Two blacked-out SUVs shot down the gravel road, escaping the mansion, their taillights barely visible by the time Sakiko and Takuro made it out the doors.
Takuro: Damn, they've got a strong head start. Any ideas?
Sakiko narrowed her eyes at the quickly fading lights.
Sakiko: Hit me.
Takuro: Excuse me?
Sakiko: I can catch up. I just need a good charge.
Takuro: Ok…
Takuro reached to his back, straight along his spine, flames sparked up, forming a large hammer.
Takuro: You sure about this? You know this isn't gonna be fun, right?
Sakiko: Wait till you see what I do to that car!
Takuro's windup was slow; just the way he held the hammer added emphasis to its weight and power. Sakiko braced herself with her arms across her chest.
With a loud clang, the hammer slammed against her. Sakiko flew back a few meters but landed cleanly on her feet. The hair on the left side of her head was almost completely white.
Sakiko: [Xena?]
Xena: [You've got a solid charge, looks like the purple-haired dude isn't totally worthless after all.]
Sakiko: [Hey, be nice.]
Sakiko: Thanks, Takuro, I'll be back!
She slid her foot back, focusing on the path the cars took.
Sakiko: Kinetic Release 60%
With an explosive burst, Sakiko shot down the path, the shockwave staggered Takuro momentarily.
Takuro: I guess…I'll circle the mansion for any extra guards.
Sakiko glided down the gravel road, slicing through the wind. For a moment, she was behind the cars, then she was ahead of them.
Sakiko: Two cars. Both completely blacked out, White Veil's in one of them, I've got a fifty-fifty shot here, left or right...
Xena: [Spin on your heels and hit one!]
Sakiko: [Y-Yeah!]
Sakiko increased her speed, gaining distance from the two large cars. She leaped, spinning in the air. Her feet reconnected with the ground. Another explosive shockwave boomed through the air as she shot towards the SUV on the right.
Sakiko: Kinetic Release 10%
The blond-haired girl and the SUV were headed for a collision. She lowered her shoulder and braced her body.
Her shoulder clashed with the vehicle. A jolt of pain flooded Sakiko's body. The hood of the car caved, metal folded like paper. Sparks jumped from the block as the SUV flipped over Sakiko's head, once—twice—finally landing upside down.
Sakiko opened her eyes and frantically looked around. Her eyes widened in shock as she approached the flipped car.
Sakiko: I did this…? Whoa…!
Xena: [Pretty dashing work, blondie.]
Sakiko began pulling the man in the driver's seat out the window.
Sakiko: [Aww, thanks…I think…isn't "dashing" normally a compliment for looks? Man, this guy is heavy!]
Xena: [Well, I use it when as a compliment for anything, you can use it too if you'd like.]
The driver's heavy boots shattered another piece of glass as the thump over the edge of the window. Sakiko dropped the unconscious body on the ground, wiping her forehead.
Sakiko: I don't want to be rude, but you've got to stop eating; being this heavy isn't dashing at all.
Xena: [Nice!]
Sakiko: Thanks! Seriously, though, I can't believe a person this big managed to squeeze into this…little…car…
Sakiko squatted down. In the passenger seat was a double-barreled shotgun and a large cleaver. Her eyes shot to the guard; his collar was covering a necklace hanging around his neck. She hurriedly yanked the necklace off the man's neck. A shiny "#2" hung at the end of the snapped chain.
Sakiko: This is the guard!
Tires screeched as Sakiko's neck snapped at the other SUV. A fat-faced man rolled up the window as he continued down the road. Sakiko went wide-eyed as she began to sweat; her voice was shaky.
Sakiko: W-W-What do I do?! I–I messed up again! I'm going to let everyone down!
Xena: [Hey, breathe for a second–]
Sakiko: No, I don't have a second! If I don't catch him, he'll escape. If he escapes, we fail. If we fail, we're one step further from going home. What would Inezo think, what would Akida think, what would Tamiko think!
Xena: [Why are you pretending to care?]
Sakiko: [Huh…?Why would I care what my friends think?]
Xena: [Not that. I've seen your memories, and we share a body, so I know how you feel, you don't truly want to go home, so why're you acting as if you do?]
Sakiko: You're wrong…I DO want to go home! I've got people waiting for me.
Xena: [Haha, you think so? People like who, your parents?]
Sakiko's mind jumped back to her home with her mother, father, and sister.
Sakiko: ...I've got to catch that car. What's my charge?
Xena: [20%. You've got five leftover from purple hair and gained another fifteen when you shoulder checked that car. ]
Sakiko: That'll get me past the car, but what'll I do when I get there? I won't be able to turn and launch like before. Aww man…
Xena: [Looks like your best bet is to run straight at it from behind and hope for the best, or maybe run up to the side and hit it.]
Sakiko: Okay.
Sakiko's white hair started to fade as she dropped to a running stance, the gravel pressed into her palms, she took a deep breath, staring at the red lights rapidly putting distance between them. She dug her shoe into the ground and…a soft noise stole all her concentration.
Chime
A soft ring, like the breeze passing through town on an early morning in Spring. Sakiko raised her head, and a small light pierced the nighttime air, shining radiantly even as it approached the ground.
Sakiko: It's beautiful…
Sakiko flinched as White Veil's car swerved into a large tree. The bright light had dropped sharply, flying straight into the driver's side window of the SUV. Sakiko only had to use 5% to catch up. She carefully opened the car door. A fat man with stains on his suit was lying unconscious, head against the steering wheel. As Sakiko pulled him from the wrecked car, he muttered something.
White Veil: …They said…I'd be…invincible…
Sakiko: That was English. Just like the guy we saved in the forest.
She lifted the heavy, unconscious man onto her back.
Sakiko: Ughh, I hope his clothes don't stain my new jacket. Whoa!
She caught herself as the weight almost tipped her over.
Sakiko: At least he's lighter than the other guy.
Xena: [Don't you need to take that "other guy" too?]
Sakiko: [Uhhh…I'll be fine.]
Sakiko began walking back towards the mansion, slowly but steadily.
Seigan ducked into the kitchen as Guard #1 fired his shotgun once more, his other arm was wildly swinging his large cleaver at the two Inezos jumping around him. Akida yelled as her Uzi cracked against the skull of a frenzied guard.
Akida: Can we please get the key!
Seigan: You try and take it! Let's see how that goes.
Inezo: I've got a plan.
Akida: Seriously?
Seigan: Yeah, seriously?
Inezo: Just because I'm not looking forward to being blown up.
One more clone appeared beside Inezo, and the two swarming the large guard joined up with them. The four Inezos dodged the flurry of zombie-like hands coming from the previously unconscious guards. The group split down the middle, both pairs grabbing one of the large guard's arms.
Inezo 3: Seigan! Go for his– *nghh* his legs
Seigan tossed two soldiers into each other as he made his way through the small but hectic space. His leg began to vibrate as he raised it; his sneaker made contact with the restrained man's kneecap. The man's leg bent abnormally as he let out a low-toned growl. He buckled over, using his large knife to catch himself. Tamiko threw two balls of ink at the cleaver's blade, sticking it to the ground. Inezo snatched the key from the guard's waist, tossing it to Akida.
Inezo: There's your key.
Akida: Thank you…We still need to get the hostages. Has anyone been keeping track of time?
Inezo 2 & 3: Nope.
Seigan: Not me.
Tamiko: Two minutes, fifty-nine seconds…most likely.
Seigan: Most likely?!
Akida: Hopefully that's enough, Eyebags, let's go.
Inezo's clones dissipate as he follows Akida. They step over the numerous bodies scattered around the mansion before taking the stairs down to the hunter cabin area.
Inezo: What's with all the taxidermy?
Akdia: Why would I know the answer?
Inezo: Ok…what's with them?
He pointed at a deer head sitting peacefully on top of two incapacitated guards.
Akida: Tamiko.
Inezo: Right...Where's the cell?
Akida: This way.
The lock clicked, dropping to the floor after Akida inserted the key.
Akida: Lance!
Lance: Yes?!
Akida: Get all these people to move quickly. Are there any people who can't walk? We can carry them.
Lance: Two people have broken legs, and there's also a pregnant woman.
Akida: How the hell…Actually, I don't want an answer, just hurry.
Inezo: I'll have my clones get the ones with broken legs. I'll help you with the pregnant lady.
Akida nodded as the cell emptied. They both draped one of their arms around their shoulders, making their way up the tunnel.
Pregnant woman: I'm sorry about this. I know you can't speak back to me, just know that I apologize.
Akida pointed at the woman's stomach, then pointed at herself, then at Inezo.
Pregnant woman: You're asking if it's a boy or a girl?
Akida smiled while nodding.
Pregnant woman: I'm honestly not sure, haha, I haven't exactly had the resources to check.
Chilled air raced through the tunnels as the shed door was pushed open. Some of the prisoners were crying tears of joy as it was their first time being outside in months.
Sakiko: Hey, guys!
Sakiko walked up to the group, with White Veil still knocked out on her back.
Akida: Sakiko! Glad you're alright, is that the trafficker?
Sakiko: Yup, this is him, now we won't fail the mission!
Seigan: Great, I've gotta ask Siana for another med pack.
Seigan and Tamiko were crossing the clearing, holding their shoulder and ribs respectively. Seigan was also holding Guard #1's shotgun.
Tamiko: Is that the target?
Akida: That's what Sakiko says.
Seigan: Heard, looks like we accomplished everything we needed to.
Inezo: And the mansion hasn't even blown up yet.
Sakiko: The mansion's going to EXPLODE?! Where's Takuro?!
Seigan: We thought he was with you!
Akida: Don't tell me he's still inside.
Takuro: Who?
Sakiko: AHHH!
Takuro steps out of some nearby bushes. Leaves were entwined with some of his hair.
Inezo: Why're you in the bushes?
Takuro: I was making sure there weren't any guards that snuck away.
Sakiko: Well, I'm glad we're all here.
Siana: As am I.
Sakiko: AHHH!
Takuro: Whoa!
Seigan & Akida: What the hell!
KA-BOOM
Squad Zero: Aaaaaah!
The mansion exploded in a cloud of dust, fire, and steel. The squad rebirected and destroyed any stray wreckage from hitting the people they saved. The grass was starting to ignite before the foundations gave way, and the rubble collapsed into the tunnels below. Siana holstered her sniper, and tapped her earpiece.
Siana: Bet, it's me. Meet up at the rendezvous point, and bring a backup chopper; we've got civilians that need transport and medical attention.
Siana turned to address the group of perplexed hostages who couldn't understand the conversation, reaching into her pocket and presenting three earpieces.
Siana: I've only got three. Who in the group can speak the most languages?
Akida searched the crowd and brought back Lance and the pregnant woman.
Akida: This guy speaks English and Japanese; the lady here also speaks English, but I'm not sure if she's fluent in anything else.
Siana handed both of them an earpiece, instructing them to tell the group to follow her, before once again tapping her earpiece.
Siana: Bet. There's also a pregnant woman here; check if Vera can spare three or four from the medical division. What? …Yes, the mansion did have a heli-pad, but…it's…well, out of commission. Thanks.
Siana: Now. Follow me, Inezo, help this woman–I'm sorry, may I ask your name?.
Pregnant woman: Oh, Ella. My name is Ella Igraas.
Siana: Inezo, have your clones help Ms. Ella walk, Takuro, pick up White Veil.
Seigan leans over to one of Inezo's clones.
Seigan: Someone's grumpy.
Siana: Seigan. You say something?
Seigan: N-No ma'am!
Siana: Good. Now, as I said, follow me.
Everyone was quiet as they retraced their steps back to the rendezvous point, the clearing where the mission started. On the walk, Siana explained to Lance and Ella that every prisoner has the option to either return home after a few days or permanently stay on the island with a living space provided to them until they can get back on their feet.
Blades of grass were uprooted from the dirt and whisked into the air. As the two helicopters touched down, the squad helped load the prisoners onto the helicopter.
Siana: You six take White Veil and sit in the chopper. If any of you fall asleep before I get there, you'll regret it.
The padded seats were heaven after the short but nerve-wracking mission the group had just accomplished.
Sakiko: Siana seems mad. You think we're in trouble?
Akida: No way, we did everything she asked of us. Can't be mad at results.
Seigan: Results are good, but the way we got the results wasn't exactly nice and clean.
Inezo: She said herself that the field is unpredictable, she can't be upset that things didn't go as planned.
Takuro: But it only got that bad because of small mistakes; she's going to let us have it.
Siana's boot clacked against the metal floor of the helicopter, and the cabin immediately fell silent. She quietly took her seat in the cabin.
Siana: No talking till we get back home.
Sonia: [Damn, she pulled the cord on you? She's pissed.]
Xena: [You guys are so screwed.]
Sana: [Oh dear…]
Minus: [Wowwww, she can be pretty scary.]
Inezo: [Hey, Minus.]
Minus: [Yeahhhh?]
Inezo: [Stop talking.]
Waves splashed far beneath the helicopter as it soared back to Xodur's Hold.