Kim
スター軍の司書
Part 1
-- Osman University, Technology Room 2 // Class: Working with Military Electronics --
-- Osman University, Technology Room 2 // Class: Working with Military Electronics --
Jay was fairly uncomfortable underneath his calm appearance. Sure, his face was disguised by an active-camouflage mask, but the thought of revealing himself to dozens of unaffiliated students made him nervous. What if someone recognized him? Or worse, what if someone was to look into his identity? Regardless, these students needed to be eased into the educational experience - as much as he wished he could leave them to their own devices. He watched from the opposite wall as the students began to file into the class to be greeted by an overenthusiastic teacher.
Aster had looked at her schedule and was actually quite excited to be in a class labelled as "Military Electronics". She shifted the weight of her backpack against her shoulder and her slightly unbuttoned black uniform jacket as she walked through the halls and into the classroom. She stopped to look at the distortion over Jay's face. Violet eyes appraised his face curiously. She stood fairly close to him as she stared up at him. "Nan desu ka."
With most of the students now in their seats, the teacher would begin explaining the plan for the semester, appearing to fall on deaf ears.
Jay continued to watch from the side of the classroom, noticing the inquisitive student out of the corner of his eye, settling his gaze on her for a moment but ultimately deciding that there was no reason for concern at the moment.
Aster sat down near Jay, still glancing over at him as the teacher started the lecture. She was not trying to hide her curiosity. She knew it was rude but it was strange. She wanted to know. As the teacher droned on, she pressed her arms down on the desk and placed her chin on her arms. She huffed as she glanced at Jay again.
The teacher now spoke up to the class.
"Ok, now that we have that over with, I need to get a sense of where everyone is at in their knowledge. My assistant will now give you each a set of parts and tools. From these parts, I ask you all to make a simple device of your own design."
Jay took his cue to fetch a trolley with trays of equipment and materials from the back of the room, passing out a tray to each student.
Aster perked up at the idea of doing something besides listening to the teacher drone on. She sat up at her desk and waited. Her eyes followed Jay and the trolley he pushed. Her fingertips tapped lightly against the desk.
The teacher continued his description of the task.
"It doesn't have to be terribly complex, just do what you can. The only stipulation I'm going to make is that it must serve a purpose, and you need to be able to state that purpose."
As the teacher continued his description, Jay went on with handing out the trays. When he got to Aster, he stopped momentarily - long enough to get a good look at her, but not so long as to arouse suspicion.
I'd better keep an eye on this one. He thought.
The Geshrin-Nepleslian teenager very much looked her age of 16. Her face was unadorned with make-up, not that she needed it with her clear complexion, dark pink lips and that shy blush on her cheeks. Her violet eyes were appraising but had a distinctly Yamataian shape and her shoulder length hair was secured into two ponytails.
She stared at Jay's mask and the distortion longer than was polite. . There was something of recognition in her gaze as she accepted the tools and parts, looking away only long enough to hold the weight of the metal and plastic in her hands. "Sono nan desu ka?" She asked softly, her eyes lingering on the mask for a moment longer.
"Anata no kadai." He responded, taking the switch to Yamataigo - quite literally - in stride.
Wrapping up, the teacher would give the students one last line.
"I'll leave you all to your work now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or my assistant, Mr..."
There was a brief pause as the teacher attempted to recall the cover name that had been given to Nagato.
"Sakata."
Aster looked down at the computer parts she had been given and stared it them for a long moment. She started putting her device together, keeping to a simple design that she had done before. Her focus remained on her project before she finished and looked up at 'Sakata' again.
The rest of the class, meanwhile, would continue to tinker with their own devices - to varying degrees of success.
Aster looked around the classroom and sighed, leaning down against the desk and placed her head on her arms, still watching the student aide for a few minutes before she closed her violet eyes.
Having finished passing out the trays, Jay returned the trolley to the back of the class. On the way, he noticed that Aster appeared to have already finished her project.
Interesting...
Her breathing was soft against her arms as she napped for a few minutes before she raised her head again and looked around the classroom again. She rubbed her eyes. "Is it time to turn in yet?"
Jay whispered something in the teacher's ear before walking over to Aster.
"I'll be evaluating your project personally." He said calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Aster smiled brightly. "Hai, senpai." She waited for him to ask for the device. It was about the length of a soda can and was shaped like a gauntlet to be slipped over a wrist slightly larger than hers.
"May I see it?" He asked politely.
Aster nodded and offered the device up. "Careful, the front lever when depressed forward will deliver a shock. It's a lower voltage shock knuckle sort of thing. I didn't have a strong enough battery for a higher voltage shock, but it's a concept I've been working on for a while." She added brightly. The device had a forward lever that could slide forward and down across the knuckles with a counter lever that was gripped easily enough if the user made a fist.
"Interesting... and it took you how long to make this?" He continued.
"From the parts here, a few minutes. I still need to do more testing and refining of the design. I thought a combat non-lethal delivered from a punch was an interesting idea, but this set-up would only work for a few contacts before the battery is drained and it just ends up being similar to brass knuckles. With stronger metal and better insulated, it might last longer or have a greater impact with less risk of also shocking the user," Aster explained rather proudly. "I think I spent a few months figuring it out."
Jay seemed impressed. "Not bad. Section 6 could use people like you."
"Arigatou, senpai," Aster beamed. "I'm here as a Section 6 intern, actually." She pointed to the colored uniform she was wearing. "It's been a lot of fun so far with Miss Ironhart." She pointed up to his face again, "Gomen but.. are you wearing something? It looks... strange."
"Excuse me?" He responded, taken by surprise at the remark.
Aster rose to her feet and moved closer to him. "May I?" She held her hand up by his face. She wanted to touch his face but wanted permission.
Now clearly uncomfortable, he stepped back.
"I should really be going..." he muttered.
Aster watched him retreat with wide violet eyes. She lowered her hand. "Gomen nasai, senpai." She bowed low apologetically. When she rose she pursed her lips together. "Did I pass?"
"Pass? This doesn't count for marks. It's just to see where you are at so we know who to focus on later on."
As he walked away, he would look back in her direction.
"But if it did, I dare say you would pass with flying colours."
Aster settled back down in her chair, pleased as she smiled. "Arigatou gozaimasu, senpai."
As she said that, the bell rang for the next class.