"Luna Falana, reporting for duty.", Luna presented herself, both hands behind her back as she held her stance in front of Drima.

"Ah, yes. Luna. I suppose everyone is sound asleep now?"

"Partially affirmative. Enemy and Dante must be sound asleep, as Enemy did not initially join the others in their distraction with the movies. As both her and Dante have restrained themselves in their living quarters, they will posses no issue."

"Alright, good. Now, let's get down to business. I've got the location of where you need to collect the info from. I have two routes for you. Busting in which I really, really, desperately don't want to have happen and undercover. Both are viable, yes, but you will be on a very tight time limit if you go with the first option."

"I was trained to flawlessly execute any sort of mission revolving around search and destroy, undercover operations, as well as espionage, shall I be entitled with the task and it's appropriate goals."

"Right then, we know what we're going with then. For the informational part of the mission now...as you know, I'm partially to blame for this. You and your sister. But the technologies and methods stolen from me when I first attempted this on Dante must be here. The Victorian Institute of Research and Development. I specifically downloaded all the architectural designs for the bottom floor and there's a very big, sore thumb sticking out there. The old building once existing there is buried underneath. Which in on itself poses a very huge issue. The question of 'Why' the old building I once worked in is still there."

"Have you perhaps checked with the Grand Counselor as to the reason behind this oddity?"

"Not at all. In fact, I went the extra length to hide this from Alexandra. As soon as I found this data, using the method I did, it started becoming more and more absurd by the second, the reason being that this was protected by multiple firewalls and an additional fingerprint and face scan of Alexandra herself. This should already be a red flag that she wanted to hide this for something very, very specific. Heck, if I were to kid with you, I'd find Victorian military database access much more easy to get into than this."

"So my task is to infiltrate the institute and gain access to the old building?"

"Precisely. Same coms and everything will be used, but you will still need to exercise extreme caution. The personnel there are from students looking for credit, to high ranking government officials. But, because I'm getting a clear idea of how dependable you are, I'm feeling more than comfortable assigning this to you. Especially since, success or not, I owe you, without that meaning that I'd fling you at whatever direction you requested whether dangerous or not. That trust being so much so, that I'm placing my own integrity in Alexandra's eyes on you, regardless of results. And you don't want to lose the favor of essentially the very top of a country's leadership ladder."

"What appears nonsensical in this scenario is the lack of access to the previous data stored within the old building. The laboratory beneath must have held very highly expensive equipment worth salvaging."

"Oh, that's usual. For maximum security, the institute operates on a severed network. Information only goes out when it's supposed to, and remote access features are not even integrated. The architectural designs I got were from the city's underground grid development projects. What's extremely fascinating is the fact that the old institute is literally buried. Like, on a small hill sort of buried. Where the new one exists. It did have an accident long ago, the building was a mess but...as to why they didn't just rebuild it, I don't know. Maybe it was either financially or developmentally better to do it that way, just to slot new stuff in they couldn't before with the old foundations."

"Your thorough research leading to an absent cause is a concerning matter. But for Lina's sake, I will proceed. Have I got a clear access point for the underground?"

"Surprisingly, yes. A very large elevator in the center. Which is extremely odd as well. Whatever data exists within the old lab is definitely related to you and Lina, so no matter the oddities, you must do this. Your access point is in the north-east."

"Hmm...", Luna pondered momentarily.

"You're feeling anxious, or something on your mind?"

"The lack of proper disposal of the old building, using it as a foundation of the new one, the clear access point, as well as the presence of multiple high ranking officials in the building are all factors which lead me to believe that the old building is still very much active. This must mean that there are people there working on something that only they know, which the public's eye must be averted from. I will request armaments for this undercover mission."

"You will get it. Your scythe is retractable, since Tiki had a hand in it's practicality. Invisible until you extend it. Would be much easier if you could change forms like Enemy for example, or summon weapons but...whatever. Obsulyte or not, you can crush their entire guard, probably."

"Has my metric of power been judged of thoroughly by the combative data provided from both training and off field duty been that impressive?", Luna almost proudly said.

"No, one glance at your little sister wiping a battalion of 'Victoria's Civil Guard' is a good enough metric for me to go off of on it's own."

"Were it for them deciding to not try and calm down, but actively harm Lina, my intrusion at that point excluded, she would've been dangerously injured.", Luna paused briefly as she remembered, "Which in turn has lead to me wanting to interrogate you on the plans you and Lina have been developing behind our backs."

"You have a way to make everything sound like an assassination plot level of serious. But then again, you are a lot less bratty when compared to others trying to do so.", Drima joked briefly as he got intimidated.

"So?", Luna insisted, her piercing gaze forcing a confession out of Drima.

"I made Lina a pseudo-mod based off of Enemy and Dante's fighting styles and catered to a freedom of movement oriented, martial arts technique suit for her birthday."

Luna very threateningly tightened her poker face, "You what?"

"Before you kill me...can I elaborate?"

"No.", she strictly said.

"Please?"

"No.", Luna deepened her tone.

"You need me for the mission updates and such. I updated the coms to be the same but able to chance frequencies to avoid being affected by disruptors you know."

Luna briefly considered her options between choosing unbelievable violence and peace, weighing in carefully between the stability of the mission in favor of protecting and potentially solving hers and her sister's affliction in the future, or preventing a possible Lina-clear apocalypse by sacrificing momentary happiness.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Elaborate.", she wanted to explore her options a bit more as she leaned more towards murder at this point.

"I didn't make Lina a super weapon. It's not a typical M.O.D., it's a very special frame that can only be attached to someone like you an her, with your afflictions. It's called M.O.T.H.E.R., an exclusive frame that can be regulated by you. It's sort for, Mass Obsulyte Terminal for Heightened Emergency Redirection. Tiki gave me a very detailed analysis on that H.I.V.E. thing you use to store memories and stuff in, and how she essentially plugged your neck with spyware to gain access in. Through that remote access spyware Tiki placed, I can actively try and force a program inside H.I.V.E., that'll give you perfect remote access to Lina's M.O.T.H.E.R. An on and off switch, with a very clear and powerful kill-switch to shut it down if Lina gets out of hand. It functions like Dante's and Enemy's Mellistar and Hikari fighting styles she was completely overblown by, and the thing is...I made sort of a robot that follows her around and is permanent, unlike the aforementioned. It's a babysitter plus, just for Lina."

Luna was rather surprisingly, interested, "Go on."

"Yes, I knew the babysitter part would be a seller.", he whispered as he cleaned his throat, "Lina is exceptionally strong, we know that. And her overexcitement can even get her to trouble when you're not around. So this robot will keep her at bay, it's an assistant A.I. like the Regina series for homes and small businesses, but upgraded because humanity as a whole is slow, and I sped it's evolution up just for Lina. Primary reason for that robot's existence isn't based on practicality either...she watched a very funny show, one of those fighting genre's, and she basically wanted her own powerful armor ghost behind her or synced with her as she fights. Spent some money on the hat and a black jacket she wore when she played bodyguard for your movie room too."

"So Lina's entire existence, while she is in that suit, will be controlled? By me, exclusively?"

"Yes. Though, it's not a full M.O.D. style suit. Just gloves, boots and the primary uploads in her subconsciousness, since you are apparently connected with H.I.V.E., either actively or not since you were both augmented. The robot, when phased in, will always be glued to her. It's a protector and a teacher, since Lina will need both. Look, I know you love Lina. I love her too, despite the short time I've met her. And it's not because I clearly am at fault for what happened to her...just look at the kid. She basically lit up this basement I've been dwelling in for these past few years with sheer presence alone. Do you think it'd take a lot for me to care about her? Besides her attention being swapped from A to B with a snap, besides that sometimes overwhelming excitement or complete unawareness for subtle or even major ques...I care about Lina. And this is my way to ensure that growing up and going further, she will have something I made, I am consciously responsible for, that will protect her alongside you. So simply put, for this mere kid that showed me my mistakes better than anyone, how she powered through them and is still doing so...I will do whatever it takes. This robot isn't a replacement for you, Luna. It's a gift from me, to Lina, and to an extend, both of you.", Drima paused briefly before continuing, "I'm not trying to inject myself between her an you either. You are the one person she will always follow example of anyway, best I can do, is at least show you both that I care in this weird way of mine. But if I can take off that weight from your shoulders, maybe you could just focus on showing her more love. Not that you don't love her, but you could at least let go of some of your worries to show it more."

Luna was surprised by Drima's answer, almost completely casting aside her building rage in realizing that Drima's goals were much more complicated, layered with many different aspects that she'd never come to think of. Needless to say, it didn't take long for her thereafter to agree, turning around and allowing Drima to use Tiki's device to forcefully inject the needed data inside her head.

With all the interrogation she did, brief at that, and how well versed she was at knowing the truth when it was told...she knew that none of what he had just said was a lie. And before nodding subtly to leave for this major mission, despite how she had felt before, if she could even feel the slightest of emotions, one thing was warming up to her bit at a time. Were it Tiki making it subtle, Dante making it hard to notice, or really anyone...having someone like Drima outright admit it was a surefire way for her to directly realize it and to feel safer and more relaxed than before. No matter what, they were all there. Highest high or lowest low.

Preparing herself by gearing up with quite little, only really carrying her scythe beneath a somewhat informal shirt and jeans, slowly reaching around her neck as she tried to get used to the new feeling on it, she went off, being as completely normal, bland and inconspicuous as possible with both wears and personality. And all that with a somewhat rising feeling of a subtle, true and warm smile for someone like Lina to see.

But nevertheless, that feeling had to be carried on and not looked deeply into, for now, as her guard was to stay completely raised for the task at hand. Going towards the general direction of the institute with public transport, she made sure to stay away at least half an hour walking distance away, choosing to get off the bus and start walking her way there. Through some thick bushes and the usual, suburban luscious greens, she was more than heavily protected from the naked eye, taking extreme precaution the more she approached her destination. Within around two hours from her going from the headquarters to the institute, she was now starring right outside the parking area before a massive white building that a telescope protruded out of, In front, a beautifully maintained garden with a bunch of different nation's flags and union's, accommodating for the very clean and symmetrically perfect design expected of such place. Calm and collected, as she never failed to be, she was waiting for her chance.

"I have arrived. All status clear.", Luna communicated with Drima, "Area seems about completely within the limits of expectation."

"Good. I've got around 20 tabs opened at once, so you will need to guide me as to what you need from here. When I send you off, I plugged the upgrade for Lina's suit in there, as you probably already know.", Drima softly chuckled as he praised his smarts, "Now take a look at this genius. Because of that system, I also got the ability, as did you, to remotely access all nearby available machinery. You want an explanation on how the systems 'without integrated remote features' are able to be remotely accessed when you're around? Because of that very special Obsulyte of yours. It's like an area EMP of sorts. It's the Obsulyte that affects nearby systems and subjects them to our command. Sorry for babbling. But it's been a while since I did that, and like with Lina and her gift, I'm feeling awfully nice tonight."

"Right. Are you capable of accessing nearby cameras?", Luna asked.

"Sure am. Disabled when you need them too. But security will move fast too, if they see a problem."

"I will move swiftly. I need a couple things done. Look up schedules for scientist arrival, as well as possible key areas of access within camera parameters.", Luna requested.

"I don't know if I can...maybe if I accessed the recorded footage from the internal surveillance system, it could be connected to another server that stores that data?"

"Look for access protocols.", Luna suggested, "They must be tied to a schedule first, for students and personnel alike. But before all that, I need information on repairs too. Any repairs."

"You are asking for way too much, way too early on."

"It is a critical moment where access must be obtained smoothly, to ensure that existence within hostile territory will go mostly unnoticed, not prompting actions from security. You had to be better prepared."

"I couldn't even access that data without your sheer presence there!"

"I will be on standby.", Luna kneeled as she waited.

Not having to do so for long, Luna jolted as she was surprised by a flash of something unknown crossing her mind, her being able to somehow phase in and out of what she saw and what she wished to see at the same time, with Drima doing appropriate calculations and accessing data in the back.

"I actually got it!", Drima happily said, "You are in luck as-", he was interrupted.

"There is a temporary authorization for the entire week of a maintenance employee to check all systems inside and outside of the building. They arrive shortly."

Drima was surprised, "Uh...yes. Yes they are. Luna, how did you do that?"

Luna realized, "It was as if the images accesses...were a part of my brain. I do not know precisely. But because I lack proper ranged equipment that will not startle security, I need you to deactivate the camera in the nearest available position to me. Completely. If the employee is to show up, then security will prioritize sending them to check first instead. This gamble, if taken, will only limit options of gaining access but will not compromise the integrity of the mission completely."

"Right. It's done.", Drima acted quickly, "I'll have to review what exactly I did with this program."

"Good. Within the span of a few minutes, the maintenance employee should appear.", Luna sat down right before the field of view of the camera, silently waiting like an opportunistic predator for it's prize to show up.