Full Metal Panic!

Chapter Three

Idle Currents

By Steve Edward

2100 hours, Tokyo, Japan

"Sergeant Sagara, you do understand that Captain Andrew Simms is to be accorded all courtesies while he is in Tokyo," as the voice of Commander Kalinin spoke over the radio. Souska replied, "It is understood commander. I have already observed his arrival here at the apartment complex. Shall I inform Captain Testarossa?"

Commander Kalinin replied, "No. Tessa will know soon enough. Captain Simms will be a guest teacher at Jendi and while there he will be observing the interaction between, Kaname, Alice and Tessa. You are of course to observe all security procedures, and intervene for his protection if necessary. That is all sergeant."

In the official sense he was now Doctor Andrew Simms, a teacher of history. He in fact held a Doctorate in history, but military history at that. Still the classes he would be teaching would focus on civilian and military history.

The flight from Melida Island had not been what he called a "normal" flight. Because of the Mithril aircraft stealth capability, it had actually landed inside of Tokyo, at a vacant school playground.

From there where a taxi had been waiting, the driver seemingly unconcerned that a man would nonchalantly appear from the play ground in darkness with luggage in tow had taken him to his apartment. Commander Kalinin had told him it was the same apartment complex that Kaname Chidori resided as did Sergeant Sagara. Andrew had a good laugh when Andrei admitted that the entire complex was in fact owned by Mithril itself and it was also where Tessa and Alice were staying.

Andrew opened his journal, reviewing the notes he had written of the events that had taken place, then he reviewed the individual traits of each "Whispered."

Lieutenant Alice Wren, age 17. Officially she was an analyst assigned to Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2. At 177 centimeters and 54 kilograms she was a bit taller than his 170 centimeters. Her ability to link with TAROS, allowed her to take control of the Morison when needed. She had become his student to understand military tactics and she was well on her way to becoming a gifted tactician.

Alice was his sounding board as well. Even though he had Commander Drake Ward as his Executive Officer, Alice had the ability to "see" ahead and gauge how an enemy moved. Once you told her how and why of a military tactic and how to counter it, she never forgot.

The Tuatha de Danaan class submarine was submariner's dreams come true, and when after the sea trials of the Morison had taken place, Mithril had conducted a war game with several of its smaller submarines and several surface units against the Morison.

The maneuvers performed by Alice were beyond belief and a few new tricks added to the pot, had resulted in the Morison soundly defeating the "aggressors". One submarine commander commented to Andrew afterward, "How the hell do we develop a tactic against you when you are barrel rolling through our formation at 60 knots launching MK48's in all directions? You can't defend against that! Just might as well call Davy Jones up and say make room for us, because we are coming."

Captain Teletha Testarossa, 17 years old and the developer and designer of the Tuatha de Danaan class of super sub. Brilliant when it came to mathematics, but she is a klutz on her two feet. He noted that when he had first meet her nearly six month earlier. It was also no wonder that she had Commander Andrei Kalinin as her tactician. She was not athletic in the normal sense and it is likely what saved him when she was chasing him around in the M6. But athletics aside, when she was in the chapel, she did not need physical virtues to maneuver the massive submarine, all she had to do was imagine it as Alice did and Tuatha de Danaan like Morison would become the most maneuverable submarines in the world and the deadliest.

Reviewing Kaname Chidori's biographical information had revealed her abilities as a "Whispered". Fears of terrorists targeting the "Whispered" had been born out; with near tragic results on the Tuatha de Danaan, nine months ago. As a US Navy submarine commander he had received the classified briefing on the aftermath which had told only one side of the story. After accepting Mithril's recruitment pitch and being appointed to command the next submarine of the Danaan class, he had learned the rest, and when he met Lieutenant Wren for the first time he understood Mithril's position on the "Whispered".

Closing the journal, he opened the safe in the apartment, then immediately reprogrammed it with his own access code and placed the materials inside. If anyone attempted to open the safe, an incendiary device would go off and burn everything to ashes inside the compartment while leaving the surrounding area untouched.

Turning his attention to the apartment, he found it well equipped. Being that he did not drink, there was no alcohol but there were an assortment of coffee's and teas. Choosing a dark Columbian he started the coffee, and then set about unpacking for the duration of his stay.

Tessa stood up and stretched, she had sat too long in that position. Her roommate Alice Wren stepped from the kitchen with two cups of tea then joined Captain Testarossa on the apartment balcony, "It feels so good to be away from the sub for a change. Just being able to be with you guys makes things feel a whole lot better."

Tessa replied, "We all need breaks from work. I have been meaning to ask you Alice, but how is it to work with Andrew?" Alice spoke, "He is hard but fair. He gets the point across about the importance of knowing ones job. When I first met him, we were doing a simulation. He waited till I had finished, then he took me aside and pointed out what I was doing wrong, even though I pointed out that the tactical books had stated that what I had conducted was the correct line of action."

Tessa spoke, "Andrew likely was one that may have written some of those books you read. He told me that you could take all of the tactics used in all the wars that earth has endured; program them into a computer and still loose the battle in the end, because of the unknown factor that always is present in war. That factor is the human factor to render a decision, by thinking out of the box." Tessa paused a moment in thought, "Now I understand by what he means fighting in six dimensions."

The noise of a balcony door opening behind Alice caused her to turn and when she saw him, she ducked out of sight and spoke to Tessa "Did you know he was here?" Testarossa looking at the opposite balcony then ducking down replied, "No I did not." Andrew entered the balcony and looked around briefly before sitting down at a small table where he set his coffee. Putting the ear buds of the music player in his ears, he set it to play and reclining the chair, relaxed.

Tessa rose high enough to look at the other balcony then motioning for Alice to follow, she went back into her apartment on her hands and knees. Once inside, Tessa found the telephone and dialed Souska Sagara.

Sagara, answered the phone immediately as it displayed the callers information, "Yes Madam Captain?" Tessa replied, "Sergeant? Did you know Captain Simms is here?" Souska rising from a crunch replied, "Yes Madam Captain. Commander Kalinin had told me earlier, but said not to bother you about it."

Tessa slammed the phone down and turned towards the apartment's main entrance, "Ok Captain Simms, why are you here!" as Tessa put on her shoes, Alice came from behind her "Captain?" Tessa spoke, "Please stay here Alice. I will not be long, neither will Captain Simms."

The Japanese string music had proved relaxing, but the thumping in the background roused him from his nap, and looking at the time, Captain Simms realized he had dozed off. Turning off the music, the thumping was someone pounding on his apartment door.

2200 hours, Tokyo, Japan

Banging her fist on the door had done little good and served only to make it hurt, so Tessa began kicking the door instead, while ringing the door bell. "Is he deaf?" as she reared back to kick the door again, it opened and she could not stop her foot as it landed with force below the right knee of a surprised Captain Andrew Simms.

Lieutenant Alice Wren coming out of the apartment caught sight of Captain Simms arm yanking Testarossa into his apartment, followed by a thud. Approaching the still open door she found Andrew on the floor with Tessa sprawled across him "Let go of me Captain!"

Andrew calmly replied, "Nothing doing! Why did you kick me?" Alice watched as Tessa struggled, unable to break free of her captain's grip "It was an accident! Let me go Captain!" Andrew Simms was in an unusual position to say the least. He had a very senior, but very young female captain in a leg and arm lock lying across the top of him and Tessa was getting madder by the moment.

"Picking on little women are we Captain?" "Now what?" as Andrew tilted his head backwards, taking in the combat boots standing on the floor behind him he gazed up into the crooked grin of Sergeant Major Melissa Mao. Releasing Tessa and then rolling to a sitting position, Captain Simms spoke "Ok. Truce." Holding out her hand, Mao helped Andrew to his feet.

Alice helped Tessa to her feet as Andrew turned to Mao, "Ok. Where have you been hiding?" Pointing a thumb over her shoulder, Mao replied "Out there. It was easy getting onto the balcony with that." Glancing outward to the balcony, Andrew could see the top of a Mithril M9. Tessa spoke, "Melissa what are you doing here? And Captain Simms I want to know the same thing from you."

Andrew spoke, "I am here to observe you Tessa. The same goes for Alice and of course Miss Chidori." Tessa stepped back, "Why? Who gave you permission?" Andrew rubbing his smarting leg spoke, "Because it will give me a better understanding to how to train you and the Lieutenant. Also it gives me an opportunity to be in the presence of three "Whispered's" to gauge your reactions with each other, and it was cleared with Kalinin."

Tessa replied, "And just how are you going to do that? By sitting in a camouflaged M9 staring into our classroom at the high school?" Mao's laugh at that comment caused Tessa to turn to her, "The same question Melissa. Why are you here?" Mao spoke, "I am looking after Captain Simms."

Andrew spoke, "Commander Kalinin recommended that I observe you, in a traditional setting which I am in fact will be doing, but not from an M9. It will be up close and personal and you as well as Alice will get an education from it and perhaps Souska will enjoy the class, though I don't know how Miss Chidori will view it." Tessa replied, "Up close?" Mao replied with a laugh, "Tessa, the Captain is going to be your history instructor for the next week!" Tessa took a step back, "In high school? At Jendi?" The voice behind Wren caused her to jump, "Yes Madam Captain, he will be teaching us history." Sergeant Souska Sagara entered the apartment, "Sergeant Major Mao, "Commander Kalinin wishes to speak with you urgently."

Andrew turned back to Tessa, "I will see all of you at Jedi at 0800 hours sharp, so get some rest. I think we all need it now. Oh by the way Mao, get that M9 the heck away from my balcony!" Limping into the apartment, Andrew was followed by Tessa who spoke, "Captain Simms? Do you have a blank piece of paper? I have that answer you asked for."

Andrew reached for a notepad and pen and gave it to Tessa who walked to the kitchen counter and began writing swiftly on it. Tearing the sheet of paper and folding it in half, Tessa gave it to Captain Simms as she left his apartment. Alice looked at her captain and shrugging her shoulders hurried after Tessa.

Suddenly alone, Andrew closed the door and walked out to the balcony. The M9 was no longer visible and had somehow silently vanished with Mao. Returning to the kitchen he poured another cup of coffee then opened the folded sheet of paper. Turning it in different directions to view the drawing, Andrew set it onto the counter and turned away.

The soft breeze from the balcony caused it to flutter open; the symbols on the paper were from the tactical displays of the Danaan and Morison computer display screens. Each had their own designation, but Captain Andrew Simms was smiling as he came back out onto the balcony, musing "So Tessa you figured it out. Good girl."

0800 hours, Jendi High School, Tokyo

His day started early, at 0500 hours. Andrew Simms finished breakfast and departed alone on foot to the high school. Alice Wren with Teletha Testarossa found the note attached to his apartment door telling them he was already gone.

Kaname Chidori walking with Tessa and Alice heard the news, "That man is going to be a teacher at Jendi?" as they entered the school grounds followed by Souska Sagara at 0730 hours, Eri Kagurazaka was ushering students into the school.. She was in a bubbly mood.

Eri greeted Kaname, "Don't be late to your history class, as we have a special guest teacher." Kaname replied, "Is it Doctor Simms?" Eri somewhat dreamily spoke, "Yes and such a gentleman is he." Kaname sighed and continued into the school as her friend Kyoko Tokiwa standing at her locker greeted Kaname then spoke, "Kaname, have you heard the news?" Kyoko peering at the small display screen of her camera showed Kaname, a still image of Andrew to her, "He was here early. Some of the students said he had been running the track since 6 AM!" Kaname never a morning person replied, "Great just as long as I don't have to be there with him."

Tessa and Alice after retrieving items from their respective lockers headed for class. Tessa spoke to Alice, "Is Andrew showing off or something?" Alice replied, "He never shows off Tessa. Running is part of his physical regime. His physical workouts are something to see. He loves the hanger deck on the Morison, because it gives him room to run, and then there are the free weights and gym machines. You ought to take a look at how he outfitted the Morison's gymnasium."

Tessa sitting at her desk sorely wished she was more athletically inclined like Kaname and others, but she was not. Tessa had found out the hard way just how much stamina a solider had to have when operating an Arms Slave, since she had at one time challenged Sergeant Major Mao to an Arms Slave match. The short period of time she had operated the M6 had exhausted her, but she found it within her to finally beat Mao even if it was done with a little help from Sagara.

Eri Kagurazaka entered the classroom and called it to order, "Very well class, and let us begin. First off we have a guest instructor who will be teaching history, some may have already met him but for those who have not, allow me to introduce Doctor Andrew Simms. His biographical sheet is available for those interested in his background. Dr. Simms you may come in now."

Andrew entered the classroom and set his briefcase down and took in the classroom occupants, then speaking nearly flawless Japanese, Andrew spoke "Good morning. I will be your instructor for history. I will be focusing on events that have had a profound impact on not only Japan's history in the civil sense but military as well. I hope to convey the importance of decisions when rendered can and will have unintended consequences. Miss Eri Kagurazaka has informed me that, English can be utilized for this instruction so it will be the primary language. Japanese will be used for clarification of any questions."

Andrew turned to the dry board and wrote his name in both English and Japanese, then writing on the next line the start page of the text book; Andrew turned back to the class. "History to some is dry, boring and irreverent. What happened in the past is the past, and it does not affect the present. But it does affect you because those that made that history had at some point made the decision that would change the course of the world as they knew it, which in turn would continue to influence the decisions of leaders that follow after them, and of course the lives of those living around them. Could a simple choice made, result in the loss of lives in the hundreds of millions? Yes it can and it did. Or can a simple choice made result in the saving of thousands, because of one who made another choice, against the wishes of another? Yes it can. We will be looking at some of the most turbulent parts of Japanese history from the past 100 years, and it will be up to you to render a decision. Do you follow or change the selected choice made by those or chart your own individual destinies? Turn to page 450 and let us begin…"

1200 hours, Jendi High School Athletic Field, Tokyo

Kaname Chidori had thought the history lecture would be dull, with the American likely sitting at the desk or briefly standing to emphasis a point, but as she and others found out; Andrew's method of teaching was anything but boring. His methods made you think that you were back on that very day reliving the pivotal moment in time.

Now Kaname viewed with interest as the "Doctor" was speaking with Teletha Testarossa and giving her some instruction in batting. "Tessa, first off the bat you have is of a lighter weight and length. You do not necessarily have to have bigger to hit the ball." Tessa waved it about testing it as Andrew had spoken. Andrew ducking several of the test swings which had brought laughter from those in the stands at the expense of Tessa who continued until Andrew gently stopped the bat, "Also besides the bat, you have to focus on the ball."

Tessa toes the ground, "Have you ever attempted to hit a fast pitch from Miss Chidori?" Andrew replied, "Never had the chance till now." Turning towards an impatient Kaname, Andrew Simms spoke, "Miss Chidori? Would you mind tossing a few pitches? I would like to see you in action?"

Kaname's twisted grin said it all as Andrew walked to the dugout and selected his weapon of choice, a bright red 32 inch 24 oz aluminum bat. No longer dressed in a suite, Andrew was dressed in Navy Blue sweats and doffing a batting helmet he approached the plate. Kaname spoke, "Well are you ready to get blasted?" Raising an eyebrow and tapping the bat on the ground, Andrew replied "Ok Miss. Chidori lets see what you got."

The metallic clang was loud enough to be heard around the athletic field, when Andrew punched the softball past the fence and a nearby marker proclaiming the 138 meter point. Kaname whirled back around in disbelief looking towards home plate. Simms was standing there observing the ball where it landed. "Doctor Simms! How did you do that?" as Kaname catching a replacement ball circled the pitchers mound.

Andrew dryly replied, "Practice Miss Chidori, but I must admit that your pitch was a bit on the sloppy side." Kaname stepped off the mound, "Sloppy? Why you! I'll show you sloppy!" Tessa approached Andrew, "She has a temper, Mister Simms!" The laugh from Andrew was all she heard as he waved her off.

In terms of speed the next pitch likely broke triple digits. The hapless catcher caught it successfully but was bowled off her feet by the impact, sending her to the rear of the batters box, dropping the ball and her glove then flexing her hand, "Kaname! That hurt!"

Sergeant Major Melissa Mao observing the pitch spoke to Weber, "The captain did not even flinch."

Weber replied, "The man knows how to push buttons. This could get interesting." The catcher spoke, "Mister Simms, I can not continue. That was just a warning, she will get reckless and I don't want to be on the receiving end anymore." Andrew acknowledged then gazing around at the crowd that had gathered, saw Souska Sagara.

"Mister Sagara, would you be as kind as to take over as catcher." Souska stepped out of the crowd, and entered the batters box, "I will do so sir as requested." Kaname digging her heel into the mound focused on Souska, "You will pay for this Souska!" as he slipped the catchers mask over his face he replied, "Yes Miss Chidori I am sure that you will find some way to do that."

The next pitch could have been considered a wild pitch, but Andrew knew better. He was guarding the plate rather closely, and Kaname sent him a little chin music or more precisely one very close to his head. Mao noted the captain had already stepped back when the pitch was released and had merely squatted then rose back to his full height as the softball slammed into the chain link backstop, spoke "He sees the point of release. But how?" as Weber replied, "He is watching her right foot and heel. The heel digs in when she releases. Kaname is telegraphing her release point to him and does not even know it."

Andrew spoke, "Ok Miss Chidori, one more pitch then you and your classmates can have the field back. Kaname replied, "Ok so you are being smart with me! Well try this one on for size."

1800 hours, Apartment of Captain Simms, Tokyo, Japan

Ok, so he bruised her ego and rather badly at that. At the speed she had pitched, he had no choice but to swing. The trajectory had sent it over the left center field fence and over the bleachers, but Sergeant Kurz Weber was behind the bleachers and the ball caromed off his concealed M9. Kaname having seen such behavior of balls before slowly walked off the mound and came to him and quietly spoke, "Captain or Doctor, what ever you are please leave now before I regret it." Andrew smiling replied, "I will Miss Chidori, but for the record I would like to point out, your release was exquisite."

Tessa sipped her tea then spoke, "Andrew? Was it necessary for that batting display? You could have at least told her of your baseball background." Setting his pen down, Andrew replied, "And what of it? Just because I was a college level player did not give me an edge." Tessa spoke, "Mao told me afterward. You took advantage of her pitching release, but how could you know after just watching a short period of time?"

Andrew about to reply was interrupted by the knock on his apartment door. Looking at Andrew, Tessa spoke "Expecting anyone?" Rising from his chair and walking to the door, Andrew replied "No, I am not." Kaname rapped on the door again, then stepping back as it opened Kaname spoke, "So Mister Batter? Enjoying your victory?"

Andrew Simms glanced around casually and replied, "No not precisely, Miss Chidori. Would you like to come in before the neighbors start making conclusions? Madam Testarossa is here having tea. Would you like some?"

Tessa greeted Kaname and invited her to join her, "Miss Chidori, please will you not join us? I believe the captain can explain his actions." Kaname taking a seat at the table on the balcony accepted the cup of tea from Andrew.

"Captain Simms? Why are you here exactly?" Andrew Simms spoke, "Essentially observing the interactions between "Whispered's" Miss Chidori. After that incident on the Morison and then both Tessa's and Alice's behavior it did intrigue me." Kaname spoke "So you find it fascinating that our behavior is different from normal people, and so you consider us freaks!" Tessa spoke, "Kaname! Captain Simms thinks no such thing!"

Andrew spoke, "Freaks? Hardly, Miss Chidori, however I was concerned that when we were conducting the link between Tuatha de Danaan and the Morison that when you had the fainting episode, we had caused an inadvertent reaction. The more I have observed you; I have come to the conclusion that in some fashion your behavior or willingness to become angry had been imprinted on both Alice and Tessa."

Kaname spoke, "How is that possible? I was never directly in contact with either at the time!" Andrew replied, "No you were not at least on a conscience level, but you had if you will "merged" with each other previously." Tessa spoke, "Kaname, you and I have merged with each other several times and Alice merged with you when you came onboard the Morison."

Kaname replied, "Then how are we still connected? I am not merged with you now!" Andrew spoke, "The neurologists at Mithril, believe that there are certain neural pathways within a "Whispered" that are predisposed to mapping if you will, and once the initial merging has taken place the pathways remain open to communication, hence when Alice and Tessa were in their "Whispered" event the TAROS system not programmed to monitor all three ongoing operations began to send a feedback, but a natural defensive stance on your part prevented a full merging so in some fashion your tendency to get angry was how shall we say temporarily transferred and imprinted in both Tessa and Alice."

Tessa spoke, "Kaname I had the sudden urge to fight Captain Simms, which was born out when I took an Arms Slave. Lieutenant Wren openly attacked Sergeant Weber after he made one of his usual wise cracks and she continued the attack even after Captain Simms interceded." Kaname replied, "When Souska dragged me to the clinic, I saw Wren in pain and tried to help her…"

Andrew spoke, "And in the process you began receiving images of me through Tessa as she was looking at me in the target scope of the M6, and Alice's own view of you from her perspective." Tessa spoke, "Captain Simms had Commander Mardukas shut down both TAROS systems completely. When the commander carried out that task the link between us was broken."

Kaname spoke, "But why observe us?" Andrew spoke, "Because I wanted to ensure that you three were no longer linked and in each others head so to speak. That's why I was teaching the class. I wanted to ensure that at least on the subconscious level that neither of you three was still communicating. I regret it came to this, but I wanted to make sure we had not caused some adversity in your lives."

Kaname replied, "Adversity? I get that enough when Souska is around." Andrew chuckled, "I have noted he is rather proactive, and is never far from you. Mister Sagara will you please stop hanging off my balcony and join us." Tessa and Kaname both blinked, then Tessa replied "How long has he been here?" Sagara climbing onto the railing spoke, "Long enough Madam Captain."

Kaname spoke, "Souska, how many times have I told you…" Andrew spoke, "Miss Chidori please not now." Turning to Tessa, "I will continue the class till Friday afternoon then I will be returning to Melida Island. I am satisfied with my findings so far and will inform Mithril accordingly. Miss Chidori, I do apologize for my actions but I had to be sure. If you don't mind I have other things to attend to and you and Souska need to study. Perhaps we can make time for further discussion later."

Letting his guests out, Andrew about to close the door was stopped by Tessa, "Captain for what it is worth you did the right thing, thank you." Reflecting on her comment, Andrew closed the door and entered his sleeping quarters where he then opened the safe and retrieved the journal.

Nothing would be recorded electronically or input into any database. The journal once it was reviewed by neurologists at Melida Island it would be destroyed.

Putting pen to paper Captain Andrew Simms wrote, "I am neither trained in the medical field nor do I consider myself an expert in the field of neurology. It has been six months since my first exposure to a "Whispered", namely Captain Teletha Testarossa then Lieutenant Alice Wren whom I consider a close and valued friend."

Turning to view the courtyard where Tessa with Alice and Kaname were walking with Souska, Andrew continued "Their individual traits are astonishing and beholden. What further secrets may reside within each, time will only tell. With TAROS able to provide a link for them to interact directly with the command functions of a submarine, ship or even aircraft the "Whispered" have the abilities that have been the dreams of military commanders for centuries, to control vast resources with little effort. But at what cost to those that have these abilities, and at what cost are those who desire to use the "Whispered" for their own gains willing to risk or for those who may find knowledge of the "Whispered's" are they willing to stop at nothing to see a "Whispered" dead?"

Andrew closed the journal and set the pen down. With nothing else to add, he had left the final statement an open question. Those that would likely find out that answer would be put into a position to make life and death decisions. Would someone go so far as to be willing to commit murder to stop a "Whispered" from awakening? Andrew setting the journal into the safe pondered that, without realizing that someone had already done so all because of simple decision, for the sake of a thousand refugees on a creaky and leaking ship a "Whispered" had survived.

Friday, 1130 hours, Jendi High School, Tokyo, Japan

Andrew closed the book and set it upon the desk, "Each of you made interesting choices. Why bother with what could be best termed "arm chair" quarterbacking? We had the luxury of time in the sense that the event has passed, we can look at other avenues. Could the decision, if changed been more beneficial in terms of lives? Those wishing power tend to ignore those who have little say in their actions and it is ultimately the lower class that pays the heavy price. You are thinking to yourself, but I am just a high school student what say do I have now?"

Turning to the dry board, Andrew cleaned the surface and drew a pyramid "A pyramid is interesting, when viewed at the proper angle one can see two sides, but the third is hidden. The two fronts represent a known factor. When broken down by levels, it can mean levels of power, wealth and or even influence and in some countries the recommended food groups, however we are looking at power and influence not food. Where suppose does a high school student find oneself in the pyramid in terms of power and influence?" Andrew paused, and looked at the students making brief eye contact.

Eri Kagurazaka had warned him that there was a possibility that some students would find an excuse to cut the class, since it only counted for 15 percent of the overall exam scores; however Andrew had proved her wrong and he found he had collected "extra" students along the way. Not getting a volunteer to answer the question he made his own choice, "Miss Chidori? Can you answer this for your fellow classmates?"

Kaname, composed rose from her desk "It is neither Doctor Simms. We are the third side of the pyramid." Andrew turned to the dry board and drew the pyramid from above and replied, "Yes. The hidden side and why is that Miss Chidori?"

Kaname spoke, "We see and hear what takes place around us. Those in position to render critical decisions do so only on the basis of what one may know. We as students see mistakes made and the consequences of those decisions because how they can affect our daily lives. We soon will follow to the front of the pyramid and will over time gain the power, the influence and the wealth to achieve our own goals in our own time and those that are beneath us become part of that pyramid, it is an infinite cycle."

Andrew picked up a red marker and drew a large symbol representing infinity over the pyramids and spoke, "Correct. No beginning and no end, the cycle continues unabated. But can one with enough influence and power stop a repetition of history like another war or provide influence to intervene in a regional conflict to save lives of people they do not even know? One can, if they have knowledge. Use it wisely and listen to those near silent voices from the pyramid, they may be trying to tell you something. That is all class. Good luck on your exam. Miss Kagurazaka will now take over and administer the exam.