Clone Girls

“I’m such an idiot…” Ticia sighed as she hugged tightly a huge bear plush. 

Despite the fact that she had launched the production of new daughters just yesterday, which should have made her feel excited, Ticia was currently depressed.

And the reason for that was-

“Why can’t I say sorry to Rika!?” 

That’s right. Ticia felt depressed over this one fact. Yesterday, she had a bit of an argument with Rika, and in front of her daughter no less…

The subject of the argument was over Rika telling she should be put as a ‘second mother’ for the CGs and Ticia’s pride in not accepting it.

It was a stupid argument and Ticia knew she was in the wrong. Rika was right, how could she deal with over five thousand daughters by herself? These girls would need love and

Ticia knew she alone would be unable to give some time to each one of them.

Despite that, Ticia had not managed to apologize to Rika.

“Ugh! This is so frustrating!” Ticia began to punch the poor bear plush.

“...Mom, can you stop venting out your frustrations on my plushies?” Ticia heard a complaining voice from behind, which made her flinch.

“S-sorry…” She said with a wry smile, scratching the back of her head as she faced her upset daughter.

Nillia’s displeasure could be understood. This was her room after all.

“You really need to stop doing stuff like that mom. How many times have you used my plushies to vent out your stress?” The fourth Null CG said, releasing a long sigh.

“A lot…” Ticia admitted. “B-but…”

“No but! Just go apologize to Rika already!” Nillia began pushing her mother out of her room.

“A-are you chasing me out of your room?” Ticia said back, more startled than resistant. 

“Yes! Now go!”

*SLAM*

The door was slammed shut right after Ticia was out, rendering Ticia speechless. 

After a bit of silence, Ticia put a hand on her cheek and released a sigh.

“...My sweet darling is already in her rebellious phase…”

This was the first time Nillia chased her mother out of her room. 

Ever since back in CI3, when something concerning her family was stuck within Ticia’s mind, Ticia had taken the habit of going inside Nillia’s room to seek comfort. Of course, Nillia was rather happy about that, but this time was different.

Because this was concerning Rika, the person the Nulls clearly thought of as their second mother.

For a moment, Ticia thought of ‘invading’ another one of her daughters’ bedroom, but the thought quickly went away. The reception she would get would be even colder. 

The fact that Nillia, who usually comforted her, chased her out like that meant that all Nulls sided with Rika this time.

Even Ticinia and Vinia would be troubled, and Ticia did not want to trouble them.

“What are you doing in the hallway like that?”

“Oh, mom and- eh?”

When a voice called out to her Ticia turned, only to see a scene that baffled her. Her mother, Emily, was carrying two unconscious ECGs over her shoulders like potato bags. Behind her, Bronz was struggling to carry another sleeping ECG, whom Ticia recognised as Breesse. 

“What are you doing?” Ticia ended up blurting.

“Training and bonding?” Emily casually answered, tilting her head. “Anyway, it’s not the time for that. We have somewhere to go, and so do you.”

“Eh?”

“Come on Bronz, darling, let’s go to the training ground.”

“Yes Grandma!” Bronz replied energetically to Emily, and as she began to follow after Emily, she gave up on carrying Breesse, dragging her instead by the arms.

“...What did I just witness?” Ticia mumbled in wonder, unable to understand what she just saw.

But it wasn’t the time to understand whatever her mother had planned. Ticia shook her head and clapped her cheeks.

“Mom’s right. I have somewhere to go.”

Ticia moved towards the study room. Rika was probably there. She needed to have a long serious talk with her…

Ticia entered the study. Just as she expected, Rika was there alongside Ria and Lidia. Rika sat at the main desk, reading some reports while Ria sat on a sofa nearby, reading a book on squad tactics. Lidia was organising documents near Rika.

All of them stopped what they were doing and turned their heads towards her.

“Uhm, hey Rika.” Ticia began, but for some reason her resolve melted away at an alarming rate. “Can we ta-”

“Perfect timing.” Rika said as she got up from her seat. “Let’s go.”

“Eh? Where?” Ticia was bewildered.

“To the senate?” Rika replied, tilting her head back.

“Ah…” That was when Ticia remembered what was planned for today.

 “...Don’t tell me you forgot?”

Realising that Ticia had forgotten, Rika sighed, putting a hand on her forehead. Her judging look made Ticia flinch.

“N-no, I totally didn’t!” She said in a panic, looking away.

““She totally did…”” Ticia heard in the background. That was clearly coming from her daughters. When she looked their way both of them acted as if nothing happened, minding their own business. This made Ticia want to cry…

“Well, it doesn't matter. Let’s go.” 

“Ah, y-yes…”

Rika determinedly walked past Ticia, leaving the room. Although this was nothing unusual, somehow Ticia couldn’t help but think Rika was taking a distance from her, which made her feel uneasy…

She quickly followed after her former general.

***

The wide halls of the senate building were filled with various people. Some were passing by in a hurry, going from one meeting to another with piles of documents in their hands. Others were just leisurely standing there, chit-chatting with their colleagues about the happenings within the building or negotiating, making deals with their discussion partner.

This usual chatter would quiet down when people with a high social status would walk by. Everyone would focus their eyes on them and whisper about them.

This was exactly what was happening right now.

As Rika walked through the hallway, people stopped talking and watched her every move. Her face was recognizable to many, but her current clothes also helped in recognising her status…

Unlike usual, Rika was wearing her ceremonial military uniform, which was full of intricate details and medals. It showed off her rank as a Brigadier-General as well as her distinguished service in the army to everyone who could see.

Rika was not one to like such a display, but since she had to set foot in the senate today, she decided to go all out as was tradition.

On the other hand, Ticia’s uniform was rather plain. The fabric itself was rich, but there were no decorations. The only thing that made Ticia stand out was her hair which, given the situation they were in, was enough to draw a lot of attention to her.

Ticia hated this atmosphere. Nothing could be truly hidden there. Who you met would always come out and it would always reach the ears of people who shouldn’t know. These people would look at you with various expressions, their eyes showing their true colors as they put an invisible pressure on the target.

Ticia had become immune to these long ago, but it did bring back unwanted memories from her childhood, resulting in her being annoyed. Not that she would show it on her face though.

Fortunately, the two clone guards they had brought with them also showed no changes under the gazes.

No ECGs had been brought this time. Emily had taken most of them for their training. Instead, they took two regular clones handpicked by Chloe and Otto themselves. 

These two clones were professional bodyguards to important people in the past. They knew how to deal with situations like these, hence why they were chosen. 

They would also be used to show off the new clones Rika had ‘acquired’...

As for the reason they were in the Senate today, it was to meet ‘that’ person…

Rika navigated within the building without much trouble. As a Brigadier-General, she was already familiar with the ins and outs of this building. She quickly led the group to their destination.

They passed through a corridor. On the wall was an arrow indicating where the corridor led. It was the quarters of the ministry of defense.

That was their destination.

Once they arrived there, a bureaucrat called them out. He had been waiting for them and would now guide them to their meeting.

They arrived quickly. Their guide asked the guards to remain outside. The escort clones looked at Rika and Ticia. Both looked at each other before nodding. The clones remained behind while Rika and her ‘aide’ Ticia would enter.

This reunion room looked more akin to a smoking room. Sofas were arranged on both sides around a table.

There was a huge map of the galaxy on the wall on which were drawn the borders of each known country to the Borkians. This was more of a decorative piece since true ‘maps’ of the galaxy were not in 2D but in 3D, since a 2D map could not catch on the complexities  of a five branch galaxy. It even used the polar directions usually reserved for planets to explain more easily the place of each nation from the center of the galaxy.

In this map, the Borkian Confederation was located on the ‘East’ side of the galaxy’s center. It had a long frontier with the Ionian Republic on the ‘South-East’ and stretching ‘South’ of the Borkian’s border, blocking access to the heart of the galaxy and what was below. The Brelia system from which Ticia originated was at the ‘South’ end of this frontier, divided between the two powers.

Above the heart of the galaxy, in the ‘North’, and controlling the most territory on this map was the Phillian Techno-Empire. It had a frontier with both the Borkian Confederation and the Ionian Republic not far from the center of the galaxy.

Right on the ‘North-East’ of the Borkian Confederation was the Nichibotsu State. Its territory was rather small compared to the Borkians or Ionians, but it was still somewhat big. The lack of resources in their territory and their neutral, non-expanding policy pushed their own people to migrate out of the state and it was pretty common to see people from Nichibotsu descent in the galaxy. Their culture had spread wide as a result and was quite popular.

The heart of the galaxy itself was occupied by another power-house nation called Crona’s Holy Sea, a rich theocracy. Getting a direct trade route to this state was the main reason why the Borkians and Ionnians fought so hard, but other than that, Ticia did not know much about them. The state was as quiet as the Nichibotsu state and did not even try to spread its belief. It seemed pretty satisfied with occupying the center of the galaxy, that they called the ‘Holy Throne’.

Finally, ‘South-East’ of the Borkian Confederation, a small system was highlighted. It was the Pellian system, which was formerly independent. The reason it appeared on this map was either because this map dated from before the annexation or it simply highlighted the importance of the system as a frontier and commercial hub with farther nations.

There were other nations represented on the map. But neither Ticia or Rika cared about them. Either because they were too insignificant or, for the closest ones, puppet regimes of the bigger states.

Ticia had heard of three other nations on the level of the Borkian Confederation on the other side of the galaxy, in the ‘West’, but these were so far away that they held no importance for regular citizens such as her.

The extremities of the galaxy were empty for their majority. These areas were either empty of people or had underdeveloped civilizations. The Borkians had not mapped out everything, and there could be nations existing out there. In the meantime, expeditions were created to expand territory and colonize new systems from time to time.

The map was flanked by two flags of the Borkian Confederation. Three big yellow stars on the top right and fifty-two white stars on the bottom left, on a dark blue background. A red stripe separated the two groups of stars.

Ticia knew the meaning behind this flag. The yellow stars represented the systems that originally composed the Borkian Confederation, while the white stars represented the families and industries that played a role in the creation of the Borkian Confederation. She did not really feel any attachment to it, a feeling mirrored by most people not coming from these three main systems… The same could be said about the Borkian Confederation’s nationalism anthem.

No one was currently in the room. Rika and Ticia’s guide told them their meeting partner would come soon and that they should make themselves comfortable. They did as he said and he left the room.

Both of them waited in silence for a few seconds before the door to the room opened once again.

“Sorry for the wait.” A young man in a civilian suit said as he entered, quickly followed by captain Rowla. 

“I don’t think I need to present myself, do I?” The man said as he took his seat in front of Rika, a light smile on his face. Captain Rowla stood at attention behind him.

“Of course. It’s a pleasure meeting you, Deputy Jackson.” Rika replied, mirroring his small smile while keeping a polite tone.

Ticia simply acknowledged the man’s presence. She nodded in her head. It would appear the president, Georges Rollers, did not lie. The ‘mysterious backer’ truly was Tyler Jackson, the deputy of the minister of the army.

“Good.” Tyler Jackson seemed satisfied with Rika’s answer. He crossed his arms, taking a leisurely pose in his seat. “Then we can proceed forward. I’ll be short. Brigadier-General Rika. Become the next president!”

“...Excuse me?” Rika could not help but blurt out at his sudden words.

“Sir, I told you before that you need to be less straightforward and explain more.” Rowla sighed, making the man laugh a bit.

“Sorry sorry, Rowla.”

Rika watched their interaction. They seemed pretty close to each other.

“You’ve met the president, haven’t you, brigadier-general?” Tyler asked, to which Rika nodded. “What’s your opinion on his health?”

“That is…” Rika hesitated to continue, measuring her words, but before she could speak up.

“That bag of bones is gonna die soon.” Tyler said, a smile on his face. This startled Rika a bit.

Saying such things out loud like that could be very dangerous for him. At worst if Rika wishes so she could execute him on the spot for slander.

“Surprised? I wouldn’t say that if I wasn’t sure you shared my thoughts, Brigadier-General.” He said, still with a smile. He got up and went towards one of the Borkian flags, passing a hand through it. “The insides of this state are rotten to the core. If we want to save it, we need to take drastic measures and neutralize the Senate’s power…”

“You don’t mean…” Rika began, not saying the rest as she weighed her words. Ticia understood too. This man was suggesting something very dangerous in a light tone.

“Well, I wanted to stage a coup, but Rowla here didn’t agree. Another opportunity popped up with you after all…” He said with a short laugh as he sat back on his chair, seemingly in a good mood. Ticia could see Rowla letting out a sigh of exasperation from behind him.

“I’ve learned through my intel network that the president is very sick. He won’t live past this year according to them. If I correlate this information to my own judgement when I met him at a reunion a few weeks ago, the chances of this piece of news being wrong is unlikely. Which means we will have new elections very soon…” He continued.

Rika nodded slowly, making a slightly surprised face. While she and Ticia already knew the president’s situation, this was not public information. 

“But… Why do you want me to become president?” Rika asked, a frown on her face. The deal was to make him president, was it not?

“The situation changed. I’m more fitted to the shadows anyway. You’re quite popular among the masses and most of all, senators seem to hate you.” 

“Eh?” Rika was surprised by the last point. She knew she was disliked by senators, but why was that an advantage?

“You’re just like me, Brigadier-General.” Tyler Jackson said. “I hate these guys, my family was like yours too and betrayed me. Because of pesky squabbles over resources though, they were killed. I don’t mind it since they’re the ones who threw me away, but If our nation was more centralized, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Ticia did not know much about political related lives, but even she had heard of the downfall of the Jackson family. The fall of one of the founding families of the Confederation and their public execution for treason a few years ago had marked memories…

Tyler Jackson had been spared from the sentence. He was too young and had been thrown away by his family for being useless anyway. Since he was judged to not be a nuisance and was average in every aspect, no one paid attention to him, which allowed him to make his own career in the political scene.

However, were he to become the center of attention, links to his family would be dug up and senators would do everything to drown him or use him to their own advantage. 

As poor as Ticia’s understanding of politics was, even she understood his actions now. 

Rika and ‘her clones’ owe Tyler Jackson a favor. That's a fact. He ‘saved’ her and Ticia back on Brelia 7 and managed to reintegrate them within the Borkian Confederation.

Now was the time to repay this favor.

“I’ll say it again. Become the next president of the Borkian Confederation. With your righteousness and my governance skills and connections, we will reshape this nation in our image!” Tyler Jackson declared.

“...” Rika stayed silent at first. This was not something that could be answered on the spot after all. Ticia stared at the man who was completely ignoring her presence. She felt something off but this was not the moment to talk about that. 

“...Very well.” After a while, Rika nodded, accepting the offer. Ticia asked herself why Rika said yes. She found the answer pretty easily. She would have to discuss it later on with Rika.

“Good.” Tyler Jackson nodded in a good mood. He could not hide a smile from appearing on his face. “Then your next step should be to get on the president’s good side. Make sure he considers you his successor.” He said as he got up before leaving, not leaving another word. Rowla bowed to Rika, before following after him.

““...”” Both Rika and Ticia looked at each other. The interaction was rather… short. They had a lot to say but, here was not the place however.

So they got up, left the room, reunited with their escort and began leaving the place.

They kept silent all the way, not wanting any information to leak if they discussed their thoughts here.

Someone stopped them on their way out however…

“Ah, Brigadier-General Rika, there you are!” A joyful voice called from behind them, just as they left the department of the ministry of war. Rika stopped immediately. This was not a person she could ignore.

“Senator Hoggin.” Rika said, giving a polite salute once she turned to greet the woman.

Senator Rachel Hoggin. That name was familiar to Ticia too. She was the elected head of the senate after all. The woman in her mid-forties was covered in make-up and jewels from head to toe. Her perfume was so strong it nearly made Ticia back a few steps, but she held back.

“I wanted to meet you my dear. How is your life at the academy?” Senator Hoggin engaged in friendly banter with Rika.

“It is good.” Rika answered shortly, but politely. 

“I’m sure it is.” The woman replied, still smiling as she put one of her hands on Rika’s shoulder in a familiar way. “I have no doubt that our younglings are in good hands with you, however…” 

Senator Hoggins seemed to hesitate for a bit, a conflicted look on her face as she seemed to hesitate to speak up the rest. A clear play, as she quickly told Rika after only a second of conflict.

“Some senators wish for you to return to the frontlines…”

“...Is that so?” Rika replied carefully, the eyes of senator Hoggin and the ones around glinted.

“Yes dear. I’m not putting your current work in question, it’s just… This war is taking longer than we expected. The senators are mourning the losses of lives. They say that if the Unkillable Valkyrie came back to the frontline, the war would be over in a flash!”

“Thank you, but I am not worthy of such praise, senator.” Rika replied. “Perhaps General David Fika would be a better fit for the situation?” 

“Oh, don’t be silly. David does not have enough experience on the ground, he is but an adorable little kid after all…” The senator woman gently chided Rika, though her words infuriated Ticia. What did the senator mean by that when David was older than Rika?

“But I heard Field Marshall Twill wishes to send him?” Rika replied with a smile.

“Well yes, but… Times are changing. I’m not questioning our reliable Field Marshall, but time is catching up with him… Perhaps it's time for a new generation to take over?”

“...” Rika remained quiet. The senator could allow herself to say such things thanks to the power she had gathered around her, but Rika? Were she to take a side here and it could mean the end for her.

“Anyway, please consider your fellow countryman’s sugges-”

“Brigadier-General. It is time to go.” Ticia cut Senator Hoggin’s words with a dry voice, her face void of emotions. She was truly pissed off by the woman and let out a slightly murderous aura to get her to back away. 

“...How rude.” Senator Hoggin’s face twisted for a few milliseconds, before her smile came back on her face. “I’m saying this for your own good Brigadier-General, but please make sure to educate your… ‘clones’…”

“...I shall take note. However, ‘my people’ are well educated enough.” Rika nodded, but unlike before, she did not back down this time. “Then, as my aide said, I have places to be. Excuse me.”

Rika turned swiftly and began moving, followed by Ticia and the escort clones. Ticia glanced behind her. She could see the senator woman silently glaring their way…

*bump*

On the way out, a small kid bumped into Ticia. She thought she would tell the small girl something, but she felt a bit of paper being slid in her pocket. Ticia kept quiet, making sure to memorize the girl's appearance.

***

“Phew… that was exhausting…” Rika said as soon as she sat in the seat  of the car and the door closed.

“Weird, that’s usually my line.” Ticia said, a small smile on her face. They were the only two in the car as the escort clones took another one.

“What? Want to exchange places with me?” Rika replied back in a slightly provocative tone.

“Nope.”

“You’ll have to at some point, miss ‘Clone Mother '. You can’t keep hiding behind my back.”

“Well, since someone wants to be ‘their’ mother too, isn’t it fine?”

“Heh, I guess you’re right?”

Both chuckled at their small chatter and a small, tranquil silence appeared afterwards. With this kind of atmosphere, Ticia finally had the courage to say what she wanted.

“... Say, Rika?”

“Yes? What is it Ticia?” Rika replied, a small smile on her face, as if already knowing what Ticia was about to say.

“About you being a second mother to my daughters… I’m sorry.” Ticia sincerely apologized. “I know how serious you are about it, but because of my own pride, I couldn’t accept it.”

“I get it, Ticia. I think I’m also to blame here. I was too direct and did not consider your feelings.” Rika replied, showing the same sincerity and regret as Ticia.

“No, but I’m at fault for being so stubborn. You did nothing wrong.”

“No, you did nothing wrong.”

““...””

Both stared at each other, not backing down, before laughing.

“Pffft… Seriously, how old are we?” Rika asked, a wry smile on her face.

 “Young enough to still have dumb arguments apparently.” Ticia replied, also smiling.

“Haha…”

“Still, I think I went too far. My brain immediately overthought the situation and all.”

“Oh…” Rika froze for a moment, before her face blushed slightly. Ticia felt something was wrong as Rika now avoided eye contact.

“Eh? What’s wrong, Rika?”

“...What if I told you I haven’t thought that far?” Rika replied, still looking away. 

“...Eh?” Now it was Ticia’s turn to freeze up, now realizing that she was the only one thinking this far. “Wait, doesn’t this mean I’m the only one who thought this far!?”

“Well, do you wish for our relationship to evolve that way?” Rika said back akwardly.

“Ugh, that’s not what I-” Ticia stopped mid phrase as she looked at Rika’s now teasing look. She felt her face becoming even redder. “You’re making fun of me!?”

“Pffft, just a little?” Rika said, nearly unable to hold her laugh.

“Haaa…” Ticia ended up sighing. Back in the past, there was no way Rika would play around like that with her. 

Still, it did not displease her. 

“Let’s be serious for a bit. What do you think of that guy?” Rika asked Ticia, switching back to serious mode as she asked Ticia what she thought of Tyler Jackson.

“He’s dangerous.” Ticia said. “I don’t believe one bit of his talk.”

“Really?” Rika frowned.

“Yes. I’ve seen people with expressions like that before, Rika. It’s the face of people who want to destroy something to its very core…” Ticia explained. In her mind, memories of people like Tyler Jackson, who had lost everything, flashed through her mind.

“I see… Then in his case, I believe it is the Borkian Confederation that he wants to destroy?” Rika deduced and Ticia nodded in agreement.

“Yes. He did say some things that looked like the truth after all. But this guy is not with us. He wants to use us as much as we use him.”

“I see. Then it’s probably him who told that woman to come see us…”

“Maybe, maybe not. We were in the wolf’s den after all.” Ticia noted. It was the senate’s building after all. Everything was possible.

Rika stared at her for a bit.

“...Since when did you know how to use such terms Ticia?”

“Hey!”

“Haha!”

Both ended up laughing again. 

Ticia liked this atmosphere. It reminded her of the times they drank together.

“...Say Rika, how about we get a drink one of these days? Just the two of us, like in the old times.”

“Oh? With pleasure.” Rika replied back, a glint crossing her eyes as she smiled.

***

*Sigh* 

Evelyn sighed, deep in her thoughts as she walked in one of the academy’s many parks. She had so many things to think about right now…

Her father had become extremely busy after worrying reports. She wanted to help him, but he told her there was not much she could do right now…

She was sure her father said so as to not let her get involved, but she could not help but want to.

“Eve!!”

“Bughu!?” 

A cannonball stopped her train of thoughts. Licia had hugged her with all her might.

“It’s been a while! You haven’t gone to class lately, where have you been?” Licia said happily.

“...Hey there, Licia.” Evelyn said, smiling wryly, before blushing a bit. “Uhm, could you, like, let me breathe a bit?”

“Oh, sorry.” Licia released her hug. Just a bit though.

Evelyn sighed a bit, blushing as she headpatted Licia. The latter giggled and Evelyn smiled wryly. 

…When did this girl grow so much?

Evelyn could not help but think like that. Just a few months ago, Licia was just a little girl. Evelyn thought of her as the neighbour’s kid. Some cute little sister of sorts, but now…

“Mh? Why are you blushing Evelyn?” Licia tilted her head cutely.

“N-no reason!” Evelyn said shortly, before gently pushing Licia away. The Null CG pouted cutely, but Evelyn forced herself to change the subject. “What are you doing here?”

“I was looking for you!” Licia replied, smiling.

“Why?”

“Obviously, because I wanted to see you!”

“...” Evelyn was speechless. Licia had said those words with such innocence that it was impossible to think it was an obsession, but still. That was the first time someone said something like this to her face.

“B-but that’s not all! Are you ok? You look really down…” Seemingly now aware of how embarrassing her own words sounded, Licia blushed and changed the subject. Her face now looked worried.

“It’s nothing…” Evelyn tried to swing it under the rug. This was their problem as Pellians.

“No, it’s not nothing. Something happened ‘back home’, right?” Licia said back. At this point, Evelyn could only nod.

“...Yes.”

“What is it? Please tell me. We’re allies, we can perhaps help you?”

“Well…”  Evelyn hesitated for a bit but shook her head. Licia was right, they were allies. 

Perhaps there was no problem with telling her… 

“...You see, back on Pellia, there are some animals we consider sacred.”

“Mh? Yes?” Licia tilted her head. Indicating she was following. The action was cute in Evelyn’s eyes, but she endured such thoughts to continue.

“These creatures rarely get in contact with humans, but we do keep an estimate of their total number…”

“I see…”

“But lately, we’ve received a worrying report. On the planet where these creatures are held the most sacred, some of these creatures have gone missing after being spotted near human settlements. Usually one or two missing is tolerated as it can’t be helped, but this time, a whole litter disappeared…”

“Missing, you say? As in poaching?” Licia guessed with a serious face, to which Evelyn nodded.

“That’s what the locals seem to think, and there’s strong evidence that it got something to do with the Borkians.”

It was not rare for a planet or an entire system to venerate or idolize an animal. While higher authorities would think of it as some outdated beliefs, locals thought of it as their identity, their pride. Poaching such creatures would be seen with utter disgust.

If the Borkians truly had poached these creatures, then this would be enough for some Pellian agitators to launch another sequence of attacks on the Borkians, which would further lead the Pellian system into a spiral of instability and a possible new war…

Seemingly catching on these facts, Licia’s expression grew dark.

“I see… Could you perhaps show me a picture of these creatures? Perhaps we could help?” She suggested.

“That’s-” Evelyn did not want to involve Licia further. She knew her situation was as fragile as the one of the Pellians. But Licia’s seriousness made her nod. She should request their help. 

“Here, they are called Magnus Manuls.” She said as she took out a photo and gave it to Licia.

Licia took the photos and froze on the spot. Just when Evelyn was about to ask what’s wrong, she heard the biggest squeal she had ever heard from a girl.

“KITTIES!!!!!????”