Holy balls has it been a long time. It's been months! I blame grade twelve, university applications, and writers block created by mild depression. (So long as I'm not blamed XD) I've noticed after going over some old chapters the enjoys randomly deleting words/ parts of sentences, cause I can gaurantee that there are sentences missing. Oh well, for the most part the chapters are still coherent. Also, this coming December is this story's two year anniversary. I say again. Holy balls it has been a long time. Two years and over twenty chapters! Wow...
Chapter Twentyone
The plan itself was rather simple. Cause as much discord as possible, without getting caught and arrested, and overall being a royal pain in the ass to any part of the government that was connected to the yokai slave trade.
Being a small group, and having absolutely no idea concerning the big picture of the world, they decided that the best course of action would be to gather as much intelligence as was possible. Which lead to Tsukune's current positioned perched on the roof of a skyscraper across from their intended target.
Binoculars pressed to his face, Tsukune gazed at the roof of the office building. The girls had decided, much to the soul male's displeasure, that Kurumu, Mizore, and Moka would be breaking into the government funded laboratory. Tsukune had wanted to go in place of Moka simply because of her injured state, but the female majority had voted him out because they couldn't risk their "human" connection being discovered and arrested. When he had tried to argue that they should at least wait for Moka to heal from her injury, Yukari had surprisingly shot his argument down in preference of doing things quickly. He did have to return to Canada and be picked up from his "rock climbing" trip in just over a week after all. So, after finishing their breakfast the group began the arduous process of planning their break-in.
The laboratory itself was a rather small building in comparison to it's neighbours. Only four stories tall, the twenty floor or more buildings on either side dwarfed the lab, making it almost suspiciously easy to gain access to it's flat rooftop.
The binoculars allowed Tsukune a close up view of the labs roof, as well as the three girls crouching upon it. Their movements were quick and skilled. Removing an air vent's cover in record speed, the trio slipped into the building with an air of professionalism. "Obviously, they've done this before." Tsukune muttered under his breath, still feeling slightly sore at his unmistakable exclusion from the infiltration.
Allowing the magnifying lenses to wander, he observed the structures surrounding the lab. On one side was a generic office building, complete with full length glass windows, for easy inspection, and twenty-four hour lighting, so seeing anything suspicious would be a breeze. On the other side was a hotel of gigantic proportions. At the late hour, only a few light filled windows dotted the buildings sides. Most rooms were shrouded in darkness, making the task of locating any enemies rather difficult.
A slight lurch in his stomach made the hybrid uneasy. He felt the building was familiar in some way, yet for the life of him he just couldn't remember. Tapping the com-piece in his ear he opened a communications channel to the three girl team.
"Guys, you did extensive research on my background when you caught me right?"
"Yeah, but this isn't really the time for that, Tsukune."
The slightly irritated voice of one Kurumu Kurono filled his ear. He swallowed harshly. His suspicion made his throat go dry.
"Does The Peninsula hotel ring any bells?"
A long silence followed, but that told him all he needed to know. Even though it had been two years, Tsukune could never truly forget this location. With the lab situated right beside it he felt stupid for not realizing it earlier. The lab they were breaking into was the lab that held the ogre that had killed his parents, and started the chain of events that had caused his dhampirism and Moka's memories to be taken away.
With this realization, he felt sick. So close to the place where everything started, yet having come so far from that point. Tapping again on the com he issued a request.
"Could you guys try and get the security records from the past three years? If you can that is."
He felt guilty for adding unnecessary additions to their intel list but he felt he had to know. Why did the ogre escape? Was it really just an under dose of sedative? He didn't know if the knowledge he would gain from it would allow closure but he definitely felt that it was a possibility.
"We just downloaded the experiment and research files. The security is next, so as long as we don't get interrupted, we can."
Mizore's cool voice responded. Both she and Kurumu had sounded calm, so he assumed everything was going well. The plan had panned out so that once they gathered all the intel they could from the computers, they would start destroying select sections of the lab, but leaving most of the research and data on monster/human relations intact. Afterwards the group would make their getaway through several back alleyways, allowing Tsukune to get down from his perch, retrieve one of the Aono Co. company cars they had "borrowed" for the evening, and pick them up a few streets away.
The plan wasn't fool proof by any means but with the resources they currently possessed there wasn't much else that could be done on such short notice. Glancing at his watch, the hybrid mentally noted the time. If all goes well the girls would be done in a matter of moments.
"Alright, we're going to start setting off the alarms. Head down to the car."
Tsukune nodded, despite no one being there to see it.
"Copy that."
Gathering his small bag of equipment he started for the stairs. Luckily, the building across from the lab had been owned by his company, allowing him full access to all floors, and the ability to wipe the security data later.
The short run down to a floor with an elevator was only interrupted by the need to hide from one of the night watchmen. Even though he owned the company, most of the staff knew he had gone on vacation, making it problematic should someone see him. Arriving at basement parking garage, he made a beeline for the chosen car. After stowing his bag, the hybrid swiftly donned a professional-looking black suit over his combat attire. The car, unfortunately, only had tinted windows in the back, so if anyone saw Tsukune driving a company car in full combat gear, even if they didn't know who he was, suspicion of him would surely rise. Posing as a company driver had been the best option according to Yukari, although he had heard her mutter about boys in suits being attractive after the fact.
Shifting into reverse, he pulled out of the parking space and worked his way through the twisted isles to the exit. The security guard on duty barely gave him a glance as he swiped a (very illegal, very fabricated) identification card through a card reader. With the affirmative beep from the machine he pulled on to the main road between the lab and his building. The hybrid adjusted his ear piece nervously.
"You guys get out okay?"
He could see red and blue flashing lights in his rear view mirror. The police were obviously on their way.
"Yup" Moka sound breathless. "We're about a block away from the rendezvous."
The hybrid smiled to himself at their success so far. He had honestly thought they'd be caught by now.
"Gotcha, I'll be arriving in two minutes. Just hold tight till I get there."
With some skilled manoeuvring, he managed to weave through the moderately thick traffic and reach his destination, an alley behind a noodle shop three blocks from their target. The girls stood in the shadows waiting, but the second they slipped into the back seat, the hybrid knew something was wrong. Kurumu was leaning heavily against her girlfriend. A dark patch spreading across the cloth on her shoulder.
"What happened?"
His voice jumping an octave. Moka met his eyes in the mirror.
"They had a night sentry. We didn't kill him but he hit Kurumu. We've already determined it's not life threatening, just a flesh wound."
Shifting the car back into gear, Tsukune drove quickly.
"Flesh wound or not, that much blood is never good."
His mutterings went unanswered as he sped home. Even with Moka's reassurance, he wanted to get the Succubus medical attention as soon as possible.
And another person is injured! Hurrah. Also progression happened this chapter! Yay.