My Ninja Girl 4 by Gideon Caldwell (latest novels to read .TXT) 📕

signal from Soraya, who was already standing near the door of the weapons cache, they exited the vehicle.

“One of you needs to keep your helmet on so I can keep in contact with you,” Bobi reminded them.

“I’ll have mine on once inside,” Liza announced.

They approached the building, Micah quickly tracing his eyes along its uniquely patterned rooftop while Liza placed her helmet over her head and waited a moment for it to power up. She keyed them into the place, Bunni stopping next to Soraya to ask her if she’d seen anything out of the ordinary.

“Nothing to report,” the kitsune reported back.

“Such a good little fox,” the Plains Dweller told her as she motioned for Soraya to step in front of her.

“One thing we are going to all need is new robes.” Liza motioned toward the wardrobe room that jutted off from the main space, Micah becoming increasingly familiar with the Monks of Repose’s stash of unique weapons and backup gear. He was already eyeing charge packs when Liza stepped to the back of the space, to a hallway and disappeared after taking a left. A light came on, and she returned. “We can sleep in there; there is bedding, although they are all futons which means we’re on the floor tonight. It’s a fairly large space, but with five of us, it could be a little tight.”

“I’m fine with that,” Soraya said as she began looking at some of the weapons, immediately going for more throwing knives. While she did that, Liza opened up the case and handed wrist shields to Bunni and Yuri, quickly explaining how they worked.

“The energy shields are triggered by industria,” she said as she gave them a demonstration using her own wrist guard. “I’m sure you’ve already come to understand that, but just in case.”

“These will definitely be helpful,” Bunni said.

“Do you have any more of the rings?” Soraya asked, referring to the two rings Micah had given Bunni and Yuri, which enhanced their strikes.

“I think that’s it, but I can check,” Liza said. “Be sure to pick up some clothing from the other room, and specifically clothing with armor. There are several sets of robes in there, some are ceremonial. You’ll see what they look like. The ones with armor will have a harder chest plate, male and female. Make sure you adjust the chest plate through the strap that goes around your waist. Did you get your charge packs?” she asked Micah.

“Just getting them now,” he said as he unzipped his backpack and added a couple more.

“I think it’s time to upgrade your backpack as well,” she told him. “There are monks that are tasked with scouting various locations in Woodsaka and the Outer Provinces. We may have one of their backpacks in the clothing room. You’ll see it; it’s flat and goes under your arm, the charge packs will sit down by your waist and you can quickly change them out.”

“Will my helmet and weapon fit inside?”

“Your helmet is supposed to be on your head,” she reminded him. “Weapon, yes.”

“I think I’ll stick with my backpack…”

“We’re trying to blend in.”

“Got it.” Micah entered the next room and found the bag that Liza had been referring to. He took his helmet out of his own bag and placed it on a polished metal table while he transferred the charge packs from his backpack to a black satchel with additional pockets in front. There was space for his prosthetic gatling gun as well, Micah liking that feature. It would take some time to get used to wearing it, but it wasn’t very heavy, and it didn’t get in the way, which would be a bonus to whatever they’d likely get into once the upper echelon meeting was set.

By the time he returned to the main room, Bunni had pulled out a number of weapons, the Plains Dweller bobbing her head left and right as she looked at them. “I think I’ll just use mine,” she said, referring to her glaive.

“Then why did you take them all out?” Soraya asked.

“Because I wanted to look at them.” A troubled look came across her face. “I just thought of something.”

“What’s that?” Liza asked, the nun still going through some of the containers and looking for rings.

“How are my ears supposed to fit inside the bucket?”

“You can fold them back, right?” Soraya asked.

“Of course I can, but I don’t like to.”

“And you think I like hiding my tail everywhere we go?”

“I thought you kind of found it fun; you know, figure out a way to hide it. A challenge. You like challenges, don’t you?”

“You’re just going to have to make do,” Yuri told her, a hint of exhaustion in her voice. It was clear that she was trying to maintain her composure, that what had happened the previous night continued to be hard for her. Micah felt for her in that moment, wishing that they had more time to process it, or at the very least, that she did. But no, they went from Milsung’s death right into the next task, no downtime. It wasn’t right, but there wasn’t much he could do about it now they were here, and momentum was pushing them forward.

The five of them selected clothing to wear the next day, and together, they retired into the back room. Liza and Soraya arranged mats as Yuri, Bunni, and Micah undressed. He waited for the ladies to choose futons, Micah left with one on the end next to Yuri, which was exactly where he wanted to be. While Liza took an update from Bobi, her helmet on as she laid down, Soraya and Bunni chatted quietly, leaving Micah and Yuri to stare at one another, both remaining quiet.

They eventually moved closer together, their foreheads pressing against one another, Yuri stifling a silent sob. She