Chapter Text
Just getting to the school was an ordeal. It was stationed on an un-terraformed moon on the outer reaches of space. You needed permissions, background checks, and multiple searches to even approach the port ship that took you to the planet. A series of airlocks, and they were let in. Three men and one woman were escorted with security accompanying them, not far behind. They were brought into a plush office and told to sit and wait.
Wait they did.
“I thought you might talk amongst yourselves,” President Asano said as he walked into the near-silent room some thirty minutes later. “And here I had hoped you would all get along…”
“Why are we here?” asked the only woman of the four. She was beautiful. Long blonde hair, blue eyes. She wore a form-fitting uniform and looked upset.
“Why are you here?” President Asano repeated back to her. “The money?”
“Of course it’s for the money,” she said, pulling a folded-up letter from her cleavage. She unfolded it, reading in a bored tone. “Your talents have been determined to be uniquely suited for a government mission. A fortune awaits if you succeed. This mission requires the deepest level of security and discretion. Report to Kunugigaoka Academy on the fourth of blah blah blah… Now, why are we here?”
President Asano took a seat, interlacing his fingers, looking serious.
“As you four are likely aware, we are a top-secret Academy for highly gifted students. Our program, the techniques the students learn, and even the material covered, are highly classified. So, even if you ask, I will not disclose that information. What you do need to know for the sake of this mission is that our students are divided into classes. Class A, B, C, D, and E. Each of those classes specializes in a category. No, I will also not be disclosing those topics. But for the sake of the mission, you should know class 3-E is our most… dangerous class. That also makes those students the most expensive.”
“Expensive?” the man on the far end spoke up. He sat cross-legged, with short hair, a bit messy. A dark trench coat. Black gloves. Deceptively innocent-looking eyes. “What does that mean exactly?”
“Why don’t we get introductions out of the way first. Afterall, you’ll be working together for the next several weeks. Gentlemen, lady… please feel free to introduce yourselves one by one with whatever alias you prefer if your real identity is classified…”
He nodded in the direction of the man who spoke up first.
“Reaper…” he said bluntly. Adding no context.
“Oh bull shit!” snapped the blonde. “You’re not the reaper no way… a lanky little guy like you!”
“Little?” Reaper frowned. “I wouldn’t say I’m little. I am of average height for a man my age…”
“You know what I mean! That name is famous. He has killed thousands! Brutally… That would take someone with muscle and and… I don’t know… not someone like you. I don’t believe it!”
“Apologies if my appearance wasn’t what you pictured,” Reaper said, smiling.
“You’re a liar…” she said, frowning. “I’d believe Dad bod over here was more likely to be the Reaper than you! But whatever, if that’s the title you want to pretend to be…”
“Dad bod?” said the man who certainly fit the criteria for the insult but didn’t seem to mind too much.
“Anyway. I am Irina Jelavić. Assassin. My kill count is forty-two.”
“And you…” Asano said, turning to the man in a suit beside her.
“Tadaomi Karasuma,” he answered. “Assassin. Kill count… I guess it’s up to about 60…”
“Ooooh 60!” Irina smiled. “That’s impressive.”
“Hey you just admitted my kill count was in the thousands…”
“No one believes you fake Reaper!”
Asano sighed. “And last but not least… you.”
“Akira Takaoka. This is a bit embarrassing with the current company, but I don’t really have a kill count. That wasn’t exactly my area of expertise. See… I’m a trainer for the military. Killing usually isn’t on the itinerary for that.”
“And she called me the liar…” Reaper mumbled under his breath before turning away from him.
“Well, now that we’re all friends… I’ll finish answering your question Mr. Reaper. Basically, it means the capital put into their education costs the most of all our students.”
“What are we supposed to do? Kill these kids?” Takaoka asked.
“Absolutely not,” Asano snapped. “They’re worth too much. The fact of the matter is, their entire class has gone missing. I expected ransoms to come in at some point, but after two days… nothing… They’re just gone. We’ve sent search parties after them. But to no avail.”
“Is it possible they ran away?” asked Karasuma seriously.
“Anything is possible with this class. But I doubt it. It is in their best interest to remain here.”
Missions that deal with children were always difficult. Karasuma had been on more than a few… some that turned out with not so happy endings for the children in question. At least this was a rescue mission… at least he hoped. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
“The children in class 3E regrettably suffer from an aliment… you see. They require shots every morning to maintain functionality for daily life. Our Academy not only makes this medicine, but we have the largest supply of it. See… without it… they’ll die within a week.”
“And they’ve already been missing for 3 days,” Reaper frowned.
“Don’t worry too much about that. It is in their kidnappers best interest to keep them alive. They are worth more alive than dead after all. In addition to them going missing. One hundred vials of their medicine was also taken. It should last them a while but… not long enough with 27 of them needing daily does. So I imagine the way to search for them would be to find places where stores of this medicine are going missing. There you’ll likely find their kidnappers.”
“You keep using the plural. You think it is more than one kidnapper?” Irina asked, twirling her hair around her finger in a bored manner.
“Let me put it this way… class is E-3 is the most dangerous as I said. Each one of those children could handle their own against any average assailant off the street and even many skilled criminals as well. I find it very unlikely that all 28 of them could be taken by a single person. And if that happens to be the case… well… that kidnapper would damn near have to be a God to achieve it.”
They all looked at each other.
“So… why are these brats so skilled?” Irina questioned.
“We’re an elite school covering multiple fields. Again, much of what we teach is classified. So I can’t go into details,” Asano said. “So let me sum up the mission before this takes all day. Class 3-E is missing. That’s 28 students in total. We need them found; we need them returned. Preferably alive, but if that proves impossible, then we want their bodies returned as well, even dead; their bodies are still worth millions.”
Asano caught Reaper’s eye for a moment and uncharacteristically flinched. Karasuma noticed as the President added, “And their families, of course. They will most certainly want to have a burial and closure and all that as well. We’re all very worried for their safety and well-being. Now… are you all on board?”
“So we have to work together?” Tadaoka asked.
“It is highly recommended that you do. I told you it would take a God to kidnap them. So, it will take an equivalent skill level to protect them. And of course bring them home. I believe the skills compiled in this room may just be enough to save them all.”
“I’m not normally the saving type,” Irina commented. “But… if they’re each worth millions as you say…”
“I will prepare a ship for you all,” Asano said. “The nearest planet to us is Atlas. Their small cargo ship would not have gotten them far, so they will have had to board a larger vessel to accommodate all 28 of them, and it is most likely they did so there. You can purchase ships on that planet as well. So, I would begin your investigation with any ships that likely went missing recently. Time is of the essence. The more time wasted the further away they’re likely to get, and it’s a big universe. I can have a ship prepared in 30 mins so you can take that time to get to know one another better.”
He opened a drawer at his desk, setting a stack of papers before them. “Pictures and only the need-to-know information on each student to help you spot them when you see them. You should take some time to memorize their faces so you can pick them out in a crowd. I will return when the arrangements are made,” Asuno left the room.
Silence.
Until…
Irina stood up walking over to the stack of papers she started flipping through them. “He said 28 children have to be retrieved but that the medicine wouldn’t last 27 of them for any decent length of time. Did anyone else catch that?”
“One of the students must not be plagued with the same ailment as the others…” Karasuma got to his feet too, taking up a small stack of the pages to flip through as well.
Reaper reached out a gloved hand, pulling a small handful of the pages towards him. “Shiota… Akabane… Teraska… Do any of the last names you’re reading sound like influential names to you?”
Irina scanned her stack. “None on mine…”
“So how are a bunch of no-name kids able to have families who can afford to send them to such an influential school…”
“Maybe they held a lottery,” Takaoka suggested. “Sometimes big schools like this take in a couple of no-names to show their good nature and up their popularity.”
“Well, I at least solved the mystery of the student who doesn’t need their medicine,” Irina said, holding one of her files up. “One of the so-called students is an AI program…”
“How do you kidnap an AI program?” Karasuma took the page from her and examined it.
“You download it, obviously…” Irina said, shrugging.
“All this feels questionable,” Karasuma frowned, shuffling through more of the pages.
“At the end of the day, the goal is to save some children. I might be a killer, but I have morals,” Reaper said, getting to his feet, smiling. “And I’m not going to stand by when innocent children are in harm's way, especially not sick children at that. I’ll be excusing myself to the restroom, let him know if Asano returns before I’m done.”
With that he left the room.
“Killer… yeah right. The man looks like he couldn’t squish a bug…”
“Don’t underestimate him Irina,” Karasuma said sternly. “No one knows the identity of the Reaper. For all we know, he very well could be the real thing, and if he is, it is best not to get on his bad side.”
“I’m with her… he doesn’t look menacing at all,” Takaoka responded. He gathered up all the pages into a single stack. “We can study these on the ship.”
“Oh, hello. I’m just excusing myself to the restroom,” Reaper said smiling at the guard he met just outside the door of Asuno’s office.
“I will escort you to—”
“I’m not a child. I don’t need to be escorted anywhere thankyou.”
He turned only to be halted once again by the armed guard. “Sir… it is the laws of this Academy. All guests must be accompanied everywhere within the Academy’s walls.”
“Hhmmm… if you insist then…”
He followed in the man’s wake, his eyes darting into every cracked door and around every corner he could see without looking obviously suspicious.
“Here it is Sir.”
“Thank you,” Reaper walked in, leaving the guard with a smile. The guard stationed himself just outside the door.
“Arrangements have been made,” Asano said, reentering his office. “Please follow me. Where did our Reaper run off to?”
“Restroom,” Irina said. “He said he would be back momentarily.”
“I’ll send someone for him,” he hit some buttons on the tablet he was carrying. “Follow me.”
He walked them down several hallways and then approached a set of double doors. When it opened, it revealed a large room. Several ships were there, and he walked them over to a medium-sized one.
“You’ll be taking this ship. Each of you has spacious quarters aboard, and all the luggage you brought with you is already in each. We have medicine aboard for the children when you find them, and a few helpers to ensure none of you have anything to worry about except finding the children. They will cook your meals, draw your baths, and see to anything else you might require.”
“Wow, if I wasn’t game before, I certainly am now!” Irina grinned, hurrying aboard.
It looked like a hotel cruise line inside. White pristine walls. A fountain at the main entrance. Several men and women were standing at each side to greet them. All of whom were dressed like servants. Maids and butlers. Except for three at the end, who were wearing lab coats.
Asuno indicated the white coats and informed them that they were the ship’s doctors. Should any of the students require medical care upon recovery.
“This all feels unnecessary,” Karasuma said, frowning at the accommodations.
Just then, a noise came from President Asuno’s tablet. “Sir! We can’t find that Reaper guy! We escorted him to the restroom, but he appears to be gone now!”
“Nonsense, I’m right here.”
They turned. Reaper was walking up, drying his hands on a towel as he walked aboard. He handed the towel to one of the maids, who rushed forward to take it.
“False alarm,” Asano said, speaking into his tablet before turning to Reaper. “You gave us a bit of a fright. People can get lost on a campus as large as ours, you see.”
“I almost did, lucky for me I have a keen sense of direction. Now… shall we take off. Or is there anything else we should know about before departing?”
“What about the actual payment. You mentioned millions, but you didn’t say how much exactly,” Irina asked.
“If you look at the back of each of the students’ files, you’ll see the price for their return,” Asano informed them. “Some have higher prices based on the amount of capital put into their education.”
One of the maids approached, whispering to Asano.
“And it looks like they’re ready to depart. I have the utmost faith in all of your skills. Please return them to us safely.”
With that, he walked down the gangplank, and the doors closed.
“Let’s all take our seats for departure!” Called one of the butlers, ushering them to sit down. They went to the bridge taking their seats and buckling themselves in for takeoff.
Karasuma who sat beside Reaper, turned to him. “You didn’t actually go to the restroom did you? What were you searching for?”
He only smiled in response as the pilot counted down. 3… 2… 1!
“How are the supplies?” Karma asked, walking up to Nagisa who was taking inventory. They had found sanctuary in an abandoned warehouse on the rundown side of Atlas.
“Not good… It’s only been three days and we’re already through half the food we brought.”
“Hear that Terasaka,” Karma called so everyone could hear. “Your fat ass is going to have to stop eating.”
“Karma I didn’t say that!” Nagisa snapped but Terasaka’s voice overtook his as he turned to Karma.
“HEY! I’m not fat, you’re all just a bunch of small fries. If anything, that means I have more muscle than you, you want to test me in a fight!?!? I’ll take—”
Itona reached up, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You can have my share. I don’t mind.”
Terasaka’s face went slightly red. “No… that’s… that’s not…”
“Stop trying to pick a fight Karma. We’re not that low on supplies yet. I’m just saying, we’ll need to steal some more food if we plan to stay here a whole week.”
Laughing at the small bit of chaos he caused, he turned back to Nagisa. “Don’t sweat it. I can steal some more food easily. But did you see his face… I think he’s got a thing for Itona.”
“What does that matter… can we focus on what’s important?”
“I told you, it’s fine. I’ll steal some more food tomorrow.”
“We can’t just keep stealing food… It’s going to draw attention and then someone will find us.”
“No one is going to find us here. I scouted this place myself. No one had been here for weeks, at least. And as soon as I track down a big enough ship we’ll be off Atlas in no time.”
“And what then Karma?” Nagisa sighed. “How are you going to keep stealing us food out in space?”
“We’ll figure that out when the time comes,” he assured him, grabbing one of the cans of food next to him he walked off towards the rest of their group with it.
"Um... Nagisa," Kaede approached him. "I can skip today's meal. I don't mind."
He smiled warmly at her. "There might come a time when we're that low on food, but that day isn't today. So just ignore Karma and eat up."
He handed her a bag of chips and some cookies.
Smiling, she grabbed the snacks, heading over to sit with everyone who were all talking at eating together happily.
Nagisa turned away from them, racking his brain. Karma’s nonchalant attitude towards these things really worried him. He might not care about the future, but Nagisa certainly did. They had 27 mouths to feed. All while being homeless and on the run. He was the one who orchestrated this whole thing after all. None of them would be here if it weren’t for him. So in the end, it was his job to make sure they all got through this safely. And he would make sure of it… or he would die trying. Or… or he would kill trying…
"Uh... Karma..." Kaede had looked up to see why Nagisa hadn't joined. He was standing near the food. His arms crossed, looking nervous. But out from the back of his neck were limbs that matched the color of his hair; the strands of his hair were flowing softly. And his eyes were glowing.
Karma turned to look in the direction she indicated.
"Shit!" He jumped up from his chair, rushing over to him.
“Calm down!” Nagisa gasped softly when he felt an arm around his shoulders and Karma’s face nuzzling into his hair, so his lips were right beside his ear. “Your limbs are showing.”
Nagisa felt his eyes burning, and he closed them. The limbs from the back of his neck retreated as quickly as they had emerged.
There was this too… At the Academy, they had all been injected with… well, they called them limbs. Long rope-like structures that resided in their bodies, which were attached to their nervous systems. Emerging at will to help them fight, but also sometimes unwillingly when emotions got out of control.
“Sorry… you’re worried. I get it,” Karma whispered from behind into his ear. “But losing control won’t help anyone, and it will get us caught. So just breathe. Calmly… slowly…”
He did as Karma said until the burning in his eyes stopped. “I’m fine now… thanks.”
“Hey! If you two are done making out over there, we’re all hungry!” Terasaka snapped. Making Nagisa’s face turn almost as red as Karma’s hair. He pulled away from Karma, keeping his face away from the rest of them.
Karma spun around, “I told you your fat ass can sit this meal out!”
He threw the nearest bit of food at Terasaka, and before Nagisa knew it, everyone had started a food fight despite his best efforts to get them to stop. Yelling, laughing, a few minor injuries, and Itona, who nearly went ballistic, when a can of vegetables had managed to hit Tereaska upside the head.
Ten minutes later, it finally ended. A lot of food was wasted. Everyone was dirty, covered in varying levels of what was supposed to be that night’s dinner. They would all need showers, and they had no access to running water…
Nagisa took a deep breath. Okay… onto this new problem. This was his life... one problem, then onto another.
“Sorry…” Sosuke said sheepishly upon seeing Nagisa’s cross expression after the war of the food was over.
“We’ll clean it up,” Kaede said.
“Karma and Teraska will clean it up…” Nagisa snapped.
“Why me!?” Teraska snapped, looking thoroughly upset. “Karma started it.”
“You both started it!” Nagisa barked back. “I’m going to go on a supply run. This place better be clean before I get back.”
“I’ll go with—” Karma began, but stopped mid-sentence at the glare Nagisa threw him. Then he climbed out of the nearby broken window.
He would need to steal some new clothes. Everyone’s clothes were dirty now, but on top of that, their Academy uniforms were too suspicious. Everyone recognized these uniforms, and it would make them easy to spot if they went out as a group. One of them could sneak around undetected pretty easily, so the fact that he had on the school uniform wasn’t too big of an issue. He knew how not to be seen. He knew how not to get caught, so it wasn’t a problem for him alone.
The question was where to get clothes, especially with no money. He would have to find oversized things to ensure the outfits fit the varying sizes of his classmates. It would always be easier to take in an outfit rather than let it out. So… maybe some coveralls would be easiest. So, going to a factory and stealing them from some workers would be easiest. And if anyone saw them, they would just assume they were workers. Child labor wasn’t illegal on Atlas. So they would be able to pass pretty easily.
Most of the class was off playing cards on the other side of the warehouse and Karma as Terasaka stayed back to clean as they were told. But the cleaning was boring so of course they got off topic.
“So, what’s with you and Nagisa. You’re constantly hangin' all over him…” Terasaka snapped as he held the dustpan for Karma to sweep a pile of food onto.
“He’s fun to tease.”
“You can’t fool me… You don’t do that to anyone else.”
“What are you talking about I make fun of everyone equally. I actually might make fun of you a bit more than everyone else,” he admitted, thinking back on it.
“I don’t mean your jokes. You know what I mean. Where you’re low-key flirting, and that you only do to Nagisa.”
“Jealous, are you?” Karma said, grinning at him devilishly.
“Of course not, I’m just saying you shouldn’t pick on people in that way when they might actually like you. Seems kinda mean if you ask me… Especially if you don’t feel that way about him, then you shouldn’t tease him like that… That’s all I’m trying to—”
“Aw, we got a bit of a softie over here. I guess you’re secretly a romantic at heart, huh…”
“What no! Just… never mind. Do what you want. It’s not like it involves me anyway…”
Karma swept the food purposely too hard so some of it hit Terasaka in the face he jumped to his feet. “HEY!”
“Do what I want huh… How about I show you that I can tease everyone. Hey Itona!”
Itona was sitting high up in the rafters looking at the night sky through a hole in the warehouse ceiling. He glanced down when his name was called.
“Wait what are you doing!?!?!”
“Come down here a second!” Karma called.
He jumped down with ease. Landing on his feet. Something no normal middle schooler would be able to do without breaking a leg.
“What?”
“Terasaka was just telling me that you’ve never kissed anyone. Is that true?”
“I never said anything like that! Itona don’t listen to him!” Terasaka snapped still wiping the food off his face.
“I was just saying the other day that that is a skill everyone should master,” he put an arm around Itona’s shoulders.
“Is it?”
“Of course…” He moved in closer letting his face get close to Itona’s hair, similar to what he had done to Nagisa a short time ago. But his eyes were watching Terasaka as he looked more and more upset with each passing second.
“If it was that important, the Academy would have taught me how…”
“Well there are some things you can’t learn in school. So here is my question. Since everyone needs to master such a skill, I figured you should practice. So, who do you want to practice with, me or Terasaka?”
Karma’s hand casually slid inside the collar of Itona’s shirt, brushing against his chest in a way that could only be described as deliberate. He leaned in closer, letting his fingers trail along the curve of Itona’s neck. His eyes flicked back to Terasaka, savoring the growing irritation on his face.
This was going too far, even for him. But he didn’t like Terasaka suggesting that he liked Nagisa like that and felt a lesson was in order.
Itona either wasn't aware of this intrusion into his personal space or it was entirely unimportant to him. His time at the Academy hadn’t exactly taught him how to recognize or protect his own boundaries. He often behaved like an object there for others to use as they saw fit, rather than a person with his own needs. It was almost naïve how easily he allowed himself to be swept along, even in moments like this, despite absolutely having the physical strength to stop him, he just didn't seem to understand that Karma's actions were something that should be stopped. Karma's hand gently tilted Itona's face upward to meet his gaze. Though Karma kept his eyes on Terasaka the entire time.
“I guess you…” Itona answered.
Karma’s surprise flashed on his face for a moment before he recovered, “Wait, really? Why?”
He let him go at that, even stepping back slightly to try to calm the look on Terasaka’s face.
Itona shrugged, “You brought up the topic. So, I assume you must know how to do it, at least to a certain level. And if the intention is to get stronger in the skill then you want to learn from the best right?”
Karma snickered at that.
“See what you did!” Terasaka snapped he grabbed Itona’s arm, pulling him gently away from Karma so they were no longer standing close. “Itona, he’s an asshole. Don’t let him pick on you. And you!”
He pointed a finger at Karma. “You know damn well he has a hard time understanding social situations so shame on you for trying to take advantage of that.”
“I don’t understand…” Itona said, frowning up at him.
“I know you don’t, just stay away from Karma!”
With that he stormed off, huffing as he went, mumbling curse words under his breath.
“Were you picking on me?” Itona asked him.
“Yeah a bit,” Karma admitted. “But hey, that’s what friends do.”
“Is it?”
“Sure… but seriously, I thought you would have picked Terasaka.”
Itona turned in his direction looking after him. Karma noticed the intense eyes that Itona usually wore softened slightly.
“Teraska was the one that saved me…" he answered softly. "So, he deserves the best. If I were to kiss him someday, I would want to be skilled at it before I do.”
“Seriously, that was your reasoning. Christ don’t you get embarrassed saying shit like that?”
“What’s that mean?”
“Embarrassed? You know… where you…” he paused not knowing how to explain it. “Never mind, forget I said anything. Go play cards with everyone else while I finish cleaning.”
Looking more than a little confused, he did as he was told.
Karma leaned against the broom, watching Itona’s retreating back. He’d never really understood how to deal with someone like Itona. It was like he was completely immune to teasing. He didn't blush, he didn't get nervous and he was almost entirely unaware of boundaries and what they were. He almost felt bad for him. Despite being incredibly strong physcially, he had no defenses mentally. He'd be an easy kid to take advantage of. But then again, he didn't really have any desire to break someone who couldn't even realize when they've been broken. It was Terasaka who was the problem. He needed to stop Terasaka from getting under his skin. After all, he and Nagisa were just friends. Just friends.
And he would repeat that as many times as it took to convince himself of it.
He approached the factory slowly, dodging between trees as he approached. A familiar beep in his pocket told him Ritsu was calling. He pulled the small tablet from his pocket. “What’s up Ritsu?”
“I calculated the sizes of our classmates. If you get 15 Larges and 15 mediums, that will provide a few extra outfits for material for anyone whose sizes don’t fit.”
“Thanks.”
“I also scanned this facility. There are no cameras or security measures in place at all. It should be easy to enter. There are no heat signatures inside telling me its inhabited either.”
“Yeah, well Atlas isn’t exactly a rich planet. What’s the quickest way in?”
“Nearby aerial satellites show me there is a missing chunk on the roof that will allow for access.”
It didn’t take much at all to scale the building and land inside. He was on the second floor where all the lockers were kept. The machinery was below. It was dead silent but judging by the number of devices on the first floor, he imagined it could get pretty loud during a workday. “Alright lets see…”
He turned his attention to the first locker, opening it up to find anything that might be useful.
*BANG*
He felt a bullet graze his shoulder. The training instilled in him immediately took over, and he dropped to the ground.
“Ritsu, I thought you said there wasn’t anyone in here.”
“It… it didn’t look like there was. I’m sorry…”
“Come out come out…”
Nagisa sighed. He knew that voice. He got slowly to his feet, staring down. The Reaper stood there. He had silvery white hair despite not being old, and he wore a black trench coat. In his hand was a gun.
“Nagisa should I call the rest of the class?” Ritsu asked sounding worried.
“No, go offline until I turn you back on.”
“But…”
“Do it.”
A small beep and her device turned off.
He headed down the stairs slowly, holding his bleeding arm.
“If you wanted my attention, you didn’t have to shoot me to get it…”
“Sorry… I wanted to check your reflexes. Shit as always it seems. You should work on that. I bet Karma would have dodged it without so much as a scratch.”
“What do you want?” he asked bluntly.
“What’s with that tone? After I helped you and those little friends of yours escape that school. Is this the thanks I get?”
“Sorry…” Nagisa took a deep breath. “How can I help you?”
“Much better,” he said, grinning. He took several steps forward, and Nagisa backed up, trying to keep distance between them, only he ended up running into one of the machines that blocked his retreat. “You act like you’re scared of me.”
“They’re expecting me back… so what can I do for you?”
“Just fulfilling my end of the deal,” he said. He reached out, letting the barrel of his gun rest against the side of Nagisa’s face, pushing aside his bangs.
“Your part in our deal is over,” Nagisa pointed out. His voice shook slightly.
This man terrified him.
“Is it? You’re only one planet over from the Academy you escaped from. Not even a half an hour ship ride and you think you’ve escaped? Word on the grapevine is that President Asano has already hired some top-tier talent to come retrieve you.”
“What who? Ngh…” Reaper took his gun, the cold metal slipping slowly down the side of his face, deliberately slow, until it rested beneath his chin.
“You’re smarter than this, Nagisa. The longer you stay on this planet, the more likely you are to end up right back there and I won’t help you all escape a second time.”
“Put the gun away…”
“You’re not the one giving the orders here," He leaned in closer, the gun a constant, chilling presence against his skin. He avoided his gaze. Feeling pathetic for doing so. Karma would have been able to look him directly in the eyes showing now fear at all. Sometimes he wished he was more like Karma.
"Don’t forget I own all of you now..."
He placed the gun at point blank range directly above his heart.
"How much do want?"
"If I wanted money I could just turn all of you in... no... we can discuss payment in a moment. For now let's discuss how we’re going to get you and your little friends off this planet. My job isn’t really done until you’re out in space after all. I have found a ship for you. Nothing fancy; it’ll likely slip under most government officials' radars as a simple cargo ship. You’ll need to board it tomorrow night around this time.”
“Fine…”
“I won’t be stocking it, though. So you’ll have to fill it with food, weapons, and whatever else you’re likely to need.”
“I got it…”
“Good…” he finally put the gun back in his jacket.
“Then all thats left to discuss is payment...”
“…” This was the part he was worried about.
“It’s actually quite simple. All I ask in return is when I tell you to help with a few jobs here and there, you do so. A simple trade. But if on any of those missions you or your other little friends betray me, I’ll ship all of you back to the Academy and take your reward money for myself.”
Sounded simple enough. But simple was usually never simple. Who knows what sort of “jobs” he had in mind.
“I understand.”
“And here… a present from me to you.”
He walked over to a duffel bag he hadn’t noticed and threw it to him. Nagisa caught it, looking confused.
“It’s got the clothes you were looking for. Along with some odds and ends around the factory that I thought might be useful to you all. I’ll send you the coordinates on the ship’s location. Be there by midnight.”
“How did you know—”
“I have my own way of keeping track of you all,” he said, turning away. “Until later then, and don’t forget to wrap up that arm.”
He walked off into the shadows and disappeared.
“Damn it…” Nagisa sighed. He reached in his pocket grabbed Ritsu’s tablet turning it on again.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine… I got what we needed… Find me a path back that avoids all signs of life.”
“On it!”
He took a seat while she calculated, removing his vest and peeling off his shirt. Blood had already begun to soak into his sleeve. It was actually deeper than he thought. But there was no excuse for slipping up as he had. Whether he had just let his guard down, or whether the shenanigan Terasaka and Karma had pulled had angered him enough to distract him it didn’t matter. There was no excuse for not being able to dodge that. He wondered if the bag Reaper had given him contained a first aid kit. After shuffling through its contents, he did find some bandages that were good enough. It was difficult, but he managed to tie it around the wound.
“I got your path,” she said.
“Great,” he pulled out a coverall that, while a bit big, it fit him well enough. It had long sleeves too. So it would hide his injury. “Let’s head back.”
He took his uniform throwing it in the incinerator at the back of the factory. It would be burned in the morning when the machines turned on.
The more he thought about it, he couldn't shake the feeling that he might have traded in their freedom for a different kind of slavery.