Chapter 11: The day after

10:34 – 14 A.E.

Kashkuri Highlands – Anvil Gate – Downtown

"When it rains..."

Pad hummed to an old song as he stood outside the dwelling Harua and her Pesanga had chosen to be their new home. His eyes on the dense carpet of clouds across the sky... and the rain that accompanied them – drizzling upon the landscape like the clouds tried to drop the nearest ocean upon it.

A look was given to either side of the street, and saw few outside at the present time. With this piece of crap weather, he expected little else. The only ones in sight being soldiers in all their colorful garb at ease and silent under whatever cover they could find.

If only I had a smoke, this moment would be just a little more complete.

It was good he did not have one though, as all the men in sight – previously lax – suddenly jumped up and stood at attention. It made him stiffen and freeze into place without even knowing what was going on till a flat voice with a tinge of annoyance addressed him.

"Mr. Pad."

He did not even have to guess who that is. Pad halfway turned to face the well-dressed woman who nearly stood behind him, unfazed by the rain that had already soaked her almost thoroughly like it wasn't an issue, "Ah, Gin. Didn't hear you come."

The girl cocked her head just barely enough to be noticeable. "Did I startle you?"

If any other girl had told him that, he would take it as a bit of an innocent tease. Instead, he felt his pride take another fatal blow. This girl with her seemingly impractical suit and massive prosthetic arms had managed to sneak up on him... again. Secretly, he wondered if she's doing it in even a casual setting on purpose.

"Not at all." he lied.

Gin seemed to see right through him though, but said nothing.

"Was just about to head on over to the meeting." Pad told her lazily, "Just collecting my thoughts first."

"You were supposed to be there an hour ago." she informed him rather sternly, "Did you not get the message?"

"… That late huh?" the man sighed and scratched his head, "Did get the message, but the messenger left before I could tell him..."

"Tell him what?"

Pad raised an arm and showed her his watch – permanently frozen to seven O'clock. "This thing died on me years ago. And with the weather like this, I couldn't tell the time exactly no matter how hard I tried."

"Hoh. I understand."

"And some of your people seem rather wary of us, so I did not ask around. Instead, I helped Harua do some chores."

Gin shrugged. "Anyway, I was told to find and bring you."

"Okay. But you should get out of the rain. With your tech, a cold might seem laughably trivial, but it's nothing to sneeze at."

"I am fine." she merely stated, "Anyway, the meeting has been delayed for long enough."

"Alright." Pad sighed and stepped into the rain and past her. "Let's get to it then."

Her gaze lingered on him as he went – as if to make sure he's going the right way - before she turned and followed. "Tes."

10:46; 20th June; 1648; Testament Era

Kashkuri Highlands – Anvil Gate – Head Office

That Pad might not have the means to follow time exactly by the number was something that occurred to Felipe during the wait for Gin to fetch him. This time spent reflecting on how certain things end up taken for granted, and how it affected peoples' view of the outside world that might not have as ready an access to certain commodities.

Maybe we should see if we can get a clock installed at the Pesanga residence... the old man thought to himself – alone in his office except a small collection of empty chairs that had seen better days. His eyes fixed on the window, and felt a sort of peace at the rainfall.

A knock fell on the door.

"Come in."

"Entering." a flat voice that could only be Gin's announced before she opened the door and walked in, with Pad right behind her.

"Sorry about the wait." their new guide said as he ambled in, "Didn't know the time."

Felipe shrugged, "It's quite alright."

Pad looked about the office, with plenty of empty chairs that lined the walls. "So, where are the others?"

"They were here." Gin informed him, "None could wait for too long, however, as there are still much to do."

"But as long as we use divine correspondence..." Felipe brushed it aside simply, nonplussed as he opened the chat and typed in an entry to announce the start of their meeting – followed succinctly by the opening of several frames around him, all blank as the rest simply listened in. "... there won't be a problem."

"Good to know." Pad said, staring at the frames as he took a chair for himself. Gin however seemed content to remain standing, "So what do you have a mind? Some Q&A?"

"We got a mission for you to join, but it can wait. For now I would like to know more about the factions present on this world."

"Name them."

Straight to the point then.. "You told me before of survivors outside Jacinto after the deployment of the Hammer of Dawn. What can you tell us about them?"

"Them, huh... They call themselves the 'Stranded'." Pad muttered and looked to the ceiling, "Basically they were the people who couldn't evacuate to Jacinto in time before the Hammer strikes. They named themselves such because of what they see as abandonment by the COG."

"Did you try to help them after?"

"We tried, but they would have none of it and chose instead to live on the streets – away from us."

"It must have been hard."

"Shit, it still is. Not as hard as when they started off, but..."

"So... what is the situation today?"

"Well, it took them a while... but the survivors got themselves organized into various clans that either wander like nomads or fortify themselves in relatively fixed locations using whatever they could get their hands on – a permanent shortage of resources made them creative with what they got... and equally creative as thieves and looters."

"Any particular examples?"

"More than enough to be seen as parasites with legs."

"But they do possess some resources, or they wouldn't have any means to better their lives."

"Yes, they got quite a decent jungle telegraph running. And can take on a well-armed opponent if determined to do so. They also engage in some manner of trade – of which the usual objects of trade are food, weapons, ammunition, and whatever else they can get their hands on. Some get by selling cotton and leather. The most prosperous ones are those that got Imulsion to trade."

Felipe shared a glance with Gin and furrowed his brows, "And what is this Imulsion?"

"Only our most predominant energy source. A luminescent fluid some guys drilling for oil found nearly a hundred years ago and saved the world from its constant shortage on fuels, but also led it into the Pendulum wars as nations fought for control of it."

"And the Stranded got the tools to extract this... Imulsion?"

"Some do." Pad corrected, "And they can also process the stuff. It is usable either way, but raw Imulsion ruin engines given enough time."

"Hm, I see. Do these Stranded clans possess a common leadership of sorts?"

"Every clan got someone leading them. And sometimes the buggers flock together under a powerful leader to form larger organizations. Otherwise, they possess no centralized leadership."

"A clan-based society." the old man murmured appreciatively. "The world ruined to such an extent, yet the survivors have managed to adjust quite well. It is interesting to say the least." His attention momentarily drawn away as the chat popped into place next to his head with its newest set of entries:

[Elmo]: Interesting? It is so totally barbaric!

[Younger Sister's Older Brother]: Now now, sister. Don't be rude.

Felipe waved it off as he turned back to Pad, who frowned curiously as he examined the chat window, "But moving on, is there anything you can tell us about the COG?"

Pad scratched his neck, "Without saying too much, it is... or was... a supranational global alliance - now no more than a city. It was to begin with built around the core values of order, diligence, purity, labor, honor, loyalty, faith, and humility. It was, and still is to a great extent militarist and socialist."

Felipe once again nodded, and deemed the information very satisfactory as a starting point. "Who currently leads it?"

"Been a few years, but the show's probably still run by the same folks. Chairman Prescott, and Colonel Hoffman."

"Colonel?" Gin broke her silence and asked. "Chairman I can understand. But why a Colonel?"

"Highest ranking officer left in the COG. Last General we had put a bullet in his head."

"I see... but why..."

"So then." Felipe interjected with a raised hand. That the military leader was and may still be a Colonel was a technicality hardly worth arguing about. "What is their status so far in the war in regard to manpower and resources?"

The man crossed his arms and thought about it. "My information's a bit old. Last I cared to check, the COG got several million people to its name – with a thinly stretched army that had started to include many young, elderly, ill, criminals. Desperate times."

So relatively speaking, they are still, hopefully, a force to be reckoned with – with a relatively intact leadership and command structure... Felipe thought to himself – sizing up what possibilities may lie in front of them. "Thank you for this information. But before we move on to the mission, we need to know a little more about the enemy. The Locust. Is there anything we must know about them first of all?"

"... Yes, one thing important as hell." Pad noted with a finger that pointed straight down. "Most Locust incursions comes with the underground as starting point. The COG has tried everything to hinder them... but if they want to come up, they come up. Anywhere. Anytime. If the ground start to shake, nine times out of ten it means an attack is imminent."

The mental image that conveyed did its part to send shivers down Felipe's spine, and probably did the same with other listeners. Gin however seemed unaffected, like she didn't care. It made him worry for her all the more. "We'll make sure... to take that to heart and drill our forces accordingly."

"Make sure you do." Pad almost demanded, "Harua and the others won't be safer here than anywhere else if you got caught with your pants down. Now, if you don't have any more questions, I would like to know what kind of mission you got in store."

Felipe nodded amiably, "It isn't an overly complicated one. Gin, would you like to brief him for me?"

"... Tes." the girl replied and slightly bowed as she stepped to the fore and positioned herself next to the desk – and in the center of attention. "To be frank, it is my mission in which you will assist. Three frigates are being prepared as we speak, and will be ready for departure within the hour. Our task is double-layered with one primary objective, and a secondary one. First, to locate and assess Jacinto's current situation. Second, to map out the regions between here and there."

"So what you need me to do..." Pad did not even have to guess what his part of the assignment would be. It was straight in his current job description after all. "... is to show you the way."

"For the most part, that is correct."

"It would be my most solemn pleasure to do so" Pad gave off a small grin as he rose from his chair. "When will we leave?"

"As I said:" Gin strictly told him with a sole raised eyebrow, which both men privately thought as a welcome break from her regular stoicism if ever so slight, "Within the hour – as soon as the flotilla is ready for launch. Prepare yourself accordingly."

"I am certain that goes without saying, Gin." the chancellor mildly said. "Be careful out there you two, and best of luck. Meeting's adjourned."

11:30 – 14 A.E.

Vectes – Naval Base "New Jacinto" – Harbor

Anya anxiously sighed as she stared out to sea. A couple of days had already gone by without a word from Marcus and the others. With no idea what happened, she thought of many reasons contact couldn't be established. Hoping that it is any sort of problem except capture.

Little attention was invested as a patrolling Raven passed by, close enough overhead that its downdraft brushed against her. Since the first engineers came, the base had gotten a whole lot more lively. Their work could be heard all over as they prepared the base for the population that will soon call this place home. The first ship, CNV Sovereign, filled to the brink with people and anything they could bring along set to arrive in a few days if all goes well.

On her part, for the moment, she had some free time on her hands. And she eagerly spent her break being a worrywart – staring out to sea till a sight finally caught her eye.

A Raven not part of patrol incoming from the mainland.

It took a moment to churn this through her mind till the significance of it finally sank in. Oh, how could I forget?!

Exasperated with herself, Anya whipped around and broke into a full run for the landing pads adjacent to the vehicle compound – to meet with the man about to arrive.

11:36 – 14 A.E.

Vectes – Naval Base "New Jacinto" - Vehicle compound

Long had Hoffman stared at the view as they neared their destination. Several minutes of scrutinizing what looked like paradise compared to the rest of Sera as if he dared it to pop and vanish like a bloated balloon or mirage.

It didn't.

Accompanying him was a group of Gears he had come along, and they too stared outward from their seats at the serene island, and the marvelously intact naval base which airspace they just entered. Even helmeted, Hoffman easily read their disbelief.

A minute passed without a word from the amazed Gears as the pilots brought them to the landing pads, which were close to what appeared to be the vehicle compound. Personnel on the ground lowering their heads as the downdraft beat on them, including Anya as she approached from the fence, looking a bit out of breath like she had been running a marathon.

Hoffman unbuckled himself from the seat as they finally set down, and disembarked – the rest boiling out behind him, quick to fan out.

"Colonel Hoffman." Anya gave a finger to brow salute and shouted over the rotor's noise, her head a little lowered by the downdraft till it slowed to a stop, "Welcome to Vectes."

Hoffman smiled – without making it too obvious – at the recently-made Gear, "At ease, lieutenant."

She eased her posture, "You arrived a little earlier than I thought you would."

"I've come to see this place with my own two eyes, lieutenant." Hoffman said as he stepped past, which prompted her to turn and follow him, "And... I needed to get away and fast. If I had to watch Major Reid try to crawl up Prescott's ass one more time, I might have taken a chainsaw to him."

Anya grimaced, but did not argue with him as she too had a negative opinion of Aleksander Reid, an officer so unpopular that the only reason he had not been shot yet was because of his skills in organizing supplies. But the fact that Reid would be the next in line to command the military if Hoffman kicked the bucket was not lost on anyone.

"... Where is Mataki?"

"She is in Pelruan with the dog she borrowed."

Hoffman took that in, and could not help but silently lament. "So, I will see competition at the table, won't I?"

The blonde giggled ever a little. "Probably."

"Great." Hoffman muttered, "Just great. Any word from Delta?"

And just like turning a switch, Anya's eyes sank to the ground, "Not since we lost contact."

"... Just got in and already out of contact, and we don't know the first damn thing of what happened. Has there been a reaction from Musashi?"

"Nothing so far." Anya answered with a shake of her head. "All I know from Lewis is that they're about stamping out piracy in a big way."

"Hrm. So long as they stay out of our way, they can do all the stamping out they want." Hoffman rumbled evenly, "Quentin's got to find himself a new hobby if they're thorough enough. Poor bastard."

It was a miracle in its own right. Quentin was an old friend he first met during the Pendulum wars, and only recently found that the old navy captain was still alive. Because of the nature of the Locust war, the navy were practically left out in the back and just sat there – so they did not play much of a role at all beside fighting piracy, which is what Quentin used to do until recently when Hoffman gave him a Raven's Nest to command. That Tyran culture are focused around the army rather than air force and navy did not help matters. But now, the navy is worth its weight in gold and diamonds both.

"One less thing to worry about, then."

Hoffman solemnly frowned, and stopped as they reached the road. "True. Still, we got to start planning for what might come after. Have Parry and his men gotten around to the defenses yet?"

"Preparing living quarters are for the moment a greater priority. Though they have begun to look over the outer walls, and the cannon..."

"We need the cannon up and working, soon." Hoffman grunted, as much a suggestion as it is an order. "Have Parry push its priority up a notch and make it happen."

"I'll see what I can do, sir." Anya complied and raised a finger to her earpiece, but halted mid-movement as a voice burst into her ear, and loud enough that Hoffman almost flinched with recognition. It was Mataki speaking, and it sounded like something urgent is going on. "Slow down... what's going on?" Anya stressed and paused, "Yes, he's here... What did you say?"

The colonel half-turned to stare at her, "What is it?"

Anya held a hand up and pressed her earpiece to respond, "You're sure?" and nodded worriedly at what she got in response.

"Lieutenant, talk to me." Hoffman demanded.

"Bernie just called in... She wants us to head down to Pelruan post-haste." Anya breathlessly replied, "Mayor Lewis just received an announcement from Musashi. The Vice President herself is going to address the Protectorate soon."

He was a bit taken aback, and cursed the shitty timing – with Prescott still on the mainland and all that. "How much time do we have?"

"About twenty minutes... If we leave now, we can make it!"

"Get us a Raven with enough fuel to make the trip then." Hoffman never once saw himself as a political animal, but accepted that he could not simply overlook this. "Time to see the face of who we're dealing with."

11:53 – 14 A.E.

Vectes – Pelruan – Town Hall

Such short time, yet the wait for Victor and Anya was scathing to say the least. Bernie stood in the far back of the main meeting room, which had rapidly started to fill up with people as soon as the word got around. More than a hundred had assembled. While most of them were adults, she could see youngsters and elderly among them – all talking lively, wondering what was going to be said. No one here had watched television in years, and even if they could... how would they?

Lewis, flanked by his deputy, Will, had gone up to the podium and placed the odd rectangular device they received from Musashi's Vice President atop of it – facing the audience. Children were especially interested in staring up at the object with all those fancy glowing lines. Bernie did not share that interest and instead coddled Mac, who sat by her legs wagging his tail and panting nervously at the gathering – scratching him behind the ears while she waited.

The time drew near, but soon she was greeted by the sound of an approaching Raven, coming in to land as close as it is possible. It was only a matter of time before she would hear the thunder of heavy boots that Gears use deafening the footsteps of everyone else. And right she was, when the sound of heavy footsteps against the wooden floor echoed with a sense of urgency, clearly audible even as more townsfolk came in.

"Heard you come from a mile away Victor." she addressed him the moment he arrived – with Anya right behind him, looking pretty miserable.

"Good to see you too, Mataki." Hoffman huffed his reply, and found Mac as he went to stand beside her. Before anyone knew it, dog and colonel locked eyes as if to establish a pecking order. Bernie thought of that as deeply hilarious, but showed little but a frown to those around her as she focused on the girl.

"Anya, relax. I don't think the broadcast will have anything to do with Delta."

Sure, she did not know what the address would be about, but the poor girl's worry was written all over her face. "I-I know." Anya stuttered. "Just a little tired. That's all."

Bernie just shook her head.

"So where is the radio, television," Hoffman asked, apparently done staring Mac down and focusing his gaze ahead instead, "or whatever the hell they're gonna use?"

"Sharpen your eyes. It's that wee little thing over there." she helpfully indicated the object in question. And noted to herself just now that the lines on it had started to pulse. "And I think... it's showtime."

And she was not the only one to notice as Anya straightened up. It now had her undivided attention. Same went for everyone else who one by one noticed the change. All the chatters dying down, replaced by steep silence. The only noise that came was awed murmurs from a bunch of youngsters, and the gasps of others as a sign frame materialized in front of the object, much larger than the one she and Anya had seen before. And in it was displayed what could only be the flag of Musashi, elaborate to the point that it made all other flags she knew look pretty dull and unimaginative.

It couple of seconds passed before the logo faded away and was replaced by a room that managed to be both dark and bright at the same time – filled with smaller sign frames that circled around the only person present. It struck Bernie that said person in question is in fact the Vice President herself – a striking young woman. Well-kept, and dressed in a very unique uniform that was both simple and sophisticated at the same time.

For the first few moments, the woman stood there motionlessly, leaning against the dais in front of her like she is in pain – head dipped far enough down that her face was shrouded in shadow.

Then she slowly rose with such an air of sheer solemnity radiating from her – especially out of her dark eyes – that whatever noise still went on in the meeting hall was silenced. Not even animals uttered a sound. Yet to speak a word, and she already captivated the audience.

It was like a spell had been cast, only broken... if only by fractions... when she finally parted her lips to speak; "This is Vice President Masazumi Honda of city-state Musashi calling out to all honored members of the Protectorate."

Despite herself, Bernie swallowed. Anya on the other hand watched and listened with such concentration that she very nearly went pale.

"So little time has passed since we came to these shores, and were dismayed to see a world ravaged by decades of war. Its ruins filled with poverty, misery, and death. We looked at it and came to a decision... that this suffering cannot continue. One of the underlying goals of the protectorate is to facilitate the rebuilding of this world – to help create a future for its denizens and generations to follow. Can any people with a healthy consciousness deny their children a better life?"

"But most unfortunately, some do. Some who would rather enrich themselves to the detriment of others. More willing to destroy than create. Take than produce. Wanton criminals such as LIFTA, an organization of pirates that have plagued this region for so long! For far too long!" Masazumi paused to look around at the frames that still circled her ceaselessly and gave a nod that made two frames leave her to display their contents to the audience, "In order to end this menace, we deployed our fleet and sent it against them. And they, in response, pooled their assets to counter ours."

"Stranded who actually got a backbone worth a rat's arse?" Bernie heard herself hiss, "That's new." as she examined the frames. One displayed a slender Musashi warship from the side, its turret emplacements visible across its upper deck and belly. While the other showed what were clearly two Pirate fleets from a very long distance – large assortments of ships and boats of civilian make... not at all combat material, and no amount of guns and dirt-covered aggressive vermin could change that.

"So off the shores of one of their islands," Masazumi moved on unflinchingly, "Musashi's navy engaged theirs in battle and..." all frames left around her were summoned to the front – following the first two frames' example. Each held within a short select clip of footage. "... decisively destroyed them."

All that what was shown was taken from a distance far above the pirates, so the footage displayed were all mercifully unexplicit. But the sight of Musashi's flotilla almost effortlessly carving the fleet of Stranded apart was stunning to watch – especially the sight of entire ferries and tankers being snapped in half by single well-placed heavy rounds.

Quite a surprise too was the rockets launched from many of the boats. Bernie recognized the weapons used immediately. Longspears. How did those shit-eaters come across those things?

"To call that a battle is too generous a word." Anya observed and shook her head. "What in the world motivated the Stranded to deliberately fight an enemy they did not know the first thing about instead of just bugging out like they usually do?"

"It's not about logic, Anya." Bernie said as she looked over each image, trying to ignore the compulsion to imagine what those bastards went through as they were mercilessly sent below the seas. Though an islander, she absolutely loathed the ocean. Anything bigger than a river was given priority to avoid whenever possible. "Just a bunch of boastful vermin with delusions of grandeur. They behaved like a bunch of big dogs in front of something even bigger and got themselves stomped for it. Natural selection at work."

The reaction of those around them to the footage was a mixture of awe and shock. Some even whooped cheerily at the sight – quite a few townsfolk very pleased with the sight of Stranded being mowed down like the vermin they are.

However, even the most vocal of these quieted down as Masazumi simply stared solemnly, almost morosely, as if to stare down and silence those who took a more celebratory stance to what was shown. And it was undeniably effective. She clearly did not wish for the protectorate to celebrate other peoples' deaths, her mannerism said more than a hundred words that this operation was done with no malice in mind - just pure duty and necessity to punish criminals.

"Their army has taken heavy losses. Their fleets ruined beyond recovery. Their leaders gone." all the frames dissipated, leaving her alone in the room. "So it is with this that I declare... that the threat posed by LIFTA as an organized force... has ended! May this herald a time where everyone can go to the sea without fear. And may this be a warning to all those who may entertain the thought of turning to piracy in all its forms in their greed. We have no desire to kill anyone, and will at every opportunity seek a peaceful solution. But wrong others unjustly, and we will answer to our solemn duty as dictated by the protectorate's charter to strike you down!"

"Honorable members of the Protectorate.." Masazumi joined her hands together and bowed lightly, "Thank you for your attention."

With the newscast at its end, the sign frame closed in on itself and vanished – leaving the device behind quite alone on the podium, until Mayor Lewis stepped up to retrieve it. Though not before he addressed those assembled... all of whom listened, except the three furthest in the back.

Bernie looked to Hoffman, who had been silent all the way through, to ask of what his thoughts are. But he simply turned and strode out before the question could leave her. She and Anya exchanged looks and followed, Mac quick to tag along – staying close while lolling incessantly.

As one, the three walked outside – the Raven used by Hoffman and Anya to get here standing not far away in the middle of the main street, surrounded by people curious about it. Including a batch of kids that had swamped the pilot.

Only them did the colonel stop, and glowered thoughtfully at the sky like it held all the answers.

"What's wrong, sir?" Anya inquired, taken aback by the man's silence.

"What's wrong? Damn girl..." Hoffman shook his head. "It all looked way better than what I expected. But still, one thing troubles me."

Bernie quirked an eyebrow, "And what question is that?"

"... Which is it that should be the ones to rebuild Sera? Them, an advanced faction that hasn't done anything for the longest time in any of our world's most desperate hours? Or we, who have fought and bled tooth and nail all these years to save this god-forsaken ball of rock?"

That question was one she did not have an answer for. But decided to be satisfied with Anya looking a whole lot better than she did before the broadcast. Maybe seeing and listening to this foreign and so very young politician helped ease the former communications officer's fears.

For now, that would have to do.

"Anya, get Parry on the line." Hoffman growled.

"Sir?"

"I want that goddamned cannon operational, now!"

12:59 – 14 A.E.

Vectes – Pelruan – Town Hall

Meeting over, the people had begun to funnel out to resume their daily work and routines. Of all of them, only one stayed – looking up at the podium intently as the mayor retrieved the device from where he put it.

"Mayor Lewis, may I have a moment?" Maggie, an old crone who lived close to the harbor, asked. Her voice a little slurred and shaky from age.

"Of course." Lewis stepped down, object in hand. "Is there something you need?"

"Aye." she weakly beamed, "I wish to ask for aid." pointing an almost bony finger at the device.

He nodded understandably and replied gently, "It is about them, huh?"

"That... it is. I will be talking on behalf of all families involved."

"Let's get you some privacy then, shall we?"

Maggie rose, "Of course, Mayor."

Lewis led her to a smaller room nearby. The same which those rowdy bunch of Gears used a while ago. There he placed the object neatly on the table and waited for her to get seated. "All you need to do is push this button." he helpfully pointed to where its singular trigger is.

"Thank you. I'll take it from here."

"Of course, ma'am." Lewis replied in a manner more akin to a butler than a mayor before he excused himself and left, leaving the crone all alone.

Maggie's eyes narrowed at the button and gave it a careful nudge. The object did not budge at all from her touch, and its lines began to glow. It did not take long at all before a new and smaller sign frame popped into view, with a young bespectacled boy greeted her. "Greetings and salutations, citizen." he curtly bowed with a prodigious smile. "Toussaint Neshinbara at your service."

"And greetings to you young man." Maggie smile, "I am Maggie, I speak on behalf of suffering families here in Pelruan, and request for your assistance in a matter of importance."

The boy's theatrical smile disappeared into a frown. "We will be happy to do what we can to help, milady. What troubles you?"

"More than a couple of weeks ago, three of our number ventured out to sea to do some fishing. My grandson, hubby and a friend of his." she explained, "So much time as passed, and we fear that something terrible has happened. We are a small community and everyone knows each other, any loss is a heavy one."

"So you wish for us to conduct a search for them?" Neshinbara's drifted upward in thought. "With all the piracy that went on till recently, could it be possible that..."

"Please. Find them.. or at least their ship if the worst happened. We want some closure." Maggie reached a hand down her pocket and plucked from it a map. "I can show you the places in which my hubby liked to fish, especially when times were rough. So please, what you have must be much better with which to search than anything we got."

"Alright, show me."

She rolled out the aging map to show him. Several parts of them covered with red dots writ into place with crayons.

"Those the places?" Neshinbara asked as a low click went off, the boy probably taking a picture of the map.

"Yes. Indeed they are."

The boy closely examined the dots from the photo he made in that moment. "He sure liked to go far from the island."

"Easier to catch lots of fish where the water's deep."

"Obvious—ly..." he stared at the map and blinked. "Ah?"

Maggie furrowed her brows, "Is there a problem?"

"No, of course not." Neshinbara recovered from his instant stupor, "Don't worry, ma'am. We'll take care of this and let you know of the results when we are done."

"Thank you, boy."

"Thank you." Neshinbara echoed, "Until later."

Maggie rose as the sign frame closed and motioned to leave – relieved that she'll come back home with at least a measure of good news.

12:16; 20th June; 1648; Testament Era

Quasi-Bahamut Class Aerial City-Ship "Yamato" - "Shinagawa" 1st Dock

The "Yamamoto" and "Mirai" had finally returned home. It was an unexpectedly short mission, but the flotilla did exactly what it was sent out to do. Maintenance crews closed in all around the ships as they docked while the on board crews prepared to disembark, wounded given priority as medical crews positioned themselves and waited.

Among them were three who mostly watched as all things went on. In the middle of this small group was Toori himself, dressed in his regular uniform – which he likely only kept on because Horizon insisted with a not-so idle threat of violence on his person if he decided to go wearing naught but Adam's dress. Horizon stood by him – clothed in the beautiful dress she wore during their negotiations with England's Queen.

"Something wrong, Seijun?" Toori asked cheerily to the girl behind him.

Masazumi sighed, looking downright terrible despite the rigidity she managed to maintain. "Nothing wrong. I just couldn't sleep all night, that's all."

"Then go and rest when this is over." he thinly ordered with a grin. "I can't do much, and what would happen if even you can't?"

"Complete pandemonium, is my estimate." the Vice President sighed.

"Bingo!"

Horizon paid no attention to either of them, and instead monotonously watched as Vice Chancellor Futayo approached, with Adele at her side. Margot and Malga were nowhere to be seen, but everyone present who knew them could easily guess what they are currently doing.

"Lady Horizon, lord Toori." Futayo saluted, "We have returned."

Horizon tilted her gaze to look her over, "Are you alright?"

"There is no problem, milady."

She hadn't moved from the bridge all the while. How could she get hurt? Masazumi thought soberly.

"When we first set out." Adele raised her shoulders, "I thought the mission would be little more than one chase after another."

"Ah. Is that not your manner of attack in a nutshell?" Horizon sharply wondered.

The thane adjusted her glasses, trying hard not to look annoyed. "Oh quiet."

Not to be left out too long, Toori danced to the middle of attention, "Where have the fraulein gone? Our to make some hot angel lo-?" and got bashed into the ground for his trouble.

"Lord Toori, one does not ask questions like that." Horizon lectured him, giving no indication of her annoyance aside from the punch she had given him.

"No mercy, huh..." Masazumi grimaced, trailing off as a certain someone pushed himself through the crowd and into view. It was Neshinbara, panting hard like he had just dashed the fleet's whole length. "Is there something wrong?"

"Oh?" both Horizon and the absolutely floored Toori hummed.

The boy pushed just enough of his exertion off to find his voice before he could answer, "J-j-just received a request for aid!"

Masazumi stared at him, "What kind of request is it for it to be this urgent?"

"Was contacted by an old lady from Pelruan. Wants us to find a ship that possibly was lost at sea some weeks ago."

"I can understand it is important for people to at least find closure..." Adele argued, "But... why is this urgent?"

"Because of this." Neshinbara opened up the map he got from Maggie and forwarded it to Adele. "Date and location. Wrote it down and ringed the specific spot. Isn't it rather familiar?"

"What's this? Asking her on a date?" Toori stupidly asked, and got himself stomped by his girlfriend automaton.

Confusedly, while ignoring the Chancellor's outburst, the young thane examined it... and gasped once she realized. "This... this is where we first entered this realm!"

It was shocking to say the least. As befuddled as they were, it did not occur to anyone to see if their arrival had consequences for whatever natives might have been nearby. Futayo shrugged it all off though, "It is troubling, but we are not at fault for the demise of those unfortunates."

"That's certainly true. However..." Masazumi cleared her throat. "We cannot freely conduct a search as the wreck is most likely within England's borders."

"No biggie that." Toori laughed and winked from under Horizon's foot. "Neshinbara, go and ask Oxford for help. I believe you got a main squeeze who'll be happy to see and help you~"

The bespectacled boy blushed despite himself. "I g-g-got no idea what you're talking about!"

"And this is where Naruze would give a lustrous 'Oh~'" the Chancellor grinned, and got pressed even flatter.

"Anyway." Masazumi sighed and looked at their secretary. "I'll stand by the Chancellor's decision in this. Neshinbara, This task is yours to lead. I can ask for Tenzou and Mary to join if you feel some more help's in order."

Neshinbara looked ready to argue, but shut himself up and bowed courteously. "I humbly accept this duty. And of course, Tenzou and his assistant are more than welcome to join."

"Good." the Vice President very nearly purred, "Then I bid you good luck in your endeavor."

"Jud. Just leave it to me!"

12:55; 20th June; 1648; Testament Era

Quasi-Bahamut Class Aerial City-Ship "Yamato" – "Asakusa" Brig

"Ugh. Guys, if I ever complain about field rations again... please punch me." Baird demanded with a look of supreme suffering as he tossed to the floor the loaf of bread he had tried to eat. He thought nothing worse than field rations could possible exist, but this most aptly proved him wrong.

"Done." Marcus shrugged, still chewed on his, stone-faced like all got out – though his skin had managed to turn a sickly green.

"Forget about the food." Dom groaned and pointed at the door insistingly, "You got anything on how to open that door?"

Baird hissed as he thought about it. "Don't look at me. The lock's on the other side, and the space between bars are too narrow to squeeze through. And even if we could, that shit runs on one of those frames – identification required."

"They barely even watch us all that much." Marcus said wearily.

No less irritated, Dom got up and strode to the bars. The others watching idly as the Santiago raised his right leg and kicked the bars as hard as he could, only to be stopped as a yellow-colored and elaborate barrier slid into view and stopped his foot just an inch off the door with a dull boom of energy.

"Waste of energy." Baird growled under his breath. "You can touch the door and bars alike if you're casual, slow and deliberate about it. Anything more, and that barrier stops you. Do it even harder, and we get an electric shock."

"Observant, aren't you?" a deep chuckle rang through the brig as the armored creature from earlier stomped in, followed by two guards who visibly struggled to heft and pull along the unconscious body between them. It was Cole, and looked like he had been through the wringer a few hundred times too many.

Ample profanity filled the air as Ulquiaga opened the cell so Cole could be dragged in and placed onto the bed that was still quite ruined. The outrage partly quelled by the realization that Cole had been patched up quite thoroughly.

Neither could they ignore that his clothes were singed.

"The fuck did you put him through assholes?!" Dom spouted angrily at the half-dragon who simply stared at them from the other side.

Ulquiaga did not seem to be capable of complex facial expression and barely budged, with only a raised eyebrow. "Silence those fouls mouths." it demanded. "Most of the damage was of no fault but himself."

Marcus wouldn't have that. "Like hell it was."

It shrugged. "Anyway, we will have to proceed to take another of you in for questioning as Mr. Cole is in no position to answer at this time. You," Much time wasn't used at all to decide which one, and Ulquiaga pointed a wing-like arm at Baird. "will have to come with us."

Baird glared at him, "And if I say no?"

"Be glad I am not the one to interrogate you." the half-dragon replied somewhat coldly. "Hand not a reason for me to get appointed if you wish to still have your limbs attached."

Right..." he raised his hands and stood, "Just kidding."

"Good choice." the other gestured, and the guards closed in to have him dragged out. Dom and Marcus left to impotently watch him be taken away. Baird felt the same, not able to help but feel a bit of trepidation – worried that what happened to Cole, could also happen to him.

12:59; 20th June; 1648; Testament Era

Quasi-Bahamut Class Aerial City-Ship "Musashi" – "Asakusa"

A sigh born from exasperation carried through the air as Nate Mitotsudaira idled and waited with arms folded. Her chosen chair seemingly gone under all of her voluminous drills of silver hair. Trying to relax as a small crew of automatons under 'Asakusa' struggled to clean the Interrogation room after what happened.

Minutes passed, and the very audible work finally ceased with disciplined aplomb – simultaneously, a sign frame opened. "Task complete. Over."

"Thank you." Nate replied with utmost sincerity.

"Should we remain on standby? Over."

"I appreciate it. But there is no need for that."

"Jud. Clearing out. Over."

With one less thing to worry about, she only had to wait for Ulquiaga to come back with the next one. "Not the most auspicious start. If only they had not gone overboard." Nate softly complained, only able to find comfort in Kimi's lack of nearby presence at this time.

…

"I have brought your next victim-to-be." the half-dragon's voice boomed through the door, a trace of mirth detectable.

"Put him in the chair." she nonchalantly told him, "I will be right there."

Ulquiaga audibly shrugged and stomped away.

Nate remained only for a moment longer before she finally rose to leave and head on over to the Interrogation room, which had seen a drastic reduction in number of furniture since yesterday. Down to two chairs with a simple square table between them.

Only the half-dragon stood outside the interrogation room, quite relaxed in his posture except a nod of deference when she drew close.

Nate returned the gesture in kind and moved on into the room, in which she was met with a rather sour scowl from the man who sat in the most far-away chair – flanked by underclassmen Ulquiaga had selected to assist them this day.

Both stiffly saluted as she entered.

"Leave us." Nate requested of the guardsmen, and they finally let their arms fall and filed out. She remained there next to the lone remaining chair till the door had been shut, and finally situated herself on it with much grace.

A silence stretched as they locked eyes with one another, till the half-werewolf finally decided to start, "Damon S. Baird." she recited from memory. "Are you feeling well?"

Baird scrunched up his face, "As good as a prisoner with a friend recently tortured can be."

"If you are referring to Mr. Cole, it is not as you think. Observe..."

"Observe what exactly?"

"Chain extend." Nate murmured lowly, and a length of her silver chains extended from her left shoulder pad – much to his surprise as he abruptly pushed himself away from the table, "Halt, mind the wall!" she warned.

Baird let out a slew of creative profanity as he stared at the clawed chain that snaked through the air as though it had a will of its own, and stopped himself just shy of the wall – reacting to the warning.

Nate sighed, relieved. "I say again, observe." And had her extended chain bash gently against the left-hand wall, to which the particular spot suddenly glowed with the appearance of a sign frame and violently repelled the chain with a gout of flame like the wall itself had taken offense.

For a moment, no words were said. But one did not need words to know that a million questions had just started to compete for importance inside his head. "Okay... what the fuck was that? And what the hell is with that chain?"

"Chain, withdraw." she instructed, and her weapon obediently retracted and vanished. "Information as to my weapon is irrelevant. What you should know is that all these walls have been carpeted with attack spells that trigger when someone press them." Courtesy of Kimi... and Asama, who she managed to convince into going along with it. "Your friend happened to tackle the wall when he started raving about... thrashball."

"Spells... huh." Baird grumbled as he retook his seat. "So he triggered one, and ended up in such a sorry state."

"Incorrect."

"Huh?"

"He triggered one, plus a hundred and fifty-three others after the fact."

"... How the bleeding fuck did he manage to do that?"

Nate narrowed her eyes, "He bounced a lot."

"And just like that," Baird clapped his hands, managing to make even that sound sarcastic. "it all makes sense."

"I would have doubted the veracity of it as well, if I had not been there myself."

"Shit." Baird muttered the curse as he reclined, "On my part, him doing that somehow does not surprise me."

"Oh?" the half-werewolf blinked interestedly. "Is he a close friend of yours?"

"Close? Known him almost since the war kicked off, after I was forced to enlist."

"Forced to?"

"Yeah, my parents wanted me to enter the army instead of going to mechanical engineering school. Otherwise they'd cut me from my inheritance."

"Surprising. Your family are nobles too?"

"Used to. Being of noble stock is not worth the shoddiest damn anymore – so it can just go and screw itself." Baird shrugged like he could not care any less, bluntly ignoring the dissonant look his questioner gave him. "Now, I'm only annoyed by the thought that those worthless Stranded might just might be sitting on my family manor."

"And Cole?"

"Met him for the first time after I had a less than favorable encounter between my face and the bottom of a toilet."

Her look turned into one of incredulity.

"Met him again a few days later when we ended up in the same company and were sent to fight at Kinnerlake. Big guy went thrashball mode and rushed in – saved my ass. After that first fight, he told me to stick with him, as he made all that silly claim that he wouldn't lose to anything. Not too far from the truth actually."

"And you've been fighting together ever since?" At that moment, Nate had a mental image of Naruze working on one of her doujins in a frenzied state, and had to resist a sudden urge to slam her head against the table to purge it. Hard.

"Only guy in the world who never blew up in my face. Machines I can handle, but people... pah, fuck 'em."

"Why does that not surprise me?"

"Ah, shut up."

...

"I recently noticed you are the only one in your group not having nightmares."

"Hmpf. So you noticed that, huh?"

"Noticed it?" Nate snorted in disbelief, "Until the day you came, it was commonly accepted that there exist no phenomenon in the universe louder than the Aoi siblings. Which is indeed still the case, but only if I throw the broadcast Chancellor Toori made during the night not terribly long ago into the equation."

A quirk of his eyebrow clearly indicated that he was interested in hearing more of that, but Nate did not entertain him on it. "Is it just a coincidence that a whole three of your team have nightmares, or is it quite common? If so... is there a reason for your stability?"

"It's all over the place." Baird sighed, "Many idiots who carry too much baggage. Me, I just block it all out."

"No thoughts of your loved ones?"

"No. Never had that kind of connection with my parents anyway. And till I met Cole, my friends were all machines. But in the end my first priority have always been to survive... And part of that process has been to study the Locust, to know how they think and what they can do."

"You... studied them?" Nate asked, and let her interest slip. It was about then that she seriously felt like they had truly gotten hold of a grand prize.

"Search all you like. I don't mean to brag, but till proven otherwise I am humanity's greatest expert on the grubs." It was no idle boast to be sure, and sounded like what would usually come out of an idiot's mouth to make themselves seem more important and skilled than they actually are.

But... on the off-chance that he is indeed right... we have a golden opportunity on our hands. "How much do you know?"

"As much as I need to know," Baird said, smiling like he saw an opportunity as well – a chance to better his and the others' current conditions. "and more than I honestly want to know."

"Then..." Nate straightened herself with a dignified smile that nevertheless managed to border on her more wolfish side. "I would like to introduce you to someone."

Author note: This chapter was without a doubt the hardest one in a very long while to write. Masazumi's broadcast was especially tricky. Not very pleased with the result, but here it is. Might do a few changes if something better comes to mind.