Search Unit

When I return to base the next morning, Chief Commander Ellie calls me to her office. I walk the corridor, knock; inside she’s seated, skimming files.

Kiyoshi: “Ma’am, you called for me.”
Ellie: “Yes, Kiyoshi. While investigating the last mission site, we found a stone in the hand of the man who summoned the alien.”

My brows knit.
Kiyoshi: “I didn’t catch it during the fight, commander.”
Ellie: “Not important. There’s a strange sigil on it. We fed it some magic, the stone began to glow, and the same black gate you mentioned appeared.”

Kiyoshi: “So… anyone with magic could open one of those?”
Ellie: “That’s how it looks. I’ve launched a countrywide sweep and I’m forming a special search team. I normally wouldn’t recruit a student, but you’re strong enough to drop a humanoid alien. You’re the exception. Will you join?”

Two birds, one stone—test my power, cut into the cult problem.

Kiyoshi: “Gladly, ma’am.”
Ellie: “I’d have drafted you anyway.”
Kiyoshi: “Wha—”
Ellie (smiling): “You were about to say, ‘Then why ask?’ If it were against your will, I wouldn’t put you on the line—you’d just mill around. Also, there’s a tournament with another base; you’re not entering—unfair to them. Don’t mention that in class.”

A tournament, huh… would’ve been fun, but I’ve got bigger things in front of me.

Ellie: “I’ll give you mission details on your way out. Until then, strengthen your magic with Matteo.”
Kiyoshi: “Understood. Where is he?”
Ellie: “In the lab. With the stone.”

I head down. Inside, Matteo and Prof. Hugh are studying the rock under bright lamps.

Kiyoshi: “Matteo, I need to train.”
Matteo: “Hold up—we’re about to crack the symbol.”
Hugh: “Agreed; we’re close.”
Kiyoshi: “Fine. I’ll wait in the training room.”

In the hall, someone dressed like a ninja steps into my path. Armband shows Gray and Brown—two elements. Rare.

One normal person in this base would actually shock me.

Kiyoshi: “Who are you?”
Ninja: “One of the soldiers joining the search team. I’m curious about your power. Word is you dropped a humanoid. News travels.”

I smirk.
Kiyoshi: “If you’re that curious, wait till we reach the training room—I’ll show you.”
Ninja: “Your arrogance is thick.”
Kiyoshi: “Says the guy who reeks of bloodlust.”

He keeps pace to the room—and attacks the moment we step in. I slip by reflex.

Kiyoshi: “Hey! What are you doing?”
Ninja: “You should be ready for unexpected strikes.”

He goes full power: wind to foul my vision, earth to lock my feet. Gray lifts dust and razors the air; Brown raises ribbed barriers from the floor.

Kiyoshi: “You’re actually talented.”
Ninja: “Doesn’t sound like a compliment from you.”

I grin.
Kiyoshi: “You’ll feel it in a second.”

I spread Blackout over my whole body. All his magic collapses at once.

Ninja: “Huh? What—”

Snap. I’m beside him, a devilish grin.
Kiyoshi: “Don’t underestimate me again.”

I draw a fist for his ribs—when an alarm explodes.

ALARM: “ALIEN DETECTED INSIDE THE BASE. PREPARE FOR COMBAT.”
The sentence loops; the siren howls.

Kiyoshi: “Ah, hell! Matteo and Hugh were with the stone… Lab!”

Ninja: “I’m coming!”
Kiyoshi: “Fine—don’t slow me down.”

We sprint in. Prof. Hugh is on the floor, head bleeding. Matteo is trading blows with a newly emerged alien. I crouch by the professor—pulse is there; out cold but critical. I strap him to a stretcher and bark at the soldiers rushing in:

Kiyoshi: “Call an ambulance now! Professor’s badly injured. I’m going to assist Matteo!”
Soldiers: “Yes, sir!”

I size the alien with a glance: thin antennae like twin prongs, height around 2.5 meters, heavier than me. No magic yet—pure physical.

Matteo’s struggling; the alien’s fast. Matteo’s breath hitches—he’s open. As the alien rips a liver shot, I draw the katana and sever its arm. The punch dies.

Panting—
Matteo: “Thanks!”
Kiyoshi: “Don’t mention it. What happened?”
Matteo: “I don’t know—the stone lit up by itself, then burst and turned to dust. A hole opened; this thing came out.”

Kiyoshi: “Details later. Plan?”
Matteo: “No idea. It’s strong. Still hasn’t used magic; I have—and it’s not impressed.”
Kiyoshi: “Then coordinated strikes for now.”

We slash in together—me left, Matteo right. The alien threads the gap—too fast. Faster than even Matteo can track.

It pivots on me—punch storm. I guard with the blade but it isn’t enough; step by step I’m pushed back, heels skidding. We can’t hold it. I get flung into a wall; Matteo gets wrist-pinned and slammed. We’re out of answers—when the door slides open.

Ellie steps in.
Ellie: “What do you think you’re doing to my soldiers… you filthy alien.”

It locks on her. Closes like it did on me—hammer flurry. Ellie slips off the edge of every punch—without strain. Matteo smiles at the sideline.

Matteo: “He’s finished.”
Kiyoshi: “Wh—how is he finished? We should help the commander!”
Matteo: “Sit. Watch the fight properly. Does the Chief Commander look strained to you?”

I look—she’s not strained; she’s playing.

Kiyoshi: “She’s… reading him.”
Matteo: “Magic helps.”
Kiyoshi: “What’s her magic?”
Matteo: “She sees six seconds ahead.”
Kiyoshi: “She can see the future… basically.”
Matteo: “Yeah—six seconds is plenty for a fight.”

Ellie makes every punch miss by a half-step and leaves a counter on each exit: short elbow, low kick, shoulder shove. The alien loses rhythm; Ellie cranks the tempo. It’s like she paved its path six seconds in advance.

A twitch in its antennae—new move loading. Ellie, as if she saw it earlier, slides off the line and drops a clean straight to the chin.

The alien recoils. I tighten my grip; my breathing evens. Ellie’s gaze flicks to me for a beat—as if to say, You’ll enter when it’s time.

She rides it down—angles, combinations. Plates perforate. The core flashes for a heartbeat. It tries to regenerate—Ellie won’t allow it; she pins with a chain.

Ellie (loud): “Now, boys!”

Matteo and I grab our swords; we dive together. The core’s exposed—we cut in the same instant. The alien begins to melt.

Ellie: “Good work. You held out well until I arrived.”
Kiyoshi: “Held out? It played with us like toys.”
Matteo: “If you hadn’t shown up, we were in trouble.”

The ninja appears in the doorway.

Kiyoshi: “What, did you hide somewhere in fear?”
Ninja: “Let me introduce myself first: Keiji Yoru. I apologize for earlier—those were my orders.”
Kiyoshi: “No problem. I’ve been dealing with too many weirdos lately—if I was rough, that’s on me.”
Keiji: “Think nothing of it, commander.”
Kiyoshi: “Commander?”

Ellie shrugs. “Oh—right. I forgot to tell you. I made you commander of the search team.”

There’s something wrong with this base…

Ellie: “You and Matteo will co-command. You’ll run the team.”

Great. More people to babysit.

Ellie glances around, growing serious. “Before that—what exactly happened here?”

Matteo: “Not sure, commander, but I have a theory.”
Ellie: “Go on.”
Matteo: “I think the stone had a timer. When it expired, the gate triggered on its own. While Professor Hugh and I were examining it, the stone started filling with magic by itself and then blew. Before we understood, the hole opened. You know the rest.”

Ellie: “Alright. Start repairs here. If you find any residue—magic trace, energy signature, fingerprints—report to me immediately.”
All: “Understood, commander.”

Ellie: “Once we add a few more members, you can depart. Choose the remaining recruits yourselves—it’ll be your team.”

Kiyoshi: “Matteo, got any names?”
Matteo: “Not yet. Maybe pull from other bases.”
Kiyoshi: “Keiji, you?”
Keiji: “Commander, I know a Green who could fit—but she’s not at this base.”
Kiyoshi: “Which base? A dark Green support would be perfect.”
Keiji: “As you know, there are five bases worldwide. She’s at Base C.”
Kiyoshi: “If she’s good, we take her. If not, the trip’s a waste.”
Keiji: “I assure you—Green, dark. She’ll help.”
Kiyoshi: “What about your colors?”
Keiji: “Gray and Brown—both slightly dark.”
Kiyoshi: “Good. Gear up. We move fast.”

Everyone packs. We head for North America. On the plane, I regret sitting next to Matteo: endless snoring, kicking the seat—pure cabin terror. Keiji’s the opposite—silent, as his clan name implies. Eight hours later, we land.

A car picks us up. On the way to the base, Matteo fidgets nonstop—tapping a rhythm on the armrest, window up-down—poisoning the ride a second time. Keiji watches the city lights slide by without a word.

We reach the gate. They were expecting us—we’re sent straight to the chief’s office. Our steps ring on metal down the corridor. I knock twice and wait. A clear voice from inside: “Enter.” I turn the handle and step in.

On the desk sits a stone identical to the one that exploded in our lab—same veining, same dull glow. My throat goes dry.

“This… how is it here?”