The Noble Queen-A Shadow Slave Fanfic

Hex checked his watch as he hurried through the compound. Lunch in the staff cafeteria had been delicious but longer than he wanted.

He always preferred to have a few minutes of quiet before anyone else returned to catch up on any work that might have been sent to the archives while he was gone.

Silent work was the best work, especially if it meant he could choose the best tasks for himself.

"Maybe I can check the final draft on that Chain Worm dissection before anyone else arrives," Hex hoped.

Passing through the library, he waved at Ren, who was reading quietly behind the counter.

She looked up at him. "You are three minutes behind your usual schedule. You've only done that three times before in the six years you have worked here."

"Ah, yes," Hex rubbed the back of his neck. "I spilled the ribs from the cafeteria on me and it took a little bit of time to get out the stain." 

The librarian nodded knowingly, "Ah, that you have done weekly. Three hundred and twenty times due to holidays and that time you..." 

"Thank you, Ren," Hex's cheeks reddened, "I'll be on my way before I'm four minutes behind schedule."

"That would be a first," the librarian agreed. "Have a good afternoon!"

Relieved not to have his past traumas publicly announced, the archivist headed down into the bunker below the library.

'That was close.'

The artificially lit halls were empty of occupants. Even five minutes late for him was still a few minutes earlier than anyone else, as evidenced by the 'out for lunch' sign that still hung on the Archive's door.

Fishing out his key, Hex prepared to open up the office and begin his afternoon.

"Oh! What's this?"

Before he could put the key in the hole and enter the code, his foot bumped against something on the ground.

He picked up the neatly wrapped package and studied with a furrowed brow. "Feels like a book…"

"Archivist Hex?" A lilting voice called after him.

The young man turned at his name, pleasantly surprised by a beautiful Master with her hair knotted in a bun.

"Professor Noble," the archivist welcomed her.

"Ren said you were down here," the professor smiled warmly as she approached.

"Indeed I am. I just got back from lunch." Dipping his head, Hex grimaced. "Sorry for not shaking your hand. Mine are a little full at the moment."

Shifting her satchel, Noble held out her arms. "So they are, may I help?"

She took the rectangular object from his hand, allowing him to adjust his grip on his key.

"I find it interesting that a place so technical still has a mundane key as part of the entry process," the professor chuckled.

Hex smirked. "The combination of high and low tech makes the Archives more secure. Speaking of secure..."

He looked at her meaningfully.

"Of course," Noble turned her back.

Inserting the key, Hex placed his hand on a pad before entering a string of numbers. The new measures were secure…so secure that he almost missed a number and had to start over.

When the door clicked, he released the breath he had been holding.

Taking the sign off the door, he turned to welcome Noble inside.

"Sorry for the delay!"

"Not at all," Noble shook her head. "I should have come later, only I need to head back to Ravenheart shortly."

"Please come in, then, and I'll get my datapad up and running," Hex beckoned her. "I'll take that back too."

He held out his hand.

"What? Oh. Of course." Noble handed the modest package back to the archivist. "What is it?"

Hex shrugged.

"I don't know. It was sitting on the front door." He weighed the object in his hand. "I think it may be a book."

The professor tilted her head. "Do you often get things on your doorstep?"

The archivist frowned. "No, this would be a first."

Sitting down at his desk, Hex powered up the system. Why was it taking so long?

"It seems my equipment is having trouble waking up. It will just be a few more moments." 

"I understand about uncooperative technology." Noble nodded slowly. "I live in the Dream Realm full-time now." 

Hex winced. "Of course. You must do a lot of reading then." 

"I do." Noble agreed. "Do you have any good texts to recommend?"

"I'll let you know." The archivist's eyes traveled back to the book-shaped package. 

The more he thought about it, the odder it was. Who would hand deliver something to the Archive's door?

He picked up the object and stared down at it.

"While we wait, I should look at this just to make sure it isn't urgent," he said as much for himself as the professor.

Noble didn't object, so he pulled back the paper and tossed it in the bin.

Thankfully it was a book like he believed and not a bomb sent to the Archives to destroy it–Not that any bomb could do that. 

That didn't mean that the contents were any less shocking!

He stared in disbelief as he read the cover.

"The Exploration Report on the Tomb of Ariel."

"Did you say Ariel?" Noble looked over the desk to read as well.

"Seems so." Hex opened the report to look over the pages. His eyes glistened. "It's even better than I hoped! Look here!"

He pointed to the people who rode on swimming creatures and even slept on them. 

"A world with no land! Was everyone like a nightwalker then?" 

The young man's mind raced with all the possibilities. 

"I would have to ask Saint Kai next time he visits Ravenheart unless the author says. Who wrote it?" 

Smiling, Noble seemed as excited as he was about the discovery.

"It just says Nobody. I guess they want to remain anonymous." Hex furrowed his brow.

'Why wouldn't the author want to claim the contribution points? He or she could buy a mansion with what this would earn from this first chapter alone!'

"The government Saints would be able to put this in the system themselves. So, maybe it was Lady Changing Star herself who wrote this!" Hex mused. "She is always wanting to help people. Maybe her father didn't want her to publish it so she sent it without signing her name. If that's the case, then publishing it for the world to see would make me a hero of sorts."

Noble furrowed her brow. "Heroes often die for their cause, Hex. Please be careful!"

It was very kind of the professor to worry about him. Hex was touched by her concern.

"Don't worry ma'am. I won't use my terminal. I have to do routine maintenance on the main frame later, so I will put it directly in the database. If Lady Changing Star wants to remain anonymous, I won't give them a trail." Hex paused.

"It looks like you have it all figured out. I'm glad you know what to do." Noble nodded.

Hex furrowed his brow.

"You won't tell anyone, will you?"

"My lips are sealed," Noble ran two fingers across her lips and twisted them like a key. "You can count on me."

"Thank you," Hex placed his hand on his chest.

'Even if they trace it back to me, I have no proof of authorship, so what can they do?'

Suddenly Hex was very glad to have a witness for his discovery. No one would discount Noble's testimony if an inquiry was opened.

That was great luck!

Hex's datapad sounded that it was ready to go.

"Ah, finally! Now, Professor, what can I do for you?"

Noble shifted and pulled out her communicator.

"I wanted to check on the status of an article I submitted last month. I cannot find it." Noble brought out her copy of the article for Hex to search.

A few keystrokes later, the archivist clicked his tongue.

"Seems like a glitch. I'll push it through manually. If you don't see it on your end in the next hour, come back and we will find a workaround."

"I'll check tomorrow. I really must be going." Noble took back her device and tucked it away. "Goodbye Hex. And good luck!"

Left alone, the archivist gripped the report with both hands. He had never been more excited in his life.

This could be the find of the century!

It was only a shame that no one would know he made the discovery.

No one but Professor Noble, that was.

And something told him she was very good at keeping secrets.

Covering outside of the report with synthetic paper, Hex settled down in a meal of information.

And wow, was it a feast!