“…still a hundred kilometres away.”

“But we shouldn’t let our guard down,” said Senator Harlinder. “It’ll be a problem if they return too quickly and their battlefield heads in our direction.”

“Oh, don’t sweat it. Other than the really small possibility that the two’s battle is going to come our way, I’m sure that they’re having fun camping out in the wild,” said Senator Guo Ming. “These geezers have been complaining for a holiday. This plan of theirs is one barely disguised as a getaway, let’s be honest about it.”

Gemini mulled over the possibility of the Paragons having fun at a camp like students, and found that mental image particularly hard to conjure up. They were too old to be frolicking around in the wilderness, and more importantly, it just didn’t fit their image.

“I can’t really jibe with that suggestion, though.” Harlinder frowned, creating a few creases on her forehead. “These old men would prefer passing days by in a lazy manner with the needs of life prepared for them where possible.”

“You only say this in their absence,” Guo Ming replied, a teasing smile on her face. “I’ll be sure to tell them your words when they return.”

“Hey.”

Gemini cleared his throat, ending their current conversation before Lila, who was poking around the pantry in search of more treats, could take in their words. “How’s the research on the Champion Support System going?”

“Quite badly, I’m afraid,” said Senator Guo Ming. “Lord Emily’s own version of the CSS is far inferior to yours.”

Emily Lorenze, also known as the Memory Sifter. The only other person from Earth in Ark City. She had been in their employ for around two decades or so. Reportedly, she looked as young as Gemini, but something about her prevented her looks from appearing a day older than twenty-five. She had fled her old city after she heard that people from the Central Circle was enroute to cart her off, eventually showing up in Ark City to offer her services as a scientist and researcher.

“Has she requested for a face-to-face interview with me yet?” Gemini asked. “My level’s been rising slowly, and I can’t stop that from happening.”

“She’s still isn’t willing to meet anyone. The last assassination attempt still burns fresh in her mind,” said Senator Harlinder. “It’s been fifteen years, but Emily continues to worry about her safety. Still, she’s been easing off recently, and someone like you is really helping, so don’t lose hope.”

“We’re…in the Wildlands,” said Gemini. “Shouldn’t it be the safest place of all?”

“That’s what we told her, but she reminded us that there were probably still some long-term spies hiding in Ark City.” The senator sighed. “You have to understand her viewpoint — she fought her way into exile, and even under our protection, she used to be a constant target.”

“Why?” Gemini asked.

“She’s too brilliant. Her inventions, the artefacts she created…our recent developments in our defences can be almost solely attributed to her. Ark City is a fortress, a true fortress in every sense of the word, and all of this was made possible by her.”

The Constellation thought through her words for a moment, and then understanding followed. “The food supplies.”

“You’re a fast one, Paragon.” Harlinder inclined her head. “Yes, she came up with a whole system to automate animal and plant rearing, harvesting and processing. She is a genius, in every sense of the word. Any nation with her under their employment is bound to grow rapidly. If she hadn’t killed Aquitaine Junior to protect herself years ago, she wouldn't have fled to Ark City, and…”

“Ark City may have fallen years ago.” Gemini completed her words.

“Yes.” The senator glanced at Lila, who was returning from the pantry in the side room, and changed the topic abruptly. “Back to the CSS. She’s intrigued by your multi-functional version of the CSS, however. Her latest request is for you to map out and write a detailed report about everything you can think about. And well…a meeting isn’t off the charts after that.”

“I’ll try,” said Gemini. “But is it really going to work? I don’t know what Lord Emily wants from my description — I’m a user, not a professional like her.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll send you the list of questions she wrote for you later.” She tapped her fingers thoughtfully. “I’ve looked through them, and they’re designed for people with little knowledge in the analytical arts. Just answer them to the best of your ability, and you’ll be fine.”

Lila nibbled on the last biscuit in her hand and returned to the pantry. Once she left the room, Senator Guo Ming looked at her departing figure and said, “Ars-Lila here…has she been giving you any problems, Paragon? I’ve heard things from my daughter about how she’s disturbing you.”

Gemini’s face darkened. “That’s a load of hogwash. I’m happy to have her company, and she with mine.”

“I see,” said the senator. “Would you like to meet her and clear the air?”

“There’s no need to,” Gemini replied brusquely. “Your daughter, like the other children of the senators in Ark City, have their own agendas. I, however, am not interested in such games. I am a defender of this city. Not a politician. Since we’re on this topic, let it be known here and now, that if anything happens to Lila, I will not spare the culprits responsible, their families be damned.”

The table the three of them were sitting on trembled slightly, and Senator Guo Ming’s face changed. “I see. My apologies for this. I will…make the appropriate remarks to my children tonight.”

“I’ll be sure to spread your words to the other senators,” said Senator Harlinder.

“See that you do,” said Gemini. “She is a guest of ours, first and foremost. More importantly, she holds a way for us to return to the Five Lands if we are forced to flee. Let us not crush our lifeline through the words of the younger generation.”

He got up and walked out of the room. Lila followed him out, her presence once again drawing the eyes of everyone inside the room. It wasn’t her appearance — Lila wasn’t particularly eye-catching on her own — but Gemini was. The Constellation frowned slightly, and left the Congress building.