Comforting Insight for the Unknown

Mami displays a finely complex demeanor: Perfectly stoic with every action and calculated word. And yet, she’s one not to smile, but one not to frown either. As if her emotions lie somewhere where others aren’t meant to reach, or understand. For reasons she’ll keep within the comfort of her mind. Neutral in every way possible. Even as she seemingly studies the team as they privately converse to themselves on how to proceed.

“Well she’s obviously going to give us some kind of offer, so we might as well ask something else while we have the chance.” Yuuichirou plotted.

“Right, she’ll probably leave right after we give her our answer… That or we’ll have to make one hell of an escape.” Moku reasoned.

“Regardless, we need more answers for either scenario.” Said Getsurin.

Kay suddenly made a raspy snore for the four to stare at her for a moment. But she just continued to sleep.

“What do you want to know?” Yuuichirou asked for Getsurin to shrug his shoulders to look at Zuina.

“Don’t look at me, all my questions revolve around what she’s offering.” Zuina looked back at the others in confusion. “Oh wait! I have the perfect question.” She then spoke up and faced Mami for her question.

“Yes, what is the ‘Energy Restoration Contingency Act’” Zuina promptly questioned.

“A worldwide policy to retrieve any and all unassigned OOs.” Mami softly answered.

“And just what exactly are OOs?”

“I gave you my answer to that, anything beyond is Classified.”

“But we have them and they have to be assigned?” Yuuichirou asked.

“Yes, and yes.”

Rōnin To Kirin huddles over Kay once again.

“So OOs are Viscera. Should we try to find out who they have to be assigned to and why?” Getsurin wondered.

“I don’t think she’ll tell us that… Let's just find out if she’s going to take ours.” Yuuichirou remarked.

“No, we won't be taking them.” Mami replied to their question before they even had the chance to ask her directly.

“Oh, can we ask why?” Yuuichirou slowly asked.

“Because the process of removal is incredibly unstable, and life threatening for not only the host but the surgeons as well.” Mami explained.

Huddled again, “I just realized that we need some basics answered. Like who the hell they even are!” Moku swiftly noticed, for them to face Mami.

“Who is your employer, if you even have one?” Zuina asked.

“My employment is at the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, which is part of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. I directly answer to, as of right now, Hiroshi Kajiyama. Who informs and receives orders from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.” Mami detailed.

“Why did you say ‘as of right now’?” Zuina instantly asked.

“Hiroshi Kajiyama is currently being reassigned to another position and will be replaced.”

“Whoever’s the boss, it doesn’t make sense that someone from Natural Resources would mislead us to such a dangerous place.” Moku argued.

“Regardless of the Ministry, all agents have the expectation of MILDEC, or Military deception, in the event of capture. In that scenario you mentioned, you were an enemy of the state, and I’ve instructed our agents to precise protocols by leaking false information.” Mami explained.

“And I assume you've done that before? The only difference is we eliminated the threat.” Zuina followed.

“Correct, this also confirmed that you have no association with any cults or illegal organizations trying to abuse the OOs.” Mami informed.

“And that's why you want to make us an offer.” Zuina speculated.

“Correct again... Perhaps now you're reaching the end of your questions?” Mami politely asked.

Rōnin To Kirin glanced at each other and huddled again.

“Well my questions are all based on her offer.” Zuina spoke up first.

“She's probably going to ask us to kill more Bio Mages.” Yuuichirou guessed.

“That seems likely.” Zuina agreed.

“So let's hear what she has to offer?” Getsurin asked, for the others to nod in agreement.

“Okay. We'll hear out your opportunity.” Zuina proposed the long awaited question.

“Wondrful. To start, it may not seem like it, but the nation is moments away from absolute Lawlessness. And I’ve been appointed to avoid that potentiality by any means necessary. You all have unique abilities, either from years of experience or one of mystical attributes that you've harnessed. By that judgment, you'll be more beneficial to the Restoration Act, than a statistic.” Mami carefully illustrated. “For that to be a reality, the opportunity you have is full-time employment at the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.”

“So you want to control the chaos by hiring us?” Zuina asked with confusion.

“Correct.”

“You want us to work for you? Like on a payroll?” Yuuichirou asked with the same confusion.

“Correct, in addition to the high earning salary, we've curated incentives for each of you.” Mami mentioned, to gently direct her open palm to each of them. “Zuina Sui and Getsurin Arimoto will have an Educational grant for the both of you. Full ownership of Property for Yuuichirou Sui and Kayano Kurosawa. And Jinzaburō Moku will have dual citizenship, along with a Japanese Global Passport. Best in the world.” She finished.

Already huddled over Kay’s bed, they were eager to discuss this opportunity.

“So what do we think?” Zuina asked.

“Well, we drove here in a Toyota Century, most high government officials typically ride those.” Moku mentioned.

“I'll be the first to say it. We're in this hospital because of a Bio Mage they knew about.” Yuuichirou enlightened.

“And I'll be the first to say that they probably charge us for some type of crime we may have committed. Intentionally or not.” Getsurin speculated.

“We are in a bit of an ultimatum. And we should wait until Kay wakes so she's included in our decision.” Zuina worried.

“Trust me, she'd be all for it.” Getsurin declared.

“Here's a perspective, even if we encounter the same Bio Mage from Richmond. We can just retreat, the worst they can do is fire us, I mean it's not like we're enlisting in their military.” Moku offered.

“Our options are limited but we have better chances if we join.” Said Getsurin.

“Kay said that there’s strength in numbers and these people at least work for a body that seems to have the nation’s best interests in mind.” Zuina noted.

Rōnin To Kirin turned to Mami, with a new sense of confidence.

“We’ll agree to join your workforce.” Yuuichirou answered for the team.

“But we want to see all legal documents of any agreements before we leave this building!” Zuina quickly added, to ensure their safety.

“Of course, we shall return within the hour for all of the necessary paperwork.” Mami agreed.

“Hey, one last thing.” Getsurin announced before Mami left the room. “Do you know why she hasn’t woke up yet?” He asked.

“She’ll awake soon, just give her time. Her heart has been through a lot.” Mami answered with care, as if she could see Kay’s very soul.

With that, Mami and her agents left the room, to drive off in their Toyota Century. For each awake member of Rōnin To Kirin kneeled or sat down in a fit of exhaustion to the draining interaction they had to endure. But ultimately thankful that it didn’t end with violence.

Relieved with the new, yet odd, opportunity, they can take a moment to relax for their next adventure that will be arriving soon.