Chapter 20:
“Halt!” The gruff voice was matched by the intimidating black metal of the android’s frame, “State your name and intention!”
I blinked in response, slightly bemused that I wasn’t recognised on sight, “Carl Albrecht, Sensei of SCHALE. I am on my way to visit the Abydos campus.”
The confrontation was taking place in a familiar location, that being a street of Abydos. Although, the blockade of armoured vehicles bearing the Kaiser logo and accompaniment of twitchy black-clad guards was definitely new.
“You’re not on the list and are trespassing on Kaiser property.” Was the response, causing me to raise a brow.
“Kaiser property?” I questioned, “This whole area is under the jurisdiction of the Abydos Academy, which has given me permission to operate within its area.”
“Abydos Academy was dissolved. Kaiser Corporation is ensuring the integrity of its newly acquired assets after the default.” The guard explained, “Please turn back and vacate the area.”
“That’s funny. I didn’t see any announcement of that and according to the GSC, this area is still under the jurisdiction of Abydos Academy.” I tried to resolve this legally.
“I don’t see the GSC here, do you?” The guard said, hands moving to his weapon, “I’m sure the paperwork is just delayed.”
I see.
So it would come down to a fight regardless. Well, no one could say I didn’t try to avoid this. I quickly tallied up what was against me. 3 armoured vehicles, that were immobile for the time being, used as they were to block off the road. 4 guards that I could see, watching the altercation. The last enemy was in front of me, having been the one talking to me.
If there were any in the APCs, flashes wouldn’t work on them, so I would have to use smoke. I didn’t need to incapacitate them all, just get past them and arrive at Abydos, from there I could organise a counter offensive.
Time for me to use an old trick.
“Oh, wait. Maybe we just got mixed up.” I brought a hand up to my head as I shook it, reaching slowly into my pocket and producing a folded up piece of paper, “Here, I have a permit. Why don’t you run it by your superiors?”
The guard stared at me for a few heartbeats, before he let his rifle hang on its sling as he took the paper and unfolded it, reading its contents.
“This just says ‘Made you look.’” He remarked, looking back up to be greeted by the barrel of my pistol.
Indeed it did.
With a bark, his visor snapped back, cracked and sparking. He didn’t fall though, as I rushed him and held him up before he could, keeping him between me and his friends. They all started, not expecting the sudden violence, thus only barely being able to react before the smoke grenades I threw at them went off with a pop and a hiss.
“Get hi-!” There was an almighty bang that stopped the command.
Perhaps there was a frag or two in the bundle I tossed at them, who could say.
With the smoke cover, I started to run, slipping through the space in between two of the vehicles, reaching into the Chest and pulling out a new round of grenades as I did. Every time my sprint brought me out of the smoke cover, I dropped a new grenade at my feet as I ran and threw another in front of me.
After a few corners I stopped, focusing only on continuing my dash towards the school. However, as I slipped around yet another corner, I was greeted by the sight of another roadblock. I cursed under my breath, quickly going through my stored equipment in the Chest, making a plan to break through. Unlike the previous one, this one was on full alert, already pointing me out and starting to take pot shots.
Just as I was about to move, a roar of an engine sounded out. With panicked shouting, the guards pointed at something on the street to their left. I slowed slightly, watching as a car sped out of the street, ramming into one of the APCs and slamming it into the other.
Kicking out the shattered windscreen, a familiar helmet-wearing figure crawled out onto the hood and stood up, “Get ‘em, girls! This is our turf!”
The gun on the rammed APC rattled as it turned to face her, before the vehicle was slammed by a round from a high powered rifle, the trail of the bullet glowing a deep red. The other APC sputtered to life, before another bark of sniper fire sounded out, a massive hole appearing where the vehicle used to have an engine.
More and more Helmet gangsters had arrived, swarming the roadblock and taking down the guards. As I watched and started to attempt to move closer, the earpiece in my left ear crackled to life.
“Heyo Sensei, you having some trouble?” The laid-back voice of Otogi sounded through, clearly.
I grinned, breaking into a jog as I replied, “Just a bit. Less now that I’ve heard your voice though.”
“Oh my, flattery will get you everywhere.” She shot back, another duo of shots sounding out, dropping two of the Kaiser androids, “Hang on a sec, I’ll patch you through to the rest.”
“Much obliged.” I nodded, slipping past the commotion, “What’s the situation?”
“Well, you’ll be pleased to know the JTF arrived before either of us, they have already engaged these goons by the school. Let me guide you there.” She started, before continuing to give me a sitrep.
As I listened, my grin grew wider. My plans were hastily put together and not at all going off without a hitch, but I could at least take solace in the fact that I was having a far better day than whoever was in charge of the Kaiser forces.
---ARARAR---
She sniffed disdainfully as she adjusted her glove on her right hand, the leather having shifted slightly from her firing position. She looked at the wrecked APCs and the sparking androids strewn around the streets, still frustrated. Really now, ‘trespassing on corporate property?’ Where was the fencing? The clear signage?
Did they really expect such a weak effort to work?
“Head Prefect.” Ako spoke, stars in her eyes as she looked at her, “We are ready to move on.”
“Hmm.” Hina hummed in response, slightly remorseful that she had destroyed the entire force herself, not letting her subordinates get any practice in, “On the double. If Kaiser PMC is willing to operate this openly, we need to link up with whatever is left of Abydos’ command structure as soon as possible.”
The students behind her moved as one at her order, to which she nodded and continued to lead the way. As she did, Ako posed a question.
“You believe that Abydos might have collapsed?” She adjusted her clipboard as she spoke, trying to keep up with her leader’s pace.
“It’s unlikely, any who are trusted by Takanashi Hoshino would be above average. However, Kaiser is mobilising a large force for this, so they may have been overwhelmed without her.” Hina replied, eyes sweeping up and down the street.
“Head Prefect…” Ako trailed off, thinking through her words, before she finished the thought, “You seem to have a lot of respect for Takanashi-san.”
“I was assigned her file when I worked in the Intelligence committee. She was close to a student who dies, the previous Student Council President of Abydos. Just that would have been enough, but it also meant that Abydos was down to a single student.” Hina explained, “Gangs moved into the area, using it as a staging ground to attack neighbouring academies. The Prefect team at the time mobilised to root out the gangs and take over this territory to prevent them from returning.”
“What happened?” Ako asked, hanging onto her every word.
“We all lost. Apparently, our fighting grew furious enough to draw of Hoshino Takanashi, who fought both sides and ended the battle single-handedly.” Hina answered, drawing wide eyes from Ako.
Her voice was tremulous, “You lost? She beat you all?”
“I was a member of the Intelligence division, so I was not personally present.” Hina clarified, “However, yes, the Prefect team and the combined gangs of Abydos both were defeated by a single student.”
“It’s difficult to imagine…” Ako trailed off, obviously thinking back to the time she saw Takanashi in the flesh.
Hina could relate. The relaxed, almost dopey form of the other student had been surprising to her. Compared to the videos and the reports, the contrast was almost unbelievable. From someone who ripped through entire tank battalions to someone who could simply wave away an affront with a lazy smile… It was uncanny.
“Appearances can be deceiving.” She responded, absently.
“I see.” Ako nodded, seeming to regain some energy at her words, “That is why you have such a view of Takanashi-san. Although I don’t doubt that should it come down to it, you would emerge victorious!”
“We are not here to fight, Ako.” Hina spoke, voice firm, “Focus on the present goal. We will march to Abydos and ascertain our next moves from there. Go make sure no one is falling behind.”
Ako seemed surprised by the order, but saluted and allowed Hina to stalk ahead of her. Hina swept her gaze ahead of her, seeing that this street at least was clear until it turned into another, Allowing her to sigh. Bringing up a hand, she fiddled with her monocle, frowning to herself.
Takanashi Hoshino was not kidnapped. She went willingly. She knew this ever since her discussion with Sensei, it was her motivation for helping with this, as a counter to a possibly rampaging student that few others could match.
That, however, was exactly the problem.
If Takanashi fought them, seriously, with all her might… Could Hina win? If it were anyone else, she would immediately, confidently state that she would. When it came to reaper of Abydos, however… She truly didn’t know. Saying she could seemed arrogant and overconfident, but saying she couldn’t meant that no one would be able to.
Dropping the monocle, she shook her head, steadying herself and moving forward with purpose. It didn’t matter who was stronger. If Takanashi Hoshino became a threat to Kivotos, Hina would defeat her, regardless of her feelings.
It was as simple as that.
---RERERE---
When I arrived at the school, it was to a scene of devastation and paradoxical tranquillity at the same time. Broken vehicles, disabled androids, exploded mechs, all of them were haphazardly strewn across the plaza outside of the Abydos Campus. However, actual conflict was absent, as shown by several first year JTF students picking through the wreckage and calmly detaining the disabled Kaiser personnel.
A few of them noticed me and started to wave, causing me to smile and wave back. Further along the road, movement at the gate of the School revealed the figures of Yukino and Niko, accompanied by Ichika and Shiroko, who started to move directly towards me.
Soon enough, I was close enough to hear them, as Yukino nodded and spoke clearly, “Great to have you here Sensei. It appears you were right. Kaiser wasted no time moving in.”
“I can see that.” I looked around at the smoking battlefield, “Looks like you had quite a party without me.”
“Nn, was easy.” Shiroko’s soft voice was smug, “Thank you for the help.”
“Well of course!” Ichika’s eyes were closed as she smiled, “We couldn’t just sit and watch as that guy threw his weight around like that!”
“That guy?” I questioned, “Who are you talking about?”
“There was a man who claimed to be the CEO of Kaiser PMC amongst the enemy combatants.” Niko explained, coming to a stop besides me and looking over my form with an assessing eye, “He cut and run when we joined in. He promised to ‘get’ us later. I’m glad you aren’t hurt, Sensei.”
“Thank you Niko.” I smiled, but my mind was on her words, “He really said that?”
“Shouted it really.” Ichika’s smile turned into a slightly cruel grin, “Like something out of a cartoon, ‘Wah, I’ll get you meddling kids next time!’ It was rather funny.”
“That does sound amusing.” I said with a chuckle, making a mental note to keep an eye out for him.
People like that have a lot of pride, which when bruised, can cause them to act… Unwisely.
“Well I am glad you girls are unharmed. Where is Hasumi and Ayane? I have some news for them.” I questioned, getting a head tilt from Ichika, but a response from Niko.
“They are coordinating everything from the Abydos courtyard.” The pink haired fox gently took my elbow to lead me, “Although, we don’t really have a target to prepare for.”
Shiroko instantly took my other arm, looking at Niko challengingly, causing her to smile back gently.
“I can help with that.” I grinned, ignoring the byplay, “That’s why I was late. I was getting that intel as well as some more backup.”
“Jeez, Sensei.” Ichika spoke from my other side, “FOX, Abydos, the JTF and you still aren’t satisfied? Remind me to never tick you off.”
“Haha, this escalated way further than I thought I would.” I scratched my neck sheepishly, “Though you shouldn’t worry, I doubt you will ever do something that requires something like this, Ichika. Also, I didn’t really ask, she offered.”
“Who is this mysterious extra help, Sensei?” Niko asked, Yukino nodding alongside her, “We will need to let the perimeter know that we have friendlies incoming.”
“Head Prefect Hina, as well as the Gehenna prefect team.” I responded, causing Ichika to miss a step, “It appears that Kaiser is not really popular with anyone.”
“They do make things hard on themselves, haha.” Ichika laughed nervously as the Fox Squad members looked at each other with heavy glances, “I don’t know how I’m going to break the news to Hasumi though.”
“Break what news to me?” The girl in question asked, perking up from where she and Ayane were poring over a map spread across a desk that had been moved into the courtyard, before her eyes landed on me, “Oh Sensei! You’ve arrived, I’m glad.”
Her exclamation made Nonomi and Serika look up as well, who were both poring over a pile of black-painted weapons, many bearing prominent Kaiser Logos. Kurumi, who was with them, flicked one of her blonde fox ears in our direction but remained focused on what she had in her hands, apparently attempting to dismantle some sort of explosive launcher.
“Oh Sensei!” Nonomi smiled, “Glad to see you safe!”
“It’s good that you weren’t hurt, I guess.” Serika huffed, quickly turning back to the pile of weapons.
“Thanks to Otogi and Mashiro.” I spoke, nodding towards Ayane who gave me a frazzled nod in return, “She covered me on the way in. Thanks to the reinforcements that Ichika mentioned, I also know where they are keeping Hoshino.”
“That's a relief. Thank you, Sensei.” Ayane smiled tiredly, her glasses slightly askew.
“The reinforcements?” Hasumi tilted her head, “That’s the news that I would take badly.”
“They’re the Prefect Team.” Ichika decided to rip the band-aid off directly, “From Gehenna.”
“Oh.” Hasumi’s smile vanished like a mirage, a deep frown taking its place instead.
“We’re thankful for any help we can get.” Nonomi spoke as she came over, beaming, “After all, we are going up against a powerful corporation, right?”
“Right.” Hasumi took a deep breath, a strained smile coming back to her face as she tried to distract herself, “Please inform the perimeter, Ichika. Here’s my radio. You said you know where they are keeping Takanashi-san, Sensei?”
“Yes.” I moved over to the map, Niko, Yukino and Shiroko moving with me to look curiously as I pointed at a specific region after a bit of searching, “Apparently, there’s been a big excavation and construction operation out in the desert, here.”
“We don’t patrol out that far.” Shiroko spoke, “We missed it.”
“Don’t beat yourself up about it, Shiroko-chan!” Nonomi nudged her slightly, “We’ll get her back.”
“That’s quite far out.” Yukino brought up, “We will struggle to move the entire force we’ve gathered there, even without your new reinforcements, Sensei.”
Niko nodded, adding in her own two cents, “There’s an entire army spreading out over the whole district, so we would need to split up a bit anyway.”
“Yes, we’ll need to make a strike force that will break through all the blockades and head straight for the target, with enough firepower and speed to reach her before they move her somewhere else.” I stroked my beard as I thought, “Luckily, Kaiser was kind enough to donate several APCs, in their own colours and markings. Should be good for some cover along the way, at least.”
“We’re going with.” Serika spoke, getting firm nods from Ayane, Shiroko and Nonomi, “This is our fight.”
“Unfortunately, I will have to stay.” Hasumi spoke, looking pained as she did so, “Coordination with all the conflicting parties and the JTF will need a clear command structure. Ichika will also need to assist me in this. President Tsurugi, however, would likely gladly join you.”
“Where is Tsurugi, by the way?” I questioned, not seeing the shy girl anywhere in the courtyard.
“A contingent of Kaiser fled, along with their commander. She pursued them and just recently called in to say she is heading back.” Was the answer, causing me to nod.
“Very well, in that case we have a rough outline but-” I was cut off by a ringtone, everyone around the table starting and looking around in confusion before Hasumi sheepishly reached into her cleavage and pulled out her phone in its black and red cover.
“I apologise, the only people who should be able to call me right now is my Student Council. I need to take this.” She bowed as she spoke, causing Ayane’s eyes to sharpen.
“Are you in trouble?” The glasses wearing elf asked her, getting a shake of the head from Hasumi.
“No, we received permission before moving out. It’s likely just a status update.” Her piece said, she moved away and answered the call, beginning to speak in hushed tones as she brought the device to her ear.
There was brief moment of awkwardness as everyone recovered from the interruption, before Ayane spoke to me.
“Sensei. Now seems like a good time, we found this on Hoshino’s desk, but we wanted to wait for you before we opened it.” She pulled out a pink envelope, stamped closed with a blue whale sticker.
Written in Hoshino’s surprisingly flowing handwriting on the face of the envelope was the words ‘For my underclassmen’, underneath which was written in slightly different coloured ink, ‘And Sensei’.
I took the envelope from Ayane, staring at it. She mentioned it when she called me about this whole mess, but looking at it now made it feel more real. Hoshino definitely went willingly, she was not taken by force.
That… complicates things. Yet, at the same time, it makes them much simpler.
I forced a confident smile, looking at the apprehensive Abydos students, “It doesn’t matter.”
“Sensei?” Nonomi questioned, looking genuinely taken aback.
“Whatever is written in here?” I waved the envelope for emphasis, “It doesn’t matter. Whatever Hoshino wanted to say, she can say it to our faces once we drag her back here and give her a piece of our mind. If it’s important enough for her to write it down, it’s important enough for her to say it while looking you all in the eyes.”
That seemed to invigorate them, energy and determination filling them as they listened to my words.
“Nn.” Shiroko nodded, “That’s right. We’ll beat the answers out of her.”
“That’s the spirit.” I grinned, no longer forcing it.
“Damn Sensei.” Niko whistled quietly at my side, “Seeing you go this far kind of makes me want to act out too, you know.”
I let out a bark of laughter at that.