Chapter 65

“Here comes the airplane!”

‘NOoOOOOOOoooOo’ Aida suddenly appears and slaps the ice cream away from Tisha’s hand as Yukino looks at her in a mixture of shock and confusion.

‘Aida what the hell?!’ Yukino shouts, demanding an explanation while Neeya takes a bite out of her’s. Readying herself for another popcorn worthy drama.

‘That ice cream has HIS semen!’ Aida shouts loud and clear as she extends her arm as straight and as pronounced as she could to point towards the man behind the counter, who happens to be someone different than expected.

‘Pffffffffftttttt!!! FCUK!!!’

Nica looks at Neeya with a satisfied smirk on her lips as she revels at the sight of her coughing and choking because of the ice cream she had swallowed.

‘AND YOU!’ Aida shifts her gaze onto the clerk manning the truck as he held his hands up in fear, shaking his head in clear denial from her allegations. ‘YOU DISGUSTING PIECE OF SHIT!’ Aida continued as she briskly walked towards the man while he starts babbling nonsense as he fails to put a sentence together under pressure from Aida’s charging steps.

‘Aida stop it…’ Pete said, grabbing her on her shoulder to stop her from approaching the man to retaliate as he tries to calm her down. ‘That’s a different guy. Possibly one of his workers. The ice cream’s safe.’ He further elaborates as Aida looks towards him looking concerned.

‘Are you sure?’ She asks.

‘Yeah… though I can’t say the same for the last time they’ve been here.’ Pete said with regards to the photo Nica had shown him. ‘He was there in that photo so…’

‘Are you talking about the kind gentleman who served us last week?’ Simon interjects as he overheard the conversation of the two.

‘Oh hey… you must be that new girl’s father.’ Pete greets him.

‘Yes. Technically. But I can assure you that any attempts to sully the food that Neeya and her friends had purchased have been nullified. In fact I can attest that it is one of the reasons why a replacement has been sent here instead of the usual owner.’ Simon answers him as Pete looks to Neeya who was coughing and spitting out as much of the ice cream that she can expel from within her.

‘Have you told her about this?’

‘No. I will let her suffer for a bit. I believe that lady needs to be taught a lesson.’ Simon replied as Pete shrugged his shoulders as he turned back to Aida like nothing had happened.

‘Oh… Anyway’s yeah you can go get some ice cream if you want since Remo ain’t there.’ Pete assured her, patting her on the back.

‘Ugghh… No. No thanks. I ain’t takin my chances.’ She replied.

‘Suit yourself.’ He responds as he continues on forwards to the counter. The clerk whom Aida had accused off was staring at him in fear for his job, but Pete replied with a wide grin on his face as he grabbed the clerk by the collar and introduced himself.

‘I’ll have Reese’s peanut butter with the belgian dark chocolate toppings, on the cup not cone and make it venti.

Oh and put it on my tab.

Peter Sombra.’

As soon as the clerk heard his name he was dumbfounded for a second before quickly scuttering around the truck to make his order. Finishing it in record time.

‘Here you go sir! It’s free of charge. Please! Enjoy!’ The clerk said with fearful reverence in his tone as he offered the cup of ice cream to him with both arms stretched forwards and his head bowed down facing the ground.

‘Thank you! And please recognize the faces of my friends. Assuming Remo doesn’t go back I assume you’ll be working here correct?’ The clerk nods nervously.

‘Good, recognize them and don’t offer them the “special” alright? I know Remo has his rules but the moment I learn that any one of these people gets the “special”...

I know your face.’

‘Yes sir! I won’t forget sir!’

‘Good!’ Pete said as he made his way back to the table.

‘Wait?? I thought their ice cream was “dirty”? Why’d you order one?’ Neeya shouts in protest but Pete avoids her call.

‘I believe Mr. Sombra here has stated that the incident only happens when the owner is present so since the owner of the truck is not present. The desserts are deemed safe.’ Simon elaborates, saving Pete from explaining.

‘Well I certainly didn’t know that your target was the guy that was here the last time.’ Yukino chimes in, taking a seat at their table. ‘My father always said that the metro was a small place… I couldn’t fathom it then but now it’s starting to make sense.’

‘It would make more sense to know that Remo and I have never been on good terms ever since me and Tisha got together.’

‘Sleeping with the enemy?’ Yukino replies, to which Pete nods to confirm.

‘Not the point though.’

‘And the point is?’

‘Proximity.’

Pete said the words that immediately stunned Yukino. ‘How petty.’ She muttered as Pete chuckled upon hearing her reply.

‘Exactly why I plan to…’ He stopped as he stole a glance from the clerk who seemed to be inattentive to their conversation. ‘Let’s… hurry back to the office shall we?’ He continued as Neeya sighs in response.

‘Do I have to wait? You were getting to the good part…’ She complained as Pete looked at her with contempt before looking at the ice cream cup that she ate out of.

‘D’you get the special?’ He asks.

‘Yeah? What’s it to you?’ She replied as Pete turned to Nica and Yukino.

‘You?’

‘Vanilla.’

‘And you prez?’

‘Coffee.’

‘Heh.’ Pete held off his laugh, which quickly unsettled Neeya.

‘What was that?’ She asked, looking deeply troubled.

‘What was what?’

‘What’s in the special, kid?’ She asks in a threatening tone but Pete seems to be unfazed and walks away, trying to hide the smirk on his face.

‘The semen in the ice cream’s a joke, yes?’ She asked again. Her voice, ever so threatening. But as it was, Pete got up and kept on walking back to the van, as the others followed suit, until it was only her and Simon left by the table.

‘Don’t fucking--!!!

WHAT’S IN THE SPECIAL???!’

[Metro Police Department]

[Northern District Office]

‘What’s an N.B.I investigator doing in a police investigation?’ Denzo probes in as he sees the familiar mug of Inspector Pedrosa pacing back and forth in front of him. At this point in time Denzo told Pete two lies.

The first was him surrendering to the police.

Because both he and Pai could easily get out of the building unnoticed. But then for some reason he spots a certain person he had listed in his “asshole” list and wanted to do something about it.

The second was that he had surrendered with Pai.

He figured he didn’t want him to be involved with his own plans so he told Pai an alternate plan and had him swear to him to never tell Pete until everything was done, sending him in another location, far from where they had brought him. But nonetheless he had expected this knowing it was the closest to where the fairgrounds was located.

‘You’re not the one asking questions here kid so I urge you to shut up and answer mine.’ Inspector Pedrosa aggressively responds as Denzo smirks in defiance, irritating the inspector even more.

‘Just so you know, kid, that condition I had for your housing situation is still changeable. After finding out today that you’ve been skipping classes I’m more than inclined to put you in an ankle brace and have you STILL staying with your mom.’

Denzo reels back after hearing his words but there was something itching at the back of his mind that made him think of this dreary plan in the first place.

‘So now kid. You will answer my question and you will answer it truthfully.

What is your involvement with that android that caused havoc inside the Fiesta Carnival?’

Denzo looks at him with a blank stare as the inspector tries his darndest to prolong his patience, with the boy intentionally dragging the wait until the inspector was visibly turning red as his blood pressure rises.

‘The guy with the android was my classmate.’ He finally answered, but the inspector seemed to not believe him.

‘Bullshit. That boy is irrelevant for all I know you were the one who ordered the droid to kidnap that kid!’ He said as he pulled out a pile of papers from a desk near the exit door. ‘I have gotten reports from his guardian that they are “extremely” concerned for his well being and that he’d been missing for several weeks now! And now he *happens* to turn up at the same moment you show up?

Something’s fishy kid.

You. And that rag tag group of yours are all fishy.

All I need is a single piece of evidence to pin you and your friends and I’ll send all of you brats to juvy!’

‘The fuck are you talking about?!’ Denzo replied, greatly confused after hearing what the inspector had to say. ‘That is the most far fetched accusation I’ve ever heard!’

‘Then why were you cutting classes then?’ Said the inspector. Denzo hid his pause by looking at him with a confused gaze, but in his mind, the gears were starting to turn to filter out certain points of information from being released.

‘W-- I had reason to believe that Neil was gonna be at the fairgrounds today.’

‘Hmm? And why would you want to spy on him?’ The inspector answered which was a big clue for Denzo as he expected him to ask how he knew his location first but instead, he asked for his reasons.

‘Revenge.’ Denzo answered sternly, letting his seething rage for him leak out into his tone.

‘What? Revenge? Well we have an upcoming vigilante here! Bravo! Bravo!’ The inspector responds with a round of applause. ‘However. There’s no need for that right now child since we’re already processing him for juvie, with certain conditions of course.’

‘Conditions?! He should be in jail! He committed arson! The fuck?!!!’

‘Woah easy there kid.’

A new old face appears inside the interrogation room. A gentle looking man, around his mid fifties or sixties with salt and pepper hair and a no nonsense but sensible aura enveloping him.

‘Ugh… fun’s over.’

‘Whatever… get some coffee and donuts in the break room will ya?’ The newcomer said as he signals something to the mirror behind Denzo, waving his hand in a slashing motion at his neck almost telling them to cut something off, which sent shivers down his spine.

‘Hi. Detective Bertrand Ramos of the NBI. I believe this will be our first time meeting?’ Denzo looked at the man, unsure on whether or not to trust him, but nonetheless it was only a simple introduction so he figured to just simply answer.

‘Umm… yea. Denzo Kalma.’ He replies as Bert sees his unease and approaches his side, making sure he was near enough to whisper. ‘Keep your nerves from what you’re about to hear.’ He muttered.

‘I know Val. I’ve worked with her before.’ He whispered, keeping his lips moving minimally as he does. ‘I want you to be aware that I’ve cut off the audio from this place.’ Bert continued as he distributed folders around the table for distraction, still keeping his mouth still while talking.

‘But they are still recording us. Four cams on each corner by the ceiling.

And don’t look!’

Denzo wanted to leap in surprise when he heard he was working withVal. It was a good thing he was warned to keep still; otherwise he would have blown their cover.

‘So!’ Bert slams the folders down and makes himself heard. ‘Now that introductions are done. Can you tell me why you were in the fairgrounds in the first place?’

Denzo does his best to act annoyed, rolling his eyes before replying.

‘I told your partner a moment ago. Didn't you hear?’ He responds as Denzo turns his gaze towards the mirror, to show he was aware.

‘I did. But I don’t buy it.’ Bert said as he opened one of the files. ‘It sez here you were captured alone. But I got reason to believe you were with someone?’

Denzo gave him a confused look, almost as if to say “I thought we were on the same side here?”

‘Answer the question kid. You can trust me on this.’ Bert follows up.

‘Before I answer. I need to ask.’

‘Yeah?’

‘Why is the NBI butting in a police investigation?’ He asks again, the same question he had for Inspector Pedrosa as Bert takes a deep annoyed breath before his response.

‘The police were sent for a minor threat. A disturbance. It was only after the first reports came in of an “Android” sighting where we felt the need to hop in.’

‘So like an afterthought?’

‘No. More like an efficient chain of command. The lower divisions are first on the scene and when the jurisdiction is too great… We came in. Now please Denzo. Answer the question.

Truthfully please.’

Denzo contemplates on giving the full answer, but there was something bugging his mind. For him It all seems wrong. Even though this man that Val trusted was telling him to trust him, there was still something about him that made him feel cautious about things.

‘As I said. I was tracking down that kid. Nielsen Paras is the name.’

At that moment Denzo said his answer. The lights went off. But only for a few moments as the generator kicked in almost immediately and restored the power in the room.

‘Good acting kid.’ Bert said with a smile.

‘Huh?’

‘Keep your face tense, we’re still live on the two way.’ Bert said as he darted his eyes quickly to the mirror. ‘But we can talk freely now. All cams and audio are decommissioned. Trust me. We have backup.’

Denzo couldn’t help but feel impressed. But Bert gives him a stern look in keeping their appearances as he quickly shifts back to his annoyed act.

‘So with that in mind Denzo. What’s the real plan?’ He asks.

‘We have plans to take down… things.’ He said as Denzo taps his finger at the table to get Bert’s attention as he writes some letters with his finger:

O.E.M

[Champworld]

[Pasay City]

[South of the Metro]

‘Hello?’ Pai asked as he opened the door to peek inside the Champworld garage which, as he did, he was greeted by an empty room. ‘Where is everybody?’ He thought as he checked his watch thinking that they might be on a break at this hour but it was already closing to their school’s dismissal time so he felt confused that there was no one there.

‘Hello?’ He called again as his voice echoed back to him while he made his way deeper into the garage, seeing all of the scattered tools and parts strewn on the floor. He takes a step back to see the bigger picture and as he does he realized:

It seemed like everybody left in a hurry.

-Service time!-

He heard a faint voice calling from outside as he picked up the scent of sauteed garlic and onions picking him by the nose and leading him out and around the back of the garage as he saw a small gathering in a clearing just beyond the walls of the kart track.

‘Food’s ready, come get your bento boxes!’ A voice not known to him echoed from the tent as the rest of the employees of the track gathered around taking their share of the food. Pai cautiously approached the gathering only to feel relief when he saw J2’s face emerging from the tent, looking excitedly at the bento box that he held in his hands.

‘Umm… hello?’ Pai said his greetings as he made his approach to J2, who was surprised he was there at such an early hour.

‘Oh hey! Your Denzo’s classmate right? What are you doing here so early?’ He asked as they continued walking towards one of the tables set up by the track wall.

‘Sir I have an emergency…’ Pai whispered, feeling the need to be cautious not to upset the mood around the area.

‘Hmm? What is it?’

‘Denzo… He’s been arrested by the police.’

‘What?’ Val butts in showing up out of nowhere and startling Pai out of his shoes as J2 calmly looks at the boy for a moment, before taking a seat on the chair, laying his bento on the table as he solemnly says: ‘Itadakimasu.’

‘Oh shit! Ash did a good job with this!’ J2 comments with a hearty smile as he takes his first bite out of the spam. ‘A deconstructed spam musubi bento using fried rice instead of the regular white one. It’s nice, simple and easy to cook. I like it!’ He continues as he shoves a couple of spoonfuls of fried rice into his mount. Pai on the other hand was completely feeling sidetracked as the pair sat down to enjoy their meal as he tries to find an opening to get Denzo’s plan to reach their ears.

‘E-excuse me uhh…’

‘You’re Denzo’s friend right?’ Val cuts him off and grabs his attention as Pai nods to confirm her question. ‘I heard you. You say he’s captured by the cops right?’ She said as Pai nodded again.

‘Sit down.’ Val commanded.

‘But--’

‘Sit. the fuck. Down.’

Pai was frozen stiff that J2 had to coax him to get his joints moving again so he could sit.

‘Stay there. J2, accompany him.’ She said in a commanding voice as she stood up from her seat and blazed her way back to the tent. She was only gone for a few moments before she apparated again in front of them with another bento in hand, handing it to Pai.

‘Here. Eat.’

‘Huh? But...’

‘Eat. Kid.’She said again in a commanding tone that sent shivers down his spine. If there ever was such a thing as the ultimate terror teacher, in Pai’s mind it would be Val. He forcefully took a bite and was immediately enamored by the taste. It was just like the fried rice that his mother made during the weekends. The homy comfort of a home cooked meal coupled by what he could call “The best slice of spam he’d ever tasted in his life.” as he couldn't help but be silent for a while as he savors the flavors of the bento.

‘I’d take that as an astounding success. Which is impressive, considering we just brainstormed the meal only a couple hours ago.’ Val said, her tone gradually softening the longer she spoke as her eyes were glued towards the person manning the tent where the kitchen is.

‘Wait but… you have to hear what Denzo--’ Pai suddenly snaps from the hypnotizing meal but Val quickly held her hand to his face to put the brakes on his speech.

‘I know why you’re here.’ She responds with a single sentence.

‘You do? S-so you know about the plan?’ Pai stuttered but his eyes were starting to glow as the everything started to connect in his mind. The complex connections, the phases of the plan. It was starting to come togethe-

‘No. I have no idea.’

‘What?’

‘What I do know is that Denzo knows we’re gonna have a party today to test out our new business venture. And how he regrettably said he can’t come for some reason.

Funny that he sent you here huh?’ Val said as Pai looked at her with confusion visibly written all over his face.

‘I told him during lunch and he immediately declined… Even though I explicitly told him it was gonna be free.

Kinda weird if you ask me…

Turning down a free lunch.

But seeing you here and learning he’s trapped with the five - O… It’s unfortunate that he had made plans.’

‘Wait what?’ Pai responds as his mind still could not understand what the situation was. Denzo had told him before they parted ways to go straight to champworld and ask Val or J2 to break him out of jail, and that they already knew what to do. But as he thought about the words once more, the more he realized how shoddy the plan was.

‘He sent you here because he didn’t wanna pull you in with his bullshit, kid.’

‘Oh…’

The moment Val said those words was the moment Pai replayed the words Denzo had told him that day when they visited the burnt ruins of Jack & Barry’s. Once again, just as when he was starting to think he was somebody, he was made to feel like a nobody.

Amazingly. Against all odds and against her own nature.

Val picked up on it.

‘You feel useless dontcha?’

‘Val! Don't be like that to the kid?!’

‘Wait… I’m not finished.’ Val held her hand up again against J2’s protest as she looked deep into Pai’s eyes and told him what she thought he needed to hear.

‘You’re one of those kids who don’t know when to tag along aren't cha?’ Val said as she spotted Pai subtlety winces. ‘Uh-huh… I see.’ She continues as J2 slowly slumps back to his bento, finally seeing where Val was going with her words.

‘Listen kid. You know what the difference is between people like him and people like you?’ She asks as Pai shook his head in silence.

‘They have their own thing going on.

And people like you. Don’t.’

J2 almost threw his chopsticks out but Val raised her finger as a sign to wait.

‘You desperately seek attention from them to create action for yourself. Either cuz you’re bored because nothing’s happening. Or you're running away from something. Or both.

Regardless of the reason, when you’re left out, you feel useless cuz you weren’t able to help. Or impress. Or make a change. When the truth is, the people who left you out have probably good reasons to do so.

Whether the reasons hurt or not doesn’t matter. The fact is:

When you’re not wanted somewhere, find a place where you belong and make that your thing.

It might not connect with whatever grand scheme you kids are trying to make, but trust me, you can help better if you’re you. Not when you’re trying to emanate someone else.

You always get the best results when you merge other’s goals with your own. And not the other way around.

Now tell me…

Were you there when he got captured?’

Pai was struggling to hold back his tears but kept himself steady enough to answer.

‘No. We were hiding when he found the cops.’

‘And why were you hiding?’

‘Because… wait…’

‘Why were we hiding?’ He asked himself as he thought back to the scene where they left the bathroom where they searched their clothes.

…

He distinctly remembers Pete asking him to stay with the girls while he and Denzo scout the place for a clear route since he could protect Denzo with his name, should they get caught. He remembers making his own suggestion of Pete staying with the girls and using his privilege on them, even though Pete strongly disagreed as the three of them were least likely to be suspected in contrast to Pete staying.

He never knew why he made such a decision.

All he knew was that it’s more fun if he went along with Denzo.

…

‘You don’t need to answer me kid.’ Val said, snapping him out of his stupor. ‘All that matters is that you’re thinking about it. Anywho if it would help, I’m telling you that right now, YOU, are wanted HERE.’ Val said with open arms. ‘We’re currently testing out recipes for our new catering venture and since you’re here in Denzo’s stead. I’d like you to have a taste of the other dishes as well.’ She continued as Ash came up behind her, telling her the next dish was about to be served.

‘Oh… well I’ll leave you two here then.’ She said, taking her leave.

‘I heard it.’ Ash said while the pair were walking back to the tent.

‘Heard what?’

‘Your lecture.’

‘What?! How?’ She asked as her face was starting to turn red.

‘I was signaling for you to come by the tent since the first bento dish was a hit and I was gonna serve the next one… but you were taking too long so I came by but… J2 was silently trying to swat me away.

So I listened.’ Ash said teasingly, prompting Val to sucker punch him. Which did nothing but fed his amusement.

‘-YoU ALwayS gEt The bEsT reSuLts WhEn yOu mErgE oThEr’s GoALs WiTh yOur oWn.-

My goodness I wonder where you learned that line from??’ Ash continued to tease her as Val had already turned beet red, clenching her teeth as she tried to keep herself from snapping his neck like a twig.

‘It’s okay. It’s one of the things I adore about you…’

He whispered in her ear.

And for some reason the next bento recipe was passed on without any commotion.

Meanwhile J2 was in his seat wondering how world war three had been averted as he felt the bad omen quickly dissipate.

Pai on the other hand, was confused as to why he was sweating so much.

‘Miles, where are you?’

‘You know that’s a stupid question to ask Bert.’

‘Ugh… forgot.’

‘Why? What’sup?’

Bert sits back on the seat rest as he takes a glance towards Denzo, who sat sleepily on the passenger seat.

‘Got info that proves my hypothesis on the bureau.’

‘Go shoot.’

‘Not here though. Don’t trust the airwaves.’

‘Copy. I’ll send you a ping. How many am I expecting?’

‘Me. And Thorasis’ grandson.’

‘Copy that. Hope he likes coffee the same way the old guy does.’

As soon as Bert sits his phone down Denzo quickly shot him a look of surprise after hearing the old man’s name coming from the detective’s lips.

‘You know Uncle Thor?’ Denzo responds, wide eyed and on guard.

‘Relax kid. I’m not trying to arrest him, or you… I worked with him.’ Bert replied as he assured him of his intent.

‘I know of Thor’s little tryst with some of the attackers during the raids but I assure you. It’s not what you think it is.

Otherwise they would’ve attacked my family too.’ He continued as Denzo only felt more confused with what he had heard as he kept a perplexed look towards the detective. As Bert can only sigh, knowing how much he’d have to explain to the boy.

‘First and foremost kid. The attack on your home during the raids was nothing more than a coincidence. We’ve already gathered data on the attackers… Although I’m not allowed to discuss--’

‘Androids?’ Denzo cuts in, raising an eyebrow at the detective.

‘H-How did--’

‘I got friends in the know.’ He replied as Bert squinted his eyes, quickly noticing his uniform patch that confirmed him to be from St. Rita’s.

‘You know Yukino?’ Bert inquired.

‘Yes.’

‘Been to J&B?’

‘Was there when it burned.’

‘Know the owner?’

‘Val? That bitch’s my boss.’

Bert couldn’t keep his chuckle to himself after hearing the line but eventually let it go and allowed himself a good laugh out of the situation.

‘Oh goodness, small world kid.’ His reply as Denzo rolled his eyes, not feeling the same amusement that Bert was having.

‘If I had a peso for everytime someone old told that to me I’d--’

‘You’d have nothing kid. Cuz nobody’s gonna be willing to pay you for that trivial shit ‘round here.’ Bert shuts him down before he could make his remark.

‘Anyways… since you’re caught up with things I’d have an easier time explaining things to you.

First is that the droids only attack “active” high profile people. Your old gramps is what I’d call a “relic” but since the databases inside the droids were a bit hastily put together, there was an anomaly in the algorithm that sorted who should be hit, which made them wander towards retired government workers.

Your gramps was just one of three cases we had so you can blame it on his luck that he got attacked.’ Bert explains as Denzo continues to look at him with suspicion.

‘Hmph… I call bullshit on that.’ He responds.

‘Up to you kid on whether you wanna believe me or not.’

‘Well you’re really not making a good case here old guy. Cuz if he’s not special then why does he have to be in surveillance all the time to the point that I can’t even visit him?!’ Denzo protests as Bert sighs knowing he can’t dance around with the boy anymore.

As he was readying himself to tell the truth to the boy. He finally receives a ping from Miles’ whereabouts.

‘Baseco compound? The Pier? Interesting…’ He thought as he set his course down south to meet with her.

‘Kid. After all that sass I’m expecting you not to act like a little bitch by being surprised and all that so keep your ass still when you hear this or else I’m throwing you out of the car.’

‘Don’t care, I'll just go home then.’

‘Ya sure? You’ll miss out on all the fun?’ Bert said as Denzo squints his eyes towards the detective. For some reason there was something in the air that was telling him to never miss whatever was about to happen with this trip as his curiosity got the better of him, surrendering to comply.

‘Psh! As if you know me.’ He replied as Bert took it as the go ahead to speak.

‘To start. Your gramps ain’t military.’ Bert tells him as Denzo twitches his expression for a moment, trying to keep himself stoic and hiding his confusion. Bert sees this and finds his attempt amusing.

‘He’s a sort of special operative. A decommissioned one. And not part of this country’s government, although his papers were made to look like so.’

‘Okay… interesting. Still doesn’t answer my question.’ Denzo responds but his mind was clearly bothered by what he was hearing.

‘He is put into a tight surveillance custody because the government is trying to make sure that your gramps doesn’t get up and at 'em’ with his old job. In fear that he might still have an itchy trigger finger.’

‘Trigger finger for what?! Look detective I dunno what kind of BS you’re trying to tell me about Uncle Thor but that’s far from shit I’ve heard alright? He’s a decorated veteran with connections to power and people wanna kill him. Done. From how you’re telling this to me you’re making me sound like my gramps is a serial killer.’ Denzo was triggered, which was what Bert had already foreseen.

‘And here I thought you weren’t gonna bitch.’ Bert replies with a teasing smirk. Which made Denzo puff his cheeks red in frustration.

‘Besides, Kid… Who told you that shit bout Thor? Thor?’ Bert asked.

‘None o’ your fuckin business.’

‘Or Val?’ Bert mentions her whilst keeping his teasing smirk.

‘How the?’

‘Oh I remember. I think she said that shit to convince you to work with no pay? Ya’ know? Showing you her bandaged self, making it look like she was attacked by the raids too?’ Bert said as Denzo suddenly remembers his first days in Champworld.

‘Were you…. listening to us? Bugged the room?’ Denzo asked, growing alarmingly suspicious of the detective.

‘Oh jezus christ no. We don’t do that unless we have a good reason to.’

‘Reason?! Not warrant??’

‘Nope. but anyways. I’ve also worked with Val. I remember her bragging about making some poor kid work for her for free. Only having that right hand man of hers to spoil her fun by telling us you’re actually getting paid behind her back.’ He chuckled. ‘Boy did that guy get an earful. But, they do still pay you? Right?’ Bert asked, making sure if Denzo wasn't getting screwed.

‘Uhhh… yeah. I am…’ He said, looking even more confused. ‘So wait… You’re telling me she lied?’ Denzo asked as he tried to get to the bottom of the truth.

‘Yes.’

‘But Uncle Thor had told me something close to the same thing… That he was military?’

‘Lies.’ Bert shortly answered.

‘Then what the fuck is he then?? Why is he getting detained??’ Denzo demands as Bert sighs in response.

‘Your gramps is a member of a group called… well… used to be called. “Bravo Sierra Oscar” Now they call themselves the “B-Side Protocol” as I’ve learned recently from a close work friend of mine.’ Bert explains as Denzo only sinks further into confusion with all names and terms that the detective was saying. ‘They’re basically an expendable mercenary group meant to handle gritty, dirty, messy jobs for different powerful people. And when I say expendable. I mean “expendable” literally.’

Denzo looked at him, not knowing how to respond and what to say, which was something that Bert had already anticipated. But he still felt the need to explain to him seeing as he himself was willing to dig around the likes of Omega Epsilon Mu.

‘Look kid if you don’t understand it now then you’re gonna understand it later.’ Bert said as Denzo continued on with his silence.

‘Why? What “is” later? You told me you wanna talk about Omega Epsilon but with everything you’re saying I'm just starting to believe you’re bullshitting me.’ Denzo commented. The detective kept his silence as Denzo stared at him with contempt, deep in his mind he was starting to regret his actions as he started to ask himself why he’d set out to do this stupid plan in the first place.

Still he took solace in the fact that he’d driven Pai well and away from his blunder. Seeing now that this was nothing more than attempted kidnapping. Starting to question himself and wanting to leave. It was at this point that Bert started to feel the tension in the air, which was the last thing he’d want, though he considered it would still be fine if he let the kid go, considering he was under Val, he figured he’d let her explain things.

But then again he doesn’t know how far down the rabbit hole she knows.

‘Listen kid. If you don’t like this, or have a bad feeling about this then you’re more than free to go. I am not forcing you to come against your will but…

I assure you. After you meet a few of my friends and trust me on this, you don’t wanna chicken out, because you’re gonna get first hand information on Omega Epsilon if you dare stick with me.’ Bert said as Denzo turned his head away towards the window and sighs.

‘Whatever…’ He replied. Bert took it as a yes and continued on, driving towards the south as the sun set its sleepy head beyond the horizon.