Annual School Ball

It's time for the annual dance ball held in the Grand Hall of the Path of the Shield school. Formal attire is required, with men wearing tuxedos and women wearing formal gowns. An orchestra is playing Johann Strauss waltzes. Potesta, Artifice, Parvul, and Terridus are standing in one group, while Hiro, Acies, and Sloth are in another. Both groups are nervously stealing glances at each other. Nearby, Laetus looks over, shakes her head at the impasse, and walks in between the two groups.

Laetus, addressing the students: "As social coordinator, do I need to remind you that dance is part of your social skills training? It's traditional for the gentlemen to ask the ladies to dance."

This is met by blank stares from the guys.

Laetus: "Alright then, let's rotate through dance partners. Although, we're one man short."

On cue, a tall, handsome black haired/black eyed student of the Order Alliance walks up to them.

Aureus: "Am I mistaken Potesta, or did I hear someone is in need of a dance partner?"

Parvul, scornfully: "Who is that jerk?"

Potesta: "He is Aureus Vanderbilt, a fellow Alliance Order member, who like myself comes from a very prestigious, influential family. What brings you to our school's annual dance ball?"

Aureus, smiling: "Straight forward and direct as always Potesta. I'm just trying to be a good citizen by raising funds for a good cause."

Laetus, looking over at Aureus: "You'll do, partner up with Potesta. Acies, you're with Artifice. Sloth, pair up with Parvul. Hiro, escort Terridus out to the dance floor."

Artifice and Parvul glare at Terridus, who blushes in response.

First round of dances

Aureus leads Potesta out to the dance floor, where they start waltzing in perfect unison.

Aureus: "Thank you for the privilege of this dance my lady."

Potesta: "One doesn't refuse the house Vanderbilt."

Aureus: "Pisha. Are you saying you don't want to dance with me?"

Potesta, emotionless: "That's not what I said."

Aureus: "You'd do well to stay on my good side. Without Master Ordo looking after your family interests, things wouldn't be going so well for you."

Potesta: "I prefer to live in the real world, not this speculative fantasy you're proposing. The fact is that our families are equally powerful. So perhaps you would do well to stay on my good side as well."

Aureus: "Touché. Changing subjects, I've heard that one of your classmates, Hiro, is quite accident prone."

Potesta, eyes narrowing: "What do you know about that?"

Aureus: "Nothing. Nothing at all. In fact, I was going to ask what you know about it."

Potesta: "De omnibus dubitandum."

Aureus, smiling: "'Be suspicious of everything.' Well said, I couldn't agree more."

Acies walks out with Artifice and starts dancing, although Acies appears uncomfortable.

Acies: "I'm not used to dancing, so I'm kinda nervous. I feel more at ease during combat."

Artifice, poised: "Perhaps if you approach this as something you're already familiar with, like a martial arts kata?"

Acies, eyes opening wide: "Thanks Artifice. What an epiphany!"

Acie's posture changes from one of distress to one of confidence.

Artifice, with a twinkle in her eye: "Much better, you even look like you're having fun now."

Sloth walks out with Parvul, and they start dancing. Parvul looks up and notices that his eyes are closed.

Parvul: "Huh, your eyes are closed. Why am I almost not surprised? Sheesh, this is going to be an interesting conversation."

Hiro leads Terridus out to the edge of the dance floor, where they stop. Terridus is staring down at the floor. 

Hiro: "I'm really impressed by how well you've done in all our school contests."

Terridus, blushing, looking up: "Really?"

Hiro: "You bet, especially since it looks like you had to overcome some personal adversity to get here."

Terridus, looking off to the side, shyly: "Your words helped motivate me."

Hiro: "That's great. Let's dance, ok?"

Terridus, smiling: "Sure, I'd like that."

Hiro takes her hands, and Hiro is surprisingly adept as they start to waltz. 

Terridus: "You're a good dancer."

Hiro, wistfully: "Hey, don't look so surprised. I have to give credit to my mom for teaching me. She said she didn't want someone to have to teach me the way she had to teach my dad."

Terridus: "Your parents sound wonderful."

Hiro, proudly : "They are. Tell me something about your parents."

Terridus, downcast: "As the heads of a powerful magic family, they have many responsibilities, so I didn't get to see them often."

Hiro, thinking: "I didn't appreciate how fortunate I've been to spend so much time with mom and dad."  

Just then, Master Chao runs by screaming with a red hand print on his face. In hot pursuit are several angry women.

Master Chao: "Some women have no sense of humor."

Hiro and Terridus giggle as they continue their waltz.

As one waltz ends, a new waltz begins, the students discover they are now paired with new dance partners, courtesy of Master Laetus.

Second round of dances

Acies and Potesta find themselves together on the dance floor.

Acies: "How did I get here?"

Potesta: "Master Laetus must have cast a translocation spell on us. You seem happy."

Acies, getting worried: "No, no, that's not it."

Potesta, deadpan: "It's ok Acies, you're aloud to be happy, I won't begrudge you for it."

Acies, relieved: "Really?"

Potesta: "Of course. By the way, do you consider Hiro to be a friend?"

Acies, looking askance: "What brought that on?"

Potesta directs a stern look at Acies.

Acies, realization dawning on his face: "Ok, ok. I never really thought about it before. He's certainly a comrade, and we do look out for each other, so yeah, he is my friend."

Potesta: "What kind of person do you think he is?"

Acies: "Well, he's kind of goofy and weird stuff always seems to happen around him, but he's got a big heart and he's always looking out for others. He's a good guy. How do you feel about him?"

Potesta: "I don't feel a thing."

Parvul and Aureus find themselves together on the dance floor.

Parvul, grumbling: "That Master Laetus show-off using her magic on me without my permission."

Aureus, teasingly: "Who is the true jerk, the jerk or the one dancing with the jerk?"

Parvul's face turns red.

Aureus: "Wonderful gown you're wearing."

Parvul, looking at him suspiciously: "Thank you. I think."

Aureus: "Yes, It's a fabulous piece of engineering. Would you consider licensing out the AI technology to my family?"

Parvul: "So you weren't just complimenting my gown? You're making a business pitch for my AI suit?"

Aureus: "But of course. What did you think? I must say though, you would look much more refined without that lollipop in your mouth."

Parvul: "You are a jerk."

Aureus, ignoring her comment: "Tell me, are you fond of Hiro?"

Parvul turns beet red and sputters: "What?!"

Aureus: "Are you friends with him?"

Parvul: "Oh, that's what you meant. Why are you asking?"

Aureus: "Curious chap that. Seems to be a magnet for strange occurrences."

Parvul, wary: "He's just an ordinary dummy. If you're so interested in him, try chatting with him directly."

Aureus: "Quite."

Terridus and Sloth find themselves together on the dance floor.

Terridus, thinking: "Master Laetus must have rotated us to make the transition more seamless. Well, at least with Sloth I don't have to worry about making conversation. Still, it's amazing how he's able to effortlessly waltz around other dancers." 

Hiro and Artifice find themselves together on the dance floor.

Hiro: "Oh, Artifice!"

Artifice, teasingly: "Disappointed?"

Hiro: "No, of course not. Just surprised."

Artifice, laughing: "Ha, you're so easy to tease."

Hiro blushes.

Artifice: "Did you and Terridus talk about anything interesting during your dance?"

Hiro, hesitant: "We talked about our parents for a bit."

Artifice, looks down: "Oh, I see."

Hiro: "Sorry."

Artifice: "No, that's alright. I did ask the question after all. Haruki Murakami wrote: 'Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you apart.'"

Hiro: "I guess I've been fortunate so far."

Artifice: "You fortunate? Remember, I've witnessed your bad luck first hand."

Both erupt in laugher.

Third round of dances

Potesta and Sloth find themselves together on the dance floor.

Potesta: "Despite being asleep, I assume you're aware of everything I'm saying. My experience tells me that Aureus doesn't do anything without a selfish purpose, so I find his presence here suspicious. Be on your guard."

Sloth mumbles something as though talking in his sleep.

Acies and Terridus find themselves together on the dance floor.

Terridus, shyly: "Is it ok if I ask you a question?"

Acies: "Sure, what's up?

Terridus: "How can you be so brave all the time?"

Acies: "I never really had a choice. I was constantly challenged from when I was a young kid. Frankly, if I hadn't fought back, I wouldn't have survived this long. Looks like you recently decided to fight back too."

Terridus: "I still get scared though."

Acies: "It's alright to be scared. You just need to do your best to stand up to your fears."

Terridus: "Hiro's enthusiasm and support has motivated me to get stronger."

Acies: "Yeah, he's driven me to work harder too. I'm not going to let him show me up."

Terridus: "We have wonderful friends in our class, don't we?

Acies: "We sure do."

Artifice and Aureus find themselves together on the dance floor.

Aureus: "Given the genial nature of this event, I hope you're not considering trying one of your mind tricks on me."

Artifice: "Would you classify your Order Alliance abilities as tricks? If my psychic abilities are mere tricks, why the trepidation?"

Aureus: "Of course there are counter-measures one can deploy."

Artifice, suspicious: "How is it that you came by that information?"

Aureus: "I'm an elite from a powerful Order Alliance family, so naturally I know many things an ordinary individual would not."

Artifice: "I just met you and I can't say that I like you."

Aureus: "Perhaps you and I are more similar than you care to admit? Your friend Hiro on the other hand, quite virtuous. Wouldn't you agree?"

Artifice, eyes narrowing: "What are you after?"

Aureus: "Let's just say I'm curious about your little friend. Of course, you'd be generously compensated for your assistance."

Artifice: "No amount of money would make me sell out a friend."

Aureus: "Did I say anything about money? In my experience there's always something a person desperately seeks. For some it's money. For some it's power. For some it's ... revenge."

Artifice, glaring at him: "Let's cut the chit chat, and get this dance over with. Otherwise this event is going to go from genial to inhospitable very quickly."

Hiro and Parvul find themselves together on the dance floor.

Parvul, looking up: "Oh, it's you, you dummy."

Hiro: "Geez, what did I do now?"

Parvul, blushing: "Nothing. It's not like I wanted to dance with you."

Hiro, thinking: "Mom always reminded me that women want to be appreciated."

Hiro: "You look very nice in your gown."

Parvul: "That's better. Go on."

Hiro: "And I never thanked you for sharing that sliver of your AI with me. It was a life saver."

Parvul, preening: "Of course, I always help my friends."

Hiro: "So you consider us friends then? That's great Parvul! I consider you to be my friend too."

Parvul, sputtering, embarrassed: "Just shut up and dance."

Fourth round of dances

Sloth and Artifice find themselves together on the dance floor.

Sloth awakens and opens his eyes.

Artifice: "Wow, what an honor, you're actually awake."

Sloth, looking off in the distance: "Too many possible outcomes causing hazy probabilities."

Artifice: "You certainly know how to charm a girl."

Sloth doesn't respond, but turns his gaze towards Artifice.

Artifice: "Ok, I'll try to translate what you just said. Are you saying that we should expect a simple and uneventful ending to tonight's gathering, but your viewing of the quantum world shows that's not the case?"

Sloth nods in agreement.

Artifice: "I was hoping that I was imagining it, but I've been reading some very unusual body language by some of the guests here tonight."

Sloth: "Potesta said not to trust Aureus."

Artifice, looking over her shoulder. "And Aureus was asking me questions about Hiro. We need to stay alert."

As Artifice looks back at Sloth, she sees that he is asleep again.

Artifice, frowning: "I guess if alert means sleeping then you're fully prepared."

Acies and Parvul find themselves together on the dance floor.

Parvul: "Oh, it's you, you muscle-head."

Acies, teasing: "Insulting your dance partner? That's not very lady like Parvul."

Parvul: "Listen up tough guy, my AI is picking up some unusual patterns."

Acies: "Unusual how?"

Parvul: "Typically, the flow of these social events follow a specific pattern. There are some individuals here whose movements are outside of normal parameters."

Acies: "I might push back on that, but I'm sensing a weird vibe too. Let's keep our guard up."

Parvul: "Right."

Hiro and Potesta find themselves together on the dance floor. A static charge emanates from the connection between Hiro and Potesta's hands. Potesta narrows her eyes and purses her lips.

Hiro, nervously: "Heh, heh."

Potesta: "Brilliant. Is that the best you can come up with?"

Hiro: "Sorry, I guess I'm kinda nervous. You can be intimidating."

Potesta: "Oh, do I frighten you? You seemed perfectly calm dancing with the others. No surprise, but being from the Order Alliance, I strive for harmony. You on the other hand, seem to exist in a state of turmoil. It's extremely unsettling."

Hiro: "I can't really help it. It's always been like that for me. Bad luck just follows me around everywhere."

Potesta: "I can't say I believe in luck of any kind. But, if it does exist, that bad luck may have caught up with you once again, and his name is Aureus." 

Hiro gulps.

Aureus and Terridus find themselves together on the dance floor.

Aureus: "Ahhh Terridus, you look radiant this evening. I trust your enjoying yourself?"

Terridus, blushing: "Th-thank you. Are you enjoying our school ball?"

Aureus: "Yes, it's simply magnificent, but I'm afraid I'm a touch distracted."

Terridus: "If you don't mind my asking, distracted how?"

Aureus, dejectedly: "It's this friend of mine, you see. Sorry, I shouldn't burden you with my problems."

Terridus: "No, that's fine. Please proceed."

Aureus, sighs: "Well, he seems like a good chap, but trouble seems to follow him everywhere he goes. Sometimes strange, and even dangerous occurrences transpire when I'm with him. And sometimes I can't help but feel that he's keeping some deep, dark secret from me. Frankly, I don't know if I can trust him. But I prattle on. There's no way you can relate to my plight."

Terridus, excited: "No, wait, but I can. You've just described my friend Hiro. I say if he's your friend then you can trust him. You should give him the benefit of the doubt."

Aureus: "Thank you Terridus, that very reassuring, you've been a great help to my cause."

Terridus, confused: "Your cause?"

Aureus: "Slip of the tongue, I should have said you've been a great help to me. Pardon me for a moment."

A hollow screen appears in front of Aureus.

Aureus: "Target confirmed."

Holo screen: "Roger that."

Holo screen fades out.

Terridus: "Wh wh wh who were you talking to?"

Aureus: "Just a business associate. My deepest apologies, but an urgent matter has come up, and I must take my leave."

Aureus struts off the dance floor, leaving Terridus standing there.

The others notice Aureus' departure and run over to Terridus.

Potesta: "Terridus, what happened? Why did Aureus run off like that?"

Terridus, rattled, speaking quickly: "I don't know. We were just talking, and I was trying to help him out with a problem he had. Then I mentioned Hiro's name, and Aureus was talking to someone, and then he ran off."

Potesta: "What did he say exactly?"

Terridus: "He said he has a friend who was experiencing strange stuff."

Potesta: "Aureus doesn't have any friends. What else did he say?"

Terridus, anxious: "He said I couldn't relate to his situation, and that's when I mentioned Hiro was like his friend, and then he misspoke saying I helped his cause, but then he told someone target confirmed and ran off."

Potesta: "We need to contact our Masters immediately."

Terridus, anguished: "Oh no, what have I done?"

Hiro: "It's not your fault. Aureus is the slippery one."

Artifice: "I will form a link with our masters, and let them know what the situation is ... Master Laetus is transporting them here."

Commander, Chao, Ordo, Ali, Dulcia, Laetus materialize, just as explosions start going off around them. Masked invaders dressed in black break through the glass ceiling, firing laser rifles as they rappel down. Even without any overt signs of communication, Commander's team begins working in unison to defend the students. 

Chao, emitting purple aura: "I'm slowing their movements."

Ali, emitting silver metallic aura: "I'm erecting force fields to protect us."

Laetus, emitting pink aura: "I'm opening portals to redirect their fire back at them."

Ordo, emitting black aura: "The elite unit I summoned is teleporting in now. I am directing them." 

Dulcia, emitting blue aura: "I've taken control of several enemies, and turned them to our side. Even so, I sense there are too many of them, with more on the way."

Commander, emitting red aura: "Hiro, your teachers and I will keep the attackers occupied. You have to get off planet. My ship is in the school's hanger. It's coded to your genetic sequence, so it will grant you access."

Acies: "We can't let him go off on his own. We're a team, so we have to work together."

Terridus: "That's right."

Parvul: "Naïve Hiro sees the best in everyone, he still doesn't realize there are some seriously bad people out there. If we're not around to look after him, who knows how much more trouble he'll get into."

Artifice: "Even if Hiro isn't with us, we'll still be targets here."

Potesta: "I agree. It will be safer for all of us if we stick together."

Sloth, awakening: "I see a path before us where we all manage to survive and escape. I will get us to the ship, and then off planet."

Commander: "Very well then, agreed. You'll all stick together."

Hiro: "What about the remaining students?"

Commander: "We'll do our best to protect them. Besides, once they realize your class is no longer here, they should call off the attack."

Terridus: "Why are they targeting Hiro?"

Commander, increasing red aura: "No more questions. Get to my ship and get off planet. That's an order. Now!"

Students: "Yes sir!" 

The red aura shrouded commander joins the battle and starts sweeping away opponents. Led by Sloth, the students dash away, following Sloth as he traces a zigzag pattern to the other side of the building. Sloth suddenly raises his hand, bringing them all to an abrupt stop causing each of them to collide into the person ahead of them.

Parvul: "Ouch. Why are we stopping? The exit is right in front of us."

Just then an explosion rocks the building, partially collapsing the building around the exit door, knocking them to the ground. As the dust and debris settle a lone figure stands posturing atop the rubble wearing a feathered Venetian mask.

Aureus: "Haha villains! I, Justice Man, have manifested to foil your nefarious escape."

Potesta: "We can tell it's you Aureus."

Aureus: "Who is this Aureus fellow? He sounds like a wonderful chap."

Potesta: "All you did was put a silly mask on, you didn't even bother to disguise your voice."

Parvul: "This guy clearly has a screw loose."

Aureus: "Hand over your little friend, and I will advocate leniency for the rest of you wayward waifs."

Acies: "The only thing I'm handing you is my fist."

Terridus: "Why do you want Hiro anyway? He hasn't done anything wrong."

Aureus: "Misguided children. You're under the delusion that you're the good guys, completely unaware of the calamity in your midst."

Hiro, to Aureus: "Just leave my friends out of this, it's me you want."

Aureus: "It's too late for that now. It's to be expected that you've already corrupted those around you."

Sloth, to Parvul: "Parvul, is there an underground access tunnel near here?"

Parvul, pointing to a nearby spot: "Accessing. Yes, over there."

Sloth, to Acies: "Acies, can you hit the spot Parvul is pointing to as hard as you can?"

Acies: "Just watch me. Strength."

Acies glows red and leaps into the air.

Acies: "Quacking duck attacking minnow."

Acies lands fist first blasting a 10-foot hole into the floor.

Sloth: "Let's go, follow me."

Aureus, shouting after them: "So the rats scuttle down the sewer. No matter, you shan't escape justice!"

Terridus, after they've all entered the tunnel: "I'll restore the ceiling above us to slow them down. Earth magic."

Earth breaks through the floor around them, crawling up the sides of the wall, sealing the hole above them.

Terridus, as everything goes black around them: "Oops, sorry. Moon's light."

A soft light envelops them.

Parvul: "I'll tap into the underground systems."

A silver thread extends out from Parvul's gown and into an electrical conduit, activating the tunnel's lights.

Sloth and Parvul at the same time: "This way."

They all follow Sloth and Parvul through the tunnel network, until Sloth comes to a halt.

Sloth: "There's a storm of uncertainty around this bend. I don't know if we should move forward."

Hiro: "It's ok Sloth, you can't protect us from every threat out there. All we can do is move forward."

They exit the curving tunnel, stepping into the aircraft hangar where the Commander's ship is docked. However, a robed man with purple eyes and hair is talking to no one in particular.

Vacuos: "All is emptiness. There's no meaning. Why even try? What is the purpose? Why is there suffering? Life is fleeting. Time erases and forgets all. I would take my own life, but there's no release, not even in death."

Acies: "That's the Commander's ship behind the crazy old guy."

Artifice, to Vacuous: "Hey Debbie Downer, quit lobbing depression grenades our way." 

Hiro: "Are you with the group that's attacking our school? Who are you, and why are you doing this?"

Vacuos: "I am Vacuos. My motivation is identical to other followers of the Nihilist — I act according to my own will, unbound by societal rules."

Hiro: "Who's this Stylist character?"

Potesta, rolling her eyes: "Not Stylist, Nihilist. He's rumored to be the leader of an underground faction within the Order Alliance. It appears that members of other Alliances have also joined him."

Vacuos: "By ending your futile striving, I will hasten the perfection that is to come."

Terridus, timidly: "Ummm, couldn't you just look the other way and let us walk by?"

Vacuos glows purple, and multiple copies of him appear behind each of the students, knife thrusts in progress.

Sloth, glows purple in response: "Lookout!" 

The knife thrusts slow, allowing the students to dodge the attack. The Vacuos copies evaporate.

Sloth: "I managed to slow his copies down just enough for us to evade."

Vacuos: "A young adherent of the Quantum Alliance. You have some skill, but not enough to defeat me."

Hiro: "That's ok, because he's not alone."

Vacuous: "We shall see. Time to add some weight to this exchange."

Vacuous glows purple, raises his arms and palms up toward the ceiling, then turning his palms downward, thrusts his arms toward the ground. Crushing gravity presses the students face down into the ground, except for Acies and Parvul who manage to stay upright with one knee on the ground.

Parvul: "You're just a meanie trying to hurt me and my friends. Time for some target practice."

Parvul's arms become laser canons, and she opens fire on Vacuos. The firing is so intense that debris and blood splatter everywhere.

As the increased gravity dissipates the students get back on their feet.

Acies: "Remind me not to get on her bad side."

Hiro: "You did it Parvul!"

Parvul: "That was easier than I expected."

Artifice: "A little too easy perhaps."

Suddenly, Parvul's attack on Vacuos replays in reverse, restoring his life.

Vacuos: "Foolish child, your attack was futile."

Parvul: "Who are you calling foolish? You poopoo head!"

Vacuos: "If you won't heed my words, perhaps you'll listen to wiser versions of yourselves."

Vacuos glows purple, creating a purple monotone hued, morose copy of each student.

Hiro-copy, to Hiro: "Give up now, and you can still save your friends. This will only end badly."

Terridus-copy, to Terridus: "Just go home, it's safer there. Otherwise, our friends will get hurt."

Artifice-copy, to Artifice: "This won't help us avenge our parents. Why are you getting side-tracked like this?"

Sloth-copy, to Sloth: "This is all such a drag. You know Vacuos is right. This isn't like us, why are you trying so hard on someone else's behalf?"

Parvul-copy: "Probability of success, 0%"

Acies-copy, to Acies: "Are you certain this path is the will of God?"

Potesta-copy, to Potesta: "Protect or eliminate him? Which will it be?"

Vacuos: "Make no mistake, this isn't a trick. They are you."

Hiro, uncertain: "It doesn't feel like he's lying, but why would we try to stop ourselves?"

Sloth: "He's exerting his will to manifest a future we'll regret."

Vacuos: "Perceptive. All that lies ahead of you is pain and sorrow."

Hiro, upset: "No. I won't allow it!"

Hiro's body freezes up and his eyes reflect a spinning roulette wheel that keeps spinning faster, rather than slowing. 

Vacuos, head thrown back, body going rigid: "Time can move backwards as well as forwards. Backwards ... 

Vacuos relives experiences from his past:

•    Vacuous, as a child, overjoyed watching his father playing piano as his mother sings by his side.

•    Vaucous, somewhat older, eating dinner with his parents. Vacuous knocks over his drink, which spills out onto the table. First his parents start laughing and then he joins in as well.

•    Vacuous, wearing a surgical mask, looks out bleakly over a mass grave: "Father. Mother." 

Suddenly Vacuous is floating in a light filled space. His parents are there, playing their song. They look over at him, smiling. One by one, he is joined by other smiling faces from his past.

Vacuous: "What is this? The emptiness is filling and even overflowing. How can this be? So much energy ... so much life ... so much meaning ... so much purpose ... so much love."

The expressions of the student-copies soften, now radiating hope and goodwill.

Terridus-copy, to Terridus: "Be brave. Get out there and live your life."

Artifice-copy, to Artifice: "As J.K. Rowling wrote, 'It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.'"

Sloth-copy, to Sloth: "The answer to my previous question is: you/I are trying so hard because we finally feel like we belong."

Parvul-copy: "Probability of success ... who cares? Just do your best and good things will happen."

Acies-copy, to Acies: "Just follow your heart. You know God loves you unconditionally."

Potesta-copy, to Potesta: "'Astra inclinant, sed non obligant.', The stars incline us, they do not bind us."

Hiro-copy, to Hiro: "Your friends are safe. Rest now."

The roulette wheel in Hiro's eyes stops spinning, and Hiro collapses to his knees, head hanging down. Acies moves quickly, picks Hiro up, holding him under his right arm.

Acies: "Come on. Let's get to the ship and get out of here."

The students run to the Commander's ship. A red scanning beam flows over the students, turning green upon scanning Hiro. A hatch opens, and the students scramble up the stairs. Once onboard, the hatch closes behind them, the ship ascends, speeding off through the exit at the far end of the hanger.

Artifice, inside the ship: "What just happened back there? Why did that weirdo start freaking out? Did you do something to him Sloth?"

Sloth, sleeping on the floor: "Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

Artifice: "Of course, he's asleep again."

Acies, picking up Sloth with his free left arm: "I'll put these two to bed in their quarters."

Terridus, worried: "I hope Hiro is alright."

Potesta: "I wonder where this ship taking us."

Parvul: "I'll try to find out. Accessing ... it's been preprogrammed to take us to an unchartered planet in one of the galactic spiral arms. Normally it would be a long journey, but this ship is state of the art. We should arrive in about a day."

Potesta: "Seems the commander prepared for this contingency. Let's all try to get some rest. I have a feeling we'll all need to be at our best for what awaits us."