The command center hummed with the low vibration of ancient machinery slowly awakening from its centuries-long slumber. Banks of monitors flickered in sequence, casting pale blue rectangles across the faces of those gathered. The air tasted of rust and geothermal steam, of something electrical and long-dormant crackling back to consciousness.
Aurélie stood before the massive central monitor, her silver hair draped over her shoulder as she gestured toward the facility blueprint displayed across its surface. The schematic sprawled across the screen like a map of some impossible city—tunnels and chambers intersecting in patterns that defied conventional logic, levels stacked upon levels, rooms that opened into empty space and corridors that looped back on themselves.
Master Gaius Vesper stood beside her, his kiseru pipe trailing a curl of smoke, his silver hair pulled back into a high bun. His eyes tracked the schematic with that familiar glint of amusement, as if the entire facility was just another elaborate prank waiting to be revealed.
Behind them, Celeste Tenko hovered at the edge of the group, her sleek silver bob perfectly in place, her violet letterman jacket pristine. Her doe-like eyes held that familiar hesitant expression, and her hand rested on Ame-no-Murakumo's hilt with unconscious reverence.
Jax Boone stood with his arms crossed, his scarred face set in that perpetual expression of serious observation. His dark red hair was cropped short, and his three-sectioned staff hung at his hip, the Seastone tips gleaming.
Riggs Cohen leaned against a support pillar, his shaggy blond hair falling into his eyes, his Hawaiian shirt untucked. His katana—Gullwing—hung loosely in its rope belt, and he looked like he was about to fall asleep standing up.
Penguin and Shachi walked over, their clothes still slightly damp from their earlier swim. Penguin rubbed his shoulder where Charlie had knocked into him earlier, his expression a mix of irritation and curiosity.
"We're not so good with all the technical stuff," Penguin said, gesturing at the schematics, "so we thought we'd come and help you guys out."
Master Gaius grinned, blowing out a stream of smoke. "The more the merrier. Aurélie was just about to start the briefing."
The group turned their attention to Aurélie. She stepped closer to the monitor, her finger tracing the outline of a section on the facility's lower levels.
"The layout is complex," she began, her voice flat and professional. "Three main levels above ground, five below. The primary docking bay is here—" She tapped a section at the center of the schematic. "—with secondary bays branching off through these corridors."
Her finger moved across the screen. "The submarines are docked in the central bay. The maintenance facilities are scattered throughout the lower levels, but the primary power distribution hub is located here, approximately two hundred meters below the surface."
She paused, her eyes scanning the assembled group. "I have already investigated several sections. Most are dormant, but a few—" She tapped the screen. "—still have active systems. Those are the ones we need to inspect first."
D.I.G.O.S. materialized above them, its tricorn hat flickering at the edges, its manic grin spreading wide. "Hi! Hello there!" The Tontatta hologram performed a cartwheel, holographic confetti showering the group.
The screen flickered. Sections of the facility blueprint flashed red, pulsing with an urgent rhythm. D.I.G.O.S.'s voice carried that familiar desperate cheerfulness.
"These areas are restricted! Authorized personnel only!"
Aurélie's eyes narrowed. She turned to Master Gaius. "We should inspect these locations first." Her finger moved to a section on the lower levels. "When we went here, there were systems still active. Power conduits humming. Ventilation cycling. Some kind of containment field."
Master Gaius nodded slowly, his pipe smoke curling around his face. "Yes. We should verify." He scanned the group, his eyes landing on each face in turn. "Those are your orders. Team up, verify, and deactivate any active systems you find."
Celeste's voice came out in a soft, hesitant whisper. "Um, what if we don't know how?"
Jax pointed at the floating hologram. "Would this thing be able to tell us how?"
Aurélie shook her head, her silver hair swaying. "It is unreliable. Its systems are in need of updates and repairs. Your best option is to call it in, then a course of action can be decided."
Riggs uncrossed his arms, his hip cocked at an angle that suggested he was not taking this seriously. "How bad could it be?"
Shachi stepped forward, his voice carrying that edge of nervous humor. "Well, there's this room of cylinders with floating things in them, and this creature came up from the floor and—"
Master Gaius raised a hand, cutting him off. His voice carried that unexpected weight that made everyone pay attention. "Don't touch anything. We have seen ancient tech like this before. This isn't anything new for us." He paused, his eyes glinting with dark amusement. "Don't go and accidentally break the world again. One break a millennium is plenty."
The group nodded, dispersing into pairs and small teams. Their footsteps echoed across the metal grating as they moved toward their assigned sections.
---
Sanza walked up, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich clutched in both hands. Peanut butter and jelly dripped from the bread, leaving a sticky trail. Jelly bounced behind him, his translucent blue body wobbling as he licked up the trail of peanut butter and jelly with an enthusiastic "Bloop! Bloop! Yum!"
Sanza stopped in front of Aurélie and Master Gaius, looking up at the two towering figures. He took a massive bite of his sandwich, chewing with his mouth open, peanut butter smearing across his cheeks.
"I can help," he announced, his voice muffled by the food in his mouth.
Aurélie glanced over her shoulder as she continued pressing buttons on the console, her expression unchanged. "That will not be necessary."
Sanza swallowed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. The gesture only succeeded in smearing peanut butter and jelly across his face and the back of his hand. He looked offended, his red hair flopping across his forehead.
"But I am the future supreme commander!" He pointed a thumb at his chest. "I should—"
He paused when Jelly engulfed his sticky hand, the gelatinous creature wrapping around his fingers like a living glove. Sanza began shaking his arm violently, attempting to dislodge the bouncy creature.
"Release me, you gelatinous blob!"
Jelly's voice came out muffled and distorted. "Bloop! So good!"
Master Gaius looked down, his eyes landing on the struggling child. A slow grin spread across his weathered face. His pipe smoke curled around his silver hair as he watched the spectacle.
He glanced at Aurélie, his voice low. "He has a familiar face."
Aurélie nodded, her fingers still moving across the console. "That is his nephew."
Master Gaius raised an eyebrow. His grin faltered, replaced by something more serious. "Does he—"
Aurélie nodded again, her voice flat. "He is aware. But he refuses to give up on his dream." The corner of her mouth twitched. Just slightly.
Master Gaius's grin returned. "Is that so."
He turned to Sanza, who was still shaking his arm wildly, Jelly clinging to his hand like a particularly enthusiastic barnacle. Master Gaius squatted down, bringing himself to eye level with the struggling child.
"Future Supreme Commander, hey?"
Sanza paused, attempting to look mature despite the gelatinous creature currently attached to his hand. He nodded, his red hair flopping across his face.
"That's right! I am going to be the strongest one, too!"
Master Gaius's grin widened. "I bet you are." He paused, his eyes softening. "I have a grandson about your age. You remind me of him."
Sanza's eyes narrowed, his suspicion clear. But he didn't pull away.
Master Gaius continued. "Why don't you help me out?"
Aurélie's eyes shifted, her voice carrying that flat tone of warning. "Don't let his sticky fingers get on the equipment."
Master Gaius chuckled, his eyes never leaving Sanza. "Come on, kid. Why don't you show me what you can do with that practice sword?"
Sanza snapped, stomping his foot and balling his fists—the one with Jelly still attached making it a particularly difficult gesture. "I am not a kid!"
Jelly finally slid off his hand, landing in a sticky puddle on the floor with a wet splat. Sanza shook his hand, grimacing at the residue left behind.
Master Gaius's grin was unwavering. "Sure. Now show me what you've got."
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