Unplanned Return [Hiatus]

12th

"So that is what happened. These kids got caught up in some minor gang warfare. We were just lucky enough to break in and save them when we did." Chantelle explained as she sat with Sherry, Shinku, Rebecca and Éclair in the living room of Shinku's home.
Sherry nodded and let out a sigh of happiness. "I'm just thankful everyone is safe. " Shinku, could you and Éclair escort Rebecca to her house while I thank the officer here?"
"Okay, we'll be back!" Shinku exclaimed as he, Rebecca and Éclair quickly left the room, and once the sound of the door closing echoed into the living room, Sherry glanced at Chantelle, her expression instantly changing from one of a thankful housewife, to something more.
"So, what was it actually, Chantelle?"
"I knew you'd notice I was putting up a front to make the kids feel better. No point in worrying them after all, especially when you don't want them to know about some of the things going on."
"Chantelle . . . "
"Relax, Sherry, I was getting there." Chantelle said as she leaned forward on the couch where she sat in her full combat gear. "It was the same organization that those two Robert showed you were part of, and we finally have a name for it now. The WRP."
"WRP, what kind of acronym is that and what does it mean?"
"It stands for World Revitalization Project. As far as we can tell its a group that knows about other worlds such as Flonyard, and is attempting to make contact with them for the sole purpose of taking them over to use them as resource plants for Earth."
"Sounds like a ridiculous prospect, like declaring war on aliens before you even meet them."
"Exactly, but what we've been able to figure out, that's their thing. We're still figuring things out, and have raided six hideouts connected to them in the last week, four here in Japan, and two in Russia."
"That sounds . . . . . how many were at each hideout?"
"Less than a dozen each, but each time they managed to destroy their equipment and computers before we could stop them. They are terrible at hiding their people, but very good at destroying any leads we could use against them."
"That sounds problematic."
"It is. But I think the pressure we've been putting on them recently should make them think twice before doing anything for a while."
"Like kidnapping perhaps?"
"Uh, look I'm sorry about that. It was a minor oversight in our information net and-"
"Relax I don't blame you Chantelle. I blame my son for not doing the intelligent thing and informing the right people when he was contacted by them."
"Thanks for that, and sorry about the edging on the Dais."
"Oh, it's no problem. Now that I know you've been on the hunt I don't feel so inclined to complain." Sherry admitted with a sigh. The two women were silent as they sipped tea, but after a few minutes, when Sherry finished hers she spoke up again, her voice sounding unsure. "Chantelle, can I ask you to do something for me?"
"Of course, what do you need? If it's a gun or twelve I get you them no problem. It's not like you don't have the permits for them anyway."
"No, it's the opposite actually. If I give you the old clothing of mine from when we all were in Flonyard, could you get someone to refashion them for me?"
"That old combat uniform? I could but why would you. . . . . . . . . You don't think it'll come to that do you?"
"I hope not, but I have asked Robert to have my blade re-forged just in case. Better safe than sorry after all."
"I suppose so . . . . Yeah, give me it and I'll have it refashioned. For you. I will need some measurements though to have it done." Chantelle explained as Sherry walked across the room to a closet and opened it, doing something inside that sounded like undoing locks before she pulled out a brown cloth bag and tossing it behind her onto the coffee table.
"I'll send you my measurements tonight then. Everything should be in the bag."
Taking the bag Chantelle looked inside, nodded and then tossed it over her shoulder and stood up. "Alright, I'll make sure it gets done for you."
"Thank you, I'm sorry for keeping you, Chantelle."
"Nonsense, it's been far too long since we were able to just talk." Chantelle said as she turned to the doorway out of the living room and stopped, suddenly making the room feel colder as she turned around and spoke up. "There is one other thing you should know though."
"And that is?"
"Xavier has disappeared. No one's been able to find him, his apartment was empty and his bank account drained."
" . . . . I see."
"We're looking for him, but at this point, and with how effective these people have been at eluding us . . . ."
"Don't say it, let's not jump to conclusions." Sherry said as she walked Chantelle to the door.
"You're right. Well, I have to get back to work, so I'll see you later, Sherry. And good luck keeping track of your kid and the girl."
"Thanks. I think I might need it soon."
"So, how did your mum react?" Shinku asked as he, Rebecca and Éclair walked down the street toward the school. With the supposed bomb threat the day before hey had expected the school to be closed, but it wasn't. They were all pretty tired though, as Rebecca's kidnapping had messed with all of their heads the day before.
"She didn't take it good." Rebecca responded with a forced laugh, "that person that saved us, she explained to my mum the same thing she said to yours, that I had gotten kidnapped due to being mistaken for a member of a gang family, and because of it my mums' been on my case to dye my hair, of all things. She wouldn't even let me in the past, and now she's almost demanding it!"
"Sounds rough, she probably just wants to protect you." Éclair said calmly as they turned the corner and walked down the last stretch of road before the school.
"Yeah, but it's strange. . . . . . . . . . There really isn't much in the way of gangs around here and, what those people said. . . They knew about Flonyard?" Rebecca asked, unsurely.
"It seemed like it," Shinku said with a nod. "I've been wondering how they knew though. Could they have been before?"
"Maybe, your mother has after all, and so did the principal at the school." Éclair added, trying to help figure the situation out.
"I guess. It's just worrying me is all."
"Both you need to stop worrying!" Rebecca said with a smile as she ran forward and turned around to Shinku and Éclair. "It's over and done with, and all we have is today, and next week and then our break happens and we can go to Flonyard again. How's that drawing thing going anyway, Éclair?"
"It's going well, I think I should have it done by next Friday. And then we can head to Flonyard on Saturday if what Shinku's mother says is right." Éclair answered, finding herself smiling at the prospect of returning home.
"Well that's good then! We can get you home and then everyone will be happy! I'm sure the princess and everyone is worried about you, and think of the stories you'll be able to tell them about Earth!" "Rebeca exclaimed, glad that her change of subject was helping Éclair's mood.
"Yeah, I guess so." Éclair said as she glanced to Rebecca as she fell back into step with Éclair and Shinku, then began slowing her step and holding Rebecca back for a moment and whispering. "I'm kind of worried how everyone will react to, well, me and Shinku though." Éclair admitted with a blush.
"I wouldn't worry too much about it. Everyone's your friends, so I'm sure they'll understand and support you. And like I said, if Shinku tries something stupid you'll have everyone at your side helping you beat him for it!" Rebecca whispered back with a smile, causing Eclair to giggle a bit.
"Yeah, I guess, it still worried me though. The princess, and Yuki and Rico all have feelings for him just like you do so-,."
"Ah, what, what are you talking about, Éclair?"
"Oh, please. It's pretty obvious. If I can't lie about having hidden my feeling for him you can't either!"
"He's just my friend and- and I mean that-"
"That's not going to fly, Rebecca!"
"Ah, no fair!" Rebecca suddenly screamed as she ran past Shinku and towards the school, with Éclair chasing after her with smile.
Shinku looked at the two of them with a confused look as they ran past him, having not heard their conversation and then smiled. "It's a race then, right? Okay!" he called out as he began chasing after them, causing both of the girls to panic slightly and laugh, though they were unsure why.
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"Sir?"
For a moment there was no response, and then a computer monitor lit up, barely revealing the edges of a person s face in the dark room. "Yes? What is it?"
"We've lost numerous teams, including our capture team. What do you believe we should do next?"
"Hmm, begin carefully moving all of our equipment to the designated place in Japan. We'll lay low until we need to strike, and then take everything for Earth!"