Donate me some kofi?

Chapter 4 (Part 3)

The remaining three days went by quickly.

Seol went to the Pleiades Cathedral herself, checking out the various security programs, and installing additional cameras, and infrared detectors in the nooks and crannies of the place.

'This is the first time I've seen a human! They were truly ear-less(furry). But they didn't look any different from us, Karims.' 

'They were a little smaller, but it can't be helped!'

'This is the difference between the original and the modified,' Seol nodded to herself.

A programmer like her was on the opposing team. The brown-haired human male was about the same height as Seol.

"I am called Lain Wars." 

He held out his hand. Seol shook his hand, which is human etiquette.

"Seol Reit."

Lain said with an amused look on his face.

"Karims really does have a first and last name, and there's no such thing as race."

"It's autonomous."

Seol said. Lain asked.

"Is touching your ears-?"

"It's rude."

"I guess so. This program OS of yours has completely different specifications, so..." Lain quickly turned the conversation back to work. Seol nodded.

"It's completely different from Rotteligo. It can handle their flagship OS, E.V., to some extent. But let's see."

Jean glanced sideways at Seol's work, then turned his attention back to the interior of the cathedral.

The cathedral had very high ceilings.

It was about 15 meters high from floor to ceiling. It was lined with thick columns, and on the left and right were two stories of opera-like choir seats.

In the center of the church, there was a statue of Karim and a human angel, and there was an altar in front of it, which was the place where the agreement was going to be signed.

A quick scan of the scanner hadn't revealed any explosives or other hazards yet, but the signing day was the problem. 

There was no doubt that the cathedral would be packed with reporters and celebrators, including high-ranking officials from both sides, who would fill the cathedral and the square outside the cathedral.

What if there was a suicide bombing there?

Jean suppressed his sighing. Kosaka walked up, his steps light. His folded ears stood up stiffly, though, so he could tell something was bothering him right now.

"Why?"

Jean asked, and Kosaka grumbled in response. 

"The P.G.'s are an asshole. I mean, we're talking about installing an A.S.S. (Automatic defense system) on the stained glass, and they're freaking out about how it could damage the stained glass."

"Go tell them it's better than having their body torn apart from a sudden bombing."

In response to Jean's words, Kosaka said, "I do hope they'll listen, but I don't think they're taking the situation as seriously as we are." Kosaka glanced at Jean. 

Jean looked over his sunglasses into Kosaka's dark green eyes and briefly spoke, "I'm sorry. I can't help you."

Kosaka shrugged and spoke low.

"Is Alex trustworthy?" He asked, wondering if they should tell her about the traitor.

"I thought you said all P.G.s were assholes?"

Jean smirked, and Kosaka looked like he was about to say something, "But..." and then shook his head.

"Okay. I'll go ahead and say it to them one more time: Do you think the enemy is just going to shoot you with nothing but a nerve-paralyzing gun?"

Bastards with neuro-paralyzing guns or plasma guns (which generate high heat and vaporize their targets), Kosaka muttered, letting out a small swear word and turning away.

This time, Leon passed by and came close.

"What's with Fold?"

Kosaka had been nicknamed Fold because of his folded ears.

"P.G. doesn't like the idea of installing A.S.S. on the cathedral's stained glass."

"Ah-I understand, but isn't it better than being torn apart with an explosion?"

"That's what I'm saying."

Jean said and continued in a low voice.

"What about you?"

"Just fine."

Jean was about to scold him for such a dry answer, but Leon continued.

"Did you see that P.G. updated the mugshots of A.A. and R.R.?"

"I did. They look familiar."

"Do you think A.A. would come here in person? First of all, they don't even have (furry)ears. If they were to be scanned, they would be discovered pretty quickly." 

"Maybe they'll make fake (furry)ears."

"Oh, yeah. I've seen them fake the ears before." Leon sighed.

"Take care of yourself."

At Jean's words, Leon's eyes widened, and then he smiled and whispered,

"If I'm not there, you'll have Seol all to yourself, don't you think so?"

"Not like I don't like that, but I don't want you to die on a mission. I don't want to get shot twelve times."

Leon smirked at the reference to Zopo (???), then said, "Wait, Aren't you number 18?"

"I am number 12."

"Wow, they should promote me to that rank when I die."

Zopo's number increased with rank, so they made a lighthearted joke about it. (I seriously don't know what they are talking about herešŸ˜­) 

Leon wiped the smile off his face and spoke seriously.

"I'm not gonna die."

"Yeah." Jean nodded.

"That's it, then." Leon looked at Jean, then said.

"Don't die, either."

"Okay."

"Good. Then I'm off."

Leon quickly exited the cathedral, and after watching his back, Jean squinted and looked around the room.

Now all that remained was to meet and face the enemy.

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T/N: Christmas is coming...and so are activities to be done on vacationšŸ„².
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