Alyssa Searrs paused as the busty blonde teenager entered the smoky nightclub, her well tailored business wear looking out of place in the dim light. She turned her head to her companion and said, "Stay close, Miyu." The tall, blue haired woman with glasses looked around them warily as Miyu said, "Yes, Alyssa." She quickly sorted through the data she had absorbed and reported, "Our target is in the rear booth, ma'am." "Thank you," Alyssa murmured as they forged ahead through the crowd, past a pool table and the bar towards a quieter corner. The redhead who was sitting in the corner looked too young for the drink she was having, texting a message on her phone as she watched them coming closer. Finishing up she closed the phone and put it away as she asked, "Miss Searrs?" "Indeed," Alyssa slid into the seat, Miyu following as she met the redhead's eyes, "and you're Nao Yuuki." "The most notorious former delinquent at Fuka Academy," Miyu noted. "I wouldn't say I'm that bad," Nao smiled slightly, "Natsuki and Shizuru are becoming more famous for their escapades." "Possibly," Miyu conceded. Alyssa cleared her throat, "I understand you have something to offer us?" Nao nodded, "I have information on the Hime Soldiers... what's it worth to you?" "Let's se it first," Alyssa held out her hand with a unconscious authority. "How do I know you won't try to rip me off?" Nao asked skeptically. Miyu's eyes narrowed with anger behind her glasses as she nearly got out of her chair, "Miss Alyssa would never...!" "Easy," Alyssa held up a calming hand as she looked at Nao, "I've played it straight with you before, Yuuki." "Through your representatives, yeah," Nao studied her a moment then nodded agreement. "All right," she produced her phone, "pictures of the Hime in action." "Interesting," Alyssa conceded as she flipped through the images of the group of mysterious armored soldiers. 'We have similar data, but...' she mused as she took out a small bundle of cash and passed it to Nao. "Did you track them back home?" Miyu asked flatly, clearly still displeased with the young woman. Nao counted the money then stuffed it into her pocket as she answered, "No, they were too fast for me." She waited a second and smiled, "I did manage to keep up with them long enough to see they were heading right to the dorms." "So they may be students," Alyssa's eyes narrowed in thought. Miyu cooly noted, "Or it could simply be a blind. They proceed to the school then scatter in five different directions." "Hmph," Nao sat back with a scowl. Alyssa hid a smile as she got up, Miyu following. "Thank you for your help, Nao," she said as they turned to go, "keep up the good work." "Will do," Nao promised with a casual wave of her hand. Once they were out of the building Miyu looked at Alyssa in confusion, "Mistress, we didn't need to buy that data, I had already recorded the Hime Soldiers in battle." "I know," Alyssa answered her as they headed across the parking lot to the company car, "I paid her to keep her investigating for us. Even if she finds nothing, it'll still be worth it having a inside woman in Fuka." "Understood, Mistress," Miyu answered. They stopped by the car and waited for Miyu to scan the vehicle, then they climbed inside. Taking the driver's seat Miyu asked curiously, "Do you think she'll be useful to us?" "I don't know," Alyssa conceded, "but better be safe than sorry." Back inside the bar Nao sat back in her chair as she dialed a certain number. "Did you get all that?" she asked, smiling slightly. Haruka and Yukino emerged from the crowd, their disguises making both women look remarkably seedy as Yukino closed her phone. "Thank you for contacting us about this," Yukino said, "Mashiro will be arranging a reward for your trouble." Haruka gave Nao a thoughtful look as she asked, "Did you just arrange to get paid twice for all this?" Nao smiled back, "That's one way to look at it." "Mercenary," Haruka sniffed. "Always," Nao answered her promptly, smiling. She looked over at Yukino, "She didn't seem surprised by anything I told her, too." Yukino frowned, "So either she has a very good poker face or Alyssa Searrs knows more about Fuka than I'm comfortable with." Haruka nodded seriously, "That isn't good news." Nao got up as she asked them, "Either of you want a drink? I need a refill." "As long as you're not drinking booze," Yukino noted absentmindedly. "You're no fun, Yukino," Nao sighed. Meanwhile at First District Nagi walked down the corridor towards the labs, the spring in the young man's step showing his pleasure. He reached a certain door and knocked, waiting patiently before he heard a woman call out, "Come in." Dr. Saeko Kuga was the spitting image of her daughter Natsuki, plus ten years or so. Her long black hair flowed down her back as she walked over to a microscope, studying something there as she casually waved Nagi inside. "Hiya Doc," Nagi settled into a empty chair by the bench, "how's it going?" Saeko peered through the microscope as she said, "I've nearly got that armor upgrade finished, assuming no interruptions." Not taking the hint Nagi sat back with a smile as he said in a sing song voice," I know something you don"t know." "Nagi..." Saeko sounded peeved, "what is it?" "We've found Natsuki," Nagi sounded terribly self satisfied. Saeko whirled around, looking at her employer in shock. After a few moments she recovered enough to demand, "Where!" Nagi actually looked mildly disgusted as he said, "Actually, she's been right under our noses for the whole time. She's at Fuka academy." "Fuka...?" Saoko blinked, taking that fact in, "But why...?" "I don't know," Nagi admitted, "it could have something to do with Mashiro, it could be just a coincidence or she might even be looking for you." "The last isn't terribly likely," Saoko said flatly, "I'm legally dead, remember?" "It was your idea," Nagi said a bit defensively, "you were worried your husband had found out about the affair you were having." "I remember," Saoko conceded. "Do you want to contact her?" Nagi asked curiously, rather enjoying the conflicted look on his employee's face. Saoko sighed as she looked at the armor she was developing, just one of the many components of her life's work. "Not yet," she said regretfully, "I want to finish this, and I don't want any distractions." 'People say bad things about me,' Nagi mused as he got up, 'but I think Saoko takes the cake for singlemindedness.' Aloud he said, "I'll have our agent keep an eye on her for you." "Just remind Mr. Smith to keep his head down," Saoko said flatly, "if he gets caught all of us could be in trouble." "Right, right," Nagi waved casually as he left. Back in the lab Saoko slumped against the counter, letting lose the emotions she had hid from her employer. "Oh Natsuki," she whimpered softly, fighting back tears as she thought of her daughter whom she believed lost to her forever. After a moment's thought Saoko pulled out her phone and dialed, listening until a familiar voice answered, "This is Rena Sayers, how can I help you?" "Rena, it's me," Saoko answered, glad to hear her lover's voice. "Are you all right?" Rena asked, instantly picking up on her lover's distress. Saoko smiled slightly, "Nagi's found Natsuki for me..." "Seriously?!" Rena sounded startled. A moment later she asked, "Do you want me to check up on her?" "You read my mind," Saoko sighed, "thanks." "Anything for you, love," Rena answered warmly.
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