The Tenth Floor

Shion headed directly to the central research lab. It was the tallest and most modern building in all of the capitol with windows that were reflective like mirrors. Shion hurried into the entrance and marched right to the security desk and pointed to her collar.

The guard who was almost asleep stood up right away and stumbled as he rushed to open the door. If people in New Japan knew anything it was that when a member of the SS is around you move your ass.

 Nothing irritated Shion more than when someone was slacking off on the job so she decided to give him a little scare."Take me to the guard locker room. Now!"

When she arrived at the locker room, Shion looked up to the familiar faces of Chizuru's squadron. One of the Sgts was disarming the trap while Chizuru and the rest of her team looked at a map of the building.

The guard tried to leave after he saw all the SS in the room. 

Shion yelled, "Hey you. The guy that owned the locker we are cleaning out, show us his route," quivering, the man beemed the route to Chizuru. Chizuru shared it with the team. 

Chizuru started, "Looks like he patrolled floors 4-9 a few days before the attacks. Let’s clear each floor and see if anything is missing or was suspicious around that time. But before that, what was in his locker Sgt.?"

The Sgt. swung the door open. It was the same as the other guys' including the blank business card. He bagged it. Chizuru rallied her men while Shion stood studying the map of the lab. Hmm, chemical compound development and research was on the 10th floor.

 Shion called the troops to attention and made them listen to her commands. "You all go investigate the floors  together, I will be going to the chemical research and development lab on the 10th floor to ask if they know anything about alternative uses for DMT. Any questions?"

Chizuru raised her hand, "Do you think it's safe to go on your own? Wouldn't it be better to take a couple men with you?."

Shion responded in the cold, hard voice which fit the persona she had built over the years as an officer, "Lt. Thank you for your concern but this is not a raid mission. We are being cautious coming into a potentially hostile situation. A show of force with members that do not have the proper entry credentials could be perceived as an uprising. The only one with high enough security access to enter is me. Also, I would never ask any of my men to do something they know they shouldn't simply because I asked them to do it. Lastly, my approach to leadership is to lead from the front. I would not ask you to do something I wouldn't do."

Chizuru quickly looked down, "I apologize for questioning you Colonel. Please be careful."

Shion felt bad and beemed Chizuru directly, "I truly thank you for worrying about me, but there is no need. If individuals pose a threat to me our team doesn't stand a chance anyways. I am not the kind to risk the lives of my subordinates."

As Chizuru exited she grabbed Shion's hand and the two exchanged an affectionate glance. Telling each other to be safe without using words. The rest of the squad saw this and the minute they were out of ear shot of Shion, the clamoring began.

"L.T. you animal! How the hell did you wind up getting a piece of that ice queen?" Most of the squad laughed.

Sgt. Honda cut in, "Guys, you know those two have been dating for like the last few years right? It ain't nothing new right?" she pointed to Chizuru.

Chizuru shook her head, "If I tell you about it will you just shut up so we can get this done?"

Everyone nodded.

Chizuru sighed then smiled, "Yes me and Shion have been officially seeing each other since she was in the hospital the last time. We finally sealed the deal the night those fuckers attacked us. We went to Gino's and I really wanted her to see this (she pulled a ring box from her pocket.), but there wasn't time."

The squad fell silent. Marriage was a pretty serious next step, and most of them thought L.T. was too carefree of a person for that. They were shocked.

"Oh shit guys L.T. is serious. We better hurry so you have time to meet the Colonel later," muttered Honda.

The team finally started their sweep of the 4th floor, they checked for bugs or hidden camera everywhere, and asked staff if things were missing. After repeating this for all floors the team was left at a dead end. 

Meanwhile, Shion entered the 10th floor and was immediately flagged down by a scientist who was under the impression she was there to investigate some stolen equipment and supplies. There were two opportunities in place during Shion's investigation, one to find out info about the current case and the other to steal as much confidential data as possible. As a spy, this opportunity was too good to pass up. After all, this was her first opportunity to explore an upper floor with her new improved security clearance.

"Hello," the small chubby man called from around the corner, "you must be here to answer my request for investigation."

Shion turned to the man and offered a hand to him. The man took her hand and gave it a single shake. Shion replied, "Colonel Tanaka, good to meet you."

The man replied, "Dr. Feist lead chemical engineer for R and D."

Shion questioned, "Can we sit down so I can get all the details of the complaint?"

"Of course, come this way to my office."

Shion followed Dr. Feist to a small, dull, and cramped office, with a desk, some chairs, a desktop and nothing else. As Shion sat, she placed one hand on the desk while her other hand flicked a nano hacker magnet at the table under the desktop.

 With her neurolink Shion activated the device, and a percent completed icon popped up in her mind. "One minute till file capture completion".

Dr. Feist began, "From my lab alone several bunsen burners, raw chemical materials, and most importantly two mass spec machines, and a dna sequence analyzer have suddenly gone missing. These tools are essential to my work, Colonel and I need them back or replaced to continue my research. These things have been missing for about three months.  Do you have any leads about what could have happened?"

Shion replied, hands folded, "Actually that is what I came to talk to you about today. We are investigating another case which involves illegal production and use of DMT."

Dr. Feist's brow furrowed, "DMT? It makes sense with what is missing but what motivation would someone have to produce it illegally? I mean the stuff can be used as a pesticide or as an agent to cleave DNA. The stuff does not work well though. Much better to use lab grade chemicals."

Shion sat closer to the Dr., "It seems like you were the right guy to talk to. Can you walk through the process and everything you would need to make DMT. Oh and show what these machines look like, I think we may have a lead."

"100% files copied"

Shion stood up and recalled the nano hack which traveled up her pant leg back to place in her jacket pocket. Dr. Feist showed her to the lab. They stopped near a desktop terminal. Shion bent down pretending to tie her shoe before flicking another nano hacker under this computer as well.

Dr. Feist began to explain the complicated way to create DMT and the items one would need to use. He showed the mass spec, the DNA sequencer, and the raw materials needed. Periodically, Shion encouraged him to keep speaking by offering a compliment. Those types were all the same. Feed the ego a bit and they would run their mouths forever. After copying down the list  with her neurolink and sending the file to the team Shion complained of being thirsty and Dr. Feist left her in the lab while he hurried to get some water.

Shion saw a camera in the corner of the room so she pretended to drop something and hurried to her nano hacker, retrieving it without detection. Later she would have to analyze the files, but for now she just wanted to escape the yapping of this scientist. These were the guys of the Upperclass who she hated the most; it took all her willpower to stop herself from being hostile.

Shion turned to Dr. Feist after looking at the clock, "I thank you greatly for your help in this investigation. I believe this information you gave me will play a huge role in the successful capture of this suspect." with those last words Shion abruptly left the 10th floor.

A quick glance of the files she stole revealed one that caught her attention instantly, "Project Adam," the creation date was the same year her father was killed. She may have just hit a gold mine.