Black Bullet - Volume 7 - Chapter 1.04

4

The crystalline object the Seitenshi brought with her was a shade of royal blue, compact enough that an uninformed observer would have assumed it was a sapphire jewel. She instructed Rentaro to turn down the lights; when he did, the crystal shone a deep blue, and suddenly a giant holographic model appeared in the center of the room. The light displayed a building that resembled a factory.

“The incident took place five days ago at a laboratory in Russia.”

The model, reacting to her voice, expanded out and populated with a set of photographs. There was a machine room with parts lying all over the place, traces of blood and tape outlines on the floor. Probably taken by the local police, Rentaro assumed. The room had been fairly well ransacked. It was clear the criminals were looking for something. The tape and the bloodstains were the only things the victims had left for the world.

Rentaro, chopsticks in hand, frowned as he shifted his gaze between his rice bowl and the images projected in front of him. It wasn’t exactly his choice of dinner entertainment.

“Somebody broke into this lab and made off with some top-secret research material.”

“The ‘items’ you were talking about earlier?” Enju asked quizzically.

The Seitenshi courteously nodded. “One of them, yes. The work was being conducted under the code name Solomon’s Ring. I believe it’s involved with the current case we’re facing here, in some way or another.”

“Solomon’s Ring?” Kisara interjected. “The ring from the legend of King Solomon that lets him talk to animals and stuff?”

Rentaro gave her a look of admiration. She pouted in response. “Everyone should know that much.”

“So,” Rentaro said, turning back to the Seitenshi, “is that ring what you want us to get back for you?”

“It’s just a code name, as I mentioned before. In reality, it is a translation device—one the Russian government is developing to communicate with Gastrea.”

“Wha—?!”

Rentaro wasn’t the only one taken aback. He exchanged glances with Kisara and Enju, both rendered statuelike.

“They can do that…?”

The Seitenshi shook her head. “Just in a very limited, fractional manner. It sounds like they’ve been able to communicate simple ideas to the Gastrea, although they don’t know what all the screams and cries in response mean.”

“So, what did these guys break into the lab for?”

“I’ll admit that I did not pay particular attention to the incident when I first heard about it. Not until Libra appeared.”

“Wait…”

The Seitenshi’s narrowed eyes shone in the dimness. “At almost the same time, someone broke into a research lab in Tokyo Area and massacred the researchers inside. Between the location and their modus operandi, it’s almost certainly the same group. And while they were there…”

“…They took that ‘Scorpion’s Neck’ thing?”

The moment the name came up, Rentaro had already resigned himself somewhat to his fate. He recalled his battle with the Zodiac Gastrea Scorpion, the Stage Five that appeared during Kagetane Hiruko’s assault on the city, one of the strongest of all Gastrea, and the one that made Rentaro’s current path in life all but unavoidable. It was not a name he was expecting to ever hear again.

“Precisely. We had recovered the body of Scorpion after you two—the Rentaro Satomi/Enju Aihara pair—destroyed it, and we were having them research it in secret.”

“Would asking why be a stupid question?”

“Gastrea cadavers, particularly Zodiac-class ones, are extremely difficult to come by. There are hundreds of research groups that would give their right arm for even a few tissue samples.”

“So, what do these two break-ins have to do with Libra?” Kisara couldn’t help but ask.

“Ever since eleven Zodiac Gastrea appeared at the same time worldwide ten years ago, we’ve theorized that Stage Five–level creatures can ‘speak’ to one another through their cries. And when they took Scorpion’s Neck—or, to be exact, the vocal cords we extracted from Scorpion—and gave them an electrical stimulus while steeped in a cellular activator, it generated a mixture of electrical and sonic waves. It just sounds like information-free noise to us, so it’s been a mystery to wave-analysis researchers across the world.”

“And the Solomon’s Ring translator might be the key to solving that riddle?”

“Like I said,” the Seitenshi continued instead of answering Kisara’s question, “the Ring is still under development. There’s almost no actual communication that can be made with what few species they’ve had any success with, but apparently Libra is the sole exception.”

Rentaro rubbed his chin with a finger, pondering this. “Hang on a sec,” he said. “If Libra occupied Mount Nasu immediately after those two robberies, are you saying it’s in that Varanium mine and building up its stock of viruses because someone’s directing it to?”

“…I’m saying it is possible. We’re talking two different laboratories that were targeted at once.”

“So why isn’t the palace trying to do anything about that? This is serious!”

“I’m sad to say that everything you’ve heard so far is little more than conjecture. If we explained this to the other Areas without any evidence, they might just see it as us trying to make excuses. It’s not a lie, after all, that the Inheritance of the Seven Stars has the power to attract Gastrea. It’s hard to blame Prime Minister Ino for concluding that Tokyo Area is the culprit.”

She tapped a finger rapidly on her still-crossed arms.

“So this whole disaster’s thanks to your government covering everything up, isn’t it?” Rentaro fired back. “I mean, if it looks like a duck and it quacks like a duck…you know?”

“I am willing to take the criticism for that, yes. We have secrets, and these secrets open us up to questioning. But you would have known that, Mr. Satomi, after your military training under the Tendo family. Prime Minister Kaihoko would have, too, as would President Saitake. Even if we disclosed the Inheritance to the public, do you believe they would use that strictly for peaceful purposes?”

“…Who would even do something this crazy, anyway?”

“Both groups used small arms for their attacks. Judging by that and their methods, they were both professional outfits. Surveillance footage showed that one of their members is currently wanted by international authorities for terrorist activity.”

The Seitenshi rotated the laboratory floor plan in the air, tapping on a corner to expand it. The video screen showed a clear overhead view from a distant height as a man in a tactical vest pointed a rifle toward the camera view. The ski mask on his face prevented any positive identification.

“So we don’t know anything about them?”

“Not necessarily.” She tapped away at a holographic keyboard, trimming down the image to focus on the masked attacker’s eyes. An analysis of his irises flashed on-screen, comparing the results with an international terror database and bringing up a photograph of a white male, accompanied by a detailed history of his life.

“This is Marc Meyerhold. A native of Belarus who spent seven years with Russian Spetsnaz special forces. Voice scans also picked up two or so other Belarusians with criminal histories in their homeland.”

“Belarus? But didn’t Belarus…?”

The Seitenshi gave an approving nod. “Right. The Greater Minsk Area, which served as the capital of Belarus, was flattened by none other than Libra itself. That struck my curiosity, so I looked over some materials from the final days of Greater Minsk. It…wasn’t pretty.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, lost in melancholy, then turned back to Rentaro.

“There’s something else I want to tell you, Mr. Satomi. These terrorists used to work under Andrei Litvintsev.”

This chilled Rentaro to his core. “Andrei Litvintsev?”

He knew the name. It was one he couldn’t forget, no matter how hard he tried.

“Who’s that?” asked a confused Enju.

Rentaro turned to her. “You remember half a year ago? When that dude down the street was bitching at us about this weirdo going in and out of his neighbor’s house? That guy.”

Enju slapped a fist against her palm. “Ohhh! The illegal immigrant?”

Kisara sighed. “A lot more than that. It turned out to be the biggest spy-exposure case in Japan since Richard Sorge back in 1941. The newspapers were going nuts over it.”

Rentaro turned his head back to his leader. “Where is he right now?”

“He’s serving a life sentence in Mega-Float Prison. We believe he was heavily involved with the lab attacks, so we’ve been negotiating with him for info in exchange for reducing his sentence, but…”

“…But he’s staying mum?”

“It might be worse than that, even…particularly for you, Mr. Satomi.”

“What do you mean?”

The Seitenshi suddenly found it difficult to find the right words. Rentaro looked on silently.

“Litvintsev…has asked you to mediate over the negotiations, Mr. Satomi.”

Waves of discomfort flowed over Rentaro’s mind. He lowered his brows. “Me? Why me?”

“We don’t know. All we know is that Litvintsev says he’s willing to negotiate if we send you over.”

Rentaro looked aside and prodded his chin to mull this over. “So these two labs in Russia and Tokyo Area were attacked, and you think there’s a pretty good chance Litvintsev and his people are using what they stole from them to control Libra, right? What are their motives for that?”

“We don’t know that, either. The palace hasn’t received any demands or claims of responsibility from anyone. But right now, I think figuring this out is less important than taking action, and quickly. Time’s ticking away as we speak. Counting today, we have three days to eliminate the threat of Libra and prevent an all-out war between Tokyo and Sendai Area. Before then, I want you to travel to Mega-Float Prison, meet with Litvintsev, and find out where his friends are hiding.”

The city of Magata at night was windless and quiet. Not even a single insect or bird cry could be heard. The moon shone at an acute angle as the occasional car roared down the side street.

“I absolutely reeeee-fuse to accept this!”

The hapless Rentaro extended a weak hand to Kisara, storming down the sidewalk with shoulders whisking back and forth.

“Well, what do you want me to do? My place is about the only safe spot she’s got right now.”

Kisara suddenly stopped, making Rentaro run into her nose-first. He stumbled a bit in surprise as she turned around, hands on her hips.

“That’s not the issue, you idiot! I’m saying that a woman like Lady Seitenshi cannot sleep under the same roof as a guy!”

Rentaro looked up at the heavens for divine assistance.

They’d agreed to respond to the Seitenshi’s request at a later time before moving the topic of conversation to where she would spend the night. Rentaro had suggested his room, which had immediately incensed Kisara. Considering Rentaro’s apartment was the only place she was safe from palace searchers, there was really no choice. But for some reason, Kisara found that difficult to accept. All evening, it had been nothing but “No, no, no!” from her.

Rentaro sighed. “You really don’t trust me that much?”

“How could I ever trust you?” She pouted, blushing, her voice low. “Besides, you attacked me once.”

Sweat shot out of Rentaro’s body as the surface temperature on his face skyrocketed.

“No, that…that was, um…”

His mind returned to the events of a month ago while his mouth continued to fumble for an excuse. He had been framed for the murder of his old acquaintance Kihachi Suibara, which indirectly led him to discover and break the door open on the Black Swan Project and crush Atsuro Hitsuma’s diabolical plans. It wasn’t long after that when subsequent events had led Rentaro to kiss Kisara, and right after that—

“Listen, uh…back then, Kisara, why did you—?”

“…Ohhh!” She clapped her hands as she turned her head back up. “R-right! Now I remember. I was gonna pick up some groceries during the big sale they’re having. Tina’s probably hungry and stuff, so I’ll let you go for now, Satomi. See you!”

“Whoa, hey—”

There was no time to say anything as Kisara ran off and gradually faded into the cityscape. He tried to give chase for a while, only to wind up completely alone on the little landing in front of the entrance to Magata Park. Looking at the clock lit up among the playground equipment, he realized it was half an hour past midnight. If there were any nearby grocery stores open at that time of night, Rentaro wasn’t aware of them.

“What the hell was that about…?”

“Hey, I’m back,” a still-troubled Rentaro said as he discarded the shoes he had hurriedly put on a few minutes prior. The first thing he saw was the uncommon sight of Enju and the Seitenshi sitting next to each other, the latter in a prim and proper kneel, while the former tried to mimic her in the most ladylike manner possible. They were both focused on the TV.

It was some sort of live broadcast from the palace, which was lit up and surrounded by crowds of people. A reporter was in the midst, gripping a microphone tightly with both hands as she summoned her most authoritative voice.

“One night after the palace held an emergency press conference, the Zodiac Gastrea Libra remains curled up in the Mount Nasu area. It has yet to move an inch.”

The image shifted to some previously shot aerial footage of the mountain area.

“Libra…”

Its long, thin body was curled into a ball, its fearsome, reptilelike visage resembling a snake’s—or maybe even a dragon’s. The viral sacs weren’t visible from this vantage point, but there was no doubt they were still expanding, inflating, waiting for just the right moment to unleash their payload.

“Tensions remain high between Tokyo Area and Sendai Area, as Tokyo responds to the shutdown of their embassy in Sendai with a shutdown of Sendai’s. Prime Minister Ino doubled down earlier on his accusation that Libra was summoned by the Seitenshi administration, and Sendai aircraft are still conducting patrols around Libra and nearby Tokyo Area. Palace officials have yet to release a formal comment about this, but reports indicate that intensive negotiations are taking place beneath the surface at Lady Seitenshi’s command.”

The Seitenshi scowled.

“Hey, uh, you think it’s about time you head home?”

“Mr. Satomi…”

She must have just noticed Rentaro then, her fetching but gloom-filled visage turning toward him as she shook her head.

“I will not.”

Enju, unable to stay ladylike any longer, shot to her feet.

“This is so boring, Rentaro. All the channels are showing this stupid live coverage. They preempted the Tenchu Girls special!”

“Hey, even magical-girl fighters need a break now and then.” Rentaro handed the complaining girl some new underwear, prodding her into the bathroom to take her evening bath. He was glad to get some peace and quiet—or, at least, he was until Enju stuck her head out the door and said “No peeking!” with a cheesy grin.

“Who’s gonna peek at you?”

Picking up on some giggling next to him, Rentaro turned to the Seitenshi, who had a hand to her mouth.

“Ah, children are so honest, aren’t they?”

“Nah. Enju probably didn’t even understand half of what we were talking about anyway.”

“Well, does anyone though, really? I’m half in doubt about it myself.”

Their conversation faded just as a new advertisement came on, an upbeat melody accompanying a burst of light that illuminated both their faces as it ran across the screen.

“May I ask you for a response to my request pretty soon? That’s what you were discussing with President Tendo, no?”

“Oh. Yeah. That.”

He had tried to discuss it, at least, but Kisara ran off before he could. It was all still up in the air. Rentaro focused on the TV instead. The ad was over, and now the news was showing a photo of Tokyo Area’s Sendai ambassador and his family, still being held in his embassy by the local authorities.

“We’ll take it. I’ll tell my boss about it later.”

“Um, are you sure Ms. Tendo doesn’t need to be informed?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. If I tell her I’m gonna do something, she never opposes me. As long as I’m strong enough with it, I mean.”

Almost immediately, Rentaro began to doubt himself. Did he take the job in order to stop some unknown pain and sadness coming in the world’s future? Or was it just to take a dig at the indecisive Kisara? He shook his head, realizing he was turning into someone he didn’t like very much, and decided to stop thinking. The reasonable side of his mind refused to advance this line of thought any further.

The smoke that wisped up from the piggy bank–shaped mosquito-repellent holder was buffeted by the fan that whizzed back and forth in the darkness, leaving a sharp chemical odor as it vaporized into the air.

Sleep was apparently going to be something rather distant tonight, since Rentaro’s consciousness was operating at full capacity. Putting both hands behind his head, he found himself tracing the grains on the grimy wooden ceiling with his eyes. There was a rustling, followed by someone grunting a little in his ear. He felt breath on his neck, tickling him enough that he turned to his side.

There was the sleeping face of Enju, almost close enough to touch. And across from Enju’s futon was the Seitenshi, arms crossed in front of her, the picture of infallible tranquility as her chest rhythmically rose and fell. She was wearing a pink nightgown—part of the sleepover kit Miori brought with her long ago—but that did nothing to stain the sheer beauty and elegance that emanated from her face.

Rentaro got up to relieve himself, then tiptoed to the refrigerator and polished off a half-consumed sports drink. The cold liquid flowed down to his warm stomach. He turned toward the nearby window. It was a bright night, the moonlight coming down on his surroundings at an angle.

Suddenly he noticed, among the choir of summer insects gathered outside his door, another voice, almost hidden. He turned toward it and swallowed nervously. It was the Seitenshi, her back turned—and she was sobbing, her shoulders shaking.

“Are you all right?” he asked, kneeling down to put a hand on one shoulder. She instantly spun around. Her eyes, practically drained of tears, sparkled as they reflected the moonlight. It made Rentaro freeze for a moment as the insects rattled their wings against one another, droning the night away.

Then his brain went back to a question he had been dwelling on all day: Why did the Seitenshi flee the palace in the first place? He had been lightly prodding her about that since she’d arrived. It was possible, he reasoned, that she was here on a covert basis…that perhaps Kikunojo was against leaving the negotiations with Litvintsev in Rentaro’s hands.

But was that really it? The Seitenshi wasn’t just some bureaucrat; she was the head of a nation, its commander-in-chief, and the chain of command made it clear that there was no one in Tokyo Area allowed to order her around. She had every right to turn down Kikunojo’s advice and call on the services of the Tendo Civil Security Agency anytime she wanted.

So why, then?

The Seitenshi, still shaking, grabbed at the sleeve of Rentaro’s pajamas, head down.

“Every day, lately, I’ve been putting my hand on my Bible and asking it what I should do. But no matter how hard I try…all I am for this city is window dressing.” The despair was clear in her voice. “As far as our citizens are concerned…Kikunojo is more than enough for them. I… They don’t need me…!”

“Lady Seitenshi…”

“It pains me. I want to live my life under the firm belief that there is a good, and virtuous, side to everyone. But everyone around me is swept up by hatred instead. Mr. Satomi, what…? What should I…?!”

Leave it to me; Don’t worry; It’ll all be okay—assorted phrases crossed Rentaro’s mind, but none had the strength to reach his lips.

Instead, he placed his palms over her clenched fists and held them, silently.