[ Historical Museum, Southern Vaizen / September 22, 0078 13:10 ]

"Communication, Sir."

Bardiche's voice disrupted Fate's concentration but the shield didn't waver. She glanced down, where the people were sitting on the dusty floor, some of them looking up, some just spacing out. She couldn't see the green-haired girl but she knew Sergeant Marsh wasn't letting anyone out until it was safe.

"Connect it, Bardiche."

"…hear me? My name is Vivio Takamachi, I am currently a prisoner on board the Saint's Cradle. Can anyone receive this transmission? I repeat…"

The girl on the projection screen was much older than Vivio would have been after three years, but it was unmistakably her. As she looked into those beautiful mismatched eyes, Fate's hands holding up Bardich began to shake.

"Vivio-chan! It's Fate-mama!"

Surprise and joy illuminated Vivio's face for a moment but then it turned to disappointment and wariness.

"You are not Mama," Vivio shook her head. "Are you with the Bureau?"

Fate staggered, unable to hold Bardiche straight. Almost immediately, the shield began to weaken, letting the concrete blocks of the roof sag down with dangerous rumbling. The small projection screen filled with static and went blank. Down below, the people sprung to their feet, screaming.

"Don't let up!" A furious female voice yelled in her ear. "The Navy is almost here!"

Turning around, Fate found that she is not alone in the air anymore. Where did this woman come from? She had long red hair bound in a side ponytail and wore bright orange crop top and shorts. Her face was covered by a white half-mask.

"A-Arf?" Fate knew it couldn't be. Arf was dead and this woman wasn't her.

The woman ignored her, holding up a Convex Shield just like hers but of bright orange. The roof stopped moving.

"Who are you?"

"Will you stop wasting time and help me?" The woman demanded through gritted teeth.

As always, when she didn't understand, Fate simply obeyed.