Geez, one game of Star Force, and EXE is already starting to feel retro. Not only that, my computer ate the original type-up of this chapter. Sigh.
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Chapter 25: A Deal with a Devil
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'' An Elite?! In our network?!''
'' That appears to be the case, unfortunately.'' Terry told Wayne, who was nervously pacing back and forth in his office. '' I'm curious about where he came from.''
'' Not good, not good, not good.'' Wayne muttered, continuing to pace. '' If they've caught wind of our plan…''
'' I don't think so.'' Karla said from her seat. '' He said that he was looking for information, most likely info on us.''
'' Well, it's a good thing we're not stupid enough to keep records of this officially archived.'' Wayne smiled grimly. '' I guess we should count our blessings.''
'' But I don't get what the big deal is.'' Damien asked, leaning back in the leather sofa the three were sitting in. '' If that guy comes back, we'll just chase him off again!''
'' You don't understand how serious this is, do you!'' Wayne cried, wringing his hands in distress. '' Elites report directly to the top government officials! If T-Corp gets any inkling of what we're planning…'' He made a slashing gesture across his throat. '' …It'll be the end of Elysium independence! Maybe even the end of Elysium itself!''
The door opened and Slate stepped in. '' I apologize for my tardiness.''
'' That's okay Akira.'' Wayne said absentmindedly. '' Have a seat.'' He gestured to a leather armchair next to the sofa that the other three were occupying.
'' How's Zero?'' Terry asked as his boss took a seat.
'' He's fine.'' Slate answered curtly. '' I'm running a recompiling program on him now, but it'll take some time.''
Once everything had settled down Karla spoke up. '' I think that our first order of business is to find out how Shockman got into Elysium's Net in the first place.''
'' Are there any access points to the worldwide Net that a foreigner can enter?'' Terry asked, drumming his fingers against his knee. '' If so, we can learn how he got in.''
'' There are a few points, but they're regulated quite strongly.'' Wayne said, finally ceasing to pace. '' Everyone and everything that goes through there is checked and recorded. That navi is not, obviously, on the record.''
'' That's even worse.'' Slate said, brow furrowing. '' Because that would imply that he came from within Elysium itself.''
'' Then who's commanding him?'' Terry asked. '' Man, this isn't good.''
'' Hm, didn't he say that he needed to go get the information from somewhere else?'' Karla reminded them. '' He didn't seem very wild about going wherever it was. Maybe if we go there, we can find him?''
'' So where would a lowlife go to get information?'' Terry wondered.
'' That's easy.'' Damien sniffed. '' The Uranet.''
'' Isn't that the Underworld?'' Terry asked.
'' Yes.'' Wayne answered grimly. '' A worldwide underground network, built by criminals, for criminals. There's nothing good down there.''
'' Yo, but it's rumored to have all the info in the world, if you know where to look.'' Damien cut in. '' Why don't we go there and scout around? Maybe find out where that white navi came from.''
'' No, out of the question.'' Wayne said quite firmly. '' That is a dangerous place, and the inhabitants hate the surfacers. Go down there, and rebel or not, you won't be coming back.
'' Besides.'' he continued. '' We don't know how or where to access it. The access points are scattered throughout the world. We could search for months, and never find one. Finally, it's incredibly labyrinthine down there. Even if you don't run into trouble, you'll never find what you're looking for.''
'' I bet Kirisaki would know.'' Terry remarked.
Damien scoffed at that. '' Take that notion and stick it back into that void between your ears you call a brain, girl! How the hell would an urchin like him know his way around the Uranet?! Or where it even is, for that matter?!''
'' No, Terrence actually raises a plausible scenario.'' Slate said before Terry could lash back. '' His father reputedly worked for T-Corp's underground, so it wouldn't be surprising if he did.''
He turned to Wayne. '' Where is he now?''
'' He'd still be in the Detention Center, as far as I know.'' Wayne admitted. '' But still… I highly, highly doubt that he'll help you guys after what happened that night.''
'' Hey, it's worth a shot.'' Terry shrugged. '' Will it be possible to see him?''
'' Visiting hours are still open, so I suppose it's possible. I don't think the chances are all that great though.''
'' We'll try, nevertheless.'' Slate said. '' Can you get us a car?''
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Fifteen minutes later, the three were being chauffeured to the Detention Center. Damien had left them, returning to wherever he called home. The sun was slowly beginning to set, casting orange beams down onto the city.
'' I can understand why Wayne was so distraught.'' Karla said, interrupting the thoughtful silence. '' He told me that other rebel groups are expected to begin arriving the week after this Monday.''
'' And the coup is scheduled for the end of April.'' Terry added, sounding tired. '' So I guess I can see why they want to wrap this up as soon as possible…''
'' Oh crap…'' Karla muttered. '' We forgot to tell Wayne about the accomplice…''
'' Accomplice?'' Slate asked, his expression slightly changing.
'' Yeah.'' the young woman admitted. '' When he detected Zero's plug in, he mentioned some 'Metal Headed Idiot'.''
'' That would be a problem, yes.'' Slate said, sounding thoughtful. '' But for now, let's just focus on the Uranet, and take things one at a time.''
'' I guess.'' Karla sighed, pushing some of her hair away as sunlight played over her body.
'' Ah, I wouldn't worry about this too much.'' Terry said, putting an arm around her. '' We'll work everything out in the end.''
'' Mm, I hope you're right.''
Slate turned his head to the side so that the other two couldn't see him smiling to himself.
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The Detention Center had already been alerted of the visitation, so a representative was waiting. They were taken to a visiting room, divided down the middle by a partition with a window. The other side was where Kirisaki would be, and there was a viewing window in place. Several folding chairs were placed for use on both sides. The room was a gloomy gray, giving it a foreboding appearance, but then again, that was part of its function.
The door in the other room opened and a security guard stepped in, leading Kirisaki. He was steered into the chair and plunked himself down in it. He sat there, glaring balefully through the security glass. His blue hair was a bit shaggier, and his skin was a bit paler, but the same aura of gloom hung over him like a cloud.
'' Kirisaki.'' Slate began as he sat down. His tone was calm, yet retained firmness, showing that he was not going to be pushed around.
'' What?'' the teenager replied in a monotone. He was meeting Slate's gaze unflinchingly. It seemed that his spirit was as strong as ever.
'' You may or may not be aware of this,'' Slate continued, now that he had Kirisaki's attention. '' But an Elite T-Corp navi broke into a high security sector of Eden City's network this afternoon.''
'' I fail to see what this has to do with me.'' came the reply.
'' We think he's going to a place that you may be familiar with.'' Terry answered, with none of Slate's calmness. '' Namely, the Uranet.''
'' So?'' Kirisaki grunted. '' Oobaka. Why would I know about the Uranet?''
'' Let me clarify some things then.'' Terry said, calm this time. He took a deep breath, as if to compose himself, and then bellowed: '' Ore wa baka ja nai!''
'' Oh, shut up!'' Karla glared. '' We're planning on going there to see if we can learn more about that navi.''
'' Peh, now you're the oobaka.'' the pale teen snorted. '' The Uranet will make mincemeat out of softies like yourselves. You'll just be committing suicide.''
'' That is where you come in.'' Slate said before more bickering could erupt. '' We have reason to believe that your navi knows his way around. If he tells us the safest routes, we can avoid many unpleasantries. And I'll say this now, you have nothing to lose if you help us… but you have nothing to gain if you refuse.''
'' What do you mean?''
Slate had his ear now. '' If you agree to aid us, the government might, just might, look upon you in a more favorable light. I know people. I can get your PET out of confiscation, and then maybe, just maybe, help pull some strings…''
Kirisaki remained impassive for a while. Finally, he spoke up. '' When?''
'' As soon as possible.'' the older man answered. '' We'll see about that PET.''
A half an hour later, the three left the Detention Center, towards where the car was waiting.
'' I really hope that you know what you're doing.'' Terry told his leader.
'' So do I.'' Slate said as he strode along. '' So do I.''
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Oobaka- 'big' or 'huge' idiot
Ore wa baka ja nai!- I'm not an idiot!
Author's Notes: It's been a while. School has started. Senior year. Whoo. Don't count on another update this month, because not only does term end at the end of the month, but Megaman ZX: Advent and Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations both come out on the 23rd.