"Are you in that much of a rush?"
The Shirogane clan had its headquarters in the Star Federation's mainland, and Suzuka had offered to show him the way there. Dante was adamant on erasing the Sorcerer clan by all ans necessary, all because of their involvent in Black Skull's sches. She had expected him to press her for the info soon after he was done with the vile gang, and was wondering why it took him this long to ask.
[I hate leaving a job unfinished.] He said.
"Well, too bad," Suzuka replied.
Pulling a chair with a ntal command, she sat in front of a nearby workbench and summoned a bunch of screens. The previous results of the scan were displayed on each screen, and as she watched, the complex schematics began to expand, like a maze slowly spreading its paths.
[If you aren't coming along, should I just go ahead on my own?]
"I can't move freely right now." She said.
[You want an apology or sothing?]
"I'm not talking about the BEO." Heaving a sigh, Suzuka looked his way. "Did you look into the City Center incident?"
[Yeah?]
"Then you should know the Gear has sent its followers here."
The attack on the BEO and Eidolon's east branch was carried out by a mysterious group of unidentified origins, but they weren't the only ones fueling the chaos. The Gear Cult had been involved in the incident as well, having sent so of its top officers to assist in the battle. Though she had kept her eyes open for signs of their presence, it was only then that she confird they were in the city.
[Now that I think about it, they were after you the first ti we t.] Dante said. [What did they need from you?]
"They are a cult obsessed with machines and bionic implants," Suzuka said. "And I'm pretty sure you have noticed how good I am at those things."
[So… they go after talented engineers?]
"You could say that." Suzuka paused. "They go after impressive tech, too. You know what that ans, right?"
VOLCAN was exactly the thing that would attract the GEAR cult, being a technological miracle that could rival Eidolon and its Genos. By now, it would be better to assu that they are already aware of Ghost and the powers he has, which ans they should be aware of the Cyberpunk and the unique bionics he has. They're likely keeping a close eye on him,
[Isn't that more of a reason to get out of here?] Dante said. [I wouldn't want to be near the people trying to catch .]
"Yet you haven't moved in half a year." Said Suzuka. "Right now, this is the best place to hide from the cult. After that incident a couple of weeks ago, they won't dare make any big moves."
That was the best-case scenario, however. There was no way to tell if the cultists hiding in the concrete jungle were sane enough to lay low. Then again, the very fact that they decided to ss with the BEO and their heroes showed that they weren't exactly right in the head.
[Co to think of it, I have been running low on androids…]
Just as she turned her focus back to the schematics, the comnt brought it down crashing like a pile of dishes.
"You… you don't plan to…"
[Don't worry, I won't go after them.]
Suzuka found it unusually difficult to trust that promise, but she didn't have much of a choice. It was only a matter of ti before he clashed with the cult. Knowing that, her only choice was to try to ensure they don't trace things back to her.
[Speaking of genius engineers, how's Finn doing?]
Once again, Suzuka found herself frozen. Her silence lingered for a few seconds, and the sigh that followed it spoke of her desire not to answer.
"You know, it's a really bad habit of yours." She said. "Picking orphans, then forcing them on other people."
[Did I?] Dante sounded genuinely confused.
"And now you are playing dumb." She let out another sigh. "I truly feel bad for them."
~[ ]~
"ATCHU!!!"
A head peeked into the corridor, several veins bulging as it glared at the other end.
"Finn! You better not be trying to sneak out!"
Boris's voice echoed a few tis before the silence returned. Though there was no reply, he was already convinced that the brat was behind the corner, so continuing to hide was pointless.
"I was just going out to get so snacks."
Peeking his head, the boy spoke with a nervous smile.
"Who're you trying to fool!? If you want anything, you can just order it online!"
"Can't I go for a walk?"
"It's two past midnight! You should be sleeping!"
"Okay, Mom, I get it already."
"Why you…"
With a defeated sigh, Finn climbed the stairs back to his room on the Triple Jackpot's second floor. His shoulders remained slumped as the door closed behind him, but the instant he heard that crisp click, the corners of his mouth rose into a nacing grin.
"Safe!" He whispered to himself.
[Man, he almost got us!] A voice ca from the large yellow bag on his back. [That sneeze almost gave a heart attack!]
Its shell snapped open, and four stubby limbs ca out before it jumped to the floor, reducing the load on the boy's shoulder.
[You aren't getting sick, are you?] Jake asked.
"I… don't think so?" Finn replied, walking over to the corner and putting down the second bag he had been carrying.
For a mont there, he wondered if soone out there was talking about him, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Learning that Sorcery existed didn't suddenly make him believe in superstition.
Turning around, he gave a ntal command to the digital lock he had installed on the door, then connected to the Scorpiobots hidden all over the building. Seeing that Boris was still in the break room, clearly watching sothing on his OAM, Finn gave the command to lock the door, then placed the bag slung over his shoulder.
[Are you sure this is all you need?] Jake climbed onto the nearby chair, watching as the boy pulled his bag open.
Inside, a skull-like robotic head stared back at them, the light in its six eyes long extinguished.
"Let's jus hope it's enough."
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