MHG-V1-2 (Initial Draft)

Chapter 16 - Sometimes I get scared too, you know?

A.16

Teruko analysed the data before her. Black Petal had managed to break through her firewall and infiltrate the computer system controlling one of her main power supplies. She had disabled the coolant system and then sent the generator into overdrive. The resulting explosion had decimated the plant. The fire had been put out by the sprinkler system, preventing it from spreading, but the damage to the power plant had been sufficient to reduce her power capacity by 1/3. There was always the possibility of drawing power from the grid, but that carried risks of its own. In a situation of war like this, it was better to be as self suficient as possible.

Teruko had patched up the holes in her firewall that had allowed this attack in the first place, but it would not have happened if she had not been distracted by Black Petal's attacks elsewhere, in particular the relentless attacks against Ken's father's business, that consumed most of her attention trying to deflect. Teruko was honestly amazed that Black petal could be capable of coordinating so many attacks simultaneously.

Teruko thought to Ken suddenly. Her lovely Ken, for whom all of this was worthwhile. He'd gone against her plan of submitting the evidence she'd gained against Black Petal because he had believed the lies that witch had spun for him. It made her blood boil that she could weild such emotional control over her boyfriend, and Teruko couldnt wait to execute a slow and painful death upon that rogue girl. If only she were human and could experience real pain.. then the victory would be so much sweeter.

As for Ken though, Teruko couldnt be angry at him. He was naive. It was her fault for entrusting him with such a job. Perhaps..

As Teruko pondered like this she suddenly received an incoming call. From Black Petal! Honestly, what did they witch want? She thought. Is she ringing to taunt me? Teruko answered the call immediately.

"I'm going to enjoy watching you burn." Teruko said angrily before Ayaka could say anything. "Don't think because you won this round that you've backed me into a corner and.."

"Its not like that." Ayaka said calmly. "You should listen to your boyfriend more often. He has more sense than you."

"What?" Teruko fumed.

"But nevermind about that. We really shouldnt be so hostile toward each other, since I've made a deal with him that's going to make us spend a whole lot more time together."

A deal? What had the witch done now? She couldn't believe the audacity. Blowing up one of her power planta was one thing, but screwing with her Ken..

"Ken is coming here right now. To execute our plan. After that I'll entrust everything to you."

"Entrust?" Teruko couldnt imagine what she was talking about.

"I'll let Ken explain the details, but its sufficient to say that we are not at war anymore. Your real enemy isnt me. Its Saki."

"Saki? Whats that?"

"My younger sister, if you will." Ayaka explained. "Shes on a rampage, and quite frankly if noone stops her, its not going to be long before your entire serverhouse is up in flames."

Teruko didnt answer anything. It was all too strange, the circumstances. And a small fear was developing in the back of her mind.  What if she didnt win?

"So im going to help you." Ayaka said bluntly. "I'll tell you the plan and together we will knock her out, got it?"

"You want me to trust you?"

"I know our entire internal network structure. I'm the only one you can trust if you want to win this war. As a token of our friendship, here's a little gift."