From outside, the Imperial archive loomed menacingly over her. Despite an exterior which reflected the splendor of the Empire, she could feel the ludicrous amounts of letters hidden within crawl up her back. On the way, Rein had described it as the center for all the darkest secrets, hidden deep within a vault buried beneath the city. Standing outside, she noticed how they stuck out like a plagued thumb. Immediately, her senses began to peak, as she felt a strike could land at any moment.

“Plan you guys. Me and Carys will be at the front, asking for a file we know is in the same sector, and suggesting we were told it is missing. Meanwhile, Tilia, Ferran and Indas, you’ll be following the guards down into the vault…” Rein handed them each a small pack containing what appeared to be a kind of break-in toolkit.

“Indas will find the correct file, Tilia, you’ll be creating some minor disturbances, while Ferran, will cover for Indas… Any questions?”

“Oh! Oh! Me!”

“What is it Tili?”

“Can I blow up some people?”

“Well… It’s a vault, an old, dusty and crumbling vault… So no.”

“Awhh!” While Tilia complained, felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head just in time to see a furious volley of gestures from Indas.

“He says he’s counting on you, and asking if, you’re ready to go?” Carys translated with a bit of a scowl. Out of the two, she was easily the one feeling the most uncomfortable: Dressed in a maidservant’s garb, complete with a while frilled apron and even lacquered shoes, the pure white and black only enhanced the experience of her furiously tomato-tinted face. To her side was Rein, looking smugly spoiled and of a high rank in some well-off household. She found the sight rather amusing, and as they began splitting up, she decided to tell Carys what she thought.

“I think you look nice.” Her words were met by a bothered ‘hmf’ from Carys, that despite its worded content, sounded just a slight bit happy.

She followed Indas in behind the building, followed by Tilia. A small back door led into a small room behind the main counters. He peered around, and pointed towards a metal grate. She tried to reach for it, but it was out of her reach.

“…”

“Ohh... Ferran, could you bend down a little? Indas wants me to climb onto your shoulders. She bent down, and Tilia jumped on her shoulders. Her weight reflected her slight appearance perfectly. She raised her up and after some careful application of cloth and lifting the grate with a chisel, she slid it silently into the canal.

They climbed up and into the canal and crept around for a while until they came across a grate, providing a good view of the main hall. Rein and Carys had already reached the front counter and were dominating the man manning the post. The poor man appeared to be faltering.

“Now we’re supposed to wait… Let’s hope they’ll send someone down just to make sure.”

Down below, the man appeared to be losing ground fast. He called for someone to take over, excused himself and left through a door in the back.

“Ooh. And there he goes, let’s follow him.” Tilia gently pushed her forward from behind.

The small group of infiltrators continued down the duct, and soon reached what appeared to be an entryway to a cellar of some kind. Down below, their mark was negotiating the few steps down to the door, where two heavily armed guards stood silently. As he approached, the guards crossed their heavy halberds, blocking his path. The man made a gesture, and the guards returned their weapons to attention. He inserted a small key into a nearby keyhole, and the working sound of well-lubricated lockwork began to click and hum from somewhere close by.

Almost without a sound, the large metal doors swung open.

“Neat trick… You know, I’d like to tamper with it someday…” Tilia grinned while producing a pair of strange metal object from her pack.

“And those are?”

“My very own marionette contraption! Soon as that guy finishes staring at the doorway… I’ll show you how it works.”