As time passed Kaiser had performed a small amount of reconnaissance on several small groups of students. Anzio, Pravda, BC Freedom, and Maginot were the prominent ones. His small venture even offered him a chance at speaking with a blonde student from the famed Oorai high school.
Innocuously enough she engaged him first over his uniform. Namely, his cover which she wore a similar kind herself. After stating that it didn't look half bad they began quizzing each other over war trivia. Though one of the more enjoyable conversations he had, he was unfortunately out of time. Inadvertently she had succeeded in not giving him any information other than her name or a moniker at that as she referred to herself as Rommel. Her friends soon arrived and seemed interested in testing his knowledge as well, being short on time he excused himself, however.
Noting the time, Kaiser quickened his pace and dropped his polite smile. His face felt stiff at keeping pleasantries up for over an hour. The difference was notable as people began to make way, parting to allow him through without obstruction.
-Transition-
Already backstage, Virtanen began pacing to and fro even going as far as to bite his nails. Knight watched the scene repeat three, four, five times before he felt obligated to offer some words of comfort. "I'm sure the LtCol is on his way don't fret about it". The words fell on deaf ears as Virtanen peeked out past the curtain separating them and the immense crowd outside.
Filled to the brim with bustling viewers chattering about happily there was hardly an empty seat at the stadium. Virtanen's eyes scanned the small crowd moving about. His eyes shifted over the yellow-shirted staff, wearing the vibrant color to stand out, then over blue, green, and white-clothed individuals. Stopping only on black uniforms to then ignore them seeing that at a distance they were female or not covered in awards. His anxiety was rising, just where was Kaiser?.
Finally, the show began and the announcer stepped past the dark crimson curtain and began the introductions. Virtanen grasped his head in despair. Glancing around he saw some girls from Maginot academy applying last-minute touches of makeup on each other, a strange child in a Pravda uniform sitting atop the shoulders of another student, and Kuromorimine students inspecting their uniforms. Soon the groups of students formed a line to enter the stage and ceremoniously draw their ballots.
Virtanen's heart began to hammer. Vigens high school leaders went out first, drawing rambunctious cheers. A casual reminder of the crowd outside as Virtanen's guts tied into a knot. Knight helped usher his stiff commander into the back of the line, thankfully not drawing too many eyes at his panic. The line proceeded slowly forward drawing him closer and closer to the curtain and the applause outside. Knight offered some water which Virtanen greedily drank.
At last, no one stood in front of Virtanen, there was no Kaiser at the last minute. "I can't do this," whispered Virtanen, his throat hoarse. A passing St. Gloriana student cast a sneer at the two as she passed by, further shaking his confidence.
Knight lowered his voice leaning into his commander's vision. "Don't worry Sir, I'm sure she was looking at me. You're fine. Just remember you have to do this but you only have to do it once. I am sure Kaiser has a good reason not to be here". He failed to speak his true thoughts. 'I hope he didn't fall asleep somewhere.
Virtanen looked up suddenly calmed. Knight sighed in relief. His encouragement had worked. Or so he thought, Virtanen's eyes widened in a small epiphany."Why don't you go out there?" He suggested, taking one last attempt at escape. Knight's face hardened at the response. Suddenly he felt a share of Virtanen's anxiety.
Virtanen continued trying to reason with himself. "Yes, yes if you do it I'm sure it will help grow or something along those lines".
Knight shook him as violently as his thin frame could manage. "Isn't this your responsibility? Didn't Kaiser say that you need to move past this!?" he pleaded in defense.
Virtanen was shocked at the recollection. "He had agreed to help...did leave me out to dry on purpose? N-no I'm sure even he wouldn't… he may…" As Virtanen's brow furrowed in thought Knight took the chance to escape. Running as fast as he could while his weak-kneed commander was distracted.
Virtanen's fear, his squeamish anxiety had not disappeared, but he hated the possibility of being played once more. With a shaky breath, he straightened his back out, drawing to his full height. He felt awkward as if not in his own body. Yet stubborn as ever he waited for his school to be called refusing to back down from Kaiser's challenge.
"Next to draw is the newly sanctioned Transcendence academy!" There was a quiet murmur long with polite applause at the introduction of the relatively unknown schoolship.
Virtanen's hearing began to fade as he swallowed a lump in his throat, stepping towards the stage. The crowd continued to murmur and some even began to voice amazement at some unknown theatrics. With a shaky breath, he lowered the visor of his cover and met the blinding lights onstage.
Blood pumped in his ears, the heavy pulsating deafening him. He felt faint, restricted in breath even. His eyes came upon three sets of feet and traveled up. Bleary-eyed he saw the announcer and Kaiser with an equally shaken Knight. Cameras and flashes chattered away as he hesitated, dumbfounded at the smug grin across Kaiser's face.
Kaiser was turned away from the crowd as Knight shakily stood at attention. Only Virtanen could see the devious grin Kaiser held, enjoying his deception. Virtanen was too tense to speak let alone reprimand him as he approached. Flawlessly Kaiser snapped to attention and saluted with his right hand. "The stage is prepared for your participation, sir!" he announced loud enough for the nearby microphones to hear.
Virtanen gave an awkward salute back.
"Play along" whispered Kaiser, returning to his default expression.
"U-understood Lieutenant Colonel." Replied Virtanen. His voice wasn't caught on audio but he had clearly relayed an order as the crowd went quiet and watched the performance. The cameras ate the militaristic emulation up.
Kaiser pivoted on his heel, turning to face the crowd. Steadily he paced next to Knight before giving an order. "Detail, present arms". Both he and Knight instantly drew their sabers in tandem. Making a show of turning inwards to each other, then facing the crowd and once more presenting the sabers.
Virtanen had already begun moving, catching an intense glare from Kaiser when he had turned to face Knight. Straightening himself the best he could he approached the drawing box which would decide their future battles.
Luckily the crowd was more immersed in Kaiser and Knight standing still beneath the bright lights rather than Virtanen's white-gloved hand clumsily fished around in the box. Slowly he withdrew it, once again his vision narrowed as this time his anxiety was placed on what was written within.
In both his and Kaiser's mind, their prior conversation reverberated.
"Who do you want us to face first?"
"Does it matter? I just hope they are easy to deal with."
Virtanen closed his eyes, lowering his head and turning to present the ballot. Held high above his head to the cameras and audience, all looked on.
"Transcendence's first opponent will be Pravda High School!" declared the announcer.
A raucous cheering came from the crowd as Virtanen slowly stepped back to his entourage. As he walked past Kaiser 'ordered arms' and turned one hundred eighty degrees on his heel with Knight. The two then marched backstage following their commander. Applause followed them on their way out.
Once they had some privacy, Kaiser sheathed his saber as Knight fell to his knees with a mix of a groan and a sigh. Virtanen seemed despondent. As the drawings came to a close one representative from each school was asked to present themselves. Kaiser had the obligation of going and standing across from a random Pravdan student. He had seen in passing The Pravdan leader Katyusha refusing to go without her 'steed', whatever that meant. It seemed her two closest advisors refused to go without her as well. Needless to say, he felt as awkward as the nameless girl as they stood amongst a majority of famous school commanders onstage. In fact, he was the only male.
Even as he cut an imposing figure, standing at attention and his cover low he felt he stood out too much. Despite the circumstance, he played his part as his mind went into overdrive. 'Pravda? The infamous Katyusha and Nonna the blizzard as they call her. Our first opponents?' He felt he could laugh. Soon with a handshake and a final cheer all students were wished good luck for the season and were dismissed. He returned to find his peers gone and a message telling him to return to the staff car.
-Transition-
Kaiser arrived to see Virtanen sitting on the hood of the vehicle as the other three leaned against its doors. The event was over and traffic would be nightmarish, so no one was in a rush to leave. Kaiser noted Virtanen was deep in thought and jittering his leg atop the bumper. He looked at Sokolov and O'Dively.
The former held his head in his hands while the latter taunted him with a mischievous grin. "From the way you two appear I assume the news doesn't bode well?" asked Kaiser.
O'Diveley raised his shoulders and shook his head. "Nah, we got tidbits but well submit em to you on ship. Most attempts weren't what you'd call a success".
"Then why are you so happy?" asked Kaiser, miffed but not surprised.
"Cause I got to see perhaps the first and last attempt made by Sokolov here, to flirt" he snickered.
Sokolov groaned aloud, raising a freshly reddened face. "You told me to follow along! Besides it's not like you did any better! You even got slapped and nearly got into a fistfight!".
O'Diveley snickered. "Eh, all worth it to see you try and cozy up to that lass, besides how was I supposed to know she was taken?"
Sokolov looked at him in disbelief. "She was married".
"I had a chance" he quipped, raising his hands indifferently. Casting his head to the side he noticed Kaiser watching unamused. With a wink, he raised a hand and whispered. "Not many know, but I like em older".
"Kaiser raised his hand. "I've heard enough. Just start the car". As Sokolov followed O'Dively, Kaiser placed an apologetic hand on his shoulder. They exchanged an understanding look before separating.
Kaiser had half expected Virtanen to shout and argue with him over his little prank. Instead, as the engine started he got off the hood and slowly entered the vehicle. Knight didn't know what to say as he held the door open and looked over at Kaiser for guidance.
He merely joked with him. "Don't fret, you did fine today. At least you know how to drill if anything" and then entered the vehicle.
The ride back in the staff car had an eerie silence until Virtanen muttered one word, finally ready to speak. "Pravda".
"Sir?" asked Knight meekly.
Virtanen shouted in exasperation. "Of course, it had to be them! One of the largest threats!" He even kicked O'Diveleys seat amid his despair. The other occupants gave no reply Sokolov and Knight shrunk to one side in the back as O'Diveley glanced back through the rearview.
"So we face off against a behemoth right off the bat?" He and Sokolov hadn't seen the drawing, it was the first they had heard.
"T-that's right" stuttered Knight as he kept an eye on Virtanen who was ruffling his hair in stress.
O'Diveley hummed to himself as Virtanen calmed down. Surprisingly he was the first to speak rationality to his commander. As the gentle hum of the engine coerced a yawn from him he glanced to the side, seeing Kaiser resting his head against an arm and the window. "I don't see why ya all got yer knickers in a twist. If they're as tough as yer crying about then beating them down will only be sweeter. Make it clear where we stand, right?."
Virtanen chuckled through his hands, "You may be absurd at times but by no means unwise O'Diveley,"
"I'll mark that down as a compliment," O'Diveley spat back with a grin. Virtanen leaned back, fixing his hair as he adjusted in his seat.
"I'll need everyone's help, even you O'Diveley, though you won't be participating in this match. Can I rely on you?"
Knight was the first to speak relieved at the change in atmosphere. "Of course Sir. Anything for my school. It's given me so much it's only right I give back".
O'Diveley pitched second. "Wouldn't be here if I didn't plan on helping ye out, though I may have a necessary break now and then". He and Virtanen made eye contact through the rearview mirror, exchanging grins.
Sokolov leaned forward, giving a thumbs up and a glint of confidence in his eyes. "I can promise results in combat" he affirmed.
Virtanen felt relief washing over him. "And you Kaiser?" he asked cautiously. Virtanen knew him too well, there was no way he'd be sleeping at this moment. He only hoped they could set aside their differences to face this unprecedented first challenge.
A sigh emerged from Kaiser "What did you expect me to say? While you were all mulling over failure or misfortune I've been using this god-given silence to think. Planning how we should attack, defend, and retaliate". Casting a sideways glance behind him, he addressed Virtanen. We're here to show dominance and supremacy not to cower. Keep your wits and follow your training and intuition. We'll win, however, it's only possible through my tactics."
Virtanen's eyes widened before narrowing at the last remark. He missed his opportunity as the other three cheered at the response.
"Victory eh?! Sounds assured now." laughed O'Diveley.
"It's reassuring, to say the least," agreed Sokolov.
"If, if you say so Sir" nodded Knight.
Virtanen stared at the back of Kaiser's seat, noticing movement in the reflection of his window. Just barely he could see Kaiser's eyes casting a challenging stare towards him in the reflection.
Opposed to his hopes their conflict in beliefs would not end with just the small stage stunt.
-Transition-
Passing through the port town it seemed that the local populace was also celebrating the commencement of the senshado season and was taking advantage of the docked schoolships to make some extra revenue off the students.
"Hey, let me off here," Virtanen asked glaring out the window.
"What? Pulling a Kaiser on us and disappearing now?" O'Diveley joked.
"Just let me off," Virtanen responded grumpily.
"How will you get back?" asked Knight, concerned at having noticed his bitter attitude earlier.
"I'll find my way, now let me off" he demanded. His response was short and aggressive.
"Let him go, he's a big boy now. Just make sure you leave your saber and sidearm" remarked Kaiser with a wave of his hand. Virtanen glared at the back of his head, Kaiser could feel it but ignored his simmering peer.
As instructed Virtanen was let off near the festivities. He left without any further words, hoping to escape his current plague of negativity.
-Transition-
'Dammit Kaiser!' Virtanen cursed as he stood at the end of a lake in a nearby park. The day had not been what he would call good. Returning home with it fresh in his mind would only sour his mood as he kept thinking about it. 'I need some food, maybe that'll calm me down' he thought.
Scouring the festival grounds and various stalls for food, Virtanen had all but forgotten his previous stress. Currently, he was feeling nervous. He may not be the most perceptive but he did notice the wondering eyes placed on him. Many eyes were drawn to the awards and silver cord draped across his chest as he hungrily drifted through the festivities.
He began to enjoy the attention somewhat. It was as he passed an open restaurant that he saw a T.V. replaying the day's earlier event in the stadium, recapping all the information. The smile that had come upon his face was quickly erased. He was sure no one noticed at the time, even those watching in interest within the restaurant wouldn't. But he could see his fear, how many of his experienced foes would have as well?
The sweat on his brow, his tense body, and movements, even the slight tremor of his hand as he reached into the box. The camera captured it all. Of course, Kaiser had picked up on it as well. He had been standing behind after all.
The pit in his stomach returned. There was Kaiser, unflinching, his presence demanding. He could just imagine the face Kaiser would have made if he wasn't on stage. The same stern expression, yet his eyes would show complete and utter disdain. Virtanen's fists clenched, unusual and yet somehow known insecurities arose within himself.
He always had an image of what he wished to grow into, to be a cool adult. A leader. Someone for others to look up to. He realized in middle school he had a long way to go. Perhaps too flawed to be anything close he would think from time to time. His depressive thinking changed when he met Kaiser. The irony of then and now wasn't lost on him. What had once been an example for him to improve himself, his guidance now seemed to be his greatest obstacle.
Virtanen turned from the screen as it zoomed in from Kaiser and Knight to the ballot he had drawn. He couldn't find anything that interested his rumbling stomach until he came across a BBQ stop. A large crowd seemed to be hovering around it which garnered his interest. However, the crowd seemed to be staring within rather than ordering. Within a golden-haired girl tried her best to be invisible as a familiar face tried to shoo away the onlookers.
"Piper?" asked Virtanen.
"Austin?" asked the freckled girl in surprise.
The crowd looked towards him, eyeing him up and down due to his uniform. "Mind giving a hand?" asked Piper.
"What's going on?" he asked
"These boys won't leave my friend alone and are bothering the store owner" she griped.
The crowd shuffled awkwardly at the obvious assessment. Seeing as most were students he decided to lend a hand. "It's the gentlemanly thing to do, it doesn't have to do with the fact it's piper at all…' he reasoned internally.
Stepping beside Piper he helped disperse the crowd pointing out the storeowner's frustration and that if they wished to stay be polite with their looking and buy something. Piper then invited him to sit with her.
"Perfect timing, I just met her and well she seems curious about Senshado". Commented piper gesturing to his seat.
"That so?" he chuckled turning to get a look at her new friend, suddenly choking on the water he was offered. "K-Kay?" he choked.
"Finally caught" smiled Kay awkwardly, no longer trying to hide.
After a short conversation, Kay revealed she had come by to sneak a peek at Transcendence before stumbling into Piper and getting sidetracked. She hadn't been recognized at first due to her disguise. A simple yet effective one. Her hair was tied into a ponytail, casual clothing and some fake glasses hid her well. Until some boys began to whisper about 'her likeness to Kay from Saunders'.
Piper was surprised at her identity but was delighted nonetheless. Her friendly demeanor only increased. Kay thanked Virtanen for his assistance along with an apology, insisting she wasn't here to spy only out of curiosity since they were in a neighboring port.
The three ordered some food as the storeowner shooed away any nuisances or customers who lingered too long for obvious reasons. Virtanen knew Kaiser held respect for Kay but he had never been told why. He assumed it was because she was an acquaintance and a commander. He had never been told of how perceptive and sharp she was.
Kay had watched her two new friends animatedly chat with each other. She could see the affection he held for Piper off the bat. The girl was oblivious but Kay could see how attentive he was being his quick responses, his body turned in her direction, his nodding, agreeing, all of it. It made her want to tease them. But she also noticed his unease. His eyes wandered away from the TV, he had asked for their volume to lower, and he avoided conversation about Senshado or the drawing event when she broached how they had missed each other. Most notably she saw his reaction at the mention of Kaiser.
"Are you alright?" she asked. Virtanen tried to laugh away her words but seeing the sharp gaze of her blue eyes sent a shiver down his back. It was near Kaiser's level yet instead of demeaning it was inquisitive, curious. Noticing Piper's worry at his reaction Kay reverted to a more comforting tone. "I guess it is only Kaiser who likes that side of me" muttered Kay with a snicker. Standing she approached Virtanen, who eyed her cautiously. With a hearty slap on his back, she encouraged him to eat. "You seem troubled! Fill your stomach and tell us about it!".
Virtanen winced at the blow, looking to Piper who nodded along, wishing to help. And so Virtanen relayed his tumultuous feelings, albeit holding back on certain details and the extent of them. He wished to have outside advice but he was still a healthy male and coming across as helpless to two beautiful girls was something he'd hope to avoid.
As Kay rolled her eyes at the parts mentioning Kaiser and Piper attentively listened he concluded his story by only revealing what had happened today with as few details about his personal feelings as possible.
"So you're feeling helpless?" asked Kay. Virtanen let out a small groan escape at being so translucent.
Piper cocked her head, not having arrived at the same conclusion. "Wouldn't it be overwhelmed?" she asked.
Kay chuckled bringing a hand to her chin. "Well that's one of the smaller problems isn't it?" At her question, she cast a knowing look towards him. With a reluctant nod, he agreed. "I'm guessing your pal Kaiser is one of the larger ones?" again he nodded. Sighing Kay leaned back into her chair with crossed arms.
"I can see that, after all, he is a unique character. I can imagine he's scheming up a plan for your match against Pravda. I'm kinda surprised he isn't out here trying to catch people like me". She thought aloud.
"Is that why you snuck around hoping to get caught?" asked Virtanen. His voice was weak, the banter only a distraction from her words. She was right in assuming Kaiser was making plans yet it only made him feel that he was neglecting his duties simply because of his emotions. 'Kaiser wouldn't do this' he thought.
Piper laid a hand on his arm, distracting him from his thoughts. She seemed at a loss for once, perhaps advice wasn't her forte.
Kay drew their attention with a sigh. "He even caused me some problems when we first met ya know?"
Both Piper and he turned in surprise as she explained. "He was one of the only males there and the only one who didn't try to speak to others. Do you know what he did when I went to talk to him?" They both shook their heads no. "He ignored me and walked away!" she said throwing her hands into the air. "I mean, I don't think people have to speak to me but it was a first! It serves him right that the instructors paired us off for exercises the rest of camp" she huffed.
Their table turned into light laughter at the story. "That does sound like him" chuckled Piper, covering her laughter with a hand.
Even Virtanen felt a bit better at hearing what should have been an expected story. "Of course, even you couldn't have wooed him" he laughed.
Kay pouted slightly at the remark but acknowledged it as the truth. "So the question is, why is he causing you grief? I thought you've known him longer than anyone. He even mentioned you once at the training camp."
"Only once?" he asked.
"Once" she nodded.
Again he felt that it was a very like him. "He hadn't mentioned you to us once, so I suppose it's no surprise" he reasoned. "However he did tell us you're far more dangerous than you appear". Kay shrugged with a satisfied grin. "TO simplify it, Kaiser and I have not been seeing eye to eye, least of all in our leadership."
Kay nodded along. "He was like that with me too however I got him to fold. Wanna know how?" Her company raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "I stood firm. I didn't change who I was because I knew it was right. Our goals were different and so I proved that my peers having a good experience and learning was more important than what he was aiming for. I feel like you're more similar to me in that aspect. Not wanting to sacrifice ethics for efficiency."
Virtanen gave a ghost of his usual laugh. "He was never like this in middle school". Kay and Piper leaned in interested. Virtanen realized no one but he and select teachers knew of their history before high school.
Even Piper voiced her curiosity. "What do you mean, what was he like?"
'I guess all girls like some gossip' he reasoned thinking of what best to say. He knew if he wasn't careful it would make its way back to him, most likely through Kay herself. "For starters, he was just as calm but way more expressive. Not to mention when he was my squad leader in seventh grade InfanterieKampf he suddenly became our school commander for the infantry team. Back then he was always smiling or joking." he hesitated to say more, surely this was fine, it was information anyone could look up if they went deep enough after all.
"It all changed near the end of the infantry season in 9th grade last year, before our transfer to Transcendence." As he opened his eyes he saw the girls were nearly leaning across the table, listening raptly to his every word nearly slack-jawed.
"Are we talking about the same person?!" asked Kay in disbelief. Piper nodded along vigorously with her words.
"Erm, yes? I remember it all myself. I was there" he replied. The two girls crashed into their seats unsure of what to believe.
Feeling he had gotten off track and disrupted the mood he checked his watch. "It's gotten quite late let's wrap up here".
"Oh, my team is back on ship," said Piper looking at her phone. "The girls got hit on by a couple of boys before our male teammates escorted them back, let me just message them where I am".
As Piper excused herself for a moment Kay snapped her fingers to get Virtanens attention. "I know we didn't help much so let me just say this. Even Adam is human. He struggles too. He even struggled just keeping up with me you know. And I'm still here".
Virtanen froze in place. It was so obvious he felt like punching himself. Kaiser was even the same age as him why was he so afraid of standing against him in a battle of ideology? Virtanen began laughing softly at his epiphany. Kay took a slow drink with a satisfied smile as he responded. "Is that why he beat you in the scrimmage?"
Kay choked slightly on her drink. Dabbing at her lips with a napkin she defended herself. "He got lucky I was playing nice, it sounds like you want to make an enemy though. Even after I gave you some advice".
Virtanen raised his hands in defense as her sharp and challenging glare returned. "I'll leave that position to Kaiser. Speaking of which he'd be furious to hear you using his first name behind his back".
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him" she reasoned with a wink. As Piper returned Kay ushered them to follow her. A block away and past the bright lights adorning the streets were Naomi and Arisa inside of a jeep awaiting their commander. Seeing Kay approach Naomi posed a question after popping her bubble gum. "Failed to get aboard?" she asked eyeing her company. They had seemed familiar.
"You!" shouted Arisa pointing at Virtanen, bitterly remembering his taunts from their scrimmage.
Kay stepped between them with a smile. "We'll be giving our fellow Senshado students a ride to their ship. Are we clear?"
"B-but they-" Arisa couldn't refuse as Kay's smile took on a demanding aura.
Looking at the freckled girl next to him confused at her aggression, feeling defeated, Arisa swallowed a bitter pill. "Crystal clear, Ma'am" she conceded.
During the short ride, there was small talk of organizing another scrimmage after the season. Naomi shirked away from the idea when talk of a rematch against Kaiser arose. Arisa was burning with passion at the opportunity to pay Virtanen back, leading to him shelving the idea. Kay even spoke her amazement at Piper not recognizing her to which she replied shyly that she was a working girl and didn't pay much attention to celebrities. The Saunders girls had a laugh at being referred to as celebs.
Before Kay and her companions departed she left Virtanen one last piece of advice. "You said it yourself, whatever happened, happened in the past. Deal with the present if you want to get far enough for us to knock you down, that is". With a finger gun and a wink, she was off. Before they were gone he did receive a rude hand gesture from Arisa however.
-Transition-
Virtanen escorted Piper to her dorm where she entered her door, turned, and nodded her thanks for earlier. Before he departed she briefly embraced him causing his brain to crash. "I wasn't much help earlier but don't worry too much, it'll all work out," she said, quickly retreating to her dorm. Virtanen struggled to move for some time as his brain rebooted.
Once home himself he pondered his dilemma. His mother thankfully was out and wouldn't demand to know what was wrong and his brother was too young to be concerned. He was thankfully left alone to mull over his options. With a sigh, splayed out on his mattress he stared at his ceiling. "His way, My way, whatever it is we need to speak about it" Nervously he pulled out his phone to see he had not noticed a message.
It was from Kaiser saying "We need to talk".
Feeling defeated once more he dropped a hand over his eyes. Truthfully he was relieved he didn't have to broach the subject first. He'd been reassured but he knew 'People don't change in a day'.
-Transition-
Earlier that day, after Virtanen had separated.
Sokolov had finished a short written report of their work for Kaiser to read at home. With a few salutes, he separated from his peers who went to return the vehicle. Of which there was extra emphasis on ensuring O'Diveley would return the keys
Entering his home, he neatly hung his uniform and prepared a meal. Living alone he cared for himself and was used to the solitude. He proceeded with his physical training, bathing, cleaning, and routine. It was as he dried off after a shower, preparing for slumber that he noted the small stack of notes Sokolov had handed him.
He grabbed the papers and began reading through them. He quickly learned that there truly wasn't much they had uncovered. Even through the hasty writing, he could see how audacious O'Diveley had been and how little Sokolov spoke. Seeing that there was nothing of use Kaiser checked the school's website for updates about practices or weather.
He noticed a new link on the home page. It was titled "latest articles". Clicking on it he read the title. "Transcendence academy, a new powerhouse? Or school of fools?" Below it held side by side comparisons of several pictures. The first was of him and his four peers arriving at the parking garage, exiting the Mercedes staff car.
The second set of photographs showed O'Diveley and Sokolov flitting about making apparent nuisance's of themselves as opposed to a side-by-side comparison of himself chatting to multiple students from multiple schools. There was even a photo showing Virtanen's frantic search for him behind the stage.
The most provocative comparison was of himself standing on stage with his saber next to a close-up of Virtanen's nervous draw. The sneaky photo behind the stage had a hint of a red uniform in the frame, catching his eye. "Gloriana took that one, so they're taking anonymous submissions now…" he grunted, tossing his phone onto his couch. He didn't care for gossip if there was no intel of value. Under any other circumstance, he wouldn't care about this 'news source' but he couldn't let the image of their professionalism be undermined.
Priorities came first. Before he could act on the gossip articles, came Pravda. Before Pravda however, he had to speak with Virtanen. Before that, most of all, he needed some sleep. Sending a message to Virtanen he passed out with ease.
-Chapter End-