Another update! ^^ This isn't really all that interesting of a chapter, at least not imo. But it's there as groundwork leading up to future chapters.

I'm almost done all the writing for this story... Two more chapters! Which makes it a total of 26 chapters ^_~ Unless I miraculously get some extra ideas for an ending, but I'm content with how it was originally planned to end. And well, I've already started working on another story for DTB XD I couldn't help it... Nothing like the last two I've written, but just something for fun! You'll have to wait until I get more written to find out what it's about... hehe~

Anyways, enjoy!

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Chapter Seven – The System

Otsuka had been on her way in to receive the daily updates from Ishizaki-san regarding Contractor activity when the package arrived. Signing for the box, she quickly rushed into the building. Ishizaki had informed her of the tracking system on its way from America, informing her of Kirihara's update at the same time.

"Ishizaki-san! It's here!" she exclaimed as she entered the main tracking area.

"Oh good. Quickly now. Makieda-san, I need you to set up the system."

Her chief analyst nodded her head and went to take the package from Otsuka. It had been addressed to Kanami Ishizaki with the sender documented as Misaki Kirihara. This guaranteed the safe delivery as anything marked by the CIA was bound to be stolen, given their secrets.

Ishizaki watched as Makieda turned on the computer system they had pulled specifically for this purpose. Despite their willingness to help the CIA, they couldn't afford to transfer all personnel to this project. It had been a tough decision, but she had chosen Aeko Makieda to run the tracking as she was the best analyst they had. The others would be able to cover for her if they worked together. Besides, the quicker they could help Misaki, the quicker they could get her back.

"Thank you, Otsuka," Ishizaki said, turning to the woman at her side.

"No need. We'll do all we can to bring Kirihara-san back as quickly as possible. Have there been any changes?"

"Not yet. TC-293 has been stable and inactive since his escape, but we'll nail him the moment he takes action. The dolls are on the search for him."

"I see. Did Kirihara-san call again?" Otsuka asked quietly.

"Not after the update, but I'm to call her the moment we're set up and ready. Don't you worry. She knows how to take care of herself."

"I know... It's just very different without her here."

"Understandably so. How are we doing Makieda-san?"

"This will take a moment. See for yourself."

Excusing herself, Ishizaki joined Makieda by the computer and groaned when she saw the screen. She should have expected this... Everything was in English and it was going to take some time to have it translated into something understandable.

"How long do you think it'll take?"

"If I'm lucky, an hour, but no guarantees. I'll start tracking right away, but it will be hard to correlate to Kirihara-san like this," she answered.

"Do your best. Thank you."

Makieda nodded her head before she turned back to the screen in front of her. Ishizaki rejoined Otsuka who had waited for her.

"What's the matter?"

"It's in English... But we'll be fine," replied Ishizaki. "You should head back. I'll tell you the moment anything happens on our end. I still need to call Kirihara."

"Yes ma'am."

Kanami smiled before she pulled out her phone. It was morning over here, so that would make it evening for Misaki. She could see it now – Misaki pulling late nights despite being in America. She wasn't disappointed as she heard Misaki talking about paperwork when she picked up.

"Hello?"

"You just can't stop, can you?" Kanami asked.

"Well... They're pushing for results."

"Even so, you still need rest. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that we received the package. Makieda is working on a system to translate all that gibberish for us, but we've started tracking already."

"Excellent. Is it difficult to use? I didn't get the chance to see it over here; not that I'd understand it," Misaki commented.

"Not from what I can see. It should be better once we understand the controls. We will get him, regardless of where he is."

"Thanks. Anyways, I need to get back to work."

"Okay, but don't let them work you too hard. Get some rest," Kanami replied.

"Understood. I'll talk to you later."

Kanami could only sigh as she hung up. Despite her verbal agreement, she knew otherwise. Misaki wouldn't change that easily. She could be in outer space and she would still be a workaholic. At least it sounded like they were treating her decently as she hadn't complained this time around.

***

"They got it now," Misaki informed April as they were pulling a late night at the headquarters.

"Good. I trust your people more than I trust these guys."

"Well, they need to translate the English first, but they'll be up and running in no time. I know it."

"So does that mean we can leave now?" inquired April.

"Well, you can go if you need to."

"And leave you here? Forget it."

"Fine. Just give me twenty minutes," Misaki replied.

Waving her hand in agreement, April sat back in her chair. Misaki didn't seem too concerned regarding where they were, but she knew it wasn't safe. The fact that they always had someone watching was proof of their distrust. Since it was late, it was currently some random agent standing guard outside the door. Otherwise, they were either left with Ryan or Amelia.

July had wandered to one of the corners, quietly staring at something. She couldn't understand why he was having difficulty locating the man. Every time she asked, he said it came up blank. It was as if he knew that he was being watched by them... But that would be absurd. Their departure was kept top secret on all accounts.

"I guess I'll have to pull out the laptop," Misaki said suddenly.

"Excuse me?"

"Kanami will send me all file updates on BK-201. You know what it's like trying to ask for anything around here..."

"No kidding, especially with that arrogant and useless leader of theirs," April retorted. "Are you ready to go now?"

"I guess. If I haven't noticed anything by now, spending more time here isn't going to help. Besides, we should get July into bed."

"Finally!"

***

Lying in bed, Misaki gazed up at the ceiling as various thoughts swirled around in her head. It was frustrating. They were the ones to request assistance, yet Jacob continually treated them like they didn't know anything. He was especially defensive when April was around. It made her wonder why. He seemed to despise Contractors in general, so it didn't seem like he would be one himself.

The only times she saw Marissa or Devon was during the daily meetings, but they didn't seem friendly anyways. If anything, they took after Jacob in the way they stuck their noses in the air regarding their visit. They were the incompetent ones, so why take it out on her?

Sighing softly, she rolled over to stare out the window. Hei was out there somewhere and there were so many people after him. It made her heart ache that he would be a target when he was really just a peaceful person. The only reason it had turned out like this was because of the Syndicate.

Shifting her thoughts, she wondered if April and July had known anything. After all, November had been on the trail of something before he was killed. It seemed like everyone in a high position was related to the Syndicate... Eric Nishijima of PANDORA, her own boss and even November's boss... When was it all going to end?

Closing her eyes, she tried to relax. She couldn't wish that Contractors didn't exist because she would never have met Hei otherwise. But she did wish that they would leave him alone, even though she knew it was an impossibility. Sighing again, she finally crawled off the bed to get ready for the night's rest. Mindlessly wishing for something wasn't going to make it happen. She was just too tired.

Tomorrow, she would redouble her efforts until she could find some non-incriminating evidence to throw at Jacob. It was called helping in a non-helpful fashion as she had to keep Hei's secrets to herself. Though she trusted April and July, there were still some things that they couldn't know.

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A/N: I realize (after Dear4Life's review) that I wasn't explicit about what the system is. If one person doesn't get it, I'm sure more of you wouldn't get what it is exactly. This part of the story was written on the assumption (my assumption) that the CIA and FA would have different tracking systems, specific for their country, the States and Japan respectively. How they were able to track down each Contractor to the specific street they were on, etc. This could be totally wrong and I have no idea cuz I really can't remember how their tracking systems worked in the anime. So if it's completely off-base... Well oops on my part! And yah... Then I hope you liked the chapter anyways... Ahaha~ It's not really that significant in the long run XD