Wow, it's been a little while since I've updated this story! But here's an update for you all! As always, thank you to the subscribers, reviewers, and the favoriters! I really appreciate the support! Now, there was one anonymous reviewer who left me a question, but since she doesn't have an account, I couldn't answer her question with a message! So, here's the answer, and I hope you see the answer, Alice!
So, you sign up for the website by clicking on a link in the upper right hand corner that says 'sign up'. From there, you just fill out the information and you have your account! Although I think you have to wait week before posting stories. Anyway, I hope my answer helped! Good luck on your writing :)
Hm...I really hope she sees this...how about this, if you don't have an account and you have a question, how about you shoot me an email? I'll give you the email in my profile, since the website won't let me do it here. The email will be under the part of my profile that says 'more general stuff about me'. This way, I can answer questions!
Well, that's enough of my note, on with the story!
DISCLAIMER: Nope, still don't own anything except for the concept of the fictional companies I made up.
Chapter 8: In the Enemies' Abode
"So, is everyone ready to go?" Viet asked, looking at the androids before her. She held two suitcases in her hands, both containing items she would need for the trip to London.
"Ugh..." Yong Soo moaned, still tired. Everyone had to get up at seven in the morning again since it would take them at least ten hours to get to London. Needless to say, most of the androids shared the Korean unit's lack of sleep. Kaoru was struggling to keep his eyes open, drifting in and out of sleep. Mei yawned, still groggy while Yao just had a blank stare on his face, like he was completely out of it. Everyone in the room had their disguises on, no one looking like their usual selves.
Instead of his usual hanbok, Yong Soo now had a black tuxedo on, complete with a blonde wig. Mei had a red cocktail dress on, a black jacket draped over her figure. She also sported a short, red wig along with some glasses. Similar to Yong Soo, Kaoru also had a blonde wig on, along with a white tuxedo and some green eye attachments. Yao still had his disguise on, his short black wig, green eye attachments, and his suit. Lastly, Viet was wearing a long, blonde wig in a pony tail, sporting a white dress, a black trench coat covering most of it.
"Now Yong Soo, 'ugh' is not a good answer. The sooner we get to the plane, the sooner we will be able to sleep on board. Now, are you all ready to go?"
"Yes!" the androids replied in unison, making Viet smile.
"Good! Now come on, we have to get in the taxi outside." she said, already beginning to walk off. The androids followed suit, picking up their belongings and following their master outside.
As Yao walked followed behind everyone else, he saw another large cab, similar to the one the group first took to the airport when they went to Rome. The Chinese android yawned, listening in to a conversation Mei and Viet were having.
"So do we have to go through all of that awkward searching again?" Mei asked.
"Probably. But hopefully it'll be quicker this time." Viet replied. Mei only groaned.
"Dammit!" the Chinese android cursed.
"Mei!" Viet scolded. "Don't talk like that, it's not very becoming!"
"It's also not very becoming of Yong Soo to touch everyone's chest!" Mei sassed, pointing to the Korean unit who was trying to grope Kaoru once again.
"Yong Soo, stop trying to touch people." Viet sighed. "And Mei, stop being snappy."
"But I'm not being sna-"
"Mei, that's enough. We're in front of the cab." Viet interrupted, going around back and putting her bags in the trunk. "Everyone put your belongings in the back and then take a seat in the car." she said, already walking over to the passenger seat and entering the car.
"Do you think Viet is okay-aru?" Yao whispered to Mei as the androids put their things in the trunk.
"I'm not sure...she seems a little on edge today." the other Chinese unit replied, biting her lip. "I hope I didn't anger her."
"Don't worry-aru, you didn't do anything."
"Thanks, Yao. We'd both better get in the cab now, we don't want to be late for our flight." Mei said, smiling. Yao only nodded before both of them entered the cab in the back seat, Yong Soo and Kaoru entering shortly after.
Viet spoke to the driver in Mandarin, asking the driver to drive them to the airport while Yao looked out the window. As the car started up, the Chinese android began to day dream. He thought about many things, all relating to a tyrannic company. He thought of the German unit who sacrificed his life to try to stop him, about the Italian unit who fled to save his own hide, about the company that held so much influence over the world, and about the master he had lost.
Yao's thoughts turned back to the banquet in Rome, where he could have sworn he saw Kiku. Sure, he didn't get to see the young man's face, but Yao felt a certain vibe from him, like a connection of some kind.
The more Yao thought about how the brunette could've been Kiku, the more guilt he felt. Guilt for failing to protect his master and being unable to retrieve him.
Yao took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down before he got too worked up. He would find Kiku no matter what. He just needed to keep his thoughts rational and on task.
Yao looked out of the window, trying to keep his mind off of Kiku. He turned his attention to the empty streets, noticing there weren't many cars out. With no traffic to navigate through, the trip to the airport was taking less time then expected and within a few minutes, the cab came to a halt in front of the airport.
"Alright everyone, we're here! Now let's get our stuff!" Viet said, paying the driver and hopping out of the car.
"Oh, xie xie." Mei thanked the driver, only earning a smile and a nod in response. The female android stepped out of the car, going around to the back and removing her bags.
Once everyone's bags were removed, the group began to walk toward the airport, reaching the door in a couple of minutes. Viet pushed open the entrance, her androids following her. Once inside, the Vietnamese woman paused, scanning the crowd.
"Who are you looking for, master?" Kaoru asked.
"I'm looking for my friend, Elizabeta. She said she'd meet us in the airport, but I can't find her anywhere." Viet answered, not realizing that Kaoru called her master again.
"What does she look like, master?"
"She's about my height with long, brown hair and green eyes. I hope nothing happened to her." Viet said, biting her lip.
"Viet!" a voice called.
Viet's head snapped in the direction of the voice, squealing in delight when she saw who it was.
"Elizabeta!" she exclaimed, rushing over to give her friend a hug.
Yao only watched the scene in silence, weary of anyone from Europa. He wasn't sure if he could trust this Elizabeta, but she had helped them so far...but could this help be a way of gaining their trust? Yao honestly wasn't sure.
"Everyone, this is my friend Elizabeta." Viet said, having walked over to the group of androids. "This is Yao, Kaoru, Yong Soo, and Mei."
"Hello everyone, I'm Elizabeta Héderváry, nice to meet you all." the woman beside Viet introduced herself, doing a curtsy. She had long brown hair and beautiful emerald eyes, along with a radiant smile while her outfit consisted of a plain black dress that reached a little past knee length. Over her dress, she wore a button up cashmere sweatshirt, while her shoes were black heels.
She looked like she was going to a funeral.
Viet looked at her watch, gasping.
"Crap! We're going to be late!" she cursed, only for the Hungarian woman beside her to chuckle.
"Don't worry, Viet. You won't be flying with everyone else." Elizabeta said.
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Europa always sends a representative with a private ride for new recruits." Elizabeta explained, smiling. "Here, I'll show you all to your ride. Follow me!"
Elizabeta practically skipped off, Viet and the others following her.
"So how has everything been?" Viet asked as she walked.
"Eh, it's been okay, but lately my superiors have been bugging me. They keep saying I should get more battle droids since leaders have been falling like flies, but Roderich is all the defense I need." Elizabeta replied, blowing some hair out of her face.
"You still have him?"
"Yep! I wouldn't trade him for the world. Not only is he a battle droid, but he can also play piano! Heck, I'd say he's up there with Mozart and Beethoven."
"He's that good?" Viet asked, bewildered.
"Yep! Roderich is a great guy." Elizabeta sighed.
"Heh, you sound like you have a crush on him." Viet joked.
"Oh I do not." Elizabeta denied.
"Um...pardon the interruption, but is that the plane we're taking?" Kaoru asked, pointing to a jet plane ahead.
"Yep! That's one of Europa's private jets. With this baby, we'll be in London in no time."
"I see." Kaoru replied. "So Europa has a whole fleet of these?"
"Yeah, Europa has everything. Now come on, let's all get on the jet!"
As the group approached the jet, they saw a young man dressed in aristocratic clothing. Upon closer inspection, Yao noticed the man had messy brown hair, violet eyes, glasses, and a dark trench coat. One of the man's more notable features was a mole on his face. Yao thought he looked like a fanboy of Mozart.
"Miss Héderváry, you've returned." the man said, bowing.
"Oh Roderich, I told you to call me Elizabeta. Why are you so formal?" Elizabeta sighed, crossing her arms.
"That's how I was programmed." Roderich replied.
'So, that's her battle droid.' Yao thought, looking the other android over. He could see why the other members had been badgering Elizabeta to get more androids. Roderich didn't seem too strong. In fact, he seemed kinda lanky.
"Why do all Austrian units seem to be too formal?" Elizabeta sighed.
"Not sure, but it's better to be overly formal than rude." Viet shrugged.
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Excuse me, Miss Héderváry, but may I ask who these people are?" Roderich asked.
"Hm? Oh, these are our new recruits!" Elizabeta replied, winking.
"So, they all have identities based on people you made up?"
"Exactly! Now come on, let's all get in!" Elizabeta said, leading the way into the jet. Roderich was the last to go in, closing the door behind him. As everyone got themselves situated, the Austrian unit made his way to the pilot's chair, sitting down in it and starting the engine.
In the other room, Elizabeta sat with the others, everyone crowding around a laptop screen as she gave them information on Alfred F. Jones.
"Alrighty, so if there is one thing everyone knows about Alfred F. Jones, it's the fact he's not really fit to run a branch of Europa. He's young, immature for his age, and especially prone to rushing into situations he cannot handle. Just to add some backing to my earlier statement, when the other leaders of Europa were killed, Alfred wanted all of the branches to unite in Britain so he could protect everyone." Elizabeta explained as she pulled up a picture of Alfred on her laptop.
Yao examined the picture, seeing that the Hungarian woman's words about Alfred's looks rang true. He had neat blonde hair with a single piece sticking out. The blonde locks were complimented by cerulean eyes which required the use of glasses. The blonde was wearing a plain dress shirt, along with a tie that looked like...the American flag?
"Now, Alfred's home country is the United States of America, so he doesn't quite know England as well as everyone thinks he does. Hell, he doesn't even do that much ground work, his battle droids do. With the rate Europa leaders have been dying, he probably won't be seeing anyone from outside the company anytime soon. He might not even see anyone else aside from his battle droids." Elizabeta continued.
"If you don't mind me asking, does he have a specific battle droid type he likes? Like a particular model?" Kaoru asked.
"A particular model? Hm...well he seems to like LON-4 units, as well as OTT-7 units, considering he only has those models." Elizabeta replied, scratching her head.
LON-4. Now that name caught Yao's attention. If his memory was correct, that unit was the last thing he saw when he was with Kiku. Could that mean that...
"Do you have any Japanese men at that branch of Europa?" Yao asked, turning to the Hungarian woman.
"Huh?"
"Do you have any Japanese men in the English branch of Europa?"
"Japanese men? Hm...not really, at least not to my knowledge. However, with all of the people coming in, it's possible there's at least one Japanese person in the branch."
'Kiku could be there!' Yao thought as Elizabeta's words sunk in. If his memory was correct, then the unit who took Kiku could be at the English branch of Europa! Now Yao was eager to infiltrate the English branch.
He didn't even pay attention as Elizabeta talked more about the units in the English branch.
A few hours later, Roderich landed the plane, pulling the jet to a complete stop. They were now in the English branch of Europa.
Yao looked out the window, seeing about twenty blonde figures lined up in two lines.
"Everyone, we have arrived in the English branch. Please be careful in making your way out of the jet. Also, please do not worry about your belongings, as the other androids will transport those to your quarters." Roderich said, stepping into the room where everyone else was. "Miss Héderváry, would you like me to help you off?"
"No, Roderich. It's fine." Elizabeta replied, showing a small smile.
"Would you like me to do anything else for you, Miss Héderváry?"
"How about stop being so formal?" Elizabeta teased.
"I'm sorry Miss Héderváry, I cannot complete that request."
"Oh Roderich, you're hopeless." Elizabeta sighed. "Come on everyone, let's get outside."
Elizabeta waited as Roderich opened the door and unlatched the stairs before stepping down, the others following her. Once again, he Austrian unit was the last to exit the jet, walking behind the group as they were greeted by twenty pairs of eyes. Upon closer inspection, Yao noticed the figures were battle droids, since they all looked similar, save for a couple of key features such as beauty marks. Elizabeta led the way as the group walked through the line of androids. Yao only tried to keep his eyes straight ahead, trying not to look at the throng of androids around him.
The group kept walking until they reached the end of the line, seeing a blonde man with green eyes and abnormally thick eyebrows. The unit had about a dozen units behind him, but Yao didn't pay any attention to them, being too focused on the unit in front of him. He could never forget that unit.
It was the unit that took Kiku from him.
Yao's fists clenched as he struggled not to grab the unit by the neck and interrogate him. He needed to be rational about this. This unit could be completely different from the one who took Kiku, but then again, it could also be the same one. He shook his head, disbanding the thoughts from his head. He had to wait and get more information before he made any moves. Yao didn't want to risk screwing up the mission and losing Kiku again.
"Hello everyone, welcome to the English branch of Europa. I am Arthur Kirkland, the head battle droid in the service of Mister Alfred F. Jones." the blonde unit said, introducing himself. "I assume you are our new members. Is that correct, Elizabeta?"
"Yes, Arthur. These are out new recruits. Could you get someone to show them all around?" Elizabeta asked.
"Of course. Feliciano, please show our new members around."
'Feliciano? It couldn't be.' Yao thought.
To his horror, a brunette unit made his way through the dozen units behind Arthur, stopping and saluting with his left hand.
"I'm Feliciano Vargas, and I'll be giving you all a grand tour of the branch!" he said, flashing a smile.
It was only the first day in Europa, and they were already in danger.
Translations:
Xie Xie- Thank you in Chinese
And a wild twist appears! Anyway, that's the end of this chapter, I hope you all enjoyed it! Thank you to everyone for the support with this story, you have all shined a ray of joy in my life filled with drama from school!
Have a super special awesome day everyone! Bonus points if you know what that line was a reference from.