Chapter 30

It was a quick clean up at the Association. As Alley left the room, she nearly ran into Suiryu! "Whoa, hey!" he said but smiled. "I was looking for you!"

"Anything wrong? Are the twins…"

"Fine, they are fine," he insisted. Alley knows she is getting a little more paranoid when it comes to her kids. She has been keeping a close eye on Suiryu to ensure all is right. However, she couldn't help but feel tense. It's her first time being a mother after all. "Hey… Alley… Suiko wants to have a meal with us. I was wondering if perhaps you want to go out for dinner with her in City T?" he asked offhandedly.

"Really? After what happened the last time?"

Suiryu explained that she spoke with Emp on the matter. He appeared to have convinced her that he is still the same Suiryu as before. Perhaps a little more mature but still her brother. "So I just got a message from her, she knows a place and I know this place well. I am a regular there. We can eat in peace if you want to go tonight?"

Alley nodded. "Okay, let's do that then," she said.

Suiryu smiled as he quickly texted his sister back. Alley knew she has to go. After all, this could also be a Neo Hero trap. Like hell anyone is going to get the jump on her or her family!

#

Meanwhile.

Max was called into the police station in City T.

It was a special request from the police service to help out with protection. After all, that monster attack last week rattled the people, no one felt safe for a short time. But after the monsters were defeated and everything repaired, people felt their lives return to normal. However, Max was a little concerned. "Who am I helping out with protection?" he asked.

This is where it got awkward. The chief sighed. "Mr. Ubet." He explained.

Max froze. "You mean that political asshole that wants me dead?" he demanded.

"He never said that!"

"Oh, how else do I take that he doesn't want heroes like me existing?" Max questioned. He shook his head to it all. "I'll help, but I am not protecting the likes of him."

The chief nodded as his phone suddenly rang. He was quick to excuse himself and take the call. Max however felt dirty. He's been following this politician for some time. He is really out to get Garou and the family. "Well I am going to head out first…"

"MAX WAIT!" shouted the chief.

He paused as he was heading out the door. His phone clenched in his hands the chief appeared rather flustered. "Don't bother… I just got a call from Mr. Ubet… when I told him the security, he said you shouldn't be anywhere near him. Not to mention… he is bringing his own… machines of all things that will target and destroy monsters on sight."

There was a moment of concern that overcame Max. "He has robots that will shoot first?" he asked. "That's not safe for him or the public…"

"It's not safe for you either!" said the chief. "Why on earth did he have these things made? Oh God. You need to inform Garou's family! If they are in the area…"

Max was startled to the news, he quickly got on his phone and made the call. He got Melee and told her the situation. In return she would make sure the whole family knew. "Thank you Max!" she said before hanging up.

He sighed aloud. "I think I am going to head off and get some distance between me and that political rally…"

#

Suiryu was all smiles as he and Alley entered the restaurant. Suiko came early and was stunned that they both appeared. She looked to Alley and politely bowed and introduced herself. "I'm Suiko. Suiryu's younger sister," she explained.

Alley bowed back respectfully. "Thank you for joining us today," she tried to keep everything formal. However she still had her back up. Suiryu knew Alley well, the moment someone says something hurtful to her or about him, she will hold on to that grudge for a while. Yet as they sat down and ordered their food, Suiko appeared more relaxed.

"I… uh… saw you guys fighting…" she said offhandedly. "You didn't hesitate to take down the threats, hell, I saw some of you guys getting people out before going after the monster itself. You weren't glory hogs or anything… and without equipment!" she said.

Suiryu smirked. "There's a reason for that," he explained. "Alley doesn't like a lot of gear on heroes, safety concern and all."

"Safety concern? Look our Neo suits have a built in life support system!" she said. "It makes us stronger, faster and can endure…"

"What happens if it malfunctions?" Alley asked.

Suiko smirked. "It hasn't yet!"

"No, but there are flaws within the design of the suit, also, take into consideration this. There are more than just monsters out in the world. You are currently working with criminals. There are those who specialize in hacking hardware as well as those who are looking to override the programing of the suits. There's also the Organization…"

She paused. "I heard of them. I faced off against one calling himself machine god."

"They are more inclined to wait in the shadows, observe and then strike. Not to mention, sometimes they like to sneak their way into other places and influence those involved."

Suiko's back suddenly went up. "Are you saying the Neo Heroes are infiltrated!?" she demanded.

"She is saying keep an eye out, also watch your back," Suiryu said gently. "Alley doesn't mean to sound the way she does. But she has seen a lot of shit, as well, she knows these cyborgs well enough. They have been trying to hack her systems for years!"

Alley merely nodded her head. "Just as a small bit of advice, the less machinery on yourself, the safer you will be. But by all means, do what you need to do to feel protected and be safe. I wouldn't want anything to happen to my sister in law."

There came a settled peace between the two, just as their meal was served.

Suiryu smiled, licking his lips he was about to say grace when suddenly, Alley grabbed his arm and threw him down on his back under the table! She shot up from her chair, turned and just put up a barrier as something powerful was fired into the restaurant!

The people screamed, the glass shattered but everyone was safe!

"EVERYONE OUT!" She called. "Suiryu, you too!"

"Wait, what the hell is going on?" Suiko demanded.

But then Suiryu turned and saw a strange robot trying to get into the restaurant.

"Targeting monsters… target acquired…"

Alley bared her fangs. In face, her eyes began to glow oddly as she threw herself at the metal attacker! In less than twenty seconds she disarmed the thing and turned it to scrap!

Suiko froze. Suiryu slowly got himself up.

"What the hell was that thing?" demanded Suiryu. "Is that…"

"No," she said and sighed aloud. "This looks like a Metal Knight creation, however, there is something off about it…"

"MY BODYGUARD!"

Peering out the shattered restaurant front, people had gathered. There was the Politian Chet Ubet standing there with the media. "This thing is yours?! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING ASSHOLE!" Alley shouted.

"You see this people! The robot went after them. They are monsters! It would never harm a human being!" Chet proclaimed.

"Is it just me or does he look more orange than a cheeto?" muttered Suiryu.

Alley however refused to back down. "Wouldn't harm a human being? IT FIRED INTO A CROWDED RESTURANT YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?"

"Yeah, here's one from my father. Fuck you!" Alley hissed.

The crowd murmured. "You could have killed someone, what the hell were you thinking?" Suiryu demanded.

However, they became ignored. Chet smoothed things over with the people and explained his robot acted out of concern for their safety since it sensed a powerful monster in the area. Alley shook her head in disbelief to it all. Suiko was stunned as well. "He doesn't care," she whispered.

"No, he doesn't… let's go." Suiryu whispered as he gently pulled Alley away.

She nearly didn't go, after all. She was just challenged and someone attacked her family. She wanted blood!

However with a gently nudge, Suiryu whispered. "I'm really hungry… please, let's go."

She gave in, after all. When he says he is hungry, the kids are too. She reluctantly walked away. Taking the back door out, there was the shop owner trembling in fear. "That… that came out of nowhere… thank God you stopped it!" he said to Alley.

"It attacked because of me," she said meekly. "I am so sorry. I will send the drones to repair your restaurant." She said and bowed her head.

The owner thanked her, but insisted they can still come back to eat when the repairs are done. Yet the look of fear he had. "It… didn't hesitate, it was as if the people inside didn't exist…"

"Perhaps for the time being we will avoid your place of business…" Suiryu said respectfully. "When this whole thing blows over, and I hope it will. We'll be back!" he vowed.

The owner merely nodded as they went on their way. They managed to go to another city, where they could sit and eat in relative peace.

That was until the news came on.

When people saw what happened, those who didn't care of Alley or her family began to turn and sneer. "What selfish creatures they are. Thinking they are human. They ought to find somewhere else to eat from here on!"

Suiko turned and glared at those saying such words, however, Suiryu stopped her from speaking aloud. "It's not worth it," he whispered gently. "We will eat quickly and go… I'll get something else at home."

It was strange, normally he would endure the onslaught of hate speech as he eats, after all. No one can really do anything to him. He was that strong. Yet, with the twins, he refuses to take such a risk. He was quick to eat, as was Alley. Suiko sat there, stunned silent. When they finished, the bill was paid. "Sorry, we're going to leave now Suiko… perhaps we will try this again in a less turbulent time." Alley said gently.

"It was good to see you sis," said Suiryu as they left quickly.

He sighed aloud though. "You okay?" Alley asked.

"Yeah, she sees me as her brother, it's a start right?" he asked and forced a smile. But deep down, he was still hurting. He just exposed his sister to the dark side of his life.

The young, strong martial artist that everyone use to look up to, is starting to be viewed more and more like a monster…