Everyday Stresses of Kazuki - Sci-Fi Action/Intrigue Webserial

Outside, everyone had split up into their own groups. Kazuki was standing outside on one of the Judiciary HQ's many recreational balconies. Hot, warm air stabbed at him.

Everyone was planning their own 'ideas' for how to take down the Blood Contractors. However, every moment out here gave Kazuki pause. Something was wrong, very wrong. The hinges of death were grasping around Kazuki's shoulders.

The sunset eclipsed Kazuki's face. A shadow appeared behind him. Kazuki did not feel the need to turn around. A pair of pale hands wrapped around, tugging at the sides of his cheeks.

The clinging embrace of death faded. For now, at least.

"Don't do that," Kazuki demanded. His eyes skidded over to Eliza.

"Why? You're always so down, and you always have something on your mind. Doesn't a distraction help at times?" she playfully asked, leaning against the guardrails of the balcony. She peered around. No one was around them. "I feel a bit out of place here."

"Yeah." Kazuki wanted to skim over that topic.

On the inside, Kazuki was burning. The continuous flames that scorched him reminded him of the past. The She-Wolf Beamont and the Blood Contractors…

Why now? Why now of all times, when he's finally making progress?

But perhaps this is progress, Kazuki thought. Nothing is a coincidence, after all.

"So, this Freyja?" Eliza asked. "She was in the Heptagia meeting before you were attacked, right? Did… she plan this?"

"Hopefully not," Kazuki commented. "The She-Wolf is crazy, even compared to the rest of us."

Eliza peered at him, confused. Of course, she'd be confused; to her, they must all look insane. Freyja was a strange person. Even amongst the Seven Mercenaries.

"My apologies…" Kazuki started from nowhere. "I intended to bring our findings to your father. Evidence… But, the She-Wolf is more important, for now."

Eliza nodded, understanding the situation. If Kazuki said something was bad, then it was bad.

"Still, those reports…"

"We must play our hand wisely. They don't know that we know."

Eliza sighed. "So, this She-Wolf?"

Kazuki said, "Freyja revels in death. So much death. I hoped this might just be a freak incident. But the Second Consul does not heed my warnings."

"You can defeat her, right?!" Eliza raised her voice.

A mix of both desperation and excitement clung to her tongue, drooling... Kazuki preferred Eliza when she was drunk. At least back then, he could dismiss most of her questions.

But now? Kazuki held his face firmly, then nodded.

"Of course I can," Kazuki stated.

He closed his eyes before placing his hands together. Burns... Each movement reminded Kazuki of when his hands and body were burnt… Pressed against the fires like meat.

Eliza smiled. "Well then, I'm just saddened that we can't exactly deal with Obadiah's lead now, can we?" she asked.

Shaking his head, Kazuki turned around.

He leant against the parapet. Peering up at the marbled white sky, breaking down towards the towering Police HQ. Massive. It was formed out of one of Anagora's old defence bastions. Still, not as large as the Phoenix's Fury.

"Antiar is doing things as fast as she can," Kazuki said.

"Antiar... what... happened between you and her?" Eliza asked, slowly, and gestured meekly to the scars around Kazuki's eyes. Fragmentation scars, burns, all from Antiar's Detonation Shard.

If Antiar hadn't restrained its chemical valves, perhaps Kazuki would look worse… He scoffed to himself, as if he could look any worse, he thought.

"I guess we were both lucky things got handled quickly... but that doesn't explain your exospine… I always remember fixing it, it looked even worse than when I fixed it after you returned… sure, it was bruised and all, but this time…"

Kazuki kept his mouth shut. "It was damaged. You fixed it. What's more to know?" Honour-bound or not, Kazuki made an implicit deal with Antiar.

"Well, don't go around Overclocking, alright?!" Eliza berated Kazuki. "I have no idea if it'll get to a point that I CAN'T fix it. I mean... Fixing it this time was easier, though that might be because the circuitry-ion rust didn't have time to set in, unlike... I'm just... rambling, aren't I?"

"..." Kazuki nodded. "I'm sure you'll find a way to fix me up."

Eliza scratched the back of her head, chuckling. "Well... Just don't go around hurting yourself all the time! And… why don't you have your mother fix up your Exospine? Sure… she's a Princess… but…"

The idea of his mother acting anything like the ideal version of a 'Princess' was laughable. No. "Mother's cutthroat. She hates me. You think for a moment she'd lay a hand on me to help me up?"

The idea or notion that Kazuki's family was royalty would be insane if not true. His mother was a Princess tempered by the Republic. His father was a war hero, and his sister... she was duller than lead.

Eliza's face soured as the worry came back to Kazuki. Was it just Eliza, or were his instincts trying to say something? Kazuki stared off into the distance, as if something was looking back at him.

"But it would mean a lot to your mother if you asked, right?" Eliza suggested. The two slowly went back inside the HQ, walking towards the cafeteria. It was sparse at this time of day.

"I won't bend to beg to her," Kazuki snarled quietly, silencing the last of Eliza's arguments, even if she seemed somewhat hurt.

Kazuki would not relent on this. No. Other things, absolutely. But his parents? Never. Never!

She got a battered fish and some fries. Classic Engan food. The two sat down as Eliza ate. Eat away the pain. Kazuki gobbled up some sushi. Of course, the two had very different eating habits. Eliza was far more regal than Kazuki, who had the mannerisms of a starving soldier.

More gallows await, however. After a while, Eliza finished eating, as a drone came over to take her plate. Kazuki heard the door slide open. His eye caught the glimpse of a dark-brown haired man entering the cafeteria.

His tunic and coat looked heavy, large, on him. Oversized? Possibly. Kazuki's left hand instinctively fell to his holster. The man in front of them had no weapons. No visible ones.

Hidden holster? Irrelevant.

The Commissioner stared at his daughter. Eliza and Kazuki both stood up.

"Dad?" Eliza asked. "Did something happen? Why… are you here?"

"I'm the Commissioner," he jeered back. "What are you doing here?"

"I believe you can easily see what I am doing here," Eliza sneered. "What do you want?"

Frederick scoffed. "It's never been about what I want. Has it? Hmm? I told you not to chase down that rabbit hole... Now we're here." He pointed directly at Kazuki. "That boy will get you killed… he always gets people killed."

Kazuki's eyes slowly waded through the air, landing with a deathly glare on Frederick.

If he tells Eliza, then what does Kazuki have to lose?

Nothing.

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He'd take his sweet time pinning his head to the Senate doors…

Eliza chose a different approach, saying, "And I know he'll do anything to prevent death as well, it's not just darkness and gloom, Dad."

Frederick rubbed the brim of his nose. He scowled in frustration. "And do you know what the ultimate prevention tactic is... for that?"

Kazuki answered, "By eliminating everyone who wants me dead."

A blue hue glistened out, radiating from his golden eyes. He placed one hand by his hips, whilst the other hung to the side. Both were primed to tap at his holsters at a moment's instinct.

"Contract-Breaker, good to see that you've brought even more trouble to us," he said. "Still... Better you than those snobs in Clandestine." The tall, Goldeburgen man maintained his glare, looking down upon his daughter and her retainer.

"Dad... Can't you just leave us alone?" Eliza asked, grumpily stepping forward. "After everything you've said… just go, dad… You're not even here to say sorry, are you?"

Looking at the Commissioner, one of his eyes twitched.

"Get back to the meeting," Frederick scoffed. He turned with a displeased face. With that, he left the two alone.

Even with her composure intact, she looked pissed. Her hands were clenched, not satisfied by her father's answers.

"Come on. We need to move."

Whatever those thoughts may be, Kazuki knew full well he'd understand. Despite everything, despite his lack of humanity, he knew spite and hatred.

Back at the conference, Kazuki saw Archius pull up a dozen datapads, showing the information they've harvested for their proposal.

Archius cleared his throat, looking to Lorenza. "Clean and succinct, Consul, very much like that recent bill of yours… But, are we sure this is everything?" he asked. "Seemed quite… lacklustre in some aspects."

Archius then pointed to the CRIS' plan, which Lorenza, having her ego stroked, nodded.

"Yes, just some details," she replied calmly. "We are aware of some movements, but they should not be relevant in the short term."

Instantly, the political players in the room seemed to… understand. Some glanced at Hamzarhi, who everyone then knew was withholding information. And Hamzarhi? He glared at Archius for his bout of manipulation.

Kazuki skimmed them. A singular second was all that was needed to take in the information. His memory bleeped up to life with a thousand images. They had their differences… but something clung to Kazuki's head, something telling him everything was wrong.

Scratching his head, Kazuki chalked it up to the plans.

Something must have irked him about them… Right? Kazuki had his eyes planted on the mosaic behind Lorenza. It was… going to be a shame, he thought.

For what? Huh?

Kazuki paused.

What?

Kazuki was just as confused as ever… Did he think something twice? No…

Sato broke through the ringing silence, leaning slightly towards Kazuki. "We'll leverage the combined might of the Judiciary. A... Task Force."

"Unlikely that they will just accept it like that," Martinez said. "Joint-Command's hell, Egos mix. Something will get a kick, but everyone else won't."

Lorenza, the Consul, clasped her hands together. "A colourful bunch of posters that you have all provided," she said. "Who would like the honour of going first?"

Frederick immediately scampered up before turning to Paulus. Paulus stood up. Oh? Was Paulus going to take the speech?

Paulus cleared his throat, one arm tucked neatly behind his dark blue uniformed tunic. "I have the honour of addressing this committee with the SPTU and Police's joint plans…"

Something stopped in Kazuki's mind. Something wrong was going to happen. A beating in his chest was thriving. It was impossible. His heart was of steel. His lungs of iron. How could Kazuki's body be moving like this?

Then, something encouraged Kazuki to speak.

"Whatever you have planned won't work," Kazuki stated.

The interruption surprised everyone. Even those around him… And himself. Lorenza raised an eyebrow. "And you believe yourself the arbiter of all wisdom now, do you?"

"No wisdom is needed. It just won't."

Paulus sighed. "Your highness and sir, please… at least let me finish, if you're going to interject, at least tell me why?" Kazuki's ally in the police didn't seem sceptical, more disappointed than anything.

"Freyja Beamont. You won't kill her. Everything for this hinges on the ability to terminate a member of the Seven Mercenaries."

"And we have you for that!" Lorenza gestured towards him and then gesticulated all around in an oratory manner, presenting Kazuki as the ultimate prize to kill the She-Wolf. "And for that, we are most greatly thankful for, little Prince."

"Aye, this little Prince survived the last time two members of the Seven fought on Anagora," Kazuki replied.

They wanted to win. That was their honour. Nothing else.

Kelina grunted. "I can attest to that, at least. I was a part of the clean up… It wasn't nice, Consul Bitaz."

Archius glanced over. With one look, he authorised whatever Kazuki was going to do or say, with a subtle smirk to boot. Hamzarhi and Bernside remained silent, listening but not exactly willing to speak their mind.

"They tore up a Sub-District. They were last spotted near the surface. You want that to happen again?"

The obvious answer Lorenza wanted to say was simple. They can always breed more… Always. But, in this case, it would be a political suicide and a literal one to say that.

Kazuki continued, "Hartius Juun attempted. She survived. You don't just survive the Archreaper."

"And yet, you are here, having survived so much!" Lorenza sneered. "Perhaps they call you little Prince not for your height, but for your lack of bravery..."

Okay, Kazuki thought.

Kazuki stood up. An audible draw was made. Just then, Eliza snatched at Kazuki's hand, stopping him. The two were now standing up in front of everyone. Kazuki scoffed before slowly sitting down.

"Little Prince, please stay seated, we are all friends here, of great concern too!"

Her jeers were only making Kazuki even angrier.

"Don't forget, Second Consul, you're here for a reason," Commodore Bernside snarled, giving Kazuki a firm nod of support. "Harsh but true words, our Arbiter is willing to tell you this without pomp."

Hamzarhi spoke up, "We have gotten off topic. Wouldn't you agree, ma'am?" No honour of dignifying her rank.

A threat.

The CRIS was not here to play around, and Hamzarhi was taking notes.

Frederick rolled his eyes. "No matter what happens, I will not allow the SPTU to fall under mercenary command. That Skyliner Fiasco cost the people too much!"

"And as such… the wheels keep on turning," Lorenza snidely remarked.

"We'll need a coordinated effort to make any progress, ignoring the She-Wolf!" Martinez interjected before Kazuki made things worse.

"And for what purpose should I have my men run around with yours?" Frederick snarled, rolling his head backwards and eyeing up Kazuki's second in command.

The doors slid open, and a tall, slender woman entered.

"The purpose of defeating our enemies!" A new voice called out.

Dark green hair and tanned skin. Dressed in a professional suit, Senator Iana Nimitz-Delia stepped in. Lorenza chuckled, almost rising to speak.

Delia spoke first, "I had a little chat with Maximillian Ílize. I have just been appointed."

Frederick peered over to her. "To what?"

Delia smiled. Eliza seemed happy to see her. "The Overseer of the to-be-joint task force against the Blood Contractors."

Frederick grumbled, then sat back against his chair. No one was really willing to drag out the argument.

"Miss Nimitz-Delia, I was not expecting you," Lorenza stumbled. She was clearly falling over herself; the politician seemed more pathetic by the moment. "A... surprise, but not in bad taste."

Given the person, it was in bad taste.

Delia smiled. She exchanged a wave with Eliza.

Kazuki's head started to ache. It was awful... Fucking hell.

All this politics was hurting his head. Something was very wrong…

"Something's wrong…" A voice called to him.

Kazuki paused, looking to Eliza. She glanced over at him, confused for a moment. "I didn't know Delia was showing up, did you?"

It wasn't Eliza? Kazuki shook his head, turning his eyes all around the room. Where the fuck did that voice come from? Kazuki felt an eerie cloak fall upon his shoulders.

The dead, they listen… The dead, they speak… And now, they cling. Kazuki, surrounded by allies and foes, now remained alone. Here, in the high-rises of the Republic, Kazuki felt a chord struck in his steel heart come true.

"Is something the matter?" muttered Eliza, speaking to Kazuki. She must have noted his eyes, darting across the room now that Delia got involved.

Kazuki had to shake his head, just to give the mere façade that things were going alright.

The National Defence Meeting continued. Everyone seemed to be in agreement that this was the right course of action.

"Delia's happy to help us," Archius commented. "Still, it's a very high price for us."

Kazuki grumbled. "Her assistance is priceless. Priceless, but not trusted."

Eliza frowned. "Not to be... trusted?" she inquired, quietly. "She's a friend of ours and the Marquis, right?"

Dammit. Kazuki felt his eyes waver more, shaking towards the mosaic and then towards the door. Was something coming? Assassins?! Kazuki tapped his boot against the floor, feeling the gravity of the situation.

These weren't just assassins, no. They were the Blood Contractors, led by their hound, the She-Wolf.

Archius commented, "Trust is hard to come by, sadly."

"Well... she's my friend," Eliza quietly said with frustration on her lips.

"Yes. Friends and allies are different," Kazuki said. "Your friends may have no use as allies. Some allies will never be good friends."

"Couldn't have said it better myself." Archius chuckled.

Something was most definitely wrong. Kazuki slammed the table, standing up. Everyone peered up at the upstart mercenary and noble.

His breathing was slowly getting out of control. The fires and memories bled into his eyes, catching everyone's attention.

"Kaz...?" Eliza murmured.

But before anything else could happen, Kazuki saw Frederick take a call. His eyebrow raised, then... Kazuki looked to the large mosaic window. Everyone was silent... And beyond the boundaries of the HQ: a shuttle split from the sky-lanes.