Reunion and Rising Tensions
The footsteps of Bell and Adolf echoed through the corridor as they headed toward the Aria elevator in Rain Code. No sooner had they arrived than a translucent hologram displaying the floor guide flickered to life. They checked the level for the Intelligence Analysis Department. Conveniently descending at that moment, the doors soon slid open. Bell and Adolf pressed close together, making way for those exiting. But someone just about to step out froze upon spotting Bell after glancing sideways.
"Captain Bell?"
A familiar low voice. Bell turned her head, and a burly soldier, pausing mid-stride as he tried to pass, extended a hand for a shake. Bell slowly lifted her gaze to the owner of that voice. No body armor, optical gear, or rifle, but the face was unmistakable.
"…Major Bram?"
"Oh, I'm honored you remember me."
The man chuckled softly. He was the captain of the special forces from Fraction-6. The one who'd been deployed alongside Bell during the Ri Siarin rescue operation. It was quite surprising to see him here in Rain Code.
"What brings you here, Major Bram?"
"Hmm, a bit disappointing you aren't rolling out the welcome mat. After fighting side by side, we're practically comrades-in-arms."
"Ah, I don't have a tail to wag. I'm plenty glad on the inside."
Bell replied with the faintest ghost of a smile, barely perceptible. Bram, who had approached with a jovial laugh, felt like he'd been struck. Is this a different person? The girl he'd encountered back then hadn't seemed relaxed enough to show such an expression. And he knew her reputation well: rude, not well-liked. His gaze subtly shifted to the young man beside her. Tall and striking, with a relaxed demeanor and the same proxy uniform as Bell.
…Was Captain Bell the type to stick this close to someone?
Bram was astonished, though he didn't show it. He'd heard she always operated alone, and even in combat, she wasn't the warm type. Like someone who kept everyone at arm's length.
As he hesitated, Bell broke the silence first.
"Ah, this is Lieutenant Adolf Mandel. He's been assigned to the Lumen Guard Combat Response Unit."
Adolf bowed his head slightly and spoke politely.
"Pleased to meet you. Lieutenant Mandel."
Bram quickly composed himself and offered a handshake.
"Major Bram Maxwell, special forces from Barrier 5, Fraction-6."
After the handshake, Bram eyed Bell again, narrowing his eyes.
"I heard the report that Valhalla Disk's combat troops and proxies were pulled out… but a fine-looking lieutenant like you has come to Lumen Guard?"
"Who?"
Bell shot him an incredulous look, glancing up at Adolf, then meeting his eyes before looking away awkwardly.
"Anyway, why are you here, Bram?"
Bram chuckled at the sight. She finally seems her age for once. Feeling oddly refreshed, he masked it and replied.
"Valhalla Disk refused regular army deployment. So we stepped in to support. Word is their militia outnumbers the regular forces?"
"Definitely. They don't seem like ordinary militia."
Bell's unease stirred at his response. The special forces unit she'd seen during the Ri Siarin rescue was straight out of an old movie: swift movements, precise shots. If she weren't a proxy, she'd be incomparable. Deploying them here? Even if Valhalla Disk rejected regular army aid, wasn't this overkill?
At that moment, Adolf, as if reading her mind, asked softly from beside her.
"Isn't deploying special forces a bit excessive?"
Bram shrugged it off casually.
"We're not proxies or limited elites—just better than regular army. We follow orders from above."
"That's true."
Adolf replied matter-of-factly, and Bram glanced at him for that sharp response. Bell raised a finger, glaring at Adolf.
"Lieutenant. You should question orders that seem wrong."
Eligos Caliela flashed in Bell's mind—the one who'd massacred people under 'orders.' She snapped at Adolf's unquestioning reply but soon thought, He's just pure-hearted. Turning away.
Adolf looked sheepish, bowing his head to her.
"…Sorry. I'll always keep that in mind, Captain."
"Uh… yeah, do that."
"I'll remember too."
Bram teased playfully, earning a side-eye and sigh from Bell. He covered his mouth, grinning. For the first time, a proxy seemed almost human. What was this? He wanted to rush to his superior, Colonel Smith, and spill it: those absurdly powerful proxies had human sides too.
Composing himself, Bram lowered his hand.
"Director Annet refused deployment, so our Fraction-6 barrier commander pushed it through. With us here, we'll wrap it up with minimal casualties."
A hint of weariness laced his words. Annet's defiance toward the Grand Marshal was odd enough, but Commander Hassel's hawkish opportunism was worse. Loyal as they were, it tore at field officers like Colonel Smith and Bram. Add the separate Ri Siarin death investigation, and this felt like a brief vacation.
Adolf caught the expression and read the mood swiftly. Something internal was afoot.
"What does Lumen Guard think of this situation?"
"From Captain Kyle Walker's Intelligence Analysis report, disarming the militia might be necessary. Mercenaries at best. We think it's overkill, but…"
Bram cracked his neck.
"Intelligence Analysis loved it."
Bell frowned.
"So who's commanding your unit now, Bram?"
He paused, then answered.
"For now… Kyle Walker."
Bell's face hardened at the name.
"Hah. Figures. Intelligence Analysis is one outfit."
She trailed off with a short sigh. If they were pulling in special forces, Walker wasn't content with mere analysis.
Hope they don't drag them in fully.
Bell looked up.
"Good seeing you again, Bram, but we're busy. Catch you later."
"Of course. Anytime."
The elevator doors opened again, and Bell and Adolf stepped in. Just before they closed, Adolf gave Bram a quick nod. Bram chuckled again.
"Whew… Men's intuition can be off sometimes, but damn if it isn't spot-on now and then."
He muttered to himself and turned away.
The elevator sped up to the fifth floor, home to the Intelligence Analysis Department. A quiet, still atmosphere filled the car. Amid the faint hum and ascent, Bell and Adolf avoided each other's eyes. Bell seemed lost in deep thought, her gaze darting occasionally. After an awkward pause, Adolf ventured carefully.
"That Bram guy… he seemed pretty concerned about you, Captain. Close?"
Bell, arms crossed, paused before replying without turning.
"Just someone from an old op we were thrown into together. Nothing more."
Adolf nodded.
"Got it… Just curious."
Bell frowned subtly. What was that exchange? What's with this conversation?
She turned slightly to look at him.
"You don't mean—"
Jealous? The word rose, but.
"Yes?"
Just an innocent expression. Bell sighed deeply, chiding herself. What am I thinking? We're not like that.
Distance. Right, keep your distance. Remember that.
"Nothing. Forget it."
The elevator dinged to a stop, doors parting. Cold air rushed in, filled with the dim corridor lighting unique to Intelligence Analysis and the white glow of the Aria sphere. Two guard drones hovered at the entrance. Beyond, dozens of holo-panels flickered in real-time. Bell and Adolf strode in without hesitation.
Inside, two figures eyed each other with barely veiled tension. Lin Kseszbet, with her short black hair. And Kyle Walker, arms crossed, face stern. The air between them crackled.
Bell glanced at them, muttering inwardly. Does Intelligence Analysis only hire types like this?
She eyed Kseszbet. Pretty and intellectual, but that chill aura was unmistakable. Bell headed straight for Kyle.
Kyle and Kseszbet noticed them approaching, reacting differently. Kyle with keen interest. Kseszbet with irritation. But her expression brightened noticeably at Adolf.
Bell planted herself before Kyle, snapping.
"Captain Walker. Explain attaching a drone to Combat Response."
Walker smirked, raising his hands in mock surrender.
"For Lieutenant Mandel's and Lieutenant Phrase's safety, as I said."
"Bullshit."
"Hahaha— Is that your default rudeness, or…"
He stepped closer, looking down at her with a chuckle.
"Do you just hate me?"
"It's surveillance. Feels shitty. Isn't that normal?"
"Ha— Fair enough. But proxies should handle what comes with the territory."
Bell turned sharply to Kseszbet without retorting.
"Lieutenant Lin Kseszbet. Why were you at the church yesterday?"
Lin maintained a nonchalant facade, but inside she reeled. She'd just been enjoying the spat with Kyle when this hit hard. Flashing back, she recalled the petite girl by the mural.
Damn, Red Eye's combat, not intel? How'd she notice?
First time feeling cornered. Kyle was annoying enough, but this Lumen Guard fighter had clocked her presence.
Kyle let out a short "Ooh," grinning at Lin.
"No way."
Lin glanced casually at Adolf—black hair, black eyes like hers. Harkens. Strong racial bonds; he'd help a kin out of this jam. She pivoted quickly.
"Pleased to meet you. Nice to see a fellow clansman here."
She offered Adolf a handshake, but he stood still. Her eyes flicked to his face in confusion. Adolf wasn't even looking at her. His gaze was fixed on the glowing Aria sphere whirring behind—and the pitch-black sword at his waist.
Lin's stomach churned. From Kyle Walker to the sharp Red Eye, now a proxy wielding the Grand Marshal's sword.
"I'm busy. Talk later."
She spat it out and bolted before Bell or Kyle could stop her, vanishing from Intelligence Analysis. Kyle smirked meaningfully and retreated to the analysis room.
"Hah—what the hell."
Bell's disbelief solidified her suspicions. Same bureau or not, she'd corner Lin later. Turning to Adolf.
"Lieutenant?"
Adolf's eyes remained glued to the Aria sphere.