Chapter 1

Ichika Orimura, a young boy with short black hair was bound and gagged on the cold concrete which floored the warehouse that he was taken to by his mysterious captors. His dark brown eyes were wide with fear as his kidnappers watched him with varying degrees of interest. Crouching directly above him was a woman with shoulder length raven black hair who was appraising him with a critical eye.

"This is Orimura's brother alright, M must really hate that bitch to go this far", the woman remarked.

"I say we make him bleed and present the brat to his sister, it'd send a more... impactful message", another woman with long brown hair said with a manic smile.

However, their exchange was interrupted when they heard the sounds of an IS touching down just outside the hideout they were occupying. Soon, a woman with blonde hair strode in from the entrance, approaching the phantom task members whilst sending a cursory glance towards the weapons which were stashed inside the warehouse alongside what looked to be two stolen IS in their inactive forms.

Angela was the women's name, a specialist sent by The Unites States of America to make an underground deal with phantom task, the infamous global terrorist organization.

"I didn't know phantom task dealt with human trafficking these days", Angela remarked, narrowing her eyes.

"We don't, this is just a standard abduction mission we're in the middle of. One that doesn't concern you", the woman with black hair replied cooly.

"You called the deal in the middle of an op?" Angela growled. She glared at the stolen IS then at the prone Ichika. Something about the boy was familiar to her but she couldn't quite place it. "I don't like this, the deal's off you fucktards". Quickly, she turned on her heel only to stop as the sound of a gun priming echoed throughout warehouse.

"Stop right there you gringo bitch, the boss isn't gonna like you flaking... and neither am I. I suggest you get the fuck back here", the woman with long brown hair snarled, pointing a pistol at the back of the American's head.

Angela slowly looked back with a furious expression. "And I suggest you think about who you're pointing a gun at. Uncle Sam does not forgive very easily, or have you forgotten". In a flash, Angela activated her personal IS, a bulkier model lined with this armor plates alongside two heavy cannons on her shoulders.

In response, the phantom task pilots also readied their IS for combat while the others trained their weapons on the American IS.

Ichika had been inching towards the wall of the warehouse during the confrontation with his wrists and ankles still bound in a move of desperation. He needed to find a way out, or at least a place to hide. However, in the young boy's haste, he failed to remain stealthy as he continued to crawl across the concrete.

"What a fucking brat. You!" The woman with black hair yelled, pointing at a phantom task operative who still had his gun trained on Angela's head. "Beat that kid unconscious or something, he's seen enough of this shit show".

The operative nodded and slung his rifle on his back while walking menacingly towards Ichika's still prone form. "I don't usually like beating on little kids but hey, orders are orders right? Nothing personal kiddo".

Ichika hastily stood, almost falling back down due to his ankles being tied together and shuffled backwards in fright. However, he unknowingly shuffled right into one of the stolen IS with an audible *thunk*. To the surprise of every occupant of the warehouse, the IS started to whir to life as it registered a potential pilot's touch.

"No fucking w-", the women with black hair was interrupted however when her radio buzzed, signaling a transmission that could only be from intelligence.

"Orimura has located your position, withdraw effective immediately", a female voice buzzed through the phantom task operators' radio.

"Fuck me", the woman growled under her breath. "Grab the kid, we're getting out of here". She glanced at the American bitch who still had her cannons trained on the two phantom task pilots with a victorious smirk. She could only assume the worst, the bitch had gotten the same intel.

"The deal is a bust but we can still gain something from this shit. Move in" Angela said seemingly to no one. A split second later, multiple IS with American insignia unlike Angela's IS burst through the roof of the warehouse while squads of men rushed into the building.

"So this whole deal was a setup?" the women with black hair spat, cautiously eyeing the new enemies.

"This was just a precaution. Uncle Sam still values your organizations… cooperation with ours. However, something interesting has happened. Something of interest to Uncle Sam's agenda", Angela chuckled, eyeing Ichika who still had his back to the very much operational IS.

"Uncle Sam this Uncle Sam that, is that all you gringo bastards can say? It's really getting on my nerves how fucking dumb you sound. We took the kid, and we're leaving with him", the woman with brown hair snarled.

Angela's smirk dropped. "The boy comes with us, or do you think you can really escape with our organization alongside Orimura bearing down on you?"

"Do you really think we can't?" the brown haired woman spat, priming her IS's railgun at the American forces.

Angela laughed, calling the bluff as she strode towards Ichika. "As I said, our organizations tolerate each other and Uncle Sam wants it to stay that way. We won't stop you so run along now, or else the big bad Orimura will arrive. You know, even Uncle Sam recognizes her power".

The woman with brown hair's face darkened further at Angela's condescending tone on top of the continued use of the Uncle Sam moniker she hated. "What's saying we don't expose you gringos for your connection to us and disregard for the Alaska Treaty".

"Do you really think the world's going to listen to some terrorist bitch accusing me, a stalwart defender of freedom and democracy?" Angela mocked

"That's enough! this operation is FUBAR enough. We have to cope with our losses and retreat now", the woman with black hair seethed. With a *tsk* the woman with brown hair complied, exiting through the back of the warehouse followed by the rest of the task force.

"That's right, run away you phantom bastards", Angela muttered to herself smugly. She then looked down at Ichika who had remained frozen during the confrontation and was now looking up at her fearfully. "Lighten up kid, we're not gonna hurt you like phantom task bitches. However you did hear a lot of stuff that could probably get my ass in a whole lot of trouble". Angela deactivated her IS which took the form of a small silver choker.

"Uncle Sam is gonna have to take you in for a bit while we figure out our next move, I'm sure you understand kiddo", she said while ruffling Ichika's hair. "Hey Skunk, get over here and take this kid away. Also have your squad get those stolen IS to the states, I doubt phantom task needs them anymore". Angela smiled wickedly.

Ichika was then led with his hand firmly in the woman's grasp as she barked some quick commands to her comrades. he recognized Skunk as one of the American IS pilots who burst through the roof. For some reason he remembered his sister complaining about Americans while they ate dinner once, he couldn't quite remember what irked his big sister though. He shook his head to clear his random thoughts, at least he wasn't with those terrorist psychos anymore.

Skunk looked back questioningly, "what's your name little man".

"O-orimura Ichika", he stuttered as a reply.

"Orimura huh, I can see why those phantom task whores took you. Don't worry though Ichika, America is willing to extend it's protection to you. "

Skunk led Ichika into a helicopter waiting outside the warehouse. "Captain said the kid needs immediate extraction back to the states".

The pilot nodded and the helicopter's blades came to life as they slowly lifted off from the ground. Skunk gave an unimpressed look as Ichika was attempting to buckle himself in. She sighed and decided to take pity on the kid. "The shoulder straps come together and then click into the waist strap". She watched as Ichika still fiddled with the strap until he finally strapped himself in after a minute of trying.

"Got it" Ichika murmured to himself, looking bashful..

Skunk sighed once more, deciding to pass the time fiddling with her gear.

As the helicopter tore through the air, Ichika found himself nodding off to the loud yet rhythmic whooshing of the helicopter's blades. The climactic night passed as Ichika fell asleep on his way to his new home, the United States of America.

Back at the warehouse

"What the hell are American forces doing here", Chifuyu asked with narrowed eyes. She had received intelligence from the Germans that her little brother, Ichika, was being held here by phantom task. She even forfeited her place in IS tournament and raced to the warehouse still suited in her IS, Kurazakura.

However, all she found upon arriving were American forces alongside multiple American IS pilots mulling about the warehouse. "Where is my little brother, his name is Ichika Orimura. He has short black hair and brown eyes."

"I don't know where this kid is Orimura. My team confronted phantom task but they managed to escape".

Chifuyu looked disbelievingly at the blonde women. The warehouse, other than a few holes in the roof, the warehouse didn't show any signs of a conflict. No bullet casings, no signs of IS weaponry being employed, no blood, nothing. "You don't look like standard American forces, or even American special forces for that matter. Who the hell are you. Not to mention your involvement here is going against the Alaska Treaty".

"Come now, we're not here to start a fight with any nation. Does Uncle Sam really need a reason to sortie with a terrorist organization? You know as well as I do that we hate terrorists", Angela replied, placing her hands on her hips.

Chifuyu growled, "that doesn't answer my question about who the fuck you are. This situation is too suspicious and I don't have time for this. My little brother is still out there probably being tortured by terrorists".

"My condolences then Ms. Orimura. Unfortunately, I'm not at liberty to tell you anything, but we are American. It's all political, I hope you understand", Angela said cooly.

In response, Chifuyu clenched her fists with a look that could freeze hell over. "Enough, I don't have time for you Americans and your political games. My brother is still out there and I'm going to find him." She then stormed off and flew into the sky, breaking the sound barrier in the process.

Angela chuckled to herself and waved to the soldiers. "Alright let's head back to the states, our business in finished." Her mind wandered back to the boy. This could actually make the history books, at least the boy could, she doubted she would be in any book.

She doubted it, but Angela hoped that the higher ups wouldn't deem that boy dangerous enough for termination. He was a cutie after all, might even by a heartbreaker when he grows up.

She activated Bulldog, her IS, and ascended into the night sky with a smirk. The deal was terminated but there were always alternatives to get what they wanted. The real victory was the acquisition of the boy now known as Ichika to Angela. She wasn't going to disillusion herself, it was abduction not too different from what phantom task was trying to pull off. Angela shrugged as she decided not to let it bother her. She did this kind of stuff all the time. She was a patriot after all.

Ichika slowly awoke in a soft bed. The first thing he noticed was the sun which was shining through the lone window, meaning it was morning again.

"Ah, so the little man finally wakes up", the woman Ichika identified as Skunk remarked as she finished making a mini pyramid of small metal canisters, presumably out of boredom.

"What is that?" Ichika questioned pointing at the metal canisters stacked precariously on the night table beside the bed he was lying in.

"Huh? It's a pyramid of course. It's actually the 28th one that i've made. You're a deep sleeper, did you know that? How the hell didn't you wake up from touchdown, those rotor blades are loud as hell", Skunk said with grouchy look.

"Sorry about that", Ichika replied sheepishly. "Also, I know you made a pyramid uhh Miss… Skunk, but what are those metal thingies."

"Oh! That's what you were asking kiddo, I knew you weren't that stupid. These little things are my darling creations. Inside each of these canisters is some Dichlorodiethyl Sulfide made by yours truly." At the blank look on Ichika's face she elaborated, "I suppose you ignorants refer to the chemical agent as mustard gas. You wanna see one?" She asked, picking out the canister at the top of the pyramid and presenting it to Ichika who immediately recoiled away. "Come on you big baby, it's not gonna go off or anything, promise. Even if it somehow does, I always keep a gas mask on me. Though I guess that doesn't really matter to you since it's MY gas mask. Also Dichlorodiethyl Sulfide isn't even THAT lethal, trust me, if the boss let me keep my more lethal agents on me while stateside, I would".

Ichika however, still looked at the outstretched hand holding the gas canister like it had come out of the woman's mouth and presented him with a human head. First he was kidnapped by international terrorists, now he was in a room with a crazy gas lady. What had his life devolved into?

"Stop scaring the kid you psycho", a new voice said from the open door. It was the blonde woman Ichika recognized as the American IS pilot that had 'rescued' him.

"I'm not a psycho, I am a chemist", Skunk replied hotly. "Also you shouldn't be able to call anyone a psycho after everything you've done Watchdog". Skunk and the blonde woman glared at each other.

"Just shut up and put that shit away".

Skunk grumbled and started to halfheartedly pack away her canisters into the numerous pouches of the large military looking coat she wore.

Angela sighed and sat on another chair that was positioned by the bed Ichika was laying in. "I apologize for my… peer's eccentricities Ichika Orimura. Since we know your name, it is only fair you know ours. Take it as a sign of trust from Uncle Sam".

"This nutcase", Angela said, motioning towards Skunk, who was now finished packing up her gas, "is Emily König, you know her as her Skunk. She's called that because of the particular type of warfare she enjoys to employ. Truthfully though, it's just because people rarely like to even be near her due to the gas she's always packing".

"That's not true at all! Don't listen to this popular bitch Ichika. I just choose not to mingle with the ignorants that decide to not understand me nor my chemistry", The now named Emily said defensively with a scandalized look on her face.

Angela rolled her eyes at Emily's excuses. "My name on the other hand, is Angela Wyler. No Wyler-san or any of that, I was never a fan of that Japanese stuff. Just call me Angela and the gas freak Emily and we'll call you Ichika alright?"

"Yes A-angla-san"

Angela glared

"Yes Angela"

"Better"

"Now that the introductions are made, I can finally say what I'm actually here for", Angela said with a sigh. "I'm sure you know your situation right Ichika?"

Ichika nodded slowly, "basically, I heard stuff I wasn't allowed to hear right? And the United States of America would get in trouble if I told anyone, so they're keeping me… grounded I guess?"

"Grounded", Angela repeated to herself, snorting. She almost forgot he was around the age of an American fifth grader, she'd have to reread his file later.

"Yeah, you have a basic grasp on your situation. However, you may not know this but you are seemingly the only male in existence who can pilot an IS, you know what that is right?"

"Infinite Stratos", Ichika breathed. "W-wait can I pilot an IS?"

"We don't actually know how you can potentially pilot an IS but back at the place phantom task was holding you, you remember bumping into that stolen IS which was in its inactive form right? Well, somehow you were able to activate it, something only females have been able to do since the creation of IS", Angela explained. "Now, understand that I recognize you aren't give very much personal liberty in this decision but I assure you, we are trying to be as flexible as possible. The first option is that we help you dissapear into a very special witness protection program indefinitely, probably until we can figure out another solution. However there is a second option that we have decided is satisfactory."

"What is it", Ichika asked, looking seriously at Angela.

"Well, you'll do what we do", Angela replied, motioning towards Emily, who had remained quiet through the explanation, and herself. "Fight Uncle Sam's enemies in the pursuit of freedom and democracy across the world. For all intents and purposes, you'd become an American".

Emily raised an eyebrow at the mention of 'freedom and democracy'.

"You'd basically join the American special forces, though I think of it more like an organization that works in tandem with the States due to how detached we are from regular forces", Angela remarked. "I'll warn you though, I can guarantee that you won't be the same person if you join, probably for the rest of your life. Also, if you fail to meet our expectations, you're immediately going to that witness protection program no matter what".

Ichika pondered to himself while Angela waited patiently and Emily just stared at a wall. He wasn't going to lie, he really wanted to go back home and see Chifuyu-nee. He wanted to taste her cooking, no matter how experimental it could be. But he needed to fix the situation he had landed himself in. His sister had always taken care of him after their parents left, it was his turn to take charge. Ichika had heard from his sister once that the witness protection program, at least for Japan, was like a prison in of itself. He didn't want that. He wanted freedom. If enlisting for America or 'Uncle Sam' as Angela likes to call it was his key to freedom, he would take it.

"I'll do it. I'll fight for Uncle Sam".

"I see, I guess I should say welcome to the team then", Angela said with a grin, giving Ichika a hearty slap on the back.

"Welcome to FOXHOUND"