Chapter 7 – Intus (Within)
Three Arume were laying in front of Seigai and Kensuke. They were all covered in milky-white blood. It was very clear a stabbing weapon had been used on them. Seigai turned away from them. Kensuke could only sigh.
"Are you actually upset?" asked Seigai, while still looking away.
"Upset? Upset that I couldn't do this myself, sure. Upset at seeing this? I could care less. But I know you're going to order me to conduct an investigation. And, despite my lack of caring, I will be thorough. On that you have my word," replied Kensuke.
"That's all I ask for. I'll let the rest of the senior staff know," spoke Seigai.
Seigai had immediately gathered everyone in the conference room. Everyone had been expecting to hear what Seigai's next plan of attack would be. They did not expect to hear about a brutal murder that had taken place aboard their ship.
"How could this happen?" asked Ekaril.
"I don't know. I had tried to go over the security footage before this meeting. Unfortunately, the murder took place while our surveillance system was down for repairs," spoke Kensuke.
"And you expect us to take this?" asked Azanael.
"Kensuke will be conducting a full investigation..."
"Kensuke! You mean the bastard that has threatened to kill all of us on more than one occasion!" shouted Azanael, cutting off Seigai.
"Your feelings for him aside, he is chief of security aboard this ship," replied Seigai.
"And how do you we know he'll conduct a thorough investigation? Hell, for all we know, he's the bastard who did it!" shouted Azanael.
"I agree, there's no way we can trust him to do this investigation by himself," spoke Tsubael.
"I must also agree," replied Ekaril.
"I don't remember asking if any of you approved or not," spoke Seigai.
"Seigai, if I may. Would you please try and see it from their perspective. As much as we trust Kensuke, our Arume allies have no reason to do the same. After all, how many times has you had to tell Kensuke to keep his anti-Arume sentiments to himself during our meetings? And I know you've at least heard part of the com traffic during our battles. Kensuke is, to us, the best person for the job. But for those who haven't served with him for the past few years, and don't know the person he was before this war started? It may be a little difficult for them to accept," explained Hisoka.
"And what, exactly, would l you like me to do, Hisoka? Kensuke has been my left hand, and you my right, for the past six months. Aside from you two, there is no one I would put that much trust in," replied Seigai.
"I have a suggestion. One I'm sure our Arume allies would appreciate," spoke Hisoka.
"Go ahead," replied Seigai.
"In addition to having Kensuke on the investigation, we have one of them work side by side with him. To ease their concerns that Kensuke doesn't care about their people," explained Hisoka.
"That would be acceptable for me," replied Ekaril.
"I agree," added Tsubael.
"I still wouldn't trust anything Kensuke has to say, but yeah, having one of us as part of the investigation would go a long way. Gosta or not, they didn't deserve that happened to them," spoke Azanael.
"Alright, I've heard your suggestion. Kensuke, what say you?" asked Seigai.
"Heh, I prefer to work alone. I'll be damned if I'm about to let one of the blue-eyed devils get in my way... but, I think this time only, I can be swayed to let this happen," replied Kensuke.
"Are you sure?" asked Seigai.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Look, love them or hate them, they are, at least for now, a part of our crew. And while I would happily dance on the graves of them, and their entire race, the last thing I need is for them to distrust us. It wouldn't exactly be the smartest idea," spoke Kensuke.
"I'm surprised. I thought for sure you would hate the idea," spoke Azanael.
"Oh, I do hate the idea. But ya know what I hate more? The idea that the three of you might want to put a knife in the back of myself, the commander, and Kaeko. So, if I have to work with one of you, I will. And since this is my investigation, I'm gonna choose which. And my choice is Ekaril. Any objections? Too bad, those are my terms for agreeing to this, so deal with it," spoke Kensuke.
"I would suggest you take Tsubael along for the ride this time," spoke Seigai.
"As much as I would like to, Ekaril is the highest ranking among them. May as well take the one with the most experience. I assume you don't become a commander by being a fool. Also, she is more used to dealing with us than the other two. She's had five years of practice. So maybe, just maybe, we might be able to get along long enough to get you an answer," explained Kensuke.
"Are you sure about this? Between the three of them, Tsubael is the only one you've never directly threatened to kill, dismember, or other unpleasantness," asked Seigai.
"I'm sure. You trust me to run this investigation, right? Let me handle it. Besides, I was gonna ask Ekaril to help, anyway," replied Kensuke.
"Why?" asked Ekaril.
"Like I said, I don't feel like pissing you all off. That, and you might know something I don't," answered Kensuke.
"Are you feeling alright? I swear you just gave us a compliment," spoke Azanael.
"Hey, fuck off. When it comes to the security aboard this ship, I will use every resource I have. Even if that means I have to play nice with the dollies," replied Kensuke.
"Very well. Kensuke, Ekaril, commence your investigation. Keep me up to date on everything you find. For now, we're going to stay away from Earth. I don't care to go into battle while there's a cold blooded killer running around. Anyone who could murder those innocent girls... I wouldn't put anything past that person. Dismissed," spoke Seigai.
Everyone returned to their duties. Kensuke and Ekaril left the room together. Ekaril already had a couple thoughts on her mind.
"Kensuke. Why?" asked Ekaril.
"Why what?" replied Kensuke.
"Why me. Why work with one of us. You've been clear in your disdain from us from the start."
"Like I said, you might know something I don't."
"So would Tsubael and Azanael. You said you have me in mind from the start. Why?"
"Feh, can't put anything past you, can I? Alright, Ekaril, if you must know, there is a very specific reason for why I chose you."
"And that reason is?"
"You're in danger."
"Pardon?"
"You're in danger right now. Of the three of you, you're in the most danger. You're known among the crew as their 'leader.' There's a good chance the person who killed our friends will come after you. I'm quite certain of it, actually."
"Why?"
"There's been a lot of anti-Arume sentiments going around since our last battle. A lot of the crew think we lost that battle because of you and your friends."
"And you don't think so?"
"I fought alongside you, Azanael, and Mari. I know when someone is committed to their cause, and when someone isn't. And, though I hate to admit it, you three are. As for Tsubael, she seems quite dedicated to you, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt."
"I appreciate the thought. I was under the impression you hated us."
"I do. But I respect strength. The coward who killed the girls? That person is the lowest of the low. I hold them lower than I do my worst enemy. And yes, I am saying there is someone out there I think of as being worse than you three. The sooner we get this bastard, and sooner I can go back to thinking of ways to deal with you and your kind."
"I suppose, in your own way, you do truly have a sense of honor and duty. It's an admirable trait, even if you're opinions of us are less than agreeable. So, where do we begin?"
"Well, besides waiting to see if this bastard is going to try to get you in your sleep, I think we should take a look at the bodies together. We haven't moved them, or anything yet. I didn't want the crime scene touched until I could start my investigation."
"Let's go, then."
Ekaril and Kensuke made their way back to Blue's brig, and into the cell the gosta were kept in. The sight was a gruesome one. Aside from multiple stab wounds, it was noticeable the person had chopped the gosta's limbs off. Shinki had been decapitated.
"Whoever did this had to have a very sharp implement. Likely a sword of some kind," spoke Kensuke, upon studying the bodies.
"I would agree. If it were just stabbing wounds, it would be difficult to pin down the weapon. It would be difficult to severe limbs in this fashion without a longer weapon," added Ekaril.
"Hmm... there aren't too many people on ship who are known to have a sword on them. The commander is the most obvious. Too obvious, actually."
"What makes you say that?"
"He always keeps that sword of his on him. Always. Used to drive the captain mad. If someone wanted to potentially frame him, using a sword would be a good way to go."
"Why would someone want to do that? Isn't your crew loyal to him?"
"Yeah, they are. Which is why that doesn't make sense. If anyone on board would want to frame anyone, it would be you three, not him. And yet... it's not like someone could do this with a dagger. Not unless they severed the limbs after the fact, anyways. Only way to be sure is to take them to the med bay, and have a closer look at them," spoke Kensuke, and he pulled on a pair of gloves. He handed another pair to Ekaril.
"We don't want to touch the bodies with our bare hands," explained Kensuke.
"I know," replied Ekaril, as she put the gloves given to her on.
The pair performed the gruesome task of moving the bodies back up to the med bay for a closer look. They did not like the information they were getting.
"Damn, I was hoping we would find some kind of sign this was done post-mortem, but..." Kensuke trailed off, "these cuts are too clean for something like that. Especially this one. Necks don't just give way that easily."
"A hatchet, or similar weapon, would be able to do that."
"This is true, but no one on the ship has one. As for who has a sword, there are only three of us. The commander, Kaeko, and myself."
"During the entire time the repairs were taking place, Tsubael was with Hisoka the entire time. The pair of them wouldn't even go to their quarters. They would literally take turns napping at their stations, in order to keep working."
"Well, I don't like where this is going."
"I assume you wouldn't go out of your way to ask for help if you did it."
"I wouldn't be so sure on that. Have to admit, if I wanted to pick you all off one by one, getting one of you working with me alone would present quite the good opportunity to do so."
"It would also out you very quickly. Even if the rest of the crew was with you, Azanael and Tsubael wouldn't just stand back and let you do as you please."
"And I wouldn't bother with decapitation, anyway. I'm not skilled enough to be able to do that to someone who is still alive."
"Kensuke, sorry to bother you, but I need to tell you something immediately," came the voice of Hisoka through the med bay's intercom.
"What is it?" asked Kensuke.
"I just got back to my quarters. It's the first time I've been there since repairs started, and I just noticed someone has been in my quarters. The katana I received from the captain when we were posted to the Kibayama has gone missing. After hearing the gosta were stabbed to death, I thought it pertinent to your investigation," answered Hisoka.
"Okay, first off, you have got to take better care of yourself. Second, what the fucking Hell. We literally just concluded a sword was the murder weapon," spoke Kensuke.
"Hey, if we got caught with the ship in the condition it was in by enemy forces, you would be glad I took a couple days off my life staying away to fix her up for us," replied Hisoka.
Kensuke sighed, "I know, I know. We'll start looking for your sword. Something tells me if we find that, we find our murderer."
"I know how you don't like your crime scenes touched, so I'll wait for you and Ekaril," spoke Hisoka.
"We'll be over there shortly," Kensuke said, while turning to look at Ekaril, "well, looks like we have a trail."
"It would appear so," replied Ekaril.
The pair of Kensuke and Ekaril made their way into Hisoka's quarters. Aside from the missing katana, everything was as it was before. Not a single other item was out of place.
"This is damn peculiar," spoke Kensuke.
"How?" asked Hisoka.
"Whoever took it knew what they were coming in here for, and where they could find it," explained Kensuke.
"How many people on this ship could do that?" asked Ekaril.
"Just Kensuke and Seigai," answered Hisoka.
"Again I'm implicated. Lovely. And the commander, too. Someone must really hate the pair of us," spoke Kensuke.
"I can't say I can think of anyone who would hate Seigai, but you, well... you're not exactly Azanael's best friend." replied Hisoka.
"Azanael may have done some questionable things in the past, but she would never do something like this. It's not in her character," spoke Ekaril.
"What makes you so sure of that?" asked Kensuke.
"The whole reason she's done anything bad to me and others on this ship is that, for a time, she had blamed me for the death of her lover," explained Ekaril.
"And she doesn't now?" asked Kensuke.
"No, she found out Master Commander Shivariel was the one responsible. She had explained this to Tsubael and Mari while they were living in Kaiho. It explains why she was quick to help us out in our last battle against the Novaal," replied Ekaril.
"As Hisoka pointed out, she doesn't exactly like me. Feeling's mutual. And with that body of her, she's certainly strong enough to use a katana in a manner that could kill," spoke Kensuke.
"And there were times when she was alone on the hanger deck. She would tell us she was working on maintaining her fighter," added Hisoka.
"Azanael works in the hanger all the time. All Arume pilots maintain their own fighters," explained Ekaril.
"I know that much; she told me herself. But that also means there was a point in time where no one else knew where she was. But forget that, it doesn't matter if we don't connect the sword to her. So, let's just make our way to her quarters, and take a little peak inside. If we don't find a sword in their, we check her fighter. If we don't find a sword there, we keep looking," replied Kensuke.
"Then let's get this over with," spoke Ekaril.
The pair of Kensuke and Ekaril checked Azanael's quarters, and found no sign of the sword. They opted to look at her fighter next, running into her in the process.
"Hey devil girl, move aside," spoke Kensuke.
"Move aside? Why?" asked Azanael.
"We need to take a look inside your little toy," replied Kensuke.
"What? You want to see what properly maintained fighter looks like?" asked Azanael.
"We're looking for something," spoke Ekaril.
"Looking for something? In my fighter?" asked Azanael.
"Yes," replied Ekaril firmly.
"Alright, go ahead," Azanael said, as she stepped aside.
Ekaril went ahead and inspected the fighter. She didn't find anything out of the ordinary.
"It's not here, either," spoke Ekaril.
"What's not here?" asked Azanael.
"A sword. There's one missing. We believe it was used in the murder," answered Ekaril.
"And you thought I might have had it?" asked Azanael.
"Look, short version, we think someone is trying to frame the commander and I, and the two of us don't exactly like each other. Figured we'd check, ya know. Not like one of our crew would want to frame us," answered Kensuke.
"I would expect this kind of thing out of Kensuke. But you, Ekaril. I know we haven't always been on the same side, but I would expect better out of you," spoke Azanael.
"It was not my intention to either cast blame, or hurt you feelings. I wanted to clear you off the suspect list as soon as possible. Between you, Tsubael, and I, you were the only one who could have committed the crime. You are often alone. It was a necessary step," explained Ekaril.
"Fine. Glad to be off the short list of villains, I guess," spoke Azanael.
"You're welcome," replied Kensuke.
Azanael huffed at Kensuke's sarcasm, and went back to work on her fighter.
"I think that's enough for today," spoke Kensuke, "let's get reconvene at 0700 hours tomorrow morning."
Ekaril nodded, and made her way back to her quarters. A sad Mari was there to greet her.
"I'm back," spoke Ekaril.
"Hagino... I heard about Yuki, Mai, and Shinki..." Mari trailed off, tears in her eyes.
"They were good friends in the short time we had them."
"It's not fair! Hagino, why would anyone want to kill them? What did they do? The only choice they ever made was the choice to live, so why?"
"Mari, you know the answer to that question. The forime would want to kill them because they are us. We would like to kill them because they are considered to be failures in our culture. This ship hadn't lost a battle until the last one. There always seems to be this need among forime to have to blame someone for a loss."
"Why would anyone blame them, though. They weren't soldiers. Only Shinki had any kind of interest in fighting. We didn't lose because of them."
"No... we did not."
"Hagino... how... how do you keep so calm..."
Mari stopped herself when she noticed tears starting to form in Ekaril's eyes. She had been holding the tears back the entire day. She barely held on when she and Kensuke found the bodies originally. But now, in the privacy of her room, before the one person she cared for more than any other, she could no longer hold back. Hagino was the one to cry in Mari's shoulder.
"I'm tired of pointless deaths. I've had to make peace with having to fight my own people. To find one of our allies has slain another? There's no meaning in it," spoke Ekaril.
"There truly isn't, Hagino."
"There never will be any meaning in it... but... we must continue on. Today, we cry for our fallen, but tomorrow we move on."
Mari silently nodded. The pair made their way to their bed. Upon sitting down on it, something immediately felt wrong to them. It felt like something was there that shouldn't be.
"Did we leave something under here?" asked Ekaril outloud, as she reached under the sheets. She immediately winced in pain and pulled her hand back. Her fingers were bleeding white Arume blood. Ekaril had a horrified look on her face, and pulled back the sheets, hoping there wouldn't be a certain item there. Her hope was proven to be unanswered.
"Hagino, where did this sword come from?" asked Mari, before noticing the look of dread on Ekaril's face.
"Hagino?" asked Mari, as Ekaril immediately went up to their quarters communications terminal.
"Kensuke, I need you in my quarters, now!" shouted Ekaril.
"Uh... damn it, I just fell asleep. What the fuck do you want? Dick?" asked Kensuke.
"The missing katana is in my quarters!" shouted Ekaril in anger.
"What!?" shouted Kensuke, now sounding fully awake, "Fucking Hell, don't you go anywhere, I'll be right there."
Ekaril waited for Kensuke to arrive. She had explained to Mari what that sword was, and why finding it in her quarters was a problem. A shocked Mari nodded, and understood. Kensuke arrived shortly after.
"Alright, where is it?" asked Kensuke, upon entering.
Ekaril pointed a bandaged hand at her bed. Kensuke put on a glove, and picked up the sword, looking it over. Upon inspecting the hilt, a look of shock appeared. He was startled enough to drop the sword to the ground.
"Kensuke?" asked Ekaril.
"No... no... no no no no no! You! You're fucking with us, right!?" shouted Kensuke, immediately rushing up to Ekaril, and pinning her up against the wall.
"W-what are you talking about!?" asked Ekaril.
"What game are you fucking trying to pull, huh!?" shouted Kensuke.
"What's going on!? Stop it!" shouted Mari.
"You stay the fuck out of this, you little Arume loving slut!" shouted Kensuke, before returning his attention to Ekaril, "Where did you get that sword!? Did you yank it off him!? Did you fucking kill him, too!?"
Kensuke further pushed Ekaril against the wall, causing her to wince in pain.
"What are you talking about!?" asked a frustrated Ekaril.
"You don't fucking know!? Are you stupid!? How the fuck did you get the commander's sword!?" shouted Kensuke.
"Commander's? But I thought it was Hisoka's sword that was missing!?" replied Ekaril.
"God damn it!" shouted Kensuke, before dragging Ekaril by the arm over to where he dropped the sword. He picked it up, and showed the hilt to Ekaril. Upon close inspection, Ekaril noticed a name was engraved on it. The name was Urufu.
"That's..." Ekaril said, just as shocked as Kensuke was upon initially noticing it. Kensuke loosened his grip at the look of shock.
"You... you really didn't know, did you?" asked Kensuke, his anger starting to fade.
"No, I didn't," replied Ekaril.
"What's going on?" asked Mari.
"This sword... it's not Kaeko's. It's the commander's," explained Kensuke.
"But... doesn't he always have it with him?" asked Mari.
"Yes... yes, he does," Kensuke said, as he walked over to the communication terminal.
"Commander, it's Kensuke. Something urgent came up on the investigation," Kensuke said, hoping he wouldn't get a response. In his mind, if the commander was dead, it made his investigation easy. It meant Ekaril did it, and then he could finally kill one of the Arume on his ship. And then he could use it as an excuse to get rid of the other two. When he got a response, he knew the implications.
"Kensuke, what is it? Did you find the murderer?" asked Seigai.
"I think I have a good lead. Can we meet you in your quarters?" asked Kensuke.
"Yes, of course. Bring whatever evidence you have," answered Seigai.
"I will, see you soon," Kensuke said, as he turned off the terminal.
Ekaril quickly changed back into her uniform before joining Kensuke. Kensuke went to get Hisoka, as her quarters were on the way, and he did not feel comfortable with what he was going to have to do next. He caught her up on their walk to Seigai's quarters.
Ekaril, Kensuke, and Hisoka entered Seigai's quarters. The man seemed a little surprise to see three people, but let it be.
"So, Kensuke, what have you found? I read the report you sent me a little while ago. Did you find the sword. And the person who took it?" asked Seigai.
"Maybe. Commander, may I see your sword?" asked Kensuke.
"Mine? What for?" asked Seigai.
"I just need to check something," replied Kensuke.
"Alright, then," Seigai said, before handing his sword to Kensuke.
Kensuke took a look at it, closely looking at the hilt. Upon seeing the name on it, his face turned from one of hope, to one of sadness and defeat. Hisoka and Ekaril took note of this. Kensuke silently nodded at both of them.
"Is something wrong?" asked Seigai.
"Commander..." Kensuke started, but couldn't finish.
"Seigai, you're under arrest for the murder of Yuki, Mai, and Shinki," spoke Hisoka solemnly.
"What? Me? What are you going on about? Is this some stupid prank, because this is neither the time, or the place," replied Seigai.
"This sword isn't yours. It's Hisoka's," spoke Ekaril.
"What? What are you talking about? I always have that sword on me. It hasn't left my side since I got it. Hell, I cut a couple Arume with it while escaping from capture. It's not just a trinket, it actually helped save my life. And you're telling me that it's not mine?" asked Seigai.
"Why were you trying to hard to keep us from working with Kensuke? You really didn't seem to like the idea of me working with him," spoke Ekaril.
"I told you earlier, Tsubael would be more suited," replied Seigai.
"No, she wouldn't. In this regard, we are both just as capable. So why, then? Why did you not want me?" asked Ekaril.
"What does this have to do with anything?" asked an angry Seigai.
"We found this in her quarters," Kensuke said, before setting Seigai's sword on his desk. He picked it up and looked it over.
"So you found Hisoka's sword there. What of it?" asked Seigai.
"No... no... this isn't happening..." muttered Kensuke.
"Look at the hilt," spoke Hisoka.
Seigai did so, finally seeing the name on it matched his. He grumbled to himself.
"One detail is all it took, huh... shouldn't have gotten greedy..." Seigai muttered to himself, before reaching down to his desk, and pulling out a gun. He immediately pointed it at Ekaril.
"Commander, what are you doing!?" shouted Hisoka.
"Hisoka, don't believe it. It's this one. It has been from the start! We should have killed her, but no, no, we kept her around, thought she might help us out. And then she brought more of her kind aboard. At least those two could help, but then she brought those three aboard. That was it! That was the line! I'm not about to let them takeover the ship. Kensuke, you're with me, right? You've been wanting to be rid of them since day one! Don't let this little witch turn you two against me! She's outlived her usefulness. It's time we got rid of her!" shouted Seigai.
Kensuke was still silent. He couldn't even look Seigai in the eye, so he turned his head away from him.
"Ok, don't know what's gotten into you, but fine. Hisoka, I know you're with me on this. You have been the whole time. You always have been. Even after our relationship ended, you've always been with me," spoke Seigai.
"Relationship?" asked Hisoka.
"Yes, when we briefly got together while we were stationed at Kure. I know it was a while ago, but our bond from back then is why I trust you so much now," replied Seigai.
"That one night after the bar was quite the night, wasn't it?" asked Hisoka.
"Our first night, if I remember correctly. Quite the night to remember, but enough about that, let's get this one, and her two friends, off the ship, before they can cause us any more trouble," replied Seigai.
Hisoka nodded, before pulling out the gun she kept holstered to her right hip for emergencies. She pointed the gun at Ekaril.
"Sorry Ekaril, but, as Seigai said, you've served your usefulness to us," spoke Hisoka.
"So that's how it is, then," spoke Ekaril, "at least... take care of Mari for me."
"If by take care of, you mean put a bullet in her head, then sure, we can arrange, that," replied Seigai.
"Forime... I had hope of you, but in the end, I suppose you are truly disgusting creatures," spoke Ekaril.
"If that's how you feel about it. Time for you to take those sentiments of yours to the grave," Seigai said, as he readied to pull the trigger.
The sound of a gun firing, and the splatter of milky white blood were what followed.