The air within the fuselage was stale and the pressure pressing into both of her ears was beyond uncomfortable. The princess had been awake for several hours—four to be exact ever since the early morning flight began. She was normally unnerved by the idea of flight, or the concept of flying in an artificial aircraft, but now she was just trying to keep her calm as the hum of the engines wrapped circles in her mind. A pair of footsteps walking on the deck alerted her, and she turned to the NDCC.

With one singular motion, Yuki Price handed her a small ceramic cup of water.

“Lecca, you’ve been rigid for God knows how long—”

“Loosen up, I know.”

Grasping the cup of water tightly in her hands, the princess lifted her head and turned it out towards the window next to her. She watched as the distant clouds above passed by. Her body could feel every shudder the plane made in the minor turbulence that they had got caught in trying to lose the interceptor trailing them.

Letting her eyes fall to the cup settled in between her hands she saw an image—a broken image as the water created ripples. Her silver hair was shining in the gentle orange-yellow sunlight that broke into the sky and coated the golden fields of the federation in a heavenly hue. Her eyes blinked trying to shove away the bright light. Turning back to the window she watched the different parts of the aircraft wings move as the plane banked left and began a course to a coastal airport.

“Our capabilities are crippled. One burst and we’re dead meat.” Yuki lamented sitting down across the aisle.

Lecca nodded. “Intelligence has been notified and they’re working on a response.”

“Right. And we’re supposed to remain all nice and tidy until they get their heads out of their asses. They’re giving the interceptor enough time to cut through the red tape and kill us with a hail of tracers.”

“No. If he fires now the Senate won’t have a resource they can’t afford to lose.” Stepping up to the two and budding into the conversation was Ship Master Westchester. The fifty-two-year-old admiral stood above both Lecca and Yuki as he brushed his greying blond hair with his left hand.

“Ship Master.” Yuki said kindly.

“What they want is to isolate the president and kill him. As long as one of us is around him—which we always are—then they can’t touch him no matter what happens. The only thing they dan do is restrict his powers.”

“You seemed quite versed in the conflict between Harding and the Senate. What do you know?” Yuki demanded as she eyed the Ship Master with an uncomfortable glare.

“People talk. I simply listen.”

“We all have clearance, here. You don’t have to dance around the topic.” Leccamaradel whispered.

Westchester grinned as he took the seat next to the silver-haired princess. “TS won’t get you cleared for politics, princess. To be in the know of what happens in the Zivaland government is not usually worth the effort. I just so happened to be caught up in the mess once I was assigned command of the 3rd Fleet.” The warning was clear. Westchester was beyond serious about the topic of his job and what it entailed.

“Still, a kidnapping incident could happen.” Yuki grimaced as she racked her brain in thought. “In our nation’s history there have been more than thirteen incidents where members of the Senate or another branch of government have gone missing. When I was a investigator in the northern province I helped with two of those cases. One of the incidents involved the second president—more specifically his wife who went missing. Kidnapping is risky, but it would give them the most benefits. Someone in the Senate most likely has influence amongst the intelligence agencies—some type of bargaining chip—one that would put their investigative abilities on hold. The job would then turn to the private sector, but with the limitations they have when it comes to governmental based crimes, I can’t say they would be able to save David.”

“Making a public announcement would not be advisable. So not even that is an option. Having President Harding go missing would create panic throughout the Federation.” Lecca added.

“Yeah, that’s the truth.” Westchester nodded. “Their hands are tied, and they would love nothing more than to remove Harding from the equation. We haven’t figured out what exactly they want—not that I can. There is a pattern in their choices but as far as their objective is; I doubt that they would be willing to risk the political fallout.”

“You think they’ll come for us?” Yuki poised with a frown.

“Security is tight. But there’s always a chance.” Lecca answered.

Taking a short breath as Westchester excused himself as the CNO had called him over, the princess turned back to the window next to her. She scanned the distant horizon and her center of gravity gently shifted as the plane banked slightly to the left giving her a clear view of the grey interceptor. The pilot of the armed aircraft seemed bored and slightly fatigued at the constant cat-and-mouse, so his reaction was slightly delayed, and he was just to the side of the passenger plane.

Blinking twice the picture she saw changed.

The pilot’s eyes snapped to the right side of his aircraft. Slamming his throttle and decreasing speed, the princess couldn’t help but watch as five human-shaped figures blew past at an inhuman speed creating a sharp snap and a buzzing noise that shook the entire fuselage. Within seconds the grey interceptor slowly descended as it moved under the passenger plane aiming to kill the five, flying soldiers that had just attacked his aircraft. Red tracers emerged from the machine guns on the interceptor creating clean lines in the sky as the pilot followed the five black dots that ripped across the sky. The sudden gunfire made Lecca’s heart quicken and her hands turn numb as she clenched her fists tightly. Everyone else quickly dropped into their seats or onto the ground as they believed the interceptor had opened fire, but to their surprise, they were still in one piece.

“One-Two in the blind be advised I am pursuing five unknown mage contacts targeting Two-Sixteen Bravo, over!”

Breathing heavily and noticing that her right hand was quivering, Lecca tried to calm herself as the distant echoes of gunfire became stuck in her mind. Even though the interceptor had halted his fire to try and maneuver behind the nimble suspected mages, she continued to hear the thunderous and lightning-like sounds no matter where she looked. She didn’t know why this was happening. Nor did she want to understand. She felt fear. The same fear that occurred not long ago. There, here in her seat, she felt trapped, helpless. Her capabilities and abilities were tied in the seatbelt around her waist, and all she could see was the interceptor fighting against an impossible foe. The wavering emotions ripping through her mind was soon going to tear her heart and sanity to pieces; but she couldn’t deal with that. It wouldn’t be professional of her, a princess, to completely lose herself in this moment.

“Can we scramble any more fighters to get these guys off One-Two?” Wyatt asked his copilot who was busy changing frequencies to the emergency channel.

“Don’t know. I’ll see what I can do.” The copilot responded in a meek tone.

President Harding walked to the front of the plane and stood behind both of the pilots with calculating eyes. Before any words escaped his mouth, he let out a low, rueful chuckle making the two pilots freeze in place as they watched him from the corner of their eyes with fear and worry. “Don’t worry about a response. Five unknowns. Five flying mages. Nothing in our arsenal can compete with those bastards.” He pressed his hands onto his face and let out a heavy sigh. The copilot lowered and moved his hand away from the radio next to his right leg. He remained silent as Harding removed his hand and stared straight ahead as the interceptor was being torn to pieces by the small-caliber bullets that were fired from the mages that surround him.

“One-Two to any friendly callsigns! I’ve taken too much damage and am currently moving to Joint-Base Thunder! Phoenix is exposed, I say again, Phoenix is exposed!”

Banking suddenly to the right and descending towards the distant grounds below, the interceptor pilot quickly exited the immediate airspace. The five mages that had engaged the plane stopped as they refocused their formation and moved slowly to intercept the passenger plane crawling across the sky trying to escape the immediate area. David wasn’t sure how this was to proceed. Here he was in the middle of the sky with five well-armed hunters presumably coming to either kill or capture him. The odds presented wasn’t all too similar to what happened to Ship Master Westchester’s Third Fleet, but the idea was he same; an unknown group of mages were to attack and either destroy or take away something from the Federation. If they were here for his life, then so be it. There were contingencies in place for his plans to continue even after his death.

Wyatt was back on the stick as David turned around and returned to his seat at the front of the plane. Flicking on a switch next to him, the pilot activated the brand new— “autopilot”—system that was now handling speed and altitude. They would be locked in this mode for some time and the copilot would be monitoring the rudders, wings, and stabilizers to ensure that nothing went wrong. This innovation was derived from an internal, self-casting crystal designed by scientists at 1st National Academy. Whether the aviation community was willing to use it though in multi-thousand-dollar aircraft was another discussion, but its uses had been proven by private sector transportation companies.

Backing out of his seat and moving into the fuselage of the plane, Wyatt stretched and craned his neck. His back was relatively sore, and his body was tight and rigid from remaining in the same spot for hours on end. Around this time was where he took a mandatory stretch and chance to get a cup of coffee from the stewardess in the back of the plane. As he passed down the aisle, his eyes were drawn to the silver-haired passenger sitting rigid in the front seat. Her face was unmoving, and her fists were clenched on the hem of her black skirt. Princess Leccamaradel, one of his many passengers, seemed to be observing the mages that had just taken out One-Two. Her eyes were sharp on the outside visitors, and it was beyond clear that she was uncomfortable in this situation.

The morning sun was just bright enough to track the unknowns as they trailed each side of the plane. Two on each side with their leader flying at the front with his rifle aimed squarely at the cockpit. They remained motionless, only moving to make the occasional adjustment to their flight path. Returning to the front with two coffee cups in his hands, Wyatt passed one to his copilot as he once more took his seat and instantly scanned the many instruments on the console in front of him. He became aware of the situation once more as he finished his checks and stared right at the leader of the mages who kept his rifle aimed right at his chest while flying backwards. The man had no defining features other than the fact where anywhere his skin should’ve been visible it was instead just a skintight black color that hid away his face and arms. The clothing he wore looked like the gear that was being developed for the Federation army, but there was nothing that looked like what the man was wearing. The rifle he held was an old variant, but it would still be more than powerful enough to destroy the passenger plane if a magic-infused bullet was used.

“About another ten till we start lowering for final landing,” the copilot informed Wyatt over the joint-headset comms.

“Lock in our speed on the descent. Move slowly, don’t make these guys shoot us down for a jerking move.”

If they could make it to Joint Base Thunder along with One-Two, then there was a chance of apprehending the unknowns. Then again, as soon as they spot a who company’s worth of armed service members, they could very well choose to blow up the plane instead of gaining what they wanted by not shooting at this very moment. Any chance of even placing a tracker on one of the mages was not an option. There would be no chance for a covert insertion to arrest or eliminate the men. Easing back on his stick and beginning the process to land, Wyatt watched as the mages just watched without responding with force. It seemed they wanted the plane to land.

Over the course of the ten minutes when the two pilots began to gather themselves and continue their efforts in lowering their plane substantially, the passengers in the fuselage took their seats and called everyone they could within the immediate area. OMFS agents, law enforcement, sheriffs, military police, border guard, anyone who could lend and assist in securing the safety of the president was called and notified of the scenario that was about to be enacted.

Raising from her seat and moving to the back of the plane, Princess Lecca stood alone as she placed her hand on a small, locked compartment on the wall she walked to, and with a simple press, the metal box presented a small lock. Reaching into her blazer jacket and retrieving a silver key, the silver-haired agent undid the lock and opened the container fully revealing the contents within.

Reaching in and retrieving one of the items inside she pulled out a tubular sub-machinegun.

“Nothing like 400 automatic. I’m surprised that’s the caliber that the presidential detail uses that gun. Works well with a suppresser and can take down small game. Wouldn’t say the same about mages though.”

Lecca checked the open-bolt weapon and assured that the weapon was ready to be primed. She listened to Westchester’s words, and she did agree to some degree. The pistol caliber weapon wouldn’t be enough to eliminate a mage in one-on-one combat, especially not if they can form a barrier.

“On a plane there isn’t much room to work with. Something like this is good for this type of environment.”

“They taught you well Senior Agent Lecca. The instructors at the academy know what they’re doing, and I’m glad they didn’t slouch when your class went through.”

“I have no idea what you are saying, sir.”

“Never figured you would become someone that would follow the rules closely.” Westchester laughed grabbing a silver flask from his pants. “Don’t worry about the details, but everyone present has clearance.”

Lecca simply looked over her shoulder as she loaded a magazine into the gun she held. “Sir, we just complete the objective. A part of that is internal defense of the state.”

“On a need-to-know basis, I see. This mission is different though. I’m sure you’re already aware of that much.” He said uncorking the top and taking a long swig of the alcohol inside. The CNO sitting behind him looked displeased that one of his admirals was drinking on the job, but the man had already accepted that the ship master had and abnormal resistance to alcohol.

“We can’t let these mages get one step ahead of us. Lecca is right, they could’ve very well casted a spell to eavesdrop on us.” Yuki argued rising from her seat and passing her concealed handgun to David who cheerfully took the weapon and inspected it.

“Mr. President?”

“Just another op, Ship Master,” The once Marine-said with a pippy smile as he racked the slide and placed the handgun into his jacket. “We have to survive this so we can launch that counterattack, and I’ll be damned if I let Yondel get away with what they let happen.”

Lecca only spared a glance towards President David as he sat back in his seat. She walked back to her seat and placed the sub-machine gun on the seat next to her. She rubbed her eyes and looked out the window showing the world beyond the small confinement of the plane; the morning sun was shining brightly, and a new day was about to be marred within the Federation.

A gentle chill ran down her spine. She stared at the two hostile mages flying alongside the passenger plane. She hated it. She couldn’t do anything to fight back against these mages, and even if she did somehow cast a nullification field, she didn’t know if the particles would be effective in a fast-moving vehicle, nor that the mages would simply just move out of the field and destroy the plane. An irrational and uneasy feeling grew in her. Though fear was kept at bay for now.

She frowned at the faceless riflemen keeping pace. They inhabited a small portion of her mind. It began in the Frontier; it was the only time she had encountered this unknown adversary. Now, based on circumstantial evidence, it seemed that the faceless mages were nothing more than mere foes of the Federation and now they had decided to make their move.

“Princess.”

Lecca nearly jumped into her seat. She had not noticed that President Harding had turned away from his quiet conversation with Yuki to start one with her.

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“Don’t mind me, but are you feeling, okay?”

“Ye-Yes,” There was hesitation in her voice, “I am fine, sir.”

“Good. We need you up-and-running to cast that nullification magic.”

Closing her mouth and biting her tongue, Lecca dwelled on what the President had planned. She knew he was a Marine, a person who specialized in naval-based infantry, but she didn’t know how far his knowledge of magic went.

“It seems you have a plan, sir.”

She couldn’t guess what he was going to do, or what orders he was going to make. What kind of person was President David? There was little he could do by himself within the confines of the plane, but if he made an order, he could possibly get everyone out of this situation, alive.

“President Harding?”

David was well lost in thought. He only turned his head when Lecca mentioned his name. He remained silent for a few seconds, pondering the proper words he would use to respond.

“I have an idea. I just can’t help but feel anxious. I still don’t get how you were able to eliminate Target Raven, princess.”

That was enough for Lecca to give a slim, almost miniscule smile. She knew what he was saying, the idea of fighting against a seemingly invulnerable and unreachable foe was frightening. To think that he could die here and never see his wife or child again was also something that wavered through his mind. The princess had been informed about the President’s familial situation with her defensive brief, and she had garnered a new respect for the man. He was a man of family, but he was willing to do what it took to secure the Federation’s freedom.

An uneasy trust was held between them both. They were both representatives of two nations practically at war.

“Anxiety is just part of the job, sir. That feeling will keep you alert, but its best to not let it control you.”

“I guess you’re right.” He chuckled.

“It’s what makes us human.”

David smiled. The princess had reassured him, and she provided the necessary confidence for what was to come. There was a theory brewing in his mind regarding the unknown threats and how they were related to the Dark Zone within the Frontier. He hated what was about to happen, but he needed to know.

“Thank you, princess,” he said.

“No problem, sir.”

This peace was never meant to last. The Federation was threatened by an unknown force, and they had just given the opposition enough time to make their move.

A booming thunderous cry emerged as a single man revealed himself at the rear of the plane. Everyone froze as their eyes were locked on where the noise had come from. Admiral Hays, the Chief of Naval Operation of the Federation slumped onto his seat with a gaping hole in his head. Blood dripped onto his uniform and his expression remained frozen in place.

“Unfortunate,” A deadpanned voice emerged from the person that had just killed the head admiral of the entire Federation Navy. Standing in the center aisle with an arm extended, a man concealed in black clutched a large silver revolver in his left hand. The end was coated in crimson blood, no doubt the backblast of blood splatter from firing at point blank range. He was wearing olive drab combat gear, but it was not of Federation design. Letting out a gentle sigh, the man turned his revolver to President Harding before anyone could draw their weapon on him. Pulling the trigger, everyone got down on the ground as a second deafening explosion ruptured in the fuselage.

It was fortunate that nothing happened the second time.

“Fuck,” The man hissed as he looked at the President who was tackled to the ground and surrounded by the few armed OMFS agents on the plane. The former Marine had blocked the bullet he had fired with his bare hand, though he was knocked into the wall as the power backed into the rimmed cartridge was beyond that of any standard issue bullet. Returning fire without hesitation the two other OMFS agents onboard unloaded their concealed handguns. The bullets pierced through the BDUs the man was wearing but there was no sign of any visible effect as he stood in place with his revolver pointed at the ceiling of the plane.

Halting fire as they reloaded their firearms, Lecca was at the forefront of the shield protecting President Harding. The bullets she fired from her submachine gun should’ve been capable of killing the man in cold blood three times over. But nothing happened, so she would have to resort to capturing the man if that meant anything at this point.

“Drop the gun and get on your knees! Interlock your fingers behind your head!”

Her orders were crystal clear. The man simply turned his head to the princess. Tilting his head to the side, the black, almost fabric like substance slowly began to draw down his face.

“What!?”

There before her was a young man with golden-brown hair and tired brown eyes. His skin was no longer covered in soot and dirt, but instead was a gentle red from the bitter cold winds outside. He stared directly into Lecca’s same-colored eyes. It was almost as if the two were looking at each other if they were twins.

“Long time, princess,” The man said dropping his silver revolver and letting it fall to the floor. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” He said as he lowered his arms to the side of his body.

“You—" Lecca froze in place, the agents around her remained stoic but were faltering as they watched a flurry of emotions pass through the senior agent. “How are you alive?”

Dropping her submachine gun and hastily drawing her pistol from her holster and aimed it at the man’s chest. “Next time you try to kill someone that is using magic, make sure to aim for the conduit and not the user,” the man growled as he raised his right hand in the air. The booming shouts of the OMFS agents behind her locked the princess in a state of tunnel vison. Her arms were firm, but a gently sway reminded her that her heart was attempting to pump an overload of blood through her body. Pressing the trigger on her pistol, all that echoed in her mind was the single click she heard of the trigger simply being pressed back. There was no scream from the pistol, and she couldn’t hear the scratching of the metal slide.

Her eyes simply widened as she glanced down at her pistol.

All she heard was the snap of the man’s fingers before the world went white.

Publicly Available Information: Weapon Brief—400 Automatic Pistol Cartridge:

The .400 Auto or “The Stump” for short is an offshoot of the more popular 9mm bullet used commonly by law enforcement, military, and civilians. Having the same bullet diameter as the 9mm, the cartridge is slightly shorter than the bullet allowing it to be used in compact weapons at fired at a high cycling rate without losing much stability. It is commonly found amongst the new W-5 of the OMFS executive security detachment.