Chapter 27

Izuku sat there, his thoughts racing like an engine. He was familiar of the power and influence that these factions possessed. If he declined the proposal offered by Shoto, he was sure that they would do no harm. Perhaps they might even aid him in returning to Galliedenn, if he so desired. And though the thought of returning home, appealed to him, he had witnessed first-hand the inequality and wrong doings committed under the rule of the Aspeuean militia. The invasion of Galliedenn, the poverty amongst the people, the formation of anarchic clans, and the probable capture of Yoroi and Shanta. His instincts told him that aiding and abetting this faction will grant him the best chance of uniting with his family, and seeing this nation improve.

"Why would you want us as adherents?" Izuku questioned suspiciously.

"Well it certainly is not due to your skills or prowess, the lot of you look like you haven't even hit puberty," said David Shield, a man whose colossal physique would make any man feel trivial. "What we need is that," he spoke, directing his index finger at AC.

"So, you do know about AC and about what he is and what he can do?" Denki spoke, taking the confrontations right out from Izuku mouth.

"All we know is that the government values it more than any other asset," Jiro alleged. "And just like you, we do not believe that the presidency deals with its assets to the best of their abilities, bearing in mind that one third of their entire administrative budget is dedicated to military operations and armament development. Constructing TANKS, fitting soldiers, and crafting horrible abominations, like the one you yourself fought in Galliedenn."

"Wait, how do you know about that?" Izuku questioned, taken aback by the depth and breadth of their intel.

"Moles, one of many. Bringing me to the heart of the matter. A scout of ours within the system affirms that this orb acts as a key, a key to power that would overwhelm both Aspeuean citizens, as well as the rest of the globe," he said gloomily.

"Your infiltrator must hold extreme acclaim if he were to possess that kind of data," Tenya observed.

"He does, ribbit" Asuy vouched, chiming in. "Power is vital, but what is essential is the balance of said power. For those with too much influence often abuse it. Tell me you've noticed how divided our people are, how poorly the administration allocates wealth and command. For if they instituted a healthier design, UA and all other factions would not need to subsist." Izuku could do nothing but nod in agreement, he had witnessed first-hand the outdoor dystopia.

"Come, we'll give you a tour. There are much better rooms to chat in than this old broom closet," suggested Mei. On cue, the exterior door was unbolted, opened by a pair of soldiers on the other side. Shoto was the first to depart, prompting the others to follow suit. What lay outside the confines of that room had left Izuku dumfounded.

The ceiling had remained colossal, straining Izuku's craned neck as he attempted to locate its pinnacle. They now fully grasped the vast dimension of the underground den, as his engineering cognition estimated a scope of half a million in volumetric meters. Hundreds of flee sized people littered the steel runways and floor below, regularly glancing at Izuku and company as they performed their various duties. Petite yet brilliant monitors were fastened to the bulwarks, camera angles and graphed data were displayed. Steam could frequently be heard detonating through the oviducts and conduits that contorted in a winding maze. Glass tubing weaved a colossal web round the elevated complexes, small bodies could be perceived rocketing through the cut-glass.

"Is that, -" Denki began.

"It's the GAUNT system in action yes," Mei explained. "If you ever wonder where all that runs through, how all those packages and letters get delivered, it's through the underground cylindrical gerbil tubbing that is the GAUNT."

"How do the authorities not know about this fortress," Tenya questioned, completely baffled.

"We hide right under their noses, that's how. No one would ever come down here unless there was a fracture in the piping, or a flaw in the system. And because we take it upon ourselves to upkeep and conserve the pluming, no one ever does," she giggled, proud of the exuberant deceit.

"That's not to say we don't have amenities above ground," Jiro supplemented. "We've got some luscious green fields, and a couple of blimp's held firm. Though we mostly maneuver underground and try to stay inconspicuous." As they walked and talked, the group arrived at a less grandiose chamber, with more moderate dimensions and furniture to assemble on.

"Do other factions, such as Shiketsu and Ketsubutsu have the same resources and funding as you guys?" Denki asked, continuing to marvel at the subterranean behemoth that is UA.

"We highly doubt it, though it is possible," David interpolated. "We keep our influence, assets and political sway under the radar, it is plausible that others may do the same. You being here, witnessing one of our many bases of operations, is something we rarely do, something you should not take lightly," he said, adding a threatening modulation towards the end of his dialog.

"That's smart, if I held a society this large, I would do all I could to conceal it as well," acknowledged Izuku. Shoto turned to him, as his reflective glasses obscured the windows to his soul.

"That actually brings me to an important point. We don't always operate in the shadows, sometimes we preform reconnaissance. Change cannot come from shadows alone. One of our own actually happened upon the orb before you and your crew. She was a scout, sent to retrieve it from a veiled locale we were able to gather intel on. She never came back… and by some fate of chance a nineteen-year-old nobody just stumbles upon it one day. I hope you now realize just why we were so skeptical of you in the first place, and why we had Mei and others keep an eye on you."

Izuku heart skipped a beat as Shoto divulged the intel. The monitoring and stalking UA had issued upon him became irrelevant at that moment. His mind immediately shot to the footage AC had displayed of the blonde woman on the motorized steam cycle. Could this scout he's referring to be the same woman from the footage? He contemplated to himself.

"What was her name?" Izuku asked imploringly.

"What? What does that matter?" Shoto questioned.

"Did she have blonde hair and blue eyes," he continued. Tenya and Denki's visages altered to that of realization, as they trailed the same train of reasoning as Izuku did.

"Yes, she did. Do you know her? How could you have met her if you've never been across the Great Sea?" Shoto probed, gaining more and more interest.

"Is she hot?" Denki requested, glibly.

"Absolutely," said Rikido in a dim witted but lovable fashion. The reverberation of a thundering growl escaped Shields chords. Tenya spoke up, disregarding Denki's previous immodest comment.

"You may or may not be aware of this, but one of AC's many secondary functions is video capture. We know of her latest whereabouts, and what occurred during her escape." Though Shoto remained as taciturn as ever, Mei staggered for a brief moment, her face had laved in relief, and blessed with the realization that her friend had not yet perished. Likewise, Jiro's posture relaxed, while a tender smile shaped itself- as did David Shields.

"Oh thank goodness," Jiro blurted out.

"So, she's OK. do you know where she is now?" Mei asked with beseeching eyes, as she grasped Tenya's shoulders urgently. Though her jubilant persona had remained a staple, this was the one time they had truly witnessed her beam.

"Not exactly, all we were shown was a first-person perspective of what AC saw himself. I wasn't able to gain any knowledge of her location or well-being," Izuku said defeatedly. Just as the expression on Mei's face began to sour deeply, AC bobbed to the center of the room, remaining static and airborne. Tenya, Denki, and Izuku had spent enough time with AC to grasp when he was about to perform some spectacular act.

They had not been let down, for at that moment the spherical android gyrated gradually in place, projecting a spherical, three-dimensional atlas. The lilac plot encompassed the entire sphere, dimly lighting the surrounding ether with its faint radiance.

"Is that-" Rikido began, trailing off as he strained to grasp the display that was before him.

"It's a three-dimensional model, of the mapped-out globe," Shoto rationalized, his eyebrows elevated in excitement ever so slightly. Izuku rose from his seat, ensnared by the captivating depiction of the biosphere. As he squinted his eyes, he witnessed a faint white blotch, positioned on the far south of Aspeu.

"Look over there," Izuku said pointing his index finger at the focus, "Right on the southern ridge it's highlighted, is this where he went?"

"Indeed, it was," David began, sticking his meaty finger towards the same position. "The intelligence conveyed affirmed this exact location, coal drift. The atmosphere is basically a haze of smog and pollution, the only inhabitants reside in the tunnels far below, where the sun never touches. Though it's a decollate place it makes it easy to hide and sneak about, if your stealthy enough."

"Which she unfortunately was not," Shoto said, his head hung lower than normal.

"You knew this whole time?" Izuku spout at AC, allotting no response in turn. Izuku ignored the quandary, rationalizing that there were bigger fish to fry. "Can someone please just tell me her name? The amount of times I've run over that recording trying to find the slightest clue, I just want to put a name to the face," Izuku entreated once more.

"Her name is Melissa Shield. She's been with us since birth, born into this life of covert ops and insurgent revolutions. She's… She's my daughter. Now she shares the common dream, a new republic and a better nation." As David spoke his declaration was scored with pain. Izuku had been left boggled that the irascible man he now faced was the father. His appearance juxtaposed hers a great deal. Though the temper and contempt that dripped from his dialog was congruent with a man who lost his daughter. Before Izuku had time to continue his investigation on Melissa, Tenya quickly cut him off, on the pursuit of more imperative information.

"And who is in charge of UA? Do you have tiered system similar to the Aspeuean administration?"

"We do have a head figure," Jiro confessed. "However, we are not at liberty to divulge his or her identity. Only a select few have ever met with him, David, Shoto, and Asuy included. We function in this manner for security purposes. I'm sorry we can't tell you more than that."

"Tenya, everybody," Izuku began, cutting of the colloquy once again. "As important and fascinating as all this is, how are you planning on dealing with Melissa?" he asserted, directing their attention to the map once more. A moment passed, as all heads instinctively swung towards Asuy, her stern and authoritative demeaner never swaying.

"With no guarantee that she is alive, and no coordinates to her exact position, I don't see how we could invest the manpower and resources necessary to issue a proper extraction," Asuy acknowledged after some thought. Most faces, particularly those of Izuku, Mei and David, contorted with both confusion and anger.

"We can't just leave her there," Mei protested.

"Exactly," Izuku reinforced. "If AC says she's there than that's where she's got to be. Isn't protecting and ensuring the safety of your own a priority to you people?"

"Asuy is correct," Shoto affirmed, chiming in. "According to the plot it says she's located in coal drift. If we sent a blimp out there, the likelihood of it returning unscathed would be very slim. The mining, burning of fossil fuels and oil rigging have twisted the surrounding atmosphere, with intense winds blowing hundreds of tons of debris. In addition, we have no information about the tunnels below, where facilities are located, and where she could be held captive." Though his logic was precise his voice was deprived of all humanity, as he spoke in a cold and calculative manner.

"That's ridiculous," Izuku remonstrated. "If you don't put in the effort of helping your own than that makes UA no better than the green caps, or All For One, or any of the other backwards factions." Though Shoto's face remained unphased, it was Jiro whose ire was now provoked.

"Watch it kid. You know nothing of how we function. Of how all this is maintained, and how crucial it is to keep our operations sheltered. We are the last hope in bringing about a new peace, and I refuse to jeopardize that over one member of this organization," she voiced emphatically. As she quarreled, it looked as though Mei was on the verge of tears, clearly wounded regarding the value her own organization placed in the lives of its retainers.

"You can't-" Izuku begun, before Jirou issued yet another interjection.

"That's enough! This is not up for discussion. As far as I'm concerned you three are merely guests in our house. Mei, have them escorted to their quarters."

"Our quarters?" Denki asked quizzically.

"Well," David began recovering quite well from the topic at hand, "After your lodging and belongings burned down it seemed only fitting to give you a roof to sleep under."

"Yeah, and not out of any convenience to you right? Us residing here makes it easier on you guys to keep tabs on us no?" Izuku asked bellicosely, still vexed regarding the lack of initiative they had displayed regarding Mellissa's liberation.

"Izuku, I'm not going to insult you by lying, but yes that remains a factor," Shoto admitted brusquely. "Mei, you can take them now, we'll still need to discuss this issue. There will be food and drink for you lot in your chambers." Without any further quarrels Izuku stormed out of the room, while Tenya, Denki, and Mei hurriedly scurried to catch up. Jiro began approaching the orb, instigating a hasty exit as it too shot through the doorway. Darting to its contented position, the globe began orbiting giddily about Izuku's person. As the new unit carried off, the door behind them sealed, as incoherent chattering commenced on the other.

"This way please," Mei said, as the dismay in her accent refused to vacate. As they forged on, Izuku sustained on his brute rant.

"Are you really going to let them do nothing? From what it looked like, it seemed as though you were closer to Mellissa than anyone else in that room. We have a chance to save your friend and you're just going to disregard it?"

"Izuku," Tenya voiced warningly, placing a concerted palm on his shoulder. "Stop grilling Mei. She has her orders, that's how it works around here." Izuku angerly brushed Tenya's hand free of his shoulder, determined to crack her defensive exterior.

"Are you just going to abandon your friend? Is that how things work around here?" He had briefly noticed Mei's eyes begin to mist, before she twisted her head forward, hiding her emotion as she forged upfront, ahead of the others.

"Tenya's right. I hold no influence when it comes to decisions like these. Of course, I want to get her back, but there isn't anyone I can argue with, there's nothing I can do. Plus, she would have wanted it this way… this cause meant more to her than anything." Her voice broke before she could continue, as she covertly wiped the tears from her glossy cheeks. The remainder of the pace was met with silence, as they dragged themselves across an elevated steel stretch to a chamber positioned on the same story. Once they had arrived at the stark pewter room Mei quickly fled away, but not before Tenya could put a comforting hand on her shoulder, uttering an apology of some sort that Izuku could not perceive. Before departing hurriedly, she clasped the hand firmly in appreciation.

As the chamber door closed, the smell of fresh bread and homemade soup wafted throughout space. Denki was lured in swiftly, as he sat on one of the three beds consuming the warm meal.

"What the hell was that?" Tenya asked furiously, attacking Izuku with a foreboding sneer.

"Excuse me, was I the only one listening in that room? They're just going to leave her there to rot. If she's so assimilated with UA, wouldn't they want to get her back? You know, so she doesn't spill any beans?" It could be noted that the attempt to reason with his equals had fallen flat.

"Izuku, I don't want to sound unsympathetic, but why do you care so much about this girl anyway? You've never met her in your life, and now you act as though saving her is all that matters. I just don't comprehend it," Tenya said vulnerably.

"I can think of a couple reasons why he'd want to save her?" Kaminari said with a hooligan's grin.

"Denki, I don't want to hear it," Izuku barked. "Tenya she's not just some random person I've never met. She's the one that brought AC to us, and risked her life in doing so. From what I saw she's also badly hurt and in desperate need of care. And if AC says that she's alive and needs help out there, then that's plenty of reason for me to travel down there and help everyone get her back." Tenya sat, while his brooding eyes stared into the void.

"There may be a chance we can convince them, but not now, and not for a while I'm assuming. You saw first-hand just unyielding Jirou was, and Shoto doesn't strike me as the sort to break the chain of command. As much as you hate the thought of biding time, I don't think there's any other option." Izuku rung no words retaliation or slander, as Tenya prolonged his analysis.

"Listen, this is all very new and shocking. Just yesterday we were working class citizens, and today we're somewhere in between uniting with a new regime, or being held captive by one. Let's just try, for the time being, to get acquainted with this establishment. Let's see how they operate, let's decide for ourselves whether or not they do any good for the community. Then maybe we can start asking for favors and gain some traction. Doesn't that sound like the most rational way of going about this?" The question lingered in the air, the only sound that could be caught was the silent grinding of Denki's teeth against bread.

"You're right, as always," Izuku professed, "But we're going after her the first chance we get, understood," Izuku stipulation.

"That sounds like a good plan," Denki interposed, "but for now try to eat something alright, you look completely exhausted. Maybe rest a bit if you can, you've basically gone a whole night without sleep."

"I can't sleep at a time like this, just look at the conditions we're under. What's the time anyway, no clocks or windows around this ditch," Izuku trailed off in an incensed murmur.

"Izuku," Tenya began, "Denki is right. Just try to gather your thoughts, eat some soup, you'll feel better." Without acknowledging his guidance Izuku complied, sitting down on one of the three cots- pouring the soup into his gullet from the bowl. There they sat, finding comfort in the first warm meal they had had now in days.

The trio brusquely chatted for the time being, expressing concern over Bakugou, and the mysterious comrades they had just aquatinted with. For a fleeting moment, Izuku had been reminded of simpler times back at Galliedenn, When Shanta, Ochaco, and those residing in the room all merged in Mic's bar. As they shared a meal and a pint under the faint green light of the tavern, exchanging witticisms and gossip. Just then, the sumptuousness of the former life dawned on him, and how he longed to spend a lighthearted day with Shanta and Ochaco once more.

After some time had passed the door hinged open once more, as Rikido and an unknown stranger had entered the room. Rikido was a larger lad, with large lips and ratty traits. His eyes small, and his brows were abundant. He wore what looked like hide shillings on one of his shoulder, while a hefty tool belt wrapped around his large build. A necklace decorated his neck, with a small photograph of a woman framed at the epicenter.

The other figure contrasted with Rikido a great deal, embodying a much taller and lengthy figure of older age. His double vested brocade waistcoat was dyed with colors reminiscent of spring, complementing the golden top hat he sported on his head. His boots appeared to be of the finest quality; his pants were ironed and sturdy. A tobacco pipe rested between his digits, lit. He embodied a man who had never labored a day in his life.

"Good evening fellows, pleasure to meet you. My name is Takeshita, and I believe you have already been acquainted with good old Rikido over here." Rikido timidly waved his hand, clearly uncomfortable with the elaborate entrance.

"What do you want?" Izuku enquired, his hesitation in forging new acquaintances was apparent.

"Well now, that's no way to speak to your host," he said cautiously, the grandeur in his voice never vacillating.

"Oh, is host synonymous with captive down here? Sorry I wasn't aware," Tenya said mockingly, sharing Izuku distaste for the man's higher than life persona. A vein could be noted, pulsating above his temple as his resolve fragmented.

"If you could please just come with me, I have a great many things to show you," he said, gesturing towards the entrance. The three obeyed, walking through the door and voyaging though the same metallic boulevard, looking down at the personnel below. The walkway itself seemed to be extending for Izuku, with no end to the silvery frame and zigzagging cylindrical ducts above.

"As you are aware our institution, UA, was founded upon by those who desire change. An alternative to the divided and impoverished way of life that so many lead here in Aspeu," As Takeshita spoke he held his jowl high, visibly pleased with the work that is being done.

"Members of our valued organization can be denoted by the following insignia," as he spoke, he lowered the collar of his brocade waistcoat to reveal a tattoo located an inch below the nape of his neck. The design resembled a simple cog, with eloquent wisps of alternating streaks amassed around the gear.

"Nice design," Denki acknowledged, unexceptionally.

"The work we do takes many forms, from soup shelters and housing construction, all the way to sting operations, seizing a great many arms and redundant valuables pertaining to the green caps."

"Steal from the rich and give to the poor is that is?" Tenya asked, speculatively.

"Yes that, amongst other activities. We help where we may, incorporating the prevention of radicalism, terrorism and civilian assaults."

"Anyone can claim acts of valor; do you have any proof?" Izuku requested, unconvinced of the intrepidness they parade.

"Proof? Weren't you and a comrade of yours about to be gunned downed like rabid dogs, if not for one of our agents? What more proof do you need?" This stifled Izuku retorts but did not quench his need for more intel.

"Moving on. Since the dawning of the steam engine, society had been revolutionized, as you are all aware. Avenues for trade had been released, motorized steam vehicles have dominated the market, and coal and gasoline production has become an all-time high- putting Aspeu on the map as one of the wealthiest nations in the globe."

"Yes, we are all very aware," Denki said, exasperation concerning the obvious was dripping in his inflection.

"What you may not be aware of," he continued, elevating his register authoritatively, "is how this newfound wealth brought nothing but divide to the land. The wage gap has never been higher, fortunes were merely granted to a handful of families and corporations, while the peoples voice have been snuffed out by the military branch, who has received a large portion of the earnings."

"Alright, so what? This country is awful I get it," Denki said frankly.

"My point is we, as well as a smattering of other factions, are all that stands between total class warfare. It is a vein effort to solely help those less fortunate, giving men fish will profit no one. What we need is to strike at the heart of the cancer, to do what has not yet been conceivable. To tear down the Aspeuean regime." Illusions of grandeur were all that Izuku heard, ideals and objectives that were both destructive, and unattainable. The weighty stroll took a toll on Izuku conscious. This was a great deal to process.

"That's a lot of talk. Want to tell us how you plan on accomplishing this herculean feat?" Tenya asked, quizzically.

"I'm sure that you were told before you ventured here that you could become anything you wish, to climb the corporate latter and emerge victorious. But in a world of flying machines and biomechanical norms, social equality and reward for both merit and labor have become the real fantasy. Aristocrats care only for themselves and the lives closest the them, which is why shared capital is merely a dream, a false hope that many have. Anyone who realizes this, and voices their concerns, are abolished by the very government sworn to protect them." Though valid points were being made, and eloquently so, Izuku could perceive the crazed look in this man's eye, his aspiration for political and revolution was unrelenting.

"I'm still waiting for a solution. We understand the problem but how do you people intend to solve this issue?" Izuku asked, aiding Tenya.

"To stop this bedlam, central government must collapse on itself, cut from the roots and spiral into its own orbit. We need to give the people a voice, ideally through peaceful, nonetheless revolutionary ways. With the use of a figure head if need be. But the only way proper change can come about is if the administration admits to their own wrong doings. To admit to their misuse of political and financial influence. UA, Shiketsu, Ketsubutsu, we could be preaching all day about all the wrong the government has wrought upon us. However, if it does not come from the source, then all that preaching would be meaningless."

"Alright next question, how do you intend to bring about a signed confession?" Denki requested.

"Now now, there are of course some things we have to keep close to the chest. We can't merely blabber about the minutia and detail of our most well-kept secrets, or our sacrosanct plans for the future, now can we? Ultimately, there are more pressing matters to attend to. Given that you are currently residing with us, rent free as some may put it," he said chuckling at his own wit, "you must serve a purpose. You will be assigned a function, a position amongst our ranks, subject to your abilities and technical prowess."

Although Izuku did admire his tenacity his speculations grew only larger. His instinct told him there were many truths being masked by these authorities who operate UA. Though their cause seemed just, and in line with Izuku mores, he could not picture a genuine trust in the foreseeable future. Takeshita halted abruptly, his march coming to an end. It was only after he sized his chatting, that Izuku observed the boardroom they had arrived in.

It was gargantuan. They now stood at the epicenter of the chamber, with several cronies surrounding them meters below in a ring; analyzing monitors, and newspaper articles. This had been the first time Izuku had witnessed glass panes throughout the entirety of the complex. Though for what reason was utterly beyond him, given that the display was merely subterranean dirt earthworms and bedrock. The circular room was comprised of three levels, with each story comprised of a particular selection of labors, dedicated to certain logistical tasks.

"Alright," Rikido said, clasping his hands, "What are you guys good at?"

"What do you mean?" Tenya asked, the broad question perplexed him slightly.

"What are you good at? What are your skills? What services can you provide to us?" A moment of thought was issued to the cluster.

"For a brief period, I helped manage an assembly line as well as a mining district. I'd like to think that I have a knack for leadership," Tenya said, throwing modesty aside.

"Well I apologize but I can't imagine you overseeing anything until you do some laboring for yourself," Takeshita asserted. "I can see you fitting into our coal extracting bloc, or perhaps you could help with one of our many service projects geared towards feeding the penurious above." Takeshita gestured towards a figure in the rear of the grand chamber, as he proceeded to jog towards the center.

"This gentleman will escort you to your destinations," he then crooked his neck towards the silent man in question. "You will escort him throughout the permissible sections of the bunker, and introduce him to both the extraction bloc, as well as the service center. He will then find his way back to his quarters," he concluded bluntly, but fairly. Without a word the man began to walk, exiting the rounded chamber.

"I guess I'll see you guys around," Tenya said hurriedly, clasping Izuku' and Denki's hands for a friendly adieu, before being escorted off the premises.

"And what of you, Denki was it?" Darrell questioned, with a hint of superciliousness in his intonation. He took a moment to answer.

"To be fair I don't think I have much to provide to your operation. For a brief period, I was a paper boy, riding on a hand-me-down bike. I don't see how that could prove useful," Denki said disconcertedly. Rather than acting in a condescending manner, Takeshita defied Izuku expectations, as he gently ruffled Denki's hair in an odd yet comforting manner.

"Don't be so worried lad, here in UA there's a position for everyone. Walk up those stairs and speak to that man up there," he said, directing his attention to a rather squat man holding a clip board. "Tell him Takeshita sent you, and that you required a position in a greener variety." Denki nodded his head, glad to be relived of any embarrassment regarding his resumé. With a friendly wave, he scampered of to the man in question, abandoning Izuku to both Rikido and Darrell.

"So, I'm assuming you're going to want to appraise my credentials as well?" Izuku rapidly presumed.

"You would be incorrect in your assumption," Takeshita said amusingly. "An unexpected assignment has been conveyed from my superiors. If you could courteously follow Rikido over there, he will escort you to Shoto in sector five for a particular sort of preparation."