Blazepanzer here, with a new chapter! Yeah I know, five days isn't much, but I'm kinda excited, okay? Anyways, like I said last chapter, the next one is going to go back to Hanoashi and Kelly's side of the story so to speak.
Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read my story, and reviews are more than welcome! Enjoy! Note: Blazepanzer does not own Girls und Panzer!
Blinking open her eyes, Taeko's eyes widened at being in a strange location. "What...where am I?!" she gasped, rising up to her feet in shock, gasping again as the rattling of the chain holding her arms together.
"Everything okay in there...wait...why are you in handcuffs" A feminine voice gasped, and the door soon shot open. "Let me see your hands!" the guard urged.
Shaking, Taeko gingerly put her hands forward, trying not to look at them. She let out a deep sigh of relief as she was released from the cuffs. Moving her wrist back, she rubbed them.
"Let me see your wrist," the girl ordered.
Takeo gingerly allowed her to prod them. "No damage at least." the guard sighed in relief. "What are you charged with?" she asked.
"As...accessory to murder," Taeko gazed down at her feet.
"Hands on the wall," the guard growled as her demeanor changed from gentle concern to outright hatred..
"What!?" Taeko gasped shaking at the guards sudden change of demeanor, but complied. She felt the guard grasp her left wrist, and felt something metal clasp against it. "Hey!" Taeko hissed.
"Murders like you deserve to be bound up!" the guard hissed, before shutting the door. Taeko glanced behind her, shuffling her wrist in anger. "What the hell is this for!?" She shouted.
The guard came back in and to Taeko's horror, she had a ball gag and a chain with angle cuffs. "You're too loud so this will shut you up." the girl hissed. Taeko tried her best to fight being gagged, but she soon found herself tackled to the ground.
"A murder like yourself just can't accept punishment, can she?" the guard hissed.
Taeko froze. What are you talking about, I've been cooperating... "Gah!" she gasped as the ball gag briefly entered her mouth. It was only when the guard began to pull her hair that she began to cry. "Do whatever you want, just please stop!" she shouted, tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Good girl," the guard laughed as she put the ball gag on her. I can't believe she's doing this!? Taeko gasped inwardly.
"And now I'll help you stand up," The guard hissed, dragging her up and against the wall. She shut her eyes in shame as she felt the metal clasp again, this time on her legs.
"See, you can be trained to obey, isn't that right Taeko," the guard purred, causing her to shudder. It's just my first day! Taeko shouted inwardly.
"She's given you this much trouble?" a girl asked.
"Warden Takana!" The guard gasped.
"Take her to my office then and wait for me," the girl known as Takana sighed.
"Gladly," the officer smiled, bumping Taeko roughly.
I'm going, I'm going! Geez! Taeko hissed inwardly, more scared and pissed now more than ever in her life. Well...more pissed off than when she thought of Ami and Miho, but still. I get that I deserve punishment, but you have no right to treat me so roughly just for kicks! Taeko mentally glared at her escort.
Neither spoke, though she heard a handful of gasps from a few of the cells as she passed by. Are...they my classmates, watching me walking down the hallway, all dressed in bondage? She wondered.
Several checkpoints later, and Taeko found herself met with two guards, along with Takana and a man she didn't know. What do they want with me? Taeko wondered, beginning to shake in fear.
"Gudaria, leave us," Takana hissed, before turning to Taeko, glancing at the man briefly. "If we take off your gag, will you let us put it back on if we deem it necessary?"
Taeko nodded, letting out a small gasp as the gag came off.
"So, let me get this straight, you keep being loud?" The warden asked.
She simply glanced down in response for a few brief moments. "I'm not trying to be loud...I...I'm just not used to the restrictions on speech," she admitted gently.
"How soon do you think you can adjust," Takana asked.
"Pretty quickly..." Taeko whispered. "I'll keep quiet unless prompted at any-rate from now on," she added with conviction.
"I certainly hope so," Takana growled, before nodding to one of the guards. "Take her to the intake section, we've wasted enough time. And just being handcuffed in the front will do, for now." She then gazed at her intently. "And Taeko, you have been warned."
"Un...understood," Taeko gazed down submissively as her wrist were once again cuffed. This is so embarrassing, she sighed deeply as the man escorted her through the temp cells.
"You alright miss," The guard asked her quietly.
"Yes..." Taeko remarked quietly.
"No, you're not," the guard challenged. "Might want to see if you can get a Pity Officer to speak with you about things," he added.
"Pity Officer," Taeko began, before abruptly stopping.
"Counselor," The guard chuckled. "Shrink, psychiatrist, advisor, whatever. We call em Pity Officers tho. Namely it's a play on the navy rank of Petty officer, as some of them prance around acting like they're all that cause they've earned themselves a slightly pretentious post. Though unlike the Pity Officer's, the Petty Officer's in the navy actually earned their position, even if a number of them do let it go to their head," the guard paused her. "In you go!" he laughed, undoing her cuffs quickly and ushering her in the building.
Walking in, Taeko gasped as she saw the five other girls she rode in with yesterday, as well as six other girls. Aya and Saori I'm familiar with...but who are these other girls? Taeko asked.
"Right when we call your name come up for the strip search!" One of the guards barked. "Station one, Taeko Kondou and Aoi Hiyoshi!"
Glancing in surprise at the girl walking forward, she sighed and marched herself up to station one, trying to get herself under control. Strip search? Yuck! Taeko growled.
"Take everything off so we can make sure you're not trying to smuggle anything in," the guard barked at them, sending the two girls undressing in a frenzy.
"Good, now...we can began," the woman growled as she began to prod the two girls.
This is so embarrassing...Taeko complained, before she harden her spirit. So what? You and the other ducks are responsible for the deaths of nine others! You'd better consider yourself lucky that they aren't treating you any worse!
However, the search while evasive was fast, and she was for once grateful that they didn't try anything. Instead, her measurements were taken, and she was shoved a heavy looking yellow jumper. "Put it on!" the guard hissed.
Stifling a sigh, Taeko obeyed, trying not to burst into tears at having to wear prison clothes. I never thought this would happen! Me...in prison clothes! She then let out a verbal sigh. But here I am, in a yellow prison jumper.
"Good, now go to the finger printing station and the mugshot. Make sure you two stay together as for right now you are cellmates!" the guard ordered.
Mugshot! Taeko's heart sank lower. You mean that I have to get a picture in this! But she didn't dare protest, let alone resist. Do not give them a reason!
"Take the sign, and hold it against your chest while standing by the lines. Taeko, you're in 1-A, Aoi, A-2."
Sighing, Taeko grasped the sign, nearly letting out a sob when she saw the word inmate, followed by her name and date of birth, August 26, 1997. I'm going to spend my sixteenth birthday in jail! She realized as she reached the mugshot background, and turned around, placing the board on her chest, feeling tears flow down her cheeks as she did so.
"Good, just like that Taeko," the guard taking the shot barked, before Taeko felt a flash across her eyes. "Now, turn to the right...now the left...now behind!"
Thank Maus that's over! Taeko breathed a sigh of relief as she handed the board back to the guard, and walked over with Aoi to the fingerprint station. Once again, Taeko felt her heart sink at having to do yet more prison stuff, but by this point she was beginning to somewhat adapt to her new life, if only a little.
"Right, now we're going to take you girls to your cells. Line up with your cellmates, and don't try anything!"
Lining up beside Aio, Taeko wasn't too sure how to start with the girl, given that she didn't think that she had ever met her before. They were around the same height, albeit with Pyotan being just a bit higher, however Taeko found herself a bit daunted by the girl.
"Right, move along you two," the guard barked, sending the two girls scrambling forward in shock. "Just follow the yellow line, it'll guide you to your cells. We'll know if you're somewhere you're not supposed to be.
The girl was quiet, no doubt having been warned of the rules on talking in the halls. I wonder what she's like? She wondered, glancing at the girl, surprised to see Aoi sneaking a glance at her as well. Is she just curious...or...
Pausing, she found her cell halfway down C hall. "This looks like it's our room," she mused quietly, flinching as the guard next to it gave her an icy stare before looking at his tablet. "Right, you may talk only when you've entered the door frame, not before," he growled, before opening the door. "In you go."
Walking in, with Aoi following, Taeko's eyes shut as the cell door slammed. Gazing around, she noticed a rather rough looking futon, covered in stains, no pillows.
"Amenities are sparse, aren't they," Aoi noted.
"Seems so, all we got is a bench, futon, and a toilet/sink mix." Taeko mused. And a camera trained right on us."
"No privacy!" Aoi hissed in anger.
"Tell me about it," Taeko wholeheartedly agreed.
"So, you from Ooarai?" Aoi asked gently.
Taeko flinched. "Unfortunately, yes...wait...were you part of the team, I don't recognize you..."
"That's fine," Aoi soothed. "I just joined in time for the finals, that's why I'm here actually...apparently it's illegal to participate in Sensado without basic training so to speak."
"Just...how many laws did we break," Taeko whispered shakily, her amber eyes widening in shock.
"Wait...don't tell me that you..." Aio began, but Taeko shook her head and explained what happened during her first day.
"That's rough," Aoi sighed. "But by the sounds of it, Ami Chono is the one who should be the one being punished, not us."
"That one ought to receive the electric chair!" Taeko hissed, her anger ebbing as she noticed that Aoi seemed a bit frightened by her outburst. "Sorry...I just...have strong feelings about Ami and Miho...and myself."
"Why yourself?" Aoi asked, tapping the bench indicating that she wanted her to sit next to her.
At least she's friendly, Taeko sighed in relief as she sat next to the brunet, if you could call her that considering that Aoi's hair color looked more gray than brown. Ash-brown is you will.
"So...why are you so hard on yourself Taeko," Aoi asked, gazing at her in pity.
"Because...I was in the type 89," Taeko whimpered, the memories of that awful day making her weak. "I didn't mean to do anything, I promise! I was just the radio operator, and I realized that the plan was a bad idea, but I didn't protest enough! Had I began shouting at my commander, maybe she'd have stopped, or..."
"Shhh...Taeko, calm down, please," Aoi pleaded. Before she knew it the freshman found herself in the senor's embrace. "It's not on you Taeko," she whispered, beginning to gently rub her back in comfort.
"Aoi..." Taeko whispered, before gazing down. "Thanks...I...I needed that," she whimpered.
"You'll be alright, just try not to blame yourself, or think of those two, alright?" Aoi urged.
"I'll...try," Taeko nodded, and Aoi gently pulled back.
"So, you've got any hobbies?" Aoi asked, trying to make conversation.
"What...hobbies in jail?" Taeko breathed. "That'd be the day!"
"No no, before prison?" Aoi sighed.
"I...don't want to talk about that," Taeko glanced down as she realized that she'll never play volleyball again, or at least outside of maybe a friendly match. "You?"
"Online gaming," Aoi sighed. "Video games," she added as Taeko gave her a confused look.
"It was volleyball with me and the other ducks," Taeko sighed.
"Ducks?" Aoi asked.
"The members of the type 89...my team. Yeah yeah, I know it's not a powerful tank, but we were proud of it," Taeko allowed a very weak smile, her first since being arrested. "We...actually were supposed be be the volleyball team, but our club was shut down due to a lack of funds, and so we joined what we thought was the next best thing," Taeko paused briefly. "Actually, the others in my group initially thought that if we did good in Sensado that we might get our volleyball club reinstated, but me and Shinobu, our driver, eventually decided to just stick with Sensado to the end."
"What's it like being the radio operator?" Aoi asked.
"Kinda boring to be honest," Taeko laughed. "I mean, you have to keep up with the position of your allies, yourself, and the enemy, so it's a lot of logistic works, but other than the occasional message and firing of a machine gun if your position has one nearby, there's not much you can do."
"That's better than me, I never even got to fire the Chi-nu's guns during the match. Momoga...er...I mean Taki...she was having such a hard time driving the tank that we ended up getting knocked out right at the start." Aoi then let out a groan. "If only we hadn't been so sloppy!"
"Why, we'd end up here anyways," Taeko tipped her head in confusion.
"No, you wouldn't," Aoi shook her head. "You see, the shot that took us out was actually aimed at Angler-fish...Miho's tank." She paused and looked down. "You see Taeko, you and I are kinda in the same situation," she whispered.
"I guess we both wish that we had done differently," Taeko sighed. "But you're not nearly as bad as I am, Aoi. I tried to warn my crew too late, and it was my tank, that caused the Maus to collapses on the Hetzer, and it was my teammate who fired into the crew compartment of the Maus. You on the other hand were just trying to help and just didn't have enough time to train properly."
"Still, you realized what was going to happen and tried to warn your team," Aoi urged.
"Hanoashi Katoni tried to warn us all that we were being too reckless at the beginning," Taeko sighed bitterly.
"Wait...Hanoashi went to our school?" Aoi gasped.
"Um...yes...but..."
"Hanoashi...as in the Hanoashi Katoni, right?" Aoi pressed.
"That's her name...why? Do you know her?" Taeko gasped.
"Not personally, no, but she and I did chat once on the Co-ed Sensado forums, she seems nice," Aoi shrugged, before her face hardened. "What do you know about her?"
"Not much," Taeko shrugged. "What I do know however is that she tried to warn us that we were being too reckless and that we needed to work on learning how to tank safely before we even think about getting into the tank again. Not a direct quote, but still. Ami Chono just expelled her from the team, and get this, she told us to just send her an email if we had any questions!"
"Really?" Aoi gasped. "Your instructor just expelled her like that?"
"At the time I kinda agreed with Ami, I mean...Hanoashi did come across as a tad insulting, but still, she spoke the truth. Any of us there should have spoken up before we even agreed to enter the Panzers that day, given she wanted us to have a practice match with no training."
"The Co-ed and male leagues won't even sanction their schools until you pass a large number of test and even then you have to prove yourself capable of operating the tanks through a series of trial exhibition matches before final qualifications," Aoi explained. "They're...big on safety so to speak."
"I wish the girl's league was like that," Taeko sighed. She was about to continue when the door opened. "Taeko Kondou!" the guard boomed.
"Ye...Yes sir!" Taeko gasped, standing at attention.
"It's time for your interview!" the guard boomed.
Will I get to see that nice officer again? Taeko wondered, before the guard grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her out of the cell, shutting the door behind her. Quick as a flash, she felt herself slammed against the wall, and felt the all to familiar clasp of the metal rings on her wrist.
"Right, now let's go," the guard growled, grasping her arm a bit too tightly. It took all of her might not to utter a protest over the rough treatment.
"Right, we're here," the guard hissed, undoing her right cuff before bringing her wrist around, latching them in the front. "Have fun you little viper!" he laughed as he half pushed her in there.
The blond officer was there from yesterday, gazing at her intently. Another female officer grasped Taeko by the wrist and pulled her to the table, sitting her in the chair and latching the center of the chain to an indentation on the table. I'm going to have to stare at my bound wrist if I want to talk with her, aren't I? Taeko realized, her heart once again sinking at the sight of seeing her wrist bound.
"There's worst ways to be bound up," the blond noted.
"I'm guessing you've seen worse before in your line of police work?" Taeko guessed.
"I've experienced it firsthand, before becoming an officer and crime investigator," the girl sighed. "I'm guessing judging by your demeanor this is the first time you've been in bounds?"
Taeko let out a slow nod.
"I would love to say keep it that way, but you're unfortunately going to be bound like that a lot in the coming years. Best I can get you is five years at a bad company squadron, and that's pressing it."
"May I ask a question?" Taeko began hesitantly.
"Of course, I have up to four hours with you, and whither or not you get a deal depends on the information you can give me, so keep that in mind."
"What's the most likely outcome for me?" Taeko asked gently. "And please be honest, I...I need to know."
"Do you want to know?" The girl pressed.
Taeko nodded.
"I can't really tell you, I'm afraid, but what I can tell you is that theirs a 20% chance you'll be getting into one of the bad company squadrons and the rest is decades behind bars. How many, like I said, depends on the information." She then paused before continuing. "Are you ready to get going?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am," she nodded in respond, trying her best to ignore her cuffed hands, but failing to. She let out a small sigh.
"Tough, you're just going to have to deal with being in handcuffs from now on," the girl nodded. "Well, My name is Kat, and I'm a Police officer, crime scene investigator, and Free Jagdtiger," she introduced.
"A moment please," Taeko began, continuing at Kat's nod. "What exactly is a free Jagdtiger anyways?"
"I'm guessing you've heard the rumors?" Kat tipped her head.
"According to my old Sensado instructor and team command, you are..." she paused, not too sure how to continue."
"Terrorist, yeah, we get that a lot, especially considering how many politicians we've taken down. Severely damaged Kuromorimine's and Sander's reputations as well," Kat shrugged. "In reality though, we focus mostly on finding and bringing in escapes, runaway teens, human trafficking victims, missing persons, as well as supporting those who have found themselves down on their luck." Pausing, Kat continued. "Anyways, for the record, I need your name, date of birth, tank and position."
"Taeko Kondou, born August 26th, 1997," she began, making sure to give the officer time to write things down. "I was in the Type 89 tank, and my position was Radio Operator and hull machine gunner."
"Alright, and you are a first year, correct?"
"Yes ma'am, I was a first year," Taeko sighed. "Not anymore clearly though," she added regrettably, sounding a bit rueful.
"So, can you give me a brief overview of what happened during the coincidence?" Kat prompted, ignoring her small quip.
Letting out a small sigh as she disgusted her hands, Taeko spilled every detail she could of that day's events, shuddering as she recalled Yuzu's mangled body.
"So in short, your team commander gave out a dangerous plan, you developed a bad feeling about it, tried to warn your commander about that feeling, but didn't realize why you had that gut feeling until you were already on top of the Maus, right?"
Taeko nodded.
"So then, the combined weight of the Maus and the type 89 proved too much for the Hetzer to handle, and the roof caved in. After that, when one of the Maus crew-members opened the side hatch to see what was going on, your friend and teammate, Akibe Sasaki, fired into the tank, killing the crew of the Maus and causing a chain reaction which cause the shells to explode, sending the type 89 flying a distance."
"And that's all I know...you...saw the rest," Taeko sighed.
"Still, this is very useful information, and it lines up perfectly with the logs," Kat smiled. "Now, this doesn't have anything to do with our current investigation, but can you tell us about a Hanoashi Katoni?"
Letting out a gasp, Taeko explained everything she knew about the Irish girl, which wasn't much, but still.
"Thank you Taeko, that information is exactly what we needed," Kat smiled.
"Why...did something happen to Hanoashi?" Taeko gasped.
"She's...on the run. Ami accused her of assaulting her and when an officer came to arrest her, Hanoashi fought him off and ran. She...hasn't been seen since," Kat explained.
"Send me to look for her!" Taeko begged.
"Huh? You..." Kat gazed at her and sighed. "Well...As much as I'd love to have you on the search team, it's not likely to happen. But we'll see. Still, you're going to be serving time in prison, alright?"
Taeko let out a small nod. "Once she's found, I'd be willing to spend a few decades in jail, easily. But I'd like to at least try and find her before it's too late." She paused, tearing up a bit. "I...I feel so guilty about what happened to her when she was only trying to warn us..."
"A fine request. Alright then, I'll talk to my superiors and see what I can do," Kat promised, before standing up. "If you do manage to find her, you'll be in one of the bad company programs for sure. But for now, it's time for you to go to your cell," Kat added.
As she was uncuffed and pushed back into her cell, Taeko rubbed her wrist briefly before sitting back to Aoi.
"Anything good happen?" Aoi asked.
"I found out what happened to Hanoashi," Taeko gasped.
"Really, what happened?!" Aoi leaned forward.
"Apparently Ami 'Do Nothing' Chono tried to frame her for assault!" Taeko hissed anger. "Now she's got a warrant out for two assault charges and fleeing the police!"
"But that doesn't sound like her at all," Aoi gasped.
"Maybe she didn't have a choice but to flee," Taeko sighed, sitting down and placing her hands in her lap, hating how heavy the prison clothing was on her leg, but even so her hands were tired. "I mean...Ami is a member of the Sensado federation and also a member of the armed forces as well as the Sensado instructor. And Hanoashi...you know...I don't really know all that much about her," Taeko sighed.
"From what I know, she kinda grew up poor, so her family wouldn't have the resources to...you know...help her fight properly against a comparative juggernaut like Ami."Aoi shrugged.
The two fell unto an uneasy silence for about a half hour, neither of them speaking in silence over what had happened to the girl. Poor Hanoashi! She must be so frightened, and there's nothing we can do for her. Unless...
"All personal, listen up," a voice on the intercom began. "All girls from Ooarai Sensado academy aside from Miho, Sasaki, Noriko, and Shinobu are to report in the briefing rooms. You will be handcuffed for this meeting, I repeat..."
The guard opened the door, and Taeko placed her hands on the wall instinctively, Aoi following suit.
"Looks like you girls may have caught a small break," the officer mused.
Taeko had to hide the quiet smile on her face. We're going to find you Hanoashi...just wait a bit longer if you're out there, okay?
However, the feeling of metal on her wrist brought her back to reality. Even so...we're still going to be right back in here once we get done. I...just hope that we find her.
Remembering the gag and desperately not wanting to endure that again, Taeko kept her mouth shut as she was escorted into a room along with the others, surprised to see only nine girls from her school.
"Alright, let's get this briefing started."
Kat! Taeko smiled. Th...thank you!
"My name is Kat, I'm an officer of the law, criminal investigator, and free Jagdtiger," the familiar blond haired girl introduced. "As you may have known, a girl by the name of Hanoashi Katoni was among your group in the beginning, but was wrongfully expelled from the team due to trying to warn you that you were being too dangerous. As it turns out, you should have listened."
"She was insulting Miho..." Erwin began, but froze when a back haired man glared at her.
"Shut your mouth you Maus Dammed neo Nazi!" the man growled.
"Make me Seto," Erwin challenged, before she was dragged out of the room. "And I'm not a Neo-Nazi!" she added as she was pulled down the halls.
Good, we don't need her! Taeko mused in satisfaction. Here's hoping none of the other Miho Fanboys have an issue with her! She added.
"As far as we know, Hanoashi was last seen in this section of Hokkaido, near a natural orchard. That's where you will be going in. Each of you will accompany a search party consisting of two officers, and several other personnel. If you try to run, lethal force will be there to end you, so don't even try it!" Seto took up the briefing.
"So wait...what are we getting out of this?" Saori asked.
"You will be getting a guaranteed spot in one of the bad company squadrons, Which one you go to, your rank and number of years needed to be served depends on why you were brought in, but the max number of years is five and you get a high school degree and a clean record upon serving this sentence," Kat began.
"Your instructor unjustly tried to end her life, which makes you partly responsible due to your inaction, especially after you stupidly refused to heed her warning. Consider this taking responsibility for your actions!" Seto growled menacingly.
"This deal includes everyone except those listed in the intercom as well as Erwin, since she clearly cannot control herself," Kat added, glancing at Seto with a warning glare.
"What about Taeko, she was included in the Type 89? Shouldn't she be barred from joining the search?" Midoriko asked.
"Miss Sono, if you don't want to be a part of this program, then you can leave. But Taeko is joining us and she will have her spot in the bad company squadron, wither you like it or not. Understand?" Seto growled.
"Yes sir, I do," Midoriko gazed down at the sharp rebuke.
That Seto is outright intimidating, but then again, that can make him a good officer. Still, even though I'm glad that I'm only going to have to serve at most five years, hearing her of all people challenge wither or not I should be allowed in the program hurts. Taeko thought, before letting out a silent sigh. She's not wrong though, five years in one of the bad company squadrons as well as a clean record is kinda light for a girl facing nine counts of accessory to murder!
"Alright then, you are to be escorted to the cafeteria table, and then back to your cells. There is to be no discussion this SAR operation with other prisoners besides your cell mates, and maps will be provided to your cells for the day. You'll each have two people join you on the cell so that you may study the locations together, under the supervision of the other guards. In two hours you'll be flown out to the old Hokkaido prison fort Sakuska for holding during the rescue operation. Dismissed!" Kat called an end to the meeting.
Taeko found herself unbound, and paused to read the instructions on the walls. Please take a number and sit at the chair located at the designated table on the floor. Do not trade numbers! Sit patently while the room fills in. Once the room is full, your food will be brought out to you. Liquids in soups and cereal must be consumed... Taeko made a small face. Yuck...but then again, I guess we're not allowed to waste food in prison, she mused, taking a number. A-15? She mused, before noticing that the tables were lined in rows, A-I.
Walking over to the table, she suddenly grew sigh as she spotted three guys sitting there, all wearing orange jumpers with longer sleeves than hers.
"You're first day?" one of the boys, Irish with blond hair, asked gently.
"You'll be alright, we don't bite...well, we bite our own food, but still," another guy. This one was Japanese with black hair and blue eyes.
Letting out a tired sigh, she walked up and sat down, glancing at them nervously.
"You go to an all girl's school before this?" the third guy asked, also Japanese but with brown hair and eyes.
"Um..." Taeko paused and glanced down embarrassingly. "Yeah...I did. Middle school too."
"Wow...sorry this is the first time you've been around boys," the black haired boy sighed.
"I...had a boyfriend in middle school," Taeko muttered defensibly.
"Really?" The black haired boy asked, intrigued.
"Ye...yeah...we never kissed or anything, but still..." Taeko glanced down. "We broke up when I moved back to the states. See..my father was a business envoy, so I've lived in London, Los-angels, and Sydney for a time," she admitted. "So when Father moved back to Japan...that was the end of that relationship."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear about that," The Irish boy began. "Oh, foods coming,"
She knew that prison food was notoriously bad, but she didn't expect this. She stared at the food in front of her, if you could call it that. "What is this?" she asked, eyeing the white cream substance mixed in with bits of meat and beans.
"Army food," the Irish guy smirked. "What, you didn't actually think that you'd be served shrimp and crackers in jail, did you?"
"For the record, my family isn't that rich," Taeko whined. "I mean sure, the rent was paid for, but between founding my older sister and younger brother, as well as myself, we didn't have tons left over for extras."
"Whatever you say," the Brown haired boy shrugged.
Taeko sighed, staring at the food a bit longer, before taking up one of the pieces of bread and taking a bite. Not too bad, although a bit cold...do they refuse to warm things up in prison, like they do the showers? Taeko mused, before devoting it and the second slice as her belly growled in protest.
"Good huh?" the guy noted.
"I guess so...any way I can get seconds?" Taeko asked, her eyes widening as the three stared at her. "What'd I say?" she gasped.
"Really? You're such a glutton," the brunet sighed.
"I am not!" Taeko protested a bit too loudly, earning a sharp tap from a passing officer. She glanced down in an apology, which he simply nodded. "I...just haven't eaten in a while is all," she added softly.
"How long?" The Japanese boy with black hair asked.
"Since yesterday morning," Taeko admitted softly.
"Weeeeaaaakkkkk!" The Irish boy mocked.
"I'll have you know I was in Sensado!" Taeko growled sharply.
"Oh really," the Irish boy smirked. "What position?"
"Radio operator," Takeo nodded in affirmation, as if trying to assert her toughness.
"Ha ha ha, get a load of this gal trying to act all tough," the Irish boy laughed, the other three joining in.
"She thinks she's all that just cus she sits on her ass all day moving dials!" The black haired boy mocked. "But that's the problem with these all girl Sensado teams, they think they're all tough and might just cause they ride tanks! Co-ed girls know their place!"
Their place...what does that mean? Taeko frowned, not exactly liking how close they were to treating her as a second class citizen so to speak.
"Sir, may I?" a girl asked, getting permission.
To Taeko's surprise a russet haired girl tapped her on the shoulder. "Come with me miss Kondou," the girl nodded.
"Am I in trouble," Taeko asked, pausing when she noticed that the russet haired girl had on the same uniform as her, except with a white stripe on the side of it. Taeko glanced at one of the officers next to her, but he just nodded for her to go with her.
"You're not in trouble, we're just going to a small walk in the yard is all," the girl reassured her.
Sighing, Taeko got up and followed her, keeping quiet as they walked through the halls to the woman's excessive yard.
Leaning up against the fence, the girl let out a small sigh. "You really need to be careful about what you reveal to the other prisoners," she began.
"I know but..." Taeko paused when she raised her hand up.
"I'm serious miss Kondou, especially around the boys. At least they didn't ask why you're in for, the guards don't like that given that it'll either give you clout or be the end of you," The girl sighed.
"You know my name?" Taeko gasped.
"We were briefly classmates at Ooarai middle school last year, remember?"
"Samantha?" Taeko gasped, just now recognizing her. "What are you doing in prison?" she gasped in surprise.
Said girl nodded. "Morale committee found a pipe in my purse along with drugs. Been here for about nine months now, impressed the warden enough to become a prisoner moral committee member. It's...similar to what she schools morale committees do, but more restricted and a lot less fun so to speak."
"Must be pretty good then," Taeko breathed.
To her surprise Samantha shook her head. "In some ways yes, but...the other prisoners not a part of the moral committee hate us, or don't speak to us often, not that they get much time to."
"I don't," Taeko smiled at her.
Samantha simply leaned her back against the fence. "You might, but then again you were always one of the nicest girls, at least from what I remember." she then paused and glanced at her. "So...Accessory to murder, huh?"
Taeko let out a small sigh as she sat down on a bench and gazed at her former classmate evenly. "Thought you said not to tell anyone?" She asked.
"We all know Taeko...well, all of us on the committee, it's our job to knows these things." Samantha let out a little snort. "I even know about that little gag they had to put on you this morning."
"Can you let me forget about that one?" Taeko sighed in defeat.
"Depends, why'd they put it on you?" Samantha asked, twirling her russet hair.
"Long story," Taeko sighed.
"I've got time," Samamntha challenged.
"So...basically one of the guards handcuffed me behind the back and I decided to protest hotly over it," She admitted quietly, gazing down at her feet in embellishment, only to whip out a glare when her companion begin to burst out in laughter.
"Oh man, that's precious," Samantha laughed, wheezing.
"It's not funny!" Taeko protested, crossing her hands to her chest and gazing away in a pout.
"Sorry, it's just that once you've been and seen enough people handcuffed, you kinda start to get excited when you see someone getting into trouble," Samantha smirked. "Speaking of which..." She added, you do know that asking for seconds is forbidden, right?"
"No, I didn't" Taeko gasped.
"Well it is and you need to be punished," Samantha smirked. "So drop and give me a hundred!"
Taeko glanced at one of the guards who just shrugged at her in return. Sighing, she got on her knees, before strengthening herself out, staring briefly at her hands. Hard to believe they've been in cuffs before, she muttered mutinously as she began the torturous exercise.
"Good girl," Samantha smiled. "But now it's time for you to return to your cell," she added. "Go on, I'm meeting a friend of mine."
"I thought you were a prisoner yourself?" Taeko asked.
Samantha just shrugged. "Moral committee privileges," she shrugged. "We're even allowed to date the boys on the committees long as we keep to holding hands at most." she smirked.
Taeko just let out a small sigh as she trudged back into the building. Arriving in her cell, she noticed that Saori and Asuza were joining her.
"Ah...perfect timing, what did she want with you anyways?" Aoi asked.
Had to do push-ups for asking for seconds," Taeko sighed.
"Me and Hana had run three kilometers on a treadmill yesterday for protesting," Saori sighed in defeat.
"Weird, I just kept quiet any nothing bad has happened to me since being arrested," Aoi shrugged.
"So, this Hanoashi girl, any idea what she's like?" Hana asked quietly.
"I don't think any of us do," Taeko whispered quietly. "Other than her warning and her being a Sensado team commander for two years..." she trialed off, realizing for the first time that the girl might not take too kindly to them finding her. At first I got excited and assumed that she'd be thankful for us trying to find her...but now I'm not so sure. I just hope that she doesn't hate us over this.
"Great, so we're going in with a girl who has a blind personality as far as we're concerned."
"Anything about abandoned houses or buildings?" Aoi asked.
"They're, an abandoned cabin claim about sixteen kilometers from the outcrop, I'd like to take a look at that," Taeko offered.
"Okay then, be sure to point that out at the meeting, from the report we're going to spread in twenty kilometer rings, with specific teams checking out key targets near the sight she was spotted that day first," Saori noted.
"Right," Taeko let out a small yawn.
"Tired?" Hana asked gently, gazing at her in sympathy.
"Yeah, didn't sleep well last night," Taeko stifled a another yawn. "Anyways, when do we head on out?" she asked.
"Two hours from when we were dismissed, which should be right about now," Hana paused as the door opened. "Right, please head to the intake room so that we can attach your tracking anklets, and then we'll take you to the airport. Remember, we're only allowing you to do this so that you may help your friend, do not take advantage of this, alright?"
Taeko nodded seriously as she followed the girls out to the table, winching as the leather strap was locked in. Hold on Hanoashi, we're coming! Taeko promised.
"Alright girls, listen up," Seto growled, placing one foot on the table like some sort of bad-ass. "Here's the deal, we spend the daylight searching for Hanoashi, and you'll be searching everyday until you find her, understood!"
"What happens if we don't find her?" Hana asked.
"Let me be perfectly clear with you girls," Seto glared at them. "We can have you searching for her your entire lives and no one can accuse us of violating the law. Or rather, no one will accuse us of violating the law. So make sure you find her, understand!"
"Yes sir!" Taeko nodded.
"Nice to see at least one of you is motivated at least!," Seto growled. "Now, it's time for you to get on the transport."
We'll find her, we must! Taeko urged determinedly.
However, as she was cuffed behind the back and placed in the transport, she was still having her doubts. What if she found her way out of Hokkaido? She asked herself quietly. What if...what if she's dead? Taeko sighed, before being escorted out of the building and into a truck.
Arriving at the fort after a long drive and a shoot flight, Taeko felt lost at first, surprised that the guard let her out of her bounds.
"Hoshino's running!" Ayumi shouted.
Quick as a flash one of the guards fired an odd gun, sending Hoshino to the ground. Taeko let out a small gasp. He just shot her! She realized in horror, her eyes widening as she dropped to the ground, and began to puke. How cold he...she froze, shaking...
"You okay Taeko?" a guy asked.
"Nova!" Taeko whimpered. "He killed her...he..."
"He just shot her with a taser. Hurts like hell, or so I've been told, but she'll be fine," Nova whispered.
She didn't respond, rather she just embraced him in a hug. "I'm...so sorry you had to see me like this," she cried, calming down when she felt his hands massaging her back in comfort.
"It's alright now Taeko...you're safe now," Nova whispered.
"Prison's been awful," Taeko whimpered.
"Shh...try not to think about that, okay?" Nova held her slightly more tighter in an attempt to comfort her. "You're guaranteed a spot in the Bad Company program, so it's only going to be a few years, five at most. And I'll be there when you get out, okay?"
"Nova..." Taeko whispered, before digging into his chest and letting a few sobs. "I've missed you," she whispered through her crying.
"I've missed you too, Taeko. Every since you've left I've been thinking about our time together," Nova soothed.
"Thanks, you really know how to make me feel better," Taeko smiled weekly. "So...are we..."
Nova smiled. "Together again...although it'll be a little different given the circumstances."
"Right," Taeko smiled, before rising up. "I'd best go to the briefing area area," she added.
"You know where my sister is?" Nova gasped.
"Wait...oh geez I forgot that you mentioned having a sister named Hanoashi!" Taeko gasped. "I'm...so sorry Nova," Taeko glanced down in embarrassment.
"It's quite alright Taeko," Nova soothed.
"I don't know where she is exactly, but I did see where a cabin was abandoned years ago, that might be a good place to start, given how close it was to the last place she was seen," Taeko admitted.
"You really think so?" Nova asked hopefully.
"It's worth a shot," Taeko shrugged, before letting out a yawn.
"No sleep last night?" He asked.
"I...was so scared that I stayed huddled in the corner of the holding cell most of the night..." Taeko shivered. "I...think I'll be better off tonight though," she added.
"Hey, boss-man! Taeko has an idea on where Hanoashi might be!" Nova shouted.
Taeko glanced over at a man in his late seventies, recognizing him. Ooarai's headmaster! Taeko realized in fear as he began to walk over.
"First...are you handling things alright, young one?" he asked gently.
Taeko bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry!" she gasped.
"That's not what I asked, little one," he soothed sternly. "I know prison's tough, but are you handling things alright?" he asked again.
"I'm trying to sir," Taeko sighed. "But...it's all so embarrassing and degrading, being locked in a cell and handcuffed all the time...the mugshot was probably the worse of it...no...seeing Yuzu's mangled body like that was the worst."
She felt Nova grasp her hand comfortably and she gave him a slight, weak smile in return.
"Seems like you have something to look forward to when you get out," he chuckled.
"As does my sister, Yukaro's planing to marry her upon release," Nova affirmed. "I'd...like to do the same with Taeko if she wants."
Really...but I'm a... Taeko mentally shook the thoughts away and smiled, trying to allow herself to have some hope of joy and happiness in her life. "My answer's yes. But Nova...are you comfortable with waiting five years?" she asked, gazing at him seriously.
"I'm comfortable with waiting ten years if I have to, though thank Maus it's only five at most," Nova smiled, before letting out a small sigh. "I wish we could get it down to none though, unfortunately the Matsumino never really cared much about me and Sis, and even if they did..." he gazed down sadly.
"Nova...what's wrong?" Taeko asked gently.
"You'll hear about it later...I'm just too upset by what happened to my cousin Rikona...she's alive and well, but..." he trailed off. "The Matsumino name is ruined now, so even if they wanted to help, they couldn't."
"I'm...sorry you're having issues Nova," Taeko whispered.
"Now, you say you have an idea on where Hanoashi might be? Finding her is the reason why we're here," the Headmaster urged.
"Right, there's an abandoned cabin nearby, about half a day's walking distance. I'm thinking that might be where she's hiding," Taeko noted.
"Good eye," The headmaster smiled.
"Sir, I hate to interrupt, but we need to put the prisoners in the fort for the night," one of the officers interrupted.
"It's still light out," Taeko observed.
"We're still setting up everything for the search," Nova admitted. "Though I'd prefer it if you could stay and help set up."
"Sorry kid, they're only here to help cover ground, not set up shop," the guard sighed.
"I'll be okay Nova," Taeko whispered. "I think I'm kinda getting used to the whole prison thing. I don't like it...but..."
"The cells are pretty bare-bones," Nova warned.
"I'm used to bare-bones at this point," Taeko chuckled.
"I'll try and visit you as much as I can, okay?" Nova whispered as he released her hand.
Her heart sank as he did so, but she let out a quiet smile. "Thanks, I'd really appreciate that," she whispered, before following the guard into the fort, surprised to see the girls clumped into groups of six.
"This one," The guard noted. "Rest well, tomorrow's going to be a long day," he added.
Taeko let out a small sigh as she walked in, the barred door closing behind her. She glanced at the shadows of the bars across the wall and raised her hand up, frowning as she shadows covered her hand and arm.
"Is this what the outlaws in the old westerns felt like when the got arrested?" Taeko whispered.
"Daunting isn't it?"
Whipping around, Taeko let out a small gasp. "Pozomi?"
The former student council member nodded. "I don't blame you Taeko, you tried to warn your crew. Quite frankly, I blame myself more than anything for not keeping a closer eye on the team."
"Midorino seems upset with me," Taeko sighed, sitting down against the wall, for once grateful for the thick clothing which protected her from the harsh stone and concrete floors.
"Meh, she pissed at everyone, herself included," Pozomi let out a small yawn. "There's a mat over there if you're tired, as for me I'm going to turn in yearly.
"Same," Taeko yawned, garbing one of the mats and sitting it on the ground, before sitting on it, crunching her knees up to her chest and folding her arms under her legs. I wonder how long we're going to have to search for... she wondered. And will they really keep us searching for years on end? Eventually we're going to get too old for the bad company program, right?
She felt a small smile form on her face as she watched the shadows of the prison bars flow across her. I don't know why, but...I think I prefer this...for some reason I'm comforted by these bar wall...then again maybe I'm just in a better mood knowing that Nova still wants to be with me even after everything that's happened.
Sighing, she laid down and closed her eyes and let the sweet relief of sleep wash over her.