“You have to ask yourself this, Gato.”

“What?”

“Is that right?”

“I don’t get it.”

Gaston held on to the egg beater. He stared at Janna with squinted eyes. Janna folded her arms and shook her head.

“Let me see. You are making this difficult. This will work?”

“Janna, we almost got our gas cut off last week. It’s been months since then and somehow you can't adjust to this place.”

She pointed a finger at him.

“Don’t you dare. First off the walls are like made of thick paper. The roof is awful. And my head has been banging the goddamn door every time I want to wash myself off.”

Gaston tilted his head. He beated the eggs. Janna watched him with half-opened eyes that made her face look cold and grumpy. Janna inhaled then exhaled. Her demeanor softened before deciding something.

“You’re sleeping on the porch.”

Gaston ceased moving his hands.

“Seems to forget that I rented this place too. I ain’t particularly that desperate for companionship at the moment, Janna.”

“Says the guy cooking eggs for me.”

“Wow, do you hate kindness, Janna?”

“I don’t particularly like that you are not allowing me this.”

Gaston placed the bowl on the kitchen counter. He wiped his face and then sighed tiredly.

“Look. The community doesn’t allow us to deploy any weapons here other than our MF-weapons. So unless you want us kicked out and go back to the HELICARRIER's horrible rooms, then please, kindly not do this.”

Janna bit her lower lip. Her brows met before she dropped her shoulders and sat on a couch facing the glass panel.

“Hard to believe that none of that shit is happening.”

“What did you expect? That after they made use of their resources. They would do more? When most of the allied nations under the UEDF concord are now offering millions on their head? Most of the world wants them beheaded for the deaths they caused. No, I’d celebrate if they somehow do that. Makes them easy targets.”

“Too bad they aren’t that stupid.”

Janna groaned. Ever since the attacks in Japan. The Cult of Sitra Ahra had faded from the ears and sight of the public. They came like a raging storm and vanished like one as well— leaving only the dead and the ruins of their doing.

“Still, being stuck on this island doesn’t suit me well. It’s nice. Pretty. Good folk here as well. Thing is that it is so far from civilization. Oh, don’t let me forget about the fact that there is a constant storm.”

“So dramatic. We are used to this kind of weather. Besides, it’s not like we’re hired to do grunt work.”

Janna sat cross-legged on the carpet. Her arms folded and eyes closed to think.

“Ichor regulation. And they are making a scapegoat of the other cults to show results. The amount of paperwork has been dulling my head.”

Gaston continued beating the eggs. He oiled a pan and placed the eggs on it. The eggs didn’t have anything added to it other than the salt he mixed in already. Janna watched Gaston fry the eggs. Her eyes half opened. She laid flat on her back and stared at the ceiling.

“Islands are cool for the first few weeks. Then you realize that we can’t do much here.”

Gaston took out the plates, “Not like there is anything to do other than do paperwork. Don’t know about you, Janna. I like it. Being able to finally rest instead of fighting.”

“I give you that. You went beyond your job role. Acted as a fighter instead of a freelancer. Lady Romanov has me doing Handler work for a while. Good thing she realized that we aren’t that concerned about our debts now that we’d shown some of what we can do.”

“Jakob and the Red Valkyrie must be annoyed. Being interviewed all the time.”

“They are celebrities in the first place. Top tier breakers who have fended off the terrible enemies as best as they can. The footage that captured their images made them the modern heroes. Classifying them as one.”

It was quite something, Gaston thought. The images of Jakob Stoll and Hilda Valeria all over the internet. The new ‘heroes of the future’ that the UEDF has been spreading to the people of the world. It made sense to promote them after their show of action in the battle. Not to mention that it was good for the reputation of the Babaika Lions.

The two naturally hated the spotlight since it limits their actions. Because anything other than heroic could ruin them. Hence most of the time the cubs of the Company are the ones who are heading out to take care of the matter.

“You think that the Lady will keep her promise.”

“Romanov’s crafty. She’s an opportunist hoping to get as much as she can and get prestige. If we didn’t told her to fuck off from making us as her work horses. We’d be licking her shoes. She isn’t the type to be convinced by nice words. She knows we’re better as allies so she didn’t really take it heart that we told her to fuck off and let us do neutral work.”

“Are they processing the BEHEMOTH?”

“Some of it. The cult’s tech is not around so they are making good use of what they killed instead to make them feel like they did anything substantial.”

Gaston took the eggs from the pan to the plate. He carried the bow of lettuce with salad dressing and placed it on the floor table. He sat across Janna, dipped the crispy lettuce, and chewed. Janna followed, dipping it first before eating.

“Salted eggs. Masterfully made.”

“Not that I was putting effort into it.”

“Sure. Whatever.”

Gaston ate. Janna took out her phone and texted while chewing on lettuce. A smile appeared on Janna.

“You and her an item again?”

“Not really.”

“You two are weird.”

“I say that she’s the weird one. She wants the two of us to be friends again after that awfulness back then. Don’t know why Hild is like this.`

“Enabling Hild isn’t good. You know that more than anyone.”

She gave Gaston an accusing look.

“She isn’t that bad when she’s not trying to be bored or trying to get into our heads about something.”

“Odd that you called her a bitch just a while ago and now you’re enabling her.”

“It’s a love-hate relationship. I hate and love Hild.”

Janna said while texting.

“I wouldn’t even try to pretend that I understand.”

“I am not doing this out of pleasure either. She might not look like it sometimes, but she’s still a good killer. Good business partner.”

“How many times has this been happening? Ever since academy, was it?”

“Been a few times. Not that you aren’t guilty as to why we are stuck in this kind of loop.”

“Nope. Never going to go that route. It’s scary how easily you change your mind. Wonder how long this one lasts.”

Janna ignored him. She kept to herself while she texted Hild. It really does bother Gaston when she’s like this. Then again, he understood that some part of it stems from her other problems. Those problems being something that she doesn’t share nor care to show Gaston about.

It was like an addict going back to a substance. Most of the time he found it saddening that she had relapses. The awful part was that he knew what it would take to stop this. But he wasn't self-sacrificing enough to do that. Janna knows this. And it was probably the reason why she was willing to rekindle her relationship with Hild.

Gaston stood quietly and then took his plate in the sink. He went out of the room and then interfaced with his bracer’s computer. A TODO list appeared and on that list was his backlog of work. Most of the time it was nothing more than paperwork or daily reports he had a template on.

The UEDF wasn’t concerned about the affairs of the Babaika Lions at the moment. PR-work made it impossible to criticize them. Those who are able to are ignored or stuck under 24-hour criticisms in socials where they label them as cult sympathizers.

What the Babaika Lions got was a fine at most. It was something she could pay with her pocket money.

Gaston typed in his daily report on the porch. Outside, the clouds became gray and there was a strong salty wind bouncing off the walls. Gaston heard a motorcycle engine that he had recently become familiar with.

The motorcycle stopped just outside of the gate. The person who rode it, then dragged the motorcycle inside. She wore a riding suit. Head covered in helmet.

“Hey Gas,” she pulled her gloves off and then pocketed them. “Where’s Janna?”

“Hi, Hild.”

“Is she here?”

“She’s here.”

“Too bad. I was hoping to be alone. We could hang out like the good old times.”

“No thanks. She’s inside, as you know already. Don’t suddenly go out and fight, you two.”

“Calmer than expected. Been five years since you two dumped me out of your lives.”

“If you are holding a grudge about our academy days. Please stay away from me and her then.”

“Glad that you haven’t gotten rid of your grumpiness. Janna, you around?”

“I’m inside!”

“Gaston’s being rude.”

“Leave him alone. He’ll kill you if you annoy him.”

“I’m sure he will. That reminds me. Are you still working?”

“I am. You are interfering with it.”

“Gosh, can you lay off the attitude?”

“I can think about it.”

“It’s business, Gaston.”

“Fine,” Gaston turned off his display and leaned on his thigh. “What business? If it’s contractual killing. I’m not interested.”

“Rickert Mortimer. Know the name?”

“Got an idea. What about him?”

“Someone suspected of being under him has recently been found. I take it that you know this gentleman from one of your dealings? I heard that he was in the middle-east and was in contact with one of the third-party agents assigned by the UEDF– which after research indicates that it was you.”

“Point. Now.”

“I want advice on whether to chase after this job. Mr. Mortimer got a huge price on his head. He’s suspected of being a cultist and now a Cabal of an organization trying to roleplay as wizards and sages.”

Gaston wiped his face, “So after Cultists we have a Cabal now?”

“They are bringing what they call techno-magic, Gaston. Breaker power itself is just abilities that we manipulate through a new organ after being empowered. And the Cult just showed the world that it is possible to make ichor the source of power to which we can fire fireballs and lightning. Bioenergy manipulation refined to the next level.”

“Great. Miracles and Magicians.”

“It was destined to happen. We can produce fire and lightning so there are others who will be using staffs and wands to manipulate them into creating their own spells. Technology is always a wonder, isn’t it, Gaston?”

“So Mr. Mortimer is doing all of this? Even after what the Sitra Ahra Cult did?”

“He has the confidence. Unlike the Sitra Ahra Cult. Mr. Mortimer has quite a reputation that makes him somewhat untouchable in some sectors. Doesn’t stop others from killing him, though.”

“And you’re one of those that wanted a bullet in his head.”

“Not until you tell me what your assessment of Mortimer is.”

“Gun runner. Arms dealer. Has a huge land in Trastad with fifty contracts to different countries who are eager to be constantly supplied with guns, artillery, and all kinds of powered exoskeletons.”

“Was there no NDA?”

“There was. Then he cut off contact with the UEDF and made an enemy of one of the top guys. My advice would be to leave him alone. He isn’t worth the hassle. Worst part is that there are contractors who owe him enough to make a hassle of killing the bastards who try to kill him.”

“Even if he dies?”

“Got a silver tongue. Decent guy if you ignore the massive savior-complex and the ego.”

Hild lost her expression. It turned cold and calculating before she wore that casual expression of hers back.

“Thank you for advice, though if you are still working with the Babaika Lions and UEDF. It won’t be long until you come in contact with this problem. But not my problem for now.”

Hild went into the house. Gaston saw the girls hugging and talking amiably that he thought to himself how the last time these two had a problem with each other they ended up in a hospital. Gaston stood up and left before he could get involved with these two.