37 Hopelessness (1/2)

The next day, everyone gathered on the first floor. The Hell's Fury and the Pirates sat on the bar. Chiho sat beside them while the others went for the tables. ”So, what's your next move?” Chiho asked, Chris repeated the question to Anne. ”I contacted Mark at midnight and told him that we will be returning today. So we'll need to get going soon” Anne said and Chris translated her response back. ”I see. Then we can go back there together. We also need to return to the base, Gentaro-san deployed some of his soldiers back there to retake the forward bases” Chiho nodded. Suddenly, the radio from Anne's coat began making erratic noises, then a voice reached out. ”Hello? Chiho? My radio caught your signal from back there at Saiju” It was Takumi's voice.

Anne was about to panic but Chiho gestured her that it's okay. Anne took the radio out. ”Takumi, the Westerns are the ones carrying the radio. Mark gave it to them” Chiho answered. ”Ah, the Americans... Yeah, sure. We're on our way there to get you. The soldiers said that you are running late and asked us to get you” Takumi said. ”Are we? Sorry for that” Chiho lazily apologized. ”We slept at one o'clock and woke up at four to work again. You are the Daughter of the Hero! You should be the one sleep-deprived!” Takumi sounded so pissed off. ”We're working our asses here-” ”Turn it off” Takumi kept scolding from the radio and Chiho told Anne to turn off the radio. Chris quickly reached for the radio. ”-this is some-!” Takumi's voice was cut off as Chris pressed the button. ”Whoever that was, she sure sounds so pissed off” Anne said as she hid back the radio in her coat. ”I think it's those friendly ones...” Chris guessed. ”Friendly ones?” Anne looked at her. ”Friendly Prohorovkans” Chris sighed. ”Ah. Why do you look annoyed?” Anne glared at her and Chris looked away. ”May I ask why there are some Prohorovkans on your side?” She asked Chiho. ”Ah. Let's just say, they are the good guys, who joined their Organization without knowing their actual goals” Chiho shrugged. Chris wasn't sure what to say. ”So... they are rebelling against their own? How could you convince these people?” She asked. ”Uh... They went on their own, t-their story is very confusing and complicated...” Chiho showed a frustrated look. ”Is there any chance that they are aliens?” Chris asked, bringing everyone's attention. ”They might be alien in disguise” Mariko said. Despite how unserious the question is, Chiho still thinks if it's true. ”I wonder. Aliens don't talk right?” Chiho asked. ”They do. They have mouths or if they don't, they use telepathy” Ayumi joined.

”Whatever you guys think, I don't think they're aliens. I know how the stories and fantasies describe the aliens, I don't see anything wrong with them” Mariko said. ”I also get to touch Takumi's hands by accident sometimes, they are warm, like ours” She shrugged. ”Dann Touchu's stories about the aliens isn't true at all! Mary Samwell's stories of aliens are much truer!” Ayumi shouted at her. ”I ain't believing in the Western shit! How can you side with them against our works?!” Mariko shouted back, silencing Ayumi. Without any further conversation, the topic dropped off. ”Y'all are finished? Where are the foods at? We need to get going soon, them Prohorovkans would get too suspicious if we don't move quick” Anne said to Chris. Then Chris turned to the kitchen then to the people behind her then back to Anne. ”There are other customers, Anne. Alice can't serve all these people at o-” ”I'm sorry for waiting!” Alice shouted as she happily appeared from the kitchen carrying a medium tray of four plates. She approached Chris' group and gave them their food. ”Thanks, Alice. By the way...” Chris thanked her little sister and remembered something. Alice stayed, waiting for her to say it. ”When are you going home, back to the West?” Chris asked in Tsuchiyan. Alice appeared happy about the question. ”Father said that I can live here and continue my duties here at Saiju. I will stay here, I love it here!” Alice smiled. ”I see” Chris was happy to hear her decision. ”Hey, speak English, damn...” Anne whispered, looking uncomfortable. But Chris just smiled at her, feeling bad. ”Do they know yet?” Chris asked Alice. ”Yeah, we talked about it before I went here” Alice nodded. ”I see” Chris also nodded. Then Alice went closer to her. ”Will you stay here too, sister?” Alice eagerly waits for her answer. ”Sure” Chris gave no second thought and responded a yes. Alice giggled and happily hops back towards the kitchen. ”Ali-chan changed so much...” They heard Suzuka at her usual spot speak. After that, they started eating their breakfast.

”One of the things I love in Alice is she's not a picky person when it comes to the environments. Despite growing up in rich and expensive land, she still enjoys staying everywhere. You know what I mean?” Chris said to Anne. ”Yeah. She's not one of those rich bastards, daughters of rich fucks who are disgusted on everything below them” Anne strongly agreed. ”Yes. I had one friend who is also the daughter of a rich family. If my memory serves right, she's from the Davis family” ”The Davis?!” Anne shouted as soon as Chris mentioned the name. ”Those are the fucks who alarmed the fucking navy on our raid on the Belovan port!” Anne said. ”Yes, I still haven't forgotten about that” Chris smiled as she scratches her head. ”I was also enraged when I heard the Davis too. I remembered that bitch all of a sudden. She and her fake beauty” Chris looked a little pissed off. ”Hahaha!” Anne laughed as Chris used insulting words. ”Maria Davis. A beautiful name, a beautiful face. Golden hair and clear blue eyes yet bitch attitude” Chris and Anne laughed together. ”Also a fucking cunt who plays with the boys. She would mess with the guys who confess their feelings to her. I remembered that one guy, he looked so innocent and cute yet full of courage... Maria baited that guy and public-shamed him of his life. She's awful” Chris said. ”If I ever find her again, I will kidnap and make her our pirates' properties” Chris mischievously smiled at Anne. ”Aye! We'll get that bitch cunt and start the fucking!” Anne happily shouted.

”Thank you” A young male thanked Alice as she gives him his food. ”...Ma'am?” He called Alice who was not letting go of the plate as she overheard her big sister's conversation.

”It's been a while since I heard your... pirate accent or...” Chris wondered. ”Cuz ya see, 'dis woman be always wit' ye, lass!” Anne suddenly changed how she speaks. ”Ye influence me of how ya speak, Chris'o. And ye ne'er even born a pirate to go along wit' me, so why not right?” Anne winks then focused on her food and grabbed a bite. ”Aye, Captain” Chris giggled and ate. Anne raised her head and giggled while still munching her food. As she gulps them, ”I really don't give a dam' 'bout it. Do ya? Christina?” Anne asked without turning to her. ”Don't call me that. I was just worried” Chris said. ”Huh? Worried 'bout what? Ya worried even 'bout how I speak?” Anne sounded a little irritated. ”I thought you were being forced out of your habits or something...” Chris said. ”Ah. Don't worry, geez. It's fine for me to speak like this” Anne laughed. They talked for a while as they finish their dish. ”Damn. Alice sure does cook good foods” Anne said as she looks at her plate. Alice, who stepped out of the kitchen after serving all the customers, approached them. ”Are you two going now?” Alice asked in Tsuchiyan language. ”Yeah. The Prohorovkans are waiting for us” Chris answered with the same language. ”Be careful... and come back, will you?” Alice asked for a promise. ”Look. I'm not sure if we can go back here whenever I want. If we broke my cover, the west will be exposed and targeted by the Prohorovkans. We must be cautious about meeting you guys here” Chris said. ”I... I see...” Alice weakly smiled. ”But, don't worry...” Chris stood up and pats her head. ”We will go back and see you if we got the chance, alright?” She said. Alice happily nodded in response.

”You're set? Let's get going” Anne stood up and ready to leave. ”You're ready to go?” Chiho asked the two. ”Yes” Chris nodded and left with Anne. Alice happily hops back to the Kitchen. ”Hah. Alice sure is happy about her sister. She suddenly became a different person” Mariko giggled. ”Okay! Let's go!” She then stood up and catches up with Anne and Chris. ”Let's go, A...Ayumi...” Chiho looked to her side to see Ayumi about to finish rushing her food. She then grunts as she almost got choked on her own food and grabbed her water and drank it all. ”Ah!” She felt refreshed after washing her food down and immediately ran outside. ”...Her food wasn't-” ”AH!!!” Shu Fang spoke beside Chiho and she got startled. ”Geez, Shu Fang... Is it me or you're becoming more mysterious and well-hidden?” Chiho placed a hand on her chest to calm her down. ”...Huh?” Shu Fang was confused. On the outside, Mariko was showing off their R75 to the two Westerners, it was usually parked right next to the Inn. ”Chiho and that kid with the white hair stole this hot babe from the Prohorovkans back from the Tsuchiya!” Mariko boasted. ”They escaped with this beauty as they were getting shot at by a Tank!” She continued. ”Tank?! You mean Landships?!” Chris was surprised. ”Y-Yeah, I guess you can call it that... They have long... I think I remember hearing that those are Cannons...” Mariko said. ”Yes! Those! They already had Landships?!” Chris sounded impatient. ”Yeah, except, they call it Tank” Mariko nodded. Chris then translated everything Mariko said. ”Savages...” Anne reacted with a straight face as she stares at the R75.

”They look similar to the Hell Fury's bikes” She said. ”That's true. They were riding their bikes when we met, right? The designs are close enough” Chris said, Anne nodded on her. ”And they already had Landships... or Tanks, as they called them” She rubs her chin as she dives into deep thoughts. On the Inn's door, Chiho, Shu Fang and the Hell's Fury came out. ”They name their tanks different. For example, BT-7...” Mariko said. ”BT-7?” Chris repeated the name. ”Or Бетка (Betka), or Бетушка (Betushka), or Быстр... Бы... Быстр...Быстроходный...танк! (Bystr... By... Bystr...Bystrokhodnyy tank!)” Mariko said, almost bit her tongue. ”It's the lightest and fastest tank I've... or we have ride on. But they have bigger and stronger tanks” She said. ”They also have planes!” She added. ”Planes?! Aircraft?! Aviation?!” Chris was very surprised, then she turned to Anne and said it in English. ”Say what now?! They flyin'?!” Anne was surprised as well. ”And it's not magic? But the technologies?!” Anne asked. Chris nodded in response. ”I still can't believe what I'm hearing right now... We're just inventing Aircraft!” Anne shouted. Chris turned to Mariko. ”Have you seen one?” She asked. ”Yeah. Remember that friendly Prohorovkan back at the base before? She's driving one and I shot her using a stolen weapon from them. That's how I met her. Then Chiho arrived and I agreed to go along with her” Mariko smiled at Chiho. ”So, you shot her aircraft and she went down? Then she, like, surrendered?” Chris asked. ”I wouldn't say she 'surrendered'. She willingly joined our side and betrays her organization” Mariko scratches her head. ”Hey, let's not waste any more time...” Anne said to Chris. She nodded and said to Mariko that they need to get going.

”Sure. You guys want a ride? Chiho can drive you there” Mariko asked Chris. ”Ah! No, no. We, uh, have to go somewhere here, so you go on ahead...!” Chris lied to reject her offer. ”Ah, alright. Take care then...” Mariko was a little bit disappointed and rode into the R75's sidecar in silence, the others hop on as well. Chiho started the engine and revs it up as if to test if it's working, then she looked at the two. ”You... sure you don't need a ride? They can just ask the soldiers to get them there...” Chiho asked one more. ”We're fine, really!” Chris lightly bowed in embarrassment. ”Okay. Take care then! See you there!” Chiho waved at them before she drives the R75 away. ”I wish I can also talk in that language” Riko spoke up. ”What do you call their language?” She asked Chris. ”Tsuchiyan...” Chris replied. ”Tsuchiyan, eh? It's that captured town, right?” Gabriel asked. ”Yeah. It is. It's heavily fortified by them Prohorovkans, according to the President...” Anne nodded. ”Come on, let's walk and talk” She started walking and they followed her. They were talking about the Tsuchiya as they walk, but they felt like someone was following them. ”Is it me, or this hooded motherfucker's been following us since from the Inn?!” Gabriel whispered to Riko. Riko, tired of feeling stalked, stopped, and faced the hooded person. ”Excuse me? Who might you be?” Despite her language, Riko asked the hooded person, who started giggling. ”What's so funny?!” Riko clenched her fists. Chris then went into Riko's side. ”Who are you?” She angrily asked the hooded person.

The hooded person then moved their head up to look at them. Then they took the hood off, revealing a girl's face and her black hair and black eyes. ”So, you have been telling us lies this whole time?” She spoke in Japanese and focused on Chris. ”What?!” Chris was surprised. ”Hey, what is she saying?!” Riko shouted but Chris gestured her to remain quiet. ”I've been spying on you since you left Shichiro's office...” She said, greatly shocking Chris. ”This girl, guys...! She's one of them!” She said to them. ”Fuck! Get her!” Anne shouted and Riko and Gabriel charged to capture the Prohorovkan. The girl smiled as she watches them charge. Gabriel was the nearest one to be able to lay a hand on her, however, the girl moved to her left and pushed Gabriel against Riko. The girl's push was powerful, the two fell on the ground. Seeing the two fall on to the ground, Anne unsheathes her sword and ran forward. She stood in front of the two. ”Это поединок...” The girl said as she reveals her right blade. ”Я тебя порежу!” She grins widely. ”S-She's speaking a different language, Anne! I can't understand her!” Chris warned her. ”It's alright! I just have to take her down!” Anne shouted. ”Let's do this, motherfucker!” She smiled as she stares at the girl's eyes. The girl nodded and readies. Then Anne wasted any more time and rushed ahead. She thrusts her sword directly to her neck, but the girl swiftly moved her head left and nimbly slashed Anne's right leg as she moves away. Anne grunts and gritted her teeth in pain.

”Anne!” Chris shouted as she saw her hurt. She unsheathes her blade and quickly ran to her side. ”This is a duel...” The girl spreads her arms, looking quite annoyed. ”So, she was asking you for a duel...” Chris said. ”A fucking duel, huh?!” Anne was hyped. ”Leave it to me, Chris! I will make sure to take her down!” She said. ”Be careful, Anne...” Riko said as she helps Gabriel up. ”That push alone shows how powerful she is... It's unnatural!” Gabriel said. Anne was getting anxious about hearing their words, but put those aside and still bravely faced the girl. ”C'mon, Chris. I ain't turning down anyone's challenge” Anne said. Having no choice, Chris lowered her sword and moved to the side. ”Don't disturb us...” The girl said as she swings her right arm as intimidation. People are starting to notice them, despite that, they continued. ”I can aim to your knee this time and make you unable to stand” The girl said. ”Anne, she said something about your knee, don't let her hit your knee anymore or you wouldn't be able to fight properly!” Chris warned her. ”Yeah! I know that!” Anne nodded. Then she made a stance and slowly made her way near the girl. ”Haa!” Anne throws a slashing attack and the girl avoided it. Anne continues her attack by thrusting her sword, the girl sways her sword away. ”Hey... why don't we just group up against her?!” Riko asked as she pulled out a 1911 pistol. She held the pistol with her right hand and aimed at the girl.

Gabriel then pulled out hers and also aimed at the girl. ”Careful with your guns!” Chris warned. ”We know how to use these...” Riko said. Anne was throwing her attacks when the girl notices their guns pointed. ”Anne! Move it!” Riko shouted. Anne quickly moved away, leaving the girl open for their gunfire. Before the two could pull the trigger, the girl took out two PPS-43 and aimed at both of them. ”Where did those come from?!” Seeing a machine gun, Riko felt overwhelmed. ”Don't you even try!” Anne ran on the girl's side. Chris ran to her other side, surrounding her completely. ”Filthy people... Do you even know what a fair fight is?” The girl gave a disgusted look. ”Your powers are already unfair to begin with!” Chris shouted. The girl glanced at her. ”Did you see me use it against her?” She asked without leaving her eyes on the two. ”What did she said, Chris?” Anne asked. ”About fair fight...” Chris responded. ”Fair fight?! A military-trained against punks?! Where's a fair fight there, you fucking cunt!” Riko shouted at the girl. People are starting to come and few soldiers went running from their left. ”Hey! Hold it right there!” One of them shouted. ”Tch...!” The girl looked at them. ”Now!” Riko shouted and they both fired at the girl. The girl struggled and opened fire. Riko and Gabriel ran and separated themselves. ”Kh...!” The girl couldn't stay her fingers on the triggers and had to teleport away. ”The bastard's gone!” Anne shouted. ”Fucking coward!” Riko shouted. ”Drop your weapons!” The soldiers unsheathed their soldiers and watched them carefully. ”We just drove a fucking spy out of your home!” Anne shouted. ”Shh!” Chris scolded her and walked in front of the soldiers.

”We are the people sent by the West! Calm yourselves!” Chris shouted. ”The West?!” The lead soldier said. Then they lowered their swords. ”Who was that person then?” He asked. ”A Prohorovkan spy...” Chris replied. ”A spy?!” The soldiers were surprised. ”Yes... She was tailing us for a while...” Chris nodded. ”That's not good! Where did she go?!” The soldier asked. ”Somewhere...” Chris shrugged. ”We have to inform Gentaro-sama!” He shouted and they ran off. ”What did they say?” Anne asked. ”They asked who the girl is, they went off to alert their... I think their master or something” Chris shrugged. ”The fuck are we gonna do?! That girl's gonna end our whole career!” Riko shouted.