The meeting room was filled up. just like how Paula's father had described when things got serious. all eyes were on Jack. 

The commander said “tell me. What reasoning did you have behind your actions?”

Everyone wanted to hear it so Jack stood up and proudly declared “the Dude was a prick.”

The room erupted in jeers. but Jack signed them to calm down “just kidding. in all seriousness though. There was no reasoning with that guy. Rainor you've seen guys like that”

Rainor just said “I can confirm this guy did sound like em”

“See! Nat back me up here.”

Natlee was a bit conflicted “While we were asked to bring him in alive. looking back on it the man was irrational and violent even to his teammates.”

Jack slapped his hands together “thanks Nat. Besides, you are missing another issue. how were we going to contain him? he knocked back knives a couple times.”

Everyone reviewed the footage of the prince going toe to toe with the giant mech. Even the dwarf managed to block a swing. These were stronger locals than they've met before. 

The commander had to agree the prince would've required a costly containment and interrogating would've been a mess. “granted we'll be lenient. but this discussion isn't over jack.”

 In response Jack gave the commander a sloppy salute. “you at least kept the others alive though we might have Paula to thank for that.”

Paula felt a bit embarrassed being praised like that since she arrived back. A few things she learned from the meetings was that the department heads didn't always come to them. When she came back from a patrol she noticed that depending on what happened, relevant people would be informed. a herbalist they brought would get the attention of the medical and the biology department while finding gear from an adventurer gets the armory's attention. Today they had 2 main races and a human mage. that got everyone's attention. The commander asked Clara to prepare the direct line to the interrogation rooms.

Bruce was the first brought up on screen for questioning. He was pacing in his room. It contained a table and a chair and a screen facing it.

Clara popped up on the screen “greetings. Are you willing to answer some questions?”

“How long will this take? we're kinda strapped for time.”

The council room sent a request to Clara to have him elaborate so she asked “can you explain why you're on a time limit?”

Bruce wondered why the woman kept a window in between them. there was also something odd about her. “Lady, your people just killed the prince. Once the news gets to kings island my friends siblings... Well, I have no idea what they'll do but the bastard had his loyal followers. they'll probably do something to get revenge at least.”

“You seem worried about your friend’s family. what about yours?”

“Mine? They're safe in Brinthorn. I need to get there as well. they'll need to know the kingdom of nobletalon is really trying to conquer all other races.”

The council had a lot to ask but Clara wanted to focus on pressing questions first. one question was “do you know any mana manipulation or magic as it is called?”

“sure i know some shield enforcing magic, some average healing and blessing.”

“Cleanse?”

“sure that too.”

“Are there any diseases the local wildlife carry that could be transferred to humans?”

“i'm not too sure. I know some creatures here can curse. if that's what you're asking?”

Yoshiko took note and thought *I should've expected something like this.* 

They asked more questions about the dwarven city and dwarves in general. Before they were done Bruce had a question “by the way lady. Why are you hiding behind a window? I'm not a threat to you.” Clara started explaining as the screen went over to Fae's room.

Sniper had opted to interrogate her personally. Fae was sitting at the table as he entered the room “greetings i'd like to ask some questions.”

“Am I being captured again or something?”

“no” 

“Then why so secretive? I don’t even know what's under your helmet.”

“A fish head, I'll be out of breath without it.”

Fae had a skeptical look. She sighed “I doubt you’re seafolk. at least you guys don't use those gems.”

“A good place to start. how'd you end up like that?”

Fae told what had happened since leaving the trade post. About the bandits that hired mages to capture elves, her transport to St Baalz and eventually being bought by the prince and meeting Arce and Bruce.

“You met them yesterday? you seemed closer than that.”

“I've seen nothing but bastards in the past few days. Meeting helpful people is a nice change of pace. besides they spent till late last night trying to find a way to get me out of that collar... not that we came up with much. but it's the thought that matters. thanks for freeing me by the way.”

“You should thank Jack later.”

Clara relayed some follow up questions from the board to Sniper's helmet. After several questions they were told she'd be allowed free on the citadel. fae had to ask “Why only this place? can't i go back home?”

“Miss, between us and your home as we've come to find out are 2 possibly hostile major human settlements and a forest full of dangerous creatures. We suggest you stay on the citadel.”

The man in the strange helmet had a point “Can't you help or drop me off with the flying boxes?”

“The dropships? they're currently for military purposes only. plus  there's issues with our scans.”

Fae was slightly confused but still disappointed. It was clear she had no safe passage home and the citadel had its own issues to work out.

Sniper sighed and said “I think I can at least get you along with us. We might make our way there later anyway” 

Fae cheered up a bit. Sniper turned to the screen behind him “Clara, can I request to hire her as a local specialist?” 

Clara appeared on screen to respond, causing Fae to shout “a Fairy in the mirror?”

Lastly was arce who was restless. she was thinking of ways to get back to kings island when clara came up on the screen “greetings. Can…”

“When can I go?”

“Calm down, we've heard of your situation from your friends.”

“Then please. let me go get my sisters.”

“First a few things. A lot of our department heads on the council would like to ask stuff about mana.”

“I'll tell you everything once I get my sisters, I promise.”

They didn't get a lot of information from her and She kept pacing around the room. The counsel considered their options. or at least those that were left most had logged out or left, leaving the decisions to the commander. only a few other people were still there. 

Sniper joined them soon. “I've caught up on the way.”

“Right and since you're obsessed with the elves you're gonna want us to drop her off there right?” Rainor said

“not quite.”

“oh?” 

“The elven kingdom can probably handle itself for a while but the first mage on the citadel that could teach us magic won't do it unless we get her sisters.”

Bertha excitedly raised her voice “I wanna learn explosion magic! saving 2 little girls from an evil kingdom is a bonus.”

“We could use it as an opportunity to investigate the enemy too.” Jack noted, “I volunteer to go see the big city!”

The commander stared at him “oh i'm considering the mission but you are not going.”

“why not?” everyone looked at him wondering if he was serious “oh right... the murders... nevermind. I still opt for it though. the poor kid is probably barely 18 and about to lose her sisters and these people already don't live as long as us.”

“She's around 20” Clara corrected him “Both her dna and core data register as such”

Jack stared at Clara “you're messing with me.”

The commander looked to Rainor “your thoughts?”

“It's all fine with me mate. Just know, I ain't a stealth guy." 

Paula spoke up “can i help?”

Bertha slapped her on the back saying “yes pinkie. you're our only local recruit.”

“I’ll assume the mission is mine since Jack is grounded. local knowledge may be needed. the mage will need to be in contact for details but it'd be useful to have you along for confirmation and in case we lose contact.” Sniper noted.

Yoshiko spoke up on a screen “Paula i'm sure you noted the mention of curses. We had some suspicions but the last paladin couldn't do anything about curses. a bit careless in this place if i’m to believe the dwarf. since he also worries about these girls…”

Paula's eyes lit up as she knew what she meant. if her mothers condition was a curse they could ask the dwarf to help. paula wondered tough “i thought our scans or comms didn't reach past the forest?”

The commander smiled and left the room. Bertha picked up on it “oh they're done? get prepared Pinkie. you're in for a treat tomorrow.”

***

Bruce,Fae and Arce had all been guided to a simple waiting room. near the door was a single desk occupied by a security guard using a tablet to fill out some forms. Fae’s eyes kept scouring the pristine clean room while Arce was nervously fidgeting.

 Bruce kept looking at the lights “It's like outside but not as bright. Reminds me of the tunnelands”

“I know it feels like the sun too. I'm starting to wish I could stay here. These people have some amazing weapons.” Fae responded.

Arce on the other hand was still a nervous wreck. she'd rather face the abomination again.  

Bruce noticed her discomfort “Arce calm down.these people seem like good folk. they'll let you go soon.”

“But will I make it in time? if any of Triston's followers catch wind of what happened before I can even get back....”

“I'd help but my presence would probably alert them faster.” Fae said as she inspected the tablets on a table in front of her “how do you use this?”

It lit up with Clara responding “you can just vocally ask or manage the touchscreen through the menus. I think asking will be easier though.”

Fae was lucky not to drop the tablet “um wall fairy. Are there any ways we could get one of those flying boxes?”

“As of yet there are no dropships or hover cars available for public use due to the lack of satellites. a connection is mandatory for  their safety features. Military personnel are capable of flying these even without communications but this is in critical emergencies only. earliest availability for these to be publicly available is estimated in 10 -12months. adding to that purchasing one is expensive and requires proof of a basic license to operate one.”

Fae regretted asking. She could barely understand half the words but she managed to get the gist of it.

“so there's no way to get a ride?” Bruce asked.

“not unless... I believe the commander wishes to tell you himself.”

They had not noticed the broad shouldered man arrive. “Greetings, I'm Harold weatherfield. though I'm referred to as the commander around here. I'm what you'd call the leader here.”

Arce expected him to be just a military leader. “So we're in the military base of your kingdom?”

The commander took a seat across from them “you are in that department yes but the entire citadel is currently the extent of what you'd call our kingdom.”

Fae remembered what Sniper had asked the wall fairy “So does that mean the man with the black helmet's request was approved?”

“Not yet miss. I know you'd want to return to your peoples kingdom. Once they hear of Jack's second kill of a prince they'll probably focus on us. We plan to slowly make our way towards your kingdom. for now if there's a message you need to relay to your kingdom of origin you can tell Clara or wallfairy as you've been calling her. we plan on announcing our existence anyway by sending a message to the nearby countries.”

Arce was still unsure “what about my sisters?”

The commander straightened one of the tablets “that's why i came personally.there's a few things we'd ask from you for example to have some medical scans and some personal requests” he turned to Bruce “You seem fine with the situation but you did request us to help your mage friends situation so we'd consider this a shared debt. we'd request to try your cleanse ability on a particular patient we picked up since landing.”

Arce was already cheering up because it sounded like he was going to help. The commander's serious look intimidated her a bit as he turned to her. “Miss Arce right? we've never seen magic since arriving to this world so we'd like your assistance in learning about it.”

Arce agreed immediately “yes! I'll be forever in your debt.”

The commander nodded to her and finally turned to Fae “I'm sorry we're giving them a more urgent military treatment. I'll approve Sniper's request to take you on as a local specialist . however if you still wish to be dropped off at your kingdom we'll arrange something after scans.”

Surprisingly Fae shook her head “If i can just send a letter to Yamdorei. I think I can get stronger here to save some friends I lost when I got caught. one of them should be in St Baalz.”

“I think we can organize something soon. ok then for now Clara will arrange a place for you to stay. you can tell her if you plan for a residence or a temporary room. I'd ask you to head to our medical department first. Clara will guide you and you can ask her for any info you need.” he stood up and left, greeting the guard on his way out. 

“Are we sure that was even the real leader?” Fae asked. 

Bruce shrugged “He Didn't sound as bad as other commanders. still hard to believe these people aren't even from our planet.”

Arce felt a lot better since she heard they'd help her get her sisters “After our ordeal with the prince. anything unbelievable seems more trustworthy than anything that makes sense.”

Fae looked up at the ceiling lights thinking *Alwin was right. this place might be a solution... I'm never going to hear the end of that if it is.*