A/N: Alright, so the previous chapter was too random. Now we're going to slowly get back into serious mode.
My previous mailing account had been more or less permanently blocked off and because hotmail is being stupid, recovery is impossible. So I had to reactivate three of my back-up accounts. Check my profile to see what is the new mailing account for this fanfiction account.
Rio's words kept activating the spell check. It's annoying.
Angel Beats!
What We Live For
Operation 14
Of Blood and Gun Oil
The recruits for Fort gathered once more at the lobby of the main building, having changed back into their uniforms and met their guide. Surprisingly, Iwagawa Jin had reappeared and was waiting for them at the entrance as well. His uniform was extremely beaten up and torn though. He also had an extremely sour face, so the recruits decided not to ask anything about it.
[Imagawa Jin joins party]
[Big Site Guide joins party]
[Rio joins party]
The group left the baths and headed down the street of the housing district back to the busy market place.
"Sergeant Imagawa, would you want to take a break for lunch before continuing?"
The guide suggested, to which Imagawa glared at the guide.
"Huh? Are you trying to order me around, you punk?"
Imagawa shot rudely. But Rio suddenly pulled on Jin's sleeve, drool coming from her mouth as her eyes shone brightly with hope and hunger.
"... You want to eat?"
Jin asked, to which Rio nodded vigorously.
"... I see... sigh, fine. We'll go eat."
Jin sighed in defeat. Rio jumped for joy as the group now headed for the market section. The market was busy with shops selling various goods and people bustling about to buy supplies. The guide took the group through the busy crowds and headed towards the part of the market which had food stalls. The smell was strong and fragrant as the recruits were exposed to food from all over Japan. Snacks from Okinawa all the way to Hokkaido, different flavours of ramen and even each region's speciality was on display. It was certainly a grand sight to behold. Also, it was quite an impact on the nose.
[Party is confused by the multiple smells]
[Daisuke is confused]
[Daisuke injures himself]
"I recommend this store."
The guide pointed to one particular store and it was probably the most crowded store in this area, not to mention the largest number of seating.
"This store is actually the favourite store of the sixth division leader, Kurogane Kou. She particularly likes the yakitori and takoyaki here."
The guide smiled, just as the recruits noticed someone walking out of the store with four bags of food in her hand and a stick of grilled meat in her mouth. Kurogane Kou, the division six leader herself had just stepped out of the store and stared blankly at the recruits. The fearsome leader of the legendary and enigmatic sixth division. Even though she was holding onto four bags of food and having a stick in her mouth as well, she was still able to exude a fearsome presence. Her eyes were cold and dark. It was like staring into the depths of death itself. The recruits all felt shivers travel down their spines as Kou eyed each of them separately. Then she-
"... mgfdmh"
.
.
.
.
.
"... HUH?"
The recruits stared at Kou who was, as usual, expressionless.
"Captain! How many times must I tell you not to leave without paying."
Amatsu Len ran out of the store after Kou and noticed that the recruits were there.
"... mmgfghf."
Kou said, though talking wasn't exactly what she was doing. Len stared at Kou for awhile and the leader merely looked at Len back.
"...Ahem... My captain wishes me to tell you recruits that the grilled skins here are very good."
Len said, clearly not very happy about doing this. But in the first place, how did she get so much information from such a short sentence?
"...gmfgmfgmmd."
"Er... She wishes you all to respect the store owner's wishes and only buy what you need."
"...gmfmmhmgm."
"... She is an exception."
Len added though something told the recruits that that wasn't what Kou was saying. As proof, Kou took one of the bags and swung it at Len's head, knocking the second in command square in the head.
"Ow! Okay okay! ... Captain wants me to tell you recruits that you must always finish what you order. That's all."
Was that really necessary? Kou nodded and walked off, somewhat satisfied, and Len went off chasing after her. Again.
"... Right, shall we enter?"
The guide said, turning the attention of the group back to the shop. Yes, that is a much better idea. The store was a large and busy place with not a lot of room to walk about. The guide managed to get a booth table by the other end of the shop, a good spot judging by its proximity to the serving counter.
"I shall just get the recommended few."
The guide said, getting up and heading over to the counter to order the food. Imagawa used this time to instruct the recruits on additional things that they would need to know.
"Remember that Big Site is the main place to gather supplies like ammunition. Word of advice is not to trust some of the vendors here though. There were cases in the past where some people tried to create new weapons without proper direction and permission from Himura and sold them off to SSS2 members. These weapons can and will explode in your hand causing death, or worse, injury. It is important to note that Shadows can still convert you while you are still alive, being dead is better off than being injured. Always keep one bullet out of a magazine."
Imagawa pulled out a single bullet from his shirt pocket.
"In case you are cornered and out of ammunition to fight, you can still prevent yourself from being converted. Load it into your gun-"
Imagawa pulled out his pistol, took out the magazine and pulled back the slide, slotting the bullet from his shirt pocket into the chamber manually, pressed the loaded gun to his temple.
"... and shoot. There is no cure for conversions and those who manage to turn back always prefer the bullet than going through another round of torture. Look around you."
Imagawa pointed around to the people in this store. Katsuragi and the others then noticed it. Most people kept one bullet out. Most tied it with a chain around their neck, some kept it in gloves, or pouches. But everyone had a spare bullet out somewhere easily accessible. Was it this extreme?
"Of course, if you meet an Angel, there isn't any helping you, dead or not."
The guide returned with a tray of plates that were piled high with the meat on sticks and drinks. The smell was incredible for the recruits. The guide tripped slightly, stumbling at the table and knocking Imagawa's arm.
[Imagawa's gun went off]
[Imagawa is now dead]
"Right, so these are the famous grilled chicken skins that the sixth division leader talked about."
The guide pointed out, pushing Imagawa's body aside to take a seat himself. The entire event with Imagawa's gun did not even cause a stir. Rio happily grabbed a few sticks into her mouth and shoved them in without hesitation. An extremely satisfied smile shone brightly from her face.
"While you cannot die, it does not mean you cannot get injured or sick. I would not eat so many sticks like your senpai here does."
The guild warned the recruits, who all nodded.
"Since Imagawa is currently out of action, I will continue to explain some basics to you. In this World, you can still suffer from illness, so taking care of your health is very important. Once a month, you will have to report to the Medics of Fort to have your health checked on. It isn't pleasant what they do to check, but at least it is better than falling sick and being vulnerable to attacks. Angels and Shadows are more likely to attack a sick person than a normal person, so you have to watch out."
The recruits all nodded as they ate while listening to the guide.
"Big Site does have its own medical team and they are less... extreme, in their examinations, resulting in more people coming down here to get checked rather than the Fort's medical team. Of course, the medical team here needs to be paid while the medical team in Fort does it for free."
Not sure if that was really important, but the recruits guessed it served some purpose to remember that.
"There are many more things you will learn as you stay longer in the organization. Either way, take your time learn them. You have all the time in the World."
After eating their fill, the recruits were led out of the store and headed straight for the supply centre. Contrary to what the recruits had first thought, the supply centre wasn't exactly well organized. Unlike its name, the supply centre was more like a warehouse stocked to the brim with weapons. A group of Provisions members were at the entrance of the warehouse with a small desk at the entrance. The desk had a few computers set up there and several SSS2 members were waiting in line. A SSS2 member would approach the counter, present his or her card and the Provisions member behind the desk would scan the card in the computer. The computer would then display the SSS2 member's list of authorized weapons, which is also displayed out on larger screens around the warehouse. The other Provision members would then enter the warehouse and after awhile reappear with the ammunitions for the weapons.
"To be given access to additional weapons, you must first go to Guild and approach a fitter. The fitters would determine what sort of weapon you are eligible for by looking at your rank and service records. You would then need to pay the fitter the amount corresponding to the new weapon you are taking before it would be entered into the database. You can collect your new weapon and ammunitions here. Since your four are from Fort, warehouse 1 would be the place where you would collect your weapons and ammunitions."
The guild guide explained.
"Assault uses warehouse 2, diversion uses 3, and intelligence uses 4."
The guide pointed to the additional warehouses by the sides.
"What about Guild and the Guardians?"
Yamato asked. The Guide nodded and smiled at that question.
"How sharp. Yes, Guild and division six are the only two divisions without any warehouses for weapons. For Guild, since we are the ones to create the weapons, we have free access to any and all weapons. We are also capable of rejecting any orders that come in from other divisions, so unless you want to find yourselves without weapons and ammunitions, you have to start treating Guild like the most important place to you. The only thing we ask is protection from Shadows and Angels, as well as a prompt and exact payment when we ask for it."
That was quite a statement. While it was true that it was the right thing to do to pay them correctly and on time, this ruling was a little more like blackmail.
"As for division six, they do not officially exist."
"What?"
It was Katsuragi's turn to be surprised.
"Division six is made up of members from all divisions. The leader of one of the division six squads is actually from Guild. A member of division six would use the same warehouse as the division they used to be in. In addition to being allowed a 50 percent discount on all weapons and ammunitions, division six members also have the privilege of getting any weapon they want without consulting a fitter. While it does seem extremely good to be a division six member, you have to remember this. Division six members are the best of the best within the Organization. They are constantly sent out to every battle and operation. They are also the black arm of this organization, doing the jobs that no one else wants to do or that nobody else can do. They hunt down traitors, fight Shadows even though heavily outnumbered, and most importantly, they are our first and only line of defence against Angels."
The group fell silent at that. Angels, the worst and most powerful enemy that this organization had ever faced. While Katsuragi had not yet fought an Angel, he could very well gauge their strength by reports and comparing them to Shadows.
"Putting that gloomy piece of information aside, you need to remember that normal weapons cost a certain amount of MT relative to the type and strength of weapon. Special dirt and essences would be necessary to craft special items and weapons. For those cases, you need to go to a fitter at Guild rather than coming down here to Big Site. While Big Site does offer the services to craft special weapons, it is better to go back to Guild to craft the basic form. Big Site can do additional add-ons or modifications but enhancing is still left to the Fitters. Well, enough about that. You recruits would not be using those services for a while. For now, let's get your weapons from the store."
The group was led to the front counter of the warehouse and they got into line for their weapons and ammunition. As he got closer to the counter, the more Katsuragi realized the immense size of the warehouse. This wasn't a warehouse per se anymore, but rather more like a small country. The warehouse was so large that Katsuragi would need to turn his head to let his eyes capture the entire building. Its presence was terrifying, to be honest, and all of the recruits felt a sense of intimidation just standing there. This was large beyond large. This was well beyond the boundaries of sanity and well into the realm of ridiculous.
"Next."
Katsuragi stepped up and handed the Provisions member behind the counter his card. The young man took the card and swiped it in a card reader by his computer. A moment later, his details were displayed up on the large screen above the warehouse door and the list of weapons he was to use. His Beretta 92 was the first on the list, followed by a SAR-21.
"Hmm, a SAR-21. Haven't had that in a long time."
The young man behind the counter muttered. A minute later, two provisions members emerged from the warehouse with a cart of weapons and ammunitions on it. They rolled the cart over to the desk and dropped his new rifle on the table, as well as five new clips for his pistol and four clips for his rifle. The provisions member behind the counter took the rifle, slotted a new clip in it and pulled the slide back, chambering a new round. He did not turn around as he pointed the rifle towards his back and fired one shot. Katsuragi now realized that there was a target bulls-eye pinned up at the back on the wall. So far all of the holes were centred in the middle of the paper. The young man was an excellent shot. He brought the rifle back to the counter and nodded.
"Good, it works. Alright, you get four new clips for rifle and five for the pistol. These are on the house for recruits but next time bring some MT. Right, next."
Katsuragi took his rifle and new ammunitions and left the counter, heading back up the path to join up with the rest of his group who had all collected their new weapons.
[Katsuragi obtained SAR-21 ( +10 atk) ]
[Katsuragi obtained four rifle clips]
[Katsuragi obtained five pistol clips]
[Daisuke obtained FN 2000 assault rifle ( +10 atk) ]
[Daisuke obtained four rifle clips]
[Daisuke obtained five pistol clips]
[Yamato obtained Mossberg 930 semi-automatic shotgun ( +20 atk) ]
[Yamato obtained 100 shotgun shells]
[Yamato obtained five pistol clips]
[Hitomi obtained H&K UMP sub-machine gun ( +8 atk) ]
[Hitomi obtained four sub-machine gun clips]
[Hitomi obtained five pistol clips]
It was quite an interesting thing to see, students with guns. Almost like some sort of bad news report of riots and civil unrest in the World.
"Right, let's head back to Fort."
Imagawa said and the group headed back to the rail-car depot and was soon able to catch the next ride out of Big Site.
"Thank you for visiting Big Site, and hope you all enjoyed your stay. See you soon!"
The guide cheerfully waved at the recruits as their rail-car left the station.
"He's rather upbeat."
Hitomi noted.
"He's one of the representatives of Big Site."
Imagawa explained, strapping two ropes to himself this time round.
"Big Site is too large to be handled by one person alone, even though it is supposedly under the right hand of Yuuko. Takako is unable to handle it like her predecessor did so she gets four others to help her run it. That guy is one of them, so of course he would be excited about showing it off to others."
So there were many more aspects to Big Site than they first thought. Katsuragi had wonder just how all of this was going to play out for him. Just what would await him by following on this path? Would he find the answers to his own identity? Or merely walk along the path of destruction. He really did not know, but felt somewhere inside of him that perhaps he did not want to know.
[Rail-car broke sound barrier]
[Imagawa's ropes snapped]
[Imagawa is now missing]
[Party has fainted]
The group regained consciousness when the rail-cars pulled into Guild and the group alighted at the station, noticing that something was going on at Guild. Rio approached one of the members of Shield who was preparing some weapons by the side to ask what was going on.
"Tunnel F4 has some unusual Shadows lurking within. Tunnel is off-limits until we clear it."
The Shield member explained. Rio nodded.
"W-what l-level of d-danger?"
"Level 5. It might take some time so if you were heading towards Fort, I would recommend taking tunnel F2. It would lead you towards the far end of Fort but at least it still links there."
"T-thank y-you."
Rio bowed and went back to the recruits, who heard pretty much everything.
"So, the shadows from when we entered the tunnel are still alive? This is troubling."
Hitomi said and the others nodded in agreement.
"Though what is level five danger?"
Yamato asked.
"I can answer that."
A young woman walked up to them. She had only worn the bottom part of the guild overalls and had the sleeves of the top half of the overalls tied around her waist. Chewing on a long metal stick, it was none other than the mad Boss of Guild herself, Himura Yuuko.
"You recruits need to know that in Guild, we classify the danger levels more strictly and sensitive than other divisions due to the importance of our division's work. Level one is the lowest while level ten is the highest. By level three and beyond, we call upon Shield to clear out the tunnels. Level five requires us to burn the soil in the tunnel after clearing. Level eight would require us to flame the entire tunnel and all subsections and connecting tunnels. Level ten would need us to detonate everything."
Yuuko explained in a nonchalant manner, as though this was all routine. In actual fact it probably was.
"Anyway, you recruits need to use F2. It's down over by the Fitter's store house. See you around, kids. Try not to die so early."
With that, the boss of Guild left the recruits and headed over to tunnel F4. Most likely to give aid or to oversee the cleansing. Something told Katsuragi that Yuuko took this rather seriously, even if her words and expression did not show it. This was something she needed to oversee personally and that must be something worth a lot to her. Just what did these people suffer before getting to this point?
"I-if H-Himura-san is g-going to t-take part, w-we s-should g-go."
Rio urged the recruits, much to their puzzlement.
"Is level five that dangerous?"
Yamato wondered.
"N-no... H-Himura-san's s-special w-weapon i-is t-too d-dangerous to b-be a-around."
"Special weapon? You mean-"
It could only mean that Yuuko held one of the five 'SSS' ranked weapons. And if Rio said it was dangerous, then it must be. But just what was that weapon? While Katsuragi felt the urge to know, his curiosity was easily overpowered by the instinct to run away. In the short time he had spent with the organization, he knew just how powerful and crazy the boss of Guild was. Combined with one of the most powerful weapon ever created in this World and her current serious demeanour, nothing good would ever come out of this.
"... Have they gone?"
Yuuko asked, chewing on her stick while she leaned back on the sand bags that made the barricade.
"Yes boss. We have also evacuated all surrounding tunnels and sealed off the entire area."
The shield member reported. Yuuko nodded and closed her eyes. Level five was a lie. This was a level eight disaster and Yuuko wanted to end this herself.
"... Kaoru-chii... I'm really sorry."
Yuuko smiled sadly as she looked at the torn piece of fabric in her hand. On it was the badge of the SSS2 and the rank of a corporal.
"I should never have let them release those Shadows. I ignored Kyou's report on the new Shadows... and lost a good battalion of Shield... but-"
Yuuko's hand clenched onto the cloth tightly as she opened her eyes and narrowed them at the tunnel ahead. Her eyes filled with anger and hate.
"I will NOT LET THEM DO AS THEY PLEASE."
She out-stretched her right hand to the ground.
"I am the great vastness of the Earth. I demand all and give out none. I am the devourer of all life and the fall of men. I live for none but myself. Forever chained by the cycle of the sin of society, I am the bringer of the plague of eternal hatred and war. I. AM. GREED."
From her hand, a slight glow started to form. The ground under her started to crack.
"EXEC_ANGELPROGRAM: / / / SYSTEM_LINK WEAPONS_ACCESS \ HAMMER_OF_HEPHAESTUS; ACTIVATE"
The glow from her right hand gathered and the ground burst open, dirt shooting up towards her hand and formed a physical object in the shape of a hammer. A rather large hammer at that.
"... Ne, Shin-chii."
Yuuko called to the Shield member by her side, who, like the hundred over Shield members behind Yuuko were gearing up for a battle.
"Yes boss?"
He answered as a low rumbling sound started to echo from the tunnel.
"You guys don't need to stay you know."
The rumbling started to grow in volume.
"... Boss, are you going senile? We are Shield. If we can't stand our ground and protect even one tunnel, what good are we? Even in death, we shall always serve the boss."
The thunderous rumbling was soon deafening. Yuuko smirked.
"You little brat. Well then, shall we get this show on the road?"
"... With pleasure."
The Shield member armed his weapon, and all the Shield members behind all did the same. Soon, the first of an entire wave of Shadows emerged from the darkness of the tunnel, charging like a stampede towards the barricade that was spear-headed by one woman with a hammer. The woman merely smiled as she raised her hammer above her head.
"Right then, let's get this show on the road. EXEC_ANGELPROGRAM: / / / SYSTEM_LINK WEAPONS_SKILL \ BABYLON; ACTIVATE"