Chapter 30

While Tenya and Denki found promise and purpose in the tasks they have been assigned to, expanding their portfolio and skills, monotony ran rapid within the confines of Izuku cognizant. A month had passed since Bakugou's return to the crew, and not much change had come about. Though Bakugou had found his place within UA, being assigned to the same sacrosanct bootcamp Izuku had been recruited to, the two youths had barely spoken to each other since their squabble upon his arrival. They refused to interact during drills, afraid that strong and spiteful words would be exchanged once more.

Both Izuku and Bakugou realized their feud was a childish one. One that could be mended by a wholesome conversation, though wholesome and forthcoming were two fortes that Izuku, nor Bakugou possessed. This made for fowl moods between both parties, and obstinate supper time conversations. This strife coupled with his family's condition threw Izuku into a quiet gloom.

In addition, he found himself rewinding the footage of Mellissa's crash time and time again. This was done in the hopes of attaining any new information in regard to her well-being or location, to warrant enough evidence to issue a formal liberation operation. In some ways he felt like a creep, feeling such a strong tie to an individual he had never formally met, though he could not help it. She delivered AC to him, altering his life eternally for better or for worse. She had sent him spiraling into this new adventure, one that consisted of hardship and worry of course, but where he grew as a person and as an explorer.

Glancing at the mirror he also noted drastic fluctuations to his physique. His long sessions of spirited training had burned away a great deal of excess fat he had accumulated while sitting about, toying with machines and laying underneath broken mote vehicles. The muscles on his arms and torso turned corded though a great deal of color had drained from his skin from being submerged in the bunker for the majority of the day. His cheeks had lost baby fat, as did his chin, following the regiment food plan UA issued upon all occupants. He would have been pleased with the physical transformation he had made had it not been for the constant worry that eternally conquered his mind.

Denki noticed this change in his frame of mind one day over dinner, while he sat picking at his food. All his well-known acquaintances gathered around over the wooden table for supper, the room was warmed by both the fireplace, and the number of occupants crowded into such a small dining area.

"Izuku seriously cheer up, you've been in this funk for weeks now, we don't like seeing you like this," Denki said, piteous to the state he found his friend in.

"How can I Kaminari? With everything that's going on. With Yoroi, and with Shanta, hell even with Mellissa." At this remark the faces of Mei, David and Rikido sunk with defeat as they sat beside the cluster partaking in their bland meal.

"Izuku, you'll just have to have faith that they will all be alright," Tenya added wisely.

"I'm trying, but man that's easier said than done. Not to mention my whole existence has now turned into this karate kid bullshit." He instinctively curved towards Bakugou awaiting a response, though none was given. It was expected for a man such as Bakugou to speak very little, it was in his nature. However, the stillness wafting about him was all encompassing.

"Hun, I wouldn't worry, Ribbit" Asuy began. "Mellissa is very resourceful girl. I'm sure she's alright. The green caps don't execute, she is alive somewhere, just like your sister and father." The warmth in her voice was abundant, but unsuccessful in completely masking the fear she suffered.

"Asuy, thanks for the kind words but I don't believe that for a second. Dabi would have completely decked me out if I didn't have AC saving my life every other minute of the day. And I'm positive the same would apply had I been brought into custody." To this, Asuy had no retort. All she could do was place a comforting hand on Izuku already trembling arm, in a failed attempt to be as endearing and reassuring as possible.

"If only All For One could just drop dead," he lugubriously concluded.

The only other individual that appeared as melancholy as he was Mei Hatsume, who had not consumed a single morsel since their arrival at the dining hall. Infinite sadness radiated from her downwards gawk. Tenya, having developed a kindling friendship since their time at the soup shelters gave her a comforting shoulder to lean on, which she gladly accepted. What baffled Izuku more than anything was David Shields rejoinder to the subject of his daughter. For every time the topic of dialogue fell on Mellissa, he became cagy and soundless. Much like Bakugou, the only sentiment he would let surface was ire.

Izuku had grown sick of his entire faction worrying about his well-being. He agreed that grieving and distressing would not do anyone any good, though he could not help it. And the rest of his comrades sharing in his anguish only worsened his mood.

"I don't really have much of an appetite right now, I think I'm just going to head back to quarters," he announced, attaining his tray and proceeding to his bedroom. As he was left to brood alone on the march to his lodgings, he contemplated. The thoughts and analyses that fenced his psyche were just as fretting as they were deafening.

He was left to dart his glare from the steel bridge to his quarters, overlooking the GAUNT pipes from above, to the winding of titanium bridges from five stories bellow. Finding some time alone on the path, he unfastened his steal bonded waistcoat vest to tend to his wounds from the sparing session the morning prior. He began rubbing an ointment provided by the first aid kit Denki had given him. The pain was a welcomed distraction.

He abandoned his treatment halfway through, to reach into the depths of his knapsack to retrieve AC, who sparked to life the minute the fluorescent ceiling lanterns bounced off his metallic exterior. He appeared as thrilled as ever to meet Izuku and open-air once more, as the wonder of the world around him never wavered.

"How are you doing buddy," Izuku asked, tapping the floating ball gently on its top. A cheerful din followed by sounds of mechanized mirth.

"Well that's good. I, on the other hand, have had better days." If there was one thing Izuku detested it was admitting his worry, and despondencies. Though the act felt different when professing to AC. He was uncertain whether this was the case due to his strong link with the automaton, or the fact that it could not respond, granting the false illusion of Izuku chatting to himself.

"I'm not sure how I'll ever get back into contact with Yoroi or Shanta. Hell, I'm not even sure if their still alive after that stint in Galliedenn," he confessed, his voice almost breaking. "And more often than not, I feel like I'm just biding my time here, when I could be out there making a living and saving up to go back to Egrary. I can't abandon Tenya or Denki though, who have already grown so accustomed to the place," he concluded with a sigh. A glum silence passed by.

"What do you think I should do AC? You usually have all of the answers," Izuku asked with a frail smile. The ball merely barked in machinelike fashion, whizzing around his head erratically. Izuku chuckled quietly.

"Yeah I thought you might say something like that."

In the midst of his therapeutic session, he could hear the faint patter of steps approaching his end of the bridge. He veered around to find Mei, Tenya, Denki, and Bakugou walking hurriedly towards him. Subconsciously he rolled his eyes, desiring only a moment alone with his thoughts.

"Really guys I'm fine, you shouldn't have left the dining hall just to check up on me."

"We didn't, The whole world doesn't revolve around you Izuku," Bakugou said spitefully. Like most all of Bakugou's tactless comments, Izuku choose to ignore this offence.

"Listen Izuku, I know you've been feeling down recently, maybe the weight of UA and your family's wellbeing has been a little suffocating," Mei began.

"Oh really? Has it been that easy to tell?" Izuku responded with empty humor.

"And I'm not quite sure where this falls on your list of priorities, but I think I've found a way to maybe get Mellissa back. At this comment Izuku ears puckered, not only that, but AC rocketed from the sky to the center of their huddle, eager to heed the conversation at hand.

"What? So, you have a plan?" Izuku questioned heartily.

"You could say that."

"She has a fraction of a plan," Tenya interjected with a playful smirk. Mei slapped his arm teasingly, dispensing her staple wink.

"It's a good plan! Sure, it's not perfect but what is?" she rejoined.

"I'm not quite sure, there's a lot of room for disaster," Denki interpolated, shrugging his shoulders.

"Seriously? Is no one going to give me any credit?"

"Will you guys just explain the damn proposal to him?" Bakugou replied, fed up with the playful banter of the group. Izuku stood in anticipation. He had considered every possible means of convincing UA to issue a rescue op, though no strategy appeared to be concrete.

"Alright," Mei barked. "So, you know how Rikido works in sector three?"

"Yeah, what about it?" Izuku probed.

"Do you remember what his function is in UA?" She continued, in her Socratic method of explanation.

"If my memory serves me right, he said he worked in aircraft marshalling right?"

"Exactly," Mei said, her eyes began to widen. Izuku heart sized for a moment, though his skepticism persisted.

"What, so is your plan to have him sneak us into one of those blimps, without cataloguing the flight? Don't they monitor those flight plots closely? I'm pretty sure they would notice if an entire blimp went missing," Izuku responded, trying not to sound to critical.

"Not if it were to be done in the dead of night. Sure, there would be a chance that Jiro or one of the other higher ups would notice, but Rikido could stall or make up an excuse."

"Are you sure Rikido is even capable of that kind of Machiavellian deception?" Tenya responded. "He doesn't strike me as a very cunning person," he continued defensively.

"Alright first of all, that's rude," she said with her nose in the air. "And secondly, I don't see anyone else lobbying any brilliant ideas."

"Alright, I'm with you so far," Izuku said, endeavoring to remain on topic. "But has Rikido already agreed to this? Because if we go through with this, UA would consider this treason. And I'm not sure what the punishment for treason would be, but from the way David Shield explains it, it doesn't sound very pleasant."

"He hasn't agreed to it just yet, though I'm positive he will," Mei said definitively.

"What makes you so sure?" Izuku replied, coking an eyebrow.

"Well, I have it on good authority that Rikido more or less fancies Mellissa," Mei said cheekily. "I'm quite certain he would be on board with the blimp heist." Izuku was pleased at the proposal, though he was afraid to admit that Rikido's motivations triggered him somewhat.

"Would you risk treason to get Mellissa back?" Izuku asked solemnly. She paused for a moment.

"I would, more than anyone else here. She's like a sister to me, and the only reason I made it this far in Aspeu, and in UA. The bunker just isn't the same without her. I'm willing to help her whatever the means, my only regret is that we didn't do this sooner." Her words spoke volumes to the kind of individual Mellissa was, and how strong the bond was between the two of them. Izuku could sympathize, having created strong ties such as her. Doing anything to protect the most important people in his life, such as Shanta and Tenya. He subsequently turned towards Denki and Tenya, carrying unwavering expressions.

"What about the two of you? Are you guys coming with?" Izuku said piteously.

"Kaminari will, though I will not," Tenya sighed. "As much as I would like to help, you will need somebody here to cover for you while you are away, to make sure your absence is not to conspicuous. Plus, I'm sure Denki's electrifying appendage will provide more assistance than I ever could," he concluded with an empty chuckle.

"I understand," he responded sincerely.

"I can provide assistance in other matters however," Tenya replied, retrieving a bean sized item from his velvet frock coat. "The mechanics up on sector four, in the research and development team developed this. It's an earpiece that pings of the central telecommunications tower in Kenfall. If there are any maps you require or other general information you cannot obtain, I can deliver it to you directly through this appliance. It will be as if I was with you the whole time."

"Now Tenya," Denki said haughtily. "If I remember correctly, I shared with you a similar concept."

"I know Kaminari," Tenya said, rolling his eyes cagily.

"And do you remember how quick you shot the idea down? Hm? Do you?" he pressed.

"Yes, Kaminari I get it. You were right."

"Looks like Izuku isn't the only engineering prodigy around anymore, now is he?" Denki flippantly declared.

"Ok both of you quit it," Izuku said, as a familiar smile began to emerge. However, that same smile was quickly supplanted by pursed lips and beaded sweat as he approached the final member of his entourage. Bakugou refused to even look him in the eye. He took a brief moment to gather his thoughts, knowing full well that getting through to Bakugou was a herculean task.

"Bakugou listen, those thoughts you expressed about me, they were all true, that I know. I was just a little hurt when I heard those same thoughts come from a good friend of mine." The sentiment was enough to get Bakugou to glance at him, though his defenses persisted.

"I know for a fact that I wouldn't have made it out of that alleyway against the Reservoir dogs without your help, I would have never seen Shanta and Yoroi again, and I wouldn't have found UA, and help make this country a better place. For that I'm eternally grateful," Bakugou now stared at Izuku dead in the eye, an act he had not performed in weeks. His expression was blank.

"You hold no obligation for what I'm about to ask of you," Izuku continued, "but it would mean the world to me. I want you to come with me, to get Mellissa back. My gut tells me we're headed straight towards trouble, the same kind of trouble we survived back in that alleyway in Ceederwood. I know your time at the hospital wasn't easy, and you probably haven't fully recovered, but I couldn't think of any other individual I would rather have fight by my side." All that Izuku preached was not groveling nor manipulation, he solemnly believed in the whole. He internally pleaded for Bakugou to regard his words as genuine. He repaid Izuku speech with a snark, as he scratched the rear of his unkempt hair.

"I'll go, but you're still a right prick I hope you know that," he replied vehemently extending his arm out for a handshake, that was quickly reciprocated.

"Aw that's nice, we got the whole family back together again," Denki cheered giddily.

"Don't ruin it," Bakugou said, maintaining his taciturn persona.

"And what about you Mei, what's your role in this whole operation?" Izuku questioned.

"Well who do you think is going to fly the damn blimp," she responded, lifting her chin to the sky with satisfaction.

"You can fly a blimp," Tenya questioned, his eyebrows shot up, awe-struck.

"There's a lot I can do, I have a very eclectic skill set," she rejoined, firmly embracing Tenya's arm. The youth's smile grew two-fold.

"Alright people, so when's the operation going down?" Bakugou said, clasping his hands and returning to the topic at hand.

"Like I said before, it will have to be a nocturnal operation," Mei clarified. "And it will have to occur during a hectic air trafficking day, to minimize suspicion. In two days from now our bunker 51-890 will be transferring a great deal of supplies, armaments, and faculty to our central base in Bluemont, situated far north in Freywald."

"Well that's the first I'm hearing about this," Izuku said apprehensively.

"Thought I'd let you guys in on at least some of the intelligence, after all we are committing treason together. Besides, I owe you for helping me get Mellissa back."

"But how will parting on a busy day minimize suspicion?" Denki queried.

"The more air traffic there is the harder it is to monitor. So, Rikido will have a better chance concealing it from the senior staff. Izuku and Bakugou and I will be disguised in leather piolet jackets and goggled aviator hats, the same apparel we give the majority of our ventures. This way we won't raise any red flags."

"There's a problem," Izuku voiced troublingly. "We all saw the coordinates AC projected. Coal drift is hundreds of leagues away, it will take us days to get there and back. And what of the smog and turbulence? To say we'd arrive back in a week would be a generous estimation. Wouldn't someone from the flight deck notice a missing blimp in the allotted time?" The collective mood transformed from ecstatic to troubled very rapidly.

"Hey, I didn't say the plan was perfect. I'm just working with the best that I've got," she confessed. It was in Izuku's nature to debate and be scrupulous regarding every diminutive detail of a plan, ensuring everything is in order. However, he was well aware that Mei invested quite a lot of forecasting in regard to this maneuver.

"Does anyone else know about this expedition? Or is it just this circle here?" Izuku questioned.

"I've run it by with Asuy, just to get her thoughts on the matter, but don't worry she wouldn't tell a soul."

"What do you think our chances of success are?" Denki questioned, probing to see if this initiative was worth the gamble.

"I'd say, close to forty percent," replied Mei in a chipper fashion.

"I'm not the biggest fan of those odds," Denki retorted.

"Same," Bakugou granted.

"Guys, it's better than zero. We've agreed to do this, let's not go back on our word. A friend needs our help, and it's our job to assist. Besides, we've gone up against worse," Tenya exclaimed. A moment of contemplation dragged by, as members mentally revised the scheme.

"Let's get back to our room," he continued, breaking the silence. "We can discuss times, provisions, where to be and when, and any other particulars we might have overlooked. I'll also make us some tea, looks like we could use some." The group nodded in agreement and pressed on to scheduling, hoping for the best though preparing for the worst.