightest." The voice of the woman came out, this time different.

Like an electronic sound was echoing with it as she stepped closer to everyone.

The light behind her giving away a sort of spotlight, making her entire form all the more intimidating and daunting in appearance.

Even Tabane was shocked to see her as the woman grinned… sadistically at them all.

"I believe it's my turn."

A sudden electrical surge reverberated from the woman as it spread across them all in a quick fashion. Followed by the surge was an ear-deafening sound that disabled everyone from moving in the area. The ringing continued as everyone tried to hold back their ears from being deaf.

Houki covered her sister from the outburst…

As a realization from Tabane emanated.

"No… it can't be." She mouthed, to which Houki did not catch as the strong sound continued on for a few seconds. Vanishing eventually afterwards, leaving everyone in pain both physically and mentally. A collective amount of groans and cries were heard as the woman stepped into the light of everyone's gaze. Her form finally shown to all of them in full detail.

As intimidating as she was, the weapon that Tabane fired seemed to have damaged her by the upper torso. Smoking and burnt pieces of what looked like armor segments were singed…

But all of it in a state of movement.

Like sand as what looked like nanomachines swarmed in to repair the damage. A few stains of blood were eminent, but they were covered quickly as the woman looked at them all.

"I can humbly say that it was enough to keep you all contained for a moment. I did promise that I was only here as a messenger, and that I would never pose any harm towards any personnel I encounter. But, it seems like you attacked me first in this situation, so you do very well know that retaliation was already in the cards." The woman said as everyone tried to recover. Laura and Kanzashi who were nearest to her were trying to get back on their feet as the woman saw them all, especially Tabane who she eyed with a grin full of satisfaction.

"W-What… what are you?" Ai said in a horrified state as they now fully grasped what she looked like underneath the disguise she kept on her own form. The signal from the cameras now making a semblance of sense, as well as the power signatures they detected…

As the woman was in all accounts… close to a machine.

Yet in some way she was still human. She acted like one, behaved as one, and had the physiology of one as it all mixed into the hybridized version of whatever she was.

Ai as well as those who were present knew about the existence of cyborgs and the like, but this was different. Like she was whole. A vastly different organism that was all natural to her.

Both as a machine and a human.

It was simply daunting… intriguing… yet horrifying in implication as to what it meant for all of those like her in the world that did those attacks…

It made everyone feel like they were cavemen staring at a modern man in terms of how far their differences were. Even Tabane who was far ahead in anyone on technology was surprised to see something like this in full form…

And in full functionality.

"The surprise is out. Heh… but it was going to come out sooner or later. Just the timing of it all makes me feel odd, given the circumstances we're all in. Though I suppose it's better for you to know than be ignorant for what shall happen soon."

Laura who was closest to the woman had her jaw drop. Her skin was segmented by what looked like armor parts that were grooved into her physiology like an outer shell of a turtle. Surrounding the space between segments were sand-like particles that moved around in unison as they shaped and circulated her body in an action close to blood circulation. On her upper torso there seemed to be a chestplate that was made just like the other armor segments as it grooved into her curvaceous form like a second skin as it was being repaired by the damage Tabane caused. It was almost finished in that sense as the singed parts were replaced by new ones as the sand-like particles hardened and formed around it. The blood she wiped away with a rub from her finger.

A mechanical crest of sorts was latched on her back much like the thrusters of an IS Unit, but they were sealed off and was positioned in an odd manner than where thrusters are usually placed. Her hair was now flowing freely around her shoulders and back as her eyes were now tinted with a machine-like glow of violet in their colors. Her face still retaining the same ethereal beauty but segments of appendages were strapped on both sides of her head like antennas of some sort as they extended upward.

On her arms and legs were sleek gauntlets that protruded on her sides and along with it all were two pairs of levitating bladed-drone like structures that hovered close to her shoulders.

It all seemed to scream like an IS unit…

That is if an IS unit was fully bonded to its host physically that they looked she was born with it from the start. An unnatural plethora of technologies both recent and old, improved and amalgamated into the woman they were now seeing with their own eyes.

"Speechless?" the woman taunted.

Kanzashi then attempted to ready her missile pods just in case until the woman looked at her.

"Easy now girl… you wouldn't want to take a fight with zero shields on your IS unit. Even I know that small fact very well." The woman said as Kanzashi saw the alert on her HUD that said the same thing.

In fact, all of them that had IS units in that very moment had lost all their shields.

"H-How?" Cecilia said.

"What did you just do?!" Ai shouted as she looked at them all.

"Oh don't blame me. That was only a prototype. A prototype created by the very own woman that started all of this. Isn't that right… Dr. Shinonono?" the woman said as all eyes went to Tabane.

"Sister… w-what does she mean by that?"

"Oh sweet child… do you not know what kind of weapons and other tech your sister makes to 'benefit the world'? This is one of many. One of the many we've taken from her grasp."

"I-it was in the prototype stage. H-How did you get it? I didn't even allow access to anyone with those files except for-

Tabane froze as she realized what it all was.

"A little girl showed us everything. Everything we ever needed."

Tabane felt like her soul left her body as she realized what that meant. She started to tear up again as she looked up at the woman who felt satisfied with how low Tabane has gone to with what was happening.

"Hey! I was talking to you! Even if you did manage to take away everything. That was last night! How is it even possible that you got to sort through all of that information?!" Ai said.

The woman turned to Ai's position and tilted her head.

"Well wouldn't you love to know that huh?" the woman replied as she giggled.

"Where is Chloe?!" Tabane shouted as Houki tried to stop her sister from going towards the woman in vain as the broken older Shinonono had enough.

"Where do you think she went?" the woman replied as she then put her gaze on Laura who was just a few meters away from her. Her face then changed to that of disdain.

"Filth like her that tried to emulate the works of my creator should be punished. All of them are flawed designs of what was intended to be the next step of humanity. The next step of where our race will lead to…" the mechanical crest behind her back then disassembled as numerous pieces of it formed into levitating blades. Shorter in comparison towards Cecilia's drones but at the end of their sharp points lay plasma cutters. The kind that would shred through any surface except for IS shields.

But since everyone had none… it posed a significant threat.

"Your Chloe much like this girl… are all necessary to be wiped out for that plan to succeed."

The right gauntlet on the woman's arm extended with a long blade as she stared at Laura.

"Once I take the 'Anomaly' home everything will change and that new dawn will hasten."

She then turned to Tabane with a final ominous grin…

"And the journey you halted a decade ago because of your IS creation… will be paid back in full."

Laura then tried to defend herself as the woman was about to attack her…

Until a certain platinum-silver sword was thrown in between them. Along with a certain IS pilot landing next to it. Everyone went silent when the full spread of the IS unit known as Byakushiki appeared.

Ichika had arrived.

---

TO BE CONTINUED IN PROJECT MOSAICA PART 2

AN: I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter as things are going to kick in high gear with the next! Also, thanks once again for all of the wonderful comments you all have sent me from the last one. I know this fic isn't really regularly updated but I hope you keep your patience as big things are coming soon. With the mystery and tragedy of the current events speeding in a way to an event that no one in the story would suspect. With the enemies now revealing some of their intention in full swing, will Ichika and the gang be able to stop it? Or will the tides of time overcome them in their endeavor to supplant whatever comes soon in the horizon?

Thanks again to those who support this and see you next time! PM me or a leave a review if you have questions. I will be saving the REVIEW REPLIES for next chapter as it would conclude what happens here. Especially at the end… hehe. You'll know why when I post it.

See ya guys!