A Distraction

I peek around a corner and look upon a sturdy barricade of what I have taken to calling exo-soldiers. As the name implies, they're the soldiers, guards, security, or whatever they are officially called that are equipped with the exoskeletons. I saw earlier that they are about as strong as Aponi and Sam despite their level and natural advantages. They stand with those portable Mana Shields erected along a wide hallway with several rooms to either side of them. At the end of the hall, there is a door frame with what looks to be a twisted black covering where you'd expect the door to be—presumably, this is some kind of Shadow Magic I expect Kardama somehow erected.

A few scientists or researchers sit examining the oily black surface, probing it with some unknown devices. I can see them placing what looks like some kind of explosive to the sides of the black surface.

'So evidently, he did save a few of the researchers. Perhaps, compatriots if they're plants and not with the Society. More importantly, those explosives are going to be an issue. Hmm, how many of the exo-soldiers even are there?'

Counting, I roughly find twenty-four of these exo-soldiers with a high probability that several more of them are in the side rooms. As for Dr.Wright, I can't find him, so unless he has an alternative way out, he's also in one of the rooms.

'Why am I even bothering counting? Surely, Sam or Aponi has better numbers.'

Taking a moment to contact Aponi, she provides me with a much more detailed breakdown than I expected: thirty-six exo-soldiers, nine upper-tier researchers, five ordinary guards including Aponi and Sam, two chief researchers, two automated turrets, and finally, Dr. Wright himself. Also, according to her, they are armed with assault rifles and dart guns.

'Why didn't he pool all his resources and try to hold me at the door? Perhaps, they just wanted to see what I would do? Additionally, I feel like Aponi and Sam have more faith in me then they should! They could have mentioned their numbers earlier! Well, maybe they have more faith in the Brutes, but regardless, there are a lot more of the exo-soldiers than I expected.'

Glancing behind me, six select researchers stand fidgeting nervously. Next to them, Eden stands with an apathetic expression.

"Eden." I summon a dart gun along with three darts full of the blue liquid from the ring. "Shoot one of the Brutes with these blue darts, and let me know what happens when you do. Oh, yeah, try not to let them see you do it and make sure it isn't Dolt or Goliath."

She nods. "Okay," she responds, taking the darts and gun.

'That will tell me the effect the stuff will have on the Brutes.'

Eden wanders away, staring at the dart gun curiously, while I turn toward the six researchers.

"You see this? Look at all the firepower they had, and they still left you for dead. They could have done something to protect you, but instead, they gathered here to guard absolutely no one. Are you all okay with that? Are your lives really so disposable?"

The six look between one another, except one who is grimacing. "Those bastards. They didn't do anything to help us. They lied to us," he says.

With the man's words, the rest follow suit, frowning heavily.

"That's right. Don't you want to make them pay?" I add.

'Not that you have a choice.'

To my delight, they all nod.

I smile and point at the ground. "Then kneel. If you are going to play your part properly, then you also have to look your part."

With their anger stoked, they follow the order without question, causing me to chuckle. Now kneeling, I shred parts of their clothing, place a few shallow cuts, and smear some blood on their face and jackets.

"Now, last chance, are you guys still confident you're the best performers amongst the researchers?" Once again, they simply look between one another and then in tandem nod at me dubiously. I resume speaking, "I'm sure all of you here have plenty of experience deceiving unsuspecting people, so just keep that up, and I have confidence in your inevitable success! Ah! But don't forget, do anything stupid, it'll be your life."

Smiling brightly, I motion for the six to hurry up and put things into motion. "Oh, and don't forget to say you have information, so they don't do anything rash."

Following my words, reluctantly, they sprint down the hallway toward the line of exo-soldiers waving their arms and shouting for help.

'Now, I'm curious if they'll execute them or not.'

Promptly the exo-soldiers raise their weapons and move to secure the researchers. A few minutes pass of the researchers spouting gibberish about information, and finally, they are all dragged into separate rooms.

Gripping the scythe happily, I contact Aponi.

'I'm sure you're already aware, but they took your assistants for interrogation,' I inform her.

She replies immediately, 'Yeah, how could I miss that performance? Are you sure about using them, though?'

'I'm sure. Use them well; try not to let them die if you can help it.'

'You care if they die? That seems unusual for you,' she says with a hint of surprise.

'Well, these people have been working for the Two Palm Society, which means they are submissive enough to do what they are told despite what they do being less than virtuous. Some of them I even consider potential candidates for incorporation into our little family, of course, that decision ultimately lies with the Goddess, but still.'

'...Do you really think they are a good fit? That the Goddess would accept them?'

'Some of them, yes, others will likely have a different future. Regardless, they will all be useful in one way or another.'

'Alright, well, I'll use the ones you sent me then, I guess. I hope they don't wet their pants.'

'No promises,' I reply, laughing to myself, 'Now, how much time do you need to make this go smoothly?'

'Hmm, well, you want to talk to Dr.Wright, don't you?' she asks.

'Yes, but from a position of power, I'd rather not negotiate like we are equals again.'

'So…' She stops talking as if pondering something. 'Exactly, how discrete do you want me to handle this, and how much time are you going to give me?'

'As discreet as Sam and you think is necessary, but how much time do we even have if they are placing explosives?'

'Those aren't normal explosives, and they are having to place them very deliberately, making the process slow. Still, I may need you to distract them.'

Surprised, I respond immediately, 'What? Distract them? For how long?'

'Eight max,' she says simply.

'Uhm, eight minutes? I could probably swing that.'

'No, eight hours.'

'Eight hours!? You expect me to distract them and entertain the Brutes for eight hours!'

'That's max, and the Brutes are giant mutant people, not children. Why are you just as worried about them getting bored as the distraction?'

'...'

'Is it them or you that you're worried about getting bored?'

'Eh, a bit of column A, a bit of column B, but seriously, they might wander off or fall asleep. They are incredibly fickle.'

'I think us sabotaging their backline is more important than a few Brutes wandering off or falling asleep. There's a lot of firepower here.'

'Yeah, yeah, you're right, but speaking of which, why didn't you mention they had so many people here earlier?'

'I thought about mentioning it, but I figured it wouldn't have made a difference since that has never stopped you before.'

My eye twitches. 'Whatever! You'll have your distraction; just don't be mad at me if you get shot!'

'Get sh—'

I cut the connection. Sighing heavily, I return to the researchers, finding Eden sitting on a sleeping Brute.

She turns toward me and flashes the empty dart gun. "The first dart's needle bent after coming into contact with its shoulder muscles. The second dart bounced off, and it crushed it under its heel. The third dart hit the webbing between its toes, and it worked. It seemed unaffected at first, but fell asleep around fifteen minutes later."

'That or it just fell asleep on its own.'

I nod at Eden and then point at a random researcher nearby. "You," I state flatly.

"Y-yes!" the man replies with a squeaky voice.

"What's your specialty? Like what's your field?"

"I'm a Neurologist!"

"...Good enough!" I respond, pointing at the sleeping Brute, "Watch this drooling nitwit here and take notes on its changing condition. Let me know if anything major occurs."

He stares at the Brute and turns to me as if he wishes to say something.

Raising an eyebrow, I ask him, "Is there a problem?"

"No! I'll keep close tabs on it!"

"Good. If you know anyone else that would be helpful, you can use them as well." Turning away, I point at a man in big spectacles who is attempting to walk by quickly. "You!"

"Huh? Me?" he says, pointing at himself.

"Yes! What's your specialty and title?"

"Uh, Biochemistry, so my title is, uh, Biochemist," he replies, adjusting his spectacles.

"Congratulations, you've been promoted!" I summon an assault rifle and toss it to him. He fumbles with it, nearly dropping it."Your new job title is Distraction."

"D-distraction?" he asks with a half-opened mouth, "But I… I've never touched a gun a day in my life."

"That's fine. I don't expect you to intentionally hit anyone." Turning away, I look for more researchers, but the hall is strangely quiet and abandoned. I lean my head toward one of the offices where I see several pairs of feet hiding behind a wall.

Frowning, I turn toward the man with big spectacles. "I've changed my mind; what's your name?"

"...Carl."

"Carl, you're coming with me to find more ammo. All the people in that office over there have volunteered instead."

A collective gasp arises from the room of cowardly researchers. Paying them no mind, I gather the four cowards and arm one of them with an assault rifle. I then toss Eden, one as well, using up my supplies of assault rifles.

"Eira, what is it you expect us to do with these?" Eden asks.

"Distract. All you have to do is fire some bullets down a hallway every so often to scare the people placing explosives. Again, I don't anticipate you actually hitting anyone purposely; I just need you to delay them."

The researchers seem like they want to say something, but they swallow their words when they feel the tightening of their collars. With a bit more prodding, I manage to get everyone moving toward the blockade nice and orderly.

I position myself close to Eden and whisper, "As for you, your rifle is actually in case they try anything. If they look like they might turn that rifle on you, kill them immediately."

"I…" She hesitates, gazing at the heavy rifle in her hands. "Yeah. Okay," she eventually replies.

"Good. Don't stay too close to them either. They might have grenades or something, although Aponi didn't mention them."

She nods.

Eventually, arriving back at the corridor, I reiterate the idea. "So every twenty or so minutes, simply fire a clip or two toward the end of that hall." I toss Eden a smoke grenade I collected from the dead soldiers back at the hospital. "If they start to move on you, then use the smoke grenade and run. I don't expect them to abandon their positions, but it isn't impossible."

I hear the researchers swallow their saliva, but again tightening the collars, they nod reluctantly.

I smile at them brightly. "Great! Then I'll get you started!"

Tightening my grip on the scythe, blood oozes as I step into the hall. Almost immediately, I send a Blood Blade toward the barricades position. Seeing them raise their weapons, I promptly dip back behind a wall, but that still doesn't stop me from witnessing the blade contacting the back of a researcher examining Kardama's supposed Shadow Magic.

['Lv.1 Human' Slain - 6 Essence Acquired]

'What a shot!'

Bullets rain down the hallway, but I've already started walking away. "Good luck, and have fun! Carl and I are going to get you guys more ammo, be back soon!" I shout.

I glance back to see no one seems to have noticed me departing or heard my words, except Eden, who is waving goodbye.