Author's notes:
Hello, here is the chapter!
*Edit 07/2019
Fix some typos...maybe edited some text a bit and change Yohra to YoRHa.
I feel so Embarassed that I didn't notice I missspelled it.
Okay! Enjoy all these slightly revised chapters.
It was a seemingly long and quiet cart ride back to the guild hall. With the rest of the hunters escorting them, 9S, Jackass and Zinnia's group are being led by commander White on their front. Fortunately for the commander, Anemone was able to order some hunters to prepare carts before following her and are now riding them back to the guild hall instead of walking all the way back.
While heading back and entering the village, 9S and everybody else were able to see and survey the aftermath and damages done by the stampede within the village. The path made for the monsters to leave the village was ridden with footprints of all kinds and crack roads formed by the Tigrex's sprint. Most notable were the small blackened craters caused by the bombs made by 9S and Jackass. One could imagine the anger and irritated expression etched on the commander's face as they ride along the ruin road. Who knows what her expression would be once reports of the damages from the western and northern section of the village would reach her? Since the path they are on is the least affected by the stampede.
9S couldn't imagine and could only shiver with dread from what his fate would be after the commander deals with him. He notices the barricades blocking the other streets and spots hunters hiding behind them as if they were avoiding the commanders gaze or the group's presence. He understands their reluctance to face the commander and avoid receiving her ire. Everybody knows of her position as a guild knight. She has taken in and punished disobedient hunters breaking the guild laws and has apprehended rogues as well with precise and brutal efficiency. Thinking about it has given another chill down 9S's spine making him gulp in fear.
As they arrive at the guild, they could see the remaining hunters at the entrance. With every hunter present, commander White issues orders for the hunters to survey the damages and facilitate in helping the villagers with their needs and accommodations. She then says that for the next hour she would be at the captain's quarters and she should not be disturbed and immediately makes her way inside the guild.
No one questioned her for everybody knew her reason. Said reason is the group trailing behind her with Anemone leading them. All the hunters could see the death march like movement of 9S and the rest, with some having sympathy to their situation.
9S spots 801S and the two hunters earlier near the guild's door. 801S gives a short wave at him and mouthing good luck and the two hunters give a short salute, expressing to 9S and the group good luck as well. 9S could only wearily shake his head and give small smile, before he remembers that he still has the helm of the other hunter. He motions to the three by pointing to his head then to the Garuga armored hunter, signing about his helm before pointing to the cart. The hunter understood the message before giving a nod to 9S, which was the last thing he saw before the guild door closed shut. 9S returns his focus back with the rest of the group heading to the captain quarters.
Inside the guild hall was filled with the villagers who have evacuated and the guild attendants assisting them. They also saw that they gave way for the commander and the group, while filling the hall with hush whispers and gossips of what happened outside the guild and what the group following the commander did. 9S couldn't hear clearly of any of the rumors but he was able to distinguish some of the info that must have spread around already. Most of them were about an unknown mask lunatic riding a monster throwing bombs in the village and no one is sure if the lunatic was the cause of the crisis or the one who stopped it. 9S hopes that the rumor is leaning on the latter.
Finally, they make a turn to the left path leading to the captain quarters and in a few moments the entire group will have their confrontation with the commander. As the door opens for the captain quarters and everybody else shuffling inside, Anemone is the last to enter before closing and locking the door with an audible click of the lock. As everybody faces the commander, who was sitting behind her desk, she speaks.
"Tell me everything… Everything from the beginning." She said with a pointed look at both at Jackass and 9S, while also giving an expression to not leave anything untold or else.
Both 9S and Jackass were right beside each other and both look at one another, locking eyes and giving silent messages of who'll start explaining to the commander. They trade looks back and fort while the group and the commander wait patiently before White sternly clears her throat to get their attention back.
"Ahem."
Both Jackass and 9S bring their attention back to the commander. Jackass bumps her elbow to 9S, motioning him to start. He glares at her before facing the commander who was waiting expectantly for him to start. He inhales and gives a sigh before addressing the commander.
"U-umm… commander." She raises her an eyebrow at 9S.
"Yes 9S?" White says with an unreadable expression on her face that unnerves 9S.
"Do you remember the fireworks festival we had a few months back?" He sheepishly says.
This made the commander have a slight change on her expression giving a small image of confusion and with the rest of the people inside the room, besides Jackass, to raise their eyebrows and stare at 9S in bewilderment for starting the explanation to White with that question.
Getting a bit uncomfortable from the attention, 9S gives a small sigh before he begins to tell the truth about everything that led to the whole debacle with Jackass.
Hearing straight from the source about the entire ordeal and learning every detail to what led to it, was a good outcome for Anemone. As 9S began his story and continue to trail from how he conceptualize his prototypes to his questionable judgement of asking Jackass for assistance, was forthcoming for her to understand some unusual happenings around the research center a few days back. Which explains why the center didn't have any incidents during that time due to Jackass's request of 9S to avoid the center while they were in contact. It was also mighty suspicious of Jackass spending time in her room, which no one even she herself and White had noticed. Then again, they both brush it off without thinking about it due to Jackass being very eccentric and well… Jackass.
As 9S continues to tell the truth of everything, Jackass will occasionally give her part of the story as well. Hearing both sides was beneficial in understanding their actions and even Zinnia herself was intrigue by 9S's reasoning in creating a new type of hunter tool to aid hunters when both flash and sonic bombs don't work. Though once the fact came out about 9S acquiring volatile coal, everybody including herself were baffled and a bit angry at him for bringing a highly dangerous and rare substance to YoRHa.
White herself broke her silence to chastise him how dangerous volatile coal is when mishandled and also reprimanded Jackass for not informing her or rather keeping the acquisition of the substance a secret. Much more scolding from Zinnia went to the both of them and when she asks how 9S got it, he could only respond that a random trader gave it to him before saying that the trader left immediately after making the trade. Everyone from Zinnia's household was skeptical from his answer and Anemone could see that 9S was keeping some truth from them, which White also noticed. Before White could interrogate him, Anemone quickly told 9S to continue and tell them how they, he and Jackass, were able to know of the plan in the quest hall and how they commandeered a cart.
9S turns and looks at Jackass who had beads of sweat falling down her face. White as well was curious and orders her to tell the truth. Jackass was a bit hesitant or rather she was really nervous, with her trying to come up with excuses and stuttering a bit trying to explain. 9S bumps her with his elbow giving her the same look to make her tell the truth, which made the head researcher sag in defeat before she spoke.
What came after was a series of threats and promises of pain from the chief, commander, female trainees and from Anemone about the unruly behavior and a breach of privacy of spying and eavesdropping at the hunter's canteen/quest hall. White orders Jackass to dismantle her contraption and any other similar ones she has under the threat of losing her position, which Anemone herself agrees to. Anemone also voiced that they should map out the research center and find any other changes that Jackass has secretly installed, which White agreed to discover any other secret passages as well. Everybody else agreed to avoid the quest hall until it is safe from Jackass's unwanted attention.
From there, both 9S and Jackass told their tale of finding the two hunters and successfully driving the monsters off with their cooperation and using their bombs to cause the stampede they've witnessed. They also revealed that if it weren't for the untimely arrival of the Tigrex, they would have herded the rest of the monsters with their plan. Both White and Anemone herself ask the duo if they had any idea why the Tigrex was in YoRHa, which Zinnia and the rest of the group are curious as well since they saw the signs first when they were finding them.
9S hypothesis that the Tigrex must have followed the monsters from the northern section looking for food or hunting for prey. Jackass also added that whatever was driving the monsters off the north-west area of the forest must also be a reason to be considered, maybe even further north as well to were the Tigrex originally inhabited. A shared look with White gave Anemone the impression of a future investigation.
Finally, 9S went on to tell everybody of how he came up with his incredibly insane plan. He admitted that he got the idea from Jackass's off comment of their current situation, which made Jackass grimace and both Zinnia and White furious. When ask why he did it or what the heck was his state of mind during the incident, he could only reply weakly that it was a spur of the moment and didn't really think it through once he realize he was already jumping towards the Tigrex.
It was 2B who broke her silence next and with Zinnia, Anemone and the commander chastise him for his reckless behavior and disregard for his own safety for a highly risky plan. 9S defended that they didn't have any time for another plan and said he did it so the village wouldn't deal with both a rampaging Tigrex and herding the monsters out of YoRHa. He instead put the two problems together by having the rampaging Tigrex drive the herd out of YoRHa and effectively kill two birds with one stone. Anemone thought that it was a sound plan but like the rest still thought of it as dangerous.
Jackass came to his defense again and told everybody that despite how dangerous the plan was, 9S acted bravely and expertly in enacting his plan. She regales how he was able to stun the Tigrex before jumping on its back and watch him ride it away back to the herd. She continued to tell how she and the rest of Zinnia group witness him drive the rest of the herd out of YoRHa by himself before they intervened and pointed out that he effectively neutralized one big threat and made it into a temporary asset that did their job for them. Everybody, even White, reluctantly agreed to Jackass statement and cannot deny her reasoning as well. Anemone thought to herself that 9S may be a crazy kid, but he got guts to be a hunter. With proper mentoring and training they may have another promising recruit for the guild besides the twins currently with them.
That is if he can be allowed to be mentored without White holding him off again from training and using his recklessness as a good reason. She thought to herself as Jackass finishes their story from when they were able to catch and formulate a plan to get 9S back to the point where they met up with herself and the commander.
After Jackass finished speaking, the commander began to address them.
"I want to make this clear… While I would admit that what you and 9S did was good and benefitted the village greatly in this time of crisis…" She spoke, with her statement surprising everybody since it is rare for White to say a compliment or a job well done from actions done with disregard to authority and done behind her back and notice.
This made both 9S and Jackass smile a bit and hope that maybe White would excuse them.
"But…" She continued, which made both smiles fall from the two.
"It doesn't change the fact that you left and disregarded authority on an unsanctioned plan with highly deadly prototypes that could have jeopardize the entire operation!". She scolded them both.
"Ugh… come on White! We saved the village isn't that enough to give us a free pass?" Jackass argued.
"It doesn't when you take into account of all the collateral damages and destruction you've wrought!" She exclaimed.
"Oh, come on the village was already on shambles before we even did anything, it would actually have been worse if we didn't do anything."
"It could have been worse if anything you did went wrong!"
Both Jackass and White where at each other faces with the desk between them as they argued.
"But it didn't! You're just jealous that your lousy plan wouldn't have worked as well and ours did tens time over!"
"You think I'm petty enough to punish you because of that! Jackass you risked the village and a boy's life with a plan involving explosives! We were lucky the village wasn't destroyed by the monsters or your bombs!"
"But its not destroyed and the village is still standing isn't?"
"Yes, in ruins! What made you think it was a good idea to use untested prototypes for this operation!"
"I tested them, and they were safe!"
"Safe enough that your bombs can knockout hunters and maybe I don't know… blow up buildings!"
This made Jackass and Zinnia's group freeze, with 2B paling. Seeing their reaction, White could only come to one thought. Which even Anemone herself thought too.
"You didn't…" White said in disbelief.
"It was an accident…" Said Zinnia going straight for the truth before Jackass could say any excuse.
"This is why both you and 9S should consider your actions first before any of them brings unexpected consequences!" White scolded Jackass and 9S, with both flinching at her loud yell.
"It's not their fault commander. It was mine." 2B spoke catching the commander's attention.
"I miss aimed my throw and the Tigrex's tail whipped it to a window that took the entire building down. I accept whatever punishment that awaits me for my action." 2B said to the commander, who could only react in surprise, while 2B steeled herself for whatever would happen next.
Anemone was surprise that 2B confessed who accidently blew up a building and admitted it as well. She also thinks it may be true as well since she saw 9S also shared the thought as he looked shock from hearing 2B's confession.
The commander was lost at words and was trying to make sense if what 2B said is true and if she is not doing it out of defense for both Jackass and 9S. But before she could make up her mind Anemone spoke to get everyone's attention.
"I think we can all agree that Jackass and 9S should be held responsible for the collateral damages." Said Anemone.
"I agree. They went behind our backs and their actions endangered lives, cause untold collateral damage…" The commander recomposes herself and begins to usher what punishment Jackass and 9S would have. Her last remark made 9S flinch, remembering his joyride was lucky that it didn't have any incidents.
"And saved the village."— Anemone cut in before White would finish— "You can't deny that White, you even admitted it. Also, I think it is uncalled for to blame them both on all the damages in the village nor the mistakes of another, who clearly understood that it was her mistake alone." Anemone said coolly with the last part directed at 2B, who nodded in understanding. This made 9S and Jackass less uncomfortable from White's accusation.
"But I do agree that they need to be punished for acting without authority and their decision in enacting a highly risk plan that could have endangered the village. Maybe we can decide on their punishment after we receive the reports of all the damages later." She continued.
"I agree as well. Their actions may be impulsive and reckless, but they did save lives and made other hunters not risk theirs as well for the benefit of the village. No matter how much worried I was or how angry I am at my charge for his irresponsible behavior, I am thankful to him that he came up with something and solved this crisis without risking anybody else's life but his own." Zinnia said to the commander and gave a leveled stare at White giving the message of no argument on this matter.
Anemone saw White had some conflicting thoughts but before anything else would happen there was a knock on the door.
Anemone first looked at everybody else before White gave the sign to answer it. She opened the door and it was revealed that a hunter was behind it carrying some sort of parchment. The hunter greets her and holds out the parchment to her.
"Greetings captain! These are the initial reports of the damages for the village." He said.
"Initial reports? Shouldn't you have done a complete survey and report in later at another time?" Anemone asked the hunter skeptically.
"W-we would but… we believe that the commander should know… of the initial report." The hunter said wearily and even stuttered a bit. Before Anemone could ask why he looked jittery, he went closer and whispered in her ears.
"It concerns her greatly…" He said before pushing the parchment to her hands before running off quickly.
She could only stare at the hunter's rapidly retreating backside with confusion before closing the door and turning her attention back at the group in the captain's quarters. She looks at the parchment and sees it is a list of the damages in the village.
"It was a hunter; he gave an initial report regarding the damages in the village." Anemone said to the group which raise their eyebrows in curiosity. White gives a sigh before addressing everybody.
"Very well… lets determine your punishment with whatever damages you both did. That also extends to the rest of you as well. We can start by assessing this initial report and let me, Zinnia and Anemone decided on an initial verdict before we can properly discuss your punishment later with the complete report." White said in a cordial manner.
"Agreed?" She asked the group.
"Agreed." They all replied.
"Anemone why won't you read the damages?" Asked Zinnia.
"Very well, maybe just to avoid any biases…" Anemone replied.
"And all of them please." Added White to Anemone, who only rolls her eyes before reading the list out loud.
"Let's see… First, we have the damage roads and streets where the monsters trampled. Many crack pavements and small craters from the explosives used to drive them away." Said Anemone, which everybody heard and only nodded their heads for it was to be expected. Jackass and 9S both thought that this may be the main concern that they would have to fix as their punishment.
"Then we have several destroyed carts both from merchants/traders and the carts we used for the operation. Some where done by other monsters raiding them and most where done by the Tigrex trampling them." 9S scratched the back of his head out of embarrassment from that one.
"Next, we have the destroyed shops around the village, most were just raided for any goods that are sweet like honey. Likely cause from the Arzuros. Other shops have signs of being made into monster nests." Anemone continued.
"And the last they listed down was a couple of destroyed buildings. Most from the northern section due to the Tigrex's rampage before Jackass and 9S met with it. Mostly boulders lodge on the second floors or collapse roofs from the Tigrex leaping off them, from what is said here."
"I see…" Said White in response.
"Overall, that's all the initial damages. So far, the only collateral damages I think Jackass and 9S would be held responsible would be the destroyed carts from the stampede 9S caused, though I'm not sure if we could consider them responsible there since some were unmanned and abandoned. Most of the shop and building damages came from the monsters before they started using their prototypes. After that it seems the only damages done where the roads across the western and northern section." Said Anemone.
"Thank goodness that's all for now. I hope it remains to be the same once they make a complete survey. Though, it would seem we have to focus on repairing a few shops and buildings, while we have to think of ways to fix the roads." Said Zinnia in relief.
"I think the roads will be an easy fix! Though maybe a lot of manual labor to fill up the holes from the stampede but all in all… I was right! The bombs didn't cause any over the top collateral damage"—Said Jackass with a smirk and enthusiasm.
"Except for that one building 2B destroyed with one of them." Deadpanned the commander, which made Jackass drop her smirk. 2B shuffled uncomfortably on her spot from the remark.
"Or did you forget? Anemone can you tell me what building was destroyed or if it was a place for a resident in the village. 2B's punishment might as well be involved in helping the reconstruction or any other compensation that owner would want." Continued the commander as well as facing 2B, who gave curt nod, accepting the commander's decision.
"I guess that is an adequate punishment. I mean I would have said the same for 9S if he destroyed any building before and after he jumped on that Tigrex." Said Zinnia, which made 9S chuckle nervously.
"Fortunately for him, he was lucky that he didn't now." Said the commander who's focus was now on 9S.
"Y-yes and… I-I'm grateful for that too." He stuttered a response.
"I found it!" Said Anemone, which got everybody's attention again. Anemone read a bit of what was written on the parchment before eyes went wide. Her hands tightened on the paper focusing her eyes on what she has read trying to determine if it's true. The others notice this as well and were confuse by Anemone's reaction.
"Well go on say it. Might as well know whose house, we destroyed. Heck I'll tag along with 2B just to make it smoother for her punishment since I was responsible for these guys when we were following 9S." Said Jackass to Anemone who shifted hers to meet Jackass' own.
"W-well… I don't know…" Stuttered Anemone who was getting nervous by the second from the truth she has read.
"Go on Anemone. I'm sure whoever that person is would understand." Said Zinnia kindly.
"Yes, Anemone please tells us right now. The sooner the better so we can make some sort of compensation for that person." Said White.
Anemone looks at everybody around the room before she shares a look with White. Her throat swallows a bit before she speaks.
"Y-yours…" She said lightly.
"Excuse me? Whose?" Questioned White raising her eyebrows.
"Yours…" Said Anemone much louder that everybody heard.
Everybody reacted in shock after realizing what Anemone meant and some thought it was unbelievable. 2B eyes where wide open with a 'what have I done' expression etched on her face. Both 9S and Zinnia paled from hearing the remark. The pods and A2 who were silent throughout the entire briefing took a step back closer to the door. Jackass had a short moment of realization before her face turned to dread.
"Shit… I knew that house looked familiar…" She trailed as she turned her attention to White, who had a shocked expression as well.
"I'm sorry… but can I see that?" She said to Anemone who gave the parchment to White.
The commander began to read the parchment, focusing her eyes on the spot where Anemone's own was. She scanned it several times and kept rereading the parchment if it was a mistake, not believing it as the seconds go by. The group could only watch in worry and dread as the commander continued to read.
Blinking her eyes, White placed the parchment down before facing the rest of the group awaiting her reaction.
"I see." Said White calmly to her bewildered companions in the room.
"Uhm…" Jackass was about to ask her.
"I think we have heard of all of what we needed for this meeting, so I believe it is appropriate for us to end this now and let me, Zinnia and Anemone resume it by ourselves once the full report comes in before we properly decide your punishment as we agreed upon earlier." She continued cutting Jackass, while maintaining a calm demeanor.
This unsettled the group especially 9S and Jackass, who both knew that White would have blown her top off after learning her house was blown up.
"You five may leave."—White pointed and addressed 9S, 2B, A2 and the pods. — "Zinnia, Jackass, and Anemone will remain with me as we discuss other matters of the village. Zinnia will tell relay to you of what we have decided. You may return home for the day. 2B and A2, be expected to work tomorrow in repair of the village. 9S, Zinnia will decide what you will do. That is all." The Commander said to the five and gave her orders to the trainees. They all nodded in response and turned to leave.
A2 was the first to leave who opened the door with the pods following after her. 9S went out next with 2B following after. 2B shut the door and they left in a brisk walk away from the captain's quarters. They were stunned from the commander's calm demeanor, but they knew better than to stay and find out what lay underneath it.
Inside the room, as the remaining occupants hear the shuffling of feet slowly fade away. White straightens her back and deeply inhales some air, before sagging and exhaling it all out with her head bowed down facing the desk surface.
Zinnia, Anemone and Jackass could only look at her in confusion.
Before they could ask White, what was wrong, she suddenly springs her head up.
"RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
She screams in rage at the top of her lungs, shaking her fists and letting out all the frustration she's kept in since the morning, as the Chief, Captain and head researcher jump back in shock and fear.
Author's notes:
Okay! The chapter was short, but I'm still trying to determine how long I want a regular chapter should be. Maybe the next few would be a bit longer.
I would like to announce that future chapters may be posted in bulk in the later part of June. I'll be gone for a bit so I might as well post some chapters together before I leave so you guys have some chapters to read.
Then I'll be back and start writing to post more chapters for this story.
I'm also thinking of changing the title and the summary a bit. I saw someone else titled their story similar to mine so, don't be surprise when the title suddenly changes.