November 14, 2056

3:27 P.M.

Atlis, Enroute to the ISC

Renee Luna

I stare out the window from the backseat of the SUV and onto the streets covered in snow with civilians wearing heavy coats and scarves trudging through them. I'm surprised there are even people out in this weather. This year's winter is supposed to be the coldest on record and after these couple of weeks, I believe it. Earlier I felt my whole body go stiff as soon as I took a step outside to get in the car.

Normally I'd be pretty upset going anywhere at this time of year but today I'll hold in my displeasure as it's of an important matter. Just a of couple hours ago, Macy received a call from the Chairman to report immediately to the Institution, where he would explain further. Based on what Macy told me, he sounded very troubled over the phone which was already reason enough for concern.

"So, any speculations?" Flash asks next to me.

"Honestly I don't know," Macy answers from the front passenger seat. "But whatever the reason is, it's giving me a bad feeling."

"Really? You? Having a bad feeling? Then this must be serious."

"Yeah well, it's not every day you get a call directly from the Chairman to report immediately. Not to mention I've never heard him that distressed before."

After driving for a couple of more blocks, the ISC comes into view as we pass by the statue of Shard soldiers and enter the institution through a gate. We park near another SUV where another unexpected group of familiar people hop out wearing their black tuxedos outlined with crimson red.

"Crimson Shard? What are they doing here?" Frost says as he shuts the car off.

"Must've been called in as well. What in the world is going on..." Macy soon gets out as I contemplate opening my door.

"Come on Luna, get out of the car. It's going to get cold in there either way." Flash calls from the other side.

"I don't understand why I had to come in the first place... I'm not even an officer."

"You're right, you're not. So at least start acting like one and get out."

I swear every promotion this guy gets makes him more irritating...

I put on my gloves and open the door only to be hit by the freezing gust of air that makes me grit my teeth. I step out where I can see the mist from my breath take form and blow warm air into my hands. I hate the cold...

"Black Shard!" A strong voice makes me turn to see the captain of Crimson Shard approaching us. "How's my second favorite company doing today?"

"Second?" Macy raises an eyebrow as he stops before her and salutes.

"Just kidding. Congrats on the promotion, by the way, Major Green."

She ignores the salute and instead places her hand on his shoulder and smiles.

"Good to see you again, Cruz. It's been a while."

"It has indeed." Cruz lowers his shoulders and hand before turning his attention to Frost who gives him a nod.

"Nice seeing you again, Frost." Cruz nods back. "What about you Flashy? Life still treating you fairly?"

"As fair as a godforsaken world gets. I'm still alive so that must mean something."

"Sure does!" He laughs and crosses his arms before finally turning to me.

I meet his gaze and attempt my best smile while trying my best to stop shivering.

"Hello Captain Cruz." I mutter.

"How's it going, Luna? Everything alright?"

"Mhmm..." I reply and that's when I notice a figure coming up behind Cruz and his squad.

"Black Shard. Crimson Shard. The Chairman appreciates both of you coming at such short notice. Please, come inside away from the cold. He has much to discuss with you." The woman gestures for us to come along as we follow her into the building.

After a couple of minutes, the advisor leads us into a meeting room with a long oval table in the center with a display screen on one wall. We each take a seat and talk amongst ourselves while waiting patiently for the Chairman to arrive.

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I pull off my gloves, put my hands to my mouth, blow more warm air onto them. I'm glad I brought my thermals beneath my suit; I'll have to thank Alice for recommending me some to buy for this year's winter.

"Um... Excuse me..." I feel a nudge to my left and turn to the person. It's one of Cruz's officers. "Um... You're Luna, right?" She asks lowly.

She's small with a delicate face. Brown hair tied in a braid with cyan-colored eyes. She also looks young... nineteen maybe twenty at most. Then again, Crimson has a weird tendency to have people that don't look their age. Cruz is thirty-eight yet looks the same age as Macy who is twenty-six. Very strange.

I hesitate before answering. "Yes. I am." I say and soon a delighted smile forms on her face as she leans closer to me.

"Really? I've always wanted to meet you! My name is Zoe Wine. Second Lieutenant if I may add as well."

I narrow my eyes at her as she offers me her hand to shake. I never thought of myself as an idol to someone. Who goes head over heels for someone that can't even muster up the courage to cast a single Enhancement? What a magnificent Shard I am...

I decide to shake her hand in the end, I wouldn't want to be seen as the bad person here after all. Besides, the more I look at her the cuter she gets...

That's when I notice the pin she has on her chest. It's an engraved steel banner with the Atlis symbol marked in its middle.

"Wait, Zoe, you're a Flag Bearer?"

She tilts her head and smiles. "Oh yeah. You noticed?" She touches her pin. "Graduated last month. I actually got lucky and was in the same class with some of your squad mates."

She must be talking about Carel and Carl. They left a few months ago to become Flag Bearers as well and graduated at the same time. That Carel better have not spread any of her fabricated stories during the time she was in there.

"Well, what a coincidence. Congratulations. I'm looking forward to us working together." I say as her expression brightens even further.

I turn away as I feel my cheeks begin to feel warm. Why am I blushing...?

Suddenly, a knock comes from the door, and a second later it opens to reveal a man wearing the same tuxedoes we wear except with a gold outline. The Chairman, or better known as Mr. Braun.

As one, we stand up at attention until he reaches his seat on one end of the table. He takes a seat and so do we.

He clears his throat before he starts talking. "Black Shard, Crimson. The pleasure is mine to meet you, although I do apologize for any inconvenience I might have caused."

"No need to apologize, sir," Cruz states, causing Mr. Braun to nod.

"Now. On to the pressing matter." He puts his elbows on the table and clasps his hands together. "At approximately 1157 hours today, our signal with White Shard went offline on the GSRS." He says grimly.

Macy and Cruz exchange looks.

"What do you mean by that sir? Isn't White Shard stationed in Vicerole?" Macy asks first.

He takes a deep breath before responding. "It would be best if I just show you."

The room starts to go dark and the screen behind him lights up showing a still frame of a forest. He gestures at the woman behind him to begin the video and stands out of his chair, so we see. The clip begins with a red box appearing and growing larger as it approaches the camera. Then, a shard comes into frame before tripping and looking up at the camera asking for help.

No one was prepared for what was going to happen next because we're taken back as the camera is thrown downwards and the spine-curdling screams fill the room. That's where the clip ends.

The lights come back on and Braun walks in front of the board, hands behind his back.

"I know you must have questions and unfortunately, I won't have the answers for most of them." He finishes and waits for our response.

I peer around the table and see the same expression on everyone's face. Horror. I can still hear the screams of the Shard in my head.

"I-I don't understand. What was that?" Cruz is the first to speak.

"I wish I could tell you. But whatever happened to that soldier, probably happened to the rest of White Shard." Braun continues, "Communications at the base are still functioning but with many failed attempts in getting a transmission back, I fear the worst has happened..."

"That's impossible! With all due respect Chairman, White Shard is a very talented Company. Are you saying the entirety of White Shard is... dead?" Frost pauses on that word. He could barely bring himself to say it.

"No, or at least, I hope not." He continues. "There's a chance the GSRS is still being affected by the storm. The compound White Shard is stationed at has a lockdown mechanism specifically meant for these blizzards. Judging from what we just witnessed, I would like to believe that any remaining Shards still alive would've locked themselves in from whatever has attacked them. With the current supplies they have; they should be able to survive for a while. Which brings me to why I've brought you two here on such short notice."

The board switches slide and now showcases an overview map of Vicerole. A dot on the board acts as the base of White Shard. I never realized how deep they're actually in Vicerole.

"I've spoken with the President already and she has reason to believe that whatever attacked our forces has to be dealt with immediately. You two will be the first boots on the ground in Vicerole where you will gather intel about our enemy. You will also be tasked with bringing back any survivors of White Shard, if possible." He finishes.

The room stays quiet for a bit until Cruz finally asks a question.

"Any speculations on who or what we could be dealing with?"

"Many. They range from a foreign Nation attack to... some sort of UnHoly group making their move."

His last sentence starts a commotion amongst us while Crimson looks on in confusion.

"UnHoly.... is this somehow connected to Users we faced from the Federation?" Frost speculates.

The Federation. Haven't heard that name in a while. They've all but become a whisper now.

"We're not sure. What we are sure about, however, is that there's been a resurgence of UnHoly activity ever since the Insurrection. These are uncertain times, and we have to assume the worst. But I know you'll get the job done."

"When do we fly out?" Macy asks now.

"You'll be flown up north from here as soon as you are ready, where you'll then board the AS Vision Carrier and her escort and head to Vicerole. Once you arrive in Vicerole waters, it'll be up to your best judgment on how you'll complete the mission. Understood?"

"""Yes Sir."""

Mr. Bruan lowers his shoulder, and a look of relief takes over his face.

"One last thing. As Chairman of the Shard Institution, I have the responsibility of taking care of each Shard Company, and the thought of losing one has been hard on me these past few hours. Please remember, watch each other's backs. I do not want to lose any more Shards than I already have. That is all. Dismissed."