Four Hundred And Seventy-Five

Four Hundred And Seventy-Five

“Promise? You mean the kidnapped citizens? Yes, we wanted them back, but showing up out of the blue like this...” Since she was glossing over her injuries, I chose to ignore them for now.

“Kidnapped? Adam hates it when you say such things. Though from a scientific standpoint, which values accuracy, it’s hard to argue.” Christina responded, though her eyes showed no hint of shame. “But yes, we did have some idea of inviting you to retrieve them yourself...”

“As if we would let Oshiro-san travel to America after the attempts on his life by your agents!” Motoko’s father snapped. “You must think we are fools and pushovers.”

“Don’t be like that.” Christina shrugged, while Titan seemed ill at ease, worried the situation would escalate. He was sweating as he looked at me, clenching one hand reflexively, probably remembering our prior meeting. “While I’d just love to get my hands on Akio here and find out what makes him tick, I’m not a fool. Besides...” Her smile was now strangely off, a little disconcerting, as she hugged herself. “...I still need to thank you for your gift. Investigating that other world and the secrets it hides within has been so very rewarding!”

“Even so, to show up unannounced...” Tsumura-san said bitterly. “...especially now. The timing could hardly be worse. It’s almost deliberately problematic...”

“It was an interesting broadcast.” Christina changed the subject, looking at her phone. “I didn’t take you for a show-off. Or did the Koreans leak your performance on their own accord?”

“What do you know?” Tsumura-san growled, and Christina giggled.

“Don’t go blaming us. I can assure you that America had nothing to do with it, or if they did, they weren’t going through us. Adam hates you, but he also doesn’t believe in poking the bear. In fact, he’s rather pleased, I would imagine. The one thing he hates most of all are powers that influence the mind. I can’t say I disagree in principle. After all... intellect is the precious root of all things, and without free will, there can be no true discovery, or enlightenment. But since you dealt with the matter that will be another couple off the Vermillion List.”

“Vermillion List?” Tsumura-san said, seizing on that, and Christina shrugged again.

“My mistake. Adam will be very angry if I leak any of his secrets. It wouldn’t do for me to die before I’ve finished researching all that this new paradigm has to offer.” She glanced at me, remembering what I had asked for in exchange for Chirurgery. “All I’ll say is it’s a ranking of all the enhanced humans... and I suppose non-humans too... that the US is aware of. Don’t forget, we are world leaders in technology, and have many political connections. South Korea is no exception. We have quite the military presence here. Just as we do here in Japan.”

“Is that a threat?” Tsumura-san asked, and Christina simply laughed derisorily.

“A threat? I’m not in any position to threaten anyone. I’m merely a scientist. Besides, matters are... more complicated... than you probably imagine.” Tsumura-san opened his mouth to interrupt again, and Christina looked at me, seeking help. “Akio, can you please tell him to stop barking at me? It’s giving me a headache, and I don’t want my excitement to dim.” She looked at me, cheeks flushed. “I have much to ask you.”

“Father-in-law, please calm down. I’ve met her before, she’s... well, not very diplomatic. Don’t try and read into her like you would a politician or military man. Besides, I can handle it.” I wasn’t anywhere near as close to Motoko’s father or mother, as I was with her grandfather, but after going to London with them our relationship was starting to improve. “Miss Bakker...”

“Please, just call me Christina. I hardly have the time or inclination for such formalities.” She countered, so I did so.

“Christina... I’m grateful you finally kept your end of the bargain and returned the Japanese and British nationals, but there are a few issues. Setting aside your abrupt arrival... what about citizens of other countries you’re holding?”

“The others? Well...” she looked around. “You’re recording this, right?”

“I’m not here to make diplomatic incidents out of this matter.” I shook my head. “I think what you’ve done is wrong and evil, and I don’t condone it, but I can’t force America to do anything. However, you must know that sooner or later you’re going to have to come clean. And the longer you leave it, the worse it’ll be.”

Titan looked very uncomfortable at my accusations, but Christina merely rolled her eyes. “Adam has it well in hand. I know you think me... wrong and evil...” She repeated my words in a dry tone. “...but progress is vital. We simply have to know. Science is built on the backs of hard decisions, sacrifices and the misfortunes of others. War drives progress. Many technologies we take for granted come from wartime efforts, and some of them were from terrible regimes.” She paused, touching her scarred face. “I’m not a fool. I know you despise me. But I am no hypocrite. I simply need to see the truth, and I had no ways before. Now I can, thanks to you. But...” she looked around. “You want to discuss some matters best left unknown, don’t you?” Her senses were keen, and she had picked up on some of my body language.

I turned to the others. “It’s all right. You can go. I’ll handle this.”

“Actually, I’d rather stay, if I can, son-in-law.” Tsumura Minoru-san said, his expression still icy as he looked at Christina. “This is a matter involving the military, due to the actions of the Americans, and father is still in Korea handling the other mess.”

“Fine. You can stay.” I agreed. “Major...”

After agreeing, the soldiers left us alone with Christina and Titan, knowing I could protect Tsumura-san with ease. “So, yes, as a matter of fact I do.”

“First, here is the manifest of the returned citizens.” Christina passed me a file, which contained twelve names, seven Japanese and five British citizens, ranging from nineteen years old to forty. “The classifications have been amended. You know, originally we divided them into three types, Physical, Effect and Mystery, with an additional three Growth types, but now my research has shown...” Once she started talking, her eyes were shining with enthusiasm, and she couldn’t help but explain grandly. “...that’s incorrect, as every ability has power to grow. Not just that, but even I have been able to achieve a measurable shift. Though with a sample size of one, it’s premature to conclude that...”

“I get it.” I scanned the documents as she continued to explain her reasoning. It was certainly interesting that Christina had been able to increase her abilities without actually levelling up, even if the gain was small, but thinking about it, it was only logical. Being exposed to aether is beneficial, and I assume that it’s not impossible to Rank up Skills as well which will grow stats... it’s not hugely different to exercise building up strength on the Material... but Levelling is an easier, more significant boost.

“These are some interesting reports.” I mused out loud, turning to my soon-to-be father-in-law. “I assume you’ve read them before I arrived?”

“Of course. The information is of vital importance to our national security.” He agreed. “There seems to be a few gaps though. Like it doesn’t mention which God they have Favours from.” Seeing my surprise, he had the grace to look a little embarrassed. “Motoko and I talk, of course. She is always eager to discuss you, and you’ve made no secrets of your blessings to your allies.”

“True.” I agreed. Hearing our conversation, Christina nodded vigorously, as though her neck was a spring.

“It’s not something we deem relevant. The classification of the ability, the effect, general power scaling... those we care about. The so-called God has little to do with these strange powers other than flavour.”

“That’s where you’re not exactly right. You’re still trying to apply scientific logic to everything.” I disagreed. Besides, it matters for one more reason.

“Without logic and causal connections, there can be no consistency, no effect.” Christina disagreed, however she paused. “Though from our last meeting, I am highly aware that you are more experienced. Would you care to enlighten me?” She leaned forwards eagerly, twisting her body, showing off her ample assets, even hidden by her turtleneck, and she crossed and uncrossed her legs in an attempt to look sexy. “I’d be more than grateful to repay your favour.”

Beside me, father-in-law looked furious, and I scoffed, remembering her insinuation before that she’d happily give her body to me if it would gain her some research materials. “I think you need to look in a mirror and learn to read the room. You look a fright, and I’m sitting here with the father of one of my women. In fact, you met her at the gala in London.”

“By all means, answer it.”

Seeing the caller was Tsukiko, I had an idea what it was about. “Hi, sorry I haven’t seen you since I returned.” I apologised, but she wasn’t upset.

“It is fine. I understand you have many demands on your time.” She said with little preamble. “Akio, I have had a dreadful dream. I closed my eyes for merely a moment, and...” She let out a long, worried breath. “The great White Dragon of the West roared, feathered wings stretching out and shining more brilliantly than the sun. Many beams of light were cast forth, raining down around the world, scorching the lands below to glass. Many bolts struck Japan, but as the bolts fell on China, the serpentine Red Dragon with scales of shining jade roared, and the light shattered.” She paused for breath. “I do not believe it was merely a nightmare, but a vision from Tsukuyomi, who has graciously not forsaken me.”

“If Tsukuyomi had, we’d be having a falling out. You’ve given everything for him.” I assured her. “Do you get a sense of danger too?”

“I do.” She agreed, worried. “A thick cloud of it is starting to build, hanging heavy over us.”

“In that case, it’s time to take precautions. We’ve been through this before. I’m planning to have an important meeting with everyone this evening, we can start then.”

“I will not keep you. I am aware you are busy.” Tsukiko said, having imparted her message. She paused for a moment, then let out a worried sigh. “Akio, tomorrow, I was hoping we could finally see my parents, accompanied by Yasuhide. I... wish to establish a new relationship with them, and... have you do so as well.”

The nervousness in her voice is oddly cute. It’s the gap between her age and maturity, and her utter lack of normal life experience. “Of course. We definitely need to settle it. After all... I need their permission to date their daughter.” I said slyly, and there was an embarrassed silence, before we exchanged farewells. Hanging up the call, I turned back to Christina Bakker.

“You might not believe me, but I have ways of knowing when something bad is going to happen. And talking to you, I started feeling very troubled. I hope for your sake you aren’t planning anything...” I released my League, and Christina went pale, eyes wide, and her body started trembling.

“No... I... have no... cause to... harm you. I...” Blood was trickling from the corner of her mouth and nose. “... you told me... if you hel... helped me... that I would.... have to...” I relaxed my League, and she let out a shuddering breath. “That was cruel. Titan, why didn’t you do anything?” she wiped away the blood.

“Ya think I can?” Titan said, his own trembling stopping. “He be a monster, I’m not on his level. Besides...” Titan narrowed his eyes. “Just a warning, no? You mentioned his sister a lot.”

“Exactly.” I nodded approvingly at Titan, who while arrogant when we first met, seemed to be a realist and held no grudges, having accepted I was above his level. “There’s little trust between us, with the history between me and America right now. But...” Deciding to show a little goodwill, I stepped towards Christina. Titan half-moved to block me, before realising he couldn’t.

“What... what are you going to do?” she said uneasily, and I sighed.

“I don’t like looking at your face.”

“How rude. I’ve always been praised for my facial symmetry and clear...” She let out a cry as I placed a finger against her horsehead and let aether flow. Her scars began to fade, burns vanishing, and even her missing finger regrew, though she moaned and sweated at the pain of that. Once I was done, I returned to my seat, and after a short while, she recovered. Glancing down at her fixed hand in surprise, she touched her face and neck, before pulling up her turtleneck, exposing her belly. “Even here...” she said, surprised. “I must admit to being rather shocked you’d help me. After all, for some reason you don’t seem to like me very much.”

“I think the reasons are plainly obvious. But it costs me nothing but a little effort so...” I wasn’t entirely sure why I did it myself. I definitely didn’t like the woman, but she had brought us information, even if I was sure that Adam White, her boss, had vetted it and so I couldn’t fully trust it. “...just be grateful.”

“Oh, I am, you shy boy.” She grinned. “I’m hardly well-versed in romance, but I’m not an idiot. You did it because you like me! No need to hide it!” she preened, and I was once more struck dumb by her totally unwarranted confidence. “Anyway... I assure you that America will in no way attempt something stupid like kidnapping your sister or your family and trying to blackmail you. That time has passed. You’re too much to control. It’s like riding a tiger. Getting on might seem a good idea, but then how the hell do you get off without getting mauled to death?” She giggled happily. “Now, I need to point out that even if there’s all these mysterious powers, which science can’t yet explain, such as luck manipulation or energy creation, perceiving the future has to still be impossible, as if you can perfectly predict the effect, then there’s no such thing as free will, and I refuse to accept that as a scientist and an atheist!”

“I thought the same to start with. Even with all the weird happenings and strange powers, I found foretelling the future hard to swallow.” I admitted. “But I’ve seen too much. I’ve heard various explanations, such as it works a bit like a Laplace’s Demon.” Saying that, Christina’s eyes narrowed, her interest piqued. I thought a scientist of her calibre would have heard of that. “It’s certainly not immutable, though, the predictions can be changed, courses shifted. So free will and cause and effect aren’t disregarded. I know that for a fact.” Tsukiko’s rebirth proved it. We succeeded in changing her fate.

“That’s... hard to swallow, but it makes sense.” Christina mused. “But again, I assure you I’m not here to cause trouble.”

“Says the woman who turned up unannounced.” Tsumura-san complained. “There are proper diplomatic procedures to follow.”

“There’s hardly time for that. I have research to do!” Christina shook her head, unwilling to be bothered by such things. “I agreed to .... provide you with some help.” She hesitated to say the word spy, but she remembered our agreement. “So I’m willing to do so, to an extent. I’m a woman of my word, you know!”

“In that case, just to be clear, America isn’t going to be involved in any upcoming trouble, right?” I pressed, and Christina shook her head.

“Not that I know of. Adam is a pragmatist. He won’t press you, after all, we heard of your threats last time. Nobody wants you coming after us. But that doesn’t mean that certain factions aren’t working towards their own interests. America is hardly politically united, and our President... he’s got his focus on next year’s election, and he’s not the most... calm of men.” She snorted sourly. “Not that I care who runs the country, Republican or Democrat, just so long as I can do my work unhindered, and with a suitable budget.”

“Right. In that case...” I narrowed my eyes. “I do have some matters I want to know. And it’s in your interests to tell me.”

“If I can.” She said airily, though her eyes narrowed warily.

“I’m looking for specific Chosen. We touched on it earlier. From the Norse Pantheon. I have reason to believe that there’s at least two in America.” I explained the locations I believed they were to Christina, and her eyes widened at the level of detail I provided, thanks to Yasaka-san. Though he collapsed before he could use his Book to find all of them.

“That’s one of the of Project Star Mirror facilities... uh... the black one.” Christina muttered. “Oh, if Adam finds out you know about that, I’m in serious trouble.” She tried to look seductive. “You’ll make it clear you’re protecting me, won’t you Akio?”

“I’ll think about it.” Honestly, I really dislike her, but if she helps me, then I’d feel too guilty to let the Americans disappear her for treason. “So, since you’re their head researcher, you must know.”

“Oh yes. We weren’t too concerned with the Gods involved, some didn’t even know, but this one stood out. He was... memorable.” She sighed. “Always shouting about ‘Thor this, Thor that’. I thought he was a bit wrong in the head even before... well, everything.” she said, expressing some remorse, although it was clearly superficial.

“Thor? Sounds like he could be who I’m looking for. Can you release him to me? I understand if that might be an issue, but we’ve already taken back the British hostages as well, so...”

“Adam wouldn’t like it, but we could... except for the fact he’s dead.” she said bitterly, and I paused, stunned. Dead? That’s a shock, but... according to Minerva’s Book, some of the seeds still exist there?