Dislyte story · Esper Stories
Esper Story: Sander
4 scenes, 232 lines
1. Routine
63 linesShadow Decree: Sander's Office
(Sander squinted at the mess of poorly-written mission reports piled high on the desk in his office.)
...Out of all these Shadow members, isn't there a single one of them that can give me a well-structured mission report?
"Among seven Miramon we captured this time, three were super, super-duper active, and looked like nothing we've ever seen before. Fantastic collector's items..."
......
And this, "During the batle against the Unoin last week, we elimnated sixreen enemy guards..."
What am I? An elementary school teacher?
I've had enough, !
Mr... Mr. Sander...
What?!
......
(Sander's outburst cowers the envoy into silent submission by Sander's office door.)
Ahem. Yes?
The, uh, two field agents that capture the Miramon... they're not here. They're absent.
Absent? And why is that?
They don't want to see each other for some reason. Has something to do with a fight over a captured Miramon.
......
Right. I'll deal with it.
(Sander waved the man away. The office door closed.)
There's no way I can finish this today.
(Sander sighed. He would have to play peacekeeper again. There's another knock at the door.)
Mr. Sander.
What now?
Security has reported the basement alarm has... uh... gone off. It looks like the research institute and field agents are, uh, arguing...
"Arguing"? They're arguing?
What kind of arguing would trigger the alarm?
Uhh...
Never mind. Arguing about what?
The research institute claims the agents mishandled their test subjects...
...Why am I not surprised?
It makes no sense. Then get more from No Man's Land!
...The agents have refused. They don't want to do it without the two I mentioned before who are not coming in today... because of the argument.
So the institute now thinks its agents are deliberately stalling the research process.
And?
The agents responded the research institute has always had it out for them. And regards them as dumb bozos...
...Ugh. Enough.
Turn off the alarm and lock the basement down. Only let them out once they've reconciled.
Yeah...
(The Shadow member closed the door. Sander closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.)
Sorry for the intrusion, sir!
......
Go on.
Yes, sir.
We've just located an intact test subject outside a field agent's office.
And the research institute has been notified...
......
But the agent now says, the same one who was concealing the test subject, that it is his pet...
Okay. And?
He won't let anyone near it. Or he'll "put them into the core of a Miracle". His words, sir.
The research institute people are not happy.
They're planning to take it by force. Now.
Enough! Enough! Enough!
Put me on the Shadow Decree public comm-link, I have something to say to everyone.
...Yes, sir! On it!
Shadow Decree: Corridor
(Sander's voice was soon audible in every corner of the Shadow Decree headquarters.)
I don't care who you are... If you have enough time for stupid shenanigans, people in the research institute and dorms, you know who you are, then...
Instead of acting like stupid, stubborn little children, why don't you go and keep the Union busy, huh?
The Union is doing very well right now. Especially in Miramon research. If you want to ruin each other's lives, then ruin the lives of the Union Ops Chiefs. Okay? Much more satisfying.
And to the research institute, I say this: I heard the Union lab just got a great batch of new test subjects. Interesting, right?
So if you want to take someone's test subjects, you may as well take theirs.
At this rate, I'm sure the Union will have plenty more surprises in store for us all.
Go. Now. Move it.
2. Field of View
48 linesGraywater: Bar
Sander! It's been a while...
I thought Esperhood had diminished your interest in alcohol.
(The owner of the establishment places a cocktail in front of Sander. He is a little taken aback.)
I didn't order a "Crimson Flame ".
Oh? Heh. Never mind that. On the house.
...Thanks.
Visiting family? The cemetery is near here.
Perhaps.
How time flies, huh? I remember when you used to come here as a kid.
Back then, one pint and you were out!
Yeah. Haven't touched a pint in a long time.
So how are you going? Union folks must have you working hard. You haven't come back in nearly two years.
Still busy?
Still busy. But not in the Union.
Ah. Never figured you for the teaching type. What's the other group called again?
Oh. The Wanderers! The Hunter's Guild! Taking personal responsibility. Living your own life. That's more like it!
Guess again. The Shadow Decree.
Well... uh, what?! The Shadow Decree? The Shadow Decree?! The one in the news?
...There shouldn't be more than one.
Yes?
Uh. Okay. I mean, cool. That's pretty good.
But, Sander, why?
Why join the Shadow Decree?
The Wanderers have done plenty for us. Graywater would be a disaster site without them. I've, uh, heard things.
(The bar owner seemed nervous. He wiped down the glass while avoiding Sander's gaze.)
Do you remember what I once told you? About why I joined the Union?
That was way back. Before the Hunters' Guild. You were saying Espers deserve to live free.
Exactly. That's when I joined the Union. I even became a Union Commander.
(This revelation merely confused the bar owner more.)
So, why? Why not stick with the Union?
The Union is just one alternative among many.
And, for me personally, it's far from the best.
Sorry. I don't get it.
All I can say is being an Esper provides a different perspective.
A higher perspective. I think I know what is going to happen to this world.
You could say... it's for the "greater good".
Isn't that what the Union is all about?
...You're not getting it.
A higher perspective deserves a higher position in society. The Union doesn't get that.
Sounds reasonable, I guess. I can imagine a lot of folks would think that.
Age changes people. Changes how you think.
Like how you used to like beer when you were younger. Now it's Crimson Flame. Heh.
(Sander ponders his untouched Crimson Flame. He waves the owner over.)
I'll have "One Night in Grandis" please.
Oh. Sorry. I assumed you'd like it. Like old times.
......
...I don't drink it anymore.
3. Image Management
61 linesShadow Decree: Corridor
(Freddy was in high spirits. He greets each one of his fellow Shadow Decree colleagues as they pass by.)
Heya. Nice weather today, huh?
The sunshine really lights up my fur!
Very nice, Mr. Freddy. You get some special fur treatment?
Heh. You know it.
I have to say, Chloe's brilliant.
I never knew that you could make fur so soft and... pleasant to touch!
Speaking of which, I also got a Chloe's membership card...
Hey? You're early today.
Good morning to YOU, Mr. Freddy. Don't usually see you in the a.m.
Hahaha! Probably my brand-new look. It's the "fur energy".
Oh. And...
Freddy.
(Freddy turned around to face the deep baritone voice behind him.)
Look, if it isn't Sander. You got something to say. The fur?
You were supposed to be in my office ten minutes ago.
Really?
(Freddy checks the wall clock in the corridor.)
I, uh, remember something about that.
But before that, can I just...
No. I've got to talk to you about our next mission.
My office. Now.
...Alright.
Shadow Decree: Sander's Office
So. That is the plan.
And I hope nothing goes wrong this time.
Sure thing. What could go wrong? I'm an absolute pro.
(Freddy claps his hands, full of confidence.)
Hey, Sander. You looking at my fur?
?
Heh. That's what I thought.
What do you think? Wonderful, right? It's Chloe's new fur treatment.
Mm... Indeed.
Heh. I knew it.
Chloe said it was a real high-quality fur softener.
Plus, she even had my fur styled specially...
How do I put it? Membership's pricey, but...
Definitely worth it, huh?
......
If you wanted to borrow my card, I guess you could. But...
Thank you, Freddy.
(Sander had already redirected his attention to the pile of documents on his desk.)
I'll consider it. When and if I need it.
(One month later...)
Gyrate: Chloe's Fashion Studio
Hey, Chloe!
That fur treatment last visit. Excellent stuff! So for today...
(Freddy enters the salon. He is shocked by the sight greeting him.)
...Sander?
Freddy! What a coincidence.
You're... Here for the same thing, right?
Hm.
Smart, Sander! Very smart choice.
How about that membership card?
Heh. I told you this salon takes fur seriously. Good decision!
You ask Chloe to give you the latest softener? Also...
Freddy.
What?
Fur is just basic image management. The basic of the basics.
You know you don't have to announce it to the whole world.
4. My Kind Of Guy
60 linesShaded Periphery: On The Street
(Sander took his favorite route back to the Shadow Decree headquarters after the recent mission.)
YOWWWWW!
?
(Some nearby cats shriek. Sander looks up. There's a baby kitten surrounded by what appears to be a "gang" of stray cats.)
Ganging up, eh? Predictable.
(The kitten defends herself. The stray cats get more than they bargained for. In the end, the little kitten finally intimidates the gang into giving up.)
......
(The little kitten is bleeding. She licks and shakes her fur, looks at Sander, and then walks up to him.)
Meow...
Are you hungry, poor thing? I don't have any food here.
Ooo...
(The kitten leaves, disappointed. Sander is about to resume his journey when he notices the stray cats have returned. This time they are followed by another gang of fierce-looking friends.)
...Meow!
Hm?
Come on. Isn't that a bit unfair? The poor kitten doesn't stand a chance.
Meow!
Alright then. Count me in.
(Sander walked over to the kitten and flexed his wrists aggressively at the stray cat gangs.)
(There's a loud "meow" cry and then the stray cats scatter...)
Meow...?
You should go. And I'm in a hurry.
(But now the kitten was following Sander. He shrugged and kept going.)
Stop following me. I'm not your boss. I'm not your caretaker.
Meow?
......
Shadow Decree: Corridor
Huh? What's with the stray cat?
Aww...
Great. I just so happen to need a living creature. Experimental purposes, of course.
Don't worry. Just come with me, little kitty. I promise you won't feel a thing.
Meowww!
(Kara grabs the kitten and hauls it in the direction of the lab. Meows echo through the corridor.)
Kara... What are you doing?
I, uh, I'm just taking this cat.
Forget the cat. I've got something I need from you right now.
But...
(Kara stopped in her tracks. It was enough for the kitten. She nimbly escaped from Kara's hands.)
Shoot. That was a really useful subject!
Hurry up. I've already sent the files to your terminal. This is your priority now.
...Fine. Fine.
(Kara leaves. She casts one last backward glance at the kitten's escape route. She shakes her head, annoyed. Sander subconsciously breathes a sigh of relief.)
Better wise up, my little friend. Don't get caught again. Ever.
Shadow Decree: Sander's Office
Meow~
...?
Meow, meow.
...Why are you still here?
If Kara catches you again, I can't save you.
Meowww...
......
......
Meow, meow...
You want to thank me? Don't.
Meow, meow.
(Sander thinks for a moment. He picks up his jacket and steps outside his office. He tries to lock the door but the "click" doesn't come.)
Alright... If you insist.
(Sander heads for his locker and rummages around. He takes out an old military uniform.)
...Not very warm or comfortable.
But for now... this can be your home.