Definition

Exonerate

*Warning: This chapter contains Itan Kyouji who has a hobby of cursing*

"And what sort of relationship did you have with Eva that made you worth her while to save?"

He couldn't lie to himself and say that the question didn't hit. Hibiki sighed as he look over his surroundings for the hundreth time that morning. It was a classic interrogation room, all empty aside two chairs, a table and a one way mirror. They're probably recording his movements on the other side.

He wondered what kind of methods they'd use to get information out of him. Good cop, bad cop? Reverse psychology? Intimidation? Pressure? He was far too familiar with them all. Now that it's come to this, he was rather grateful for the earful Moeka gave them when they first got her out. He closed his eyes, holding back a sigh.

Eva... Wherever you are, I hope you're alright...

His eyes snapped open when the auburn haired man came in. "Your name is Hibiki?"

"Yes, sir." He gave his best smile. "How may I help you?"

"My name is Yagami Eiji, though I assume you are aware of that?"

"I am."

"Then you must also know about what I've done."

"I do."

"Then what about you?" He took his seat and placed several files in front of him. "How will you atone for your crimes?"

His smile dropped as he opened them one at a time. The front one had information on the major incidents that had occur within the year. The second was about the chaos at that school from last year. And finally, there was one regarding Eva's status.

He took a deep breath before nodding. "I'll help you find her, no matter what it takes."

~~~~~

"Kyouji, any luck?"

"Does it look like I have any fucking luck to you?!"

"Just checking. You are the most resourceful here, after all."

"Shut up!" He kicked the panel stunning the girl to silence. "There's been absolutely zero disturbances in the atmosphere, so they've gotta be somewhere on this piece of rock, right?! So where the hell are they?!"

"We've eliminated a lot of their bases. They've all been abandoned." Charlotte pointed at a map covered in red markings. "The Seekers had also checked out Angel Star and the fortress."

"It's been months now! Bishop was captured, but the rest of those bastards from the NDHQ in Country A could've gone to any part of the world by now!"

"... Kyouji, what do you suppose their goal is?"

"Huh?" He was taken back for a second, before glaring at her again. "What? You think their goals had changed from when we were part of it? Like hell it had! They're still aiming for world domination! What else could they be after?!"

"How do you think they'll achieve that?"

"You shittin' on me, or something?! They'll use the experiments, of course!"

"How?"

"Well, that-" He stopped, his eyes suddenly filled with confusion. How will they use those kids?

"We know that Eva-san was their primary target. Therefore, she is their 'secret weapon', right?"

"Yeah. The hell's your point?"

"She can control any form of technology with a touch. With an ability like that, she would have to be kept in quite the isolated facility, otherwise, she could've escaped easily. We both know, after all, how much of a World Sabers' base is made up of computers."

"So you mean the reason why she can't escape is because of something outside the base?"

"Exactly." Her frown became more and more apparent as the pieces started coming together. "Where in the world is the one place where, as soon as you step out of the facility, you would be guaranteed a swift death?"

"... Shit."

~~~~~

Mami couldn't help but sigh at the mess in front of her. "What're you doing now?"

"Mizel came and is helping me process the files those kids got, so now-"

"Mizel what?!"

"He came in through an email." Mavis shrugged. "Jin's email to be precised. He sent himself in a compacted file, saying it'll attract less attention compared to flying his way here."

"... So he's here? Right now?"

"Yeah. He's working inside my laptop."

"And you're doing what now?"

"I'm trying to make myself useful by doing other things."

"And you think this mess of paper is useful because...?"

"It's all the data I gathered so far, and there's going to be more." She clicked her tongue as she opened several more tabs on her screen. "I'm trying to find the contact information of all of the families who lost their children to the World Sabers."

"Whoa! You mean to tell me you wrote all this?"

"Ugh... Yeah, there's no other way to keep the notes. It'll overload my tab's storage if I try to keep it all there."

"Hells, there's thousands of kids being held, aren't there?"

"And this is just the start of it..." She sighed. "If we find them all with Eva, we're going to need a lot of rides."

~~~~~

"Yagami."

"Uzaki."

The two shared a nod before turning back to the man on the other side of the glass.

"So, what do you think of him?"

"He seems honest with his intentions. Mano and the others already checked his belongings too. He had nothing more than his glasses case on him."

"He did say he had to abandon all of his belongings so that the World Sabers couldn't track his escape..." The blonde turned to the black and white haired man behind them. "Jin, I'll ask again. What do you think about him?"

Sharp, red eyes continue to stare at the lone man in the next room. Eventually, he replied, "I think we can use him for now." His chest tightened. He didn't like having to act this way to her brother.

"I see. Very well, then." Takuya turned to the mic, turning it on before speaking again. "Hibiki, for now, we will not hold your past affiliation against you. We will ask for your assistance in finding our ally."

The white haired man showed a kind smile. "Thank you, sir. I won't let you down."

~~~~~~~~~~

Exonerate: Pronounce not guilty of criminal charges