The Whisperer
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-Chapter 48-
He woke up very sore. He had overdone it yesterday but luckily made it back before Kaname did so he cleaned up and she wasn't the wiser. That did not stop his instincts from executing as usual forcing him to make sure everything was okay. He could not here anything, and none of his traps had gone off. He began to rise to a sitting position but stopped when he realized something was on his chest. He stared down at the slender object and followed it to its source. He was surprised to find his charge lying next to him. He rubbed his head lightly, sitting up. He felt horrible. Like he had a terrible headache. He examined further and realized he could not remember the events of last night after 9 o'clock. He found a glass of water on the bedside table. It was warm most likely it was out all night. Next to it was pain pills. Why?
Did something happen last night he should know about. He did not take the medicines and placed the glass back down. Though the water did not taste strange he was now worried it may have been drugged or poisoned. The pills may have been set by someone who snuck in last night. Since he could not remember he may have gotten a concussion. He checked himself for any marks but did not have any Chidori had not caused. If someone had snuck in they had to be good to not wake him. In sudden realization he checked his sleeping girlfriend. Good, she was breathing. He grabbed a towel and walked out into the living room. He dropped his clothes in the hamper and stepped into the bathroom. Hopefully a warm shower would help his sore muscles.
Kaname stirred slowly. As usual she felt around to see if her bed partner was beside her.
"Figures…" Suddenly her memory of last night came rushing back to her. "Sousuke!" She called him loudly. She heard a loud thud come from the bathroom. She rushed towards the source of the sound. She practically slammed through the bathroom door. She was shocked with what she was met with. He face turned as she quickly turned around. Sousuke was redder than her. He was on the ground, in a rather uncomfortable state of undress. He quickly stood up and wrapped a towel around himself.
"Chidori I'm decent." He said. When she turned both of them were still red in the face.
"Well I think I got my payback." Kaname chuckled embarrassed. Sousuke looked it even more. Pulling his gun from the sink he checked it. "What's the problem?"
"You're the problem." She walked closer feeling his forehead.
"Me? What have I done?"
"You don't remember?"
"Negative. I have no memories of yesterday beyond approximately nine o'clock."
"So you don't remember being sick?"
"Negative. What progressed last night?"
"We were watching TV when suddenly you felt bad. It was like before when you were cold. Except this time you got all stiff. You said you couldn't see anything. You were spitting blood again, and became really pale. I took you to bed and took care of you for an hour before you fell asleep."
"Really? It has been quite awhile since something like that happened to me. I apologize for inconveniencing you."
"No problem. Taking care of you has always been a job of mine. Luckily you were staying calm. Except painful reactions and trying to check yourself you cooperated mostly. Even though you were blind. You can see now though right? I was really worried. I thought you might die this time. Those weird marks got worse."
Sousuke turned and looked in the mirror. It was true. The marks were spreading and becoming more visible. Kaname could see him frowning. She walked over and grabbed his hand.
"You'll be fine right. Don't worry. You aren't going to leave me alone right?"
Sousuke stood not saying anything. He already knew what, was most likely the inevitable outcome. Kaname bit her lip waiting for the answer but it never came.
"Listen you finish your shower I'll go make some breakfast."
Sousuke nodded and Kaname exited the bathroom closing it behind her. He stepped back into the shower. Letting the water run he squeezed his hand against the wall not having anything to hit. He took a breath before pulling his hand back. He held it up letting the water make a little puddle in there. He stared at it. Suddenly the water burst apart. The water droplets hit some invisible ball in his hand and slowly dripped off or blew away.
Suddenly it began falling into his hand again. "Why?"
It was not long before he was out of the shower. He walked towards the kitchen when he was dressed. He found Kaname in the living room instead. She was staring at the television hypnotized. He walked over to see what she was watching.
"There is a report that strange looking arm-slaves have been appearing out of no where and attacking military facilities and labs all over the world. This is the third attack. This is only happening periodically and does not seem to have a pattern. Authorities are baffled by how this is happening or where they came from. The technology seems to be much more advanced than the recently developed M9 that has been put into action in the U.S. No one knows why they are attacking and they have not named any demands. Various types of equipment have been taken but the reason is unknown. Reports from civilians and personnel at these facilities say the machines have the ability to fly. Here are images captured by security cameras." They began playing images and videos captured of the attacks. Sousuke clenched his hands staring at the screen. He picked up the remote and began going to various news stations. All of them were talking about what happened.
"Yeah man. They're like aliens here to get our technology. The 'arm-slaves'" The man on the TV did a gesture with his index and middle finger on each hand. "…are alien technology planted in people's heads. They were testing us and are now here to take what we learned man! Their killing anybody in their way like you government pigs are doing to subjects in your experiments. Free the…" Sousuke changed the channel. Everyone was talking about it. The closest to being correct were the ideas of terrorist attacks. Suddenly he felt a tingling in the back of his neck.
"The fact that is it is periodic mean they have a limited number of AS."
He pulled out a small device. "Al."
"Yes sir." Al's robotic voice could be heard.
"Get over here; I will have the beacon running. Remain in EIS. I will be on top of a building waiting for you. Get here quickly. "
"All ready on the way."
Sousuke placed the item back in his pocket. "Chidori I must go. I wi…"
"Be careful." She said quickly. Sousuke stared at her a moment. She continued watching the TV. "I'll watch from here."
"But…"
"They're coming right?" She turned looking at him.
"Affirmative. I do not know exactly where they are headed."
"Ok. Just be careful. Come back soon okay. Kick their asses and we'll have another big dinner tonight." She gave him a look that relieved him slightly.
"Roger." Sousuke went into his room. He came out in his AS suit, and a heavy coat covering it. He didn't look at her or say anything as he ran out. He locked the door and that was the last she heard as he went off.
Soon Sousuke was on the roof of Kaname building. Not ten seconds later his AS arrived.
He was swallowed by light then was inside the machine.
"Welcome sir. How are you?"
"I'm fine. Are you ready?"
"I have been bored but I am okay. Sir have you thought of a name for this AS yet."
"Negative. It is not a problem if it remains unknown."
"Why don't you name it based on that. Searching data bank for matching words."
"We don't have time Al. We need to figure out…"
"They are heading towards a lab in central Tokyo. It is relatively unknown but information on it is implanted in this database. Ah sir I have found a word."
"What is it?"
"Anon. It is an abbreviation of anonymous which means, wanting of a name, or does not have a name, not determined."
"Fine then register it as that."
"Yes sir."
"Al why does this machine not have any recorded information of such a thing."
"I don't know."
Sousuke looked around. "Let's go. Show me the location."
The information appeared on screen.
"Sir this AS is much more efficient then the last I was installed in. I was lucky to be relocated then. But as I was saying this machine can fly but much better than the other one. This machine can remain in a normal state and maneuver in the air without being restricted. If you like I can transport us there and you take control when we enter combat."
"Negative. I know this machine has such abilities. I will pilot it so that I can eventually become completely accustomed to it."
"Yes sir. I just thought I should inform you of it."
"Acknowledged. Let's go." The invisible AS, now called Anon flew in the direction of the targets. They had not landed yet so they had time.
"Sir how did you know they were attacking?"
"The news."
"How did you know they were coming here?"
Sousuke remained silent a moment. "A whim."
"Understood. I scared some civilians the other day."
"What, how?"
"They were all gathering in the warehouse. I was listening to what they were saying, and one accidentally hit me and got hurt. Some were about to hurt a dog. I stopped them but they were scared away. The dog licked me then ran away."
"You need to be more careful. If what I have discovered in my training in society in correct. He was thanking you."
"Understood. He is welcome."
"Al…never mind."
"Yes sir. We have reached the target area. Enemies are 5 kilometers up and approaching quickly. 3, 2, the enemy is upon us."
"Roger."
The two enemies became visible hoping to scare the people on the ground. One of them was destroyed suddenly. The other AS stopped and looked to see what happened.
"What the hell?" His AS took a moment before detecting Sousuke's AS.
"I thought we wouldn't have anyone able to struggle. Looks like I get to have fun." The pilot spoke.
"Sir we still have no weapons other than an AS pistol, and knife." Al informed Sousuke.
"It's not a problem. We can do this."
The enemy AS pointed its gun and fired. Anon dodged to the right.
"Sir we should deactivate EIS."
"Negative, we do not want to be seen by civilians."
"But."
"Al."
"Yes sir!"
Anon remained motionless floating in the air. The enemy continued firing. He blocked the shot easily watching them crash against his iridescent barrier.
"Oh I should have figured you had lambda driver." The next shot was a powered round. Light poured off it as it struck Anon's shield. The enemy fired until his gun clicked signifying his empty gun.
"Amateur." Sousuke's AS zipped through the air and grabbed the enemy's gun before he could even release the clip. He pulled out his pistol and placed it against the stomach. The enemy tried to use his Lambda drive to protect himself but could not muster enough force as the bullet tore through it. He aimed higher the next shot piercing the pilot's cockpit.
The machine went flying back up. The iridescent force pushing it onward.
"Mission accomplished." Sousuke said watching the machine disappear.
"That was simple. Do you think they got the message sir?"
"Affirmative. If not it's not a problem. However because they sent such weak opponents they did not expect resistance. I'm sure they know I'm in Japan."
"Yes. I was surfing the web before you called me."
"What?"
"Oh yes. I believe that is what people say. It means I was using the internet's resources and examining different items. I can do that now."
"…" Sousuke didn't say anything surprised at what he had said. The AI was adapting to being normal better than he was.
Not saying much more they headed back. Sousuke made sure to have Al placed where he was completely safe. He put him in the corner, and told him not to move.
He returned to his apartment shortly after.
"You made the local news." Kaname said when Sousuke came in.
"Really?" He asked as he walked in. he would have preferred to make no news. He sat beside her on the couch. The news reported brief visual contact of two AS, one of them was destroyed instantly upon appearance. Another one seemed to be attacking something but it was not visible. The second AS was then destroyed. Despite the fact that it was daylight people could see the release of other forms of light, in multiple colors. People in Japan were getting stressed after what happened before.
"We do not have much time. Soon this will be getting out of hand." Sousuke stared at the screen. Mithril would be getting news of this and would definitely be moving soon. He sighed sitting on the couch. This was definitely something no one should have to do, especially this early in the morning.
"Here." He looked up to find Kaname holding out a plate of food. Sousuke stared at the meal on the plate.
"Well? What's the matter you don't like it?"
"Negative I am just not hungry." He looked down taking in another breath. He was surprised when he was thrown back to completely sitting on the couch looking forward.
"You who talks about nutrition and eating right for good health is turning down breakfast! Not today especially after last night."
She shoved the plate into his chest forcing him to take it. He did so and continued staring at the plate. Kaname plopped down right next to him.
"Do I need to feed you?"
"Negative."
Sousuke grabbed his chopsticks and began eating his food. Kaname watched him glad he was eating. Eventually she settled for resting her head on his shoulder. He did not object as he continued eating. Suddenly she felt something at her feet. She looked down to find her hamster in his ball rolling around.
"What are you doing here?" She reached down and lifted the round object. She opened it and pulled the hamster from its playful prison to let it roam over her hands.
"I picked him and brought him here when you were captured again. He was not very cooperative and needed to be cleaned. I took care of him even while you were here. I wondered why you had not mentioned him before."
Kaname looked at him defensively. "Well I thought he was with Kyouko or something. You told her to take care of him so I thought she had him at her place. How come you didn't mention it until now?"
"Since you hadn't noticed I did not think it significant. I continued to feed it and it has been roaming around when not in the cage."
"Where's the cage?"
"Currently on the balcony. In here I would always react to it. I have moved it to several different locations throughout the apartment." This one seems to be working most efficiently."
"Isn't that animal cruelty or something? Especially since it's my pet."
"Negative. The animal is not being mistreated in anyway. It is being fed and while I disagree with it the cage is being cleaned."
"Fine Sousuke. Well go get your stuff ready."
"Ready Chidori? Ready for what?"
"We're going to the beach. I called Kyouko and the others. Even Hayashimizu is coming. Though he never swims."
Sousuke said nothing as he pondered the idea. "Affirmative. Going to the beach seems like an excellent plan. I will go prepare immediately."
The sun shone brightly in the blue sky. The golden-beige sand stretched far making the beach. The two spotted there friends easily as two of them were assigned to meet the two late members.
"Hi guys. We already have the water melons." Kyouko said as her best friend walked up to them.
"Hi guys. Hey Shinji it's been longer since we've seen you."
"Hi Kaname-san, Hello Sagara-kun."
Sousuke nodded to them.
"No new suit today Kana-chan?" Kyouko said taking a picture.
"No not this time. It would have been a waste. Sousuke's too paranoid right now to notice anything." She pointed her thumb at him. As she said he was already busy looking around not paying attention to the small conversation.
Suddenly he felt a grasp on his wrist that began pulling him. He turned to find Chidori pulling him along.
They all had their brief greeting with every member for the trip. They brought the usual for a calmer group.
The men stayed back as the girls went off towards the water.
"So Sagara how have you been?" Hayashimizu asked lifting himself from his book.
"I have been in effective condition." He was of course partially lying. "How are you sir?"
"I am alright as well. I am a bit concerned with the recent events taking place. I assume you have something to do with it."
"Affirmative. But please do not speak of it. I do not wish such information to spread. Also Chidori wishes to relax as well considering all that has happened. I doubt she would like me to be talking about such matters."
"Agreed. What have you done otherwise?"
"Nothing in particular. You sir?"
"Nothing important. Tending to matters of business mostly. I have been a little behind spending time with Mikihara but she helps me with office work so I am staying on track. I really should do something for her."
They continued the conversation not paying any attention to Shinji. He eventually left to join the girls. When he did both their expression became completely serious.
"This is a problem Sagara. We do not need trouble being brought to Japan once again. Is there something you can do to avoid it?"
"Affirmative. I have not decided on an exact course of action however."
"Should I know anything, can I help in anyway?"
"Negative. You should be careful and have a safe place to go to in case anything happens."
Hayashimizu sighed and pushed his glasses up his nose. "How dangerous is this going to be Sagara?"
"I do not know but it will be much worse than before if I am correct."
"Well I'm sure you will choose the best course of action for now let us rest and not worry over such things."
Sagara nodded and stared at his group of friends playing in the water. They all lived in peace more or less. It was harder for Chidori but she was strong and could have fun forgetting any worries. He knew Hayashimizu was right. If there was a way to prevent anything serious from happening he would have to have to do it.
"Sir I notice you pale complexion. Chidori has questioned it as well but why do you come to a beach if you do not swim in the water?"
Hayashimizu grinned. "I am a human being Sagara. I enjoy beautiful scenery and whether I swim or not I enjoy the beach. Plus is it wrong to want to be around the woman you love?"
Sousuke was taken aback by the last part. He stared out at the ocean focusing on one of the playing friends. Her blue hair swayed as she moved about.
"Maybe…" he answered in a low voice.
Hayashimizu looked at him sadly. He heard him despite the low voice and understood what he meant.
"Well Sagara I'm sure it will all be okay. For now try to make the best of the situation." He said in an enthusiastic tone trying to cheer Sagara up. Sousuke stared at him returning to his usual indifferent state. "You are right as usual sir."
Sousuke turned back to the ocean. He noticed a wave coming from one of his friends. Soon the signal became one for him to approach. He turned to Hayashimizu.
"Go ahead I'm at a climactic moment in this story I'll be fine." He waved Sagara off. Sousuke looked at the book noticing the title to be different from when he looked before. He paid no more attention as he stood and headed out towards the ocean.
As his feet came in contact with the water he noticed something in the distance. A large amount of water moved unusually, the waves heading towards them becoming forceful. He looked up noticing the clouds opening, and a queer article. He felt a familiar feeling. He could see different colors in the distance. Soon a strong wind accompanied the forceful ocean waves. Now everyone was watching the distance. He could not identify it exactly but something was coming. A powerful aura forcing its way over. He looked out at the people in the ocean focusing on a certain group. He ran forward suddenly shouting.
"Get out of the water!"
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I do not agree with what the hippy on the news said. It was some stupid comment and not what is actually a thought for the story.