Chapter 65: Query

Liki’s body still trembled faintly from the orgasm. The gentle artificial candlelight flickered like her convulsing pelvic muscles, spasming in little aftershocks of pleasure. The memory of Dave's tongue working between her legs, the way he had teased and tasted her, lingered vividly in her mind. Her shimmering green dress and the lacy thong she’d borrowed from Lin were discarded on the floor by the bed, a reminder of how quickly things had escalated.

She shifted slightly on the bed, her skin still flushed and sensitive, as Dave’s hand traced the curve of her hip. His touch was warm, and it sent a shiver of anticipation through her. Dave gazed down at her, his kind, brown eyes soft and filled with affection.

He moved down the bed, and leaning over her, he began to kiss his way up her body, his lips trailing over her smooth stomach, the curve of her breasts, and finally her neck. He paused, his forehead pressed against hers, their breath mingling as he reached down to guide his throbbing erection to her opening.

“Did you have fun tonight?” he asked, holding the head of his hard cock just between her lips. He applied a little pressure, not enough to penetrate her, but enough to make her want more.

Liki’s eyes, dreamy and half-closed, locked onto his. “It was so much fun. I hope we can dance with everyone again some time.”

He smiled softly, his heart swelling at her words. With a gentle push, he pressed his shaft into her eager vagina, feeling her tightness embrace him. He moved slowly, savoring how her body opened for him, how she inhaled sharply with each inch of himself that he pushed into her. “What was your favorite part?” he murmured, his hands sliding under her, lifting her pelvis to meet his.

“This part,” she answered without hesitation, her voice trembling as he filled her completely. “The part where we’re alone to..." She gasped, then continued, "...gether, and you’re inside me.”

Dave’s smile widened, and he leaned down to capture her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. His hips began to move, slowly at first, each thrust drawing a gasp or a whine from her. He could feel her walls tightening around him, her body responding to every movement. He increased his pace, his cock sliding in and out of her with a steady rhythm.

“I love you, Liki,” he whispered as he sat upright, his hands sliding up the back of her smooth calves, tightening around her ankles. He spread her legs wide, driving deeper into her, her eyes widening with each thrust. Liki reached out and put her hands on his thighs, her nails beginning to dig into his skin.

He shifted slightly, sitting up a little more and pulling her into his lap. She straddled him, her legs wrapping around his waist as he held her hips, guiding her up and down on his rigid shaft. Liki took over, lifting herself up and then sinking back down, her movements becoming more confident as she found her rhythm. Her breasts bounced slightly with each motion, and she tilted her head back as she gasped for air.

"Dave... who’s Kaiyaba?” she asked suddenly, her voice slightly breathless as she moved on top of him.

Dave blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He couldn't help but wonder why Liki was asking about a DaiKill character in the middle of their intimate moment. It wasn’t like her to break the mood like this, especially when they were both so wrapped up in each other, but he adored her curiosity, her eagerness to learn about the things they both loved. She’s just being Liki, he thought. Her mind always seemed to wander to the most unexpected places, and he loved that about her. He chuckled affectionately, his hands gripping her hips tighter as he helped her bounce on his cock.

“Kaiyaba? She’s one of the Dream Beasts from season four of DaiKill. She was a shadow creature, almost impossible to defeat because she didn’t have a physical body.”

“Oh,” Liki replied, her voice trembling as she continued to ride him, her hands on his shoulders for balance.

Dave leaned forward, capturing her lips in another kiss as he wrapped his arms around her. He toppled her backward onto the bed, pinning her hands above her head. Liki squealed and laughed, her legs still wrapped around his waist as he sucked one of her pink nipples into his mouth. His tongue flicked over the sensitive bud, drawing a soft moan from her. He released her hands, and she immediately grabbed his head, bringing his face up to hers.

She licked his lips teasingly before turning his head to suck on his earlobe. It was his turn to gasp, as her tongue, warm and moist, swirled into his ear, the sensation almost overwhelming. He closed his eyes tightly, gritting his teeth as a groan escaped him. “Liki,” he whispered.

She giggled as he pried her legs apart so he could escape from her iron grip. Grinning diabolically, he flipped her over onto her stomach. Liki let out a yelp of surprise, her laughter filling the room as Dave positioned himself over top of her. Rose petals adhered to the damp skin of her back and bottom. He pulled her hips up off the mattress and poked the head of his penis between her butt cheeks, pressing against her tight anus. “No! Not there!” she protested, her voice high-pitched with laughter. “That’s my butt!”

“Are you sure?” Dave teased, as he increased the pressure. “I think this is the right spot.”

“No! No! Not in my butt! Please, Dave!” she squealed playfully, her hand reaching back to slap his arms. Her face was buried in the pillow, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

Dave chuckled, moving his cock down to press into her wet vulva. “Oh, wait, is this where it goes?”

“Yes! Put it in there!” Liki answered, her voice muffled by the pillow. She pushed herself back against him as the head of his cock slipped inside her, her back arching at the sensation. She inhaled sharply as he pushed deeper into her.

He began to thrust into her again, his hands gripping her hips as he pulled her back onto him. Liki moaned, her small hands clutching the sheets as Dave’s pace quickened. His shaft slid in and out of her slick pussy, the sound of their bodies meeting filling the room.

Watching her curly ponytail bounce in rhythm with his thrusts, a sudden, primal urge bubbled up within him. It wasn’t just the sight of her—though that was intoxicating enough—or the way her body moved, so perfectly in sync with his, that made his desire burn hotter. It wasn’t the way her back arched, the way her breath hitched with every push, the way her hot insides contracted around him when his hips met the back of her thighs—all of that drove him wild, but that wasn't what was activating something in the dark corners of his lizard brain right now. It was her ponytail, swinging carelessly with each motion, that captured his attention most. It was almost as if it was taunting him, daring him to take hold of it.

The thought lingered, growing stronger with every passing second. He could almost hear the voice of Bad Guy Dave, low and teasing, whispering in his ear. Do it, the voice urged him, You know you want to. Just grab it. Yank her head back. Make her scream. The idea was so tempting, so wrong, but in the heat of the moment, it felt irresistible. His fingers twitched, eager to reach out and claim that curly, blonde ponytail. His hand moved almost of its own accord, reaching out slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. The anticipation became almost unbearable, his heart pounding in his chest as his fingers hovered just above her bouncing hair.

Finally, he gave in. His hand closed around the soft strands, and he gave it a small tug. Liki gasped, her laugh ringing out as she shook her head, trying to escape his grip. “No! Not my hair!” she shrieked, her voice playful and breathless. “It’s my only weakness!” Her words only spurred him on, his grin widening as he tugged more firmly, tipping her head back slightly. Her giggles turned into a soft moan, her body arching more as she pressed her ass against him.

“Pull a little harder,” she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with desire. Her words sent a jolt of electricity through him, banishing any lingering doubt. He tightened his grip. Bad Guy Dave was right. This was exactly what he wanted. She was loving it too, her soft gasps turning to deep moans and grunts. He quickened his pace, holding her hair tight, but being careful not to hurt her.

"Dave?" she asked between moans, trying to catch her breath.

"Yeah, sweetheart?" he replied, his breathing heavy as he slowed his rhythm a little.

“Who’s Gairu?” she said, pulling against his firm grip on her hair.

Dave paused for a moment, caught off guard again by her question. He laughed, his hips still moving against hers. “You seem a little distracted. Do you want to take a break? We can stop if you want to talk. It's okay.” He let go of her hair and picked a rose petal off her back.

“I'm sorry,” said Liki apologetically. “You were doing really good, and I liked having you inside me from the back, and I liked when you pulled my hair, but... I was just thinking about some things.”

Dave gently pulled out of her, turning Liki onto her side as he lay down beside her. He propped himself up on one elbow, his free hand slowly stroking her flushed cheeks. God, she is so beautiful, he thought, and her weird curiosity somehow makes her even more beautiful. "What were you thinking about?” he asked softly, as he playfully stuck the rose petal to the tip of her nose.

“On the show, when the cyborg guy was talking to the pink hair girl, he said something about a guy named Gairu,” Liki explained, brushing her damp bangs off her forehead. “And then Gairu appeared in Nanako’s mind for a few seconds when she was remembering all her friends, so I was just wondering who that was.”

Dave smiled, reaching over to the bedside table to grab a few tissues. He gently cleaned up the moisture between her legs and on her inner thighs, his touch tender as he explained. “Gairu was a character from last season. He started off as a bad guy—he fought the Monster Slayer Team. But after Tendo showed him how to merge with the Dream Beast from his own dream, he realized that the Monster Slayer Team was helping humanity, not creating the monsters. Unfortunately, he was killed in battle when Dominotaur’s Zeta Virus took over all the robots.”

“Oh,” Liki said somberly, her expression turning thoughtful. “That’s sad.”

Dave nodded, his fingers brushing her cheek. “It is. But that’s what made the story so good. Gairu’s journey was about realizing the truth and making the right choice, even if it cost him everything.”

Liki’s eyes softened, and she leaned into his touch. “I see,” she murmured. “Choosing the right thing, even when it’s hard... like you did when you chose to help Lin and Tendo save the captured Wimils.”

Dave smiled, his heart swelling with affection for her. He pulled her in to kiss her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment. A thought came to his mind.

“Hey Liki, I've got a question for you. Before Lin left, she whispered something in your ear. What did she say?” he asked.

Liki’s eyes flickered with a hint of something—hesitation, perhaps. She looked down for a moment, as though remembering the moment of awkwardness when Lin 'joked' about having a threesome. Finally, she spoke, her voice soft.

“She said, ‘I’m sorry.’”

Chapter 66: Suspicion

Liki crouched in the corner of the room next to Dave’s room. Technically, it was her room, but she'd only ever slept in her Wimil bed next to Dave's bed in his room. She'd woken up early and unplugged herself from her bed to try to solve the mystery from last night. She'd felt bad as she quietly stole Dave's phone from his nightstand and crept away with it, but she needed it to find out some things that she couldn’t ask Dave (or anyone else) about.

Liki held the phone in front of her face, her eyes narrowing in concentration. She turned, glancing towards the door to the bathroom, just in case. “Smarty Guy, can you hear me?” she whispered cautiously. The black phone screen remained unresponsive. She frowned, her tail flicking impatiently behind her as she turned the device over in her hands, examining it from every angle.

Her fingers brushed against the button on the side, and she pressed it hesitantly. The screen lit up, and she saw an image of herself appear—the photo Dave had taken of her just yesterday. In the picture, she was smiling, and her eyes were wide with wonder as a butterfly perched delicately on the front of her flowered sundress. The memory of the moment ignited a warmth in her heart, but she tried to remain focused on her investigation.

She tapped the screen like she'd seen Dave do, but nothing happened. Frustration started to boil inside her, and she whispered again, “Smarty Guy, are you in there?” Still, the phone remained silent.

Liki’s tail swished nervously. She knew she didn’t have much time before Dave might wake up and notice his phone was missing. Her small hands tightened around the device, her determination hardening. There has to be a way to access this thing, she thought. Her brow furrowed as she stared at the unfamiliar symbols below the photo of her. “Why won’t you listen to me?” she whispered.

A message on the screen said 'Facial recognition failed.' It can see faces? she thought. Maybe only Dave's face can open it?

Liki crept back into Dave’s room, her ears twitching as she glanced at him to ensure he was still asleep. His chest rose and fell steadily, his face calm in the dim light. She held the phone carefully, her small fingers trembling slightly as she pressed the button on the side. The screen lit up, and she quickly held it up to Dave’s face.

Her heart skipped a beat as the message on the screen changed from 'Facial recognition failed' to 'Unlocked.' Yes, I did it! she thought, her tail flicking with excitement. She glanced at Dave one last time, ensuring he hadn’t stirred, then tiptoed out of the room and back into the other.

Once she was safely alone, she held the phone close to her face. “Smarty Guy, can you hear me yet?” she whispered cautiously. She waited, her breath held, ears straining for any sign of a response.

The phone remained silent, but the unlocked screen gave her hope. She tapped the screen lightly and dozens of unfamiliar, little, multi-colored squares appeared, each with a word written beneath. Her brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. One of the squares was named 'Assistant'. Smarty Guy is a kind of an assistant, isn't he? Is this how to talk to him? She tapped on the icon labeled 'Assistant' and waited.

A female voice—calm and polite—finally spoke. “Hello, how can I help you?”

Finally, I'm making progress. "Who are you?" asked Liki.

"I am the Neoware Assistant. I'm here to help!" said the voice, helpfully.

Liki's tail drooped slightly as she realized this voice wasn’t Smarty Guy, but maybe it could still help her. She leaned closer to the phone, cupping her hand over her mouth. “What’s your name?” she asked softly.

"My name is Mia. How can I help you?" said the voice.

Liki’s ears perked up, her eyes widening with excitement. Mia! she thought. She hadn't realized that Dave could talk to Mia, the food delivery girl, whenever he wanted just by pressing a button on his phone. Her voice sounded different, a little more grown-up and serious, but that didn't matter right now. “Mia!” she whispered with hope in her voice, “thank you for helping us escape when we were trapped at Chungo's! We're safe now. Can you help me again? I need to know who Gairu is.”

Mia’s calm, polite voice responded after a brief pause. “I do not have any information on Gairu. Would you like me to search the web for Gairu?”

Liki nodded quickly, her small hands clutching the phone. “Yes, please!” she said. She wasn't totally sure what the web was, but she'd heard Dave talk about it. Apparently, you could find almost everything on the web.

A moment later, Mia’s voice returned. “It seems that access to the web has been blocked in this location, but by scanning files stored in your local network, I have the following information: Gairu most likely refers to a character from season 4 of the anime DaiKill Buster Gaiden. Gairu is a mercenary swordsman known for his cold demeanor and tragic backstory.”

Liki frowned, her tail flicking impatiently. “I already know that, Mia,” she said, frustration creeping into her tone. “But who is Gairu in real life? I think Tendo knows who. Is Dave Gairu?”

Mia hesitated, her voice taking on a slightly apologetic tone. “I’m sorry, but I do not have information on a real-life individual named Dave Gairu. Would you like me to search the web for Dave Gairu?"

Liki let out a small sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. “No, that’s okay,” she said softly. She stared at the phone screen, her mind racing. She glanced toward the door, ensuring she was still alone, then whispered, “Mia, can you tell me what ‘neutralize’ means? Tendo said he’s going to neutralize Gairu. I need to know what that means.”

Mia’s calm voice responded after a brief pause, her tone as neutral as ever. “Neutralize is a term that can have various interpretations depending on the context. In general, to neutralize someone can mean to remove their ability to act, influence, or pose a threat. In a military or tactical context, it often refers to the act of rendering an opponent ineffective, which may include disarmament, incapacitation, or death.”

Liki’s ears flattened, her heart sinking. Death? Her tail flicked nervously as she processed the information. “So… neutralize could mean… kill?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Oops, I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to respond to queries that involve violent rhetoric or violent actions,” Mia replied, her tone unwavering. "Maybe there's something else we could talk about? Based on some of your past internet searches maybe you'd like to talk about naked redheads with pigtails and big boobs taking a shower, or recipes for butter tarts?”

Liki’s mind raced. If "neutralize" meant what Mia said it might mean, then Gairu was in danger. But who was Gairu? Liki felt almost certain that Gairu was Dave. Gairu was a man in the show, and Dave was the only man in the house who didn't have a code name.

Her small hands clenched around the phone as she whispered, “Thank you, Mia. You can go back to sleep now. I'm sorry for waking you up so early... Oh, and please don't tell Dave I stole his phone. Bye!" She turned off the screen by pressing the button on the side of the phone and went back into Dave's room. As quietly and carefully as she could, she put his phone back on the nightstand.

Liki stood beside Dave’s bed, her eyes fixed on his peaceful, sleeping face. His chest rose and fell steadily, his dark hair tousled against the pillow. She studied him intently, her small hands clenched at her sides. If Dave really is Gairu, she thought, and Tendo wants to neutralize him… then I have to protect him. Her heart ached at the thought. She couldn’t let anything happen to him.

But she needed to be sure. I can’t accuse Tendo or confront him without proof, she reminded herself, her mind working through the possibilities. Maybe I can find something in Tendo’s room—some clue, some hint that will tell me what’s really going on. Once everyone is awake I can sneak in there and look around, she decided.

She lifted the covers and climbed into bed with Dave, both of them still naked from the night before. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly, enjoying the familiar feeling of his bare skin on hers.

If Tendo is planning to hurt or kill Dave, he'll have to go through me first.

*

The team gathered in the briefing room, the atmosphere tense but focused. Lin stood at the front, her sharp brown eyes scanning the group. “Alright, everyone,” she began, her voice calm but commanding. “Tonight’s the night. Viktor Serik’s representatives—or Serik himself if we're lucky—will be at the exchange point just after midnight. Liki and Dave will be handed over as bait. The rest of us will be waiting in position. We’ll move in once we have confirmation of Serik's location."

Liki’s heart pounded as she listened, her small frame feeling even smaller under the weight of the plan. She glanced at Dave, who gave her a reassuring nod. She couldn't help but glance furtively at Tendo throughout the meeting, trying to get any sense of what his plans for Dave were, if he had any. Lin, Tendo and N15 all covered various aspects of the plan, but Liki had trouble paying attention to any of it. Her mind was exclusively on Dave and keeping him safe.

After the briefing, the team split up to run through drills. Tendo and N15 were poring over maps on their tablets, discussing possible routes Serik might take. Lin and Sumiko went to the pool, to practice with scuba gear in case Serik’s men tried to leave by boat. Liki watched them for a moment, but seeing them going into the deep, deep water made her anxious. She admired how brave and prepared they were, but her mind kept drifting back to the unanswered questions.

*

As the sun began to set, Liki finally found an opportunity to get away from everyone. She needed answers. Dave had been assigned a code name during the meeting earlier and it wasn't Gairu, which made Liki feel a little bit better. On the other hand, having a code name didn’t rule out the possibility that Tendo had only been calling him Gairu temporarily, so she still had to find out for sure. While most of the team was busy with preparations, and Yaten was explaining something to Dave about how to remove the fake handcuffs they’d be wearing, she slipped away unnoticed, creeping down the hallway toward the room where Tendo’s scent was the strongest. The door was slightly ajar, and she pushed it open, stepping inside.

The room was stark—a bed, a closet with a few clothes, and nothing else. It felt cold, impersonal. Liki frowned as she looked around, her sharp eyes scanning for anything that might give her a clue. Who is Gairu? Who is Kaiyaba? Why does Tendo want to have me? What was the word he said? Jurisdiction?

Her gaze landed on a small, black, spherical device on the table next to the bed. It was unassuming, with a single button on top. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she reached out, pressing the button.

A holojector flickered to life, projecting a small image into the air. Two children, a boy and a girl, waving and smiling. “Merry Christmas, Daddy! We miss you!” they said in unison.

Liki’s eyes widened. Are these Tendo’s mini humans? His children? She stared at the image, her mind racing. Is this a clue? Before she could process it, she smelled someone approaching. She glanced around frantically. There was no time to leave without being seen. She dropped to the floor and rolled under the bed, her heart pounding in her chest. She heard Tendo's unmistakable heavy footsteps approaching down the hall.

The door creaked open, and Tendo’s boots appeared in her line of sight. He stood in the center of the room for a moment, then sat on the bed. The silence was deafening. Finally, he spoke. “Why don’t you come up here, so we can have a talk?”

Liki froze. He knows I’m here. She hesitated, then slowly crawled out from under the bed, standing before him. She brushed the dust off her pink shirt and black leggings as she narrowed her eyes at him, unsure whether to trust him.

Tendo patted the bed next to him, his expression unreadable behind his dark sunglasses. “Sit,” he said simply.

Reluctantly, Liki sat down, her hands clenched in her lap. Tendo leaned forward slightly, his broad shoulders relaxed but his presence still imposing. “Now, tell me what you’re doing here,” he said, his deep voice calm. “I’m not mad. I just want to know why you're in here.”

He wasn't lying. He didn't smell mad. She frowned—her nose told her almost nothing about what he might be feeling. She leaned closer, her blue eyes focused on his sunglasses. There was still one more thing she could try.

“I'm not telling you until you tell me what I want to know,” she said defiantly. She took a deep breath, and focused on making Tendo like her. At full strength, she knew that her pheromones would be almost impossible to resist.

Tendo just sighed. “Sorry, Liki. I recover Wimils just like you for a living. That won’t work on me.” He tapped his nose. “Nasal filter implant.”

Liki’s eyes widened, and her tail drooped slightly. She hadn’t expected that. For a moment, she felt defeated, but then she straightened up, her resolve hardening. She decided to take a risk. “I… I was trying to find out who Gairu and Kaiyaba are,” she admitted. “I know you’re going to neutralize Gairu... and I need to know why.”

Tendo’s face twitched slightly, and for a moment he smelled a little surprised, the smell of fear mixed with excitement. “Oh, so you heard me on the phone last night... but that doesn’t explain why you’re in my room,” he said, his tone patient but probing.

Liki’s tail flicked again, a sign of her growing frustration. “I thought I could find something here, but all I found was this thing with a picture of your... children in it. Are they involved somehow?” she asked, sounding a little braver now.

He smiled, a mixture of amusement and melancholy on his face. "No, Liki. My kids have nothing to do with any of this. They're cute though, aren't they? That was from Christmas in '65. They're a lot bigger now."

Surprised that he was cooperating, Liki pressed for more. “I need to know why you want... jurisdiction of me. And if you want to neutralize Dave... and who is Gairu.”

Tendo studied her for a long moment, his gaze piercing even behind the sunglasses. Finally, he turned toward her slightly, his voice low. “Liki, you’re safer not knowing. Sometimes, just knowing things can be dangerous.”

“Maybe. But if you want to hurt Dave, then I’m not going to stop until I find out,” she said defiantly.

Tendo said nothing as another long moment passed. "You aren't, are you?" he said finally. He stood and walked to the door. "Then, I guess we'll have to do something about that."

With a sigh, he closed the door.

Chapter 67: Silence

Tyrell Marina was eerily quiet, the only sound being the gentle lapping of water against the docks and jetties. The marina was deserted, closed at this time of night, but as the SUV approached the gate, a guard unchained it and let them in. Dave sat in the dark backseat, his hands cuffed behind him with the fake cuffs that could be easily opened by the wearer. The electronic cuffs cleverly contained a small stiletto and a file, and their chain could extend an additional three inches, allowing them to be used as a makeshift flail.

During the mission planning, Lin had offered Liki and Dave small, single-shot pistols that folded into narrow cylinders, which could be hidden inside a body cavity. Lin pointed out that the pistols didn’t necessarily offer them more safety, as a thorough search could find them just as easily as a simple body scan. If the weapons were discovered, they could jeopardize their cover and put them in significant danger. Still, Tendo had left the decision up to them individually, as Dave and Liki were the ones risking their lives.

Ultimately, Dave declined, deciding he'd rather rely on the competence of the team and Liki, than risk carrying a weapon that he’d have to hide in a place as uncomfortable as his ass. The idea of trying to retrieve it in a moment of crisis was enough to make him cringe.

Liki, on the other hand, had seriously considered taking the pistol. She’d held it in her hands, turning it over quietly, her expression pensive. For a moment, she seemed like she might agree, her fingers tightening around the small, deadly device. But in the end, she’d set it down and shook her head. “No,” she’d said simply, her voice firm. “I’ll trust the plan.”

He glanced over at Liki, sitting in the back of the SUV next to him. She was unusually still, her head turned away from him. She hadn’t said a word since they’d gotten in the car. Dave wondered if perhaps she was regretting her decision to not take the pistol. Her stillness was unnerving, her silence more telling than any words she could have spoken. Even her tail wasn't moving. Her gaze seemed to be fixed on some distant point beyond the SUV’s window, somewhere in the darkness.

This wasn’t like her. She was always calm and in control in stressful situations, but she wasn't usually like this. Normally, she'd be pressing herself against Dave, telling him to try to stay calm. Tonight it was almost like she didn't want to look at him, or like she was bearing some burden that she couldn't share with him. Is something wrong? he wondered. Is she acting this way because of just how critical this operation is? Maybe she’s holding herself back, keeping her emotions in check because she knows there’s no room for error tonight. She had been the one to make the decision to assist Tendo's team in the first place, after all. Dave knew how much it meant to her, how deeply she cared about saving the other Wimils—her 'sisters'.

But even as he tried to rationalize her behavior, something didn’t sit right with him. Liki had never been one to shut him out, not like this. They’d faced danger together countless times, and she’d always been by his side, her presence a constant reassurance. Now, though, she felt distant, her silence more oppressive than the black sky that stretched out to the horizon over the water ahead.

N15’s voice crackled through Dave's subdermal comm, low and steady. “Here they come. Two people, in a dark colored, high-end speedboat.”

Dave’s heart skipped a beat. This is it. The hand-off. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. Focus.

Tendo’s commanding voice came over the comm next, “Everyone, get ready. Sea-Team, take your positions. Air-Team, stay sharp, looks like we got lucky and won't need you so get ready to support Road-Team if they try to leave by land. Road-Team, be prepared for anything.” Dave glanced out the window, catching a glimpse of the speedboat as it pulled up to the dock. Two figures secured the boat and disembarked, their silhouettes stark against the dimly lit marina. One was tall, the other shorter and slender. As they passed under the lights along the floating jetty, Dave saw that one was a man, wearing a dark nautical uniform and hat, and the shorter one was a woman, wearing a similar uniform, except that she wore a short, pleated skirt, and her blouse had short sleeves.

Katya turned in the passenger seat, her voice low but urgent. “It’s time. Remember, stay calm. Follow the plan.” She and Jotaro stepped out of the SUV, closing the doors behind them. Dave watched as they approached the two figures, his pulse quickening. The man and woman stopped a few feet away, their eyes scanning the area with a practiced coldness. The man held up his cell phone in front of Katya, as though scanning her face with it, then he looked at the screen checking the results. His voice came through Katya’s comm.

"Graves."

Katya’s voice replied. “The items are in the car. Serik couldn't make it tonight, huh?" she remarked casually.

In a completely monotone voice, the woman said, "No unnecessary speaking, please." She glanced down at Katya’s broken arm, but said nothing further.

Tendo's voice came over the comm. "Confirmed, Dominotaur is not present," he said in a hushed tone. "Looks like it's going to be a long night, people."

The man spoke, his voice deep and gravelly. “As soon as we confirm, you’ll get your money.” He and Jotaro strode toward the SUV, while the woman remained behind, her eyes locked on Katya. Dave’s jaw clenched as the man shone his phone's flashlight into the backseat, the harsh light blinding him for a moment. The man’s eyes narrowed as he inspected Dave’s face, then he went around the vehicle to Liki's side. “Open her door,” he ordered Jotaro.

Jotaro obliged and the man reached in, his hands rough as he yanked Liki out of the SUV. Dave’s fists tightened behind his back, his anger boiling beneath the surface. Keep it together. You can’t blow this now. The man shone his flashlight into her eyes and mouth. Dave forced himself to stay still as the man inspected Liki like she was a piece of merchandise, running his hands over her scalp and through her hair, lifting her shirt, inspecting her stomach, groping her breasts, turning her around, sliding his hands down her arms and up her bare legs. Then, with a cold indifference, he casually shoved his hand down the front of Liki’s shorts. Dave flinched, anger flaring in his chest. His instincts screamed at him to protect her, to open his cuffs, lunge at the man and tear him away from her. But he forced himself to endure, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached.

He watched Liki, his heart pounding. Her tail remained limp, her eyes half-lidded, pretending to be groggy and sedated, but Dave knew better. Beneath the surface, she was probably holding back a desire, even stronger than his, to snap the man's arm off. She didn’t resist, didn’t even flinch, as the man continued to rummage between her legs. The man’s expression remained impassive, as if this were just another routine check, nothing more than verifying the quality of a product.

Finally, the man pulled his hand from her shorts, seemingly satisfied, and stepped back. “Everything checks out,” he said flatly, as if it hadn’t been anything more than a cursory inspection. Dave could see the faint smirk tugging at the corner of the man’s mouth, and it took every ounce of his self-control not to react. Calm. Stay calm. Odds are that it will get worse than this before everything is over, he reminded himself. But if I get the chance later, I'm going to kill this guy myself...

The man pushed Liki back into her seat, and lifted her left leg. “Her ankles aren't bound?” the man remarked, his tone suspicious.

Jotaro shrugged. “She’s sedated. She won't put up a fight. She'll be out of it for at least two more hours," he replied calmly.

The man took off Liki’s shoe and inspected the serial number on the bottom of her foot, comparing it to something on his phone. The man grunted, and turned to walk away. “Do you want to check the other one?” Jotaro asked, gesturing to Dave.

The man shook his head. “No, we don’t care about his condition.”

Dave let out a quiet breath of relief, but his heart still pounded in his chest. He watched as the man walked back to the woman, whispering something to her. The woman nodded, her expression unreadable, and she handed Katya a small device. “The items are confirmed. Your payment,” she said simply. Katya took the device, a small e-wallet, and pulled out her wallet as well, tapping them together. She looked at her wallet's display. “Pleasure doing business,” she said coolly. She waved to Jotaro.

"Out of the car," Jotaro barked opening the door and waving his gun at Dave. He marched Dave at gunpoint to the waiting figures, one hand under Liki’s armpit, holding her up as she pretended to shuffle along under the effects of sedation.

Katya handed the man the key to Dave and Liki's cuffs, then the man picked up Liki and threw her over his shoulder, while the woman produced a pistol from a holster on her back. She indicated for Dave to walk toward the boat they'd arrived in.

"Sea-Team, positions. Dream Beast A and Dream Beast B are leaving by boat," Tendo confirmed.

"Sumiko and I are in position and standing by," whispered Lin on the comm channel. "The switch has been installed. Dream Beasts are approaching and we are submerging."

"Road-Team, Air-Team, rendezvous at Ryujin. We sail at zero zero forty-five hours," commanded Tendo.

Dave kept his head down as he was marched toward the speedboat, the pistol pressed into his back an unpleasant reminder of the danger they were in. The man carrying Liki stepped into the boat and laid her across one of the seats. She kept up her sedated act, and slowly sat up, looking around like she didn't know where she was. Dave boarded the boat, his hands still cuffed behind him, the fake restraints giving him a small sense of security.

The woman stepped into the boat after him, her grip on the pistol never wavering. She gestured for Dave to sit down, her expression cold and detached. He complied, sitting down next to Liki. The woman shook her head.

"No, you sit there," she said gesturing with her gun to a seat across from Liki.

He wanted so badly to comfort Liki with his touch or at least his presence after what she'd just endured, but he obeyed. He stood and took a seat across from her. His heart ached for her. Her tail still hung limp, and she was doing an amazing job of acting drugged, so unlike the fierce, confident Wimil he knew. But still, something’s not right, he thought again, something she's keeping to herself.

The man started the engine, the low rumble breaking the silence of the marina. The boat began to move, slicing through the dark water as it headed out into the wide river. As the boat got underway, the woman produced two dark-colored, cloth bags from under a seat, and moved toward Dave.

"Oh, shit. Really?" he muttered, realizing what was about to happen.

"No talking," barked the woman as she slipped one of the bags over his head. Dave couldn't see anything anymore but he assumed that the woman placed a bag over Liki's head as well. At least he could still hear everyone talking in his ear.

N15’s voice cut through the comm channel, calm and precise. “The speedboat is heading south, down the river toward the bay. No sign of Serik’s boat yet, assuming that's where they're headed, but they could be waiting out there. Radar’s clear for now.”

Katya came on the comm. "Tendo, I want confirmation that I'm done. I've cooperated completely. I did my part, correct?"

"Confirmed, Gairu. Good work, but you know we can't cut you free yet. You're with us until this is over," he replied, "unless you'd rather us just leave that bomb in you."

"Yeah, yeah. I know, and just for the record I still hate my stupid code name," Katya complained.

Chapter 68: Misdirection

The Ryujin’s engine hummed softly as the ship cut through the dark waters of the Atlantic. The Ryujin wasn’t its real name. Officially, the vessel was a fishing and party charter boat called the Bebop. It was a modest craft but it was large enough and fast enough for the purposes of the operation. Tendo had given it a code name from DaiKill, just like all the other code names for the members of the team. In the anime, the Ryujin was the massive, flying forward operating base that served as the second home of Monster Slayer Team.

Tendo sat in the bridge, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest of the captain’s chair. N15 sat nearby, his eyes glued to the radar screen, the faint glow of the monitors reflecting off his glasses.

“They’re still going,” Tendo muttered, frustrated and incredulous. Two hours. Two fucking hours. The boat carrying Dave and Liki had been on the move for far longer than anyone had anticipated.

Tendo frowned, his mind racing. Why the hell would Serik choose a pickup location so far out? It didn’t make sense. Serik's men had to be trying to throw them off. Or maybe they had someone else out here waiting to see who might be following their boat after they'd passed by. The thought gnawed at him. Could they purposefully be taking an incredibly indirect route because they were aware they were being followed? Or worse, could they be stalling for time, leading them into a trap?

N15 adjusted his glasses and glanced at Tendo, his expression calm but a little tight. “There’s nothing out there on the radar yet. Wherever they’re headed, it’s not close.”

Tendo sighed, lifting his sunglasses to rub the bridge of his nose. “Shit.” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and stared at the floor as if it might hold the answers. The clock was ticking, and not just for the mission. Lin and Sumiko were still in the water, waiting for their cue. Their oxygen supply wasn’t infinite. They had less than thirty minutes left. If the other boat was headed anywhere near the SUSA border… “If they’re going into Virginia waters, things are going to get very messy,” he muttered.

N15 nodded. “The radar’s clear all the way to the border. If they’re meeting another ship, it’s not showing up. Could Serik... I mean Dominotaur, have some kind of a stealth yacht? You know that if we cross the border, we're totally on our own, legally speaking, that is...”

Tendo straightened, his jaw tightening. If Serik is good at anything, it's hiding. This has to be deliberate. “I know. We’ll keep following for now. If we have to call it, we pull everyone back and abort. I'm not going to get us blown out of the water by a patrol drone, or the Red Coast Guard.” He paused, then glanced at N15. “Time to go have that talk with Gairu. Go ahead and cut her comm.”

N15 hesitated. He spun his chair to look at Tendo. He sighed, his usual calm demeanor slipping for just a moment. “Do you really have to do it this way?”

Tendo’s expression didn’t soften. “Yes. It has to be authentic. Kaiyaba will be watching.”

N15 nodded reluctantly and tapped his tablet screen, severing Katya's connection to the team's communication channel. Tendo stood and left the bridge, his boots echoing on the metal floor as he descended to the cabin level. Yaten stood on deck, his temporary arm conspicuous in the moonlight. It was a low-tech cybernetic, a far cry from the advanced model Yaten had lost, but it would do for now. Yaten gave him a curt nod as he passed, his weapon resting casually in his hand.

Tendo stopped at Juni’s door and knocked. She opened it almost immediately, her dark hair pulled into a neat bun. Her expression was calm, professional, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—anticipation, maybe. Or dread.

“Be ready,” Tendo said, his voice low.

Juni nodded. “Everything’s on standby.”

She closed the door quietly, and Tendo continued down the hall. He passed Jotaro at a table, meticulously checking his weapons. Jotaro looked up and gave him a smirk, but Tendo didn’t stop. He didn’t have time to chat.

“Stay alert,” Tendo said. Jotaro nodded.

He reached the next door and pushed it open without knocking. Katya was sitting on the bed, her tablet resting in her lap. She looked up as he entered, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly.

“Did we get him yet?” she asked, her tone casual but laced with impatience.

“Not yet,” Tendo replied, closing the door behind him. “They’re still going south.”

Katya’s brow furrowed. “That’s not good.”

“No, it’s not.” Tendo took a seat across from her, taking a deep breath. “We need to have a talk.” His voice was calm, but there was a weight to it that made Katya stiffen.

“About what?” she asked, her tone cautious now.

“About our arrangement,” he replied.

Katya’s eyes flashed, and she set the tablet aside. “What are you talking about?”

Over the comm, Juni’s voice cut in, calm and clinical. “She’s spiking.”

Good, Tendo thought. He leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped in front of him. “Change of plans. I can’t just let you walk away from this.”

Katya stood abruptly, her voice rising. “Really? You’re going to screw me? After I did everything you asked of me? I’m not going to prison for you people. I’ll spill everything I know to the media. If you do this, you’re fucked," she said, pointing a finger accusingly.

Tendo remained calm. “I know. You’re not going to prison.” He paused, letting the words hang in the air for a moment. “I’m just going to kill you. Okay, Juni, put her down.”

Katya lunged at him, getting all the way across the room before her limbs stopped working. She collapsed into Tendo's arms, convulsing slightly as the device inside her continued to release its neurotoxic agent directly into her bloodstream. Tendo stood up from his chair, lifting Katya, and placed her gently on the bed. Tendo reached into his jacket and pulled out the remote detonator, flipping the safety cover open with a quiet click.

“Remember the micro-bomb we put in you?” he said, his tone almost conversational. “It’s got an incapacitation mode, so we can have a little chat before you die.”

Katya’s breathing was labored, her body trembling as she tried to fight the paralysis. Her voice was barely a whisper, but the anger in it was unmistakable. “I did everything. We had a deal.”

Tendo leaned back in his chair, his expression grim. “Yeah, we had a deal. But I lied. Sorry.”

Katya glared at him, her eyes burning with hatred. “Fuck you. Kill me, then.”

Tendo shook his head slowly. “There’s one more thing I have to do first.” He paused for a moment. “How’s it looking, Juni?” he said into his comm, built into the arm of his sunglasses.

Juni’s steady voice came through. “Heart rate is 135. Blood pressure 142 over 87. Cortisol and adrenaline are still spiking.”

Tendo turned back to Katya, his info-glasses showing her rising body temperature. “Do you remember a job you did about five months ago? In Buffalo? Your crew hit an ErisNishi R&D lab. You took some research files. I hope you already spent all the money you made on that one.”

Katya’s glare didn’t waver, but she said nothing.

“Anyway,” Tendo continued, “it wasn’t a clean job, was it? Your guys got in a little firefight on the way out. Remember?”

Katya’s voice was weak, but the venom in it was sharp. “You’re going to kill me because I stole some files from you? Just hurry up and do it.”

Tendo’s expression darkened. “Oh, no. I’m not the one killing you. But the person who is… they’re watching. Not watching on video. I'm not an idiot—I'm not going to create evidence. That 'bomb' is transmitting all your vitals. They're seeing your heart rate... all your other numbers too, and they've been watching since it was installed. I'm not a doctor, so I don't know how it works, but, you know, it's like that beeping machine you see in hospital TV shows. They're watching and waiting for the moment when the line just goes flat and the beeping stops.”

Katya tried to speak, but her voice failed her. She managed to spit out a single word, dripping with hatred. “Bastard.”

Tendo leaned forward slightly. “Your guys killed a couple of company security guards that night. And one of the senior nutritional development R&D staff. He just so happened to be having an affair with someone very high up in ENBC. And when that person found out we had you… they decided you had to die. Petty, I know, but they want revenge. They want to see the moment you die. That's how much they hate you."

Tendo paused to let his words sink in, hopefully elevating her fear and her anger. He took a deep breath and continued. "You should thank me, though. They wanted you to suffer. I told them to fuck off. I’m not a sadist... So that’s our new deal. You helped us, and I’m giving you a quick, painless death. You don’t even have to say thank you.”

Katya closed her eyes, her breathing ragged. She shook her head weakly. “I knew it. I fucking knew it from the start. I never should have trusted you people.” She opened her eyes again, glaring at him. “Tell Robert something for me.”

Tendo raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

Her lips curled into a sneer, even as her body trembled. “Tell him he can suck his own cock next time.”

Tendo looked at her for a long moment, feeling genuine sympathy for the trembling, helpless woman. She'd stayed defiant to the very end. She hadn't broken, hadn't begged, hadn't cried. He respected that. In her place, others might have groveled or tried to bargain, but Katya had spat her last words with venom and pride. Finally he sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Goodbye, Gairu,” he said as he flipped the switch on the detonator.

And just like that, Katya Graves was dead.