“It’s still always my plan C,” he countered.
“At least it’s not plan A anymore.” She giggled, crossed her legs, and leaned back. “I guess I’m steering the conversation away from me again, aren’t I?”
“Yeah, but to be fair, talking about me is a good way to do that,” Kaiden teased with a smirk. “I enjoy it, at least, but I would like to know more about you. All my knowledge is basically current. I can’t say I know how you came to be…well, you.”
“Lots of studying and little social life, for the most part,” Chiyo stated. “At least, a social life that wasn’t constantly watched and scrutinized.”
“Were your parents overprotective?”
“My father, specifically. My mother was…not around, for the most part,”
Kaiden felt a sense of guilt creeping in. “Hey, while I would certainly like to hear more, I don’t want you to bring up something that’s…not pleasant. I already did that earlier with one of the techs.”
“No, it’s all right,” she assured him. “Besides, it would be a quite short conversation if I avoided anything that was slightly unpleasant.” She activated a holoscreen, opened a file with pictures, and displayed a large building that glowed with bright lights. It was built in Janeo style with spiraled pillars, angled windows, and arched corners, and looked essentially like a modern version of imperial Japanese architecture. “This is the Fantaji corporation primary building, one of the leading companies in modern technology—specifically, computing, modifications, and robotics. It is the center of the Mirai Zaibatsu and is owned and run by Gendo Orikasa, my father.”
“You’re the heir to the Mirai Zaibatsu?” He was genuinely astonished. “That…uh, only raises more questions. Like why you are here instead of preparing to be a multi-trillionaire, and why you learned to hack instead of going to a premier business school.”
“I’m not the heir and never was,” she stated. “I was born out of wedlock and my father never acknowledged me as his daughter.”
“What?” Kaiden asked, aghast. “How is that even possible? You couldn’t have been kept hidden all those years. Did he keep you in a dungeon or something?”
“No, I was a ward, legally. You can look up articles from years ago about how he adopted me out of the kindness of his heart after visiting one of the orphanages he supports in his various charities,” she explained. “I mentioned that my mother wasn’t around a lot. That was because she passed away early on in my life, and my father took me in once that happened. I don’t want to paint him as an evil or apathetic man. He was there when he needed to be, and I understand that I was and am fortunate compared to many others. But I never felt that I was truly connected to him. It was one of the reasons—maybe the primary reason—that I started learning to hack.”
“It was for your father?” he asked.
“Technically, it was for the company,” she confirmed. “It shouldn’t surprise you that a company whose primary trade is technology would worry about security, so highly skilled hackers and crackers were sought after. I learned under the tutelage of several mentors and I surpassed them by the time I was in my early teens. During those times—when I could find the problems in the systems of the company’s devices and impress my father—it was a euphoric feeling.” She was silent as she used the moment to think about her past and sigh over moments lost. “But those feelings lessened after a time. I reached a point where I felt like I was no better than a machine. I went from looking for approval to developing a Rubix complex. I needed to solve the puzzle purely for the satisfaction.”
“And that’s what brought you here? You saw no future there?”
“Not one that would please me,” she said despondently. “I said that I wasn’t ever recognized as my father’s daughter. The big reason is that in that environment—in Zaibatsus like that—nepotism is the norm. I would have been the one to take over once my father stepped down, but considering the potential scandal that would have resulted given my lineage and my mother’s specifically—”
“You’re a Hāfu,” Kaiden interrupted and earned a curious glance from Chiyo. “I’ve picked up quite a few terms in my life. The derogatory ones were unfortunately quite common in gang life.”
“I don’t see it as derogatory,” she retorted.
“My bad,” he apologized. “But my guess is that enough people do that it posed a problem.”
Chiyo fell silent before she released a quick, amused snort and startled him. “You say you’re no detective, but you’re quite perceptive when you want to be.”
“I’ve heard stories like yours before,” he responded and rapped his knuckles on the fountain edge. “It’s a damn shame to be treated like that. Tradition is horseshit.”
“Tradition has its place,” she said and shook her head firmly. “But yes, that would be the main reason I could not step up to the head position. My father gave no indication that it was a personal belief, but the board and shareholders…well, enough of them had the problem that it made it an impossibility—for now.”
“And you had no desire to change it?” the ace asked.
“I’m sure I could have found a place in the company, as a hacker or otherwise, but I decided to pursue my own opportunities. Fortunately, around that time, I received the invitation to come here and I took it.”
Kaiden couldn’t find the words to adequately respond. Her story was heavier than he’d expected. But then again, it explained why she hadn’t spoken about it until now, at least. “Thank you for sharing,”
“I’m sorry if it was a—” she began but he stopped her quickly with a finger to her lips.
“Nah, don’t mention it. I asked, even though it’s a little complex for me. I’m glad you felt you could share with me.”
She looked at him and nodded before she returned her attention to the sky. “Thank you for listening.”
“It’s what I do, I know when to shut up—from time to time.” They shared a companionable silence for a while until another question stirred in the back of his mind. “So, did you find your path?”
“I thought I had, but it seems to change from time to time.” She sighed.
“It’s more tricky than you’d thought it would be, huh?” he joked.
“I suppose I said that with a little arrogance the first time.”
“You? Nah.” Kaiden waved off. “Maybe a bit overconfident, but I couldn’t speak to that at all, being so modest.”
She chuckled. “Of course, your best-known quality.”
He smiled. “But do you have any regrets that the path changed?”
She looked at him and grinned. “I’m still walking, aren’t I?”
Chapter Ten
The night sky was illuminated by the torches and festive lights of the Academy Plaza. Almost all the advanced class was there on the night of the annual finals feast. It also looked like there were more dishes than last year. These included more Tsuna dishes and what the students were told was a sampling of Sauren and Mirus ‘inspired’ dishes for the first time ever.
A few brave souls did try the Sauren dishes, which seemed like slabs of meat with odd toppings and sauces. But the Mirus ones were left untouched—how did an alien race without mouths actually eat? Or were their mouths merely not on their faces? Too many questions like these tended to make people a little unadventurous.
Kaiden took his plates of meats and sides to the trio of tables where his group had gathered. He sat between Chiyo and Genos. This year, he’d chosen to be responsible and hadn’t asked for any hard alcohol. He put the bottle of beer to his lips and guzzled half of it in almost one swallow.
“Friends, I believe we should place some bets this year,” Genos suggested and grinned at those around the table. “An attempt to be sporting. Who here will have the best score?”
“Well, it depends,” Jaxon said cautiously. “Considering the fact that each test is suited to the individual talents of each class and the student’s individual skills, there may be different opportuni
ties for point accumulation that other classes won’t—”
“I’ll bet on me,” Kaiden said with a cocky smirk.
“Is that right?” Flynn chuckled, took out his EI device, and placed it beside his plate. “I guess that would be the smart place to put your creds, but don’t think I’ve simply been resting on my laurels all year, ain’t that right, Jeeves?”
“Yes indeed, Mr. Flynn,” the well-dressed kangaroo EI responded. The furry avatar boasted a new bowtie.
“Is that something festive for the evening, Flynn?” the ace asked and gestured with his fork.
“He insisted on dressing up.” The marksman shrugged.
“Dressing up? He’s a Kangaroo in a tux,” Raul protested.
“Maybe I should download new outfits for Chief. I need to see what they have for a fancy lightbulb,” Kaiden mused
“I look good enough as I am, thank you very much,” Chief chirped and appeared in the air.
“Can you even be considered good-looking if you’re a floating eye?” Kaiden wondered aloud, his grin taunting.
“To be fair, I compared myself to you, so that’s an easy bar to fly over,” Chief jibed and earned a glare.
“Good evening, Chief,” Chiyo greeted the EI, along with a few of the others.
“Evening ladies and gents. Are we feeling good?” he asked. Everyone nodded and some raised their glasses or bottles.
“Is everyone ready? How was the training over the last week?” Jaxon asked.
“I can’t complain here and I’m always good to roll,” Mack boasted. “By myself or with a team, nothing can stop me.”
“I’ve used some specialized maps and I’ve progressed more in the last couple of weeks than in the last several months,” Chiyo related.
“It’s good to have friends in high places, huh?” Kaiden teased. “Between working with Wolfson and running missions almost day in and day out, I’ll probably tear through whatever they have in store for me.”
“Durand’s here,” Otto notified the group. They turned to where the chancellor stood at the end of the plaza. Monitor screens activated above them and in the oculars of the students who wore them. Everyone settled quietly as he raised a hand and beckoned for silence.
“Good evening, advas.” His greeting drew a few verbal responses from the amassed students. “I hope everyone is enjoying their pre-finals meal and wanted to wish you a brief good luck and…”
Wolfson, Laurie, and Sasha sat in the professor’s office and watched the screen as Durand continued his speech. “The chancellor really loves his speeches, doesn’t he?” Laurie mused.
“He adheres to rather antiquated thinking when it comes to leadership,” Wolfson stated and shrugged his muscled shoulders. “Personally, I prefer to get in and get the job done, myself.”
“It’s good for morale and works to bolster the face of the Academy,” Sasha pointed out.
“Heh, yeah, because that’s been a major concern through all this,” the giant muttered. “Do you two really have to go through with this?” he asked and changed the subject.
“Technically, it’s only me,” Laurie huffed and glanced quickly at his monitor screen. “Under the directions of the board, of course, but I know that the dear commander would like nothing more than to trash the whole thing,”
“Then why don’t you?” Wolfson demanded. “Do you really think they will let go of it? That you can work your technomancy and hide the fact that it didn’t happen?”
“They’ll be watching and recording it. The whole reason we agreed to do it was so that this would be the final time we would have to work on this project,” Sasha reminded the head officer.
“Yeah, the thirty pieces of silver and all that,” Wolfson remarked dourly.
“We gain nothing personal from this, Baioh,” the commander countered. “You were even on board when we first explained the project to you years ago.”
“Aye, I was.” He snorted with real disgust. “That was before we started to use our own students as test subjects. It would be one thing if they volunteered, but we simply shoved them into those skin suits without their consent.”
“We couldn’t risk anyone knowing. As it is, we’re already dealing with legal issues and potential espionage when it comes to the Animus,” Laurie pointed out. “If something like this got out and the potential capabilities were discovered, what’s to stop them from being used for nefarious purposes? Especially when we aren’t exactly sure of them ourselves?”
Wolfson glared at the professor before he sighed belligerently and stood. “This’ll be the last one? You promise?”
“I swear.” Sasha nodded.
“We swear,” Laurie added.
The giant nodded without looking back. “Raza is coming through tomorrow, and I have to get the documents ready, so I’ll leave with this,” the man warned as he walked away. “He’d better get through this all right. I’ve finally grown fond of him, after all,”
Once the head officer had left, Sasha looked at Laurie. “Are you sure everything is prepared?”
“Of course,” his companion assured him. “I even sent one of my personal technicians to make final preparations to be sure.” An alert flashed on his monitor and the professor struck a key. “Good timing. Come in.”
A man with a five o’clock shadow and short brown hair walked in. “Hello, Raynor. Is everything in order?”
“Yeah. I checked the mainframe, and everything is green,” the technician confirmed. “Do you need anything else, sir?”
“No, you are relieved for the evening, but be sure to be here bright and early tomorrow to oversee the mainframe during the tests,” Laurie ordered.
“I wouldn’t miss it, sir. Have a good one.” He nodded and turned to leave, and the doors closed slowly behind him.
“I can never read that guy,” the professor muttered. He flashed his companion a worried look. “This will be done in twenty-four hours. We’re almost out.”
“Perhaps in the short term,” Sasha whispered. He removed his oculars and looked the man in his eyes. “But eventually, we’ll have to tell him.”
He nodded and sighed. “Just when I thought he was growing fond of me.”
The students in the plaza stood and saluted the chancellor as he departed, and a few ran up to speak to him.
With the night winding down, Julius, Mack, and Otto said their goodbyes and were the first to head back to their respective dorms. The others began to follow suit and wished each other luck with good-natured warnings not to say up too late. Kaiden finished his meal and pushed his plate aside. “That was good.”
“Are you sure you didn’t consume too many intoxicants, friend Kaiden?” Genos asked with a concerned frown.
“Nah, I’ll be good. I have an iron constitution.” The ace sipped from his mostly untouched glass of water and glanced at Chiyo, who wore a contemplative look on her face. “Are you all right?”
“You do seem troubled, friend Chiyo. Is there anything we can help with?” Genos asked.
“It’s nothing—or at least not anything big.” The infiltrator waved her hand dismissively.
“Still, you seemed deep in thought,” Kaiden pointed out.
She shifted slightly with what might have been discomfort. “It’s about our last test.”
“That was months ago,” the ace reminded her.
“Some people like to keep things in mind instead of chuck them out as soon as they grow bored with them,” Chief huffed.
“I have more things to worry about if you hadn’t noticed,” he retorted.
“It’s only that I noticed a few oddities. I’ve looked into them on my own time since the end of the test, but I’m not sure if I’m honestly onto something or…well, I might simply be paranoid.”
“That doesn’t really sound like you,” Kaiden noted. “What are you thinking?”
“It’s… I don’t know…the simulations are realistic, and that’s the point. But some of the interactions—like with that merc accountant
or whoever that was at the end. He seemed a little off, I guess.”
“Yeah, I had a weird interaction with the pirate captain,” the ace recalled. “I already talked to Laurie about it, actually. He said that some of the missions were used as testing grounds for a potential update, specifically the ones based on real missions from the archives, rather than recreations.”
“He revealed that to you?” Genos asked with some surprise.
“Laurie is chatty.” He deadpanned.
Chiyo tapped her fork on her empty plate. “Okay. I guess that makes sense. It’s not like real missions or environments like that would be filled with robotic-acting mercs, at least not the ones without androids.”
“It sounds like a leap forward in Animus design,” Genos said as he tapped his infuser absently. “Although it seems realistic as it is now. Tsuna students even have infusers in their armor following the latest upgrades.”
“It was merely something that piqued my curiosity,” she admitted. “I suppose I was caught off-guard, but the update makes sense. It’s strange, though, that they didn’t announce it beforehand.”
“Maybe they were concerned that too many students would dick around to see what was different instead of actually completing their mission,” Kaiden suggested. “My guess is they’ll make an announcement next year.”
“It’s getting close to bedtime, Kaiden,” Chief interjected.
“Thanks, glorified alarm clock,” he responded jokingly.
“Cute, I’ll keep that in mind.” Chief’s tone had a foreboding edge to it.
“What’s that now?”
“We should get to sleep and prepare for tomorrow.” The infiltrator stacked her plates and stood quickly. “I’m sure I’ll see you tomorrow, but just in case, good luck.”
The trio wished one another a good night. Raynor looked on from the shadows and smiled as he sauntered away. When he was sure that it would go unnoticed, his face morphed into Egon’s dull and unimpressive features.
Chapter Eleven
Animus Boxed Set 2 (Books 5-8): Revenant, Glitch, Master, Infiltration Page 30
