5: Missing or Alive

The yellow van pulled over into the alley, the big iron gate opened wide. 

In there several soldiers walked around, some played shogi, and others chatted profusely. The driver pulled the brake stopping at a control post.

The left side front window pulled down.

“Good morning Liberty San–”

“How is the routine soldier?” Liberty asked, slipping out some one thousand yen bundle, into the uniform.

The soldier peeked into the car “one, two…and three, you may go Kagu-sama is waiting for you”

The windows were rolled up. The security bars shot open, the engines rumbled, and the gas and dirt kicked from behind the van staining the edges of it.

…

The doors slammed, Raiko held open the door for his sister Mei to come down. 

Now Raiko and Mei were siblings, she wore a red combat dress held by a belt, while he wore the formal soldier war vest. 

Mei stretched grunting “that sure was a fruitless journey wasn't it Liberty-san.”

Liberty kept both his hands in his pocket, “Move it you two, you don't want to make Kagu-sama wait.”

The three of them made their way inside, through several check chambers. The paths became more narrow as they progressed. Until a small office door remained at the wall.

KNOCK KNOCK

“Come in.”

The door slipped open revealing the room.  The screen decorated the walls, casting light on the reflective ground. That being one of their purposes, and the other was to track the movements of the known members of the Hourglass. This time a prominent lead was being mapped from Fukushima all the way to Fukui, and from Tokyo to Fukushima. 

The tables were filled with maps, and several people worked hard on them. 

Raiko mused “uhm, was it this busy the last time”

Mei replied, “no, there must be something really disturbing going on”

Mr. Kagu was leaning onto the table nodding and talking to someone on the other side of the phone. Liberty bowed, and the two followed suit.

Mr Kagu disengaged a little, “Liberty, guys, thank you for rushing here with such short notice…I really put your search efforts in danger.”

Raiko grinned.

Liberty raised his head “Not at all sir, if anything we are mortified for causing you to have to come all the way here”

Mr Kagu looked down on the monitor and said “So do you have anything to tell me on the train that passed through the Tatar strait?”

Mei poked Raiko to remove his grin. While Liberty took a seat and said.

“Not much, apparently nobody testified of any commotion happening in there…”

Mr Kagu squinted “So no traces of Asagi?” 

Liberty shook his head. 

For a moment Mr Kagu rubbed his hands in heavy strokes, pressing and cracking the bones.

 Raiko broke the silence, “we only found this piece of cloth in a bag full of empty motor oil jars.”

Raiko placed the checkered fabric on the desk. 

Liberty also added “I have sent for help from the Ambu Sakai Corps of Yanamoto, to aid our search.”

Mr Kagu eyed him “What does that Kansai city have to do with us, Liberty”.

The air became pungent with years of strife bottled in. A strife that had been stored up by choices of war, a war that ended up in a begrudging acceptance of a foe as friend of the state.

Liberty coughed “Sir we will find a way–”

“You know liberty, I was just in line with Frederick Arnold–"

Liberty froze, his eyes shaking. What…why?

Mr Kagu pinched the bridge of his nose “According to the Royal Guard Piero is already in Japan, and is being held somewhere.”

Raiko mused “Yea that's s a possibility.”

“He also said that around two days ago another operative went missing at the crime scene, the other one’s name was Johnny.”

Liberty frowned “sir I shall search far and wide and definitely find everyone, starting from Asagi.”

Mr Kagu nodded “I’m sure you will, and if you find Lavrov, thank him for me ok.”

Raiko gave him a thumbs up, immediately getting a stare from his sister.

Mei asked, “Kagu-sama, may I join the mission this time?”

Kagu smiled “You are too eager, I'd rather have you with my daughter in Fukui, here it may become too dangerous.”

“I was born–”

Raiko hit her head softly, “I shall be sure to see her off sir.”

The three of them bowed as they left the building behind. Outside a cold air blew, raising Liberty hair to the wind. Strands swaying here and there, his hand steadfastly in his pockets he walked thinking in his heart.

Piero Kentimer, where are you, since your parents died I had failed to keep an eye on you, whichever the case may be just hold on. 

Mei waved at the two of them taking a taxi to the railways.

Raiko quickly took the driver's seat. 

The yellow van rumbled its engines, its tire hit the express road heading to Fukushima.

Raiko said “Why Fukushima…”

“We are here already and chances are that there may be leads”

Raiko looked perplexed, until the van satellite communication system buzzed, on, the whole inner van was apart from the window turned dark. The radio that played before, shushed.

…

FROM THE ICY LANDS OF SIBERIA

The man’s white hair and coat camouflaged with the ground. He spoke to liberty.

“I am on the site”

“Sanō Yurai, what is the report?”, Liberty said.

The vapor from his mouth was visible as he approached the railways. He panted slightly.

“There is a carriage that fell off in the valley…”

Liberty eyes darted to Raiko, in Japan the expressway was free of traffic. 

Liberty asked “Please check.”

“Sure, give me a minute," said Sanō.

His feet skidded, on the slopes. In the meantime Liberty opened up the messages exchanged with Lavrov. 

I wasn't mistaken, that was the train he took.

“Dammit– the line crackled

Liberty leaned in “What happened”

“They are all dead…”

Liberty slowly turned to Raiko, who reduced his speed entering Fukushima city. At the side of the road a big billboard with Hitachi Shirome hugged by children. Hitachi was Miura Shirome's only son.

Sano said “Sorry Liberty must report this to Kansai, I shall remain in touch.”

Raiko drove with one hand and the other covered his mouth.

“Could it be,” he asked.

Liberty shook his head “No, there is no way…plus that conductor, his face I've seen it somewhere…”

Raiko turned the steering left. His eyes caught a figure moving hastily, in the dark alleys. He quickly ran into the parking space close to him, blocking the manoeuvre of the car that was already on revise.

Liberty frowned “what was that?”

“Just wait for me, I think I saw Lavrov” 

Liberty looked around for a while. Raiko hastily came down. Liberty rushed to the driver's seat, bowing respectfully to the other driver.

…

Raiko pushed through the crowds. 

“Lavrov.”

He turned, their eyes met, just as he turned the angle. Raiko hurried his hand grabbing the corner. 

Yet the place was empty, a long alleyway with graffiti of reptiles everywhere. At the far end Lavrov walked still.

Raiko moved.

What's with him today 

However a lazy breeze carried his clothes.