25. Torn

Eisubel talked with them behind a wide window on the top floor of the room, set behind a catwalk. He used a microphone connected to speakers on the storeroom.

- "Why so shy? Did the deviant bite your tongue?"
- "Eisubel, what the hell are you doing here?" - Kazuki shouted.
- "Isn't it obvious? I am a rebel, and I am here to help my comrades, first by setting up a fake security system in the computer" - Haruka and Kazuki looked at each other, frustrated - "and second, by helping in a fight against NUMO!" - Kazuki and Haruka's eyes widened. - "Oh I see, you are flabbergasted there was a leak from one of your agents." - Eisubel spread his arms - "I don't find this surprising honestly, it is pretty common." - he paused - "what I would find interesting however, would be a leak coming not from a low ranking operative, but from someone as high ranking as you two." - Kazuki and Haruka looked down and towards opposite sides. Next Kazuki looked up with a terrible grim on his face and cried:
- "I should have killed you when I had the chance!"
- "Killed me huh? Was it really me you should have killed?"
- "Shut up you bastard!" - screamed Haruka.
- "Oh" - Eisubel put his hands on his chest and pretended he was surprised - "you of all people will tell me to shut up? After all you've done?"
- "Shut up" - Haruka shot with her rifle, but the windows were bullet proof.
- "Now I wonder" - Eisubel continued without flinching at the shots - "did you tell your partner about how you helped us rebels capture the Hachimorph? Or how you are now negotiating with us?" - Haruka gulped and Kazuki frowned, staying still - "honestly, I'm being way too rude here, when I should be grateful for all your help. My comrades would never be able to capture the deviant without Brumetium. So, thank you very much, Velvet, I mean, Raikubo-san" - Eisubel bowed ironically. Haruka turned to Kazuki with worried eyes and said:
- "Kaa-chan I..."
- "Is that true?" - Kazuki interrupted her - "Is it true that you gave them Brumetium? Is it true, that you are negotiating with them?"
- "Kaa-chan, I... I mean it, I did..."
- "Is it true?" - he insisted.
- "Yes, it is." - Haruka looked down relaxing her body. She then tried to look at him, but was unable to - "this is all true..."
- "Why the hell did you do this?" - Kazuki gesticulated and raised his voice - "After all we fight for everyday, why helping them?"
- "Isn't it clear? Because she is a dirty traitor!"
- "You stay out of this!" - Kazuki shouted and shot at Eisubel, even knowing it was useless. Eisubel just laughed, enjoying himself.
- "I've discovered terrible things." - Haruka looked at Kazuki, hopeful - "One day after the heist mission, I hacked into NUMO's systems. Renegade-san told me about her brother being tortured by the government and I wanted to check this. What I found out was much worse."
- "What?" - Kazuki replied, with his arms crossed and disapproving eyes.
- "That the government is dirty!" - Haruka was now talking loudly - "there was an entire page of political prisoners and how they were tortured and what information they gave away. And most of the prisoners were in a status called 'disposed'". she paused - "do you remember the thieves? Hammer and Renegade? Both disposed. Do I have to spell out what his means?"
- "No you don't" - Kazuki was frowning - "does this make the rebels any good? How does this justify your actions?"
- "There was more" - Haruka continued - "I saw reports about a 'Project Deviant', with informations about the deviants, to which kind of warfare they were created and how well they went into the tests" - now Kazuki's eyes widened - "don't you see? It is Nouveau's Head who creates the deviants! they are weapons to be used in a second Reconquest, and are being tested with the people!" - Kazuki felt the blow in her words. He puffed and it took him a minute to ask:
- "Alright. Let's suppose this is all true. Tell me one thing, Raikubo-san: how can I trust you? You are telling me all these terrible things, but I ask, why didn't you tell me this before? We had plenty of time and this is all terribly serious. I can't understand how this can be."
- "I tried, Kaa-chan, I tried" - Haruka's eyes were sad - "at the office and then on our date and earlier today, I've tried so many times." - she hesitated - "but I was afraid. Afraid of your reaction and afraid of how things would be, I was... I was... afraid of losing you." - a tear fell down her eye. - "I am sorry..." Haruka looked down. Kazuki crossed his arms and pressed them with his hands.
- "Bloody hell!" - Kazuki shouted. He paused and took a minute to try to continue, gesticulating - "Raikubo-san, do you know what's my assignment? The real one? To turn of the security systems and then eliminate you. I already knew about your treason." - he hesitated - "But I... I .... I hoped. I hoped you would come and tell me what happened and explain how the world was wrong and how you were right and that we would go on together. But you didn't. You never told me."
- "But Kaa-chan, I"
- "It took Eisubel for you to speak the truth. Would you tell me if it wasn't for him? I'm unsure. And that's what hurts me more than anything else. If you asked me, if you told me that Husky was fooling us and that we needed to go to hell and back together I would have gone with you! Why in the world didn't you trust me?"

Haruka remained silent. What else could she say? Kazuki was restless. In a way he was hoping, for something from her, a word, a saving grace, anything. But nothing happened. Feeling cornered he said:
- "Raikubo-san, I will tell you what I will do. Nothing. Please go away. Punch me, let's pretend you overwhelmed me and escape. I cannot trust you right now, but I am not going to kill you. So, pretend, escape and live your life. Be free, Raikubo-san, that's all I can give you now." - Haruka gulped. Her heart raced. Her eyes were dark, without hope, while her gut feelings yearned for survival. She was shaking with the conflict. It took her some time to say:
- "No, Kaa-chan, that is unfair. If we do that, I will be persecuted for life, and Husky will forever suspect you. However, what is more key here is that I don't want to live a life without you. A life I cannot chase you. It would be worthless." - Haruka knelt and looked at him - "I will tell you what you will do. You will kill me right here and now. Then you choose what to do, live your life, continue with NUMO, leave, whatever you choose. Give it your best and enjoy life. If you complete this mission you can be free." - she was crying.
- "I cannot kill you, Ha...Raikubo-san"
- "You need to. Don't worry, it is okay for me, I prefer it that way" - she tried to smile while weeping - "I understand that you cannot trust me and that I tangled myself up in this situation. I shoot my shot and missed. It is ironic isn't it? That a well renowned markswoman would be brought down by my missing her shot."

Eisubel watched them in pure pleasure and preferred to keep silent, in order not to interfere.
- "Raiku... No. Haruka. Are you sure of this?"
- "Yes I am, Kaa-chan" - she was pained but confident - "it is the only way."
- "Alright. If that is your wish I...I...I think I can follow my instructions." - Kazuki was crying. He gazed at Haruka's wet green eyes and looked away. Shaking, he lowered his head and took his pistol. Still shaking, he pointed it at Haruka's neck. He loaded it. He controlled his shaking and looked away. Haruka gulped and closed her eyes.

Kazuki held his breath and put his finger on the trigger.