Author's Note: Rights of the various TV criminal drama shows mentioned within this chapter belongs to their respective creators and producers.
Fünfundvierzigstes Kapitel: Gerade einstellen
"So, you think this Wilhelm character is legit?" Davidson asked as he gathered the team's kits from their van.
Jaiden had just finished explaining what Wilhelm had told her as they drove to Infinity Fortress. The trio had pulled up to one of the side alleyways that doubled as an entryway into the Fortress. There Jaiden spotted someone she presumed to be a Belt Line resident along with Wilhelm.
"As legitimate as he can be." Jaiden answered, "He has no love for the Covenant, much like Ban."
"Yeouch…" The Texan grimaced. He knew very well that his Captain's cousin would happily burn and salt the Earth of anything Covenant-related, and maybe practice some ancient "enhanced interrogation" techniques if the kid could legally get away with it.
"Hm…" She agreed, "Go ahead. I'll catch up in a bit."
"Yes, ma'am." He replied as he moved toward the brunette, who looked suspiciously similar to Ban.
"Mason?" Jaiden called, noticing the New Orleans Psy did not immediately follow his partner.
Instead he was staring at the tall structure in confusion. His abilities allowed him to sense the presence of every living being and on a rare occasion pick up the psychic impression of those left behind. However, never before had he sensed a building having a presence of being alive. It was a mix of amazement and befuddlement for the Psy.
"Mason!" Jaiden called again once she saw her Lieutenant's eyes begin to change color.
Immediately, Remy shook his head and took a deep breath as he refocused his attention on his Captain.
"You alright?" She asked as she closely scrutinized him, looking for an explanation as to why her Psy almost experienced a Black Out.
"It's da Tower." Remy stated as if it was all the explanation needed.
Jaiden frowned then turned her attention to the Fortress. She barely gave Wilhelm and his associate an acknowledged glance, but she did take note that Wilhelm's expression was one of understanding while his companion was that of barely concealed sneer. She flashed a fang at the sneering whelp, who wisely blanched and lowered his gaze in submission.
She also noted that Carl was giving the whelp a hard stare; she could see it in the Texan's eyes that he was going to keep a close eye on the Belt Line resident, and if he should so much said anything perceived as condescending to Mason, Davidson would introduce the whelp to some good ol' fashion Texan Diplomacy. Jaiden saw Wilhelm sigh, noticing the subtle shift in the Texan, and she knew that der Kaiser was not going to interfere if things went south for his associate.
"Will you be able to handle it, or do you need to wait it out?" She asked; turning her attention back to her Lieutenant.
"Yes, ma'am, I can handle it; it just took me by surprise." Mason honestly replied.
"Alright, but the moment it's too much, bow out." She ordered.
"Understood."
"Good, go after Carl before he burns the place down."
"HEY!" The Texan bellowed in objection.
Mason just grinned as he quickly made after his partner, who was grumbling about 'one time'.
Watching her men disappear with their escorts, Jaiden then turned her attention to the hidden pair in the shadows. She recognized Juubei immediately. The other man, however, she suspected was MakubeX. She remembered Beni mentioning the Lower Town leader had a thing for bandanas. Casually, she approached the pair; mentally taking note of the guards hiding in the shadows. She arched a brow when she only sensed six. She did not know if she should be impressed or insulted.
"Juubei-san." Jaiden greeted with a slight bow of her head while Juubei respectfully bowed.
"DarkRiver-sama."
"Juubei!" The teenager leader hissed in shock that his friend would give this foreigner such respect.
"Please forgive MakubeX' rudeness." The blind samurai asked.
"There's nothing to forgive." Jaiden dismissed, "He's a young cub."
MakubeX bristled at the comment. He made a step forward but was stopped when Juubei grabbed the back of his neck and when the air suddenly became thick and difficult to breathe.
"Careful cub," Jaiden warned, "Had I been any other Alpha, I would have taken you to task, and you would not have liked the consequence of challenging an Alpha."
MakubeX opened his mouth to speak but closed his mouth with an audible snap when Juubei tightened his hold around the younger man's neck.
"DarkRiver-sama," Juubei addressed the powerful woman.
"Hmm…"
"Forgive our intrusion, but why are you here?"
"Me and mine are here by request from Wilhelm."
"Wilhelm?"
"I believe you know him as der Kaiser."
"Ah…" Juubei acknowledged.
MakubeX' expression bore one of confusion.
"Why would he ask for you?"
Jaiden looked at the young man, seeing that he truly was confused.
"When you need someone with a certain skill set, you call in the best. Even if that is an 'outsider'." She explained; keeping the fact that an Oracle had warned Wilhelm against involving the NPA. She was not too sure of how much of the World of the Moon did the young leader knew; better safe than sorry.
She could see that her explanation did not clarify the teen's confusion, but it did for the blind samurai, especially judging how Juubei's stance shifted from restraint to protect. MakubeX immediately sensed a change in his friend's grip.
Juubei knew specifically what DarkRiver-sama's unique skill set were. She was a Dōshin, a samurai who investigated crimes such as murder. Granted, her social standing was more akin to a Machi-bugyō, a high ranking samurai, but still her skill sets…
"Is there a threat to us?" Juubei helplessly asked.
He had no doubt that the residents of Lower Town could defend themselves against an attack, and they have done so on numerous occasions. However, an attack from within that required a Dōshin of DarkRiver-sama's caliber… he was not too sure.
"What are you talking about?" MakubeX demanded, annoyed at being ignored, while Jaiden looked thoughtful.
"Has there been any unexplained deaths? Brutal killings? Or even suspicious individuals or activities?"
Juubei turned to MakubeX, who seemed to frown at the line of questions being levied at him.
"MakubeX." Juubei's tone held a pleading tone, sensing the teen was going to be uncooperative.
"There have been a few disappearances, but nothing unusual about that. People come and go all the time." The teen answered Juubei's plea.
Jaiden tilted her head to the side.
"There must be something unusual about the disappearances, or else you wouldn't have just mentioned them." She calmly stated.
MakubeX stilled for a moment before his expression truly revealed his young age. Just as quickly as his uncertain expression came, it disappeared to one of contemplation.
"What exactly is your unique skill set that der Kaiser would ask for you?" MakubeX asked.
Jaiden gave the young man a small smile.
"I'm an investigator." She explained, "I investigate crimes committed by and/or against members of the 13th Special Armed Forces."
MakubeX blinked in surprise. While Lower Town did not interact much with the police outside of the Fortress, majority of Lower Town residents, however, were familiar with the different roles within the police thanks to crime drama shows, such as Shinzanmono, Tokyo Dogs, and the recently released American crime-drama, Deep Six. MakubeX never expected to meet such a person in the Fortress.
Suddenly, his complexion paled in realization that the foreigner was investigating a murder, a murder in the Belt Line. A place believed to be free of such violence. His genius mind immediately complied situations and scenarios revolving the implication murder had been committed in the Belt Line and an outsider was needed to solve the case, and each situation and scenario was more horrific than the last.
Instantly, the disappearances he had dismissed became something even more ominous and sinister.
"Breathe." A woman's voice commanded while a familiar grip on the back of his neck tightened.
"In. Out." The voice ordered as the teen obeyed the order.
MakubeX blinked then looked at the woman, whom Juubei respected so much.
"We don't have enough information to jump to conclusions." Jaiden calmly assured him.
"Oh… okay." The teen replied.
"Now, do you have a local enforcement unit?" She asked, "People, I can touch base with and go over notes with to confirm whether or not anything is related?"
"We do not have a police force in the traditional sense." Juubei replied cautiously.
Jaiden arched a brow.
"The local gangs manage their territories. And when things go beyond their control, we step in." The samurai explained.
"And what about the civilians? How are they policed?" The young Captain asked.
"Whatever gang territory they live in, they abide by their rules, I suppose." MakubeX interjected.
"Is there any collaboration between the gangs to maintain the peace?"
"Eh… I don't know…" The teen remarked while looking at the older warrior. "What does this have to do with the missing people?"
Pale green eyes looked at the young leader; as if assessing whether or not he would be able to handle the truth regarding to his missing people.
"For every one person," Jaiden began, "that you know is missing; there are an additional two more."
"What?!" MakubeX exclaimed, "That's not possible! I would know if I'm wrong!"
"Do you know every single person in Lower Town?" Jaiden asked.
"Well no," MakubeX muttered, "But that doesn't mean the gangs do!"
"Actually, it's most likely that they have a better idea of what's going on in their territories then you do." She replied, "It's no fault to you, MakubeX. Lower Town is a large community; the same size as any Prefecture on the outside. The gangs themselves maintain smaller territories; smaller territories are easier to maintain and be aware of any changes."
Suddenly, a buzz cut through the disquiet that had settled over the trio. Jaiden immediately pulled her phone out, noting it was a text from her men asking for her whereabouts.
"How quickly can you get the information you have on the missing to me?" She asked.
"A couple of hours." The teen absently answered, still reeling from what he just learned.
Jaiden nodded.
"Alright," She started, "give me everything you have, and see if you can set-up a meeting with the gangs' leadership. If you can get a meeting, then contact me. I would like to speak with them for more information."
She then pulled out a business card from her pocket and handed it to the teen.
She turned to head up to the Belt Line when MakubeX called out again.
"Yes?"
"I have to ask, what's your relationship with Midou?"
Jaiden blinked before her brows furrowed together in confusion.
"Why is everyone curious about my relationship with Beni?"
It was the teen's turn to blink. The name 'Beni' suggested a level of familiarity that MakubeX did not think anyone, aside from Ginji-sama, had with the stand-offish Witch King.
"Some here in Lower Town have heard about Midou-san's affections for you." Juubei diplomatically explained.
This caused an elegant eyebrow to arch.
"And what? They think he's being unfaithful?"
Their silence spoke volumes.
"Gotteswille." She groaned.
"Look, we really care about Ginji-sama." MakubeX interjected, "And a number of us feel that Midou isn't good enough… not worthy of him." The teen quietly mumbled when he noted the deadpan look the young woman was giving him.
"And Beni would agree with you on that." She remarked with a heavy sigh, "But he also knows himself. He knows that he's very possessive of what he deem as his… maa, maa, I know that Ginji is not a possession, but you must also take into consideration of his blood. Even though it's Serpent Blood, he behaves more like a Dragon, and Dragons covet treasure. And to Beni, Ginji is his treasure. Beni will cherish and protect his treasure with all his being."
"Oh…" MakubeX exclaimed.
"Yeah, 'oh'…" She commented, "Look, I don't know what Beni did to create such distrust, but I can assure you that what you've seen is merely a mask."
"A mask?"
"Perhaps more like armor." She explained offhandedly, "There's much about him that you don't know, and quite frankly, it's best that you don't. I get it that you're worried about your friend, but don't be. There's no one in the world who would love Ginji more than Beni. Now then, I have work to do, and I would like one of you to escort me up to the Belt Line."
"I'll lead you to the Belt Line." Juubei replied.
"Thank you."
Translations:
Gotteswille (German) – God's will (literal translation); for Chrissake (idiom); for the love of God (idiom); or for cryin' out loud (idiom)
