Chapter 6 Assets

SIU Headquarters: 9:45 PM

The SIU headquarters was almost like a police station. The desks were arranged in a wide, carpeted space for optimum communication efficiency among the workers. Walkways were just wide enough for three people to squeeze through. Among the desks were walkways that led to separate offices for the higher officials, namely Chief Sanada of the SIU and others with similar but less superior titles.

By that point in the day, most SIU workers had already gone on home to rest. The lights were almost out, most of the desks were cleared of their owners' property, and the janitors were already at work cleaning the carpets.

Chief Sanada's "temporary" desk was a mess of pictures and clips from newspapers, each ranging from numerous cases. The chief himself was sitting in a rolling chair at the desk, the light of an active computer illuminating his face and the space behind him. No janitor had approached any desk within 5 meters of him. The last janitor who did so was given a formal and informal reprimand for "interfering with work," along with spilling extremely corrosive disinfectant in the chief's original office. He was faced with the ordeals of the judicial court, and he had not come back to work in that building. Rumor had it, he even changed his name and moved far away.

Detective Mitsuru's desk was not as messy, allowing for a small, built-in television screen. She was seated back in a similar rolling chair and was reviewing a case file that looked approximately five decades old, filled with virtually useless consent forms for E. Co. Industries and pictures of the recipients. The detective finally gave up reviewing the file for what seemed like the thousandth time and let it drop on the desk.

Joseph had hinted at something called Project G, where E. Co was incorporating its efforts. Unfortunately for the detective, everything else he had babbled was a repeat of the same idea. The project had been halted with the overthrowing of Ikutsuki's regime, the real Third Ascendancy, by the Rebellion. The remnants of the company were later searched for and the workers recruited by the survivors of the former regime, then abandoned once they had outlived their usefulness. By the time he had reached ranting about hands, the detective gave up and left. Since then, she and the chief had been looking for more information about Project G from official Port Island files. So far, they had made little progress.

"How's it going on your end?" asked Chief Sanada, his eyes glued to the computer screen.

"Nada," said Detective Mitsuru, rubbing her temples. "Found nothing relating to Project G over here. You?"

"Nothing that doesn't relate to video games and sci-fi novels," Chief Sanada replied. He logged off his temporary computer and shut it down. "Getting late. I'm going to call it a night. You gonna keep working?"

"Yeah," said Detective Mitsuru, sliding her chair over to a filing cabinet. She opened it and replaced the file she had in her hands with the next file in line.

"How's Jonathan?"

"He's fine," Detective Mitsuru replied. "He was able to cover a mile in eight minutes yesterday."

"On a treadmill?"

"You know he can't leave his chair by himself, let alone the neighborhood."

Chief Sanada nodded. "I trust he's doing well?"

"He's picked up oil painting," said Mitsuru.

"Ah, good hobby. Do you model for him?"

Mitsuru gave a slight laugh. "I can't stay still long enough for him to pick up a pencil."

Chief Sanada chuckled. "Sounds like he's recovering well," he said.

Detective Mitsuru flipped through the next file and snapped it shut. "I'm pleased he is."

"Well, that's it for me. G'night," Chief Sanada said. He grabbed his coat and left the building. The janitors waited a good five minutes before making their move. Once they were sure he was not coming back, they approached his work area with their vacuum cleaners.

At that point, Detective Mitsuru had opened a new file and begun reading it. As time slowly passed, file after boring file slipped through her fingertips, but she was only on the lookout for information on someone named Ryouji Mochizuki. According to former Dr. Joseph Carlson, his last gig in Project G had involved that man.

At some point, just before she dozed off, Detective Mitsuru finally found the file with Ryouji's name. Her eyelids had almost closed when she saw the name Ryoji, and then her interest piqued. Attached to the file was a picture of a man with graying hair and stress wrinkles.

Detective Mitsuru read the description aloud. "Name: Ryouji comma Ryoji; gender: male; age: 44; family: Ryouji comma Aigis, deceased; no children; medical condition: broken thigh bone, missing foreleg."

The file continued on to reveal a consent form for E. Co's project G. The history was extremely vague, evidently to protect Ryouji's private information. Permanent parker blotted out most of the written data, leaving only important names, dates, and sentences pertaining to the nature of the operation. What was evident was that he had suffered an accident of some sort, robbing him of the ability to walk on his own legs.

The procedure offered by E. Co. looked simple enough. His broken bones were to be transplanted with multi polymer internal framework, synthetic element supports enabling him to walk once more. What was interesting about the file was that it was only a couple of years old after the rise of the Rebellion. There were even other files about other patients consenting to Project G.

For the next minute, Detective Mitsuru cross-referenced all other files concerning this Project G. She searched through file after file again and again, scattering files across the surface of her desk. Her suspicions were cleared. There was no explanation of or other files concerning Project G besides body part transplants.

Something flashed in the corner of her vision. She looked up from her 11th file. Detective Mitsuru located the source of the light; it was right outside the open window facing the open street. Ordinarily, the street was empty of local Colossians at night, whether they walked on foot or drove hover cars. But one figure stood out from the nearly empty street.

It had blue eyes and a demon's face.

Detective Mitsuru flinched. He held up a white index card for Detective Mitsuru to see. Once it was clearly evident to the detective, Thanatos made a gesture that hinted, "Keep quiet." Thanatos then dropped the index card to the ground and dashed out of sight.

Detective Mitsuru knew what to do; without stopping to put on her coat she dashed outside. Once she had hastily passed the building's welcome desk, she found the approximate area where the freakish figure had appeared out of nowhere. Inevitably, she found the white index card. She picked it up and read it:

Detective Mitsuru,

We don't have to make formal introductions, so let's cut to the chase.

There is a phone number on the back of this card. Use it to contact me.

Burn this after reading.

Your cooperation will be most appreciated.

Thanatos

Detective Mitsuru immediately flipped the card around. True to his word, Thanatos had left a phone number. She immediately dashed back to her desk, still untouched by the janitors, and grabbed her phone. The familiar dial tone rung. Once the line had been established, a muffled but gruff voice responded.

"Hello detective," said Thanatos.

Detective Mitsuru pressed a button on the bottom of her desk. A built in call detector activated, tracing the source at the other end of the phone line. The small television screen inside of her desktop flashed on and traced the source of the call. A small beacon started flashing along Main Street. It was moving quickly.

He's moving, Detective Mitsuru almost muttered under her breath. This meant that Thanatos was using a cell phone; he could not be traced to one location.

"Here's a question for you," said Thanatos. "Why do you solve crimes concerning me?"

Detective Mitsuru's blood ran cold. "What makes you think I'm only concerned with you?" she asked in a stern voice.

"Your activities have been centered on cases involving missing metal tools and empty shells lying around at crime scenes. However, these cases have been dismissed as Third Ascendancy attacks that were seemingly irrational acts of destruction. You know me better than that, now don't you?"

Detective Mitsuru rechecked the screen. Thanatos had stopped in the middle of the street. "Why me?"

"I have observed other detectives on these scenes and observed their reports that were presented to the media. Although some of the information was classified, I could tell that your thoughts about the matter were much different. You were the most suited for the job I have in mind."

"Different?"

There was a pause. "By now, all of your questions should be obsolete. Anything that matters at the moment has been answered."

"We can find a suitable solution. First, I want you to locate and photocopy all case files concerning E. Co technology and operations. Second, bring the copies to the Gekkokan Academy flagpole at midnight. Come alone, and then we'll talk. Your cooperation would be most appreciated."

The line clicked once, and then the other phone was hung up.

Detective Mitsuru paused as she observed the screen tracing the call. Thanatos had resumed movement but at a much slower speed and off of Main Street. This meant that he had left his vehicle and avoided any possible witnesses.

As the line rung with an empty dial tone, Detective Mitsuru was at a loss for words as well as thoughts. Once the haze in her mind had cleared, she ripped up the white index card and dumped the pieces into her wastepaper basket, ignoring the note's instructions.

Detective Mitsuru then looked at a picture frame displayed at the front of her desk. The picture showed herself along with a Jonathan Mitsuru, her husband. He was crippled when he was caught in the line of the Thanatos's fire. He only started recovering a few months prior to tonight. How much more could they lose if she refused to cooperate? Thanatos knew where to find her. Why not her husband?

Regrettably, she located the files concerning E. Co., including the ones mentioning Project G, and then discretely made her way to the copying machine.

Her entire conversation with Thanatos had been too quiet for the janitors to overhear. Even as she left, neither of them did so much as look up and notice that the detective was muttering to herself about losing her badge.


GEKKOKAN Academy Flagpole: 10:58 PM

The hit list was organized as follows: Name, picture, contact information, and instructions regarding what each person could offer and how to deal with that person.

After taking a minute to decipher the vague instructions set forth by Orpheus, Minato was able to find a better translation for the directions. He found the voice recording on his computer. Before making his move, he realized that the voice recording was set to provoke the detective, along with bending her to his will. She would be forced into a position where she had to help him.

The detective, as described in the hit list, was not convinced that Thanatos was just a rampaging war machine. From what Orpheus had described (and referenced from online media archives), she had not been as cynical about his habits. However, there was not enough information to prove his conclusion.

Worst case scenario, Minato would have to sound like he knew what he was doing and knew what was going on in the criminal underworld. Luckily, he had watched enough espionage movies to know what to say. Besides, most of what he would actually be saying would be partially true. The entire act seemed immoral, but Minato was a dead man whether he went through with the plan or not. If this was going to get him closer to an answer, then so be it.

Minato, otherwise known as Thanatos, was standing in a natural blind spot at the academy's entrance. He was in Active Armor to hide his normal face and possibly draw a weapon if necessary. From the dark spot, one would have to look carefully to catch a glimpse of his now faintly luminescent mask.

If the plan pulled through, then Minato would have the necessary information to locate and learn more about E. Co. Industries. If not, well, he would not hunt down Mitsuru. Exploiting confidential information was immoral enough.

Almost out of the darkness, a slender figure carrying a small suitcase approached the building. Even from far away, the blonde hair gave away her identity. Minato tried to suppress his conspicuous aura even more.

Detective Mitsuru stopped once she was at the base of the flagpole. She turned around to look out onto the street, which would more likely allow her to see any freakish figure coming a block away. Clutching the briefcase closely, it was as though the detective was carrying the deed to the entire city state of Port Island itself.

Thanatos approached the detective from behind. "You've done well, detective," he said.

Detective Mitsuru spun around. "How did you find that Intel about me?" she demanded in a stern voice.

"All in due time," he said nonchalantly. "The files?"

After a moment's delay, Detective Mitsuru held up the briefcase and opened it for Minato to see. Just as promised, stapled copies of numerous official files were packed into the small case. "Here are copies of all the files the SIU have concerning E. Co Industries," said the detective.

"Slide it over here."

The detective then closed the briefcase, set it on the ground, and slid it over to the vigilante. Once the case skidded to a stop an inch from his metallic foot, Thanatos knelt down and picked it up.

So far so good, thought Minato.

"You have your files," said Detective Mitsuru. "If you don't mind, now it's my turn to ask questions. You ran off somewhere for the past six months. Why?"

Thanatos paused. Where'd I go? "Why does it matter?" he inquired.

Detective Mitsuru regained her stern voice. "Two years ago, you were associated in a robbery at the Keeper's State Bank. You blew open a wall and launched the debris that captured both the robbers. Six civilians were also hospitalized. One in particular was paralyzed from the waist down. So I found little reason to dismiss you as an idiot with too much time on his hands."

An odd silence passed. I hurt people? Minato had no memories of a past life. However, something inside him told him to play more than just the good guy. At this point, Thanatos had more control over what he said. His tone shifted from intimidating to more gentle.

"There will be no more civilian casualties," he said. "All I want is your assistance with something big that is happening."

Detective Mitsuru was disturbed by the last comment. This did not sound like the Thanatos that the case files had described.

Thanatos continued his explanation. "Port Island's crime rate had only increased after the establishment of the current Ascendancy. Not even District Troops can handle the job. Organized crime, Thirds, only to name a few of the problems that Port Island's welfare is threatened by. The extremists control half the city, and civilian casualties are rising. I found myself being pursued by the remnants of E. Co. for the technology I had taken from them.

"If they could make weaponry like this," said Thanatos directing Mitsuru's attention to his demonic helmet, "then who knows what havoc might be wrought when they release it upon the people?"

With cautious agreement, Detective Mitsuru nodded to show that she understood. Her notion suggested compliance, but her bitter sentiments were masked behind the acquiescent face.

"You are not obliged to help me," said Thanatos. "But if you are willing to stop antigovernment efforts, then help me. Thirds, as well as the organized crime, depend on old E. Co weaponry and files for their activities. They are quite possibly are selling even deadlier products on the black market. I need answers as to what E. Co was doing during the last few years of its existence. Before I can find the answer, the local police will still be looking out for me. I need you on the inside to tell me what's happening."

Detective Mitsuru was still not ready to be convinced. "Of all the detectives on the force, why did you pick me?" she asked.

Thanatos paced in a semicircle around the flagpole, allowing the streetlights to reveal the features of his helmet. "I have reviewed your analysis of my past actions and crimes," he said. "You didn't seem like the type to simply dismiss me as a mindless monster."

Once Thanatos was in plain sight, the detective's expression shifted from confused to completely awestruck. Every other image of the vigilante she had seen had been a blur in a black and white photograph. Seeing such a hideous face so still was the equivalent of having a District Trooper walk up to her in full combat armor and ask for her hand in marriage, which is how she met her husband.

"Can I trust you to help me?" asked the Thanatos.

His helmet was intimidating still, but the voice behind it was lighter and more persuasive. He might not have intended this, but he was trying to speak at an equal level as the detective. Now the Thanatos's aura of imposing fear was gone.

There was a pause while the detective thought over Thanatos's request. This was the man who crippled her husband. The man at home couldn't resume his work nor earn his wages in the law. All he could do now was list about without a means of supporting the family.

Ever since that day, the detective had stopped at nothing to capture Thanatos. But now she saw that he was just a crook. And crooks were corruptible. Thanatos's crusade was irrational and unbelievable. He was reckless and unreliable, but could serve of use to Mitsuru along the line.

"No harm will come to me or my family?" Mitsuru asked.

The vigilante nodded. "Use the number again if you need to contact me," said Thanatos. "I anticipate positive news."

He then turned and walked away. Black armor and blue streaks whisked into the darkness and disappeared in an instant. The one who called himself Thanatos had disappeared down the shadows of the creeping night.

Detective Mitsuru inhaled deeply. She felt the gun hidden in her coat. She wondered what would have happened if she had used it? Would she have tried to shoot Thanatos then and there? On a different note, could his naive nature be used to her advantage?

Although she had only dialed it an hour before, Detective Mitsuru remembered Thanatos's phone number. She whipped a pen out of her pocket and quickly scribbled it down on the palm of her hand. Detective Mitsuru knew that this act would most likely cause Jonathan to have an issue with her if he ever caught a glimpse of it. But she would have some sort of explanation as to why it was written down. She would later have to record the number somewhere more permanent.

Detective Mitsuru smiled to herself. If I'm lucky, she thought, he'll take care of the Third Ascendancy problem for us. This just got interesting.

Detective Mitsuru turned and headed home, where Jonathan was safe yet another day. Thanatos would get what was coming for him one way or another.

Colossian Military academy Rooftop: Meanwhile

Minato, switched out of Active Armor, lay on the rooftop of the academy building, and found himself staring at the moon.

Due to damage to the atmosphere from pollution, smog found its way into every Colossian's life one way or another. Usually, the smog obscured the sun or the moon, whichever was illuminating the sky. Only on occasional days in the summer were the skies half empty of clouds.

When night rolled in, the sky opened and streamed moonlight onto the school Minato once called his own. Minato found himself studying every last speck and crater of the moon's face as he glanced meaninglessly at the sky. He paused as he counted the fiftieth crater in the white rock above.

As the boy stared aimlessly into the night sky, he realized that the familiar white crescent was fighting a colossal cloud for space in the atmosphere. That almost never happened in Port Island, not with the given air quality. The smog almost always obscured everything in heaven.

Perhaps that was God's way of smiling on Minato.

How long has it been since I could look at the moon like that? Minato wondered to himself.

"So now it's the black market?" asked Orpheus, once again appearing without warning.

"I had to make up something on the spot," Minato replied. "You got to admit, that was pretty elaborate."

Orpheus gave something similar to a chuckle. "Not bad. Most of it was true. But it's just one lie after the other, isn't it? You're getting good at this sort of thing."

"Yeah," Minato replied with a half hearted

"If you have to pull this stunt again, can we fabricate stories of explosions, death, and other unspeakable atrocities?"

Minato felt a twinge of guilt. Somehow lying about his true motives was not sitting well with his insides. "Can't we talk about this tomorrow?" Minato's conscience was kicking in and a seemingly endless pit formed in the bottom of his gut. "I'm not in the mood to discuss this."

Orpheus gave the closest thing it had to shrugging its shoulders, which curiously enough, did not involve shoulders. "Whatever. Is that what kids say these days, 'whatever'? It'll have to do. So, will you begin tomorrow?"

Minato paused in thought. Now that Orpheus mentioned it, he had almost forgotten what his main goal was.

The Third Ascendancy was definitely the biggest problem. The lesser grunts had the audacity to try assaulting his friends. They didn't do it out of spite or from official orders. They did it for kicks. If these were the lower ranked punks, surely the others were even worse. They had already violently taken over half of Port Island, what more damage could they do unwatched?

The atmosphere changed, and with it Minato's mood changed for the worse.

"One question, Orpheus," he asked.

"Yes?"

"Since you have been keeping tabs on me and I'm such a proactive guy, this means you've been keeping tabs on all government and antigovernment activity around the city, right?"

Orpheus gave the closest expression it had to an interested look. "Where are you going with this?"

"How many Turd hideouts do you think I can weed out in the next hour?"

Orpheus grinned, his monstrous jaw line even wider than before. "Let's find out."