I stood as they finished eating and they put their plates in the pile to be washed before we went back to the tent. I immediately went and lay on my bed after they made it to the tent while ignoring Airc who was following behind her like a shadow. He had a grieved look on his face and seemed to be thinking of something but didn't speak up for a long time. It was only after ten minutes had passed while he was looking at her while she lay in bed did he speak.
"Kanami, I'm sorry." I looked at him and glared, "for what?" I was not going to let him off easily. Airc looked down not meeting my eyes, "I'm sorry for causing you trouble and getting you in trouble because of my actions. Although I feel bad about it; I still believe I would still do the same. I will protect your honor and protect you."
He looked up, finally meeting my eyes. His amber eyes burning with a fiery passion and undestroyable determination. I met his gaze with my own cold and indifferent silver eyes. We continued to stare into each other's eyes neither willing to submit to the other.
While we stared at each other others could feel the coldness coming from my gaze while they could also feel the warmth from Airc's. We were two people of complete opposites in temperaments.
I finally spoke ice in my tone of voice, "I don't need anyone to protect me. I can perfectly protect myself. So, don't bother with your childish voice to protect me." Airc spoke, "I will still protect you even if you don't need my protection." I glared, "No need. Now go sit in a corner and don't cause any more trouble."
Airc opened and closed his mouth for a bit before sighing and walked away a bit and sat down in a counter of the tent. He sat with his back to the tent wall and sat watching me. I lay back down fully and closed my eyes ignoring him for the most part. I may have to keep an eye on him but that didn't mean I had to keep my eyes on him at all times. I just needed to keep him put and keep him from causing troubles.
With him seeming to be determined to watch me it didn't take much to keep an eye on him. He was not moving and was soloing watching me silently. Although every now and then I could hear him softly ask my brother a question or two mostly about me and my health.
~~~
At the command center in America in General Howser's office there was a fierce argument going on.
General Howser had his back straight as he stared at his computer screen talking with the secretary of defense. His face, one of controlled anger as well as frustration.
"Stanley, I understand what you're saying but things are different. We need her powers." A voice was heard from the computer, "Howser, I don't care. She is a loose cannon. A double edged sword. She could turn against us!" Howser spoke, "I understand, but if we don't take the risk what makes you think the enemy wouldn't get her on their side?" Stanley glared through the computer the anger on his face and in his voice quite clear, "As I've said for the hundredth time. We had people watching her to prevent this."
Howser huffed, "what that stupid door man? It was obvious he was sent to watch her!" Stanley glared, "We had others!" Howser glared, "oh what those two at the gym? If I could see through them you really think she a genius couldn't see through them?" Stanley for the first time since their argument started was startled and stopped speaking for a while.
"We would have handled it.." He finally squeezed out. Howser glared, "what had an early notice of her abandoning our county? Really how stupid can you be?" Stanley. Glared, "Howser!" Howser glared back, "I made a move with open intentions. I have from the start. The information that you have gathered since she changed is not the full picture. It is only what she showed us. If she had really wanted she could have very easily disappeared like those others but she didn't."
Stanley paused before asking, seeming to have calmed down, "why do you think that is?" Howser paused before sighing, "I have two reasons. I think it's either she doesn't know what she is or she does and is pretending because she is wanting something that only we would be able to get. But I'm more likely to believe it is the first. She may be a genius but she never got a hold of those files and it hasn't been suspected they have been hacked into."
Stanley nodded softly, "Ok i see your point, looking at it now I think you did make the right choice but we need to have someone stay close with her and be able to handle her." Howser paused, "I agree but we should be forthright with this deduction with her to prevent disaster. So, who do you want to send to watch her?"
Stanley was quiet for a long time before speaking, "with what skills you said she possessed since awakening her abilities I say we send Cole to watch over her." Howser froze a shocked expression on his face. "C-Cole? Isn't that too much?" Stanley spoke, "I don't think Kanami's skills have fully surfaced and if that's true Cole may be the only one who could possibly handle her if she turns."
Howser paused before sighing, "you make a good point but friend, don't try to pry too deeply or try to do many things in the dark. She is too dangerous to do such things. If she was just strong than it would be no problem but she is also smart. She may be a new breed. Don't get caught in one of your own traps." Stanley nodded softly, "I'll remember your advice; and you keep yourself alive."
Howser smiled before they both ended the video call. After the call ended Howser slumped into his chair with a sigh mumbling to himself. "Stanley I hope you don't make the wrong call. If you do we could all be doomed…"
He and Stanley had been friends in the military for as long as he could remember although they both chose different paths in the military they both kept in touch. While Howser hated plots, traps and politics Stanley thrived in them. As such they helped each other and covered each other's weaknesses which led them to have the strongest hold on their positions while also keeping the foot soldiers safer in battle and making the best choices in protecting the country.
It was also due to their friendship that they put in place a draft so early into the start of this war unlike the last world war which nearly destroyed the country. They were not willing to let that happen again and wanted to get a hold of the situation before it got out of hand.
Although they both knew the real reason for this break out of war. With the secrets the world learners hid from the public becoming more and more common it was becoming harder to keep it secret. This was also why they had worked to get her to work on protecting their country and people while preparing for the worst.
Howser sighed and straightened up and got on his computer to get the necessary work done to get Cole into the same squad as Kanami to watch over her. He also made the necessary preparations so he would be able to take Cole out to meet kanami himself.
While he worked he got a notification from one of his staff members and quickly opened it to read it. As he read his expression became one of worry and fear. He closed the file before swiftly filling out the rest of the necessary paperwork for transferring cole into kanami's squad while getting everything ready to travel there.
He could only hope he got there fast enough to prevent a disaster. Howser finished the paperwork and made the necessary travel plans to get there in the shortest time. He then contacted Stanley after he stood to head out of his office.
"I know we just talked but thing have changed." Stanley's voice could be heard over the phone, "what is it?" Howser spoke while he left his office walking, "She captured an enemy soldier who is one." There was a long pause, "What can we do?" Howser spoke, "I want to show her the file." His voice was tense but firm.
Stanley froze and only after Howser prodded him with a questioning, "Well", did he snap out of it. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead before answering.
"I will have to leave this matter to you and Cole and I will pray for your success in gaining an ally and not an enemy. We have no choice now and cannot let this get out of hand." Howser spoke, "Very well…"
Stanley then hung up with Howser and covered his face to think. He was going to have to rush his plans sooner than he wished although he knew he needed to wait for the news of what happened with Kanami. He could no longer sit back and take things slowly. Things were getting far too dangerous now.