Bloodsport
an excerpt

“In spite of whatever pains my ex-colleagues must have gone through in order to keep things confidential, I am almost certain that your organization has been well-informed of the Project’s movements. With that in mind, it would be a waste of time to explain exactly what we were doing, up in Hokkaido. That information can be given in files for your reference, if they are necessary in the future.”

The trio was walking together again, after finishing their meal. Ryuuen led his guests through the retreat house, hands folded behind his back, tone pensive.

“I have been in conference with representatives of the Committee over the past week, and they have already decided upon what to do with me given my affiliation not only to the Project but to Harume Morimoto, who was instrumental in its establishment. The fact that I am still alive and able to meet with you today outside the bounds of a prison is enough to show how much liberty has been granted to me. With this in mind it would be improper of me to ask for anything else from the Methuselah. Consider, then, that my proposition for the both of you is a personal favor.”

Ryuuen stopped in front of a particular door on the second floor, knocking on it twice before opening it. The three children within — two boys and one girl — looked up upon their entrance, two from a video game and the last from a thick book. They instantly abandoned their previous activities and stood up to greet Ryuuen, all the while eyeing the newcomers warily. They did not carry themselves the way adolescents usually did, with half-wild abandon and a general disinterest in everything but themselves.

“Children, let me introduce Miriam Harper and Aidan Clayce to you, from the Methuselah… they will be the ones to aid me, if all goes well.” Ryuuen turned back to his guests, gesturing in turn towards the scowling green-eyed boy, the wide-eyed blonde and the strange, pale-skinned one with white hair. “These are Tsuki, Eis and Shimeya. Of one hundred twenty-six children, they are the only ones I managed to save.”

Miriam stepped forward, extending her own greetings towards the trio. Aidan hung back, content with watching the exchange. Ryuuen, in turn, watched him. He was not the least bit startled when the Voidseeker finally spoke.

“You want us to find other survivors.”

“Yes.”

“There might not be any others.”

The look in Ryuuen’s eyes was the only response Aidan needed.