The Touch of the Fang

All right, now it's my turn to run!

That's right! I'll catch'ya weally fast!

One, ten, one-hundred... One hundred wight years!

Catchu! You were there for one hundred wight years?! You're so slow!

I'm done for! Ha ha ha!

But you know light years are a unit of distance, not time, right?

Details, details! Next, you are it!

......

What's wrong, Kikyo? Do they bother you?

Aldo?

No, it's totally fine. I was just thinking is all. Never mind that, what's up?

Nothing's up really. Not like I need a reason just to say hi.

Heehee... So you're bored is it? I'll keep you company then. Or at least I'd like to...

The truth is that I've got work to do from now.

Work? Would I be too much trouble if I joined?

You want to join me?

I'm kind of curious about what sort of work you're doing.

You're a weird guy. But honestly, I don't mind...

Really? Then you can count on me!

Then let our mission begin. Let's head for Ishar's in Gamma District.

Oh, if it isn't Aldo! How's Amy doing?

Great. She's always got my back.

Hahaha! She must really be a handful! Take good care of her!

What's up? You showed up with a real looker today!

Kikyo said she's got some business here today.

Umm... Are you the owner of this establishment?

Ohhh! Why yes! I am the owner, Za'ol! What can I do for you?

Do you need a weapon? Or maybe some armor?

No, neither of those. Have you happened to get a box in stock lately with a model number of 8818-2?

8818-2?

Oh, the delivery brought here by mistake! Yes, it's here. I don't remember ordering it, so I thought about sending it back. It was an anonymous order, so I put it aside immediately. I thought it was pretty strange. Were you the one who ordered it by chance?

Well, umm... My associate ordered it.

Okay! I'll get it for you. Wait a moment, please!

This is it, right?

Yeah... That's the one. How much will it be?

Don't worry about that. It was paid in advance.

That's great. Next time, I'll have a look at your stock.

Oh! I look forward to it!

We managed to get the box without a problem.

Yeah, but... What kind of job is this? You're just shopping, aren't you?

It may look that way. But ordering this was the job I was hired to do this time. It's my job to get it to its designated destination. It's rare that someone would go to such great lengths to get their hands on something.

I see... So you're working as a transporter.

Yeah, it's a pretty common job.

Oh? Does that mean you're doing other jobs as well?

Yeah... Now that you mention it, I'm kind of a jack-of-all-trades.

A jack-of-all-trades, huh? Sounds fun!

But why did you take on that kind of work?

Things have stabilized a bit in Angal recently. Because of that, we need additional funds and a network. So I felt like I could make the biggest contribution by doing this line of work.

My hometown... It's a very poor place. I wanted to do what I can to improve things there. This job allows me to make connections and earn good money, depending on the job.

I see... So you really care about your hometown.

N-No more than anyone else...

Didn't mean to talk your ear off. On to our destination...

Stop right there...

Don't move an inch, okay? Don't try calling out, either.

I don't know who you guys are. But we're taking that package.

Who the heck are you guys?!

And what if we refuse?

We'll do whatever it takes to get it. It's not personal. We're just doing our jobs.

Hmm... The same goes for us.

Huh?

We're just doing our job, too.

That's why... We'll do whatever it takes, too!

Guagh!

Get out of here, Aldo! Hurry!

A-Ahh!

Phew... We managed to get away.

That was quite the surprise.

You seem pretty used to it, but is being a jack-of-all-trades always like this?

Well, I can't deny that there a lot of jobs that are kind of sketchy.

Sketchy, huh... What exactly are we transporting? It was ordered in such a strange way, and we were attacked by thugs over it. It can't be your everyday package, can it?

......

It's true that payment was made in a way that couldn't be tracked... And those bad guys appeared, too. This might be the "big shot" I've been waiting for.

Kikyo?

Change of plan, Aldo. I want to visit my base before delivering this.

Your base?

The Industrial Ruins. I'll fill you in when we get there.

Got it... Let's go to the Industrial Ruins.

We're here. This is our base of operations.

Huh? Here?

That's a pretty typical response. We'd be in trouble if anyone found out, so I've camouflaged it to prevent it from standing out.

I see... But what do you mean by "we"? You're not the only one working as a jack-of-all-trades?

No, I'm the only one doing it, all right. But what's going on here is something else.

What do you mean?

Can you hear it?

Our mysterious package...

Yeah... Yeah, got it...

I'm counting on you.

What is going on right now?

Exactly how it looks. I'm having a friend examine the package's contents from another location.

Huh?! Are you allowed to do that?!

Of course, I'd be in big trouble if it got out.

Big trouble?! Then how can you keep your cool?!

Well...

Analysis complete. Sending scan results.

......

There it is. I knew it. It contains illegal parts. Enhanced arms for Synth Humans.

Uh... For Synth Humans?!

Truth be told... The client this time works for KMS. I knew it wasn't an ordinary package. But this is even bigger than I imagined.

So someone at KMS is after Synth Human parts? Th-This is bad! We have to tell the EGPD...

No. I'm going to take this package to its destination as is, Aldo.

B-But why? They're illegal, aren't they?!

It won't suffice. Too little evidence... It's true that this goes way beyond what I thought I was carrying... But even if I issue a complaint, KMS will just brush it under the carpet, and that will be the end of it.

That's how powerful KMS is. They have tons of secret connections. Unfortunately... I have no choice but to grit my teeth and bear it this time.

......

This is the other work I do. As I take on jobs, I keep track of KMS wrongdoings.

And I do it with the intent of eventually getting back at them for all they have done.

I see. So you're also doing your best to hold back your frustration. If that's the case... I'm sorry if I lost my temper this time around.

It's okay. Thanks, Aldo.

Let's finish our delivery. The location is at the airport.

Nobody's here.

This is the designated time and place. If we just wait here...

Rumor has it that they'll call. No number... Clever.

Yes, that's right. I've brought the delivery. Understood. I'll move as directed, so hold on.

The delivery is in place. But how are you going to pick it up?

An android?!

It looks like they have zero intention of revealing themselves.

*screee* *screeeeeee* Android communication... *screee* Switched over.

I am the package's recipient. Apologies for not revealing myself.

I'm not interested in your identity. I just want you to confirm receipt.

Hmm... I see.

This is definitely what I wanted. It doesn't appear to be damaged.

Okay... That's good. Then my job is finished. Please transfer the fee to the account...

Hold on, wait a second. I want to confirm something. You were with Kikyo. You...

You saw the contents, didn't you?

Huh?!

There's no way that'd happen. There's nothing in it for me.

If he had this box specially designed for this purpose. If someone other than him opened it, he'd know immediately.

Huh... So you went so far as to do that. But it has nothing to do with me. If your trap has been sprung, I wonder if it didn't malfunction...

It appears that you're still intent on playing dumb. Fine then. I'll put it another way.

Humans tend to confess when their lives are in danger. So if you don't want to get hurt, I suggest you start telling the truth.

I don't know what you mean...

Admirable determination. Enough of this. I respect how tight-lipped you are. But from now on, I'll make sure you'll never be able to talk again.

Dead men tell no tales, huh! Not on my watch!

That's right. Don't expect us to go down without a fight!

Ugh... I'll silence you and your attendant in one fell swoop.

Urgh... We can't hold anything back! We've gotta end this before it's the end of us.

Wait, Aldo!

Huh?

Hmm... Enough. No need to take this further.

Huh?

Apologies for testing you.

If you still haven't talked, I have to believe it's not because you won't, but because you can't. In other words, you know nothing of the contents of the box.

I've been saying that all along.

Distrust is common in this line of this work. But... You seem like someone I can trust. Next time, I may come to you as a client rather than just a recipient.

I'd be honored. I'd never say no to expanding my quality client base. Allow me to apologize again for the fist-filled reception.

Hehe... Then it's settled. I'll increase the payment this time to cover your medical bills. Until next time... Farewell, Kikyo.

Phew. Mission accomplished...

I thought we were in trouble for a second there.

I'm sorry for all trouble I got you into. Let's head back to Elzion for now. I'll buy you dinner.

Oh, that's surprising.

Eh? What's up?

The bank transfer for this job has already arrived. That's someone at KMS alright... Maybe even someone with power. At least I won't have to worry about money for the time being.

......

What's wrong? You look troubled. If it's because you're hungry, maybe we could head to the bar?

You know, Kikyo. There's just one thing I don't understand... Why did you stop me back there?

Back where?

We were cornered by that robot, right? But you told me to stop...

Oh... That. It clearly wasn't really trying to shut us up. It's accusation was basically just a shot in the dark.

R-Really?!

Yeah... I mean...

If he had this box specially designed for this purpose. If someone other than him opened it, he'd know immediately.

If it was opened... That's what he said right? That means that he had no idea we actually scanned the contents instead.

O-Oh, I see!

At any rate... We managed to earn the trust of someone deeply connected to KMS.

Why are you so obsessed with KMS, Kikyo?

Well...

My reason for living is to take revenge on KMS for what they've done. KMS did something terrible to some very important to me...

Would that... Would that be your father?

That's right. I'm sure he himself wouldn't wish vengeance on them. Still...

KMS hurt someone close to you?

I'll never forgive them... Vengeance will be mine...by my own hands...

Revenge, huh... And you aren't going to stop until you get it?

Yes... I won't let anyone get in my way. Not even you...

All right. I'll say nothing more. But at the very least... Let me help you as a friend. I want you to never forget that you're not alone.

Thank you. I appreciate that, Aldo.

I'm determined to make things right. With my own hands... I'll avenge you, Father!