Chapter 13: Moving Day
As the three of them materialised in the apartment, Ran noticed her Uncle sitting on the chair in the lounge, apparently waiting for them.
"You were gone for quite a while." He said.
"Sorry if you were worried," Mutaru said, "We had a small surprise take place while we were away."
"Which was?"
"Sonnet has an upgrade for her unit."
"Really, you're already more powerful than the other two Guyvers."
"Five, Uncle." Ran added.
"Sorry. Of course, five. As far as you know at least. Either way, you could be the best chance that the world has of defeating Chronos."
Unless my theory about Ran's blood is right. Sonnet thought.
"Yes, I may well be." She said, out loud.
"We will begin getting training from Blue tomorrow." Mutaru said.
"By the way, Sonnet. Do you know what time you are supposed to arrive at the Chronos Japan building?"
"No, why?"
"I thought you might like a lift from the building to here when you are ready to come here."
"I appreciate that; I'll inform Ran or Mutaru when I'm ready."
"OK."
"Speaking of which, I've got to be at the Phoenix Building in an hour. I'd better return to my old apartment."
"See you later then." Mutaru said.
"Bye, everyone." She replied.
Sonnet then teleported herself to her former apartment looked around to ensure that she hadn't left anything and then picked up her suitcases and left her apartment, giving the key to the Landlord as she left. The walk to the Phoenix Building only took her a few minutes, so she arrived at 21.30, half an hour before she was supposed to leave. As she entered the building, she was asked to report to the roof to board the helicopter that would take her to Japan. On board the helicopter she found a note from the staff that she had worked with, wishing her luck with her promotion. She was surprised that she hadn't been informed about the attack on the building.
Maybe Chronos don't think I'm important enough to inform about something like that, she thought, as the helicopter lifted off, could Chronos suspect that I had something to do with it? No, I don't think they would have any proof of that to use against me. I suppose I'll find out in Japan.
The helicopter landed on the roof of the Japan Building at about 13.39 (Japan time). As she left the helicopter, a Chronos soldier approached her. The soldier took her two suitcases from her and told her that he had been ordered to escort her to Dr. Balcus. Sonnet followed the soldier, thinking as she went.
This looks just like the Phoenix Building. I wonder if the labs are any different? I guess I'll find out soon enough.
The soldier took up a guard position next to a door that looked identical to the others she had seen, during the walk, put down her suitcases and gestured her inside. Dr. Balcus had a very stark office, compared to the one that Kushtar had in Phoenix. This office only had a large chair with its back to the door, similar to Kushtar's and a large monitor covering the wall in front of the chair. No other furniture was in the room.
"Greetings Sonnet." A strong, commanding voice said.
The large chair then swivelled round so that the occupant, Dr. Balcus, could see her.
"Dr. Balcus," Sonnet said, nodding her head in greeting, "I was ordered to report to you when I arrived."
"Yes. Now that you work as a Zoanoid Developer for Chronos Japan, you are answerable to me. You will report back here at 09.00 tomorrow morning. Until then you are free to do anything you need to do. The guard outside will escort you to your apartment, and give you your Chronos Japan ID card."
"I was informed that I could select my own accommodation, if I wanted to."
"You don't hesitate to speak your mind, I like that. Do you have something else arranged?"
"Yes, I have some friends who live in Japan. I informed them of my promotion in the 'Medical' company that I work at involved me moving to Japan. The apartment building that they live in had a few spare, so I'm going to get one there. Until that is done, I've been invited to stay with them."
"Fair enough," Balcus said, "They don't know you work for Chronos, why didn't you tell them?"
"They aren't too keen about Chronos; I don't think they would be too friendly to me if they learned I worked for you."
"I understand that. Until tomorrow then."
"Yes, I'll report here tomorrow morning."
"Dismissed."
"Yes, sir."
Sonnet then left the office and asked the guard to show her to the ground floor of the building. When he had done this, as well as giving her a small brown envelope, she thanked him, took her suitcases back and left the building. She went to the first public phone that she found, and dialled Ran's number.
"Hello?"
"Mutaru, its Sonnet."
"Hi Sonnet, are you in Japan?"
"Yes. I was wondering if your uncle could come and pick me up."
"Where are you?"
Sonnet gave him her location and was told that Kyriu would be there within 5 minutes. She then put the phone down and waited, opening the envelope while she kept a look out for Kyriu's jeep. The envelope contained her new Chronos Japan ID card, as well as pass cards for the various security doors in the building. Kyriu arrived in his jeep in a short time and Sonnet got in.
"Thanks for picking me up."
"No problem."
They arrived at the apartment building and Kyriu walked with Sonnet to her temporary home. Once inside the apartment, he put her suitcases down and offered her a seat on the sofa. Ran and Mutaru joined them.
"Pleasant flight Sonnet?" Ran asked.
"Yes, I got a note from the Phoenix staff wishing me luck as I left there. I wasn't informed about the attack and theft by the Guyvers though."
"Is that so strange?" Kyriu asked.
"Yes, the lab I work in gets destroyed by the three Guyvers and the two Unit-G's that I was examining are stolen, and Chronos doesn't tell me."
"Maybe they don't want to worry you with details for a branch you don't work for anymore." Kyriu suggested.
"Possible," Sonnet replied, "Do you two feel like a little training?"
"In a few minutes, yes." Ran replied.
"Mutaru?"
"Yeah."
"Before we do, Sonnet, will you need to unpack any of your things?" Ran asked her.
"Yes, I'd like to change out of this suit, before we start combat training."
Sonnet removed a pair of blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a pair of white trainers from one of the cases and went into one of the bathrooms in the apartment.
"OK then, ready when you are." Mutaru said.
"Should we invite the others?" Ran asked.
"I don't think that's a good idea at the moment, not Sho or Agito anyway," Sonnet stated, walking back into the main room, wearing the different clothes, "Once the two of you, and Mizuki, have had some practice with your armours we could try battling each other."
"That'll be interesting." Mutaru said.
"Where should we go?" Sonnet asked, tying her long hair into as ponytail as she spoke, "I can teleport us anywhere on the planet."
"What's wrong with returning to Relic's Point?" Kyriu asked.
"Nothing really, I just think it's a good idea to vary where we meet, as Guyvers. It'll keep Chronos on their guard if we be as erratic as possible."
"Makes sense." Kyriu agreed.
"How about the Sahara Desert?" Ran suggested.
"Why not? The armour should neutralise the heat you would normally feel there. Mutaru?"
"Ready when you are."
"Later, Uncle."
Sonnet again placed her hands on her friend's shoulders and they disappeared in a flash of blue light.
