Stress for the Commander

"This sort of thing is a serious matter, Captain. I'd like it if we could keep a certain level of professionalism. Shall we continue?" asserted the decorated officer positioned at the head of the conference room table. A few of the soldiers had been gawking at photographs of various subjects.

"Yes sir. My apologies, Commander Kiske. Ah, the next subject on their list is Jam Kuradoberi. Report #7403. It suggests that she is of minimal interest and/or risk to them aside from her abilities to wield Ki," read the soldier to his left.

"Right. Now I do believe that Ms. Kuradoberi is not a threat to any of us as she is on the list predetermined by our records. She is another one of the bounty hunters we've sat here reading about. Reading through our records, the reports we've collected from the P.W.A.B…. what I'm trying to say is that we aren't getting anywhere. The people of the world depend on institutions like ours to protect them. They expect us to remedy this Gear issue without the lot of them experiencing any of the negative side effects," lectured Ky Kiske, now standing.

"Beg my pardon, if you may, but sir… where exactly are you going with this? Would you like us to go back to the Assassins Guild, or perhaps the Pirates?" questioned the soldier to his right.

"No. No, I don't think that would be helpful. Concluding with the need of Ms. Kuradoberi's services—unless she can educate the Sacred Order in the ways of Ki, she may be dismissed after the tournament. Next on the list is Bridget, Report #7404. The Bureau doesn't seem to be worried about him at all. All they seem to mention is that his family is rich and that they can influence him to their side through that venue. I'm not sure if he will affect any issues with the Gears, but if need be it may be in our best interest to sway him to our side." A few officers started snickering at the photos. Ky raised his voice to continue. "Professionalism, please! As I was saying, we don't need the Bureau gaining any outside funding, nor do we want to lose any possible or current allies. Aside from that, the tournaments will grant us any further information on our future actions with him. Next on our list is…"

"Going on without me Commander?" the door squeaked open with Millia's head peaking out behind it. "I know I'm just a field agent, but if we are going through the Bureau's records…"

"I'm not sure how much this actually concerns you, but I'd prefer your opinion on these matters since you were present at the Midnight Carnival," Ky Kiske announced. Several of the soldiers and officers at the table shifted in their seats, darting glares toward the back of room. "Have a seat Officer Rage. Now, if I may move on. I'd really like to get through this before the meeting at the court of the UN in a week. Clear? Right. Next is Sol Badguy, #9641. Well, we know he isn't going to report to the court. Sol is a special case. We're going to need to get in contact with him somehow. He knows more about the Gears than we do. He's a danger to the Bureau. We need to get him closer to us than they can."

"If I may," Millia raised her hand to speak, "I've heard rumors that he was there when the Gears were created. If the Bureau's reports are true, then it says here that 'one account places the subject in the year 2099 -- exactly as he looks today -- participating in the Gear Project.' That has to say something."

"Thank you, Officer Rage. All the more reason to make sure we can get in contact with him. I suppose we can move on to another set of reports. That was the last of the bounty hunters."

"Officer, a word," Ky Kiske said without lifting his eyes from the papers stacked upon his desk. Millia turned around, ready to leave his office to take a much needed lunch. She took a deep breath and sat down once again, folding her left leg up over the right. "Thank you. I just had a few questions to ask you. How is the Assassin's Guild work coming?"

"What do you mean?" she questioned with a hint of frustration. "I know who established it. I know who runs it currently. I know who they are. Personally, they aren't much of a threat to this Gear situation and if that is what you are dealing with, I'd try to reason with them and call upon the help of those who will risk being under the care of the IPF. That's just my opinion though. I'm not working your case."

"True. But you're right. The Gears are again taking precedence. I can't have the world suffer another Crusade," he said, his eyes pointed down towards the papers on his desk as he shuffled through them. "You know a lot of things and a great deal of people. Be my liaison to the Assassin's Guild."

"What?" she cried.

"Please. I have the bounty hunters under control. I have Johnnie and the rest of those pirates under control. I can even get Sol to appear before the UN. That is the least of my worries. But I have so much weight on my shoulders, please Millia," he shuttered, his brow quivering.

"Listen. You are putting me in a shitty position. I'm already an officer of the very force that hunted me years ago. I'm assigned to destroy those that lived the life I lived. I am constantly pulled back from the goal I have for myself. Now you want me to go back to them, use them? Maybe you have the weight of the world on your prodigal shoulders, but you are stepping on toes, Ky. You want to worry about the Assassins? What about I-no? No one even knows who she is! You want to be allies with assassins while you keep bounties on their heads? Don't think people aren't confused about the close contact you've had with the Jellyfish Pirates since Commander Gear Dizzy was discovered. You're playing both sides of the fence. Get me off of the Assassin case and I'll get you allies from the Guild. I want my acquittal." She folded her arms and leaned back in the chair, eyes piercing.

"You're right. But what do you want me to do?" He sat paused, sitting back, scratching a bear shoulder. "Fine. You're off the case, but you are still on contract here. Any assassins that are allied will not be arrested during the time of their work with us or during the tournament. They will be given time to evacuate the premises and will not be followed. Their cases will only be reopened upon violations thereafter."

"Clean slates?"

"No. I can't erase murder, Millia. I can only allow them the chance to turn things around or go back into hiding where they are now."

"Thank you." Millia smiled and nodded. She stood up and saluted Ky. "You're a good guy, you know?"

Ky's desk was filled with more papers, scattered everywhere. He'd organized it all a few days ago, but the new papers snowed over everything he'd cleaned up. The phone started ringing and he pushed file folders aside to answer it.

"Commander Kiske speaking."

"What's going on Ky?" A stern voice thundered.

"Sol? Is that you?"

"Yes. Don't get sentimental. I got your letter and the form letter from the SO and the IFP. Tell me what's really going on here."

"PWAB. I-no. It's all the same stuff. But Dizzy's gone missing. Testament has gone missing looking for her. We don't know who our friends are and we need to track down the Bureau. You know more about the Gears than anybody. We need you here."

"How nice. I'm flattered, but what for? I don't know where they are. And I don't know who the Bureau is. I'm nearly positive I-no is working with them and I know she's working for That Man."

"Sol, I'm running out of options. They could find Dizzy and use her to start the Crusades again. They could use her power to take over," Ky yelled into the phone.

"Don't get emotional with me. I still don't see what I can do to help you right now. I don't know any more than you do. But seeing as you'll just post up wanted posters all over Europe…"

"Sol," Ky spoke quietly. "This is… this is more than me. We've uncovered the PWAB's records on everyone. They're afraid of you."

"As they should be, fuckers."

"No, Sol. They know you were there. They know you haven't aged. They'll find Axl Low and find out how he got here. Sol, I can't do all this by myself. Please."

There was a long pause leaving only the low buzzing of the phone signal. Ky squeezed the receiver in his hand, as a few stray tears built up on his lower lids.

"Fine. I'll report to the SO. I'm not speaking before the court though. That's bullshit. And I'll help you find the Bureau. Most of all I'll help you find I-no. Oh, how I would love to find her."

"Thank you. It's in a week."

"Free."

"Hope." Ky hung up the phone. He looked back down at all of the files and paperwork still left before him. A heavy sigh escaped him. "Dammit!" he yelled, pounding his fists against the desk. I can't fail, he thought out loud, I don't have a choice.

~To Continue...

Thank you for reading again. If you would like me to keep updating, please review. I'm a super busy guy, so I need to know if you really want me to continue writing. It's the only way I know what you think. I really do love criticism, even if it's only a few words. I would enjoy your input. Review! Thanks.