No doubt about it. It was her. She was older and her face had changed slightly through age, but it was definitely her. 'What would the Queen be doing here! Is she making her move.' Kurama thought behind his mask of indifference. He then takes notice of the other person his strike team had caught. It was another of those futuristic soldiers. They were connected to the Queen! This one was blue and held a simpler helmet design than the pink one. What did blue mean... some kind of... special forces?
"Uh, excuse me, you wouldn't mind me asking what all this is?" The Queen asks.
"Don't play dumb with me. We all know what you are." Kurama replies. The Queen grows a look of irritation.
"Of coarse you do. Everybody around here seems to know except me." She mutters.
"Don't try to run. We have the place surrounded." Kurama continues.
"I can see that. If you're here for Caboose I can assure you he's not actually armed and his gun is just filled with crayons." Kaede assures them. Kurama raises an eyebrow while the SAT team give each other questioning looks. "Don't question it, he's just like that."
"Papa! I talked with her. She says she has no idea what a Diclonius is." Nana exclaims.
"Papa?" Kaede questions.
"It's true mister Nana's dad! We have no idea what that thing she just said is!" Caboose yells over to him. Kurama has to try to fight back the bewildered look his face was about to take. What was with these soldiers odd behaviours?
"We would know if SOME people didn't keep interrupting us!" Kaede adds. "If you know something you better spill it because I've only heard the word Diclonius about 4 times and the last 3 were just this week! Both of you keep saying I AM a Diclonius. What does that mean!
"If I do explain, would you come with us?" Kurama tried to see how long the Queen would keep her ignorant act up.
"That depends, where are you taking me." Kaede says.
"Somewhere where there is more of your kind." Kurama responds. "Would you like to meet some of them?"
Kaede raised an eyebrow at this, thinking on whether she should accept or reject his offer.
"Okay. I'll go. What about my friend?" Kaede asks.
"I would like if he would come with us too." Kurama says.
"Yay! Play date!" Caboose exclaims.
"Just know, me and my friend can be very dangerous if angered." Kaede warns.
"We know." Kurama replies. Just like that, both Kaede and Caboose feel a little sting on the back of their necks. Reaching behind them, they pull out a dart.
"Ahh, nap time." And Caboose collapses.
"What are yo-" Kaede slurs before also falling unconscious.
"Hmm, this is too irregular." Kurama says to himself. "Take them back to the facility. Lock the Queen in her specialized cell and put the other one in a standard Diclonius cell, just to be safe. Take his helmet so we can analyze his armour." He orders. He then turns to Nana. "Good job Nana." He pats the girl on the head.
"Thank you papa! I told you I'd do a good job!" Nana exclaims. She then frowns. "Aw, our time outside is over."
"Don't worry. I'm sure there will be some other time." Kurama assures her. With that, the SAT team carries Kaede and Caboose over to a nearby van and throws them in before getting in themselves. "To the facility, as quickly as we can. I don't want the Queen to be out longer than she needs to be." Kurama says as he gives Kaede a sedative.
"I hear ya. Lets get back there before she goes postal on our asses." One of the men agrees.
Meanwhile, the whole ordeal was witnessed by Carolina who watches the group leave.
"Epsilon, see where they're going, then report back to me." She tells her A.I. companion.
"On it C." And with that he jumps to nearby CCTV's watching the vehicle as it made its way to the beach area until eventually they're brought to a helicopter which flys over to a nearby island. "Hmm, interesting." Church says. "Hey D, there anything electronic on there we can jump to?"
"Afirmative." The memory of Delta confirms. However, we are unable to jump to that point of origin. The connection is weak likely due to the downgrade of technology of this dimension as well as it being protected from that side."
"Shit. Looks like we'll have to do this the hard way then. At least we can tell Carolina where Kaede and Caboose were taken." Church says.
Maple Inn
"- and that's how I almost died the 15th time." Sarge finishes his story.
"Uh... that was... quite an interesting story." Kouta says.
"And it was all bullshit. I would have remembered you shooting us all down, how are we still here then?" Tucker asks.
"A question I ask myself everyday." Sarge mutters.
"Why'd I even listening to your bullshit?" Tucker mutters to himself as he walks away.
"So, um anyway, where's Kaede? I've been meaning to spend some time with her after we missed out on yesterday." Kouta says.
"Think she went out for some air. A lot of people have being doing that for some reason." Sarge explains.
"Gee, I wonder why." Church appears.
"Oh, hello Church, Carolina." Kouta greets.
"Hello Kouta. Would you happen to know where everyone else is at?" Carolina asks.
"They've all went out to explore the town. Speaking of, so you know where Kaede went?" Kouta asks.
"As a matter of fact, I do. That's why I need to talk to everyone." Carolina says.
"What's that mean?" Sarge asks.
"Kaede and Caboose have been kidnapped." Carolina states bluntly.
"Kidnapped!" Kouta exclaims.
"How could someone get away with kidnapping Kaede!" Sarge exclaims. "Hmm... that rhymes."
"Maybe you outta soften the blow before delivering the bad news." Church says to Carolina.
"These people aren't just street thugs. Whoever they are, they have Actual resources and people. From what I saw, these people look like professionals. Almost like a part of the government." Carolina explains.
"Are you saying there's some government conspiracy going on or something?" Kouta questions.
"I'm not saying that. I'm only telling you what it LOOKED like." Carolina says.
"Well from the sound of it, looks like we're gonna have to go on a rescue mission." Sarge says.
"We traced them to an island just off the coast, however, we don't actually know what's on the island." Church says.
"You mean the island that that health facility is on?" Kouta questions.
"What do you know of it?" Carolina asks.
"Almost nothing. It's owned by the government and is there to study all kinds of dangerous viruses." Kouta explains. "Why would they go there?"
"There might be more going on than we know." Carolina says.
"And the only way to find out is by going into that island." Church says.
"I need to find Wash. Make a plan." Carolina says before leaving to do just that.
"And I'll gather the rest of the Red team! I knew we'd get a little action on today." Sarge exclaims.
"Sarge, um, sir. I would like to go with." Kouta requests.
"No can do. This operation might be dangerous for civilians." Sarge says.
"I know but... she's my friend. I HAVE to make sure she is safe." Kouta argues.
"You're determined kid. I like that. However, Kaede would have it out for me if you got hurt and I can't have that." Sarge explains. "Now, where are Grif, Simmons and Donut?"
"Uh, Donuts at work. I don't think he'll be able to come." Kouta explains.
"Oh... in that case." Sarge walks over to Kouta and "knights" him with his hand. "You're an honorary member of Red team now. Get ready to head out."
"Uh, Uh, Yes sir!" Kouta nervously exclaims.
"Good man. Say Kouta, how good of a shot are you?" Sarge asks.
"Shot?" Kouta questions.
"With a gun." Sarge answers.
"Gun!" Kouta exclaims.
The Institute
When Kaede awoke, the first thing she noticed was she was being held upright. Not only that, but she was strapped to a cold metal slab and a helmet was fastened to her head, but unlike her ODST helmet, it was hard to see out off. That, or it was real dark in where ever she was. She tried willing out her invisible hands to cut herself down but to her dismay, she couldn't cut through her bonds. She then used the arms to feel the area around her for anything. All she could feel was cold metal around her.
She heard a loud sound of what sounded like a door opening and then, she could see, albeit still not very well. She saw the same sharp looking man walk in.
"What the hell is this." Kaede screams at him.
"The game is up. We know of the Diclonius prime directive and your role as their Queen." The man explains. "There is no need to play dumb."
"All that means jack shit to me! So far all I know is a Diclonius is a person born with horns and invisible arms and they can sense one another." Kaede says. "That's it isn't it. You're some shadowy organization who wants to find a way to weaponize my arms for whatever means. Just like in some of Simmons movies."
"Is Simmons the pink soldier or the blue one?" Kurama asks. "While we're on that topic, how did you come into possession of their armour? Or the people to wear it for that matter? Why not give them to Diclonius? I'm sure that would make them better weapons for it."
"First, Simmons isn't any of those. Second, I didn't give them their armour, and last, I never met another Diclonius before Nana." Kaede answers. "Now how about you answer my own question. Where is Caboose, and what have you done with him?"
"Your companion is elsewhere in this facility. We are studying his armour and weapons. He may have to be casturated if we find he has been touched by your vectors, but will otherwise be unharmed." Kurama explains.
Kaede only heard 'He maybe be casturated.' "The fuck is wrong with you people! Don't touch him or I swear you'll be fucking sorry!"
Kurama can only huff and turn away. "Very well. You can continue to play dumb." With that, he walks out the large door he came in. She then see's two security guards come in and man a station nearby.
"I'm not playing dumb! Don't fucking touch him! Let us go!" Kaede demands as he walks away. Eventually, her screams were drowned out by the large door closing.