The tension from the room suddenly died down. We finally had a chance to let our shoulders loose. Nico got out of her hiding spot and explained everything to us. She told us that while we were busy preparing for entry she had a conversation with Julia, she asked about our credentials, skill levels, and almost everything she needed to know. And due to the fact Julia conducted a documentary about us, she got to tell everything good about us to Nico.
"With that I also asked Julia if I could make a call with her holowatch, I told her that it's someone important" Nico told us.
"So you called your planet's Defense Secretary to pick us up?" Strife asked.
Nico simply nodded.
"Well why didn't you just instruct her to look out for our ships and give us an automatic pass?" Celestine asked as well.
"It's not that simple. The duke himself ordered that all journalists entering our planet should be inspected, questioned, and depending on their answers be detained." General Satsuki informed us.
"Why? I mean why would he do that?" I asked the follow-up.
"Probably to manipulate the information flow." Julia answered my question.
The general simply sighed in agreement.
"Is this because of his press statement a few days ago?" I asked the general.
Her face painted with shock and awe. From the looks of it she didn't realize that our group of misfits could intercept and play the broadcast, I mean we couldn't but C.H.R.I.S. was there to help us.
"Yes. This information hasn't gone out to the galactic council, but the duke indeed gave a planet wide broadcast, he blamed the Seak for the murder of his brother and his family. But in all the years the king and queen have been travelling to Seak, there's no conflict brewing only good relations. Rumor has it that it was the duke that ordered their deaths, they said that he wanted the throne and to colonize Seak…" General Satsuki told us.
"And the entire government is split with this decision?" Julia asked.
"Yes, but-"
"That won't be a problem because the princess is alive and we're here." I interrupted General Satsuki.
"It won't be easy, we have an assassin on our tail remember?" Strife tried to remind us all.
Honestly I almost forgot the assassin. She's a real threat here, but considering our new found ally, I could say it'll be easy.
"Could you tell me about this assassin?" General Satsuki asked Strife
"We had an encounter with an assassin, white hair and skin. With a coldness in her eyes. She's skilled with fire and hand fighting, she easily handed our asses back at us" Strife explained.
General Satsuki was overcome with a frightening realization. Her eyes widened as she got lost in her own thoughts.
"Impossible. The duke wouldn't send out his best assassin for his niece."
"You know who's after us?" Celestine asked General Satsuki.
"Yes, she's the duke's best assassin. Code name, Ice Queen, nobody knew how the duke met her but she was placed in Kyatto's elite kill squad under the duke's recommendation. She's the first person the duke sends out if there are any political disputes that might cause war. Her methods vary from long-ranged to close quarters combat. And there's a rumor that when you see your reflection on her skin, you'll be dead."
General Satsuki narrated us the information, but it didn't feel like a briefing but rather a scary campfire story. Nico looked at the general scared, General Satsuki looked at Nico and smiled. Nico reflected the same smile.
"Right, all we need to do is get Nico out here and to somewhere safe. All the while making sure we don't cross paths with the Ice Queen." Celestine said as she looked at Nico.
Now that we have a confirmation that the duke would like her niece dead, we carefully planned out a way to smuggle Nico out. My first thought was to dress her up with the disguise I bought earlier but wouldn't work, after all we only indicated four people on board. As we wrapped our heads around for a solution General Satsuki looked at Strife.
"Bear, come with me." General Satsuki ordered Strife.
Strife simply nodded and went out with the general. As they were out Celestine, Julia, and Nico started a conversation. I opened up my holowatch and moved around different broadcast channels. It felt like I've been scrolling on my holowatch for so long that boredom kicked-in.
As we waited longer than expected, I started up my game. As it flew past the menu screen we heard footsteps entering the ship. General Satsuki walked in and behind her is Strife carrying a military storage box meant for weapons.
Strife laid down the weapon box that was about the same size as Nico if she hunched into a fetal position. Nico shot a puzzled stare as if she doubts the size compatibility. Even so, everyone in the room knew what to do next as we opened the box and empty out the rifles and it's magazine along with the foam casings.
As we set aside the weapons Julia and Celestine gave me a look you could get only from your mother.
"We're not keeping these guns. We'll give it back once this is over." Both of them said in unison.
I rolled my eyes sideways. I looked at Nico and offered her the now empty storage bag.
"Well princess, your carriage is waiting." I said with a malicious smile.
Nico rolled her eyes, but she knew my intention as she slid inside the box in a fetal position. Celestine and Julia checked if she needed anything before they closed her up.
Strife and I were in charge of carrying Nico's box. We carefully moved it out of the ship and followed General Satsuki.
Every military personnel we encountered gave her a salute which she gave back in respect. None of them questioned her as to why there are four persons carrying a bag following her. She led us to a black SUV just right outside the airport.
There was an old man with old dog ears waiting by the SUV. He's possibly the driver, or bodyguard. He shot a friendly and familiar smile at the general.
"Will they be joining us for the rest of the day Ma'am?" the old man asked.
"Yes Yavin, they will." General Satsuki answered.
Old man Yavin gave us a look you only get from sassy butlers. General Satsuki introduced us one by one, Yavin simply bowed.
"Please allow me to take that for you." Yavin offered to take the box where Nico is.
"Well the contents of this box are very delicate." I replied.
"I am well aware of that." Yavin replied with his bulterly demeanor.
All of us looked at General Satsuki, she gave us a slight nod. We had no other choice but to give Yavin the box.
At first I was scared. I mean you're looking at an essentially a grandpa, to carry a box with a grown child inside. But our worries were exchanged with awe as Yavin yanked the box out of our hands, carried it like it weighed nothing, then placed it delicately on the back of the SUV.
Yavin dusted his hand. He then opened the doors for us. All of us entered. Strife was shotgun, the women were at the back, and I sat at the cargo space next to Nico's box.
With all of us seated properly Yavin drove out of the airport and to somewhere I hope is safe.