Chapter 121 – That Person — I Have Seen Her Somewhere Before

"--The handover of Blang and the others has finally been decided."

Inside Syn-Fibra's building, in Milea's usual lab. Grain opened with those words to the gathered Milea and Letaria, and began explaining the details.

"Truth be told, the handover was supposed to happen much sooner. It seems coordination on the homeland's side took longer than expected, so we ended up a bit behind schedule."

"Ah... now that you mention it, we did have him in custody, did we not..."

Letaria, who had apparently let his existence slip entirely from her mind, gave her hands a light clap.

"Finally... that's one less thing to worry about. No matter how secure the facility, you never know what might happen while he's locked away."

Milea let out a small breath, as though relieved.

"Right. And on that note -- for the handover, a unit will be coming here from the Wistrum homeland to take charge of the transport. And get this -- they arrive tomorrow."

"Wha--?! Isn't that far too soon?!"

The abruptness of the schedule startled an entirely unguarded exclamation out of Milea.

"It's the transport of a serious criminal, after all. Apparently they deliberately held off on the official notice to us until the last moment, as a precaution against an ambush en route or a leak from the inside. ...Well, formally speaking, they're important guests visiting from the homeland. Depending on how things go, the two of you may be asked to be present as well. Just have yourselves prepared."

At Grain's words, Milea -- sensing she was about to be dragged into something troublesome -- frowned reluctantly, while Letaria, in contrast, thrust out her chest with triumphant pride.

"Understood! You may leave it entirely to me!"

◆◆◆

The next day.

At the Seldia Administration Bureau's dedicated dock, a single massive, heavily armored transport ship touched down, along with the several escort Makina that had accompanied it, their landing impacts absorbed in quiet succession.

The airlock opened, and a number of military personnel descended the transport ship's gangway. At the same moment, the cockpit hatches of the landed Makina released, and their pilots dropped lightly down to the ground.

From among them, a man from the transport ship and a woman from one of the Makina stepped forward together.

"Thank you for coming to receive us."

The two bowed respectfully toward the lineup of Seldia Administration Bureau executives who had come to greet them.

"We have been expecting you. Thank you for making the long journey from the homeland."

The middle-aged man at the head of the welcoming party spoke first, his voice gentle yet carrying real authority, and began introducing himself to the visitors.

"I am Ruerio Coda, the administrator responsible for this autonomous district."

"And I am Grain Fort, captain of the Seldia Vigilante Corps."

Grain stepped forward as well, bowing deeply as the greetings were exchanged.

In response, the man from the transport ship returned a sharp, crisp bow.

"I am Captain Heiras Rugud, of the Wistrum Federal States Armed Forces."

He looked to be around forty -- a black-haired man whose powerfully built, thoroughly trained frame was plain to see even beneath the well-tailored cut of his Wistrum military uniform. His gaze was sharp, carrying the unmistakable air of a soldier who had earned every rank the hard way.

Then the other figure -- the woman in a pilot suit who had climbed down from the Makina -- stepped forward as well, helmet tucked under one arm, and gave her own name.

"I am Lieutenant Priscilla Halevy, of the Wistrum Federal Armed Forces. Mr. Ruerio, Mr. Grain, I look forward to working with you both today."

Her beautiful emerald-green hair, straight and falling somewhere past her shoulders, stirred faintly as she bowed politely to the two men, her eyes calm and bright with intelligence.

"Now then, everyone -- allow me to first show you around the Bureau. Once we've moved, we can proceed with the formal transfer procedures in a separate room."

At Ruerio's composed suggestion, both Captain Heiras and Lieutenant Priscilla nodded quietly.

"That would help. We already have arrangements in place to transport him onward to the homeland's courts."

Heiras answered in a voice heavy with military bearing, and the group set off toward the dock's connecting corridor, following Ruerio and Grain's lead.

--Two figures quietly watched the whole scene from above, on an observation catwalk set into the upper level of the dock.

Letaria and Milea.

"...That's a fairly heavy escort. If someone of captain rank is coming in person, the homeland must be taking the Blang matter quite seriously."

Milea murmured this, arms crossed, coolly observing the procession below.

But there was no answer from Letaria, standing beside her.

"Letaria?"

Milea glanced over, puzzled, and found Letaria leaning out over the railing, staring fixedly at a single point.

The object of her stare was the emerald-haired woman walking at the head of the escort group -- Lieutenant Priscilla Halevy.

"What is it? You're staring so hard."

"...That person... I have seen her somewhere..."

Letaria murmured, as though turning something over in her mind.

"Have I met her somewhere before...?"

"What? She's a lieutenant in the Wistrum home military. This should be her first time ever coming to Seldia..."

At Milea's puzzled words, the pieces of a memory suddenly clicked into place in Letaria's mind.

"--Ah! That's it! She is the one I met in Cranea...!"

She was the very same kind woman who had once come to Letaria's rescue when she'd been accosted on the street -- back when Letaria had first left Seldia to visit Station Cranea, ostensibly on an inspection tour (in truth, little more than a field trip to see the world).