Chains Of Pride

"Are all the satellites now online? Can you show me a video of their current location?" The director asked.

"Yes sir," the director was in a room where there were nothing but screens set up with an Observer for each, scrutinizing what they saw and recording it down on an adjoining monitor.

The Director went to the Primary Observer to relay his command. This was the only person who was aware of the Director and Nefiera's plan.

He made sure to shut down the satellites and fed the other screens a recording that was within the archives. This would keep them busy as this plan was solely on a need to know basis.

As of now, the observer was now igniting the other satellites, which caused a buzz in the spacious room. Their screens shut off which set off a furor, much to the Director's chagrin.

The Primary Observer, noticed this immediately and immediately acted, "Silence!"

The room instantly quieted down, as all the observers looked to their superior and finally remembered that they were in the presence of the Director.

The Primary Observer looked upon his own monitor which was on and began to explain, "We just need to reboot the satellites while we alter their positions. The codes used for this are confidential, hence, the screen shutting off, now calm down! You're disturbing the Director."

When he finished speaking, he went turned his head back to the only lit screen in the room.

"Grant them access to the satellites that are now back online and use the alpha satellite and show me where the rebel Taliums are."

"Yes sir," the Primary Observer answered.

On the screen in front of them both, the Director could see a dilapidated building.

"This is them? I don't understand, they should be scrambling to leave this place or already left. Why are they all there, do they not perceive us a threat?"

The Director was right to be surprised. What he and the Primary Observer saw was quite the peaceful scene.

Taliums were going about their daily lives and, some were going for food. Others were sitting in one position and not moving as if they were meditating.

All in all, you couldn't connect this scene with a group of people that should be readying themselves for an assault.

"Something doesn't make sense here, why are there so little Taliums? Were they unable to free the other Taliums that they captured and train them? A-And is that the younger sister?! She's been there all this time!?!" As the Director thought this, he heard the Primary Observer beside him ask.

"Sir? Should we just keep our eyes on them?"

"...Y-yes, any update on their movements should be made to me." Receiving the Primary Observer's salute, the Director left the sight room.

Entering his office he called Nefiera over. When she arrived, she could see the clouded expression upon his face.

He saw faint traces of blood under her nails, he wondered to himself which poor soul was she releasing her fetishes upon.

However, this was soon placed at the far end of his mind. As more pressing matters concerned him.

Nefiea saw the rare look of perplexity on his face and couldn't help but ask him what was wrong. He described to her all that he saw on the screen and the peculiarity of it.

"I'm wondering if I may have unduly overestimated them?" the Director asked, anger inflected his words a bit. He didn't like being unsure, it created variables to his goal, variables that might be quite costly.

"Don't worry, as long as we keep an eye on them, we'll be one step ahead. You said you saw the smaller sister right? Maybe she's been absent because she's amassing her strength, who knows?" Nefiera shrugged her shoulders.

The Director showed a pondering expression before he quickly ordered Nefiera, "Order 4 platoons accompanied by 15 High Taliums to storm the grounds."

Nefiera's expression changed "Sir? We're abandoning the probing plan?"

The original plan was to use a small squad and scope out of the area, but seeing the current location stunned him somewhat. He was decidedly disappointed in their 'progress' so he simply wanted to capture and recapture everyone and end this farce.

"Carry out my will, I will hear no complaints," He ordered.

"Y-Yes sir," she left soon after.

'Sighs'

"My thoughts weigh heavily upon me, but those two girls will allow us to reach greater heights."

A seldom seen look of ambition and greed possessed his mien as he spoke, "Mankind is true master of this world, and any power conceived within it is by extension ours. Those girls will give what they owe soon enough."

"Glover," A floating holographic screen floated above the Director's desk as soon as he called out.

"Si-Sir Director sir! Y-Yes how may I help you!!"

The image of a slightly overweight man appeared on screen. Though only his shoulder and above were seen, his overflowing cheeks and wide neck made it all too obvious.The Chocolate bar he failed to hide in time, didn't exactly save his image either.

Ignoring the embarrassing scene, he ordered, "I want you to follow the first squad heading out, take your DP Gunning team heading out."

The fat on Glover's face jiggled as he tensed up in shock, "B-But sir Director, the resources are..."

"I know what I said, I'm authorizing its use now, so get to it!" The Director growled at him.

Glover didn't dare to challenge the stately man's authority. So he hastily executed a clumsy bow at the waist before ending the holo-call.

The throne room regained its earlier silence. The Director became lost in his thoughts once more, "To think I shut down several satellites for this, and this is the result. I really overestimated them. Hmph, this is just as well, since we can see them, we will just control the battle like this, we will see all."

…

"So they can't see us at all?" Fremon asked.

"That's right, not a thing, they're blind." Numani answered.

Numani and another Talium were heading to a predetermined route where they would meet up with Rikona and the rest. They were being followed by their large group of Taliums.

"I mean, I found some satellites that were offline, don't know why," she shrugged. "But I planted a program that would fill those with false data as soon as they come online." Numani said as if it was no big deal.

"Oh! I see, well they are the HQ of the Association we have to assume that they must have been prepared for this."

"Oh definitely, they may have been able to trace my last signal, but they can no longer find us now, especially since I botched up their Alpha Satellite and the others that are offline. It...it's just that I know that Big Sis Rikona won't stop her plan this time regardless of the development," Numani stated.

Fremon nodded in agreement at this, "So true, in any case, let's do what we need to do. I'm kinda looking forward to this war."

"I'm just hoping that big sis Kura and Makoto are fine," Numani said with a hint of worry.

Fremon took the chance to offer some comfort, "Hey, don't worry, Lady Rikona wouldn't have sent her little sister with Makoto if she wasn't sure of their safety. I meant, they'll have to hide from the eyes of the association so their fight is probably hard as well, so we have to fight for them too."

Numani's eyes showed her determination, "I can only imagine what they're going through now."

…

In a room of the 5-Star Invite Only Hotel 'Enigma'.

"Yes hello, can I get another ice cream sundae, oh, and a bowl of caviar with an extra serving of Potatoes Dauphinose," Makoto hung up the golden novel telephone in his room.

He looked over his shoulder where the sleeping Kura lay on the king size bed. He sighed inwardly to himself, using another one of his connections to get a room at this hotel was not easy.

But it was the best place to lay low, first of all, the hotel lay unknown to the general public nestled between two hills. In addition you can only receive an invite to this hotel, no reservation can be made. He always wondered how this kind of system could stay afloat.

However, once reaches a certain level in society, one would become aware of the legendary Enigma Hotel.

"I must keep Kura safe and fight for her sake and everyone else's." As Makoto said this, a knock came at the door. He opened the door when the waiter walked in with the dishes on a trolley.

"That was fast!" Makoto started to salivate at the sight of dishes. "Your meal sir." The staff removed the silver covers and the aroma assaulted Makoto's senses.

He rubbed his hands together and said to himself, "My first battle will be against this heinous ice cream."

…

"Well no matter what it is, to do them justice, we must fight as hard as them," Fremon said, eliciting a nod from Numani as they went along.