Chapter 366 ( Computer )
Two days had passed since Tsubaki had been recovered by the [First Unit] and she was currently recovering quickly thanks to Sakuya's care.
Lindow was much calmer now that his older sister was safe with them.
Tatenashi and Houki were seriously investigating what happened in [Fenrir: Far East] while Sofia was guarding the base of operations alongside Soma, though the brown-skinned young man had an unreadable expression on his face.
"Are you alright?" - Sofia asked as she saw her companion's expression.
". . ." - Soma didn't answer her, he just looked in the direction of [Fenrir: Far East].
"Sir Soma?" - Sofia asked as she raised an eyebrow, only to notice how Soma reacted - "Are you alright?"
"Yes" - Soma replied as he shook his head - "I was just thinking about some things."
Sofia thought for a few seconds, only to remember Soma's last name - "Oh."
Soma was silent as she looked at the blonde woman before shaking her head.
* * * * *
"Did you find anything?" - Tatenashi asked as she investigated the blast area with a serious expression on her face.
"Just debris," replied Houki as she squinted her eyes, "Some fragments of machinery and computers, but nothing out of the ordinary."
Tatenashi snorted disdainfully when she heard this, only to continue searching around - "Maybe we should ask for permission so we can go deeper into the area?"
"I don't think they'll let us, not with what we did in [Fenrir: Central]" - Houki replied dismissively, only to snort with irritation at the memory of how the higher-ups wanted to get under her skirt.
"True" - nodded Tatenashi with a frown.
The two women quickly resumed their search, only to notice how their detectors were beginning to show signs of having discovered something.
"This way," Houki said earnestly as they moved as quickly as possible in the direction of where he had detected the signals.
The two women quickly reached the spot and looked around, only to notice how everything seemed to be covered in debris.
"Are you sure?" - Houki asked with a frown as she noticed how nothing seemed out of place.
"Check the detector and you'll see I'm not lying," replied Tatenashi with a teasing smile on her face, "Underneath that rubble."
Houki gave her a blank stare because it was obvious that her friend was telling her to get off her ass and get the debris out.
"Go, Houki, Go~!" - Tatenashi exclaimed, only to duck when she saw a debris heading in her direction - "You're bad, Houki-chan ~"
"You better stop playing and help me" - Houki snorted as she watched Tatenashi approach and start helping her.
After 30 minutes, which Houki and Tatenashi partially summoned their [IS] in their arms and moved the rubble with utmost ease, only to notice how underneath all that building wreckage, there was a computer that had the monitor light flashing.
"It survived?" - Tatenashi asked in surprise as she approached the computer and frowned - "No, it has burnt circuitry."
"Do you think we can salvage anything from this computer?" - Houki asked with a frown.
"I don't know" - replied Tatenashi as she shook her head - "Although that's something I should ask you, after all, you are the mechanics."
"Mechanics, not a computer technician" - replied Houki with a frown - "My experience with computers isn't that great, I'm not like my sister who is a genius in all fields of technology and robotics."
"True" - nodded Tatenashi, only to notice her friend's frown - "What's wrong?"
"You didn't have to accept it so quickly" - Houki snorted, only to focus on the computer - "Anyway, we'd better take this thing, we might find someone who manages to discover something interesting"
Tatenashi nodded as the two disappeared from the place, not noticing how someone was watching them.
"Sir, another computer survived the explosion" - said the man in an almost neutral voice.
"Perfect, now tell me, who was it that found the second computer?"
The voice that echoed on the other end of the communicator was extremely familiar, after all, he was none other than Johannes, the former leader of [Fenrir: Far East] and presumed dead.
"Sarashiki Tatenashi and Shinonono Houki" - the man replied.
"Oh? Doesn't that mean both [Fenrir: Central] and the [First Unit]?"
"Indeed, Johannes-sama" - replied the man earnestly.
"That's an interesting development. OK, you may return."
"As you command, Johannes-sama" - replied the man as he withdrew.
* * *
"I see" - nodded Lindow as he looked at the two women who had returned next to the broken computer - "But there's a problem, we don't have anyone who can serve as a technician."
Sakuya sighed when she heard this because she, like all the members of the team, had zero knowledge about computers, well, not counting the basics that were necessary for the trade.
"The most skilled person in our squad is Houki-san, the problem is that she also has no idea how to repair it or retrieve the important components of the computer" - added Soma while frowning - "I guess we'll have to try contacting [Fenrir: Far East] because I'm sure [Fenrir: Central] won't want to see us."
Houki just kept silent as Tatenashi snorted in disdain, even Sakuya had folded her arms as she remembered the attitude of the senior leadership of [Fenrir: Central].
"Does anyone have any ideas?" - Lindow asked earnestly as he looked around at his squad mates.
"None" - replied those present as they frowned.
"Maybe I can do something" - said a somewhat young voice.
The group turned around and noticed how Kota was peeking out the door.
"Then we'll talk about your punishment for spying on your superiors' conservation," said Lindow with a frown, "But please go on."
Kota explained to them that he had a hobby of fixing computers and even that had been one of the reasons [Fenrir: Far East] had accepted him into the [Academy].
"Do you have full confidence in your abilities?" - Lindow asked earnestly.
"If I'm honest, I'd have to see the state of the computer and find out what they want to do with it" - replied Kota fearfully as he felt the gaze of everyone in the room.
"At least he's not a loudmouth and he's not bragging about his skills" - nodded Sakuya as she looked at the young recruit - "He's our best option".
Soma was silent while Sofia had a look of uncertainty.
Lindow was waiting for his companions to give their views before making a decision, after all, the information inside that computer could be important for their future plans.
"What do you guys think?" - Lindow asked earnestly as he saw how none of his companions were saying anything.
"It's our best option" - repeated Sakuya calmly.
"It's our only option" - added Soma while frowning - "It's possible that [Fenrir: Far East]'s best scientists were killed in that explosion, just as it's possible that [Fenrir: Central] will simply force us to hand over the computer and not give us the information or even a clue."
"After seeing the attitude of the central base against us, I agree with the opinions Soma-san and Sakuya-san" - replied Sophia with concern.
"What about you two?" - Lindow asked as he looked at Tatenashi and Houki - "What do you two think?"
"You'd be surprised what recruits can do during their years of training" - said Tatenashi calmly as a small smile appeared on her lips - "I can assure you that many times, these recruits are much stronger and more useful than serving soldiers."
Tatenashi could only recall her time as a student at the [IS Academy] as memories of his classmates and friends flashed through his mind.
"I share the same opinion as Tatenashi and the others" - Houki answered seriously, then looked at Kota who was in listening to the whole conversation - "We trust in your abilities, recruit Kota".
"I will do my best!" - Kota exclaimed earnestly as he felt his heart pounding. This was the first time his leaders had taken him into account as an equal, and not as one of their 'little recruits'.
"No, what we ask is that you give 200%" - Lindow replied as a small smile appeared on his lips as he saw how excited the young man was - "Is that clear?"
"As crystal clear, sir!" - Kota exclaimed as his eyes sparkled for a few seconds.
"Tatenashi-san, Houki-san, I ask you to escort Kota to accomplish his mission" - said Lindow as the girls nodded and escorted the boy to the place where the computer was, but not before looking at Lenka and Alisa who were spying from outside the room.
* * * * *
Cloud slowly opened his eyes as he noticed how everything was silent around him.
"I still think this place sucks," Cloud muttered as he saw how the place where he had rested was nothing more than a desolate wasteland.
Cloud again spread his wings and continued his journey through [Ashland].
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