Chapter 2 Surveying

Back in Switzerland, Shana, Sophie, Yuji, Hecate, and the SnF made a video call together with Shaher on one line, and Whilhelmina and Alastor on the other, to discuss about the month-long survey to be conducted in order to submit a report necessary to create the new nation.

"So, let me get this straight…" Sophie remarked. "They wanted for us to make a demographic, ecological, economical, civil defence, physical, and even a national identity report for the new nation?"

"Yeah…" Shana looks downtrodden. "Please tell me…"

Immediately, Shaher, who looks like a white-haired albino lady with crimson eyes, and is currently wearing a white kimono, said "I still have excess existence given to me from the last time, so I can activate Shohi Ginsei to help out."

"That's a start." Alastor, wearing a simple Crimson Hanbok, a traditional Korean dress, responded. However, he suddenly questioned where is Shaher getting that so-called 'excess existence', as Shohi Ginsei requires a sacrifice to be cast "By who's existence did you use your Shohi Ginsei?"

"From the Multi-Colored Flame." Shaher responds.

"That explains." The SnF says. "He is said to build and put down nations in this dimension's history, so he probably thought this in advance by giving you enough existence to perform two of them."

"Anyways, how's my son?" Shana interjected, to which Whilhelmina said "Rebecca, Alastor, and I are taking care of both him and Justus."

"So, he truly is a boy!" Yuji said. "Can I see him and what is his name, Shana?"

"I still haven't thought of it."

"You serious?" the SnF said.

"I went with no name for most of my life, so it may take some time to name him." Shana said. "Although I would like to name him for Shiro or…"

"I named you Shana, remember? Maybe you can give me the opportunity to name him also."

"I'll think about that, Yuji." Shana remarked.

"Anyways, Shana, why Shiro?" Yuji asks her.

"Because he is my mentor." Shana replied.

"Speaking of him, Shiro wanted to meet you again, as he remembers the last words you have uttered to him." Whilhelmina said, to which her contractor yelled in the background "The words 'I love you'."

Shana became tensed and got flustered, and exclaimed "I was just 12 back then, ok!"

"That's ok Shana, we all have done some things foolish when we are young." Yuji replied, to which Shana simply yelled "SHUT UP!" and the conference call filled with laughter.

"Anyways, the report needed signatures, a petition, etc. so it would take time, and we are only given one month just to know whether it can happen."

"Hmmm… wait, I know someone… let me connect her here…" Shana said as she takes control of the computer.

Yuji was amazed on how quickly Shana became adapted to the app that she is using, and asks "How did you know how to do this?"

"The KND." Shana responds. She sends a request to Kazumi and she immediately joins the chat.

"Hi Shana, good thing I have a late night assignment to deal with…"

"I know, but we kinda need your help."

"Is this KND related?"

"Yes…"

"Alright, but I have to tap you to Hirai first. You know, she is currently our Director after all."

"Alright, tap me to her."

After a couple of minutes, Hirai shows up on the screen, in an area that is still midday.

"Hi Shana, Yuji, Snake of Festival, and several other Crimson Gods?"

"OK, I would like to assume you are not in Japan right now." Yuji said.

"I'm here in Moscow for a KND conference regarding the stuff discussed earlier. Surprised Kazumi tapped me to you."

"I need your help." Shana said. "I needed some way to gather signatures for this new nation…"

"I heard the news." Hirai said "But you got the wrong person."

"But maybe you can?"

"I know someone who can help." Hirai remarked. "In fact, she is entering the chat because we have been intercepted.

An anonymous account immediately entered, and it was actually Numbuh 386, the KND Soopreme Leader, that entered.

"Seriouly, via this app? Geez…"

"Got any better ideas? Tell you what, be thankful that we are using a public-access app like this. Imagine the headache the Flame Hazes would have to deal with again once they learned that their private servers have been hacked by the KND again."

"Alright, tap me to Sophie."

"I'm here." Sophie remark as she entered the chat, as she was already in contact with Rachel before Shana and Co. interrupted their conversation.

"Okay." Rachel said. "Let me guess, you need our service to know who are those who returned from de-existence, and for a database of signatures of those willing to join?"

"Yeah."

"We are a part of a team. I would help you then." Numbuh 362 said. "Just be careful because the Splinter Cell might have plans to interrupt."

"Let them try." The SnF replied.

"So, anyway, what will be the name of the nation?" Yuji said. "We cannot use the Great Binding Chain, and Xanadu… gives us a bad image thanks to the media."

"How about we wait on what it will be named." Shana remarked. "After all, a place is named after everything is gathered."

"If anything, what would be the name of the project then?" Rachel asks them.

"Project EX?" Yuji proposes the name to them.

"Better than nothing." Whilhelmina said.

And on that moment, the KND, Bal Masque, and the Flame Hazes began a massive information and data-gathering campaign about the importance of an existence-based nation.