Action and reaction, in a swift motion the girl reaches for her rifle and the form drops from her perch. An even match between flesh and steel as the bulky weapon is aimed directly at the figure who lands with mechanical precision.

Standing before fire and gun, a being of divine construct. Humanity intertwined with augmentation, long robes of unstained white material along with a backpack of woven hyper-carbon packed full of supplies presents a monster of unimaginable proportions.

Long black hair and pale skin, brown eyes stained blue from unending usage of augmentation. A warrior’s lineage upon her angular form, a history of battle in times long lost to human history.

“I will not terminate you two.” She states with a warm smile as she raises a calm hand towards the girl. “So please, do not point that at me.”

The woman stares at the twins, a hand held to her chest as she speaks. “I am Auditor Manara of District Two. I presume you are individuals of the Armin Collective.”

A shared glance in calm preparation, the twin’s killing intent hidden behind dead expressions.

“Do not be concerned, under Huntarus Audmotum you are not my oathed quarry.” The Auditor announces with deep insight, a glance given towards the rifle leveled at her form. “And I doubt your ability to terminate me with such a weapon.”

“Are you certain of that?” The girl replies as she takes a deep breath.

Like a challenged mother the Mage allows a bemused smile to part her face. “Two unaugments with a single weapon between them against an Auditor, I would not wager anything upon your victory.”

“She is correct.” The boy answers her, words spoken towards his sister. “Put the weapon away.”

For a moment the Mage glances over to the boy. “I see you are not as brash as your guardian.”

“Aversion from death is a logical course of action.” The boy calmly speaks in return.

A standoff under the dim light of five suns at rest, howling wind and crackling chemical fire a soundtrack to lethal consequence.

With a single blink the Auditor moves. Form evaporating into shadow as augmentation pulses, flashing blue eyes leaving a trail across a night scape as the body of metal blurs in rapid motion.

A hand lunges forth, grabbing the barrel of the anti-armor rifle with immense force. Divine alloy upon metal fingers rings true, a strength beyond flesh overwhelming to the girl. Human biology falters, ligaments and fingers slipping from a checkered metal grip. With a brutal movement the Mage rips the divine instrument from the young soul, sending the form flying several meters into the dusty rock behind her.

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Sprawled out onto the ground, coughing as air is pulled straight from a shocked diaphragm.

Inspecting the weapon the Auditor blinks curiously. Eyes glowing blue as scanning systems retrieve stored information, a negative result occurring as the weapon rejects all forms of inquisition.

“Help…” The girl begs through a weak cough to the sibling.

The boy replies as he meanders over to his fallen sister, a casualness in the dying light evident through his tone. “You will be fine. Your injuries are egotistical.”

Watching as he pulls the girl back to her feet, the Mage in front of the pair bows. “Forgive me, I could not allow this to continue any longer.”

Carefully setting the weapon onto earth the Auditor retrieves the cooked item upon the fire. Fingers dipping into flames, the now slightly burnt meal is retrieved. Exterior blackened, yet salvaged from inedibility.

“I presume this is a Federal Gamma-Three-Three ration?” The Mage asks.

“Two-seven.” The boy corrects.

Behind him the girl clenches her fists, rage in dark eyes. “You… I will terminate you!”

“I believe I have found a primary reason why this individual was not chosen for augmentation.” The Auditor notes as she processes the emotional outburst.

The boy blinks calmly. “One amongst many.”

Sprinting past her sibling the girl attempts to tackle the woman, a war cry screeching for blood that reverberates across the Baitan Plateau.

An arm outstretched, the Auditor’s eyes flash sky blue as energy flares towards the charging girl. A bar of gravity; solid, invisible form concentrated just a few centimeters above the ground in the path of the attacker.

The distortion of reality catches the foot, the girl once again sent flying as she trips upon the unseen obstacle.

Watching the form tumble and eventually fall the Auditor speaks calmly. “I have no conflict with you… with exception to any that you cause.”

A soft moan of pain as the girl turns onto her back, the Mage returning to the untouched sibling. “If I have caused any distress please inform me. I understand the sight of an Auditor such as I preludes emotional imbalance within the common people, especially those who have wandered far from their collectives. However, I request that you come to understand that my presence here is not to hunt quarry such as you.”

“I understand.” The boy replies calmly, pulling an open hand of five fingers close to his chest as he speaks. A sign of respect and obedience, a non threat in a world of augmentation. “My name is Samuel, and that is Samantha.” He points out the fallen form of the girl.

With a nod the Collective Mage processes the new information as Samuel continues. “I understand that for the presence of an Auditor to be called this deep into the Federated Cities requires a high class Mage defection. Have you located this individual?”

The Auditor tilts her head curiously as she notes the question. “Child, my journey has been long and lonesome, and I have not seen another from the Collective in many weeks. I may answer such an inquiry of yours, if it is over a meal together.”

“Samantha.” Samuel glances over to the body of his sibling.

“Terminate her.” The girl replies coldly.

The Auditor sets her backpack onto the ground, the interior of the container nearly filled with packs upon packs of sealed survival rations. Raising a single one from the container the Auditor announces its type. “Federation Gamma Four-One, it compliments the Two-Seven ration. Yours, if you shall agree to this commune.”

Immediately perking up the girl stares with wild eyes. “A whole ration?!”

“Correct. This includes secondary rationals and supplements. I believe it includes the delicacy of black-mint sugar cake.”

“We are in agreement.” Samantha answers her brother as she stands with open arms.