Author's Note

Welcome, welcome. Back with another chapter, which means more story to read. Hope you enjoy it. And the respective pictures belong to those who originally created them.

''Rage has such focus. It can't go on forever, but it's invigorating.''

-Siri Hustvedt.

For The Sake Of Others

A swoosh of cerulean blue crisscrossed before stabilizing, forming a portal that resembled a Torii gate, the pale white resembling the columns and tie beam. A small mix of thumping and clinking sounded before 4 figures emerged out of it, their figures shadowed before they stopped just short of the blades of grass that moved every which way due to the change in air pressure. A small depression in the ground led to a clearing where bits and pieces of rock and pillars sat untouched.

''A-Are these the right coordinates?'' a voice called out, clutching her sleeves the longer she viewed the area which she had yet fo fully look over and map out. Lady Junko told them of their mission, and more importantly the. . .grace that had to be taken to make sure her brother was returned with as little a struggle as possible. Having him be injured in any way, even with the aid of Fairies would still be tantamount to walking through Hell barefoot.

So care had to be taken with maximum delicacy.

''Those lousy scientists aren't daft, so the least they could do is get us inside a half-mile to where Redeye and the brother are,'' another voice sounded with his thick accent, swirling the toothpick in his mouth around before it rested on his lips, burying his hands in his pockets and adjusting the brim of his hat so the sunlight wouldn't blind him. ''I do say, being in another place versus Detroit will be a little bit of a different approach than, what we normally do.''

''Lady Junko is never wrong; if she feels as if we would be the best to take care of retrieving her brother and taking care of Redeye, then that is what we will do,'' another, more masculine voice sounded, unwavering in the words and ideals of his leader. Being loyal to one such as his lady was the utmost honor, and it took a certain kind of skillset to even be qualified for consideration. Pure and strong, the devotion to the cause of peace was a road few take, and even fewer are able to come back from. ''We are to standby for Chloe; she is the one leading us on this expedition, so what she says goes.''

''And who 'ere died and made her the leader? I can take care of this little ragtag group of munchkins by meself; no sweat.''

''The person who died, or in this case; should die to make her leader, should be you; Aero.'' another female voice chimed, annoyed that every word out of Aero's mouth was pure garbage. ''Chloe has been the one by her grace's side since the beginning.''

''If you don't count her brother, the little deserter. Why in the hell should we really even be doing this? What harm can he do to Junko's plans?'' Aero asked, adjusting his bandolier, making sure he had all of his bullets for the fun to come. ''I don't see-''

A thumping sounded from the portal as a shape walked through it, quieting the group as Chloe walked out with a mile-wide smile on her face, dressed in military combat garb, the tan carrier vest containing her canteens dangling about as it was unzipped. Her colors nearly blended in with the surrounding terrain of green and mud brown as she held her helmet in one hand, the other carrying a rather large silver two-handed sword adorned with serrated teeth that looked to be on part of a track that was partially covered by the guard, images of different kanji characters and an etched portrait of Junko on both sides. ''Did I miss anything, everyone? Or was Aero being cranky again, Chie?''

The girl in question bowed a tad, making sure her posture was straight and her hands crossed over the stomach, just below her belly button. Her posture would never be compromised, even in a place that may have not to be chartered by their own forces. . .or their beliefs enforced for the natural order of things. ''Of course, Chloe; I merely informed our comrade in arms of his options, should he choose to pursue a different line of work.''

Chie as a girl was of a very sound mind, and even more sound body as she never let the littlest thing make her faith waver. Her devotion to Junko, as well as God was unmatched by others. Being the daughter of one of the most esteemed businessmen involved in the retail industry, with a fear of God to boot groomed her for the life of the most prestigious and beautiful shrine in all of Detroit, shining like a beacon in the darkness to all others. Her devotion to the Shinto belief and quest to become a Priestess from that of the most devoted Miko was something that her lady's wishes would have to come second, but only just.

''I figured as much,'' Chie adjusted her hakama and ensured her hair was tied firmly behind her. ''But the time to bulling around is not now. Lady Junko has given us a mission, and it is our responsibility to see it through to the letter,'' Chloe provided a no-nonsense tone as she looked to the rest of her team. ''Nemea; are you well?'' Chloe looked at the genetically cloned and modified Sabertooth Tiger given life due to the science of the present day. Being 8,500 years old and the last of his clan brought into the present day was a very jarring experience to get used to versus the constant flow of battle with man of old.

Nemea nodded, a barely audible purr coming from his mouth as he scanned the lush jungle before him, the heat beginning to pierce through his beige coat. ''I am fine; I only wish to embark on this mission with every resource at our disposal. How is our information about our current location?''

''Not much, we were dropped off within a half-mile of their first known location based on the signals from their Life Drives.'' Chloe shrugged, walking a bit more forward to inspect the downed pillars and seeing a small depression in the ground. Tilting her head and taking out her own Life Drive, a light emanating from it as it scanned the ground, piecing together the information as a ping sounded. ''Yes. . .they were here a few days ago. See? Over there, Akame was laying on his lap and he was sitting upright. And then. . .ahead of them, something had come towards them, and they might have killed it or escaped with these draglines.''

Nemea, walked over to the spot, sniffing the ground and lifting his head in a direction, he had their scent.

''S-So, how are we doing this?'' the last of the group spoke up, walking over to the spot and looking to Chloe who merely rubbed her small head and assured her everything would be ok.

''Simply put, apprehend, or kill Akame if need be, but the capture of her grace's brother is the utmost priority, Delta-1,'' Chie said, only settling for the most favorable result from this mission with the skillsets of each of them, though she would have a bit of a tough time knowing how Delta-1 one typically behaves. ''We merely need you to provide us support, as you will have the most important task of all.''

''R-really?'' Delta-1 asked in astonishment, her systems registering her friend's words with the semblance of elation. Ever since her accident, and subsequent surgery; she had a difficult time getting used to the fact that she became a cyborg. With 75% of her body enhanced or replaced by cybernetics, it proved to be difficult at first to gauge her power at times, and the disconnect at times with emotion, seeing that parts of her brain had been replaced. The white antenna on her head resembling satellite dishes perked up. ''I can help with this one?''

''Well, you are here, love; so of course, you are. Strike Team is one of the most efficient squads that her grace has had in years, so it only can be natural you are the line between communication while we venture out.'' Aero smirked, clutching his hat and laughing. ''We ready to set out?''

Chloe finished taking notes, as she nodded, Delta-1 touching the side of her face as her eyes lit up, producing a whir as another shadow began to move out of the portal, revealing 3 hoverbikes, the dark red and black flaring minimal as the thrusters quieted down to an idle, coming over to Chie, Aero, and Chloe.

''Nemea, Delta-1. You two will stay here at the portal, relaying information. When we find our prey, we will contact you to contact base and receive further instructions,'' Chloe took to a running start, Chie and Aero following after as their bikes zoomed after, a nearby cliff appearing to be the best takeoff point as they each leaped off, their bikes catching their fall as they zoomed ahead, following the path that Chloe's Life Drive plotted out.

''You figure the brother's gotten any stronger?'' Aero asked, crossing his arms as the bikes continued on auto-pilot. ''Would love another crack at the mucker.''

Chie hummed, taking off the Shamisen she held on her back as she strummed along, absorbing the flow of the wind as she played a soothing song to help her mind focus. ''My only focus is trouncing the Akame girl and showing her the true meaning of what it means to be a true Japanese.''

''And I just wish to please my lady and bring home that which is hers,'' Chloe said, twirling her sword before pointing to the distance.