Adoji Ito was in the building and the boss was angry.

A maximum priority command was issued to a number of high ranking military officials and the science department. Dr. Matou and Dr. Tanaka were present, along with multiple other members whom were known suck-ups to Matou. Tanaka had insisted that Taika and Ashley be allowed to sit and Matou eventually caved, having other things on his mind.

The setting was a large conference room with no windows. Guards with full combat dress and automatics would be posted outside and the classification for this meeting was the highest security clearance. Computer monitors and other equipment were in the room with obvious displays and other expected implements. Numerous high ranking military officers would sit on the side opposite from the scientists with the head of the table reserved for Prime Minister Adoji Ito.

General Masuou would sit at the seat closest to Ito's while Matou say opposite. The tension in the air could be cut with a knife. The military advisors would whisper among themselves about escalation and equipment orders while Matou was tight-lipped about the subject leaving the science side clueless.

Dr. Tanaka was calm to Matou's anxious expression. He pushed a pencil against his cheek as he waited for the President to arrive. Matou glares at his direction with obvious contempt but refrains from making a scene.

Ashley was surprised at the fact that he was brought into the meeting with some of the bigger heads. He did bring a few things with him. One was a box that had his aura scanner as well as his crystal shards. In addition to his he did have several of his usb memory sticks. As he sits down, the man looks around and sees that things were very bleak. He had a very bad feeling of what was going to happen. Although seeing that pinkypie was not too happy or he was green around the gills. Perhaps it was juddgement day for the narsasstic prick and get kicked off and have someone new take command as it was needed. None the less he silently waits for the President to show up so the meeting could begin.

In Taika’s mind, 7am was far too early to start talking about serious matters. Waking up at 5am for a meeting where both appearance and mental availability mattered was cruel, and she wonders momentarily if maybe command was just angry at them with this being a new way to make them all suffer. It takes about a pot’s worth of coffee to make her functional immediately, and she inadvertently makes herself kind of jittery. She spent about 30 minutes standing in front of her wardrobe, looking for something that says ‘I am about to stand next the president for god knows how long’. Did she even have a set of good heels? You couldn’t wear those in a lab after all. After swearing multiple times how men never have this issue, she finally settles something.


Still a little drowsy, she wonders why everyone seems so angry. She can’t fathom what went wrong unless these were the kind of people who were angry at breakfast. It was too early to be full of rage. She takes a seat, sets down a briefcase with some papers (which the guards disorganized as they went through her things), and tries to make herself seem as small as possible in her chair, worried that someone might just start shouting at her. The lack of windows and the armed guards make her nervous. Something about the idea being sealed in a room never sat right with her. She’d always been able to run before if something went horribly wrong. Now that wasn’t even a possibility. She tries to push away the irrational fear as she waits for the president to arrive.

The room comes to a quiet as the door opens once more. Adoji Ito enters with a scowl behind his glasses indicating instantly he was not in any mood for niceties. In his right hand he held a briefcase while his left hand was in a fist. He wore a classic black suit and tie while his polished shoes complete the outfit. Behind him two armed guards follow before holding at the inside of the room at the door for another level of guardsmen.

He takes his seat at the end and puts the briefcase on the table. One exhale later his eyes turn to solid ice as he looks at the assembly. Military to once side, scientific crew on the other. One could almost feel the heat being drained from the room, the mood had changed so much.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. I thank you for making it here on such a short notice. The matter at hand today is one of the utmost seriousness and importance." he pauses, taking a deep breath before he makes his next statement.

"It has come to my attention, that the Covenant is supposedly working on the capability to deliver a final strike against humanity, such that it would ruin civilization as we know it. The primary reasoning that they haven't attacked Japan directly once Sapporo was conquered is that they have been using our populace as a means to harvest 'energy'." he says, his tone emphasizing the word energy.

"To that end, the time has come, perhaps long past time, that Japan prepares for an all out attack against the Covenant...firstly to take Sapporo's Obelisk down, and then to make our way to the Citadel."

It is at this point that General Masuou looks at Adoji with a both shocked and confused expression. This was a drastic shift from Adoji's previous stance on the war subject.

"Sir, while I don't disagree with your newfound sentiments if your intelligence is true, might I ask where you came across such intelligence? Nobody in our information services has uncovered anything to indicate such." he says. Adoji takes a moment's pause before he responds.

"I have a trusted agent working under my direct supervision and command infiltrating the Covenant power structure"

"Who? And why would you make this unknown to us task force, surely we could have found a way to execute your intelligence needs and kept us in the loop."

"Classified. Need to know and nobody here doesn't. Further, I have strong reason to suspect that there is at least one mole within the JSDF. Cooperation would have compromised this agent's cover."

Whispering could be heard among the room. The idea that a spy was within the JSDF was not unheard of, but to hear the president make such a bold declaration with this unknown shadow op caused unrest and discomfort.

Dr. Matou looked slightly bothered, though he wasn't the only one. Others began to wonder if this meeting was to attempt to worm out any supposed mole.

"You realize this is a stark accusation." Masuou starts.

"And you realize that we have been living under false pretenses until now. I don't fully understand how their paranormal energy works but I do believe very much so that the intelligence I have is accurate. I suggest you begin drafting a plan to siege Sapporo's Obelisk." he says, his glare indicating that he wasn't going to budge on the issue. The iciness of his stare made even the battle hardened general back down.

"Prime Minister Adoji Ito...I don't believe that attacking Sapporo would be productive...the forces stationed there are substantial and the shield.." Dr. Matou starts before a harsh glare from Ito silences him.

"Dr. Matou, I was just getting to you..." he says as he opens his briefcase and pulls out a stack of papers, lab reports, experiment studies, and other various proposals, all with REJECTED stamped on them.

"For eight years, eight long, painful years I have relied on you to lead our state military science department to find new technologies, medicines, and counters to the paranormal abilities of the Covenant. In eight years, the BEST you have done is made a small force of cybernetic augmented soldiers that only get deployed into the field with extensive arm twisting on my part." he says as he leers intensely at Matou.

"Now today we have Covenant attacks within the city, not a single bit of progress has been made to giving our boys a way to even the odds." he says as he motions for a projector screen to come down at which point he presses a button on a small remote showing images of the wounded men being carried out after the Scorpio battle. He stands and starts to pace near the screen, his anger obvious. Most people would be surprised by the level of irritation Adoji was showing here who was best known for his calm demeanor.

"Do you know who these men are? They are brave souls who went to Shinjuku to engage Scorpio, a ZODIAC. Their combat technology is the same as it was BEFORE the Covenant attacked and they paid a heavy price in blood and pain for it. The ONLY reason this city is destroyed is because vigilantes with their own powers came to repel and even KILL Scorpio." he says, glaring at Matou.

"Sir I think you are involving emotion much into a discussion on military matters...we..." Matou stammers out, intimidated before Adoji waves his hand dismissively cutting him off.

"Our most recent military innovation, the walking mechanized unit known as the SHOGUN, was created by a commercial entity. I have authorized mass production of the SHOGUN which will likely leave a debt with that company for years and years to come. Tell me something Rishijo Matou....WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SHOW FOR YOUR LABORS?" he says as he slams his fist down on the stack of papers.

"Lack of Progress report after Lack of Progress report, give me ONE reason why I shouldn't shut down the entire scientific department and rely on commercial entities to equip my men for these dangerous entities. At least THEY have a stake in the matter. They realize both the threat they pose and the potential for profit, where you safe in your laboratories have no perspective of the outside world!" he says as he stares down Rishijo with infuriated eyes.

"Tell me Matou. Have you come any close to understanding Covenant energy? Their weaknesses? Ways to protect our troops from their energy attacks? A way to counter the Obelisk Shield? What have you to show for eight years of work. Tell me...Matou. Give me one reason to believe you haven't been wasting this time..." he says harshly, glaring at the Director of science.

Not a single soul envied Matou's position as the focal point of Adoji's rage. Dr. Tanaka chuckled quietly, whispering such that Taika and Ashley could hear him.

"I've been waiting a long time for this." he says as he then leans in to elbow Ashley, then Taika. "You know...this might be the perfect opportunity to exhibit the you know what."

Ashley was silently watching the President go on and raised an eyebrow at him. First was the fact that he had his own agent infiltrating the Covenant. Then things got even better for him when he mentioned a mole within the JSDF. There was a small ghost of a smile on his face as the President's words then attacked there Director with below the belt attacks with logic. Then the proof with all of those files and it was therapeutic to see Matou squirm in his seat like a worm. Then with Tanaka elbow bumping him to start showing what he had produced among other pieces of data. Ashley silently sets his case on to the table and takes a deep breath. "Prime Minister Adoji Ito, I might have some of the answers your looking for. First off I would like o introduce myself. My name is Ashley Zelpher, I am one of the many scientists that were inducted into your government after the fall of my country at the hands of the Covenant. Anyway I have been conducting my own research on my own time as well do my own projects. The reason I have done this is due to the directors narsassitic control and ego" he said taking a moment and then a fire could be seen in his eyes.

"He does not want anyone to take his postion as the director of glory. It seems petty but after seeing how many projects getting rejected. Some of these were good ones as well, those that did get past by the director are all people that pardon me on this. But kiss his ass every day and suck up to him if they were leaches. I took some precaution's so that I don't get shut down by the director. Why would one ask, simple. I have found something that can destroy the covenant as well as see this energy they have" said Ashley as he gave a death glare to all of Matou's minions to challenge him. He then unlatches the case and then takes out a good size shard of the energy crystal. As well as the energy crystal solution. Ashley feels a rush through his body as he was perhaps excited. As it had been a long time since he felt like this in ages.

"First off I would like to say, If you wish throw me in the brig or worse after this Prime Minister Adoji Ito and General Masou, then so be it. But this might change everything that the world might have a better chance at survival. About a week ago when the Sailor Senshi appeared, I was finishing up. When the SPECTORS came back from a mission. They had a box with some kind of material in it. I was with Matou at the time when they came in and was told to bring the box back to his office" he said and started and the brown haired male knew that he would have to fall on his sword for this one. "Although myself and my associate Laukkanen, disgruntaled at our treatment by Matou saw that the lock on the device was defective due to water getting to it. We took it back and opend the box and found small shards of some kind of crystal. We scraped a small amount from each one and then then I took the box back to Matou's office" he said and knew that Taika would not like this. But if it payed off it would be perhaps the lab would be saved.

"We then took it to one of the smaller labs to desolve these crystal shards. I was at the time trying to find out what these were made of. Although to my surprise there was a reaction and in one of the corners of the same lab. Some plants that had been corrupted by the Covenant were burning up" he said and pulled up some footage he was able to get of what happened. "You can see what is burning away is the corruption and its place a healthy plant" he said and then knew that a nail was being pounded into Matou's coffin. "A bit later Dr.Tanaka found us and we talked a bit and to my growing fury for Director Matou. He got rid of a very bright man that challenged him. Then he was silenced by being sent to Siberia. The only thing left was this man's journal. I read it and saw that his theroies and equations were correct. Which helped me with my next item" he said and brought out the Aura Scanner and placed it on the table.

"This device here is my Aura Scanner, I originaly had made this to see electrical fields so mantinces for machines and computers could be made easier. I had fiddled with it and was able to see something not normal. I had to take the device off before it exploded, once I read this journal. I made some adjustments and I was able to see the energy of other things. Let me show you with this " he said and typed up something and brought up some more documentation. It was a video of Ashley seeing what he saw in the scanner. Living beings came up with a green energy field while electrical came up light blue. "The green fields are life energy from living beings such ourselves, plants, and other beings. While the light blue is electrical energy. I was doing these things experiments in my workshop at home. In theory though we can use this to detect Covenant beings if there in disguse. I have not tested this yet." he said and then moved on to the next thing that would blow most people's minds.

"While I was at home the battle with the Class V Scorpio ragged. A MP of Kurio Saeki who I am on a friendly basis with. Came with a much larger sized chunk of this crystal and asked what this was. As the SPECTORS were gathering these up like crazy. He then told me a few details of the battle. From what he told me was that these crystals had shown up after the Sailor Senshi and there knights showing up. I had told him a bit about the properties of these crystals. None the less....these crystal shards are made as a byproduct of the Senshi and Knights using there powers to destroy the covenant energy. I do not know the exact condtions for this to happen though. " he said and then starts pulling something that would surprise a lot of people.

"A bit later I had taken a shard of this energy crystal and replaced a small part of this laser. I wanted to see if this could react to outside energy...and I got positive results" he said and showed the footage of himself using the laser and it blasted the scrap metal apart. "As you can see here, the weapon potential is vast. I have been able to make one prototype weapon from this research. Which I have on me right now...its a energy blade. A crude one and I have done a few tests with it already. But I need more time" he said and then he takes a deep breath before showing the scematics on the energy blade.

"I may have broken protocol, but with damn good reason. I am here to see that the covenant are gone from this world. I have lost my country, my home and most of my family to these freaks. I am not here to kiss ass to some man the berates and demeans his fellow scientists. So he can have his daily ego boost. Saying that there trash and that they do not meet with his mad expectations. A lot of people have been discouraged by Matou to not do anything. Or if they do, there sent off to Siberia to be never be heard from again. Plus having a lot of these projects rejected or even say flat out stupid. Or that when they showed off there project a catastrophic falure happens. Was'nt the science department meant to be a think tank for the greatest minds! Not some overglorfied playground of some twit. I have taken a look at some of these rejected projects at there equations being wrong. There not I have done the math and there correct" he then turns to Matou. While typing something up and shows several equations

"Which leads me to this, that Matou is a detriment to this department and perhaps the world, as more then likely this man is the mole that you are looking for. He has been hindering the lab, by using intdimadation and emotional abuse every single day on people. Treating his fellow scientists if they were his pets or his peons to rule over. I beg you to remove Matou from his postion in the lab. I will bet my life that with his removal from the lab. You will see a massive change in this lab for the better" he said finishing up. Ashley knew that this was a gigantic gamble that he was playing. But again he had to take it no matter if it was a double edged sword. Scientists always had to gamble with there research and theroies so it was nothing out of the ordinary for him.

Valdis was giddy with joy, today was the grilling for the science department! It was always amusing to watch her Daddys rare rawr moments get directed at someone other than her. She had been planning on finding a way to sneak into the building, and was going to ask Nazo for an easy port in. However during her last chat and smack with Gemini he purposed that she poke her head into the meeting. Sounded like he was as curious as she was to know what was going to go on in that meeting. A giggle escaped her lips, it was good to know both her and her Zodiac had a strong curiosity streak. She was more than happy to poke her head in and be a fly on the wall or a large one in the vents….Interestingly enough turns out Gemini had a way to at least get her into the building. The rest was up to her to find her way to the room…which was fine considering as soon as she got back from last night’s outing she poked around in her father’s files and figured out which room it would be in…She really should have just accepted the full access offer, however this way was more fun.

Valdis was done out in all black...black sweat pants, sneakers, a long sleeved sweater and gloves. Her hair was tied up in a bun, after all it was annoying to have it loose when crawling through tight places. She had done it enough times to know what was comfortable, what wasn’t, what gave her the best mobility ect. She even pocketed a black surgeons mask, mainly due to the dust that usually accumulated in the vents. Valdis also thought to shove a few lock picks, and small screw drivers in her bra of holding just in case.

So off she went before the crack of dawn to meet up with her twinsy outside of the base. He shoved her into a crate and left the rest up to her. Once Val was in the building she waited for the guard to leave, and waited for a few minutes afterward, and quietly popped out of the crate. She removed one of the screw drivers from her bra and found the nearest vent and popped it open. Fortunately it was behind some boxes and crates, so she slid into the vent backwards. She pulled the box’s and crates back in front of the vent and slide the grate back into place before shimming her way backwards until cross in vent paths. It was here that she turned herself around and headed towards where she knew the conference room would be. There she settled herself in and waited until people filed in.

She was there for about a half an hour before the first person showed up. Valdis recognized two of them, she had met them at the rock climbing place. A large grin split across her face as her dad had his business face on; she had a clear view of him….however she made a metal note to tell him to sit somewhere different next time.

Oooooo let the grilling commence, she watched with much amusement as her father laid into the personnel. However the statement that amused her the most was the ‘direct supervision’ part, she supposed it was true…to a degree. Still it amused her none the less. Fallowed by an awesome bull shit lie pulled out of freaking nowhere to cover it up….man she loved her Daddy. Her attention shifted to another in the room…the first to argue the idea of attacking Sapporo…

She returned to watch her father, usually she was the only one to face this side of him. Really there was no words for the feeling of not being on that end of things aaannnnnnddd the dum dum tried to tell him to calm down… big mistake.

Things took a turn when Ash began to speak…and slowly but surely throw whoever he could think of under the bus. Damn….that boy wasn’t going to keep many friends. She watched on with great interest when he presented his findings; then once again threw the whiner under the bus, ran his ass offer then went and backed the bus right over him again. Val bit her lip as she fought back her laughter, this was awesome!

Much like the General, Taika is also surprised by the President’s sudden news. Harvesting energy from humans by use of the Sapporo Obelisk. And then all that energy going to a final strike. How was it siphoning energy? What energy? For what purpose? What would the final strike look like? Her eyes flick between the General and the President as they converse. When the words “mole in the JSDF” are said, Taika is certain she would have choked on a glass of water if she had one. Thank god she didn’t get refreshments for herself.

At some point, the Flamingo pipes in, and she watches him get tore down. She doesn’t think she has ever witnessed something so gratifying. It’s difficult for her to hide her grin. If Dr. Tanaka invited her just to see that and nothing else, she would have been thankful. Today was actually a wonderful day, it seemed.

Ashley starts speaking before she has a chance to do such. Again, she takes some enjoyment of watching others put Matou down. Yep, this was fun! Maybe he would get fired or something. Then she would bring out the party hats. And then, he outs them both, causing her to start coughing very loudly. No party hats for her in jail… She waits as Ashley finishes his speech, looking freaked out.

Taika stands up, “Ok. I suppose it is my turn to speak and defend my own actions. I am Dr. Taika Laukkanen. First, I would like to point out the stupidity of doing this in a room with vents. Noise travels… No wonder we think that we have so many leaks to the other side when we can’t even get a secure conference room…”

Closing her hands together, “I can corroborate everything that Dr. Zelpher has said. In addition, we also investigated a scene of what appeared to be a Covenant attack at a school. We collected some tissue and blood samples there. I analyzed them and got quite a bit of data regarding cellular biology. All of which I did on my free time, mind you. I’ve got some of my data in here…” She pulls out a bunch of documents from her bag, “It was close to human, but not quite. I’ve got information on undiscovered genes and proteins, and I still have all the cDNA libraries as well as remaining tissue samples. It gave off a… well, in laymen’s terms, a corrupting energy.”

Looking a Matou, she smiles, “And since he is on the chopping block here and I might get finally thrown in jail, I would like to say a few works about Director Matou. He is a detriment to science and, perhaps, the entire human race due to how he shuts down all potentially life-changing projects. He hordes and funnels resources to his own particular interests, which I would like to add, are quite uninspired and useless. With Director Matou at the helm of scientific advance, we should all prepare for certain extinction.” Leaning in toward the director, she adds, “We also all call your Flamingo behind your back on my floor. Pinky pie seems to be a popular choice on others.”

Adoji listens as one then another scientist pipes up speaking against Dr. Matou. Both issued grievances about both him as a scientist and as a person. While Adoji thought that they had a little too much emotion to be completely objective right now given the seriousness of the accusations. He didn't interject until Ashley mentioned one thing of interest..

"We do not have any holdings or facilities in Siberia. There would be no point to such a holding for us. We have enough cold and snow here we don't need the sub-zero." he interjects. Among those not loyal to Rishijo a murmur would resonate wondering just what that could mean, with Matou's constant threats of being reassigned to Siberia. Dr. Tanaka looked visibly unnerved at this.

Dr. Matou's expression to Taika and Ashley could only be described as demonic. He glares at the two of them as he shouts aloud, his demeanor and movements filled with rage.

"You two incompetent hacks have no idea what you're talking about! You are trying to create a conspiracy and take advantage of the President's stressful state of mind. I feel like decision making isn't at a peak currently."

Matou would go on to lecture about how their data is false and imaginary at best and a number of other very unflattering words. While Matou was ranting, Adoji began to access his data files on his laptop and look up numerous data files and entries, pulling up a lab inventory.

Subject F-5401-Z and F-5402-Z, two unusual genetic feline anomalies. Deposited by Rishijo Matou in early 2013 with no immediate plans. He thinks about what Valdis mentioned, then looks once more at the data that Ashley had brought about the laser potential, and the scanner technology, he then holds his hand up for silence to fill the room.

"Today I come to discuss Japan's future involvement in the Covenant war and I've been made aware of numerous travesties and protocol failures. Dr. Matou. While the two who speak against you have done things against protocol, they have at least produced useful results one way or another. You sir, Dr. Matou, have proven to be a detriment to the agenda of this great nation and I have reason to believe there is more behind this than what has already been said." he says taking a pause and closing his eyes for a moment before his expression turns icy to the scientist.

"I hereby strip you of your title and am having you kept imprisoned for potential ties to the Covenant. You will be held under tight security until the investigation is finished. You will be allowed no contact with the outside world. Guards, take him to maximum security." he says gesturing toward the two guardsmen at the door.

There is a moment of silence in the room as the air grows heavy. Dr. Matou looks down for a moment but then begins to chuckle softly. The guards approach, but then pause suddenly, their bodies start shaking. Their irises are aglow red as their expression changes to one of struggle.

"Oh Prime Minister Adoji Ito...well done." Matou says, his tone instantly turning malicious. His eyes were luminescence red as any doubt he was affiliated with the Covenant instantly vanished. He stands up and claps his hands slowly, mockingly as he looks at Adoji whom's expression had changed to apprehension.

"You are the first to seriously question my findings, though it took you quite a while, but the fact of the matter is you did it. You are less useless than these mongrels. Of course, I have to give credit to Ashley and Taika here.." he says as he waves his hand. A glow manifests and then flashes across the room as supernatural paralysis begins to take hold of everyone present. Their minds would feel probed though the extent to which is limited by willpower.

"Of course, it is far too late to do any good now. You have two weeks and six hours until the end..." he says as he laughs darkly for a few moments. At this point, the soldiers jerkily begin to raise their rifles and aim them at Adoji.

"But since you were so rude to me I feel I have to answer it as I truly would...you are an excellent specimen of humanity being able to convince many of your worthiness to lead them and be reasonably effective at it, but that is the extent of where your interest fades off. You lack the potential to grow." he says as he smiles, staring at the President.

"Don't worry...the rest will die...very shortly. You will be joined in hell soon enough." he states as the soldiers whom are under mind control struggle to try to turn the rifles away as evidenced by the jerks and the frustration in the eyes of the men but...

The sound of semi-automatic fire would be heard...shells fly through the air as the soldier on the left managed to jerk away to only graze the President's left arm, but the other shot pierces his right breast as the President falls over bleeding. His blood sprays the wall behind and he begins to shake. The soldiers approach, slowly but surely to attempt to finish to the job while Matou laughs...

...Until a screeching sound is heard. White waves could be seen through the room, and Matou would clench his head in obvious pain. A strange sound would fill the air that sounded like a pinging metal. The control begins to falter, and Matou turns to flee the room immediately. The paralysis would gradually fade off, and the military personnel would immediately rush to the wounded President while the two mind controlled soldiers would fall over unconscious.

Matou would be out of sight, as the hallway would go either left or right by anyone sent to pursue. Unconscious bodies litter the hall in either direction, three on the left and four on the right.

Ashley felt a huge rush as victory was his, although it felt a tad short lived when the president took several swipes at him. That made him feel like a morron, but he did not have any of the info. He did make a few blunders but heck the results were golden. He had to slightly chuckle at Taika when she started to put her imput and gave her a look that said sorry and would make it up for her. But when the juddgement came down it was glorious to him and the look of rage on the man's face. Was priceless but then the feeling of the room dropped several degrees it was the same feeling he got when the Covenant Class II broke out of its restraints and Ashley reached to where his energy blade was. But it was too late as Rishijo showed his true colors and used his inhuman powers on him. Ashley felt his mind being probed and his rage and fury kicked in "MATOU YOU BASTARD I WILL KILL YOU MYSELF" Ashley roared as everything that happened into his life came to the fore front. Using all of his will power to repell the probe into his mind.

Although to his horror the President got shot by the mind controlled soldiers. Then with a massive flash of light and noise Rishijo Matou vanished into thin air. "At what cost was this.....damn equivialent exchange..." he said finaly free of the force hold that Matou used. "I'm going after that asshole" said Ash as he had fury in his eyes. He grabs the scanner and puts it on and turns the device on. He takes out his energy blade and extends the rod and then turns on the blade, the energy roaring to life. "I'm surprised Tanaka, I was not the only one to bring some toys along. Keep that device ready......Matou might release his tin cans on us" he said and then turns a few things and was able to pick up Matou's trail.

Ashley then grabbed the crystal shard before leaving, using it as a good luck charm. Or defense against Matou if he used an energy attack on him. If Matou used the SPECTORS to finish the job things would get worse. He dashed off to hunt the man down as he would be the bloodhound from hell chasing after him. As he was following his trail on the ground.

Taika looks visibly disturbed at the mention of there being no Siberian facility. “Where did they all go…” she speaks quietly to herself. All those peers and colleagues. Did they simply vanish? People don’t go missing. The conspiracy wheels start turning as her mind goes back to the Spectre units. Did he turn them into cyborgs?

She’s broken of that chain of thought as she hears Matou being stripped of duty and being put in maximum security. Well, that was one good bit of news. However, his reaction is unexpected. When the paralysis hits her, she begins to panic. Her breathing increases as she struggles against limbs that refuse to budge. Her mind lashes out as she feels something tunneling into her mind. She pushes back against it, but her fear of being trapped would be evident.

The gunshots seem unreal as her view of reality slips further away from her for a few moments. It’s like she is watching a movie of her life rather than living it. It isn’t until the loud white noise assaults her ears that her disorientation disappears.

“I guess I’ll stay here with the President,” she says as Ash runs off. Bending over, she checks pulse and breathing. She barks at at the military personnel, “If you don’t have any type of first responder training, back the hell up and call an ambulance.” Speaking softly she asks, “President, can you hear me? I need you to stay conscious and respond to me.”

Valdis watched as the grilling subject blabbed on and her Dad began to look something up. Her eyes narrowed and she thought she saw something about cats. It would defiantly seem that they had just found there mole. However considering the ease of how her twinsie snuck her in there was probably more than one. But it would seem they found the one at the top of the shit pile. Her grin split her face as the said person got canned, frankly that would put a kink into his supply of robots. Quite frankly the next step would probably lead him to start taking his inventory out of the covenants stalk….which would be deliciously problematic if discovered.

Her joy however didn’t last long when suddenly a wave of power; her heart jumped into her throat when she realized where this was leading was nothing good. She tried to move and found herself paralyzed, stuck in the vent un able to act. She watched in horror as guards raised their guns pointed at the last of her flesh and blood. Valdis eyes were open wide with panic as gun shot was fired and the site of her father’s blood sprayed the room. She winced as the sound of screeching reached her sensitive ears. It echoed in the vents making it that much worse. Even when the paralyses was lifted Valdis found herself un able to move….her father had just been shot…..Her pause did not last long before she found herself going to move to kick the vent open. But as Taika moved she stopped, she was pressing down on the right side of his chest….bad but it wasn’t the heart. Valdis paused once more, her thoughts were sluggish but she began to force herself to think. Think before you act….She bared her teeth. If she popped out now she would only make the situation worse….

Why….She understood her father had humiliated Libra but the Zodiac were so close to accomplishing there goal…only two weeks left. There was no reason to shoot her father…She looked down at her hand, the mark of Gemini was glowing….She had made a contract with that man. She would spy and fight for the covenant in exchange for her father’s guaranteed safety. A contract that was supposed to be honored by the other Zodiac….She glanced down at her father being surrounded by his men….He would be rushed to the hospital…she had the power to heal him…right now and then though.

Her fist closed in a tight grip, if she helped him now it would reveal that she was the bug in the covenant. All would be lost, and she would lose what little protection she had over him; and the chance to help the Senshi….If her father died now she would not be able to live with herself after this…but according to her vision…if something didn’t change things would be lost as it was. Valdis found herself faced with the most difficult decision that she ever had to make.

But she had to make it, with that she transported herself to the youma world and waited for her twinsie to show up. No doubt that he would. She may be unable to help her father now but there would be hell to pay.

As Ashley runs off, Tanaka calls out for him to wait, but the boy was long gone. He sighs as he looks at the small device in his pocket.

"It took too long to activate..." he mutters as he goes to Taika and helps her to stabilize Prime Minister Adoji Ito. Between the two of them they are able to fabricate a patch once a soldier brings over an emergency kit. Proper medical help would be on the way but Tanaka sighs.

"At least it's a through and through...a flesh wound that he should be able to recover from in time...maybe faster if we can get Kaneko Industries' experimental regeneration serum." he says.

Adoji coughs, blood coming out of his mouth as he looks at Tanaka. He grips tightly to his garments to stir away the pain before he speaks.

"Tanaka...you're director now...fix the labs and redeem them. The violations of protocol from the three of you are pardoned..." he coughs out. "...besides, cleaning up Matou's mess is a punishment in and of itself.." he says, coughing violently trying to get more words out, turning to General Masuou.

"Masuou...get the battle plan ready, and bring me his head..." he coughs again, before his consciousness begins to waver, causing Tanaka to panic slightly and slap Ito's face lightly. "Stay awake sir, you can't pass out." he mumurs, to the disapproving look at some of the officers.


As Ashley pursues Matou, he will see a few unconscious bodies on the ground, a few gripping their heads in pain and mumbling incoherently. As he turns a bend that would lead to a larger conference room, Ashley would see Matou a hundred feet away on the other side of it standing next to a window. In the room, would be approximately twenty other base personnel, each in pairs and slowly strangling the other staring the other in the eyes. The blue glow in their eyes showed all signs of mind control being used as Matou smiles on the opposite end.

"I anticipated you would try something so foolish...as I anticipated every event to come since. Did you really think I was oblivious to the fact that you would discover the crystal? It distracted you and the others whom might have grown suspicious of the fact that I have put in a deep computer worm that will wipe the hard-drives of everything in the labs in one hour while also siphoning all the funds away from the departments and setting up numerous other acts of sabotage that will hinder the military. It was only inevitable that they would decide to attack Sapporo, and it is going to be that much harder now.." he says with a confident smile.

"By the way...the JSDF is so poorly prepared for Covenant combat it isn't even funny, and we will strike first...so prepare to suffer immensely. When it is done, I will take you, the Convict, and the has-been in and drink your blood over the years to come. You will beg for death before I am done..." he says as he casually turns and begins to walk to the window.

"For now though, you have a choice. You can attempt to come after me in your rage and sense of betrayal, or you can save these poor cattle from killing each other. You have about...two minutes to save them at which point I will be long gone. Of course, I could simply mind control you right now and compel you to use that little weapon of yours to cleave them at the waist, but I think the mental anguish you will suffer at the sense of failure will be much more delightful..." he says with a dark, subtle laugh under his breath.

"The choice is yours Zelpher. Until then, working with you has not been a pleasure." he says as he waves his hand and shatters the glass with a burst of blue energybefore walking calmly towards it.

Ashley finaly was able to get to Matou and frowns and growls slightly at these turn of events. The rage of him using mind control on the soldiers again. He hears Matou's condescending tone of voice and arrogance was fueling his anger but swallows it down to make a more rational train of thought. Would he bluff on that part as that was overkill. The computer network and everything was more then likely real, and then the funds. He looks over the situation and knew tacticly now that going after him was a bad idea. Saving the lives of the soldiers and everything else was a higher priority. "You will get your just deserts later on, mark my words. You may have won the battle but you will never win the war" he said and turns of his energy blade and puts it in his holster for the weapon. The words hurt but giving into despair and pity would not help things.

He runs over to the closest pair that were trying to choke the lives out of each other. The other thing that worried him was the worm. Could he disarm it in a hour? He had to try after this because if he could do this, perhaps they could all be saved from something like this? Ashley would have to try at least since it was the only thing that he could do.

Taika gives a relieved look as Dr. Tanaka comes over to provide help. She lifts an eyebrow as he mentions Kaneko Industries and regenerative serum. When did that enter into development? While she had a million questions, the life of the President was the more pressing concern.

She’s happy to hear Dr. Tanaka becoming her boss. And the fact that the President was coherent was a good sign. As his consciousness wavers, her smile fades, and she applies a slight painful stimulus, “Sorry, sir. Dr. Tanaka is right. Need you to stay responsive.” She gives a worried look to Dr. Tanaka. “You spoke too soon about a flesh wound. Trauma to the lungs. Acute Respiratory Distress. Possible Imminent Respiratory Arrest. He needs ventilation immediately,” she says.  She examines the rest of his injuries.  "There are possible other severe internal injuries, but I can't guess the extent.  We can hope that no major artery was nicked.  There is probably tons of damage to the chest wall.  Maybe broken ribs.  I don't really want to say this, but maybe you should contact Jun."    

With that, Dr. Rishijo Matou disappears into the mist whilst Ashley occupied himself with freeing the thralls from strangulation. As Ashley separated the two with no small amount of effort, they shake their heads and snap out of it, the mind control weakening as Matou departs the area farther and farther. They see what is happening and each go to separate another pair. In fairly short order, the strangulation circle is broken with only one person unconscious from asphyxiation though the whole process takes six minutes total.

Adoji keeps quiet but his head bobs periodically as he deals with the pain and struggle to retain the conscious state that the two biologists demanded. Paramedics would barge into the room ushered by soldiers along with a moving stretcher. They take over for Taika and Tanaka and in very short order evacuate the President, his staffers following him. Tanaka watches as they leave, a frown deeply engraved upon his features.

"...Not quite the best way for this to have ended." he says dryly as he pauses for a second in contemplation, not aware of the virus that Matou had released into the system or the other information that Ashely had been blessed with. He begins to rummage through Matou's papers, abandoned at his former seat looking for something or anything useful.