Chapter Fourteen

Astraea's mission room suddenly darkened as red alarm lights flashed on with a shrill siren blaring out of the speakers. All personnel were on high alert. Miyuki rushed forward looking around her panicked yet controlled room, waiting for the rundown of what was wrong.

"Red alert! All systems on maximum security level 5! Outside interference detected" shouted one of the men on the computers.

"Where are they hacking into?" Miyuki raised her voice to be heard

"Military intelligence database." A second later he called out again "Now Astraea's mainframe."

"Lock it down! Seal all entrances and trap them. No one gets in or out!" Momomi ordered harshly as she rushed over to the terminal to watch.

Miyuki and Kaname stayed still as they let the experts handle it as they continued to watch and wait. It didn't take too long for more alarms to be sounded as more of their database was being hacked into. Tamao was at her own terminal, keeping an eye on their agents in the field. Looking over to Miyuki with a grim expression.

"M!" when she got her bosses attention carried on "The Trojan Horse has been activated. The Archive wants in."

"How the bloody hell…" Kaname muttered

"That doesn't matter; I have my two top agents trying to stop him we have to hold out until then" Miyuki quickly told her brooking no arguments.

Turning to her attention quickly back onto her control room she raised her voice to be heard loud and clear over the shrill alarms.

"Everyone, I want all focus on blocking their attempts to access any of the database in our systems. Divert, trap or waylay the virus by any means. I want nothing to get out of this room. Get to it!"

There was a flurry of increased activity, along with an alarming increasing of the muttered curses floating around as they went about blocking the attempted hacking. Tamao got up from her console and steadily walked over to Miyuki, who was having a heated debate with the Military Officer. Catching the tail end of the conversation, Tamao joined in.

"I wouldn't worry too much General. The etoile and her partner are in place." Tamao clearly and calmly talked to them

"We got word from them?" Miyuki asked

"Yes Nagisa sent a quick signal of their location. I know how they are getting access so easily to us; they are among the connective conduits on the seabed."

Silence was the response after they heard that. The conduits supplied information to and from countries, by suppressed data streams. If one was to get close to one and hack in, which was very hard to do in any case not to mention that an alert would be sounded right away of any attempt, they could access any of the databases available. It was a daunting thought.

"It is time for us to take part in this. 'The Maiden' is in close proximity I will alert it to their rough area" Kaname said in monotone as she set off to phone in the order.

Miyuki and Tamao looked at each other both seeing the worry and vexation in the oncoming hours. Everything relied strongly on the two agents now whatever the Military may do.

Shizuma woke to a world of pain and bright lights, which only seemed to make it worse. Closing her eyes once more, involuntary emitting a groan of pain and annoyance at her situation, Shizuma realised she was lying on a very cold floor. It wasn't very comfortable. Forcing her eyes open once more, ignoring the jabs of pain her skull was doing, she took a look where she was. She was in a small cell with old fashioned bars barring her way, in her small space there was a bunk bed and toilet, all the essential items. Still foggy Shizuma slowly got up leaning against the bed to support her weight only to finally collapse on it. 'God my head. It feels like a drill's going off. What hit me? I was in the control room and…Nagisa!?' Shizuma jumped from her bed and sprinted to the bars, looking out to the room trying to spot a mop of red hair. It wasn't that hard as it was the only bright colour in the drab room. Nagisa looked no worse for wear as she standing by the barred doors looking somewhat grumpy. Her partner soon brightened a little when she spotted her, giving a little wave in response.

"You're awake at last" Nagisa murmured

"Are you all right? What happened? How long was I out?" Shizuma asked anxiously

The redhead's eyes widened in shock "You don't remember?" Shizuma shook her head "Typical. You got free of your handlers back in the control room, giving everyone near you something to remember you by. The Shadow clonked you on your head and threw the both of us in here. For the last ten minutes you've been asleep."

"How about you?" Shizuma wanting to know

"Me? I'm fine" Nagisa reassured her with a small genuine smile

The etoile looked at her situation. The cell block contained six cells with only the two being occupied, also by her guess was that there was a guard stationed outside. They had to get out of the cells and fast.

"Nagisa did they take our gadgets?" as she herself patted her pockets

"The obvious ones they did. A shame, I really liked some of them" pouting a little at her lost toys

"Terrific" she snarled softly "Can you get us out of here without alerting anyone?"

"Nope" Nagisa shook her head then looked at Shizuma with a glint in her eye "but you can"

Shizuma cocked her head to the side looking puzzled. She had no idea what Nagisa was getting at, since when did she have the gadget that Nagisa didn't? There wasn't time to gloat the fact, as she patted down her pockets once more not finding anything that could help. Nagisa was smiling all the time, enjoying the confusion Shizuma was in.

"Kitten are you joking with me or…" Shizuma warned her

"Don't give me that Shi. It's not my fault. You're the one who hid it on yourself. Try searching in your assets since you wanted to keep it safe." Nagisa said with a huge smug smile on her face

Shizuma recalled the stuff now. The hacker had told her back at the apartment what it could do, so being far sighted, a rarity in itself, thought it a good thing to bring along and hid it good too. She was only disheartened not to have recollected before.

"It's a good thing you're hands are untied eh?" Nagisa teased her "Imagine asking the oh so lovely guard to help you out"

"Watch it Nagisa. I can always leave you in that cell" Shizuma threatened making no impact on her whatsoever.

Undoing her Kevlar vest Shizuma then loosened the top few buttons, turning around away from Nagisa whilst she did so, reaching in she took out a small bottle. Clasping it firmly in her hand she quickly redone her top and zipped up her vest did she face her partner once more. Who by the way, was supporting a huge pout and teary wide eyes, probably due to the fact she missed the show. Shizuma had to tear her eyes away from the way too cute scene in front of her, knowing it was so not the time for those kinds of thoughts. Nagisa tittered at her reaction.

"Nagisa how does this stuff work?" Shizuma asked looking at the bottle in her hands rather than her partner

"Okay here's what you have to do."

As Nagisa explained what she had to do Shizuma slowly followed her instructions, keeping an ear out for anyone approaching. It didn't take too long for the acid to melt the bars, hissing and spitting its way through. Loud enough for worry, but not enough for someone to come in and investigate. It was slow work but it did its job as the last bar gave way. Holding on tight to the bar as it fell, Shizuma gently lowered it to rest amongst the others with the now empty bottle as she crawled her way through her escape hatch.

Nagisa looked on with a small smile, bouncing a little on her toes itching to leave the cell herself. The etoile moved swiftly to the main door listening for anything or anyone, regrettably the door was too thick. Moving to stand in front of Nagisa, Shizuma looked at the lock more closely "I don't suppose you have anything to help you get out of there huh?"

"Nope. All my stuff is probably out there" jerking her head towards the exit "I guess we need to get someone's attention."

"Fancy playing a damsel in distress?" Shizuma asked her as she folded her arms

"I don't but I guess there's no other way" grimacing a little at the thought

Before either could prepare further however, a loud clinking of metal was heard beyond the door. Quickly the etoile ran to the door, making sure when the door was fully opened she would pass by unnoticed. A few seconds later the door grinded open, thankfully only wide enough for them to see Nagisa's cell and not the dismantled one. The guard took a few steps in with his gun, while strapped over one of his shoulders, hung loosely by his side. Shizuma waited quietly not daring to breathe as she watched him enter further into the cells. He turned his head towards her cell.

Shizuma launched her attack. Barrelling into the guard she wrenched the gun off him, punching him twice before he could blink. Dazed as he was, the guard still fought back with a swing of his fists and a sloppy foot swipe. Dodging the attempts Shizuma raised the gun. The man froze. Staring deep into his eyes, that lasted but a second yet seemed longer, Shizuma saw the fear, hopelessness and despair. Switching the gun around with the butt now facing him, she made sure he couldn't do much more, with one swing his lights were out.

Wasting no time Shizuma turned him on his back and began searching his pockets, looking for the master key, barely giving her partner a glance. Pulling out a card she raised it to Nagisa in question.

"That's it Shi. It's on the right hand side of the wall outside." Pointing to the exit

Shizuma raced outside and easily found what she was looking for. Swiping the card through the machine, turning the key to 'open', she unlocked Nagisa's cell. About to enter back in she heard her partner cry to wait. Intrigued she did what she was told and few moments later the redhead came out.

"Lock the doors Shi." Doing so Shizuma looked to Nagisa who in turn replied "When he wakes he'll have a hard time getting someone's attention."

"Good kitty." Earning her a growl from the woman "Now let's gets our things and go. We need to hurry"

Shizuma peeked around a corner, quickly retreating pulling a disgruntled partner with her. Hiding around a corner they waited for the footsteps to fade before moving on. They had been dodging personnel for a few floors now and Shizuma was becoming irritated by the delay. 'How long is this going to take? For all I know they've already gotten into our systems and done who knows what with the info. We need a diversion to get rid of some of the heat on us. Luckily it's not so far now.' Just as she was about to move the etoile was pulled roughly back, her captor was looking quite vexed.

"Shi if you don't tell me this instant where we're going so help me" Nagisa threatened

"Calm down Nagisa. We're heading to the torpedo room." Her partner now went from vexed to curious "Kitten we need help from Astraea. That beacon of yours will they pick it up on a ship?"

"If they have the right equipment sure." Nodding her head to confirm it "but who will be watching?"

"If I know anything is that when things are looking this grim, the military tends to step in and help. They would, hopefully, already have sent a ship when you first activated it back in the control room."

Shizuma watched as Nagisa mulled it all over in her head, the upset expression was replaced by Shizuma's second favourite, the eager let's get to it face. With a nod from the etoile along with a small smile, they set off once more along the corridors.

Their destination was soon in sight, there was hardly anyone walking the hall as they crept on. Shizuma hurriedly increased her pace, leaving Nagisa trailing a few steps behind, her mind focused she didn't see what happened next. Nagisa about to follow her partner was roughly grabbed and forcefully slammed into the wall. A large calloused hand quickly sealed her mouth. Being held tightly to the wall Nagisa still squirmed and fought against her captor, who by a second glance, confirmed it was the guy from before. Cobb had made a reappearance and this time, no officer would tell him to back off.

"Well look what I have here" he sarcastically muttered "Shouldn't you be locked up?"

Nagisa flung her head to the side removing his hand on her mouth "Let go of me!"

"Now why would I do that? Hmm?"

"I warned you" Nagisa growled

She brought her knee up full force into his groin causing him to flinch and cry out in pain. Learning from her mistake last time, she quickly gave him a right hook which knocked him to his knees. Nagisa stood over him looking fierce; with both hands clenched tightly she swung her last blow. Cobb was soundly put to sleep.

"That'll teach you" she grunted in satisfaction

Not leaving him where he was Nagisa dragged him back towards a janitor's style room she had passed earlier. Not caring if the floor was scraping his face or the massive bump he took while she was lugging him inside. Actually she was grinning evilly all the time. The room was filled with the quick fix style, meaning the heavy duty tape, flexi wires, tubing and all other odds and ends. Perfect really for all those wanting to tie someone up and gag them. This is exactly what Nagisa did after she disarmed him. A few minutes later Cobb looked like an animal offering with hands tied behind his back, legs bent and feet taped so he was literally in a kneeling state. There was tape around his mouth and for a final touch, which suited Nagisa personality, a sign was hung around his neck with the words 'Live and let die'.

With a giggle she rushed out the room to find her partner.

Earlier on Shizuma had rushed towards the Torpedo room, not noticing her partner's absence, as she quickly did a check of the room. There were two mariners and not a guard could she see. Tiptoeing inside she crept silently forwards picking up a wrench as she went by. With two thwacks they went down in a crumpled heap.

"There has to be a guard patrolling around this section so split up and look for him" Shizuma whispered to the unknown empty space behind her

Not hearing an answer she spun around to find Nagisa not there. Looking around she found no sign of her, Shizuma was becoming worried. 'She was behind me a minute ago. How can I lose that girl in short a time? Please tell me she hasn't gotten into trouble.' Before Shizuma could head back out someone came in. It wasn't her partner. Unexpectedly the man rushed at her barrelling into Shizuma before she could move. Winded and grimacing a bit at the blow she barely managed to dodge the punch aimed for her. The two squared off with the etoile getting into her fighting stance as she took in the measure of her opponent. It was obvious from the start he had some knowledge of hand to hand, yet Shizuma guessed he relied more on his strength than his speed or balance. Not that it helped much, but it certainly gave her some advantages she could exploit.

He advanced a few steps keeping his guard up, delivering two quick jabs which Shizuma avoided effortlessly. The two fighters exchanged punches and kick each testing the other one out. Shizuma knew she didn't have the time for this kind of fight, in this situation it was fine to spring out the unfair turnabout. The guy lunged at her once more swinging his arm back for a low blow. With hardly enough room to dodge Shizuma turned her body to the side and brought out her insurance policy. The trusty wrench. With a sharp swing she swung it hard on his head and in a flash he was out cold. The etoile threw the wrench on the floor as she quickly started to drag the guy somewhere where he wouldn't be seen so quickly.

'Now that's done with. Now to find Kitten. Why is she always running off?' Before Shizuma could turn around she felt a presence come behind her. Moving quickly she spun round and had the prey backed against the wall in a tight hold. It all happened so fast she missed the mop of red hair.

"Shizuma relax its only me" Nagisa squeaked

The etoile released her and took a few steps back as she watched her partner rub her shoulder from the iron grip she was just held in.

"Where the hell have you been?!" Shizuma demanded from her friend, with her arms crossed and a deep scowl on her face

"I was tying up loose ends. Seems like you didn't need any help" as she took in the bodies lying on the ground

"That's not the point"

"We need something to attach this to" Nagisa told her holding up the beacon cutting her partners rant off

Before Shizuma could reply the security guy she had knocked out earlier came stumbling towards them. It was a poor attempt at a charge, but considering the etoile knocked him into next week it was pretty impressive. Shizuma stuck her foot out, then as he fell to the floor quickly restrained him with his arms behind his back and held tightly. Shizuma looked from the man, to the beacon then to the torpedo tube. A plan was quickly forming and since time was scarce it was good as any.

"You want something to attach it to Nagisa? Here we go" Shizuma hauled the dazed man to his feet

"You can't be serious" Nagisa looked aghast at her friend as she put two and two together

Shizuma shrugged her shoulders and began hustling the guy into the tightly compact space. It was a little difficult on her own as Nagisa refused to help her. 'Her and her uptight ideals.' The guy didn't go in there willingly as arms and legs were thrashing wildly. Who could blame him? A quick punch to the gut soon quieted him down as the etoile finally lugged his weight into the tube, with the beacon now attached securely inside one of his pockets. Looking pleased Shizuma glanced at Nagisa who gave her a sour look, which quickly took the smile off her own lips.

"I can't believe I'm letting you do this" Nagisa stunned at what she was about to do

"We need someone to locate our position. We can't shoot a real torpedo too dangerous. He's good enough." not looking a bit sorry about firing a man out of the sub.

"It's a human being Shi!" still having a moral dilemma

"Nagisa we are running out of time. Shoot the damn thing!" Shizuma demanded

Nagisa with a huff and a glare started the sequence for the firing code. One turn of a key and a push of a button it was all ready. Shizuma watched feeling a little ashamed at using this method, however felt justified that it needed to be done. 'We're a resilient bunch. Surely firing someone out of a torpedo tube isn't going to kill them. Right?' The etoile watched as her partner finished and stepped away from the console. Her face stoic but determined. Without any words Shizuma knew what needed to be done. She stepped forward and with the only light flashing, she pressed the button.

A huge roar filled the room as the torpedo fired. Seconds ticked by as the silence once more settled around them. Shizuma looked to Nagisa in concern, who was busy looking at a little tablet. Meeting her eyes she gave a shrug as she wondered herself what went wrong. Their plan was rewarded when a second later alarm bells rang out erratically. Someone upstairs had noticed.

"Time to go" Shizuma called out as she jogged past Nagisa who quickly followed on after her.

AN: I am so sorry about taking so long to update this story! Please forgive me! Everything has been a little hectic recently, but I am writing the last few chapters, and hopefully all going well I will update soon.