[ Runessa's apartment vicinity, Western Mid-Childa / September 22, 0078 10:38 ]
Three uniformed women made their way hurriedly through the crowd. As much as pedestrians tried to make way, they were still moving far too slowly.
"She transferred from Faurus six months ago," Ginga Nakajima finished her report. "By all accounts, she is a model officer, despite her oddities."
"Oddities?" Teana cut a corner. Lieutenant Magnus' apartment block came in sight.
"She has an obsession with mass-based weapons. Firearms, specifically. She never learned combat magic because of that."
"She is from Orussia, after all…"
They fell silent as they approached the house. It was a regular block, just like any other along the street. The front entrance lock was easily overridden.
"Ginga-san, please watch our backs down here. No one is to enter or exit while we're inside."
"Yes, Captain."
"Gin-nee…"
"It's OK," Ginga smiled. "Be careful, Subaru."
The block had an elevator but the two of them took the stairs. As Teana checked her guns, she noticed how Subaru put the Revolver Knuckle on, flexing her fingers and clenching them into a fist. She hasn't seen her wearing it in years. Somehow, it made her feel safer.
Lieutenant Magnus' apartment was on the third floor. She took a second to catch her breath, then pushed the doorbell button.
No sound came from the apartment except ringing of the bell.
She tried again, to no avail. Stepping closer to the door, she shouted:
"Lieutenant Runessa Magnus, if you are in there, please open the door! We are with the Navy, here to question you in connection to your recent investigation!"
A curious neighbor's face popped up from the door across but Subaru waved him away. The man disappeared.
"Officer Magnus, if you don't open the door, we will take it down!"
Still no answer.
"Subaru," Teana ordered, stepping sideways and pointing both Cross Mirages at the door.
"Aye, Ma'am."
The door was so flimsy, Subaru didn't even need extra momentum. Her right hand took a short swing and it flung inward with a loud crash.
"Area Search." A globe of orange light sped into the apartment. "You first, Subaru. I'll cover you."
Subaru grinned at her before stepping inside. There was no need to remind her. She always went first into the hot zones.
They only needed seconds to explore the tiny apartment. Nobody was home. The Spartan surroundings suggested that the tenant wasn't one for luxury and was ready to leave at any time. But something was still missing.
The Area Search returned.
"No sign of any mass weapons," Teana told Subaru uneasily.
They stood in the larger one of two rooms. Judging by the papers scattered all around, this was where the tenant worked. Teana peeked out of the window but couldn't spot Ginga down below.
"What now, Tea?"