Rising Rays of the New Century: Tale of the Japanese Empire

The Great Escape

April 20, 2199

Mars

The 3rd City Seleno Aqua, Northern Ocean Coast

In the headquarters of the city police located in the heart of Seleno Aqua, there is a detention center for temporarily holding arrested suspects. Normally, it's an austere building that no one pays much attention to, but now, for a certain reason, a large crowd has gathered in front of the gate.

"Free the hero of Mars!"

"Don't pander to aliens, police!"

"The Earth's champions demand the immediate release of Itsuki!"

The crowd held up placards and banners, demanding the release of a girl currently detained here. Itsuki Okubo, who had come dangerously close to the throat of the Queen of the Union, the arch-nemesis of many Martian settlers, was being advocated as a hero by her supporters, urging for her release. Local police and even International Federation military personnel had been mobilized, glowering at the demonstrators.

The commotion could be heard inside the detention center. Itsuki, confined to a sterile cell, listened to the voices echoing from beyond the iron bars with an indifferent expression.

"Talk about popular... hero."

"Well, that's nice, but... did you bring it?"

Itsuki, in custody, extended her hand to the corrections officer standing outside the iron bars. The officer delivered a book through the meal slot.

"Here you go, is this it?"

What Itsuki had requested was the New Testament. She took the Bible in her hand with a pleased expression.

"You seem quite devout."

"Devout or not... I'm an assistant to the pastor of a church," Itsuki replied with an innocent smile, taking the Bible and beginning to read. The corrections officer, having delivered the item, let out a small sigh and turned to leave.

Just before that, Itsuki called the officer to a halt.

"Hey, could you do me one more favor... please?"

".........?"

As the officer turned around, there was Itsuki, holding a paper cigarette in her mouth with a provocative smile, like a temptress. Somehow, she had managed to sneak it in. Itsuki extended the end of the cigarette through the iron bars, asking for it to be lit.

"...! Smoking by anyone under 18 is prohibited under the International Federation Space Common Laws! I'm going to have to confiscate that!"

The corrections officer, raising his voice, tried to reach for Itsuki's cigarette. In that moment, Itsuki's right index finger touched the officer's hand.

'...When I was restrained in the sea and during the body inspection, bit by bit... my luck accumulated. If I can just take one more person's luck...!'

"...Happy Catch."

Itsuki smiled evilly. In that instant, the officer's fate turned upside-down. He experienced an inexplicable chill throughout his body.

"...Ugh, hrnggggg!"

The officer writhed in agony as a sharp pain surged through his body. Itsuki watched him collapse and then crouched down, extending her slender arm through the gap in the iron bars, taking the electronic key attached to the officer's waist.

"Sorry..."

Itsuki offered an apology to the officer as she touched the electronic key to the card reader attached to the iron bars. Immediately after, a beep signaled the unlocking, and the cage that had held Itsuki opened.