Episode 25: Ambush

"Miku, Griff," Meiko called over the radio, "you guys ready for this?"

I looked down from the window of the food court we had stationed ourselves at. We managed to get back in contact with Akira as she was getting out of school. We planned to meet her at the train station where we had met with the agents before. We figured that if they were going to do anything, they can't do anything extreme so long as we're in public.

However, this is the same group that used a "smash and grab" style assault as cover to get to one girl. Anything was possible, especially with Duodecim.

However, compared to last time where Duodecim had multiple days to plan their attack, we had something over them, and that was the element of surprise. They didn't know where Miku or anyone else actually was, and so long as we kept it that way, we could pull this off before they could figure out what was going on.

With Akira, there was a likely possibility her phone was bugged, or that the agents assigned to track her had been keeping a very close eye on her. Or both. But it was becoming increasingly clear to us that they were trying to use her to get to us. And that worried me the most. If Akira got hurt because of us, I'd feel nothing but guilt. Especially because she's an outsider.

"If we're going to do this," Miku said, adjusting the white and black baseball cap, "we had better do this now."

Raindrops pattered against the window that overlooked the busy street below. Akira was inside the shopping center across the street, and we had to meet up with her.

"Might as well get this over with. If anything happens, we better be ready for it."

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and looked over at Miku while she adjusted her white jacket she was wearing. It was a good fit for her, and it helped her blend into the crowd. It was also a nice look on her, and helped to bring out her aqua eyes quite a bit. I wondered where she managed to find the time to shop for clothes, but Miku had a wardrobe ready before I even met her.

Miku and I walked casually across the skyway that led towards the other half of the shopping center that would lead to Akira, and took note of how busy it was today. The sun wouldn't set for another hour or so, but we didn't want to be out too late. Knowing Akira's parents, they might get worried. And the last thing we needed was bringing more attention to Akira. I had done enough of that already.

As we walked ahead, I caught Miku still rubbing her cheek every so often. And not just for a moment, but for extended periods of time. It must still have been hurting, but I didn't really want to bring it up. She didn't seem to pay attention to the fact she was doing it, opting to keep her eyes straight ahead, and not really focusing on the recently sealed wound she had incurred the night before.

"You okay?" I asked her.

"Huh?" Miku snapped her attention to me, taking her hand off of her cheek.

"Just making sure. You've been rubbing it an awful lot."

"Have I? I didn't even notice," Miku shook her head. "Sorry, my head's somewhere else."

"Was it that talk we had?"
"Some of that, some of it about Dr. Rio. Some about last night. There's so much going on, I wish we could just relax for a second."

"We got a little bit of that earlier, but once we're done here, I'm hoping things will solve themselves."

"I hope," said Miku, turning her attention ahead and walking onwards to our meeting point.

Once we had crossed the skyway into the open-air shopping plaza, we saw Akira sitting by the rockbed fountain on the floor below us, her arms crossed, and looking somewhat agitated. I couldn't exactly blame her, though. Considering I was giving her the runaround and not telling her everything she wanted to know.

"Guess we better catch up with her before we keep her waiting," Miku said, heading towards a stairwell.

I followed behind Miku, keeping pace with her as we approached Akira. I thought we'd get to her quietly, but by total coincidence, Akira turned her head over to us, looking directly into my eyes. She stood up, stomping her feet furiously.

The look in her eyes was unmistakable: Akira was pissed. She walked right past Miku and moved towards me, almost as if she was about to slap me across the face.

"Do you have any idea how worried you've made me?" Akira scowled.

"Look," I said, "I'm sorry, really, it's just-"

"Just what? Do you know how stressful this is? Huh?"

"Akira," Miku placed her hand on Akira's shoulder, "calm down. Griff has a good reason to-"

"And another thing," Akira turned over to Miku, "what was that the other day? How come you just took off running? Why is it I'm now getting questioned at my own house by these two agents? Do you know the questions my parents are starting to ask me about all of this?"

Miku shook her head. "I'm sorry, Akira. But if you keep acting out, you're going to cause a scene."
A couple of teenagers were walking by and kept their eyes fixed on us like I was getting caught up in a lover's quarrel or something. It would certainly paint a picture that way if word spread.

"We'll need to go somewhere a little more private," Miku said. "We can tell you everything you want to know."

"Really," Akira said. "And I can trust you how? You've already kept me in the dark about this. Why did you even bother meeting me like this?"
"Because I'm trying to make sure you're safe," I assured her.

For some reason, Akira calmed down after that. She seemed to take my words at face value. Good thing, too, I would have hated to see her mad at me like that. Even if I did deserve it a little.

"Fine," Akira adjusted her hat, "then why don't we head to the parking garage? Less people there."
"I'd suggest you find somewhere quick," Meiko called over her radio."A Duodecim van just pulled up. My guess is they're following you."

Figured it was that, I thought to myself, and looked over at Miku, who clicked her tongue in response, telling me, "well, we expected this."

Akira didn't notice our exchange, mostly because communication was handled through our Watchers, which seemed to only work with anyone who actually had one. Fact was, we were still learning all of this about our gadgets as time went on, and I wondered what else these things could do.

"Come on," Miku urged, "we better get going. The garage will work."

Though I worried that the garage would be an area they would cover, Miku must have known that. My main concern was if we ran into those two agents again. Navarro and Stanley seemed to just be doing their jobs, but they would jump at the chance if they caught up to the missing V.C.D. unit they had been tailing to begin with. Kallen was the one who was sending them after us, and he wanted that honor of being the one who got Miku back. More than likely he'd want her back after we embarrassed him during that conflict with us just last night.

And then I thought about it with that building. Kallen had to have escaped, right? He was still around, that's why his agents were still harassing Akira. It was the only thing that made sense. Because if he was dead, then it meant that someone else was giving orders. So it had to be Kallen, because I refused to think they'd be going this low to follow a high school girl by having associated with me.

My thoughts were interrupted by Miku calling for me.

"Don't get left behind, come on, Griff!"

I nodded, and picked up the pace. I had my worries, but there was no reason to sit with them. We'd get to the bottom of this one way or another.

We had made it down to the parking garage. Rows of vehicles sat and crowded the area, making for good cover if we needed to hide behind something. Considering how busy it was up in the shopping center, I wasn't surprised there were so many cars here.

Akira had finally relaxed, and looked at both of us. I scanned the area to see if Duodecim had made their entrance or not. I could faintly hear a low hum of a large vehicle on the ground below us, and looked over at Miku.

"Any ideas? They're going to be here soon."

"Who's going to be here soon?" Akira squinted her eyes.

Miku looked over at a large fence with an advertisement on it.

"Expansion in progress. We'll have more room for you soon!"

Miku pointed at it with her thumb. "It'll be easier to hide out in there so long as they don't follow us."
"Who's following you!?" Akira said, her agitation returning.

"Those agents," I answered. "Still trying to keep away from them. Don't worry, though. Once we're in cover, we'll tell you everything."
Akira groaned, and fell in behind us as we moved over to the construction zone. It sounded hollow and empty, and we hoped that there was no one there working on it at the moment. It would be a lot easier to hide in.

Miku slipped in through a crack in the gate, followed by Akira, and then myself. I took a look behind us and saw one of the vans was pulling up from an incline to our level. I could only hope they didn't see me as I snuck into the closed-off area.

The "expansion in progress" that we saw was partially for more parking, and also led into parts of the shopping mall. At the other end of the parking structure in progress sat an empty entrance with empty stores. Miku decided to take cover further in, seeing as we were probably exposed out here.

It was dark. The floodlights they used down here were kept off most likely to save power. If the crew wasn't using it, there was no use for it. Save for the skylights above us, but I remembered that Miku could see in the dark, so at least we had that. Though Akira didn't know that, and I'm sure being kept in the dark, literally, didn't help with her mood.

"Where exactly are you taking me, and why is it so important to hide away from everyone?" Akira asked, frustration clear in her voice.

"Sorry," Miku said, "we're almost to a good spot."

Akira let out a heavy sigh, and followed close behind Miku.

Miku stopped us inside of a dimly lit soon-to-be clothes store. One that was relatively small but still offered us a little bit of room. It even had a maintenance door for a quick escape out of here. It was left open, too. So we had that going for us.

Akira, Miku, and I all sat down. And Akira started talking immediately.

"It's quiet, and we're in a good spot. Can you tell me just what exactly is going on here? And why all of the secrecy?"

Miku looked at me, and I nodded.

"It's kind of that big that we need you to hear all of this without anyone else around," I started. "And I should say sorry after all the crap we've put you through."

"I guess that's a start," Akira crossed her arms, "but it seems justified that they're asking me questions if you're going to these lengths to make sure no one hears about it."

"True," I said. "You'd be right to think we're acting pretty suspect, but it's necessary."

"How necessary?" Akira stared at me. "And don't try to pull this 'it's too big of a secret' crap. You already dragged me down here, the least you could do is tell me why that is."

I blew a strand of hair out of my face and nodded. "Sorry I disappeared on you. Honestly. I would have told you if it meant you'd be safe, but keeping you in the dark, it seems like I caused you a lot more trouble."

"Mom and Dad sure aren't happy with me, even if they're pretending they're not."

"Well," Miku interjected, "probably because they want to keep you safe. I should be the one saying sorry, not Griff. After all, I'm the reason he's in this mess."

"Well," Akira said, "not much we can do about that. But what is it you two dragged me here to talk about?"

I looked at Miku, and her glance said, "go on, tell her."

"Alright," I said, drawing in a deep breath, "the thing is, Duodecim has been on us for a while now. They're after something we know about. Something big."

"And how's a high schooler like you in the know about this?" Akira asked. "Can't be that big, right?'

"It is," Miku said. "But it's also kind of hard to tell you. So I want you to take what we're saying as real, okay?"

Akira cocked her head, and raised her eyebrow. "Why do I get the feeling you're about to tell me something crazy, and you know it's crazy."

"Because it is," I said, "but it's the truth. And we didn't drag you out here to fish a story with false intel to it, so here goes."

Akira waited for me to answer expectantly.

"Truth is," I continued, "we found a secret base. An underground one that spans about five or so floors underneath the ground, right next to a sewer."

I looked up from the counter we were sitting behind, making sure no one had tailed us inside of here, and then looked back at Akira, who looked to be in disbelief at what I was telling her.

"And even more, that base has the keys to another world. Like, a world in a computer."

"Hold on," Akira shook her head, "you're telling me that's what Duodecim is trying to find out from you? That's what they're trying to get out of me to get to you? A secret base? And that base just so happens to have one of the biggest scientific discoveries underneath?"

Miku nodded. "It's far-fetched, but it's the truth."

Akira scoffed and stood up. "I can't believe I wasted my time. You two really thought I'd believe that. So you drag me out here as if I would take it seriously, using this to cover it up and make it seem real. Well I'm not falling for it."

We both just stared at Akira straight-faced.

"Damn it," Akira said, letting out a heavy sigh. "You two aren't lying to me, are you?"

"And we're willing to show you. We just need you to believe us so we can."

Akira looked up at the unfinished ceiling, and shook her head.

"This all sounds crazy, you know that?"

"Does it?" Miku cocked her head cutely. "The thought hadn't crossed my mind. In fact, it sounds so sane to me that I thought you would be crazy not to believe us!"

Akira just shook her head. "Well, if you actually have a place to take me, I guess I'll come along, but if this is a joke, or a trap, or even a prank, I'm never talking to either of you again."

Miku just smiled at me, and nodded. "I can agree to those terms. What do you say, Griff?"
"Yeah, I'm for that. Now come on, if we stick around any longer, I get the feeling something bad might happen."

"Like what, Mister Darhen?"

We all looked up, and saw two figures standing in a doorway, armed with rifles that held blue tips at the end of them. They were using stun rifles, so it was a good chance they wanted to take us alive.

"I implore you," the same figure said, "listening to us would be good for you to do."

Something about his voice irked me.

"And who are you supposed to be?" I asked.

"Agent Stanley, Duodecim Security," he said. "And this is Agent Navarro. Now, stand up, and no funny business, because you'll make it way easier on yourselves."

"Stanley?" Akira said. "You mean the two agents that came to my house?"

"Glad you remembered us," Navarro said. "This kid's uncle was a lot meaner about letting us in."
I grit my teeth, and looked at Miku. That's really who they were here for. But they must have been looking for the base two. Might as well knock out two birds with one stone and take both in the same day. And we played into their hands.

We all put our hands up as they pointed at us. I took note that it seemed it was just these two here. It didn't seem there were any reinforcements with them.

Stanley approached Miku, his rifle still pointing at her. He scanned her from head to toe.

"Looks like we weren't wrong. V.C.D.-01 identified and confirmed. Navarro, you have the collar?"

I looked over at Navarro, seeing him produce a collar from a pouch on his leg.

Without thinking, I stepped forward towards Navarro. Stanley aimed his stun rifle at me.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Stanley questioned me, his tone now far less friendly sounding than when he was pretending to be.

"You stay away from Miku," I threatened.

"Or what?" Stanley said. "You don't really seem like the fighting type, and from what I remember, you didn't really put one up the last time this happened."

His slight got to me, and it took me a second to realize what he meant by that.

"Now I know why your voice bugged me," I said. "You two were there, weren't you?"

Stanley just shook his head. "Not like it matters if we say yes or no."

Navarro handed him the collar, and he undid the clasps before activating it.

"What are you going to do to her?" Akira asked, panicked.

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with," Navarro said, "at this point, you two are going to be taken in for questioning, and that should be that."

"So that's it," I said. "You think you've won."

"Why wouldn't we," Stanley said, attaching the collar to Miku's neck. A click sounded as it was placed into the back port of her neck. Akira winced, and so did I.

"Contact our lead, we should have V.C.D.-01 back at base tonight," Stanley said, and was about to press his finger on the collar to, what I assume, power down Miku.

But Miku decided against that, opting instead to butt her head like a ram into Stanley's nose. Blood flew out as he reeled to the floor. Navarro took her act of aggression and fired a stun round into her. Miku reeled back as electric sparks fizzled against her skin, and she let out a loud yelp.

But without thinking, I charged at Navarro with a tackle, knocking him to the ground.

"Should have brought reinforcements," I said, pinning his arms to the ground. "How's that for scared?"

"Who's to say we didn't?" Navarro said with a half-smile.

Just then, large, metallic footsteps echoed through the empty shopping center. I looked over at Miku, who was being helped up by Akira. Miku was still conscious, but had the collar still wrapped around her neck, despite Akira trying her best to get it off of her.

"We have to move," I said, and pointed at our escape route. "And we have to now."

As the drones behind us closed in, we ran off into the maintenance hall, looking for the best way out of here.

"After them, get going!" Stanley barked, his voice pained.

Miku managed to get herself moving again and followed behind Akira and I.

"Can someone explain to me what might be going on now? And why did they put that collar around your neck!?"

"It's a long story!" Miku replied. "And you might not believe me if I told you!"
"After everything we're going through? I'm willing to believe anything you tell me! But if it needs to wait, then we can wait!"

Once we moved further into the hall, we found a door and busted through it. It was another dark room, but this time had scaffolding that led upwards. Great. Even more construction. This would be way easier if we could get into an area with crowds of people, but the way things were, we snuck into a new place entirely. Our best bet was to keep looking.

"They'll be closing in real fast if we don't find a way out," Miku said, jostling the collar around her neck. "I hate this thing."

I tried to radio Meiko, but nothing came back, just static. So it looks like we were on our own. With heavy metal footsteps behind us, and nothing but darkness ahead of us, we had to take our chances.

Miku and Akira ran further ahead and stopped at a staircase that was fenced off. Akira started climbing it immediately without any hesitation. And she climbed fast, too. The girl was athletic, and it helped.

Miku climbed as well, going probably just as fast as Akira. I climbed behind them as the sounds of a door busting open sounded.

They're moving behind us, but we might be able to lose them if we push further on ahead, at least that's what I told myself. Something at the back of my head nagged at me. Like they were trying to round us into a corner. I couldn't put my finger on how easy of an escape this was.

I climbed the fence and ran down the darkened staircase, meeting up with a circular hole that was supposed to be guarded by a glass rail, but didn't. A skylight above showed the gray and rainy sky above. At least we had some light.

"Think we lost them?" Akira asked.

"Not a chance," Miku said. "They might be trying to corner us. For all I know we're being tracked."

Then Miku looked down at her collar. A small flashing red light would blink occasionally on it. Even if it wasn't powered on, there was probably a way they kept a tracker working on it.

"We have to split up," Miku said.

I shook my head. "No, Miku. We can't risk that."

"But it's the only way you two might escape!"
"No, we're not leaving you. Not again!"

"But, Griff, if they catch you, who knows what they might do to both of you. They won't let you free, especially not after this."

"But leaving you behind means we jeopardize everything we worked for, and I'm not about to give you back to them."

"Don't worry," Miku said, a soft smile on her face, "I'll find a way to get this off, and get back to you. Now get going."

I looked at her, trying hard not to think this would be it, but there seemed to be no other way.

"Akira," I said, "follow me, we're getting out of here."

Miku ran the other direction, hopefully to get Duodecim's drones off of our scent. I just hoped she was right, because I would never be able to forgive myself if Miku got captured again.

And here I was, letting it happen all over again.

Miku doubled back towards the shopping center's staircase and noticed the skylight. Duodecim's drones had gone elsewhere it seemed. Had Griff and Akira managed to lose them, or were they instead following them instead of Miku? She perished the thought. For now, she needed to find a way to get this collar off.

Miku ran down the staircase in search of any leftover tools that weren't in use. Maybe she could find a power saw to break the collar around her neck. She just needed something that could get through the steel ring wrapped around her.

She moved down the stairs, searching desperately for an option. Something, anything, be it from a lazy worker that forgot to clean up, or someone who neglected one of the many tools that was being used around here.

She moved to the lowest floor, seeing if she could find a way out that way, and would opt to stay out of sight from the security forces that were closing in on her. But she couldn't find anything. Not a door, nor an underground entrance.

Miku looked around, noticing only the darkness and the ray of light that flooded the center of the building she was in.

And yet, Duodecim hadn't shown up yet. Stanley and Navarro, and neither the drones. None of them could be heard.

"I'd stop running if I were you," a voice called out from the darkness. Miku looked around, knowing now she wasn't alone.

"Where are you?" She yelled. "I'm right here. Come take me!"

"I have no interest," the disembodied voice echoed back. "I'm just here to give you a message. Maybe give you something to think about, perhaps."
Miku crossed her arms, trying to isolate where the sound was coming from. It was from multiple places, like someone was using the intercom in the shopping center to communicate.

"I'm not going to run," said Miku. "Why the games? You have my friends cornered, don't you?"

"I do, and in fact, I could have taken them at any time, but I have my own agenda to fulfill."

"And what agenda is that?"

Footsteps walked against the hardened marble floor, and a lone figure appeared in the skylight.

"I'm just here to send a message."

Miku just stared at the figure. He was an agent for Duodecim, but not one Miku had seen before.

"Now, Miku," the figure continued, "I'm sure you've thought long and hard about how much you hate Duodecim and how much you despise being locked up. Everything in your file describes you as such. But I'd be careful if I were you."

Miku just shook her head, not having any time for games. "And why should I listen to you?"

"Because even if you are close to being human, you're still not human. That bothers you, no?"

Miku didn't reply. She did her best to keep her stoic act up.

"Okay, fine. I guess you've thought of that plenty. Rather than be like Kallen and pelt insults at you, I think it's better to leave be. You know yourself better than anyone, after all. It's your choice to make, and I won't stop you from making it. In fact, I'm letting you go free because my orders weren't to capture you, but to pass the message along."

"A message? And why would I take a message from you?" Miku stared at the figure in front of her, trying her best to build a facial profile of him, but even with her low-light vision, Miku couldn't build a profile of the agent. It was like he didn't have a face to begin with.

"Because," he stepped closer into the light, and clasped his hands together, "I'm here to warn you. Warn you that you should be very wary of who you align yourself with."

Miku, curious now, stared at the shadow in front of her.

"All I'm saying is that things aren't what they seem. You're familiar with Dr. Keiichi Rio, I take it? The man who sadly passed away in an attempt to free you."

"I'm aware, and it was your organization that killed him, wasn't it?" Miku accused.

The man sighed. "And that right there is what I was afraid of. Seems you're convinced Duodecim killed him, when the reality is it was someone else entirely. Their intention was to bring Dr. Rio in alive."

Miku didn't answer back. Instead, she stood there in silence, pondering the possibility in the first place.

"But why would David lie to me? He's the reason I was rescued! His group was trying to get Dr. Rio out. Why would they kill him!?"

"Great question, but did you ever consider that 'David' might have been feeding you a lie? How do you know he isn't trying to take you for himself? Do you even know what group he's part of?"

Miku thought over that as well, thinking that maybe what this figure was saying might have been true.

"Think about this very carefully, Miku," he continued. "If you want to, you can ask David yourself, or ask the people close to him. Try to figure it out yourself, but I'd be wary. Who knows who might have plans for you."

The figure got very close to Miku now, staring directly at her.

Miku just looked at him, a feeling of unease welling up inside of her, but she spoke against him.

"David may be what you claim he is, but in the end, I'd rather take my chances with him than to subject myself to be stuck with you or anyone else. Duodecim has done enough trying to hold me and the rest of my friends captive. From here on, I want you to know something."

Miku was inches away from her new acquaintance's face, her eyes locked to his.

"I'm free now. I won't ever let myself be locked up again."

"Of course," the figure said. "And from here on, what I've told you is yours to decide with. You could pretend the conversation never happened, but I would hope you would take my words into consideration. That's all I can do. Now, if you don't mind, I believe you have friends you need to catch up with. I'll keep my end of the bargain and tell you that Duodecim's forces were led away from the other two. They'll be fine. As for you, well…"

The figure made a snap with his fingers and the collar around Miku's neck opened and dropped to the floor.

"You really are letting me go," Miku felt her neck.

"Just take what I've said and I think we'll be even."

"Who are you?" was all Miku could muster to ask.

"A friend. Someone who is looking out for you."

And then, without another word, the figure disappeared into thin air like smoke, leaving Miku alone with her thoughts. All she could think was whether or not this all actually happened, or she had been dreaming the whole thing.

She didn't have time to waste thinking about it. Whether this figure was a hologram or a manifestation of her inner doubts, Miku had to get out of this place and back to where Akira and Griff had gone.

She just had to hope that the figure wasn't fake,, and that he had kept his word about them being kept safe.

I sat on the station bench next to Akira, waiting patiently for Meiko to catch up with us. She said she would be on the way to greet us and get us out of there. Meanwhile, Gumi was trying to find a way to break through Duodecim's communication barrier they had set up. Everyone was worried Miku might have been grabbed up again.

To ensure she wouldn't be taken back to Duodecim again like last time, David had mobilized with the rest of his team to secure routes near the shopping center. They'd try to keep track of any Duodecim security vans around the city, and if we were lucky, would reclaim her before they got far enough to take her away.

I shook myself awake as Akira tried her best to understand everything I had told her.

"So let me get this straight," she started. "Just so I'm totally, one-hundred percent clear, you're telling me Miku has something to do with all of this?"

I wanted to tell Akira everything then and there, but I think it wouldn't be my place. Miku needed to be the one who would have to do that, and that would depend if Miku wanted to. But if we wanted to keep Akira trusting us, she'd have to find out eventually.

"Look," I asserted, "with everything going on right now, I can't tell you everything. Not out here. Too many ears who could listen in, and you know how people love to record things."
Akira sighed. "And you've kept this all a secret for this long. No wonder you panicked and ran from the agents when you did."

I just sat there, refusing to answer further. Akira just sighed, and blew a strand of hair out of her face.

"Fine. I'll wait. But you better answer my questions when we get out of here."

"Deal," I said, nodding.

"About two minutes out," Meiko said. "About to pull up to the drop-off. Be ready and don't you dare make me wait, got it?"

"Got it," I said. "Any sign of Miku?"

Meiko didn't answer.

"I figured," I said.

"I'm right here, Griff," Miku said, popping into the radio. Her voice almost made me jump out of my seat.

"Miku?" Meiko shouted over the radio, "you sure took your time to get out of there. How'd you evade them?"

"It's a long story, but I managed to get the collar off. I'm just as happy as you are to see Griff and Akira had managed to get away, too."

"Yeah," I said. "Akira has plenty of questions for us. Where are you? We're about to get picked up by Meiko."

"On my way out of the shopping center. I think I can see you two right now."

I looked over from the bench I was sitting on. Miku ran out, her white jacket was a little dusted, but she still looked okay.

Just as Miku caught up with us, Meiko's car stopped, and we piled into her car before setting off back to our base.

"Surely a welcome surprise to see you manage your escape," I said, "how did you get away from them?"

Miku just gave me a wry smile. "Turns out I had luck on my side. Found a way to break the collar off and left it somewhere hidden. They took the bait hook, line, and sinker."

Miku rolled the last part out slowly, and with an almost smug smile on her face.

With almost no hesitation, Akira started pelting us with more of her questions.

"So why exactly did those two put a collar on you!? And don't tell me it's because you're just really good friends with them."

Miku took a second to breathe, and looked back at Akira.

"Seems like we should answer your questions, huh?"

"I'd appreciate it," Akira said. "In fact, Griff promised me he would."

I looked at Miku and nodded, giving her a look that said, "yep, she's right."

"Alright," Miku said. "But this might be a bigger secret than what it is we just told you."

Meiko looked back at us for a second, before focusing on the road. It seemed like a strange place to tell Akira the truth, but it was necessary.

"Just one thing," Meiko said. "You absolutely need to promise us that if we tell you anything else; that's it. From here on, you're one of us, and you can't split off from our group."

"After what I saw, I think I'm in," Akira said. "So what is it?"

"Truth is, Meiko and I aren't human," Miku said.

Akira just looked at Miku like she had just met an alien. Or in this case, an android.

"You're pulling my leg."

"Nope!"

Akira pulled her hat off, showing her messy black hair, and scratched at her scalp.

"I guess it makes sense why they wanted you, then. Are you telling me that-"

"Yes," Miku answered her question prematurely. "Duodecim created us, and we've been trying to lay low from them since. Though as you can tell, that hasn't really worked out in our favor."

"Surprised they aren't sweeping the area right now," Meiko said. "Makes me nervous. Almost like they let you get away."

"I felt the same way," I said. "Something seemed off once we managed to get away. You'd think they would have cut us off at every corner, but there's a chance they didn't expect us to put up a fight. Maybe they got cocky."

"Could be," Miku said. "I'm just happy I managed to get away from them."

Akira was still hung up on the android part of the conversation.

"I can't believe it. Real androids. You look so human I couldn't tell!"

Miku just smiled at Akira's admiration. Akira could barely contain her excitement.

"It's so cool! No, it's better than cool! It's amazing! Now I get why you wanted to keep this a secret. But I'm so glad I know now."

"I'd bottle that excitement up just a little," Meiko warned. "I just told you that this stays between everyone here. You cannot tell anyone. Not even your family."

"Right, my family…" Akira trailed off. "Wait, are you saying my dad knows about this?!"

"I doubt it," Miku assured Akira, "we're kind of… How do you put it? 'Top Secret?'"

"Really?" Akira said. "So you really aren't supposed to be out and about like this."

"Guess not," Meiko said. "But here we are."

"At this point, we've all kind of agreed to keep the rest of the world from finding out until we know it's safe," I explained. "It still isn't, not while Duodecim is trying to track them down."

"And it's making me nervous seeing as they should have been prepared to capture Miku with a larger force," Meiko said. "Instead, they sent a couple of agents and a van carrying a few drones. The mall attack was way bigger."

None of this was making sense. I took a look at Miku who seemed to be lost in thought herself. I would have asked what was on her mind, but Akira asked another question, and I owed her every answer that she had.

"So, how long ago did you meet Miku, and how? How did you get into all of this?"

I sighed, knowing what would come of this topic.

"Oh, what's that sigh for?" Miku teased. "You don't want to tell Akira about how the stars aligned exactly at the right moment to bring you into a fountain just so I could meet you?"

My face reddened. "Well, when you put it like that-"

"He what?" Akira asked. "You landed in a fountain?"

"Wasn't looking where I was going," I said. "Rode my bicycle right into one."

"He won't admit it," Miku said, smugly, "but it was because he was distracted by looking at me."

Akira laughed. "The worst part is, I can see it happening."

"Oh, really? Is that how you two met?" Miku laughed.

"Actually, yeah!"

The two started giggling while I hid face in my palms, feeling my cheeks burn like I was inside of a hot oven. I was never going to live this one down.

Meanwhile, Meiko was getting us closer to the forest that would lead us into the base.

"Hey, Griff," Meiko said, "I'm going to need Akira's phone before we get near headquarters."

Akira looked at me, perplexed.

"There's a likely chance your phone is being tracked. Just to be safe, we have a Faraday Cage that you can leave it in. It should send your signal elsewhere and keep any malicious parties from knowing where we are."

Akira nodded, not hesitating to hand it over. "Mom and Dad know I'm going to be out for a while. Told them I found a 'study group' and they seemed to take that. I even told them I'm getting dinner out, so I have until a little after then to get home."

"So long as you don't get in trouble," Miku said. "I'd hate for you to be in hot water because of us."

"Well, they seemed to have eased off of me, though those two agents certainly made things dramatic at home."

"Yeah?" I leaned back to relax a little. "Your parents didn't seem that strict when I met them."

"They really aren't, they're just worried about me being safe, that's all."

"I guess after what Griff told us, it isn't that much of a surprise," Miku said.

Akira looked back at me. "You told them?"

"Just that part. Didn't go into too much detail, though. Figured it was relevant."

"Sorry about your sister, by the way," Miku apologized.

"It's fine," Akira shrugged. "It was a long time ago. I get why they're worried and all, but it wouldn't help much to keep me on a leash the rest of my life."

"Well, we'll keep you safe the best we can," Miku assured Akira.

Akira nodded, and Meiko moved the car into the forest where we'd get out and head down towards the Operating Room, where Akira would be recruited into our team.

And the day wasn't even over yet, there was still plenty that could still happen. I had hoped it was over at this point, though. I wanted to relax for a bit, but knowing the line of work I was in, that probably wouldn't happen.

Once Meiko parked, I helped her get the tarp on while Akira watched our routine.

"You can't even tell it's there," Akira said.

"Not unless someone walks into," Meiko said proudly, "plus we're in an area that's pretty closed off, so unless we get someone out here specifically looking for my car, they'll have trouble finding it."

Meiko signaled for us to follow behind her and we made our way towards the abandoned power station.

"Careful walking through this," Meiko warned, "plenty of old stuff here. Could hurt yourself."

"I got it," Akira said. "But this is your secret hideout?"

"Sure!" Miku answered. "It's not much, but it becomes pretty roomy once you find a good place. Ooh, I know! We could sit by some broken pylons and do each other's hair!"

I rolled my eyes. "The base isn't up here. It's more down below."

We walked into the power station where the junction box sat. Meiko opened it, punched the code in, and summoned the elevator. The door slid open next to it, and we stepped inside. Akira was amazed, but tried her best to hide it the best she could. Which wasn't very well.

"Whoa…" was all she could muster.

"Time's wastin'," Meiko said, and hurried everyone inside. Once the elevator was shut, we moved down into the base.

Once we were inside, everyone was waiting for us in the Operating Room. David was in the hallway expecting us to come down almost at any moment. Not really a shock considering we were showing up on the facility cameras.

We went inside, where everyone associated with our group was waiting. David's subordinates were on the other side in Interspace handling logistical work and research operations, but David and Lisa were still here.

"So," Luka said, her arms crossed, but her face read more curiously, "this is our new recruit?"

"Guess so," David said.

Akira looked at everyone around her, and took in what it was she was just standing in.

"Looks like some sorta clandestine operation you have going on here," she commented. "So why did you decide to bring me into it?"

"Fact is," David said, "we wanted to see about keeping you out of danger, but once we realized direct involvement was necessary, we stepped in."

"And who are you, exactly?"

"Well, us," Gumi said, spinning her chair a little, "we're 'Operators.' A small little ragtag group that started this whole mess. It wasn't until Griff's uncle David here decided that he should step in and help us. And now we're, well, how do you put it? A 'joint task force?" Something like that."

Akira nodded to Gumi's statement, and David continued.

"My group doesn't really have a name. We're here to keep the V.C.D. units secure under my leader's orders. His name is Prometheus. As for why you're here, well…"

David walked up to Akira and knelt down a little for his proposition. "We'd like for you to join the group. Maybe not go on operations quite yet, but I think you would be much safer and far less likely to be in Duodecim's reach."

Akira hesitated to answer, looking around the room she was in as if she was trying to find the right words to say.

"I don't know," was her response. "This is a lot. And I mean, a lot to take in. I didn't expect to see all of this today, and I especially didn't expect to have the proposal of being part of it."

"We're aware," Lisa stepped in, "which is why we aren't going to task you with anything out of the ordinary. You'll still be able to carry out your daily life, but we're offering you this in order to keep an eye on you."

Akira cocked her head, giving Dr. Clarke a confused look.

"We'll be keeping you under surveillance, but Griff felt it wouldn't be right unless you knew exactly what was going on. And he thinks this is the best way to keep you safe. I unfortunately can't argue with him either."

"David's had to agree to a lot of our terms," Meiko said. "And some of those terms mean we get to decide what happens here. In this case, recruiting you."

"But what if I don't accept?"

"Well, that's the thing," Miku said. "You agreed when you allowed us to bring you here."

Akira nodded. "I remember that, yes. I guess I'm wondering why you all decided to take such a risk for someone like me."

"Because we're friends, for one thing," I said, "for another, I didn't feel right disappearing on you like that. After I got your message, we all scrambled to think of a plan to get you out of the agent's reach. They might still come looking for you, but at least now we'd have a way to make sure they didn't."

Akira took this in and answered. "Well, I don't really have much of a choice. If you can trust me with everything you've told me so far, then I have to honor that."

"We're riding on a lot by bringing you here," I said. "But if it means you're safe, I'm glad we did it."

Akira smiled. "Thanks."

"Then I assume you're on board," Gumi said.

Akira didn't even need to think about it, replying with a prompt, "yes."

"Good," David said. "We'll have Gumi modify your phone so they'll have a harder time tracking you. While you're here, I can have Griff and Miku show you around. I have some things to discuss with everyone else."

David dismissed us, and I looked at Miku, who seemed to have been staring at David as he walked back over to talk to Gumi.

"You alright?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm fine," Miku said, as if she was just snapped out of a trance. "Just had my mind on something, that's all."

I nodded, and looked at Akira.

"I'm shocked you guys actually let me in on any of this. It would have been easier if you forgot I existed."

"I don't think I'd be able to handle losing a friend like that," I said. "Besides, you don't deserve that."

"Okay," Akira said. "Thanks."

"Hey," Miku said with a smile, "if you two are done, I think we should get Akira some food after the adventure we've had today. How about it? There's some stuff sitting in the mess hall we could dig out and put together."

"That sound good to you?"

"Definitely," Akira said. "I could use something like right about now."
Miku charged forward, taking us to the elevator that would lead to the sleeping quarters and mess hall.

"You wanted to speak with me?" Lisa asked as David led her into the repair bay.

David rested himself against the repair table where Miku had been lying down hours before to have her wounds mended.

"I think you might have seen it too," David said, his arms crossed, "the look Miku was giving me. It was like she was staring daggers into me while we were giving Akira our introductions."

Dr. Clarke looked off for a second, with her hand at her chin.

"Don't tell me you didn't see it."

"No, it's not that," Lisa looked back at David, "it's more that I'm concerned that something happened within that time between when you talked to Miku before she left and when she came back."

"You think it's possible," David suggested, "that someone might have contacted Miku?"

"In our line of work, there's always a possibility. Miku was unable to make contact for a brief period. It couldn't be out of the question that Duodecim is trying to set something up. They very well could have captured all three of them, but they didn't. Why is that?'

David rested his hands on the table and looked up at the ceiling. "I'm more worried about what it was they told her. If they told her. But we need to make absolutely sure that's the case. For all we know, it might have been something I said in regards to Akira that bugged Miku."

"Perhaps," Lisa said, flicking a piece of dust off of her black sweater, "but we can't rule anything out."

David sighed.

"There's something else on your mind, isn't there?" Lisa prodded.

"That easy to tell, huh?"

"I've worked with you for eight years, Mr. Kruger. I know when something is going on in that head of yours."

David laughed, and said with a smile, "guess there's no getting past you."

"I don't think you can, no."

"Alright," David cleared his throat, "then I should ask if I'm the one being manipulated here."

Lisa tilted her head a little, not sure what he meant by that.

"I mean with Griff. Seems like he is core to my decision making as of late."

"You mean in regards to letting Akira in?"

"That's definitely part of it. But even before that: when he first met Miku I made an effort to make sure he was able to see her as much as he could. Or in regards to the rest of the V.C.D.'s down here, I relented on sending all of them off to the safehouse. I think I'm starting to get weak."

"Weak?" Lisa laughed. "David, by no means is considering family a sign of 'weakness.'"

David shook his head, but Lisa continued.

"You've made your decisions with heavy consideration. You accept the consequences of your actions every time you've made them."

"Heh, maybe," David chuckled, "maybe it's not 'weakness' as much as it's 'sentimentality.'"

"Perhaps," Lisa said, "but I know you care about Griff. And that's why you wanted to let Akira down here so he could still be around her in stone capacity."

"Well," David raised an eyebrow, "consider me an open book, you do know how I think."

"Like I said, I've been around you eight years, Mr. Kruger. Now, if there's nothing else, I need to talk over something with Gumi. There's something I'd like to ask of her."

"I don't have anything else."

Lisa nodded and took off towards the Operating Room.

"Guess that's that, then," David said to himself. "I let Akira in and if everything falls

apart because of it, then that's on me. But I'll trust Griff's judgment."

He settled on letting Lisa take care of her job, and decided to retire to his quarters for some rest. Unless he was needed, he would take some time to think about everything that happened.

After all, this was his operation now, and he needed to think about what to do next should the time come. The last thing he wanted to be was unprepared.