A/N
I don't own any of the Infinite Stratos stuff and so it is not mine to claim credit for. I just like to muse about this subject for the time being. I hope you like this enjoy.
Chapter 2: My Personal Unit
-Sai's pov-
The next morning came and I woke up a little after six in the morning like I have been for a while now out of habit. I turned and glanced over at the other bed in the room seeing that Houki was still fast asleep. So, discreetly slipped out of bed and exited the room to begin my day with a morning jog as I have done for time to think as much as exercise. The message I had gotten last night from the friend that was to deliver my IS unit here hadn't been nice to receive.
The said friend I admit does some shady business occasionally but is a good guy even if he's a Russian though I won't ever hold his nationality against him. But due to the business he sometimes does, it had raised hell with US customs which as a result was delaying my unit getting to Japan. However, my friend would make sure none knew really what was being shipped which I am grateful for as the US Government wouldn't be cooperative if they knew. My IS is unique and I wouldn't doubt most developers would love to get their hands on it but I won't let that happen. So, the message I had gotten earlier this week said pretty much it would likely be later in the week at least before US customs would shut up and mind their own business and let my unit travel. I had accepted that even if I didn't appreciate the point as I trust said friend to get things done as per what I requested.
Anyway, the jog ended out being three kilometers in total by the time I was done and had been a forty-five-minute time lapse. I was feeling fairly good from the jog when I got back to the room, I grabbed some clean clothes and then I headed straight to the bathroom. It was ten till seven and Houki was still sleeping like I'd left her, so the bathroom was free, and I'll make use of it. I took care to keep quiet, so not to wake my roommate as that would be rude and I feel mornings will be one of the few times of the day I would get to myself regularly.
After I stepped out of the hot shower which are mercies some mornings, I'm telling you, I got dressed and made myself ready for the day. And I state for the record though it doesn't matter, I still detest the uniform for the academy, and I would be more than willing to burn it. But I would've to face consequences spoken and unspoken were I to 'lose' the set of clothing in some way. Namely Chifuyu wouldn't let me off, she would make me pay for pulling such a stunt, and I don't what to tire myself doing that right now. By the time I finished my business and exited the bathroom, I noticed that Houki was waking up. "Morning Houki, about time you wake up, don't want to be late for class. Plus, it probably would be nice for you to get breakfast before that I would think," I greeted her.
Going over to my bed and began loading up my school bag with the supplies for the day as I try not to return to my place of residence if I don't have to. It was a lesson I learned at Cornell, the fewer trips you need to make the better off you will be. These supplies included a few things some of which pointless to me and others not. One would be the IS manual which is an oversized paperweight to me, along with two books for my college lectures for today.
As it's Tuesday, the lectures of the day are Theories and Applications of Nanotechnology and Advanced Theories of Prosthetics. Weekday college classes fit into between a four-and-a-half-hour period, which was the whole afternoon. Where Monday, Wednesday and Friday lectures had the format of the first lecture was almost three hours and the second was an hour and a half, Tuesday and Thursday lectures were both two hours and ten-minute classes. The reason for both being longer on my Tuesday and Thursday lectures were because I have them only two days a week instead of quantum physics and the math class that I have three days a week. The courses I'm taking may seem random, yet they are not. The studies of the subjects I am taking are all for work and advancing my IS unit.
The metal eared bunny may be satisfied with playing the game she does with the governments of the world with the IS. It'll eventually get her into trouble and that fall will be one that she takes all by herself, and I wouldn't doubt the doll would agree with me! Neither of us cared that the bunny took the credit for Infinite Stratos, as it came with the consequence when she gets caught. And I know that I've at least gone through the efforts to separate myself from connection that could be traced back to the Rabbit. So, I won't be falling with her and I would guess the doll has done something similar as I to cover herself. The Bunny well, she's an idiot in a couple of ways and I say let that run its course when her time come.
My interest in Infinite Stratos was to find out just how far the idea can be pushed and that's been my goal during the time of the Infinite Stratos design and creation. I think the doll has something else in mind, I just have a hard time saying with her. I wouldn't want to see inside her mind even were I given the opportunity to do so, I'm kind of scared what could be there. Nonetheless, the three of us who created the IS don't really talk to each other since we went our separate ways. I've spoken with the doll every once and a while, but as we have a kind of an unofficial competition between the three of us, we rarely discuss what we're working on. The problem is that metal eared bunny doesn't think she needs to follow rules or manners and so, does whatever she feels like and screws with people often. A prime example is my current predicament, her attempting to getting me here just to see my work among other things.
After packing my bag, I left on the hunt for sustenance which brought me to the cafeteria where I found the object of my hunt, food. Breakfast is one of the three important meals of the day and I refuse to miss it unless there is a damn good reason and there aren't many reasons I would consider good enough! It didn't take me long to get the food I sought and with breakfast in hand and once I got a heavily laden tray, and that got the lunch ladies to smile. It got me curious if the girls here don't eat the amounts that I do, it's possible. Not like a fact like that would affect my appetite, I eat the amount I feel the need to period.
It took the time to search for a bit until I found a booth and sat down to eat. As I ate I took out my Nanotech textbook and started looking it over as I would have my first lecture for the classes this afternoon. It was a class I'd wanted to take for a little while now as it would have great application potential. I've already learned the hard way, it is better to get and have an understanding of a subject I work with or you'll pay a price. It mostly came from an incident that occurred a couple of months ago that I would rather not repeat. For this subject, the application is quite simple, the IS already uses microscopic machines in their deployment and operation, I believe that the performance can be improved with nanotech. But I simply don't know enough about the subject to logically take the risk of using such ideas just yet.
I heard the voices of the first-year students talking and what do you know, I'm the topic of their discussions as I'll likely be going forward. Shaking my head and ignoring the girls that were whispering about me, instead returning to reading my textbook with increasing interest the longer I looked over the material. Ignore those that are being foolish and don't encourage their behavior, it works most of the time, just not with everyone. The initial possibilities my class were obvious to me, but still I could already see areas of interest in this class that I would be taking serious notes and learning a lot. I have applied the idea, but not fully employed and integrated to the point I would like, so I look forward to doing so.
A few possibilities I've been planning; automated repair mode or sequence, improving the morphing or shifting armor I've been working on just to name a couple of things. I haven't gotten the repair mode practically designed yet though I've thought about the idea before now. And I'm working on 'shifting armor' already, but it's not working as I envisioned at this time. However, with nanoscopic machines and the potential they have, I may get it to work the way I wish feasibly. The difficulty is the method of control and giving them clear enough commands for them to carry out orders they are given. Lots of work ahead to do on my unit, and it excites me just thinking about it!
The sound of a tray being set down got me to shift my attention upward and seeing that Houki had just set a tray of food down on the table and she wasn't looking directly at me for some reason. "Um Houki, you're free to sit at the same table as me without me needing to give permission for you to do so," I said a little baffled at the way Houki was acting.
Was I really so intimidating to others here or was it me being the one and only guy around? Houki took a seat after I told her she could sit at the table though I did catch a slight smile flash on her face but it went away a moment later. After she sat down, I returned my attention back to my textbook and continued eating as I read. Yet, I hadn't been looking at the book for more than fifteen seconds when I was interrupted once again. "Excuse me," said an unfamiliar female voice.
Looking up a second time to see a group of three girls who I think are classmates of mine, "Yes ladies?"
The three girls were following a bit of a longer look I could confirm they were in my class. The one on the left stood at a height a small margin under five feet, maybe by a quarter or so. She had dark pink colored hair that went to her shoulders and a little beyond, the majority of her hair hung free, at least of what amount of her hair was visible. The girl was wearing a long yellow sleeping shirt… which look a little like a one-piece dress, rather than the academy uniform like everyone else in the cafeteria was right now. Said long sleeping shirt, had orange cuffs on the sleeves, the collar as well and… on edge the hood that was a part of the sleeping shirt. The hood had what looked like fox-like ears coming out of the hood… no idea why a piece of clothing would have such things. There were two balls of cotton on the ends of drawcords for the hood, perhaps for decoration. The sleeping shirt went down to her knees but still hugged her figure. Her hands were covered by the sleeves and then her bust would be, to my guess, a solid 'C' in size. From what I could see of her eyes, they were yellow… an interesting color that's rare to see.
The female on the right of this group was four-foot eleven. Her hair was a dark red mixed with a bit of brown, it had the length that went to her ears in all but the back. Whereas in the back, she had two separate ponytails that went down her back on both sides of her neck and were tied with small green ribbons. The girl was wearing the academy uniform, the standard version that most of the girls here wear. Her eyes were brown; she had a bit lean figure, a bust that was a 'B' in size. The classmate in the middle of the group of three had black long hair that went midway down her back. She had a hair clip to keep the right portion of her hair from being over her right eye, the clip was orange. With her dark grey eyes that were almost black, she stood five feet even in height. She had an average female figure, her bust was along the size as her friend on the right, a 'B' by my observation. It was the one in the middle that spoke up, "Well, we were curious… do you mind if we sit at this table?"
"Uh," I uttered, "sure, have a seat girls."
The three girls glanced at each other and looked happy about my answer to their request, after which they took seats at the table. I decided to break the ice by asking their names, "So girls, haven't got your names yet though I would doubt I need to tell you mine as I'm the only guy in this academy, pretty much everyone knows me already."
My classmates looked at each other again, before the black-haired girl spoke first, "My name is Sayuka Yorutake, I sit in the row behind you one desk to your left."
Sayuka Yorutake's voice had a higher ranged pitch to it that I'm used to hearing with females, and it was kind of quiet and soft. The next of this group of girls to introduce themselves as the red-haired one, "Hey there, I'm Yuzu Tanimoto, I sit next to you in the first row on your right."
The second girl Yuzu Tanimoto, had a drawl somewhat, though it didn't affect the understandability of her speech. Oh yeah, that's why I think I had seen her recently, she sits next to me… silly me. The last of these girls giggled a bit before talking, "Hello, I'm Honne Nohotoke, I sit in the back row of the classroom."
And then there was the last of the three, Honne Nohotoke, I don't know which is more unusual, her appearance compared to those around her or her bubbly personality. Her voice was like an older child, but younger than one in their teenage years. With their names now known, I can commit to memory. I gave a casual glance at their trays… and had to take a moment for a second, longer look after seeing what was there. Let me take a moment of time, to pause and make a small comparison for this situation.
I'm a sixteen-year-old healthy male, I require a minimum amount of food to maintain my health, bodily fitness, and brain functionality like any human being does. That fact being established, an average breakfast for me will have a foot and a half by two-and-a-half-foot tray filled with little room to spare like I had this morning. With food choices from the necessary food groups to be in good health that one needs a good meal to get my day going along and feel like I can do what I say I can. After all, I'm still growing and haven't hit my full physical potential as of yet. However, on my classmates' trays… there was a lot of unused empty space denoting the lack of food. In fact, for the three girls who are very likely still in the state growing as I am. There was a small serving of grain, toast or some kind of pastry, a protein in the form of an egg on one, a tiny bit of veggies on another. Then there was a variation of a drink on all three trays… in other words, not a very healthy or filling meal.
I get that females are worried about maintaining their overall figure, learned that in my first semester at Cornell University. Still, it doesn't make sense to me why they do it even with some of the reasons I have been told they are so focused on maintaining their figure. So, the question I ask, why do girls eat so little at meals? It appears like they're more sacrificing health for looks… at least that's how I see it, I may be wrong but my logic tends to be pretty good. Nonetheless, I may never fully have understood why females do what they do, completely illogical. Back to the present, after I got my second look at what my classmates were eating, I stared at them, "Say girls," I began, "not that it's any of my business, but aren't you eating a bit too little food for breakfast? You sure you'll make it through until lunch with only that amount of food in you?"
The girls' expression changed to one of nervousness, "Well um… you see that's," began Miss Tanimoto.
Miss Yorutake laughed softly, "Yes, that's… um… well," she muttered.
However, it was from Miss Nohotoke that the answer to my question came, "It's because we eat a lot of snacks!"
Ah-ha, I see, munching between meals… not the best thing to do for your health, but how one eats is their own decision. With that settled and answered, I returned to eating breakfast and was about to finish it when I heard a loud clap. Turning around, I found Chifuyu standing in the center of the cafeteria in of all things, a white tracksuit. Now I've seen Chifuyu in quite a few different outfits, and ones that she doesn't show off to others, but this one is new to me. If there's ever a time to get a bad vibe, right now is that the time and it is strong within me. My intuition hasn't failed me much yet, and it is screaming at me that this isn't a good thing to me right now.
"Less chatting and gabbing, more chewing and swallowing! Pilots have to be able to eat quickly and efficiently! Now get to it ladies!" barked Chifuyu in her authoritative voice.
…Normally, I would take some offense to Chifuyu grouping me in with females and she knows that I would. I'm stuck with the position and I can't change it right now, but I'm clearly a male and not a female or a lady. Nevertheless, it's not worth riling up Chifuyu at this time of the morning to me… it's too early and I don't want to rock the boat. That's the major reason I rarely took classes that started before nine in the morning, any time before that is too damn early for things that required intellect and the brain doing work other than getting my body to move.
"I'm the first-year dorm manager," Chifuyu continued, "Anyone late to class will do ten laps around the school!"
So Chifuyu is the one in-charge of first-year dorms, I can't say if that's a good or bad thing, I could go either way. And as for her punishment, I would say is that it? I did around that this morning on my morning jog so that isn't a punishment to me. However, sounds like Chifuyu is still the same as ever a taskmaster you don't want to cross without good reason. The things she used to put Ichika and me through back in the days we lived in the same house… those were good times even if they sucked on occasion. Not that I'm at risk of being late, I was nearly done with my breakfast by this point anyways. So, I finished up and headed to the classroom for the morning classes.
The first class in the morning was the one that Miss Yamada would teach us the basic info on the IS, my easy A course. It started differently today than it did yesterday granted, it's only the second day, but still, why are some easy A's more annoying than others? I knew there was something up when Chifuyu stood at the teaching lectern at the front of the room rather than Miss Yamada. So, I gave my attention to see what this was about, "Two weeks from today, you will have to choose your class representative. Said person will represent you on the student council, in interclass matches and will be your overall class leader," stated Chifuyu.
Okay, so a person that gets to be the picture student that the rest of the class is judged by, not a new idea to me. Oh but wait a damn second with that, all of this certainly seems like a f**king setup for someone like me to be forced into a job I don't want to do! My classmates better not even think of making me be in that position though I would be shocked if they aren't. God knows I don't have the time nor the desire to do anything like that. College class will be taking up the little free time I do have, and I don't have any to spare any more thanks to the Bunny blackmailed me!
"I will now take nominations, any suggestions," asked Chifuyu flatly.
I held my breath waiting for what I believe would happen and dreading that I was right along with preparing a counter. And with the legal course I took last semester, I know how to counter arguments I assure you. Seconds later, "I want to nominate Taichi," called a girl from behind me.
That's what I figured, I knew that one of them would want me to do it, I would be shocked if one of them didn't suggest it. My answer to that is no and I will defend my position in a way that my law professor would be proud of. I've more things than is reasonable on my plate of things to do, all because of the sh*t that rabbit landed me in. My foot will firmly be put down to this, no more will be added to my current load, no sir! I don't want that responsibility to be shoved up my ass thanks!
"I second that nomination, it sounds awesome," came the voice of another girl from behind me.
Okay Sai, time to put what you learned in that law class to use, tell them in no uncertain terms that what they say isn't going to happen. I've no interest or wish to have the job as time management has forced me to be strict in scheduling my usage of time. The hours of the day at taken by specific activities, for the two classes concerning ISs in the morning, which would be unaffected. The afternoons are used for college lectures and I won't miss those, no ifs, ands or buts even if I need to pull strings to make sure of it. The evenings I use for homework, mostly for the college classwork as there's no time during the lectures to do classwork. High school students don't know what actual schoolwork is like at the college level. You can't do an assigned project in one evening and expect a decent grade for it. There's no time to spare to attend meetings that are either in the afternoon or evenings.
Chifuyu sighed, "So, anyone against the idea? If not, then it will be decided without a vote."
This is a totally unfair vote, it isn't a democracy and I should know democracy as I'm an American. This feels like American politics and those are horrible these days. I'll be heard in this before this goes any farther even if Japan doesn't have the same freedoms as one does in the United States! Took a deep breath before making my opinion known, "Now hold it ladies, flattering as I am for you to nominate me, I respectfully-" I began.
I would have kept going and put down a solid defense as to why I would not be taking the position these girls were voting for me to take. Heck, I would use a rule or two of the academy to make sure these girls didn't have that kind of say in what I do and there are a few that are on my side in this. However, I didn't get the chance to say more than I did because I was interrupted, "I do not approve of this at all," shouted an annoyingly familiar voice that had badgered me yesterday.
Pausing for a moment, so that I could breathe in deeply to maintain control of the frustration and stress that was rising in me. Then I glanced behind me seeing indeed as suspected by the voice, Cecilia Alcott was standing up perturbed about the current situation. Her expression left a clear understanding that she was rather livid about the thought of me representing the class. And if she wants the position, she is more than welcome to it I say, it would save me the hassle of it.
"This type of selection is unacceptable! To have a boy as a class representative, and then have to bear such shame and humiliation for an entire semester! No, I Cecilia Alcott will not stand for such an outrage! In the first place, for me to have to live in a country with such an underdeveloped level of culture, is so unbearably painful for someone like myself! Oh, the horror and agony I am forced to endure!" the cry came from Miss Alcott, and it was just annoying and even a tad infuriating to watch
So, this is all about me being male, is it?! This set of circumstances that I'm in is getting more than just ridiculous and getting worse quickly. To tell the truth, I really want to be somewhere else but here right now, but I'm stuck in this crap so make do I suppose. Unfortunately, that's been the story of my life off and on for the last two years at least even though I don't want to admit that openly.
Back to the present, blondie is really starting to irk me with her whining and she's beginning to push me to my limit of my patience. The excuse of me being a guy that blondie uses to say how much better than me she is outright pathetic. Then for her to look down on everyone else, claiming to be an elite is stupid as hell and I wonder why none have stood up and told the girl to shut up already.
All in all, quite some insults that have come from Alcott's mouth mostly directed at me and Japan. And here I thought I'd already told her what would happen if she decided to insult my homeland or the country that I call home yet apparently, she didn't get the message. In other words, to insult either Japan or the US is an unwise idea for her since doing so gives me free rein to take potshot type insults at her country of dear Old England. And as an American, there are plenty of insults for that country from the American standpoint historically speaking among other kinds. I fully intend to take multiple potshots at her homeland as she has mine, so let the fun begin I say.
-Cecilia's pov-
How could any of these girls even consider having a useless boy as the leader of the class?! Women lead the world now, the time of men doing so is over and done, now they should accept their place as subordinates. And Sai Taichi had already proven to be foolish and prone to insulting and misbehavior. For him to question his clear betters, he was trouble and yet, I am the only one that seems to see it! The boy needs to be taught his place even if specialized training and conditioning were required to do the task. So of course, I would not stay silent when a classmate suggested the boy be our class's representative.
"Okay Blondie," Taichi said daring to refer to me by just the color of my hair. This boy is horrible, how could such a male with a huge lack of manners have been raised? "If you want the job and position of the class representative, then you're more than welcome to take it. But as to your comment about being better I say prepare yourself because this conversation is not going to be nice for you," he state in a flat tone which got my attention somewhat.
I stared at the terrible boy for a moment trying to figure out just what this boy was getting at, then I smirked. "And what are you implying? Japan is such a backwater place, of course, there is little civility and culture."
The boy put a finger to his chin as if he was thinking about the question I gave him, "What am I getting at, I believe I said it yesterday Miss Alcott, but apparently you didn't take me seriously. Tell me, what makes Great Britain so great? I mean, you can't say it's the United Kingdom since those who live on those islands aren't united exactly in how they think things should be." I froze at what insult Taichi had just said, but he didn't stop there, "It can't be its tradition as they're so old that it's ridiculous." Taichi paused for a moment, "Or is the fact that you're a blonde that's getting the better of you? Maybe some of your hair spray leaked into your skull this morning," he suggested.
I felt my face heat up at hearing such blatant insults directed at me and my homeland. For an American to dare insult me, a lady of nobility, this boy would pay for that, I swear it! "H-how dare you to insult me and my country, then inferring that being blonde makes me," I couldn't finish the sentence with my growing anger at this boy, Sai Taichi. "You useless male pig," I nearly bellowed.
Taichi chuckled at my reply which incensed me more, "What's wrong Blondie? Do I need to remind you of what I said to you yesterday," he posed. "You chose to insult another's country, then prepare to have your own country put in the same position to receiving potshots. I deliver what I say," he remarked simply. He might have said that, but his manners are lacking to the point of being non-existence and for a commoner to say such to me, he was out of line! Words could not accurately tell of my fury directed at this boy, yet he kept going, "You act so high and mighty, and I'll admit it's annoying and I have only had to deal with it for a few days, I'm surprised that the girls say nothing to you already."
Taichi will be forced to eat his words, I will personally make sure of that! "You claim England has such deep traditions and yet, you discredit others which is hypocritical. Think dear England is so perfect? Then why do they still make food that's eatable, but extremely unappetizing and tastes horrible." Taichi shrugged, "But that's probably why England has won the world's worst cuisine award for the last fifteen years, in a row no less. What an achievement for England, wouldn't you agree?"
My hands were balled into fists at the insult this aggravating boy had given hurt and I wouldn't let him get away with it without punishment! "And then, of all the blondes I've met, you're certainly one of the most irritating and lacking in the common sense department."
THAT IS ENOUGH! I stomped over and closed the distance between us glaring at the horrible and misbehaving boy. "You," I growled, "You insult me and my homeland in such a way, and for you to be a male makes it all the worse! Then, you go so far as to dare to say I lack common sense! You need to be taught a lesson in respect and manners Sai Taichi to know your proper place which males have! I will be the one to teach this lesson and will make sure it sinks into your skull!"
The boy merely blinked several times at the threat I had sent his way, "If that's your way of asking for a duel, it needs some work," Taichi returned smoothly.
I had to rein in my feelings that this boy was feeding and not get my hands on him and shake him as he continued, "Still, if you want a go at me, then by all means who am I to deny you the chance? Name the time and the place though next week is the earliest it can be, my unit arrives this weekend. Other than that, I would prefer the fight not be in the afternoon as I have classes like you do that we both need to attend if the duel is during the week."
I would have told him that there was no need to delay the fight which I would win. I mean, how could I lose against a pathetic boy, I am an elite among elites after all! However, before I could reply Professor Orimura cut over us, "Very well, as you two have agreed to a duel. Then it will take place a week from Sunday at noon," she said. That was perfectly fine with me, I would beat Sai Taichi all the same and he would be taught the inferiority of males! Yet, there was more, as the professor continued, "The winner of the duel will be the class representative."
-Chifuyu's pov-
The duel between Sai and Alcott may not be the same as a vote would have gone, but it would settle the issue. Plus, it would be an opportunity to see what Sai has done with the last few years that have gone by since he left Japan. The rest of the girls began chatting among themselves about the duel after I stated the terms. However, Sai rose from his desk and approached me, "Miss Orimura, could we discuss something in the hall please," he said with some strained tones in his voice.
I assumed that Sai wanted to talk about details about the duel, which I can't say why. So, we walked out into the hall and closed the door to the classroom to have less of a chance to be overheard. We faced each other, and Sai spoke first, "Okay look Chifuyu, between you and me, the duel is perfectly fine. I am totally good with giving that blonde a wakeup call, it will be a pleasure to teach her a much-needed lesson." He paused to slow his breathing to keep calm as he got to what he was bugging him. "However, the reward for the winner is something I won't accept! You of all people should know that I'm a full-time college student da-daang it," he stuttered when he was about to curse.
Sai's stuttering came instead of him cursing was developed when I made it clear that he was not to swear in my presence. The first time this came up was when Sai and Ichika came home from school one day and had been cussing. Well, I wouldn't let that fly in any way shape or form so, I had tied Sai down as he had been the first to cuss and washed his mouth out with soap making sure the soap was as foul-tasting as I could come up with. I'd used fabric to keep him in the chair and a brush to get the soap into every corner. Ichika had been next to Sai and received the same treatment after I finished with Sai. I wouldn't have either of my little brothers breaking the rules I set nor even toe the line. Sai clearly remembered the cleanout when he had cursed in my presence and so didn't do so. Sai kept going after stuttering a near curse, "I don't have the time to be a class representative and do the responsibilities that come with it, choose someone else Chifuyu," he said sharply.
I listened to him, but Sai won't worm his way out of responsibility with me, "Good to see you remember not to cuss or swear in my presence Sai. Rest assured, I would take the time to go out and get some soap and then give your mouth a good cleansing." Sai flinched when I told him what I would do, but I continued, "But as I stated, the winner will be the class representative. Should you win, you'll have to rearrange things to fit in the responsibilities." I glared at my adopted little brother, "AND you better not throw the match to get out of this, I know you can beat Alcott. Should you toss the duel, what your fellow students will put you through will be a minor discomfort compared to what I'll do."
Sai shivered at thoughts of what I threaten to him should he throw the duel. However, he quickly began shaking in a different manner, one that I hadn't seen in some time. It denoted anger as well as untold frustration in a mixture that he had years ago. He was going through an internal battle, what over, I couldn't say. Sai and I had drifted apart over the last three years and to see the signs of it wasn't nice, it had started after Ichika died. Yet, my attention shifted back onto Sai as the expressions going across his face were some he reserved for very specific people. His breathing became ragged and he was letting out unintelligible sounds before he managed to form words again. "Grr, Go-ah-osh daaa-ng it," he slurred with effort.
The stuttering was getting worse quickly which spoke up something that was irking him very badly. "I wouldn't be here if that dumb f-reaking bunny wasn't blackmailing me," Sai growled.
That caught my attention for there was only one individual that he called 'bunny' and variation of rabbit and that was Tabane Shinonono. And for Sai to claim that she was blackmailing him, I wouldn't put it past her, but the question is why.
"And I vow that the second I find out where her, her… Sorry Chifuyu, I can't be nice about this anymore… not with that woman!" Sai took a deep breath, "As I was saying, once I find her f**king hiddie hole, she better be finishing saying her final prayers! Because she'll be feeling my wrath for this sh*t that she forced me into. And when I get my hands on her, mark my words, I'll shove the consequences and punishment up her ass so far that she'll never forget it even if I have to raze her entire damn lab to the ground to do it, and the Lord knows I will," Sai got out softer than a bellow as he doubtlessly wanted others to hear this.
What did Tabane do to get Sai so worked up?! Granted, the two or rather, the three creators of the Infinite Stratos didn't part under the best terms. I'd helped Sai leave as he had been injured a short time before the parting of the ways occurred, and Alice Masta simply disappeared. But by the sound of it, other things had happened between them then and now that I wasn't aware of. I stared at Sai, somewhat confused, "Wait, what? Tabane is doing what now," I asked.
My little brother glared back at me and answered, "Yeah, the f**king rabbit is blackmailing me and that's the reason I'm here Chifuyu. Do you really think I'm here to live it up or become a stupid playboy? You know how I feel about anything that has my libido in any way involved."
It's true, Tabane and Alice had pretty much made sure that Sai didn't like anything to do with sexuality. Honestly, Tabane had gotten close to molesting Sai, it's why I aim for her head when I take shots at her. Sai kept going, "Then, I finished the time in high school years ago that I was 'required' to do. You of all people should understand why I don't want to repeat those times of imprisonment. I doubt you've forgotten the days I would come back with markings of being beaten on any given day."
Indeed, I recall the first few times Sai came back from school with bruises and even black-eyes from time to time. I had gone to high school, but the fool that was the principle of the place did nothing to change things. "Heck, you were at my graduation Chifuyu, you had fun laughing at the difference in height between me and my classmates as well as how I looked in my robes that were improperly sized as I recall," Sai said and I held in the snickers at the memory.
Sai hadn't fit the robes that he had been given for high school graduation, he had close to a foot of the material bunched around his feet that I hemmed. "I'll make that airheaded bunny regret forcing me to come here for whatever damn reasons she has in that mind of hers, likely for her own entertainment! I already had college life planned out, but God knows that it hasn't ever mattered to the hasenpfeffer what I've planned or what I want. She's more interested in making me her entertainment show by causing me misery and hardship! Her ass will be whipped by me in person and I'll enjoy every freaking minute of it," Sai snarled.
Tabane, when will you learn that your ideas of what is acceptable and what is not driving others away? Sai is a perfect example of the point, Tabane liked if not loved Sai, but showed it in a way he was repelled by.
-Sai's pov-
The rest of the morning passed fairly slowly and it was hard not to put my head on the desk and dose off, that's how bored I was. Yet should I do that, Chifuyu would then have an excuse to hit me and I had enough of a headache already with the prospect of being shoved into a job I hadn't the time or the desire to fill. I mean, I knew things wouldn't be easy when the Bunny forced me into this, but I hadn't thought things would go like they were setting up to be. When lunchtime came around, I was in a slightly better mood as the afternoon was for classes I liked and wanted to participate in. I won't be surrounded by females of my age group for a little while, thank goodness. The afternoon couldn't come fast enough in my opinion!
My first lecture being Nanotechnology as my initial impressions had told me, this class would be amazing and extremely applicable to my work! The female professor sounded and looked kind of strict though I can't say for sure as I don't know the professor that well. But that's a small price to pay for the knowhow on the subject as I'm fascinated by it. The lecture that followed the first was on Prosthetics which is another subject I'm taking serious notes in. The reason for that would be after an incident with a piece of equipment on my IS unit went bad, I had been looking for a way to solve the problem. The test for the interfacing system had nearly put me into a coma… so, thought it might be a good idea to study up on some things before trying something like that again. The equipment uses the same principles as prosthetics do, or at least the experimental ones, hence the class of Advanced Prosthetics.
With the duel looming a week from Sunday, the rest of the school week went by without a great deal to note. Yes, I was being forced into the position of being flirted with by my peers and some attempted seductions. What they didn't know was my experience in this kind of thing was being put to use in countering the actions. How might one ask, do I have such experience? Because that's pretty much sums up what non-class time turned out to be for my first semester of college life. Those women are much more persistent than these high school girls are. Nevertheless, the weekend at long last came and that meant things for me to do.
Saturday was my first of two free days and I would need both for preparations for the duel. After getting myself out of bed a little before seven in the morning as I sleep in a bit on the weekend, I grabbed my computer terminal and the two-piece outfit that was my pilot suit and got ready to go off to get my IS unit. Once I'd gathered my stuff, I quietly left the room so that I didn't wake up Houki. I left the school campus and to the location that I had agreed to meet my Russian friend and his crew who were transporting my magnum opus here to Japan. When I met up with my acquaintance and his team, they moved my project to the academy to the IS bay that I had arranged with the headmistress to store and work on my IS unit. Once my unit was unloaded, I turned to my friend, "Sergio, you have my heartfelt thanks for getting my IS unit here," I said and then bowed, "I do really apologize for the crap US customs put you and your team through on this."
My friend Sergio waved a hand, "Don't worry yourself comrade, the American Government has always been nosy with things that are not their business. We have become used to their agents pestering about what we are transporting, it is a common lack of manners they have. Sipping Vodka would help them out, but they tend to disagree comrade," he said, his Russian accent clear in his voice.
Sergio and his team left after my unit was in the bay, and I focused back on my unit. There was no one else in the bay other than me and that was fine as it's very unwise to leave my IS out where anyone can have access to it whenever they want. Granted, my unit can't be accessed by any random idiot, and yes, there's been one or two of those who have tried. But with the security measures, I built in this unit… well, the results of at least one of those incidents the perp didn't live through the attempt. You don't want the details, it wasn't pretty at all to see, less so after seeing the medical evidence of what happened. It's not like I designed the security countermeasures with causing permanent damage in brain. They were supposed to just disable perps, so I guess I was just a bit too enthusiastic in what I employed.
I looked over my unit trying to decide where to start this day's work for there was a lot to do by my figuring. As the unit was in standby mode right now, it looked kind of like a human in the fetal position. I couldn't help the feeling of pride and a bit of awe taking in what I had been putting together close to four years now. Staring at my IS, I could for a brief moment understand why the metal eared bunny would want to see it. Metal ears and I don't get along on a personal level any longer, but we had mutual respect for the other's work to a degree. It doesn't change the fact that I'll be giving her a serious beating when I find her. The thing is neither the bunny nor the doll knows specifically how I designed this marvel of engineering and machinery.
The custom design I came up with has no other unit like it in the whole world, I guarantee that fact. With the unique qualities and capabilities, there's one in particular that I don't want the dumb bunny, or the life-sized doll, nor even Chifuyu to know. My unit's core is made from the remains of IS prototype core zero which I was the test pilot for. It's the 'twin' of IS prototype core one, which had been used for the IS known to the world as the 'White Knight', which Chifuyu was the pilot for. That's one of the reasons why core zero was known as the 'Black Knight'. However, there had been issues with core zero, but that's not up for discussion right now.
Nevertheless, that's just where I started this project, the core that the unit runs off of is my attempt to rebuild and fix the core zero. I'm convinced that it has the potential to be able to outdo even the IS prototype core one given time. Most of the limitations that the unit has been more due to the pilot's capabilities and limitations rather than the machine's performance levels. And perhaps, some of its previous issues and quirks that it had comes from core zero or its support system.
Coming out of my trance of pride with seeing the results of years of hard work, I set down my mobile computer terminal and switched it on. While it loaded, I locked the room and came back to the terminal, the system loaded in less than a minute waiting for my next command. I put the system into a mode that would allow access from anywhere within the room through vocal commands. After setting up the terminal along with securing the room, I stripped off my clothes and put on the black short sleeve top that was skintight much like a muscle shirt that covered my torso. That was followed by the black shorts that went down just below the knees and both pieces of clothing fit tightly yet allowed ease of movement.
Once I was dressed, I walked to be directly in front of the unit then raised my hand and touched my IS. There was the glow that came from the IS and its shape began changing, expanding and unfolding. After a minute the light went away, and I saw the front 'armor plate' had disappeared, and the shoulder pads front and back sections swing up to be in line with the rest of the shoulder pad. The head interfacing gear was higher than it was supposed to be; all this being done in preparation for me mounting the unit. In other words, it was waiting for me to get in so it could connect the controls for me to use.
The machine's size was now a little more than eleven feet in height and appeared much more intimidating. The suit was itself overall was grey in color mixed with parts that were red. The red was on the middle section of the shoulders on the outside of it, then there was the rectangle of red over the top of my privates. There's a gem-shaped piece of red was over the forward section of the middle of both my forearms and measured six inches and lastly, there would also be a stripe of red on the front plate restraint when it was in place.
The front restraint plate which would stick out about half a foot at heart level would have two vents will be set over my upper chest on either side. I hadn't originally planned for those in the design process, but after the first test and feeling the heat that was generated by the unit, I needed a means to not tax the cooling system as the amount of heat that was generated was much more than I had expected, they were the solution. The two dual-wing apparatuses set behind the shoulders and they still had their wings folded down. Although each of the four apparatuses had two wing units and their housing, and they were set one in front and the other behind the other.
Wasting no more time, I climbed up and mounted my IS inserting my legs into the slots at the top of the unit's legs. I felt both my hands and feet slid into the controls for the corresponding limbs of the unit before padding surrounded the rest of my legs and arms. Settling in, I straightened my spine pushing my back into the unit's pilot frame which felt kind of comfortable. When I did, a flash of light and the front restraint plate appeared before the plate pressed against me snuggly. There was a click as the pilot frame and restraints connected and locked together holding me in the unit. The shoulder pads' front and back pieces moved down and enclosed my shoulder with padding expanding to make sure the shoulder pads wouldn't be loose around my shoulder. My control interface headset lowered and once on my head where it was meant to be, it tightened down to make sure the input sensors received accurate signals. Within thirty seconds, I was fully locked in and held into my unit's restraint system.
Overall, everything should move pretty seamlessly with everything working as it is designed to which I expected. And now that I was in, this is when one of my security measures could come up if someone other than myself is in the unit. I took a deep breath before I said one line, "System activate, user Michale, code 'I'm alpha and omega'."
There was a period of silence because what I had just said was being processed, but then a humming was clearly heard as the unit came to life. This was followed by a mechanized voice speaking to me as the humming continued. "User information verified, Security measures disarmament initiated. System on-line, running system operations and performance checks."
I smiled at hearing the response as I had expected, "Corinthos, bring command display up and show system check progress," I said.
Corinthos was what I called the Support Advance Intelligence system or ironically the acronym of my own name. It pretty much managed all the systems of my personal unit and could run it without me if that was needed. The Black Knight had a similar idea to Corinthos which I did like, but there had been serious problems with that system. It had a habit of overstepping its bounds, it was because of that which led to Chifuyu destroying the IS in the end.
Yet, I'd personally built and designed the basis that made up Corinthos's core system and programing, leaving out the pieces that I believe caused the problems with its predecessor. Doing so would lessen the chance of a repeat of what happened with the Black Knight which I would like not to go through again. What that system had done to me haunts me even today, how it had superseded my control so completely. However, the ability of learning and self-modify its program had been points I made sure Corinthos had and it had been interesting to see the development, but that's a discussion for another time.
"Understood, executing command," replied Corinthos.
A display appeared in front of my face, information began going across my field of vision giving me readouts on the progress of my unit's boot-up being done currently. As I skimmed through the system info being displayed, I saw that everything was running as I wanted it to much like the first test of the core's primary systems I did months ago. That doesn't mean that it was to the point I would like it to be right now as it isn't. It really comes down to amazing performance versus smooth operation and I prefer a system to work overall rather than only have parts be usable personally.
"Unit booting process completed, primary systems are all green. Secondary systems have been disabled per current operation protocol," reported Corinthos.
The readings I'd seen looked acceptable, some could be better, but my unit isn't fully operational just yet even if I don't like admitting that. So, best to take acceptable rather than be picky right now with the Bunny forcing me into the current circumstances. The majority of the secondary systems aren't working reliably yet, and when I say 'aren't working reliably' I mean they have a fair chance of failing and some systems can do harm to me if that happens. That being said, I've always been of the mind that it's better to take the time to test something and make sure it works that to trust chance to have my back. So, I set them to be inactive at startup to prevent the whole system from the risk of crashing.
Because of the damn metal eared bunny, I'm forced to have to rush my work, so I can roll it out for use sooner than I want. That puts me in the position that I have to be careful about what I had active with my unit if I want things to not be worse than they are. Of course, the rabbit doesn't think about the potential danger she puts me in with her actions, I would be shocked if it ever crossed her mind. It is thoughts like that which will make revenge all the sweeter when I do find her, the tab she's collected will be obtained. Mark my words, that bunny will get a firsthand experience of just how good my IS performs in all ranges! I personally guarantee satisfaction in that kind of delivery and specifically to that particular recipient. "Corinthos, link suit unit's system to remote terminal to be recorded, then we'll go through the basic movement patterns to start this testing session," I stated.
"Acknowledge, connecting, suit information is now being recorded to the remote terminal," replied Corinthos after I'd given my statement.
Glancing down at the right arm with the clawed hand of the suit, I wiggled my fingers feeling the controls that had been connected to them respond. Noting that the unit's hand mimicked the same motion of my fingers as they were supposed to. Raising my arm and twisting my wrist, the unit did the same, which showed me that the IS was functional.
Once done with the simple tests of motor skill response, I set about doing the fine-tuning on my IS. The goal to make it ready for use in combat and to obtain that goal, there would be a lot of work to be done that I had planned originally to do over the next four to six months. I faced two standing problems in this task, first deciding which experimental equipment or systems should I keep for the duel if any and second, getting the IS working smoothly with what I chose to go with. After taking time to think and seriously weigh the important points to keep in mind for the duel, I made my decision on what I would keep and what I would leave out.
It pained me to do so, but I started with restoring the default system settings on the energy shield components. As much as I would love to keep the prototype defensive shielding system I was working on with the help of a friend at Cornell, I couldn't. The option for shielding was called Regenerating Enhanced Cycling Omni-Layer field or RECOL field. And I know my Chinese friend Jia would be disappointed which taking into account her cheerful personality and neat work, I can't in good conscience use what we had been developing at this point. As much as I trust our work, I know that it isn't ready for serious use yet and I need reliability more for the duel rather than versatility.
I wouldn't doubt that whatever weapon Alcott has with her IS would have extreme difficulty going against it if it works as it's designed to in theory. Yet there's where the issue lies, I can't be sure that the field would work as designed at this point. Then, even if there isn't a specific rule against such a piece of equipment, it's more because no one other than my friend and I have thought about such a thing as of yet that I know of. It would definitely be illegal in competitions after I got one use of it with three separate fields that work together for a solid defense, it's kind of unfair to my opponent.
The other system of note was a part of the propulsion for the suit. It was a piece I'm keeping, just in case I have a need for a trump card in the duel, doubt I will, but you never know. The English blonde might do something I don't expect and it's better to be safe than sorry I say. The special designed thrusters I made with the help of a few trusted friends as it could give me real speed! And I mean like supersonic speeds, not something that would be wise to use in small spaces. Plus, I made the thrusters to work with the piece of work that I'm not ready to use or risk doing so, again, it's the interface that I'm studying prosthetics for. Along with a respiration support system to help breathing not be labored are used during supersonic flying.
You see, for supersonic speed or faster, I discovered a consistent issue in the simulations and in real-world aircraft tests I've observed, that being the needed reaction time and not crash and get seriously hurt, if not killed. Unfortunately, human beings aren't physically able to react quick enough with limited space to work with and most aren't able to keep their head calm enough to have the optimal reaction time. That in mind, I came up with a way to make it possible to be able to be done, but it's still a work in progress. The new type of interface can grant faster reaction time, which is done by bypassing the body's responses and taking commands directly from the brain through the nerves that make up the brainstem. It doesn't feel pleasant at all, painful actually, more so after the connection became active. Takes very focused thinking and ignoring the strain put on the brain which isn't small.
Anyway, it took me the majority of the day to do the adjustments that were needed for my unit, I even had time for a short test flight. I only took short breaks for lunch and answering nature giving me a call. There were still tasks I needed to do to have my machine to a creditable operational level that I would want for the duel in eight days, but that will be saved for another day. Finishing the stuff that I could today by the evening in time to go out to pick up some dinner, I returned my dorm room. Barely had time to set my computer terminal back on the desk and sitting down unpack dinner preparing to look over the data that my IS had put out. That was the plan while I ate, but then the door to the dorm room flew open with a bang. Glancing over at the door to see Houki standing there breathing hard, glaring at me. I had a fork in hand and halfway to my mouth, I had to ask, "Hey Houki, what's going on with you?"
-Houki's pov-
How is it going with me, that's what he asks?! Sai has been gone all day, he had disappeared before I had even woken up and doesn't return until the evening, and he gives me that. Yes, I don't know a lot about Sai but saying something even if going out is good manners. So, I glared at Sai with frustration, "Where have you been all day?"
Sai took a bite of the food he had, then putting down his fork and swallowing before he spoke, "Well, as I have a duel a week from tomorrow, there is the need to make preparation. My personal unit arrived early this morning, it had trouble with customs as I've been told. Then, I used the rest of the day to make sure my IS is on its way to being in a good operational state so that I can fight a week from Sunday." Sai turned back towards his food, "Alcott needs no more handicap than that ego of hers supplies already."
He makes it sound like the match he has against Cecilia Alcott will be easy for him. The blonde's boasting may be annoying, but she's no novice at piloting an IS with her being a representative contender. And if Cecilia wins, then she will hold the victory over Sai's head for as long as she can, and he doesn't deserve that at all. After taking a moment to calm down, I refocused on Sai gaining a worried expression, "You sound confident for the fight, but be careful. Cecilia is a representative contender, I doubt it's only a title," I said.
Sai smiled at my reply, "Why Houki, I didn't know you cared, how nice of you," he said. My heart had skipped a beat at his smile and my face flushed at his comment of me caring about Sai. "Your concern while appreciated Houki as it is some of the few bits of genuine concern I've received around here, it is not needed. I've glanced at Alcott's profile, I know she isn't just all talk but can fight decently and I'm preparing for it," Sai finished.
I was still worried about Sai and the upcoming match against Cecilia even with the assurances that Sai gave. He returned to eating what he had for dinner, and I said nothing more to him on the subject of his fight with Cecilia. I got down to doing homework so that I might have tomorrow free to do as I wanted while Sai seemed to do the same.
Chapter end
A/n
I'm ending here and will be getting to the duel next chapter. You readers have likely seen that I've added more povs in with what I've changed. Please write a review, they help me improve my writing. Peace out until next time!