The words that DreamMachine/Luvi told FIX were simple.
-"Please, if possible. Arrive at the destination a bit earlier and check if he is making any suspicious moves."
Luvi told her how he was suspicious of Aoto and how can't trust someone so easily.
He even feared that Aoto might just give the recipe for the serum to his father, in a bid to be recognized by him.
There were even more suspicions that Luvi had showered in the DMs with FIX. And When FIX asked why "DreamMachine" told her all of this, his answer was also simple.
-"He is greedy for recognition. And I might appreciate his talents, but I can't trust him so easily with that kind of baggage. So deal with him as you see fit, if possible."
The words were cold, holding no emotions. And if not for knowing the truth of Luvi, she might have thought he acted way too calm to be a youngster when talking about killing someone.
That is, if she was only aware of her side of conversation.
For FIX has not only tightened the security of Alfin, but she was also aware of his DMs with other members, which included Aoto.
'He is a bastard… but smart.'
Luvi, while asking her to check on Aoto, requested the same thing from Aoto as well. He was playing them both against themselves. And if not for FIX on a different level compared to Luvi, she might have fallen for his trick as well.
Which annoyed her a bit.
But she was not angry, instead, she found Luvi a lot more interesting. A guy who acts like a total fool in front of others, but his reality is always something else. She can't wait for such a young man to grow up and enter the real world.
"Aoto, I presume." The voice came from the projected hologram of an emoticon, which surprised Aoto a bit. But he was mentally ready and didn't wish to waste his time.
Though in truth, he was a bit scared looking at the floating hulking body of the drone.
"I am not good at talking in real life… Although some problems occurred, I was able to complete the batch." Aoto was on guard, he was looking all over the drone's body, for any potential weapons poking out. And in case he noticed anything suspicious, he might just activate the emp hidden in the suitcase as DreamMachine has suggested.
What Aoto didn't know was the drone was immune to emp attacks, FIX identity was not so simple as she showed to him and others on the group chat.
"Of course, DreamMachine told me about your success not too long ago."
"Hmm." Aoto didn't like the familiarity that FIX showed while talking to him. It felt as if FIX knew him for a long while. But he didn't say anything and silently opened the suitcase to expose a smaller briefcase inside it.
"Keep this briefcase safe… the contents inside it are volatile and require a specific temperature of 5 degree C, to retain their effect." Then Aoto pointed toward the briefcase and explained its functions. "This briefcase has its own temperature modulator, but as I am lacking time, I couldn't find a good one for the job. Meaning, it only has 24 hours of battery life and after it, the briefcase would require another charging."
Like a robot, Aoto explained the mechanics and the method of handling the serum to FIX. Though, he was robotic only on the surface. The fear of being kidnapped by this drone was still ingrained in his head.
What DreamMachien kept appearing in his head. "Don't believe in anyone… especially…" What he said later, Aoto didn't want to remember. But his mind was attentive.
And when his speech was finally over, he got ready for the response, which might just be the most thrilling part of his life.
Though, something unexpected happened.
"I understand, I would deliver the content to its destination in no time."
The drone skillfully picked up the suitcase and stored it in a compartment using its mechanical hands. But it was not over yet. "But before you go, there is something I have made for you."
Hearing these words, Aoto got ready. He didn't know what this thing was. Nor was he foolish to treat it as something simple.
But to his surprise, nothing special happened.
A part of the drone split apart, revealing the handle of what looked like a gun. A toy gun at that, which is pretty famous in japan.
Of course, Aoto who is too focused on his work would not know this. He just found the shape of the gun a bit childish and harmless.
"Don't treat it as a toy gun, it might look like something your country is familiar with, but this is a hunter weapon through and through, which is called a repulsor gun."
"This?"
"Don't worry, as its name is non-lethal and given to you just for self defense. It is capable of taking down hunters ranking green star easily, as for blue star, the gun might struggle a bit. And if its a purple star, you should just run."
Like Aoto had done so before, FIX told the specs of the gun and in situations where it can be used.
The gun she made for him was perfect, it was non-lethal and doesn't need a specific ammo to use. A single charge and the gun can fire for up to 16 shots. Empowered shots used to deal with blue stars drain the battery at four times the efficiency, which meant only 4 shots.
But this was still way better than the mortal weapons that Aoto hid in his jacket. And this gun also showed him his place.
'FIX is not that dangerous.'
He thought, believing in FIX as he took the gun from the holster and looked at it.
"Did you like it?"
"Yes."
"I am glad you did, because we are going to use it in just a few minutes."
"Huh?"
"You have been followed, young man."
With FIX pointing this out, Aoto saw a bunch of men that were openly making a tight knit circle around him.
"Seems like your father is very curious about your bizarre actions these days."
Of course this was going to happen, and it was what FIX was looking forward to.
Aoto was a volatile asset. He might be a genius in his field, but his Identity made him a liability.
And just like FIX expected, no matter what she does, it was close to impossible for Aoto to act freely.
"My father?"
His life was a cage. And he was too ignorant to notice it.
"Yes, but speaking anymore would be useless. Keep that weapon hidden and follow these men, I would be leaving. But if you want to ask for help, just press the yellow button on that toy gun, I will try my best."
And with that, before the men could do anything, the drone left the scene. Leaving Aoto surrounded and scared.
He can feel it instinctually. The weakest person here was a green star hunter, with more than three blue stars hidden between them.
'It's impossible for me to escape.'
He was scared, not knowing if this was a trap designed by FIX or if it was truly his father's men. Who knows, even the gun which was disguised as a toy might actually be a toy.
But, Aoto calmed his heart and asked. "Who are you?"
His words were cut and clear, curious about these men in black who looked highly trained. And the response he got was also a question. "Who did you just meet, young master.?"
Of course, this question gave away all the information he needed.
But he can't be sure just yet.
FIX has left him instead of helping him here. No, FIX did say he might help Aoto, but only if he asks for it. But whether it was true or not, Aoto didn't know.
'A play, a ploy… I can't believe his words.'
So he took out a gun, a real gun and not the toy one that FIX gave him, pointing it at man who questioned him.
"Among the 10 people here, you seem to have some authority."
"So speak, who are you and why are you following him."
A mortal gun might not be lethal to the awakeners, but it would still injure the weaker ones and it was still impossible for many to react to the speed of the bullet.
But for these trained individuals, it was not the bullet they needed to react to, they just needed to react depending on Aoto's posture and angle of the shot. Making it much easier, as Aoto was a complete noob when it came to guns.
His posture was wrong, his grip was weak and the worst part, he only used a single hand, which was almost suicidal for a newbie like him.
The recoil of the gun might hurt him more than the bullet hurt his opponent.
But these people didn't dare to take the gamble. For one, the opponent in front of them is the son of their employer and second, they have messed up before during their chase and another mistake like that might just be the end of their employment.
"Young master, we are your bodyguards. We protect you from the shadows under your father's command."
"My father?... Protect me?" Aoto found it hard to believe. But then he started to laugh a bit. "Yes, yes I believe you. But only partially."
Then throwing his gun away in his hand to the feet of the man, Aoto asked."I won't speak a word until you bring me to my father."
Then he took out the other gun in his pockets and the tanto, which he also threw away to their feet.
But he kept one thing safe in his hand, the toy gun.
'I will choose to believe FIX in this one.'
He didn't know if what he did was foolish or not. But one thing he was sure of, his life might take a different turn from this moment on.
'No, my life has already changed since I became part of that group.'