Silence In Numbers: File One, page 26
“You gave up,” Naomi stated with far more conviction than Katsumi had. “You turned on me just like your father.”
“She’s right,” Ayane said as she stepped into the scene, looking at her older sister with the same hatred Katsumi’s own eyes had been filled with earlier. “You’re the one that killed her.”
“Aya…”
“No!” Ayane shook her head. “You’re as much an enemy as he is! You’re the one that pulled the trigger!”
The nightmare, it seemed, had learned how to win. Katsumi’s resistance shattered with Ayane’s words and she dropped to her knees, arms hanging limply as emptiness filled her. “You’re right…” Her words were weak as the negative emotions from earlier turned on herself like hungry wolves.
“Katsumi…” Suddenly Ayane held the gun she’d used, aiming it at her older sister. Katsumi didn’t even try to move, no longer having the will to fight her own death. “Sumi!”
Katsumi jerked awake, sitting up with a gasp. Sweat covered her and made the sheets cling to her skin and her hair stick to her neck and face. Her eyes darted around in a search for the visions that had tormented her, but the room was quiet. Finally her eyes landed on Ayane and she noticed the girl was crying and staring at her in concern.
“I saw it…” Ayane said in a whisper. Katsumi realized her intense dream must have been shown over their link, like the most intense thoughts and emotions they had often were. Suddenly Katsumi hated herself even more for causing her sister such distress. “Stop it!” Ayane yelled, glaring at her now.
Katsumi looked away, knowing what she meant. “I can’t,” she muttered in a broken voice. “I keep… seeing it…”
“We’ll always see it,” Ayane replied, sounding far older than her twelve years of age should allow. “We share that. But what we don’t share is blaming you for it!”
“How can you not?” Katsumi nearly growled, looking back at her angrily. “I pulled the trigger.”
Ayane matched her glare with one of her own. “That was not our mother. That was something Father created. All of this is his fault, not yours. And I hate him as much as you do.” She took her sister’s face with both hands. “But don’t you go down that road, Sumi, do you hear me? Hating him is good, and I have nothing against anger, but I need you. I don’t want you to be obsessed with him, or even with mother. I want to keep my sister.”
Katsumi swallowed and nodded, trying to let those emotions go. “I’ll… I’ll try.” She sighed, pulling Ayane into a hug. “I’ll never leave you alone, Aya. These feelings will never be as strong as the ones I have for you.” She took a deep breath, determination replacing the hatred in her eyes. “I promise.”
Ayane smiled then, returning the hug. “You better keep that promise. Father’s the one that focuses only on hate; mother was never like that.”
Katsumi pulled back to look at her, smiling softly. “You’re a lot like her, you know. Just a little more selfish about me.”
Ayane gave a happier smile. “I think I’m allowed to be a bit possessive of my sister.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Date: April 8, 2068
Time: 10:14 AM
Location: SIN HQ, Tokyo
Ayane yawned, looking around the room with tired – but happy – eyes. Katsumi sat in a chair in the corner of the room while Ayane sat sideways in her lap with her head on her older sister’s shoulder, watching the others in the room (the whole team was there, including Hitomi) as she mainly stayed in her thoughts and out of the conversation.
She’d spent much of the night taking care of Katsumi, who had only gotten worse as the day went on. She’d managed to stay conscious until evening, but after that it she alternated between being awake and unconscious. Katsumi told Ayane to sleep, but honestly Ayane had appreciated being able to take care of Katsumi for once since she was still feeling fine.
Still, both of them were pretty tired today, and relatively quiet, but the others seemed to know enough not to ask about it. Instead they talked amongst themselves as Ayane and Katsumi simply enjoyed the company. Ayane yawned again, shifting to get a little more comfortable and drawing a smile from her older sister. “What are they talking about?” Ayane mumbled softly. “I tuned out.”
Her sister looked over the group with a smirk. They were in the room Hitomi was staying in; Law was sitting in the chair not occupied by the sisters, Rufus was leaning against the wall near the door, Reno was sitting on the floor against the bed, and Sano and Hitomi sat on the bed with their backs against the wall. “They’re debating the validity of several ghost-hunting shows,” Katsumi replied in a soft tone.
“Sounds important,” Ayane said with a smile.
Across the room, while Reno was extolling the virtues of a certain night vision camera to Rufus, Hitomi was watching the two sisters as she leaned towards Kurasano and said quietly, “They’re really cute.”
Sano smirked. “You should tell her that.”
“Why?” Hitomi looked at him curiously. “Would she not appreciate it?”
Sano looked thoughtful. “Actually… I don’t know. I mean, before three days ago, I never even knew Katsumi could be like that.”
Hitomi frowned, looking even more confused now. “What do you mean? I thought you’d known her for years.”
“Going on eight years now, yeah. But it’s… complicated. Of all of us, only Law and M knew she had a sister. She was kept secret for safety reasons.”
“Oh. And that changed?”
“Not really. I mean, it changed in that the person she was being protected from found her anyway, so Katsumi decided it’d be better if her allies knew about her now that her enemies did.”
“That’s terrible,” Hitomi said as she watched Katsumi whisper something to Ayane, making the younger girl grin. “Is she in danger?”
“We’re all in danger,” Sano muttered morosely. “But at least we’ll all help each other. Don’t you worry about Ayane; not only will everyone in this room fight for her, but Katsumi’s the best protector she could have.”
“Well, they look happy, so I guess it doesn’t bother them a lot.”
Sano shrugged. “I dunno. When you live the way we all do, I think you just learn to take happiness when you can get it.”
“Sano seems to know what he’s talking about,” Katsumi said softly with a smirk, still pretending she wasn’t listening.
Ayane smiled. “Think we can just get him to explain things to all new people for us? He’s good at it.”
“He does like to talk,” Rufus muttered, bringing Ayane’s eyes to him. She noticed Reno had switched to talking to Law, so Rufus had begun paying attention to the sisters.
“Are you worried he’ll say more than he should?” Ayane asked.
Rufus tilted his head. “Sano…? Nah. Not intentionally, anyway. Though you might wanna make sure he knows exactly what he shouldn’t give away.”
“Probably a good idea,” Katsumi mumbled, looking over at him.
Ayane looked up at her sister. What exactly does he know?
Let’s see… He knows we want to kill Father. He knows a two-sentence description of our childhoods, but no details. He knows what happened to Mother. Those are the things he knows that the others don’t, none if which I want him telling anyone else.
Yeah… Ayane sighed, laying her head back down.
I’m sorry, Katsumi said as she stroked her sister’s hair. I didn’t mean to ruin your mood.
You didn’t, Ayane replied as she smiled. I’m pretty happy today. This is nice. I like being here, being part of this group.
It’s a good group.
Ayane closed her eyes, listening to the voices around her. Katsumi was right, it was a good group. It was hard to feel safer than she felt at this moment.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"They’re being foolish,” Victoria Gray, Director of Military Action, stated over her secure phone, staring out the window of the café she sat in. It was sad, she reflected, that she trusted this place more than her office or home.
“I agree with your assessment,” M replied as he walked past Hitomi’s room with a smile, hearing snippets of the conversation within. “But I do not feel as if they are being entirely honest.”
“You think the other directors have ulterior motives?” Victoria frowned. She’d considered that, but hearing that M did as well made it seem far more valid, and that she did not like.
“I do, General. I think there’s a bigger reason they want us to capture this Ancient One alive than simply ‘more information’.”
“You think…” The General shook her head. “You don’t think they want to use him, do you?”
“I do. In fact, I believe they want to use him to restart Project Origin.”
“Project - but that’s…” She sighed, rubbing the patch over her missing eye as the spot ached.
“That’s ridiculous. Surely they know the folly of such a-“
“Arrogance is a major flaw in those that hold powerful positions such as ours, V,” M chuckled. “They likely believe that if they throw enough money at the problem it will work.”
“Then they have to be stopped. Even if it did work, even if such a being could be controlled by humans, isn’t that too much power for one group to hold? And I don’t even want to think about Origin’s reemergence…”
“Of course it is. And I don’t think either of us believes our company would be responsible with such power.”
“No.” V looked back out the window, her eye narrowed. “H and R would jump at the chance to wield such power. I can see it in their eyes every time they speak of such things. And I don’t even know what G would do with it.”
“Do you even believe the Aegis President would be left with the authority to do anything? Or the ability?”
Victoria grimaced. “You see the same thing that I do in H and R, don’t you?”
“Unfortunately. R is cunning, but H is less so, and his nerves about the future are obvious to the observant. We both know H doesn’t plan on simply staying Chairman forever.”
“And he’s the one I’m less worried about.”
“Yes… He may not even get the chance to claim G’s position if they make their move.”
“Backstabbing?” V felt uncomfortable at the very notion of it. “I have no problem believing that R is capable of such a thing. If H doesn’t already realize that R is using him, he’s a bigger fool than I thought.”
“His self-importance may be blinding him to that fact. Still, I thank you for bringing their watchful eyes and ears to my attention.”
“Have they started yet?”
“Oh, yes. One device in my home and one in my car already, as well as two ‘friends’ who like to admire me from afar. Oh, and a device in my office that I removed and informed them about.”
Victoria smirked. “Told them you’re worried about what enemy succeeded in putting it there?”
“Of course. And I have every right to be worried, don’t you think?”
“Considering that your worst enemies may be within our own organization? Yes, I’m worried as well.”
“At least I have you as an ally, my friend.”
“You know how I disapprove of these kinds of methods. And beyond that, your division is important.” She frowned. “I’m just worried they’ll attempt to remove you. I can’t imagine what kind of person they’d put in your place.”
“Someone not half as brilliant, I imagine.”
V smiled. “I don’t think anyone even half as brilliant exists, M. So… Are you going to take my advice?”
“Take out the Ancient One as soon as possible and inform the board it was unavoidable? Of course I will. Well, I will do the informing,” M said with a smile. “Captain Samakura will be doing the taking-out.”
“It’s in good hands both ways, then.” Victoria tilted her head. “Tell the girls I miss having them in my division, will you?”
“I can tell them to give you a call, if you’d like.”
She smiled. “Yes, do that. I would enjoy hearing from them; it’s been several months at least.”
“Of course. Thank you for the call, V. And do be careful; you may be a soldier, but you’re surrounded by criminals up there.”
“Tell me about it,” she said with a sigh. “I’ll watch my back if you watch yours.”
“Done.”
Victoria shut her phone, looking back out the window at the street outside. She hated the type of people she had to work with these days; M’s warning was legitimate. She was playing a dangerous game working against the others, but protection of the people was still her duty and if she had to do it from the inside of a viper’s nest, she wouldn’t shy away.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
As M shut the phone a screen in his office began flashing, warning of rising demonic activity in a nearby building. He smiled, looking at the screen. “Speak of the devil and he shall appear,” he said quietly, tapping the screen before striding through the hall to Hitomi’s room, standing at the doorway and catching the attention of everyone inside. “Our spectral friend has revealed himself. Get on it.”
Katsumi caught the tracker he tossed at her, immediately growing serious. The whole team jumped up as Katsumi stood, moving to follow them when something caught her shirt, preventing her from leaving. She looked back to see her sister looking at her with pleading but determined eyes. “I’m going with you.”
Katsumi looked surprised, at a loss for words for a moment as she was caught off-guard. Then she smiled, holding out her hand. Ayane matched her smile, taking it, and Katsumi gripped her hand tightly as she pulled her out the door after the others. In the equipment room Hitomi looked around the quickly moving people until she spotted Katsumi.
“Can I… I want to go.”
Ayane looked to Katsumi, who gave the woman a hard look. “It’s dangerous.”
“I know. I don’t have to be in the middle of it, but this…” Hitomi took a breath, taking on a determined look. “This thing used me.”
Katsumi and Ayane both took on an understanding expression at her words and Katsumi nodded, even giving her a smile of approval. “Of course. Sano? Can you stay on protection detail?”
Sano nodded with a grin. “Can do, boss.”
“Good. You two will stay in the car with Reno.” She looked back at Hitomi. “If this thing runs from us I want people ready to go after it, and you can help them track it.”
Ayane smiled. “Just use your senses. It’ll come to you.”
“If you say so,” Hitomi replied with a nervous smile.
Katsumi caught a pistol that Law tossed her, handing it to Ayane who immediately checked and loaded it with the same practiced ease her older sister showed, surprising Hitomi since she’d been told the girl was a civilian. “Reno, obviously you’re driving.”
“Yo.”
“Rufus, Law, you two will be going in with me and Aya. Law, you have the gear you need?”
The muscular giant gave a nearly feral grin as he straightened up, patting the huge case at his side. “Got th’ present for our friend all wrapped up an’ ready for delivery.”
Ayane laughed at him. “Try to look more excited, Big L!”
Law gave a deep laugh. “Kid on Christmas morning?” he asked, assuming she thought he looked like that.
“More or less.” Ayane bounced over, clasping her hands behind her back and tilting her head as she inspected the huge case he held. “Can I fire it this time?”
“After what happened last time?” Katsumi asked with a raised eyebrow.
Ayane looked back at her sister. “That was an accident! I’ve got the hang of it now!”
Law chuckled, patting Ayane’s head. “Sorry, blue-hair. Maybe if you grow a couple more feet.”
“Are you calling me short?” Ayane grinned darkly. “Do you wanna fight again?”
Reno popped his head around Law’s large frame. “Please do. I don’t think I can die content without seeing Law get his ass kicked by a pretty girl.”
Ayane laughed, but then her eyes widened. “My sister’s beaten him up! Are you saying my sister isn’t pretty?”
Katsumi smirked as Reno stuttered. “Uh… I was… I’m gonna get the car started!”
They laughed as he ran off and Katsumi pointed after him. “Everyone grab your gear and get to the car. We leave in two minutes with or without you!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The swirl of power in the room was growing. It was impressive with all the flashing lights and heavy wind, very theatrical, Sigma thought. Joseph watched it impassively, of course, but Sigma looked very entertained. Though his eyes couldn’t be seen beneath his hood, his mouth was fixed in a grin that could be described in a variety of ways, not the least of which was “unnerving”.
The Shade floated in the center of the room with blue flame lashing out from it, its glowing eyes filled with hunger. Before it lay several humans who were confused and terrified, but the binds on them were strong and inescapable. Between them and the demon sat the black box Joseph had retrieved the day before; it seemed to be draining something from the unfortunate captives and transferring it to the demon, who was growing in power.
They were in an office building that had been chosen due to the fact that the company was shut down for the day, meaning there were only a few people in the building. It happened to be the perfect amount of people; enough to perform this little ritual, but too few to cause them any problems. Apart from Joseph, Sigma, the demon and the captives, there were four other people in the room; soldiers. They wore black and red armored uniforms and carried advanced rifles. On the front of each uniform was a crimson emblem of two feathery wings spreading from a saber. They were Blood Angels, members of Joseph Elwood’s terrorist organization. Only four were here because the other two men in the room didn’t need protection; the four soldiers were only there to perform tasks that might be needed.
