Chapter 25: Pre-operation briefing

I left Kaiser's office and made my way to the lounge. Most of the thugs had gone home at this point and the few that were there didn't notice me at all. This was due to my state as a grade three Altered.

I chilled on the couch and eventually fell asleep while watching the grass growing show. It had its usefulness.

I was however awoken by unknown whispers.

I groggily steadied myself and sat up. Most of the thugs had come back by this point and were chilling here and there seemingly waiting for something.

I then heard footsteps originating from the stairs. It was Kaiser and Seamus.

"Good morning. I am sure you all have seeing or received the respective bounties. We will focus on finding the professor. Any clues?" Kaiser said as he walked over to the front of the group.

Eh, wait, what time is it anyway?

[6:15 AM]

It seemed that Kaiser wasn't kidding when he mentioned working early.

The members all started to discuss any potential sightings while others discussed why we were only focusing on one bounty.

"You haven't heard? Kaiser took in the Dan person on the bounty" A man not too far away from me whispered to another.

"Eh? Really. Why not turn him in?" The other one responded.

"Hey! He is right over there!" A spectator yelled in a hushed tone while occultly pointing in my direction. We locked eyes and he instinctively looked away and focused on what Kaiser's next words might be.

I sighed internally and did the same.

"Quiet down. Seamus has done well in reporting some sightings for me. The professor is said to be on the east side of the slums. Of course, he probably isn't there anymore but it's a good starting direction." Kaiser spoke quickly and confidently as to not waste too much of our time. The bounties must be worth a lot to him. Perhaps he only needed one more crystal to go up a grade? That would explain why he might be angered or disappointed.

"You should all spread out and keep an eye out. Make sure not to get encumbered with the guards though. They are also looking for the professor." Kaiser said those words before swiftly gesturing everybody to get moving.

"Damn, I hope I catch him. I am close to breaking into grade two" A middle-aged man muttered as he stood up and made his way out.

Other people had similar things to say as they left the lounge occasionally glancing in my direction. They might be able to contribute enough if they report me to move sectors and get a higher grade.

If they reported me without moving sectors they would have done nothing more than sell out their own gang. It was likely why most only shot me a glance and kept their thoughts to themselves. The chances of being arrested were much higher than the ones of getting to move sectors.

I am not a big enough threat to warrant such contributions to the government, am I?

I got up from the couch although still sleepy and prepared to head out as well.

"Dan, Seamus will join you" Kaiser casually said before leaving upstairs to his office. Seamus who used to be standing next to him watched as he left before turning to me.

"Although we will be searching for the professor, you should still be careful. The other residents of this slum are almost guaranteed to sell you out if they see you." Seamus warned me. He seemed to be rather upright for a gang member.

There were likely posters plastered around the city with my face on them. I failed to notice them while returning from the library but the same couldn't be said about everybody else.

The bounty didn't specify how much would be rewarded but for the people here, any sum would be welcome. With even just 100 merits they might be able to leave their current situation even if just temporarily.

"Alright thanks, let's set out." I said not wanting to waste any more time.

I was quite interested in meeting the professor again. It would be great if he could explain what exactly he injected in me. Whatever it was, it clearly wasn't legal.

It almost makes me a bit bitter since it meant I wasn't able to join the military. I mean, ultimately this was likely the better outcome but moving up in society is a lot more difficult from the shadows.

With Seamus behind me, I went down the many flights of stairs.

"Jimmy, we'll see you around" Seamus waved goodbye to a stern man sitting near the exit door. He was the one in charge of opening the door and remembering the codes.

We exited the building. The outside was pitch black, at least it was for Seamus. The lights only turn on at 7 am so he would have to search in the dark until then.

"Which direction are we heading to?" I asked Seamus. Going to the east was more likely than not a bad call but what if the professor spread the rumors himself and is using reverse psychology?

"I think we should think about this a bit more" Seamus said as he put on a black fedora.

"You should wear a hat too." He tossed me a black cap which I easily caught.

I didn't hesitate and simply put it on. It was bound to help me hide my face. It would be far more convenient to have a hoodie but a cap would have to do.

Seemingly reading my expression, Seamus chose to explain.

"Anything better would only make you seem more suspicious. Plus, hoods are not made here in Termina. As a matter of fact, that we are allowed to wear hats is already a miracle." Seamus said with a wry smile and a helpless shrug.

"The sector B waste farm is over the south… The lab has an eastern direction which is probably why the doctor was sighted entering from that area. I suggest we head in a northeastern direction." Seamus brainstormed for a bit before suggesting a direction.

I had some qualms with this choice as even the dumbest of persons could come up with this projected escape path, but we could only rely on luck for the time being anyway.

"Let's do that and ask around while we are it then" If the professor did head in that direction then there were bound to be some sightings.

The jobless didn't have much to do outside of gossiping. Some might even stay up past the curfew and look out their windows contemplating life.

"Alright, I am a bit excited" Seamus said with a smile clearly demonstrating his anticipation.

"Oh, how come?" I asked with curiosity as we walked.

"Truthfully the boss only has me doing odd jobs. That time when you tailed me all I was doing was getting him some liquor." He replied while keeping an eye out on his surroundings.

"I imagined you had lots of experiences with these types of things" It was especially so since he changed clothes and matched different mannerisms so skillfully.

"No, not at all. These types of things rarely happen anyways. These bounties are a once in a lifetime opportunity for some" Seamus kindly corrected me.

That could either be blamed on having a short life span or a lack of backbone. Has nobody really tried to go against the government? Well, maybe they are just instantly caught.