A Budding Alliance!

"Alright! Listen up," Kai began, her tone firm as she stood in the center of the modest living room.

The four members of Zteel stood scattered around the space, each radiating their unique energy.

Kilo, with his hands tucked casually into his jacket pockets, leaned slightly against the armrest of the couch. A carefree grin played at his lips, his eyes occasionally wandering to the various knickknacks and framed photos lining the shelves. His laid-back posture was an open contrast to the intensity of the situation.

Aurora, standing nearest to the window, seemed more focused on the room itself than on Kai's words. Her sharp, analytical gaze swept across the surroundings, lingering briefly on a stack of books in the corner and the faint scuff marks on the hardwood floor. Her lips pressed into a thin line, as if silently noting every detail for later.

Nyota stood at attention near the center of the room, his stance relaxed but purposeful. His expression carried a quiet optimism, his faint smile and the warmth in his eyes suggesting that he was ready for whatever Kai had to say.

Sage, meanwhile, stood beside Nyota, his posture straight and composed. His dark eyes remained locked on Kai, his expression attentive and focused with his arms crossed. His face betraying no emotion, he seemed to absorb every word she said.

Kai, glancing between them, noted their differences with a faint smirk before continuing.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, emphasizing her point as she crossed her arms. "Where I'm about to take you is a very—and I mean very—secret space."

Kilo's carefree grin widened, and he leaned forward just a bit, clearly intrigued. "Ooh, mysterious. Is there a password? A secret handshake? Maybe a hidden passageway behind a bookshelf?"

"Aye," Aurora called, shooting him a sidelong glance, her lips twitching as if suppressing a sigh. "Maybe try taking this seriously for once," she muttered, her tone dry but not unkind.

"Hey, I am serious! Secret spaces are my thing." Kilo shrugged, his grin unrelenting.

Nyota chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Don't worry, Kai. He's harmless. Mostly."

Kai gave him a flat look, though her lips quirked into a faint smile. "Good to know. But if you want to see what I'm about to show you, you'll need to follow my lead and keep your mouths shut about it afterward. Got it?"

Sage, who had remained silent thus far, gave a small nod. "Understood," he said simply, his voice calm and steady. His gaze remained fixed on Kai, his attentiveness adding weight to the moment.

Kai studied each of them for a beat, as if gauging their trustworthiness. Finally, she nodded to herself. "Alright. Follow me."

She led the way to a door in the hallway, pausing briefly before opening it and gesturing toward the stairs. A yawning darkness greeted them, the basement's depths cloaked in an intimidating stillness that seemed to stretch endlessly downward.

Kilo frowned, leaning forward slightly to peer into the void. "Are you trying to kill us?" he quipped, his voice light but edged with nervousness.

"Get down the stairs." Sage muttered, his tone impatient. He didn't hesitate, giving his brother a firm slap on the back.

Kai grinned. "I promise it's more furnished than it looks."

Together, the five descended down the stairs, Kai shutting the door behind them and locking it from the inside.

With a flick of the light switch, the basement sprang to life. Warm light spilled across a surprisingly well-furnished space: a plush couch sat against one wall, a sleek desk with two large monitors and a swivel chair occupied another corner, and an overhead flat-screen television hung neatly above a cabinet stocked with various tools and devices. Dominating the far wall was a large tack board displaying a detailed map of Saprius, its surface crisscrossed with hand-drawn borders in various colors.

Nyota's eyes immediately gravitated toward the board. He stepped closer, his brow furrowing as he studied the intricate lines and markings. It didn't take long for him to recognize the pattern—an evolving map of Lunanova's geographical shifts over time.

Aurora joined him, her gaze sharp as she traced the map with a finger. She pointed toward the far west of Lunanova, moving her hand in a slow circular motion. "This is where Belteria used to be," she said softly, then slid her finger upward to another spot. "And here—this was Alkin."

Nyota glanced at her, their expressions briefly mirroring the weight of shared understanding, before both turned their attention back to the map, silent but pensive.

Kai cleared her throat from behind them, drawing the group's attention. "Alright, listen up." She gestured toward the desk, where two monitors rested alongside several open notebooks filled with scribbles and diagrams. "This is where the magic happens. You're about to see the fruits of my very successful little project—one that's let me keep an eye on Noriko and her plans without raising a single red flag."

She exhaled sincerely as she pulled out the swivel chair and sank into it, her fingers already flying over the keyboard. "Trust me, you'll want to see this."

The four officers gathered around Kai's desk, their gazes fixed on the monitors as she navigated through a flurry of tabs and applications. With a few rapid clicks, she brought up her data leak project.

"What's this?" Sage asked, leaning in.

"This," Kai replied, her fingers still flying across the keyboard, "is exactly what you could use from now on." She swiveled her chair slightly, gesturing for them to examine the screen more closely.

"It's a stealthy system I designed to infiltrate government networks. It extracts and analyzes critical information about Noriko's plans—all without leaving a trace. Took me a while to perfect it, but now it's running smoothly."

"Well, how does it work?" Sage asked.

Kai paused, tapping at the screen before answering. "It's been up and running for about a month now. Nobody's come for me."

Sage raised an eyebrow. "How long has it been running, exactly? Just to be sure it's legit?"

Kai glanced at him, a small smile forming. "Just shy of three weeks, give or take. No signs of anyone noticing, least of all Noriko herself."

Nyota, leaning casually against the wall, added, "If it was noticeable, Noriko would've wasted no time sending agents to her door."

Kai scrolled through the data on the screen. "Want to know what Noriko has planned next? Or what information she's got on the four of you? Well, it's all here—or most of it, anyway." She glanced at Sage. "You're Sage, right?"

He nodded. "Sage Hikari."

Kai typed his name into the system and read aloud. "Warrant Officer Sage Hikari. Age: 19. Hometown: New Jericho. Agency: Electric Path Spies. Faction: Lunanova Police Force. Rank: A-Class. Graduated: May 2201. Modus: Blue Flames."

She entered another name. "Warrant Officer Kilo Hikari. Age: 17. Hometown: New Jericho. Agency: Electric Path Spies. Faction: Lunanova Police Force. Rank: B-Class. Graduated: May 2201. Modus: Red Flames."

Kai turned to Aurora. "You're Aurora, right?"

Aurora nodded, and Kai typed again. "Lieutenant Aurora Steele. Age: 24. Hometown: New Jericho. Agency: Electric Path Spies. Faction: Lunanova Police Force. Rank: A-Class. Graduated: May 2196. Modi: Plasma and Copy."

"New Jericho?" Nyota asked, turning to Aurora.

Aurora shook her head. "The records are updated with what they want people to see. That's false—I'm forever Belterian, born and raised."

"Belterian?" Kai raised a brow, intrigued.

Aurora smirked. "Yep."

Kai chuckled. "Makes sense why you'd want to get back at her."

"Doesn't it?" Aurora replied coolly.

Nyota's curiosity flared. "What about me? What does my file say?"

Kai typed in his name. "Warrant Officer Nyota Atar. Age: 18—same as me. Hometown: New Jericho. Agency: Electric Path Spies. Faction: Lunanova Police Force. Rank: A-Class. Graduated: May 2201. Modus: Blue Lightning."

His stomach twisted, the words rattling in his mind like a clattering bell. New Jericho?

It didn't make sense. He glanced quickly at the others, his expression calm but his thoughts racing. Why would they change that? Why hide Lunenrane?

His chest tightened with an unease he couldn't quite place. Lunenrane was more than his hometown; it was a place full of magic, mystery, and a deep sense of belonging he'd never felt anywhere else. The starlit skies, the hills, the whispered stories of his ancestors—it was part of who he was. But here, in this cold digital profile, it was as though it didn't exist.

His fists clenched at his sides, his mind buzzing with questions he wasn't sure he wanted answers to. How could a place like Lunenrane—a quiet, tucked-away town—pose a threat to the government? Forget the alteration of his record; why would they go so far as to wipe Lunenrane off the map entirely?

Finally, he broke the silence. "Kai," he began, his voice low but steady.

"Hm?" she replied, her fingers poised over the keyboard.

"Have you ever come across a place called Lunenrane?"

Kai raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "I can check," she said, turning back to the screen. Her fingers moved swiftly across the keys, the glow of the monitor casting sharp shadows on her. Her expression shifted from focused determination to unease, her brow furrowing as she leaned closer to the screen.

"What?" Nyota pressed, his voice sharper than intended. "What does it say?"

Kai's eyes darted across the screen, her jaw tightening as she scrolled through lines of text. The room felt heavier with each second of silence. Finally, she stopped scrolling, took a steadying breath, and read aloud:

"To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Director Noriko Tachi, and I am writing this as a record of events that led to the necessary actions taken against the settlement of Lunenrane.

Years ago, through the diligence of EPSA agents embedded in the Lunanova Military faction, I was made aware of a previously unknown settlement northwest of Lunanova's borders, a place called Lunenrane. Its chief, Orion Atar, appeared to be implementing a program designed to arm its youth with skills that could one day threaten the security and unity of Saprius. This included firearm training and mastery of their Modi Operandi—abilities that, left unchecked, could rival the disciplined force of our soldiers.

At first, I sent a formal message to Orion Atar, demanding regular reports on the progress of this program. I made it clear that refusal would result in severe consequences for his settlement. He complied, but his updates were infrequent and increasingly unhelpful, a deliberate affront to my authority.

It became evident that the program was not only operational but thriving. The threat this posed could no longer be ignored. I ordered a raid to be executed on Lunenrane, led by Master Sergeant Elwin Newton, to eradicate the settlement. The objective was twofold: capture the youth for memory modification and conscription into the Lunanova forces and eradicate all else.

The youth were distributed across the country in small numbers, ensuring no concentration of individuals with identical backgrounds that might raise suspicion. Lunenrane—this settlement with a population of no more than two thousand—was burned to the ground, and the raid was deemed a necessary action to preserve order and prevent rebellion.

Orion Atar proved formidable. While I remained unaware of the full extent of his abilities, I instructed Sergeant Newton to capture him alive. My intent was to negotiate his cooperation—though I knew precisely how to ensure his compliance.

The security of Lunanova is paramount, and sacrifices must be made in service to the greater good. This operation, while regrettable, was both strategic and justifiable."

Kai's voice trembled slightly as she finished reading. She exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. "That's… everything."

The room was silent for a beat, the weight of the revelation settling over them like a shroud.

"That's twisted," Kilo finally said, his voice subdued.

"Depressing doesn't even begin to cover it," Aurora added, her expression dark. "She wiped out an entire town and destroyed lives—all because of fear. It's disgusting."

Nyota's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His voice was low, trembling with restrained anger. "What about the memories? The ones they altered—how does that even work?"

Aurora crossed her arms, her expression dark and contemplative. "Yeah, I want to know that too. How could they just… rewrite someone's entire past? I know it had to do with those serums and machines, but what exactly were the memories?"

Kai froze mid-type, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She turned to them, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Wait, serums and machines? You're saying they used tech and chemicals to do this?"

Aurora nodded grimly. "From what I've seen. Some kind of experimental equipment, paired with injections. It wasn't just psychological manipulation—they were tampering with minds on a biological level."

Kai blinked, processing this new layer of horror. "I… I didn't know it went that far. That's… insane." Her hands returned to the keyboard, typing frantically. "Let me see if there's anything in here about that."

Sage's voice cut through the tense silence, his words heavy with sorrow. "They weren't just destroying a town—they were erasing it from existence. All gone, rewritten for Noriko's agenda. And Elwin, he's since been promoted? It's hardly been a year since the event."

"The raid must have been why. This would suggest just how important it was, especially considering that raids seem to happen more often than we think." Nyota's breathing quickened as his emotions swirled, his fists tightening at his sides. "I just can't believe it. Lunenrane wasn't just some town on a map," he said, his voice low but firm. "They stole that from us and twisted everything—turned us into tools for their agenda."

The others exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of his words settling heavily in the room.

Kai exhaled sharply, glancing back at the screen. Her brow furrowed as she continued to search, her movements more methodical now. After a few minutes, she leaned back in her chair, shaking her head. "There's nothing here. At least, not yet. If this memory-altering program exists in these files, it's buried deeper than I can get right now." She met their eyes, her tone serious. "But I'll keep looking. If I find anything—even the faintest lead—I'll let you know."

Nyota didn't reply immediately, his hands curling into tight fists as he fought to steady his thoughts. After a moment, he exhaled deeply, his voice quiet but steady. "We deserve the truth. All of it."

Aurora gave a small nod, her gaze steady. "We'll find the answers, Nyota."

Kai glanced up from the screen, her tone more general. "Saprius has a lot buried, but it's all connected. We'll dig it up, piece by piece."

Nyota paused for a moment, then added, his voice still heavy with emotion, "And Orion… he's still alive, right?"

Kai looked up, blinking as if taken aback by the sudden shift. "Who's Orion?"

Nyota's jaw tightened. "He's… my father."

There was a brief silence as Kai processed the weight of his words.

"I didn't know," Kai murmured, her voice softening. "But if he's alive, we can't waste any time. He could know a lot that would help us."

Sage, who had been silently observing, spoke up. "Before anything else, we need to focus on Noriko. She's the one pulling all the strings here. Whatever's left of our past is all irrelevant if we don't stop her. She's the one who must fall first. Even the article suggested that Orion could very well be working with her right now."

The words hit Nyota like a sudden jolt, and though he nodded in agreement, his mind raced with the thought of his father. He had been desperate to find Orion, but Sage's comment lingered in his mind, unsettling him. For a moment, Nyota stayed silent, the conflict between his duty and his personal desire momentarily warring inside him.

"I know," Nyota finally said, his voice steady but his thoughts elsewhere. "We'll focus on her."

But in his heart, the question of his father, Orion, remained unanswered.

"Anyway, it's getting late," Kai began. "You guys should probably prepare to head out for the day."

"Kicking us out already?" Kilo joked, a sly grin spreading across his face. "It's okay, I get it."

Together, Nyota, Sage, Kilo, and Aurora prepared to depart from Kai's house. They made their way up the basement stairs and gathered near the front door.

"Thanks, Kai, for everything—really," Nyota said earnestly. "I really needed this today. It gives me a sense of direction."

"Yeah, for sure," Kai replied, her voice sincere. "And I'm sorry—so sorry about everything. I knew Noriko was vile, but the more I learn, I just can't believe it."

Nyota waved it off. "Nah, it's okay. You're not responsible for her actions, and you don't have to apologize for anyone—especially not her. Like I've said, she's going to pay eventually."

"Right," Kai nodded. Despite his words, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her new friend. His calm exterior couldn't mask the pain she knew was brewing beneath the surface.

After a brief pause, Kai glanced at the group, her expression thoughtful. "I'm glad to help, and I'm glad to have found like-minded people, but just how serious are you about exposing and overthrowing Noriko?"

The question hung in the air for a moment, and the group exchanged looks.

"Dead serious," Aurora said firmly, her tone unwavering. "This isn't just about revenge—it's about justice for everyone she's wronged."

Kilo shrugged, his tone lighter but still resolute. "We wouldn't be doing all this for fun, you know. We're committed, even if we're still figuring out the details."

Sage chimed in, his voice calm but deliberate. "We've all lost something because of her. That's not something any of us will forget—or forgive. You can count on that."

Kai nodded slowly, but her eyes held a trace of skepticism. "I hear you, but it's one thing to talk about it. It's another to actually pull it off. I don't mean to doubt you—I really don't—but Noriko isn't someone you take down on a whim."

"We get it," Nyota said, his voice steady but understanding. "It's a lot to take in, and it's not an easy task. But trust me when I say, we're in this for the long haul."

Kai's lips twitched into a small, wry smile. "Well, I'll keep helping you for now. But let me make one thing clear—I'm not part of Zteel."

Kilo raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Not yet, you mean."

"Maybe not ever," Kai countered, crossing her arms. "Don't get me wrong, I believe in what you're trying to do, but I'm not ready to fully jump into this. I've got my own stuff to deal with, and I'm not about to put my life entirely on hold for this cause."

"Fair enough," Aurora said, her tone understanding. "But don't think you're getting rid of us that easily. We'll convince you eventually."

Kai smirked. "Good luck with that."

Nyota chuckled softly but offered Kai a sincere look. "Thanks again, Kai. Even if you don't think of yourself as part of the team, you've already done more for us than we could've hoped."

"Don't mention it," Kai replied. "Just take care of yourselves, okay? And we'll regroup sometime soon to finally plan your first move. My house again. I want to make sure this plan of yours actually takes shape before I send you off into the deep end."

"Deal," Nyota said, glancing at the others for confirmation. They all nodded in agreement.

With that, the group filed out of Kai's house, the door clicking shut behind them. As they walked away, the determination in their steps matched the resolve growing in their hearts.

As the group stepped outside into the cool evening air, Kilo lingered near the door. "Hey, Kai, can I ask you something real quick?"

Kai tilted her head, curious. "What's up?"

Kilo hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Do you think you could dig up anything about someone named Yulian Hikari?"

"Yulian Hikari?" Kai repeated, frowning. "Who's that?"

"He's... well, he's me and Sage's father," Kilo admitted, his usual humor absent. "He disappeared when we were kids. No one's ever been able to tell us why or how—just that he was gone. He was an assassin for the military. I don't know if there's anything out there about him, but..." He trailed off, his voice softer. "If there's even the slightest chance, I'd like to know."

Kai's expression softened as she met his eyes. "I get it," she said gently. "I'll see what I can find. No promises, but I'll keep an eye out for anything that might lead to answers."

"Thanks, Kai," Kilo said, his tone unusually earnest.

"Don't mention it," she said, a faint smile on her lips. "Now, go catch up with your team before they leave you behind."

Kilo grinned faintly, nodding before turning to jog after the others.

As Kai watched him go, she sighed quietly to herself. "You guys really are something else," she muttered, closing the door and heading upstairs to her bedroom.