Chapter 20
The steam locomotive to Sanalze was lingering and arduous. Shanta rested her weary head on Hitoshi's padded shoulder, drifting in and out of slumber. They had been traveling for a day and a half, venturing towards the nearest blimp unmonitored by the Aspeuean militia. Her calves we're burning while her mind was boggled in a fuzzy haze, though the thought of seeing her brother once more kept her afloat.
She blankly stared at the two Shiketsu operatives sitting awfully still, one might assume they had no pulse. Placing her fatigue and impatience aside, she began a line of questioning, wishing to know more in regard to the life her brother now leads.
"Tell me more about the device my brother carries," Shanta asked speculatively. Their heads swung to face her in unison, as if possessed by one hive mind.
"We know extremely little regarding its function and origin. Our superiors may know more than they let on, though we do not press, knowing the information is classified."
"Alright, well what can you tell us?" Shanta continued drilling. Hitoshi merely sat and observed. Over the course of their partnership, Shanta would do the grand majority of conversing while he merely sat on the sidelines, where he thrived. A handful of seconds hauled by as the two characters gathered their thoughts.
"We are aware that the unearthing of said machine took place decades prior. Upon discovery hundreds of analysts and dozens of heavy mobile mechanics ran test after test, uncovering very little intel. We know only that it is a deep well of sustainable energy, of unknown origin. The limits of its functionality are unknown." The train cabin shuddered and jerked, as all members processed the intelligence.
"That sounds like the kind of thing Aspeu would be interested in," Ochaco remarked.
"Indeed," Edgeshot replied. "What the ruler One For All might do with that power is unknown, though two outcomes are most probable. First, comes the withholding of said power. The coal and steam industries currently thrive, profiting Aspeu and fashioning an even greater divide between the wealthy and impoverished. The sustainable energy the ball could provide would jeopardize that."
"And the second outcome?" Hitoshi interjected.
"The second, and more terrifying outlook, is the weaponizing of that power, bringing both continents under the thumb of one man, All For One. We cannot allow either possibility to occur, which is why we intend to help your sibling, and retrieve the device by whatever means." The blood of all train attendees curdled upon the sudden weight of the situation. No one had grasped the stakes at hand, and now that those stakes lay before them, dread mingled with the unease that fitted to them.
"Then why the hell did my brother stumble upon it," Shanta questioned in a fit of confusion.
"That we do not know," Boris begun. "Only recently did one of our sources uncover the whereabouts of the machine. It was hidden away for the longest time, collecting dust in the bowels of Coal Drift."
"Why would they just leave a device like that in a place like Coal Drift," Shanta asked, knowing a great deal in regard to the geographic desolation of said location.
"No one was able to manually trigger the device. Thousands have tried, none have succeeded. Eventually, the earthshattering breakthrough was forgotten. The attention of Aspeuian research and development was directed to more profitable routes."
"Like weapons and robotics," Ochaco observed.
"Ding Ding. Though, from what we have gathered about the events that transpired in Galliedenns blimp port, the device is no longer dormant. It's the root of why your brother is being chased like a hunted animal." Shanta's heart sank, reminded once again that her brother now lives the life of a pursued refugee.
"What can Shiketsu do as a faction to help my brother?" Shanta asked, yearning for virtuous news.
"As previously mentioned, we had him under good surveillance. Shelter and protection would have been presented to him, though our scout was positive the offer would have been declined. Your brother and you share the same paranoia and skepticism, a trait that is now keeping him and his colleagues alive."
"Thank you," Shanta responded, accepting the backhanded compliment.
"All we can do now is keep other interested parties off their tail and provide aid whenever necessary."
"And how are you communicating with individuals halfway across the globe? How can you stay informed?" Ochaco asked. An important question, Shanta realized, that was foolishly overlooked by all members of their party.
"Through a global signal, bouncing off a centralized tower in Kenfall. Used primarily amongst the Aspeuean Militia and green caps, others have devised a method of piggybacking off the signal." The ingenuity and coordination of the multiple factions of Aspeu reassured Shanta that her brother was indeed, being overseen by capable people.
"Not to mention," Crimson Riot began, "We have GAUNT systems in place, allowing for the conveyance of encrypted codes.
"How difficult do you two think it will be to locate Izuku once again," she asked, fishing for more information.
"Not so difficult. We have both resources, and a respectable number of scouts, not just in Aspeu, but in Egrary as well. We can assure you that we will uncover his location once more." After delivering his counsel, Crimson strained his crow's feet in an attempt to convey positivity. The attempt was admirable, though the execution was abysmal. The roaring anxiety that battered at Shanta's floodgates subsided to a manageable level. Though her incredulity remained present, she felt as though she had found people that shared her same agenda. Though Crimson and Edgeshot came off as brooding entities, their actions and words demonstrated compassion, and goodwill.
"Is that our destination," Mandalay asked, peering through the open fold of the chugging locomotive.
"You are correct," Boris responded. Shanta lifted her dome from Hitoshi's shoulder to observe her surroundings. What she saw astonished her, as she finally grasped the economic difference between Galliedenn and Sanalze. The blimp port resembled that of Izuku's departure, though its magnitude extended fivefold. The expanse above was dotted with seven or eight blimps, with many more docked about the edifice. The structure of the blimp pad was comprised of three levels, glinting of copper and bronze. The rustic art piece was littered with travelers, each of which heaved freights of luggage.
Not five minutes later, did the group find themselves at the base of the edifice. As they disembarked from the steam locomotive, several men resembling Crimson and Edgeshot approached. Their matching leather gauntlets with shining insignias gave the cluster a purposeful, and professional air.
"Welcome all to Skarngards Pillar. Crimson Riot, Edgeshot it is good to see you once more," said the spearhead of the assemblage, clasping Crimson's gauntlet with a vigor.
"Thank you, comrade, it is good to set foot on friendly terrain once more." With no further introduction, the horde bustled through the winding boulevards of Skarngards Pillar, making their destination unclear. Mandalay, Ochaco, Hitoshi and Shanta all followed suit, strutting as close to Boris and Edgeshot as space would allow.
"Remind me once more why we have to voyage through this blimp pad, rather than sneak onto the one in Galliedenn?" Hitoshi asked of Boris.
"The allies we have here greatly outweigh those in Galliedenn. More importantly, this is the closest blimp platform unmonitored by the Aspeuean administration. We are safe to travel wherever we please, within the confines of international law." With no further questions, they continued their journey with no clear destination.
"How are you holding up," Shanta asked of Hitoshi, clasping one hand with both her paws, squeezing for supplementary comfort.
"I'm a little riled up. I've never left Galliedenn, and now I'm a target for Aspeu, committed a prison break and am currently following some shady faction to God knows where. Things could be looking a bit better if I'm being honest." She sympathized with him, knowing full well the danger and sacrifice he had committed in order to help her cause. She rose to the tips of her toes, tenderly kissing his bare neck.
"I'm so sorry, if I didn't drag you wouldn't have this target on your back. I wish there's something we could do about it, something that I could," she strived to prolong her apology, though the knot in her uvula grew heavier as beads of soak began to wash from her spring green iris'.
"Hey now, don't worry about a thing. I have a gut feeling we're in good hands. And to be honest, if we can commit to a full-fledged jailbreak, I'm almost certain there's nothing we can't accomplish." A smirk materialized across Shanta's face at the optimistic comment, her rock being sturdier than ever.
"I don't know what I'd do without you," she softly whispered to his chest, instigating a warm side-hug.
"You shouldn't worry either, about your brother I mean. As much danger as he's in, he apparently has friends watching over him that you and I have never even heard about. That's got to count for something right?" She nodded, regaining her composure and revolving her head, coming face to face with Ochaco.
"And how are you holding up Ochaco?" she politely enquired.
"Better now, I guess. Happy to be rid of Dabi, and it's comforting to know that the boys have some company watching over them. I just wish that stupid ball never found him you know, for you and your grandfather's sake." Shanta's stomach knotted in a deep pain, reminded once again of the captive state her grandfather was in.
"Hey, at least that floating pile of junk managed to lad a number on Dabi, did you take a look at those scars?" Shanta snickered.
"Lord, how could I not have? He looked mummified in all that gauze," she quipped.
"Where are we headed now?" Mandalay enquired, flinging her arm skywards to tap on Edgeshot's shoulder.
"It will take quite a while to arrange a blimp to commandeer, and possibly even longer to pinpoint the whereabouts of your friends. For those reasons, we now plan to take rest at the Skarngards' visiting chambers.
"Could you possibly tell us how long we will have to wait?" Hitoshi inquired.
"Given that Skarngards Pillar is one of the largest Blimp platforms in all of Egrary, it could possibly take days to issue and coordinate a flight." Eyes widened and furrowed brows were displayed at the delayed admission.
"We can't wait days to get to Aspeu! Our friends are out there right now fighting for their lives, we have to be there," Ochaco bellowed, drawing the attention of all Shiketsu members that strolled alongside them. They all knit their eyebrows slightly, silencing Ochaco almost immediately.
"Unfortunately, if you wish to arrive in Aspeu a free woman, then you will have to wait. Do not fret, for your time here will not go to waste. As you linger on with us you will be provided with tasks and duties, all in the name of proving your loyalties to Shiketsu." The entire group was taken aback. Shanta came with the promise that she would be reunited with her brother once more. Now she was blindsided into a forced coalition with estranged individuals she knew nothing about.
"And what if we refuse?" Shanta said bluntly.
"Then you will have to work day and night for months on end to forage enough Credits for one messily ticket to Aspeu. In addition, you will have no administrative power to support you in your endeavors." She gathered her thoughts, reluctant to aid her new companions. Unfortunately, she saw no other alternative. Shanta sought to acquire a different viewpoint, viewing this compulsory labor as some sort of job opportunity. She was sure her brother would approve.
"Don't think of it as forced labor," Crimson added. "Think of it as a you scratch your back, I scratch yours. You can never have to many friends." She nodded, looking back at Mandalay, Ochaco and Hitoshi, who gave her respectful nods of approval.
"Alright, what do you need us to do?"
