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Cross Game

10: unsolvable by algorithm (plans and schemes and such unconstant things)

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Waiting for his manager to arrive, Edo Phoenix ruminated on his recent duel with Neo Domino's King, Jack Atlas. The aftermath of that had taken hours to sort out, and Edo vaguely felt bad about jeopardizing the Marufuji brothers' negotiations. But it would probably be alright, he assured himself. After all, there was no connection between them and what had happened at all. Edo had taken all the blame for himself very quickly, and anyway who could have known that this would happen? He had only asked for a simple match after all...

In fact, maybe this would help speed up the slow-paced talks by giving Godwin extra incentive to provide an alternate form of entertainment to the masses now that the King was temporarily out of commission.

'King,' Edo thought with disgust. 'How pompous. At least the Kaiser hadn't made it up himself, or even supported his own title.' Why was everyone so fixated on that guy anyway?

"He is a Signer, a person capable to unleashing a great power," Saiou had said. "A power that can change the world."

Edo frowned at the memory. Why should someone like Atlas have that sort of power? A guy like that...

The sound of a motor across the waves made Edo look up and out across the harbor. A yacht was approaching the Neo Domino docks, its familiar form making the pro duelist automatically relax a little. As the boat began to dock, he swiftly climbed aboard and searched out its single passenger.

"Saiou!" Edo greeted with an honest, open smile.

The tall pale young man smiled in return, though his wavered a little around the edges, especially as the boat rocked more violently than usual.

"Rough seas?" Edo asked, carefully leading Saiou by arm onto the peer. "You should have flown."

"I take to planes even worse than ships," Saiou replied mildly as the two watched the small crew scurry around the boat. "You know that, Edo."

The pro duelist laughed quietly. "How is Mizuchi?" he asked instead.

"Good. She's made some friends," Saiou replied with a faint smile, the mere thought of his sister lifting his spirits. The two lapsed into silence for a few minutes before Edo spoke again.

"I dueled Atlas," he said without preamble. "I saw that mark of his... But I think our Destiny deck may have been too much for him." Smirking grimly, Edo pulled out the cards, offering them to Saiou. As the seer laid one hand on them, reading the events of the duel, Edo continued. "He broke his arm and has been hospitalized."

Opening his eyes again, Saiou studied Edo closely. "I'm sorry," he finally apologized. "I'm making you bear that guilt again."

Edo waved off his concern, chuckling darkly. "It's fine. This time... it was the best way to test him, right? Something about him annoyed me anyway. And he'll be fine in any case."

Letting it go, Saiou asked instead, "And how did the talks go?"

"Oh fine," Edo replied off-handedly. "Those two are really determined." Sometimes, it made Edo almost sick, thinking about it. He wanted to tell them they were blaming the wrong people, but he couldn't afford to throw away everything he and Saiou had worked for. They weren't completely wrong, were they? The Pro Leagues really were corrupt. The entire dueling world was corrupt. They and Edo were each working to change that in their own way...

"I'm glad," Saiou said, giving Edo another considering look. "The cards haven't been very clear, but their future seems bright. In the end, I'm certain it will work out for them."

'That's right, Saiou feels the same way I do,' Edo thought.

"What are our plans now?" he asked.

Saiou thought for a moment, his eyes taking on a distant look. When they had first met, Edo had wondered if he was talking to spirits or the like when he stared blankly into the distance like that, but now the pro duelist knew better. Not everything Saiou did was mystical. In the end, his friend was just as human as everyone else. Far more so than some.

"We wait," Saiou finally replied. "Things have started moving, but that only means that the flow of events can no longer be predicted. From here, we will shape a new destiny." Turning to Edo, he smiled. "You should enjoy the city. We'll be staying here for the duration of the negotiations, and I think that will be quite a while."

"Enjoy the city?" Edo asked skeptically, already foreseeing the boredom he would languish in for days on end. And the no dueling ban was probably still in place too...

"That's right," Saiou smiled conspiratorially. "In your cards, I saw a meeting with an old acquaintance. Don't worry. You won't be as bored as you think."

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As Director, Rex Godwin had a large, expensive and highly impressive office in the Public Security Maintenance Bureau's main building, with a wide desk, a deep chair and a spectacular panoramic view of Neo Domino City. As a man running an ancient organization and a city, he rarely had the time to spend in that office and in that chair.

Any and all waking moments were occupied. Even as he and his subordinate climbed into the Director's limo, Godwin turned to Jaeger, gesturing for him to begin his report.

"Now, what of the King?" he asked, folding his hands and Jaeger flipped through several Solid Vision screens.

Jaeger cleared his throat. "Ye-es. Well, as you know, sir the King has a simple fracture in his right arm. It should be healed within two-three weeks, but he will be unable to duel in the meantime, and the doctors suggest another two weeks rest after the cast is removed, to allow the bones to strengthen." The clown paused, eying the Director nervously. "He has refused to further elaborate on the circumstances, though he and Phoenix both admit to starting an unsanctioned duel."

Godwin closed his eyes for a moment in thought. "A broken arm from a duel is not unheard of. Certainly, the King is prideful enough to have accepted a challenge and to have chosen a place where they would not be observed or disturbed." He would also be easily prideful enough to refuse to explain his injury in full. "None the less, have Phoenix tailed. His background checks were inconclusive, especially concerning his exceptionally skilled manager."

"Hehe. And the two that he came with?" Jaeger asked, chuckling darkly.

"They do not seem to be involved. Possibly, they are being manipulated without their knowledge, but they will serve a purpose for us as well," Godwin said calmly. "Draft up a contract. It seems our Neo Domino City will be entering a temporary partnership with the GENEX Circuit."

Jaeger made quick notes in the Solid Vision. He, like all of the Bureau's innermost personnel, was a dedicated member of Yliaster, but he was also very, very good at his job. At the very least, Godwin did not foresee any problems with the Circuit negotiations.

"Now," he said instead, his tactician's mind quickly slipping onto another track, "what of the other Signers?"

Pulling up the first appropriate report, Jaeger chuckled. "Professor Frank is still in debriefing, but it seems his report has some very interesting things, ye-es. He contacted the girl's parents as planned and easily gained a session with her. He reports that the guardian and the brother were very protective and distrustful but after they left, he quickly engaged the girl in a duel. His hypnosis was effective in awakening her latent powers and memories. Akutsu's data supports this. Both the Professor and the girl's mind were transported to the world of Duel Monster Spirits."

As Jaeger paused, chuckling nastily, Godwin narrowed his eyes. The report was good thus far, but it seemed they had reached the part that led to Professor Frank's continued detainment by Yliaster.

"Heheh, the Professor summoned his monster to pursue the girl, driving her to an area of the Ancient Forest that had been contaminated. A monster he could not identify aided her, but he destroyed it." Jaeger laughed again, and Godwin could see the source of his amusement. Even from a simple summary, it was clear the Professor's actions were outside the boundaries of what was sanctioned by Yliaster.

At the Director's sharp look, Jaeger shrugged and continued, "However, he and the girl were forcibly driven out of the world of Duel Monster Spirits by some being. The Professor reports a long, thin silhouette and seven lights, but can provide nothing else."

In a rare show of surprise, Godwin's eyes widened and he tilted his head slightly. "That is not the Ancient Fairy Dragon," he commented with certainty, matching the description to the Signer girl's Dragon. Ancient Fairy Dragon was not long, and it had no connection to seven lights. Something else had interfered.

Seeing the Director's interest, Jaeger hurried on. "Professor Frank reports that he was the first to come to. Ruka's guardian was next to her, and her twin brother was on the couch inside. Both were also unconscious. Having completed his mission, Professor Frank left before they came to," he concluded.

Godwin nodded faintly in acknowledgement, though his mind was furiously processing the implication. "What of her Signer abilities?" he asked absently.

Jaeger snickered under his breath. "Ye-es. Akutsu reports a definite, strong reaction. Not nearly the same level as at the stadium, but she's definitely a Signer."

Nodding to himself, Godwin said, "So our assassin was successful. However… the connection to the twin brother is not completely unforeseen, but run a full search on the guardian. He may be connected to the being that forced both Professor Frank and Ruka back to our world." As Jaeger acknowledged his orders, the director narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Professor Frank's conduct may have yielded results but his actions toward the Signer were reckless. Put him under guard and gather a full testimony so a proper punishment can be determined."

Jaeger snickered, making another note in the Solid Vision screen.

"What of the Black Rose Witch?" Godwin asked, moving on to the next order of business.

"That Sir Jill failed to draw a reaction during his duel, but there was a slight fluctuation when he attacked the Black Rose Witch directly," Jaeger summarized shortly.

Godwin's eyes narrowed. "Have we confirmed her identity?"

"Beyond reasonable doubt," Jaeger hedged slightly.

"As long as the Arcadia Movement controls her, our options remain limited," the Director decided. "It seems that her abilities are almost fully awakened, in any case. Keep her under surveillance for now."

Nodding, Jaeger scrolled down and cleared his throat. "Akutsu's team made several other observations. They reported a strange young man near their van when they left. They aren't sure, but he seemed to have possibly been eavesdropping."

"Enforce patrols and inspection. Alert me if anyone is found investigating what they shouldn't," Godwin ordered simply. "What else did they report?"

"They detected a faint resonance in the area," Jaeger said, glancing between two side-by-side screens. A resonance meant another Signer, and Godwin could already guess who it had been. "According to the reports from the Securtiy officers, Yusei Fudo was also present at that time. He and the witch may have come into contact."

"That is fine," Godwin dismissed. "Even if the Black Rose Witch allows herself to become swayed by him, that will only work in our favor. It was after this that he was taken into custody, then."

"Ye-es," Jaeger drew out. "So it seems."

The clown lapsed into silence as the Director closed his eyes to think. In a few short moments, they arrived at Security's main station, a tall, ominous building with unusually dark architecture, where Yusei Fudo was being detained until he could be transferred out.

Although the Public Security Maintenance Bureau overall controlled almost all aspects of life within Neo Domino, the Bureau was subdivided into numerous branches. Akutsu's Momentum reactor research and maintenance division was one branch, focused on supplying power to all of Neo Domino.

The enforcement branch was perhaps one of the largest and most prominent sub-divisions of the Bureau, generally referred to as Security. Its officers handled safety, one of the primary focuses of the Bureau, including patrols both in Neo Domino and in Satellite, as well as guarding the border between the two. As Akutsu was Head of Momentum, another loyal member of Yliaster was Head of Security.

He had been the one to flag the Signer's name and file to alert both him and the Director of any activity.

However, unlike Akutsu, whose job consisted almost exclusively of monitoring the Momentum reactor, the Head of Security had many varied responsibilities. Thus several Chiefs served under him, dividing the Security force and duties between them. Takasu had been one of them. Like him, most were also loyal to Yliaster, though not necessarily truly enlightened to its full nature and goals.

It was to one of these Chiefs that Godwin was going to speak about the fate of Yusei Fudo, the Head's right-hand man, Chief Grimo.

As Godwin stepped out, followed by Jaeger, Security officers surrounded them in a show of force, protection and brownnosing. Giving their presence no acknowledgement or attention, the Director walked assuredly to the desk of the Chief.

There was already someone there, as made obvious by the loud argument clearly audible from outside the room, but Godwin did not even pause. No matter what situation the Chief was dealing with, a visit from the Director was by far more important.

The Chief did not exactly have an office. Instead he had a desk above the surveillance stations, overlooking the status wall screen and coordinating operations. It was hardly a private area, but that didn't stop him from having loud arguments with obstinate subordinates. However, as Godwin walked into the command room, the shouting abruptly stopped as the source – a somewhat scruffy-looking officer – fell mute and stared. A moment of stunned silence, then both the Chief and his subordinate stood ramrod straight, saluting sharply.

"Director Godwin!" Chief Grimo exclaimed. Nervously, he rubbed at his neatly clipped beard and mustache, once dark brown like his hair, but now grayed to a much paler shade. A dark glare sent his errant officer scurrying out of the room, bowing low to Godwin and almost tripping over Jaeger. "I apologize for the disturbance. That was the officer that brought in the Signer. It would seem he holds a strong grudge."

"Perhaps a transfer would be in order then," Godwin suggested calmly. "Under what changes did he bring in Fudo?"

"Officially, disturbance of order and misconduct," Grimo replied, moving from behind his desk. He already knew that the Director would wish to speak with the Signer and wasted no time in leading the way to the detention block. "However, there is still the issue of trespassing from Satellite. His sentence was commuted due to circumstances, but he has not been deported. Also, he is a suspect in the break in at the storage. Surveillance was disabled but the only things taken were the deck and D-Wheel confiscated from him."

"Under what charges were those items confiscated? And were they recovered again?" the Director enquired calmly, mentally adding up and balancing the charges.

As they moved into the detention block, Grimo flashed his ID to the officers on duty. Rattling off the Signer's file, he led Godwin, with Jaeger trailing behind almost completely unnoticed, into an empty white room with only a metal table and a chair, both bolted to the floor, especially for meetings with prisoners. Easily catching the Director's meaning, the Chief nodded. "The deck was on him, but not the D-Wheel. The charges were of theft, unproven. They can be cleared, but it may take some time."

'How much time should he spend here?' was the unspoken question.

"Yes, Security is quite busy these days, with so many unsanctioned street duels, the growing misuse of D-Wheels and of course that Black Rose Witch… It may be weeks before those changes can be thoroughly investigated," Godwin agreed smoothly.

'Keep him two weeks, and then we'll see,' was the unspoken answer.

The door at the other side of the room slid open, and the Signer was escorted in. His jacket had been confiscated, and his hands were cuffed in front of him. He looked stoic but also rebellious in that way only Satellite duelists ever managed. The two officers on either side forced him into the rigid metal chair and chained his handcuffs to the table. Saluting the Chief and Director, they departed quickly and efficiently, the room falling into silence.

With a nod from Godwin, Grimo did the same, disappearing through the door behind them.

"You seem to run afoul with the law quite often," the Director pointed out casually. Yusei glared but said nothing as Godwin smiled falsely. "Keep in mind, this sort of reckless behavior reflects badly not only on you, but on the people close to you as well."

The Signer's expression darkened.

"However, this is unsurprising. After all, conditions in Satellite are abominable. The sort of trials that the residents undergo there are…" Godwin trailed off as the chains binding Yusei to the table jangled sharply. The Signer was glaring fully now, pulling at his restraints. He understood the implied threat easily.

As the Director exited, Jaeger shot Yusei a twisted grin and chuckled before following. Out of the building and into the limo, on to their next order of business, Godwin moved mechanically, deep in thought.

Even within his city, there were so many variables. Each of the Signers alone was a barely controlled force, but there were also so many outsiders involved, this generation more than any prior, it seemed to him. So many loose ends.

The girl's missing Dragon. Her brother. Her guardian. This powerful being that aided her.

The witch's organization, a problem of special difficulty for the Star Guardian and his Yliaster. And what of this stranger that had perhaps heard too much from the science team?

The King and his refusal to discuss his duel. Was it simple pride? That would fit Jack, but Godwin's tactician mind could not simply dismiss the situation. And what of this Edo Phoenix?

And better yet, what of the King's Satellite scum former friend? Jack still held his Dragon. He had numerous friends that could either serve as a convenient leash or as very inconvenient interference. And his abilities were the least awakened yet.

They still had time, it seemed before the Wicked Ones awoke fully. But that time may run out far too quickly yet…

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A/N: Haha, I swear. Once again, big thank you to animeraven259, w nymph and Rashan-Rei, who are like my holy three reviewer gods. Or something. I was actually really surprised to get a review from someone who wasn't them. That hasn't happened since… way back in chapter 4! And it's only happened twice before!

And now, a double burst of love and encouragement! So thanks to Richen and Torokia!

And that's why I'm posting this early. I've got nothing for next chapter though. :P

Ah. I had this chapter all written out, and then I realized that Yusei, despite being the main character, just wasn't getting enough action. I mean, ten chapters and he hadn't even gotten electrocuted once!

So, yeah, now he got caught by Security and Ushio after splitting up with Aki last chapter. He gets threatened a bit, and we get some stuff about Jack as set up for the next chapter, which is all Jack angst in a hospital. I thought it spiced things up nicely, given that this was essentially a lame recap chapter.

Anyway, yeah, Saiou. He and Ed lost a bunch of backstory points, including Saiou's split personality and Edo's father, and the entire thing with (the) D. It just… yeah. I couldn't work it in, like Ryo's Hell Kaiser phase. Though…it may come up yet.

Godwin is hard. Maybe I made him too weak? Hm.

Anyway, I'm kinda sad that no one wanted to take a shot at guessing the chapter naming scheme. I sorta wanted to write oneshot sidestories for people… I guess that's a really unfair question for dub-watchers. Hint: it's got to do with the story title.

Haha. Review, onegai?

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