Chapter 3: Satellite's Welcome

Yusei steadily wheeled his runner out of the garage. He looked up at the helicopter waiting to take him to the Satellite Sector. Rex was standing next to the chopper, with a slight grin on his face. Today was the day Yusei began his mission to eliminate the Signers and Dark Signers, before their war had the chance to destroy the entire world. Goodwin had dreamed so long for this day, where he could see Professor Fudo's own son carry out his grand design for revenge.

Yusei walked up to his guardian. "Rex, are you sure I'm strong enough to face these people?" The young man still had not fully accepted the path he was about to take.

Goodwin nodded his head. "You are a smart kid, Yusei, more than I think you realize. Just remember to always stay one step ahead of them and never let your guard down." He reached down and picked up a dark briefcase, one that Yusei had not noticed when walking up. Rex slowly opened the case and showed Yusei its contents. His eyes widened as he looked over the number of dangerous objects in the case.

"Two pistols, fully loaded, three vials of mercury, a dagger and an electric taser gun. Use them however you like." Goodwin explained. He handed the case over to Yusei, who did not know how to except these gifts of torment.

"Director Goodwin. We're ready for take off, sir." A Sector Security officer announced from inside the helicopter.

"Of course, Officer Trudge." Rex stepped out of Yusei's way and watched him wheel his runner into the back of the helicopter. "Good luck, Yusei. Look for the marks of the Crimson Dragon and Earthbound Immortals on their arms. And remember, you're doing this for the safety of humanity." The doors of the helicopter were locked behind him and wind was kicked up as it began to rise off the ground. Goodwin excitedly watched the bird finally fly to Satellite.

On the helicopter, Yusei had packed his new weapons into his runner, except for the dagger and one of the two pistols, which he held onto. He stood next to his bike, watching the world outside the front windows pass by as they drew ever so closer to Satellite.

"We'll reach the B.A.D. district in about fifteen minutes." Officer Trudge informed Yusei from the pilot seat. "I'm not going to land, so I'll be flying low enough to where you can ride out on your runner."

"Why aren't you landing?" Yusei genuinely asked. It seemed like he had been asking a lot of questions these past few days.

"That hellish part of Satellite is far too dangerous. Sector Security doesn't even bother to patrol out there, unless they absolutely have to." Trudge answered, keeping his eyes focused on the sky. "For whatever reason you want to go down there, you're an insane bastard for it."

In no time at all, they were already flying over the wasteland that was the Satellite Sector, headed for the worst possible place they could go. Yusei noticed Trudge slowly flying closer to the ground, just as he had said. After hearing so many horrible stories about this island, Yusei always hoped he would never have to step foot on it.

"Get ready, Yusei. Your drop is coming up." Trudge yelled.

Yusei sat on the cold, leather seat of his runner and turned on the engine. After getting in position to ride out the back of the helicopter, Trudge opened the doors behind Yusei, letting the kid get his first glimpses of the Satellite up close. Yusei gripped onto the handles hard and held his breath. He revved the engine and took off. The bike fell out of the helicopter and hit the ground hard. Luckily, Yusei was a master on his runner and managed to keep it riding straight up. He rode around Satellite for sometime, until finally coming to a stop.

He was surrounded by crumbling buildings and broken streets. The sky was polluted and faint police sirens could be heard in the distance. Yusei could smell the pungent trash and worthless flesh. Satellite seemed to suck away whatever energy and spirit you had, and replace it with depression and hopelessness. It was no wonder why people here turned into zombies. After getting a good, yet unpleasant look at his surroundings, Yusei leisurely drove his runner around the wasteland.

There was no real way of knowing where exactly to find the first Signer or Dark Signer. Yusei had no choice but to wonder the streets of Satellite, hoping that fate would lead him right to the people he was looking for. And just like that, fate gave him what he wanted.

A cry for help echoed in an alleyway Yusei was passing by. Not knowing what to expect, Yusei got off his runner and ran to sound. He found himself approaching a group of four or five men, facing something in the shadows of the alley.

"Come at me!" One of the men screamed at the darkness, like someone was going to hear him. "I'm not afraid of a sick bastard like you!"

Yusei looked over into the shadows, trying to see the person who that guy was screaming to. Suddenly, from the darkness walked a large man, his face covered by his black cloak and his right arm harboring a strange glow. It was him. Yusei gasped as he remembered the footage Rex had shown him early. He was in the presence of a Dark Signer.

The man simply laughed at the group of pathetic thieves, who had tried to hustle him. "You fools! You don't know who you're dealing with, do you?" The man pulled a duel card from the duel disk attached to his arm and played it. A ball of dark fire formed and shot itself at the group. The men screamed and tried to run away in terror. Yusei stood to the side, wanting to see more of what was going to happen.

"That better be the last time anyone tries to cross my path. When are you insignificant jackasses going to realize you will all fall to the darkness sooner rather than later." The man yelled out after the group he had just scared to death. Just then, sirens and the sound of cars approached the alleyway. "So, Sector Security thinks they can challenge me again? Well maybe this time I won't simply leave them bruised and battered."

Yusei's eyes widened at that statement. If the man's power Yusei saw on the video was only the beginning of what he could do, the officers coming for him were in real danger of being killed off, one by one. Yusei's hand fell down to his side, where he had placed his pistol. He could end this now. He could shot this monster before he could do anymore harm. Yusei pulled the gun up and slowly aimed it at the dark man, but he was not able to pull the trigger.

Yusei was not a killer. He was not aggressive. He did not like to see people in pain. What on earth made Goodwin think Yusei had the guts to take someone's life? The safety of humanity?

He tried to push all his self-doubt and reservations to the back of his mind. The gun was shacking slightly in his hands and his eyes were locked on that one man. He re-aimed, closed his eyes, bit his lip and pulled the trigger.

A deep, long cry filled the alleyway. Yusei heard a thud on the ground and slowly opened his eyes. The man was lying on the ground and blood was seeping out, pooling around him. He looked to be dead. The bullet must have hit his lower head or neck area. Yusei was not sure if he should check to make sure this guy was actually dead. He was about to take a few steps forward, when he heard a new commotion headed towards him.

Sector Security officers were about to walk into this sense, seeing a dead man with a bullet wound and Yusei with a pistol in hand. A wave of terror fell over Yusei and his only instinct told him to run. Yusei booked it back to his runner, but not before hearing someone call after him. He hopped on his bike and sped off at limit-breaking speeds. As he turned around to see if anyone was behind him, Yusei unfortunately noticed two Sector Security cars speeding after him, lights and sirens blaring.

If he was arrested, surely Goodwin could pull a few strings to get him released. But, what would the public think of the Director's false son traveling to the Satellite to commit murder? What would Rex think if he were to learn that Yusei failed his mission on the first day? So many things were running across Yusei's mind, the only thing he did know was that he wanted to get away from those cops.

The pursuit was quickly catching up with Yusei, especially since the young man had no idea where he was going. But then, a sound of another runner entered the picture. Yusei looked over and saw a black and orange runner driving besides him. The rider somehow managed to make eye contact with Yusei, then proceed to drive on in another direction. Yusei took the hint and followed, never losing sight of this new guy.

The mysterious rider took Yusei around abandoned bends, tight streets and winding roads at top speeds. The Sector Security cars could not keep up and faded away in the distance. After finally becoming free from the chase, Yusei looked to the other rider. "Who are you?"

The guy stopped his runner, prompting Yusei to stop his. He turned to Yusei and reached to take off his helmet. "The real question is: who are you and why was Sector Security chasing you?"

Yusei was intrigued by this guy's bright orange hair and face covered in Security markings. "I..." What could he say? 'I killed his creepy man back there, but it's okay, he was going to destroy the world anyways.' "I-I stole some parts to this runner." Yusei lied.

"You must be new around here." He smiled. "Most thieves in the area have their own getaway routes, but you were riding straight for Security's Satellite Headquarters. The name's Crow, kind of a familiar one these streets."

Yusei never knew any criminals personal and certainly did not know how to approach a veteran like this guy seemed to be. "Thanks for helping me lose those cops back there." Of course Yusei's learned politeness was not about to fade away, even if he was stuck in Satellite.

Crow nodded his head. "Just trying to help a fellow Satellite reject out."

Yusei felt his face twitch. He was no Satellite reject, even though he did just kill a man. "Yea, well..."

"You should probably find a safe place to stash that runner. If Sector Security doesn't catch up with you, I know a lot of other guys who would be more than happy to take that beauty off your hands." Crow informed Yusei.

"To tell you the truth, Crow, I have no idea where I am or where to go." The young man stated to the other.

Crow shrugged his shoulders, like he was thinking of doing something he might later regret. "Alright, listen. I know a place around here where you could stay a night or two and keep under Security's radar."

"Really? You'd help me out?" Yusei was surprised at Crow's generous offer. He was always lead to believe that the people of the Satellite were awful criminals who crawled around in sewage. Crow seemed nice and helpful, or maybe that was just his way of leading Yusei on. "No. It's fine. I can manage on my own."

"No offensive dude, but a weak ass like you would barely stand a chance out here on your own." Crow laughed.

Yet again, Yusei took offense by Crow's comment. "Alright. Will you show me where this hideout is?"

"Sure thing." Crow slipped his helmet back on. "By the way, what's your name?"

"Yusei."

"Yusei Fudo?"