The helicopter blades whirled over the moonlit waves of the South Pacific Ocean. Siana paced back and forth, mission briefing in hand.
Siana: Let's go over this one last time.
Six simultaneous groans filled the cabin of the helicopter.
Seigan: Siana, you've made us go over this a thousand times, and we only got the briefing three days ago!
Inezo: Seriously, each one of us could probably recap the mission in our sleep.
Siana: Then you'll have no issue doing it once more. But since you're so confident, I expect no hesitation in your answers. Now, Sakiko, where are we currently flying to?
Sakiko: A coastal town called Puerto Sombra in Western Peru!
Siana: Correct, and Akida, why are we flying there?
Akida: We're to apprehend a trafficker.
Siana: Two in a row, well done. Seigan, the trafficker's name is?
Seigan: No official name on record he simply goes by "White Veil"
Siana: Tamiko, what should you do your best to avoid when infiltrating his mansion?
Tamiko: Guards, Traps, and Cameras.
Siana: Perfect! Lastly, Takuro and Inezo, what are the two main objectives of this mission?
Inezo: To capture "White Veil"...
Takuro: …And liberate any hostages!
Siana: See that wasn't so bad, you got it done quickly.
Seigan: If I might ask Siana, why are all of us going on this mission? If he's just a normal guy then wouldn't two or three of us be enough?
Siana: That's fair but this is your first mission, you may think you've got it handled but the field is unpredictable. So having all of you here knocks out two birds with one stone.
Siana: [And it's safer…this trafficker came out of nowhere, he amassed manpower and a large amount of funds within two months. Something is amiss here.]
Sakiko: I have to say though, I love these mission outfits, Siana!
Siana: Aw thanks, I spent a good few hours workshopping the design.
Sakiko: The time was worth it! I especially love these bomber jackets, the cargoes are nice too of course, my only complaint is that they're all black.
Akida: You do realize we're supposed to be a stealth squad right? We can't go walking around in rainbow shirts and polka dot pants.
Sakiko: I know, I know, it's still a bummer.
Tamiko: Would the town's locals be of any help?
Siana: No, to cover for his trafficking he also imports and exports things like seafood and olive oil. The locals probably have their suspicions, but would rather stay safe.
The pilot's voice cut in as the intercom buzzed, he paged Siana to the cockpit.
Takuro: This mission really doesn't sound too bad.
Sakiko: Yeah! With all the training we've done it should be a breeze.
Siana re-entered the cabin as the helicopter began to descend.
Siana: One more thing before we land…
The helicopter touched down on the outskirts of a forest. Siana gave the pilot a hand signal as he flew off.
Siana: Alright, from here on out it's up to you six.
Sakiko: What?!
Inezo: You're not coming with us?
Siana: I'll be observing from nearby, in the future I won't be able to go with you for every mission, you'll need to be able to handle things yourselves.
Tamiko: Makes sense, I imagine even now you have better things to do than being here with us.
Siana: That might be true…But I still would've come anyway.
Akida: Aww, how sweet.
Siana: Yeah yeah, the mansion is south of here. Tamiko, hang back for a second. You five get moving, and no eavesdropping Seigan.
Seigan: I know!
The group began their walk towards White Veil's mansion, and the trees were dense leaving little room for moonlight to break through.
Sakiko: Geez, why couldn't one of us get a light Blessing?
Inezo: That could risk giving our positions away, we don't know who else is in this forest.
Seigan: Especially with the rain that's about to start.
Takuro: Did you look at the forecast or something?
Seigan: I can hear the thunder.
Tamiko: It does smell like rain.
Sakiko: AHHH!
Akida: Tamiko?!
Tamiko: Yes?
Akida: Don't "yes" me, how long have you been back there?
Tamiko: Not very long, just as Kiko was talking about a light-based Blessing.
Takuro: And you just sat in silence?!
Tamiko: Yes. Not noticing me really shows how much your training did, Seigan Atasa, you realized I was there didn't you?
Seigan: Yeah, I picked up your footsteps –
Seigan's head snapped back towards the direction of the mansion.
Inezo: What's wrong?
Seigan: Someone's coming, no… It's three people and a dog.
Takuro: Everybody hide!
All six of them leaped into the trees above watching the path through leaves and branches, the rain began falling as the unknown group came into earshot.
Just as Seigan said there were three people and a dog, two of them were outfitted in tactical gear and had heavy weaponry, the third was dressed differently, he was dressed like a prisoner.
Inezo: [Shackles on his legs, arms, and around his neck.]
Minus: [Look at those guns, those would definitely huuuurrrtt.]
Xena: [Sakiko, I feel I shouldn't have to tell you this but, you can't take a hit from guns yet.]
Sakiko: [I wasn't really planning on it…]
Guard #31: Can't believe we got stuck with this job, couldn't they make someone else do the grunt work? 30 Why aren't you angry?!
Guard #30: Because, I understand that this job falls to us as the newest members of "Los Que No Sienten*" Soon enough we'll be above taking dogs for walks and getting rid of old goods. Speaking of, this should be far enough right?
Guard #31: I don't care, we could let this guy go free and the boss wouldn't know a thing! All he does is sit in his office all day, you know I once told him the tunnel entrance in the shed broke, the fatass didn't even bother checking himself, he just sent #2.
The dog's nose twitched, it raised its head towards the tree line, and began barking relentlessly.
Guard #31: Look, they don't even train their dogs, stupid mutt is barking at nothing. Just shoot the guy so we can get out of this rain.
Guard #30 dropped the chained man to his knees pressing the rifle barrel to the back of his head, from the corner of his eye he saw the moonlight reflecting off something from the tree line, as he turned to look, a purple blur flew towards him.
Takuro: Arto style sword technique - White Flame Sever!
Takuro shot from the trees and delivered a slash to both of the guards' necks; the dog, now free, jumped at Takuro.
Tamiko dropped from her position, tackling the dog before effortlessly positioning it in a sleeper hold.
Inezo: You couldn't wait longer? Those guys were feeding us free information.
Akida: Seriously, they were doing half our job for us.
Takuro: They were going to kill this guy, you just wanted me to sit back and watch.
Tamiko: I don't understand your logic, you've seen people die before. You just killed two people yourself, why save this person you don't know?
Takuro: I shouldn't have to explain myself for saving someone's life! Besides, I used the back side of my blade, they're just unconscious.
Seigan: This is weird though.
Seigan crouched down, he inspected the gear of the two men.
Inezo: What?
Seigan: Look at the gear they've got, I understand they're traffickers but this is paramilitary-level equipment.
Tamiko slowly placed the dog on the ground, moving next to Seigan to take a closer look at one of the rifles. She narrowed her eyes further every time she saw a different attachment.
Akida: Hey, you coherent enough to understand speech?
Akida looked over at the prisoner still chained up on his knees.
Prisoner: I…don't understand.
Akida: Great, he speaks English, Atasa tell him to get out of here.
Seigan: We were taught English in school…
Akida: Sure, but isn't your English perfect thanks to your blessing?
Sonia: [She's right you know.]
Seigan: [You're not helping.]
Seigan broke the shackles off the man, he then pointed him in the direction they came from. While the six of them continued towards the mansion.
The trees finally stopped as the mansion came into view. Shadows could be seen moving around the rooftop, each one occasionally stopping to look over the edge of the building.
Sakiko: This place doesn't look hard to get into.
Seigan: We should just take out the guards on the roof, easy access and if things go south it's also an easy exit.
Akida: I'd rather not have things go south on our first mission, look over there.
Akida directed their attention towards a small shed sitting at the back of the mansion.
Akida: I bet that's where the tunnel entrance is. It'll be quieter and the people White Veil has locked up are somewhere down there.
Seigan: We don't have a clue how many guards are in those tunnels. If we get caught White Veil might just collapse them on us! Just admit you don't want to agree with my good idea!
Akida: I don't have any issue agreeing with you, but I'll only do it when you actually have a good idea!
Tamiko and Sakiko exchanged glances; Inezo pinched the bridge of his nose. The tension was continuing to rise, until a smirk formed on Seigan's face.
Seigan: Fine, you can take the twins and go through the tunnels, Inezo, Takuro, and I will go in through the roof.
Takuro: Whoa wait, splitting up is not the play here.
Sakiko: Takuro's right, if this could be handled with a group of three, then they would've only sent a group of three.
Akida: That's the best idea you've ever had Atasa, just make sure you tell Siana what happened once the mission's over. C'mon, you two.
Akida jumped from the tree, starting her approach towards the shed. Tamiko followed shortly after.
Sakiko: Hey, wait! We're a team!
Takuro: Sakiko go, we'll meet up after.
Inezo: Yeah, don't leave those two by themselves.
Sakiko hesitated once more before she dropped. The three boys all carefully watched the shadows on the roof move about.
Inezo: Now that we're down half our battle power, I hope you have a plan to get up there.
Seigan: Jump?
Inezo: …Of course.
Seigan: Now we just have to figure out where to jump up at…
Takuro: Follow me.
The boys make it to the edge of the mansion undetected, Takuro had positioned them under the helicopter pad. Flames erupted as Takuro created a katana.
Takuro: Do what I do.
Takuro popped up, stabbing the katana halfway up the wall. He fell back to the ground and bounced back up, this time using the sword as a foothold and launching onto the helipad.
Inzeo: Show-off…
Seigan and Inezo both followed after him, the three of them hiding behind the traffickers' luxury helicopter, occasionally peaking out to get a read on the guards' positions.
Takuro: Seigan, can you tell us how many of them are up here?
Seigan: four, they're circling the roof, they take pauses each time they hit a corner.
Takuro: We can move the next time they stop, each of us could take one easily but what about the fourth guy…?
Inezo: Takuro, you take the guy closest to us on the left. I'll take the guy far left. Seigan, you're the fastest one here, you've got to get the guy close right by the door; then quickly get the guy far right as well.
Seigan: Sounds like a plan.
Inezo: We'll go once they stop walking again, on your mark.
Seigan: 3…2…1…Go!
The trio exploded from behind the helicopter, Takuro's flames roared to life as he created another Katana, incapacitating the left guard as the heavy rain poured. Inezo dashed by him, two clones by his side, they piled onto the guard surveying the open space beyond the mansion.
Seigan: [Sonia, I can use a clap here right? It would be covered by the rain and thunder.]
Sonia: [Oh yeah, look at you using your brain.]
Seigan:Sound Amplification - Clap
The clap wasn't loud. But it was heavy, the pulse hit the guard, slamming him against the wall in one powerful note.
Guard #8: Hey! Stay where you are!
The guard Seigan was supposed to take on next was already looking at him, his rifle steady in his hands. As his finger started pressing the trigger a light punch to his back stole the guard's attention.
Guard #8: The Hell?!
Inezo 2: Aw crap…
Guard #8: Stupid brat! A punch like that won't hurt nobody!
Seigan: How about a dropkick like this?!
Both of Seigan's feet collided with the Guard's left arm, his enhanced hearing picked up the sound of the bone shattering, the force sent the man flying off the mansion.
Seigan: Thanks Inezo, you really saved my ass.
Inezo 2: No problem.
Inezo's clone faded away with a wave and a small smile.
Takuro: That was awesome guys! This trafficker won't know what hit 'em!
The boys descended the stairs from the rooftop, stopping at the interior door.
Takuro: Why'd we stop what's wrong?
Seigan: There's guards walking away, we'll get caught if we go out now.
Inezo: Well are they saying anything?
Seigan: I'm trying to listen, hold up.
One of the guards walking away picked up his radio.
Guard #5: This is 5, go ahead.
Guard #4: Meet me over by the tunnel entrance on the first floor. We've got reports of some of the security cameras blacking out.
Guard #5: Those things are always breaking. Copy that, me and 6 are on the way.