After climbing back into the crawlspace at the arboretum, I had managed to squeeze and shuffle my way back to where I had placed the sex offender trench coat and accessories. Grabbing the unsightly outfit, I then continued shuffling my way back in the direction of the elevator shaft. Unfortunately, the path to the shaft was separated from the crawlspace by a solid concrete wall, turning the whole struggle into a gigantic waste of time.

I was forced under The Voice's direction to divert towards the lavatory in the outer defensive layer where I finally dropped down from the ceiling. Once on my two feet again, I changed back into my original disguise and dumped the SOPO uniform back into the crawlspace where it would likely never be found. I then made a break for the elevator with the help of The Voice keeping track of the various patrols and to my relief, found that my mental command on the two guards at the elevator was still in effect. From there, it was just a simple elevator ride back to the tower's lobby. With everyone at the lobby avoiding me like the plague, or more accurately, like a sleazy sex offender, a short walk out of the tower's main entrance was all it took to return me to relative safety.

Which makes the person waiting for me just outside the tower's entrance all the more a surprise.

As the crowd parts before me once again, a single person stands resolutely in my path, refusing to give way. A pudgy middle aged woman with graying hair and sagging tits, she looks at me with an expression which is a combination of resignation and surprise. It takes me a moment to recognize who she is, but when a familiar annoyed expression makes its way to her wrinkled face, a light bulb goes off in my head.

Its Alley, presenting in her real appearance. My guard immediately goes up. Wasn't she arrested? What in the world is she doing here?

Alley makes her way towards me, fatigue and stress oozing from her gait. She does not look like she had been ill treated in detention, but the experience was probably still no picnic for her. By the time she reaches me, the look of annoyance on her face has passed and all that's left is weary resignation. I look into her eyes and the only thing I see there is defeat.

"Call for you." Alley tells me and hands me a mobile phone together with a large sealed envelope.

Cautiously accepting both items, I put the phone to my ear.

"Disappointing. Really disappointing." The harsh bite of someone who smokes too much comes from the speaker, "I was expecting explosions, but all I got was a trench coat wearing weirdo walking in and out of Ascension Tower."

"Who are you?" I ask the mystery caller.

The habitual smoker replies, "Commander Hernandez. Don't tell me you can't recognize the voice of your own Commander, Officer Doe. Or is it Greer? Or maybe Gallant? You have a lot of balls to go around wearing a uniform that isn't yours my friend."

"He is calling from the black van parked by the side of the road some distance to your left." The Voice helpfully informs me, "There is also a a plainclothes ORPO officer getting into position behind you carrying an automatic pistol."

I give the van in the distance a sloppy salute and reply, "Commander, sir! Officer John Doe reporting for duty. Is the man behind me my new partner?"

"Smart ass." Hernandez answers, "Tell me why I shouldn't have you taken in right now for impersonating an officer."

That's an easy one. I reply with a smile on my face, "Because I am an ORPO officer. Check your records Commander. My membership in ORPO is completely legitimate."

Hernandez snorts, "Bull. The paper trail is legit, but you never were a part of ORPO. No officers have seen you coming in for work. I have never met you before today even. Now stop playing games and answer my question."

The grin grows on my face as I quip, "What games? I am shocked that my Commander does not recognize me after all the work I have put in."

Hernandez then puts on a theatrical sigh and says in faux distress, "Oh dear. What a tragedy indeed. Especially if that officer was mistaken as someone else and caused a disturbance while resisting arrest. ORPO is made out of mundane humans as I'm sure you know. Cases involving mages have to be forwarded to SOPO for their action. I wonder what would happen if SOPO picked up our poor officer?"

I furrow my brows and curse inwardly. I should have known Hernandez would be prepared if he was willing to openly confront me like this. "What do you want?" I ask.

Hernandez replies cheerfully, "You still haven't answered your Commander's question 'officer'."

So that's how you want to play it? Fine. "You won't arrest me Commander," I say in as flat a tone as I can manage, "because I know where you are hiding and will break your face before SOPO gets here." Alley blanches visibly at what I am saying.

Instead of getting angry, Hernandez laughs at what I have said, "Good. The mask is finally off. You're taking your situation seriously. As for what I want, I want you to help me. And I want to help you in return."

"Oh? How are you going to help me?" I challenge.

"Now's not the time to talk about these things." Hernandez says, "This meeting is just to touch base between us. Get to know who I'm going to be working with. I hear you've made yourself comfortable in Six Trees? Get yourself home first, take a load off. There are friends of mine in Six Trees I would like you to meet. I'll set a meeting up at a nice restaurant there. Consider yourself invited."

"I'm honored." I say in the dourest fashion I can manage.

Hernandez laughs again, "Oh, I'm the kind of Commander who takes care of his men. So no need to stand on ceremony. With your Commander in charge of the police at Six Trees, criminals have nowhere to hide."

I just give an unintelligible grunt in response. Hernandez takes it as agreement and says, "Well, I have places to be. Take a look at the documents I handed over to you. Its just a gander of the help that I can give. Keep the phone as well Officer Doe. I'll be in touch."

The line goes dead and the van drives off into the distance. The ORPO officer behind me walks towards Alley and gives her a nod. Alley looks like she wants to say something to me but thinks better of it and soon the both of them disappear into the crowd.

How am I going to deal with this?

....

"The Council is honored by the presence of the Ambassadors from the P5, Host and Legion." The Speaker of the assembly pronounces as a trio of old men make their way to the seats specially prepared for them.

Once the trio finish taking their seats, the Speaker once again announces, "The Council calls Gustav von Amsterg, Prince of Europe, to make his address to the Representatives."

"Well this is it." I say to Rose who stands beside me in the alcove set aside for us. Uncle had decided that the succession would be decided through a trial by combat held in The City, and today was the day it was going to be legitimized by The City's representatives and the great powers. I was told by Irene that everyone had already agreed in principle to the idea. What was happening now was merely a formality. Knowing that, I tuned out Uncle's speech to the Assembly and continued my hushed conversation with Rose.

Rose smiles happily at me, "Its like a dream isn't it? Soon I will be free of Nicholas. And its all thanks to you."

I scratch the back of my head and say, "Well, we have not won yet, so its not really the time to celebrate. We should concentrate on what is before us."

Rose pouts, "Nicholas is no match for the both of us together right?"

"Well yes." I concede.

"Then there really is nothing to worry about." Rose says with finality.

Rose is right. Uncle had set this whole thing up to put Nicholas in his place after all. Once Rose has her freedom, then I too will be free as well to live my life as I see fit.

My face breaks into a grin, "When its all over, if I win, I will transfer everything over to you Rose. Its all yours anyway and I don't deser-"

Rose suddenly clamps her hand around my mouth and looks at me sternly. "No." a single word command from her.

"Even if you gave me everything," she continues, "It wouldn't change a thing. Its all yours Tensei. I am yours. That will never change."

"... and I am pleased to state that a solution to this issue has been found ..." Uncle's voice continues to drone in the background.

Rose smiles shyly at me while blushing furiously and plants a hard kiss on my cheek. She then withdraws to herself and folds her palms together demurely.

"Rose, I.." I begin to stutter incoherently. Rose blushes again and turns away from me.

"... and so all claimants will agree to be bound by these conditions or forfeit their rights in perpetuity." Uncle concludes.

I hear the Speaker announce, "Calling Nicholas von Amsterg to address the Representatives."

Rose says softly, "Later. We can talk about this later. Its almost time."

I nod. We will have to tell the Council that we agree to be bound by Uncle's terms. Focus on the present. As for the future, well, it can wait.

Nicholas's voice rings out defiantly across the assembly, "I agree to be bound by these conditions!"

The Speaker continues the ritual, "Calling Rose von Amsterg to address the Representatives."

Rose leaves the alcove and my eyes follow her to the floor of the assembly. She stands without hesitation in opposition to Nicholas and with a proud and strong voice says, "I, Rose of the House of von Amsterg, accept these conditions."

And finally, the Speaker summons me. I make my way to the floor and with as clear a voice as I can manage declare, "I accept."

Uncle for the first time in who knows how long, looks at both Rose and myself, and a hint of warmth escapes from his eyes. He then begins to conclude the proceedings, "I, Gustav von Amsterg, Prince of Europe, hereby declare that-"

"Wait!" a high pitched, childlike voice interrupts Uncle. A murmur of surprise makes it way from the dignitaries and I turn back to see who had caused this commotion.

Behind us is the vampire girl that had been helping Nicholas. Despite her small size, her presence dominates the floor and she gives Uncle a challenging look.

Uncle narrows his eyes and speaks icily, "If Marshal St Clair has business here, it can wait until the current proceedings are complete. Educate yourself on decorum in the meantime Marshal."

St Clair sneers at Uncle replying, "My business is with you prince. Are you going to shut out a rightful claimant from her inheritance?"

Confusion spreads across the gallery and Uncle's face at the same time. He roars angrily, "Preposterous! You overstep!"

St Clair answers arrogantly, pushing at Uncle's buttons, "Prince, tell me, do you accept the legitimacy of the Legion's historical claims over your realm? I am here not as Marshal of the Legion, but as the successor designated by the Legion for those claims."

Uncle turns towards the dignitaries and all he sees is bedlam in their ranks. However, the Legion ambassador stands and addresses the assembly, "I can confirm what Marshal St Clair is saying. She is our designated successor."

St Clair crows at Uncle, "Do you accept my candidacy, Prince?"

Uncle begins sweating and looks at Nicholas, who graces him with a vicious smile. No help comes to Uncle from either the P5 or Host ambassadors. He regards Rose and myself with a look of genuine sorrow before turning back to St Clair and answering, "I accept the Legion's historical claim and rule as their devoted servant."

St Clair marches up and stands beside Nicholas declaring, "Then I, Yvonne St Clair, agree to the conditions of your contest, Prince."