With just over a month until Shadow-Mirror's rebellion, everyone was bustling—Vindel, Lemon, and, of course, me. But before the chaos, I had one task I couldn't postpone any longer. I'd been putting it off, but with the rebellion looming, there was no more time for delays.
"Who's calling at a time like this?" Raj's voice crackled through the comms, tinged with irritation.
"Sorry, Raj. It's me," I said.
"Axel! Been a while. What's up?" His scowl softened into his usual expression—though to the untrained eye, it might still look like a grimace.
"Got a moment, so I thought I'd check on the Excellence project," I said.
"Thanks to your funding, development's going smoothly," Raj said. "Actually, Tesla Labs invited us to research the Timeflow Engine there."
Tesla Labs, huh? As expected. In the original timeline, Raj's team would meet me again en route to Tesla Labs.
"That's impressive," I said. "Means Excellence is getting recognized."
"Let's hope so," Raj said. "Speaking of, didn't Lemon spend time at Tesla Labs? I'd love to hear about it."
"Sorry, Lemon's swamped," I said. "We've got a big job coming up, and she's been grumbling about no time for us to relax together."
"That's a shame. Pass on my regards," Raj said.
"Will do. You said development's smooth—how's the Striker Frame? Done yet?"
"Yeah, Striker Frame's complete," Raj said. "Flyer Frame's at 60%, Cosmo Driver Frame at 30%."
"Raj, stop slacking in the middle of—" Fiona's voice cut in, then paused. "Axel?!"
"Fiona, long time," I said.
She gaped for a moment, then puffed out her cheeks in a classic "I'm mad" look. Even after four or five years, she was still so childish. When's she getting a boyfriend? Probably not in this world—maybe after the transfer.
"It's really been a while," she said. "Like, six months?"
"Sorry, been hectic here," I said.
"But you're calling now, so things have calmed down, right? When are you visiting? Oh, Raj probably told you, but we're heading to Tesla Labs soon, so we might not be here at the Timeflow Engine Institute."
"Yeah, Raj mentioned Tesla Labs," I said. "Your hard work's paying off."
I knew how much effort Fiona and Raj had poured in—consulting with me a few times, no less. Their success was well-earned.
"Congrats," I said.
"Uh, t-thanks," Fiona stammered, her face suddenly red. Is she sick?
"I called because I'm about to get busy again," I said. "Wanted to see you guys before things heat up."
"Busy?" Fiona asked. "With what?"
"Military secrets, so I can't spill," I said. "But in about a month, you might hear something."
In the original timeline, Shadow-Mirror's rebellion was spun as a DC remnant uprising by Federation propaganda. They'd definitely catch wind of it.
"Axel, we've finally got a prototype timeline for the ASRS—" Lemon's voice interrupted as she entered, then stopped. Crap. Lemon and Fiona never got along. They'd spoken via comms a few times since their first meeting, but the tension hadn't eased. If anything, Fiona always seemed to pick a fight.
"Well, Lemon," Fiona said, her tone sharp. "Aren't you supposed to be busy? Leave Axel to me and focus on your work."
"I came to discuss work with Axel," Lemon replied coolly. "Sorry, little girl, but business comes first."
Here we go again.
"Oh, Raj is here too," Lemon said, shifting gears. "How's Excellence going?"
"Been a while, Lemon," Raj said. "Striker Frame's done, and we're working on the others."
Clearly, Raj and Lemon clicked as fellow researchers. With Vindel too busy and the Tech Team too reverent, Raj was one of the few Lemon could talk shop with casually. Raj, in turn, seemed to admire her expertise.
"So, Axel," Fiona said, ignoring Lemon and Raj. "You're really that busy?"
"Yeah—training, mech tuning, meetings," I said. "But I've got a few hours."
"Then we can chat more," she said brightly.
"Sure," I said. This might be our last friendly talk. Once the rebellion started, I doubted the Excellence team—despite our childhood ties—would join us. They'd likely end up opposing us, maybe getting swept to the other world by Duminuss, as in the original timeline.
"Hold on," Lemon cut in, breaking off her chat with Raj. "I need Axel for something."
"Why don't you keep talking to Raj?" Fiona shot back. "I'm having a private chat with Axel. Work can wait."
Lemon smiled, unfazed. "Axel and I are together most of the time, so I can spare a little for you."
"Ugh, rubbing it in because you're closer?" Fiona snapped. "I'll wipe that smug look off your face one day!"
"Oh, scary," Lemon teased.
A chill ran down my spine. Why does this feel so ominous?
"Fiona, I found Raj—oh," Mizuho said, entering and sighing at the standoff.
"Typical," Mizuho muttered. "I go looking for Raj, and this is what I find."
"Mizuho?" I said.
"Raul, look at this mess," she said, gesturing to the screen.
Raul appeared, completing the Excellence team. "You two, long time," I said.
"Hey, Axel, Lemon," Raul replied casually. Mizuho gave a small nod.
"I was telling Raj and Fiona I'll be busy soon," I said. "Wanted to catch up before that."
"And it turned into this," Raul said, chuckling at Lemon and Fiona's bickering.
"Why do those two clash so much?" I said. "I'd love for them to get along."
"Axel, are you serious?" Raul asked.
"Of course," I said. "You guys are practically family."
"That's not what I meant," Raul said.
Mizuho facepalmed, looking skyward. Did I say something weird?
"Poor Fiona," Mizuho muttered.
"What's that about?" I asked.
"Nothing," she said quickly. "Anyway, heard about Tesla Labs? We got recognized."
"Yeah, congrats," I said. "Raul, this is your time to shine as a test pilot."
"Ha, Fiona's already claimed the main pilot spot," Raul said. "She's weirdly fired up, saying she won't lose to Lemon."
"Lemon's a scientist, not a pilot," I said. "Though she can handle a PT decently."
"Right? I told her that," Raul said.
Mizuho shook her head, exasperated. Raul and I exchanged confused glances.
"Mizuho, don't keep us in the dark," Raul said.
"Yeah, clue us in," I added.
"No way," Mizuho said firmly, unusually assertive. "It's a girl's secret."
"Fine," I said. "Mizuho, you wanted PT advice, right? What's up?"
"It's about evasion with the Flyer Frame," she said. "You use movable boosters on your mech, right? I'm wondering about the stress on the frame with a similar setup."
"That's more Lemon's expertise," I said.
And so, our last peaceful moment with the Excellence team passed in this world.