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Chains of Birth

Started by Senkusha, Wednesday, February 01, 2023, 11:26

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Senkusha

Chains of Birth (Part I of the "Chains of Life" Series)
Chapter One:  "Alone"
Setting:  Aboard the Arthra, Brig
Time:  Wednesday, May 19, 2004 @ 17:35 hours
 
I stood in the brig of the Arthra as the force-field came to life behind me.  The walls were smooth, steel and grey. A matching toilet with no privacy was in the corner, along with a open shower. A glowing red LED button at eye level, I'm guessing for a bed to slide out, was in the middle of the rear wall.  For the first time in my life, I was truly alone. There had always been somebody with me, especially Arf.  I could feel warm tears threatening as my eyes filled, and blurred my vision. I turned around and stared through the clear energy barrier.  The brig sat empty, no guards, the only sound that filled the room was the buzz of the force-field in front of me.  The lights were dim and I let out a sigh that I wasn't aware I was holding in and then I walked over the opposite corner from the toilet, sat down bringing my knees to my chest and silently allowed the tears welling up in my eyes to fall.
 
"A-hem."  A male's voice echoed throughout the brig a few minutes later.  I looked up to see Chrono standing at the barrier, with Captain Lindy Harlaown to his right.  I quickly wiped my face with the back of my arm and stood up.  I approached the door.
 
"Good evening Miss Testarossa.", Lindy said softly with a smile.  "Are you hungry?"
 
I nodded, still staring at my toes.  I had been stripped of my barrier jacket, and instead wore an oversized grey one-piece suit that appeared as if it would fall off of me if I sneezed.  It was rare that the Brig was used, and hardly for enemies of my stature and age.
 
"Okay, great."  Miss Lindy said and looked at Chrono.  "Please escort Miss Testarossa to the cafeteria."
 
"Yes Ma'am."
 
The force-field disengaged and the buzzing stopped.  Chrono stepped inside the cell and stood next to me, and gently locked my left arm with his right.  Needless to say, I felt a bit uncomfortable.
 
"Let's go." Chrono said and began walking.  He slowed down when he noticed that I was struggling with my suit.  "Amy's working on something for you."  He smiled.
We walked in silence through the corridors of the Arthra.  After what seemed forever, I finally realized where we were.  The cafeteria.  Miss Lindy took the lead here, and walked up to the counter, picking up three metal trays and handing them to the clerk behind the counter.
 
"Ah, it's nice to see you actually coming down here to eat, instead of being cooped up in your office, Captain."
 
"Yes, it is nice to be out and about.  Could you please prepare the evening special for the three of us?"  Lindy replied.
 
"Of course, Ma'am."  He gazed at me, probably wondering who I am, and why I'm here and not in the Brig.  I felt his eyes scanning my body, and I couldn't help to not blush as I was creeped out.  "Alright, give me a couple of minutes.  Your table is ready, as always."
 
"Thank you."  Miss Lindy said just as politely as she had been speaking to me, and led us to a round table with a clean white linen cloth draped over it.
 
Chrono released my arm, and pulled out a chair for me.  I sat down on the chair, and he lifted up the back and pushed me closer to the table.  I wasn't prepared for this, and squeaked loudly.
 
"Eek!"
 
I noticed that everyone in the cafeteria was staring at me.  I bowed my head and sunk into my chair.
 
"Oh, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to surprise you..."
 
I turned to see him sitting down, with a slight blush on his face.
 
"M-Miss Lindy?", I looked up at her and noticed she was smiling.
 
"Yes?"
 
"Um... Why... am I here... and not in--?"
 
"—Why you're not in the brig?"  Miss Lindy smiled.  "Because I wanted to talk with you, and get to know you a little better."
 
"Is-Isn't everything in my file?"  I asked.
 
"Certainly not.", she replied and patted my head, "Actually, we don't really know much about you, and I'm sure you have some incredible stories to share."
 
"I don't have any." I replied, staring down at the table.
 
"Of course you do, Miss Testarossa."  Miss Lindy said, as she got up and knelt down next to me.  "Everybody has a story.  And so do you."
 
"Hmph.  My life isn't mine.  I'm only a fake, and a failure.  My mother despised me!"
 
"That's not true."  Miss Lindy said firmly and wrapped her arm around my back. "You're not a failure, and certainly not a fake, Miss Testarossa—"
 
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"  I immediately wish I could have taken that back.  All the background chatter had stopped.  I heard somebody cough somewhere in the room.  I looked around and saw everybody was staring at me, and somehow, I was now standing. 
 
"Ah.  I'm sorry."  I sat back down and tears stung in my eyes.  That's it.  I was going back to the brig, and Miss Lindy "would... hate... me..., and I *sniff*..."
 
"Oh, Fate, we don't hate you."  Miss Lindy said softly.
 
"Ah!  Y-You heard ... that?"
 
"Yes. We did, Fate."  Chrono said quietly, slightly embarrassed.
 
"Ah, here's a Captain's meal, if I ever did see one." The clerk had personally delivered our food.
 
"Thank you."  Miss Lindy said, and turned her attention back to me.  "Let's eat a delicious dinner together now, okay?"
 
There was all kinds of foods that I wasn't used to.  I saw buttery mashed potatoes, leafy greens with carrots, tomatoes, and other green vegetables.  I had never had a tomato before.  In the center of my tray was a slab of meat, and a dark reddish sauce next to it in a tiny bowl.  Mushrooms and onions were placed to the side.  A rotary of sauces sat in the middle of the table, along with a loaf of freshly baked bread, and in a corner of my tray was a tall glass of, is that orange juice?  I noticed there weren't any chopsticks, but a set of utensils wrapped in a thick white cloth.  I glanced over at Chrono, who was cutting the meat into bite-sized squares.  Miss Lindy was mixing her greens and pouring a creamy sauce over them in a circle.
I took a piece of the meat and tried it.  Oh!  It was so juicy and it melted in my mouth.  I felt a smile on my face, and quickly took another bite.
 
"My, Fate.  You're really hungry aren't you?"  Miss Lindy said.  I looked up at her with a bite in my mouth and she was smiling broadly.
 
"Yes."  I said, and noticed that Miss Lindy had the mushrooms and onions on top of her steak, however, she was cutting her steak as she was eating it.  I took a mushroom, onion, and a piece of steak and tried that.
 
"Wow!", I said.  The flavors popped in my mouth, it felt like life itself.  Tangy and familiar, like a beef-filled rice ball.  Both Miss Lindy and Chrono seemed amused, and chuckled.
 
"I've made up my mind." Miss Lindy said and tapped a bracelet on her arm.  "Miss Amy, would you kindly report to room Alpha-Three with the datapad sitting on my desk, in thirty minutes please?"
 
"A-3?"
 
"Yes."
 
"Acknowledged, Ma'am."
 
Miss Lindy took their time eating, while I seemed like I was rushing.  I felt like this wonderful food would be taken away as quickly as it arrived, and I was determined not to waste any of it.
 
"Chrono, what research have you gathered so far on Fate's case?"  Miss Lindy asked.
 
"Not much, I'm afraid.  There's only the interviews I've had with Nanoha, Yuuno, and Arf, as well as the recorded videos of Nanoha and Fate in combat and of Percia herself admitting her feelings toward Fate." He said.
 
"I don't think we should include the combat recordings.  I feel it would bring a shadow against Fate's motivations."
 
"Well, hopefully after tonight, we may gain more insight about the relationships Fate has had growing up."  Chrono said.  Miss Lindy glared at him.  "Oh, um.  I'm sorry."
 
Lindy sighed.
 
"It's okay, Chrono.  She looked at me.  After a moment, so did Chrono.
 
"Um, well, I guess you already know about Arf, and Nanoha..." I said.
 
"Yes.  We were hoping to learn about how your mother treated you before her... speech a few days ago."  Chrono said plainly.
 
"Although, perhaps this isn't the best place to discuss such topics.  Shall we go?"  Miss Lindy said with a glean in her eyes and stood up.
 
Chrono and I followed her lead and Chrono helped me up, and again, locked his arm around mine and we followed Miss Lindy down another set of corridors, we finally came to a door where Miss Lindy stopped.  She pushed a button and spoke.
 
"Miss Amy, is everything ready?"
 
"Ah, Captain, yes!  I thought you'd never get done with dinner." She replied.
 
"Captain?"  Chrono asked.
 
A moment later, the door slid open automatically and we walked into the room.  There were several people inside, Miss Amy was the only one I recognized, with a beaming smile on her face.
 
"Welcome to room Alpha-Three!"  Miss Amy said.  "Check it out!"
I looked around the room, along with Chrono and Miss Lindy.
 
"Why is it pink?"  Chrono blurted out.
 
Indeed, the room was covered in pink.  There was a very large bed with so many pillows on it, up against one wall with a large white curtain-tied window behind it.  Next to the bed was a small table with a flat control panel.  I turned right, to see two closed doors, and to the right of them were two large white dressers, one with a large mirror and several lights surrounding the frame.  The door behind us slid shut, and I noticed a reflection of myself wearing the grey suit from head to toe.  On the other side of the door, was a few comfortable looking seats and a couch with a low, long table between them.  A soft yellow light shined down on them.  Over in the final corner of the room, sat a large L-shaped desk with empty book shelves, and a high-backed chair with another yellow light shining down on it.
 
"Because I talked to Nanoha, and asked her how she would design a room for Fate, and this is the result."  Miss Lindy said.
 
"It's the best I could do.  Oh! and don't forget this.  Nanoha insisted that you have it."  Miss Amy said, handing me a moderately sized stuffed dog.
 
I studied it and was at a loss, and looked up to Miss Amy.
 
"Nanoha said that this is your first present from her.  'Every girl needs a stuffed animal', she said." Miss Amy answered.
 
I looked back down at the soft dog, and tears welled up in my eyes.  I squeezed it closely to my chest.  Oh, Nanoha... I miss you already.
 
"Come have a seat."  Miss Lindy directed me over to one of the chairs.  It was really cozy and soft.  Most of the other's left the room.  It was only Miss Lindy, Chrono, Miss Amy, and myself who remained.
 
"You did an amazing job, Amy."
 
"Thank you, Captain.  The pictures that Nanoha provided really helped." Amy paused and glanced at me. "I think Fate is going to love her new room!"
 
"Huh—Wha?" I looked at Miss Lindy.
 
"Yes, Fate.  This is your room.  You and Arf won't be spending any more time in the brig."  Miss Lindy replied.
 
"Oh... Thank you!!"  I jumped over and hugged Miss Lindy.  Chrono and Miss Amy both looked at each other and laughed.
 
"I—is it okay for me to come out now?"  Arf said.
I looked around Miss Lindy's shoulder and saw my dear, Arf peaking her head out of one of the doors that was shut.
 
"Oh, yes." Miss Lindy said, embarrassed.  "Yes, sorry, Arf."
 
"Fate!"  Arf said, walking over toward me with her arms open and a giant smile on her face.
 
"Arf!!", Miss Lindy let me go, and I nearly leapt into Arf's arms. "I'm so glad to see you again!"
 
"So am I, Fate.  Everything is going to be much better now."  Arf said.
 
"Yes, it will be.  I wanted you both to relax as much as possible before the trial." Miss Lindy said.
 
"Mo—Captain,"  Chrono said, catching himself. "How?  Fate and Arf are prisoners, they aren't allowed to roam the ship freely."
 
"Yes, about that.  I suggest that we all have a seat. I have an announcement to make.
 
We all walked back to the chairs and couches.  Miss Lindy let Arf and I sit on the couch.  Miss Lindy remained standing, with a smile on her face.
 
"I had a conference with Admiral Lowran and a few other Admirals at Head Quarters.  I filed a motion for guardianship over Fate and Arf, seeing as they are both minors and have no other known family members who could take them in."
 
Miss Lindy paused and looked around at each of us.  I felt tears filling in my eyes already, and Arf must have sensed it, because she wrapped an arm around me.  Chrono looked like he was shocked, and was about to make a comment, when Miss Lindy raised her palm in front of her towards Chrono.
 
"Furthermore, now is a critical time for both Fate and Arf to heal from the tremendous abusive trauma that Percia had put them through.  Being placed in a more relaxed environment could allow that healing to work faster, and therefore, easier to collect further truth from the victims of this atrocity.  After a long conversation, the Administration agreed with my argument, and agreed, that since I will be taking Fate and Arf into my personal care, that it would make more sense to have both of them closer to their guardian."
 
Miss Lindy took another breath.  I was already crying silently.  I felt relieved that Arf and I wouldn't be alone anymore.  Chrono glanced over at me and smiled, while Miss Amy was already beside herself with excitement.
 
"However,"  Miss Lindy looked right at me, "Fate, this means that you will obey everything that I or any of my Crew directs you to do.  As part of your transfer into the Time and Space Administration Bureau, you will begin training under the guidance of Enforcer Chrono, and at the conclusion of a positive outcome of this trial, you shall become a Part Time mage for us."
 
"Yes ma'am."  I replied.
 
"Why more training.  She's done that since she was born."  Arf said. "Doesn't she deserve a break?  Time to be a normal child, and how to learn to be one?"
 
"Yes, Arf.  Those are indeed very good points you make.  I have considered these points.  And the Administration agrees with you, but with this condition."  Miss Lindy said, and then walked over to me and knelt down to eye level with me.  "Fate, the Bureau simply doesn't trust you yet.  They haven't met you, like we have.  They do, however, see great potential in you, as well as with Nanoha.  Therefore, Admiral Lowran personally mandated the enlistment of both you and Nanoha into the Bureau.  The two of you are simply too dangerous being untrained, and undisciplined as you are."
 
"Isn't that great, Fate?" Arf said, "It already looks like we may be cleared—"
 
"It's not that simple, Arf."  Miss Lindy said. "That's the condition if you are cleared.  Otherwise, you're both looking at a significant amount of prison time.  Years, perhaps decades.  All of us in this room, know that your mother is to blame for this mess, however, as it was you and you," She looked at me and Arf, "that were doing these actions, ultimately you two are being held responsible."
 
"Fate didn't understand what she was doing.  All she knew is that she wanted to help her mother—"  Arf said.
 
"Yes, Arf, we all know that.  Fate, is a bit naïve, and that's not her fault.  That's our intention to prove that her mother coerced her to do these things."  Chrono said.  He looked into my eyes and said, "Fate.  We're all fighting for you.  I see why the Captain has set all of this up now."
 
"All you need to do is rest, relax, and just answer our questions as best you can.  The more you can tell us, the better we can do our jobs to save you from this mess." Miss Amy said.
 
"Okay. I will."  I said.
 
"I understand that this will probably not be easy for you, Fate. You suffered greatly, and I'll arrange for any additional therapy that you require.  Okay?"
 
"Yes, Miss Lindy."  I replied.
 
"Now, " Miss Lindy stood up."  Shall we let Fate have some time to clean up?"
That was a rhetorical question.  Everybody stood up, with the exception of Arf and I and quietly left the room.
 
"Fate, be sure to get some good sleep.  I'll page you in the morning."  Miss Lindy said and the door slid shut.  Arf looked at me and smiled. 
 
"Let's get you out of that ridiculous suit.  And just wait until you try the bath!  It's amazing."
 
She took my arm and guided me into the room she came out of and a soft light flickered to life.  The door slid shut behind me.

Favored Class:  Magical Girl

Senkusha

Chains of Birth (Part I of the "Chains of LIfe" Series)
Chapter Two:  "Miss Lindy"
Setting:  Aboard the Arthra, Room Alpha-Three (A3) aka Fate's quarters
Time:  Thursday, May 20, 2004 @  08:00 hours
 
"Fate?"  I heard Miss Lindy's sweet voice gently calling my name, as if she was near me.
 
"Fate??  It's time to wake up."  She said again.
 
I felt a warm hand brushing my hair back.  As I opened my eyes, I saw a blurry Miss Lindy staring down at me, with her kind eyes looking into mine.  I looked over to my right, then to my left, and realized that Arf wasn't there.
 
"Relax, Fate, she woke up a couple hours ago, and has been talking to Chrono ever since.  She's very eager to help with your case, Fate, and didn't want to waste any time."  Miss Lindy said, sensing my alarm.
 
I tossed the cover off of me and slowly sat up.  Mother's lashings still stung three days later.  Miss Lindy was sitting on the edge of the bed and helped me up.  She saw something.
 
"Fate, I need to see something.  Please stand up."
 
"Yes Ma'am."
 
I got up out of the bed and stood in front of her.  She turned me around, and lifted the nightgown Arf had found for me last night.
 
"Did Percia do this to you?"  She asked.  I heard anger in her voice.
 
"Y-yes."
 
"Does this hurt?"  She said and ran her finger along one of the fresh scars.
 
"Ah!  Y-yes!"
 
She turned me to face her and she studied my body, lifting the front of the gown slightly.  She lowered my gown and reached at her wrist, and spoke into it.
 
"Amy, could you please come to Fate's room with a recorder, and please page the senior medical attendant."
 
"Yes Ma'am."  Miss Amy replied.
 
"It's alright.  I'll heal soon."  I said.
 
"No, Fate, this isn't alright."  She sighed.  "Why—"
 
The door buzzed.
 
"Come in."  Lindy said firmly.
 
Miss Amy and a man entered the room. Each one held a recording device.
 
"Good.  Nice and prompt.  Miss Amy?  Could you please record this?"  Miss Lindy paused as she took off the nightgown and revealed my lacerated body.  "You have some explaining to do, Doctor." She paused again and stepped away from me.  "Please spin around very slowly, Fate."
 
Amy gasped, and held up the recorder, then positioned herself for the best angle.  I slowly turned, and heard her gasp louder when she saw my back.  When I finished my spin, I crossed my arms over my chest and I could feel myself blushing.
 
"Fate, why don't you clean up, and get ready for the day.  I suggest that you take a nice relaxing long shower."  Miss Lindy said.  I quickly walked past Amy and the Doctor and into the bathroom.  The door shut behind me.
 
"Why wasn't I notified about the severity of her injuries?!"  I heard Miss Lindy's angered voice.
 
"Ma'am, It was extremely busy yesterday.  We had that minor accident in Engineering and when I examined her, she said that she was fine, and—"
 
"I don't hear any water running, Fate."  Miss Lindy said loudly.
 
I jumped over to the shower unit and quickly deciphered how to operate it.  I wasn't prepared for the stream of hot water when it hit my body and screamed.
 
"AHHH!"
 
A moment later Miss Amy entered and quickly shut the door behind her.  She momentarily looked away and took a deep breath before she looked back at me.
 
I'm sure the Captain didn't mean this.  Here, I'll give you a sponge bath instead, okay?"
 
"O-okay."
 
Miss Amy was very gentle and careful as she dabbed the warm soapy sponge on me and again as she used a fluffy towel when she dried me off.  After she was done with that, she draped a dry towel over my shoulders, and then gave me an end of each side for me to hold closed.  She took another dry towel and wrapped my hair in it on top of my head.
When she opened the door, I saw Miss Lindy sitting on my freshly made bed, typing into a datapad.  I saw that she had also picked out the clothes that I would wear today – A very loose fitting, short-sleeve A-line styled dress with a colorful floral pattern on it.  Next to it was a simple pair of underwear and short socks.  On the nightstand, I saw several rolls of bandages, some kind of cream in a tube and a pair of blunt-tipped scissors.
 
"Come over here Fate."  Miss Lindy said.
 
I stood in front of her, and she took the towel I was holding and opened the tube of cream, spread it on both of her hands and gently began spreading it into my lashings on my back.
 
"Miss Amy, would please assist Fate in dressing herself?"
 
"Yes, of course."
 
While Amy dressed me from toes, up, while Miss Lindy applied the warm soothing  cream to my wounds.  Miss Lindy had me face her, as she applied the cream and then several bandages to my chest and stomach, then Miss Amy lifted my arms and lowered the knee length dress onto me.
 
"This feels weird."  I said.  Miss Lindy and Miss Amy both looked at me.  "My clothes are usually tight against my body."
 
"Oh, no.  You wouldn't want that.  You don't want to aggravate your wounds like that."  Miss Lindy said, then she looked at Miss Amy.  "I think we'll conduct Fate's interview in here for the next few days."
 
"Yes Ma'am.  I'm going to grab some of these pillows and pile them on the couch over there and make her a nice back padded seat."
 
Miss Amy gently picked up the stuffed dog that Nanoha had given me, and gave it to me.
 
"Why are you giving me this?"
 
"I have a feeling you'll need it."  She replied and then grabbed some pillows from the bed and brought them over to the couch, while I saw Miss Lindy grab a very think warm blanket out of my closet and set it on the couch next to the pillows Amy was arranging.
 
After Miss Amy was done, she placed a data recorder on the wall staring at the pillows where I was to sit.  She looked over at me and smiled, then she looked over at Miss Lindy.
 
"With your permission, ma'am, I have other duties to perform."
 
"Granted, Amy."
 
"Yes ma'am."  Amy replied and quietly left the room.
 
"Ah, Fate, let's sit down and have a chat.  Would you like tea or anything?"
 
Miss Lindy walked over to one of the book shelves, and opened a small door that I hadn't seen before and pulled out two mugs and a tea pot.  She closed that door, and then opened a larger door, near the bottom of the wall and pulled out a small container with a pour spout on it.
 
"Um, yes.  I guess."
 
"Very good.  Please sit down and make yourself as comfortable as you can."
 
"Why is there a blanket here?  It's pretty warm in here."
 
"Oh, sometimes during an intense interview, you may feel cold all of a sudden.  The blanket is there for you.  And in some cases, I've found a blanket can be an aid for victims of certain crimes."  She looked back at me and smiled gently.  Then resumed pouring a hot beverage into the two mugs.
 
I did as she suggested, and sat down into the pillowed fortress of a couch.  I examined the stuffed dog that Nanoha had given me while I waited for Miss Lindy to finish up.  It was a brownish and red colored dog, with some fringe-like hair on the top, with large blue and white rounded eyes, a dark nose, and a floppy tongue hanging out of its mouth.  The tail was mostly stiff, but was very thick padding.  The whole thing was very soft and squishy and bounced back into shape when I let go of it.  I held it up to my cheek and caught the scent of lavender, and immediately felt more calm.
 
Miss Lindy approached and set down two mugs of steaming green tea, both fixed the way she liked, with tiny sugar cubes and cream, then she took a seat across from me in one of the chairs and crossed her legs.
 
"Now, Fate.  I hope this won't be too intense for you, but, I will start this off very easy.  Just answer the questions as truthfully as you can.  Feel free to explain anything more if you need to, and be as open with your feelings as you can."
 
"Yes, Ma'am."  I stared down at the table and picked up my tea. I noticed that a new box of tissues was there now.
 
"For the record, please state your full name, age, and where you are right now."  Miss Lindy said gently.  I looked up, and noticed a tiny green light was on the data recorder now.
 
"My name is Fate Testarossa. I'm nine years old, and I'm aboard the Arthra, in my quarters, Alpha-Three?"
 
"An excellent, full answer.  Yes, you are in room Alpha-Three."
 
"And who is current guardian?"
 
"Um, that's you?"
 
"Yes. For the record, I am Captain Lindy Harlaown, Captain of the Arthra, a L-class patrol ship."
 
"Who was your previous guardian?"
 
"My Mother, Percia Testarossa."
 
"And where is your mother, Fate?"
 
"She's dead."
 
"That was excellent, Fate.  Now I'm going to ask some harder questions.  Just be sure to be as clear and honest as you have been, okay?"  She smiled gently.
 
"Okay, Miss Lindy."
 
"Before now, where did you live?"
 
"On Earth."
 
"And were you alone?
 
"No.  My companion, Arf, lived with me.  She took care of me."
 
"Where was your mother, Fate?"
 
"She was at the Garden of Time."
 
"Why was she not living with you on Earth?"
 
"She was sick... And doing research."
 
"Did you voluntarily come to Earth, Fate?"
 
"No, my mother sent me."
 
"For what purpose?"
 
"To collect the 21 Jewel Seeds for her research."
 
"I see.  Did you ever return to the Garden of Time while you were on Earth?"
 
"Yes.  A few times to give my mother the Jewel Seeds I had collected."
 
Miss Lindy took in a deep breath and steadied herself.
 
"Fate," she said gently, "What was your mother's reaction... when you would visit her in the Garden of Time?"
 
I felt my heart start beating harder, and I felt a chill run down my spine. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.  I opened my eyes, and looked right at her.
 
"She slapped me, and yelled at me... for not collecting all of the Jewel Seeds.  She got angry...and punished me.
 
"How did she punish you, Fate?"  Miss Lindy's words were near whispers.
 
"She whipped me."
 
I squeezed my eyes shut and felt the pain of the lashings hitting my body as my mind replayed what happened.
 
"How many times did she whip you like that?"
 
"Tw—twice, I-I think."  I paused and opened my eyes again. "She knocked me unconscious the last time.  Arf wasn't there when I woke up.  She's always by me, especially around Mother."  I paused again and took a breath. "M-mother told me to get the last seven...and then... she would be happy ... again."
 
I felt hot tears streaking down my face and a hard lump in my throat.  I couldn't swallow, it hurt too much.  When I reached for my tea, I noticed that I was trembling and I couldn't lift the cup off the table without spilling it.
 
"Should we take a break, Fate?"  Miss Lindy's voice was filled with concern.
 
"No.  I can go on ."
 
I picked up the blanket that was next to me, carelessly covered myself with it, and then I pulled out my arms and hugged it to my chest.
 
"For the record, the wounds that are currently on your body are the result of that punishment?"
 
I nodded.
 
"Please note that I have included a full visual recording of the above mentioned wounds to Miss Testarossa's body."  She paused and looked at me for several seconds before she continued.  "Fate, has your mother ever told you that she loves you?"
 
"No...."  Fresh tears ran down my face, and lots of them.  My whole body hurt from the inside out.  "Never." I paused and my sobs came spilling out. "She said....that she....hated me.... That ... she's...despised me.... ever since....she ... created me!...SHE...NEVER...EVER....LOVED... ME!!!!!  NOBODY DOES!  AND THEN SHE LEFT ME!  JUST LIKE RYNITH DID!  Everybody....always....leaves....me."
 
I felt Miss Lindy sit down next to me and she pulled me close to her body and wrapped her arms around me.  I sobbed into her uniform. I couldn't stop crying, no matter how hard I wanted to.  Tears just kept coming.  She just held me for what must have been forever.  She gently stroked my hair and repeated the same phrase over and over again.
 
"Shhh, it's okay, it's okay, sweetheart."
 
 
I woke up still cradled in Miss Lindy's arms.  She was quietly humming some lullaby that I've never heard before.  It was sweet and light, and put me at ease.  Miss Lindy has a wonderful voice.
 
"Wha—What time is it?"  I said as I noticed the lights were dimmer than they were before.
 
"It's just before noon.  I turned down the lights so you could relax better." She said softly.  "You cried yourself to sleep.  Are you feeling any better now?"
 
"A little."  My voice cracked through my dry mouth.
 
I didn't want to move.  I was felt so safe in Miss Lindy's lap, with her arms around me, and this thick blanket protecting me.
 
"Are you sure you want to deal with a broken fake, like me, Miss Lindy?"
 
"Of course I do, Fate-chan.  And remember, that no matter what, you are not a fake."
 
"But Mother said—"
 
"Your mother was a very cruel person, and said some very hurtful things to you.  She wanted to break your spirit." Miss Lindy's voice was soft and kind.  It also helped that she was still stroking my hair slowly.  "But Fate, you're too strong to be broken like that.  You have a strength, a determination in the very heart of your soul that keeps you going." She paused. 
 
"Don't ever loose that strength, Fate."
 
I slowly sat up and looked at Miss Lindy.
 
"Is this what love feels like?"
 
"Yes Fate-chan.  This is only a small bit of the love that I have for you."
 
"W-why do you love me?"
 
Miss Lindy smiled and giggled a little bit.
 
"Oh, sweetheart.  I don't know if I can put that into words right now.  It's what my heart is saying.  I love you and Chrono very, very much."
 
I looked away.
 
"You love your son a lot more than me."
 
"Why do you say that?"
 
"Because he's your son.  Because you've known him all of his life.  You just met me. I'm a stranger...." My voice softened into a whisper. "I'm a failure."
 
Miss Lindy gently took my chin and nudge it so that I had to look at her.
 
"Fate, Yes, you're new here, and I have only just gotten to know you, but love is something that happens to anybody.  It transcends time, and space, across all the infinite dimensions that we live in.  My dear, you don't have to know somebody a long time to love them.  And I know that I'm not the only person who loves you.  Arf certainly loves you.  Nanoha loves you.  There are many people who are here for you, who care about you, and many more yet whom you shall meet as you grow, who will also love you very much.  Do you understand?"
 
"Yes, I think so."
 
"Good, never for get that. Oh, and one more thing, Fate."  She paused and smiled at me and kissed my forehead.  "You're most definitely NOT a failure.  Do you know how I know that?"
 
I shook my head.
 
"Because, failures, give up.  They quit at the slightest hint of trouble.  Fate, you persevered.  You stood back up, even when your mother knocked you down, and when Nanoha had defeated you.  You still got back up and tried again.  And guess what, Fate-chan?  You have a new home, surrounded by people who genuinely care about you.  All because you got up off the ground, got out of bed.  You're nothing like a failure.
She took me close to her and gave me a long hug.
 
"How does some lunch sound?"
 
"Um, okay.  I'll get ready.  I said.
Miss Lindy shook her head.
 
"No, Fate-chan.  Today is our day, and I'm going to spend it with you."
 
"But what about your crew, Chrono...?"
 
"They know what to do in my absence.  Today, I want to get to know my daughter.  I want to know what your favorite colors are, what do you like to do to relax—"
 
"I don't know."  I replied, probably a bit too soon.
 
"You don't know what?"
 
"What I like to do to relax. My life has only been training, and fighting, and doing whatever Mother told me to do."
 
Miss Lindy studied me for a minute, then smiled.
 
"Well, then.  I think we'll both figure that out together."
 
She tapped her bracelet and spoke into it.
 
"Amy, are you busy?"
 
"Not at the moment, Ma'am." Miss Amy replied.
 
"Wonderful.  Is Chrono still working with Arf?
 
"Yes, I believe so.  I delivered lunch to them not too long ago.  Are you needing some lunch too?"
 
"Yes, Amy.  I'd like you to bring some soup please, and..."  Miss Lindy looked at me.  "Grilled cheese sandwiches, please."
 
"Yes Ma'am.  Would you like anything else?"
 
"And bring us two mugs of hot chocolate."
 
"Right away. Amy out."
 
Miss Lindy looked at me as she sat down next to me and smiled again.
 
"How are you feeling?"
 
"I'm okay.  I think I can answer some more questions—"
 
"Nope." Miss Lindy said.  "You've had enough of those questions today.  Right now, I just want to talk with you.  Let's figure out some things you like doing for fun.  Okay?"
 
"Um, o-okay."
 
"Have you ever drawn a picture before, or used a coloring book?"
 
I shook my head.
 
"Perfect.  I had Amy put some arts and crafts things over here in this drawer.  Here's a pencil, and some crayons.  I want you to draw something for me.  Anything, and it doesn't have to be perfect. Okay?"
 
"Yes. Miss Lindy."
 
"Oh, and whenever you're ready, feel free to call me mom if you're comfortable, and we're alone like this.  Okay?  After all, I'm your guardian now....and I've always wanted a daughter."
 
"O-okay.... M...Mmm...Miss Lindy."
 
I walked over to the desk and looked at the box of crayons and picked up the pencil then I stared at the sheet of paper laying on the desk.  I could draw what ever I wanted.  But, what do I want to draw, CAN I draw?  I sat down at the desk and I drew a small circle, and then I drew smaller circles in side.  A face started to form.  I drew hair sprouting from the head and then drew a badly shaped body, with arms that were twisted the wrong way waving.  And next to the girl, I tried to draw Arf in a puppy form, but it's paw was raised in the air, and both figures had large smiles.  I picked up the crayons and pulled out some colors, and gave the girl red hair, and she wore a white dress with blue stripes on it, and Arf, was brown and orange, and the sky was a bright blue, and I drew blades of green grass on the bottom of the page.  Over the two figures, I drew a large heart and filled the inside with red, and then I picked up the pink crayon, and toward the edges, I filled the heart in with it.  I heard a knock at the door, and glanced up to see Miss Amy with lunch.
 
"Thank you, Amy.  Please let know if anything serious occurs on the bridge."
 
"Yes, Ma'am."  She said, and glanced over at me.  "How are you Fate?"
 
"I'm okay.  Thank you, Miss Amy."
 
She smiled and stepped out of the room.  The door quietly slid shut.  Miss Lindy set the tray of food in the center of the table and sat down next to my pillow-fortress.  She looked over at me, and patted the seat next to her.  I walked over and sat down.  The food in front of us smelled so good.  I had never had a grilled cheese sandwich before.  The soup also smelled wonderful, with large wheels of carrots, celery, onions, and chicken dumplings.  There was large glass filled with apple juice.
 
"Fate-chan," Miss Lindy spoke, "do you know what you would like to do as an adult?"
 
I shook my head while I was chewing on a dumpling.
 
"I see.  Do you have any goals?"
 
"Um.  I guess not going to prison?  My other goal I had won't happen anymore." I said.  I felt a lump forming in my throat.
 
"Oh?  What was your goal?"
 
I looked up to see Miss Lindy was smiling with her head slightly tilted to the left.
 
"To get my mother to smile at me.... like she ....used to."  I paused for a few moments, hearing her words fill my mind, 'You're nothing but a doll' ... 'You're not my Alicia' ... 'Why did I waste my time giving you her precious memories!' ... "But, she never did smile at me.  It was never me she smiled at.  I put my spoon down and stared at it.
 
"Well, Fate." Miss Lindy said.  "You have another chance, with a new family.  I may not be your birth parent, however, I will do my best to provide for you the happiest life that I can give to you.  Filled with my love."
 
Miss Lindy walked over to the desk and picked up my drawing and admired it for a few seconds before walking back over to me with it in her hands.  She sat down next to me, put one arm around me and showed me my own creation.
 
"Fate, this is a wonderful part of you.  Already, I see Arf, and Nanoha, and the feelings of joy and love from them for you.  And if you don't mind, I'd like to keep this, and hang it on my wall, along with some of the other things you make that come from your heart."
 
I blushed.
 
G"Why, it's really not that good, it's ugly—"
 
"Because sweetheart, you made it.  It's a first step on a long journey that we will share together.  And I'm already proud of you, even for this little bit of time we've shared together."
 
"But what if I go to prison?  Then I'll be taken away.  And—"
 
"Fate, I'm going to work as hard as ever to make sure that doesn't happen to you.  And my crew will certainly do their part to ensure that you stay here with us.  Now, eat up before the sandwiches get cold."  Miss Lindy said as she ruffled my hair.
 
"Captain to the Bridge."  Miss Amy called over the speaker.
 
Miss Lindy sighed, and looked at Fate.
 
"If you need anything important, feel free to page me."
 
Miss Lindy turned, and walked out of my room.  I heard the door lock after it shut.
It was my turn to sigh.
I felt a warm hand brushing my hair back.  As I opened my eyes, I saw a blurry Miss Lindy staring down at me, with her kind eyes looking into mine.  I looked over to my right, then to my left, and realized that Arf wasn't there.
"Alone again." I felt a warm hand brushing my hair back.  As I opened my eyes, I saw a blurry Miss Lindy staring down at me, with her kind eyes looking into mine.  I looked over to my right, then to my left, and realized that Arf wasn't there.

Favored Class:  Magical Girl

Senkusha

Chains of Birth (Part I of the "Chains of LIfe" Series)
Chapter Three:  "Battle Plan"
Setting:  Aboard the Arthra, Room Alpha-Three (A3) aka Fate's quarters
Time:  Thursday, May 21, 2004 @  02:00 hours
 
 
I woke up when I felt the bed move and Arf tried not to disturb me.  I turned to face her and saw into her bloodshot eyes that she was exhausted.
 
"Hi Arf."  I said sleepily.
 
"Fate-chan."  Arf replied.
 
"How did your interview go with Chrono.
 
"Can we talk about this in the morning, Fate?"
 
"Sure.  Good night, Arf."  I said and cuddled up next to her.
 
She quickly feel asleep as I thought about today's events.  Miss Lindy is so kind.  But why should she want to adopt me?  If I go to prison....I can't worry about that right now.  She's confident about my future.  Oh, I wish Nanoha was here!  I have a million things to talk to her about.  What's it like to be a normal girl, like her?  I closed my eyes and eventually fell asleep.
 
Setting:  Aboard the Arthra, Room Alpha-Three (A3) aka Fate's quarters
Time:  Thursday, May 21, 2004 @  09:00 hours
 
I woke up to Miss Lindy gently nudging me awake.  I smelled something good in the air, and I heard the shower running.  Arf wasn't next to me and I was cuddling a pillow.
 
"How did you sleep, Fate?" Miss Lindy asked quietly.  She looked down at me with her bright eyes, smiling.
 
"Okay."
 
"Very good.  I brought you two some breakfast.  Why don't you go ahead and eat while Arf is finishing up in the shower.
 
I tossed off the covers and then quickly made the bed as Miss Lindy looked at me with a smile.  Then I walked over to the couch and saw a covered tray sitting on the table.  I reached over and took the lid off, and was surprised to see my breakfast of Miso soup, a beef and onion omelet, several rice balls and orange juice. I picked up the spoon and bowl of soup and quickly drained it.
 
"Fate, not so fast.  You'll make yourself sick."  Miss Lindy said.
 
"I'm really hungry."  I replied.
 
"Still, you should take your time.  If you are to be my daughter, and you ARE, slow down.  You'll be expected to eat like a responsible person in the Academy."
 
"Academy?"
 
"Yes.  You do want to continue using your skills as a Mage, yes?"
 
"Yes, but—"
 
"Fate, there is no but.  If this is something you want to do, then, continue with your training.  You have many people now to learn from.  Chrono especially is eager to train you.  He, as well as I, think that you will make a fine Enforcer someday."
 
I sat there and thought about what she told me as I ate my omelet more slowly.  Arf came out of the bathroom dressed in a cozy looking white robe, and sat down next to me.
 
"Good morning, Arf.  How do you feel this morning?"  Miss Lindy said.
 
"I'm still a bit tired, but I'm really hungry." She said as she lifted her tray cover, to reveal the same food I had.  She began devouring the omlete.
 
"Slow down Arf!"  I said.
 
Miss Lindy smiled and got up.
 
"I have some things to attend to.  Fate, after you're done eating, get washed up and put on the outfit I hung in your closet."
 
She walked to the door, it opened, and shut behind her, then with a click, it locked.  I looked at Arf, she was looking at me.
 
"How did your interview with Chrono go yesterday, Arf?"
 
"He's very thorough.  He asked a lot of questions about your relationship with your mother, bot mine and yours.  He especially wanted detailed descriptions of the abuse that your mother did you, including what you did to make her react that way towards you.  He also asked a bunch of questions about you, and things that you did while you weren't looking for the Jewel Seeds."
 
"Wow.  What did you tell him about me?"
 
"He told me not to get into details with you about it.  He said it might taint your testimony at the trial."
 
"Oh."  I sighed, and finished my breakfast.  Then I got up and walked to the bathroom.  Before I shut the door, Arf asked me a question.
 
"Hey Fate, what do you think of Miss Lindy?"
 
I stood there and thought for a moment.
 
"She's very nice.  And I think optimistic.  She's already talking about sending me to the Academy to become an Enforcer."
 
"But, is that what you want?"  Arf said.
 
"I...I don't' know what I want."  I replied and shut the door.
 
Setting:  Aboard the Arthra, Room Alpha-Three (A3) aka Fate's quarters
Time:  Thursday, May 21, 2004 @  10:15 hours
 
I decided to take a bath instead and just laid in the hot water.  I got dressed in the black dress with the Time and Space Administration Bureau logo on it and combed my hair, then put it up in my normal pigtails.  Arf was patiently waiting for me on the couch.
 
"Miss Lindy asked for you to page her when you got finished—why are you wearing that?"
 
"Miss Lindy gave it to me to wear today."
 
"But you're not in the Bureau."
 
"I know.  I don't know why she chose this."  I replied as I walked over to the nightstand and pressed the page button.  "Miss Lindy, I'm ready."
 
"Thank you, Fate.  We'll be on our way to see you in a few minutes."  Miss Amy replied.
 
"We?"  I looked at Arf.  She glanced back at me at shrugged her shoulders.
 
I sat down next to her and patiently waited.  Now I had so many questions that I wanted to ask, but would this be the time to bring them up?  And who is we?  My answer came a few minutes later as the door clicked and opened.  Miss Lindy, Miss Amy, and Chrono all walked in.  The door quickly shut behind Chrono.  The three of them took seats across from us.
 
"Admiral,"  Chrono said, "Why is she wearing a female Enforcer uniform?"
 
"I feel it's a good idea to present Fate as a future member of the Time and Space Administration Bureau.  Besides, Fate looks very professional.  Don't you think?"
 
"Yes, I do.  And she looks adorable.  That will win her some approval for sure."  Miss Amy said.
 
"I guess so.  But I don't think it's right.  She hasn't earned that uniform yet."  Chrono said.
 
"I'll make a note of your objection, Chrono."  Miss Lindy said.  "Now, shall we begin?"
 
"Yes ma'am."  Miss Amy said cheerfully."
 
She set down a little sphere with a flat stand on the bottom, onto the table and pressed a button.  A holographic display appeared above the sphere.
 
"This is what the Court room will look like." Miss Amy said.  "The Judge will sit here, with the two councilors sitting here, for you, and the other here, for the Bureau.  You will be standing here, in this circle at the center of the room, on a raised platform as the defendant."
 
"We know few details about who will be at your trial."  Chrono said, "But we do know the name of your Judge is Admiral Eri Tsukiko, and your Councilor is a man by the name of William R. Pearl.  The good news is, not only do you have a female Judge, but your Councilor specializes in child abuse and endangerment cases."
 
"We have five days to present our evidence packet to the Court for their review."  Miss Lindy said.  "So we all have a lot of work to do ahead of us."  Miss Lindy looked at me with her kind eyes, and it felt as though she was reassuring me with her gaze.
 
"I've gathered a massive collection of documents from our video feeds of your conflicts against Nanoha, as well as the transmission we received from your Mother, Percia, and your reaction, as documented by our medical staff and Bridge surveillance system.  I also have a detailed report that I will be creating from everything I learned from Arf here." Chrono said.
 
"I shall be writing my own report based on my own interactions with Fate during the next couple of days, as a character witness.  Arf, I suggest you write your own report based on your relationship with Fate."  Miss Lindy said.  "Finally, I want you, Fate, to write a report describing your motivations for collecting the Jewel Seeds, and I want you to write down any feelings or thoughts about the trauma that your Mother gave you as a result of your actions regarding the Jewel Seeds incident."
 
"Yes Ma'am."  I replied.
 
"Okay.  Does anybody have anything else to contribute?"  Miss Lindy said.
 
"Miss Lindy?"  I said.
 
"Yes, Fate?"
 
"I thought you had decided not to include my combat with Nanoha?"
 
"Yes, I did originally think that, however, after with speaking to you yesterday, I realized that this footage could be useful with the addition of our other evidence and your testimony to illustrate your determination and loyalty.  I can use this to build a stronger case for you to get into the Academy, which hopefully, will persuade Judge Tsukiko to give you a second chance, with the guidance of your new family to live a productive and honorable life."  Miss Lindy said.
 
"Fate,"  Chrono said, "when Arf asked you to stop collecting the Jewel Seeds, you told her that you could not.  That because your mother told you to collect them.  Because, you felt obligated to collect them as Percia's daughter?"
 
"Um... yes."  I replied.
 
"So, if Miss Lindy was your mother, you would listen to her, no matter what she told you to do?"  Chrono continued.
 
"Yes.  Yes I would."
 
"Why?"
 
"Because, Miss Lindy is my Mother.  And I do things for my Mother, that bring her happiness."
 
"Anything at all?"
 
"Chrono, what are you doing?"  Miss Lindy said with frustration.
 
"I'm just making a point."  Chrono said, then looked back at me.  "Well, would you?  Say if she told you to defeat me in one on one combat, knowing that I'm more skilled than you, would you?"
 
I looked right at Chrono, and took a deep breath.  I saw where he was going with this, and I leaned closer toward him.
 
"Yes.  I would.  I would try and try and try again, until I defeated you."  I paused and looked at each person in my room, then I glared at Chrono for emphasis.  "And if she told me to kill you....I would.  Because my mother told me to do it."
 
"But Fa—"  Chrono said.
 
"I wouldn't need to know *why* she needed me to do it, that's her to know.  Just her telling me to do something, is reason enough for me.  Because she's my mother, and I love my mother, and I'm her daughter."  I added, then sat back into the cushion of the couch.
 
"Yes.  Fate would do that."  Arf agreed.  "Fate is so determined to please people, especially anybody with an authority figure, she wouldn't stop, until, I guess she died trying."
 
"Captain, that's your evidence right there.  I would be honored to train Fate, to be the very best that she could possibly be.  And, I would like to start her training as soon as possible."  Chrono said.
 
"There's a few more things that have to be worked out.  Most importantly, I would need to move some of the security personnel to over see your training with Fate."  Miss Lindy said.  "Unfortunately, Fate's not trusted yet, and I have a feeling that it may be a long time before the Bureau does trust her."
 
Miss Lindy, Chrono, Miss Amy and Arf"  I said.  "If this is what you want for me.  I'll do it.  And I won't give up."
 
Miss Lindy and Arf smiled.  Chrono looked at me, as if appraising me.  Finally, he nodded.
 
"Okay.  With the Captain's permission, you'll start training with me as soon as possible."  Chrono said.
 
"Fate,"  Miss Lindy said.  "Please, don't kill my son."
 
"Don't worry, Captain.  I won't be that hard on her.
 
"Okay Chrono, as soon as I get the approval from the Administration Board overseeing Fate's case, you'll begin.  Are you okay with that, Fate?"  Miss Lindy said.
 
"Y-yes."
 
"Good.  Now, we've all got a lot of work to do.  Fate, Arf.  I want both of you to start writing your reports, and Fate, I hope to see more than a couple of pages from you."  Miss Lindy said.  "Shall we get to work?"
 
Everybody but Arf stood up and left my room.  The door locked when it shut.  I stood up and walked over to the desk.  At some point, somebody brought in to datapads and set them on the desk.  I picked one up and powered it on.  After I examined it for a few minutes, I noticed it was blank, with no documents, however, it did have a messaging system installed.  The only contact was Miss Lindy.  The device also had access to the ship's recreational library.  I could look at books, listen to music and could watch some educational videos on various topics.  With the exception of creating new documents, everything else was locked down.  I picked up the other datapad, and handed it to Arf.  Then I sat down at the desk and began writing.

Favored Class:  Magical Girl

Senkusha

Chains of Birth (Part I of the "Chains of LIfe" Series)
Chapter Four:  "Detention"
Setting:  Aboard the Arthra, Room Alpha-Three (A3) aka Fate's quarters
Time:  Thursday, May 29, 2004 @  16:00 hours
 
 
 
After nine days of traveling, my journey aboard the Arthra was coming to an end.  Miss Lindy stood in front of me and smiled gently while she fixed my uniform.  She had it modified to fit me perfectly, so the skirt hung a just the right height, and even had my name /Fate Testarossa/ sewn into the blouse part.  The only things missing were the rank and any designations of duty.  So technically, it was still only a civilian black pleated dress.  Chrono had shown me how to shine my shoes to a high polish, and told me to be careful and not scuff them.  I remember, it took me hours to shine those shoes.
 
During the few days aboard the Arthra, I had a feeling of being home.  Here I was, under the care of Miss Lindy, and Miss Amy, and Chrono, and Arf.  I have my own room, even though I'm locked in it, but at least I get to spend time with Arf, so I'm not alone.  And with Miss Lindy overseeing my care, most of my wounds have already healed.  Chrono would spend hours in here, tutoring me on the ways of the Bureau.  He taught me how to march, and how to be respectful, and professional to any of my superiors.  I think Miss Lindy was a bit tickled with that, and at times, she would have to remind me that I could still call her 'mom' whenever I felt ready.
 
The problem is, *would* I ever be ready?  To me, my mother was still my mother, Percia, the crazy woman who created me, who hit me.  Who hated me.  And she chose to be with Alicia, rather than to try to have a normal life with me, instead.  I think that hurts the most.  Not really the fact that she despised me, but that, she abandoned me like she did.  And now, all of a sudden, I have a new person to call /mom/, but, it just doesn't feel right.
 
"Fate?"  Miss Lindy said.  "Are you listening to me?"
 
I looked down at the carpeted floor.  "No, ma'am.  I'm sorry.  I was..."
 
She knelt down to meet my eyes and smiled at me, but I could see in her eyes, that she was concerned about me.
 
"It's nothing.  I should have been paying attention to you, Miss Lindy."
 
She tugged upward on my chin so that I'd have to look at her.
 
"Fate.  I know you have a lot on your mind, and maybe we've all been to concerned about you... to give you some breathing room."
 
"NO!... I mean, no.  It's not like that.  Please, I really like all the things that everybody has been doing for me.  I'm not used to it.  Alicia was, but now, those memories and feelings are fading away.  They're not as clear as they were."
 
For some reason, I reached out and fell into Miss Lindy's arms.  I wanted to cry, but I fought the urge.  It's unprofessional.  But, I just couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't going to see her again after the trial.  I've had this nagging feeling over the past week, and Arf always tells me that it's nothing, and that everything will be okay.  And that after the trial, we can go back to Earth, and Nanoha and I will become great friends.
 
A few minutes later, Chrono came to my room and looked at Miss Lindy.
 
"We've docked, ma'am.  There's a security team standing by to relieve us of Fate."
 
I felt a cold chill run down my spine.  I took one last look at the room that had been my home for nearly ten days, and silently said good-bye.  I squeezed Miss Lindy tighter for a moment, and before the tears could start pouring out, I released her and straightened out my dress.
 
"You'll be just fine, Fate.  I'll make sure of that."  Miss Lindy said and took my hand.
 
We walked out of my room, Arf was behind us with Chrono.  We walked down the corridor, and entered the Bridge.  Miss Lindy walked me onto the teleportation pad, and I stood next to Arf.
 
"Miss Amy, you have the Bridge."  Miss Lindy said and stepped on to the pad next to me.
 
"Yes ma'am." She replied.
 
The chamber lit up in a bright white and the next thing I saw was a new, sterol room with six enforcers holding blaster rifles pointed upward.
 
Setting:  Aboard the Arthra, Room Alpha-Three (A3) aka Fate's quarters
Time:  Thursday, May 29, 2004 @  16:25 hours
 
"Captain Harlaown.  I am Lead Enforcer Baruno, here to take into custody a Fate Testarossa and Arf....?"  He looked up at Miss Lindy.
 
"Yes Enforcer."  Miss Lindy stepped aside from me.  "Oh, and may I insist that you take care of my daughter, and her comapion."  It was understood to be rhetorical.
 
"Yes ma'am.  Miss Testarossa and Arf?  will be treated with an equal amount of respect under my care here on Midchilda."
 
"Excellent.  One last thing, and this is my standing order, to anybody whom addresses my daughter.  She is to be called by her given name of /Fate/.  Understood?"
 
"Yes ma'am."  The Enforcer said and approached me.  He looked down at me and quietly said, "I'm sorry."  Then with authority he continued, "Miss Fate," He looked at Miss Lindy, who nodded", "I must place these restraints on you now."
 
"Yes, sir."  I replied as I nodded, then I stuck my arms loosely in front of me.
 
I looked at Miss Lindy as he was doing this.  And I thought I saw a tear forming in her eye.
 
"Miss Lindy.... I... I don't want to be alone!",  I felt hot tears streak down my face and fall on the metallic floor.
 
"I know.  It won't be for long, sweetheart.  I'm sure they'll let Arf stay with you." Miss Lindy said.
 
Enforcer Baruno stepped next to me and wrapped his arm inside mine and began walking me off the teleportation pad.  I saw the room light up after both Arf and I were off the pad.  I looked back and saw that Miss Lindy was gone.  One of the other Enforcers grabbed my other arm, and locked his arm into mine.
 
Miss Lindy and Miss Amy had told me that at first, it would be okay to cry, and be a little girl.  To be scared, because to be honest, Miss Lindy told me, if she had been going through what I was about to at my age, that she'd cry too.  But she had also told me that I better woman-up and show the authorities of the Bureau that I can be disciplined and responsible.  I tried to blink the tears away.  The Enforcers led Arf and me to separate rooms, inside of a larger room meant for a large number of people.  I guess everybody else was locked up with Arf and I coming.
 
"Miss Testarossa, cell A-6.  Arf...., cell B-19."  A male's voice echoed from an above speaker.
 
"Fate, I'll see to it that the guards here are made aware of Captain Harlaown's orders."  Enforcer Baruno nearly whispered.
 
After I was put inside the room, he backed up and announced, "Cell Alpha-six, secured.  After a few moments, I heard another person yell, "Cell Brovo-One-Niner, secured."
 
The solid door slid shut automatically, and a force-field came to life inside the room, covering all the walls and ceiling.  I looked around the room more closely.  There was a box on a bare mattress.  I walked over and unpacked it.  There were two white sheets, one blanket, one pillow, a set of tan blouse and matching pants, three pairs of panties, three pairs of socks, one towel, one bar of soap, one toothbrush, on small tube of toothpaste and a typed envelope at the bottom labeled *READ ME*.
 

Welcome to the Conrad H. Hughes Detention Center.
You are here to await a Judgement order for a possible crime that you may have committed.  There are some rules to be aware of and the matter of intake processing you.
 
INTAKE:
You are to remove the clothing you arrived in and place them in the locker to your right.  Wash up with the bar of soap using the sink.  Be sure to get all the hiding spots, such as your ears, underarms, and your neither-region.  A dirty person will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action.  Please dry off with the towel provided, and dress yourself in the uniform that we have provided.  You must wear the tan uniform while at this institution.  No exceptions.  The only time you will don your regular clothing, will be to make Court appearances.  Following your dressing, you wil fill out the data requested on the secured datapad you have been provided.  (It's located on the desk in the left hand corner.  If you require assistance with providing your details, please push the *Call Button* by the door.  It's RED.  Please do you use the call button for trivial matters.  Any unauthorized use of the call button will result in disciplinary action.
 
RULES:
You shall be presentable at all times when out of your cell.
You will address the members of Staff as *Yes Sir*, *Yes Ma'am*, or *No Sir*, *No Ma'am*.  Furthermore, you shall not be given an immediate opportunity to explain excuses.
You shall not engage in any physical confrontations with any other Detainee or Staff member.
You shall not talk at a loud volume.
You shall not use alternate forms of dialog when speaking to other Detainees.  This includes other languages, codes, code-words, etc.
You will obey any and all directions any Staff member gives you.
 
SCHEDULE:
You will wake up and make your bed no later than 05:00.
You will eat the breakfast provided no later than 06:00.
You will shower no later than 07:00.
You will perform recreational activities during the hours of 08:00 through 11:30.
You will eat lunch no later than 13:00.
You will shower, if necessary no later than 14:00.
You will be allowed to mingle with the other Detainees from the hours of 14:00 through 17:00.
You will eat dinner no later than 19:00.
You will be allowed personal time during the hours of 19:00 through 21:00.
You will be in your bed no later than 21:30, with your lights off until 05:00 the next morning.
 
COURT APPEARENCES:
In the event that you have a scheduled Court appearance, you shall be notified exactly two hours before-hand to freshen up.  You may wear your regular clothes during this time.  You shall not exit your cell for any reason.  Please ensure to use the toilet before you depart the facility.  Upon your return, you shall enter your cell peacefully and don your issued tan uniform immediately.  You shall provide your regular clothing to be washed and pressed immediately.  You shall not discuss your case with anybody else within the facility.  Staff and Detainees included.
 
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS:
The consequences for not obeying the rules listed above will result in a Disciplinary Action.  The severity and previous Disciplinary Count will be taken into consideration when determining your consequences.
 
The FIRST offense will be sanctioning you to your cell, for a one day lock down.  Please note, that this is NOT a 24-hour period, but starts immediately upon our decision, and will continue until the next full day has ended, at 05:00 the following day.
 
The SECOND offense will be sanctioned as a denial of food intake for the above mentioned duration.
 
The THIRD offense will result in a sleep deprivation exercise for the above mentioned duration.
 
Further offenses will result in an extension of the above mentioned durations.
 
Any attempt to escape from custody will result in an immediate denial of Court appearances, and you shall be sentenced for a period of not less than ten years.
These rules may be changed with or without notice at any time for any reason as determined by the Staff of this institution.

 
I stared at the uniform and held it up to me, then I set it on the bed, and quickly changed out of the black dress that Miss Lindy had given me, and put on the tan uniform.  It was a bit tight, but I could wear it.  I placed all the other things back in the box, and made my bed the way Chrono had taught me.  Then I sat down to fill out the datapad.  I heard a bell, and all the doors slid open, with the exception of mine.  I got up and looked out my window to see other people of all different ages mingling at several round tables.  Some had their datapads with them.  I l tried to find Arf, but I guess she was locked in her room too.  I returned to my desk and began filling in the information.  Somebody knocked on my door.
 
"Testarossa?", A large man wearing a crisply ironed steel blue shirt peered in at me.
 
"Yes, sir?"
 
"Did you fill out your data yet?"
 
"No sir.  I'm working on it now."
 
"Good.  You've got 15 minutes to have it completed."  He said and walked away.
 
I sat back down at the desk and started skimming the document.  "He wants me to do all this in 15 minutes?!"  I sighed and got to work.  After I was finished, I stood up to stretch.  The uniform didn't help much, and I felt the fabric dig into my shoulders.  Somebody pounded on the door.  This time a short man with a flat-top and a mustache peered in at me.
 
"TESTAROSSA!"  He barked.
 
"Yes sir?"
 
"DATAPAD, NOW!"
 
"Yes sir."  I walked over to my desk, picked up the device and help it up to the window.  He opened a trap door.
 
"HAND IT TO ME, NOW!"
 
"Yes, sir."  I bent down and slid the device out of the little hole.  He took it, slammed the door shut and looked at it right outside my door.
 
"DON'T YOU DARE STARE AT ME!  YOU GOT IT?  YOU LITTLE BRAT!"
 
"Yes, sir."  I turned my head and took a few steps back from the door.  A moment later, he opened the trap door, and threw the datapad into my cell.  It hit my shin.  "Owwwww!"
 
"SHUT UP!"
 
He slammed the trap door shut and stormed off.  I picked up the datapad and sat down on my bed to rub my shin.  A few moments later, another person peeked in and very lightly tapped on the window.  I stood up and walked over to the door.  I saw a violet haired girl staring at me.  She spoke through the crack in the door.
 
"Hi.  I'm Kimiko.  See you tomorrow—"
 
"HEY!!  CONNER!  GET AWAY FROM THAT DOOR!!"  I heard the short man shout from somewhere in the larger room.  Kimiko scurried off.  I wonder what she else she wanted to tell me?
 
I sat on my bed for a while, looking at the datapad. There were some games on it using cards, and there were games that were like mazes and puzzles.  There was also an area for a diary.
 
"Well, I guess this is my first day in actual detention."  I started. "The guards here seem to be very mean, especially the short one with the mustache.  Hopefully, tomorrow they'll start to call me by Fate, instead of my last name.  I met a girl, sort of.  Her name is Kimiko, and she seems nice.  She wants to meet me tomorrow.  I hope I'll be let out of this cell.  I'm already beginning to feel depressed.  I miss Arf, and Miss Lindy, and everybody else.  They all seem like such nice people.  I really just want to talk to somebody right now.  Anybody."
 
I put the datapad down and stood up, just in time for the trap door to open.  This time, it was a different guard, a woman this time, with short blond hair cut in a bob.  She slid a covered tray and waited for me to get it.  After I did, I looked away from her.
 
"Thank you, Ma'am."
 
"You know, doll, you can look at us in the eye.  It's more respectful, and you'll get treated better by some of us."  She said and walked away.
 
I took the tray over to the desk and opened it.  There was meatloaf, sweet potatoes, and corn.  On the left side, there was a thermos filled with Miso soup.  The thermos on the right had a green juice that tasted like sweet grass.  I heard a bell and the woman guard knocked on my door, opened the trap door, and told me to give her my tray, which I did.  She shut the door.
 
"Get some sleep, kiddo.  You've got a busy day ahead of you tomorrow.
 
As she walked away, I looked at my bed and decided that maybe she was right.  I am feeling a bit tired anyway.  I shut the light off, and curled under the blankets.  The mattress was hard but the pillow was super soft.

Favored Class:  Magical Girl

Senkusha

Chains of Birth (Part I of the "Chains of Life" Series)
Chapter Five:  "Into the Jungle"
Setting:  Conrad G. Hughes Detention Center, Midchilda
Time:  Friday, May 30, 2004 @  05:00 hours
 
The light turned on in my room and I bolted awake.  The first thing I did was make my bed, then I dressed myself in the tan uniform.  About 15 minutes later, my door opened, along with everybody else's.  I walked out and saw most of the other people were still in their rooms.  Arf met me at one of the round tables.
 
"Oh, Fate!"  Arf said.  "How are you?"
 
"I'm okay.  I'm ready to get this day over with already.  I want this whole court thing to end... and we've only just begun.  I don't like it here."  I said.
 
"We'll be fine.  Come on, they've already started serving breakfast.  Let's get something to eat before it get's too crowded."
 
I followed Arf to a large moving cart that was filled with trays.  Both Arf and I were given one each.  We found a table in the corner of the room near my room and began eating.  Miso soup, oatmeal, and orange juice were served.  I had to swallow most of my lumpy oatmeal, because it was cool and tasted like paste, although I enjoyed the orange juice and the soup.  Arf and I looked around before I decided to take a shower.  I went back to my room, gathered my shower things and walked into the first open stall.  I had my choice of all of them.  While I was taking my shower, I felt a large hand grab my arm and threw me out of the stall.  I landed and slid on the metal floor for a few feet, thanks to the soap suds.  I cleared my soapy hair from my eyes, only to see a tall guy full of muscles staring down at me, with I guess some of his friends.
 
"Hey, noob.  That's MY shower.  First, you let me take my shower.  Then my friends here, then, you politely ask ME permission to use MY shower.  Got it little girl?"
 
His friends stared at me, then all laughed at me.  They quickly got quiet.
 
"Fate!"  Arf shouted.
 
"You, come here, and you", she pointed at me, "Get in your cell.  NOW!"  A man yelled.
 
I watched as Arf walked to the desk, while I quickly grabbed my towel that had been thrown out of the stall and ran to my room.  I tried to shut my door, but it wouldn't budge.  Everybody was staring at me now, and I felt my cheeks get hot.  I ran around the corner by my desk and did my best to try off, despite there being soap covering my body and all throughout my tangled hair.  A few minutes later, a woman peeked into my room, and I quickly tried to cover myself up.
 
"Hey.  It's Kimiko, from last night?"  she said.  I remembered her now.  The shy short girl about my age stood there at my door.  "May I come in?"  She said quietly.
 
"Yes.  Um... excuse me, um..."  I know I was blushing.
 
"Don't worry about it.  Here, let me help you."
 
I didn't notice before, but she had carried a towel with her and set it on my bed.  Then she grabbed my towel, and put it under the sink to get it wet.  She told me to come over to the sink, which was in front of the door.  I hesitated.
 
"It's okay.  They don't care."  She said and offered a smile.
 
She took my soapy and wet towel and did her best to rinse off the soap off of me.  My floor was puddled with soapy water.  Then she brought me over to my bed and wrapped me with her towel.
 
"Here, dry off.  I'll be right back." Kimiko said.
 
She peeked around the corner of my door, and walked out.  I dried myself off and put my uniform back on, wrapping my hair in her towel.  A few minutes later she came back.
 
"May I come in?"
 
"Um, yes..." I said.  "Kimiko, you don't have to ask—"
 
"Yes I do.  It's one of the rules.  You have to ask the guard and then the other person, to enter their room."  Kimiko explained.
 
"I didn't see that in the rules?"
 
"That's because it's not there.  Guard Jones decided that was the rule of the day."
 
She pointed over to the desk where a datapad sat propped up facing away from the chair.  She walked closer to me and pulled a small brush out of her pocket.
 
"Here.  Don't break it, and don't get caught with it."  Kimiko said.  I have to go now.  I'll meet you at the table you ate at for breakfast in a few minutes."  She said and walked out of my room.
 
I struggled at my desk to untangle my hair, every few minutes sticking the brush under my blanket and looking at myself in the mirror over the sink. After what seemed like an hour, I was done.  When I stepped out of my room, I noticed that Arf and Kimiko were already talking at the table.  I walked over and sat down.
 
"Get up!"  Kimiko shouted in a whisper.  I quickly stood back up, confused.
 
"You have to ask first.  That's the rule."  She quietly said.
 
"Oh, um.  Kimiko, may I sit here?"
 
"Yes."  She said, making sure that Jones heard her.
 
I sat down and Kimiko leaned in toward me.
 
"You're in some trouble, Fate Testarossa."  Kimiko said.
 
"Excuse me?"
 
"Yeah, Arf here was just telling me some of what happened to you, and I overheard the guards talking about you during shift change this morning.  And especially since you managed to piss off Shark this morning.  Things don't look good for you."
 
"Shark?  What are you talking about, and what did the guards say?"
 
"Well, Shark is that big turd who threw you out of the shower.  And what little I heard the guards saying, I guess your case is a big one.  One of them said that they heard that you're going to be locked up for a long time...being caught with those Logia."  Kimiko paused.  "What were they again?  The Logia you were stealing?"
 
"Um..."
 
"Fate, you don't have to say anything.  In fact, let's go.  This girl is trouble."  Arf said.
 
"No, wait.  You don't understand."  Kimiko looked at Arf, and then me.  "I'm don't want to start trouble with you.  I just want to tell you to watch your back.  Don't trust anybody, especially around any boys."
 
"Why?" Arf said, narrowing her gaze at Kimiko.
 
"Let's just say, they like stirring up trouble.  And trust me.  You don't want to be in trouble, or associated with trouble...."  Kimiko said.  "And, you've started on the wrong foot, Fate Testarossa."
 
"Kimiko.  Please stop calling me that.  My name is Fa—"
 
"I know.  Kimiko told me."  She studied me carefully.  "If you want to survive in one piece, Fate, stick with me.  I've got some pull with the guards."

Favored Class:  Magical Girl