The Devil Inside Ch. 11

[Shinobi]

Notes: In this chapter events start departing from the series. Hope you enjoy!



The Devil Inside
Chapter 11

Sousuke landed behind the intruder on Kaname?s balcony noiselessly. He covered the intruder?s mouth with his hand. ?Don?t move.? He whispered and dropped the assailant onto the balcony floor. With his knee pressed into the intruder?s back Sousuke tore off the mask covering the assailant?s face. ?Be silent if you wish to live.?

?I?m sorry!? The figure whispered. ?Please don?t kill me!?

Sousuke blinked. The voice sounded familiar. He checked the figure?s ID and was shocked to see it was one of his class mates. ?You?re Shinji Kazuma.? At the boy?s hesitant nod Sousuke continued his questioning, ?What are you doing here??

?Isn?t obvious? I-I?m a panty thief .? He shrugged or tried to at least.

?Hey seven, check out what?s in his hand.? Kurz instructed over the tac-net.

Sousuke brow furrowed, but he did as the blonde sergeant asked. ?What-?? He stared at the silken object in his hand.

?Panties! Pure-snow white panties!? Kurz sighed.

?Uh! Urzu-6, Urzu-7 stand down.? Melissa?s disgusted groan rang over the tac-net. ?God, I don?t get paid enough for this.?

?Urzu-6. I?m heading home. Seven, grab a pair for me on your way out!? Kurz chortled as he signed off.

Sousuke let his class-mate off the ground, but kept his weapon ready. ?Explain yourself.? He demanded.

?Sousuke?? Shinji adjusted his glasses. ?Is that you?? He gasped when the sergeant raised his weapon.

?I?m afraid your mistaken.? Sousuke warned. ?Now talk.?

?Well, I ?that is I wanted to get my negatives back!? Shinji finally blurted.

?Quiet!? Sousuke hissed and glanced at the interior of Kaname?s apartment. He could still hear the shower running and relaxed. ?What negatives??

?My photo negatives. The older students in photo club took them and wouldn?t give them back unless I stole some of Chidori?s panties.? Shinji explained dejectedly. ?They?re some of my best ones too.?

?Those son of a bitches! I kill them!? Crispin?s voice raged over the tac-net. Sousuke winced at the sound.

?God damn it, Judas-1! Clear the channel!? Melissa yelled.

?It was Toshi and Nokigawa wasn?t it? Wasn?t it?? The corporal roared. ?Ask him Sagara! Go ahead ask him!?

?Daniels, I told you to clear the line!? Melissa?s voice echoed and there was a crash followed by a loud impact.

Sousuke frowned and peered across the street. He was not sure, but it sounded like the Sgt. Major had physically removed Daniels from the transmitter in the safe house.

?Uh, Sousuke?? Shinji asked timidly. ?Is something wrong?? Maybe the others were right about Sousuke.

?No, everything?s fine.? Sousuke regarded the sixteen year old. ?You said the older students in your club forced you to do this??

?Yeah, uh, well mainly just the club president.? Shinji sighed.

?President?? Sousuke asked suddenly suspicious at Daniels words. ?Who?s your club president??

?Uh, N-Nokigawa.? Shinji stammered. ?You?re not going to?? He trailed off.

?Was Toshi involved too?? Sousuke asked in shock. ?How did Daniels know they were behind this?? He wondered.

?Toshi, from 3-2?? Shinji asked. ?No, I?ve never really met him. It was just Nokigawa, the club president. He said I?d get my negatives back when I brought him ?you know.? He nervously waved his hand around the balcony to indicate the object of his four-story climb. ?He said I needed the practice.?

At Sousuke?s wide-eyed look he quickly elaborated, ?Practice getting closer to my subjects! All my work is long shots. I don?t have any close-ups. But they won?t let me up close to the AS?s on the base.? He muttered the last.

?How does that help improve taking photographs?? Sousuke asked suspicious. He saw no camera on Kazama. Suddenly, Shinji?s last words clicked in Sousuke?s mind. ?AS photos??

?Yeah, I got shots of Arm Slaves in action from all over Japan!? Shinji gushed. ?I even got a shot of the new Marine Corps M6!?

?Really?? Sousuke asked in interest.

**

?Looks like a match made in heaven.? Melissa Mao chuckled as Sousuke and his class-mate fell into a discussion on the merits and flaws of the M6?s Rockwell fire system. A groan made her turn in irritation. ?Stop whining Daniels.?

?Damn! Was that really necessary?? Crispin sat up and glared at Melissa. He had been thrown against the wall opposite of the transmitter. ?That hurt ya know!?

?I told you to get off the line.? Melissa simply said. ?Be thankful I didn?t break your arm.?

?Heh, I would?ve paid to see that!? Kurz laughed as he strolled back into the safe house. He smirked down at the glowering corporal. ?Care for an encore Daniels??

?Screw you, Weber!? Crispin snapped and pulled himself up.

?DIE!?

All three Mithril agents jumped when a female voice rang out over the tac-net. They rushed to the window and saw a furious Kaname waving a bat and trying to hit Sousuke and Shinji. Sousuke managed to fend off most of her attacks until Shinji dropped over the side of the balcony. A few moments later Sousuke leapt over and used his line to rapidly descend to the ground. All the while Kaname was shouting and waving her bat. Dogs started barking and lights flicked on throughout the neighborhood.

?HAHAHA!? Crispin doubled over in laughter. ?Did you see that? Serves the fuckers right!? He ignored the dark looks Kurz and Melissa shot him as he roared in laughter. ?Thank you god!? He nearly wept for joy.

?Ugh! I don?t need this.? Melissa put her hand on her forehead. ?Kurz, go see if Sousuke?s still alive and get him back here.? Melissa ordered while she eyed Crispin in distaste. ?Daniels, shut up.? Thankfully, the AS engineer had calmed down and only let out the occasional chuckle.

?I?m on it.? Kurz nodded and headed out the door.

Melissa sighed and picked up the directional mic?s headset. ?When Kurz returns with Sousuke, I don?t want to hear a word out of you Daniels, got it?? She growled while monitoring Angel.

?I won?t say a word, Sgt. Major.? Crispin chuckled and held up his hands in surrender. ?I?ve seen enough to last me a life-time!? He chuckled again at the joyful image of a high-school girl beating the daylights out of the great Sousuke Sagara. As he chortled a sudden thought occurred to the AS engineer.

"Now, I know why Kyouko?s always got that camera with her."

**

?Well, if she didn?t before, Ms. Chidori definitely hates me now.? Sousuke sighed as Kurz applied bandages to his injuries.

?Do you blame her?? Crispin snapped. The AS mechanic was seated at the main table and regarded the younger sergeant contemptuously. ?I?d try to kill you too after the third or fourth time!?

?Third or fourth time?? Sousuke frowned.

?Weren?t you listening?? Crispin shot from his chair. ?This isn?t the first time they?ve tried this shit!? He was practically shouting in anger. At Sousuke?s stunned look he added, ?You really ARE a dumb ass!?

?Daniels.? Melissa growled in warning.

?Oh, get off your high horse Daniels!? Kurz snorted as he worked on Sousuke?s injuries. ?You?re hardly one to be taking the moral high ground.? He tapped off another bandage and shrugged. ?It?s a stupid, childish prank. No real harm done by it.?

?No real harm?? Crispin choked in rage. ?I?ll show you harm!? He advanced threateningly on the blonde-sergeant. ?They said she deserved it!? He yelled as he loomed over Kurz.

?Go ahead and try!? Kurz jumped to his feet. ?You?re one to talk about doing harm, Daniels!? He and the stocky mechanic glared at each other.

?Wait a minute!? Sousuke leapt between the two. Melissa was right beside him, trying to break them up as well. ?What are you talking about?? Sousuke asked Crispin after he and Melissa had pulled the two apart.

Crispin seethed as he glared at the dark-haired sergeant. The mechanic was flushed with anger and looked ready to fly into a violent rage. After several tense minutes he sighed and collapsed into a nearby chair.

?Toshi and Nokigawa. They tried to pressure me into doing the same thing my first week here.? He indicated Kaname?s apartment with his head. ?I told them to fuck off.? His hands clenched and his knuckles turned white. ?Bastards said it was tradition.? His voice fell to a whisper. ?Said she deserved it for being so high and mighty.?

?That?s bullshit!? Kurz snorted and shook his head in disgust. ?Kids these days.?

Melissa raised an eyebrow at her teammate. ?Weren?t you the one calling it a harmless prank?? The blonde sergeant looked ready to take some high-school kid?s head off.

?Hey, this isn?t the same thing!? Kurz said defensively. The whir of the fax interrupted him. Everyone watched as Melissa tore the sheet from the machine and read the latest message from TDD-1.

?It?s from the Old Man,? She explained. ?It says the enemy?s research facility has been destroyed. Angel is no longer in danger.? She looked up, ?Our assignment is over.?

?What?? Crispin cried. ?It can?t be over!?

Sousuke stared at Melissa, unsure what he felt when Kurz slapped him on the back.

?What a shame!? The blonde pilot said with mock sympathy. ?It was such a short lived romance.? He grinned at Crispin, ?And it looks like you?re going back to the stockade Daniels.? Kurz snickered at the thought.

?Fuck off, Weber!? Crispin growled in warning. He was about to stand when a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He looked up to see Melissa glaring at Kurz.

?Knock it off Weber! That was uncalled for.? Melissa snapped. The last thing she needed was her teammate ticking off Daniels.

?When are we expected back?? Sousuke asked.

?Hold on.? Melissa shoved Crispin back down. ?I?m not finished.? She waved the piece of paper she held to emphasize her point. After the others had quieted she continued, ?The mission is complete and you each have one weeks leave.?

?A week off, that rocks!? Kurz whooped.

?Sousuke, you are to continue with your school trip as planned.? Melissa smiled over Kurz?s excitement. ?You too Daniels.? Seeing both teens stunned looks she read from the orders. ?The fee has been paid and you should make the most of it.? She smirked at the dumbfounded Sousuke, ?I know it?ll be hard, but try to control yourself at the beach. No panty stealing, got that Sagara??

Sousuke snapped to attention. ?Of course, I understand.? At Melissa?s laugh he frowned.

?It was a joke Sousuke!? The female Sgt. Major shook her head. Kurz laughed and Crispin muttered something under his breath.

?I understand.? Sousuke said. Actually, he did not.

?Is there anything else?? Crispin asked. ?In the orders.?

?No, that?s it. Why?? Melissa scanned the sheet of paper to make certain and shook her head negative.

?I-I just thought there?d be more.? Crispin shrugged and slouched in his chair. He was surprised by the orders. He at least expected there to be some kind of demand for a status report on the data he?d received. ?What are you up to Old Man?? Crispin thought darkly.

**

?Class two! Form a line over here please!? Kaname called out the next day, at Narita Airport. Everywhere students of Jindai High were milling about saying goodbye to families and friends before their trip to Okinawa. ?Class two! Over here please!? Other class representatives were calling out for their classes to begin lining up as well.

?Ms. Chidori, I have a question.? Sousuke ran up to the blue-haired girl. ?Should I collect everyone?s trash while they?re still onboard the aircraft, or would it be better to collect it after they depart??

?Don?t talk to me!? Kaname whirled on the dark-haired sergeant. ?Can?t you see I?m busy!? She stormed off before Sousuke could say anything.

Sousuke stared at Kaname as she gathered up the members of their class. Her harsh words bothered him and he did not understand why.

?Well, I guess she?s still mad.? Shinji Kazama said conversationally and looked at Sousuke. ?How would you feel if you found two guys chatting on your balcony holding your panties??

?I?d kick your ass.? A voice growled behind them.

?Eek!? Shinji turned and saw the glowering form of Crispin Daniels from 3-5. He jumped behind Sousuke for safety. He had heard disturbing things about the American from his club president.

Sousuke regarded the mechanic warily. ?What do you want Daniels??

?Just here to chat, Sagara.? Crispin drawled. He snorted when the sergeant?s eyes narrowed dangerously. ?Can the act, Sagara. Nobody?s impressed by it.? He smirked and glanced at the nervous Shinji, ?Well except maybe your little girlfriend here.?

?Hey!? Shinji weakly protested.

?Say what you have to say Daniels.? Sousuke said in a low voice. Crispin?s grin widened. Without warning his fist shot out straight for Sousuke?s face. The Mithril Sergeant caught it in his own hand and stopped puzzled.

?Enjoy your trip Sagara.? Crispin chortled and walked away. Sousuke stared at his hand that caught the mechanic?s fist.

?What was that about?? Shinji asked worriedly. Seeing the dark-haired boy?s puzzled frown he became concerned. ?Is something wrong?? Sousuke looked up and held his hand out for the smaller boy to see. Shinji peered at the proffered hand and gasped. ?My negatives!?

In Sousuke?s hands were two rolls of film.

**

?So when do I get to check out the new suit?? Crispin mocked leered as he approached Kaname. He grunted when the girl elbowed him in the ribs.

?How about never!? Kaname said and pointed the class banner she carried at him. ?You?re going to have to work on your pick up lines if you want to get anything more than the time of day from a girl.? She regarded him critically. ?I?d suggest one of the local girls, none of them know what your like. You might actually have a chance with them.?

?I don?t know, I got more than the time of day from you just now.? Crispin said with a smile.

?Please,? Kaname scoffed. ?I?d have to be dead before I dated you.? She smiled as the stocky boy sputtered indignantly. ?And you should be lining up with your own class!? She pointed her banner at the area where 3-5 was gathering. ?Move it or lose it mister! And stop bothering me. Unlike you, I have responsibilities.? She said the last with a sniff.

?Yeah, yeah.? Crispin said. ?I?ll let you get back to your whip cracking!? He laughed and barely dodged her retaliatory swipe. ?Later!? He waved as he walked away.

?Wait!? A female voice called out to Crispin. He turned and saw Kyouko running up toward him. She smiled and brought her camera and snapped a picture of his face.

?Argh!? Crispin cried out as spots danced before his eyes. ?What was that for??

?Have a good flight, Cris!? Kyouko laughed happily and ran back to her place in line. She waved at him as he scowled.

?Don?t call me that!? Crispin called out. He turned and waved over his shoulder at the overly hyper camera girl. ?I should?ve gone for the lower watt flash!? He thought darkly.

**

?Uh, Sousuke you okay?? Shinji asked again.

The Mithril sergeant was staring intently at Kaname as she and Crispin conversed happily. He scowled when they laughed. And his fist clenched when Kaname took a playful swipe at the mechanic.

?You don?t like that guy very much, do you Sousuke?? Shinji asked in surprise. Sousuke was a pretty easy going guy but now he looked furious.

?No I don?t.? Sousuke admitted through clenched teeth. He blinked surprised at himself. The sergeant willed himself to relax. Seeing Chidori and Daniels speaking so familiarly bothered Sousuke a lot. The question was? why?

**

?What do you mean I?ve been bumped?? Gauron fought down the irritation he felt at the stupid woman at the airport check in terminal.

?I?m very sorry sir. Flight 903 has been filled beyond capacity.? The girl bowed to the glowering mercenary. ?A high-school trip needed more seats?? She jumped when Gauron slapped his hand on the counter.

?You?re telling me, I?ve being bumped so some whiny teenagers can frolic in the sun?? He leaned over the girl and growled. At the girl?s whimper he leaned back and gave her a predatory grin. ?I have a very important business meeting to attend. I hope you can understand this is very upsetting for me.? He bared his teeth at the woman.

?Y-yes sir! I?m very sorry.? She trembled. Somehow the dark man was more frightening when he smiled. ?Would you,? She hesitated to ask, ?would you like to speak with my supervisor??

?Yes, I would like that very much.? Gauron smiled dangerously.

**

Fifteen minutes later, a furious Gauron stalked out of the airport terminal. The supervisor had been very conciliatory but ultimately unable to do anything but offer him a ticket on the next available flight to Naha. Having little choice, the mercenary accepted. However, the flight would not leave until 6:30 p.m.

?Damn!? He cursed as he walked to a black sedan parked outside the terminal. As he approached a tall dangerous looking man stepped out of the car. The man?s head was shaved on the sides, leaving only a close cropped layer of hair on the top.

?Shouldn?t you be on a plane?? The man asked conversationally.

?I got bumped.? Gauron explained. He was about to say more when his cell-phone rang. He frowned and pulled it out. ?It?s me.? Gauron spoke into the receiver.

?Gauron! You?ve failed!? Koh, the representative of the Khanka government, was extremely upset. ?My government does not tolerate fools! Do not think we will-?

?Who says I?ve failed.? Gauron interrupted the tirade coolly. ?This is just a little setback. Even the best-laid plans suffer them time-to-time.?

?I?m not interested in your excuses!?

?Please. We?re both professionals. There?s no need to yell. In fact, I?ve already set my fail-safe into motion.? The mercenary nodded at his companion and then slid into the sedan. Once inside, his companion got into the driver?s seat and pulled the car out of the airport terminal.

?Fail-safe? We never discussed anything about-?

?Do you want the girl or not?? Gauron countered briskly. He was tired of this fool?s tirade. ?If not, I?ll be on my way and make the both of us happier.? Gauron would too. He had been paid a hefty retainer fee for his services. So if forced to walk he would not do so at any financial loss. And of course, there were always other?s willing to pay for the secrets of the Whispered.

?No, that won?t be necessary.? Koh sighed and asked, ?What did you have in mind??

?I knew you?d see things my way.? Gauron spoke as they exited the airport. ?But I have to be honest. The risk factor is going to be a little more intensive, but I believe the pay off is well worth the effort.? He smiled, ?So if you don?t mind, I?m going to need your government to make a few arrangements.?

End Chapter 11.






The Devil Inside-Glossary of Terms


MCMJ -Mithril Code of Military Justice. Basically the legal code and rules of conduct all Mithril personal are subject to.

CO - Commanding Officer (This is actually used by the US military)

MCF- Mithril Correctional Facility. Most ships and bases have their own brigs or jails, but those are only designed to keep a prisoner for a short period of time. The MCF serves as Mithril?s more permanent jail. It?s used to hold those who are awaiting their hearing or trail, and for those who?ve been sentenced for longer than a month, to a maximum sentence of a year or two.

MDC- Mithril Detention Center - basically prison. This is where Mithril throw's their hard-cases and long terms sentences. It's a great place where you get to spend twelve hours a day making little rocks out of big rocks. Sounds fun doesn't it?
Basically, think of it as Mithril's equivalent to Ft. Lebonworth.

Old Man - just an affectionate way the soldiers of Mithril have of referring to Kalinin. Of course, they'd never address him like that!

LP/OP ?Listing Post and Observation Post.

FARP ?Fuel And Rearming Point. It?s a forward staging area combat-vehicles (such as an Arm-Slave) can use without having to leave the combat zone.

Mikes ?short-hand for minutes.

ETA ?Estimated Time of Arrival

Hawkeye ?Refers to a US radar plane. The Hawkeye usually flies ahead of a US naval task force (among other things) and gathers useful information about the area and reports it back.

AS- Arm Slave. Ya know, those big freaking robots Sousuke and the others pilot.

SRT- Special Response Team. Sousuke, Melissa, and Kurz are member of Mithril?s SRTs. The way I look at it, the Special Response Teams are Mithril?s equivalent of Special Forces. They do many of the same tasks as special forces: Recon. Infiltration. Sabotage. Lightning raids, Hostage rescue, and assorted other tasks.

MOTC ? Mithril?s Officer Training Course. Most military organizations have additional requirements for their officers besides just time in service and demonstrated ability. Most officers under go specific and grueling training and are usually required to have a four year college degree of some kind.

M9- Called the ?Gernsback? it?s the AS used by Mithril. Considered the next generation of AS.

M6- the AS used by the US Military.

RK-92- Soviet era Arm Slave. To quote Sousuke. ?Move you Soviet-made piece of Junk!?

Ninety-six- refers to the ASG 96-B manufactured by Bofors. It?s a 57 mm smooth-bore rifle and part of the M9?s standard armament. It?s the rifle Kurz used in episode five during his duel with Gauron.

NCOIC- Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge. It refers to the highest ranking enlisted person within a unit. In the case of Crispin?s orders it refers to Melissa.

DI ?Drill Instructor. Another way of referring to a Drill Sergeant.

SitRep- Situation Report. Basically a quick run down of what your situation in a field (or combat) environment.

WA2000- very high-quality German sniper rifle. Considered by some to be one of the best in the world. It?s only down side is its weight. (16 lbs) and cost. It?s highly customizable and sleek in design. It seemed appropriate for Kurz to use. Though I think the one he?s shown actually using is a PGS-1(another German rifle). I?m not certain.

Tac-Net- Tactical Network. A radio network set up and used by members of the same unit during tactical (i.e. combat) situations.

HE- High Explosive.

Fifty Cal ? short hand for fifty caliber. Which is the size of a heavy machine gun. A machine gun this large must be mounted on a tripod or vehicle in order to fire it. A fifty caliber round is about six inches long and can tear a man in half, and it can also destroy trucks, light armored vehicles and buildings.

NVGs -- Night Vision Goggles

EOD ? Explosive Ordinance Disposal

FTX ?Field Training Exercise.

Gunny- Short for Gunnery Sergeant. It?s an advanced NCO rank in the Marine Corps

Shiwa Statue ?those Lion statues you?ll see in front of temples and important buildings. There supposed to be guardian spirits and they are very prominent in Okinawa.

[pilot03]

Excellent!!! I wonder how these changes are going to affect the story? Anyways, very well written chapter and I can't wait for the next. Good Work.

[necowaffer]

I wonder what will happen now that Gauron didn't get on the plane. I'm excitedly waiting for the next chapter.