Of Course
The meeting’s topic was simple. Capture and take hold of the Rocks Organization’s research facility. Securing the facility would provide them some information and data on Beatle’s High Tech Armor “Harrison”.
Beatle was a member of the Rocks Organization, one of the defenders of Justice. Beatle was different from the others with his High Tech Armor, and is well known among the population.
Beatle’s Armor “Harrison, uses plasma energy to enhance his battle capabilities, using thrusters and boosters. This made his movements faster and much more deadly.
Normally, Metallica would have also dispatched some power armor to match Beatle, but this time, it was impossible. Beatle’s “Harrison” was too advanced for the Company’s standard armor.
A while back, when Beatle’s fame began rising, “Harrison” was deemed too dangerous to fall into enemy hands. The Rocks Organization then ordered the research to be cla.s.sified so the project went underground.
If you think about it, the meeting should be simple. Plan, a.s.sign and Execute.
Neito expected the meeting to progress smoothly, but it dragged on longer than expected.
[With that, we’ll be sending C rank employee and 10 combatants from the General Affairs Department. I think that’s enough to infiltrate and capture the facility.]
Ikeno, who headed the meeting, was too focused on details. It was just… a waste of time.
[We only need 1 person to secure the files and armor. After the infiltration, he will head to west j.a.pan and deliver the data and armor to our R&D Department. As long as Beatle is not there, there should be no problem.]
Ikeno’s nerves were already twitching from the meeting.
It’s true… if Beatle won’t be there, that force should be enough. But…
Neito disagreed with the idea.
[Lets not waste unnecessary resource on destroying structures, instead, lets keep our attack force small. We will have the element of surprise on our side when we capture the facility.
That concludes my plan. Any objections?]
As Ikeno looked for reaffirmation. People who partic.i.p.ated in the meeting were already agreeing among themselves. As long as there’s a unit to capture the facility, then they would just approve since they had no part in it. The plan was simple and was rather “too peaceful”.
But Neito was against the plan.
It’s true that it was the first time Neito partic.i.p.ated in a meeting, and He may be inexperienced at these things. But…
Neito voiced out.
[I’m… against the plan.]
Everybody at once looked at Neito. One of them, Ikeno, replied with a jokingly tone.
[Hahaha…Hey Komori, n.o.body asked for your opinion.]
Metallica’s planning committee, and its partic.i.p.ants in the meeting were no amateurs, they were professional in their specialized field, but most of all, they were evil people. The pressure they are facing is huge but, Neito couldn’t let them cut corners on this plan.
[Actually, let us hear your opinion Komori]
It was the Sales Department’s Chief, Izumi, who came to his aid.
Neito then continued.
[… We should destroy the facility completely. Not only will this create panic within the facility, but we can use this as a diversion to secure the data.]
[What!?]
The room was suddenly baffled by the idea. I mean Neito got it. It was the direct opposite of the plan. The plan was just to stealthily infiltrate the facility and secure the data, avoiding unnecessary fights. Not only did the infiltration unit lack the force to fight, but the enemy might have a hidden weapon they can use against the infiltrators.
[Would you mind… explaining Komori?]
Izumi then spoke out amid chaos.
[I believe that this is the necessary action to take. Maybe, as Ikeno suggested, if Beatle wasn’t there, then we could capture the facility. But what about Harrison’s researchers?]
Ikeno got triggered by Neito words.
[What heck are you trying to say?! Since we would have captured the facility, they have no other choice but to obey us!]
[I think you’re mistaken. They may yield to us physically, but not mentally.]
As Neito continued, He once again felt that feeling. The feeling when he confronted Shigeta, and that time he decided to shoot down Dylan.
A Cold and Dark feeling enveloped him. The following words then came out.
[Won’t they be waiting for Beatle to recue them?]
[A hero of justice always arrives late. We can’t let them have their hopes up. Everybody knows that.]
[We must entirely crush those hopes up and break their hearts. 5 will infiltrate the facility. Eliminate anyone who stands in the way, and then destroy the whole facility entirely. We will rob them of everything they have and take them as prisoners.]
[…You…]
Neito became the center of attention in the room.
[You know… not all opinions are appreciated in Metallica…]
Ikeno then started thinking of objections to Neito’s Idea.
[In the current public’s view, Metallica holds a lot of influence in society, but in the long run, is that influence going to last? You don’t have to be on the side of justice in order for you to have control over the world. But, defeating that Justice would hold a lot of meaning in the public view, changing public opinion will ultimately lead to world domination. Metallica holds a lot of power now, but will never get the public’s approval. ]
[… and then?] /*Note: Not sure who said this, but it is either Neito or Izumi*/
[In other words, an Evil Organization can not be always an Evil Organization. We need to achieve our goals in the following years to gain public approval. Then we would be able convince the public that we are on their side. The case lays the same here. Harrison’s research facility is not known in public and I doubt its whereabouts are not well known. If we go in quietly and peacefully, retrieve the data and materials, the matter would just be hushed up in secret. It would be pa.s.sed down in the shadows and the matter would just slip away quietly. I believe it is important to have a good reputation in the eyes of the public]
/*Note: This was Ikeno’s speech*/
Ikeno had the spotlight again in the room, the room became quiet at the persuasiveness of the speech.
[Who said that we need to go in a “quiet and peaceful” manner? In my experience, there is no policy that we, an Evil Organization, should abide by that… And that “Long run” you said, how many years would that take? 10 years? 100 years?](Note: Neito speaking)
[Why you…!]
Neito had no plans of backing down. He wasn’t planning waiting. Much less go by “quiet and peaceful” methods.
[Instead of going for the uncertain method, I think we should crush every enemy one by one. It is the fastest and most effective way.]
He had no plans of containing the evil within him.
[Aren’t we an Evil Organization?! What is wrong, with us doing evil things?!]
Neito banged his fists on the meeting’s table. He knew he sounded crazy, but his instincts told him he was right.
[Why you little…]
The air around the room once again changed.
Everybody knew it when they entered the company. To have a better position in life… believing they can change the world… or because they had no other path to take. They were a bunch of people prepared to do evil in order for them to attain what they needed.
Neito’s word had an effect on the room to a certain extent. Only Ikeno and Neito’s words were heard throughout the room. Everybody else fell silent.
[… The plan you are suggesting has a point, but it is impossible to do in our current situation.]
Ikeno also wouldn’t yield. Neito knew he had something up his sleeve.
[Impossible? Why?]
[By company regulations, if you go in with a small force of 5 people, in order for you to control the situation tightly, the main office set a rule that the other 3 must be accompanied be 2 other level 2 employees.]
Ikeno’s words sounded firm and absolute. Neito evaluated the need for that regulation.
It is true that if there are people holding tremendous power in the scene, it would be easy to control the team and deal with any emergency situation.
Every Metallica employee has a level designated to them. Ever since Neito entered the company, he was level 1, while Ikeno was level 2.
[…]
[Do you think that there is a person that would go by your ridiculous plan? Even to let an opportunity where they could avoid danger?]
The room became quiet once again.
It wasn’t because they wanted to avoid danger, I doubt. Everybody in the main Office must have seen the battlefield once or twice.
But, it was clear that Neito lost the argument today.
[…]
Should I just give up the idea…?
It was then Izumi spoke with a heavy tone.
[…ikeno-kun, Do you plan on appearing on the actual scene?]
[I am prepared to do so, but in this case, I have deemed it to be unnecessary.]
After receiving that response, Izumi took a deep breath and…
[…Is that so… Then, it cant be helped. Komori, I’m promoting you to level 2]
It all happened shockingly fast.
[Wha–?]
[Chief Izumi, are you serious?!]
[I authorize the promotion by the power vested upon me as a Department Chief.]
[Why would you go that far…?]
Partic.i.p.ants of the meeting at once were making noise over the decision. It was an expected reaction I guess.
[Izumi-san….]
Neito was trying to figure out Izumi’s real intention. But, if that was possible… if He could be on site then…
[Komori, I may not look like it, but I have high expectations of you. And I have gone through the same thing in the past. That’s why, If you’re insisting that much, I’m willing to do this for you]
Izumi was smiling. He didn’t even look like an evil person. Neito didn’t know what Izumi expected of him but, in the situation he was in, it was the greatest life boat he could have.
[Thank You Very Much!]
[But that doesn’t leave you from your duties. Don’t expect special treatment. But, I have a condition]
Izumi’s suddenly became cold and dark. It was like he was a different person. Neito then felt the pressure. Its true that he cant always depend on this kind of kindness within the company.
Izumi’s eyes pierced through Neito’s mind. Neito was about to tremble in fear, but he held it in. He knew it wasn’t going to be an easy condition. Everybody saw what was coming.
The room fell silent.
Izumi spoke care freely.
[I will promote you to level 2 and give you the authority to command the infiltration unit. I will give you 3 people from the General Affairs Department but…]
Neito heard the sound of saliva being swallowed.
[In addition to capturing the armor Harrison, I task you to defeat Beatle himself.]
Beatle, the Hero that wears the armor of science. As a member of the Rocks Organization, He possessed superhuman powers with the help of his suit.
Metallica was tasked to face him. In other words, prepare to die. Risk your life. Everybody knew that in the room.
The air stood still. Neito also stood still.
Challenging Beatle is like going to h.e.l.l. But if He would accept the condition, it still would be h.e.l.l for him. He knew Metallica was not some kind of easy Organization to be in.
[… Are you still willing to do it?]
Neito wasn’t let the opportunity pa.s.s. He shook his fears, stood up and answered.
[Of couse.]
This time, He wasn’t going to let it end like the time he fought Dylan. He was in on his own volition, in order for him to achieve his goals. He was prepared to risk his life to triumph over the Hero of Justice.
Neito made his decision.
/*Discuss: Two chapters a week or go for a new project? Why?
Note: How was the translation? Give out suggestions in the comments so I can improve your experience. Cheers*/