Another Side Of The Universe

Chapter 45 : Unexpected Audience

The debut of Cirque du Stellar Romeo and Juliet is a success. Despite having an awkward air with Ramenman, Kaizo's team managed to pull a perfect performance on stage. Dubbing it as the greatest juniors debut in Cirque du Stellar history.

After congratulating each other, Axion stroll to the backstage back door. She let out a long sigh.

"Tired?" asked a voice.

Axion looked at the source. "Captain?! I didn't know you're here."

"I saw a familiar face on a circus poster and I thought I'll go take a look," said Captain Albi. "It's been a while. How have you been?"

"I've been good, thanks. What brings you to this planet?"

"Oh, I'm looking for the person who sold Rubrum's ancient parchment. I heard one of the mafias here might know something about it," said Captain Albi.

Axion nodded. "I see...."

"What about you?"

"Oh, I'm in the middle of a mission, actually."

"I see. I was surprised to see you and your friends in a circus. I thought you quit from Astraeus station," said Captain Albi.

"No, no...." Axion chuckled. "We're on a mission and we don't use our real names so I hope you'd call us by our stage name."

"Oh?! Of course! Of course! I'm sorry, I...."

"It's fine. It's ok. You didn't know...."

They both chuckled. Kaizo looked at them both. Slight jealousy stings his mind. He decided to approach them.

"Captain, I didn't expect to see you here," said Kaizo.

"Oh, hello. It's been a while," said Captain Albi as he offers his hand.

Kaizo takes his hand and gives a firm handshake.

"I saw your poster. It looked familiar so I decided to watch the show and... here you guys are," said Captain Albi. "It was a great show by the way. Your performance was mesmerizing. You were so graceful...." Captain Albi looked at Axion. "Your voice. It's the most beautiful voice I've ever known. I've never heard such... angelic voice...." he said as he drowned in Axion's eyes.

Kaizo frowns. "If you may excuse us, we still have things to do."

"Oh yes. Of course. I hope we can... talk more, sometimes," said Captain Albi as he looked at Axion.

"Of course, Captain. I'll be happy to," said Axion.

Kaizo pulls Axion back inside the tent.

"What is he doing here?" Kaizo asked.

"He's looking for the person who sold Rubrum ancient parchment. Who knows? Perhaps he can be useful," said Axion.

"You refuse to work with Spicy Gluten but you think you can work with Captain Albi?"

"Spicy Gluten is cunning. Captain Albi on the other hand, is very honest. A naive man like him would be much easier to use," said Axion.

Kaizo looked at Axion with a judging look.

"What? It's just right to do everything necessary to finish a mission," said Axion as she shrugs.

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Later that night, Axion begins to hunt for Strada. She looked at her watches as she waited in the mouth of an alley. A sound of footsteps comes closer to her. She looks to see Kaizo walking towards her.

"So, you come," said Axion.

"I can't let you catch Strada alone. Besides, I agreed on this plan," said Kaizo.

"Noodle guy?"

"Don't worry about him. Let's go!" said Kaizo as he walked.

Axion followed him. "Did you two fight before coming here?"

"On the contrary, I didn't see him at all," said Kaizo.

They walk towards L'ultima Cena Restaurant. The restaurant is already closed. Most of its light is turned off. Only one light remains.

"The room on the top floor. I assume Strada is still counting his earnings up there," said Axion as she looked at the lit room on the top floor.

"That must be his bedroom," said Kaizo.

Without waiting for Kaizo, Axion runs and leisurely climbs up the wall. She landed smoothly and quietly at a balcony.

"Hmph. Truly a skilled bounty hunter," Kaizo mumbled. He immediately follows her.

They both nod at each other before Axion shoots out the lamp in the room. Kaizo kicks the window and rolls through. Axion steps inside and shoots the rest of the lamp, leaving the room pitch black. Suddenly, Strada shoots around aimlessly. Axion and Kaizo quickly find a spot to cover.

"EAT THIS! HAHAHAHA," said Strada.

After wasting at least 20 shots, Strada stopped.

"I knew you'd come. I heard Noche is in town," said Strada.

Axion looked at the bullet that scattered on the floor and the damage it made. She begins to determine the type of gun Strada uses to shoot. Suddenly, a group of people came barging through the door. Strada's mercenaries.

"You're not going to get any piece of me!" Strada yelled.

The mercenaries started to shoot rifles. Both Axion and Kaizo stay down. After a while, Strada raised his hand, telling his man to stop shooting.

"I know how you bargain. So let's hear who hired you to kill me and see if I can pay higher than him," said Strada.

Axion flinched. Kaizo looked at her, wondering what she's thinking. Axion throws her gun away. She raised both her hands and slowly stood up. Kaizo looked at her in confusion.

"Interesting. I know as an owner of a restaurant, you're quite rich. But let's see if you're actually richer than my client," said Axion.