The Headless Brigade

by Zoram Selrof

Sequel to Alive Cell. Summer was about to begin in Akihara yet it turned out that, once again, the city became a magnet for one hell of a mess. As if serial disapperances of some of the citizens weren't enough, now a mysterious ghostly brigade threatens to overcome all crises the city has faced insofar. Two extremely dangerous groups are on the move. Rated M for lemon.

11. Chapter 11: Unexpected assistants

Chapter 11: Unexpected assistants

07:59 AM (Japan Time), Monday July the 3rd…

"… Alright. What have you managed to do, you 6?"

"W-well, 50, we managed to get 4 kids of a neighbor town and have sent ransom letters."

"Yeah. So we did something."

"Fine. Make sure to give them something to drink and eat: just get a convenience store sandwich and that's it."

"Alright."

"At last they're starting to take us seriously! Good, good. The Grand Will shall surely rejoice!"

"Guess that…"

"Warning! Intruders in the Cyber World! 4 of them!"

"What! Already! Damn it all: do something!"

"We're on it!"

6 brigadiers of the "Headless Brigade" had been reporting to one "executive" and the executive sounded in a good mood: the others shrugged and some looked afraid or nervous: a new brigadier rushed in to bring in the news.

"Are we interrupting something?"

"Alright, cha lot. It's about time cha got a lesson."

"I'll show you my boxing expertise!"

"Hmpf! Some blows and you're down."

"Who the hell are you?"

"We? Maha Ichiban's! A prideful curry shop!"

"Curry shop? What the hell?"

"Maha Jarama."

"Iroaya Madoi."

"Count Elec!"

"Hinoken – sama!"

The ex-WWW members had suddenly shown up inside of the room where the grunts and the exec were meeting.

"But you lot are the former WWW!" The exec cursed.

"But you kidnapped our clients!" Maha shot back.

"And this is payback! The WWW ended over 3 years ago: we want to prove we've decided to amend for our mistakes!" Madoi added.

"Bring it on, twerps!" Count Elec challenged.

"Wanna brawl?"

"Go, you morons!"

"Ya~h!"

"Not so fast. Hah!"

FLASH!

"Uwah!"

THUD! PTAF! CRASH! SMASH! OW! WHA! UWAH! GRAH! OUCH!

Maha pulled out a portable camera flash and triggered it: the flash blinded the incoming grunts so between Hinoken and Count Elec they were quickly taken out.

"Fire Arm!" Fire Man roared.

"Lighting Flare!"

"Aqua Tower!"

"Magic Fire!"

The 4 Navis, in the meanwhile, were making short work of the Mettools guarding the Cyber World: they were joined by Killer Eyes but since none of them were weak to Elec they didn't make much of a difference: the group reached a control terminal.

"I shall analyze it. You dispose of the Viruses!" Magic Man commanded to the others.

"OK! Leave it up to the great I's flames." Fire Man replied.

"Coming! Ball!"

"Elec Sword!"

"Double Fire Arm!"

"Someone retrieve the terminal!" Number 50 ordered.

"Going somewhere, ugly?"

"Woman! Outta my way!"

"Sorry, but I don't accept orders from a macho like ya. Smile."

FLASH!

"Ugrah! Sensory input overload!"

"HUH?" Madoi wondered.

"That's not a human! It's a Navi!" Colored Man realized.

"I see. So instead of coming out himself the "Grand Will" uses a Navi to pose as an executive and relay orders. Careful, yet coward. How pitiful, truly." Maha muttered.

"Speak for yourselves! Wily sent you out to do the dirty works while the guy gloated inside of the lab!"

"That's true but I was his assistant back then." Maha argued back.

"NYARASHARAKRAHA~H!" The Navi suddenly growled.

"And what is that supposed to be? A password? Open, sesame?"

"NO! It's the curse of the Thailand Emperor!"

"Oh please." Madoi groaned.

"My Headless Brigade will go down in history as the ultimate anti-insider brigade ever!" The Navi roared.

"That's the only reason you bothered to set it up? Lame. How about you have some of your medicine? Let's go, punk!"

ZA~P!

"BARIBARIBARI~!"

"How's this hi-power taser like? It's designed to fight back the increase in Copy Roid crimes!" Count Elec announced.

"Shit! Right arm is non-functional! Go, you lot!"

"YA~H!" The remaining grunts charged in.

"Masks!" Maha ordered.

"Ready!" The others replied.

"Balls!" He ordered next.

"Go!"

PCHSSSS!

"Cough, cough!" The grunts coughed.

"What's this? Tear gas? Damn it. I'm off! Boss will have my head if I don't come back to his side!" The Navi growled.

"Data retrieved!" Magic Man announced.

"Shit. I forgot about the terminal…! Ah, whatever! We only need to switch places in an instant! So long! Plug-Out! Self-destruct switch: on! 66 seconds: Lucy will reap your souls!"

The Navi entered the Cyber World: it turned out to be a red-colored Saiba City Heel Navi to begin with and he ran away chased by Fire Man.

"Not so fast! Fire Tower!"

"Ocean Seed!"

"Ugrah! Shit! Elec!"

"Bamboo Seed!"

"Fuck!"

"I'm non-elemental!"

"Ice Seed!"

"Yargh!"

"Go, my Viruses! Rabbit Ring!"

"Barrier 100! Hah, hah! So long!"

Fire Man began to load energy to form the Fire Towers but the Navi tossed an Ocean Seed that inflicted elemental damage and cancelled the attack: Elec Man rushed towards there next but got hit by a Bamboo Seed: Colored Man tried too but got trapped in ice by an Ice Seed: Magic Man attempted using a Virus that had a paralysis attack but it got bounced off by the Barrier 100: the Navi opened a portal and jumped inside before it closed down: hurried footsteps rang out in the real world.

"I'm gonna toss this into the garbage container! And let's get away before it booms!"

"Alright, Hinoken!"

Hinoken apparently threw the Copy Roid into a garbage container and it exploded: there were some rushed sounds followed by vans rushing away from the scene.

"At least we captured 4 of them. The police should be about to come. We did a great job." Maha sounded satisfied.

"HORRAY~!"

"HORRAY~!"

08:49 AM (Japan Time)…

"… Ugh… My ass still hurts… As if the rape session wasn't enough we got forced to have sex between us in groups of 2 to amuse those guys!"

"I know…! It was Hell!"

"It's a miracle we're still sane!"

"Miracle alright! Damn it all."

"How many days have passed, anyway?"

"I've got my internal clock so… It's been 9 days since it all began!"

"9 days! Feels like a whole month, even!"

The guys began to wake up and voice aloud their annoyance and anger at what had happened the previous day: the guys on the upper beds climbed down into the ground so they formed their circle.

"Heh, heh, heh. I got some juicy money~… In the end those 2 ended up reaching an agreement and came back to join the party~… I'm so lucky, you see~…" Virus taunted over the speakers.

"Shit." They all cursed.

"Heh, heh, heh. Feel the anger! Enjoy it, taste it! Tap into it and you'll soon become good Syth Acolytes."

"Syth Acolytes? No way!" They groaned.

"Hmpf… You better don't try to draw my serious side again! Or else a never-ending nightmare will devour you…"

"We're SO scared. Truly." Netto fumed.

"You're small stuff!" Hiro yelled.

"Meaningless!" Tomono growled.

"A no-one!" Saito brandished his right fist.

"A delusional fool!" Hikawa added.

"A leftover!" Zarashe finished.

"Nya~h! I can't stand that damned word! Ah, whatever! Once some final preparations are complete… I'll bring this up! And then you will know total despair!" Virus hissed.

"Hmpf…"

The speakers shut down and the group sighed before they turned on and they frowned.

"… "Even if you didn't know of the extraordinary exploits of m subject, the Yellow "M", you would have reason to admire this little hypnotic disc and the electromagnetic curtain, which prevents you, my dear Professor from satisfying your manifest desire to strangle me. But those are just simple little scientific toys, unworthy of the attention of a mind such as yours. And we have better things to do than dally over such riffles."… "In fact, to learn, for example, how you got where you are now…"… "Precisely. And your curiosity will be fully satisfied, and without prejudice to myself, because in any case you won't get out of here alive, and that grieves me very much."… He has said this without hiding his obvious satisfaction at having a ready listener, and he begins his story in a strange tone…"

"It's begun, huh? So we'll finally know what's happened and how Septimus has gotten this far." Hiro muttered.

"… "Let's go back to 1920. At that time, ahead of all the contemporary scientists, I had elaborated a theory that I may describe without false modesty as inspired, regarding the functioning of the human brain. As you know, this organ is composed of billions of cells called neurons, which are grouped in nervous centres. These ensure the functioning of sight, hearing, taste, speech and movement. These centres receive and emit electric signals. So, for example, if you burn yourself, the sensation of burning is transmitted from the skin to the brain in the form of an electric current, which the corresponding nervous centre reconverts into a painful sensation, exactly as in the same manner as the telephone, which transforms the voice into electric impulses, transports these by wire, and reconstitutes them as voice…"…"

"I see. If he says it was "his" theory then… He was Dr. Wade all along: and he must have a grudge over the insults his theory got." Saito summed up with a nod.

"But insofar that was a description of how the brain works like. He hasn't talked about his theory yet: we know it involves the workings of the human brain but we don't know to what extent." Zarashe warned them while looking pensive.

"… "It is in the same way elsewhere, but in an inverse sense, that the brain sends its orders to all parts of the body. All of this is well known. But as a follow-on of my research, I came to the conclusion that the direction and control of all these phenomena are the result of wave emitted by the generator of higher cerebral waves, i.e., of the human spirit. I gave this wave the name Mega Wave. This Mega Wave is continuously displaced from one centre to another in the manner of a projector, stimulating or checking thirst, hunger, pain, etc. So, then, from the greater or lesser power of the Mega Wave ultimately depends the control of instincts. In a book, fortunately published under a pseudonym, I had developed all this, with the crucial comment that the individual who is capable of mastering and controlling the Mega Wave of another for his own desires would become master of the other's psychic activity and could make him into an instrument as docile as powerful!"…"

"I see. So that was his theory: that the human mind emits a "mega wave" that can control instincts… And if you were able to tap into another's "mega wave" then you could control their instincts and suppress fear, anger, sorrow, joy and all… Almost like turning them into a doll for you to control… No wonder it caused so much controversy… It was basically a form of brain control…" Saito looked interested.

"But it'd seem there's more to it: how do you tap into it and how do you control someone? You'd need some machine or something to do it, don't you think so?" Hiro argued.

"Surely…" Tomono looked sure of it.

"Yeah. Guess there is." Zarashe shrugged.

"… "When the work appeared there was a general outcry"… Dr. J. Wade, The Mega Wave, James Thornley Publ. "Scientific circles reacted violently. Vernay in particular was merciless"… "As I made clear on my article on the Lancet, the theory is as farcical as it is harmful." … "That's my opinion!"… "That's everyone's opinion."… "The press in its turn was let loose… Macomber wrote a series of articles that were satiric and covered me with ridicule"… "Well, old fellow, if your Doctor Wade gets up on his feet after that one…" … "Hah, hah. I confess I'm not disappointed with my effort."… "In spite of my opposition, my editor, the honest and courageous Doctor Thornley, started a libel action against my opponents. But Judge Calvin showed a complete lack of understanding and was biased and savage."… "Not only does the book constitute a scientific heresy, but it is a threat to public morale."… "On hearing this verdict dismissing the action, Thornley had an attack of apoplexy and died. For myself, though protected by my nom de plume, I left embittered for the Sudan to take up a post as Doctor that had just become vacant."…"

"Whoa. No wonder he's got a grudge… It was a revolutionary theory but the conservative society wasn't ready to accept it…" Hikawa whistled in surprise.

"A threat to public morale? A theory about the brain?" Zarashe looked scandalized.

"We're speaking of the 1920s. And I've heard that King Land has always been pretty conservative." Netto warned.

"But nevertheless… Where's the point in making fun of a theory about the human brain? The press shouldn't have butted in: it should've only involved the scientific community. But it wasn't ready to admit such a theory and they rejected it." Tomono sighed.

"… "Years passed. I had established myself in Fanaka, a small village in the province of the Blue Nile. Absorbed by my work, I had almost forgotten past insults… When one day, I received a message from the Commissioner of the district asking me to accompany him in professional business"… "Very well. Tell Mr. Drummond that I shall be down there tomorrow."… "Very good, Sir."…"

"So he exiled himself in Sudan to try to forget what happened… Yet something happened there…" Saito muttered.

"… "So I made my way the next day to Wisko, an isolated post in the middle of the desert, where the Commissioner was at the time."… "Glad to see you, Doctor. Forgive me for having disturbed you, but I absolutely need your opinion on a strange case."… "What does it involve?"… "Leading me to a nearby hut, Drummond told the story."… "During a tour of the desert yesterday, we came across a sort of wild madman, a white man of about thirty, who seems to be making violent threats against invisible enemies. With some difficulty, we brought him in, but all our efforts have failed to calm him down or to get anything out of him. I then thought that you might be able to help, as you have had a great deal to do with psychiatry."… "We shall see…"… "I was introduced to a wild, ragged individual who was tightly bound and constantly uttered savage cries."… "Hah…! Don't come near me, don't come near me!"… "Well, what do you think?"… "Hmmm… Leave me alone with him."… "Caution, Doctor. Be careful!"… Left alone with the madman, I made several hypnotic passes over him, and he rapidly calmed down, then sank into gloomy dejection."… "Come now, relax. Relax, I insist!"… "Don't touch me! I…!"…"

"Ah! That must be Olrik AKA Guinea Pig. That's how he met him and it seems to be true that he's amnesiac." Hiro spotted.

"… "I undid his bonds and then tried to interrogate him but could only get incoherent words from him, and always the same."… "Now concentrate. Who are you? Who?"… "The sheik, the sheik said your name is no more… No more…!"… "This man had evidently suffered a mental shock so violent that he had been deprived of his reason, but now he seemed to want to hang on me like a shipwrecked man to a spar. "For pity's sake, don't leave me – in the darkness –in the tomb…!"… "Then a brilliant idea came to me. Why not take advantage of the occasion to try out my theory, to possess this human mind and turn a scrap of humanity into a weapon of war and vengeance?"… "If I dared… to pay back those gentlemen for their sarcasm and stupidity!"…"

"So that's when he got the idea to settle the score, huh?" Tomono said.

"No doubt. But he sure waited a long time: over 30 years… He must've thought that he was readier…" Netto commented.

"And maybe the technology had progressed and it could now be made reality, even…" Saito added.

"… "I had no difficulty in persuading the Commissioner to entrust the miserable fellow to my care, and to everyone's astonishment he followed me quite docilely."… At this point in Septimus' story, Mortimer cannot contain himself any longer and puts a question he is desperate to ask. "And this man… Has he never told you his name? Or where he came from?"… "Never, and that is why, with my strong sense of imagination, I called him Guinea Pig – because, like those charming little animals, he was going to be useful for my experiments. And what experiments!"…"

"I see. So that's why he gave him that name." Tomono muttered.

"… "I was impatient to resume my research, but for that I had to have a specially equipped laboratory. Moreover, as international tensions grew worse from day to day, I had to hurry if I wanted to get back to England in time. So I quickly settled my affairs and left the Sudan, taking Guinea Pig with me as my servant. I had hardly arrived in London when war broke out. Having been called by the Army Medical Service, I easily obtained the construction of this huge shelter under my residence with emergency exit to the sewers for the purpose of installing an ambulance to act as overflow for evacuated hospitals. Of course, I subsequently fitted it out with a view to my own personal requirements."… "Are you sure that it's solid?"… "Quite sure, Doctor. The Luftwaffe's heaviest bomb couldn't even shake it."…"

"I see. So that's how he was able to build such a lab without anyone making questions. By using that cover… And surely only a handful of people knew about it so… It was discrete and hidden. Reminds me of Umbrella's labs…" Zarashe muttered.

"Umbrella?" The others asked.

"W-well, it's a pharmaceutical corporation in the Biohazard games that has secret labs there and there for BOW research… Look it up."

"Alright."

"… "Spurred on by my hatred, I threw myself body and soul into my research. Not a moment was lost, apart from my official duties. Applying the tremendous progress in radio electric science during the war to my own work, I gradually brought to perfection the apparatus that was going to revolutionise all brain science. So, the end of hostilities was the signal for me to get my revenge because I, Septimus, had just realised the greatest discovery of all time: the Telecephaloscope!"… "HURRAH!"… "The tele-what?"…"

"Tele-cephalo-scope… The name indicates something to do with the brain because "cephalus" is a suffix used to describe abnormal head conditions… They said that in Natural Science class." Saito recalled all of a sudden.

"I see. So it's some kind of device that remotely acts upon the human brain, then?" Netto deduced.

"Yeah. That's the point of the name."

"… "The telecephaloscope. My poor Mortimer. As described in my book, once this is tuned into the mental frequency of my subject, it enables one to guide, control and to stimulate his Mega Wave from a distance and thus give him superhuman strength and an absolute disregard for danger. My apparatus has only one defect; at the moment, anyway, it cannot react on the subconscious or on certain reflexes. Hence, without doubt, my last two failures… But look at this!"… Pressing a knob, the Doctor displays a diagram of the Telecephaloscope on a luminous screen. Mega Wave. Wavelength: 001 millimeters. Frequency: 30,000,000 megacycles. Guinea Pig. Vision: infrared glasses with screens. TV screen, receiver: messages from Guinea Pig to Dr. Septimus, picture, sound, etc. Emitter, micro: instructions from Dr. Septimus to Guinea Pig. Antenna: Mega Wave control, nerve centre control. Generator. Telecephaloscope… "In principle, this is how my apparatus works – grossly oversimplified for the comprehension of feeble minds such as those of Vernay and company. As you see, it is a sort of combination of radar, television and telecommunication."…"

"Wow. So Septimus can monitor in live what Guinea Pig does and receive the full of his perceptions… And he can transmit orders directly into him as well… Pretty advanced for the 50s, I say!" Hiro whistled.

"Yeah. I know." Saito was surprised, too.

"… "During all his travels, at whatever distance, I can follow Guinea Pig's movements on the screen. With his eyes acting as TV cameras, the images captured by his retina are transmitted to his brain, which in turn transmits them to the telecephaloscope through the Mega Wave. Sounds reach me by a similar system. It only remains for me to telecommunicate my orders to the subject according to the place, circumstances, and turn of events. Naturally, the most delicate operation consists of isolating, capturing and measuring the Mega Wave."… "And how do you make your man invulnerable?"…"

"Ah! That's the question we were all waiting for." Zarashe looked slightly interested.

"… "Quite simply. You will certainly know that living creatures possess a more or less powerful electromagnetic force. Witness the electric eel and electric ray. These fish are capable of releasing a powerful electric discharge in the event of danger. I have succeeded in amplifying the potential cellular energy of Guinea Pig to the point of providing him with a sort of electromagnetic breastplate, from which light ammunition will ricochet. As well, it will inflict a severe shock on anyone striking him. Finally, it is even sufficiently effective to enable him to ignore flames, which it extinguishes immediately."… "Remarkable. And, supposing I believed your theories, his ability to see through darkness and fog would be due to what?" … "Spectacles furnished with an infrared screen, a device so reduced in size as to be contained in a light crash helmet!"…"

"IR goggles…! So that was it. No surprise there." Hikawa wasn't very surprised by the news.

"But for that time it sure had to be a revolution. Micro-components were just beginning with the discovery of transistors…" Saito reminded.

"Good point. So Septimus got ahead of his time again." Netto said.

"… "You know the rest. I began by amusing myself with the sole intention of letting Guinea Pig prowl around, rather childishly signing my exploits with the Greek letter "mu". Then you and Blake interfered, but I intercepted your plans from the evening of your arrival at the club. So, you in no way prevented me from abducting Vernay, Macomber and Calvin. The time for a showdown had come, and I was eager to get my revenge on those three responsible for my cruel humiliation!"… "You wretch! What have you done?"… With a sarcastic laugh, Septimus presses a knob and the diagram disappears. "Hah, hah, hah! What are you thinking, Professor? Set your mind at ease! Here are those gentlemen!"…"

"Where?" They all wondered.

"… The diagram is replaced by another image. Mortimer perceives Professor Vernay, Macomber and Judge Calvin, prone and inert around a curious piece of equipment. "What does that mean?"… "You are privileged to witness in action my new method of re-education. The apparatus is tuned to the mental frequencies of these individuals' brains, previously placed in a state of receptivity, in order to straighten out their warped minds. It instils in them, in a methodical and uninterrupted manner, some basic notices recorded on tape. Once they are properly re-educated, they will be my obedient slaves, some more perfect Guinea Pigs ready to obey at my whim without question."… The apparatus suddenly begins reciting aloud… "Doctor Septimus is the Master. He is good. He is great. We are his humble servants. We regret our mistakes. We…"…"

"Devil. Total brainwashing, alright." Hiro cursed.

"So he wants to have them admit their mistakes and consider themselves to be mere pigs in front of his mightiness, huh? Talk about some desire for revenge." Zarashe whistled.

"Then suddenly, upon a new gesture from Septimus, it stops, and all is silent again. The Doctor, however, continues with an uneasy look in his eyes… "When they are at the proper stage, I shall put a grandiose plan into operation on a global scale. But, before that, I need to make an example in order to prove my power. And you are the one who will have the honour of serving my purpose. Let's see, it is the 23rd today."…"

"Global scale~?" They gasped.

"… "Well, then it will be for tomorrow evening, the 24th December, at midnight. Happy Christmas, Professor!"… Mortimer has not time to reply, as the Doctor quickly turns around… And rushes towards the door, which he opens angrily, whilst a silhouette rapidly disappears… "Guinea Pig! You spying fiend! If I catch you prowling around here again…!"… Septimus returns to Mortimer, muttering, with a worried look on his face. "Insubordination! Disobedience! I must check that. But, speaking of Guinea Pig, what put you on his track, eh?"… "Your book, Doctor."… "My book? What are you talking about? I did you out of the only copy still in existence at the British Museum!"… "Excuse me, but that's my business."… "What? You too? Are you forgetting that you are talking to the famous Doctor Septimus? I'm going to re-educate you too. You'll be like the others, my valet, my slave!"…"

"Whoa! He got pissed off! Olrik had to mess it up." Netto gulped.

"If only he hadn't gone to try to eavesdrop…" Saito grumbled.

"For some time, Mortimer has been watching the Doctor's growing excitement with unease and realises at that moment that the man's reason is affected. "Why, Septimus… You're completely mad!"… Septimus is stunned for a moment and hesitates, pale with rage. "Mad? What cheek, blast you!"… He presses a knob, and a trap door opens suddenly beneath Mortimer, who is swallowed up into the bowels of the Earth…"

"The guy got God Complex." Zarashe diagnosed.

"God Complex alright." Hikawa whistled.

"The same day, at Scotland Yard. It is 8 PM. Sir Charles has sent for Inspector Kendall. "So, still now news of the Professor?"… "Alas, no, Sir. We have been everywhere and searched in vain. So far we have been able to conceal the news from the press. But they obviously suspect something, and…"… There are three short knocks on the door. Knock! Knock! Knock! "Come in!"… Blake appears…"

"Blake! Maybe he's got a clue." Tomono muttered.

"… "Excuse my bursting in, Sir, but they told me that Kendall was here… And I have some news."… "Quick! What is it?"… "Well, as you know, we learned from Mrs. Benson that Mortimer had received a visit from an unknown man some minutes before his phone call to the Yard and his sudden departure. Well, I've succeeded in identifying the person."… "And?"… "It's a Mr. Stone, the librarian at the Daily Mail. Of course, he doesn't know about the Professor's disappearance. It seems he had visited Mortimer with a book he had been longing for…"… "I don't see the connection."…"

"Ah. So Blake is going to tell them to look into the "Wade affair" and see if they can find a copy of the book?" Hikawa guessed.

"Surely…" Netto agreed on it.

"… "Wait! Following certain deductions, Mortimer had reached the point of wondering whether there was some connection between the Yellow "M" and the parties in an old lawsuit about a book entitled "The Mega Wave". To get to the bottom of the matter, he had been hunting for several days in the "Daily Mail" archives. The Yellow "M" knew of this and must have feared he would succeed, because he went as far as to steal the copy from the British Museum Library. Now, it was precisely this unobtainable work that Mr. Stone had finally unearthed brought to the Professor."… "From which you conclude that if Mortimer alerted Scotland Yard to stop the Limehouse Dock operation immediately, he had the book on his possession, and this held the key to the mystery."… "Exactly."…"

"So… What next?" Tomono wondered.

"… "Yes, but if the book has vanished at the same time as the Professor, we are virtually no better off…"… "That is why, in my opinion, it is time to lift the ban on announcing Professor Mortimer's disappearance. Let's have a communiqué sent to the press, radio and television, as well as an appeal regarding the book in question. What do you say, Sir Charles?"… "By George, you have made your case and it costs nothing to try. Will you deal with it, Kendall?"… "Very good, Sir."… Half an hour later, in a BBC studio… "Scotland Yard asks this be given priority."… "OK, the present programme finishes in two minutes."…"

"So it must be about 8:30 PM. They little over 24 hours to find Mortimer or else…" Hiro trailed off.

"I know." Zarashe grumbled.

"… "Before our next programme, here is a special announcement. We are asked by Scotland Yard to broadcast the following appeal: a search is underway for Professor Philip Mortimer, who left his residence in Park Lane towards nine o'clock last night and has not been seen since. The Professor was wearing a grey-green overcoat, brown trousers, and a yellow scarf, but no hat. Here is a photograph of the missing man."… In a London pub, the customers watching the TV programme listen with surprise to the Scotland Yard communiqué. Among them is a slightly inebriated American tourist with his elbow on the counter. "Moreover, a sum of 500 Pounds will be paid to any person bringing to the police a copy of a book entitled "The Mega Wave", by Dr. Wade. Here is the description…"…"

"I see. Maybe someone still keeps a copy accumulating dust in a library at home, even." Hikawa realized.

"… "500 pounds for an old book… They must be fond of literature on this country!"… But now a strange thing happens. The TV picture is suddenly distorted… "Regular size… Yellow paperback cover…"… And almost immediately the voice becomes distorted and the screen is covered with wavy lines… "The price is… Bzzz… Scotland Yard attaches… Bzzzz… Anyone who… Bzzz… And… Bzzz… By the… Bzzz…"… "So this is British television? The technicians must be completely drunk. How disgusting!"… The American leaves with great ceremony but an unsteady gait, making for a taxi driver sitting in a little further along. The taxi man happens to be the one who drove Mortimer in the recent pursuit of the Yellow "M"…"

"What's wrong with the TV?" Netto wondered.

"Maybe Septimus sent Olrik there to cause some panic?"

"Wouldn't surprise me if he was aiming for more headlines…" Hiro said.

"To fuel his ego…" Zarashe shrugged.

"… "Bzzz… Bzzz…"… "Come on, old fellow. Let's go to another joint!"… "What, again? I was starting to forget about that unpaid fare."… But at that moment, there appears on the screen, clearly defined, the dreaded, sinister sign, while a deep, sardonic voice clearly articulates the following message… "This is the Yellow "M" of London! I have borrowed the BBC wavelength to announce that on the occasion of Christmas, and to provide you with a salutary example, Professor Mortimer is on my hands and has been sentenced by me to capital punishment. The execution will take place before a commission authorised to draw up an official report of the ceremony…"… As one might imagine, after the initial bewilderment, the BBC have alerted Scotland Yard. "Let it be perfectly clear…"…"

"Devil. So he hijacked the wavelength to announce that and set the fear on everyone." Netto cursed.

"What an ego!" Saito cursed next.

"… "Yes, yes, I'm listening. Hurry!"… Soon the various surveillance posts on the capital transmit their observations to the central post at Scotland Yard. "You do understand, Captain Blake, that it is absolutely useless to try to thwart my plans?"… "This is Paddington Post Azimuth 342nd. Signal received 160 M. V. Over."… "… Understood, Chief Inspector Kendall?"… "Hallo, Kennington Post. Azimuth 342nd. Signal received. M. V. All right. Hallo, Hoxton Post. Azimuth 250th. Signal received. 180 M. V. All right."… "That's all for today. Goodnight all!"… "Curse it! He stopped!"… "Useless… This goes like that…"… On the plotting table, the operator points with his finger to the triangle formed by the intersection of the rulers. "It's here… In this triangle!"…"

"So they managed to roughly trace back the signal: signal encoding didn't exist yet. But Septimus' lab sure is powerful, to be able to emit a TV signal and all…" Tomono commented.

"Well. Being the EM expert he is… This must be a piece of a cake for someone with his brains." Zarashe wasn't surprised.

"You've got a point, Zarashe – kun. Oh well. Let's see how they manage to close down on Septimus." Hikawa stretched.

"… The same evening, a little before midnight, Mortimer has been dropped into the padded cell where Septimus imprisoned Olrik at the beginning of his treatment, when he was being prepared for his future role. Mortimer sits in gloomy meditation. "There's no denying it: I'm in a rotten mess."… For the hundredth time, he reexamines his chances. "Let's see. One thing is certain. Septimus doesn't know that Guinea Pig is, in reality, the famous adventurer Olrik. That's a trump card for me. In fact, each time that he has been sent on one of these missions against Blake or myself, there have been changes in his behaviour. That proves that part of his subconscious escapes control by the Doctor. If, then, I succeeded in awakening his memories, I might succeed in controlling his mind and…!"… At that moment, a faint click interrupts his reflections. CLICK!"

"Huh? A hidden camera?" Netto wondered.

"Could be…" Saito muttered.

"… The spy hole has opened, and an eye with a strange look appears on the opening… "Guinea Pig! It's now or never to try the experiment!" He jumps to his feet and approaches the opening… "Olrik! Olrik! Listen! Do you remember? The Great Pyramid! Sheik Abdel Razak! The Chamber of Horus! The…!"… But a furious voice resounds in the corridor, and the spy hole closes quickly… "Guinea Pig! Where are you then?"… "Bad luck! Seemed to be making a good start!"..."

"So I guess that those names are related to the event that made Olrik lose his memories, huh?" Zarashe deduced.

"Yeah… Surely…" Hiro agreed on that.

"… Meanwhile, the insolent appearance of the Yellow "M" on television has upset the public. The Prime Minister is worried and has decided that the matter must be brought to an end. For this purpose, he has convened the Minister for Home Affairs and several top members of Scotland Yard. "A meeting at dead of night. I think it's going to be a stormy session."… "Well, Kendall, we shall see…"… A little later…"

"Wow. It's come to these ends. The Prime Minister himself wants a quick resolution to this affair." Netto whistled.

"No wonder…" Saito muttered.

"… But the BBC affair is the last straw. From tomorrow the entire press will conduct a general offensive. That is why, gentlemen, I am waiting for you to put an end to this intolerable situation. Let us hear, then, what you suggest?"… "If you will permit me, Sir, I may say that this latest event has given us an important lead, in that the criminal has given us information to limit the area from which he is operating. If you can authorize us, Sir, to search that area, house by house…"… "Well, that's a procedure to which British people are hardly accustomed. But exceptional circumstances call for exceptional remedies. So, carry on. I'll cover you. But you must succeed. Otherwise, I don't give two pence for my government's chances!"… A few minutes later… "Well, if we fail now, I don't give my two pence for my chances of staying as Chief Inspector…"… "Let's not get pessimistic. Rather, let's think of establishing our plan of action."…"

"Now… Will they suspect Septimus' house? Or not? I'm afraid they don't have a reason to." Zarashe sighed.

"Sadly enough…" Tomono sighed as well.

"… In the early hours, to the great astonishment of Londoners, the police have embarked on a methodical search of the Bloomsbury district under the watchful eye of Inspector Kendall… "I think we're going to have a real job with this."… "Yes… We shall be digging around in the snow for hours… looking forward to a happy Christmas Eve…"… "I protest! I'm an innocent man!"… "Sorry, Sir, but the circumstances necessitate it."… "It's intolerable!"… "What country are we in, then?"… "Well, James, are we making progress?"… "Well… Yes… We're now going to Endsleigh Street and Tavistock Square."… "As regards Tavistock Square, you'll save time by avoiding No. 2A, of course, the house of Doctor Septimus. The Yellow "M" certainly hasn't got his secret transmitter there."…"

"I knew it. Man. So close yet so far!" Zarashe moaned.

"Can't be helped, can it? Only Mortimer knows the truth and the police still think Septimus is a genuine victim." Tomono replied.

"They have less than 24 hours left. They better hurry." Hiro pressed.

"At that moment, Blake's car speeds out of Woburn Place and draws up rapidly alongside the Inspector… "Hallo, Blake! Any news?"… "Bad news!"… "What the blazes now?"… "Seven Harley Street doctors, top specialists in their lines, have been kidnapped overnight by the Yellow "M"!"… "What?"… "Yes. Barney, Desmond, Adams, Norman, Longvale, Kost and Willet."… "It's unheard of! How did it happen?"…"

"You see… That's what we'd like to know too, Kendall. In case you didn't know it…" Zarashe made irony of the question.

"Oh come on." The others sighed.

"… "It's the simplest way imaginable. A phone call about a so-called patient, a car sent for the doctor, then no word until a letter arrives bearing the usual mad sign." … "Heavens!"… Meanwhile, Mortimer is resolved not to neglect the slightest possibility and explores his prison inch by inch. He has just made a strange discovery… "What purpose is served by these little holes?"… But Septimus' voice is suddenly heard again in the corridor… "Guinea Pig, you wretched creature! What are you doing here again? I'm going to teach you obedience!"…"

The broadcast stopped at that point and the group couldn't avoid letting out their usual groan of annoyance.

"Heh, heh, heh. Tomorrow will be the last one… Look forward to it: if you're still in one piece… More types of plays are waiting for you lot… Heh, heh, heh." Virus taunted.

"Hmpf."

"So enjoy your chit-chat while…!"

"Warning. Unauthorized signatures have stepped into Zone 3. Repeat: unauthorized signatures have stepped into Zone 3." A computer warned behind Virus.

"What in the freaking?"

"What!" The group gasped.

"… Ah! It was but a group of doves! Don't make such a fuss, you!"

"Shit." They groaned.

"Too bad, you lot… Now…!"

"Warning. Unauthorized signatures have stepped into Zone 3. Repeat: unauthorized signatures have stepped into Zone 3." The computer warned again.

"What now! What? The two quarrel guys from yesterday? What the fuck are they doing here? I told them to never come again! Send out the security! Show them the way back!"

"Acknowledged."

"Idiotic folk… Huh? A call…? Icy Man in person? That's a first. Yeah, this is Virus… Sorry, but no. I said no. Offer as much money as you want: I said no and my word is definitive. These are special. Go to one of the clubs if you want one or two. What? You'll send a mercenary for my head? I laugh at it, I really do! Like your precious bodyguard can get in. I made sure the guy didn't have access to any passwords." Virus began grumbling before he replied to a phone call but forgetting to shut off the speakers.

"Devil. The bodyguard's employer wanted to "buy" us!" Netto growled at the news.

"Creeps! All of them." Saito fumed.

"And he seems to be the type who thinks he can get anything he desires no matter the means." Hiro fumed next.

"Moron…" Zarashe grumbled.

"What a pervert!" Hikawa muttered.

"A total prevent. A shotacon." Tomono summed up.

"This place can't be assaulted by Navis: even if you were to equip them with Rare Chips they won't stand against my security. It's top-class and unique! And no company will tell you their weakness: because I got them from a non-corporate source."

"Non-corporate source?" They wondered.

"What now? You're going to bring down my boss' company? You moron: we've got no company! How's that like?"

"Reminds me of Yaito and her spoiled behavior… But I'm sure it must be some arrogant businessman out there who has a lot of skeletons on their closet…" Netto muttered.

"Sure thing…" Saito agreed on that.

"You're starting to annoy me, man. For real. How about I send some of my security to test YOUR security? I'm sure they'd made it through without too much of a hassle."

"They must be more rip-offs." Hiro guessed.

"Yeah. Seeing how the guy seems to love them… Just like Sigaano. When will the guy do something?" Tomono complained.

"Dunno." Zarashe shrugged.

"A billion blistering barnacles! Like you were the king of the world. Just because you've got a big company that doesn't make you the king of the world to begin with, you moron! I'm going to get pissed off for real and my security will bring me your head in a silver platter! Then your genius VP can take your seat! How's that for a change, huh?"

"It's getting hotter." They all drily muttered.

"Ah! Now you say I conspire with your VP. Why should I? The guy's the justice ally type: I can't stand those. I've got enough dealing with my own rival to begin with. So go speculate in Wall Street and tell the sharks there to learn how to do things without blowing up the whole world economy system like they always do."

"Does that mean that Zataki – san is closing in?" Hiro wondered.

"Could be." Netto calmly admitted.

"It's a possibility but he could be saying that to shoo the guy away to begin with, anyway." Zarashe warned.

"Yeah… Surely…" Tomono shrugged.

"I'm going to the restroom. Be right back." Hikawa stood up and headed over there.

"Me too." Tomono also stood up.

Both headed over there and closed the curtain: the other four sighed and sat up to stretch and pace around the room as if trying to come up with some ideas.

"… Huff. I finally shook the guy off… How damned stubborn…"

"Warning. Human signature detected in Zone 3."

"Sheesh. Speaking of the devil… The bodyguard. Armed with an AN – 94 gun as well… Like that will work against the heavily armored human hatch, you moron… Security! Show the guy the way back. This should teach Icy Man not to mess with me. What does the guy think he is, the king of the world? What an idiot. No wonder the VP can't stand the guy to begin with: seeing how they treat him like an imbecile…" Virus grumbled as he impatiently tapped something metallic.

"Warning. Intruder has stepped into Zone 2."

"What?"

"Warning. Intruder has stepped into Zone 1."

"The guy's running straight for the Palace? Wants to die or what? But he'll soon see how it's impossible to get in."

"Warning. Intruder has stepped into Zone 0. Gunfire received by the human-sized hatch. Minimal damage. Intruder has exhausted gun clip. Reloading… Reload completed."

"Bah! Security: on standby! I'll have fun watching the guy fail and then see what Ice Man will do to the guy."

"Acknowledged. New attack detected. Bullets aren't powerful enough to penetrate 35cm thickness. All bullets are ricocheting and bending after impacting the shell." The computer reported.

"Hah! How's that for a change, you Snake wannabe?"

"Snake wannabe? Sure, sure." Hiro muttered.

"Warning. Intruder has switched to a chainsaw."

"Chainsaw? Hah! That won't do either. Chainsaws are designed to cut through wood and, at the utmost, chains. But not a 35cm thick shutter designed to be 100% hermetical!"

"Virus! You lowlife!" The bodyguard roared.

"I told to your damned boss: it was a one-time deal! You signed the contract! I've got it here! It's got your signature! And I've recorded you signing it too!" Virus laughed.

"Damn it all. No – one defies my client!"

"Not even the cops?"

"Sheesh."

"Interpol?"

"Sheesh."

"FOXHOUND?"

"GHGGHTOAOHTNFH!" He growled something undecipherable.

"Tell Raven to bring his Vulcan gun: maybe he's luckier. Or maybe he'll toss a metal crate against it and bend it." He snickered.

"My client will have your head!"

"And what if I never come out of here to begin with?"

"GJXLBTTGSAHT!" He growled something again.

"Dimensional Converter: on! You get warped to your boss' office!"

"YOU LOWLIFE~!"

"And, now… Let's return to our business. Gas: on!"

The guys gasped but couldn't react in time as the invisible gas began to flow in and they all collapsed into the ground…

09:58 AM (Japan Time)…

O~w… My head's spinning… Damn it all. What now?

"Well, well, well. Let's get the party on. Today…. 3 per 2!"

What?

"Vibrators: on!"

Uwah! What…? Ah! Fuck it.

Zarashe realized then that he was standing: he felt someone being forced to fuck him from behind and he was also being forced to fuck someone in front of him that was also standing: he felt how their necks were connected by chains and so were their ankles so the 3 of them were locked in that position.

"Well? How is it like? Do you like the feeling of fucking Junior and being fucked by Senior? Heh, heh, heh."

Shit.

"The other row is: Tomono, Hikawa and Akashi…"

Lovely!

"Heh, heh, heh. But Senior here lacks something which I'll provide: a good cock up this ass! Here it goes!"

Shit. And now this guy will be fucking the guy on the rear of the 3 – man row… We're stuck in these poses and we can't take a single step forward or back. Will this farce ever end?

"Heh, heh, heh. How about you show these guys your gun training, Zarashe? They'd profit from it!"

Gun training! Don't bring up again what happened to me in 2010. It's nothing to make fun of. Damn it all.

"The Müller wannabe was too much for you, eh?"

Of course it was! It was a madman! Reminds me of Septimus by now!

"Heh, heh, heh. Maybe he got inspired by Septimus, even? You never know these Germans."

What are you hinting at? That the guy was a radical? Didn't look like it as far as I can remember.

"It makes you wonder, though!"

What makes?

"How did our chap recognize Müller in the Middle East seeing how the guy now had a beard and was partly bald? Ah! Now I remember: the voice. He remembered the voice. Interesting, by my hat!"

I dunno what you're talking about to begin with.

"Ah! Here it goes off. Good, good. Prize: a dildo! Enjoy it. I'm off to reminding Akashi of who's in charge."

You damned leech…! My blood's boiling…! I'll see you locked in prison yet, I swear! No matter what it takes!

"Hi there~… Akashi! You were missing this. Get used to it: you must show it on your face if more customers were to come! Heh, heh. Tomorrow I'll go for another attempt to get those 2. I won't give up until I complete my gallery!"

Those 2 being Obihiro and his hacker buddy, huh? You're such a damned leech: you look like you subsist by sucking energy off people. More like a vampire sucking our life force off us.

"Beware of private jets going to Sidney!"

What now?

"Someone might want to diver them to an Indonesian island!"

Is that part of Blake & Mortimer too or it's another series altogether? Like I care right now. You're so random. It's no wonder nobody takes you seriously to begin with. And that's your Boss' fault.

"So? Starting to love my ball crushing grip? You better get used to it too!"

Shit. That hurts like Hell.

"And off it goes! Good. Dildo for you too."

Stop speaking like we're pets that have earned a prize!

"Warning. Multiple signatures in Zone 3. Analysis results: doves." The computer reported.

"Don't trigger a warning if it's but doves!" Virus growled.

"Acknowledged."

"Only trigger if it's humans or Net Navis! Get it?"

"Acknowledged."

"Really! Karato isn't a bad programmed but lacks imagination: triggering an alarm just because some doves are flying over Zone 3… Where's the point on that to begin with?" Virus fumed.

"Unable to answer question. No parameters provided."

"Shut down!"

"Acknowledged."

Looks like that Karato guy overdid it, even! No wonder. This computer is dumb but it's not supposed to be like the Red Queen in Umbrella Chronicles… Not like it was too advanced of an AI either because Wesker was able to access its archives anyway and have it delete itself. His payback for botching all the efforts he went through to try to steal BOW data from Umbrella by faking his death…

"Warning. We are being invaded by reciprocal recycled retired returned rental revengeful lot." The computer suddenly announced yet it sounded like someone had pre-recorded that.

"Who the hell…?" Virus began wondering.

"This is the newest intruder alarm passed down by me, the Queen! Got a problem with it? Come say it on my face! If cha have any guts to do it, though! Which I don't think cha have? Do ya? Huh? Hah, hah!"

"Queen – sama…! As you desire, my Lady!" He quickly corrected his tone as if he thought it was a live broadcast.

No wonder this guy behaves like this if that woman broadcasted crap like that to begin with. Nobody would dare to question it. That woman had to be a tyrant to begin with. Hey. Now I remember that the "T" in "T – Virus" stood for "Tyrant"…

"Huff. Sometimes I wonder if Queen – sama doesn't have a split personality… Her Grace is generally ruthless about 90% of the time but there are moments in which Her Grace gets these fists of randomness and we must bear with them… I was ordered to be random else I'd be boring so it can't be helped. Her Grace's orders are absolute." Virus muttered with a sigh.

I knew it. Huff. You guys are so lame. But maybe it's better: if they weren't we'd be fucked non-stop 24/7! Now that would be Hell! So I guess that we can't really complain. I'll have to bring it up to the guys after this morning's farce ends.

"And then I said: a fancy of fancies of fancy of fancying of fancied of fancier will fancy the fancied fancy of fancied fancies! Nyah, hah, hah, hah, hah, hah!" The recording continued with what seemed to be a lame attempted a tongue-twister followed by laughter.

"Excuse me, Your Grace, but I fail to see the point." Virus drily muttered without abandoning his manners.

You're not the oly one. There isn't to begin with. It's a fit of randomness that woman had.

"Alright, then… Bring me bourbon on the rocks! I want it to be 100% genuine Kentucky Bourbon: maybe Buffalo Trace will do. Just get on the move and bring it to me, you morons!"

"I don't think drinking Bourbon helps one concentrate."

"Is there anyone who's got the damned guts to question me?"

"N-no, Your Grace." Virus gasped.

"Then get on the move! By movement! Hah!"

"Yes, Your Grace… I'll send a Navi to get one… You never know: it might do well to keep it on the fridge…" He sighed.

And the guy takes the recording literally as well. It's but a recording: not like the woman can know what you're doing. Just end this morning's farce and let's move on.

"Oh well. Let's spice it a bit… Let's whip your buttocks! The same whip works for both of you since you're only 15 cm away." Virus chuckled as he stepped towards them.

Oh shit.

He heard how the cat-o'-nine-tails flew across the air and slashed against Saito's and Hiro's buttocks: they both shuddered and Saito's shudder was felt by Zarashe as well: he then heard how it moved differently: Saito violently shuddered next.

"Heh, heh, heh. Does it feel good when it hits your balls from below, you two? Get used to it too!"

Shit. This is escalating too quickly for my taste.

"Heh, heh, heh. Now the middle guys… Here!"

Uwah! Damn it! Stop it!

"Your first, that guy second…! And now the front ones. This row first and then the other row… How is it like? Did you enjoy it? Ah! The front guys get extra: I'm going to whip your cocks! Take these! Feel the pain and the pleasure! Surrender yourselves to it! Mwah, hah, hah! And soon you will become the Syth Acolytes!"

Shut up already!

"Dance the struggling moaning accursing mixing trailing rolling dance!"

"Your Grace…! Do be rational! Anyway! Nap time!"

About damned time…! Ugh! The zapping…! All's getting black…!

13:49 PM (Japan Time)…

"… So. What progress have we done insofar?"

"It'd seem the HB won't last much longer."

"That's good but what about Netto, Saito and the others?"

"Sadly enough… We're still stuck there."

"Huff."

"Sorry, Hikari – hakase."

"Don't mind it, Zero. I know you guys are doing what you can."

Zero had come to report to Yuuichirou: he sighed and leant his head on his hand after placing the right elbow atop the console.

"Zero? You there? I've been searching around the Kyoto area but I've found nothing relevant, either." Beta X came in.

"Huff. I searched our archives to see if there was a way of detecting Dimensional Converters and there was but none seem to have been used insofar…" Gate Man stepped in, tired.

"We must think of all possibilities!" Meijin tried to rally.

"I found nothing but rumors and most of them were so overexaggerated that they weren't worth it." Forte joined them, growling.

"Grawl." Gospel Jr. growled.

"Hyururu~! I found info about the Bailas guy!" Blizzard Man rushed in by freezing part of the ground and skiing over it.

"Virus! Not Bailas! You moron!" Cloud Man flew in to scold him.

"When will you pay attention?" Cosmo Man walked in.

"You're starting to behave like Bubble Man!" Red Sword fumed.

"You guys! Stop it already." Delta ordered.

"Yes, sir…" Cloud Man and Blizzard Man obeyed.

"So? What's the info?" Delta skeptically asked.

"That he contacted 12 big fishes and went to a party yesterday: they spotted the Nat Balloon guy trying to figure out the names of the biggest fishes in the under."

"Night Baron!" Delta scolded.

"I am sorry, sir!"

"12 big fishes? A party?" Cosmo Man frowned.

"To gloat." Delta shrugged.

"Ah. To gloat." Cosmo Man understood that.

Yuuichirou had been about to say something but he interrupted himself as if knowing it was better to let the others believe that.

"It'd seem one of them didn't trust things so he sent a bodyguard instead to the meeting… The Icy Man…" Blizzard Man continued.

"Icy Man?" Search Man wondered as he joined them.

"Oh shit." Blues actually cursed.

"What's the matter? Ijuuin – kun. You look pale." Meijin called out in the real world.

"Oi. Ijuuin. You alright?" Laika asked.

"… Oh man. I knew it'd end up happening but…!"

"What do you mean?" Yuuichirou questioned.

"I don't mean that that person is guilty of these happenings yet I feared that they would get picked by Virus' "invitation" and… Well. You know what I mean, sir."

"I know it but you're not telling us who that man is."

"It's… a complicated matter. Sir. With all due respect, but…"

"… By all the…" Yuuichirou seemed to realize in the spot.

"Please, sir! If it's proven he's guilty of a crime then I'll report him myself but insofar… I say this because the company's employees are innocent and we don't want them to be labeled as suspects out of association! We can't let our efforts over the years to go to waste!" Enzan whispered to Yuuichirou so that only he heard it.

"… Alright. If you say so… But remember, Ijuuin – kun. This is a very serious matter indeed. It'd be a crime. And you can't be an accomplice of it: you're an Official Net Battler." Yuuichirou coldly warned him as if to prove he wasn't going to be soft on that.

"I know, sir. Please give me a couple of days. That's all I need to figure out if he's done an actual crime or not. But if the bodyguard did it then they can place the blame on the bodyguard and fire them and thus elude responsibility… We need solid proof, sir." Enzan requested.

"Alright. You've got 48 hours. I want a confirmation by the day after tomorrow, Tuesday the 5th."

"Roger, sir. Let's go, Blues. We've got job to do."

"What happened?" Cosmo Man asked Delta.

"Well… It turns out Icy Man is someone close to him: but to avoid a scandal affecting a company's employees he wants to investigate it on his own to see if that man is guilty of some crime." Delta summed up for him and the others.

"Alright." He shrugged.

"The only we found was a file with the guy's full name." Omega joined the group as well.

"And what's the name?" Rafael rushed in next.

"Virus. T. Dameon. T stants for Trip."

"Virus Trip Daemon?" Delta looked annoyed.

"Yeah. I know it's SO lame… But it's the only name we've been able to find because, until we see his real face, we can't properly ID him."

"And where did that loco guy come out from?" Rafael asked next while fuming.

"It'd seem the guy comes from somewhere in Shikoku. But we dunno the exact place. And if we don't know his face then it's pointless to ask around because no – one will recognize the guy."

"Sir Omega! I've got news. The Saiba City Officials found a cache of Night Barons hidden in Saiba Academy's 6-B classroom! It looked like a local teacher had placed them there yet…" Sigma rushed in.

"…it turns out it'd been Alive Cell." Blood Shadow finished.

"Alive Cell stuffed Night Barons back then?" Omega frowned.

"Yeah. He's been questioned and he admitted that he'd been contacted by Virus before that and he snuck into the Academy the night before you, Sir Omega, arrested him there." Blood Shadow explained.

"So! Virus was operating his Night Barons from the Saiba Academy: no wonder we didn't find the origin of them. Have they been retrieved already?" Omega asked.

"Indeed, Sir Omega! They decided to send a couple of them to here: they'll be disguised as wounded Official Navis."

"Good enough. They might provide some hints. I already made sure the place was free of any form of spying too."

"Ah! True, true. We found Serenade – sama and he said that someone had tried to break into the Reverse Internet Server Room: the admin turned on the alarms and that made the assaulter flee. I think that it could've been Virus." Sigma explained.

"Devil. He's aiming for other prey? The admin is a teen, too! You go there and reinforce security, Sigma! On the double!"

"Roger that, Sir Omega!"

"Hmmm… And you two, Delta and Rafael, don't lower the guard."

"Don't worry! I'm always on my guard! Let the loco hit the floor!"

"How original. Rafael." Delta wasn't amused.

"Oi! Delta! Don't spoil the mood, man!" He complained.

"Now, now. You two. Behave." Zero told them.

"Hmmm… Blood. You go search for a guy named Torakichi. He's got some fame as a Cyber Chess genius and I wouldn't be surprised if Virus decided on a whim to kidnap the guy. Provide security."

"Roger, sir."

"Let's see… Hmmm… Meijin. Can you recall any disciples of you who stood out in some way or were particularly skilled?" Omega called out.

"Not really… I'd have to go over the lists… I've had about 14 of them in these last 4 years so…"

"Fine. Look it up just in case. We must prevent Virus from getting away with another strike." Omega ordered.

"Alright."

"Hard to believe it's come to these ends." Yuuichirou sighed.

"I know, I know." Omega grumbled.

"Hikari – hakase: the packages have arrived." A scientist reported.

"Good. I'll go to work on the analysis. Later."

"Well. No use staying still so… Let's go hunt, you two." Zero told Forte and Omega.

"Grawl."

"My bad. You three. Let's go!"

"Good. Hunters' Guild: on the move!"

"I'm going to catch that loco guy! Just you wait!"

"There they go. Let's get to work, too, Meijin."

"Yeah, Gate Man… Shit. Will this crisis ever end? I feel so powerless!"