"So, the girl with the VTOL is landing soon?" I asked, sitting down in a reclining chair.
"Yeah," Ashley said as she sat down next to the pool. "She used to serve with us, but she quit after a sergeant sexually harassed her. She sued and won enough to buy a VTOL, and was hired by some rich idiot in town."
"Well, a VTOL's a VTOL," I said, just as she landed and Kaiden ran off to help her.
"So, an intergalactic terrorist cell," Ashley said. "Guess you pissed off the right people."
"Maybe," I said as I got up and walked over to the landing pad. "Thanks for covering our asses out there, Miss…"
"Faridah Malik," she said, shaking my hand. "So, you're the leader of the Third Street Saints? Do you mind if I have a drink?"
"No, of course not," I said. "You thirsty?"
"No, I need to find out exactly how a respected NATO soldier ended up rolling with Johnny Gat," she said. "Wait… is that Elijah Wood?"
"Yeah, we saved him," I said.
"Is that- AISHA? !"
"Wow, we've got a loony fan for two of our homies!"
Operation Louisiana 5: Down the Rabbit Hole!
"Wait, you're SEALs?" Shaundi asked Ashley and Kaiden as we all rested for the evening.
"Used to be," Ashley said. "I could bare the training, the missions… but I couldn't bare my squadmates and my commander, making sexist comments all the time. And my superiors were worst… I actually sued. Malik and I were co-plaintiffs."
"Why did Kaiden leave?" I asked.
"Well, you've heard of BAaT, right?" Kaiden asked. "Well, it was a whole lot worse than what was let out to the paranormal net."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Elijah said.
"Well, it's a special network hidden in the internet used by several unique people, including biotics, wizards who go against the 'no modern tech' taboo, as well as several people with powers," Zimos explained. "In fact, there are bill-boards all over the country that only show messages to mediums and psychics, while others for mages. Anyway, when a biotic found the net and leaked about BAaT, he explained that soldiers with biotic potential were put through a gruelling routine to learn to use their implants. The thing is, the training killed half of the candidates mainly because the implants were faulty."
"That's only half the story," Kaiden said. "It was 'Sink or Swim', and even SEALs cracked. Two of my friends killed themselves as a result. I… I went nuts… killed the instructor…"
"So, you were just… allowed to join NATO?" Elijah said.
"Believe it or not, the UN isn't just a figurehead," Fadirah said. "It's actually quite powerful. When they found out about BAaT, they were furious. There is actually international law about biotics, what is safe, what is forbidden – which oddly enough extends to biotic implants in your crotch," at which Elijah then went wide-eyed, "as well as for conduits. Did you know that the organization that caused the Empire incident was a rogue NSA branch as well as Cerberus?"
"Really?" I asked.
"There's also a separate UN for magical governments, but from what I can tell from these stories from Europe on the BBC News channel, the British Ministry of Magic is going to be made a part of the Muggle – non magical – government due to utter incompetence," Zimos said. "Well, maybe old man Ollivander can advertise on YouTube."
"Hold on," Elijah said, going over to the computer. "Is that with 2 l's?"
"So, who are you working for?" I asked Malik. "Since you're in the private sector."
"There's a business in town, a military contractor," she said. "We have contracts with NATO, Alliance and NERV – that's the hush-hush of the UN – as well as the US Army and the Royal Armed Forces. I can't elaborate."
"I understand," I said.
"You want to steal it?" Malik said, reaching for her gun in her holster.
"Actually, no," I said. "I want to find out what it is first."
"Well, it involves surgery," Malik said. "Believe me, it hurts."
"Are you a biotic?" Aisha asked.
"No, but what I have is special," Malik said. "Anyway, if you need my help, here's my number."
"If you're rolling with us-"
"Purple, right?" Malik said. "I doubt I'll be able to find a suit…"
"Give my boys a few moments," Pierce said. "The outfit will be selling in Planet Saints in a day."
"Believe it or not, I already shop there," Malik said. "Do you guys know where I can crash for the night?"
"Well, in the morning, we'll be heading into a tunnel bound for New Marais," I said. "Shaundi, Ashley, you've got room, right?"
"Sure," Shaundi said. "You're bunking with Ashley."
"Fine by me," she said as Ashley walked her off. She then quickly turned around. "Oh, and don't try and fly that VTOL, it's coded to my biometrics."
"Fine," Gat huffed before she left and Kinzie came up. "Can you hack the VTOL?"
"I can," she said. "I won't, though. But we've got a problem. I need something to hack the pod. I can get it here, but…"
"You need help?" I asked. "What about Clank? He's an alien robot."
"I, unfortunately, cannot interface with the controls properly," Clank said. "That is why we need a soldering kit."
"I just need someone to cover me while I'm hacking doors, picking up supplies, f***ing with delivery orders," Kinzie said.
"How about Pierce?" I asked. "He's trying to acquire a few businesses, a few more Planet Saints… he'd cover you."
"Damn, right," Pierce said. "Don't worry, girl, I'll make sure you're safe."
"Alright," Kinzie said. "We'll work on it tomorrow morning."
"Boss," Kira said as he walked up to me. "Go to sleep. From what I've seen on Picus, you're going to need it."
"Except you took my bed, f***er," I said to him.
"There's a nice room directly underneath," Kira said. "It's all yours, I'm sharing with Pierce, Kaiden and, unfortunately, Angel."
"He's not that bad, is he?" I asked.
"He's turned our room into a gym," he said. "Also, sleeping up here is a horrible idea, an assassin tried to snipe me yesterday."
"So that's what happened," I said. "Alright, then. Goodnight." I then went down to my own room and got into bed, trying to get some sleep.
That was easier said than done. The first time I have gone asleep since coming here… I was back in that place… I violently shot up and looked out the window. My phone said it was only 4AM… I tried to get some more sleep… just two more hours…
July 23, 5:30AM
I just stood around in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee to keep me up as a sound of footsteps came about. "So, you're the Boss, right?" a voice asked. It was Gatomon, Kinzie's digimon partner. "You're up early."
"I've just been having trouble sleeping, that's all," I said to her.
"Nightmares?" she asked me as she jumped up onto the counter. "Trust me, I know. Call it experience."
"So, what, do you expect me to tell you what my nightmare is?" I asked.
"It's a memory of when you were at your lowest," Gatomon said. "Since it has something to do with Cerberus, I expect it to do with you being trapped somewhere, maybe experimented on."
"You're mostly right," I said. "I'm trapped in a large room, crying after being subjected to surgery without anaesthetics, watching people go about in their daily lives. Banging furiously at the windows to get their attention, screaming for help… and everyone ignores me."
"I can't say I understand exactly why you hate the Syndicate, but if it involves stopping them from doing that again… you have my word that I'll help as much as I can," Gatomon said.
Damn… in going after the Syndicate, I didn't realise that… There are probably others that the Syndicate hurt… both from when they've hurt them directly or indirectly… My own vendetta… I just feel worse off now.
"Alright," I said, sternly. "At first, it was just the Syndicate, one operative. From here on out, I solemnly swear that I will fight against Cerberus and make sure that they shant hurt another soul, human or otherwise, ever again!"
"Here, here!" Gatomon replied.
"Preach the fine word, sister," I heard from a door away.
"Angel?" I asked.
"When biotics have nightmares, they tend to…" he said before trailing off. "We need a new window in our room."
"I'm willing to help," Kinzie said. "Since my brother was harmed by Cerberus, Mum and Dad have been worried sick."
"You know we're willing to go with you, Boss," Pierce said, coming in. "If it's personal or not, we'll back you, anytime." Only then did I notice Gat, Shaundi, Aisha, Laura and Tobias all walked in, Kira coming in from outside with a pair of binoculars and Zimos from the upstairs bar. "See? Not just you. It's Cerberus Vs. the Saints."
"And not just the Saints," Ashley said as she and Kaiden came in with Malik. Malik was wearing a purple jumpsuit and Kaiden wore a purple tank-top. Ashley was more surprising, however. She was reluctant to wear the team colours, but now she was wearing a few purple clothing and even a Fleur de Lis chain, however small it is. "NATO have been after the Illusive Man for years. If it means joining a gang to avenge our squad as well as taking out the most dangerous criminal in history… we're in."
"I'm going to get bullied into this, aren't I?" Elijah said, while he still sat outside. "F*** it, I'm in."
"I can't say anything in behalf of my friend," Clank said, walking in. "However, Cerberus is extremely dangerous. Even if Ratchet won't help you, I will help in as much a capacity as seen fit."
"And don't even think you can forget about us!" Naruto said, walking in with Hinata, Ino, Shikamaru and some kid with shabby hair, who I think is Kiba. "We're trying to save our friends, so we'll fight alongside the Saints!" All four of the others nodded in agreement.
"Alright, we'll f*** with intergalactic terrorists," I said. "What's the worst that could happen?"
"You want me to ride this? !" I shouted at Angel. "Why does a subway have a goddamn loop-de-loop?"
"I didn't design it," Angel said.
"It's floating in mid-air," I said.
"Boss, I think it's cool," Gat said as he entered the train. "An anti-gravity train… we should patent it."
"Rule 95, if Cerberus created it, they must have a patent for it," Angel said as he and Kira boarded the train. "Are you coming?"
"Sure," I said, as Gat walked aboard. Just before I got on, however…
"Wait!" Manuela said as she ran over. "I just saw something on Picus TV. I have to find someone in New Marais, someone who can help me get into contact with my minder."
"Is it really that necessary to put yourself in danger?" I asked, as she climbed aboard.
"Unfortunately, yes," Manuela said. "Also, my blood has Rosalia antibodies and there's an outbreak in New Marais. I'm the cure, so they need me."
"I'm not happy about this," I said. "You can fight, can't you?"
"I can make enemies weaker and cause minor distractions," she said as she held up her arm. With a swift flick, a dark cloud enveloped the train and hung around Gat and Kira, before disappearing. "I can create spores on my arm."
"Well, as long as you can stay away from a fight, we're good," I said as I reluctantly got onto the train, which shot along an invisible path as I nervously sat down. "How does this train work, exactly?"
"It uses element zero to float as well as to create air torrents to propel itself through the air without using fuel," Angel said. "Also, there's a primitive perpetual power source on board to keep external power consumption to a minimum."
"How does it work?" Manuela asked.
"It uses an alloy of element zero and iron, which is only different when an electrical power source is applied, to create a dynamo system that constantly spins, creating power as well as keeping the dynamo spinning," Angel said.
"Well, you're quite a genius, aren't you?" Gat asked. "And how does this thing stay on course?"
"There are small lights along the cave system, right?" Angel said as Manuela went ahead to look. "Each one quickly communicates with each tram, telling them how to adjust their engines to avoid crashes."
"There are more of these?" I asked.
"Just go look ahead," Angel said. "The view is nice, too." Reluctantly, I walked to the front and sat down next to Manuela, who was looking outside.
"These caves are covered in crystals and gemstones," Manuela said as she sat down. "Diamond, ruby, sapphire… oh, emerald!"
"You know, purple doesn't really suit you," I said, looking at the passing gems. "You look better with white."
"I'm still going to help," Manuela said. "Either you or anyone I can. Wait, there's a large cavern up ahead."
The tram went into a large underground room, surrounded by glowing crystals and platforms. There were a variety of plant life down here, including tropical and vegetables. There was a large lake at the bottom of the cavern, even a few waterfalls, but they were mostly small except for the one at the beginning of the cavern. Pathways showed a facility down here that acted as a connection between our destination and our way back.
"We'll have to get onto another train when we get down," Angel said. "Unfortunately, I think that there are Militia down here."
"Militia?" Gat asked.
"One of the Cerberus operatives here in the South is a man named Joseph T. Bertrand III," Angel said. "After the aliens struck and most people in town turned out to be conduits, he led a few paranoid hicks and created a private army to take over the town. It's completely isolated, but there are members in other states who are performing terrorist attacks."
-* That's not all they're doing, *- Aisha said onto our radio. -* Public executions, hunting down rebels, parading the 'cowardly' police… they're a real piece of work. *-
"How the hell does the radio work?" I asked.
-* Kinzie was already down here with Angel, *- Aisha said. -*Anyway, you should be careful, the transmissions we have picked up shows that they'll shoot to kill, but they're looking for something down here. *-
"We should try and sneak up to them," Kira said. "Kinzie gave me a hack software and a few Nukes and Worms, so we're set for cracking. I've also got a gun if I need it."
"What type?" I asked.
"Shotgun," he said. "Okay, we're here. I'll stay back and cover Manuela."
"And we lead a full-on assault," I said, smiling. "Got it."
The tram pulled into the station as several men in orange and white outfits came out to the platform. The door opened, before I jumped out and sent a shockwave over to knock them into the air before I rolled behind cover. Gat slid out on his knees while shooting at them, causing them to crash down, limp. Angel climbed on top of the train and used his vantage point to cover us as we got closer to the stairs leading to their stronghold.
Giving a signal to Gat, he hurled himself up the stairs and aimed his SMG at the wall, taking out the Militia. I hurled myself over the wall and aimed carefully with a handgun as I snuck up in a crouched position to a wall and watched one Militiaman panicking with a gun. Carefully, I ran inside and punched him square in the face, knocking him out.
"That's all of them," Angel called as Manuela and Kira came out, running upwards towards us. "Are you alright?"
"We're fine," Kira said. "So, how the hell did Cerberus build this huge cavern, and what's with the pillars of gemstone keeping it stable?"
"Actually…" Angel began. "Except for the buildings… everything is how it was found."
"Bullshit," I said.
"So, what do you need to open up that pod?" I asked Kinzie. I was sitting in the passenger's seat while Gatomon was in the back.
"A few additional motherboards, a few processors, a soldering kit – we can get that at my old place – and a food mixer for Laura," Kinzie said.
"And catnip," Gatomon said. "Don't forget the catnip."
"Remember what happened last time?" Kinzie shouted as she made the turn. "Digitamamon won't let us near his diner after what you did with that whisk."
"Do I-"
"No," she said as she pulled up and all of us got out. "As soon as I open the door, we'll be in trouble."
"Isn't Zimos better at fighting Deckers?" I asked.
"Yeah, but he's really busy right now," Kinzie said. "More of his catalogues got out and he's getting his girls out to work. In fact, Elijah should be coming right now." Just as she said that, a limo drove past, speeding around the corner. "I doubt that the customer knows who's driving. I'm in… and that's the alarm."
"Okay, we've got your back!" I said, drawing a gun. "Uh, oh…"
"What?" Kinzie asked.
"It's not the Deckers," Gatomon said. "It's the Morningstar!"
"I'll just be a sec," Kinzie called back as Gatomon ran up and kicked a Morningstar operative in the face, sending her a good 30 feet back while I shot at a few more pimps and got behind cover.
"How the hell did you do that?" I asked.
"I'm a lot stronger than you think," Gatomon said. "Aw, nuts, I broke a claw."
"I got the motherboards," Kinzie said as she ran out and we got back into the car and drove off. "Okay, one down, now to one of my favourite stores for the processors."
"Why did they send the Morningstar after us?" I asked.
"Maybe they thought that the Boss was involved," Gatomon said. "Hey, do you mind if we put on some music?"
"Sure," I said. "Do you have a preference?"
Kinzie and Gatomon just looked at each other before turning back to me. "Hardcore gangster rap," the both said in chorus.
"Seriously?"
"Okay, I'll be quick, hopefully I lost the Morningstar," Kinzie said as she got out of the car. I just stopped Gatomon before she got out. "Wait here, only get out if we're attacked."
"Ambush them?" Gatomon asked. "You are good!"
"I've learnt from experience," I said. "I don't think that the Morningstar would come after us here."
"You'd be surprised," Gatomon said. "When Kinzie gets those processors, we'll have a limited amount of time before the register pings the Deckers and lets them know what we're up to."
"How'd you meet Kinzie, anyway?" I asked.
"It's a thing we keep to ourselves," Gatomon said. "Here she comes!"
Kinzie opened the driver's car and threw the processors into the back, startling Gatomon who just barely moved out of the way before a processor hit her in the face. "Sorry," she said as she pulled away. "Now we're going to my place, but I expect an ambush there so we all have to rush inside."
"This is going to hurt," I said as she drove along. She then turned down a pier as I noticed a few people running about. "Oh, don't worry about these guys, they're only artists."
"I'm not pretending to be a plushie if the Decker digimon don't have to," Gatomon complained.
"No, we'll just pretend that you're our daughter in a costume," I said with a chuckle, before screaming in pain. "What was- She bit me!" I glared back at her as she flipped me off with her tongue out.
"Dear god, you're both adults!" Kinzie said as she pulled into a warehouse at the end of the pier and shot a luchador square in the face as she pulled up. "Grow up, you two!"
We climbed out of the car and kept behind cover as Gatomon got behind the luchadores while I distracted them, throwing an eezo grenade to take out their powers before Gatomon took them out with melee. Kinzie then ran back over to me and we headed towards the car. "I've got all we need to open up the pod, now we just need to get that mixer for Laura."
"So, we go to a cooking store?" Gatomon asked. "Maybe a whisk…"
"Oh, hell no," Kinzie said as she curved around the corner quickly. "Look, I'll be back in a minute, just don't fight, you two." She then ran into the store as we sat in silence.
"I can't believe you bit me…" I grumbled.
"What did you expect?" Gatomon asked. "You were taunting a cat with fangs! I could've scratched your face off if I wanted."
"Why are you wearing those damn gloves, anyway?" I asked.
"These aren't gloves," was the reply, before we went back to silence.
"What did you do with that whisk?" I asked.
"A feel boss," she said.
"A… what?"
"You don't want to know."
"I've got the mixer," Kinzie said as she got into the car and put the mixer next to the processors. "So, what did you talk about?"
"What's a feel boss?" I asked. Kinzie immediately glared at Gatomon, before starting the engine.
"You don't want to know."
"So, Kinzie should be back in a minute," Shaundi said, sitting down in the penthouse. "We should get out of here before she gets really excited."
"Are you certain about that?" Clank asked, before the elevator opened up. Kinzie ran down to the storage room with a few small boxes, muttering about 'playing around with actual alien technology' as she ran back and forth and took things from Pierce and Gatomon… before running back and placing a food mixer onto the counter in front of Laura. She then ran into the storage room, grabbing Clank as she went, talking excitedly in a mix of English and Japanese as she went.
"She'll be there for a looong time," Gatomon said, sitting down next to Kiba, who was talking with Hinata and joined the conversation.
"Hey, Shaundi, can I ask for your help with something?" Malik asked as she and I walked over to her. "Ashley got some really juicy information about the Morningstar."
"Alright, spill," Shaundi said.
"There's an island a short distance away," Malik said. "It's where the Morningstar grow some of their drugs, they even grow opium!"
"Oh, I know what you're thinking," Shaundi said. "The Boss did the same thing 5 years ago."
"So, you're up to it?" I asked.
"Hell no, she got so f***ing high and I wouldn't dare try opium," Shaundi said. "If you get a gas-mask, I'll do it."
"So, you drive, she burns?" Malik asked. "You up for this, Ashley?"
"Of course," I said. "But I'm on the damn flamethrower."
"What are they talking about?" Kiba asked, as I picked up the TV remote.
"Setting fire to a nearby drug garden," I said, sitting back. "Damn, there isn't anything on except Brazilian Kids TV."
-* Clockwise! *-
"What about the news?" Kiba asked. "Try different channels, not just the US. In fact, is there a Japanese channel?"
"Actually, no," Gatomon said. "The only one that shows news about Japan is Picus, and it's exclusively in English."
"Wait, Picus is here in Steelport, right?" I asked. "Why don't we investigate it? Gatomon, have you ever tried to get into Picus TV?"
"No, not even the Deckers can get into Eliza-chan's network," Gatomon. "And that's through both standard hack and by digimon access."
"Digimon access?" I asked.
"Using a digimon to sneak into the system and connect around the security system," Gatomon said. "And if all of the decker digimon can't crack it. I don't like it…"
"Yeah…" I said, before sighing. "Kiba-san, do you want to come?"
"I don't speak English," Kiba said. "But… I can't just stay around here. Do you think the others will come with us?"
"Shikamaru's busy getting a rep on StarCraft," I said. "Naruto could come with us, but Ino's a definite no. She's busy with the weed."
"[Where are you going]?" Laura asked.
"[We're going to check something]," I said. "Gatomon, do you think Kinzie would need you?"
"She can call you, then," Gatomon said, running off.
"[Do you know where Naruto is]?" I asked.
"[Well…]"
"Wow, these are really tasty," Naruto said, munching into a muffin. "These are absolutely great!"
"Well, I'm selling these in a nearby café," I said, with a smile. "Don't eat all of them, you're only a taste tester since Tobias is busy."
"Yeah, I don't think anyone could…" Naruto said, before trailing off. "Anyone… Any… I don't feel…" Naruto then tried to walk away, before falling to the ground. I quickly ran over to help him and make him lie down on the couch, before looking at the food I gave him, sniffing at the food. Immediately, I ran to the counter and looked at the ingredients, before putting my hands to my mouth in shock.
"Hey, Laura, are those goods ready for delivery yet?" Aisha asked. "Is there a problem." She then turned around. "Oh, Laura, what happened to Naruto?"
"Oh… darn…" I said, slowly. "I used the wrong butter."
"[You drugged him]?" I asked. "[Laura, you're better than this, how did you manage that]?"
"[I used a different butter, it's too similar to my margarine]," Laura said. "[I was surprised as well]!"
"What happened?" Kiba asked,
"Laura made baked goods using a margarine made from marijuana," I said. "[Okay, we're just going to try something… we'll be back soon]. Come on, let's go."
"This place… it has a dark history, but it's beautiful," Manuela said. "If we took this for the Saints… I'd spend a lot of time here, caring for the plants."
"I take it you get along with Ino, then?" Kira asked as we crossed a bridge.
"Except for her growing drugs," Manuela said while trailing off. "Why are people so obsessed with something so destructive?"
"It's addictive," Gat said. "Enough people start taking it, they convince others it's the best thing in the world… It's a poison to society…"
"And yet you sell it?" Manuela asked.
"Yeah…" I said, guiltily. "Now that you mention it…"
"I guess that drugs ruined the life of someone you know?" Angel asked.
"…My dad was a dealer…" Manuela said. "Actually… he was a drug lord…"
"So… you've seen a drug war up close?" Gat asked.
"No, I've seen what he would do for power, money… me…" Manuela said. She then held up her shirt, showing off several dozen scars. "The thing I hate the most about my father was how many lives he destroyed to save mine…"
"I… I see it's hard for you…" Kira said.
"I'm sorry," Manuela said. "I'm getting in the way of the mission… It's just that…"
"If it helps, Laura only uses a really small amount," Gat said. "She cuts it with all kinds of spices from the kitchen. In fact, we've gotten people addicted to parsley." Manuela giggled at that. "Alright, then. Angel, how far away is it to the exit?"
"It's right over there, but there are quite a few guards," Angel said.
"I think I can help, but I have to sneak up to them…" Manuela said. She then went over towards a bridge and lowered herself underneath it, before we all got into position.
"What is she doing?" Gat asked.
"I don't know, but seeing as her blood is combustible…" Kira said as I looked outward to see what Manuela was doing. Getting into a safe place, her arm was surrounded by darkness which she sent at the guards, causing them to go into a blind panic, literally as they waved about blindly. Getting out from cover, we all opened fire and took out the guards before they could attack. "Nice work, Manuela. Anything else you can do?"
"I can cause my spores to combust remotely, but I don't want to hurt people…" Manuela said. "So, where does this lead in New Marais, anyway?"
"It leads into the swamp," Angel said. "After we get out, we may have to fight off the Militia in the swamp, but we should keep a low profile when we're actually in town. Then we can search for my contact."
"Who is this guy, anyway?" I asked.
"He's a professor, doctor and physicist who worked with the First Sons, a branch of Cerberus," Angel said. "Well, they weren't always a branch, they were a secret society that went back to Salem times…"
"Let's just hurry," I said. "I don't want to be out of Steelport for too long, I can't have Shikamaru having all the fun with that tank."
"This is Picus?" Gatomon asked.
"No, this is Fox News, but Eliza Cassan is somewhere in there," Ino said. "Look, there are lights on at the top of the building, right?"
"Yeah, you're right," Kiba said, standing next to us.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"They kept me under control, but I heard everything they said," Kiba said. "Whoever took us-"
"The Syndicate," Ino said.
"Right," Kiba said. "The Syndicate talked about how they were trying to control people to create these things called 'husks' to act as foot soldiers. Apparently, I was a prototype. But, hell… I have to admit one thing I'm glad of."
"What's that?" I asked.
"I got some sweet toys," he said, raising his arm up. Two sharp blades shot out of it, the blades forming a forked claw on his arm. We both screamed in shock. We both screamed in shock. "I like them. And they're great for an ambush. I can't wait until the Chuunin exams…"
"Wait until the Genin exams first," Gatomon said.
"Well, if you're going to fight with augments, you shouldn't flaunt them like that," a voice said from behind us. "If you're going after people with augments, however, be careful, they may have a lot of tricks up their sleeves."
"And you are?" Ino asked.
"Just a passerby," the man said, as he began to walk away. "Also, Shabby, if you can, get those removed. The reason the Deckers don't use augmentation is because rejection syndrome will cripple you."
"Rejection syndrome?" Kiba asked. "Yeah, come to mention it… they gave me these nanites for 'gene therapy'."
"If your augments start causing you searing pain, get Neuropozene," the man said, before walking off.
"I've never heard of neuropozene," Ino said as we all walked down the road. "Could it be found in a hospital?"
"Hold on," I said, before reaching for my phone. "Kinzie, it's Hinata-"
"[Excuse me, Miss… what is it… Hinata]?"
"[Clank, isn't it]?" I asked. "[Can you please put Kinzie on the line]?"
"[There are… complications…]" Clank said.
"[Is she still excited]?" I asked. "[Just tell her that Kiba was augmented and we may need something called 'neuropozene']."
"[I'll be right back]," Clank said. As Ino looked at me, I shrugged as Clank tried to talk to Kinzie, before a small amount of shouting could be heard.
"[Hello, Hinata]?" Kinzie asked. "What are Kiba's symptoms?"
"None, but someone who said he was augmented when he saw blades shoot out of Kiba's-"
"Is he coughing?" Kinzie asked. "Convulzing? Bleeding from the mouth?"
"No… we were just wondering…"
"Get back, now," Kinzie said. "If they augmented him… this is very serious. In fact… where are you? I think if I can locate any biochips…"
"We're outside of Picus TV," I said.
"Found you," she said. "I'll be able to track Kiba now. Also…" Kiba then jumped with shock. "I can communicate with him in his head. Don't let him know exactly what I did, I'll give you his number later."
"Later, then," I said, before hanging up. "We need to get back, now. Just in case your condition gets worse, Kiba-san."
"Fine, then," he said. "We should hitch a ride with Shika-san."
"He's not nearby," I said, before I heard a large explosion. "Oh dear god… he has the tank with him…"
"Okay, the VTOL has a missile launcher with a remote controlled bomb," Malik said as we flew overhead. "Since we're inside, we shouldn't breathe in the smoke but… the gas masks are just to be safe."
"Fine by me," Ashley said. "Just one question… why is it connected to a game controller?"
"Sorry, my friend added it on the fly and we couldn't get a decent control input," Malik said. "What console?"
"360," I said as she flew overhead.
"Use the left analog stick to control the actual aim, press up and down on the right to control zoom, although I wonder why you would," Malik said. "Use the Right Trigger to fire a missile and the Right Bumper to detonate it so that the phosphorus goes everywhere."
"There isn't anyone down there, is there?" I asked.
"No, don't worry Shaundi," Malik said to me. "They'll be out in about 30 minutes. Oh, and if you want to switch to SMG, that's the right trigger."
"Thanks," Ashley said as I started firing and she got some work done with the flamethrower. "So… how can you see?"
"I'm using a special device," Malik said. "Aim for the gas tanks. That will cause a big fire."
"How much do you think this will cost the syndicate?" Ashley asked.
"A lot," Malik said. "Believe it or not, there are a lot of people after Cerberus, including my boss."
"Who is your boss?"
"David Sarif," Malik asked, "head of Sarif Industries."
"The medical supplies company?" I asked, amazed. "God, it was a long time… Wait, are you…?"
"Augmented?" Malik asked. "Yeah, CASIE mod and a mod that works with the VTOL."
"What the f*** is a CASIE mod?" I asked.
"Computer Assisted Social Interaction Enhancer," Malik said. "Basically, I have a lie detector built into my head. So, who did you screw in SI?"
"Sarif, the old security chief," I said, "he retired, right? As well as this guy called Pritchard…"
"I… didn't think he had it in him," Malik laughed. "Okay, that's all the weed, change to homing missiles now. We're going after some boats."
"The augmentations were severe, and the damage and nanites show that the syndicate have very powerful healers," Kinzie said. "Not only did you have those blades installed, but most of your skin was replaced with synthetic skin that allows you to take more damage, reinforced steel for bones in your arms… in fact, the only thing that's left is your torso and head, and they still played about with a lot of stuff."
"Wait… what are you saying?" Kiba asked.
"Your eardrums, eyes, some of your teeth, jawline, parts of your skull, part of your spine… it's all artificial," Kinzie said. "In fact, by back-hacking the nanites, I've determined that they're rewriting your DNA to avert rejection syndrome so that the augments don't kill you in the long run."
"Kiba-san…" Ino said, sympathetically.
"Well, this is bad," Shikamaru said. "Kiba-san, I know you're upset-"
"You don't know crap," Kiba replied. "You're not the one who only just found out that most of his body was cut off and replaced with wires and motors!"
"Yet you were perfectly happy with the retractable blades?" Naruto asked. "We can work with this-"
"Screw you!" Kiba shouted, before running off.
"Kiba?" I called as we ran out. "Oh no… he's going to do something drastic, isn't he?"
"You should go talk to him," Kinzie said. "I'll track his bio-chip. …Weird, he's moving quite fast…"
"He's a ninja, we're trained for speed," Shikamaru said. "Kiba, however, is much more of a speed fighter as well. Oh, [what about the lombax]?"
"[Ratchet]?" Clank asked. "It should be by the end of the day before we get him out of here."
"How did you…" Naruto asked, before pausing. "Oh… you downloaded Japanese translations…"
"So, this is New Marais," I said, looking around the swamp then into town. "How do we get there?"
"We could just take a boat," Gat said.
"Not an option," Kira said. "From what news does get out, from the refugees that do escape, we know a few things."
"Like what?" Manuela said, putting her feet into the water.
"Sentries that attack anyone trying to run, guard towers with large automatic machine guns and RPGs, random executions…" Kira said. "That's why we should keep a low profile."
"We should also be careful near the water," Angel said. "There are stories about monsters in the water that come into town and the swamps to attack and hunt people."
"Well, we should be fine," Gat said. "There are a few branches we can walk across in the water or climb in the trees."
"Something's wrong," Manuela said, taking her feet out of the water. "I can… feel something."
"If you can feel it, can you avoid it?" Kira asked.
"Whatever it is, it's asleep," she said as she walked off. "They're making a path into town. I can lead us there."
"Or lead us into a trap," Gat said.
"Someone is singing to them," Manuela said. "It's outside of human range."
"And you can tell…" I began, before she started singing.
"There was a friendly, but naïve king,
Who wed a very nasty Queen,
The King was loved but the Queen was feared.
Till one day, strolling in his court,
An arrow pierced the Kind King's heart,
He lost his life and his lady love."
"Manuela, what was that?" Gat asked.
"That's the song that they're hearing," Manuela said. "I've never heard it before."
"I have," I said. "Manuela… that virus… is it the Veronica virus?"
"… How did you…"
"A couple of years ago, I was trapped on an island where that virus was created," I said. "That lullaby was sang by the virus' creator."
"Wait, we've got trouble," Angel said as we got behind cover. "There's a few Militia up ahead. We've got to be careful."
"Sure, we wouldn't want to piss off Ennis and Billy Bob," I quipped.
"Hey, Ennis," one of them said. "There's a boat in the distance."
"That's the one we have to look out for," the other said. "The one with the Electric Man."
"Electric man?" Manuela asked, quietly, before Angel silenced her.
"We have to stop McGrath and that NSA woman from getting here," the man said. "Let's move out, Billy Bob."
"Shit," Angel said. "Kuo… Boss, we have to stop them."
"Why?" she said. "This is our chance."
"Agent Kuo is a friend of mine," Angel said. "I'd be dead without her. Also, she's the only one who can find our specialist."
"Well, that's a good argument," I said. "Get around them, I'll provide a distraction." Gat and Kira got into the tree and walked along the branches as Manuela got into the water and swam around, occasionally going under as Angel got behind a generator. I calmly walked up to the guards who aimed their guns at me. "Looking for a good time, boys?" I asked, before flashing them.
"Whoa," they both said as the others got ready to take out the four guards. "She's got bigger tits than my sister!"
"What is wrong with you?" the other said, before all of them were attacked. Gat and Kira dropped down and choked two of them. Angel grabbed one of them from behind a log and held him down while cutting off his breathing. And Manuela…
Surprisingly, she jumped out of the water and kicked one guard with a sweep, bringing her leg over her head then into the guard's neck. Another came at her, which Manuela blocked by rolling backwards, putting her feet onto her attacker's torso and throwing him face-first into a tree, knocking him out.
"Okay, let's go," I said, drop-kicking a guard who was just about to wake up. "You didn't hold him properly, Kira."
"Damn."
"Why would Kiba-san run into a warehouse?" I asked, as we stood outside.
"I don't know," Naruto asked. "Let me get more of that space cake and ask me again."
"What was that like?" Shikamaru asked.
"Oh, I saw the most fantastical images," Naruto said, smiling like an idiot. "I could taste colours and smell happiness. Then it got really freaky…"
"Well, this will be fun," Ino said, just as my phone began to ring. "As long as there isn't anything dangerous like black magic."
"Ino-chan, don't be ridiculous," I said, before answering the phone. "[Hello]?"
"[Hey, Hinata Girl]," Zimos said. "[I just got word from the ACWP]."
"[The what]?" I asked.
"[The American Conference of Wizarding Pimps]," he said, as I snickered. "[I just heard that there's a warehouse used by dark wizards. Stay away from it]."
"[Wait, what warehouse]?" I asked, before Zimos gave me the address. "[Kiba just went in there]!"
"[Just wait there, and don't move]," Zimos said, before a dark fog whirred around us.
"[I don't think that's an option]," I muttered as we walked backward.
"[Okay, listen]," Zimos said, without his Auto-Tune. "[Try and stay calm and ignore the voices you hear. If you lose control of your suppressed selves…]"
"[Okay]," I said, before hanging out. "Guys, Zimos said we should stick together…" But they were already gone. I had no idea what was going on, but I was in a foggy area. I had trouble seeing where I was. I tried to call Zimos again, but… there was no signal…
It was only a few seconds later that I heard a lot of muttering. I tried to ignore it as I walked along… trying to find someone else. Slowly, the fog seemed to clear… but…
It was the Hyuuga residence, a perfect replica. Well, except that it was devoid of colours. "It's just a replica," I said, walking along, hopefully to the exit. "This is powerful dark magic, it isn't real."
Hinata is a failure to the clan, an older female voice said as I kept walking. She can't perfect the Jyuuken, she isn't the top of the class, how can she lead us?
"Ah," I said as I kept walking. "I get it… this is a form of torture. Play on someone's fears and insecurities…"
She takes too much from her mother, a similarly aged, male voice said. It's good that she died. Then she won't taint Hanabi-san with her 'kindness'. I stopped dead when I heard this. It was wise for Hinata-baka to be forbidden from mentioning her mother.
"What?" I growled.
Hinata-chan, a voice said. It was Nanako-chan, the branch member who acted as my hand maid. She was like… like a mother to me ever since… Your father, the elders expects too much from you. You're only a small child who is still learning. But I wasn't a young girl anymore. I was close to taking the Genin exam… I should've… I should've fought back…
"No, this isn't real," I said, walking along. "This is completely fake."
"Of course it is," a voice said, causing me to whip around. "This world twists and turns based on whoever is trapped here." As I got a good look through the fog I saw… a large teddy bear?
"Who are you?" I asked, confused. "What… are you?"
"I'm Teddie," the bear said. "Who are you?"
"Oh," I said, before bowing. "My name is Hyuuga Hinata. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"I guess this is your world, right?" Teddie asked. "When someone is trapped here, the environment changes. For example, a popstar who was trapped here had a world based on a strip club because she was afraid people would want her to be more risqué."
"…" I was momentarily quiet. "This is my ancestral family home. Everyone in my clan lives here, from the main family to the very reaches of the branch family. But…"
"You don't particularly care about them, do you?" Teddie asked. I was silent once more.
"They're constantly telling me how to act, how to walk, how to talk, criticizing every little mistake…" I trailed off. "I… I…"
"I absolutely despise every last one of them!" a voice said from behind, causing us both to look at it. "What do they know? A stupid eye mutation? A goddamned martial art? And they honestly think that they're the best thing since sliced bread? What a load of crap!"
"Oh, I messed up," Teddie said. "You've lost control of your emotions…"
"What does that old fool know, anyway?" the other voice said, turning into a form that looked just like me… but her eyes were glowing yellow. "All he's ever bitched about was how I'm supposed to me 'the Paragon of the Village', 'the best ninja in Kohona', yet he keeps undermining me because he hates how soft I am. How could he call himself my father?"
"Wait… this is… you're…"
"Don't deny it," Teddie said, panicking. "Shadows always tell the truth, but they twist the wording about to make it sound like ranting."
"'The pride of the Fire Nation', 'the best warriors in the world', what a bunch of bullshit!"
"How… how dare you…?"
"He keeps treating Neji like the son he should've had," the shadow shouted. "Yet he also treats him like a servant, an attack dog. Pick how you're going to treat the bastard, Hiashi!"
"Shut up…"
"Oh, did I hit a nerve?" the shadow asked. "Oh, just because I pity Neji due to how his dad was executed in place of my own father due to being the younger, expendable twin, and I've been strictly forbidden from telling anyone, especially Neji, about the truth."
"I didn't have a-"
"YES YOU DID!" the shadow screamed. "You've had 10 years to tell him, but you've let him hate you since you're the reason his dad's dead!"
"No!" I shouted. "Shut up! SHUT UP!"
"Hina-chan, stay calm!" Teddie shouted.
"Yet you also won't tell him about the circumstances of his heritage," the shadow said. "You think you're so pure when you won't tell your own brother about his mother being f***ed by your dad under the orders of the elders! But don't worry, I'll make sure to tell him. He'll never know otherwise. He won't be able to tell the difference between us. We're still the same person, right?"
"No!" I lashed out. "We're not the same person! And you want to know why?"
"Hinata, don't!"
"Because you're not me!" I shouted.
Darkness shot past me towards the shadow, who was now laughing insanely. "Hinata, get behind me!" Teddie shouted, getting in front of me.
"Hahahaha… finally! I can be my own person… Haaugh!" the shadow turned into a dark mist as I felt my legs give way. I could do nothing else except… except…
"AAAAGH!"