[Diana]
After hours of trudging through the walkways and streets of the Federal District, we had made it all the way to the Gloschwort District, Cragholven's industrial core. Factories, foundries, and towering exhaust pipes rose from our point of view in the streets below.
"Ugh, the fumes..." Samina winced.
"Seems like our little princess isn't used to walking through industrial zones," Thomas teased.
"You do this nearly everyday, so of course you'd be used to this," Sam retorted.
"Wait, what?" I stared at them, confusion plastered on my face.
"Well, I have to help with the family business, so, I've been tasked with monitoring and examining the work at each of my family's factories," Thomas continued, " That means I have to take into account any problems and perform maintenance, like checking if production quotas are being met, or making sure that the factory still complies with Levelia's Industrial Safety Code."
"Won't you get sick with all the fumes you inhale?" I asked.
"Not really, compared to Crusavian industrial zones, Levelian factories and foundries run on much cleaner energy sources," Thomas paused, "And there's also the fact that Levelian laws are stricter and pay more attention to the environment than Crusavian laws."
"What he wants to say is, Levelian industries are much cleaner than their Crusavian counterparts," Sam added, "But that's because Crusavia is still recovering from the War."
"But I heard there's been a push in the senate for a revision in the 'Clean Air Bill'," I responded, "There's also been some renovations going on in the factories here."
"That's only because we're on Cragholven, on other worlds it's much worse..." Thomas replied.
"You don't know that," I turned to him.
"Oh, I would know," He paused, "Wanna know why?"
"W-why?"
"Because I've been traveling back and forth from Luminaris Prime to my family's factories and foundries on Mjelholven and Njambosholven; inhaling and breathing in the fumes that are expelled on those planets," he said as he returned my gaze with a glare.
"Enough, let's just get to the cruiser and you two can continue bickering there," Sam pushed us aside and continued walking.
I quickly caught up to her, my face flushed red, and grabbed her arm as we made our way into the depths of Cragholven.
~o0o~
After a few more hours of walking, climbing, and maneuvering through tiny gaps, we finally made it to Sam and Thomas' hideout. It wasn't fancy or opulent (as a secret hideout should be), it was hidden behind a factory, among the slums of the Gloschwort District. A sorry amalgamation of metal sheets and wood planks, at least it gave off some sense of structure and shelter.
Once we entered the structure we were greeted by a metal door with a pad on the left. Sam typed on the pad before whispering some secret phrase to which the door suddenly opened, revealing that it was actually an elevator. We all entered it and descended deep into the planet's interior.
"How many levels did we pass to get here?" I asked.
"About..." Sam paused, "Ninety-seven levels?"
"Ninety-seven levels?!" I exclaimed.
"It's not as bad as scouring one hundred twenty-four levels just looking for you, not to mention the trouble we had evading the Imperis Bordrois," Sam retorted.
"Yeah, you've got a point," I replied.
We walked into the underground base. It seemed empty except for the few tables and chairs strewn about, a few boxes, and the Holo-board at the center of the room.
"Seems like they haven't returned," Thomas propped himself onto a chair next to him.
"I'll brief Diana on the situation while we wait for them," Sam said.
"Fine by me," Thomas replied.
Sam led me to the Holo-board at the center of the room and turned it on.
"So, right now we're here, in the northern sector of the Gloschwort District" She said as she pointed to a red dot on a map, "The Acolytes have scouted most of Cragholven and have so far found three possible locations for the Battavyesch's base of operations."
She pointed to three lime green dots scattered across the map.
"The one that seems the most likely for their base to be in is here," She pointed at a dot close to the Supreme Court of Crusavia.
"But the data we have right now is inconclusive, so I sent out the Acolytes and menyotts to search the area again," Sam said.
"That's risky..." I said, "Setting up a base so close to the Federal District and so close to an important institution."
"That's how the Battavyesch like to play," Thomas said, "And they've also grown complacent."
"Yes, they're relaxed 'cos they believe Crusavia's intelligence service and military are less capable than them. Well, that was certainly the case a decade ago but not anymore," Sam walked across to the left and grabbed something from a table.
"It's all a ruse, the more militant divisions of the Creyaltver are aware of it and have tried to warn the Battavyesch but they're too proud, too arrogant," Sam gripped the tablet and showed it to me.
"The Crusavian government is aware that they launched a covert operation on Cragholven."
"What?" I took the tablet and browsed through it, classified conversations between high-ranking government officials and generals detailing what actions they'll take and how they'll execute them.
"Then that means..."
"The Crusavians were aware from the very beginning, they know a lot about Levelia's secrets, not all, but their knowledge is enough to not only embarrass and humiliate, but antagonize Levelia before the entire galactic community," Sam said worriedly.
"And the Battavyesch is unaware of this?" I asked.
'`Yes, only the Creyaltver is aware and, assuming the High Prantev has met with the Imperial Council, the Empress and the heads of the eleven other Great Houses of Levelia are too,'' Sam said.
"Then why aren't they doing anything?!" I exclaimed.
"They are, that's why we're here," Thomas replied.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I'll be meeting with the heads of the Crusavian military on behalf of the Empress and the Imperial Council to discuss and come to an agreement before they take any decisive action," Thomas revealed.
"And with the Empress' tour in a week, we can't afford for Dayos and his men to do anything reckless," Sam said.
Just then the elevator opened and came bursting through were five men all dressed in black and three women elaborate and ornately decorated garments.
"Milord, milady, we've found their base!" One of the men chimed.
"But we don't have much time, when we checked the location near the Supreme Court the prince's men were all stationed outside and they were arguing," another man in black said, "Klaisee managed to hear most of their conversation."
One of the women, a small but strong one, came up, bowed, and said to Sam, "Your Eminence, your servant heard them scheming to assault the building they took your friend's parents. If they still do not find her there, they will send a private broadcast to the child's H-band."
"No doubt a threat or ransom of some sort..." Sam said, "Good work, all of you, you've all deserved a rest for tonight."
They all sighed in relief, the weight of their mission slowly dissipating.
"Oh, and let me introduce you to my friend," Sam paused and looked at me, "This is Diana, my friend, and the girl the Empress believes to be her lost daughter... the Princess Dayastra."
Everyone turned to me, expressions of awe, weariness, and excitement were plastered on their faces. I guess they've been through a lot and were just relieved that all their work was not in vain… Whatever the case, I don't care, all that matters is that we find my family and get back to our normal lives. If we can go back to normal after all this…