Kaiser leaned back in his chair rubbing his eyes. Though exhausted and at home, he couldn't sleep just yet. School, Training, meetings, exercise, and daily errands left him spent at the end of the day. Perhaps the most draining was the person he was speaking to over the phone.
"You there?" asked the feminine voice.
"Yeah just tired. You derailing the conversation isn't helping either" he answered gruffly with a stifled yawn.
"Well it's rare of you to be the one to call for once" she answered.
"And you wonder why? Kay, I called because it's easier to exchange information than texting not because I wanted to talk into the late hours of the night".
"You don't have to be rude about it" she pouted.
"I'm glad to hear you passed the first round and that you had a blast. But I called to ask your impression of Oarai. I'd like to hear before I pass out, mind you".
"Was that so hard to say?" she asked.
"With you, it's hard to speak at all" he countered.
Kay ignored his jab and hummed. There was silence for a moment as she assumingly played with something while in thought. "You sure did get a rough start in the season, Pravda, and now those girls".
"Believe me I'm aware" he sighed.
"Well, those girls are something special. A fresh take on the sport, I suppose you could say. They gave a harrowing underdog story whereas you left a bitter impression on a lot of people" she chuckled.
Kaiser remained silent as she laughed to herself, unable to refute her claim. "They're nice girls with a lot of spirits and they show what this sports about. Although that also makes them quite difficult to face, they always find some over-the-top way to win. When they got lucky last season and beat us to the punch up to all the wild antics they had against the university team".
"If you're going to only sing their praises then I'll take my leave" Kaiser drearily commented.
"Now, now, they're ingenuitive, but not invincible. With all the stunts you've pulled, I'm sure they're thinking the same about you. I wouldn't worry too much and just do what you do best."
"I'll take that advice, snickered Kaiser lethargically.
"By the way how's the plan for an intelligence group going? I know I didn't ask any questions when you came to me for advice and if you could model it off of Saunders but you know how curious I am".
Kaiser gave a small yawn before answering. "Everything's ready, I just need members. I've got an idea of who, I just need to incentivize them first".
"I feel bad for them if that's how you word it" laughed Kay. "Well, you've done enough don't let me keep you against your will"
"No, it's fine. Thank you for the help and advice."
"Mhmm, good night Adam"
"Night"
Kaiser passed out not long after ending the call, not noticing the mild laughter from Kay at successfully sneaking in his name amid his half-lucid state. Kaiser paid no mind nor cared. The next day's operation would be important and needed to be done before the match with Oarai, therefore he thankfully had an excuse to get some sleep.
-Transition-
Kaiser's plan had started before school, in the hangar he met in secret with his two accomplices. Natalya was curious as to why they were present and Valerya, who gave a groggy yawn, showed herself to not be a fan of early mornings.
"So why did you call us here?" asked Natalya.
"Yeah~" yawned Valerya. "What gives? You're not one to ask favors" included Valerya.
Kaiser ushered them into the small corner office and had them take a seat. "As you know I don't have many friends here".
Natalya averted her eyes at the obvious as Valerya snickered at him with a condescending grin. Ignoring their reactions he continued. "You two, for better or worse, are the only two I can trust". The two girls sat a bit taller at the remark, valerya giving off the impression she thought it was obvious.
"Now this is going to be a bit hard to ask but it is necessary. If it all goes well it'll only take a day, but at worst it may even go on past the Oarai match".
Natalya nodded firmly in anticipation of the request, Valerya was not so patient. "Jeez, quit beating around the bush. Will you spill it already?"
Kaiser rubbed the bridge of his nose, lowering his head at what he was about to say. The clear discomfort he had made the two girls even more curious. "Well first off, Valerya… I need to flirt with you". Both girls stiffened in surprise at the statement.
"In public" Valerya's cheeks reddened the slightest bit as her eyes shakily drifted to her sister.
"And I need Natalya to watch from afar in waiting". Valerya's cheeks brightened another shade as her sister seemed dazed with hollow eyes.
Flustered, Valerya stuttered a response. "Eh? U-um S-sir, maybe this isn't- I mean".
Kaiser raised a hand to stop her. Still looking down out of discomfort he continued explaining. "If it all goes well then the gossip bloggers' informants will pursue us to get some dirt from our charade and Natalya will be able to apprehend them by the end of the day, if not then the sting will carry on a bit longer until we get results or a change in plans. I'd rather not inconvenience you but you're better composed than Virtanen and the others when it comes to these things".
He raised his head and gave a slightly embarrassed glance at them. "Can I count on you?" The girls would have saved the rare glimpse of him if they weren't already in their turbulent storm of emotions.
His embarrassment vanished as he looked on in concern at the two sisters. Natalya's eyes seemed hollow for a moment before regaining some light to them whereas Valerya looked flustered and agitated. Valerya was the first to speak her mind. "What the hell is wrong with you!" she said swatting his arm.
"What are you upset about?" he asked, blocking her blows.
"You're phrasing! the out-of-character embarrassment! I couldn't even enjoy you acting all shy because of what you said!" she huffed, growing tired of striking at him. Meanwhile, Natalya looked on with an empty expression, almost seemingly disapproving of him.
"It's not like I want to do this either!" he defended.
"What does that mean!" huffed Valerya, ceasing her assault.
"It means, that I'm only doing this because it's for the benefit of the team, and that includes you two, hence why I trust you" he stated firmly. Simultaneously the two sisters seemed to regain a small amount of calm. Both gave a small pout before silently waiting for him to finish.
"Besides it's not like I have experience with, well, flirting that is". The sister's eyes widened as they saw the slightest tint of his ears redden. It seemed the tables had flipped regarding composure. Valerya went on the attack instinctively, causing even her sister to flinch in surprise.
"Oh? Our big, scary commander has no experience?" she purred.
Kaiser answered honestly in hopes he could rely on their participation. "Not for some time, no".
"Why's that?" asked Valerya leaning forward.
"There was, a slight incident" he answered reluctantly with averted eyes.
Natalya worriedly raised her hands unsure of how to stop her sister as Valerya extended a hand towards Kaisers. "What might that have been?"
She bristled with excitement as Kaiser took a short breath. Her expectations were cut short as he slid his hand away and glared at her. "That's enough probing. Can I count on you two or not?"
Valerya pouted and fell back into her seat "You're no fun as always" she complained, crossing her legs. Kaiser didn't respond, done talking he waited for an answer. The two girls glanced at each other.
Natalya shrugged a shoulder as Valerya rolled her eyes and began asking questions on the topic. "Why us? And why do you have to be with me? Why can't you flirt with Nat and I catch the perp?
Kaiser nodded in understanding at the questions. "Your popularity and skills. For the flirting, I thought over some other options but… My gunner, Belle, isn't quite over her discomfort with boys. The Frost sister seems to hate and fear me and is currently dating Knight. I even considered Piper who I'm sure would help but I fear what psychological damage that would do to Virtanen"
Valerya nodded in understanding at each reason was listed while Natalya, who usually ignored gossip, seemed astounded at each revelation. Kaiser then explained the role selection.
"Your popularity is considerably large and more positive than your sister, making it easy for word to spread around school if you do anything with anyone. Add my supposed infamy and we'll stir a hornet's nest of gossip. Someone will try to find hard evidence of us eloping off somewhere and that's where Natalya, with her skill and athleticism, can detain them. No offense but if you two were to switch roles I don't think either of you would fulfill the task very well".
Both girls wished to argue but unfortunately saw the logic in his statements. Natalya then spoke somewhat meekly "Then… how will you two be attracting their attention?"
Kaiser crossed his arms, still somewhat embarrassed at the topic but calmly explained. It will be overt but nothing too affectionate. Spending time around each other in the public eye of the school, asking people where we might find one another, and overall seeming somewhat clingy. There won't be anything we won't be able to play off afterward".
"Valerya hummed to herself. As Natalya watched her little sister think she gave a small sigh. "I'll help you, sir".
Kaiser extended his thanks as Valerya shot a glare at her sister. "Fine but are you sure you don't want to drum up some more attention by claiming a love triangle? We could definitely get some curiosity drummed up if we claimed you were with us both at once". Valerya raised her eyebrows suggestively as she drew her sister in close who seemed shocked at the suggestion.
Kaiser immediately rejected her idea. "No. The intent is to catch one of their moles and then squash any rumor afterward. It would be preferable if my reputation didn't suffer any more off ship as well and finally I'd rather not fight your father to the death if he caught wind of such a heinous rumor as well."
Valerya released her sister and gave a hearty laugh. "Yeah, dad would have your head if he heard!" she laughed. Natalya chuckled at the thought of her father as well, recalling his attitude. The two sister's laughter did little to assure Kaiser it was 'safe' to implement them in his sting operation.
Despite any worries, he laid out the plan, roles, and fine details. As the starting bell for class rang the operation began.
The day started slowly for the average students as with any other. Dressed in their regular uniforms of gray, the normal student would enter the school grounds and once through the student council, who regularly inspected the uniforms, would head towards their classes.
Amongst the crowd of students filtering through was Kaiser who quietly entered the building. Knowing who he was, the student council didn't even look at him as he walked past. There were no complaints of unfairness from those who were inspected or those who did the inspecting as the last time he was stopped he promptly chastised both parties and corrected their uniforms according to the school manual.
This normalcy soon was interrupted. Kaiser wasn't a few steps past the front door before a slight commotion started behind him.
The faint shout of a student council member yelling after a student to halt before falling quiet. The shout turned all eyes to the doorway and onto Kaiser as he was soon wrapped up in it.
"Adam!" Shouted Valerya running past the doors and clasping onto his arm from behind. All prying eyes, even those of the teachers present, widened a fraction.
Kaiser seemed to hesitate before raising a hand slowly. The male member of the student council at the front door lurched forward, intending to intervene as he expected, and he wasn't the only one, for Kaiser to snap at the girl. Perhaps it even had something to do with the impending target being one of the most popular girls but that was second to saving someone wasn't it?
All watching were too late as Kaiser's hand moved. Gently he brushed Valerya's cheek and brought his face close to hers. "Val. You got something on your eyelash" he said brushing the offending object away.
Every onlooker's mind stalled. None could process what had just happened. The Valerya Prokov had just disregarded the school's front door checkpoint. Then proceeded to sow public affection to Kaiser of all people while calling him by his first name, which many who watched hadn't even known. Then, of all things to sign the end of days, he caressed her face affectionately and called her by her nickname?!
As students muttered amongst themselves and some fled to spread their fresh gossip they failed to see what transpired between the two before he pulled away from her.
When Kaiser had leaned towards the girl he whispered in an annoyed tone. "Coming on this strong right off the bat? Ever heard of moderation?" He grit before stating aloud she had something in her eye.
During his action, Valerya bristled at him using her nickname, and best of all, he would be forced to play nice. The added teasing of her sister may have even satiated a more depraved instinct of hers.
"With this, there's no way anyone won't hear of this. Your plan is assured all thanks to me" she whispered back as he pulled away.
Kaiser wanted to grimace at her but refrained. Instead, he doubled down as well. Grasping her hand he walked a surprised Valerya to her class leaving a trail of curious gazes ahead and frantic murmurs behind them.
The first interaction of the day was surely enough to grab their target's attention but they persisted throughout. In between periods, Valerya would visit Kaiser's class, and once he even went to hers.
There wasn't a single set of eyes near them that didn't drift over nor a pair of lips that hadn't spoken over the topic. They had certainly gone above and beyond their original goal. Natalya herself admirably stood from afar, tailing the two without fail, and finally found their prey.
The same figure had appeared when Kaiser and Valerya met the second time, the third, and so on. It was when lunch arrived that the trap would be sprung.
With all eyes on the two "hot topics", they made no secret when they stood and calmly left their classes. Meeting halfway they continued to grab some food before departing to the hangar bay.
While the school body was contempt to speak in hushed whispers amongst themselves, speculating about the two and their privacy, Natalya noticed the same figure follow at a distance before checking their surroundings and taking a longer route to the hangar. Mist notable of all, Natalya knew this person was certainly not on the team.
The hangar was dark except for a few high lamplights above, dimly lighting the vehicles that littered the area. The lack of life seemed to amplify any sound as Kaiser and Valerya walked toward a dark corner of the building. The clack of their footsteps and hushed giggles of Valerya as they turned and walked behind a vehicle. A discreet hiding spot for the two.
Their pursuer stealthily followed. Unqestioning of the door left unlocked they entered the hangar and prowled from a distance, each footstep covered by the echo of their targets slinking off to their clandestine location. The fear of being caught was prickling their neck. Their heartbeat pounded, palms sweating, and eyes wide open with alertness. They closed in on the corner that the two turned. Slowly their voices came into hearing.
Hushed whispers became more audible as they leaned next to the armored vehicle, listening in. The first voice they could hear was the female
"Are you sure?" she asked unsurely.
"I'm Positive," he answered in a stifled breath.
"But what if-" the girl countered.
"Shh, stop talking. You'll ruin it" he demanded silencing her.
The eavesdropper felt blood pumping to their ears and cheeks. Their imagination took flight as they pulled a small camera out and edged around the corner of the vehicle. A figure blocked the lens. In a panic, the eavesdropper looked up to see the none-too-pleased face of Natalya who gave them no time to flee.
Quickly Natalya grasped them by their wrist and pulled them forward. The off-balance individual fell onto their chest before having both arms wrenched back and detained. Natalya then proved her strength by lifting the individual onto her shoulder and carrying them. The individual didn't fail or resist, the frightening image of Natalya's grimace imprinted in their mind. What they couldn't see was Natalya's relieved expression, which she wore now that all the acting could end.
Kaiser and Valerya emerged from their secluded corner and flicked on the lights. A wave of bright light washed over the four as Natalya lay the culprit between the three of them. The figure winced at the light as they looked down. The Prokov sisters watched the girl carefully. Short shoulder-length blonde hair, small-rimmed glasses around blue eyes, and an average figure. Neither sister recognized her yet Kaiser's interest seemed peeked.
"Anna?" he asked. Both sisters turned to him before double-taking back to the girl who bashfully turned away. Kaiser stooped down, peering close at her to which she turned away once more. Growing tired of the aversion, Kaiser grabbed her chin and turned her head. His eyes lingered on her as she seemed to tear up slightly. The two sisters promptly grabbed Kaiser by each arm and pulled him back.
Dragging him away he was interrogated before their captive.
"Who is she?!" asked Valerya.
"Why are you so friendly with her all of a sudden?!" asked Natalya.
Turning his head between the two he glanced down at his arms and asked to be released first. Complying with his request, the two girls crossed their arms and awaited an answer. One which Kaiser was quick to deflect.
"She's an old… acquaintance. I didn't even know that she attended here, to be honest"
The sisters eyed him, their disbelief obvious. Feeding into their suspicion he listed off his observation. "I remember her being more resilient". The three sets of eyes wandered onto Anna who seemed to quake under their gaze as she averted her eyes and drew her knees up to her chest. Unable to cover her face with her bound hands, she buried them between her knees.
"Well at least it'll be easy to get info out of her." reasoned Valerya.
Kaiser brought a hand to his chin in thought. "I'll stay this out, you two can interrogate her. Contact me once you find out who her collaborators are." With a wave of a hand, he left no room for debate as he walked past their captive. He took a moment to squat next to the girl and give a small plea. "Try not to let too much slip. For both our sakes, please".
The girl froze at his words, What the two sisters would have assumed as a threat seemed off with his final word. Please.
Once Kaiser had departed the sister's eyes locked onto the shaken girl. With a whimper, she was dragged off by the siblings. '
Valerya's belief of an easy integration proved right. The girl spilled whatever she knew shortly after Kaiser had returned to the school proper and received the information via text. It seemed he finally had a lucky break. Anna had not given names but she had given their meetup location. In fact, with the latest news circling the school, they were already drafting a new article and were awaiting Anna to return with some photos before lunch ended. Kaiser promptly arrived at their door.
The school ICT lab doors lay before him, closed. The perpetrators of the infamous and annoying gossip blog were just behind. Slowly he opened the door and stepped in. Four figures with gleeful expressions turned to him before stiffening in place. Two males, and two females, all lazing about with computer monitors on before them and varying text, undoubtedly their latest gossip.
They shared nervous glances, each student trying to beg the other with their eyes to speak and ask why he was present. Kaiser closed the door behind him. The soft click made the four students jump.
Kaiser stepped to the end of their table. "I know," he said
Each student had a varying response. The most entertaining was the male who went pale in the face and lowered his head behind a screen.
"And now you know that I know. And allow me to congratulate you." Each of their heads twisted in confusion. "You are now the latest recruits in Transcendences Senshado program".
The four were stunned into silence. Kaiser gave a sarcastic clap. "Not only that but you will also be a part of a new initiative within the team".
One female student stood in protest. "Wait you can't-!"
Kaiser interjected. "You can call me sir and yes, I can. You have multiple violations of privacy, stalking, defamation, using school resources for personal affairs, and violating multiple school rules. Your expulsion is all but guaranteed. Unless you work for me."
His explanation was clear and effective. The protesting girl sat back down in defeat as her peers remained silent. "Now, I will take your contact information and send you all our practice times and your assigned duties. You can expect a very thorough training with me." Kaiser made to leave and halted at the door. "Oh and remember, I know your names and faces."
Kaiser walked down the hallway to the sound of frightened arguing emanating from the four and the thin walls separating them.
-Transition-
It had been a few days since the latest edition of Transcendence's newest recruits. Once the news had been delivered, Kaiser returned to his cohorts and captured Anna to deliver one final piece of news. He relayed the information of her peers being drafted and herself being given the honor of commanding them while looking forward to working with them. He then would leave with the Prokov sisters as the defeated girl sat still, no doubt wondering how her day had come to such a turn of events.
For such an eventful lunch period the rest of the school day was calm aside from the still-fresh rumors. At the end of the day, the recruits were called by the PA system to appear at the hangar after class. There they were told of their new positions and their new responsibility. They were given the SDKFZ 234 or "Puma" as their personal vehicle.
The rumor and drama that they had created would require a little time before disappearing but without any organized drama to fan the flame, it wouldn't be too long. The blog was repurposed and began posting information only Kaiser deemed as nonconsequential or for disinformation. With the blog as a distraction, he now had his own team of intel gatherers based on Saunder's system. The only worry was over how well they would infiltrate, leaving him worrying over the responsibility.
The new team was then given a rushed course of training to catch up with the rest of the team. This did not mean that anything was skipped instead it meant that they were being given no rest. Each day they would drag themselves out of the vehicle and trudge home, sleep like a log, and barely remain conscious in class before repeating it all.
It was once again today that when the practice had ended for the team, Kaiser stayed behind with the new crew of the Puma to "catch them up". Natalya and Valerya had given a farewell for the day and began walking away from the hangar.
Hearing the sound of a single engine, the two sisters looked over their shoulders. In the distance the Puma took off with Anna standing in the cupola and Kaiser sitting on the back, heading into the training field once more.
"Still thinking about what she said?" asked Valerya, looking up at her sister who was lost in thought.
Coming to her senses, Natalya flinched. "Eh- ah, well of course I am aren't you?"
Valerya sneered. "Of course I am. Who wouldn't after what she told us?
The sisters recalled the day they had caught Anna and Kaiser had left to apprehend her peers. Having already pried their location from the vulnerable girl, the two sisters inquired further.
Natalya, ever so cautious of digging too deep into someone's past was a bystander for the most part. Valerya had no such restrictions. Seizing the opportunity of the shaken girl she immediately jumped into the main questions.
Why were you a part of that gossip blog? Why didn't you resist? Why were you so meek when he said you're usually resilient? What did he mean for both of your sakes? How do you two know each other?
Anna quivered under the bombardment of questions. Seeing her state Natalya offered an assuring smile. Trying to reduce her intimidating stature, she kneeled, giving kind words that there was no harm to come nor any repercussions. Unfortunately, her word was hollow as Kaiser drafted her not long after.
Valerya wanted to play bad cop but didn't get the chance as Anna struggled through her tears to answer.
"I-It was petty I know! But I guess I just wanted to get back at him!"
"My legs gave out at the thought of being caught and when I saw you three, my mind went blank…"
"I didn't know how to react when I saw. I just wanted to hide my face."
"He didn't want me speaking about your last question!"
Her fatal mistake was prodding Valerya's curiosity. Now knowing that there was something succulent about this mystery she had latched onto, there was no letting go. It took some wearing down before the final revelation came.
"We dated!" Anna exclaimed, throwing her head between her knees again. The girl felt instant remorse at having let the truth slip.
Both Prokov's were thankful she hid her face, their expressions must have been incredulous, to say the least. What must have been a few minutes of astonished silence transgressed before Anna slowly lifted her head with teary eyes.
Natalya was, surprisingly, the first to snap back. Her moment of silence was over as she resumed the interrogation, placing a firm hand on the girl's shoulder as she pressed for a clearer explanation.
It wasn't a long explanation, nor exemplary as the girl sniffled and retold her short experience with the enigmatic commander of theirs.
Anna had confessed to him their sophomore year, last year to be exactly as she put it. He was different then, just as charismatic but in a much more positive and endearing way. Despite winning the national InfanterieKampf competition the year prior and being promoted that year, he seemed to have been at a low point.
Encouraged by her friends, Anna confessed to him. To her surprise he accepted. The relationship was short but sweet in her own eyes. He was kind but somewhat despondent. Not too long after he was the one to break up with her.
His reasoning was understandable at a first, he said she didn't deserve to be treated coldly by him and that he had wronged her by trying to use her as a means of moving on from something. That was that, she was left heartbroken. It had ended on good terms but they hadn't spoken since.
According to her, he only seemed to grow colder and more stern afterward. With no more interaction with him, she took on photography as a hobby and joined the newspaper club. Transcendence opened and she applied. Once accepted she joined the school's paper here and lo and behold, there he was.
The center of everything that the school was obsessed with. In the photos in his black uniform, the same indifferent expression, the center of attention. Every issue his name was there. The gossip blog had already started but she found them through her contacts with the paper and joined them, working for both.
With a bitter sniff, she looked back, claiming maybe it was a subconscious decision to get back at him with some non-harmful but embarrassing rumors. Her aid helped the blog take off even amongst other schools. The fact she had to write articles did her no favor either as she looked over the topics of his interactions with such famed names as Kay and Nonna.
Anna breathed in relief as if she had gotten a weight off her chest. Natalya and Valerya exchanged looks of shock at the girl and her retelling. After calming her and assuring her they would not tell Kaiser what she had said, they shared a moment of solidarity before the man in question returned and soured their mood with the news of her drafting.
"I wonder who or what hurt him so badly?" asked Natalya aloud, glancing at the evening sky.
Valerya nudged her sister in the ribs. "Any way you put it, your position is in even more danger now that an Ex is in the picture".
"What position?!" protested Natalya.
"What position indeed?" taunted Valerya who promptly ducked low and dodged a slap to the back of the head from her sister who shot a glare full of ire at her.
Sticking her tongue out she continued taunting her sister on the way home.
The match with Oarai was approaching and the drama and revelations were unfortunately far from over.
-Chapter End-