Introduction:

Dio sat quietly as the bustle of activity continued around him in the warship.

"Squadron 3 support squadron 5, 8, and 13 and attack the rear, it is their weakest point." A guild voice stated.

Dio's attention was completely focused on the chessboard.

"Lord Dio, is something wrong?" Lucciola asked him in a concerned voice.

"Ah yes, Queen captures rook. " Dio responded in dull manner.

"My Lord, was that a wise move, your King is undefended." Lucciola uttered.

"Lucciola, you're questioning my move?" The other guilder inquired as his steely blue eyes suddenly went from the chessboard to his opponent.

"Of course not, Lord" The other answered quickly surprised by Dio's reaction.

"Well then.." Dio stated as his fingers drummed his face impatiently as he waited for Lucciola's move.

"pawn captures knight" Lucciola replied carefully gauging his master's reaction.

"Hm..how interesting Lucciola, your King has been captured by my queen, checkmate." Dio replied with an enigmatic smile on his face.

The other gasped as he quickly surveyed the board and discovered that he indeed had lost. He did not see the random moves were strategically planned to throw his attention away from the real danger. Dio's cunning surprised him. He would make a worthy adversary, his sister has trained him well.

"I'm bored, Lucciola, the days go by and there is no excitement to be had."

Suddenly Dio's attention was riveted to the screen where he was watching a vanship pilot plumet through one of their starship fighters.

"So much damage for one ship" Lucciola said without emotion.

"What nerve," Dio stated, "did you see it!" He said excitedly as his eyes flashed with life.

"Beginners luck, my Lord." Lucciola replied, but he noticed more and more starships losing ground against the enemy pilot.

"We seem to be faltering in our mission, Lord Dio."

"No, Lucciola even this pilot cannot get in the way. His technique can use work but have you ever seen someone fly so freely? I am happy with our progress. Delphine will be pleased." Dio said knowingly.

"It seems that he is not accustomed to fighting in battle, that is why there is the illusion of flying without boundaries. He is merely trying to survive." Lucciola acknowledged crititically as he too watched the vanship pilot attempt an escape from the the guild starship trailing him by performing an Immelmen turn and shooting back randomly.

Suddenly Lucciola noticed Dio's eyes go wide as they continued to look at the screen and recognize the pilot as the same one from the surveillance tape they saw at the temple where the Guild lost the key.

"Is it the pilot or his skills that interest you? Lucciola asked him.

"Both, lets go out and play, Lucciola. I'm bored of sitting around. It seems that there is some excitement to be had after all" he exclaimed.

"As you wish. Delphine will be angry when she hears of it." Lucciola warned his friend.

"Does it matter? I have only two weeks left before the Trial and then my freedom will be lost. Let me have my fun and enjoy my final moments of flight." Dio uttered in a serious tone,"after all, once the Ceremony is over I will no longer be able to fly.

"Of course, Lord Dio, lets go out then, but please do not do anything reckless." Lucciola said as they the chairs were slowly being lowered into the hanger and each guilder stepped into his prospective fighter.

"Don't worry, Lucciola," Dio said with a smile on his face, "I have you to protect me." And with that he winked at his friend and turned to enter his ship.