Disclaimer: I don't own Elfen Lied.
Although it's a sequel to "The Fight Game", it can still be read as an independent fic. Anyway, after an exhausting two days of tension between Nana and Lucy, apologies have been said and everyone returns to their normal routines. The enemy, Kakuzawa, also returns to his routine of hunting down the two free diclonii. How will he manage that? And how will the Kaede residents manage that?
Trouble on the Horizon"No, Arakawa", Kakuzawa resisted. "I told you that I'd tell you later".
"But sir, I'd like to know now", Arakawa pressed. "Why are you after Nana? We can't even confirm if Lucy is still alive".
Kakuzawa let out an exasperated sigh and checked his watch: 10:35 P.M. Then he turned to face his assistant.
"Damn it", he cursed. "I guess I won't get any rest until I finally talk, huh? Very well, follow me".
The two headed down the hallway and took a turn towards Kakuzawa's office. Arakawa followed her superior inside before he said another word. Kakuzawa sat down in his chair. Somehow, the distant seaside view looked unfriendly at this time of night.
"Sit", he said with a hand gesture.
His assistant took her seat across from his desk. Kakuzawa reached into his cabinet and pulled out a portfolio of important files.
"You were working with my son for the development of the vector virus vaccine, right?" he asked.
"Yes sir", Arakawa replied.
"I have had another team of researchers further examine your results. Apparently, there is more to the vaccine that I thought would have been possible.
"What?"
"This vaccine is obviously anti-viral", Kakuzawa explained. "When injected into a human, the immune system adapts to it and is thus able to destroy the vector virus in the event of an infection. But when injected into a diclonius, the results are found to be lethal. The diclonius brain, the pineal gland in particular, is where the greatest concentration of the virus lies. The anti-viral attacks that area and overwhelms the immune system. The brain suffers damage as a result".
"So are you saying that you're thinking of using this as a weapon?" Arakawa asked.
"No, I'm saying that your discovery of the vaccine may make our captive silpelits more useful after all", Kakuzawa answered.
"How?"
"Genetic engineering. We need to work on mapping out the complete genetic code of the vector virus. From there, we could modify the virus, inject it into a silpelit, and make any desired genetic changes to the subject! The reproductive incapability of silpelits can be nullified! We could create an even more powerful breed of diclonii! Even more powerful than Lucy herself!"
"Here we go again", Arakawa muttered to herself.
"What was that?" he interrupted.
"Oh nothing, sir", she quickly answered. "But that still doesn't explain why you want Nana".
"I've already told you about my former plans about the catalyst of a new mankind. Initially, I was planning on using Lucy to pass on my offspring, for we could be the new Adam and Eve. But I was foolish. It would only be possible if she were sedated and unconscious. That is a challenge in itself. Her vectors would make short work of anyone trying to implant the male reproductive cells into her. The same is true for all the other silpelits in this facility. Even if we could implant the sperm into any, most would rather commit suicide. None of them are willing. But number seven though. Ah, she may be useful. Silpelit seven has never raised a vector in lethal force. Even when Kurama ordered her to do so, she didn't. Her docile personality is the key. Silpelit seven, Nana, can be the Eve of a new diclonius race!"
The thought made Arakawa shudder. Luckily, her cell phone rang just in time to stop her from asking any stupid questions.
"One moment", she told Kakuzawa as she answered her phone. "Hello?"
"Arakawa ma'am?" the voice on the other line asked. "This is the commander of the SAT unit that was sent. We have failed to capture silpelit seven".
"What? Has anyone been killed?"
"Fortunately not. She used one of our men as a human shield in her escape, but she let him live. We know that she's not willing to come back".
"How do you know that?" Arakawa asked.
"She mentioned something about having a life to live", the commanding lieutenant stated.
"That explains it…" Arakawa mumbled. "I always knew that diclonii and humans could coexist in peace…"
"We must go back and try to capture her again!" the commanding lieutenant demanded. "And that bitch Lucy too!"
"Don't worry commander, Kakuzawa plans to dispatch a silpelit for that purpose".
"No! You have to send me and my men back in!" screamed the commander. "I'm not done!"
"I can't!" Arakawa yelled into her phone. "Look commander, I share your grief in the loss of the men killed by Lucy, but you can't let your feelings get in the way of your orders".
The other line was met with a tense silence.
"I understand, ma'am", the commander complied.
"That's good to hear. Be sure to make it back".
"Yes ma'am".
Arakawa finally ended the call. Kakuzawa looked at her intently.
"Was that the unit that was dispatched to capture silpelit seven?" he asked.
"Yes", his assistant answered.
"I'm guessing that they failed to succeed?"
"Yes…sir", Arakawa uncomfortably answered.
"Then it's confirmed. Indeed Nana still suppresses her homicidal tendencies. Arakawa?"
"Yes?"
"Number six is ready, right?" Kakuzawa asked.
"Yes he is".
"Good. Make sure that he's prepared for combat by tomorrow morning".
"Yes sir".
"I don't know if he's up to it, but it's not like he a choice anyway".
The next day at the Kaede Inn entrance…"Aww, come on Bando!" Mayu pleaded. "Why can't you stay?"
"Yeah, why can't you?" Nana echoed.
Bando turned around and let out an exasperated sigh.
"Look", he started. "I've already explained. Rough and tough, that's what I am. There's no run and gun action here, period. I have a life, you know. Good day."
Bando continued to walk down the pavement and disappeared around the corner of the Kaede Inn entrance. Nana and Mayu glumly stared down the silent path. He had spent an amusing morning with them, although it was nothing more than gaming on Kouta's computer. Nevertheless, he kept his "tough guy" demeanor about him, and left the inn with that same manner.
"Don't worry, Nana", Mayu consoled. "He'll be around when he's needed".
"Yeah, I hope so", Nana answered. "You still have that number?"
"What number?"
"Umm…I can't remember…a…something phone?"
"It's a cell phone", Mayu corrected.
"Oh".
"And yes, I still do have his number!" Mayu cheerily answered.
"Yay!" Nana squealed in delight. "Whenever we need him, we can call him!"
"I hope that doesn't happen for a while", Kouta grimly added.
The two girls spun around and saw Kouta standing behind them with a pensive look on his face.
"Kouta-san, what's wrong?" Mayu asked.
"Bando…" he whispered in silent reply. "He was the soldier on the beach who attacked Lucy and me".
Nana and Mayu exchanged concerned looks before turning their attention back to Kouta.
"Both of you, I know you like him very much, but I don't trust him. Not fully. Don't forget what he tried to do to Lucy".
Kouta turned around and began heading inside.
"Oh, and Yuka needs help with supper. Why don't you help her, Mayu?"
"Okay", Mayu answered.
Nana watched her friend follow Kouta inside. She knew that the aftershock of the recent events was still present. But she had no idea that the war had only just begun…
Sorry for the delay in releasing this follow-up fic! Anyways, I'll be working on the second chapter soon!
I'll also be writing some Azumanga Daioh fics, so keep a watch for that too.