“I can’t stand those two, ya know! You should really let me do a special mission on them.” Tooth flashes a shiny, wicked grin. Shane sits up slightly moving the girls off of him. “Forget about that. We got important stuff to discuss.” Tooth puts his feet on the ground and sits up proper.
“Oh? Is that so?”
“I got a call from Riken.” Shane says.
“What!” Tooth says excitedly. “Riken personally? What did the big boss himself want?” Shane stands up very slowly.
“Seems one of his lieutenants died recently. He wants me to come to Beta Earth and take over his territory. Do you know what this means?” Tooth tries desperately to control his amazingly big grin. Shane slightly smiles.
“So, starting tomorrow, you are the new leader around here.” Tooth’s face fills with supreme joy.
“Lotta changes will be made, you know.”
“Your choice. Got nothing to do with me now.” Shane says with a casual stretch.
Chapter 7
Mission Pt. 1
Time: Afternoon.
Location: Earth—an abandoned factory in an undisclosed location between Sprawl 15 and City District 8.
Akari stands in the middle of the training ground holding two guns. She is silent, waiting with her eyes closed. She listens intently and hears the sound of light footsteps. Suddenly she turns and fires.
Her bullets are deflected. Akari continues to fire on the near blur of an object running around the room, but none of the shots land. Clave has developed an interesting evasion style. He keeps low to the ground, using his left hand to balance and his right for the sword.
This allows him to scramble freely around the room dodging Akari’s shots. Akari eventually runs out of bullets, “Good, but I can tell from here your balance is still off. You need to work on your coordination.”
Clave stands behind Akari poised to attack. Akari drops her gun. Just as she does, she surreptitiously takes out another and fires it at Clave. He deflects the two shots and moves in striking range of Akari.
He delivers a swift swing at her and she effortlessly swipes his sword away with her gun. This causes him to lose balance and stumble. Akari points the gun directly at Clave’s face and after a moment’s pause. She whacks him lightly on side of his head, “Much better, boy. Your improvised evasion technique has greatly increased your speed.”
Akari tosses her empty gun onto the table, “But you won’t be able to stop anyone with those half-assed swings. Each movement should be decisive and strong. You should have broken through my gun and taken my hand off.”
“Whatever, crazy lady.” Clave softly mutters. Akari catches the remark.
“Maybe it’s time for—” Her communication band interrupts her. “Never mind. Break time boy.” Clave collapses to the ground with relief.
“She is unstoppable, I swear,” he says softly while composing himself. Akari answers her com band. It’s Agent Damon.
“We are ready to proceed with the mission,” he says.
“Details?” Akari asks as she walks over to a bucket of water. “Matthew Vellian, an influential businessman and powerful lobbyist in City District 11, is suspected of doing business with the Syndicate. He is well connected and very knowledgeable in our law system. Arresting him with all our evidence gathered so far would be ineffective. So, he must be dealt with in another fashion … before he can make contract with the Syndicate.” Akari removes a cloth from the bucket, rings it out and wipes her face.
“Why is Clave needed for this mission?”
“It’s very important that his activities end in this next encounter. We have suspicion that the agreement will supply the Syndicate with designs for U.F. battle suits. Vellian knows his life is in danger. So he has chosen the location for the meeting with the Syndicate rep carefully. It’s a civilian-populated building. We will need a separate cell to infiltrate the building and dispose of him.”
“Understood.” Akari replies.
“Akari, is the boy prepared to complete a mission of this caliber?” Akari clinches her cloth tight.
“Yes, without a doubt. However, surviving this mission is another matter—”
“You will have permission to scout a new pupil should that be the case. I will send you the mission logistics within the hour.” Agent Damon disconnects. Akari tosses her cloth without looking. It lands gracefully into a nearby bucket of water.
“Clave, break time is over! Now we fix your subpar coordination.” Akari says. Clave moves to the middle of the room and starts to stretch.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
“They just gave you your first mission.” Akari replies. Clave looks down at his hands. He slowly closes them and then opens them back up.
“Already?” he asks.
“Clave, they don’t expect you to survive this.” Akari says as she approaches Clave. “Prove them wrong.”
Chapter 8
Intermission
Time: Early evening.
Location: Sprawl 15—Caroline’s House.
Zuri and Vin return home and find the door open. There is a man inside talking to Caroline. Anul is standing next to him with her bags.
“What’s going on here?” Zuri asks. The man and Caroline turn around to face the youths. Vin steps forward.
“Father?” Standing next to Caroline is General Quell Taurus. “Hello, Vin.”
“What are you doing here? Anul, why are you packed?” Vin asks. General Taurus steps closer to Anul.
“She is coming with me and I wanted to extend the offer to you, as well.”
“She’s not going anywhere!” Vin says firmly. General Taurus and Vin both turn to Anul.
“Anul, do you want to go?” Vin asks. Anul looks down slightly. “Anul …” Vin says disappointedly.
“I don’t want to leave you, brother. But here I am just an extra burden to Caroline. It’s better if I stay with Dad for a while.” Caroline approaches Anul.
“You are no burden, I assure you.” Caroline hugs Anul.
“Even still ... we promised we would return after he got back from Beta Earth.” Anul replies. General Taurus takes a good look at Vin. He is proud to see his son has grown into a good young man.
“I’m not going. Anul, you do realize he is just going to use you once you join him.” Vin says.
“I do. I want to train, Vin,” Anul says as she rubs her arm.
“He will probably make you enlist.” Vin says.
“I know.” she replies. A frown crosses Vin’s face.
“Fine, leave, but don’t expect me to follow,” he says.
“Vin, please think about it. I’m in the sprawls for one more day. I’ll stop by tomorrow. You can give me your final answer then.” General Taurus says as he leaves. Anul follows him bags in hand. Caroline and Zuri watch Vin as he hangs his head in thought. Zuri places his hand lightly on Vin’s shoulder.
“Listen, man, he is your father. I understand if—” Vin interrupts. “He’s only my father in blood. To me he’s a General first ... and if he really cared. He would convince the U.F. to help us in the sprawls. As far as I’m concerned, I am staying here to help and protect my family.” Caroline tears up and hugs Vin. “Thank you, Vin. You know, no matter what you decide, you are always welcome here.”
“Damn, and just when I thought I would be rid of my pest of a bro.” Zuri says with a grin. Caroline wipes her tears.
“Don’t even joke like that, Zuri. You know as well as I do you would be lost without him.”
“Yeah, I guess I’d rather be lost ... with him.” Zuri says.
“What the heck does that mean?” Vin replies. They all let out a joyous laugh that settles the tension in the air.
“Come on, let’s eat and rest. We have a big day tomorrow, Vin.” Zuri says. Vin replies with a nod as they enter the kitchen together.
Chapter 9
Mission Pt. 2
Time: Next day—afternoon.
Location: Outskirts of City District 11—two
blocks south of Civil Administration Building E.
Two members of U.F.’s Special Praetorian Quality Reconnaissance Unit, Rick and San, wait on a hill and monitor the Civil Admin Building. Clave approaches the two members from the south. Rick spots Clave and waves him over. “You’re a little late. That’s okay today but don’t make a habit of it.” Rick quickly examines Clave.
“I assume you’re Akari’s guy.”
“Correct.” Clave responds as he hands Rick an identification card, “I’m Clave. Sorry, I had to set up.”Rick puts the card into a machine, it verifies Clave’s identity. After the process is complete he returns the card.
“I’m Rick and this is San. We are a part of the United Federation Army known as Special Praetorian Quality Reconnaissance Unit or SPQR. Actually, some just call us Ops, but—” San interrupts while he checks out Clave’s equipment.
“Hey, look at this guy’s gear. Customized combat suit with reinforced padding. V61 integrated com system. Duel swords, I mean who uses those anymore? And is that … those boots.”
“Zero Force.” Clave replies. San whistles as he closely examines his boots.
“Didn’t even know the U.F. released those yet.”
“They haven’t.” Clave says. San continues to check out Clave’s equipment. He notices something interesting.
“Hey, where are your guns?”
“I don’t need them.” Clave replies.
“No projectile or laser?” San says with a puzzled look on his face.
“Akari trains special members. I am sure that type of weapon would just hinder him.” Rick says as he opens a laptop. He spins a layer of the display screen around, makes it bigger in dimension. On the display screen is a digital blueprint of the operation. “I know you’ve seen this already but here’s a quick review.”
Rick touches the interactive screen. “It has been confirmed that Matthew Vellian is located on the fourth floor. The Syndicate representative who is coming to present the contract is currently enroute.” Rick uses his fingers to zoom in on the fourth floor of the building. “As you can see, there are plenty of civilians mixed in with Vellian’s guards. The walls and windows are reinforced, preventing a swift outside attack. Also, Vellian’s intelligence and security is excellent. All spies we have used to infiltrate have been made and disposed of.”
Rick runs his hand around the screen. It changes the display to reveal the floor layouts of the building. Various green, red, and gray dots litter the screen. The colors represent civilian, enemy, and unknown.
“Because of certain political constraints, we can’t barge in there and immediately take him out. We have to wait for him to actually sign the document.”
One of the green dots turns yellow, indicating Vellian himself. Rick rolls his hand over the display again and it shows purple dots. This indicates the rest of the S.P.Q.R. team. They are gathering around the front of the building. “Once Vellian signs, our team will move in and stage an attrition battle in the front. We will have the roof and the front entrance locked down. All Vellian can do is escape from the side entrances. Bear in mind, he may try to make his own exit. Do not trust the doors.”
Rick runs his hand over the display, quickly putting red crosses on all side doors. “Your job is to end Matthew Vellian after we flush him out. And take out the Syndicate representative if you get the chance.” Clave nods in confirmation.
“He will be armed along with his guards.” San says.
“No problem.” Clave replies. In a flash, the reality of his first actual mission sinks in. Strangely enough, he is not scared or nervous. If anything, he is excited to show off his ability to Rick and his team. He is also excited to gauge his training with Akari. San rubs his hand across his chin. “Have you had any experience?”
Clave turns to San.“Simulation.” he replies.
“What? You’re still green?” San asks. Rick shakes his head no. “San, Akari’s simulations are different. They are life and death. This guy may have more experience than all of us combined.” San sizes Clave up and crosses his arms.
“I guess we’ll see, won’t we?” Rick receives a signal from his communication band. He listens to his ear piece and nods a few times. “Okay, looks like the Syndicate rep has arrived. Clave, get to your mark and await orders.”
Clave runs towards the Civil Building. I never got to master my coordination training. I hope the rest of Akari’s teachings pay off. Clave thinks as he heads to his destination. Rick and San watch Clave as he runs in the distance.
“Rick ... am I blind, or was he just a kid?” San says.
“I know. They are making ’em younger and younger, San. Anyway, let’s move.”
Chapter 10
Mission Pt. 3
Time: Afternoon.
Location: Just outside the Molbis Clan hideout in Sprawl 15.
Jest-Ker waits impatiently by a dead tree as Zuri and Vin stroll up. Jest-Ker snaps at them, “Damn, it’s about time! Why the hell are you two always late?” Vin surveys the area while Zuri walks up to Jest-Ker. He ignores his initial comment.
“Hey, what is this mission about?” Zuri asks. “All the boss told us to do was to meet here.”
“That’s because it’s all you needed to know. Like Shane would actually tell you low-rank grunts anything important.” Jest-Ker says with a laugh. Zuri frowns slightly but disregards his buffoonery. “Did you bring what he told you to?” Jest-Ker asks. Zuri pulls a small envelope from his inner pocket and holds it out.
Jest-Ker snatches it from Zuri and smiles brightly. “We are here to talk with the Molbis Clan. Actually, I am here to do that. You two are here as my backups. As if I, Jest-Ker, master negotiator and fighter, even really need it. You are here just for show ... let’s start moving.”
Jest-Ker heads towards the Molbis Clan’s hideout. Zuri and Vin look at each other, they are suspicious about Jest-Ker’s motives. The Molbis Clan is another gang in Sprawl 15. They are usually docile and content with the territory they have. The Faux Forsaken is their main competition.
Even so, they don’t necessarily hate them. But make no mistake, they don’t consider them friends, either. Jest-Ker stops in front of an entrance. It’s so inconspicuous that most people wouldn’t notice it. There are two big guards on each side of the steel door.
Crumbled concrete is scattered all around the entry way. Faint noises can be heard emanating from inside. Jest-Ker walks up to one of the guards. “I’m Jest-Ker. I believe you guys are expecting me.” One of the guards steps in front of the door.
“Hold on. Do you have it?” he asks in a deep voice. Jest-Ker hands him the envelope. The guard takes it and peeks inside. His eyes widen after viewing the contents. He closes the envelope and hands it back to Jest-Ker.
The guard opens the hideout door and steps aside. Jest-Ker enters and Zuri follows right behind him. Jest-Ker stops, turns around and pushes Zuri out of the entrance. “I can handle it from here. You two wait out here until I get back. If I need help, I’ll call.” Jest-Ker says with a hint of arrogance.
He then slams the door in his face. Zuri furious, keeps his composure as he turns to Vin. “Let’s wait over here.” The two walk over to a pile of rubble not too far from the entrance and watch the door.
“I’ve just about had it with this gang!” Zuri says.
“What else can we do?” Vin asks as he watches the two Molbis guards. “You know there isn’t very many ways we can make this kind of money in the sprawl.” Zuri looks at Vin and notices that he is squinting hard.
“You should really get some glasses, man,” Zuri says.
“I know.” Vin replies softly. They both stand silently for a moment. Lost in their own thoughts.
“Yeah, well maybe I’ll just start my own gang.” Zuri suddenly says.
“Are you serious?” Vin asks.
“Yes, seriously man, I’ve been thinking. There are tons of people here in our situation. If we had our own gang, we could make it respectable, one that actually protects the
sprawls and provides work instead of leeches off everyone.” Zuri says. Vin shakes his head.
“You need two things we don’t have—power and money.”
“Yeah, but we have time. And we can get the other two if we are smart about it.” Zuri replies. “As a matter fact.” Zuri looks over at the guards. “Wait here a minute.” Zuri says as he walks over to the two Molbis guards. “Hey, do you guys happen to know why Jest-Ker is here?” Zuri asks. The guards look at each other and then stare at Zuri blankly. “Just looking for a little info.” Zuri says. The two guards smile condescendingly.
“You must be low rank in your crew or something. He is here to continue negotiations about our alliance.” one of the guards says.
“An alliance? In our sprawl?” Zuri is shocked by the prospect. The Molbis guard replies with a nod.
“Yeah, I know, but I guess Shane thinks your new boss might need some assistance.” Zuri now confused, is growing anxious.
“N-New boss? What? Who?” The guards look at each other and laugh.
“Are you sure you’re even in the Faux Forsaken or are you two pledging?” Zuri ignores the comment and asks the more important question.
“Who’s in charge now?” Vin notices the guards laughing hard as Zuri turns and walks away from them. Zuri approaches Vin with a very concerned look on his face.
“What’s up?” Vin asks. Zuri looks at Vin with confusion and fear in his eyes.
“We have a new leader.”
“What? When did this happen?” Vin asks.
“Yesterday.” Zuri replies. His eyes trail off as he tries to absorb the information he has just received but Vin is growing impatient.
“Well, who is it?” Vin asks.
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