New Chapter!
On a story I haven't updated in almost 8 months!
I am really sorry!
Stein looked at all the children in front of him. It was late afternoon, 5:30 to be specific. None of the children were talking. Maka was reading a book while Black Star and Soul slept beside her. Kid and Patty were both drawing while Liz did her nails. Killik was leaning back in his chair, relaxing while Thunder and Fire slumbered on top of the desk. Tsubaki was rubbing her hands together, clearly feeling nervous. Kim was leaning forward, resting on her crossed arms while Ox read quickly through a notebook. Harvar just sat there next to Jackie, who was glaring at Justin.
Stein felt himself frown internally. None of them had made the progress that he had been hoping for, but they were out of time. It would have to do. To Stein's left stood Marie, Spirit, and Lord Death. To his right were the two Death Scythes, Azuza and Justin. Sid and Nygus were off on another mission.
"Students," Ms. Marie said, calling their attention down. All of them faced their attention forward except for Black Star, who kept sleeping. Stein nodded to Maka, who slammed her book into the blue-haired boy's head with disturbing force. He sat up immediately, blood spurting from his carefully styled point.
"Now that we have all of your attention, we'd like to inform you about your mission," Stein said. Black Star opened his mouth, ready to shout some nonsense. Maka struck before he could, this time forcing the spine of her book into his mouth like a gag.
Lord Death stepped forward. "You will be hunting down a witch named Kelmentine. Her animal theme is a vulture."
"She is known for her experimentation on animals and unwilling humans," Spirit said. "And most recently, meister and weapon partners from the DWMA."
"This witch has been a problem for several months now. We have only just managed to track her down, and we aren't even sure if it's her," Azuza said. "We are a bit more certain about it now, but we need to be sure." Maka looked like she was about to ask a question, but Spirit held up a hand to silence her.
"We've had false leads before and she's left us decoys. We just want to make sure it's her," Stein said. "That were Spartoi comes in."
"You all will be checking over the city of San Francisco. That's as specific as we can get," Lord Death said. "You will receive more information about your roles in the surveillance mission on the plane. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Death," the students chorused.
"Your bags have been placed on the Death Star already," Lord Death said. "We all wish you luck on your mission."
"Thank you, Lord Death," they said, standing up and filing out of the room.
...
The members of Spartoi sat around a conference table in the Death Star. Fire and Thunder were the only ones not present. Instead, they were laying down in their own room, sick from the effects of the plane's altitude on their tiny bodies.
"They're asleep now," Tsubaki said as she re-entered the conference room with Killik.
"That's good. They'll be rested up for our mission," Kid said, standing up. He walked over to the end of the table where a large screen hung on the wall. He pushed several buttons, causing the screen to flash to life and show Stein sitting in his office.
"Hello, children," Stein said with a nod. "I'm going to give you all your mission assignments. I request that none of you interrupt me, as what I will be saying is of the utmost importance. I will give you time to ask questions at the end. Understood?"
"Yes, Professor Stein," Maka said, speaking up for the group that was nodding silently behind her.
"You all will be searching different sections of San Francisco tonight with your new partners," Stein began. A map appeared on the screen. "Kim and Ox: the two of you will set up and manage the base of operations on Treasure Island. You'll be monitoring radio frequencies between the teams and provide medical help and assistance when needed."
Ox shared a confused look with Kim, who said, "Wouldn't it be better if Ox..." she trailed off when Stein gave her a look.
"Save your questions for the end please, Ms. Diehl," he said before continuing. "Soul and Kid will come in from the Golden Gate Bridge and head south. Kid will need to focus on his soul perception to try and find the witch. Maka will do the same with Black Star and come in from the south on 19th Avenue, and then take a few back roads north. Jacqueline and Harvar will enter from the Oakland Bay Bridge and then head west. They'll be the fastest, ready to go after the witch, should they be closer. These three teams will follow independent routes and eventually meet up in at the base of the Twin Peaks in the center of San Francisco. We've provided maps for all of your routes," Stein said. The map on the screen lit up, indicating where each team would come from and where they'd be meting up. The paths were very winding, designed to cover as much ground as possible. He waited as Kid handed the maps out from a manila envelope.
The students studied the maps for a few moment before Stein spoke.
"Ox and Kim. Along with manning the base of operations, you will also be in charge of monitoring the Oakland Bay Bridge to make sure the witch doesn't escape across it. Tsubaki and the Pots will be doing the same at the Golden Gate Bridge. Killik and the twins will be in charge of monitoring the entire southern border of the city. Am I understood?" he asked. The students nodded.
"If you find the witch, radio it in to the rest of the group and do not engage until you are sure that there is back up coming. The support teams are only to move from position if the other defensive teams are too far away to help. And if you come to help, do not fight using your original partner. That is the most dangerous thing you could do on this mission," Stein said. The Spartoi students began to feel the gravity of the strange situation. "Any questions?" he asked after a pause.
"Wouldn't it be better if Ox and I were an offensive team while Jackie and Harvar manned the headquarters?" Kim asked immediately. "I mean, because of his soul perception abilities."
"With that perspective, yes," Stein said. "However, the plan focuses on fighting ability. I am aware that you both have superior skill in combat in comparison with your weapon partners. I chose them because of their elemental abilities and skill in autonomous weapon fighting. Ox can sweep with his soul perception ability from the base."
"But-"
"They will also be on separate motorcycles," Stein said. "Ox seems to lack the skills to ride one. And the team will need to be as mobile and fast as possible." Kim nodded in understanding, patting Ox's hand as he flushed in embarrassment.
"What will we be in?" Maka asked.
"You and Kid will have rental cars," Stein said. Black Star perked up and opened his mouth, but Stein cut him off. "Maka and Soul will be driving. A car will be provided on both bridges as well. Killik and his partners will have only one motorcycle, as they'll need to move fast if the witch decides to go south." Liz let out a quite mutter, already complaining about how sore she'll be after being in weapon form for that long.
"I thought this was a surveillance mission," Jackie said from the other end of the table.
"We have come to the conclusion that if the witch is present she must be taken out. She is far too dangerous to be allowed to roam around. You must be extremely cautious if you find her, especially if you engage her. Once you engage her, though, you must eliminate her."
There was a gap of silence. Stein understood this to mean that there were no more questions. "You will be landing at the Oakland International Airport between 1830 and 1900. The police chief will be sending some people to pick you to your positions. You will have very little time to rest, but there will be ample time to eat if you need to. Are there any final questions or remarks?" he asked. The students shook their heads. "Very well. Good luck on your mission, and remember: do not, under any circumstances, fight with your original partner."
With that final remark, the screen shut off.
"Well, that wasn't even remotely suspicious," Kim muttered, eyes still on the blank screen. Harvar, who had been unsurprisingly quiet throughout the briefing, spun his map around and pushed it to the center of the conference table for everyone to see. He had written down the names of the teams and where they'd be starting. Using red and blue pens, he indicated which partners could and could not resonate.
"That's interesting," Soul said, staring at it. The teams that could resonate were all support teams, aside from Tsubaki and the Pots who had not been tested.
"It makes sense when you think about it," Tsubaki said when the fact was pointed out to her. "I'm not very aggressive with them. Besides, it's not very likely that the witch will get past Kid and Soul."
"That also clears up why Maka and I are starting with such a large escape route behind us. The witch would have trouble getting past me, and Maka could easily spot her with her soul perception. And if all that fails, Killik and the twins will have out back, ready to take her out," Black Star said, giving both Maka and Killik quick fist-bumps.
A smooth tone sounded from the plane's intercom. "Passengers, may I have you attention, please," the pilot said. "We'll be landing in about an hour at the Oakland International Airport. We're expecting clear weather and minimal turbulence in this flight. Feel free to help yourselves to snacks in the kitchen area. Enjoy your flight."
At the mention of snacks, Black Star ran from the room with Killik on his tail. Maka groaned and chased after him, muttering about how he'd get cramps while fighting. Soul and Kid followed at a walking speed knowing full well that they risked not getting any food. Kim and Ox disappeared out the door as well, heading towards one of the more private rooms. They tried to be discreet about it, but everyone knew what they were going to do. Liz and Patty went to go find Killik, obviously worried that he'd get in a fight with Black Star. That just left Harvar and Jackie. Harvar pulled out a book and headed to the lounge with Jackie, who was hoping to get some sleep before they landed.
All in all, it looked like they were set for the mission.
...
A young woman sat in a comfortable armchair facing a window. A large silver bridge could be seen out of the old yellow glass. Several of the higher panes of glass had been broken. Through one of the openings came a large vulture. It glided around the room before landing on the back of the chair and climbing onto the woman's shoulder.
"Lady Klementine, the students are arriving," the bird whispered in her ear. Its talons dug lightly into her shoulder. She could see through the eyes of another vulture perched on the roof of the Oakland International airport. Coming out the front to several waiting taxis were a group of kids. She narrowed her gaze and studied them for a few seconds.
"It's about time," Klementine muttered. "Go keep an eye on them for me," she said, rolling her shoulder to make the bird fly away. She smiled as she watched through the other vultures eyes again. She could see the children placing luggage into the trunks of the taxis before climbing in. The yellow cars peeled away from the curb and the vision vanished. Klementine's grin grew wider.
Things were about to get fun.
Dun dun duuuuuunnnnn!
So, I'm going to be honest with you all...
I actually forgot about this story. Like, had no will to write for about eight months and I felt all guilty about it. But I totally forgot about this story in that time, so I didn't really have time to feel bad about it.
But I'm a bit more motivated to write now, so I hope there are some people still interested in this story.
I'd love some feedback. If anything seemed weird to you, please say something.
Thanks for reading this.