Chapter 48: Alpha: Enter! The Silver Veil!
The New Jericho Police Precinct was a vast series of complexes, a neighborhood of architectural marvels of steel and glass stretching across several blocks in New Jericho—the country of Lunanova's capital city.
It was the nerve center of the Lunanova government, the country and ever-expanding empire that dominated the continent. The precinct was a city within a city, a collection of interconnected buildings and towering skyscrapers that loomed over the bustling streets below.
One of these skyscrapers housed Noriko's office—a departure from the notable technological dungeon she'd been met with and visited up to this point. Unlike any grand halls or ornate meeting chambers, this office was utilitarian and stark.
It reflected the essence of the precinct itself: a place engineered for discipline and control.
Noriko's workspace sat at the apex of the tower, its wide windows offering a sweeping view of the sprawling city below. The skyscrapers of Lunanova stabbed into the gray sky like jagged teeth, their silhouettes broken only by the occasional shimmer of aircraft passing overhead.
Inside, the office was cool and minimalist, dominated by sharp lines, neutral tones, and a carefully curated lack of personal effects.
Noriko leaned against her desk facing the large windows as she stared out at the metropolis. She appeared perfectly at ease, though her eyes flickered with sharp focus.
The elevator door slid open with a whisper and Elwin stepped off, his polished boots clicking lightly against the floor as he entered Noriko's office space. His uniform was immaculate, his demeanor polished yet faintly over-eager, as always.
"Director," he greeted her with a deferential nod.
Noriko faced him, her expression brightening in a way that was rare to witness. "Ah, Elwin! Right on time."
Elwin straightened his posture, taking her tone as an unexpected compliment. "Of course, Director. You called for me?"
"Yes, I did." She gestured to a chair near her desk, inviting him to sit. As he complied, she continued, pacing gracefully around the office space. "I've been hearing reports about Lieutenant Jora Newman's murder."
She paused in front of the large windows, clasping her hands behind her back as she gazed out over the sprawling city below. The light from the setting sun cast long shadows across the room, gilding her silhouette in a cold, golden hue.
Elwin remained silent, his expression carefully neutral.
"A single fatal gunshot wound," she said, her tone laced with dark amusement. "Imagine that. You'd think someone like him would've seen it coming." She chuckled lightly, the sound hollow. "But what's worse, perhaps, is that I'm only now hearing of this event—weeks after it occurred."
Her voice sharpened slightly as she continued, her reflection in the glass betraying a faint smirk. "Who would dare assault a member of law enforcement with such crassness? They'd have to be suicidal, no?"
Then, with a sudden and deliberate movement, she turned to face Elwin. Her piercing gaze locked onto his, scrutinizing every flicker of his expression. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you?"
Elwin felt his heart plummet. Panic welled in his chest as he sank further into the chair, his palms damp with sweat. What would she do if she pieced the truth together?
He threw his hands up with a nervous laugh, the sound strained and unconvincing. "Ah, Director. You've caught me!" He stood abruptly, his movements jerky. "You put me in charge of handling that 'problem,' and I did just that." He shrugged, forcing a tone of optimism into his voice as though hoping it would placate her.
For a moment, Noriko's intense glare lingered, freezing him in place. Then, with a dismissive turn, she walked away, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. "Well," she said coolly, her voice trailing off as she resumed her position by the window. "I suppose I did."
Elwin exhaled quietly, his shoulders relaxing a fraction.
"The situation couldn't be all that bad," Noriko continued, her tone light but laced with confidence. "Frankly, I'm not overly concerned with all that. The memory alteration couldn't have failed—it's failproof."
"Right!" Elwin chimed, his voice a touch too eager. "Though, I'll keep a close watch, just in case."
Noriko turned her head slightly, a faint smirk curving her lips. "Speaking of which, we have a special guest today. Care to guess who's making their return?"
"Who?" Elwin asked, his curiosity piqued despite himself.
Noriko turned to him, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "You remember Nyota, don't you?"
"Oh," Elwin replied, his tone dipping into faint sarcasm. He quickly adjusted his expression, hoping to mask his annoyance. "How could I forget?"
His voice carried just enough of a sarcastic edge to hint at his feelings without stepping too far.
"What do you think about him?"
"He's been… impressive, to say the least." Elwin's fingers drummed lightly against his lap as he spoke. He forced the words out, each one almost measured, but his eyes—shifting with the slightest flash of bitterness—told another story. "But there's more to a good agent than just potential."
"You think so?"
Elwin stood. "Well, I know so, Director. He's still too young and inexperienced." He hesitated, then added carefully, "If I may—of course, I respect your decision to appoint him as an A-ranked officer. But with all due respect, he's just graduated, and he's still only a warrant officer."
Noriko chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Well, I suppose you would know better than I. After all, you were the one who subdued him during the night of the Lunenrane raid."
Elwin's chest swelled with pride; it was another rare moment when Noriko's words carried a hint of praise. Reveling in the recognition, he finally ventured to ask, "So, are we to expect him this evening?"
Noriko laughed lightly, her tone tinged with intrigue. "Oh, no. Someone far more important."
She let the moment hang in the air before continuing, "Perhaps a relative of our young officer. Our former Lunenrane chief."
"Really?" Elwin responded, his voice carrying genuine surprise. "You don't say."
Noriko nodded, a faint smile playing at her lips. "Orion Atar."
At that moment, the office phone on Noriko's desk rang, its sharp tone cutting through the air.
"As a matter of fact, that should be him now."
Elwin's gaze darted between her and the phone, hesitation flickering across his face. She tilted her head, a silent command for him to answer.
Stepping forward, Elwin lifted the receiver, his tone brisk and professional. "This is Sergeant Major Newton speaking on behalf of the Director. What've you got for me?"
A faint, muffled voice crackled through the line, the words indistinct.
Elwin nodded slightly as he listened, then replied, "Yep, that's correct. We're expecting him… Sure, sure, yeah—bring him on up. Thanks." He set the receiver back down with a measured click.
Eventually, Orion appeared, flanked by EPSA operatives whose calm yet watchful demeanor betrayed their true roles. They moved purposefully through the labyrinthine corridors of the precinct tower, the rhythmic echo of their footsteps punctuating the sterile quiet of the halls.
After a brief pause, they stepped into an elevator, the soft hum of its ascent breaking the silence. Orion stood tall and composed, his sharp gaze unwavering as the floors ticked by.
At last, the elevator reached the top floor with a gentle chime. The doors slid open smoothly, revealing the opulent office space beyond. The group stepped forward, their presence a quiet announcement of his arrival.
"Orion!" Noriko exclaimed, her voice warm as she greeted him with open arms. "We have so much to talk about!" She paused, a playful glint in her eyes as she added, "I hadn't realized Nyota was your son!"
She placed deliberate emphasis on Nyota's name, the recognition settling into her words. "Silly me, not putting the names together. 'Atar,' how could I have forgotten?"
Immediately, Orion stepped forward, his anger palpable. "What did you do?"
"No greeting, huh?" Noriko laughed, her voice light. "Well, good evening to you, too. It's amusing to me that you thought you could keep this a secret. If it hadn't been for Elwin here—forgetting, then remembering—you might have had some luck."
Orion glared at Elwin with contempt, while Elwin returned the look from a distance, his expression haughty and unfazed.
Noriko continued with a glint in her eye. "And his Modus… Blue Lightning. Such a powerful and unique ability—of course, it must have come from the genes of someone like you." She paused, her smile widening as she considered the possibilities.
"Oh… I'll have plenty of fun refining him for sure."
"The agreement was that you wouldn't harm him!" Orion barked, the accompanying operatives instinctively preparing to detain him.
With a gentle but commanding motion, Noriko signaled for the agents to hold their position and allow Orion to speak, a cold smile playing at the edge of her lips.
"Fierce," Elwin mocked with a smirk. "You know, your son's quite the fighter. He even was back in Lunenrane."
"You shut up," Orion growled, his fists clenching. "I could've killed you back then."
"Then why didn't ya'?" Elwin asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms with a mocking expression.
Orion remained silent, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his composure.
Elwin continued, shaking his head with a smirk. "Still no response."
Orion's eyes narrowed as he turned his full attention back to Noriko. "Where is he?!"
"Relax, relax," Noriko said soothingly, her tone almost playful. "He hasn't gone anywhere. There was a tournament, haven't you heard?"
"My son is not to play any part in your corrupt militant games!" Orion spat, his anger flaring again.
"Now, now, Orion! It isn't good to bite the hand that has bestowed mercy upon you." Noriko's voice was smooth, almost teasing. "It's been shy of a year. Can't you see how strange this all sounds coming from the one who's prioritized other matters over observing his own son?
Truthfully, what could possibly be more important than that?" She laughed lightly, her eyes glinting with amusement.
Orion remained silent once more, his exhale betraying his internal conflict, attempting to mask his unease.
Noriko's gaze intensified, cutting through the tension. "That wasn't rhetorical, by the way."
Still, Orion chose not to answer.
"And of course, you still won't say. No matter!" Noriko's tone remained sharp, her words dripping with amusement. "Since you're too busy to attend events, let alone the ones he's part of, let me fill you in.
He placed second. He's no longer just a cadet—he's a full-fledged A-ranked EPSA spy now."
She tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing. "Always out traveling, never revealing where you go... Maybe now, you'll finally have a reason to stay.
Again, you can thank Elwin here. If it weren't for him remembering where he'd first met Nyota, I'd still be stressing to protect all those children from your humble town. But now, I know who to look out for. All the others no longer matter. And what a coincidence—who better than Nyota Atar!" Noriko chuckled, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Nyota Atar, son of Orion Atar, former Chief of Lunenrane. In hindsight, it makes so much sense. For someone so skilled at such a young age, and sharing the same last name as you... How didn't I know?"
"It's my business, can I at least have that?" Orion snapped, his tone defensive. "I've run all my errands. Being a father is among my sole priorities right now."
"Right," Noriko mused, the words dripping with sarcasm. "I suppose we're allowed to pick and choose when parenting is convenient for us." She straightened, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Alas, you'd have to take on the guise of a generous mentor. And—let's not forget—one forbidden from getting too close. Remember, you have an obligation to me as well. And even more so. It's me who's keeping him alive, after all."
Orion knew Noriko was right. They had an agreement, of sorts, and he had to honor it to protect his son.
Back in Lunenrane, when he first established the self-defense program for the town's youth, it had been a success. Children, just old enough to speak and walk, learned how to defend themselves effectively.
It was a beacon of hope for the town's future, ensuring their independence.
Everything was going well, that was until Noriko learned of the settlement and its program.
She had called one day making a calm yet menacing demand that he keep her updated on the program's progress. In exchange, she promised to leave the town alone, allowing it to maintain its sovereignty.
Reluctantly, Orion had complied, clinging to the hope that she would keep her word, spare the settlement, and leave it in peace.
How naive he had been to believe there was ever a real option to stay out of her reach.
He hated himself for it, the sting of his misplaced trust cutting deeper with every passing moment. But the damage had already been done—there was no turning back now.
Now, he was required to keep his distance from Nyota. While he could interact with him, he was forbidden from mentioning their relationship or speaking of the past.
Additionally, Orion was given a chance to work alongside Lunanova's government to advance Noriko's interests. Although he had never revealed his Modus to her, Noriko knew he was quite strong.
He had no sincere intention of cooperating, but the opportunity to work with her offered one thing he couldn't refuse—proximity to his son, a chance to ensure his survival. Even if it meant maintaining a careful distance and pretending to comply, it was a small price to pay.
And it was this that Noriko understood all too well.
She let her statement linger in the air, the weight of her words sinking in. "I know I haven't always kept my part of the deal, but this time I have. Nyota is safe. And he's quite the promising prodigy. I look forward to making him one of my best."
Elwin rolled his eyes. Again, he grew annoyed with Noriko's seemingly unwavering praise for Nyota.
A pause filled the room, her voice softening but with a sinister undertone. "Surely, you understand. Can't afford risking a coup, now, can I?"
Orion groaned. "Are we done here?"
Noriko paused, placing a hand on her chin. "I suppose so. I've got nothing else for you at the moment."
She smiled, her expression shifting slightly. "Maybe now, you'll have a reason to stick around. I'd like to keep my eye on you, if you don't mind."
"Ciao!" Elwin waved with a smirk as Orion turned on a dime, marching toward the elevator, the EPSA officers trailing behind him.
"I can't believe it!" Orion raged to himself, his fists clenched in frustration. "She's toying with me. I should've expected this—Nyota's involvement in her schemes. But still…"
He paused, a bitter thought creeping in. "I'd challenge her, but… She'd kill him in an instant."
His gaze hardened, the weight of his helplessness sinking in.
"I have to take it slow."