High Velocity

National Route 11 Expressway  //  Toyonaka City, Osaka

Mika peers out the window of the autotaxi van, her body aching from the night's events. The five of them sit in exhausted silence, beaten, battered, and exhausted, having left the crash scene quickly after Enforcement and medics arrived.

Jade leans her head on Tomomi’s shoulder as she drifts in and out of sleep. Tomomi, hugging her compute box like its her baby, nods off while fidgeting her legs. Mika, sitting next to Tomomi, pushes Tomomi back upright as she threatens to invade the little space she has.

“Did you know the medic?” Ray asks Mika, his seat facing her. “She seemed rather familiar with you.”

“Yeah... kinda.” Of course it had been Mika's luck that the same medic who treated her stab wound at New World Tower arrived at the scene. When the medic spotted her ruptured wound, she could only shake her head.

“Couldn't even rest two days,” was all the medic had said, already reaching for fresh biofoam.

Soon the bright lights of Itami Airport come into view through the window. A passenger jet fires its plasma thrusters, taking off with a thunderous pulse that vibrates the van's frame.

“I thought we were going to Interpol HQ,” Mika says, puzzled.

“We are.”

The van exits onto a side road instead of the main terminal, approaching a sliding security gate. Ray leans out the passenger window, flashing his Interpol badge at the intercom. A scanner sweeps over both the badge and his face before the gate slides open.

On the apron sits a long delta-shaped supersonic aircraft. The craft bears no markings save for a serial designation on its dual tails. Its variable-sweep wings are slicked back, pointed nose so sharp it cuts the sky. It’s metallic skin gleams from the apron’s underlighting, accenting how it’s massive size dominates the modest airport.

The van pulls up to portable escalators docked on the aircraft’s side. As soon as Mika steps off the van, she cranes her neck to marvel at the spectacular piece of aero engineering before her.

“This is taking us to HQ?”

“This is HQ, dummy,” Jade quips as she hops off the van.

“Every Interpol Unit operates from their own supersonic aircraft,” Ray explains. “Anywhere in the world in a couple hours or less. It's how we protect it.”

Jade yawns, already climbing the escalator. “Doesn't make the jetlag any better though.”

The inside of the aircraft defies its exterior size. A full surveillance station spreads across one section. Resting quarters with bunk beds occupy another. Conference room. Mini kitchen. Desks built directly into the fuselage.

This is Unit 7’s headquarters with wings.

Mika opens her mouth in awe as she steps inside the main lounge area. Tomomi, still slightly asleep, also perks up as soon as she steps inside.

“W-woah. Why doesn't Enforcement have this kind of budget?”

One of the aircraft’s door slides with a pneumatic hiss, revealing Bradshaw. “Welcome, Officer Shinkawa, Miss Hikibi. I apologize for the journey you had to go through.”

Ray steps forward. “You two are now prime targets. Now that we know they will go to extreme lengths to get the chip back, we have no choice but to relocate. I apologize. We brought this danger to your doorstep.”

“For your safety,” Bradshaw continues, “We're moving you to our safehouse in Hakone. We'll plan our next move from there.”

“The safehouse in Hakone?” Jade perks up. “The one with the hot springs?”

He nods.

Jade pumps her fists in the air. “Yes! Finally! Mini vacation!”

Bradshaw’ cracks a smile, wrinkles on his weathered face more visible. “Enjoy it while you can. We have significant work ahead of us.” He turns to Mika and Tomomi. “We hope you can continue assisting us with our investigation.”

“At this point, I'm committed,” Mika says firmly.

“A-as long as I get my own room,” Tomomi adds quietly.

“Thank you. The Madame will be pleased to hear that.”

“Madame?” Mika asks.

“The Twelfth Eye. The omniscient head of Interpol. It seems she's taken an interest in you. Anyway, find a seat. We’ll be taking off soon.”

As everyone moves to settle in, Tomomi inches toward the lavatory. Ray stops mid-stride and turns back.

“Ah, before I forget, Tomomi?”

She freezes. “Y-Yes?”

“The chip. Do you have it?”

A slow nod.

“Good, you can hand it over now. I’d like to make sure it’s kept safe before takeoff.”

Tomomi's face flushes crimson. “Ah, let me... let me go to the bathroom first...”

Ray's brow furrows. “Why's that?”

“I, uh...” Her fidgeting intensifies. “I had to hide it somewhere safe. Somewhere no one would look...”

Everyone looks at each other, eventually understanding.

“Where did you put the chip, Tomomi?” Mika asks with careful neutrality.

Tomomi twists her legs inward, knees pressing together.

“Oh my—”

“No way.” Jade doubles over, barely able to speak through her laughing. “You held it... in your...”

Dell scratches his head, confused. Ray turns around, hiding his fluster.

“Tomomi... You...” Mika's cheeks flush as she realizes.

Tomomi covers her face with both hands and waddles into the jet's lavatory.

***

On the Banks of Kanazaki River   //   Osaka Bay

Singer drags her injured and waterlogged body from the canal. Her half-mask, cracked and shattered at the seams, cycles distorted expressions through its failing display.

“Damn… it…” she claws her way up the concrete edge, her soaked dress weighing her down.

As she claws forward, she finds herself in front of Locke’s boots, Singer looks up to find her fellow comrade staring down at her with a mixture of disappointment and revulsion.

“Locke! Have you come to pick me up? Perfect timing, because I can tell you where the chip is. Soon it will be in our hands again.” Singer’s exposed amber eye glows with hope.

“Icarus is very disappointed in your performance.”

The words hit Singer like a rock. “Please, just one more chance. I may be down, but I'm not out.”

Locke shakes her head and removes a small paper cylinder from a vial. “Icarus-sama told me to use these only as a last resort.” She inserts it into her weapon, distinctive shape silhouetted against the night sky. “I think this one is warranted.”

Singer's heart plummets as the reality of her situation sinks in. Her hero, who she has given everything to the cause for, has abandoned her.

“W-wait, Locke, we can work together on this.”

Locke remains silent as she raises her weapon at Singer.

Singer’s voice becomes frantic. “We can still catch them if we hurry!”

“Your servitude is no longer required.”

“Sister, please...”

A sharp crack echoes through the air.

Singer’s body goes limp. Locke sticks the sole of her boot on the corpse, sending it sliding back into the dark water. The current carries the dead masked maid out toward the open waters.

She hears a rumble above her. Locke looks upward, catching the lights and delta silhouette of a supersonic jet passing overhead. Within moments, it takes off into the dark, leaving behind a deafening sonic boom sweeping over the bay.