Though clammy the basement didn't feel like something unwanted. Redesigned, fashioned to suit their needs, the interior gave off a persistent hum she was fond of. Stepping from its one lift her eyes wandered dim blue lighting as several, digital monitors bunched together to form one. It brightened one end of the chamber and the two shapes helping it. Ryuko let her attention rest on the ruined machine sitting on a nearby slab, stripped and dismantled, as cold and lifeless as what she walked on. She leered like she wanted to kill it again.
"Knew I'd find you down here," she glanced from it.
She nodded for Soroi's bowing and standing behind Satsuki seated while she typed. She studied how her fingers tapped blinking squares until she chose to take a break. Satsuki turned in her seat but wouldn't leave it.
"If you were thinking Life Fibers that would be off the mark," she said.
She noticed how Ryuko's lips curled.
"It's four in the...morning," she yawned. "Just because we don't need it doesn't mean you should skip your beauty sleep princess."
She held her laugh for Satsuki's sitting idly in a bath robe in near darkness.
"Says the one who is wearing the same thing she had on all day," she retorted.
Ryuko glanced to her tank top.
"Fair point," she shrugged.
"If I may, Mistress Ryuko. I do not enjoy seeing either of you so eager to tempt fate again," Soroi said with a furrowed brow.
Ryuko's expression softened for his concern. "Take the rest of the night Soroi. Me and sis need to chop it up."
"Of course," he smiled, lowering his head for her, then for Satsuki before he thought to leave.
They watched him carry a silver platter holding numerous items with a balance he perfected, waiting until he boarded the lift, the sheen of the door's glinting as they carefully shut him inside. Ryuko thought the chamber's silence too close to eerie. She turned to see Satsuki obsessing over her work.
"Senketsu...is another issue for another time," Satsuki said attentive of a stream of numbers and letters falling as quickly as they popped in and out of view.
"Better he's at rest then," Ryuko's gaze fell. "I miss him...but we shouldn't play with fire."
"Yet you conjure it like it is second nature," Satsuki's grin tempted.
Ryuko crossed her arms, also grinning to remember new talents, interested in what she watched.
"What's up with the tin can?" she pointed to their find with a thumb.
"What isn't," Satsuki smirked. "On the surface Red Ribbon is like any other technology based company specializing in the manufacture and distribution of seemingly harmless household devices."
"But it's really your cliche' bullshit where behind the scenes some mad scientist runs the show," Ryuko said.
"... With his own private military contractors. After the Life Fiber incident they were the ones providing aid to the world's most influential countries. You can see how this would soften their image. The public remains oblivious. They conduct their business with little to no scrutiny."
"Yep. It's as annoying as it sounds."
At a key press Ryuko watched Satsuki summon a portrait enlarging to take up most of the visual aide they used. As it finished she didn't care for the cold blue eyes fixing on her, a much older man's rumpled, tanned skin, pronounced forehead and lack of eyebrows. She figured the bushy white mustache and long hair were just as deceiving.
"The guy looks like a Grade A creep," she turned her nose up.
"A creep fascinated by you, it would seem," Satsuki turned in her chair again. "The only living proof that human DNA and Life Fibers can successfully coalesce."
She focused on Ryuko's unease at hearing her say it. The latter envied how her older sister could always play it cooler.
"Well don't I feel special," she played it off. "We dealing with this problem soon?"
"Of course," Satsuki didn't blink. "The Nudists are investigating the matter as we speak. But I want the details first. Gero would expect a brash response. We need not give him one."
She listened to Ryuko's grumbling as she tucked strands of her hair behind her ear.
"Awesome...well...I'm going to bed."
"You really should," Satsuki smiled. "And try to refrain from punching another hole in the bathroom wall. The contractors would appreciate it."
"Oh boohoo. Bet they didn't complain when you cut the check," Ryuko said turning on her heels to walk away. "Night' princess."
"Goodnight," Satsuki followed her strutting off.
When alone she glanced to the remains of the elephant in the room. She cut her eyes at it for a moment, then returned to the less irritating noise of her task.
x.x.x
. . .
. .
.
Son carried himself along the sky, glad to be back in uniform as, to him, it was the only attire he cared for. He hurried for the ground, hitting it feet first, not far from Kame House and the beauty surrounding it. Sado Island greeted him with a fair temperature. Seagulls pecking at the nearest beach for whatever they could nibble on. He found a friend standing on the shoreline by himself. When in view he had to smile for Kuririn's wristbands, obi and gi, glad that he also preferred what they knew best.
"Kuririn!" he walked up, ecstatic.
"Yo," Kuririn raised his hand and turned a sheepish grin.
He waited until Son stopped to stand next to him. For a moment they silently followed the water's unending rhythm.
"You guys decide on a place yet?" he broke the ice.
"Nah," Son shrugged. "Guess they want it to be somewhere like this. I suggested Sado Island but they shot me down."
"Heh, yeah. I get why they'd want somewhere even more remote," Kuririn said.
As he fixed his stare on the water Son wondered.
"You worried about meeting Kami-sama?" he said.
"... Kinda. I'm not you Son. Fighting guys way above my weight class and living to talk about it. Now you tell me a god wants to meet us?!"
Cloud cover slightly dimming the afternoon Kuririn took his eyes from it to see Son at ease.
"It'll be great!" he said. "Kami-sama has to know some techniques we've never seen before."
"Sure. Then he'll tell us we have to fight another alien that could blow up the planet at the snap of a finger. No offense."
Son chuckled, noticing how Kuririn forced a smile, which did nothing to hide his anxiety. He slapped a hand to his shoulder.
"It's gonna be fine," he gestured with the other. "Look at it this way. We get a second vacation. And we get to train with and be trained by the best!"
Kuririn shook his head, smirking curtly. "You do know what a vacation is right?"
Son raised one of his index fingers. "Sure I do. Just makin' a point. Kami-sama's tower is incredible! And he probably has some kinda healing juice so no matter how beat up we get we'll feel better just like that!"
As he missed the point entirely Kuririn laughed again.
"Never mind," he relented. "When I see that weird ball of light again, I'll be ready. Just do me a favor. Let me tell Mako. Getting her to understand something is even harder than it is with you."
"Heheee. I can see that," Son smiled for the thought.
He watched for Kuririn holding a hand he balled out. He closed his tapping it against smaller knuckles that were just as toughened. They traded grins for familiar, mutual respect that went unspoken, recalling simpler times, past and present.
x.x.x
"... Life Fibers. A precious resource. A nonexistent commodity. Do not think to make light of how valuable she is. Soichiro Kiryuin was one of a few colleagues I truly admired. His genius was almost on par with my own. It is too bad he, much like his deranged wife, met such a violent end."
No one there had an answer for his comments. A penthouse office was his everyday maintained by the machines he designed. Some of them didn't yet have the skin grafts. One of them poured him another glass of red wine. His finest achievement stood bigger than most men. He despised that no words were escaping his mouth.
"Do you understand what her allies are?" the older man he eyeballed said.
He didn't leave his seat by bay windows letting him see everything Downtown Tokyo had to offer.
"Not really. But I'm sure you're about to tell me," Seven said coolly.
One of his maker's healthier creations sat on his lap. Missing the flesh meant for her arms and neck she would eventually be an agreeable blonde, obedient to a point, keeping her pretty lips closed unless he asked her to open them. Seven paid no mind to her dressing like a hooker. She stopped unbuttoning Gero's suit jacket, working her way to his dress shirt before his hand raised suddenly.
"A bane to the end result," he finished saying. "A hindrance. Things to remove."
He smacked the barely clothed bottom of the woman giggling as she shuffled elsewhere. Standing from his seat he kept his hands behind his back to watch a spectacle. So many bright lights were either static or moving to no end at the city's lowest level.
"You and your sister will stay your hand for the time being," he said. "When the hour is appropriate ..."
"Keep your pants on Gero. I'll handle it," Seven spoke up.
"And how will you do that?"
"Subtly. Let them think they know what we're up to. It's more fun that way," he smirked to maintain what little leverage he had.
Gero's wrinkly smile spread. Seven's expression remained bitter. His maker turned to face his investment clenching one of his fists but not yet losing his temper.
"To your health, Seven," Gero said with a raise of his glass.
Turning back around he toasted what he could see of their reflection in glass that was near spotless.
x.x.x
Everywhere she looked was contemporary white, wavy walled, sleek, save for the grayed lab coats they had to wear. There, she was the boss's boss, Revocs true owner, but she didn't throw her weight around. She played the part of unexpected visitor for the day lead by the research and development floor's head technician. She glanced for his deep set eyes, a darker brown, a kind of beady that wasn't unappealing, also noticing he shaved most of his black hair to a buzzed short to match his stubble. He dropped his prolonged staring when they found the right door.
"Trust me. That NEVER happens," he said in a confident timbre as he let her enter first.
"Our competitors would be naturally curious, Mr. Eikichi," she said.
"Please. Call me Shirai. Miss Hoomaru prefers if we work in a less formal environment. Says we'll, "be more productive," that way. She's often right."
Satsuki watched him position himself behind the head of a table as long as where they stood, too clean and too metallic, much like everything else. Heavily armed security guards gripped their weapons a bit tighter at its entrance. They scrutinized the one that signed their paychecks; the ebony of her open-front jacket, ankle pants and low heel pumps. Even in business wear hiding her leggy, buxom shape was no small feat. Satsuki didn't see them holding their breath. Shirai said nothing else until they were left alone. Setting a folder he needed her to see aside he also relaxed.
"I assure you Miss Kiryuin. There's absolutely no way the information could have leaked," he shook his head as he said it.
"Sensitive data leaking is not my concern. My being here at all is a courtesy to your manager," she said diplomatically.
"Yes. Most of us are aware of Miss Hoomaru's unfortunate...past. Revocs switching gears won't be in vain. The team and I work diligently to make sure of it."
Satsuki didn't sit in one of the nine chairs available.
"So...umm...you'll consider my suggestion?" he said.
"That depends," she said. "I will not have an answer for at least a week."
She wasn't unaware of how he looked at her. It was unrushed. Shirai let his boldness drop.
"Take the folder ma'am. Since a digital copy is not to your liking," he said to press the subject. "By the way...this might be a bit forward...but, are you, seeing anyone?"
"That is none of your business," she said in the most monotone he had ever heard.
Shirai flippantly raised his hands. "Please don't be offended. I just see a very beautiful woman before me and automatically think she is deserving of nothing but the best."
Satsuki considered his having the nerve, not yet laughing in his face for the attempt, as that would be rude.
"If you would like to help continue to do your job, Shirai. A job you are well compensated for."
"... Of course," he said through swallowed pride. "I'll wait to hear from Miss Hoomaru. Don't be a stranger. Despite what you may think your visits really do boost morale down here."
Taking what she came for Satsuki had no immediate response on her way out.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening," she went with.
"Only if you do the same Milady," he nodded and she didn't care for how he casually used a personal designation.
As she left making her way through winding halls seemed never ending. Her escorts, her staff regardless of position title, she felt like there were too many eyes on her every move. She didn't tense less until she was free of the building's newly renovated yet always off-putting feel.
x.x.x
. . .
. .
.
Fun in the sun had its merit. She knew where they spent the last few days...glad that everyone else didn't. A beach chair could recline to her liking. Its drink holder held a glass of slushy sweetness, a fruity pink she thought to sip through a straw. Sunglasses she didn't need to wear blocked out it helping her tan. She preferred the tropics as much as a hushed durability allowed. Another to her side rested her hands behind her head. Petite, a similar busty as it ran in the family, her favorite green-striped bra and bottoms had seen better days.
One of the royal blue straps of Satsuki's bikini slipping from her shoulder she slowly raised her knee. Ryuko barely moved to turn her head, seeing her try her hand at a nap, no sweat to glisten the natural shine of her skin. She quietly snickered returning all of her attention to a sky cleared of trouble. The ocean was a boisterous they needed, a clear blue they could see through that reached well beyond an edge composed of white sand.
"How does it rate?" she asked.
Satsuki smiled her brightest. "The decision, for once, is mutually beneficial."
"Totally," Ryuko said adjusting her own shades. "And here's the part where we forget stupid for the rest of the week. Hell I might even move here."
"Sounds like a plan," Satsuki said, then sipped some more of her drink.
Ryuko turned to see her removing her eyewear so she did the same.
"I'm for real," she said. "Just let it go."
Satsuki offered content at her taking it too easy, admiring the silken scarf wrapping the middle of her straw hat. Ryuko lifted its fluttering brim over her eyes to make sure she could see them.
"I know, I know," Satsuki tried complying. "It just...what is the expression...rubs me the wrong way?"
"Which raises the question," Ryuko said. "The old Satsuki would've strung the jerk up by his tightie-whities and left him hanging in the front of Honnoji Academy."
"... Not all of my past decisions were the correct ones," Satsuki's attention set on nothing.
"So what," Ryuko said. "We've all been there. My point is this Shirai clown might deserve it."
On her side Satsuki's chest strained what barely kept it held. Ryuko locked eyes with her. They said nothing else until they heard a loud splash not settling until a figure burst from it. He landed on his feet but the louder thud was what he had over his shoulder, its giant, lifeless head lifting the sand it slumped against.
"Check out the size of this one!" Son called out.
Satsuki and Ryuko paid no mind to their reddened cheeks...gawking at his nudity and his typical disregard of it.
"... Ya' know. Seeing it all the time never prepares you for when it happens," Ryuko mumbled, wide eyed.
"Are we staring too much? We should stop staring," Satsuki fumbled her drink as she quickly reached for it.
Looking away she sucked on the straw until their was nothing left in her cup to drink. They decided to, unsuccessfully, ignore Son's carrying on in the distance. He didn't think to put his swim trunks back on. Behind him and his catch the waves tumbled over to flatten out. Rocky alcoves not far trapped the more restless ends of it splashing the ridges.
"You guys hungry?!" Son said distracting them from the scenic view.
"Starving!" Ryuko replied through the hands she cupped. "Keep doing what you're doing...and leave the trunks off."
"Okay!" he waved eagerly.
"Ryuko!" Satsuki rushed to whisper.
Ryuko winked like it was no bother. "See. All it takes is Son being Son to set the tone."
"I blame YOU for his lack of...subtlety," Satsuki said done with pretending she wasn't watching.
"... Just look at that."
"Yes! I see him! C-can we talk about something else!?"
They indulged until they heard her phone rattling on the white, ovalish table set between them. She didn't all the way pick it up.
"... A message from Mikisugi," she said slowly, curious of it.
"Nuh uh. The answer's no," Ryuko quickly relaxed her head back. "We're busy. The Primordial Life Fiber's great great grandfather could be tearin' up the entire continent of Asia for all I care. My ass ain't leavin' this seat."
Satsuki turned to see what was opposite of them; a modest shack made of palm tree wood. She wanted to smile for its janky, makeshift look, a product of Son's being good with his hands and exactly what was needed. She then glanced for his prepping a fire, the fish he caught skewered and leaning but firmly planted next to him.
"... You're right. It can wait," she set her phone down.
Leaning back she copied how Ryuko made no fuss.
"Vacation. Got it," she sighed first then nodded.
"Vacation," Ryuko grinned as she looked to her.
Plenty of sunshine they let themselves feel, a sea breeze that wasn't so abrasive, for once, they tried forgetting who they were.