Vindicated Investigation

"There are still no traces of argent or demonic energy." VEGA said after his fifth sweep of the island in as many seconds. "Not even from that tanuki's underground shop. Perhaps he has developed some sort of cloaking mechanism to disguise the signals, or maybe we're just lucky enough that the design is the only one."

Doomguy soared across another section of the river with a double jump then continued running as soon as he'd hit the ground. This foreplay had always been tedious to him, but compared to his activities over the past few days it was the pinnacle of enjoyment. Plus even at its most boring, he couldn't deny that it was an excellent appetiser to go before the blood-soaked main course.

It had taken the pair a good few missions and one too many ambushes to establish this protocol, but 'Search then Destroy' had become a vital prelude to demonic battles. The plan was to scout the surrounding areas for any annoying traps or pitfall seeds before decimating the enemy forces without interruption. Or mercy. No, that was long gone by this point.

"The scan is complete. Island appears to be safe." The AI concluded, pausing for a moment before giving the all clear; "You are free to engage unimpeded."

If the Slayers grin had gotten any wider it would have split his face in two. With one final, majestic double jump he cleared the final waterway and landed right in front of Nook's Cranny.

"Hey, watch where you're..." Del began, but stopped after feeling the murderous aura emanating from the marine. Despite him fishing in plain sight less than three feet away from where the gigantic man landed, it seemed like Mr Doom hadn't even noticed him, yet some deep animal instinct inside told him that it would be best to keep it that way. "Ill just...be heading off then..." He mumbled before quietly retrieving his gear and shimmying away towards the trees.

Right on queue, Timmy and Tommy emerged from the front of the shop to greet him. "Hi Mr Doom...Doom. How can we help you today...now?"

Now VEGA was by all means no sympathiser to potential cultists, but something in his cybernetic stomach didn't sit right with letting his user delete them from existence. "Get your uncle and leave the shop immediately."

The tiny tanuki's quirked their eyebrows in sync. "Is something wrong...bad?"

"Something is about to be." VEGA warned, right in time to Doomguys shotgun reloading. "Run while you have the chance."

Though they didn't know anything about the strange metal item in Mr Doom's hands, they realised it wasn't a happy thing. "O-Ok...sure. Uncle Tom...Tom!"

The Slayer somewhat shared the AIs sentiment for not killing children, but his hatred for anything demonic far surpassed his kinder instincts. He'd been bitten, scratched, punched or broken one too many times to have a capacity for kindness when it came to cultists, and even these adorable animals were no exception. As such, he granted them an incredibly generous 15 seconds to get the shop owner and then escape from out of the soon-to-be slaughter zone before he started doing what he did best; with or without them there.

Nook made it there in 5. "How can I hel-..." Even with his face covered, the murderous intent was hard to miss. "Oh."

"Oh, indeed." VEGA replied in an even tone. "I suppose you know why we are here."

The tanuki nodded grimly. "You figured this out quicker than expected. Then again, I suppose it is your occupation."

Doomguys grip tightened around handle of his gun, almost crushing it under the pressure. The first two shotguns had suffered that fate, and though he wasn't one to hold back he knew how much more fun it would be with his gun. All he needed to do was wait just a few more seconds...

"Then before we begin I must confirm something." VEGA enquired, working as quickly as possible to obtain any relevant information he could.

"Likewise," Tom replied, "But it would be impolite to put my own needs before the customer. After you."

The AI hummed for a nanosecond, sifting through hundreds of possible questions before finding the one with the most finesse and utility. "How many reference points have you made over the years?"

A moments silence passed over an eternity before the shop owner's response. "Perhaps...no, there are too many to count. Though recently I have been limited to just the one."

'Too many to count'. Those words in Doomguy language meant 'Better get more ammo'.

"Thank you." VEGA said, noting the adrenaline levels increasing almost exponentially with each passing moment. "Now to repay the favour; what is your question?"

Tom's shoulders sagged, and for the first time since meeting him he looked...vulnerable. "What...gave it away?"

"The villager's wall commission." The AI explained. "I am ashamed I did not suspect it sooner with the level of depravity exhibited in his house. Now, enough words have..."

"Villager's wall commission?"

"Do not try to hide your motives at this stage; it is unbecoming."

Nook shot the armour an incredibly puzzled expression. "Motives...I take it you are not here about the suit battery?"

"...no." VEGA's deduction systems began to work in overtime. "Judging by your tone of voice, body language and unpreparedness for this situation, I assume you are unaware of the cultist activity on the island?"

The Tanuki's body stiffened. "Cultist...activity?"

"I see..." Throughout the exchange several warning lights had flashed on inside the HUD, indicating beyond heightened dopamine and epinephrine levels. In the past, these signs indicated one thing and one thing only. And VEGA knew what that would mean for the apparently innocent shopkeeper. "You have ten to fifteen words."

Tom frowned. "To do what?"

"Prevent a massacre. You have three less now."

He opened his mouth to speak then shut it. Though Tom knew little more than rumours of their past, he knew a walking death machine when he saw one. His next words would be critical to the survival of his town, let alone his shop.

"No...demonic...conspirators. Innocent civilians...complete misunderstanding...please forgive us?"

"Forgiveness is not in his vocabulary." The gun remained trained at the animal's head for another agonising second before slowly dropping it, along with his murderous grin. "But innocent and misunderstanding are. Luckily for you."

"So, it seems." Tom let out the biggest sigh of relief of his life, even surpassing the one from his successful court hearing about creating a monopoly. "Now; mind telling me why I was centimetres away from death today?"

"Centimetres is extremely optimistic, though I shall gladly oblidge you." VEGA said, then proceeded to explain the significance of the villager's commission. Despite the conversation diffusing the situation, Doomguy's emotions remained at their abnormally high levels. It didn't pay to relax in his line of work, regardless of how much the situation had changed.

"...and so here we are." The AI concluded. "With no detectable argent energy in plain view and without access to enhanced scanning, we are without clues."

"Then perhaps I can be of assistance." Tom replied, taking in a deep breath before leading them round to the back of the shop.

"And how much will this assistance cost?" VEGA inquired, scanning the impressive display before him.

The tanuki smiled thinly. "Think of this as community service." Turning to a small tile on the wall he tapped his paw in an intricate pattern. "While my dislike of demons pales in comparison to yours, it's like I said before..." Removing his digits, several panels across the back wall opened up to produce an array of sensors. "...I am quite fond of this place. Would you mind inputting the exact energy signature you are looking for?"

A small access port appeared in the wall in front of the marine, who promptly stabbed it with his praetor blade. "Data entered; the search has begun." It had taken several attempts and ruined consoles to learn first-hand of his 'stab first, stab second and ask questions never', but eventually VEGA had equipped the end of the blade with a retractable and changeable connecting port. It was a win win for them both; VEGA got his information and the Slayer got to stab things.

Doomguy stepped back and eyed the varying pieces of equipment suspiciously. He had undergone basic military communications training which was furthered through his extensive experience at war with the demonic scourge, yet there we some pieces that even he could not identify. He kept his shotgun loaded just in case.

"An impressive display indeed." The AI noted again, analysing as best he could the machinery and parts before them with a fraction of jealousy. Computer programmes weren't supposed to feel homesick, yet VEGA found himself longing for The Fortress's scanners to be able to put up a decent competition. "How long before...?"

The machines retracted back into the shop right on queue, and a sheet of paper was produced from one of the cracks between the panels in front of the shop owner. "Oh."

Doomguy loomed over the tanuki, reading the notes from above. "Oh."

Now the Slayer by no means was anything resembling a scientist, but he'd seen enough graphs to recognise that when the bars looked higher than the ominous red line going through the middle, things were very, very bad.

Or in his case, very, very good. "It seems you will have to wait a little longer." VEGA told him through the internal speakers, "Approximately two more days, give or take several hours."

The marine looked at the corner of his HUD questioningly. "Yes, I think they are reliable." The look intensified. "They are accurate indeed. If anything they may be slightly optimistic of the numbers. I would of course be more certain with MY equipment at home but..."

"So the town is covered in this?" Tom asked, interrupting the AIs bragging. "But how did it go unnoticed?"

"Most likely the symbols were hidden under the surface layer of many objects." VEGA explained whilst simultaneously completing the rest of his deductions. "Without access to the Fortress's mainframe my detection levels are drastically reduced, though I must say this is the first time I have seen these marks so heavily disguised."

Nook let out a worried sigh. "And what do these marks spell out for our town?"

"As of right now, nothing." Tom almost relaxed, but seeing Doomguy twitching with anticipation made him think better. "But in approximately two days your town will most likely be overrun by a demonic invasion party."

The tanuki blinked. "Invasion?"

"Indeed." The Slayer nodded with glee. "It won't be quite the same level as ones we have experienced in the past, but it would be more than enough to overcome your defences and enslave the other villagers."

Nook took in a deep breath, shut his eyes then exhaled for a long few seconds. "Well...shit."

Both VEGA and Doomguy were surprised, thinking the cute animal town incapable of such language. "That is an accurate response. I would strongly recommend relocating the town and it's inhabitants to another..."

Tom shook his head. "No, no that would take too long and cause too much panic."

"Better them panicking than being harvested for Argent energy." The AI warned him. "Even with your defences in place the collateral damage would be phenomenal, assuming of course you can even successfully repel the forces. And even if you did they would simply regroup in greater numbers."

There was another long pause before Tom spoke again. "That is just based on my defences though...correct?"

Doomguy faced him, his helmet as expressionless as always. "And what are you insinuating?"

"That we won't be facing the threat alone." Rummaging through his pockets, the shop keeper produced several pieces of ammunition and armour parts. "I think I can manage enough payment for at least the first wave, though after that you will..."

His paw was suddenly closed by the gigantic man, who unbeknownst to Tom had slowly regained his murderous smile. "Payment won't be necessary."

The tanuki tilted his head up at the pair. "You'll do this for free?"

A low, menacing laugh rumbled through the helmet, practically shaking the island with its intensity and malice.

"Think of it as OUR community service."