Panacea

Panacea 12

Disclaimer: I certainly don't own Scarlet Nexus or any of its affliated properties.

"Scarlet Nexus": Speech (Bold for yelling or Boss level creature)

'Scarlet Nexus': Thought

Scarlet Nexus: Memories

[Scarlet Nexus]: Brain Talk (Capital letters before braces refer to speaker; e.g: Yuito=Y)

Chapter 12

After the rogue General's broadcast finally came to a close, Hikaru then turned to the rest of Yuito's platoon. While the potential fallout of this particular scandal would come to bite him in the butt later, he had other things to worry about.

"Soooo...are we really going to let Kasane get away so easily? I think we all deserve an explanation on why she suddenly wants our fearless leader dead as a doornail." Hikaru said as he pinched the bridge of his nose in silent consternation.

Seeing as Yuito was in no condition to be issuing orders, Gemma then glanced at Tsugumi as she walked over to Hikaru and held one of his hands gently. Hikaru then looked at her and grinned slightly, tousling her hair as she looked away in mock anger. The slight curve of her lips betrayed how she really felt though-she was happy that Hikaru didn't seem to linger on Karen but instead was focused on helping Yuito and the others.

"I believe the two of you should come with me-we need to catch up to Kyoka platoon before they leave Suoh." Gemma said as the two of them nodded. Hanabi then gently led the still shellshocked Yuito to the hideout.

Break

As the trio chased after the retreating Kyoka platoon, Hikaru started a brain chat to try and break up the tense atmosphere after everything that happened.

H[So let me get this straight-Karen somehow managed to stymie the entirety of Suoh, shut down most of Arahabaki and also bring half of the OSF to his side in just a few hours? Damn, the old man sure can mobilize!]

G[Indeed. Karen is not the Major General simply for his combat prowess but this plan has been happening for much longer than you think. Regarding the OSF being converted, I believe the key lies in Seiran, which is why we should catch up with Kyoka and her team before they leave Suoh.]

T[We are coming up on Kasane and the others. They appear to have stopped near the edges of Suoh-I can sense a lot of psionic activity-including Major General Karen.]

When Hikaru heard that, he suddenly felt a rush of adrenalin surge through his body, his heartbeat pounding in his ears, his eyes unknowingly pulsing and glowing yellow.

"Alright! I can't wait to give that geezer a piece of my mind! Mocking me for my 'heroics' and blathering about freedom in the same breath..." Hikaru grumbled darkly, his team members looking at him in slight concern.

"Don't worry...Hikaru. We all know...you aren't working with Karen." Tsugumi said as Hikaru nodded at her as they finally caught up with Kyoka platoon (talking to the renegade General, Hikaru noted with relish, his hands veritably twitching with nervous energy). Of course, they had to deal with some nameless OSF fodder under Karen but they served their purpose-they stalled them long enough for the General to escape. After the fight, they turned to face Kyoka platoon and the General, ready for their confrontation- unfortunately for them, they only arrived in time to see the dissipating orange light of mass teleportation.

"Damn it. We must have just missed them. I am guessing you can't sense them anymore right Tsugumi?" Hikaru said as he kicked a stray piece of rubble angrily. The girl nodded, her eyes fading to their familiar blue color.