Konan paced her office with quick, agitated steps, lips set in a thin line. She'd been like this for the past five minutes, not speaking or looking at anything in particular, just pacing. At last she stopped and glanced over her desk to Deidara and Sasori, who were sitting nervously in the room's only chairs. "You are positive as to zat machine's origins?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Sasori confirmed.
The woman hissed something under her breath, shaking her head and straightening her beret. "Well zis is perfect. We wanted answers to why zey are mining again, and all we find is zis, zis…"
"NADSRaD computer," Sasori supplemented.
"Oui. And if what you say about zat machine is true, zen we 'ave yet anozer pickle on ze table! Zere isn't an ocean for miles around zat cave, of zat I am sure!"
"So what does it mean, un?" Deidara asked nervously.
"I cannot tell you wiz any certainty," Konan admitted. However, when she noticed the duo's disappointment, she smiled ever so slightly and clicked at them in a disapproving manner. "Do not be looking so sad, monsieurs. Not knowing for sure does not mean I do not 'ave my zeories."
"What kind of theories?"
"Just one, but zere is two parts to it. First, zat since zere is no ocean around ze mine, whoever owns ze computer is merely, 'ow you say, storing it zere for safety-keeping. Which would mean zat secondly, if zey want to use it…"
"They'll have to move it somewhere," Sasori finished, heart leaping at the thought.
"Oui," Konan confirmed. "I would guess zat ze machine was recently smuggled onto Verden by someone, and stored in ze cave to test it out and see zat all was in working order. Once zey 'ave found zis to be ze case, it shall be moved to ze desired location."
"But what if it's broken, un? Then there'd be no need to move it out of the cave," Deidara thoughtfully reminded her.
"Ah, zat is where you are wrong, mon cher," Konan disagreed as the slight smile on her face grew. "If you buy a defective good, you always return it for a refund, oui?"
"Oui," the blond agreed.
"So, if somezing is amiss wiz ze computer, zen ze buyers will no doubt demand zeir money back, and ze disposal of ze defective machine."
"Meaning that the smugglers would have to pick the computer back up," Sasori finished.
"Oui. So eizer way, we get ze people needing the computer, or ze smugglers bringing illegal 'uman technology onto my planet."
"What's the plan?" Sasori inquired, eager for action now that he knew there was a chance at least one of their mysteries could be solved.
"For once in our measly lives, ze Verden Underground Movement 'as ze element of surprise on our side," Konan explained as she extracted a chart from beneath her desk and spread it out for her companions to see. "We will need to set up a stakeout to see when ze machine is moved, who moves it, and where it is being taken. Our agents already in ze mine should be more zan enough to take care of zis; for now, we need to stay put and wait for ze enemy to make zeir move."
"So hurry up and wait," the Akasuna groaned, sinking back down in his chair.
"In a manner of speaking." Saddened by her comrades' despair, Konan walked around her desk and clasped one of Sasori's hands between her own. "Monsieur Sasori, I must zank you for zis. Wizout you, VUM never would 'ave gotten zis lead, and we would still be at square one, grasping for plans and enemies zat might not even be zere."
"Erm, thank you," Sasori answered, feeling slightly embarrassed by the commander's gratitude. He'd done nothing more than have a lucky find, and stumble upon a machine built by a company he only knew about because of a headline he'd read recently. Not exactly hero's work, no matter how you looked at it.
"Your are more zan welcome," Konan replied, releasing his hand as she refocused on her map. "But I must ask a favor of you two."
"What is it?"
"Zis information must not leave my office," Konan stated gravely. "I trust ze men zat were on our ship, but not everyone in zis camp 'as ze same face zey show to you in public, if you are understanding me."
"You think there's a spy, un?" Deidara queried, eyebrows raised at the thought.
"No, but I do not 'ave good reason to doubt such a zing," Konan admitted. "Ze less people who know about zis for now, ze better our chances are of gaining ze upper 'and on our foes."
"Is there anything else we can do?" Sasori asked, hoping that there was something, anything they could help with to hurry this process along.
"If you see Pein, kindly tell 'im to come 'ere immediately," Konan suggested. "I will need 'im for ze planning."
"Got it." With that, Sasori and Deidara exited Konan's office, closing the door behind them. "Well, I guess that went all right," Sasori offered.
"It doesn't help us find Itachi, but it boosted Konan's trust in us," Deidara acknowledged. "She's taking you at your word, un. That's a huge risk for her, un."
"It's only because you backed me up," Sasori countered.
"I've spent the last four years on a slave ship before sneaking onto a human airship," Deidara shot back. "Not exactly trustworthy, un."
"I trust you," Sasori stated.
Deidara simply rolled his eyes at the comment. "That's because I owe you my life, un. Until I pay back that debt, nothing's going to happen to you. But for now, can we get some dinner? My stomach's going to implode or explode, I dunno which, un."
"Sure thing. Pein's probably down in the mess already. And maybe we'll see Tobi or Hidan." Sasori had yet to see his friends since their return from the assignment, and was eager to catch up with his comrades, even if he'd have to do a bit of skirting around the truth when it came to telling them about how his part of the mission had played out.
Before the two could set out for the mess, though, a loud string of swearing made its way down the hall. The two refugees turned to see Hidan shuffling towards them, with Kakuzu close behind. "Hey Hidan, un."
"Shut the hell up, blondie," Hidan snapped.
"Yeesh, what crawled into your bunk and died?" Sasori asked. Even for Hidan, that level of unprovoked rudeness was unusual.
"I wish this dumbass would crawl into a bunk and die," Hidan growled, jerking his thumb towards Kakuzu. "I can't go to my room, I can't go to the mess, I can't even go to the Jashin-damned bathroom without him following me! Shoo, damnit, shoo!"
The Falk in question refused to shoo.
"Hidan, did you ever consider being nice to him? He's only following you around because you won't shut up for five seconds about wanting to destroy everything." Sasori then turned his attention to Kakuzu and gave the man an apologetic look. "Please forgive him; he's an idiot."
"Hey!"
Kakuzu shrugged in the slow, awkward manner Falks had for shrugging, indicating it was more of a learned gesture than something that was natural on humans.
"So, what did Konan want?" Hidan asked. "Anything to help us get the hell off this planet?"
"Nothing," Sasori lied. "It sounds like the search mission was a bust."
"Tch, figures." At the Jashinist's statement, Kakuzu shook his head. "Oh come on, you know that mission was a load of bullshit!" Kakuzu cocked his head. "Well no I can't think of a better plan, but that doesn't mean her idea wasn't fucking stupid!" A raised brow. "Fine, we'll get dinner and I'll shut up about it." Hidan looked back to Sasori, who by now was thoroughly confused. "See what I have to put up with?"
"Um…yes?"
"I knew you'd understand. Well, see you assholes later. Let me know if the HBIC has any more brilliant plans."
"Danna, are you sure humans can't read minds, un?" Deidara queried as Hidan walked off with Kakuzu in tow.
"Yes, but I'm beginning to think Hidan is an exception."
-mm-
"NADSRaD?" Kisame asked incredulously. "You've got to be kidding me."
"If only," Konan sighed. "Do you know anyzing about what zey and/or zeir machines are doing on my planet?"
"I wish I could help you, but no," Kisame sadly answered. "Their contract with the military was cut a few weeks before they finished that computer Sasori found. Much as I hate to admit it, armed forces don't have much use for machines that don't kill people."
"But why would anyone on Verden 'ave a use for it zen?" Konan shook her head; until their stakeout panned out, they wouldn't get any answers. Speaking of which… "Kisame, I'm going to need to divert most of our forces to figuring out what zat computer is for. Which means-"
"That my search for Itachi has to be put on hold," Kisame stated, visibly deflating at the conclusion.
"Monsieur fishy, if zere was any way-"
"It's ok Konan; you're doing what you have to. I'd do the same thing in your place. Hell, I've had to do the same thing in your place."
"I promise you, we will find out what 'appened to your friend," Konan vowed. "But it will 'ave to be after we settle zis matter."
"Thank you Konan. When this war is over, I hope we can be friends."
"It would be my honor, monsieur fishy. Now zen; interested in assisting me in setting up zis operation?"
Kisame was standing beside her in an instant, eyes glued to his map. "How many men are we working with?"
Konan smiled and began going over the details of their operation with Kisame. Hopefully with the two commanders working together, they could craft a foolproof operation and get some answers to their questions.