Chapter 25 : True Power

"So, you followed her to Junkberg and found out most of the things," said Admiral Maskmana.

"Yes, sir!" Kaizo answered.

"I see," said Admiral Maskmana. He stands up from his chair and walks closer to Kaizo.

"Before anything else, good job on assisting her. You did well fighting your enemies and coming back alive. On the other hand, this will give bad marks on your report. You and Lahap," said Admiral Maskmana. "You use "pilot training" as an excuse to take the ship and go to Junkberg. You also did unauthorized investigation and were involved in battle. I will give you punishment later. As for Axion…"

Admiral Maskmana looked at her. "How's your investigation?"

"I got some info. But I need to filter all the clues I have before I can give a refined report," said Axion.

"I understand," said Admiral Maskmana. He turns to Kaizo. "Did she tell you the highlight of her mission?"

"Yes, sir! It's an investigation about missing aliens," Kaizo answered.

"Correct! I intend to have Axion to pin the exact location of the kidnapper's base before sending your team on a raid mission," said Admiral Maskmana.

"Why send her alone?" Kaizo asked.

"Because a spy works better alone." said Admiral Maskmana.

"So she's a spy?" Lahap asked.

"Yes. One that has authorization from several Admirals including me."

"How can a cadet be a spy?" Kaizo asked again.

"Classified. She's a special case." Admiral Maskmana put his hand on Kaizo's shoulder. "I know you're curious about Axion right now. But let's leave it here for now. You don't have the authority to be involved in her case." He sighed. "Return to your dorm. I need to discuss Axion's mission."

"Yes, sir!" said Kaizo. Kaizo glanced at Axion before leaving the room with Lahap.

"So, what info did you get?" said Admiral Maskmana as he sat back on his chair.

"My informant told me I should look at Planet Circus," said Axion. She put her tablet computer on the table. A holographic screen showing a marked map on the screen. "My informant gave me a possible location of where the kidnapped victim might be. Places that we should investigate."

"Hmmm...." Admiral Maskmana mumbled. "These places?"

"Yes. These are places suspected for harboring illegal workers. My informant also marked places where illegal trading happens." Axion explains.

"Illegal trading?"

"Yes. It is possible that those missing aliens… might've been sold," said Axion.

The air turns grim. Admiral Maskmana can't hide his unpleasantness.

"I see. Continue."

"Planet Circus gives a lot of entertainment with many talented artists. Some of them even became famous. It is possible that the kidnapped aliens might be lured by empty promises. Thinking they can get famous by following someone who claims to be some sort of talent scout. Which is why we couldn't find any solid clue or evidence around the crime scene." said Axion.

"That's a plausible assumption. Then?"

"My informant knows someone in the circus that can get us in. We can use fake identity to enter."

"An Incognito mission…." Admiral Maskmana mumbled.

"Yes."

"I'll think about it. Good work. You may return," said Admiral Maskmana as he waves his hand.

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Axion walks out. Outside, Kaizo is waiting alone.

"You expect to get an explanation from me since the Admiral didn't explain, " said Axion.

"Skip the small talk. Tell me, what's your story?" Kaizo asked.

"What's yours? " Axion asked back.

"You're a spy. I assume you already check this whole station. Including my personal data"

Axion smirked. "You catch on quick. Why ask me? You can just check out this whole station yourself, like you assume I did."

"I don't think they store your personal data here since you're a spy. And I doubt they writes anything about you, bounty hunting, "

"A very nice conclusion. However, I have no intention of telling you. Haven't you heard? The admiral said you don't have the authority in my case," said Axion as she walks away.

Kaizo pulled her arm. He looked her in the eyes.

"Tell me, you know Scrozux all along, don't you?" Kaizo asked, slightly threatening.

"I do. But he doesn't know me. Admiral Maskmana was right. Scrozux might know an informant who somehow got my identity," said Axion.

"And you're sure it's not the informant that you meet today?" Kaizo asked, referring to Mercury.

"Her? I trust her. She's my personal informant," said Axion, slightly raising her voice.

"So there's another informant who might know your identity?"

"Maybe. I've asked my informant to look for it," said Axion as she looked away.

"There's something else," said Kaizo.

Axion harshly pulled her hand. "This isn't your case. Stay out of it!" said Axion angrily.

"You're still my teammate," said Kaizo, making an excuse.

"Hmph! Don't say it as if you care. The only thing you care about is to get stronger for yourself!" said Axion, slightly yelled. She looked at him in the eyes. "What is it that you see in me? What exactly do you want from me? An explanation? Of what? Why would you want to know my backstory or my job?" she furiously asked. A slight look of pain painted in her eyes. Making Kaizo slightly flustered. He looked at her in wonder.

Axion steps closer. She looked at him in the eyes. "Why do you care?" she said in a grim tone.

Kaizo silent. Axion sighed. She walks away without saying more.

"Spar with me!" Kaizo yells before Axion walks far.

Axion stopped.

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They stand on the training ground. Unlike their usual fighting training, the air feels tense. Usually Axion would loosen up. Playing the defensive side and letting Kaizo attack first. But this time, Axion charged first. She pulls her sword and runs towards Kaizo. Axion lunged. Instead of avoiding it, Kaizo pulled his sword and held her attack.

Kaizo slightly startled. Feeling Axion's attack fiercer than usual. They looked at each other. Axion continues to attack Kaizo aggressively. Kaizo fights back, more vigorously than ever. After exchanging a few attacks, they jump back and put a distance.

"Don't hold back!" Kaizo yelled. "I saw the way you fight before. You've been holding back all along."

Axion smirked. "Trust me. You wouldn't want to see a full version of me," she grimly mumbled.

Kaizo lunged at her. Axion goes back to her usual defensive technique.

"Stop defending! COME AT ME!" Kaizo yelled in frustration. His attacks become much more powerful as it is unstable.

Axion took one deep breath. She spun her sword as she spun her body. In a blink of an eye, Kaizo's sword fell. Kaizo flinched. Axion coldly stares at Kaizo. She sheath back her sword and walks away.

Kaizo gritted his teeth. "So this is your power...." Kaizo mumbled.