Chapter 29: Desire for Tools

Jakob returned to where they should be. Fortress flyers appeared on top of the industrial area. Jakob walked in towards the Mistress. Without asking, they pointed their guns at Jakob. He felt the targeting system locked in. What appeared before him were full-metal geared Aured Guardians. Ready to turn him into shreds within a single mistake.

Displaying his ensign to the Aured Guardians. They radioed for someone and before long Gaul appeared to welcome him. His suit washed by the rain. His hand landed on Jakob's shoulder. Jakob continued walking until he saw the Mistress and Miss Angela guarded within a fence of auto-turrets and anti-air launchers. He didn't retract his helmet. He stood in front of the Mistress and Miss Angela.

"I didn't kill the etherian," Jakob said to them.

Miss Angela's eyes widened in fury. "What is the meaning of that?"

"An etherian that is far stronger than I can handle without proper tools.  Not to mention that she's black hand."

"Black hand?" Angela tilted her head.

"Ask the government why the black hand joined the hunt. Miss Ursula," Jakob said. "You have one hell of a career coming if you don't give up here. But if you continue this path, then there will only be trouble for you. One day you might find yourself alone amid a stadium again."

"Many people died here today. So many were fans who gathered, hoping they could hear my songs. I wonder if they regret coming to my show? I wonder if they died asking why they come to my concert," she held her head. "But then again, I hope that they died in a trance, but their screams remained in my ears. You two protected me well and I doubt that without Haven sending you here and Gaul doing his best that I would still be alive."

Jakob looked at her. She was still young. She had none of that confidence that she cultivated throughout her experiences. One day she will stand in front of an audience comprising those of the world. She will sing at the world's end and burned so brightly that it will ignite the hearts of the crestfallen. Her voice could kindle cowardly hearts. But the Mistress named Ursula Louis would never kindle in her own heart. For she had dedicated it to those who she lost today.  Jakob thought to himself that no matter what he would say, it would mean nothing. People don't change so easily. They don't take words granted in pity, but in anger they respond.

"Your supporters died in a trance. They got their innards spilled on the ground and you think they'd be happy?" Jakob scoffed. "Miss, your fans died screaming, and I used their bodies a shield. I stepped on the bodies and trudge over them to protect solely you. Do you really think saying that would change what happened?"

"Hey!" Angela scolded. "Don't you dare speak like that!"

"So?" Jakob shook his head. "Don't say that they died in some trance. Don't make some petty excuse, as if they died less painful than someone who I killed today. They died today. It's not romantic or tragic. Face it as it was."

Her glare could kill. But Jakob didn't look away. He placed his hand on the hilt of his cutter-vibrant. Gaul stared at Jakon with eyebrows meeting. Angela glared harder than both of them. "You are exactly right." Mistress Ursula said. "But do you really have to say that?"

"I am just saying the truth. They died painfully. I hope you don't shut your heart and dedicate your heart to them. Your song won't reach the dead. These bastards came here to kill you, and that self-pity and delusion would one day kill you. Accept what happened here, Miss. Don't run away from what happened here and think somehow singing more will be a dedication to those who died here. Sing for yourself. Never let the bastards affect you."

"Are you done spouting?" She raised her head and stood up. "I don't know what you are trying to accomplish, but if you were planning to anger me. You've done well. And here I was about to shower you with gratitude! Forget it! I don't need bastards like you who can't see!"

Jakob bowed his head. "I am glad we have an understand. The payment for what happened here will cost you. I signed up to kill etherians. Not as a shield against cultists, fully armed combatants in full-metal gear, and definitely not for anything involving the black hand."

"You'll get paid," Mistress Ursula said with gritted teeth. "Despite what you said, you did still help us greatly."

"I mean what I said." Jakob said. "Don't let this event get you down. You might be a star but you live in the quagmire of this city and if you don't realize that and run away then there's nothing much you can do other than pretend until the very end. See you around Miss Ursula, Gaul, and you too, Angela. I am done here."

Jakob opened his communication line. Helga connected immediately and activated the links to this suit. Her face appeared on the upper left corner of his HUD. She lowered her head down and screen glow lit up her face. She looked directly into the screen and whistled.

"The black hand's after them huh, still, you let that one go."

"I knew you guys were listening and watching. Do you people have this habit?"

"We do not have the habit, but you know that this is just a throwaway.  The Boss is happy seeing these wonderful data coming from the suit's feedback. You got an idea what we will use your data for already, don't you?"

"Your naming senses aren't that hidden. I don't now what is happening, but you really intend to lure me further into this pit you people wander about."

"We know how to scope out potential. You are young, Jakob, very young, but you are already a beast. I'd mistake you for a veteran if it wasn't for your face. Then again, having someone like you working for us would benefit Haven more than it should. How could we not temp you more when you can do something like this?"

Jakob calmly watched the area while the rain poured.

"You're going to let me continue using this suit?"

"The data is optimal and we already have what we need. Besides, I think you might be the only one who can use that well. The suit's symbiotic and it only accepts a single owner. I don't know what they did, but we're giving you a failed prototype suit for data that we can use to improve a better suit. We'll get our Ghosts soon, and even the Black hand would mean nothing to us."

"Is that so?" Jakob squatted over a metal beam. He flattened his palm and let the rain drop on it. "But I think I still have to pay for maintenance."

"The honeymoon is over, baby," Helga smirked.

"I was expecting this, really." Jakob snorted. He kept his gaze around the area where Mistress Ursula was. She held anger in her face and she walked with a stern gait.

"Still, we used you, but this was two birds using one stone. Not only that your market yourself well with these kinds of result, it will improve our standing and they'll know that we have someone that can kill etherians. You're not the only one can kill etherians, there are many who died after being overwhelmed, but your fight with Dion Bismark and the four etherians you killed to day sets you as someone who can do it. You prove a point and when they look back they will look at Haven who to use when there are matters regarding etherians."

"I am an Outrider first, before I am a Bounty Hunter, Hel," Jakob said. "I'll let you use me, but use me wisely. I might be new, but you better know that I won't easily bend the knee. Don't even think of using Dona with me. In the event anything happens to her, I'll avenge her."

"Please, we don't stoop so low unless it's needed. You won't betray us, and we don't blame you for losing the black hand and letting her go. Your systems are half-frozen that I wonder how you can even stand by yourself without the motor functions of your suit. Return home, I think Dona is getting worried about you."

"Then I am going home," Jakob said. He turned the link off and turned his eyes on the fortress flyer that carried Mistress Ursula away. From the eastern side of the industrial area he saw a flyer heading towards him. Clicking his tongue, he waited for the flyer and watched the destruction he sowed.