-0400 HRS. IS Academy tracks. Day 2.-

Alex was doing an early jog, wearing a grey shirt, black vest, olive cargo pants and his trainers. The song "Shattered" by Rolling Stones blared on his headphones as he jogged.

30 minutes later, he stops to do some stretching. He sighed as he felt his bones crackle in every stretch me made. Next he used a tree as a punching bag. He added some kicks to his moves. But he had the feeling he wasn't alone. As if someone was spying on him.

"Anyone there?" He stopped and looked around. No one was there. "Must have been the wind." He continued until it was 5:00 in the morning.

"Time to pay someone a little visit..."

-0500 HRS. Dojo-

He went to the dojo and continued his exercise with some push-ups, sit-ups and some shadowboxing. The same song still blares through his headphones. As he continued to work out, the memories of him piloting an IS while pursuing the Syndicate pilots still roam around his mind. His punches and kicks went harder than the last.

He slumped near one of the benches as he sat down and took a breather, only to have someone hand him something to drink from behind. "Thanks." He snatched the bottle from her hand.

"You're here awfully early." Houki's voice was heard. Alex was surprised to hear a familliar voice. He turned his head to see Houki and Ichika, in Kendo uniforms.

"I got used to it." He scoffed as he took a large gulp of water. "I guess now's the time we get to know each other, huh?"

"Sure, If you can still spar with us." Ichika offered.

"Go on ahead, man. I'll join you in a while." Alex waved his hand, gesturing them to continue.

After half an hour, he borrowed Ichika's shinai and started to spar with Houki. "Would you mind telling me about youself, Alex?" She asks as she swings her shinai at him.

"I'm not the one to run my mouth in a fight." He answers as he blocks and counters. Houki shrugged as she landed hits on Alex, who was blocking and countering.

"Quick reflexes!" Houki exclaimed as He dodged and landed a slam on her. "You're not giving up this easy, are you?" Houki asked. "Not just yet!" Alex scoffed.

"How are you able to Pilot an IS?" Houki's question caught him off-guard, giving him a slam to the head and a few slams to the midsection. A flashback sets where Alex was beaten to a pulp. As his mind shifts back to reality, Houki disarms him, but his old instincts start to kick in. As she's about to point her shinai at him, he side-steps and slides forward.

"What the?!"

He grabbed her wrist and leg-sweeps her foot, making her fall on her back.

"Alex!" Ichika yelled.

Alex snaps out of his trance and started to help her up. "I'm so sorry. Old instincts kicked in. You all right?"

"Yeah..." She tapped his shoulder. "Not bad for a policeman." She scoffed. "Guy from the Metro division taught me to use one."

"I see. He must have been a strict person." Houki assumed. "Not really, He's kind of a knucklehead." Alex shook his head.

"So... How are you able to Pilot an IS?" Houki asked him again.

"I really don't want to talk about it."

Alex handed Ichika's shinai over. "You're quite good in kendo, Alex-kun. Want to warm up with us for a while?" Ichika offered. As Alex was about to answer, his phone rang.

"Yes?"

"You're needed at the faculty room, Immediately." It was Chifuyu's voice. Alex was surprised.

"Roger that, I'll be on my way." He ended the call. He turned to the two with heads tilted.

"I'm needed for now. Catch you guys later all right?" Alex patted Ichika's shoulder. They nodded and he waved goodbye and headed off. "Let's do this again sometime!"

"Even here, he takes his work with him." Ichika said. "But the way he took the shinai from you, Houki... that was kinda unnerving." He looked at Houki while she rubs her wrist.

"He's a Police officer, Ichika. And I'm sure there were times where he had to defend himself." Houki sighed.

-0600 HRS. Faculty room-

"You wanted to see me, Orimura-Sensei?"

"Your supervisors called me, Saying that they'll be delivering your IS this afternoon." Chifuyu said.

"Strange. They said they'll be delivering it in 2 days." Alex was unnerved. "They said that they were finished earlier." Chifuyu explained.

"Oh yeah. Here's the Police reports that they want me to file in." He handed a clipboard to Chifuyu.

Alex was offered a cup of coffee. "Sit down, Officer. I want to ask a couple of questions." He picked up the cup.

"I'll stand."

"You seem to be troubled by the time you came here. Pushing yourself hard like that can hurt badly. What's wrong?" Chifuyu asked.

"...I guess I'm just surprised that I can pilot one of those things." Alex sighed. "Is that all?" Chifuyu asked.

"I don't want to talk about the rest. I want this to wrap around my head more..." He was beginning to lose his nerve. "Take it easy, Fields. Don't force yourself too hard on it. Understand?" Chifuyu held his shoulder.

"Y-yes... Sensei."

"I'll send this report to your superiors. Dismissed. Now go change, and I'll see you in class." He gave a salute and headed off. He went back to his room.

As he opens the door, he snatched a towel and went to take a shower. 15 minutes has passed and he's out from the showers. He put on his uniform and headed out the door.

-0615 HRS. Cafeteria-

He picked up today's specials and a cup of coffee. "The first one wasn't enough..." He whispered to himself.

He sat on the table alone and started to enjoy breakfast.

"Alone again, Alex-kun?" Ichika's voice was heard. "Morning to you too, kiddo." Alex greeted before taking a sip.

He offered a seat and continued eating. "Where's Houki?" He asked. "Ah... She finished early." Ichika answered.

"Ichika, Mind If I ask something? That is... If it's cool with you." Alex asked. Houki's "Tsundere attitude" was still fresh from his mind.

"Yeah, sure." Ichika nodded.

"Not that I want to meddle but... What's with you and Houki?" Alex cleared his throat.

"Oh that? To be honest, I don't know either. It's been 6 years since we last saw each other." Ichika answered, scratching his head.

"6 years? Man... That's gotta be hard for her. What was she like before those 6 years?" Alex's eyes were wide open.

"She was nice. Maybe a bit too prideful and too stubborn, but she was a nice person. I train with her every single day before the whole IS thing. We're childhood friends to be exact." Ichika explained.

"Ah... I see. You know, the way people behave to each other change as time passes." Alex stated. "You think so?" Ichika tilted his head.

"It's pretty obvious, brother. In Houki's case, It's from 'I Miss you' to 'I'm gonna kill you' kind of thing. Getting my point here?" Alex exaggerated, Making Ichika chuckle by his expressions.

"Yeah. I think I got it." Ichika snickered.

"I think I got something to cool her nerves." He sprang up an Idea.

"Well, what is it?" Ichika paid close attention.

"Try to mention something new about her- New looks, New clothes, Anything that's new about her. Give her a few compliments about it." Alex advised.

"Yeah... I think I should do that a bit more often." Ichika rubbed his jaw. "More often? Did you do it at one point of time?" Alex asked.

"Well... There's that night when she wore a new sash." Ichika remembered.

"There ya go! You're doing it already!" Alex exclaimed. "Wait for the right moment, and DON'T do it too much. Otherwise she might think of something else. Capiche?" He warned. "Haha. You got it." Ichika noted.

"All right. Let's finish up. Your sister ain't gonna be happy if we're late." Alex patted his shoulder and continued eating.

-0630 HRS. Room 1-1-

Alex and Ichika enters the classroom. Despite being early there were a handful of students already in.

"You're here early." Cecilia noticed the two.

"Hallways were empty as usual."

"Have you and Ichika-kun been doing something else?" Cecilia asked.

"Besides having breakfast? No. We're supposed to be here minutes ago, to be honest." He looked at his watch. They still have almost half an hour left.

They went to their seats and waited for the spare time to burn. Ichika was talking to another student, Alex was writing some notes. He overhears a rumor.

"Did you hear? There's gonna be an assembly later." Shizune whispered.

"I heard. I wonder what's it for?" Another student asked.

"Must be important." Alex thought to himself.

"Ichika!" A girl's voice sprang from the doorway.

"Rin?! What is it now?" Ichika asked as he looks at a petite figure from the doorway.

"I just want to ask if we can train together this afternoon!" The girl answered.

"It's my turn to train him!" The girl was getting on Cecilia's Nerves.

"As if!" The girl scoffed.

"Why I ought to-" Cecilia was stopped when they hear the bell ring.

"How about a mock battle later?" The girl asked Cecilia.

"Fine! You're on!" Cecilia accepts.

"I'll be back. Don't you run away Ichika!" She headed out after saying that.

"Not again..." Ichika asked himself. "Psst. Kid. You know her?" Alex whispered.

"I'll talk about it later."

-1000 HRS. School assembly-

"It's been quite a while since I had these." Alex said to Ichika, reminiscing. "What? School assembly?" Ichika asked.

"Pretty much. Every Monday when I was in high school." Alex shrugged. "Do you miss them? Your friends in High school?" Ichika tilted his head.

"Not even a bit. They're a bunch of assholes anyway." Alex sneered in disgust. "You must be exaggerating again, Alex." Ichika chuckled.

"It's High school, Ichika. Everyone's an asshole."

The students, including the two of them stared at the stage and stayed quiet. "Now, Our student council president will announce and detail a few events." The girl said in the stage. As she exits, another girl stepped in. She had short, light blue hair and dark red eyes. Her IS Uniform is different, Besides the standard White and red, she had this light blue-green vest and maroon leggings.

"Well, well. Things have been hectic this year, so I wasn't able to introduce myself. I am Tatenashi Sarashiki, your Student Council president." The girl introduced herself. As she winked at the boys, Ichika's eyes widened and Alex raised an eyebrow.

"As for the School festival coming on this month, I wish all of you good luck, deciding what to do as a class." As she wished good luck to the students, she unfolded her fan with something written in kanji.

"Deadline coming soon, hm? I have a lot of stuff to catch on." Alex thought to himself as he sighed in silence.

-1200 HRS. Rooftops-

"Peace and quiet." Alex looked around the rooftop to see a serene view of the academy. He tightened the paper bag that held his lunch as he sees an empty shade under a tree. As he approached the shade, His attention is caught by someone on the other side.

"Fields!" Ichika called him. He turned his sights on Ichika. He's hanging out with a few girls- Including the ones he met at the café.

"Orimura." Alex greeted as he approaches them. "So much for peace and quiet..." He thought.

"Good to see you, Ichika." Alex said as he slightly loosens up.

"You too, Alex. You're going to eat alone again? Why don't you sit with us? I insist." Ichika moved closer to one of the girls.

"I'll pass. I think I might be being rude here..." Alex stammered.

"Oh? Why?" Ichika tilted his head.

"Well... You're having a good talk with your friends there and I thought that barging in might be rude."

"It wouldn't be rude if I called you to eat with us." Ichika chuckled. "Oh yeah... Good point." Alex said after analyzing what he said. He sat next to Ichika and Cecilia.

"Ah. Girls, this is Alex Fields." Ichika introduced him to the girls. "Mind if I Know your names?" Alex stepped in.

"Lingyin Huang. Nice to meet you, Fields-kun!" The petite girl from the classroom shook his hand.

"Just Alex, thanks." He nodded at Lingyin. "We call her Rin sometimes." Ichika added. "Rin, huh? Cute." Alex complemented, making Rin's face turn slightly to red.

"Cecilia Alcott- Of course you already knew." Cecilia smiled. "Of course." Alex tilted his head. "Oh yeah. Here." He pulls out a small bundle of hairpins from his front pocket. "If you want me to teach you how to pick a lock, just call." Alex said. "Why thank you, Alex!" Cecilia smiled as she took the hairpins.

"Houki Shinonono." The girl that Ichika was with in the Dojo shook his hand. "Shinonono... You mean you're..." Alex was about to finish when she looked away. "I understand. Look, I've heard only the name, but I never laid eyes on the creator." Alex explained. "Let's keep it that way. All right, Alex?" She requested.

"Yeah, sure. You got it, Houki." He nodded at her. He sets his eyes on the two girls that he met at the cafe. "Have we met?" Alex examined the two.

"Charlotte Dunois." The blonde girl with the ponytail shook his hand. She smiled at him as she introduces herself. "You okay? Your hand's shaking." Alex asked her. "I-I'm fine." She stammered.

"Laura Bodewig." The platinum-haired girl with an eyepatch told her name and continued to eat.

"So Alex, Where are you from?" Charlotte asked him.

"Los Angeles." Alex answered before he takes a bite. "I'm guessing all of you are IS Representative candidates?" He asks them. "Yes. Houki and I are representing Japan. England for Cecilia, China for Rin, France for Charlotte, and Germany for Laura." Ichika answered.

"You know we were surprised that you're the Representative candidate of the US." Charlotte said.

"A Police officer as an IS Pilot. A Dangerous combination, ain't it?" Alex sighed. "Ja, but just a bit." Laura answered.

"Wait! You're what?!" Rin's eyes widened. "What? You didn't know, Rin? Alex is a police officer." Laura tells Rin.

"LAPD. Here, I have my gun and badge to prove it." Alex gave his badge to Lingyin and unholsters his service pistol. He takes off the magazine and removes the bullet out of the chamber. "May I have a look?" Laura reached her hand. Alex gave his gun to her.

"...This is a Beretta 8045. But the barrel is longer than the one I used back in Germany." Laura slightly widened her eyes as she examines the gun.

"Yeah, it's an 8045F. The longer barrel was a department standard. But that was a good observation there." Alex said as he loads the ejected bullet into the magazine. Laura gave his pistol back and Alex reloaded the magazine, placing it back to his holster.

"Guns aren't allowed in the academy. You do know that, Alex?" Houki said as she pointed at his waist.

"I already told my situation to the staff as I came in here. So I'm into clear." Alex explained. "So Rin. Do you believe me now?" He shifted his eyes on the Chinese representative holding his badge.

"I-I'm sorry." She lowered her head. "Nah, It's all right." Alex assures her.

"Would you mind telling us your story?" Charlotte asked him. Alex looked at Ichika and the girls. Almost everyone wanted to know how he got here in the academy in the first place.

"I don't know if I'm ready to talk..." Alex paused for a few moments.

"We want to know, Alex. We've been asking you since." Houki persuaded.

"Now, Now, Houki. I'm sure he's been through a lot for a few days. Cut him some slack." Charlotte defended, remembering how he looked like back in the cafe.

"Erm... Alex, Would you like a sandwich?" Cecilia opened her bento and offered him some. Ichika and the girls were staring in horror. Alex picks up one of her sandwiches and takes a bite. The rest looked if there's any reaction.

"How is it?" Cecilia asked. "Could use some mayonaise next time. But it's not bad at all. Thanks, Cecilia." Alex said as he finishes the sandwich. Overwhelming joy tickled Cecilia's heart. The rest were completely surprised.

"Hey. I don't want to hear another police stereotype. You hear me?" Alex reprimanded her. "O-Of course! I'm terribly sorry!" Cecilia stammered as she apologized, remembering the cold glare that the officer gave to him.

"I can't believe it! But Cecilia's cooking is terrible! How is he able to hold it in?!" Ichika thought to himself.

"All right, fine. I won't tell much. But the bottomline is that I arrested three or four IS Pilots." Alex sighed as everyone moved closer.

"Let me guess. You were in a chase while piloting one of them before the arrest?" Laura asked. "That's right. That was a good guess." Alex nodded.

"How did you pilot an IS then, Alex?" Houki asked the same question. "You got me. I don't know either, Houki. One of them had no pilot when I approached it. When the thing activated, next thing I know is that... I'm piloting one of those things." Alex sighed.

"To think that it all happened when I was just about to start my career in SWAT." He held his forehead.

"Special Weapons And Tactics?" Laura asked, Alex nodded.

"So what happened? I mean... after the arrest?" Rin asked. "With me piloting an IS going abuzz in the department, I was told that I'll be transferred to the academy right on the dot. I turned it down at first." Alex scoffed in frustration.

"Why? Don't you like it here?" Ichika asked. The girls started to stare at him coldly. "No, it's not like that. I didn't want to piss away all the hardwork I did to get in the force." Alex's temper was starting to rise slowly.

"Well, how did they convince you?" Cecilia asked. "They told me that I'll still be a cop even if I'm a student here. After that I didn't waste a single second to pack my stuff. And * pfffft* Off I go to Japan. I had to stay in an apartment and roam around just for a couple of days." The girls lost their cold stare when he told his reasons. Alex shifted his eyes on Laura and Charlotte.

"...That's where you two found me." Alex pointed his finger at Laura and Charlotte. Everyone's eyes shifted towards the two girls. Laura and Charlotte looked away.

"Wh-what is he doing?!" Laura's thoughts were in panic.

"Oh no... Alex, please don't tell him that we worked there!" Charlotte pleaded in her mind.

"You two know him?" Ichika asked. "I... we... erm..." Charlotte stammered.

"Not really. They were just having a snack at a cafe. I think the name was Cafe cruise." Alex tilted her head. Charlotte looked at him in surprise.

"The one where some robbers took a few hostages?" Houki asked. "Yeah, I- er... We fought them." Alex said. "We?" Cecilia asked.

"By the time the hostage-taking happened, cop instincts kicked in. When I told them to drop the guns, they took them on from out of the blue. So we worked together. Man, the way they fight was just... amazing." Alex sighed.

"So those two part-time workers..." Rin was about to finish her sentence. "Nope. There were no part-time workers. Just customers." He added.

"That was dangerous! Did they know that you two were IS Representatives?" Cecilia asked the two.

"They were already away from the scene before anyone could recognize. I'm the one that helped them." Alex stepped in. "What about you?" Rin pointed at him. "I showed my badge to the authorities and walked away without any heat on my back." He explained.

"So... about the whole student thing... You're a cop AND a student?" Rin asked. "That's right." Alex nodded. Laura and Charlotte sighed in relief.

"Hold on. You piloted an IS Right, Ichika?" Rin asked.

"Yeah... Now that you mentioned it, Rin... Mind spilling the beans for us?" Alex was interested in hearing Ichika's story.

"Well... The entrance exams took place in a community center. I got lost and I stumbled on a restricted area. Didn't realize that I was in with an IS Unit. After that, well... the IS Just activated. After that I've been sent here ever since." Ichika answered.

"Oh... That's quite a story there, Ichika. I guess we're at the different sides of the same boat." Alex said. "Yeah… I guess you can say that." Ichika chuckled.

"Do you want to train with us this afternoon, Alex?" Cecilia asked. "I hope so… My IS unit was supposed to be delivered in two days. But the tech monkeys back in America were finished in making it. So it'll be delivered this afternoon." Alex answered.

"I guess those "Tech Monkeys" aren't monkeys after all." Laura asked. "Pretty much." Alex chuckled.

"By the way, thanks for saving my behind yesterday." Ichika thanked him. "Sure. Let me guess. You're gonna have your behind roasted for being late." Alex guessed. "That's exactly right!" Ichika was surprised.

"He's got a heck of an intuition, I'll give him that." Houki thought.

"Don't take the wrong idea but... I'm starting to like it here already." Alex smiled a bit. "I'm glad. Welcome to IS Academy then. Hope that we can get along." Charlotte welcomed him.

"We'll be getting along just fine." Alex nodded.

-1500 HRS. Room 1-1-

Girls chatted about ideas they wanted for the school festival as Alex pays attention, trying to come up with some ideas up his sleeve, but he gave up eventually. In the end, there were only 4 ideas on the screen, which were:

-Ichika Orimura's Host club

-Twister with Ichika Orimura

-Pocky play with Ichika Orimura

-The king game with Ichika Orimura

"Well… All of the suggestions for our class entertainment are… All denied!" Ichika said. There was complete proof that he didn't like the ideas at all.

"WHAT?!" The girls said in unison.

"Are you all insane or something?! Who would like to do that kind of stuff anyway?!" Ichika demanded.

"I would! I'm sure I would!" One of the girls answered.

"What?!" Ichika said.

"She's right! It's your duty to please girls! Even for someone like Alex-kun, he seems to be okay with that kind of duty!" Another student said.

"Oh boy… I think they heard what I said to Yamada-sensei last night…" Alex gulped.

"Ichika Orimura and Alex Fields are our common property!" Another student added, which led to everyone in the class to agree and plead not to reject these ideas.

"Alex, help me out!" Ichika pleaded. "You've been in this longer than I do. And besides, give the girls a chance." Alex chuckled, making a few girls swoon by his suggestion. Ichika sighed and looked at Maya for suggestions.

"Yamada-sensei, you CAN'T be serious on approving these crazy ideas, would you?" Ichika asked. "Well… I like the one with the Pocky." Maya said, blushing. Ichika sighed as he gave up and turned to his classmates.

"All right, fine. But I need at least something that's normal. Alex, you have any ideas?" Ichika asked.

"I got nothing, man. Sorry to burst your bubble." Alex said as he shook his head.

"How about a Maid Café?" Laura suggested from out of the blue, making everyone look at her idea.

"What? I'm sure it's going to be received well. And besides, an eatery will let you earn back the money that you spent on it." Laura explained.

"Hmm… I think it's a good idea. Why don't we have Ichika as butler and Alex as chef?" Charlotte suggested. As Alex looked at her, she smiled back.

"Orimura-kun as butler? Sounds great!" One of the students agreed. It led to a chain of suggestions.

"What about our maid uniforms?"

"I know how to sew!"

"That's it then! Maid café it is!" The girls agreed.

"What about you Alex-kun? Is it okay for you to be the chef?" One of the girls asked. Hearing Charlotte suggesting that he should be the chef, He realized a thing or two.

"It's been a while since I cooked. Sure, why not? I could use some assistants though." Alex nodded. The girls flocked at him saying "Pick me!" for several times.

"…Dangerous or not…"

Static and bits of words were heard from Alex's radio. Everyone became silent as they look at him. "Yeah go ahead, dispatch." Alex said.

"Fields, we got a Chifuyu Orimura waiting to be patched through." Dispatch reported. "Patch it through, Dispatch. It's urgent." Alex said.

"Fields, report to the arena 2 in training uniform." Chifuyu instructed.

"Copy that, sensei. ETA 20 Minutes." Alex replied as the transmission ended. "Yamada-sensei, if I may." Alex requested.

"Go on, Alex-kun. You're needed." Maya smiled. Alex wasted no time and headed out to the arena.

-1520 HRS. Command booth, IS Arena 2-

Maya and Chifuyu were waiting. "He should have been here by now." Maya was beginning to worry and Chifuyu's patience is burning short. They hear footsteps. Alex arrived, wearing SWAT uniform, including the vest, sidearm and comm unit.

"Took you long." Chifuyu glared. "Sorry, sensei. Elbow and knee pads were tangled." He tapped one of his elbow pads.

"Well are you ready to go or what?" Chifuyu asked. Alex cocks his handgun and puts on his shooting glasses. "All set."

Yamada stayed near the computer while the two headed for the hangar.

"So they issued the SWAT Uniform?" Chifuyu asked as she looks at the uniform. He nodded as he fixed his vest and comm unit. They reached the hangar to look at a desert-colored IS Unit. It looked like the standard-issue ranged IS units. But the "Wings" resembled that of a falcon's wings when not in flight.

"The Desert Falcon..."

"Like Ichika's IS, It's also a 3.5th Generation. Hop in for fitting, Alex." Chifuyu instructed. Alex puts his helmet on and gets in the IS unit. "How long does the fitting last?"

"Give it a couple of minutes."

And within those couple of minutes, messages from its interface pop up.

"IDENTIFYING... POLICE OFFICER FIELDS, ALEX. BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION CONFIRMED. FITTING COMPLETE."

His IS is activated with his comms linked to the IS.

"Okay, you're set! Go when ready!" Chifuyu instructed.

"MOVING!"

Like a Fighter plane ready to soar to the skies, Alex's IS took off the same. "Dispatch this is Fields! I'm in the air!" As he looked around the arena, he saw a handful of students looking at him. He spots the representatives on the other hangar in their IS. "So they followed, huh?"

"Give your flight skills a test!" Yamada instructed through Alex's comm unit. "Commencing now!" Alex thrusts in and around the arena. His movement around the air was efficient. "Like a fighter plane all right!" Alex was amazed.

"All right. Ground movements!" After Maya's instructions, Alex landed on foot.

From his view, Holographic targets appeared diagonally throughout the battleground. "Give your weapons a test, Fields!" Chifuyu instructed. Another interface popped on his sight. It was a list of weapons. He wasted no time choosing.

In just a few moments, an assault rifle materialized into his hands. It resembled the M4. "Sure hope it's 30 rounds!" He aimed at one of the targets while moving on foot. "The movement of his unit is just like his own." Chifuyu tilted her head as she monitors.

He shot the first target while standing, He ran to the second one and fired while crouching. He de-materializes the rifle as he rushed forward to the last ones. He makes a forward roll and materializes a handgun like it was pulled from the holster then fires at the targets as he moves forward. He de-materializes the handgun and looked at the targets. All of them are hit in the right spots.

"Such Efficiency!" Maya was impressed by his performance in the field. "All right. Fields, you better treat this next test seriously." As Chifuyu said that, A squad of holographic IS Units sprang up and attacked Alex.

In just moments, He dodged the attacks and focused on the ones by air. He materializes his rifle again and fires back. The targets in the Air disappeared later. He landed on the ground to finish the job. He saw two remaining targets and aimed his rifle.

"DOWN ON THE GROUND! DOWN ON THE GROUND!"

"He really treated it like his job." Maya was surprised at Alex. "Clear the Arena, Yamada. Send in only one unit to surprise him." She did what she's told and the Holographic units disappeared.

"Great. What's next?" He lowered his guard. He was hit from behind. He dodged the second attack and materialized a large knife and disarms the target with it. He pins it to the ground and aims his handgun at it. The Hologram disappeared. "Dispatch this is Fields. Code 4, Hostiles neutralized."

"Outstanding, Fields." Chifuyu remarked. He patched his comm unit to the six. "Arena's all yours." He landed on the hangar and the IS de-materialized.

-3 Minutes later-

"That's only the glimpse of what you'll be doing for several matches." Chifuyu's voice was heard from his right side. "There's gonna be tournaments, Sensei?" He asked, Chifuyu nodded

"Let me guess. You want me to participate and at the same time act as security detail?" Alex surprises Chifuyu with a wild guess. "You've got instinct, Officer." Chifuyu was slightly impressed.

"Get some rest or you can join Ichika with the others while the arena's still available. Your choice." Chifuyu was waiting for an answer. Alex chuckled as he looked at a techy, Desert-clad gauntlet on his left wrist that looked like the one David Mason used from Black Ops 2.

"I could use the exercise." With that, He headed back to the hangar. He saw the representatives training already, having a 3-on-3 mock battle. "You're gonna have to do better, Ichika!" Laura was bashing him.

"...Maybe I should sit this one out." Alex sat down on the edge and enjoyed the show. He grabbed a bite-sized chocolate bar from his pocket and watched how Ichika's team takes on the other 3.

"Damn it, Ichika! We've been training you for so long! You should have done better!" Houki bashed him. He patched his comms to the six IS Units. "Houki's right, Ichika." They turned their attention on Alex.

"Why don't you join in, Officer?" Charlotte dared him. Alex smirked. "Finally. Fancy a free-for all?!" His IS materializes and joins the fight.

-2030 HRS. Arena, IS Academy-

"Getting really tired of carrying your sorry ass up, Ichika. Come on, up and at 'em." Alex sighed as he carries an exhausted Ichika.

"All right, let's call it a day!" Cecilia said in that cheery tone of hers.

"You girls want... to kill me?" Ichika was taking deep breaths.

"Heh... You just lacked discipline. As always…" Houki chuckled.

"You girls have been mentoring him since day 1, huh?" Alex asked. "Yeah. I don't know how it works in that thick skull of his." Houki sighed.

"Heh. Y'know Ichika, You should consider yourself fortunate. You got a lot of beautiful girls that are so willing to teach you." Alex said, making the girls blush.

"Until Ichika can walk, I got him from here. You girls go on ahead. That was good practice." Alex said.

"Thanks, Alex." Houki sighed. "I'll be showering back in the dorm." She walks away.

"Same. See you guys tomorrow!" Cecilia ran off.

-10 Minutes later, Men's locker room.-

"Just walk slowly, man- Hey! Take it easy, you're gonna collapse." Alex helps him to a bench.

"I'm fine, Alex." Ichika said as he stands up. "All right. But it ain't my fault if your legs give up on ya." Alex warned. His prediction became real as Ichika collapsed on his knees.

"Houki's right. He really has a thick skull." Alex thought. "What did I tell you, man?" he sighed. "All right, All right. Fine." Ichika grunted as Alex helped him up.

"Look. Take a breather for a few minutes and stand up again." Alex advised. Ichika did what he told but instead of just a simple breather, he fell asleep in a few minutes.

"Poor knucklehead." Alex sighed as he looked at a sleeping Ichika. He went on changing his clothes, taking his SWAT gear off and placing them to his locker. As he finished changing back to his Police uniform, He heard a woman's voice from behind.

"Hi there, Alex-kun!" The girl greeted him. As he turned around, it was Tatenashi, who was even better-looking up close and personal. "My, you look even handsome in uniform!" Tatenashi playfully complemented him as she taps her finger on his badge.

"Oh… um… I wouldn't be loud here at this time." Alex lowered his voice as he pointed at a sleeping Ichika. "Oh… I'm sorry." Tatenashi giggled quietly.

"You're Tatenashi Sarashiki. Right? Student council president?" Alex guessed. "The one and only! And the IS Representative of Russia!" Tatenashi winked at him. "Okay… So what can I do for you?" Alex asked.

"I just want to see how you and Ichika-kun are doing." She said. "Me? Just fine. Ichika? Knucklehead's tuckered out. Does he always put up with these things?" Alex asked. "More often than you think, Alex-kun." Tatenashi tilted her head.

"So, do your class have any plans for the upcoming festival?" Tatenashi asked him. "If I even knew, I wouldn't tell you." Alex scoffed. "Aww… You're no fun!" Tatenashi pouted. "Look, I'm sorry but I can't even tell the tiniest details. You're just gonna have to find out on the festival." He chuckled.

"Fine, Fine. See you then, Alex-kun!" She waved goodbye and left. "Yeah… See you. I guess." Alex faintly waved goodbye at her.

"Such a cheery girl, that one." Alex thought. "…What happened?" Ichika was starting to get up. "You passed out from exhaustion. That's what happened." Alex answered.

-2230 HRS. Alex's Room-

"Okay… That's all I've learned about the representatives for now..."

Alex placed a few papers beside his desk. "Work's done for the day." He sighed. He turns off his police scanner and prepares another uniform for tomorrow.

"I don't understand why would these girls are linked to the syndicate that hit LA. It just doesn't make any sense." He sighed as he thinks of the representatives. He turned on his TV to tire him out. A few minutes later he hears someone knocking at his door.

"All right, I'm coming." Alex said as he turns off the TV and approaches the door. As he opens it, it was Charlotte, with her usual smile.

"Oh... Charlotte." Alex was surprised to see her. "Where's Laura?" He looked at the hallways. "She's asleep." She answered.

"Can I come in?" Charlotte asked. Instead of answering, he opens the door and gives way. "Please." Alex said with a courteous tone.

"So um... What can I do for you?" Alex asked her.

"I just want to talk." Charlotte answered. Alex pulled a chair and placed it in front of his bed. "I'll sit on the other bed." Charlotte insisted. He prepares a cup of decaf for him, and tea for Charlotte. "Merci Beaucoup." Charlotte thanked him in her native tongue.

"All right, Charlotte. I'm all ears." He sat on his bed. "So what is it?" He asks.

"We just want to say thank you." Charlotte fidgeted. "Oh? For what? I didn't do anything. Well... There's the thing in the Café." Alex asked as he tilted his head.

"That's about it, Alex. The Thing in the café. You didn't tell the others that Laura and I worked part-time there." Charlotte explained. "And the one where we took down those robbers?" Alex added. "That too." Charlotte chuckled nervously.

"I had the feeling you don't want me to tell that part. So I changed the story." Alex explained. "You were trying to get back on me when I told the whole café thing, didn't you?" He asked.

"You scared us! We didn't want Ichika to know that we worked there. We'd be embarrassed if he saw us in maid and butler outfit!" Her hands were shaking.

"Why? To be honest, You and Laura were really pretty out there." Alex complemented. "P-Pretty?!" Charlotte stammered as her face showed a faint shade of red.

"Alex, you pervert..." She fidgeted. "Pervert?!" Alex stammered. "Oh, come on! I may complement girls but I'm never a pervert." He defended, making Charlotte giggle.

The two talked to each other for almost an hour. As their conversation pass, she had realized that Alex was just a brave, dedicated and kind person once she got to know him. The only downfall to it is that Alex lived as if the word "Duty" was forever carved on his mind.

"I didn't know that the two of you were students here at first." Alex sighed. "Same here. Laura and I didn't know that the very officer that helped us in the cafe is a student here too." Charlotte sighed back. "This whole "Me being the chef" kind of thing, I kinda deserved that. I guess that makes us even?" He asks her. "Oui, I guess so." Charlotte nodded.

As Charlotte looks at him, she notices some holes on his vest. "Mon dieu… Alex, your vest! Are you hurt?!" Charlotte asked him. Alex didn't realize that his shirt was unbuttoned when he entered his dorm room, leaving his vest exposed. He clutched the holes that were around the abdomen.

"Are those the wounds from the incident?" Charlotte asked him. "Yeah... It'll sting from time to time. But I'm fine." Alex assures her. It wasn't new for him to get shot. "I hope..." Charlotte said.

The two looked at the clock to see that it's almost midnight. "All right, I guess it's time for me to go back. See you tomorrow." She yawned. "Yeah. Get some rest." Alex nodded. She heads out the doorway.

"Charlotte." He calls her. She looks back at him.

"N-nothing... See you tomorrow."