Chapter 3: Discussion

Sven POV

At the next day, Rinslet called me by phone to discuss about nanotech data. She said that she was searching for it too as the news was spread in the government since the Eden incident left a bad memory for them. Anyway, she was happy that they hired her and would give much money as the reward. We agreed to meet at the Italian restaurant soon.

"What took her so long? It's almost a half hour after the agreed time," Train complained, sitting restlessly. He often glanced at the counter, looking so wanted to order food but I gave him an intimidating look.

"You had ordered a medium size tuna pizza, five bolognaise spaghettis, two lasagnas, an seven bottles of milk. Not to mention a dozen of chicken wings, half dozen of garlic breads, salad, and ice cream. No more food for you!"

"But waiting makes me hungry!"

"How can you survive alone and have savings while you have a huge appetite?" I muttered.

"I worked hard. I only chose to catch crooks with big rewards. At least, one target per week," he said proudly, then glanced at the clock impatiently. "Geez, she's so late."

"GUYS!" A happy feminine voice was heard from the entrance.

Train and I glared at her. But our anger faded as we saw Jenos with her.

She looked apologetically and said, "Honestly, I want to be on time. But Jenos' obsession with women ... um … I hope you two understand."

The Number VII grinned widely when Train and I stared at him blankly. Well, there was no way to refuse her reason as we knew his character.

I saw a big lump on his head. It looked like Rinslet had hit him for his sluggishness. I also saw the bandage around his right hand. It was strange, anyway, seeing a Number was injured.

Rinslet sat in front of me as Jenos sat beside her.

"Can I have your order?" A waitress came to us, ready to note.

"YES!" Train and Jenos answered enthusiastically for different reasons. Train was crazy about food, and Jenos was crazy about the waitress.

Train read the menu and mentioned what he wanted to eat. Another long list, I meant a long bill, was noted again. I was damn sure this restaurant would get a big profit just for today by serving a fanatical food lover, in this case, Train.

"My angel, instead of being a common waitress, please let m-…" Jenos couldn't continue his flirt as Rinslet hit his head again.

She frankly said to the waitress, "I'm sorry. He just watched soap operas too much. Just ignore what he said."

"O-okay." After writing our order, she left us.

"So, what information do you have?" I started discussing while waiting our food.

"I have good news," Rinslet replied.

"And I have bad ones," Jenos continued. "So, what news do you want to hear first?"

"Bad." Train said before I had a chance to say the same thing.

Jenos started, "Another data was stolen by Jock Morris when he took nanotech data."

"What data?" I asked.

"As you know, I was sent for this mission first. When I was fighting against his around 70 guards at his house, something weird happened. They had giant electric fans. My Excellion strings missed the target, not being able to stand against the horrible wind. Well, that was why I failed. My right hand broke when I was fighting without weapon. Now I can't use Excellion for at least two months. Next, Number X was sent. Well, his duty was only to get information, not to attack. He disguised himself. But before he could reach inside of the house, they detected him. Weirdness happened again. They used guns, shooting bullets that can freeze their target. In this case, they froze Seiren (?A/N: orihalcon clothes, Xiao Li's weapon). He failed his duty. But he got important information. They said something about Numbers data. Then Sephy-nee (A/N: As I know from anime, Jenos called Sephiria by this nickname) asked the Chronos administration to check their files. And do you know what the missing data is? It's Numbers list, including the explanations about identities, weapons, and abilities."

"Jock Morris stole it to anticipate those situations. He knew that one day Numbers would chase after him," I commented. "From the data, he made tools to overpower your weapons."

Jenos sighed. "The Numbers data was stolen. Numbers … from number one to twelve."

"… to twelve …?" Rinslet and I said hopefully.

Jenos nodded. "Number XIII data was still kept in Chronos administration. Jock Morris didn't steal it. I don't know why. Maybe because Number XIII data was kept in the separated file, in this case, an inactive file, and he didn't have any time to find it. Or maybe because he was recruited after Eden so he didn't care about the quitted or dead members. Or maybe this is a trap."

"Whatever it is, Train has a chance!" Rinslet said vigorously.

"So, what's the good news? Or is it what you've just said?" Train asked casually.

"Jock Morris disappeared, hiding behind Chronos' rival. Even his house and his research base were burnt," she explained.

"It's not good news. It's bad ones." Train protested.

"The good news is that I've found AC base. He's there!"

"AC?"

"AC. Anti-Chronos. The organization name. Its location is far from here, spending two days by car. It's also in the isolated area. It couldn't be found in the map. Difficult to get food."

"So, when will we go?"

"Tomorrow morning," I decided. "Today I'd like to prepare the ammunitions, tools, and food. Train, you had to prepare your stuffs. Rinslet, you'll lead the way. And Jenos …." I didn't know what I should say.

"Sorry, I can't join you." He gazed at his broken hand. "Also, Sephy-nee doesn't ask me."

"It's okay."

"And Sephiria's offer about help?" Train asked. "How many Numbers will we need?"

"Their data was kept by our enemy. We can't ask them to help us!" Rinslet grumbled.

"Hey! I just need confirmation if we need them or not. Sephiria's waiting, you know?"

"Just inform her that we can do it by ourselves for now," I said flatly. "Just make sure that she's ready to be an urgent helper."

"Sven! Numbers can't help us!" Rinslet kept persistent. "Their weapons and abilities aren't …."

"I didn't say we need them! Just think about transportation and medicine!" I replied, annoyed. "We'll enter enemy's area quietly, but when we go out from there after mission, success or not, we'll need fast transportation and medicine. Chronos can provide them."

"Fine."

"You're a long-term thinker, Sven," Jenos stated. "Is that because of your former job, IBI agent?"

"Maybe."

"Your order!" The waitress came as our discussion was over.

TBC ….