Satellite base

9 am Directors Office

"Hello again Rodrigo, it's nice to hear from you again." With Sakaki, it was always hard to tell when he was genuine, but even if he was, his tin-grin tone aggravated everyone when they knew his habits.

Paylor was met with a long grunt from the video screen.

"You'll be happy to hear your people are alive and well. One was a bit roughed up, but only minor injuries, he's right as rain. Took a while for the other one to come around, but strangely enough, we never found any signs of injuries on Churchill, but he was very adamant about returning. You should be hearing from them again soon." Sakaki said.

Rodrigo thought of what to say to Sakaki, but his thoughts were interrupted.

"Oh, and the delivery went smoothly if they didn't tell you already." Sakaki said happily.

Rodrigo sneered at Sakaki, but held his composure.

"And of course, the inmate as always has proven volatile in our fight against the aragami here in the Far East even more so, you'd be so proud. I can't imagine how I ever managed without him!" Sakaki putting it real thick made Rodrigo cringe and grit his teeth.

Suddenly a ring went off and Sakaki checked his watch.

"Oh look at the time, it's been nice talking to you Warden, and you're welcome for keeping your people safe. Tata for now." Paylor ended the call and left his desk with a hum.

Rodrigo staring at his blank screen, could only dial and wait for a response to this new call. After the 2nd ring, Churchill appeared on a holo screen.

"Warden, Sir!?" he said.

"WHAT THE HELL REALLY HAPPENED!?" Rodrigo demanded.

As Rodrigo debriefed his own people, more thoroughly, Sakaki had his own plans.

As he rode down the lift, Paylor pulled out a phone and dialed.

"Hello, Hibari?" he said.

"Yes, Director." she said.

"I need you to call Mr.Shimazaki to the garage to meet me in Lot 1. Also, call in any drivers, not on active duty. 1-2 or two will do." Sakaki said.

"Sano? Just him?" Hibari asked, sounding concerned.

"Yes, straight away. Oh and tell Ms.Daiba to get prepped for a long-term mission. Erina, too---ahh, why not Emil as well. Yes, all three, Once they're all ready call me and I'll issue their orders." Sakaki explained.

"Uh---yes, sir." Hibari said.

"Sakaki over and out." Paylor ended the call as the lift came to a stop.

The doctor stepped out to a row of APVs, jeeps, and trucks all with Fenrir insignia. Upon glancing at a jeep fit for 6 Paylor halted and continued to hum to himself.

He patiently waited, nodding to any passing him by.

15 minutes later, the director was met with the Inmate, god-arc in tow.

"There you are Mr.Shimazaki, good morning." Paylor said cheerfully.

"Hey." Sano said warily.

"You beat the driver here, so it looks like it'll be a moment before we set off." Paylor said, checking his watch.

Ask him what he wants.

"What do you need me for?" Sano asked, eyeing the doctor.

"Tell me have you been told about Satellite Bases since you've arrived?" Paylor asked.

"Satellite what?" Sano asked.

"Interesting, I guess we've only gone over so much. If I wasn't director I never would've let that slip. Although if I wasn't, I wonder if she would've just sent you back to prison." Paylor said with a laugh.

Who now?

"Who?" the inmate asked, raising a brow.

"Oh, I was just rambling, it looks like our ride is here." Paylor said, waving passed Sano.

A Fenrir employee came running nervously.

"Sorry, sir! I couldn't find the keys!" they said.

"Now that's no good Hosu, how do you expect to be made an EX-Fill driver like that." Paylor chastised.

"Yes, sir, sorry sir, won't happen again!" They said as they opened the doors for Paylor and entered the driver's seat.

"Oh pardon me, Mr.Shimazaki I have a quick call to make." Payload pulled out his phone as he took his seat.

"No hurry." Sano said candidly as he sat across from Sakaki. The jeep backed out of its space and proceeded to a gate.

The inmate felt the jeep pick up speed and watched the passing lights by the window.

"(When's the last time we've gotten a chance to talk to this guy?)" the inmate thought.

Couldn't be more than a month. At least 1 on 1. I see him go out and about and not return for more than a week or so.

"(Almost two months ago. Apparently he goes out to Black Plague patients a lot.)" Sano thought.

Yeah, like on the daily. The quarantine zones are HUGE.

"(He still hasn't said anything about Ogumura, if he hadn't called us, I wouldn't have even remembered.)" Sano thought.

When you brought him up back then, it is like he wished you didn't. Not that he elaborated on that either.

"(Personal History I guess.)" Sano tilted his head back and watched the open road come into view seeing the Far East fade.

"Yes, Hibari send them all there until further notice. I'll be in touch, farewell." Paylor ended his call.

He's done, time to find out why he wanted us out here.

The inmate turned away from the window back to Paylor's cheery face.

"Sorry about that, always a busy bee these days. Now about why I've called you here. When we diverted that Ouroboros there was more at stake than just letting it slip into the Red Rain. If it was 3 years ago we could've just let it out to open land and proceed on our own timetable. However, we had to reel it a fair way to the Den. Why do you think that is?" Paylor asked.

"(He almost looks serious.)" the inmate thought sarcastically.

"Recently we have established independent settlements, we've dubbed Satellite bases' in cooperation with a non-Fenrir settlement called Nemus Diana. Although it be more appropriate to call them an 'anti' Fenrir settlement." Sakaki said with a laugh.

Are they now????

"Go on." Sano said, holding back his urge to harass the doctor.

"Well, it's like this. We encountered Nemus Diana one day around the first time the Red Rains started appearing, it was rather perplexing how such an independent settlement could thrive out here under our noses for so long. But you see as we began negotiations for trade and supplies, together we set out a plan to put out more habitable areas for any humans who aren't under Fenrir's jurisdiction. This began our developments for Satellite Bases." Sakaki explained.

"Independent settlements." Sano said.

"Independent, self-sufficient, and far away from Aragami. You see that's how we decide where it's ideal to build Satellite Bases, based on Aragami migration patterns. All the Satellite Bases we have so far are locations where Aragami relatively doesn't go near at all for one reason or another.

In fact, after the rise of the Psions, the regular Aragami started scattering to outer regions of the Far East as if to avoid them." Paylor said.

Well isn't THAT curious.

"Still with me so far?" Paylor asked.

Sano nodded, keeping his composure, but unable to hide how hooked he was on the doctor's words.

"The Satellite Bases have become rather popular, so popular it's drawn the attention of the HQ higher-ups. Do you know that big fortress that's parked by the Aragami wall? That's the FRIAR institute. Primarily owned by and ran by Gregory de Gremslow." Paylor said.

"That eyesore is Pigrems!? That punk!?" Sano said, nearly leaving his seat.

There's a name I haven't heard in awhile.

"I see you are familiar with the man have you met?" Paylor asked.

"Not a man I've had 1 on 1 conversations with, but everybody knows how much of greedy punk Pigrem is, he inherited his family's company when Aragami came and made sure to give big contributions to Fenrir. In exchange for a high position and priority security. A pig that rolls in money." said the inmate bitterly.

"Well you certainly have heard much about the man. As well as being a CEO, he also has the Rank of Director and Advisor to the Brass of HQ. He holds much sway for changing policy and getting word to HQ for upstarting projects. Such as our Satellite Bases." Paylor said.

I feel like I'm not gonna like what he has to say next.

The inmate leered at Paylor, narrowing his eyes in a wolf-like manner.

"Please hear what I have to say." Paylor asked, in a legitimate sense of humbleness.

No fakeness, no childish tone, just an honest request to be heard.

The inmate wasn't outright hostile just yet, he too felt Paylor's words would be none too pleasing.

"Why am I out here?" Sano asked.

"Director Grem is arriving at our Branch today along with another special guest. Has Kota or anyone from the branch talked to you about Yuno Ashihara? I'd be surprised if he didn't." Paylor joked.

"Who?" Sano said.

"Guess not, well she's world-famous, an international singing sensation giving hope and smiles to the world. She's also more or less our spokesperson for jumpstarting Satellite Bases around Fenrir. We could see more spanning Fenrir Branches around the world. Just imagine." Paylor said happily.

"And Pigrem could make that happen sooner." Sano said turning his head back to the window.

"As I said he holds much sway in Fenrir policy, not too much, but enough to matter. He's a big fan of Yuno's and meeting her in person is an incentive to endorse Satellite Bases. This will be her 2nd time meeting him, and it's impressive how she handles him." Paylor said.

"And he wouldn't want a dangerous criminal near his precious Idol wouldn't he?" Sano said with a sneer.

"Please don't misunderstand, I don't plan on entertaining Director Grem's nuances at your peril. As I'm sure Yuno wouldn't either. But I also don't want you put at risk due to Grem's loose lips. I assure you I would love to do nothing more than introduce you to the girl. Her father definitely." Paylor explained.

While this did make the inmate feel rigid, Sakaki's honesty was still apparent, he wasn't being schemeful.

He's trying to look out for us then?

"(Probably.)" Sano thought.

"You see, both of us being out here means neither of us has to deal with him. At least in person. So for the time being. Accomplices?" Sakaki extended his hand toward the inmate.

Sano stared at the Doctors gloved hand. Collecting what they discussed in his mind. Multiple settlements beyond a Fenrir Branch and control, having to NOT see that Pig Gremslow, not to mention he wants to become 'Accomplices'. Things you weren't supposed to tell a convicted criminal.

"(Nothing about this man makes sense. ...But what has lately.)" Sano thought.

The inmate took the Directors hand and could hear what more he had to say.