The mission was over. The reports stated that the two officers and one Chimera were killed within the facility, as said by the surviving Chimera. Officer Akio Matsunaga's body was the only one recovered and was quickly taken to the morgue for further analysis; he would then be buried alongside his mother and father.
Kanesaki stepped out from his quarters the next day and seemed fine compared to his breakdown from the morning. His eyes looked more empty than usual, but he was still fine now. He walked out, past the different officers who all looked at him with slight disgust or dislike. His core job as a Chimera, above all, is to protect their master. With Akio's death, he had failed. He thought back to when he returned to the base with Wachisaka. Nishihara was waiting for them to return, he was good friends with Akio from since they were in the academy.
6:34AM
Outpost 34
Nishihara stood beside two other officers; one first-class and one second-class. The first-class was a tall, muscular man; his build and frame could be soon through the uniform. His hair was dark brown, shirt and combed back. He had a serious look to his face and a slight scar running down to his left eye. The second-class was a young woman, around 19 with slightly long, bright red hair and some of it tied into a bun. She had dark yellow eyes and a standard officer's uniform with a skirt and tights on.
'Nishii, do you think they made It back safely?'
Nishihara looked over at the girl as she stared at the ship coming down. The other officer stepped forward calmly. 'Hirabayashi, they'll be fine. Trust me.' She glanced over and nodded, a look of worry creeping on her face. Nishihara smiled slightly, he had never really smiled much since his time in the academy.
'Thanks, Sakaguchi, I needed that.' She smiled warmly. The ship pulled in and they noticed a team of medical officers run over to the ship. Nishihara thought to himself and began to worry a little, but he held those perceptions back. The ship docked and the doors opened slowly. Wachisaka was the first to leave, then his accompanying officers.
'Hey, where's Akio or the Chimera?' Hirabayashi looked worried and clasped her hands together. Sakaguchi put an arm over her shoulder to comfort her. They suddenly heard footsteps. The trio's faces all lit up, the two had survived.
Kanesaki stepped out, bloody and a mess all over. He was staring to the floor, he couldn't think straight, not even noticing the three were standing in front of him. Nishihara stared at the Chimera as his face turned from one to slight relief to one of panic and fear.
'Oi, Chimera! Where's Akio!'
Kanesaki raised his head up slowly, his eyes piercing through his hair, stained with blood. The trio looked at him closely, examining the empty, lifeless eyes. Walking towards the Chimera, Nishihara gritted his teeth, his eyes widening in anger. 'I said, where's Akio!' He grabbed Kanesaki's collar and looked down at him, spitting slightly as he shouted. The personnel in the area all looked over at him, distracted by the scene unfolding.
'He... He's...'
'What!? Say it!'
He couldn't even look up at the officer. He just stared back to the floor, at his blood-soaked boots.
'He's...'
'Dead?'
The silence spoke for itself.
Nishihara let go of Kanesaki and looked over to see the lieutenant. 'You trusted the Chimera to ensure the safety of your officers. No look at what's happened.' He turned around and walked off without saying another word. The other two officers stood distraught; Hirabayashi began to cry at the realisation and Sakaguchi simply closed his eyes to mourn. Kanesaki didn't look around or say anything more, he just left to his quarters, no debriefing or post-mission report was given.
Present- same day
Sipping a cup of coffee he had made himself, Kanesaki thought of checking with Nishihara to see if he was okay. Being a first-class officer, he thought that the man would have gotten over it quickly, death was common in this field. He finished the drink and made his way to the training grounds where Nishihara was currently stationed. He reported in with the officer in front of the training grounds and asked for entry but was denied.
'Officer Nishihara has requested that no one but second-class officers or above may enter the training grounds unless he or the lieutenant allow you to.'
He scoffed slightly and left to find the lieutenant. He had found him quickly within the operations facility. 'Lieutenant Wachisaka, I would like to request entry to the training grounds, please.' Wachisaka looked at the Chimera and smiled kindly. 'I hate to displease you Kanesaki but officer Nishihara requested no entry for a fear of a gas leak within the grounds. He is taking up the issue as we speak and he should allow entry soon.' Nodding, Kanesaki left the facility.
He's lying about that gas leak, he must be!
The Chimera began to look around the training grounds main area, looking for another way in. He looked awfully suspicious, even just out in the open squinting at the gates, as if he was planning something dangerous. He sat down after about an hour and looked up to the sky, the ocean in the air looked beautiful. He smiled a little before closing his eyes, moving his arm over his face as he took a few breaths, sweating from the heat. Valdeia was closer to the sun than earth, it was naturally hotter and, despite Chimera having better body temperatures, he was still feeling hot.
'Um, Kanesaki, was it?'
He opened his eyes and quickly shot up, turning back to see Hirabayashi standing before him. She clasped her hands together and her eyes had a look of fear or anxiousness to them. 'Oh, Officer Kazuki. My apologies, was I slacking off?' She heard him apologise and her eyes widened slightly, she looked away for a moment before speaking. 'No, you're fine there. I was just wondering, you looked like you were searching for something. Need any help?' Getting up slowly, Kanesaki grunted as he spoke. 'Uh, maybe? I'm looking for a way into the training grounds but Nishihara made it off-limits.' She looked down and pondered.
'That is true. But...' She grinned slyly as she pulled out her badge. '... Second-class and above officers are allowed to enter.' Kanesaki smiled warmly as the two quickly walked together to the main gate. 'Thanks, Officer Kazuki.' She looked up at him, a slight red grew on her cheeks. 'Oh, don't call me "officer Kazuki", call me Hirabayashi.' He laughed a little as she impersonated saying her name with a gruff voice. 'Okay, will do.' The two continued walking until they reached the gate.
Hirabayashi presented her badge and went to enter. The officer by the gate stopped Kanesaki from entering before the second-class officers twisted around and stepped back over to them. 'Oh, he's with me.'
'I'm sorry ma'am, he's not allowed entry.'
She scoffed slightly and tapped her foot as she thought to herself. Kanesaki sighed and smiled reassuringly. 'Well, it's fine, Hirabayashi. But thanks for trying.' She swatted him away and spoke with a sudden confidence in her voice to the guarding officer. 'Well, I need Kanesaki here to get in there with me. We're gonna do a little training so I can hone his skills for the next mission. I'm aware that officer Nishihara has made it off limits but I'm gonna have to bend the rules a little for our Chimera friend over here!'
The officer nodded politely and sighed before murmuring, 'I don't get paid enough for this stuff.'
The two entered the training grounds quickly. Kanesaki looked over to Hirabayashi as she glanced back at him. 'Thanks, again. I'm surprised he let that pass.' The officer turned to face Kanesaki and smirked a little. 'What can I say, a little confidence is all I need to get stuff.' Kanesaki looked down at her and chuckled slightly. 'I guess that's true!'
He walked past her to continue his search for Nishihara. Her eyes widened as he just seemingly ignored her presence. She stared at him walk off and suddenly the confidence faded, she was just alone for a moment before chasing after the Chimera, shouting. 'Hey, Kanesaki! Don't just leave me!' She grabbed his arm as she caught up to him and he looked over and laughed a little more. 'Sorry, I didn't know you wanted to stay with me.' The officer went a little more red, looking down at the floor.
'Hey, I see Nishihara!' Kanesaki's eyes widened as he rushed over to the officer, Hirabayashi gasped as he left her reach.
Nishihara stood in a Black vest which highlighted his toned arms and upper body. He was sweating from what Kanesaki assumed was a workout. The officer saw Kanesaki and suddenly his face scrunched up into annoyance. 'Hey, Nishihara! I've been trying to see you all day.' Turning his back to the Chimera, Nishihara spoke.
'What do you want, Chimera?' he picked up a sleek, dark, non-hilted sword and began sharpening it, still facing away from the Chimera. 'I just wanted to see how you were after yesterday. Just checking in, I guess.'
Turning around a little, the officer sighed heavily. 'I'm pretty tired of you saying you "guess", y'know. You're supposed to be this quiet kinda guy, yet you're here annoying a superior officer about what, some dead officer?' Kanesaki fell silent, he felt Nishihara's aggression and looked down. Hirabayashi reached Kanesaki as Nishihara scoffed. 'So that's how you got in here, huh?' He put the sword down and looked past Kanesaki to the young woman. 'Hirabayashi, get out of here, tell the front officer that I'm with the Chimera in case he gets worried.'
Kanesaki questioned Nishihara's words in his mind. 'Worried?'
'Yeah, there a problem, lab brain?'
Hirabayashi turned to leave but tugged as Kanesaki's coat, bringing his attention to her. 'Kanesaki... Good luck, m'kay.' She didn't look at him, just faced forwards. Kanesaki nodded and with that, she left. It was just the two now, Kanesaki and Nishihara.
'I'm sure you can tell there was no gas leak, right, Chimera?' Kanesaki nodded.
'But whilst everyone else believes that there is one, why don't we take the time to talk. Call it therapy, if you will.' He reached over to grab a sheathed weapon from the ground as Kanesaki's eyes grew narrower, he felt a threatening presence from Nishihara as he lifted the weapon, unsheathing it slightly.
'Are you familiar with an Odachi, Chimera?'
'No, officer.'
'Yeah, checks out.' Fully unsheathing the large weapon, Nishihara faced the Chimera and pointed the tip at him. 'Tell me, Chimera... How about another sparring match?'
Chapter eleven- end