4th Interlude: The Shield

8:03 AM, 1st of August, 203 A.F.

"How long before the Shield is ready?" the Emperor asks from atop his throne.

"At least two years, Your Majesty," Finlay Howe answers. "And there are still two major obstacles we first need to resolve if we are ever to complete this project."

The members of the 17th Squad are all standing in a line behind Finlay Howe, Chief Officer of the Research Institute, in what must be the biggest room in the Imperial Palace: the Throne Room. With a ceiling that is fifty meters high and a dome that is twenty-five meters wide, this chamber has undoubtedly amazed countless visitors over the years with its immaculate marble titles, towering columns and high windows. Usually, dozens of members of the imperial court would be standing here, but the only ones here right now are the members of the 17th Squad, Jacob, Chief Officer Finlay Howe, Captain of the Imperial Guard Edward Fox, and the Emperor himself, Kieran Hammerfist.

"Have you made any headway on those?" the emperor asks.

"Unfortunately not, Your Majesty. While I believe the time dilation effect can be rectified with some adjustments, it's the energy source that presents the greatest hurdle. Without it, it will be impossible to power even a smaller version of the Shield."

"Can you find one?"

"It is theoretically possible. I need to conduct several experiments first, but I can give you a definitive answer in three weeks' time."

"Hmm."

The old ruler ponders the implications of this news while his captain, standing at his side, appears unperturbed by it.

Because of their huge contribution to the protection of the human race, the emperor has already granted the squad members permission to speak in his presence.

"Professor Howe?" The Emperor motions for him to answer the question.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Finlay faces the squad members and then launches into a succinct explanation. "When deployed, the magical energies of the Shield will affect the space-time continuum inside of it, causing time to pass at a faster rate than on the outside. The bigger the Shield, the faster it will be."

"No," Finlay Howe says as he crosses his arms. "I've taken this into consideration while designing the Shield, and raw magic won't be a concern. I've also devised a way to simulate sunlight and how to let air pass through the magical barrier, so humans will be able to live inside the Shield without any problem. We simply won't have any access to magic, not unless we're standing at the Core."

Sam, who has been patiently listening at ease, tries to figure out how the area around the Core of the Shield should behave according to theory. Would it have something to do with the source of raw magic?

Knowledge Arcana 30

Samantha:

"It would be dangerous only if we failed to contain the magical energies within," Howe explains. "If correctly implemented, my designs will allow us to redirect the raw magic on specific pathways, which will enable people to walk into the Core without any worry."

"Um, what would happen if we failed to contain the magic then?" Jacob asks.

"An unlikely event, but were that to happen, the raw magic would spill out and bathe the entire Core, condemning access to it."

A bored looking May stifles a laugh behind a too loud cough.

Surprisingly enough, the Emperor himself smiles at Nick's shenanigans, and so do Jacob and Anne.

Naturally, Finlay frowns at this and says, "Theoretically, yes, you could."

Nick says nothing, but a certain weight seems to lift off his shoulders.

"Can the ISA do anything to help?"

"You've already done a lot by saving me and my family. All I need now is time to conduct my research."

"Time we might not have," Marcus suddenly chimes in before turning to Edward. "I apologize for the change of subject, but I would like to know about what happened to the people from the Embassy and the agents Smirk helped."

Neither Edward nor the emperor seem to mind, and it's with a nod that the captain says, "They've arrived safely at Sellsword yesterday morning, and will be looked after until we've determined they're ready to return to their duties. As for the ISA agents, they had a message for you..."

Edward pulls out a sheet of paper from his pockets and begins reading from it.

Evrard wrote:
"Thanks for letting us borrow your friend. Don't be a stranger!"

Here is Evrard again:

Edward finds the handwriting of Rémi's letter a bit crude, the work of a fighting man of humble origins not use to writing.

"To Smirk, his summoner, and their friends,

I hope this letter finds you well. I'm not used to putting my thoughts to paper like this but my mama taught me to always thank kindly folk who help you out, and right enough you did, so bear with me a spell and I'll see this done.

Thank you. Much of my memory of the battle is a blur but the after, that I can tell you about. We made our way through the sewers along routes both secret and heinous, through murk and muck and all things foul, until we found ourselves in old smuggling tunnels Springer somehow knew about. When we finally emerged out into the air again, we found ourselves in a rocky field outside of the city. I won't bore you with the details but we walked all together for a spell until we met up with a ship that was waiting for us. Not much of a voyage but nothing to complain about. Food was crap. Drink was acceptable.

Anyway, just thought you'd want to know. If I see you, that offer of a beer still stands.

-Rémi Cormier

P.S.: Also, Springer says she's sorry for dragging you through the sewers. You had very nice boots."

Judging by the smile on Jacob and Anne's faces, they're relieved to hear that the other ISA agents and the embassy staff are safe. Marcus simply nods when Edward finishes reading the letters, but it's obvious that he feels the same.

A warmth kindles in Sam's chest while she listens to the Remi's written thank-you.

"I'm glad you were able to get them out okay. Remi has a little talent for prose trying to get out, in spite of what he said at the beginning."

"Yes, he really does," Jacob says.

"It's alvays sveet when someone pushes themselves out of their comfort zone," comments May, "Free beer is even better so long as it is good."

The emperor slowly leans forward in his seat, joins his hands together, and says, "If you have a suggestion, please, do share it with us."

"Very sneaky, Herr Ghostyman," says May, finally engaged in the conversation, "It vould be a good vay to get some of the stragglers registered."

Samantha:

Anne raises an eyebrow at Nick, surprised by this novel idea, while Jacob taps his chin with his finger and contemplates something.

"Professor Howe?" the emperor asks.

"Hmm, yes, it is possible," the old man begins. "I've heard of a few weavers who've done something similar before, but they were all custom-made orders; nothing close to the scale that agent Bradshaw is proposing here. Aspects have an extra-dimensional place similar to the ones we find in Bags of Holdings, but they are fairly limited by comparison, hence why they usually bring only a weapon or two with them. A weaver can create clothes or jewels that ‘follow’ the Aspects into that extra-dimensional space, but they need to be attuned to the Aspect in question—a costly endeavor, even for small objects."

"So, we can't do it?" Marcus asks.

"Certainly not while we're at war. And even if we weren't, the green mages will need to fork over a sizable sum of money to weave the accessory."

"Can you make it less expensive?" Edward asks, curious.

"Maybe, but it would require a lot of research, which I don't have the time for."

Jacob seems disappointed by this news.

Summoner and Aspect sigh in unison - "Yeah... well, guess that's that." - Smirk capitulates dejectedly.

"We may not be able to afford a money sink, but we can still accomplish the goal by carrying out a recruitment plan for mages. Perhaps something a bit beyond the standard. A little more incentivizing."