Chapter 31 "In a Fog"
Morning arrived peacefully which seemed like a rarity to Noah and Mio these days. Their bunkbed was situated roughly in the center of the barracks for recently liberated soldiers who'd yet to secure a place of their own. Having just awoken, the quiet Kevesi hadn't a thought in his head until yesterday's revelations started to come back one by one. It was nearly enough to make him want to turn over on his pillow, but Noah pushed past the grogginess and sat up.
"Good morning," the younger soldier spoke softly to the older one above him.
"Hey…" her response came five seconds later, sounding preoccupied.
"Did you sleep well?" he tossed her a simple question.
"Not especially," his special mate revealed her struggles which were normally his kind to have. "My mind was a jumbled mess."
"I hear you on that," Noah palmed his knees before stretching his legs. "There certainly was a lot to take in."
"It's too much," the tenth-termer groaned audibly enough to catch his attention and stir up his concern.
"Mio?" Sliding off his bunk, Noah stood to lean against hers with his elbows out. Balanced on her crossed legs was her journal, its latest entry completely filled. From there, his eyes traced up her arm to her face where an expression of perturbation was on display.
"Normally, it helps to get my thoughts on paper," Mio's hands fell to her lap, limply and defeatedly, "but seeing everything at once is just… stressing me out."
"I don't think we're expected to accept it all so quickly," the ponytailed soldier tried to mollify her as another thought occurred to him. "Er, how long have you been reading that?"
"Since I woke up, about an hour ago," she continued to stare at her handwriting rather than at him.
"Might not be a bad idea to set that aside for now, if it's not helping," he suggested quietly, finally receiving a brief, tired glance from her. While she thought it over, some of the other liberated soldiers in the room walked past them which reminded him of his itinerary for today. "Um… shall we suit up and report to military HQ?"
"For a mission?" the zephyr lifted her eyes off her journal again.
"Yes, like the professor had suggested yesterday," Noah referenced the invitation to volunteer upon letting go of her bunk frame. "It's still early enough to join, I believe."
"Well…" her gaze returned to her page, though this time she wasn't reading it. Like before, Mio needed a moment to consider her options. "I-I suppose it could provide a sufficient distraction…"
"Are you sure?" The pacifist was almost surprised by her willingness, especially after how coldly she'd reacted to the proposition previously. "I won't force it upon you if you don't want to."
"I appreciate it, but I should probably get some fresh air anyway." Whether or not Mio was actually warming up to his plan, she closed her journal at last and moved to descend the ladder to his level. "Let's go, then." With a decision more or less made, the two newcomers equipped their gear and headed out the door.
Due to the close proximity between the barracks and military headquarters, it took them no time at all to find the strategy room where people had gathered for the City's next mission. For Noah and Mio, it would be their first.
"Let's see, we've got nine volunteers here," a short, bearded man with a terminal took a headcount of those who'd shown up. "Some fresh faces as well."
"Hello," the swordfighter took the man's remark as a cue for greetings, though nobody else did the same.
"HQ appreciates all of you for coming to lend a hand," the host flashed a brief, somewhat forced smile. "I'm Reynolds, and at the moment, we're preparing to send a boat to Colony 19 to eradicate Moebius."
"Is there anything within the City today?" one of the other liberated soldiers inquired, seemingly familiar with the system of doling out assignments.
"No, we're in good shape here," he informed them after checking his terminal. "We just need some extra manpower at sea."
"Then I think I'll pass, if that's okay," the would-be volunteer lowered their head and slowly backed away, as did a couple of others.
"No worries, kids," Reynolds turned to face the rest of the group. "Everyone else, please meet up with the team. They're waiting in the harbor."
"Got it," Noah spoke for Mio and those who were still willing to participate. Once Reynolds had properly notified the waiting militia, the liberated soldiers filed out of the strategy room to find them. Everyone in the slightly smaller group knew the way, though hardly a word was said until they took the elevator down to the docks.
"Ah, you must be the recruits!" a middle-aged woman with short, brown hair noticed them immediately. Behind her and several other City folks floated what appeared to be their boat which featured a modest array of lightweight artillery. "HQ said to expect you!"
"Are you the team heading for Colony 19?" he inquired of the seafarers, just to confirm.
"Indeed," she observed the mostly eager volunteers, paying extra attention to those whom she didn't recognize. "I'm Feena, leader of the City's highland militia, and this is my crew!"
"Nice to meet you all," the ponytailed soldier continued to be the voice for his half of the now combined group.
"We're grateful for your involvement, especially if it's your first time out," her hands rested on her hips. "Before we hop on, however, I want to stress the potential dangers ahead. Moebius is no joke."
"We've fought a few on our way to the City," he alluded to his and Mio's prior skirmishes with the enemy, minus the details.
"Now that's right peachy," the short-haired woman appeared to take his word for it. "Still, we'll be at sea which will limit our options regardless of whatever happens."
"What does that mean exactly?" the moonblades-wielder wondered aloud, apprehension seeping in for all newcomers present.
"Well, we only have our boat here as a means of escape if necessary," Feena glanced over her shoulder to the vessel while her crew began boarding it. "Should it be compromised, we'll either be stranded on the island or have to swim to another shore, and the area's covered in black fog."
"In which case we'd be completely vulnerable," both brows came down on the swordfighter's face.
"Glad you understand," her own expression was much lighter, having long been accustomed to the risks in question. "There's no shame in withdrawing if this doesn't sound like something you want to take on."
"We'll stay to help," he insisted before turning to his partner, "er, right?"
"Yeah," Mio nodded to him, though not without her familiar frown. None of the other liberated soldiers backed out either.
"Very good," the group leader was pleased by their commitment. "As you know, we're off to neutralize the Moebius of Colony 19 which occupies Oshia Reef Ravine."
"How do you know the Moebius will be there?" one of the other volunteers raised their hand. "Don't they come and go as they please?"
"This one's been sighted there consistently since yesterday, despite the black fog," Feena explained the developing situation into which they were going to throw themselves. "Something's brewing, so we need to intercept sooner rather than later. Hopefully, we won't have to fight the soldiers of the colony, too."
"Can we take them back to the City with us?" the cat-eared Agnian perked up momentarily.
"That would be ideal, but we can't force them," the short-haired woman remained realistic. "Unlike the others in Cadensia, Colony 19 isn't privy to the City because we haven't enticed them yet. The black fog makes it too risky."
"But wouldn't that make them want to leave?" Noah pressed his index finger against his lower lip, the annihilation events near Keves Castle still fresh in his and Mio's minds.
"I reckon they see it as a strategic asset," she continued to answer the newcomers' questions despite wishing to deploy. "Colony Upsilon can't safely enter their ravine."
"What about us, then?" his concern returned onto their present situation.
"Our boat can cloak itself." This time it was the sea captain responding, confident in their vessel. "We'll be invisible to them, especially in the fog."
"You got that right," Feena flashed a smile towards the cabin before facing the others again. "Now, shall we join the rest of the crew?" Reservations aside, her band of volunteers followed her aboard the boat whose engines were already warmed up and ready to fire. Noah and Mio had barely found places to sit when their ride began moving in earnest.
Within a minute, the sea captain had pulled them out of the harbor and into Patulia Bay where the cloaking mechanism was preemptively activated. It was another fascinating piece of the City's technology for Noah to marvel, though Mio didn't seem to share in the wonderment. Having fallen silent, she engaged with the others only for introductions and to register Irises.
Sailing southeastward along the Erythia Sea, the boat weaved around the islands until a hovering pall of black fog entered their sights. While Colony 19 remained largely obscured, its Ferronis stood well above the unsettling shroud like a beacon. Now stationary, the combined team of City militia and liberated soldiers observed movement on the island's limited grounds. Easiest to spot amongst the unsuspecting personnel was the consul whose presence accorded with Feena's earlier report.
"Still here… rather surprising," she remarked as the sea captain focused the boat's periscope on the enemy. With the clicking of a few buttons, an onboard screen displayed and magnified the consul for everyone else to see. Seconds later, a crosshair appeared over the core embedded in their red armor. However, a simple turn of the back quickly put it out of view.
"You're going to shoot the consul?" another one of the volunteers asked what they all were wondering.
"Preferably when there aren't soldiers nearby," the boat's owner continued to adjust its aim.
"If we can't safely take the shot, then we'll have to sneak ashore and attempt to disable the consul directly," the group leader clarified the plan, her eyes glued to the screen. "Either way, stay ready, everyone."
"What if the consul orders the entire colony to counterattack?" the pacifist's own sights lingered on the partially obscured Kevesis outside. "Don't they outnumber us?"
"That they do," she affirmed without needing to count them. "Ergo, we'll retreat to this boat and make our escape."
No further questions arose, thus the cabin was allowed to fall into nervous silence. Only Mio wasn't focused on the scene ahead and onscreen, despite having partaken in the prior discussion. Instead, her pensive gaze settled on Noah who continued to be invested in the mission. Part of her wanted to tear him away from it, but she hadn't anything specific to say. Much like the atmosphere, the aggrieved Agnian's mind was in a fog while her hands unwittingly slid down to her tummy. After ten minutes of waiting, the decision was ultimately made to cancel the shot and circle around the backside of the Ferronis.
"Looks like they're too busy to patrol this spot, so we'll start our invasion here," Feena spoke relatively quietly while the sea captain gently settled the boat against the sand. "Once we're in range, I'll fire a disabler bomb at the consul which will give us a few minutes to make the kill. We won't be able to hide from the soldiers at that point."
"I'll uncloak the boat if you retreat," the sea captain added before anyone could inquire.
"Right," the short-haired woman acknowledged with a nod. "Regardless of how it unfolds, we'll need our defenders up front for protection and possible crowd control."
"Guess that includes you, Mio," the ninth-termer turned towards his companion for the first time since they'd set sail.
"Sure…" the zephyr's response belied her mental languor. "I'm on it."
"Um, are you okay?" concern immediately colored his face.
"Don't worry," she let out a most stilted sigh, "I won't leave myself open."
"That… doesn't really answer my question," her trusted partner leaned closer to her, aware that they were in the company of others.
"Mmph," Mio lowered her head, as well as her voice. "This excursion hasn't helped like I'd hoped."
"I'm sorry," the ponytailed soldier likewise hushed himself in an attempt to keep their conversation private. "I shouldn't have suggested going on this mission."
"We've been over this." There was a tinge of annoyance in her words, however, nothing further could be said between them as their boss for the morning called for attention. With the boat now parallel to the gradually curving shore, the door was opened and allowed to flop onto the sand.
"Alright crew, we're up." Feena's hands were firmly latched onto both sides of the doorframe while she glanced over her shoulder to everyone behind her. "We'll be visible once we step onto the sand, so let's move swiftly as a unit."
On the count of three, the combined group of City militia and liberated soldiers sprinted from the still cloaked boat to the Ferronis. With her back against it, Feena peeked around the base where the consul stood facing in the opposite direction. It was a man of medium build, seemingly unbothered by the black fog whose wisps fluttered with his cape. As observed earlier, the local Kevesis were flitting from station to station as ordered by their master.
Nearly holding her breath, Feena aimed a stovepipe-shaped weapon at the feet of the red-armored target. Behind her, two members of her team carried another custom weapon which Noah and Mio recognized as an electro-disassembler, its cap removed and its rods exposed and fully charged. Everyone else had their Blades out while they anxiously awaited her shot. Seconds ticked loudly in their ears until Feena finally stepped out and fired.
From his perspective, Noah could see nothing but bright light into which Feena led her team and all the volunteering defenders, including Mio. Mindful to stay together as a unit, he tightened his grip on his sword and entered the scene himself. The sight of a stunned consul was familiar, though he soon turned his attention towards the soldiers of Colony 19 who were properly aghast at the ambush.
"My lord consul?!" the nearest unliberated Kevesi had their hands on their head, frozen in fear and confusion.
"Who are these people?!" another one approached the confrontation already armed. "Are they Agnian?!"
"Troops, to your teams and mobilize the Velites!" The third audible exclamation was an order made by an apparent male officer, likely the commander.
"Quickly now! Before he breaks free!" The City group's leader added to the clamor while everyone got into their assigned positions.
"How… dare you…?" the consul managed to groan through the paralysis. Not willing to risk his escape, Feena forewent unmasking him and stepped aside for her teammates to perform the execution.
"All units, fire!" the colony's officer directed before some of their personnel were even ready.
"Shields up!" A liberated defender staked a heavy sword in the sand and expanded it just in time to block the first retaliatory beam from the oncoming army. Several more shields were lined on either side of the oversized Blade, each one held resiliently by its mace-wielder. Mio stood closely behind the blockade, though the situation didn't necessitate her at present. By the time the onslaught had ceased, the consul had begun dissipating into white motes which contrasted noticeably with the black fog.
"Lord Consul!" the local Kevesi in charge couldn't believe his eyes. In a matter of seconds, the last mote had flickered out and the red-armored boss was gone. Shock quickly became anger as the commander subsequently turned his attention to the invaders. "Y-you killed the consul! Why?!"
"They seem… scared of us," one of the City folks remarked to their leader. "What should we do?"
"Well… they've stopped for now, so maybe there's a chance we can open talks with them," Feena thought aloud before stepping forward to address the platoon that'd just fired on her group. "Listen up, Colony 19! We came from the City to rid you of your consul… so he can no longer abuse you!"
"Abuse us?!" This time speaking was a younger Kevesi, a girl with blonde hair in a short ponytail. "He was about to help us!"
"Lieutenant Croya!" the commander snapped at her. "We can't tell them anything! They've got Agnians amongst them!"
"Yeah, but Commander Tomu, they've got Kevesis as well," she pointed at their former compatriots, particularly Noah.
"Excuse me," the short-haired woman hollered for their attentions back, "how was your consul going to help you?"
"We're not telling you!" he stood his ground on keeping mum. "We can't afford to let anything slip to Colony Upsilon!"
"These soldiers, Kevesis and Agnians alike, have cut ties with their colonies and banded together with the City," she tried to explain as the volunteers of her team lowered their weapons.
"The… City?" the younger officer now known to them as Croya seemed open to listening.
"You've not heard of us, then?" This curiosity was exactly what Feena was hoping to hear. "We're a neutral party to your war, fighting for a better way of living."
"And you accomplish this by… killing our consul?" the commander circled back around to the confrontation at hand.
"Your consul was using you for his own ends," she accused the recently deceased. "The same goes for all consuls, collectively known as Moebius."
"Moebius?" the lieutenant tilted her head, slightly contorting her face.
"What nonsense are you spouting now?" her superior remained standoffish, his arms now crossed.
"Your Flame Clock," the City group leader glanced at the colony's upon mentioning it, "you have to keep it filled with life, yes?"
"Of course!" exasperation recolored his tone. "We'll all die if it runs dry!
"Have you ever questioned why that is, and who made it so?" Stepping forward, Noah took a turn at speaking to them.
"And you know the answer?" Commander Tomu leaned forward as he challenged his fellow Kevesi.
"We've learned the truth about the war," the swordfighter spoke for his group of liberated soldiers again. "Moebius, or the consuls, are the ones behind it."
"Is that supposed to be revelatory?" the older officer was only half-sassy this time. "Everybody knows they're the ones overseeing our battles, making sure we fill our Flame Clocks."
"Correct, because Moebius manufactured them," Feena didn't wait for Noah to respond before doing so herself. "Otherwise, you never would've had to fight."
"But thanks to the City, we're no longer bound to any Flame Clocks," the pacifist tried to improve the mood, advertising the benefit of joining his new home.
"How is that possible?" Lieutenant Croya asked what all of Colony 19 was wondering.
"It isn't, he's making spark up," the commander beside her scoffed, having seen and heard enough. "Anyone who associates with Agnians can't be trusted!"
"Might you permit me to prove it to you?" the liberated Kevesi started walking past the defenders of his group. "My Iris ha-"
"Back! Stay back!" Commander Tomu's Blade was suddenly back out, as were many more behind him in reaction.
"Alright, we're leaving!" the short-haired woman decided without hesitation, wary of Colony 19 feeling brave enough to attack again. "Defenders, cover the rear!"
Just like she'd planned for their retreat, Feena led her team back around the base of the Ferronis to where they'd initially set foot. The boat uncloaked itself just in time for their return as everybody hopped aboard. Commander Tomu and Lieutenant Croya turned the corner in their wake moments later to observe the hasty departure, however, the two officers made no efforts to stop them. Nerves inside the cabin were tense until the sea captain had successfully maneuvered them out of Colony 19's foggy waters.
"My apologies, Feena," the ponytailed soldier owned up to what he perceived was a mistake. "Guess I moved too quickly."
"It's okay, I'm surprised we got as far as we did," her grin countered his frown. "We've put the City in their heads, so a proper attempt can be made later. Besides, we accomplished our main goal of eliminating the Moebius, and quite handily, too! Well done, team!"
It was a merry ride homeward to Patulia Bay, with the other liberated soldiers beginning to open up to their citizen counterparts. Noah and Mio, on the other hand, weren't in the mood to mingle. Once the boat had docked in the harbor, Feena thanked everybody again before discharging the volunteers. One elevator ride later, they were up the cliff and on the final stretch back to the City.
"It's a little past noon," the cognizant Kevesi noted after briefly checking his Iris. "Shall we seek out another food stall?"
"I'd rather just eat at the cafeteria," the morosity in Mio's response was hardly surprising, given their recent conversations.
"Okay then," Noah slowed down for her, though she kept walking past him. "Um… I-I know you're not feeling well, but…"
"You scared me earlier," the moonblades-wielder eventually stopped a few steps ahead and turned around.
"I… what?" he stared blankly at her, mildly puzzled.
"You left yourself wide open, at the colony," his special mate crossed her arms, unapprovingly. "Practically handed yourself over to them."
"Oh," the pacifist lowered his head in shame and understanding. "You're right. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"Hmph…" this time she didn't rebuff his apology. "Is this how careful you're going to be in future missions?"
"It was a momentary lapse in judgement," he swiftly explained himself.
"We didn't come all this way just for you to die," Mio was far from finished, her grimace expressing mixed emotions. "I can't… I can't have you dying on me."
"W-well, I appreciate that you care," the swordfighter rubbed the back of his neck.
"I can't do it without you," the tenth-termer suddenly became quiet, seemingly embarrassed.
"Er, do what without you?" his arm slowly retracted with the change in mood.
"Reproduce…" her fingers interlaced below her chin before she looked up to him. "I-I want to… raise a child."
"You…" words escaped Noah upon her disclosure, having missed her recent, unintentional clues. "I-I'm not sure I expected that."
"It's the one thing I've been able to cull from my thoughts," the cat-eared Agnian temporarily closed her eyes. "To think, after taking away so many lives, I can… give birth to a new one."
"And you want me to, um, contribute?" his cheeks glowed as red as his hair tie.
"Of course, you," she pointed at him below his notice, her own cheeks slightly puffed in vexation. "We're close, aren't we?"
"Yes, but you don't have enough…" her trusted partner abruptly cut himself off.
"I know I don't have enough time," Mio groused loudly before she buried her face in her hands.
"So, then… why wish for it?" he felt compelled to question, now in doubt that even this idea was clear to her.
"I can't help it!" her frustration grew too hot to contain. "Spark…" Continuing to avoid eye contact, the older soldier turned to walk quickly into the City on her own.
"Wait, I didn't mean…!" Noah started to call out to her but swallowed the rest of his words again.
In a few seconds, Mio had already reached the opened gates and disappeared from sight. Noah could hardly believe how poorly their talk had gone as he began dragging his own feet forward. Despite the defeat of a Moebius on their first mission, he now felt the furthest from victorious with Mio's turmoil taking a bitter hold of her. Greatly did Noah wish to help, but he feared that saying anything further right now would only make things worse.