Chapter 10: The steel sniper
01:03 AM (Moscow Time), Saturday February the 25th…
"… Hum."
A Net Navi was standing within a Cyber World somewhere.
His helmet included a band around the forehead which circled the whole diameter of the head and a band crossing from the middle of the helmet to the other side thus forming an arch: the pads were placed clearly above the ears in this case.
The Navi had a pyramid-shaped green spot exactly over his chin, carried a small microphone for radio communication emerged from the right side of his helmet while his left eye was covered by a small piece of an LCD visor which seemed to be there to display information.
Orange-tinted hair could be seen covering the sides and read part of the head.
The iris color was red yet the eyes almost looked like camera lenses.
The upper body was protected by green body armor which contained some patches of lush green: it had the general form of a protective vest. Two round metallic plates with a grayish border were placed directly above his shoulders to protect them.
Next was the left forearm, which had a circle around the wrist and a "scope" sign colored brown and set atop a black circle over the left hand could be seen: his right forearm had a gun built with a cone trigger.
The legs, starting at around the hips, were also covered in armor which included two oval circles around the knees: the boots had a square end.
The Navi's lower body was exposed and his black "skin" could be clearly seen starting under the upper torso armor.
His overall height seemed to be around a meter and seventy tall, more or less.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The Navi got into firing position and began to look around the Cyber World as the red glow from the alarm brightened and faded.
My first field mission granted by… hum… Boss. I won't disappoint him: this Navi is specialist in seeing through invisibility but I'm not present here: I've just taken over the sensors but that's not my handiwork: a filthy dog is about to show up… I've got a score to settle with them but Boss forbade me: he says that the Net Police will do the work for us and we'll then finish them off once they're worn from this long attrition war…
The "Commander", hidden within the diamond, was apparently thinking as they looked at some imagery brought upon some sensors of the Cyber World where the soldier Navi was at: the diamond was surrounded by a field which made it invisible to mere sight too.
This shell is good to hide my identity. And they won't expect me either: they're too preoccupied with the "Darkloids"…
The soldier Navi suddenly shot to an empty spot located five or six meters away producing an explosion and some smoke: a katana cut through the smoke and Shadow Man, the mercenary ninja Net Navi, made his appearance: he stood up with the katana drawn.
"Oh? Seeing through from that distance… Not bad at all." He praised as he sheathed the katana.
The Navi jumped and landed on the ground about two meters in front of Shadow Man before standing up: their face was unmovable and they were focused on the battle.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh…"
Two security Navis which looked like they'd been taken over showed up to flank Shadow Man: two more joined them making a total of four but the soldier was unimpressed.
"The security Navis attacking the ally is so humorous... Go!"
The soldier shot them without hesitation thus deleting them all: Shadow Man was not surprised either or he didn't show it either.
"Oh? You deleted them without doubting…" He sounded amused.
"There were no means to save them, who'd become rioters." The soldier calmly replied.
"Ruthless… No… More like cool and composed… I like those."
He turned around and the soldier then noticed a half-deleted (only the upper torso was left) Security Navi clutching his left leg: he quickly deleted them but when he looked up Shadow Man was gone.
Filthy dog, using pawns to distract the opponent… They haven't changed at all! Miserable mercenaries!
The soldier cancelled combat mode and looked up and to the right.
"Sheesh."
A program set in two pedestals and shaped like the Alphabet "X" letter switched from blue to red as it began to brighten and fade before it turned red as if to signal that it'd been compromised: the soldier looked up at it from close by.
"They destroyed our nation's "Control X"?" He wondered.
Now let's follow their trail and they'll lead us to the organization behind the "Darkloids"…
The "Commander" made the diamond warp and it appeared elsewhere: a new screen popped out to show a camera displaying the cavernous command room of "Yami" as he sat on the armchair facing some kind of structure across the room: a transparent empty cylinder rose up from inside of it and a life-sized hologram of Shadow Man was displayed inside of the cylinder as he entered the system.
"Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah… As expected… Mr. Shadow Man." "Yami" laughed and sounded amused.
Shadow Man remained silent and having his arms folded: it was obvious he was not fond of chit-chat.
"Hmpf… Here's your reward…"
Hum! Yuriko: the field agent…
The "Commander" had spotted Yuriko standing close by with a spotlight shining above her thus illuminating her frame: she had her arms folded too and a smug smile on her face.
"I sent the money to the account your Operator told us. But I've got something else for you."
Yuriko glanced towards "Yami" and drew a small remote on her right hand which she activated.
"Tee, heh, heh." She inwardly giggled.
Five "Dark Chips" formed in the air floating and turning in front of Shadow Man who wasn't impressed.
"… "Dark Chips"? Five of them… You're generous."
He simply grabbed them with his right hand while "Yami" looked on: only the edges of his body had indirect lighting on it and the whole front was still unlit.
"So? Did you like them?"
"Yeah… Not bad at all… However… You want to say thatt the next job will succeed thanks to these "Dark Chips"?"
"Oh no! You have true potential. These candies should only be used for emergencies."
"Hmpf! You're good at convincing others."
"You're the one who decides. So?"
"It'd seem that the "Control X" is pretty troublesome for you."
"Hum? Heh. If you wish your reward then it'd be better if you didn't chat too much… Mr. Shadow Man."
"… Heh, heh, heh, heh… Just like you say… I've talked too much, for once. I'll show you how I flawlessly destroy the remaining "Control X"…" He announced.
"Be as wild as you wish."
"Hmpf. Acknowledged…"
Shadow Man came out and the cylinder descended into the structure again while its brightness dimmed.
"… Heh. Well. Let the sengoku ninja do it on his manner… When the eyesore "Control X" is destroyed then the only thing which could detect the location our satellite will be gone… The satellite of us "Nebula"… Heh, heh, heh… Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah…"
I see. Their satellite must be what shoots down "Dimensional Converters" and thus it's become an eyesore for them were the system to be used to its full potential… Hum! I must report.
The diamond warped again and entered a Cyber World filled with snow and some ice mountains: a constant blizzard was buffeting the area but the "Commander" didn't seem to mind that.
The base. This is where I belong to.
"Ah. Commander. How'd it go? The little trip to Sharo…"
"Shadow Man showed up and destroyed the "Control X"…"
"As expected." The "Boss" wasn't surprised.
"I traced them to "Nebula"... They were given 5 "Dark Chips" and it'd seem that the leader is interested in hiding a satellite from "Control X" hence the streak of worldwide attacks on them…"
"Names? Faces?"
"Yuriko. The man was hidden but from the indirect light and such I found out they have blonde hair and wear a black suit with pants and shoes. No names were said. Shadow Man's Operator remains unnamed too. But they'll be going for Japan's "Control X"… Today."
"Then you know what to do. And if you see Rock Man… Ignore them."
"Roger, Boss!"
11:31 AM (Japan Time)…
"… Heh, heh, heh, heh! I made it! The airplane festival!"
Netto had come to an airplane festival somewhere as evidenced by a series of posters with the banner "Plane Festival" and the drawing of a military jet on its center.
The plane festival… As expected…
"K. S." was looking on from afar as he smiled and looked at the feed from his PET.
And we'll have some re-meeting and introductions too… If all goes as scheduled…
"… Today I'm gonna have fun! And even if "Net Savior" job pops out I'll pass!"
"That won't do!" Rock Man scolded.
"I thought as much…"
Netto looked at a group of jets making sky acrobatics and forming trails of colors on their wake: he'd mixed with the spectators and so had "K. S." as well.
The crowd is my shield. Heh, heh, heh.
"Cool!"
Netto then came into a hanger building to check some of the historical planes exhibited there.
"Huh… Planes' history corner…?"
"Over there you can see the Wright Brothers' very first machine-propelled plane in the world. And there's the plane which flew non-stop from New York to Paris, the Spirit of Saint Louis."
"You know a lot, Rock Man!"
"I saw that in your textbooks, though, Netto – kun!" He admitted.
"Ah! That's how it was? Hah, hah, hah… Well! Let's over there next!"
The VR simulator, eh? Cousin V would've liked to test it out although he'd found it simplistic compared to his systems… Heh, heh, heh.
"Hum."
Netto and Rock Man were competing in a VR simulator in which both piloted a plane each: Rock Man was ahead of Netto and he calmly glanced over his shoulder to see Netto before looking ahead again: he suddenly veered right and dived while rotating on his axis: Netto gasped and saw him coming from behind.
"Crap!"
"Gotcha!"
He shot a string of virtual bullets which blew up Netto's plane: the ever-so-classical "GAME OVER" banner showed up.
"I did it!"
Netto sighed in defeat and climbed out of the machine.
"3 serial victories: ain't it cool? Say yes, Netto – kun!"
"Cool… Cool. Heck! I thought I'd win at least once! Good! I won't lose next time!"
"By the way, Netto – kun…"
"What?"
"Do you remember how someone mailed you the solution for that homework yesterday evening by merely writing "people can be selfish: they should remember who saved the world for nothing in exchange twice"…? Could it have been that notebook mister?"
"Could be… He sure saved me!"
I did a noble act: how could they be so selfish after the entire struggle you'd gone through, my good sir? They were more concerned about shaking you off than your merits! What selfishness! Unbelievable.
"Alright… So what's next?"
"The "Control X" unveiling is about to begin." Rock Man announced with a hint of curiosity.
"Control X"… It will become critical in the near future.
"… In the new control tower that will start to be used today… The very first "Control X" of our nation has been inputted in it! This is the ultimate worldwide system that controls all kinds of land, sea and air traffic and it also has the function to pinpoint the locations of the countless satellites in outer space in mere instants!"
"… This "Control X" thing is cool!" Rock Man exclaimed.
"Ua~h… Huh… Isn't the aviation show gonna start soon?" Netto yawned and complained.
You should build up some patience, I believe.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! Well then! The tape-cut. Congratulations!"
So it's about to begin… I can see passengers boarding a two-engine plane…
"… What was that?"
Some screens in the control tower began to frizzle and produce bursts of static.
"Dunno. I'll check it out ASAP."
"… My condolences…" Shadow Man muttered while hiding inside of the system.
A swarm of Viruses flew across the Cyber World and broke through the firewall: the security Navis protecting the "Control X" deployed a barrier around them to repel the attack.
"… An airport tour from the air… Thank you for travelling with us." The plane's PA system announced as it began taxiing.
"We've confirmed Viruses in the firewall of "Control X"! The security Navis… Are confronting the Viruses!" One operator reported.
"What did you say? There are a lot of people riding in the plane already! Halt the Viruses' intrusion no matter the cost!"
"Yes, sir!"
"… Let's try riding that."
Netto was looking at the climbing plane and "K. S." looking on from not too far off.
I don't think so, my good sir. Job's about to knock at the door…
"Huh?" Netto heard the PET's beeping.
"Netto – kun! An incident! Rush to the scene!"
"What's going on?"
Meijin had contacted Netto with orders.
"The culprit is destroying the worldwide "Control X"!"
"… "Control X"…?"
"You didn't listen? The world's ultimate control system!" Rock Man reminded him.
"Huh! You're loud! Meijin – san! Where's that at?"
"San wa iranai!"
I was wondering when you'd say that, my good sir… When Episode III is released this summer? Heh, heh, heh!
"The place is at the plane festival's venue!" Meijin finished.
"The plane festival…?" Rock Man wondered.
"Haven't we heard that somewhere…? Ah!"
About time!
"That's right here! Oh!" They both realized.
You better hurry, gentlemen.
12:08 PM (Japan Time)…
Hum! That filthy Shadow Man! Sending proxies to do the job for them: how cowardly! Ah! Here comes Rock Man to do us a favor without knowing it… "Boss" is a genius! Let us remain hidden and let the Net Police and the "Darkloids" hit each other… And when they're too tired from the campaign that's when we step in… Until then… Delete as many "Darkloids" as you see fit, Rock Man… Heh, heh, heh, heh…
"… Rock Buster!"
Rock Man quickly made short work of the Viruses and walked over to the shield.
"Guys! It's alright by now."
The shield was lowered and one of them walked over to Rock Man.
"We are grateful for your cooperation, sir."
Rock Man shook hands with him and smiled: the Navi suddenly turned him around and pushed him to the right just as a plastic kunai having a "Dark Chip" inside hit the Navi's forehead: the surrounding broke down and the "Dark Chip" infected the Navi by becoming a mass of purplish matter: Rock Man, sitting on the ground, looked on with angst.
Let devil bite me if that wasn't the mercenary's handiwork!
"Uagra~h!"
The Navi's shades became red and the other Navis' shades also glowed while Rock Man looked on.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh…"
"Who…?"
A purple "gateway" distorted the air around it as Shadow Man stepped out of its bowels: Rock Man stood up.
"You're… Shadow Man!"
"Shadow Man, you say!"
Rock Man suddenly spotted the Security Navis hitting the pedestal of the program with their punches.
"Stop! You guys are supposed to be the local Security Navis!"
They emitted some growls as they seemingly diverted their attention to Rock Man.
"Snap outta that! Stop!"
They began to walk for Rock Man: Netto gasped.
"Rock Man!"
More and more Security Navis came up and they surrounded Rock Man leaving little space to maneuver.
"Please…! Open your eyes!"
One of them took out an electrical cudgel which was obviously used for defense purposes: Rock Man stepped back.
"No way…! But… To protect "Control X"…! If you get any closer then I'll have to attack!"
The Navi with the cudgel began to advance and Rock Man lowered his Rock Buster while closing his eyes.
"No good! I can't do that…!"
"As naïve as always…"
Shadow Man drew his katana with a shrug.
"…"Control X": I'll destroy it…!"
Look behind you, fool.
Someone was using a tracking system to lock on Shadow Man's left side of head from behind: a shot rang out and Shadow Man heard it given how he glanced over his shoulder: he jumped but the shot grazed past his left leg leaving a cut there: he involuntarily winced while the shot continued and hit one Security Navi, deleting them.
How's that, you fool?
The shot continued and blew off the head of the security Navi with the cudgel: their headless body hit the floor and it got deleted while Rock Man looked on with shock.
This is a war, Rock Man. About time you get used to it. Hum! The dog is running for it.
Shadow Man quickly ran for his hide as he sheathed the katana and opened the gateway again: the attacker turned out to be the soldier Net Navi of some hours ago who was crouching and calmly shooting off each Security Navi with precision: Rock Man just looked, nervous, before he faced the soldier Navi who was running towards him: he lowered the gun for a moment but then lifted it again while staring at Rock Man with a glare devoid of emotion: Rock Man was surprised.
"Who… are you?"
The soldier Navi didn't reply and remained like that.
"Rock Man! Who the heck is that?"
Reinforcements, my good sir, reinforcements.
The PET beeped and Meijin showed up onscreen.
"Netto – kun! I got an emergency call by Commissioner Kifune! It'd seem a Sharo Nation Net Navi got there!"
"Then… That guy's an ally?"
"… I'm the Navi of a Sharo Nation "Net Savior", Search Man." He introduced himself as he cancelled his combat mode: he kept on sounding devoid of emotion.
Search Man from Sharo Nation… Intriguing… Show this so-called "hero" how a war is fought. The "Commander" inwardly chuckled as he looked on from the hacked sensors.
"Following my orders, I'm chasing the culprit responsible for the destruction of our nation's "Control X"…"
I thought as much! This gentleman's appearance is accounted for: they're one of the actors to star in the "X Day"…
"That guy's goal is the destruction of all worldwide "Control X"… And the only one left is the one activated today. The target came here just as we expected."
"Why…?" Rock Man didn't seem to feel relieved at all: on the contrary, he looked like he was building up bad mood.
Search Man remained still and was apparently expecting Rock Man to finish his question.
"Why did you delete the Security Navis?"
He had no other choice: I'd done the same! This is a war, Rock Man! It'd seem you don't realize that. There's no time to pity for those beyond salvation: the best you can do is put them out of their misery. The "Commander" fumed.
"Until we've confirmed the correct working of "Control X" then we'll transfer the system at the old control tower. Running final check…"
The words "System Check" and a progress bar showed up onscreen followed by the message: "movement of a Air-Traffic Control System was completed" in blue font.
"Transfer over. I'll authorize the landing."
The plane landed and began taxiing while Search Man finally decided to answer to Rock Man's question.
"Why did I delete them, did you ask? Was there any way around?"
My point exactly, Search Man… This kid is too soft: he needs to be taught this is a WAR.
"That's…"
You don't have an argument to counter. Not an intelligent one: maybe you'll ramble and bring up some moot point. But the point here is: there was no other way around.
"Those who've been turned into mob by the Dark Chips… Must be deleted: there's no other way to save them."
There! See! Get the lesson?
"But…!"
Search Man quickly pointed his gun at him to silence him.
"A battle is cruel. Worthless compassion will cost you your life." He warned as he lowered it again.
I'm starting to like this man: his line of thought runs parallel to that of mine! That Meijin man should've told them already. The survival of humanity is at stake!
"I'm not fighting just to delete Navis!" Rock Man tried to argue.
Moot point. You must delete them or they delete you. There's no choice here, Rock Man!
"Hmpf." Search Man seemed amused by the naïve reply.
Ah! So he can have moods. Good, good…
"Naïve." He replied.
Yes! Naïve point. Teach him about the reality of war.
"But you'd better not get in my way: I won't care about you lowlife's reasons for fighting then. I'll remove anyone one who interferes in the accomplishment of my orders!"
BEEP! BEEP!
"Ah!"
The screens frizzled again and the alarms rang out: Rock Man gasped while Search Man got into combat mode.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh… Why don't we begin from scratch?"
The word "EMERGENCY" appeared on the radar screen: one of the controllers began to type in the computer.
"What's wrong?"
"We've confirmed Viruses in the old control tower!"
"We're incapable of controlling the control system!"
"What did you say?" Netto gasped.
Let's check… There! Hum! Not a nice panorama.
Shadow Man had summoned some hand-shaped Viruses to trap the security Navis while he headed for a large column which had a Cyber Core atop it: he leant on it and looked up.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh… The control system is now within my grasp. Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh… One order from me will give stat to a spectacular show… But for you human lowlifes it'll be more like a tragic show." He taunted.
"We'll never let that happen! The plane's in danger! Go to the old control tower ASAP!"
"Gotcha! Search Man! Let's go!"
Rock Man ran past him but Search Man remained quiet as if he was a statue to begin with.
Ah! I see! "Divide and conquer", eh? Classical. But that won't fool a soldier like you, Search Man.
"Huh? Search Man…"
"I'm following my orders. I'm staying here."
"You're staying here, you say?"
"That guy's goal is "Control X". He'll show up here for sure. I can't move from here if I want to defeat the target."
"That may be true but…"
Rock Man grabbed his right arm before the gun but Search Man whipped around to shake him off in a rude manner: he then faced away.
"People's lives are at stake!"
"My orders are absolute. It's inevitable that there'll be some casualties to accomplish the mission."
"It's inevitable…? Peoples' lives… Ain't it obvious that peoples' lives are above orders?"
"My orders are absolute."
It's useless to argue, Rock Man. He's going to fulfill his duty: you go try to tackle on Shadow Man.
"Why the hell! You stubborn man!"
Search Man duly turned to face Rock Man with his dull look.
"What are you doing, Rock Man? Hurry! There's no time!"
"Gotcha! I'm going ASAP!"
About time!
"… Rock Buster!"
Rock Man deleted the Viruses and freed the Security Navis before looking around.
"Come out! Shadow Man!"
"Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh…"
Rock Man dodged a katana swing and landed some meters away while Shadow Man appeared.
"It'd seem that the other guy stayed with "Control X", huh… Talk about a really cold and calm guy. Whatever. I'll properly get rid of the watchdog once I've beaten you lowlife." He wasn't too surprised.
"Do you think I'll let you do as you like?"
"Then try to beat me. Shuriken Needles!"
Rock Man dodged them and crouched to aim.
"Shadow Man! What do you intend by sabotaging the worldwide "Control X"?"
"Like I care! As long as I get the reward… Then that's unrelated."
"What? How many people do you think are suffering from that? I won't let you do that no matter what!"
Rock Man shot but Shadow Man turned transparent and suddenly warped to start running around.
"Kage Bunshin!" ("Shadow Clone")
"Oh!"
Rock Man was surrounded by at least 10 Shadow Men.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh…"
"Huh!"
"Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah, hah, hah, hah, hah…"
"Which one is the real one?" He wondered.
"Let's fight numbers with numbers! Battle Chip, Spread Gun! Slot In!"
"Eat this!"
"… Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah, hah, hah, hah, hah… Where are you aiming at?" They taunted after the attack shot past 3 copies.
"Then we'll draw out the real one! Battle Chip, Suikomi! Slot In!"
The fan began to suck in as it slowly turned upon its axis and the real one was drawn forward: he dropped to his knees.
"Battle Chip, Wide Sword! Slot In!"
"Huh! Hruo~h!"
Shadow Man drew one "Dark Chip" and turned it on: Rock Man gasped in horror.
"That's… A "Dark Chip"!"
"Ua~h!"
"Huwa~h! Huh!"
Rock Man tried to use the Wide Sword but Shadow Man calmly blocked it with his right middle finger and index finger: Rock Man gasped.
"Wha…! With the fingers…!"
"I can see them… You lowlife's moves! This is the power of a "Dark Chip"!"
"A "Dark Chip"…?"
"A "Dark Chip", he says…!"
Hum. Search Man is sitting cross-legged. He must be waiting.
"Huo~h!"
"Fast!"
Shadow Man began to attack at a very fast speed with the katana and Rock Man barely blocked with his Wide Sword's blade.
"It's like it was a different Shadow Man compared to the usual one!"
Ah! I see. Search Man's scanning… Trying to pick off Shadow Man?
"Hroah!"
The attack of Shadow Man broke through the defense and kicked Rock Man into the ground.
"Uack!"
"… Address search… Completed." Search Man muttered as he opened his eyes.
Rock Man sat up while Shadow Man aimed the katana for his head: Rock Man gasped.
"The outcome's clear enough… Guess I gotta be slightly grateful to those "Dark Chips"…"
"Rock Man!" Netto gasped.
Don't worry… I know the end of this affair… Or do I? Crap. The bad part is that any instant can trigger a change! "K. S." nervously though as his Navi spied on.
"Acquiring target within effective range … Distance: 1200 Navi – meters… 1300 Navi – meters… 1400 Navi – meters… 1500 Navi – meters… 1600 Navi – meters… 1700 Navi – meters… Target: visible! Lock on!"
BE~EP!
"I don't fight just to delete Navis! Ain't it obvious that peoples' lives are above orders?"
"… Sheesh."
BANG!
Hum! A warp-hole… Intriguing weapon…
BANG!
Search Man's second shot travelled across another dimension just as Shadow Man lifted his right arm.
"Get ready!"
"Huh!"
"UAH! What!"
CLING!
"Oh!"
The blast blew off Shadow Man's right arm and the elbow: his katana hit the ground nearby and Rock Man dared to open his eyes to see the grim scene.
"Uh… Uck… Huh… Huh…!"
Shadow Man managed to pick it with his left arm and Rock Man gasped in fear as he leant backwards: he looked psycho, even.
"Oh…!"
"Hmmm…! HREA~H!" Shadow Man leapt into the air again.
BE~EP!
BANG!
"Uoh! Huh-uh…!"
This shot blew off the left arm and Shadow Man gasped.
BANG!
"Uo~h! Uoag~h…! O~h…! U~h…! U… Uck… Huh… Nguh…!"
THUD!
Shadow Man's upper chest got pierced and hit the ground face-down while groaning in pain.
"U~h… Huh… From that distance… And crossing real-space… You hit me…?" He muttered.
He was deleted and Search Man looked up.
"Target: deleted."
"We've confirmed the destruction of the Viruses."
"The system is back to normal."
Phew! We saved the day somehow. Not bad for my first day of field activity: and now I feel rejoiced at seeing the unworthy death of that dog too… Heh, heh, heh…
"… We're… saved?" Rock Man slowly muttered.
"G-guess so…" Netto realized.
"Search Man actually… defeated Shadow Man… Without moving from that spot!" Rock Man uttered.
"Guess we're out of our league there…" Netto muttered while sighing in defeat.
Now, now… My gentlemen! Do not get depressed…
13:02 PM (Japan Time)…
"… Shadow Man has been deleted… And also… The repairs of the satellite-concealing system have been completed."
"… I see."
Yuriko had walked to the start of some stairs and reported to "Yami" who wasn't surprised.
"So! Mr. Shadow Man is gone… Pity. I'm fond of ninjas… But… Given how the stealth function has been restored… Not even "Control X" will be able to figure out our location. We shall vanish within the "Dark"… Within myself!" "Yami" made a pun in the end.
The satellite glowed and it suddenly became invisible.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh… Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah, hah!"
"… Mission: completed."
Search Man was contacting someone over his microphone.
"I'll return."
"Search Man!"
Search Man walked over to Rock Man who looked slightly ashamed of the big fuss he'd made earlier.
"Thanks for saving me."
"I didn't intend to save you." He drily replied.
Rock Man blushed and looked emotional nevertheless.
"And also… That of before… I'm sorry to have been so cheeky before…"
"I don't mind being called "stubborn man". I am loyal to my orders so those are the best praising words for me."
"Jeez. I'm being really grateful, you know! Why are you that mean?"
Search Man smiled and patted his right shoulder: he gasped in surprise.
"Oh! Huh…"
"… How cool! To see this many planes flying…"
The festival resumed and Netto watched the jets with awe: "K. S." was humming a tune as he hid behind his newspapers.
"Heh! It's alright! "Control X" is properly controlling them!"
Both sets of planes crossed paths in a parallel manner.
"It was to be expected: that's the world's ultimate control system!"
"Heh, heh, heh! You're one to talk: you weren't interested at all at the start! But why was Shadow Man targeting the "Control X"?"
"That guy sure was a weird guy."
"Huh?"
"I mean Search Man! With that… "Orders are absolute"…" Netto commented.
"I used to think that at the start too but… But it wasn't like that." Rock Man admitted.
"It is like that! Like going against your parents… Or something! I'd be like looking at the face of a "Net Savior"!" Netto countered.
"You mean the saying "the eye tells as much as the mouth"…" Rock Man corrected with a smile.
"… "The eye tells as much as the mouth"…?" Netto wondered.
Well, well. We're making progress. Keep it up, gentlemen!
"… Rock Man, huh?"
Search Man had been practicing in his base by shooting at quickly popping out targets: he finished, exited combat mode, and smiled while seemingly reflecting: he turned around and suddenly shot another three rounds at some new targets.
Maybe we'll meet again.