THE THING ON THE RUN II

The Investigation Begins...

On this fateful day, the facility's tranquility shattered under the weight of chaos. The aftermath of the breach was starkly evident, as shattered steel doors and rubble strewn across the grounds bore testimony to the havoc wrought by an escaped anomaly. Emergency crews hurriedly attended to injured personnel, their faces etched with a mix of urgency and concern, while the remnants of containment protocols lay in disarray.

Deputy Haturii, his stature a blend of authority and vigilance, stood amidst the controlled chaos, flanked by Aomorii, the Chief of Police. Their eyes scanned the aftermath, piecing together the unsettling puzzle left by the breach. Just then, two figures emerged from the chaos, young and resolute, their presence a stark contrast to the grim scene unfolding before them.

"What's going on? We got here as fast as we could," the boy panted, his urgency mirroring the gravity of the situation.

"What happened here?" The girl inquired, her green eyes narrowing with determination, a reflection of her intense training and unwavering resolve. She exuded an air of fiery independence, her demeanor hardened by years of rigorous preparation and mountainous challenges.

These were no ordinary youths; they were Yukira Margherita and Orenji, skilled and resolute students of the Claive Academy, trained for moments exactly like this. Yukira's fiery red hair and Orenji's inquisitive gaze bespoke their individual strengths, each poised to confront the unfolding crisis with a unique blend of tenacity and intellect.

As Haturii turned to address them, his expression shifted from concern to strategic focus. "We're dealing with a Category 3 breach," he explained, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "The anomaly broke through with unexpected strength and ferocity."

Yukira's brow furrowed, a telltale sign of her analytical mind at work. "Category 3 breaches are rare," she mused aloud, her mind racing through the implications. "To breach containment and wreak such havoc... it doesn't add up."

Aomorii interjected, her tone reflecting both authority and skepticism. "Are you suggesting someone on the inside facilitated this escape?" She challenged, arms crossed in a gesture of both defiance and pragmatism.

Haturii nodded thoughtfully. "It's a possibility we can't ignore," he admitted, his years of clandestine training guiding his instincts. "We need answers."

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Ganymede, a figure of authority within the Foundation, trailed by Dr. Rhys Stane. Her presence commanded attention, her gaze scrutinizing the newcomers with a blend of assessment and expectation.

"So, you're the ones they sent," Ganymede remarked, her tone laced with skepticism. "I expected more seasoned operatives for a mission of this magnitude."

"What?!" Yukira bristled at the implication, her fiery spirit unconstrained by formalities.

Haturii intervened, seeking to defuse the tension with diplomacy. "They're skilled, I can vouch for that," he affirmed, his voice steady and authoritative. "They'll prove their worth."

"Hmm," came the curt reply from the woman, her gaze lingering critically on the pair before her. "They don't look like much, but I suppose they'll have to do."

A vein suddenly bulged on the side of her head with barely contained rage.

Storming out with an air of palpable fury was Yukira, the warrior girl. Her red hair, ablaze like a conflagration, framed a face set in defiance. "OKAY, THAT'S IT! Listen here, lady..." Her voice crackled with anger as she jabbed a finger accusingly at the woman, poised to unleash her unfiltered thoughts. But before a single word escaped her lips, Orenji, ever vigilant and foreseeing the potential consequences, swiftly moved to intervene. He clamped a hand over Yukira's mouth and used the other to pull her back.

Yukira's muffled tirade of expletives was thankfully rendered inaudible to the woman, whose expression betrayed no surprise whatsoever.

Orenji attempted to cover his nervousness with a chuckle, though his unease was apparent. "S-sorry," he stammered, his voice wavering. "She doesn't always think before she speaks. Missing a few screws, you know, in her head."

His attempt at levity earned him a sharp bite on the hand, causing him to yelp and release his grip.

"Hey!" He protested, nursing his hand. "Why did you have to do that?! That's going to leave a bruise!"

"Well then you deserve it," Yukira retorted matter-of-factly.

A pregnant pause hung in the air, as the woman observed them both with a measured gaze, assessing their reactions and perhaps their suitability for whatever task lay ahead.

 "Very well," she conceded, though her skepticism lingered. "Follow me."

As they moved away from the main hall, Yukira and Orenji exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. Their partnership, forged through years of training and shared challenges, was their greatest asset in the face of uncertainty.

Ganymede led them to a secure briefing room, her demeanor shifting to one of business-like efficiency. "We're dealing with RSCP-004," she began, her voice grave with import. "It's unlike anything we've encountered before."

Haturii's expression hardened, his mind already calculating the risks and strategies required for such a formidable adversary. "Containment protocols?" He inquired, his voice measured but resolute.

Ganymede shook her head, her tone grim. "Containment has failed," she admitted, her words carrying the weight of an unavoidable truth. "What we need now is to neutralize it before it reaches populated areas. We believe it's heading straight for town if not already there yet."

Yukira exchanged a glance with Orenji, their unspoken bond reinforcing their shared determination. This was no ordinary mission; it was a test of their training and resolve, a chance to prove themselves in the face of extraordinary danger.

"Until now, we've thwarted these creatures ourselves," she added sharply, "but this one is different. It's far stronger and smarter. It adapts."

As she finished speaking, Haturii glanced at the two behind him. "Could you leave us a moment?" He said, much to the redhead's dismay. Orenji nodded in agreement to this but then he realized. Haturii wasn't referring to just her.

"Huh? W-wait, but --" he began to protest.

Yukira rolled her eyes at Orenji's blank, confused stare and elbowed him in the side for it. 

"Come on, genius," she called, grabbing the back collar of his shirt with her bandaged forearm, marked with an 'X'. She pulled him along, her movements casual yet forceful. "It's way better over there than it is here anyway." She spoke nonchalantly as she dragged the struggling Orenji along. Her forearms were bandaged up to her fingers, concealing a set of stitches caused by her rigorous training.

As they left, Yukira, unapologetically herself, flashed a signal, giving the woman, Ganymede, the middle finger, making her feelings clear.

The two adults watched them until they were out of sight.

"Hey," Orenji muttered, "I don't really get what Sir Haturii just said. It's not because I'm stupid, right?"

"Shut it, stupid," came the curt response from the troubled redhead, her stoic gaze revealing her frustration.

Despite their equal age, they remained constantly at odds. Orenji, curious, overly anxious, and hyperactive, had a quick mind for puzzles and research. Yukira, on the other hand, was abrasive, spunky, and quick to violence, with a tendency to speak her mind. She was determined to prove that although girls might be seen as sweet and fragile like roses, roses also have thorns, and hers were twice as sharp. A straightforward girl with a fiery personality to match.

What clash of personalities, one could say!