Noel teleported back to the control room of the airship. She turns on her communications and speaks into the microphone, “Kayla, status report.”

Shockingly, there was no answer.

“I guess they are still fighting,” Noel being optimistic. She didn’t really want to be dishonest with the Nether Elite or even coldhearted and callous with Jeanne. These were five women with false motives and dangerous aspirations.

Going back to her workstation, she looks at the security cameras she hacked into. It appears that the Nether Elite is no longer there, all of the armored guardsmen are severely beaten, but still alive and Redgrave’s new prototype has been completely destroyed.

Noel sat back in her chair, where she looked in awe of all of the destruction, “I guess this was a failure after all…”

“Oh no, Noel. Mission successful,” someone chimed in behind her. Noel instinctively turned around to see a badly beaten Kayla who was extremely pissed off. Kayla grabbed her by the collar and picked her up off the chair. Then, she slammed her against the wall and got right in her face, “YOU BITCH, YOU SET US UP!”

Keeping her composure, Noel tried to become the levelheaded one of the two, “Last time I checked, there was not really anything to set up.”

Still angry and physically hurt, Kayla again tried to interrogate Noel, “The BDX-7 wasn’t even there. We checked everywhere in the armory.”

“It was… Kind of… But at least you stopped Redgrave from using that other prototype,” Noel waffled.

“BULLSHIT, THAT WASN’T A PROTOTYPE!” Kayla screamed.

“And now you know just how much of the busy little bunny she was,” Noel explained. “This wasn’t going to be easy. This was the sole reason why be picked all of you.”

“So, you cooked up a story in the put us all in the shitter…” Kayla pieced together. Knowingly, she shook her head in shame. “Is that how his Majesty operates or you?!”

This got a chuckle from Noel, “I can’t speak on behalf of his Majesty’s thoughts and feelings because I can spend so many years with him and still don’t know what he is thinking.”

“As for you?” Kayla questioned.

“I have always seen potential in you,” Noel answered.

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s no surprise you came back to Oleander… Out of hiding…” Noel explained. “Do you know why I know? Because you were was always behind Natalia when you were kids. But you already know the storied past between all of them, and Ayeka became a mother to them. When Natalia became the new leader of the Nether Elite, I believe you were the last addition to the group. Although, your friend has her talents as well. You are the brains of the group.”

As Kayla began to calm down and let go of Noel’s collar, Noel continued to explain herself, “This was a mission tailor-made for the four of you, and you personally didn’t disappoint his Majesty and me. You see, his Majesty is not only building a bridge of trust between the other nethereal creatures, but he is also creating his own inner circle.

“I believe there is something better out there for all of us. Whether if the heavens give us a path, it is always our choice to accept it or find another way. We all have that assumption in the back of our minds, and we think about it from time to time. There is no shame in it, and there is no harm in it.”

Kayla already knew what she was insinuating, and she didn’t have time to listen to Noel’s banter. Like anyone else, she wanted the short version, “What are you trying to say, Noel?”

“I want you to leave the Nether Elite and come work for his Majesty,” Noel offered.

Although, it didn’t take Kayla that much time to come up with an answer of her own, “Go fuck yourself. You want me to let go of everything, only to follow somebody who is merely a ghost? He hasn’t proven himself worthy of anyone’s respect!”

This puts a sly smile on Noel’s face, “If you only knew him--”

“I don’t have to know shit, Sherlock. You fucked us over!” Kayla exclaimed. “That’s enough for me to say no.”

It was a perfect opportunity for somebody like Kayla to at least better herself, but she does have the right to decline the offer as well. With the shoulder shrug, Noel understood, “If you ever change your mind, the offer still stands. The door is always open.”

“Don’t hold your breath!” Kayla blew off. As she walked out of the room.

Wasting no time, Kayla went straight to the infirmary to check up on her friends and colleagues. The medical team was working on them immediately as Ayeka needed help to breathe with an oxygen mask, Ryoko who was still alert, was having her arm operated on, and Natalia had her bloodied head wrapped in bandages while laying down. She was having a nurse flashing a small light in her eyes.

The disenchanted Kayla was surveying the treatments, “What is the damage report?”

“Ayeka has a collapsed lung, Ryoko has a broken arm, and Natalia has a severe concussion,” the head medical doctor announced.

My God… What the hell have we gotten ourselves into? Kayla thought.

“Ma’am, you need to be evaluated as well. You may have a fractured hand for punching that mechanized weapon with such impact and force,” the physician urged.

Kayla nodded, “Take us to the medical facility immediately.”

“Understood. We’re heading to London right now. It will take us 5 to 10 minutes,” the physician said as he began to work on Ayeka’s fractured hand.

As the Nether Elite and Noel leave for England, Redgrave is still in her office in Gibraltar. She called her partner immediately. It didn’t take him long to arrive since he was close by.

A dark swirling portal appeared in Redgrave’s office as a tall and muscular figure shadowy figure stepped out. He sees Jeanne staring out the window. Without even turning around, Redgrave acknowledges him, “The Emperor is on to us... Do you know why you are here?”

Wearing a black motorcycle helmet and a long jet-black oilskin duster coat, the masked rider didn’t have to go into such an in-depth discussion about their primary objective, “yes, I believe I do… And it’s a good thing you called me first…”