We were slowly closing in on the designated port that Nezu owns and uses for his exploration. Unfortunately, we hadn't managed to fully lose the HPSC or the heroes just yet, as they were patrolling around the docks where we needed to go. With Momo's help, I rigged the boat to explode and sent it straight toward the shore to serve as a distraction. I was getting really tired of these snakes always standing in my way. Today showed me just how corrupt the hero system under the Commission really is. This won't stand. If they can't change, then I will make them, but there will be no HPSC left when I'm done with them.
After the three of us swam toward the shore during the chaos caused by the explosion, we quickly headed toward the hangar where Nezu stores his developmental helicopter. To our surprise, we found Power Loader inside, leaning against the aircraft. "Good, you're finally here. You made one hell of a mess out there. Now let's go before we get caught."
I wanted to ask some questions, but they could wait until we had already escaped. We quickly got into the vehicle, and inside we saw hazmat suits that we would need to cross the irradiated areas in Zone 13. Now that he wasn't necessary, I sent Thrawn back into the vault.
The roof of the hangar slowly opened as the propellers started to spin. Moments later, we were airborne, flying away. The last sight I had of Japan was the burning remains of the dock, with agents and heroes scrambling to catch us. My final act of defiance was shooting a specialized expanding hard foam arrow into the rotors of the search helicopter above them. As it spiraled down into the water, I turned toward Momo, who was looking at me with slight disapproval. But she was exhausted—physically and emotionally drained after such a long, stressful day. And who could blame her? One day, you're living in luxury with your parents, having fun with your two best friends turned lovers and your strange but beloved semi-clones. The next, you're a wanted fugitive, forced to live in a radioactive wasteland for five years to escape the grasp of a power-hungry government organization.
"I know this isn't easy for you, Momo, but we'll get through it together, okay?" I said, grabbing her hand for support. She weakly squeezed it and nodded. We decided to rest for a bit and soon fell asleep.
We woke up as the sun began to rise around 5 a.m. Momo's bed was definitely more comfortable, but beggars can't be choosers. At least we kept each other warm. I got up to talk to Power Loader, hoping to understand what Nezu had planned for us while we were essentially in exile.
"Good morning, Power Loader-san. Could you tell me where we are?" I asked.
He nodded, replying, "Good morning to you as well, John-kun. We're currently flying over international waters, taking a longer but safer route. It'll still be at least 10 more hours before we reach the islands," he added casually, showing no signs of exhaustion.
"That's at least 17 hours of straight flying. Won't you get tired? I don't think you even slept before coming to pick us up. How do you manage that?" I was genuinely curious how he handled the effects of sleep deprivation.
His answer was both funny and surprising. "Sigh~ Look, kid, after being a hero and support engineer for almost 20 years, you get used to pulling all-nighters. That's basically it. So, a word of advice—be careful with your little girlfriend, because we support engineers? We make our terrible sleep schedules everyone's problem, especially friends and family."
I made an incredulous face, suddenly a bit scared. Mei had already started doing this exact thing at home, driving both me and Momo nuts. We thought it was just a phase.
I went back to Momo to brainstorm a plan for our next steps. We spent almost the entire trip bouncing ideas back and forth. We concluded that we needed to find or build a semi-permanent settlement near our drop-off zone. We decided to make it a fully functional stronghold, a place we could always fall back to if needed. I even asked HJack for some tips, since he had already started building a city on Pandora. His advice was simple but important: create escape routes, establish defensive positions, and build the heart of the settlement in a naturally defensible location.
I began sketching out the general layout of the structures I'd construct with the help of the Builders. First, the main building where Momo and I would stay would be placed on a hill or mountain—whichever was in a better location. Defensive positions would be set up for my puppets to monitor the surroundings and swiftly react to any threats. I wasn't sure how the radiation would affect them, but since they could be weakened by fire and gas, I didn't want to risk them being compromised when an enemy approached. Because of this, I planned to set up a central hospital where we could perform regular check-ups and medical procedures for both us and the puppets.
In addition, I envisioned a large factory-like warehouse where I could mass-produce equipment, uniforms, and weapons for my units. The entire core of the settlement would be surrounded by trenches, barbed wire, and pillboxes. To fully man the base, I planned to deploy a combined total of 500 units. Once we were secure, we could begin expanding.
We arrived at the shores of Area 13 around 3 p.m. and started making our way toward Onekotan Island. Although there hadn't been a direct nuclear strike on the island, it had been uninhabited for a long time, and radioactive dust had blown over it for years, carried by the winds. We planned to land on a plain near the now inactive volcano, then hike up the smaller mountains surrounding the lake that held the dormant volcano. Finally, I'd use my wings to fly us across the water and onto the mountain, which would serve as the core of our new base.
When we finally landed the helicopter, Momo and I changed into the provided hazmat suits. Before Power Loader sealed the cockpit to let us out, I quickly told him that we would need regular supplies—mainly food and water—every month or two. I also asked if Nezu could send us educational materials to help expand our knowledge. My final request to Power Loader was to keep Mei safe and ensure she was well-taught. With that, we said our goodbyes, and he sealed himself in.
As the doors opened, I stored our supplies in my vault, and we stepped out into the barren wasteland that had once been a beautiful paradise. The journey to the top of the mountain range was long and exhausting, but we managed to reach the summit just before sunset. Without wasting time, I sprouted my wings, picked up Momo in a bridal carry, and flew toward the volcano. The flight was more tiring than I had anticipated, and I nearly wore myself out.
We landed on the large, flat crater at the top, and I immediately summoned 30 Builders to construct a shelter for us before nightfall. They managed to complete the foundation and structure of a multi-story building just in time, though it was still unfinished—no lights, windows, or interior, just reinforced concrete. It would suffice for now. I sent the Builders back to the vault since we didn't have proper accommodations for them yet.
Momo and I claimed the top floor as our own, while the other four floors would be designated for high command and logistics. Each floor had around 16 large rooms, plus an extra room for the stairwell. Momo created a bed for us in the room closest to the stairs, along with large blankets and tape so we could seal ourselves in for the night. After barricading the windows and sealing off the stairwell, we brought out Geiger counters to check the radiation levels. Fortunately, only our boots were heavily radiated, so we tossed them into the farthest room and sealed it off for now.
Out of immediate danger, we lay down on the bed and started talking. For the first time since this ordeal began, Momo allowed herself to release her emotions, eventually crying herself to sleep. As I held her, I made a vow to myself: I would make those power-hungry bastards pay for what they had done. I listened to the howling wind outside and Momo's soft breathing as I slowly drifted off to sleep.
This was the beginning of our new life, in the city we would build together: Opportunity.