“Or should I say, inquisitor of Illuvastria?”

Eye’s smile faded, her relaxed demeanor replaced by something hardened, something enraged. With her disguise lifted for her, Izabel was able to see that the woman’s expression was uncharacteristically serious. Her eyes narrowed, and as they did, the vivid green of hers shone, shifting into the color of molten gold.

A clear mark that her Mirror Avatar was taking control this whole time.

“You are an inconvenience, are you aware of that, you damn brat?”

“Thanks for the compliment,” Adler smirked. 

With a flick of her fingers, Eye materialized a card. The heavy feeling of power started to manifest in the air. It was clear, the title bore some significance for her.

[Eye, Adler, if you both continue this, I will be forced to limit your Number Distribution feature during future meetings.]

The two of them looked at Cordis. A few tense seconds passed before the two of them looked away, adjusting the Mirror Device on their hand as they did.  With their feud halted for now, the feeling of power diminished from the air.

“Wait, what just—“ Adler said.

[Continuing our previous conversation.] Cordis cut in, rendering Adler’s mutterings lost to the crowd. [Tell me your decision, now.]

Cordis waved their hand.

[What course of action should we take?]

[Option 1 / Option 2]

“First one, right?”

“Correct, dear Izabel,” Hunter replied, a smile on her lips.

Just like them, the other users took some time to discuss things with their Mirror Avatar, before choosing the option that appeals to them. Some took a little longer, some discussing their options before committing, others seem to start arguing, until Cordis put a stop to it by tapping their feet, signaling for them to hurry up.

Before long, Cordis spoke again.

[I believe we have our results.]

One by one, light started to shine on each platform, some red, some blue. Underneath her feet, Izabel’s platform shone blue, and a quick glance around revealing that her teammates’ did the same. To many people’s surprise, Eye’s platform too shone blue, even as her expression looked stone-still, a sign that this outcome was something she would not desire otherwise.

However, as she looked at the other direction, Brecher’s platform shone red.

Noticing her stare, Brecher turned around and said. “I’ll stay here with Carcosa in case something goes wrong.”

“We’ve discussed this, Hunter.” Carcosa added. “I hope you don’t think that the other teams are gallivanting off while your team is fighting, heh.”

“I’ll go on behalf of 3E~” Striga said. 

[Considering the split, roughly 57-43 percent in favor of going there, I will make it so that those who agreed to go will be on the list of candidates. Will that be acceptable?]

“Of course,” Herald replied. As expected, their platform shone red.

“Sure thing,” Desolation said, and just like Herald, their platform shone red.

“While you’re playing chase with that Verdant, at least pretend to make sure that this Dome is safe, will you?” Adler said in a sarcastic tone. 

“Worry not about that, Adler. I will make sure to keep him in line,” Verdant said. Even with the filter obscuring their identity, it was almost too easy to imagine them with a smirk. 

“Piss off,” Desolation hissed. 

“C-can you two stop with that…?” Someone next to Verdant said. Their platform could be described as unremarkable, being something akin to hardened, reflective liquid silver that still rippled whenever the person above it even so much as moved a step. Just like Verdant, their platform also shone in red.

[CATHY#100 - Team 5E]

“Just let them, they’ll pipe down eventually,” another voice said. They stood on a platform colored in a mix of various colors forming marble-like patterns on a gray surface. However, unlike their teammates, their platform shone blue.

[GRAY#712 - Team 5E]

“Anyways, sure, I agree, but then tell those who chose to hide down here to start discussing how to prepare. If you ask me, let’s start by making this place inaccessible to the Primeras. Just topple the transportation bases or something.” Gray continued.

“Even children know that’s an unnecessary power display,” Aquila said. They stood on a plain platform made of metal, with nothing else of note except the addition of their team behind their name. Their platform shone in red.

[AQUILA#749 - Team 1C]

Izabel barely remembered them from before the spire mission.

“But you’re right, we need to prepare. Cordis, can you allow the creation of a separate room?” Aquila asked.

[Request granted. Let me finish things up here first, and we can discuss the defense matter later.]

“Alright then, can we go now?”

[Yes, those who chose option two may go. Remember to not exit the virtual world just yet, as we are not finished.]

One by one, those with red on their platforms disappeared.

[Now that our decision about Dome-13 is sorted, we still need to decide who will head to the Dome itself. According to my current estimates, they will need to conduct a routine repair in around 112 Coronam Vitae system hours. In case of any changes, let us prepare in 90 hours.]

With a wave of Cordis’ hand, the platforms shifted, sorting them to a less messy look without all the empty spaces. 

[Considering the long nature of the mission and the disagreement of some users, we need to create a new team with what we currently have.]

“Before that, I want Eye and myself to go,” Adler said. Next to her, Lapin glanced at her, and saw that her hands were balled into fists until the tips of her fingers turned white. “I’m not negotiating on this.”

“Even without your little tantrum, Adler, I’ll do that. Congratulations, you have successfully piqued my curiosity,” Eye said.

“No, not one of your P-doll clones disguised as you. I want you personally to come,” Adler said. 

“What an annoying little thing, what are you after?”

“I’m tired of watching you sit there and play with everyone’s life while you watch and indulge in your throne of puppets. Back up your claims, I will go, and you will, too.”

Adler narrowed her eyes. Her eyes had turned into a deep crimson.

“I will make sure of it.”

[Adler is correct that Eye may be a suitable candidate to go, considering their abilities.]

“If the great Cordis themself said we have to go, then so it will be,” Eye replied, her demeanor more relaxed, however, one with keen eyes would notice that the heel of her foot was pressed onto the puppet she used as a footrest.

“... Adler, let it go. No matter your distaste against her, she is our ally,” Lapin reminded.

[Enough. Let us begin the selection.]

With a gesture from Cordis, three screens appeared above them.

[For this mission, we will need three teams. Your objective will be to stay hidden, gather information about our enemy, and with the least amount of confrontation, secure the Heart Mirror users of Dome-13.]

Another screen appeared, this time, it depicted a map of the dome, along with several dots.

[The dome’s population is around three million, give or take, and we have seventy Heart Mirror users there. The report we received confirmed the presence of one opponent - it is likely that the Primeras responsible for this hunt is hiding.]

“If there is only one opponent, don’t you think sending three teams is a little bit excessive?” Gray asked.

“If you ask me, that’s safer,” Pestilence - Valerie said. “Better safe than sorry.”

“A little hint for you two, think about it, why is it that despite having seventy Heart Mirror users, someone requests aid almost as soon as communication is established?” Eye said.

“Either they discovered things right after we established the spires connection system, or…” Barnett - Claire muttered, 

“They have someone specializing in tracking and information the way we have Eye and Adler,” Izabel finished.

“Remember, the last time we fought a Primeras, they seemed to be unprepared. Chances are, this time, they have some information about us, at least enough to conduct a large-scale attack,” Hunter added.

[Hunter is correct. From what I observed while I was conducting a remote defense, it seems that they target people in the vicinity of the Heart Mirror users for a ‘random’ check. For now, the worst has been avoided, and no devices containing the Heart Mirror was discovered yet. However, it is only a matter of time.]

“What do we know about our opponent?” Lapin asked.

[They seem to specialize in tracking and has some knowledge on the operation of technology. Their identity is currently unknown.]

Lapin didn’t answer.

“Adler?”

“No, I don’t know either. It’s still too early.”

[Regardless, considering Heart Mirror’s nature, it is dangerous to let them be.]

“Someone specializing in tracking? Now this is an interesting development,” Eye said. “So far, we have a tracking specialist, and a Linnurata Frontline member if that brat’s information was anything to go by. All in one dome.”

[Correct.]

“I am going, then. Regardless of a certain flea’s meddling, this is shaping up to be something I have to see for myself.”

“Me too,” Lapin followed suit.

“Count me in,” Adler said.

[Do any others wish to volunteer, or is everyone else alright with being picked in accordance to my calculations?]

A few grunts and nods, and with that, a whirring sound could be heard from all around Cordis. For a moment, their image flickered, teetering between existence and disappearance, before then, the list above her was filled with names.

 

[Operation D13 Rescue]

[Team A]

[HUNTER#101]

[BARNETT#018]

[EYE#813]

 

[TEAM B]

[LAPIN#303]

[STRIGA#444]

[GRAY#712]

 

[TEAM C]

[INSIDER#333]

[ADLER#007]

[DAHLIA#291]

 

[Team A and B will focus on more offensive endeavors, while team C will act as backup and focus on staying hidden] Cordis explained. [Any objections?]

“Cordis, I’m sure you have seen my situation, so, I can’t be there,” Barnett said. From the corner of her eyes, Izabel saw her grit her teeth.

[I’m aware.] Cordis replied. [I promise you that before the mission starts, you will be freed from the facility]

“How are you going to do that?”

[The same way I have rendered all the surveillance on you null and void.]

Claire stayed silent, but from the tremble of her lips, the shaky way she stood with an iron grip on her balance, Izabel knew that her teammate was itching at the prospect of being free. Even though her pride did not allow her to truly express her emotions to its full extent, there was no need for such a display - her pure, unfiltered joy was contained within two simple words.

“Thank you, Cordis,”

[Think nothing of it, just focus on our mission.]

“I understand.”

“Congrats, Barnett,” Pestilence said, a smile on her face. “Looks like it’s your turn to shine, I’m sitting this one out.”

“You wish,” Barnett snorted. “Don’t forget that everyone who stays has to participate in reinforcing this dome.”

“Aw, you didn’t have to remind me of that,” Pestilence said with a pout.

“I mean, at least it’s familiar territory for you?” Izabel offered.

“Shoring up defenses in the base of operations is not easy. There are bound to be vulnerabilities we never even considered that needs to be taken into account,” Hunter said.

“Cheer up, Len, at least you are working together with most of the others,” Barnett offered. “Maybe you can entice some of them to… try out your virtual world?”

“Was it you who said that, or your partner?” 

“Can’t it be both of us? i mean, I agree with Barnett that it’s not that bad…”

“Sure, sure. Return with good news, and show us all what both of you can do. This goes for you too, Hunter!” Pestilence grinned. 

“I won’t disappoint you,” Izabel replied, “or you, Hunter.”

“I have the utmost faith in you.”

[With that, the selection is complete. Here is the estimate of the time of operation.]

A notification appeared in front of everyone who was chosen.

[Operation D13 Rescue Countdown]

[Time left: 5 days, 15 hours]