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It was shortly after her less-than-pleasant first operation with Sokaiya that Ashley was once again contacted by the mysterious High Priest. Although she was still somewhat suspicious of the enigmatic individual’s motives, the Knight of Tomorrow was forced to admit that their objectives seemed to align with her own, and those of G.E.M.I.N.I., or at least, they had thus far. As she took a seat on the park bench she’d been directed to await further instructions at, the high-tech heroine only hoped that would continue to be the case. 

It was only a few minutes later that a certain other esper appeared at the park. Though her esper form didn’t show it, Marrie’s eyes had terrible bags under them from the late nights she’d been pulling ever since the Trains incident. Between training even harder than before and searching for leads on the Bates, she hadn’t gotten much sleep, if any. 

It was only a moment after she arrived that she noticed Orion sitting at the same place that she herself had been instructed to wait. Which had to mean they were both contacted by the same person. 

[color=00aeef]”Hey, Orion. How’s it going?”[/color] Marrie asked as she walked over to the bench and gave a wave, her tiredness audible in her voice. Once she was standing a few feet in front of her, she continued. [color=00aeef]”I take it you got the same message I did?”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Hi, Gale,”[/color] Ashley replied, holding up her hand to greet the blue-haired esper. However, before she could say anything further, both of their phones vibrated at the same time. They had been pulled into a group chat with the one and only High Priest.

[code]Long time no chat my fellow espers! :rock I always loved Tree Corner Park. It has a strange absence of trees, but it's got so many lovely walkways that go up and down those beautiful green mounds. :rollin It's the perfect place to walk your dog :hehe or lure some espers out in the open so that you can snipe them from a far off building![/code]

There were quite a few buildings that made the area easy to spy on. Aside from the occasional park bench near a paved walkway, there was nothing to take cover behind, save for diving into a shallow man-made pond for visiting birds. But the next thing to make a sound was their group chat.

[code]:ou

On a more serious note, good job you two. Marrie has more or less replaced Timekeeper as the face of the Freelancer underdog, and Orion is changing perceptions of G.E.M.I.N.I. operatives. Between the two of you, it may be possible to call for a team up between G.E.M.I.N.I. and Maverick Alternative. What the Gems were able to do to the Holy Diver on their own was impressive, but you'll need to join forces if you hope to take on the hand directly.[/code]

Marrie didn’t look up from her phone at the mention of the possible sniper. There were plenty of equally or better spots to shoot from, and they had view of locations she was much more frequently at or passing through. More important, to her, was the timing. She flinched from her tired muscles screaming at her as she squatted down. After a few seconds she began looking under the bench, then around the back. Even if the High Priest wasn’t, the possibility of someone spying on them was not something she’d accept.

Despite the High Priest’s customarily eccentric ramblings causing her to feel a brief twinge of panic at the thought of walking into a trap, Ashley was able to quickly refocus on the core point of the message. [color=MediumSpringGreen][i]A team up, huh?[/i][/color] While she had no great love for the Mavericks, the possibility of uniting against a common foe was rather appealing. Indeed, if they had both worked together, rather than storming Justin’s mansion independently, the vampire might have been vanquished far sooner. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Hmm… I doubt it’s going to be easy, but I suppose it’s worth a shot. What do you think Gale?”[/color] the Knight of Tomorrow inquired, looking up from her phone to find the bluenette peering under the bench. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Um, Gale? Is everything okay?”[/color]

Looking up at Ashley for a moment, Marrie replied. [color=00aeef]”I think it’ll be really tough to get Maverick to deal with Gemini, at least,”[/color] she stifled a yawn, [color=00aeef]”at the organizational level.”[/color] After checking the bottom of the bench, she moved to the back. [color=00aeef]”It’d be a lot easier to get the individuals on each side to agree, though even that’s going to be hard to do. A lot of biases and bad experiences have to be addressed.”[/color]

Having looked over the bench, Marrie went back to lean on the side of it, her arms straight to support her weight. [color=00aeef]”Doesn’t look like anyone’s listening in. If it was High Priest, I wouldn’t be super upset since it’d speed up the conversation, but I wanted to make sure that,”[/color] another yawn, this one unsuppressed, made its way out of her mouth, [color=00aeef]”nobody else was spying on us.”[/color] Her body slumped as her legs bent so she could rest her head on her now folded arms. Standing like she was had already gotten uncomfortable. [color=00aeef]”That said, I don’t doubt that someone is spying [i]somehow,[/i] even if I can’t find how.”[/color]

Their phones vibrated again. 

[code]Can’t respond? My big brain plan must have blown your minds! :hehe 

Oh! Are you guys not super big on texting? It wasn’t a problem in the past but we can have a phone call if you’d prefer. 

Anywho, news about Orion helping Cthulhya is making the rounds, and while news about Time Keeper’s heel turn is pretty hush hush, he’s always gone out of his way to make things as miserable as possible for the Mavericks. Knowing that he’s not with G.E.M.I.N.I. anymore is sure to make the idea of a teamup a lot more palatable. Maybe that alone won’t do much, but Marrie is everyone’s best friend. If she thinks you’re cool, you can bet you’ll get a lot of their respect right off the bat. 

I can probably get you in touch with a few more people if you need their help, but whaddaya say? Sounds doable, right?[/code]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]->>>It sounds like something we could try.[/color] Ashley texted back.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]->>>But I doubt it’s going to be that easy.[/color]

She had to admit, Gale’s paranoia was a bit concerning, although she supposed it never hurt to be cautious. What was substantially more worrisome was the bluenette’s apparent fatigue, which didn’t bode well if they needed to engage in combat. 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Are you feeling all right, Gale?”[/color] the high-tech heroine inquired. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“You sound pretty tired.”[/color]

Marrie managed to pull her phone up to see the chat again. [color=00aeef]”Just… Been pushing myself a lot. I messed up again, so I need to be able to fix that, and I’m not yet.”[/color] Another glance at her phone. [color=00aeef]”Who’s Time Keeper? Someone left Gemini?”[/color]

​​[color=MediumSpringGreen]“He’s… He was a young agent,”[/color] Ashley replied. ​​[color=MediumSpringGreen]“[i]Too[/i] young, if I’m being honest. He was going through several… [i]issues[/i] of late, but instead of seeking help, or even taking time off to recover, he insisted he was fine, only to botch multiple missions by repeatedly failing to follow orders. After the train operation, he just ran off, and no one’s seen him since.”[/color] She sighed. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I’m sorry to hear about your own failure,”[/color] the Knight of Tomorrow added. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“But I’m glad you’re working on improving yourself.”[/color] It was more than Finn had ever done, after all. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“As long as you can recognize your weaknesses, you should be able to eventually overcome them,”[/color] she told the bluenette with an encouraging smile. As annoyed as Ashley had been at Gale’s ineptitude during the mission to eliminate Sofron, the blue-haired esper was clearly trying to learn from her mistakes, and the Knight of Tomorrow could only admire that. 

Marrie’s fingers on one hand slowly typed out a message while her other stayed on the back of the bench. [color=00aeef]->>>I don’t know about your reasoning, but I’m down for trying to get everyone to work together.[/color]

[color=00aeef]->>>I just don’t know if the leaders will agree to it.[/color]

[code]Is anything easy in Pax? Is anything without risk?

You need to have more faith in yourselves! You have a common enemy and I think both sides can see that. :punch

It’s not as if Dr. Moller was always a staunch monster hater. She works very hard to keep it hidden, but when she used to be a field operative she was absolutely smitten by a certain woman respecting mechromancer! :hehe [/code]

That revelation honestly wasn’t a surprise, at least as far as Ashley was concerned. Dr. Moller had always been rather eccentric, and seeing how amicably she had interacted with infamous Depraved Esper Oros the Mad in the aftermath of The Diver’s defeat, the Knight of Tomorrow fully expected the director to be amenable to at least a temporary ceasefire with the Mavericks in order to eliminate a common foe. No, it was the monster-loving terrorists’ [i]own[/i] leadership, and members in general, that the high-tech heroine was worried about.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]->>>I can see Director Moller being agreeable,[/color] Ashley texted. 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]->>>But I’m afraid Maverick as a whole has little desire to cooperate with G.E.M.I.N.I. at any level.

->>>Especially in the wake of the recent debacle at Dante’s,[/color] she added after a moment.

Once more, it seemed that Marrie was out of the loop. After reading what Orion had sent, she decided to ask for more information. [color=00aeef]”What happened? I don’t know that I know of a place called Dante’s, but it sounds like it raised tensions?”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“To put it mildly. It was a meeting place for monsters and magi that was run by a sandman who had been attacking Time Keeper’s dreams, further eroding his already fragile mental state,”[/color] Ashley explained. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“During a mission to investigate the establishment, Time Keeper disobeyed my orders and rushed inside, where he instigated a full-blown brawl, one which culminated in the entire place being set on fire and the sandman, Dante, being killed by Time Keeper before we could get any real answers. On top of that, Dante apparently had a daughter, who promptly joined the Mavericks once she saw her father had been murdered. So, yes,”[/color] the high-tech heroine concluded. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Pretty much [i]nothing[/i] good came of that operation, all thanks to Time Keeper…”[/color]

[color=00aeef]->>>I don’t see Billy being a problem unless something goes wrong, so if Gemini’s bosses can avoid getting rejected by people higher up than them it might be possible.

->>>I doubt the government is willing to work with with a designated terrorist group even if the people in it might be.[/color]

[color=00aeef]”I dunno how the bureaucracy of Gemini works, but I wouldn’t be surprised to have a deal be ready and then get axed by someone in another state for PR reasons.”[/color]

[code]Maverick Alternative is a designated terrorist organisation [i]because[/i] of G.E.M.I.N.I. my dudes. There are plenty of things they could do, legitimate or underhanded, to get around [i]that[/i] little problem. Besides, we’re talking about Fritz here. The hard part is going to be getting her and Billy to work together. 

But what am I doing here? You guys already sound like you’re on board! Unfortunately I’m a little lost as to how I could help you guys further. I have lots of connections, but nothing that would really help with this. You guys are already pretty revered by G.E.M.I.N.I. and Maverick Alternative respectively. But if there’s anything you’d like me to do, please don’t hesitate to ask! These favors aren’t going to call themselves in![/code]

[color=00aeef]->>>If you can gather anything about where Elroy Bates went or the tiger guy who took Regina Bates somewhere that would be great.

->>>Chasing rumors is really time consuming. Don’t want to do anything to put another target on my back in the process either.[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]->>>Agreed,[/color] Ashley added. 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]->>>It’s almost a certainty that they were abducted by The Hand to be brainwashed, but if we could strike whatever facility they’re being held at before the procedure happens, we’d gain a significant advantage.[/color]

The Knight of Tomorrow knew it was certainly a long-shot, but it was still worth the attempt.

Huh? [color=00aeef]”You think the tiger guy was with The Hand?”[/color] That was not good news. [color=00aeef]”If that’s the case…”[/color] With enough information to not be searching for a random tiger person, she would have a much easier time getting more. The problem was… If she was going to be working with G.E.M.I.N.I. anyway, there was no reason to go digging. [color=00aeef]”Then you guys probably have [i]some[/i] info on him, right?”[/color]

Under her breath, Marrie muttered. [color=00aeef]”Too bad we don’t know where one of their fronts is…”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Yes,”[/color] Ashley confirmed with a nod. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“He’s Big Tony, leader of the Weretiger Mafia and one of The Hand’s key members. I tried to eliminate him while you were attempting to rescue Regina, but unfortunately, [i]Time Keeper[/i] decided to screw everything up again…”[/color]

[color=00aeef]”Oh.”[/color] Things suddenly clicked for Marrie. But in that case… [color=00aeef]”Any idea where his, uh, ‘Mafia’ is based from?”[/color]

Their back and forth was interrupted by their phones chiming. High Priest responded again. 

[code]A little bird told me you recently got a mole in your organisation to give up the location of another key Hand member’s hideout. If time is of the essence, then maybe I could start looking there?  I certainly have the connections to run intelligence for you. If you can get me the location, I’ll be able to tell you if the Bates are there lickity split, tiger boy too. And if the Bates have not been brainwashed yet, then I’ll be able to report that back to you as well. 

The Hand isn’t stupid. They know you’re coming for them and are preparing. That’s why you need to be even better prepared. Call in every favor you can think of and you can achieve a decisive victory against them.[/code]

Marrie pulled her phone back to her sight and… blink. Another. A third. [color=00aeef]”If that’s the case…”[/color] Finally, the tiredness seemed to leave her voice as she perked up and looked directly at Ashley. [color=00aeef]”If I could just get to one of their…”[/color] Was it worth asking? If the hideout was occupied, then the chance was lower, but… [color=00aeef]”Do you think you could get to it?”[/color] She went back to her phone, almost excitedly.

[color=00aeef]->>>If you can get there physically, is there a place I can meet you or your workers to give you something?[/color]

[code]:confused

Tree Corner Park and the surrounding buildings are squeaky clean. If you want to pass something off to me, I can have a delegate at your position with two shakes of a lamb’s tail. [/code]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Yes,”[/color] Ashley told Marrie after the other esper had finished typing. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Like High Priest mentioned, we have the location where an agent was recently brainwashed. From what we’ve been able to gather, the individual responsible seems to be some form of AI, possibly serving as their command and control center. We’re already planning to mount an assault on it, but if you’d like to lend your support, we could always use the extra help.”[/color]

[color=00aeef]”Like an actual coded program? Or are we talking about like… a magical being that can go into cyberspace?”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“I honestly have no idea,”[/color] Ashley confessed with a frown. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“It was described as a giant TV screen with a very odd name, so perhaps it’s some form of artificially intelligent monster. Whatever the case, all evidence points to it being the source of The Hand’s advanced technology. Cerberus mentioned that during the ambush at the abandoned church there were several cybernetically augmented construction workers among the attacking forces,”[/color] the Knight of Tomorrow continued. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I think there’s a good chance that it’s what’s responsible for creating them.”[/color]  

Once more, Marrie’s eyes went wide. [color=00aeef]”That explains it, then.”[/color] Standing up straight, the blue-haired esper nearly bit her index finger before stopping herself from the habit. [color=00aeef]”Alright, I’m gonna have High Priest send someone over here, okay?”[/color] A pause. [color=00aeef]”If you ask why, you have to promise not to tell anyone you work for.”[/color] Her thumb hovered over her phone, ready to type a message once Ashley agreed.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“All right,” Ashley replied after a moment. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“G.E.M.I.N.I.’s security has already been compromised once, so I’m fine with keeping this between us.”[/color] She only hoped what Gale was planning would improve the upcoming assault’s chances of success, rather than hinder them…

Marrie nodded, a serious look taking over. [color=00aeef]”Alright.”[/color]

[color=00aeef]->>>Can you send whoever to come pick something up? If your people can use it, I think it’ll help.[/color]

A short delay, another message. [code]Sure! They’ve already been dispatched![/code]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]->>>It would also be helpful if you were able to gain some intel on the penthouse a giant TV of The Hand’s is located in, as well as on the construct itself,[/color] Ashley added.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]->>>I’m unsure of its exact name, but I was told it was something like “Morning Dragon Fruit”.[/color]

[code]:confused I’ll look into it.[/code]

Turning to Marrie she inquired in a low voice, [color=MediumSpringGreen]“What kind of plan did you have in mind?”[/color]

[color=00aeef]”This.”[/color] Marrie reached under her Style’s top and pulled out a small rectangle. [color=00aeef]”It’s what I’ve been working on since… well, actually, since shortly after our first mission together.”[/color] Holding it out to Ashley, Marrie took a cap off of one end to reveal a USB-C connector. After a few seconds, she put it back on and took off the other end, showing that it had a USB-A connector there. Putting that back on as well, she pointed with her free hand to one side of the thumb drive where there sat nine numbered buttons and a tenth with a key on it.

[color=00aeef]”If the enemy isn’t a magical cyberspace manipulator, this should work. It, uh…”[/color] Marrie’s expression turned sheepish. [color=00aeef]”It’s pretty powerful. If we can get it into one of their computers, we should be golden.”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“I see…”[/color] Ashley murmured as she looked over the data stick. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“So I take it this contains some sort of computer virus?”[/color]

Ashley received a nod in response. [color=00aeef]”There’s a handful of them. To not bore you with the details, if we can get this onto one of their computers, and if it’s connected to their network, or if they try to remove the virus but salvage the machine or any data on it… This’ll give me full access to whatever network they’re on, and most if not all of the connected machines.”[/color] Marrie’s finger shot up. [color=00aeef]”There’s a few possibilities that could stop it, and if the ‘AI’ they have is actually magic, it can probably stop me. But unless they’re using computers that are so old they barely work, or so new that they use quantum computing parts without a regular machine to interface with it, it [i]should[/i] work.”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Based on what I’ve seen of The Hand’s technology so far, it’s probably going to be a long shot,”[/color] Ashley noted glumly. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“But it’s probably also the best chance we have of substantially disrupting their operations [i]and[/i] gaining access to their information network.”[/color]

Their phones vibrated.

[code]:magnum  Your UberEats delivery is approaching!  :magnum[/code]

Sure enough, approaching the duo was a short woman, or perhaps a girl, dressed in an oversized trench coat. Her hands and legs were concealed under the baggy getup, with her only other accessory being a STEYER cap that had seen better days. Her skin was as white as snow, and her hair was as black as shadow. It took her some time, but she eventually arrived at the bench.

Once she was before the two, her left hand slid out of the center of the trench coat and brust one side of it off. The flesh on her arm was no less pale than her face, though her nails had been painted onyx black. 

[b]”I was told you had something for High Priest, the most amazing something, a something worth getting excited over. A beautiful something, maybe?”[/b] She turned over her palm. 

Marrie carefully placed the thumbdrive in the girl’s outstretched hand. [color=00aeef]”All you’ve gotta do is plug it in, there’s an A connector and a C connector so whichever one, and then press the key button, input seven-one-three-five-five, and press the key again. The little light on the side will start flashing blue. Once it’s solid blue, it’s done and you can get out.”[/color]

She held up two fingers. [color=00aeef]”I’ve tested it on the largest range of computers I could, and the installation takes between fourteen seconds and forty-three minutes depending on the hardware, so make sure you don’t get in trouble while it’s plugged in.”[/color] She put one finger down. [color=00aeef]”More importantly, once it’s been plugged in, it’ll wipe itself. We only get one shot with this. It doesn’t have to be an important computer, just one that you’re confident will get used by someone.”[/color] Her second finger curled as well.

[color=00aeef]”I’ve only got one other of these, so I’m counting on you guys.”[/color]

The girl nodded her head along with the detailed instructions of what to do with the vaguely described device. [b]”You can count on me to get this thing into a computer. I’ll get it into a computer so fast you’re going to be like ‘whoa, slow down, not so fast!’ That’s how fast I can get this to where it needs to go.”[/b] Her right arm slid out of her coat. It looked like a prosthetic that had been cobbled together from old engine parts. At least mostly, there were some pistons that were notably newer than the others that allowed the entire thing to move with the smoothness of a human hand. They were arranged on the back of the hand, arm, and finger to realistically simulate human muscles. [b]”Got a preference for when I get this baby uploaded? ASAP or, like, maybe a few hours before you plan on attacking?”[/b]

[color=00aeef]”If there’s a scouting mission, that would be a good chance. Otherwise, the sooner it’s done, the more info I can gather.”[/color] She paused for a second before continuing. [color=00aeef]”On the other hand, the sooner it’s up, the more time they have to try to stop it…”[/color]

Marrie turned to Ashley. [color=00aeef]”Any preference?”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Well, if it’s just meant to gain information, I think the sooner we use it the better,”[/color] Ashley replied. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“But if it will actively attack their infrastructure and shut down security systems, then perhaps employing it just before our assault would be the more effective option.”[/color] 

[b]”Then I’ll wait for High Priest to get in touch with me.”[/b] She pulled her hands back inside the oversized coat. [b]”Did you need anything else?”[/b]

[color=00aeef]”I can’t think of anything else. Hopefully we won’t remember something after you’ve already left.”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“I don’t have anything else to add either, except to wish you good luck,”[/color] Ashley added. In all honesty, she wasn’t entirely comfortable with relying on so mysterious an ally in the first place, but at this point, anything was worth a shot. 

The stranger used her bionic hand to slap her chest before casting it over her head. This caused her coat to swing open a bit wider. Despite how heavy the trench coat looked, she wasn’t wearing much underneath it. [b]”No need for luck, no luck needed for me. You can keep that luck for yourselves. You’re going to need all that luck.”[/b] And with that, they turned around and began the slow, arduous trek out of the park. 

[code]I’ve just been notified that the transaction was successful. :toot I think the next order of business is going to be to get as many people in on this as possible. Within reason, of course. Last thing we need for our carefully crafted plan is for some brainwashed tag-a-long to rat everything out to the Hand. I say you two see about getting the doctor and mechromancer working together and then hire as many trustworthy espers as you dare. 
[/code]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]->>>Understood,[/color] Ashley texted back, even as she tried to think of what Freelancers might be agreeable to taking on such a mission, while also not being more of a hindrance than a help.

While Dead Head was fairly competent, he was also rather volatile. G.E.M.I.N.I. had pretty thoroughly burned their bridges with MDP and The Pounder after the Dante debacle (thanks Finn!). Elzy [i]only dealt with goblins,[/i] and Noble Spark seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth. Hopefully he was still alive and simply lost to the Marvel Rivals brainrot the Knight of Tomorrow had been told her little brother was being treated for… That just left Mary and her merry band of misanthropic misfits, who, like DH, seemed just a [i]bit[/i] too chaotic for such a sensitive operation. Still, after planning out all its various facets, perhaps there would be a suitable role for them after all. Only time would tell. 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“I suppose I should be wishing you luck as well, Gale,”[/color] Ashley told the bluenette. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I get the feeling you’ll be having the more challenging time of things, between the two of us. Nice work with that device, by the way,”[/color] she added with a smile. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“You must be really talented with that sort of thing.”[/color]

[color=00aeef]”If I was talented, it-...”[/color] Her voice petered out as Marrie looked down at nothing. After a moment she looked back up. [color=00aeef]”Thanks.”[/color] She smiled. [color=00aeef]”I’ll try to get Maverick onboard. I could check the Great Escape, but I don’t know anyone super personally. There’s an investigator, but I don’t really want to put her in harm’s way by snooping around for this place, especially if High Priest is confident that they can get it handled. If I’m lucky, I might be able to get some extra gear for those of us who go.”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“That sounds like a good idea,”[/color] Ashely agreed. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Hopefully the intel gained by High Priest’s scouting mission will give us an idea of what we’ll be going up against and allow us to prepare accordingly.”[/color]

Jumpscare phone blip. It was HP again.

[code]Actually, maybe I do have something else you could do. I get the feeling Orion was hoping to smash some heads :lol

Very well. You may not remember, but during the diver fiasco, Binky was going toe to toe with a second smaller behemoth. I wouldn’t fault you if you don’t remember; there was a lot of exciting things happening that day. Said behemoth’s true name is Ynqriolli the Dawnraiser, or maybe that’s the magi that it’s soul is bound to? Either way, I think “Rising Sun” is what G.E.M.I.N.I. has classified it as. It’s also a member of the Hand. One of the more useless members, mind you. Merely extra muscle to throw at durable targets. But if you take care of it now, maybe your operation will go smoother?

I’ll leave your own research to you, but the magi it’s soul is tied to is none other than the disarmingly young but incredibly intelligent president of Pax Septimus University. I imagine he is formidable, but I would not bring a lot of agents with you. Despite everything, he is far more beast than man, and you risk more than your own lives if you engage him the wrong way.[/code]

Ashley frowned upon reading the High Priest’s opinion that she wanted to engage in battle, as she didn’t really consider herself to be a particularly violent individual (unlike a certain “obedient little killer”), but when she saw the proposed target to be eliminated, the high-tech heroine knew she couldn’t turn away from such an opportunity. Still, taking on even a [i]lesser[/i] behemoth would be a tall order for a mere two espers. They would need at least one additional team member, but who would be the best fit? After thinking things over for a moment, the Knight of Tomorrow came to a decision.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Marrie, do you think Stacy would be willing to join us on this mission?”[/color] she asked the bluenette. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I know she’s a Maverick, but she seemed like she bore no hostility towards G.E.M.I.N.I. and, if memory serves, she was able to effectively engage The Diver, so she obviously has experience with behemoths. Not only that,”[/color] Ashley continued. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“But with her inclusion, our team will consist of one Maverick, one Freelancer, and one G.E.M.I.N.I. Agent, so this mission can also serve as a test run to see if the city’s three major factions can effectively work together.”[/color]

[color=00aeef]”Yeah,”[/color] Marrie’s head bobbed an affirmative as she pulled up Stacy’s contact. [color=00aeef]”I’ll send her a message.”[/color] At what was, for her, a relatively slow pace she typed up a quick message. 

[color=00aeef]->>>Hey Stacy, are you free in the near future? Orion, the girl from the Oros date, and I want to hit the Hand.

->>>She suggested bringing you along, and since you did beat the Diver, it sounded like a good idea to ask.[/color]

A few seconds after sending her text message, Marrie’s phone rang. It was Stacy. 

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Hi there! Long time no chat! I mean no fight, I realize we were together not too long ago. Meaning you and I were together, but I wasn’t together. My head popped off again!”[/color] She laughed. [color=MediumAquamarine]“Anyway, who suggested I come along? Orion or the girl from the Oros date? I guess it’s not too important. But if you’re going to attack the hand, why don’t we bring the rest of the Mavericks? I’m sure Tetrad would love to see you again, and I want you to meet Amanda. I have a feeling you two would get along really well![/color]

[color=00aeef]”Right now we’re just hitting one of them, so maybe…”[/color] She glanced at Orion. [color=00aeef]”Four or five people, max. With you we’re at three, but if those other two you mentioned are up for it, I don’t think that would be a problem.”[/color] Having answered, Marrie had a thought and turned her phone’s speakerphone on.

Ashley winced.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Actually… I don’t think bringing Amanda along would be a good idea,”[/color] she whispered. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“She’s Dante’s [i]daughter,[/i] and she and I were both there when Time Keeper [i]killed him[/i], so I [i]highly[/i] doubt she has a fond opinion of G.E.M.I.N.I. Plus, we’ll need to clandestinely target Rising Sun after school hours to ensure the lowest possible chance of civilian casualties,”[/color] the high-tech heroine continued. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Which means the smaller the team, the better.”[/color] 

[color=00aeef]”It sounds like we’re shooting for a smaller team, so maybe just you and Tetrad? It’d be better to meet someone in a peaceful place, instead of on a mission, right?”[/color]

Stacy laughed again, but it was much harder this time. [color=MediumAquamarine]”Oh listen to you! Don’t you remember how [i]we[/i] met? There’s nothing wrong with meeting people in the heat of battle! Besides, we’ll have plenty of time to talk and hash out a plan before we run in, wherever we’re going. I used to not be big on planning, but it’s an excuse to talk about stuff over pizza and-”[/color] Stacy stopped speaking. Marrie could hear a few voices, but only recognized Luna and Stacy. [color=MediumAquamarine]”But yea, a smaller team is fine. Tetrad really wants to fight alongside you again, but I don’t think Boteg would have any reason to tag along anyway. He’s a little big for a small team anyway, ya know?”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“All right,”[/color] Ashley conceded. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I suppose that’ll work.”[/color] She only hoped this “Tetrad” would be agreeable to fighting alongside a member of G.E.M.I.N.I.

[color=00aeef]”Sounds good. Do you mind meeting up at… hang on.”[/color] Marrie pulled up her phone’s map app to check for a good place. An alley would probably raise suspicions, but so would the University's roof, though that would give them a good vantage… The Great Escape would be a neutral place, but if a fight broke out (however unlikely that was, or that she hoped it was) that might bring more people into it. Still… [color=00aeef]”Let’s all meet out by the Great Escape to plan stuff out and introduce everyone to everyone as needed.”[/color]

While giving Stacy a second to process that, Marrie mouthed to Orion. [color=00aeef]’When?’[/color]

Ashley thought for a moment. [color=MediumSpringGreen]‘Tomorrow night?’[/color] she mouthed back. That would hopefully be soon enough to keep The Hand from moving too far forward with their plans, while also giving her some time to formulate at least a rough strategy.

Marrie relayed the information to Stacy.  [color=MediumAquamarine]”Sounds good! I’m going to bring a game of scrabble with me, and then we can use the pieces to build a tactical map. It comes with all the props necessary for such a thing. But I’ll see you then!”[/color] 

…

…

…

The time flew by like it was nothing

In less than forty-eight hours, Marrie and Ashley found themselves in the all too familiar diner. It didn’t take long for the jester to make an appearance. It was hard not to notice her outfit. Even among espers, Tetrad was rocking a remarkable amount of colors. 

[color=75c159]”Hey!”[/color] She sat across from Marrie. Her eyes flicked over to Ashley, but quickly returned to her friend. [color=75c159]”I didn’t think it was a good idea for Stacy to be here, given all the espers. That, and I figured it would be better for us to get the main part of this plan underway before letting her look it over. She’s a little better at execution than I've found. ”[/color] She placed a scrabble box on the table and lifted the top off. Aside from the usual game board and letter tiles for scrabble, it looked like there were some monopoly pieces in there as well, and some plastic cars from rush hour, and some unpainted effects from a war game. There were also a number of other items that couldn’t be as easily identified, but had to have come from some more obscure board games. [color=75c159]”She insisted we make our battle plans with this.”[/color] 

It was amazing what a good night (and day) of sleep can do for someone. For the first time since the Trains, Marrie was bright-eyed and full of energy. Throwing herself at training over and over might get results, but it was also very draining on her mental energies. Now that she’d taken a day off to prepare, she was ready.

[color=00aeef]”That makes sense.”[/color] Marrie felt a bit bad, her face showing that fact. [color=00aeef]”I didn’t think of that.”[/color]

Ashley couldn’t help but feel a twinge of tension upon Tetrad’s arrival, although she supposed simply being ignored was preferable to open hostility. More concerning by far was the thought of devising a plan that would not only ensure the successful elimination of their target, but also that no innocent lives would be lost, or endangered, in the process. As a student at Pax Septimus U, Ashley had heard of the school’s enigmatic president, but that same aura of mystery meant she knew very little about him. He’d never been seen leaving the campus, let alone anyplace else, so ambushing him at his place of residence, or while he was on his way there, was out of the question. That said, she [i]did[/i] know the location of his office, and since that was where he could usually be found, she figured it was the best place to start looking.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Well, the behemoth we’ll be eliminating is apparently bonded to a magi serving as President of Pax Septimus U,”[/color] Ashley explained, while tentatively taking a few of the miniature buildings out of the game box and arranging them in a rough mockup of the university campus. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“His office is located in this building, here,”[/color] she added, pointing to the largest structure she’d found. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“So that’s probably where we should begin our search, although we’ll have to wait until all the night classes have finished to ensure that none of the students or faculty get caught in the crossfire of a potential battle.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”Soooooooo, we don’t even know where he’s going to be exactly.”[/color] Luna’s eyes scanned the plastic buildings, each of which was out of scale. [color=75c159]”Sounds like we’re going to pretty much wing it depending on what we find inside. Maybe instead of coming up with a plan then, we just need a strategy.”[/color] She poked the “principal's office” a few times before folding her arms. [color=75c159]”So we start our search here. What happens when we find him? Are we going to go Hitman’s Rule on his butt, or do we lure him out? If we go really late at night, the only people we should have to worry about are a few janitors and some overworked teachers.”[/color]

[color=00aeef]”If we can lure him to somewhere good, we could transplace with him to a better fighting area. We’d be down a person for a little bit, but we could also use a portal to fix that.”[/color] Looking over the “campus,” there didn’t seem to be any great places to target.

[color=00aeef]”Ultimately, it’d be best if we could find and destroy his… if not Grimoire, then his spellbook. Though the real target should be whatever links him with the behemoth, right?”[/color] She took a second to double check the “map.” [color=00aeef]”If we have to fight him, we need to keep in mind that he could probably summon it, so we really don’t want people around, unless that’d stop him from doing it.”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“I’d imagine combat’s going to be unavoidable,”[/color] Ashley replied with a tired sigh. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“From what I gather, he and the creature have willingly bonded together, I don’t think there’s really any way of separating them in such an instance. Furthermore,”[/color] she continued. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I think it’s less a matter of Rising Sun being summoned, and more of the president turning [i]into[/i] it, so if we want to prevent that from happening, we’ll need to strike fast, and if it [i]does[/i], we’ll need to engage it somewhere free of innocent bystanders. His office itself could potentially suffice, as long as we do this after school hours and can keep the battle contained there.”[/color]

Luna blinked. [color=75c159]”I don’t… really like how unsure you guys sound about this.”[/color] she crossed her arms. [color=75c159]”We really are winging it huh? Welp, Stacy’s going to be upset how underutilized her game was in our planning, but she liked winging it, so I don’t think she’ll mind.”[/color]

[color=00aeef]”Sorry…”[/color] Marrie put a piece next to a building. [color=00aeef]”I don’t like the idea of fighting him in his office, if he’s a behemoth, or has one, that’ll destroy the whole building, won’t it?”[/color] She turned to Ashley.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“That depends on how large it is, but, yes,”[/color] the Knight of Tomorrow conceded. “[color=MediumSpringGreen]There’s a fairly sizable chance of that happening. If you have any ideas for a more suitable location we could transplace him to, I’d be happy to hear it,”[/color] she added, turning to Marrie.

[color=75c159]”So let me see if I understand this.”[/color] Luna was more talking to herself than anyone else, but she was speaking loud enough that Marrie couldn’t answer Ashley right away. [color=75c159]”We’re trying to slay a behemoth, who is bound to, or could be, the president of the university. Then if we’re trying to murk this guy anyway, why do we care if his office gets a little banged up? Are we even sure that everyone else there is innocent? Do we know he doesn’t have a whole cult with him or something?”[/color] 

Truthfully, Marrie had been hoping they could win without killing the target, but the likelihood of that was low. More importantly… [color=00aeef]”Do we know that him dying won’t release and anger the behemoth? What if we get him, then we have to fight it too, with it unbound to anything?”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Something tells me we’ll probably have to fight the behemoth no matter [i]what[/i] happens,”[/color] Ashley replied. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“As for him having allied underlings present, from what we’ve been able to gather, he’s operating alone. Supposedly, Rising Sun is little more than a blunt instrument for The Hand, as opposed to having any form of leadership role,”[/color] the high-tech heroine added. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Plus, he probably figures he’s strong enough to deal with any trouble he might run into.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”Mmmhmm…”[/color] Luna rapped her fingers on the table. [color=75c159]”Alright, so, we don’t know anything about the target, really. That’s fine. If there’s something Mavericks are good at, it’s improvising on the spot.”[/color] With a sigh, she leaned back in her chair. [color=75c159]”I didn’t really understand what this was. I mean, anything second hand from Stacy is always a little iffy, you know? But it sounded like you guys were going to go after the Hand. This sounds a lot more like Marrie helping her Gemini friend kill a monster they have incomplete information on.”[/color] She raised a hand to Ashley. [color=75c159]”I know you’re not some mass murderer, and I know you wouldn’t work with a Maverick on this if it went against our standards.”[/color] Luna hit the table with the tip of her finger. It was just hard enough to shake things. [color=75c159]”This [i]is[/i] a member of the Hand we’re going after, right? A [i]real[/i] monster. Not, you know, someone’s dad or something.”[/color]

Ashley couldn’t help but wince at that last remark. Despite her best efforts, that particular operation had gone as poorly as possible, with the only silver lining being the safe escape of the endangered schoolgirls, and she was determined that [i]this[/i] operation would not be a repeat performance. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Rising Sun is a behemoth that ambushed and captured an agent that was later brainwashed by The Hand, not a business owner trying to provide for their family,”[/color] the Knight of Tomorrow explained. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“You can try reasoning with it if you really want to, but I don’t think it’ll end well for anyone involved.”[/color]  

[color=00aeef]”It’s a good first step. We were told that he’s not a super… important, I think was the word, member. That implies he might be able to be talked down. If we’re going to be meeting him in his office, we should at least try diplomacy first.”[/color] After a moment of thought, Marrie continued. [color=00aeef]”The unfortunate thing is that if that works, we’ll have to make sure he doesn’t just send info to the rest somehow, or attack us when we’re not paying attention. Though that’s true of any peaceful surrender, really.”[/color]

[color=00aeef]”Orion, do you have any info on what Rising Sun looks like?”[/color]

Ashley sighed upon hearing Marrie’s persistence with trying to employ a diplomatic approach, but her weary exasperation didn’t stop her from answering the bluenette’s question.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Going by what data we have, it’s a giant, multi-limbed, multi-headed snake-like creature wielding a spear and staff,”[/color] the Knight of Tomorrow replied. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Apparently, both its physical and mystical abilities are quite strong, so it’s not a foe to be taken lightly.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”From my understanding, behemoths tend to be a leeeeetle bit more difficult to socialize than even average monsters. But if it’s bound to a person, or is a person first, or… like…”[/color] Luna snorted. [color=75c159]”If this thing works for the hand, it could be highly manipulative. If it won’t come to the Bastion peacefully, we’ll have to fight it. Clearly leaving them alone is not going to work. Does that work for everyone?”[/color]

Marrie gave a nod. [color=00aeef]”Yeah. If we can’t talk things through, we don’t have a lot of choice after that.”[/color] She sighed and leaned back. [color=00aeef]”It’s too bad we don’t know how the connection works. Though that would open its own problems…”[/color]

After stretching her neck, loud pops coming from it, she continued. [color=00aeef]”So. How do we want to do this? Should someone be backup, or do we all go in together? On the one hand, if we’re all together, it’s more obvious that we’re being genuine about wanting to talk. On the other, if he goes straight into a fight without giving us a chance, having someone behind might be good.”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“If you’re really set on trying to talk things out, then I think it’s best if Stacy serves as backup,”[/color] Ashley replied. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I mean, my initial reason for bringing her along in the first place was her durability in combat, not her diplomatic skills.”[/color]

[color=MediumAquamarine]”And I’m [i]all[/i] about saying sorry and passing go!”[/color] The aforementioned Stacy walked up behind the group. 

[color=75c159]”Stacy?”[/color] Luna looked incredulous. [color=75c159]”You were going to wait outside, right?”[/color] 

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Yea, but I was getting bored.”[/color] She cleaned her ear with her pinkie. [color=MediumAquamarine]”I was also worried you were going to make a really complicated plan with all the talking you were doing in here. Hopefully it’s not too hard?”[/color]

Luna looked between her companions and Stacy. [color=75c159]”I don’t think so? You’re going to wait outside, and then if a fight breaks out, you’re going to come in and help us fight them.”[/color]

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Just like that?”[/color] 

[color=75c159]”Yes.”[/color] Luna bit her lower lip.

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Huh.”[/color] Stacy rubbed the back of her head. [color=MediumAquamarine]”I just thought for sure with all the talking you guys had been doing you’d have something really complicated dreamed up.”[/color] She squinted her eyes. [color=MediumAquamarine]”You guys weren’t doing all you can eat chicken fingers without me, were you?”[/color]

Luna glanced at the menu. [color=75c159]”I don’t even think they do that here...”[/color] 

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Oh okay!”[/color] Her smile quickly returned. [color=MediumAquamarine]”Well, do you mind stepping outside with me for a moment?”[/color]

With a nod, Luna stood up.  [color=75c159]”Sure.”[/color] 

Stacy looked at Marrie. [color=MediumAquamarine]”If you guys get done early, we’ll be waiting outside!”[/color] She waved her hand, but Luna quickly ushered her out of view. 

[color=00aeef]”... Well that sucks. It always feels bad to disappoint someone.”[/color] Marrie wasn’t sure what else to say. [color=00aeef]”Any final thoughts?”[/color] She turned to Ashley.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Just a suggestion not to get your hopes up,”[/color] Ashley replied with a solemn frown. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I know things like this can sometimes be resolved in a peaceful manner, but we’re talking about a member of The Hand here, and one bonded to an exceptionally intelligent magi at that,”[/color] the Knight of Tomorrow added. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I just want to make sure you understand the danger of what we’re dealing with, and that the odds of a non-violent resolution aren’t exactly high.”[/color]

In an instant, many thoughts rushed through Marrie’s mind, but in the end she decided not to voice any of them. [color=00aeef]”It’s important to try, even if we can’t manage it.”[/color] Truthfully, she was terrified that things were repeating. The pattern had held true so far, and if it continued to, she was likely to lose at least one person on this mission. Her eyes unfocused as she stared into nothingness, the fear of that happening taking over. 

[color=00aeef]”All I know about The Hand is that Justin was a member, and that they kidnapped the Bates. Neither of those are good starting points, but if there’s some in it who aren’t as bad as Justin, then him being in the same group as them shouldn’t disqualify them from being given a second chance to change.”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“I understand where you’re coming from,”[/color] Ashley replied with a sigh. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“But I’d be very surprised if that was the case. You remember the giant weretiger? He’s the leader of a massive criminal organization that deals in [i]human trafficking.[/i] These are [i]not[/i] nice people. In fact,”[/color] she added, her visage turning even more serious. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“They're probably the closest thing to pure evil in this entire city.”[/color]

…


…


…


Nightfall. 

Pax Septimus University was shrouded in shadow. Only the waning moon cast any light. Without some form of dark vision or night vision goggles, it would be difficult for the espers to make their way. Luna and Ashley walked side by side, with Stacy and Marrie in front. The zombie was humming an unrecognizable tune as she skipped ahead of everyone. 

Surveillance would be an issue, but Ashley studied on these very grounds herself. She had never pictured herself breaking and entering Pax University, but she did have a general idea of where security was tightest. There was almost no surveillance around the main faculty building. Some might wonder why there would be so little security for the teachers and principle, but these four knew it wasn’t necessary for them. If the principal was really capable of contending with Binky, they likely didn’t need a security detail. 

[color=75c159]”We’re here.”[/color] Luna whispered. Before everyone was a tall, yet narrow building. It would not be incorrect to call the structure a tower. It was cylindrical and seemed to rise into the heavens. [color=75c159]”So we’re leaving Stacy out here, right?”[/color] 

[color=MediumAquamarine]”I forget this part of the plan.”[/color] Stacy also whispered, but it was an uncomfortably loud whisper. [color=MediumAquamarine]”But I can wait out here. If something explodes, or a wall falls down, or someone laughs really evilly, I’m going to kick their butt.”[/color] She hoisted her chainsaw onto her shoulder. It was off, presently.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Uh, yes, Stacy,”[/color] Ashley confirmed with a slightly worried frown. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Unless you and Tetrad have some form of communicators, just wait here until the first signs of combat.”[/color] While a part of her worried that the zombie girl might mess things up at a key moment, like a certain “obedient little killer”, the Knight of Tomorrow strongly suspected that a fight would be inevitable, and so Stacy’s ditziness hopefully wouldn’t be much of an issue. Far more concerning was the possibility that Rising Sun, or rather, the magi he was bonded to, would attempt to deceive them in some fashion… [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Stay on your guard the moment we get inside,”[/color] the high-tech heroine instructed. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“The magi serving as the principal is known to be highly intelligent and exceptionally cunning. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already planning a trap for us.”[/color]
 
Marrie nodded. [color=00aeef]”Right.”[/color] She considered making a portal, but decided that doing so might give away that they had backup. Looking up raised a question. [color=00aeef]”What floor is his office on?”[/color]

​​Ashley was about to answer, but Tetrad spoke up first.

[color=75c159]”I thought you guys had a bunch of intel on this guy?”[/color] Luna raised an eyebrow. 

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Hmmm…”[/color] Stacy was holding a promotional flyer that also had a general map of the University grounds. [color=MediumAquamarine]”Apparently the faculty building is ten stories tall, and it looks like the top floor is his office as well as a mini-museum filled with stuff he’s helped research. Apparently he’s really into optics, so I’m picturing glasses and stuff like that. If you guys don’t blow the place up when he attacks you, I’d love to have a look around.”[/color]

Luna sighed. [color=75c159]”Looks like there’s a staircase that can take us straight to the top too.”[/color] After looking up at the tower for a time, the espers noticed a balcony. [color=75c159]”Or we could fly up there. But that might be a little risky.”[/color] 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Flying would avoid any potential traps or security systems on the stairs,”[/color] the high-tech heroine noted. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“But unless we had some way of cloaking ourselves from detection, we’d be sitting ducks for the duration of our flight, and that’s not even getting to how we’d even manage such a thing in the first place,”[/color] she added. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I’m pretty sure Gale is the only one of us who can fly, and I doubt she can carry more than one person, if that.”[/color]

Luna smiled. [color=75c159]”Oh, I don’t think that will be a problem. I can make you weigh as much as a feather, and I know Marrie can carry a feather while she flies.”[/color] 

Mostly to Tetrad, Marrie spoke with a bit of hesitation in her voice. [color=00aeef]”If we had as much info as I’d like to have, we wouldn’t have to have backup in case the talk didn’t go well. Honestly, I’m sort of feeling things out as we go.”[/color] After a moment she realized something. [color=00aeef]”... That’s, unfortunately, how most of my jobs go.”[/color] [color=00aeef][i]Which might be part of the problem.[/i][/color] 

[color=00aeef]”But as long as we keep our heads cool, the worst that can happen is that we lose our trust in a source of intel.”[/color] If the building was ten stories tall, then… [color=00aeef]”It’s sounding like a portal is the way to go after all. Should I go ahead and start the talk, or should we all go up together? Stairs or flight with a portal, either would work.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”A portal might be good if you want to bring everyone up with you. Stacy is fast, but not ten flights of stairs fast.”[/color] Luna looked at her undead friend. 

[color=MediumAquamarine]”I dunno, I think I could run up some stairs without too much trouble. Unless they have a big bad boss at the end of each floor. I could take them, but it would take some time.”[/color] 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“If we’re going for a diplomatic approach, at least to start, then using a portal would probably be the best option,”[/color] Ashley spoke up. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“And considering the distance, I think having Stacy come with us would be preferable to leaving her down here.”[/color]

[color=00aeef]”Right. I’ll see you all in a moment, then.”[/color] Marrie cast a simple Melody and began her ascent towards the balcony. 

{Silver Self - Flight} -72

The balcony was not hard to reach with magic. As soon as Marrie got to the top, she was able to land on the narrow balcony overseeing the university. There were a pair of windows and a set of double doors. They were made out of glass but not enough light got through to illuminate anything. It was a good thing Boteg wasn’t here, because there wouldn’t have been any room for him to land.

No booby traps so far. 

For a moment, Marrie considered knocking. Would that be wise? Probably not. But it was in her nature to want to be polite, so she had to fight not to. The one thought that most kept her from rapping her hand against the window was that he’d probably think she was a vampire. So instead, another Melody was cast.

{Silver Self - Magic Sense} -48

The space behind the glass doors came alive with magic. She could not detect any melodies at play, nor the presence of any traps. but Marrie could sense that the area had been enchanted with some form of “dream” magic prior to her arrival. But these were just remnants of the spell, and wouldn’t bring harm if any of her allies were to touch them now. 

Huh. That was not what she was expecting. Glad that she didn’t rush in, Marrie cast another low-cost Melody, namely a portal, on the wall so that her allies would land on the balcony. After a moment’s pause, she jumped off the ledge to return to the others, using a shield to land safely.

{Silver Touch - Portal} -48 

{Silver Self - Shield} -48

She felt a little concern about using so many Melodies so soon, but at least they didn’t use much mana. Once safely on the ground, she told her allies what she found. 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Dream magic?”[/color] Ashley wondered aloud as she placed a finger on her chin. Of the people she knew who were capable of employing such magic, one was dead, another had joined the Mavericks, and the last was an esper who she was sure would never work with The Hand under any circumstances. Unless, of course, she’d been captured and mind controlled…  

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Awww man! It’s been so long since I had a dream!”[/color] Stacy slapped her hands together. [color=MediumAquamarine]”Can’t wait to get up there and go to sleep!”[/color] 

Luna patted Stacy on the shoulder. [color=75c159]”She said ‘remnants’ of dream magic. So the spell has already been cast. But the bigger question is [i]why[/i] was it cast?”[/color]

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Clearly, we need to investigate!”[/color] Stacy pointed at the balcony with her chainsaw. [color=MediumAquamarine]”Let’s get up there and figure this out!”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“I agree, but we need to stay vigilant,”[/color] Ashley replied. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“From my experience, dream magic can be especially challenging to deal with.”[/color]

With that decided, Marrie placed the second portal on the wall next to them. [color=00aeef]”Let’s try not to burst in on anyone who’s there, okay?”[/color]

{Silver Touch - Portal} -48 

Unfortunately, Marrie picked the wrong order to do those things in. As soon as she opened the portal, Stacy walked through while the pacifist was still talking. [color=MediumAquamarine]”Gunna get me a hot principle!”[/color] 

Stacy looked like she was about to throw open the doors, but Luna remained in place. She eyed her companions, perhaps to read their intent. 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“How did I know something like this would happen?”[/color] Ashley groaned. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Come on!”[/color] the Knight of Tomorrow added as she raced through the portal. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Let’s get after her!”[/color] She only hoped they’d be able to move fast enough to keep Stacy from making an already tenuous plan completely untenable…

[color=00aeef][i]So she’s not staying for backup. Got it.[/i][/color] Marrie could see Stacy through the portal, but Tetrad staying back gave her an idea. [color=00aeef]”Well. Looks like we switched the roles, but I don’t mind staying back here like Stacy was going to, if you want to go on ahead. Plus, if the portal gets removed, I could still get there quicker than the stairs.”[/color] She wasn’t sure at this point just [i]what she was even there for.[/i] Getting them to the balcony was good, but they could have done that with any number of Melodies on their own.

[color=75c159]”Earlier, Orion made it sound like Stacy was coming with us. And I don’t trust Orion to be alone with Stacy. Let’s go.”[/color] She stepped through the portal with Marrie. 

Stacy pushed sliding glass doors to either side before stepping inside. Her eyes wandered to either side of the room. But there was nothing that could be seen. Then the lights came on. This momentarily blinded Orion and even the espers outside, but their eyes quickly adjusted. The room they had entered was massive, but largely empty. There were a few empty display cases and a rug that suggested a path through the room. It looked like an empty museum exhibit. Clearly they had been expected, and this was all part of a trap.

Fortunately, Stacy was a zombie, and her eyes had long stopped adjusting to light sources. The principal was standing off to the side of the door and fired a cone of fire at her, but she was able to jump out of the way as the flames came near. But monsters were not known for their arcane resistance, and even the fringes of the cone were enough to blacken her flesh. 

Before fading out entirely, Marrie’s magical sight caught something streaking through the sky. It was the behemoth, and it was cloaked with an invisibility spell and headed straight for them. She also picked up a spell being cast by it, but it was far beyond the power that her magic sight could interpret.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Well, looks like talking’s off the table…”[/color] Ashley noted with weary resignation as she raised her energy shield to block any further attacks from the principal. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“You okay, Stacy?”[/color] she called to the singed zombie, while snapping off an energy bolt at the principal, which would at the very least hopefully force the magi to take cover.

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Yup!”[/color] Stacy made a peace sign with her hand, even as the flames ate away at her feted flesh.  

[color=00aeef]”The big guy’s on his way, and blasting!”[/color] Marrie managed to say as she tried to take stock of the situation in the office. Then she noticed Stacy had been burnt, and something in her bent. [color=00aeef][i]This is not going to happen again.[/i][/color] The thought rushed through her mind, and the next thing she knew, a Melody had been fired from her weapon, targeted at the principal.

{Silver Projectile - Homing - Blink} -108

The principal raised his hand, and an energy barrier appeared before him. It took Ashley’s energy bolt without showing any sign of damage. Magus of the principal’s caliber could deploy spells faster than any esper. They were able to bend the very mana in the air, rather than channel the mana in their grimoire. 

He spotted Marrie’s melody mid flight, and hopped backwards to avoid getting hit. But the projectile curved and struck him anyway. A faint glow appeared on his chest, and he looked up at Marrie with a smile. In a flash, Marrie appeared before the principal, and he closed his hand around her throat. His knowledge of magic was so vast that he had been able to interpret what Marrie’s melody did after it hit him. 

[b]”I came from the stars.”[/b] A disembodied voice called out. [b]”I’ve watched your kind toil since this ball of dirt formed. What hope did you have to get the jump on me?”[/b]

Luna had just gotten inside when Rising Sun landed on the balcony, the invisibility wore off and revealed its spear thrusted into the ground. She turned to face it, but the look on her face was of someone who was well outside their element. 

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Tetrad and I have the biggie, you two gotta save Marrie!”[/color] Her chainsaw started with a single pull, and she dove onto the monster. Meanwhile, the principal’s body started to power up as he manifested his next spell. If the burning sensation on Marrie’s clenched throat was anything to go by, it was another fire spell. 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Damn it!”[/color] Ashly hissed as she watched things go from bad to worse in the blink of an eye. Rising Sun choosing that moment to make its grand entrance was concerning enough, but then Marrie simply [i]had[/i] to teleport herself into the principal’s quite literal clutches… [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Roger!”[/color] the Knight of Tomorrow called to Stacy, while briefly wondering who the second person the zombie wanted to save Marrie could possibly be, unless, of course, the chainsaw-wielding girl just couldn’t count… 

Taking aim with her techno-wand, Ashley fired off an energy bolt, which, upon striking Marrie, would envelope the bluenette in a glowing, semi-transparent green barrier. 

[Gold Projectile][Homing][If: Ally][Reflect] = 168 mana

She only hoped it would be strong enough to stand up to the Magi’s impending spell…

It was an abnormal experience for Marrie, being [i]ahead[/i] of things. She wasn’t entirely sure that her plan would work, since she didn’t have a training partner to test it on prior, but she had relative confidence that it would. And so, as her neck began to heat up, she gave a toothy smile to the principal, and began to cast her Melody.

{Tempest (Intangible): Gold Touch - Dispel - Restrain - Mana Burn} -560

And then she was behind him, her arm around his neck and her Instrument stabbed into his arm which had just had its hand around her neck as her Melody finished casting. {Devour Chance}

[color=00aeef]”Well, I dunno how your connection to the big guy works, but let’s find out.”[/color]

Or at least, that had been the plan.

But if the principal was able to identify when Marrie’s blink was going to activate, what was stopping him from doing the same thing with her intangibility? He wouldn’t be able to grab Marrie’s neck a second time, as she also expected it. He was able to grab her arm and beat out her thrust. Marrie’s arm sizzled and popped as the flesh was cooked right off the bone. It could have been far worse if Ashley hadn’t attempted to protect her.

[b]”You don’t have any original thoughts.”[/b] He growled. [b]”Men are born and die between the beats of my heart. Insignificant!”[/b]

While the magus had gotten his spell off first, Marrie was able to touch him. It was difficult to dispel something that she didn’t know existed, but she could [i]feel[/i] some kind of magical boon on the principal and weakened it with her melody. His hand sparked with flame, but then he stumbled forward. Sand poured out of every orifice of his face, even his tear ducts. Then he collapsed onto the ground. 

Rising Sun suffered the same fate. It howled before sand spilled out of its face, and it collapsed. Luna put an enchantment on Stacy’s chainsaw, which she swung into the behemoth’s elongated neck. In just a few seconds, the chainsaw cut the head clean off of its body. But this just caused more sand to spill out. [color=MediumAquamarine]”Damn! Where’s this thing’s weak point for maximum damage?”[/color] She thrust her saw into its chest and started to carve the behemoth like a turkey. 

Had Rising Sun been defeated? 

Seeing that Marrie had the magi distracted, Ashley was just about to fire a powered up energy blast into his back when, to her astonishment, he suddenly collapsed to the floor. Then she noticed the sand, which also seemed to be pouring out of Rising Sun as well, albeit in much greater quantities. Although the Knight of Tomorrow hadn’t seen it first hand, she knew that Finn had experienced something similar during his “dream demon” ordeal, and that, coupled with the mention of dream magic, painted all-too-clear a picture of what had transpired.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Guess you decided to bring Amanda along after all, huh?”[/color] the high-tech heroine inquired of Tetrad. As much as she wanted to avert the inherent awkwardness the girl’s presence would generate, Ashley had to admit, her abilities had proven decisive in bringing the battle to a swift conclusion. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Are you okay, Gale?”[/color] she asked the partially burnt bluenette. 

But Marrie didn’t respond, not for a while. She’d managed to keep her teeth shut when her arm began to burn, but [i]how[/i] the Magi had been able to avoid her Melody was taking too much space in her mind. If only she hadn’t gone with her instinct and just grabbed his arm, instead of trying to get behind him… Were Magi really that far apart from Espers? She found herself staring into space, not even registering the pain in her arm nor Orion’s question. 

When her synapses finally fired again, she turned to Orion just in time for the pain in her arm to hit her too. [color=00aeef]”Gah!”[/color] was all she managed before sucking in air through her teeth, instinctually putting a hand over it and casting a Melody. As it began its magic, Marrie sighed and gave a simple response. 
  
{Gold Touch - Heal} -96

[color=00aeef]”No. Not really.”[/color]

Luna was a little distracted watching Stacy try (and fail) to kill the behemoth by sawing apart its body. [color=75c159]”Eh?”[/color] She turned to look at Ashley. [color=75c159]”What are you talking about? Stacy invited me and Amanda to come along. She was the one who set up everything with Marrie. Though I haven’t seen Amanda around.”[/color]

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Yea!”[/color] Stacy stepped off the balcony and into the office. She was covered head to toe in dragon blood. [color=MediumAquamarine]”Marrie said not to take too many people, so I said I’d leave Boteg behind. Amanda wanted to try cursing the principal, but it didn’t work. At least, it didn’t for a time.”[/color]

Amanda lowered herself off of the roof and dropped down onto the balcony. She took a look at the flayed beast before stepping beside Tetrad and Stacy. [b]”I saw you coming, so I activated my sand trap. He was able to resist it with a spell, but something must have weakened his magic, because I was able to put him to sleep shortly after you attacked.”[/b]

A frozen fog twisted and solidified over the magus’s prone form. It seemed that weakening his magic was enough for the sand spell, and all other spells, to start taking effect. 

Ashley inwardly winced at the sight of Amanda. The dream manipulating monster girl was pretty much the [i]last[/i] person she wanted to interact with, and the current situation was far from an ideal setting for such an interaction to take place, but it didn’t look like the Knight of Tomorrow was going to get much of a choice…

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Thanks for the help,”[/color] Ashley told the new arrival. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I’m sure things would have been a lot more treacherous without it,”[/color] the high-tech heroine added, while making her way over to Marrie. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Um, do you need some help getting patched up?”[/color] she asked the blue-haired freelancer.

Marrie simply shook her head. [color=00aeef]”I think that’ll be fine.”[/color] she said to Ashley, before addressing the new arrival. 

[color=00aeef]”Thanks for the help.”[/color] Her blue hair swung beside her as she lowered her head for a moment, slightly bowing towards Amanda. [color=00aeef]”I wish things had gone better, and sorry for making you do all the hard work. I owe you one.”[/color] Lifting her head, a thought occurred. 

[color=00aeef]”So you put him to sleep? Is he still asleep, or…”[/color] She noticed Rising Sun behind the Maverick trio. [color=00aeef]”Same with him. Oh! Also, it’s nice to meet you, too. Sorry, this wasn’t really a great first impression, I’m sure.”[/color]

Amanda had little difficulty totally ignoring Ashley, but not Marrie prostrating herself before the teenage monster. [b]”I-It’s fine! I wanted to knock him out before  you got to him, but he was stronger than I suspected.”[/b] She averted her eyes, even as Marrie continued to attempt being pleasant with her. [b]”He should just be asleep. Normally I’d enter his dreams, but I don’t see the point.”[/b] 

[color=75c159]”And since you never put any spells on the behemoth…”[/color] Luna’s eyes locked on the magus. [color=75c159]”...Then their weak point must be…”[/color]

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Oh! Is that how it works?”[/color] Stacy chainsaw growled as she approached the magus’s prone form. [color=MediumAquamarine]”Welp, I guess in order to finish off Rising Sun, we need to finish off the Principal. Can I do the honors, or does someone have a suitably flashy way of blowing him up?”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Go ahead, Stacy,”[/color] Ashley told the zombie girl with a tired sigh. Although she knew how much Marrie had wanted to resolve things peacefully, the Knight of Tomorrow hoped that recent events would convince the bluenette of that outcome’s impossibility. As for Amanda, the high-tech heroine figured that simply being ignored was probably the best reaction she could hope for, given the circumstances of their previous encounter.

[color=00aeef]”That’s a cool power, making people turn to sand and fall asleep.”[/color] There was honesty in her voice.

[b]”It’s not actually turning them into sand. Just a little bit comes out of their face holes and then they go out like a light. Or I guess a lot of sand in terms of the big guy, but uh, yea.”[/b] Amanda folded her arms. [b]”Glad you think it’s cool.”[/b] 

Marrie was still somewhat distracted. She made her way over to Rising Sun. [color=00aeef]”Just in case, we should probably be ready for this guy to get back up.”[/color]

[color=00aeef][i]I’m tired of getting surprised all the time.[/i][/color] Sure, they hadn’t been able to talk the principal or the behemoth into leaving The Hand, and he had attacked first, but she couldn’t help but wonder how his family, if he had one, or the students would feel when they found out that he went missing. Or was declared dead, whichever happened. With a sigh, she pointed her Instrument at the sand that was Rising Sun, just in case.

Stacy’s methods wouldn’t have impressed the geneva convention, but her saw had little difficulty cutting the magus in two. Unlike espers, they did not have the same protections and were vulnerable without their magic to protect them. In truth, a single punch or slap from Stacy would have done far more damage than her saw. But the deed was done. The principal likely didn’t feel anything in his final moments, not that he could voice that now. Rising Sun’s form flaked away like ash, and blew away with the rest of the sand. The principal’s flesh aged before everyone's eyes. Years of rot set in after just a few seconds, and soon everything dried into dust except for his bones. 

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Now [i]that[/i] was cool!”[/color] She said before turning off her chainsaw.

[color=75c159]”Yeesh! That’s not normal.”[/color] Luna attempted to shake what she had just seen out of her head. [color=75c159]”Was that some sort of dark blessing? Would have had to have been. Whoever he was, I don’t think he’s been himself for a long time.”[/color]

Amanda seemed far less impressed than her companions. She stood like a statue, eyeing the weathered bones for something. Then she looked up at Ashley. [b]”Is it true that Finn isn’t with Gemini anymore?”[/b] 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“That’s correct,”[/color] Ashley replied, her exhaustion clear in her voice. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“He couldn’t be bothered to follow orders, so he quit,”[/color] she explained. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“No one’s seen him since.”[/color]

Despite the seeming tension, Marrie gave another sigh, this time of relief. Hearing the conversation behind her, she turned to face the other four girls. [color=00aeef]”Have you tried to find him? I’d be surprised if the government couldn’t find an ex-worker of theirs.”[/color]

[b]”Of course she did.”[/b] Amanda hadn’t taken her eyes off of Ashley. [b]”Though judging by your tone, I’d say you’re more than a little disappointed in him. If he were to show up again and he made a nuisance of himself, would you protect him?”[/b]

Ashley frowned as she took a moment to answer. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“It would depend on how [i]much[/i] of a nuisance he made of himself,”[/color] she finally replied. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Based on his previous actions, and the fact that he’s virtually dropped off the face of the earth, the odds are good that he’s now working with The Hand, either willingly or otherwise,”[/color] the Knight of Tomorrow added, here eyes narrowing behind her visor. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“If it’s the latter, I’ll do what I can to free him from their control, but if it’s the former, then he’s chosen to become an enemy of humanity and will be treated as such, regardless of his age. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how dangerous he can be.”[/color]

[b]”You didn’t even have to tell me you don't discriminate based on age.”[/b] Amanda flicked some of the Principal’s blood off of her cheek. [b]”But it’s good to see you’re consistent. I was just curious how problematic it would be if I tried to kill him.”[/b] She turned away from everyone. [b]”If we’re done here, I’m going home.”[/b]

[color=75c159]”Yea, we should probably get out of here before-”[/color] But Amanda had already jumped down. [color=75c159]”...I think Gemini and Maverick Alternative’s first joint operation went pretty well?”[/color]

[color=MediumAquamarine]”I even kept my head on!”[/color] Stacy pointed at herself for emphasis.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Yes, so I see,”[/color] Ashley noted, while giving Stacy a tired smile. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“In fact, I think it’s safe to say things worked out even better than I expected, all things considered.”[/color] She only hoped the upcoming full-scale operation would meet with a similar level of success…