39:16

The soldiers seem to head towards a specific direction, or street to be more exact, on which you can see in the distance even more soldiers, even Officers, and a vehicle full of other C borns caught. These two though are simply carrying the kid they caught to bring it to the vehicle and talk to the Officers around. But of course, N04H wishes to destroy their plans, as he makes his appearance in front of the two soldiers, cutting their way towards their destination.

[N04H]-Hello. May I talk with you both for a minute?

[MSoldier1]-...Hm?

[MSoldier2]-Get lost, kid. This is a supervised area by the military at the moment. You shouldn't be here. Go back home.

M1LO manages to catch up in the end, but seeing N04H right in front of the soldiers just makes it do a crying face for a second, bow his head towards the ground and take such a deep breath as if he is getting ready to get killed, before finally taking a straight face and going next to N04H.

[N04H]-I know. But I wish to talk with you two for the moment.

[MSoldier1]-And what exactly do you want?

[N04H]-Simple! Me and my brother here come from the orders of one of your researchers to pick up a C born and come back with it alive. Father said that I should talk with a soldier in particular and see if you can give me the C born.

[MSoldier2]-...And why didn't your father come to us personally and ask about it? Or contact one of the Officers?

[N04H]-He is currently busy in his office and didn't have the time to contact any of you, so he begged us to come and ask you. He said something about a weapon in development from what I recall...

It sure calms the soldiers down, as well as surprises M1LO. N04H seems now as a trickster, a good one for sure. The Great Leader informed all the soldiers of His base about what's happening in the City of Above after all, from huge to small details, and N04H also stood to hear them when He was telling them. Now, he uses all the knowledge he acquired from the ruler as an advantage to trick the soldiers which now seem to believe his lies since it is a secret information that only the military should know. Now... he becomes a true Investigator.

[MSoldier1]-*sigh* So your father is also helping out with the project given by the General, huh... Damn, how many researchers were working on that weapon again?

[MSoldier2]-A lot for sure...

[MSoldier1]-Does your father have any good news on the project though?

[N04H]-Not yet. He is struggling to find what the General ordered and to make it perfect to his liking. That's why he requires another C born. He needs more resources for his research.

[MSoldier2]-What was your father's name again...?

[N04H]-J4MES. Researcher J4MES.

[MSoldier2]-Which one? JAM3S from the north? J4MES from the east? JAME5 fr--

[N04H]- --The one from the north.

Though for us appear as different names, it is still pronounced the same in a conversation. The way you write it is what makes the difference from person to person. So even if N04H seems as he did a mistake, do not think that it isn't normal.

The soldiers seem to look for a bit to each other in the eyes, as if they try to talk just from the looks, then they give a nod to each other and look back at N04H.

[MSoldier1]-...Alright, kid. We will let you take the C born. We will inform the Officers and say that your father owns him from now on. Just promise us to give some feedback regarding the weapon.

[N04H]-I will.

[MSoldier2]-Actually... wait one second. We might need to take the C born to the base first though.

[N04H]-...Huh?

[MSoldier1]-Why so?

[MSoldier2]-We might need to register him in the data, remember? I doubt the kid is already registered from how young he looks like. I mean, do you really think someone caught him before and he managed to escape?

"Right... the data..."

It sure complicated N04H's plan since he appears to have forgotten this small detail about the City of Above that the ruler told him earlier. So, he tries to find a solution quickly.

[N04H]-...B-But there is no need. Father can come personally and register the boy when he has the time. It is a waste of time for both of you to do such a thing. We can inform Father about this and promise to you that he will come with the kid personally.

[MSoldier1]-Are you sure? You said he is pretty busy. You save him some time if we go there for him and come to his place with the kid after it is done.

[N04H]-I am sure. I mean, I bet you two have a lot to do anyway, so why waste time on this kid alone, right?

[MSoldier2]-*sigh* He got a point... The Officer already told us to come back as quick as possible after we hand over the child and it seems as we lost more time than intended.

[MSoldier1]-Alright. Just make sure that your father comes with the kid at the base to register him.

[N04H]-No worries, Soldier! I will do as you said!

The soldiers then hand him over the kid, letting M1LO take care of him while N04H simply waves at the soldiers that are heading back to their work.

[M1LO]-*sigh* N04H, you sure like to put me in fear...

[N04H]-Oh, shut up! You saw that I've handled the situation pretty well!

[M1LO]-Yeah... About that, how did you--

[0YV51]- --P-Please, don't hurt me...

And it seems like the kid decided to speak. As the two boys look at him perplexed, you can actually see him cry silently, as he listened to the conversation and knows very well what's suppose to happen to him.

[N04H]-H-Hey, why are you crying? We won't do anything to you!

[0YV51]-*sob*...B-But you told them. You told them...

[N04H]-I-I...

The kid seems so scared and barely manages to control himself from crying heavily. They both don't know what to do, but M1LO looks around and comes to a conclusion.

[M1LO]-...It's not safe to stay here forever and talk. Let's find a place and we will explain later.

39:27

They finally managed to find a dark area in which they can stay and rest for a bit until they go back to their city. The kid though, he seems as sad as ever, even making the boys feel bad. But they start talking to each other first.

[M1LO]-So, are you going to explain what was that about? How did you know all of that information? I didn't know even half of what you were saying.

[N04H]-Told you I've learnt, man! I stood a lot at the base with my colleagues and learnt a few tricks myself! And the information was already revealed to us!

[M1LO]-The weapon thingy too?

[N04H]-Yeah! I know you don't understand it, but I know the details behind it!

[M1LO]-Even the researcher?

[N04H]-Oh, not that, for sure! I went by pure luck on that!

[M1LO]-...Wait, WHAT!? YOU DID WHAT, N04H??

[N04H]-Oh, come on, man! Don't give me that look! J4MES is a common name even in our city, god dammit! Don't you remember we knew five people by that name from our generation in school too? And we weren't even the type of people to go and make friends with as many students as we could find! That's why I've tried that plan in the first place!

[M1LO]-AND WHAT IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY RESEARCHER BY THE NAME OF J4MES?? YOU COULD'VE GOT US KILLED!

[N04H]-But I didn't! And look what I've saved as a result!

[M1LO]-Oh, dear gods...

But the kid seems to cry even heavier, though he doesn't understand their conversation. So, the boys feel bad and try to cheer him up, but that after they look around to make sure nobody is listening.

[M1LO]-...Hey, kid. It's alright. Nothing's gonna happen to you anymore.

[N04H]-Yeah, we saved you from the bad guys!

[0YV51]-...B-But you don't understand! You wouldn't understand... *sob* I am a C born... I am a convicted being, a-a sinner... Y-You are just R borns! *sob*

[M1LO]-See? And you argued with me that these disguises aren't good enough...

With that response, N04H simply looks at him a bit pissed, then pushes M1LO with his elbow as a small punishment, before finally getting back to the kid.

[N04H]-*sigh* I know it doesn't appear well, but we are here to help you. Please, just trust us and you will see later!

[0YV51]-*sob* You promise...?

[M1LO]-We promise.

Yet now the kid seems a bit more calm, even though he sure can't stop crying. He looks a bit at the two boys that stand in front of his eyes as they watch him so friendly. But then, with just a small look behind the kid, N04H gets in shock and starts looking back at him.

[N04N]-...We got trouble.

[M1LO]-Huh?

[N04H]-There is a soldier coming our way. Act natural. Act natural!

[MSoldier3]-Hey, you two!

And it sure was. It seems as a soldier that was patrolling around this area has noticed the two boys and the C born standing together, so of course he got a bit suspicious and had to come to investigate.

[N04H]-...Y-Yes, Soldier?

[MSoldier3]-What are you doing here? Where did you find this C born?

[N04H]-O-Oh, right. Right. Well, you see, some colleagues of yours have found this boy in a building nearby and we've discussed with them to take him for our father, him being a researcher. You can go and ask them if you want.

[MSoldier3]-Mhm... And for which researcher are you taking him exactly?

[N04H]-Researcher J4MES, Sir!

[MSoldier3]-...JAM3S?

[N04H]-Yes! The one from the north!

[MSoldier3]-Aha...

Yet the soldier seems to look a bit pissed at the boy's response.

[MSoldier3]-How strange...

[N04H]-Hm? What is strange?

[MSoldier3]-...It's strange that you call Mr. JAM3S your "father", knowing that he doesn't have any children.

[N04H]-H-He does, Sir! We are his kids!

[MSoldier3]-Really...? From when?

[N04H]-For a few months ago! But how would you know that though? We never saw you with him!

[MSoldier3]-How would I know that? Well... I would had known he has children since I come every day to pay him a visit since he is an old friend of mine and also my neighbour... and remembering damn well that he said he will never wish to have kids two days ago.

And it sure shocked N04H. What were the odds anyway? Of course he didn't expect that to happen since it worked last time. Even M1LO got a bit scared.

[MSoldier3]-...May I see your ID cards, kids?

At that moment, none of them knew what to do. Both of the boys were looking scared at each other, before N04H starts to search for something in his pockets... and stopping for a second as he got another idea. He searches for a few seconds then, before finally taking his arms out of the pockets... and kicking mercilessly the soldier below the belt, forcing the soldier to fall down from the pain after such a scream of agony, then punching him with his right fist in the face, hand which now has his weapon equipped as N04H put it on inside his pocket, resulting in the soldier losing consciousness and laying on the ground.

[N04H]-...I honestly didn't know it will work.

[M1LO]-N04H, I swear to the heavens, I'm not going in any mission with you ever again!

[N04H]-Oh, shut up! We just need to go back to our home and everything will be f--

[MSoldier4]- --It came from here! Go!

Yet there is no moment of celebration. A few soldiers have heard the man scream, so they went to investigate what's happening and finally saw the kids in front of an unconscious soldier. Then, they knew for sure they had to run. So, M1LO took the kid by a hand and went in front, while N04H stood a few seconds to look at the soldiers and count them quickly, to know if to he has any chances of defending themselves or not, before finally starting running as well.