A/N: BREAKING NEWS! THERE IS NOW A SECOND VISUAL NOVEL!It is entitled "Steins;Gate Zero". Google that stuff. It focus on the Okabe that failed to save Kurisu during the first attempt at the Beta timeline(the one where it's revealed that HE stabbed Kurisu) before the warning of the Future Okabe via the scrambled video feed. A bit of trivia is that this "failed 1st attempt Okabe" and the Future Okabe that warns 2nd attempt Okabe in the video feed, is one and the same. DUN DUN DUN. Oh and it ties in to Robotics;Notes(another awesome work by 5pb set years after S;G) in that the Amadeus system is present in S;G Zero.
But you know what's more awesome? STEINS;GATE ZERO IS GETTING AN ANIME! YES THAT'S RIGHT! NEW STEINS;GATE ANIME! Best news ever! I wish Committee of Antimatter wasn't cancelled though ugh!
Well… this is awkward.
You see, y'all are supposed to be reading chapter 14 by now! I've gotten the content written up to that already! But no, fanfiction's doc manager decided to be a scallywag and won't save my docx files damn it. Well if there's one upside for this, it's that I've re-written chapter 11 aka this chapter to fit in all of the important plot points till chapter 14! It would've been longer but it's a chore to copy past and edit so a shorter re-written chapter 11 is what I went with.
Also I'd like to say thank you to all who have reviewed, followed and fave'd this story so far. A particular one from "AJ aka stalker" stood out, I'll be addressing that now. You see, I'm well aware of the PDA stuff between our favourite Maddo Sayantisto and his assistant being out of norm for usual Japanese youngsters, but let me point out some stuff:
-Kurisu mostly grew up in America. And as we all know, Americans can be pretty outgoing in a good way.
-Kurisu and Okabe aren't "normal" per se, it would be fitting if they act as a couple in a non-normal way as well.
-About the same room thing(I assume you're referring to chapter 3), well that just goes to show that they trust each other(all lab members to that extent).
Well I hope that answers your inquiry albeit I feel it's a crud explanation haha, but yeah that's the gist of it.
I bet y'all are thinking now, 'when the hell is he gonna stop rambling and let us read the damn chapter already?!'. Well too bad, I'm gonna ramble some more! MWAHAHAHAHA~
Okay, fine. I'mma stop now, here's the chapter! I don't have to do the whole notes thing about quote marks and symbols for when they're speaking engrish right? I've been typing that out for many chapters now!
Oh and we start of this chapter from Moeka Kiryuu's perspective. YES I KNOW SHE EXISTS SHEESH!
DISCLAIMER: I own Steins;Gate. *puts shades on* Deal with it.
STEINS;FATE
Chapter 11 – Operation Mjolnir, Act 8 of the Birthday Saga
Previously on Steins;Fate
"Well since we're now really starting to go in deep, I see it fitting to do this as Steins;Gate dictates! Now then, let's begin…... OPERATION MJOLNIR, START!"
Braun's CRT TV shop, Akihabara, Tokyo, July 26, 2012 9:15 AM Moeka POV
"I guess for Okabe-san it would be 5:15 in the afternoon of the 25th since they're in Los Angeles." I mutter to myself. Tennouji-san, Nae-chan and myself have just gotten back from a trip to Saitama. We went to meet an old contact of Tennouji-san. This contact finally convinced my boss to sell the newer flatscreen television sets alongside the more classical CRT type of TVs. The mention of additional profit and popularity were factors into this sudden change. Tennouji-san loves his CRTs though so no way will he stop selling those just because of the additional merchandise.
I thank Nae-chan for being the reason why I'm even able to work here. I still remember seeing her hurt so I did what I knew was right, I gave her some first aid and asked her to tell me where her guardian is. One thing led to another and Tennouji-san gave me a job at his store.
I haven't been working here that long yet I've felt a sense of welcome while around Tennouji-san and his daughter. They've both been very accommodating, to the point where I can freely talk to them without any discomfort. And this is coming from someone who has spent a long majority of her time communicating via text. Don't get me wrong, I still do the texting, but I'm trying to lessen it now.
So far, aside from the Tennoujis, I can speak to my fellow 'lab members' as well. I prefer to use texting when talking to Okabe-san though, if only to annoy him. I'm well aware that the multiple text barraging I keep doing to him can get on his nerves, but his reactions are always priceless. Honestly, I'm glad I'm on good terms with him. The way he was so friendly with me when I met him apparently for the first time about 2 years ago.
I say apparently because I have a gut feeling that I've already met with him before. No, I'm certain that even before that day he gave me a badge as an honorary lab member, I've already met with him. Not only him, but the other lab members and even Tennouji-san.
Ever since that day of meeting with Okabe-san, there would be some nights were I would end up waking with distraught over a nightmare. Nightmares depicting me as some sort of agent called a 'rounder'. Scenes of me storming the Future Gadget Lab with a gun. Scenes that show a disturbing scene of Tennouji-san committing suicide. Of me… killing Mayuri-chan. I still have trouble just thinking how I could do such a thing to a sweet and lovable girl like Mayuri. I would like to think that those are just nightmares, but I have a strong feeling of realism whenever the nightmares happen. I've been wanting to talk with Okabe-san about it for a while now but I just couldn't muster up some courage. I know how important Mayuri is to him after all.
Speaking of which, it's Makise-san's birthday! I better text her a greeting. I've been meaning to all day but there was no reception, which was a bummer since I had a lot to text to Okabe as well.
"Part timer, you okay?"
I got woken up from my thoughts as I heard Tennouji-san's voice which had a hint of concern. Spacing out must've looked weird. I respond with "I'm fine, just remembering some things." He nods in response and tells me to take the entire day off today for rest. I smiled and gave my thanks to Tennouji-san and bid goodbye to Nae-chan as I went towards the path that would bring me to my flat. On the walk home I texted Makise-san my greetings as well as a barrage of texts to Okabe-san just for the heck of it. I grin as I await his undoubtedly annoyed response.
"I wonder if I should go to Los Angeles… maybe I could have Urushibara-san tag along? Faris-san did text me about her going there after all. I wonder what Urushibara-san would think?" I contemplated as I began composing a text message.
[STEINS;FATE]
In a certain café, 3 days before the Puzzle Convention, July 25, 2012, 5:15 PM, Yurina POV
"Would that be all? Understood, I'll get to it as soon as possible."
I put my phone back in my pocket and exit that restroom stall as I put on my smiling mask and head out to serve the customers once more. It appears that my targets have gathered here in the café, which makes it much easier to do my objective.
"We're Just friends!"
"It's not like that!"
Those would be the voices of Itaru Hashida and Yuki Amane. I recall being their waitress yesterday so I had a good look at their faces to ID them. That confirms it, they're here again along with prime directives A and B. Rintarou Okabe and Makise Kurisu. I see a visual on Mayuri Shiina and Rumiho Akiha as well. This was all going to plan. With the vital members of the Future Gadget Lab present, carrying out the mission was a sure success.
"Uh miss, we would like to give our order? Are you okay?" apparently I blanked out. I straighten myself out and once again put on my smiling mask as I cheerfully take on their order. The mission could wait a bit, I'm still a waitress in my current setting after all.
Rooftop of Fragrance Café, 5:15 PM Unknown POV
"Would that be all? Understood, I'll get to it as soon as possible". She then hung up the phone.
"Agent Y has put herself into position. Everything is being set into motion." I tell my comrade. In 6 days, we plan to launch an operation. An operation involving the so-called Future Gadget Lab.
"I don't get it X, why don't we just do the operation right now that the members of that Lab are gathered in one place? Saves time in trying to gather all of them." my partner, the one known as Agent Z asks me.
For this mission, there were three of us as part of the team. The team consisted of myself with me having the codename of Agent X, the second agent who had the codename of Agent Y, and the third agent who had the codename of Agent Z. Both me and Z were male while Agent Y is female. The three of us were close friends even off-duty, having all joined our organization at the same time. Agent Y was currently posing as a waitress at the café below to do some recon and intel-gathering while I am situated here above with Agent Z as backup.
I answer with a "we must be careful in order not to screw up, we have a lot hinging on this after all." We then discuss over a few things about the operation, it was basically a strategy meeting that we were having while waiting for the next update from Y. Then, I heard someone yell at us causing us all to look from above the roof to 3 people who were staring at us.
"Goons of the organization! What do you think you're doing?!" yelled the tall man wearing a laboratory coat who suspiciously looked similar to Rintarou Okabe but was a bit different. He was… older? It would be wise to relocate in this situation to avoid compromising the directive and it would seem that Z was thinking the same since I saw him packing our gear and motioning for us to relocate. I quickly sent a text to Agent Y saying that we were going to flee since we've been spotted.
Outside of Fragrance Café, 5:13 PM Suzuha POV
"Now then Kimiko and part-time warrior! Have you understood now how important this operation is?!" Uncle asks me and Kimiko-chan with his usual over-the-top theatrics. Well to uncle's credit, the additional information he just told us really upped the level of importance of 'Operation Mjolnir' as he likes to call it.
"If there are no more questions, then I believe the time is ripe to-"
"I have a question!" beamed Kimiko-chan which earned her a glare from my uncle. Her sudden interruption earned her a "foolish pawn of the organization" mutter which made me chuckle.
"Fine I will humor your silly inquiries, even though you outlandishly ruined my perfect monologue. I swear, kids these days, they all have the attention span of a sack of corn! Such insolence from the youth of today makes me wan-"
"Ahem, I think Kimiko-chan has a question?" I cut in since knowing how uncle Okabe was, he would ramble all day long and we'd never hear the end.
"Yes I do! Why is our operation called 'Operation Mjolnir'? Isn't that Thor's hammer? And do I still have to call you Kyouma-san even though you told me your real name?"
"Kimiko-chan, out of all the questions you could think of, why did you have to ask about the operation na-" and right there uncle Okabe rudely covered my mouth, and in effect muffling it.
"EXCELLENT QUESTION! I have given our operation the codename of 'Operation Mjolnir' because of two important factors!" Began uncle Okabe while releasing his hand from my mouth. I gasped for air and glared at him while he ignored me as he paced outward from the café and continued his explanation. I swear, Uncle Okabe always acts over-the-top whenever he gets the chance, such chances usually only coming around whenever Aunt Christina isn't here to keep him in check. I sigh in annoyance as I listen to the rest of uncle's long and drawn out speech.
"Firstly, yes you still have to call me 'Kyouma Hououin' and not 'Rintarou Okabe' because some complications might rise up when there are two Okabes running around in this timeline. I already told you about me being the future version of a friend of Rumiho right? Secondly, about Operation Mjolnir, I chose that as the name since it sounds cool and fitting-" then suddenly uncle stopped walking. He then turned around and looked upwards to the roof of Fragrance. I asked him "What's wrong uncle?"
"Fine I'll still call you Kyouma-san as cover, but why are you looking there?"
"Be quiet you two and look at where I'm looking at!" and at that, Kimiko-chan and I turned to face whatever we were supposed to be seeing as well. What we saw was two figures talking to each other in a very suspicious manner. They were dressed in a somewhat military type of outfit. The two looked male in appearance. We were able to hear this being said by one of them,
"I don't get it X, why don't we just do the operation right now that the members of that Lab are gathered in one place? Saves time in trying to gather all of them"
Future Okabe POV
'Members of that Lab… Are they talking about the Future Gadget Lab?! Oh God… could they be the trigger?! I better do something fast!' I frantically thought as I heard the two people, I'd like to think they were agents since the other one was called X, talk ominously about what I was assuming to be my younger counterpart and the lab members.
Kimiko and Suzuha both look at me in anticipation. I then glance at both of them and all three of us nodded. It was a silent agreement between the three of us that we should make our presence known to these shady characters in front of our field of vision.
Gathering up some breath, I then bellowed out, "Goons of the organization! What do you think you're doing?!" Both of them were alarmed and wide-eyed by my yell. They turned to our direction and looked at the three of us. The one identified as X began texting what I presume to be a third comrade of theirs.
They then began to move from their location that was our cue to try and follow them. This was our biggest lead so far regarding Operation Mjolnir and my pride as a mad scientist would not allow anything other than success! We then began to make chase by storming into the café since the only exit route that would be for possible for them would have to be the backdoor considering that they came from the roof. As Suzuha, Kimiko and I were on a flurry trying to catch up to the fleeing agents, we all forgot about one important detail. One fatal error that may have cost the entire of Operation Mjolnir itself.
We would be so much unfortunate as to only realize this, when I bumped into a man wearing a white laboratory coat unlike mine. I muttered my apologies as I began to stand up in order to not lose track of the fleeing agents, but heard nothing in reply. Bewildered by the silence, I looked at Suzuha and Kimiko who were stuck frozen in their spots. I then glanced above and absolutely did not expect…
…to see my younger self looking at me with huge eyes of disbelief. The younger Kurisu and the rest of their companions mirroring his reaction as well. These were the thoughts currently occupying my head, 'Oh God why now, why of all times, WHY STEINS;GATE, WHY?!'
[STEINS;FATE]
Inside Fragrance Café, 5:20 PM Okabe POV
"Well then Kurisu, I guess it's time we all head out for the rest of your birthday" I state as we all get ready to head out of the café. I saw something that made me stop dead in my tracks however. Kurisu was about to ask me what was wrong since I heard a whispered "Okabe what's the matt-" from her but I guess she saw too. In fact we all were looking at the same thing right now.
There were three people in front of us in a mad pace, they looked like they were chasing someone or a group. The three consisted of what appeared to be an older version of myself, Suzuha Amane who shouldn't even be in this timeline at all, and another girl who I currently didn't know but I suspect to be someone known by Faris since she was staring at the girl intently for a while now.
The older me bumped into me during his dash and began to stand up and say sorry but he sported a very distinguished look of shock that mirrored my own as we came face to face with each other. The older me, Suzuha and the new girl began dragging me and Kurisu away from the group to a more private spot I suppose, leaving a very befuddled Daru, Yuki, Faris and Mayuri behind. They must've been as weirded out as I am and out of fear did not attempt to follow wherever our captors where dragging us. I sneaked a text to Daru saying 'I guess we'll contact you when this… whatever it is, gets done' and pocketed my phone as I made one last glanced at Daru who nodded before we were out of eyesight.
After a couple of minutes of walking, we finally arrived at what appeared to be a secluded park. Just then my phone vibrated and upon checking, showed a text from Daru who said they just went back to the hotel to wait for me and Kurisu. There were five of us present right now. Me, Kurisu, the older me, Suzuha and finally, the new girl.
"Wow Kyouma-san! The younger you is kinda cute!" and at that I blushed only a little since the girl I barely knew already called me cute. Kurisu elbowed me and narrowed her eyes at the girl. I muttered a "sorry Kurisu" and got a " Hmph! Even though it's my birthday…" in reply.
Kurisu was a bit jealous I could tell and with a huff of annoyance she asked, "And who might you be? As weird as this is, I already know that the other labcoat wearing man is a future version of Okabe over here and your other companion is Suzuha who I last saw during the whole R-system mess." And just as I feared, Kurisu confirmed my suspicions. This really was a future me, and Suzuha. Both clearly not supposed to be part of the current present. Is the new girl from the future as well?
"Like Kurisu, I also want to know who you are, girl that Steins;Gate has fated for me and my assistant-" another elbow from Kurisu "-I mean partner to meet?"
The older Okabe now chimed in "Allow me to introduce her. This young fellow right here is Kimiko Shirohana. She is a friend of Faris that we just happened to bump into, because we at first thought she was the trigger but fortunately we've been proven wrong. So now we've enlisted her aid to help us in this mission of ours that as you may have inferred by now, involves the Future Gadget Laboratory."
"Yep! You can call me Kimiko! When I heard about Rumiho-chan going after you guys here in Los Angeles for a vacation, I just knew that I had to surprise her! It's been so long since we last talked…"
"I see, well then young Kimiko, it appears there is no surprise as to why Faris was focused on you the most at the encounter in the café minutes ago. On behalf of myself, Kurisu, and the rest of us I'd like to ask the three of you a question."
"What is it?" asked future me, Kimiko and Suzuha at the same time.
"Kurisu, care to join me?"
"With pleasure Okabe, I've been meaning to ask this too anyway." and after both me and Kurisu have gathered some breath we then at the same time asked the most obvious question one could ever hope to ask in the current situation,
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!"
And with that, begins the interrogation. Steins;Gate sure has a weird way of doing things.
[CHAPTER 11 END]
A/N 2: Lots of stuff happened this chapter! Yes Moeka's finally gotten a role. Ruka might have screentime next chapter as well. And the two Okabes meet. Plus Yurina being part of some shady business?! Shit just got even more real!
Review, Follow, Favorite, PM, the works. For all new readers, welcome aboard! For those who've been reading since the start, please continue to do so and REVIEW MWAHAHAHA~
See you all next chapter!