Victor had finally received the long-awaited permission to visit the 701st Battalion's block. It had been about a week since he and Julia had undergone their initial questioning, and in that time, the other leads they pursued had turned up empty. With each passing day, his hope of finding even the faintest clue regarding Yuren's whereabouts began to dwindle. It took considerable effort, including a bit of investigative footwork from both him and Julia, to track down Yuren's surviving family. Their relentless search had led them to this moment.
As Victor opened the creaking door to the battalion's office, he was met with an overwhelming sense of neglect. Dust hung in the air, and the sunlight streaming through the grimy windows illuminated the layers of grime that had settled on every surface. Hardly anyone had visited this place since the unit and its commanding officer had left the Empire, and Victor could feel the weight of abandonment.
He approached the terminal on the desk, its screen flickering slightly as he navigated through the military logs. He scanned entries regarding various military affairs, hoping to stumble upon something that could shed light on Yuren's fate. Amidst the files, he came across several concerning documents, yet none provided any solid leads or evidence. Frustrated, he muttered to himself as he continued to sift through the information.
"Perhaps you should check his communication logs?" Julia suggested, her voice cutting through the stillness of the room. She stood across the office, diligently dusting the window sills, her expression focused.
"Have you checked the file cabinets?" Victor replied, glancing up from the terminal.
"Nothing worth noting. Just the standard battalion records. You know, the usual inspections, training reports, financial expenses, and various communications with the Ministry of Defense. It's all just boring military bureaucracy," she responded dismissively.
Victor frowned as a sense of disappointment washed over him. He felt as if they were running in circles, and the likelihood of discovering anything useful slipped further away with each passing moment. Nothing was showing promise, and he was beginning to feel the weight of impending failure.
Just then, a voice broke through the silence, startling him from his thoughts. "Huh? Who are you two?"
Victor spun around to see a girl standing in the doorway, wearing a railway engineering cap and a bright yellow uniform, which was complemented by a tool belt slung around her waist. She looked younger than he had expected, yet there was a confidence in her stance. "Court Investigators," he said, trying to appear authoritative as he motioned for her to come closer. "And you are?"
"Yae Tasukuri, Chief Engineer, DragonWorks Engineering Division Two," she declared, saluting him with a mix of enthusiasm and pride. There was an undeniable spark in her eyes as she stood before them.
"Seriously? A kid like you is a chief engineer?" Julia interjected, her golden eyes narrowing skeptically as she scrutinized Yae.
"When you've already proven that you can accomplish more than everyone else, there's not much to argue about, is there?" Yae replied, a hint of defiance in her voice. "I was the one who designed and built the new coaches for the central line, an achievement I'm rather proud of." She crossed her arms, her lips forming a slight smirk.
"You?!" Victor blurted out, jumping up in surprise and accidentally knocking over the chair he had been sitting on. He quickly regained his composure, his heart racing as he looked at her in disbelief. "That high-speed electric maglev? That's your handiwork?"
"Of course! Currently, we're focused on repairing the railways in the northern district," Yae explained, her demeanor visibly brightening as she spoke about her work. She could sense Victor's interest and was eager to share her accomplishments.
"Wait, so why are you here?" Victor asked, trying to redirect the conversation back to the matter at hand, brushing aside her evident talent for the moment.
"I came to collect Yuren's personal items," she said, her tone shifting slightly more somber. "I received a message stating that if they can't locate him or the battalion, it's likely they might have been killed in battle."
Victor's expression darkened as her words sank in. He narrowed his eyes, reflecting on the implications of what she had just said. Why hadn't anyone told this girl the truth? She had direct ties to Yuren, even if they hadn't been in contact recently. It felt deeply suspicious that the military administration had chosen to keep her in the dark about Yuren's departure from the Empire. The puzzle was becoming more complex, and Victor could sense that there were layers of deception lurking beneath the surface.
As she walked toward the personal quarters, Victor let out a heavy sigh. The tension in the air was palpable, and it was evident that the military was determined to keep a tight lid on any information.
He cast one last glance at the ominous filing cabinet, the weight of secrecy pressing down on him once more. Something was definitely amiss. Although the public was aware that a battalion had departed, they had no idea which one it was. Worryingly, all recent documentation pertaining to the matter had vanished without a trace. It was troubling that even personal records of the 701st were being kept in the shadows... but why?
"Yae, right? I have a few questions for you," he initiated, hoping to draw out some useful information.
She turned to face him, her icy blue-gray eyes piercing into him like shards of glass. "Like what?" she asked, her tone revealing a mix of curiosity and caution.
Victor took a moment before responding, wanting to choose his words carefully. "The last time you laid eyes on Yuren, did anything seem off? Was he acting strangely, or did you notice anything unusual about the 701st's behavior?"
Her brow furrowed slightly as she thought back. "Huh? No...? When I saw him, he was just with his bodyguard," she answered, shrugging her shoulders as if the memory weren't significant.
"Bodyguard?" he reiterated, intrigued.
She nodded, her expression shifting as her memory sparked. "If I remember correctly, she was about his height, had dark hair, and her shoulder patch was unusual. It was a chevron with 'VMS61' on it! I've never seen one like it before."
"That's an android identifier. Hmm... VMS61..." Victor said, pulling out a notepad to jot down the serial code, his curiosity piqued. "Do you recall anything else about her?"
"Yeah, she had a really impressive version of the VSMG 44 Falken," Yae said, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she spoke.
"VSMG 44 Falken, that's an anti-tank rifle, correct?" he asked, seeking confirmation of the model.
"Hers was truly a work of art! It was an older model that had been expertly adapted to fire resonance instead of traditional rounds. I'll never forget the sheer genius of engineering that went into creating it; it completely overshadowed the state-of-the-art technology available today," Yae declared, a hint of pride evident in her voice as she reminisced.
"Where would one go to find a rifle like that?" he pressed, wanting to dig deeper.
"Don't you know?" she replied with a hint of incredulity. "Zenith Technologies went out of business four years ago. They specialized in the development and production of mechanical and electronic weapons. Sadly, in the end, quality didn't triumph over quantity in the brutal world of business, and due to a series of unfortunate events, they were forced to shut their doors." Her expression softened, a mix of nostalgia and sorrow clouding her features as she spoke of the once-great company.
Victor lowered his arm and clicked the pen in his hand, a somber acknowledgment of the situation. "Very well, thank you for your insights. Just one more question before I go."
"Can it wait until I'm finished packing? Yuren's clothes are strewn all over his bed, and there's stuff everywhere else too," she pouted, her frustration evident.
Victor crossed his arms, considering her request. "Don't worry; I'll leave you to sort that out. But I'd like to know, where did you first meet Yuren? Or when did you hear about him? You know, details about your introduction?"
Her eyes softened as she recalled the fond memories. "We grew up together in East Toador. I met him when I was six," she replied, her voice tinged with nostalgia.
The fact that someone who had known Yuren for so long could potentially be deceived about him raised Victor's suspicions. If someone were attempting to tarnish his character, she, along with other credible members of the public, could quickly rise to challenge any false narratives that emerged.
It was amusing in a way; although the citizens had a deep love for the Empire, their underlying mistrust and willingness to see through the façade of corruption was nothing short of remarkable, perhaps too remarkable.
As he watched her step into Yuren's bedroom, Victor decided it was time to exit the office, with Julia trailing closely behind him. "There are liars in the military..." he whispered to his blonde partner as they strolled through the hallways of the building, his voice low and conspiratorial. "A lot of crucial information is being deliberately withheld."
"Think this could get you a favor or at least point you in the right direction?" Julia countered, raising an eyebrow and suppressing a chuckle.
A wry smile spread across Victor's lips as he and Julia ascended the dimly lit stairwell, their footsteps echoing against the cold concrete walls. "Yeah, now that we've identified one of the androids, we're in a much better position to uncover the truth," he remarked, feeling a surge of confidence in their investigation.
Suddenly, a voice broke through the silence, strong and commanding. "And I'm going to have to ask you to forget it," the voice said.
Both Victor and Julia froze mid-step, instinctively turning to the bottom of the staircase. Standing there was an android, her coat adorned with 'OMA-01' stitched neatly into the fabric. She was striking, with vivid purple hair that cascaded like a waterfall down her shoulders and piercing red eyes that seemed to glow with a sort of unsettling intensity.
"Hate to break it to you, but I'm actually a court officer," Victor scoffed, trying to project an air of authority despite the unease creeping into his stomach.
The purple-haired android let out a dismissive snort, placing her hands on her hips in a posture that radiated confidence. "Let's just say I have a strong interest in keeping the details of those androids undisclosed," she replied, a hint of amusement dancing in her voice.
Victor's expression hardened as he responded, "And I have a fiduciary duty to the Imperial court to report accurate information about matters of interest. That duty extends to the Empress and the Imperial government." He raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain his composure in the presence of such a captivating figure.
"Just who you are is the bigger concern," Julia interjected, stepping forward with an assertive yet cautious demeanor. She extended her hand toward the android, positioning herself protectively beside Victor.
"Just an android," the purple-haired woman shrugged lazily, her dismissive gesture suggesting she held little value in the conversation.
Victor's frustration boiled over as he cut Julia off, saying, "Identify yourself." His eyebrows knit together as irritation flickered in his gaze, directed at her nonchalant attitude.
The android cast them a nonchalant glance, her lips curling into an overconfident smile, before she activated her camouflage function. In an instant, she vanished from their sight, leaving Julia wide-eyed and scanning the area in disbelief.
Victor grimaced, cursing under his breath as he processed the blatant display of the Nova Genesis Project's capabilities. It was a disturbing reminder of how a technology designed for protection could be manipulated to evade the law. The more he delved into this mystery, the clearer it became that the project was likely a smokescreen for hiding war crimes, a tactic the Ministry of Defense believed could protect them from inevitable repercussions.
Abruptly, a strong arm wrapped around Victor's neck, yanking him backward until they were face-to-face with the very android who had just disappeared. His feet dangled off the ground as she effortlessly held him in a chokehold with a single arm.
"Julia!" he gasped, panic rising in his chest as he felt the pressure constrict around him.
Her face registered shock as she watched her partner dangle in the air, caught by the android who had exuded confidence moments ago.
"There's some information you don't need to know," the purple-haired android tightened her grip, her eyes narrowing as she focused on Victor's struggling form.
Desperate to escape, Victor fought against her iron grip, but she merely tossed him across the concrete landing. He tumbled down several stairs, his body colliding painfully with each step.
"Oh my! Careful on the stairs," Izanami smirked, descending the stairs with practiced grace, her gaze fixed on him. She leaned slightly, her hand covering her mouth in an exaggerated gesture to stifle a laugh at his expense.
Coughing, Victor wiped the back of his mouth, finding blood on his thumb. Grimacing, he pressed a hand against the back of his head. "Fuck you…" He growled, struggling to push himself back up.
"Now, now, don't be mad," she said casually, stepping closer. With a playful gesture, she placed a finger on his nose. "Next time you run into me, I won't stop for your safety."
Victor met her gaze, taking in the way her purple bangs framed her face and spotting the two distinctive marks above the arch of her right eye. Who was this woman? What was the secret behind her unique programming? It was incredibly uncommon for androids to possess such deep emotional programming and free will. Why would anyone create an android like her, an entity capable of independent thought and seemingly indifferent to causing harm?
The implications were staggering. Why go to such lengths to design an android so autonomous, deviating from the standard core programming? As the memories of the 701st series debut floated through his mind, he recalled the fanfare surrounding its advanced features, deemed revolutionary at the time. Victor had dismissed it as mere marketing hype, but after witnessing this encounter, he realized how special these androids were to military and government operations.
What struck him the most wasn't just the advancement of the technology but the rationale behind creating an android like her. This must have been the pinnacle of the Nova Genesis Project's efforts. An unparalleled achievement that exemplified the remarkable possibilities arising from collaboration between scientists, engineers, and programmers.
"Just who made you?" Victor asked, his curiosity piqued. He needed to understand how a military production enterprise could conceive an android like her, so complex and self-assured.
But Izanami refrained from answering. Instead, she simply vanished again, leaving him staring at the space where she had been.
Julia hurried down to her partner, her expression a mix of concern and urgency as she grabbed his arm. "Are you okay?" she whispered, searching for any signs of injury on his face.
Victor shook his head, still fixated on the spot where the android had stood moments ago. "Tch… now I understand why she's so concerned about the information from this project being leaked." His mind raced with thoughts, each question leaving a lingering unease as they moved deeper into a web of mystery and danger.
"Where do we go from here?"
"I have no idea. It's time to take a break, back to the office..."
Victor took hold of Julia's shoulder.
"Do you believe it or not?" Julia spoke as she scanned the area for the mysterious woman that assaulted her partner.
Victor rose to his feet, grimacing. "There's a conspiracy underway, people are playing a dangerous game that could cost the Empire dearly."
"I agree." Julia sighed.
At least now he had a lead, or whatever this was.
The following day, he wasted no time investigating the registration agencies for the VMS number the android had.
However, the registry agencies didn't have the identifier. All that was left was the military internal equipment lookup module. Opening it, he was greeted with the weapons database: listing unit names, and manufacturer, their costs, and their current or allocated status. Clicking on the weapon specs he scrolled down until he found it.
There with the specialized equipment, dozens of android identifiers were listed in between weapon codes, each matched to a specific android.
It technically wasn't wrong since normal androids were treated as tactical support devices and generally treated with less leeway in regards to things like registration for public work.
But all of them were required to be documented and serialized by a registry agency. Thus to the court, it was a solid verification that the model existed.
"So then why are all these units just marked as weapons?" Victor mumbled as he spun his chair around, looking out at the busy streets of the city below.
Peculiar, almost sinister, perhaps, but given that the case was about an android battalion, he supposed that the Ministry of Defense felt it convenient to record the unit androids under the departmental protocol to classify them as weapons rather than employees or citizens.
"Any update?" Julia's voice pierced his contemplation.
"It just gets more and more complicated. Either way, there are dozens of unregistered androids in the 701st and they all just have weapon serial numbers." Victor replied, waving at her as he frowned.
"You saw her you know, she's not an employee." Julia chortled, a hint of bitterness tinging her voice.
Victor pursed his lips at the concept, the sheer audacity to circumvent the law in such a method he had never seen before... "Huh... they seriously did it... no wonder."
His mind struggled to accept that the Ministry of Defense had lied to the Imperial court.
How could the Imperial court oversee Imperial operations on both domestic and foreign soil without knowing what was going on?
He groaned, the whole situation was frustrating. There were still so many questions to answer, and the ones that seemed available weren't an indicator of anything worrisome.
Sighing, he buried his face in his hands, trying to think of other avenues to pursue, to break into the information that lay outside of the protection of the legal system. Something beyond all this corruption and secrecy.
"So what's our next move?" Julia asked again, impatiently looking at him.
"Who knows... the Ministry of Defense is actively engaging in a fight against us. They really don't want anyone learning the details of this. Not even the Imperial Court." Victor murmured as he closed his eyes. "I was simply wondering why it was so difficult."
Julia mounted herself on his lap and held his cheeks in her fingers. "Victor, darling, don't you think it's time to playing as mere investigator and go back to the iron fist of an Imperial Inquisitor?" She grinned impishly at the tired man.
"Please stop, they are doing something the Imperial court can't legally sanction. Me being an inquisitor will put me at odds with the armed forces and the current party of the Grand Council." Victor leaned back into the chair as his body trembled, the idea of his job being in jeopardy was tormenting.
"You already are. You know too much..." Julia kissed him on the lips and pulled his head into her bosom. "So just go back to being a man of power," she spoke softly into his ear. "The Empress didn't grant you the authority of an Inquisitor to let things happen without her absolute rule and approval."
Straightening his back, Victor moved her off his lap and spun her around to face away from him. "You always get too close when I'm frustrated." He sighed.
"Of course, how else am I to comfort my partner?" She turned her head back, smiling before pushing him back into his chair.
"Is that the only reason?" Victor rubbed his temples as he looked at his screen once again.
The Ministry of Defense's blatant use of bureaucracy and legal loopholes was maddening. But perhaps Julia was right, that if the army was openly blocking his progress as a detective then he should simply rely on his alternate authority bestowed upon him. After all, the code of law allowed an inquisitor to perform an interrogation, investigation, or law enforcement anywhere and anyway he desired under the authority of the Empress and in pursuit of the empress' interests and without direct guidance of civil servants.
Yet at the same time, going back to the palace would be admitting that he lacked the ability to make progress without resorting to pure authoritative command.
He promised his wife he wouldn't take on these kinds of responsibilities again. Yet to make certain progress, an inquisitor must tread in some highly sensitive territories, such as the political and legal jurisdictions of important government officials, including the leading of a grand inquiry into the military affairs of the Empire's strategic interests.
Victor frowned; to give this up at this point would leave the issue far from properly solved. It would be like allowing a leak to spill because of politics and office drama. No, he had to follow through with this and bring the hammer of his Empress' rule over the armed forces so if someone was truly acting against the good of the Empire or exposing it to unnecessary risk, they'd soon learn not to tread on her good graces any longer.
He took a deep breath, hoping his wife would forgive him. But at least Julia would enjoy seeing him act like the power-crazed brute he normally wasn't when it came to their job and everyday routines.
"Julia, get ready, we are going to the palace."
"Your wife will be pissed!" Julia cried in alarm, already hopping to pack everything they would need to visit the Empress for a few days.
"I know..."