Last time on Peacekeepers, Team Saikachis battled Frontline ferociously, while the CMYK Gang inadvertently ran into a strange man claiming to be looking for an old friend. It is later revealed that the man was actually Frontline's long-lost Medafighter, and after a touching reunion, Frontline felt great remorse for what he's done. Now the question remains… Should Frontline be arrested for his crimes? Or should he go free? The only way to find out would be to read on…
Credit to Natsume for Medabots.
Thank you to Alumina for Beta-Reading for me.
Data Log 8- The Woman Warrior
The team walked to Headquarters in silence. They knew that they were required to bring in Frontline, as the mission stated, but something felt off. The soldier type was only hurting, he didn't deserve to be locked up in a cell; away from the one person he longed for the most. Bad hacker felt this to be true, as did Sai, Maquette, and tbad hacker took a brhe CMYK Gang. They had stopped in the Infirmary first to get fixed up from the various slices, bullet-holes and dents they picked up in battle. As they lay on the tables to get repaired, Bad Hacker started a group chat on their Server Addresses so they could talk without interference.
"I dunno guys…" The cockroach type started, "I feel we could be inciting a real problem by not bringing in Frontline like we said we would."
"But you heard his story." Sai replied, "The guy was just hurting. Heck I'd have probably done the same thing in his place if something like that happened to me."
"Sai is right…" Maquette added, "But… So is Bad Hacker…"
"Frontline in my opinion shouldn't have to pay a full sentence for something he only did out of grief if you ask me. It's just not fair."
"But what about the Guild-Masters?" Magentacat asked, "What would they do if we just let him go? The mission said to bring in the mysterious sniper and bring him to justice."
"Guys, listen." Bad Hacker interrupted, "I feel the same. Frontline doesn't deserve to be taken away from Mark after just reuniting with him, but we need to reach an agreement on what we're going to say when we talk with the Guild-Masters. We can't have six bots giving disorganized answers, it wouldn't help our case."
"That's true…"
"So, let's call for a vote. All in favor of turning Frontline in like we said we would?"
No one commented back for several seconds as the chat remained silent.
"All in favor of letting Frontline go free?"
Sai commented, "Aye."
Maquette followed, "Aye."
Magentacat followed after him, "Aye."
Cyandog chimed in, "Aye."
Yellow-Turtle finished, "Aye."
Bad Hacker took a breath. He had a feeling they'd all be for it, so now just to convince the Guild-Masters of that. Hopefully they'll be understanding enough to hear them out when they explain the case to them.
"Alright." The cockroach type commented, "It seems we're all in agreement. Just remember that by doing this we risk failing the mission and being penalized for it."
"It doesn't matter." The beetle type responded, "Frontline's been away from his medafighter for too long to be taken away again. Whatever happens to us, he deserves to be happy."
"Then we'll go together. We were assigned the mission as a group, and as a group we will finish it; one way or another."
The six bots rested on the tables in silence as the healing type bots worked the dents and holes out of their armor and fixed them up. About thirty minutes later they found themselves standing in front of the Guild-Master's office. After taking a moment to work up the nerve, Sai knocked on the door.
"It's open!" Guild-Master Metal Beetle called from inside.
The group entered in silence as Metal Beetle and Head-Scissors looked over in their direction.
"Evening Agents." Metal Beetle greeted, but then noticed the rather solemn mood, "Hey what's up with the long faces? Something happen?"
"Did you encounter a difficulty on your mission?" Head-Scissors asked.
"Guild-Masters…" Sai began, taking the lead for the group, "You ever find yourself in a place where… you gotta choose between what you think is right, and something else you think is right too?"
"All the time." Metal Beetle shrugged, "Like getting my lube checked or getting my parts worked on?"
"Not like that Metal Beetle," The old KWG type retorted, "Agent Saikachis… Are you perhaps referring to being forced to choose between your spirit and your duty?"
"Yeah! Exactly." The beetle type nodded, "Well… We came to one of those ourselves on the mission…"
"Oh? Please explain to us the situation, perhaps we can help you."
Sai looked back at his teammates, each of them giving him a nod before the beetle type looked back towards the Guild-Masters.
"I think you're gonna want to take a seat, this is a long story…"
Sai then proceeded to explain every situation of what happened during their hunt for the mysterious sniper; where occasionally another team member would interject a comment to help in understanding. They explained that they found out the mysterious sniper was really Frontline, a former member of the Peacekeepers, and the same one that killed Sherwood when he left. At this point Metal Beetle and Head-Scissors looked at one another and looked down at hearing the true fate of their fallen comrade. Bad Hacker took over and explained Frontline's end of the story, where he was really in grief over thinking his medafighter was gone, and during an argument accidentally shot Sherwood; unlike the currently believed rumor that Sherwood attacked Frontline by mistake on a mission. The Guild-Masters said nothing outside of an occasional question for better understanding, but the team members went on in their story; finishing with when the CMYK Gang found Frontline's medafighter and helped the two reunite. It was at that moment, they said, that Frontline changed and suddenly became remorseful over what he had done, and apologized for his crimes.
"…I see…" Metal Beetle mused once the story concluded, "That's quite a tale you have there."
"Indeed…" Head-Scissors agreed, "And additionally we now know what had happened to our fallen comrade, Sherwood."
"I really liked that guy too… it's a real shame he's gone…"
"With this said, where seems to be the question of morals?"
Bad Hacker stepped forward, "Guild-Masters… I know we were asked to bring in Frontline, and I know what the mission said… But… We all agreed… We want to let Frontline go free."
The six bots tensed up after Bad Hacker said that. They knew this was what they were scared of dealing with, but they knew it had to be done in order to finish the conflict. The Guild-Masters said nothing as they looked at one another again. They now understood the question of morals that Sai talked about, and they now understood why they were in such conflict to decide Frontline's fate. Under Peacekeeper law, Frontline is fated to be tried and punished for his crimes; end of story. But… that wasn't the end of the story. That was just what the books said, and books can't comprehend feelings that question what lies within their pages. What should be done with Frontline? What should the choice be led by? Duty? Or Emotion?
"I gotta admit agents…" The old KBT type sighed, "I can see your predicament…"
"This is a difficult choice to make…" The old KWG type nodded, "I can understand your viewpoint and internal conflict."
"The law of the Peacekeepers states to treat Frontline like any other criminal we bring in… But… with the story you told us, even I'M not sure if the poor bot should be forced to endure that."
"We know it's a hard decision." Sai stated, stepping forward once more, "But we already know what we wanna do. The mission was ours to complete, and we are choosing to cancel it; let Frontline go with his medafighter."
"Are you sure you wish to do so Agent?" Head-Scissors inquired, "Are you, and your team, willing to accept that?"
"Yes we are. We all are."
The Guild-Masters exchanged glances one last time before putting their feet on the floor to stand before the team.
"Well then," Metal Beetle began, "I see no reason why we should object to your judgement."
"If you truly believe this is the right thing to do," Head-Scissors added, "Then we will not stop you."
Sai and the others took a breath of relief. They had managed to convince the Guild-Masters to let the soldier type in question go free.
"However…" The old KBT type continued, "We cannot as Guild-Masters let this go unpunished in some way…"
"Frontline will be allowed to leave without a criminal penalty…" The old KWG type finished, "But Metal Beetle and I have agreed that until further notice, Frontline will be removed from the ranks of the Peacekeepers."
That comment stung all six of them, but they knew that it would have been too good to be true to believe that Frontline would have been let off without a hitch.
"I'm sorry agents." Metal Beetle looked down, "But it has to be done."
"We understand…" Sai answered, again taking the lead for his team, "We just wanna thank you for seeing things our way."
"It's not just YOUR way, Agent Saikachis. It's the way of the Peacekeepers. Remember what I told you about the rules here? How they're just guidelines for bots to follow?"
"Yeah."
"What you all have chosen to do, is exactly what a true Peacekeeper would do. You believe that Frontline deserves a second chance, and who are we to stand in the way of that?"
"But at the same time, we cannot leave criminal behavior, despite the great chances of reform, to go unpunished." Head-Scissors cut in, "As Guild-Masters, it is Metal Beetle and I's duty to protect those not only in this city, but also those in this very building. We all are family, and we must protect that family. And to protect it, we must sometimes discipline members that fall astray."
Sai and the others exchanged glances before looking to the floor. How would they tell Frontline? How would he take it?
"Thank you for your time Guild-Masters…" Bad Hacker concluded, "We'll be sure to tell Frontline the news when we see him again."
"Very good." Head-Scissors nodded, "We wish you the best of luck."
"And tell Frontline when you see 'em that we miss 'em."
"Will do."
The group left the Guild-Masters in silence as they headed to their rooms to call it a night. The CMYK Gang said they couldn't bear watching Frontline leave for good, and asked Sai if they'd be able to see them off. Sai naturally agreed as he led Bad Hacker and Maquette to their room and collapsed on his bed. It had been a long day, filled with strain, hard fighting, and hard decisions. Sai knew things like this were bound to come, and he always put up a front to say he was ready for that stuff, when in reality he feared it. He hated having to make decisions where someone always ended up hurt in the end; no matter the outcome. But… in this case… there was no helping it. Frontline was being forced to leave the Peacekeepers… and there really was nothing that could be done to fix that. The three bots in the room had trouble switching over to sleep mode, but eventually worked their ways into it to put an end on the long day and start the next when they awoke.
The next morning came too quickly for Team Saikachis. They had to go talk with Frontline and Mark today… and tell him that he was no longer in the Guild. How would he take that? How would he feel? What would he do? These questions had no answers as the team slowly switched from sleep mode to conscious.
"Today's gonna be a hard day…" Sai said.
"Yeah…" Bad Hacker agreed, "I really hate that we have to tell him the news. But at the same time, I feel we SHOULD be the ones to tell him…"
"Feelings are… mutual." Maquette stated, "Time will be hard… but must proceed…"
It was about 10:22 in the morning when they headed out to where Mark and Frontline were staying. They however didn't need to go far, as they ran into them across the street. Frontline had been fixed up and looking just like new; though Mark however was still in a sling from his arm injury. Both had large packs on their backs.
"Morning Frontline." Bad Hacker greeted, "Morning Mark."
"Mornin' you guys." Mark returned, "What's the news?"
Silence ensued before Frontline spoke up. He was nervous over what his punishment would be. He wouldn't be able to bear being torn away from Mark again if that's what was to happen.
"What's going on?" The soldier type asked warily.
"Frontline…" Sai began, "Let's just say that it was a little tough to convince the Guild-Masters of what we think…"
"… I see…"
"But… We have good news, and bad news…"
"What?"
"The good news…" The cockroach type interjected, "We were able to convince the Guild-Masters of our decision to let you go free."
That shocked Frontline. He was for sure thinking he was going to the jailhouse or the scrapyard for what he did. But they said he was going free? This was surely a miracle, and the soldier type expressed his thanks by pulling all three bots in for a quick embrace.
"Thank you…" Frontline said, "I in no way… deserve your mercy…"
"There is… bad news…" The experimental type responded as they were let go.
"Bad… news? As in how?"
None of Team Saikachis wanted to tell him. But someone had to do it… and Bad Hacker was the one that stepped forward.
"The bad news…" He began, "They felt that your record shouldn't be overlooked completely… despite you apologizing for what you've done. And as a result, we're here to tell you…"
"…Yes?"
"Frontline… You have been removed… from the ranks of the Peacekeepers…"
Saying that stung the cockroach type down to the core. He never EVER wanted to tell a friend that they were kicked out of the Peacekeepers… but he did… just now… and he hated himself dearly for it. Frontline was silent as Mark watched the scene unfold in silence, but after a moment, broke into a laugh.
"That's what they came up with?!" Frontline laughed, "Hey I'll accept it as long as I'm not sent to the scrapyard!"
Team Saikachis went wide-eyed in pure shock, and almost fell over backwards onto the ground, at the soldier type's response to the news. He was just removed from the Guild… and he's… happy about it? This made absolutely no sense.
"Y…You mean…" Sai stammered, trying to make his voice circuits work and recover from the shock, "You're… ok with this?"
"Well not really. But as I said, it's better than being sent to the scrapyard or being taken away from Mark. It'll suck not being here at the Peacekeepers, but in all honesty… it uh… heh… coincidentally works out…"
"What do you mean?"
"Mark and I are leaving town."
All three bots were frozen in shock, "WHAT?!"
"You heard me." Frontline shrugged, "We gotta hit the road to go home anyway. And we're gonna do it the way we soldiers were bred to do it; hitting the road with nothing but the packs on our backs."
"S-So… we worried… for nothing?" Bad Hacker mused, still in complete shock.
"Well, no. Listen you guys, I can't thank you enough for sticking up for me and talking with the Guild-Masters, and I feel that I can see you three as friends now… but I gotta accept whatever punishment they're willing to give me. This is just one of those rare moments where it actually works out better than expected."
"No… kidding…" Maquette mumbled.
"So, you're leaving?" Sai asked.
"Yeah, but hey…"
Frontline motioned for the lube-stained violet bandana tied around his neck.
"Once a Peacekeeper…"
"Always a Peacekeeper." The cockroach type finished, his mood raising a little bit.
"Just because I'm not part of a Guild doesn't mean I can't do what I can to make the world a better place. Besides, I'm sure we'll see each other again someday, so it's not like we'll never see each other again."
Team Saikachis lit up as they each shook hands with the soldier type.
"You're right Frontline. So from here, best of luck!" Sai nodded.
Just as Mark and Frontline turned to leave, the soldier type stopped suddenly and faced the group again.
"Oh, I almost forgot…" Frontline told them, Mark stopping to wait, "I have a piece of Intel I think you guys may want to know."
Team Saikachis leaned in to listen to him.
"Listen…" The soldier type began, "There's a lotta stuff goin' on in this town under everyone's noses. A lot of it has to do with the illegal Meda-Guilds that're making life harder for everyone, but I know why they exist, and I think who's in charge."
"Who is it?" Bad Hacker asked, "And what?"
"These illegal Guilds exists because of one thing… a bot's hatred for the humans. That's the whole reason they're here, and that's why they're causing trouble; many of the members I saw in a guild called the Asura Mafia I recognized from the early days of the Peacekeepers."
Medabots… hating humans? The concept was difficult to understand, but the group felt they had at least a small idea of what they meant and what the root problem was.
"Who runs… Asura Mafia?" Maquette asked.
"I hear he was a former member of the Peacekeepers." Frontline answered, "He goes by 'Master Asura', but is really called Spenog-Menague."
Maquette stepped back in disbelief, "No… cannot be."
Sai looked over at the experimental type, "What do you mean? You recognize the name?"
"He was… high name in Peacekeeper's early days… Helped found Peacekeepers… That is… all I know…"
"Whoa whoa whoa… You mean to tell me that one of the bots who FOUNDED the Peacekeepers went rogue?!"
Frontline whacked the beetle type on the head, "Keep your voice down. They have members everywhere, so they likely have eyes and ears on every street corner; not even counting possibilities of moles. You guys need to be careful. I don't know if they extend past this city, or even if there are other rogue bots involved, but all I know is that the Asura Mafia's gunning for the Peacekeepers."
This wasn't good. What exactly was the Asura Mafia planning? Where would they strike? How would they strike? Perhaps this deserves another visit to the Guild-Masters for answers.
"Right, thank you Frontline." Bad Hacker nodded, "We'll be careful."
"One more thing. Don't tell the Guild-Masters you know."
"Wait… what?"
"They've tried covering the whole thing up as a conspiracy, but they're trying like mad to fix this without other members knowing. I don't know why, and I don't know who, but I think there's another player in this strange game… using us like pawns."
"Understood. Thanks again Frontline."
"You guys be careful out here. Things are likely to get more and more dangerous from this point forward."
"We won't let it stop us." Sai returned, "We'll be the ones the send it packing."
Frontline sighed and shook his head, "Again with the cocky attitude…"
Sai only shrugged, "It's how I roll."
They all separated as Frontline gave them one last farewell; Team Saikachis waving Mark and Frontline goodbye as they watched them leave. Around the corner and out of sight however, hugging the shadows to stay out of sight, First-Ace had listened in on the whole conversation and giggled to herself.
"So, the little soldier knows about what's going on…" She mused, "While I never liked people giving away information that really belongs in the dark, perhaps I can use this to my advantage… Let's watch the little bugs play around for a little longer before I make my move…"
The Trump Ace dashed off and away from where she hid to find another vantage point to observe her targets. Meanwhile, Team Saikachis walked back into Headquarters to find a mission to tackle for the day. About five minutes in of scanning the board, Sonic-Stag walked up to watch the board as well.
"I heard about you defeating the mysterious sniper." He said simply.
Sai inwardly grimaced, not really wanting to talk to Sonic-Stag, "Yeah, what about it?"
"I simply wanted to congratulate you all on the completion of the mission. That was certainly not an easy one, yet you were able to surpass the odds and come back successful. Well done Agents, keep up the good work."
Sonic-Stag pulled a mission from the board and then left them alone to embark on the assigned request.
"Well, that went better than expected…" Sai mused out loud.
"Sonic-Stag's not all bad Sai." Bad Hacker shrugged, "He just holds his fellow guild members to higher standards than the Guild-Masters do is all."
Sai only shrugged as Granbeetle followed up and met them at the board.
"Well done on the sniper mission." He told them as he took a mission from the board, "Keep it up."
After the third 'congratulations' they received, they settled on an ESC mission from the Mayor. They knew his daughter, Holly, well from a previous mission Sai and Bad Hacker took and figured that maybe they'd get something of a bonus for reporting for duty on that one. As they turned to leave however, a loud voice echoed through the doors as a lone bot stormed in.
"HARK!" The bot exclaimed, "I hast returned from mine quest of virtue! Be there anyone whom requests of my aid in there's?!"
The bot was a Valkyrie type, sporting a green and white color scheme with gold accents and large accoutrements on her armor. She had a massive lance attached to her backside to free her hands as she marched through the lobby with an aura of pride. This was VAL-2 Noel, the latest Valkyrie type in her series; also the loudest and most proud.
"Oh boy… here we go again…" Bad Hacker facepalmed, "Just keep walking and hide the mission from her and she won't bother us."
"Wait what?" Sai asked.
"Shh! Just stay quiet and walk out the doors. Maquette let's go."
They were almost to the doors and free until Noel spun around, her 'ponytail' swaying along with her, and pointed at them.
"HALT!" She ordered, "Yellow beetle, cockroach, and large-armed beetle! Art thou setting off on thine own quest of valor and virtue?!"
The cockroach type sighed and looked back at Noel.
"It's not a 'Quest of valor and virtue' Noel…" He said, "It's just an Escort mission."
"And Escort mission you say? Pray tell who it is you will be escorting! Quickly now!"
"It's just the Mayor." Sai shrugged, "What's so special about it? And what's with all the yelling while you're at it…"
"Ah! An official of this fine town surely doth require protection when out on business among the people. Permit me to join you and I shall lend you mine strength and power!"
Bad Hacker spun around and started waving his hands and shaking his head to say "No, don't let her!", but Sai looked over at Maquette, who only shrugged and watched Bad Hacker in confusion.
"Bad Hacker…" The experimental type asked, "What are… you doing?"
"Quickly now!" Noel snapped, regaining their attention, "Dost thou permit me to accompany thee or nay?"
The cockroach type started waving his hands harder in panic. Sai however only shrugged; he didn't know Noel, so what reason did he have to say no?
"Alright," The beetle type answered her, "Why not? You can come."
"No! Sai why did you do that?!" Bad Hacker moaned to himself as he hung his head low, "Oh this is going to be a long day…"
"A wise choice indeed yellow beetle!" The Valkyrie type nodded as she walked in their direction, "Thou art a good judge of character!"
"Speak for yourself…"
"Well uh, thanks." Sai responded, "The name's Sai by the way, short for Saikachis. Do I wanna assume you've met Bad Hacker?"
"Aye! The Hacker of Bad and I are well acquainted with one another, Sai. Pray tell, who be the one with the arm of great magnitude?"
"I am… Maquette." He replied, "And you are?"
"Hah! I am Noel! Proudest and most virtuous of the Valkyrie types! And thou art surely blessed to have one such as myself to accompany thee on thine quest!"
Bad Hacker gave Sai and irritated look before taking him by the shoulder and leading him elsewhere to talk in private.
"Sai what was that for?!" The cockroach type whispered, "I told you to tell her no."
"Why not?" Sai retorted, "What's she got that you don't want her comin' along with us?"
"Hello? Noel is loud, and prideful, not to mention annoying!"
"Ahh you're just being a spoilsport, what happened to the more the merrier?"
"Yeah well she's a little TOO merry for my taste. Why in the world did you say yes to her anyway?"
"As I said, why not? She seems really into whatever she's got goin' on, and she's nice looking to boot."
Bad Hacker blinked, "…what?"
Sai realized he said the last part out loud, "N-Nothing! She just looks like she'd be a big help on the mission is all I said."
"No, you just said she was nice looking…. Aha! THAT'S why you invited her along! You think she's hot!"
"H-Heck no! Why would I do something like that?"
"You just did!"
"Did not!"
"Whatever, if that's what you think of her then she's YOUR problem. And don't come crying to me when she gets on your nerves and drives you to your wits end!"
"Didn't plan on letting it get that far."
Bad Hacker sighed and gave up, embracing the fact that Noel was tagging along whether he liked it or not. Noel heartily patted both on their backs and marched for the door.
"Come!" She exclaimed, "We must begin our quest and speak with the Mayor!"
Sai, Bad Hacker, and Maquette quickly caught up as the beetle type took the lead outside. As Sai took a step in front of the Valkyrie type however, she quickly dashed forward to maintain her lead.
"Pray permit me to lead, Sai." She told him, "It is good fortune to be led by a Valkyrie to one's destination!"
The beetle type looked over at Bad Hacker, who only offered a look and a shrug in return. Sai said nothing and let her take the lead for the moment.
"My friends, do tell me about thyselves, so that I may better see thee as mine allies!"
"You already know about me Noel." The cockroach type answered.
"That may be so, but I wish to know Sai and Maquette better; as I have neglected to notice them around Headquarters until the recent."
"Well that's cuz we're both new agents." Sai answered.
"New you say?! So then thou could'st be seen as rookies?"
Sai gave her a look, "I don't take rookie. I'm me and that's all there is to it."
"We are… a team." Maquette added, "Are you… part of one?"
"Nay." The Valkyrie type responded, "I have yet to find a team whom I can fully trust with mine life."
"So… you are… alone?"
"Aye… tis be the truth. But, I refuse to let feelings of loneliness hinder me!"
Bad Hacker rolled his eyes and stayed silent. Noel was indeed a rather loud and arrogant one; often using her motif as a reason to let her be as loud and prideful as she wanted. Despite this however, she was still a member of the Peacekeepers; and deep down in her medal she was as passionate to be a Peacekeeper as the next bot… she just showed it a little more vocally than others.
"Hey Noel," Sai began, seeing they were alone as they walked along the street, "What do you know about a bot called Spenog-ma-something?"
At that name, Noel spun around and kicked Sai to the floor before he even realized it; drawing her massive lance and pointing the tip at his neck, the blade crackling with small sparks of electricity.
"THOU DARE SPEAKEST THE FORBIDDEN NAME?!" She roared, "WHAT MADNESS DROVE YOU TO DO SUCH THING?"
"Noel! Stop!" Bad Hacker intervened, "He was just asking what you knew is all, so calm down and put your lance away."
Noel exchanged glances between the cockroach and beetle types before removing her lance and sheathing it on her back, and then helped Sai to his feet.
"My sincerest apologies…" The Valkyrie type said, "I only acted upon instinct…"
"No kidding." Sai retorted sarcastically as he dusted off his legs, "What's got you all bunched up in a knot about the guy?"
Noel clenched a fist and looked to the ground, "He is mine enemy… But not just mine, everyone within the walls of the Peacekeepers see that foul traitor to medabot-kind as an enemy. He is dark… evil… black to the very core! There be nothing good from that bot, yet, he hast tainted the medals of those that follow his will blindly! My sole purpose… is to shine the light of justice upon that demon's presence, and erase his existence from this realm!"
"Not all bots are bad you know…" The cockroach type replied, "He's only like that because of his hatred for the humans."
"NAY! Whether that be truth or not, I cannot forgive such a foul and evil bot! He must be brought the justice he is due!"
"I feel… same." Maquette agreed, "But we must wait… until details are complete… before judgements are made…"
"Maquette's got a point." Sai interrupted, "For now, this Spenog-ma-something seems like he's the guy behind it all. I'd like to think the same, but it makes me wonder though if he's really the only one behind it…"
"Hast thou spoken to the Masters of the Guild about this matter?" Noel asked.
"No. None of us have yet."
"Good, make sure thou keeps it such way."
"How do… you know about this?" The experimental type asked.
Noel thought about how long she's known about the Asura Mafia, and doing so made her recall rather harsh memories that she hoped she didn't have to think about again. After a moment, she waved it off and looked the other way.
"I've known for a time," She answered, "I will abstain from saying for how long, but all thou should'st know is that I hath been waging war against them for as long as the Mafia has been in existence…"
Sai and the others agreed to drop the subject for the time being, both to save each other and in the case they were being followed, as they continued down the street for the Mayor's office. It was hopefully going to be an easy mission; as the request stated to attend the Mayor's Council meeting and stay on the watch for criminal happenings for the duration of the meeting. No one really did anything at the Council Meetings anyway, all they did was talk about what they could do to make the city better or what kind of event they should host. Sometimes they hosted robattle tournaments, other times they hosted town anniversaries; really just anything that came up was a candidate for a festival of some sort. Things like that bored Sai out of his mind, but after hearing what Frontline said about strange things going on in town, with the Asura Mafia, and what else shrouded that mystery in darkness, he knew that he'd need to keep his guard up. On a rooftop above them, First-Ace continued to observe them from a distance.
"So that's the story everyone's accepted eh?" She thought out loud, "Can't say it's a total lie, but can't say it's a total truth either. Man those Guild-Masters really are terrible at hiding things… I wonder who REALLY knows their dirty little secret…"
First-Ace watched them walk to the City Hall and thought hard about how to make life harder on Team Saikachis. There was always crashing the party guns blazing, but that was too messy and obvious. There was waiting until they left the meeting to strike, but that'd be too late. What about sneaking in? That could work, but what would she do once she got inside? She couldn't just start wreaking havoc; that was far too barbaric. To cause the greatest amount of chaos, one would have to destroy something from the inside out… cause a scene, create a panic… and the whole thing will fall so much faster. The Trump Ace liked that plan, she just needed to think about how to do it, and how to get into that meeting without being noticed.
First-Ace seems to be plotting something, but the question is what exactly? And how about Noel? Sure she seems like a caring bot like any other in the Peacekeepers… but she is a little… Loud…
Noel: Aye! But I hast many-a-reason to be! I am a Valkyrie! Proud and esteemed!
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