Minerva sat in front of her computer, typing away. Her helmet laid on the desk beside her, several cables connecting it to the computer. A few weeks had passed, and the occasional glitches persisted. She'd tried updating her system, to no avail. She'd run some basic scans, but no viruses were found. She'd even completely replaced parts in hopes that a single old component was the source of the problem.

“Still nothing,” she mumbled to herself. On her monitor the diagnostics scan had turned up with nothing wrong. “So what in the world is causing these glitches?” She sighed. “Nothing's been corrupted, but still, this is annoying.”

After unhooking her helmet, she removed her glasses to put it on. Starting it up, she did a quick check. Everything seemed fine, until the brief seconds of static returned. Minerva groaned in frustration.

“This is ridiculous! I need this to be in top shape for any new cases!”

The static came back in full force, and the noise it made was almost deafening. The blonde was about to rip the helmet off when the static cleared and an image came through. It was a dark silhouette of a person.

“Hello, Inari,” a voice said. It was distorted, likely from the use of a voice changer. “Or should I say, Minerva Cyber. A pleasure to finally speak with you.”

Minerva was alarmed. “Wh-What…? How did you…? Who are you?!”

“Who I am is irrelevant. All you need to know is that I'm in charge now. And you will do exactly as I say or else.”

“Or else what?”

“Hmm, let's see… I could reveal your identity to everyone, or I could destroy everything in your database. Or I could simply do this.”

Minerva suddenly felt her legs go numb. She gasped, unable to get up from her chair. “You seriously just messed with my spine?!”

The person chuckled. “I've not only hacked your system, but I've hacked you as well. And know that I'll be listening from now on. Speak of this to anyone or try to get me out, and I'll make sure you never walk again.”

Minerva was almost hyperventilating. Fear and panic overtook her. The feeling in her legs came back, allowing her to finally stand up and begin pacing.

“What do you want from me?”

“For now, just keep digging into the UR-1 Incident. There are some things I, too, wish to learn more about concerning that case. Simon Blackquill…is both a key component and a nuisance. Tread carefully while getting closer to him.”

Minerva narrowed her eyes into a glare. “So, Simon is a threat to you, huh.”

“You could put it that way. But don't let that fact go to your head. Remember who's in control here. Besides, knowing now that you are his weakest point, there's so many possibilities for me to take advantage of him.”

Outrage bubbled up from inside the woman, but she managed to keep it bottled up upon thinking of Simon getting caught up in this stranger’s web. “No need for that. I'll do as you say, just…leave him be. Please.”

“Very well. But should you compromise our agreement…well, I'm sure you can guess what I'll do to you.”

Static cut in, and when it stopped, all traces of the hacker were gone. Minerva started breathing heavily, removing her helmet and setting it on her desk. What should I do? What can I do? Her thoughts were all over the place. I could try to give Simon hints… No, that's too risky. Maybe Aura can help me remove the hacker… Also too risky, and I don't want to drag her into this. What do I do? What do I do?! She sat on her bed, realizing she was trembling.

“Just…play your part,” she told herself. “Solve UR-1. That should be easy enough, right?”

Though she tried to convince herself, there was a sinking feeling in her stomach that made her feel sick. It was a bad idea to help this hacker, but what other choice did she have? The lights on her helmet flashed and her ringtone sounded, interrupting her thoughts. She was almost hesitant to put it back on, but she pushed aside her caution. Sliding her helmet back on, she sighed upon seeing the caller ID, taking a moment to breathe before answering.

“Detective Fulbright, this isn't a good time.”

“So sorry, Miss Inari, but Prosecutor Blackquill just took on a new case! A murder at Themis Legal Academy. Your assistance in this case would greatly help us deliver justice!”

“I…I can't,” Inari replied. “My helmet’s in desperate need of repairs at the moment.”

“What?! But that can't be! You're the best CSI we've got! Surely you-”

“I said I can't!” she snapped. “I'm sorry, Detective, but this is one case you'll have to solve without me.” She hung up before he had the chance to argue further. With a sad sigh, she looked toward her window to the blue sky outside. “I'm sorry, Simon. I wish you luck on the case.”

~~~~~

Simon left the court in a brand new set of shackles. Every time he broke them, Fulbright had more at the ready. Despite his loss to Athena in court, he was a bit proud of how well she'd done. But with the case that took up all his time the past few days closed, his mind went back to Minerva. Her refusal to work on that case must've meant she was still having problems with her helmet. That wasn't good. For something relating to technology and mechanics to stump even her must've meant it was a bigger problem than either of them had assumed.

Just as he was about to get into the car back to prison, an abrupt and possibly stupid request came to mind. “Fool Bright.”

The detective paused with the back door wide open for the inmate. “Yes, Prosecutor Blackquill?”

“If I may, there is someplace I'd like to visit before I return to my cell.”

~~~~~

Minerva sat against the headboard of her bed, a book in hand. She was taking a little time off to help relax and ease her restless mind. In most cases, she'd be working, either on her own projects or on something Aura needed help with. But Aura was out at the moment, so Minerva stayed in, partially out of fear that the hacker would disable her spine in a public place.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. With her residence at the space center being the entire fifth floor, the elevator opened to a small entryway where the front door to the actual home was. Minerva placed her bookmark between the pages and closed the book, setting it on the nightstand. She got up and retrieved her helmet from the desk, taking off her glasses to put it on. After all, she had no idea who could be visiting. It was just a little after lunchtime, so surely Aura wasn't back already. She went out toward the front door, gasping when she opened it to see those familiar monochrome colors.

“Simon?! What are you…? Are you allowed to be here?”

“Fool Bright granted me permission.” The tall man before her gave a knowing smirk. “Don't worry, I didn't tell him anything other than I wished to visit an old friend. Your identity is safe.”

Minerva was quick to step aside and hold the door open for him. “Please, come in.”

Simon went inside, looking around at the decor of the living space. “Hmph. You've hardly changed a thing since Metis lived here.”

Closing the door behind him, the woman led him over to have a seat on the sofa. “Why change an already impeccable interior? I liked Metis’s style.”

“As did I.” Simon suddenly seemed to glare at her. “Would you take that silly thing off.”

Minerva laughed. “Want proof it's really me under here? Well, only for you.” She slid the helmet off, revealing her face to him for the first time in seven years. “I'll admit, it does get a bit stuffy at times.” She placed it on the coffee table.

Simon stared up at her in complete silence. His expression was as stoic as ever, but his eyes roamed her features from under his bangs, and his lips parted slightly. He suddenly stood, approached her, and startled her with a hug. As much of a hug as he could give anyway. The chain linking his shackles kept him from winding his arms around her, so he took to simply holding her shoulders.

“You're as beautiful as the day I met you,” he uttered under his breath. “Even more so.”

Minerva couldn't keep from blushing and grinning like an idiot. “Oh, Simon…”

She pulled herself from his grasp long enough to guide the chain over her head. That allowed her to hug him, and allowed him to properly hold her. After a moment, the blonde looked up to meet his gaze, which now softened considerably. With his arms around her frame, he took a moment to place his hands against her back, feeling the hardness of metal from under the thin shirt she was currently wearing.

“That apparatus…” Simon narrowed his eyes at her. “And what happened to your glasses? I always liked how they looked on you.”

“I still have my glasses, but my eyesight isn't actually bad enough that I need them all the time.” Minerva pulled away, ducking under the chain. She turned her back to him and lifted her shirt enough to show him. “Here. Since we're not in public, have a look for yourself.”

Simon knelt down so he could get a better look. From the area between her shoulder blades down to the very top of her behind was a spinal column made of metal with tiny intricate wiring between each disc. It laid right over where her real spine would be, and most of it was embedded in her skin and out of sight. The skin had healed around the apparatus, but on her lower back there was visible scarring from the incident. It nearly made Simon shed a tear.

“Pretty cool, huh?” the woman said, masking her sorrow behind a chipper demeanor. “I designed almost the entire thing myself. Aura fine tuned it and helped me build it. Then finding a surgeon capable of implanting it properly…that was a bit of a problem. Even once it was in place, it took months of rehabilitation until I could walk normally again, and even longer for everything to heal and the pain to go away. But look at me now. Possibly the first paraplegic to ever walk again. That's gotta be some kind of record, right?” Her voice was shaking. Retelling those events was getting to her more than she'd expected.

She suddenly felt warmth against her back, looking over her shoulder to find Simon leaning forward with a palm pressed against her lower back, feeling the warm softness of her skin give way to the cool hardness of metal. “I wish I had been there,” he quietly admitted. “I could've prevented this. I could've saved Metis’s life…and kept you from ever going through this much tribulation.” Despite his expression not changing, his voice began to tremble and tears slid down his cheeks. “I'm a failure of an apprentice. And even more of a failure of a potential partner.”

Minerva began crying as well, but turned toward him and took his face in her hands, tilting his head up to look at her. “No, Simon. There was nothing you could do. Never once did I blame you for not being there, and I know Aunt Metis would agree.” She managed a smile through her tears. “Now, no more tears please. You'll stain your skin even further if you keep that up.”

Simon forced back his urge to weep for her, taking a moment to close his eyes and lean into the touch of her hands. He felt her thumbs wipe away the wet trails from his cheeks, and when he opened his eyes to look up at her again, he found her warm, beautiful smile assuring him that everything would be okay. Gently, he took her hands and removed them from his face, then rose to his feet. Despite standing tall over her, Minerva didn't so much as move an inch away from him. She was one person, like Fulbright, that showed no fear around him.

“Would you like something to eat?” the woman suddenly asked. “I could fix up some lunch. You've got to have an appetite after court today, and I'm sure I can make you something better than what the prison serves.”

A slight smile tugged at Simon’s lips. “I would appreciate that. However, I haven't much time before Fool Bright fetches me.”

“Well, I hope you can settle for simple sandwiches this time then.”

Minerva retrieved her glasses, then went to the kitchen and got to work while Simon sat back down on the sofa. For possibly the first time in years, he wore a soft, genuine smile. Every time he glanced at the woman preparing lunch for him, he was struck with an oddly warm feeling in his chest. But then his gaze landed on the helmet placed upon the coffee table in front of him, his smile fading. He remembered his initial reason for visiting in the first place.

“Here we are.” Minerva strolled from the kitchen with a large plate of sandwiches, placing it on the coffee table in front of him. “Fruit sandwiches. Have as many as you like, though they may not be as good as the ones you'd find at a Japanese cafe.”

Simon took a bite of one, finding the flavors of strawberry and whipped cream filling his mouth. “I think they're delectable. Thank you for this most gracious meal.”

Minerva sat beside him, blushing lightly as she took a sandwich for herself. “You're welcome. I'm just glad to see they're to your liking.”

Simon eagerly finished his sandwich before taking another, figuring it was time to bring up the most important matter. “Minerva.” He looked at her. “There's a reason I came here today other than to catch up. What's going on with your helmet? It's unlike you to be stumped by a gadget.”

The blonde looked from him to her helmet, her brain scrambling for a response. As much as she didn't want to, she had to lie to him. “W-Well, there's just a really bad glitch in the system I can't seem to find the source of. With it acting up the way it is, I can't make accurate scans and analyses.”

Simon narrowed his eyes at her, reading her tone of voice and her subtle changes in expression. “Don't lie to me.”

Minerva flinched at his stern tone. In an instant, she stood, picking up her helmet. Just as she turned to take it back to her room, her spine stopped functioning. With a gasp, she fell forward, dropping her helmet as she hit the floor. Fortunately, she caught herself with her hands so the impact didn't hurt too bad. Simon jumped to his feet with alarm, kneeling at her side in an instant.

“Are you all right?!” He took her arm and helped sit her up.

The look on her face was one of pure fear and her breathing picked up. “I can't…I can't feel my legs!”

Simon surprised her by easing her into a sitting position, then sliding an arm under her knees while the other secured her lower back. Minerva grasped onto his shirt when he lifted her off the floor. Her panic died down a little at the fact that he was there with her, and she almost broke out in a blush with the way he picked her up. The man moved her back to the sofa, sitting her beside him once more.

“What's going on?” he asked, a slight alarm in his tone. One hand rested on her shoulder, both to keep her steady and to provide some means of comfort. “Don't tell me your spine is also malfunctioning.”

Minerva knew she couldn't keep the truth from him, no matter how she might try. She glanced to where her helmet had been left on the floor, then met his gaze again. Calming herself enough to properly breathe, she gestured him closer with her finger. As soon as he scooted close enough, she let herself fall against him, winding her arms around his neck. She pulled him even closer until her lips were right next to his ear. Simon felt her warm breath hit his skin, nearly causing him to shiver. His wide eyes and the pink hue of his pale cheeks was enough to show how flustered that made him.

“My system's been hacked,” Minerva whispered so quietly that even he could barely hear her. “My spine too. Someone wants answers to UR-1 from you. I'm not supposed to tell anyone. Please don't tell anyone.”

While Simon didn't have a full explanation, he was able to piece things together from there. He could only assume they were being monitored in some way, causing his expression to harden. Gently, he took her shoulders, giving a light squeeze to show her that he understood. With that, she slowly pulled away from him with a forced smile.

“B-Because of all my efforts on trying to fix my helmet, I've neglected maintenance on my spine,” the blonde explained, hoping that it sounded believable. “Some of the wiring needs replacing. But Aura’s going to help me with it later, don't worry.”

The man could see the fear in her eyes. It pained him to see her so scared. “I see. Then I hope you find success in both endeavors. I'm terribly sorry to have come at such an inconvenient time.”

“No, it's all right. I appreciate your concern for me, but rest assured, I'll be back in action in no time.”

With that, the feeling returned to her legs, confirming that the hacker was indeed listening in. Minerva carefully stood to be sure her spine was functioning properly, and as she did so, Simon instinctively stood with her, his arms out and hovering at her sides in case she collapsed again. The woman smiled at his reaction, watching his arms slowly drop to his sides, causing the chain connecting his shackles to jingle. Minerva fetched her helmet from the floor, checking it for damage before setting it back on the coffee table.

“I suppose I should be going before Fool Bright fetches me,” Simon suddenly said, turning to take his leave.

“Oh, of course.” Minerva walked him to the front door, stopping in the entryway with him. “And Simon?” The man paused and turned back to look at her. “Despite the circumstances, I'm glad you dropped by.” With a slight blush, she turned her gaze down toward her feet, bashful as she fiddled with the hem of her shirt. “This almost felt like…our first date all over again.”

“I suppose it did, didn't it?” Simon cracked a smile.

“Do you think, maybe, once we figure all this out…once you're no longer an inmate, could we do this again?”

Simon was hesitant to answer. He knew the truth would break her heart, yet he wanted to hold onto that sliver of hope. “I would like that,” he finally answered.

The woman's expression brightened. “Great! And, um, one more thing.” She moved in close and stood up on her toes in order to plant a kiss on his cheek. She was blushing when she moved back, and she giggled at the stunned look on his face. “Be careful out there.”

Simon turned away from her rather quickly, concealing the pink hue spreading across his cheeks. “You needn’t worry about me. Focus on your own pesky problem. I shall…see you soon.”

He hurried into the elevator and pushed the button. He caught Minerva's gaze one last time before the doors closed and he began his descent. Taking a deep breath, he thought over everything. Since it seemed Aura had never told her, he couldn't bring himself to either. Minerva would be devastated if she knew he was on death row. He didn't want her worrying about him, not when she had a hacker to deal with. Worst of all, his execution date was fast approaching, so it saddened him further at the idea of never getting another date with her. But at the very least, he would try his best to look into this mysterious hacker who, with the goal of attaining information on UR-1, gave him an idea of who it may be. He only hoped his hunch was wrong, for the last person he wanted the phantom to target was Minerva.