After a few hours, Keiko returned home, as well as Quiku, the winged gecko/dragon baby who effectively was the teams mascot, something every squad requires. She returned with food, although it was discarded on the street, it was all they could get, due to lack of money, or anyone having an actual job, as they were too invested in Axel's business and how to bring it to the ground, in a massive ball of fire and girls cheering. Slowly trudging through the dark corridors of the gas station, she glimpsed at a small wooden frame, with a slightly battered picture encased rigidly inside. Upon laying her ruby eyes on the picture, Keiko softly smiled, there they were, all her friends, well, acquaintances now. On the left sat Keiko herself, softly smiling as she gazed over to Rikai, who was next to keiko, enveloping her in a hug, behind them, was Asado, Tar on her face like usual and a spanner in hand, beaming from ear to ear. Next to her, was Kazito, A boy with all black clothing, and scruffy black hair. He was best friends with Keiko, until he and Rikai were taken by the Axel weirdo, luckily, Rikai "escaped", but after stating she couldn't find Kazito, Keiko's heart was broken, because not only did her best friend get stolen, but her crush did too. Tears swelled as Keiko remembered the good-- times back then, when they all still lived in this stupid gas station, happy, and friendly. Keiko remembered Rikai telling her about where they went, a hall, with giant machines, where Axel wanted to convert them into soldiers. From what Rikai said, they would brainwash you, make you forget everything, and then your first memory would be the minute you were born as a soldier, forced to obey...
Why they took Rikai and Kazito, Keiko wasn't sure, maybe because they were the fittest, leaders of our group, she didn't know, but what she did know, is that Kazito sacrificed himself to make sure Rikai didn't get brainwashed, and she managed to escape, midway through the conversion process and not before being injected with the enhanced myogenisis stimulant, which enhanced her body to the point of optimal muscle fitness, stamina and strength, allowing them a fighting chance at destroying Axel and saving Kazito, so in some way, Keiko has to thank Axel for providing a way of rebelling. Kazito too...
Slipping silently into the more home-like area of the station, with small, ripped couches with a mouldy green colour that always made Keiko feel kinda sick, and a small kitchen area with a chipped counter and microwave on top, the only glow of the room was produced by the light blue hue of the dirty fridge nearby. Keiko sighed comfortably and sat on the biggest sofa, with Quiku immediately curling up in her lap. Despite feeling somewhat hungry, Keiko decided to ignore her stomachs requests and fall into a nap.
Later that evening, both Asado and Rikai walking in, with Asado comfortably walking in and preparing a small 3 person meal with the food Keiko scavenged. Around 5 minutes later, the rusty whirring of the battered oven hummed a spiking tune as the three girls sat and ate, talking with auras of joy and comfort. The food, however, was quite rubbery and stale, but that was all the girls could get nowadays. To them this was a luxury.
"And then the truck exploded with a rumble that shook the ground!" Rikai exuberantly exclaimed. "Sadly it was another busted hit, nothing was there". Her expression changed from joyous to annoyed in what some could consider record time. "W-well, I'm sure the next will be good" stuttered Keiko, "And this time im coming too!" Rikai softly smiled, "sure thing, I'm sure the teams hacker will be useful, not to mention all the work you've been putting in training, those dumb guards won't stand a chance!"