A/N: And I'm back! The next day! A few hours after the Blue Archive anime was released. And honestly, the opening on its own has me stressed. Specifically the images of Kaiser PMC(which were too many already) and its forces. Also, I'm afraid I'll need to go back and fix some things from earlier chapters. Hopefully it's not too much…
Speaking of fixing, I hate NGN(the YouTuber I watch for Division lore) but I love him too. He informs of so much since I haven't finished Warlords…I need to do that when I get back.
Anyway, onto responses:
GoldStar77: Except he has bullet proof armor. And Arona. It's not like Mateo's unaware of his role as a teacher, it's just that he chose to do so, not as an adult or a teacher, but because he'd feel shitty if he did so, not to mention Mateo is more of a stern hand than a gentle one. The quote is more or less just to find happiness in difficult times, in progress no matter how little it might be, and considering how the world was after the Dollar Flu, he needed it. As for the vol 3 quote, I really liked that moment, and I have a lot to say about it, but for now, I'll leave it at that. And, well, Arona will be affected, who wouldn't? As for the Division, if you can follow along with the story, then I hope I'm making this a good enough story for those who only play either BA or the Division.
The Disquieting One: Well…I dunno, I was pretty optimistic as a teenager. I also took a lot of things for granted before I entered university. Not to mention that you can't 'overdo' a game with a theme of 'story of youth' and then fill it with a bunch of crazy things. I get where you're coming from, but having Sensei be delegated to the background makes the most sense in stories like Blue Archive, along with the theme of 'duty' and 'responsibility', and forcing your own suffering onto someone isn't a very good thing to do, regardless of who you are. Anyway, you can have your own opinion, but I'm just glad you're (probably) enjoying this.
EmperorCeph: …Well, those drafts have been lost to the void, kinda. Maybe one day I'll bring them back. We'll see.
Now, that's about it, I hope all of you enjoyed it.
The next day, I wake like clockwork early within Abydos' infirmary, with Arona still fretting over me as I smile at her holographic form as if nothing happened yesterday, despite the aches telling me that I was injured. "Morning. Hungry?"
"Sensei, I-I-." She tries but I stop her as I lean forward, pain lancing through my body as I look at my injuries. Just a few cuts in bandages, probably would have been worse without the Restorer.
"Arona." I stop her as I pat her head. "It's fine. I'm alive, ain't I?"
"But, you were hurt!" The AI spoke, tears edging her eyes. "I-I was too late to protect you. I-I could've activated the barrier-."
"Wait, you can make a barrier?" I ask Arona as she nods and I look at her in disbelief. "Tha-How? That-That makes no sense, no matter how I cut it." I say as I try to understand how it can be done. Sure, the Defender Drone is similar, but it's not perfect even with all the modifications done to it over the years, and Arona can just...will one into existence?
How? That makes no sense? Like, I'm glad, but...
You know what? Later. "Besides," I say, relaxing as I leave that revelation to the side, or more like the idea is so incomprehensible that it's better to leave it at the moment, "I said I was fine."
"But I couldn't do anything!" She yelled, tears now falling freely. "I'm supposed to be Super Arona. Your trusty OS and assistant. And I wasn't even able to do that."
I frown at that as I sigh, looking away. "Do you regret it?" I ask despite the trepidation and anxiety I felt at her possible answer.
Arona doesn't answer, instead, she hugs me. Enveloping both arms around my neck and hooking her legs around my waist as she answers. "No. I know I can't stop you either."
A pang of guilt courses through me as I rub Arona's back. It was the truth, it's what I was trained to be after all. A half-baked agent taught at the worst time to learn while teaching others. Every act I've done will lead me to one place, and that is hell. Well, if I am sent there that means Heaven exists, and that means everyone better than me will go there.
Still…
"Arona, I need you to listen to me." I say as she leans back. "Don't use that ability unless I need it."
"But-."
"Arona, this armor can take a slug from a shotgun and even sniper fire on its own, the plates under it just make it more durable. Please," I plead to her, "it's the only thing you can do. With my armor, if you block every shot you'll just leave me vulnerable when I need it. So, please, can you do that?"
Neither of us look away until she nods and I smile. "Thank you." I say as I sigh in relief.
Leaning on the cot with a sigh, I glance down at a strangely unfamiliar object on my wrist. It's an object that's been there for years and was replaced by another, better model. It's only after I lost it that his voice rang out in my mind.
Keener…
My mind blanks at his name as I release a puff of air. Among the many feelings the name stirs up, respect and distaste are among the feelings that pop up. A man who managed to see things before anyone else could and successfully planned a way for his legacy to save the US, even after his death.
An Agent, through and through.
His watch, now mine, is a memento and a reminder. Of what power can do and how far those in power are willing to reach their goal and gain more. Like the ones in the background trying to kick the Abydos kids out. Kaiser…
I'd bite my tongue and bleed out if they're not the ones behind it. I shouldn't throw my extrajudicial weight around, but having a PMC around me…
It's making me twitchy. Still, this isn't post-Dollar Flu America, but Kivotos, a place with laws and regulations that should be followed. Doesn't make it any easier though.
I look at my injury and how I acted last night. "I'm not going to be accepted into the raid later in the afternoon, am I?"
"Nope." Multiple voices speak at once as Ayane moves the curtain, relieved but also fairly cross with me. "We're thinking of postponing it."
"We can't." I start, past experiences coming to mind as I continue. "The longer we wait, the lower our chance of success will be. Jus-ah!" I yelp as I try to stand up but stumble as I find the injury in my leg worse than I thought it was.
"But you're still injured. You can't go and fight with the others." Ayane retorted as she tried to make me see things logically. Of course, I refused.
"I can, just give me my bag-." I ask and Ayane's glare practically nails me to the floor as she grabs my Go-Bag, stopping for a second because of how heavy it is before returning to glare at me as she steps away.
"Don't be stubborn!" Ayane yells as her voice cracks. "We-We were worried, your injuries were bad, really bad, and-and I-."
Shit, was she going to cry? Shit. "Al-Alright! I'll take a supporting role on this one."
"You need to rest, Sensei." Ayane insists as I find myself having trouble refusing with how...earnest she was being. She wasn't looking at me like an Agent whose injuries are bad enough that he'll die if he goes out again, but as a girl worried for someone she cares for. Sadly, I'm a stubborn idiot.
"I'll rest when a Base of Operations is set up. I swear, just, Ayane, please." I plead as I grab her hand. "I can't do nothing while you girls risk your life, so I'll take a supporting role this time."
"Sen-."
"At this point, you should just give up." Hoshino says as she walks into the infirmary. "We all knew he was going to be there regardless of what we wished."
"Morning." I greet Hoshino as she smiles back.
"Yahoo~, how's your morning been Sensei?" She asks as I shrug.
"Oh you know, being fretted over by a girl like Ayane…" I trail off as I look over Ayane before smiling goofily, "It's practically a dream come true."
"Sensei!" Ayane yelps, swatting at my arm before retracting it, "Ah, I'm so-."
"It's fine already. I didn't go through years of disasters just to fall in one hit." I say as I sigh. "So, I won't be able to join, huh?"
Looking at the clock, I see that it's ten in the afternoon to my surprise. The only time I can remember waking up that late was pre-Dollar Flu or very...active nights with one of my exes.
Still, that leaves… "Seven hours, huh?" I mutter.
I wonder…
Well, I'm going to be revealing it to them anyway. "I'm going to call a heli." I inform them. "I need to get some shopping done and gather all the materials you'll need. Gather everyone in the room in thirty minutes and I'll give everyone a briefing."
"Ueh~, what a slave driver." Hoshino says with a regretful sigh. "Alright, Sensei. Do you need something else?"
"Hold off on celebrating until later." I answer with a slight smile. "And some hot chocolate, if you'd be willing."
Half an hour later after calling Shiba Seki and assuring the shiba inu of Seika's fate, I'm changed and in front of the Foreclosure Task Force. "So, due to Ayane's orders, I won't be able to join you on the mission tonight, so I'll be joining her in mission control and leading you from the back."
"You should rest, Sensei." Shiroko suggests, "You worked very hard last night."
"Yeah." Serika says, her eyes on my injuries as she looks away. "Doing something like this right after what happened…"
"Your worry is charming, really and I appreciate it," I say before taking a sip from the hot chocolate, "but that doesn't change what we need, and that is a Base of Operations. And for that, we need to start somewhere. The Helmet Gangsters gained access to some heavy artillery they didn't have before and the only ones who own a part of the land in Abydos is-."
"Kaiser." Hoshino mutters. "That's…"
"Horrible and the worst-case scenario." I interrupt, not like I actually believe it's anyone else. "But also not the problem at the moment. With that data in the remains of the high school is what could be the answer to Abydos' debt problems." I answer as I perk their interest. "'Could' I reiterate. Still, this is an order for all of you. Stay in Abydos and unwind, yesterday...it was stressful," my eyes land on Serika, "for some more so than others. Catch up on homework, work for a bit, but do not, under any circumstances, exhaust yourself. We'll be needing that energy for the afternoon. The operation will kick off in seven hours at five in the afternoon, go out and buy some ammunition and send the bill to SCHALE since Ayane is going to be inspecting our loot and see where it comes from until she's done, no one should grab anything. With that, the Foreclosure Task Force is dismissed." I announce as the girls visibly relax.
"Also, you never answered my question about mask designs." I add to the amusement of some.
Soon, I was leaving to be picked up by the heli only to stop, "U-Um, Sensei," Serika starts, hand on my shirt, a blush on her face for some reason, "c-can I talk to you?"
"Sure." I answer, turning as I jerk my head to the side towards a classroom, "You wanna do it in private or…"
"I'm sorry." Serika says while bowing, to my surprise, "You got hurt because of me, and-."
"Stop." I order, as Serika stiffens at the authority in my voice, authority I rarely use unless I want something done quickly or I'm training some of the Civilian Militia. Slowly, I gently grab her shoulder as I lower myself a bit, ignoring the slight stings of pain at the movement, "Serika, look at me."
Slowly, her eyes rise to meet mine. "When I picked up a gun for the first time, I knew what I was getting into, injuries are an occupational hazard regardless of how they're gained. But at the end of the day, I chose to do so, just like I chose to help you. Unsuccessfully." I mutter as she seems to want to retort but I stop her. "The point is that worrying will get us nowhere, and blaming ourselves will help no one. I'm just happy you're okay. So let's put that energy you have into something productive, like the operation taking place later."
"But your leg-."
"Will heal. A week at most for the cuts to close up." I add with the shake of my head, "It's still there, and still working, if not with a bit of trouble."
"Th-Then, can I go with you?" Serika asks to my confusion, "You're still limping and I was so ungrateful even before the kidnapping. I can help you with getting what we need."
"Are you sure?" I ask, looking behind her to see Nonomi, Ayane, Shiroko, and Hoshino looking on with varying emotions on their faces.
"It'll be fine~." Nonomi says, surprising Serika as she spun around.
"How youthful." Hoshino says as Serika's face explodes into a red color.
"Unfair. I'll go too." Shiroko proclaims as she walks towards us with the others behind her, stopping in front of me with a satisfied huff.
"Wai-what are you-!" Serika starts but I interrupt.
"Isn't that too much?" I ask. "I mean-."
"It'll be fine." Hoshino says with a wave of her hand. "We can get the ammunition on our own, so let the two have their fun."
"Fun!?" Serika yelped, her face flushed red as I sigh.
"Let's go, Sensei." Shiroko insists as she pulls me along.
"W-Wait, don't be so rough!" Serika warns as she follows behind.
Meanwhile I turn to see Nonomi waving at me while Ayane just sighed while shaking her head, "Take care of them, Sensei. We'll see you later!"
"Fine." I return in exasperation. "I'll be back, so don't worry about it."
With that, Shiroko and Serika helped me, and my newly acquired bike onto the helicopter. "You seem a bit rough Sensei, you alright?"
"I'll live. We're going to SCHALE today, no detours this time." I answer.
"Affirmative. Charting course. Strap in, it should be calm but who knows." The Pilot warns as I sit in between Serika and Shiroko instead of looking out the sides like I usually would.
"Got it." I say as I reach over to Serika as she yelps.
"Per-What are you doing!?" She yelps as I look at her in confusion.
"I'm just checking if you're strapped in." I say as she glares at me with a blush. "I swear."
"Nn, can you check mine, Sensei." Shiroko asks, puffing out her chest, to my confusion, as I begin to shift my body to look at her, inwardly worried on how to avoid touching anything inappropriate while doing the inspection.
"W-Wait, weren't you going to check mine first?" Serika asks as I look at her in confusion.
"You lost your chance." Shiroko interjects and Serika glares at her.
"What was that?" Serika asks while I sigh in between the two. Sparks coming from the two.
"Trouble in paradise?" The pilot asks as I could hear a few clicks. "Give me a second."
A second later the one who I believe is the co-pilot appears as she checks the girl's straps, fixes them and returns after flashing me a thumbs up and I flash it back. Still, Serika and Shiroko seem disappointed at the turn of events.
"We're all good. Also, where did you get that bike from?" The Pilot asks.
"In the desert." I answer. "For now, just take us back there."
"Affirmative. I guess you don't want your injuries showcased on Kronos?"
"Sure," I answer, "that'd be appreciated."
Soon, we were on a course back to SCHALE.
Removing the straps, I step out before Shiroko or Serika can and hold out my hand as Shiroko takes it and hops out before doing the same to Serika, who grabbed it with more reluctance as I signaled them to follow me.
Soon, we were back in the office as I sat down on the chair. "Urgh, paperwork." I groan as my stomach rumbles. "Food…" Reaching into my bag, I grab a ration bar and bite out of it, the dull taste comforting as I continue eating. I glance at Serika and Shiroko who are looking around, "C'mon, make yourselves at home." I say as I begin the paperwork. It's not as much since it seems like the city's getting acclimated to having Rin as the Acting President.
"Weren't you going to run some errands?" Serika asks as Shiroko nods.
"Well, some of it is personal but yes." I say as I grab a paper and begin writing on it. Sure, the power might mostly be out and the files corrupted, but that doesn't mean we can't try. "I'm thinking of broadening the scope of our search later. Which is why we need these." I say as I pass over the note and Serika grabs it and Shiroko looks at it.
"Fuses, explosives, and detonators...sounds simple enough." Serika mutters. "Is this it?"
"Well, most of my business was personal, I'm thinking of visiting a church in Trinity and I need to fix my armor among other things." I say. "Besides, SCHALE personnel are already setting up all the other tools we need. So, while you do that, I'll start here, then we can go and do a few other things, alright?"
"Well, if you're sure."
"Nn." Shiroko answers. "We'll be back."
"Good luck." I call back, waiting for them to leave before I sigh once they do.
"Arona," I call as Arona appears, "access the Crafting Chamber."
"What do you need?" Arona asks as I sigh. This is probably a bad idea, but…
"I need audiometric earpieces, ScanTek lenses, Smart Watches, masks, and Bricks for each of the Foreclosure Task Force." I say as I take a deep breath, considering I'm about to reveal one of my secrets. "Work with ISAC to tweak them to make them provisional."
"Really!? Can I change the color!?" He requests as I was about to refuse, but…
They're not Agents, and I sure as hell ain't gonna train anyone to become like me, so maybe…
"Fine." I relent as Arona cheers as she flickers out and I sigh as I proceed to remove my vest and inspect it before nodding. "Yeah, that looks good." A few scratches, but reaching into my Go-Bag, I bring out a few pieces of kevlar and begin the process of fixing up the body armor.
Time passes as soon, Serika and Shiroko return, bags of breach charges in them. "We're back!"
"Fuses obtained." Shiroko says with bright eyes.
"Good work," I say as I put my body armor back on. "Help me move a few things," I say as I get up before heading to the elevator, Shiroko and Serika following as I choose the armory.
"What are we moving?" Serika asks and I shrug.
"Just a few of my own personal weapons." I answer. "Nothing too big, they shouldn't be too heavy. Most of them are disassembled so I'll need to reassemble them." I answer as they nod.
"What kind of weapons?" Shiroko asks, interest clear in her voice and a sentiment shared by Serika, if the slight twitch of her ear is any evidence.
"Rifles, shotguns, LMGs, SMGs, and pistols along with a bit more." I answer as they seem surprised.
"Wait, like that shotgun that those Helmet Gangsters shot me with?" Serika asks, rubbing her stomach with a grimace. "You have more like those?"
"The Lullaby? Yeah." I answer. "It's actually my preferred loadout, an assault rifle, a shotgun, and my pistol. With my TAC-50C it covers all ranges, leaving me with a bevy of options."
"And you're sure no one can get them?" Serika asks, looking a bit worried as I nod.
"I am as sure as I can be. C'mon." I say as I lead them through SCHALEs armory, the two looking around in shock at all the weaponry, from Japanese, to Chinese, and American, you can find a lot in this place. Finally, we reach the location where my stash box is at. An empty wall with a worktable in front of it at the deeper part of the armory, within a small closed-off area.
"Is this it?" Shiroko asks as I nod.
"Just give me a second." I say as I dig my hands into the gap of the foam and pull the hatch, a subtle hydraulic his ringing out as the wall folds and then opens, revealing some of the weapons already hung up.
"Holy-!" Serika jumps in surprise.
"Wow~." Shiroko croons in interest, her face barely twitching but still visibly shining in interest.
I can't help but smile as I point at my stash box. "Open that up and start bringing me my weapons, please."
"Nn."
"R-Right." Serika says as she goes to my Stash box and brings out the first case.
Opening it reveals the Nemesis, the second strongest sniper in my arsenal as I smile. Putting it aside, I note out loud, "Not that one. We might need it for the mission."
This time, Shiroko brings me a familiar weapon, her eyes sparkling as I recognize it. Smiling, I open the case to reveal the Mechanical Animal, the SIG 556 like Shiroko's own weapon. Slowly, I begin the process of re-assembling the weapon with all of my modifications, from an extended mag to a holo-sight, a muzzle break, and an angled grip as I switch tools when needed. Idly, I pull back the charging handle and inspect the weapons before nodding, letting it snap close as I load the empty magazine in. "Put that one over there." I tell Shiroko as she grabs it, her eyes flashing and ears twitching as she looks at the weapon in her hand.
I let her do that as Serika comes over, pouting and blushing as she places the case in her hand on the table, "Here."
I look at it and recognize it immediately, opening it reveals the Regulus as my ScanTek informs me of a description.
Cast your stones at kings on thrones but at the end rat gnaws our bones.
Kajika had a saying for everything, didn't he?
The Regulus begins coming together as I twirl it a few times once it's finished and pass it to Serika grip first, and point to where it goes.
We continued this little activity with a few interruptions, particularly…
"Is that a gold gun!" Serika yells as Shiroko moves over to see what Serika was talking about and her eyes widen. Yeah, that was a common reaction to the Bullet King.
"It's painted gold." I answer. "I think." I add as I finish building it, looping the ammo belt around it before, just to make sure, I check the Magazine of Holding. Yeah, still the same. How the hell does this monstrosity fit a thousand bullets?
Still, I give it to Serika who seems reluctant and almost too quick to set it in its place, opposite of Shiroko who seems tempted to take it right off its place but holds back.
Another is the Chameleon.
"Sensei." Shiroko starts as I look away from the gun.
"Yeah?" I ask as I turn to her as her eyes blink at the table.
"The gun disappeared."
"What!?" Serika yells as she looks around. "What are you talking about?! Guns don't just grow legs!"
I place the Assault turret on the table as legs pop out, helping it stand up as Shiroko looks at Serika with the barest of smugness in her expression. "Those are exceptions!" Serika says with a flushed expression. "Oh, we have to find-."
The sound of a charging handle being pulled rings out as the camouflage of the Chameleon goes down and returns to its usual setting of white as I smile. "I think I found it." I say as Serika seems befuddled and Shiroko just seems more interested.
In the end, we manage to clear out the box and fill up the slots in good time as I nod. "Good work, both of you."
Serika still seems a bit exhausted and Shiroko just seems sad that the interesting guns stopped. The only ones remaining are Lullaby, Safety Distance, and the Nemesis. I put back Safety Distance and Lullaby before re-assembling Nemesis and then reaching under the workbench to pull out a case where I got the TAC-50C and put it away, for now.
After all, lacking programming skills I might have, I make for a pretty good Technician when the need arises. I also already have the P-017 Missile Launcher, but I'll grab that later.
Still, holstering the Nemesis, I look through my weapons and think about which one I need. I'll be taking a backline role today, so maybe I can use some of my more specialized ammunition…
Still, I also need something to fall back on…
In the end, I'm going to be going a bit heavy today as I pick the Bluescreen with its special Disruptor Rounds and then grab the Backup Boomstick.
I grab the needed rounds, place them in my backpack in their respective place and make sure my mobility isn't too affected and nod. "Right, that's done."
"What weapons were those?" Shiroko asks as I shift.
"The Nemesis," I say while pointing at the sniper rifle, "uses an electromagnetic accelerator to shoot specialized bullets,-"
"So a railgun." Serika interrupts with a flat disbelieving look.
"-no, it's a coilgun," I correct her with far more gentleness than the R&D Department had when I said the exact same thing, "there's a difference. The LMG is called the Bluescreen, it uses Disruptor rounds so it disrupts electrical appliances,-."
"Where does a first responder get a weapon like that?" Serika asks in disbelief.
"-and the Backup Boomstick is a sawed-off double barrel shotgun." I say as Shiroko nods in understanding.
"That's it!?" Serika asks in shock. "Just...a sawed-off? After all of that?!"
"Yup. Now, let's get onto more personal things." I answer as my body quickly finds its balance under the combined weight of an LMG and sniper rifle, my injuries already feeling better as I find myself walking with more ease. "Still, I think I can do this on my own, so you girls can-."
"No."
"Nuh-uh."
I stare at Serika and Shiroko, the former refusing with a slight blush and the latter simply closing it before I can even finish. Sighing, I resign myself to fate. "Right… Then to Trinity we go."
My old clothes are replaced by a white hoodie over a gray shirt and jeans and my mask is back in place, hiding my injuries, as I walk beside Hasumi. "Sorry for bothering you while you're on patrol."
"Not at all," Hasumi says with a shake of her head and a small smile, "it's the responsibility of the Justice Task Force to escort people like you, Sensei. Still, I've heard you've been in Abydos recently." She notes, her eyes landing on Serika and Shiroko. The former inching closer towards me as she seems uncomfortable and Shiroko's head swivels around, as if looking for something. "It seems like you've been doing good work too."
"How-Oh right." I interrupt myself as I remember what I posted yesterday. "That. Well, it is what it is, I've gotta make it look like I'm doing my job. Besides," I say as I place a hand on Shiroko's and Serika's head and rustle it gently, "I can't take all the credit, these girls did most of the heavy-lifting, I was just there to help."
"H-Hey! What are you doing?" Serika asks with a glare as I remove my hand from her head but Shiroko stops me from removing my hand from her head.
"Nn, keep going." Shiroko requests, to my confusion as I sigh under Serika's glare.
"Well, my job isn't done yet anyway." I say after rustling Shiroko's head a bit before removing it, to her disappointment. "So until it is, I won't be around for too much so SCHALE might be empty for a while."
"That's fine." Hasumi says with a fond smile. "Trinity…" Hasumi trails off, "well it'll be fine."
"Of course it will, it has Tsurugi and you in it." I answer with a smile as Hasumi bashfully blushes and glances away.
"Is the President of the JTF around?" Shiroko asks as she looks around, her hands inching towards her gun.
"Don't start a fight in a different district!" Serika scolds as Shiroko frowns, her ears drooping slightly as she seems to pout.
"Well," Hasumi says with a twitch of her own mouth, "I don't believe Tsurugi is here at the moment."
"Really, what's she doing?" I ask as Hasumi's phone begins to ring, she stares at it for a second as she turns to us with a regretful look. "Go ahead and answer."
Nodding, Hasumi does so. "Yeah?" A pause as someone speaks on the other side. "Right, I'll be over in a second." She sighs before turning to us regretfully, "I'm sorry, I wish I could continue escorting you but-."
"Duty calls." I interrupt. "Don't worry, the church is right over there, correct?" I ask and she nods. "Then we can find our way there. Go kick some ass."
Smiling in relief, Hasumi nods. "Take care, Sensei." She says as she begins to run.
With that, we continue on our way to the church. "You seemed like you were having fun." Serika points out sharply, for some reason as I turn to her.
"I was…" I admit, "I didn't get to talk to her much last time I was here.
"That so?" Serika asks before harrumphing and looking away. "Whatever, let's go to this church or whatever."
"That's the wrong way." I point out, to her embarrassment as she turns around.
"I-I knew that." She stutters out as she stomps in the correct direction this time.
Soon, we found ourselves by one of the churches of Trinity. It seems like class is in session since there's not as many students around but I can see some of the students in nun habits or modified versions of them. For some reason, I can even see one on the roof as I take a moment to look at her, as she seems to realize I'm looking at her, unnerving her before she ducks under cover.
"Is that Sensei?"
"I think so, though don't his weapons look different?"
"Wow, he's so handsome!" I ignore that one and all similar mentions of my looks.
Jesus, I know these girls are full of hormones, I wasn't much better as a teenager, but I can hear you. Glancing around, I can see a visible blush on some of their faces.
"Are those the Abydos students?"
"I heard he's been in that desert for a while."
The gossiping students I've heard ever since I stepped foot in here seems to increase as I sigh. "Can't they mind their damn business." Serika grits out under her breath.
"Nn, let's go, Sensei." Shiroko insists as I open the door to the church.
It's quiet, a stark difference to the outside as I spot the main characteristic of the church, the cross, with the pews seating a few students and sisters. To the right and left I can see hallways that lead to classrooms where there are TVs showing lessons as I hum. "Catholic school, huh?" I mutter under my breath as the silence is broken by the sound of heels hitting the floor.
"Welcome," a soft and gentle voice says, "Sensei, guests." She says as we turn around to see where the sound is coming from. "The Sisterhood of Trinity welcomes you."
The woman that came to greet us wielded a familiar weapon, a CTAR-21 assault rifle with a bird as the front sights for some reason. The sister herself had silver hair, brown eyes narrowed and a gentle smile that is simultaneously beautiful and unnerving, enigmatic in a way, like she's trying to figure out a puzzle. Her uniform is modified to be a mix between a schoolgirl uniform and a nun's habit, with a long veil atop her head, the Trinity symbol on the white portion of her habit, and a blue ribbon around her neck and shoulders. I could see a slight gap in between her skirt, which definitely wasn't the length sisters normally wore, and thigh high socks before my eyes went back to her halo, a pure white with a pair of birds, probably doves, on either side and a cross in the middle.
"Sister Utazumi." I respond in kind as ISAC reveals her name, a bit more respectful than I should, but I was raised in a Catholic household and taught to refer to nuns as such. "Er…" I trail off, "I...accept the welcome…?" I wish Ayane was here, she might know what to do.
"Uh…" Serika trails off, blushing, "Hi."
"Hello." Shiroko answers.
She nods to the two before her eyes land on me, "Thank you, Sensei, but just Sakurako is fine."
"Then Sakurako. Mateo Vernes." I introduce myself as she seems to brighten up slightly as I look around, "Nice place you have here."
"Thank you. If you wish, I could give you a tour. This is a humbler church, but it is not without its charm, don't you think so, Sensei?"… Is-Is she threatening us? Is this blackmail?
From her tone to her very way of singling me out each time, it feels like an insult and a warning at the same time. Even the class she exudes added to this feeling.
Even Serika was narrowing her eyes at her while Shiroko's hand inches towards her gun. Maybe I'm looking into it too much.
"I actually prefer it that way." I admit. I've been in a bunch of churches, from mega-churches seen in Texas to mosques, and other such religious spaces, but smaller churches have always been more my style. "Though worship for me has always been more for comfort."
"Is that so?" Sakurako asks with an intrigued frown, "Might I ask why that is so?"
"It just never clicked, but it was the only tie I had to people I care about while I was working as a first responder." I answer, which is true. The last time I saw my parents was when I stopped by a Settlement in Virginia and they gave me the rosary I have attached to my backpack, among the countless other trophies on it. "So I tried to stop by when I had the time."
"Truly?" Sakurako asks, a bit of suspicion in her own eyes. "Forgive me for saying this, but your weapons don't seem like ones used by security contractors." She says as I nod.
"Extenuating circumstances led to a change in directives. It…" I trail off as I shake off the memories, "Rude it might sound, but it ain't something worth talking about." I finish as I glance at the sister, not even trying to hide her interest. "Much less in such a public space."
Sakurako seems a bit ashamed as she answers. "Of course, forgive me. You're here for a reason, so please don't let me stop you."
"Just here for a bit of a prayer and…" I trail off as I sigh, "Just fulfilling a promise a bit overdue." I say as I grab my Go-Bag and bring out my rosary. "Do you know anyone who can bless this?"
"Of course." Sakurako says, gently grabbing the rosary, "Let me do it, but first, do you pray to any saint in particular?"
Saint? So it's not really based on God and Christ? "No, not really."
She nods as she smiles. Clasping the rosary, she brought it to her mouth as she began to pray, as I suddenly came to a realization.
A student and a woman of the cloth, that's what she was. What that means back home and here might be different, but treating her with as much suspicion as I have is simply unfair.
Soon, she is done, smiling as she passes the rosary back to me. "You have cared for it well, despite the turbulent times you have been through, Sensei." She says as she clasps my hands with a smile. "I hope to see you once more."
"I'll see if I can." I answer with a smile as I place the rosary back on my Go-Bag.
"Then, until we meet again, may grace be with you all." Sakurako says with a slight bow, she turns around and leaves, in a better mood than before as I smile.
"You too Sakurako." I say as I sit down on one of the pews and kneel, clasping my hand together as I revert to Spanish as I prayed, as I always did.
Finally, I nod as I stand up. "Right," I say as I nod to Serika and Shiroko, "that's about it for personal business, let's go to SCHALE and finish up." I say as the two nod.
After all, we have a mission to complete.
A few hours later, going through any paperwork that needs doing and relaxing with Shiroko and Serika, the time arrives to meet the Hot Springs Development Department.
"Yoohoo~, Sensei!" Kasumi waves at me from her position beside a tent, the Foreclosure Task Force's vehicle as the SCHALE aircraft landed. "It's good to see you!"
Shiroko and Serika exit as I follow behind them. "Same to you. How's everything going along?"
"Mmh, everything's ready, even those last-minute additions you made." Kasumi says. "We have members ready to extract the Foreclosure Task Force, make a quick getaway if needed, and load up anything that needs loading."
"Ah, Sensei!" I hear as I nearly fall over, bothering a few injuries as Megu jumps on my back. "It's good to see you again!"
"You too Megu." I groan as I ignore the pains, "But could you get off? I got a cut on my leg."
"Oh. Sorry." Megu says as she jumps off, seeming a bit sheepish.
"So that's the change of plans." Kasumi notes as I sheepishly scratch my head. "Well, the others are waiting in the Command Center. What happens next doesn't matter as long as we can make hot springs!"
"One." I remind her. "Where we agreed on."
"Right, right!" Kasumi waves it away as she walks off with Megu. "We'll be waiting for your call, Sensei."
"Right." I call back as I turn to Shiroko and Serika, the box in my hand shaking as I jostle the missile launcher over my shoulder.
We enter the tent, a table in the middle with maps on it as Ayane is typing on her laptop, Nonomi was sitting beside her while Hoshino was resting on the table. Ayane perked up and turned to us with a smile. "Welcome back, Sensei, Shiroko, and Serika."
"We're back." Serika announces.
"Nn." Shiroko adds, sitting down on the table as Hoshino woke up and Nonomi smiled.
"Well, how was your day with Sensei?" Hoshino asks as Serika shrugs.
"It was okay."
"There's a lot of competition." Shiroko states, to my confusion and Hoshino's amusement.
"Oho~, tell me more."
"Guys~!" Ayane whined as Nonomi giggled and Serika blushed.
Meanwhile, I placed the box on the table, loudly, gaining their attention. "Foreclosure Task Force, what I'm about to let you use is a one-time thing, possibly." I explain with a straight face, "What you get will be returned to me or it will be thrown away, am I understood?"
The Foreclosure Task Force glances at each other as they seem to have a conversation with their eyes before turning to me, nodding as I smile. "Understood." Hoshino confirms.
"Then," I start as I open the box, "take one of each." I answer as I turn it to them, revealing a set of gear.
Gear that will now be known as SCHALE Tech, not SHD but SCHALE. Within it, is a white brick with a circle in the middle, a white watch, audiometric earpieces, and contact lenses. "This is a SCHALE operation as much as it is Abydos, I won't be going with you, but this should more than make up for it. Compared to my own gear," I admit, "it's a downgrade, but it'll work."
Slowly, the girls reach over and grab it as they look at the gear. It reminds me of the iconic Power Rangers scene where the rangers discover what gives them power or their morpher.
It's awesome.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" I ask. "Put 'em on." I say as they nod and I place some eye drops on the table. "We don't have all day."
With that, the group begins to set themselves up, placing their Smart Watches on their wrist and hanging the Bricks on certain places. Hoshino has hers on her tactical brace, Serika has hers on her uniform, Shiroko, who has a duffel bag like I asked, placed hers on the strap of it, Nonomi keeps hers on her uniform as well and Ayane ties it on hers as well. The earpieces were easy enough, but the contacts took a bit of work, but they did it.
Finally, their masks, Serika's, was simple black with red accents, resembling a more mundane gas mask, Ayane's is white with red accents and was simple like Serika's. Nonomi's was softer and rounder with green accents and a bit more design-oriented. Hoshino's is black with pink accents and was angular with nothing else to it. Shiroko, on the other hand…
The mask I use is a modified Nightwatcher by Gila Guard, it isn't a very bulky mask but that was mostly because of the modifications I made and after practice and error with R&D helping, I perfected it, so it's a reliable mask, or it was before Wakamo cut it, then blown up, but using the Crafting Chamber makes it easy to make another one. Regardless, it was a black mask with a bit of gray on the sides and orange accents. Shiroko wanted the exact same one I had, but with blue accents.
"Everything good?" I ask as the Task Force continues fixing their masks. "Test it out, get used to breathing with it, then we can get to the briefing." I say as I flash a thumbs up, soon, the others are ready with thumbs up too. "Good. ISAC, activate protocol SCHALE."
As one, all the others jump as they hear ISAC in their ears. "Activating protocol. Welcome, Takanashi Hoshino, Izayoi Nonomi, Sunaookami Shiroko, Okusora Ayane, and Kuromi Serika."
"Wait, what's going on!?" Serika yells as she looks at her wrist. "Wait, the watches!"
The girls all look at their watches, a hologram appearing as it sets the time, showing their coordinates, and more. Very basic stuff, a stark contrast to my own modified watch, well… not mine per se, Keener's, but I've had it for so long, it's practically mine.
"Please hold for a moment, syncing ScanTek to Smart Watches...Done. Syncing SCHALE bricks...done."
I couldn't see what they were doing, but I saw the way their eyes glowed blue for a second as they looked around in wonder. "Wha-What is this?" Ayane asks.
"It's like we're in a movie!" Nonomi cheers.
"...Nn." Shiroko's response came a few seconds too late.
"Is this how you see things, Sensei?" Serika asks as all of them turn to me and I shrug.
"In a way. Keep in mind, this isn't a permanent thing. At this point, you mostly know that my first responder story is a cover, but not a complete lie either." I admit. "I was an Agent, tasked with the re-establishment of the government after a biological catastrophe. Any more than that…" I trail off before chuckling, "well, it's a secret."
"So you were a secret agent?!" Hoshino points out in shock. "I never would have guessed that."
"I am still a teacher." I answer before looking away and muttering under my breath. "Just, without a degree. Or a complete High School education."
"Hold on." Ayane interjects sharply with worry and disbelief in her voice. "What was that last part?" Ayane asks, but I ignore her, sadly.
"Now, ISAC here," I say as ISAC appears in front of them, to their shock, "is an AI that assists me in combat, he will be doing the same to you. Monitoring your vitals, your ammunition, grenades, and generally leading you with me and Ayane providing support. Don't slack off though."
"Greetings. I thank you for helping the Agent." He says as I roll my eyes.
"...It's like a movie!" Nonomi cheers from under her mask.
I snap my fingers. "Alright, attention." I say, adding a bit of authority as they turn to me. "There's been a change of plans." I say as I 'grab' a piece of light from my Watch and place it on the table, a hologram of the area appearing as waypoints begin to appear. "These are our avenues of entrance, and these," more 'points' appear, "are our lookouts, they'll call in if they see something strange or you find something heavy. Masks stay on at all times and don't take risks." I remind them as they nod.
"Good. Now, the strategy for today is a smash-and-grab." I say as Shiroko leans forward. "We'll be separated into three teams. Ayane and I will run mission control, so if you need something, any questions, ask ISAC or call-in. Now, the rest of you," I say, pointing to the group, "will be split into two groups. Hoshino and Shiroko are in one, Serika and Nonomi in the other. Team one and two respectively-."
"Ooh!" Hoshino raises her hand while cheering, "Can we be Eagle One?"
"Then I wanna be AKB3!"
"Where did the three come from?" Serika asks Nonomi as I shake my head.
"Sadly, no. Less confusion like that." I answer as Hoshino seems a bit down as Shiroko comforted her. "Anyway, team one will be on fuselage duty and team two on data duty." I say as I swipe the image to the side and instead show the map of this part of the academy. "Team two will enter and go collect the data, leave that to ISAC, then they'll work to bring out the power source, if they can." I add. "Meanwhile, Team one will be going in and replacing the fuses and fixing anything that needs fixing, bringing as much power as they can to this area in particular. If Team two is unsuccessful in finding a power source to the target server room, they'll go around extracting the data in the areas they can enter. Meanwhile, Team one will be going a bit more personal, if you find something that can turn on, extract the files from there, and take anything with worth that isn't nailed to the floor."
Shiroko was looking far more excited.
"Now, all of you are ready?" I ask as they nod. "Then begin final preparations. Shiroko has the tools and Hoshino will have the generator if you need to kickstart something. Serika, leave everything to ISAC. If we find anything, we'll inform you. The operation will begin at seventeen hundred, so in ten minutes all of you need to be in position. If there are any questions, I'll be here. With that, you're dismissed." I end as I sit down with a sigh. "Damn, hasn't even started and I'm already getting jitters?" I mutter.
"Good work, Sensei." Ayane cheers me up as the others move. "You did well."
"Well, I'm usually the one scrambling to get ready." I say as I nod towards the other Task Force members. I set up the Shittim Chest, as the Tactician Drone whirs to life and the holographic keyboard once more.
"Sensei, how many breach charges should we have?" Serika asks as I turn to her.
"None, tell Nonomi to handle them and leave half here. If you need more, Ayane will send some."
"Sensei," Shiroko starts, "us?"
"You shouldn't be going through any walls, but tell Hoshino to grab a quarter of what's left." I tell her as she nods.
Soon, me and Ayane were left alone as the time neared. "I forgot why I hated being part of the Support Department."
"Why's that?" Ayane asks.
"Not enough movement." I answer. "And way too much stress." I add as the time nears.
Nonomi and Serika waited with Hoshino and Shiroko, keeping their eye on the time on their HUDs.
"Doesn't this feel awesome?" Nonomi asked with a hum. "It feels like we're an actual Task Force."
"Nn." Shiroko agreed, but probably not for the same reason as Nonomi. "It does."
"Like one of those movies on movie night." Hoshino said before perking up. "Have we had one recently?"
"We've all been too busy for one." Serika answered. "Still, maybe we should have another."
"What kind of movies does Sensei like?" Nonomi asked as everyone paused.
"Well," Hoshino started while leaning on her shotgun, scrunching her face in thought, "this is Sensei we're talking about, so maybe action movies."
"Really?" Serika asked, looking at her in confusion, "I dunno, he seems more like a comedy guy."
"Crime." Shiroko piped up. "He was really excited planning this heist."
"It's an operation Shiroko," Serika pointed out, her voice laced with exasperation, "not a heist."
"No," Nonomi noted as she shook her head, "Sensei is definitely a romance guy."
"Hmmm, well, he has to have some experience, he is an adult after all." Hoshino pointed out as Shiroko and Serika turned to her, weirdly panicked at the idea. "Oh~. How interesting."
Quickly, the duo looked away. "How adorable~." Nonomi pointed out, ignoring the slight pinch she felt at the idea.
"Testing, team one, can you hear me?" Shiroko and Hoshino heard as the two straightened up.
"Nn."
"Loud and clear, Sensei."
"Right." A second later, his voice rang in Nonomi's and Serika's ear, the latter yelping. "Team two? How're the comms?"
"You have a nice voice, Sensei."
"Don't scare me like that!'
With that, Ayane joined. "Right, comms are all set up, drones are deployed," Ayane noted as her and Mateo's drones near them, "Hot Springs Department is ready too."
"Sand is gonna get everywhere from the explosion, so I suggest getting under Hoshino's shield." Mateo warned as Hoshino unfurled it and raised it, tilting it as Nonomi crouches on a knee, Serika directly behind her and Shiroko behind Hoshino, the masks making their breathing audible, but unfelt by each other. "Now, once the signal is given, the explosion will go off and fill back up, which may cause instability. Be careful."
"I didn't think you were this much of a worrywart, Sensei." Hoshino pointed out with a bit of amusement. "You'll get wrinkles if you do."
"Well, usually, I'm there with better things to worry about." Mateo answers, "But yes, I am worried. You're my students, all of you, and your safety comes above everything." He spoke sternly, and softly, leaving the Foreclosure Task Force girls flustered.
"Thirty seconds." He reminded them as they prepared themselves. "Listen to ISAC. Check-in after every waypoint, every discovery, report it. Hoshino and Nonomi are the point women for this, so handle those explosives carefully."
"Be careful." Ayane adds. "We'll be monitoring over here."
"T-minus ten seconds before the first explosive goes off. Godspeed." Mateo says.
"Ready?" Hoshino asked.
"Yes!"
"Yeah!"
"Nn."
The clock hit five.
The sand burst into the air, leaving tremors as it suspended in the air before it hit Hoshino's shield as the third-year got a glimpse of her school from first year, memories returning as she understood why Mateo put her in the fuse team.
Her HUD changes, a waypoint appearing a floor down while Serika's and Nonomi change to somewhere else.
"Go!" They hear him yell.
"Foreclosure Task Force, going in!" Hoshino yelled as she charges forward, Shiroko, Serika and Nonomi following as she breaks through the window, and sweeps the location, moving to give the others time and space to get in as Shiroko joins her.
"Team one, go downstairs and take a right, there should be a closet for a fuse box there!" They heard Mateo in their ears as they moved.
Nonomi and Serika were next, their HUD showing somewhere lower. "You're on the third floor," they heard, "the first is practically full, but if you go down, there should be a classroom you can use a breach charge to go in through, it's a lab so it'll have an exit into the hallway, if not you can just blow through the door, the energy is coming from there!"
"Right!" They said as they moved.
High above them, a drone floated watching the student's every move as, from a distance away, someone watched.
They studied, saw how the outer team moved, saw glimpses of the inner team move, and then, it landed on his subject of interest.
Mateo Vernes. Sensei of SCHALE.
Beyond the Mystic Hoshino possesses, beyond whatever Kaiser is doing in the desert, beyond even the secrets of the Nameless Priests, at that moment, his attention was on the man leading this entire thing.
A soldier. The very antithesis of what they believe in, yet...not.
A normal man yet very abnormal.
A man whose skill and accuracy with a gun outdo even some of the most devoted Students.
Leaning into his interlocked hands, a man sat within an office, a sharp suit hiding his body as intrigue was clear in his voice.
Yet, to call the one in the office a man would be...incorrect.
It was a 'being', its skin as dark as the void with cracks running through his body and face, creating a facsimile of a face, resembling a broken mask more than an actual face as he spoke. "What are you, Sensei?" He asks. "A man, a fighter, but is that all? Can such a man survive in a place like this?"
He watches, waiting for the other shoe to drop as he smiles, "Let us observe."
As Serika and Nonomi arrive at the location, they see a hologram to their surprise as they get closer. "Here, it says." Serika notes.
"Right." Nonomi says as she begins to set up the breach charge. "Outside." Nonomi says as Serika follows after her. "Ayane, charge is ready."
"Brace yourselves!" Ayane yells into the general comms as everyone stops and braces.
The charge goes off and Serika breathes out a sigh of relief. "That wasn't as loud as usual." Serika notes as she enters the room to see the hole.
Nonomi checks in, "Report, we've reached the laboratory. Going in."
"Right." Ayane says as the lights flicker on. "Team one has gotten one of the fuse boxes working!"
Meanwhile, Hoshino and Shiroko move, a pulse coming from the drone following them as Mateo interjects, "Right, the energy is at twenty percent, one more server room is open."
"Good." Hoshino mutters. "How are Serika and Nonomi?"
"The sand isn't too bad. They didn't need to blow it, so they walked in. ISAC is sending the data now actually, he's looking through it as we speak." Mateo says while Hoshino whistles.
"He's really useful." Hoshino notes.
"Incredibly so." Mateo answers, the grin in his voice obvious.
"Does the GSC know about him?" Shiroko asks.
"That's on a need-to-know basis." Mateo answered evasively as Hoshino grins while Shiroko shakes her head.
Meanwhile, in the Mission Command, Mateo releases a breath. "The Tactician Drone isn't finding any instabilities within the Academy. Lemme double check to make sure."
"Right, scans are positive over here too." Ayane says before brightening up. "The download is finished!"
"Right." Mateo answers, frowning as his chest seems to tighten, like it usually does when he isn't noticing something. "ISAC?"
"There should be a battery bank if it's solar powered." ISAC explains, "Energy source located."
Nonomi and Serika spot the object glowing in their eyes, a large box with what they believe are batteries. "Found it." Serika says. "We're gonna need some help though. Looks heavy."
"You'll also need to disconnect it." Ayane warns as Serika and Nonomi look at each other. "Quick-ah! Team one has gotten another fuse box up and running, energy at sixty percent. Two more."
The two throw caution to the wind as they begin to fret over how to disconnect it, until ISAC appeared and walked them through it.
Sighing in relief, Serika calls in. "Battery bank located. What now?"
"There should be more, according to the schematics, it's..down the hall and down the stairs…" Ayane says with a resigned expression. "Where the sand is wors-."
"Hold, Hot Springs Department members are moving to exfiltrate the power bank." Mateo interjected. "Stick around and help them if needed, Kasumi says she can get to the power bank storage, but we should leave that for last since it'll probably cause massive damage. For now, wait-Team one is nearly done, one more."
"Well, tell the Hot Spring members to hurry!" Serika says, impatiently."
"This isn't a race, Serika," Mateo's voice rang in Serika's ear sternly, "This is an operation with my students on the line. All of them. Your security is our highest concern, if we have to slow down a bit, then so be it."
Serika, unable to retort, pouts and looks away. "Aww, how cute." Nonomi says while holding a hand to her cheek.
Meanwhile, Shiroko and Serika look at the mound of sand in front of them. "Sensei, we have a problem." Hoshino says as she looks around.
"What is it?" He asks.
"Sand. A lot of it." Shiroko summarizes. "The fuse box is on the other side and we can't get through."
"Right, get in a classroom and I'll send a Hot Springs Department explosive in. It'll kick up dust everywhere, but the force should clear it out. Take some time to unwind a bit." He suggests as the two ease up.
"'Kay~." Hoshino says as she forces a door open and walks in, Shiroko follows before closing it.
The two don't say much, simply take a moment to catch their breath as Shiroko looks around the classroom. Slowly, she begins looking around, doing the second part of her job. "I wouldn't try that," Hoshino says, surprising Shiroko, "Some of these places, well, as Sensei put it, everything that isn't nailed down has already been sold."
Shiroko's ears droop before returning to normal. "Maybe I'll find something." Shiroko says, her eyes glowing as she continues, to Hoshino's amusement.
"You're having fun, aren'tcha?" Hoshino notes as Shiroko nods. "That's good." She notes, her eyes looking at the blackboard but not focused on it. As if she's trying to see through it. "Very good."
The two fall into a relaxing silence until Mateo interrupts. "Right, an explosion is imminent, so I suggest bracing."
With that, Shiroko and Hoshino crouch down and wait.
A few seconds later, a bit of sand comes in as the two leave, a bad sound ringing out a second later. "Shit, back! Fall back! The roof is collapsing!"
Shiroko and Hoshino ignore it, instead, they cross the area in record time as they find themselves on the other side. "Team one, reporting. Our way out is a bit clogged. We'll go and fix the last box and then we'll…" Hoshino trails off as she looks around. "Well…" She trails off to Shiroko's confusion. "That's strange."
"What is?" Mateo asks as Shiroko answers, her eyes glowing.
"Security System." Shiroko answers as there's the sound of shuffling.
Back in Mission Command, Ayane is instructing Team two on the direction of the other server rooms while Mateo is desperately cross-referencing his own maps, the maps he has access to, and other sources. "Team one, hold." Mateo says as Hoshino and Shiroko respond with affirmatives. Turning to ISAC, I told him. "Deactivate their ScanTek."
"Affirmative."
"Huh!?"
"The system is gone." Shiroko notes as Mateo nods.
"Revert it." Mateo says as he looks through the maps. "Hoshino, you recognize the place?"
"I...think I do?" She says, unsure. "I-I think my Senior told me that this area was empty…"
Mateo can't help but furrow his brows at the mention of a senior. "Right…check around, my drone is offline at the moment."
"Second server room downloaded. Three more within the general vicinity." Ayane reports before turning to Mateo. "Is something wrong?"
"No, just trying to figure out the security system…" Mateo mutters, scratching his head as he points at a hall, "here."
Ayane holds a hand to her chin as we look at it. "...Abydos was big, right? Rich too?"
"...Yes…" Ayane trails off, "why?"
"Think this was a requirement?" Mateo asks as he searches online and his eyes widen while reading the old article. "Here it is, it seems like the distance between classes was badly done for some, and they complained so they set up lockers, but then those got robbed so they got an upgrade with some fancy security."
"Drone located. Seems operational." Shiroko says as Mateo looks at the Shittim Chest to see Hoshino's face on it.
"There…" She mutters as Mateo activates it and Hoshino brightens. "So. What's the situation?"
"We think that one of the fuses you started up reactivated the security system for the area. Seems like it was a locker area for students moving between buildings. Try running your hand against it." Mateo suggests as the Tactician Drone starts up. He watches as Hoshino runs a hand against the wall and stops, pulling her hand back as she feels it.
"...Grooves. There are little gaps." Hoshino said. "Receding lockers, I didn't think we had that much money."
"What the fuck!" Mateo yells, as he looks at a file, to the surprise of Ayane, Hoshino, and Shiroko.
"Sensei, what's wrong?" Shiroko asks first.
Meanwhile, Ayane was calming her own heartbeat and wondering what her teacher saw that made him react that way.
"You do not want to know the prices of them." Was all he said. And if his reaction was any evidence, Ayane truly did not want to.
Ayane holds a hand to her ear, "Team two has successfully gotten a third server. Approximately two left."
"Leave the one on Team one's side to them." Mateo suggests. "Tell team two to look for a security room once they finish with theirs."
Finally, the Tactician Drone activates fully. "Right, running Scanner. You should be seeing the extent of the lockers...now."
With Team one, they blink as they could see the lockers outlined, becoming more obvious along with the lasers for the alarm. Those specifically on the side by the lockers and placed diagonally.
"Visual on the traps. We'll need to disable them." Shiroko notes. "ISAC, show us to the nearest security room."
"Eyes on the prize Shiroko. Team two can't get to the last server room. You need to turn it on, get the data, then we can worry about what can be in the lockers." Mateo reminds her as she nods. The two proceed to get to work.
Within ten minutes, the fuses were replaced and the lockers were found on team two's side while they got the last of the data.
"Everyone, halt. Take a moment to relax." Mateo spoke with Ayane, who was furiously looking through the data. "That means you too Ayane."
"Ah…" Ayane trails off, the other four snickering to her embarrassment as she does so.
"Now, we have one goal that needs everyone's hands, and that's getting all the solar batteries from the basement where they're stored. Performing that will end this entire thing and we can go home. Or, do you want to try getting into the lockers?" Mateo asks.
There was no hesitation. "Lockers."
Sighing, Mateo brought his hands up and shrugged. "Guess we're breaking open those lockers." He says as everyone cheered, "Now, I'm not sure if you know, but it seems like there were sightings of criminals in the area a few years back in this general area and before that, there were complaints of students forgetting things in there. Now, ISAC will lead you to the security rooms and he'll disable the security. From there, it's up to you."
Waypoints appeared in their view as they moved, Shiroko reaching hers first as ISAC disabled the security there as the walls began to open up, to Hoshino's shock. Serika was next as she opened hers and she gaped in shock.
"...They had this much money?" Hoshino gapes.
"Irrelevant." Shiroko says, her eyes practically glowing as she opens the first one. "Laptop." She says, showing off the first bounty.
"Oh, Uncle's gonna enjoy this." Hoshino says as she begins the process of helping Shiroko fill her duffel bag, with Serika and Nonomi doing the same.
Soon, they were done as they reported. "Good, Ayane's looking through the files at the moment, and some of the faces she's making aren't good for her health. I'll get her off them and inform you when your exfiltration is ready."
All of them wait as a duo of explosions ring out as all four quickly dash out, back into the desert with the Hot Springs Development Department waiting for them and offering a ride back to mission control.
Soon, everyone was back in the tent, from the Hot Springs Development Department members and the FTF with Mateo in the middle. "Good work everyone. Sadly, we still have one last thing to do before we can brush our hands from this whole thing."
"The battery packs at the lowest level of Abydos." Ayane interjects. "Thankfully, Kasumi has given us an answer." She says, her mouth twitching.
"Simple, we'll drill right through." Kasumi says, proudly, to the confusion of everyone else.
"So, Kasumi has access to a big drill." Mateo says, a bit of disbelief in his voice. "The FTF will go with her to extract the batteries, and we'll reconvene at Abydos. Everyone." Though he quickly turns to the Hot Springs Development Department. "Do. Not. Break. Anything. Am I understood."
"Loud and clear Sensei!" Megu says as she turns to the Development department. "Alright! Everyone, let's go!"
While the FTF was looking at them in confusion, Mateo spoke, "They're going back ahead of us. We don't need that many people with us, so they're taking everything down, me and Ayane will lead you in the car." He explains with a certain exhaustion as he rubs his head. "Am I…" He shakes his head. "No, that's about it. It's the final stretch. So let's do this quick, well, and with everyone intact, got it? Dismissed."
Almost as if on cue, a loud thud rang out as everyone ran out to the sight of an honest-to-goodness drill, red as Kasumi laughed. "WAHAHAHA~! All aboard~!"
Soon, the notably tired Foreclosure Task Force were inside with Kasumi as they heard it vibrate. "Everyone ready? This is going to get bumpy!"
"Nn." Shiroko nods.
Once more, they hear Mateo. "Godspeed."
With that, they began to dig deep into the sand, sand moving as Ayane and Mateo watched sand cover the windshield as Mateo activated the wipers to remove it before the drill disappeared a second later. Not even a minute later, they got good news. "We're in." Shiroko relayed.
Soon, the door opened, the four students moving as they began to remove the batteries, one-by-one with ISAC's instruction. The process was slow, tedious, and above all, anxiety-inducing. All of them were veterans, and all of them knew this was going way too well. Most of the remaining Hot Spring Development Department members are waiting for them in Abydos, the process is going well, and if ISAC is to be believed, most of the batteries are full, which means they'll fetch for a nice price.
When will the other shoe drop?
How will it drop?
It didn't, once they fit all they could, Kasumi could feel how tense it was, so she said nothing, instead enjoying herself with the possibility of actually being able to build a Hot Spring and laugh about it in the face of the Prefect Team when they try to stop her.
Soon, the remaining members placed all the batteries in their trucks, covered it, and began to drive away, leaving only Megu, Kasumi, the FTF and Mateo to do everything.
And Mateo was stressed. "Everybody in! Now!" He says, none of the students wanting to go against him as all of them got on, "Everybody in? Nonomi, Hoshino, Shiroko?"
"We're in the back!" Hoshino informs him as she slumps. "Let's go already, I just want to go home and sleep after all that running."
"Me too." Serika admits as she leans back on the seat.
"WAHAHA!" Kasumi laughs. "That was good practice for our members. Thank you, Sensei." Kasumi says as Mateo smiles back.
"Yeah, it was really easy!"
Silence overcame the car as Ayane started it, taking a few seconds too long for their comfort as she stepped on it. No one said anything as Mateo readied Nemesis, or Nonomi stood up, Shiroko checked her ammunition, or Hoshino unfolded her shield.
Because when Kasumi used her drill, Mateo and Ayane weren't the only ones that felt it.
Because 'it' felt them too.
Within their ears, the bell of reckoning seems to ring. "Seismic activity detected."
A/N: Oooh, this is going to be interesting…
For now, this is going to be it for a while, not too long, but I feel like I should focus on my other things.
Also, here's a little extra. FYI, I've never lived in Virginia.
Orange Archive: SHD Personnel Dossier
Rin sighs as she leans back on the seat for a second, a few days into the disappearance of the GSC President, she rubs her temples. "Damn it, where did she go?"
Everything's already going to hell and they're doing their best to keep her disappearance a secret, but she's not sure how long they can keep it a secret for long. That isn't to mention the note she left.
She glances at the signed note and sighs, her mouth curling into a frown, "...Why didn't you tell me about this before? How can we trust this adult?"
There was no answer, so she sighs, getting up as she goes to the filing cabinet and opens it.
It's the first time she opens it as the orange in the sea of manila folders stands out, thicker than the others, to her confusion. She reaches over and grabs it as she nearly lets it fall before looking at the note taped to the front over the large red 'Classified' word on the front.
"What is…?" She trails off as she brings it to the desk.
Here is his resume Rinny! Matty is so irresponsible, honestly, applying for a job without even preparing a resume. If you have any questions, just look through this! Thankfully, it's not as thick as the SRTs, so it'll be easier!
"How did you even get this?" Rin asks herself, shaking her head as she removes the note and ignores the 'Classified' on it, "Where did you even get this from?"
She shifts the flap of the folder as she raises a brow, "SHD?"
Strategic Homeland Division, sounds similar to the Special Response Team.
Unlike the SRTs insignia of a ram on a shield, the SHD was a circle with a phoenix in the middle.
Opening it, her brow twitches with her mouth. "...If you're going to provide a classified dossier as a resume, at least de-classify it!"
A lot of the papers were blacked out and any notable features, like tattoos or marks, were blurred out, a black strip covering his eyes and a mask hiding the lower half of his face with a hat hiding his hair beyond the brown of what was visible.
She looked through the rest and couldn't help but frown.
Finally, she reached the single paper that wasn't completely classified. Half of it was black and the other half was white, 'SHD Personnel File' on the right describing what it is with the phoenix on the left.
"Well, here it is." She mutters, frowning as the pictures are still censored.
Mateo Vernes
Teacher
Age: 21
Occupation: Engineer, Teacher
Residence: Virginia, Martinsville
Education/Training: REDACTED
Race: Latino
Religion: Catholic(Non Observant)
Personnel Notes: The youngest SHD Agent known mainly for his adaptability, keen instincts, unnerving accuracy, amazing endurance with a strong sense of loyalty and a strange charisma.
Rin frowned as she looked it over, most of the file was redacted but there was a second page as she read it.
From a young age, Mateo displayed his charisma and leadership capabilities and strength in the occasional brawl when he was younger and only continued as he grew. His observational skills are what allowed him to join the SHD despite his youth.
Mateo's youth allows him to connect with kids and others around his age, comfort them and relate to them while continuing their curriculum or being someone they can rely on, a stark difference to the usually distant SHD Agent. At first, he started off as an Analyst, staying in the back and relaying commands, intelligence and teaching/caring for the younger members of the Settlement. Occasionally, he'd take the field for investigations or look for information he can't get on a map.
Coincidentally, Mateo Vernes was one of the first to report a Hunter sighting on one of these investigations, but it was lost somehow.
Regardless, he was relegated to a Coordinator at first, not only because of his youth but also his competence in it, with observational skills and an intuitive mind that has helped him solve many problems.
This observational skills and intuition have also left him very vocal, having no shame to slander any politician or governmental authority. He also isn't afraid to concede in arguments or poke holes in an opposition's arguments, with little faith in the government and simply doing his duty for his family and students.
Within his time as an Agent he gained a large amount of skills and information, all for his students. Despite this, his skills as a Technician, programmer, or engineer never improved beyond the basics. Repairing electric appliances and setting up a basic firewall for software? Simple enough. Jury-rigging a failing appliance? Also doable, but actually creating something beyond what is on a blueprint or a program he doesn't have saved or can't be fixed simply? The former is left to someone else and the latter is left to ISAC.
At some point, he took to the field with unnerving efficiency and brutality, taking to the field as if he was born for it.
Rin groans, more redacted information.
After the three-year period where combat was at its worst, Vernes gained a notable change of heart, returning to his roots as an Analyst and a Coordinator, going from Settlement to Settlement and establishing supply routes and patrols. He connected pockets of activities and brought them together, re-establishing some form of connection and communication as deals and contracts were established. Even with Agents within foreign lands.
Mateo was integral to the re-establishment of a government, as a Field Agent, a Communication Analyst, and a teacher.
Rin hummed, her eyes on a few details, like his redacted education, but she couldn't exactly prove much nor did she have much to lose. "Fine, let's see when he gets here." She could already feel a headache come as she continued to read through what little wasn't redacted.