Lady Vaeri walks through a doorway into the large hanger accompanied by Baron Zevdor, she glances around the hanger before focusing on the three armored transports and an array of flat sleds. What instantly attracts the eye are several three-meter tall mechanized humanoid figures that are moving large crates onto the sleds. The figures are guards in combat armor with a large exoskeleton strapped to them and the machines making them robust and rugged. They demonstrate their power by lifting heavy materials and objects similar to conventional forklifts.

“When are we due to depart?” Lady Vaeri asks, facing away from the Baron.

“Within the hour. We are waiting for the arrival of the personal gate, and then we can synchronize it with the beacon crystal.” Baron Zevdor says from behind her. “Do you wish to review the team composition?” Lady Vaeri gazes towards a group standing twenty meters away, as she does her gaze passes Alex and Candy and pauses briefly.

A man from the waiting group stares and then strides confidently over before announcing. “You must forgive me, ma’am, I have a disappointingly bad memory, but I believe I haven’t the pleasure of your acquaintance? Cousin, please introduce me.”

Baron Zevdor frowns at the man. “Lady Vaeri, may I introduce Sir Junralan. He’s in command of security and responsible for your security. He will have a detachment of seven guards at his disposal. May I take this opportunity to introduce you to the other key members of your staff?”

“You may.” Lady Vaeri states while scrutinizing Sir Junralan before shifting her gaze to the rest of the group.

“Please follow me.” Sir Junralan declares then gives a brief bow, before striding back to the group.

Baron Zevdor sighs, then follows Lady Vaeri as she walks toward the group. When he arrives, he smiles broadly. “Everyone, may I introduce the expedition leader, Lady Vaeri. I’m sure you are all aware of her expertise in the recovery of progenitor relics. We are very fortunate to have her extensive skills and expertise to aid us in this endeavor.” He leads everyone in bowing deeply to Lady Vaeri, and then he turns to the group.

“Lady Vaeri, I have the greatest pleasure to introduce your team.” Baron moves to the left side of Lady Vaeri and waves to a woman who is stood nearest them.

“This is Mistress Delva who will be acting as both your assistant and lady’s maid. Master Paicen is a geometallurgist and has extensive knowledge of geology and is pioneering the research into the composition and metallurgy of scaraltine. His skills are likely to be critical as we understand that the site has been affected by some form of rockfall. Master Cyrand is a structural engineer and will be instrumental in ensuring that any buildings are safe enough for recovery to occur. All three are the most experienced and are familiar with relic recovery in the field.

“Mistress Hariren will be the medic responsible for providing emergency healing treatment and health care for any injury or illness. Master Zatlen is responsible for setting up and running the base and will also be in charge of the drones and communications. Master Ilhon is an excellent chef and an amateur botanist. Last of all is Master Pidor who is an expert in demolitions.”

Lady Vaeri frowns. “Why do we need a demolitions expert on a relic expedition?” She asks, looking to Baron Zevdor.

“The information we have received is vague. However, the site has been affected by some form of rockfall and you have limited time on location, consequently, you’ll need to expedite any recovery efforts. Everyone is well aware that this is not going to be your usual relic recovery and speed will be critical. Master Pidor is expected to be instrumental in both gaining entry and in facilitating the extraction of relics.”

“I thought you said that the site had suffered some form of rockfall, surely any use of explosives is likely to deteriorate the situation.”

“We’re trying to ensure that you have all options available to guarantee our success.” Sir Junralan interjects. “If the information about this site is correct, there’ll be a mountain of high-grade relics just waiting to be picked up. Accordingly, the potential rewards far outweigh any risks. I have confidence that the trip will be exceptionally worthwhile for all of us.”

“Are you participating for the money or the esteem?” Lady Vaeri asks mildly.

“Both. I’m most assuredly participating to enrich my person. The amount of cash and prestige that will come from being one of the team who recovers a mountain of relics will stand me in good stead for a long time. To that end all of us are getting a double share, except you who’s getting a triple share. Let’s be honest we’re all in this for the money.”

“Knowledge is its own reward.” Master Paicen mumbles.

“But, you still need backing to pursue knowledge, whether that is money or patronage.”

“Now, Sir Junralan, what have I told you about playing nice with others?” Interrupts Mistress Hariren.

A group appears through a second entrance and Baron Zevdor announces. “Good, the personal gate has arrived.”

“Let’s move it, people. Get ready to leave. Sometime today would be nice.” Master Zatlen suddenly commands looking around. The group bows deeply to Lady Vaeri and Baron Zavdor, and then disperse heading to the two furthest transports.

Baron Zevdor waits a few seconds, then says. “The security team is Elven with the rest of the team being half-elves. An additional seven half-elves will be assisting in the recovery of the relics. Only you and the Elven security team can be linked to House Quinala and we have a cover story ready just in case. None of the half-elves are linked to us and consequently deniable. Despite the lack of any ability to use our more qualified people I’ve managed to assemble a skilled and trustworthy group.”

“It would appear so, for a price. What’s the cover story?”

Baron Zevdor bows. “The Matriarch suggested that we use your coming of age and the selection of a first consort. The story is that Sir Junralan caught your interest and he persuaded you to go on one last relic hunt. He wanted to surprise you with the location, which he got from an information broker.”

“Is there such a broker with the information?”

“Not at this present moment, but then again, there will be if needed. We have identified a suitable broker and we can sell them the information to her within an hour.”

After a pause, Lady Vaeri glares over to Alex and Candy. “Why is my Terra merchandise here?”

“Your mother and the Matriarch requested that your safety be paramount. That’s why I have assigned a security detail for your personal protection consisting of eight pure-bloods. Your Terra merchandise has been selected as they are protection trained and totally untraceable.”

Lady Vaeri watches as Alex and Candy are led over to a table. “They’re my merchandise, so why wasn’t I consulted?”

“The Matriarch gave me permission to use any resources I deemed necessary, regardless of who owned them.”

“Surely there’s other merchandise available?”

“There is, however, they would be easily traced. The Matriarch has stated you will receive compensation if they are damaged or lost.”

“If this goes wrong and the Council team arrives before we depart, they’ll be able to trace anyone of us to House Quinala. Why is the merchandise different?”

“Your merchandise is expendable and as such, they will be used for any perilous activities. This may result in them being damaged or destroyed. If they are unable to be recovered, or when it’s time to leave, they take up too much space, they will be abandoned.”

While Lady Vaeri and Baron Zevdor converse, Alex observes the scene of frenetic chaos as people rush around placing boxes in different locations, which are then taken by yet more people and loaded on the flat platforms.

One of the guards turns to Alex and Candy. ”Follow me.”

They stand and follow the guard who leads them past the transport to an area where a guard waits. Next to the guard is a large table that has two outfits similar to scuba diving wet suits.

“Take off those tunics and put these on.” The guard commands. They both comply with the command and a few minutes later they’re dressed in a layered silk body-suit that covers the entire body up to their neck and it sticks like a clingy second skin with scattered rigid areas. Once they have finished the guard advises. “The reinforced areas of that suit should stop most unenhanced bullets or knives.”

He then hands them a second piece of cloth. “Put this on. It’s a hood that will protect your head and filter the air. The activation rune is located under the chin.” Alex and Candy do as requested and it appears very similar to a ninja hood. “Push some prana into your throat.” The guard commands. They do so resulting in the hood going rigid with the piece in front of the nose leaving a small gap. “Now deactivate and remove the hood placing it in the pocket on your arm and then kneel.”

Alex and Candy do as instructed and then carefully observe what an Elven woman is doing with a metal sphere the size of a soccer ball. The sphere is pulsing with a separate two-meter long curved bar with a small gem embedded at one end, which is resting against the top of the ball and both are pulsing. Gradually the pulsing of both increases in speed until they eventually become a single a constant glow.

The Elven woman stands holding the bar and moves to a place next to the wall the transports are facing. She places the bar flat against the wall holding it just under the crystal which is positioned at the top and then places her hand on the crystal and presses. The bar slowly begins to rotate around the crystal while a circle begins to unfold, eventually it finishes leaving a perfect four-meter wide metal circle resting against the wall with glowing crystal in the center.

The woman turns to face the large hanger. “Personal portal is deployed. Everyone board your vehicles. Activation will be in five minutes.” She returns to the sphere which she picks up and takes towards the nearest transport.

“You heard her. Get aboard the first transport and tend to Lady Vaeri.” The guard commands. Alex and Candy quickly move and enter the transport. It was a strange sensation walking with something covering the feet after not doing so for so long. They move directly to their designated position and kneel, head pressed to the floor of the transport.

Lady Vaeri strides into the transport wearing combat armor, followed by two Elven women who were wearing similar body-hugging suits to Alex and Candy. “Mistress Delva, Mistress Hariren, please take a seat.” She turns back to the entrance and faces three Elven men who are entering wearing combat armor, one of which is holding the metal sphere. “Sir Junralan, the two merchandise are Talia and Eilaes and will be attending me. Please refrain from using them for any duties without my permission.”

“Of course, Lady Vaeri.” Sir Junralan states with a stiff bow. “Master Zatlen reports that the drone is ready to launch and we will follow it through the gate two hundred seconds after. Please get your merchandise to the correct location for launch.” Sir Junralan gives another stiff bow and takes a seat next to Mistress Hariren. One of guards takes the seat by the closing door while the other, holding the sphere, moves to the front taking the pilots seat and placing the metal sphere in a holder.

“Talia, Eilaes, take the seats at the rear and strap in.” Lady Vaeri commands as she takes the seat next to Mistress Delva. Alex and Candy quickly move to the designated seats, securing the seat straps and then keep their heads down facing the floor.

Outside of the transport, there is a blast of blue light and a loud cracking, as small arc’s of blue lightning flash in the air and then suddenly a huge circular window appears in the wall overlooking a bright blue sky. A breeze blows through the window as a small flying device in the shape of a teardrop flies rapidly forward and disappears into the sky.

Sir Junralan turns to Lady Vaeri. “The drone reports that we’ll emerge at an altitude of three hundred meters with good visibility and only light winds. We will be fifty kilometers away from the primary site and should reach it in less than ten minutes.”

“Thank you, Sir Junralan.”

All three armored transports rise off the ground and the closest moves towards the window in the wall. Behind each transport are two sleds being towed, each fully loaded with boxes and crates secured by netting. They each pass through the window with only a small amount of clearance before accelerating into the sky.

“Lady Vaeri, We are clear.” Sir Junralan announces. “Baron Zevdor, sends his regards and looks forward to celebrating your success when you return. Master Zatlen reports that there was a burst transmission from a surveillance probe in orbit above the primary site, which was blocked.”

“Is that going to cause us any problems?”

“No, Lady Vaeri. Master Zatlen advises that it won’t be. However, he does state that the probe will be recording everything we will be doing.”

“So, helmets and hoods on at all times?”

“I’m afraid so, at least outside of the domes. We’ll be setting up interference fields and anti-scrying runes but better to not risk being identified.”

“How much daylight will we have when we arrive?”

“About four hours, plenty of time to set-up the domes.”

Ten minutes later, they land in a large clearing surrounded by an ancient forest. The transports are arranged in a triangle in the center of the clearing while the sleds are positioned further out. All of the personnel, each of them wearing a helmet or hood, disembark and gather around Lady Vaeri in the middle of the transports.

Lady Vaeri goes to Master Paicen and Master Cyrand. “Please get your equipment and move out to survey the primary site while we still have light.” She turns to Sir Junralan. “Ensure that they have guards assigned.” Gazing around she moves to Master Zatlen. “I want lights at the primary site before it gets dark.”

Master Zatlen calls out. “Alright people, we're on the clock. Let’s get the camp set up. The quicker we get this done the quicker we can start earning all those cc’s you so desperately want.” Most of the people begin to unload the sleds while a few unpack some of the crates. A pair move meter square cube next to a sled and using a pebble activate it. It breaks apart and begins to unfold like a giant spider and once the eight legs spread out a meter above the ground they stop. The pair unpack a bundle of fabric which they lay over the eight legs, the spider device then stands to a height of three meters as the cloth drapes down the sides, they activate the pebble again and the fabric hardens creating a rigid dome.

Sir Junralan approaches with a second figure. “Lady Vaeri. I would like to introduce my second in command.” Lady Vaeri turns around a smile frozen on her face. “Though, I fancy I need not introduce Sir Folliun to you, My Lady?”

Sir Folliun steps forward and bows deeply. “You probably think I’m very discourteous after the episode at your ball? Still, I wish to take this opportunity to make amends and start over as I don’t wish you to have a poor impression of my character.”

“Please don’t take the trouble to re-introduce yourself. I believe your father has already taken great pains to ensure you’re introduced to every eligible woman of status in House Quinala. I’m merely the next on a long list. I must say that I never recognized that there was such a great family-likeness between you and Sir Junralan. Now I’m sure you both have duties you need to attend to.”