A crisp morning dawned on Battalion 255's training grounds. Renjou, ever the unorthodox instructor, was putting his new cadets through a grueling exercise. The recruits, drenched in sweat and bordering on collapse, struggled to navigate a vast, complex labyrinth.
"Captain!" one cadet gasped, "We can't…do this anymore!"
"What's that I hear?" Renjou drawled, reclining in a sleeping Buddha pose. "Captain Ford is expecting you for the next phase of training."
"We know it's training," another cadet complained, "but…WHY THE HELL ARE WE DOING THIS IN A DAMN WIDE LABYRINTH?! IT'S CONFUSING!"
"If I gave you regular drills," Renjou explained with a mischievous grin, "it would be boring. So, I spiced things up with a labyrinth scenario. I have faith in you. Hehehe."
"WOI!! HOW DARE YOU WATCH US WHILE DOING THE SLEEPING BUDDHA?! AND I CAN HEAR YOUR HEHEHE!" another cadet exclaimed in exasperation.
"What are you talking about?" Renjou feigned innocence. "I'm observing all of you, you know."
"THIS LABYRINTH IS TOO CONFUSING! THERE'S NO WAY OUT!" a third cadet cried out.
"Well," Renjou said, casually munching on a snack, "good luck. I'll be waiting when you're done."
"OI CAPTAIN!!! YOU'RE CRUEL!!!" the cadets yelled in unison.
"You have intelligent devices, right?" Renjou pointed out. "Why don't you use them?"
Following Renjou's suggestion, the cadets activated their devices. However, the labyrinth was full of surprises: rolling giant balls (made of rubber, thankfully), magma floors, giant turbines, raging torrents, and a plethora of other obstacles and trap doors. Despite the challenges, the cadets eventually emerged, exhausted, panting, and disheveled.
"Pant…You…you're trying to kill us, aren't you?" one cadet wheezed.
"Hey, wake up," another cadet said, trying to shake his comrade awake. "We finally made it."
"Okay," Renjou announced, arriving on the scene. "Warm-up's over. Now for the main training."
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEH?!" The cadets' cries of disbelief echoed across the training ground.
"Ah," Renjou said, sticking his tongue out playfully. "I forgot to mention that." The cadets collapsed in utter dismay.
The cadets, still in their messy state, began jogging, Renjou leading them to the next course. He spotted Vita and Reinforce observing his training methods. Instructing the cadets to follow the marked path to the next instructor, Renjou approached his two acquaintances.
"Hey, Renjou," Vita greeted him. "It's been a while."
"Vi-chan! It's been…" Renjou began, but was promptly smacked on the head by Vita's Graf Eisen. He crumpled to the ground.
"Call me Vita, you idiot!!" she snapped. "That 'Vi-chan' sounds creepy!"
"So…sorry…" Renjou apologized, rubbing his head.
"You never change, do you, Ren-san?" Reinforce sighed. "Still as silly as ever, even with your rank of Captain."
"Ah, Rein-chan," Renjou said, getting to his feet. "I see you're not as small as when we first met."
"Thanks to Shari and Mery," Reinforce explained, "I can now maintain a form similar to a human. Agito has a similar modification."
"So, what brings you two here?" Renjou asked.
"We have a meeting with your commander," Vita replied, "and we happened to see you training your cadets. By the way, Renjou…"
"Yes?" Renjou responded.
"Could you please not crouch while talking to me and Rein?" Vita glared at him.
"It's easier for me to talk to you this way," Renjou said honestly.
"You…" Vita was about to retort, but was interrupted by a piercing alarm siren. It was a red alert – a serious situation. A terrorist attack was underway near Battalion 255. Officers mobilized, rushing to the scene, with Renjou, Vita, and Reinforce joining them. They transformed into their barrier jacket forms and flew towards the disturbance. The terrorists were flying androids and humanoid figures attacking Midchilda. Personnel worked to evacuate civilians and neutralize the attackers. Renjou, Vita, and Reinforce focused on the flying androids.
Suddenly, Reinforce, Graf Eisen, and Ripple Beat issued a simultaneous warning: a high-energy attack was incoming. They narrowly dodged the blast, which struck the terrorists and some members of Battalion 255. Vita, Reinforce, and Renjou recognized the attack – the crimson black energy was reminiscent of Izumi Kai's old Soul Edge technique, Obliteration Blast.
"Main target, missed," Soul Edge's voice echoed.
"Tch, totally missed, huh," the Imposter Kai muttered.
"Vita," Renjou said, a sense of dread creeping in.
"Yeah…I know, Renjou," Vita replied grimly.
"The Artificial Mage of Kai…" Reinforce whispered, fear evident in her voice.
As Vita, Reinforce, and Renjou stared in horrified recognition, the hooded figure, the Imposter Kai, transformed Soul Edge from its cannon mode back into its bizarre buster sword form. He then launched a frenzied attack on Vita and Renjou. His attacks mirrored the original Kai's Soul Edge style, but with twice the power, utilizing techniques like Crimson Slash and Resonance Edge. Even Vita's hammer strikes and Renjou's lance thrusts were easily blocked and parried. Vita decided to engage the Imposter Kai, with Reinforce providing backup, while instructing Renjou to assist the other officers. Renjou hesitated, but Vita's stern order left him no choice.
Vita and Reinforce shifted into Unison, their red barrier jackets turning white. Vita commanded Graf Eisen to cartridge load, transforming into its giant hammer form. She launched a full-force attack at the Imposter Kai, a direct hit that was blocked by the very tip of Soul Edge.
"He…he blocked it with just the tip of his sword," Reinforce gasped in disbelief.
"Eisen!! Cartridge load!!" Vita yelled.
With Eisen's power surging to maximum capacity, Vita and Reinforce finally forced the Imposter Kai to the ground. He crashed down heavily. Vita, exhausted, and with Graf Eisen returning to its normal mode, was suddenly bound by the Imposter Kai's magic, Binding Echoes. The smoke surrounding him dissipated, revealing him rising like a zombie.
"That was fun," he sneered. "Now it's my turn. Soul Edge."
"Yes, my lord," Soul Edge responded.
The magic circle surrounding the Imposter Kai was unlike anything they'd seen before – not Midchildan, Belkan, or Cyborg. It was a custom design. Soul Edge shifted from the buster sword into a bizarre cannon mode. Vita struggled against the tightening binds, which also affected Reinforce. Just as Soul Edge began charging its energy for Obliteration Blast, Renjou arrived at lightning speed.
"Ripple Beat!! Cartridge load!!" Renjou shouted.
"Understood, Renjou-sama!" Ripple Beat replied.
Ripple Beat loaded the cartridge, his lance glowing with sparking energy in the shape of a cavalry charge. Renjou, with blinding speed, struck the Imposter Kai with his signature move, "Astral Judgment." The Imposter Kai was hit squarely, crashing through a nearby building. The binds on Vita vanished. Renjou checked on her, and she assured him she was alright. As the building crumbled, the Imposter Kai emerged from the debris, only to be stopped by a mysterious woman.
"We're done here, Kai," she said. "Let's go back."
"Don't interfere, Miata," the Imposter Kai growled. "I'm not finished yet."
"It'll be trouble if Rito gets angry," Miata warned. "You don't want to be scolded, do you?"
"Tch, fine," the Imposter Kai conceded, slinging Soul Edge over his shoulder.
"Hold up!!" Vita shouted, landing beside Renjou. "Who are you people?!"
"Oh, right, we forgot to introduce ourselves," Miata said. "My name is Miata Azda. And you already know this guy. We're 'Adamatron.' We're like Jail Scaglietti, but better."
"Adamatron?" Vita repeated.
"Our business here is concluded," Miata said, turning to leave. "Farewell."
Miata and the Imposter Kai vanished through a void portal. Vita and Reinforce deactivated their Unison forms. Vita, visibly tired, was supported by Reinforce, their barrier jackets reverting to their normal uniforms.
"Are you okay, Vita?!" Renjou rushed to her side.
"I'm fine," Vita said, "just exhausted."
"Renjou-san," Reinforce said, her voice serious, "that Kai…he's not normal."
"What do you mean?" Renjou asked.
"He blocked it with just the tip of his sword," Reinforce repeated, her voice laced with disbelief. "Even the original Kai couldn't do that."
"If I remember correctly," Renjou added, "the Kai I knew couldn't pull off such a feat. Blocking an attack with the tip of the sword is practically impossible."
"His power...and the pressure he emitted," Vita began, then stopped, a look of realization dawning on her face. "It wasn't normal."
"Enough chatter," Renjou said, scooping Vita up into his arms. "I'm taking you to the medical team."
"P-put me down, Renjou!" Vita protested, her face turning crimson. "I can walk on my own!"
"No," Renjou insisted. "I'm carrying you." He started walking towards the medical bay, Reinforce following close behind.
"Eeeh~ I want that too," Reinforce muttered jealously.
"If I carried both of you," Renjou quipped, "it'd be like lugging around two sacks of rice."
"Do you think I'm heavy?" Vita asked, pinching Renjou's cheek playfully.
"I-I'm sorry," Renjou stammered, his words muffled by the cheek-pinch.
The next day at TSAB headquarters, a new report arrived from Battalion 255 and Vita. It detailed the terrorist attack near Battalion 255 by a group calling themselves "Adamatron," led by Rito Rivian. TSAB's database revealed that Rito Rivian was a scientist who had died long ago, before Jail Scaglietti became involved in the Unlimited Desire project. She and Jail were bitter rivals, their animosity dating back to when Jail was still human, before he met Precia Testarossa, Fate's biological mother, who perished in the Jewel Seed incident. Rito Rivian's resurrection remained a mystery, the circumstances surrounding it unknown. The "Device Jumper" case now had a new layer of complexity: the emergence of the terrorist group "Adamatron," led by the resurrected Rito Rivian. The situation was becoming more convoluted than ever.
The report was circulated to other battalions and the Saint Church. For Arc, the news was electrifying – he finally had a lead on the Imposter Kai's whereabouts. His rage and excitement mingled into a potent cocktail, fueling his desire for retribution for what the Imposter Kai had done at Saint Cradle. Meanwhile, Fate and Teana, in their roles as executive officers, journeyed to Gruen, a high-security orbital prison, to interrogate Jail Scaglietti. They found him sitting on the floor of his cell.
"My, my," Jail remarked, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "What a familiar face." He approached the cell barrier, his eyes fixed on Fate and Teana.
"It's good to see you, Doctor," Fate replied. "We're here for an interrogation."
"So, what do you want to talk about?" Jail asked.
"Your long-time rival, Rito Rivian," Fate stated.
Jail's smile vanished, his expression turning sour. He stared at the floor, his hands clenching into fists.
"Doctor?" Fate prompted.
"Rito...Rivian...RITO...RIVIAN?!" Jail's anger boiled over.
"Fate-san, step back," Teana cautioned, sensing the volatile emotions emanating from Jail.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH THAT BITCH ANYWAY?!" Jail roared, banging his fists against the cell barrier. Fate and Teana exchanged shocked glances.
"Um, Doctor? What's wrong?" Teana asked cautiously. "Did something happen?"
"C-calm down," Fate said, trying to defuse the situation. "We just want to know about her."
"Aaah," Jail seethed. "I was finally happy when she died in that accident, and now she's back to humiliate me?! This can't be happening! This is driving me crazy! THAT FUCKING BITCH RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD?!" He descended into an incoherent rant, pacing the cell like a patient in a mental asylum.
"I don't want to interfere," a voice said from the adjacent cell. It was Uno. "But I can help with the interrogation."
"Do you know about her?" Teana asked.
"As the Doctor's clone," Uno explained, "I know about Rito."
Uno proceeded to recount the history between Rito and Jail. They were fierce rivals, constantly vying for the title of the best scientist. Jail was consistently outshone by Rito, who often belittled his work, dismissing his creations as "trash." Rito's death in an accident had been a cause of secret joy for Jail, who finally felt free from her constant humiliation. After Rito's death, Jail met Precia Testarossa, Fate's biological mother, who perished alongside Alicia in the Jewel Seed incident. Jail and Precia embarked on Project Fate and the Unlimited Desire project, which led to the resurrection of Zest and Jail's transformation into an Artificial Mage.
"Any other information about Rito?" Fate asked. "Siblings, family, anything?"
"From the data I accessed," Uno replied, "she had a younger brother, but he doesn't remember his name."
"I see," Fate said. "Thank you for the information."
"You're welcome," Uno replied.
With the information they needed, Fate and Teana left Jail and the other Numbers, making their way out of Gruen. However, Fate's mind was racing, her gaze fixed on the interrogation data.
"Something wrong, Fate-san?" Teana asked.
"Just looking at this interrogation," Fate replied, "it makes me think."
"Is it connected to Jail?" Teana asked, stopping beside Fate.
"They're both scientists...Rito died...Project Fate and the Unlimited Desire project..." Fate murmured, connecting the dots.
"The same case as Vivio?" Teana suggested.
The words struck a chord with Fate. Vivio was a clone of Saint King Olivie Sägebretch, just like Izumi Kai and his Imposter Kai, who had taken over his Soul Edge. The parallels were striking – Rito's goals and Jail's goals seemed similar, and the clone of Vivio was eerily similar to the Imposter Kai.
"Teana," Fate said, her voice grave, "I don't want to say this, but...it looks like we're facing the same kind of incident we encountered with Jail Scaglietti."
Teana nodded slowly, her expression mirroring Fate's concern. "You're right, Fate-san. The parallels are hard to ignore. The scientists, the resurrections, the clones...it's all too familiar."
"And the timing," Fate added. "The device jumpers, then Adamatron...it feels like they're connected somehow."
"We need to inform the others," Teana said. "This could be bigger than we thought."
"Agreed," Fate replied. "Let's head back to headquarters and discuss this with Nanoha and the others."
Back at TSAB headquarters, Hayate was in her office, reviewing reports when Reinforce entered.
"Hayate-chan," Reinforce greeted, "I have an update on the Adamatron situation."
"Come in, Rein-chan," Hayate said, gesturing to a chair. "What have you found?"
"Adamatron seems to be a well-organized group," Reinforce explained. "They've been operating in the shadows for a while, gathering resources and technology. We're still trying to determine their exact goals, but it's clear they're a threat."
"And the Imposter Kai?" Hayate asked.
"He's powerful," Reinforce confirmed. "Vita and Renjou barely managed to hold him off. His abilities are similar to Kai's, but amplified. And that Soul Edge...it's unlike anything we've seen before."
"We need to be prepared for anything," Hayate said. "Adamatron won't hesitate to use whatever means necessary to achieve their goals."
"I've already alerted the other departments," Reinforce said. "We're increasing security and monitoring all suspicious activity."
"Good," Hayate replied. "We need to stay one step ahead of them. Fate and Teana should be back soon. Let's discuss this further when they arrive."
"Understood," Reinforce said. "I'll keep you updated on any new developments."
Reinforce turned to leave, but paused at the door. "Hayate-chan," she began, "I'm worried about Kai."
"I know," Hayate said softly. "We all are. But we need to focus on stopping Adamatron first. We can't afford to be distracted."
"But what if they're connected?" Reinforce persisted. "What if Adamatron is behind Kai's condition?"
"It's a possibility," Hayate admitted. "But we don't have any proof yet. We need to gather more information before we jump to conclusions."
"I understand," Reinforce said. "But I can't shake this feeling that something's not right."
"I know," Hayate repeated. "But we have to trust that Fate and Teana will find answers. They're the best investigators we have."
"You're right," Reinforce said. "I'll focus on my duties and trust in them."
"Thank you, Rein-chan," Hayate said. "We'll get through this together."
Reinforce nodded and left the office, leaving Hayate alone with her thoughts. She stared out the window, her gaze fixed on the city below. The threat of Adamatron loomed large, casting a shadow over everything. But Hayate was determined to protect her friends and the world she loved. She would not let Adamatron win.
A few hours later, Fate and Teana returned to headquarters. They immediately went to Hayate's office to share their findings.
"Hayate," Fate said, "we have some information about Adamatron."
"What is it?" Hayate asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
"Their leader is Rito Rivian," Teana explained. "She's a scientist who was Jail Scaglietti's rival. She died years ago, but somehow she's been resurrected."
"And the Imposter Kai?" Hayate asked.
"We believe he's a clone of Kai," Fate said. "Just like Vivio is a clone of Saint King Olivie Sägebretch."
"That's not all," Teana added. "We spoke to Jail Scaglietti. He confirmed that Rito Rivian was his rival. He also said that she had a younger brother, but he doesn't remember his name."
"This is getting more complicated," Hayate said. "It seems like Adamatron is trying to replicate what Scaglietti did with Project Fate and the Unlimited Desire project."
"But why?" Fate asked. "What are they trying to achieve?"
"We don't know yet," Hayate admitted. "But we suspect it has something to do with Soul Edge. The Imposter Kai's version of the device is far more powerful than Kai's was."
"We need to find out more about Rito Rivian," Teana said. "And we need to figure out what Adamatron's ultimate goal is."
"We'll do everything we can," Fate said. "We won't let them get away with this."
"Thank you," Hayate said. "I know you will."
The meeting continued for several more hours, with the group discussing strategies and assigning tasks. They knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but they were determined to face it together. They had overcome many challenges in the past, and they would overcome this one too. They would protect their world from Adamatron, no matter the cost.
(To be continue)