Chapter 4: Suite #172
Earth 2238 July 1st 2:00pm
Yelo Heights, Isaac City(Central)
At 2:00pm, a blue Nikoni sports car pulled into level E of the parking garage of Yelo Heights. Kounji set the sports car into park before turning off its ignition. He took a long sigh before pulling the keys out. He was still upset from the fact that Mia had kicked him out of Kensei's boardroom even though she knew how he felt. It felt like a great betrayal from the woman he had learn to care about. Kounji opened his driver side door and disembarked from the blue vehicle. The trip from Kensei's Northern Isaac headquarters to the somber underground valley of Central Isaac was a very slow one for Kounji. There was still too much construction being done to the Central/Northern Tunnels so he had to go through the 12 o'clock gridlock along with the other citizens of Isaac City. Kounji made his way through the dirty concrete parking level to a nearby elevator. As he approached the doorway he saw an "out of order" sign posted on the front. Another sigh erupted from Kounji once more. He sucked it up and then walked to and opened up the adjacent stairway access area. After making his way up 5 flights of stairs, he reached the Lobby level of the penthouse.
Kounji was awestruck in the vastness of the penthouse lobby. It reminded him of a conglomerate lobby with its grayish blue interior walls and abnormally high ceiling. In the center, it had large spraying fountain with its angelic statue and a seating area with executives reading the latest business and stock magazines. It also sported a cafe and even it's own food and bar restaurant. The way many of the people were clothed displayed a high-class only radiance. I must be the only Armored Core operator that doesn't live in a penthouse suite. Kounji thought. Suddenly that thought triggered a relevant thought dawned on him. He had never actually been to see Vance at his place and had no idea what room he and Linay stayed in. So Kounji made his way over to the distant receptionist's desk passing many of the penthouse's patrons on the way. Kounji spotted one or two of them giving him snobbish looks, and easily ignored them. When he finally approached the desk the clerk asked him if he needed any help, as to be expected from him. "Would you be willing to tell me where Mrs. Kurasagi's room is located" Kounji asked. The young dark haired male clerk looked back at him with concern. Crap I should have known this was going to be a problem.
"Well, sir that would depend on who you are?". The clerk answered. Kounji pulled out his wallet, which contained his business ID card. He turned it and faced it at the clerk.
"I'm her co-worker Kounji Takagi now would you mind telling me where I can find her room for all I know this could be a matter of life or death." Kounji said half-yelling. The clerk was obviously startled by the attitude of Kounji and began flipping through a book of occupants to appease him.
"I found her" The clerk said with a smirk on his face. Impatiently Kounji slammed a fist on the tall counter.
"I don't care just tell me the number." Kounji said
"Suite #172" The clerk said, a little taken back by the bang.
"Sorry, about that it just happens when I'm really anxious, is that a floor up" Kounji politely said.
"And to the right."
"Thanks" Kounji said.
He walked hurriedly over to an elevator access area to the right of the reception desk. Kounji pushed on the up button on the elevator and waited as practice through routine use for the elevator to stop on his floor. As the digital elevator locator clicked its way down to the lobby floor Kounji's palms began to grow sweaty has they always do. After several seconds the doors finally opened and two of its passengers, a couple made obvious by hand-holding came out. Kounji smirked at the two before he entered it. Upon entering the glass observation elevator he pushed the button for the first floor and waited not once looking at the view outside. After the elevator stopped on the floor and opened up he went right has he was directed and made his way down the grayish blue carpeted open corridor. When he passed Suite #169 he began counting all the door numbers has he continued. All the while he was nervous but yet anxious as to knowing state of his mysterious colleague.
After a few seconds, he reached the door to Suite #172. Kounji first put his ear next to do door to see if he could hear anything. He could hear absolutely nothing coming from the room. Knocking seemed like next obvious step so that's what he did. He tapped the door a couple of times waiting for response. He heard what sounded like a groan but it was more like a moan. This was surprising to Kounji because ihe had never heard her sound really erotic unless she joking around with the group. It was enough to make most guys a little uncomfortable. Kounji suddenly heard the sound of footsteps coming from inside and then they got louder has someone approached the door. Linay or whoever was behind the door was obviously looking at a nervous Kounji Takagi by now. He heard the door being unlocked from the other side. By now Kounji was definitely sweaty nervous and the door slowly opened; he began to breathe a little abnormally. "Hey, Kounji-kun what are you doing here". said blue haired vixen Linay Valione. Kounji froze has he quickly scanned his friend's features. She was in a silk blue open nightgown that didn't do a good job covering her chest. Her face displayed sleeplessness and a high redness in her cheeks that was not exactly the product of makeup. These features destroyed the beauty he was fond of seeing.
"I've come to see if you were ok you hadn't contacted any of us." Kounji said. Linay looked down toward the corner of the door before responding.
"I've been busy" she said reluctantly with a bit of dryness in her voice.
"We didn't see you until the funeral but you left before anyone could actually talk to you." Kounji continued.
"Kounji, I..." Linay began to say.
"What Linay?"
"I need someone to talk to right now ," Linay responded looking up at Kounji.
"You could come in if you like but promise me you won't get mad at the mess." she said slurred but yet politely.
Kounji nodded in thanks. All her responses to this point had definitely proved something. Linay was drunk but he didn't yet know any real intricate details like how much she had been drinking or if she had been hurt or malnourished. She silently led him into the living room of her and Vance's place. Upon entering the place, Kounji noticed the uniform grayish blue carpet and a black marble coffee table to the right which indicated that it was the living room to him. There was also a four-seater black leather couch and the reclining chair that Vance had told him about almost religiously not to mention that there was a huge 45" television in the far right corner. In the same room however there were two open and empty bottles of Koshi brand beer on the coffee table and men's clothing strum all over the floor and on the couch. Kounji looked down at the coffee table and notice a picture laid down flat on the table. When he turned It over it revealed a picture of Linay and Vance kissing each other. He assumed it was from their honeymoon because it was at a beach. Linay asked Kounji to sit down but he refused to. Kounji couldn't help but smell alcohol emanating from somewhere in the suite. Linay sat down on an armrest of the couch before Kounji interrogated her further."
"Have you seen the psychiatrist my mom referred you to yet Linay"? Linay slightly shook her head side to side, her hair concealing her eyes from Kounji. "You've been eating, right?" he said next. Linay moved her head to face Kounji while she kicked her left leg against the side of the couch. Almost like a child on a jungle gym would.
"Yeah!" Linay muttered out.
"So what exactly have you been doing drinking?" Kounji said getting straight to point." Linay looked down first over her left shoulder as if she was literally looking for the answer.
" It's how I cope, kid" Linay said a little slurred. Kounji took that response for what it was worth, which was close to nothing to him and pressed further. "This isn't healthy, for crying out loud its not even like you!" Kounji yelled.
Linay stood up and shoved Kounji toward a lamp next to the couch startling the hell out of Kounji. He hopefully wouldn't have to deal with a belligerent drunk Amazon. She stared at Kounji and snarled at him. "Yeah and why should you care if I drink myself to death I've ruined you life enough along with everyone else's." She said beginning to tear up. Kounji blinked wondering exactly what he should do. "I failed the whole team Kounji and worst of all I failed my only husband why do I deserve to live!" Kounji just stood there wondering what to do and he decided to just take the listening approach for now. "Day in, Day out we fight these Corporate Wars for these goddamned suits and we lose people; friends, lovers, family and for what, so their stock can go up a percent. All the damn credits in the fucking world won't bring any of them back" Linay yelled at him. "Don't you ever get tired of it?" she continued.
Linay gripped on to Kounji's jacket he still had on and laid her head. Kounji deep inside want to scream and yell with Linay, for all the friends and family he lost Donnson, Harris, Roc, his father, Vance, but what she needed right now was consolation and who else was going to give her it. Kounji grabbed for Linay's side and to his surprise Linay didn't jerk back to get away from Takagi at all. She put her arms over his and wrapped them around his upper chest, and then she rested her head against it. "It wasn't your fault Linay" he said. He then repeated. Kounji just stood there with Linay wrapped in his arms for several minutes while Linay just whaled. Poor Linay, so much pain inside her I wish I really could do something about it. As often the case goes however, there wasn't much more he could do than just hold her. Linay eased up on her crying, a little drained from releasing some of her pain.
"I don't want to be alone Kounji I spent to way to much time alone." she said with her wet somber blue eyes staring at him. He released his hug around her a little bit. I don't think you should be alone either Linay that's why I'm not going to let you stay here anymore. Kounji thought to himself.
"I'm not going to let you be alone Linay." Kounji said to her.
The blue haired woman looked down and let her self loose from Kounji. Her hair draped over her right eye so Kounji couldn't see, effectively hiding her emotion. "I think it would be best if you stayed with Kai, she probably wouldn't mind at all considering you lived together at her place long enough already." Kounji suggested sincerely. Linay gripped her upper right arm with her left hand running it along its side.
"I guess if that's what you think I should do then I'll do it" Linay muttered out.
"Ok, then get washed up, put on some decent clothes, and come to the HQ with me then. " Kounji said a little excitedly. Linay looked up at Kounji again.
"Huh" she said inattentively
"Well, you want to ask her in person, right?" Kounji asked.
Linay turned and walked over to the shower. All of sudden she stopped and just stood there. He waited and just stared at her not sure of really what she was going to do.. Linay all of sudden begin to tremble a little bit but she then continued into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Kounji sat down hoping that he might of actually done some good, but as he picked up an already opened copy of Live magazine, he heard Linay's cries and knew he couldn't fix everything.
Earth 2238 July 1st 6:30pm
Huataco Storage Depot.
Warehouse 5D
"Damn can't this thing go just a little bit faster" were the words of a very impatient Kai Isamo. She was snug in her red jumpsuit with a white stripe running over the chest and arms sitting in the AC simulations cockpit. She already had put on her interface goggles that allowed her to see what her ac saw directly in front of it as well as control vertical aim .Her right leg moved around has she was getting pumped up to a techno mix version of Talya Keyes' Righteous.
"You damn young people, so freaking impatient" said Jaz Digitale the middle aged tech who was in charge of simulation area. Kai began tapping her feet subconsciously has the music's beat went up-tempo. The object of her impatience was the slow load time of the battle simulation she was supposed to be engaged in. Normally if they were part of the Raven's Nest they could schedule some time at the large indoor testing site, but since something of that scale was too large for an independent group to have, they relied on fully immersed AC simulations, which were just has good as the real thing if not better. Kai was in a near trance has the loading bar read complete. All of sudden the cockpit came alive all the lights, HUD's and information windows spread across the viewscreens around her.
"Kentaro Engaging Test Mode" scrolled across the foremost viewscreen.
"It's about freaking time, Jaz" Kai said. She could just tell he was kind of pissed and giggled over radio to annoy him further. The screen transferred from black to white and then faded has if one had just been exposed to light in to an ocean like setting. The computer generated clouds and sky were magnificent to Kai's sight. Breathtaking has they might have been, the decimated waterfront factory's and fishing ports below them ruined the view.. There were also many destroyed docks and freshly burning factories along the bay. An all too real scenario, The Newport Massacre.
Kai was one of the few pilots to live this scenario first hand. A Chrome Carrier task force had sent dozens upon dozens of Mecha and fighters to destroy the last remaining above ground city left. The Demons and a few other mercenary groups had been around to help the coastal guard hold off the forces until the citizens of the city could effectively evacuate. Unfortunately, an unforeseen factor in the battle turned it into a losing situation; the radar jammer. An air base that would have been the deciding factor in saving the people of Newport was destroyed by AC's carrying the stealth device.
After a few seconds of getting her bearings with the AC, her mission objectives flashed up on the screen. "Fend off remnants of the chrome military forces in the Marina District". Kai read back to herself. She engaged the boosters on Kentaro and flew North from where she started toward the burning buildings. She tried to stay low above the forest tree line directly in front of her. She ruffled many of the leaves has Kentaro tore past the forest in the direction of the beach.
As she neared the end of the forest, her missile indicator went crazy. Her cockpit went red has two missiles approached her from her port side. In an attempt to shake the missiles, she disengaged her booster and fell towards the ground floor slowly at first before picking up speed. As both her and the missiles in her wake got closer to the ground she turned the Kentaro facing the missiles and boosted hard to the right still falling to the ground because of the momentum but dodging both of the missiles fired at her. The missiles shot toward a tree and impacted, exploding pieces of bark and leaves into the air. Kai continued her descent has she smacked into the ground with her legs hard but not enough to damage her stable Core heavily. "I need to be more respectful to you dear Kentaro" She said trying to comfort her non-sentient AC. Kai traversed through the forest, moving swiftly in the direction the missiles came from but at the same time watching for possible proximity mines on the trees. After a few seconds she saw two blips coming in overhead moreover, came the deafening sounds of fighter engines roaring overhead. Apparently, they didn't have the same fortune of picking up her AC's signature they did last time and didn't fire has much of a bullet at it. Lucky she yelled in her mind. She took Kentaro into the air and waited for her machine gun to pick up a firing solution on one the right most ship. As it locked on she held her index finger down on the control stick ito her side and Kentaro's machine gun sprayed off bullets at the fighter. She connected ripping the aft of the fighter and rupturing the fuel tank causing it to explode. The other fighter circled around heading back towards Kai. Stupid Ai she thought
She maintained a high enough boost to keep her in the air and she switched over to her missiles trying to obtain four locks on the fighter. The fighter continued its former attack and fired two more missiles in her AC's direction . As the missiles approached her, she fired four missiles back in a rebuke. Both groups of missile passed each other intertwining like a well-rehearsed ballet and continued toward their separate targets. Kai dodged the two missiles fired her like a running back braking of a tackle. Her salvo hit its target dead on despite its attempt to break off. The missiles impacted the underside of the retreating plane ripping an explosive hole through the steal bird. Kai pulled Kentaro's left hand back in celebration and retreated to the ground.
After Kentaro hit the ground, she continued the northern course she adopted earlier, but this time she boosted along the forest brush rather than in the air. She continued until she saw through the trees ahead of her and the end of the forest. Suddenly Kai lost the feeling of her mech being planted on the ground. Her vision went from seeing the sky above her and the ground beneath her, to just the blue sky. Kai had just flown off the edge of a cliff. Kai looked below here using her external cameras and just enjoyed the free fall towards the sand. Just a few hundred meters before she touched the sand, she engaged boosters slowing her descent into the beach. As she hit the ground, more blips came up on her screen to her east. Kai took a moment to get a good look at her surroundings. She could hear the waves as they went smacking into the shoreline and the calls of the seagulls as they flapped their feathers trying to escape from the booms of her mech's boosters, best of all the digital quality of the sound and graphic quality of the sim allowed her to experience them as if she was actually there.
Aas she neared completion of her survey, she noticed the reflecting sunlight off of two units in the distance. Using the power of her HD' One head's incredible zooming ability she was able to figure out the make of the MT's more thoroughly Chrome Walker MTs mk.2's.. she thought to herself Cakewalk. They were out closer to the marina part of the beach. They weren't moving toward her which was enough to indicate they haven't gotten a bead on her yet. Really Stupid AI. She trudged along the sand carefully trying to get just within missile range of the two MTs. As she approached optimal range the two MTs began moving towards her firing missiles of their own. Kai's heart dropped has the unexpected missiles barrage flew toward her. They flew towards her like a hunting net trying to close on game. She shot Kentaro up into the air and flew towards the aggressors knowing the missiles were still incoming. She pushed Kentaro hard to the right and just has they got close she juked left trying dodge the missiles in a standard maneuver many of the Raven's used. However, it wasn't full proof. About four missiles impacted Kentaro's right side and managed to send the humanoid mech reeling back and knocking Kai into the back of her simulation chair. "This isn't fair!" Kai screamed.
Kai promptly stabilized her mech and her body into an upright position, locked on to one of the walker mecha, and fired off a volley of missiles of her own. While she fired, both of the walkers fired an encore volley set of missiles at her. She continued her press toward the walkers, effectively jinkng the first volley of missiles by repeating the failed maneuver before and barely avoiding the other set. The slow walker with its limited pivoting, and torso movement and the added ailment of no boosting made it an easy target for the volley of missiles Kai fired. All four plowed into the box cockpit and weapons area ripping a fiery hole through it. The generator under the cockpit exploded the dying mech into metal shards along the port area. By this time Kai was directly over the other mech at an angle of which both the pilots couldn't get missile firing solutions She took advantage of the walker's inability to fire at targets directly above it with its dual mounted energy machine guns and started a fall directly above the mech. She opened fire with her AR-1000 machine gun riddled bullets all along the top the mech eventually tearing through and causing the mech to crumple to the ground smoking. Kentaro touched the ground next to the destroyed units. "Ok, maybe the AI is smart but its a dumb machine" she yelled.
The pilot fooled around with her white hairband, because it had shifted due to impact moments before. After a minor adjustment to it. Kai set Kentaro into a run into the port area. She ran toward a cobblestone slope and leapt up onto the street. Kai boosted along the street continuing her north course to the marina site. There were several buildings located next to the docking area. They all ran parallel to docks where fishing boats and large transport vessels rested. She boosted down the road until she reached a curve. She reluctantly followed the road until she came by many of the seaside buildings. She flashed by many of the buildings that were mostly burnt and nearly unrecognizable restaurants and many retail shops actively looking around and checking her scanners. Then she saw it. It barely came up on her sensors but it was so much more devastating then she could have ever possibly fathomed. An annihilation-class tank. The medium sized tank rolled out from the city corner it hid behind and rolled moving directly into Kai's path. Kai tried desperately to maneuver out of the way. The tank fired. Kai attempted a boost upward in time but she had reacted to late. The Kentaro took the massive fireball it spewed in full. The fireball completely engulfed the Kentaro and melted the mecha completely as well an already ruined Seafood Restaurant. This was time for Kai to thank some supreme being that it was all just a simulation.
The half-spherical simulation cockpit depressurized and opened up revealing a very angered female core pilot. Of course anyone would be pissed if they died during a simulation, but Kai was more than mad about dying, she was furious. She took off her black gloves and quickly climbed out of the sphere stepping onto the white tile floor of the sim room. She didn't have to look far for the culprit of her uneasiness. Jaz was looking onward from the observation room .He sure as hell better not have a smirk on his face. She moved quickly and very stiffly out the rightward steel door exit and made her way up the flight of stairs to the observation deck. Kai balled up her lowered right hand into a fist and pushed the door open with her left hand. Jaz was already facing the door as she came in with her anger apparent in her brown eyes. "What the hell was that?!" Kai screamed. She moved toward Jaz throwing her left glove on the main console board.
"What do you mean by what the hell was that.?" Jaz said puzzled.
"The annihilation tank coming out of nowhere ,is that your idea of a joke." She said her tone slowly calming.
Jaz temporary ignored her and moved around over to a printer where the results of the run were beginning to process. This of course was beginning to anger Kai more much to her dismay. "Apparently you need a brief history lesson Isamo." He said revealing the eyes below his bifocals.
"Shoot" she said back. Here we go again, Jaz with another one of his "history "lessons. Kai was far more used to the history lesson routine than she would have liked.
"The battle of Newport City, has you know was the battle that crippled the last known above ground city in the world. The simulation you ran was an experience that one raven by the name of Carl Vistov had. Of course it was also his last." Jaz said.
Kai felt a little embarrassed. Jaz Digitale knew more about battles then anyone else in the information business did. So she knew this conversation was a battle she wasn't going to win so she eased up a bit and just listened. He typed in a couple commands into the computer to the left of the printer. It came up on a some sort of a database. Then after typing in a few more commands a 3d image of a familiar piece of military hardware came up on the screen. " The annihilation tank that you went up against Kai, was made up of unknown materials, obviously they were from before...." He said
"The Great Destruction" Kai finished. Alright, I'll shut up now, Jaz "she continued. Her response evoked a smile from Jaz. "You wanna go up against it again Kai" he said. Kai planted a foot back leaned on it and put hands behind her neck. "No way, The squad is meeting in another hour and plus I got to take a shower I'm starting to lose my peachy keen smell" she said laughing. "Hey don't forget your glove" Jaz said. He tossed it over to Kai and she caught but only after fumbling with it. Kai went to the door, grabbed the handle, and looked back at Jaz with pity. He was already back programming away. I wish I had that guy's dedication. Probably makes him a little lonely though. Kai shut the door slowly has she left the room.
Kai walked herself slowly out of the room and took the long metal staircase back down. Kai slid her hand along the staircase's hand railing, its speed quickening as she moved faster. Peachy Keen smell, you're starting to sound like a ditz Kai. She thought to herself. Self-criticism was quickly becoming more a part of Kai's personality and it scared her. Every since she had developed feelings for her long time best friend Kounji, she had been trying to act perfect as she perceived many of the other girls. She occasionally had lapses that made her act less tomboyish that occurred around other men but never with Kounji before.
When she finally reached the bottom, she turned to her left and walked out the exit door out into the familiar surroundings of D level of the Huataco Storage Depot. The door light over her head flickered periodically, which began to annoy her so she stepped further out on to pavement. "Well off to the hangar" she sighed. As she stepped out, she surveyed the surroundings before she walked out on to the main walkway of the level, which was along the center. She moved slowly across the walkway deciding she needed to think more than to work on her Kentaro. "Why should I feel bad right now? I'm about to work on mech I should be happy, right." She thought. The trip still did not last too long. Before she knew it she was already in front of Warehouse 4D.
Upon stepping through the hangar, Kai's heart began to beat with excitement. Once again she was in the company of busy techies who were running the automated AC constructors and deep in conversation about the Cores; I t was one of the many things she liked about the job. She just loved the ambiance of it all. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted the real Kentaro. A railing that ran one of the robotic constructor arms was blocking her view so decided to move she more closely to her coveted machine. As she approached it she was able to view it's features with much more ease. Suddenly the depression that had set in moments before was lifted. Even though she was accustomed to seeing AC's under the hangar's over- head lighting, the Kentaro had a certain glow to it much like when she remembered first seeing it completed. Her eyes lit up much like a child's. It looked more like an iron god to her; It's blood red base colors along with it's white trim along its part edges were like royal robes. She moved along side the Kentaro running her hand against its left heel ,it's cold polished surface making her feel warm. Before she could get further in touch with her mecha, she felt a tap one her shoulder. She spun slowly looking for the source of her disruption. " Hey Isamo" a voice said.
Kai immediately remembered the features of the short yet lankish Japanese techie named Tizoku. He was dressed in the standard gray jump suit that the demons technical crew wore along with his personal pair of rundown white tennis shoes and an old gray baseball cap that kept his ruffled black hair at bay. As he pushed his spectacles back over his nose Kai was definitely sure. "Oh, hey Ichigawa" She immediately wrapped her arms around her old friend. 1st class tech Ichigawa was one of Kai's favorite people to talk to; not only was he loosely focused with his job and comfortably talkative, but she found him to be cute, too. She released her arms from around Ichigawa smiling ecstatically. Ichigawa stepped backwards a little taken back from the welcome.
"Happy to be back to work I see" Ichigawa remarked.
"Uh, huh two weeks without mecha is an eternity to me." Kai explained.
Kai saw Tizoku begin stepping backwards trying to wave her over. "What is it Tizoku? " Kai asked. "Well, I figure you're here to work on this thing so I just thought I should show you something interesting I found out from the performance terminal." Tizoku said serenely.
Kai walked over to the nearby terminal, which was in front of her AC while Tizoku brought up performance specs. "So what's this great thing you have to show me?" she asked.
"Look where it says boost ability." He said pointing.
Kai peered into the terminal's monitor looking for what the tech was trying to show her. Kai suddenly gasped.
"3560! How did you?" she yelled.
"It wasn't very easy but Allie, Zack and I were able to tweak your B-VR-44's thrust capacity so now you can overdrive it. "Tizoku said excitedly.
"That's great with a rating like this, Kentaro won't take nearly as many missile hits as it used to. Se~goi." Kai said ecstatically.
"That's the idea, we techs do take you AC jocks' lifes into account." He said laughing.
The two stepped away from the terminal.
"So speaking of Alexandria, where is she?" Kai asked.
Tizoku looked down scratching his head. "I think she went to go help the new commander setup tonight's briefing" he explained.
"Well I guess that would make sense, but damn it I so wish I could talk to her right now." She sighed.
"Well I'm sure it can't be that important why don't you tell me." Tizoku asked.
Kai grabbed her left arm looking off to the side. "I don't know if I should tell you." She said. "It's kind of sensitive material if you know what I mean." she continued.
Tizoku's face suddenly cringed with anger. "That is so messed up Kai what is it that you can't tell me I've known you for like two and a half years now." He said.
"Well, I... I... um, well you see..." Kai stuttered. "There's this guy I like you might even say love and well...." Kai began to say.
"You don't know how to say it to him ,is that it?" Tizoku asked.
Kai wrapped her arms around her chest. "Yeah, but then there is more to it than that, but ... Oh forget it I can't really tell you the rest of it." Kai said.
Kai stepped away from the terminal feeling silly. She turned her back from Tizoku and looked outward into the rest of the hangar viewing the other techs activities. She glanced over her shoulder as she heard the footsteps of Tizoku approaching her. "Hey ,it's not me you like is it?" Tizoku asked sheepishly. Kai turned towards the tech.
"You're cute Tizoku, but you haven't been on my mind 24/7." Kai said sincerely. Tizoku scratched his head again.
"Ok, now then who could it possibly be?" he asked. Kai glanced down at her wrist watch in an attempt to go off subject.
"Oh look I'm running out of time I need to go get dressed so I don't show up late to the meeting." Kai said. Tizoku moved closer towards Kai.
"Isamo, it's not like you to be so flaky." Tizoku said. Kai smiled and glanced down at her watch. Her eyebrows raised as she noticed how much time she had left.
"I'm sorry Tizoku I just got things on the brain. Besides, I need to run up to the meeting room right now." Kai laughed.
"Have fun hanging out with your man." Tizoku yelled.
"I doubt you really know who it is." Kai said.
Kai began making her way towards the stairway entrance on the far side of the hangar with the shady statements she had made to her friend fresh in her mind.
Earth 2238 July 1st 2:00pm
Yelo Heights, Isaac City(Central)
At 2:00pm, a blue Nikoni sports car pulled into level E of the parking garage of Yelo Heights. Kounji set the sports car into park before turning off its ignition. He took a long sigh before pulling the keys out. He was still upset from the fact that Mia had kicked him out of Kensei's boardroom even though she knew how he felt. It felt like a great betrayal from the woman he had learn to care about. Kounji opened his driver side door and disembarked from the blue vehicle. The trip from Kensei's Northern Isaac headquarters to the somber underground valley of Central Isaac was a very slow one for Kounji. There was still too much construction being done to the Central/Northern Tunnels so he had to go through the 12 o'clock gridlock along with the other citizens of Isaac City. Kounji made his way through the dirty concrete parking level to a nearby elevator. As he approached the doorway he saw an "out of order" sign posted on the front. Another sigh erupted from Kounji once more. He sucked it up and then walked to and opened up the adjacent stairway access area. After making his way up 5 flights of stairs, he reached the Lobby level of the penthouse.
Kounji was awestruck in the vastness of the penthouse lobby. It reminded him of a conglomerate lobby with its grayish blue interior walls and abnormally high ceiling. In the center, it had large spraying fountain with its angelic statue and a seating area with executives reading the latest business and stock magazines. It also sported a cafe and even it's own food and bar restaurant. The way many of the people were clothed displayed a high-class only radiance. I must be the only Armored Core operator that doesn't live in a penthouse suite. Kounji thought. Suddenly that thought triggered a relevant thought dawned on him. He had never actually been to see Vance at his place and had no idea what room he and Linay stayed in. So Kounji made his way over to the distant receptionist's desk passing many of the penthouse's patrons on the way. Kounji spotted one or two of them giving him snobbish looks, and easily ignored them. When he finally approached the desk the clerk asked him if he needed any help, as to be expected from him. "Would you be willing to tell me where Mrs. Kurasagi's room is located" Kounji asked. The young dark haired male clerk looked back at him with concern. Crap I should have known this was going to be a problem.
"Well, sir that would depend on who you are?". The clerk answered. Kounji pulled out his wallet, which contained his business ID card. He turned it and faced it at the clerk.
"I'm her co-worker Kounji Takagi now would you mind telling me where I can find her room for all I know this could be a matter of life or death." Kounji said half-yelling. The clerk was obviously startled by the attitude of Kounji and began flipping through a book of occupants to appease him.
"I found her" The clerk said with a smirk on his face. Impatiently Kounji slammed a fist on the tall counter.
"I don't care just tell me the number." Kounji said
"Suite #172" The clerk said, a little taken back by the bang.
"Sorry, about that it just happens when I'm really anxious, is that a floor up" Kounji politely said.
"And to the right."
"Thanks" Kounji said.
He walked hurriedly over to an elevator access area to the right of the reception desk. Kounji pushed on the up button on the elevator and waited as practice through routine use for the elevator to stop on his floor. As the digital elevator locator clicked its way down to the lobby floor Kounji's palms began to grow sweaty has they always do. After several seconds the doors finally opened and two of its passengers, a couple made obvious by hand-holding came out. Kounji smirked at the two before he entered it. Upon entering the glass observation elevator he pushed the button for the first floor and waited not once looking at the view outside. After the elevator stopped on the floor and opened up he went right has he was directed and made his way down the grayish blue carpeted open corridor. When he passed Suite #169 he began counting all the door numbers has he continued. All the while he was nervous but yet anxious as to knowing state of his mysterious colleague.
After a few seconds, he reached the door to Suite #172. Kounji first put his ear next to do door to see if he could hear anything. He could hear absolutely nothing coming from the room. Knocking seemed like next obvious step so that's what he did. He tapped the door a couple of times waiting for response. He heard what sounded like a groan but it was more like a moan. This was surprising to Kounji because ihe had never heard her sound really erotic unless she joking around with the group. It was enough to make most guys a little uncomfortable. Kounji suddenly heard the sound of footsteps coming from inside and then they got louder has someone approached the door. Linay or whoever was behind the door was obviously looking at a nervous Kounji Takagi by now. He heard the door being unlocked from the other side. By now Kounji was definitely sweaty nervous and the door slowly opened; he began to breathe a little abnormally. "Hey, Kounji-kun what are you doing here". said blue haired vixen Linay Valione. Kounji froze has he quickly scanned his friend's features. She was in a silk blue open nightgown that didn't do a good job covering her chest. Her face displayed sleeplessness and a high redness in her cheeks that was not exactly the product of makeup. These features destroyed the beauty he was fond of seeing.
"I've come to see if you were ok you hadn't contacted any of us." Kounji said. Linay looked down toward the corner of the door before responding.
"I've been busy" she said reluctantly with a bit of dryness in her voice.
"We didn't see you until the funeral but you left before anyone could actually talk to you." Kounji continued.
"Kounji, I..." Linay began to say.
"What Linay?"
"I need someone to talk to right now ," Linay responded looking up at Kounji.
"You could come in if you like but promise me you won't get mad at the mess." she said slurred but yet politely.
Kounji nodded in thanks. All her responses to this point had definitely proved something. Linay was drunk but he didn't yet know any real intricate details like how much she had been drinking or if she had been hurt or malnourished. She silently led him into the living room of her and Vance's place. Upon entering the place, Kounji noticed the uniform grayish blue carpet and a black marble coffee table to the right which indicated that it was the living room to him. There was also a four-seater black leather couch and the reclining chair that Vance had told him about almost religiously not to mention that there was a huge 45" television in the far right corner. In the same room however there were two open and empty bottles of Koshi brand beer on the coffee table and men's clothing strum all over the floor and on the couch. Kounji looked down at the coffee table and notice a picture laid down flat on the table. When he turned It over it revealed a picture of Linay and Vance kissing each other. He assumed it was from their honeymoon because it was at a beach. Linay asked Kounji to sit down but he refused to. Kounji couldn't help but smell alcohol emanating from somewhere in the suite. Linay sat down on an armrest of the couch before Kounji interrogated her further."
"Have you seen the psychiatrist my mom referred you to yet Linay"? Linay slightly shook her head side to side, her hair concealing her eyes from Kounji. "You've been eating, right?" he said next. Linay moved her head to face Kounji while she kicked her left leg against the side of the couch. Almost like a child on a jungle gym would.
"Yeah!" Linay muttered out.
"So what exactly have you been doing drinking?" Kounji said getting straight to point." Linay looked down first over her left shoulder as if she was literally looking for the answer.
" It's how I cope, kid" Linay said a little slurred. Kounji took that response for what it was worth, which was close to nothing to him and pressed further. "This isn't healthy, for crying out loud its not even like you!" Kounji yelled.
Linay stood up and shoved Kounji toward a lamp next to the couch startling the hell out of Kounji. He hopefully wouldn't have to deal with a belligerent drunk Amazon. She stared at Kounji and snarled at him. "Yeah and why should you care if I drink myself to death I've ruined you life enough along with everyone else's." She said beginning to tear up. Kounji blinked wondering exactly what he should do. "I failed the whole team Kounji and worst of all I failed my only husband why do I deserve to live!" Kounji just stood there wondering what to do and he decided to just take the listening approach for now. "Day in, Day out we fight these Corporate Wars for these goddamned suits and we lose people; friends, lovers, family and for what, so their stock can go up a percent. All the damn credits in the fucking world won't bring any of them back" Linay yelled at him. "Don't you ever get tired of it?" she continued.
Linay gripped on to Kounji's jacket he still had on and laid her head. Kounji deep inside want to scream and yell with Linay, for all the friends and family he lost Donnson, Harris, Roc, his father, Vance, but what she needed right now was consolation and who else was going to give her it. Kounji grabbed for Linay's side and to his surprise Linay didn't jerk back to get away from Takagi at all. She put her arms over his and wrapped them around his upper chest, and then she rested her head against it. "It wasn't your fault Linay" he said. He then repeated. Kounji just stood there with Linay wrapped in his arms for several minutes while Linay just whaled. Poor Linay, so much pain inside her I wish I really could do something about it. As often the case goes however, there wasn't much more he could do than just hold her. Linay eased up on her crying, a little drained from releasing some of her pain.
"I don't want to be alone Kounji I spent to way to much time alone." she said with her wet somber blue eyes staring at him. He released his hug around her a little bit. I don't think you should be alone either Linay that's why I'm not going to let you stay here anymore. Kounji thought to himself.
"I'm not going to let you be alone Linay." Kounji said to her.
The blue haired woman looked down and let her self loose from Kounji. Her hair draped over her right eye so Kounji couldn't see, effectively hiding her emotion. "I think it would be best if you stayed with Kai, she probably wouldn't mind at all considering you lived together at her place long enough already." Kounji suggested sincerely. Linay gripped her upper right arm with her left hand running it along its side.
"I guess if that's what you think I should do then I'll do it" Linay muttered out.
"Ok, then get washed up, put on some decent clothes, and come to the HQ with me then. " Kounji said a little excitedly. Linay looked up at Kounji again.
"Huh" she said inattentively
"Well, you want to ask her in person, right?" Kounji asked.
Linay turned and walked over to the shower. All of sudden she stopped and just stood there. He waited and just stared at her not sure of really what she was going to do.. Linay all of sudden begin to tremble a little bit but she then continued into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Kounji sat down hoping that he might of actually done some good, but as he picked up an already opened copy of Live magazine, he heard Linay's cries and knew he couldn't fix everything.
Earth 2238 July 1st 6:30pm
Huataco Storage Depot.
Warehouse 5D
"Damn can't this thing go just a little bit faster" were the words of a very impatient Kai Isamo. She was snug in her red jumpsuit with a white stripe running over the chest and arms sitting in the AC simulations cockpit. She already had put on her interface goggles that allowed her to see what her ac saw directly in front of it as well as control vertical aim .Her right leg moved around has she was getting pumped up to a techno mix version of Talya Keyes' Righteous.
"You damn young people, so freaking impatient" said Jaz Digitale the middle aged tech who was in charge of simulation area. Kai began tapping her feet subconsciously has the music's beat went up-tempo. The object of her impatience was the slow load time of the battle simulation she was supposed to be engaged in. Normally if they were part of the Raven's Nest they could schedule some time at the large indoor testing site, but since something of that scale was too large for an independent group to have, they relied on fully immersed AC simulations, which were just has good as the real thing if not better. Kai was in a near trance has the loading bar read complete. All of sudden the cockpit came alive all the lights, HUD's and information windows spread across the viewscreens around her.
"Kentaro Engaging Test Mode" scrolled across the foremost viewscreen.
"It's about freaking time, Jaz" Kai said. She could just tell he was kind of pissed and giggled over radio to annoy him further. The screen transferred from black to white and then faded has if one had just been exposed to light in to an ocean like setting. The computer generated clouds and sky were magnificent to Kai's sight. Breathtaking has they might have been, the decimated waterfront factory's and fishing ports below them ruined the view.. There were also many destroyed docks and freshly burning factories along the bay. An all too real scenario, The Newport Massacre.
Kai was one of the few pilots to live this scenario first hand. A Chrome Carrier task force had sent dozens upon dozens of Mecha and fighters to destroy the last remaining above ground city left. The Demons and a few other mercenary groups had been around to help the coastal guard hold off the forces until the citizens of the city could effectively evacuate. Unfortunately, an unforeseen factor in the battle turned it into a losing situation; the radar jammer. An air base that would have been the deciding factor in saving the people of Newport was destroyed by AC's carrying the stealth device.
After a few seconds of getting her bearings with the AC, her mission objectives flashed up on the screen. "Fend off remnants of the chrome military forces in the Marina District". Kai read back to herself. She engaged the boosters on Kentaro and flew North from where she started toward the burning buildings. She tried to stay low above the forest tree line directly in front of her. She ruffled many of the leaves has Kentaro tore past the forest in the direction of the beach.
As she neared the end of the forest, her missile indicator went crazy. Her cockpit went red has two missiles approached her from her port side. In an attempt to shake the missiles, she disengaged her booster and fell towards the ground floor slowly at first before picking up speed. As both her and the missiles in her wake got closer to the ground she turned the Kentaro facing the missiles and boosted hard to the right still falling to the ground because of the momentum but dodging both of the missiles fired at her. The missiles shot toward a tree and impacted, exploding pieces of bark and leaves into the air. Kai continued her descent has she smacked into the ground with her legs hard but not enough to damage her stable Core heavily. "I need to be more respectful to you dear Kentaro" She said trying to comfort her non-sentient AC. Kai traversed through the forest, moving swiftly in the direction the missiles came from but at the same time watching for possible proximity mines on the trees. After a few seconds she saw two blips coming in overhead moreover, came the deafening sounds of fighter engines roaring overhead. Apparently, they didn't have the same fortune of picking up her AC's signature they did last time and didn't fire has much of a bullet at it. Lucky she yelled in her mind. She took Kentaro into the air and waited for her machine gun to pick up a firing solution on one the right most ship. As it locked on she held her index finger down on the control stick ito her side and Kentaro's machine gun sprayed off bullets at the fighter. She connected ripping the aft of the fighter and rupturing the fuel tank causing it to explode. The other fighter circled around heading back towards Kai. Stupid Ai she thought
She maintained a high enough boost to keep her in the air and she switched over to her missiles trying to obtain four locks on the fighter. The fighter continued its former attack and fired two more missiles in her AC's direction . As the missiles approached her, she fired four missiles back in a rebuke. Both groups of missile passed each other intertwining like a well-rehearsed ballet and continued toward their separate targets. Kai dodged the two missiles fired her like a running back braking of a tackle. Her salvo hit its target dead on despite its attempt to break off. The missiles impacted the underside of the retreating plane ripping an explosive hole through the steal bird. Kai pulled Kentaro's left hand back in celebration and retreated to the ground.
After Kentaro hit the ground, she continued the northern course she adopted earlier, but this time she boosted along the forest brush rather than in the air. She continued until she saw through the trees ahead of her and the end of the forest. Suddenly Kai lost the feeling of her mech being planted on the ground. Her vision went from seeing the sky above her and the ground beneath her, to just the blue sky. Kai had just flown off the edge of a cliff. Kai looked below here using her external cameras and just enjoyed the free fall towards the sand. Just a few hundred meters before she touched the sand, she engaged boosters slowing her descent into the beach. As she hit the ground, more blips came up on her screen to her east. Kai took a moment to get a good look at her surroundings. She could hear the waves as they went smacking into the shoreline and the calls of the seagulls as they flapped their feathers trying to escape from the booms of her mech's boosters, best of all the digital quality of the sound and graphic quality of the sim allowed her to experience them as if she was actually there.
Aas she neared completion of her survey, she noticed the reflecting sunlight off of two units in the distance. Using the power of her HD' One head's incredible zooming ability she was able to figure out the make of the MT's more thoroughly Chrome Walker MTs mk.2's.. she thought to herself Cakewalk. They were out closer to the marina part of the beach. They weren't moving toward her which was enough to indicate they haven't gotten a bead on her yet. Really Stupid AI. She trudged along the sand carefully trying to get just within missile range of the two MTs. As she approached optimal range the two MTs began moving towards her firing missiles of their own. Kai's heart dropped has the unexpected missiles barrage flew toward her. They flew towards her like a hunting net trying to close on game. She shot Kentaro up into the air and flew towards the aggressors knowing the missiles were still incoming. She pushed Kentaro hard to the right and just has they got close she juked left trying dodge the missiles in a standard maneuver many of the Raven's used. However, it wasn't full proof. About four missiles impacted Kentaro's right side and managed to send the humanoid mech reeling back and knocking Kai into the back of her simulation chair. "This isn't fair!" Kai screamed.
Kai promptly stabilized her mech and her body into an upright position, locked on to one of the walker mecha, and fired off a volley of missiles of her own. While she fired, both of the walkers fired an encore volley set of missiles at her. She continued her press toward the walkers, effectively jinkng the first volley of missiles by repeating the failed maneuver before and barely avoiding the other set. The slow walker with its limited pivoting, and torso movement and the added ailment of no boosting made it an easy target for the volley of missiles Kai fired. All four plowed into the box cockpit and weapons area ripping a fiery hole through it. The generator under the cockpit exploded the dying mech into metal shards along the port area. By this time Kai was directly over the other mech at an angle of which both the pilots couldn't get missile firing solutions She took advantage of the walker's inability to fire at targets directly above it with its dual mounted energy machine guns and started a fall directly above the mech. She opened fire with her AR-1000 machine gun riddled bullets all along the top the mech eventually tearing through and causing the mech to crumple to the ground smoking. Kentaro touched the ground next to the destroyed units. "Ok, maybe the AI is smart but its a dumb machine" she yelled.
The pilot fooled around with her white hairband, because it had shifted due to impact moments before. After a minor adjustment to it. Kai set Kentaro into a run into the port area. She ran toward a cobblestone slope and leapt up onto the street. Kai boosted along the street continuing her north course to the marina site. There were several buildings located next to the docking area. They all ran parallel to docks where fishing boats and large transport vessels rested. She boosted down the road until she reached a curve. She reluctantly followed the road until she came by many of the seaside buildings. She flashed by many of the buildings that were mostly burnt and nearly unrecognizable restaurants and many retail shops actively looking around and checking her scanners. Then she saw it. It barely came up on her sensors but it was so much more devastating then she could have ever possibly fathomed. An annihilation-class tank. The medium sized tank rolled out from the city corner it hid behind and rolled moving directly into Kai's path. Kai tried desperately to maneuver out of the way. The tank fired. Kai attempted a boost upward in time but she had reacted to late. The Kentaro took the massive fireball it spewed in full. The fireball completely engulfed the Kentaro and melted the mecha completely as well an already ruined Seafood Restaurant. This was time for Kai to thank some supreme being that it was all just a simulation.
The half-spherical simulation cockpit depressurized and opened up revealing a very angered female core pilot. Of course anyone would be pissed if they died during a simulation, but Kai was more than mad about dying, she was furious. She took off her black gloves and quickly climbed out of the sphere stepping onto the white tile floor of the sim room. She didn't have to look far for the culprit of her uneasiness. Jaz was looking onward from the observation room .He sure as hell better not have a smirk on his face. She moved quickly and very stiffly out the rightward steel door exit and made her way up the flight of stairs to the observation deck. Kai balled up her lowered right hand into a fist and pushed the door open with her left hand. Jaz was already facing the door as she came in with her anger apparent in her brown eyes. "What the hell was that?!" Kai screamed. She moved toward Jaz throwing her left glove on the main console board.
"What do you mean by what the hell was that.?" Jaz said puzzled.
"The annihilation tank coming out of nowhere ,is that your idea of a joke." She said her tone slowly calming.
Jaz temporary ignored her and moved around over to a printer where the results of the run were beginning to process. This of course was beginning to anger Kai more much to her dismay. "Apparently you need a brief history lesson Isamo." He said revealing the eyes below his bifocals.
"Shoot" she said back. Here we go again, Jaz with another one of his "history "lessons. Kai was far more used to the history lesson routine than she would have liked.
"The battle of Newport City, has you know was the battle that crippled the last known above ground city in the world. The simulation you ran was an experience that one raven by the name of Carl Vistov had. Of course it was also his last." Jaz said.
Kai felt a little embarrassed. Jaz Digitale knew more about battles then anyone else in the information business did. So she knew this conversation was a battle she wasn't going to win so she eased up a bit and just listened. He typed in a couple commands into the computer to the left of the printer. It came up on a some sort of a database. Then after typing in a few more commands a 3d image of a familiar piece of military hardware came up on the screen. " The annihilation tank that you went up against Kai, was made up of unknown materials, obviously they were from before...." He said
"The Great Destruction" Kai finished. Alright, I'll shut up now, Jaz "she continued. Her response evoked a smile from Jaz. "You wanna go up against it again Kai" he said. Kai planted a foot back leaned on it and put hands behind her neck. "No way, The squad is meeting in another hour and plus I got to take a shower I'm starting to lose my peachy keen smell" she said laughing. "Hey don't forget your glove" Jaz said. He tossed it over to Kai and she caught but only after fumbling with it. Kai went to the door, grabbed the handle, and looked back at Jaz with pity. He was already back programming away. I wish I had that guy's dedication. Probably makes him a little lonely though. Kai shut the door slowly has she left the room.
Kai walked herself slowly out of the room and took the long metal staircase back down. Kai slid her hand along the staircase's hand railing, its speed quickening as she moved faster. Peachy Keen smell, you're starting to sound like a ditz Kai. She thought to herself. Self-criticism was quickly becoming more a part of Kai's personality and it scared her. Every since she had developed feelings for her long time best friend Kounji, she had been trying to act perfect as she perceived many of the other girls. She occasionally had lapses that made her act less tomboyish that occurred around other men but never with Kounji before.
When she finally reached the bottom, she turned to her left and walked out the exit door out into the familiar surroundings of D level of the Huataco Storage Depot. The door light over her head flickered periodically, which began to annoy her so she stepped further out on to pavement. "Well off to the hangar" she sighed. As she stepped out, she surveyed the surroundings before she walked out on to the main walkway of the level, which was along the center. She moved slowly across the walkway deciding she needed to think more than to work on her Kentaro. "Why should I feel bad right now? I'm about to work on mech I should be happy, right." She thought. The trip still did not last too long. Before she knew it she was already in front of Warehouse 4D.
Upon stepping through the hangar, Kai's heart began to beat with excitement. Once again she was in the company of busy techies who were running the automated AC constructors and deep in conversation about the Cores; I t was one of the many things she liked about the job. She just loved the ambiance of it all. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted the real Kentaro. A railing that ran one of the robotic constructor arms was blocking her view so decided to move she more closely to her coveted machine. As she approached it she was able to view it's features with much more ease. Suddenly the depression that had set in moments before was lifted. Even though she was accustomed to seeing AC's under the hangar's over- head lighting, the Kentaro had a certain glow to it much like when she remembered first seeing it completed. Her eyes lit up much like a child's. It looked more like an iron god to her; It's blood red base colors along with it's white trim along its part edges were like royal robes. She moved along side the Kentaro running her hand against its left heel ,it's cold polished surface making her feel warm. Before she could get further in touch with her mecha, she felt a tap one her shoulder. She spun slowly looking for the source of her disruption. " Hey Isamo" a voice said.
Kai immediately remembered the features of the short yet lankish Japanese techie named Tizoku. He was dressed in the standard gray jump suit that the demons technical crew wore along with his personal pair of rundown white tennis shoes and an old gray baseball cap that kept his ruffled black hair at bay. As he pushed his spectacles back over his nose Kai was definitely sure. "Oh, hey Ichigawa" She immediately wrapped her arms around her old friend. 1st class tech Ichigawa was one of Kai's favorite people to talk to; not only was he loosely focused with his job and comfortably talkative, but she found him to be cute, too. She released her arms from around Ichigawa smiling ecstatically. Ichigawa stepped backwards a little taken back from the welcome.
"Happy to be back to work I see" Ichigawa remarked.
"Uh, huh two weeks without mecha is an eternity to me." Kai explained.
Kai saw Tizoku begin stepping backwards trying to wave her over. "What is it Tizoku? " Kai asked. "Well, I figure you're here to work on this thing so I just thought I should show you something interesting I found out from the performance terminal." Tizoku said serenely.
Kai walked over to the nearby terminal, which was in front of her AC while Tizoku brought up performance specs. "So what's this great thing you have to show me?" she asked.
"Look where it says boost ability." He said pointing.
Kai peered into the terminal's monitor looking for what the tech was trying to show her. Kai suddenly gasped.
"3560! How did you?" she yelled.
"It wasn't very easy but Allie, Zack and I were able to tweak your B-VR-44's thrust capacity so now you can overdrive it. "Tizoku said excitedly.
"That's great with a rating like this, Kentaro won't take nearly as many missile hits as it used to. Se~goi." Kai said ecstatically.
"That's the idea, we techs do take you AC jocks' lifes into account." He said laughing.
The two stepped away from the terminal.
"So speaking of Alexandria, where is she?" Kai asked.
Tizoku looked down scratching his head. "I think she went to go help the new commander setup tonight's briefing" he explained.
"Well I guess that would make sense, but damn it I so wish I could talk to her right now." She sighed.
"Well I'm sure it can't be that important why don't you tell me." Tizoku asked.
Kai grabbed her left arm looking off to the side. "I don't know if I should tell you." She said. "It's kind of sensitive material if you know what I mean." she continued.
Tizoku's face suddenly cringed with anger. "That is so messed up Kai what is it that you can't tell me I've known you for like two and a half years now." He said.
"Well, I... I... um, well you see..." Kai stuttered. "There's this guy I like you might even say love and well...." Kai began to say.
"You don't know how to say it to him ,is that it?" Tizoku asked.
Kai wrapped her arms around her chest. "Yeah, but then there is more to it than that, but ... Oh forget it I can't really tell you the rest of it." Kai said.
Kai stepped away from the terminal feeling silly. She turned her back from Tizoku and looked outward into the rest of the hangar viewing the other techs activities. She glanced over her shoulder as she heard the footsteps of Tizoku approaching her. "Hey ,it's not me you like is it?" Tizoku asked sheepishly. Kai turned towards the tech.
"You're cute Tizoku, but you haven't been on my mind 24/7." Kai said sincerely. Tizoku scratched his head again.
"Ok, now then who could it possibly be?" he asked. Kai glanced down at her wrist watch in an attempt to go off subject.
"Oh look I'm running out of time I need to go get dressed so I don't show up late to the meeting." Kai said. Tizoku moved closer towards Kai.
"Isamo, it's not like you to be so flaky." Tizoku said. Kai smiled and glanced down at her watch. Her eyebrows raised as she noticed how much time she had left.
"I'm sorry Tizoku I just got things on the brain. Besides, I need to run up to the meeting room right now." Kai laughed.
"Have fun hanging out with your man." Tizoku yelled.
"I doubt you really know who it is." Kai said.
Kai began making her way towards the stairway entrance on the far side of the hangar with the shady statements she had made to her friend fresh in her mind.