My Hero Automata

Chapter 54: Concerns

Summary: The heroes aren't blind, and they have concerns about how much information seems to be leaking into enemy hands. And they aren't the only ones with concerns...

Chapter 54: Concerns

Nedzu hated leaving the security of his University at the moment, but the fact that the JSDF were crawling all over everything on the physical and digital levels had caused him to arrange this meeting elsewhere. The Blue Nova's special rooms, specifically made to high security standards as places for inter-agency meetings, would have to be a good enough replacement for his own security. He had to admit, knowing that the firewalls here were 2B's constructs, that the staff were all extremely carefully vetted even by his standards, and that one of his own instructors was a partial owner of the place, all helped put him at ease with the change in venue. Somewhat.

At the table with him, only half-nibbling at the admittedly amazing food, were the most trusted and senior of his own people. Eraserhead, Midnight, and Present Mic were all on one side of the table. All Might and Gran Torino were joined by Snipe and Ectoplasm on the other. Recovery Girl was at the foot of the table, just as he was at its head, and all of them were visibly tense, despite the food and awe-inspiring display of the cosmos on the wall screens around them. They knew why everyone was here, after all. Best to get on with it.

"We have a leak."

They all tensed farther, only Eraserhead nodding firmly, as he finally stated it out loud.

"There is no other possible explanation. As all of you know, we changed the Water Terrain group's destination and trainers due to the risk that Miss Midoriya might be a specific target. We kept the effort quiet and even set them up in a location without cell signal to limit any chance of accidental location leak by a student. Yet, not only were they found...but they were assaulted by a Nomu that virtually had to have been preselected for their target environment. While we don't know how long it takes to make one, it does indicate at least some level of strategic planning based on whatever information they got."

There was silence for long moments, before Eraserhead's gruff voice broke in.

"Do we have any leads on how it leaked?"

Nedzu grimaced.

"Sadly, no. Given the revamp of our security with the help of Miss Midoriya's Quirk, it's extremely unlikely it leaked through cyber penetration. Likewise, the students themselves were kept in the dark about their destinations until they left. All communications from their phones have been traced since then and we've found nothing. The students that went on the trip have been cleared, and the Coast Guard didn't know which students were coming until they actually arrived, with Vlad carrying the list they used for identity checks. They were several days into the training trip before the attack, but it seems unlikely that was sufficient for so targeted a job. Add in our previous concerns about the USJ incident, and we appear to have a serious problem."

More than one nod was seen around the table, expressions grim. Grand Torino, blunt as ever, spoke up.

"Is that why blood guy isn't here? Concerns he may be comprised?"

Nedzu waved a paw in a so-so gesture.

"Yes and no. I have confidence that he isn't a willing leak. But he volunteered to undergo a telepathic security scan to make sure no one has recently used a mental Quirk on him."

There were several winces around the table. Understandable ones, to be honest. Telepathic scans were unpleasant to say the least. But Vlad really had volunteered for it, without Nedzu even bringing it up. Clearly, the man's own thoughts had been following similar trains of logic, and he'd been visibly distressed by the deaths and injuries on his watch when he made the offer.