Companion. It would be you of all People. Surely you know what I'm capable of, Arc. You witnessed it firsthand when I slaughtered those Arcadians with ease. With me by your side and your Powers being bestowed upon by the Goddess. I'm certain we'll be unstoppable.

Jaune: If I recall, you're an expert in manipulation. How would I know you're not doing the same to me?

Valkia: It takes one to know one. But I am not deceiving you, Arc. By now, all of Arcadia is against us and it's all because of Nicolas. If you want to survive this, you have to trust me.

The two now make their way out of the Cell and into the Halls of the Brig. But right as Valkia was going to take her lead, signaling Jaune that she should follow her, Jaune stops her.

Jaune: I may have decided to team up with you. But I know this Ship inside and out. If you want a means to escape, I have it right here.

As Jaune shows off a Data Chip containing the Schematics and Map of the Quintus.

Jaune: I will give this to you if you agree to let me figure out what's really going on, maybe save one of my Friends from this mess. Because if I can't save all of them. Might as well save one.

A groan erupts from Valkia. But, she had a faint idea on who Jaune will save, and remembers the so called relationship between them and Aisha.

Valkia: Fine. I will allow it. As a show of gratitude, I will bring the heat to me. Just make sure you're in the Hangar Bay before me or else I will leave you behind, Jaune.

Jaune didn't like that implication as he throws Valkia the Data Chip, seeing she has agreed to his request. He watches as Valkia walks over to him and taps her finger on his forehead, what Jaune didn't know was a small circular outline appears before it disappeared. Jaune stares at Valkia walking the Halls of the Corridor, but she stops and glances at him, a smirk present on her face.

Valkia: Oh, if you want a hint. Your first step to knowing what's really going on is to find a Terminal or someone in this Ship that no doubt knows more Information about Nicolas. He must've had someone either in Arcadia or even the Black Arms to cause such a trance towards your Friends.

She disappears into the Hallway, Jaune takes in the hint that Valkia gave him, and the mentioned of the Black Arms gave Jaune his answer.

Jaune: Carmilla.

Timeskip

Meanwhile, in the Halls of the Cruiser, a Squad of One-Five Members sprint past Lilly, who is joined by two Soldiers; Delilah Lechat and Rieka Bleddyn. She and the two walk to three Soldiers who stopped in front of her to give the Report. They are the Three Stooges; Akari Judas, Iris Brey, and Sarah Hansen.

Akari: Ma'am, we finished our sweep of the Detention Level. The Prisoner has escaped. There's no sign of Arc or Harkon.

Lilly: Destroy the Escape Pods and every Ship we have, increase security on the Hangar Decks.

Akari: Right away, Ma'am.

The Three Stooges take their leave with Lilly doing the same. In another Hallway of the Quintus, we see Omega Squadron, comprised of their Leader; Gabriella "Triton" Thompson, and Members; Vera and Brielle Chevalier, then Darren "Hermes" Corwin, sprinting in the Halls, as they round a corner, Jaune appears while slowly looking to the Hall where the Squad was, once he saw they were gone, he presses on forward.

Jaune opens the Door to a Room, where he was met with some sort of Storage Space. He heads over to the Console and activates it, Jaune types on the Keyboard hoping his hunch will help him here. There, a Hologram of a Woman appears, she is described to be very voluptuous, has long blonde hair, red eyes, and Glasses. She wears a Nun's Outfit,  the Pieces she added in on her Outfit is a Golden Shoulder Piece on her right shoulder, white Gloves, Straps on top of her chest, which has two Straps hanging on both sides, and multiple ones in the stomach, a Chocker, Leggings connected to Straps on her thighs, and High Heels. She is the Main A.I of the Quintus, her name is Loral but they call her "Mother". 

When Loral appears, the minute she saw Jaune, her Mother Instincts came in and asked Jaune a bunch of frantic questions out of concern for him.

Loral: Jaune? Jaune what's going on here?! Why did the One-Five suddenly attack you?!

Jaune: Keep your voice down, Mother. I don't want anybody hearing us here. But like with you. I also want answers. And I believe searching anything related to Carmilla will help us.

The minute Jaune mentioned Carmilla, Loral is seen rubbing the back of her head while letting out a small laugh.

Loral: I see. Funny you should ask, Jaune. Because apparently somebody else here mentioned Carmilla.

Jaune: Wait, who?

???: That would be me.

The Hologram of Loral moves as another Hologram appears. It is another Woman, she is described to have black hair tied to pigtails, blue eyes, and Glasses, wearing a Maid Uniform. She is an A.I, her name is Casval.

Casval's appearance made Jaune confused. Why is she here? Casval notices Jaune's expression and answers his questions that haven't been asked.

Casval: If you want to know. Kara is indisposed. I noticed something wrong with her demeanor along with those around her. It reminded me of Kaela's brainwashing. Not only did I disable her means of.......killing you. I've done some research about what's going on.

Jaune: Then tell me. Tell me everything. What's making my Friends turn against me?

Casval: You're not going to like this, Jaune. But do you remember the Inhibitor Chips the Arcadian Military implemented on every Soldier in the Army?

Jaune: Yes. Mom told me it was implemented as a means to track all of our Soldiers at any given time. To know where to place Reinforcements at the Sectors where they're needed the most. To find Soldiers who have gone rogue. Even has the means for a Self-Destruct Feature which we can activate upon a press of a Button, killing the Soldier no matter how powerful they are.

Casval: Yes. But here is the truth of the Chip's purpose.

She says no more words and plays a Video Clip of Carmilla and Nicolas, the minute Jaune saw Nicolas with Carmilla, he couldn't believe his eyes.

Nicolas: Is it done?

Carmilla: Yes, the Inhibitor Chips are made to bring in absolute loyalty to every Soldier in Arcadia. They will be under your control. Any means of rebellion or doubt will be erased. I made sure of it. Not only that, with a few experimenting, I was able to find a way to negate all of their Powers. Every Soldier that has a means to fight against us, will lose their Powers for a certain period of time. Even permanent if I want it to be. Enough for us to take control of Arcadia. Even if they break the hold, they won't have the means to fight back.

Nicolas: Good, and once I execute Protocol 66. All of Arcadia will be under my command, and no one will have the means to rebel against me. Not even dear Juniper. She will be under my heel the minute my Plan is set in motion and those that will be an Obstacle, will be eliminated for good!!

The Video ends as Jaune has a look of shock on his face. He didn't believe what Valkia said to be true, but seeing this, it appears she was right all along. Jaune's fists clenching, knowing many of Arcadia will suffer under the hands of Nicolas. He's not a Hero, not his Father, but that of a Megalomaniacal who wants nothing more than Power and Control. Everything he knew about his Father, is nothing but an Act. A Lie. And with what he knows now, he is going to put a stop to this no matter what. Even if he has to die in the end, it matters not as long as Nicolas doesn't get the last laugh. Both Loral and Casval see Jaune's expression with Loral being very concerned for him.

Loral: Jaune-

Jaune: I need a way to remove the Chips. Casval, is there any way to do so?

Casval: I do. There's a Medical Bay near our Location. It has the Tools we need to remove the Chip.

Jaune: Good. I will meet you two in the Medical Bay. All I need is to get Lilly where I want her.

Casval: Why Lilly?

Jaune: Because out of all of them. She was the only one who was resisting the Chip. So if there's someone I want to save. It's her.

Loral: If that's so. Then you're going to need some help. 

On cue, the entirety of the Storage Bay activates, the Lights turning on and the Panels opening, revealing Herta Puppets were the ones being stored there. They activate and step out of their Loading Cells, Loral activated around three of them.

Simp Herta: Madam Herta is a peerless gem. Madam Herta is an unrivaled genius. Madam Herta is an inimitable beauty.

His response to using the Herta Puppets as a means to save Lilly from the Chips is to pinch his nose in frustration.

Jaune: Oh, boy.

Meanwhile...

The sound of Blaster Bolts firing echo out in the Hallway as Members of the One-Five fire their Blasters. One of them is Topaz, she is joined by Lady Bonajade or Jade, as the two step back and continued firing their Blasters. Aventurine is seen sliding on the Floor, getting up and firing back. In the background, Serval Landau gets to cover and Gepard Landau slowly steps back to the other Hallway. Topaz quickly yells out to the two One-Five behind her.

Topaz: Fall back! Fall back!

She was met with a Body being throw at her, sending her and Jade crashing to the Floor. The rest of the Soldiers fall back towards the Hallway they are in, and continued firing as the Figure they were shooting at reveals themselves, it was none other then Valkia, the Woman having a menacing smirk on her face.

Valkia's hand glows with Cosmic Energy as she uses her Telekinesis to remove a Metal Panel out of the Wall, it flies out, hitting Aventurine as it sends the Gambler to the Floor. Valkia hovers the Metal Panel in the air, the Panel shrouded with an Aura, as she uses it as a Shield. Valkia swings her hand upwards, using her Reality Manipulation, she creates a Metal Spike, the tip heated up and pierces Aya Winchester in the chest, sending her to the Ceiling. She continues walking and releases the Metal Spike, Aya's body crashing to the Floor. Valkia uses her Reality Manipulation to form the Metal Panel into a Shuriken, and proceeds to throw it as a Projectile towards Serval, Gepard, and Lynx Landau. It  decapitates the three Landau Siblings as their heads and bodies fall to the Floor.

Two Metal Panels on each side started glowing with Cosmic Energy as they began to break apart from the Wall. Valkia swings her arms, and they were ripped apart from the Wall, sandwiching the Surana Sisters; Ysera and Vesaria. When the Metal Panels made contact with them, Valkia uses Reality Manipulation to form Spikes on the Metal, piercing through the bodies of the two Sisters as they fell to the Floor. She forms the Walls back to their original state and uses them as Shields. The five Members of the Squad; Magnificent Seven, comprised of Melanoa Madison, Nina Stallion, Shiro Hellrios, Hae Mun, and Heather Gunther, step back and continued firing at Valkia, who steps forward and continues to use the Shields. Valkia pushes her arm forward, sending one Wall and forming it into two Spikes at the same time, at the five Members. It hits Shiro and Heather, sending Heather to the ground with the Spike lodged on her chest, while Shiro gets stabbed on her stomach and gets stuck to the Wall.

Melanoa: Hellrios and Gunther are down!! Harkon's advancing towards the Main Hangar!

She contacts Lilly on the Comms, with Nina and Hae firing at Valkia as they continue to move back.

Lilly: You must seal the Blast Doors! Stop her advance!

Valkia uses her Telekinesis to pull their Blasters away from them.

Melanoa: Seal the Blast Door! Now!

Hae makes a run for it to the end of the Hallway and presses the Button as the Doors start to close. She watches Nina and Melanoa, who fires one more shot, running for the Door. Unfortunately, Melanoa was stopped when she felt a strong pull, Melanoa looks back and sees she is being pulled towards the Closing Doors. Melanoa screams in fear as Nina goes up to Melanoa and pulls her other arm, a tug of war occurs but Nina wasn't strong enough to overcome the pull, the Doors beginning to close on Melanoa's arm and...

(A/N: I don't own this Gif, it belongs to their respective Owners)

SNAP!

The Doors fully close as an arm falls to the Floor, Lilly's voice coming out of Melanoa's Comms.

Lilly: Madison, did you seal the Doors? Madison, come in?! If you read this, seal the Door. We want to redirect her approach. Over.

Valkia walks to the arm and looks at it, having an amused smirk on her face.

In another part of the Quintus...

A Group of One-Five Soldiers, comprised of Dobermann, Franka, Amiya, and Liskarm, are seen sprinting in the Halls of the Quintus. They ran past Arrogant Herta and Calm Herta, the two Hertas seeing Lilly following close behind. The Puppets make their move and walk in front of Lilly, Lilly didn't see them and collides with Calm Herta.

Lilly: Hey, hey. Out of the way, Cheap Knock-Off!

Arrogant Herta makes her way to the Console, inputting the Code, she closes the Door and locks it. Dobermann and Franka stop on their tracks, looking at Lilly as the Doors shut right as they were about to run to the Controls. Lilly looks to her right to see the Doors there also closing, then looks behind her to see Exusiai, GreyThroat, Blaze, Jessica Brynley, and Nearl, Exusiai reaches out to Lilly but the Doors close on her.

Lilly: Are you cross-wired!?

The two Herta Puppets said nothing as Arrogant Herta displays a Hologram of Jaune.

Jaune: Lilly. I know what's happening. You were right. You are being controlled, and so is everyone else. I can't help the others, but I can help you.

The Hologram ends as Lilly aims her Pistol at the Hertas.

Lilly: Where is he?

Jaune: I'm right here.

She immediately turns around and aims her Pistol at Jaune, but then....

FREEZE!

Simp Herta arrives and hits Lilly with her Hammer, freezing Lilly in Ice.

Jaune: Careful. We're not trying to kill her.

Doberman: They've got the Major. Bring the Charges!

The muffled voices of the One-Five Members can be heard in the Closed Doors, a look of seriousness appearing on Jaune's face, seeing he barely has time.

Jaune: Hertas, are all the Doors sealed so the way is clear?

Arrogant Herta: Yes. Don't underestimate my means!

Jaune: Okay. Let's get her to the Medical Bay.

As Jaune unfreezes Lilly using the Flames of Ifrit, her being encased in Ice made her unconscious. Let's just say Jaune gave Simp Herta a Buff to make her Attack allow it to do so. Jaune gently holds Lilly and carries her Bridal Style, he looks to the Doors to see them starting to cut through it. He quickly makes his move to another Hallway, looking behind him to see the One-Five were able to breach the Doors. Just as they were about to make their way towards Jaune, Arrogant Herta shuts the Doors on them.

Dobermann: Start working on these Doors!

Quintus: Medical Bay

The Group makes it to the Medical Bay as the Doors open, Jaune rushes over to the Operating Bed and gently places Lilly there. Once that's done, Jaune heads over to the Main Console in the Room, on cue, Casval and Loral made their appearance.

Jaune: Casval, Loral. See if you can find the Inhibitor Chip, and make it quick. We won't have long.

The two A.Is nod and got to work, Jaune steps back and watches the Screen, witnessing multiple Tabs open up as a Scanner activates and begins scanning Lilly's head, her Helmet was removed beforehand. As Jaune waits, he is seen tapping his foot in a quick manner, waiting for the results of the two A.Is.

Jaune: Anything?

Casval: Give me a few seconds. I'm sorting out all the Files I was able to acquire from Carmilla's Archives back at Tantiss. The Info on the Chips is here. I just need time.

He glances at the Door, knowing his Friends can come in here at any given time. And he is right, Sophia "Shogun" Davies is seen running to the Entrance of the Medical Bay with Lincoln "Alibi" and Leon "Mira" Mayer right behind her. They reached the Entrance and were met with Luka and Natasha, Sophia (Shogun) rushes to the Door and opens the Panel on the Console, overriding the Door Controls.

Jaune: Make it fast.

After a few seconds, an Alert sounds out in the Medical Bay, followed by Casval's joyous scream.

Casval: Found it!!

She pops it up on the Screen in the Wall as Jaune takes a look, seeing the Chip is located in the middle of Lilly's Brain, right on top of it.

Jaune: Casval, Loral, get the Machine ready. Hertas, help the A.Is in removing the Chip, and do it properly. I need another Herta to reseal the Doors as quickly as possible. Once those Doors open, it's going to be quite hectic.

Arrogant Herta: Don't worry, Jaune. You can count on us.

Jaune nods, watching Simp Herta head on over to the Door Controls with Arrogant and Calm Herta manning the Console of the Machine as the two A.Is start it up, Lilly's entire head now being covered by Parts of the Machine. The sound of Metal clanging can be heard as Jaune turns around to see sparks bursting out from the Door Hinges.

Jaune: Herta, get ready on the Door.

Simp Herta nods and gets into position on the Console. Jaune slams his Shield on the