Blue Archive - Story of Joshua Sensei

Chapter 33 - WHITE WHALE

...

Two days after meeting Himari, the Abydos girls, sans Ayane come with me into the desert. Ayane stays behind, as usual. The four girls and I ride in my armored car I stole from Kaiser a while back.

"So what's really going on, Sensei?" Serika asks me.

"Yeah, Kaiser's gone. There can't be anything out here." Hoshino says, agreeing.

Sighing, I relent. "Look, Kaiser was investigating a certain... 'white whale'." To my side, I see Hoshino's eyes widen, then narrow in recognition. "Yeah, THAT. Turns out, it was made by a super-strong rogue AI, but there's also a bunch of small robots out here. A friend of mine, wanting to investigate all this stuff, asked me to come out here and see what's up with those little robots. Y'know, if they're being controlled or the like."

"So, we're just looking for the little ones?" Nonomi asks.

"Yeah." I say simply.

"And the whale?" Hoshino asks, deadly serious.

"We shouldn't see it, but it's not like I didn't come prepared. This car's had some work done since last time." I explain, rapping my fist against the roof of the vehicle.

After a somewhat tense ride, we arrive at a small, empty Kaiser base. As we get out and look around, we all notice it's much smaller than the one we ended up at in the desert's center.

"All right, girls. Keep an eye out for those little robots. They're short and square with stubby legs, and are usually white and yellow. There's two areas of interest. One north of here and one south. Split up and investigate each, while I investigate this area. And... stay safe." I explain, receiving a serious nod and a smile from all four girls as they walk off. "Ayane, you read us?" I ask into the comms.

"Loud and clear, Sensei." The elf girl says.

"Good. Keep an eye on the seismograph for the area. If Binah shows up we have to leave ASAP." I say. "Alert us about even the smallest disruption."

"I will, Sensei." Ayane replies, equally as serious as I.

Speaking of coming prepared, I'm 'suited up', so to speak. On my back is my assault rifle and a sniper rifle, each held by a strap that goes over one shoulder and under the other. I've also got some kevlar on under my outfit, and a belt of ammo and grenades around my waist, along with a pistol holstered on my hip.

You can bet your ass I'm taking this seriously.

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Serika and Nonomi investigate the small encampment to the north of their car and Sensei.

"Hey, Nonomi?" The cat girl suddenly asks, while holding her rifle by her side, her body tensed and ready to fire.

"Yes?" The blonde asks, holding her gatling gun firmly.

"Do you know what Sensei meant by 'white whale'?" Serika asks her friend.

"No clue." Nonomi says, seriously. An odd change of pace for the usually bubbly girl. "But Hoshino seemed to know."

"...Maybe it was something the old Student Council were involved in." Serika theorizes.

"Okay! Enough of that talk, let's go find those robots!" Nonomi says cheerfully.

"Heh, all right." Serika says, as the two trek forward.

—————

Meanwhile, Shiroko and Hoshino investigate the southern encampment, both gripping their guns tightly. Hoshino's riot shield, strapped to her back, bobs up and down with each step.