Disclaimer: I own nothing of the properties within this story and all rights go to the creators and companies of said properties
Beta by Slothful
Chapter 1: Final days
Another day of eating lunch alone on the roof. Not that I dislike it. I would rather be alone than be dragged into someone's drama, something that happens far too often with this for some reason. And there are other benefits to being a loner. I don't have any friends but I also am not being bullied. That role has been going to Hirano.
A part of me feels bad for the guy, I don't recall him doing anything that deserves to be bullied but sadly we live in a place like Japan, where we have a saying for those trying to stand out. The nail that is higher than the rest will be hit by the hammer. It doesn't help that his teacher, Shido, is encouraging the bullying. Sorry Hirano, but if the teacher himself is bullying you, then no one could save you without putting a huge target on their own back. And I'm not a good enough person to do that.
But with every good, there is a bad. And being a loner is exactly as it sounds, it gets lonely. Being alone is okay, the boredom that comes with it is the issue. My day goes like this: Wake up, go to school, go home, sleep, and repeat. Having no friends makes a boring day miserable and you can forget the chance of getting a girlfriend. This is a shame as there are a lot of hot girls in my school for some reason.
"Yuji Futo!"
Speaking of hot girls. I turn around to see one of the more popular girls in our school, Saya Takagi. It would be a lie if I say I don't see why people try asking her out, sometimes several times for those that she rejected. Her hot pink hair and orange eyes add an exotic charm to her, she has a body that most models dream of, and her grades are quite high for her age. She calls herself a genius and with her results, no one can argue against the statement. And this isn't even bringing up how financially well-off her family is. Her mother was a highly successful Wall Street broker and her father is pretty high up in the political world. I think he was a leader of a political group too. She has the ideal mix for guys who want a good life.
Her personality could use some work but some people seem to like it.
But I'm more surprised that she knows my name. I do tend to be overlooked at times. Someone even said I lacked a presence.
Downing what's left of my green tea, I close the lid to my bento box, collect what trash I had made, and get up. "Yes Takagi, is there something you need me to do?" I ask, making her jump slightly.
"... Are you Yuji Futo?" she asks, confusing me. She just yelled out my name and is asking if I was me.
"Yes, I am Yuji Futo."
"Good, I have been in ten rooms and no one could tell me where you are. They couldn't even tell me what you look like, not even the teachers, so I have resorted to just yelling your name in every room I entered." Takagi said, looking rather annoyed. "You need to socialize more before someone forgets to add your name to the school's records. I heard of being forgettable but never to such a degree."
…
One, that was rude. And two, ouch, that hurt my soul. Talk about a way to cutting a man's soul.
"Forget about that. The teacher is collecting the forms for the trip and he said he doesn't have your's so he ask me to get you or your form." Takagi said.
The form for the class trip, a three-day and two-night trip to some island. I don't remember what the island was called but the school claims the trip is to 'broaden the horizons for the students when it is just an excuse for teachers and students to go on a short vacation. Not that I'm complaining. I have been overhearing how excited some of the boys are to see the girls in bikinis or the like. I've even been hearing rumors of two guys going to a shrine every day leading up to the trip, throwing as much cash they could spare so they could pray for some girls to wear certain kinds of swimwear. Though I'm not sure if we will have enough free time for a trip to the beach.
But there is one issue I have with this whole setup.
"I… already turned in my form. This morning at that." I said, seeing the frustration in Takagi's eyes grow.
"Then show me," Takagi said, her tone saying I'm not talking myself out of this one.
I sigh, this is why I rather want to be alone. I wanted to tell her to just look through the forms but I know that only will result in her yelling at me and giving me a headache. I still have to throw away my trash anyway so I can just look through the forms, prove that I turned mine in, and toss my garbage away before the next lesson starts. Save me from a scolding and a headache. After nodding to Takagi's request, we both head back to our classroom, not without drawing some attention.
The (apparently) most forgettable guy is walking with one of the more popular girls in the school. Why? Are they dating? Is he going to ask her out? Who is he again? Those were some of the questions I heard as we make our way to the classroom. If you all want gossip so bad, just look at Komuro and his love triangle relationship. Thankfully, the door makes a great barrier from the prying eyes of my fellow students in the hallway. Takagi ask the teacher for the stack of forms, telling him I was claiming that I already submitted my form. The Teacher himself of course said that was impossible but complied with the request, probably wanting to make a fool of myself for lying in his eyes. Soon the stack of papers is in my hands, going around where the stack ends, roughly eight pages from the end, to pull out a sheet of paper and reveal to the teacher that sure enough, this sheet of paper was my form. After putting the paper on top of the stack, I quietly head back to my seat, throwing my trash from lunch away along the way, and sit down.
Could I tell the teacher he needs to do a better job? Yes, but Takagi seems to be already doing that for me as she yells at the teacher about 'wasting her time for nothing.' Rude but I can see where she is coming from.
But soon enough the laughter at the teacher's expense dies down in favor of starting class. A part of me was disappointed, again my life could use some more excitement. Video games, movies, and other forms of media could only do so much. Perhaps that is why I like horror and mystery novels. The feeling of understanding the monster or how the culprit did the crime is quite nice, makes me feel like I'm a detective. Sadly, my life isn't one filled with me solving murders like some high school detective that was turned into a kid. I'm just Yuji Futo, an everyday high school student who will probably work as a salaryman after college and work a passionless job until I either retire or die. I know that is a depressing train of thought but I can't help it, I don't have anything that would make people think that I'm interesting. Maybe weird my habit of wanting to try weirdly flavored drinks but weird doesn't equal interesting.
It's funny. People, including my parents, told me if I work hard in school I will have a great life but as I grow older the reality of this world sets in. That reality doesn't care and what I see is what I get. And all I'm seeing is a dull present with an equally dull future. Graduate school, go to college, graduate college, find a job, marry some woman that is probably one of her friend's daughters, have kids, work until I'm gray, die, and turn to dust.
Maybe it's just because I'm saying this, but I don't want such a boring life. I always fantasized about the detectives or investigators that stop world-ending cults or criminal organizations only armed with their wits and a gun. I might even want to be a cop when I was a kid. Or until I became the person I am today, someone who just mindlessly march to the beat of the drum we call society.
"Mister Futo, mind reading the next part?" the teacher asks, taking me out of my thoughts of self-loathing. Luckily, I was paying enough attention to know where we are at and read my part out loud, something I always hate about this class. Why do we need to read out loud? If it was English and the teacher wants to see how we can pronounce the word it would make sense, but this is classical Japanese. Still, I did my part of the lecture and sit back down once I'm done.
Truly, the life of Yuji Futo is brimming with excitement…
{Later}
Another day of school was done, and I watch as several students left the classroom to have an extra skip in their step. Not surprising as the class leaves for the airport tomorrow. Even though I am excited about the trip, it would make a great change in pace. I even packed a couple of books for the trip, reading HP Lovecraft with the sounds of the sea in the background will make the experience all the better.
However that's for the day of the trip, I have to head home before it gets too dark. I wanted to make sure I packed everything I need.
As I was packing my textbooks and pencil case into my bag, my phone dinged. Pulling out my Smartphone to see the text my mom just send.
Sorry, I won't be home tonight. Something came up with your father and I need to help him tonight. You will also need to take care of your dinner tonight yourself, but I sent you some cash through the wallet app. Have a safe night, love you.
And now I have to get dinner. Yay.
Though this isn't the first or last time this happened. My dad is a mangaka or manga artist, and my mom was his assistant until they got married and had me. Dad still makes manga, mostly supernatural ghost stories, and mom takes care of the house stuff unless dad needs her help, either because one of his newer assistants is sick or the deadline is coming in too fast. Even I have to help a few times, though it was more cleaning after my parents and the assistants and making food and tea while they work. Despite my parents both being manga artists, I have no talent for art.
Not that I'm complaining. Seeing the workload and what my dad earned from all that hard work certainly killed any idea of following in his footsteps. There is also the fact I would be disowned by him if I somehow make one of those isekai harem mangas that have been popping out of the woodwork like mad. I can still remember the vocal fights my dad had with his editors when they suggest he try his hand at making such manga. Something about manga is an art form and he will not stoop so low as to make some mindless mush for a quick buck.
I get where are coming from dad but I don't think all isekai mangas are trash.
Most of them? Maybe.
But it looks like I'm either eating out or having convenience store food tonight. Well, at least I get to have whatever I want tonight. I'm getting cola and something fried for dinner. Mom always was picky about eating more healthily, which isn't bad and with what she and my dad did for a living it makes sense but sometimes I want to have something bad for myself. But I probably should get a salad too, mainly so mom wouldn't yell at me.
As I was walking out of class, I saw several people running up to one another, either meeting up with friends, teammates, boy/girlfriend, and fellow club members. Me? Of course, I was alone as I make my way home. Though I guess some of it is my fault, I could have joined the book club but decided that I rather stay home and enjoy myself alone. Sighing to myself, I left the school gates and walk down the same path I have taken countless times. I could probably be blindfolded and make my way home.
Making a stop at the convenience store on the way home to pick up dinner, browsing around for anything interesting. Maybe I can grab an extra drink. We are going to have no classes since we are heading to the airport and checking into the hotel once we land, which means I could game all night and not get in trouble. So an energy drink or two is going onto the list.
Let's see what I'm craving for today… Monster? Nah, they don't it for me anymore and they cost too much. Red Bull? No, cans are way too small for my liking and too pricey. Maybe I should just get the Monster since nothing is catching my eye.
Grabbing a can of sugar-free Monster, a bottle of Diet Pepsi, a box of fried chicken, a small salad, and a slice of chocolate cake that was marked half-off, I made my way to the counter to be checked out. I don't why but when I got a look at the cashier something felt… off. Maybe it is because of how good-looking he is. He looks like someone that should be working as a model or as a host. I'm completely comfortable with my sexuality I can admit when someone is good-looking, doesn't mean that I'm not a little jealous of his looks. His black hair shines while mine is probably lifeless and oily, his skin is as white as snow while my pale skin makes me look slightly sickly, and his twilight orange eyes seem to pull me in while my dull brown will do nothing.
"Can I help you, sir?" the cashier asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. I practically throw my items onto the counter, the last thing I wanted to explain is that I was staring at a guy for too long because I thought he was hot. Thankfully he didn't seem to care, that or he is used to this kind of treatment, most likely from girls. As the guy scans my purchase, an awkward atmosphere sets in, or in reality, awkward only for me. "So, big plans for tonight?" the cashier asks.
"Nothing. Just going to play some games before heading out for my school's field trip." I answered, thankful for an out from that air of awkwardness.
"What games do you play?"
"Different kinds but I'm on a JRPG high right now, about to beat the game I'm currently on too," I said.
"I'm a bit of a gamer myself." the cashier said, chuckling to himself when he said gamer. "I'm playing this zombie game that my friend made."
"Oh. What's it called, maybe I will give it a try myself. Nothing beats the classic stress reliever known as plowing zombies with a car." I said, getting a chuckle from the cashier.
"Sadly it isn't out yet, he is only letting me play it to see if there is anything he should add. He is making a tower defense game for the record." the cashier said, bagging my items.
A tower defense game with zombies? That could be fun. As much as it is to run in and blast zombies, it does lose its appeal when every zombie game plays the same. It's a shame that it isn't out but it does sound interesting.
"Is there more to the tower defense element, such as resource management?" I ask.
"Yeah, for both the base itself and the people that live in it. The more people you have, the faster projects are done but food and water decrease just as fast. He is also debating adding a 'pleasure' value."
"A 'pleasure' value?"
"Yeah, things like games, a bar, a room to act like a church, and many other things. A lot of zombie games and movies only focus on the survival element and nothing about how to keep people's mental state from breaking the pressure. Plus it adds a bit more depth to the game and resource planning. For example, would you rather build a bar to increase the mental health of your people or a doctor's office to treat illnesses?" The cashier asks.
I can't argue that adding something like that would be a bad decision. It would add a lot to the strategy of the game and it would make the characters in-game seem a bit more real. And considering that it is a resource management game, there is probably going to be some of the old classic killing zombies element but with a risk versus reward mentality.
"SHIN! Stop with the small talk and do your job! Or do you want me to fire you?!" An overweight, blading man who came from the employee-only area yells, slamming the door as he goes back to whatever he was doing.
",,, Your boss is a dick," I said, getting a laugh at the cashier, who is named Shin it seems.
"Nah, it's fine. This job is a temporary thing anyway, but let me give you this before you leave, it's on the house." Shin said, slipping something into my bag before handing it to me. "Now excuse me, I'm going to have some choice words with my boss."
As I watch Shin take off his work apron, that odd feeling return in the worst way possible. I don't know why but something in me tells me to leave before something happens. What that something is, I don't know but I'm not going to stay for long enough to learn what it was.
As soon as I left the convenience store, I break out into a run, not stopping for anything until I reach my family apartment. It was some force in me that told me to get away from there and fast! But I don't understand why…
Maybe because I figured there was going to be a yelling match? Shin seemed to be the only other employee besides the manager there, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the manager suddenly starts yelling at Shin to stay. I was never someone that wanted to be involved in arguments, even when I'm just an outsider. Confrontation is just simply not in my nature, sometimes the better option is to run.
But now that I'm in the safety of home, I'm now wondering what exactly did Shin give me for free. Hopefully, not some expired sweets that he was meant to throw away. Digging into the bag, I feel a small tube object, slightly chilled to the touch, and around the same size and shape as a can of Red Bull. I don't remember buying something like that so that could only mean that it was what Shin give me.
Pulling the can from the bag, seeing that it was either a can of juice or an energy drink, though I'm placing bets that is an energy drink based on the writing on said can.
"Gamer Power… Unleash the powers of a gamer in you… how fucking cheesy." I mutter to myself. I never heard of this brand before, which was saying something since I'm more adventurous when it comes to drinks. Strawberry and lemonade flavor. Shrugging to myself, I open the can and take a sip.
It was… pretty underwhelming. Tastes good, not sure if it's only because it was free or that it was good, but solid enough for me to down the rest of the tiny can, tossing it into the kitchen trash. Well, time for dinner and a full of video games~
{The next day}
Getting off the plane, letting out a small yawn out of boredom and not from feeling tired, which is a surprise. I was up all night completing the old classic Final Fantasy VII for the first time and I felt great going to the airport. I'm not even feeling jetlagged! The only thing I feel right now is being a little bit sleepy. A bottle of water should fix that.
Breaking from the group, I walk to a nearby vending machine and put in the money needed for my purchase. Weird that this place takes American currency when it is closer to Australia. It sucks that I will be carrying an empty bottle until we reach our hotel and into our rooms. At times like these, I wish I can store everything in pocket storage like in a game. Something like Link has to store all that crap he gathers from his adventure.
What the? Why is there nothing there?! I swear that I saw the bottle fall down and even heard a thud from it hitting the ground! Did I just get scammed by a machine of all things?!
I was about to check the disposal flip again, maybe I just missed it, but a teacher just yell out through a bullhorn that the buses that were taking us to the hotel were here and to get on. Sighing at the loss of two dollars, I head back to the buses, suitcase in hand, only to be stopped by one of the teachers. I think he is the gym teacher, Teshima if I'm right. The teacher holds out a bin at me, staring at me to do something.
"Draw your seat number, as that will be who are sharing a room with for the remainder of the trip," Teshima said. I guess they are doing this to cut down on costs. Drawing my slip, I get on the bus and curse my luck.
I look at the empty seat next to the rather buff-looking guy with messy brown hair. Of course of all the people I have to seat next to, I will get Kaito, the school's biggest bully. I sigh as I take my seat, not missing the smirk he give me as I sit down. So much for a fun vacation…
Once everyone takes their seat, some swapping since a male and female student can't share a room, Teshima picks some kind of walkie-talkie device.
"Alright everyone, I know that you all are excited about the trip and for some fun on the beach. But remember, this a school trip, I expect you all to finish your assignments before even thinking about playing in the sand." Teshima said, earning a groan from everyone.
"You heard that roomie~? Sounds like you're going to be busy~" Kaito said to me.
"While I don't mind doing the assignment sheet, I doubt our paper's subject is the same. Meaning I can't do that as I won't be part of that group." I said to the bully. "But I believe Hirano is part of that group so you can ask him for some help," I add before the bully can make a threat. I'm willing to roll over if it means that this trip can go a little bit easier.
Seems that Kaito was pleased with what I said, saying something about giving Hirano a visit. Sorry Hirano, but if throwing you under the bus makes my life better, then I'm going to do it. Plus it was no secret that Kaito's favorite target for his bullying is Hirano.
"Okay, now I need all of you to change your watches, phones, or whatever you kids use to keep track of time to the current time. Remember, we are in different time zones so you better change your time now before you end up showing up late for your paper subject's bus!" Teshima yells.
What time is it even?
Countdown to Outbreak
13 hours, 27 minutes, and 41 seconds
…
What is this? I-I must be seeing things. Maybe that flight took more out of me than I thought. Yeah, that makes perfect sense.
Wait. There is an inventory tab. How do I know how this works? How can I explain that I know just thinking of changing the menu does it and not pocking in thin air? As I watch the inventory open, with only one thing being stored in it.
A bottle of water, the very same brand of water that I bought from the airport vending machine. But that's impossible. There is no way this can be real. Should I test it? I am holding my smartphone since I was trying to change the time so maybe use this. The worse that can happen is I look stupid for a moment and feel like an idiot.
Gripping the phone as hard I can, so tight I almost fear that I was going to break the thing, and think about storing it in my inventory. And just like that, my hand starts to tremble. Or rather my fist starts to tremble.
This… is insane. Since this thing is real, how else can you explain my phone disappearing and reappearing in my hand, then something is going to happen tonight. Calm down Yuji. Freaking out on the bus isn't going to help anyone and might make things worse for you. Seeing it is saying an outbreak is about to happen, the hospital is a shitty place to be.
Questions, how did I get this power and what type of outbreak is going to happen? Everything was normal yesterday, so where could I gain such…
Could it be that drink Shin give me? I know that sounds crazy but that is the only thing I could think of. An energy drink gives me some kind of video game powers. Sounds like a bad plotline to one of those mangas my dad hated. Okay, let's just say that is how I get my powers so it won't drive me mad in the background. If it was Shin who give me these powers, then I know what the outbreak is going to be.
A zombie outbreak.
I know this is just me making crazy theories. A guy that I just met at the convenience store gives me a drink that gives me superpowers and I'm about to fight zombies. Just thinking about it makes me think I'm going crazy, but again I just proved that my powers are real with my phone and it will be pointless to argue and have a mental breakdown. While I might have the powers of a video game character, it doesn't mean that if I get bit I'm safe. I don't know if I need food or water, and if I don't I still need to collect them if I ended up with a group, though going solo might be better if I don't things like food or water since I could just hold myself up in a room until rescue comes.
Now I have to focus on what I can use in the hotel room to boost my chances of survival and what would be the best course of action. But as the bus slowly reaches its destination, one thought goes through my mind.
Schoolwork is starting to look tempting now…
{Bouns scene}
"I leave you alone for a couple of days and you did this?!"
Damn, I'm used to seeing Ren blow up from the results of Shin's misadventures but this is taking it to a whole new level.
"Are they normally like this?" the giant tentacle monster asks me. I still wonder how we are all friends considering the shit Issac and Shin have done. How is the guy that fuck femboy gods and the leader of the most powerful and impactful gang the most normal out of the four of us?
"As far as I know it. I don't know how those two ended up in this comedy group relationship but it does make for some interesting material." I said, pulling out a tub of popcorn. TV has nothing on this. Even Tamaki founds Shin and Ren's fights to be entertaining.
"I suppose that I have to agree with that statement," Issac said, pulling out his own, but far more massive, tub of popcorn.
"Come on, Ren! Don't lie to me that you never have been interested in how someone without canon knowledge will do with the powers of a gamer." Shin counters.
"No! I never wonder about shit like that! Only you do! I don't care that you ripped this guy here to shards," Ren said, pointing at the remains of someone overweight guy, or what is left of them. Still wondering how we are all friends. "Or that you want to fuck with or just plain fuck someone. But giving out random people their version of the game is stupid! Another thing is how did you make one?! I thought we agreed to stop after what happened to Issac!"
"You and Colton might have stopped but I can see the potential this project has." Shin said, and we all know that when he said 'potential' he means 'entertainment'. "Sometimes… it takes the greatest of wills to do what is needed for the future," Shin said, his face gaining a somber look.
"... Stop with that crap and just said that you're bored." Ren deadpans.
"And can you blame me?! Who would have thought being an immortal monster with countless worlds for me to rule could ever end up being boring?! To think there are times I even missed the old days when there are threats." Shin sighs. "There are so many times I can do the same song and dance before I get tired of it."
"Then have you thought of playing your game differently instead of dragging people into this lifestyle?" Ren suggests. "It would solve your problems and not give me a headache."
"... I might be bored but I'm not that bored," Shin said, rolling his eyes.
"Sorry for being late sir. Cram school lasted longer for some reason… What in god's name is that?!" I turn to see a girl in a Japanese high school uniform yelling. Maybe should have made a barrier around the store. I'm honestly surprised that no one came in earlier.
"Ah… the Japanese school girl… Looks like duty calls for me." Issac said, already wrapping his tendrils around the now struggling girl. A part of me wants to stop him but Ren explained that we shouldn't fight among ourselves. The last time that happened, let's just say the results are quite deadly. And it gives me the worst case of hay fever known to man.
Why Ren's plants make pollution despite being literal plants from hell and other planets is beyond me.
And speaking of Ren, he looks like he is about to explode on Shin… again. Until he sighs and just gives Shin a blank look. "Fine. Seeing as you have already done it, complaining about it would be pointless. You probably will either just give it back to whoever you give it to or give someone else one. Might as well go with the flow." Ren said. Okay, that was a surprise. Normally Ren would yell at Shin until we leave the world, but seeing him just going the classic 'fuck it' route is weird.
"See? I know that you will see it my way! Maybe you are finally seeing things my way." Shin said, smiling as he pats Ren's back.
"Not really, I realized what I have been doing wrong this whole time," Ren said, the air suddenly becoming tense and frigid. Issac even stopped fucking with how much the air changed. "Whenever you do something like this, we did the same song and dance. You do something stupid, I yell at you, I clean your mess, and we repeat. I never once made you responsible for your messes, and that was my mistake." Ren said, his tone calm and steady but every hair on me just stood up.
"R-Ren?" Shin asks, looking more afraid than I had ever seen him. This is something since I saw Shin laugh at Superman when the man of steel wanted Shin's head. So seeing that same Shin afraid is… bizarre.
"So, first things first, Shin it will be you looking after this new gamer, you made him a gamer, and you are going to deal with all the annoying things when it comes to dealing with a newbie. And second, I'm going to use this." Ren said, pulling a…
Is that a tuning fork? It looks weird, that's for sure, and knowing that Ren plans to use it against Shin is enough to tell me that it isn't a normal tuning fork. Ren lowers the fork, tapping it against the store counter.
Why didn't make a noise?
"AAAHHHH!" both Shin and Issac scream. Shin is rolling around on the ground, trying to cover his ears, as Issac's tendrils flail around, destroying parts of the store.
"What the hell was that Ren?!" I ask, dodging one of the wild tendrils. Issac wouldn't kill me but getting hit by one of his tentacles isn't a pleasant experience.
"A tuning fork, though the feedback is certainly something. To humans like you and me Colton, we hear nothing. But to something that isn't human, like Shin, it is… quite unpleasant." Ren said, admiring the fork. "You wouldn't believe how long this took for me to get right. The materials, the process of making it, and all the testing to see if the bloody thing could even work on more than one type of monster. Took me years, centuries, but I say that the result was worth it." Ren said, lowering himself to the still-rolling Shin. "Wouldn't you say, Shin?"
"I-I thought you said we should avoid fighting each other?" Shin manages to say through his grunts of pain.
"And this isn't a fight, but a punishment, and one that could have been avoided if you stopped and think about how I feel about cleaning all your messes," Ren said, flicking the fork again, drawing another scream from the two monsters of our group.
I always heard about how when someone stopped doing a certain action tells you how fucked you are. Seems in Ren's case, the moment he stops yelling, you're screwed. Something that Shin is learning.
"Now Colton, mind taking Issac out of here? I and Shin still have some things we need to talk about and I rather it be just us two." Ren said. Normally, I'm not the type to leave a bud behind to suffer, but in this case, Shin had it coming. And I'm a little afraid that I will turn Ren's wrath on me instead.
So I did as Ren said, scooping up Issac and the girl, she knows about us now and I'm certain Ren rather we take her with us instead of leaving her there, despite knowing how that world will go to shit soon. We usually would just erase their memories but I rather get the hell out of dodge as soon as possible.
"Know tell me, Shin, what other bullshit did you add to the clusterfuck?"
And that was the last thing I heard before the portal closed.
{?'s P.O.V.}
"I still can't believe that I'm working with you all!" the young rookie cop from Japan said. "I'm still surprised that S.T.A.R.S. is training other members of the police force, especially overseas ones at that." You can practically see the excitement in the girl. "And that I'm one of them!"
"Calm down newbie. We are nothing special. We all want the same thing, to help and protect people." The rather well-built man said.
"Sorry, sir…" the orange hair Japanese woman meekly said.
The man just laughs at the apology. "I'm not old enough to be called a sir yet. Just call me Chris. Alright, Asami?"
The excitement is almost cute. Sadly, this fool doesn't know she is only a small part of the big picture. After all, every experiment needed a control group. And what better test subject than the overzealous rookie? The tests were originally only for teams Alpha and Bravo but one scientist points out that while a small team of highly skilled and talented cops might get overrun, there is the possibility of normal cops and civilians being able to overcome Umbrella's B.O.W.s due to sheer numbers. While I see this as a waste of time and resources that could be used better elsewhere, the higher-ups started to worry about their investments.
Leave it to businessmen to worry about money when that stack of paper will soon become useless. Then again, most of them only see it to make a profit on the arms market of war while I see it as more than that. And that is the next stage of evolution.
And one that I plan to stand at the apex of.
So I bit my tongue and waited for who Umbrella selected for the newly made team Charlie, the first (and last) completely non-American team. It mainly consists of a couple of cops with different years of experience, all wishing to improve themselves to become Japan's version of S.T.A.R.S. Though if they had more people as skilled as Rika Minami or her subordinate Tajima, then such an idea might have been possible.
But they were the only ones of being noteworthy. I would be surprised if the other members don't die outright when the 'mission' starts.
A small buzz from my hidden earpiece breaks me out of my thoughts. This better just be a call telling me everything is ready. Acting alongside everyone, giving a friendly chuckle at the now blushing rookie as Bravo's rookie tries to cheer her up, I push the earpiece to answer the call. And three words send chills down my spine.
"She got out."
Reasons like these are why I don't feel too bad for betraying them soon.
Author's note
Yeah, this is a new fic. I blame Shiro for making so many good new fics, which means I also blame Mir for making Shiro make new fics, and I wanted to jump on the new fic train. Time for swimsuits and zombies
I'm also part of the SGO server so if you want to join and chat, here is a link
/wd3tUYWVCd
I also started my server for anyone who wants to ask me about my fics or just to hang out.
/DYqC3uNfbt
