Bianca Winter hated The Holy Republic of Varalfa. She hated the capitol city of Az Zaiqraa. She hated the relic of a palace that refused all manner of security upgrades. She hated the sand and the things it did to all of the equipment. She hated that her husband Drake had died guarding a young Evona and her mother and if she lost her son here too she would tear down Varalfa brick by brick. This was supposed to be a simple posting for Elijah’s first tour, a way to ease him into this life so that he could decide on his own if this type of life was something he really wanted for himself. The world had changed after all and no matter how physically imposing or skilled at combat her son was you couldn’t engage a Vain Glory in CQC.

Twenty two years ago at the start of the Glorious Era people scoffed at the notion of a weapon that only women could use, but the world had changed more rapidly than any could have predicted after the Menbung (멘붕) incident in Korea and the Lunar Siege the year after. The balance of the world had seemed to heavily shift leaving a foul taste in the mouths of some of the powerful. Then earlier this year Yukio Arai, younger brother to the world’s strongest woman and first Vain Glory pilot Yukiko Arai, was outed as being able to pilot himself. Was he able to do what Elijah could and speak with machines? Or was something else at play? Either way, Bianca was certain that the world was on the precipice of change once more.

Three whole months, for three whole months Elijah quietly helped with repairs, maintained the radio network, and patrolled tranquil stretches of desert. Three whole months he hadn’t needed to fire a single shot from the stupid rifle his aunt had given him and in one night everything came crashing down around them.

A flashing light from the console in her makeshift command room pulled Bianca’s mind back to the present. She checked the screen and was relieved to see that her dear friend Nadia was getting back to her. She was the Winter families personal physician and the woman responsible for Elijah not being registered as a psychic. With the type of issues his ability could cause there was no one else she could trust to treat him and remain discreet. With a thought and flexing of her hand she routed the call from the console to her phone implant.

“Nadia, how quickly can you make it to the palace?” She asked as she began pacing the room.

“Hello Bianca, it’s nice to hear from you too.” Nadia responded flatly. “Why yes, my flight was just fine and my husband Eli, your brother in law is doing very well, thanks for asking.”

“It’s Elijah, there’s been an issue.”

“Did it progress into traditional psychometry like we feared Or has he manifested another variant? Is a clean room ready for my arrival?” She said, all snark gone in an instant.

“He’s unconscious and the situation here is bad. We’re about to have a mole hunt.”

“Jesus Christ Bianca. Do I need to pull Eli and Chris for support?”

“No, I’ve already let them know via the usual method. Lumi should be waiting for you, she’ll personally escort you here.”

“What’s Elijah’s condition?”

“He’s in a fucking coffin Nadia. If this wasn’t a fluke we could be looking at an Arai situation.”

Nadia had gone so silent that Bianca wondered if she was still on the line. Soon the string of cursing she heard assured her that she was.

“I understand, prep a clean room anyway. It’s perfect for discretion.”

The beeping of her implant let her know that Nadia did in fact hang up this time. Good, she thought. Now that that was taken care of she could focus on the less pleasant item on her agenda this evening. The data was still coming in but it appeared that the drones that had gone dark on their patrol were sabotaged and the list of people with access was minimal. That Coupled with Benaiah’s request for reinforcements being withheld painted a grim picture. She sent a coded message to each department head onsite simply reading: blue ring protol and settled into the plush chair behind her desk. Say what you will about Varalfa, At least they had the sense to still hang traitors and that was something she considered taking full advantage of.

After receiving responses to the messages she sent out Bianca reached out with her mind, her eyes flashing a bright blue.

“Evona, thank you for waiting. Please enter with Saif and make yourselves comfortable.” She sent mentally.

She received no reply but wasn’t offended, she’d been told by other people that responding to her particular brand of telepathy was mentally tiring. A moment later the door opened and Saif entered, scanning the room as if she had breached rather than calmly walked in. Bianca gave her a short nod and a smile before Saif turned to her charge and gave her the all clear.

As Evona entered the room Bianca did her best to tamp down the complicated feelings that began to stir within her. She knew that her husbands passing wasn’t the girl’s fault, and for as much as she loathed the country the Royal Family had been nothing but kind and loving. Repaying Drake’s sacrifice time and time again and proving themselves loyal to their allies beyond reproach. It was a pity that loyalty couldn’t save the dead she thought.

“You have questions I assume? Ask.” Bianca stated calmly.

Evona frowned before she took her seat, Saif silently taking position behind her. She crossed then uncrossed her legs, then crossed them again before forcing herself to still.

“He had the gall to look me in the eyes and claim that he wasn’t gifted. The nerve, the sheer cheek.” She pouted before continuing. “As if his strong back and cloudy blue eyes weren’t enough to be considered gifted.”

Bianca gave an amused snort as the Princess ranted for awhile longer before she finally came to an actual question.

“I know it’s not exactly conspicuous but how is he hiding the Jack? If it wasn’t for my hair I’d be terribly self conscious about it.”

Ah, Bianca thought. So he hadn’t spilled his heart to the very pretty girl. If she assumed that he was conventionally piloting the suit Bianca had no reason to dissuade her of the notion.

“There are many methods and products available to girls who don’t just wear it as a badge of pride. I’ve been told that it’s a profitable venture. Surely that isn’t the only thing on your mind?”

“I mean I understand why this was kept a secret.” Evona said. “If that other boy, Yu-something hadn’t been clearly backed as Gloria Vain’s brother in law I’m certain they’d have black bagged him and dragged him off to do god knows what.”

Bianca made a small noise of assent.

“Did Benni or Jenny know? Will they be an issue? Oh goodness I’m incredibly fond of them, are they going to be disappeared?”

Bianca’s eyes glowed blue once more as she lightly touched Evona and Saif’s minds. She couldn’t outright control anyone's thoughts nor could she read the mind of anyone closed off to her but strong emotions tended to broadcast freely she had found. Evona’s mind was a chaotic jumble largely matching the word vomit she was producing, Saif on the other hand radiated amusement in waves. It was times like this that assured her that the diminutive bodyguard was in fact alive and not just some clever machine.

“Calm, Princess. Be Calm.” She sent.

Saif meanwhile noticed Bianca’s eyes and mentally flexed in her direction sending (͠≖ ͜ʖ͠≖) over the link.

This seemed to finally snap Evona from her rambling as she stopped and took in a deep breath.

“I’m sorry Ma’am. Is there a plan and am I cleared to know it?”

“There’s the start of one, id say thirty percent of a plan for now. Jennifer and Benaiah are skilled, discreet and loyal, a highly valued combination. I’m more worried about the fuss Penelope will kick up once she finds out that it was her GM taken into combat.”

“I see, and has Elijah been outed?”

“Hopefully not, If there was a leak I know where to start searching.” She said sending a pointed look Evona’s way.

“Have you considered trying to get him some training? I’m sure Lumi wouldn’t mind lording her talent over her little brother for a change.” She frowned then considered what she had seen of him in action. The motions of the GM had been fluid, almost graceful in their efficient brutality. “On second thought he seemed to handle himself quite well. Has he been trained very long?”

“As a pilot? Not long at all.”

“Then his pilot affinity must be astounding.”

“Perhaps.” Bianca thought about how much to disclose to the girls and decided that a few key pieces of information should be fine. “I have some contacts at the Academy. Both Lydia Lazzaro and Elizabeth Carter owe me some favors so step one will be reaching out to them. We also have some pull with Valkyrecords so querying them shouldn’t raise eyebrows.”

“Attending the Academy with Elijah would be a dream…” Evona sighed.

“Regardless of any plans I make, the final decision regarding Elijah’s future will be his choice.” Bianca said firmly. “If that is all?”

Evona seemed torn for a moment before visibly steeling her resolve. “I think I killed those Hydra pilots… Does it get easier? Fighting?”

“From what Benni and Jenny have told me you did incredibly well. After a certain point, fighting and killing can become rote. What’s less easy is how we feel about ourselves, that’s a problem for everyone regardless of their path in life.” Bianca said softly. “Speak with people you love and trust, try not to dwell or obsess or isolate and you’ll do fine.”

“Thank you Ma’am.” Evona said.

With that, Saif moved to the door, checked the hallway then followed behind Evona as she left.

Bianca let out a sigh and slumped in her chair. Her screen flashed again and she saw that her Daughter had finally arrived at the head of a convoy, hopefully with Nadia in tow.

======================

Lumi was concerned. Her mother was vague in her messages but that was normal considering she had invoked blue ring protocol. Of even more concern was the need to personally escort Doctor Nadia. She tugged briefly at the purple collar around her neck before flooding her mind with power. No new threats since the last time she had checked. She hoped Elijah was fine, his manifestation was a shock but thankfully nothing that would be terribly harmful and she was glad that what he did let him live collar free. It’s not like she didn’t understand the need for it. It was after all at it’s heart a glorified medical alert bracelet, one that couldn’t be easily tucked under a sleeve and no one wanted another Aura Bloom or Shima-san scenario.

As the convoy approached the outer courtyard gates she was shocked to see signs of battle. The capitol city had been calm, and no major news had been broadcast as far as she knew but the palace was kept apart from the city due to some ancient custom or other. They were waved inside with minimal fuss and she quickly dismounted and banished her Frozen Apollo and retrieved Doctor Nadia. As the hustled through the east wing of the palace she received a message to the phone wrapped around her wrist. Curious, she checked it and was surprised to see updated instructions.

“Theater compromised, link up with support at L3 and await further instructions.”

She knew that if the doctor was here that time might be of the essence but this could be important as well. Deciding that blue ring protocol was prioritized above this message she kicked it up the chain and filled herself with enough power to act as a beacon to her mother.

“Whats wrong?” Bianca mentally sent.

“Someone sent a text, after the work that Sunny and Elijah put into this phone that shouldn’t be possible from a stranger but I wanted to confirm the orders with you. Did Elijah send this?” She sent back.

“No, Nadia is here for Elijah. Hand her off to team JB after challenge then test the scenario with your gifts and do what you see fit.”

Her blood ran cold at the news and she numbly agreed.