THE NEW WORLD – PASSWORD
The Pakistan Resistance Camp
Members of the resistance are trying to contact them. Though the interference is too strong to facilitate speech between them this is a huge step forward. The greatest problem is that this signal could be coming from anywhere, the only reason that such a weak broadcast can be detected in the first place is due to the high level equipment the group is using.
"How are we going to do this, how are we going to establish a better connection" Tsuna asks.
Ellen was heavily involved with communication when she was in the military while both Gokudera and Haru are scientifically minded individuals. This means that Tsuna has the least amount of specialist knowledge on the subject at hand.
"We could all four of us head a different way, measure the signal strength and report back with who has the strongest signal" Haru suggests.
For Haru to be so quick in returning to her physically demanding schedule impresses Tsuna greatly. He decides that Bana must have trained his followers expertly and that he is truly blessed that his group are part of the Vongola family.
"That would take too long, for all we know they might have moved by then" Ellen shakes her head, "Besides I wouldn't be much help, the three of you can move much faster than I can".
Haru pats Ellen on the back, "Hey don't sell yourself short, I think you're great".
Ellen smiles lightly as looks into Haru's eyes, "Thank you for the compliment, I'm not looking down on myself, I'm just not superhuman like you guys".
"The mountains" Gokudera says as he holds his head in the palm of his hand.
"What was that Gokudera" Tsuna prompts, not hearing his right-hand-man clearly while his mouth was obscured.
"If one of us were to go to the highest point on a nearby mountain we would have the less interference due to the refraction of the waves".
Ellen holds her chin with her hand, "I see, so it would only require one of us to go".
The storm guardian turns to his boss, "10th, allow me to do this, you would be detected in the worst case scenario while I can remain hidden".
Tsuna closes his eyes as he sighs, "You are right of course".
"I would also like to volunteer boss" Ellen declares.
"No" the white haired guardian adds, "It's like you said earlier, I can move a lot faster than you".
"I…" Haru begins.
"You can't come, you have to stay here and look after Juu OK"
Haru smiles, "OK but you make sure you come back, you are his father after all".
"I know, I can move quickly and subtly".
"Moving about subtly is hardly your specialty" sweatdrops the 10th.
Gokudera feigns offence, "There's no need to be so rude 10th".
Ellen adopts a serious tone as she briefs the second-in-command, "Listen, you need to be very careful not to be spotted by any patrols, are you sure you've got this Gokudera".
If Gokudera were to be spotted by any patrols, there is a good chance they would report his presence to Honda. If Honda were to make the connection between the presences of Gokudera and Tsuna then that would be catastrophic going forward should the storm guardian ever be spotted again.
"I've got this" the storm guardian firmly claims.
Ellen picks up best radio she has and hands it to the mafioso, "No names, no locations and you aren't allowed to give any passcodes on your end".
"You are just there to see if they are willing to provide a passcode and location, if they do then you come back and the five of us will all go together" she finishes.
Haru finds a potential problem, "What if it is a trap".
"It shouldn't be a problem, between yourself and Gokudera we should be able fend off any attackers from any traps" Ellen concludes, "They are expecting to trap low-level resistance members with this sort of thing, not Sawada Tsunayoshi himself".
"OK, I'm going".
"Good luck" Haru says as she uses her son's hand to wave to Gokudera.
The latter smiles, "Don't need it".
Several Hours Later
Gokudera has been moving from mountain to mountain, attempting to use his radio but getting no signal. It would be demoralising for most people but the storm guardian has a firm morale bred by years of work in the resistance.
The sun rises on the horizon; the night has passed but Gokudera refuses to give up. He tells himself that he will find this signal, no matter what. No matter if it is a trap or even if it is just some kids messing around with a radio he has to find it. If nothing else for his own peace of mind.
At last on one mountain top, he finally gets a clear signal.
Gokudera doesn't hesitate, immediately attempting contact, "Passcode and location".
The engineer is greeted with radio silence, whoever is on the other end is choosing not to reply.
'Perhaps they are getting their superior officer, they've probably never been contacted before'.
"Passcode and location" he repeats.
"Confirm identity".
It happened, someone replied. The replier is definitely looking for someone on this frequency too, it can only be a trap or fellow resistance members.
"No identities on radio" regardless of his emotions Gokudera sticks to Ellen's procedure, "Passcode and location".
A period of radio silence is observed once again. Presumably once more the radio operator is speaking to his commanding officer.
"Please" Gokudera pleads, "Passcode and location".
Again the radio is silent.
'Dammit, come on… please' the new father prays that he gets a response.
"Roger that" the operator replies, "Passcode, crib means frozen".
The operator provided the correct passcode then proceeds to offer Gokudera some meeting co-ordinates.
"Roger".
Gokudera stops using the radio. It is still possible that this is a trap and that the Yakuza have acquired the passcode somehow but it is unlikely.
The storm guardian maintains his professionalism for a moment only before he punches the air above him.
Laughing he yells into the sky, "Other members, organised members, this is great".
"I've got to go and tell the 10th".
The Pakistan Resistance Camp
Night has fallen once again. The stars are out just as brightly as the night before as Tsuna looks up into the sky. Gokudera hasn't returned and it was agreed long ago that in the event any of the four should separate from the others that they would maintain regular contact. No contact has been received from Gokudera.
"Sorry I'm late" the storm guardian says, causing the drowsy resistance members to jump.
"Don't ever do that again" Haru angrily thumps Gokudera's chest, "You had me worried sick".
"Sorry Haru, I promise I won't do it again".
Ellen is less concerned about Gokudera and more concerned about the outcome, "So did you get anything?".
"I did" he answers as he places a map down on the communications table. "I got these co-ordinates".
"And…" Gokudera slowly begins with a smile creeping onto his face.
"And…" Tsuna follows suit.
"I got given a passcode".
Tsuna and Haru smile but Ellen rationally refuses to become too happy just with that. "What did they use" she asks.
"Crib means frozen" Gokudera replies, "It is one of the ones that Dino set aside all those years ago. So unless they caught one our guys and they gave out under torture, this is genuine, we've found a core resistance group".
"Amazing" Tsuna shouts, "This is truly amazing, there are others out there fighting".
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work" Haru loudly praises the few remaining resistance members.
Ellen folds the map away and quickly tucks it into her pocket. "Everyone, the drill will be different from the one we had planned, please put your equipment away quickly but calmly".
"When you go home please apologise on our behalf to your families, we've surely made them worry by keeping a few of you behind".
"And remember, you have never seen any of this, you don't know any co-ordinates, you have no idea about passcodes or resistance members".
"But there is one thing you must remember, not for us but for yourselves, we are making progress".
The resistance members all give each other a brief congratulation. Coming from the same town means these guys are likely to know each other. Sharing a culture makes it easier for them to get along with each other than with the mafia, so it is only natural they have a quick moment of celebration together.
"Let's go straight away guys, we don't want to leave them waiting any longer than we have to" Tsuna tells his group of five.
"Haru, will Juu be alright through all of these mountains" Tsuna asks. Of course as the kid's godfather it is his job to worry about these sort of things now.
"Are you kidding" Haru asks with a smile, "This kid was born to do all this sitting in my arms stuff".
The 10th laughs, "Good, then let's get going".
"After all, the resistance is just beginning".