Grand Escalation
(Worm x Fate Grand Order)

Command Room, Chaldea Security Organization, Antartica, Earth Bet, June 1st, 2015

A large room with a globe lit up in blue light. The blue rectangular holographic screen appeared and disappeared by the command room. Inside the room, behind the globe, separate by clear glass window, voices echoed. Worries and scared of what they had discovered.

"The SHEBA has detected an abnormality!"

"Coordinates confirmed!"

"Abnormal value rising!"

One after another, the worker in black and turquoise/orange colored uniform typing furiously on the keyboard. Inserting the code and reading the result. Doing calculations and scenario of best possible course in hope they could mitigated the disaster.

Their eyes shifted between the screen and the large globe outside the room. Anxious.

In the center of Command Room, a woman with long white hair with single braid, wearing black coat over orange dress, stood anxiously. She was biting the nails on her thumb. Her orange eyes focused on the globe as various scenario, plan, possible consequences, and many other flashed in her mind's eye. Her eyes widened as her hand fell limp to her sides.

"The light..."

The globe, which previously had glowing blue with numerous light dotted on it, now is as dark as starless night sky. Dim and, dare she say, dead.

Behind her, a man with long haired messy dark prune hair wearing a green coat and matching top hat stood up from his seat. Despite his eyes closed, everyone knew that he was talking to the white-haired woman. "CHALDEAS was created from reproduction of Earth's Soul. If the light of that civilization is extinguished..."

The unsaid implication snapped the woman out of her trance. Quickly turned around, she commanded to everyone, "Gather all humans who are Master Potentials right now. I want all possible candidates be here before end of the month! We'll move the Rayshift from Experimental Stage to Actual Use!"

Facing back at he globe, her orange orbs gazed with a determined expression. "Forget the Endbringers. Unless we regain the light of CHALDEAS, humanity has no future."

~X~

Protectorate Building—Brockton Bay Branch, Brockton Bay, USA, Earth Bet, June 10th, 2015

At 0700 sharp, all members of Brockton Bay Proctectorate received message from the Brockton Bay PRT Director.

At 0730, all Proctectorates have assemble in the Protectorate meeting room, even Dragon, a Canadian Tinker from the Guild who come as "Guest". Sat on the head of the tabe, was PRT Director herself, Director Piggot.

"Let me be frank here." The woman said. "At least one of you will undergo long term undercover mission at Antartica."

"HUH?!" Everyone stares at the overweighed woman in shock.

"Director, what does that means?" Assault demanded. "Antartica? Man. What happened there? Does they don't have a cape or something?"

"Shut up and let me explain." Glowered Piggot. "At June 2nd, an Organizaton called Chaldea requested a proposal to United Nations Organization regarding sometihng." The screen before them display a picture of large meeting room, with a podium and display screen on. The girl on podium was somewhere in early twenties with long white hair. The screen behind her displayed a stylized C with vines almost surround it. "At June 5th, UNO granted Chaldea to carry through the proposal. The Purpose, Subject Matter, and Details regarding said proposal then put into classified files not even accessible by Head of Protectorate ENE. June 7th, we receive news that Chaldea recruited people as internships. They didn't target specific people. What's more intriguing, they recruited people by asking for blood sample to decide the interim."

The picture displayed of some people with official uniform requesting for blood sample at hospital. The very same logo with this Chaldea embezzled on their shoulder.

"What's even stranger was nobody react regarding this. While the agents does act polite and didn't pressuring people to donate their blood, once they found a match target, they hound said person, basically pressuring them to join the internships."

Another picture.

"It was bizarre. The PRT had asked head of UNO regarding this, yet we were stone walled. Stating that the proposal is off-limits and not to be discussed until further notice. Any attempts in hacking and decoding said proposal also meet with failure. Dragon?"

The Canadian Tinker took over. "I have tried to hack into Chaldea's database. It was... difficult, if I have to frank. Not because their security system, but because what they put into codes."

The screen changed into blue screen and light blue... something... start to appears. Codes. They are codes. Yet they are unlike any code anyone ever see.

The shape is bizarre, there's almost no space between the... words?... and sometimes it was odd picture.

Then something bizarre happens. The screen turned red with a new page open. It read: ERROR! INTRUDER ALERT! Then turned black. The building then abruptly experienced a blackouts for ten minutes, before electricity turned out. Faintly, Armsmaster can hear gear working. Was that generator set? Yes they are.

It took quite a time before the screen turned on. "Apologize. I have to protect our data." Dragon's appearance was looking bit haggart. "As you can see. When I first hacked into their system, I was abruptly cut off, then they send a virus that mess with power setting as well delete quite a data I had. It took me days to regain those data back. But anything regarding Chaldea was wiped clean with no trace."

"That was worrying." Said Miss Militia. She wasn't expert in this, but she knew that computer system in PRT and Protectorate was guarded by Security System made by Dragon and Armsmaster. To say they can easily hacked during blackout... "What did they hide there?"

"We have no idea." Grumbled Piggot. She just knew the 5k words report she drafted earlier were gone and she had to start out all over again. "All we knew that Chaldea was preparing for something big, if they need volunteers."

"The data showed that Chaldea Agents will be staying in a city for no more than three days. Up and include persuading the "matching" Target to come along with them. They, with exception of London, never hit big city like Boston or New York." Said Dragon. "Based on what I can make from their pattern, today they will hit Brockton Bay."

"Assuming they weren't already here and set up shops." Muttered Battery.

"Correct."

"So we are going to bust the operations and figuring out what Chaldea's motif about." Summarize Armsmaster. "Why we can't simply arrest the Agents and make demands to their Head?"

"Because," Piggot stressed, "the said Head had filled all forms, gaining signed permission by UNO member, and by all accounts was a legal, government-supported organization. If we make problem here, we will have UNO to answer to."

"Are you sure they aren't Mastered?" Ask Velocity. "Because that sound fishy to me." Dauntless nodded from beside him.

"I have checked. They all clean. And from all of Chaldea Agents present, from the Head to their personal attendant and more, none of them were parahumans."

Well, crap. No wonder they have to go through undercover mission. If none of them are parahumans, then their hands are tied unless they want PR Hell for attacking pure human, moreover one that has Government-given permit.

"It was stated that Chaldea's targets are ranged from 15 to 25 years old. Gender, Ethnic, and Religion doesn't matter. Parahuman or Normal. All are allowed to give sample of their blood for test."

"And here we come." Said Piggot. "I want you to go out in your civilian identity, find said Agent, and donated your blood. If it match, then whoever it is will have responsibility to carry out the undercover mission. I would prefer if you stay in your civilian identity for the entire duration. I know." She raised her hand, stopping the upcoming protest. "If you didn't use your power in certain period of time, you will become restless and "itch" in want to use power. For that, before the departure, go riots." Her voice and expression was one of pain. She can't believe she say it, but... for the mission's sake. "Just this once. And only those who will go. And for your entire duration there, repress the urge as much as you can, until you can find time to let it out. But make it short and quick and as discreet as possible. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Dismissed."

~X~

Dining Room, Hebert Residence, Brockton Bay, USA, June 11th, 2015

The atmosphere was awkward for both father and daughter.

"So..." Daniel "Danny" Hebert coughed. Trying to find a topic to talk about. "How's your day?"

"So-so." Replied his daughter. She did not even lift her head, seemingly that playing with her food was much more interesting. Her expression was half-hidden due her hair. "There's weird stand, though."

"Weird stand... how?"

"Dunno." The girl shrugged. "It seems to searching for internships. For Government Organization, they said, but they weren't picky for applicants. Mostly anyone age 15 or older, but I think there's 12-13 years old girl applying... the selection is also kinda weird."

"Weird?"

"Yeah. They..." she paused, deciding whether she should told her dad that they draw her blood as Selection Exam rather than conventional selection, but decided against it, "...they didn't actually care about background education. Even homeless can apply."

"Hmmm." Danny rubbed his chin. "Well, maybe they want to reduce number of homeless and jobless people? As well giving the youngster a chance?" He tried to sound positive. He hoped that no Nazi or ABB are admitted. That bound to invite trouble. "Did you apply?"

"Yeah."

"Did you accepted?"

"I don't—"

Whatever she was about to say had to be cut short when the bell ringing. The daughter and father looked at each other.

"Do you invite Emma or something?"

She shook her head. She and Emma hadn't been friend since... since... since Winslow. Since Sophia come and changed her bestfriend into someone she can't recognize. Idly she wondered if she had penchant for masochistic tendency, since she still hoped, no matter how painful it was, that Emma one day would changed back to Emma she knew and grow up together.

"Maybe it was for you?"

"I don't recall arrange any meeting."

The bell ringing again. This time impatient.

"Best we see who it is."

Rising up, Danny walk to the front door. He noticed that his daughter wasn't far behind him. As curious as him, as well cautious. Yes. It can be scam or anything. It won't be the first time a "guest" turned out to be gangster looking for problem, or scam, or mercenary. He briefly saw a hammer fell to a board in his mind's eye. Followed by unfamiliar and familiar hot-searing pain.

The door swung open, and official-looking woman stood here. Danny noted her pristine attire, with a Big stylized C sewn on on her breast pocket. "Hebert Residence?" She asked.

"Yes." Danny replied cautiously. "Who is it?"

"My name is Sylvia, from Chaldea Organization." Chaldea... Chaldea... huh. Isn't that— "Your daughter applied for internship in our organization this morning, and I come here to inform you that she passed the exam. Quite colorfully I have to say. For that I welcome Miss Taylor Hebert to Chaldea Organization. Please have no fear regarding her education. Our organization will cover it for interns." She noted Danny's posture. "Would you like to come as well? We still have spot open."

Danny chuckled. So Chaldea is that. "I'm afraid I would flunk red. Sorry."

"Are you sure?"

"Very."

"I see." Sylvia nodded. "Then, Ms. Hebert, please come to our address tomorrow. We have tight schedule so we will have to fly at eleven at the latest. I advise you to arrive at nine thirty. There's another form you are required to fill, such as allergy, medical history, and such, so that our medical team can prepare accordingly. Chaldea will provide toiletries and uniforms. Uniform is required to be worn during job, so I suggest you bring undergarments and casual wear. Preferably something warm as the location is at Antarctica. Aside from that, you may bring writing utensil and books. Self-defense weapon such as baton and taser is also allowed."

"O-ok..."

"That is all. I look forward to working alongside you, Ms Hebert."

With that she leave with black sleek car.

Danny scratches his head. "So... that happens." He said. Torn between bemused and happy. "Taylor."

"Yes dad?"

"Remember that wooden box I put here when you were ten and break into your mom's things? I think you better bring it with you."

"E-eh? Why?"

"Trust me Little Owl. If Chaldea is what I think it is, you better bring the box along."

"That wasn't reassuring." Grumbled Taylor. "What the box contains, anyway?"

"Books. Lots of books so thick you might as well call it bricks. And stuff your mom intends to give to you when you turn seventeen."

Taylor could only look at her father in confusion. One thing in her mind.

"Huh?"

TBC