Italics = thoughts
"Quotes" = dialogue
underlined = reading something that is written
Disclaimer: I do not own digimon or any of its characters. I do however claim ownership of any original characters introduced.
Chapter 3: Political Ally
A technician swipes his card key and the door slides open, allowing Haashi Hinata to enter the facility. He raises his brow in surprise as he sees Willis Feng stand upon his entry. "Haashi. I was told you were scheduled to be here today, and figured since you're now in charge, I'd give you the grand tour and answer your questions."
"I'm expected to believe you are here to answer questions that you could have answered in a report to the Diet?" Hinata rebuts suspiciously.
"Why so suspicious?" Feng asks, feigning insult. "We told you we'd get you the reports as soon as we could. You simply didn't give us enough time."
"I gave Kurota two weeks, and then an additional 90 days, and he still didn't deliver," Hinata responds. "How long does it take to file a basic report on the well being of the digimon?"
"Well, this business is a bit complicated. You know how slow bureaucracy can be. You certainly didn't have to surreptitiously seize custody of the digimon," Feng remarks somewhat hostily, though he allows his tone to calm. "But what's done is done. I'm just here to assist in any way that I can."
"Very well. Let's start with what was holding up the reports," Hinata states stepping forward.
"Well, as I said: there's a lot of bureaucracy to go through…"
"Fine. Then I assume we have some drafts of reports? I'd like to see those." Feng frowns and turns to one of the technicians. "Can you pull a data report on the states of each of the digimon. Get that to Mr. Hinata's desk before close of the day." The technician glances between the two politicians and one brief glare from Feng sets him to action, scurrying away to do as he had been commanded. "There you are. Perhaps it'd do better to show you where we keep them?" Feng gestures for Hinata to follow and walks him through several secure doors until they emerge into a large room, filled with various containment units.
"Good morning, sirs," a technician speaks up in surprise as they enter. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Yes," Hinata answers. "How have the digimon been? Is there anything to report?" The technician looks at Feng momentarily before answering, "Uh, well, the digimon have been cooperative for the most part. We've almost collected all the data we need to…"
"Give a detailed report to the Diet," Feng interrupts, silencing the man. "As I told you, Hinata, our technicians have been working day and night to compile accurate reports for us. And now that we're beginning to understand them a bit, we can make those reports. Isn't that right?"
"Uhhh…yes, sir," the technicians replies with nod.
"You said cooperative for the most part?" Hinata asks. "Are some of them acting out? Have you spoken to them?"
"Speak to them? We don't usually…"
"Allow our workers to talk to them," Feng interrupts again. "They have a duty of care and study, and we don't want to confuse the digimon as to their role. Mr. Tanawa, why don't you come with me to the lounge and we can discuss the transition. I can tell Mr. Hinata desires to have a word with some of these digimon. We'll catch up with you again later, Haashi." The technician hesitates, but eventually follows behind Feng while Hinata eyes them suspiciously.
"Uhhh, sir… Shall I introduce you to the digimon?" a second technician asks as he approaches nervously.
"Yes. Please, take me along the gauntlet. I want to meet each one" Hinata follows behind the technician as they move around the room, stopping at each cage.
"So, this one is called MarineAngemon," the technician explains as they stop at a small box-like cage.
"Kenta Kitagawa's partner, right?" Hinata asks as he leans down toward the cage. MarineAngemon perks up at the mention of Kenta's name and flutters up toward him, though is shocked by his cage and falls back to its floor.
"Sorry for that scare, sir. They're always trying to escape…" the technician says.
"I can see you haven't been treating them as wards of the state so much as you have treated them like prisoners," Hinata replies curtly before focusing again on the creature. "Am I right? Are you Kenta's partner?"
"Puh puu puh," MarineAngemon replies weakly. "He uhhh…doesn't talk much. Just makes those sounds." Hinata stands back up and nods to the technician. "Continue then…and add a note to the file that until such a time as I can eliminate the need for containment units entirely, MarineAngemon should be accommodated with one that allows him to fly about more freely…and doesn't shock him."
"Uhhh, but sir… If we let any of them out…"
"I'm going to talk to them. I'm sure they'll behave themselves. You lot need to stop acting like jailors."
"But our research…"
"You have plenty of time to conduct observations during the day. They may even be more cooperative in it if you treat them properly."
"…yes sir…" the technician responds before leading him down the line to the next cage. "This one is called Calumon." A little white digimon scurries across the floor of his cage as Hinata comes to stand near it. "Oh please let me out. Oh please, oh please! I promise I'll be good!"
"Easy little one. I didn't have a Calumon in my report," he says, turning to the technician. "Whose digimon is this?"
"Uhh, our databanks say he is no ones. He had lived with Jeri Katou before the children left for the Digital World, though."
"Is Jeri ok? Can I see her? Oh please, oh please! It's scary here and I want Jeri's hugs!"
"I can look into getting her to visit you," Hinata replies calmly. "In the mean time, is there anything else I can do to make you more comfortable here?"
"I like cream puffs…" Calumon mutters.
"Add a note to his file. As long as he behaves, give a cream puff as a reward." Calumon's ears expand at this. "Yay, creampuffs!" Hinata flashes a smile before the technician leads him further down the line.
"Guardromon."
"Does this one speak?"
"Of course I speak," Guardromon responds, creaking as he stands. "You're Kazu Shiota's partner, correct?" Hinata asks. "Yes, indeed. Kazu is my tamer. Is he still well?"
"To my knowledge, all of the tamers are doing just fine. I'm hoping to see them tomorrow. Is there anything you'd like me to tell Kazu?"
"Other than that I miss him dreadfully, you mean?" the robot replies.
"I'm sure he misses you too. Can you tell me what these scientists here do with you everyday?"
"Well they deliver a lot of electric shocks to me. And I see them put needles and the like into the others." This causes Hinata to look disdainfully at the technician. "It's for our research. You know, Project K…"
"Don't talk to him, Guardromon!" a gruff voice rings out. "These humans shouldn't be trusted." Hinata steps down to the next cage, peering in to see a large hound like creature. "Dobermon, right?"
"Yes, sir. He tends to be the least cooperative with our studies."
"I forget. Who is your partner, Dobermon?" Hinata asks in as a polite a tone as he can. Dobermon snarls at him but gives answer: "Alice…"
"McCoy? She's the one that spent longer in the Digital World, right?" Hinata asks looking to a technician. The man only shrugs.
"You separated us, and when I get out and get back to her, we will both make you suffer!"
"I assure you, I'm on your side. What is it that these gentleman can do in return for your good behavior?"
"Let me go to my tamer!"
"I don't have so broad the authority to do that," Hinata replies. "But maybe I could arrange for them to come see you. Can you promise to behave yourselves if I do that?" Dobermon continues to growl, although it gets lighter and less hostile.
"What do you feed them?" Hinata asks, looking back at the technician.
"Uhh…well, we don't…"
"And you're wondering why they're grumpy and uncooperative? Add a feeding schedule to your daily routine. Find out what they like and do your best to accommodate them."
"I'll take some extra large waffles if you got em," a snarky voice calls out. Hinata moves down the line to the cage of a long eared digimon. "This one is Terriermon, sir," the technician states.
"Henry Wong's partner," Hinata says with a smile. "I've heard a lot about you. So, you like waffles?"
"Who doesn't?" Terriermon asks, crossing his arms. Hinata lets loose a chuckle. "I'm glad at least one of you is in high spirits. Are you treated well here?"
"Well? Not even close!" Terriermon responds. "What I wouldn't give to get out of here…"
"You know as well as I do that we can't go nowhere, Helicopter-Head." Hinata looks off to a cage to his right, spying a diminutive black impish creature peering out toward him. "Even if we could escape, we gotta stay in here. I can't risk Ai and Mako and I doubt any of you mooks wanna risk your tamers either."
"Risk your tamers? What's this about?" Hinata asks.
"We were told we have to stay here or else our tamers will be taken away instead," a voice from the cage in the middle replies. Hinata moves over to it, spying a small reptilian creature wearing kendo armor. "I'm sorry. Which one are you?"
"Kotemon. I'm Masahiko's partner."
"The little boy?" Hinata asks raising his brow. "And you said Ai and Mako: that must make you Impmon."
"Who's asking anyway?" Impmon responds rudely.
"I'm Haashi Hinata. I'll be in charge of your care from now on, It's why I'm here: I wanted to meet you all myself and get an idea of how to best accommodate you."
"Well the best thing you could do is leave us and our tamers alone!" Impmon responds grouchily before pivoting and heading into the back of his cage.
"What is this about your tamers?" Hinata asks Kotemon.
"We have to stay here, otherwise it'll be our tamers who end up in cages…" Kotemon says, looking downward. Hinata looks at the technician. "Have you been feeding them that rubbish?"
"No, sir," the technician replies. "This is the first I've heard such a thing."
"Alright. I can promise you that there would likely be trouble if you didn't all behave, but I won't let your friends be tossed behind bars. They're children after all, and I don't even believe the lot of you belong behind bars."
"So why are we?" Terriermon asks.
"Excellent question. Perhaps we can arrange for you all to have more free roam, assuming you are willing to be cooperative. We're supposed to be your caretakers under this program, not your jailors."
"Offering to get me outta this box and waffles? I'm beginning to like you. Now if only I could see Henry again."
"One thing at a time," Hinata replies. "I'm aiming to meet with them tomorrow, if you have something you'd like me to tell him though."
"Just tell him 'Momentai' for me," Terriermon replies. "He knows what it means."
"Some kind of coded message?" the technician asks.
"No," Hinata responds with a smile. "It's Cantonese, a Chinese dialect. It means 'Take it easy.' I'll tell him, Terriermon, if you also promise to momentai."
"Don't need to tell me to momentai! I always momentai!" Terriermon replies with a slight snicker.
"Alright. Anything else? I feel like there are more digimon."
"Three more sir. They're over here." The technicians leads him to the last cluster of cages, which contain a sullen red saurian, purple dragonoid, and yellow fox. "Guilmon, Monodramon, and Renamon." The technician states. Renamon looks up at Hinata suspiciously while the other two remain in their depressed positions.
"Here to play the kindly friend to elicit our cooperation?" Renamon asks.
"She's another one that isn't very cooperative, sir," the technicians explains.
"Renamon, right?" Hinata asks, looking at the kitsune digimon. "If I recall, you are Rika Nonaka's partner." Renamon's eyes narrow but she makes no verbal reply. "I'm sorry if the treatment of you and your friends here has not been optimal. I'm looking to change that, if you'll work with me to do that."
"I have no desire to work with any human but Rika," Renamon replies.
"Is there anything you want me to tell her?"
"Tell her I will come for her soon," Renamon states succinctly. Hinata frowns. "What of these two? Why have they not moved yet? Have the technicians in this lab done anything to them?"
"No," Renamon responds. "Neither harm nor help has been given."
"You seem quite eloquent, Renamon. Tell me: what does your typical day here look like?"
Renamon gives a quick glare to the technician, causing him to drop his clipboard, before she replies: "It's usually a lot of scanning and needles. We remain in these cages day and night. We talk to our neighbors, sometimes, but that is all."
"Why so many scans and needles?" Hinata asks, looking at the technician.
"Well, for our research, sir. We need as much data as we can get to develop it."
"You keep talking about research. Nothing has been approved by the Diet. These digimon are wards of the state and are to be cared for as such. Scans and needles to assess their health and wellbeing are one thing – repetitive testing which is unapproved is entirely another. They're not your guniea pigs."
"Sir, we have the express permission of Prime Minister Kurota to…"
"Well Kurota isn't in charge of the digimon's custody anymore. I am. And I say all unapproved research ceases." The technician stammers at this but doesn't manage to get any words out, instead just nodding his understanding.
"There. No more needles for a while now. I'll be checking on you again soon. Any particular way I might get these twos' attention?" Hinata asks, pointing between Monodramon and Guilmon.
"Monodramon, Guilmon. Do you wish to speak to him?" Renamon calls to them. Guilmon doesn't budge but Monodramon turns his eyes up lazily at Hinata. "Which is this one?"
"Monodramon, sir."
"Ah, yes. Ryo Akiyama's partner, right?" Hinata asks. Monodramon perks up at the mention of Ryo's name. "Did Ryo ask about me?"
"Well, no – I haven't seen your friend yet, but I will hopefully be seeing him tomorrow. Should I tell him something for you?"
"I miss him… I miss my bed… I miss biomerging to Justimon with him…"
"We can probably get you a bed. What do you like to eat, Monodramon? I can have that taken care of too."
"I like to eat food," Monodramon replies. Hinata finds himself suppressing a chuckle at this reply. "Ok. But what kind of food?"
"The tasty kind."
"Go with bread. Can't go wrong there," Renamon suggests.
"Bread? Hmm… I seem to remember a report about one of the digimon coming from a bakery…"
"Guilmon," Renamon responds pointing to the red saurian.
"Ah. That's right. Matsuki Bakery…" Hinata states with a frown. "Is that what you would like, Guilmon?"
"He doesn't talk much or move much, sir," the technician explains.
"Depressed, I'd imagine. Matsuki was the one that was lost in the Digital World." Hinata scratches his chin. "Can you open his cage for me?" The technician's eyes widen and he stares for a good few moments before asking, "Sir, I would have to let you know how dangerous that would be…"
"Then close it as soon as I get in there. These digimon are not hostile. They need to be cared for like anyone else needs to." The technician bites his lip but takes out his card key and swipes it before typing in a clearance code. The gate slides open and Hinata steps in, stooping down next to Guilmon, who doesn't so much as budge. "I'd like it if you talk to me. Is there anything I can tell the other tamers for you."
"Not unless you can tell Takato something…" Guilmon mutters sadly. Hinata strokes his head. "I'm sorry. That request is definitely beyond my ability." Guilmon doesn't respond to the stroking or the comment, instead moving his head away and shutting his eyes. Hinata stands and returns to the cage door. "I'll let you be this time, Guilmon. But we should talk next time. If there's anything I can do for you, ask me the next time I come, alright?" Guilmon doesn't reply.
Hinata exits the cage and heads back toward the lab entrance. "Send me a full protocol for review," Hinata says to the technician. "There's going to be a lot of changes around here, and I want them to be implemented quickly. You have until Wednesday morning to have your lab's official protocols with regards to the digimon on my desk."
"Uhhh…yes sir…We'll get that to you. We would need the signature of the Prime Minister to…"
"No, you don't. My committee is in complete control of anything relating to the digimon here. I'll get you a signed order, but it will have my signature, not Kurota's. And from now on, if you get an order from me, it is followed."
"But sir, we were told very specifically…"
"Well whatever Kurota told you is irrelevant. This lab was cc'ed on my recent email and the resolution was attached to that email. It gives me full authority here, so Kurota's directives are forthwith discontinued or overruled. I want weekly reports on my desk every Tuesday morning. Is that clear?"
"Uhh…yes sir…" the technician answers.
"Very good. Good day."
Yamaki waltzes into his apartment and tosses his briefcase down in its usual spot before collapsing onto the couch. He rubs his tired eyes and lets himself relax. Before too long, Riley struts into the room. "You're home? I don't think you've ever gotten back this early."
"I planned on a shorter day," Yamaki replies. "Tomorrow, I'm taking the children to see Hinata, so I wanted to get the maximum rest possible."
"I suppose that's why Shibumi told me to notify you that the tamers had called out of school for tomorrow?" Riley asks with a sly grin.
"Nothing gets by you, Riley."
"I, uhhh, hope you don't mind, but I took a little initiative…" Riley says, taking a seat at Yamaki's feet.
"Initiative?" Yamaki asks.
"I contacted Tally about what we've been working on. I'm sorry I didn't ask you first, but I really feel she's one of us and that we should include her."
Yamaki lets out a chuckle and a cough before responding, "I trust Tally as much as you do. I won't pretend to be mad, but I must ask what you shared with her."
"The message. I asked her to look into it if she could; you know, discern anything she could that maybe we couldn't get."
"And?"
"And she found something." Yamaki practically leaps up from his seat. "What?"
"The anomaly from nearly three years ago that…" Riley starts, but is interrupted by the ringing of Yamaki's phone. Yamaki picks it up and flips it open before putting it to his ear. "Hello?"
"Good evening, Mr. Mitsuo Yamaki?" a voice asks from the other side.
"Yes, this is he. Who is this?"
"One moment…" A dial tone sounds, as if he had been transferred, and suddenly the voice of Kurota comes onto the phone. "Yamaki. Glad I got a hold of you."
"I have nothing to say to you Kurota…" Yamaki barks before moving to hang up.
"Hold on! This is about Hypnos!" Kurota shouts, causing Yamaki to pause before he could hit the 'End Call' button. "What about Hypnos?" Yamaki asks.
"I've realized your talents are really being wasted as a mere technician at the University. I'd like to offer you a position as lead technician at our labs. Figured you may enjoy an opportunity to work with the digimon again." Yamaki looks to Riley, his face displaying disbelief. "Why would you offer me a job, and what makes you think I'd take it?"
"I'm sure you're aware of a little fluke in the Diet. I need time to correct it and that means I need someone to keep Haashi Hinata out of my business. If you take the position, and do exactly as I say, I will restore Hypnos and place you back at its helm."
"I'm not interested in serving your administration anymore, Kurota," Yamaki makes plainly clear.
"You won't be. I will restore it as an agency independent of the Diet's authority. It would act as its own ministry."
"There's no way there isn't a catch."
"Like I said. You do what I tell you to do and you keep Hinata out of my way."
"Let me put you on hold for a moment," Yamaki states before hitting the button on his phone. "What are you thinking Riley?"
"I'm not so certain I believe him," Riley admits.
"With what I know about him, I certainly don't either. What I'm more interested in is why. He is hiding something: that's the only reason he'd want someone there whom he thinks he has control over. This could be my chance to find out what it is – use it against him."
"Mitsuo… You know that if you cross him, you'd be putting all of the children in danger. Kurota is a powerful man and he's not above even killing innocent children if it serves his purposes." Yamaki leans back into the couch with a look of exasperation on his face.
"I would tell him no," Riley suggests, putting a hand on his shoulder. "The days of Hypnos have passed. We can't keep playing by Kurota's rules. An election is coming soon, and if he can be voted out, the entire equation changes. Play the cards you have for now: see Hinata tomorrow and find out what he wants." Yamaki takes Riley's hand from his shoulder and squeezes it. She leans in and pecks him on the cheek before gesturing to his phone. "Go on."
Yamaki takes the phone off hold: "Kurota? I've thought about your proposal, and while it is quite generous, I must refuse."
"What!?" Kurota's angry voice shouts from the other end.
"Our business with digimon concluded, and I'll not be so unwise as to engage further in that enterprise with you. Whatever you are trying to hide from the Japanese people, figure out how to do it on your own."
"Yamaki, you insolent, little…" Yamaki hangs up before Kurota can finish.
"Gahhh!" Kurota shouts slamming his phone back down on the receiver. This cannot be. Not after I've worked so hard! That coward Yamaki will not be my undoing!
Kurota quickly dials his phone, Hideki Natsuo picking up. "Yes Prime Minister?"
"The Yamaki plan is a bust!"
"I…I'm sorry to hear that, Prime Minister…"
"Did you speak to Feng? Did he manage to keep Hinata's nose out of Project Kaiju?"
"For the time-being, yes, but he has apparently started giving direct commands to the technicians with regards to the digimon's treatment and custody and has ordered all research halted. I wouldn't be surprised if he started asking more question about what exactly was being researched."
"We need him out of the way."
"I don't know what else we can do… We've pursued every legal avenue I can think of…"
"Then start looking into illegal ones. He mustn't learn of the project!"
"….Prime Minister… What exactly are you asking me to do?"
"Two things, Natsuo. First, relay new orders to the Naicho that they are to watch the tamers like hawks. If a single one of them messes up in even the slightest way, I want to know about it. Secondly, find a way to permanently remove this thorn in my side, Hinata."
"…I'm almost afraid to ask what you have in mind…" Kurota hangs up without another word. I'll get you. I'll get you both. You'll see. You'll regret crossing the leader of Japan!
A cloaked and hooded individual stands in the center of a stone foyer, looking up at a massive creature shrouded in darkness. "How goes the search?"
"Nothing yet. Not a sign of him anywhere."
"My patience grows thin. I've given you all the resources you need. You have mon power, freedom of command, and all the time one could ask for, and yet still you cannot find one being…"
"Master, perhaps if you gave me the rest of the data…"
"Your reward will come when I have my prize, young one," the Master remarks in a cool voice.
"I'm doing the best I can with what you've given me…"
"Your best has so far not been good enough, my sweet."
"I don't have any leads and the Dark Ocean is massive…"
"You know that he cannot be within the sea, so that narrows your search a bit."
"Not by much, master. Please – there may be a clue in the data that you hold for me…"
"There is no clue to be found there, my sweet. Perhaps you should try interrogating our guest again. Perhaps he has more to tell. That is all." The Master gestures for the cloaked figure to leave. She does, pivoting around and walking towards the chamber's entrance. She proceeds down a spiral staircase to the dungeon and waltzes past numerous cells before stopping in front of one. "I need more information. I need more clues on how to find him."
The prisoner gives no answer. "Answer me!" the cloaked figure commands.
"I have no information that would be useful…"
"I'll be the judge of that. Tell me everything, and don't skip anything this time."
"Why are you doing this? Who are you?" the prisoner asks.
"I'm no one. At least not anymore. A shade, just like the rest of us trapped here."
"Being a shade…doesn't mean we are nobodies… Please…you don't have to work for him…"
"Like you refused to?" the hooded figure asks. "I suppose I should steal from the master as you did?"
"What is your name?" the prisoner asks.
"My name doesn't matter."
"Your name is all that matters. It is all that you have left. This place…the Dark Ocean…it is a prison. You are prisoner same as I – do not let the facts that I am behind a set of bars and that you can roam this gods forsaken realm fool you."
"Perhaps the other shades will be better at extracting information from you than I."
"Do you even know what you seek?" the prisoner asks.
"I know that the Master wants it, and that is all that matters."
The tamers are quiet as the go through the security checkpoint of the Diet building. Several Naicho agents eye them, but none appear to follow or say anything to them.
Yamaki files them into an elevator and they ride it to the third floor before heading down a hallway to a large office labeled as belonging to the Honorable Haashi Hinata.
"May I help you?" a woman sitting at the front desk asks.
"Yes. We have a meeting with Representative Hinata," Yamaki explains. "Mitsuo Yamaki and the…"
"Oh, the tamers! Yes of course. Please head right into our conference room and Mr. Hinata will join you as soon as he is available." The woman points to a door to her side and Yamaki nods to her before heading over and opening it. The tamers quietly file in and sit down on the various couches and chairs.
"He did say 9:30, right?" Ryo asks after they had waited for some time.
"Politicians rarely make meetings on time," Yamaki explains to the boy. "We'll have to be patient."
"Well perhaps in the meantime, you'd like to explain to us what this signal from the deep net is all about," Rika suggests, crossing her arms and drawing a look of ire from Yamaki.
"Let me guess. Miss McCoy didn't do as I requested?" he asks, turning his gaze toward Alice.
"Sorry. I just really thought they deserved to know…"
"And I would have told them when I had more information," Yamaki responds with a sigh. "We can talk about it another time. I'll answer what questions I can, but here is just not the right place to be talking about it."
"You don't think we can trust this guy?" Kai asks.
"It would be prudent of us not to trust anyone," Yamaki answers.
After several more minutes, the door to the room opens and Haashi Hinata enters, closing the door behind him. "Mitsuo Yamaki," he states with a smile as he extends his hand and approaches the former head of Hypnos. Yamaki stands and shakes it before sitting back down, Hinata taking his seat at the desk in the room.
"You must all be the tamers, yes? Would you all mind introducing yourselves?" Hinata asks.
"Ryo Akiymama."
"Henry Wong"
"Rika."
"I'm Kai."
"Kazu."
"Kenta Kitagawa, sir."
"Alice McCoy."
Hinata nods to each of them in turn. "Have Masahiko, Ai, and Mako not joined us today?"
"We didn't think it necessary to bring the youngest ones here today," Yamaki interjects. "So, to what do we owe the pleasure?" he asks, somewhat sarcastically.
"Ah yes. Right to business, of course," Hinata concedes with a light chuckle. "I asked you here because I am taking over the custody of your digimon, and was hoping to perhaps open channels of communication – let you children be a more active part of their care."
"Are you offering to release our digimon to us?" Ryo asks.
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Akiyama. I'm more so looking to consult you on how we can best care for them. I sadly do not have authority to release them back to you."
"Then I don't think there's much to discuss with us," Rika grumbles as she stands.
"I do have messages for each of you from your partners," Hinata says, causing Rika to freeze in her tracks. "Please, sit. Hear me out." Yamaki nods to her and gestures for her to sit once more.
"What did they tell you?" Henry asks.
"Well Terriermon said momentai," Hinata responds, and Henry's serene look briefly turns to one of happiness. "And asked for extra large waffles."
"Yep. That's Terriermon," Kazu adds.
"In truth, they were in good spirits for the most part. Better by the time I was leaving," Hinata continues. "I wasn't able to understand the pink one, but he did chirp and the chirps in response to Kenta's name sounded happy."
"How are they being treated?" Yamaki asks, cutting off the wave of questions that was about to flow from the tamers.
"Well, to be honest with you, Kurota's protocol was not one that I would call appropriate, but that's why I'm looking to change it," Hinata replies. "Thus far they've all been caged, shocked, jabbed with needles, and all sorts of other things." Each of the tamers appears to tense, and their faces scrunch up in anger upon hearing this. Noticing this, Hinata makes a placating gesture, "I've ordered an end to all of it. Right now my aim is to get them to a point where we can give them more free roam and to get them on a feeding schedule."
"Let me guess. You want us to convince them to be more cooperative?" Alice asks.
"Well, no, although if you could, that'd be very good," Hinata replies respectfully. "All of them appear to be suffering from varying degrees of separation anxiety. Some of them have grown depressed, others hostile. If I'm being honest, I called you here to discuss how we might implement visitation. I think it is vital to their health."
"Visitation? As in…you'll let us see them?" Henry asks.
"Eventually, yes," Hinata replies. "I don't mean to get you excited right from the get go, of course. It's a lot of paperwork that will have to make its way through the Diet and the Prime Minister is likely to oppose any such proposals every step of the way. I can't promise a miracle, but I can try."
"Why doesn't the Prime Minister want us to see our digimon?" Kai asks.
"Honestly," Hinata says, adopting a frown, "I believe he is hiding something. I have no idea what it might be, though."
"It's a good bet," Yamaki interjects. "He gave me a call yesterday offering to name me the lead technician there if I would keep your nose out of his business."
"Really?" Hinata asks, turning his attention to Yamaki. "Well that is concerning. Did you take the position?"
"No," Yamaki states curtly. "I have no interest in working with him anymore. This mess is between you and him."
"Ok, ok, so Prime Minister Kurota is up to something," Rika interrupts, clearly growing impatient. "How about we focus on why we're here. What messages did our digimon give you and when might we be able to go see them ourselves?"
"Rika, be patient," Henry mutters in her direction.
"It's quite alright. I've been unfair in bringing you all in here and talking politics when you just want to know about your friends," Hinata concedes. "The Guardromon was willing to talk to me briefly, until the Dobermon told him to stop. He said he missed Kazu and wanted to know how he was doing."
"Well tell him I'm doing fine and I can't wait to see that big lug nut again," Kazu says, clenching a fist in front of his face.
"Those exact words?" Hinata asks with a chuckle, writing them down.
"Why did Dobermon stop you from talking?" Alice asks. "Did he talk to you, maybe?"
"He did. He is one of the more hostile separation anxiety digimon. He clearly has a mistrust of humans generally, I'd say save for you. He was very adamant that he'd get out and get back to you and that the two of you would make us pay. Anything I can do to calm him?"
"You could let him go," Alice suggests.
"Yes, he demanded the same thing. Hence why I began thinking it'd be prudent to set up days where you may visit them. I think it would greatly improve their mental conditions."
"But you can't guarantee it, right?" Ryo asks, crossing his arms. "There's something you need from us first, isn't there?" Hinata looks at him with a hint of sympathy. "You clearly have a certain idea of what politicians do. Watch a lot of TV?"
"Stay on topic, Hinata," Yamaki interjects. "Answer him."
"There's nothing you all need to do for me. I apologize if I suggested anything of the like. As I said, I'm going to do the best I can to arrange this. In the mean time, I'm halting all activities that Kurota has had going on and I'm implementing plans to get them out of cages and on a good feeding schedule." The tamers exchange glances, but remain silent.
"Let me see now. Oh yes. I suppose if someone can tell Ai and Mako that Impmon remains in high spirits. He acts pretty tough for a little guy, I must admit."
"We'll let them know," Henry assures.
"The Calumon was a bit frightful. He asked for Jeri, and I said I'd look into having her visit."
"That won't be possible," Yamaki responds before any of the tamers can. She's inpatient at Nakamachidai."
Hinata writes this down in his notes. "And…the Kotemon, seemed alright. Very concerned for his tamer's safety, which I actually wanted to broach with you all."
"What kind of concern did he express?" Ryo asks.
"Well, he and Impmon were both under the impression that they had to behave or else the government would punish you children," Hinata explains. "I'm not certain where they got the notion, as the technicians claim to never have said such a thing, but I suppose it's possible that…"
"It's what Kurota had said to me, and probably to them," Yamaki interjects. "The whole Project X…" Yamaki trials off and silences himself.
"Please continue…" Hinata requests.
"I can't. Part of the agreement is to keep all details of the Project secret," Yamaki states as he turns his gaze away.
"Or else the children will be punished?" Hinata asks. "I can't believe the Prime Minister said something like that to you. Kotemon was under the impression that the children would end up in cages if they didn't cooperate and I would like to dispel that right here and now for you all. I'm certain there would be some consequences for breaking the law, but we don't lock juveniles in jails." The tamers keep silent.
"Umm, I think that just leaves the last three," Hinata continues after a few moments. "The Renamon was quite suspicious of my intentions, but she is doing well. She said she will be coming for Rika soon. I am concerned she may be plotting an escape, which makes me hesitate to let her out of her cage. Anything you can tell me, Rika?"
"If she says she's coming for me, she'll come, and you won't stop her," Rika states firmly.
"I see. Well, I need to convince her to behave. Can you tell me anything that might help?"
"No."
"Rika, come on!" Kazu whines. "You're going to ruin our only chance to see them again!"
"I don't recall asking your opinion!" Rika growls back.
"Perhaps we can talk more on Renamon later. The Monodramon was rather depressed. He asked for his bed. Ryo, do you know what he's asking about?"
"Yea…" Ryo mumbles dropping his gaze. "I'm so stupid… He probably thinks I completely forgot him..."
"No, he doesn't think that. He perked right up when I mentioned your name. Like I said: I think he's depressed from not being allowed to see you. While I try to sort things out, would it be possible for you to give me his bed, or at least tell me what kind of bed he had so I can get one for him?"
"I'll get it to you. And…thank you…" Ryo mutters while his head droops, leading both Kazu and Kenta to put hands on his shoulders.
"That just leaves the Guilmon. I'm not sure if any of you can be helpful with him. He's very clearly depressed and he wouldn't so much as budge."
"Did he say anything?" Kai asks.
"Only that he wanted me to tell Takato something, but I told him I couldn't…" The room falls silent for a time. "Anything that I can do for him."
"No," Rika states flatly without looking up.
"Honestly… I don't think there's much you can do, other than let us see him," Henry adds.
"They could try giving him bread," Ryo suggests. He likes bread…"
"I imagined he did, but…he didn't so much as respond to the mention of it," Hinata confesses. "I suppose I'll try talking with him more myself until we can arrange for you all to visit."
"Will that be all?" Yamaki asks after a few silent moments. Hinata bites his lip before looking up. "I hesitate to ask this…but…"
"What?" Rika asks.
"Alright. I promise you I'm going to do everything I can to find out what Kurota has been up to, but I need you all to promise to keep quiet about what I'm about to tell you. There's something that I want to see if you can tell me anything about."
"We'll give it our best shot. What is it?" Henry asks.
"I was going through some of the databases, looking for any clues, and I found something…a file…" The tamers each perk up and inch themselves closer to him. "It appears to be a coded message of some kind. It's just static, although you can make out the sound of ocean waves. If I were to give it to you, do you think you could figure it out? Based on what I was seeing, it came from within the deep net, so I thought perhaps Project X failed to eradicate all of the Digital World, and that you lot might be the best ones to go to about it."
"Yamaki intercepted that message," Alice interjects.
"Alice!" Yamaki growls, causing the girl to cup her mouth.
"You know of it?" Hinata asks. "Please, can you tell me anything about it?"
"You're better off not knowing too much, Mr. Hinata," Yamaki states curtly before standing up.
"You don't trust me, do you?" Hinata asks. "I understand your caution, but I can help. I want to help."
"Yamaki, I think we should tell him," Henry suggests, drawing a frantic look from most of his friends.
"Henry, are you serious?" Rika growls at him. "This is none of his business and we don't know what's motivating him."
"Terriermon said momentai to him. He wouldn't have said it if he didn't think Hinata was on our side."
"You want to trust our fate…Takato's fate…to the judgment of your snarky immature partner?" Ryo asks.
"Takato's fate?" Hinata jumps in. "The Matuski boy?"
"Yamaki groans and sighs before walking up to Hinata's desk. "You tell anyone, and I'll end you myself."
Hinata makes yet another placating gesture. "I'm on your side, Yamaki. Kurota is as much my opponent as he is yours."
"…we believe Takato survived. We believe that coded message is from him…"
"So it is true?" Hinata asks. "The Digital World survived the purge."
"No," Alice interjects. "But there's another world, somewhat connected to it, called the Dark Ocean. That's where we think he is."
Hinata looks between the tamers. "You intend to go there, don't you? Rescue him?"
"We don't know yet," Yamaki answers.
Hinata stands up. "You don't know? If that boy is alive, we must do everything we can to bring him home."
"Why would you be so determined to conduct a rescue?" Kai asks suspiciously.
"Because it is the ticket to Kurota's undoing. Many members of the Diet have suspected that Kurota botched Project X. We bring back Takato, we prove that the boy wasn't lost and the whole thing blows wide open."
"You're after his chair, aren't you?" Yamaki asks.
"My political ambitions are my business, and I will not ask for your support at this time. However, I will offer you my services. I assume you'll need access to Hypnos's old systems. I can provide you that. I'll give you my passcode and you ca n enter the lab each night and do whatever you need to do. If anyone asks, I'll say That I hired you as a consultant to help me care for the digimon."
"I can't go working for you when I just turned down Kurota. He'll know something's up."
"It doesn't matter if he knows: he's powerless to do anything about it," Hinata interjects.
"Fine. If you give me access, what is it you're expecting I'm going to do?" Yamaki asks.
"Find a way to this Dark Ocean. As soon as you do, I will sign a temporary release order: as long as it's not too open ended, the public won't outcry too much and I won't need a Diet vote to approve it. Something like a weekend outside custody with the children. The children can then take their digimon, conduct the rescue, and return with Takato in hand. From there, we'll just have to see."
The tamers, and Yamaki, all stand dumbfounded by the proposal. "You're going to give me access to the Hypnos systems and send the children into what may very likely be a place far more dangerous than the Digital World, and risk your political career in the process, all for a chance to take a shot at Kurota?" Yamaki asks incredulously.
"What? Not ambitious enough for you?" Hinata asks with a raised brow.
"We'll do it!" Ryo shouts with conviction.
"What?" Yamaki asks.
"I'm with Ryo!" Kazu says, bumping his chest with his fist.
"Yea!" Kenta adds, doing likewise.
"I agree. This could be our chance. I'm in," Henry adds.
"Then count me in too," Rika states with a nod.
"And me!" Kai exclaims proudly.
"I'm willing to take the chance. I'll go too," Alice joins.
"I must be out of my mind…" Yamaki says, burying his face in his hands. "How do we know you won't double cross us?"
"Honestly. I don't know if you'll double cross me," Hinata replies. "But we have a common enemy and we're the only allies each other have right now. We have to trust each other."
Yamaki glances at each of the tamers' determined faces before sighing and returning his gaze to Hinata. "So be it. Tell me when I start. As it happens, I already have a lead on a way in…"