A/N: Welcome back~
Apologies for the brief break, hopefully it won't happen again~
Do enjoy~
Halo
Chapter 7: Arrangements
It was a short walk up to the Justice Task Force office, in the main building.
They got more than a few odd looks on the way there, courtesy of the three Gehenna girls trailing behind him, but thankfully nobody stopped them. Though he might not interact with all the students at the various academies, if only due to the sheer number of students spread out across them, that didn't mean he wasn't a recognisable figure. Not everyone liked him of course, but most, at least, respected his role and knew that if any harm came to him, the person responsible would be in deep shit.
Thus they reached Hasumi's office without incident and, after making sure the three Gehenna students had their weapons both holstered and unloaded – just to make sure they came across as unthreatening as possible – Sensei rapped his knuckle across the spotless brown door, Trinity's logo intricately carved onto the wood.
He had to wait only a moment before he heard a muffled voice from within. ''Come in.''
Obligingly Sensei bent the handle and pushed it open, his eyes sweeping over the dark blue carpet and pale walls lined with gold borders. Ornately-framed paintings, bookshelves, and small tables with flower vases lined the wall of the grand room, one easily several times the size of his office. A rich mahogany desk sat at the far wall, the portrait of Trinity's founder behind it and with some nice potted plants in the corners of the room to add some pleasant colour to it, whilst in the middle of the room was a table and two lavish cream couches.
Stood by the left-hand window overlooking the courtyard Hasumi glanced up at him, the vice-president's brow forming a confused frown when she laid eyes on him. It did little to ruin her graceful appearance though as she turned to face him, her black school uniform fluttering with her movement and her wings – extending from her lower back – flapping a few times before folding back against her sides once more, more out of habit than anything else, he suspected.
''Sensei.'' Hasumi bowed slightly in greeting, her wings subtly mimicking the gesture. ''I hadn't expected to see you today. You usually call ahead.''
''Yeah, sorry about that. A lot of important things came up one after the other, so it slipped my mind.'' The raven-haired man apologised, a bit sheepish.
Hasumi merely smiled. ''It's quite alright. Though, considering you came straight to me and are flanked by three Gehenna girls... am I right to assume this isn't merely a social visit?''
''I'm afraid not.'' Sensei sighed; glancing back and beckoning the three girls into the room with him. Thankfully Kayoko had the sense to shut the door so nobody overheard. ''They got caught up in some trouble in Trinity whilst on a mission from me. Suzumi, I believe, jumped the gun. Again.''
Curious Mutsuki piped up. ''This happens a lot?''
''More than a few times. She doesn't make a habit of it, but her judgement could use some work, admittedly.'' Hasumi remarked, gazing at the Gehenna girl for a long moment before turning her gaze onto Sensei. ''That doesn't answer why you're here, however.''
Sensei sighed at that. ''Have you noticed any disappearances lately? As in the last few weeks, maybe a bit longer.''
Hasumi cocked her head to one side. ''What makes you ask that?''
''...nothing I say goes beyond the walls of this room, am I clear?''
The authority he laced his voice with drew a sharp look from Hasumi, her gaze burning into his own – in that moment no longer his student, but a member of the Justice Task Force, a person tasked with protecting the citizens of Trinity be it in service or in battle. The stare-off continued for what felt like a small eternity, the tension in the room growing thick enough that even Mutsuki shifted a little...
...until at last Hasumi sighed. ''Very well. Tsurugi, come out from behind the desk as well. Hiding when confidential information is being shared is inappropriate.''
There was the sound of someone banging their head against wood, followed by a string of curses – before the familiar wild-eyed form of Tsurugi popped out from behind the desk. She looked as scruffy as always, her own black school uniform too big in places, not helped by her slouched posture. However he did notice that when she caught sight of him she immediately perked up; her crazed expression shifting into something more demure, her chin dipping down and her shoulder straightening a little, as if trying to look as normal as possible.
''...g-good afternoon, Sensei...'' Tsurugi greeted, tone little louder than a mumble.
''Afternoon.'' He offered a slight smile to Trinity's proclaimed 'secret weapon'. Why he didn't know, though he suspected that it had something to do with her berserker-like fighting style with her akimbo shotguns.
Hasumi's polite cough drew his gaze back over to her. ''You were going to say, Sensei?''
The smile faded from his face and his expression hardened. ''Right. To keep things brief, there's been a string of student disappearances over Kivotos the last few weeks. I've been assigned to handle it to try and figure out who's behind it, alongside Problem Solver 68 and five girls from Abydos.''
Hasumi's eyes narrowed. ''Missing students? How many?''
''Dozens.'' Sensei freely admitted. ''I can't share all the details with you, of course, but I can say that our leading theory is that the organisation behind it strikes whenever it's overcast or raining. Don't ask why, we don't know ourselves.''
'Something I probably should've asked Looker.' Sensei privately added. 'Though then again, since he nor Rin mentioned anything about it, I guess he didn't know either? He was just a grunt, after all...'
He was snapped from his brief musings as Hasumi spoke. ''I see. Considering what you've told me I can confirm that Trinity has lost several students in that same time frame, all under mysterious circumstances.''
As she spoke the vice-president wandered over to the desk at the back of the room, pulling out a drawer and withdrawing several student profiles – handing them over to Sensei. ''These are the ones. At first they were marked for poor attendance, then it was escalated to a missing person's case when a wellness check revealed their dorms or apartments to be empty. Two are normal students and one was from the Sisterhood. I was just about to send a notice to the council about their newfound status when you arrived, so I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't in your system yet.''
Sensei nodded as he flicked through the files. Iwata Akumi, Takahashi Kurone and Oda Satsuki. None that he knew personally, though he vaguely remembered them during one of his visits. Nice girls, none of whom really caught the eye but weren't troublemakers by any stretch. They were normal. Completely, utterly normal.
'A running theme, it seems like.' Sensei narrowed his eyes. 'Looker seemed painfully normal. These students seem normal. Is it possible there's a connection there...?'
It was naught but guesswork; work that Sensei reluctantly pushed to the back of his mind for now. ''I see. Any details on their disappearances in particular?''
''None really.'' Hasumi admitted. ''The most details was for Iwata Akumi who failed to turn up for her classes, and two days later a wellness check was performed, finding her dormitory empty. She was an excitable girl from what I was told, but the last anyone had seen of her was her returning to her dorm after a lecture in the evening.''
''Did anyone see her actually enter her dorm?'' Aru spoke up, chin up and trying to look as professional as possible.
Whether Hasumi was bothered by the interruption or not, she didn't show it. ''They did not. I have several witness statements – enclosed within the file Sensei is holding – that attest they saw her heading towards the building. They walked out of sight before she reached it, due to the rain. Why, do you have reason to believe she was intercepted?''
''Possibly.'' Sensei remarked, noting down her comment about the rain. ''The organisation behind this is no small one. They have access to cloaking technology which, need I remind you, is usually exclusive to military units or certain corporations.''
Stealth technology of that level wasn't unheard of. While rare, due to both the price of it and the fact it still had some kinks that needed working out, many autonomous territories used them for various units. Some like Red Winter Academy used it for their special police units who spied and kept the peace, whilst others like Shanhaijing and Hyakkiyado used them for their elite infiltrator units. Trinity and Gehenna though were arguably the biggest users of the new tech, due to their constant state of hot and cold war, stemming from so many reasons it was impossible to narrow it down to just one point.
Hasumi didn't miss the implication, narrowing her eyes at him. ''I assure you that none of our own are involved.''
''Can you be absolutely sure?'' Surprisingly it was Kayoko that spoke up, levelling a stare at the vice-president.
Hasumi held Kayoko's stare for five solid seconds. The black-winged angel looked away first. ''...I cannot guarantee it without checking things myself – which I will do personally after this meeting – but I have no reason to believe any of our own would be involved. All members of Raziel Division are highly loyal to Trinity. They have little reason to kidnap students, especially Trinity ones.''
''Could you pull out their files for me, so I can check?'' Sensei inquired.
''...that might be difficult. Their names and identities are purposefully hidden to prevent any harm coming to them, due to the fact their work pertains to the... infiltration of our enemies.'' Hasumi said the last bit looking at the three Gehenna girls.
Mutsuki rolled her eyes, not bothered. ''Oh come on, who we gonna blab to? Hina? She'd sooner gun us down and make us sit through a lecture about causing trouble than actually listen to us.''
''Still, it's understandable.'' Kayoko diplomatically conceded.
Sensei shook his head slightly, changing the subject. ''Anyway, not to accuse you girls of being involved, but we can't overlook any possibility. I'm sure you understand.''
''Of course. Had we changed places I would've done the same.'' Hasumi agreed without missing a beat.
''Do you know then where the technology comes from?'' It was Aru who posed the question.
That gave Sensei pause, the wires in his mind sparking together for just a brief moment. ''Aru has a point. Whoever is behind this might have some connection to the supplier, or at least has made payments to them. We can possibly chase leads through there.''
''Kaiser PMC is the one who supplied the cloaking devices.'' Hasumi stated. ''They were not cheap, mind you, so this mysterious organisation of yours must have quite the cash to back them.''
''Indeed...'' Sensei's mind was already racing.
Kaiser PMC. Of course it linked back to them. First they got their claws in Abydos, buying up property and drowning the academy in ever-piling debt, now they were selling expensive technology to what amount to a crime ring, if not an outright terrorist organisation. Frankly he wouldn't put it past the company; though they weren't 'evil' by any stretch, they were practically greed incarnate. Money was their blood, their bones, their soul; they could never get enough of it.
If a mysterious organisation one day showed up asking for high-tech cloaking devices, questions might be asked.
Questions that would conveniently cease when this organisation dropped a briefcase of cash onto the boss's desk.
However they weren't left out in the cold yet, thankfully. With how expensive cloaking technology was it stood to reason that the number of buyers was relatively small. It was possibly, arguably even likely that the buyer was running under an alias or even disguising themselves as one of the academies, but with some time they could narrow it down to just a few sources. From there they could possibly find some real lead on whoever was behind this.
Sensei nodded firmly. They had a plan. ''I see. Thank you for the information. I'll pass along any information about those students if I find them.''
''And I will check the Raziel Division to ensure all of our equipment is where it should be.'' Hasumi confirmed. ''Though, before we part ways, I have a question of my own. Or rather, for the Gehenna girls here.''
''Oh?'' Aru stood up straighter. ''What about us?''
Hasumi didn't immediately answer; levelling them with a inquiring stare until they began to squirm uncomfortably. Only then did she speak. ''Did you happen to see any other Gehenna girls when you were here in Trinity?''
Aru was about to open her mouth and deny, when she paused. Her mind flash-backed to the interaction in the nice convenience store that got them into so much trouble in the first place – to the group of Gehenna girls that stole some snacks and ran off with them. Aru relayed that to the vice-president; causing a frown to mar Hasumi's visage even as she nodded.
''I see. That matches up with what several others have told me throughout the day.'' Hasumi responded. ''Several such incidents have happened across the fringes of the city today alone – on the same day that we received a break-in attempt at the Sisterhood.''
''Eh? Why there?'' Mutsuki cocked her head, not understanding.
It was not Hasumi who answered, but rather Tsurugi. ''The R-Relics...''
Sensei narrowed his eyes. ''I see. So you suspect someone from Gehenna tried to break in and steal them.''
''Correct.'' Hasumi remarked. ''They managed to get as far as the vault door before two of the guards noticed something amiss and caught them. The infiltrator themselves used the same cloaking device that you spoke of earlier – leading me to believe that they belong to the 'Lilith Division' in Gehenna, their counterpart to our Raziel Division.''
''What happened to the student?''
''Under arrest. They won't come to any harm, if that what you're worried about.'' Hasumi remarked. ''They'll be sent back to Gehenna after a period of time. Either as part of a prisoner swap, or after they complete a mandatory amount of public service.''
''Really? I would've though that they'd be treated harsher.'' Sensei asked in surprise. ''Not that I'm complaining of course.''
Hasumi just nodded along. ''If they had actually got into the vault, then yes, they would be given a harsher sentence – possibly even being kicked out of their school due to it. However, as they failed, we see no reason to deprive them of an eduction and future in life. Gehenna respects this unspoken rule and does the same for any of our students. Hopefully it will continue as such; I would rather not have to wage war against Gehenna. I suspect Hina from the Prefect Team feels the same, as does Makoto from the Pandemonium Society.''
''Have you considered ending this cold war altogether? I heard rumours about a treaty being signed between the two schools.''
Hasumi made a face and Tsurugi let out a little growl – the former speaking. ''I... am not at liberty to talk about it, I'm afraid. Though I will say it is not as easy as signing a treaty and ending hostilities, Sensei. There's a lot of history between our academies. I hope you can understand.''
''I can't, but then again this isn't my business.'' Sensei conceded. ''Just try not to kill anyone, alright?''
''Of course.'' Hasumi said softly.
Sensei nodded, looking between the two Trinity girls. ''Alright then, I think that's all I came to ask. Thanks for your time – and good to see you, too.''
''The feeling is mutual, Sensei.''
''Y-Yeah, heheh... nice to see you too, S-Sensei...''
Sensei smiled and bid the two Trinity girls adieu, sending Aru, Mutsuki and Kayoko on their way – hunting for the secret bunker they originally came looking for.
Whilst he himself stayed behind, a different destination in mind.
'Time to go check up on Shimiko...'
X-x-X
Shiroko was annoyed.
Not an altogether new emotion, far from it, but she would admit to feeling distinctly annoyed as she crept through yet another decrepit grocery store. Sand had piled in through the broken left-hand wall, overflowing to such an extent if formed a small hill; the uneven surface making her and Serika stumble more than once, cursed muttered under their breaths before they continued searching.
Thus far their hunt had been both uneventful, and without any reward. They'd searched through countless buildings thus far be it a warehouse, a factory, to even smaller ventures like apartment buildings and corner shops. They'd come up with precisely nothing, not even a hint of a gang making their camp somewhere. It was like they'd chosen the most isolated, abandoned part of Abydos to search; though even those parts tended to have gangs about. Here, there was nothing.
Sighing Shiroko climbed the sandy hill until she neared the ceiling, glancing about and spotting a ventilation shaft. A light bash of her rifle's butt knocked the withered metal grate loose, allowing her to push it to one side – revealing the warehouse on the other side; connected to the main shop from the looks of it, judging by the lack of any network of vents. Shrugging Shiroko got down and swung one leg through it, waiting until she had her other leg through before simply dropping down the six-foot-drop, landing and sweeping her surroundings.
Seeing nothing she backed off a bit, making room for Ayane to jump down too – Serika following a moment later. Shiroko didn't acknowledge the flash of fear that had gripped her heart during that instant – that brief moment of not being able to see Serika.
Mutsuki's kidnapping still lived on in her mind. How quickly it had happened; how just a few seconds was all it took for her to be taken from them.
''Ugh, I'm tired.'' Serika voiced all of their thoughts succinctly; grimacing as she rubbed her lower back. ''Can we take a break soon?''
''I think that would be best.'' Ayane gently agreed, glancing at Shiroko. The wolf-girl had no complaints and merely nodded.
''It's getting late after all...'' Shiroko murmured, lifting her gaze. True to her word the setting sun could be seen glaring through the row of glass pane windows near the ceiling of the warehouse; many yellowed with age if not broken entirely, either by vandalism or just wear-and-tear.
The warehouse itself wasn't much to look at; the contents long since moved out and whatever remained stolen. All that stood now was rows upon rows of metal shelving units, some of which were broken whilst others were missing from their places entirely. Metal catwalks hung from the ceiling as well, several strips of walkway buried partway into the floor when the wires holding them up had snapped from lack of maintenance, crushing any shelving units that happened to be below them.
''I'll take point.'' Serika remarked, already walking ahead down one aisle. ''Ayane you're in the middle, Shiroko you're in the rear.''
''Affirmative.'' Shiroko murmured, nudging Ayane to ahead.
The pistol-wielder obliged, her P226 raised as she scanned the shelves, trusting Serika to look ahead for traps – not an uncommon thing with so many gangs around – and leaving Shiroko to slowly walk backwards, all of them maintaining a modest pace so nobody bumped into each other. Shiroko was glad for that, able to take just one step at a time without taking her eyes off the wall behind them. Aside from the vent duck the only other way into the room was the metal door that led into the grocery store.
However, even though they were the only ones here, she couldn't help but feel like they were being watched. It was a subtle sensation, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up and her jaw unconsciously tensing, but she couldn't banish it. Slowly as the seconds passed she leaned more into her instincts, straining her hearing. Nothing registered aside from the faint hum of the wind, the clanking of rusted metal, the soft hisses of their footsteps over sand-
'Wait.' Shiroko stopped. 'Clanking metal?'
''Halt.'' She whispered.
Ayane and Serika obliged. They didn't look back, that she knew; already scanning their surroundings with a keener eye. She appreciated that trust but pushed the thought from her mind, scanning the shelving units, the door, even the vent duck... but found nothing.
Not until she heard metal clank once more – and saw half a dozen canisters fall from above.
Shiroko's head snapped up, catching sight of several heads poking through the gaps in the corrugated-iron ceiling, their motorcycle helmets giving them away – the Helmet Gang. She didn't need more confirmation than that, her rifle raising up before she fired off several quick bursts, startling the gang members back and punching holes through the thin sheets of metal they stood upon – the frantic thumps of iron telling her they were beelining it off of the roof.
But the canisters they had dropped were already hissing, emitting a thick white smoke. Shiroko made the mistake of breathing some of it in; her throat contracting immediately and prompting her to yank her scarf over her mouth and nose. ''T-Tear gas!''
Ayane coughed something back, equally as alarmed. Serika snarled and fired several bursts into the ceiling, bringing one sheet of rusted metal down, but no gang members. They'd already fled, and were likely surrounding them as they stood there. The thought propelled Shiroko into action; pushing Ayane and Serika to snap them out of their shock before taking the lead, hearing more than seeing her two friends follow behind her as they ran back towards the way they came in. The vent was too high up but Shiroko shoulder-charged the door-
-and very nearly cried out as pain jolted up her shoulder and neck – the door solid. No, not solid she realised after a moment. There was just something very heavy on the other side. The thought made her brows draw together in a irritated scowl but time was ticking; the harsh coughing of Ayane growing worse, and even Serika was beginning to splutter a bit, despite having the foresight not to breathe in the smoke.
'We're trapped.' Shiroko's head was on a swivel, searching for any way out. The vent was too high, the door was locked, the ceiling was far above the shelving units... but the walkways, collapsed ones included, weren't.
''With me!'' Shiroko managed to cough out, running past Serika and towards the nearest segment of collapsed walkway.
The metal mesh was warped and sharp but Shiroko paid it little mind, clambering up the slanted slope of steel up onto the walkway. It buckled and groaned in protest from her weight but she ignored the detail as best she could, reaching down and helping pull Ayane up, followed by Serika. The air was a tiny bit more breathable but not by much so Shiroko didn't dare stay where she was; instead leading her companions along the walkway.
The platform groaned and buckled several times under them, but mercifully held as they ran down to the other end where the sheet metal roofing was missing – stolen or collapsed, Shiroko didn't know nor care. Poking her head out of it she could finally gasp in a much-needed breath; hurriedly climbing out and balancing on the narrow ledge while her friends did the same. The alley below them wasn't too far a drop though, prompting Shiroko to shoulder her rifle and grab onto the worn concrete – before dropping down, escaping the tear gas.
Her feet hit the sand with a soft, muffled thump and after a second Serika followed, coughing into her sleeves to stay quiet. ''Those bastards...!''
Ayane jumped down a second later, stumbling and nearly bashing her head on the opposing wall had Shiroko not grabbed the back of her shirt, stopping her at the last second. ''You alright?''
Rather than try and speak Ayane just jerked her head in a nod, lifting her red glasses and wiping her eyes near-constantly, though thankfully her coughing was quickly ceasing. Shiroko gave them all a few moments to gather themselves before slowly making her way to the mouth of the alleyway, slowing down as she neared it and peeking out. As she suspected numerous Helmet Gang members were situated outside, clad in school uniforms with various styles of motorcycle helmets on their heads.
All of them had taken up ready positions; positioned behind burned-out cars, lampposts or concrete barricades that had been previously left on the pavement; all guns trained on the grocery store. Shiroko counted at least twenty there, possibly more out of sight, so she slowly pulled back – being mindful not to make any sudden movements lest it catch someone's eye. Only when she was out of sight did she looked back at her two friends, mouthing 'twenty' to them and earning matching frowns from Ayane and Serika.
'Plan?' Ayane mouthed back.
Shiroko thought for a second, squinting across the street. She didn't have to look hard to find the opposing alleyway, free of gang members. They hadn't even bothered to seal off all exits in the off-handed chance they escaped. Then again, the Helmet Gang wasn't known for their elaborate plans... which just made their use, and more important acquisition, of tear gas all the more suspicious.
However Shiroko pushed such suspicions to the back of her mind for now, opting instead to nudge Ayane and point across the alleyway, then in the direction of the gang members. Wordlessly her two companions nodded and they stacked up against the wall, the soft click of metal the only thing audible as Shiroko pulled the pin on a grenade-
''Now!''
-and with a shout Shiroko stepped out of cover, lobbing a grenade.
One second; it flew.
Two seconds; it hit the concrete rolling.
Three seconds; alarmed shouts and raised guns her way.
And then on the fourth second a loud explosion shook the street as her grenade went off in the middle of the gang members, sending many of them airborne or flying into walls with startled shrieks. Serika and Ayane leapt out of cover in an instant, popping off shots just as Shiroko raised her own rifle, downing the remaining gang members who weren't stunned by the explosion.
A click in her gun told Shiroko the magazine was empty but she didn't waste time reloading; instead turning tail and bolting it across the street. The moment they ran out of ammo Ayane and Serika followed her, the latter reloading as she ran.
By the time the first shots fired back at them, they were already in the next alleyway over.
''D-Dammit!'' One Helmet Gang member barked out, stumbling to her feet. ''A-After them!''
Another older girl groaned, picking up her phone and dialling a number. She connected in seconds. ''They got away! Bring back-up – all of it! We're not gonna get a better chance than this!''
''Affirmative.'' A voice on the other side confirmed, preluding the rumble of an engine.
Grinning beneath her mask the nameless Helmet Gang member picked up her rifle and hurried after her allies, chasing down their opponents.
[END]
A/N: I was going to have this chapter be longer than it was, but I ran out of time and didn't want to postpone this chapter for another week, so here we are~
See you next time in Chapter 8: Pawns~
