Three girls walk into the bar, but the barman is already wasted. Annette sneered at the cheesy joke writing itself in her head. She has never seen herself as a comedian, but right now she felt an unexplained urge to fool around a little. Luckily for her, Lena prevented the center of the bar from becoming a stage for a comedy special, by speaking out first.
"Hi, is this place open?" The room was in shabby condition. The floor looked like it hadn't been cleaned for ages, and most of the chairs were falling apart. It could've been easily considered abandoned, if not for the four people drinking in broad daylight.
"Holy SHIT! Uuuuuul. Uuuulrich! Fuckin' see this? A TALKING PONY!" The woman behind the bar was slurring her words, making them almost unintelligible. She held an almost empty vodka bottle, swinging it around carelessly. Her blurred vision merged the silver-haired visitors into one big silver mass.
"Excuse me, what? We are looking for the owner of this place, do you happen to know them?" Lena couldn't figure out what the woman meant, and her instincts told her that at this level of intoxication, she couldn't hope for more.
The man named Ulrich burst out laughing at her question, filling the air with a hoarse baritone. The two remaining companions joined in, creating an awkward atmosphere for the three girls. The alcoholic odor was piercing their noses, mixed with the foul smell of unwashed bodies.
"Ayye! You're goooing BLIND, old hag. Prettyyyy ladies are heeeeereeeee!" The words were said in some sort of melodious tone, loud, but not fully singing yet. The youngest of the bunch was around fifty, but he felt his spirit never truly grew up. He tried to hit on the teenagers, but the person behind him smacked his head.
"Shut up, you're an old geezer yourself. Stop scaring the youngsters!" The smacker looked the oldest and the least drunk, which probably didn't mean, in the light of the number of empty bottles.
"Thank you. As I've said, we're looking for the owner of the "Marquess Seymour. " I don't know if you find it helpful, but we were sent here by Zelene Birkenbaum's message." Lena stated confidently, taking the risk by being truthful. It was a miracle someone was even here, so it was pointless to keep their cards close to their chests and miss the occasion.
"Holy cow. You've really come? Goddammit. I was so close to winning that bet." Dietrich responded with visible disappointment and started to rummage through his pockets to find something. He was much more sober than they expected, appearing to be in his right mind.
"HAHAHAH! LOOSER! I KNEEEEW IT! THE GIRLIE CAME!" The bartender danced happily, spilling the remains of her drink. The dejected man staggered to the counter, putting there some creased money found deep in his clothes.
"I fucking' should've let her believe in the horse thing. Why the fuck did you come here now?" When Dietrich was angrily grumbling to Lena, his face was twisted in displeasure.
"We've only recently found the message. Excuse me, but who is the girl you're talking about? Was there a specific person?" Charlotte joined in, not wanting Lena to bear all the burden. She took a step forward, partially blocking out her friends' bodies, if the man decided to attack them.
"THAT ARROGANT BITCH-" The bartender started yelling, but she tripped on something and ended up groaning on the floor. Annette checked her condition, but fortunately, nothing serious had happened.
"Yea, the red chic told us someday a girl will come, some bullshit about notes and late gifts. She left a token, but nothing remarkable about it, just a piece of metal." The man shrugged, as they already had rummaged through the box's content. He left out the information about the cash and jewelry left inside because they had been using it for all those years. It was the sole reason their cellar was still full of booze, despite their unending unemployment.
"Can we see it?" Lena asked with hopeful eyes, and Dietrich sighed after a moment. His male companions went back to drinking, ignoring the commotion, and the woman was clumsily massaging her head.
"Sure, why the hell not. It's useless for us anyway, and Bertha told me she was paid in advance. I'm not enough of an arsehole to keep you away from some family memento. Ulrich and Claus might disagree, but screw them. They've drank away enough of the Birkenbaum's money to not have a say in this." He hobbled to the backroom, coming back with a small metal object in his hand. He gave it to Annette, who happened to be the closest, and once again sat on the unsteady chair.
"Fascinating. I don't recognize the metal it's made of, but this must have been the work of a meticulous craftsman. I need a magnifier to see it properly, but the engraved decorative patterns seem to have something hidden between them. This must be analyzed in the laboratory ASAP." She studied the rectangle small enough to fit in her palm, like a detective who stumbled upon a perplexing intrigue, waiting to be untangled.
"Thank you very much for the cooperation. Do you perhaps need any assistance? I'm sure we could arrange better housing for your help." Charlotte offered, as this place was basically falling apart.
"Shush girl, no need for that. This has been our place from the beginning, and it will be until the end. You might think we're pathetic, but we all have our reasons. Bertha might not be in good shape today, but this bar has been almost like her child. The war fucked us over, but until we are gone, the Blauer Engel still exists. Those two drunkards also think like me." Dietrich looked over to see his half-asleep friends nodding in unison. The old man smiled nostalgically, recalling how it used to be. Those memories kept them going, warming their hearts during the cold nights. They didn't want to spend their remaining years in some stiff, unfamiliar place.
"If you ever change your mind, ask for a meeting with Charlotte Lombardy. I hope to see you again." Char smiled kindly and waved goodbye. They left the place feeling a little down, but they had to respect their choices.
The walk to the car was silent, no one had the strength to discuss everything. Lena switched places with Char, taking the driver's seat, and they headed back towards the hotel. The outskirts looked even grimmer in the evening, resembling an abandoned town, often seen in the old Republic's area.
For a long time, there was no one on the road, but when Lena noticed the upcoming vehicle, it was vaguely familiar. She couldn't figure out where she could've seen it, but when they passed each other, a pair of beloved ruby eyes looked at her with visible confusion.
"...Looks like I'll have some explaining to do." Lena was no longer so smug about their brilliant plan to outsmart the Spearhead Squadron as revenge for secrecy. Now it seemed to be a childish and petty idea, unbecoming of their commander. Both cars screeched to a halt, and the girls backed up to meet them.
"What are you doing here?" Shin exited the car, and the rest of the crew lowered their windows, to better eavesdrop the conversation. Lena awkwardly stepped out outside, with a blush of shame visible on her face.
"We just... I… I wanted to help… You keep me in the dark about everything. Is it so wrong to want to be a part of the team? If not for the girls, I would probably still be on that remote farm, removed from everything. What happened to the unconditional trust? Am I not needed anymore?" She rambled while trying to hold back her tears, but the frustration was overwhelming. Lena wanted to be treated as an equal partner, not somebody to be constantly taken care of. Since the Liberté et Égalité, Shin has been treating her cautiously, almost like a fragile glass statue, ready to break at the smallest touch. She deeply regretted he had seen her in that vulnerable moment.
Annette noticed the upcoming crisis, hopped into the driver's seat, and slammed her foot on the gas. Charlotte picked up on her intent, gesturing extensively to the other squad to do the same. Raiden understood the assignment, ignoring the passengers immersed in the fight and following the other car. They stopped not far from their leaders, but enough to not see and hear them.
Both crews sat in their respective vehicles until the tension got unbearable. Raiden was the first to get out. He approached the other car and knocked on the window, hoping to end the animosity. Charlotte gestured for him to back up a little, which he took as a rejection. To his surprise, when he started heading back, the sound of the door opening could be heard behind his back.
"It's not that we have something against you, but the stuff between Lena and your Captain should be dealt with privately. Without an audience. I'm sure you understand." Charlotte tried explaining what had happened. There weren't many opportunities to interact, so the teams had an ambiguous relationship, and depended solely on their leaders.
"Uh… yeah. I mean, we agree. Those two can be a little too nosy sometimes, but it was my fault not to correct them." Kurena and Theo glared in response as if to protest the accusation, but they didn't say a word. Raiden sighed and scratched his head, unsure of what to do now. Anju joined them, deciding that changing the subject would be the best way forward.
"Did you visit the bar? What did you find there?" There was no way they met by coincidence, as there was nothing to see in this neighborhood. Anju didn't know how the girls outrun them, but arguing now wouldn't help the situation.
"Yes, but it was a spontaneous decision. It sort of… happened. Never mind, let's focus on the findings. The owner was there, just not in their top condition. Zelene Birkenbaum left something to be picked up, they said some girl was supposed to get it, but she never came. Annette, can you show them?" Everyone was already outside, interested in the conversation. She took the small piece of metal out of her purse and gave it to the curious crowd.
"It needs a thorough lab analysis, but the patterns might be some kind of code. There was no instruction left, so there is not much to say now." Annette explained, slightly annoyed she didn't know more. The Spearhead Squadron members one by one observed the mysterious object, trying to see it from every angle. Theo was the most overjoyed, with his eyes sparkling from curiosity.
"Another puzzle! We're getting closer. I don't know to what, but closer nonetheless! Can I join you during the research? I was the one who uncovered everything so far." He tried to appear calm, but his whole body was buzzing from curiosity. Annette recognized a fellow researcher's passion, deciding to compromise a little.
"OK, but you'll take all the materials found so far to the lab. Maybe there is something more that was missed before. And you will be the ASSISTANT, mind you." She adjusted her glasses, trying to hide a smirk forming on her face.
"Deal. But I get full transparency. No funny business." Theo grumbled a little, but the offer was better than nothing. They may be the elite military force, but Henrietta van Penrose was a force to be reckoned with in the research department.
"Pleasure working with you." They shook hands, and the atmosphere cleared up a bit. Little did they know, a few hundred meters further, a storm was brewing.
July 31th Republic Year 357 (Stellar Year 2138)
32 days until the Start of the Legion War
Elizabeth stared at the last cigarette left in the pack, not believing it was the end. The past month had drained her, but it was nothing in comparison to the past week. She chain-smoked to deal with the stress, one by one using up her secret stash. Liz gave up going out every time she felt this urge, resulting in the whole room smelling like tobacco. A mountain of empty packets piled up behind her bed, but she had no strength to clean it.
No one had cared anyway.
She stared at the ceiling, inhaling the biting scent reminiscent of home. The ash landed on the floor when Liz haphazardly stuck her arm out over the bed frame. The servants had noticed she had been skipping meals and tried to intervene, but she threw a fit every time somebody tried to enter her room. Eventually, they compromised by leaving the food trays outside the door, sometimes accompanied by a book or a newspaper.
It was a peculiar kindness she had not asked for, but Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to turn it down. Despairing over one's fate was an absorbing activity, but even the most persistent one would get bored at some point. The novels were nothing special, some slice of life or classical dramas, but it was a decent escape from reality. The newspapers were local to Sankt Jedar, focusing on political issues or city problems. Liz knew nothing about the people or the places mentioned, since she had never been interested in the Empire, but it was her only window to the world beyond the estate.
It was strange to read about anti-royalist strikes, migrant scares from all sides, and the inefficiency of the health service. Liz felt it was laughable, how every country saw themselves as grander and more unique, but those headlines could've come from any one of them. She had no clue what was going on here, but each subject felt eerily familiar.
A knock on the door snapped Elizabeth from her trance.
"Go away! I'll eat later." She wanted to be alone, despite the loneliness killing her from the inside. Fake smiles and pleasantries only made her nauseous, choking the remains of her appetite. The servants were like dolls, performing their role perfectly, but without an ounce of genuine sympathy. The nice old man she had met on her first day was nowhere to be seen, but she wasn't sure if even he would have changed anything.
God, how she missed William.
It was stupid how she trusted him so easily. She should've guarded her heart more. Who was he anyway, just a smug guy she had known for a month. The bastard left her alone at her most difficult moment. In the middle of the danger zone at that!
If she sees him again she'll kick his ass. She'll shout out everything she has against him and send him away. William was a stupid, selfish prick who ran away at the first sign of danger.
"It's not about it. Mr Lambert is waiting in the lobby, he says he wants to meet with you, miss. How should we proceed?" The maid explained through the half-open door.
Elizabeth's heart started pounding like crazy, almost jumping out of her chest. The rush of adrenaline was incomparable to any cigarette, flowing through her blood vessels like a liquid flame. She felt stupid that the first thought ringing in her head was the fact that she hadn't showered for a few days.
"Let him in. Or wait, I have a better idea. Take him to the dining room, and tell him to wait a bit. I have to freshen up. You can give him something sweet in the meantime." Elizabeth quickly rose from the bed, storming into the bathroom at lightning speed.
There was no time to properly shower, so she took out her hidden weapon – dry shampoo for emergencies. Liz frantically applied it to her hair, masking its oiliness, accidentally overusing it a bit. She cursed quietly, trying to fix the newly created mess, settling for a dark headband to cover up the disaster.
The choice of the right clothes was the most vital part of showing him who he had missed out on. She didn't want to show him the pathetic self drowning in despair without him, but a stunning, calculated person, thriving even in the worst of circumstances. Liz bet on a navy blue halter dress, a bit over the top for a small meeting, but perfect if he came here to sever the ties. No matter what, she wanted to make a lasting impression.
Elizabeth entered the dining room, trying to maintain a poker face. She was shocked at how miserably William looked. The bags under his eyes were deeply purple, his back was hunched and his clothes seemed to hang a little on his frail frame. The usually cheeky smile was nowhere to be seen, making her worry immensely.
"Will… What had happened? Are you sick? I thought you were mad at me…" Liz uttered in confusion, ashamed she had cursed him for leaving her alone.
"Not here, Lizzy. I need some fresh air. Could you help me?" He gestured at his wheelchair, and she obliged without a word. When they finally got to a desolate place, Elizabeth was the first to speak out.
"Will, please, tell me. Is it because of the basement? I'm so sorry I haven't reached out, I thought you got scared and wanted nothing to do with me. God, if I knew you were sick, I wouldn't have acted so stubbornly…" She rambled, more to her conscience than him.
"Lizzy, stop. It's not your fault. I caught a cold from the rain, and the underground stuff just added on top of that. I was afraid to call the mansion, in case they had wiretapped the phones. More importantly, are you okay? You were the one left in this horror house." He gently touched her hand, as if to reassure her. Elizabeth's mask cracked with one sincere question, she fell on her knees and put her head on his lap for comfort.
"I was so fucking scared. It was so lonely without you, I couldn't take it. I'm lost. Paranoia follows me with each step, what if they already know, Will? Zelene wasn't here, but her accomplices may be. I'll never be safe in this house. I hate it so much." Liz confessed while William was patting her back to soothe her. She had no tears left to cry, but her body trembled with fear when talking.
"I fucked up. I should've gotten you out the first moment things went south. Liz, do you trust me? I can't get into details, but I promise I will get you out of here soon. You will never have to see her again. Just… I need to take care of a few things. Can you hold out a little longer?" The man was apologetic, but his tone was firm. It didn't sound like a boy's juvenile dream, but a real promise made by a trusted adult.
"I can't leave yet. Grandpa's house, remember? I would run away on day one if not the promised money. I'll somehow endure the next month, and it'll be over. It has to be." She tried to convince him, but he knew the words were meant for herself. The debt left as a package deal with the house in the inheritance wouldn't go away without help. A teenager who hasn't graduated from high school yet had no chance of paying it off in time.
"I'll get the money, just give me some time. Promise me you'll leave with me when the time comes. I want you to be safe, Lizzy." Will lifted her head with his hand to look Liz straight in the eyes. Despite his tiredness, she saw genuine concern in them.
"But don't do anything stupid. Remember, I can catch up to you in no time. I'll knock all the nonsense out of your head." She shook her finger at him and he laughed for the first time today. Her heart felt like it was being crushed every second she looked at him.
"I could never. I'll go back earlier today, but I needed to tell you all that. Can you handle Zelene on your own?" He stroked her cheek playfully, but she tensed again at the mention of her aunt.
"Sooner or later I'll have to. Don't worry, I doubt she wants to kill me. Too much hassle with the court overseeing her guardianship. It seems sometimes the bureaucracy can be on your side after all." Liz walked him to the gate, then watched him drive away. She missed him already. There was no sign of them returning to their daily meetings, but it was more bearable knowing, she hadn't been abandoned. They were a team, together or apart.