Several days after that, the activity around Monolith 7889 and Malkuth have calmed down. A moment of unrest lingered in the air, as Guide Center took care of the Espers on the line of duty who were left exhausted, though just as it is said, the situation is under control.

It’s not for her to pry, and she must carry on as any normal citizen would, Sara says to herself as she resumes her duty in Guide Center as usual everyday.

Break time for her has been quite eventful recently with few Guides and Espers chattering about Malkuth or Monolith 7889. Espers are bemoaning the workload, while Guides have it worse. Situations like these were taxing, but it was all they could do to minimize the damage and ensure Capital’s safety.

No one wanted another breach. No one wanted to live in fear or experience another nightmare.

‘Attention. Guide number 402, please report to the Assembly Room immediately.’

Another duty calls, Sara thought, and she quickly makes a beeline to the Assembly Room, ignoring the usual dreadful look that others shoot her way.

Mrs. Isabella Angelo is waiting for her in the Assembly Room alone. A projector depicting images of the Capital map along with its surrounding Remote Town in three-dimensional terrain is on standby. Her lips pursed in a thin line as she gives a map once-over, the screen mirrors her look of restlessness. 

Sara doesn’t announce her arrival until Mrs. Angelo turns her back to the direction of the door. Her lavender hair reflects afternoon light, accentuating her dignified appearance. She reverts to a mask of calmness as she welcomes Sara to the Assembly Room.

Sara is reminded of  Mr. Angelo saying that he’d give Sara a good rep to ‘his wife’, though likely this is not the condition where Mrs. Angelo will needlessly commend her.

“Just in time, Miss Khalida.” she says. “I’ve heard from my husband that you’re the one taking care of him the other day, I have to thank you.”

“Ah, no, just doing my job.” Sara replies. 

“Well, now …” her eyes gesture to the other door on the right side. “Please come in, Miss Angkara.”

Amara comes in, poised as always. She looks surprised to see Sara there, just as Sara acknowledges her presence. Sara can only think of something, the reason that a senior Guide like Mrs. Angelo gathers them there.

Mrs. Angelo pushes up her glasses, “Let me explain about the current situation around the Capital’s outer wall and increasing Sentinel activities in both Netzach and Malkuth.”

Sara feels the corner of her eyes twitch, so it wasn’t over . Not yet.

“With Miss Angkara assigned as one of the scouts for the mission in Netzach, I’m asking you to also be assigned as her Guide during the interim.”

Both Amara and Sara exchange looks. Beyond everything, there is their professional relations and how Amara can only be Guided by a Guides with compatibility over ninety percent. Scouting missions, while it might be possible to avoid prolonged use of Esper powers in general, it still will be dangerous if not with a team composed of at least one Guide.

“Miss Khalida, you don’t have to agree if you’re not willing.”

Sometimes, Sara doesn’t know whether Amara is being considerate or purely reckless. Likely Amara knows for herself how Sara is ‘rumored’, but at times the more she hears about it, the more she thinks that someone is pitying her. 

There’s a fine line between sympathy and pity, after all.

“I’ll accept the mission, Mrs. Angelo.” Sara replies before Amara has a chance to say more.

Mrs. Angelo crosses her arms over her chest, pondering. There’s a brief look of disapproval from Amara, but Sara remains steadfast—or perhaps a glaring is the better term. Amara clams up, while Mrs. Angelo looks between them with a small, knowing smile.

Somehow, Sara can imagine how reckless Amara can be, considering the times they have worked together and when Sara assists her as a Guide. She might be a known tactician, but it’s not like she refuses help because she’s confident with her ability nor she prefers to work alone, but rather she doesn’t want to inconvenience anyone.

Sara also can roughly tell that this arrangement is likely coming from Mrs. Angelo than Amara herself.

They move on with a description about the mission instead of dallying.

The map focused around the border area between the two Remote Towns. The route of operation is highlighted in green, while other squads highlighted in blue, and possible resupply route in yellow. When Mrs. Angelo taps on the terrain, they can see the barebones data for that said squad.

“Miss Angkara will be an extension to the squad stationed in Netzach’s scouting outpost,” Mrs. Angelo begins as she highlights the ‘starting point’, later she states it as Point Alpha. “Your mission is to aid the team in surveillance post active vanguard duty around this area in a three to five day skirmish. Changes may happen depending on the situation and the team leader’s decision.”

Likely it’s also the reason she rarely sees Penelope as she should be more active in Netzach, Sara muses.

“Your task, Miss Khalida, is to assist Miss Angkara in any way necessary to ensure that rebuilding of the outpost and the facility there is uninterrupted by any Sentinel's volley attacks.” Mrs. Angelo summarizes. “Of course, you’ll be with another scouting squad, but as Miss Angkara is versed in vanguard, she is allowed to handle monsters or acts as decoy.”

Sara takes another glance at the map while Mrs. Angelo details the other teams’ situation when Amara asks. The area that Amara will be active in is small, compared to other teams that cover larger areas, but it seems that they’re allowed to open fire when necessary, unlike other teams that likely focus on defense. Other Defensive Espers are likely to retreat once the outpost is compromised, while Amara can act freely as she is an Offensive Esper.

Amara questions Mrs. Angelo about almost everything; the terrain, the details of squad captains, and the possible monsters they needed to watch out for aside that long-ranged Sentinel. It reminds Sara about the time they met for the first time and how Amara easily became amicable to a shy person like Penelope, while also able to lay out the plan for someone who barely met.

She is indeed a gifted tactician just like the rumor said about her.

It almost feels like a waste that there’s no other Guide who can Guide Amara but Sara—someone more capable, someone who’s agreeable.

Mrs. Angelo transfers the needed data to both of their terminals, then bids her goodbye as she has her shift to attend to, leaving both of them alone in the Assembly Room.

“Are you free right now, or do you need to return to your duties soon, Miss Khalida?”

“I have a bit of time,” Sara says. “Is there something that you need to discuss?”

“If it won’t be a bother, yes.”

They pull out chairs and sit side-by-side on that table, when Amara opens her terminal and project the map once more. It is already highlighted to Amara’s own route and ‘checkpoints’ that she needed to visit in three to five days scouting.

“How do you propose to take the distance and manage our fighting power? We do have a lot to cover.” Sara asks first.

When Sara peers closer, now she understands how Penelope finds it comfortable to be around Amara, while they are barely acquainted. It’s not hard to win someone else’s respect when you’re able to appreciate someone whom you worked with. 

Amara listens, taking everything on the topic into consideration before voicing her own opinion. Her amber eyes are never judging as she gives her conversation partner once-over, nor does she position herself as someone haughty because she has the wealth of commanding experience. 

“Then, we can make use of scattered safehouses as we follow the riverbank.” Amara shows small yellow pins scattered around the riverside of Netzach. 

Sara taps on her chin, waiting for Amara’s explanation about the situation in concise detail.

‘Safehouses’ are mandatory small rooms or small houses that can be used for resting. Around the time the Capital experienced its breach, the soil was also high with Aether contamination, so they don’t allow on-site camping in Remote Towns. Instead, they benefited from abandoned houses scattered nearby and reinforced it for any National Guild-affiliated staff to use. The place is also suitable for emergency Guiding, if the need arises.

“But we still need to camp if we don’t find any safehouses,” Sara points out Amara’s area of patrol that’s away from the safehouses’ range. “We can ask for additional gear.”

“I see, I’ll file it with the procurement, then.” Amara nods.

“No, wait. That’s Guide’s job,” Sara interjects. “Or are you telling me that you always do everything alone?”

Amara tilts her head to the side. “I … kind of do? I mean, I don’t mind, it’s not exactly a hassle.” 

Sara groans. She picks up her terminal and quickly types and files the additional equipment for them. “They’ve been using you. Oh well. Just leave it to me this time.”

The redhead watches as Sara progresses with the form filling and approval of their mission’s extras and permission, resting her head on the heel of her palm as she waits. 

To think that they’ve been taking The Tempest for granted! Sara can’t help but to think. It’s a Guide’s job to handle everything about procurement and preparation as it is tied to Guide Center first then National Guild later. The work distribution goes like this because Espers are mostly already busy with operational duties, so Guides are prompted to support them in administration deeds.

“You’re really a kind person, Miss Khalida.”

“... Huh? Where did that come from?”

Amara smiles, “Hehe, just saying.”

Sara gives Amara an incredulous look, while Amara merely flashes a carefree smile back at her.

“We’ll depart tomorrow morning with the support team,” Amara finishes her review. “Is there anything else you’ll need, Miss Khalida?”

“So long as we keep our ration full for three days, and we can resupply, I guess that’s all.”

Amara settles for them to wrap up for the day, bidding her farewell as she leaves Sara back to her duties. Sara takes one last look at the mission details, her eyes stop briefly as she observes the clear course lines, workflow, and planned escape routes they managed to map out in one sitting.

She really is lauded to be a tactician not for nothing.