Security Director's Office
Science Council
The black-clad Construct leans casually against the interior side door, tilting her head with an enigmatic smile.
Why the hesitation? Come on in!
Yes.
That's right.
That potted plant in the corner is quite lovely, I agree, but time is short. You can stare at it more closely next time, little raven.
The small room before you lacks any personal character, differing from a standard Task Force lounge only by the addition of a full-length mirror.
Your host moves with light, nimble steps to your side, guiding you to stand before it.
Initiating identity registration. Authorization level: equivalent to mine.
A soft blue glow lights up from the mirror's frame, scanning you from head to toe before the mirror silently slides to one side.
As you step inside, lights gradually illuminate to reveal a secret chamber: three massive glass display cabinets line the walls, surrounding a circular platform in the center.
From firearms to daggers, from walking canes to accessories... They are all uniformly coated in matte black with bright purple raven emblems etched into their surfaces. The equipment surrounds you both like a circling murder of ravens, poised and ready for action.
Welcome to my "wardrobe." The equipment here is far more interesting than anything the Science Council issues.
Each piece is personally designed and tested by me. Precise, efficient, and perfectly aligned with my movement. Their only "flaw" is that they can't be mass-produced.
I never intended to share them with anyone.
The exceptions I make for you go far beyond what you see here.
Take two steps forward. Yes, stand in the center of the circle. Let me give you a proper "inspection."
Her piercing gaze examines your figure inch by inch, as if you were the centerpiece of her private collection in this secret chamber.
Gray Raven has kept you well-protected, but we're about to infiltrate the Science Council's testing ground. No one knows how to counter their defenses better than I do.
Lost in thought, she pauses before a row of tactical harnesses, selects one, and walks toward you.
An anti-reconnaissance harness with several times more interference chips than the standard issue. Specifically designed to counter the bionic sensory systems of specialized CUBs.
Raise your arms.
She leans in close, so close that you can bury your nose in her hair if you lower your head. She unfolds the harness across your chest, her fingers slipping beneath your cape to secure each clasp along your shoulders and back.
Maintaining this embrace-like position, she tugs at the adjustment straps behind your back.
How's the fit?
Hmm... let me adjust it a bit. This should do it.
Her dark gold gauntlets slide away from your ribs as she gently takes your forearm and turns it over. Her thumb slips between your tactical glove and sleeve, pushing the cuff back slightly.
I'm placing a hyper-decoder here that links directly to my terminal. It's essentially giving you an encryption key that lets you instantly decrypt any file I can access.
The weightless, slim device disappears inside your sleeve, barely noticeable, while she continues to hold your wrist.
Your pulse has quickened.
I'm just making sure everything's secure. Why so nervous?
Hmm... that's fair.
That would be great.
She gives you a playful glance before turning away, casually sweeping her wave-like hair to one side and revealing the curve of her neck and back.
See those dark gold components on my lower back?
They're precision-engineered for frame balance calibration. Each armor plate needs to be properly secured.
I can't see them myself. Would you press them firmly to make sure they're secure?
The moment your fingertips touch the warm plates, you hear Nirvatia let out a soft chuckle.
You can press harder. It's fine.
I have Morigan hold up another mirror.
The tall woman leans back gently, her wing-shaped Inver-Device brushing against your neck.
But he's out investigating right now, isn't he?
No sooner has she spoken than the comms on her wrist begins to blink somewhat hesitantly.
Uh... this feels like a really, REALLY bad time to call in. I didn't hear anything!
Anyway, getting to the point... I've found all four sample IDs containing the evidence. Witte's group can actually be quite competent when they're not busy whining.
We've confirmed the map and locked in the coordinates, so let's get to work! Time to dig up some evidence and find some thrills while we're at it!
I'll head straight to the entrance and wait for you two. Hurry up!
The mechanical raven hastily terminates the call. His owner closes her eyes and shakes her head helplessly, but she fully resumes the commanding presence of a Security Director when she looks up again.
Preparing to move out.
