On the Other side of the Moon
By: Maritza Lara (Jarjayes)
A full moon night. That is what they needed. The huge ball of light poked its powdery face into the sky. The air was cold and windy. The rooftops were windier. There were four men in black in one side and four men in white in the other. In the middle, against the backdrop of the moon's visage stood the mysterious dark cladded figure, waiting. Waiting for what?, they wondered with unease.
The figure stood still. He did not move an inch from his post. His cape did all the flapping in the wind's violent caress. All were mesmerized. Instant paralysis! No one could move.
Suddenly, the figure spoke in his authoritive voice. "You think I don't know of your betrayal? You think I'll let you all off that easy. Think again cause you are all going to die, tonight."
"You got it all wrong! We only wanted to help Hayakawa, not betray him!"
"Not from where I am standing. Prepare to fight, Abyssinian, this may be your last."
"Wait! This is not right!"
"Too late!"
"Wait!"
The figure sprung from his post with a katana in hand.
Chapter OneIt was another summer day like any other. Business at the Kitten in the House Flower Shop flourished as a myriad of schoolgirls milled about to have their daily dose of their favorite eye-candy, namely, the four boys of Weiss. The store was beautifully spellbinding. A new shipment of rare flowers have arrived enchanting the environment with their seductive aroma. Aya, as always, tried his hardest to avoid all those stupid girls by this time going into the back room taking inventory of, not only the new plants, but of the pots, the sacks upon sacks of soil, and other things, but most importantly, the order of a brand new kind of fertilizer.
Attending to the customers, Yoji used his charm to sales pitch the ladies into purchasing the flowers as well as to get their phone numbers. Ken, on the other hand, tended to the cash register whereas, Omi, watered the plants on display as two girls made idle conversation with him about the personal care of flowers. With all this going on, they did not notice Manx walking into the shop strutting off her long legs and moving her hips from side to side. Ken was the first to see her enter and coming to him, her red curls bouncing all the way. She removed her sunglasses, her EXPENSIVE sunglasses, standing there waiting for him to finish attending one of these foolish bimbos. It was not long until the girl in front of her bowed to Ken graciously, then taking leave with a poinsettia in her grasp. Ken bowed in return then waving her off.
"I see things are going smoothly today," Manx said as a matter of fact, placing her leather portfolio on top of the counter. She smiled. Ken knew why she smiled. Obviously, she was not here on a social call.
"Would you like me to call the others downstairs?," Ken asked, already knowing the answer.
"Would you?," Manx winked.
"Let me tell the shopkeeper, first," Ken added.
"I'll meet you in the Underworld, then," she placed the sunglasses back on her face, proceeding ahead.
"I hope this is worth cutting a date for," Youji complained to Aya as they descended into the basement.
Aya, as always, said nothing.
Ken and Omi were already waiting for them with Manx, as she brought out the folders holding the details of their new assignment.
"You can worry about your love life, later, Yaten. Right now, there are more important matters to tend to," she reminded.
"Don't tell me you have sonar, too?," he joked, taking his seat beside Ken, next to the refrigerator.
"I'm a woman. And as a woman, I'm more than just a cleaning kit with boobs and a leash around her neck. I crack nuts for a living."
"Itai," all four winced at the thought.
Manx brought out the videotape.
"I hope you sent the VCR on repairs. I can't afford to lose another tape."
"With what Kritiker pays you, I'm surprised you don't carry around an extra VCR just in case something like that happens," Aya pointed out.
"Hey, if I didn't pay my rent I was going to be evicted. It's not my fault real life gets in the way. Now, IS or IS NOT your VCR in working order?," she asked, eyeing each one of them, starting from Omi, then Aya, working her way to Ken, next to the fridge.
Youji broke the silence, answering, "I just got it out of the shop this morning but with all the chaos going on with the new shipment and junk, well, I left it in the car. Heh," He ended with a sheepish smile.
"Are you crazy?!," Ken bursted. "That junk heap is missing a window, what if it rains?!"
"That junk heap, as you call it, has taken you places! Besides, I watched the forecast this morning and there is only a 50% chance of rain!"
"Love the odds, Yotan. Remind me to bring you along on Pachinko Night," added Aya, in his eternally depressed mood.
"ENOUGH!," Manx hollered. "Let's not waste any more time! Yotan, go get the VCR and make it snappy!," she ordered.
"Yes, Maam," Youji concurred with a bit of a smirk. Without further ado, he left his place.
***
"Get the VCR, she says. Why don't she get her own damn VCR!," Youji complained as he stomped towards his car. It was sunny outside. NO rain clouds in sight. And to think they were all worried. "Heh, rain he says…. there's not a stupid cloud in sight." Yotan crawled in through the car window, reaching for the VCR. He successfully grabbed it and yanked the gizmo, which had seen better nights with countless numbers of triple X films and Youji getting it on with some girl he had just met for the day. What adventures they both had and what moments they both shared. Pulling it out of the car, he quickly head back to the store. Yup, he figured, they both shared unforgettable moments. He patted the machine lovingly. No one understands.
Back in the basement, Youji had finished installing his pride and joy to the television set. The machine was already set to go as Youji stepped back to give it room to breathe and show all what it's made of. Ken, still next to the fridge, had dosed off during the 15 minutes it took his friend to connect the damn thing.
"Honestly, if you were to take this long in bed as you take hooking up a simple VCR, I applaud you," commented Manx with a sly smile across her face and beady eyes.
"With Yotan's luck, he'd be lucky if the girl can hold out five minutes before succeeding at doing SOMETHING," said Omi.
"Shut up, runt!," yelled Youji, getting annoyed. "If you weren't my friend…"
"What would you do?," challenged Omi.
Before Youji could answer, Manx ordered both guys to shut up as she handed a tape to Aya, who in turn, inserted the cassette into the VCR. He pressed PLAY, ordered Omi to turn off the lights, sat back, boinked Ken on the head, Ken woke up startled, Aya got back into place, Youji got comfortable on the floor, and everyone was silent.
The insignia of the White Cross appeared across the screen. Persia's familiar silhouette came into view. "Greetings! I'm sure you four are rested from the last assignment. I commend you on a job well done! I am proud! I want you all to know that. Now, on to business!"
"You four very well know how close we are to closing down the Takatori crime syndicate for good. If it weren't for you and the agents here at Kritiker, none of this would have been possible. However, despite of this being a fact, we are now faced with a new problem and it needs to be taken care of immediately."
The four guys listened attentively not wanting to miss any important detail of the new assignment. Manx observed them each, expecting some reaction. They were calm, sitting in their favorite spots like nothing serious is happening. A photograph of a distinguished-looking man in a beige suit, appearing to be in his late fifties, popped up on the screen.
"This man is Ryouma Hayakawa. He's a Biochemist and president of Hayakawa Industries in charge of developing medicines, weaponry, among other things. At present, he is developing an anti-aging drug for Kritiker, which is supposed to rejuvenate DNA. We need that drug so we can help our agents. Unfortunately, we are not the only ones interested in acquiring the formula."
Another picture popped up. This time it was of another man with grayish hair. "This is Hotaru Maeda. Best known as one of Takatori's allies. We suspect that he is after the formula so that he can use it for his own sadistic purposes. We also believe that he's behind the attempts on Hayakawa's life. Your mission is not to end Maeda's life if not to protect Hayakawa and his family from any further attempts. He is arriving today in Japan after 13 years living abroad. You are to meet with him at four in the Hayakawa Industries complex. He is fully aware of your arrival. He is expecting you."
"Remember, he is more than just a mere industrialist to me, he is also my best friend and I want you to protect him with your lives. Hunters of the light, make sure the beasts of darkness don't see the light of day."
The tape stopped. Manx switched the lights back on. The boys stared at each other. Then, Aya started, " Since when are we babysitters?"
Manx replied, "Don't look at it as babysitting. Look at it as any other job you'll do well in order to get paid well."
"Anti-aging cream? We are going to protect a man who's into cosmetics?," added Ken, "Now, I've seen everything!"
"We are assassins! We get paid to assassinate! Terrorists, drug lords, pimps with bad wardrobes…since when are we bodyguards?! Come on, Manx!," complained Youji.
"There's a first for everything. And you are going to do this if you don't want me to install new air-conditioning in the room between your ears! Look! If Persia picked you idiots for this job it must be VERY important! So, stop complaining! We need to protect that formula. We must ensure the agency's future. If Takatori or anyone else gets their hands on it, we are in a heap of trouble! Got that?!," threatened Manx.
"Looks like we have no other choice," replied Aya, leaning back on his seat.
Youji, looking at his friend, blurted, "You can't be serious, Aya!"
"What do you suggest we do?"
Omi chimed in, "We ought to do it, what do we have to lose?"
"Our social lives," added Ken.
"How hard can it be protecting a guy?," asked Omi.
"Maeda has hired Schwartz to guard him," added Manx.
All eyes widened.
Youji then said, "Oh, shit!"
***
Riding in Youji's junky car, Ken, after some time keeping silent, finally asked, "Remind me again WHY we accepted this job?!"
Aya answered, "There is good pay involved."
Omi continued, "Promised vacation time for two months anywhere we like and all expenses paid."
Youji finished, "And one pissed off Manx pointing a .44 to my head."
"Gee, I thought it was because you wanted to expand your horizons or some crap like that?," said Ken.
"Yeah, well, this wasn't what I had in mind," rebutted Youji.
"Look on the bright side, Yotan, maybe you'll meet some hot office chick," Ken giggled.
"Yeah, and give her my phone number," he laughed in return.
Aya, always putting a damper on things, reminded, "Need I remind you we are on a mission, Yotan?"
"Yeah, yeah! But, if I can score myself a date, why not?! I've been dying for months for a little companionship, dammit!"
"For now, focus on the mission, and leave the gun to rest for today. We have a client to protect. Persia is counting on us," Aya said. (While you're at it, get yourself a better car.)
"Sheesh, and I thought I was worried," Youji complained.
Omi added, " I hope this is worth the money, Aya. I mean, I wouldn't want to waste valuable time protecting a tycoon when we can be out there killing some real dangerous people who are bent out on world domination."
Ken and Youji bursted out in laughter. Aya did not find Omi's joke amusing. He muttered under his breath as the others guffawed for their own amusement. It could not be helped. They were just trying to let out a little steam before meeting with their next assignment…Ryoma Hayakawa. At least, for their own comfort, they can take things in stride. This time they did not have to worry about getting themselves killed, or even worse, humiliating themselves. Aya, for one part, took the job for that advantage. It was a nice change of pace, whether he wanted to admit it to the others or not. It was easier to have them hear him complain than to let them know how complacent he felt. But still, he felt that even an amateur was better suited for this job than they were. They were more suited for stopping terrorists and maniacal madmen. The pay was good, though. It was too good for a simple job like this. Something was up. He did not like it. Kritiker was not giving them all the details.
It was not long before they had arrived at Hayakawa Industries. They wasted no time in passing through the front doors, checking in with the receptionist, and guided themselves up the elevator. In no time, they reached the top floor, the 13th, and standing before Hayakawa's office. While Aya, Omi, and Ken sat on the chairs, Youji was busy acquainting himself with the secretary who happened to be a foreigner. She was quite pretty with reddish-brown hair cut in a page. Youji learned she was Rumanian and her name was Katja.
Ken whispered to Omi, "He sure doesn't waste time when it comes to pretty girls."
Omi nodded agreeing with Ken.
Aya was just observing the transition that went on with Youji and that secretary. She giggled, alright, but hardly looked impressed with Youji's attempt of seducing her. She seemed more in control of the situation than he was. Will Youji ever learn?, Aya wondered to himself. Then, he sighed. He looked around, soon realizing that there were a lot of foreigners working here as much as there were Japanese. Apparently, Hayakawa really got around when it came to running a prestigious business. He hired the best.
His reverie was interrupted once the doors to the office opened ushering out a tall, elegant black woman who spoke perfect Japanese. The guys, especially, Youji were impressed at seeing this goddess of a woman come out strutting with a grace that only the gods can command. She was absolutely beautiful! With the authority of an Amazon Queen, she directed herself to the four men waiting out in the lobby for their appointment.
"Hello."
They all stood up in attention like little tin soldiers. She smiled ever so beautifully. They bowed in reverence to her. She continued speaking, "I am Nefertiti Zimbula. I am sure you have already met Katja Romanova," she gestured to the secretary. "Mr. Hayakawa has been expecting you so please follow me." Without anything further, they did as she said. Youji made sure not to forget throwing a wink at Katja before the door closed behind him. "Please sit," Nefertiti Zimbula instructed them. "Mr. Hayakawa will be with you shortly," she informed them as they took their seats in front of the desk in this huge office. "Would you like any refreshments?"
"What do you have?," Omi inquired.
"What your heart desires," she answered. Then, she quickly turned her attention to Youji, "And I mean in drinks, Mr. Kudou, not in diversion. And in any case, we have plenty of cold water."
Youji gulped. He thought, how could she have known that he was thinking exactly what she thought he was thinking? "A beer would be fine, miss…er…"
"Zimbula…Mr. Kudou."
"Yeah, right," Youji replied feeling rather intimidated.
"I'll take a Coke," said Ken.
"Me too!," Omi quickly added.
"And you?," she looked at Aya.
"Coffee…black, please."
"Thank you…I'll return with your orders." With that, she stepped out of the office.
Youji, as soon as she left, put in his two cents. "How did she know I was thinking it?"
Aya answered, "Simple, it's written all over you."
" You gotta stop being so obvious, Yotan. One of these days your friend's gonna get you into serious trouble if you're not careful," Ken told him.
"Sheesh, like right!," Youji seemed bothered by his colleague's observation.
"Well, anyway, do you suppose this Hayakawa knows what we are?"
"If he's Persia's friend, he has to know," said Aya.
"I hope that beer's cold," Youji complained.
"It's always about you, isn't it?," Ken turned to face him.
"Oh, shut up, Pelé," Youji grunted.
"I'd like to see you make me," Ken challenged.
Before Youji could do anything to shut Ken's mouth up, the doors next to the desk slid open, ushering in a tall man with pitch-black hair wearing a black suit. His skin was tanned, his eyes were golden brown, and he wore his hair combed in a cowlick. He was both elegant and strikingly threatening as he was extremely attractive. Obviously, this was Hayakawa's personal bodyguard. Aya remembered seeing him photographed with his boss. He remembered Manx saying how loyal this guy was as well as how dangerous. Those words did not faze him at all. Behind him came three more guards.
"I'm John Sloan, personal bodyguard to Mr. Hayakawa. If you gentlemen do not mind, my colleagues here will frisk you for weapons. And if we so happen to find any, we will take the liberty in confiscating them until you leave these premises," his speech was cold.
"If you don't mind, Mr. Sloan, we prefer handing them to you if we had any," answered Aya.
Not appreciating Aya's sarcastic remark, Sloan ordered his men to search them for weapons. They held their hands in the air while being violated by masculine hands. "Hey!," cried Youji, upon feeling a hand prying at his crotch.
"They're clean, Sir!," informed one of them.
"Not quite," said Sloan, indicating to one of them to remove Youji's wristwatch.
"Hey! A girl gave me that!," he protested.
It was not long before Sloan pulled out the wire from the watch's head. The guy's were impressed with the casualty this guy figured out Youji's secret.
"It's pretty strong. It's been years I've seen wire of this make. You obviously take good care of it," he held the wire close to his nostrils as if smelling it, "and a lot of blood have been spilt with this gadget. Very impressive! If you don't mind, I will hang on to this until you leave."
Youji harrumphed his reply. He wasn't amused with this guy at all. Sloan instructed the four to put their hands down. He looked to the side, "Mr. Hayakawa, it's safe, now. They're clean."
With that said, Hayakawa finally appeared through those sliding doors. Standing at his desk, with his back to the window, he welcomed the Weiss guys and instructed them to take a seat. They did as they were told. Hayakawa instructed three of this guards to wait outside, John was the only one allowed to stay.
"Well, now, I'm sure Persia has filled you in with the details of this assignment. John and I had been considering my need for added protection for some time, now. I, honestly, am happier with not worrying about my life, at all. However, I have a family to protect and John, here, had suggested I hire some agents to protect them. There are many people, as you may be aware, that are just dying to get their mitts on my anti-aging formula. And they are prepared to target anybody in my family just to get to me. I don't know if you are comfortable with the fact that I need you as bodyguards but the lives of the people I love come first in my book. I could careless about me."
Aya asked, "Mr. Hayakawa, why us? Any other with less experience than us can manage a job like this."
"Because I'm fully aware that you're the best and I need the best to safeguard everything I've worked for. I've been developing this formula for Kritiker for years and I've finally managed the results I've so long strived to achieve. Mind you," he began pacing about, "there's been a lot of trial and error. We've done many tests. Many have failed. But now that we finally managed to get it right, thanks to many of our scientists that have worked side by side with Kritiker, we've finally got it!"
Aya again, "And what makes you believe anyone wants to kill you, Sir? If you don't mind me asking a stupid question?"
"Two attempts have already been made on my life, Mr. Fujimiya. Plus a number of death threats. Plus, my wife was almost killed with a car bomb. Does that answer your question?," Hayakawa was stern when he said this. "Now, you can't complain about the pay. I think it's to your satisfaction. If not, I'm willing to raise it."
"You're kidding?!," Youji said, surprised. The others practically jumped out of their seats upon hearing this.
"Mr. Hayakawa never "kids" around, " said John Sloan, putting in his two cents with a robotic flair that only James Cameron would love.
Aya couldn't help look at this man with such disdain. Neither could Sloan keep himself from giving Aya a piercing stare. Obviously, Aya could tell right off that this man, this Jack Sloan, did not like him as much. Although, for Aya, the feeling was mutual. He sensed this to be the beginning of a rough friendship, if any at all. They eyed each other with contempt. Youji and the others noticed this, hoping that Aya would not do anything stupid to upset this man...he was bigger than them. Itai! A punch from this guy would set the boys from the women. Whatever that meant.
"Aya," Yoten whispered, "we'd like to get out of here alive if you don't mind?"
Sloan grinned, which was scary. As tension mounted up in the room, the door opened with Katja wheeling in a cart with their drinks and four pieces of cake with extra whipped cream.
"Mr. Hayakawa, Mr. Sloan, how was your flight?," she asked with a smile as she served the guys their refreshments.
Hayakawa replied with the same enthusiasm she expressed, "Very well, Katja. A little jet-lagged, but very well. And how is it with you? I haven't heard from you for quite a bit."
"It's quite good. Mr. Sloan, you want any coffee?"
"No, Katja...but I will like some green tea."
"Coming right up, sir. Mr. Hayakawa, you'll be taking your coffee later, is that correct?"
"Yes. That will be ideal."
Sloan then said to her, "That will be all, Katja."
She bowed in reverence and left the office strutting the stuff that God gave her. At present, Youji felt something hard in his pants and it was not loose change. Aya continued staring at John while drinking his coffee. Omi and Ken spooned in their cake washing that down with Coke.
"Should I double your fee?," offered Hayakawa.
Aya replied, "It'll make it worth our while, Sir."
"Done!," Hayakawa swung round his desk reaching for the intercom, "Miss Zimbula?"
"Sir?"
"Bring in the checks, please."
"Right away, Sir."
"Well, now that that is over with I have a favor to ask," Hayakawa said with glee. "You see, my wife arrives from London this evening at Narita. These flights take a lot out of a person and I thought it would be nice if she had a welcoming committee..."
"You want us to pick her up, is that right?," Aya inquired rather boorishly.
"That's right," he replied.
"May we remind you, you are getting paid for this," reminded John.
"And if Misses Hayakawa all of a sudden has the desire for last minute shopping, then take her wherever she chooses. After a long flight, she's usually tired and exhausted and some good shopping always raises her spirits up."
"Mr. Hayakawa, need I remind you that we are here as bodyguards and not as babysitters!," Aya protested.
"Are you telling me that simply doing what I ask is too difficult for you and your colleagues, Mr. Fujimiya? If it is, I will talk to Persia and ask him to send over other agents willing enough to undertake this simple task of picking my wife up from the airport and showing her a good time. Anyway, it's just money we're talking about. And who cares about the formula, right?"
"What time?," Aya finally said.