Favors

Mansao De Marfim, Jundiai, Sao Paulo state, Brazil…

An unknown assailant asked her to come by his private mansion for a special meeting. The woman coming is none other than the bounty hunter/assassin, Katarina Alves. She was raised by an unnamed man after losing her family as a child. That is until he disappeared by time she was an adult. An interesting lead came up as well about the whereabouts of this man. The assailant had the details and this is why Katarina accepted the invite at the mansion.

Katarina (Getting out the cab.): "This looks like the place. Now let's see if this man is here."

Ringing doorbell…

The Assailant's Butler: "Ah…you must the lady our master talking about."

Katarina: "Yea. I'm here as requested. May I come in?"

Butler: "Of course. Follow me."

The mansion was all granite, wide hallways, and with a large atrium showing the second floor walkway. The butler led Katarina up the stairs leading into the study room in which the owner of this mansion was sitting comfortably reading a book. He stops once the butler announces that his guest is here.

Butler: "Senhor, your guest is here to see you."

Mansion Owner: "Ah wonderful! Welcome to my mansion Catalina Alves!"

Katarina: "It's Katarina."

Mansion Owner: "Oh I'm sorry about that Katarina. Please. Sit down here."

Katarina gave the man an annoying glare over the fact he didn't properly say her name right, but she let it go and did what he said. Katarina sits across the table facing the owner and the large window which showed a storm brewing in the sky.

Mansion Owner: "Thank you for coming Katarina. I really needed to see for myself whether or not the rumors about you were true, so this is part of the reason why I requested you come here today."

Katarina: "What rumors?"

Mansion Owner: "First off, finding out you are the daughter of Martelo (nickname).

Katarina: "You know him?"

Mansion Owner: "Know him? I used to hire him for killing my adversaries. Plus, I believe he may not be dead like most people want to believe."

Katarina (Taking off the shades.): "Please sir! You have to tell me where he is! I've been worried about him! He just up and left without even telling me where he went!"

Mansion Owner: "I see. I believe he left the country in order to protect you."

Katarina: "Protect me? He should know by now I can protect myself from even the worst of people! So what makes you think that?"

Mansion Owner: "I'm afraid he may have joined the Mishima Zaibatsu. They have been a thorn on my side for years."

Katarina; "Really? Why would he go there?"

Mansion Owner: "Who knows? It could be anything. It must have been a big deal if he left you out of the decision."

Katarina: "Which is why I need help getting into the tournament. Perhaps Martelo can finally come out of hiding and see that I am looking for him!"

Mansion Owner: "You are very passionate about him. I just needed to know that for myself. So this is what I propose here in this envelope." (Pulls it out of his drawer.)

Katarina takes the brown envelope and opens it. Inside was an invitation to the King of Iron Fist Tournament, several plane tickets, the contract, and a montage of pictures with different people. She covered her mouth in disbelief over the files.

Katarina: "Is this all true?"

Mansion Owner: "We went through a lot of trouble forging that invitation. The contract is there also. Once you sign it, that means you officially work for under me as a bounty hunter. So, are you willing to accept these terms?"

Katarina: "I do, but if win the tournament, I keep all of the earnings myself. You agree?"

Mansion Owner: "That's fine with me. The Zaibatsu will be no more and I can breathe much easier this way."

Katarina (signs the contract & hands it back over.): "Now who are these people? I recognize the ugly bald headed one, Heihachi Mishima. Who are the others?"

Mansion Owner: "Some of those face are contestants who are officially in the tournament. Some of them are dangerous even if you confront them through stealth. So keep that in mind. My team has even took the liberty to analyze their fighting style and personality traits."

Katarina Alves (Not really caring.): "Hmph. I just have to take on Heihachi and win the tournament right?"

Mansion Owner: "True, but there is someone I'm interested in finding too, not just your father."

Katarina: "Who might that be?"

Mansion Owner: "The third page in that booklet on the left hand side. That's who I mean."

Katarina: "Uuu! He's a cutie! So what's his story?"

Mansion Owner: "I need you to confirm if he is dead. Last time I heard, he was actually worked under the Zaibatsu. It disappointed me greatly, since he was a close aid to one of my lawyer friends. His name is Eddy Gordo."

Katarina: "I thought that name sounded familiar. He's an elite Capoeiristo, but nothing I can't handle." (Then she sees the next person under him, and she is very attractive.)

Mansion Owner (Notices Katarina's angry expression.): "You see the girl? That's his disciple, Christie Monteiro. Another high class Capoeira fighter. My sources say, she is living in Rio teaching at an orphanage that was opened by Eddy before he left."

Katarina: "Stay away from him you bitch!"

Mansion Owner (Confused.): "Excuse me?"

Katarina (embarrassed.): "Whoops. That slipped! Forgive me! You want her taken out?"

Mansion Owner: "No. I want her alive to find out where Eddy might be. Then there is my old lawyer friend Dr. Barros. He and I haven't been seeing eye to eye on certain issues, but he may have better knowledge of Eddy's whereabouts too. So before you leave the country, travel to Rio and figure out where Eddy might be."

Katarina: "Okay, detective work. But if that's all, then this should be easy. So when do I get started?"

Mansion Owner: "After you signed the contract, you start right now. Are there any salary concerns you may have?"

Katarina: "Not at all as long as I get first class every plane trip and distribute my favorite makeup. I'm satisfied."

Mansion Owner: "Hehe. Excellent. Well, I have to leave for an engagement later tonight." (It starts raining outside.)

Katarina: "Alright. But sir, I never did get your name?"

Mansion Owner: "Just call me Mr. Seu."

Katarina: "Obrigado Senhor Seu. I'll be on my way now." (Standing now.)

Mansion Owner: "Good. Call me once you arrive in Rio tomorrow."

Katarina (Smiles.): "I will Ciao!"

By the time Mr. Seu's butler escorted Katarina out the door. It was raining hard outside. Her taxi had finally arrived. Once Katarina told the driver to head for the bus terminal, she couldn't help but think about the day she lost her parents at the age of five. It was raining just like this on that day. Some goons attacked the family while they were leaving the playground area. They almost killed her too, until some nearby officers chased them away. Until she met the man who would take her in as a student and daughter, all Katarina could do was bounce from place to place at her hometown. Those were some of the toughest days of her life. Katarina snapped out of it after the driver told her that she had arrived at the bus terminal. One way or another, she was going to find her mi amor.

The next day, Paqueta Island, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil…

After exiting her hotel, Katarina wasted no time hopping on the ferry heading for Paqueta Island. Feeling rejuvenated after taking a long beauty sleep, Katarina wasted no time traveling to island so she could confront the lawyer, Senhor Faron Barros. He lived in a three story mansion, however, the place is more akin to the traditional Portguesue Architecture that is common in the city. Instead of sneaking inside, Katarina decided to be more direct in her infiltration by simply answering the front door.

Doorbell Ring…

Maid: "Oi! Como vai voce?"

Katarina: "Muito bem. Senhor Barros is here right?"

Maid: "Si. He's at the terrace. Stay here and I will come get him okay?"

Katarina waits for the maid to turn her back until she quickly hits the woman's jugular vein with a chop, putting her to sleep. The maid falls down, but not before Katarina catches her. Then Katarina drags the maid into a nearby closet and left her there. Mr. Barros was outside taking to someone from his laptop at the terrace overlooking bay and the city of Rio. Mr. Barros did not hear the bell ring from outside, but he did hear footsteps.

Mr. Barros (abruptly ends his conversation, closes the computer.): "Dores? Is that you?"

No response…

Mr. Barros stands up and turns around only to see an unfamiliar woman who just closed the door behind her.

Mr. Barros: "What the? Who are you?"

Katarina: "Oh me? I'm nobody, but I am here on behalf of an old friend of yours. Senhor Seu. Remember him?"

Mr. Barros (Ponders, then says.): "Yes. I remember him. Though I haven't spoken to him in years. He sent you to kill me?"

Katarina: "No. I'm here to find out about Eddy Gordo? Have you contacted him lately?"

Mr. Barros: "Eddy? No I haven't spoken to him for almost a year. I don't know where he could be?"

Katarina: "When was the last time you've heard from him?"

Mr. Barros: "When he came back to Rio after the sixth tournament. He left again because he said there was a new lead about Kazuya Mishima surviving the temple raid in Egypt. That was the last time I've seen him."

Katarina: "Alright. So even you don't know. Perhaps, I can ask someone who is more close to him." (Smiling.)

Mr. Barros: "If you kill that woman (Christie), you'll be sorry!"

Katarina (Walks towards the balcony, preparing to jump off.): "Who said anything about killing, old man? I just wanna get to know her."

Mr. Barros: "Don't be so loyal to your boss! He will use you for the wrong reasons!"

Katarina: "Thanks for the advice, but unless your paper is longer than his, I don't care how bad is methods may be. Ciao!"

Katarina hops down from the terrace and lands in the back yard. Then she climbs over the brick wall escaping. Mr. Barros had no idea why this woman wanted Eddy, but he was concerned for Christie's safety. He first called the authorities, and next, tried to call Christie. She didn't answer her cell.