Animus Complete Series Omnibus, page 185
“Kaiden? Why are you here?” Jaxon approached, his expression curious.
“I suppose I could ask the same thing, fellow ace,” he replied and snagged the newcomer around the neck as he had with Genos. “But the more, the merrier. I could use your help too.”
“Is something wrong with him?” Jaxon asked.
“I wondered the same,” the other Tsuna admitted and tugged at the arm around his neck. “I hope he doesn’t break my infuser.”
“Act natural boys. There’s something I wanted to talk to the two of you about,” he whispered and dragged the two away.
“You are the most suspicious one here, Kaiden,” Jaxon retorted as they left the workshop.
“A mission for Chiyo?” Genos inquired.
“Yeah. It appears someone is after her father,” Kaiden explained. “She’s worried and I wanted to help her out. The hope is we can get it done quickly, but it’s still up in the air at the moment.”
“Why did you need us specifically?” Jaxon asked.
“Well, since she asked for my help, things will possibly get dicey. Having backup would be a help, which is where you come in,” he stated and pointed at his fellow ace. “As for Genos, he’s a good fighter, but I need a good pilot too. I have a ship—a really good one—but the owner won’t let me use it without a proper pilot and a quick delivery.”
“I would certainly be happy to help friend Chiyo, but we would miss considerable class time,” Genos pointed out.
“You would get real-world experience,” he countered but rubbed the back of his head a little awkwardly. “Although you are right. We’d probably have to use any accumulated free time or make it up after we’re done.”
“Can you give us any details at all?” Jaxon asked.
“We’re headed to Vox first—a cloud city. I have to drop something off as well as locate a device Chiyo and I saw during our last gig. After that, we hope Chiyo will have enough info so we can devise a proper plan. The overall idea is to find whoever is targeting the Mirai zaibatsu and to either stop them or get a better understanding of their plans so she can inform her connections and the Mirai will be prepared.”
The Tsuna ace nodded and tapped his infuser. “I see. And will the four of us be the only ones going?”
“I hope I can get a couple more, but it won’t be a big group, only enough that we have the skills and firepower needed to do this. There’s a good chance they are already on high alert, so making a big scene will either cause them to move their plans up or go back into hiding.”
“So you will have to show some restraint,” Genos noted. “That should prove interesting. It’s not your forte.”
Kaiden’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the mechanist. “You know, even if you say that innocently, it’s still kinda demeaning.”
“I offer my assistance then,” Jaxon agreed.
“I do as well,” Genos added.
“Just like that?” he asked, rather surprised.
“I obviously wish to help friend Chiyo,” Genos stated. “And I have been the only one to not accompany you on a mission yet. Even our new friend Indre got to go on her first day here.”
“I would like to assist a friend in need as well.” Jaxon placed a hand against his chest. “It is my duty as a future warrior of the Tsuna.”
“Plus you want another rush like the last mission?” Kaiden asked coyly.
Jaxon folded his arms. “That was…more intense than I thought it would be, but it was good to see how I perform in the field proper. Another opportunity would allow me to grow even further.”
“I agree!” Kaiden shouted and clapped.
“You say you want a couple more to accompany us—do you have anyone in mind?”
The ace smiled. “Well, we certainly need more stealth on our side.”
Chapter Thirteen
“You want me and Amber for what now?”
“A mission.”
“Another merc gig?”
“Not a gig specifically, but you’ll get your fill of action and a proper reward.”
“Who’s paying?”
“I am.”
“Really? You must be in a pinch if you are asking for help,” Flynn mused and kicked his feet up on the bench.
“I’m only trying to make this as convenient as possible,” Kaiden retorted. “I’m not sure how long this will take. Hopefully, only a few days, but it’s fairly complicated, plus there are many unknowns. So having the backup and a spread of skill sets would be the smart option.”
“Heh, you’re certainly right about that,” the marksman agreed with a smile. “You know, you’re actually thinking like an ace.”
“I’ve been doing just fine to make it to year three, smartass,” he pointed out and a hint of a snarl formed.
“During the action, sure, but it is important as a leader to be able to have a plan of action you can clearly explain to your subordinates. That puts them at ease and reassures them that they aren’t simply making a suicide run.”
His snarl deepened. “Are you saying that in all the missions we’ve run, you’ve always felt that way?”
“Only sometimes and coincidentally, they were the ones when Jaxon was in the lead.” Flynn glanced up to see his companion glaring daggers at him. He held his hands up to calm him. “Anyway, getting back to the point, I’m willing to lend you my sniper skills if you give me more info.” He lowered his hands and sighed. “As for Amber, sorry mate, but she won’t be able to help out.”
Kaiden’s snarl changed to a puzzled frown almost instantly. “Huh? How come?”
“She isn’t here,” the marksman answered flatly. “Her mom left to go take a look at some new medicines being developed by a company in Canada. As a battle-medic, Amber is shadowing her for extra credit and getting a look at it herself, along with a group of hand-selected medics.”
“And she won’t be back anytime soon?”
Flynn shook his head. “Nah, she’ll be gone for at least another week.”
“Damn,” he muttered. “Having someone who can patch us up on the fly would be really helpful.”
“Do you think we’ll take a lot of heat?”
“Well, there are at least two phases to this plan. The first one will hopefully be a quick retrieval, but the second is still in the air. Chiyo is looking into it but from what she told me, it will either be a quick stop for her to help with changing the security or it could be a potential elimination mission.”
“Elimination?” he asked in surprise. “Well, I guess if it comes down to that, having a marksman would be handy.”
“Yep, especially now since we can’t build a team for straight combat without a medic of some sort,” the ace admitted.
“You do know there are over two hundred people working in the medical division, right? Why not rope one of them in?” Flynn suggested.
“Because I don’t know any other medics personally, besides Julius, and I can’t find him anywhere.” He thought for a moment before he hung his head. “He’s with that group Dr. Soni took, isn’t he?”
“Yep. You really need to keep up with your friend's lives.” The sniper leaned back and tilted his head in thought. “So it’s a matter of trust. Well, in that case, if we can’t draft another medic, how about you replace that with another person who can help with stealth?”
“That would be a component, either way, as we’re traveling relatively light,” he explained while nodding in agreement. “But you are right. Stealth should be the main focus now that we can’t rely on being able to perform well in a prolonged fight.” He clicked his tongue a few times and scratched his chin. “As for our standing right now, we have you, assuming you say yes after all this. Jaxon has shown he can be versatile in both a direct fight and in tactical situations, so he’s a go. Genos might have some skill there, but I don’t know if that’s his forte. He would be a great backup and there’s a good chance we can find a way to utilize his engineering skills.”
“Look at this thoughtfulness. I feel like a proud big brother.” Flynn chuckled.
“Aren’t you a few months younger than me?” Kaiden asked and lost his train of thought.
“Maybe I’m biologically younger, but you have to admit—”
“You want to shut up now,” he warned and rolled his eyes. “I can’t even get any respect from the people who’ve seen me fight.”
“It’s not like you have a gun on you right now.”
“Maybe not.” He slid his hand down to his tray, picked a fork up, and waved it in the Aussie’s face. “But I have this and an isolated area.”
“Truly intimidating. You might hit a vein,” Flynn mocked. “But again, back to the matter at hand. What are our options?”
He placed the utensil down and leaned forward. “We could have wrapped this up by now,” he muttered before he released a deep breath, looked at his hand, and began to count off on his fingers. “Izzy would be a good choice. She’s an agile scout. Cameron and Raul would do well too, as long as we can keep their personalities in check.”
“You’re one to talk.” His companion chuckled under his breath. “You’re forgetting someone, though.”
The ace looked up. “Hmm? Who’s that?”
“Before I help you remember, you promise we aren’t doing anything illegal here?”
“You won’t be,” Kaiden answered.
“That’s a specific answer,” the marksman remarked and regarded him suspiciously.
“The first part of the mission will definitely be a little sketchy, at least to most,” the ace admitted with a shrug. “Considering my background, I’m certainly used to dealing with areas that are rather gray.” He fixed the other man with an honest look. “But as a sniper, shouldn’t you be fine with dealing in the same muddled areas?”
“I’ll have you know I plan to go into a SWAT unit or the military,” Flynn said and thumped his chest. “But I’ll admit that even aiding you, despite knowing that not everything you’re doing right now is necessarily on the up and up, does mean I’m a little more flexible than I’d probably like to admit.”
“So you are on board then?”
He smiled. “You know as much as I do that I was on board the moment you asked. It’s not like I have anything to do anyway. I only have two workshops left this week and then it would be some intense Animus training. This’ll be equally as good.”
Kaiden nodded and folded his arms. “It’ll either be a vacation or a struggle to survive. It’s still not clear which.”
“Man, you must expect the worst if you’re scared.”
He spat on the ground. “I ain’t scared.” He cracked his knuckles. “But I do have to admit that whoever is behind this has powerful connections and is potentially rather dangerous.”
“They would have to be to make a zaibatsu their target,” Flynn agreed. “Which is why I think she would make a great addition to the team, but I want your promise that you won’t involve her in anything shady.”
“I already told you that I would handle all the stuff like that,” Kaiden grunted. “Jeez, who is she? Your sister or something?”
“I don’t have any blood relations in the academy,” Flynn countered. “But Amber does, and she would kill me if I were responsible for wrapping her up in something like that.”
“Amber has a family member he—” His eyes widened as he smacked himself on the head. “Oh, right. Her.”
Chapter Fourteen
“So, dear Kaiden has involved you in something troublesome again. has he?” the professor asked.
“I think it’s nice that she’s looking out for her friends,” Cyra interjected and fixed him with a stern look. “And I’m not sure you should judge his actions. Considering how annoyed he looked when he stormed out of here, I can only assume something didn’t go well between you two?” Her words made Laurie flinch.
Chiyo shook her head. “He’s doing something for me this time—something quite important, and more than I should ask him to do as a friend.”
“Is that so?” He opened his desk drawer and removed a box. “Here. I want you to have this.”
She took it cautiously, opened it, and looked at him in shock. “I’ve never seen a model like this.”
“It’s honestly merely a fancy redesign of mine,” he admitted. “Play around with it. I’m sure you can find a use for it.”
“You’re simply letting me have this?” she asked with astonishment. “Is this even on the market?”
“Not yet, but I plan to have it be,” Laurie revealed. “This Academy and my bank account can only gain a limited amount of money from the contracts and sponsors, so some of the devices I make in my free time are put on the market to bolster both. I’ve had time to have it trialed in-house, but fieldwork is a different story.” The professor parted his hands and glanced at Cyra. “As Cyra was…observant enough to notice, Kaiden and I had a difficult discussion. We aren’t on the best terms right now.” He shrugged. “I don’t think he will pay me another visit before you leave to do whatever it is you are about to do, but I want to help, even in a small way.”
Chiyo nodded while she closed the box. “Thank you, Professor, it will be a great help.” She bowed and turned to leave. “As for what happened between you and Kaiden…” The other two perked up. “I would have to say, unless you were responsible for killing one of his family members or something like that, I don’t think he will hold it against you for long.”
“Do you think so?” Laurie sighed and a small smile formed. “I can promise I did no such thing, even if it still made me feel horrible. So you think he won’t hold it against me?”
“Not at all,” she assured him. “He’ll make you sweat for a while, but it’s not his way to give you the cold shoulder.” She approached the door, which slid open. “He’s more direct. If he was truly angry at you, I think he would simply kill you.”
Just before the doors closed, she could hear the professor admit, “To be honest, she’s not wrong.”
Chiyo waited at the fountain where the rising moon bathed the water in a silvery sheen. She looked at the device she had retrieved from Laurie and remembered his words.
Feet clicking against the pavement snapped her out of her memories. She looked up as Kaiden approached with Genos and three others.
“Kaiden?” she called.
“Hey, Chi. Thanks for waiting. I had to make some adjustments to the team.”
“Hello, friend Chiyo.” Genos ran up to the infiltrator and took her hand. “Kaiden told kin Jaxon and me that you required help in an important task. We are here to assist in any way we can.”
She blinked in surprise at his uncharacteristically loud outburst. “Thank you so much, Genos.” The rest of the group greeted her quietly. “And to all of you as well, Jaxon, Flynn, and…Indre?”
“He-llo!” the girl said cheerfully. “It’s nice to see you again, Chiyo. It’s been a while.”
“About a month since the last time we trained together in the Animus.” She nodded.
“Yeah. I’m surprised we don’t see much of each other in the dorms,” she said and tapped her cheek thoughtfully. “I was worried I had offended you in some way and you were avoiding me.”
“No, not at all. I spend most of my time in the library and working with Cyra, so I have rather late hours.” She moved away from Genos and walked up to her. “Even despite all that, thank you for helping me.”
Indre smiled and took her hand. “Of course. Techies gotta look out for each other, right?” She looked at Kaiden. “But to be honest, I’m still trying to figure out what I’m helping with in the first place.”
The infiltrator looked at him and he shrugged in response. “I told them what we talked about, but since we still don’t know what we’ll do after Vox, I could only guess.”
“I see.” She twirled a strand of her hair, her eyes closed in thought. “We are going against some kind of syndicate or group that has made moves to control various companies and now aims for the Mirai zaibatsu. Did Kaiden tell you why this concerns me?”
His eye twitched when he realized he might have been a little too free with that information.
“Realizing that you might have overstepped your bounds a bit, huh?” Chief asked.
“You couldn’t have said something earlier?” Kaiden asked under his breath.
“Honestly, she didn’t mention anything about not telling others, so any system or artificial personality warning that would have advised me to warn you didn’t go off. I’ve only now reached the same realization you have.”
“You’re part of me now, right? Learn to read the situation.”
“Think about what material I have to base that on,” the EI retorted.
“Didn’t take you long to go back to normal. No leftover guilt?”
“No crying over spilled brain matter,” Chief snarked. “No, seriously, I am sorry, but hey, we’re still partners, and I gotta make sure you learn from your mistakes, right?”
“Oh, I’m learnin’ all right.” He huffed but tried to keep a straight face.
“Yeah, he did. Was that bad?” Flynn asked, folded his arms, and leaned against a streetlamp. “It sounds like a Kaiden move.”
“I’m sure he simply wanted to inform us of all the pertinent information,” Jaxon said quietly.
Chiyo shook her head and sighed. “I know. I’m not angry. I merely felt it would have been better for me to inform you all.”
“Yeah, that’s my bad,” Kaiden agreed and grimaced. “I didn’t think it through, sorry.”
“I said it’s fine, Kaiden,” she promised with a wave of her hand. “It saves time actually. Were you able to secure transport?”
Kaiden nodded. “It’ll be ready to go tomorrow morning at six.”
“Oh, good, an early morning. I’ll charge extra for that,” Flynn stated.
“You’re a marksman. Don’t you stay up for hours waiting for your mark?” The ace hissed in irritation.
