Dreams of Crimson

[Locksmith]

Cruiser "Falkenhorst", Omega-7
July 9th, 835 AS
Hangar Bay

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[Locksmith]

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It was very quiet.

Loki MK II, which Emilia recently outfitted with Lucia's help, lands in the hangar in a completely normal manner.

The only difference from before is that the pilot is in no hurry to leave the cockpit: there is simply no one inside. The fighter's systems continue to operate, though.

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[Cherry Blossom]

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There was no response from the Loki earlier in space before it landed. In a rush, several men armed with automatic weapons assembled around the Loki, aiming at the ramp at the back and the cockpit.

Lucia ran all the way from the bridge to the hangar. As she arrived, she stared at the men surrounding the ship. Correcting her white-purple hair, the gallic woman took a deep breath. "What the hell are you doing?! Lower your weapons, that's an order!"

Almost in an instant, they lower their weapons, stepping back. "Ma'am, the ship seems to operate. It is not powering down and we can't really get on board without the ladder or ramp going down. We can't really do much. In addition, it is protocol, you should know that."

Lucia growled, she stared at the men. Most of the crew was normal humans, wanderers that seek enlightenment from higher beings. They all knew who Chevalier, Lucia, was. The gallic woman looked at them in anger, her eyes flaring up in a deep purple glow. In an echoing voice, she spoke, almost yelling. "Are you serious?! You will follow my orders and I won't allow such behaviour on this ship, understood?!" Before they could even answer, she turned away and towards the ship. The crewmen took a step back. Fear filled their eyes. They saluted her.

Taking a deep breath, she stared at the ship. Worry filling her eyes as she pondered. Then, another flash of those purple eyes. Her entire focus set upon the ship and the fact that she had to get in. A psionic wave was the result of it. It did not take long for the ramp to creak. Narrowing her eyes, the ramp soon gave in and opened up. Her mind ran haywire, searching for Emilia within the ship, all while she slowly stepped onto the ramp, making her way slowly into the ship.

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[Locksmith]

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At first, the only response to Lucia's psionic influence was complete silence. As if something had swallowed it whole, absorbed it without a trace.

Then, a few seconds later, Lucia distinctly heard a squelching, short sob in her mind. The cargo bay opened, extending a ramp.

Walking up the ramp was... Difficult. It was as if something was magnetizing Lucia's legs, and the cold metal didn't want to let her go further. With each step, this feeling grew stronger, until Lucia found that it took a noticeable effort to lift her leg.

At the same time, the air coming out of the cargo bay felt... Wrong. Heavy. It didn't smell like anything, but it was hard to push out of her lungs, and it was also... Hot.

Looking inside, Lucia realized that she couldn't see anything in front of her except a thick crimson fog.

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[Cherry Blossom]

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Lucia's entire body shivered from the feeling. She wanted to run in and find Emilia, but she took a deep breath instead. Remembering what Emilia asked of her, that she could be dangerous and harm her. Knowing this, the woman didn't risk it happening for Emilia's sake. She did not want her to have to always live with the knowledge she hurt her beloved Lila Blume.

Lucia struggled. She was panting and gasping, but she didn't step back. Every step felt like an eternity. The air heavy, her lungs struggling as she took heavier breaths, step by step. The fact that she was no ordinary human helped there quite ab it. Her mind set on one thing, and only one thing right now. To find Emilia and to keep the promises she gave her.

"E-..Emilia? My love, it is your Lila Blume. Princess?"

She asked into the fog. Then, Lucia pulled her sidearm. But not out of fear or expecting trouble, no. She used the flashlight mounted on it to try and light up the fog while she took one step after another.

"Emilia...? Where are you?"

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[Locksmith]

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The only answer was a dark, all-consuming silence. The air inside the fog was unbearable. Thick and hot, it seemed to harden inside Lucia's lungs. Until it filled them fully. Until she couldn't breathe at all. The crimson world around her began to darken, her movements were paralyzed by a sudden weakness. The sense of her own body weakened, and there was nothing she could do as her legs gave way. Lucia fell into Sleep.

...

Someone shoves her with a shoulder.

"Hey, stop sleeping. I don't want to die here because of you, idiot."

A cheerful, cheeky voice. Opening her eyes, Lucia will realize that she is in the cargo hold of a freighter. Next to her are several armed people checking their equipment. Some of them are carrying Cardamine inhalers.

A blue-eyed, young brunette woman in a bulletproof vest, sitting next to Lucia, looks at her with a smirk.

"Well, are you ready to turn up the heat? Time to get a look at the corpos precious secrets."

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[Cherry Blossom]

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Lucia blinked. She looked around and then at herself. For a moment time stood still. What was going on? A memory of the past? A vision? She couldn't be sure. She used similar things in the past against her enemies. Deciding it wasn't worth to take a risk she shook her head as an answer.

"Uhm.. right. Sorry. My mind is going a bit haywire. And yeah, I guess so."

Lucia was cautious. Not knowing if this was a memory or a mind-trick of some sorts. Dying here might mean she will really die. Such was a risk the woman could not take. She looked around at the other people, then back at the woman who was supposedly her sister in this. Pursing her lips, Lucia grinned, playing along. However, there was something on her mind she could not shake off. It seemed awfully familiar.

"I don't plan on dying to be fair."

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[Locksmith]

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The brunette lets out a laugh and shakes her head.

"You know, you're definitely going to be the end of me, sis. Get your shit together."

Around, in addition to people, there were various military supplies. Weapons, from light pistols to rifles with optical sights. In general, it seemed that her group did not skimp, and was very well equipped. Lucia herself also had a bulletproof vest. Very light, not restricting her movements at all.

A stern male voice came over the radio:

"Assault team, we're almost done with the hack. Ready in a minute."

The brunette, checking her submachine gun, nodded at the weapons.

"You're not going to beat them with your bare fists, are you? We don't take prisoners, so knock yourself out."

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