> "'Kay."
> Float along with the crowd.
>You float along with the crowd, and are lead back toward the elevators. The soldiers up ahead are quite a bit more cautious than the ones you were with earlier, keeping their weapons trained on doors that you pass by. Despite this, you proceed without any difficulties, and you find yourself hoping that with this many soldiers concentrated here, Yumemi, Chiyuri, and Ruukoto will have an easier time getting away. A few of the soldiers are using the communicators built into their helmets, but you can't really hear what they are saying well enough to know what they're talking about. You note quite a few glancing toward Sariel from time to time, and you imagine that they would probably be whispering among themselves if not for the situation.
>Soon you approach the elevators, where more soldiers await, presumably to keep them from being used by yourself or any other intruders. They elevators are called, and you are lead into one with a number of your escorts. The trip up is silent and terse, none of the soldiers are saying anything, and you can feel them watching you, waiting for you to do something you don't understand.
>The doors open to reveal the opulent upper floor that you had visited before. Some of your escorts stay in the elevators, while upper floor guards move to replace them. You and your escorts linger a bit, until the other elevators open, and Kasen is marched out, along with the Agent, and Sariel's unconscious form is brought out from another. You are led down the eastern hallways, which largely resembles the ones you have seen before. The artworks are different, but are being used largely the same way. Soon your troupe come to a stop, as the one in front opens a door and users you in.
>You find yourself in a chamber superficially like the rest. Elaborate filigrees and panels cover the wall, and intricately carved and upholstered furniture can be seen. As well, though, there are starkly utilitarian pieces of machinery here; dark glass panels in plane frames of that ubiquitous slick material you have not been able to identify hang on the walls and rest on a large desk. Odd boxes with cords are placed here and there, connecting to the panels. Large curtain-framed windows at the rear of the room let you see that the nighttime sky is just starting to lighten a little. At the desk, in sitting in an immense chair of red leather, is the Emperor. His helmet leaves his face unreadable, but the visible lower portion of his face does not suggest he is pleased .
>"I have been told that you chose to assist the intruders after our last meeting," says the Emperor, as you are led before the desk.
>_
