The Life Of Normal-Taro

"Yea… I can't do jack shit about it." Taro spoke.

The horror in Scarlet's face was clearly visible as he said those words.

"What do you mean you can't? You're accustomed to stuff like this, right? You can mend any technological stuff, right?" Scarlet sounded desperate as he uttered those words.

"I don't know if someone told you that or if you were the one who thought of me like that, but it would be better if you get that delusion out of your mind." Taro suggested.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I'm not a sorcerer who can conjure up materials out of nowhere or reverse the time of a specific object to fix it. I'm a mechanic for the most part. I can only fix stuff if given the right materials." Taro explained.

Scarlet sighed. "So what is it you need?" They asked.

"Well, the engine basically disintegrated to nothing once you crash landed on Earth. So, before anything else, you're gonna have to bring a new engine." Taro replied.contemporary romance

"Hmm… Would Ajish have that? Then I could just buy it off him, no matter what the cost is." Scarlet spoke.

"Nah, he doesn't have that." It wasn't Taro who replied this time, but Thankappan.

"Why, though? He should have stuff like that, right?" Scarlet once again sounded desperate at that moment.

"Look. MIB: Snehatheeram and Ajish's shop has a deal going on. You know that, right? And in accordance to that, we can't let him snipe something massive like a ship's engine because that would make us suspicious in the HQ's eyes." Thankappan explained.

"Hmm, is the engine in your possession then?" Scarlet asked.

"Nope. They force us to send it to the HQ as soon as we report it to them." Thankappan replied.

With each passing moment, Scarlet's complexion became worse than before.

"So, were there any new crash landings recently?" They asked.

"... Nope. There's been a distinct drop in the alien arrivals to this planet recently." Thankappan replied.

"Hmm. Looks like the Glomerans have announced their subjugation plans." Taro muttered.

"Huh?"

"Nothing. I said nothing." Taro chuckled.

"... What are we supposed to do now?" Scarlet asked.

"Well, does it have to be the Cardinal?" Thankappan asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, are you fine with any other spaceship?" Thankappan asked again.

"Hmm. I have a special bond with the Cardinal. However, if there's a possibility where I can escape this wretched planet, I would take it. And I'll return once more properly for my beloved ship." Scarlet replied.

"If that's the case, I'm gonna suggest something radical. Well, it's something that these idiots planned to do before, but it didn't seem possible since they weren't as skilled as you." Thankappan spoke.

"What is it?" Scarlet asked. 

At that point, it didn't matter if the thing Thankappan suggested was dangerous or not. Scarlet just wanted a means to escape.

"Go to America to our HQ. Steal a ship and fly away. You're the crimson robber, aren't you? I don't think even the tightest security could confine you if you work it out sensibly." Thankappan suggested.

"Hmm, America… Can I run over there?" Scarlet asked.

"Yea. But it's time consuming and you'll be exhausted as fuck by the end of it. So, better catch a plane. You got the money, right?" Thankappan asked back.

"... No." Scarlet gave out a rather meek reply.

"Then how were you planning to pay for that engine if Ajish had it?" The MIB agent asked.

"I would've robbed a bank or something." Scarlet replied honestly.

"Ha… Makes sense. Anyhow, if you're planning to do that, do in moderation. Just the price of the ticket." Thankappan spoke.

"But the passport and stuff… I mean, he isn't a registered alien by MIB, right?" Taro interfered with the conversation.

"You're right. Then there's always another way which doesn't involve you robbing a bank!" Thankappan exclaimed.

"And what is that?" Scarlet asked.

"How about you smuggle yourself in a delivery part of the plane?" Thankappan asked.

"Hmm, not an impossible task by any means." Scarlet looked satisfied by it as well. "By the way, all this time and I never asked your names, huh? So…" He looked as if he wanted to know their names.

Taro was about to speak, but was blocked by Thankappan, who took the initiative. "I'm agent Tyson. And he's Nevada." He bluntly lied.

Taro looked at him in confusion, but he maintained his natural face.

"Huh, interesting names." Scarlet mumbled, but they didn't think much of it. "So, don't you wanna leave this wretched planet as well, Mr Nevada?" 

It took time for Taro to realise that Scarlet was actually asking him. 

"Ah, well… We are waiting on something. Once everything falls into its place, we'll make our move." Taro replied as he thought about the pod.

"I see. I was about to invite you with me, but since you have plans, I'm not gonna force it on you." Scarlet replied. "Okay, then. You can leave. I'll show you to the entrance. Sorry for calling you out in the middle of the night like this." 

"It's fine. I hope you succeed in your mission as well." Taro gave out a warm smile.

After exchanging pleasantries, Scarlet led them to the entrance and bid adieu. For the most part of their walk back to the Holy Land, Taro and Thankappan didn't talk. Only when it seemed like they were in a fair distance from Scarlet did they talk.

"So, why did you lie?" Taro asked.

"Is that even a question to ponder about? Scarlet is an unregistered alien who's planning to steal a spaceship from the HQ. Think about it. In an off chance that he gets caught, he's gonna leak all the secrets to them. So, you want him to say that we were the ones who suggested this idea to him?" Thankappan asked.

"No."

"And there's the answer to your question. Think of Scarlet as a scapegoat from now on. If he succeeded in stealing a ship, you can follow suit if you want to. But if he fails, there's a lot more planning that you should put into it." Thankappan explained.

"I'll keep that in my mind." Taro replied.

They talked little for the rest of the time. Both were contemplating certain things that'll happen in the future and couldn't help but feel anxious about it.

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