To the Darkest of Nights We Go

~Dystopian AU ~

Chapter 48

Written By: RinoaDestiny

King of Fighters, Chizuru Kagura, Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, Mai Shiranui, Blue Mary, Rock Howard, and Joe Higashi all belong to SNK


"Mary…you have those maps from before?"

"Yeah. Lemme get them for you. Thinking about doing a mental run?" The private detective rose to her feet and headed for the weapons and supply room. Most of their afternoon was spent making sure their equipment was still functioning fine and that their signals were still clear. Then, Rock did another practice session with Joe to make sure he remembered how to work the controls. There wasn't any need to stress about their code names – Joe had that down pat.

The session seemed to help. Joe appeared less…downtrodden? Not happier, but driven? Given a purpose to think beyond Andy's death?

Joe had eaten some food tonight. Had taken some to Mai.

They were both supply runners, he'd explained to Rock before he retired for the rest of the night. That was common knowledge, but it was that shared role which made Joe feel responsible for Mai's wellbeing. She was suffering but she didn't have to forego the necessities. She hadn't eaten anything for lunch, so Joe wanted to make sure she was taking care of herself.

He'd brought out her half-eaten package of crackers.

At least she ate half, Joe had commented. Rock wasn't sure how to read his tone. It wasn't bitter or wry or dry. It just was.

Perhaps that was the most disturbing of all.

After Joe left, Rock joined his dad in the main hallway. Dad was with Mary sharing food for dinner and upon his appearance, Terry motioned him over. Not the enthusiastic wave with his arm like usual, but a small wave of his hand. He had been discussing things with Mary and when Rock sat down, Terry continued talking. Offered him a few things to eat and since he hadn't done so yet, Rock accepted. Ate and listened as Terry and Mary went over minor details.

Then, Dad asked about the maps.

Mary went off to get them, which interested Rock. He knew which maps Terry referred to.

"Are we bringing them with us?"

"We're going as recon, son. Might as well bring back some updated intel."

The last time the maps were updated was when Andy was still alive. He remembered the drawn 'Xs' designating situated patrols and wondered if those had shifted during their interval of inactivity. When they were at the western border before, Dad had pointed out gaps. Were those still there? Or were they disappearing like the others?

"Bring some of those markers with you and a cloth. We want to be as accurate as possible."

Rock made a mental note to pack those before he went to sleep tonight.

"Are we going out often?"

"That all depends." Mary's voice traveled down the hallway, the woman returning with maps in hand. "If the soldiers' positions keep changing, we may need to. If not, we'll do it every couple days. Just to make sure."

"I know south is dangerous, but…"

"You want to make sure? Update those, too?"

Rock nodded. They didn't need to get too deep into enemy territory. They just had to be careful and get a general sense of their surroundings. The question was how? They didn't have an abundance of tall buildings here like they did by the western border.

Maybe Dad would know. Or Mary.

"Then you'll need these maps." Mary handed two to him. Both were marked with patrol lines and he recognized one of them. They had discussed Mai and Andy's supply run using that map, which was what led them to Hirano instead of Abeno. Abeno's soldiers had increased, Rock remembered. That was several days ago. The numbers would've only gotten higher, unless the soldiers were needed elsewhere.

"Avoid Hirano."

Andy and Mai were intercepted and attacked leaving Hirano.

"Abeno?"

"Don't get close. Just get your estimates and move on."

The southernmost part of Osaka was dangerous now. Which left them with their original location. West.

"Do they know we're here?" Rock asked. It seemed strange that they were surrounded – the wards east of them an unknown menace – and that O.R.O.C.H.I. hadn't apprehended or killed them yet. O.R.O.C.H.I. wasn't known for mercy towards its enemies or for patience. Not with how fast they struck.

"We'd be dead if that's the case."

So no, then. At least he hoped.

He studied the two maps Mary had given him and noticed something peculiar. The concentration of the enemy…certain wards…around them…was it deliberate? Or just O.R.O.C.H.I. covering as much territory as possible? They knew Chuo ward was a hotbed of military activity, being the headquarters but was it as clustered in other areas? Or just here?

Rock kept his questions to himself. He'd find out soon enough.

He put the maps aside. Saw that Terry had one in hand as well. Possibly the one regarding the western border and the places before it.

The abandoned cars lying about, their owners dead or hiding.

The schools left empty – their rooftops ideal surveillance spots.

The burning trash fires in steel drums – air a thick, unbreathable miasma.

He was familiar with the western section of Ikuno now. But Abeno? He'd never seen the area around or bordering it before. He wasn't going to ask Mai, but maybe Joe knew something. Considering how Mary pointed it out at that meeting so long ago…

"Just need these three, eh, babe?" Dad to Mary.

Mary smiled, but the weight in her expression belied her lighthearted action. "If you decide to check other places, let me know. We can determine if those wards are safe to enter."

"If they're not, we'll skirt around them."

"We lost Andy. Mai's like a ghost. Joe was absent, too, until we got him back on board. I know Joe said it earlier, but you two stay safe, okay?"

"I'll be saying that to you when you head out, babe."

Another smile. This time, it reached Mary's eyes, lightening her face. "Yes. I know you will."

"Well, I'm gonna retire for the night. Early day tomorrow."

"I'll join you soon."

Rock took his maps in hand, picked up the scraps left over from his dinner, and stood. "I'll be packing for tomorrow. See you tomorrow morning, Dad." He smiled at Mary and motioned with the maps, which made the sound only laminated paper would. "Thanks for these."

The blonde woman returned his smile, giving him a brief nod.

Terry did the same. "See you tomorrow, son. Sleep well."

"You too, Dad. Mary."