“You’ve interacted with the Onyx technicians before, no?” Timur started, pacing slowly. Mimi did not take her gaze off of the man, who stood between her and escape from this floor.

  She didn’t speak, instead walking closer as a show of intimidation.

  Timur sighed. “No one is permitted to enter the 30th floor without permission,” Timur said, placing his finger on his ear, other hand holding his.

  “Roger that. But sir-,” the other side of the radio began, but Timur pulled out the communication device, and turned it off, pocketing it.

  “I know you heard it, Ms. Rainsong. I’m well aware of the extent of your sonic capabilities,” he said, which did impress Mimi a bit. She did indeed enhance her hearing and picked up what the other side was saying.

  “Now, then. My question?” he reiterated.

  “I’ve talked with them before,” she responded bluntly. “What of it?”

  “And what do you make of them?”

  Mimi thought for a moment. She had talked with Alyx, and had occasionally spoke to a few other Onyx Technicians before, but most operated below the radar of the city, mostly relegated to the underground.

  “Researchers. Innovators. Specialists in equipment and hunter weaponry. Some hunters themselves. Most of them obsess over understanding different aspects of science, including biomes, animal sciences, and even the study of Enthipids. You should know, given your Clan’s unusual propensity of knowledge. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that your researchers are peeved at seeing their own progressed usurped by the Technicians in recent years, even if you play off your lack of knowledge of them.”

  “True,” Timur said. “I would not lie to you, nor your…Songbirds,” he said. He was not affected by her taunt.

  How did he know about them? Mimi thought, raising the alertness level in her head. She began prepping her Johrei. Reina was extremely careful with her methods of recruiting Songbird members and shielding their activities from the public view. Mimi didn’t like where this conversation was heading.

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  Timur continued, “Yet it seems that even your network couldn’t realize what the real connection between Onyx Technicians and their subjects are. Why do they research the very creatures that seek to end us as a species? Why do they designate guinea pigs amongst hunters to indulge in their technological machinations?”

  “I-,” Mimi began. True, she didn’t know why the Technicians were so obsessed with Johrei and Enthipids, or why they helped provide gear for hunters of any kind, from any background. She thought it was just in their nature, as scientists, to pursue the means that would foster the greatest good for the city.

  One thing I do know, was that they do not associate themselves with the Clan of Tributes. This was something Mimi heard from Alyx long ago, who told her not to trust the Clan, no matter what they say. And whenever the Clan was mentioned in Alyx’s presence, the hostilities she felt from her were palpable to say the least. Apparently, this sentiment was shared by other members of the Onyx Technicians.

  Mimi never had as much interaction with the Clan. Though she loathed pleasantries with members of the Clan, until now, she had a mostly neutral opinion of the organization. However, the more she heard about the Clan, the more she’s starting to realize Alyx always knew something about them that goes beyond what she and Reina could uncover - it was secret that serves as a catalyst of hatred which marred the relationship between the two groups. Both sides were so secretive, and even her eyes and ears in the field weren’t enough to make her understand just what exactly these two organizations wanted in the end.

  Well, it seemed that trust would be put to the test right now. Even a twisted version of the truth, may yet have information to glean.

  “So…what is it then? What makes the Onyx Technicians so different from the rest of us?” she worded carefully.

  “Each member…” Timur began, “of the Onyx Technician, have survived the full force of the Voices of Madness.”

  Mimi’s eyes widened, but before she could ask more, a tall figure, shadowed against the sunlight pouring from the window of escape began walking up beside Timur. Instincts kicking in, she thought Timur’s orders earlier were neglected by his men, or that perhaps Timur himself gave an order, knowing it would be ignored somehow.

  However, she calmed a second later as the large silhouette revealed a familiar visage. She heard him coming, but allowed her disarrayed state to override her logic in that moment.

  “Ah, so you arrived here after all,” Timur stated, voice unchanging, unsurprised.

  “I would very much like in,” Casimir, the Blackbird, began, “to this little conversation of yours, Imperial Chancellor.” Despite his obscured features, Mimi felt an intimidating smile permeate underneath his large frustum hat.