GLITCH

The Aftermath and Ferni's Scheme

PLATINUM TEMPORARY G-UNIT CAMP, Platinum City

Tuesday, October 31, 2500 5:30 AM

The Glitch crisis has finally come to an end. I'm currently with the commanding officer and master of Platinum Guild, Lucio. Since I took part for defeating the griffins, he invited me to attend a meeting with the squad leaders during this operation. Just outside the tent where he resided, Lucio formally started the meeting. On the left side sits me, Squad One and Squad Four leaders; on the right side sits Squad Three and the representative of Squad One, Sven. As for Rylai, she told me that she needs to hurry back to Emerald City or else she'll be late in class; she didn't tell the others though, since it might reveal her identity and her hard-earned peace might be swept away, carried by the wind and chained to bad luck, or so she says. The officers here offered her a means of transportation but she said that she doesn't need it.

"It'll be faster for me to reach the Intelligence Branch facility with my boots", she stated and went off.

She started with a sprint then she put her arms backwards then dashed. Just how I reacted when I saw it for the first time, the people we're shocked to see someone dashing in a gliding fashion while levitating on the ground. As always she wore her orange-tinted goggles to hide her eyes and to serve as a disguise for her not to expose her identity. I'm still quite puzzled why she doesn't want to though.

Meanwhile, Sven told us as of why they reached such predicament; their leader made a blunder and their squad was almost annihilated because of that. They tried to run away and escape but it's futile. They're able to survive thanks to Rylai.

"I see, so that's how it is. To have her assist us is a huge help."

"Yes, I can see why the Intelligence Branch recommended that girl."

"But how did she able to pinpoint your location that easily? Even though she knew the initial point where Squad One lost communication, given the area this city has, it would've take at least an hour or so to get contact with the survivors."

The table is now choked with questions from the squad leaders. I looked at Lucio and our eyes meet; he seems to understand what I'm trying to emphasize and nodded. So with that, I raised my hand to get the people's attention.

"Excuse me gentlemen. I'm with her during the operation and I know the reason why she's able to it", I used my G-watch and showed them the features I get from Rylai. "This is the virtual map feature that shows, of course, the map of Platinum City."

"A virtual map feature huh. It's my first time seeing this" Rex, the Squad Two leader said while rubbing his chin with his right pointing finger and thumb. "It's not in the G-watch features..."

"It's because she gave me the feature. It also appears that she's the one responsible for reprogramming the G-watch software."

"That's some prodigy we've got here. But I think we're slowly getting off-topic. How is it related to that girl able to pinpoint the survivors easily?" Lucio asked.

"We're getting to the main point Lucio", I responded as I continued using the G-watch virtual map.

When I used the other feature, there are several dots on it. Curious, the officers took a closer look to it and then one of them asked.

"What are those red dots…?"

"These dots signify living people", I explained. "This is the reason why Ry – I mean Crystal was able to approach Squad One survivors and defeated the griffin; I on the other hand, was able to rescue those two kids who were trapped inside a building. Also, the intel of having only two griffins is a mistake; there are three of them. If it weren't for these add-ons she put on my G-watch, I can't see the other griffins' location."

"True; I deeply apologize for the inconvenience we've brought. It is said that having the wrong intel is next to death. We have no excuse on this matter", Oz, the Squad Four leader slightly bowed his head as he said it.

Of course, having inadequate intel is fatal. With that, the Intel Division will be penalized heavily; Rylai intervened in the middle of the process though, and said, "Don't worry, Miss Ferni and I we're alive and well so don't fret too much about it. It's just a matter of equipment capabilities and the like."

After ten minutes of discussing the matter at hand, all of us finally came to an agreement that they'll ask the neighboring guilds to assist them dealing with the aftermath. I lend a hand by asking a good friend of mine who owns a construction company and he completely agreed to help.

"…meeting adjourned. I'm thankful for your participation."

The meeting came to a close. The squad leaders left; Sven is about to take his leave when I halt his action.

"Sven wait."

"Yes?" Sven turned his attention to me.

"I would like to hear from you personally what happened during that time when Crystal's fighting that other griffin."

"I understand. I'll give you the information you want to know", Sven responded sharply.

"I'm interested about her as well", Lucio Now, shall we discuss that 'something' inside the tent instead? I believe that this matter should be discussed while sitting on a more comfortable state than just standing here right?"

"I agree" I accepted Lucio's offer.

I diverted my gaze back to Sven and said, "Sven, thanks for allotting us your time."

"A-ah, no it's perfectly fine."

"Let's go inside shall we?"

"By all means…"

The three of us went inside, bearing with such intense serious atmosphere. The subject matter at hand: Rylai.

•••

"We owe the two of you. Again, we express our gratitude towards your assistance", Lucio speak as he brewed some tea for his guests.

"No worries", I answered with a smile on my face and accepted the tea he made for us.

Sven, on the other hand is just staring at the tea.

"The tea might get cold when you'll drink it if you keep staring like that."

Sven snapped out of it and then apologized for both me and Lucio for his absentmindedness.

"Now Sven, tell us…what exactly happened during that time."

"Well…"

Sven sipped his tea first before he continued telling. "All I can say that she outwitted the griffin with amazing movements like moving in mid-air while doing some kicking the air or something like that, then she damaged the creature with her gloves."

"Her gloves…?" Lucio is dumbfounded upon hearing it.

Now that I think about it, she did wore a pair of gloves before she accelerated to the route where she pinpointed Sven and his team's location. So that's her weapon eh?

Just as I thought, that girl's potential never ceased to amaze me. I guess that training her would be a waste of time for she can even defeat a griffin on her own and win without even getting a scratch. I'm going to tell my big sister about this.

"Yes", Sven responded in a low voice. He took a deep breath and said, "After a barrage of attacks from her, she let out a denser shockwave to kill the griffin."

"I see. So that gloves releases some kind of energy shockwaves. Knowing her capabilities as the one who reprogrammed the G-watches and re-calibrated our radar equipment, it's not surprising to see her using some kind of peculiar yet advanced type of weapon", Lucio closed his eyes, and is confirming the situation in a calm manner.

"…her silver eyes is somehow glowing faintly--"

I freaked out and jumped out of the blue when I heard Sven spoke those words.

"Silver eyes!?"

"Y-yes, she got silver eyes… Is something wrong Miss Ferni?"

"A-ah, no…I'm sorry for scaring you out Sven."

Silver eyes…? Does this mean that her Mantle has been awakened!?

After obtaining more information about that battle, we told Sven that he's relieved and take some time to rest. Sven nodded and went outside the tent. Meanwhile, Lucio and I took our glances to each other and nodded. It seems that I must pull some strings to have Rylai ascend. Sorry about this Rylai but you need to be transferred to the Academy where I'm a co-chairman; I need to employ her already.

No matter how young she is, her prowess in the battlefield and technology is top-notch; it would be a waste to have her rot as a student for seven more years.

Oh, it won't be nice if I don't include Sven in my plans too. After all, he's the one who valiantly fought with the griffin before Rylai arrived on the scene.

I closed my eyes and smiled, as I imagine how this scheme will end out.

Rylai, Sven, and the other two individuals I picked on my own…

"Seems like you're already plotting a scheme Miss Ferni…"

I opened my eyes and said, "Well, it would be a waste to not have the great individuals' potential to go to waste right?"

"So it would seem…"

Lucio waved his hand goodbye as I took my exit.