Loose Ends

"Still no word from agent Yona. And you're saying even you have no ideal of his whereabouts."

"I'm afraid that is the case, sir. The last time we were together we were at school. I didn't see him after that."

"Very well. Update agent Yona's status to MIA. Scan the parameters of Yabaize. Agent Yona is a vital member and must be retrieved at all cost."

"Sir, isn't it possible that he may already be dead?" said Agent Hanzo

"I beg your pardon?"

"I'm just saying. It's been over a month since we've last had contact with Agent Yona." Agent Hanzo explained.

"Preposterous! That kid has a knack for surviving any kind of condition you throw at him." said fellow task administrator Shakir. Shakir isn't originally from here, instead heralding from over in Western Asia. I'm not sure what country he hails from but he's integrated into our society quite well.

"Maybe he's decided to abandon us?" fellow Agent Hanzo suggested.

"No, that wouldn't be like him."

"Then let us conclude the worst, sir."

"And that would be?"

"Agent Yona has most likely been compromised. I am afraid we won't be able to retrieve him." said Shakir.

"A kidnapping."

"Exactly what I mean."

"It's a real pity, but what of our rescue teams? Is anyone available?"

"Unfortunately they all seem to be preoccupied with the tasks you have assigned for them, sir."

"Right. The number of missing persons incidents has increased rapidly over the past few weeks. What an utter nightmare. First we've lost a valuable member and now our rescue team is being overrun by this onslaught of missing persons."

What another boring day. I don't know why I still have to attend this job. I'm already making bank just by attending the Society. It's also a lot more fun over there. Meanwhile, here I have to grind away at a desk. Just how much longer do I have to keep tabs on these losers anyways?

Log 1452

Madame Vice Director has called me in for a meeting. She said something about wanting to discuss something with me. My gut feeling tells me it has something to do with the Organization I'm also a part of. I wonder if it's about time we silence them. Also, I have some questions for her that I'd like to address.

Log 1804

"Tell me, Aoi. What do you make of that Organization you work for?"

"A bunch of buffoons who know nothing of what they talk about. They'll keep gasping like rats lost in a maze."

"You know? I hear rats are a lot more intelligent than people give them credit for. Let's cut to the chase. Do they suspect anything yet?"

Hm. Well my boss- I mean the fat idiot bastard did express concern over some guy named- er, it doesn't matter anymore now.

"I doubt it. They've already got their hands full with all the missing persons cases popping up throughout this city and then some."

"Noted."

"Yeah, I don't think they're going to try anything."

"Why do you say that?"

"I beg your pardon? Please excuse my rudeness, but for what reason do we have to fear some sort of Investigation based Organization when they don't even had the same technology as we do? Besides, they're already in a desperate situation. We should just get rid of them."

"So you say. You'll do better to be wary of your opponents.. I can't believe we nearly let this one slip by! I swear I'm going to- ah! Where are my manners now. Well done. Continue to keep tabs on that Organization for me. I have to know if they're still hiding something."

Nah, there's no way they have anything cooking. Still, why does it sound like something's been bothering Madame Vice Director? I wonder what she meant just now?

"Mind if I ask you a question?"

"Ho? Well I have things to attend to so you better make this snappy."

Hm. It's a risk but I'll take it.

"I'm having problems determining the amount of points I've earned so far. I've tried inserting my membership cards into those terminals we have and I'm constantly getting a Processing message. Can you tell me what's up? I've already tried contacting technical staff but I can't seem to get an answer."

"Is that your complaint?"

"No, a concern."

"Well you can forget about it. We'll have that addressed shortly afterwards, say maybe a week or 2 if I'm being optimistic. In the meantime, I believe the way you've been allocating your points can be better spent."

"What do you mean, Madame Vice Director?"

"Heh. A girl of your talent and calibur could do so much more. That's all I have to say for now. Now if you'll excuse me-"

Huh. What was that all about? Eh, least she didn't try to rip me out, haha, and I don't mean that literally.

Log 1809

Ah, this quiet ride throughout the suburbs and the starry night sky. I gotta say there aren't many people aboard the shuttles around this time, though first off this is a night ride so people would be less likely to come during these hours plus not to mention what we're doing over at the Society. And here's my stop.. Oh? So my younger bro Nataka is here to greet me?

"Where's mom and dad?"

"Mom had some important matters she needed to attend to. Dad's preparing dinner as we speak."

"I see."

Huh, it's not typical for my younger brother to greet me like this. Is something going on? He- he seems a bit apprehensive. I hope nothing's happen to him.

"This Society. Drop out of it."

"What? What are you saying? I don't get you."

"This Society, this Advanced Sciences Society. Nothing good can come of it."

"Are you kidding me? Is that what you're worried about? And how can nothing good come of it? Just look at what we have now. We're rich! Is not the Item-Synthesizer a masterpiece? Have we not been kept healthier and safe from pathogens with that specialized air filtration unit? Explain this one to me, Nataka. Is something off?"

"That's exactly what I mean. I don't know what's happened to you, but you've changed. You used to hang out with your other friends."

"What other friends?"

"You know. The ones outside of your little Society. This Society has done something to you. I don't know what it is. I don't like it."

"Ah, you're overthinking it. I still make time for my other friends."

"Just barely. And Yona's parents. They've been worried-"

"So. You still want to go on about that?"

"Go on about? Wasn't he your love interest or something?"

Unbelievable. How can my brat of a brother be so persistent?

"I don't think you know what you're talking about. You little brat!"

This feeling. It's rage. My hand- I'm-

"Sis? Wha- why?"

"I can't believe you would treat me like this, your own sister. Do you have any shame? Why? Why would you do this to me?! Answer me!"

My own brother won't understand me. He- he has to-

No. What am I doing? Strangling my own brother? That can't be right.. Right he must be paranoid, but that's okay.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lashed out at you earlier. But you need to understand. What I'm doing is for the good of the family. For all of us. I'm sorry you had to see me like this. And you're right. I guess I truly have changed. But you know what? Change isn't a bad thing. It's simple inevitable. Of course not everyone can handle change, and it looks like I might've been too rough on you. Don't you worry. I'll make this up for you, dear brother."

My younger brother's barely breathing. If I can take him in, I can use him as a test subject for that shining strange floating crystal they're trying to experiment on. From what I hear, it's supposed to heal all physical and possibly some mental injuries. I only hope that it doesn't also cure lost memories. I'll have to be sure to make sure they don't shrink him. Family is important after all.

"Yes, don't you worry. Soon, you won't remember a thing."

And with this I injected a syringe into my brother's left arm causing him to slink backwards into oblivion.

Your memories. You won't remember them and it's about time I erase that bug from my memory too. Why thank you, Nataka. I've been letting the memory of that name plague me for far too long. It's time I've cut some loose ends.