Chapter Text
Juna
“Cadet Crawford. Come in.”
Juna stood up nervously and adjusted her regulation jacket. The ‘new’ police academy principal was waiting for her inside, fingers flying across his computer keyboard. “Sir.” She stepped inside and stood at attention.
“I’m sure you know why you’re here.” The new principal was a thin and reedy man, a bureaucrat, someone who had never picked up a weapon a single day of his life. An Erebonian paper-pusher who the Chancellor had slotted into place like an ill-fitting key in a lock.
“Sir, I - “
“I won’t hear it, Crawford, and frankly, I do not care,” the principal waved a dismissive hand. “But tell me why you think you’re here.”
“Because of the protest I led last Thursday at 1300 hours, sir,” Juna recounted. “My fellow classmates and I protested the Imperial Government's stance on the State of Crossbell and the S - “
“Do not finish that word, Cadet, or you will be thrown in jail,” the principal glared at her. “Actually, it’s not because of that. We found that you cheated on over half of your final exams.”
“What!? That’s - sir, that’s ridiculous and untrue!”
“And yet we have proof from several anonymous students,” the principal clicked his tongue. “You will henceforth be expelled.”
“No - please - “
“That’s quite enough, Principal Langley,” a cool voice entered the room.
“Captain Rieveldt. What brings you here?” The principal sat up a bit straighter as Instructor Claire
“It’s Major Rieveldt, actually. But that’s besides the point,” Instructor Claire cocked her head. “I’ve investigated the incident. All the people who came forward with Cadet Crawford’s ‘cheating’ were found to be lying. She is innocent.”
“She isn’t innocent of breaking Imperial protesting policies!” The principal snapped. “She admitted it to me just now!”
“That does NOT warrant expelling her outright!” Instructor Claire argued back.
“I’m right here,” Juna muttered, but the two adults were getting into it.
“It does! By the power the Chancellor has invested in me as overseer of this police academy - “
“And as a Scion, I can overwrite that,” Instructor Claire tipped her nose up. “Ordinarily in a case such as this, it would necessitate Cadet Crawford to re-take her second year courses. However, I feel that would be useless.”
“Useless? You dare disparage and mock my academy!?” The principal got to his feet.
“I’d rather teach my dog to bark than hear one of your lectures,” Instructor Claire said coolly. “A compromise - Cadet Crawford will transfer to the soon-to-open Thors Military Academy Branch Campus. She’ll be out of your hair and away from any…’protests’. Cadet?”
“Erebonia, though?” Juna furrowed her brow. “But…”
“Don’t you want a chance to meet the Azure Chevalier?” Instructor Claire whispered to her.
“Yes! Yes! I am more than happy to transfer to Thors Military Academy!” Juna brightened immediately. The opportunity to meet her hero, the Azure Chevalier? The man who personally saved her and her siblings from a Calvardian air strike? Absolutely!
“Very well. I’ll get started on the paperwork. Arthur.” Instructor Claire placed heavy emphasis on the principal’s first name. Juna could respect the power move.
“Get the hell out of my office,” the principal snarled. “And don’t think this is a way to get off scot-free, cadet. You will respect the office and power of the Chancellor.”
“Sir,” Juna said with an inordinate amount of sarcasm and skipped out of the office after Instructor Claire. Sure, she’d have to let her parents know, and she’d be leaving Crossbell, but…well, it was always Lloyd’s way of thinking to turn every moment into an opportunity. She could be, like, a spy for the resistance! Or something. Yeah, Lloyd and Elie would be really sad and hurt if she was in danger, but…she had to do it. It wasn’t just her dream to see a freed Crossbell, but the combined hope of a people trapped in an eternal war. And if she could get to know the Azure Chevalier…even better!
Kurt
The Vander school in Heimdallr was quiet that night. The kitchen and dining room were the only rooms still lit at that point, all of the other students having headed home for the night. Kurt sat at the table, head in his hands as he continuously read and reread the letter in front of him. Dismissal of duty. Thanks for years of service. Signed by the Chancellor, co-signed by the Crown Prince as well. His Highness Prince Cedric had changed, ever since last year’s Summer Festival. Growing in mind and body, developing a sense of pride and self-importance. Arrogance, from another point of view. A worthy Erebonian, from the Chancellor’s point of view.
“Kurt. You’re moping,” his mother gently chided him as she placed dinner on the table. For someone who used to be known as the ‘Stormwatcher’, she was remarkably gentle with family. At least when she wasn’t on the training floor - Kurt could remember more bruises from his mother’s naginata than practically anything else. Except maybe his father’s bruises.
“I’m not moping,” Kurt shook his bangs out of his eyes. “I just…total dismissal?”
“That is what it says, yes,” Aurier smiled at him kindly. “Your father’s also been transferred to Garrelia Fortress.”
“Really? That fast?”
“Supposedly, what he was told was that he’s going to be the new head of the Imperial Army’s training division,” his mother’s eyes tightened. “However, with your brother and uncle also scattering to the far corners of the Empire…”
“They’re separating us,” Kurt slumped down again. Now he was definitely brooding. “Mother…”
“Son.”
“I…what do I do?”
“Hmm…normally I’d suggest a spar, but it’s dinner time, so we’ll converse like ‘proper nobles’,” his mother couldn’t help but give a repressed snort. “The way I see it, Kurt, you have a few choices. You could stick with your original plan and go to the Main Campus.”
“That…might not be ideal,” Kurt dragged his fork through his meal. “I want to find out who I am, on my own.”
“Then you could always strike off on your lonesome, travel the land on your own two feet,” Aurier suggested next. “That was actually how I met your father - I was honing my Eastern Cleave style while traversing the world, and I encountered Matteus. We challenged each other to a duel, and - “
“ - and when you pinned him to the dirt, you fell in love, I know,” Kurt rolled his eyes. “You have told that story countless times.”
“It’s one I hold fondly. If you ever want to find someone, I suggest someone who can help you grow.”
“Mother - “
“But enough about that. However, I think there might be an opportunity for you to pursue,” Aurier paused for a moment. “I’ve heard that His Highness Prince Olivert is opening a Branch Campus for Thors in Leeves. Still in a suburb and still close to the capitol, but far enough away from His Highness the Crown Prince. General Le Guin is going to be the principal.”
“The Golden Rakshasa…” Kurt breathed out softly. “Hm…Let me…think on this, mother. Thank you. For helping.”
“Of course! You’re my son. I’d do anything for you.” His mother’s eyes twinkled with delight. “Dinner’s getting cold, dear, so eat up. And stop brooding! You’re becoming too much of a Vander. You do have the storm in your blood, after all.”
“Mother…”
Altina
Altina was definitely not spying on Bracer Osborne. She was also definitely not eating an illicit chocolate bar as she did so. Major Rieveldt had lectured her countless times on a proper diet. So for the sake of an official report, she was…uh…she was eating…celery? Sure. But she also definitely wasn’t spying on Rean. Roer was busy enough and technologically advanced enough so that she and Claiomh Solais could ‘blend in’ with the background noise. The invisibility field worked as well. Armbrust had talked at length about Osborne during their missions, but she couldn’t really see it then. Oh, Armburst talked a lot about anything - the weather, good and bad food he had recently cooked and/or eaten, weapon adjustments, Ordine’s personality quirks, but Osborne was one of two people that most often came up in the Chevalier’s thoughts. The other was one Towa Herschel. Altina hadn’t gotten the chance to perform surveillance on the woman, and she was on a mission to tail Osborne.
Wait. Shoot. She REALLY wasn’t spying.
Still, Roer’s bracer guild was quiet. The Chancellor’s methods had worked wonders in curtailing bracer activity by increasing funding to the RMP and Intelligence Division. Increased finances meant more patrols and more motivated officers, which led to decreased crime. Why go to a bracer guild when you could call a handy three-digit number and get a uniformed, certified officer in less than four minutes? However, Osborne was on the phone, now, talking to someone. Altina rooted around in her bag and pulled out a long-range microphone and plugged in a headset so she could listen in. Her other hand went to a small pencil and a pad of paper. She always preferred hand-written notes - she’d transcribe them later. Luckily, the microphone was powerful enough to hear the other end of the phone. And she’d clean up the shorthand later.
RO (Rean Osborne): ur highness! Howre things
ORA (Olivert Reise Arnor): im well, rean! Hows bracering
RO: thats not a real word and you know it
ORA: your mother would say otherwise
RO: strange relations aside is this for business or a courtesy call
ORA: you wound me! Here i was about to give you the opportunity of a lifetime
RO: and that is?
ORA: howd you like to get out of roer for a few months and do some real work for a change
RS: your highness?
ORA: ive recently started a branch campus for thors, and i need teachers
ORA: ive got the golden rakshasa as the principal and a few other people, but i need a solid military arts instructor. Who better than you? Surely youve learned a lot. Sword-tricks, 100-form, lance -
RO: not on a public call, olivier.
ORA: (laughs). So? How about it
RO: I mean…
ORA: you know what the chancellor is doing to the guilds, rean. A chance to help people, as sara helped you?
RO: hows pay
ORA: is that a yes
RO: send me the contract through courier
RO: i dont want any little bunnies spying on me
Rean walked to the window and shot Altina a look. Her invisibility tech was still active, so…how? He closed the shades as an overwhelming presence emanated from the guild. Probably a good time to leave. After all, she definitely wasn’t spying. The Intelligence Division already knew about Prince Olivert’s new school, but if Osborne was going to teach there…that could be an opportunity. Altina packed away her candy bar and notes and took off into the sky. Thors, huh? Millium had always spoken of that place with a hint of…envy. What if Altina went there as a student? Another way to get a leg up on her sister…that didn’t sound bad at all.
Musse
“Good afternoon, ladies. Welcome to our humble cafe,” a server bowed at the waist, platter held in their hands. “May I interest you in any tea? Coffee?”
“Tea for me, please,” Musse gave the server a smile. “Green, if you have any, but I’ll be perfectly content with chamomile.”
“Coffee with milk and sugar, if you could be a dear,” Misty - or, rather, Vita Clotilde in disguise - shot a wink through her glasses. The witch had her long hair up in a bun under a hat, dressed in conservative clothing so far removed from her operatic gowns. Not that Musse was any different - dressed as an ordinary schoolgirl on a weekend off.
“Of course - just a moment,” the server scurried off, leaving the two to their conversation. Mid-afternoon on a spring day in the capitol was always such a lovely time for people-watching. Musse had to push down her analytical mind so she could enjoy the weather.
“Shouldn’t you be studying for exams?” Vita raised a fine eyebrow.
“It’s good to see you as well, Misty,” Musse replied. “And I don’t really need to study if I already know what the questions and answers will be. And shouldn’t you be in hiding?”
“Who would think to look for me here, in this disguise?” Vita tugged at her sweater. “Least of all my dreadful former coworkers.”
“True, true!” Musse giggled, but they paused their conversation as the server placed their drinks on the table.
“Can I get anything else for you?” The server asked.
“Tea tray set number one would be delightful,” Musse shot a dazzling smile. “Thanks.” They hurried off once again.
“Thank you for covering this, ‘my lady’,” Vita stirred her coffee idly before taking a sip. “Ahhh. You don’t get a brew this fine out in the wilderness.”
“Not enjoying the countryside?”
“My back isn’t,” Vita huffed in response. “Still, I appreciate the kindness. Your support, as much as you can give…why?”
“The future of this country is rapidly changing, faster than even I can predict,” Musse took a bitter sip of tea. The flavor cleared her mind as well. “I’m going to Thors Branch Campus in a few weeks. I’ve already made contact with Aurelia, and she’s giving me her backing for Lamarre. But what can you tell me about Class VII?”
“Class VII? They’re an…odd group. Strong. Resolved. They were able to beat back the pre-written ending that was written out for them.”
“I see…”
“Why do you ask?”
“Rean Osborne is going to become New Class VII’s instructor. What do you know of him?”
“Rean Osborne?” Vita bit back a laugh. “He…he’s the only one aside from you that saw through my disguise.”
“Really?” Musse pursed her lips.
“Yes, indeed. He’s a master of the Eight Leaves One Blade style, and a fellow Awakener - like Crow Armbrust.”
“Hmm. What about his weaknesses? His flaws?”
“Trying to get another chess piece?”
“He’s the strongest one on the board. Fate flows around him oddly.”
“You’d have a better chance with Crow,” Vita said fondly. “Rean is…well, you’ll see. He’ll see through your tricks, and don’t try to seduce him.”
“I wasn’t planning on it!” Musse pouted, puffing out her cheeks. “He’s a taken man, I have some self-respect!”
“Attagirl,” Vita wiped away a stray tear from laughter. “If you decide to do this - if you decide to challenge fate - I will support you, as an aide. A guide. I cannot promise that you will follow the path your mind has plotted. So go cautiously. This is not a move for a chess mistress to make. A pawn, perhaps.”
“Maybe so - but I’ve hid for long enough,” Musse’s hand went to her purse, where a single black pawn lay. One of her parents’ last gifts had been a chess set, carved from wood. They had passed a few months after, and Uncle Croire had shipped her off to St. Astraia’s to lead his province to ruin. “The pawn may be the weakest piece, but it can transform into a queen when the situation is correct. And I’ll guide this board to walk the path of justice.”
“Very well. Then allow me to educate you on some of the pieces,” Vita snapped her fingers as water flowed out of her glass and into the air. It aligned into a chess piece - a rook. “Class VII’s rooks - Gaius Worzel and Laura Arseid. Powerful, single-minded. Can be outmaneuvered.”
A bishop. “Elliot Craig, Sara Valestein, and Emma Millstein. Powerful in a different way, but can be trapped easily in corners.”
A knight. “Machias Regnitz, Fie Claussel, and Jusis Albarea. Difficult to maneuver, but they can catch you off-guard.”
A queen. “Alisa Reinford and Crow Armbrust. The most powerful supporters to the king. If you cripple them, you cripple the king and his army - but he’s not defenseless.”
“And that leaves Rean as the king,” Musse nodded slowly.
Vita nodded as the water flowed back into her glass. “There are some other pieces - Claire Rieveldt, the Scion; Millium and Altina Orion, the Rabbits; Sharon Kreuger, the Society’s Assassin; Toval Randonneur, the Bracer-Warlock…and Rean’s mother.”
“Rean’s mother?”
“I can’t spill all of their secrets, Musse - some you’ll have to discover on your own.” Vita leaned back in her seat with a smirk. “Before you go, I’ll teach you some techniques for mana-control and a few minor spells that can help you out.”
“That sounds lovely! And our food is here as well!” Musse clapped her hands together as the server wordlessly dropped off the tea tray. It was three stories high and laden with small bites and morsels.
“Is this really what the nobility eats? There’s nothing substantial here! This is just cucumber on bread!” Vita huffed as she poked at a small sandwich. Musse laughed again, enjoying the sunlight. Vita was always a delight to be with, and Musse would carve these memories into her mind once war began. Time didn’t wait for anyone, not even Mildine Juzelith De Cayenne.
Ash
Raquel had several antique payphones scattered throughout the city. A few years back, someone had pasted all the taxicab numbers for the sake of all the drunks late at night, but Ash paid them no mind. He didn’t pay the gawkers any mind either - you’d think after more than a decade here, people would finally stop bothering him about Hamel. Oh, no one would go out and say it and ask him, but everyone knew. His ma had tried her best, the goddess rest her soul, but that didn’t matter anymore. Still, he had a mission. He had that look on his face he used back in the Civil War to keep out the Provincials and the Rebels with Fafnir, so all the adults stayed the hell outta his way. The face didn’t work on some of the kids though, and he always made time to play a few hands of Vantage Masters with them or pass them candy.
He wasn’t a softy, though, don’t get it twisted. Asshole.
Still, he made his way to a grungy payphone and closed the booth door. This specific one by the cathedral had a fun trick to it - when you pushed the coin in, if you smacked the box at a specific angle, it’d refund the change but still push the call through. And…score! Yeah, it was 50 mira, but that added up! He dialed a number he’d called a few times in the past and laid the receiver between his head and shoulder. He twisted in the booth to look outside and make sure no one was listening in.
“Hellooooo?”
“Cut the act, Lechter. It’s me, Ash.”
“Hey, kid! What’s cookin’?”
“Same old, scarecrow,” Ash furrowed his brow as he turned back around. “Anything? You got anything for me?”
“Again, Ash, I don’t have any more information on Hamel,” Lechter huffed back, clearly busy. “But you’re in luck!”
“And that is…”
“Well…” Lechter trailed off.
“Can you just tell me instead of being a shitball?”
“Watch the language, squirt, or I won’t share my juicy intel.”
“You want language? Fuck you.”
“HAH! There’s that Raquel charm,” Lechter cackled into the receiver. “But nah, I ain’t jerkin’ your chain. How much do you know about Thors?”
“The fancy-pants school in the capital suburbs? I heard that the crown prince is goin’ there in a week or two.”
“Well, there’s gonna be someone at the branch campus in Leeves who has strong connections to the Hamel Incident.”
“And you didn’t know this ‘til know!?”
“Stop shouting at me! Yikes!” Lechter replied harshly. “I had a feeling. Anyway, if you check your mailbox, there’s an enrollment form and exam. You’re a smart cookie, you do well and you’ve got a shot at gettin’ into the branch campus. You’ll find your answers there.”
“And what’s it to you? Whaddaya want in exchange?” Ash furrowed his brow. It was always give-and-take with the Intelligence Division.
“The man you’re after is Rean Osborne. I need you to tell me what he’s up to - who he talks to, what’s on his mind. You get close to him and he’ll spill his secrets. I need you to tell me those secrets.”
“And you can’t do this yourself, why?”
“It’s a long story, but I pointed a weapon at his friends and mother.”
“Dumbass.”
“That’s rich coming from you, squirt,” Lechter gave his characteristic laugh. “So? You in?”
“Deal. I’ll be your little secret agent if it gets me the answers I need,” Ash growled back.
“Just know that you’re not the only set of eyes and ears I’ve got there, so don’t push yourself too hard. Show Osborne your worth and he’ll let you into his head. Capische?”
“Yeah, I getcha.”
“Not even gonna say ‘thank you’?”
“Nope. Bye.” Ash hung up and cracked his neck, getting out of the cramped phone booth. Finally, a lead. Ash hadn’t been Johan for a long, long time, but that long-ago name reared its head in glee. He’d finally get his answers. He wouldn’t be running away from the truth, but right at it. He couldn’t wait to get started.
Schmidt
The worst part of being one of the greatest scientific minds on the continent was that everything was dependent on money. Every invention had to be patented. Nothing could be invented TO patent unless there was money to fund the materials or the help. And no one wanted to help fund the illustrious Professor Gerhardt Schmidt after the smear campaign the Reinford group had been running against him. After all he had done! He was the one who had adapted Franz’s designs to the Azure Knight and developed the blueprints for the Panzer Soldats! He had created both an orbal wave jammer that could cover an entire nation AND a broadband radio that could bypass said jammer! Sure, those had been Latoya Hamilton’s designs, but she didn’t need them, he did! It also was NOT his fault what the Noble Alliance did. He didn’t pull the metaphorical trigger. He just…built it. He was beyond morality - he was one of the greatest minds on the continent. He was Professor Epstein’s foremost disciple! He himself had trained three of his own disciples, and their works might as well have been his.
And that saw the greatest mind of their generation alone in a laboratory, unable to keep even the lights on. A ray of sunlight illuminated his table, upon which a single letter lay. Franz’s pocketwatch ticked away, and he deigned to read it.
Dear Professor Gerhardt Schmidt,
After reviewing your current technological body of work, in light of the impact of the Panzer Soldats on civilian life and infrastructure, the filed complaints against your body and mind from the people and Board of Directors here at the Roer Institute of Technology, we, as the Board, are encouraging you to depart from Roer for a sabbatical to reevaluate your goals. Fortunately, we have seen fit to procure for you a paid employment at Thors Military Academy’s Branch Campus in Leeves, overseeing their technological field and Einhel Keep. If you do not comply, you will be stripped of your patents and rights and dragged in front of a court of law, to be held on trial for crimes against humanity. Please respond at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors Representative Gwyn Reinford
Hmph. The gall the Board had, to send that idiot Gwyn after him…still, a paid opportunity to continue his work…well, he didn’t have a choice, did he? And after all, who else could possibly be there that would bother him? He knew General Le Guin was about to become Principal Le Guin, and she had approved of his methods and creations. And it wasn’t like Osborne was going to be there to ruin him, would he? No, he’d still be languishing away in his branch in Roer.
“Disciple? Pack my bags. We leave.” Schmidt called out, before remembering he was all alone in his dark laboratory. He heaved a great sigh. He had much work to do.
Tita
“So…Erebonia, huh?” Renne sipped at her tea as Tita fiddled with an orbment. “Why there?”
“Well…Olivier - oh, I mean Olivert - invited me!” Tita set down the orbment and blew on her tea. Renne always brewed it too hot. “Plus, Professor Schmidt will be there, so I can learn a lot from him!”
“You mean the guy who always steals everyone else’s ideas and built the Panzer Soldats? What were the total casualty reports from the Civil War and the Northern War? Last I saw on the orbal net, it was in the tens-of-thousands,” Renne’s lidded gaze bored into Tita.
“Well, I’ll need his help to develop the orbal gear,” Tita fiddled with her fingers. “And - and it’s a great way to find things NOT to do!”
“Heh…well, we’ll miss you at Jenis,” Renne smiled at Tita. She could remember when the Ex-Enforcer had her scythe pointed at her. “I’ll miss you.”
“Aww, Renne!” Tita scrambled around the table and wrapped her friend in a hug. “I’ll miss you too! Besides, my mother’s contracted Agate to look after me, hehe.”
“I can’t trust that lunkhead and we both know it,” Renne huffed, but did hug Tita back. “Still, you’ll call every week?”
“I promise. But I’ve still got some time before I head out. Is there anything you need before I go?”
“Just more time with my best friend.”
“Heehee. When I come back, you won’t even recognize me!”
“Yes, I will. You’ll still be just as short as you are now, only brainier.”
“Rude! I know I’ve got another growth spurt in here somewhere!”
“You keep telling yourself that.”
Randy
“So, Randy, you ready to go?” Lloyd peered around a corner at the train station. “We’ll miss you.”
“Not really, but I ain’t got a choice,” Randy tightened his ponytail. “That new Governor General’s also gettin’ here in a day or two. You gonna be okay?”
“Just another barrier to get over,” Lloyd shrugged in response. “Besides, I’ve got Arios and the others.”
“Goddess, I still can’t believe you and Elie got together.”
“Shut up, Randy. What did you tell Mireille?”
“That’s none of your business,” Randy sniffed in response. “Still, we’re all kinda scattering…I’m gonna be worried about you.”
“Like we won’t be worried about you?” Lloyd let out a snort. “I’ll need my ‘big bro’ to come back in one piece, good intel or no.”
“Hey…you’ve really grown up, haven’t you?” Randy gave Lloyd a head pat. “I’ll be fine. I’ll just remember what you and the rest of the SSS taught me, and I’ll teach the kids that. Besides, Junie’s gonna be there.”
“Heh…just make sure she doesn’t get into trouble.”
“Like we didn’t back in the day?”
“Fair.”
The train whistled.
“Shit, I gotta jet. I’ll see you on the other side of this barrier, Lloyd Bannings.” Randy held out a fist.
“Same to you, Randy Orlando.” Lloyd gave him a fist bump, and Randy hefted his bag onto his shoulder. “Oh, yeah! KeA wanted me to give you this.”
“What’d your kid wanna give me?”
“Stop it, Randy. Just take it.” Lloyd passed him a small origami star. Each of the five points had a face doodled on it, one for each of the SSS’s founding members and KeA. “So you’ll always be able to find your way back to us.”
“Goddess, you’re a sentimental sap. I’m outta here.” Randy held the star as he turned around and walked to the station. He could sense Lloyd disappearing back into the shadows and down to the Geofront, away from the Imperial Government’s prying eyes. Oh, he was sure they knew Randy’s past, but if they were so focussed on the Red Reaper, they wouldn’t see the truth. He’d built up his ‘himbo’ facade for years, and no one expected his sharp cunning. Well, aside from his family in the SSS. He noticed KeA’s ornament had a small tie, and he fastened it to his duffel bag as he rooted around in his pocket for his ticket. The conductor was a messenger in the resistance and knew him, and the two men shared a nod as Randy boarded the train and sat down in an unoccupied seat.
Erebonia, though…somewhere in that great Empire was his father’s grave. But it also held his future - and his city’s future. Get over the barrier. Get over the barrier.
He’d play the fool, sure - but he had people counting on him. And Randolph Orlando never let people down - not anymore.