[ Eastern Mid-Childa / September 30, 0078 17:22 ]
The chopper dropped them off in the middle of nowhere. As the five of them disembarked, Teana spotted large metallic structures behind the trees ahead. The light of the evening sun scattered from the slopes of metallic grey domes and antennae in the distance.
A man in brown uniform was already hurrying towards them from the far side of the landing field. As he approached, he threw a curious look at the prisoner, flanked on both sides by silent robed Knights.
"Captain Lanster, welcome to our installation!" he shouted over the sound of the helicopter rotors, as it gained altitude again. "Major Gaiz is expecting you. Please follow me."
He led them through the trees towards the nearest structure. Their boots clicked loudly on the fresh pavement but the sound was lost in the murmur of reddening autumn leaves above. The structure turned out to be a bunker, half dug into the ground.
"Come inside, please," their guide beckoned, as he swung the heavy door open.
Major Auris Gaiz was waiting for them in the narrow austere corridor. As they entered, her worried gaze shifted from Teana to Subaru and back. Finally, she let out a sigh of relief.
"Captain Lanster, Lieutenant Nakajima. It's good to see you still in one piece."
"Thank you, Ma'am," they replied almost in unison.
"Please follow me."
As they walked deeper into the compound, followed closely by the silent prisoner and his guards, Auris continued:
"How is your health? I heard both of you were hospitalized."
"I'm feeling better, Ma'am," Teana replied shortly.
"It was just a minor wound," Subaru smiled. "I heal quickly."
"Good. I hope that slave-driver of an admiral doesn't get you both killed in the line of duty."
"Um, yes, Ma'am." Teana quickly changed the topic: "What is this place?"
They entered a spacious room filled with hundreds upon hundreds of monitors. Several Ground Forces officers were observing them, but they turned around to stare at the prisoner as their group entered.
"Welcome to the Einherial Control Center, officers."
"The sub-orbital bombardment system?" Teana was stumped. "I thought it was destroyed three years ago."
"It was. Dr. Scaglietti's cyborgs forcibly dismantled it shortly before the rise of the Cradle. However, after the Vaizen disaster, the Admiralty Board authorized its reactivation. Your admiral convinced them that since Scaglietti wanted it gone so badly, it must have been powerful enough to stop the Cradle."
The prisoner behind their backs chuckled but Auris ignored him and continued:
"And when it was decided to take the fight to the Mid, there was only one suitable candidate to take over my father's work."
"So why did you need us… and Dr. Scaglietti?" Teana inquired.
"The Einherial is still not at its full capacity. Only two batteries are operational out of five. With limited firepower, we need exact targeting data on the Cradle's weak points to have any chance of success. Which is why we brought in you," her gaze finally stopped at the prisoner.
"Do you also find this entire scene deeply ironic, officers?" As always, Dr. Jail Scaglietti sounded and looked amused.
"Dr. Scaglietti, none of us has any love, nor patience for your snide remarks. You know what is expected of you and will find a terminal in the next room. And if you so much as think of any unauthorized action while you're logged on, know that I have a tech team that will monitor every byte on that terminal."
"Oh, you wound me, Major. I wouldn't even dream of playing foul!"
As the knights escorted Scaglietti to a small chamber adjacent to the command center, Major Gaiz turned to Subaru and Teana with something like a smile on her usually stern face.
"Now then, officers, while we wait… Some tea?"