Chapter 31

The days leading up to the voyage were occupied by diligent preparation and the investigation of coal drift. Using literature resources form UA's public archive, as well as the schematics AC was able to project, the search party was now able to draw up a meticulous layout of the terrain. Mei conferred to all members of com's and patrol where exactly she will be landing, where Mellissa was last dotted on AC's radar; and how the smog instigated turbulence could hinder their journey, or even worse, jeopardize the entire mission.

In the midst of Izuku's daybreak sparing sessions he spoke very little, fearing that he would unveil any unwanted information to Shoto regarding their plot. While on the mat, feverishly exchanging blow and swing in a blurred tapestry, Shoto loomed over his person. He noticed Izuku's internal disturbance, suspecting a distraction. It felt as though his eyes pierced through those mirrored glasses and directly into his psyche. Fortunately, he did not press him for information, and regarded the addling nature irrelevant, to the best of Izuku's knowledge.

A date had also been scheduled for the examination and probing of AC to be conducted by the UA research team. This particularly rattled Izuku, fearing that their tuning and turning of the orb would result in the revelation of coal drifts layout and schematics. Luckily, like all other attempts to gain some insight on the alien machinery, their investigations yielded no fruit, and the plan remained undisclosed.

A day prior to the journey Denki and Tenya had approached Izuku and professed to him how sorry they about leaving him unaccompanied during this daunting and hazardous task. Though he thought no apology was necessary, the sentiment alone warmed his heart, reminding him of the true friendships he had forged over this journey. An identical apology was administered to Bakugou, he to shrugged it off as if the response was unnecessary.

The five members of the cluster now gathered, hidden behind a bulky breakbulk cargo container in the hanger bay. Dusk set amongst them. Customarily, time and day went unnoticed throughout the entirety of the underground bunker, However, a cylindrical cavity was put into place for enormous airships to take flight. The brilliant glow of the moon danced around the glimmering alloys and reflective blimp panels.

The waistcoat vest and vertically striped trousers Izuku generally sported was swapped for a long-sleeved chemise that hugged his torso and arms tightly. He adorned a tattered jacket over the constricting cloths for additional protection from the elements. To accompany his top, Mei provided him with a flexible nylon pants, equipped with pockets galore, stuffed to the brim with useful gadgetry. The getup as a whole was a dark blue, easing their silhouette into the refuge of night, and the cover of the coal-stricken atmosphere. Bakugou had been given a similar outfit, though his larger frame made concealment slightly problematic.

They sat there in anticipation, waiting tolerantly for all flight staff to depart, and all blimps to set course. Rikido could be spotted inside one of the many glass cubicles fastened to the hanger's lengthy walls. Only one or two members of staff lingered about the groups, their sullen eyes and drowsy yawns contrasted the alertness and anxiety of the concealed crew.

From Izuku's vantage point, he could see that Rikido's job as aircraft marshaling could be perceived as somewhat easy-going. The hanger itself held vacancies for eight blimps alone, while the blimps themselves were all numbered visibly with painted numerals on the rear of their hauls. At first he thought this odd, finding a well-funded, and well respected organization such as UA to possess so little air control. On the other hand, however, an organization with its foundations erected upon a mountain of clandestineness would not wish to broadcast their aerial assists for all to see.

Only two of the eight blimps remained inside the hanger. Mei briefly enlightened the group as to where those five blimps fled too, though that detail remained trivial. All he longed for, was for their pirated blimp to remain unaccounted for. Peaking his head over the breakbulk container, he observed Rikido's sweaty figure behind the control panel. He carried with him a look of unease.

"I take it our master infiltrator took you up on your offer hu Mei?" Izuku asked, blank faced.

"Oh yes he was more than happy to lend a helping hand. I think his exact words were "I'd do anything for Mellissa,"" she teasingly declared, instigating a roll of the eyes by Izuku. His thoughts on Mellissa, and the rescue's triumph, were all encompassing.

"So which blimp are we snagging, number seven or number three?" Tenya asked.

"Rikido kept me up to speed on the functions of each aircraft. Some are used for shipping food and refrigerated items, while others carry unrefined resources and materials, etcetera."

"Alright well what do blimps three and seven contain?" Bakugou continued.

"Well, blimp three is a conveyance aircraft, used mostly for the transfer UA units, paratroopers, and executive personnel."

"And blimp number seven?"

"Blimp number seven our waste vessel. We use it to carry spoiled foods, empty magazines, damaged electronics, that sort of thing."

"So, we're taking number three then?" Izuku presumed hopefully. Mei delivered both a pained wince and an upbeat smile.

"See the thing is, the chances of blimp seven going unnoticed are significantly higher, given the fact that two of the eight blimps are used for disposal."

"So, what you're saying is Izuku and I are going to have the luxury of hitching a ride inside a trash can for say, roughly a week?" Bakugou said bitterly.

"Hey, don't get snappy with me, this is our best shot. And don't forget that I'll be with you the whole time you're up there." As their bickering subsided, all remaining flight staff departed, leaving the large hanger completely vacant. No pattering of leather soles could be heard, no words exchanged. When Mei peeked around their cover, she witnessed Rikido give a motioned signal of some sort, indicating it was free for them to embark. All five members stood casually, as they approached the jet bridge.

"This is where we part ways for now," Mei said somberly.

"Do you have your earpieces in guys," Tenya said, directing his question to both Izuku and Bakugou.

"Yeah we do," Bakugou responded.

"Do you want to check one more time to see if they work, or if there are any malfunctions?" he continued restlessly.

"Tenya we've already quadruple checked these things, we'll be fine," Izuku responded with a titter. There was a long pause, as the collective appreciated each other's company.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye for now," Denki said dismally. Bakugou extended a hand, clutching Denki's with a kind vigor. "We just got you back from the hospital man, try not to get so banged up this time," he teased spiritedly. Izuku issued a bear hug, clasping Tenya tightly in an iron bind.

"I'll see you soon alright brother?" Izuku stuttered out through a dry throat and heavy heart.

"I'll be with you the whole time, through the intercom. I'm sure you'll get everyone back safe, you and that wonder ball of yours," said Tenya, clapping Izuku's back reassuringly. Without warning, Denki united in the huddle, as the three members savored the ephemeral time they had together. In unison the three allies lifted their heads, watching their fellow comrade Bakugou with folded arms and a sheepish grin.

"You want in on thig hug Bakugou?" Tenya offered jubilantly.

"Don't touch me," he retorted, as his complexion reddened slightly. With the longest reach in the group, Tenya extended his arm, grabbing Bakugou by the collar. He dragged him forcefully into their exultant jumble, where Bakugou remained awkwardly stationed, though pleased. After the pleasantries had been exchanged, Izuku, Bakugou entered the blimp's gondola, while Tenya and Denki climbed the sharp staircase, retreating to Rikido's occupancy.

"Wait," Mei spout, withdrawing from the Gondolas entrance in a brisk pace. The crowd muted as she skipped her way towards Tenya with a resolute glint in her eye. Before he could inquire any further, Mei balanced on the balls of her leather glad boots to meet Tenya's lips. After a fleeting moment of hesitation sauntered by, Iida obliged their entrance as they embraced for a sweet but fleeting flash. She regained her balance once more, looking up at Tenya with golden eyes that could gape for miles.

"I'll be back in no time, you just wait here ok," she vowed amicably, the elation in her register was hefty.

"Um… uh, yeah," was all that Tenya could stammer before she rushed to the blimp, as the echo of a Denki's firm clasp on the back was conveyed. Izuku delivered a hearty smirk to Tenya, while Bakugou left the affectionate display unheeded.

Upon entering the blimp, Izuku's nose protested instantly. The smell of rotting produce and heavy crude oil wafted about the cabin. Plastic containers were piled high, leaving very little breathing room for the voyaging occupants. The pungent whiff of battery acid crystalizing amongst several flashlights and condensers was surprisingly amiable, as it masked the musty presence of all other waste. The soles of Mei's thigh high paramilitary boots clanked on the steely flooring, while Izuku and Bakugous' guileful footwear diminished a great deal of sound.

"I have no idea how you convince me to participate in these god-awful plans," Bakugou retaliated, pinching his nostrils in repugnance.

"Well, apart from the terrible smell and cramped floorspace, I could do with a couple of days in this cargo carrier," Izuku voiced optimistically.

"The same thought crossed my mind," said a familiar voice, echoing from the piolets seat of the aircraft. The three trespassers jumped out of their skin, startled by the stranger's attendance. Mei instinctively drew the pistol she had strapped to her right hip, while Bakugou raised his fists violently. Izuku adopted Naezono's standard form, while AC flew from his knapsack, prepared for any confrontation.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to stop you" the stranger said once more, rising from his obscured location. As he sauntered over to the light, the three companions were able to clearly identify the figure.

"David? What are you doing here?" Mei said holstering her weapon, as did all others. The unease in the gondola diminished, though all personal remained on edge.

"I know what you guys are up to. Rikido fessed up, filled me in on the whole situation," said David, abandoning his default bigheadedness. "I wanted to tell you, that I deeply appreciate the risk you're taking, and that I am ashamed to have not done it sooner. Her and I are not the closest, but I still love her, you know? All I ask is you find her." He paused for a moment, choked with emotion as his eyes became misty.

"She's all I have left, after her mother passed for UA's cause, for the fight. If you can get her back, I would be eternally in your debt," he concluded. Astonishment fell upon the intruders of the ship. Anticipating an empty vessel to commandeer, they were instead jolted by a broken man, delivering a heartwarming speech. Uncomfortable silence persisted.

"Is um… Is that all? We're kind of on a tight schedule and we really have to head out soon," Bakugou said, piercing the stillness in the air.

"Don't get smart with me kid, you didn't think I would risk my neck coming down here without a valid reason, did you?" David's declaration oozed with aggression, as he quickly reverted to his normal self. He swiftly retrieved a duffle bag he had sat upon a crate of spoiled crops. Unzipping the sack, he revealed a heavy firearm of some kind, abnormal in its black and murky color.

"This here is my baby; I've been working on her for more than a year up in research and development up in sector four. While most folks use a standard musket, with little accuracy and a hell of a bang, this machine right here uses a fraction of the gunpowder. It's got better precision, better blistering rate, and it's a hell of a lot quieter. I've equipped it with a heavy-duty scope, thermal sensors, the works." He lowered his stare to Bakugou, who stood ogling the weapon.

"In any other circumstance I wouldn't even let you feast your eyes on her, but I'm willing to make an exception considering you aren't even carrying a piece on your preadolescent ass."

"Uh, thanks?" Bakugou said, disregarding the insult to instead worship the gift. As David agonizingly parted ways with his treasure, Mei approached the large man, patting his shoulder tentatively.

"Don't worry Shield, we're going to get her back. Just make sure no one catches us while we're gone alright?" A nod was all that was given in response as the lumbering man departed the aircraft without another word. As Izuku watched the David exit with slumped shoulders heavy with worry he was reminded once again of the impact that Mellissa made in this community; as well as the impact she had made on him, a man she had never even met. Though peril and complications may arise on the mission, he held no doubt in his mind that the risk was well worth it.

"That guy wasn't kidding, this rifle is to die for," Bakugou gleefully voiced, staring down the scope. Izuku merely rolled his eyes, noting the difference in mindset between him and his fellow operative. Lost in his own thoughts he barely registered the jet bridge rising as a deep humming began to reverberate throughout the aircraft. He spun his head round, bearing witness to a determined Mei, already behind the central controls, sat fittingly behind the piolets chair.

"So, you a good piolet?" asked Izuku, slightly concerned for his well-being.

"I wouldn't say I'm a prodigy, but I'm sure we'll make it there." Her words creaked with false confidence.

"How many times have you flown before, if you don't mind me asking?" he continued.

"You know, plenty," she shrugged.

"You want to give me a number," he said pressing on.

"Two or three… give or take," she confessed quietly.

"We are absolutely going to die," Bakugou sighed, planting himself firmly in the co-piolets seat. A sigh of comfort resonated as he sank into the soft leather.

"You don't mind if I take the seat, do you? My back's still a little sore from, you know, the ass whopping," said Bakugou, satisfied with the mustered excuse to rest on the comfortable chair.

"Knock yourself out," Izuku replied, not at all concerned with the comfort or luxury of the trip, merely its destination.