Soul Drive: Ignition

Hiro sat back in his chair when their time was up, they had finally been able to use Henry's software. "Your software is truly something special," he muttered, as the files transferred over to his phone.

"Nobody can really disappear anymore, not with the tech we have today." Henry smiled with pride in his work. He stared intently at the files on the screen. "I'm a little surprised you couldn't find anything on this Trisha Kota. She kind of sounds like a big deal."

"Well her books are everywhere, none of her history is out there," Hiro said slowly, "Like nothing even mentions where she went to school. I just wanted to add some personal details about her, so people know where she got her start."

Henry's eyes traced the ceiling as he thought. "It is a bit weird that she seemed to come out of nowhere, it's also a little weird that she doesn't have a current practice anywhere," He shook his head. "She could have taken some time off to write another book."

Hiro's gaze shifted to Ai, who offered him an encouraging smile. She reached across the desk, her fingers brushing against his, "Thank you so much for letting us use this. Seriously we were going to fail without it."

"Not a problem," Henry said, pushing his chair back and standing up. "Now I know the system is user-friendly. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Henry you've done more than enough, thank you," Hiro said as he placed his phone back in his pocket.

After bidding their farewells, Henry closed the door behind them and locked it, he couldn't risk anyone walking in unannounced. He pulled out his phone and tapped a secure line. "Nia, it's Hector. We got a situation."

"Go ahead," came the crisp reply.

"Trisha Kota. That's who we're looking for," he informed her. "And no, before you ask, I don't know why Hiro is looking for a psychologist specializing in trauma."

"Trisha Kota?" Nia's voice carried a note of surprise. "What else do you have on her?"

"Not much actually," Hector suggested, his tone turning serious. "She certainly keeps a low profile for someone so respected in their field. She has to be getting help from somewhere, two months ago she became a ghost,"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. "If that's true," Nia replied, "Isn't that around the time of the greenhouse attack? That seems rather convenient, doesn't it?"

"Can't say for sure," Hector admitted, "but it does line up too perfectly to dismiss, I suggest we start our own hunt for her. If we're quick about it, we can catch Trisha and get to the bottom of this."

"Of course," Nia said, determination firm in her voice. "This is some excellent work, Hector. Keep us posted."

"Will do," he said before ending the call, a sly grin spreading across his face as he sat down in his chair. Trisha was a part of this he could just feel it, the question was how she fit into it all?

Hector's fingers tapped along the keyboard display in his desk, searching the corners of the web for any signs of Trisha Kota. Lines of code scrolled up his monitor, his thought wondering if Trisha could have vanished the same way Mary and Tadashi. If so then the chances of finding her was zero to none, it almost seemed like their own government had no idea what had happened to the pair.

"Come on, come on," he muttered under his breath as he bypassed firewalls and navigated through the government data bases. "There has to be something."

Hours trickled by, measured out in coffee sips and the relentless tapping of keys, until at last, her name flashed across his screen: Trisha Kota. She had been contracted by the Canadian government for private research. She was apparently located in Hiroshima, with an official office under the name Jane Watson.

"Gotcha," Hector whispered, leaning back in his chair, finally able to take a breath. He scribbled down her office address, but as he reached for his phone, a moment of hesitation seized him. If he gave this information to Hiro then the task force could collect him at the same time they brought Trisha in.

"Two birds, one stone," he said aloud, convincing himself this plan would reduce the risk of getting himself discovered and give them full access to Hiro.

When Hiro picked up, Hector did his best to play it casual. "Hey, Hiro," Hector greeted, feigning casualness. "Sorry to bother you so late."

"It's fine, what's up?" Hiro's voice came through the line, Hector could here the tiredness in his voice.

"Look there are still bugs in the software but it looks like it found more on the topic of you project." Hector explained, trying to sound guilty. "Would you like me to send it over to you?"

"Yeah, the would be amazing. Thank you, Henry," Hiro replied, Hector could hear Hiro's gratitude.

"It's nothing really, I am sorry it didn't find it sooner," Hector responded before ending the call. He quickly attached the info to an email, knowing Hiro wouldn't be able to help himself. Hiro would go to Hiroshima to make sure she was actually there, and that is where they would need to set the trap.

---

Meanwhile, Osamu sat alone in his motel room, the only company being the half empty bottle of scotch on the small table. A soft chime from his phone broke the silence, drawing his gaze to the screen. An alert banner declared that an address linked to him had been accessed, traced back to the IP of HPA.

"Someone has been busy," Osamu whispered, setting down his glass. Rising from the table, he began to dress methodically in a well-tailored suit, movements deliberate and practiced.

"Company is coming, I better make I don't disappoint," he murmured as he pocketed his Mach, the smart watch slipping deep into his pocket.

Stepping out into the cool night air, Osamu pressed his card to the door, locking it. He hoped this was Hiro, just trying to make sure he was ok; but he knew Hiro was nowhere near skilled enough to find him. There was clearly another mole among the students at the academy, and this one wanted to meet.

"This should be interesting," Osamu resolved, hearing his car door unluck as he pressed his thumb to it. He took his seat as the car hummed to life, the GPS guidance system eagerly awaiting his command. Osamu took a breath before typing in the address in Hiroshima.

---

Nori's fists flew with unmatched speed speed, but they did nothing to stop Michio, who stopped every blow from meeting its mark. The much large man easily anticipated very move Nori tried to make.

"Focus, Aoki!" barked an instructor from the sidelines, but Nori's attention was riveted elsewhere—on Mao, standing by the door, her arms folded, her locked on their training session.

"Damn it," Nori muttered under his breath. He could feel himself loosing control, his movements growing wilder, his mind fogging over. A swift jab caught him in the jaw, and he stumbled back, tasting blood.

"Is that all you've got?" Michio taunted, circling.

"Shut up," Nori spat, wiping his mouth, but his comeback was cut short as another punch sent him sprawling onto the mat—the fight was over.

"You've got to get your emotions under control, Aoki," Mao commented coolly as Nori picked himself off the ground. "You become to easy to read when you let your anger control you."

"You don't think I know that already?" Nori shot back, rubbing his sore jaw.

"I know that you know it. The issue is that you are not doing anything to fix it." Mao turned on her heel and exited, "Meet me in my office, I'd like to have a chat with you."

In the locker room, water cascaded over Nori's bruised body, but it did to cool him down—he cursed Mao for trapping him here. He slipped into fresh clothes, his mind racing with ways he could remove the tracker, none of them promising.

"Let's get this over with," he mumbled, making his way to the briefing room.

The room was filled with agents working on their slabs, with Mao waiting for him in the center of it, a digital file flickering on the screen behind her. With a wave of her hand, the room emptied, leaving them alone in the silence.

"Your performance at the greenhouse incident is troubling," Mao began, her eyes never leaving the screen. "You were almost defeated by the Canadian and nearly lost us Hiro."

"I take it Naomi debriefed you on the night," Nori retorted, his voice edged with frustration. "She wasn't exactly very helpful herself. She went and played hide and seek while all the really action was going on."

"She kept Japanese citizens safe," Mao said, dismissing his defense with a flick of her wrist. "A Canadian Mach was taken down—But not by us or Hiro. It is getting concerning to see so many highly trained Mach pilots turning on their governments."

"Where is this going?" Nori asked, getting tired of the lead up.

"It's going to your next assignment," she stated, turning to face him with an icy finality. "Destroy the two other Machs from that night and I will remove your tracking chip."

"Hiro is one of those Machs" Nori's voice was an incredulous whisper. "I thought you wanted him alive?"

"Things are always changing and evolving behind the scenes. These are our latest orders," Mao replied, showing no emotion.

"Fine," Nori snapped, meeting her gaze with a smile. "Consider it done."

"Good," Mao nodded. "Remember, Hiro needs to be away from the academy, this has to be done as quietly as possible."

"Understood," Nori confirmed, not giving her the pleasure of seeing him break. He turned to leave, telling himself the moment the chip was removed Mao would be the first to go.

"I'm serious, no making a scene and no external casualties," Mao called after him, she needed him to understand.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Nori responded without looking back, the door closing behind him with a soft click.

---

The magnetic train raced silently along the rails, while Hiro and Ai sat quietly in their leather seats. They sat side by side, their bodies swaying gently with each turn, they both weren't completely sure sneaking off campus again was the greatest idea.

"What if this isn't the right Trisha," Ai asked, folding her hands in her lap. "I mean why would she leave the safety of Canada for here? If she was caught, the Japanese government could use her for leverage,"

Hiro's gaze was fixed on the scenery flashing by, his mind churning. "Maybe Osamu felt it would be safer with her here. He is a Mach pilot, after all, he could stop anyone from hurting her."

Ai smiled. "Osamu kind of sounds sweet when you put it that way."

"He cares, that is why he saved me. That is why we have to make sure he is ok," Hiro explained, he then turned to Ai. "I think it is best if you go in there alone. They're not looking for you."

"Alright," Ai nodded. "I'll see what I can find out while I'm there."

The train came to a halt at the station, only a ten-minute walk from the office of Trisha Kota. As the office came into view, Ai began to feel a little dizzy. She approached the receptionist and felt the bile rising in her throat. "I'm looking for Trisha Kota."

"I'm sorry but there is no one here by that—" the receptionist began, only to be interrupted.

"Please, it’s urgent. I have a message from Osamu" Ai implored with a hint of urgency that made the receptionist pause, then nod reluctantly. She allowed Ai to enter the small office.

Trisha looked up from her desk as Ai entered, confused by the sight of the girl. There was a moment of silence before Ai took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for interrupting, I know I don't have an appointment or anything."

Confusion swept across Trisha's face. "Then why are you here?"

"I'm here because Osamu is your husband right?," Ai ventured cautiously. "He works for the Canadian government?"

"Get out, or I will call the police," Trisha threatened, her hand hovering over the phone.

"Please, hear me out," Ai rushed, her plea genuine. "I just want to make sure he is ok, you don't have to tell me anything else."

"Why would I tell you anything?" Trisha's voice was a mixture of skepticism and growing fear. "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm sorry, but he saved my life and I just want to thank him," Ai said softly, hoping to evoke empathy.

Trisha's expression softened, as she looked a Ai, whose nerves caused her to start trembling. "He is fine, we all are."

"You're sure he is ok?" Ai asked delicately.

"I know he is alive," Trisha admitted, sitting back at the desk. "That is all I am willing to say. Now please see yourself out and don't come back here."

---

Kimiko's boots crunched on scattered debris as she stepped into the shadowy expanse of the abandoned toy warehouse. The air was thick with dust and the musty scent of neglect. Rows of broken and forgotten playthings collected dust. She let out a soft huff; doubt nagged at her—could Nori have been setting a trap for her?

"Wouldn't be the first time someone pretended to be helping me," she muttered to herself, her voice echoing off the walls.

Her eyes darted around, scanning for any signs that might lead to the hidden lab Nori mentioned. Finding an old stairwell descending into darkness, she flicked on a flashlight and began her descent, each step creaking ominously underfoot. The basement offered nothing but emptiness and cobwebs.

"Nothing." Kimiko's frustration simmered as she swept the small scanner over the concrete room searching for a hollow wall. A beep sliced through the silence, and the device's screen lit up with the outline of a stairwell beyond the far wall.

"Gotcha," she whispered, a triumphant grin flashing across her face. But then the reality set in, there could be anything behind that wall. It was a lab, after all, she had no idea what the security system was like. She ran her hand along the wall trying to feel for a latch or any way to get the wall to move. After a while, it was clear there was no way in anymore. "Plan B,"

She backtracked to the warehouse floor, tucking the flashlight back into her pocket as she ascended the stairs. Outside, she located a manhole cover and pried it open with a grunt, descending into the murky depths below. The stench of the sewer assaulted her senses, but she pressed on until she was sure she was next to the warehouse.

She tapped her Tamagotchi, activating the device. Energy hummed along her arm, the machinery syncing with her movements. She aimed upward, releasing a concentrated burst that tore through the earth and concrete above, opening a passage into the lab.

In the aftermath of the blast, she deactivated her Mach and clambered through the rubble into the devastated laboratory. Her flashlight flickered to life, allowing her to take in the destruction: bullet-riddled walls, scorched metal, and evidence of a fierce fire.

"Damn, what happened here?" she murmured, stepping carefully over debris.

The sight of skeletons made her stomach lurch. They were strewn about like discarded dolls, their lifeless eyes staring at her. Kimiko noticed one wearing an intact lab coat with a tag attached, turning the ID tag with a delicate touch, her heart hammering with the hope she wouldn't find the names she dreaded.

"You're not Tadashi or Mary, thank goodness," she sighed in relief but she still had more to check. Under a desk, obscured by shadows, lay the skeleton of someone riddled with bullets. The ID tag read 'Tadashi Kobayashi', and Kimiko's breath caught in her throat.

"Hiro, I am so sorry," she whispered, bowing her head as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I will figure out who did this to you, I will avenge you," she said as if Tadashi could hear her vow. She turned to face the main lab, worried about what she would discover inside. The room was relatively untouched by the fire, with most of the controls still intact.

"Please work," she pleaded to the machine, as she tapped the power button on the console, the screens sputtered to life as the system rebooted.

The screen flickered, but the system was barren with only security system files still on the drive. Kimiko eyed the files.

"The truth about what happened to your parents could be in these files, Hiro." With a click she began to navigate the files, hoping to find the answers to this mystery.