Several weeks later
- Holding site #6 –
Gray moaned into the leather gag. He tripped, stumbled and was held up by whoever grasped either arm. He couldn't see who. Immediately after the gag a heavy bag had been placed over his head. Arms zip tied behind his back. And a warning to 'keep quiet if you don't like pain.' After then Gray wasn't sure what had happened. He had been thrown into some sort of vehicle. Sandwiched between who he assumed were two women. Their voices were vaguely feminine. But that was all he had to go on.
"Out."
One of them hauled Gray out the vehicle and into the softly hissing rain. Now here he was, stumbling and tripping on slick bitumen. It took everything he had not to collapse into a heap. The hysteria was barely held at bay.
'Who are these people?'
'What do they want?'
'Why do they want me?'
A groan of metal. Maybe a door opening. Then the rain stopped. Wet shoes squeaky on a lino floor. More stumbling. One of the women cursed.
"Is he really worth it?"
"If she says we need him, then we need him. Unless you want to go into her lab and argue the point."
"No thanks. I've heard the screams."
"Good. Then shut up and help me haul this dead weight."
Both women kept Gray upright. Whether he wanted to be or not. He wasn't sure how long they walked. Long enough. Then another heavy creak, another door and slam of finality. Gray was jammed onto a chair. Zip ties around his ankles to keep him in place. Another looped between a back bar of the chair and the tie between his wrists.
'Oh Jesus. Oh God. They're going to kill me. They're going to torture and kill me. This isn't happening. This can't be happening.'
"Lights."
The distinct hum of fluorescent lightning buzzed overhead. Gray looked about desperately. Pale light peeked up from the edges of the bag where it hung about his neck.
He shrieked when someone started undoing the buttons on his shirt.
"Relax," a voice cooed. "It's easier if you're conscious. I can knock you out if you prefer though."
Gray whimpered and shook his head.
"Good choice. Now try not to twitch too much, little lab rat."
More buttons were undone. Several what felt like pads were placed on Gray's chest. A clip was attached to his finger, the hummingbird chirp of Gray's frightened heart carrying around the room. More things were attached to his forehead, back and arms.
"Bloods?"
"On it."
A sharp pain sparked from the inside of Gray's elbow. A stinging remained as he guessed the needle was used to draw multiple vials of blood. Finally, a sharp prick slid into his wrist. The cold sensation of something sliding into him intravenously sent a shiver through limbs. Gray bit down hard on the gag.
"Well, that's everything she wanted in place. Any further instructions from the mad doctor?"
"Just be ready to complete the test promptly. She said tracking this one down was hard. The right match and not an opportunity to be missed."
Gray tried to slow his breathing. Maybe if he could grasp what was going on he might be able to find a way to leave this room alive.
"What if he dies?"
"Destroy the body and all evidence. She was pretty insistent on that."
A sympathetic pair of hands rested on Gray's shoulders.
"Tough break. Looks like the doctors really don't like you."
Gray swallowed slowly.
"Stop teasing the poor lab rat. They don't know any better."
A knock at the door. A squeak and another pair of feet.
"Are we ready?"
"Yup. Did you confirm his ID?"
"Gray Jim. Male. 25. Designer. Single. No strong connections or relationships with anyone. He'd go unnoticed in this world."
"Except he caught her eye."
"He rolled the bad luck lottery then."
The sympathetic hands returned, giving Gray's shoulder a firm squeeze.
"We won't drag this out any longer. Just needed to get all the recording equipment ready. You understand. On-site tests need more setup than lab trials. You can scream and protest if you want. But it won't make a lick of difference. My advice. Relax and let it all happen. Who knows? Maybe you walk out of this alive."
Another woman laughed. That cynical tone didn't fill Gray with confidence. Somehow, he managed to nod his head.
"Good boy. Now you'll feel something tingling going into your right arm. Don't fight it. Then we conduct a trial. No death last time so maybe the lucky stars are shining brightly tonight."
More humming. More clicking. More shallow breathing. Gray guessed he was in this room with several other people. Recording equipment and computers watching everything. Whatever they were up to, he was the unwilling centre of attention.
"Drug administered. Readying for synergy."
Gray bit into the gag hard and stifled a cry. The tingling feeling went up his arm, just as they had said. Then spread out over his body. It niggled at him. Teased him. Skin flush with warmth and something…
Something…
Something…
Something…
The man felt it oozing around him. A flare of power. It limned the figure standing opposite him. The bag was no obstruction to his uncanny sight. More and more of it filled the woman. Whirls of it ran down a blade the figure held. Gray's whimpering faded. Now he had something. Something that could be useful. If the bag had been removed those in the room would have recorded the sneer Gray somehow managed around his gag. He liked this opportunity. This power.
'Herrscher.'
Gray knew what to do next. Be patient. Wait. Let them think less of you. Let them think you were weak. Powerless. Foolish. Ignorant. But you weren't. None of you were. Alone you were nothing. Together you were Legion. Gray was not the one lacking power. Gray was the Dominant one. He bided his time as his foe let the Herrscher energy swirled. Let it suffuse them. One of them had acted without thinking. One of them was going to call on that power. And in that moment Gray would reach out and snatch it away. They had been waiting. This was an opportunity that could not be missed. The heartrate machine settled to a slow, calm, steady rhythm. Other metrics showed the test subject's breathing relax. Blood oxygen levels evened out. Sweat production ceased.
Whatever the Herrscher was up to, Gray let them reach it, complete it. Such power was impressive from Gray's perspective. Herrscher energy wove through the weapon and was projected forward. In that moment Gray let out a triumphant snarl. All rivers flowed from the Imaginary Tree. Gray was one that could divert the course of the river from origin to destination. But what Gray felt was not a river. It was a well. Deep and filled to the brim with Herrscher energy. It had no source nor destination. In that final awkward moment Gray's ethereal fingers trailed through nothing. Then he screamed. He couldn't help but scream as the well poured through him and redirected his own connection from source to destination.
"How long before he regained consciousness?" Mei's hologram asked.
"Six hours. He had no recollection of what he had been up to in the weeks prior," Amarant replied.
"And your background checks."
"Line up. Same psychological profile as the others. On the edges of human society. Distance. Disenfranchised. A mind vulnerable to manipulation and subversion."
"It's almost like a memetic virus. Locates suitable minds for infestation. Slowly corrupts their will and manifesting a pseudo-Herrscher core within them to establish the link."
"The question is where the link comes from."
"It matches up records unearthed from the PE with the Herrscher of Legion."
"Hate to correct you, dear Customer, but this isn't quite like the 10th Herrscher. Each one of the Legion had a singular distinct ability derived from the earlier Herrscher elemental cores. The five we've acquired thus far has demonstrated no elemental abilities. Just an overriding desire to sew havoc and destruction in their wake. Use their connections, knowledge and influence to sabotage whatever they can. Diablo Canyon would be glowing from orbit of Anti-Entropy weren't as thorough as Einstein ensures they are."
"Point made. Next item."
"Each of them relaxed once they realised the situation. It was like a mask sloughing off. And readings indicate they did briefly manifest some form of Honkai and Herrscher energy of their own. Each of the Raitaro described a sensation akin to someone trying to snatch at their own Herrscher energy with faint fingers. Each time that feeling faded just as quickly and the 10th Herrscher subject reacted in a violent manner before sealing. You'll need to talk to the researchers at Amano-Iwato Lab for a more detailed analysis of the pseudo-Herrscher cores I've retrieved.
"Understood. Early report from the doctors."
Amarant's glance to the side said enough.
"Not good. The stress it places on each of the Raitaro is immense. It's like they've run a marathon and starved themselves for a month straight. Their body is a wreck."
"Lines up with data Dr Makaria's analysis of Eva. Organ damage, muscular wasting, cellular damage that would mirror exposure to high levels of radiation. Their bodies, though highly adaptive, cannot safely handle this volume of Herrscher energy. I'm going to discontinue further field trials."
The hologram of Mei tapped a few things into a tablet.
"What's your return ETA?"
"While I'm in the city I want to do my own reconnaissance and information gathering. There's something else going on and I can't quite put my finger on it. The last time I ignored that feeling people started dying gruesomely."
"Keep the two Kijo squads and the Raitaro with you. I don't need my number one employee being injured."
Amarant made a face at Mei's smug expression.
"Feel free to enjoy having your wings clipped, dear Customer. I look forward to hearing all about those business reports Hanakawa piles up on your desk."
Mei sniffed. By now the two knew each other well. Nothing need be said. The teasing looks in their eyes was enough. The holographic communication ended. Amarant typed a few personal notes into her phone. Things to follow up when under less scrutiny. She needed to touch base with contacts in Schicksal, AE and World Serpent. See if her information on the 10th Herrscher aligned with theirs. A silent exchange of information under the table out beyond the watchful eye of each of the leaders of these organisations. The sort of thing that would never be condoned or permitted if ever exposed. The sort of thing that was necessary when fighting the Honkai. A short woman in a hooded jacket, trousers and sneakers, tablet in one hand, wandered over to Amarant. She was typing her notes into the tablet.
'Likely monitoring drones for surveillance and tactical support where necessary.'
"There's something you need to know," Maryanne addressed the Information Broker.
"That look says the next 24 hours are going to get even more interesting."
"You wanted me to discreetly search the city. I modelled some search patterns on the psychological profile of the Herrscher's we have captured and interrogated. Compared against locations and travel patterns for people with vulnerable minds likely to be subverted. Areas they might frequent. Genetically generated algorithms for Game Theory using our dataset."
"Results?"
"Nothing."
Amarant took a breath and slowly let it out.
"Which means you have likely found something worse."
"A World Serpent base. It appears they came to the same conclusion as me. However, unlike me they are using actual humans rather than discreet robotic drones to conduct their search. I followed one back to the building they are operating out of. They haven't any Herrscher held within. They do however have a number of civilians."
Amarant thought out loud.
"Human trafficking. No. If they wanted regular test subjects for their trials, they wouldn't conduct such a risky operation in a semi-secure urban setting. Risk analysis indicates these people are very valuable. Which means these are specimens likely related to Project STIGMA."
"I thought you come to that conclusion."
'Our own base of operation will be scrubbed clean in an hour or two. I don't want the full complement of soldiers. Too many bodies will draw attention. Leave the Raitaro here along with one Kijo squad. One squad and myself to clean up this mess.'
Intuition was a very human emotion. Something completely unjustifiable and lacking any logical foundation. Amarant had never liked the concept of it. Nonetheless it was the only word she could use to describe the feeling that occupied the back of her mind.
Amarant jammed her phone into her pocket and searched the building for the soldiers. Quick instructions were relayed and egress orders given in case of complications. The Kijo, Raitaro and attending specialists from Yurei were all consummate professionals. They listened attentively and readied to leave within the hour. Amarant turned to Kijo squad she would be taking with her.
"Maryanne, Faranaq, Thea, you're with me. Let's go burn a nest of vipers."
Silent scouts orbited the perimeter. Perched atop surrounding buildings or hidden in alleyways. Passive detection systems to avoid electronic detection measures. The 2-storey commercial building appeared deserted. Steel and brick with a study roof and small windows, it was likely one of the many casualties of the Honkai Eruption several months back. It was dark in a sea of inky shadows, the whole neighbourhood similarly fallen into economic disrepair.
A cyber-hound clanked up next to the Kijo support Valkyrja. Maryanne stood in a column of data, her entire vision overlaid with an AR digital hub, windows for all her remote scout drones, attack drones, spiderbot assault mechs and the cyber-hound by her side. Passive observational data was fed via Maryanne's digital hub to her fellow Valkyrja and their commander. Thermal imaging and directed audio mics showed most of the civilians held upstairs in a collection of rooms on the first storey. From what Maryanne could discern they were restrained and left on medical stretchers. Two World Serpent Agents were heading upstairs. The rest were downstairs and appeared to be readying to leave. Amarant was suspiciously quiet. It left Maryanne wondering what angle the always ambiguously motivated woman was up to.
"Ready," Thea announced.
"Ready," Faranaq chimed in.
"Ready," Maryanne confirmed.
A woman melted out from the shadows. Maryanne couldn't tell anything from Amarant's passive expression. Drone visuals showed one of the Agents enter a room. The two civilian bodies twitched and then stilled.
"Shit," Maryanne swore.
"Breach," Amarant ordered.
Spiderbots mechs launched grapple ropes and struck above the first storey windows, dragging themselves across the gap between buildings and straight through the windows. The crash alerted all within to the assault. Maryanne directed the mechs to neutralise the executioners. Heavy slugs tore out the hinges on the inner door, the other mech using its bodyweight to bull rush aside the obstruction. One of the Agents stepped into the corridor. Their body was little but pulped flesh after the quick burst of fire. The other mech leapt onto the ceiling and closed in on the other Agent. This one was more cautious. Maryanne gave further orders to the tactical AI suite. The rooms were separated by simple reinforced concrete. This mech was armed with dual laser cannons. A flash of fire scorched a hole just below where the wall met the ceiling. Scuttling into the room, another quick flash breached the room where the Agent lay in wait. They were quick to respond, opening fire at the gap. The first mech, having taken a moment to allow for the kinetic weapons barrels to cool down, dashed down the corridor, another burst fire obliterating the hingers on the door. The Agent turned its attention away briefly. That inattention was cost them their life. A laser beam lanced their skull. Maryanne had the mechs switch to thermal optics. The two civilians had ceased breathing. A scan of the room revealed an empty needle beside each corpse.
The technical support Valkyrja swore again. Focussed her mind and checked on her squad mates. Thea had done what she did best. The sword tip crashing through and leading the way. The Agents were no doubt all strong individuals. They put up a decent fight. But up against an angry Thea, cybernetic arm giving her more strength than most seasoned Valkyrja, they were bodies that did not know they were dead already. Thermal optics revealed the lobby to be a splattered with hot red. One of the Agents was engaged in Thea with dual pistols. The Valkyrja was faster still, anticipating the angles of fire and feinting as she closed the distance. A hand caught the Agent by the collar, a headbutt followed, the Agent reeling before a sword ran clean through their chest.
'Thea's in a very bad mood.'
Faranaq was more discreet but no less ruthless. Thea made as much noise as possible to allow for the stealthier and assassin-like Valkyrja to do her own thing. She stalked the corridors, already aware of the agent's location via Maryanne's drone vision. Most she closed in upon undetected, snapping necks or tearing out throats with her dual chakram before they even uttered a sound. Eventually however she was detected. Toward the access stairwell to the basement three Agents had dug in after realising the severity of the situation via their own communications network.
Twin chakram bounced off the walls as they travelled down the hallway. One of Agents ducked behind hastily erected cover. It protected them from the rain of bullets Maryanne directed at their position via a hovering combat drone. It didn't protect their back when the chakram suddenly rebounded off the walls and returned. The Agent let out a liquid grunt as the weapons pierced their chest. Faranaq flicked both hands, synchronisation gloves activating the micro-impulse engines integrated into the weapons design, drawing them out of the body and back into waiting hand. Maryanne sent the combat drone racing down the hallway and into a side room. The sound of heavy gunfire carried from the open doorway. Maryanne's AR visuals indicated two more Agents terminated.
"Civilians?" Amarant asked
"I've secured them," Thea responded. "The Agents were really keen not to let them leave alive. Maryanne, get ready to teleport in some medical supplies. A few were badly injured before I could get to them."
"On it," Maryanne replied.
"Thea, we'll clean up the last stragglers and convene at your position," Amarant ordered. "Provide what aid you can for now."
Maryanne was dashing from her position in an alley before the order was finished. Already Quantum Teleportation preparations were being input to her tablet. A combat drone from earlier met up with the Valkyrja and hovered protectively over one shoulder. Amarant was a few metres behind, pistol in one hand, her ever ubiquitous phone in the other. Something had spooked her and she appeared invested in whatever held her attention.
Once inside Maryanne made quickly for the first story. At the top of the stairwell she synchronised the space-time coordinates and activated a Quantum Teleportation. The air rippled and roiled before resolving into a hexagonal plate with medical supplies stacked atop it.
"Basement is clear," Faranaq reported.
Maryanne took one of the kits and had a spider mech tear a random door of it's hingers. An emaciated and jaundiced woman, stripped of all but her undergarments, lay on a stretcher, limbs pinned by medical restraints, a creepy black leather blindfold and matching gag preventing her from any response.
'Sick bastards. Really sick.'
Multiple IV drips were plugged into the veins on her limbs. A central line fed what Maryanne guessed was nutritional solution into the woman. Dropping the kit, Maryanne fished out a scalpel and quickly removed the woman's blindfold and gag. Her eyes were bloodshot, pupils out of focus in the half light and twitching constantly.
"..iles.."
"Don't speak. I'll remove the IV lines first and then the restraints. You have to remain still. Keep calm. We're here to rescue you."
"Miles," the woman rasped.
"Please this can wait. I need to see to you first."
"I heard them. They were taking him away. Save him."
Maryanne's brow furrowed. Something niggled at her. With a wave of her hand, she conjured up a 3D schematic of the abandoned commercial building used by World Serpent in her AR vision. Discreet drones covered all doors and windows. If anyone had escaped, they would have been detected. Sixteen Agents had been killed. The civilians had been kept separate from one another. Less chance of collusion and escape.
'World Serpent are religious fanatics. Suicidal actions when facing a tactically superior foe is nothing new. Yet the fervour demonstrated here feels odd.'
Maryanne set an algorithm to wind back the observation window the drones had provided since locating the building. Flag anything unusual. In the meantime, she tended to the woman's injuries as best she could.
"What's your name?" the Valkyrja asked, trying to keep the woman's attention focussed away from her injuries.
"Tatiana."
The Valkyrja checked her algorithm. Nothing unusual.
'Nothing unusual. Nothing unusual. Nothing…'
"Amarant. We may have a problem."
"More civilian casualties?"
"Has anyone come across a boy named Miles amidst the civilians?"
Radio silence. Then Amarant.
"Random question. Is the woman you are treating named Tatiana?"
"Yes. Why do—"
"Shit. What are the odds. Your electronic records show no-one entering or leaving in the last 12 hours?"
"I'm finishing a search now. Nothing has turned up."
Maryanne's AR changed as Amarant updated it. City municipal blueprints appeared along with other information Maryanne had no idea how the woman had access to. The building had no direct access to servicing tunnels. But there were sewers beneath if you dug down deep enough.
"Faranaq, basement. Now," Amarant ordered.
The Valkyrja sprinted for the stairwell as fast as inhumanly possible. Maryanne's AR showed Amarant indicator heading toward the basement herself. She spoke as she moved.
"We aren't the only ones familiar with complex Game Theory. World Serpent have manipulated from the shadows for centuries. Schicksal and Anti-Entropy have both been infiltrated. I cleared out the few serpents that tried to slither into Yurei. Our operations are compartmentalised so only a few know all the particulars. And good luck cracking out data encryption."
Maryanne continued to provide medical aid to Tatiana. She listened to Amarant as the woman spoke.
"World Serpent are looking for the 10th Herrschers too. They would be modelling the Herrscher's actions too. When one disappears that they were tracking, our presence is alerted. After that they don't need to know where we are or the disposition of our forces. Assume that their position will be compromised. Move the most significant resources in advance. Leave the rest along with Agents to sacrifice. Protect what is important. That's what I would do. Have an egress point readied in advance. The building would be prepared years before use. Enough time to dig down and break into the tunnels. The question is how much of a head start do they have?"
"I'm in the basement now," Faranaq reported.
The city municipal blueprints were superimposed. One room sat above the tunnels. Amarant tagged the spot.
"If you locate any escape point, be careful on approach. It could be trapped."
Tense seconds passed.
"Fuck. Found it."
An AR map appeared in Maryanne's vision. The Information Broker expanded the city blueprints, overlaying wider GPS navigational data used by emergency services and law enforcement. It would be the most up-to-date and accurate. The sewer stretched off in either direction. Multiple locations coincided with surface points where an access ladder or equivalent could be constructed.
'World Serpent operate carefully and use multiple fail safes. The question is where did they break onto street level and how can we track them from there?'
Amarant arrived at where Faranaq was standing. Shared vision showed it to be a janitor's closet. Internally it seemed perfectly normal. World Serpent would take into account the standard abilities, equipment and training of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy. What they wouldn't taken into account were the atypical and asymmetric Kijo squads, all with specialised top-tier equipment, training and operational methods. Thermal imaging from a scout drone with Faranaq revealed a tunnel hidden beneath tiles and shelving overtop.
"The access tunnel would be trapped and sections of the sewers too," Maryanne assessed. "If they were to do this properly. Mechanical and electronic countermeasures."
The AR mapping everyone shared zoomed out. It tracked along the tunnel before stopping at one point. Amarant gave further orders
"The sewer will still have access points for regular maintenance. I'll start there. The rest of you evacuate the civilians to one of our aircraft ready for medical treatment in Nagazora."
Through Faranaq's vision, Maryanne watched the information broker drop to one knee and place a splayed palm on the ground. The woman ran her phone over the concrete as though looking for something.
"No offence but you're dealing with an hours old trail," Thea chimed in. "How the hell are you going to follow a kid being carried off by the sort of people that make it their job not to be noticed easily."
A black chuckle carried across the comms.
"Every snake sheds a few scales."
Miles bit hard into the gag. It wasn't enough to break through. The leather tasted foul. The restraints kept his arms behind his back and ankles together. A blindfold and earplugs had locked him in a sensory prison. Again and again he tested his restraints. His neck itched. It had throbbed since the first needle. Miles couldn't even recall how he had ended up in the room. His mother had found a hotel room to stay in while they tried to piece their life back together. A stipend from Schicksal as they mourned everything they had lost. Then one night something…
Something…
The young boy's mind was foggy. He hated that. They. Whoever they were. Had broken into their room somehow and taken the two. Miles could recall screams. And more when he awoke in the unfamiliar room. Moans and whimpers. Someone would beg for their life from another room.
A needle filled with glowing magenta liquid. That's what was fixed in Miles' mind. Strapped down to a medical gurney. Miles couldn't do anything. Even his fingers were pinned by metal loops. His heartrate had exploded. All the medical equipment attached to him had shown as much. And when it had pierced a vein the feeling. It was—
—indescribable—
—ecstasy—
—agony—
—awakening—
Around and around Miles' mind tumbled. Everything turned blurry again. Pain and relief all blended together. He was right and wrong. Contradictions in a complex organic solution, a sack of liquid chemicals held together by very fragile skin. A melange of senses that only came into focus after the needles and tests had stopped. His mind groggy. Someone carrying his small frame on a shoulder. A smell like ripe public toilets. Then the rumble of tires on a road.
Heat.
It tickled at Miles senses. He couldn't see or hear anything. His skin prickled with sweat. The heat was intense. The boy struggled. Tried to break his bonds. Call out for attention. Then he was thrown over someone's shoulder. The heat intensified. Sweat vaporised. The tips of his ears and nose began to blister. The air was liquid fire with each breath. Someone lifted the boy and carried him.
Cold.
Wind.
Exhale.
Miles was jostled for a bit before being placed, surprisingly, rather carefully on the ground. Legs were free first. Then arms. Earplugs ripped out. Gag cut off. Last was the blindfold. Light made everything hurt. Miles first teary seconds were a confused smear. A yellow eyed monster, like the ones that haunted him after Coral, loomed over. The boy's instinct was to flail. Push away the creature.
"Oi. OI. OI!"
A voice. Human. Familiar. Miles calmed for a moment, scrubbed the tears from his eyes and squinted under lights intensity after so long in the darkness. A blue haired woman in a jacket and jeans knelt beside him, one hand settled on his shoulder, a pistol in the other.
"Have you calmed down yet?"
Miles swallowed and nodded.
"Let's test that. Your name?"
"Miles."
"My name?"
"Amarant."
"Good."
It was just like before. After the initial panic Miles felt his pulse cooling, his panic ebbing. Coral all over again. The boy sat up and let out a few pained coughs. The air had been hot enough to leave his lungs aching. And what he saw left him wondering how anyone could have left alive. A small plane hanger was ablaze. Fire yellow to white hot gutted the structure. Sniffing, Miles could pick up a greasy, organic, fatty smell over the scorched carbon and tang of burning metal.
"They were all in there," Miles managed.
"Yup. But you are far more important that subtlety. Truthfully, with how brazen this was, any one faction or mercenary group could be blamed. All electronic evidence is being wiped and any witness is dead."
Miles nodded slowly and made to stand. Amarant tried to keep him seated, but the boy would have nothing of it and was on his feet in moments. The woman raised a blue eyebrow.
"You really are made of tough stuff. I need to get you back to Nagazora for a medical examination. Who knows what they put into you or did to you."
The boy reached out and took Amarant's free hand.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"You are welcome."
Amarant turned, tugging on the boy's hand and leading him toward a break in the security fence. A section of steel melted to slag.
"Besides don't think of this in altruistic terms. I'm saving my own bacon too. If you had been taken by World Serpent then no doubt Mei would have seriously contemplated an assault on one of their key bases. We're not ready for that just yet so this was me protecting my own interests and that of my client, where she wants it or not."
Amarant stowed away her other pistol and reached out, activating what Miles assumed was some sort of haptic interface.
"Speaking of the devil, this is the sort of information she would want first hand."
A small holographic projection of static appeared in front of Miles. Refused to come into focus. Amarant clucked her tongue. When the two had passed the security fence and were stalking in the darkness towards a nearby road the blue haired woman cancelled the call and tried another. The line picked up almost instantaneously. Miles didn't recognise the woman. Her hair was cut in a bob, wearing a professional business suit and holding a tablet in one hand.
"Hanakawa, sorry to bother you. My dear customer isn't picking up the line so I'm guessing she's in a very important call right now. Tell her to contact me asap. I've found Miles. She'll understand straight away."
The hologram of Hanakawa nodded. Then looked at her tablet. Miles got the feeling this woman was both professional and someone who never lost their nerve.
"You are one of the very few I am comfortable with giving full disclosure. Raiden-sama is currently missing."
"Define. Missing."