Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Character Creation and Discussion

[Tormenk]

Originally Posted by PhoenixFlare

Something along the line of Hayate being surrounded by Scions and Heralds, and they send her some nice pretty beams for present ... with Sharazad launching an elemental nuke from afar ...

Physically wicked.

Uh, this time, she did not really get hurt, more of like a bleeding heart. And I don't mean being sympathetic of the enemy's cause.

Hayate is like the only one who isn't shown getting injured so far. And by bleeding heart, she got her heart torn out when she believed the Wolkies to be gone and the subsequent berserk. Similar events?

I'm having a particular urge to make all the battles redirect into wastelands or deserts ...

Sounds like a ingredient for all-out battle.

The dual-, tri-, and quad-elemental attacks are most likely chained together by the single elemental attack. For example, if Sharazad redirects a rapid stream with her spell, it's going to spill over and uproot trees and bring together some other big debris like boulders and stuff. Those "extras" make up the secondary elements (sort of) within the water attack. In any case, yeah, the landscape would most likely change ... a lot.

The change of location fits with the attack described here.

The Templars will most likely be given a secondary source of Elements, something similar to cartridges, except that these crystals (Astral Quartz) store huge quantities of solar power, thermal heat, and some other volatile Elements. Energy can be accessed directly by drawing Elements from these crystals instead of draining it from the environment.

Cartridges for Templars. And just curious, any drawbacks though?

We still have a widely exposed area, which happens to be the face. Mana disruption there and something's bound to go ... pop.

[Tormenk]Hand of Fate.[/Tormenk].

From the idea I get of the Templars ability, the vital elements would be drawn out instead of mana correct? And yes the head is a sensitive area to target.
And that attack was pulled off by Fate on Jail to similar effect.

And something to add to Katrina's arsenal..

Sharazad lures her to a hive of Scions and Heralds, who attack her with all their might. Then, Hayate goes ballistic, and makes use of her fullest power.

Icoming SS power bombardment. Time to give Hayate a piece of the badass.

The said thing above, plus some bleeding heart plot, and someone got injured, and then ... the scenario goes as planned.

Fits nicely. And though any 6 of them will do, I'm thinking it's Rein or Tesla, since Vita's away for now.

Oi, what is this dual-answer?!

Still, not like it's not usable.

Duality FTW.

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

Must... Kill... USB...

...
...
...

No, wait... What was I thinking...


MUST... KILL... HIKKI...!!!

Jeno gets all the great girls in the end.

KILL JENO!

Originally Posted by tshouryuu

IIRC Odex sells to Mediacorp. Cowboy Bebop is under their name. It was airing last night. Faye and Singapore were being shown in that episode. Connect the dots...

That's a lot of dots but I get the idea. You get Central or are you local though?

Originally Posted by USB500

Damn, this thread is dying. This isn't a good week for everyone.

Inevitable periods of slowness are to be expected though this slow on weekdays are kinda worrying.

And if I dare say it..

The end was already decided when the start began.

Oh, an 3vil teaser is fine, too.

Spoiler:

"Hikki!!!!"

He wavered, toppled and then halted. The katana had pierced through his chest, and was plunged as far as the blade's length as the humanoid Lost Logia held him suspended in midair.

"This power belongs to me now."

Halcyon twisted the katana. The heart ruptured, and Hikki screamed an agonizing cry that later died in his throat. She pulled the katana, left the Gale Whistler to drop onto the field and absorbed the Chronograph circuit into her Core Linker.

"It's been 350 years..."

She turned to the appalled Aces, both swords now began to be engulfed in dark gales. There was no sense of remorse coming from her eyes as she left the unmoving body to approach the quartet.

She halted. "I shall present to you the true power of Chronograph."

She lifted the katana.

"Kami Reppuken."

Spoiler for reposting image:

BTW, I won't be around this weekend. Need to get a good rest after this stressful week. . I see if I can come up with new stuffs next week. D:

Evil.

Originally Posted by Keroko

Actually, following the flow of the battle without thinking and only reacting means your're fighting with your instincts, and since instincts rely on your emotions...

Sorry, its just that the descritption you just gave is pretty much the same as Keroko's fighting style, and Keroko fights with her emotions on a constant basis. Hell, its pretty much the source of her strength.

Emotions are particularly fine double-edged swords.

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by Wild Goose

Ahh, you're thinking counter-terrorist Enforcers hunting down guys still using conventional weapons, eh? They'd see quite a bit of action on the planets Erusia and Sotoa then, what with the resistance movements against the TSAB on both planets...

Something like that yes.

Except the scenario I'm setting is when TSAB were still fighting to mantain order, and Mid-Childan was still very vulnerable.

Originally Posted by Wild Goose

Guess your concept is closer to SWAT, while the OFM is a mix of Gar, hot blood, Johnson, tunderekko, black ops, Section Nine, and ODST. <.<

You can put it that way I guess a TAC team.

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Jeno gets all the great girls in the end.

KILL JENO!

It's only expected....

[Nightengale]

Originally Posted by Aaron008R

Jealous Hayate is a tsun-tsun Hayate? <~ (my plans for the arc I'm planning)

Frankly, I don't see Hayate the type going tsun-tsun much. @_@

Originally Posted by Aaron008R

What do you have in mind?

Hmm... *Rosen = pending name*

Hayate: It's been a while, how have you been doing?
Rosen: Fine, but my heart was hurt badly a few days ago.
Grandis/Hayate: Eh?
Rosen: I heard that the both of you are going steady now...

*scene in between pending*

Rosen: Fraulien Hayate, I congralutate you today, but please call me right away when you have a fight with Grandis.
Hayate: I'll think about it. *giggles*
Rosen: A present for you. If you present this to any interworld port, they'll give you a ticket to any of the Rosen family villa's which are all over the Management Worlds, and several Non-Management ones as well.... I'll be leaving then.... Oh, I don't mind if you use it for your future honeymoon trip with Grandis.
Grandis: Who in their right mind would go to his villa on their honeymoon trip?

Originally Posted by Aaron008R

THANKS!

As expected of Aaron. :3

Don't ask.

Originally Posted by Aaron008R

Is this a character from Cyber Formula?

It's one of the few shows I was rewatching recently along with Iryu - TMD. Brings back memories.

Originally Posted by Kyral

A guy who looks like a racer and is named Schumacher?

Why do i have to think about the world famous german racing driver Michael Schumacher now?

Originally Posted by Keroko

NRivals trying to outdo eachother in completely opposite ways?

More like coincidence, on how the Wolkies and Zertsros have a kindred perfect harmony overall. Saga and his counterpart be it Ein or Hayate are like kindred souls in a sense, as powerful as they are, there exist a void in them that because they have friends, that's why they can be strong. Signum/Isdera are similar in their convictions, but because of that, they have a sense of disconnection despite being the most similar between the 2, (( other then when they're fighting )), Astra and Shamal are basically 'the bickering party' since even though they're doctors, their principals differ heavily, but understands each other's intentions, reasons and thoughts well when it matters to save life and to help comrades, and Wira is well... 180 of Vita's personality, but in terms of 'non-existence' is exactly the same as Zafira, so both sides balance.

But it makes for gooooo~d coincidence.

Originally Posted by Keroko

Though yeah, they were holding back according to the manga.

Makes one wonder how much of Belka could be cheapened into the LAWL MAGIC DAMAGE LAWL thing.

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

Speaking about that, has it been mentioned anywhere that the TSAB DON'T use cartridges before the time of A's ? Not even a little?

Well, it's probably EXTREMELY RARE. But at the same time, the FACT that Saint Church/Belka Region had already existed by A's and most likely quite long before as well leaves questions wondering...

How much of a minority was Knights back in A's? Was Knights even established back then? When did Neo-Belka started to get widespread usage until it became from Ultimate Rare to Rare?

Originally Posted by Melodius Trueheart

Therein lies a big problem with Nanoha as a whole - compared to the other personnel in their universe, the Aces and Knights are damn-nigh gods, and that leaves you with three choices:

1: A really short story.
2: Really hax antagonists.
3: PIS, stupid limiting plot devices, etc.

I suppose you can also make it so that Nanoha and co are not THAT much more powerful than everyone else

Well, for starters, I'd like to see at least SOME of the other 'elites'. Other SS rankers? How powerful (( or weak now )) are the Legendary Admirals (( or at least how they compare to Nanoha.co. in their prime )), elite task force from Air Force and Navy, Church Knights... all that.

As it is, StrikerS hasn't even topped the quota of A's, especially if you consider that even in A's, the concentration of the forces that matter weren't even ALL that strong anyway.

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

To be exact, long before your time here, I was planning to tell the tale of the previous generation of mages, Clyde, Lindy, Leti, Graham... The old timers. I was going with the assumption that during their time, the Administration Bureau were still in the process of cleaning the multiverse, so there'll be conflicts left and right.

One of the main concern I figured, was the removal of conventional weapons. Just like how the Riot Forces on are sent to seal Lost Logias, I was imagining a special task force that would be responsible back then to mop up hostile groups who traffic and use these weapons.

I've decided to categorize them under counter-Terrorism.

Actually... ending the chaotic times, conflicts, etc were done 150 years ago. And the 3 Legendary Admirals are probably a heavy post-3 Brains influence in ensuring that magic civilization continues to keep the peace-in-tact. If anything, the conflict would've been quite toned down by Clyde and Lindy's time, and was more an era of stabilization if anything.

Not saying that there'd be no conflicts, but huge-scale multiverse conflicts are probably already rare by then, and are more like conventional terrorist of modern times.

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

Something like that yes.

Except the scenario I'm setting is when TSAB were still fighting to mantain order, and Mid-Childan was still very vulnerable.

If it was early 150 years ago, naturally. If it was 75 years ago, still good. But Clyde/Lindy's time? I HIGHLY doubt Mid-childa was still in gung-ho times even after more than a century of 'conflict ended by the 3 Brains.'

[FlameSparkZ]

Originally Posted by Keroko

Actually, following the flow of the battle without thinking and only reacting means your're fighting with your instincts, and since instincts rely on your emotions...

Sorry, its just that the descritption you just gave is pretty much the same as Keroko's fighting style, and Keroko fights with her emotions on a constant basis. Hell, its pretty much the source of her strength.

Well, the instincts part is right.
But one thing is "feeling the battle", the other is having/using emotions while fighting, such as hate, confidence, passion, etc...

Since he was fighting someone who could read his emotions, he could see through his attacks.
And because both have the same skills and ability, they were at a stalemate.

So...if you opponent knows you better than yourself and can read your emotional state as an extra, then you better do something to nullify that advantage

*goes back to work*

[Liingo]

Originally Posted by FieryAeon

Actually, that's her giant hat!!! Believe it or not. The colour is a bit misleading though, since its almost the same shade as her hair colour. Its kinda like those olden days court jesters' hat, except a LOT bigger and without the bells.

I had the exact same raection, thinking that the hat was part of her hair the first time I saw a picture of her

Image time for me:
After some hunting around I found an image that would fit Jean, which would match her description without looking like Saber. So I'll be using this unless someone has already laid claims. Another is Sylvia, which Erio should recognize. Don't recall it being used either, but just in case let me know.

Spoiler for Jean:

Spoiler for Sylvia:

Quite difficult to find images of Velvet from Odin Sphere, the character I'm basing Sylvia on. To describe her skirt is like Nanoha's BJ a mini skirt inside and a front open skirt outside. Kinda looks like a gypsy huh?

NICE

Orz... I need to get my act together and go image hunting......... But so much writing to do

Btw the thread seems to have slowed down a bit nowadays. Nice change of pace.

All it means is that people are off writing stuff Expect a surge in the number of posts fairly soon, where there's a few cheesed posts on every page

Originally Posted by USB500

I don't know, but I stumbled across this interesting picture while browsing through Sister Iichan's site.

Spoiler for pre-Widuri Halcyon:

However, this template isn't finalized. So how Halcyon would look in her pre-Lyrical of Time incarnation will change if necessary.

though I kind of like this "killer lady version" of Widuri <_<

And I think I'm going to use this as Widuri's "alter ego" persona if the thread agrees. >_>

*runs from Hikki*

Wow, very nice

Originally Posted by USB500

Where's everyone?

TEARS OF THE NORTHERN WIND
CHAPTER 5

I get this feeling that some of us want to kill Hikki already after reading this chapter.

*runs*

Before Reading
Didn't we already from his future antics
As well as the fact that he has Mai has a waifu

After reading.
The urge to kill him hasn't risen any

Originally Posted by Erio

Yo! Just dropping a message for now. I was busy in the last couple of days studying for an exam. I'm done with that, though.

And I havent forgotten about the few reads I'm owing some of you. I will surely try to take care of them tomorrow.

Hope it went well

Originally Posted by Tk3997

That was why I liked Fate's new jacket better, I like my combat troops to look like well... troops not street walkers.

I don't get why they imagined stuff so skimpy to begin with... If someone said “you need to think up some armor” my outfit probably ends up looking like this.

Spoiler for Size:

Mjolnir armor = awesome it would instantly spring to mind guaranteed.

Originally Posted by tshouryuu

I can only offer this as an explanation on why their BJ are like that.

Spoiler for NSFW:

XD

Originally Posted by Erio

APPROVED.

lol

Indeed

Originally Posted by Tk3997

Would depend on the situation but if it’s just going to arrest some guy for weapons violation or a few low level gun runners they’re would be little reason for counter terrorist teams to be involved, if the target is known to be able to use the weapons and keep them near him a SWAT team would likely serve the warrant though. If it was slightly higher level gun runner like a wholesaler it probably crosses state (planet) lines and so federal agents are likely to be involved or lead the operation, again it would be a mostly investigative task though and handled by that department, though again a tactical team (likely an enforcer contingent) is probably used for the actual take down.

Of course it’s also a question of what kind of CT group are you talking about both FBI Special Agents and Delta Force Commandos are counter terrorist specialists, but in totally different ways. Even accountants can be CT operatives so just saying “CT” dosen’t really make it easy to answer the question what kind of CT are you thinking of investigations, counter intelligence, tactical/rescue teams?

Still I'll hazard to guess your thinking classic "Elite black clad stormtroopers that bash in doors and shot people" like the SAS or something in which case you'd need to get into a truly huge criminal empire heavily involved in supporting major terrorist groups to justify using them. Although it has happened Russian uses Special Forces to combat the mafia and Delta force was apparently heavily involved in training and assisting in what amounted to the state sanctioned murder of Pablo Escobar and the destruction of his cartel, although in both cases these are and where criminal's that were bordering on domestic terrorists, though that line can get blurry indeed at times. These kinds of teams are also sometimes used to counter large scale domestic or international terror groups, but in this case they tend to provide muscle while another section will ID targets for them.

Still if it seems like something a SWAT team analog ought to be able to handle then they'd have little reason to get involved. Again this is all highly situation dependent though and it's hard to say exactly what should happen without a bit of detail, and in any event CT operations are in general a multi-disipline and agency affair that would possibly to invole a number of groups depending on the specfics of the case.

Important things for me to keep in mind once I get around to writing Ismau's backstory.

Originally Posted by USB500

Oh, an 3vil teaser is fine, too.

Spoiler:

"Hikki!!!!"

He wavered, toppled and then halted. The katana had pierced through his chest, and was plunged as far as the blade's length as the humanoid Lost Logia held him suspended in midair.

"This power belongs to me now."

Halcyon twisted the katana. The heart ruptured, and Hikki screamed an agonizing cry that later died in his throat. She pulled the katana, left the Gale Whistler to drop onto the field and absorbed the Chronograph circuit into her Core Linker.

"It's been 350 years..."

She turned to the appalled Aces, both swords now began to be engulfed in dark gales. There was no sense of remorse coming from her eyes as she left the unmoving body to approach the quartet.

She halted. "I shall present to you the true power of Chronograph."

She lifted the katana.

"Kami Reppuken."

Spoiler for reposting image:

BTW, I won't be around this weekend. Need to get a good rest after this stressful week. . I see if I can come up with new stuffs next week. D:

Damm, it's the return of his evil teasers
*shakes fist*


Have a good weekend!

Originally Posted by Wild Goose

...I really wanted to put John-117 in, but then again, giving him magic would make him too h4x. I mean, he's pretty haxxed in the books, IMO. (Though not so in the games.) On the other hand, Rule of Cool applies.

It would be awesome to see him here, but won't be happeninig unless you tone him down ALOT. Even without magic, he'd probably give nanoha a run for her money...

Originally Posted by PhoenixFlare

I'm having a particular urge to make all the battles redirect into wastelands or deserts ...

At least they won't have to worry too much about the surrounding... Although how they get there is going to be a concern..

The dual-, tri-, and quad-elemental attacks are most likely chained together by the single elemental attack. For example, if Sharazad redirects a rapid stream with her spell, it's going to spill over and uproot trees and bring together some other big debris like boulders and stuff. Those "extras" make up the secondary elements (sort of) within the water attack. In any case, yeah, the landscape would most likely change ... a lot.

Ahh, so that's what you were talking about. I though you meant something entirely different.
*stamps seal of approval*

The case with Subaru was actually accidental, with Vestrell going mad on not getting the genuine Topaz Star. Still, I know it's a weak defense, so I'm not going to try to debate on it.

Perhaps... although I'd be more inclined to want to lock her away knowing that she has a short fuse, combined with lethal magic...

The Templars will most likely be given a secondary source of Elements, something similar to cartridges, except that these crystals (Astral Quartz) store huge quantities of solar power, thermal heat, and some other volatile Elements. Energy can be accessed directly by drawing Elements from these crystals instead of draining it from the environment.

Ahh, well that's fine then, as long as there's a limitation to how many they can carry as other wise it just turns into a battle of attrition that the Templars are likely to win.

Ah, I see, but if I remember correctly, it's written as EZ, not EP. Maybe I misread it.

Hmm, it should be EP... maybe I missed it somewhere.

EZ would work as well, Extraction Zone[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

Heh...mada mada desu yo

Well as long as it happens

[Kha]

This is bad... Only 10 minute left on the clock for the day. no internet at home so at a lanshop. How's things going?

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by Kha

This is bad... Only 10 minute left on the clock for the day. no internet at home so at a lanshop. How's things going?

Slow.... Too slow...

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Well, it's probably EXTREMELY RARE. But at the same time, the FACT that Saint Church/Belka Region had already existed by A's and most likely quite long before as well leaves questions wondering...

How much of a minority was Knights back in A's? Was Knights even established back then? When did Neo-Belka started to get widespread usage until it became from Ultimate Rare to Rare?

Well I can say that they're definitely not common knowledge...

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Well, for starters, I'd like to see at least SOME of the other 'elites'. Other SS rankers? How powerful (( or weak now )) are the Legendary Admirals (( or at least how they compare to Nanoha.co. in their prime )), elite task force from Air Force and Navy, Church Knights... all that.

As it is, StrikerS hasn't even topped the quota of A's, especially if you consider that even in A's, the concentration of the forces that matter weren't even ALL that strong anyway.

As for me, I'm a much simpler man.

I remember back in wiki before StrikerS, it was mentioned that all Armed Bureau members were at least A ranked. Then all of a sudden B rank was some unpassable wall

They downplay the little people too much

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Actually... ending the chaotic times, conflicts, etc were done 150 years ago. And the 3 Legendary Admirals are probably a heavy post-3 Brains influence in ensuring that magic civilization continues to keep the peace-in-tact. If anything, the conflict would've been quite toned down by Clyde and Lindy's time, and was more an era of stabilization if anything.

Not saying that there'd be no conflicts, but huge-scale multiverse conflicts are probably already rare by then, and are more like conventional terrorist of modern times.

If it was early 150 years ago, naturally. If it was 75 years ago, still good. But Clyde/Lindy's time? I HIGHLY doubt Mid-childa was still in gung-ho times even after more than a century of 'conflict ended by the 3 Brains.'

My bad if I over-Exaggerate in my description, but the scenario is just as you've described. There isn't any all-out war, but I do believe the TSAB still have to deal with terrorism, and are task with peace-keeping in several 'yellow zone' worlds.

[Aaron008R]

Originally Posted by USB500

Damn, this thread is dying. This isn't a good week for everyone.

The OC thread, dying? BLASPHEMY!!!

Anyway, I'll just post the links to Tears of the Northern Wind, in case people missed my OC profile post at the first page.

Chapters 1 & 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4, reposted
Chapter 5

*goes to continue Tears of the Northern Wind & Super Robot Wars LW*

I'll read later since I'll be busy with our finals week. Is that ok?

Updates? Not sure, but it will just be another slow chapter(s) before the final action begins.

Oh, an 3vil teaser is fine, too.

Spoiler:

"Hikki!!!!"

He wavered, toppled and then halted. The katana had pierced through his chest, and was plunged as far as the blade's length as the humanoid Lost Logia held him suspended in midair.

"This power belongs to me now."

Halcyon twisted the katana. The heart ruptured, and Hikki screamed an agonizing cry that later died in his throat. She pulled the katana, left the Gale Whistler to drop onto the field and absorbed the Chronograph circuit into her Core Linker.

"It's been 350 years..."

She turned to the appalled Aces, both swords now began to be engulfed in dark gales. There was no sense of remorse coming from her eyes as she left the unmoving body to approach the quartet.

She halted. "I shall present to you the true power of Chronograph."

She lifted the katana.

"Kami Reppuken."

Spoiler for reposting image:

BTW, I won't be around this weekend. Need to get a good rest after this stressful week. . I see if I can come up with new stuffs next week. D:

OMG! @_@
Stark contrast indeed!

Originally Posted by LoweGear

I don't think I'm that good yet

It's alright. Thanks for your efforts!

Originally Posted by Keroko

Barrier Jackets again? Good thing internet is fixed then.

First of, do Barrier Jackets give protection even to unclothed areas? Yes. Take a look at this manga page:

Spoiler for IS: Silver Retriever:

Barrier Jackets create both a field and a barrier, now why would you limit the area of protection to what is clothed if you can make it cover the entire body? Seems like the most logical choice is to make it cover the entire body. Does this stop people from grabbing you? Of course not. It does, however, protect one from incomming attacks. Not completely (its an automated defence, after all, it not nearly as powerfull as one made with actual effort) but it does suit to soften blows, and logically eliminate the damage of lower-tier attacks.

Why should they need to bounce of eachother? this isn't the SG:A personal shield, you know. If you want support, the cast gets thrown through buildings without suffering as much as a scratch. Even though they're wearing skimpy clothing, they come out of it just fine and carry on as if nothing happened. Why? Because the Barrier Jackets shielded them from the blow.

Then why is it so hard to believe that a society which is farther in us not only in technollogy, but also utilizes magic can make outfits that protect the entire body, rather then only what is clothed.

The Silver Retriever strikes again!

I guess that pretty much supports my view fully.

Originally Posted by PhoenixFlare

Something along the line of Hayate being surrounded by Scions and Heralds, and they send her some nice pretty beams for present ... with Sharazad launching an elemental nuke from afar ...

Uh, this time, she did not really get hurt, more of like a bleeding heart. And I don't mean being sympathetic of the enemy's cause.

Sharazad lures her to a hive of Scions and Heralds, who attack her with all their might. Then, Hayate goes ballistic, and makes use of her fullest power.

The said thing above, plus some bleeding heart plot, and someone got injured, and then ... the scenario goes as planned.

Sounds pretty drastic...

I have some rough ideas/guesses. But I'll reserve those for now.

The shuddering attack known as Diabolic Emission.

The dual-, tri-, and quad-elemental attacks are most likely chained together by the single elemental attack. For example, if Sharazad redirects a rapid stream with her spell, it's going to spill over and uproot trees and bring together some other big debris like boulders and stuff. Those "extras" make up the secondary elements (sort of) within the water attack. In any case, yeah, the landscape would most likely change ... a lot.

I see. That's fine with me.

The Templars will most likely be given a secondary source of Elements, something similar to cartridges, except that these crystals (Astral Quartz) store huge quantities of solar power, thermal heat, and some other volatile Elements. Energy can be accessed directly by drawing Elements from these crystals instead of draining it from the environment.

Approved.

I've mentioned a little bit of it in a reply to Liingo, and the creatures (Minions, Executioners, Cardinals, Heralds, and Scions) have all been buffed up to some next evolutionary stage. There is still the hidden antagonists to take care of.

Other small upgrades include buffed up protective spells so that they can withstand wide-area attacks to a certain limited extent. Nothing bordering on being safe in the face of a full-powered Diabolic Emission, but the damage is reduced by a significant fraction so that they don't just diffuse out of existence in the black sphere.

So a sustained beating is required? That's fine.

Vestrell could probably do it, but Grandia and Trystahn are more reserved towards handling a woman's ... legs.

As if you have time to think where your holding your opponent when it's a life or death situation...

But then, that tends to happen lots of times. And they realize it when it's already too late.

In Nanohaverse, it would be difficult for someone with wide-area attacks like Hayate to use her spells without causing damage to her surroundings. If the Templars indeed choose to hide within the populace, she would do no better unless she uses a bind spell (which I, again, don't remember she having one).

She has a freezing bind, the bind she used on Quattro's wrists in episode 26 (don't ask me how. It shouldn't even work in the first place, but it did), and any bind loli Nanoha/Fate should know.

We still have a widely exposed area, which happens to be the face. Mana disruption there and something's bound to go ... pop.

[Tormenk]Hand of Fate.[/Tormenk].

Don't you dare.

Sharazad won't go for the kill, even if she could do so. As I've said, Templars don't do that unless it's necessary.

So it's perfectly fullproof once you're in their grasp (literally)?!

And another one.

The one I proposed?
If so, please put it near the end for maximum climactic nuke-action!

Oi, what is this dual-answer?!

Still, not like it's not usable.

Yep.

It is most certainly undiplomatic to chuck the opinions of others out simply because "they don't contain debatable ideas". Resorting to that either means that you couldn't find a suitable counter, or you just simply refuse to accept. And it's a dirty low-blow, to say the least.

Nice going there, Aaron!

Thanks.
I've been wanting to have a word with Haru for a LONG time.

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

Err...even if there's an area that isn't directly protected by the barrier jacket...I still think it's enveloped by the barrier and field.

If not...then they would get targeted with headshots...a lot

That's my idea too.

How about adding socks to Hayate's barrier jacket?

Great minds think alike?

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Hayate is like the only one who isn't shown getting injured so far. And by bleeding heart, she got her heart torn out when she believed the Wolkies to be gone and the subsequent berserk. Similar events?

Quite likely...

Sounds like a ingredient for all-out battle.

Incoming SS power bombardment. Time to give Hayate a piece of the badass.

Damn straight!

Fits nicely. And though any 6 of them will do, I'm thinking it's Rein or Tesla, since Vita's away for now.

I have another candidate. And he's an OC.

Duality FTW.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Frankly, I don't see Hayate the type going tsun-tsun much. @_@

Not outright tsun-tsun! Just the huffy-puffy cute type of mild tsun.

Hmm... *Rosen = pending name*

Hayate: It's been a while, how have you been doing?
Rosen: Fine, but my heart was hurt badly a few days ago.
Grandis/Hayate: Eh?
Rosen: I heard that the both of you are going steady now...

*scene in between pending*

Rosen: Fraulien Hayate, I congralutate you today, but please call me right away when you have a fight with Grandis.
Hayate: I'll think about it. *giggles*
Rosen: A present for you. If you present this to any interworld port, they'll give you a ticket to any of the Rosen family villa's which are all over the Management Worlds, and several Non-Management ones as well.... I'll be leaving then.... Oh, I don't mind if you use it for your future honeymoon trip with Grandis.
Grandis: Who in their right mind would go to his villa on their honeymoon trip?

I'm liking this already.

As expected of Aaron. :3

Don't ask.

More like coincidence, on how the Wolkies and Zertsros have a kindred perfect harmony overall. Saga and his counterpart be it Ein or Hayate are like kindred souls in a sense, as powerful as they are, there exist a void in them that because they have friends, that's why they can be strong. Signum/Isdera are similar in their convictions, but because of that, they have a sense of disconnection despite being the most similar between the 2, (( other then when they're fighting )), Astra and Shamal are basically 'the bickering party' since even though they're doctors, their principals differ heavily, but understands each other's intentions, reasons and thoughts well when it matters to save life and to help comrades, and Wira is well... 180 of Vita's personality, but in terms of 'non-existence' is exactly the same as Zafira, so both sides balance.

But it makes for gooooo~d coincidence.

Perfect. BTW, I'm thinking of a non-RevivalS setting where Aurion would still get to know Saga and the others without telling Hayate. Any ideas?

Originally Posted by Keroko

Actually, following the flow of the battle without thinking and only reacting means your're fighting with your instincts, and since instincts rely on your emotions...

Sorry, its just that the descritption you just gave is pretty much the same as Keroko's fighting style, and Keroko fights with her emotions on a constant basis. Hell, its pretty much the source of her strength.

I have a concept for this I'm still planning

This is bad... Only 10 minute left on the clock for the day. no internet at home so at a lanshop. How's things going?

DANCHOU!!!

You were sure gone for quite a while! Things are fine here. I already posted another AurionXHayateAurion & Hayate scenario for GuardianS and also Grandis' profile.

GuardianS: From the Edge: Chapter 1

Grandis Lacetti

[Kha]

Mind if I ask for links to the latest material? I've only got 1 hr a day to use on a shop to keep up so digging through 30 pages of cheese while doing Skettis Dailies is somewhat impossible. Unlimited Bluecheesium Works takes too much time...

I'll be back someday... in full... Blast. :3

[Keroko]

Originally Posted by Kha

This is bad... Only 10 minute left on the clock for the day. no internet at home so at a lanshop. How's things going?

Rather quiet, actually. Though concidering the state of my internet this week, I can't say I minded.

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Emotions are particularly fine double-edged swords.

Indeed, but fighting without them is impossible.

I never liked the 'kill your emotions' cliche. Its a personal thing, but fighting without emotions is not a fight. You're nothing more then a doll if you fight without them. No purpose, no goal, and of course no tension. Not to mention that I concider it impossible to erase or subdue all emotion.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

More like coincidence, on how the Wolkies and Zertsros have a kindred perfect harmony overall. Saga and his counterpart be it Ein or Hayate are like kindred souls in a sense, as powerful as they are, there exist a void in them that because they have friends, that's why they can be strong. Signum/Isdera are similar in their convictions, but because of that, they have a sense of disconnection despite being the most similar between the 2, (( other then when they're fighting )), Astra and Shamal are basically 'the bickering party' since even though they're doctors, their principals differ heavily, but understands each other's intentions, reasons and thoughts well when it matters to save life and to help comrades, and Wira is well... 180 of Vita's personality, but in terms of 'non-existence' is exactly the same as Zafira, so both sides balance.

But it makes for gooooo~d coincidence.

Yes, gooooo~d coincidence indeed.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Makes one wonder how much of Belka could be cheapened into the LAWL MAGIC DAMAGE LAWL thing.

Concidering they use hammers made out of solid objects, only their beam attacks, if any.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

Well, it's probably EXTREMELY RARE. But at the same time, the FACT that Saint Church/Belka Region had already existed by A's and most likely quite long before as well leaves questions wondering...

How much of a minority was Knights back in A's? Was Knights even established back then? When did Neo-Belka started to get widespread usage until it became from Ultimate Rare to Rare?

Concidering Belkan mages have joined the TSAB (if Carim and Acous are an indication) then it should have been familiar practice.

My personal theory -and this is virtually unsuported- is as follow:

The TSAB knew of Belkan magic, and had Belkan practicioners in their midst. However, due to the risk of physical harm with using Belkan style, the greater part of the TSAB recruits went for Mid style, causing the Belkan style to fall into decline. The Neo-Belkan style was developped eventually to be a balance, but due to the reputation of the Belkan style, and the mainstay of the Mid style, many still opted for Mid, with only a few practicioners of Neo Belkan. Only when the Aces made a name for themselves and became poster girls, did more people go for Neo Belkan.

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

Well, the instincts part is right, one thing is "feeling the battle", the other is having/using emotions while fighting, such as hate, confidence, passion, etc...

Since he was fighting someone who could read his emotions, he could see through his attacks.
And because both have the same skills and ability, they were at a stalemate.

So...if you opponent knows you better than yourself and can read your emotional state as an extra, then you better do something to nullify that advantage

*goes back to work*

Feeling the battle? As in sensing what you oponent will do? Where he will be? Yeah, that's what Keroko does too. It's actually one of the main differences between Tesla and Keroko. Tesla analyses her oponents moves and calculates their next ones, while Keroko instinctively knows where they are going to be. Same result, different ways of getting it.

Of course, instincts can be fooled, as Lotte demonstrated by using a feint and taking advantage of Keroko's reflexive dodge.

But like I said, its a personal thing. I just don't like 'no emotion' states.

[Wild Goose]

Another piece of fiction relation to the Order; getting this outta the way before I go on to the StrikerS mock battle..

Spoiler for Snatch and Grab:

Entropy Through Order: Case Files of the Order of Freelance Mages
Order: "Snatch and Grab"
- - - - - -
Non-Administered world 101
Midnight, local time
2 months before Coastal Airport Fire
February 27th, MC 0071

They fell from the sky.

Ten black shapes falling from 45 thousand feet, shooting head-first to the ground, dropping at terminal velocity, each maintaining proper separation from his fellows; above them the thrusters of a DS-77 "Pelican" Dropship flare as it climbs back into orbit, its cargo disgorged. All were clad in mottled black and gray military fatigues, black body armor, boots, and elbow and knee pads. Strapped to each man were his weapons; for most of them, a pistol and a supressed submachinegun. The blue-tinted visors on their black helmets reflected the night back at itself, hiding the faces of the wearers.

They didn't look like any normal unit of Time-Space Administration Bureau Mages or Enforcers. That was the whole point. They weren't.

This was a black operation, conducted by a black unit, its existence hidden both from the outside world and the TSAB whole. They were the ghosts in the night, the dagger in the dark. The Order of Freelance Mages, ostensibly established as a special unit of elite Enforcers... but really the wetwork specialists and hunters of the TSAB.

Tonight's mission would see a little of both.

* * * * *
Six Weeks Earlier

"Target's name is Vincenza Blueno, former rank Lieutenant Colonel, Intelligence Division," said Glen Schattenmann coldly, his eyes hard, as the image of a human female with long blonde hair and good looks was projected on the wall behind him. "Target is responsible for two blown missions and suspected of at least three more blown missions. Target is wanted for the following crimes: slave-trading, suspicion of murder, desertion, selling TSAB secrets, corruption, abuse of power, rape, and conduct unbecoming an officer."

There was a chorus of harsh chuckles at the last charge. In all nine years of its operation, the Order of Freelance Mages had never been ordered to sanction a TSAB officer who wasn't guilty of the last charge. Other mages like Takamachi Nanoha or Hayate Yagami might look to see the good in people and try to redeem them; not so the Order. Order mages had a very simple worldview towards corrupt TSAB officials: kill them all.

"Our objective is not a sanction," continued Glen, "but a snatch and grab." At this, there were raised eyebrows. More often than not, General Jack O'Neill - the TSAB Air Force officer who was head of the Special Operations department, the Order's final command authority - sent them out on assasination missions, using the Order as a surgeon's scalpel to remove the cancer of corrupt officials. A snatch and grab was much harder than an assasination... and thus so much rarer.

"Our job is not to ask why but to do," continued the Order XO and Air Force commander. "The target has set up operations as an information broker and services supplier to underworld factions on the main continent of Non-Administered World 101, known to the locals as 'Noches.' As this world is roughly equal to Earth on the technological scale, and involves a rogue Intelligence officer, the decision has been made to deploy the Order instead of standard Enforcer teams. We'll be cleaning the Bureau's screwups again, covertly. Target's magical rank is A-, and she is believed to have contract mage bodyguards, approximately two to four persons. Her compound is secured by a guard force of ten to fifteen norms armed with conventional weapons."

"ROE?" asked Ivanovich.

"Guards expendable, secure the target alive. She's no good to us dead."

* * * * *

Present

"Alpha Squad, form up."

"Bravo Squad, form up."

The ten members of the Assault Platoon split into two five-man formations, each man spread out but in visual range of his squad. As they fall closer to their targets they begin to spreadeagle their bodies in the air, increasing wind resistance and slowing themselves down, in preparation for the next command from Ivanovich:

"Glide in."

Ten magic circles (and triangles, where appropriate) form, and most of the men form shot glowing energy wings on their backs. Glider Wing isn't a flight spell, but what it does is it allows the user to glide towards the target and land softly and safely, a combination of parachute and controlled falling with style. The main advantage over traditional HALO is that you don't have to pack a parachute. Of course, if there's AMF down there, they're screwed, so they're carrying reserve chutes, just in case.

The target compound is on a hill and darkly-lit; evidently the target doesn't believe in floodlights and lots of light to deter intruders, which makes it easier for the team to sneak in. She's also limited her magical defenses to just her mercenaries, in an effort to hide herself from the TSAB's hunters... ironically what the Order does itself. The Assault Platoon lands softly on the grassy lawn and they ditch the parachutes, bringing up their supressed weapons, the night-vision devices in their helmets tinting the world in an erie green tint.

"Alright, you know what to do. Alpha Squad, secure the perimeter and servant quaters. Bravo with me, we're going inside."

Observation of the target's compound over the last two weeks has indicated the following: at any one time, there are six normal guards on duty. The house is a smallish two-storey villa, which means that it'll be challenging, but not impossible, to sneak through it silently. The servant quaters, 250 meters away, are where the domestic staff and the rest of the guards are bunked.

Bravo Squad heads in, and Ivanovich motions to Franz, who nods and takes the lead. From the rookie greenhorn, he's become Ivanovich's right hand man, and he was the one who'd planned the internal assault into Blueno's lair. They quickly move in to the back door, preparing to go in, as Bravo 22 disables the mechanical lock and Bravo 24 kills the power. The already dark villa becomes even darker with no light, and Franz wryly says, "Fighting in the dark with NVGs... this is cheating by TSAB standards, isn't it?"

"Only if you get caught," says Ivanovich gruffly, though Bravo Squad can read the amusement in his voice. "Hold for Alpha."

"Alpha 10 here," goes Alpha Squad's leader. "Sentries neutralised, servant quaters neutralised. Be advised, it looks like there may be guards inside the house."

"Copy. Bravo rolling in. Alpha, call in our top cover."

"Copy. Strike deep and fast."

Franz opens the door slowly and steps into the villa, his supressed SMG at the ready. Moving slowly and carefully, Bravo Squad begins clearing each room, one by one; once the ground floor is confirmed secured, they move up. The tension rises as they slowly climb the stairs, and halt on the landing as Franz makes a series of hand signals: Two SMG, one shotgun.

The team fans out, picking their targets, moving swiftly. The guards aren't on alert but are sleeping, expecting the outside force to act as a tripwire and warn them. Their weapons are safed and held loosely in their grips, and all are splayed loosely in chairs instead of standing guard.

Amateurs, thinks Franz contemptuously, and signals Bravo 22 and 23. The three of them take aim and fire supressed 3-round bursts into their targets; the 5mm caseless rounds proving instantly fatal, killing the targets where they sleep. Regardless of caliber, headshots are inherently fatal.

They quickly secure the upper floor, clearing rooms, till only one room is left: the office and ajoining master bedroom of Vincenza Blueno. The way it's been set up, the only way to her bedroom is through the office, and from the building plans the Intel Section was able to hack, it was designed for acsethetics and as a natural chokepoint.

"Hold up. Soap, use the thermals and check the office."

At Franz's order, Bravo 24 brings out a piece of special equipment: a portable termal sensor. It's a little-known fact that mages have a higher body temperature compared to non-magical persons, which would allow Bravo Squad to pinpoint any mages inside...

"No good, Jack. The wall's been insulated; it's not gettin' anythin' offa the sensor."

"Alright. We'll have to go loud. Soap, put the thermal sensor away and get ready to toss a flashbang in with me. Weapons at the ready, Squad. Let's do this."

Unseen behind his helmet's visor, Ivanovich nods in approval, and brings his supressed SMG up and at the ready. Franz slowly opens the door, and he and Soap toss a flashbang each, before he closes the door, blocking the flash and muffling the sound: a second later he kicks the door open and the squad fans out into the room.

The flashbang is a grenade designed to incapacitate its victims. Similar to Vita's Esiengehaul, it delivers a bright flash of light and a loud bang - hence the name. Unlike Eisengehaul, it lasts momentarily, as it's used not as an escape and evasion distraction, but as the prelude to an entry assault. It's among the few technological weapons that are truly effective against mages; for all their skill, power and ability, mages are still human.

Franz can see the enemy now, the four mercenaries hired by Blueno. Two are on the floor, hunched over in pain, grasping their heads; a pair of three-round bursts from himself and Soap put them out of their misery. The other two are unsteady on their feet and unfocused; Ivanovich and his team make short work of them. By the time the mercenaries have been dispatched and the squad regroups outside Blueno's master bedroom door, less than five seconds have passed.

There's no time for Soap to deploy his sensor; Franz tries the door and finds it's locked, and makes a hand signal: shotgun. Bravo 23 nods and steps forward, unslinging the shotgun strapped to his back, and unloads two slugs into the door; the lock breaks and Franz kicks the door in, tossing a flashbang, before rolling in a moment later, covering the entryway as Bravo fans in.

The Assault Platoon mages bring their weapons up, finding Blueno groggily rising from her bed, ignoring the lingerie that is her nightwear; Bravo 23 toggles his underbarrel flashlight and shines it into her face, blinding her; Blueno responds by pulling a small pistol from under a pillow and firing blindly, and Franz has the bad luck to be in her line of fire. The 7mm rounds strike him in the middle of his body armor and he staggers back and falls down on his back; while the others duck, Blueno rises and runs to a corner of the large bedroom; obviously heading for a bolt hole. Ivanovich sights his SMG and fires one round; the round strikes her in the left leg, grazing it in a painful but non-lethal injury, and she falls to the ground. She reaches towards a gem on a chair around her neck, intending to summon her device, but as her hand touches it she's painfully tackled by the Sergeant Major and Bravo 22, the former snatching away her inert Device and knocking her out with a blow to the back of her neck, while the latter handcuffs her, deliberately locking the cuffs too tight.

"This is Bravo 20," says Ivanovich into the Order channel, as Bravo 22 roughly hauls Blueno to her feet and Soap slaps on a field dressing to the wound. "Target is secure, I have a man down."

"Copy, Bravo 20. This is Sword 1," replies Glen. "Alpha Squad has secured servant quaters and neutralised guards. Lance Flight and Sword Flight have rescued civillian captives."

"Civillian captives?"

"The target's sex slaves," said Glen coldly. "Hidden dungeon under the villa."

"Goddamnit."

"You were focused on getting upstairs; it's understandable. That's why we have Alpha Squad and the Air Force here. Dropship ETA in ten minutes. Secure any intelligence you can find, and get the target out of there. Remember: she's no good to us dead."

"Copy," said Ivanovich coldly. "Alright, squad, good job. Soap, you're holdin' the target. Bravo 22, check Jack-"

"I'm alright, I'm alright," gasps Franz, wincing painfully. "My head...sorry 'bout that."

"Learn to duck, Jackass," says Soap, not quite sucessful in keeping his snickers quiet; and Franz can almost see the relieved grins on the faces of his squadmates. "You okay?"

"Yeah," replies Franz, accepting Soap's hand and getting to his feet; from a thigh sheath he draws his combat knife and digs out the two bullets that were caught by his body armor. "Didn't penetrate the outer layer, but I was surprised." Looking down at the small hole in his Barrier Jacket, he shook his head in awe. "Damn. We have the best Barrier Jackets ever in the whole TSAB. Impact and magical protection..."

"If you've got time to talk, head to her office and strip her computer," ordered Ivanovich. "22, head to the extraction point and watch the prisoner. 24, help 21 with the office. 23, you're with me: let's comb this room. Move, Freelancers!"

* * * * *

Ten minutes later
Inside Pelican Dropship Echo-419

The D77 Pelican dropship in its basic configuration could hold 12 people comfortably in seats, with the rest having to stand or sit on the floor. Echo-419 mounted a troop bay extension, allowing a maximum of thirty people to be carried in the bay, more than enough for the 20 Order mages, their prisoner and the rescued underaged girls who were now strapped to their seats. Ivanovich and an Alpha Squad mage were the last to board, and Glen looked at the Sergeant Major quizically. "Sergeant Major. What took you so long?"

"Oh, this," grinned Ivanovich evilly, who nodded to Alpha 14. "Blow it, Nagant."

Sergeant Aleksndr "Psycho" Nagant smiled a radiant smile that was almost overwhelming in childlike delight and joy. It was a smile that would have warmed any unsuspecting person's heart, the kind of smile that produced warm feelings in people, a smile that would not have been out of place on the face of a religious figure. The glow of his smile seemed to light up the Pelican bay, and his normally serious face was radiant with love, joy, peace, and happiness.

And then he pressed the detonator held in his right hand.

Glen had barely opened his mouth to say "What?" before Blueno's villa went up in an explosion, while Ivanovich clapped Psycho on the back as the latter made his way to his seat, graciously accepting the enthusiastic applause of the Assault Platoon. The Sergeant Major stood in the open hatch as the Pelican rose and began climbing, finally toggling the hatch closed and turning to look at Glen.

"Something the matter, Captain?"

"Covert ops, faggot! COVERT OPS!" snarled Glen, and Ivanovich countered with an blankly innocent expression on his face.

"But sir, this is covert. We're using distraction and the explosion to cover the fact that the guards were gunned down professionally and to hide the fact that we've recovered intelligence from the villa. Plus, this fulfills the operating methods of a local mafia hit; they go for massive explosions. It'll draw attention away from us." With that bit of wisdom imparted, Ivanovich headed for his seat and strapped himself in, while Glen could only stare at him, aghast.

"Why the hell do you people always blow up things? Doesn't stealth mean anything to you?!"

"Do you really want the answer to that, XO?" asked Franz.

"No."

* * * * *
Four Days later
OFM Base, Mid-Childa
1740 local time.

"I see," said Erick thoughtfully. "So that's how it went. Wish I coulda been there..." he sighed. "Iffn I had Franz to help me with the paperwork... I'm beginnin’ to see why you've been tryin’ to hang on to him, Sergeant Major."

"Yessir."

"Glen, I know you prefer stealth ops, but the Sergeant Major does have a point. An explosive distraction can work just as well. On the other hand, Sergeant Major, the XO has a point. Sometimes, it is better to sneak in, knife them in their sleep, and sneak out quietly. D'ya get what I mean?"

"Yessir."

"Now, I want both a' yas to shake hands like men, and accept each others points of view, and next time, discuss things through with each other. I will not have my XO and Sergeant Major fuedin' over tactics, or I'll kick yer asses, y'hear me?"

"Yessir," agreed both men. It could be worse, they reflected. And they were man enough to admit that this sort of thing shouldn't really be happening.

"Good. Now, movin' on. General O'Neill sends a "Job well done" message to our boys and girls, and he'll be comin’ to observe the interrogation of the prisoner. XO, have you decided who's the interrogation team?"

"Franz and Mikhail, Sir," said Glen. "Mikhail will be playing the bad cop, while Franz will be the good cop. Mikhail will be the lead."

"That makes sense," agreed Erick. "Mikhail bein' Intel and Franz bein' a former Gardai NCO. Alright. Movin' on. Two years ago I asked both of you to observe and monitor Franz, and see if he was ready to go to Command School. Sergeant Major, at the time you raised an objection, saying you needed more time with him. I gave you an extra two years. In your opinion, is he ready now?"

"He's a rough diamond," said Ivanovich, "but that's better than the lump of coal he was, the last two years. This raid was his final exam, in a way. I had him plan and lead the assault into the villa, and he's satisfied me. I agree that he's ready for OCS; he's now a rough diamond, needing the polishing that OCS will give him."

"Thank you. XO?"

"He has...matured. Slightly. Give him a rifle and he'll be cooly competant; give him his Device and he'll be sprouting away on the powers of the true spirit of men and hot blood. But other than that... I believe he is indeed ready for OCS. He definately fulilled the primary criteria; he passed his A-rank promotion exam the week before we deployed to capture Blueno. I just wish I had more time to beat the whole "True Spirit of Men" out of his thick skull."

"Now, now, we all have our quirks," grinned Erick. "So it's official. Staff Sergeant Franz Jaeger's last official act as an NCO of the Order of Freelance Mages will be as one of Vincenza Blueno's interrogators, and then we finish that in time for him to be on the next flight to Command School. Any bets on how many tries he'll need?"

"Three," said Glen.

"Two," countered Ivanovich.

Erick merely chuckled and stood, shutting down his computer. "Alright. Since we've taken care of all that, round up everybody and we'll redeploy in search of liquid nourishment and R&R. First round's on me t'night. Get outta my office and I don't want to see you two t'night unless you're in civvies."

"Yessir," nodded both men, who rose and left.

* * * * *

The post-mission celebratory mood that night was eclipsed two weeks later, when it was confirmed that Franz would be going to OCS; his going-away party was the biggest party he'd ever experienced, with lots of food and plenty of drink. He took the joshing and joking and toasts pretty well, and even laughed alongside everyone when the pool was started as to how many tries he'd take to pass OCS.

Then again, by the time they started the betting pool, he was pretty drunk.

* * * * *

Three days after his going-away party, Staff Sergeant Franz Jaeger, 31 years old, ranked A+, reported to TSAB Officer Candidate School, and began his instruction period, the oldest candidate in his semester.

* * * * *

Four months later, 2nd Lieutenant Franz Jaeger graduated from OCS on his first try. When he returned to the OFM, Ivanovich and Glen were so pissed at him, he spent the next three months doing the paperwork of both the Assault Platoon and Air Force.

[LoweGear]

Originally Posted by Kha

Mind if I ask for links to the latest material? I've only got 1 hr a day to use on a shop to keep up so digging through 30 pages of cheese while doing Skettis Dailies is somewhat impossible. Unlimited Bluecheesium Works takes too much time...

I'll be back someday... in full... Blast. :3

Guess who popped his head around here?

Anyways, thread's not as fast as it used to be, only manage 10 pages a week :P

Waiting to see how your comeback goes

Spoiler for Meanwhile, New material:

• Enforcer Exam I: Result
• Enforcer Exam II: Ponder
• Enforcer Exam III: Fall
• Enforcer Exam IV: Recorder
• Enforcer Exam V: Shelter

[FlameSparkZ]

Originally Posted by Keroko

Feeling the battle? As in sensing what you oponent will do? Where he will be? Yeah, that's what Keroko does too. It's actually one of the main differences between Tesla and Keroko. Tesla analyses her oponents moves and calculates their next ones, while Keroko instinctively knows where they are going to be. Same result, different ways of getting it.

Of course, instincts can be fooled, as Lotte demonstrated by using a feint and taking advantage of Keroko's reflexive dodge.

But like I said, its a personal thing. I just don't like 'no emotion' states.

Well...Koji won't be using it again...even in the last battle, he didn't manage to keep it up for long, letting out a burst of emotions when he unleashed Fuujin Issen, powering up the attack

Besides, it's too tiring

EDIT: Well...how about that...it seems like this last part is going to be really big

In fact, I might as well just make it into a new chapter
*runs*

[Liingo]

Originally Posted by Kha

This is bad... Only 10 minute left on the clock for the day. no internet at home so at a lanshop. How's things going?

Originally Posted by Kha

Mind if I ask for links to the latest material? I've only got 1 hr a day to use on a shop to keep up so digging through 30 pages of cheese while doing Skettis Dailies is somewhat impossible. Unlimited Bluecheesium Works takes too much time...

I'll be back someday... in full... Blast. :3

About time you showed your face in here

A Visit to RF6 Part 7 Strikers v Aces

Part 8 is currently being written, in addition to the crack fic that was inspired by conversations with TK, about having a gf that's a mage. Tais is going to be the lucky star

Originally Posted by Keroko

My personal theory -and this is virtually unsuported- is as follow:

The TSAB knew of Belkan magic, and had Belkan practicioners in their midst. However, due to the risk of physical harm with using Belkan style, the greater part of the TSAB recruits went for Mid style, causing the Belkan style to fall into decline. The Neo-Belkan style was developped eventually to be a balance, but due to the reputation of the Belkan style, and the mainstay of the Mid style, many still opted for Mid, with only a few practicioners of Neo Belkan. Only when the Aces made a name for themselves and became poster girls, did more people go for Neo Belkan.

I quite like this theory. Nice.

Originally Posted by Wild Goose

Another piece of fiction relation to the Order; getting this outta the way before I go on to the StrikerS mock battle..

Spoiler for Snatch and Grab:

Entropy Through Order: Case Files of the Order of Freelance Mages
Order: "Snatch and Grab"
- - - - - -
Non-Administered world 101
Midnight, local time
2 months before Coastal Airport Fire
February 27th, MC 0071

They fell from the sky.

Ten black shapes falling from 45 thousand feet, shooting head-first to the ground, dropping at terminal velocity, each maintaining proper separation from his fellows; above them the thrusters of a DS-77 "Pelican" Dropship flare as it climbs back into orbit, its cargo disgorged. All were clad in mottled black and gray military fatigues, black body armor, boots, and elbow and knee pads. Strapped to each man were his weapons; for most of them, a pistol and a supressed submachinegun. The blue-tinted visors on their black helmets reflected the night back at itself, hiding the faces of the wearers.

They didn't look like any normal unit of Time-Space Administration Bureau Mages or Enforcers. That was the whole point. They weren't.

This was a black operation, conducted by a black unit, its existence hidden both from the outside world and the TSAB whole. They were the ghosts in the night, the dagger in the dark. The Order of Freelance Mages, ostensibly established as a special unit of elite Enforcers... but really the wetwork specialists and hunters of the TSAB.

Tonight's mission would see a little of both.

* * * * *
Six Weeks Earlier

"Target's name is Vincenza Blueno, former rank Lieutenant Colonel, Intelligence Division," said Glen Schattenmann coldly, his eyes hard, as the image of a human female with long blonde hair and good looks was projected on the wall behind him. "Target is responsible for two blown missions and suspected of at least three more blown missions. Target is wanted for the following crimes: slave-trading, suspicion of murder, desertion, selling TSAB secrets, corruption, abuse of power, rape, and conduct unbecoming an officer."

There was a chorus of harsh chuckles at the last charge. In all nine years of its operation, the Order of Freelance Mages had never been ordered to sanction a TSAB officer who wasn't guilty of the last charge. Other mages like Takamachi Nanoha or Hayate Yagami might look to see the good in people and try to redeem them; not so the Order. Order mages had a very simple worldview towards corrupt TSAB officials: kill them all.

"Our objective is not a sanction," continued Glen, "but a snatch and grab." At this, there were raised eyebrows. More often than not, General Jack O'Neill - the TSAB Air Force officer who was head of the Special Operations department, the Order's final command authority - sent them out on assasination missions, using the Order as a surgeon's scalpel to remove the cancer of corrupt officials. A snatch and grab was much harder than an assasination... and thus so much rarer.

"Our job is not to ask why but to do," continued the Order XO and Air Force commander. "The target has set up operations as an information broker and services supplier to underworld factions on the main continent of Non-Administered World 101, known to the locals as 'Noches.' As this world is roughly equal to Earth on the technological scale, and involves a rogue Intelligence officer, the decision has been made to deploy the Order instead of standard Enforcer teams. We'll be cleaning the Bureau's screwups again, covertly. Target's magical rank is A-, and she is believed to have contract mage bodyguards, approximately two to four persons. Her compound is secured by a guard force of ten to fifteen norms armed with conventional weapons."

"ROE?" asked Ivanovich.

"Guards expendable, secure the target alive. She's no good to us dead."

* * * * *

Present

"Alpha Squad, form up."

"Bravo Squad, form up."

The ten members of the Assault Platoon split into two five-man formations, each man spread out but in visual range of his squad. As they fall closer to their targets they begin to spreadeagle their bodies in the air, increasing wind resistance and slowing themselves down, in preparation for the next command from Ivanovich:

"Glide in."

Ten magic circles (and triangles, where appropriate) form, and most of the men form shot glowing energy wings on their backs. Glider Wing isn't a flight spell, but what it does is it allows the user to glide towards the target and land softly and safely, a combination of parachute and controlled falling with style. The main advantage over traditional HALO is that you don't have to pack a parachute. Of course, if there's AMF down there, they're screwed, so they're carrying reserve chutes, just in case.

The target compound is on a hill and darkly-lit; evidently the target doesn't believe in floodlights and lots of light to deter intruders, which makes it easier for the team to sneak in. She's also limited her magical defenses to just her mercenaries, in an effort to hide herself from the TSAB's hunters... ironically what the Order does itself. The Assault Platoon lands softly on the grassy lawn and they ditch the parachutes, bringing up their supressed weapons, the night-vision devices in their helmets tinting the world in an erie green tint.

"Alright, you know what to do. Alpha Squad, secure the perimeter and servant quaters. Bravo with me, we're going inside."

Observation of the target's compound over the last two weeks has indicated the following: at any one time, there are six normal guards on duty. The house is a smallish two-storey villa, which means that it'll be challenging, but not impossible, to sneak through it silently. The servant quaters, 250 meters away, are where the domestic staff and the rest of the guards are bunked.

Bravo Squad heads in, and Ivanovich motions to Franz, who nods and takes the lead. From the rookie greenhorn, he's become Ivanovich's right hand man, and he was the one who'd planned the internal assault into Blueno's lair. They quickly move in to the back door, preparing to go in, as Bravo 22 disables the mechanical lock and Bravo 24 kills the power. The already dark villa becomes even darker with no light, and Franz wryly says, "Fighting in the dark with NVGs... this is cheating by TSAB standards, isn't it?"

"Only if you get caught," says Ivanovich gruffly, though Bravo Squad can read the amusement in his voice. "Hold for Alpha."

"Alpha 10 here," goes Alpha Squad's leader. "Sentries neutralised, servant quaters neutralised. Be advised, it looks like there may be guards inside the house."

"Copy. Bravo rolling in. Alpha, call in our top cover."

"Copy. Strike deep and fast."

Franz opens the door slowly and steps into the villa, his supressed SMG at the ready. Moving slowly and carefully, Bravo Squad begins clearing each room, one by one; once the ground floor is confirmed secured, they move up. The tension rises as they slowly climb the stairs, and halt on the landing as Franz makes a series of hand signals: Two SMG, one shotgun.

The team fans out, picking their targets, moving swiftly. The guards aren't on alert but are sleeping, expecting the outside force to act as a tripwire and warn them. Their weapons are safed and held loosely in their grips, and all are splayed loosely in chairs instead of standing guard.

Amateurs, thinks Franz contemptuously, and signals Bravo 22 and 23. The three of them take aim and fire supressed 3-round bursts into their targets; the 5mm caseless rounds proving instantly fatal, killing the targets where they sleep. Regardless of caliber, headshots are inherently fatal.

They quickly secure the upper floor, clearing rooms, till only one room is left: the office and ajoining master bedroom of Vincenza Blueno. The way it's been set up, the only way to her bedroom is through the office, and from the building plans the Intel Section was able to hack, it was designed for acsethetics and as a natural chokepoint.

"Hold up. Soap, use the thermals and check the office."

At Franz's order, Bravo 24 brings out a piece of special equipment: a portable termal sensor. It's a little-known fact that mages have a higher body temperature compared to non-magical persons, which would allow Bravo Squad to pinpoint any mages inside...

"No good, Jack. The wall's been insulated; it's not gettin' anythin' offa the sensor."

"Alright. We'll have to go loud. Soap, put the thermal sensor away and get ready to toss a flashbang in with me. Weapons at the ready, Squad. Let's do this."

Unseen behind his helmet's visor, Ivanovich nods in approval, and brings his supressed SMG up and at the ready. Franz slowly opens the door, and he and Soap toss a flashbang each, before he closes the door, blocking the flash and muffling the sound: a second later he kicks the door open and the squad fans out into the room.

The flashbang is a grenade designed to incapacitate its victims. Similar to Vita's Esiengehaul, it delivers a bright flash of light and a loud bang - hence the name. Unlike Eisengehaul, it lasts momentarily, as it's used not as an escape and evasion distraction, but as the prelude to an entry assault. It's among the few technological weapons that are truly effective against mages; for all their skill, power and ability, mages are still human.

Franz can see the enemy now, the four mercenaries hired by Blueno. Two are on the floor, hunched over in pain, grasping their heads; a pair of three-round bursts from himself and Soap put them out of their misery. The other two are unsteady on their feet and unfocused; Ivanovich and his team make short work of them. By the time the mercenaries have been dispatched and the squad regroups outside Blueno's master bedroom door, less than five seconds have passed.

There's no time for Soap to deploy his sensor; Franz tries the door and finds it's locked, and makes a hand signal: shotgun. Bravo 23 nods and steps forward, unslinging the shotgun strapped to his back, and unloads two slugs into the door; the lock breaks and Franz kicks the door in, tossing a flashbang, before rolling in a moment later, covering the entryway as Bravo fans in.

The Assault Platoon mages bring their weapons up, finding Blueno groggily rising from her bed, ignoring the lingerie that is her nightwear; Bravo 23 toggles his underbarrel flashlight and shines it into her face, blinding her; Blueno responds by pulling a small pistol from under a pillow and firing blindly, and Franz has the bad luck to be in her line of fire. The 7mm rounds strike him in the middle of his body armor and he staggers back and falls down on his back; while the others duck, Blueno rises and runs to a corner of the large bedroom; obviously heading for a bolt hole. Ivanovich sights his SMG and fires one round; the round strikes her in the left leg, grazing it in a painful but non-lethal injury, and she falls to the ground. She reaches towards a gem on a chair around her neck, intending to summon her device, but as her hand touches it she's painfully tackled by the Sergeant Major and Bravo 22, the former snatching away her inert Device and knocking her out with a blow to the back of her neck, while the latter handcuffs her, deliberately locking the cuffs too tight.

"This is Bravo 20," says Ivanovich into the Order channel, as Bravo 22 roughly hauls Blueno to her feet and Soap slaps on a field dressing to the wound. "Target is secure, I have a man down."

"Copy, Bravo 20. This is Sword 1," replies Glen. "Alpha Squad has secured servant quaters and neutralised guards. Lance Flight and Sword Flight have rescued civillian captives."

"Civillian captives?"

"The target's sex slaves," said Glen coldly. "Hidden dungeon under the villa."

"Goddamnit."

"You were focused on getting upstairs; it's understandable. That's why we have Alpha Squad and the Air Force here. Dropship ETA in ten minutes. Secure any intelligence you can find, and get the target out of there. Remember: she's no good to us dead."

"Copy," said Ivanovich coldly. "Alright, squad, good job. Soap, you're holdin' the target. Bravo 22, check Jack-"

"I'm alright, I'm alright," gasps Franz, wincing painfully. "My head...sorry 'bout that."

"Learn to duck, Jackass," says Soap, not quite sucessful in keeping his snickers quiet; and Franz can almost see the relieved grins on the faces of his squadmates. "You okay?"

"Yeah," replies Franz, accepting Soap's hand and getting to his feet; from a thigh sheath he draws his combat knife and digs out the two bullets that were caught by his body armor. "Didn't penetrate the outer layer, but I was surprised." Looking down at the small hole in his Barrier Jacket, he shook his head in awe. "Damn. We have the best Barrier Jackets ever in the whole TSAB. Impact and magical protection..."

"If you've got time to talk, head to her office and strip her computer," ordered Ivanovich. "22, head to the extraction point and watch the prisoner. 24, help 21 with the office. 23, you're with me: let's comb this room. Move, Freelancers!"

* * * * *

Ten minutes later
Inside Pelican Dropship Echo-419

The D77 Pelican dropship in its basic configuration could hold 12 people comfortably in seats, with the rest having to stand or sit on the floor. Echo-419 mounted a troop bay extension, allowing a maximum of thirty people to be carried in the bay, more than enough for the 20 Order mages, their prisoner and the rescued underaged girls who were now strapped to their seats. Ivanovich and an Alpha Squad mage were the last to board, and Glen looked at the Sergeant Major quizically. "Sergeant Major. What took you so long?"

"Oh, this," grinned Ivanovich evilly, who nodded to Alpha 14. "Blow it, Nagant."

Sergeant Aleksndr "Psycho" Nagant smiled a radiant smile that was almost overwhelming in childlike delight and joy. It was a smile that would have warmed any unsuspecting person's heart, the kind of smile that produced warm feelings in people, a smile that would not have been out of place on the face of a religious figure. The glow of his smile seemed to light up the Pelican bay, and his normally serious face was radiant with love, joy, peace, and happiness.

And then he pressed the detonator held in his right hand.

Glen had barely opened his mouth to say "What?" before Blueno's villa went up in an explosion, while Ivanovich clapped Psycho on the back as the latter made his way to his seat, graciously accepting the enthusiastic applause of the Assault Platoon. The Sergeant Major stood in the open hatch as the Pelican rose and began climbing, finally toggling the hatch closed and turning to look at Glen.

"Something the matter, Captain?"

"Covert ops, faggot! COVERT OPS!" snarled Glen, and Ivanovich countered with an blankly innocent expression on his face.

"But sir, this is covert. We're using distraction and the explosion to cover the fact that the guards were gunned down professionally and to hide the fact that we've recovered intelligence from the villa. Plus, this fulfills the operating methods of a local mafia hit; they go for massive explosions. It'll draw attention away from us." With that bit of wisdom imparted, Ivanovich headed for his seat and strapped himself in, while Glen could only stare at him, aghast.

"Why the hell do you people always blow up things? Doesn't stealth mean anything to you?!"

"Do you really want the answer to that, XO?" asked Franz.

"No."

* * * * *
Four Days later
OFM Base, Mid-Childa
1740 local time.

"I see," said Erick thoughtfully. "So that's how it went. Wish I coulda been there..." he sighed. "Iffn I had Franz to help me with the paperwork... I'm beginning to see why you've been trying to hang on to him, Sergeant Major."

"Yessir."

"Glen, I know you prefer stealth ops, but the Sergeant Major does have a point. An explosive distraction can work just as well. On the other hand, Sergeant Major, the XO has a point. Sometimes, it is better to sneak in, knife them in their sleep, and sneak out quietly. D'ya get what I mean?"

"Yessir."

"Now, I want both a' yas to shake hands like men, and accept each others points of view, and next time, discuss things through with each other. I will not have my XO and Sergeant Major fuedin' over tactics, or I'll kick yer asses, y'hear me?"

"Yessir," agreed both men. It could be worse, they reflected. And they were man enough to admit that this sort of thing shouldn't really be happening.

"Good. Now, movin' on. General O'Neill sends a "Job well done" message to our boys and girls, and he'll be coming to observe the interrogation of the prisoner. XO, have you decided who's the interrogation team?"

"Franz and Mikhail, Sir," said Glen. "Mikhail will be playing the bad cop, while Franz will be the good cop. Mikhail will be the lead."

"That makes sense," agreed Erick. "Alright. Movin' on. Two year I asked both of you to observe and monitor Franz, and see if he was ready to go to Command School. Sergeant Major, at the time you raised an objection, saying you needed more time with him. I gave you an extra year. In your opinion, is he ready?"

"He's a rough diamond," said Ivanovich, "but that's better than the lump of coal he was last year. This raid was his final exam, in a way. I had him plan and lead the assault into the villa, and he's satisfied me. I agree that he's ready for OCS; he's now a rough diamond, needing the polishing that OCS will give him."

"Thank you. XO?"

"He has...matured. Slightly. Give him a rifle and he'll be cooly competant; give him his Device and he'll be sprouting away on the powers of the true spirit of men and hot blood. But other than that... I believe he is indeed ready for OCS. He definately fulilled the primary criteria; he passed his A-rank promotion exam the week before we deployed to capture Blueno. I just wish I had more time to beat the whole "True Spirit of Men" out of his thick skull."

"Now, now, we all have our quirks," grinned Erick. "So it's official. Staff Sergeant Franz Jaeger's last official act as an NCO of the Order of Freelance Mages will be as one of Vincenza Blueno's interrogators, and then we finish that in time for him to be on the next flight to Command School. Any bets on how many tries he'll need?"

"Three," said Glen.

"Two," countered Ivanovich.

Erick merely chuckled and stood, shutting down his computer. "Alright. Since we've taken care of all that, round up everybody and we'll redeploy in search of liquid nourishment and R&R. First round's on me t'night. Get outta my office and I don't want to see you two t'night unless you're in civvies."

"Yessir," nodded both men, who rose and left.

* * * * *

The post-mission celebratory mood that night was eclipsed two weeks later, when it was confirmed that Franz would be going to OCS; his going-away party was the biggest party he'd ever experienced, with lots of food and plenty of drink. He took the joshing and joking and toasts pretty well, and even laughed alongside everyone when the pool was started as to how many tries he'd take to pass OCS.

Then again, by the time they started the betting pool, he was pretty drunk.

* * * * *

Three days after his going-away party, Staff Sergeant Franz Jaeger, 31 years old, ranked A+, reported to TSAB Officer Candidate School, and began his instruction period, the oldest candidate in his semester.

* * * * *

Four months later, 2nd Lieutenant Franz Jaeger graduated from OCS on his first try. When he returned to the OFM, Ivanovich and Glen were so pissed at him, he spent the next three months doing the paperwork of both the Assault Platoon and Air Force.

Very, very nice

This was the role that I had originally in mind for my enforcers, but the talks with TK and other's have made me move them more into a SWAT like role (Lowe, you've predicted this from the start ) ALthough chnaces are there still will be instances of my enforcers doing what the OFM just did above, just not as often.

As I said, nice chapter Echo 4-19 was a nice touch Blowing up the builidng at the end was very cool

*salutes*

Originally Posted by LoweGear

Guess who popped his head around here?

Anyways, thread's not as fast as it used to be, only manage 10 pages a week :P

Waiting to see how your comeback goes

Rofl. Still fast by any standards Unlike USB who's thinking that the thread had died down this week... It's only dead when we're filling a page every few weeks... Like that's going to happen

Now, time to get back to playing FS/N

[FlameSparkZ]

Ok, here goes

Chapter 21

Spoiler for Chapter 21 - Koji's Knighting - Part 1:

As the smoke faded away, Koji could be seen, using Schritt to stand up, while on the other side...
Near the edge of the arena was his other half, on the floor, his armor turned to pieces along with his sword.
Koji slowly walked to him, "How 'ya doin'?" He said in a easy going way.
"C-che...you even...h-held back..." He winced as he spoke.
"Was it bad of me?" Koji asked.
"Y-yeah...b-because...I'm gonna...kick your butt...as soon...as I...g-get up..." Using his arms, he tried to get up, but it was pointless, he had no strength.
"Maybe later..." He stopped trying to get up.
Koji giggled, "Ok...I'll wait then..."
"You...better...or I'll...chase you...to the ends of the..." and fainted.
"Don't worry...I'll be...right...here..." A few seconds later, Koji fell on his knees and fainted as well.

As he faited, cracks began to appear, everything shattered like it was made of glass, and only darkness remained...
The one who was in control gasped, "He...broke it..." She looked at him, still surprised that her realm fell apart like that.
----------------------------

"Oi...wake up..." Koji heard as he was poked on the head.
"Mhmmmm~" He frowned, before he began to open his eyes.
Koji got up and glanced around, and found himself in a simple room, following the same style as the maze he was before.
"Over here..." He heard a girl's voice, and turned that way.

His eye fell on a small girl in white, not much older than Caro or Treize,
"E-eh?" He blinked.

She stood there staring, her hair as white as snow, so long that it almost touches the floor, and her eyes dyed in a vivid red, like rubies.
Also, wings on her back and above her ears and a symbol on her forehead.
(k-kawaii...) he said to himself.
The girl's left eye twitched, she walked to him, looked at him in the eyes and kicked him in the shin.
"Ouch!" He winced as he held his shin.

"Don't call me cute!" She sneered.
"O-Okay..." He said but then it hit him, "B-But I didn't even say it..."
"This is my domain, I can hear your thoughts as if you spoke them." She explained.
"I-I see..." He blinked, "So, you're the one in control of this place."
"That's right." She said it plainly.

"Then, may I ask your name?"
She folded her arms, "Weaver of Labyrinths, Altea." She spoke with disinterest. "I'm the administrator of the Knight's Ordeal."

"So...all those things that happened..."
"Yes, everything you went through is part of the Knight's Ordeal."
"Even..." He started but was interrupted.
"Yes, even that room with the people you admire and respect. Don't make remember that..."
"Eh?" Koji blinked, "Why did you do that anyway?"
"It's not like I wanted to! But it's one the trials..." She said embarrassed.

Koji giggled inward, (She's cute when she's embarrassed too...Ah!) He remembered that she could listen.
Her eye twitched again, "You want another kick in the shin?"
"N-No thank you..." He tittered.
"I thought so..." She paused. "Still, such an insane outburst of power you released...you even broke through the labyrinth space."
"Hehe..." Koji sweatdropped, "I'm sorry, I didn't know this would happen."

She sighed, "And using Mid-Childa magic...it's the first time I've seen a knight-wannabe do that..."
"Ah, I'm sorry...is that bad?"
"Not really..." She rested a hand on her waist, "It never happened before, so I don't think there's any problems."
Koji sighed with relief, "Thank goodness...Ah, then could you explain what happened back there?"

"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Well, I was fighting myself and..." He tried to explain.
"You don't remember?"
"I do, but...how did you do that?"
"The current you...is the same before entering this place, the 'you' that did the trials was your dominant side."
"So...the black knight..."
"Is a side of you that rarely surfaces completely." She paused, "When you entered my domain, those parts of you were split to be used as a trial."
"Then, why don't I have memories of them both?"
"Like I said...the memories you have, are of your dominant side."
"I see..." He blinked.

"So, are you ready to go?"
"Go? Where?" He blinked.
She sighed, "To the exit, where else?"
"Well..." Koji sat down, "Actually, I'd like to talk with you a bit longer."
"Eh?" She blinked, surprised.
"It must be lonely for you...being here, alone..."

"Hmph..." She turned her back to him, "This is my duty...as soon as you leave I'll just go back to sleep and wait for the next one."
"Still..." He said concerned.
"The exit is behind that door...get going..." Without looking, she pointed at a door to her right.

Koji got up, "Then...see you. I'll come visit you, okay?"
"J-Just go already..." She said, still with her back turned to him.
He nodded and started walking towards the door.

"...This was the purpose I was created for..." Hesitating she bit her lower lip and then spoke, "...is there any other life for me besides this one?" She asked.
Koji stopped, "...Of course there is."
"?" Altea looked at him over her shoulder.
"You'll just have to go after it..."
"But...my duty..." She hesitated.
"You said it before, didn't you? That you go to sleep and wait for the next knight candidate to arrive." He walked to her.

"That's why I can't leave this place, I would cause a lot of trouble to...ah!"
Koji got on a knee and pet her on the head, "Heh..." he smiled, "You still have a right to live the life you want to live. And why not use the time you sleep to live the life you want?"
"But I...don't know what the outside is like nowadays..." She looked away.
"Then...I'll show you." He said with a smile.
"Ah..." She blushed, watching him get up and presenting her with his hand.
"Let's go..."

She nodded and began to bring her hand to his, and then...she snapped.
"Hey! Don't treat me like a kid!" She said annoyed.
"E-Eh?" He blinked.
"I don't need to hold your hand, I can walk on my own..." She pouted and started walking to the door.
(T-tsundere?) He sweatdropped.
She looked back at him, "Did you say something?"
"N-no..." He sweatdropped again.
"I thought so..." and proceeded to walk towards the door.
Koji scratched his cheek and followed her.
----------------------------

Outside Altea's domain, Carim waited for Koji's arrival.
The stone door opened, "He's here." Carim said. (Schach, could you announce that Koji has passed?) She spoke to Schach, who was on the other side.
(Yes, Knight Carim.) She nodded and went on her way.

Koji came out with his outfit damaged in several places, but with a proud smile, "Knight Carim, I'm back." He said.
"Welcome back...are?" She blinked as she saw him turning to the stone doors.
"Come on...don't be afraid." He said.
"I-I'm not afraid!" She sneered.
"Is someone with you?" She asked curious.

Then Koji grabbed her hand and pulled her out, "Whaa!" she said surprised as she stepped out of her domain.
"A-are?" Carim blinked as she saw a young girl come out.
"You didn't need to pull me out like that!" She complained.
"Well, you did get out faster that way." He sweatdropped.
"Ah...you're right..." She blinked.

Carim looked at the two talking, "Hmm...excuse me..." She stepped in. "Who is this person?"
"Oh, sorry..." Koji apologized. "This is Altea, the administrator of the Knight's Ordeal."
"Eh?" Carim said surprised.
"Yo." She said plainly.
"H-haa..." Carim looked at her. "You mean...all this time..."
Koji nodded, "She's been inside that- eh?" He looked at the stone door, and could see a short tunnel to the other side.
"I shut it down." Altea said, "So now the hallway is now back to its original form."
"I see..."

Carim got closer to Altea, examining her, "W-What is it?" Altea asked, a little nervous.
"There have been records of candidates to Knight seeing a guardian angel when in the trial, but I never thought it was the administrator of the trial."
Carim grabbed her hands, "Pleased to meet you, Altea-san, I'm-" But she was interrupted.
"Carim Garcia...you took the Paladin Knight trial not too long ago." She said.
"You remember?"
"Of course, I remember every single knight that took the trial." She said.

"'Not too long ago'? I took the trial years ago..." Carim said.
"Is that so? Now that you mention it, you do look a little older than before."
"That's because Altea goes to sleep after a trial is over." Koji pointed it out.
"I see." Carim looked at him. "Well then, shall we go upstairs?" She asked.
Koji nodded.

With Carim ahead of them, they walked through the hallway, back into the room where Koji started.
"Knight Carim..." Koji asked.
"Yes?" She turned to him.
"How did you get to the other side while I was talking the trial?" He asked.
Carim giggled, "There a passage over there." She turned to the right of the stone door, "If you look closely, you can notice where the door is."
"Oh."
Carim turned toward the stairs and walked to them, "Let's go, everyone should be back by now."

"Everyone?" Altea blkined.
"You'll see when you get there." Koji smiled at her.
----------------------------

Well, that's it for part 1

Here's a small teaser.

Spoiler for Teaser:

Altea stared at Vita.
"What are you looking at?" Vita stared back.
"What are you looking at?" Altea countered.

Their personalities are somewhat alike after all

*runs*

[Liingo]

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

Ok, here goes

Chapter 21

Spoiler for Chapter 21 - Koji's Knighting - Part 1:

As the smoke faded away, Koji could be seen, using Schritt to stand up, while on the other side...
Near the edge of the arena was his other half, on the floor, his armor turned to pieces along with his sword.
Koji slowly walked to him, "How 'ya doin'?" He said in a easy going way.
"C-che...you even...h-held back..." He winced as he spoke.
"Was it bad of me?" Koji asked.
"Y-yeah...b-because...I'm gonna...kick your butt...as soon...as I...g-get up..." Using his arms, he tried to get up, but it was pointless, he had no strength.
"Maybe later..." He stopped trying to get up.
Koji giggled, "Ok...I'll wait then..."
"You...better...or I'll...chase you...to the ends of the..." and fainted.
"Don't worry...I'll be...right...here..." A few seconds later, Koji fell on his knees and fainted as well.

As he faited, cracks began to appear, everything shattered like it was made of glass, and only darkness remained...
The one who was in control gasped, "He...broke it..." She looked at him, still surprised that her realm fell apart like that.
----------------------------

"Oi...wake up..." Koji heard as he was poked on the head.
"Mhmmmm~" He frowned, before he began to open his eyes.
Koji got up and glanced around, and found himself in a simple room, following the same style as the maze he was before.
"Over here..." He heard a girl's voice, and turned that way.

His eye fell on a small girl in white, not much older than Caro or Treize,
"E-eh?" He blinked.

She stood there staring, her hair as white as snow, so long that it almost touches the floor, and her eyes dyed in a vivid red, like rubies.
Also, wings on her back and above her ears and a symbol on her forehead.
(k-kawaii...) he said to himself.
The girl's left eye twitched, she walked to him, looked at him in the eyes and kicked him in the shin.
"Ouch!" He winced as he held his shin.

"Don't call me cute!" She sneered.
"O-Okay..." He said but then it hit him, "B-But I didn't even say it..."
"This is my domain, I can hear your thoughts as if you spoke them." She explained.
"I-I see..." He blinked, "So, you're the one in control of this place."
"That's right." She said it plainly.

"Then, may I ask your name?"
She folded her arms, "Weaver of Labyrinths, Altea." She spoke with disinterest. "I'm the administrator of the Knight's Ordeal."

"So...all those things that happened..."
"Yes, everything you went through is part of the Knight's Ordeal."
"Even..." He started but was interrupted.
"Yes, even that room with the people you admire and respect. Don't make remember that..."
"Eh?" Koji blinked, "Why did you do that anyway?"
"It's not like I wanted to! But it's one the trials..." She said embarrassed.

Koji giggled inward, (She's cute when she's embarrassed too...Ah!) He remembered that she could listen.
Her eye twitched again, "You want another kick in the shin?"
"N-No thank you..." He tittered.
"I thought so..." She paused. "Still, such an insane outburst of power you released...you even broke through the labyrinth space."
"Hehe..." Koji sweatdropped, "I'm sorry, I didn't know this would happen."

She sighed, "And using Mid-Childa magic...it's the first time I've seen a knight-wannabe do that..."
"Ah, I'm sorry...is that bad?"
"Not really..." She rested a hand on her waist, "It never happened before, so I don't think there's any problems."
Koji sighed with relief, "Thank goodness...Ah, then could you explain what happened back there?"

"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Well, I was fighting myself and..." He tried to explain.
"You don't remember?"
"I do, but...how did you do that?"
"The current you...is the same before entering this place, the 'you' that did the trials was your dominant side."
"So...the black knight..."
"Is a side of you that rarely surfaces completely." She paused, "When you entered my domain, those parts of you were split to be used as a trial."
"Then, why don't I have memories of them both?"
"Like I said...the memories you have, are of your dominant side."
"I see..." He blinked.

"So, are you ready to go?"
"Go? Where?" He blinked.
She sighed, "To the exit, where else?"
"Well..." Koji sat down, "Actually, I'd like to talk with you a bit longer."
"Eh?" She blinked, surprised.
"It must be lonely for you...being here, alone..."

"Hmph..." She turned her back to him, "This is my duty...as soon as you leave I'll just go back to sleep and wait for the next one."
"Still..." He said concerned.
"The exit is behind that door...get going..." Without looking, she pointed at a door to her right.

Koji got up, "Then...see you. I'll come visit you, okay?"
"J-Just go already..." She said, still with her back turned to him.
He nodded and started walking towards the door.

"...This was the purpose I was created for..." Hesitating she bit her lower lip and then spoke, "...is there any other life for me besides this one?" She asked.
Koji stopped, "...Of course there is."
"?" Altea looked at him over her shoulder.
"You'll just have to go after it..."
"But...my duty..." She hesitated.
"You said it before, didn't you? That you go to sleep and wait for the next knight candidate to arrive." He walked to her.

"That's why I can't leave this place, I would cause a lot of trouble to...ah!"
Koji got on a knee and pet her on the head, "Heh..." he smiled, "You still have a right to live the life you want to live. And why not use the time you sleep to live the life you want?"
"But I...don't know what the outside is like nowadays..." She looked away.
"Then...I'll show you." He said with a smile.
"Ah..." She blushed, watching him get up and presenting her with his hand.
"Let's go..."

She nodded and began to bring her hand to his, and then...she snapped.
"Hey! Don't treat me like a kid!" She said annoyed.
"E-Eh?" He blinked.
"I don't need to hold your hand, I can walk on my own..." She pouted and started walking to the door.
(T-tsundere?) He sweatdropped.
She looked back at him, "Did you say something?"
"N-no..." He sweatdropped again.
"I thought so..." and proceeded to walk towards the door.
Koji scratched his cheek and followed her.
----------------------------

Outside Altea's domain, Carim waited for Koji's arrival.
The stone door opened, "He's here." Carim said. (Schach, could you announce that Koji has passed?) She spoke to Schach, who was on the other side.
(Yes, Knight Carim.) She nodded and went on her way.

Koji came out with his outfit damaged in several places, but with a proud smile, "Knight Carim, I'm back." He said.
"Welcome back...are?" She blinked as she saw him turning to the stone doors.
"Come on...don't be afraid." He said.
"I-I'm not afraid!" She sneered.
"Is someone with you?" She asked curious.

Then Koji grabbed her hand and pulled her out, "Whaa!" she said surprised as she stepped out of her domain.
"A-are?" Carim blinked as she saw a young girl come out.
"You didn't need to pull me out like that!" She complained.
"Well, you did get out faster that way." He sweatdropped.
"Ah...you're right..." She blinked.

Carim looked at the two talking, "Hmm...excuse me..." She stepped in. "Who is this person?"
"Oh, sorry..." Koji apologized. "This is Altea, the administrator of the Knight's Ordeal."
"Eh?" Carim said surprised.
"Yo." She said plainly.
"H-haa..." Carim looked at her. "You mean...all this time..."
Koji nodded, "She's been inside that- eh?" He looked at the stone door, and could see a short tunnel to the other side.
"I shut it down." Altea said, "So now the hallway is now back to its original form."
"I see..."

Carim got closer to Altea, examining her, "W-What is it?" Altea asked, a little nervous.
"There have been records of candidates to Knight seeing a guardian angel when in the trial, but I never thought it was the administrator of the trial."
Carim grabbed her hands, "Pleased to meet you, Altea-san, I'm-" But she was interrupted.
"Carim Garcia...you took the Paladin Knight trial not too long ago." She said.
"You remember?"
"Of course, I remember every single knight that took the trial." She said.

"'Not too long ago'? I took the trial years ago..." Carim said.
"Is that so? Now that you mention it, you do look a little older than before."
"That's because Altea goes to sleep after a trial is over." Koji pointed it out.
"I see." Carim looked at him. "Well then, shall we go upstairs?" She asked.
Koji nodded.

With Carim ahead of them, they walked through the hallway, back into the room where Koji started.
"Knight Carim..." Koji asked.
"Yes?" She turned to him.
"How did you get to the other side while I was talking the trial?" He asked.
Carim giggled, "There a passage over there." She turned to the right of the stone door, "If you look closely, you can notice where the door is."
"Oh."
Carim turned toward the stairs and walked to them, "Let's go, everyone should be back by now."

"Everyone?" Altea blkined.
"You'll see when you get there." Koji smiled.
----------------------------

Well, that's it for part 1

Here's a small teaser.

Spoiler for Teaser:

"What are you looking at?" Vita stared back.
"What are you looking at?" Altea countered.

Their personalities are somewhat alike after all

*runs*

I'm liking Altea alot
Does her ability to hear thoughts extend out into the real world as well? As in still working when she isn't in the trial area? If so some amusing/interesting scenarios could happen

[Tk3997]

Quick comment before I begin plowing backlog.

Originally Posted by Liingo

It would be awesome to see him here, but won't be happeninig unless you tone him down ALOT. Even without magic, he'd probably give nanoha a run for her money...

That’s an over simplification if he got her on the ground at close quarters where she somehow couldn't run away then yes he’d probably tear her limb from limb, quite possibly in the literal sense since he can rip metal fittings off battle suits with his bare hands outside armor. Indeed even someone like a Knight would be in serious shit fighting him in CQC in his armor as said armor has shown VASTLY higher resistance to kinetic impact then any barrier jacket in all of Nanoha, he has super strength, and reflexes boosted to at least 10 times human norms.

If he has Cortana I also see TSAB comm-nets being in chaos within about five minutes with no one having a clue WHERE the fuck he is and him knowing their positions down to the meter.

That said he also has his issues:
-Of course he can’t fly and even at a full out sprint he can only move at about 40 MPH so he’d be at a huge mobility disadvantage against air mages.
-His offense is on the weak side his heaviest weapons or covenant ones might be able to do some damage lower to mid tier mages, but they’d probably just bounce off a shield thrown up by someone like Nanoha. He’d need to catch them off guard with a sniper attack or something in a straight up fight he’d have serious issues hurting her by himself. (if he got a team flanking and such become viable and he has more options)
-His defenses aren’t super weak, but they’re geared toward a different threat in many ways and will provide only so-so protection here. Still his sheer speed advantage should allow him to just dodge most of the rather lackadaisical magic attacks thrown at him and the armor will provide allot of protection from blast effect. That said he’s not going to tank SLB or probably even a direct Divine Buster hit. (well not without help) though stuff like Accel shooter is just going to plink off most likely. Now stick an AMF on the armor… ho boy no one that can’t fly is safe.

I’d say that given time and some stuff to work with he could take apart a team like the forwards pretty easily baring some rather bad luck as only Teana has ever really shown the kind of analytical mindset you’d need to try and counter someone like him. Of course he has that mind set too and 30 years of combat and training to draw on to boot and he’s totally willing to use traps, ambushes, etc anything to even the odds. (that said I'm not sure at all he could fight all four at once straight up and win)

Personally I’d class him as somewhere around a B+ to A- ground mage with an unusually weak offense, but an in unusually high speed myself. That admittedly is without him using a shred of magic or magi-tech. Adding either of those could quickly put him into the AAA or S ranks as mentioned an AMF on his armor could easily turn him into an unholy terror to anything on the ground, higher power magi-tech weapons could drive his offense up and make him more a threat at range, and just letting him fly to a decent level could make him a monster. Letting him use full on offensive and defensive magic scarcely bares thinking about with his experience level and other enhancements the only thing that could probably stop him would be a Nanoha or Fate level mage, and now top all this off with a near total indifference to killing his enemies (but not any kind of stupid bloodlust he’ll only kill when he needs too) the Master Chief doesn’t really do “holding back”.

Basically he’s what the Cyborgs want to be when they grow up.

Originally Posted by LoweGear

Barrier Jackets again? Good thing internet is fixed then.

First of, do Barrier Jackets give protection even to unclothed areas? Yes. Take a look at this manga page:

Spoiler for IS: Silver Retriever:

Barrier Jackets create both a field and a barrier, now why would you limit the area of protection to what is clothed if you can make it cover the entire body? Seems like the most logical choice is to make it cover the entire body. Does this stop people from grabbing you? Of course not. It does, however, protect one from incomming attacks. Not completely (its an automated defence, after all, it not nearly as powerfull as one made with actual effort) but it does suit to soften blows, and logically eliminate the damage of lower-tier attacks.

This proves… nothing. A barrier could be anything and further given it’s a damn BARRIER jacket the jacket itself could be the barrier component, in fact that seems entirely plausible since we see it absorb significant hits a number of times and we never see a serious blow to the face or exposed limbs to judge that’s effects, but my guess is it ends up being “messy”.

Why should they need to bounce of eachother? this isn't the SG:A personal shield, you know. If you want support, the cast gets thrown through buildings without suffering as much as a scratch. Even though they're wearing skimpy clothing, they come out of it just fine and carry on as if nothing happened. Why? Because the Barrier Jackets shielded them from the blow.

I see so this always on omnipresent force field of invisibility simple turns off when every a mage makes contact with something? I can’t see how THAT would be a problem… And once again this also fails to explain why every time we see a sword swing or the like it hits the jacket and not some force field an inch off the skin like we see the little scuff mark on Nanoha after Eiro hits her in training if it was stopped by some omnipresent force field an inch above the thing that shouldn’t happen, or dose this force field now ONLY cover the exposed areas? Or another example how come Signum and Fate can give each other small cuts repeatedly a number of them inflicted on Fate being on her bare skin?

If this field exists at it’s so pathetically weak as to be useless against any kind of hit and so it’s moot anyway, I just don’t think it exist period, at least not as a physical barrier. An omnipresent field that greatly mitigates magical attacks definitely, an invisible Master Chief style energy shield? I don’t think so.

HOWEVER I am willing to consider that the jacket has inertial dampening properties given that mages don’t seem to strain under G forces even during fairly hard maneuvers it would also explain their resistance to being tossed around as if this field or effect could counter the deceleration forces encountered during the impact. (Ultimately there is no difference between slamming on the brakes in your car and jerking forward and falling of a sky scraper expect the magnitude of the forces involved.) This helps explain the impact and fall mitigation while also explaining why it dosen't acutally stop the hits to begin with.

Then why is it so hard to believe that a society which is farther in us not only in technollogy, but also utilizes magic can make outfits that protect the entire body, rather then only what is clothed.

Because armor doesn’t protect stuff it doesn’t cover.

Who in their right mind would look at a barrier jacket and how it’s used and go “You know I bet in reality the entire person is really covered by an invisible force field that provides the same protection everywhere and the jacket is totally for show.”

[Tormenk]

Originally Posted by Wild Goose

Another piece of fiction relation to the Order; getting this outta the way before I go on to the StrikerS mock battle..

Spoiler for Snatch and Grab:

Entropy Through Order: Case Files of the Order of Freelance Mages
Order: "Snatch and Grab"
- - - - - -
Non-Administered world 101
Midnight, local time
2 months before Coastal Airport Fire
February 27th, MC 0071

They fell from the sky.

Ten black shapes falling from 45 thousand feet, shooting head-first to the ground, dropping at terminal velocity, each maintaining proper separation from his fellows; above them the thrusters of a DS-77 "Pelican" Dropship flare as it climbs back into orbit, its cargo disgorged. All were clad in mottled black and gray military fatigues, black body armor, boots, and elbow and knee pads. Strapped to each man were his weapons; for most of them, a pistol and a supressed submachinegun. The blue-tinted visors on their black helmets reflected the night back at itself, hiding the faces of the wearers.

They didn't look like any normal unit of Time-Space Administration Bureau Mages or Enforcers. That was the whole point. They weren't.

This was a black operation, conducted by a black unit, its existence hidden both from the outside world and the TSAB whole. They were the ghosts in the night, the dagger in the dark. The Order of Freelance Mages, ostensibly established as a special unit of elite Enforcers... but really the wetwork specialists and hunters of the TSAB.

Tonight's mission would see a little of both.

* * * * *
Six Weeks Earlier

"Target's name is Vincenza Blueno, former rank Lieutenant Colonel, Intelligence Division," said Glen Schattenmann coldly, his eyes hard, as the image of a human female with long blonde hair and good looks was projected on the wall behind him. "Target is responsible for two blown missions and suspected of at least three more blown missions. Target is wanted for the following crimes: slave-trading, suspicion of murder, desertion, selling TSAB secrets, corruption, abuse of power, rape, and conduct unbecoming an officer."

There was a chorus of harsh chuckles at the last charge. In all nine years of its operation, the Order of Freelance Mages had never been ordered to sanction a TSAB officer who wasn't guilty of the last charge. Other mages like Takamachi Nanoha or Hayate Yagami might look to see the good in people and try to redeem them; not so the Order. Order mages had a very simple worldview towards corrupt TSAB officials: kill them all.

"Our objective is not a sanction," continued Glen, "but a snatch and grab." At this, there were raised eyebrows. More often than not, General Jack O'Neill - the TSAB Air Force officer who was head of the Special Operations department, the Order's final command authority - sent them out on assasination missions, using the Order as a surgeon's scalpel to remove the cancer of corrupt officials. A snatch and grab was much harder than an assasination... and thus so much rarer.

"Our job is not to ask why but to do," continued the Order XO and Air Force commander. "The target has set up operations as an information broker and services supplier to underworld factions on the main continent of Non-Administered World 101, known to the locals as 'Noches.' As this world is roughly equal to Earth on the technological scale, and involves a rogue Intelligence officer, the decision has been made to deploy the Order instead of standard Enforcer teams. We'll be cleaning the Bureau's screwups again, covertly. Target's magical rank is A-, and she is believed to have contract mage bodyguards, approximately two to four persons. Her compound is secured by a guard force of ten to fifteen norms armed with conventional weapons."

"ROE?" asked Ivanovich.

"Guards expendable, secure the target alive. She's no good to us dead."

* * * * *

Present

"Alpha Squad, form up."

"Bravo Squad, form up."

The ten members of the Assault Platoon split into two five-man formations, each man spread out but in visual range of his squad. As they fall closer to their targets they begin to spreadeagle their bodies in the air, increasing wind resistance and slowing themselves down, in preparation for the next command from Ivanovich:

"Glide in."

Ten magic circles (and triangles, where appropriate) form, and most of the men form shot glowing energy wings on their backs. Glider Wing isn't a flight spell, but what it does is it allows the user to glide towards the target and land softly and safely, a combination of parachute and controlled falling with style. The main advantage over traditional HALO is that you don't have to pack a parachute. Of course, if there's AMF down there, they're screwed, so they're carrying reserve chutes, just in case.

The target compound is on a hill and darkly-lit; evidently the target doesn't believe in floodlights and lots of light to deter intruders, which makes it easier for the team to sneak in. She's also limited her magical defenses to just her mercenaries, in an effort to hide herself from the TSAB's hunters... ironically what the Order does itself. The Assault Platoon lands softly on the grassy lawn and they ditch the parachutes, bringing up their supressed weapons, the night-vision devices in their helmets tinting the world in an erie green tint.

"Alright, you know what to do. Alpha Squad, secure the perimeter and servant quaters. Bravo with me, we're going inside."

Observation of the target's compound over the last two weeks has indicated the following: at any one time, there are six normal guards on duty. The house is a smallish two-storey villa, which means that it'll be challenging, but not impossible, to sneak through it silently. The servant quaters, 250 meters away, are where the domestic staff and the rest of the guards are bunked.

Bravo Squad heads in, and Ivanovich motions to Franz, who nods and takes the lead. From the rookie greenhorn, he's become Ivanovich's right hand man, and he was the one who'd planned the internal assault into Blueno's lair. They quickly move in to the back door, preparing to go in, as Bravo 22 disables the mechanical lock and Bravo 24 kills the power. The already dark villa becomes even darker with no light, and Franz wryly says, "Fighting in the dark with NVGs... this is cheating by TSAB standards, isn't it?"

"Only if you get caught," says Ivanovich gruffly, though Bravo Squad can read the amusement in his voice. "Hold for Alpha."

"Alpha 10 here," goes Alpha Squad's leader. "Sentries neutralised, servant quaters neutralised. Be advised, it looks like there may be guards inside the house."

"Copy. Bravo rolling in. Alpha, call in our top cover."

"Copy. Strike deep and fast."

Franz opens the door slowly and steps into the villa, his supressed SMG at the ready. Moving slowly and carefully, Bravo Squad begins clearing each room, one by one; once the ground floor is confirmed secured, they move up. The tension rises as they slowly climb the stairs, and halt on the landing as Franz makes a series of hand signals: Two SMG, one shotgun.

The team fans out, picking their targets, moving swiftly. The guards aren't on alert but are sleeping, expecting the outside force to act as a tripwire and warn them. Their weapons are safed and held loosely in their grips, and all are splayed loosely in chairs instead of standing guard.

Amateurs, thinks Franz contemptuously, and signals Bravo 22 and 23. The three of them take aim and fire supressed 3-round bursts into their targets; the 5mm caseless rounds proving instantly fatal, killing the targets where they sleep. Regardless of caliber, headshots are inherently fatal.

They quickly secure the upper floor, clearing rooms, till only one room is left: the office and ajoining master bedroom of Vincenza Blueno. The way it's been set up, the only way to her bedroom is through the office, and from the building plans the Intel Section was able to hack, it was designed for acsethetics and as a natural chokepoint.

"Hold up. Soap, use the thermals and check the office."

At Franz's order, Bravo 24 brings out a piece of special equipment: a portable termal sensor. It's a little-known fact that mages have a higher body temperature compared to non-magical persons, which would allow Bravo Squad to pinpoint any mages inside...

"No good, Jack. The wall's been insulated; it's not gettin' anythin' offa the sensor."

"Alright. We'll have to go loud. Soap, put the thermal sensor away and get ready to toss a flashbang in with me. Weapons at the ready, Squad. Let's do this."

Unseen behind his helmet's visor, Ivanovich nods in approval, and brings his supressed SMG up and at the ready. Franz slowly opens the door, and he and Soap toss a flashbang each, before he closes the door, blocking the flash and muffling the sound: a second later he kicks the door open and the squad fans out into the room.

The flashbang is a grenade designed to incapacitate its victims. Similar to Vita's Esiengehaul, it delivers a bright flash of light and a loud bang - hence the name. Unlike Eisengehaul, it lasts momentarily, as it's used not as an escape and evasion distraction, but as the prelude to an entry assault. It's among the few technological weapons that are truly effective against mages; for all their skill, power and ability, mages are still human.

Franz can see the enemy now, the four mercenaries hired by Blueno. Two are on the floor, hunched over in pain, grasping their heads; a pair of three-round bursts from himself and Soap put them out of their misery. The other two are unsteady on their feet and unfocused; Ivanovich and his team make short work of them. By the time the mercenaries have been dispatched and the squad regroups outside Blueno's master bedroom door, less than five seconds have passed.

There's no time for Soap to deploy his sensor; Franz tries the door and finds it's locked, and makes a hand signal: shotgun. Bravo 23 nods and steps forward, unslinging the shotgun strapped to his back, and unloads two slugs into the door; the lock breaks and Franz kicks the door in, tossing a flashbang, before rolling in a moment later, covering the entryway as Bravo fans in.

The Assault Platoon mages bring their weapons up, finding Blueno groggily rising from her bed, ignoring the lingerie that is her nightwear; Bravo 23 toggles his underbarrel flashlight and shines it into her face, blinding her; Blueno responds by pulling a small pistol from under a pillow and firing blindly, and Franz has the bad luck to be in her line of fire. The 7mm rounds strike him in the middle of his body armor and he staggers back and falls down on his back; while the others duck, Blueno rises and runs to a corner of the large bedroom; obviously heading for a bolt hole. Ivanovich sights his SMG and fires one round; the round strikes her in the left leg, grazing it in a painful but non-lethal injury, and she falls to the ground. She reaches towards a gem on a chair around her neck, intending to summon her device, but as her hand touches it she's painfully tackled by the Sergeant Major and Bravo 22, the former snatching away her inert Device and knocking her out with a blow to the back of her neck, while the latter handcuffs her, deliberately locking the cuffs too tight.

"This is Bravo 20," says Ivanovich into the Order channel, as Bravo 22 roughly hauls Blueno to her feet and Soap slaps on a field dressing to the wound. "Target is secure, I have a man down."

"Copy, Bravo 20. This is Sword 1," replies Glen. "Alpha Squad has secured servant quaters and neutralised guards. Lance Flight and Sword Flight have rescued civillian captives."

"Civillian captives?"

"The target's sex slaves," said Glen coldly. "Hidden dungeon under the villa."

"Goddamnit."

"You were focused on getting upstairs; it's understandable. That's why we have Alpha Squad and the Air Force here. Dropship ETA in ten minutes. Secure any intelligence you can find, and get the target out of there. Remember: she's no good to us dead."

"Copy," said Ivanovich coldly. "Alright, squad, good job. Soap, you're holdin' the target. Bravo 22, check Jack-"

"I'm alright, I'm alright," gasps Franz, wincing painfully. "My head...sorry 'bout that."

"Learn to duck, Jackass," says Soap, not quite sucessful in keeping his snickers quiet; and Franz can almost see the relieved grins on the faces of his squadmates. "You okay?"

"Yeah," replies Franz, accepting Soap's hand and getting to his feet; from a thigh sheath he draws his combat knife and digs out the two bullets that were caught by his body armor. "Didn't penetrate the outer layer, but I was surprised." Looking down at the small hole in his Barrier Jacket, he shook his head in awe. "Damn. We have the best Barrier Jackets ever in the whole TSAB. Impact and magical protection..."

"If you've got time to talk, head to her office and strip her computer," ordered Ivanovich. "22, head to the extraction point and watch the prisoner. 24, help 21 with the office. 23, you're with me: let's comb this room. Move, Freelancers!"

* * * * *

Ten minutes later
Inside Pelican Dropship Echo-419

The D77 Pelican dropship in its basic configuration could hold 12 people comfortably in seats, with the rest having to stand or sit on the floor. Echo-419 mounted a troop bay extension, allowing a maximum of thirty people to be carried in the bay, more than enough for the 20 Order mages, their prisoner and the rescued underaged girls who were now strapped to their seats. Ivanovich and an Alpha Squad mage were the last to board, and Glen looked at the Sergeant Major quizically. "Sergeant Major. What took you so long?"

"Oh, this," grinned Ivanovich evilly, who nodded to Alpha 14. "Blow it, Nagant."

Sergeant Aleksndr "Psycho" Nagant smiled a radiant smile that was almost overwhelming in childlike delight and joy. It was a smile that would have warmed any unsuspecting person's heart, the kind of smile that produced warm feelings in people, a smile that would not have been out of place on the face of a religious figure. The glow of his smile seemed to light up the Pelican bay, and his normally serious face was radiant with love, joy, peace, and happiness.

And then he pressed the detonator held in his right hand.

Glen had barely opened his mouth to say "What?" before Blueno's villa went up in an explosion, while Ivanovich clapped Psycho on the back as the latter made his way to his seat, graciously accepting the enthusiastic applause of the Assault Platoon. The Sergeant Major stood in the open hatch as the Pelican rose and began climbing, finally toggling the hatch closed and turning to look at Glen.

"Something the matter, Captain?"

"Covert ops, faggot! COVERT OPS!" snarled Glen, and Ivanovich countered with an blankly innocent expression on his face.

"But sir, this is covert. We're using distraction and the explosion to cover the fact that the guards were gunned down professionally and to hide the fact that we've recovered intelligence from the villa. Plus, this fulfills the operating methods of a local mafia hit; they go for massive explosions. It'll draw attention away from us." With that bit of wisdom imparted, Ivanovich headed for his seat and strapped himself in, while Glen could only stare at him, aghast.

"Why the hell do you people always blow up things? Doesn't stealth mean anything to you?!"

"Do you really want the answer to that, XO?" asked Franz.

"No."

* * * * *
Four Days later
OFM Base, Mid-Childa
1740 local time.

"I see," said Erick thoughtfully. "So that's how it went. Wish I coulda been there..." he sighed. "Iffn I had Franz to help me with the paperwork... I'm beginning to see why you've been trying to hang on to him, Sergeant Major."

"Yessir."

"Glen, I know you prefer stealth ops, but the Sergeant Major does have a point. An explosive distraction can work just as well. On the other hand, Sergeant Major, the XO has a point. Sometimes, it is better to sneak in, knife them in their sleep, and sneak out quietly. D'ya get what I mean?"

"Yessir."

"Now, I want both a' yas to shake hands like men, and accept each others points of view, and next time, discuss things through with each other. I will not have my XO and Sergeant Major fuedin' over tactics, or I'll kick yer asses, y'hear me?"

"Yessir," agreed both men. It could be worse, they reflected. And they were man enough to admit that this sort of thing shouldn't really be happening.

"Good. Now, movin' on. General O'Neill sends a "Job well done" message to our boys and girls, and he'll be coming to observe the interrogation of the prisoner. XO, have you decided who's the interrogation team?"

"Franz and Mikhail, Sir," said Glen. "Mikhail will be playing the bad cop, while Franz will be the good cop. Mikhail will be the lead."

"That makes sense," agreed Erick. "Alright. Movin' on. Two year I asked both of you to observe and monitor Franz, and see if he was ready to go to Command School. Sergeant Major, at the time you raised an objection, saying you needed more time with him. I gave you an extra year. In your opinion, is he ready?"

"He's a rough diamond," said Ivanovich, "but that's better than the lump of coal he was last year. This raid was his final exam, in a way. I had him plan and lead the assault into the villa, and he's satisfied me. I agree that he's ready for OCS; he's now a rough diamond, needing the polishing that OCS will give him."

"Thank you. XO?"

"He has...matured. Slightly. Give him a rifle and he'll be cooly competant; give him his Device and he'll be sprouting away on the powers of the true spirit of men and hot blood. But other than that... I believe he is indeed ready for OCS. He definately fulilled the primary criteria; he passed his A-rank promotion exam the week before we deployed to capture Blueno. I just wish I had more time to beat the whole "True Spirit of Men" out of his thick skull."

"Now, now, we all have our quirks," grinned Erick. "So it's official. Staff Sergeant Franz Jaeger's last official act as an NCO of the Order of Freelance Mages will be as one of Vincenza Blueno's interrogators, and then we finish that in time for him to be on the next flight to Command School. Any bets on how many tries he'll need?"

"Three," said Glen.

"Two," countered Ivanovich.

Erick merely chuckled and stood, shutting down his computer. "Alright. Since we've taken care of all that, round up everybody and we'll redeploy in search of liquid nourishment and R&R. First round's on me t'night. Get outta my office and I don't want to see you two t'night unless you're in civvies."

"Yessir," nodded both men, who rose and left.

* * * * *

The post-mission celebratory mood that night was eclipsed two weeks later, when it was confirmed that Franz would be going to OCS; his going-away party was the biggest party he'd ever experienced, with lots of food and plenty of drink. He took the joshing and joking and toasts pretty well, and even laughed alongside everyone when the pool was started as to how many tries he'd take to pass OCS.

Then again, by the time they started the betting pool, he was pretty drunk.

* * * * *

Three days after his going-away party, Staff Sergeant Franz Jaeger, 31 years old, ranked A+, reported to TSAB Officer Candidate School, and began his instruction period, the oldest candidate in his semester.

* * * * *

Four months later, 2nd Lieutenant Franz Jaeger graduated from OCS on his first try. When he returned to the OFM, Ivanovich and Glen were so pissed at him, he spent the next three months doing the paperwork of both the Assault Platoon and Air Force.

The OFM kicks ass man. Pity their targets though.

Originally Posted by Kha

This is bad... Only 10 minute left on the clock for the day. no internet at home so at a lanshop. How's things going?

Welcome back Kha.

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

Ok, here goes

Chapter 21

Spoiler for Chapter 21 - Koji's Knighting - Part 1:

As the smoke faded away, Koji could be seen, using Schritt to stand up, while on the other side...
Near the edge of the arena was his other half, on the floor, his armor turned to pieces along with his sword.
Koji slowly walked to him, "How 'ya doin'?" He said in a easy going way.
"C-che...you even...h-held back..." He winced as he spoke.
"Was it bad of me?" Koji asked.
"Y-yeah...b-because...I'm gonna...kick your butt...as soon...as I...g-get up..." Using his arms, he tried to get up, but it was pointless, he had no strength.
"Maybe later..." He stopped trying to get up.
Koji giggled, "Ok...I'll wait then..."
"You...better...or I'll...chase you...to the ends of the..." and fainted.
"Don't worry...I'll be...right...here..." A few seconds later, Koji fell on his knees and fainted as well.

As he faited, cracks began to appear, everything shattered like it was made of glass, and only darkness remained...
The one who was in control gasped, "He...broke it..." She looked at him, still surprised that her realm fell apart like that.
----------------------------

"Oi...wake up..." Koji heard as he was poked on the head.
"Mhmmmm~" He frowned, before he began to open his eyes.
Koji got up and glanced around, and found himself in a simple room, following the same style as the maze he was before.
"Over here..." He heard a girl's voice, and turned that way.

His eye fell on a small girl in white, not much older than Caro or Treize,
"E-eh?" He blinked.

She stood there staring, her hair as white as snow, so long that it almost touches the floor, and her eyes dyed in a vivid red, like rubies.
Also, wings on her back and above her ears and a symbol on her forehead.
(k-kawaii...) he said to himself.
The girl's left eye twitched, she walked to him, looked at him in the eyes and kicked him in the shin.
"Ouch!" He winced as he held his shin.

"Don't call me cute!" She sneered.
"O-Okay..." He said but then it hit him, "B-But I didn't even say it..."
"This is my domain, I can hear your thoughts as if you spoke them." She explained.
"I-I see..." He blinked, "So, you're the one in control of this place."
"That's right." She said it plainly.

"Then, may I ask your name?"
She folded her arms, "Weaver of Labyrinths, Altea." She spoke with disinterest. "I'm the administrator of the Knight's Ordeal."

"So...all those things that happened..."
"Yes, everything you went through is part of the Knight's Ordeal."
"Even..." He started but was interrupted.
"Yes, even that room with the people you admire and respect. Don't make remember that..."
"Eh?" Koji blinked, "Why did you do that anyway?"
"It's not like I wanted to! But it's one the trials..." She said embarrassed.

Koji giggled inward, (She's cute when she's embarrassed too...Ah!) He remembered that she could listen.
Her eye twitched again, "You want another kick in the shin?"
"N-No thank you..." He tittered.
"I thought so..." She paused. "Still, such an insane outburst of power you released...you even broke through the labyrinth space."
"Hehe..." Koji sweatdropped, "I'm sorry, I didn't know this would happen."

She sighed, "And using Mid-Childa magic...it's the first time I've seen a knight-wannabe do that..."
"Ah, I'm sorry...is that bad?"
"Not really..." She rested a hand on her waist, "It never happened before, so I don't think there's any problems."
Koji sighed with relief, "Thank goodness...Ah, then could you explain what happened back there?"

"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Well, I was fighting myself and..." He tried to explain.
"You don't remember?"
"I do, but...how did you do that?"
"The current you...is the same before entering this place, the 'you' that did the trials was your dominant side."
"So...the black knight..."
"Is a side of you that rarely surfaces completely." She paused, "When you entered my domain, those parts of you were split to be used as a trial."
"Then, why don't I have memories of them both?"
"Like I said...the memories you have, are of your dominant side."
"I see..." He blinked.

"So, are you ready to go?"
"Go? Where?" He blinked.
She sighed, "To the exit, where else?"
"Well..." Koji sat down, "Actually, I'd like to talk with you a bit longer."
"Eh?" She blinked, surprised.
"It must be lonely for you...being here, alone..."

"Hmph..." She turned her back to him, "This is my duty...as soon as you leave I'll just go back to sleep and wait for the next one."
"Still..." He said concerned.
"The exit is behind that door...get going..." Without looking, she pointed at a door to her right.

Koji got up, "Then...see you. I'll come visit you, okay?"
"J-Just go already..." She said, still with her back turned to him.
He nodded and started walking towards the door.

"...This was the purpose I was created for..." Hesitating she bit her lower lip and then spoke, "...is there any other life for me besides this one?" She asked.
Koji stopped, "...Of course there is."
"?" Altea looked at him over her shoulder.
"You'll just have to go after it..."
"But...my duty..." She hesitated.
"You said it before, didn't you? That you go to sleep and wait for the next knight candidate to arrive." He walked to her.

"That's why I can't leave this place, I would cause a lot of trouble to...ah!"
Koji got on a knee and pet her on the head, "Heh..." he smiled, "You still have a right to live the life you want to live. And why not use the time you sleep to live the life you want?"
"But I...don't know what the outside is like nowadays..." She looked away.
"Then...I'll show you." He said with a smile.
"Ah..." She blushed, watching him get up and presenting her with his hand.
"Let's go..."

She nodded and began to bring her hand to his, and then...she snapped.
"Hey! Don't treat me like a kid!" She said annoyed.
"E-Eh?" He blinked.
"I don't need to hold your hand, I can walk on my own..." She pouted and started walking to the door.
(T-tsundere?) He sweatdropped.
She looked back at him, "Did you say something?"
"N-no..." He sweatdropped again.
"I thought so..." and proceeded to walk towards the door.
Koji scratched his cheek and followed her.
----------------------------

Outside Altea's domain, Carim waited for Koji's arrival.
The stone door opened, "He's here." Carim said. (Schach, could you announce that Koji has passed?) She spoke to Schach, who was on the other side.
(Yes, Knight Carim.) She nodded and went on her way.

Koji came out with his outfit damaged in several places, but with a proud smile, "Knight Carim, I'm back." He said.
"Welcome back...are?" She blinked as she saw him turning to the stone doors.
"Come on...don't be afraid." He said.
"I-I'm not afraid!" She sneered.
"Is someone with you?" She asked curious.

Then Koji grabbed her hand and pulled her out, "Whaa!" she said surprised as she stepped out of her domain.
"A-are?" Carim blinked as she saw a young girl come out.
"You didn't need to pull me out like that!" She complained.
"Well, you did get out faster that way." He sweatdropped.
"Ah...you're right..." She blinked.

Carim looked at the two talking, "Hmm...excuse me..." She stepped in. "Who is this person?"
"Oh, sorry..." Koji apologized. "This is Altea, the administrator of the Knight's Ordeal."
"Eh?" Carim said surprised.
"Yo." She said plainly.
"H-haa..." Carim looked at her. "You mean...all this time..."
Koji nodded, "She's been inside that- eh?" He looked at the stone door, and could see a short tunnel to the other side.
"I shut it down." Altea said, "So now the hallway is now back to its original form."
"I see..."

Carim got closer to Altea, examining her, "W-What is it?" Altea asked, a little nervous.
"There have been records of candidates to Knight seeing a guardian angel when in the trial, but I never thought it was the administrator of the trial."
Carim grabbed her hands, "Pleased to meet you, Altea-san, I'm-" But she was interrupted.
"Carim Garcia...you took the Paladin Knight trial not too long ago." She said.
"You remember?"
"Of course, I remember every single knight that took the trial." She said.

"'Not too long ago'? I took the trial years ago..." Carim said.
"Is that so? Now that you mention it, you do look a little older than before."
"That's because Altea goes to sleep after a trial is over." Koji pointed it out.
"I see." Carim looked at him. "Well then, shall we go upstairs?" She asked.
Koji nodded.

With Carim ahead of them, they walked through the hallway, back into the room where Koji started.
"Knight Carim..." Koji asked.
"Yes?" She turned to him.
"How did you get to the other side while I was talking the trial?" He asked.
Carim giggled, "There a passage over there." She turned to the right of the stone door, "If you look closely, you can notice where the door is."
"Oh."
Carim turned toward the stairs and walked to them, "Let's go, everyone should be back by now."

"Everyone?" Altea blkined.
"You'll see when you get there." Koji smiled at her.
----------------------------

Well, that's it for part 1

Here's a small teaser.

Spoiler for Teaser:

Altea stared at Vita.
"What are you looking at?" Vita stared back.
"What are you looking at?" Altea countered.

Their personalities are somewhat alike after all

*runs*

Altea shows up and Koji gives her sound advice right before he leaves. And well onto the knighting part next.

And out of curiosity, with Koji's knighting, BreakerS will be reaching its finale soon correct?

[FlameSparkZ]

Originally Posted by Liingo

I'm liking Altea alot
Does her ability to hear thoughts extend out into the real world as well? As in still working when she isn't in the trial area? If so some amusing/interesting scenarios could happen

Well, it's rather limited outside of L-Space (short Labyrinth Space, her domain )

Originally Posted by Tk3997

Because armor doesn’t protect stuff it doesn’t cover.

Who in their right mind would look at a barrier jacket and how it’s used and go “You know I bet in reality the entire person is really covered by an invisible force field that provides the same protection everywhere and the jacket is totally for show.”

Actually, that's probably how it goes

Though, I think that the exposed areas are less protected than the covered areas, but there's still a barrier and a field applied.

Originally Posted by Tormenk

Altea shows up and Koji gives her sound advice right before he leaves. And well onto the knighting part next.

And out of curiosity, with Koji's knighting, BreakerS will be reaching its finale soon correct?

Not really...I'd say BreakerS' story is about halfway done
There's still more plot twists to be done, more character development (Yui, Maren, Treize and maybe some others too )

So it still has a loooooong way to go before it ends

[Tk3997]

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

Actually, that's probably how it goes

Though, I think that the exposed areas are less protected than the covered areas, but there's still a barrier and a field applied.

If by "less protected" you mean "Basically not at all against physical impact" then yes that's probably how it works. Seriously though to you guys that apparently think the jacket dose nothing and ALL the defense comes from some invisible field around the person I ask you then what the hell is the point of said jacket? Besides looking cool which is NOT a valid reason IMO.