Chapter 2

Crawford stood behind Mr. Takatori, his team in nearby offices. It was important that everyone have direct contact with Masafumi's latest creations today. The future was going to be a lot more interesting, starting today. Schreient would be a key tool in annoying Weiss.

"Crawford, my son has never accomplished anything of note. I have no idea why you feel compelled to hover over me today."

"Understood, Sir, but I have a hunch it's important that I be here." Downplaying the true nature of his power had always been important when dealing with Reiji. He tended to be easier to manage that way.

"I don't know why I indulge him. Hirofumi has proven far more useful in helping me acquire power. Some sons know how to respect their elders."

"No doubt, Masafumi will not plague you much longer, Sir. I'm sure you will be relieved when that day comes."

"Indeed. I await the day that buffoon is out of my hair. At least he's more useful than that idiot Mamuro ever was."

Reiji's secretary interrupted his self-aggrandizement to announce the arrival of his son and "guests". There was an odd note to "guests" that got Reiji's attention.

"Send them in."

Soon, Masafumi entered, with an entourage of three beautiful women, and a girl. Reiji raised an eyebrow. "Collecting a harem, son? I would have thought you had better things to do with your time than create sex toys for yourself."

The girl looked confused. The prettiest of the women appeared positively livid. The one with mirror shades showed no reaction at all. The second prettiest lightly touched Masafumi's hand and smiled knowingly. The girl voiced the question on her mind, "Daddy, what does the man mean?"

"Hush, Tot, my father just wants to rile you. Don't worry about it."

"You know, I'm sure Hirofumi could make good use of her."

"Let my brother find his own entertainment. I wanted to let you know this team, Schreient, is potentially available to help you out. I know Crawford's team can be useful, but these women have true skills, not tricks."

Crawford felt a whisper of irritation caress his mind. Schuldig could be vain, and didn't appreciate the slight. Ignore the taunts and gather intel.

"I appreciate the offer, but until you give me a reason to assume they aren't rejects from a strip joint, I'll rely on Schwarz. Crawford can contact you if he thinks there may be a need for screeching harpies."

The pretty one had to be restrained with a touch. It was clear she wanted to harm Mr. Takatori, but instead, Masafumi merely bowed slightly and left, harem in tow.

"Excuse me, Sir, but I have an urgent matter to attend to."

"Of course, Crawford."

Crawford left. Have everyone meet me in the elevator. Now.

Schuldig was irritated. He knew there were four people with Masafumi, but two of them were so strange he didn't know how to interpret them.

One was disjointed. It was as if she were somehow brain-damaged. Despite that, however, she managed to have coherent thoughts. The processing was just strange. The other one, however, was more like millions of micro-thoughts. It wasn't a human mind, at all. It was just a buzzing that couldn't be processed.

Crawford merely nodded as he explained the situation. "Which one do you want to play with?"

"The vain one. She'll be a delight to torment. She looks for the scar every morning."

"Excellent. Nagi, I want you to leave the girl to Farfarello." That wasn't going to happen. Schuldig could already feel the infatuation building in the boy. Crawford must have foreseen something complicated happening.

Nagi merely scowled and shook his head. Not good.

"She's not one of us, Nagi." Crawford was trying to be gentle, but it was too late. "Farfarello, shades is yours."

He could feel the women's minds as the elevator reached the carport. They were just in time.

Crawford addressed them as the door opened. "Masafumi! I believe we have some business to discuss, without your father's presence."

Masafumi turned. "So, Crawford, you see the value of Schreient, where my father does not?"

"I do. When dealing with Weiss, we must be certain to have all the resources possible. However, I think it's important that we know what you're offering. After all, it's clear that Reiji was able to upset one of your team with ease. It doesn't bode well for a fight, if one member of your team is easily thrown off her game."

That arrogant bastard! I'll have his head before I'm done. It's misogynistic bastards like that who nearly ruined my life! Schuldig couldn't help smirking at "Schön"'s internal outburst. Her ire turned on him. "What's so damned funny?"

"Oh, nothing. I just think it's sad that you didn't quite cover that scar on your cheek. Not enough foundation?" He was rewarded by her jaw dropping in shock, and her face going pale.

"Schön! Enough!" Masafumi turned back to Crawford. "These women are no mere humans. They are the peak of artificial evolution."

Schuldig smirked as Crawford waved Farfarello forward. "Really? Do you understand how much this man has been through to get all these scars?"

"Neu's been through worse, I assure you." The woman in shades stepped forward with no expression on her face. The buzzing of words was louder.

Farfarello grinned, drew a blade, and licked it while staring at the attractive woman. No reaction from the woman at all. It had been a long time since Schuldig had to try to read a person's body language, and even that was a blank. He gave up and relished the emotional shudders from... Karen.

Farfarello suddenly stabbed buzzy. She accepted the blade into her lung, then grabbed his arm and snapped it. She then removed the blade from her body and threw it on the ground. There was no blood.

Masafumi grinned. "You can't kill the dead, Scar."

Farfarello grinned as well, and both stepped back.

At that point, the girl squealed in delight. "Tot likes the dancing rocks!" Everyone turned and saw her pointing at a few pebbles that Nagi was "juggling" for her. He smiled shyly, while the girl clapped in delight.

"Perhaps we should discuss this at another time, Masafumi. It seems our youngest members don't have their minds on business."

"Indeed. You may also talk with Hell, if you'd prefer."

"An excellent idea."

Nagi was pleased. He had found someone who appreciated his abilities, instead of being terrified by them. And she was pretty, too.

Farfarello slept well that night, dreaming of ways to torture a woman who felt no pain. He could look into her eyes as he slowly dismembered her, and she would never pass out.