Fox Mask! Fox Mask had made contact. Nestra couldn’t wait. She would get to meet her again, and then they’d fight! Oh, this was going to be grand. Nestra was so looking forward to it. She unfolded the origami with a smile of barely contained excitement. “Tomorrow 3AM, inside the Steel Realm. Sneak in. The note was in English, which was a nice touch. Nestra wondered what the C. referred to though. According to her picture, Fox Mask was called T. Nguyen. Maybe the message was from someone else? No, that made no sense. The Steel Realm was the name the Sword King Enclave used for their most coveted portal: a world with rich sources of magical iron they used to forge their many weapons. It was valuable enough that Threshold was ready to buy their excess stock at a premium. Nobody else would know she could sneak into portal worlds since she had the appearance of a dreg. It was definitely Fox Mask, so C. was perhaps how they referred to themselves. “So is Fox Mask a boy or a girl? Hmmm.” She still couldn’t tell for sure. Maybe she’d just ask. Nestra’s enthusiasm bubbled for another good five minutes during which she resisted the urge to change into her true form, in case someone was keeping an eye on her. Arg! She wanted to get out of here so she could practice the Scornful Crescent on some unsuspecting monsters. Or enclavers. Either would do. Soon, however, her thoughts returned to the match. She was still a bit jittery from the excitement. “Might use the opportunity to take a shower!” It turned out that the Sword King Enclave did have running water to a degree. The flow was too small to take a proper shower. Instead, the bath was structured in a more Japanese fashion with a small rock tub and a large basin used for ablutions. It wasn’t bad, and Nestra was happy enough to soap up and then let the mana-rich water drip over her body. Meanwhile her mind wandered. “Good evening,” a new voice said. Ilar was standing behind her. Maybe she should start paying attention to her surroundings when she was eating. Or maybe people should just get off her case or she’d start hitting them with a sword. “Belated congratulations on your victory. You have demonstrated Threshold’s discipline and skill beyond what I expected.” “Hope I didn’t ruin your plan with this little stunt,” Nestra joked. “Not at all! Not at all,” Ilar replied, and she spotted a hint of viciousness in his smile. He waved his hand. The rapid fire of Vietnamese died down around them. Raiders talked fast. They could also do that while eavesdropping on everyone’s business, especially the B ranks, so she assumed Ilar wanted some privacy. The enclaves would detect the mana barrier though. Nestra wondered if it breached etiquette. Ilar either knew, or he didn’t care. “Let’s just consider this an appetizer of the messages to come. Considering Manh, that little twat, is pushing the Council of Elders to reject us wholesale so yes, he is a security risk. It will have implications for the rest of the trip. We will travel out to the Steel Realm portal world tomorrow for an inspection. The purpose is to assess how many resources we can pull out of it with proper mining equipment.” “Will we be taking the ship?” Derek interrupted. “No, our guests will be guiding us on foot. It isn’t too far.” Derek nodded before returning to his plate. “Chandra and her team will be going in with us. Watanabe and the enclavers will clear the world and provide security. I have full confidence that we will be more than enough to make that place secure. Unfortunately, it means you three will be left out.” Ah yes, none of them could get in. “You will spend the night there. The Patriarch will make the rest tent available to you for the duration of your stay. You will use this opportunity to conduct a survey of the available equipment while you wait.” So that was what Fox Mask’s message had been about. They must have known. “Wouldn't it be safer for us to wait at the compound?” Derek asked. “We will also slow you down,” she added. “Yes, however Manh will be confined to the compound by order of the patriarch. He is being disciplined. You will be safer with us, not to mention the negotiation team isn’t that fast.” “They’re not raiders.” Ilar was being awfully polite by justifying his choices. Things had to be going well. “It looks like Chandra could use some back up. Enjoy the meal and be sure to get some rest. We leave at dawn tomorrow.” “Can we bring our weapons?” Nestra remembered to ask. “Of course. Full gear. And by the way, be sure to return to your quarters together, just in case.” He gave Nestra a lingering look like she was some kind of naughty rebel and not someone who had worked in one of Threshold’s most disciplined forces for years. “That includes you, Miss Palladian.” “I am not my aunt,” she reminded him. “Yes, that is correct. I should have guessed from the professional report you’ve given me.” He gave her an assessing look. “We already had a team of legal experts weigh on the Sword King’s laws. Your opinion aligns with theirs, although they went into more detail. Your statistical approach to case law does you credit. Well done. If you want a recommendation for cadre training, I would consider giving you a recommendation.” “That sounds like it could lead to a desk job. I’m a stabby girl.” “Hah! For now, but perhaps you will want a calmer environment… eventually.” He meant when her body failed her as age set in. “Well, enjoy the rest of your evening!” He was gone. Nestra reluctantly refused one of the glasses of liquor despite their intriguing smell. She couldn’t risk it. Desserts were offered soon after while the various groups started to mingle. She was ready to go when, to her surprise, Patriarch Nguyen himself came to her with two elders staying at a respectable distance. The mood shifted in the room. The susurrus of conversations lowered in a way even she noticed, which meant that everyone was trying to listen on. The patriarch wouldn’t have it though. With a wave of his hand, mana formed a blur around them, distorting sounds as if they were under water. It was a different technique from what Ilar had used. “Good evening. You are… Miss Palladian, yes? You are the daughter of Hector Palladian.” It didn’t sound like a question. The patriarch gave her a polite smile which dulled the edge of his question. He was telling the entire room that this was a friendly meeting. “Are you here representing your house?” “Ah, no, I am here as my own person. I can get you in touch though.” “Oh? I assumed that you were close to your family despite your circumstances. Your style certainly matches his, although, he was always more direct.” “You know my father?” “We fought side by side in the first expedition,” the patriarch replied with a smile, “and with Deborah, of course, back when parts of this island still steamed from the heat of magma. I know he is still raiding. I will be looking forward to his ascension to the next rank with great expectations. It cannot be too long now.” Nestra had no idea. A-rank raiders were still so few, at most a hundred individuals on the planet. She had no idea her dad was considered a strong contender to join their hallowed ranks soon. “I’ll let him know. I’m sure he will be glad to hear from you,” Nestra said without much conviction. “I hope so. You are a credit to him. It is a great shame that you are without a core, but perhaps we will find a way to correct this before you are gray of hair. After all, the rest of you works perfectly.” He chuckled, but Nestra didn’t find this very funny. It would solve so many of her problems, including with her family… and yet she would also feel like a sellout, joining the ranks of the callous and the oppressors. It was… a weird feeling. “I’ve heard there’s research being done on the matter since some of the more dangerous worlds host monsters capable of inflicting core damage,” Nestra said without much conviction. “I guess we’ll see.” “I certainly hope so. Extend my congratulations to your father. I would also like to get in touch with him, and your family, as you offered.” “I’ll make it happen.” “Good. We can all grow stronger through proper cooperation.” After a few polite platitudes, the patriarch left Nestra surprised and confused. Talking to her with respect was… certainly a bold move. No wonder Manh was at odds with the patriarch's decision. The older man was going against the elitist values they’d promoted for decades. Was he trying to usher his entire enclave into a golden age of not being complete cunts? But then, why were his people fucking stealing from Threshold? That didn’t sound like a very sensible strategy. Nestra shrugged. Maybe it was a faction thing. She’d leave the sorting out to someone else. “Everything ok?” Derek asked her. “He’s interested in making contact with my family. My parents are kind of a big deal.” “That’s… good, I suppose?” “Better than a blood feud for sure.” A shiver crawled up Nestra’s spine. Did people here even have blood feuds? They might. It felt good to be moving again, albeit in her human body. The Wellington suit cooled her while the group moved swiftly over a jungle trail, gleams leading the way with preternatural grace. Chandra Satya puffed by her side. Nestra cast the beautiful gleam a worried glance. She was clearly struggling. “You ok there? Need help?” Nestra asked. “How… how can you carry all that gear on your back… and not fall over.” “Practice, and the suit has servos.” “Damn… I should have jogged more.” Chandra was the sort of D-class who only gets passively stronger from meditation. She was fit and would probably outdo most baselines on the planet, but she lacked the mana control required to properly infuse her body with mana. The pace set by the front gleams was intense. It was a miracle the two augs could follow. “It won’t be much longer now. I can carry one of your bags?” Nestra offered, but the sweaty negotiator refused with a shake of her head. “The enclaves respect strength. I am no warrior, but I must still… still look strong. Matter… matter of image.” “Alright. I got cold water if that helps.” Nestra allowed herself a smirk. It paid to be prepared! She nabbed herself a bite of chocolate energy bar as a treat when the path crested the incline they’d been climbing all morning. A dense fog made visibility difficult. She could see a mist-covered valley extending in front of her. By the side, the raiders were talking over a warming pot of boiling water. It must have been the equivalent of a slow stroll for them. She removed her hood. The cries of distant birds heralded the coming of a great roar. It was quite far. None of the gleams reacted. She checked the safety of her gun just in case. One of the enclavers frowned at her, like she was insulting their ability to defend her or something. Well, maybe they were right. Nestra still wanted to be ready. Despite her misgivings, there were no surprise attacks from hidden monsters. Only maddened creatures from freshly breached portals would be suicidal enough to try anyway. Fifteen minutes later, the group climbed down the hill. Chandra sighed in relief. Nestra wanted to tell her not to be too happy since she’d be climbing it back up in a couple of days but the poor woman looked so happy. There was no need to piss on her parade. After another hour, the sinuous trail led to a pit. To Nestra’s surprise, it looked natural, with cliffs falling to an expanse completely devoid of trees. Meager patches of grass surrounded an empty spot where the permanent portal would soon come to life. There was a sort of tent structure planted at the side. It looked like the sort of temporary structure Threshold used for relief work. It wouldn’t be much but there would be amenities. Interestingly, a patch of flowers extended from one of the sides like a well-tended garden. Patriarch Nguyen explained that it was his wife’s pet project. “Sometimes when I raid, she would wait for me here. She set up the garden so she would have something to do.” He looked at the colorful flowers with pride and fondness. Nestra made a note not to pick any while they waited. She and the two augs stood to the side while the two groups made one last gear check. A briefing followed, mostly aimed at Chandra and her aides. The portal popped to life right on time. The sweet radiation invigorated Nestra, though she took great care not to show it. “Do not wander outside of the crater,” Patriarch Nguyen said as a last warning. “There are traps meant for monsters. My sentries will protect you but do not take any unnecessary risks please.” Nestra watched them cross over with some more longing, until she remembered that she would infiltrate this den the very same night in her true form. She just had to be careful around the gleams. Giddy, Nestra entered the room. It took her exactly three seconds to figure out why the patriarch’s wife — and shouldn’t she be the matriarch? — had preferred to spend time outside. The place stank of plastic and it was hot enough for a slow baked Nestra. “I’ll turn on the solar panel on the ceiling,” Weiwei laughed. “Just hold on. This is a standard issue relief tent. They have air conditioning.” “Technology be blessed.” “You two get started on the machine inventory. I’ll make this dump livable.” Nestra was only too happy to accept. She unzipped the flap leading to the garden first. They could have a look on their way. It looked gorgeous enough from afar! She breathed in the floral perfume with relish, but soon, something attracted her gaze. Derek, too, had stopped. the earth had been disturbed a few paces in front of them. Something pulsed there. A shock. Nestra was pushed to the side. A dull explosion. An angry whistle. A sting on her forehead, more a shock than true pain. She fell on her side. Suddenly, the world was a rich tapestry of colors, of mana. The jangled mess of smells turned into a precise mix with the sun-beaten dust as background, then the flowers, then just a tinge of human blood, soap, and fresh sweat. The weight on her chest, which had been overwhelming a moment before, now gave room to a very annoying lightweight thing with no right to touch her. Powerful muscles answered her call. A hand like a vice closed on the dazed aug’s arm, encircling it almost entirely. That hand was gray. Nestra’s Skin tasted the metal of the augs and found it utterly uninteresting. The sheath of her claymore dug into her back. Ok focus focus focus can’t stay here need her human mask where is it where IS IT? There, in the dimensional space. Bleeding. A gash on its forehead. It was… viable. Probably. She felt she could call it. She just wasn’t sure it was a good idea. Screw it, no choice. Worst case scenario, she’d just turn back and then make a run for it. With a barest effort of will, she reverted back to her human shape. Never had she regretted a decision so quickly and so completely. “Blood detected? Nestra? Nestra, are you okay?”