"Really? You want me to hack into the army's radio signal to see what they're doing?"
Marinette grimaced.
"It's bad, I know. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be asking you this. Forget I said anything."
"No... you probably shouldn't..." Alya said, one finger pressed to her lips.
"You're right. Sorry. Never mind. We should get back to making the toys now." She turned to leave. Alya's hand came out to grab her, halting her.
"Although," she said, "I think maybe I could be persuaded."
Marinette turned hopefully.
"I mean, obviously I'm not normally one to stick her nose in where it doesn't belong..."
Marinette sighed.
"You're teasing me."
"Of course I'm teasing you, girl. Here." She walked over to a metal box covered in dials, turned a few and flicked a switch. There was some white noise and she adjusted another dial. The voices came through clear.
"It just so happens that I've already got the frequency. Isn't that lucky?"
"Yes," Marinette said, a small smile on her lips. "Very lucky."
The two of them sat and listened. There wasn't much going on. She could hear her mother issuing orders. A knock on the door made them both jump. Adrien stood there smiling, his hand giving a small wave. Marinette beckoned him in.
"It's all calmed down out there now and everyone's headed back to work. That was a great idea, Marinette."
She smiled but a burst of sound stopped her responding.
"Wha-" The girls shushed him and gestured to a chair. Silently he sat.
'Is that him?'
Static and the sound of running.
'Wait, no, stop!'
Someone must have been holding down the button on their radio. They weren't trying to communicate.
'I don't want... what is this? No!
More static. Sabine's voice came through.
'What's going on? I need a status report. Now!'
There was silence, Marinette, Adrien and Alya leaned closer, and then the same person spoke again but he was almost unrecognisable, his voice flat and expressionless.
'Yes. I understand. Thank you.'
Loud static filled the channel, so loud the three of them covered their ears. It was gone as quickly as it came.
'Who was that? What happened? Somebody talk to me!' Sabine shouted.
There were general murmurs. No one knew.
'Did anyone see the Krampus? Was he here?'
Murmurs of disagreement filled the channel again.
'Alright, we need to regroup. Everybody back to base.'
Calls of 'Aye,' 'Understood,' and 'Yessir,' could be heard before the radio went silent.
They sat silently for a minute. Alya finally reached over and flicked the switch to 'off'.
They had been so focussed on the radio that it had felt as though they were there. It was jarring to find themselves in the normalcy of this room now that it was off. The greys of metal instruments and the black and white photos of the missing people all around them when only moments ago they had been out there, beyond the safe protection of the compound, in the snowy terrain with the army.
And now it would be another face added to the wall.
"We need to go back to the armoury," Marinette said, her face pale.
Adrien was already getting up from his chair.
"I'm coming too," Alya declared, her own chair scraping back, the sound harsh in the quiet room.
"No, Alya. You've got a job to do."
"Marinette, I have friends in defence, you know. My sister..."
"I know, Alya. I'm sorry but right now there's nothing you can do. Maman won't let you in anyway. I'm sure Nora is safe. She can take care of herself. And she wouldn't be happy if you didn't do your job. I'll let you know when I get there, I promise."
"Mari, please..."
Marinette had never seen Alya look so desperate. It broke her heart.
"I'm sorry."
Marinette and Adrien went out the door passing Nino on their way through. Alya threw herself into his arms and he held her as they rushed away.
When they reached the armoury there was chaos. Everyone was shouting and Sabine was trying in vain to keep order. In one corner there was a first aid station but despite some obvious injuries, no one was headed there.
"Oh, Marinette, you shouldn't be here," Sabine said, running weary fingers through her hair so that it stuck out in places. It would be funny in any other circumstance.
"What's going on, Maman? What happened?"
"I can't talk about it right now," she said. "But I could use your help now that you're here. A few injuries were sustained and those elves need to go to medical. I also need to get everyone organised and reports filed."
Marinette and Adrien nodded.
"You deal with the reports, Maman, and we'll start organising everyone."
"Thank you, Marinette, Adrien."
She strode over to her office leaving the door open.
In all this, Marinette had almost forgotten about Tikki but she could feel her warmth now, giving her confidence.
"Adrien, you take the right side and I'll go left. We need to assess those with injuries and those who need to file reports. Send everyone else home, okay?"
He gave her a two fingered salute and then off he went. Watching him, he was capable and dependable and was good at talking to people. She felt lighter just having him there.
A tall woman with dreadlocks and muscles to spare walked past her.
"Nora!" she shouted and Nora turned, her stern expression relaxing into a wide smile.
"Marinette!" she cried, sweeping the smaller girl up into a bear hug then putting her down again. "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages. How are you?"
"Oh, great, you know," she hedged. "Hey, are you going home to dinner today? Alya was talking about you earlier."
Marinette gave her a quick once over to check for injury but other than a bruise on her forearm she looked unharmed.
"Well, I need to file my report with Mrs C. I was on the team that... well, that's not important."
Marinette didn't probe.
"Well, okay. As long as you're not injured then put your armour and weapons away and head over to Maman. Then you should go home for the day."
Nora laughed heartily.
"No injuries, I'm fit as a fiddle. And you know I don't carry a weapon, Mari, just these." She held up her fists, grinning.
With Nora off, Marinette sent a quick message to Alya.
Alya 16:22 - Nora's fine. She'll be home for dinner x
Putting her phone away she got back to the task at hand.
It took nearly two hours to process everyone and when the room was empty, Marinette slumped to the floor in exhaustion. Adrien lowered himself down next to her. The wall was cool and comfortable at their backs. The door to Sabine's office snapped closed and they looked up. She was walking towards them, her face showing the same exhaustion they felt and more.
"Everyone has gone home now. Thank you two."
They got to their feet.
"What happened, Maman? Was it the Krampus?"
Sabine sighed.
"Come. I am hungry and you both must be too. Let's go home and we'll talk."