Mediziner's Notes: This one I was trying to solidify my chapters a bit better plot wise but I remember when I had to change this chapter about 20+ times... This chapter also marked my first submitted work of the year in 2019.
This Chapter was originally uploaded: 11/1/2019
The Leader Within Cover Art is drawn and commissioned by Erilmadith-Everyoung on DeviantART. You can also find Radiant Prism's full reference there, too.
Enjoy!
...
-Deckerd.- Duke spoke through a private communication between only Deckerd and himself. -While it's understandable that Radiant Prism never had a team of her own, it's no excuse that she's someone of equal rank like the both of us: A leader.- He said with a shake of his helm. -If she is to stay with us, we should teach her not only about Japan's laws and culture until she's learned enough to be fit for police work, but also she needs to learn what it means to be a leader. This is vital, especially in case something happens to either one or both of us.-
-That discussion will have to come later once we know for sure if she is going to work with us or not.- Came Deckerd's response as he was busily working at his desk, sending over a few selected members their assigned patrol routes while those who weren't given routes took to doing paperwork and answer any incoming calls. -We still need to wait for what both the Commissioner and the other high-ranking officers have to say.-
-If she does stay, I recommend we teach her about leadership.-
Before Deckerd could make a response, he heard the human sized door open as Saejima had just come into the room.
"Where's Radiant Prism?" Saejima asked after briefly seeing that she wasn't present within the room.
"She's in the firing range passing time." Replied Deckerd. "I can call for her to return back here."
"Do that please." The man patiently waited as Deckerd began calling for Radiant Prism through the comms. After just a few moments, he could see the Brave Detective's expression was changing slowly into concern. He wondered if something happened or if Radiant Prism was simply choosing not respond, however he decided against the latter but when Deckerd got up, even he became concerned.
"I'll be right back. I'm going to check on Radiant Prism since she's not responding." Deckerd then left the office.
Duke thought for a moment that since Saejima will have to wait until Deckerd returns with Radiant Prism, he then stood up.
"Commissioner, there's something I wish to discuss with you while we wait for Deckerd to return." Duke announced.
"What is it, Duke?" He asked.
...
It didn't take long for Deckerd to get to the firing range, but noticed right away that he didn't see Radiant Prism occupying any of the stands but did see one of them had been in use as he spotted one of the targets littered with holes, and judging from his gaze returning to the stands, he found empty bullet casings and what caught his attention were the magazine clips. 'Those must be because Radiant Prism's handguns are designed differently than mine and the others, perhaps like how Duke's handgun is different in appearance.' He thought as he approached the stand. Looking around, he found Radiant Prism leaning against the wall on the other end looking relatively weary.
"Come to train as well?" Asked Radiant Prism as she heard Deckerd approach.
"Actually, I came to get you since the Commissioner came back, he needs to speak with you." Replied Deckerd. "I tried contacting you but you weren't answering, so I came here to get you."
Slowly, Radiant Prism stood up, no longer leaning against the wall. "Sorry about that, I'm just low on fuel."
"Low on fuel?" Repeated Deckerd, bemused. "Weren't you consuming fuel last night? The barrel you were holding..."
"No... I couldn't..." With a sigh, she shook her helm. "Deckerd, I'm sorry for not saying it earlier as it felt embarrassing of me to say anything about it, but I can't... I can't consume petrol fuel like everyone else can. I'm built slightly different than the others where I run on a different type of fuel than the ones you guys run on."
"Eh? A different type of fuel?"
"Yes, I run on aviation fuel... Specifically the common kind that commercial planes use that can be found in just about any airport that have those exact planes." Radiant Prism explained slowly.
"I see... We'll have to inform the Chief about this and see if he and the others can get some aviation fuel for you. On an important matter, will you have enough energy to at least speak with the Commissioner?"
"I'm not that low on energy but I can speak to him about whatever he wants to talk about..." Radiant Prism nodded, though frowned as she continued. "Provided it's not to hear about him making another ridiculous comment..."
"No, I'm sure what he wants to talk to you about sounded pretty serious. However, in any case it's decided that you can work with us, you'll need to address him as 'Commissioner' like the rest of us."
"Yes sir."
The two left the firing range and made the short trip back to the offices. Upon entrance, it was obvious that there had been some conversation while they were absent from the office as Duke seemed to have ceased what he was saying upon hearing that Deckerd returned with Radiant Prism. "Welcome back, you two." Saejima said as Deckerd returned to his seat while Radiant Prism borrowed Drill Boy's chair, sitting at the side of both leaders' desks. Giving himself a moment, Saejima began explaining and discussing the events about the conversation as the three listened to every detail. It was clear that in parts of the conversation that Saejima sounded relatively strained, which Radiant Prism had no doubt that he and the other high-ranking officers may have contacted Gustav personally. She had no doubt that it was likely possible that Gustav must've managed to try nearly everyone's patience, and while she may never know what was discussed, she could strongly tell the man must have been annoyed and even exhausted throughout the meeting.
"...So, with that said." Saejima looked to Radiant Prism. "Radiant Prism, how do you feel about working with us as an official member of the Brave Police alongside Deckerd and the others?"
Taken by surprise at this, Radiant Prism couldn't help but ask, concerned. "How were you able to... I have no doubt Gustav surely must have given you and the others a difficult time..."
"Mm, that he has. However..."
The three listened closely.
"Many of us felt that the Brave Police and even Yuuta would be strongly against us sending you back. We also were highly aware that as we spoke with Gustav, it was clear that he displayed more interest in disposing of you rather than that you return to the country, just as you explained yourself and from the evidence we've gathered on the matter. None of us wanted you to suffer such a fate, and in the midst of the conversation, we've managed to catch the other Germany teams whom were a big help on the situation."
"How did you manage to communicate with the others despite the language barrier? I can't say for the others aside from Gustav and Dieter that they can speak Japanese since I've never seen them in person nor did I see them often on a daily basis like that of my former superiors..." Radiant Prism said uneasily.
"Ah, that. We fortunately had an officer or two who's fluent in speaking a few languages, German being one of their languages and voluntarily acted as our translator. The other three Germany Teams, myself, and the others managed to convince him to let you go, as I've seen that he's also with a new team, meaning that you won't have to worry about him anymore. Of course even if he tried, there's nothing he can do here or outside of the country."
"A new team..." Radiant Prism repeated, more of a mumble as she frowned. She prayed that the ones whom replaced her when she fled would be wary of Gustav's horrendous actions and decisions as she couldn't bare to think of them willingly being disposed.
"I doubt that if Gustav were to ask his team to try and bring Radiant Prism back, they will refuse that particular order immediately." Deckerd added. "None of us, nor would the Scotland Yard would even think about hurting let alone putting down one of us..."
"Mm." Saejima's attention returned to Radiant Prism. "I ask again, Radiant Prism, will you join the Brave Police?"
"Before I say anything, I need to be sure on one thing." Radiant Prism hesitated, but continued. "You're... Not intending on disposing me even if things may not turn well in our favour during duty, right? Because that's what Gustav intended to do when I failed to deal with a trio of criminals causing trouble back over in Essen... I want to live..."
"No one is going to be disposed of. Failing to catch a criminal does not mean it's the end of the line, and it's happened to us on plentiful of occasions with the more craftier criminals we occasionally deal with." Duke pointed out.
"In that case, I accept. However, I'm well aware that before I can be fit for any police work, I will need to familiarize myself with this country's laws and culture. I'm well aware that there are some things different here than back in Germany. On top of that, getting used to working with a team will take time for me as well, as I'm used to working independently since I was first brought online."
"Very good that you're aware of needing proper training before you officially start work." Nodded Saejima, relatively impressed with how Radiant Prism thought into her current situation. "However it's not going to be only just Deckerd and Duke who will be teaching you. No, everyone else will also get their turn in teaching you."
"Everyone?"
"Yes, it would be good for you to get to know everyone if you're to work with them. You'll start tomorrow first thing in the morning."
"Sir." Radiant Prism watched as Saejima left the room. Once the man was gone, Radiant Prism sighed as she felt even more weaker than previously, much to Deckerd's concern and Duke's confusion.
"Radiant Prism, didn't you properly refuel?" Duke asked.
"No, I can't consume the type of fuel you guys run on... I instead run on aviation fuel." Radiant Prism stood up, moving the chair she was using back to where it was last.
The Englishmech stared at her in disbelief, having never heard of anyone else running on other types of fuel. "Aviation fuel!? Why haven't you said anything?"
"I mean no offence, Duke... Knight... But I'm someone who prefers to keep things to myself." Radiant Prism then proceeded to excuse herself as she left the offices.
...
"Aviation fuel? No, we don't have have that." Replied Toudou as Radiant Prism had inquired him about the fuel. "The only fuel we carry is petrol fuel the team runs on."
Hesitating, Radiant Prism looked away for a moment, then sighed heavily. "Unlike the others, I run on aviation fuel, mainly the ones used by commercial planes."
"I see... I'll look into what we can do about that. For now, all we can do is relocate you into a smaller body that runs on a rechargeable battery so you wouldn't need to worry about fuel for the time being."
"A smaller body...?" Radiant Prism repeated bemusedly.
"Yes, we will first relocate you in a small body that runs on a rechargeable battery that lasts twenty four hours, but due to how relatively easy they are to make and take little to no time, the downside is that you won't be able to fly. The body is about... This tall." Toudou brought out a self retracting tape measuring tool, pulling the metallic tape out until stopping at a specific point showing how tall it stood at. Immediately, Radiant Prism paled, the thought of humans looking much more bigger than her was something she couldn't bear to experience but knew there was no way out of it. Letting the device retract itself, Toudou continued. "While you're in that temporary body, I'm certain you would prefer a human sized body over the smaller one, which I can relocate you into that once it's built. However, that one will take longer to make."
Knowing there was no way out of this, Radiant Prism reluctantly sighed. "...Very well."
Radiant Prism moved off towards one of the spaced corners where she could wait patiently while also keeping out of everyone else's way. Her mind began wandering about how different the laws were in Japan than that of Germany's, even though she hasn't really properly seen much of Nanamagari City other than having flown around searching for fuel canisters, or at least some empty ones so that she could then use them to get some jet fuel while looking for the Brave Police at the time.
But now that she thought back on it, she felt guilty for having committed such a thing back then and even throughout her journey when having to make stops whenever she ran low...
'What kind of police officer am I... Having to resort to that, yet... I couldn't resist shutting down while searching for the Japanese Brave Police...' She thought with a sigh, feeling guilt swirl around her. She thought about how was she going to explain herself as it made her even more uneasy on the thought of being put on some sort of restraint all while she wasn't aware of the time that had been passing by, even though she knew the consequences of theft... She doubt the others would understand that she had been desperate in trying to remain online.
Suddenly a loud whistle brought her out of her thoughts, she looked down to see that Toudou and one of the mechanics was at one of her feet, in which she reacted by taking a step back, albeit a bit slowly.
"Y-Yes?"
"I've been trying to get your attention for some time now." He told Radiant Prism.
"How long ago was this?" The foreign Brave had noticed that from the large clock high up on the wall, a good amount of time had passed, which left her stunned at how just an hour or two had passed.
"Not too long, we've just finished building the smaller body and everything is ready, I can begin relocating your Super A.I. into it while we're working on the human sized one."
Nodding, Radiant Prism waited for Chief Engineer to give her space as she made her way over to the nearest docking cradle and docked herself. She had to refrain from trying to back away when the mechanics approached her, some on machines as they hooked her up to wires, connecting her to the machine that operated the controls to said docking bay she was docked in. Radiant Prism watched as the mechanics worked left and right, until eventually they began shutting her down so that they could relocate her Super A.I.
It wasn't until a little later when she came online. Immediately she noticed that she wasn't in the Repair Bay anymore, but rather in the offices again. Due to the size difference and strange low point of view, Radiant Prism felt disorientated from the change, slowly getting up as she flinched upon realising that she was on Yuuta's desk which caused her to fall backwards onto her rear upon looking at Yuuta.
"Are you okay, Radiant Prism?" Yuuta asked, concerned.
Trembling in fear, Radiant Prism scooted backwards until her back hit the side of the desk. Immediately she changed form and attempted to take off, but remained where she was, changing out of her vehicle mode, she began to panic even further.
"I can't fly... I'm small... I regret making this choice..." She muttered, wings visibly twitching.
"It's okay, nobody's going to hurt you." Very slowly, Yuuta brought his hand to her palm upwards but made no intention of trying to grab her or even scoop her up. At first, Radiant Prism flinched as she tried to back away, looking to his hand then to his face. "You weren't the only to have been put in the backup system."
"N-Not the only one...?"
"Ah! Don't tell her, Boss!" Drill Boy cried out as he stood from his desk. "I don't want to remember it all over again!"
Climbing to the top of the desk while Yuuta was distracted, Radiant Prism looked at the Soccer Detective albeit keeping low as she briefly glanced the high drop from where she was though ignored it. She also took notice that some of the team that were assigned to patrol duty had just come back while the others who were focusing on paperwork were probably either out on duty, or responding to a call that required them in particular. She also noticed Deckerd and Duke weren't present as well. Pushing her thoughts aside, she focused her attention on Drill Boy. "You were put in such a small body as well?" She couldn't help but ask. Her question was met with silence as Drill Boy tried to say something, but it was then Shadowmaru spoke.
"You weren't the only one, no. Dumpson and Drill Boy were both put into the backup system while their main bodies were having parts replaced after the mechanics discovered damaged or worn parts in their routine maintenance checkups." He said, having come out of the wall just below Yuuta's desk. Drill Boy tried to say it wasn't true but a glare from the Ninja Detective seemed to have made him cease and cave in, knowing it was unwise to lie considering one of Shadowmaru's special sensors came with lie detection. The Soccer Detective sighed and admitted that yes, he and Dumpson were put into the backup system as well before she was.
"...I hope to never go back in such a small body again! I don't want to re-experience that whole scenario again!" Drill Boy pouted.
"At least you guys have human sized bodies so you wouldn't be going in the toy sized bodies anymore the next time you guys have to get checked up." Yuuta assured, then recalled something as he frowned. "Even though Saejima seemed pretty sad about the upgrade..."
"Ah! At least he probably has them in his house now, since I haven't seen even a glimpse of it in the storage areas whenever I come in for repairs or checkups and see the mechanics take stuff out and put things in it. I'll admit though I do sort of want to play soccer with the others in the human sized backup body again... But, it's also fun to solve crime alongside you in that size!"
Radiant Prism watched as Yuuta flinched, curiously wondering what did happen that he seemed uneasy about the younger Brave to have expressed his desire to solve crime? She continued looking back and forth between the conversation, looking at whomever would speak or make a reply. Drill Boy's desk phone started to ring as he immediately answered.
"Hello, Brave Police Drill Boy here! ...Eh? Nanamagari Airport is having trouble getting a lot of planes down? ...How many planes need help?" Radiant Prism stood up completely upon hearing the word 'airport' as she curiously watched Drill Boy's expression changed throughout the call, then jolted in shock. "Eh!? That many!? Okay, I'll come help!" Hanging up, Drill Boy looked over to Shadowmaru. "I could use your help with this, Shadowmaru... They said there's a lot of planes running low on fuel and air traffic is really bad..."
"Alright." Shapeshifting out of his dog mode, Shadowmaru and Drill Boy left the office, Radiant Prism's gaze following them until they disappeared.
"Ah, Shadowmaru and Drill Boy are the only ones who help out occasionally help out the city's airport if there's so many planes coming in." Yuuta said. "A lot of people sometimes come in from a lot of places to see Deckerd and the others since they seemed to have become the main attraction here."
Having seemingly forgotten about being scared of how big Yuuta looked from her point of view, Radiant Prism turned around to face Yuuta. "Why didn't you tell me that this city comes with an airport!?" She exclaimed happily, taking Yuuta by surprise.
"E-Eh?"
"I'm a huge fan of aviation! Everything about it is beyond amazing from the beginning of it's historic records to the current present time of it all!" She continued, wings perked and everything. "Yuuta- Err, Sir... Please when I'm fit for police duty, I would request you and Deckerd to assign me to patrol around or at least near the area because I'm highly experienced in not just stopping crime but also helping out with planes that might be in trouble!"
"O-Okay..." The young boy replied, seemingly stunned at how unusually happy and relaxed she was. He hasn't seen any other sides of her save for her closed off and somewhat skittish personality. But on the bright side, he was at least happy that she wasn't acting all scared. Deciding that maybe this was how he could help earn her trust and to also keep her occupied, he began to ask her questions about what she knew about planes and jets as Radiant Prism would start talking about them after first asking Yuuta what kind of plane he wanted to know about.
"There's so much about planes, if only so many people showed interest in the beauty of such majestic creations..." Radiant Prism said with a sigh. "The rushing air against your frame, it's very soothing especially when you go at maximum mach speed."
"Ah, which reminds me... Have you seen an RC plane before?"
"RC plane?"
"Yeah! They're little plane models that you control with a remote." Yuuta explained happily. "They're one of my favourite things, and it's also special in a way. You see, if it weren't for accidentally losing control and crashing my RC plane near this old abandoned place, I wouldn't have met Deckerd."
"Huh? You met Deckerd through an RC plane?"
"Yeah, I crashed it into some bushes near some abandoned buildings and when I was about to get it after finding it, I slipped on a covering I didn't see and fell down this chute and into the place where Deckerd was being built." Yuuta explained happily. "This was before his A.I. developed into Super A.I., but I would start visiting him almost everyday the whole year since. Well, except whenever I got sick since my sisters wouldn't let me go out."
"So that means... If you hadn't met Deckerd..."
"Yeah, we wouldn't have been friends and the others like the Build Team, Shadowmaru, Gunmax, and even the Scotland Yard in England wouldn't have existed... Or things wouldn't have been like the way they are now. I wouldn't want to change anything."
Radiant Prism couldn't help but smile, seeing as how Yuuta spoke so fondly of Deckerd, she knew just how strong and special their friendship was.
Turning away, she curled up with a sigh.
"What's wrong?"
"Sir, I... I don't know if I can be considered fit for active duty at all even with training... You see..." Radiant Prism hesitated, but then sat down in defeat. "It still doesn't excuse the fact that before your team found me, that I stole some canisters from a few gas stations... I was searching for empty ones to replace my old damaged ones I've carried with me from Germany when I flew all the way here, and I had used up the last bits of fuel I've had on me... I hate and strongly regret my actions... I should have made notice about this earlier when no one said anything about it but..."
Yuuta was stunned at this, but wasn't sure what to say. He could see that Radiant Prism was genuinely sorry for what she's done, but wasn't sure what to do. "Um... I think Deckerd or Duke will need to talk to you about this."
"More than anything, sir. I want to make up for my actions and I'll accept any punishment best suited for what I deserve." Replied Radiant Prism seriously.
...
As a few hours pass, Radiant Prism clung to Yuuta's hand as she was being carried by the young boy when it was finally time to have her relocated into a human sized body. Her mood hadn't improved since confessing her wrongdoings to Yuuta. While he had told both Deckerd and Duke when they came back from investigating a relatively dangerous case, she was left wondering what they were going to discuss in private and what appropriate punishment would they address to her. By the time they made it downstairs to the repair bay, she tensed at the sight of Toudou's mechanics as she unintentionally squeezed Yuuta's hand to which upon hearing him say that she was holding on too tight, she instinctively relaxed her grip and apoolgised.
Looking around, it didn't take long for Yuuta to spot Toudou as he approached the older man. "Mr. Toudou, we're here!"
"Ah Yuuta, I hope Radiant Prism hasn't been giving you too much trouble."
"No, actually she knows a lot about planes. She gave me no trouble at all!" He said happily, passing Radiant Prism over to Toudou as she grew hesitant at this but allowed it as she was still too down to really think about trying to get away.
"Alright, Radiant Prism, let's get you relocated into your new body." Radiant Prism hadn't said a thing as she continued to dread about how she should have told the others about that she shouldn't be allowed to work for a while because of what she's done. She didn't seem phased about when she had been shut down to be relocated into her human sized body, but when she came back online in the newly built human sized body. Much like when she was in the figure sized body, she also felt disorientated from the size change but otherwise did far better than previously as she wasn't falling over and such but rather gave herself a moment to adjust.
"Radiant Prism, you've been looking so down since..." Yuuta paused, deciding that perhaps he shouldn't say it here but rather when they're away from the repair bay. When Toudou gave the all clear that she was free to move around after he had told her the things she could do that she couldn't do before in the toy sized body.
What she was pleased about was the longer battery lifespan which seemed to have brighten up her mood a bit.
Leaving the repair bay, Radiant Prism followed Yuuta back to the main office. While she was sure that no one else was around, she stopped which Yuuta also stopped when he no longer heard her footsteps, turning to look at her. "Radiant Prism?"
"Sorry... I just..."
"Are you really that worried about what Deckerd and Duke would say about when you confessed about taking the fuel canisters?" His response was met with a silent nod as the foreign Brave looked away. "While I'll accept punishment accordingly, but I'm mainly worried about never being allowed to do any active duty or even worse, being denied it all since I enjoy confronting, defeating, and putting crime behind bars." She said.
Yuuta smiled gently. "Don't worry about it so much, I don't think you should be harsh on yourself either. I'll bet that they're probably going to want you to put in more extra lessons or probably clean the whole office, but I don't think there's anything worse than that, honest."
There was a bit of a pause until Yuuta then brightened up. "Come on, I think some of the others came back from patrol."
"O-Okay..." Radiant Prism replied as she flinched slightly when Yuuta took one of her servos and pulled her along gently, heading straight back for the office.