>>23366486

As a loud yell is heard, the ballroom falls completely silent as Asherah lays atop her attackers body, the blade she had been attacked with plunged into the aged man's chest.

>Gyunei: Admiral!!
>Elle: Everyone, clear out of the way!
>Asherah: Why...? Why would you-

The aged man plants his hands onto the bottom of Asherah's chin and the back of her head, ready to snap her neck in an instant.

>???: S-stay back...!
>Gyunei: Asherah, stay calm! Oh hell...!

As Elle begins to reach for her gun, Asherah quickly motions for her to still her hands.

>Asherah:...Why? Why are you-
>Cardeas: You...and that "Gundam team" boy...stealing children...stole my son from...!
>Asherah: Someone, tend to his wounds!
>Cardeas: I don't want your pity...you lab-grown affront...!
>Asherah: What is your childs name?

As Cardeas breathing grows more haggard from the blade puncturing his lung, he begins to loosen his grip from Asherah's throat.

>Cardeas:...Banagher. What have you done to-
>Asherah: Would you like to see him? He has been in good health. A little aloof, but some would say that is just the nature of a budding Newtype...right?
>Cardeas:...you are a danger to all Newtypes. One that has to be expunged...!
>Asherah: W-wait, stop!

As Cardeas prepares to snap Asherah's neck, the light in his eyes goes completely dark as his hands fall away from her head. As Elle and Gyunei rush to tend to her, Asherah shutters Cardeas's will flows onto her, with scattered memories of her being experimented upon within her mothers womb, with Cardeas assisting in the funding of the experiments.

>Gyunei: Seal off the building!! Whoever allowed this assassin to enter will be caught and-
>Elle: Ash, just take my shoulder.

Despite being larger than Elle, Asherah waste no time grabbing onto her for support as she struggles with the visions forces upon her. Shielding both women with his body, Gyunei is informed of the mark of the Ray Army being found outside the building...