Chapter Two

Sunlight glittered in through the windows, heralding a brand new day, bringing with it a warm fresh breeze. The white netted curtains ruffled inwards, as if dancing in tune with the gentle wind. A musical tone broke the peaceful atmosphere, alerting the owner of their presence. A mumbled groan joined the tone, as they finally awoke, somewhat at least. In the sun kissed room, on a covered double bed, a pale arm emerged, snaking its way out seeking out the annoying device. After much tapping and bumping their way along the bedside table, the phone was now clenched tight in victory. Silver luscious hair framing sleep filled eyes, peeked out from beneath the covers, looking to the caller ID. With a resigned sigh, knowing this couldn't be good news, pulled herself gently into a seating position, with long toned legs dangling over the edge she flipped open the phone to answer.

"Sorry to disturb your vacation Etoile, but you are needed back at Astraea immediately. A car is being sent to pick you up." A cool collected voice informed her

"Oh well there goes my plans for today" the silver haired woman sighed, looking at the other occupant of the bed behind her.

"Don't be late. This is top priority" with a click they cut the call

The woman closed her phone, thinking a little on what she would expect when she arrived there. Her thoughts were cut short, when a lithe arm snaked its way over her chest and a warm body pressed up against her back. Now this was more her thing.

"Going somewhere?" the newly awoke girl groggily asked

"Duty calls" responding somewhat mournfully

"I thought you said you were on vacation?" the girl mumbled still half asleep

The etoile ignored her as she scanned the room for her waylaid clothes, seeing them strewn across the room. Heaving a little sigh she untangled herself from the other and started to get dressed. She barely took any notice of the girl who was now watching her intently, as she slipped on pieces of clothing. 'Last night was fun. I don't want the twenty questions this morning. We agreed it was only a one night thing. I hope she remembers that.' No words passed and soon the silver haired woman was dressed and in the process of putting on her high heeled boots.

"Since this was a one off. Can I ask you something?" breaking the quiet streak

The etoile nodded her head as she pulled the last boot on turning her head and upper body a little to face the woman. A gentle hand reached out and stroked her cheek bringing a soft smile on the etoile's lips.

"What is your name?"

"Hanazono. Shizuma Hanazono" with a soft kiss to the woman's cheek she departed.

Astraea: the inside codename for Japans secret intelligence services. Closely linked to three schools of training: Miator; trains those who are sent to the field and for the higher chain of command. Spica; the independent nature of the school lets them to choose their own field of expertise, which can contribute from analysts to military to medical. Lulim; the designing school which can come in handy for selecting the gadget designers to the computer technicians. The job description requires so much more.

Astraea's Headquarters

"Good Morning." Shizuma greeted the woman as she closed the door to an office behind her.

A young woman with blue hair tied neatly into a bun with wisps either side of her face making her look more mature for her age. Dressed in a smart suit of black with a green shirt, she certainly made a first impression on whoever walked into the room. She was however the secretary and trainee assistant of M, so a certain image needed to be maintained. Her name was Tamao Suzumi. The girl whirled around to face the voice, only to nod her head then to continue looking through the file cabinets, picking up files only to replace them once more. Obviously there was something she needed to find, but to no luck.

Shizuma continued to watch her for a minute, more out of curiosity than checking her out. Crossing her arms she slowly made her way over to lean against the desk, just behind Tamao wondering what was happening in the other room. Her eyes made their way to the desk, filled with documents in both trays, computer on and waiting with documents spread all over. Quite the change from the norm since it was usually quite tidy than the mess it was in right now. Something caught the etoile's eye, which made her fight against a growing grin. Reaching over she plucked a folder off the desk and cradled it in her arms and waited. Tamao was getting more frustrated. A buzzer went off, the intercom on her desk which connected her to M called for her attention. Tamao strode over and pressed the call button.

"Yes M?" Tamao spoke calmly.

"Has Shizuma arrived? She's quite late."

"A minute ago I'll send her right in"

Shizuma just grinned at the girl next to her, she hadn't moved when the intercom went off so Tamao had to get right in close. She wasn't about to go in yet either, she still had something that was lost.

"Have you found that file?" M asked

"Still looking for that. I'm sure I had it a moment ago. I'll keep looking for it and I'll send etoile in right now."

Switching the com off Tamao straightened up and looked at Shizuma. Who in turn looked amused. 'I wonder how long it will take her to figure it out. I mean I'm not exactly hiding it am I? I wonder what mission they need me to do. Hopefully it's not like the last one, that man was the worst. I want real fun this time around.'

"You can go right on through etoile, M and the Military Intellligence are waiting for you." Tamao gestured to the door.

Shizuma rose from her leaning position and nodded her head carefully making her way over. Turning back around to face Tamao she gave her a wide smile that did little impression on the girl.

"The folder it wouldn't be on a Sidney Havershack by any chance would it?" trying to sound innocent.

It didn't work since Tamao's keen eye saw the folder now in the agents grasp at her side. Shizuma saw her heave a heavy sigh then began to clean up her work station, not sparing her a glance. It was best for her to leave; from past experiences she could have quite a temper if she was provoked too much. Opening the heavy wooden door she made her way into M's huge office.

A huge mahogany table was the centrepiece of the room. Two double windows that nearly reached from the ceiling to the floor, with plain but rich drapes hanging to the sides let in the most light. Rich furnishings were placed around the room, with a small cosy seating area nearer the back of the room. Traditional and by the looks of it expensive, decorative pieces were found also giving it a more lived in feeling.

"There you are etoile. You are late" a stern voice scolded her

Meet Miyuki Rokujo, or commonly known as M, the person in charge of Astraea. Alumni of Miator worked her way quickly through the ranks, from field work partnered to the etoile then changing to set her sights on the top position. Her short blunette hair cut at the chin making look sharp and fine, her features were those of the traditional Japanese style beauty and cool all locked into one. Her sharp eyes were fixed on the late comer as did two other pairs; General Kaname Kenjo and Colonel Momomi Kiyashiki of the Military Intelligence division. The General with her boyishly cut hair; athletic frame and sly eyes fitted well her position. The Colonel however with her shoulder length hair and un-militarised attitude the two were contrasts in looks. However they made a good team, both alumni of Spica joined both at work and at the hip there was nothing if anything that got past them. Even if relations between them and M were a little strained. School rivalry it seemed never seemed to end.

Shizuma sat down on the last remaining chair facing Miyuki, the folder set on her lap as she waited for the meeting to start.

"Something never seems to change about you does it etoile." The General stated

"In what way?" a hint of warning entered Shizuma's voice

"It was either a good night, a girl or your usual time keeping that made you late" listed Kaname "then again with you it can be all three"

Momomi snickered behind a raised hand; Shizuma remained her cool façade as she looked straight at the sly woman. Miyuki just closed her eyes in resignation at the attitudes of the people in front of her. It happened way too often when these three got together.

"If my life is going to be an open book General then you're putting your own on the line too." Shizuma gave a small smile of pleasure as announced the last bit "especially as I know for a fact you're preference for women's bathrooms for your pick me up."

It worked. Shizuma watched as a small blush made its way onto the two officer's cheeks with both avoiding direct eye contact. 'That felt good!' A small cough brought three heads back to the fore to see a bored expression tinted with annoyance on M's face as she sat upright with hands clenched together on the desk. Shizuma gave her best innocent smile as she once more waited for it to get started.

"Now you've all finished with the greetings shall we get started?" Miyuki spoke with nods of head as approval. "Etoile does the name of Meteor Universal mean anything to you?

"It's an independent research facility. Top scientists from all over the globe work there, under the main condition that all work is to be for the benefit for all." Shizuma intoned "So their slogan says"

Miyuki nodded her head at this "The folder in your hand is one who used to work there. He was found dead on an abandoned stretch of road. It was later discovered that he was working on something and it is now missing."

"What was it?" Shizuma looked around her

Momomi jumped right in "This is what he was working on" handing the etoile another folder this time with 'Top Secret' freshly stamped on the front "These are just the basic layout of his invention the real ones are AWOL."

Shizuma opened the folder looking over all the data that was in there, along with a picture of the deceased scientist, which she paid hardly any mind to. The door to the office opened with Tamao making her way to M standing to her right.

"In simplistic terms someone explain what this is" as she waved the folder around.

"Nicknamed the 'Trojan Horse'. It can adapt itself and enter any network and database that it has been sent to. Relaying all the information back to the owner. It will keep up its attack until it has the orders to return or if the main console has been destroyed, Chikaru Minamoto was positive on that score." Tamao dove in

"I can see why we are so interested in tracking it down now" Shizuma realised "how did no one know what he was working on? Surely someone would have squealed on him sooner"

"Someone did in the end" Kaname muttered

"Actually happy at the prospect. More grant money to go around" Momomi put in

"Stupid people" Kaname growled

"Back to the point" M butted in as she gave the two a pointed glare "In the wrong hands this 'Trojan Horse' can be quite dangerous, no intelligence of any kind would be safe. For us it would be catastrophic."

The room fell silent at her words. The only movement was Tamao pottering around a small side table, the sounds of clinking china and the pouring of tea filled the huge office. When the tea was graciously served, the topic was brought back into focus once more.

"Does the name Melinda Carter ring any bells Shizuma" Miyuki asked her friend as she sipped her tea.

Shizuma tried to mentally call upon the name, trying to get snippets to jog her memory. Unfortunately the name didn't ring any bells. Shaking her head to M that nothing was forth coming Miyuki continued.

"Miss Carter for her public image she's a Celebrity agent. In actuality she makes most of her money from acquiring plans of military and hardware mainly of weaponry. Then she sells them off to the requester or auctions it off. She's made quite a name for herself in the underworld. The men that killed Mr Havershack had her fingerprints all over it."

"We can prove this?" Kaname asked

"The plans have a tracking device in them. All of the work that is done in the facility has one installed. It seems there heading in the general direction of her manor." Tamao spoke up from M's side

"That's where I'll be headed" Shizuma nodded her decisively

"There's a contact ready and already in place at Melinda's hideaway. They should be able to help with whatever you need." Miyuki told her

"Anything I need?" giving M small smirk

"I'd love to see your face change if I mentioned that it was a male." Giving Shizuma her own smirk, as the etoile's brow crinkled at the unwelcome retort. "Anyway your job is to put another tracker on them, so we can trace where they go afterwards. Miss Carter is only the middle man, we want the big fish."

"Here are your personal papers etoile." Tamao said as she handed over a folder filled with different papers "you're passport and other are inside. You work for the IPR sector. I think you will fill the role all right"

"Yeah she can schmooze with the best of them" Momomi said with a smirk on her face

Shizuma stared hard at the Military Intelligence offer but to no effect. Turning her attention to the folder she flicked through the different papers, making a mental note to read more thoroughly later on. 'At least this job seems easy enough to learn. It's mostly as the Colonel say, a lot of schmoozing than actual work.'

"I think that's mostly everything you will need etoile. You have your pick up time in that folder. Your exit point is in there too. When you complete it go there. We will pick you up within a small time window. Tamao will be your handler during this mission" M informed her looking a little worried.

"Tamao?" Shizuma cocked her head to the side as she looked from the said woman to her friend

Tamao just rolled her eyes. It was a well-known fact that Tamao was in training to be M's assistant, everyone knew but surprise surprise the etoile knew nothing about it. Obviously if it wasn't about her, or something she was interested in then Shizuma would completely ignore it.

"Yes. Tamao. All you need now is to see Chikaru and you're all set to go" M said in a hard voice.

Shizuma gave Miyuki a wide smile as she got to her feet, the folder firmly clasped in her hand. The two Military officers stood as well in one swift motion, a quick bow of their heads and a goodbye they left the room quickly, leaving a sneaky suspicion in Shizuma's gut.

Looking directly at Miyuki "What's got their knickers in a twist?"

"Apparently someone in their work area requested this to be made. Unofficially mind. There's a lot of pressure on them." She huffed a bit

"Great. Clean up mess mission then. I better have some fun then the last time Miyuki." Shizuma warned her

"Just be careful etoile. You seem to attract danger more than attention these days." Miyuki moaned

"You're wrong M." noticing the question in her boss's eyes "I'm a magnet for cute girls more than that" giving her a wink

"That will be all etoile" rolling her eyes in resignation as her top agent left the room chuckling.

Shizuma made her way down into the bowels of Astraea. The deeper she travelled into the depths, the less people and activity she saw. It was as if people avoided going down there, with what Shizuma knew of the lab and its personnel thought they were the smart ones. 'I would avoid the place too. The amount of weird gadgets that come about and not to mention the ones that backfire spectacularly. Chikaru the evil genius. I wonder about her sometimes *shudder*. I thought the three stooges would calm her down, seems they only spur her on. Poor Shion.'

The lab, the birthplace of every gadget that every agent wore on missions was thought up, designed, built and tested was all done here. The basement level of Astraea was totally converted and filled with new and previous contraptions, while if you looked over all the mess that filled the place, you would see some half built and some, horrifyingly enough, destroyed. One wrong step in the laboratory and there was a good chance you would set something off. Shizuma always stopped before she stepped any further into the lab, looking around the vast space before she would move. Remembering quite clearly the one time she was nearly run over with a malfunctioning jet pack that the three stooges were fiddling with causing unbelievable mayhem. Certain she could walk safely enough on by; Shizuma entered the danger zone, her eyes searching for the creator among the tables plus the sectioned off areas as she went deeper in.

Chikaru Minamoto, not your average gadget extraordinaire, when you first see her you wouldn't even think to put her in the job description. When you think of the usual type; old, grey haired, snooty and very practical, it certainly isn't Chikaru at all. So you would be pleasantly surprised when you do. Chikaru has long black hair braids at each side with a red ribbon, large expressive eyes. Combined with her serene features she bares an aura of calm and a motherly instinct. However to those who know her, she has a reputation for teasing and snooping, mainly on the agents but especially the etoile.

Walking very carefully through the maze of the lab, she spotted a hunched figure near the back, long black hair a sharp contrast to the white lab coat, sat just opposite were the blast rooms. If she was there, the room was being used and since no three young women were in sight, meant they were inside. Shizuma couldn't decide if that was good or bad just yet as she walked up behind her. Shizuma looked cautiously over her shoulder to see what the woman was working on. Heaving a sigh of disbelief and amusement as Chikaru swirled around at the interruption, a few noodles quickly being slurped hastily. Shizuma grinned at her friend, giving the woman her space to tidy herself up.

"Sorry to interrupt your dinner Chikaru." Shizuma apologised "another all-nighter?"

"That's fine I had a call to say that you were coming. I totally forgot about it" Chikaru spoke as she cleaned up "So shall we get started?"

Shizuma followed Chikaru over to a wider and cleaner worktop where only a few gadgets were laid out. Before the gadgetier could speak Shizuma did a final check of the lab before speaking up.

"It's quiet in here Chikaru. Did one of the prototypes backfire? I don't see your usual entourage about you."

Chikaru looked around in mild bewilderment "What do you know. I wondered why it was so quiet. I hope it wasn't about those explosives I wanted to test try."

Shizuma stayed silent. 'Oh boy! The techies love her but sometimes even they think she is over enthusiastic. I would scarper too.' The etoile just followed in her wake not wanting to interrupt the woman further as she stopped on one end of the worktable where the gadgets were placed. It was business here on out.

"Here is your new mobile etoile; it has all the usual on there, the fingerprint scanner, bug detector along of course with a few new apps." Chikaru smiled brightly handing over the phone.

Shizuma gave it a quick glance over, knowing it was her usual model she liked to work with as she placed it in her jacket pocket for safe keeping. Chikaru followed her every move and continued on.

"Your watch, once more the same gadgets apply so no need for me to remind you of them." Chikaru gave her the Rolex which was received with small hum of approval.

"You always know the way to a girl's heart don't you Chikaru" Shizuma teased her friend

"Didn't know you were that easy Shizuma. That's one I haven't heard yet" Chikaru gave her a piercing look.

Shizuma shrugged her shoulders and looked away. Sometimes having Chikaru for a friend really sucked, she could see through all the lies and burst them down in a flash. Now wasn't the time for this talk at all.

"Anything else Chikaru?" trying to change the subject

Chikaru kept up her piercing glare for a while longer, Shizuma kept her own eyes firmly away, inwardly sighing in relief when her friend finally stopped. Chikaru moved right on along as if the last few seconds didn't happen.

"Here we are." As she passed along a small white box, no bigger than a fingers length "these might come in useful."

Shizuma raised her eyebrow in confusion as she took another look at the box. It was the kind that contacts were stored in, since she only ever used them to change her eye colour the reason she needed these eluded her. 'Yet when did I ever have something so simple than eye contacts from Chikaru.' Fumbling a little with the catch she managed to open it, ignoring the small grin she was getting from her friend, with no surprise in finding the suspecting items inside. The only thing about them she found unusual were one they were clear and two they seemed to give off a slight green tinge. Looking up from her inspection she saw Chikaru haul a large duffel bag onto the table, immediately making her more cautious of what was to come.

"So what do these do? It looks like you forgot to add colour to them."

"Those are night vision contacts etoile, more discreet than the goggles for sure. Might be a bit uncomfortable but I'm sure you'll manage." Chikaru told her as she began to open the duffel bag.

Shizuma placed the contact box onto the table, watching every move the woman made. Knowing from past experiences that sometimes Chikaru's imaginative streak got the best of her. And not always in a good way. So it was quite a shock when a pair of sturdy boots, with a bit of heel was placed carefully onto the worktop. Shizuma glanced quickly from Chikaru, who was looking smug; to the boots wondering of this was just getting weirder.

"Going into fashion now Chikaru?" she asked sarcastically

Not rising to the bait the gadgetier looked quite serious as she gave her message "Now listen carefully etoile, these are only to be used in a dire emergency."

Shizuma looked remarkably unimpressed at the statement. You couldn't blame her really; they looked like a normal pair of boots how they would help her out in a dire emergency remained a mystery.

"Now listen carefully." Chikaru demanded as she showed a small buckle on one boot. "Turn clockwise to activate, when thirty seconds have passed pull sharply. All being well it will release small heat seeking explosives. Hopefully you won't be near anything flammable yourself."

Shizuma looked from the smug expression to the boots wondering if she just heard her friend right. There were small explosives in the boots heel. Certainly not what she was expecting. Shizuma shook her head at what could go wrong with the idea, the depressing thought that there were quite a number of them.

"Explosives in boot heels?" trying to sound it out

Chikaru ignored her as she was putting the boots back in the duffel bag. Shizuma leaned her back against the table, as her mind wandered aimlessly. The hum of the lab was for once soothing as it helped Shizuma to clear her head. Chikaru however, finished with her packing, was scrutinising the etoile as she put another bundle of equipment next to the bag.

A prickly feeling crawled on Shizuma, as she shuffled slightly at the discomfort. She knew the feeling well. There were eyes trained on her, if it was giving her this prickly feeling it could only be one person. Not to mention that there was no one else in the lab. Turning her head to look at Chikaru, she was met with searching eyes. The Shadow Queen of Astraea an apt nickname for Chikaru was in full mode. Raising her eyebrows in question she waited for the other to start. 'I wonder what's bugging her. Did some new gossip head her way? It could be her meddling ways showing their head though. I wonder…'

"What?!" Shizuma demanded finally after too long a silence

"How was last night?" Chikaru asked in seemingly innocence

Shizuma's eyes widened at the question. Not believing for a bit the innocent aura. She was too good an actress. Crossing her arms tightly over her chest the etoile stared defiantly right back.

"None of your business Chikaru" stated Shizuma

"I'm impressed etoile. How many girls is that this month?" not fazed a bit by the hostility "I guess your charm can get you any woman you want"

"You're treading on thin ice Minamoto" Shizuma warned her

Chikaru smirked a little "Why are you so defensive?"

Shizuma looked confused for a brief second. It was so like Chikaru to switch and turn the conversation or imply and worm her way around. Retracing her steps back through the small exchange, she realised that Chikaru hadn't really said anything specific. She had only herself to blame for jumping the gun. Though to be honest the motherly snoopy woman wasn't done yet.

"I didn't realise my personal life interested so many."

"Oh don't pull that one. Please!" Chikaru rolled her eyes as she shook her head slightly "you know full well Shizuma how popular you are. Everything you do is watched by so many. Especially if you have a woman on your arm or not"

"It's always been like that, ever since Miator. Nothing ever really changes with me on that score."

"It did once as I recall." Chikaru softly spoke

Shizuma pushed herself firmly away from the work table, breathing heavy and eyes flashing dangerously as she took a step closer. Chikaru with softened features just stood her ground as she waited for the oncoming storm.

"That definitely is none of your business!" Shizuma nearly all but shouted

Chikaru bowed her head in apology and waited for the etoile to control her temper. It took longer than the usual count to ten. It reached a minute for Shizuma to look calmer yet still cool all around.

"I'm not going to apologise" Chikaru said "It happened so long ago. You're still locked up tight. Hearts heal up faster than we think, without us even knowing. It will surprise you when you least expect it."

The hum of the laboratory was the only sound to be heard. Shizuma just stood still not believing in anything that Chikaru had just said. It was just easy to be as she was without the emotional attachment.

Three young women swathed in once white lab coats, pieces of wiring sticking out of pockets, plus other bobs and ends and goggles hanging around their necks, entered the main room, interrupting the two elder ones who looked over at them in some caution. Their faces with bright eyes and wide smiles looked from Chikaru to Shizuma, confused a little on the atmosphere, did nothing to dampen their spirits. Kizuna, a brunette with pigtailed styled hair, waved out her lighted match then dropped it to the floor. It added to the already messy décor. Remon and Kagome, the two other stooges, looked to each other in mounting horror, then back to the confused Kizuna. Shizuma watched them closely; she knew something was in the wind there was always something happening with those three. Most of the time, it was never anything good. All focus was now centred on Kizuna.

"What did you light?" Remon asked her

"A candle Remon, it smelt of nothing but gunpowder in there." Kizuna explained grinning at her idea

"You didn't! That was Chikaru's experiment you nitwit!" Remon yelled at her "Explosives in an enclosed space, don't you remember?"

Chikaru sensed something was about to happen, more so now that she had an idea of what Kizuna had done. Pulling on Shizuma's arm they both stepped back further away from the three girls, as well as the other room. The others didn't notice, as Remon and Kagome were still berating Kizuna for her lack of brains. All of them lacking that at the moment, as they forgot about the burning fuse in the other room, linked to explosives no less and not concerned about it in the least. They work in the damn place! Shizuma was all set to enjoy the little show.

BOOM!

The whole lab trembled violently. Dust clouds obscured vision, black smoke mingling in from the other room, seeping from beneath the door. Fire alarms, intruder alarms, every other alarm was screeching in protest at the disturbance. It was total chaos. Thankfully when something like this happened, only in reference to the lab, order was soon restored. The alarms quickly became still. Shizuma cocked her eyebrow in Chikaru's direction, to see her in her thoughtful pose. Hand holding chin, whilst the other supported her elbow.

"Way too much explosives. It was only meant to blow the bloody doors off" a quiet mutter was heard.

With a hard glare to her subordinates, who looked a little sheepish under the glare, Chikaru went over to scold them, leaving Shizuma to collect her thoughts and her gadgets. It was safe for her to leave the lab now. Just another normal day in Astraea after all.