"You have to be very careful when and where you use your magic." Iris Raven Song's words loomed in Celeste's mind as she watched Enforcement Officers carry Hudson the robot out of her bedroom. Even though the power and building security system were back up, the robot remained out of order. Not that Celeste cared, in fact she was glad it was off. What concerned her more was the seared corner of her desk being lifted into an insulated box by two Enforcement Officers. Celeste was not sure what they would find from that burnt chunk, but it worried her. It didn't keep her attention for long. The argument that had arisen in her parent's living room was hard to ignore.

"There is an Outlander loose in this city somewhere, Owen. Our priority is to find him!" Officer Geon's voice boomed. Celeste's father, Officer Owen Sidman, raised his voice even higher. "This Outlander threatened my daughter! I need to know that she is safe." Officer Scarlett Sidman put a hand on her husband's shoulder to calm him down. She used a much calmer voice, "Geon, we have dedicated our lives to The Enforcement. We fight to keep the peace in this city. What is all that for if we can't protect our own families?" Officer Scarlette's words stilled the room, even Officer Karl's typing had stopped. All the Officers in the room were watching Geon Paistone's expression change.

In a much calmer voice Officer Geon explained, "Normally I would post a full guard in your house but there is reason to believe..." His voice trailed and he looked around the room reluctantly before he went on in a much lower voice, "...this Outlander is an Elemental magic user." In that second, Celeste thought her mother had glared at her out of the corner of her eye. It was so quick, she must have imagined it.

"We can't have you and Owen take any days off, the city needs you at this critical time," Officer Geon announced finally. He held his hand up to cut off Scarlett Sidman's protests. He went on to explain that since they could not spare any guards to keep Celeste safe, she will be allowed to join the Enforcement Rookie Program. "Celeste joining the ranks is what I have always dreamt of," Owen laughed, "but won't there be an outrage that she is not properly educated?" The Enforcement Officers all turned to look at Celeste as if she had suddenly materialized out of thin air.

Celeste had not received the standard Edethian education. Instead she had been home schooled by her grandmother. Iris Raven Song had told Celeste that learning about robotics, technology, law and political propaganda was useless to her as an Elemental mage. Celeste knew a lot about Edeth's history, the old world. She knew a lot about herbs and the body. She also knew how to fight and cook. wasn't that what mattered most anyway? Clearly not judging from the expressions on the Enforcement Officers.

Officer Geon eyed Celeste with slight pity, as if seeing her for the first time. He looked at her parents with deep sympathy. He looked slightly unsure even as he tried to assure her parent, "Normally there might have been... concerns. But she is the child of two Senior ranking Officers." Even having one Enforcement parent gave an Enforcement Officer an advantage in training. Not all children born to Enforcement parents had what it took to join the rank, however the ones that did make it were usually faster, stronger and had sharp instincts. Officer Geon patted Officer Owen on the shoulder. "There is no safer place for her than the barracks, they are filled with Enforcement Officers." Celeste felt as if she might throw up.