Reward

Dr.Sakaki here reporting the conclusion to today's events.

The extermination of the Ouroboros was a complete success. Not only did we keep it out of the Red Rain, but we also kept as far away from the Far East Branch as possible, as I was told by Hibari.

I was also told that upon being briefed of the Ouroboros' combat data, the inmate Sano Shimazaki rallied Ms.Der Vogelweid, Daiba, and Mr.Von Strasborg and took off to the scene following Kota. Apparently, the trigger was Kota himself. Good to see Mr.Shimazaki making friends.

What's more, the inmate possesses the ability to morph his god-arc into a flight form. A full-functioning flight form at that! It usually takes a mass amount of modifications to adjust the Predator-forms of god-arcs to specific attributes, why didn't he ever tell me about this!?

Such an interesting piece of craftsmanship his god-arc...if I could ever afford the time I'd like to inspect it in full detail myself for why he can wield it the way he does.

But I digress.

With the Ouroboros out of the way, The Den was free to send rescue trucks to the Prison Convoy. One officer by the name of Hayden was a bit roughed up, but a little rest will see him right along with some muscle relaxants. The female officer was pretty brief and took off to the nearest phone to call the Warden.

I imagine another call from Warden Rodrigo soon.

The one called Churchill who was in charge of the convoy was rather unresponsive. Like he was sapped of life. Perhaps the Ouroboros scarred him for life. Physically though he seems to be fine.

Moving on I was told by Kota that Kanon was the one to finish off the Ouroboros. I did worry about her future for a long time after I disbanded the Defense Unit and didn't send her to join their ranks.

But to think she was the lynchpin, I am pleasantly surprised, much congratulations are in order to them all.

Emil for all his blustering performed admirably or should I say 'Gallantly.' It was the first time he encountered an Ouroboros.

Erina also put in her dues, after her term being off duty for misbehavior she's come a long way. I've always had personal misgiving for having a god-eater her age in action, but I'm glad she exceeded such notions. Also, her first time fighting an Ouroboros.

The inmate not only never had faced an aragami like the Ouroboros, but he had never led a team like this. Emil and Erina have yet to complete a full year of service in God-eating and Kanon...

Kanon...

She does have 4 years of active duty, but her history is---skewed.

Over 300 incidents of misfires and hours of remedial training.

Constant,remedial-training.

It was one of the main reasons I didn't reassign her with the rest of the Defense Unit outside the Den.

Of course, her performance improved drastically with the Defense Squad, but only with much effort on their part.

Sending Kanon along would always come with risks.

At the time I just wanted solid proof she could function outside of the Defense Squad. I never considered her a permanent member of Unit 4 with Haruomi in the long term. But he was the only one who would take Kanon as a consistent member.

Note: As of the past year Unit 4 only has two members...surely nothing to do with others being scared of Kanon...

But moving on, her performance with the inmate has proven I can consider other things for her. Perhaps rejoining her friends?

Regardless Kanon's earned a reward and speaking of rewards...

Sano Shimazaki

Not since Lindow, Soma, and Shinji have I seen such a talented God-Eater.

It was thanks to his leadership skills that Kanon and the two rookies performed so admirably. Or so Kota would say.

Sano saved Erina from an Aragami's jaws. In turn that not only earned him special treatment from the Maintenance Crew but endless praise from the other god-eaters. Well---most of them.

He's been training Erina along with Kanon, teaching them, watching out for them, the inmate actually takes special care to note any young god-eaters. Sano's more protective than he seems.

I can't think of anyone outside of the Defense Squad who would entrust the final outcome to Kanon. He really trusts her and they trust him.

A crest-fallen criminal who landed here two months ago brought out the very best in only a few god-eaters, and now it's the second coming of the Retaliation Squad.

Ever since we've met, I've had a sordid feeling about him. To think such a candidate was wasting away in a prison facility for the past 10 years of his life.

His crimes may not be able to be ignored, but that doesn't change what he's done now.

He didn't even attempt an escape when the guards turned up to deliver---what were they delivering again?

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK

Dr.Sakaki stopped typing and pressed a speaker button.

"Come in." he said.

Hibari appeared with a stern glance.

"Sir, there's something very important I-WE--have to discuss with you." After Hibari came to Kota, and Licca. They looked almost more serious than Hibari.

"Pardon me but shouldn't there be more of you?" Paylor joked.

"Erina, Kanon, and Emil are with Sano in the lounge. Mutsumi's pulling out all the stops for them, she's gonna use up all her supplies." Hibari half-joked.

"It's a full-blown party down there. I'm so proud of those two!" Kota said.

"Which brings us to why we came here. Hibari?" Licca said.

Hibari brought up a box to Paylor and opened it. As Paylor titled his head, she revealed the contents. A helm.

"Oh, THAT'S what they were bringing. Guess I forgot, where are those passengers anyway?" Paylor asked.

"The lady officer put in a call to her Warden, she's in charge of her group until the other two are safe to travel." Hibari said. Before she could get to the meat of the matter Paylor started first.

"Oh, I see they shouldn't be here for more than one day right? Is Nurse Yae even in though?" he said.

"Yes, she works very hard, but sir---" Hibari was cut off again.

"That girl has to manage a whole floor alone, I wish we didn't have to spread out staff so thin. Between here and the satellite base we'll need more recruits if we're ever going to lighten her workload." Paylor said. Seeing Hibari be interrupted again caused a mass cringe from Kota and Licca.

Hibari however did dig deep for her patience.

"I agree, but the reason why we're here is THIS!" Hibari put the helm on the Doctors desk with its remote receiver.

"Is that right? So what do you have to say about it?" Paylor asked. The 3 looked at him ludicrously, like flies flew in their noses. Hibari cleared her throat.

"Sir, Sano has been here for a while, he's looked out for us, some more than others. I don't know what he did, but after seeing his actions, even I admit convict or not he deserves something for all he's done. The first time he ever just does what he wants and breaks loose it's not even to escape Sano went straight for Kota." Hibari explained.

"Yeah, I mean what kind of convict does that!?" Kota added.

"Mhm." Paylor nodded, with a nudge.

"What I'm saying sir, we can't go 3 steps forward just to take 5 steps back." Hibari said, slamming her hands on his desk.

"Yes, go on." Paylor said, with another nudge.

"Ok, I'll just come out and say it, we don't care to have Sano living in a mobile cage every time we have to send him out, and furthermore no one in the Den, bar Ciel of course, wants no part in even considering it." Hibari's rant was getting warmed up, but before she could blow over, was cut off again.

THUD

The three looked down to see the helmet at the legs of Sakaki's desk, full-blown on its side.

"Oh how clumsy of me, Licca would you mind taking that down into the basement to have it checked out?" Paylor asked, his signature smile displayed.

Taken aback by his words Licca was about to question the Doctor until it clicked to her.

"Of course Doctor, right away!" Paylor tossed the transmitter to Licca as she collected the helm all too eagerly.

Confused Kota and Hibari could only watch as the engineer took the devices to the door.

"Kota why don't you escort her down, it can get really dark down there. God knows what could happen." Paylor suggested.

"C'mon Kota help get this to the repair bay." Licca said with a smile, all too similar to Sakaki's.

Before he could protest Licca practically shoved Kota with her out the door. Then there was a faint thud as the door closed.

"OOPS!" Licca's voice was muffled but clearly undistressed.

More confused than ever, Hibari looked at the door and Sakaki. Back and forth her eyes went as she cleared her throat trying to look as unawkward as possible.

"Well then...good day sir." she said politely as Hibari swiftly made for the door.

"Hibari." Paylor said, making Hibari stop in her tracks.

"Yes, sir?" she said.

"I believe there was something else you wanted to tell me?" Paylor shrewdly rested his chin upon his hands. Hibari was no fool.She knew what the Basement floor was. Backlog and lost cause repairs that usually end up in the recycling. 50ft underground.

A reward for the inmate was exactly was what was intended. By Sakaki himself, maybe even more so.