Chapter 24: Confrontation

The next morning, Shawn woke up as usual. He let out a yawn, but when his peripheral vision caught a large figure sitting on the bed opposite his, he was jolted wide awake.

Upon realizing it was Calvin, he patted his chest in relief. "...Why are you sitting there at the crack of dawn? No morning training today?"

Calvin simply stared at him, saying nothing.

Shawn sat up as well. "...It’s rare to see you skip morning drills."

"From today on, I’m going to keep an eye on you at all times," Calvin said suddenly.

"Huh?"

"Ms. Morley’s orders from last night."

Shawn raised an eyebrow. "...Why does that old hag always have to pick on me?"

Calvin gazed at him. "Did you do something last night, Shawn?"

"Me? What could I possibly do? I’ve been in my room the whole time." Shawn hopped off the bed and headed toward the coffee machine nearby. He wore a white tank top and loose, dark blue shorts, his flip-flops making a slapping sound with every step.

A moment later, the coffee machine began to hum. Shawn leaned his hands against the counter and turned back to continue chatting with Calvin. His gaze swept over a nearby square table, and he suddenly noticed something amiss. "...Where’s my computer?"

"I put it away."

"Where did you put it?" Shawn frowned. "...Why are you putting my computer away?"

"Fletcher is coming by in a moment," Calvin said, watching him. "She’s going to take your computer to the Base Order Division for inspection. They suspect you were up to no good again last night."

Shawn chuckled. "Then let them check. If they can find anything this time, I’ll consider it my loss."

"...You went to provoke that Hesta again, didn't you?"

"Did Fletcher tell you that?"

"No, I guessed." Calvin sighed softly. "What are you thinking, Shawn? I warned you to stay away from her."

"Please believe that I gave your advice full consideration, brother. I’ve stayed far enough away from her these past few days."

"Then why—"

A hurried knocking at the door interrupted him. Shawn glanced over, muttered "Coming," and shuffled toward the door.

Liz Fletcher stood outside, her face cold.

"Good morning, Ms. Fletcher." Shawn bowed slightly. "You don't look very happy. Didn't you sleep well last night?"

"Move."

Liz strode inside. Calvin stood up, lifting a dark gray metal case from beside the bed. "Shawn’s computer, phone, and the spare hard drives he uses daily are all here."

Liz did a quick inventory. "When did you collect these?"

"Per Ms. Morley’s request, I collected these items in a surprise check after Shawn fell asleep last night," Calvin replied. "I didn't notify him beforehand, so everything on the computer, phone, and hard drives is exactly as it was when he went to sleep."

"Good." Liz took the case. "Thank you for your cooperation... If any issues are found, your assistance will be considered, to an extent, as Shawn’s surrender—"

Shawn folded his arms, leaning lazily against the wall. "And if there are no issues, can I sue you for violating a trainee's privacy?"

Liz took two steps toward him, grabbed the collar of his tank top, and shoved him hard against the wall. "I’ve checked your file... I know it was you."

"You’ll need evidence for that. Ms. Fletcher, you’re about to be transferred; bullying a junior like this isn't very becoming."

"I will catch you," Liz narrowed her eyes slightly. "You’d better pray you don't end up in my hands."

Shawn shrugged in a gesture of helplessness. Liz pushed him aside forcefully, and he stumbled back several steps before finally steadying himself.

A loud "bang" echoed as the door slammed shut.

Shawn smiled, looking down to straighten his tank top, which had been stretched out of shape by Liz.

"I don't understand, Shawn," Calvin said, standing where he was, watching his disheveled brother. "Why are you so obsessed with that girl?"

"I don't understand, either."

Calvin frowned. "...What?"

"I’m talking about you," Shawn said, looking at him. "And everyone else in this base. I don't understand why you people, having only been here a short while, trust these training officers so completely. They watch over us, control our training data, and even measure the way we perceive the world... Have you never thought that one day these things might be turned into weapons against us?"

"It’s been two years, not a short while," Calvin replied. "Most of the time, Ms. Morley is fair."

"And you believe she truly cares for you—for us?"

Calvin paused for a moment. "I have never harbored such extravagant expectations of others. But many people at the base—Valentine, Morley, Lavitt, Ware... even including Fletcher—they aren't like the people from Hecla. You can't always view new people through an old lens."

Shawn clicked his tongue and shook his head. "...You’re too young, too naive, my brother. The more you let your guard down, the less I can afford to slack off. After all, I promised Mother I’d take good care of you."

Calvin scratched his head, looking puzzled.

"Say whatever you want... Regardless, I will never let you run wild again."

...

"You want to request a meeting with Ms. Chiba this week?"

In Ms. Morley’s office, her young secretary looked at Hesta with surprise.

"Yes," Hesta nodded. "If possible, I’d like to schedule it for this Thursday."

"I’m sorry... I don't have that authority at the moment. Although Ms. Chiba is your guardian, she is a restricted-class contact; we can’t reach her at any time, either—"

"Could you help me pass this request on to Ms. Morley?" Hesta asked softly. "She should have a way."

The young secretary hesitated for a second. "Oh, of course... Are you going to wait here for her to return? Ms. Morley has a meeting this morning, it should be wrapping up soon."

"No, I have class," Hesta replied. She didn't turn to leave immediately, hesitating as she looked at the floor. "...I also have a question I’d like to ask you, if it’s convenient?"

"Of course."

"Can I... apply to carry a firearm within the base?"

The young secretary thought she had misheard. When Hesta repeated it, the secretary stood up on the spot. "I don't know why you would have such an idea, Ms. Hesta... but no. Tan-Yi City is a gun-free zone; ordinary citizens have no right to carry firearms, and non-combat personnel within the base are not permitted to carry them either."

"But I once saw an old leather holster in Liz’s room?" Hesta asked in a low voice.

"Ms. Fletcher has participated in several live-combat operations against chelates. She does have a weapon, but it is only issued temporarily," the secretary said, looking at Hesta. "I... I understand how you feel, but please don't take extreme measures. Not only will that fail to solve the fundamental problem, but it will also land you in even greater trouble."

Hesta looked thoughtful.

"...I understand. Thank you."