Chapter 12- What's in Front of You
"So, you're on a bloody train to Scotland."
Asuna finished moving through the set of beacons that marked out her training drill in the gym of Survivors clubhouse.
"Hai, apparently it's called a Super Azuma-"
Yui joined her, having finished a set of speed training exercises.
"Although cool as it is there's nothing particularly super about it."
Hasketh smirked
"Lucky you, we're still trapped here…"
He slapped a hand on his left thigh.
"Besides I'm told that train's a version of one of the Intercity Expresses you sold us several years ago. The only big differences are that it's got a more powerful motor to avoid losing speed because of its strengthened frame and bullet resistant windows."
Asuna nodded at Hasketh
"Never knew you liked trains."
Hasketh had a wry smile.
"Oh, I rode on a fair few limited expresses while playing in Japan. We didn't always travel coach to games and not always by Shinkansen either."
Fair point but…
"Have you seen Yoshida anywhere?"
Hasketh looked up at Asuna and shook his head
"I was going to ask you the same question. No sign of him anywhere apart from being logged out and we haven't received any messages either from who's holding us here either about his whereabouts. Seeing him logged out's shaken up Lyles,Yoshida was really good with him."
The veteran closed his eyes
"The thing is… we don't know who's next to get kidnapped or logged out."
Just as we didn't in Aincrad… We always knew that there was always the possibility whether in a boss raid or a misplaced attack after the first few weeks, getting the first levels that was something we pushed to the back of our mind.
But… it wasn't easy to do.
Asuna turned to have a look at the full back who was pushing himself at the gym, shivering when he paused.
As if he's trying not to think about what's happened. Thing is this tournament has got its set pace whereas with Sword Art Online the pace was, to a certain extent, dictated by us. I'll have a word with him tomorrow.
But there's something I've got to ask Hasketh now.
Asuna looked up
"Did Yoshida mention diving bell protocol to you?"
Hasketh shook his head.
"No why?"
He deserves to know…
"Because I think Megan tried to meet you in order to warn you about competing in The Tournament of Laureates. She was the diving bell for someone or some people but got thwarted by another group."
A flash of recognition went through Hasketh' eyes. He put a hand to his chin.
"That… would… make…sense and Yoshida was no is part of this?"
Yui nodded
"It looks like it."
People were looking around at them. Hasketh raised his shoulders.
"The gym's although it's safe isn't the best place for this type of conversation. Let's go somewhere else."
A few minutes later they were sitting in the lounge area of the clubhouse.
Which means it's time for me to remember the conversation I had with Kirito before going in here.
"Diving bell protocol was something developed after the Sword Art Online Incident but it's become much more common place after the Another World ruling. It's a supported form of full diving that involves two people supporting either an individual or group to meet in neutral space."
Hasketh eyes narrowed
"I've heard about the New World ruling but how does diving bell protocol actually work?"
Ok Asuna remember the discussion you had with Kirito and how you explained it Asuna.
"There's two people involved. One person is online acting as the bell with enhanced moderator powers and a person offline who keep in constant contact with each other. Basically, whoever's linked to a bell can be pulled out if there's any sign of significant danger whether in game or outside of it the group. The number of bells depends on the amount of people meeting."
Asuna paused
"It's been used for corporate discussions and I know public sector organisations like charities have started using it. So, it could be being used for diplomatic ones."
Hasketh sat back for a few moments
"I see, well I guess whatever's going on we've still got to play what's in front of us and speaking of what's in front of us, what did you think of Coffin Team's demolition job on Hallowed Turf yesterday?"
Asuna closed her eyes as she remembered the match which had seen Coffin Team put fifty points past the team of professional sports players. Then she stared at her notes as Hasketh brought up a replay of the match highlights.
Rugby player brain on Asuna…
"They're a team built on pinning the opposition in their own half with their forwards while their backs pick up the scraps with quite a few questionable hits. But their worst thing is their driving maul which they scored tries from three times in the match."
Hasketh played the highlights video.
"That figures with what I saw. Hallowed Turf were thinking about just trying to get points after sixty minutes. But I heard chatter in the neutral areas that The Turf are relieved if not ecstatic that they didn't lose a quarter of their starting line up to in game injuries, which will be an issue when the tournament starts. Megan wasn't even in their replacements."
Asuna shivered
That's a good point… and brings things to a different level. If a player is injured badly enough in the tournament itself then it could be curtains for them.
"At least Hallowed Turf are a banana skin and just by the looks of it."
Hasketh cocked his head
"They're a good group of non-rugby playing sports men and women but they're badly off form despite having a great coach. Could finish third in group, maybe runners up but hopefully not at our expense."
Asuna nodded
"Good enough huh. Anyway we have to go."
Hasketh nodded
"Fair enough. Tell whoever Rika was working with that we're going to need reinforcements. That and to get us out of here sooner rather than later. Given everything that's happened this nightmare tournament starts I hate to think what's going to take place when we're competing for real."
Nightmare tournament? That's a good nickname for it.
A chill ran through Asuna as she and Yui walked upstairs together.
But it can't be my nightmare which dooms our team!
Yui squeezed her hand
"Mum?"
Good distraction Yui but you're troubled about something…
"Before she logged off Megan said something about you…"
Asuna turned to face her.
"Oh and what exactly?"
Yui looked down at the floor
"That you're a legend of a player but you're not a soldier."
That would mean Megan doesn't know what we've been through. No what I've been through.
Asunas eyes narrowed.
"You are sharp Yui. So, just what do we do about that?"
Yui grinned at her mother
"We show her the truth mama-chan?"
Asuna grinned back.
"Exactly."
Then she raised her head skywards.
"ALICE!"
Nothing happened. Instead she felt a gentle nudge in the ribs from her daughter whose ears had just turned bright red.
"Uh mama chan, that's not how it works."
Oh?
"No?"
Yui shook her head.
"Just message her as you normally would."
Can't blame me for trying… should have just asked Eugeo!
Shortly after Asuna had sent her message Alice appeared in front of her and the two former combatants stared at each other.
"Have you managed to talk to Megan yet?"
Alice shook her head
"Not a chance. She's remained logged off since yesterday"
Good because…
"When you talk to her show her EVERYTHING that I've done. I give you my full permission to portray all logs and will be happy to countersign any additional requests that are needed."
Alice stepped forward
"Then in that case the only extra thing I need to ask you is: Are you sure?"
"Yes."
A flash of gold went through her eyes and she gave a small bow.
"Then we'll do it. Good luck in the pool stages and we'll see you at the final."
Oh?
"Really now?"
Alice smirked
"I'll be part of the presentation party. Call it a warriors' tribute, when you win. But only if you can play what's in front of you and not what's the backdrop to you."
Then she disappeared.
No extra pressure, neh? But it's time to go back. Annoyingly enough she had a point… am I getting caught up in the background when actually its saving all those players that counts?
As Asuna logged out she felt the seat of the first-class coach press against her. Removing her headset, she lifted herself to her feet. Only to regret doing so as the momentum of the train pushed her towards crimson carpet.
Kirito steadied her.
"Are you ok Asuna?"
Asuna shook herself up
"The problems with full diving for a short period on a train or anything that moves… is that you have pins and needles in all parts of your body and logging out when its moving…"
I am never ever doing that again!
Asuna stared out of the train window then glanced at the visual information display.
But at least we're on the approach to Scotland and safer territory… good. Just going through Berwick upon Tweed now.
Yui's going to get to see some truly beautiful scenery soon and Felix has dropped in to talk to her.
"How are you doing Yui? I hear you're making some waves in The Survivors"
A groggy Yui smiled…
"It's going really well. When he's not scared Stewart's really funny and everyone treats me like..."
Felix shifted his position.
"You're one of them?"
Yuis smile turned into a sad one.
"Hai and truth be told I haven't felt like that for a long time."
Felix smiled
"Good… long may that continue then."
Felix looked at Asuna but his mind was on something else…
I know what I'm doing skipper.
"We haven't had an honest to goodness in real life catch-up since Tokyo last year. I really enjoyed that Japanese curry house."
Asuna smiled back
"The restaurant owner remembers you and your kind words. He was surprised to get a written thank you too."
Felix had an amused expression on his face.
"Eh, he did give me the recipe to be fair and it's come in handy more than a few times! In any case I do owe you that fish and chips and it's coming soon put it this way."
Asuna smiled
"I'm glad to hear that Felix, it'll be good to have a candid discussion about many things."
Felix grinned
"Well done on finding out about the diving bell situation by the way. I'm glad you've found out about that although my partners were a bit fed up about it."
Now here I was trying to focus on what's…
Asuna gripped the table
"Your partners are being complete and utter fools by keeping us out of the loop. I think that given you had remonstrations with them yesterday you were even more direct with them."
Felix rolled his eyes and then dropped his voice
"Smart as ever. Put it this way my partners don't expect you to investigate what they see as an affair that's peripheral to you. In their eyes it's beside you or around you but not in front of you for the time being."
He paused
"In any case you'll be meeting them sooner rather than later. Given both Yoshidas situation and Naismiths exoneration their calculations have changed somewhat."
Good but…
"Lots of hints and curves Felix, but you know that we're going to start demanding straight answers sooner rather than later. Kirito's trying to find out what's taking the first safeguard so long to trace those people and it's clear to him that whoever's doing this is has significant resources…"
The MSP's phone vibrated and he glanced at it.
"Aye, and you'll get them Skipper but I'm due a catch up with my niece, so another time."
That was convenient… or rather an opportunity for Felix to catch himself which wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Actually, I've got a message of my own to send, which I should have done earlier to Kouchirous fiancé who's actually a Professor of Politics and International Relations at University of Edinburgh…
Asuna attached a photo of the stricken diplomat and recorded the message.
"Hello Elaine, do you know anything about Shigeru Yoshida? I know he's one of ours but who precisely?"
Just as she sent the text, something not entirely unpredictable happened.
"Mama Chan look what's happening to the landscape!"
Yui was acting a little younger than she was as cutting greenery got replaced by with bits of coastline and then as the train passed the coast …
"I can see the sea!"
Asuna ruffled her daughter's hair as she watched her daughter's eyes open wide taking in the deep navy and breaking waves of the North Sea as the train curved along the East Lothian coastline.
"This is beautiful Mama-chan!"
Asuna shared in her daughter's grin catching a smile from Kirito who was also looking outwards.
"Glad to hear that…"
This is one of my favourite journeys let alone train ones in the world and it's home territory too. A safe place for us to compete from, for the most part.
"Welcome to Scotland everyone."
We've got some more travelling to do. Still it's nice to be back here at last, pity about the circumstances though and this train has got more travelling to do after we've left it. After all it will go on to Glasgow which will take it past a certain stadium called Murrayfield…
"Asuna, are you ok?"
Sinonon had come to join them.
Asuna nodded
"Hai Sinonon, I'm ready for the tournament to begin."
Because it's time for The Tournament of Laureates to really begin. Then we'll have four matches ahead of us before we can even think about taking on Sugou and The Tombstones.
That'll mean playing what's in front of us not what's around us, for now.
A/N- Another chapter completed in my sporadic schedule on this fanfic, which has been down to various things, including various plot points. Hopefully because of changes in my work life (working part time) I'll at least get 1-2 chapters done every month, maybe more but we'll see.
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