Silence In Numbers: File One (29 page)

“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.

The group was situated in the security room for a reason that became readily apparent; a beeping noise came from one of the computers causing Sigma and Joseph to look over and inspect the screen. It showed two doors being forced open; at the north entrance Katsumi and Ayane could be seen entering, while the south entrance was being opened by Rufus and Law.

Sigma smiled, looking to his companion. “Would you take care of this little annoyance, Joseph? We only need to stall them.”

Joseph looked to the four soldiers. “Get to the south entrance. Hold off the two intruders; kill them if you get the chance.” As the four saluted and exited the room at a run, Joseph himself strode toward the exit. “I will take care of the other two.”

Sigma grinned as his partner left, looking back to the camera that showed the two sisters. “I do love family reunions.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rufus and Law entered the building through the back entrance into a garage of some sort. The room itself was large and filled with giant boxes and crates of various sizes. “We get the storage room,” Rufus noted. “This entrance assignment seems rather biased.”

“I’d rather not take the front entrance.”

“I always preferred to take the front entrance.” Rufus smiled. “I like to warn my enemies and still avoid their preparations despite the advantage.”

On a walkway that was raised a couple feet from the floor, the door burst open and the soldiers ran out, opening fire. The two SIN members hit the ground, leaping apart and each taking cover behind crates. Law put his shoulder against the crate, drawing a large shotgun from the weapon harness on his back. “Looks like they got a warning anyway.”

Rufus adjusted his shades as he crouched behind his cover. “It’s always
those
desires that are granted. It seems God has a bias, too.” He took the chance to look over the crate, ducking back down quickly as shots tore up the edge of it. “Blood Angels,” he said, clearly surprised.

“You’re kidding.” Law grunted, sliding the first two shells into the chamber of his shotgun.

“Wish I knew what they were doing here. Does this demon have terrorist connections?”

“It doesn’t bode well, does it?”

Law stood up, unloading fire rapidly and causing the Angels to scatter before he ducked back down. “Only winged one. I wonder if th’ Captain’s having these problems.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Blood Angels?” Katsumi frowned as she held a hand to her ear, gripping her pistol tighter.

Ayane blinked and looked at her in confusion. “What? Here? Why?”

“They don’t know,” she answered. “We’ll keep a lookout,” she replied to Rufus, “but we’ve got nothing right now.”

They’d entered into the building’s lobby. It was a very nice area with a lot of marble; smooth floors, large columns. To either side there were two staircases that led up to an open second floor where they could see the elevators. In front of them was a curved receptionist’s desk, behind which were several doors.

The two sisters gripped their weapons tightly as they moved forward, each one alert and ready. They both paused at the same time, looking at each other with disturbed expressions. “Do you feel that…?” Ayane asked quietly, to which Katsumi responded with a nod.

Joseph suddenly landed hard on the receptionist’s desk right in front of them, his long coat fanning out around him as his impact scattered papers up into the air around them. Both girls were shocked but their reaction time was still only a few milliseconds and both took aim and pulled the triggers.

Joseph was, however, even faster; his saber flashed in a movement too quick to follow, so quick that the air from the slash was several seconds behind. The sound of the front halves of their pistols hitting the marble echoed around them and before they could react further the older man spun as his foot lashed out, knocking both girls across the lobby and into the glass at the front, which thankfully didn’t break.

Katsumi yanked a second pistol from the back of her belt, the one she’d kept with her for so long for this exact purpose, and opened fire on their father. Joseph leapt upwards in a graceful back flip onto the upper balcony. His sword flashed twice and a piece of the metal railing was suddenly hanging free in the air for a second before his free hand caught it and flung it at Katsumi in a blur.