Later on I plan on expanding on Jacob's situation and how he may never return from it. This is only The beginning.
Mason watched from a distance, The whole event and folded like a stage play before his eyes. It actually worked to his surprise. Project shifter was beginning to prove itself. It was one of his own personal projects well out of Macy's jurisdiction it was one project Macy was never fond of. Mason always resented the man kept his calm businesslike attitude at the forefront. Mason wore a black suit with a white undershirt with a red tie which is the only colour that really stood out on him. He was 6 foot five with jet black hair which was greased back. When the scientist return with a man in arms Mason was also doubly surprised that he managed to bring back a living subject. The scientist however had to be rushed to hospital to remove a 38 special bullet lodged in his lung. He'd live thanks to modern medicine and the boys poor shot.
"Lucky for Davis" Mason muttered softly. "But it doesn't solve this problem" looking down at the unconscious body on the table which had inflicted the wound in his chief scientist.
This left Mason in a predicament. He had his proof and considered funding the project even more. Then there was the fact of the inter-dimensional passenger removed from his reality...far too risky to keep him around. However he didn't have any records or any loved ones in this dimension making him easy to dispose of or even experiment on. But experimenting on him could backfire drastically and Mason knew that and quickly decided against it. I've already got to deal with the Knight sabers to deal with and I don't need the pain of this biting me in the ass. He thought coldly as he looked over the young man who lay unconscious on a metal table.
"I want him disposed of. Use the smelting dumps in the industrial district" He instructed a guard who nodded silently.
Once he was gone the Guard begin lifting the body. He wasn't gonna like it and disposing of a living human being ripped away from his reality what is a step too far but his hand was forced.
"Sometimes I really hate this job" The man said with a passion. "And Mason" He growled with venom.
Mason walked from the small room and into a long hallway. The guard began lifting the body for transport as Mason began moving away from the scene. Approaching from the opposite direction was Macy who stopped him. Macy was much taller than Mason and had a much more imposing build.
"So I hear your little project was a success after all" The taller man said with a deep voice.
Mason nodded with a smug smile. Macy had told him it would never work but he was proven wrong.
"Of course it worked. With it we could go anywhere and if we could narrow it down to our universe space travel will be a thing of the past" He said with pride.
Macy grimaced at the news. He never liked the project and saw it as a waste of money and resources. And the idea of it making commercial space travel null and void really hit hard. Billions down the toilet.
"Congratulations Mason, your ambition knows no bounds" Macy paused for a brief second. "Just watch out and keep it under wraps. We don't need trouble" Macy warned his subordinate.
Mason agreed to Macy's surprise.
"Already taking care of the first loose end. Don't you worry I've already got it all taken care of" Mason replied fully sure of himself. "Relax we've got little to fear"
As Mason began to walk away Macy watched him walk down the hallway.
"That's what I'm afraid of" He muttered softly then continued walking.
Jacob felt heavier now much heavier than he had been when tranquilized. It was a saying he was coming back to reality. So he wasn't dead after all but just sleeping in a sense. The ground underneath it was hard and cold and a cold breeze swept across him. He lifted his head and opened his eyes. He was in an alleyway in his normal clothes. Why was he in an alleyway?. Just where was he?.
All he could remember was getting drugged and then nothing for what seemed to be an eternity. Rubbing his eyes he found a piece of paper in his pocket. Pulling it out he began to read. The letter was in Japanese and luckily Jacob had taken classes and read books extensively on the language since high school. He was more than capable of understanding and speaking it. He had been for five years and luckily it was finally paying off.
"Mason wanted you dead, I couldn't do it no matter how hard I tried. I'm deeply sorry and there's 1000 yen in your other pocket. Keep your head down and try not to be noticed...with sympathy a guard" The cryptic letter said and he tilted his head before crumbling the paper.
Checking his other pocket he found the money and excepted it as fact. Mason...if only I had a face to put to that name. He mused as he used the wall to bring himself to his feet. His strength was slowly returning and he needed time. His stomach growled at that exact moment and sighed. That yen isn't going to last long. He thought with a dismayed look.
"Just how long have I been out?" He muttered to himself. "And how did I end up in Asia?"
Quickly moving to the opposite end of the alleyway he stepped onto the sidewalk only to stop dead in his tracks. Multi coloured signs lined the street as cars Of retro futuristic design moved up and down the boulevard. There were people to trust an 80s (futuristic) fashion and pay-phones too. It was like someone had thrown a flash bang right at his face and detonated it. Shaking his head he walked over towards the payphone stepping inside the glass booth. It had a screen and was surprisingly bulky too. The phone handle was like one he had a home and it was trivial. He was more confused than anything else.
"Where in hell am I?" He thought aloud recalling with the scientist said about teleportation. "No that's not possible is it?" He said to no one.
He didn't have any answers just speculation. So anything was really on the table at this point. Until further notice he would stick to the logic i've been kidnapped and flown across the world. Why me anyway?. He didn't have time to do all of those thoughts when suddenly a loud knocking made him jump. Pivoting around he saw a face which made him gasp. He was young only in his 20s and had brown hair and eyes...A face he instinctively recognized and couldn't believe. He was wearing his usual get up and looked concerned at Jacob who was too stunned to speak. Leon McNichol!. There was no mistaking it was him and Jacob tired to come up with a rational explanation but was failing.
"Can I use this booth?. I'm kinda in a hurry" He said snapping Jacob back to reality.
"O-of course" Jacob stuttered.
Quickly stepping out he stared at Leon as he pulled a card out. Sliding it into the slot he grabbed the phone and placed it too his ear. A face appeared on the screen. Leon's partner who was telling him something. Still racked with shock he stood there motionless as Leon exited the booth and gave him a glance.
"Thanks, have nice night" He said kindly before walking to his bike and taking off.
Jacob watched him go as his heart pounded in his chest. Just beyond was a red truck and a girl talking to someone. His eyes fell on her and he was even more surprised. Her hair was jet black and done in a way he had only seen on TV. Linna Yamazaki...he figured quickly as she entered the truck and was quickly followed by someone he recognized on the spot. Priscilla Asagiri...oh my god I am hallucinating!. He thought despairingly.
The truck started and began driving off down the road. Jacob shook his head and began walking aimlessly down the road. He needed a bite to eat and to clear his head of all the noise and clutter flooding his mind. Continuing down the street he tired to shake off what he saw. Many theories are racing in his mind and he quickly settled on one. It's just a tranquilizer side effect and nothing else. He soothed himself as he recalled the letter.It clicked. Mason...Brian JMason I should've known!. He suddenly realized. Looking back he stopped for a moment. He realized he was in the fictional world of bubblegum crisis now playing out in front of his eyes. Whether he liked it or not he felt like he was going to become a participant of the ongoing conflict. Tomorrow Knight sabers, then we will talk.
End of chapter