Chapter Ten: A Past Threat: Part Two
Past:
Hei and Amber took refuge in a small cave for the night. The air had cooled to make it harsh for Hei and Amber to where they had to remove their clothes and hang them over the campfire to dry.
Hei sat in front of the fire shivering with Amber sitting across from him. Her green hair was draped over her breast and her legs were crossed. Hei fought to keep his eyes on her eyes, but they would occasionally drift downward.
The kiss she had shared with him had been his first kiss. Those cherry lips were intoxicating, which made him want to leap over the fire and kiss them again while embracing her to fill how her skin felt against his. However, he figured she would deck him—or worse— she would kill him.
How could a Contractor like her have such a sex appeal that was driving him insane?
Amber stood and rounded the fire to sit next to him. His eyes drifted over to her as she looked into his eyes.
"Hei, we're both freezing," she said. "If we sleep by ourselves tonight we might get hypothermia and die."
"Wha—what do you suggest?" he asked, but he already knew the answer.
"We sleep in each other's arms. That way our body heat can keep us warm."
Hei gulped nervously as his cheeks blushed.
"We—we can't do that," he shivered from Amber's comment. "It's—it's not…"
"Hei, it's the only choice we got," Amber stated.
She slid over to Hei to have her hips touch his. She wrapped her arms around him; making him quiver, as his wish to feel her soft skin came true. She laid him down on the rocky surface with her holding him tightly, her breast pressing against his chest, as she looked into his eyes.
He gulped slightly at the discomfort, causing her to smile at him.
"First time sleeping with a woman," she joked.
"A—ah," he said. "S—sorry… Amber."
"I don't mind, Hei."
Hei didn't know how to respond to her comment, but he decided to force a smile.
She closed her eyes while trying to get some rest. He began to wonder if he could fall asleep with his blood rushing the wrong way with Amber holding him like a teddy bear.
Luckily, his body settled down and he fell into a deep sleep.
Present:
Misaki scanned through the reports concerning KB102's attack yesterday, as Saitou and Kouno took calls of bogus sightings of him. She wished people would get a brain and leave the lines open for when a threat did happen.
Her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her purse to see an unlisted number. She ignored it and let it go to voice mail. Misaki continued her work and wondered where KB102 would strike next since one hit didn't give too much of a profile on him. She had to look up old reports from America. Unfortunately, for her, they needed to be translated, and she couldn't get Marcile to look at them because Iasi had put him on desk duty.
Her cell rang again. She looked at it to see the same number. Misaki returned her attention to the case concerning the Chicago bombing. So many had been killed and a dozen injured. According to the report, another attack had happened in the city a few miles from the Sears Tower. She wondered if KB102 might decide to hit the JR line near Tokyo Tower or somewhere else that was a landmark.
Her cell phone rang to indicate she had received a text message. Misaki looked at it to see the words, "Answer the next ring, Misaki. H." She frowned at it, realizing "H" meant Hei, and he was the one calling her.
Like clockwork, her cell rang for a third time. She opened it, turned away from the screen, and whispered, "You got a lot of nerves calling me while I'm working."
"KB102 is attacking the Astronomy Lab," said Hei.
"What? You're joking, right?" Misaki blurted out.
Everybody stared at her baffled.
"No, it's not, Officer Kirihara," replied Hei. "They're killing Dolls left and right. My own Doll and I saw it with our own eyes. Yin's even spying on them right now."
The phone disconnected. Misaki dialed the Lab's number on her desk's phone and waited patiently. Seconds later someone answered.
"Hello? May I help you?" said someone in English.
Misaki looked over at Marcile and shouted, "Fukazawa, pick up line one and tell the person on it this is the Foreign Affairs, and then ask him who he is."
"All right, Chief," he said. He picked up his phone while hitting line one and repeated the question in English.
"Gregory Johnson, AKA, KB102," he said.
Marcile's eyes widened as Misaki gasped. Hei had been right. She hung up her line and looked over at Saitou and Kouno.
"Guys, get your stuff," she said, and told them about her tip concerning the lab.
"The lab is under attack? But that can't be right?" questioned Saitou. "It's got to be a prank."
"It's not. Fukazawa, keep him busy. Ask him what his demands are."
"Yes, Chief," nodded Marcile, as he covered up the phone's speaker. He removed his hand and replied the message while Misaki, Saitou and Kouno headed over to the elevator.
"What I want?" KB102 asked. "It's simple. I want all humans to die. You all do that, and then I'll leave."
---
Greg stared displeased at the phone he had put on speaker. Again, his plan had been foiled, which was starting to get under his skin, and he wished he hadn't decided to come here to have a little fun. No doubt, the Foreign Affairs would be here within a few minutes with backup.
"Tell me something, copper," began KB102, "how'd you know we were having a party up here?"
"Section-Chief Misaki Kirihara had received an anonymous tip a few minutes ago," replied the Foreign Affair's cop.
KB102 looked back at IV259 to see him nodding his head; stating he was telling the truth.
"Okay, you're not lying about that. Was it from someone here?"
"I don't know."
IV259 nodded his head the statement was the truth.
"Ask her for me, will you!" demanded Greg.
"One second," said the copper.
Seconds began to click off the clock. Even though he was a Contractor, Greg didn't like being put on hold. His temptation at blowing up something was growing stronger due to his blood boiling from irritation.
Moments later the copper replied with, "She said it was an anonymous tip."
IV259 nodded again, which Greg frowned slightly since he didn't have an excuse to blow up a hostage.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Detective Fukazawa."
"Mr. Fuka. You don't mind if I call you that?" Before Marcile could answer the redundant question, KB102 continued his speech. "Your English is perfect. You must have wasted your youth in some cramped University to get everything perfect.
"Tell me something, Mr. Fuka. Do you like Contractors and Dolls? If you lie, I'll know."
There was silence. KB102 could hear the cop breathing over the phone.
"Truthfully, you all make me want to puke," he said. "I would love nothing more for you all to rot in hell; especially you, KB102."
Greg narrowed his eyes, as a slight smile appeared on his face. IV259 nodded he had told the truth about them. He pulled out a sewing needle and stuck it deep into his forearm to pay his price.
"As they say, honesty is the best policy, right," said Greg. "However, it can also lead to disaster as well."
"What do you mean by that?" the copper asked.
"It means someone is about to die."
"Wait one second. I gave you my reply! Don't hurt any of the hostages!"
"Don't worry. They won't be hurt, yet."
KB102 walked around the computer screens to head over to Stargazer-sama and placed his hand on the stand she sat on.
"NNOO!!" shouted the light brown-haired woman.
Suddenly a wire wrapped around his wrist. He looked down at it, and then followed the line to see BK201 standing in the destroyed doorway. KB102's eyes widened in terror, as BK201 yanked him away from Stargazer.
"Hello, what's going on? What are you doing?" Fukazawa asked petrified.
UQ888 glowed blue to snap the wire, causing BK201 to stumble back and kneel to regain his balance. UQ888 focused on BK201, determined to crush him, unfortunately he was standing in the liquid from the tanks that allowed the Black Reaper to send an electric shock through it. UQ888 shook frantically for a second before falling forward unconscious.
LC667 placed his hand on a computer and highlighted in blue. Wires inside a control panel near BK201 burst out of the box and wrapped around his body. The wire began to squeeze him, as LC667 smiled while thinking BK201 couldn't do anything.
BK201 highlighted in blue, and then sent an electrical shock into the computer to fry it. The wires loosened and fell harmlessly to the ground. LC667's eyes widened, giving BK201 an opportune moment to charge at him and knock him out.
KB102 grabbed the Black Reaper from behind and glowed blue while smiling. BK201 looked over his shoulder at him, and then began glowing blue too. Greg released him, thinking he was about to be shocked, but nothing happened. He stared at BK201 and laughed.
"Forgot how to electrocute someone?" he asked.
KB102 was about to use his power, but he didn't glow blue.
"It'll do you no good," said BK201 in English. "I stripped you of your ability. You're human now."
KB102 frowned at him and said, "You're lying."
"No he's… not, Greg," muttered IV259.
"No, you're lying."
Unexpectedly the murders he had committed came souring back at him, as if he were being struck by a semi. The terror and torment he had caused ripped through his body like a shredder. The images of the billions of people he had murdered flashed before his eyes, as though they had returned from the dead to seek their revenge.
The emotion was unbearable. He didn't like it. He didn't like being a low-life human.
Gregory Johnson pulled out a gun he was carrying and shot the brown-haired woman. She screamed out in fright, as she grabbed her right chest where the bullet had struck, and fell backwards. Gregory ran for it, as BK201 checked on her.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
She looked up at him startled, but she nodded she was fine. BK201 looked back at a young man with glasses.
"You there," he said. "Get over here and help put pressure on her wound."
"Ah, all right," he said, flabbergasted.
The man did so, as the Black Reaper exited the lab to chase after KB102. Unfortunately, he lost sight of him.
"Yin, do you see him?" he asked.
"No, sorry, Hei," she said.
---
After hours of filling out a report concerning the lab attack, Marcile was finally able to leave for the night. He had been chewed out from Iasi for getting his nose into the case, but Marcile had mentioned he was ordered by Misaki to take the call.
"That's no excuse!" he had shouted.
As for Kanami being shot, she was rushed to the hospital when Misaki, Saitou and Kouno had arrived. From what he had heard, Misaki wanted to go with her, but her friend had said she would be fine alone. Once the matter was settled at the lab, Misaki had headed over to the hospital to check on her friend. The latest update Marcile had received was that Kanami had gotten out of surgery and she was making a full recovery.
The astronomy lab was a total disaster. The majority of the computer screens and the star chart were destroyed. Over half of the Dolls lie scattered and dead around the lab. They were only at twenty percent running capacity, and it would be weeks or months before they were at full strength.
No doubt, Contractors were going to have a field day with the lab down. As he spoke, the stars above shined to simulate an endless dance sequence.
The matter concerning KB102 had gone cold. An APB had been posted throughout the country, but Marcile knew he wouldn't be easy to find. Eventually he would make his presence know with a big bang.
Marcile entered the somewhat unoccupied JR line, ascended the stairs, and stepped on a train that was waiting to depart from the platform. There were empty seats, but he didn't feel like sitting. The day had been harsh on him, which made him want to settle his bottom down, but he would rather have his frustration consume him.
They were so close at capturing KB102, but close doesn't count. Marcile wanted to blame BK201 for meddling with their affairs, but Marcile concluded that the Black Reaper had been there to help. What boggled his mind about it was why. Why would he risk his life to save the lab? Wouldn't he, a Contractor, also approve an attack on it so it would benefit him from not being caught?
From the stories he had heard, BK201 went against everything that stood as a Contractor. In addition, with Marcile being a witness to it, he didn't understand it. Who was he really? What was he?
The train pulled into the next station and stopped to open its doors. A handful of commuters exited and stepped onto the train. Marcile's eyes focused on a Caucasian American man with brown hair in a bowl-style hair cut sitting down holding a gym bag. He was sweating bullets, as if he had a fever of hundred-twenty degrees.
Marcile knew him to be the American known as KB102.
The doors closed to let the train head off to the next station. Marcile kept his eyes on him, as he was finally able to meet the man who had killed his father in person.
KB102 looked around the train nervously, as though he was expecting someone to walk up to him and put a bullet in his head. As much as Marcile wanted to see that happen, he'd rather see KB102 behind bars, and as a Foreign Affairs officer, that was his job.
KB102 looked towards Marcile, gazed away, and then looked back at him with a perplexed expression.
"What are you looking at?" KB102 asked.
"You're an American, right?" Marcile asked.
KB102's eyes slanted, probably surprised to meet someone who spoke perfect English, and said, "Yeah."
"I used to live there in the suburbs near Chicago. I don't know if you heard, but I'm sure you have, there had been a terrorist attack on a train five years ago."
KB102's eyes narrowed at Marcile like daggers, and said, "You sound familiar. Do I know you?"
"Truthfully, no. However, someone like you makes me want to puke."
KB102's eyes widened, as he recognized Marcile's voice from earlier.
"Wait, you're Mr. Fuka!" He stood and grabbed a woman as a hostage while showing a remote. "I have bombs in this bag, and I'm not afraid of blowing myself up."
The occupants that were gathered in the car screamed in fright, as Marcile raised his hands.
"Ladies and gentlemen; please calm down," said Marcile in Japanese." Everybody did what was asked. "Now if you all would kindly back up into the other cars for your own safety."
They started moving slowly away, causing KB102 to freak out, and shout, "NO!! I don't know what you had said to them, but they stay! Tell them to stay where they are, or I swear I'll send us all to dine with the devil tonight!"
"Everybody stop!" begged Marcile, making the commuters halt and gasp. Marcile looked back at KB102. "Okay, take it easy. Let's think about this."
"Think? Think about what? I don't want to think about anything. I just want to blow things up for my cause! But thanks to BK201, I can't go back to that!"
"BK201? Why would it matter if he interfered with your plans?"
"Because, thanks to him, I am human now!"
Marcile stared on flabbergasted.
"Dr Schrader had stated that BK201 had changed the molecules in the Saturn System to prevent it from working properly," he remembered Misaki commenting during one of the staff meetings. "He had stated as an example that BK201 could change a human into a Contractor or vice-versa."
It was possible for BK201 to do such a thing, and thinking about it scared Marcile more than being blown up.
"All these emotions," continued KB102, "it's driving me crazy. All those lives I've killed. I can't get them out of my head. I want to die!"
"If you don't want anybody else to die, then release the girl and surrender."
"Surrender? Surrender? I don't think so, Mr. Fuka. Let me ask you something though. You had known someone on the train in Chicago; didn't you?"
Marcile swallowed his uneasiness, as he kept his eyes on KB102, and said, "My father."
KB102 averted his eyes while nodding. He then looked back at Marcile and said, "For someone who had lost a loved one, you're acting pretty calm. I'd figure you'd want to rip my head off. If you ask me, you're more of a Contractor than I was."
The train pulled into the station. The doors opened, causing KB102 to push the hostage into Marcile while she screamed in fright, and allowing him to bolt out of the train. He rammed into a few people, startling them, and then hurried down the stairs while knocking other people down it.
Marcile pushed the woman at arms length and said in Japanese, "You all right?"
"Yes," she nodded, still shaken up.
Marcile ran out of the train, fought his way through the crowd, and hurried down the stairs. He couldn't see where KB102 had run off to, but as a few people screamed or cursed at someone in one direction, he decided to follow that path.
He shuffled and zigzagged through the late commuters, pleased that the place wasn't jammed packed with afternoon travelers, making it easier for him to catch up.
Within minutes, Marcile spotted KB102. Marcile pulled out his gun while continuing his pursuit. KB102 looked over his shoulder, cursing at Marcile's persistence, and ran into the streets to stop in the middle of an intersection. Cars slammed on their breaks and honked their horns in frustration.
"Oi, idiot, what are you doing! Get out of the way!" shouted a man.
"Everybody, get out of your cars!" shouted Marcile. "He's got a bomb!"
The man and everybody else driving hurried out of their cars terrified, as Marcile aimed his gun at KB102.
"Drop the bag and surrender!" demanded Marcile at KB102.
KB102 shook his head, as he raised his hand with the remote in it. Figuring he was going to kill himself, Marcile shot KB102's arm. KB102 yelped from the pain and fell to the ground while dropping the remote. Marcile slowly walked up to KB102 and trained his gun at his head.
"It's over," stated Marcile.
KB102 smiled up at Marcile and pulled out another remote from his pocket.
"Yes it is, Mr. Fuka," KB102 chuckled.
Marcile's eyes quivered in fear while they trained on the remote. He turned around to run for cover as KB102 hit the switch. He made it only five feet before the bomb exploded. Marcile was thrown forward and then rolled onto the ground. He looked back to see cars had been thrown on their roofs or sides and KB102's body parts lying everywhere.
----
An hour later after KB102's death, Marcile sat on the curb holding an icy pack to the back of his head, as a medic looked over him. Saitou and Kouno looked over the sight with Iasi surveying the scene since Misaki was still at the hospital with Kanami. He was displeased that Marcile had been the center of attention concerning the explosion, but he lightened up after hearing Marcile had tried to arrest KB102 from the witnesses' statements.
"You're a lucky man, sir," said the medic. "I don't see any severe cuts, but I'd suggest you go to the hospital and get looked at."
"Thanks, but I'll be fine," said Marcile. He stood and walked over to his commander. "Sir, permission to go home?"
Iasi slanted his eyes at him, as he titled his head and crossed his arms.
"All right, we don't need you around here anymore," he said.
"Thank you, Sir."
Marcile bowed and headed off. He decided to walk the rest of the way home since it wasn't too far. He needed to clear his thoughts about KB102's kamikaze attack. Apart of him was pleased he was dead, but now that he was no longer alive, he couldn't pay for his crimes. He had taken the easy way out, and it felt like to Marcile that his father still couldn't rest in peace. However, the situation eased the pain, and nobody else would be hurt or killed by him now.
He walked through a park that was close to his place. He figured; if the real stars existed, this would be a good place to stargaze through a telescope.
Suddenly a woman in a business suit standing in front of a man in a blue coat caught his attention. He walked over to a tree and hid behind it to get a better look. As he focused on the couple, he noticed the woman was Misaki. Unfortunately, he didn't recognize the man.
They were talking about something, but he couldn't hear what they were saying. Although, it wasn't a pleasant one, as he read their uneasy body language. Misaki had her arms crossed with her eyes slanted while the guy tried explaining something with a cool, but annoyed expression.
Who was the guy? Was he an ex-boyfriend? Was he the reason why Misaki had run off early the other day?
----
"How and when did Hourai get released from prison?" Misaki demanded to Hei.
"I don't know," he stated. "I was startled too, but I'm not surprised."
"Do you know why at least?"
"If I was to guess, probably with the events that is about to surface concerning the solar flare."
"I already figured that out. Is there anything else?"
"You're the detective, you figure that out."
"Me? You're putting this on me! That isn't fair!"
"Life isn't fair."
Misaki bit her bottom lip in frustration. She wanted to slap him, but she couldn't bring herself to do such a thing to him, even though he was acting like a jerk. He wasn't the man she had had deep feelings for, but for some reason, she still cared for him.
Suddenly Hei's attention shifted off Misaki and looked around the park.
"Yin, is there anybody around?" he asked. Seconds passed before he said, "That detective Marcile is hiding behind a tree?"
"Marcile?" questioned Misaki. "What's he doing here?"
Hei looked back at her and said, "I'm sorry, Misaki."
"For what?"
"This."
Hei placed his hand on her neck, leaned into her, and kissed her. Misaki stared on shocked, disbelieving he had done such a thing, but she gave into the kiss, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Suddenly, as if their emotions had gotten the best of them, their kissing intensified. The years of being separated had flooded their veins.
It might have been a mistake for Hei to kiss her in front of Marcile since she feared he would do an investigation on Hei's identity, and maybe he would ask her other colleagues about an ex-boyfriend, but she didn't care now.
She didn't know how long they had kissed, or if Marcile had left. All that mattered to her was the kiss she was sharing with Hei. Misaki hoped he wouldn't let go of her for the rest of the night.