11:30PM January 1st 2033 AD.
Floor 165, Toratotaka Tower.
Nikki calmly walked into ICU, queried the desk attendant about a new patient, then looked at Danielle. She was clearly distraught...as she should be. One of Guardsman Team One's members had been critically injured during a heated battle with two 55C combat boomers in district three. Apparently she had sacrificed her life to save a veteran AD Police trooper from being eviscerated. The problem was they didn't know who it was.
Until now, that is.
"Who..?" Danielle inquired hesitantly. "Who...is it, Nikki?"
"Its...." Nikki stammered, then sighed. "Its Elinor, Danielle."
Danielle gasped, tried to form a word, shuddered, then slumped into Nikki's caring arms. The attendant stood up, but Nikki waved her off. The security officer touched her friend's neck, then smiled when found a strong pulse next to her trachea. Nikki nodded, shifted her position a little, then embraced Danielle from behind.
"N...No" Danielle soft whimpered. "Not Elinor...."
"Shhhhh..." Nikki whispered in Danielle's ear. "It'll be all right. The ICU and OR doctors will take care of her. You'll see. We have some of the best staff available. So relax, dear."
Danielle sniffed back the tears, then shook her head furiously.
"I...I can't." Danielle hummed. "I....I care for her."
"Yeah," Nikki nodded "So do I..."
"Eh?" Danielle uttered.
"She...." Nikki began "She's saved my life a while ago. I've been indebted to her ever since. I wish I would been there to take the bullet for her tonight."
"Do..." Danielle hummed. "Do you love her?"
"Yes," Nikki admitted to Danielle, then shook her head. "But my love for her is not the same as yours."
"Oh." Danielle softly responded to her admission, looked to the left when a familiar voice called out her name, then tensed up as Edith approached her. "E...Edith! Is Elinor all right?!"
"They've stablized her love," Edith whispered. "But for some bloody reason she won't relax. All she ever does is keep falling in and out of consciousness. Its driving me bloody mad, Danielle."
"Eh?" Danielle uttered. "Why is she doing that?"
"We don't know," Edith shook her head. "Its a mystery to us."
"I...see." Danielle uttered, softly hummed to herself, then stared at Edith. "Can I see her. Its...been a while y'know."
"I don't think..." Edith began, thought about it, then gazed at her. "If you insist...."
Danielle nodded to Edith, then followed the tall woman to a room tucked in the north-west corner of the ICU. Edith paused, looked as if she were about to say something, then held her tongue as she pulled the curtain aside.
Danielle entered the small bay, smiled at Edith's concenred teammates who were leaning up against a wall, then lost her footing when she noticed Elinor's battered form in a hospital bed. Edith caught the office lady in her arms, steadied her, then helped her over to a empty chair on the left side of the bed.
"Elinor..." Danielle whispered, gazed at the bandages that covered most of Elinor's body, gripped the guardsman's left hand, then laid her right hand over the grasp. "Gods Elinor...this...is just too much. Please don't leave me."
"She's okay," Karen nodded, then gazed at Danielle. "She'll be all right, Danielle"
"How can you be sure of that?" Kay growled. "She's taxing her energies by going in and out of consciousness. I'd worry less if our big sister was unconscious that have her starring at up at us."
Karen was about to retort when Edith shushed her. At that same moment, Danielle gasped as Elinor's unbanadged eye fluttered open.
"Elinor..." Danielle uttered as her wounded friend woke up, then smiled as Elinor looked her way. "Evening, dear. Its been a while, hasn't it."
Elinor blinked at her friend, looked a little frightened when she recognized her, then ashamed of how she had been acting.
"Why are you looking at me like that?!" Danielle asked, then grinned. "Are you upset with yourself? Why? There's no reason for you to be. Yeah you made a mistake...hell everyone
else does. Your as human as I am, Elinor. You aren't perfect, y'know."
"That's just the point...." Kay hummed. "She -likes- to be perfect...or at least thinks she is. That's the other reason why she hates herself right now. She truly believes that she could sense that damned thing."
"Really?" Danielle hummed quietly, thought for a minute or so, then gazed at Elinor. "Could you do that....knowing that your knowledge is limited in the advanced arts of your druid training? You've told me that yourself. Edith's confirmed that as well."
Elinor's eye flew wide open at this observation.
"Don't you think its a little foolish..." Danielle said kindly. "...to have faith in something when you -know- ,deep down in your heart, you can't do....and then hate yourself for it. It doesn't matter, though. What matters is that you've always been there for me. I want you to be there for me in the future, too. So....please....stop fretting about it...and get some rest, please? I'd love to see more of you in the future."
Elinor stared at her for a minute, closed her eye, then fell back into unconsciousness. Danielle smiled, kissed Elinor's hand again before letting it go, then looked to her friends. Danielle blinked when she noticed a mixture of concern, skepticism and affection played on their faces.
"Well," Edith audibly sighed, then nodded as Danielle looked back at Elinor. "I guess we should go. Right?"
"Un." Kay and Karen hummed in a subdued voice, then pushed themselves away from the wall. "Let's go, you two."
"Yeah," Edith hummed as they walked out of the room, then looked at Danielle who was still gazing at her commanding officer. "We're going now, Danielle. Visiting hours are over and we have to let her sleep."
"A...all right." Danielle nodded to Edith, then got up to follow her lead. When they exited the bay, Danielle noted that Nikki was gone. She promised herself to thank Nikki for being there for her. As soon as they walked through the ICU's doors, Edith stopped then turned to face Danielle in the hallway. "What is it, Edith?"
"Those were pretty strong words." Edith hummed and shook her head. "To be blunt, Elinor doesn't like it when others tell her things like that. You have to remember that she's quite stubborn....and doesn't like to be reminded of her faults."
"Isn't it...?" Danielle asked. "Isn't it...true though?"
"Maybe." Edith sighed. "But know this...big sister has a strong constitution. She's pulled out of situations like this before."
"I see." Danielle hummed to herself, gazed at Edith, then uttered hesitantly as she looked away from the guardsman. "Maybe I jumped the gun...then?"
"I never said that," Edith shook her head, then smiled sadly at Danielle. "The thing is...she's never suffered multiple injuries before....and she usually stays unconscious after suffering a severe injury."
"So why...why did you...say that? I only wanted to...." Danielle began but went silent when Edith brought her into her warm embrace.
"I know you did," Edith quietly hummed. "I'm just warning you that Elinor may not be happy when she wakes up."
"O..oh," Danielle blushed. "Is that all?"
"Yeah," Edith nodded to her, then offered Danielle her left arm. "Now....lets get back to the apartment, okay love?"
Danielle nodded, slipped her slender arm around Edith's muscular one, then sighed as they walked down the hall.
Chapter Eight: The Other Side.
6:30AM, Toratotaka Tower.
The next morning, Danielle bade Edith good morning with a kiss on her muscular arm. Edith stirred for a moment, slowly sat up in bed, then blinked as another warm body leaned up against her.
"O-Ohay-o," Danielle hummed hesitantly. "Did...you have a pleasant sleep?"
"Actually I did," Edith sighed as she wrapped her left arm around her lover's waist. "But then I always have a good night's sleep when you are around, love."
"Edith...." Danielle hummed, then smiled. "Its the same with me too, y'know."
"Thank you," Edith sighed softly, then patted her lover's abdomen. "Lets get up now. We don't want to be late, do we?"
"I..ie." Danielle uttered, then smiled. "I'm trying my best to listen to the proper enunciations of the Japanese language. Did I do well?"
"Un." Edith nodded. at this "But it would be best to learn the during your studies. It was a nice try though..."
"Thank you," Danielle nodded to her companion "I always try to do my best, dear."
"Good to know," Edith hummed quietly, gave her a light squeeze, then released her. "Okay, time to get up."
"Okay." Danielle nodded with a sigh, then slipped out of bed. "First one in the shower has to do the others back."
Edith grinned at her dare, bolted out bed, whizzed by her lover, then stormed into the bathroom. Danielle blinked when she heard the shower turn, then looked a little beat when Edith spoke up again.
"Oi, Danielle!" Edith called out. "I'm ready and waiting for you tender touches, love!"
"Darn it," Danielle hummed to herself, hung her head, then trudged off to the bathroom to do her 'chore' of the day. "I lost to her again."
* * *
An hour later, Danielle nervously smiled as she walked into Shiori's office.
"Good Morning, Danielle-san." Shiori nodded to her, then gestured to a nearby chair. "Please have a seat."
"Thanks," Danielle nodded, sat down, then folded her hands in her lap "I have to confess...last night was interesting and moving at the same time. I've never felt so good in my life."
"I'm glad." Shiori smiled, then nodded to her "We'll be doing more of the same today. Okay, Danielle?"
"Yeah," Danielle nodded, then blinked. "So...what's on today's agenda?"
"We'll be speaking with the Interior Minister," Shiori nodded at her query, then grinned when Danielle blanched at the thought of meeting a Senior Dietman. "Oh! Don't worry! I'll be doing most of the talking. I just want you to observe, all right?"
"Oh okay," Danielle sighed, then nodded. "What's on our agenda for the meeting?"
"A law enforcement issue," Shiori hummed, then grinned. "Its about the Barrett "Bee-Two" M82A2. We're going to ensure that it remains in AD Police's hands....not locked away for 'special events'."
"Eh?" Danielle uttered, then stared at her. "Why would that happen? Seems to me that its got a lot of press lately. So why.....?"
"Simple really," Shiori nodded to Danielle, turned in her chair, then closed her eyes. "GENOM doesn't want its best products being torn up by high powered fire arms."
"Ah," Danielle nodded, then blinked. "I take it you have all the facts?"
"Some of them," Shiori nodded to her, shifted the pile to the center of the desk, then picked up a folder before handing it to Danielle. "The rest I'll leave to Megumi. She'll be joining us today. Oh this is for you, by the way. Hai dozo."
"Eh?" Danielle uttered, took the folder from her smiling boss, then blinked when she opened it. "More paperwork and credentials for me?"
"You got it," Shiori hummed, then nodded. "You'll also find a work schedule at the bottom. I hope you find it favorable, Danielle."
"Eh?" Danielle uttered, flipped through the papers, then teared up when she saw her hours. "It's perfect. Thanks for the hours, Shiori. Oh, ah, does Sally have the same hours that I have."
"Un," Shiori replied, then leaned back in her chair. "All of the office ladies have a stable schedule, Danielle."
"That's a relief." Danielle quietly sighed, then looked a little beat. "I used to have a very...erratic schedule during my last job. It kinda drove me insane."
"Well...I hope this will be a more pleasant one." Shiori hummed. "I'll call you as soon as were ready, okay?"
"Okay," Danielle hummed. "I'll be at my desk."
* * *
Priss awoke to the sounds of a shower. She sat up in bed, scratched her head, then blushed when Nami poked her head out.
"Morning Priss," Nami hummed. "Want to take a shower with me?"
"No," Priss hummed. "I'll wait when your done."
Nami sighed to herself, then closed the shower curtain.
"That water tank'll be out of hot water in a few minutes." Nami hummed. "Might as well come on in -now-."
Priss sighed, pulled the covers off of her, then climbed down a short flight of steps. After doing so, she stripped off her clothes then padded over to the shower. She flung the shower curtain open, stepped inside, then blushed as a pair of soap-laden hands lathered up her hair.
"Y-You," Priss uttered ten minutes later. "You don't have to do that y'know."
"Why?" Nami hummed. "You know I like to do these things for you."
"It's just that one thing will lead to another and...." Priss said hurriedly, then yelped when they were doused with frigid water. "Aw, damn it! Not again!"
The lovers leapt out of the shower only to discover that the space heater wasn't working as well. With that discovery the lovers quickly got dressed and towel dried their hair off. After that, they tried a few other electrical appliances but they didn't work either.
"Well," Nami hummed. "Looks like you're power has been cut off."
"Yeah," Priss nodded. "Damn it all."
"I guess," Nami uttered as she combed her hair. "There's only one option left then."
"Oh?" Priss uttered "What would that be?"
"Live with me." Nami smiled at her. "You can't live on the street you know."
Priss stared at her for a minute. Then made up her mind.
"Well?" Nami asked.
"Fine, I'll live with you," Priss sighed, then glared at her. "Don't get any ideas though, okay. I'm only doing this because I hate taking lukewarm showers everyday."
Oh Priss. Nami hummed to herself. You're such a bad liar.
* * *
"Alright," Shiori announced to her department. "I'm off to see the Interior Minister! Are there any problems before I go?"
"Iie," The other office ladies of her department replied "Good luck Shiori san!"
"Arigato," Shiori thanked her team, then turned to Danielle. "Well, are you ready?"
"Hai," Danielle nodded to her, blinked when her phone rang, then blushed. "Er...."
"I can wait," Shiori hummed. "But make it quick."
"Hai," Danielle nodded to her, then picked up the receiver. "Civil Corporate Affairs. This is Danielle speaking how may I help you?"
Katsumi's face popped up on the screen.
"Koniichiwa, Danielle." Katsumi hummed. "How are you?"
"Hi Katsumi," Danielle sighed. "I'm sorry, I can't talk too long. Director Fujisaki and I are about to meet with a diplomat."
"Ah I see," The AMP officer softly hummed. "I was kind of hoping that we could talk over a cup of coffee. I guess that's out of the question now."
"Oh?" Danielle uttered, then sighed. "That's too bad. It sounded like a great idea."
Just then Shiori scribbled something and handed the note to Danielle. Danielle took the note, gazed at it, then smiled at Katsumi.
"Will 1:00PM do?" The office lady asked. "I'll be done by then."
"Hai," Katsumi hummed. "That'll do just fine. That's when my break should be, anyway. Meet me in the lobby and we'll walk over to the coffee house, okay?"
"Hai!" Danielle nodded. "See you there."
"Un!" Katsumi nodded. "Later now."
Katsumi cut the link and Danielle chuckled to herself. She put the reciever back in its cradle, then turned to Shiori.
"Okay," Shiori nodded. "Ready to go?"
Danielle nodded as she slipped away from her desk.
* * *
9:00AM. Southwest Of the Toratotaka Tower.
A Toratotaka Tower Limousine slipped into the underground garage of a government building. It pulled into a parking spot, and the passengers disembarked from the vehicle. They were greeted by the Minister's C-59's Boomer guardians, then lead inside the building. As they walked along, Megumi turned her gaze towards Danielle then smiled at her.
"So," The petite SFIO asked her "How are you feeling?"
"A little overwhelmed...." Danielle hummed. "Just like before...I mean I don't know what to say....what to do...when the Minister asks -me- a question."
"It'll be all right," Megumi hummed. "Have faith in yourself. If you don't know the answer...just look to us and we'll handle it from there."
"A...all right," Danielle quietly hummed to herself, then sighed when they reached the Minister's office. "Well, this is it. Just like before...."
"You might want to draw on those experiences as well," Shiori whispered as one of the 59Cs announced their arrival. "It might calm your nerves just a bit."
Danielle nodded as they entered the Interior Minister's office.
"Ohayo," The Interior Minister hummed, then blinked at Danielle. "Ara? Megumi-san, Shiori-san who is the new girl?"
"This is Danielle Wisner," Shiori hummed. "She's working for me at the moment."
"Ah," Interior Minister Pamela Miyaki hummed. "Ohayo Danielle-san, how are you?"
"Eh?" Danielle hummed. "Why do you ask?"
"My parent's are quite concerned about you." Pamela hummed. "We all have been when we heard the news of your...transformation. Please make yourself at home."
"Thank you," Danielle hummed as they sat down. "I appreciate your concern for me. I guess I'm feeling okay right now. As much as a woman could when she's meeting with a senior dietman."
"So..." Pamela Miyaki hummed. "What brings you by?"
"We thought you'd like to see these..."Megumi hummed as she produced a pair of folders from her briefcase. "They should prove to be...enlightening on several matters."
Pamela took both folders and opens the first one. She gazed at it for a second...then nodded.
"The Barrett "Bee-Two" M82A2 does have an impressive record," She hummed "Especially within the United States' SWAT teams when taking down boomers, boomeroids and heavily armored vehicles. I never suspected it could be used to take down an entity, though. We'll get to AMP's matters in a
moment. As far as I'm concerned...the Bee-Two shouldn't even be an issue. It should remain in the hands of a capable long-armsman. However..."
Danielle arched her right eyebrow.
"There is a tradeoff," She hummed and shook her head. "AD POLICE won't be able to re-arm its forces. It's a sad affair...but...it's something we must accept...for the time being."
"Why?" Danielle uttered.
"There are hungry, young lions and lionesses in GENOM." Pamela hummed. "Hungary for power. However, their acts may very well tear GENOM itself apart. If and
when that happens...millions of lives will be lost."
"What...?" Danielle uttered.
"A civil war within GENOM," Megumi hummed as she shook her head. "Its something that Quincy Rozenkratz fears the most."
Hearing this, Danielle arched her left eyebrow. Seeing this, Pamela softly chuckled.
"Ne, Megumi..." Pamela hummed. "When you have a chance...please talk to Danielle about the Chairman. Quincy Rosenkratz is not as evil as she -thinks- he is."
Danielle blinked at that and Pamela tittered to herself.
"Now then...about AMP," Pamela hummed, glanced at Danielle at a second, then turned her attention towards Megumi and Shiori "The Diet is very skeptical about Rally's new unit. Her group has had a difficult time dealing with category one and category two entities. Which is why they are looking into new ways of catching those...devil sharks and hire powerful sorceresses like Katsumi...or using the 'Bee-Too' to bring down a highly mobile category 3 Lucifer Hawk. Things like that produce favorable results."
"Things are still shaky however..." Pamela sighed. "AMP is having trouble with some of its members. Such as Kiddy Phenil and Katsumi Liquer, for example. Not to mention that...while locating third attractions is an art...its not an exact science either. Its especially problematic when third attractions occur in the midst of an investigation conducted by The Tokyo Metropolitan Police."
"Which is mainly due to poor facilities." Shiori hummed "Even though they have two floors...it still isn't enough...to include their own sensors and vehicle bays...as well as their own mobile headquarters."
"In short..." Pamela hummed. "Rally Chyenne wants to separate from AD POLICE. After doing so, she'll they'll be a separate entity. I don't have to tell you that a few people will feel threatened by that."
"Hai," Shiori nodded at this. "We understand that completely. We have a vested interest in AMP's survival. Rally understands that as well. But she's willing to take the risks...to produce better results. You'll find the designs and costs in the folder."
"Hmmm," She opened it, flipped through them, then came to the last page. She gazed at it, then smiled. "I see that Toratotaka plans to give the government a nice hefty loan for this project. That should appease the fools and nay sayers. However...it should also put those who feel threatened by AMPs existence on edge."
Danielle blinked then leaned forward.
"Miyaki-san?" Danielle hummed quietly to the Interior Minister. "Can I ask a question in regarding those who fear the AMP?"
"Of course," Pamela nodded. "Ask away."
"How many of them..." Danielle wondered. "...are there?"
"Fortunately for Rally-Kicho there's a select few who feel threatened by AMP," Pamela nodded. "However, these select few are quite powerful and have strong ties to several businesses and...other interests."
(Bingo) Danielle thought and smiled. (That's where I'll start.)
"I...may need data on them," Danielle hummed as she looked to Megumi "For future references, of course."
"Of course," Megumi nodded to her, winked at Shiori, then gazed at Pamela. "I hope that'll give you an estimate of what Rally's looking for, Pamela-san."
"This will do nicely," Pamela hummed. "Will that be all?"
"Hai Pamela-san," Shiori hummed and stood up. Megumi and Danielle followed suit. "That'll be all."
"Well..." Pamela hummed. "This was a short meeting...until next time then?"
A few minutes later, they were walking the halls of the Interior Minister's building. The trek back to the garage was quiet until Megumi spoke back up.
"Well," Megumi hummed then smiled at her close friend. "You have a thinker on your hands, Shiori-san. Better watch out. Next thing you know she could be gunning for your job."
"I don't think so, Megu." Shiori shook her head, then gazed at Danielle. "At first glance she may be a timid, unsure CCA officer...but when you look deep down she's got the soul of a FIO."
* * *
AD POLICE Headquarters, two minutes before One PM.
"Well...." Danielle sighed to herself, then smiled as Katsumi Liquer approached her. "I guess I'm not the only one who's a little early."
"Hi there," Katsumi waved, then grinned. "Ready for our 'date', Danielle-san?"
"Sure Katsumi-san," Danielle nodded to her, then shrugged as they walked out of the lobby. "I could go for a cup right about now, and I don't even drink coffee."
"Really?" Katsumi hummed. "How so?"
"I was all on edge during the meeting," Danielle hummed. "I mean the diplomat that we met with was nice and all...it was just...intense."
"Hai I understand," Katsumi hummed. "Well I know just the thing that will calm your nerves."
Ten minutes later, Katsumi and Danielle sat in a cozy coffee shop. Both had cups of decaffeinated coffee in front of them. Danielle cooled off hers, took
a sip, then smiled.
"Delicious." Danielle murmured. "But still too hot. I guess that's why I never drank coffee in the first place."
"Ah," Katsumi hummed as she picked up her own cup. "So how's it going?"
"Isn't that my line?" Danielle sighed softly. "Okay I guess. Part of me wants to cry. The other part of me...just wants to go on with my life."
"Yeah I know how that feels," She said, took a sip, then placed the cup down on the table top. "I felt the same way when I learned about Mother's death. Part of me wanted to curl up into a ball. But I had a job to do."
"So," Danielle asked. "How are you?"
"Okay I guess," Katsumi hummed. "I'm renting an apartment...I've got a nice new job...and some new, interesting friends. What more can I ask for?"
"Ah," Danielle uttered, then nodded. "How are things at AMP?"
"Mmmm," Katsumi hummed, then smiled. "Not well, to tell you the truth. The team doesn't like me very much right now."
"Oh?" Danielle hummed. "Why is that?"
"I..." Katsumi hesitated, then relented. "I...screwed up a couple days ago. We were up a Category two. I went against orders, cornered it and everything went to hell afterwards. I got chewed out by my lieutenant afterwards...she asked me why I disobeyed orders...I told her that I could hand it all by myself. They started to shun me after that."
"Ah," Danielle hummed, thought for a moment, then took a sip of her coffee. "AMP was formed last year, wasn't it?"
"Yeah..." Katsumi nodded. "Why do you ask?"
"They've got more experience in these matters," Danielle hummed "You may have been a police officer....but what they do is a little different."
"Hmmm..." Katsumi uttered. "When you put it that way...but then I've always jumped the gun a little."
"Ah well," Danielle hummed, then smiled. "We can't have you hurdling guns all the time. You could trip over one during the relay."
"Baka," She hummed affectionately, then nodded at her. "Thanks for the advice, though."
"Don't mention it," Danielle hummed. "So what were they like? Before this incident I mean."
"Eh?" Katsumi blinked, hummed, then grinned. "Like a big family, I guess. Yuki...Yuki's like a little sister...she's so young and innocent. Yet she's still capable of defending herself. Nami, our Shinto priestess, is quite during battle. She's also a bit of a neat freak. Lebia and Sasha are like older, wiser sisters. Then there's Kiddy. Mou, its like having a lioness for a partner."
"Un..." Danielle hummed "Now...what of your chief?"
"Rally-Kicho?" Katsumi hummed, then shrugged. "She's someone I can trust. She's told me everything about my mother and what happened to her. She's also a bit of a mother figure...although I hardly see that at all. Until...a few days ago that is. She was furious with me."
"Ah," Danielle hummed as her cell phone rang. She sighed, then pulled it out. "One second okay?"
Kastumi nodded as Danielle answered her phone.
"Danielle Wisner speaking." She nodded. "Who's calling please?"
"Rally Cheyenne," The speaker stated. "Are you free tonight?"
"Yes I am," Danielle hummed. "Why do you ask, Cheyenne-san?"
Katsumi gasped.
"I'd like to meet you." The Chief of AMP hummed. "Over dinner perhaps?"
"That's fine," Danielle nodded. "Where and when?"
"Crystal Palace," Rally nodded. Eight O'Clock Sharp. Will that be fine?"
"That's fine," Danielle hummed. "Is this a formal or casual affair?"
"Formal." Rally answered. "Dress as you see fit. Do not be late."
With that the line was cut.
"Well I'll be...." Danielle hummed. "Three appointments in one day...Your chief just invited me to dinner."
"Huh..." Katsumi hummed. "It looks like she wants to check you out. See if your a threat and all that. She knows about the uniqueness of your situation, Danielle."
"Huh," Danielle uttered. "I'll bet she's suspicious of me. I am after all from another dimension."
"I wonder...." Katsumi hummed. "If her maternal instincts are on overdrive. She looked very concerned...when I told her that I was meeting you for the second time. But...she encouraged it as well. I'm glad. I'm beginning to like you."
"I see," Danielle nodded, located a bathroom, then blushed. "I'm sorry but...."
"Don't worry," Katsumi hummed. "I'll be right here..."
Danielle nodded, excused herself, then slipped out of the booth.
(Her team's mad at her. That means they care about her,) She thought as she strode up to the bathroom door. (Which is good. She needs people like that.)
She pushed the door open, walked into a nearby stall, and did her business.
"Someone like me." Danielle sighed as someone flushed a toilet. "I don't know how...but I have to protect her."
"Oh," Hummed a young girl. "Could you really do that?"
Danielle blinked, whirled around on her booted heel, then stared at the speaker who was leaning up against the stall. She was short, dressed casually and had brown-black hair pulled into braided ponytails.
"Hi," The girl grinned at Danielle, then gestured to herself. "Atashi wa Lum Cheng. I'm an elementor. Please to meet you, Danielle-Aneki."
"Uh....hi Lum," Danielle hummed "So...I guess you heard me."
"Not only that...." Lum hummed. "But I've been observing you the whole time."
"What?!" Danielle blurted. "You were spying on me....and my friend?! Why?! Who sent you?!"
"Oh relax will you!?" Lum sighed. "I'm doing this for the good of humanity....as well as my employer."
"You're employer?!" Danielle uttered. "Who would hire a kid at your age?"
"AMP would," Lum hummed, then nodded. "They already have a young teen, Yuki-Aneki, in their employ right now."
Danielle furrowed her brow in thought, blinked when she smelled cherries, then stared at the young girl.
"A...Anata.....!" Danielle uttered then stopped when Lum held up a hand. "Nani yo?!"
"First, we can have that discussion later," Lum hummed. "Secondly...don't you feel that?"
Danielle blinked at the question, concentrated for a few seconds, then gasped when she felt a disturbance nearby. Something....innately evil was entering this world.
"What...." Danielle shuddered.
"Its a Lucifer Hawk." Lum hummed quickly and quietly. "You'd better call your people...while -we- call our people. Okay?"
They burst out of the ladies room, only to see a medium sized Lucifer Hawk emerge from the floor. It was roughly ovoid, had a couple eyes on its 'face' and a quartet of tentacles hanging from its 'torso'.
*The Key* It murmured as it eyed Katsumi. *I have found the key.*
Both women cursed in their native tongues as several patrons screamed or yelled the words monster in -their- native tongues. Danielle contacted Nerima. At the same moment, Katsumi held up a hand and faced the crowd.
"Police! Everyone clear out now! We have a dangerous situation here!" Katsumi bellowed, took a breath as everyone cleared out of the place, faced the entity who had disrupted her relaxation time, then touched her comm badge. "Sasha!? I've got a 3rd attraction on my hands. I'm at the coffee house on the corner of 3rd and Meisha! I'll need back up as soon possible. It's the category two we faced a few days ago!"
"We detected it five minutes ago..." Sasha called back "Nami, Yuki, Kiddy Lebia should be there at any moment. Hold him there and don't do anything rash."
"I'll see what I can...yaaaa!" Katsumi blurted as it hauled her off of the floor and held her up in the air with its tentacles. "M...Monster."
Danielle bit her lip as she gazed at the scene. She didn't know what to do. She wasn't capable of fighting. Not in this state! But there had to be something that she could do.
"D...Danielle." Katsumi grunted as the thing began to choke her "G...Get that girl outa here.. ....this is the category two....Aaaa.....Aagh!"
"I'm not leaving," Lum hummed quietly, stared at Katsumi, then held up her hand. "Especially with you in a bind, Katsumi-aneki! I'd be a coward to leave a crime scene. Jesso! Come to me!"
"Neither..." Danielle uttered as a golden spear fell from pocket space. "Neither am I!"
"M..." Katsumi bit "...Minna..."
*You will not stop me...* The entity hummed and three waves of category three 'flyers' emerged from the walls and the ceiling. *My allies will see to that!*
Lum Cheng and Danielle growled as the flyers surrounded them. The category two chortled as it descended to the ground. Danielle's eyes went wide and everything went white. The windows blew out as AMP arrived on the scene. Nami shielded her teammates with a ward, while Lum Cheng used Jesso's powers to withstand the blast. When the white noise faded, Lum Cheng uncovered her eyes and gasped. Tables and chairs were turned over and the 'flyers' were now ash. Katsumi was free while her captor was a pulped mess. Lum Cheng turned to ask Danielle what had happened...but stopped when she saw the dazed look in Danielle's eyes.
"What......" Danielle uttered hesitantly as Katsumi got up off of the floor. "Did I...just...do?"
"Beats me..." Lum shook her head. "Have you done that before?"
Danielle shook her head at the question, then groaned as she fell to the floor. Moments later, the front doors burst open and Lebia's team ran over to them. Nami reached them first.
"What just happened?!" Kiddy demanded as Nami knelt by Danielle's body. "Who turned this place upside down?!"
"We think Danielle did it." Katsumi nodded, then shrugged. "We don't know how she did this. Not even Danielle knows. How is she, Nami?"
"Just a moment," Nami hummed, tapped Danielle's neck, then sighed out of relief. "She'll be alright, minna. She's just fainted."
"Is that so?" Katsumi blinked, then smiled. "Must have overdone herself with that spell."
"Um...I don't think that was a spell per se..." Lum hummed. "It...was more like...a raw chi or force blast."
"Who the heck are you?!" Kiddy demanded.
"Atashi wa Lum Cheng," Lum nodded. "Please call me Lum. You must be the core members of AMP. It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm your new team member."
"Eh?!" Kiddy blurted. "Since when?!"
"Since today," a new voice called out. "I'll be working with you as well."
They turn to see a tall woman standing a few feet away.
"Atashi wa Mana Isozaki." Mana introduced herself. "I am an old friend of Rally Cheyenne. I'm your new Operations chief."
"What'll happen to Sasha?" Katsumi uttered. "She's our current Ops chief."
"Save that for later." Mana ordered as she gazed at Danielle. "We have other matters to attend to."
"Oh right," The young sorceress hummed, then knelt by Danielle's head. "Should we take her back to HQ? Or maybe let her employers take care of her?"
"Take her to ADP," Mana nodded. "I'll inform her superiors about the incident."
"Hai!" They nodded.
Two days later, Danielle awoke in an unfamiliar recovery room. She blinked,
Looked around and was about to get out when Nami entered the room.
"Ah I see you're awake." Nami nodded to her. "That's good. Katsumi-san's
been worried sick about you."
"Really?" Danielle uttered. "Ano...who are you...and where am I?"
"Ah sumimasen," The lavender haired woman sighed. "Atashi wa Nami Yamigumo...I'm a Shinto priestess. To answer your second question...you're now at AD POLICE headquaters."
"Nice to meet you," Danielle nodded. "Uh...do my superiors know that I'm here?"
"Yes. They know that you're here," Nami nodded. "We'll inform them that you're awake now."
"Thanks." Danielle nodded.
End Chapter 8
Floor 165, Toratotaka Tower.
Nikki calmly walked into ICU, queried the desk attendant about a new patient, then looked at Danielle. She was clearly distraught...as she should be. One of Guardsman Team One's members had been critically injured during a heated battle with two 55C combat boomers in district three. Apparently she had sacrificed her life to save a veteran AD Police trooper from being eviscerated. The problem was they didn't know who it was.
Until now, that is.
"Who..?" Danielle inquired hesitantly. "Who...is it, Nikki?"
"Its...." Nikki stammered, then sighed. "Its Elinor, Danielle."
Danielle gasped, tried to form a word, shuddered, then slumped into Nikki's caring arms. The attendant stood up, but Nikki waved her off. The security officer touched her friend's neck, then smiled when found a strong pulse next to her trachea. Nikki nodded, shifted her position a little, then embraced Danielle from behind.
"N...No" Danielle soft whimpered. "Not Elinor...."
"Shhhhh..." Nikki whispered in Danielle's ear. "It'll be all right. The ICU and OR doctors will take care of her. You'll see. We have some of the best staff available. So relax, dear."
Danielle sniffed back the tears, then shook her head furiously.
"I...I can't." Danielle hummed. "I....I care for her."
"Yeah," Nikki nodded "So do I..."
"Eh?" Danielle uttered.
"She...." Nikki began "She's saved my life a while ago. I've been indebted to her ever since. I wish I would been there to take the bullet for her tonight."
"Do..." Danielle hummed. "Do you love her?"
"Yes," Nikki admitted to Danielle, then shook her head. "But my love for her is not the same as yours."
"Oh." Danielle softly responded to her admission, looked to the left when a familiar voice called out her name, then tensed up as Edith approached her. "E...Edith! Is Elinor all right?!"
"They've stablized her love," Edith whispered. "But for some bloody reason she won't relax. All she ever does is keep falling in and out of consciousness. Its driving me bloody mad, Danielle."
"Eh?" Danielle uttered. "Why is she doing that?"
"We don't know," Edith shook her head. "Its a mystery to us."
"I...see." Danielle uttered, softly hummed to herself, then stared at Edith. "Can I see her. Its...been a while y'know."
"I don't think..." Edith began, thought about it, then gazed at her. "If you insist...."
Danielle nodded to Edith, then followed the tall woman to a room tucked in the north-west corner of the ICU. Edith paused, looked as if she were about to say something, then held her tongue as she pulled the curtain aside.
Danielle entered the small bay, smiled at Edith's concenred teammates who were leaning up against a wall, then lost her footing when she noticed Elinor's battered form in a hospital bed. Edith caught the office lady in her arms, steadied her, then helped her over to a empty chair on the left side of the bed.
"Elinor..." Danielle whispered, gazed at the bandages that covered most of Elinor's body, gripped the guardsman's left hand, then laid her right hand over the grasp. "Gods Elinor...this...is just too much. Please don't leave me."
"She's okay," Karen nodded, then gazed at Danielle. "She'll be all right, Danielle"
"How can you be sure of that?" Kay growled. "She's taxing her energies by going in and out of consciousness. I'd worry less if our big sister was unconscious that have her starring at up at us."
Karen was about to retort when Edith shushed her. At that same moment, Danielle gasped as Elinor's unbanadged eye fluttered open.
"Elinor..." Danielle uttered as her wounded friend woke up, then smiled as Elinor looked her way. "Evening, dear. Its been a while, hasn't it."
Elinor blinked at her friend, looked a little frightened when she recognized her, then ashamed of how she had been acting.
"Why are you looking at me like that?!" Danielle asked, then grinned. "Are you upset with yourself? Why? There's no reason for you to be. Yeah you made a mistake...hell everyone
else does. Your as human as I am, Elinor. You aren't perfect, y'know."
"That's just the point...." Kay hummed. "She -likes- to be perfect...or at least thinks she is. That's the other reason why she hates herself right now. She truly believes that she could sense that damned thing."
"Really?" Danielle hummed quietly, thought for a minute or so, then gazed at Elinor. "Could you do that....knowing that your knowledge is limited in the advanced arts of your druid training? You've told me that yourself. Edith's confirmed that as well."
Elinor's eye flew wide open at this observation.
"Don't you think its a little foolish..." Danielle said kindly. "...to have faith in something when you -know- ,deep down in your heart, you can't do....and then hate yourself for it. It doesn't matter, though. What matters is that you've always been there for me. I want you to be there for me in the future, too. So....please....stop fretting about it...and get some rest, please? I'd love to see more of you in the future."
Elinor stared at her for a minute, closed her eye, then fell back into unconsciousness. Danielle smiled, kissed Elinor's hand again before letting it go, then looked to her friends. Danielle blinked when she noticed a mixture of concern, skepticism and affection played on their faces.
"Well," Edith audibly sighed, then nodded as Danielle looked back at Elinor. "I guess we should go. Right?"
"Un." Kay and Karen hummed in a subdued voice, then pushed themselves away from the wall. "Let's go, you two."
"Yeah," Edith hummed as they walked out of the room, then looked at Danielle who was still gazing at her commanding officer. "We're going now, Danielle. Visiting hours are over and we have to let her sleep."
"A...all right." Danielle nodded to Edith, then got up to follow her lead. When they exited the bay, Danielle noted that Nikki was gone. She promised herself to thank Nikki for being there for her. As soon as they walked through the ICU's doors, Edith stopped then turned to face Danielle in the hallway. "What is it, Edith?"
"Those were pretty strong words." Edith hummed and shook her head. "To be blunt, Elinor doesn't like it when others tell her things like that. You have to remember that she's quite stubborn....and doesn't like to be reminded of her faults."
"Isn't it...?" Danielle asked. "Isn't it...true though?"
"Maybe." Edith sighed. "But know this...big sister has a strong constitution. She's pulled out of situations like this before."
"I see." Danielle hummed to herself, gazed at Edith, then uttered hesitantly as she looked away from the guardsman. "Maybe I jumped the gun...then?"
"I never said that," Edith shook her head, then smiled sadly at Danielle. "The thing is...she's never suffered multiple injuries before....and she usually stays unconscious after suffering a severe injury."
"So why...why did you...say that? I only wanted to...." Danielle began but went silent when Edith brought her into her warm embrace.
"I know you did," Edith quietly hummed. "I'm just warning you that Elinor may not be happy when she wakes up."
"O..oh," Danielle blushed. "Is that all?"
"Yeah," Edith nodded to her, then offered Danielle her left arm. "Now....lets get back to the apartment, okay love?"
Danielle nodded, slipped her slender arm around Edith's muscular one, then sighed as they walked down the hall.
Chapter Eight: The Other Side.
6:30AM, Toratotaka Tower.
The next morning, Danielle bade Edith good morning with a kiss on her muscular arm. Edith stirred for a moment, slowly sat up in bed, then blinked as another warm body leaned up against her.
"O-Ohay-o," Danielle hummed hesitantly. "Did...you have a pleasant sleep?"
"Actually I did," Edith sighed as she wrapped her left arm around her lover's waist. "But then I always have a good night's sleep when you are around, love."
"Edith...." Danielle hummed, then smiled. "Its the same with me too, y'know."
"Thank you," Edith sighed softly, then patted her lover's abdomen. "Lets get up now. We don't want to be late, do we?"
"I..ie." Danielle uttered, then smiled. "I'm trying my best to listen to the proper enunciations of the Japanese language. Did I do well?"
"Un." Edith nodded. at this "But it would be best to learn the during your studies. It was a nice try though..."
"Thank you," Danielle nodded to her companion "I always try to do my best, dear."
"Good to know," Edith hummed quietly, gave her a light squeeze, then released her. "Okay, time to get up."
"Okay." Danielle nodded with a sigh, then slipped out of bed. "First one in the shower has to do the others back."
Edith grinned at her dare, bolted out bed, whizzed by her lover, then stormed into the bathroom. Danielle blinked when she heard the shower turn, then looked a little beat when Edith spoke up again.
"Oi, Danielle!" Edith called out. "I'm ready and waiting for you tender touches, love!"
"Darn it," Danielle hummed to herself, hung her head, then trudged off to the bathroom to do her 'chore' of the day. "I lost to her again."
* * *
An hour later, Danielle nervously smiled as she walked into Shiori's office.
"Good Morning, Danielle-san." Shiori nodded to her, then gestured to a nearby chair. "Please have a seat."
"Thanks," Danielle nodded, sat down, then folded her hands in her lap "I have to confess...last night was interesting and moving at the same time. I've never felt so good in my life."
"I'm glad." Shiori smiled, then nodded to her "We'll be doing more of the same today. Okay, Danielle?"
"Yeah," Danielle nodded, then blinked. "So...what's on today's agenda?"
"We'll be speaking with the Interior Minister," Shiori nodded at her query, then grinned when Danielle blanched at the thought of meeting a Senior Dietman. "Oh! Don't worry! I'll be doing most of the talking. I just want you to observe, all right?"
"Oh okay," Danielle sighed, then nodded. "What's on our agenda for the meeting?"
"A law enforcement issue," Shiori hummed, then grinned. "Its about the Barrett "Bee-Two" M82A2. We're going to ensure that it remains in AD Police's hands....not locked away for 'special events'."
"Eh?" Danielle uttered, then stared at her. "Why would that happen? Seems to me that its got a lot of press lately. So why.....?"
"Simple really," Shiori nodded to Danielle, turned in her chair, then closed her eyes. "GENOM doesn't want its best products being torn up by high powered fire arms."
"Ah," Danielle nodded, then blinked. "I take it you have all the facts?"
"Some of them," Shiori nodded to her, shifted the pile to the center of the desk, then picked up a folder before handing it to Danielle. "The rest I'll leave to Megumi. She'll be joining us today. Oh this is for you, by the way. Hai dozo."
"Eh?" Danielle uttered, took the folder from her smiling boss, then blinked when she opened it. "More paperwork and credentials for me?"
"You got it," Shiori hummed, then nodded. "You'll also find a work schedule at the bottom. I hope you find it favorable, Danielle."
"Eh?" Danielle uttered, flipped through the papers, then teared up when she saw her hours. "It's perfect. Thanks for the hours, Shiori. Oh, ah, does Sally have the same hours that I have."
"Un," Shiori replied, then leaned back in her chair. "All of the office ladies have a stable schedule, Danielle."
"That's a relief." Danielle quietly sighed, then looked a little beat. "I used to have a very...erratic schedule during my last job. It kinda drove me insane."
"Well...I hope this will be a more pleasant one." Shiori hummed. "I'll call you as soon as were ready, okay?"
"Okay," Danielle hummed. "I'll be at my desk."
* * *
Priss awoke to the sounds of a shower. She sat up in bed, scratched her head, then blushed when Nami poked her head out.
"Morning Priss," Nami hummed. "Want to take a shower with me?"
"No," Priss hummed. "I'll wait when your done."
Nami sighed to herself, then closed the shower curtain.
"That water tank'll be out of hot water in a few minutes." Nami hummed. "Might as well come on in -now-."
Priss sighed, pulled the covers off of her, then climbed down a short flight of steps. After doing so, she stripped off her clothes then padded over to the shower. She flung the shower curtain open, stepped inside, then blushed as a pair of soap-laden hands lathered up her hair.
"Y-You," Priss uttered ten minutes later. "You don't have to do that y'know."
"Why?" Nami hummed. "You know I like to do these things for you."
"It's just that one thing will lead to another and...." Priss said hurriedly, then yelped when they were doused with frigid water. "Aw, damn it! Not again!"
The lovers leapt out of the shower only to discover that the space heater wasn't working as well. With that discovery the lovers quickly got dressed and towel dried their hair off. After that, they tried a few other electrical appliances but they didn't work either.
"Well," Nami hummed. "Looks like you're power has been cut off."
"Yeah," Priss nodded. "Damn it all."
"I guess," Nami uttered as she combed her hair. "There's only one option left then."
"Oh?" Priss uttered "What would that be?"
"Live with me." Nami smiled at her. "You can't live on the street you know."
Priss stared at her for a minute. Then made up her mind.
"Well?" Nami asked.
"Fine, I'll live with you," Priss sighed, then glared at her. "Don't get any ideas though, okay. I'm only doing this because I hate taking lukewarm showers everyday."
Oh Priss. Nami hummed to herself. You're such a bad liar.
* * *
"Alright," Shiori announced to her department. "I'm off to see the Interior Minister! Are there any problems before I go?"
"Iie," The other office ladies of her department replied "Good luck Shiori san!"
"Arigato," Shiori thanked her team, then turned to Danielle. "Well, are you ready?"
"Hai," Danielle nodded to her, blinked when her phone rang, then blushed. "Er...."
"I can wait," Shiori hummed. "But make it quick."
"Hai," Danielle nodded to her, then picked up the receiver. "Civil Corporate Affairs. This is Danielle speaking how may I help you?"
Katsumi's face popped up on the screen.
"Koniichiwa, Danielle." Katsumi hummed. "How are you?"
"Hi Katsumi," Danielle sighed. "I'm sorry, I can't talk too long. Director Fujisaki and I are about to meet with a diplomat."
"Ah I see," The AMP officer softly hummed. "I was kind of hoping that we could talk over a cup of coffee. I guess that's out of the question now."
"Oh?" Danielle uttered, then sighed. "That's too bad. It sounded like a great idea."
Just then Shiori scribbled something and handed the note to Danielle. Danielle took the note, gazed at it, then smiled at Katsumi.
"Will 1:00PM do?" The office lady asked. "I'll be done by then."
"Hai," Katsumi hummed. "That'll do just fine. That's when my break should be, anyway. Meet me in the lobby and we'll walk over to the coffee house, okay?"
"Hai!" Danielle nodded. "See you there."
"Un!" Katsumi nodded. "Later now."
Katsumi cut the link and Danielle chuckled to herself. She put the reciever back in its cradle, then turned to Shiori.
"Okay," Shiori nodded. "Ready to go?"
Danielle nodded as she slipped away from her desk.
* * *
9:00AM. Southwest Of the Toratotaka Tower.
A Toratotaka Tower Limousine slipped into the underground garage of a government building. It pulled into a parking spot, and the passengers disembarked from the vehicle. They were greeted by the Minister's C-59's Boomer guardians, then lead inside the building. As they walked along, Megumi turned her gaze towards Danielle then smiled at her.
"So," The petite SFIO asked her "How are you feeling?"
"A little overwhelmed...." Danielle hummed. "Just like before...I mean I don't know what to say....what to do...when the Minister asks -me- a question."
"It'll be all right," Megumi hummed. "Have faith in yourself. If you don't know the answer...just look to us and we'll handle it from there."
"A...all right," Danielle quietly hummed to herself, then sighed when they reached the Minister's office. "Well, this is it. Just like before...."
"You might want to draw on those experiences as well," Shiori whispered as one of the 59Cs announced their arrival. "It might calm your nerves just a bit."
Danielle nodded as they entered the Interior Minister's office.
"Ohayo," The Interior Minister hummed, then blinked at Danielle. "Ara? Megumi-san, Shiori-san who is the new girl?"
"This is Danielle Wisner," Shiori hummed. "She's working for me at the moment."
"Ah," Interior Minister Pamela Miyaki hummed. "Ohayo Danielle-san, how are you?"
"Eh?" Danielle hummed. "Why do you ask?"
"My parent's are quite concerned about you." Pamela hummed. "We all have been when we heard the news of your...transformation. Please make yourself at home."
"Thank you," Danielle hummed as they sat down. "I appreciate your concern for me. I guess I'm feeling okay right now. As much as a woman could when she's meeting with a senior dietman."
"So..." Pamela Miyaki hummed. "What brings you by?"
"We thought you'd like to see these..."Megumi hummed as she produced a pair of folders from her briefcase. "They should prove to be...enlightening on several matters."
Pamela took both folders and opens the first one. She gazed at it for a second...then nodded.
"The Barrett "Bee-Two" M82A2 does have an impressive record," She hummed "Especially within the United States' SWAT teams when taking down boomers, boomeroids and heavily armored vehicles. I never suspected it could be used to take down an entity, though. We'll get to AMP's matters in a
moment. As far as I'm concerned...the Bee-Two shouldn't even be an issue. It should remain in the hands of a capable long-armsman. However..."
Danielle arched her right eyebrow.
"There is a tradeoff," She hummed and shook her head. "AD POLICE won't be able to re-arm its forces. It's a sad affair...but...it's something we must accept...for the time being."
"Why?" Danielle uttered.
"There are hungry, young lions and lionesses in GENOM." Pamela hummed. "Hungary for power. However, their acts may very well tear GENOM itself apart. If and
when that happens...millions of lives will be lost."
"What...?" Danielle uttered.
"A civil war within GENOM," Megumi hummed as she shook her head. "Its something that Quincy Rozenkratz fears the most."
Hearing this, Danielle arched her left eyebrow. Seeing this, Pamela softly chuckled.
"Ne, Megumi..." Pamela hummed. "When you have a chance...please talk to Danielle about the Chairman. Quincy Rosenkratz is not as evil as she -thinks- he is."
Danielle blinked at that and Pamela tittered to herself.
"Now then...about AMP," Pamela hummed, glanced at Danielle at a second, then turned her attention towards Megumi and Shiori "The Diet is very skeptical about Rally's new unit. Her group has had a difficult time dealing with category one and category two entities. Which is why they are looking into new ways of catching those...devil sharks and hire powerful sorceresses like Katsumi...or using the 'Bee-Too' to bring down a highly mobile category 3 Lucifer Hawk. Things like that produce favorable results."
"Things are still shaky however..." Pamela sighed. "AMP is having trouble with some of its members. Such as Kiddy Phenil and Katsumi Liquer, for example. Not to mention that...while locating third attractions is an art...its not an exact science either. Its especially problematic when third attractions occur in the midst of an investigation conducted by The Tokyo Metropolitan Police."
"Which is mainly due to poor facilities." Shiori hummed "Even though they have two floors...it still isn't enough...to include their own sensors and vehicle bays...as well as their own mobile headquarters."
"In short..." Pamela hummed. "Rally Chyenne wants to separate from AD POLICE. After doing so, she'll they'll be a separate entity. I don't have to tell you that a few people will feel threatened by that."
"Hai," Shiori nodded at this. "We understand that completely. We have a vested interest in AMP's survival. Rally understands that as well. But she's willing to take the risks...to produce better results. You'll find the designs and costs in the folder."
"Hmmm," She opened it, flipped through them, then came to the last page. She gazed at it, then smiled. "I see that Toratotaka plans to give the government a nice hefty loan for this project. That should appease the fools and nay sayers. However...it should also put those who feel threatened by AMPs existence on edge."
Danielle blinked then leaned forward.
"Miyaki-san?" Danielle hummed quietly to the Interior Minister. "Can I ask a question in regarding those who fear the AMP?"
"Of course," Pamela nodded. "Ask away."
"How many of them..." Danielle wondered. "...are there?"
"Fortunately for Rally-Kicho there's a select few who feel threatened by AMP," Pamela nodded. "However, these select few are quite powerful and have strong ties to several businesses and...other interests."
(Bingo) Danielle thought and smiled. (That's where I'll start.)
"I...may need data on them," Danielle hummed as she looked to Megumi "For future references, of course."
"Of course," Megumi nodded to her, winked at Shiori, then gazed at Pamela. "I hope that'll give you an estimate of what Rally's looking for, Pamela-san."
"This will do nicely," Pamela hummed. "Will that be all?"
"Hai Pamela-san," Shiori hummed and stood up. Megumi and Danielle followed suit. "That'll be all."
"Well..." Pamela hummed. "This was a short meeting...until next time then?"
A few minutes later, they were walking the halls of the Interior Minister's building. The trek back to the garage was quiet until Megumi spoke back up.
"Well," Megumi hummed then smiled at her close friend. "You have a thinker on your hands, Shiori-san. Better watch out. Next thing you know she could be gunning for your job."
"I don't think so, Megu." Shiori shook her head, then gazed at Danielle. "At first glance she may be a timid, unsure CCA officer...but when you look deep down she's got the soul of a FIO."
* * *
AD POLICE Headquarters, two minutes before One PM.
"Well...." Danielle sighed to herself, then smiled as Katsumi Liquer approached her. "I guess I'm not the only one who's a little early."
"Hi there," Katsumi waved, then grinned. "Ready for our 'date', Danielle-san?"
"Sure Katsumi-san," Danielle nodded to her, then shrugged as they walked out of the lobby. "I could go for a cup right about now, and I don't even drink coffee."
"Really?" Katsumi hummed. "How so?"
"I was all on edge during the meeting," Danielle hummed. "I mean the diplomat that we met with was nice and all...it was just...intense."
"Hai I understand," Katsumi hummed. "Well I know just the thing that will calm your nerves."
Ten minutes later, Katsumi and Danielle sat in a cozy coffee shop. Both had cups of decaffeinated coffee in front of them. Danielle cooled off hers, took
a sip, then smiled.
"Delicious." Danielle murmured. "But still too hot. I guess that's why I never drank coffee in the first place."
"Ah," Katsumi hummed as she picked up her own cup. "So how's it going?"
"Isn't that my line?" Danielle sighed softly. "Okay I guess. Part of me wants to cry. The other part of me...just wants to go on with my life."
"Yeah I know how that feels," She said, took a sip, then placed the cup down on the table top. "I felt the same way when I learned about Mother's death. Part of me wanted to curl up into a ball. But I had a job to do."
"So," Danielle asked. "How are you?"
"Okay I guess," Katsumi hummed. "I'm renting an apartment...I've got a nice new job...and some new, interesting friends. What more can I ask for?"
"Ah," Danielle uttered, then nodded. "How are things at AMP?"
"Mmmm," Katsumi hummed, then smiled. "Not well, to tell you the truth. The team doesn't like me very much right now."
"Oh?" Danielle hummed. "Why is that?"
"I..." Katsumi hesitated, then relented. "I...screwed up a couple days ago. We were up a Category two. I went against orders, cornered it and everything went to hell afterwards. I got chewed out by my lieutenant afterwards...she asked me why I disobeyed orders...I told her that I could hand it all by myself. They started to shun me after that."
"Ah," Danielle hummed, thought for a moment, then took a sip of her coffee. "AMP was formed last year, wasn't it?"
"Yeah..." Katsumi nodded. "Why do you ask?"
"They've got more experience in these matters," Danielle hummed "You may have been a police officer....but what they do is a little different."
"Hmmm..." Katsumi uttered. "When you put it that way...but then I've always jumped the gun a little."
"Ah well," Danielle hummed, then smiled. "We can't have you hurdling guns all the time. You could trip over one during the relay."
"Baka," She hummed affectionately, then nodded at her. "Thanks for the advice, though."
"Don't mention it," Danielle hummed. "So what were they like? Before this incident I mean."
"Eh?" Katsumi blinked, hummed, then grinned. "Like a big family, I guess. Yuki...Yuki's like a little sister...she's so young and innocent. Yet she's still capable of defending herself. Nami, our Shinto priestess, is quite during battle. She's also a bit of a neat freak. Lebia and Sasha are like older, wiser sisters. Then there's Kiddy. Mou, its like having a lioness for a partner."
"Un..." Danielle hummed "Now...what of your chief?"
"Rally-Kicho?" Katsumi hummed, then shrugged. "She's someone I can trust. She's told me everything about my mother and what happened to her. She's also a bit of a mother figure...although I hardly see that at all. Until...a few days ago that is. She was furious with me."
"Ah," Danielle hummed as her cell phone rang. She sighed, then pulled it out. "One second okay?"
Kastumi nodded as Danielle answered her phone.
"Danielle Wisner speaking." She nodded. "Who's calling please?"
"Rally Cheyenne," The speaker stated. "Are you free tonight?"
"Yes I am," Danielle hummed. "Why do you ask, Cheyenne-san?"
Katsumi gasped.
"I'd like to meet you." The Chief of AMP hummed. "Over dinner perhaps?"
"That's fine," Danielle nodded. "Where and when?"
"Crystal Palace," Rally nodded. Eight O'Clock Sharp. Will that be fine?"
"That's fine," Danielle hummed. "Is this a formal or casual affair?"
"Formal." Rally answered. "Dress as you see fit. Do not be late."
With that the line was cut.
"Well I'll be...." Danielle hummed. "Three appointments in one day...Your chief just invited me to dinner."
"Huh..." Katsumi hummed. "It looks like she wants to check you out. See if your a threat and all that. She knows about the uniqueness of your situation, Danielle."
"Huh," Danielle uttered. "I'll bet she's suspicious of me. I am after all from another dimension."
"I wonder...." Katsumi hummed. "If her maternal instincts are on overdrive. She looked very concerned...when I told her that I was meeting you for the second time. But...she encouraged it as well. I'm glad. I'm beginning to like you."
"I see," Danielle nodded, located a bathroom, then blushed. "I'm sorry but...."
"Don't worry," Katsumi hummed. "I'll be right here..."
Danielle nodded, excused herself, then slipped out of the booth.
(Her team's mad at her. That means they care about her,) She thought as she strode up to the bathroom door. (Which is good. She needs people like that.)
She pushed the door open, walked into a nearby stall, and did her business.
"Someone like me." Danielle sighed as someone flushed a toilet. "I don't know how...but I have to protect her."
"Oh," Hummed a young girl. "Could you really do that?"
Danielle blinked, whirled around on her booted heel, then stared at the speaker who was leaning up against the stall. She was short, dressed casually and had brown-black hair pulled into braided ponytails.
"Hi," The girl grinned at Danielle, then gestured to herself. "Atashi wa Lum Cheng. I'm an elementor. Please to meet you, Danielle-Aneki."
"Uh....hi Lum," Danielle hummed "So...I guess you heard me."
"Not only that...." Lum hummed. "But I've been observing you the whole time."
"What?!" Danielle blurted. "You were spying on me....and my friend?! Why?! Who sent you?!"
"Oh relax will you!?" Lum sighed. "I'm doing this for the good of humanity....as well as my employer."
"You're employer?!" Danielle uttered. "Who would hire a kid at your age?"
"AMP would," Lum hummed, then nodded. "They already have a young teen, Yuki-Aneki, in their employ right now."
Danielle furrowed her brow in thought, blinked when she smelled cherries, then stared at the young girl.
"A...Anata.....!" Danielle uttered then stopped when Lum held up a hand. "Nani yo?!"
"First, we can have that discussion later," Lum hummed. "Secondly...don't you feel that?"
Danielle blinked at the question, concentrated for a few seconds, then gasped when she felt a disturbance nearby. Something....innately evil was entering this world.
"What...." Danielle shuddered.
"Its a Lucifer Hawk." Lum hummed quickly and quietly. "You'd better call your people...while -we- call our people. Okay?"
They burst out of the ladies room, only to see a medium sized Lucifer Hawk emerge from the floor. It was roughly ovoid, had a couple eyes on its 'face' and a quartet of tentacles hanging from its 'torso'.
*The Key* It murmured as it eyed Katsumi. *I have found the key.*
Both women cursed in their native tongues as several patrons screamed or yelled the words monster in -their- native tongues. Danielle contacted Nerima. At the same moment, Katsumi held up a hand and faced the crowd.
"Police! Everyone clear out now! We have a dangerous situation here!" Katsumi bellowed, took a breath as everyone cleared out of the place, faced the entity who had disrupted her relaxation time, then touched her comm badge. "Sasha!? I've got a 3rd attraction on my hands. I'm at the coffee house on the corner of 3rd and Meisha! I'll need back up as soon possible. It's the category two we faced a few days ago!"
"We detected it five minutes ago..." Sasha called back "Nami, Yuki, Kiddy Lebia should be there at any moment. Hold him there and don't do anything rash."
"I'll see what I can...yaaaa!" Katsumi blurted as it hauled her off of the floor and held her up in the air with its tentacles. "M...Monster."
Danielle bit her lip as she gazed at the scene. She didn't know what to do. She wasn't capable of fighting. Not in this state! But there had to be something that she could do.
"D...Danielle." Katsumi grunted as the thing began to choke her "G...Get that girl outa here.. ....this is the category two....Aaaa.....Aagh!"
"I'm not leaving," Lum hummed quietly, stared at Katsumi, then held up her hand. "Especially with you in a bind, Katsumi-aneki! I'd be a coward to leave a crime scene. Jesso! Come to me!"
"Neither..." Danielle uttered as a golden spear fell from pocket space. "Neither am I!"
"M..." Katsumi bit "...Minna..."
*You will not stop me...* The entity hummed and three waves of category three 'flyers' emerged from the walls and the ceiling. *My allies will see to that!*
Lum Cheng and Danielle growled as the flyers surrounded them. The category two chortled as it descended to the ground. Danielle's eyes went wide and everything went white. The windows blew out as AMP arrived on the scene. Nami shielded her teammates with a ward, while Lum Cheng used Jesso's powers to withstand the blast. When the white noise faded, Lum Cheng uncovered her eyes and gasped. Tables and chairs were turned over and the 'flyers' were now ash. Katsumi was free while her captor was a pulped mess. Lum Cheng turned to ask Danielle what had happened...but stopped when she saw the dazed look in Danielle's eyes.
"What......" Danielle uttered hesitantly as Katsumi got up off of the floor. "Did I...just...do?"
"Beats me..." Lum shook her head. "Have you done that before?"
Danielle shook her head at the question, then groaned as she fell to the floor. Moments later, the front doors burst open and Lebia's team ran over to them. Nami reached them first.
"What just happened?!" Kiddy demanded as Nami knelt by Danielle's body. "Who turned this place upside down?!"
"We think Danielle did it." Katsumi nodded, then shrugged. "We don't know how she did this. Not even Danielle knows. How is she, Nami?"
"Just a moment," Nami hummed, tapped Danielle's neck, then sighed out of relief. "She'll be alright, minna. She's just fainted."
"Is that so?" Katsumi blinked, then smiled. "Must have overdone herself with that spell."
"Um...I don't think that was a spell per se..." Lum hummed. "It...was more like...a raw chi or force blast."
"Who the heck are you?!" Kiddy demanded.
"Atashi wa Lum Cheng," Lum nodded. "Please call me Lum. You must be the core members of AMP. It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm your new team member."
"Eh?!" Kiddy blurted. "Since when?!"
"Since today," a new voice called out. "I'll be working with you as well."
They turn to see a tall woman standing a few feet away.
"Atashi wa Mana Isozaki." Mana introduced herself. "I am an old friend of Rally Cheyenne. I'm your new Operations chief."
"What'll happen to Sasha?" Katsumi uttered. "She's our current Ops chief."
"Save that for later." Mana ordered as she gazed at Danielle. "We have other matters to attend to."
"Oh right," The young sorceress hummed, then knelt by Danielle's head. "Should we take her back to HQ? Or maybe let her employers take care of her?"
"Take her to ADP," Mana nodded. "I'll inform her superiors about the incident."
"Hai!" They nodded.
Two days later, Danielle awoke in an unfamiliar recovery room. She blinked,
Looked around and was about to get out when Nami entered the room.
"Ah I see you're awake." Nami nodded to her. "That's good. Katsumi-san's
been worried sick about you."
"Really?" Danielle uttered. "Ano...who are you...and where am I?"
"Ah sumimasen," The lavender haired woman sighed. "Atashi wa Nami Yamigumo...I'm a Shinto priestess. To answer your second question...you're now at AD POLICE headquaters."
"Nice to meet you," Danielle nodded. "Uh...do my superiors know that I'm here?"
"Yes. They know that you're here," Nami nodded. "We'll inform them that you're awake now."
"Thanks." Danielle nodded.
End Chapter 8