Alex, Bloom, and now Jason sat in front of Doctor Nagi's desk as he restated what he had told the two women to Jason.
"So… Does that mean he can't go on missions? He won't be happy about this." Jason shrugged.
"I just recommend keeping a close eye on him, like Alex and Bloom have been doing since he was brought into their care." Doctor Nagi explained as Jason looked over Hendrix's test results one more time.
The redhead sighed as he placed the paper back on the desk.
"I've got some info from Hardy about a protest coming up in about a week. They're trying to stop the Regime from destroying a historical site from around the time the Regime came into power." Jason twisted his pen between his fingers.
It's also near where Ginji and Asuka's daughter disappeared, so this isn't something I'd wanna pass up. But… I wouldn't put the kids into a losing game." Jason dragged his fingers through his short, red hair.
Alex and Bloom looked at each other.
"No." Bloom recognized Alex's face, her eyebrows raised.
"This might be important. We can't pass up an opportunity to get their daughter back, either." Alex put her hands up as she awaited Bloom's answer.
"Even though they've been on a mission or two, it's still so horrifying. Every time." Bloom thought as she tightened her coat around her chest.
"I guess. Who's going?" Bloom pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I was thinking, Chase, Hendrix, Taro, and…" Jason hesitated. "You." He winced as he awaited an answer.
"Uh, no. I'm well past my risk taker times." Bloom waved her hand in front of her as she shook her head.
"Babe, you don't have to. I can go in her place." Alex turned to Jason.
"Alright, sounds good. And about Hendrix-" Jason was interrupted, the infirmary door swinging open.
"I wanna go." Hendrix stood at the entryway, Molly peeking from behind his shoulder.
"What are you two doing here?" Bloom turned to the kids.
"We wanted to check on Biggie." Molly said. "We just overheard a little." She chuckled.
"Biggie's in his room. He's healthy enough to walk around the compound on crutches." Doctor Nagi explained.
"These kids, man." Jason dragged his hand down his face. "I'll make it work. It's next Tuesday, so let's get the squad together and explain it." Jason stood up, waving towards the others to follow him.
In the cafeteria, Jason slowly gathered the three boys he had chosen, with Alex and Bloom there as well.
Jason dropped his papers onto the table, photos scattered about.
"Alright. There's a cave in a plain of grass near Tokyo Tower, a lot of the civilians around here nicknamed it the Cave of Wonders. It's been blocked off and guarded for as long as anyone can remember, so the people have made theory after theory about what they're hiding, especially with the spike in missing cases around the area, including Ginji and Asuka's daughter." Jason pointed to one of the pictures.
The image showed a Correctional Forces Deputy guarding a large cave jutting out of the flat grass.
"And we've gotta get in there!" Chase exclaimed.
"No." Jason laughed. "There's a protest being organized. The Regime announced plans to destroy the cave next Wednesday, destroying whatever they were hiding." Jason pointed to another paper, a note to Hardy, saying:
"Hardy, my man. Come to the protest next Tuesday. We're stronger in numbers, and I'm sure we can make them crack about whatever's inside that cave. It has to do with the missing kids." Signed anonymously.
"The mission is simple: make sure the protestors make it out safely. If all goes well, the protest will be something the news can't ignore. Civilians might start to question, and that's all we need." Jason explained. "If anyone gets detained… Well… Heresy at this level is punishable by death."
The group went silent for a moment before Alex spoke.
"It'll be me, Hendrix, Chase, and Taro. We'll do some light training before the mission, get ready." Alex nodded as she waved. She made her way to the gym with Jason running after her to go over the details.
"I… Don't get hurt. Please." Bloom put on a weak smile as she looked down at the three boys.
"Don't worry. We'll just get Nagi to heal us up when we come back, like the girls did." Taro smirked.
"You can't get healed up if you don't come back." Bloom shook her head, immediately regretting the words as they came out of her mouth.
After a few moments of silence, she opened her mouth again.
"Just… Be careful, please." Bloom wrapped herself tightly in her coat as she turned around, walking up to her room.
The three boys looked at each other, equal parts perplexed and concerned.
"There's nothing to worry about, guys. You got the number one ranked rebel on your team!" Chase stood up, a sly smirk on his face as he shrugged.
"I know I'm amazing but I didn't know I was number one." Taro relaxed back in his chair as he awaited the onslaught of insults.
"Shut up! I could kick your ass with one hand tied behind my back!" Chase exclaimed from across the table.
Hendrix laughed at the interaction, his eyes wandering as his two friends grew louder.
Suddenly, two figures caught his attention.
"Is that Akilah? And Kai? Why does it look like they're arguing?" Hendrix thought to himself as he tried to listen in to their conversation over the angry yelling of the two boys he was sitting with.
"Y'know Doc said he can't instantly fix stuff like your arm. You can still rest, Akilah-" Kai was interrupted.
"I don't have time to rest." Akilah muttered.
"What are you in such a rush for?" Kai was utterly confused.
Akilah was just as confused. She had never heard Kai speak his mind this much. She had gotten so used to him following his brother around that it felt odd that he was expressing his opinion now.
"If I fail on another mission, someone might get hurt." Akilah fixed her glasses. "Hendrix, Vida, Amora, they've all risked their lives for me. I can't just sit back and watch anymore."
Kai paused. He hadn't thought this far.
"I just want you to be happy. You don't look very happy." Kai spoke under his breath.
Akilah acted like she didn't hear it, holding her surprise in.
"Never mind. I'll see you later." Kai sped off in a blur, running up to his room.
Akilah held a vacant stare, Kai's words echoing in her head. She put her jean jacket on as her vacant stare kept its gaze locked on the ground.
"Hendrix… Hendrix!" Chase shook Hendrix's shoulders, bringing him back into the conversation at the table.
"Wha- What happened?!" Hendrix looked around the table.
Molly had joined the group at some point, to the surprise of Hendrix.
"What should we call the mission?" Chase asked.
"What?" Hendrix was even more confused now.
"They got a cool name. Operation: Prisonbreak sounds badass. I want something like that." Chase explained. "Taro's dumbass said Mission: Cave Diving"
Taro threw his arms up in frustrated defeat.
"What about… Mission: Bedrock?" Molly threw the idea out on a whim.
Chase started jumping up and down at the idea as Taro's brow furrowed.
"That's not better than mine!" Taro exclaimed as Chase only got more excited.
"Molly always comes up with the cool ideas, huh?" Hendrix chuckled.
Molly giggled, straightening her arms as she interlocked her hands. "Well, thanks honey."
"Uh- okay." Hendrix responded, flustered and awkward.
On the staircase, Doctor Nagi watched the pink-haired boy, taking notes on a clipboard.
"I hope this goes well. If his Spirit levels keep increasing, it could escape his control completely." Doctor Nagi thought.