Chapter Two:
Japan
1
"Thanks again for the exceptionally smooth flight, Captain Langley. Appreciated as always… See you in three days."
"Thank you, Mr. Wayne... And welcome to Japan, Sir."
After personally thanking the Captain and the crew of his private jet, an exhausted Bruce Wayne gathered up his travel bag and set foot onto the Tokyo tarmac at 12:45 PM local time. With the thirteen hour time difference and the eleven hour flight, Bruce always felt like he'd lost a day whenever he visited Japan, leaving Gotham at just after lunch hour the previous day.
At least the weather was warmer in Japan than in Gotham.
As he yawned, Bruce had to admit that a portion of the previous eleven hours spent flying aboard his own private luxury jet probably would have been better spent sleeping. But the CEO of Wayne Industries wanted to research the Argus Corporation and their revolutionary technology in much more detail before he finally met with them tomorrow morning in person.
Besides, he could rest tonight…
Bruce had been particularly intrigued with Sword Art Online's lead designer; Akihiko Kayaba. He was the genius behind Argus's development of the NerveGear technology and also the lead designer on Sword Art Online. The incredible technological breakthroughs that Argus had made under Kayaba's guidance seemed almost surreal to him, their product being brought to market within three years as though there had been an unseen presence aiding them from behind the scenes…
Or it could be that a lifetime as Batman had simply made Bruce Wayne a little paranoid and the twenty-eight-year-old Akihiko Kayaba was simply a genius on a whole other level.
Perhaps…
As he continued towards the airport terminal, Bruce's worried thoughts soon drifted back to Damian, the son he never even knew he had until last year. It was the first time he'd ever left the boy alone since his unexpected arrival in Gotham. A difficult decision, but Bruce needed to prove to the boy that he was willing to trust him.
Surely Damian had earned that much.
Besides, there was always Alfred… Alfred would call if there was a problem... Provided the little terror didn't give the old man a coronary first… Or simply tie-and-gag him… Or…
Instinctively clutching his cell phone, Bruce managed to suppress the urge to get back on his Gulfstream G650 and immediately fly it back to Gotham…. No, it would be alright… He was simply overreacting as a concerned father… Whose eleven-year-old happened to be an exceptionally skilled assassin…
But the boy had promised him he would stay out of trouble… And at the risk of getting disinherited, Damian had also sworn under oath that he wouldn't go on patrol or engage in any other dangerous activities while Bruce was away.
In fact, he'd even gone so far as to promise to concentrate on his studies. And it did feel as though their relationship had turned a corner as of late. Damian was still as brooding and intense as ever, but he had seemed to fully accepted Batman's methods and beliefs, reaching out to him not as a mentor, but as a father.
As such, Bruce resigned himself to the fact that he was now obliged to go through with his part of the bargain… Which meant looking at a possible merger between the Argus Corporation and the Wayne Industries Advanced Control Division. To his surprise, most of the shareholders had actually been intrigued with the potential merger when Bruce had brought it forward during their last board meeting, resulting in a quick mandate to visit Japan.
It might become an exceptionally lucrative deal, but Bruce's interest went beyond just the commercial aspects of this new technology.
There were other considerations as well...
In the hands of a madman like Dr. Jonathan Crane, the NerveGear equipment could be used to create the largest and most realistic nightmare of all time. And Bruce shivered to imagine what an accomplished hacker like Edward Nigma could do if he ever gained access to someone's brain through this innovative technology...
NerveGear was science fiction made reality. The American managed a grin as he contemplated the effect that it would have on the business world, realizing that its widespread acceptance would eliminate the need for business flights like this. Both himself and the Argus executives could simply negotiate a deal on a virtual beach somewhere in a fraction of the time, enjoying a warm and tropical climate by using NerveGear helmets…
With these rapid advances in technology, Bruce couldn't help but wonder if a virtual vacation to the Caribbean would soon replace the real thing. Travel and tourism may become a thing of the past if people could just pop on headgear and experience any desired destination within the comfort of their own mind.
Truly, the potential for this patented technology was astounding.
If it came to fruition, Argus was sitting on top of its own personal gold mine…
It would be like having the exploration rights to an entire new world.
Perhaps he was just getting old, but he secretly hoped it was overblown. There was still something about actually meeting a person and interacting with them, to be able to recognize all their subtle body language and expressions. To feel them. The same thing could be said about visiting a foreign locale; the sights, the sounds, the atmosphere. Could a virtual experience truly replace that?
Or was his own perception of the real world nothing more than a myriad of sensory input travelling through countless neurons which this technology actually could replace? Could we willingly immerse our conscious existence into a dream? Perhaps Damian had been right, the next frontier may indeed be the human imagination.
As the contemplative Bruce Wayne suddenly spied a curvaceous young Japanese lady standing just inside the private entryway holding an Argus plaque bearing his name, he was forced to admit that the sensory input of the real world certainly had its advantages as well…
Long dark hair, soulful eyes and the kind of curves that made a man's attention drift.
"Ah, Mr. Wayne… Right on time! Welcome to Japan! My name is Ukyou Oshiro. I have been sent by Argus to act as your guide for the day."
Thanks to his many years of Martial Arts training, Bruce was just as comfortable bowing as he was shaking hands. Which was fortunate, because when dealing with a young lady as attractive as Ukyou, it was probably safer that way.
"Your English is very good, Oshiro-san. I hope you didn't have to wait long."
"Not at all… May I take your bag, Wayne-san?"
While Bruce had already arranged for the rest of his luggage to be delivered directly to his hotel suite, he always preferred to keep his Batman costume and tools in a briefcase close at hand…
Just in case.
"Thank you, but I'm fine... And please, call me Bruce."
"Alright… Bruce. Did I pronounce it correctly?"
"Exceptionally."
"Then you must call me Ukyou... Now, if you would please follow me, I have a driver waiting to take you to your hotel and then I hope to show you the sights of my fair city afterwards."
"If those sights include lunch, then you're on. Argus must place a good deal of faith in you, Ukyou."
"And I hope to be worthy of that trust… I must humbly apologize however… Normally a more senior member of our organization would be here to greet such an eminent man of your esteemed reputation… But I'm afraid this is a very busy time for us… The Sword Art Online servers go online in mere moments and all operational employees are needed to ensure a smooth launch… As the Senior Public Relations Officer however, I am expendable in this regard."
"Their loss is my gain… Shall we?"
Later, as Bruce Wayne and Ukyou Oshiro made their way through the crowded streets of Tokyo in the luxurious backseat of a beautifully appointed Rolls Royce towards the Imperial Hotel, Bruce soon realized that his wandering eyes weren't always on the busy streets outside his window. Ukyou's skirt was revealing just the right amount of well-toned thigh to distract him from the wonders of the ultra-urban landscape currently passing him by.
Drumming his fingers on the plush leather upholstery, the CEO silently checked himself, reasoning that his handler couldn't have been much older than Richard and that he should be worried about Damian instead of sneaking glances at her legs like some hormonal teenager…
"You seem to be nervous, Bruce."
"Sorry, I was just thinking about my son back in Gotham."
"Oh? I didn't realize you were married."
"I'm not... His mother and I were never… Meant to be... Two different worlds I'm afraid."
"Forgive me, I did not mean to pry into your personal life... If it would set your mind at ease, perhaps you'd like to call him?"
"I'd love to Ukyou, but it's after two o'clock in the morning back in Gotham. I would like to think - for his sake at least - that he's asleep. Still, if there was a problem, my butler would have phoned."
"Ah, no need to worry then… Perhaps after lunch you might like to partake in some of the restaurant's exceptional sake in order to help ease your mind. It comes highly recommended and I will gladly pour for you... After all, we do have the whole day to ourselves."
Although it was a game he never allowed himself to play, Bruce knew its rules well. The attractive woman beside him had been edging closer over the past five minutes and now the suggestion of drinks after lunch meant that she was willing to indulge in much more than a simple professional courtesy.
"As much as I'd enjoy the company, I'd better not… I don't recall Japanese women being so forward… It's actually a nice change."
His guide smiled sweetly.
"And I don't recall American businessmen being so shy, Mr. Wayne… But I do appreciate your candour… My superiors had hoped that I might be able to persuade you to hint at your company's aspirations regarding our technology over a few drinks… And I admit, I may have had my own aspirations as well… Still, I'm quite confident that after today, the official launch will convince you what an enviable position that Wayne Industries is in…."
A musical ring-tone suddenly sounded from Ukyou's cell phone as she retrieved the slender device from her hand bag and peered at the caller ID. Bowing deeply, she apologized.
"I'm sorry, I have to answer this... Work."
His Japanese was rusty, but Bruce gathered enough of the conversation to ascertain that some issue had occurred with the launch of Sword Art Online that required Ukyou's immediate attention. And although she'd checked herself quickly, something had been said on the other end which deeply upset her.
As the call ended, Ukyou bowed once again.
"I apologize Bruce, but a situation has arisen which requires my expertise at the office. I'm afraid I will need to take a cab back to Argus once we reach the Imperial Hotel… Please take my business card and call me at anytime should you have any concerns."
"Is everything alright?"
"An unfortunate coincidence which requires my direct involvement, that's all."
Even though she was still trying hard to conceal it, whatever conversation had just transpired had obviously shaken her. Something unexpected must have happened with the game's launch.
"Then take the limo, Ukyou… I won't need it... I'll order room service at the hotel and finish up some work I've been meaning to get to… Call me after you've sorted out your emergency and maybe we can make dinner reservations."
"You are too kind. I promise I'll make this up to you and treat you to whatever your heart desires. My country possesses many delicacies which may not be available in yours."
"It's a date then."
2
Once Bruce had been dropped off at the most prestigious hotel in Tokyo and settled himself into its penthouse suite, he checked his phone messages and then set about answering the hundreds of emails from Wayne Industries which required his attention. By the end of it, he was shocked to see it was nearly five o'clock.
Taking a deep breath, the weary executive paused to raise his strained eyes from the computer screen to watch the sun setting across Tokyo's glorious skyline beyond his extensive balcony windows.
The thought occurred to him that it would have been nice to watch this amazing sunset with someone like Ukyou…
Anyways, now that work was out of the way, Bruce opened his browser to search for the possible reason behind his guide's sudden departure from hours before. While the young woman had done her best to conceal her anxiety, something had happened with the launch, something which had required a Senior Public Relations Officer…
And it didn't take him long to figure out what it was.
Already news agencies from around the world were teeming with reports of multiple player deaths linked to Sword Art Online. Of the ten thousand individuals who had managed to obtain a copy of the first release of the game last week, nearly two hundred of them had perished during the first four hours of going online when their friends or family had forcibly removed the NerveGear equipment from their heads in an attempt to rouse them...
Local government authorities were continuously issuing alerts for people not to interfere or interrupt the remaining players until it was deemed safe to do so and until the cause of the malfunction was discovered. Under no circumstances was the helmet to be removed or the system shut down.
A task force was being organized to assist individuals with medical treatment.
Bruce soon found an earlier press release of the attractive (and obviously stressed) Ukyou Oshiro assuring the public that Argus Corporation was working diligently to solve this unforeseen issue and prevent any further loss of life. For now she implored people not to disrupt the players until Argus engineers had discovered the equipment's unknown defect.
Bruce cast his troubled gaze to the ceiling as he realized that the earlier call from hours ago must have been regarding the first death associated with the NerveGear and Sword Art Online. No wonder Ukyou had seemed so upset in the car.
And since that time, the crisis had only ballooned into a tragedy of epic proportions...
Bruce's subsequent call to Ukyou went straight to her voicemail.
He implicitly understood that any meeting with the Argus executives regarding the potential merger of his company's Advanced Control Division with theirs would be postponed indefinitely. There was no chance that a company that small would be able to weather a scandal of this magnitude.
Bruce expected that criminal charges and lawsuits might even soon be brought forward against them…
His own private cell phone rang, with Dick's caller ID popping up.
"Dick, what's wrong?"
A surprised chuckle on the other end.
"Nothing's wrong. Just on my way home from another quiet Blüdhaven night when I remembered something from earlier... By the way, how's Japan?"
"Depressing... It looks like my meetings will be cancelled due to a disastrous product launch... I should be home by tonight unless the situation here deteriorates further and I'm needed to investigate."
"Heh, I'm sure Damian will be sorry to hear that... By the way, did he call you?"
"No, was there a problem?"
"Not exactly... I checked in on him yesterday just like you had asked… That little bugger had actually managed to smuggle in a Sword Art Online game and the NerveGear equipment from the same company you're negotiating with… He said he wanted to conduct his own research… I just asked him to call you about it before he did, that's all."
"…"
"Bruce, are you still there?"
Bruce Wayne suddenly felt the blood drain from his entire body, leaving in its wake an icy numbness as though a frozen river were flowing down through his veins, until even his fingers lacked the strength to continue holding the cell phone as it slowly tumbled to the carpet…
With only one inescapable thought echoing in his mind, he remained perfectly still… One terrible thought that twisted around in his guts like a coiling python and squeezed all feeling from his body…
His own son could be one of those two hundred deaths being reported…
His own son…
Damian.
Author's Note: Ukyou Oshiro is an Original Character. She's a very attractive Japanese woman in her mid-twenties and a senior employee at Argus Corporation.