It had been a few days since Operation: Prisonbreak. The couple that was saved from Tokyo State Prison, or Ginji and Asuka, as they had named themselves, were slowly getting settled into the compound.
Finding out about Spirit was a bit of a shock, but they were adjusting to it.
In the cafeteria, Jason sat next to his tiny radio station, reading over papers stacked on his clipboard as Chase ranted to him next to the table.
"...So, I feel like it would be kinda stupid if I didn't go on the next mission. It's like having a million dollars and not spending it." Chase explained, his eyes wandering as he thought of what to say next.
Jason sighed as Chase continued.
Suddenly, buzzing came through Jason's radio station.
"It worked! I knew it would work." Jason leaned into the radio as Chase's interest was piqued.
"Oh, thank god. I remembered the frequency." A female voice came through the radio.
"Hello?" Jason answered back, now almost pressing his head against the speakers.
"Jason?! It's Charlotte!" Charlotte was nearly screaming through the radio, each word shrieking with feedback.
"Step back from the mic, Charlotte!" Jason screamed back. "It's nice to hear from you too!"
"This is crazy! I haven't heard from you since… Well, Manny..." Charlotte's tone dropped.
"Yeah. So, did the other compounds get my message?" Jason asked, quickly pushing past the melancholy.
"I've heard from Oscar and Maria, still waiting on Bongani." Charlotte groaned sarcastically. "Your missions are on the news down here in Australia!"
"What?!" Jason laughed, surprised.
"Yeah! It's the first time news from outside the state has made it here in a while, especially about rebels. Not like they actually went it detail, just that 'those rebel scum are at it again!'" Charlotte put on an idiotic impression as both of the compound leaders laughed. "Maybe, one day, you guys'll help us with the problem down here. Those Third Day idiots are really making a mess."
"I'll think about it. I can help train some of you guys while I'm down there." Jason said. "Alright, my line'll always be open. I'll talk to ya later, Charlotte."
Jason switched the radio back to the local frequency as one last "Goodbye!" rang through the radio.
Chase smirked at the red-head. "Is that a new mission?"
"We'll keep it local, for now. Hardy told me some of the other rebels at his shop were talking about an organized protest near Tokyo Tower in about a week. I'll see who would be the best fit to keep guard of the protestors, so that they don't get detained." Jason dragged his fingers through his head.
"Other rebels?!" Chase rubbed his forehead as Jason groaned.
"Bud, this is the last time I'm explaining it." Jason flipped through the papers on his clipboard, stopping as he pointed to a list on one of them.
The list read:
State of Europe: Oscar in London
State of Asia: Jason in Tokyo
State of South America: Maria in Buenos Aires
State of North America: Alex & Bloom in D.C.
State of Australia: Charlotte in Sydney
State of Africa: Bongani in Cape Town
The State of North America had a cross through it.
"There's six, sorry, five compounds. Each of them is like the center of the rebellion for that state. But, there's still rebels who live outside of the compound." Jason tapped his pen against his chin as he thought to himself.
"Think of how Hardy lives at his record store. Or, even better, think of how the Frewins lived in Virginia." Jason said.
Chase nodded slowly as he tried to absorb the information. "So… When is the next mission?"
Jason groaned as he stood up, bringing his clipboard and radio with him. "I'm gonna go double check the details, I'll let you know, bud." The red head said as he walked away.
"Yes!" Chase whispered as he pumped his fist.
In the gymnasium:
Kai glanced awkwardly in Akilah's direction, trying to focus on the game of cards him, Hendrix, and Vida were playing.
"I win!" Vida exclaimed as she slapped the colorful cards onto the stack sitting on the gym floor. The other two teens groaned as they threw their hands into the deck as well.
Their eyes wandered over to Akilah, who had asked, no, demanded to spar with Taro.
Her breath was laboured, still holding her dummy sword in front of her in spite of her excessive sweating.
"You good?" Taro scratched the back of his head, perplexed by the sight.
"7-1. Let's do it again, I can bring it back." Akilah gripped the handle of her wooden sword with all the might she could muster.
"If you say so." Taro shrugged, putting his fists in front of him.
Taro charged forward, cautious of Akilah's first swing.
The girl stood her ground, watching Taro grow closer.
Akilah swung her sword toward her opponent's left side, watching closely for the perfect moment to activate her ability.
Taro jumped back before Akilah could even think.
Her sword was still in motion when Taro jumped back towards her, striking her gut with a clean punch.
"Agh!" Akilah gasped as the air escaped her lungs. She doubled over, stumbling backwards before tumbling towards the floor.
In a blur, Kai sped towards her, catching her before she hit the ground.
"Wasn't that a little much, bro?" Kai turned to his brother as he held Akilah upright.
"I don't know what's up with her, bro." Taro shrugged.
"I don't need your pity…" Akilah muttered under her breath.
"What?" Kai turned to her.
"I'm good." Akilah got up, grabbing her jean jacket as she stormed out of the gym.
"Wait!" Kai exclaimed, chasing after her.
The gym went silent, eventually turning into a card game between the three teens left.
In the infirmary:
Alex and Bloom sat at Doctor Nagi's desk, reading over the test results as the doctor spoke.
"So, if he was any more deliberate with the attack, Biggie would have never gotten movement in his leg back, ever. That's why I've brought you two here." Doctor Nagi straightened the stack of papers he was holding. "This isn't just some child prodigy, this is well beyond that. Is there anything… Different about Hendrix?"
Alex and Bloom looked at each other.
"He's always had these outbursts, it's like something was already there when he started to train his Mode." Bloom looked down at the results on the desk as she spoke.
"The doctor had the compound in D.C., Jessica," Alex paused as Jessica's final moments flashed through her mind. "She had made some kind of connection to this weird dream Hendrix had, I don't know."
Doctor Nagi raised an eyebrow. "Alright. I'll look into that."
The doctor wrote on his clipboard as the two women looked at each other, a worried expression plastered on Bloom's face.