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December 27, 2019
The blizzard has come and gone. Now all that remains is a clear blue sky. Before long, the pale blue is marked by the single black dot of an approaching helicopter. The helicopter brings important passengers, and the harsh reality that the end is close at hand.
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Everyone stands ready in the command room where CHALDEAS is stationed. Gudako looks around her, noticing Sylvia and Dustin from yesterday. Da Vinci stands nearby and Mash hugs Gudako's arm while Fou, surprisingly quiet, sits next to the two. The P.A. system sounds, announcing the registration and entrance of 44 visitors; namely, the new Director of Chaldea, Goredolf Musik and the UN inspectors. Gudako feels the hands on her arm start to shake slightly. She reaches up with her other hand, and pats Mash's head.
"It's alright.", she whispers, trying to calm the demi-servant down.
"I...I'll be okay, Senpai. I just wonder what this new director will be like..."
Da Vinci, overhearing them, turned to give them a grin before launching into a pack summary of the new Director.
"Goredulf Musik. Male, 28 years old, heir to a wealthy family of alchemists. At the Clock Tower, he's considered to be...well, about average. Much as the Musick can boast about a long familial history, they've essentially accomplished nothing. The only thing that sets them apart from other mages is the extra bit of wealth they've accumulated by virtue of existing longer. Goredolf's basically a rich brat from a well-off family. Question is, why did someone like that end up as Chaldea's new director? I can't be certain until we meet him ourselves, but if I were to guess-"
The sound of approaching footsteps like thunder interrupted Da Vinci. But even louder than the footsteps was the voice of someone who was clearly delighted...almost like a kid...
"Oho! This is great! Better than great! What a bargain! I didn't have high hopes for a lab out in the middle of nowhere, so you can imagine my surprise and delight at how modern it all is! I think it might be even more advanced than the labs in London!"
"Tch. Speak of the devil. He's certainly got a loud voice. Just remember, Gudako, silence is golden. Trust me, this is the sort of person whose bad side you don't want to get on; even more than Olg Marie's. Piss him off, and you'll never hear the end of it."
As if right on cue, a pudgy man with blond hair and smirk walked into the room, followed by a tall woman in high heels dressed in all pink. Behind them came the other 42 visitors...no, most of them were part of the staff now.
And as predictable as any spoiled kid would be, Goredolf's eyes landed on Da Vinci first.
"Oho! And you must be the Servant I heard about in the report. You certainly do look the part. Let's see, Leonardo da Vinci, was it? Not bad at all for a replica of a well-known genius. I always preferred a beautiful woman for a familiar."
Goredolf looked like he wanted to say more, but the pink lady next to him pulled on his arm, halting him in his speech.
"Your Excellancy, I believe that remark could be construed as sexual harassment(heart). Remember, that Servant is, for all intents and purposes, the acting director. Though it amounts to little more than running a dinky factory out in the sticks, she HAS managed to keep Chaldea going in lieu of a proper director over the past year. It would be in your best interests to get on her good side~ Why not lead with a compliment?"
Oh for-, Gudako could tell that this woman was like all the bad news in the world given form. This place is NOT a LITTLE DINKY FACTORY, but Chaldea which has saved you guys from incineration! Anyway, me....chill. Although she clearly has no good intentions, she's at least a little more business-like than the new director.
"Hahaha! Koyanskaya, I thought I told you to whisper those sorts of things to me!" Besides, I have no intentions of getting chummy with a servant, no matter how beautiful she may be."
This little-he ain't even remotely ashamed of himself! What is he, dense?
Da Vinci put on her professional smile and raised her hand for a shake.
"Why thank you. You're the last person I'd ever want to hear that from, but I'll take it as a compliment nonetheless. Welcome to the Chaldea Security Organization, Director Musik. You must be tired after your long trip here."
"Not at all, Aside from the month we lost due to waiting around for the blizzard to clear up, it was a most pleasant trip indeed Now then, without further ado...Er, Leonardo da Vinci, was it?..."
"Just call me Da Vinci. Or Caster, if you find even that too much to remember."
"...Very well, Caster should be more than sufficient. I am told that you have been filling in after Director Olga Marie Animusphere and Acting Director Romani Archaman suffered some...unfortunate accidents that led to them being unable to perform their duties. Your hard work, albeit appreciated, is no longer required at Chaldea. As of now, I am assuming sole command of Chaldea. What's more, much as I hate to do so, I will be taking all of you into custody. Immediately."
A large group of people dressed like soldiers walked up to them and began ushering them to leave the room. Mash, surprised, took a step forward to protect Gudako, but the moment she made eye-contact with Da Vinci, who shook her head slightly, she reluctantly slid back a bit.
"My, my, what an unpleasant surprise. Custody you say? Did I hear you right? I'm afraid you have no grounds to do so. Not until this investigation is over, at least. Have the powers already ruled Chaldea is no more than a criminal cartel, and you have simply neglected to inform us? Because, I am quite sure that if that were the case, you would have come with more in the way of soldiers. After all, we are Chaldea, the mysterious organization that saved the whole world. If there was a warrant out for our arrest, you would have come with a small army at the very least. But you only brought a paltry forty soldiers. Doesn't seem to fit the task, does it? So this isn't something the Mage's Association decided, but a call you made on your own, right? Why don't we get the Association on the phone and see what they say? Or would you prefer I didn't do that?"
"Grrr..."
Goredolf moved closer to Koyanskaya before whispering loudly into her ear.
"What's the meaning of this, Koyanskaya!? That Servant is too smart for her own good. Didn't you tell me the only people left at Chaldea were a bunch of engineers and a Master who was still wet behind the ears? I thought there wasn't supposed to be anyone here who would disobey me!"
Yep, he's a douchebag, dense, and everything else that makes up a spoiled kid.
Koyanskaya smiled before calmly brushing off his shoulder and replied, "Yes, Your Excellency, that was my understanding when I introduced this property to you. But my report must have been in error! Sorry about that(heart)! I'm afraid that Servant is a reprehensible villain who doesn't know her place, and thinks she doesn't have to listen to those of us with the Mage's Association..."
"Wait a minute, Koyanskaya. Wouldn't someone like that be somewhat, er, dangerous?"
"Come now, Your Excellancy, that won't do! You need to be aggressive! Show these people who's boss! Don't worry, we at NFF Services specialize in just these sorts of unlikely situations. Even if worse comes to worse, we won't let them lay a finger on you. Of course, that IS an additional service and doesn't come cheap!"
"What's this!? Don't tell me you're trying to shake me down yet again, Koyanskaya!"
"Your Excellancy."
"....Y-yes, I know. Don't worry."
Puffing himself up(hilarious), Goredolf moved to stand by himself in the center of the room.
"Ahem, You've got quite a mouth on you, don't you, Leonardo? Just to be clear, this is far from the only personnel I brought from the Association. Our helicopter will be back and forth, ferrying around another 120 security guards to this place. It would be too easy to take this place by force, something that the Mage's Assocation would back wholeheartedly. We would be well within our rights to consider the current staff all criminals and lock them all away, but I would prefer to avoid violence. Most of you will be fired regardless, but I'd like it to be on amicable terms. As such, I will have four of you kept in a single room. You'll be kept there until further notice by the inquiry board. During that time, we will question each of you separately. How does that sound? I believe it is the most peaceful option on the table. I daresay that you wouldn't get such a generous offer from another member...those blinded by their Pride and Brand ranks. They may think of you as no more than mere slaves, but not me. And above all, I'd like to spare myself the tedium of torturing you for every little piece of information. Koyanskaya can handle that. Wahaha! You should be grateful that I'm such a gentleman!"
It was almost easy to read what Da Vinci was thinking.
Definitely something along the lines of 'Gentleman my a**.'
Instead, she kept herself relatively polite, something Gudako had come to respect greatly during the time she had spent with the latter.
"I see. The Mage's Association certainly sent us quite a piece of work, didn't they? Now then, may I ask you a question? I'd like to know why you bought up the rights to Chaldea. Surely a little research lab in the middle of nowhere can't have much interest?"
Although Gudako had turned to face Goredolf to hear his reply, she couldn't help but notice that evil smile that suddenly appeared on Koyanskaya's face before it was subsequently whipped off and schooled back into the light smile she had before.
"Not much interes? Hah, I'll be the judge of that. True, Chaldea doesn't enjoy the best reputation at the Clock Tower, but I know that there's tremendous value to be found here. Value that will show promise once I'M instated as director. At any rate, when I learned that Chaldea would be split up and auctioned off into 7 parts, I made my decision and took action. You see, the Clock Tower people are just desperate to get their hands on technology they could bring back to their respective departments. But me? I DETEST them. An organization needs all of its parts, just like a human. I wanted Chaldea in its natural, untarnished state. And now, I have it. Of course, I guess that there's an exception to every rule. We ARE letting off the staff at Chaldea, no questions needed."
Another voice suddenly spoke, coming from a tall man dressed in all black. Somewhere in the back of Gudako's mind, a little voice was signaling danger! This guy was trouble!
"You are the future of Chaldea, Goredolf, and they, the past. There is no need for you to reach any sort of understanding with them. More importantly, the Church is ready to investigate. I would like to begin as soon as possible."
"Hmm. Excellent point, Father Kotomine. Oh yes, let me introduce-"
The speaker walked forward, motioning with his hand for Goredolf to stop. When he reached the front of the crowd, he stopped and turned around, a friendly smile on his face. Dressed in all black, he had a cross hung around his neck and a blue scarf draped round his shoulders.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Kotomine Kirei. I am the priest sent here to investigate on behalf of the Holy Church. I will stay here until the investigation is concluded. It's a pleasure to meet Chaldea. I may not be here long, but I hope we can help one another out during my stay."
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Mash sighed, " I can't believe Chaldea's disciplinary room is now being used as a confinement cell..."
Da Vinci laughed before playfully saying, "You said it! If I had known that we'd be stuck here, I'd have loosened up the purse strings when it came to budget! Just look at these rock hard beds! Obsolete air conditioner! Cut-rate lighting! It may as well have been a confinement cell all along! And look, scratches along the wall that were never repaired!"
"Wait, Da Vinci, who did those...?"
Gudako chuckled before asking, "Which Servant gets left in here a lot for causing a lot of trouble around Chaldea?"
"...Oooohhhhhhh."
"Wait who?," asked the fourth person, a blond male with glasses and definitely more fit than the director, "I may have been a staff member here, but I'm not too familiar with all the Servants Gudako summoned to this place."
"Let's see...ignoring the obvious Berserkers who have their own specialized disciplinary place...Jalter, Nobunaga, King Hassan, Ishtar....the list goes on."
"Huh....all those big names...scary. On a different note, what's that box under your arm? You fought with the guards to bring it in here and took you a good extra 10 minutes to convince them to let you take it."
Gudako blinked. She had been holding onto the box after what happened in the Command Room, the cool metal somehow not slipping when she grabbed at it. One of the soldiers noticed the box in her hand and asked for her to hand it over. Refusing, she was shoved down forcefully and the box was snatched from her hand. The soldier examined it closely and, after seeing that there were no cracks, threw it on the floor. It still didn't show any signs of damage. Deciding that it was just an alloy of black metal fashioned into a box(for whatever reason), the soldier handed it back and Gudako was(basically) thrown into the room she was in now. Human rights? Yeah, that didn't apply much here, she guessed.
"Oh, I told her to hold onto that. It's nothing special, but I thought that something bad might happen so that's why that box exists", Da Vinci answered.
"Well, something bad DID happen. Why aren't we using it then?"
"Because it isn't that bad. I was more expecting a...fight."
"Oh."
The room fell into silence with the only audible noise being the sounds of the guards patrolling up and down the hallway outside.
The staff member piped up again, his voice splitting the heavy silence.
"At least our bathroom is separate from the dining area....I don't care for the way that new director does business, but..."
"I'm glad we're all together", Gudako finished for him. Although she didn't know most of the staff that well, she was on friendly terms with the staff and they were definitely more familiar than the people who were currently outside.
"Still, um, Acting Director Da Vinci? I think I have a handle on who Goredolf Musik is like, but the other too...Ms.Koyanskaya and Father Kotomine...", Mash trailed off, her eyes unfocusing as she tried to work out what she wanted to say next.
"You still don't know what their deal is right? I couldn't get a read on them either. All I know is that Father Kotomine is from the Holy Church, another organization that's long butted heads with the Mage's Association. A mysterious organization based on a religion that has followers all around the globe, they see Mystics as something that's solely under their domain. Their mission is to more or less bring all human knowledge under their control. They were a lot more aggressive back when I was alive, but nowadays, they seem to be playing their cards much closer to their chest. I'm guessing that priest must be part of their combat team. Executors, I think they call them. They're supposed to be devotees of the blade who spread God's teaching in His absence. That's all you need to know about them. They are frighteningly powerful."
"True", Mash nodded along, " I could tell that Father Kotomine was very strong...at least, that's what Galahad is telling me."
"As for Koyanskaya, we know so little about her that it's almost comical. She the one who may have convinced Goredolf to buy Chaldea. Unaffiliated from either the Holy Church or the Mage's Association, based on what she said earlier..."
This time, the staff member spoke up.
"She's likely part of the NFF Services. I head about them after they made headlines in Russia about 6 months ago. They're a private military company...mercenaries...who are a group of specialists. I think they go around billing themselves as "Global Kitschy Business Consultants."
"Russia hmm...The Mage's Association doesn't hold much sway there. How did she and Goredolf come to know one another? No wait...there were a number of academicas among the new staff. They're all from NFF Services. In which case...they must plan reviving Team A with the new staff alone..."
"Wha–that's not going to work! They can't do that!"
The staff member jumped up, shock written across his face.
"Don't they know how much constant attention and adjusting the Coffins require during the unthawing process!? We've done it more than anyone and it still has a huge chance of failure! There's no way they can pull it off!"
"Yep. Pretty solid chance they'll fail and Chaldea's 7 A-ranked Masters will be lost for good..."
"...."
"...Which might be their real objective."