Standing in front of Chief Komui's desk, Section Chief Reever Wenham scanned the file in his hands.

"'Joy calories', Chief?"

Komui sipped coffee from his usual mug and leaned back in his chair.

"Yes. Via the golems collecting data on her mission, Johnny and some of the scientists are studying Star's Innocence in action. That's what they're calling Parasite Eve's metabolic transformation of body mass into Innocence."

"I saw some of the footage," Reever said. "Her Innocence is very amazingly powerful. How does it work?"

"Well there's nothing wrong with enjoying food, and she certainly does, but Star eats as much as she does and gains weight rapidly for a reason it seems: her Innocence. Her power only works at critical point and point breaker level when she eats and gains weight out of pleasure and joy, not from necessity alone. It's also effected by her mood, attitude, and general mental-emotional state."

"Sir does that mean—?"

"Yes," Komui nodded. "I daresay if Star was the only Exorcist we had and she were to become depressed or lose her appetite then the Black Order would be annihilated in no time at all. Its the one drawback of her abilities. I thought it best not to tell her out of concern that it would effect her performance in the field. That's assuming she doesn't already know what we've only just discovered."

"I see. That is impressive," Reever said. "Star's Innocence is certainly one I'd like to study further."

"You're not alone in that." And we could…if only we can protect Star from whatever Central has planned. Komui put down his coffee and laced his fingers, brow furrowed grimly.

"And what about the survivors from the Hayden-Myre anomaly?" Reever asked.

"Komlin-110 and half an army of Finders is watching over them and supporting the Exorcists." Grimly, Komui reported, "Turns out that even with Star's powers everyone we sent with Star was needed since the Earl and several Noah made an appearance to destroy the Innocence inside of the anomaly. Thankfully, with the exception of Exorcist Johannes, our people have returned. None of them sustained life-threatening injuries. While they weren't able to retrieve the Innocence, the enemy didn't get it either."

Lenalee had stopped by to report before going to the infirmary. Komui stared down in his half-full mug. Though she was dirty and bruised from fighting, she had made him coffee as usual. And put in one earnest plea. Lenalee's voice echoed in Komui's head and in his mind he saw her anxious gaze glittering with tears.

The Earl and the Noah took Star, brother! We have to do something, please!

But what could they do? There was no way Central was going to authorize this kind of rescue attempt. The Earl had come and collected Star himself and must be on the Black Ark by now or dead by now. Even if they could get the Exorcist back, the real threat to Star might very well be their own organization.

The door of Komui's office opened.

Director Lvellie marched into the room. Inspector Howard Link and a couple of CROWs strode in on his heels.

"Get Johannes back immediately!" the man snapped.

Reever looked from Komui to the Director, as if wondering if he should still be in the room, but didn't leave.

Keeping his face neutral, Komui thought, Somehow…Star might have managed to survive. If she did, she mustn't come back here. He had no idea what Central had planned for her, whether they planned to kill her or imprison her for experimentation or containment. Coming back might be as bad as being captured by the Noah.

"Director Lvellie, this is very sudden. You said that Exorcist Johannes wasn't any of our concern once her work here was concluded. Furthermore, Star has been captured by the enemy and likely killed. Will you risk more of the Order's resources to recapture her even with the likely chance that she is dead."

But Lvellie was still ranting about the abilities of Star and the Finders from Central.

"And those shields obliterated Level 1 and Level 2 Akuma and fully restrained Level 3 and Level 4. With Innocence resonating the same energy as Parasite Eve. I want to know how and I want to know why right now."

"We've examined their shields and equipment repeatedly since their return to Headquarters," Komui said. "They're no different from our standard issue."

"Interrogate the two Finders again then!" Lvellie snapped. "There is something they're not telling us. We need this military advantage. Imagine what the Order can do to with an Innocence that Finders can draw power from and power their weapons with. Do it, Chief Lee."

Keeping his desperation out of his voice, Komui reasoned again, "Director Lvellie, you said that Johannes doesn't matter. Why now the change of heart?"

Lvellie's expression grew guarded. "I've changed my mind. And Central agrees. Johannes will become a permanent part of this world and the Black Order as an Exorcist."

"How much does Central know about all of this? And what do you mean, 'a permanent part of this world'?" Komui demanded.

"Just get Johannes back. That is an order, Chief Lee."

"Perhaps I can shed some light on the situation, Chief Komui."

As usual, Bookman seemed to appear out of nowhere, striding from the general direction of the door that Lvellie and his company had left open. And ready to offer information that Komui wanted to hear. bristle

Almost warningly, spine straightening as he bristled, Lvellie said, "Bookman, sharing this information violates Central's strict confidentiality on this matter."

As much as he wanted to know, Komui was unsure of the repercussions of what Bookman was about to say. Cautiously, he asked, "Are you certain you're allowed to share such sensitive information with us, Bookman?"

Gravely, Bookman said, "It is necessary." Obviously, Lvellie couldn't stop the man because Bookman came to stand before Komui's desk and continued, "The Exiled Ones are a branch of the Bookman Clan that exist outside the flow of history. Existing not merely to record history but to prevent others from altering it. Their powers are so great that they are utterly feared. However they are also relied upon and revered. Star Johannes and the Finders who arrived with her are of the unorthodox echelon of Bookman.

"Central must not interfere in the task of this Exorcist and her Finders. Our world depends on it."

Author Notes:
Aside from those weird forked eyebrows, I like Howard Link's look in DMC Hallow. (Luckily I don't have to experience his eyebrows too often because his bangs cover them most of the time.) His ponytail makes me happy. The European style of dress along with his characteristic gentlemanly stoicism is ravishing. Makes me wonder what he's like in a romance, showing his emotions more. I wish I could have written him into this fanfic but he only has this one appearance/brief mention.