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Fatal Instinct: Mission 2
Chapter 2
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She had parked her car near the abandoned apartment complex the homeless often used as a shelter. Bruce had told Anna many times that this was an unsafe neighborhood to leave things unattended; looking around made her further understand this. Other cars had either their valuable parts stolen, cracked, or even destroyed. Hers did not suffer such abuse though, and luck had nothing to do with it.
A push of the button from her remote, and the steel armor-plating that had been protecting the automobile retracted. A slam of the door activated the neon lights as her body sunk into the black leather seat after stepping in. She pulled open the glove compartment, allowing the mechanism built within to scan her retina and fingerprints.
Once it had confirmed her identification, the blank screen monitor rolled out across her lap with a whir. All the information pertaining to the mission came through via fax machine. Her eyes scrolled through it as she flipped the briefcase open containing her semiautomatic pistol.
The communicator blipped on the armrest before switching on again. "Greetings, Miss Williams. I certainly hope I did not catch you at a bad time." He sounded so phony as always with forgiveness.
'Oh no. I wouldn't consider disrupting me while I'm celebrating my birthday when you could have chosen any other day a bad time at all.' She rolled her eyes with heavy sarcasm.
Then her gaze focused out the dark-tinted window, noting a woman partying with two males on the hood of a car. The pleasant image made her release a deepened sigh before she turned back to regard the assignment.
"So whats the deal?" With hands held behind her head like a cushion, she reclined in her seat.
"Our satellite has detected increased levels of activity at an old observatory complex based in London, England. Looks like G Corporation is behind this."
Anna inserted a clip into her pistol, then cocked it back twice after having sat up. "G Corporation?" She uttered the name of the Mishima Zaibatsu rival company and main competition.
"Yes." He said, clearing his throat. "They are slowly expanding their resources as we speak. They have brought Doctor Abel in on this too. For what, we are not yet sure, but if he's involved, it can't be good. As you know, Abel was once affiliated with the Zaibatsu and involved in some of the crooked experiments they conducted at one time."
'Wonderful. I'll have to spend the afternoon with the doctor as well.'
He continued after a long pause. "Once you get to London and gather all you need, one of our crafts will come pick you up at the rendezvous point and take you where you need to go."
"Understood."
"In addition to that, other sources have confirmed a large shipment of computer hardware to that location, and an influx of skilled personal. It only seems to get bigger from there.G Corperation are defiantly up to something and we wanna know what and why. Whatever plans they have, I want you to copy the data and send it back to us so that we know exactly what is going on."
"Of course." She nodded with long nails tapping against the armrest on pondering. "One question, sweetie. Why did you book me on this cruise when there's work involved?"
"You are our top agent. You're always at your best after you relax. Consider it like a birthday present. But I want you working too. Somebody from G Corporation will be onboard that could give you some more information on the issue. I'm sure you can be very persuasive when it comes to getting what you want."
A wide grin grew across her face with a more serious nod. "You have nothing to worry about. Leave it to me."
One last blip and the device shut off.
Anna knew little on G Corporation or their ambitions other than their advances in biogenetic research; but if they were rivals to the Mishima Empire, they were likely a threat.
A mission like this was so unlike the others, but Anna welcomed it as a new challenge for her to face. After all, just like her commanding officer said, she was their best yet, and the least she wanted was to disappoint them. She needed to be ready, and she knew she would be for this occasion.
Tomorrow was nigh.
Anna had gathered everything she needed for the trip having left the hotel over a few minutes ago. Opportunities like this came rare, but she was not one to complain in this case. Her body had required an immense amount of sleep since the last three recent missions left her drained; a small price to pay that came with the job, and Anna was still adapting to it even now.
She had been up since early morning to ensure she was there on time, getting only six hours maximum of sleep. The rest she had dedicated to piecing together her equipment and bringing along the right gadgets. Like other incidents that could happen at any moment, one could not be too careful.
She sipped through the straw for the last remnants of her lemonade before gazing at the summery splendor expanding in front of her. The scenery had such a gorgeous tropical atmosphere to it, unable to describe in just simple words alone.
Ahead was the cruise ship, a massive sea structure able to house over three thousand passengers. It would be like home until she got to London. From this line of view, it did not look like anything special, but once Anna got closer to the pier she was able to experience its true beauty. She checked herself over one last time, hoping she had dressed appropriate for the weather.
A navy-blue denim mini dress embraced her light form as she walked along the narrow floating dock. The heeled, red slip-on sandals brought renewed comfort to her feet, and she smiled as the crewmembers helped her with her luggage aboard. With the way everything was set up, this cruise had five star luxury written all over it. She still had a mission to fulfill, but it did not mean she could not enjoy herself.
Once she stowed her things away inside her cabin, she returned to the upper deck and leaned over the railing. The view of the wavy ocean was breathtaking from this proximity. Times like this made her wish she had someone to share it with, whether relative or companion.
Soon enough, the cruise ship was miles off shore with not so much as a single building in sight. It was just her and the soothed roar of the ocean waves as nostrils snuffed in the mixed aroma of fresh air and her own perfume.
Everyone aboard had engaged in some activity, and Anna thought it best she do the same. The women lounging in fold up chairs receiving a nice tan on the ship's deck gave her a pleasant hint before considering it.
Before she even took two steps, the sudden sound of chomping slowed her to a pause. Anna looked over her shoulder and noted it coming from behind a series of barrels. Peering over them, she spied on the husky man donning a Hawaiian shirt munching through a full plate of chicken.
He had his back turned to her, seeming to have no idea she stood behind him. Once he rose to one knee, he almost shrieked like a fearful woman the moment her shadow loomed over him.
"Wait a minute…" Anna neared the man, staring him right in the eyes as he froze in place, his visage becoming familiar through the disguise. She gripped his mustache and peeled it off after removing the cap from his head, taking in his Asian features. "Ganryu?"
"Oh my, Anna! Uh… fancy s-s-seeing you here. Lovely day isn't it? Ohhhh, nice outfit you got there. You look so beautiful. Did I mention how beautiful you l-look in it?" He stammered, no doubt trying to hide something.
However, she was no fool. "Cut the crap, Ganryu." She said in a stern tone, tapping her foot against the floor. "Mind telling me what you're doing here?"
His gaze lowered to the ground as he grumbled, as if his own mother was speaking to him. "Well, uh. You see. I, uh." Then he burst out and surprised her with an unexpected answer. "Please don't be upset with me, Anna! I was lonely and I overheard Julia was going to London. The love I have for her is so dear, I could not help but feel this would be my only chance to see her."
Anna rubbed the side of her head with a shrug. "Why on earth would I be upset at you?"
He bent over, whispering. "Well, uh. Promise you won't tell?"
She gave him a questioning look before agreeing with a slow nod. "Um..ok."
He hesitated a moment before he released a quick breath. "I'm kind of on this boat illegally. You know…like a stow away."
Anna put the only thing she had on her mind into words, about ready to strangle him. "You what!" Anger surged through out her, enough to make her scream out profanity that would make even a sailor gasp out in shock.
"Shhhh!" He motioned his hands for her to keep her voice down as a couple passengers turned their heads to them.
She now had over a dozen words to blast him with, choosing some that were less severe as she tried to stay calm. "Ganryu, do you have any idea what you've done? If they catch you and find this out, you'll be in big trouble!"
"I won't let that happen." He said, trying to embrace her though she pushed him away.
"You're darn right it wont happen because you're not going to be seen." If anything, she was going to make sure of that. "Go down to my cabin downstairs and stay there until further notice. When I knock, you'll know it's me. Just remember the code you, Bruce, and me used to do. And whatever you do, be sure not to let anybody else know about this."
"Hey. What about you? What are you doing here?" He changed the tone in his voice as he asked the question.
"Don't worry about it. Right now, just do as I told you. Okay?"
He let her know he had heard loud and clear with a silent 'yes' and a bow before excusing himself off the deck. Anna then seated herself in one of the chairs nearby, rolling of her eyes. Things were not going as planned so far, and Ganryu's awkward presence was not helping in the least.
Rapid giggling of children soon caught her ear, accompanied by a voice Anna knew too well. There he was, standing amongst them with trademark goatee and Mohawk.
"So remember, kids: stay in school, don't talk to strangers, and, uh, well, you know the rest." Bruce said as he inspected each of them with a returned salute.
The scene put a smile on Anna's face. Bruce never seemed like the type to work so well with children, but he did. He always went around the neighborhood sticking up for all the young boys and girls victimized by bullying and other violence. Whenever the assailants saw Bruce coming, they always ran off or underwent one of his quick but painful beat downs.
Anna remained undiscovered against the wall on peeking around the corner, capturing most of the conversation. However, muscles tightened as she heard Bruce's footsteps approaching her position.
"I guess I better be going. Stay out of trouble, you little brats!"
They chuckled on waving him off.
She crouched low behind a stack of crates, listening at the closeness of his steps until they were no longer audible. The situation was getting weirder for even her to handle. Having to worry about Ganryu was bad enough.
'I just can't ever seem to win.' She thought.
The Jacuzzi tub had been empty for the past few minutes, but not for long as Anna's bikini-clad body settled into the steamy, boiling hot water. A relaxed sigh escaped her when she leaned back to soak her hair in it. After everything she had endured so far, she deserved this time of peace.
About ten minutes of this and she was ready to leave before lightheadedness and nausea overcame her. Her body had only gone half way up before the interruption froze her.
"Looks like today is my lucky day."
Upon hearing the smooth yet memorable voice, she turned to acknowledge him. Silver sheened hair, flawless white teeth completed with sharp eyes brightening in a promiscuous manner. Both his hands held two full wine glasses by the stems, evident enough to make out whom the second belonged to.
"Evening, lovely lady Williams. Do what do I owe this honor?" Lee Chaolin flashed that flawless grin again, his chiseled body standing in way of the gold glimmering sun. "You look lonesome in there. Mind if I join you?"
Her smile grew wide with an inviting nod, eyebrows flickering in the same manner his did. She took hold of his wrists and with slow, backward steps guided him into the steaming tub. He tensed a little once the water reached his navel, but the feel of her hands at his hips seemed to relax him.
They stood inches apart, beaming at each other, lips close enough to touch into a soft kiss. He offered her the glass, which she took and sipped from after a quick toast.
"Delicious." She whispered, tongue licking off the grape-flavored residue.
"You really like it? A little something special I made." He took her hand and kissed it just as he did their last encounter.
There was a girlish giggle from her. " I'm not surprised."
He took a sip as he slung his arm around her with his free hand. "Today calls for celebration, Anna."
"Oh? And just what are we celebrating?" A finger slid down his chest as she asked the question.
"Why, Kazuya's elimination and removal from power of course. I'm sure your involvement had something to do with it. You impress me, Williams. That is something that many don't often do."
She smiled. "You're too kind, Mister Lee Chaolin. I shouldn't receive all the credit. Had it not been for you, I may have not have gone there in the first place. It goes to show what two minds can do when they help each other."
"Right. So, what are you doing later on?"
She tried hard to stifle the laughter, thinking she had a good idea what he was after. "Just because you brought me a drink doesn't mean you get laid tonight."
"So what would two drinks mean?" He snickered, seeming to find what he said more humorous than she did.
"You're funny." Her laughter continued.
"Indeed." He paused and looked around, speaking low, as if someone was watching them. "Just a bit of a heads up. I'm very good friends with the captain and crew of this ship. And from what I know, there is word of a stowaway on board. So be on the look out."
Anna froze with widening eyes, trying to keep her stammering to a minimum. "Oh? You wouldn't happen to have a description, would you?"
"As a matter of fact I do. He's described as a fat Asian man looking to be between the ages of forty and fifty. Several people here share that same description, so finding him isn't easy. Must be an accomplice helping him. And once they are apprehended too, they'll receive the same punishment."
She gulped hard on the last swallow of wine as he confirmed her fear. As long as Ganryu stayed put and out of sight, he would be fine. Or so she had hoped.
Anna tilted her head sideways, feeling things starting to worsen, spotting Ganryu walking by. A soft gasp filled with panic sounded aloud, her gaze stilling on the sumo wrestler, as he had not noticed them. The expression in Lee's face indicated he had noticed something was wrong. He was about to turn his head to look back, but Anna swallowed hard and went for it without a second thought. Her hands came about his face, forcing his lips to meet hers. The kiss lingered, distracting Lee long enough for Ganryu to vanish before the man even noticed him.
Their heads parted and Lee was speechless for a moment before he said anything else. "I…I… knew that I had a charm with women, but I did not think it was this effective. Would you like to see my cabin, Miss Williams?"
She removed the shocked frown, intending to replace it with a delighted smile. After all that, she exhaled deep and gave him her answer in a kind whisper to avoid any suspicion. "Love to."
Lee's interior cabin was unlike the others including her own, imitating a luxurious room seen in most suites. A large bed provided space for two guests to share at once. He even had his own golf set, which he had her interested in for the past few minutes since coming in.
Anna shifted her posture, feeling his hands trail down to her hips from behind as she held the golf club with her own. His touch had relaxed her nerves, filling her heart with an immeasurable amount of confidence.
He pressed himself close to her ear, issuing instructions in that smooth, dulcet whisper. "Ready…and…swing!"
Anna did so with the lightest of strokes, watching the tiny, white ball roll straight into the hole. "Would you look at that. I did it."
"And so you did. Not bad for a beginner. I think you and me need to…lie down and get more comfortable. I can tell you've had a hard day." He drew back a strand of hair from her face, giving her the same stare from earlier. No need to guess where this was going.
His fingers seemed to be undoing the buttons in her dress. However, Anna's hand brushed them away, lips homing in on his once again, as she lured him to the bedside. It was as if they had waited the whole evening for this. Their kiss deepened until she felt Lee's fingers reach down behind and grope her.
"No. We can't end up like this. I won't let you do this to me." She pulled herself off him, unwilling to fall in one of his traps. Lee was a playboy primarily and such a trick was common amongst them.
His gaze shifted downward. "But I am really in love with you."
Trusting that statement was not easy, knowing all the relationships he had put himself in; so many women he deceived, yet so many were like mindless drones that clung to his love as if it were genuine. "Why should I believe you?"
He uncrossed her arms, ensuring she listened to every word. "I have searched nearly all my life for someone like you. No woman has ever stood up to me before and I admire that. And you've made me a very happy man by getting Kazuya out of the picture. You have guts, you have wit, and last but not least… you have the beauty of a woman I crave."
Lee seemed to pour his heart out with every sentence. There was a heavy layer of emotion in them, and she was the first to realize it.
He continued. "You can come and work for me. Help me overthrow Heihachi so that I may claim the Zaibatsu and free it from the corruption he and my brother have bestowed upon it. Who's your employer? I'll double—no-- triple. Hell, I'll even quadruple the amount they're paying you. Just name your price."
Anna grinned, flattered that he would do anything to acquire her. "I'm not for sale."
"But…" He paused, as if the words he wanted to speak blanked out of his mind all the sudden.
She held him by the wrists, remaining soft-spoken. "Sweetie, I like you and all. You're a real great guy, and I'd love nothing more than to live in your castle and live happily ever after. Just like in the fairy tales. But you have to understand that I live a dangerous life."
"So? The fact that you're dangerous excites me and--"
She pressed two fingers to his lips to cut him off. "I'm sure it does, but I can't bring somebody into my life when there's consequences. I don't want to endanger anyone or bring about the chance of hurting them if something were to happen to me." She thumbed his gaping lips shut with a smile. "We can still enjoy the rest of the cruise, though."
He had gone silent, turning his back to her as he bowed his head. His voice seemed broken as he spoke, losing some of his masculinity. "I have just made other plans…and quite frankly… you're not apart of them. Good day, Anna." Then he looked away, insinuating he had nothing else to say as he left her speechless.
She was not sure if it was her ears playing tricks on her or not, but for a moment she thought she had heard sniffling. No woman had ever turned down Lee like this since most found him irresistible. It was a first for him and the rejection must have hurt him greater than she had thought.
His continuing silence cued her to leave and she did so, taking one last look at him, savoring it as if they would never meet again. Her frown mirrored his as she reached for his shoulder, only to pause and withdraw with the guilt of what she had done.