26. Blood Brothers

- "Kazuki-kun, stop right now!" - startled, Kazuki lifted his pistol and shouted:
- "What the hell, Operator-san! What is happening?"
- "Don't shoot Haruka-chan, or you will regret it!" - Kazuki tried to keep calm but shouted again:
- "Care to explain?"
- "Yes." - the operator paused - "The thing is, all Haruka said is true. Yes, the government tortures its prisoners to get information. Yes, the government developed the Deviant Project to create deviants to be military weapons. Yes, it is all true."
- "What?" - Kazuki lowered his pistol and spread his arms - "And did you already know all of that?"
- "Yes I did. I've always known. I was always convinced that it was for the best of the nation and I went on with it. Even as things got more and more horrendous I kept going on with it."
- "Bloody hell. And why should I listen to you? What if you are fooling me?"
- "I am not, I have access to the files. Not only this, but I was the one who sent spies to surveil Haruka-chan. I also knew she looked into our files. And I've been keeping an eye on you, I know you've been dating. And all these messed up things I did believing I doing the right thing supporting our nation." - she paused - "I was terribly wrong."
- "I don't know what to say."
- "So listen. When Haruka negotiated with the rebels to give them the Brumetium, she was offered to join them. However, she set one single condition, one they did not give her an answer so far: she said she would only join the rebels if they accepted you too. That was her condition. Only with you she would switch sides." - Kazuki was panting, sweating, and confused. He looked around, then at Haruka and asked:
- "Is that true?"
- "Yes, it is" - Haruka was still kneeling - "they were unsure and I never received an answer. That was my choice, as it is my choice now. Regardless of the way, I want to go on with you, not without you." - Kazuki stared at her. He took a minute to ask:
- "Operator-san, why did you stop me? You are only risking your life by jeopardizing my mission."
- "You are right, this is a tremendous risk for me" - she audibly sighed in the microphone - "But the reason is simple. I think this is the right thing to do. After I reported Haruka's treason and your relationship, the Colonel promised me that you two would be safe, and that nothing too drastic would happen. He never told me it was your assignment to eliminate Haruka. It is... too much. Of all the people, it is you two who always treated me like a person, not like an asset. I could stand if you left the organization, but killing each other? Not in a thousand years."

Kazuki dropped his pistol on the ground. Haruka got up, still crying. They were unable to look into each other's eyes, even though, this is what both their hearts yearned for. Although, before they could reflect more, they were interrupted by the loud sound of hand claps.

- "Great show, great show" - said Eisubel. - "I preferred blood, but I must admit you did some good drama there. But, enough!" - he pressed a button that closed both entrances to the storeroom. - "I've prepared a surprise for you. First, you are now locked in this room. These doors are made of special metal, which you won't be able to open. second" - 'he pressed another button and their guns were all pulled to the roof - "With this magnet, you are now unarmed." - he was laughing.
- "What do you want?" - Kazuki asked.
- "Chaos and suffering! And to eliminate you, which is my mission! So, the game is as follows: if either of you kills the other, I will open the doors, if not I will leave you to rot!"
- "We will never do that, bellend" - said Haruka.
- "Yes, I thought it would be like this, so now someone will" - he pressed another button - "so now, I am going to let the Hachimorph inside your room. I will come here after something like 8 hours. If only one of you three stand, I shall release you! Good luck!" - Eisubel pressed a final button. All windows were covered with metal protections. The roof opened and the Hachimorph fell in the middle of the room. The deviant was stunned for a moment and still didn't see the agents.

Kazuki and Haruka rushed behind a container. They were in front of each other when Haruka tried to look at Kazuki and said:
- "Kaa-chan, I'm sorry I" - he put his finger on her lips.
- "Raikubo-san, I will try to be as rational as I can right now." - he took a deep breath and looked at her, unable to look inside her eyes - "NUMO has betrayed our work and our trust. Then you betrayed NUMO, however you betrayed me as well. You apologized, but I am nonetheless hurt, very hurt." - Haruka gulped, looking down - "The Operator convinced me I cannot trust NUMO, but unfortunately" - he lowered his head - "I am still unsure about you after all that has happened." - he stopped to organize his thoughts - "In spite of this, there is a more urgent matter. Survival." - now Kazuki stared at her eyes - "I ask of you. Raikubo-san, will you fight alongside me against the Hachimorph?"
- "Yes, always" - her face was confident, but painful. The tracks of her tears were still glistening.
- "Let's go." - they both got up from behind the container to face the deviant.

***

Meanwhile, as Colonel Husky was leaving for the mission, he received a call on the NCID:
- "Hello Colonel, sir."
- "Hello, Lieutenant."
- "Virgo 8 was compromised and decided to help Pisces 1 and 2, who also seem compromised. What is your desired course of action?"
- "Record Virgo 8's actions and wait. At the moment her help jeopardizes our operation, arrest her. If necessary, you can eliminate her."
- "Copy that, sir. What about Pisces 1 and 2?"
- "Prepare three agents to capture them if they try to leave the facility."
- "As you wish, sir."