Disclaimer: I do not know anything by IS: Infinite Stratos or any other mentioned characters/merchandise. They belong to their respected owners. However, original characters all belong to me, Grayjedi-Productions...

Once again, sorry for the hold up, but with work and whatnot, it has been pretty hard to finish up on things... But here you go!

Digitalfw33f: Kenneth is actually... Wait, it's shown in the chapter. Ah well. *Shrug*

1305 Hours- April 25, 2022- IS Academy- Cafeteria

(Main theme is Heaven's Divide from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker...)

"So when were you going to tell us about that robotic arm of your's Kenny?" asked Ichika, sitting down at the lunch table.

"Well, to be honest, I really didn't want to tell... It has a bit of personal history with it." replied Kenneth.

It was only a few hours after Kenneth had returned from his mission on Saturday and word had already spread about Kenneth's left arm being completely cybernetic. As a result, swarms of girls had asked to touch, feel, play and ask questions about it.

"Well, we are all friends here, so tell us." Ichika said nonchalantly.

Kenneth thought for a moment. What exactly should I include?

"Well I guess I better start at the beginning. I am part of an elite strike team responsible for IS regulation for the entire world. After you became the first male IS pilot, the higher ups believed it was time to allow to send another representative to the Japanese IS Academy; that would be me."

"Huh." said Ichika, thinking aloud. Rin and Houki put their hands into the thinkers position.

"So you must know something about unmanned IS that attacked a month ago right?" concluded Houki.

Kenneth shook his head. "If I did, it would be classified. But no, I haven't a clue about that unmanned drone. It's still a mystery."

"So anyone could have sent it... But why would they unleash such new technology and not report it?" asked Rin.

"Can't say. With recent events like now... I really don't know what the world is coming to. Only 10 years ago, the Infinite Stratos armors were created, and since then technologies like holographic interfaces, railguns and even beam weapons started cropping up. All the things we initially believed were science fiction, became reality."

Charles remained silent, as did Cecilia. It was pretty understandable, especially since Kenneth had to watch over those two like a hawk stalking its prey.

"That still doesn't explain the arm though." said Ichika.

"Hn? Oh yeah, that. Well during one of my operations, I kinda busted up that arm. The doctors couldn't do anything about it so they cut it off and replaced it with this one."

"So that's how you are able to deploy your..."

A beeping sound came from Kenneth's arm, interrupting Ichika's question. Kenneth got up from his seat.

"Sorry everybody, but looks like I got a call. We can talk about this later right?" Kenneth eyed Charles and Cecilia as he left the cafeteria.

"Well I think I need to check up on something." said Charles. "I'll be right back."

Cecilia looked at her smart phone, seeing a text message sent.

Buyuu9: Hey, you're needed for this as well. Follow.

"Sorry everyone but I must be going as well." Ichika, Houki and Rin looked at Cecilia in concern.

"What for?"

"I have that... thing I-need-to-do-so-bye!" Cecilia took off from the table, leaving her tray.

"Well somebody here is gonna have to take her tray, right?" said Ichika. The girls give a glaring shot at Ichika.

1312 Hours- IS Academy, Lower Basement Main Doors.

Kenneth and Charles stood at the entrance of the lower basement of the Academy. Kenneth continued his glazed over glare towards the hallway, to make sure that they weren't followed. Charles on the other hand, continued playing with her fingers.

From the corner of Kenneth's eyes, he spotted out Cecilia making her way down.

"Ugh! Why we have to meet down in here in the basement is beyond me." she mumbled. Kenneth rolls his eyes, opening the doorway.

"After the both of you." he said. Cecilia and Charles stepped into the blackness of the basement.

"Now I can't see anything. Fantastic job Kenny." sarcastically remarked Cecilia. A light suddenly projected down from the ceiling, as Kenneth stepped into it.

"Identification please." said an electronic voice.

"Midshipman Kenneth Arthur Buyuu, son of Natalie Samantha Brown and Kenji David Buyuu. STARIS pilot of the Scion Initiates." With a few beeps and flashing lights, the electronic voice spoke again.

"Identity confirmed."

"Welcome back." said Mélissa, stepping out of the shadows.

"You're that pilot from Tuesday..." Charles remarked.

Mélissa nodded and smiled. "Correct. I am the leader of The Three, Mélissa Armén." Turning back to Kenneth, she said. "So these two are part of the security detail now huh?"

"Yes ma'am." replied Kenneth.

"And you take full responsibility of holding those two correct?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good. I will report a situation normal back to STARIS Command."

Kenneth looked surprised. His jaw slacked abit, before he regained his composure. "A situation normal...?"

Mélissa nodded. "Yes. It's only two people, and they are your friends correct? Why should this bring much alarm?"

I thought I would be facing a firing squad but... Kenneth thought before saying, "Very well ma'am" Kenneth immediately snapped to a salute. Mélissa returned the salute.

"Very good Kenneth. Dismissed." At the end of her words, the doors leading outside opened again.

2214 Hours- IS Academy- Room 1044- Balcony

Charles and Kenneth leaned over the balcony guard rail looking out towards the sea next to the IS Academy.

"So... Do you want to talk about what happened back in the basement?" Charles started to ask.

"It's... a bit of personal history Charles. I'd rather not."

She frowned. "Not talking about it hurts everybody around you. Tell me what's on your mind."

Kenneth deeply sighed. Well if I was to tell anybody... "Alright then. The pilots known as the Three are the greatest in the entire world, the hidden protectors of the IS world. Their skills go beyond anything. Orimura-Sensei had hand picked them as well."

Charles looked confused, tapping her chin with her index finger. A sudden revelation came to her mind as she snapped her fingers. "So that means that..."

"Yes. Chifuyu Orimura was once the Leader of the Three."

"With just using a melee weapon, there is simply no way that she can take down other IS pilots. She has to be exceptional good, if not the best!" Charles exclaimed.

Kenneth nodded and smiled a little. "Exactly, but her true strength is still a mystery."

The two were silent for awhile before Kenneth finally said. "Well yeah. Now you know most of my life. A weapon. A tool to be used until the next deterrent appears."

Charles looked harshly at Kenneth, frowning. "You are not a tool Kenny. You are a wondrous person. A bit of a hard-ass, yes, but your just another 18 year old man. You're starting to sound like how I did when I told you and Ichika about my father and his company..."

Kenneth outright denied Charles statement. "That's practically my life Charles, to follow orders. I am a soldier."

"You're far beyond just a soldier here Kenneth. Just another student here at the IS Academy. Like me." The two had another long pause before they said anything else.

"So how long will we be unable to speak of what happened?" Charles asked.

Kenneth started walking back to towards the glass doors of the main room. "Until you die. STARIS is beyond Black-Ops. We are the creeping shadows in the background of the IS world. Silent guardians never to be seen or heard. And when we die, nobody knows."

Charles looked down, her mood slight soured. "Oh, I see…"

Kenneth looked back at Charles and sighed. "You better get some rest. With exams and the Interclass tournament coming up soon… You and Ichika will need it."

Charles slowly nodded as Kenneth walked back inside. She looked at the stars for alittle while before heading back inside, thinking about their situations.

He a determined man... As if he doesn't care about his life. How would the world not know of how he dies now though? He's technically 'The Second Male Infinite Stratos Pilot'. I just don't... Understand. And I bet Cecilia knows this too.

And that's all for now. Next chapter is alittle more character development followed by the Interclass Tournament! ^_^