Chapter 3: One Who Knows All He Preceives - Self_Intuitive_Manipulation

Part 1

6:59 AM

Monday morning, a school morning.

While he is usually asleep at this time, Ian is wide awake on his bed with his right hand partway reaching the ceiling.

The room slowly flickered in an orange glow, on and off. The source is at the hand of the only person in that room.

He is playing with fire and loving every second of it, mesmerized and amazed.

Just how it is that he is able to produce flames by will? It seems like energy is being produced from nothing, but he knows that is not true.

The fire on his palm is about the size of a baseball and for a beginner, it is quite the size. It is no surprise to Ian considering he did practiced for 2 hours straight.

(This is not a dream, this is real!)

Unable to use any ability ever since he arrived to Academy City, his dream is finally at his palm in the form of light and heat.

7:00 AM

The clock's built in alarm switched on, tuning on a certain radio channel.

That is the call for him to get up; that is the call for him to get ready for school.

He clamps out the fire at his palm and jumped out of bed.

He can't wait to show his new found ability to someone, anyone, just as long as it is a person. But he made up his mind the first person to show is Isao.

While commuting to school, Ian really wants to play with fire but he knows he might get into a little trouble with the authority if he is to use his ability for no legitimate reason.

So he suppresses his anticipation until he reaches school and finds Isao.

He walked to school with a smile on his face and occasionally taking a few peek at his right palm.

If someone looked at him, they might think he has won a lottery, got a new girlfriend or just plain crazy.

The walk to school was brief, all thanks to the entertainment on his right palm.

As he arrived to his school, his priority is to seat in the classroom and wait for Isao. His classmates as well as other students are around the classroom, in a groups or alone, either at a desk or standing around the classroom.

Ian sat patiently and waited; waited for that loud person to share his happiness with.

"Come on, where is he."

"Hey Ian wassup?"

Ian's attention directed to the call. It was a fellow classmate who noticed Ian's good mood this day. He is a few meters away and approaching.

"Oh hey, nothing much."

"Why are you so excited? Did something good happen?"

"Oh-ho-ho yes, something exciting did happen."

"Really? What is it?"

Ian's excitement grew even more now that there is someone asking. He wanted real badly to tell this person of his new found ability but he is too stubborn for he already plans to tell Isao first.

Possibly following the saying 'good things come to the ones who wait.'

"Hm-hm-hm.. you will have to wait until Isao is here my good friend, then I'll reveal the truth behind my excitement."

Ian gave the classmate a thumbs up as he finishes his reply.

"What? Aw come on, you're always like that! Why do I have to wait just because you've set some conditions?"

"Sorry my friend, but that's just me."

Knowing that Ian is not going to talk, the classmate gives up. He said bye and went back to his spot in the classroom.

Ian resumes his wait for Isao, staring at the classroom entrance.

( Come on, where are you?)

*B-B-R-R-R-I-N-G* the school bell sounded. Time for class is a few minutes away.

Students started to move to their respective classes and seats. Most of them are walking and some are jogging.

Ian is disappointed that Isao did not make it to school.

"Maybe he is lat- Ohh.."

He remembered yesterday's event with Isao's training. Perhaps Isao is really at the infirmary or quite possibly the hospital.

(Man, what brutal training. Guess I better think of something to get him then.)

Although he just spoke with Isao last night and he was at home. Were his injuries that severe?

An idea popped out, it is probably muscle cramps. To train that hard in a day would probably knockout any average person.

"That's probably it, nothing too serious then."

Without any options, Ian waited till school ends for the day, and just as time skips…

Part 2

*B-B-R-R-R-I-N-G* the sound of school dismissal at 2:30 PM.

Unlike any public high school, the school Ian is enrolled in ends early. Students get to leave early for the price of studying more in classes and having short breaks in-between.

A good price to pay for those who excel in academics.

Students leave the building in a matter of minutes; leaving to go on with their lives either hanging out with friends, doing research, having lunch, or any other activities.

For those who are staying after, they have cleaning duties to attend to. Luckily for Ian, his cleaning duties aren't assigned to him on this day.

Well if he can't come to Ian, Ian will have to go to him and without much ado he started his way to Isao's dormitory.

District 7

One of the 23 districts in Academy City which houses middle to high school students.

East of the district at a certain building is where Kokawa's dorm is located.

At the 4th floor of the building, Ian stood in front of room 406.

*Dok dok*

*Dok dok dok*

"Hey Isao, it's me Ian. Are you in?"

Only silence replied.

Ian pushed his head, mainly his right ear, to the door.

Sounds of commercials could be heard from the inside. The television is on.

Ian wants to knock again but that's already been tried twice, so he took another step to get himself in.

On the right of the door is a steeled-barred window.

Ian checks the window for a tiny unlocking object; the key to the front door.

"Found it."

In a matter of seconds, the elusive key whose color blended in the surroundings of the window is discovered.

He then proceeds into the dorm.

There is not much difference in the dormitory design, everything was very close to Ian's dorm; the kitchen is right at the entrance and the whole room is after. The one single difference is the bathroom is placed in the middle of the room, beside the kitchen counter.

The intruder walked in without any worry of breaking and entering.

"Hey Isao, you in?"

Again, only silence and the background of the television replied.

His attention got directed to the coffee table in the middle of the room and on it were first aid kits. The kits appear to be used midway for some bandage rolls are not kept and the alcohol bottle is uncapped.

Kokawa Isao doesn't know how to clean up is what Ian thought.

He begins to examine the table closely.

Business card.

"?"

On the side of the table lies a business card, an awfully familiar one too.

He picked it up and began to study the contents.

"A-R-C. The Ability Research Center. Head of the department, Doctor Connor."

An answer to where Isao is at, probably.

Ian's initial objective was to look for Kokawa at his place. If he is not there then it is off to the 139th branch.

But now, he has another new area to look for Isao.

(What a pain, where is that guy?)

He lifts up his right palm and *fuomh* made a small fire.

A very cute, happy music starts playing from the television which directed his attention to it.

The fire dissipates from his hand as he watches the screen.

"…Magical Powered Kanamin, airing soon huh?"

Well his job there is done, for now.

With no Isao at sight, Ian leaves for his next course, the 139th branch.

Doing a little favor for Kokawa, Ian shuts the television for him and proceeds to the exit.

As he is about to leave, he subconsciously shuts off the light.

(Hmm? Was the light on? Nah, probably my imagination.)

And the person exits the dorm and closes the door.

*Pon Pon* cars in front of the 139th building honking.

Traffic is good on the streets so the honk is not for the congested roads, but to warn some students running in front of cars.

In the 139th branch, Nakayama Yuichi and Tanaka Nanako are busy at work at their designated work station given by, of course, Tanaka Nanako 'the Boss' herself.

"Hey Ichi-boy, could ya pass me the C-files?"

Nakayama pulls a file off his pile and hands it over to the 'Boss', stretching his arm out but still keeping focus on his work.

"Thank you." she receives it.

*Dok dok dok*

Both of the Judgment members turned to the door and from it entered Ian.

"Hey, am I intruding?"

He closed the door behind him.

The 'Boss' stood up immediately from her seat.

Even though Ian only met her a day ago, he can sense that woman's intentions.

"I guess you've finally made up your mind huh? Well good to know that you're joining the party."

"Huh? Made up my mind about what?"

Nakayama continues to write his reports.

"Oh don't play stupid with me; you know what I am talking about. Joining us, the 139th branch, one of the best!"

The 'Boss' approaches Ian and stood in front of him.

From a distance, one can see that she's a little taller than Ian but to Ian at that moment, he felt as if he is looking at a tall wall.

She smacked her left hand on Ian's shoulder a couple of times.

"Don't worry, if you're with us I promise you'll be a full fledge member in no time!"

"Oh, ah-haha.. that, yes, that. I actually still don't want to be a part of it."

Ian held both his hands up to shoulder level, gesturing a no thanks, please back off sign.

"Huh? You still have not made up your mind yet? Alright then boy, I'll give you some more time."

"N-no, I said I would like to decli-"

"Alright, back to work then!"

She returns to her post, back to reviewing her files she got from Nakayama.

Ian just learned something at that time that it is impossible to persuade someone like her.

Sensing Ian had some business to visit their branch, Nakayama asks the visitor like any helpful personnel would.

"So Khaw-san, how can I help you?"

"Ah, I actually came here looking for Isao, have you seen him?"

Tanaka immediately jumped a little when she heard Isao's name.

"Kokawa-san? Have not seen him today, only yesterday when we parted him with some first aid kits..."

Tanaka stood up from her chair and proceeds to the kitchen with her back facing them.

"…thanks to the 'Boss' there."

Her movements completely stopped in guilt. It would seem that guilt has the power to stop the 'Boss' herself.

"Oh I see. She trained him that bad huh?"

Tanaka Nanako quickly turned around and placed her palm together, in a sorry gesture.

"Sorry! I know I was too rough now but yesterday I got a little too excited!"

"A little too excited 'Boss'?"

Another guilt ridden shiver goes through Tanaka.

"Ah.. Alright, maybe I was too excited but that's why I gave him a day off today, or until he gets better."

She lifts her head up to look at Ian.

"Please if you see Sao-boy, tell him he'll be getting free lunch for a week when he gets back."

"Uh.. okay, I will do that."

"Thank you, I knew you would understand!"

She bows to Ian.

Nakayama interrupted her apology by saying, "You're apologizing to the wrong person 'Boss'."

"Ah? Ah-hahahaha, anyway, do you want some coffee? I'll go make some now."

Tanaka exits the room to the kitchen.

Ian and Yuichi stares as she exits.

"Well if Isao has not come back here then I have one more spot to look for him."

It all pieced together for Ian, if Isao is injured that badly, he would probably go to the doctor for some medical treatment. But Ian knows that Kokawa Isao's definition of doctor from the name Dr. Connor is wrong. He might just find him with the doctor.

"What's the matter? Did something happen to Kokawa-san?"

"Ah no, it's just that he wasn't at school or home today so I am searching for him."

*Ting-klin-lin-lin!* from the kitchen a tea spoon fell.

"Umm... should I give him a whole month's of lunch?" Nanako questions form the kitchen.

"Well I still have one more spot to look for him so when I find him I'll inform you guys."

"I see, alright then. See you later Khaw-san."

"And think about it okay Khaw-boy!"

Even at her position, she still manages to stand tall for what she aims for, that 'Boss' lady of the 139th branch.

"Alright then, see you later"

And the guess exits the building.

District 10

The district has other research facilities, but this district in Academy City known for nuclear energy research facilities.

The ARC building is located a fair walking upon entering the 10th district from the 7th district.

"This is becoming a pain."

Ian stood on the paved walkway beside the road reading the business card.

He points his left index finger straight to guide him, a habit done subconsciously.

Ability Research Center.

It is a building with 3 stories taking 50 meters up in width and 90 meters in length.

The building is smaller than that dimensions, the extra surplus of land is for parking space.

There is a big difference between it and the rest of the buildings beside it, like a row of plain sponge cake are cut in the middle to substitute a creamy, soft chocolate cake.

Ian takes a look at the sleek building, admiring the architecture of Academy City.

And he enters.

In the research building, it is no surprise to see a number researchers and interns but it surprised the naive Ian for there are students there, about the same amount of workers, helping out this research facility.

It could just be some part time job or maybe work experience but the city never seizes to surprise Ian.

He spots a receptionist's desk and what else is he to do but ask for direction.

"Um.. Hi, I am looking for Dr. Connor. Could you tell me where his office is?"

The lady behind the desk finishes a few strokes on the keyboard then turn to offer her help.

"Sorry, Dr. Connor is busy at this moment. He will be done shortly so could you please wait by the seats? I'll inform him of your request when he is done."

"Oh thank you."

Ian followed her instructions and waited by the seats.

To keep guess entertained, a 49" plasma television is hung from the ceiling of the first floor, facing the seats which only harbor Ian at the moment.

The current channel showed weather report for Academy City.

Sunny, sunny, sunny, sunny, and cloudy.

The days are getting warmer in spring.

With nothing interesting on screen, Ian stares at the hardworking people walking around, moving files, pushing carts, or carrying small boxes.

Students and interns are in the mix of the office work.

"?"

This feeling, something similar to the incident in a certain ally with a certain training.

The feeling of knowing something subconsciously; knowing without learning, just like an idea forming from the strangest places that has no relation to the idea, like in a shower.

Something is directing Ian's attention to.

He can't stop this feeling; it is just pulling his eyes to a student carrying some files.

Immediately he looked at this male student, looks like a high school student wearing his normal attire.

But that is not what his attention is directed at; his attention is at the student's neck.

Well it is just a neck, nothing more to it and Ian would defend his dignity by saying he doesn't have a neck feti- Something is there.

A chocker.

A tan colored chocker that blended in quite well with the student's neck.

If one were to look at a distance, it would be very hard to spot. But once recognized it is easily spotted by the naked eye.

(Why is he wearing a chocker? New fashion sense?)

It is probably some new fashion Ian did not care to bother.

Although he dismisses it, he can't help but spot more and more chokers on the students there.

Male and female, they are wearing the same kind of chocker.

Does Ian Khaw really have a bad sense of fashion? Did he not see the wave of choker fashion being popularized?

He holds his neck, thinking perhaps he should get one and not get left out in this choker take over, better than being cased out.

"Ian, glad to see you paying a visit"

Dr. Steven Connor, still in his lab coat, approaches Ian.

Ian stood up from his seat.

"Hey Steven, hope I wasn't interrupting."

Dr. Connor, equipped with a chart in his left hand, stopped at a talking distance to Ian.

"No, not at all. The research is conducting on schedule. In fact, it is almost time for my break too."

"Ah I see."

"I was informed you were looking for me, how may I be of assistance?"

"Right, you see Isao is absent to school today and when I went to his place, he was not there too. So I thought he might be here and that's why I came."

"Well I can see you know him very well. Yes he is here helping me with my research."

Know him very well? Perhaps it is true, thought Ian, but he is never one to be able to predict a friend's location with a little clue like the business card. Isao did seem like he has his mind set on going with Judgment, so why did Ian think Isao was going to be here? Lucky guess perhaps?

"Oh I see, I guess I was right. Mind if I see him so I can give him a lecture?"

"Haha sure, sure. Let me get him now."

The Doctor places his index and middle finger of his right hand on the base on his neck and spoke. In doing so, Ian spots the same kind of choker on his neck.

"Isao, could you please come here for a moment, you have a 'visitor'."

His right hand pulls away from his neck.

"He'll be here shortly."

"Okay, thanks. Umm… by the way, I noticed there are a lot of student with the same chocker you have on."

Ian's curiosity is voiced out and the Doctor immediately gave Ian his full focus.

"It acts as a transmitter and receiver, and it's designed to blend in."

(So it's like a walkie-talkie.) Ian thought to himself.

"Impressive, you must have quite the eye. Perhaps I can infer that you're quite the marksman?"

"Marksman? Well, I do play a lot of shooting game."

If Ian Khaw was any younger, he would brag about his shooting skills he has got from arcade games. But right now, he knows better not to do so to show a level of maturity.

The Doctor releases his focus on Ian, as if lowering his guard.

"Shooting games? Well that might be the reason for your keen eyes then hahaha."

"Haha, I guess."

Something feels off; just how did he guess Ian as a marksman just by one detail?

Self-Intuitive Manipulation.

That is the answer Ian came up with that made total sense.

"Yo Ian, whassup?"

Kokawa Isao is seen exiting an elevator, waving his hand in the air to get more attention to him.

No differences can be spotted; he is in his usual lively mood.

But contrary to his mental state, his physical state is pretty beat up; almost like he had been tackled by a car going at 40.

Kokawa is semi-fully covered with bandages, some over his uniform. The most obvious ones are on his head and left arm.

In no way is his limb rendered useless, it just looks like it is.

"There you are, why did you disappear like that?"

"Oh I did? Sorry man, did not mean to cause any worries. But it was just a day though, why are you so worried?"

Isao joins the group with Ian and Steven.

Ian points at Isao's bandages.

"Need I explain more?"

"Ah… I see, right, that. Still, it's all good man."

"All good huh? From yesterday's event, you seem like you were about to be barbequed. I was considering getting you a 'get well' gift just incase you end up in the ER."

"Ah haha… well I did go to a doctor."

"And did you know that people who earn their PhD are called 'Doctor' too?"

"Yes, well no. I just learned it when I talked to Steven."

The doctor, with a smile, nodded.

"Well I was quite astonished when Isao came to my office with such terrible physical condition, so I had a private doctor examined and treated him."

A personal doctor for the Doctor, Ian's view on researchers increased 12% for their pay might be good.

"And after he treated me, I decided to stay and help Steven out. My ability really came in handy for the research."

"I see, was the 'Boss' really that frightful?"

"Ah hahahahaha! What do you mean? I mean Judgment was good and all but I felt a calling here so I decided to help out!"

While Isao is trying to hide it, he trembles before the name of the 'Boss'.

"Well she says she's sorry for what's happen and would like to make it up."

"Um… right, I'll be sure to see h-her after I get done with this."

"Right… well it's good to see that you're okay. I'll tell the others that you're okay then."

With a peace of mind, Ian can now go.

"Okay then, I'll see you later man"

"Please do visit again, it can get awfully stale here."

"Alright then, I'll see ya guys later"

Ian breaks off from the 3-man group circle and heads for the exit.

But before he leaves, he takes another look at Isao and Steven.

Again he saw it but this time it is on Isao, the bandages must have obscured its view to Ian but it is clearly shown to him now.

The choker, a.k.a. radio transmitter and receiver is what Ian sees.

Strange, emptiness, uneasiness, something is off and Ian Khaw can't pin point what's wrong.

(I am worrying too much)

And he leaves the premises.

Isao and the doctor is still standing at the same spot, seeing Ian off.

When Ian is off from their view, Isao's cheerful mood quickly disappeared. It is replaced by a face with no expression, almost as if a robot program has taken over.

"You did a good job Isao. Now return to your position and begin the final phase for project 'Cap. Down'."

"Yes sir"

The lifeless Isao walked away, following that order given to him.

The doctor still stood there, looking at where Ian had left his view.

"Shooting games right?"

He turns around and exits the scene.

The floor, still busy with interns and students, went back to being an everyday workspace.

Part 3

*kli-kli-klin kli-kli-klin* a security robot zooms past Ian Khaw.

While walking to the 139th, Ian has nothing much to do except preoccupy his mind with past events.

He thought back on the whole scene in the ARC building.

Forgotten something?

Ian wonders what was wrong in there, the feeling of uneasiness he felt back then could not be shaken off.

Everything seemed normal but when the choker is added into the mix, Ian can't help but feel there is something more to it.

"Hmm… perhaps I forgot to show som-"

!

Ian remembered why he went through those lengths to find Isao.

He got his right palm out.

"-I forgot to show Isao my ability. That's why!"

But even after that, it still doesn't explain what was wrong with those chokers.

Were they too small to be walkie-talkies? No, Academy City should be able to create things like that with minimal trouble. Perhaps it's because it blended in so well but what does that to do with anything?

Ponder as he might, Ian just can't seem to get an answer to the choker's fault.

* Lin Lin Lin Lin* a call came which broke Ian away from his thoughts.

He got out his cellular device and look at the contact.

Ian doesn't recognize the number but he connected the call anyway.

"Hello, who is this?"

A quick safety rule for answering an unknown call is to ask for the caller's identity first.

"Hello Khaw-san? It's me, Nakayama."

"Oh, it's you Yuichi. What's up?"

A brief silence passes.

Ian is still waiting for a reply.

"He-"

"Tell me something,"

His tone, unlike his usual friendly to others and sarcastic to the 'Boss' tone, is now serious.

Ian felt the situation that is being given to this tiny cellular device.

"...do you know who Dr. Steven Connor is?"

"Oh you mean that fam-"

"On second thought never mind."

Getting cut off twice for Ian irritated him a little, but due to the sudden situation he doesn't even care for something that little.

"Please, could you drop by to the 139th? I have something to talk to you about."

"Okay, I am on my way there."

"Thank you." *-beep-*

The connection is cut off.

Ian felt he needed to comply with that request.

Is something wrong or did something happen?

The only way Ian can figure this out is when he reaches the 139th.

*Dok dok*

The wooden door to the 139th unlocks.

From the door entered Ian.

He looked around before he entered.

No one's there.

Ian gets into the building and closes the door behind him.

"Where's Yuichi and the 'Boss'?"

The guest ventures in to search for his hosts.

What he did not see is a figure behind him, closing to its victim.

And then…

!

An arm wrapped around his neck and all he did is instinctively grabbed that arm.

"What the?"

Ian Khaw had an arm around his neck but it is not restricting him of his breath.

*Pi-Pi-Piii!*

A moderately high pitched, mechanical device sounded.

That fed more to the struggling victim's confusion.

But just as that beeping ended, he is free from the chokehold.

"Hah?"

He stumbles forward and quickly turned around to take a look at the assailant.

Who might this assaulter be?

Is he big? Is he small? Is he vicious?

It is time to take a look.

And it is…

…Yuichi?

"What the hell?"

Nakayama Yuichi is standing before Ian with a metal detector like device.

"You seem to be clear."

(Clear? What is he talking about? Why did he assault me?)

Ian is on guard for any further harm that might come.

"Dude, what the hell, you scared the shit out of me!"

"Sorry Khaw-san, I had to take precautions."

Yuichi walks to his desk and sits the device aside.

Ian is still keeping his guard for any sudden movements.

He knows that Yuichi is a good fighter that can take down a group of thugs with ease.

He readies himself with his amateur stance for pyrokinesis.

Basically he has his right hand out to his right without any fire.

Nakayama wonders what Ian is doing with his right arm out.

A battle stance?

Whatever the reason is, Yuichi plans to explain to Ian the current situation.

Yuichi sits on his chair.

"Please take a seat Khaw-san, I'll explain everything to you."

After being attacked, he is asked to sit down? Under different circumstances, Ian might run but he did release him from the choke so it should be alright.

Ian goes to the sofa placed in the middle of the room and sit.

"So, why did you call me here?"

"I saw you from a surveillance camera as you exited the Ability Research Center. It's about Dr. Connor, the man who you thought you knew."

Ian sat up straight.

"Why, is there something I am not seeing?"

"Yes, Dr. Connor is not the man he portrays himself to be."

"You mean he really doesn't have an ability?"

"No, he is not the kind hearted researcher everyone has come to know. Truth is he is much darker."

Yuichi pulled a file from his desk and placed it in front of Ian, at the coffee table.

On the file is titled 'C-Files'.

"In these files, we of the 139th have kept a good watch on him for 3 months now."

Ian stared at the file for a brief moment and proceeded in turning the front page.

What he sees are photographs of students, their biography, and records, along with a few pictures of facilities.

He wonders if these are the right files.

!

He remembers the faces seen on the photographs; they are the faces of those students in the ARC building, where Dr. Connor works.

"So far, all we know of him is that he kidnaps students with abilities level 2 or higher."

Ian immediately stared at Yuichi in an 'I can't believe it' kind of manner.

"He… kidnaps them?"

"Yes, to be more precise he removed them from existence."

Vanishing, disappearing, or maybe murder?

Uneasy thoughts are going through his mind

"How does he do that?"

"He simply removes them from all records, slowly but gradually, until their birth record on this planet does not exist anymore."

"Disappear…" Ian uttered.

They disappeared right? But Ian just saw them in the building.

"But these photographs, I saw these people awhile ago in the research center."

"Do they have a kind of choker on them?"

Choker, that piece of fabric that kept bugging Ian.

"Yeah, strangely enough, all of them have the same kind of choker. Even Steven is wearing it."

"Steven? Oh, his name. Yes, that choker is part of the reason for their decaying existence. It controls their thoughts."

(Thoughts..?)

"You mean mind control?"

"Yes with their will sealed away, he controls them to stay hidden until all their records are erased."

Is that really possible? Is mind control already achieved?

"To prevent their records from disappearing, we kept their records in the C-file."

He looks at the opened C-files on the coffee table which made Ian to do so too.

"If we finally get Dr. Connor, these records will be there for the victims."

"I see, that's why there is so much information on these students."

Their eyes are off the files and staring at each other.

It makes sense that kidnapping to a degree like that is evil, but it begs one question.

Why?

"But why? Why does he kidnap students? Why does he keep them?"

"It's simple, let me ask you this, what is Dr. Steven Connor famous for?"

"Well for his re- !"

The pieces are coming together.

Ian remembers his past meetings with the doctor.

He needs Isao's ability, he said it would help him a lot.

"…research."

"Yes, he uses the students with abilities for his research. But that is not the worst of it, he sees the students as gunnies pigs; disposable subjects."

All these information is giving Ian a hard time, and now the thought of disposable human beings?

Unbelievable.

"Human… experimentation?"

It is unbelievable… but it all connects once again.

Ian remembers the meeting Steven held in Seventh Mist about espers and their levels.

He remembers Steven talking about the human body in comparison to abilities at a very detailed degree.

(What has this world come to? What has science come to?)

"So, if what you're saying is true… then Isao-"

"Is currently in Dr. Connor's hands."

"T-then, why are you guys not doing anything? You're Judgment and if you need help, Antiskill will give you a hand!"

"We can't."

"What do you mean you can't?"

"It's simple, SIM."

SIM, the ability to control self intuition, Ian knows all too well what it is capable of now.

"Dr. Connor is good at what he does; we have no evidence against him to call for an arrest. The information in the file there has more information on his captures than himself. We tried to get Intel on him in other branches, but what we got was little to nothing. If we charge in without proof, he'll just be defended by Judgment and Antiskill."

"But that's…"

He could not answer back

Ian leans back on the sofa.

Usually events like these happen in movies but Ian Khaw now finds himself faced with a real one.

Can he believe it?

Is this real?

Being presented with this much information, Ian can't help but find this all true.

It sounds like a load of crap but something is telling him it's the truth.

A gut feeling similar to when he felt something was wrong with the choker.

No reason not to believe him, but something still bothered Ian.

Ian sat up straight again.

"Alright if what you say is true, why are you explaining all this to me? I am just a civilian."

"Because I believe you deserve to know the truth and…"

Nakayama Yuichi turns his head to his desk, looking at the device that looks like a metal detector.

And? And what? Even though it is a brief period of silence, Ian needs to know and probably the sooner the better.

Yuichi turns back to Ian.

"…I believe you can help us."

"Help? But you just said it yourself, you saw me getting out of ARC. How do you know I am not controlled by Dr. Connor?"

"Because I've already tested you with this."

Yuichi picks up the metal detector like device for Ian to see.

"This is a radio receiver designed to detect any anomalies in the subject's brain. Earlier I tested it on you to be sure you weren't controlled by Dr. Connor. If you were, then I would have knocked you out to get a better look at the mind controlling device."

He looks at that piece of plastic and back at Yuichi.

"Is that why you attacked me?"

"Yes, that and because I can't guarantee you running away the moment I show you the detector."

Ian sighs in a somewhat irritated manner and scratches his head.

It was a reasonable action but also an action that made Ian a little ticked off.

"So… you were saying something about me helping out, what should I do?"

"I don't know yet but surely we can use you to get some information out of Dr. Connor. He doesn't have a reason to suspect you."

Ian nodded in acknowledgement.

"But, we'll need to thread carefully."

"Well isn't that a given?" asked the helper-to-be.

"3 months ago, we were given this case just like every other case. Naturally, we went to apprehend the culprit but that's where things went wrong. We did not plan enough and to Dr. Connor's advantage, he managed to keep us from pursuing him and nearly got both of us removed from Judgment."

"How did he do that?"

"By erasing all evidence, our accusation meant nothing. We can't take it lightly anymore, the planning needs to outwit Dr. Connor in order to get him."

"I see… outwitting the SIM will be no easy task. Hmm… I can't think of anything yet."

Yuichi nodded and said, "It's best if we wait for the 'Boss' to return to form a plan."

Even though it is obvious she is out, at least now Ian knows for certain she's out.

The 'Boss' doesn't seem like a character that will stay at a spot for 2 seconds.

Impulsive is a good definition to the 'Boss'.

This gives Ian a thought that maybe having the 'Boss' as part of the plan might be the reason for its demise.

Yuichi knows what Ian is thinking, almost as if he read Ian mind.

"I understand that look."

"Hah?"

"The 'Boss' is spontaneous but she is certainly not the reason for the failure. Our plan only went that far since we are restricted by the laws."

"I see."

Ian Khaw gave the 'Boss' too little credit.

It is because she acts too much like Kokawa Isao.

Kokawa Isao.

The name now has a new reason; a reason to save and to take down that mad man.

Ian wonders if he really can do something to save Isao.

Maybe he is the little push Yuichi and the 'Boss' needed to take down Dr. Connor.

Or maybe his presence will make no difference.

He doesn't know.

Ian turned to his digital watch for the time.

3:57 PM

(Dr. Connor is a man who uses other people as gunnies pigs so we must take him down, but how? Yuichi and the 'Boss' can't do it on their own so how is adding me into the mix going to- !)

Ian immediately switches his view from his watch to Nakayama.

All Yuichi can do is wonder what is going on.

"Wait, you said he kidnaps espers whose abilities are level 2 or higher right?"

"Yes,"

"And they are for his 'research' right?"

"Yes,"

"So that would mean he has an interest in abilities right?"

"That would be the logical conclusion."

Ian is close to an answer and for every yes he got, his hope increases.

The hope raised guy stood up from the couch.

"So what if he is shown a level zero that has gained an ability and jumped 2 levels in a short amount of time?"

"Huh? Well that would be something interesting since it is rare."

That's it, the plan.

It might actually work but Ian knows showing an ability at a level after 1 seem like a far stretch.

But ever since he got his ability, he has been able to control it well.

He might just pull it off and if it fails, the concept of gaining an ability and controlling it that well in a short amount of time would still be interesting.

"Yes, that's it then! I believe we have our plan!"

Nakayama Yuichi, still on his chair, leaned forward.

"You mean you actually know someone of those standards?"

Ian looks at Yuichi with a smile and a hint of smirk.

"No, actually it is the other way around."

Confused, Yuichi thought Ian is losing his mind a little.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Ian placed his right arm out…

*Fwhom*

… And conjured a ball of fire the size of a golf ball.

Yuichi stared surprised.

He knows Ian is a level 0 because before Ian and Isao came to the 139th, he had already checked both their files.

That is pyrokinesis!

*DAG!*

"Huh?"

Both Ian and Nakayama turned to the source of that bang.

The door is wide open.

In the entrance stood a woman in sports uniform with a bag of food supplies.

Her right hand is on the door and her left is holding the surplus.

"I'm Back~!" shouted the lady in blue.

The two guys are still a little bummed out from the noise generated when door meets wall at high speed.

She takes 2 steps in…

"So I bought som-"

… And stops when she sees Ian and Nakayama.

But her attention is more directed at Ian and his little combusted pet.

Her expression started from a surprised look that slowly grew a big smile.

"THERE IT IS!"

She charges at Ian, dropping the bag of lunch.

Ian had no where to run; both his sides are blocked by a couch and a coffee table, forward is impending doom, and his back is blocked by a wall.

So all he could do is stand at his spot in shock, fear, and helplessness altogether.

"HAH?"

"YOU CAN'T GET AWAY NOW!"

She leaps towards Ian, arms wide. A chance she can't miss and must get.

He crosses his arms in front of his face, cowering against the charging lady.

"GYYYYAAAAHHH!"

Part 4

In a clean office decorated with hanging degrees and awards, Dr. Connor is finishing up on his research.

*kata-kata-kata-kata-kata-kata- - - tikik-tikik*

Sitting in his desk with a computer on, he leans back.

"That should do, I'll leave the rest for that bitch to figure out."

*Tok tok tok*

A student entered with a file in her hands and stood at the door.

Dr. Connor took a glance at her then back at his sleek monitor.

She approaches Dr. Connor's table and sets it down.

Both Dr. Connor and that student stared for a moment and the student nodded.

It is almost as she understood something from Dr. Connor and acknowledges it.

The student picks up a few items from his desk.

A microchip, two files, and an empty coffee cup.

She then leaves the room.

The doctor snickered.

"I am always amazed at what I can do."

He looks at his waist.

There is a small device the size of a cell phone attached to his belt.

A green light is lit on it, blinking occasionally.

"…heh, mental manipulation to full physical manipulation…"

He directed his attention to his computer.

On the screen, he drags the files named 'Capacity ' and 'CD ' to a blank area on the desktop.

A black window opened and codes started rushing from the bottom of the window to the edge at the top, filling the window with code keys.

Just as fast as it started, it stopped with the word 'SEND' on bottom of the window.

Then it closes.

The doctor got up from his chair and stretches his back a little.

Several bone popping noise followed.

He looks at a file on his desk, a report to be precise, labeled C. Down.

Without much care for it, he picks it up and tears it in half.

A machine by the name of 'Dai-Ichi Co., Shredder' is placed within the doctor's reach.

The doctor tosses the remains of his work in the 'Shredder'.

*RRRRRRRRRRRRR- RRRRRRRR-* reacted the machine.

What is left of the file is now turned into fine powder stored in a container built on the side of the 'Shredder'.

Dr. Steven Connor got back on his chair and back to his computer.

On the screen, he pulls out a window.

On it, a picture of Ian is at the top left of the window.

It displayed curricular information recorded from Ian and the most bold and largest text on the window stated 'Level 0'.

"Hmm… level 0 it states. Heh-hahaha."

*GUNG!*

"WHAT? YOU MEAN SAO-BOY IS CAPTURED?"

Back at the 139th, Nakayama, Ian, and the 'Boss' have settled around the coffee table.

Yuichi is seated at his designated chair near his designated desk, Ian and the 'Boss' are seated on the couch.

The 'Boss' has her left fist on the coffee table, the aftermath of letting out her anger on the piece of furniture.

Ian Khaw keeps a distance away from the 'Boss' as much as possible since he could not get out of that tight spot.

"Yes, I saw it from the surveillance camera placed right at the entrance of the ARC building. Khaw-san confirmed it too, along with the 'choker' on his neck."

"Is that right?"

The 'Boss' turns to Ian.

"But are you sure he is not controlled by that psycho with some new tech?"

She gets closer to Ian, her face with a sinister look and her left hand up, fingers twitching, ready to light something on fire.

"Or perhaps he is some robot created to infiltrate our beloved branch?"

Ian is already pushed up against the wall by the approaching 'Wall of Fire'.

He can't do anything except stare at her dark side with building fear.

"Ah-a-ah… I am pretty sure I am human."

"Like I said, I've already tested him. He is clear. Besides, his record shows that he is a level 0, a least likely target for Dr. Connor."

"Hmm… I guess you're right."

She lowers her left arm and pulls back from Ian.

Ian sighed in relief with his head down and sat naturally again; not against the wall.

"But it is still suspicious, if he is not working for that bastard then why doesn't he want to join Judgment? Very suspicious…"

Her attention is back at Ian with her left arm partially raised.

Ian's head immediately turned to the 'Boss', sensing danger from her.

"Actually it would be the opposite; if he is working for Dr. Connor then joining our branch would serve his purpose under the doctor. He could have spied on us. In addition, why would Dr. Connor only target us? There are plenty of other branches and even Antiskill targeting him so why not one of them?"

She drops her arm and turned to the other way with a sour look.

"Hmph! Guess you have a point."

Perhaps one could infer she wants to burn something, and that something could be anything she lays her eyes on.

Ian tries to be part of the conversation as they still have a friend to save and a doctor to take down.

And he said "So about Dr. Connor…"

She then turned back to Yuichi.

"Gah! That stupid freak! That's why I hate doctors!"

"Boss, I believe your father is a doctor."

Her cheeks redden but her pride is still high.

This indicates what Yuichi said is true; her father is an accomplished doctor.

But the 'Boss' doesn't admit it and-

"So about the doctor,"

-turns to Ian and ignored Nakayama's last comment.

"how are we going to take him down this time?"

"Well I thought of something that might be able to trick Dr. Connor."

"So why didn't ya tell us yet? Come on, spill it." The boss demanded.

"Well that's because I was about to be attacked by a pyromaniac, but yes, I'll explain. Say, how did you feel when you saw me doing this?"

Ian lifts his right hand up and focuses. A few seconds later a small flame ignited above his palm.

"Well I thought you were lying about being a level 0, and I wanted to force you to join our branch."

The 'Boss' is glaring at Ian with full, tyrannical force.

Ian is shaken up a little.

"Ahem, anyway, the reason why you felt like that is because you thought I am a level 0 right? So imagine how Dr. Connor will react when he sees me doing this."

The 'Boss' holds her chin with her left hand, thinking.

"I see where you are getting with this," said Yuichi, "you said showing a degree of increase in a short amount of time is an interesting concept."

Yuichi stares at Ian's special ability.

"But your current level is no doubt, still a level 1."

"Yeah you're right, but I think I am getting the hang of this and it only took me 3 hours of practice."

The flame dwindles until it disappeared, and Ian lowered his left hand.

"I suppose you did well in that amount time of practice, but the plan wouldn't work if you don't show a higher degree. Speaking of the plan, what is it actually that you had in mind?"

Ian crossed his arms and looked diagonally up, in his 'thinking while talking' pose.

"Hmm… well what I had in mind was to have me as bait to gather evidence against Dr. Connor, and with that evidence, you should be able to take him down right?"

Ian looks back at Yuichi.

"I see, so you wanted to get captured just so you can gather evidence. That's not a bad idea, and Dr. Connor shouldn't suspect you since you've been here just for two days."

*Snap!* the 'Boss' signaling she gets the plan.

"Ohhh! I get it now, so when you're captured you can record something with audio or video right?"

"Yeah, and with that you can take down Dr. Connor."

"Woooo Yeah! I like that plan!"

The 'Boss' grinned while rubbing her chin, picturing how well the plan will go.

But both Ian and Yuichi knew what's wrong with that plan.

"Not to ruin your fantasy 'Boss' but there's a problem with Khaw-san's plan"

"Heh?"

The 'Boss' looks at Yuichi with a questioned expression.

"Khaw-san, if you would please, show us your ability once more."

Ian already knows the reason for that request and lifts his right hand up.

He focuses, and then…

*Fwhoom*

A small fireball is conjured.

"For that plan to work, Khaw-san needs to be at least level 2 or higher."

The new born pyro sighed.

"Well I guess it is back to the drawing board."

"Heh heh heh heh…"

A sinister laugh passed through both the guys' ears.

They turned their look towards the 'Boss'.

"Say, Khaw-boy.. how long did you say you practiced for..? 3 hours was it…? Heh heh heh…"

Yuichi caught on to what the 'Boss' is thinking and lowers his head in a sigh.

Ian looked at Yuichi as he sighed. Moments later he realized what's on her mind.

"Y-you don't mean…?"

The 'Boss', now arms crossed, stood up and faced Ian.

"Heh heh heh, if your level is too low then we can fix it… by training with me!"

Ian looked at the 'Boss' with his mouth half-closed, and the fire at his palm slowly diminishing until it is gone, and then he turns his head to Yuichi.

Yuichi sighed and exclaimed, "Good grief…"

That did not give Ian any comforting at all; it looks like being trained is inevitable.

He knows how harsh training can be with the 'Boss' because he has seen it first hand. If Ian wanted to stop this now, he knows he must speak up or forever hold his peace.

"A… wait, hold on wait! Train me? I mean if I am to train, it would take too long until I reach level 2. Plus, time is something we don't have to spare, who knows we might lose Isao the next day!"

The 'Boss' sits down with her arms still crossed, staring at Ian with the same smile.

"I understand that we're pressed for time now that our boy is taken, but if you think about it, this is the fastest way to do it."

Isao's position made Ian thought back on how this talk is not about forcing Ian to train with the 'Boss', but saving a friend.

He regains his composure and started to take things seriously again.

"If you can manage a fireball like that in 3 hours, if you train with me for the next 3, I'll betcha you'll be showing your skills higher than a level 1, what do you say?"

The 'Boss' beams at Ian with her grin.

Ian looks at the boss and slowly started smiling and nodding his head.

"Alright, I'll do it."

"That's my boy!"

The 'Boss' taps Ian's left shoulder and Ian raised his right fist, shaking it in agreement.

"Please don't put Khaw-san on a hospital bed 'Boss'."

The 'Boss' stood up from the couch and gave Yuichi the thumbs up.

"Don't worry about it, I'll make sure he gets the best, safest, training I can give!"

She turns to Ian.

"Ready?"

Ian stood from the couch.

"Yes ma'am!"

Yuichi joined the standing group.

"I'll go as well, I'll keep an eye on you so that you don't go overboard."

"Alright then! We have 3 hours to get this kid to a higher level!"

The 'Boss' rushed to the door first. This made Ian follow her by running too. Then Yuichi followed last by casually walking out of the branch.

And the door shuts.

Part 5

In the same office decorated with awards, Dr. Connor is still on his computer.

Though instead of doing anything with the computer, he simply just stares at the monitor.

The wall clock opposite to his desk points to 7:12 PM.

*Dok dok*

The door to his office opens and there entered a male student.

"Sir, all valuable research is packed and ready to go, you may leave to your next destination."

The doctor looks away from his monitor to see the student.

"Good, but I have no intentions of leaving yet. Just a little bit more time and we'll take our leave."

"Sir."

The student exits the office.

And the doctor went back observing his monitor.

Orange glows from the monitor can be seen bouncing off of Dr. Connor.

His glasses reflected orange light bursts from the monitor.

And not a single blink is taken by the doctor.

Back behind the alley where Isao and the 'Boss' trained the day before, Ian is supporting his tired self by holding his knees.

"Ha… ha… ha…"

The 'Boss' and Yuichi are about a few meters behind Ian. Yuichi is leaning on the wall while the 'Boss' stood with her arms crossed.

Of course, she is always smiling.

They are all looking at a brick wall, about their height and 2 meters in length, in front of them.

The wall is built for Ian to train with which is the reason why the wall is currently burnt black.

"Ok now I want you to make a fireball and throw it at the middle of that wall, asap!"

Ian's right arm moves away from his body, halfway, with his hand opening downwards.

Lines of orange glows in a spiral inward to his right palm.

"FwhooOM!*

In just a second a fireball the size of a baseball, slightly bigger, conjured above his palm, beneath his hand.

And with a swing similar to a haymaker or a pitch by a baseball player, he hurls the flaming ball towards the wall opposite of him.

*DSSsssssSSHHhhh…*

A direct hit to the middle of the charcoal wall.

"Ha… ha… ha…"

There are still traces of flame lingering around the wall.

The 'Boss' lifts up and slowly lowers her left hand.

Simultaneously, all the lingering flame shrunk to nothing but smoke.

"Good job! You don't have quite the firepower to blow the wall away yet but you sure do have control over it! Who knows? You might just be able to melt iron."

Ian is back to supporting his torso by placing his weight to his knees.

"Ha… haha… if I try hard enough I can… ha… man I need a drink…"

He stood back up, letting his tired leg support his tired self, and turns around.

Yuichi tosses a bottle of water at Ian and Ian grabs it with both hands. Then the tired trainee takes big gulps from the bottle.

"Well 'Boss', think this is enough?"

"Yup, that's about level 2 I'd say, and it only took him 3 hours! Man I want him in our branch!"

She is even happier than before she saw Ian with his new found ability, and her face shows it.

"Bah..!"

Ian drank the whole bottle empty and holds the bottle until he finds a trash can or a cleaning robot.

"It is surprising that Khaw-san has gained that much control in just 3 hours. Maybe he has a talent for pyrokinesis?"

"Nah, it's because of my training that made him good, but who cares? Now we can go with the plan!"

The 'Boss' gave Yuichi a grin and a thumbs up.

After a drink and a short rest, Ian gains back his energy as he is no longer exhausted.

He walks towards the 'Boss' and Yuichi.

And before he could say his thanks, the boss pulled him by his neck to her side that looks similar to a single arm lock.

"Whoa!"

There is no force in that lock so he is tilts his upper body while standing. Then she moves a step closer to Yuichi.

"This boy is ready to go with the moves I taught him! He can be the guy doing the long range fires!"

"Well before I can do that, I need to be the guy who is bait for the doctor."

She removes her lock and taps him on his shoulder.

"Good! Straight to the point! A good trait to be in the 139th!"

Ian just smiles to her, providing no words but it is clear his answer is 'no'.

"Alright so to go over the plan, first I will go into ARC and get myself captured. Then when the information is taken, I will somehow call you guys to come get me, right?"

"Yes" responded the male Judgment member

Yuichi pulls out a recording device from his pocket.

He passes it to Ian.

"This is a mini-cassette recorder. It has 2 hours of recording time, enough to start the recorder when entering the building and out. Keep this in your pocket."

Ian takes it and wonders.

"Why a recorder? Shouldn't it be better if we used some kind of radio transmitter?"

"No, Dr. Connor would know if we used anything of that standard because he is already working with radio waves. If a foreign radio wave is detected in his building then we're busted."

Ian puts the recorder in his pocket.

"I see, but then how will I be able to call you guys when I get the information?"

Yuichi pulls out another device, this time it is a small remote with one button.

"This is what you'll use when it's time to call us. Just push that button and we'll know. When activated it'll send a burst of radio waves, so it won't be detected."

He passes it to Ian and Ian takes it.

"Okay then, this seems simple enough. Let's go to the 10th district then!" exclaimed the 'Boss'.

7:33 PM.

District 10.

Ian, Yuichi, and the 'Boss' are hiding 2 buildings away from ARC, in the alley.

They have arrived there 5 minutes earlier and are currently going through the plan once more.

"…and then we'll come in, guns blazing, to get you. Any questions?" asked the 'Boss'.

Yuichi raised his hand.

"Yes, one question. Would you mind not burning the roof down on us while we're in?"

"Hahaha it's just an expression!"

The 'Boss' laughs it off but Yuichi does not believe her.

"Fuu… ok, I am ready."

The 'Boss' gives a thumbs up and winks at Ian.

"Good luck kid!"

Yuichi nodded at Ian.

"Remember, you're there to show Isao your ability, and make sure Dr. Connor is with you too. If the situation there goes south, just push the button and we'll charge in."

Ian nods while saying, "Right."

"Good luck out there."

Ian takes 2 steps out and…

"Oh wait!"

…the 'Boss' stops him.

"What's the matter?"

The 'Boss' goes up to him and said, "Your collar is all crooked."

She inches her head closer to Ian's and started adjusting his neck collar.

He blushes in embarrassment since no one other than his mother has corrected his outfit before, and usually it is weird for an acquaintance to fix something personal. In addition to that, her face is very close to Ian's.

"There you go, better now."

Ian nods and thanks the 'Boss', and he walks out of the alley headed towards the ARC building.

He takes a look around the environment.

The sun is already down, but street lights and some escaping light from buildings illuminate the area. The streets are occupied by a number of workers and some students. Everyone there is either going back home or going to dinner, maybe some other activities for a few others. Cars come and go in an average of 2 per minute.

The 'bait' is now in front of the ARC building. People can be seen going out of the building and the building is not as crowded as it was in the afternoon.

He put his hand in his pocket and starts the recording, and then he enters the building.

*Vvvvssshh…* a very light sound generated by the automatic sliding doors.

He looks around in the building and notices the receptionist is not there. Probably gone back home.

Originally his plan was to ask the receptionist where Dr. Connor's office is, but now he'll have to think of another way.

On his right, he sees someone walking out of the hall.

This person is a man, slightly taller than Ian, fairly spiky blond hair, blue eyes, rectangular shaped bifocals, a goatee, and a white lab coat.

He recognizes this person as Dr. Connor.

"Oh, Hey Steven!" called Ian while having his right hand up.

The doctor notices him and returns his regards.

"Hey Ian, how are you. What brings you here at this hour?"

Both the doctor and Ian moved closer to talking distance.

"Ah… well I was looking for Isao but he wasn't home yet, so I thought he might still be here."

"How right you are, Isao currently is at this facility and he is preparing to leave I believe."

Sarcasm plays in Ian's mind. He is thinking when Isao will really leave.

"I see, mind if I see him now? I want to show him something."

"Yes, of course you can. Just follow me."

The doctor leads Ian to the elevator and they went to the first floor. A few meters away, they reached a fairly decent size room, enough to fit 20 people comfortably.

The room had a few tables in the middle, and desks close to the walls.

In the middle of the room, Isao is packing papers into a folder.

He notices the entry of Dr. Connor and Ian.

"Hey Doc- Oh hey Ian, what are you doing here?"

The doctor and Ian walks to Isao to a talking distance.

Ian notices Dr. Connor is still with him and it is going according to plan.

"Hey man, I forgot to show you something earlier."

"Really? What is it?"

"Alright, I just need you guys to stand back."

Both the doctor and Isao took 2 steps back.

Ian opens his right palm in front of himself and made a ball of fire in a second.

Both the doctor and Isao looks surprised.

"Whoa! Since when did you learn how to do that?"

"Yes, I thought you were a level 0."

Even though this is all just an act, Ian smiles with pride.

"I've discovered I had pyrokinesis 3 days ago. So to surprise everyone, I wanted to get better at it then show it off. What do you think? Pretty good huh?"

"Cool! Awesome man!"

The doctor takes a closer look at Ian's fireball.

"The flame you've conjured up is at level 2. Indeed this is fascinating, and it only took you 3 days you say?"

"Yeah!"

Ian clamps his right hand and the fire goes out.

"Sweet, now you're no longer the level 0 genius! From now on, we can be the level 2 gang!" said Isao with his fist up in the air and a big smile on his face.

The doctor grins, his nature turns a little wicked and dark.

"Say Ian, how do you propose on helping me in a research?"

Right after the doctor's sentence and before Ian even had a chance to speak, a pair of arms came right behind Ian and grabbed him.

!

The grip is tight, the unknown arms wrapped around Ian.

Ian looks back and he sees someone behind him, can't really see his face but this person has Ian's arms down. By the edge of his vision, he sees the choker on the person's neck.

(When did this guy came in?)

Before Ian can think of an answer, the door that Ian and the doctor came in opens.

There enters 9 students, each equipped with the accursed collar.

Now Ian notices that everyone of the student had a cell phone like pack on the right side of their hip.

Perhaps that is the transmitter and receiver to the choker, Ian thought.

7 of the students stood behind Dr. Connor and 2 went to Ian's sides.

Isao followed the 7 and stood behind the doctor too.

His expression? Not there. No signs of emotions at all.

This did not come out the way like planned, but he could still reach for the remote in his pocket. So all's not lost yet, he still has a chance to get some information from the doctor.

"What is this? What is going on?"

"Oh you need not to worry Ian, all you'll do is take part in a little 'research'."

The doctor raises his right hand to his side with his palm open.

One of the students behind him placed a cell phone sized machine wrapped around with fabric and at the end of the tape is a round collar, which looks very much like the choker on his palm.

The doctor uncoils the roll by letting gravity do all the work; like a yoyo going down.

This device, now uncoiled, has 2 round collar, a big one and a small one. The cell phone like device is attached to the larger collar. Both the collars are attached to a single tape of fabric, and in the middle of the fabric ran 30 needles in a line, parallel to the fabric in length, perpendicular in width.

"Is that…?"

"This here is a device used to take full authorization of an individual's neural network, I suppose you understand what that means right?"

So far so good, Ian is getting what he needs from the doctor.

"You mean… mind control?"

"Precisely," the doctor points to the needles on the contraption, "these needles are attached to one's spine and it will send small charges enough to influence the brain, and this," he points to the cell phone like device, "is the receiver which receives order from the admin, me."

The doctor is really into explaining how his gadget works, unafraid of speaking too much and enjoying himself meanwhile.

Ian almost feels overjoyed that the doctor explained the 'choker' with that much detail.

He tries to contain his smile by acting serious, but truth be told he is laughing inside.

"So that means… everyone in this room has one of those things? They are under your control? Why are you doing this?"

The doctor passes the device back to one of the students behind him.

He places both his hands in his coat pockets and moves closer to the apprehended Ian.

"Ha ha ha… why you ask? Because of science! Science is knowledge and knowledge is power."

Ian's laughing mood earlier is replaced by seriousness.

The doctor presents the students with his right hand, taking a few side steps to show Ian every one of the students behind him.

"See those students? They are the key to my success. They are valuable experimental subjects… and they too make decent bodyguards."

The doctor gets back in front of Ian.

"And can you imagine a squad, a troop, a battalion, an army of espers? Soldiers with unique supernatural abilities, capable of taking down any mission, eliminating every threat, all right at my disposal. Soon I'll be one of the most powerful man on this rock."

He turns to look back at the students.

"But don't worry, I am not aiming for world domination. I simply need more authorization, that is all.."

"Authorization…?"

Dr. Connor turns back at Ian.

"Yes, the authorization for complete liberty to research, to study, to experiment, to learn."

The complete liberty to do anything he wants basically, thought Ian.

Ian finally saw this man's true nature and he sees this doctor as an evil, mad man.

"You bastard." is all Ian could say.

The doctor smiles and turns back and walk towards the row of students.

"Don't worry, I'll be sure to make good use of you to the best of your abilities. Who knows, maybe I'll find out the reason for the speedy ability boost."

Ian felt a greater urge to take this guy down. If he can, he would attack the doctor now but he is currently outnumbered. The plan is the only way now, this few minutes of talking has given Judgment and Antiskill incriminating evidence against the doctor. All Ian has to do is call Yuichi and the 'Boss' and it will all be over soon. The best part is the doctor gave it all away just because he let his guard down. He was…

"I was played like a fool aren't I?"

"Huh? W-"

Before Ian's next words, the students beside Ian swiftly went into his pockets and retrieved the recorder and remote.

Each of them with one item. Both stared at it.

The recorder imploded on the student's hand and the remote fried from the inside.

"Hey? What the!"

It happen too fast, just like that Ian has lost both the remote and recorder. Only shock remains with him.

"Sent Ian to Dr. Connor and show Dr. Connor his new found ability which he learned in 3 days, or should I say 3 hours?"

!

Another shocking move made by the doctor.

The doctor faces the wall on Ian's left and started walking towards it.

"When captured, have Dr. Connor expose the truth about himself."

When he reaches a meter away from the left wall, he turns around and starts walking to the opposite wall.

"Then using this cassette recorder, we will finally have incriminating evidence against the evil, damned, Dr. Connor."

The doctor walks midway and stop, right in front of Ian.

Throughout the doctor's talk, Ian just had a look of disbelief, trying to think but couldn't for every word of the exposed plan rendered Ian speechless, or in this case thoughtless.

"How did- How did you know..?"

The doctor turns his head to his right, facing Ian. Then he turns completely, facing Ian.

"If you want to know, I keep a good eye on the new people I meet and the officials that tried to stop me. It just so happens that the person I kept my eye on happens to know one of the officials that tried to apprehend me."

The shocked boy thought of the person as him and the official as the 139th.

"Yes, I know all about the 139th branch of Judgment. They came here a few months ago and caused quite the ruckus, but they never caught me. So just as a precaution, I've set bugs and hidden cameras within the 139th. It is simply self-explanatory from there."

Ian Khaw now knew how his plan with the 139th was discovered; Dr. Connor was watching all the time.

"Damn it." exclaimed Ian while looking down on the floor.

The doctor smiles, delighted in Ian and the 139th's failure.

"Truth be told, I had initially wanted Isao for a single research. Who knew I would get an esper who is able to progress at such rates at the same time. I am glad I waited a little longer before I leave."

Leave? That word poses another question to Ian. Leave where?

"Leave?" he raises his head up to see the doctor.

The doctor goes to a desk near him and pick up the file Isao was keeping earlier.

"Yes, I am leaving Academy City for a period of time. Things have been quite unsettling around the past weeks. Once the situation is settled, I'll be back. But to be honest, I've already gotten more than enough espers."

He picks up the file and looks into it.

"You'll be the 118th specimen."

(One hundred and eighteen? He has gotten that many?)

The doctor is looking at a page with Ian's picture on it.

He closes the file and moves back, in front of the row of students.

With a finger motion, he points at the student with the 'choker' and then Ian.

The student moves towards Ian with the choker in one hand and a needle in the other.

Dr. Connor turns to the row of student, looking through the file in hand.

"Don't worry, it won't hurt, much. Soon it will all be over."

Ian is panicking now, he struggles to get himself free.

His hands are still free so he creates 2 fireballs.

"Haa..!"

*SSSSsssss*

"What the?"

Just before Ian could launch an attack, his flames were doused.

The student on his left had both index fingers pointing at Ian's palm.

"Don't even bother, Kaname will just create water from the air to extinguish whatever fire you have."

Crap!

Ian is really at the end of the line now.

The needle gets closer, two meters, one and a half meters, one meter…!

The needle is approaching from Ian's left side.

Helpless, all he could do is lower his head to his right, closing his left eye completely and partially open with his right.

This is it?

Is this the end?

There is nothing else I can do!

No! Somebody please help me!

He wants to call out for help, whoever it is but he can't since the needle is approaching his neck.

At the right edge of his vision, a dark orb slowly inches from his right to left, forward, passing right in front of his face, going to the middle of the room.

He quickly realizes what is going to happen and shuts his eyes as tightly as his eye muscles could possibly can.

All the students are looking at the orb, and the student who had the needle stopped right at his tracks.

"Hmm…?" the doctor turns his head and notices the dark orb.

"That's!-"

Before he could react, a bright light from the dark orb starts to engulf the whole room.

*PIIIIIII!*

"Gaaahh!" the doctor whaled.

*Thud, thud, thom, tak* the sound of some bodies dropping to either their knees or hands.

Ian felt the grip on his arms released and he is free to move.

He still had his eyes shut tight but slowly he opens them.

In the room now, everyone is on the ground one way or another. Ian is the only one standing.

The recorder is lost so there is nothing else to do but save himself.

"Don't let him escape!" said Dr. Connor, while closing his eyes with one hand and swinging the other, trying to give an order.

Ian quickly ran right out of the room, headed straight to the emergency exit.

The flight of stairs are not touched by Ian as he leaps forward, passing all the steps in one jump. Then repeat with the next.

He dashed to the entrance.

The automatic door slides open just enough for Ian to run pass through.

He reaches the alley where Yuichi and the 'Boss' is hiding.

The 'Boss' had her arms crossed and is leaning on the wall, looking up at the sky.

Both of them noticed the sprinting guy.

"He's back!" said the 'Boss'

He stops right in front of them, panting.

"Haa.. ha… haa…!"

He goes up to the wall with one arm on it, trying to catch his breath.

"So how did it go? You didn't need us after all did ya?" said the 'boss' with a grin.

"We… haa… can't stay here…! haa… ha…"

Yuichi senses the danger of the situation and moves closer to Ian.

"What happened? Did the plan fail?"

Nanako's grin disappears and now she appears to be more concern of the current situation.

"We need… ha… to find a place where there's little surveillance.. ha… now..!"

Ian starts running out.

"Hey wait! Argh!" the 'Boss' follows.

Yuichi had no choice but to follow after them, he figures Ian will debrief the situation to them later, and the three of them ran into the darkness of the streets.

Part 6

Back in district 7, in the park where people enjoy their leisure and the same park where the doctor treated Ian with a burger, is a quite place after dusk.

Three people disrupted the peace as they charged in, hiding behind one of the many trees in the park.

Nanako, Yuichi, and Ian are the ones hiding.

"Okay, this spot has no cameras on us, a blind spot."

The 'Boss' reassured Ian.

"Now would you tell me why we had to run all the way back to the seventh, boy?"

Ian is still trying to catch his breath. He looks at the other two, still fine and not exhausted.

How much cardio do they have he wondered.

"haa.. no good... haa... he's been watching us all the time.. ha.."

Ian explained the whole story to the 'Boss' and Yuichi, from how the doctor has been watching them to how he almost got caught.

Both the members of the 139th are shocked, and who can blame them since they took extra caution when it comes to the doctor.

"He has been.. watching us all the time..?"

Yuichi places his right palm to his eyes, turned the other way and took a few steps.

The 'Boss' had her fist and teeth clenched very hard, almost as if she is about to be possessed by a demon.

"..that son of a b-"

A tune started playing, a cell phone call tune.

Everyone turns to the location of the tune and it is on the 'Boss', her pocket on her jacket.

She reaches for her phone and answers it.

"Hello, Tanaka-san speaking."

She turns around and took 3 steps away.

Ian turns to Yuichi.

"So what do we do now? Do we still go in guns blazin'? Since he is about to leave tonight, I say let's do it!"

Yuichi did not even give a second thought and nodded.

"You're right, we don't have the time to get evidence now. We must stop him!"

Both of them turned to the 'Boss' who is still facing away from them, though it seems the call had ended.

She stood there silent, staring at her cell phone. Then she turns to the boys.

She stares at them with serious eyes.

"That was from headquarters, we have been given a direct order to drop the case and go back to the branch."

Both of them got a step closer as they hear what she said. They are shocked with disbelief.

"What do you mean drop it? Why can't we take him down?" Ian burst out.

Even with that loud outburst, the 'Boss' didn't flinched.

"Somehow I believe that bastard is behind this. They say we were chasing a clean man and that we have damaged his assets. If we are to cause any more trouble, we'll get it from anti-skill. Orders are orders."

"But 'Boss', we can't just let a few orders have that man escape! We have to take him down before he causes more grief and suffering!"

"If we take another step in ARC, they'll revoke our positions as Judgment members and in addition, we'll have to do some time. Maybe getting kicked out of Academy City too. The higher ups can and will do that you know."

The last sentence, the 'Boss' look directly at Ian.

"I'd rather go to jail or get kicked out of Academy City if I can't save my friend! I am not afraid of the higher ups!"

"I am with Khaw-san."

As she listens to what they said, her eyebrow raised a little in a twitch.

"Well if you boys are so certain to go take down that man, then by law I must stop both of you."

The 'Boss' raised both of her arms, one in front and the other in the back.

Ian and Yuichi jumped back as they sense the danger from the 'Boss'.

Throughout the whole time the 'Boss' hasn't smiled once, she has been serious all this time which made Ian and Yuichi confirm that she is going to fight back.

"Boys, don't make me kick your asses. Just leave the case and we don't have to be in trouble with the authority."

They turn their heads to each other and nodded, acknowledging their resolve to stop the doctor at any cost, even if it means fighting with their mentor.

"I'm sorry 'Boss', we must take down Steven Connor, even if it means fighting you."

Both of them get into their stances.

Ian has his right palm to neck level, ready to attack with fire.

Yuichi had two fists ready, one stretch halfway at waist level and the other close to chest, 2 fist lengths away from his chin.

"That man is evil and if it means losing our positions in Academy City to take him down, so be it! We won't stand idle while that madman escapes."

Ian nods in acknowledgment.

The 'Boss', whose expression still remained the same, started to smile.

"Bwa-hahahaha!"

And she burst out in laughter.

Her stance changes to open arms and she moves closer to both of them.

Ian and Yuichi stood in shocked, wondering what is going on as she moves closer to them.

Should we attack? What is this, a trap?

Before anymore question could be thought up and any actions could be taken, the 'Boss' grabs their neck with her arms.

She pulls their faces beside hers, resulting in a hug, all while laughing with a big smile on her face.

"Hahahaha, I knew I picked the right ones to join my branch!"

"Er... 'Boss'?" Ian speaks in confusion.

Yuichi seems like he knows what's going on as he pieces the information together.

"I'm proud of you boys! Believing in what you do even after being treated like that! And by me of all people too! You deserve to be in the 139th forever now!"

The 'Boss' lets them go from the hug.

"So it was all a test." Yuichi said.

The 'Boss' crosses her arms with a big grin.

"Yup!"

Both of the guys sighed but didn't complain since they felt it is not worth complaining about. Instead, they just smiled in relief.

"So, what now? Go get him guns blazin'?" Ian asked.

"Yes and no, we must charge in but not without back up."

"Back up? Who do you have in mind?" Yuichi asked.

"Well we can't have neighboring branches helping; this case is far too dangerous."

And it's okay for 2 members of Judgment and a civilian to charge in head on? This question popped in both Ian and Yuichi's mind.

"So that's why we're getting help from Anti-Skill!"

Yuichi answers back immediately.

"That plan sounds good 'Boss' but aren't you forgetting the orders you got from the higher ups? They told us to stop pursuing right? This means if we were to go ask for their help, they'll lock us up instead of help us."

The 'Boss' crosses her arms. Yes, she still has the same grin on.

"That's why we'll show them the dirt we got, that'll win them over!"

The dirt the boss is talking about would be the evidence, but the evidences were…

"Have you forgotten? The evidences were destroyed when they captured me."

"Really now?"

The 'Boss' looks at Ian with half-open eyes.

She gets closer to Ian and as a natural reflex, Ian moves back a little.

The 'Boss' puts her hands gently on his shoulders, grabs his collar, and slowly pull Ian closer to her.

Ian's shoulders went up as she had her hands on him.

He sees her face up close once more, which made him think, does she do this to everyone? Perhaps she's still trying to get him to the branch.

"Then what is this?"

"Huh?"

Right off his focus; below his vision, he sees something small and white.

The 'Boss' releases her grip on Ian's collar.

She shows him a small, flat, rectangular prism object with a dot on its side and a clip on the flat surface.

"What's that?"

"This is our ticket to winning Anti-Skill over, a miniature video camera. Inside it is a 32 gigabit micro SD card and in it contains what went on in ARC."

Where did it come from Ian wondered?

He grabs on to his collar and realizes the true motive of the 'Boss'.

"Why? Did you think I would get close to you because I think you're cute? Sorry boy, this girl doesn't have time for a boyfriend. But if you want to try your luck, you could always join the 139th, and then you'll have all the time to hit on me!"

The "Boss" winks at Ian.

"So the reason for that collar fixing was to place that camera." Ian reconfirms.

"Yup! Great plan huh?"

Yuichi sighed.

"I'd wish you would have share that with us earlier, it felt like we had no other way to beat that doctor."

"Hahaha! Sorry Ichi-boy, I just felt like having a secret!"

The 'Boss' taps on Yuichi's shoulder; a relieving gesture.

"Alright back to the task at hand, we must get that freak by tonight!"

Both boys gave the 'Boss' their full attention.

"I'll leave you boys to delay 'Doctor Fathead', which means you'll have to fight the controlled students. Since I have a way with people, I'll go and get Anti-Skill and head to the action, pronto. Simple enough right?"

Both of them nodded.

"That sounds good."

"I'm ok with that."

Ian grins in excitement, his nerves are getting pumped. Yuichi smiled too.

"Alright then, split into two teams, I'll be team 'A' because I'll get Anti-Skill."

The 'Boss' place her hand on her chest to show that she's team 'A'.

Then the boss points at both of them.

"And you boys will be team 'Kick His Ass!' Just make sure to leave some action for when I get back okay?"

Both nodded, both fueled, both ready to take on the threat that is Doctor Connor. And that concludes the prep talk by the 'Boss'.

"Alright, let's go then. We'll see you later inside of ARC. Khaw-san, let's go."

Ian nodded and just as he did, Yuichi started running. Ian followed along.

The 'Boss' watches the two as they went away, thinking to herself how fortunate to have people like them in this world. Both of them turned into a corner, leaving her view.

The 'Boss', still smiling, looks at the mini camera between her fingers. Then she tosses it up in the air.

"Alright, I can't let them hog all the fun,"

The camera falls and she grabs it with a swipe of her hand.

"time to get that back-up."

She started running the other way around; onwards to taking down Dr. Steven Connor.