10-01-2013, 05:25 AM
An eerie quietness greet Nanoha as she exited the apartment on the morning of the Jubilee. The sky streets above were entirely devoid of the usual jam of flying vehicles, and even the ground level street only had a few cars and pedestrians travelling towards the centre districts of Coruscant. Raising Heart had already looked up the route the flying parade was intending to take and planned a direct ground route to one of the many designated entrance points for the parade grounds. It seemed that the parade itself would travel down cordoned off streets, with sections of the ground level streets and various higher tier terraces set aside for viewing points and general festival gatherings.
Nanoha had quickly grown tired of the automated transport systems the city had set aside for use by Primes, and over the past few evenings had been working on a detailed plan to enhance the design of the motorbike she had summoned back at the Nexus to use for her own personal transport within Coruscant.
If Omnilium allowed her to summon anything she could think of, then summoning a bike adapted to integrate Raising Heart as an onboard AI would be no problem at all. The end result took a good half hour of careful manipulation to summon, but after giving the vehicle a thorough inspection, Raising Heart indicated she was satisfied with it.
Travelling along the long streets and angular corners, laid bare by the absence of barely any other commuters, Nanoha had Raising Heart run a final diagnostic on her most recently restored system. This Jubilee would likely prove to be an excellent opportunity to test that the system was properly reactivated.
Presently they had reached the entrance point her Device had selected earlier. The streets here were crammed with people waiting in line to be allowed through the checkpoint to the terrace above. There were a lot of people; the lines spilled over along the sidewalks. It was a veritable sea of faces, some strangely alien, others as familiarly human as any Nanoha had seen before. Regardless, Nanoha had no interest in waiting in the line; patience was a virtue best saved for more productive purposes.
Looking around, Nanoha could see groups of the elite Coruscant guard dotting the vertical landscape of the streets- small observations platforms hovering scores of metres above the ground or jutting out of buildings. These were supposedly called ‘Space Marines’, powerful genetically engineered warriors wearing massive powered suits. Parking the bike and dismissing it- absorbing the Omnilium used to create it back into her, Nanoha picked out one of the formidable looking soldiers among the crowd. He was bulky man wearing a slimmed down version of the heavy armour the marines above wore. Nanoha had no idea if Dredd had altered his soldiers to the possibility of the newly arrived Primes being at the parade. It would, perhaps, be prudent to find that out Nanoha mused as she approached the man to get his attention.
“What is it, citizen? The queues are clearly marked.” The man’s response was curt, if somewhat respectful. He was clearly busy enough trying to manage whatever part of the crowd he had been assigned to.
“This is the entrance to the twenty-third floor terrace, right?”
“That is correct. Again, the queues are clearly marked. Take your place in line if you want to get there before the parade begins.” He turned his attention elsewhere, having determined that he shouldn’t need to divert his attention to one person for any longer.
That was fine by Nanoha. Happy to be certain this was the right place and that there were no limits imposed by the authorities on her or her fellows specifically, she calmed walked a few paces away from the man while detaching Raising Heart’s jewel from the chain around her neck. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, Nanoha murmured the words that were as second nature to her now.
“Raising Heart, if you would please?”
Standby, Ready. Set up: Axel Mode
There was a tingling in the air, warmth spreading across the ground below foot, a crackling of mana infused energy that lanced through her very being. It took barely more than the blink of an eye for her Barrier Jacket to sprout across her form, but as always the channelling of mana seemed to slow down time, spinning her focus in ever-increasing circles of convoluted discipline built up over a decade and a half of training and combat.
A certain sort of serenity always encompassed Nanoha as her friend and companion came to result, fully formed, in her left hand. Some would say she was born to be a Mage, but it was only in this moment of unison between Device and Magi that Nanoha ever truly wondered if that was the case. The familiar weigh of Raising Heart’s staff gripped firmly twixt her fingers calmed her to the very depths of her soul, even if combat was the eventuality they had engaged for.
Predictably, she heard gasps and shouts from the onlookers nearby. Cries of “A Prime!” “What just happened to her?” “Is that part of the show?” and the like filled the area around her, but Nanoha ignored it. Opening her eyes, she carefully set her feet apart and bent a little at the knees.
“Raising Heart, Axel Fin!”
Affirmative. Axel Fin.
Two pairs of iridescent wings fluttered into existence about her ankles, glowing with the brilliant colour of Sakura blossoms. With a little leap into their air from her readied stance, Nanoha shot into the air above.
It didn’t take too long for the crowd below to merge into one unidentifiable mass as Nanoha steadily climbed in altitude, rising up above some of the smaller buildings around. The taller buildings that the festival terrace was set into soon came into view not far below her, and she manoeuvred to glide down to the terrace itself. Flying was as naturally as running to her, if even more so after years of experience, but Nanoha could feel that the drain on Raising Heart’s incomplete systems was somewhat more pronounced that either Device or Mage were used to.
All systems functioning nominally. Test result data acceptable, proceeding with landing at designated location is advised.
“It feels good to be back in the air though, doesn’t it Raising Heart?” Nanoha felt more cheerful up here in the air than she had in days. It would be shame to land already, but she didn’t want to raise too much attention from the powers that controlled Coruscant.
It seemed her elation at being able to fly again had dulled Nanoha’s reasoning, however, since they had barely begun to glide down toward the terrace when Raising Heart’s voice rang out suddenly.
Unit approaching on intercept course.
Nanoha slowed quickly, turning to see who was approaching her out of the blue. A trio of the armoured elite guard were flying up toward her from one of the nearby observation platforms, using some sort of crude-looking jetpacks. They had weapons trained on her, but didn’t seem to be intending to open fire. One of them called to her as they approached.
“Halt, Prime. You are in currently restricted airspace; state the nature of your intentions.”
She should’ve known, Nanoha inwardly cursed. Getting too affixed on getting airborne again, she should’ve realised that a day like this would have air restrictions as much as anything else.
Before she had a chance to respond, one of the other two marines reached down to his plated belt and grabbed a small device.
“Call from the Judge, Strike Leader. For the Prime.”
The marine who had addressed her took the transmitter from him and tossed it towards Nanoha. “Judge Dredd wishes to speak with you. I suggest you don’t make him wait.”
Deftly catching the device, Nanoha thumbed what looked to be the answer button while holding Raising Heart’s jewel up to the side of it. It took the Device a moment to interface with the transmitter and project a visual feed into Nanoha’s magical display vision.
She was greeted by the scowling, helmeted, face of Judge Dredd. She couldn’t see his eyes under the helmet, but it was plain as day that he was glaring at her.
“Since when the fuck could you even fly, girlie? And what the fuck are you even doing up there? I told you all to keep a look out and not cause problems, was I somehow not clear enough?”
Nanoha had to suppress a chuckle at the man’s seething outburst. He likely had intense pressure on him during an event like this, but the dramatic tone of his greeting was typical tough guy behaviour. Nanoha had little patience for such schoolyard attitudes, and Dredd had done little to give himself a good impression in her eyes already.
“Oh I’ve always been able to fly, Dredd, I am an Aerial Combat Mage after all. Maybe if you were one for chit-chat you’d already know that. Regardless, I don’t see any problems here.”
The Judge snorted, “Combat Mage? In those clothes? Don’t be ridiculous. All you’re doing is causing a scene.”
“Ridiculous is calling yourself law enforcement while wearing a helmet you probably can’t even see out of properly!”
A heartbeat before Dredd opened his mouth to reply, Raising Heart’s voice rang out loudly over both of them.
Aerial surveillance covers more observable locations than ground-based watch, Judge Dredd. There are more prudent topics to discuss, my Master, such as the library.
Nanoha and Dredd glared at each other for a moment before they both replied at once.
“I need access to the library-“
“Fine you can fly around-“
They stopped again. If Devices could sigh, Raising Heart’s response would have no doubt begun with one.
If it is acceptable, we will survey the area around the parade itself from a respectable distance. In return, we request access to the Libarary of Coruscant.
Dredd took a few moments to take this in, before visibly waving his hand dismissively at them.
“Sure, fine. It’s always handy to have a Prime who can fly, and you can go check out that stupid library if you really want to. Remind me after the day is over and I’ll send through approval. We’re done here, Dredd out.”
The transmitter went silent as Raising Heart closed the view screen. The lead marine jetted closer and accepted the device back. He gave Nanoha a small nod as the trio fell back into their formation. He saluted slightly before he spoke in farewell, his voice betraying a slight tinge of begrudged respect.
“It’s not every day a new Prime gets even a word in edgeways with the Judge. Good luck.”
The marines descended back toward the observation post as Nanoha began to glide down toward the terrace again. The parade appeared to be just starting, but she wanted to grab a bite to each of the festival fare before taking up a vigil in the air.
As she gradually approached the crowed terrace filled with gaudy coloured stalls and traders trying to sell wares, Nanoha looked carefully for a clearing where she could land. It didn’t take long to spot a small zone that had been opened up around a cluster of marines, and she deftly landed there. The marines paid her no attention; it was likely that Dredd had already alerted them to her decided upon status here.
She browsed through the stalls for a short while, before purchasing a small chocolate treated shaped to look like King Bradley, complete with a small sabre at the ready in one hand. Walking over to the edge of the barricade that separated the terrace from the parade route, Nanoha had barely bitten the head off the chocolate figure when she spotted a familiar figure leaning over the barrier ahead of her. It was Blues.
“Blues! Hey! There you are!”
The robotic kid turned suddenly, one arm coming up at the ready until he saw who it was that approached her. He seemed to sigh in a sort of confused relief before greeting her, holding out his hand stiffly toward her.
“Nanoha. I’ve been wondering when I’d finally find you; I didn’t expect to see you until I got a chance to visit the library.”
She took his outstretched hand firmly and gave it a little shake before letting go. The android had cleaned up a bit since she’d last seen him; the chips and flecks of dirt and oil that had previously marred his surface had been repainted or polished out, and his apparently trademark sunglasses reflected the sunlight above with crystal clarity.
“It’s a good thing you haven’t visited the library yet, that Judge character has barred Primes from access without his approval it would seem. I see you’ve cleaned up a bit though, looking good kid.”
It is good to see you, Proto Man. Your systems are running optimally, I hope.
He smiled a little; perhaps feeling happy that his efforts in restoring his shell to original condition were recognised by someone other than himself.
“Well, I thought it’d be a good idea to check out this city for a few days first, and yeah: I’m doing fine Raising Heart. What have you two been up to?”
Nanoha swallowed the rest of the chocolate in one bite and dusted her hands off before leaning against the barricade next to Blues.
“Well, the same mostly. I spoke with Dredd just a little while ago though; he agreed to give me access to the library if I keep a look out over the parade from the air.”
Blues did that thing where he seemed to be trying to furrow his immovable brows, “You can fly?” He whistled a little bit in curious respect.
“Well… I am an Aerial Combat Mage.”
Nanoha had quickly grown tired of the automated transport systems the city had set aside for use by Primes, and over the past few evenings had been working on a detailed plan to enhance the design of the motorbike she had summoned back at the Nexus to use for her own personal transport within Coruscant.
If Omnilium allowed her to summon anything she could think of, then summoning a bike adapted to integrate Raising Heart as an onboard AI would be no problem at all. The end result took a good half hour of careful manipulation to summon, but after giving the vehicle a thorough inspection, Raising Heart indicated she was satisfied with it.
Travelling along the long streets and angular corners, laid bare by the absence of barely any other commuters, Nanoha had Raising Heart run a final diagnostic on her most recently restored system. This Jubilee would likely prove to be an excellent opportunity to test that the system was properly reactivated.
Presently they had reached the entrance point her Device had selected earlier. The streets here were crammed with people waiting in line to be allowed through the checkpoint to the terrace above. There were a lot of people; the lines spilled over along the sidewalks. It was a veritable sea of faces, some strangely alien, others as familiarly human as any Nanoha had seen before. Regardless, Nanoha had no interest in waiting in the line; patience was a virtue best saved for more productive purposes.
Looking around, Nanoha could see groups of the elite Coruscant guard dotting the vertical landscape of the streets- small observations platforms hovering scores of metres above the ground or jutting out of buildings. These were supposedly called ‘Space Marines’, powerful genetically engineered warriors wearing massive powered suits. Parking the bike and dismissing it- absorbing the Omnilium used to create it back into her, Nanoha picked out one of the formidable looking soldiers among the crowd. He was bulky man wearing a slimmed down version of the heavy armour the marines above wore. Nanoha had no idea if Dredd had altered his soldiers to the possibility of the newly arrived Primes being at the parade. It would, perhaps, be prudent to find that out Nanoha mused as she approached the man to get his attention.
“What is it, citizen? The queues are clearly marked.” The man’s response was curt, if somewhat respectful. He was clearly busy enough trying to manage whatever part of the crowd he had been assigned to.
“This is the entrance to the twenty-third floor terrace, right?”
“That is correct. Again, the queues are clearly marked. Take your place in line if you want to get there before the parade begins.” He turned his attention elsewhere, having determined that he shouldn’t need to divert his attention to one person for any longer.
That was fine by Nanoha. Happy to be certain this was the right place and that there were no limits imposed by the authorities on her or her fellows specifically, she calmed walked a few paces away from the man while detaching Raising Heart’s jewel from the chain around her neck. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, Nanoha murmured the words that were as second nature to her now.
“Raising Heart, if you would please?”
Standby, Ready. Set up: Axel Mode
There was a tingling in the air, warmth spreading across the ground below foot, a crackling of mana infused energy that lanced through her very being. It took barely more than the blink of an eye for her Barrier Jacket to sprout across her form, but as always the channelling of mana seemed to slow down time, spinning her focus in ever-increasing circles of convoluted discipline built up over a decade and a half of training and combat.
A certain sort of serenity always encompassed Nanoha as her friend and companion came to result, fully formed, in her left hand. Some would say she was born to be a Mage, but it was only in this moment of unison between Device and Magi that Nanoha ever truly wondered if that was the case. The familiar weigh of Raising Heart’s staff gripped firmly twixt her fingers calmed her to the very depths of her soul, even if combat was the eventuality they had engaged for.
Predictably, she heard gasps and shouts from the onlookers nearby. Cries of “A Prime!” “What just happened to her?” “Is that part of the show?” and the like filled the area around her, but Nanoha ignored it. Opening her eyes, she carefully set her feet apart and bent a little at the knees.
“Raising Heart, Axel Fin!”
Affirmative. Axel Fin.
Two pairs of iridescent wings fluttered into existence about her ankles, glowing with the brilliant colour of Sakura blossoms. With a little leap into their air from her readied stance, Nanoha shot into the air above.
It didn’t take too long for the crowd below to merge into one unidentifiable mass as Nanoha steadily climbed in altitude, rising up above some of the smaller buildings around. The taller buildings that the festival terrace was set into soon came into view not far below her, and she manoeuvred to glide down to the terrace itself. Flying was as naturally as running to her, if even more so after years of experience, but Nanoha could feel that the drain on Raising Heart’s incomplete systems was somewhat more pronounced that either Device or Mage were used to.
All systems functioning nominally. Test result data acceptable, proceeding with landing at designated location is advised.
“It feels good to be back in the air though, doesn’t it Raising Heart?” Nanoha felt more cheerful up here in the air than she had in days. It would be shame to land already, but she didn’t want to raise too much attention from the powers that controlled Coruscant.
It seemed her elation at being able to fly again had dulled Nanoha’s reasoning, however, since they had barely begun to glide down toward the terrace when Raising Heart’s voice rang out suddenly.
Unit approaching on intercept course.
Nanoha slowed quickly, turning to see who was approaching her out of the blue. A trio of the armoured elite guard were flying up toward her from one of the nearby observation platforms, using some sort of crude-looking jetpacks. They had weapons trained on her, but didn’t seem to be intending to open fire. One of them called to her as they approached.
“Halt, Prime. You are in currently restricted airspace; state the nature of your intentions.”
She should’ve known, Nanoha inwardly cursed. Getting too affixed on getting airborne again, she should’ve realised that a day like this would have air restrictions as much as anything else.
Before she had a chance to respond, one of the other two marines reached down to his plated belt and grabbed a small device.
“Call from the Judge, Strike Leader. For the Prime.”
The marine who had addressed her took the transmitter from him and tossed it towards Nanoha. “Judge Dredd wishes to speak with you. I suggest you don’t make him wait.”
Deftly catching the device, Nanoha thumbed what looked to be the answer button while holding Raising Heart’s jewel up to the side of it. It took the Device a moment to interface with the transmitter and project a visual feed into Nanoha’s magical display vision.
She was greeted by the scowling, helmeted, face of Judge Dredd. She couldn’t see his eyes under the helmet, but it was plain as day that he was glaring at her.
“Since when the fuck could you even fly, girlie? And what the fuck are you even doing up there? I told you all to keep a look out and not cause problems, was I somehow not clear enough?”
Nanoha had to suppress a chuckle at the man’s seething outburst. He likely had intense pressure on him during an event like this, but the dramatic tone of his greeting was typical tough guy behaviour. Nanoha had little patience for such schoolyard attitudes, and Dredd had done little to give himself a good impression in her eyes already.
“Oh I’ve always been able to fly, Dredd, I am an Aerial Combat Mage after all. Maybe if you were one for chit-chat you’d already know that. Regardless, I don’t see any problems here.”
The Judge snorted, “Combat Mage? In those clothes? Don’t be ridiculous. All you’re doing is causing a scene.”
“Ridiculous is calling yourself law enforcement while wearing a helmet you probably can’t even see out of properly!”
A heartbeat before Dredd opened his mouth to reply, Raising Heart’s voice rang out loudly over both of them.
Aerial surveillance covers more observable locations than ground-based watch, Judge Dredd. There are more prudent topics to discuss, my Master, such as the library.
Nanoha and Dredd glared at each other for a moment before they both replied at once.
“I need access to the library-“
“Fine you can fly around-“
They stopped again. If Devices could sigh, Raising Heart’s response would have no doubt begun with one.
If it is acceptable, we will survey the area around the parade itself from a respectable distance. In return, we request access to the Libarary of Coruscant.
Dredd took a few moments to take this in, before visibly waving his hand dismissively at them.
“Sure, fine. It’s always handy to have a Prime who can fly, and you can go check out that stupid library if you really want to. Remind me after the day is over and I’ll send through approval. We’re done here, Dredd out.”
The transmitter went silent as Raising Heart closed the view screen. The lead marine jetted closer and accepted the device back. He gave Nanoha a small nod as the trio fell back into their formation. He saluted slightly before he spoke in farewell, his voice betraying a slight tinge of begrudged respect.
“It’s not every day a new Prime gets even a word in edgeways with the Judge. Good luck.”
The marines descended back toward the observation post as Nanoha began to glide down toward the terrace again. The parade appeared to be just starting, but she wanted to grab a bite to each of the festival fare before taking up a vigil in the air.
As she gradually approached the crowed terrace filled with gaudy coloured stalls and traders trying to sell wares, Nanoha looked carefully for a clearing where she could land. It didn’t take long to spot a small zone that had been opened up around a cluster of marines, and she deftly landed there. The marines paid her no attention; it was likely that Dredd had already alerted them to her decided upon status here.
She browsed through the stalls for a short while, before purchasing a small chocolate treated shaped to look like King Bradley, complete with a small sabre at the ready in one hand. Walking over to the edge of the barricade that separated the terrace from the parade route, Nanoha had barely bitten the head off the chocolate figure when she spotted a familiar figure leaning over the barrier ahead of her. It was Blues.
“Blues! Hey! There you are!”
The robotic kid turned suddenly, one arm coming up at the ready until he saw who it was that approached her. He seemed to sigh in a sort of confused relief before greeting her, holding out his hand stiffly toward her.
“Nanoha. I’ve been wondering when I’d finally find you; I didn’t expect to see you until I got a chance to visit the library.”
She took his outstretched hand firmly and gave it a little shake before letting go. The android had cleaned up a bit since she’d last seen him; the chips and flecks of dirt and oil that had previously marred his surface had been repainted or polished out, and his apparently trademark sunglasses reflected the sunlight above with crystal clarity.
“It’s a good thing you haven’t visited the library yet, that Judge character has barred Primes from access without his approval it would seem. I see you’ve cleaned up a bit though, looking good kid.”
It is good to see you, Proto Man. Your systems are running optimally, I hope.
He smiled a little; perhaps feeling happy that his efforts in restoring his shell to original condition were recognised by someone other than himself.
“Well, I thought it’d be a good idea to check out this city for a few days first, and yeah: I’m doing fine Raising Heart. What have you two been up to?”
Nanoha swallowed the rest of the chocolate in one bite and dusted her hands off before leaning against the barricade next to Blues.
“Well, the same mostly. I spoke with Dredd just a little while ago though; he agreed to give me access to the library if I keep a look out over the parade from the air.”
Blues did that thing where he seemed to be trying to furrow his immovable brows, “You can fly?” He whistled a little bit in curious respect.
“Well… I am an Aerial Combat Mage.”
![[Image: nanoha_zps8059419b.jpg]](http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b330/KiroX2/nanoha_zps8059419b.jpg)