“Come on MC we’re going to be late and you know how Sora gets when she’s hungry,” said GM.

“Alright, fine. I’m coming.” MC grabbed his wallet and walked out the door behind GM. It was a short drive down the road to a restaurant called Big Ramen. It was Sora’s favorite local food and pretty much the only place she ever agreed on eating at. It seemed like she was there every chance she got and when GM offered to take them out to lunch she insisted on nowhere besides Big Ramen. She was sure to make everyone miserable if she didn't get her way.

MC and GM entered the front door of the restaurant. “There she is,” said GM, pointing to Sora across the room. The hustle and bustle of waitresses and the commotion of people eating created a warm atmosphere.

GM sat down across from Sora in the booth with MC next to him. “Ouch!” GM exclaimed as his face twisted with pain. “What the hell was that for?”

“You took too long getting here,” said Sora, crossing her arms.

“You didn't have to kick me under the table. Besides it was MC that held us up. He wasn't ready when I told him it was time to go.”

“Whatever, just figure out what you’re going to order.” she snapped.

“Sheesh, she’s really fired up today.”

“That’s for sure,” agreed MC.

A few minutes later, a waitress with dark hair pulled tightly into a bun approached the table with a tablet in hand.

“What can I get for you today?” she asked.

“I want the extra big monster ramen,” said Sora with enthusiasm.

“I’ll have the house special,” said GM.

“I’ll also have the house special,” said MC.

“Thanks, we’ll get that right out for you.” The waitress finished inserting their orders into the system and buzzed away. Sora got her phone out and became instantly absorbed into a mobile game.

“So, let’s get right to why we’re having this team lunch today. MC, there’s a new mission for you,” said GM. “It includes you too,” he said looking over at Sora.

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She didn’t respond or even look up, but he could tell she was at least listening.

“What is it this time?” MC asked.

“It’s a bodyguard job. Gil wants you to provide protection to representative Eisenhower while he gets the bridge project in motion.”

“Representative Eisenhower? Gil really wants me to protect that slimy dude? What a pain.”

“There’s the spirit,” said GM sarcastically. “I know he’s not the ideal person you’d want to spend time with. What I’ve been seeing on the news lately has been unbearable.” He turned to Sora, “For this mission, you’ll need to provide tech support for MC. We’re going to need you on surveillance duty.”

“Huh, yeah ok sure,” she said while her eyes remained fixed on her phone screen.

“Come on Sora, pay attention.”

“But I’m doing my dailies,” she protested.

“For God’s sake,” said GM as he rubbed his forehead with his palm.

“Anyway, in a few days, representative Eisenhower is going to have a meeting with the bridge construction board. That’s the day that we need you to provide protection.”

“Why does this guy need protection anyway? There are tons of these scummy political guys that walk around without security,” said MC.

“This case is a little different. Representative Eisenhower is going to be advocating for the bridge to be built in the middle of The Organization's territory. If this project goes through, it'll give an extra trade route into the city making it easier to bring in goods. The Black Diamond doesn’t want that. There’s been talk about a potential assassination just to stop the project.”

The waitress returned with three steaming bowls of ramen. Sora put her phone down and grabbed both sides of her face, “Waahhh I can’t wait any longer,” she said. The waitress placed a bowl and chopsticks in front of each of them. Sora’s ramen bowl was clearly much bigger than the other two.

“Itadakimasu,” Sora said as she broke chopsticks apart. “Is there anything else I can get you?” asked the waitress.

“No, thank you very much,” said GM politely. The waitress headed back to the kitchen once again. MC and GM watched in awe as Sora inhaled noodles like a feral animal.

“As I mentioned earlier, Sora is going to provide tech support. For this mission, I want you two to have a comm setup. I also want her to have access to all the cameras and to research the schematics of the building that the meeting is going to be held at. If the Black Diamond does attack, we want to have the upper hand. Information is the best resource you can have in a fight.”

“That sounds like a lot of work,” said Sora through a mouth full of noodles.

“That’s because it will be,” said GM rolling his eyes. “If the bridge proposition goes through, it will mean more money for The Organization and in turn bigger paychecks for everyone involved so it's worth it. Don’t you want to buy more video games and more of those miniature statue things you collect?”

“Fine fine. And they’re called figures!”