Defenders Of Tomorrow

IV

Shiro's P.O.V.

I can't believe I let those two slip between my fingers. Once again, we were so close to capturing McClain and Kogane. But once again, we failed.

"Are you still worked up about them?" Adam, my executive speaks up. I perk my head up and answer him through my eyes. He sighs.

"You know, we are a team. You don't have to take this burden alone." Coran says. He's the head executive, my second in command. I nod in response. I do know its not my fault they got away, but it doesn't mean I don't feel guilty. "I've been thinking recently and-"

"That's not good." Adam interrupts. 'Classic Adam' I think while taking a sip of my coffee. Coran glares him down before continuing.

"And I had asked my niece to come help us with this case." I spit out the coffee. Coran asked Allura to assist the case?! Of everyone he could have chosen it had to be my ex. I can see Adam snickering out of the corner of my eye. He is, how would I say this? 'Well informed' about Allura and I.

"Why Allura." I ask, hoping there had to be some sort of rational behind Coran's act.

He clears his throat before answering. "After you guys... you know, she took up a job as a master of disguise and double agent." Coran informs us, twisting his mustache with pride for his niece. I'm surprised Allura took up that kind of profession. It's a very dangerous position to be in.

"If she manages to get in with McClain and Kogane she can take them down from the inside." Adam pitches in. Coran just frowns disapprovingly.

"Actually," Coran corrects, "she will provide us with information. I cannot allow my niece to do anything more dangerous than required."

"But-"

"I made a promise to her father, Mr. West. You must understand that." Adam sighed, not having enough caffeine in his system to argue. I'm relieved, sometimes their disagreements last for hours, days even.

A hear a series of thumps outside the door. I open it to see... Hunk? "What are you doing here? It's your day off." I say as he picks up some scattered books from the floor.

Hunk nervously laughs and scratches his head. "I know, Shiro. Its just, I was looking at some more documents about the McClain and Kogane case in the library. And- and I found something interesting I wanted to show you."

"Go on," Adam says. Hunk comes into the office and dumps the load of books on my desk. Coran and Adam huddle around the desk with Hunk and I.

I open the first book to where Hunk bookmarked and I stopped. "Subject Blue. Leandro McClain. Cyber experiment." Coran reads aloud. Next to the text is a picture of a Cuban boy, no older than 4 years old, with blue eyes, brown hair and tan skin. It was definitely Leandro from the McClain Kogane case.

"But what's the cyber experiment?" Coran asks. I want to know the answer too.

Hunk opens another book. He points to a small paragraph on the crowded page.

2138998286 Cyber experiment. 10 subjects. Subjects Harp, Lead, Copper, Storm, Blue, Fall, Graystone, Dorle, Train, Saturn. Turning humans into cyborg warriors. Experiment failed.

Shock overwhelms me. I shut the book before I can read the details of the experiment.

"Look," Adam points to the spine of the book. I look over to see a special symbol. "It's a government document." Leandro is related to the government? Or at least was.

"My, it looks like we found ourselves a lead." Coran says, stroking his moustache.

"It seems so."

*

I'm helping Coran set up a room in the police department for Allura to stay in. Coincidentally, it happens to be next to my room. Thats just great.

"Does she really need a proper bed? Why not just an air mattress?" I ask. Coran holds his hand on chest check in mock offence. Or, maybe its actual offence? I never know these days.

"She is my niece! She deserves a proper bed!"

"You know Coran, an air mattress is fine." A voice says from behind. Its feminine, proper.

"Allura!" Coran shouts and runs over to her. He hugs her so tight I doubt she can breathe properly. I nod in acknowledging and continue to set up the bed. After the break up we didn't really talk and I'm afraid things would be awkward between us.

"Hello Shiro." Allura says calmly. I'd think nothing had happened between us at all if I didn't know better.

"Nice to see you again." I say. I'm not a huge fan of small talk but I'm not really sure if I want to start a proper conversation with Allura. Still, its best to keep things friendly.

"Quite." Just then Hunk stumbles into the room out of breathe.

"I heard screaming!" He pants.

"Sorry. My bad." Coran apologises. "Allura's here." He gestures to Allura.

Hunk waves. "I'm Hunk. I'm an assistant here." He smiles his signature smile and walks out the door. "I'll go grab Adam!" He calls from down the hall.

Not even a minute later Hunk returns with Adam. Adam was looking as uninterested as ever. To him, girls are just a pain so he doesn't bother getting involved with them too much. "Hi." Adam sighs.

"Oh, hello." Allura says smilies widely. "I'm Allura."

"Adam."

"Now that we've all been introduced to each other we should move on to the case." Allura says.

"After Shiro and I finish the bed." Coran says while picking up a plank of wood. Where would that even fit in the bed frame?

Allura chuckles. "I'll grab you two a coffee each." Allura heads out with Adam and Hunk following closely after.

"Don't worry, Shiro. This will be for the better."

"I hope so..."

^ 977 words