The Grim Discovery

Kailasanatha Temple, Maharasthra Temple, India…

Katarina: "Coma isso!" (Lands a rage combo)

Leo: "Pwwwwwwaaaaahhhhh!"

Katarina knocked out her latest opponent, Leo Kliesen, in their latest bout. The young spelunker gave her a good fight, but Katarina persevered by coming out on top.

Katarina: "Ha! Go run back home to mamae!" (Taunts and walks away)

Leo didn't hear Katarina's insult. She was too out of it as the medics began to approach her. There was no time to waste. Katarina needed to leave this ruin and head for the airport right away. Now is the time to try and pick up the pieces of her guardian's trail.

One of Moscow's airports, Moscow, Russia…

Before switching planes in one of Moscow's airports. Katarina finally got a hold of Barros, her new boss so that she could rendezvous with an escort to help her navigate through the city of Rostov-on-Don. After all, the tip that Miguel gave her was that this place in Rostov used to be a major facility operated by G Corp before the war escalated too heavy in that area. Much of that city was in ruins because of it. Now with Barros on the phone, he told Katarina the description of the young man that she needed to meet.

Barros: "Katarina! It's good to hear your voice again!"

Katarina: "Aye Senhor Barros. I had to wait until I made it here so I could finally call you. Now that message you sent me yesterday, it's about the escort that you recommended for me."

Barros: "Ah yes! I am good friends with this young man's father. He frequently travels to Rio on vacation, but his son is serving in the military there and is currently off duty. His name is Ruslan. Rostov-on-Don is his home town. Both of his parents used to own the chemical building before G Corp bought it 5 years ago. You two need to be very careful. The city is in ruin because of the war. Not to mention I've found some articles about the lab being used as a slave trafficking port too. Do be careful."

Katarina: "That's good to know, but what does this guy look like. Ruslan is his name?"

Barros: "Well Ruslan doesn't have the typical look of a soldier. Now his father told me he grew his hair down to his back, its jet black, and he grew a pointy beard. Ruslan stands about 171 centimeters and only weighs 60 kilograms."

Katarina: "Well, that helps. Where do I meet him?"

Barros: "He will be sitting next to you on the private flight for Rostov-on-Don. You two will be the only passengers going there since the Russian government cancelled all commercial flights to that area. Now Katarina, you must head for Terminal D, Gate 9 5:50 pm. The flight location will say Minsk, but it's the plane you and Ruslan will be riding in."

Katarina: "Is Ruslan there already?"

Barros: "Si, he should be. Good luck Katarina!"

Katarina: "Obrigado Senhor Barros. I will talk with you later. Ciao!" (Hangs up.) "Now I better make my way over there."

3 hours later…

Katarina eventually makes it to the gate location, and there she could see the scrawny looking Ruslan eagerly awaiting the woman he was supposed to meet.

Ruslan (Surprised by Kat's beauty): "You…you…must be Kathalina. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Katarina (Little annoyed): "It's Katarina."

Ruslan: "Katarina. I'm sorry. Alright…so…are you ready to go?"

Katarina: "More than ready."

Ruslan: "Okay. I will let the pilot know that you are here and then you can board."

Eventually, Katarina boarded the small aircraft heading for the city where the old G Corp lab was located. The tip Miguel gave Katarina was confirmed to be true thanks to Barros's contact with the Russian government. Katarina learned more things about the lab from Ruslan, and it truly disgusted her. Why would Martelo come to a place like this? Or did someone send him here? After all, Katarina's foster father created far more enemies than she did.

Nesta Sokolov Chemical Lab, Former G-Corp Facility, Rostov-on-Don, Russia…

In Rostov-on-Don, some semblance of normalcy was returning to the city, however the scars of the battles between the Zaibatsu & G Corp were very apparent. Katarina and Ruslan landed safety at the airport despite the facility taking in only a few planes a day. In the armored truck, Ruslan drove while Katarina sat in the passenger's side. Venturing further into the city, Katarina could only shake her head looking at the bullet holes, shattered walls, rooftops, and seeing the townspeople still cleaning up the rubble. There were some Tekken Force soldiers roaming the sidewalks too on guard.

Katarina: "What the hell happened here?"

Ruslan: "The Zaibatsu's military was called by the local government to get rid of the G Corporation's influence. G Corp are not saints however. They were forcing the citizens here to detour traffic away from their industry district and then they were slowly killing off employees who used to work at Sokolov. The people were fed up and they called the city council to action. The Russian government didn't budge, but the Zaibatsu did."

Katarina: "So that means G Corporation had some things to hide if they were killing off old employees."

Ruslan: "Correct. G Corp was working on prototypes of bio androids or something like that. Rumor has it that its final product is in the King of Iron Fist Tournament."

Katarina: "Is it really?"

Ruslan: "Yes."

Katarina: "I haven't kept up with the other fighters or anything. But what does it look like?"

Ruslan: "I believe it is only half machine, but this android has human components to it."

Katarina: "An android."

Ruslan: "We are getting close to the labs. The Zaibatsu may have their soldiers covering the premises, so are you armed Katarina?"

Katarina: "Of course. Where's your stuff?"

Ruslan; "I like to use grenades and smoke bombs. They are in my backpack, and I have my Makarov pistol right here. (Inside the glove compartment.)

Katarina: "Sweet. And here I thought I would have to babysit you."

Ruslan (Blushing): "No…hehe…I have to watch my ass too." (Slows the car down) "And here we are. The labs are just over that fence."

Katarina: "It's barbed."

Ruslan (Looking at his GPS): "Then we will go under the sewers. I have gas masks too."

Katarina: "Mutio bem! I hate the smell of shit!"

Ruslan (Laughs): "Come. We better move while there is no security."

After walking about 150 feet from the truck, Ruslan finds a sewer cap to pry open using a crowbar. He and Katarina put on the gas masks and ventured inside. Katarina knew this search would be dirty which is why she dressed warmer for this colder climate with a military style get up. The two crossed under the sewer system very briefly until Ruslan found another ladder leading up back to the street level. As the two stepped back on the surface, they were officially inside the lab compound.

Ruslan: "Well we are inside now. Which building would you like to search in first?"

Katarina: "Doesn't matter honestly, there has to be a lead about papai somewhere. Let's go in here."

1 hour later…

Katarina: "Nothing in that building either."

Ruslan: "The sun is going down now. There are still some buildings we haven't checked yet. I have no idea when security might patrol here again though."

Katarina: "I'm not giving up. Its bullsh*t that there is no electricity working here."

Ruslan: "They shut the power off of this place months ago from what I've heard."

Katarina: "Never mind that. Let's keep going."

The very next facility Katarina chose to explore turned out to be a shocking discovery. Ruslan and Katarina both pried open the metal lock sealing off the entrance to one of the barracks. After breaking the lock, Ruslan opened the doors. This place was where some of the test subjects for the G Corp androit project were all housed in.

Katarina: "Holy sh*t! Look at this! It's blood all around the walls!"

Ruslan (Switching batteries on the flash light): "I'm not liking this already."

Katarina: "You watch my back. I have your front."

Ruslan (Sees her exterior, walking into the darkness of the hallway.): "Katarina? Wait!" (Follows her).

Katarina kicked in all of the doors within the first floor. There were remnants of items within most of the rooms ranging from money, to pictures, letters, cell phones, and even clothes were left behind. It was until Katarina and Ruslan made it to the top third floor were Katarina found the room where her papai was taken in. Inside the room, she discovered his watch and wallet.

Katarina (Picks up his watch first): "Papai! You were here?" (Tearing up)

Ruslan: "Katarina?"

Katarina (Crying): "This is…his! I know it's his! And this too!" (Takes his wallet while on her knees)

Ruslan (Sighs): "Katarina. We cannot stay here much longer."

A truck was coming across the premises and it was very loud. It would seem that the Tekken Force was back on patrolling the lab compound. Ruslan still wasn't sure it was them, but he had to get Katarina to stop moping and get the heck outta there before things get worse!

Ruslan (Touching her): "Please Katarina! We must move out now!"

Katarina (Looking back at him): "No! He has to be here in this place somewhere!"

Ruslan: "Do you hear that!" (The truck coming closer) "The Zaibatsu must be aware of our presence! You will not be able to find your father If we both get captured! We must go!"

Katarina (Composing herself): "Forgive me."

Ruslan: "Come! Let's go!"

Katarina quickly took the wallet and watch with her as she and Ruslan made their way back down the stairs, heading out of the abandoned barracks. Once they were outside, Ruslan scanned the area. The truck that passed the barracks drove away heading northward.

Ruslan: "I think they went away. Were good to go."

It took about 15 minutes for them to head back into the Southern portion of the complex. Suddenly some Tekken force soldiers came out of a building directly from behind Ruslan and Katarina. The two were almost near the sewer manhole in which they both came into this place from. The soldiers must have been dropped off by the truck that passed by. Either way, one of them spotted Ruslan and Katarina.

Tekken Force Soldier: "What the? Trespassers!"

Ruslan (Popping the sewer lid, realizing they been spotted!): "How did they? Katarina Get in hurry!"

Katarina (Puts on her gas mask quick): "Ok!"

About six soldiers started running for their direction with machine guns drawn. Ruslan literally jumped down in the manhole out of fear of being shot. Landing awkwardly he tweaked his left ankle. Katarina ran back to him immediately.

Katarina: "Can you stand!"

Ruslan (Getting up_: "Yeah…agh…just run!"

Sensing that the Russian could not keep up with her, Katarina made him jump on her back carrying him. Ruslan was lucky that he was a small guy or it would have been impossible even for a strong woman like Katarina to carry. Bullets started to fly in their direction, but Katarina made a sharp left turn, getting out the way. Ruslan told her that the next turn right would be were the manhole they dropped into leading for the vehicle. He also tossed a smoke bomb blocking the view of the Tekken Force soldiers. At last, the two could see the manhole despite the darkness. Getting back up the surface, both Katarina and Ruslan quickly rushed to the car, but this time Katarina took the wheel since Ruslan was in a lot of pain from overexerting his sprained ankle.

Katarina (Taking off the mask): "Where to?"

Ruslan: "Just floor it!"

Doing so, Katarina drove the armored truck at high speed. Getting back on the main roads, they drove away from the Lab facility. After a good 5 minutes of driving, Ruslan suddenly told her to head back for the airport. He then called his father talking about what happened. When Ruslan hung up, he told Katarina about his plan.

Ruslan: "Katarina. Forgive me, but when we get to the airport, you need to leave the next flight back to Moscow. I had my father buy your boarding pass already."

Katarina: "What? Why?"

Ruslan: "We have to parts way."

Katarina: "I can't leave you while you're injured! What will you do?"

Ruslan: "The Tekken Force knows we are in this city now, but not if you get out here first. I will distract them for a little while longer after you get to the airport."

Katarina: "Don't be stupid! You need to leave with me!"

Ruslan: "No! You can't die here! Not without finding your father again right?"

Katarina (Sighs): "Then how much further do I need to drive?"

Ruslan: "We are almost there."

Katarina eventually makes it at the front of the terminal. The place looked closed, but Ruslan had the security here unlock the doors.

Ruslan: "My father told security to protect you from the Tekken Force. Before I go, I want you to take this." (Shows Katarina some documents) "I found this during our search of the lab complex, I think this will help your search some more. Take it please!"

Katarina (grabs the documents.): "Ruslan. I…"

Ruslan: "I'm glad to have helped you Katarina. Do take care."

Katarina (Getting out of the truck): "I will. Ciao!"

Ruslan only smiled despite the swelling on his left ankle while sliding back to the driver side of the truck. Then he quickly drives away. The doors behind Katarina opened, allowing her inside the airport. A female security guard offered Katarina some snacks to eat while leading her to the gate for the plane flight. Her mind worried for Ruslan, but later her anxiety drifted in thought of Martelo once more. Martelo was here in Rostov-au-Don, or he used to be. Katarina couldn't picture the thought of him dying. Finally, she opened the documents containing information about another facility. She could see her guardian's name on the list of people G Corp was monitoring. They transferred him to Taiwan for a disclosed reason. Could he be there?