A/N: Hello everyone! I'm back. I've been watching a bit of Ghost Recon and I've gotten a few ideas because of it, so look forward to that(I've never played the game). I also have a few things to announce.
First, due to real life reasons, work, time constraints and such, Unknown Sixth will no longer be beta reading this. Well, that's a bit of an overstatement. Maybe, one day, when he has the time, he might help me once more, but at the moment, he's a very busy…person with responsibilities, adult responsibilities, and I'm just glad he took time out of his day to help me.
(Also, that picture of the Courier with the Abydos girls goes hard. Hopefully one day I can commission one for this fic. For now, I hope what I'm writing is sufficient.)
Second, there's a possibility that I might go back and revamp the first chapter beyond minor changes since now that I've looked back, gone through the Division 2 TvTropes (which is something I believe people should do if they're looking to write a fanfiction, but that's just my personal opinion) I feel like I could've done better, but at the same time, I feel like how it is works well enough. What do you guys think? I'm already going back and making my previous chapters more BA-only or Division-only friendly. I just hope I'm doing it right.
Speaking of TvTropes, this work is officially on the FanficRecs section of the Blue Archive trope page! Sure, it might not have its own page, but I'm just glad it's there!
Three announcements, onto the fourth, after this chapter I'll be putting this story on a pseudo-hiatus, simply because the Blue Archive anime will be airing on April 7, a month or so away, and I want to make sure I have all the details kind of right. I say 'pseudo-hiatus' because I'm not going to stop writing, whether for this fic or my others, but the others also need a bit of love. Also, I might just post another chapter so this announcement is kind of useless then.
That's about it then, I've said all I needed and now, onto the responses!
ikmal,azaid11: Thanks. And trust me, I'm very motivated. After all, this is for me as much as it is for everyone who reads it.
Eisenhower Haloway: Damn. In a way, it's something I noticed is that while SRT is similar to the Division in their tech, Abydos, or Squad, is what I'd see as closer to Agents than RABBIT or FOX. After all, Abydos has been in what's practically a disaster for years and forced the students to adapt with lacking supplies. Sure, SRT has the training, but Abydos is adaptable. As for access to his tech…well, we'll see. He'll do what any Agent should do but will have to go through the process like normal. As for his tech, none of it is really that revolutionary, Hibiki could probably recreate them on her own, but the Agent finds them reliable, so the most he will do is use the Crafting Chamber to make more.
Gonsmoss: That's practically what it is. But unlike New York or DC, he won't be blindsided so easily. Thanks for the feedback on the romance part. Also, two months? What kind of authors do you read? For me the max is a year.
B099: Thanks. And don't worry, I will, I dislike rushed harems myself.
manos,gr: KEENER? Where is he!?...Oh. Don't worry about that, I'm just in Europe for a bit of studying(expensive as hell too).
yay(guest): Thanks, as for his past…well it's a bit different from the canon of the games since Mateo did other things than just the missions of The Division 2, Warlords of NY, future DLC, Silver Creek, and the Division 3. It's not much better…if not it's slightly worse, but let's just say that there's a reason Mateo a) hates himself so much, b) missed the claymore that nearly killed him and c) is generally stronger than even most Agents. So, there'd probably be a lot of horror if they found out what he did. And yeah, poor Mateo will be the butt of the joke for years and a few disgusted looks. Not like he's actively looking for a relationship.
AZERTY(guest): He did not. Mateo wasn't in New York during the events of the Division 1. But the Hunters, yeah, if it takes place during the Division 2, he probably did it.
That's it for reviews. I'm glad many of you have been enjoying this. This chapter was supposed to have more but it got too long so I left it for the next chapter. But, let's just say that Mateo will be able to flex his talking skills, the same one he used to blackmail a federal agency at sixteen into accepting him.
Though it's pretty late, all of us are sighing in relief, listening as Ayane clicks on her laptop and all of the girls in a chipper mood, Hoshino included, as we wait for the good news. The sky was beginning to turn into a conflicting hue of blue and orange, at the edge of being night time but not dark enough for it to be considered that exactly.
All of us wait, bodies coiled and prepared to move, even if a bit of exhaustion is shown in the girls' bodies with the exception of the stoic Shiroko and the relaxed Hoshino. Even those two had a bit of exhaustion in their bodies even if it was very well-hidden.
Finally, Ayane sighs, stretching with a bright and relieved smile. "The Kata-Kata Helmet Gang have been successfully routed!'
Almost like a spell, all of the girls slumped a bit, releasing a sigh of relief as they began to stretch. I made an effort to not look at Nonomi's direction while she stretched. "Finally!" Hoshino groans in relief as she finally lets it all show as she leans forward, her forehead hitting the table with a thud and practically immediately begins to snore.
"Shiroko," Ayane says, clearly as exhausted as the others even if her smile showed otherwise, "please remove Hoshino from the table."
"...Nn." Shiroko says, gently reaching for Hoshino's scruff and pulling her back onto her seat where her head proceeded to hang off the back of the seat and she snored, her halo gone and a dumb smile on her face.
Still, I hate to pop this bubble the girls find themselves in, but… I'm about to open my mouth, except, these girls seem genuinely happy, chatting and laughing despite their exhaustion, resembling actual normal schoolgirls instead of incredibly durable schoolgirls. They moved like a squad instead of schoolgirls, resembling some of the times I've worked with other Agents in the field or when we had downtime and access to paintball guns. Despite all the durability and all their skills, they're still just students.
This isn't DC where everything was originally a stone's throw away from falling apart spectacularly and violently or New York that was fixed before it all fell through again because of Keener. These girls can have a night or two of rest. I'll just leave it for our next meeting.
"This is great." Serika starts, her smile great as she continues, "With those clowns out, we can finally focus on the debt."
Wait. Hold on. Debt?
I mean, I know that these girls are the only students here and that technically makes them the governing body, but usually, governing bodies have no need to worry about debt, right?
In my confusion, I voice out my thoughts. "Debt?" The girls go silent, all of them glancing at each other, with the exception of Hoshino who's still asleep, as Serika stutters.
"Ah...Shoot." She mutters as Ayane begins, almost embarrassed.
"Well, you see…" She starts, almost reluctantly.
"Wait! Don't tell him anything!" Serika starts, glaring at me as my confusion only increases.
I mean, it's understandable, I'm a soldier more than I ever was a bureaucrat, but still. "Why not?" Ayane asks, also confused.
"Because it's not his business." Serika asserts with confidence while glaring at me as I give her a raised brow.
"Because, clearly," I start sarcasm dripping from my tone, "the complete dissolution of one of the largest academies in Kivotos, benefits no one, will hurt no one else but the people living here, and will have no lasting impact." I say while rolling my eyes as she glares at me.
"Ease up on her a bit." Hoshino says, waking up while yawning as she sits up slumping as she continues. "It's not like we expect for you to be able to do something, what you've done is good enough. You've done more for this place than most others have." She says with a reluctant smile.
Leaning back, I sigh "Damn shame that is." I grumble in frustration while looking away before returning to them. "A file is good and all, but I'm more partial to eyewitness accounts when it comes to investigations, so what happened?" I ask as I lean forward. "Sure, debt isn't exactly a good thing, but you were Abydos, you trounced Gehenna and Trinity in enrollment numbers once. What kind of debt do you have that it couldn't have been paid back?"
As one, all the girls look at each other until Ayane sighs, "The exact number is 962,350,000 yen."
Oh…
Oh Lord…
Oh Good Lord in Heaven.
That's…
While the conversion isn't exact, one dollar roughly equates to one-hundred yen. So, divide that number by one-hundred then…
Nine million? Nearly ten? Wait… but that's…
Million?
Million?
"...Current?" I ask weakly as I could see the expressions on their face, from Shiroko's resigned frustration, Serika's embarrassed anger, Ayane's resigned despair and Nonomi's frustration. "Oh…" I mutter vocally as the numbers and the events make sense. "Sorry to ask, but you wouldn't have to have any records lying around from that time, would you?"
"Sadly," Hoshino answers, "this is just an annex, a satellite school. The actual school's buried under the sand out…" she says while waving her arm out in the general direction, "...there."
...Can ISAC retrieve the data?
I'll have to scope it out to make sure, but…
"So," I start but shut my mouth. It's one thing to figure it out, it's another to carelessly recount the downfall of their school.
"You don't have to worry, it's probably how you guessed." Ayane says as she continues. "A few years ago, particularly hard sandstorms hit Abydos for no apparent reason. Not that this isn't rare, the school setup countermeasures for such an event, but at some point it became too much." She recounts with the same somberness one would have while saying a eulogy at a funeral. "While this isn't the only reason, it was the main reason."
"Another reason was the previous council's…" Hoshino trails off, "frivolous spending. From experimental fireworks using expensive materials to priceless artifacts, in the end, all of them were lost in the storm. Slowly, their lifestyle caught up to the council after reaching the people and they did their best, but at that point…" Hoshino said before shrugging and raising their hands. "The downfall of the district was set in stone."
"They couldn't be seen doing nothing or else the people would be mad but their efforts weren't getting any results so the people were still mad." I note, already familiar with the song and dance that is the end of a country. I went through it after all. "The first thing to go was probably the most needed industry, tourism, followed by transportation and so on and so forth until the numbers of leaders were reduced and most of the population left. With little choice, they turned to the banks."
"Hah~," Hoshino laughs without any real amusement, "it'd be easier if it was them. No, the cost exceeded what any bank was willing to comfortably loan out for the fallen Abydos Council, so they turned to Loan Sharks."
I cringe at that word. Loan Sharks. So, that means that whatever the number is here, it's nothing compared to what it originally was. How large was it originally though? I'll need to look through the records, but how did this happen?
In the lull of the silence, Serika can't seem to take it as she slams both hands on the table and glares at me. "There it is. Happy now? I sure as hell am not." She grumbles under her breath as she begins to stomp out.
"Serika, where are you going?" Ayane asks as Serika turns and glares at me.
"Out." She curtly answers. "Whatever you all choose, I want no part of it. None. Got it?" She says before slamming close the sliding door as her footsteps recede.
In the silence, Nonomi stands up, "I'll go talk to her."
As the others nod, Nonomi steps out as the tense silence returns. "So, as you can see our situation isn't the best."
"Fucking legalities." I can't help but practically growl under my breath. What kind of fucked up world is this where five high school girls have less of a chance at regaining a patch of land than the SHD did reclaiming the US?
"I can sympathize with Serika's frustrations." Shiroko says while looking at the door where Nonomi chased after Serika, "No one has ever cared enough to ask about our situation before, let alone to reach out to help."
"When I said we don't expect you to be able to do much, it's not personal, just pragmatic," Hoshino started, "what we've told you is just a summary of our situation, I don't even know the actual story of it and I'm the oldest here. Though, second to Sensei now." Hoshino adds with a slight chuckle of amusement at her own joke, no one else did but she didn't seem to take it badly. "Now that you've helped us scare the Helmet Gang away, we can return our focus to paying off the debt."
Damn it.
"You don't have to worry yourself with our debt." Hoshino tries to assure me. "Just the fact that you've heard our story is enough."
"We're not trying to pressure you. You've already helped us enough." Shiroko says while trying to keep her face straight, her ears drooping slightly and twitching as I release a large sigh.
"Fuck…" I trail off under my breath, quiet enough for none of the girls to hear me.
Debts, gangs, sandstorms, unknown origins.
Debts, gangs, unknown origins.
Debt, unknown origin.
Debt.
It all goes right back to the fucking debt.
Covering my face with my hands, I inhale.
These kids...they don't need someone who'll listen to orders.
…
I can feel my rage bubbling as I release the air in my lungs, my mind clear. "Fuck that." I say audibly, to the surprise of the remaining Foreclosure Task Force. My hand hits the table and I force myself up as I grit my teeth behind my mask, surprising the girls once more as I go to the map of the district there I begin tracing my finger through the roads and muttering to myself. "First, we'll need that data, then set up safe houses, caches, the whole nine yards. Set up a perimeter and go from there. Should be-."
"Um, Sensei," Ayane starts, "what are you-?"
"I'd like to say I ain't leaving, but I hate deserts and that's just not feasible." I answer as I continue planning out locations in my mind. "Instead, I'll stick around until you girls reach an answer or I find one that isn't blowing up the building of the loan sharks."
"Um, that's a joke, right?" Ayane asks but I don't answer. Not like it's that hard, I might specialize in being a marksman, but any Agent worth their salt knows how to use explosives to an effective degree, if not simply for the catharsis of seeing all your problems go down easily. It's a different kind of satisfaction than setting a new record for longest shot with a weapon. "Right?"
"If I answered that," I start, "you'd probably refuse my next request, so for both of our sakes, let's leave it at that."
"What's your request?" Hoshino asks as I could feel the tension in her voice for some reason.
"Not much. Your continued support, permission to set up safe houses and caches within the district, accessible to you and me with ammunition provided by the GSC, allowing me to sit in on your next meeting. You know, the basics." I answer as Ayane seems surprised. "First, we'll need to set up a Base of Operations, and for that, we need data. Like the data found in the ruins of the main school building and for that we'll need an excavation team of some sort and the plans for the buildings. It's probably mostly corrupted but anything can be useful. Of course, I could do all of this without your permission, Miss Takanashi," I say as I turn to the surprised pinkette, "but that'd be rude. So, the choice is yours."
Hoshino was gaping, her eyes wide and more alert than ever before. "How would that work?"
"Well," I start while holding a hand to my chin, "I bother the GSC which I could do over phone, but I like seeing the pissed expressions of my superiors in person." I say, unable to hide the pleased expression I get at the idea. Sure, I have no quarrel with Rin, but having no quarrel is not the same as being unwilling to be a little shit when the opportunity pops up. Especially with what's happening in Abydos. No response for years. "Then, I go around, pick spots to leave caches of ammunition and safehouses. Inform you, you sign off on them and in return for letting me set them up, you can use them and SCHALE will pay for it in some convoluted way. I haven't really found out how it does with the other safehouses." I admit as I keep thinking. "The rest is self-explanatory, the more information we have, the easier it'll be to untangle this entire web and maybe with that data, we'll find something that'll lead us somewhere." I say before scoffing as I mutter under my breath as I look back at the map. "Personally, I'm hoping it leads to explosives." I was careful not to make it audible but Ayane's shocked look became suspicious in an instant. She's a sharp one.
"So, you want to talk it over or-."
"We accept." Hoshino answers without a moment's hesitation and to my surprise.
"Wait, shouldn't there be some hesitation, I'm suspicious as hell!" I say as I point to myself.
"You are." Hoshino admits, which gave me some hope for this district. "But I have some experience telling an honest person from a dishonest one. Besides, you need the time to get it all set up, right?"
I nod in resignation. "Yup, for now I'll just go and perform a cursory inspection of the area and I'll see whether it's feasible or not."
"You should talk with Ayane about that." She says as she finally slumps over. "I'm beat. She knows more about that anyway."
"When's your next meeting?" I ask Ayane as she jumps up when she realizes I'm asking her.
"Er, in three days." She answers as I nod. That should be enough time. "Then," I start while activating the Shittim Chest and opening a map, "think you can outline where the main building is?"
Soon, after a bit of talking, we have most of the details straightened out as I look at the map and the schematics of the building. "Hmm, right. I hope all of you don't mind if I attend your next meeting."
"Not at all." Shiroko says, a slight upturn to her lips. "We'd be honored."
"Then, I guess this closes the mission for today. All of you, amazing work." I say and I genuinely mean it, as I smile at them. "Get some rest, go eat, it's already pretty late, I'll reconvene with you at the Foreclosure Task Force's next meeting and will get the contract squared away as soon as possible. If you ever do find yourself with time and outside of the district, don't be afraid to drop by SCHALE, grab a snack, watch some TV, anything really. Not like I use much of it." I admit with a chuckle. I try to dredge up what little I know about Japanese formalities but stop once ISAC offers it to me as I smile. "Then, let's hope this endeavor proves to be a fruitful one. It won't be an easy one, that's for sure." I say as Hoshino smiles lazily, Shiroko nods, and Ayane smiles. "For now, I'll have to return to SCHALE and catch up on the paperwork amongst many other things." I say with a resigned sigh as I begin my trek outside. "I'll call a helicopter here and be out of your hair. If anything pops up, call me or if you just have a question you want answered. With that, all of you are dismissed."
As one with weird synchronicity, the three girls answer, "Thank you for your hard work."
I raise a hand and perform a faux salute and walk out while contacting the SCHALE building. "Then, let's check out this building."
The building was, obviously, no longer a building.
The mound of sand that was previously the main Abydos building looked indistinguishable from the others and it would to anyone else. It did to the pilot.
"This is the location, Sensei." The pilot's voice pipes from my audiometric earpiece. "Would you like me to land?"
"No." I answer, ISAC is already doing his job as I bring the binoculars to my eyes as I try to find something to signify where the building is pointed to try and find the server room. "Just hover for now. This shouldn't take too long."
"Hmmmm…" Arona groans as she narrows her eyes beside me at the mound of sand. "I can't see anything." Arona says as she looks particularly downtrodden at the thought that she wasn't very useful.
After making sure the pilot wouldn't hear me talking to myself, I answer, "You helped ISAC compile the reports of the sand, the map, and more, that's enough for now." I say as Arona pouts while swinging her legs. "Why don't you draw up the contract for Abydos? Lord knows I haven't seen how SCHALEs funds are shared, nor the laws, so you do that."
Arona turns to me in surprise but her smile quickly brightens, "Sure, Sensei!" She says before she grabs a paper from...somewhere and then looking through others at a surprising rate. For all her childishness, programmed or not, it's moments like these that remind me that Arona is an AI. Advanced one too.
"Location of interest located." ISAC spoke, manifesting above me as he points and waypoints began to pop up on my ScanTek. "The outlined locations might not be server rooms, but they have large concentrations of electronics."
"Pilot?" I ask as a second later, the pilot answers.
"Sensei? What do you need?"
"Circle around the coordinate…" I look at the coordinate and relay it to the pilot as the helicopter moves and I bring up my binoculars once more.
Not much to see, but I can definitely see a way in. After once again making sure the pilot isn't listening in, I mutter, "Probably going to need some heavy drills to get through at least, but the sand's going to just fill it right back up. It'll probably be a pain to traverse with all the sand inside the building so we might need some breach charges to get through the place, maybe some masks too. Would it be better to bring the server with us or download the information?"
"It'd be easier to download the data but the power has been cut off for years. I don't believe we'll be able to get much even if we did get much. There is one location with the power still on, but digging straight into it would cause it to cave. I suggest we infiltrate through the hall." A line began from the waypoint to a different one as I nodded.
"Seems like that frivolous spending had to go somewhere." I mutter. "Right, we have something to work with. ISAC, send Ayane a report of our findings. Let's head back to SCHALE."
With a nod, ISAC disappears as I turn to the pilot. "All clear here. Take us home."
"Roger." The pilot answers as the helicopter swerves and begins heading back to the club room.
"Agent." ISAC answers as I cut the pilot from listening, again. "Will this suffice?"
Ayane, after a cursory inspection via aerial surveillance, at first glance, there doesn't seem much that we can scavenge, but with the use of various scanners and tools, we found some energy within a server room. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be a feasible way to enter without the use of heavy machinery and explosives, and both of those will cause the room to cave, so I suggest we enter through the hall and make our way through it. Once there, we can download the data and return home.
Reading it over, I can't help but ask, "Can't we try and turn on the energy? They should be using solar panels."
"That does not change the fact that the power outage would have corrupted many files." ISAC answers.
"True." Computers have never been my specializations, I can program just fine and fix things, but the things I've seen technicians do to their SHD Tech…
Sure, I modify mine, but I can barely recognize the SHD Tech the experts use. It's pretty amazing.
Still, I've always had more of an affinity to guns rather than the tech we use so I'm fine with what I've chosen to specialize in. "Yeah, it's fine. Send it."
With that, I feel my pocket vibrate as the message is sent.
"Sensei~." Arona hums beside me as she shows me the paper. "Here, what do you think?"
Reading through it, I can't help but chuckle at some, "'We'll pay you, so let us use your stuff?'" I recite and Arona nods proudly.
"Yup. Simple, right?" She says, leaning forward anxiously as she waits for my praise.
Personally, I had to stop myself from laughing as the rest of the contract reads similarly childish, even if the idea behind them is solid. This is more as a formality, once we get all the locations settled and chosen, we'll settle for a price. So keeping the terms broad is probably a good choice until I look at the end.
Punishment for breaking the terms: Become the servant of the person who didn't break the terms.
"Yeah…" I say, trying to keep my laughter down. "It's good, Arona." I say as I pat her head as she smiles brightly. "I-I'll just change a few things, if you don't mind."
"Not at all! Here!" Arona says as the paper disappears and my phone vibrates again, signifying an email and Arona's file.
"Good. Now, what's on the itinerary tomorrow?" I ask and Arona smiles.
"Well, you have paperwork waiting for you," goddamn it, "until the afternoon, where you have another interview waiting. Sadly, Rin is going to be busy for the next few days, so you won't be able to bother her then."
Slowly, our surroundings shift from the sandy deserts of Abydos to the streets of Kivotos as the temperature begins to change.
"Then, Arona, can you look for-." My words are interrupted by an audible explosion as I whirl towards the smoke. "Pilot," I start, "explosion at nine o'clock."
"I see it." She answers. "Give me a sec." Soon, she cuts off communication before it returns. "It's nothing to worry about, just the Hot Springs Development Department."
I grab the Shittim Chest as the screen changes to show a recording of the situation. "Hot springs? That's the middle of the city, if there was one, it wouldn't be there."
"I wouldn't bet on that." The Pilot answers. "Their leader, Kinugawa Kasumi, is supposed to have an incredible sixth sense for hot springs. And, while I don't know her personally, I've seen her five times and each location had the potential for a hot spring."
"Do they even have a permit for that?" I mutter as I open a different screen and don't find anything.
"They don't care." The Pilot answers to my surprise.
"Then isn't that just terrorism?" I mutter as I look at the cameras once more.
Hmm, they're lugging that heavy machinery pretty well…
Those explosives too. They don't seem to use them like soldiers, but more in common with construction workers.
…
"Hey, does SCHALE have a holding cell?"
"No, why?"
"No reason. Change of plans," I say as I begin to inspect my equipment. I didn't use too much of it during the mission today, but I can just stop at a store, something I'd never thought I'd say about guns, "drop me off at a building and send a car in. This shouldn't get violent, but I'd rather not try my luck."
"…" At first the Pilot doesn't say anything but she releases a heavy sigh. "Are you sure? What do you want with the Hot Springs Development Department?"
Removing the Cuelebre, I inspect it again as I start loading the caddy in the side. "With all due respect and no offense intended, that's between me and them. That said, I might have something they want. If I do it right, then this shouldn't get violent."
Again, the Pilot stayed quiet before she released a heavy sigh. "Fine. But I suggest you get going quick, the Prefect Team are probably on the move already, and so is Hina if that's so."
Hina. A name to remember if she points her out. Drawing my pistol, I inspect it, "Right, I'll rappel down, so keep some distance but not too much."
"Roger. LZ found. Descending." The Pilot says as the helicopter slows down above a parking lot. "Good luck, Sensei."
"Thanks for the ride." I answer as I prepare to rappel down. "Safe flights!"
With that, I fall, the only thing keeping me from becoming a pancake is the rope I'm rappelling down as memories from my time as an Agent come to mind.
While rappelling isn't commonly used by Agents, I've had some ex-Special Forces teach me a few tricks, even if Agents mostly use the Rope Ascender when it comes to climbing. So, as my feet hit the ground, I raise my M4 and sweep the area. After finding nothing out of place, I disconnect and wave at the helicopter as it flies off.
Taking a deep breath, I begin my jog towards the location of the sound of drilling, explosions, and gunfire.
A group of Hot Springs Development were out guarding, redirecting traffic as they spoke to each other, "So, are the Prefect Team on their way yet?"
"No." The other answers while checking her phone. "Seems like they're being held up. But the Valkyrie Police Force is on their way."
One in particular shivers, "I'm not sure who I'd rather be captured by, Valkyrie or the Prefect Team."
The first turns to her in interest. "Valkyrie, obviously, they're not that hard to escape, unlike the Prefect Team."
"It's not escaping I'm worried about, it's," the member gulps and shivers at the memory, "the interrogation."
"It can't be any worse than the Prefect Team." Another pipes up as she continues redirecting traffic. "Also, help me out here, I'm getting confused." Her partner joins her once more as a final member spoke up.
"Yeah, I've been taken in by both Valkyrie and the Prefects, and I'd rather be in Valkyrie." The member says as the member whirls to her.
"That's 'cause you weren't interrogated by the Feral Hound!" The member accuses as she hugs herself and shakes. "She was cruel I tell you, cruel."
"Well, you kinda are breaking the law." A muffled voice spoke, far more masculine than the usual student, and even their Department Head, who's known for having what's considered a 'boyish' voice. "That's a common thing with interrogators."
"I mean sure, but-!" The member started when she realized who she was talking to. From the body armor, the backpack, the hat, the features, it was the one and only, Sensei. "Oh, hello, Sensei." She spoke politely, the others doing the same while bowing.
"You don't need to do that." Mateo insists with the wave of his hand. "So, you're the Hot Springs Development Department?"
"That's right!" One of them piped up excitedly. "The one and only, if there are hot springs to be found, there is work to be done!"
"Fairly illegal work." Mateo notes as the others simply shrug at that.
"Well, that's to be expected," One of them said and was about to say something before she was interrupted by an explosion.
"Jesus Christ in Heaven!" Mateo curses as he flinches and tries to keep his balance in the ensuing tremors. "What the hell kind of explosives are you using in there?"
The closest he can think of is probably the CDC, when the Black Tusk were drilling into it.
"Strong ones!" One of the members says while extending a hand and bringing up her thumb.
"You are using them responsibly, right?" Mateo asks as he looks at the girls, "And not just wearing hard hats?"
"Of course!" Another says. "Getting hurt badly while doing something you enjoy just ruins it."
"That's good to hear. I might not be responsible for all of you, but I'd hate to hear any of you get hurt." Mateo says, relief clear in his voice as the members suddenly flushed and had trouble looking him in the eye. "Still, is your...um, leader here? Head? I'm still getting used to the terminology here."
"Sure." One of them says as she gets beside him and points to the cordoned area. "Just go in there and look for someone with a red shirt or red hair. The former is our Department Head and the latter is the Vice-President. Actually, why are you looking for them?"
"I'm looking for some people who have access to explosives and drills with the know-how to use them. Sadly, not for a hot spring." Mateo adds as the members visibly deflate. "Since, I found all of you here, with all the racket you're causing, I decided to try my luck."
"Oh, then go on right ahead." The member says. "Though, I suggest you wear this." They say while passing him a white hard head hat. "Explosions and shrapnel and whatnot. You are a teacher after all and it'd be bad if you lost some of that brain because of us."
"Thanks." Mateo says as he removes his hat, stowing it away and then placing the hard hat over his head. After making a few adjustments and making sure it fits, he nods to the members. "Then, take care and be careful out there."
"We will!" They say as he enters the cordoned area and the girls return to their jobs.
"HAHAHAHA!" Is the first thing I hear as I enter the area, watching as the members move around with experience and passion. "Here it is! Just one more and we'll have a new hot spring!" A young brunette says, a pair of horns popping from her head and her red halo having squiggly lines that seem to represent heat. She wore short-shorts with a red button-up and a long white coat off her shoulders as she waves them around.
"Yay~. Well done President. Just one more layer!" A redhead, and I mean redhead, says excitedly, the familiar gas tank and flamethrower on her back with a black jacket tied around her waist. She wore a sleeveless shirt and a short skirt as well and thigh-high socks with boots over it. Her own red halo had two layers and resembled flames as well.
ISAC names the former Kinugawa Kasumi and the latter Shimokura Megu.
Slowly and making sure not to knock down anything that looks important, I gradually make my way to the duo of pseudo-terrorists. "Oi, you two!" I yell as the duo turns to me in confusion, there I could see a bit more details like Kasumi's almost golden eyes and Megu's blue eyes, the patch on Megu's shirt, and her tail. Why does she have a tail? Actually, Megu has one too!
Why do they have tails?
Before I could think anymore about it, the two point at themselves in confusion as I nod and finally get close enough. "Yeah, you two are the leaders of this operation, right?"
"Yup~." Kasumi speaks first with a proud and smug smile. "I'm the President of the Hot Springs Development Department, Kinugawa Kasumi."
"I'm Shimokura Megu!" The redhead pipes up next. "And you're…" She looks at me for a long second, looking down and then up as her eyes brighten up at seeing the hard hat over my head. "You're a new member!"
"I can assure you I'm not, but I am excited to try out an actual hot spring one day." I admit as I look at the deep hole they're drilling. "Though I'm not so sure about that anymore if this is how it's done."
"Bah, trust me, this is nothing!" Kasumi proclaims, "This one probably won't last for too long anyway no matter what we do, so we decided to get it out of the way now rather than later. Still, are you here to stop us, Sensei~?"
"Ehhh?" Megu whines, her wide eyes turning to me in despair and leaving me a bit worried since I am in the middle of enemy territory and everyone seemed to turn to me in trepidation but continued working, at a slower pace. "But we're nearly done~. Can't this wait?"
"I'm not. Not today anyway." I admit, "Though this is being a nuisance, you're letting the people through?"
"Of course!" Kasumi proclaimed smugly, "It's one thing for the Prefect Team or the Valkyrie Police Force to go after us, but if we were a constant nuisance to the people, nothing would get done and every attempt to make a hot spring would end in failure. While I don't mind constant failure, it makes success taste that much sweeter, having no success is its own type of failure."
"How long did it take you to learn that?" I ask dryly.
"A few months into my time as the President!" She proclaimed with pride and smug superiority and shook my head.
"Right~." I drawl before shaking my head. "Anyway, I was wondering if you'd be busy in the next week or so."
"Oho~," Kasumi says as her eyes practically sparkle, as in literally turning to lights that seem to exude some light. "So you're here to talk shop. Does SCHALE want its own hot spring?"
"Sadly, it's a different matter. Just some demolition and digging around an area with a lot of sand, maybe evacuation if something happens. Of course," I add, "it won't be for free."
"Hmmm~." Kasumi says as she holds a hand to her chin and hums. "Mmmmm~." Her face scrunches up further. "Nnnnnnn~."
Finally, she opens them and nods. "Sure, do you wanna talk here or somewhere else?"
"At SCHALE, if you don't mind." I answer as ISAC informs me via ScanTek that the vehicle is here. "I have a vehicle ready to take us there, if you're interested."
"Sure~!" She says as she turns to Megu. "Megu, you're in charge while I'm gone."
"Yaaaay~!" Megu cheers as she turns and begins to bark, or more like sing, out orders as Kasumi turns to me.
"Then, let's go, Sensei~." The girl says as she follows after me and I lead her towards the vehicle.
"You sure they'll be fine?" I ask as I open the front door of the car, the driver nodding as she gives Kasumi a wary look before continuing to drive.
"Well, they'll either escape or they'll be caught. Then they'll be released, break out, or escape." Kasumi says without much worry. "Still, I didn't know SCHALE had a holding cell."
"I don't think it does, unless you count the unending paperwork as punishment, the GSC as wardens and myself as a prisoner then it can be seen as such. So," I say as I turn around and narrow my eyes at her as she froze, "I suggest you don't set off those explosives you've placed under your seat and you won't see a cell for a while. Entendido?"
She blinks in surprise before smiling smugly. "You're a lot more perceptive than I gave you credit for. Not interested in joining us?"
"As an officer with a standing contract to the current ruling body of Kivotos, I'm legally obligated to refuse such an offer." I say with a slight smile on my face. "And even without a contract, sorry, I'm not really interested in developing hot springs."
"Is that so~. Then maybe~," she responds, a smug smile on her face, "what if I need some help with homework?"
Coyly, I hum, "Well, that's a different matter entirely. But we'll see. I am pretty busy and fairly tired. So I'd like to get this entire thing done and dusted before I can lose any more sleep."
"Then, Sensei, what would you need us to do?" Kasumi asks with excitement while reaching under the seats and removing the explosives in there.
"Well, you know Abydos, right?" Kasumi nods before sighing.
"Yup, shame they're under so much sand. They actually let us dig up a few hot springs for them a few years ago when the Department was under a different Head." Kasumi says as I shrug.
"Well, we need something from the school building, or the Foreclosure Task Force needs something from the building. Sadly, like most things within the districts, it's buried in sand." I explain as Kasumi nods.
"Hmm, I think I get it." She says. "So you need us to go in there and retrieve it?"
"No." I answer. "We just need you to open up a path for us, and if needed open an exit. We'll retrieve it."
"Sounds simple enough." Kasumi notes before turning to me. "What's the catch?"
"What you'd expect, the possibility of enemies, things going wrong. The usual. In return…" I trail off as Kasumi's eyes shine.
"Money would be good and all, but we are the Hot Springs Development Department." Kasumi interjects as she leans forward. "Where do you think our interests lie?" She says as she swings from side-to-side. "And what a cruel world it is, where a poor poor group can't indulge in innocent interests like the development of hot springs, boo~." She says while making a fake crying sound as fake tears fall down her cheek.
Personally, I can't help the twitch of the mouth that comes as I realize what she wants. "So, lemme guess, you want the permit to develop a hot spring?"
"Oh, how kind~." Kasumi says as she hums while smiling. "You don't need to, but-."
"Then money's fine?" I interrupt as she jerks back and slowly turns to the side.
"W-Well…" She trails off as I shake my head.
"Gimme a second." I say as I look at the Shittim Chest.
"Psst, Sensei." Arona's voice speaks into my ear. "You can use your mind to talk to me or ISAC."
"How the hell does that work?" I ask within my mind as I can see Arona cheer.
"Like that! I can't hear anything you don't want me to hear, so don't worry, and neither can ISAC."
"Then," I answer mentally, "you managed to find the funds for Safe Houses?"
This time ISAC answers, "The amount of Safe Houses found in each district is sparse, particularly outside the D.U. Arona managed to find some contracts signed by certain locations and the GSC President to 'allow SCHALE assets, whether they be agents or materials, be stored within them' not to mention how the budget for these contracts is larger than most and has generally been accumulating."
"So," Arona starts, "we should have enough to set up a few Safe Houses in Abydos and have one in the Hot Springs~!" Arona says while humming as I sigh.
"You just want to get in the hot springs." I accuse mentally as Arona sputters out an attempt at a defense.
"Even if the Agent, somehow, goes over the budget with this, we can always dip into the food funds. It's not like the Agent cooks much."
"Eh, but he baked something for the girls." Arona points out.
"And that was a miracle. The Agent is stingy, especially when it comes to himself, why do you think his shoes are so old?" ISAC points out as I suddenly feel compelled to defend myself.
"Hey, I don't need the food anyway, ration bars and granola are enough for me." I retort mentally as I huff.
"Agent, such a mindset isn't healthy." ISAC reminds me as I roll my eyes.
"Yeah? It kept me alive in Silver Creek, D.C., New York, and everywhere else I've been." I retort mentally as I can hear Arona's worry as she pipes up next.
"Sensei, just because you're used to it, doesn't make it a good habit."
Sighing, I 'cut' the connection and turned to Kasumi. "Well, as long as you follow a few rules, I can sign off on a single hot spring."
"Woo-hoo~! What are they?" Kasumi asks as I begin raising a finger with each rule.
"I have to approve of the location. So obviously, no demolishing of roads, buildings, or any general harm to the citizens." I start and already Kasumi's face is scrunching up. "Second, a room has to be reserved for SCHALE with a little something extra."
"Hmm, and what would that be?" Kasumi asks as the two of us continue talking shop. Or, as best as I could. I've taught kids, teenagers, adults, and have been taught by them and as time went on in the States, people stopped immediately assuming Agents were evil and shooting everything in sight, I found out I quite enjoy going the slightly longer route of talking things out and sneaking around if I have to go violent. While it wasn't always successful, those years of teaching allowed me a bit of insight into psychology and I got better at making deals and mediating conflicts, even before the Dollar Flu, I blackmailed a government agency into allowing me to join them. But now that money's involved? It's a bit harder but I can do it. Hopefully.
"Here's fine." Kasumi says as the driver stops and Kasumi begins to shift. "I'd hate to bring trouble to Sensei if the Prefect Team sees me with you. Send me the contract and I'll sign off on it or suggest changes."
"Got it." I say, instinctively reaching over and ruffling her hair a bit to her surprise. "Try and stay out of trouble. I'll get the thing with Abydos straightened out and tell you when we're ready."
"R-Right." Kasumi says with a slight flush. "Then, later, Sensei!" She says while hopping off. I wave the brunette away and the driver continues the route to SCHALE.
After a beat of silence, the driver asks, "Um, should-should I keep quiet?"
"Depends. You want access to a hot spring?" I ask and she seems to fight with herself for a bit. "Besides, it's not like we were talking about anything illegal. Just a possible job a teacher needs done with a need for heavy machinery he doesn't have access to and a club that happens to have what he needs."
The driver shifts, "Uuu, why did it feel so illegal then?"
"It comes with the territory of being part of an extrajudicial organization." I answer with a bit of resignation, remembering my own stunts in my later time as an Agent once the conflicts began to die down, from making deals of questionable legality and performing some acts to make sure the deals went through. "...Sorry." I say, shaking my head as I sigh in disappointment, "I should've asked you to leave the car here."
"N-No. It's fine." The girl says, stuttering a bit. "I'm just glad it went well. I didn't notice she set those explosives until you did."
"I didn't either." I admit as the car swerves and the driver looks at me in shock and I have to stifle a laugh. "She asked about cells, it's obvious she was wary from the beginning." I say as I turn the Shittim Chest and open a new document, the holographic keyboard appearing as the driver 'ooh's in interest. "She might be crazy over hot springs, but she runs a tight ship of single-minded idiots who are also crazy over Hot Springs. She gives them orders, they follow, and they've continued to do so because she understands them and does her part." I shake my head as I read Ayane's response. "Take this from me, but crazy is it's own form of drug, on its own its unhealthy, suicidal, and does more harm than good, but once you get a group of people to indulge in that craziness and go along with it? Build off of it? Well, there's a reason the difference between a simple drug, whether it be recreational or a pharmaceutical, and a better one is how many people are working on it." Though, I quickly realize who I'm telling this to and sigh. "...Sorry."
"No, it's fine." The driver says. "I think I get it. She's able to be the president because she has a group crazy enough to follow her into action."
"Yeah. Same thing with leading troops or looking over a territory." I say, looking up as I let my head hit the back of the seat. "I should've used that one instead."
"That...doesn't really make sense." The driver admits.
"Soldiers and combatants are humans, and humans don't like feeling pain. You'd have to be crazy to lead a squad of such individuals and those individuals would have to also be crazy to go along with it. Hell, even Rinny is no exception." I snort at that. I mean really, asking a man you barely met and just appeared for help simply because the previous President said so?
"Th-That's…" The driver trails off as I shake my head.
"I mean honestly, who can manage a place like this? It's insane." I mutter under my breath.
I respect Rin and the previous President for dealing with all of this. Well, except for Abydos, I'm sorry Rinny, but you or the President should have tried something earlier. Now you have to deal with me.
I return to Ayane's response and read it over.
Thank you, Sensei. We have some tools we can use here, if that's fine.
I begin to type out my response.
Don't worry about it, I got some help, all they need is the greenlight and we'll have a group used to dealing with explosives, heavy machinery and other such things. The only thing that's really pending is bothering Rinny about the ammunition, but that's going to take a while since the GSC is convening for a while, which means a lot of paperwork for me, her, and whatever hapless victim is caught in the middle of it all. I can send them the schematics and other details so they can begin to prepare for a preliminary scouting.
After sending that, I return to editing the contract to be slightly more formal as Arona works on the contract for the Hot Springs Development Department with the help of ISAC. The two of them are sitting in the backseat as Arona nods along while ISAC points out parts that might need fixing.
Shaking my head, I see Ayane has answered.
Really? That's great! Who is it?
Gehenna's Hot Springs Development Department.
There's a second as Ayane was typing, stops, types again, stops again and finally, it stops as I return to editing the contract.
Soon, it is done, night is falling, and I'm inside the office once more as I look over the Hot Springs Department's contract and check the payment. A permit to develop a hot spring legally and manage it while allowing SCHALE to put a Safe House within. I'm already pretty tired, so I won't send them tonight, but…
I look in despair at the pile of paperwork and sigh.
Leaning back on the chair, I let my body relax for a bit before getting up. Time to go inspect the security system.
With that, I stand up and begin shifting stuff around and nodding when I find the rightful objects hidden within.
A knife inside a book, a gun inside a book, a double-barreled shotgun under my desk, shells hidden under the desk, ammunition inside drawers, an SMG under a couch, a Ballistics Shield taped to the coffee table, the Seeker Mine hidden behind a bookshelf, filling the filing cabinets with body armor, gloves, kneepads and elbow pads, masks and backpacks, more ammunition, armor plates, and more all the way in the back.
Now, did I get overexcited having access to so many weapons? Yes. Is each hidden weapon and trap strategically placed so that if something were to happen they'd easily be found and allow me time to activate a different trap or reach for another weapon? Absolutely. Does the Head of Security in charge of SCHALE know about this? Mostly. Do I need to inspect the defenses inside weekly and the outside defenses whenever possible when I have ISAC who can keep tabs on each of these with ease? No, but I like knowing where anything and everything is at any moment when it involves my safety.
Is this paranoia? I prefer to call it 'preparation' instead, after all, like the saying goes, 'it's not paranoia if they're really out to get you'. The Black Tusk invaded DC multiple times and other areas that I managed to make a deal with and that's not even mentioning Rogue Agents, Hunters, and rival factions. What Kivotos experienced on my first day I lived through for practically four years. I know the song and dance and I'll be damned if I don't do anything with as many tools I have at my disposal.
Once my office is done, I head to the other rooms and inspect those. Finding nothing wrong with the pistol in the fridge, the only thing in the fridge aside from alcohol and flour, beside the tupperware of borrachitas as I grabbed one and ate it, the sugar woke me up slightly as I continued.
Quickly, in my room, I set up a hologram to mimic 'my' morning routine when I'm not there and leave a pistol under the pillow and a sniper rifle under the bed.
I'm probably not going to be using it anytime soon anyway, not as long as the instincts and fears practically engraved into my soul from my time in the States are gone.
Slowly, I finish inspecting each room and sitting back down in front of the Shittim Chest, grabbing a ration bar and biting out of it as I look at Ayane's response.
Aren't they terrorists?
Passionate students. Students who need to know how to move with explosives, heavy machinery, and other odds and ends subtly to do what they do.
I scratch at my chin as I feel like I'm forgetting something…
Right!
Do you want any designs on your masks? Or do you just want them normal?
Orange has grown on me. Somewhat.
Thats nobofjnjo
…
What is going on?
Sorry. Nearly dropped my phone. Hoshino says it's fine as long as they don't cause trouble.
Good! As Rinny is very busy, I'll send in a request for that ammunition and she'll figure it out. I think.
… Fine.
I'll send the contracts tomorrow, for now, get some rest and focus on your schoolwork.
Good night, Sensei.
Night.
With that, I sigh as I slump. "That was tiring."
I haven't done that much since my time in D.C. or New York.
Sighing, I force myself up and head to the showers, pajamas in hand and ready to sleep.
Well, not like it'll be very restful, like usual.
Paperwork, field work, interview, and who knows what else.
Hopefully, nothing sparks any more...episodes or slip-ups. These are kids, not fellow Division Agents or Civilian Militia, I can't just say things like that. Fuck…
Slowly, while in the shower as warm water flows through my body, I try to keep my breathing steady as both my hands are on the wall. The phoenix that rises from the ashes, the insignia of the SHD, on my neck and a pair of punch knives pointing at each other with images of the American wildlife on my leg.
Scars on my arms from knives and other sharp objects hitting them, circular scars on my torso and legs from gunshots that passed through my defenses, a burn scar on my shoulder, a particularly bad scar on my hip courtesy from Kajika among some electrical scars from his traps and other similar scars.
…
Glaring at my body, a feeling of loathing courses through me as I recount every injury I can remember. "You're a pathetic sight." I growl out what Kelso told me all those years ago in D.C., unlike then, there wasn't pity in my voice, worry, or even a sense of worry. It was the truth. A set of faces pass through my mind as the loathing only increases. "It's no wonder you couldn't save them. No wonder they didn't want to stay with you."
From people I've failed to save and relationships that broke down because of me. All of them passed through my mind.
On one hand, I understand why each one happened. I was too slow, I wasn't strong enough, I missed a shot, I was knocked unconscious, and because of things outside of my control, I couldn't save them in time.
But the relationships...those were my choice. I chose to accept them and I chose to put my duty as an Agent before them. Not to say they weren't busy, a nurse, a teacher, and a cook. The first two were understandable why they lasted as long as they did, why they were more amicable to parting but that last one…
Only an idiot would miss why we broke up as roughly as we did. Being slapped hurt a lot more than a lot of things, we got over it, apologized and buried the hatchet, but…
Shaking my head, I turn off the shower and leave the bathroom, catching a glimpse of my body in the mirror, I shake my head in disgust and say nothing as I finish changing and go to sleep. This time, I was sleeping on the couch of the office again, thankful I took off my ScanTek and earpiece to shower so ISAC didn't have to hear what I said. Arona too.
The sun is peeking out the next morning. The orange sky is a beautiful thing to witness for the early risers, whether that be naturally, by force, or by choice.
Currently, atop a truck, three willing, and two unwilling, students are seated, waiting as the time draws near. From her spot on the truck, a silverette with her hair in a braid with a beige ribbon as the rest hangs normally, reaching her back with a single wing popping out, with an accessory attached to it, and a hat over her hair. She wore a simple shirt and skirt with a jacket hanging off her shoulders as she looked at the building otherwise known as the SCHALE building. "Fu~, so the time draws near." She says, her red halo resembling a crosshair with a circle in the middle following her movements.
Beside her, another student with ram horns turns to her in confusion, with beige hair tied into pigtails with red scrunchies, a cowlick, and while wearing a modified version of the Gehenna Academy uniform. The yellow halo in the shape of a burger follows as she looks at the fellow student next to her. "What are we doing?"
"Izumi, pay attention." The blonde scolds gently, the pink in her pupils making her blue irises stand out as her jagged horns pierce through her hair. Her uniform resembled a military uniform rather than a school one and her blue halo with a magenta center seemed to stand out. "We're here on business, to see Haruna off for her interview."
Meanwhile, the unwilling participant, a girl with ram horns, scarlet wings, and red hair in a bob cut with shoulder-length pigtails tied with black ribbons and pointy ears, looks at her fellow clubmates flatly. "...We might as well walk ourselves into the Prefect Team's cells."
"That's what you almost did when you caught a whiff of whatever Sensei baked Junko." Haruna, the silverette, points out as they remember having to hold her back from entering the Prefect Team's headquarters. Junko, meanwhile, exploded into a blush and looked away.
Their final, and most unwilling member, was a short girl, wearing a Gehenna uniform under a white apron, her navy hair sporting a pair of goat horns with pigtails and a yellow bandanna over her head with a gag on her mouth, preventing her from saying anything. The only thing she could do was pray Sensei would be fine.
Within the district of scientific wonder, ingenuity, and progress, a certain twin-tailed treasurer was looking at a certain report of a certain teacher.
She raises a brow and her mouth is hung open in disbelief as she tries to make sense of what she's seeing. Slowly, she closes her eyes and rubs the space in between her brows before opening, hoping for all that is holy that what she is seeing isn't true.
Once more, the report hasn't changed. She looks again, and again, but still the same.
Ever since Mateo stopped by, Yuuka has been diligently doing her work to open up some time for her to visit SCHALE, sometimes sleeping late but she now had the day free to visit him. To make sure he was spending responsibly, she checked out any invoices made to SCHALE, nothing.
No purchases, no wasteful spending, nothing. On paper that was good, but…
She couldn't help but worry…
"What are you looking at?" A white-haired girl asks from behind her as Yuuka yelps.
"Noa!" The blunette girl yelps as the girl looks at her screen as she glances at Yuuka. In a second, her impassive expression curled into one of amusement as she glanced coyly at Yuuka. "My, already checking his purchases? If I didn't know any better, it's like you two-."
"It's not like that!" Yuuka yells as Noa squints and her eyes widen in surprise.
"Are you wearing makeup?" She points out as Yuuka's blush only increases as she tries to convince her friend with near perfect memory that she saw something wrong.
In the end, she only managed to make it worse as Noa relentlessly teased her.