Chapter 1: Aftermath
A large room was blanketed in darkness; only advanced hologram monitors on the back wall illuminated the room and the viewer with a soft coloured glow. A slight hum of the ventilation system and the super computer processing the data broke the silence. Not even the bored rocking of the master chair made even the slightest creek.
So boring...she thought as she continued to scan through recent computer files that once belonged to the former CEO of the S.I.N. Corporation. It was then she saw a curious file that read only a name.
"Ryu...?" She muttered cocking an eyebrow. "Open to main screen."
Subject: Ryu. Age: 27. Residency: Unknown
Subject has been specially selected as the ideal candidate for the BLECE test subject.
Ryu, champion of countless fighting tournaments and has demonstrated an almost unparalleled mastery of chi. The subjects adept ability with channeling this natural energy is what made him the ideal candidate to bring the BLECE project to it's full potential.
Locating said subject is difficult due to his random movements across the world. His seeking opponents from various lands has led him to be a vagabond. Agent Crimson Viper was once successful in locating Ryu to collect data of his inner power, but once the power surfaced from within the subject, he was impossible to apprehend.
Interesting, the woman thought as her soft lips curled into a smirk.
"All right, all right, stop. Play whatever video footage you got of his fights." She broke from her slouched position and sat upright intently.
The main monitor began skimming through the many highlight fights of the martial artist. It played the footage when Ryu scarred the chest of the former Street Fighter Champion, Sagat. It was a bloody spectacle, and a sight of wondrous brutality to the eyes of Juri, causing her grin maliciously.
Next was Ryu blasting M. Bison away with a powerful ball of energy followed up by a tremendous uppercut that sent the leader of Shadowloo exploding from his own unstable psycho power.
"Whoa, pause!" She demanded abruptly. "When was that?"
This footage was taken 4 years ago, shortly before the second World Warriors Tournament Bison held.
"He beat Bison, huh? Why was M. Bison after this Ryu guy?"
Lord Bison found Ryu to be superior body replacement. He attempted to apprehend Ryu. Agent Juni, proved to be inferior than the subject, and failed.
"Interesting...I heard this guy was in the Tournament Seth held, no doubt that tin can was trying to lure him out again?"
Affirmative. In Seths first personal encounter with Ryu, the subject demonstrated a new form of power different than the Satsui no Hado.
"Is Bison still keeping tabs on Ryu?"
Our readers indicate that Bison has his surveillance constantly searching for Ryu. The subject is not yet detected from our last connection with the Shadowloo network.
"Do we know where the guy is?"
Negative.
Rotating her chair away from the monitor, Juri's eye squinted from the sly smile that crept across her face. "Well we best start looking."
In a dim-lit laboratory the diligent scientists worked frantically as they checked the data they've been receiving. Their pristine lab coats bore the shadaloo badge on their right breast, proudly showing their affiliation with their faction. They punched the keys on their advanced computer systems frantically. Monitors were located all over the room and the sound of computers processing echoed throughout the room.
"Lord Bison is in critical state," The lead scientist said adjusting his goggles as he leaned closer to the monitor showing his masters Vitals. "It seems he was pushing his body to its limits...I warned him his recovery wasn't complete."
The other scientist glanced over at their superior with a worried expression. Saying such things regarding their master was unwise, but they all knew that M. Bison valued Dr. Borskovich's research and knowledge too much to dispose of him so quickly. He was the wisest and most experienced in the facility. He served Shadaloo for two years which was one of the longer periods scientists remained in employment.
Most of them either get apprehended by the authorities or M. Bison doubts their usefulness and disposes of them. This method assured those under his employment would double their effort, less they live out their usefulness.
The automated doors opened and another younger researcher frantically barged in. "He's here!" Another scientist panted. "Master Bison is arriving in a rough state!"
"I know." Borskovich growled in annoyance. "We've all been fortunate to this point."
Everyone looked over curiously at the lead scientist who sneered as he stroked his wiry grey beard.
The doors opened up once more and M. Bison emerged through the door way. His strides were strong, but stiff. To the untrained eye he was as strong as ever, but Borskovich knew that Bison was certainly hurting from his last encounter from Seth's tournament.
"Ah, welcome back Lord Bison." Borskovich bowed humbly. "I hear you were successful in eradicating Seth."
"Yes," Bison said as he took a seat on one of the benched by the one test-tube that he was once regenerated in before the most recent tournament. "What is the status of retrieving HIM."
Borskovich grinned. "Balrog has apprehended the boy already." He said confidently. "We're preparing the equipment as we speak."
"Good. And Vega acquired the data from the S.I.N. facility before it's destruction?"
"I thought you'd have a little more faith in me, Lord Bison." A smooth, Spanish accent responded. Dropping down from the ceiling was a slender, but very muscular man, his face was hidden by an ominous white mast. A foot and a half long claw, securely attached to his right forearm, made the individual look even more menacing. As frightening his appearance was, his well kept ponytail and elegant sash and pants gave him a great sense of refinement. How long Vega had been hiding up there or how he got up there undetected in the first place was something that would remain a mystery.
Extending his left had, holding a data disk, he bowed gracefully. "I had thought my time in service to you would have made you the slightest bit more confident in my abilities."
Bison sneered as he took the data disk from Vega's hand. "Perhaps it has."
"N-now we have all the piece!" Borskovich said excitedly. "I will be sure to double my people's efforts to have the equipment ready as soon as humanly possible!"
"Everything is going according to my plan" Bison grinned. "The set back regarding Juri will soon be resolved in due time. But there's still one more thing for you to do Vega."
"Another job so soon?" Vega sighed pulling back his mask. "I hope this plan won't interfere with my scheduled cage match."
"When Balrog returns I want you to track down Ryu. Bring him to me alive."
Vega's face frowned slightly as he silently sighed once more. He and Bison knew that locating Ryu was no trivial task. The wandering vagabond could be anywhere in the world, from the big crowded cities, to the isolated mountaintops.
"Very well, Lord Bison..." The masked menace replied bitterly, knowing that there was no hope for his cage match now.
Out in a far off forest a warrior's cries could be heard echoing breaking the hissing of the nearby waterfall.
"KYAAAAA!" The man roared as he kicked high into the air. From ten feet up in the air he began to descend back to the earth. Regardless as to how high off the ground he was he landed silently and softly back into his fighting stance, ready to continue the series of techniques in the kata .
Each movement he made was crisp, his stances flawless, his mind focused. He's performed the routine of techniques countless times in the past, but it was different today. Never before has the moves come out so naturally and without struggle. Inside himself, he felt an unusual peace that his master had given him after their match after the tournament that was held by the S.I.N. corporation.
Has the Satsui no Hado truly been sealed away inside myself? Ryu wondered. Am I free to push myself as hard as I can without the worry losing control? These thoughts of doubt drifted inside the warrior's head, but would ultimately be stomped out by his faith in his master.
"Tatsumakisempuukyaku!" Ryu exploded into the air, as he performed the technique with ease.
No longer would he have to hold back due to his concern of being consumed by the evil Hado. Now he could fight as hard he could ever desire. Thoughts of recklessness has surfaced in his mind, but his discipline would always get the better of him. For once, Ryu felt truly free.