63 Manullium Mine - Part 1 (1/2)

World Walker got changed and grabbed his cane. He looked towards Ed and spoke in a serious tone, ”We should probably bring some backup along.”

”Eh, it's that dangerous?” Ed questioned

”Mm.” He nodded. ”We'll be going into a government controlled mine. Mechs and soldiers will be on guard everywhere. The two of us alone won't be enough.”

”Hmm.” Ed frowned. ”All the espers here are fairly busy. I'll see if Dupe can send a clone or two. Follow me.”

The duo traveled out of the building and headed for Dupe's office, which was adjacent to Ed's office.

Ed pounded on the door.

”Come in.” A voice rang out.

The duo entered inside and saw three Dupes huddled over paperwork at three separate desks.

”Yes?” The center Dupe questioned.

”I need a clone.” Ed replied. ”A disposable one. We're going on a dangerous mission that's essential to our future plans.”

”No can do.” He sighed while shaking his head. ”I'm at my limit. I've got clones spread out all over the state in preparation to frame the mayors of every city. I'm up to my neck in paperwork here as well. For once, I actually don't have enough hands to get everything done. I've even freed up some of my clones traveling in Europe to make room for more here.”

”So even you have a limit.” Ed lightly bit his thumb while thinking. ”What about Terra? I haven't seen her since we rescued her. Maybe she'll be useful?”

”Well, she is available, but I'm not sure she'd be very useful. She's been holed up in her room ever since we rescued her.”

”I'll take a look myself. Thanks.” Ed left the office and headed for the building complex where the officers lived. Terra was given a room on the top floor when he had rescued her, but he had been so busy that he'd all but forgotten about her.

He banged heavily on the door. It was several moments before a timid voice replied, ”Who is it?”

”Forge. Open up.” He replied.

The door slowly creaked open. The light from outside poured into the room, brightening up the darkness. A frail girl stood within the darkness. Her brown hair was neatly combed. She wore a white sundress and sandals.

Most men would swell up with desire to protect such a girl when laying their eyes upon her, but Ed just frowned. ”Where's Terra? I have something to discuss with her.”

”I... I...” She stammered trying to answer with her head lowered towards the ground.

”I'm in a hurry.” He gently pushed her aside and looked around the dark apartment. No one else was there.

”I... I'm Terra.” The voice quietly whispered from behind him.

”You?!” Ed spun around and took another careful look. On 2nd glance, she had the same amber eyes that Terra had. ”Talk about a complete 180. You look completely different. What's with the sundress?”

She clenched the hems of her dress while trembling. ”Ni... Nick said. That you. Like these clothes. On girls.”

”Where did Dupe get an idea like that?!” He rubbed his eyes while sighing. ”Whatever. That's not important. I have a mission and need extra help. It's extremely dangerous. Think you're up for it?”

”What kind of mission?” She glanced up at Ed before quickly lowering her head back down to the floor.

”We're infiltrating a government mine to steal as much manullium as we can. We'll be facing mechs and unknown espers.”

”Manullium?!” Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked up and stared towards him. ”You want to make more mana-collars?!”

”No.” He shook his head. ”Even if I wanted slaves, manullium wouldn't be a necessity for me to get them. I have far more important uses for it. Can you help or not? I'm on a tight schedule for the next few months.”

”If it's a mine... then I think I can help.” She nodded. ”My powers work well in mines and I'm used to them.”

”It might not be that simple.” Bolin interrupted while looking towards Ed. ”Manullium naturally interferes with esper powers. Everything is going to be more difficult. I can't teleport straight into the mine. She won't be able to move the earth if too much manullium ore is present within it. Even the flames from your limbs will be canceled by the power of it. I wasn't exaggerating when I said we might die.”

”I see.” He nodded. ”In that case, let's take the exo suits. I looted four of them a while back. We'll have Gunther come with us as well. He's been rather free ever since most of the guards have become soldiers underneath Ray's command.”

The trio met with Gunther, who also had possession of the exo suits within the guard's armory. He quickly agreed to go with them and they all got changed. Terra's suit was a bit large on her, so Ed had to slowly resize it with his powers. The black gel within the suit made it a difficult process, but he eventually succeeded.

”With this, we're all equivalent in strength to C grade espers.” Ed smiled and glanced towards Bolin. ”Let's go.”

”Right.” World Walker nodded and created a portal. The group stepped through it. The distorted space flashed by, causing their chests to feel compressed and their breathing to momentarily stop. They soon arrived atop a white landscape.

”A mountain?” Ed asked as the cold winds whistled past his armor.

”Right. Mount Washington within New Hampshire. The tallest mountain in the northeastern United States.” Bolin pointed towards the peak far above where they currently stood. ”The mine is located at the top. Manullium usually exists in very high or very low places, so it's not actually that hard to find. Unfortunately, this also means that almost all manullium is already controlled by existing organizations.”