A/N: This chapter went by really quickly when writing. Hopefully the same can be said of the next chapter.
That aside, do enjoy~
Halo
Chapter 9: Unexpected Allies
It was late by the time Aru's group, Shiroko's group and Sensei all reconvened at Schale.
As was per the usual Sensei eased himself down behind his desk whilst the two teams settled down opposite him. Aru naturally gravitated towards the window, resting against it whilst Mutsuki just slumped against the wall with a tired groan, in contrast to Kayoko who stood with perfect poise. Shiroko on the other hand had opted to sit down by the row of seats Sensei had provided for them; Ayane and Serika on either side.
''So.'' Sensei spoke up after a long minute of quiet. ''Any word on Hoshino's group, or...?''
Shiroko frowned, looked between her two friends, then shook her head. ''Has she not contacted you?''
''Not yet.'' Sensei murmured, pulling his phone out.
It took just a number of clicks before he had Nonomi's number up and dialled it. The phone rung three times before the call went through, providing him a video feed of Nonomi's face.
''Ah! Sensei!'' Nonomi chirped, a bright smile lighting up her face. ''How are you? I'm sorry for not calling sooner, but we've been exploring Gehenna a lot today! It's a very large district, and there's so many lovely things here! And some... unsavoury types too, but still!''
''Good to see you too Nonomi. Is Hoshino and Haruka there?'' Sensei inquired with a smile.
''Mm! Haruka-chan, wake up Hoshino-chan for me please~''
''U-Um, okay... s-should I use my shotgun, or...?''
''Just shake her really hard~ That should be enough~''
Sensei sweat-dropped at their byplay, sparing a look at Aru. The sniper looked aside with a light blush. Seems like Haruka's tendencies to jump the gun hadn't changed much since he'd first met their group.
It took the trio a good half-minute to wake Hoshino but once that ordeal was over and done with they gathered together in front of the camera – having to sit together to fit in the frame. Hoshino was the one to speak. ''Mm, hey Sensei.''
''Hello. And hello to you too, Haruka.'' Sensei smiled, quietly relieved. He hadn't thought they'd got kidnapped or anything, but... well, considering the circumstances one he could never be too sure. ''Where are you anyway?''
''Sorry Sensei. By the time we got here it was already evening so I thought it best to stay here overnight at a hotel, rather than make the round trip back after only an hour or two.'' Nonomi explained apologetically. ''I paid for it with my card, don't worry.''
''It's not the expenses I'm worried about Nonomi, though I appreciate the sentiment.'' Sensei responded lightly. ''Why were you late getting there anyway?''
''The trains were delayed.'' Nonomi said immediately.
''Erm, but-'' Haruka tried to speak up, but was swiftly cut off by a smiling Nonomi.
''Now now, it's alright Haruka-chan, there's no way you could've predicted the rail-works going on. It's just an unavoidable hassle, that's all.''
Sensei privately smiled to himself, knowing full-well Nonomi was covering for Haruka – leading him to believe the socially-awkward girl got the timetables mixed up or caused some commotion. Regardless of the reason he wouldn't push it; it was hardly of any consequence and if it meant Haruka's ego, what little of it she had, didn't take a hit then he would let it slide without question.
''Regardless, we've kept the others waiting long enough.'' Sensei remarked, laying his phone done against a cup so they could view the others. ''First and foremost, Aru, anything to report?''
He already knew, having come back on the train with them, but it was good to have them vocalise it for the others. ''Nothing I'm afraid. The forests just north of Trinity were either abandoned, or near hiking trails and the like. Nothing that screamed 'secret base' to me, quite frankly. Still, with how expansive it is, I expect that we'll be searching for some days yet before we can claim to have covered even a decent portion of it.''
Sensei nodded, pleased with how thorough she was. ''Thank you Aru. Shiroko, what about on your end?''
Shiroko stood, more for formality's sake than anything else. ''We didn't find the base or any sign of it. However, near evening time we were ambushed by the Helmet Gang-''
''-who are a group of ex-students and delinquents that hang around the Abydos area, stealing and causing chaos.'' Ayane quickly explained for the Gehenna girls present.
Shiroko blinked, then nodded her thanks. ''As I was saying, the Helmet Gang ambushed us with tear gas and we narrowly escaped, leading them on a chase throughout the abandoned section of Abydos. Eventually they pulled up with four Cromwell tanks. I managed to take down two with my drone and knocked out the other two by dropping a building on them-''
''H-Hold on!'' Aru squawked. ''Y-You dropped a building on them?!''
''Mm.'' Shiroko bobbed her head. ''Why?''
''I, just...'' Aru stammered, baffled by the idea.
''To be fair, it wasn't our plan specifically, but rather the Helmet Gang shooting out the main supports of the building and causing it to fall on them.'' Ayane elaborated. ''I've already contacted the General Student Council and asked them to send some relief units to dig them out. They should presumably be in good hands by now. Hopefully.''
''I-I see...'' Aru still looked simultaneously shocked and, daresay, a little awed by Shiroko's 'tactics'.
If she noticed Shiroko didn't comment on it. Instead the wolf-girl continued, her expression growing distinctly heavy. ''Serika and I woke up one of the tank operators and interrogated them. As it turns out, some unnamed man in a suit approached the Helmet Gang and gave them a lot of money – including the tanks – to try and capture us. They would apparently be paid a lot if they managed to do so.''
Sensei's expression became grave at the news, his eyes hard as they locked with Shiroko's own. ''Did you get a name or affiliation out of them?''
''No. The girl we interrogated didn't know. Presumably the others didn't know either.'' Ayane spoke up.
''We also didn't want to hang around there after hearing what she said.'' Serika added, crossing her arms. ''We were low on ammo anyway, so no point risking ourselves if it means facing more enemy reinforcements.''
''A wise move.'' Sensei immediately praised, though the seriousness in his expression didn't wane one bit. ''It's a shame that you got no name, but I'll have Rin look into it; the names of the gang members should be known to the General Student Council and she can investigate leads on her end. That said, Hoshino, does your group have anything to report?''
''Nothin', sadly.'' Hoshino remarked. Though her tone remained languid, there was a rare seriousness undercutting her tone. Not least because of what Shiroko said. ''We checked out the docks for a bit but couldn't find anything. It got dark then and we spent the next forty minutes looking for a hotel, and here we are.''
''I see.'' Sensei nodded. ''That's fine though, just keep looking. Are you sure it's at the docks?''
''It's the most likely place.'' Hoshino agreed.
''T-There's also the mountains, but, um...'' Haruka stammered out, falling into quiet mumbles not a second later.
Nonomi spoke in her stead. ''It's possible a base is there but unlikely due to it being a mining site. Too high a risk of it being accidentally discovered.''
''Logical. We can't rule out the possibility, but I approve.'' Sensei concurred. ''Keep searching the docks and surrounding areas. Haruka should know the place well, right?''
''U-Um! Yes, I... I think. Sorry...''
''Hehe, then we'll be in your care Haruka-chan~''
Sensei coughed, drawing attention back onto him. ''Alright, to wrap things up: Hoshino, continue to search the docks as you have done thus far. Aru you'll scout out the forests in Trinity with your group; I'll continue to accompany you so there'll be no further incidents with the Justice Task Force. Shiroko, your team will continue to search Abydos. Sound good?''
''We'll need support if the Helmet Gang continues like this.'' Serika noted sharply. ''Even if we can beat them back by ourselves, we'll just tire ourselves out out and end up having to retreat.''
''That might be their plan.'' Kayoko's observation drew a raised brow from Serika. ''If these gang members were paid by this guy in a suit, who's to say that an added, and unofficial benefit, wasn't you being too tired by the end of it?''
''...leaving you weak for any pre-planned reinforcements to ambush you.'' Sensei finished with a deep grimace. ''I don't like this. However, if they're pushing this hard, then that only guarantees that Elysium is somewhere in Abydos.''
The gears in his mind turned even as he stood up. ''Shiroko, how much of Abydos does the Helmet Gang control?''
''A decent portion. Mostly the abandoned areas and some of the semi-inhabited zones.'' Shiroko responded immediately. ''Why?''
''Whoever is behind this won't be in Helmet Gang territory.'' Sensei theorised, slowly pacing now as his mind raced. ''A token of good faith; not stepping on the toes of a gang who has more pride and ego than they do common sense. Thus, Elysium won't have set their base up on Helmet Gang territory, or at least if they do it's in somewhere where a roaming pack of wannabe-gangsters wouldn't think to look.''
''The sewers...?'' Nonomi floated the idea.
Shiroko however shook her head. ''No, they'd go down there. Treat it like a dare.''
''Right. Point.'' Sensei concurred, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. ''Then again... hm...''
''Sensei?'' Aru prodded, curious.
''Change of plans Aru.'' Sensei said with a tight smile. ''Once we've scouted out a good portion of the forest, we're checking out Trinity's sewers.''
''E-Ehh?!'' Aru cried out.
''...gross.'' Kayoko grimaced.
''Yeah, kinda yuck, Sensei.'' Mutsuki made a face. ''I'd rather stick with the forest. Though I guess it's not up for debate, is it?''
''It's not.'' He agreed with a chuckle. ''But it's worth a shot. Trinity has a lot of catacombs and old tombs all over the place, a lot of them accessible only by the sewers. If the forests have no sign of the base, then that's out next best bet.''
''I really hope that it'll be in the forest then...'' Mutsuki muttered to herself, already looking nauseous by the thought of visiting the sewers.
''C-Catacombs...'' Aru's voice wobbled, looking faint.
Smiling with slight amusement Sensei turned his attention over to the Abydos trio. ''As for you guys, I'll call in some favours from Millennium. I won't be able to pull anyone into the field, but I can try and get some intelligence-gathering done to save you girls some time. I recommend checking out the desert as well; few would wander across it out there.''
''Understood, Sensei.'' Shiroko nodded her thanks.
''Good. Everyone head back to your rooms and rest up; tomorrow will just be as hard as today, more than likely not.''
''Hai~'' Came a chorus of agreements from his students before they filed out of the room.
X-x-X
Several days passed, each without incident, for better or worse.
As promised Sensei got in contact with some students from Millennium – Veritas – and contracted them to do some recon over the Abydos desert. It cost a pretty penny, especially on such short notice and without telling them the details of the mission, but they owed him some favours and were on good terms with him enough to drop their other projects for the time being. Hare provided some drones to observe the landscape for any abnormalities whilst Kotama listened in for any audio traffic, radio or otherwise, along with any such transmissions from out in the middle of the desert.
While that was being handled, Hoshino's team found themselves inspecting Gehenna. While at first they'd been full of vigour and determination, as the days passed such enthusiasm waned bit by bit; sapped after looking at the same sort of alleyways, decrepit warehouses and grimy docks. It didn't help that at this time of year Gehenna was known for its gloomy weather and the risk of rain was high; the possibility keeping the group constantly on-edge.
''...it's already four o'clock.''
Nonomi's idle observation went unanswered; the blonde checking her phone with a light frown before tucking it back into her pocket. In its absence the shadows of the backstreet before them seemed to stretch all the further, only the occasional street-light forming a cone of illumination ahead; several of them smashed and leaving the street in darkness. Small storage warehouses lined both sides of them, used primarily for storing goods when moving house, but so many of them were dilapidated and old that it was clear this wasn't a particularly good part of town.
Uncomfortable Nonomi pointedly avoided looking at the two syringes laid next to a lamppost, nor commenting on the dried blood splatter upon the same lamppost; just another sign of something that had once happened. At least in Abydos the sand washed away all of time's wounds; but here, in Gehenna, they seemed almost immortalised in the grey brickwork and concrete structures. A constant reminder, a constant presence. A memory of all who had walked the path before them.
'...it's not like me to be poetic.' Nonomi thought to herself with a faint smile, glancing away from a spilled-over trash can, the contents long since ravaged by some rodent. 'I suppose it's just a shock, isn't it? Seeing such.. squalor, for the first time.'
She came from a rich family. A very, very rich family, enough that she had a credit card with such a high limit she couldn't remember the last time she'd reached it. Her family hailed from Abydos originally, but when the city suffered economic collapse her father had taken the business to Millennium, branching out from there to practically every other autonomous district. Naturally, when anyone heard about this, they often questioned why she was not only attending a backwater school like Abydos, but also why she didn't simply pay off the debt the school was suffering from; the main reason all of their members worked themselves to the bone only for the interest payments to keep going up.
The answer was simple, in truth. Her father refused to allow her to, specifically because she attended the school. He wanted her to attend the prestigious Millennium Science School, where he thought she'd 'learn to use her head more'. Naturally Nonomi was against this; though she had only a few friends they were some of the closest she'd had in her whole life, people who she knew would go to hell and back for her. She might still be inexperienced about the world, but she knew those kinds of bonds weren't something you just cast aside. Thus, she chose to stay at Abydos in spite of her father's protests.
As such, he allowed it – on the condition that she is forbidden from using her family's money to pay off the debt. If she wanted to revive the school, and by extension Abydos itself to its former glory, then she'd have to do it herself with nothing but blood, sweat and tears.
It was a condition she'd abided with all this time. Sometimes though, when she saw the decay and despair of the world, she wondered if she was being selfish. That maybe if she just cut those bonds, revived Abydos with her family's money whilst also attending Millennium; maybe that would be the right thing to do. The citizens wouldn't have to struggle, the people wouldn't have to be mocked for living in a desert-filled district. Sometimes she felt like a selfish rich girl, clinging onto the one thing she found she couldn't live without, even as she prolonged the suffering of countless others.
Maybe, if she just stopped caring and started acting, she could be as cold and calculating as her father was – and with that mindset, change the world for the better. Even if it cost her her own heart.
So deep in her thoughts she was Nonomi didn't notice that Haruka was eyeing her with a worried look; clearly wanting to say something but too nervous to make the first move. She wracked her brain trying to think of something to say, glancing worriedly at Hoshino who was wandering just a few feet ahead of them-
-before blurting out the first thing she could think of.
''S-So! Um, nice weather, aha...?''
Haruka immediately cringed. 'Ahh, let me die...!'
''Huh...?'' Nonomi looked over at her, brow furrowed gently with puzzlement. ''Um... I guess?''
''Ahaha, yes, it is isn't it... no it's not it's terrible I'm sorry for speaking I'm sorryI'm pathetic I'm-''
A light giggle cut Haruka's self-loathing short, the petite girl stiff as Nonomi spoke. ''It's okay, Haruka-chan.''
Squirming in discomfort Haruka mumbled a thanks, glancing up at the taller blonde several times before hurriedly speaking. ''U-Um, is something on your mind?''
''...maybe. But it's not important.'' Nonomi said with a soft, almost wistful tone as she looked down at her. ''...hehe. I wonder if we ever would've met, had I made a different choice...''
''Huh?'' Haruka mumbled, confused.
Nonomi however just giggled again and picked up the pace a little, prompting Haruka to hurry after her. Mindful of the darkness the two of them stuck close to Hoshino's back; Haruka glancing constantly behind them whilst Nonomi peeked in the alleys and through-ways that they passed, leaving Hoshino to look ahead – convenient for her too, as it took the least energy to do.
However their quiet walk was eventually disrupted as they heard footsteps. They were light, fast; quiet. That alone made Hoshino stop and frown, straining her hearing – before without a warning she ducked into the nearest through-way between two storage huts. Nonomi followed her lead without questioning and Haruka was just a split-second behind, nervously peeking out around the corner for whatever had made Hoshino jump.
They didn't have to wait long. After a mere few seconds a head poked out, glancing this way and that – before two individuals clothed entirely in black rushed out into the next gap between buildings, carrying something with them.
Hoshino glanced back at Nonomi, nudging her to get her attention. The look in her eyes conveyed her feelings appropriately: suspicious.
Nonomi nodded, nudging her forth. Go.
Wordlessly Hoshino gripped her gun and slipped out of cover, her footfalls deliberately light as she padded towards where she last saw the two individuals. Nonomi hung back a few steps with Haruka, both less light on their feet and having to be more careful not to let a buckle rattle or bang their guns on some object; the gloom suddenly feeling so much more haunting around them as they stalked what might well be their target.
The through-way between buildings was dark and grimy, some trash-bags stomped open and with faded graffiti scrawled across one wall. Hoshino carefully avoided stepping on anything that might make a noise; only the faint ruffle of her clothing audible as she put her back to one wall and peeked around the corner. The pink-haired student caught only a hint of black cloth disappearing around another corner, bringing a severe frown to her face before she cautiously stepped out into the backstreet, gun raised as she approached the corner.
She slowed neared it, drew a breath, then darted around with gun raised. Nothing. Not daring to lower her gun Hoshino stepped forth into the grimy through-way, conscious of Nonomi and Haruka who trudged behind her – none of them commenting on the slow spits of rain that began to fall on them. Instead Hoshino merely fast-walked out into the next backstreet, the lapping of the waves clear now; the sea just two backstreets away.
'The docks.' Hoshino noted to herself, stoic even as she followed the faint sound of footsteps – footsteps that became increasingly hard to track in the rain. 'We already checked there though. So where are they going?'
No answer was forthcoming but Hoshino marched on regardless, avoiding the fast-forming puddles underfoot. Her shirt clung to her shoulders, damp and heavy, but her focus was absolute – guiding her into the next backstreet and then straight ahead. The storage buildings had ceased; replaced now by an uneven row of old shipping containers, barrels and an old crane or two. Far from the heartland of Gehenna's docks, these spots near the mountains had clearly seen better days, and better traffic in days gone by.
What better place to hide a secret laboratory?
As that thought struck her she caught sight of one of the men pausing just as he was about to stride behind one of the shipping containers. Hoshino cursed in her mind and ducked back into cover, hiding just around the corner of the wall and holding her breath on the off-chance the unknown individual could hear it. With the rain pouring down she couldn't make out their footsteps any longer and just had to wait, counting in her mind until she reached sixty seconds before peeking out.
They were gone. As expected, but she'd rather lose them than alert them. With that thought in mind Hoshino cautiously beckoned her travelling companions out with her, the three of them wandering down the length of the backstreet. She peered past the shipping containers as she neared, looking for a hint of someone waiting to ambush them, but only found the dark tides of the ocean lapping just beyond the seawall.
Still cautious though Hoshino slowed as she neared the last spot she saw the individuals disappear. There was a big open space between the shipping container and the next, with just a few barrels in-between and an old dock made of rotting wood, having not seen much use in easily a few years – the myriad of jagged rocks nearby telling of why. However the rocks Hoshino was most interested in wasn't the jagged ones that framed the nearby shoreline, but the smoother ones just below the seawall, not a dozen feet ahead of her.
For it was upon those rocks that the two individuals carried a trash-bag between themselves, stepping and slipping over glistening black stone before moving underneath the rotting dock. Moments later there was a faint flash of light and they disappeared from sight entirely; crouch-walking into a tunnel of some kind.
''Gotcha.'' Hoshino whispered.
From her spot behind her Nonomi frowned. ''That's them, isn't it?''
''Mmhm, seems like it. Looked like they were carrying someone too.'' Hoshino's brow dipped severely. ''Another victim.''
''Well then, what are we waiting for?'' Nonomi raised her minigun. ''Let's go save them.''
''Y-Yeah!'' Haruka earnestly agreed, though the way she shivered in the cold rain ruined whatever image of confidence she tried to portray.
''Hold on ladies.'' Hoshino stopped her two companions just as Nonomi was about to step forth. ''Remember what Sensei said? We should wait for back-up and not just charge in, unless you wanna become prisoners too.''
''O-Oh, right... s-sorry...'' Haruka immediately deflated.
Nonomi, however, was not so easily dissuaded. ''Hoshino-chan, we can't wait. It'll take Sensei and the others several hours to reach here easily, possibly not until midnight given the rush hour! If we wait that long who knows what will happen to that poor girl!''
Hoshino grimaced; she knew full well what fate might await the unknown student. However, her loyalty to her friends was stronger than to that of a stranger. ''Still, my point stands. This is too big for just the three of us to handle.''
''But...''
''No buts. We've got to think of ourselves here too. Or do you want Shiroko and the others to risk themselves too trying to save us?'' Hoshino hated pulling the guilt card, but she knew it'd be the only way to win Nonomi over.
However to her surprise, this time it didn't work. ''They would understand! You saw what the place looked like, in Shanhaijing! Who knows what evil things they're doing the students they capture! We can't just sit back and wait while another person suffers!''
''Nonomi-''
''I'm going.'' Once more Nonomi raised her minigun, but this time her eyes were hard. ''Even if I have to go by myself. I'm sorry Hoshino-chan, but I'm not backing down.''
''U-Um!'' Haruka awkwardly shuffled closer to Nonomi. ''I-I'll go too! Um... if that's okay, of course...''
Hoshino wanted to bang her head on the nearest shipping container. Maybe then she'd get some good shut-eye. ''Haah, you can't be seri-''
She was cut-off, however, by the sound of footsteps rapidly trudging through rain. The sound put all three on alert and they turned back the way they came – and they had no time to duck into cover before three girls bolted out around a through-way, looking around frantically before laying eyes on them. Even in the pouring rain Hoshino could identify them as Gehenna students, judging by their horns and tails, and not just any students either.
'Gourmet Research Society?' Hoshino narrowed her mismatched eyes. 'What are they doing out here?'
Outwardly, however, Hoshino feigned surprised. ''Eh~? Who're you?''
''W-Who are you is the better question!'' A red-haired girl yelled back, raising her twin submachine guns. ''Talk! Like, now!''
Haruka squeaked and ducked in cover behind Nonomi. ''P-Please don't shoot me again!''
''Eh? Haruka-san, is that you?'' One of the other girls, a brunette, asked in befuddlement. ''Who are these people? And what're you doing out here too?''
''Alright alright, let's hold on for a second Junko.'' A blonde girl said, waving down at her allies and stepping forth. ''I'm Wanibuchi Akari, member of the Gourmet Research Society.''
''I'm Shishidou Izumi!'' The brunette also introduced herself with a smile, before nudging the angsty red-haired girl. ''C'mon, introduce yourself too!''
''Akashi Junko.'' The red-haired girl said curtly, not lowering her guns. ''So who are you? You don't look like Gehenna to me. Aside from Haruka anyway.''
''Aiee...'' Haruka feebly whimpered in response.
''I'm Izayoi Nonomi, and this here is Takanashi Hoshino.'' Nonomi said with a winning smile. ''We're from Abydos. Sensei sent us here.''
''Huh.'' Junko slowly lowered her guns. ''Guess it makes sense...''
''But why are you out here?'' Akari pointed out.
''Y-Yeah! That's suspicious!'' And up Junko's guns went again.
Hoshino frowned. ''Classified. Sensei's orders.''
''I see.'' Akari frowned at her, but the blonde seemed willing to move past that. ''Anyway, by chance did you see a silver-haired student around here? She's our friend.''
''Can't says we have.'' Hoshino said slowly. ''How did you know to look for her here?''
''Her phone, duh!'' Junko snarked back. ''We were supposed to meet up to try out this amazing new dish but she never showed up, and she never misses the chance to try new food! So Akari called someone in Millennium-''
''Chihiro.'' Akari added helpfully.
''-and she hacked her phone or somethin' so we could track her location. It went dead around here.'' Junko finished.
The dots connected in Hoshino's mind. 'Then that student in the bag must've been...!'
''I see...'' Hoshino murmured aloud.
Nonomi also understood the implications and flashed her a sad sort of smile. ''Are you sure you still want to back out now, Hoshino-chan?''
''Ugh...'' Hoshino rubbed her brow. ''Sensei is gonna kill me for this...''
''Huh? What're you on about?'' Junko frowned at them.
In response, Hoshino just cocked her shotgun and spoke. ''We know where your friend is being held. If you wanna help us get her back, you do it but don't ask questions until Sensei shows up, got it?''
Akari looked between her two companions for only a moment before nodding firmly. ''We agree to these terms. Now please, tell us.''
''Follow me then ladies.'' Hoshino remarked, taking her shield out.
''Oh, and be prepared for a fight.''
[END]
A/N: Unlikely allies, hm~? Hopefully nothing bad happens to anyone~
See you next time in Chapter 10: Storm Surge~