"The reason I summoned you was because of a covert assignment overseen by Alicia of the Nithya. However, it has been called off, as she unfortunately did not return from Drávark."
"A covert assignment?"
"Pay me no mind, as I am merely thinking aloud. A year ago, it was reported that the forced gate meant to lead to BR‑N1 had malfunctioned, its destination inexplicably shifted. There was reasonable suspicion of tampering, but with no proof, the idea was dismissed."
Sauer immediately recognized this as his master's roundabout method of feeding him classified information.
Though it was comically pointless, it was most likely Yoru's way of rationalizing the act.
"The portal to the null world… then–"
"Who's to say what became of the officers who entered? The moment they crossed through, all contact was lost, which was inevitable for an expedition into a null world," Yoru continued. "It should have been deemed a failure, and an emergency response should have followed. However, Nithya herself suggested waiting for a signal and sending reinforcements instead. To salvage the Nebula's already fragile reputation."
On one hand, Sauer was relieved that someone else supported his benefactor the way Nithya did. On the other–
"I wouldn't be worried. A Captain was involved this time. Surely they wouldn't have forgotten that."
Of course, he trusted the one responsible for guiding him to his bloom, so there was no doubt in his mind that Cosmo and his recruits would be just fine.
"I hope so as well," Yoru replied unexpectedly. "Surely the one responsible for saving my foolish student wouldn't be defeated so easily. If anything, I'm more concerned about Nithya and her branch."
"Right. It seems Captain Nithya didn't take the report lightly."
"Honestly, I had hoped she'd learned to have more faith, but it seems the outcome of that incident ten years ago still haunts her to this day, it's what made her take such an irrational course of action this time."
The day Alicia's squad returned from Drávark without their lieutenant or one of their fellow officers, several officers along the path from the Nithya branch to the gate room swore they saw a violent streak of light tear across their route and vanish through the portal to Drávark.
That was also the last time anyone had heard from Nithya herself.
"That woman was always irresponsible, but I cannot say I blame her this time."
"What's the plan now? Apparently, there was no sign of her Authority being used in battle when she forced her way into Drávark. Meaning she most likely found her way somewhere else, somehow. Probably by pursuing the terrorists responsible for Officers Damion and Turner's disappearance."
"Nithya can handle herself well, but because she rushed after them, she overlooked a clue Alicia left with one of her remaining officers. Thanks to that, we now have a lead on who was responsible and where to begin."
"Does that have to do with the real reason you summoned me?" Sauer asked.
"Indeed. Along with the first lieutenant of the Nithya branch and the second lieutenant of Lambert's branch, I'm sending you on a classified mission outside the lower axis."
…
Sauer left the Captain's hall and exhaled a long, weary breath.
It had begun as a normal, dull day, only to end with him entangled in a situation that could alter the course of his entire life.
Not to mention that he, a mere commander, was being dispatched alongside two lieutenants from different branches.
He couldn't begin to guess what his Captain was thinking for things to escalate this far.
"So, what did you and Sensei talk about?"
A young man with a short brown perm waited for him, flanked by two junior officers.
"Agil," Sauer acknowledged, "Don't worry, it's nothing you need to concern yourself with."
"I'm guessing you mean it's none of my business."
"I said no such thing."
"Maybe not, but I can see it in your eyes. You might as well have said it. Is that any way to treat your old buddy?"
Years ago, Sauer had been the one Yoru requested as his protégé, but accepting would have crushed his dear friend's deepest wish, so he had refused.
That was how Agil became Yoru's student instead, until Sauer returned from his journey through Stellavore.
"Don't forget, I'm the one who begged Sensei to take you as a student too, because we were inseparable back then. You could at least show some gratitude instead of acting so secretive."
"I'll keep it in mind," Sauer replied, offering no reaction beyond necessity. "As for my conversation with Sensei, you'd be better off asking him yourself."
With that, Sauer walked away.
"Tch." Agil's smile vanished as he sucked his teeth. "When did he get so cocky? Someone ought to bring him down a notch."
"I don't know about that, Commander. Doesn't he have that special quality everyone keeps talking about?"
"Yeah, I heard it's some crazy Authority…"
The two junior officers chattered cluelessly, prompting Agil to cut them off.
"It's his overall ability that everyone calls special. Apparently, he's in a constant state of parity at every waking moment, even in battles against soulless or lifeless things like Shadowbeasts."
"And? Why's that so special?"
"You'd only understand its value after facing enough life‑threatening situations," Agil admitted. "Still, I don't get why that supposedly makes him better than me."
"Yeah, you're right. And apparently, his loyalty to our branch is questionable. He was even thinking about joining the Nebula branch for that fake new rookie Captain they got."
"Haha, really? Well, I guess it doesn't matter now, since nobody's seen them for a year after they entered the forced gate."
While his juniors continued, Agil glared daggers into Sauer's back, internally questioning how much of a fool he had been to look up to someone else when a legitimate Captain showed him such special attention.
More attention than Agil could ever hope to receive.
The thought made his blood boil, and in the end, it pushed him toward a decision. One that would expose Sauer's supposed falsehood for all to see.
To him, it was the best thing he could do to protect the branch from his disingenuous former best friend.