Chapter 6
When everyone had gathered inside Varen's office it was already nearing dusk. The sun was slowly passing below the horizon casting vibrant shades of orange and red across the facility. Near the door furthest from Varen's desk was a circular table with eight chairs around it. Only one remained unoccupied as Varen took a seat with everyone else. Chiffon sat to his left followed by Arnette, Attia, Elizabeth, Andre, and lastly Ticy who finished the circle on his right.
"Spireach." He said handing copies of the order general Renalt had given him to everyone at the table. They all read over the contents quickly as Varen sat back waiting for everyone to finish.
"This could be amazing…" Elizabeth said with a bit of wonder in her voice. It made Varen look over at her with a bit of surprise.
"Really think so?" Chiffon asked also a bit shocked at Elizabeth's presumed approval of the E-Pandora project.
"Not everyone can be a Pandora. Those who can, don't always want to be one. We are left not only with a small number of girls compatible with stigmata, but ones willing to do it. There are many girls who want to be a Pandora, but can't because of compatibility. This could be an opportunity for them to fight alongside us." Elizabeth answered.
"What about the methods used to test these so called E-Pandora? There's no way to know if they can do it without trying it on human girls." Varen asked.
"It's no different than when the first Pandora were created. A risk has to be taken and so long as the girls are willing participants then I don't see an issue. I'm not saying I like it, but I can understand the necessity of trying to bolster our ranks." Elizabeth answered.
"Well, I can't say I disagree with what you said. Maybe I just feel uneasy because compared to you all I'm still learning a lot of how genetics works." Varen said taking a deep breath.
"Human testing is never an easy subject to broach Varen. Saying those two words together invokes feelings of disgust. It's important we all realize and understand that we are all products of human testing. Well, everyone except Chiffon and Varen that is. They are just weird." Elizabeth said with a wink.
"It would be good exposure for us too. We are just there in a supportive role to evaluate and compare ourselves to the E-Pandora. I think this could be a nice opportunity to meet new people and strengthen bonds." Arnette added.
"It's a time of peace right now. Nova attacks only happen every few years and following previous trends we aren't due for one anytime soon. The calm won't last Varen we should enjoy it while we can. It won't be long before we have to fight for our lives once more." Attia said agreeing with Elizabeth and Arnette.
"I suppose I can't really argue that. I'll reserve judgement until we arrive and I can see things for myself. It would be nice to meet some of these other Pandora and see how strong they are." Varen said.
"And at least we all get to go together. What's the plan for here at home?" Ticy asked.
"I'll leave operational command with Ingrid. She was the first Nightingale after the Kaizu incident and she knows what she's doing. Sister Margaret said she would handle any administrative tasks needed while we're gone." Varen answered.
"Spireach…it's very cold up there. Colder than Freystadt and far more remote." Andre said and Chiffon nodded.
"I don't think we will be outdoors, but wouldn't hurt to pack a bit warmer just in case." She said. Everyone nodded in agreement except Varen who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.
"You don't have much time do you?" Attia asked also noticing Varen's lack of attention. Her question made him look up raising his eyebrows. He glanced over at a clock on the wall and breathed deeply.
"I only wanted to get your initial thoughts on this whole thing. I'm going to run a few people through a night drop tonight." He answered.
"Those make my stomach turn over." Attia complained.
"I'm with Attia, those are terrifying." Chiffon added.
"Got room for one more?" Arnette asked and Varen nodded pushing his chair back and standing up.
"Good luck." Elizabeth said holding her hand out with a thumb extended up.
"Thanks, be back in a few hours. Let's go Arnette." He answered. As they left his office, the group left behind began to figure out dinner plans for the evening. Arnette and Varen walked side by side out of the administration building heading along the path towards the flight lounge.
"Still bugging you isn't it?" She asked as they walked. The sun had since passed below the horizon and the orange red color that once lit up the facility was now replaced by the bright glow of artificial lighting. The night was cooler than usual, but not to an uncomfortable level.
"Think it's just nerves. To be honest, the thought of being thrown into a melting pot of Pandora from around the world is a bit overwhelming." Varen answered.
"Afraid of how they'll view you huh?" She pressed on and he nodded.
"Little bit yeah. A year ago I came here fully aware I needed to prove myself to everyone. Feels like it did back then."
"This is different, though. Back then you were just a normal person. Now…well, now you have nothing to prove. I bet they are excited to meet the Justicar, actually." She encouraged.
"Perhaps, or perhaps they see me as a threat." He countered and Arnette pursed her lips.
"Then you'll just have to show them you're not." She replied as they entered the flight lounge heading towards another room. They pushed open a series of double doors and turned down a hallway leading into a room with rows of lockers.
"These are the best Pandora in the world Arnette, I don't think it'll be that easy." He continued on their conversation from earlier. He opened a locker while she did the same directly behind him. They both pulled free a black body suit with the Nightingale emblem on the shoulder.
They both undressed keeping their backs to one another pulling the form fitting suit on and zipping it up to the neck. They folded their clothes and placed them into the locker and removed a black bag out of a compartment in the side. Varen attached a belt around his waist that the bag clipped onto and grabbed a set of boots and gloves off the top shelf.
"You worry too much." Arnette said coming up beside him resting a hand on his shoulder.
"Someone has to." He laughed and they turned heading out another set of doors that would lead onto the tarmac.
"I suppose that's true. By the way, did you peek?" She asked jokingly making them both laugh.
"Assault drop?" Ticy asked Chiffon. They were both sitting on the couch in hers and Varen's home sipping a cup of hot tea.
"After Kaizu he wanted to find a way to insert genetics forces into hot zones efficiently and with the least amount of danger to the Interceptors. We made the first drop back then from a low altitude." Chiffon answered.
"What about now?" Ticy asked very interested.
"Arnette and him are the only ones who can do it perfectly. There's a lot of fear involved and trust in yourself. Attia broke her leg her first time, and I was knocked unconscious. Elizabeth can do it fairly well, but her drop time is still slow." Chiffon explained.
"So, what is it exactly?" The black haired Pandora questioned. Chiffon set her cup down and used her hands to try and explain the maneuver.
"Let's say you are flying up here on the transport. Up ahead is the battlefield that requires immediate intervention. Normally we would land a distance away and travel on foot. An assault drop is performed directly above the enemy. Varen says it creates two key things we need to win. Initiative and disruption.
We drop from the Interceptor and land about ten or fifteen feet apart amidst the enemy and engage without hesitation. The sudden arrival and shockwave of the drop steals whatever momentum the enemy may have had and creates disorder in their ranks." Chiffon said.
"You drop in?" Ticy asked her eyes widening slightly.
"Varen found a way to use the stigmata to protect our bodies from the impact. Right before you hit the ground you accelerate outward forcing the kinetic energy to dissipate from your body and into the ground. It has to be precise or else someone is carrying you away on a stretcher. Too late and the kinetic energy shatters your bones, too early and you tumble uncontrollably." Chiffon explained.
"That's amazing! From how high?" Ticy asked.
"Like I said, we still have some trouble with it on occasion. It's very terrifying falling through the air knowing that the ground is rushing up to meet you and your only chance is to precisely activate your stigmata at the right time. That being said, however, Varen and Arnette probably have no limit in how high they could do it." She answered.
"So, that's why he is up there right now?" Ticy asked and Chiffon nodded retrieving her cup.
"He runs all the assault drop training himself. Arnette usually assists, but I think she just goes because she loves the thrill." Chiffon laughed.
"Can't wait to try it." Ticy said.
"After the first set of broken bones you won't be so enthusiastic." Chiffon said smiling and Ticy laughed.
"Been a long time since we could do this. Just sit around you and I talking about life." Ticy said nostalgically.
"It's been a long year Ticy." Chiffon answered back.
"Are you happy?" Her friend asked.
"Very happy, yes. I couldn't ask for more." Chiffon answered in all honesty.
"I'm very happy to hear that. You deserve it as much if not more than anyone." Ticy said leaning over against Chiffon's shoulder.
"He's…very good to me." The blonde Pandora said and she felt Ticy's lips curl into a small smile.
"I figured, you didn't always notice it, but he was crazy about you for a long time. Probably before he even knew it." Ticy answered and Chiffon tried to hide her smile.
"When we first formed an Ereinbar Set I felt all that. Never had someone think of me like that." Chiffon said and Ticy sat up excitedly.
"Speaking of! You never told me, how did you form the Ereinbar Set the first time? It was after you both fought each other right, so how'd you do it?" Ticy asked and Chiffon's face flushed red.
"Oh, yeah, we just sort of…you know…held hands?" Chiffon answered scratching her head. Ticy stared at her blankly and blinked a few times.
"Wait…did you?" The black haired Pandora trailed off her mouth hanging open.
"Yes." Chiffon answered her embarrassment growing.
"More than once?" Ticy asked her eyes continuing to widen.
"A lot more." Chiffon was now fidgeting.
"How often?"
"A lot…" Chiffon trailed off a sheepish grin forming on her face.
"You're like rabbits!" Ticy laughed and Chiffon puffed her cheeks out in mock anger.
"You're sitting where we did it just the other night so hah!" Chiffon pointed and Ticy shrieked jumping off the couch. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at Chiffon which only caused more laughter between them. By the time Varen returned home beyond exhausted from the nights training he found the two curled up on the bed. He stood looking over them for a few minutes before shaking his head and leaving the apartment.
"I'll just sleep in the office." He mumbled to himself shutting the door behind him.