Chapter 7

Raising the Stakes: part 2


"Aren't we lost?"

"Don't be silly Alabaster. The notion of such negative thoughts will only lead to an endless circulation." Clarinda began. Being the eldest child of the group, she was seen as their big sister, which despite knowing it was a simple affectionate title, put her uneasy as she didn't want to make Stephanie feel that their family status only mattered.

Speaking about Stephanie, she was part of the reason the group had separated from the adults. Even without the other kids outright stating it, she could sense their animosity for her intensify as they loitered around in circles. Her sister Clarinda wanted to help, but she understood maintaining the status quo was the best she could do. Only Soren and Kakarotto didn't blame her.

The latter had kept quiet for a while now, making it seem as if "he" was not used to being alone. This made Stephanie wonder, 'Do all families have children with problems?' She concluded yes, mainly since when she met Kakarotto, it was under her real name: Charlotte. For reasons unknown to her, Charlotte had to act as a male child was expected, albeit she was shy about the developing situation. She couldn't grasp why Charlotte wouldn't outright reveal her gender, but ultimately left the thought alone.

"Soren-kun, we'll be alright, will we?"

Those were the voices of two accompanying girls, Aiguchi Yumiko and Sugimoto Kaori, who had fancied Soren's attention ever since they met him. Honestly, it made Stephanie sick seeing how infatuated these two were, and their behavior was irrational considering their situation. But Soren didn't care. To him, if their fixation was a coping mechanism during the turmoil, then he'd allow the pestering, but never allow bias decisions. "You can count on it."

Their bright smiles caused Stephanie to avert her eyes from the sight. She might have times when she needed confirmation from another, and most of the time that job would land on her father. Since he wasn't here, and most of her intimately known associates were stuck with a corresponding responsibility, she attempted striking a conversation with the shy Charlotte.

"Not fun, is it?"

Charlotte nodded; she missed her family, her brother's protective nature, and her father's calming presence. Neither were here, and her eyes kept sparkling when she reminded herself that not a friend was here to stand alongside. Except for Stephanie of course. Silently, she tightened her fists and bite her lower lip, hoping her brother Kakarotto would come up with results this time. "It'll be over soon though." She stated, hope rising as she was being informed of a possible quick exit.

Leading the way, Charlotte brought them in front of a large set of double doors. Most noticeable of the hall was the door stops on the side of each wall, indicating that behind those doors was likely a storage or stockroom of some sorts. "See, I told you not to give thought to negatives." Clarinda replied aloud, to no one in particular. As each of the children walked through, Kakarotto and Soren were the only ones to feel the uneasiness. However, only Soren showed resistance in walking through.

"Is something wrong Soren?"

He could feel a continual beat that was reminiscent of running, but they weren't heavy as the men were. Catching a glimpse of Clarinda's concern, and the other children, he enacted on following suit.

"I see them!" Shouted the voice of a young preteen. It was somewhat strange to Soren as he had never heard that voice, and yet he felt a homely allure to the owner. Turning about, he managed to see the parka donned by the boy and Mr. Chandler running behind him. Before he could say anything, the doors swung closed...or at least tried to as the boy stuck his hand through, having his wrist caught in between the force.

The act had shocked the others as from their point of view, they saw a hand try swiping at Soren. To them, this further reinforced the fear of a non-human hunting them down, but they didn't know Taritsu exploited his bracers. Frightened, but mostly fueled by the drive to protect the younger children out of sisterly love, Clarinda did what she could in getting rid of the threat and closing the doors. However, a screeching sound resonated from the bottom of the Stockroom floor. A couple levels below, a pair of mechanical drones rolled out from the hatches. No bigger than a bike, they resembled Dromopoda.

This division of attention allowed Taritsu to force the doors open once more, and caused Clarinda to fall on top of him. The result-jealousy from the other males.

"I see you're well acquainted with my daughter, Taritsu." Was the dry remark of Jack Chandler. Noticing the underlying problem by how the thirteen year old girl was but mere inches from his face, he apologized on the situation. Face still flushed, Clarinda accepted it briefly and happily greeted her father. She was reacting quickly due to the drones down below, and didn't want any of them to end up as targets. However, the quick succession of words was unintelligible for the father.

"You got any of that?" He asked his guide immediately after.

"Only that you'd need to get out of sight." He replied as he hopped over the railing, dropping down the remaining floors until he reached the sub-basement level. The shock of his landing was enough to divert the drone dromopoda from climbing up the walls.

'If I recall, the attack mechanism of a Solifugid resembles closely to that of a funnel-web spider. The scorpion is much more predictable, but I'd have to keep my distance from its barb.'Taritsu congratulated whoever built the drones for their faithfulness towards biology, and continued to study their form. Their power source would likely be in the thorax, so he'd have to quick to bust it open before he was struck.

Stephanie eyed Charlotte as she looked with a renewed vigor at the mysterious boy. His appearance wasn't anything special, perhaps what an average vigilante's sidekick would be. And it was a bit strange that when it appeared he was going to get struck, the boy sidestepped away like he had anticipated them from behind. The fluid transition from offense to evasion reminded her of the same methods that boy she meet four years ago had.

The battle ended with the scorpion's barb plunged into the Solifugid's thorax, allowing Taritsu the opportunity to rip off the tail and proceeded to smash it with said part.

Finally over with, Stephanie was certain that this strange boy was in fact one and the same. Wanting to confirm it, she was about to call out the name she knew him by, but refrained from it once she saw his ears twitch and lifted his gaze upwards with the incoming transmission.

zzrrrt zzrrrt

[YOU'VE DONE WELL WITH THE PRELIMINARIES, SPEEDSTER.]

Everyone in the room was appalled by the echoing broadcast, wondering who was behind the drones and whether they were in immediate danger. Taritsu himself had actual fun handling the battle, but as his stomach was starting to affect him, he hid it well. From the top of the stockroom, a figure suited for battle with a T-visor helmet and a shoulder mounted cannon. With difficulty in anticipating what this person wanted, Taritsu simply went along with the context of the encounter being part of an exam.

"Oi, if your intentions were to get to me, you could have asked. I like testing too." Jokingly replied Taritsu. This caused several of the children to reel back in disgust with his attitude. They didn't know it, but the ten year old stated it to establish himself as the center of attention, if the newcomer were to start a fight.

Soren caught up on that but flustered when he saw Stephanie look on with an anticipation he never received. 'How dare he obstruct the affections of Stephanie when she's only met him for a couple seconds!'

"Don't worry Soren. You're a hundred times cooler than him." That comment brought his fuming mind back to an acceptable range.

"That's right." agreed the other girl of his Casanova fandom.

[Testing? Well...I suppose what the Chief wants goes along the lines of that.]

The voice was ambiguous, almost leaning to have a sincere apologetic tone. Infact, Taritsu had almost trusted the new individual until another figure appeared, calling out to get rid of the bystanders who might interfere. The suited individual shot a couple pellets, which upon impact with the wall, released the stored gas.

cough cough

"Don't inhale the fumes. Cover your mouths." Mr. Chandler instructed, but several of the children had knocked out within the first few seconds they had breathed in. Fortunately, they still had a strong pulse. As Clarinda, Soren, and Charlotte were the only ones fortunate enough to avoid the gas, they confirmed it was similar to having fallen asleep. 'Sleeping gas? I didn't know terrorists could be ethical.'

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THEM!" Angered that they dared to harm the innocent, Taritsu closed in and threw his punches. All of them were blocked consecutively, until his anger rose to the necessary level needed to bypass the defenses. Knocking this bounty hunter-esque person down, Taritsu was going to finish the job by knocking his enemy out, that is he would have do so if the second individual hadn't shot him with a static shield generating weapon.

[Johnstonii, you're not to hurt the subject.]

"Silence, Veras. The extraction requires cooperation. Since he obviously won't, containment is nescessary." He stated while striking the bounty hunter-esque companion for showing sympathy. His inbuilt computer visor briefly calculated what it registered the boy as. 'Hmm... power level of 1,965. The energy readings state he's fluxing at 200, physical capabilities state it's a steady 460, but where's that extra power coming from? At anycase, Veras shouldn't pity this fool of a wannabe before he becomes more of a threat.'

By that time, Taritsu's rage continued to spike his abilities, straining the static shield. He didn't like individuals who'd hurt others, whether it'd be his family, or even those who'd antagonize him. Pulling himself on his feet, he started to bide his energy for the strongest lash out yet. 'This will be tricky, I wouldn't be able to use the full effects of my abilities. I've seen mom and dad practice the moves, and I haven't tried it all yet. The speed I'll be moving at should compensate for the skill needed, though the resulting force will raise powerful winds. Just hope it's enough to reach my target.'

"What's he doing father?" Clarinda asked while never letting her eyes off him. He was a strange boy, meek and gentlemanly, yet boisterous and agitative. If anything, this boy was who Soren aspired to be, and yet when she looked at them both, she saw a difference. Soren had this ambitious nature that he coaxed regularly to fit in, whilst the speedster had covertly hidden apprehension. Maybe she was just seeing things, but the boy seemed off to her at how he handled his emotions.

"..runners stance..."

"Eh?"

Jack, startled, composed himself once more while adjusting his tie as he'd normally would under pressure. He knew the true nature of that stance- he was trained to combat its ferocity. If hit by it, it'd feel like a car ramming into you at top speed, but in reality, multiple hits had landed before you even saw it coming. At the speeds Taritsu exhibited, it'd be more like a locomotive instead. 'Once this is over, I'll have a word with him.' "He's adjusted his weight for a charge attack."

Charlotte, who was busy attending some of the passed out children agreed. "There's no doubt in it now. He's got this."

The two older individuals looked towards her as she had carefully placed each of the children away in the back. It seemed as if the kid had ever growing guilt with the outcome, but they didn't know the entirety of why. The only clue they had was from the way she looked concerned with the sleeping form of Stephanie, so they concluded it at that.

Soren eyed the boy predatorily, feeling he was one-upped by the new rival. He decided to help as well after some thought, having felt a bit of guilt from his neutral standing he usually had.

Finally, the ten year old shifted his legs.

The instant movements of his legs were all but slow moving in the eyes of Jack Chandler. Seeing as he pulled his arm back and formed a fist, he had a double. This wasn't the feral berserker strikes. Rather it was the legendary technique used by ancient monks. The...

"FARRRUUUUUKON...

KENNNNNNNN!"

SHOOOSH

The blow landed with a quick-but noticeable instance of heated air bursting out. It was evident the force destroyed the shield generator when they heard a loud crumbling sound, but as the dust settled, that bright flame in his eyes snuffed out in fear. His parent's techniques, Hamon- or whatever they referred to it as, failed him. Albeit his was imperfect, the fact that Johnstonii had materialized a mecha suit in seconds to counter the blow shocked him. 'Just... what have I gotten myself into.'


"...Geez. Is that all their effort?" Sedrick spoke aloud whilst tending his stiff neck muscles. Baddack was finishing the rest of the mechs off before they could retreat strategically. It was really an art form to Sedrick as he watched the older man battle with those organic weapons of his; some might call him a mutant for that, but he understood what was up with those claws. His bones had broken when he was younger, and when they healed, he had two sets. That explained the constant pain Baddack had whenever he suppressed the claws from protruding, but one thing did leave him to wonder though.

Wouldn't he have healed his bones in the right position? It couldn't possibly recognize those sharp bone claws as advantageous when he was a kid.

Rummaging through the last mech to find any survivors with intel, Sedrick began interrogating the pilot. This pilot however, bit his tongue, drawing the blood necessary for his diversion. Blinding the 31 year old, the pilot flipped the safety latch and pressed the matter compression button. At the instant he did, he found himself missing an arm. It was a searing pain, but the action was clean. On the side of the hatch walls was his hand, pinned by a shuriken.

Noticing the commotion, Baddack turned to see Vasilis having intercepted the fatal assault.

"Argh!"

Sedrick stopped wiping the blood from his eyes and utilized his remaining eyesight to find his aid. Gradually, the disgust exchanged with that of gratitude as Vasilis resumed the interrogation for him. The millionaire vigilante started off with a series of polar questions, eventually receiving the information needed.

"Now, if you want to live, tell me the name of the one who oversees this wretched plot. And if you don't, say otherwise." The pilot was about to answer, but then he realized. He couldn't speak the name.

The fear was getting to him, and he began hyperventilating. One wrong word and he'd be done. He didn't want to die, but the pressure was pounding his mind that he began foaming at the mouth. Seeing as he feared death and wished for aid, he tried to write the name with his blood, but sensing it futile, opted to press on the command screen the code sequence for their top Mech Pilot.

"Johnstonii, Arlo. Seems like we've got our perp." The man in the dark cowl told his comrades. His arrival was convenient enough that it meant allowing Yanagi to regroup with the others having safely delivered the crowd under ECPD authority. Otherwise, she'd have to explain the situation herself.

Kaede Chandler stuck around Yanagi as she held her head in shame, apologizing for her indifference. Seeing as the older woman was flustering with the next sentence she dearly wished to say, Yanagi took the reins. "Don't."

Kaede looked up, perplexed as to why she interrupted. 'Did I anger her? Is she looking for revenge? I guess I deserve her malice.'

"This wasn't done so we can be friends. I simply done what any good-natured person would do. Keep your pride and dignity, Matsuoka. Maybe..." She paused; sentimentality of their shared past was resurfacing again, but she wanted to keep the promise she made to her. 'one day I'll earn her respect as a person. If I let her make it up to me for this, it'll be superficial.' "..we'll meet again."

Kaede, seeing that slight hopeful smile, nodded, and proceeded to ask if the children were found. She was swept away by the police before she could speak up, but Yanagi mouthed her an answer that reassured her anxiety.

Heading towards the other men, Yanagi felt her shoulders gain weight as the emotional turmoil was eating up at her too. Her son was no where around them, so she figured he might still be inside. Sedrick beat her to the questioning first. "He's not with you?"

"Kyousuke went off to find the children, accompanied by a Mr. Chandler. I do hope he manages."

"Same here." Vasilis pulled up his personalized PDA, showing the coordinates of two subjects. "Apparently our little hero is currently in a boss fight."

Yanagi, shocked as expected in the first moments, shook the feelings off and then proceeded to berate the man as to why he let her little boy come to the foreign land on his own. She could tolerate many things, like her husband going off with their child without a word, since she knew he wouldn't let the boy out of sight, but Vasilis wouldn't get that leniency. Not after she saw how he was practically isolated for any to take him for vile intentions.

"Err- we'll talk about it later. What's important right now are the children, right?" He slyly writhed away from Yanagi's wrath. It perked Sedrick's jealousy a bit, since he would always have to handle it full force if he messed up.

'I don't know how he does it.' "Come on Badda," Sedrick used the moronic nickname he initially reserved for the older man, diffusing the situation further. Have it been any other situation, he'd scold him immediately, but instead let out a stressed grunt and joined the trio, heading towards the adjacent street.


Johnstonii and Taritsu exchanged blow after blow in their battle that was somewhat reminiscent of break dancing vs an animal smashing the place. He soon found his surveillance nanomites catching sight of the four experienced adults closing in. Taritsu had taken that short instance to land a devastating blow.

"HAH! That suit of yours got nothing on me." The boy cheerfully exclaimed.

Cursing his luck, Johnstonii decided it was time. Activating his second shift, he locked onto the target. Smirking deviously, he let out a piercing shriek, causing the boy to cover his ears from the pain. In an instant, the boy was pinned between the mechanical arm and the high-density wall. A blood-curdling scream screeched out from the kid's lungs.

"I'VE GOT YOU NOW, YOU LITTLE MONGREL!" He applied more pressure to his chest, and began the extraction process when the hidden syringes invaded the boy's body.

[JOHNSTONII, YOU FOOL. IT'll KILL HIM!]

"QUIET DOWN VERAS. A PUNISHMENT IS IN ORDER FOR ANY WHO OPPOSE ME." He maniacally retorted. Obviously his mindset was starting to slip out of the normal range possible for a eudoran, but those seeing this cruel act simply saw a madman rather than an extraterrestrial.

'I have to do something quick.' Jack didn't know much of what he could do at this point. If he decided to dive in and fight head on, it'd be likely he'd be forced to submit. And even if he did win, there'd be much explaining to do since it essentially meant his identity would be exposed. "Get into the corridor quick." He told the children.

Seeing the railing, he broke off a couple bars and steadied his aim. 'I hope this works.'

"Taritsu, stay awake buddy."

Taritsu grinded his teeth in response to the words. He was hearing him again, but as he looked over to the corridor, he saw that Kakarotto was both safe as well as next to him.

"H-how?"

"Nevermind that. If you want to survive, you're going to have to release a significant portion of your power. Take off one of your bracers quick."

Taritsu was appalled. For all his life, he had sworn to never take the bracers off to both his parents and his grandparents. They said it was necessary for him to live, but here his closest friend was suggesting him to lose his energy for a high risk gambit.

"N-No... why should I?"

"It's the only way I'll be able to help you."

"Praying for your life now? I suppose a plebian such as yourself would resort to using a pain reliever. No matter. In a few seconds you'll be useless to me. You can be certain I'll rid your drained carcass from this world as such a horrid obscenity shouldn't be seen by innocent eyes." Johnstonii crudely promised his twisted sense of generosity.

WHOOOOOOOSH SHNNT

The delusional pilot found the hydraulics of the arm nonresponsive. The extraction was still continuing, but it was bearable enough for Taritsu to follow through what he was asked. 'Here goes.'

A blinding flash of light emanated from the cannon of non other than Veras. This was it, the opportunity had presented itself and Veras had enough of the guy. He'd pay for harming the child, even if Veras would suffer grave consequences.

Once the room cleared, the situation before them was entirely unexpected. Simply calling that scene a shocking turn of events would be an understatement. Veras hanged in the air, abdomen pierced by "his" partner.

"Teh." Johnstonii had his hand on the controls once more after managing to reroute the suit's energy. "You know, Veras. You would have been the first among W.U.S.S.'s super soldier program. Seeing as how eager you are, I find it fitting that the blood of this boy you tried to save will kill you." He pressed the key that initiated the 'injection' process and stopped it right after a couple of milliliters passed through, enough to cause Veras an overload and pass out from the dangerous amount of volume in the blood. Satisfied with the passed out traitor, he threw Veras to the ground, causing the T-visor helmet to roll off, exposing Vera's true identity.

"Now," Johnstonii turned to check on the boy. "Hmm. I guess I did take more than necessary. This is even enough to start my own blood bank." He gleefully stated.

A sharp turn occurred once more, eyes glaring at the nervous daze of the politician. He'd be next, and soon after would be the rest of the children. "That was a good throw back there. Excellent precision too."

Jack stayed silent, but stood his ground. He looked over at Taritsu's violated body, and immediately back at the threat before him. Suddenly, it hit him. 'Movement? He' still alive!'

Groggily the boy rose to a sitting position and cracked his knuckles. 'Man, I was worried he wasn't going to do it. He's been drained to critical levels, but his reserves should recover the injuries. Too bad the stress of making the jump knocked him out. Thankfully I was able to take control before he went mindless.'

"Dad, he's still alive?"

The sudden interjection of Clarinda disrupted Johnstonii's concentration. He didn't see the boy's second wind coming. He used the computer to scan his vitals quickly, only to smash the screen when it confirmed his fear. A blue tint in his hair had appeared and so did green in his eyes, due to the new available power.

Taking the metal bar, the boy began to counter each and every blow coming from the madman. "HYAAAH!" The concussive force was enough to have been heard from outside, allowing the older heroes to locate their fight in time. Startled by the sudden second round, the visor calculated his readings once more.

'The kid's stabilized at 1,332 but it's painfully obvious he's in no shape to use his full capabilities. These four are more dangerous as they're topping the 100,000 mark; the woman seems weaker than the others, but her mastery of energy is much more developed, whereas each of those men have the capability of dealing serious damage to the mech.'Suddenly the computer displayed a deeper analysis on the oldest of the group, enhancing his fears at the new knowledge. 'Not possible. No man should be able to carry around such high concentrations of alloy. I must plan this carefully.'

"NOBODY MOVE OR I'LL BLOW UP THIS FACILITY AND THE SURROUNDING BLOCKS RIGHT NOW."

"You're bluffing," Taritsu/Kakarotto retorted. His piercing eyes took one look at his sister and had to believe that he wasn't kidding. She had this look of uncertainty as the suited madman was asserting his threat, and neither party wanted to risk confirming the grim fact. Now stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea, he had to let his enemy make demands.

"Sedrick, Vasilis. I'll take him on while you two get them out of here. Don't worry about me- I'm inde"

"No," the young boy spoke once more. He didn't like the idea so much as the next person, but it was the best bargain around. Laying down his weapon, he put his arms behind his head. 'Now for phase two.'

"I give up. You've won. Take me and leave the others alone."

Bafflement filled the room, but it was a serious consideration between the two. Johnstonii hadn't expected the sudden surrender, but he was glad to have outwitted the brat. "Alright. But along with you I'll need additional insurance." He stated as the mech's arm extended and went for the others. His aim wasn't really intending for anyone specific but found Charlotte the best choice as the data confirmed she was genetically compatible. As she saw it coming and put herself in it's path to protect her unconscious friend, Charlotte looked onwards without giving into the crippling fear.

"Hmm, so we have another volunteer. This one seems innocuous, so I supposed it'll do. It's quite a shame I hadn't retrieved an unconscious one. But don't worry, you'll have 'fun' as a test subject." He belittled the selfless act with maniacal laughter.

Taking the two children under restraints, the adults in the room tried their best to sustain themselves from trying anything. Taritsu/Kakarotto gave them a small nod that they could interpret as "Don't worry. I planned it out." and continued to play coy. Pressing another stroke of the keys, the suit released what could be described as a hover pod, allowing for a speedy get away whilst the others could do nothing.

Moments later, the room was stormed by a torrential rush of BALM agents. Guns at the ready, the whole scenario was reminiscent of what happened previously upstairs. However, this time, a familiar was among them. Cheisu walked in front of the other agents to clear any misunderstandings, but they weren't interested on taking them custody. No...

This time, the director chose to handle things in person.

"It's been a long time, Rutabaski."