Chapter 29
"The last person we know had the microchip was the goon who took it from the 'Chef's' body at the Snack." Jun thought aloud.
"I killed that guy back in the alleyway." Joe pointed out.
"But we never had a chance to search him for the microchip." Jun said. "Do you think the others did, after they arrived?"
"It's possible." Nambu said. "Let's look at the photos of the scene taken by ISO security." The Doctor pulled up a number of images on his viewscreen, scanning through them until Joe told him to stop.
"That's the guy I was chasing." Joe said. "I recognize him."
"What's that on his hand?" Jun asked.
Dr. Nambu zoomed closer, and it was clear that there was a smear of blood there. In fact, the side of the goon's uniform was covered with blood.
"Why is all of that blood there?" Joe asked. "I punched the guy in the head. Should have been pretty bloodless."
"Unless he was carrying a bloody microchip he pulled from the 'chef's' arm!" Jun smirked.
"But it looks like the microchip is not here in this photo." Nambu stated.
"Perhaps Ken, Jinpei or Ryu found it, before they entered the base." Joe suggested.
"Good idea, Joe," the Doctor replied, "but we examined their uniforms after they were admitted to the Medical Center upon their return to Crescent Coral Base. The microchip wasn't there."
"Then I guess it's back to the base." Jun sighed.
