Though questions burned within Shadow, the assassin knew better than to speak out of turn while in the presence of her teacher.
The elder came to a stop in front of a metal door. “Know that everything that will happen here today could’ve been avoided had you succeeded,” Elder Fulton said with a voice cold as ice, stepping through the doors and into a darkened conference room.
Shadow bowed her head slightly in shame, quietly following inside, doors snapping close behind her.
The conference room was occupied by slabs of glass, each one a headstone that lit up after a minute. The projections of other elders appeared upon each slab, some of them showing a default blank user icon instead. Some exchanged small pleasantries and greetings, waiting for the others to show up. When it was clear none more would come, elder Fulton stepped forward, clearing her throat.
“I’ve convened this emergency meeting to propose the eradication of the aberration,” she said.
Immediately, one of the default-user-icons spoke up. “Fucking waste of time. I vote absentee.” It disconnected, followed by a dozen others, their profiles replaced by a ‘0’.
Just like that, the number of participants was reduced to barely a third of what it’d been. Shadow’s gaze lingered on the headstone that read “Hecate”, one of several that had not shown up to the meeting at all. She quietly wondered whether that was a good or bad thing, it was always impossible to be sure with her.
Fulton did not flinch, clearly having expected this reaction. She continued speaking as if nothing had happened. “Though the original condoned assassination contract only targeted the aberration as a means to flush-out Doctor Moreau, recent events have made it clear we should make it a priority.”
“‘It’ has a name, Fulton.” Chided elder Summer. The oldest meguca in New Francisco did not appear her age, a young woman wearing a yellow flowery sundress, with pristine glowing golden hair that shimmered under a light of its own. Even when she was merely speaking through a projection, Shadow could sense the power behind the elder’s eyes. “Isn’t that right, little shade?”
Shadow twitched, not having expected being acknowledged, let alone addressed. She quickly lowered her gaze to the floor, bowing deeply. “Yes, elder Summer, his name is-”
“It is irrelevant.” Fulton cut off sternly. “The thing is not human, and neither is it a meguca. It, is a threat. One we must deal with soon, its growth rate is… concerning.”
Elder Summer laughed, a cheerful sound on a youthful face that beguiled the experienced sharpness behind her eyes. “Imagine my surprise when Hecate, of all people, told me there might be something interesting to watch in the badlands. And, feeling curious, I take a little stroll, and find this cute little thing running around killing monsters left and right.”
As elder Summer spoke, Shadow’s blood froze, realization dawning on her. She wished she could mute the elder, cut her off, but knew it would be not just futile but put her teacher into a very bad spot.
But despite her wishes, the elder continued. “And then your student showed up to try and kill him. But not only does she fail… he even saved her life. Twice.”
There was a tiny shake that traveled through the metal of the room, and though Shadow’s gaze was fixed on the floor, she could feel the force of elder Fulton’s anger. “I-”
“He saved her?” Another elder spoke, her image just a blank user icon, voice thick with curiosity. “I knew there was some bullshit going on when you only sent clips of the engagement from the shade’s suit, rather than the whole footage.”
“Oh yes, I have a recording of my own, bird’s eye-view. Less up and personal, but still amusing, I’d say.” Elder Summer sang merrily. “The little shade went so far she tried to kill herself to get the job done. She failed, obviously, else we-”
“That is enough out of you, elder Summer.” Fulton growled.
The shudder from before redoubled, and for a moment the whole building felt as if it would come alive and crush Shadow. The assassin hastily dropped to her knees, cold sweat running down her back as she kept her eyes locked with the floor, not daring to breathe lest it might incur further anger from the elder.
It passed after a moment, and Fulton continued, as if the exertion had not been even worth noticing. “Seeing how the creature has a human-like intelligence, it would not be far-fetched to claim it knew that saving my student would be advantageous. We should not take this matter lightly.”
“I’ve passed along the unedited video, for everyone’s viewing pleasure.” Elder Summer proclaimed, her statement soon followed by several other elders making sounds of amusement. “I do have a question for the little shade, however.”
Swallowing, Shadow waited for elder Fulton to nod in permission before she raised her gaze to stare at elder Summer. “I will do my utmost to answer fully.”
“Did you give up on killing him after he rescued you the first time?”
She took a moment to think her words carefully. “I did not, the contract had yet to expire. I’d prepared an improvised weapon in case an opportunity presented itself.” She remembered it well, she’d found a shard of Axel Garcia’s obsidian armor, the glass-like material had tingled to the touch.
“And you were willing to die for your mission, correct?”
The answer was immediate. “Yes. Always.”
“Then why not leave him to drown?”
Shadow nodded, having fully expected the question. “Axel Garcia’s powers make it possible for him to alter his physiology in drastic ways. I never saw the full extent of his capabilities, thus though my death would’ve been guaranteed, the target’s was not.” There was also the fact that she couldn’t have jumped out of the river on her own while being held tightly, but that was a detail she kept to herself. “I fully expected that, once he returned to his human form, an opportunity would present itself.” Nevermind that the jump had effectively left her so exhausted she’d passed out. That had been an oversight her teacher was sure to account for during future training.
“… How… boring.” Elder Summer sighed. “Not even a shred of sympathy? No willingness to nudge the clock a little?”
“I must carry out my duty to the best of my abilities and exactly as I was ordered to.” Shadow declared firmly.
Elder Fulton gave the slightest nod of approval, but Shadow noticed the way the other elder’s steeled. There was disapproval on their faces, even… pity. Looks that were gone in an instant, with elder Summer regaining her pleasant, picture-perfect smile. “Fifty years, and you still don’t realize New Francisco is not like Los Angeles, Fulton.” The golden-haired meguca declared, her voice somehow carrying a threat to it. “Megucas are not tools.”
“Of course they’re not.” Fulton scoffed. “And New Francisco is my home as much as it is yours, elder Summer.” Came the biting retort. “I intend to protect it. Even if some of my fellows would sooner ignore their obligations.” The elder’s gaze shifted to the glass that showed an empty profile with ‘Hecate’ at the base, anger flashing through steely eyes. “But this conversation is not about me, it’s about the aberration. I call-”
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“Before you go off on declaring a vote on some rushed judgement, there is some crucial information that ought to be known.” Summer smiled, eyes glinting with amusement. “Our little shadow and the ‘aberration’ had a core resonance.”
The declaration made elder Fulton stiffen and the room shuddered. Shadow’s eyes widened in sudden realization. In the debriefing, the presence of the mirror-types had been waved away due to gang activity, but even then, the sheer volume of monsters that had appeared once their fight had started… it had been well outside expectations. And though the resonance explained things, explaining why so many monsters had rushed to their location, Shadow recognized it would make elder Fulton’s point practically untenable before the other elders.
Shadow wasn’t at a level of mastery where she could properly understand the nuances of how it worked, but she did know that two or more megucas fighting in close proximity could potentially start a resonance. It would be practically guaranteed if the megucas were trying to kill one another. And once it got going, monsters would be drawn in, becoming more aggressive, in some rare cases they could even begin cannibalizing one another and ascend to a higher class. From her understanding, core-resonance became something of a priority concern for all mega-cities after the fall of Los Angeles.
But if nothing was done, then her teacher’s point would undoubtedly be voted out and dismissed. Maybe it could even lead to the other elders formally or informally proclaiming Axel was to be considered a meguca. Which would be a massive blow to elder Fulton’s honor.
Shadow could not allow such a loss of face to her mentor. “If…” The word died in her lips as she rushed to try and think of something, but became quiet once she realized the discreet glare Fulton shot her.
“Now, now, I believe the little shade wanted to say something.” Elder Summer pipped up, making other elders turn their focus to the assassin.
Scrambling, Shadow grasped at the one thread that felt even remotely tenable. “If… there was indeed a core-resonance, then I… formally request permission to be Axel Garcia’s mentor.”
The room became quiet, though it was briefly interrupted by one of the elders barking out a laugh, a laugh that died when elder Fulton glared their way. Shadow didn’t shrink this time, keeping her composure and waiting.
“Elaborate.” It was elder Fulton that gave the command, steely gray eyes locking Shadow into place.
“He is an unknown, but one with the same level of power that might be expected out of a meguca capable of tackling a high E-class on her own.” Shadow hastily explained. “A meguca would’ve been taken under someone’s wing far earlier in their development. If… we were to assume his powers might continue scaling, then should we not make sure his presence is not one that might cause friction and discord?” She took a small pause, looking directly at her teacher. “Should it not be a priority to understand what he’s capable of?”
“Oh, this is precious.” Elder Summer laughed. “Yes, I like this. She has my vote.” The proclamation was followed by a “+1” appearing next to her image.
One elder’s image quickly showed a -1, the meguca speaking up. “Shadow would be the wrong choice. She’s never had an apprentice of her own, not ideal given this special case. That, and there’s clearly conflict of interests, she’s Fulton’s attack-dog.”
The argument began once more, intensifying by the minute. The opinions were split, clearly the majority of those present wished to put Axel Garcia into a temporary “honorary” position, if not straight up consider him a full member. Most agreed that him surviving the fight against Shadow already was proof they shouldn’t just dismiss the topic entirely. It was getting heated enough that some elders had actually reconnected, called in to weigh on the subject. But the scales appeared to be evenly split on the topic of Shadow’s proposal.
But it was Fulton who spoke up, breaking the tie.
“I will vote in favor of this.” She declared. “Shadow will mentor the aberration, and keep an eye on it.” The sternness in her gaze was a warning, this was not just a vote, but an order.
Shadow nodded in return.
The room exploded, the elders calling her out for the choice of words. Some even made to change their vote, but it was elder Summer who stopped them. “I will remind everyone here that we are not a council, we are not an authority, each of us and each of the megucas in New Francisco is free to do as they please. This little meeting of ours is more of a formality to guarantee we do not get into each other’s business.” Her voice held a warning in it, particularly as she fixed her attention upon elder Fulton. “Having said that, I do believe that, for the sake of transparency, Shadow should also report to me on her progress. All in favor?”
It was unanimous, even elder Fulton made an affirmative notion, though Shadow could hear the older meguca grinding her teeth as she did.
“Great!” Elder Summer clapped. “Now, all in favor of not calling this silly little meeting unless it’s an actual emergency? Preparing for the A-class’ potential arrival is going to take a lot of our time, and honestly? Seeing any of you more than once a year to check whether anyone’s dead yet is annoying enough.”
The room lit up with +1’s, followed by grumbling commentary and a wave of disconnections.
The only one that remained connected being elder Summer. The meguca’s gaze lingered for a moment, then, she too was gone.
“Elder-”
“You have placed us in a precarious position,” elder Fulton said, her voice a chilling metal blade. “If the… thing… cannot be brought to heel and contained, then we’ll need to take desperate measures.”
The assassin knew this would get complicated.
Things were complicated.
But this was the only way to make them simple again.
Bear stared at Vesper who sat opposite to her in the room that was far too quiet. “So he’s alive, huh.” The meguca tried to break the awkward silence, drumming her fingers against the table just to make some noise.
She always preferred the noise.
“Yes.” Vesper pulled out a small stack of paper, which might as well have been a proclamation of war. Physical paper was only ever used for either shitty ad-flyers or for the heavy-duty legal stuff no one wanted to risk getting fucked around by some hacker. “This is-”
“I know what it is.” Bear cut her off, words heavy. It was the matter of the debt the Saints owed the Paws. “It’s… very neatly put together.” The meguca tried to compliment, noting how every item had been paired up with estimated costs. It was the sort of numbers stuff Vesper had loathed way back when-
No.
Bear pushed the memories aside before they could get in the way. The whole point of this exchange was to put the past to rest, properly. It was this thought that lingered in her mind as she noticed one particular item in the “debt” she was about to release the Saints of.
“The car was a gift.” She declared, trying to keep her voice neutral, though perhaps failing to hide the edge within the tone. “I would’ve never…” The words died out as her throat tightened. “Vesp-” y “-er, I know we said we’d bury this, but I think we can’t really do that no matter what we try.”
Vesper drew in on herself, tense. “Please just sign it.”
“I will.” Bear promised, fingers lingering on the metal pen before she scribbled out her signature. “I just want a clean slate. We… will be business associates, and better it be with no minefields waiting for us.”
The young woman bristled, jaw clenching tightly, but relaxing after half a second. “You’re right.” She admitted, looking away. “Though calling this a ‘business’ is a bit too grand.”
Bear let out a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. “Once I get that rematch, I think you’ll see the money start rolling in a bit more properly.”
“...rematch?” The incredulity was thick.
“Yeah, you know, that little spar was fun, and I think he’ll come back for another.”
Vesper quirked her brow. “You seem awfully sure of yourself.”
Bear grinned, gaze flickering to the chain-link prompt lingering in the corner of her vision, the letters written out with tiny silver chains.
NEW QUEST!
“Call it a hunch.”
An automatic alert quietly rang through the motel’s internal systems.
Cleaning Unit 41X3 decoupled from her charging unit.
41X3, AKA “Grills” followed the route established by the path-finger towards the source of the alarm.
There were three flesh-units standing near the very important customer.
A review of surveillance footage confirmed they sought to steal valuable assets from the motel.
“Oh shit! It's-”
Grills unloaded her mop utensil’s cleaning dispenser.
The flesh-units made an acoustic mess.
Grills made sure the customer’s rest would not be disturbed, unloading the mop utensil three more times until there was silence.
But now there was red oil staining the floor.
Grills dealt with that mess too.
Another job well done.
According to her VIP, this was a Five Star motel, therefore all cleanliness standards had been raised accordingly.
All messes would be cleaned with extreme prejudice.