Kozuna
"Hurry up, Yvira! Train's gonna start moving soon!"
"This could go a lot quicker if you'd just help, Kozuna!"
I barely glanced back as I jogged toward the cargo train. "Help?"
You know damn well you don't need any help, Yvira.
It was the day following our mission to Crescent Canyon, and I'd relayed my plan to Yvira the previous night. Upon arrival, I swiftly hopped a metal fence, while Yvira trailed behind. We arrived at a cargo train yard near the center of The Primary- my historical method for hitching free rides anywhere in Ozukashi lands. Free as long as we didn't get caught, anyway. Trains came to and from The Primary at practically every hour, and they traveled all across the territory. And that included stops at Jigen.
Unfortunately for us, squad leaders were the only people permitted to operate military buggies unless stated otherwise. And I wasn't about to deal with lengthy paperwork just to get behind the wheel. There were always other ways to get things done. And as someone who specialized in stealth training, I had other ways for getting things done. Methods made way back when I still lived at the orphanage.
I stopped in front of the closest train car. A lengthy, umber, hunk of steel. One of many, and pretty much identical to the rest that stretched for miles. I heaved on the old door to unstick it, and broke it open just before Yvira finally caught up.
It was a new experience for her. As far as I knew, she'd never ridden the cargo trains. But they were some of my favorite places to go when I wanted to get away from things. Simply catching a whiff and having my maroon hair blown from my face was enough to make some memories flood back in.
It was a couple years ago, right? When I met that girl from the Ashuran Clan? She was traveling with her family, and somehow we ended up hitting it off. Wonder what happened to her.
"Kozuna, why're you just standing there?"
I blinked a few times, realizing that Yvira had already climbed onto the train. She stuck out her hand to help me up. Short-lived thoughts were enough to halt me, it seemed.
After a beat, I took Yvira's hand and climbed on up. The two of us sat at the edge, waiting only a few more minutes before the train started rolling. And it didn't take long to pick up speed, either. In no time at all, we would be out in the sand flats and on our way to Jigen.
Yvira and I pulled our goggles on, but while she started chattering on about something, I couldn't help but find myself lost in thought.
What was that girl's name? Why can't I remember?
***
It was about fifteen minutes before the walls and buildings of Jigen were growing larger within sight. I pointed in the distance, finally stopping Yvira's constant chatter. However, we didn't seem to be slowing down. At all.
Only a few moments passed before Yvira started sweating and frantically glancing around. Longer than expected, frankly.
"Didn't you say this train stopped at Jigen, Kozuna? Haven't you done this before?"
"It does, and I have." But the people of Jigen were either killed or abducted overnight. "But, now that I'm thinking about it, the train probably won't stop here. Not anytime soon."
"S-so what do we do?"
My lips pursed before I answered, "We'll have to dive out. It's gonna come faster than you think."
"Wait, what?"
I pulled a fearful Yvira along as I prepared to take the plunge. Jigen was promptly coming into view, and with it, our chance to disembark safely.
"Um, Kozuna? I-I don't think this is a good idea!"
"Of course it isn't. But things never go as planned, right?"
"I-"
"You'll be fine, Yvira. Use a distant landmark for perspective. And as soon as you land, go straight into the roll."
Yvira stumbled away. "It's just, after what happened yesterday-"
"You shy away right now, it'll only get tougher." I deliberately avoided making eye contact with Yvira. "Besides, I'm here to catch you if anything happens."
I noticed Yvira beginning to blush. She stared directly at my side profile, though she continued breathing hard. However, she did manage to take a couple steps and start nodding.
"Y-you're right. You're right. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this." Yvira shut her twitching eyes and breathed deeply. "Could you give me a little push?"
A little push, huh?
Holding back my laughter, I slapped Yvira's back hard. Her eyes opened wide, and she dove forward with her usual scream.
"ASSHOOLEE!"
I knew exactly what was gonna happen. Despite being riddled with fear, Yvira performed a perfect breakfall roll, and I dove to the sand right after her. And when I rolled to my feet, Yvira donned her famous, pouty, annoyed look. All I could do was let out my stifled laughter. Only a little, though.
"Nice job. Wasn't so bad, now was it?"
Yvira practically vibrated with rage. "Y-YOU're NOT the one who was traumatized from FALLING through a freaking CANYON!"
"Heh. Bet you're not traumatized anymore."
Yvira growled once more and stomped off, practically blowing steam from her ears. She could act annoyed all she wanted; we both knew better. However, pleasantries and jokes were over. It was time to get down to business. We turned our attention to the bleak, uninhabited steel-and-stone town of Jigen. It once brimmed with workers and business not long ago, but there wasn't a single sign of life to be found.
"What happened here?" Yvira mumbled, clinging close as we scanned the area. "This is more outlandish than I imagined. Eerie, too."
Buildings were intact, and so were the walkways. Blood stained the ground sparsely, and there were even a couple of busted windows, like the commander had said. However, when Yvira and I approached the stone circle at the center of town, we noticed a cloaked man sitting there. Brown-skinned with a dark glare and bags beneath his eyes.
It seemed he noticed us first.
"And who might you two be?" he asked.
I noticed Yvira's lips opening and immediately covered her mouth.
"You first."
The man groaned like an old man as he stood up. He pulled his hood down, revealing long black hair that fell to his shoulders. He was a bit taller than me, too. His arms folded, wrinkling that ragged, wine-red cloak. I even noticed the makings of the Ozukashi uniform around his lower body. Only then did my gaze fixate on the strap across his chest, holding a wrapped greatsword to his back.
"Fine. I'm Nazun Ozukashi, a substitute squad leader assigned to investigate this town's massacre. Now, identify yourselves."
Yvira pushed my hand away the moment he finished speaking. "Really? We were assigned the mission to investigate, too! I'm Yvira, and this guy's Kozuna! We came here early to try and pick up the trail."
Ugh. She just HAD to mention who we are and what we're doing. Treat everyone with healthy suspicion- that was one of the first lessons we were taught in training.
"Yvira and Kozuna? You two are among the three I've been ordered to team up with for this mission. I see that Nikai is not with you. At least you guys came to put in the extra work. Like me."
Yvira stepped ahead of me and gave Nazun a firm handshake. "Have you uncovered anything? We just arrived."
Much as expected, Yvira began spewing our business without regard. I took a good look at our surroundings while she did. Aside from some blood in the sand, nothing else was suspicious at all. My brow twitched. What sort of conclusion was I supposed to draw?
What could've happened here? I need more time to investigate thoroughly. There's gotta be some clue.
Nazun half-waved to me, weirdly trying to get my attention. "Hey, Kozuna, you're awfully quiet back there. Care to speak at all?"
I'm not sure massacre was the right word to describe this. There's almost no trace of life around here.
My gaze fixated back on Nazun. He didn't give off a vibe of intimidation. However, his eyes alone made me feel like I was being watched,
"I'd rather get to the bottom of this. Unnecessary chit-chat can wait till later."
"I like that attitude, kid." Nazun took a small sip from his canteen, then hooked it back around his waist. "Here's what I've gathered so far. I've searched nearly every building, but I haven't found many useful clues. Meals left out on tables, lights still running, very few signs of struggle, if any. My guess is that the people living here were either forced to flee at the drop of a hat or were forcibly taken from their homes without warning. Slaughter is far less likely. At worst, the bloodstains were left by anyone who struggled. But there aren't any bodies, living or dead. They had to have gone somewhere, using transportation that wouldn't leave a trail, right? The real question is, who would do this? And why?"
"You seem to know a lot."
"Well, I have been going through this place, searching every nook and cranny while you guys were off securing a water source. I gained most of my information yesterday, if you really must know."
"Fair enough." I'll try to be a little more open and gain his trust. "On the topic of people disappearing, I have a thought."
Yvira lit up with curiosity. "You do?"
"You don't? The train, Yvira. It's right next to town, and before the disappearances, it stopped here every day. Let's say someone took over the train, or the conductor was in on this whole scheme. Moving bodies would be easy."
Living or dead.
Nazun slowly nodded. "I thought the same. We could take my buggy and follow the tracks. If we search each location along the route, maybe we'll pick up some clues?"
"Maybe. But we can cover more ground in groups. Yvira and I can explore my lead. You should try to dig up more clues. We're severely lacking in concrete information."
I want as much distance between him and us as possible for now.
"Like I said earlier, I've already searched this place top to bottom." Nazun stepped forward and rested his elbow on Yvira's shoulder. "We should begin working together. I AM your substitute squad leader, after all, and you two are under my jurisdiction. And, in any event, do you plan to follow the tracks on foot? Or by use of my buggy?"
Yvira averted her fluttering gaze and stayed silent. Ignoring that, I answered, "Just to be clear, Yvira and I were only here to get an idea of what we'd be dealing with. We're technically not on a squad mission. That doesn't begin until after tomorrow. So, we're not under your jurisdiction. We're not obligated to take orders from our squad leader, substitute, or not. You can come along, but only because we need that buggy."
"Kozuna, we're all on the same side here, trying to solve the same mystery. You don't need to treat Nazun like that."
"It's fine, Yvira." Nazun stepped past her. "If that's how you want to play, you don't have to take my orders, but I expect cooperation." Nazun stuck out his hand. "Can we agree to that much, at least?"
I hesitated, but reluctantly shook Nazun's hand with a heavy sigh. "I suppose."
"Excellent." Nazun grabbed his bag and swung it over his shoulder. He headed straight toward the northern exit of Jigen. "My buggy's parked this way. Let's get a move on."
***
Just beyond the gates, we found the buggy station. And it was packed full. In fact, Nazun's gunmetal-gray buggy was parked outside. It was strange in the sense that it had a full-metal roof, rather than grating or bars. He and Yvira hopped up front immediately.
The buggies are still here. That adds up a little.
I scanned the station as I hopped into one of the back seats, but I couldn't get anything from a relatively quick glance. Nazun fired up the engine and sped off toward the nearby train tracks. It was clear he wasn't the type to waste time.
"Hm, I have a question. How old are you guys? You two seem a little young to be scouts. Or soldiers."
"Oh, I'm seventeen. Kozuna back there is sixteen. You?"
I noticed Nazun's eyes fluttering and his jaw dropping for a quick second. "Thirty-two." He paused when he spoke that time. "Didn't realize the team I'd be helping was so young."
"A bit unexpected of teens to be scouts, you mean?"
"No, it's not that, Yvira. Your squad was tasked with securing a water source. That's quite a significant mission. I figured they wouldn't leave that to scouts so young, but I suppose you two and the others must be pretty capable." Nazun adjusted his mirrors as we continued moving, but his expression tightened in the reflection. "All that said, I hope you two are ready to prove yourselves. Looks like we've got a couple of enemy clan buggies on our tail."
"Seriously?" I peeked out from the side of the buggy and quickly sighed. "Shit. You're right. Bahsin Clan soldiers. Probably here for revenge."
"It hasn't been long since you guys captured Crescent Canyon, and there's already been multiple sightings across Ozukashi Territory of Bahsin marauders." Nazun glanced in his mirror once more as he sped further across the sand. "Either of you good with shooting on the go? They're catching up!"
Breathing deeply, I pulled my pistol out. It wasn't long after that we heard gunshots, as well as the sounds of them ricocheting from the steel of Nazun's buggy. The Bahsin had already caught up, and it was time to get down to business.
"We may have to go a bit off the trail! Hold on tight!"
"Keep it steady! I'll handle these losers!"