Battlefield: BAD COMPANY: Birds of Prey
Episode 8: Hardcore Haggard
'Thinking/Preston's view'
"Talking"
THAT NIGHT OUTSIDE MAISON IZUMO
Kagari walked outside in his work attire, and climbed into a limo that had pulled up. Kagari got in and she spoke with Takami giving a report of what went on the previous night. She asked about the status of 108. Kagari told her she was fine but worn out from last night, Takami asked about the soldiers. Kagari told her that two of them had gained sekirei today, and they received a present from MBI's chief rival from the west.
Kagari asked if she wanted to know about 108's ashikabi and, Takami retorted that she already knew more than enough. Meanwhile in a small hidden computer room, some certain glasses wearing girl was busy researching the identity of the ashikabi of Kusano and Musubi. She was confused by what she saw, he was a loser by almost all accounts, except for his amazing American friends. She was utterly fascinated by the guy, and couldn't take her eyes off of him.
In Bad Company's room, the two ashikabis were on cloud nine. One was enjoying two women sleeping with him, in the same bedroll, and the other was enjoying the soft comfort of the love of his life, for the first time. Haggard was up late playing games as usual, Sarge told him to turn it off, he did and went to bed. They had worked hard that day organizing and storing the baby supplies and deciding with much deliberation. That the Marlowe clan deserved 75% of the loot from their care package. The rest would be handsomely paid after the job was done anyway. Besides they were all a family, and that's what family does.
Before that Sarge was playing with Kusano and she called him grandpa. He decided that was alright, since he'd be there for a while and he'd treat the darling little girl like she was one of his own. Haggard had been busy that day, trying to find out why he felt like he was constantly being watched, when he thought he was alone. A certain girl in a hidden computer room, was responsible for that.
She was a little annoyed at Haggard's game of search and expose. So, he'd end up with bruises and whatnot from 'accidents' that occurred constantly. He didn't mind after his curiosity was satisfied that it was just paranoia. Then he got online and faced off against a mysterious girl gamer who seemed to be able to rival his Battlefield 4 skills on pc. Haggard and his arch rival squared off and actually became friends, ironically the two of them were unwittingly in the same house, yet earlier they had a war of wits.
THE NEXT MORNING
Sarge rolled out of bed and joined the rest of the guys in the morning routine. He felt like things were looking up, since none of the boys had done or said anything stupid for 5 minutes. Sarge broke into a fake 'Irish' accent and said "It's going to be a great day!". Around the house, good things seemed to happen, everyone was finding joy in the little things and instead of being grumpy Sarge was happy. He remembered that haggard had promised to take him fishing later at a creek that had fish. That made his day all that much sweeter, he made it to the living room and spoke with Kusano, who was being comforted already by Minato.
She was crying about her plants being killed a friend she had. Shiina, was his name, Sarge didn't know who this kid was but for making his surrogate grandchild cry he'd get an ass whooping (not literally). Sarge had experience with children, as did most of bad company, heck one of them was expecting soon, so he helped Minato calm Kusano down. They explained that they're family and they'll always be there for each other.
Kusano smiled and hugged her ashikabi and adoptive grandpa. Minato went to work, and Sarge joined Uzume and Kusano in watching Musubi and Miya spar. The little girl didn't like it but she kept watching anyway, this puzzled Sarge as to why she kept watching if it upset her. Uzume only smiled at Kusano's strange mix of enjoying and hating of the sparring match. Sarge went to check on the boys and their girls, after he let Kusano bounce on his knee like a grandparent would.
Sarge had grown to really care for that little girl, he'd skin alive anyone who wants to hurt her. The old soldier walked the halls of Maison Izumo remembering how far he'd come. He started out the regular army and then he transferred to bad company and saved the world, now he was in japan on a top-secret mission, that ended up with him in the middle of a game that involved the lives of his squad, and their newfound loved ones. Destiny's a bitch like that isn't it.
Sweetwater and Kocho were testing her ability to influence technology, by looking at the suit's functions, through the use of her technopathic ability. Surprisingly she could communicate with the suit rather well. The suit was like a living being, it was talking back whenever she interacted with the programming while roaming around inside of its memory banks. Haggard sat in the corner, playing his new guitar. He was strumming god's gonna cut you down by Johnny cash. Yashima and Akitsu listened intently to his skills at playing the instrument. Preston was playing Battlefield 4 online, his skills at playing video games hadn't gotten rusty at all.
When Sarge entered the room, he let haggard finish his song for the girls, and then it would be time to go fishing. The team all finished what they were doing and went to go fishing for the day. They put on their suits, grabbed their guns and fishing gear, and left for a few hours to enjoy life. Sarge finally got his fishing trip for once. The boys all enjoyed themselves and had some beer to drink. The best day Sarge has had so far. Little did he know that nearby, a certain pink-ette was watching them, gathering intelligence. She also had an ulterior motive, her crush on the one they called Marlowe.
She deemed him worthy of being her ashikabi. She also knew she'd have a power struggle against Akitsu, which actually enticed her desire. She liked the disciplinary squad, but she knew she had to have an ashikabi eventually, and he was not stupid like most other people she found herself surrounded by. She didn't like the idea that eventually, she may be winged by Natsuo who is in fact gay. You can't make the blind see after all. If the other members wanted to be stuck with someone they had no feelings for, it was fine by her standards. She wanted someone who could understand her, someone who would care.
Marlowe had a feeling like they were being watched, he shrugged it off. The four soldiers enjoyed the trip and then went home for the day. Benitsubasa returned to her suite at MBI, and kept thinking to herself how she'd catch the eye of the man who out powered Karasuba. He was surrounded by idiots to be sure, but he seemed like someone who she could get under her thumb without much effort and some planning. Karasuba approached her when she reached the suite of the disciplinary squad. Her superior informed her that their suits were ready for testing. The two of them met up with Haihane and went to the engineering lab where their suits were being stored. Benitsubasa would have her wish soon.
The women put on the lethal suits of destruction, and felt a huge rush of pleasure from their newfound power increase. Karasuba picked up her blade and cleanly sliced through a solid 3-foot-thick block of concrete. Benitsubasa ground a large pile of cinder block to bits and Haihane sliced through 2 feet thick steel plates. MBI's enforcers were ready to tear apart the would-be heroes they failed to kill before. Karasuba enjoyed the rush her suit gave her, it was like she had become a god of death. She enjoyed killing soldiers, now she'd love to slay super-soldiers. Benitsubasa felt like she could take on the world alone in her suit and Haihane laughed in a sinister manner. Vengeance was coming and hell followed it.
BACK WITH THE BOYS
Haggard's Spidey-senses tingled, like something bad was coming. Sarge said it was probably right, they all agreed that a shiver went down their spines at that moment. Something evil was coming but what? The four of them made their way home and ran into Minato, they asked how his day went and he said it was fine. When they got back the last thing they expected, was to see Seio from the other day here at Maison Izumo. Minato tripped over himself in embarrassment and the other guys felt they finally had another ally with them to stay afloat through all the estrogen. The boys warmed up to Seio pretty quick and it seemed almost like they were old friends from the way they talked with each other.
Miya explained that Seio was a friend of her late husband and Seio was like family. Miya explained her view of Seio that he was okay, but a mooch and gave him her version of an evil eye. Seio asked if she noticed how scary she was at times. Minato asked him how he knew where he lived, and Seio said it was because of the cooking. Seio asked how Kusano was doing and Minato said she was okay. Kusano showed up and shyly stood behind the door.
Seio asked her politely if she wanted to say hi. He began to insist, and then he threatened her, which made her cry. Miya threw a bucket at him, and Sarge hit him upside the head. Miya and Sarge glared at him. Seio apologized out of the fear of death. The twins showed up and asked if Seio was there and mooching off of them. He walked up behind the others carrying two large bags, and the twins started to beat him up for being a leech. Minato thanked him for the support from the other day, the boys agreed and gave him two-finger salutes. Seio said it was cool, he handed Minato a business card. Minato was shocked, that Seio charges to solve problems. Seio said they get the friend discount. All the guys just sweat-dropped at Seio's sense of capitalism.
Later, Musubi and Uzume were in talking in the bathroom, and Marlowe was passing the door. He overheard their conversation, he wondered about what Uzume said about her ashikabi being unable to be with her. He figured with her personality, nothing should stop her from being with the person she cares about. Marlowe knew that if something was keeping Uzume from her loved one it was serious. He'd tell the boys about this, and maybe he'd have to ask a certain benefactor for aid if it was absolutely necessary. Hargreave is a businessman at his core, not an altruist by any means as far he knew it. If Marlowe asked for help from him, it would no doubt come with a very steep price. But it was for a friend, whom he considered family. In the end family is what mattered most. At that moment he remembered his own, and went off to find Akitsu. The room was probably his best guess at that point.
12:00 AM
Kusano needed to use the toilet, so she got up and used it. Then a shadowy figure appeared behind her. The little girl was frightened by this figure, whose large eyeglasses glinted ominously. Kusano ran to Minato like she had just seen the boogeyman. Minato comforted her and asked what was wrong, she told him she saw a ghost. The next morning Kusano was switching between hugging her ashikabi Minato and grandpa Sarge. The tenants sat at the breakfast table discussing what she saw.
Last night after Kusano had woken them up, Musubi and Minato woke up Sarge, who assisted them in calming Kusano and hunting a possible burglar. Sarge grabbed his pistol and loaded standard rounds for the occasion. They didn't find anyone or anything suspicious at all. Sarge figured Kusano had just seen the boogeyman. And he tucked her in with Musubi and Minato, after singing her a lullaby he used for his cousin's daughter back home. Musubi and Minato thought that was sweet of the grizzled old soldier.
"Aww Sarge, I didn't know you cared." Haggard said mocking his superior.
"Yeah, I never knew you could be such a sweet old grandpa." Sweetwater said siding with Haggs.
"If you two don't shut up, I'll knock both of you into next Tuesday. Or better yet, I'll get Akitsu to school you again." Sarge said with a vein sticking out on his forehead while he cracked his knuckles menacingly. His two ass pains froze, and backed off at the thought of a beating, and Preston's very scary wife. Kusano smiled at her grandpa and he smiled back. He let her sit on his knee.
"Only this little lady right here gets to call me that. Got it knuckleheads?!" Sarge said pointing to the adorable kid bouncing on his knee. Haggard and Sweetwater nodded vigorously.
Kusano gave them her description of what scared her, a woman with long hair and glasses. Uzume started to say that the ghost sounded familiar but Miya stopped her and gave her the evil eye. Uzume then said it her mistake nothing familiar at all. The boys were suspicious of this but kept it to themselves. Miya then told them she was going to visit her husband's grave and it was the anniversary of his death. The boys lowered their heads in respect. Miya left and all the girls decided to cook.
Haggard had a few dirty thoughts of what Uzume would wear, that were coupled with his thoughts of what they'd cook. Sweetwater only thought of the food since he had Kocho. The same went for Marlowe and his two women. Just then a phantom-like shadow moved out of sight behind all the guys. They felt the ominous presence in the air and wondered what it was.
They put it out of their minds, and went up to see Uzume and the girls about what they'd make. Only to find them all in sexy outfits, and a cute little costume for Kusano. The guys were all feeling something when they took a really good look. Uzume, decided to take a nap which disappointed Haggard, he wanted to see his dirty thoughts be more than that. The rest of the guys, except for Minato, patted him on the back in brotherhood.
The boys all sat at the table and waited for the food. It was all piled high, the guys and gals ate like there was no tomorrow. Haggs proposed a belch off and sweets seconded that notion. Until the girls all vetoed it, with Akitsu giving the guys her scary cold glare. In a hidden nearby computer room, the glasses wearing girl was watching Minato intently. She was drawn to him for some reason, but couldn't figure out why.
SOMEWHERE IN THE CITY
Somewhere out in the city near a train station, Miya was on her way back to Maison Izumo while Minato's sister ran into a boy, who she liked instantly, after she took a good look at him. It turns out the boy was being chased by a rather unfriendly sekirei who was working a very greedy ashikabi. She rudely asked the boy to go with her. He refused, he'd never go with her after what her ashikabi tried to do to Kusano. The sekirei attacked with her whip and Yukari pushed the boy out of the way and promised to keep him safe. She had a shouting match with the hostile sekirei and the boy felt attracted to her for saving him. They ran and the sekirei chased after them.
BACK AT MAISON IZUMO
Musubi and Minato discussed what happened the other day, when Yomi the scythe sekirei was taken away by MBI after Musubi defeated her. Sekirei who lose their symbols can't stay with their ashikabi. Minato was shocked by this, but he remembered sekireis don't have a choice when it comes to the rules of the game. Sweetwater was listening, in on them. He heard everything as Minato put the pieces together. When the game is over it all goes away. Sweetwater knew what he meant by this and found it to be total bullshit. He had a best friend who would have a daughter very soon, that friend would lose his whole family when the game ends. He'd been to Vegas before, the house doesn't always have to win. He heard how much Musubi cared for Minato and she wanted to be the one who wins so they'll never be separated.
Musubi pointed out that the ashikabi with the flock that wins the game gets to keep their sekireis. Sweetwater knew what she meant, and he would warn the guys and their gals about the whole thing once he had the basics of a plan. He felt it was time to plan a third way, not everyone wins, but the house still loses instead, shooting their way out would be a very fun, very righteous, last resort.
Meanwhile the girl with glasses was watching Minato and Musubi, she felt upset about Minato and Musubi's relationship. Every time the two of them had a moment it annoyed her. She felt her symbol pulse at the thought of Minato. She was jealous of Musubi having Minato instead of her, at that moment she marked Musubi as a personal enemy. Haggard was working on a little side project of his own, making a moonshine still. He had all the available household chemicals for his needs. He also had the most necessary thing, Miya's permission.
He figured he'd step away from it for a little while, and found just the distraction. Musubi, asked Haggard to go with her to the store since everyone else was busy. Haggard wasn't doing much so, he put on his suit, agreed to go with her, and help her carry the very large amount of groceries. The gold the boys were using to pay their rent, helped Miya purchase a lot more things she needed/wanted for Maison Izumo.
They wondered how she'd exchange it money but she simply told them she had her ways. The two of them left the building and set off for the store while roughly 22000 miles above them, an MBI satellite began to ominously blink red instead of blue. They had left the store and Haggard's Spidey sense tingled. He jumped right and pushed musubi out of the way, as a laser came from orbit, and left a sizable crater in the street. She thanked Haggard and the two of them began to dodge the lasers while double timing it to Maison Izumo.
"Damn it, this is literally the last thing I'd expect to happen to me ever! I mean seriously, who uses god damn outer space lasers?! I Mean I've seen some crazy stuff in my time, but this is really damn crazy?! I'd be happy right now from the explosions, if they weren't aimed at me!" Haggard ranted as he and Musubi ran as fast as their abilities allowed.
Haggard and Musubi dodged left and right avoiding any of the shots that rained down on them. Musubi tripped and Haggard caught her, he began look for a way out of their situation. He wanted to put out an emergency evac call to the guys, but his com-link was being jammed. He kept screaming in his head, why was this happening to him of all people? Back at Maison Izumo, Minato was having a close encounter of the really pretty/awkward kind. And Yukari was falling in love with the boy she saved.
CLIFFHANGER
-END CHAPTER-
