Kaiser and Virtanen were together walking around the school premises. Not unusual even if it was the weekend as the two were often deliberating over training, paperwork, and other duties delegated to them by the school staff. Today however they weren't in their black Senshado attire nor their gray school uniforms. In an uncommon sight, both wore casual attire and were approaching the Hangar where their vehicles were stored.

Evening had come and with the finishing of their tasks for the day, most had left the school grounds, even those with extracurriculars. Virtanen's head was on a swivel, making him seem guilty even as Kaiser insisted he calm himself down. It did little to ease his commander's tension.

"Never were much of a rule breaker were you" chided Kaiser.

Glancing behind himself again, Virtanen hissed back in a hushed voice. "You break them too often."

"I bend the rules, that's how I get away with them."

"And what about Divs? He's hardly a covert individual."

"O'Diveley? So long as he doesn't get caught there will be no feathers rustled." The two approached the small side door to the much larger facility. The windows above were darkened and the large hangar bay doors were locked tight. Kaiser rustled in his pocket for the key.

"Virtanen watched their surroundings while voicing his worry. "How the hell is he doing this at all?"

Kaiser pulled out the key and pulled out his phone reading the instructions in the text. "I aided him in becoming familiar with his team. In doing so I permitted him to use almost any means necessary so long as he passed them through me. He never did return the key though."

"And you allowed this?!" snipped Virtanen.

"It was for the sake of efficiency, we didn't have all the time in the world to train this year you know."

Virtanen couldn't argue and so pestered him to hurry. "What's taking so long?"

Kaiser groaned slightly. "Secret knock. He offered to repay me for my help and I called upon it after forming our spy unit. Now he's living it up."

"You put him in charge of our intel division?!"

"God, no" snapped Kaiser. "He's an assistant of sorts. Now be quiet." Re-reading the instructions again, Kaiser knocked on the door to a familiar beat.

With a face of astoundment, Virtanen slowly asked a pressing question. "Was that 'Africa' by Toto?" With a displeased face, Kaiser showed him the text confirming it. "Well, No one would guess that…"

Kaiser inserted the key and turned it as a latch was heard inside coming undone. Before he could open the door himself, it opened from the inside and a cadet, one who worked within Knight's squad stood awaiting them.

The two stepped inside where the boy closed and latched the door shut behind them. As the boy walked away from the door, their eyes followed him to see a dimly lit yet cozy sight.

Tables made of old material and scrap were placed around the open bay as strands of decorative lighting were thrown about in no manner of assortment. Cadets sat about with drinks and small snacks before them, though now their eyes were firmly on Kaiser and Virtanen as they walked to the main attraction of the decor. Tank tracks had been laid atop each other to make an impromptu bar, with lines of bottles, drinks, and food lined atop the M18 behind them.

The dim lighting barely illuminated the lumbering giants of vehicles behind them as a single figure rose from behind the 'bar'. O'Diveley sprung up with some glasses and a smile. "Glad to see ya could make it lads, feel free to come take a seat."

Kaiser kept his eyes firmly on his peer as Virtanen looked around in awe and waved to the cadets who were surprised to see their commanders here. Soon the two sat across from O'Diveley and the atmosphere returned to its original, friendly self as Divs waved to the two dozen or so cadets. Chatter and laughter resumed as he propped one elbow on the wooden board used as a tabletop. "So any thoughts on the place?"

"You've done impressive work" complimented Virtanen as he turned on his stool to see his cadets enjoying themselves so heartily.

With a proud nod, O'Diveley turned to Kaiser who placed his crossed arms onto the table. "Just remember, I won't take responsibility for this if you're caught."

O'Diveley rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, plausible deniability and you'll disavow it all."

"I'll also repudiate you and any consequence associated with it."

"Yeesh, bright as a ray of sunshine ain't ya." Divs then grabbed three glasses and two bottles in either hand. "Care for a drink now? 'Non-alcoholic' of course."

"Why did you just wink?" Asked Virtanen as O'Diveley poured amber liquid into the glasses without any time for the two to refuse.

Kaiser sighed as the glasses were shoved in front of them and O'Diveley drank his in a swig, letting out a refreshing gasp. Virtanen seemed to fall for the act as he hesitantly picked up his glass and swirled its contents. Kaiser glanced to his side, seeing many of the cadets watching them. He turned in his seat, causing many of them to pretend they hadn't been looking. Then shifting back to divs, he could feel their eyes on them again.

Feeling it was stupidly prideful to the point even he could see it, he grabbed his glass. Showing weakness in front of the cadets was worse than being seen drinking one of 'O'Diveleys beverages.'

In sync, the two threw back their glasses. Virtanen gasped, feeling heat rise to his cheeks as his face became flush moments later. Kaiser on the other hand felt much the same in his throat yet he maintained his composure and pushed the glass back to O'Diveley who gave an impressed whistle.

"Want another? That is if you're not here as our dear commanders of course." With a Cheshire grin, O'Diveley flickered between the two for a response. Kaiser stood fast, giving no reaction.

Virtanen, giving a floaty expression, raised a hand and smiled. "I'll take another." With a devilish grin, O'Diveley poured another two glasses and shoved them toward his leaders. From there, things spiraled somewhat. Virtanen wouldn't stop even if it was for the best. Almost as if entranced by the fiery drink, he continued consuming it. His clear low tolerance handed him to act unbecoming of his position.

Despite his goofy behavior and obnoxious laughter followed by giggling fits, he was soon scooped up by some of the other male cadets to join them at their table. Perhaps happy to see he was just like them, they took the chance to pry answers out of him. Kaiser kept an ear open as they asked Virtanen about his thoughts as commander, who was in line for awards, and even the lowdown on his personal relations.

Kaiser nonchalantly sipped at his drink, uncaring for what regret Virtanen may have at having loose lips of himself but ensuring that he didn't spill anything about him. The terrifying thought of more rumors spreading, especially after he told him of Mika, sent a cold shiver throughout his burning body.

O'Diveley watched the scene with Kaiser, leaning on one arm, turned to his ever-reticent commander. "Feeling left out are ya?"

Kaiser threw a lazy glance at Divs before taking another swig. "Hardly. Just babysitting again."

"Have to admit, I didn't think a straight lace like you would hold up so well after a few."

"I can tell, this is some of your famous brew isn't it."

O'Diveley's eyes widened as his grin outmatched it. "So ya've heard."

Kaiser finished his glass, grimacing. "Blegh, A lot of the more adventurous students talk about a mischievous man right under the school's staffs noses who makes non-alcoholic drinks just as strong as the real thing."

"Wonder who that could be?"

"Who indeed?" asked Kaiser with a roll of his eyes. "Now that your little joint is back in the swing of things and it's only me and you speaking, you know why I'm here. Let's cut to the chase before I have to drag Virtanen out of here."

O'Diveley clicked his tongue. Smiling he shrugged his shoulders and shelved the glasses. "I take it you got a task for me?"

"So long as you've upheld your end of our bargain, you'll be watching the ship for me in my absence."

O'Diveley pointed at Virtanen. "Big man over there going with you on your little trip?"

"Kaiser's expression secreted the question, 'Really?'

O'Diveley raised his hands in defense, nodding. "I understand. Then what am I watching after?"

Kaiser tugged at his crewneck, cooling himself as he clarified. "You'll be putting up a front, that we're more focused on espionage defense rather than offense. Make them think that I'm scouring our own ship rather than waltzing along theirs."

"Ain't that our lovely leader, always thinking too much." Kaiser raised an eyebrow, his discerning eyes, still capable of making O'Diveley reel himself in despite the blushed cheeks. "It's a compliment."

"Mhmm" hummed Kaiser disbelievingly. "So then, Have you convinced here?"

"Wasn't easy. To be honest I think you picked the worst man for the job."

"I'd say you're the only man for the job."

O'Diveley let a sarcastic laugh escape. "That so? How come?"

Kaiser turned on his seat and leaned against the counter, propping his head onto his shoulder. "I found out that your RO had a cousin aboard Kuromoromine. Contacted her parents and omitted the purpose of the call. She knows the ship well enough for a stranger. I can't say I'm a very good person going behind her back and setting these things up. You on the other hand, your her commander, someone she knows, someone she trusts."

O'Diveley shook his head slowly. "The gal admires you more than anyone else on the team."

"Admiration and respect are two different things. One is given upfront, at a distance. The other is earned, awarded with that trust I mentioned through a close relationship."

O'Diveley simpered, seeming pleased with his words. "Honestly, your popularity, as well-earned as it may be, and your blissful ignorance of it brings more awe than ire at times."

"Kaiser threw his head to the side, the drink showing its slight effect as his eyes showed a slight haze. With a charming smile, he quietly replied. "Who says I was ever ignorant to it?"

O'Diveley was stunned by the near cinematic moment. His mind fought to decipher if Kaiser was speaking or if his drink had done him in. In a bitter irony, he was both glad he had gotten him to open up from the drink and also annoyed that he couldn't confirm if it was true or not.

"So Divs, where is she?" asked Kaiser looking around, snapping O'Diveley from his stupor.

"She's behind the tanks, we got some fridges back there to keep the food and drink cold."

"Where do you hide it during school hours?"

"Janitor closet, they hate cleaning this place. They keep quiet for occasional use, anyways, Alice!" O'Diveley shouted over his shoulder as a single figure came from behind the vehicles.

Whereas most of the cadets had come dressed in shorts and t-shirts whether male or female, Alice Phillips emerged in a complimenting, cream-colored dress. With a tall, svelte figure, blonde hair tied in a bun with her bangs down, and green eyes with a pedantic look that bore holes into O'Diveley.

O'Diveley gave a loud whistle, garnering cheers and whoops from the loud crowd around Virtanen as the tall waitress stepped forward. "Presenting our proud poster girl, Miss Alice!" he turned a toothy smile to the girl as he proceeded to poke fun at her. "Finally come out to seduce your beloved commander, have ye?" In a flash, the girl's fist swung at his head which he promptly ducked under.

"Last warning before I knock you out cold." She threatened.

O'Diveley slowly looked up at Kaiser who had spun around to watch with a sneer. "See what I mean, I don't think there's any love lost in translation."

"You two seem pretty close to me" scoffed Kaiser as he turned to the girl. Her glowering eyes noticed him and immediately shifted to a more polite surprise as she stepped from behind the bar to greet him. "Oh, good evening sir, what do we owe the pleasure?" She left Kaiser surprised as she even delivered a curtsy.

O'Diveley fixed himself as he explained from the side. "Our dear Alice is the pride of our squad, always fashionable and always courteous. Some of the lads say she belongs at Gloriana."

"I agree" chuckled Kaiser, she's wasted on you." O'Diveley gave a reluctant smirk at the barb as Alice agreed herself. She seemed somewhat off-put however as she watched Kaiser from the side of her eye.

"No need to be so formal with me, we're all here after hours aren't we?"

She tilted her head, bringing a finger to her chin. "Then how shall I address you?"

Kaiser shrugged "Any way you'd like."

"Then your first name?"

"Kaiser gave a cheeky look. "Do you know it?" she shook her head. "Then I guess that's out. Just use my last name same as everyone."

She seemed displeased at the missed opportunity but agreed and sat next to him regardless. Cleaning a glass with a rag, O'Diveley grumbled aloud. "It's unfair I tell you, First time you speak and she's head over heels, showing you her kind side. You know what hell I went through to just get her to speak in the tank?"

Alice delivered a punishing glare at her commander who raised his hands in surrender. "Read ya loud and clear" before stepping to speak with some of the other cadets.

Kaiser watched O'Diveley take shi leave as he posed a question. "How'd you end up working with him here? I don't imagine he pays well if at all."

Alice crossed her legs and arms on her seat. With a puffed cheek she griped over the truth of the matter. "Not at all in fact. He's impolite, a troublemaker, boorish, and overall pain in the end for me. The fact our squad supports his hijinks drives me to my wit's end."

Kaiser hummed as he followed her complaints, surprised at just how easily she took to talking to him. Picking a topic she was passionate about even if it were negative always tended to yield results. "But?" he asked, encouraging her to continue.

The girl brushed aside one of her bangs as she mulled over some thoughts. Kaiser watched her internally deliberate before she finally spoke again. "But, I suppose I owe him in a way. I was in a bit of a bind with expenses and he helped. Said that it was expected of teammates."

"Awfully kind of him."

"I suppose the one point he holds over you is honesty, sir."

Kaiser didn't flinch at the statement, instead correcting her. "If you're more comfortable calling me that then it's fine but don't give such a disappointed face when it sticks."

Alice cocked her head the other way, apparently a nervous tick of hers when she was in thought. "Another contrast between you two is his unpredictability is predictable. You on the other hand remain enigmatic to anyone who knows you. Even now you're acting relaxed and trying to tease me, something I, let alone anyone else on ship would imagine."

Kaiser snickered. "I'm flattered I catch so much attention but you can blame your commander over there. He seems to have pried my lips somewhat loose with that concoction of his."

"He doesn't even give it to the regulars here, so I suppose he achieved his goal."

"I expected as much of him, just not the strength of it. So you're close enough to him to know he's honest huh?"

The girl gave a sarcastic laugh. "He's honest with anyone who's in earshot. He told me you pushed him to bother his squad and even gave him access to anything he needed."

Kaiser shook his head. "Honest to a fault."

"Did he tell you he dug into the Senshado budget to help me?"

"I was the one who wrote it off as necessary expenses."

"Then your only similarity is kindness."

Kaiser tilted his head her way. A frown overtook his face. "Don't misconstrue anything. My actions have been and always are for the benefit of the team. Can't have you missing a semester 'cause your dad was temporarily laid off."

Alice hesitated in responding, the blatant acknowledgment of her situation being revealed so dispassionately was unexpected even for such an analytical girl.

He watched her from the side of his eyes as she gripped her dress with one hand. "I'm just a radio operator. I serve no effective purpose for the team."

Kaiser didn't refute her self-belittling statements and quietly observed as she continued.

"But I am thankful. I didn't believe it when Divs approached me with this task, saying it was from you. It may be circumstantial but I felt honored, valued. I'll do anything to assist."

Kaiser swiveled in his seat and leaned towards her with a hushed voice. "We'll be infiltrating another ship. Not only that you will be guiding us with the knowledge you gained from visiting family who are a part of that ship. The risk of being caught, punished, and betraying personal relationships are all on the line. Are you sure of this?"

"Do I have room to refuse?"

"Yes" answered Kaiser bluntly. A small spark of surprise graced Alice's face. She hadn't expected the ironclad vice commander to give her a choice.

"Yes. I will not betray you or Divs goodwill."

Kaiser leaned back, his serious expression softening from cynical to slightly relieved. "Then it's settled. You'll hear from me soon on where to meet up, and how the operation will go down."

"You're going as well?"

"Our intel operations are fledgling, I've been doing most of this work since the year started." Alice seemed impressed as Kaiser called O'Dively over. "There will be one other with us as well. The inheritor of the intel group, a girl named Anna. I'm sure you two will become well acquainted."

"What's up? Finished here?" asked O'Diveley.

"She's on board and willing. She really is wasted on you." quipped Kaiser.

O'Diveley playfully shoved Kaiser's shoulder. "Can't have her, we need someone in the squad to keep us in line. But if you want to reward her, the lass works at a bakery here on the ship. Give her a visit and make it a date while you're at it."

Kaiser exhaled through his nose at the suggestion as O'Dveley laughed. Alice politely stood and straightened her dress while pulling it up to her knee and tying it up. As she opened her eyes she excused herself to Kaiser before lunging after O'Diveley. The mischievous commander lithely dodged her grasp and led her on a chase around the hangar.

The two made a few laps around the hangar, weaving between vehicles and clambering over tables. Laughter and jeers were sent as the onlookers scrambled to save their food and drink from the struggle. Soon the two finally came to a stop as they ran out of steam. Alice cracked into a seat as a few friends fanned her and O'Diveley limped towards his bar, now with Kaiser behind it, making himself a drink.

Seeing his peer struggling to grasp air with his lungs, Kaiser tapped his head with a water bottle. The drink was greedily consumed by O'Diveley as Kaiser watched the scenery return to its calm again. Seeing Virtanen close to outright passing out, Kaiser snarled at the expected outcome of having to drag him back.

The sound of O'Diveley choking on his drink pulled his attention from the cadets. "Slow it down, I still need you alive despite your carefree decision-making."

Wheezing for air, O'Diveley fought to defend himself. "Bah, I admit it may not seem like I'm an A-plus recruit like you boy Scouts but I do have my own concerns."

"Playing tag with your subordinate certainly must weigh heavy on you."

"Sarcasm, that's a new one from you." O'Dively rolled his eyes at the snide comment. "Believe me, I may be made of steel but my finish has a lot of imperfections in it."

"I'm well aware, I'm the one who bought and placed you in your position. I'm no stranger to mistakes nor facades."

"This some form of relatability? Gonna admit that you're not all you're made out to be?"

"Nope, I'm even better" he snickered. The remark caught a chuckle out of O'Diveley.

"Ya know, Beginning of this year I thought I'd be on a boat back home. Then I got an opportunity, my second chance from you. Something I earned, something I could prove myself with. Then I got my team and half of 'em hated me, good ol' Alice at the front of that endeavor." He hiked a thumb over his shoulder as he gave a bitter laugh at the memory.

"I received your report but you did leave certain parts vacant." nodded Kaiser, sipping at his drink.

"That's cause I did somethings that are better not recorded" he laughed as he leaned in.

He began to regale Kaiser who listened quietly to his tale before shaking his head disapprovingly. "That explains the property damage at the far end of the ship and where the missing shopping carts went."

With a grin, O'Diveley shrugged. "What better way to bond with my men than a night out with the boys? It was the gals who were a pain in the ass. Alice no less."

Kaiser glanced over at the girl staring in their direction. "Is she glaring at me again?" asked O'Diveley.

"If looks could kill, you'd have a hole in your head Div."

The same iconic chuckle came from him as he gave a small wave behind that did little to assuage her stare. "You didn't have to tell her I had anything to do with you helping her, you know that right?"

With a curious look at his drink, O'Diveley snagged the glass and took a swig. "Sure but that wouldn't be right. The lass values honesty, I won't lose what little I gained over something as trivial as credit. Just be sure you treat her right on this mission of yours. She may be rough but she has a soft spot for ya, always comparing us and saying I'm a disgraceful boor."

Despite the depreciating remark, O'Diveley still laughed at it. Kaiser shook his head. "So she's told me. You know if you reigned it in now and again, gave a little thought to appearance, maybe you wouldn't get such a hard time from here."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"We all see how you wear both your Senshado and school uniform. Might be a good place to start."

"Now that wouldn't really be me now, would it? I'm an honest man, no need to pretend."

"Perhaps too honest" conceded Kaiser.

The night would stretch on with a merry atmosphere. The commanders would be the first to leave as the few straggling cadets helped O'Diveley and Alice clean up. It had been a good change of pace, one that brought a little reprieve to Kaiser despite the barely conscious oaf he was lugging along. He would have to give some kind of reward to O'Diveley later on. He may still be insufferable at times but he had shown his growth as they spoke. His little 'speakeasy' was also doing wonders for the cadets, who all had open invitations at any time.

The same was extended to both he and Virtanen as O'Diveley assured them that word would spread that the place had their approval now. Seeing how Virtanen acted it wasn't as if they could condemn it, not that he ever intended to but he didn't believe he would be making any returns anytime soon.

-Chapter End-