Scheming
San Juan, Puerto Rico…
After arriving on the island from Miami, Katarina wandered throughout the old town of San Juan and asked various people the whereabouts of her guardian. Nothing turned up and Katarina was getting discouraged. She couldn't waste too much time, because she had to go back to her home country for her next fight. At a small park, Katarina sat on the bench with her hands on her face to keep from tearing up. Suddenly her phone rang.
Katarina: "Si, who is this?"
Miguel: "Katarina? It's me Miguel."
Katarina (Wiping her face.): "Oh! Miguel! I'm sorry! You caught me a bad time."
Miguel: "You need me to call you back?"
Katarina: "No! We can talk. I'm just upset that's all."
Miguel: "If it's about your father, I believe I found out something that may lead you to him."
Katarina: "Que? Please tell me!"
Miguel: "If was after my latest fight against this machine called Jack-7. After I won, some soldiers were bragging about how their other machine was so much better than the Jack-7. I can't remember what it was called, but some fighters across the world have disappeared due to this experiment machine. One soldier even said the place where they created the machine would be shut down soon. I looked it up on my phone, and it showed the place to be in Russia."
Katarina: "Russia? Do you have the address of this place in your phone right now?"
Miguel: "I think so. I will send you a text."
Katarina: "Obrigado Miguel! I didn't think I could count on you, but this definitely helps!"
Miguel: "Hey! When I make a promise, I don't forget it! I'll pretend I didn't hear that out of you!"
Katarina: "Forgive me Miguel. I will do my best to find that place in Russia and find out what the hell happened to my father!"
Miguel: "Anyway, I gotta head for the Middle East after I leave from Greece. Good luck in the tournament Katarina."
Katarina: "You too Miguel Ciao!"
As soon as Katarina got off the phone with Miguel, another call buzzed on her phone. It was Mr. Seu."
Katarina: "Si Boss. You rang?"
Seu: "Katarina! Where are you now?"
Katarina: "In Puerto Rico, looking for leads about my father."
Seu: "I need you come back to Brazil. I have big plans for you in your fight against Eddy. I will give you an extra day to return, if you don't there will be consequences."
Katarina: "Consequences? What are you saying?"
Seu: "I won't repeat myself? Just get back here or else you will regret not listening to me!" (Hangs up.)
Katarina: "Hey! Boss!" (No response.) (Angered.) "Way to fuck up my day! Just what has gotten into him?"
Though she still wanted to search for leads on the island, Katarina felt the need to return home and figure out why her boss would snap on her like that. Something wasn't adding up.
A day later, Jundiai, Sao Paulo, Brazil…
It took multiple flights to return back to Sao Paulo for Katarina and the trips themselves exhausted her. Even her well-groomed hair got messy because of excessing napping. She was nearing the mansion of Senhor Seu and she was ready for anything to go down in case things went south. This wasn't the first time she and her father faced backstabbers. However, her finances could take a huge nosedive if something bad happened to her employer.
With this in mind, Katarina kept her composure as the taxi stopped at the mansion. It was nighttime already as the bounty hunter got out of the car. An escort approached her and said to follow him. Inside the mansion, Mr. Seu could be heard shouting on the phone inside his study room. Katarina finally saw Mr. Seu and he wasn't his usual calm self. Not like before.
Seu (sees Katarina.): "We are not finished here Jorge! I want my supplies in before sundown tomorrow! Entendi!" (Hangs up.) "Katarina! Finally you're back!" (Walks closer while changing his mood.) "Look about before I didn't realized you were injured in your last fight. So I apologize for yelling at you. Are you okay my dear?"
Katarina: "Si. I'm only tired from getting back here is all."
Seu: "Good good. I have some more trouble with not only the government but also the Zaibatsu. It seems the Zaibatsu have found out about me through you. They realize that I have killed their soldiers here in this country, and placed a bounty on my head. I know you haven't found Martelo yet, but before we confront Eddy, you must stay close to me and watch out for anyone attempting to kill me. Are we clear about that?"
Katarina: "Si, I understand."
Seu: "I will prepare a room for you tonight, but we must leave and head into the main city tomorrow because I have a meeting with the some of the top drug lords there. So be up bright and early tomorrow morning, alright?"
Katarina: "Si Boss. Where can I sleep?"
Seu: "You many use my guest room at the west wing." (Claps hands.)
That was the signal for the butler to show Katarina her way out and into the guest room. When she finally got inside the door closed. Without even a second though, Katarina only took off her jacket and laid on the bed totally tried from traveling.
The Next Day…
Katarina woke up right before the escort could come back to get her out of bed. She quickly bathed and put on one of her new outfits she bought while in the US., although she would wear her sunglasses again. As the butler called her name, Katarina quickly walked out of the door without even saying good morning. She ate breakfast at the dining room downstairs despite her boss not being there. A maid took her plate once Katarina finished it, and she waited until Sehnor Seu would show up.
Seu: "Ah there you are Katarina? Come! We must be leaving! I'm already late."
Katarina (Standing up.): "Bom dia boss! Where are we going exactly?"
Seu: "It's a special meeting in Sao Paulo's slums. I need you as a witness and bodyguard. You have no problem with that right?"
Katarina: "No. I'm ready to go."
Seu (Smirk.): "That's my girl."
Sometime later…
The area that Mr. Seu's limousine had stopped in was not well known to Katarina, but seeing how impoverished it was, it was a place that even made her uncomfortable. It brought back bad memories of her childhood. The meeting spot used to be a slaughterhouse, but now it was a hideout for various goons and their kingpins. There were at least four well-dressed individuals sitting in a circular table inside. They all looked ugly to Katarina. Nonetheless she kept her composure. Some of the men took notice of Katarina's presence and began questioning Mr. Seu about her.
Purpleman (Because he wears all purple.): "Seu! Why is this pretty young woman here? You remember our policy of not bringing ladies in our meetings!"
Seu: "Relax gentlemen! She's just under contract with me. I'm just helping her as she helps me."
Missing eyeball kingpin: "Yeah right! Helping you drain your nuts!"
Everyone in the chamber room laughed, even Seu had to smile. But Katarina turned her head away and pouted.
A bodyguard: "Is she that woman in the King of Iron Fist Tournament? I think I've her seen her fight on TV a few weeks ago! She's really good!"
Seu: "Yes. This is what I mean by helping her out, you see."
Purpleman: "Oh so she's an assassin? Not too many women here are willing to kill by themselves! She must be special to be hired by the likes of you Seu!"
Seu: "Indeed. As a matter of fact, she will be fighting the very man who is the son of a famous lawyer from Rio. However, the company has been divided by some of his father's close friends including a lawyer who is now trying to arrest me."
Brazilian Yakuza: "What is his name, the fighter?"
Seu: "Eddy Gordo."
Purpleman: "What? The famous Capoeirista! Then, that means he's the son of Raymundo!"
Seu: "Right. And do you remember his close ally? Faron Barros?"
Purpleman: "Si! Si! Barros nearly put me in jail when I was in Rio and I had to shut down my prostitution ring because of him! Nosy bastard!"
Weapons Merchant: "It was because of Barros and the Rio police that my men and our smuggled guns were captured. We worked hard to steal them out of the Zaibatsu's clutches. Our revenue has dropped by at least 40% since then. We must find a way to kill Barros!"
Seu: "I agree. And it starts by killing Eddy. If we take him out during the tournament, then Barros will surely try to find out who did it. He will have no choice but to return to work as a detective and lawyer full time by investigating Eddy's death. So? Any you have any suggestions so far?"
Missing Eyeball: "Where is the fight between the lovely lady and Eddy?"
Seu: "It starts in 5 days. In Bahia I believe."
Purpleman: "Really? Why there?"
Seu: "It's Zaibatsu territory. And Eddy's martial art originated there too so that is my guess."
Brazilian Yakuza: "Why not find and kill him now?"
Seu: "I don't believe Eddy has entered the country yet. He might just head over to the fighting stage on his own."
Brazilian Yakuza: "Smart move on his part."
Seu: "In the mean time, I propose we send a letter to Faron Barros and drag him out of his nest so we can kill him."
Weapon Merchant: "Leave it to me. I will have a sniper ready to kill him when he is led out of his home."
Seu: "Good. Then I will personally see to it that I capture and kill Eddy after my girl beats him in the fight. Batista (Merchant) will see to it that Barros is out of the picture. Are there any objections?"
No one shook their heads…
Seu: "I turn it over to you Mauricio (Missing eye guy.)"
Missing Eyeball: "This meeting is officially adjourned if no one else has anything to say. Gentlemen let us meet at my mansion in three months, understood?"
The kingpins agreed on the venue of the next meeting. By the time Seu, Katarina, and two of his men went back in the limo Seu gave Katarina reassurance about the upcoming fight.
Seu: "Katarina. I apologize about the setting of that meeting. My fellow counterparts can, how should I say, are crude guys."
Katarina: "I didn't like how those men were staring at me! Like I'm easy to please or something!"
Seu: "Yes. Forgive me for that." (Changing the subject.) "Now Katarina. You must win against Eddy. I heard he had some training under Nina Williams when it comes to stealth missions so if he wins, I suspect he might escape my men's ambush. How are your injuries? Will you be ready to face him this weekend?"
Katarina: "I'm feeling better than last week. So I'm ready to fight again."
Seu: "Good. I will be counting on you. Now let us get something to eat." (Thinking as he gazes at Katarina. She stopped looking at him and viewed the car window.) "Such a lovely girl, if a little rough around the edges. If she fails to take out Eddy, then I might have to cut ties with her. I'll be damned if see a Mishima win another King of Iron Fist Tournament! And I hope Barros is out of the picture!"
A small grin was shown by Seu as the limo drove into the financial district of Sao Paulo. In the coming week, Katarina would have no idea as to who would be present in her upcoming bout. Things were about to change dramatically.
