Ah-hem.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Rurouni Kenshin cast. The end.
Oh, and congrads to WhiteRabbit5 for being my first, and thus far only, reviewer. A million kisses to ya!
Chapter Three
Kenshin suspiciously kept his arms tightly to his sides as both he and Sano were led toward the cockpit. He rubbed his left arm against one of the larger pockets on the front of his coat, trying to wriggle the gun from the folds of the cloth.
Kenshin was carefully cradling his hidden gun in the crook of his elbow by the time the small group reached the cockpit.
This was part of why Kenshin was suspicious.
Of all the rooms and compartments on the ship, why the cockpit?
It had the most powerful energy source.
Were they going to be tortured?
He eyed his surroundings gloomily.
"It is a pleasure to meet the two of you. Mr. Battousai, Mr. Sagara." A tall man nodded politely to them. His eyes flickered toward Mr. Fake Bystander. "Were we sighted?"
"Security cameras disabled, local police distracted, and we eliminated the two young ladies seen sighted with them."
For the first time Sano showed some real interest in his surroundings.
"Ya killed Yasha?" His mouth was hanging open in a ridiculous way, and Kenshin took the opportunity to nudge his gun closer to his cuffed hands. "But…but…she was Yasha. She was a good girl."
"She," the man said in an annoyed tone, "was a prostitute."
"And, and she did so much for the community!" Sano straightened and glared. "I'll have you know that you killed one of the kindest, nicest creatures on this station. She…she may not have been all that pure, but Yasha was a good girl. My girl." He began tearing up. "I love her."
"You met her yesterday," Kenshin muttered under his breath.
Sano thought a bit.
"Oh yeah."
Their host took a long look at Sano, who obviously had failed some sort of test, and turned to Kenshin, giving him the same once-over.
He took a step back, satisfied.
"My name is Hajime Saito, and I am to take you to your new employer." Saito motioned with a gloved hand, and Sano and Kenshin were untied.
Kenshin, unsure whether to use his gun now or wait and see what would happen, casually let the weapon slip back into his pocket.
Saito motioned for them each to take a seat, and—because of the close quarters—only had to reach across Sano to pick up a stack of papers, and then handed them to over to Kenshin.
Curious, Sano leaned to read over Kenshin's shoulder.
"I am in no way connected to your new employer. I was only hired for this transportation, so any further questions you will have to take up with him when you meet him. We will be going to the Populus star system." Saito tapped the papers. "I was asked to brief you on the way over. First, your employer heard of you along with a list of other assassins, thieves, bounty hunters, and other fighters of specific…talents. Understand that you are not to be the only ones hired, so—"
"Hired to do what?" Sano interrupted.
"To find an item of particular value to your employer." Saito leaned toward the papers again. "Now—"
"What kind of item?" Sano interrupted again.
Saito glared. "That is not of my business." He resumed his speech. "As I was saying, others will be hired, so the first one to execute your employer's wishes will be paid in full."
"So," Kenshin rubbed his cheek thoughtfully, "it's a race."
Saito nodded shortly. "Yes a race." He paused. "Any questions?"
"Why can't you tell us any specific details?" Sano asked.
"Those are not my business."
"That," Kenshin said in a matter of fact tone, "and you're a cop."
Saito's expression didn't change, but he didn't say anything either.
"You can't tell us any of the illegal parts of this, or risk being prosecuted in court, should all this fall apart. You want to be able to say that you really didn't know anything."
Silence.
"Yes, more or less." Saito admitted. "Anything else?"
"Yes." Kenshin sat up straighter. "Why are we here? I mean, in this exact room?"
"We need the power."
Now Sano looked suspicious.
"For what?"
Saito smiled for perhaps the first time since they'd met him.
"We're going to need to brainsweep you."
"…" Kenshin had nothing more to say.
"Wha—wha—?" Unlike Sano. "What the hell? Doesn't this guy trust us?"
"Apparently not." Saito nodded at one of the men. "Kindly take care of Sanosuke first. I would like to talk to Kenshin alone." Saito stood. "Mr. Battousai?"
The two left Sano alone to get his mind screened for traitorous thoughts.
"Don't worry," Saito said to Kenshin's silence. "As long as he isn't planning something stupid, my men won't hurt him."
"You're Hajime Saito."
"Last time I checked."
"I've read about you. You're the last person I'd expect to cart criminals back and forth across the galaxy."
"Who said I'm providing a ride for anyone other than you and Sanosuke?"
Kenshin stared at him.
Sighing, Saito waved away his look. "That's what I'm trying to talk to you about. There are…there are certain things going on. With your new employer."
"And," Kenshin connected the dots, "you want an inside man."
"Something like that." Saito slipped him a small grey object. "Give me a call, for whatever reason."
Kenshin glanced briefly down at the phone.
"And why me?"
"Because," Saito replied, with something akin to grumpiness, "you're the only one without a criminal record."
"But Sano…?"
Saito sighed again. "As I said, you're the only one without a criminal record."
Kenshin hid a smile, and followed the officer back to the cockpit of his own ship to have his brain swept.