Spy

Esdeath noticed the familiarity between the two and asked curiously.

Esdeath: Run, do you know Billy?

Run: Y-Yeah, we were good friends some years ago.

Billy: ...Fuck, how did you even get accepted in the Jaegers? You were unable to lift 20 kilograms 9 years ago!

Run: Well, I was lucky to gain a Teigu, and I also trained a bit since you left.

Billy had a smile on his face and he shook his head.

Billy: Shit, you really shocked me… '...Why are you working for these pieces of trash?'

However, he didn't say the second part out loud, making seem their conversation as one between friends that didn't see each other for a long time.

Esdeath: Anyway, are any of you married or have any lovers?

Between the Jaegers, only Bols raised his hand.

Wave, Billy and Seryu gazed at him with a surprised expression.

Seryu: Bols, is that true?!

Bols: Yes… I've been married for 6 years now! I really don't deserve someone as wonderful as that though!!

Billy: …

He was still gazing at Bols, but it wasn't with a surprised expression, but with a calm one.

Billy: 'Bols…'

"Kazu: ...Bols, he is always seen wearing his mask as an incineration squad member. He wore long gloves with pieces of steel protecting him from blades. He also had 3 scars on his upper chest.

His Teigu is Purgatory's Invitation: Rubicante, a flamethrower with a tank of gasoline that should be mounted on his back, his flames are so hot that not even water can turn them off, almost inextinguishable."

Esdeath: Alright, let's throw a welcome party for our new member, Bil-

Billy: I'm not working for the Empire.

Esdeath: Huh?

Everyone gazed at Billy, who just said.

Billy: Seriously, I have better to do than staying here and work as a guard. Also, I am not even poor, so I don't have any problem with money.

Esdeath: Fufu. It will likely take a bit of training to get you to be obedient, hmm.

Billy: ...What?

Seryu: Now, now, everyone. He's just confused, it's a lot to take in all at once.

Billy: '...Seryu Ubiquitous, her Teigu is the dog, she was the one that killed Sheele…'

The next moment, a soldier entered in the room.

Soldier: General Esdeath! As ordered, I've finished the report regarding the area around Gyogan lake…

Esdeath: Great… This timing is perfect. 

She glanced at the Jaegers, who recognized the look on her face.

Esdeath: You guys, your first big job has come up. Let's go.

*Clank!*

Everyone turned towards Billy, who… Stood up?

Billy: What? You never seen someone breaking chains? 

Wave: Yeah, but… Not barehanded AND trapped inside the chains.

Billy: Psh… Do you even lift?

[Later]

Everyone was in another room with a map over the table in the center of the room, Esdeath took a pencil and started to explain.

Esdeath: We've come to learn about a fortress that's being inhabited by a group of bandits near Gyogan lake.

Seryu: Of course! We suspected that these shameful evil-doers had some sort of refuge on the outskirts of the capital.

Esdeath: Umu. We're delaying the search for the location of Night Raid for a short while. For now, we should deal with enemies we can see. 

Bols: And if the enemy should surrender, what should we do, captain?

Esdeath: Surrender is a tool of the weak… And it's nature's course that the weak should be removed from the world.

Seryu: Aha… Ahaha… To be able to slaughter evil-doers before they can commit evil… I am… Truly glad I've become a part of this group.

Esdeath: You may exterminate them to your heart's content.

Seryu: Thank you, ma'am.

Billy and Wave were gazing at the two of them from the other side of the table.

Wave/Billy: 'There's something a little off about this…'

Esdeath: Anyway, I have one thing I'd like to tell you before we move out. Each of you will be required to eliminate dozens of people. This is the type of work we will be doing from this point forward. Are you all fully prepared for that?

Bols: I'm a soldier. I follow orders. Even for this type of work… Even if it means I must kill.

Kurome: I'm the same… This is merely practice at following orders. This is how I've always thought of it.

Wave: I… was able to join the navy due to the patronage of a certain great man… If I were to ask him how I may repay that great favor, he would tell me "Just do your best and fight for the sake of your country, that's all you need to do"... So I can do this! Even if it means my life!!

Run: For the sake of making my desires come to fruition, I wish to rise higher and higher. Even if it means I can't do the most purest of deeds. Seen in that way, I wish nothing more than to proceed with this mission.

Esdeath: How about you, doctor?

Dr. Stylish: Hmm. My guiding principle is quite simple. That is the pursuit of style!! So, do you understand now?

Esdeath: Nope, not at all.

Dr. Stylish: From the moment I saw General Esdeath… I knew it. That unfathomable strength… That ice-like cruelty… Ahh… It's as if a goddess was descending from heaven!! That style is without equal! I wanted nothing more than to study you!

Billy looked at Dr. Stylish with a raised eyebrow, and then gazed back at Esdeath… She looked like a dummy dressed as a general, where the hell did he see the "Style"?

Esdeath: ....I see. No doubts among you all then… That's good. Then it's time to head out! Let's go, Billy!

Billy: Hmm? Me too?

Esdeath: As a substitute member, it'll be good for you to see the abilities of your fellow teammates.

[Later]

Billy and Esdeath were over a cliff under the dark sky, gazing down at the Jaegers who were heading alone towards the fortress in front of them.

Esdeath: This will be the perfect place to observe their fighting abilities from.

Billy: Mm…

He just hummed, he really wanted to leave as fast as possible, but he could also gather some informations from inside, he was still deciding which path he should take.

He could easily escape now, and maybe he could even kill everyone with Ryujin Jakka, he was able to feel Esdeath's physical strength, even if she was stronger than him in terms of inner strength, his fire is muuuuuuch more destructive than her ice.

However, he could also risk his life on doing so, because no fight to death can be won at the 100%, he will be surrounded from unknown Teigus so he needs to be careful. Also, he can gain information if he stays here, and maybe find why the hell Run associated himself with this group of insane people…

But the possibility of escape was gone once he felt Esdeath holding his hand with a blush on her face…

Billy: 'You're kidding me? How did she pass from "Queen of Genocides" that I heard about to "15 years old School Girl"?!'

*BOOM!!*

Billy: Hmm?

He turned towards the fortress, which caught fire. Everyone revealed their Teigus, except for a few such as Wave and Kurome. Bols had the flamethrower, like he already knew. Same for Seryu, who was using her dogs and a set of giant weapons attached to her arms.

Then there was Run, flying in the sky with a pair of wings which really suited him, meanwhile, Dr. Stylish was just surrounded from a group of creeps that were doing Jojo poses.

Esdeath: Billy… I'll be raising you myself. So you will be able to do things like this with ease.

Billy: ...You seem completely different from what I thought.

Esdeath: Oh, what did you think about me then?

Billy: Ruthless, Merciless, Sadistic, Bloodthirsty, Insane, Battle-Crazy, Cold… I think you already know what I mean.

Esdeath just chuckled and said.

Esdeath: I see, so that's how you saw me at the beginning… Truthfully, this is the first time I've had these sorts of feelings. Such as being in love with someone… But… It isn't so bad.

Billy: Nn…

He didn't care much about her love, so he just hummed. He knew how to read people, she didn't change in the slightest, she was just trying something new. Only a fool would lower his guard in front of her.