[ Claudia, on approach to TSAB HQ / September 20, 0078 20:57 ]
"Lanster-kun."
"Sir," Teana saluted. She didn't expect to see the Admiral just prowling the corridors of the ship.
"Didn't I give you a day off?"
"You did, Sir."
"Lt. Nakajima went to visit her family. Don't you have anyone to visit?"
"I have no living relatives, Sir. Besides, I feel better when I can do something useful."
"Oh," Chrono seemed embarrassed. "Well then, maybe you would want to accompany me. We will be receiving guests soon."
"Guests, Sir?" Teana walked beside him as they approached the elevator.
"We will rendezvous with a Church vessel at the HQ."
"How is the Church involved in this operation?"
Chrono pressed the button leading to the teleport bay.
"Unlike the Navy, they have never abandoned the search for the Cradle. They had a few ships scouring the dimension sea but never engaged it. My guess is that they still hope to secure it as a relic of the Saint King. Religious grounds, you know," Chrono grinned.
"Can we trust them, Sir?"
"It's generally safer not to trust anyone. But this case is special. You'll see."
They exited the elevator and walked towards the teleportation pad, as two women in Church habits stepped out of it. One had long blonde hair and kind blue eyes. Her habit was adorned with ornamental armor, betraying a high-ranked Knight. Other walked unassumingly behind her and had short red hair, stern brown eyes, and a simple nun habit, but Teana knew: of the two, she was the fighter. She learned that much about Sister Schach the hard way.
"Welcome aboard Claudia, Knight Carim," Chrono smiled.
"You are so formal, Admiral," Carim Gracia smiled back. "Should I have worn full regalia for this meeting?"
"Knowing you, it would have taken days to put on," Chrono chuckled. "Let's head upstairs."
The two of them lead the way and Teana and Schach quickly fell into step. The nun gave her a wink but remained silent.
"So how is Verossa doing?" Chrono asked. "I haven't seen him in ages. Heard he took your demotion rather hard."
"He is fine; requested a long-running job at some backwater world. I think he just can't stand the people at the HQ anymore."
"Can't blame him."
"I don't," Carim gave Chrono a hard look but immediately smiled again. "Anyway, how are Amy and the kids?"
"The twins will be starting school this year, and Amy hopes to regain at least some semblance of personal life."
"You should be home with her more often."
"She is an officer of the Navy, Carim," Chrono frowned. "She understands."
"No matter how well she understands, she still needs you."
Chrono fell silent.
"Right. You are right, of course. When this mission is over, I will take a vacation with them, I promise."
"Good boy," Teana couldn't see Carim's face but she knew she was smiling.
"Speaking of the mission…"
"We have him on board under highest security, ready for transfer within minutes."
Teana listened very carefully from that moment onward.