(2 years ago)
(Malik)
"Think you can keep up with us? This won't be a simple walk in the park, kid." The raven haired assassin questioned me expressionlessly as the three of us overlooked our target in the shadowy night.
"What do you mean "kid"? I'm two years older than you, Akame." I retorted with an irritated tone as we surveyed the compound from the roof of a neighboring building. I glanced at Kurome, who simply snacked on her cookies in silence.
Akame motioned for her sister and I to follow her lead as we ran from rooftop to rooftop, circling the compound, sizing up the defenses and calculating guard routes. I might've been in the Empire for only a year, but I can already tell that these girls were professionals at what they do.
It's been a few months after former General Najenda's revolt and because of my performance and also the fact I kept up with Great General Budo and General Esdeath caught the eyes of some very important people within the Palace. They told me that I had much potential and in no time, I began learning politics and was assigned to work with these two.
"This is where we separate. Malik, you take the rear while Kurome and I take the east and west. We'll regroup inside. Move out." Akame laid out her orders and Kurome and I nodded and split away from the crimson eyed girl.
I finally found you, General Najenda, my former master and mentor...along with your band of traitors.
Kiseki and Chelsea won't believe it when I tell them about tonight later.
-xXx-
(2 years later)
(A week after Esdeath's return)
(Inside Malik's office)
"More applications for the Jaegers, Boss." Kiseki chimed as she dumped the stack of papers onto my desk.
Groaning, I looked at the mountain of applications building up for the task force that General Esdeath and I will be taking command of. "Reject all the ones without Teigu, Kiseki. They're not worth even looking at." I ordered with a sigh.
I was lucky enough to have Kiseki help me with the recruiting phase of the Jaegers, or else I would be here for months. With my second in command posing as my aide, I'm getting a lot more done than I was as a Colonel before.
"How about this one, Boss? He looks pretty promising." My right hand woman pointed at a name on one of the lists after pitching a majority of them into the fire, leaving a significantly smaller pile on my desk.
Wave.
Imperial Navy, huh? Don't hear much about them around here in the Capital. Wields the armor-type Teigu, Carnage Incarnate: Grand Chariot. How interesting.
"Put this one aside from the rest, Kiseki. We need at least two potential candidates to present to Esdeath by tomorrow before she and her Three Beasts go off to play with Night Raid." I ordered as I continued to search through the rest of the pile.
"How about that justice freak, Boss?" Kiseki bluntly suggested, causing me to twitch in annoyance at her poor choice of words.
"I suggest you refrain from using those words to describe my sister again, Kiseki." I hissed with a venom laced tone, shooting her a hostile look which made her shrink back apologetically. "In any case, I believe Seryu would make a perfect addition to the group. I'll deal with my sister. I have a feeling General Esdeath will take a liking to the captain." I continued with a sigh.
"If we're bringing your sister, what about the wonderful Dr. Stylish? It'd be better for us if we keep the Teigu we desire as close to us as possible." Kiseki suggested, pulling up a chair beside me as we went through the other files.
She has a point. It would be in our interests to keep Perfector as close to us as we can. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky and Stylish dies fighting Night Raid while I'm close by.
-xXx-
(Tatsumi)
(One week ago)
So...it's come to this...
"Hey Newbie, be sure to make the stables spotless. I don't want to see a speck of dirt anywhere." The pinked haired she-beast ordered with a haughty snort. "And when you're done, the Boss is calling us all over for a meeting. Don't be late." The pinkette finished as she walked away, holding her crutched arm while giving me one last glare.
...What's her problem? I know that I'm smack dab in the middle of the enemy base, but that girl has treated me more harshly than everyone else here.
"Try not to take Mine's words to heart, kid. She just has bad blood with the Imperial Guard and your old captain." Bulat explained to me as he swept, as if reading my thoughts.
Of all the members of Night Raid, Bulat has actually treated me like an actual person. He actually volunteered to supervise me and help train me.
"Say Tatsumi, why did you originally join the Imperial Guard?" Bulat asked as he help sweep the stables with me. By the tone of his voice, it seemed there were hidden emotions in the question.
"My village up north is suffering from heavy tax rates and we're struggling to keep up. Me and my friends left the village towards the Capital and try making a name for ourselves. I haven't heard from then since we got seperated six months ago." I explained my story to Bulat, who nodded in understanding.
"There was a time when I thought the Empire could solve my troubles too, and I joined the Imperial Army. I later saw the darkness that lies within the Empire and left with the Boss to join the Revolutionary Army." Bulat told me with a sigh. "I can tell you're a good kid, Tatsumi. I can assure you that coming with us was something you won't regret. Night Raid isn't the villainous band of assassins that the Empire wants you to believe. Nor are we heroes who fight for justice. We're just sick and tired of being oppressed by the Empire and it's corrupt ways. If you want my honest opinion, I think you're better off staying here with us." Bulat finished with a heavy sigh and hefted his push broom over his shoulder. "Let's get this over with. We don't want to keep the Boss waiting."
I nodded and the two of us worked together to finish cleaning the stables.
A/N: I honestly have no excuse as of why it took over 7 months to update this story. I originally planned on adding more to this chapter before i kinda forgot about the entire story. I'll try harder in the future to make sure this never happens again.
I hope I haven't lost all my readers during this unscheduled hiatus.