First Riot

[cleavestwice]

[Clear the deck - on an unoccupied part of the Chalice's hangar, a magic circle appears with a ringing, ticking sound. It remains just long enough to let anyone in the area get out of its radius, then vanishes quietly - and in its place is a figure in a white cloak, one who might look familiar, and yet not, to some of the crew. She looks around briefly before summoning a screen in the air before her, connecting to the ship's network.]

Everyone - I am Agent Fate Testarossa Harlaown, representing the Time-Space Administration Bureau. I'm here to lend assistance and support Captain Takamachi. I hope together we can overcome the troubles this planet faces.

And to those I've met before, I'm glad to be back.

Comments

[stardreadnought]

[And like any proper officer, Nanoha greets her with a salute. But all that formality is dropped soon enough.]

Welcome aboard, Fate-chan.

Did you have any trouble getting here?

[cleavestwice]

[Fate salutes as well, briefly, before smiling. Not that she doesn't have plenty of serious stuff to discuss, but her relief at seeing Nanoha made it okay and hasn't been blown up yet is undeniable.]

Some. Recalibrating for the aftereffects of your spell was difficult - in the end we had to add a few extra layers of protection to get it through. Bringing any more people across will be difficult...

I see you're still in one piece, Nanoha.

[stardreadnought]

Mmn, I'll help out with that later. It's not going too hot over here right now, so we'll need all the help we can get, but...

...You didn't think I'd get hurt that easily, did you? Have a little faith!

[Fistpump of confidence.]

It's not like I haven't done this before.

[cleavestwice]

I remember how rough this place could be, and with your new equipment as well... I'm just glad everything's okay.

[Yes Nanoha, it's something you've done before that has Fate worried.]

And relieved that the time difference seems stable.

[stardreadnought]

Yeah. If it's anything like before, I'm sure it'll be okay. There's a lot left to do, though.

[She gestures toward the doorway nearby.]

I'll help you catch up while I show you around. Most things are still in the same place, but the crew's changed a bit since your last visit here...

[cleavestwice]

[Fate follows her lead.]

For happy reasons more than sad ones, I hope.

[space_macgyver]

Oh no, we're being boarded by an unknown attacker out of nowhere!

"STOP FOOLING AROUND LOWE!"
[Where Lowe goes, 8 can't be too far behind. Helpful quantum computer in a suitcase, that one.]

Good to see you again, Fate.

[cleavestwice]

You too, Mr. - ah, Lowe.

Nanoha said it was strange finding everything almost as it was when we left, but seeing it for myself is something else.

[space_macgyver]

You on the other hand have changed a lot, in the height compartment I mean.

Figured I should be more surprised, but I already had Nanoha to spoil the surprise for me.

[cleavestwice]

You know it's not nice to tease.

I think we were probably more surprised - we had no idea about the time difference until Nanoha reported it. It was a shock to find ourselves in the same position as Mr. Cheng.

[space_macgyver]

Teasing? I have no idea what you're talking about.

So, if you're in the same position as Cheng, does it mean you and Nanoha have kids now?

[cleavestwice]

I have a twin niece and nephew now, actually! Chrono and Amy got married. So you're closer than you might think!

[space_macgyver]

... Really?

I didn't see Chrono as the marrying type. He was always so serious and stiff, especially for a kid.

[cleavestwice]

People change as they grow up. ...Though Brother is still fairly serious.

[She won't say anything about stiff.]

They're very happy, though.

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"At Last!" Matthew exclaims. "A magical girl from the Time-Space Administration Bureau! I have been meaning to ask one of you some questions for quiet a while!"

[cleavestwice]

Oh, Mr, ah...

[This boisterous person is definitely familiar, but damned if Fate can remember his name. His question's reminding her of a certain redhead, though.]

I'm a "mage", actually, but - what was it you wanted to ask, sir? [And why didn't you ask Nanoha?]

1

[zetahatsudo]

[Woah.]

Fate? Is that really you? [This is the same girl he introduced ice cream too?] ... Are you taller than me now? [what.]

[cleavestwice]

Kamille!

Eheh, I am, aren't I? I'm afraid I cheated a bit.

[zetahatsudo]

Noted. You seem to be very happy.

But that name... Don't tell me you married Chrono?

[cleavestwice]

Nothing like that! Chrono's my brother now. Admiral Harlaown adopted me.

[wardeninexile]

"Welcome back, Fate," Ranna smiles. "I must say, you appear to have spent your time away well."

[cleavestwice]

Thank you, Captain. I'd like to think so. I've had more of it to spend, of course.

[wardeninexile]

"Ahh, something to do with the nature of your organisation, quiaff?"

Then a wry grin.

"And it is Star Colonel now."

[cleavestwice]

We're called the Time-Space Administration Bureau, but I've never heard of a disruption on this level before - except here on Earth, that is. It's not a normal hazard in our line of work. Fortunately, since my postings often take me away from home for months at a time.

Congratulations, Star Colonel.

[wardeninexile]

She nods in acknowledgement.

"Does the TSAB also investigate alternate dimensions?"

[cleavestwice]

Not exactly... our technology lets us travel between dimensions, but in practice it's like traveling between different planets in space. The dimensional worlds are different from one another, but they're not "alternate" in the way people from Earth use the word.

[can_not_fly]

Oh come on! First Simon, then Nanoha, now Fate too? Is everyone in this ship going to end up taller than me?

[cleavestwice]

Since a lot of the crew when I left were quite young, some of them probably will. But there are some who are already adults, aren't there?

[You'll always be taller than Alessandra, at least! ...Assuming you are taller than Alessandra. You are, right, Pit? ...Right? ;_;]

Simon? The boy with the drill?

[can_not_fly]

Yeah. He came back looking all tall and cool and stuff. [Is there a hint of jealousy there?]

[cleavestwice]

Came back?

If his situation was like Nanoha's and mine, then you could say we all cheated a little. If that helps.

That makes three instances...