After a few minutes, a vehicle came from inside the prison, and the guards transferred the prisoners from the train into it.
It resembled a standalone train car, with only one track, since it was meant to drive the same route.

"We will put them into the newly opened wing. Are you going to accompany us, sir Smyth?" the driver asked him through the half-open window.

The man sighed, "Unfortunately. The procedures state we must be there until the moment they are safe in their cells."

"Why don’t we look at this as an opportunity to see the prison from the inside? It's not like we get to examine every prisoner that gets locked up here," his green-eyed assistant smiled.

"Indeed, the only reason why we're here in the first place is because the criminals kept mentioning Label..." Noix said.

"The general public shouldn't know of him. That info is only available to the upper echelons," Lalane added.

"Can I go home now? I kno’ the blasted pris’n inside out a’ready," Mai put her arms on her hips.

"Exactly why we need you. What if a prison break happens when we are inside?" Noix shrugged.

"Seriously?" she looked at him with one eye.

"Miss Mai, we are counting on you," Lalane bowed.

"Of for the lov’ of…fine!" she entered the vehicle, frowning, scowling, and stretching over two seats at once to prevent anyone from sitting next to her.

"Lalane," he let her in first and next to a barred window, while he himself sat on the inside. Lalane opened her book and started sketching what she sees as well as writing some notes.

The attackers were put in a separate department, not making any trouble and mostly behaving. Only one of them talked to Noix while passing by.

"You’re making a mistake, locking us innocent folks, while you let that demon roam free…you think we don’t know all about your conspiracy?" the prisoner with long black hair spoke.

"Quiet! Walk!" the guard pushed him.

Noix was just about to engage in a conversation when his assistant put her hand on his shoulder and shook her head.

"It’s no use. Apparently, they keep repeating the same thing over and over again," she said.

"Yes…they are strongly convinced Label is a demon," Noix turned around to have a better look at them.

"But where would they get this idea?" Lalane’s wondered.

"I don't know, Lalane, but it's worrying me," Noix replied, "This might be only the first of such attempts at Label’s life. Perhaps there was a leakage of information and there may be more to follow…"

"We coulda explain to folks. Ye know…that Label’s alright," as Mai proposed her own solution, the small train started to move.

"But Label is not ‘alright’. We are still learning a lot about him. Until we know more, we cannot make any official announcements. How can we predict the city’s reaction? Will there be panic? Riots? I doubt they will simply merrily accept that we don’t know the first thing about him but ask for their patience in the matter…" Noix was upset.

"They would probably go for a witch hunt…a nomad hunt. Like Emnikatia once did," his assistant added.

"Exactly. That is the mob’s first answer to anything they do not understand. And maybe they would be correct, If not for the fact that killing Label only postpones the inevitable and to make things worse, puts the problem out of our reach and into any random part of the world…" Noix added.

"Now that you say that, we are lucky Label turned out to be so cooperative. As well as the fact he is friends with Master Anciel," said Lalane.

"Indeed," Noix agreed, "But you know how they say; fortune favors the bold. Had we not approached this scientifically, but instead with a crusader mindset like Emnikatia once did, we would have learned squat."

"That’s true, professor. Anyway, looks like we’re here."

The train stopped and the prisoners were taken inside the building, accompanied by many armed guards. They were issued only standard non-lethal weapons in this part of the prison since only humans without nomad abilities were being held there, thus electric batons and guns shooting rubber bullets were enough to keep them in check, aside from the metal bars.
Getting out of the vehicle, Noix was forced to do some more paperwork before they would be allowed inside the building, while the prisoners were taken in immediately.

"It says here we are to go in unarmed…" Noix pointed this out to the security personnel.

"Yes, if you want in, you have to hand over any weapons. Rules and regulations," the guard answered.

"Say wha’?" Mai jumped immediately, "I ain’t handin’ my be’uties over. Coun’ me out."

"I carry no weapons anyway," Lalane confirmed.

"But I do…and I can’t hand them over without proper equipment…" Noix scratched his nape, thinking about what to do now.

"I’m sorry sir. I understand your situation, but it’s not up to me," said the guard.

"That’s alright," Noix said to the guard, then turning to the two young women, "You see, this is an attitude I can appreciate. An exemplary member of the security."

"Agreed," added Lalane.

"Aye, an’ he be handsome too," Mai went closer to him, "Say, ho’ abou’ ye let us in an’ treat me to din’er later?"

"I appreciate the offer, but I am already engaged."

"Hmph…taken, eh?"

Rose Rogue returned to them shrugging and they went a little bit further away.

"On the other hand, we have no chance passing him as we did with the gentleman from before," Noix added to his previous statement.

"He be too proper to fool…" said Mai.

"Would you let me try?" the green-eyed girl wanted to have a go.

"I see no harm," the professor agreed.

Lalane opened her book and came closer to the guard.

He sighed straight away, "Look, I just want to make it clear; I’m not trying to be a jackass here…I just follow orders and stick to rules, but if you want, I can call my superiors to see if they would be willing to make an exception."

"That’s ok. I just wanted to point something out," she showed him a paragraph, "See here? It says that people with prosthetics are not to be forced to take them off. In truth, Mr. Noix Smythe’s body is partially paralyzed. He wears a custom exoskeleton underneath the clothes in order to be able to move around."

"Oh…okay. May I confirm that?"

"Certainly. Professor!" she called Noix over.

But even after checking out his prosthetics, the guard still had an issue that he needed to resolve.

"This is a peculiar case. It is indeed a prosthetic, but it is a weapon as well… can’t you just take these parts off?"

"Without proper equipment? I’m afraid not…" Noix shrugged.

"Hmm…alright, I’ll let you pass, but please don’t let anyone see this. I’m taking a risk here and could be in trouble for it. I’m not sure how my superiors would see this…"

"I promise you won’t regret it. Believe me, I do not want to be here either, but rules and regulations, you know yourself," Noix shook his head in annoyance.

"Yeah, I know."

"Hey, wha’ abou’ me?" the red-clad girl put arms on her hips.

"I am truly sorry Miss Mai, but there is no way they would let you in. Can you wait for us here? We promise to hurry," said Noix.

"Hmph…fine. Can ye at least give a girl somethin’ to drink?"

"Will a glass of water do?" the polite guard offered.

"Water??? I ain’t dirty, I be thirsty! Rum will do."

She was on the verge of despair, but the guard was unmerciful.

"I’m afraid no alcohol is allowed on the premises."

"This place is th’ worst!" she turned around on her heels and left.

Leaving the enforcer captain outside, the duo was escorted to where the prisoners were going to stay. They were meant to confirm that confinement was efficient and with that conclude their business here.

"I must admit this is taking a toll on me, Lalane. After I come home, I am going to enjoy a nice relaxing bath before sleep."

"A nice hot and soapy one. I love practicing my mastery of the elements in the tub. I make ice sculptures, only to melt them away the next moment."

He looked at her over the edge of his shades, "…I have trouble deciding if that is commendable or simply odd."

"What can I say? I’m quirky," she said.

The inside was very dark, lit only by an occasional green lamp and moonlight coming through the large glass roof. Reaching the cells after a few hallways and stairways, the escort stopped and so did the duo. The new inmates were each in a separate cell next to each other. Their restraints were removed at the moment they entered. Most of them were just sitting or lying on their beds.

"We will leave you to do your inspection. The warden should be here for a roll call in about ten minutes, so try to finish by then."

"Ten minutes…is there anything here done right?" Noix sighed.

"It was you who made trouble at every checkpoint, delaying the procedure all the time," the guard said.

"That’s untrue," said Noix.

"Besides, you don’t need so much time for non-nomads. It’s just a normal cell…"

"Whatever," the tall blue man was frustrated, "Come on Lalane. Let’s get this over with."

She opened her book and started the checklist.

"Orgriash? No. Nomad? No. Other? Hmm… trained weapon usage. Next… The cells…no windows…bars are sufficiently together…"

Noix went and tried to force open the doors, "Sturdy enough. Can’t budge it even with the exo."

"Check. Next is the cell’s comfort. What do you think?"

"Why don’t we ask them?" he came closer to the bars, "Good evening. First of all, I just wish to express my disappointment with the current system. People like you shouldn’t be locked away like some feral beasts.  Had you known the true state of things, maybe you would have been helping us find a solution to the problem, instead of trying to take things into your own hands, half-informed."

The prisoner with long black hair looked up, meeting the man’s gaze. He had a slender pale face and very thin eyes.

"It is you who is half-informed," he said in a raspy voice.

"Excuse me?" Noix fixed his glasses.

"Commence operation ‘omoi’"