Chapter Text
SHIRO’s uncle strides through a public park in the middle of the day, his hat titled to the side, hiding one eye from view, and giving the impressive aura of a Bomber who’s all business. As it’s the weekend, people of different walks of life –and species for that matter are relaxing and playing under clear skies and the sun blissfully sharing its splendor. With everything going on, someone as grim as SHIRO’s uncle seems out of place, but the clinking of the buckles of his boots as he walks adds an odd sense of rhythm to the peaceful day –a rhythm that comes to a complete stop as he eyes a nearby ice cream cart and for a few moments simply regards it from afar, his gaze hardened.
UNCLE:
Interesting….
A little later, SHIRO’s uncle sits at a bench, his head bowed, his expression not immediately apparent, hidden by the positioning of the sun and the shadows casted by his hat. It isn’t long until he’s joined by someone sitting on the bench beside his, and the two simply sit in silence until the other person turns to him and asks…
PERSON:
Got the time, mister?
SHIRO’S uncle eyes him without lifting his head and shrugs.
UNCLE:
Depends. Though someone in your line of work should have a watch, y’know?
The other person chuckles, his voice a deep baritone. Similar to CROW, he is an avian alien, and as such has features such as a beak, and feathers. On his face underneath his eyes are red markings, and his hair reaches to the middle of his back. His purple eyes are hardened, but not without some levity, and he’s currently dressed in a black jacket with a slightly unbuttoned red shirt underneath, and black slacks. His looks are soft, but not quite effeminate –rugged and handsome. He shrugs a shoulder, extends his arm over the top of the bench and crosses his legs.
PERSON:
Is that any way for someone who asked me for info to act?
UNCLE:
I think I’m entitled to do what I want since you had to have known I was in town, yet you didn’t come to visit until I specifically called you…Birdy.
BIRDY smirks and gazes out at the park.
BIRDY:
I see your disposition hasn’t changed much from when you were a brat nipping at your big brother’s heels. Did you ever think that maybe I was busy and couldn’t make it out to see you?
SHIRO’s uncle eyes him again.
SHIRO:
Yet here you are.
BIRDY gives a half shrug.
BIRDY:
I’ve always got time for money.
SHIRO’s uncle sits up, his brow furrowed, the remains of ice cream on his face. BIRDY scrutinizes him for a moment before sighing and pulling a handkerchief from his breast pocket and handing it over.
BIRDY:
You could at least try to act your age.
SHIRO’s uncle takes the handkerchief, wipes his face and sneers at BIRDY.
UNCLE:
No thanks, I thought long and hard about it...Adulthood just isn’t my thing y’know?
BIRDY:
Suit yourself. You can act like a toddler for all I care, as long as I get paid for my time.
SHIRO’s uncle’s face sours but he sighs and digs in his vest for a moment, producing a few crumpled bills to BIRDY who glares at the money, nostrils flaring before he snatches it and counts the money.
UNCLE:
You know, Naitori didn’t use to charge….
BIRDY:
And? I’m not him.
UNCLE:
Fair point, but I’d think you’d want info on what happened to my bro just as much –if not moreso than me. He was your partner, yeah?
BIRDY stops counting bills, his eyes flashing with something like nostalgia. He squeezes them shut and shakes one more stubborn bill loose before sighing and pocketing the money, uncrossing his legs and leaning forward.
BIRDY:
Yeah, well, while you’re living without a care in the world the rest of us had to look at reality. Not everyone can go gallivanting across the universe doing whatever the hell they want.
UNCLE:
Sounds like a problem of priorities if you ask me.
BIRDY blows air and leans back.
BIRDY:
Your brother was my partner, sure and I don’t like leaving the circumstances of his death as…nebulous as they are, but I also need to survive man. Driving folks around doesn’t bring in the cash like it used to…which is why I’m in the info business despite my distaste for it.
SHIRO’s uncle nods in understanding.
UNCLE:
Nah, I mean I’m hassling you about it a little, but I know how it is. You should at least go see Shout, Bongo, Ein and Gang…they’d really want to know how you’re doing.
BIRDY:
And what would I say to them after that? This isn’t the kind of career you head into if your life hasn’t gone off track somewhere, somehow. I don’t know how Naitori used to handle it without going under the bottle or worse.
UNCLE:
Still….
He blinks and shakes his head.
UNCLE:
No, I’ll leave it at that.
BIRDY eyes him, but doesn’t comment further. The two sit silently for a bit longer, unsure how to shift gears, until…
UNCLE:
He’s back in town too, though I figure you know that already.
BIRDY:
Ah, the wayward son of the prodigal father, huh? Your whole family is as hard-headed and stubborn as they come, so I’m surprised he returned without you dragging him back.
SHIRO’s uncle laughs heartily.
UNCLE:
I thought about it from time to time –bringing him home by force, but you’re right. Unless I was going to stay home and keep him indoors, he’d just sneak out when my back was turned, so what’s the point? At least if he came home on his own then we’d be guaranteed he wouldn’t run off again….though something about him has changed.
BIRDY:
Kids tend to do a lot of that –changing that is.
SHIRO’s uncle gestures with his hand, lifting it up and down as he speaks.
UNCLE:
Yeah, I know, but it’s like…man, he’s almost like a different person. He won’t talk about what he did while he was away from home, but…something big happened, and I can’t help but wonder what it was.
BIRDY:
Best not to pry too much, or you’ll hear something you wish you didn’t.
UNCLE:
Fair ‘nuff. Anyway, we’ve chewed the fat long enough….what did you find out?
BIRDY nods and produces a thumb drive from his pocket.
BIRDY:
I investigated around like you asked –in regard to a person who had the abilities you mentioned, and while nothing came up...
SHIRO’s uncle looks up expectantly.
BIRDY:
I did manage to come upon something strange. According to a buddy of mine, the secret logs of the Bomber Penitentiary were accessed by mysterious party a day or two before your incident.
UNCLE:
Eyes narrowing.
Interesting. There’s no way to access those files without tripping an alarm to the Base itself, which someone would have investigated. That is of course unless you’ve got a guy on the inside, and there aren’t many people who could get someone in without question other than…
BIRDY:
Nods.
Yeah, if you’re the guy running the biggest energy reserve on Bomber Star, then you’ve got a lot of unquestionable clout. That being said, this is all sunny-side up conjecture, and I’m not sure how it connects to what happened to you and the base cadets and their teacher.
UNCLE:
I was afraid so. It’s clear that was an ambush of sorts, and Bagular is probably behind it, but unless we can connect the dots somehow, it’s all for nothing. Though what’s got me particularly concerned is the abilities of whomever attacked us. I’ve never seen anything like that before, and Bagular having that kind of power on his side is…yeah, worrying to say the least.
BIRDY:
Time manipulation, huh….is such a thing even possible?
UNCLE:
Unless we were all having the same dream, it had to have been.
SHIRO’s uncle bows and leans his head into his index fingers in deep thought.
UNCLE:
Good thing it’s quiet so I can think about what I want to do next….
The two blink and slowly turn to each other.
BOTH:
Quiet?
They both stand up suddenly at full alert and survey their surroundings. For a park in the middle of the day on a weekend things are eerily quiet –especially when one takes into consideration how there were people just here.
BIRDY:
I’ve got the sneaking suspicion that you just involved me in something way above my paygrade.
SHIRO’s uncle smirks.
UNCLE:
Trust me man, If I knew that trouble was following me, I would have given it the slip.
The two turn simultaneously and ready themselves as a man strides over to them their arms behind their back, their face obscured from view by a strange clock mask.
BIRDY:
Can I assume that you’re the guy who had the park cleared out in a hurry?
The man stops and seemingly regards the two for several moments.
MAN:
I’m afraid you’ve involved yourself in affairs that do not concern you.
UNCLE:
Oh? Sorry to say, but I make a career of doing just that.
The man extends his hand and gestures by turning it upward and pulling it to himself.
MAN:
Give me what you have and surrender yourself at once.
BIRDY:
To SHIRO’s uncle.
Seriously, this is not what I’m being paid for.
UNCLE:
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell it to the fairness police. I’ll remind you that I’m in this situation right now too.
SHIRO’s uncle turns to the man and smirks.
UNCLE:
I’d like to point out that while one of us is unwilling, we still out number you by one.
BIRDY:
Not just unwilling, but extremely unwilling.
The MAN snaps his finger, and Bombers of different colors seemingly materialize out of nowhere and surround the two.
MAN:
From here, I’d say my math is better than yours.
BIRDY:
This is the last time I take on a job from you, ingrate.
UNCLE:
Fair’s fair.
The two raise their arms as the bombers come in close and pin them down, as a ship swoops from overhead in preparation to take them.
Opening theme: As long as I am me….
Is it because I am me, that I know powerlessness and loneliness?
If I were someone else, would I still have experienced misfortune?
Would shooting stars in the sky and the moon in the skies look different from another’s point of view?
The dreams and wishes I’ve embraced hard enough to break –would they still be as meaningful?
The little things; my height complex, stubbornness, and how I wear my heart on my sleeve,
Are all a part of me. Light at times, heavy at others, but never more than I can shoulder.
I know I face forward only because I don’t want others to see these tears of frustration,
And I run forward --I’m too stubborn and prideful to give up, because until the end I will be me.
Tripping and falling along the way only means I have a new starting point to begin.
The soil I kick up as I run is the only time I’ll stop and smell the flowers.
As long as I am me, even if others snicker under their breath, I won’t stop, and won’t be stopped.
Episode 19: Infiltration Inquisition.
BIRDY grumpily glares at SHIRO’s uncle as the latter hums a tune despite his arms being chained together. The avian alien’s arms are in the same situation, and from the whooshing scenery outside their window, they are in transit to somewhere unknown. Despite this, uncle acts nonchalant, even able to ignore BIRDY’s increasing ire at the situation he had seemingly gotten them into.
BIRDY:
Even in a good situation, your humming would put me in a bad mood, so how do you think it makes me feel at this present moment?
UNCLE:
Well, if they had given us a radio that’d have made it easier on both of us.
BIRDY glares daggers at him.
UNCLE:
Oh c’mon. You know exactly what’s going on here. You’re just mad that I didn’t pay you more is all.
BIRDY:
That’s a part of it, sure, but I think I’m entitled to be a little cranky when I get kidnapped for unknown reasons.
UNCLE:
Think of it this way, we’re not dead!
BIRDY:
That’s a pretty low standard even for you. Add to this that we’re not sure how long that sentiment will remain true, and you’re just frustrating me that much more.
UNCLE:
Sighs.
Listen, if they just wanted us dead, they’d find a plot of land, have us dig our graves say a few hail pegususes and then send us on our way. The fact that they went through all of this means that we’re still of value to them, which is a good thing.
BIRDY:
Thanks for the recap, but not only did I watch what happened, I’m living it. Though wait, the way you’re talking….it as if you expected this to happen….?
SHIRO’s uncle looks up innocently.
UNCLE:
The possibility crossed my mind, maybe.
BIRDY’s face twists up as his jaw clenches in anger.
UNCLE:
Dude, I didn’t mean to ruffle your feat—
BIRDY:
Snarling.
DO. NOT.
UNCLE:
Clears throat.
Ahem, er, I mean, Yes I knew this was probably going to happen since it’d be idiotic to believe they weren’t keeping tabs on everyone involved after our last brush-up, but this is a part of my investigation.
BIRDY:
So involving me in this mess was a part of your plan too?
SHIRO’s uncle shifts his gaze downward, generally contrite.
UNCLE:
I had to fool them into thinking I was investigating them and what easier way than to go out to receive information in a very public place?
BIRDY:
….and you couldn’t call, oh, I dunno….anyone else?!
UNCLE:
I could have maybe.
BIRDY:
Oh you are cruising for an asswupping if we get out of this alive….
UNCLE:
But they’d let their guard down if I went to someone that I know, which is exactly what I need right now.
BIRDY eyes him incredulously, as the ship shakes indicating that it has landed. Two bombers escort them from the ship into an underground warehouse area, hidden from view by a landing strip that slides up into place once they have entered. SHIRO’s uncle regards the guards as they are escorted inside the building –a surprisingly clean and almost crystalline establishment that goes far into the underground area that’s sparingly populated with a few barrels and shipping supplies indicating this used to be a facility for packing and shipping before being repurposed by this mysterious group for even more mysterious purposes. They are taken downstairs by the guards and moved into another part of the building where a cell awaits. Once the two are secure, the bars are slammed shut and the man with a clock mask appears, his arms crossed.
UNCLE:
Not much of a tour I have to say.
Because of his mask, the man’s expression or thoughts of this snark are an enigma, which unnerves BIRDY more than he’d care to admit. Is he looking at them, or right through them?
MAN:
While I’d like to dispose of you right away, there’s the matter of finding out what you know, so I’ll act against my baser instincts for now –be glad.
BIRDY:
You’ll have to forgive me if I’m a little less than joyful about these developments. Also, while I’m sure this will fall on deaf ears, I’m not involved in this.
UNCLE:
Wow, harsh?? Just gonna throw me under the hover bus, Birdy?
BIRDY smirks.
BIRDY:
All’s fair in hate and war, and I’m feeling like a little of both is necessary here.
UNCLE:
It’s messed up, but I can’t be mad, really.
The man regards them for a moment before turning to leave.
MAN:
I’ll deal with you two later.
As soon as he has exited, SHIRO’s uncle stands up and examines the bars.
UNCLE:
Bomb proof –figures. They’re probably used to keeping our ilk contained in these –combined with these cuffs that cut off the will needed to create bombs, a guy like me is basically useless.
BIRDY blinks and slowly turns to face him.
BIRDY:
Wait, wait, wait. Are you saying you can’t get us out of here?!
UNCLE:
Unless fate is merciful to us, that’s exactly what I’m saying.
BIRDY:
What’s with the odd emphasis on that word?! Are you doing a bit now of all times, where it’s looking like we could really die?
UNCLE:
Humor comes in threes, Birdy.
BIRDY:
That makes no sense?!
SHIRO’s uncle leans over looking down the hall for a few pregnant moments of silence before turning to BIRDY, his expression noticeably less confident.
UNCLE:
Seems like things hit a little snag.
BIRDY:
Define “little”.
UNCLE:
As in, if something doesn’t happen soon, we might very well be meeting our maker.
BIRDY:
Flatly.
I am seriously done with you if we get out of this alive.
Meanwhile, as the guards monitor the two on closed circuit TV, and the masked man gives them orders, one guard in particular seems troubled by events as they unfold.
GUARD:
We entertained the notion that they’d be careful, but this is far beyond what we were expecting…
The guard –a female seems to be speaking to someone far away, as when she says this she gets a reply that she consents with.
GUARD:
Going in guns blazing isn’t really my style except for certain situations, but when push comes to shove?
The guard glances around at her surroundings and quickly backs out of the room, surveying her surroundings before stealthily making her way down the hall.
GUARD:
I’m still having trouble believing I went along with this insane plan, but….
She gasps as she sees someone coming her way, and dives into a nearby room, realizing once she’s inside she’s in disguise so that such actions aren’t necessary.
GUARD:
I said that about guns blazing, but it seems sneaking around is also not my style…
The room she dove into is dark, so she fumbles around for a moment, before finding a nearby slight switch and flipping it on, where with her outfit in disarray from diving into the room her identity is clear…
MERCY:
From advising me to steer clear of this matter to asking me to go along with his plan….I can’t say I understand what that man is thinking…
She leans against the wall beside the door and opens it a crack, remaining totally still for several moments until she hears someone else coming down the hall, in which she reacts by shutting the door again and sighing. For now at least, she’s stuck in the current room until the coast clears –unless she really does want to go in guns blazing.
MERCY:
Time is of the essence, but it won’t do for me to expose myself to danger unnecessarily.
She blinks and squints her eyes at something on the other side of the wall.
MERCY:
Now what could this be?
MERCY carefully makes her way to the object on the other side of the room, pushing aside a few boxes as she does. The object she has noted is in a clear spherical containment unit –one that looks similar to a sci-fi stasis tube, except instead of a fetus or full grown person in Technicolor goo, this one is dry and contains a silver metallic suit large enough to comfortably fit an average sized human. Despite being metallic, the suit is streamlined and could easily be mistaken for wholly fabric. MERCY isn’t sure why, but the existence of this thing draws her attention enough that she quickly takes out her phone and snaps a picture of it.
MERCY:
Have a look at this would you? It looks as if it’s supposed to be shipped somewhere soon, but the manufacturer information as well as the receiving information isn’t printed here…
She presses a button on the phone and sends it to an unknown party before checking the time and furrowing her brow. There’s no time to keep hiding and waiting –the more she hesitates, the less likely it is that their plan will work.
MERCY:
Guns blazing it is then…
She opens up a box of matches hidden in her clothes, and strikes it against the box, starting a fire that she quickly melds into the shape of a halberd.
MERCY:
Wish me luck.....well, I know this is foolish, but we’re already in deep, so might as well go big or go home. Just make sure you keep close watch over me and if things get troublesome –you know what to do.
MERCY nods –to herself apparently, and slides back to the door where from the side she opens it slowly and leans into the hallway checking it for guards before slipping out and heading through the hallways. She encounters a guard, and quickly sliding behind them, takes a swing with her fire halberd, and knocks them out in one fell swoop. She hears two more coming, and quietly slips around a corner as they appear, taking them both out with two swings when they check on their fallen ally. With this, her movements become that much swifter, as now conflict is wholly unavoidable. Meanwhile BIRDY and SHIRO find themselves in the presence of the masked man again, this time in the company of two gun touting guards.
MAN:
After investigating the records you have, it’s clear you know more than you need to.
UNCLE:
Now that’s not fair. Knowledge is a malleable thing, y’know? Who are you to say when I know too much and too little…
The masked man is suddenly in front of SHIRO’s uncle, somehow teleporting past the bars, grabbing his neck and forcing him into the back wall.
BIRDY:
What the hell?!
MAN:
Enough of your snark, fool. What are you investigating, and why?
SHIRO’s uncle gasps at the sudden speed of the MAN’s movements, but doesn’t struggle against his grip.
BIRDY:
HEY!
UNCLE:
Calm down Birdy, it’s cool.
To the masked man:
I’m just a curious guy, you know? Besides, you were the one who attacked us, right? One good turn deserves another, doesn’t it?
He narrows his eyes and glares into the mask of the man.
UNCLE:
Now a far more interesting question is what do you intend to do at the Bomber Penitentiary?
MAN:
I am the one asking questions here, fool. Though I take it from your response that you’re not going to answer me then?
BIRDY:
Just answer him already! There’s no point of keeping this up any longer!
UNCLE:
Birdy, you know I can’t do that.
He smiles weakly.
UNCLE:
I’m really sorry I got you involved in this, man.
To the masked man:
He really doesn’t know anything –he’s just here because of my selfishness, so cut him some slack all right?
MAN:
You could guarantee his safety if you answered the question.
UNCLE:
Scoffs.
Do I look like an idiot to you? What guarantee do any of us have of anything once I start talking? I might feel bad for involving Birdy in this, but he and I both know that information is only as good as what isn’t said, what isn’t known. Once you know what I know you don’t need me –need us anymore.
BIRDY chuckles and then laughs out loud.
BIRDY:
Space Pegasus on high, I used to say it to myself that your brother would be the end of me…I should open a psychic hotline once I make it out of this.
SHIRO’s uncle glances at BIRDY out of the corner of his eye.
UNCLE:
B—Birdy?
BIRDY:
It’s like he says gearhead. We’re in this together until the very end.
UNCLE:
Snickers.
That could be seen as offensive to certain people, pal.
BIRDY:
The fact that I’m probably going to die because of you is offensive to me, but you don’t hear me complaining about it.
UNCLE:
Fair’s fair.
The clock masked man’s expression is as enigmatic as ever, though one can tell he doesn’t find this banter amusing as he closes his grip on SHIRO’s uncle’s neck.
MAN:
I will oblige you –both of you.
SHIRO’s uncle ever the resourceful one considers this method of dealing with them.
UNCLE:
Thinking.
I’m losing consciousness, but man…if this guy was able to do what he did the other day, why not do that again…? It doesn’t make sense unless….
His eyes widen in realization.
UNCLE:
Thinking.
Unless….!!
An explosion rocks them, distracting the man from his deadly deed –just enough time for uncle to kick him off. The guards turn to deal with the distraction, but are overwhelmed by the sudden decent of a fiery halberd upon their noggins. Two more guards attack MERCY who ducks under one and sweeps them off their feet, and for another from behind she pokes them with the staff end of her flaming weapon, while spreading a wall of flames around her, looking like a flaming Valkyrie of war as she fights.
BIRDY:
….I assume this is your doing?
UNCLE:
Only the best for you, my fine feathered friend, though you don’t seem at all surprised.
BIRDY smirks, which he returns.
UNCLE:
I did notice you went from believing death was a sure thing to only entertaining the notion there though.
BIRDY:
Did you? I wasn’t trying to make it at all obvious.
MAN:
Foolish.
They both glance back at the man who’s mask has cracked slightly from the impact of being kicked by SHIRO’s uncle, but he covers this with his right hand.
UNCLE:
….Holy crap, we’ve made a mistake!
BIRDY glances over, his worry evident.
UNCLE:
Thinking.
His abilities are what I thought they were, but not quite….and now we’ve given him the flaming rope he needs to hang us!
MERCY notices the two in the cell and like fire itself rushes over.
MERCY:
Sorry I’m late boys! Got caught up with a few other things!
UNCLE:
STAY BACK!!
MERCY blinks and remains in place, as the masked MAN chuckles.
MAN:
Oh it isn’t just my abilities you misunderstood…but the entire situation you’re in.
UNCLE:
What is he talking about…?
BIRDY blinks quickly as he realizes it.
BIRDY:
We’ve played straight into his hands…!
SHIRO’s uncle glances back at him.
BIRDY:
He wanted us to follow him back –this isn’t a base or their hideout, it’s…
MAN:
Your grave.
In a blink –spanning no more than a few seconds, the man is in front of MERCY, already freed from the cell he shared with BIRDY and SHIRO’S UNCLE, the fire from her attacks spreading into where he once was.
UNCLE:
M—Mercy, turn down the flames?!
MERCY:
It’s not that simple! I wasn’t expecting him to---
Like the sudden scratch and resumption of a record, the man disappears and with him, MERCY’s fire attack, but only around the two of them, leaving SHIRO’s uncle and BIRDY in the flaming lurch.
MERCY:
This is….
MAN:
Replacing and editing the tapestry of time is child’s play to me. It’s impossible for me to attack with this ability, but it is well suited using the follies of others against them.
MERCY struggles to get away, but the man reaches up and grabs her before she can make a move.
MAN:
Now disappear.
From outside, the sound of sirens slices into the warm tension, bringing the din to a sudden and awkward end.
UNCLE:
What the heck is that?!
BIRDY:
Your guess is as good as mine.
Everyone seems equally confounded by this except for MERCY who sighs in relief.
MERCY:
Thinking.
It was a good idea for me to relay this plan to them as well….
Outside of the underground area is an unmarked van with a very familiar sad faced robot modified to be a speaker system blaring out police sirens, with an equally familiar large being behind the wheel.
BONGO:
I hope Mercy is okay, da bongo…more like why did he not tell us about this plan directly?
GANG:
Thinking.
Whether he told us or not, why is this my role in things?
A guard approaches the man, and defers to him, asking…
GUARD:
Sir, what should we do about this disturbance?
The masked man considers this for a moment before nodding to himself and standing.
MAN:
We will retreat. Perhaps the boon of this plan is that they’ve learned next to nothing that can cause us any difficulties. Though, I will once more humbly request….
He glares at the group, freezing them in place with the intensity of his gaze –though that’s not all, his eye, dark crimson and a part of his face almost a skeletal shade of white is visible, shaking everyone in the vicinity to their cores.
MAN:
That you refrain from investigating in matters that do not concern you.
Before SHIRO’s uncle and the others can make a move, the man has disappeared, as if he wasn’t there to begin with, taking with him the guards…somehow. Once the threat has subsided, BIRDY sighs and leans back against the wall, completely sapped of his strength. SHIRO’s uncle grins and inclines his head at his friend.
UNCLE:
So? That was fun wasn’t it?
BIRDY:
Glaring.
Yeah, sure. About as fun as a heart attack.
MERCY:
And about as helpful too.
UNCLE:
Aww you guys are buzzkills. I look at near death experiences as team building exercises.
BIRDY and MERCY share an expression and walk away from him, leaving the latter to wonder if he said anything wrong? It’s later as BONGO has SHIRO’s uncle in a head lock that the group recesses what they’ve learned today.
UNCLE:
Straining.
Seriously, Bongo it’s not like I meant to leave you out, it’s just it was easier to BLARRGH.
BONGO:
No forgiveness, da bongo.
MERCY has a hand to her chin as she considers things.
MERCY:
So they want something with the Bomber Penitentiary, and have some connection with Bagular…it’s all so frustratingly vague.
BIRDY:
Tell me about it. Though the fact that they’d rather retreat than clean up their problems –us seems to indicate that while people knowing about the plan –whatever it is happens to be an issue, it’s not enough to spill blood over. Moreover, they seem more interested in finding out why we’re looking which is odd enough on its own. Why does that matter?
MERCY:
Mhmm. Although this was a big trap so maybe it’s not worth thinking too deeply about the why. I’m really concerned about how they seem to be watching our movements enough to know about this plan…are we or anyone related to us safe?
UNCLE:
Struggling.
They’re not trying to attract unnecessary attention to themselves because they’re related to Bagular. On one hand we don’t have the means to take this public because it’s all conjecture, but on the other hand if people related to us start disappearing then that’ll launch an investigation.
BONGO:
That’s true, da bongo. Though it also suggests that whatever they’re working on is close to completion maybe, da bongo.
MERCY:
You think so?
BONGO nods.
BONGO:
The closer one gets to a goal, the easier it is for complications to pop up, da bongo. The fact that they are being so careful suggests that’s what’s going on.
MERCY:
True. Oh, do me a favor and investigate that thing I sent you, okay?
BONGO:
You got it, da bongo!
UNCLE:
Thing?
MERCY:
I saw something interesting in the storeroom…it might have nothing to do with our current investigation, but any lead we can get will be helpful. Plus it just rubs me the wrong way for some reason…
GANG:
Uh, not that I’m complaining because let’s face it; it does me no good but…
Everyone looks up at GANG who is still strapped to the vehicle as a speaker system..
GANG:
Are you going to turn me off before the real police show up?
True enough everyone had been so deep in thought that they had completely missed that GANG is still blaring a siren.
BONGO:
….I’ll take care of that, da bongo.
UNCLE:
Please do.
BONGO glances over at BIRDY who shrugs.
BIRDY:
Fine, fine, I’ll ride with you guys and go see Ein and Shout, okay? Just as long as dinner is on you.
BONGO:
Snickers.
Still a cheapskate, da bongo.
BIRDY:
Smirks.
People don’t change that easily.
SHIRO’s uncle smiles at this exchange before frowning in thought.
SHIRO:
The Bomber Penitentiary, Bagular, and a guy with time abilities….what’s the connection…? Also, why do I feel like I’ve seen that guy somewhere before?
His thoughts fade back to the exposed part of the Man’s face, and his eye glaring into his subconscious with its deep crimson hue filled with hatred and a unnerving sense of familiarity. Where had he seen it before, and more importantly….will he see it again?
Ending Song: Passionate Orbit
Say, did you know, that heart beating in your chest…
Is a gift from the depths of this wide universe?
When we are born our guardian star breathes a silent prayer to the galaxy,
And in the break between dusk and morn, dyed silver-black hues it ends up in our hands.
As we experience our lives and are touched by the gentle but rusted hands of time,
Colors born from daily life drip from this gift from the galaxy yearning to be shared –to take orbit.
So when the time comes and your little universe yearns to orbit another’s –don’t be frightened.
Just clasp your hands together, and let those feelings bubble to the surface and become a star.
For each time two hearts intertwine and orbit one another,
A little more of the universe is filled with color.