* Date: January 22, 2183

* Time: 9:00 AM

* Location: UGS Howling Knight Bridge

Going at Mach speeds over the northern hemisphere of Eden's atmosphere. UGS Howling Knight approached the research facility, codename Gilgamesh. Upon being dispatched by I.C.E. to escort the returned Ghost Operative, codename Tale. Sword and Shield were ordered to escort him to Doctor Hyle Schwarz for reevaluation, which they have no clue why.

[Be advised, Gilgamesh tower control is requesting clearance for approach.]

''Merci, hand our clearance over.''

[Understood, commander, clearance sent to Gilgamesh tower control.]

The A.I., Merci, responded. Handing over their clearance given to them by I.C.E. to pass and land on the research facility. Soon, a hail of snow harmlessly impacted the stealth ship, meaning they were entering the northern hemisphere of Eden.

''This is Gilgamesh tower control, clearance received and verifying...''

''...UGS Howling Knight, you are clear for landing. Please proceed to dock three for an immediate touchdown.''

[Understood, Gilgamesh tower control. Will proceed with caution.]

''Roger, Howling Knight, and welcome to Gilgamesh.''

Having their clearance taken for granted, the stealth ship fired its afterburners and blasted toward the research facility. It wasn't long after the facility was in sight. There was no way they couldn't notice it immediately as the facility itself was heavily defended with Marines, heavy armor, and artillery emplacements.

''There she is, Ghosts...''

''...Bishop, you got visual?''

''Affirmative, commander, facility confirmed as Gilgamesh.''

Bishop responded, garnering a birds-eye view of the research facility, but still. To call this a scientific establishment wouldn't be the word for the dark-skin Ghost. It was more of a bunker or an outpost rather than a facility. I.C.E. has spent a fortune and called in favors from the A.F.E. to protect this facility. The question was why Gilgamesh was deemed significant enough to warrant these defensive measures.

''Alright, listen up. I.C.E. doesn't want anyone to know of this, so it's best to keep your mouths shut. The sensitive nature of this research facility is in the same category as the research facility on Luna and Charon. No information leaks while we're in the base, understood?''

''Of course, sir!''

''Crystal, commander!''

Bishop and Nomad responded in unison as they observed the facility in sight. Soon, the stealth ship would reach the area of responsibility of Gilgamesh, and it didn't take long for them to pick up several pings on their radar, multiple-role fighter drones. The fighter drones positioned themselves on either side of the Howling Knight as they neared the docking facilities of the ship.

''Hey, Wave.''

[Yes, Nomad?]

''Can you tell me what they're packing?''

[Unfortunately, Nomad, I could only glean on the surface details of the defenses present at the research facility.]

''Eh, it's better than nothing.''

The close-quarters specialist responded, clearly not disturbed that his partner couldn't gain any relevant information about the base. But that's just how it is. The facility is protected from any form of attack, conventional, nuclear, and cyber attacks. Any potential sabotage, assault, or force of entry would be met with firepower from the stationed troops and armor of the facility.

[They currently have two companies of Marines stationed here, along with four armored squads along with field and anti-air artillery batteries scattered throughout the premises of the facility.]

''Hmm, what about Ghosts? Do they have some present?''

In one sentence alone, all eyes were on Wave. The innocent A.I. paused as he double-checked any possibilities that Ghost Operatives were present. Which was none, thankfully, but that doesn't mean there weren't ones being created in the process. Their commander did state that this facility was in comparison to the ones on Luna and Charon. Which creates Ghost Operatives from its facilities and trains them for I.C.E.'s needs and wants for assassination, counter-intelligence, and whatnot.

[For the moment, no. I have not detected any Ghost Operatives on the facility.]

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Wave responded and gained a collective sigh from everyone on board. What truly sets this facility apart from the ones of Luna and Charon is that there aren't any Ghost Operatives present, or at least they think so. Either way, Gilgamesh is not as important as those two, despite contributing significant tech or research that deemed them worth enough to receive a bustling defense.

[Commander West, an urgent message from Doctor Hyle Schwarz.]

''Alright, let's hear it.''

[Ahem, the doctor will meet us after we touchdown and personally guide us to his workplace along with the Ghost Operative, codename Tale, for reevaluation.]

''Alright, Ghosts. Looks like the doctor is eager to meet our escortee. So, let's not keep him waiting...''

''...Merci, Wave, Archer. The three of you hold the fort on Howling Knight and ensure nothing happens while we're gone.''

West stated as the three A.I. appeared with their holographic avatars and nodded at the commander. Merci wore a type of Victorian-era dress along with rectangular glasses. Beside her were Wave and Archer, who wore I.C.E.-issued suits in holographic form.

[Understood, commander. Archer, Wave, and I will ensure nothing happens while you and the rest of S.&.S. are gone.]

[We got this covered, sir.]

[Much like Archer said, we got this.]

The A.I.'s eager responded with a smile on their faces, well, at least for Wave and Archer. Merci always had a motherly look on her holographic face. Although it would make sense as she has seen numerous Ghost Operatives come and go fighting beside her partner, West. The A.I. has begun acting like the team mom of Sword and Shield, always there when you need her to be.

''I know you will...''

''...Nomad, Bishop, you'll guard Tale's flank while I lead. This is an escort mission, not recon, assassination, or observation work. So keep your weapons to yourselves and follow the doctor. Understood?''

''Crystal, sir.''

''Of course, sir.''

It didn't take long for the stealth ship to reach the designated docks of the facility. The escorting fighter drones had already flown away, potentially to proceed with another mission. This left the Howling Knight to engage with her hover pad thrusters to gracefully land before putting its gear down.

[Nearing touchdown on dock three.]

''Set her down, Merci.''

[Touching down in three...]

[...Two, one...]

[...Touchdown.]

The impact of the touchdown sent vibration throughout the stealth ship as it touched the hard concrete before turning off its engines. The UGS Howling Knight completed its official docking, and approaching the stealth ship was Doctor Hyle Schwarz, along with four marines by his side.

* Date: January 22, 2183

* Time: 9:15 AM

* Location: Gilgamesh Research Facility

Approaching dock three, Doctor Hyle witnessed the procedure as the stealth ship Howling Knight touched down without any issue. His puffy parka protected his organic and non-organic parts from the cold. The cane he utilizes to stabilize his walk produces tapping noises on the concrete floor before he finally stops. His face was covered by a mask that made his breathing sound distorted and broken. Not only that but his left arm and legs were cybernetic.

[Doctor Hyle, UGS Howling Knight has docked successfully and is shutting down its main engines.]

''So it would seem...''

''...Mako prepare my equipment in my lab. If what I.C.E. sent me is anything like the one in the videos and recording, we should do all that we could in what little time I.C.E. has given us.''

[Certainly, doctor. Shall I fetch Doctor Lilith as well?]

''No, knowing her. She's probably procrastinating with herself in her office. It's best to leave her alone and do some work before we leave for Earth.''

[Understood.]

Mako responded before she disappeared off the doctor's heads-up display on his mask. Subsequently, the doctor observed a ramp opening at the front hangar of the stealth ship. Stepping down on the ramp were four Ghost Operatives; three were obviously from Sword and Shield, while the last was codename, Tale. As they approached, the escort arranged into an arrowhead formation, with Commander West presumably at the forefront.

''Doctor Hyle Schwarz.''

''Ah, Commander West of S.&.S. Welcome to Gilgamesh as I am currently in command of this research facility.''

''Acknowledged, doctor. Shall we move to your lab?''

''That we shall. Please, follow me.''

''We'll be right behind you, doctor.''

Upon turning around, the Marine escort mirrored his movement, guiding him toward the facility entrance. Sword and Shield, positioned behind, accompanied the procession, safeguarding the individual of significant importance, codename Tale. As they approached the door, they were greeted by four Marines guarding the massive door of the facility.

''Doctor Hyle!''

''At ease, Marines, and open the door.''

''Of course, doctor.''

Complying with the doctor's demands, the Marines utilized a holo pad to interface with the door systems before opening it. The entrance smoothly slid open, unveiling the interior of the facility. Drones were floating about and performing their task alongside several scientists. Although the amount of scientific personnel was small, maybe it had something to do with the arrival of the Kaynians.

''Ghosts, welcome to Gilgamesh proper; here we research and discover new ways psionics could be implemented in I.C.E.'s arsenal, or it was supposed to be.''

''What gives doc. All Ghost Operatives from the second, third, and fourth generations were already given psionic abilities, making us fifth gen.''

''And you have a point, Ghost Operative Nomad, but what I and my colleagues gave you was a technological imitation of Kaynian psionics attached to your spines...''

''...What we're trying to achieve here is how to give psionic abilities when you are still in a tube as an embryo. Essentially nullifying and naturalizing the way Ghost uses and takes advantage of psionics in any scenario.''

The doctor responded his voice still raspy and distorted. But he kept pace and moved into another section of the facility. S.&.S. immediately noticed that experimentation focused on psionic spine implants, with concurrent exploration of designs aimed at enhancing their capabilities even more.

''Essentially a sixth generation Ghost.''

''In a way, Ghost Operative Bishop, yes. We are trying to create a new generation of Ghosts, but progress has been slow.''

''But that doesn't explain why this facility is almost vacant; has I.C.E. issued an order for all scientific personnel to leave?''

''Yes, the latest report regarding how Strike Group Yorktown engaged with a Kaynian frigate this close to Eden made I.C.E. reconsider placing me and my team of scientists here on Gilgamesh.''

The doctor answered, and the Ghosts couldn't help but squint at the doctor's response. I.C.E. was already evacuating scientific personnel off of Eden and sending them away. But they wondered why this research facility still had personnel on it. Then they figured that it probably boils down to one person, and that person was behind them.

''But there's another reason why some are still here.''

''Of course, commander. That should be obvious by now. The returned Ghost, codename Tale.''

''Hmm, thought so. I assume the quote 'long term deployment' explanation for Tale's disappearance is all an excuse.''

"Exactly, I.C.E. wants to be discreet until the Kaynian issue comes knocking at Eden's doorstep. Then the Ghost rejoins your team, commander, and you do what you do best."

It wasn't long until they arrived at their destination, Doctor Hyle's laboratory. The Marines escorting the doctor dispersed and stood beside the entrance. Doctor Hyle then approached the holo pad attached to his lab and typed his access codes.

[Welcome back, Doctor Hyle Schwarz.]

A computer-generated voice responded as the entrance slid open, revealing the interior of his lab. Drones littered the place as the A.I. Mako did her best to prepare the doctor's lab. There were also several psionic spine implants on the wall and a holographic copy of Shakespeare. Along with a fully intact Kaynian body on full display, seeing the dead alien set off alarms on S.&.S.

''Welcome to my lab, Ghosts. In here, private testing of psionic abilities is conducted...''

''...What you see in front of you is my life's worth of research on Kaynian Psionic and how they utilized it during our first contact war with them.''

''You have a Kaynian corpse, doctor?''

''Indeed Commander. I know how you all feel about this, but if the U.G.E. and its military and intelligence branches want an even footing against the Kaynians. Then we better start learning about them for that to happen.''

Doctor Hyle stated, garnering the attention of Tale in the process. Seeing how the U.G.E. had developed and added numerous technologies to its arsenal made him comfortable about what was about to come. Learning that his fellow Ghosts also had a magic of their own due to the implementation of psionic spine implants. For once, he felt relaxed and knew how this doctor was interested in his magic and Sarroth.

''Now, Ghost Operative Tale, are you ready to show us everything that happened to you?''

''Yes, doctor.''

To Be Continued.