Vol. 4 Ch. 2 Ep. 18: Elite vs. Elite

Ungrateful lot... We sheltered you, clothed you, fed you, and this is the thanks we get?!

You're the ones who forced uniforms on folks not seeking employment!

All this ordeal taught me is that I never want to work again!

That I will fight all forms of material possession!

Have at you, villains!

You thin twig, you're no match for Descartes!

Traitor...! Who you calling twig?!

Ugh...

S-Someone... Help!

Ow! This really hurts!

Fighting Kaiser Corp's elite forces is brutal!

Retreat...!

Get back here, you wimps!

We're not outnumbered anymore thanks to the Pursuers, but breaking through is still another story.

It's only a matter of time before Kaiser sends reinforcements. If we don't break through before then, we'll be surrounded.

It's dangerous, so let me lead the way and...

Oh? That's a familiar face.

This is a public facility meant for civilian use. What's all this chaos?

Someone give me an update, now! Kaiser?

Oh, thank goodness! Please do something about this, Director!

Maintaining order is your job right? Maintain it, please!

I-Is that... the Feral Hound...from last time?

What are you doing?!

Do you know what it means for the Public Peace Bureau director to open fire on us? Our authority was granted to us directly from the Acting President!

Director? Who? Of what?

I'm on leave right now, actually. Disciplinary action. I don't have much to lose, don'tcha think?

So, you're just out causing trouble? You have no authority here?

The security of this area is our purview, so you Valkyrie punks can run along now.

You're mistaken. Another group has jurisdiction over D.U.'s security too.

Valkyrie Police School administrative regulations article 32 paragraph 1. Students of the Public Safety Bureau have the authority to make arrests of individuals who interfere with public transportation services.

...I thought I'd help out my juniors at the Public Safety Bureau during my disciplinary community service period.

This is the Public Safety Bureau! Drop your weapons and get on the ground!

Who do you think you're pointing your gun at?!

We're just following protocol! According to the regulations!

And Kaiser Security has to follow those regulations, just like the rest of us.

Due to the public disturbances around this train station, we will detain you at Valkyrie Police School.

If you resist, we have the authority to bring you in by force. But let's just save all of us the extra work.

...The Public Safety Bureau...is...arresting us...?

Oh, this is rich... Hahahaha!

Th-This is no laughing matter!

How is it not? What's the Public Safety Bureau gonna do? Throw a donut at us?

We might be under a different name now, but we're SOF, PMC's elite. The best of the best in Kaiser.

The little rookies from Valkyrie's Public Safety Bureau armed with little pea shooters are gonna bring us in? Hah!

It doesn't matter how good a commander or whatever you think you are.

No amount of positive thinking is going to bridge the gap between us and a bunch of rookies.

Rookies...? There seems to be a misunderstanding here.

The Public Safety Bureau is Valkyrie's most sought-after department to be accepted into.

I even tried joining once. Got turned down.

Wh-What? How could the director...

I have another fun fact.

It's been over a decade since Kousagi Station was last serviced, so the supports under the station's sign are more rust than metal now.

The Public Safety Bureau got a good handful of concerned calls about it, saying they were worried the sign was just going to fly off every time the wind blows.

So, we've planned to replace it end of this month for safety's sake.

Enough with your rambling!

An impatient one, aren't you?

I'll cut to the chase then. I bet even our little pea shooters could make that sign fall right now.

Wait, you wouldn't!

Duck and cover!

You brats! I won't take this lying down!

Kirino, smoke grenade!

Please cover your nose and mouth!

Augh! I can't see!

Block the entrance! Don't let them take cover in the smoke and slip through!

The first sign of trouble, and they go running straight to protect the station. It didn't take long for them to drop their pretenses. There's definitely something down there.

What a miscalculation on their part. A subway station as well-trafficked as this one? This is the Public Safety Bureau's home turf.

Kirino, Fubuki.

Work with the other Public Safety Bureau members to apprehend those causing the chaos.

I'll cover the entrance, so we don't have anymore uninvited guests.

Yes, ma'am!

But don't forget that you owe me a limited edition cruller from Master Donuts for this!

If you pull this off, I'll get you a whole dozen.

There you go, SRT.

I'm entrusting the clean-up to you two.

Director Kanna, if you disobey direct orders again...

It's nothing to worry yourself over.

Didn't I already tell you this? I have to take the responsibility of my decisions on my own two shoulders.

If it's for what I believe in, something like this is child's play.

Director...

Sensei, take care of these idiots.

Now, then...

It's a bit unfortunate, but it seems everyone knows the name Feral Hound at this point. I didn't ask them to start calling me that, you know. Let me enlighten you on how I earned the name.

Who are these people? How are they moving like this? Where are they coming from?

We should have the full blueprint of this station. Is there a secret route only they know about or something?

Bingo!

When did she...?!

Old stations like Kousagi have undergone numerous renovations, leaving lots of forgotten nooks and crannies.

They tend to turn into hot spots for shady activity, so Public Safety students naturally learn the terrain pretty well. Just didn't think we'd be using them this way.

Oh, Fubuki! We have hostiles, I mean, improper passengers going to the 2nd floor!

Yup, yup. I have eyes on them.

Are they thinking of using the escalators as a shortcut? Risky move...

Those little punks! Just wait 'til we catch up!

Oh, a heads up. These escalators are ancient.

Please remain vigilant for any sudden stops. Thank you!

H-Huh?!

Which is why running on escalators isn't advised. It's basic safety, really.

These damn Public Safety Bureau kids are running circles around us with their dirty tactics.

We'll take you all down!

Look out!

You're the rookies if you forgot about your opponent, the Pursuers!

Even if I'm looked down upon with disdain... Even if I'm the last man standing... Our fight will go on!

Until every citizen in Kivotos understands the freedom of living without the burdens of work or possessions!

A world with no work? I'm listening...

Are you perhaps interested in a life of non-possession? We are always ready to accept new believers!

...But joining the Pursuers means giving up 'some' materialistic ties. Preferably in the form of cash.

(Why do I feel like I'm being recruited to a pyramid scheme...)

...All clear. North platform is secured.

Thank you, Public Safety Bureau. We wouldn't have made it here with no casualties without your assistance.

All in a day's work. Just making sure the passengers and public are safe!

In fact, we owe you one for ensuring public order!

Thank you. I was very impressed by your close combat battle abilities today.

M-Mine? I.. I've never trained that before...

Identifying how to control and subdue your enemy's movements in tight spaces is a basic principle of close combat. You do it instinctively.

I've always thought your ability to evaluate and react to a situation was even better than any SRT students.

You embody the Public Safety's reputation for speed and efficiency. That's why I find you very impressive, Kirino.

Impressive? Me...?

It's always just been a habit of mine to move as efficiently as possible so I could finish my patrol quickly and hit my go-to eateries...

...

...But, of course, I take immense pride and care in my work as a member of Valkyrie's Public Safety Bureau!

Yes, we're under your care, as residents of the park.

Then... I leave the rest to you.

Understood!