[PhoenixFlare]

Ah, it's the thread's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Well, I didn't buy cakes for you today, but here, you can have this.

*chucks BLUECHEESE NUKE and flees*

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha GuardianS

Chapter Eight—Rain and Sacrifice

Spoiler for Scene I:

[Cranagan City] [February 14th, MC 081] [1741 hours]

A bank of grey and ominous-looking clouds floated listlessly in the open skies of Mid-childa. The clouds cast a pale gloom across the streets, shading the city from the rays of the evening sun. Mid-childans walking beneath the cooling shade offered no prayers of gratitude, but instead hastened in their pace to avoid the inexorable storm. Those who still toiled in their offices and working places grumbled of a possible setback in their travel home caused by the rain and traffic congestion. Regardless of their complaints, however, the clouds blithely continued their march, stretching its burgeoning mass forward.

Upon a high-rise building with a flat roof could be seen a lone figure. Judging by the appearance and curvatures of the body, the figure was a female, and if one might add, possibly a beautiful one. She wore a thick, tattered black cloak that billowed in the strong winds of the approaching storm.

“Rain …” she said softly, her lips barely moving.

It has been some time since you have last felt the rain on your face, have you not?

There was no answer, but a small nod indicated her acknowledgment.

This will not be the last. Still, enjoy it if you wish. Pull back your hood.

She did as she was told. Hazel-shaped eyes the color of molten amber shone as bright as gold even in the gloom, and ashen, flaxen hair flowed down to her bosom, the gusts swirling the smooth strands teasingly. Her rosy, if slightly pallid, complexion accentuated her features. A gentle symbol was apparent on the back of her right hand, a strange bird-like shape that was so pale it seemed aglow with a soft silvery light.

“Rain …” she said again, this time a little stronger.

As if hearing her command, the heavens began to weep, slowly at first, then a downpour. Startled cries could be heard in the street, as people cursed and ran for cover at the unexpected rain. Yet, the mysterious lady was oddly contented, a smile spreading through her face. The rain fell, but had deigned to leave her unsoiled from its liquid touch.

It is a rarity to see you smile.

No answer was given, nor was it needed.

“Rain …”

The rain plunged in ceaseless curtains, the people sought new shades, and vehicles shrieked in protests.

Yet, she continued to smile, oblivious to water and noise.

She whose fate was deeply intertwined with another, destroyed, and then reassembled …

She whose resemblance and features were so uncanny to …

* * * * *

The rain fell, but within the protective whitewashed walls of the Escutcheon, the environment was more subdued than the chaos of winds and water that was affecting the rest of the world beyond its wall. The needles of water besieged the building only to patter harmlessly upon the windows. Personnel went to and fro the lobby, a couple sitting around metal tables and chairs and discussed in hushed voices. Several officers were fixed before holographic screens, either typing reports or ascertaining information.

All in all, a rather peaceful evening, and even the rain was a welcome respite after several weeks of sun-filled days.

Until the blare and the crimson flashes came.

There was a briefest moment spent for confirmation, then all members scrambled to man their posts. The weeks of inactivity had not made them complacent, and within several seconds after the first alarm sounded, everyone was already in position. The lobby now lay empty, with only the beat of rain to announce its vacant space to no one.

In Crusader, however, a multitude of activity was being carried out, personnel-on-duty rapt and busily checking various parameters and data. Chrono, Nanoha, Fate, Hayate, and Leona were present, their attention to the large screen in front of them.

“Report,” Chrono commanded, his emerald eyes still fixed to the screen.

“Yes, Commander!” Shario responded, and she quickly tapped several buttons. “Commander, apparently, an emergency signal was received from a premise in … the Western Wastelands!” Unable to contain her excitement, she said, “Wait, another signal—no, a message—is being transmitted. I’ll try to put in online.”

An insert screen appeared in the midst of the other images and information. Initially, there was a fizzle, gray-and-black lines flashing through the monitor as the signal was being synchronized. Then, abruptly, it was settled, and a woman in her thirties with short blond hair came into view. “Commander Harlaown, I’m Professor Delia from Sector 2,” she announced. Though her voice was slightly nervous, she hid it well with a strong, serious expression.

“Sector 2 …” Hayate repeated thoughtfully, deep in consternation. Then, she snapped her finger. “That’s where Labs 53 and 54 are! They conduct magic-based weaponry and armament research for the Bureau, and they also have … a Jewel in their midst!” Hayate exclaimed. Professor Delia acknowledged it with a single nod.

“Professor, what happened?” Chrono asked immediately.

“I’m not too sure,” she said. “Apparently, one of the sensors—upgraded by your crew’s recommendations using the latest data—detected a breach in the sector. Sector 2 lies in the heart of the Western Wastelands and the labs are hidden from sight. It’s ideal for weapons research and testing away from the main citadel, so people seldom pass through here. Those that do normally obtain authorization, and we’ll send a personal escort to bring them in. The Wastelands is a harsh place with all manners of predatory beasts and creatures, and many a person have been lost in the barrens.”

“Where are the intruders now?” Nanoha asked.

“Our security system is dealing with them now, Captain,” Professor Delia replied. “Though sophisticated, I should think that they won’t last for far too long, if who I suspect them to be is any accurate. The stationed platoons are also taking care of the defenses, so that should buy us some time. Regardless, we will eventually need help.”

“We’ll reach there the fastest we can,” Fate said.

“Thank you,” Professor Delia said, nodding. Returning to Chrono, she said, “I’ve entered the bypass codes for your personnel and they’ll be able to enter without resistance. We’ll try our best to delay their entry for as long as we could until your forces arrive. In the mean time, all our data are being secured and transferred to another location. As for the Lost Logia, we’ve plan to divert the enemy attention with a ruse. Regardless, it’s very dangerous, and we lack personnel sufficient to hold them back if they reached us.”

Before Chrono could answer, however, there was a noise in the transmission. The professor turned around and barked, “What’s wrong?”

“P-prof!” the person who burst into the room shouted in a panicked voice. “The labs … We’re surrounded in a huge barrier!”

“What?” Professor Delia said, shocked. “Could the platoons take it down?”

“They’re trying, but the captains do not place high hopes on it,” the researcher said. “The barrier is strong—though they wore it down with their strongest spells, the durability regenerates! And according to one of the guards, one of them seems ready to cast a spell!”

“Damn it!” Professor Delia swore. She quickly returned to Chrono. “I’m afraid this changes the situation, Commander,” she said tersely. “I’ll activate the preventive mechanisms of the labs to seal the central research area where the Lost Logia is being studied. This will close down the area with three layers of two-foot-thick reinforced steel door, and the barrier surrounding the Lost Logia will be strengthened twofold. The captains and we will do everything we can to delay them, but I’m afraid that’s all that we can offer.”

“Right,” Chrono replied, nodding. The professor inclined her head slightly, and then the communication was terminated. Turning to the captains and Hayate, he said, “All squads, move out to Sector 2 immediately. Secure the enemy and Lost Logia using whatever means necessary. Limiter release restricted to Level Two.”

“Yes, sir!”

* * * * *

From her vantage point on the Cranagan high-rise, the cowled woman watched as a helicopter flew towards the western horizon, the rain veiling its appearance in a haze of watery sheet. It became small quickly, before disappearing out of sight in a tiny twinkle of its red tail-light.

“Gone …” she said. Her eyes blazed with an indescribable excitement, and she hummed an elated song in her throat even as her hands twitched with unbridled thrill. Her fingers thrummed with power, and a spark of golden energy flickered eagerly.

Patience, my child, patience …

“But, they’re gone,” she said again, and her voice finally took on a semblance of coherence unlike her previous one-worded answer.

Patience is a virtue, my child. Everything will come to pass as determined, my child, and patience is the key. Time is on our side …

She became silent, and cast her eyes to watch the crying heavens.

“Yes, Master.”

Spoiler for Scene II:

[Sector 2, Western Wastelands] [February 14th, MC 081] [1756 hours]

“This is going to be problematic,” Sharazad said, her glittering blue eyes surveying the surroundings forlornly. The blasted landscape offered no serenity for the eyes, and a number of turrets and cannons lay in their own mechanical destruction after the Templars launched their counterattack. Pale gray smoke spiraled from the devastated equipment, rising into the orange-purple sky of late evening.

Trystahn stood beside the beautiful Templar, but words need not be uttered to accede to what she just said. Their unauthorized entrance had triggered a security alarm, and the labs’ advanced defense mechanisms were activated. Though those machinations could barely hold them down, it sucked precious time away from their mission, and every second of delay would mean trouble. They were rather sure that reinforcements had been called, and they had wanted to avoid confrontation as much as they could.

To prevent further complications, Trystahn had quickly sealed as large an area as he could with a powerful barrier. He reasoned that the enemy might try to transport the Jewel away in the chaos, and such an escape would be perilous to their mission. Trystahn had maintained the barrier from being breached by the defenders’ platoons, utilizing an Astral Quartz—a hexagonal crystal containing condensed Elements—to replenish the seal’s strength. It was a difficult task for him, since keeping control of such a barrier that covered a huge area spread his powers thin.

Sharazad had responded then. Gathering her Elements, she began to heat the air around the premise. It would have taken her longer normally if not for the fact that she, too, had used the Quartz to amplify her spell, that the wastelands, with little cloud cover and a blazing sun overhead, provided indirect help to her feat, and that a larger portion of the defenders had taken to barricade the labs from within in an effort to stymie their progress. Raising the temperature well beyond its usual level that could not be compensated by conditioning and ventilation, Sharazad had intended for them to suffer mild hyperthermia and fainting, thereby reducing their delay. It took her no longer than a minute to accomplish her purpose, and Grandia and Vestrell had rushed into the compounds then, seeking out the Jewel of Emerald Star.

It had been five minutes since they went in.

[How’s the situation?] Sharazad sent a mental communication.

[The labs are like a labyrinth built under the earth. If not for the provost’s data, we might have to search for quite some time. The place is under control, but gaining entry will be difficult.] came Grandia’s telepathic voice. A hint of displeasure apparent in his tone. [They sealed the area in a last-ditch effort to prevent us from getting the Jewel.]

[What’s the response from the base?] Vestrell interjected, her patience running short. [They should be able to do this better than expecting us to tear down this much steel!]

[The provost is working on it now.] Trystahn replied. [Decoding the security bypass is not an easy task, after all.]

[Bah!] Vestrell spat in frustration. [Just be quick, this is getting tiresome.]

There was a pause in the communication between them as they waited. The seconds ticked pass, agonizingly slow to the Templars. The seconds stretched to a minute, then another …

Then, Grandia broke the silence. [It’s opening!]

[And very slow at that, these stupid doors. I could’ve blasted through them with a spell if not for Grandia’s insistence to not do so.] Vestrell added.

[A wise decision.] Sharazad observed sagely. [Given your impulsive tendency, there is no telling whether your attack will hit the Jewel and activate a chain reaction that’ll consume us all.]

[Are you saying that I’m going to kill us?] Vestrell retorted hotly.

[Enough!] Grandia said sternly. Tactfully changing the subject, he asked: [How’s the situation outside?]

[So far, it’s clear.] Trystahn replied. [But, I fear that this delay is giving the reinforcements enough time to catch up with us.]

[I agree with Trystahn.] Sharazad concurred. [They might be reaching soon …]

[We’ll do our best to come out as soon as we could.] Grandia said. [In the mean time, try to delay our potential pursuers as much as you can. Avoid confrontation if possible.]

[We’ll see what we can do, brother.] Sharazad said. There was the temporary linger of telepathic link between the Templars before it vanished completely, indicating that they should now focus on their tasks.

Trystahn’s hazel eyes were gentle as he looked at Sharazad. He raised his hand, palm open, and there was a shimmer of energy that became brighter by the moments. The light spread across into a rod-like shape, coalesced, and burst in a brilliant white light. Where once the hand was empty was now a runic mace made of burnished silver. “Well, shall we?” he asked, pulling his thick black cloak around him.

Sharazad nodded. Her pearlescent harp at the ready, she gave Trystahn a strong, determined look and spoke, “Yes, we shall.”

* * * * *

A trail of rainbow light streaked across the barrens of the Western Westlands, the evening sun dipping low in the horizon. Members of the Justice, Valor, and Gallant Squads, as well as Hayate, Reinforce Zwei, and Agito, had taken off from the Sky Falcon when it brought them within the territory near to Sector 2. Activating their flight spells (Teana had finally learnt how to fly during her training with Fate and Keroko) and zipping through the arid wilderness at the fastest speed they could muster, their eyes scanned the area for the enemy and the familiar description of the labs Shario had briefed them of aboard the Falcon.

Visibility was reduced by the swirling dust and approaching dusk, yet they remained alert, their Barrier Jackets activated and their Devices at the ready. They passed through empty desolation of cracked earth and wilting plants, weathered rocks and wind-worn crags, the bleakness creeping surreptitiously even as the shadows lengthened. Yet, the labs were not in sight …

“Justice-One to Crusader,” Nanoha finally said. A holographic screen popped into life beside her, and a woman with short blue hair was visible.

“Crusader to Justice-One,” came Lucino’s familiar voice. “What’s wrong, Captain Takamachi?”

“Just a confirmation,” Nanoha replied. “Are we nearing Labs 53 and 54?”

“According to radar, yes. You will set sight upon the labs in approximately six seconds.”

“Something doesn’t seem right here, though …” Fate murmured. She looked at her surroundings critically, then said, “The wastelands are a flat landscape, so why are we not seeing the labs yet …?”

Hayate pointed to the front. “There’s a bluff in front of us, maybe the labs are behind it,” she suggested. True enough, a rough-looking escarpment came into view, scarred by the winds and coarsened by time.

“I don’t remember seeing an escarpment surrounding the labs in the briefing, though,” Leona added. Tesla, Reinforce Zwei, and Kratos nodded in agreement.

“Everyone, wait here for a moment,” Nanoha said. Without warning, Nanoha took higher to the sky even as the others stopped.

“Be careful, Nanoha,” Fate cautioned after her, to which Nanoha replied with an almost imperceptible nod without stopping. After flying some ways from the rest, she stopped.

Then, she gasped and there was a look of utter shock on her face.

“Nanoha-chan, what’s the matter?” Hayate called after her friend. “Do you see the labs?”

The Ace did not reply, but quickly engaged the communications screen again. “Lucino, are we within range of sight to see the labs?”

“Yes, two hundred meters,” the officer replied. “Why are you asking?”

“Is there supposed to be surrounded by cliffs?” she asked again, ignoring Lucino’s question.

“No, the labs are situated in a basin that was created a long time ago.”

“Then, you better have a look at this,” Nanoha said. Placing her staff in front of her, she commanded, “Raising Heart.”

<Yes, my Master. Engaging data transmission.>

During the exchange, Fate and the rest had flown up, and their expressions were similar to Nanoha’s when they looked below.

“Wh-what is this?” came Lucino’s reply a moment later. “I don’t believe this!”

Indeed, what they saw was truly unexpected.

In front of them were low, flat hills of craggy rocks and striated cliffs that stretched wide and far.

The said labs, where they were to confront the opposition, had vanished, devoured by the earth that had came alive.

Spoiler for Scene III:

[Cranagan City] [February 14th, MC 081] [1801 hours]

Cranagan City was wet and soaked, the rain washing away colors to replace them in gray and darkness. There were less people on the streets now than there were a few minutes ago as they found their needed break from the rain, whether it be in their vehicles, in coffee-shops, or simply staying where they had been since the rain began.

The time has come, my child. The time to salvage our lost histories. The time to dance for our new future.

“Yes, Master!” the flaxen-haired woman said, her black cloak billowing in the stormy winds. Her excitement brimmed to overflowing, she raised her hand as if it were a spear pointing towards the heavens. Then, a jagged bolt of pure lightning slashed through the air and struck the outstretched hand, and an explosive vein of electrical energy erupted around her.

Yet, she was unharmed. In fact, she was perfectly serene, a broad smile on her face.

And in her hand now was a glittering golden staff, with runic symbols and icons etched onto the gilded shaft. Upon it was mounted an elegant hawk-shaped statuette that shimmered argent in the rain.

Let the song begin, my child. Let your voice be joined with the world.

She needed no encouragement, for she had already begun. She flicked the golden staff around merrily, and her rich tone echoed upon the winds.

“Spirits of the skies, lords of the tempests and mistresses of the storm …” she chanted, her golden eyes blazing with energy.

Let the song of our salvation ring upon the skies.

Let the song of redemption wash away all impurities.

* * * * *

The frontline members hovered in the air, unable to think of how to proceed. The weather-worn cliffs rose innocently in the middle, unobtrusive and plain. Like the rest of the blasted wilderness, the reddish brown soil was devoid of life, bare and stripped of vegetation. And within its terrestrial belly were the labs, buried in the earthen grave.

While the origin of the Western Wastelands was vague at best, it was believed to have been created by a devastating war centuries ago, when conventional weaponry was still at large. The battle escalated to an unthinkable cataclysm as a huge explosion ripped the place apart, flooding everything in a fire that devoured everything in a large radius. It also rendered the place uninhabitable for a long time, and it was not until three years ago that life was finally taking hold of this place again. Sector 2 had been constructed then, and because of its convenience and ideal placement far away from the main citadel, became the facility to research magitech weapons and armament for the Bureau.

“What do we do now?” Teana asked. “With the labs buried underneath, the only option left us is to blast it open with a bombardment spell.”

“Nanoha and I can probably take care of that,” Hayate said. “But, it wou—”

“Just a moment, everyone,” Leona cut her short. She was looking at the cliffs with a studious expression, and her eyes were narrowed suspiciously. “Very peculiar …”

“What is it, Leona-chan?” Fate asked. “You found something?”

Leona nodded, but did not elaborate further. Instead, she raised her hand and summoned a globe of white energy. With a wave, she shot it towards the cliffs. The sphere flashed through the air at high speed and slammed against a protruding rock on the bluff, exploding on the impact.

There was a brief moment of silence before Leona finally said triumphantly: “Just as I suspected!”

* * * * *

“They are here,” Trystahn said matter-of-factly. His mace was giving out a low-toned hum, and power rippled through the weapon. A hexagonal crystal was floating in his off-hand, and tendrils of energy flickered as it supplied Elements to the Baron of the Mace.

“I noticed,” Sharazad replied silently. Her hands were a ghostly blue as her technique was in effect. “They’re not attacking in full force, are they?”

“The barrier’s holding. One of them just used a low-powered spell that barely scratched it,” Trystahn said. “Your illusion must be fooling them.”

“Perhaps, perhaps not,” Sharazad said, frowning. “I have a strong hunch that the spell just now was merely a gauge.”

“That’s possible,” Trystahn conceded. “But, they won’t be doing anything rash with the situation unknown.”

Sharazad nodded. “That gives us a little time. Regardless, contact Grandia and Vestrell and alert them of the situation.”

“All right,” Trystahn said. [Grandia, Vestrell, they’re here.]

[Can you hold them?] Grandia asked immediately.

[Yes. Sharazad’s maintaining an illusion over my barrier to deter them, but it’s only a temporary measure until they come in earnest.]

[The seal around the Jewel is being undone. Try to buy us a little more time, and we’ll be out.] Vestrell replied mentally.

[All right.]

* * * * *

Turning around quickly, Leona said, “Kratos.”

But, her second-in-command had already caught the cue when she launched the minor spell. A translucent visor was in front of his eyes, which glowed white. He had activated the Eye of Truth and was scanning the area. “It’s true,” he said simply.

“What is?” Signum asked.

“The hill there,” Kratos replied, pointing below. “It’s not a real one, it’s an illusion.”

“What? Is this true?” Tesla said sharply. The rest turned their sight to him, then to the alleged illusion, then back to him. “How do you know? Are the labs in there, then?”

“It’s a layered spell. A barrier is surrounding the area, and upon the barrier there’s a sheath of dense energy that created the illusion we’re seeing with our unaided sight,” Kratos explained.

Leona nodded. “I suspected that as well, and my spell just now proved it.” She pointed towards the target of her magic. “Though weak, the ball of energy was supposed to have enough power to blow apart the rock. Not only did it not crack in the slightest, it still remains whole.”

“Ah, I see,” Nanoha said. Everyone else nodded in understanding.

“This means that the enemy is still here!” Reinforce Zwei said excitedly.

“And the Jewel has yet to fall into their hands,” Gabriel observed.

“One problem, though,” Kratos said. “There’s too much energy permeating the area, and I can’t get an insight of the situation within the barrier. I know neither where they are nor what they are doing.”

“We just need to destroy the barrier, then,” Hayate said grimly. Readying her Armed Device Schwertkreuz, she continued, “I’ll use an area-of-effect magic and blast through it …”

“No, you can’t,” Fate interrupted quickly. “The spell may be able to break the barrier, but so would it destroy everything else caught in its path. We probably still have people in there, and there’s no telling whether your attack will engulf the Lost Logia as well and activate an unwanted destruction.”

“She’s right,” Nanoha added. She looked downward and frowned. “Well, I can probably use Starlight Breaker, but we don’t have any specific target or location. Just destroying the barrier is not going to be helpful, since they can replace it with another one.”

“I have a plan,” Leona said. Everyone else turned to her, but she did not bother with explanation. A holographic screen appeared to her side, and they could see Shario in it.

“Yes, Captain Tyriel?” the communications officer asked.

“Shario, can you perform a wide area scan of this location, specifically around this barrier and illusion?” Leona enquired.

“Doable,” Shario said, nodding. “What are we looking for?”

“Trace the energy residues surrounding the barrier, and track their intensity over time,” Leona said. “Then, plot a probable matrix of the scan. This should be sufficient.”

Shario frowned. “You mean …”

Leona nodded. “Yes, we’re going to isolate their energy pattern.”

“Captain Tyriel, what can that accomplish? We need to know the enemy’s location …” Teana objected.

“And that’s exactly what it will do,” Xeno interjected, a wolfish grin on his face. “Ether-source tracking, Milady?”

“Yes,” Leona replied cryptically, nodding.

“In that case …” Shario said, finally understanding the captain’s intention. Before she managed to continue, however, the screen flickered violently for a moment before coming back to focus.

“Shario, what’s wrong?” Nanoha asked quickly. “What happened to the communications?”

“What?” the officer said, confused. Then, she realized what Nanoha was talking about. “Oh, nothing. There’s a thunderstorm here, and it’ll probably cause some interference. Don’t worry too much, the storm’s not going to be severe.”

“Thank goodness,” Hayate said, relieved.

The officer smiled. “Right, I’ll begin doing what Captain Tyriel has suggested. This will take only a moment.”

* * * * *

Her chant rose in volume, singular and all encompassing at the same time. Her voice was one with the howls of the maddening wind and the rumble of the sky’s fury. Lightning flickered upon her will, the rain at her command. Her cloak swirled around her like deep shadows of the tempest, her glossy hair shimmering silver and fey in the gales. The lifeless rubies of the iconic hawk upon her staff leapt to life, eerily crimson in the gray and gloom.

She had become a creature of the elements, the eye of the storm itself.

“In the name of the Father of Heavens …”

Come forth, endless ripples, the well of power …

There was a surge of golden energy from the staff that reached deep into the roiling clouds. From within the space where the energy had vanished into was a spiral of blue and crimson lightning that hissed and sizzled in the storm.

The girl’s eyes were aflame with power as she finished the incantation. “… descendeth as ageless incarnations of light and fury upon the wretched and the sinful!”

… inflict thy fiery judgment upon they who defy thy absolute will!

* * * * *

Chrono’s eyes were fixed upon the screens that displayed various scenes of the location where the frontline members were at currently. To say that he was not impressed with the enemy’s ingenuity was an understatement, for even he was nearly deceived by the cleverly integrated barrier and illusion at the first glance. If not for Leona’s keen perception, they would have proceeded to blasting the area with spells that could potentially result in hazardous consequences.

“And now, ether-source tracking …” Chrono mused to himself.

The method Leona had suggested was not recent, and neither was it sophisticated. In fact, it was a fundamental skill that had become overshadowed by the lack of real-life application and the advancement of precision detection technology and satellite scanning. The principle was simple: for a mage using a particular spell, there would be an expulsion of energy from the mage, who was be the source. Tracking snipers and potential ambushes was previously done this way but for the lack of accuracy for moving targets. Now, however, with the enemy holding the barrier and illusion within the sealed area and possibly unmoving to maintain maximum concentration, this method could prove far more useful that expending time in the attempts to penetrate the layers of magic.

He could not suppress a smile. She is a very gifted Intelligence officer indeed. Verossa must be proud of her.

“How is it coming, Shario?” Chrono asked.

“Almost done, the computer is generating the matrix now,” the officer replied.

“Good, send the data to them as soon as it’s completed.”

“Yes, si—”

Her voice was engulfed by something far louder, something that reached aural-destroying proportion even within the building.

A burst of light flooded the interior of the building, and there were cries of panic and shock.

It happened so fast that no one was prepared for it …

* * * * *

The Aces and their squad members waited impatiently for Shario to complete the scan. From the screen, they could see her fingers tapping the keys with practiced precision, a beep or two sounding occasionally.

“How is it coming, Shario?” a person asked. It was Chrono.

“Almost done, the computer is generating the matrix now,” Shario said.

The frontline members readied themselves to act immediately upon receipt of the data from the officer. “Get ready, everyone,” Nanoha said. Everyone nodded.

“Good, send the data to them as soon as it’s completed,” Chrono said.

“Yes, si—” Shario responded, but if she said anything beyond that, no one was entirely sure.

For there came an unexpected sound, a mighty crack that reverberated through the entire screen. At the same time, the screen flashed with an all-consuming whiteness.

Everyone was shocked. “Shario! Shario, what’s wrong?” Nanoha and Fate shouted at the same time.

In response, there was only a static crackle of terminated communication, and the screen showed a foreboding black-and-white jagged stripes. Shario could not be found, or if she could, she did not answer.

Disbelief was apparent in Hayate’s expression. “Could Escutcheon be under attack? Are the Templars responsible for this? But … the enemy’s right here!”

Nobody dared explore further that possibility. They were silent, waiting, and waiting, the hand of Time passing in unbearably slow moments, waiting for someone to respond from the other side. Ten, fifteen, thirty … the seconds ticked away in a horrible silence that whispered destruction, death, and loss in their ears, teasing their psyche in sinister ways. Their hearts hammered against their chests, the palpable beats marking the progress of ominous timelessness.

A full minute passed.

No one replied.

In a cool, almost benign voice, Leona confirmed what they dared not think aloud.

“We’re on our own.”

* * * * *

The resulting cacophony drowned all sounds.

The sky exploded in a blaze of fire. The clouds heaved as one, a terrible movement of the massive horizon as if the heavens would plummet. A gigantic blast of pure blue and red lightning struck like a rampaging dragon, its descent a glorious and yet frightening sight to behold. It struck the ground in incandescent wrath, and a number of vehicles unfortunate enough to be caught in its ferocious rage were blown to pieces. The thunder that followed was a truly deafening one, a sharp, strident shock wave that shattered glasses in the vicinity.

The skies seethed and spitted, and another blast surged from the heavens, its crimson and sapphire bolts ripping through the air. Indiscriminately, anything within its lethal grasp were either destroyed or damaged beyond recognition. Multiple bolts struck a skyscraper, causing a resounding explosion that pelted those below with debris and dust, its windows on multiple floors shattered in a spray of glass shards. Fire started to spread even as the rain swept down like curtains of daggers. Shrieks of pain, cries of fear, confusion, and panic rang in the air, arising from the people near the site of such an unexpectedly magnificent and deadly event.

The spectacle lasted less than ten seconds as bolt after bolt seared the area, but its implication and enormity was unbelievable. Swiftly, the area was rendered in chaos and disorientation. The masses braced themselves for the heavens to divulge more of their incendiary blasts even as a discordant wave of pleas and cries and shouts and ramblings coming from the bewildered populace. To make things worse, the immediate and surrounding areas where the phenomenon had occurred was now immersed in a sea of deep, inky blackness, a massive power outage enveloping them.

“Did I manage to get it?” the flaxen-haired woman said, flickers of lightning still running through the length of her staff.

Perhaps, perhaps not. It does not matter.

“Am I not supposed to kill them?” she protested.

What joy is there in doing that? Kill them, and they will just replace the dead with someone else. Such has always been the law, and will always be.

“But …” she said.

You have done excellently, my child. There will be chance enough to eliminate these loathsome creatures later at a more opportune time, and the time has yet to come. The law, too, will end eventually, but we will wait patiently until then.

She was silent, her disappointment still apparent. After a while, she brightened up and nodded, saying, “Yes, Master.”

Good, good. Did you enjoy it, my child?

“Of course!” she said, smiling.

Come now, my child. We have things to do, and they are far more entertaining than this.

“Really?” she said enthusiastically. “All right! Where are we going?”

Here, my child, where my sight is. The place where the relics of our world are kept. The place where our legacy is sealed.

Effortlessly, she rose an inch over the platform, gliding upon the drafts of the wind in the still-obstinate storm, and, with a graceful turn, flew in the direction of her next destination, her black cloak trailing like a murder of crows.

Spoiler for Scene IV:

[Sector 2, Western Wastelands] [February 14th, MC 081] [1803 hours]

A dread silence hung in the air, and the dry, lifeless breeze that blew enhanced the disconcerting ambience.

“Vivio … Shario … Chrono … everyone … gone …?” Nanoha choked, her hand cupping her mouth, barely able to contain her emotions.

Nobody said anything, for they, too, were caught by the terrible shock unexpectedly. The thought of everyone in Escutcheon literally wiped out was too much, too surreal. They wanted to believe that it was not the case, that it was just a small accident, that everyone escaped unscathed.

But, no one was there to confirm their wish, only the static black-and-white crackle on the screen buzzing incessantly.

“Damn it …” Nanoha swore. A bright diamond of tear fell from her eyes.

“Nanoha …” Fate said slowly. She understood full well what was happening within Nanoha, for it was also happening in all of them. Sadness, fury, hurt, everything happened so fast that none of them was prepared for it. And Nanoha loved everyone, especially Vivio, who was not even her biological child.

“Nanoha …” Hayate said, going forward slowly in an attempt to comfort her friend. For a moment, they thought that Nanoha would be overwhelmed by her despair and break down.

Much to their surprise, Nanoha wiped away the tear with one hand, and said, “Let’s go, everyone.”

“Nanoha?” Fate asked, perplexed at her sudden change. “Are you all right?”

Nanoha nodded. “I’m fine,” she said with a level voice, a hint of steel in her tone. “I believe that they’re still alive. My heart tells me that Vivio, Yuuno, Chrono, Shario are alive … that everyone is alive and safe. And they’re waiting for us to return.” Her eyes were afire with a strong, unyielding determination, her optimism bright despite the setback. Brandishing Raising Heart, she continued, “We’re going to finish what we’ve come here to do, and then go back to meet them.”

Hayate nodded. “Yes, I believe Nanoha-chan is correct,” she said, holding a hand to her bosom. “If anything has happened to them, I’d know as well. I haven’t felt a void in my heart indicating Shamal’s passing, so they must be all right.” She smiled. “And waiting for us to return.”

There was no saying otherwise. Spurred by their resolve, especially Nanoha’s, everyone nodded, and readied themselves. Leona took a cursory glance at the Ace. It’s amazing how she can be so strong, so unwavering in the face of such odds … Perhaps that’s one reason why they call her the Ace of the Ace …

“Now that we can’t receive help from Crusader, we must rely on our own,” Nanoha told them. “I’ll destroy the barrier with Starlight Breaker, and—”

“Nanoha-san?”

Nanoha turned around to regard the speaker. It was Leona. “Yes, Leona-chan?”

“I have a suggestion to this,” the azure-haired captain said. “It might even catch the enemy unawares.”

“Let’s hear it, then,” Nanoha said, nodding.

Leona turned to Hayate. “Hayate-san, do you have a targeted area-of-effect spell? Not Diabolic Emission or Hræsvelgr, but a spell that you can control the area you want to attack?”

Hayate mulled for a moment. “I have a few, let’s see. Tiara, do we have such a spell?”

There was a short pause before the Tome of the Night Sky’s artificial intelligence, Tiara, answered: <Ja, mein Meister.>

Leona nodded. “Good. Then, here’s the plan …”

* * * * *

Within the barrier, Sharazad and Trystahn waited for Grandia and Vestrell to retrieve the Jewel.

“Have the enemy left?” Sharazad asked.

“I don’t think so, but they’re not taking any action either,” Trystahn replied. “I wonder what happened.”

“That shouldn’t be our concern. I have a bad feeling, however … that something will be happening soon.”

“Superstition? That’s very unlike you, Sharazad,” Trystahn said.

“It’s not superstition. It’s more a … woman’s instinct …”

* * * * *

[Everyone in position?] Hayate asked telepathically. There was a consensual response from the others who had gone to their location as arranged by the plan. The Mistress of the Night Sky had remained where they had been, with Leona and Kratos. The vice-captain had retreated farther to allow room for their preparation.

“Ready, Kratos?” Leona asked, who had assumed her first form, Verdandi. Twin rings sparkled on her fingers.

“Whenever you are,” Kratos replied.

Hayate looked at the exchange thoughtfully. The plan was sound enough, by her words, but how is she going to manage this? We have no help from the base, so how are we to determine the enemy’s location in the barrier?

“Then, let us begin,” Leona commanded.

Kratos looked at his device. “Archangel, WCA mode.”

<Yes, sir. Wide Computer Array mode engaged.> the device responded. The ring on his hand began to glow brightly, and a number of empty screens began to flicker and surround him. A number of tiny motes flickered into being as well, one for each screen. <Warning: This is a full support mode. Combat ability will be limited. Caution is advised for use in high-risk areas.>

Kratos simply nodded. “Understood. Establish remote surveillance and communications with all members.”

<Affirmative. Remote surveillance and communications being established, please stand by.> The motes shot out from him like miniature stars, before twinkling out from his sight. Shortly after that, the screens, which were previously empty, began to fill with images one by one. They showed the location of each member. <Operation successful. Awaiting command.>

“Captains Takamachi and Testarossa, Vice-Captains, and First Lieutenants, can you hear me?” Kratos asked.

“Yes, loud and clear,” Nanoha and Fate said at the same time, nodding in the screen. The rest also did the same thing.

“All right,” Leona said. A small computer interface popped up in front of her. The captain raised her hand and said, “Wyrd, establish hyper-thread and AI synchronization with Archangel.”

<Ja, Herrin.> Leona’s device answered. The ring then released a number of silvryn strings, which immediately attach themselves to the terminal. A bluish glow could be seen along the strings as power was being transmitted.

“Kratos, begin ether-source tracking immediately,” Leona said.

“Yes, captain!” Kratos replied. His fingers began to key inputs on a virtual keyboard. “Ether-source tracking initiated. Estimated accomplishment in forty-five seconds.”

“Make it thirty,” Leona commanded.

“Affirmative, Milady!” Kratos replied.

“Leona-chan, you can do ether-source tracking as well?” Hayate asked incredulously.

“Yes,” Leona said, nodding. “But, it’s much slower if compared to using the mainframe or supercomputer in the Crusader. Right now, we have only less than one-fifteenth of that capacity to perform this function.”

“How did you ever come up with this?” she asked again.

Leona gave her a faint smile. “It’s vital for us Intel officers to be able go about on mission without help from the headquarters at times,” she explained. “Transmission over extended range and interfering disruption can make tasks difficult, moreso if there must be processed information to proceed. It also exposes us to tracking.” She then glanced backward at her vice-captain who was analyzing the data with rapt attention, and her expression was solemn. “Mostly, though, it’s Kratos’s sacrifice that makes this possible.”

Hayate turned slightly to look at the silver-haired officer. “What do you mean?”

“Perhaps you don’t know this, but Kratos had always wanted to serve as an officer in the Navy or Enforcer unit. It was his childhood dream, one that he nurtured as he grew up as an orphan,” Leona said. “Very unfortunately, fate does not allow him such opportunity.”

“Why?” Hayate asked.

“Kratos does not possess strong magical powers, Hayate-san. Neither does he have a rare skill,” Leona continued. “Among us four, Xeno has stronger magic, as does Gabriel, who is his junior. While magic does not necessarily translate to position, those with strong ones have an added advantage of climbing up the ladder. And the Navy or Enforcer has a slightly higher requirement than others.”

“That’s true,” Hayate acknowledged.

“In any case, he didn’t give up. He trained hard, day and night, and studied whatever he can so that if there is ever the tiniest chance that he could join, he would gladly take up the opportunity,” Leona said. “But, it was difficult. While he scored well in other subjects, combat became his nemesis. He excels in support and defensive magic and is only mediocre in ranged. His close combat is, to say mildly, unhelpful. All these diminish his chances greatly.”

“But, surely, he has a chance?” Hayate said.

Leona nodded. “There is, but it involves a great deal of work, suffering, and rejection. Before he officially joined me in Intelligence, he had taken a number of such tests, yet he had always failed, and always in the same area. While the invigilators praised him for diligence and perseverance, it did little to assuage his unhappiness. It was only with some difficulty that I managed to persuade him to have a try in Intelligence.”

“It’s successful, no?” Hayate concluded.

“To a certain extent, yes. However, it also entailed him to accept the reality that he was not fit to become a Special Investigations Officer or an Enforcer, that he was inadequate and had to let go of his childhood dream,” Leona said. “Even in Intelligence, his skills are sidelined by the fact that he could not help much. In espionage and field investigations, his ranged attacks are almost always hampered by closed spaces and sealed interiors.”

Leona then turned and looked at interface where silvyrn strings were aglow with electric-blue energy. “That’s when he decided to become a full support, handling analysis, information network, and communications. It is not a very enviable task, nor does it give ample opportunity for promotion. Yet, he had volunteered to do so, realizing that his skills would be more beneficial that way. He came up with this idea of a system to be used in emergency, but relying on his device’s AI alone would do little because of the limited capacity. I helped him tweak the system to be compatible with two AIs, combining mine with his in a hyper-thread to increase the processing speed. It works, as you can see now, even though it’s still slower than receiving direct help from base. There is also the problem of Kratos being vulnerable to attacks, but we always believe that he can take care of himself.”

“I see,” Hayate said. She glanced at Kratos, then shifted to look at Leona. She felt a sense of awe and admiration for their close relationship and the trust they place on each other. They share so much in history, in life, and that has made them strong …

“Captain Tyriel, analysis complete!” Kratos announced. “Generating matrix and transmitting data.”

“Ready, Hayate-san?” Leona said quietly, her expression grim. “We’ll end this quickly.”

Hayate nodded, and turned her sight towards the illusion-coated barrier. “Tiara, prepare the spell. We’ll begin as soon as Captain Tyriel is set.”

<Ja, Meister.> the Tome replied. It began flipping through its pages.

“There they are!” Kratos exclaimed. In one screen, it showed a layout of the barrier, and a matrix, similar to those used in geographical mapping, showed two blinking dots from which the matrix lines projected out. “Accuracy of matrix at 87.3%. Deviation minimal at 0.41%!”

“Let’s do this, Leona-chan!” Hayate said as a huge white Belkan triangle formed beneath her feet.