4 There goes the Fireworks

The following morning arrived, all the grunts were up, already showered and in line for breakfast. The commotion was slightly heard from outside the door of Issac and Barret's dorm room. Issac was still passed out, with his pillow over his head.

Barret was fixing his hair looking in a mirror and then looks back to Issac. "Hey over there, rise and shine. We should be getting ready for breakfast and work." Barret says, now turning his attention from the mirror to Issac.

"... urgh... just.. five more..minutes.." Issac mumbled, from under the pillow, turning to the side.

Barret walks over and sits on Issac, causing Issac started to squirm.

"Hey!" He yelped.

"Oh? I for sure thought you were fused to this bed." Barret joked.

"Get off!" Issac shouted, trying to get Barret off.

"Oh now you want to wake up? Okay then." Barret says, standing to his feet. "You should hurry and get ready. (I hope I find miss Asuna today. I'd like to finally speak with her more.)" Barret thinks to himself, day dreaming.

Issac sat up, rubbing his messy bed head, as he sneered to Barret. "Jerk." Issac frowned, with a brow twitching.

"Early bird catches the worm now, Issac. Chop-chop, we need to get moving." Barret says grinning.

"You're too much of a morning person... No, you know what? You're too Cheery..." Issac scratched his head, finally getting up to go change.

"It helps the brain preform better, didn't you know that?" Barret asked proudly. "Besides you're still young, you can handle it."

"I'm lazy." Issac said, throwing a shirt on.

Barret laughs, "You'll get used to it then. Remember we are still working so. On a side note, I wonder what the lady director has set up for us today?"

"Either way, you're still a 'teacher's pet'." Issac chuckled.

"I'd rather be that, then the one sleeping in the back of the class room." Barret retorted.

"At least I'm not a class clown." Issac jested.

"Hmm, true the silent kids are the good ones most times, but I digress. Let's head down to the cafe and get some food." Barret says, feeling his stomach.

"Right, breakfast IS the most important meal of the day." Issac grinned. "(One thing to look forward to at least.)"

After the duo got up, and had their morning fill of food, they had made their way to Xiao's office. Cravic caught them in the halls before they arrived, however.

"There you two are. Our seamstress asked me to give these to you. She's weird about meeting people." Cravic stated, shoving them each a folded pile of garments. "Put those on before you head over to the office." He said, walking off.

Issac stared to the clothes, "That dude seriously doesn't like us, does he?"

Barret pats Issac on the shoulder, "It's fine. He may have his reasons, but let's get these on. I wonder how they feel?" Barret says, looking over his pile.

"As long as he doesn't start any fights, I'll be fine." Issac nodded.

"Fights? (That does make me wonder about those bully statements... was he one of those kids that was picked on?)" Barret pondered.

"Never mind." Issac walked ahead.

They took a slight detour into the men's restroom to change into their new uniforms. Issac stood staring down to his new attire. He was now wearing a long purple over shirt with a fluffy collar, on top of a long sleeve blue button up top. He had on black cargo pants, with a green rectangle shape at his knees. He also had on black combat boots, and a green bandanna on his head, with a fanny pack. He kept on his usual necklace and the power glove.

"Not bad." Issac grinned, looking himself over.

Barret stepped out, wearing a white collared undershirt, under a black sleeveless coat. Aside from his power glove, he also had a red glove on his other hand. He wore cargo pants with a sand type camouflage coloring with red lining. He also had on a red scarf with blue embroidery and black boots.

"This is spiffy! I love it! I can move around, and it honestly suits my nature well. Wouldn't you say so Issac?" Barret says, turning to him.

Issac glances over, "Someone's had too much coffee."

"Oh pardon me. I'm just overjoyed about how grand things seem to be coming along, but these suits are just amazing! I wonder how well they will hold in battle? Though, I hope we'd never get into such situations, at least not too quickly." Barret says, calming himself.

"Ya'know, I just realized something. You're kinda vain, aren't ya Chief?" Issac teased.

"Vain? In what manner? Oh Issac...Your suit looks good too. Are you happy now?" Barret says, laughing.

"I wasn't asking for a compliment, douche. I was implying you act like a girl when it comes to clothes." Issac provoked.

"That hurts." Barret says, pretending to wipe tears from his eyes. "I can't help I get excited. I'm sorry again, hmm well. We should head to the director, maybe she'll have more to say about how we suit these clothes?" Barret says, walking ahead of Issac.

"Here we go." Issac laughed, following after Barret. "(At least he's tolerable when he's a jerk.)"

The boys dropped their stuff off back at their room, before returning to Xiao's office. Upon entering, she was awaiting them at her desk. She was looking over papers, pushing her glasses up as she looked to them.

"I assume the both of you slept well. My son came across an interesting video from Kaos security feeds. Not sure how he got it, but I want you to have a look." Xiao greeted.

She turned a nearby monitor on, and played the video. It was the girl from yesterday, lighting off fireworks in front of the building. Xiao paused the feed, abruptly with the girl's face in site.

"Seems someone's got a vendetta against Kaos. I have reasons to suspect that she may become a target if they are truly the threat we see them to be. Actions like that, will aggravate bad people into violent behaviors." Xiao crossed her arms.

"(I wonder what she knows about them. A cute girl who dislikes a place like that, has to know a thing or two... Maybe we can help her..)" Issac stared to the screen, leaving room for Barret to respond.

"That's the same girl we spotted yesterday. There was quite a stir outside of the headquarters, from what I think were fireworks set by her." Barret says, crossing his arms keeping his gaze on the screen.

"Yeah. (Just who is she?)" Issac agreed.

"So, you've seen her first hand. Well, this should make things easier. We want you two to seek her out, and see if she knows anything. We should keep her safe in case Kaos has a hit out for the girl. Any questions?" Xiao turned off the feed.

"No, I believe we understand." Barret says confidently.

"(Oh that's ticket!) We're on it." Issac smirked.

"Excellent. Then see to it we get her to safety. I'll be sending one of our other field agents with you this time, He'll meet you at the depot station. Dismissed." Xiao directed.

"Roger." The boys acknowledge, before making their way to the transport depot.

They enter the dock, getting ready to board the transport cruiser, but are met with an unfamiliar face. A man with brown spiky hair, held in a small pony tail looks to them, he had sharp brown eyes. He wore a black tank top, with a golden shoulder plate, and blue scarf. He had a golden cross necklace with a bullet belt around his waist. He also had long black gloves, and gold and black cargo pants over combat boots.

"You two are the ones huh? Whatever." The man says, turning away from Issac and Barret. "You got the details right?"

Barret nods to his comment. "Yes, we did sir?"

"Tzz, sir? My name's Creed. Not that much older than both of you. Or AT least one of you." Creed looks to Issac. "Can't believe they kept you around."

Issac pocketed his hands, "Got a problem with me, dude? (I don't like this guy already. He looks like someone who likes to pick fights...)"

"Good you know. I DO, but now isn't the time." Creed says, turning from them. "We're wasting time though."

"(Why am I always getting targeted to be picked on?.... I can't get away from this crap.)" Issac exhaled, looking to Barret, awaiting his move.

"Hmm he's right, let's go Issac. It's good to be of help Creed." Barret says, happily.

Creed walks ahead ignoring Barret's remark.

"I suppose he's more business ...Come on Issac." Barret says walking after Creed.

"Coming..." Issac followed, quietly.

They boarded the cruiser, taking off back to New Tech city once again. Upon arrival they exited the transport, looking out to the bustling streets of the city.

"Okay, so you two, go look for the girl." Creed says, stepping off from them a little.

"What about you?" Issac raised a brow to Creed, as he crossed his arms.

"Amateurs have times to ask superiors questions, but now isn't one of those times. Don't worry about me. You just do what you came here to do." Creed turns away from them.

"Hold up, it's an honest question." Barret shot back at Creed.

"If I spilled all my information, would it make sense to be in this organization? Information is something you need to respect. For all you know, they could be orders." Creed says, turning away from them.

"(This guys seriously rubs me the wrong way..)" Issac kept his eyes on Creed.

"(Just what are you doing Creed?)" Barret thought to himself.

"I'll meet you both when you reach the rendezvous." Creed says, walking away from them.

"This guy's a douche." Issac narrowed his eyes, with his arms still crossed.

"Shady as well..Just what is he up to?" Barret says, as a car flew by them. Barret looks to it, and out steps some Kaos workers who were walking into the station.

"Hmm..Come on Issac." Barret says, walking away from the station ahead of Issac.

Issac quickly followed after Barret. "Yeah-Yeah... I'm coming."

Around town, the red haired girl was walking along a sidewalk. She enters a diner and looks to a boy who had black hair and dark skin. He turns to her. "Nala." The boy says looking to her.

"Hey Jin, so what's on the menu today?" Nala asked looking at his waiter uniform.

"Oh the usual, but I can get you discounts easy." Jin says laughing.

Nala laughs,"I don't need you getting in trouble by hacking the systems here again."

Jin looks to some people walking in. "You know, I've been doing this for a while now. You can't just expect me to not get my hands a little dirty. All you do is take the money anyway."

Nala chuckles, "Okay, just a bit, can I get a free meal out of it too?"

"I'd loose my job for that." Jin joked.

"And hacking systems won't get you fired either?" she scoffed.

"I was playing... heh. So, what are you in here for?" Jin asked, looking to the other customers.

"Just came to see you. I think I'm being followed." Nala said, looking to the floor uneasily.

"Followed? By who?" Jin asked curiously.

"Kaos...I think they caught me on their cameras.." Nala says, letting out a sigh.

Jin grabs her by her arm, gripping tightly. "What are you talking about!? You went messing with Kaos!? Are you crazy!? We talked about this..."

Nala tugs back from Jin, some other customers looked at them. Jin's manager comes in looking at him very sternly.

Jin sighs, and looks back to Nala. "Go to the back, and wait for me. Don't leave, okay?...I'm sorry..I need to work now..."Jin walks to the manager.

Nala just stared at Jin fearfully, before retreating outside. Issac and Barret were walking and spot Nala dash out of the restaurant. As she ran, she bumps right into Issac, falling to the ground.

Issac looks to her, "Hey, are you alright?" He crouches to her level, extending a hand.

"Ouch..." Nala was shaken, and a couple of tears let out from her eyes.

"Miss?" Barret asked to Nala.

Nala looks to Issac's hand then looks to Issac's face. "It's you again...urgh...I-I can't be out here." Nala says, taking Issac's hand.

Issac stood up, helping her to her feet, "Who made you cry?" Issac asked, with concern to his tone.

"I can't get anyone else in danger. I have to get home. I'm sorry..." Nala stated quickly.

"Danger?..." Barret held his peace, but had started to think what she could be talking about.

"Slow down, we're actually here to help you." Issac stated.

Nala sighs, "You two are with Kaos, right? I saw you go into the building...They're after me... If you want to arrest me.. Do it... I'm not letting you take my family away!"

"(Family away?..)" Barret stated to himself.

"We're with the ministry of defense, don't worry. (I need to be able to protect people, and myself. We need to keep her safe.)" Issac explained.

Nala gasps. "Wait, you're with that freedom force place? That's even more danger for me!"

Barret rubs his head. "Hm? More danger you say?"

"Kaos has been planning to take out any organizations that suspect them of things! They think that there was a breach...I got news of it before they....Put word out to arrest me." Nala says, now checking her surroundings.

"(It would seem we have our evidence on Kaos, however, if they got wind of us, we need to let the Director know..)" Barret says to himself fearfully.

Issac placed his hands to her shoulders. "We can keep you safe, alright? If they're after you, then you bet cute your butt, that we'll keep you out of their hands." Issac tried to cheer her up.

Nala smiles a little. "Thanks but, if they know about you. It won't matter, they eventually get anything they want. There's so much the public doesn't know about."

Barret crosses his arms. "Maybe we should take you back with us."

"Yeah, it's a pretty secret location. Not to easy to spot out." Issac added. "Everything will be alright. (Maybe I should learn take my own advise...)"

"No, I can't leave my family...." Nala says looking to them.

Issac puts his arm over her shoulder, "We can pick them up too. Don't worry. We got your back."

Creed walks up behind them. "You'll leave her." Creed says, stopping with a hand in his pocket.

Issac's eyes narrow, as they trail over to Creed. "Ya'know, you're just fueling more fire to my reasoning for not liking you either, dude. Leaving a damsel in distress alone like that. Not on my watch."

"You're so fast to bash me. She could be an undercover OP. You can't trust anyone's word... Not now. Granted, she did make some interesting points about how Kaos might be acting. She's a law breaker..." Creed says, crossing his arms. "Xiao did give us orders to protect her, but taking her back to base? Either, leave her, or find another area. We don't need them tracking her back to our hideout."

Barret sighs, "How can they track something they've never seen? We're ghosts here."

"They caught you on camera...They got her didn't they? Besides, you're from New Tech, you know how camera driven the society is here..I'm just taking precautions. Nothing against you Nala, but...Even working for this force...I still have to keep to my guns." Creed says, looking off from them.

"You seem to know a lot...I doubt it's all from training under the forces." Barret says, to Creed raising his superstitions.

"Like how you somehow know her name, while we don't? Dude, what's your deal?" Issac sneered to Creed. "Just what are you up to?"

"She has a friend, named Jin who works in the diner over there. It took some head pounding, but I got through to him." Creed says, laughing.

"You beat him up!?" Nala shot to Creed.

Creed shakes his head, "No, I scared him. This is serious, and Kaos is after you... Anyways... Taking her back to base isn't a good idea.."

"Due, she has information! We need to protect her! We can figure out something for her family situation, too." Issac snapped. "We can't abandon her!"

Creed sighs, "You know what? Fine. Do what you want. I'm not going to be the one bringing the organization down like this. You want to run them down, by bringing in some rouge? Your call. Even if she's on the mission list. Orders were to protect after all, but I've already stated my side of things." Creed turns, walking from them.

Nala steps out from under Issac's arm, forward behind Creed. "WHAT IF IT WAS YOU!"

Creed stops, and looks back to Nala. "Then I'd find better heroes..." Creed walks off from them.

"I REALLY don't like that jerk." Issac gritted his teeth.

From Barret's side vision he spots some odd unit looking robot. It had one red eye on their heads and odd spiked arms and legs. It also carried a core in it's center.

"What in the?" Barret stated urgently.

"Huh?" Issac glanced to where Barret was looking.

Nala gasps. "It's a Jumper!"

"Jumper? Watch for the leg lifting!" Issac spoke up, taking a defensive stance.

The Jumper bot looks their direction and scans them all. Numbers and information scramble in it's vision, and it locks onto Nala. It then lifts it's leg and lets out a loud data screech. Instantly, other jumper bots start to teleport in around the location.

"Crap, stand back Nala." Issac gets her behind him. "(How does this thing work again? OH RIGHT!)" Issac tapped to his wrist, turning the power glove on, with green energy. He made a fist, forming the laser sword.

Barret taps his wrist turning his power glove on. Red energy rushes out forming a sword. "Stay sharp Issac!"

"You too. Chief." Issac nodded, looking to the robots surrounding them.

Creed wasn't too far off, but spotted the scene he sighs and pulls to his sword rushing back to aid them.

The Jumpers all then start hopping their direction. Issac grabs to Nala moving her out of the way of the Jumper nearing them. The jumpers sharp leg smashes into his back as he grips himself up slowly. Nala gasps, and Issac turns back to the Jumper. He then swings his blade tearing through the machine, which explodes. Barret at this time had taken two jumpers down, however another came from behind knocking into him. Barret then forms his whip and swings clutching to a Jumper's neck and pulls it's head right off making it smash into others. Issac was surprised, and looks back to Nala to calm her. He then slashes down some other Jumpers getting closer to them.

"It's getting tight Issac!" Barret yelled to him.

"I can see that!" Issac gritted his teeth, keeping close to Nala. "You alright?"

Nala nodded shakily, "I-I think so."

Bullets tear through a couple more of the Jumpers as Creed makes his way to the scene. He uses his chainsaw blade to shred through more of them. "You idiots got the Calvary on your asses." Creed says becoming irritated.

Nala is suddenly pulled away from behind Issac. "AHHH!!!" Nala screamed. A jumper had gotten behind them.

"Nala!" Issac shouted, rushing their way. "Hang on!!"

The Jumper scans Issac and instantly it's eye turns green. It shoots off electricity at Issac shocking him backward.

"ARGH!!" Issac winced in pain.

"ISSAC! CREED, WE NEED TO GET NALA! Hang on you two!" Barret yelled.

A jumper scans Barret, taking his information now as well.

Creed knocks Barret out falling ahead on the ground. He picks up Barret, then walks over to Issac grabbing him by his hair. "Ak! What are you doing!?" Issac shouted, trying to get away.

Nala was yelling for help tears were streaming down her face. "HELP ME! PLEASE! THEY'RE GOING TO DO HORRIBLE THINGS TO ME! MY FAMILY!!!! PLEASE!!! HELP ME!"

Nala's pleas fell on dead ears as Creed forced Issac and Barret away with him to the transport location. Nala's eyes widen as she saw him walking away with them. "I-I...I see how it is....You'll pay for this!!! YOU'RE A MONSTER!!!"

As Creed left with the two, Issac was trying to get loose. "LET ME GO!!" Issac shouted, as he was forced into the cruiser, being thrown across the hull. Barret was dropped to the ground, as Creed sealed the doors of the ship. It took off, into the sky. Issac had ran to the window, looking out in horror. "(W-Why... Why is this happening?....)" Issac was shaking.