"Yoko...get this...to Jiban...he'll need it"

Zoe hands Yoko a necklace

"Not before I get you medical attention"

"Yoko!...listen to me...Jiban will die...if he doesn't...doesn't get...the necklace"

"But you'll die if you wait too long"

"Go...I'll call...for help myself"

"Alright, stay alive"

Yoko runs to the battle and then calls out to Naoto in Jiban form

*Jiban!, take this, it's from Kerenai!*

Yoko throws the necklace to Jiban who catches it and as soon as he puts in on he feels Zoe's special powers flowing through him and realizes that she had somehow managed to transfer her abilities to the necklace to give the wearer her own abilities and he uses that power immediately

*Arranyan winds!*

Eventually the battle ends and the two rush to Zoe's last known location and they could instantly tell that things weren't good because there were a couple of fellow officers and they were all looking grim

*Yoko, Jiban, the ambulance just took Zoe to the hospital but...*

*It's not good is it?*

*No, the medics weren't sure she'd even survive the trip to the hospital*

*Then let's go and see*

*Jiban, you need to head to the EDC base for treatment, we'll tell the EDC when we have further news so that they can tell you should you need treatment for longer than what we're there for*

*Understood*

And so Naoto goes to the EDC base for treatment and was sedated for two days to allow Ratchet and First-Aid in rotating shifts to complete the needed repairs, when he woke up he saw Yoko sitting next to his bed

*Naoto, it's...it's good to see you awake*

"How's Kerenai?"

"She...she's dead Naoto, she died before she could get to surgery"

"I see, I need to talk to her family about something and then..."

"Yeah, and then, her funeral's in two days by the way, according to Ratchet and First-Aid you'll be able to attend"

"How did her family take the news?"

"Not the greatest let me tell you, but the leaders are doing their best to act strong, but I know for a fact that they grieve whenever possible in private"

"I can imagine"

Once released from the hospital Naoto decides to wait until after the funeral to have the discussion he needed to have with Zoe's family

"You wished to speak to us in private Naoto?"

"Yes, the day Zoe died she...she basically gave me her powers through the necklace I now wear, I was wondering if you wanted the necklace back and thus her powers back"

The Cybertronians realize what Naoto was actually asking them about and they decide to talk privately to discuss the situation that they had been avoiding the entire time he had been unconscious and finally Optimus was the one to speak up

"Keep the necklace and the abilities that come with it Naoto, we'll help you train like we helped our daughter train in the use of her powers"

And so Naoto begins regular training with his newfound powers thanks to Zoe, during that training the EDC and police do their best to hunt down the rest of the group that had killed Zoe but so far hadn't had much luck

*Hey you two, any luck regarding the situation with Kerenai's killers?*

*No and the EDC isn't very happy about it either as you can guess*

*Understood, by the way what's with all the extra time at base Tamura?*

*That's private sir*

*Very well*

The group gets a case involving Bioron and while they don't solve it immediately they do eventually succeed in defeating the enemy and solving the case at the same time

"Naoto, is it just me or does it seem like Bioron has been getting bolder ever since they joined forces with EDC enemies?"

"It's not just you, even with no EDC enemy involvement this time it's like they think they can call those enemies in at any time and be answered positively"

"Which makes me wonder if they have a deal of some sort with EDC enemies"

"Agreed, guess we're going to the EDC base and asking them to investigate such a possibility"

"But not before we report our findings to our superiors"

"Good point, why are we taking the long way then Naoto?"

"Simple, there's something I want to check first"

"Understood"

Yoko found out that Naoto wanted to check a building out real quick to make sure that he was correct about structural integrity before making a report on it

"So...what was that about?"

"Needed to check the integrity of that building for a report and I need to let the bosses know they need to let the right people know that the building needs to be condemned due to unsafe conditions"

"Right, forgot that inspecting buildings for such issues was one of your jobs after...well you know"

"Indeed I do, now then to get back to the station and make our report"

"Right"

The two return to the police station and write their report on the case while Naoto also writes his report about the building he checked that needed to be condemned for safety reasons

*I understand Naoto, we'll see that the proper people deal with that building as quickly as possible*

*Thanks*

*By the way you two, this is a bit unrelated but...have you two seen Jiban in battle lately?*

*Oh is it about the abilities he suddenly has?*

*Yes, they are very similar to the one's Kerenai used to have before...*

*Yeah, she gave me a necklace to give to Jiban before...well in any case he started using those abilities immediately afterwords so I guess the necklace sort of...well transferred Kerenai's abilities to Jiban, at least to a degree from what I can tell*

*I see, I'll warn the officers to be careful then because she's mentioned in the past how dangerous her abilities can be, mentioned why she generally calls out her attacks unless complete silence is needed for success*

*Good idea*

*Also...my office you two, now*

The two head to the office and then simply wait for their superior to speak up again

*Naoto, how could you not tell us something so important when we know the truth about you?*

*I'm still training, plus I don't think it's wise for many people to know this right now, and how come we're talking about this in front of Yoko?*

*Because Yoko knows you're Jiban, we know that for a fact so don't bother to deny it*

*Okay that makes sense, but he's telling the truth by the way, it really is best that not many people know about his abilities so that we can surprise said enemies as much as possible*

*Very well, by the way I was wondering something, are you ever going to use the abilities in your Tamura form or not?*

*Not sure yet but I don't think so, not if it can be helped at all so that no one connects me with Jiban*

*Understood, by the way have you guys had any more leads about...*

*No, and trust me that's making the situation worse*

*I can only imagine what it's like for them, after all...it's their daughter and they've only had a few years with her after that year and a half of thinking her dead before*

*Yeah*

*I also noted that both of you are now considered EDC liaisons for us*

*Yes, it's for the best really, especially if he has to do something in his Jiban form and can't liaison for a bit as Naoto*

*Understood, however I need you guys to make something clear to the EDC next time you guys meet them*

*What is it? *

*They only get one of you guys at any time for a sudden mission involving the police and EDC at the same time for whatever reason*

*Understood, we'll talk to them about that*

*Good*

*However, don't be surprised if they ask for both of us to report to base for training purposes*

*That I'll allow since it makes sense, but only training purposes*

*Don't worry if needed we'll make them understand that*

*Good, by the way Tamura we've received a message regarding Jiban from some sort of group that isn't affiliated with the EDC and yet asked the EDC to give something to the police for Jiban*

*I see...what exactly were you given anyways to pass onto me?*

*It's a box, why the EDC couldn't give it to you themselves is beyond me considering the situation*

*Probably simply keeping a promise sir*

*Maybe, do you want to open it here in private?*

*Here, it's for the best actually*

And so Naoto opens the box and it reveals not only several of his weapons that he'd used during his years of captivity but also pictures and information about his captors that hadn't been used in the recent trial against them for the simple fact that they hadn't been discovered at that time

*Tamura...this find is something that I think you needed without you realizing it*

*Yes, even if I never actually use these weapons again, not only is it good to know that they are no longer in circulation but they're also reminders of that time period that I need*

*How so Naoto?*

*Because Yoko, these weapons are a reminder that I did go through what I sometimes think is a dream, plus they're a reminder that we're not alone out there in that galaxy, that there are people who are like the EDC even if they do not fall under EDC jurisdiction*

*Though I bet you were hoping for the information we have regarding your captors sooner*

*Yes, but it will help in the future should they show up again and the EDC is there, and we might have leads on whoever killed Zoe*

*Good point, plus having others who are not affiliated with the EDC and yet do at the very least similar work must help the EDC out in ways I can't even imagine*

Suddenly the phone rang and while the Captain answered it he quickly passed the phone to Naoto

*It's for you Tamura*

*This is Tamura...* (switches to English?) "Wait...what did you just say?...I see...I see...okay I can be there within the hour...right...okay...see you soon"

Yoko immediately makes sure that the Captain was involved by speaking in Japanese feeling that it was important to emphasize that both parties needed to know what the phone call was about

*Naoto, what's wrong?*

*Someone's desecrated Zoe's grave and stolen her body*

*Okay they're dead*

*Exactly, when we find out who did it we're going to prosecute them to the fullest if they don't resist arrest*

*Those that resist arrest enough are dead*

*Yes they are, and even if they don't resist you can bet that the EDC will ask for extremely long sentence terms*

*Good point, that's their daughter after all, in any case though I am now officially ammending my earlier statement regarding them having both of you at the same time*

*Sir?*

*They need you, both of you for this, not just because of the fact that she's a fellow police officer but you two are the most familiar with her and EDC enemies and since I'm sure they'll want police representation for this search...*

*Understood sir*

*However please tell them I want regular updates about my officers status*

*We'll make sure they know sir*

*Good, now get going, you're on permanent liaison assignment until further notice, as such nothing besides Bioron will be reported to you two*

*Understood*

An hour later and Yoko and Naoto were in a private meeting with the three Cybertronian leaders

"So you're sure you're allowed to simply work besides us the entire time?"

"Yes, we're on permanent liaison duty until further notice, though you are warned here and now that if Bioron attacks I at the very least will be called out to help"

"But of course Naoto, it's only natural that you are called to fight them"

"So...let's get started on finding the ones who desecrated her grave and stole her body"

"Indeed"

And so the search began and it soon became obvious that it was EDC enemies who had desecrated Zoe's grave and thus it was possible that the ones responsible were out in space and thus the search was quickly expanded from Earth to the far reaches of outer space, though Earth would be thoroughly searched in the meantime

*Do you think we should split up Naoto?*

*Why are you asking Yoko?, and what do you mean by splitting up anyways?*

*I stay on Earth while you travel the universe with the EDC, as for why I'm asking it's just...sometimes splitting up makes things go faster in regards to leads*

*You have a point, okay then that's what we'll do, however Yoko if it becomes obvious the ones who took her body and desecrated her grave while doing so aren't on Earth you may need to make a decision of you'll stay Earthbound or not*

*I'll think about it Naoto, in the meantime though you have a search out in space to start and hopefully finish*

*Agreed, watch your back while I'm away, though I trust the EDC with our lives...*

*I know and understand, and the same instructions go to you by the way*

*I understand Yoko*

And with that the two officially split up to deal with the problem that they were handed that day

"So...you and Zoe didn't get much time together ultimately did you?"

"In regards to working together?, no we didn't, but I treasure what work we did do together all the same"

"Well, we have our work cut out for us"

"Yes, we do...Jazz?"

"Yes?"

"How did she do it? I mean searching for my supposed killers must have been hard so how did Zoe do it for as long as she had?"

"She was determined to give everyone closure"

"I can only imagine just how determined"

And so Jiban is finally in space once more and a month into his search the EDC are contacted by someone they weren't expecting to hear from again, especially not after everything else that had happened the last time they had been in contact with the person.

"EDC, this is Linsaranto, I heard about Kerenai and am offering my official help in finding her"

"Linsaranto, I thought you were told to remain home and not risk being captured ever again"

"My family and I agreed only recently that I was better off in the field so I help intergalactic police regularly and am now wanting to join the EDC"

"I see, very well are you at your home planet or not?"

"Not, I am currently in my own small ship about an Earth hour or so away from your current location"

"Okay, we'll maintain our position then, also Jiban is with us in his human form"

"Understood, I remember fighting him though he wouldn't remember fighting me due to the circumstances behind that fight"

"I see, I look forward to meeting you and actually remembering it"

"Same here"

An hour later and Linsaranto was on board the EDC vessel