Part Two: The Gizumon Conspiracy
Retrieve
"They said 'come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly.' They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar."
Subway Switching Station
Kyoto, Japan
11:07 P.M.
Sunday, April 29th, 2018
"Ayah!" Jian gasped for air, fighting the restraints on his body by furiously ripping at the fabrics pressing against his face. Eventually his nails tore open the textile, exposing him to fresher air. He took a series of deep breaths, regaining his calm, and then pulled himself out of the rubble that was the medical tent.
"What…happened…?" Jian rubbed his eyes, adjusting to the darkness. He looked around the now empty cavern, struggling to remember the events that had occurred hours before. He recalled the screams, and the warnings of Gizumon appearing. Before he had been able to leave the tent, however, the structure had collapsed, burying him in a pile of rubble.
"Everyone is gone." Jian's heart began beating quickly. "The Gizumon: what did they do?" He scrambled through the wreckage of the camp, desperately searching for survivors. His search proved futile however. After a few minutes of digging, he dropped to his knees, exasperated. "Dammit!" He cried, punching the ground. His voice echoed into the empty chamber.
"Jian?" A came the sound of a young girl near the entrance. The man looked up hopefully, and a wide smile came across his face when he saw Alice and Wendigomon standing in the entrance.
"Alice!" He jumped to his feet and began pushing his way through the wreckage.
"Jian, what happened here?" Alice cried as he met her at the entrance. "Where did everybody go?"
"I… I'm not sure…" Jian tried to regain his composure. "I don't remember much. I was in the medical tent when I heard screams: then someone shouted something about the Gizumon. Before I could do anything the tent collapsed on top of me: knocked me out cold."
"The Gizumon found this place…" Alice gasped. "What did they do with everyone?"
"No bodies." Wendigomon growled.
"That's right." Jian looked around. "There aren't any bodies, which means the Gizumon didn't kill them. They must have been taken."
"But why?" Alice asked in awe as her gaze swept across the chamber. "What would the Gizumon need all those people for? And where would they have taken them?"
"I… I don't know…" Jian shook his head shamefully.
"We need to find them: all of them." Alice changed her tone from sorrow to determination. "Jian, was there anyone else in the tent with you?"
"No, I was by myself." Jian answered. "Tommy and Veemon were out within the camp when the attacks happened. And Masao…"
"Then we should assume they were taken as well." Alice nodded. "Come on, let's get to Nideo. We can meet up with Koji and let him know what happened, then come up with a plan."
"That's a good idea, but don't you think we should follow the Gizumon's trail? Wendigomon can track them, right?" The beast nodded. "But if we wait too long then the smell might wear off, right?" Another nod from the Digimon confirmed his suspicions.
"I just came from that way, so I know it's safe." Alice replied. "You and I can go to Nideo, while Wendigomon follows the trail. Once you find out where it leads," She turned to her partner, "Meet up with us at Nideo and we'll move out from there."
"Not safe." Wendigomon's head shook warily.
"Don't worry about us," Alice assured the monster, "We'll keep a close eye out. Besides, it's like I said. We just returned from that direction and we didn't run into any Gizumon. It's doubtful they'd be lingering around that area."
"Hmm…" The beast growled. "Be careful." Wendigomon warned, and then took off down the tunnel.
"That Digimon sure does care a lot about you." Jian noted.
"Yeah, a bit too much at times. Come on, let's get moving. We can't afford to waste any time." Alice then led the way into the dark corridor.
Nideo Corporate Headquarters
10:30 A.M
"Okawa?" Koushiro's eyes lit up.
"Recognize the name?" Yamaki asked rhetorically. "Who is he?"
"Only part of it," Koushiro answered, "From eight years ago. I was trying to find information on the digital world, trying to get back. I had come across a lead involving a government database. It wasn't my most crowning moment, but I hacked into the website and started browsing their database, looking for information regarding the digital world. After I did it though, some guy named Okawa broke into the database as well and planted a virus into the system, using my IP address as a cover. He must have found out that I had done it and followed me in. The government found out, and I was almost arrested for it, until they found proof that Okawa had been the one that had planted the virus. I was acquitted, but it was a big scandal, and our family had to move out of Kyoto for a while."
"I think I remember that from the news." Yamaki stroked his chin. "Who knew you were so famous?"
"What happened to Okawa?" Koji inquired.
"They never caught him," Koushiro answered, "Nor did they learn anything more about him except for that username."
"If it's just a username, it could just be a coincidence that both he and the person who programmed the algorithm share the same name."
"Normally I'd agree with you," Yamaki replied, "But it seems pretty strange that somebody named Okawa would be involved with two groundbreaking events both centered on the digital world. I think it's safe to assume the two are at least connected. But that's something we can deal with later. Right now, we need to put this information to good use. Koushiro," Yamaki turned to the man, "Go grab the other monster makers and fill them in on what we've just discussed. Put your heads together and see if you can put any ideas on paper that might help us with modifying the algorithm."
"That's a good idea." Koushiro nodded.
"Koji," Yamaki turned to the boy, "Would you mind coming with me? There's a physical directory upstairs that we might be able to use to locate Okawa, if he exists under that name. It's a long shot, but we've got to start somewhere."
"I can help with that." Koji nodded. "Let's go."
12:07 P.M
"Koji!" Majester leaped out of the server room, dashing through the hallway towards the commons area. "Koji, where are you?"
"Majester, what's wrong?" Tao looked over his shoulder from his seat on the couch, where he had been sitting looking over some papers.
"I need to find Koji immediately: something's happened to the camp at the switching station!" The rookie exclaimed.
"What's going on?" Tao cried as he ran up to the monster, leaving the commons area.
"We can fill you in," Alice was walking down the hallway, a dark-haired man walking slowly behind her, "For now, please tell him where Koji is."
"He's upstairs on the 13th floor." Tao answered. "He and Yamaki are in the directory room looking for-"
"Thanks, I'll find it!" Majester ran off towards the stairwell.
"What's happened to the settlement, Alice?" Tao inquired as she entered the commons area. "Is everyone alright?"
"I don't know. We don't actually know much about what happened there." She explained. "Wendigomon and I got there and found Jian here amidst the rubble. Apparently the Gizumon appeared and abducted everyone they could get ahold of. Wendigomon is tracking them now."
"That's terrible." Tao sighed. "Wait, did you say Jian?" He looked up into the hallway, spotting the man that had accompanied Alice, leaning against the wall.
"Hey Dad." He said solemnly. "Long time no see."
"Henry…" Jian sighed with relief. "All this time, you've been at the refugee camp." Tao rushed over to the man and grasped him in a strong hug.
"I'd have come sooner, but I didn't know you were here." Jian shook his head. "I didn't know you were working here."
"I know. It's been awhile, hasn't it?" Tao rubbed the back of his neck.
"How's Mom? Is she here too?" Jian inquired.
"No, she was out of the city with your sister when the field appeared, thank god." Tao smiled. "Listen, Henry, I know this is awkward, but I really am just glad you're safe."
"Yeah, right." Jian's eyes averted his father's gaze.
"Your name is Henry?" Alice inquired.
"Jian is my middle name." He answered. "I started using it back when I was 16. I don't much care for my real name."
"Henry, please, I don't want to-"
"I wasn't trying to get into anything, Dad." Jian shook his head. "Besides, this isn't the time. We need to act on this problem right away."
"Of course. Listen, you two come with me. The other Monster Makers and I are working on a new project you might be happy to hear about." Alice happily complied, while Jian reluctantly followed Tao as he led them down the hall towards a small office filled with cubicles.
"Tao, what's up?" Dolphin looked up as he entered. "I thought this room was getting too stuffy for you." Alice walked in before Tao could respond.
"Grandpa, there's a problem." Alice announced, gaining the attention of Shibumi, Johnny, and Koushiro.
"What's the matter, honey?" Dolphin stood up.
"The refugee camp at the switching station was attacked." Alice answered. "Almost everyone there was taken by the Gizumon."
"Oh no." Dolphin gasped.
"That's terrible." Shibumi agreed. "What are you going to do about it?"
"We're grabbing Koji and Majester," Alice answered, "And then we're going to meet up with Wendigomon after he's tracked them to wherever they took them."
"I see." Dolphin and Shibumi nodded simultaneously.
"I know you guys are working on something right now," Alice began.
"That's right. We've received some new information that might make it possible to cause the digital army to retreat back to the digital world." Dolphin said excitedly.
"Really?" Alice's eyebrows perked up.
"Yeah, apparently there was a lack of information sharing going on over here," Dolphin explained, his eyes glancing back to Koushiro, "But now we know why the digital army attacked Kyoto in the first place. The algorithm that we were using to access Factory Mark's files had apparently manifested itself in the digital world, is destroying their population. We think if we can access the algorithm and alter its programming, we might be able to repair the damage we've done to the digital world. Then the digital army won't have any cause to continue this assault."
"That might work for the digital army," Jian remarked, "But that's not going to stop the Gizumon. They're here for some other reason."
"That's true," Shibumi agreed, "And that's certainly another problem we'll have to develop a solution to, but right now we've potentially got an answer to at least one of our problems."
"Maybe," Jian sighed.
"I thought I recognized that voice." Koushiro stood up, pushing through the crowd of people. Jian looked up in surprise. "It's a small world, isn't it Henry?"
"Izzy…" Koushiro gasped. "You're one of the Monster Makers?"
"And you're the famous Jian, leader of the underground." Koushiro smiled.
"You two know each other?" Tao asked with surprise.
"Yeah, from about twelve years ago." Jian answered.
"Twelve years," Tao's eyes widened, "That's when you…"
"Yeah Dad." Jian nodded. "I take it they know you were one of the original Digidestined, right Izzy?" Jian turned back to his old friend. "That would be the information they were missing?"
"Not only that," Izzy replied, "But Koji had been keeping things from us as well. He knew why the digital army had attacked in the first place, but neglected to tell us because he wasn't sure whether or not to trust us with that information."
"Koushiro," Tao gained Izzy's attention, "Was Henry with you twelve years ago, in the digital world?"
"Yeah." Izzy nodded. "I take it he didn't tell you."
"What was I supposed to say?" Henry inquired. "I was trapped there, Dad," He looked to his father, "Trapped for four years, serving as a pawn for an insane ancient deity."
"You were there for a lot longer than that, if I recall." Izzy noted.
"Son, I'm so sorry." Tao tried to approach him.
"It's all in the past Dad, right now we need to focus on the current situation." Jian waved him away.
"So the both of you are former Digidestined, huh?" Shibumi looked over the two men. "I wonder if this is a coincidence as well."
"Jian, why didn't you tell me?" Alice looked up at the man.
"I'm sorry Alice. I don't look fondly on those days." Jian sighed. "I did a lot of things I'm not proud of, and it took me a long time to be able to live with what I did. Plus, you and Wendigomon seemed to be pretty self-sufficient, so I didn't think there was really anything I could say that would be helpful."
"You were ashamed too, weren't you?" Izzy inquired, much to Jian's shock. "Sorry, I didn't mean to say that so bluntly. I just meant that I know how it feels, sorta. This whole thing could have been prevented, but I was an idiot. Everything happening right now is my fault."
"Koushiro," Shibumi raised his arm.
"What do you mean?" Jian inquired.
"I should have known that the Factory Mark servers were connected to the digital world, but I had forgotten that I knew about Factory Mark's connection to the digital world in the twelve years since I've been there." Koushiro hung his head in shame. "Had I remembered, and made the connection, I might have been able to stop the project, and none of this would be happening now."
"I wouldn't go that far." Jian shook his head. "Remember, the Gizumon are here for a different reason. It's entirely possible they might have still come to the human world, even if the virus had never infected the digital world."
"I don't know," Koushiro shrugged, "From what Koji told us, it's unlikely the two events are unrelated. The virus has wiped out 90 percent of the digital world's population: it's one of the worst crises they've ever faced."
"Worse than me?" Jian gave a half smile.
"Alice!" Koji appeared at the end of the hallway, with Majester by his side.
"I have to go," Alice declared, "Jian, please stay here with the monster makers."
"I can take care of myself Alice," Jian protested, "I'm coming with you."
"I don't doubt that you're skilled, but the Gizumon are strong. You can't physically handle them." Alice warned. "Don't let your ego get in the way. Stay here and help them in any way you can. Koji and I will deal with this." Alice tore away from the group, joining Koji. The two of them took off towards the subway tunnel as Alice began to explain what had transpired.
"It looks like the both of us were left behind this time." Koushiro chuckled. "I know you're used to being in the middle of all the action Henry."
"Jian." He corrected.
"Sorry. Anyway, my point is that you should let the new generation give it a try. We've done enough fighting, don't you think?"
"You might have a point." Jian nodded.
"Son, please, can we talk about this?" Said Tao.
"Not now Dad." Jian shook his head.
"But Henry-!"
"Please," Jian held up his head, "Later, after Koji and Alice return. People I care about are in danger, and I'm not going to be able to concern myself with personal issues until I know they're safe. And I've told you, please call me Jian."
"Alright son," Tao dropped his shoulders, "Whatever you say."
"We should get back to work." Shibumi proposed.
12:30 P.M
"So you got there and everyone was just gone?" Koji inquired as they quickly moved down the ladder into the subway. "Even Tommy and Veemon?"
"Jian was the only one left." Alice answered. "We're pretty sure everyone was abducted by the Gizumon."
"How can you be so sure?" Koji asked.
"No bodies." Alice answered blatantly.
"We need to move fast," Koji urged, "Veemon is still injured, and we don't know how well he could handle an army of Gizumon. Tommy could be in serious trouble."
"I'm sure everyone is probably in trouble." Alice griped.
"Yeah but Tommy's the only one with a Digimon partner. There's no telling how the Gizumon will react."
"I know you're worried, but try to remain focused. A lot of people are in danger, not just your friend."
"I know that." Koji barked as they reached the bottom of the ladder. "And I'm not downplaying the significance of all the other people who have been captured, but Tommy is a Digidestined as well as my friend. We need him if we're going to save everyone who's been captured, so finding out what happened to him needs to be our first priority once we find out where everyone was taken."
"Are you sure you're not just prioritizing your own interests over the greater good?" Alice spun around as they exited into the tunnel.
"What are you talking about?" Koji raised his eyebrow.
"I know you couldn't care less about all the people from camp." Alice barked. "But get one thing straight: I do. Those people were depending on me to protect them, and when they needed me most, I wasn't there!" A tear welled in her eye. "I have to save them, get it? You can save your friend first if you want, but my priority is making sure that Masao and everyone else I've lived with for the past month gets away from the Gizumon safe and sound, understand?"
"I wasn't saying their lives didn't matter," Koji sighed, "My point is that Majester and Wendigomon might not be enough to handle an entire army of Gizumon. But if we find Tommy and Veemon first, we'll have more Digimon to work with, and we'll be better suited to handling the Gizumon."
"Wendigomon and I haven't had any trouble handling them so far." Alice glared. "In fact, I'm not even sure we need you."
"If that were true, then you wouldn't have bothered coming here to get me and Majester, now would you?"
"Er…" Alice turned away, "Believe me, I'm starting to regret that decision."
"Honestly, I think you're the one who's being too emotional." Koji winced at Alice's response.
"What did you say?" Alice exploded.
"Don't get me wrong, I understand. I feel the exact same way you do about the people in Otsu. They're relying on us Digidestined to keep them safe. That's why I came out here, to try to put an end to this invasion sooner so they could be free. And I certainly am worried about Tommy, but I'm trying to approach this from a tactical perspective. The more allies we have to work with, the more likely we'll succeed, right?"
"Yeah, I guess." Alice scoffed.
"Good, then we should try to be on the same page about this. Trust me, will you?"
"Oh, trust you? That's a laugh." Alice rolled her eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Koji glared.
"How am I supposed to trust you when you won't do the same for the rest of us?" Alice growled. Koji had no response. "I know about the secrets you were keeping from us: namely the reason for the digital army invading. Why did you keep that a secret, if you're so big on trust?" Koji hung his head in shame.
"You're right." Koji agreed to her surprise. "I won't lie, when I first met you I was suspicious of you. I didn't have any reason to be, since it seemed like you were in the same situation we were, but I couldn't help but be cautious around you. I wasn't comfortable leaving Tommy alone at the refugee camp, but he convinced me otherwise. It was the same with the monster makers. I kept secrets because I wasn't sure whether or not it was the right idea to trust you all with that information. I realize now I was wrong, but at the time I don't think it was unreasonable to retain information until I was sure I could trust the people around me."
"Yeah, you're just full of contradictions." Alice turned away once again.
"You're correct, I'm a hypocrite. But right now, the situation is different. We need to be on the same page if we're going to work together in battle. Majester and Wendigomon have never trained together like the rest of the Digidestined Digimon, so we need to make sure the two of us are coordinated before we go in. If we're not working together as a team, the Gizumon will tear us apart."
"Ugh…" Alice groaned. "Fine, I see your point. I'll work with you. But this conversation isn't over, okay?"
"That's fine, I understand." Koji nodded.
"If you two are done arguing, I think I hear something coming." Majester warned. "Large footsteps, coming fast."
"Wendigomon!" Alice smiled. Sure enough, a large beastly form appeared in the darkness moments later, moving at breakneck speeds. It screeched to a halt meters in front of them, the beast breathing heavily. "Did you find them?" The monster nodded, before falling onto its knees. "Oh no, Wendigomon!"
"What's wrong with him?" Majester inquired.
"Found enemies…" Wendigomon gripped his side, where a large gash could be seen. "Many guards, had to run."
"Oh no, you poor thing." Alice wrapped her arms around her partner's neck.
"Can't… stay… strong… anymore." The monster fell over, pushing Alice out of the way as it did so. A bright light enveloped the monster, causing Alice, Koji, and Majester to shield their eyes. The light evaporated a moment later, leaving a much smaller creature where Wendigomon once lay, a short, brown, rabbit-like rookie with ears as long as its body, and three small horns on its head.
"Oh Lopmon." Alice picked up her partner, cradling the creature in her arms.
"I'm sorry I couldn't stay as Wendigomon anymore, Alice." The creature sighed in a high-pitched, feminine voice.
"You're a girl?" Koji inquired.
"Is that a problem?" Alice glared at the boy once again, who shook his head profusely. "It'll be okay Lopmon, just save your strength. Do you think you can still lead us to where their base is?"
"Yeah, I can, but it's at least a half a day's journey from here." Lopmon explained. "As Wendigomon I was able to make it in a few hours, but I can run a lot faster than you all can. And the closer we get, the more concentrated the Gizumon patrols become."
"I can fly us in pretty fast." Majester suggested. "It shouldn't take too long."
"Maybe that's not the best approach." Koji replied. "After all, Lopmon needs time to recover, and we don't want to burn your energy off too quickly before we get there by having you carry two humans on your back."
"What are you suggesting then?" Alice inquired.
"We go back inside and get some supplies, then make the trip on foot. It'll preserve Majester's energy, and give Lopmon a chance to recover."
"The longer we take, the more time the Gizumon have to do god knows what to the people they captured." Alice glared.
"I understand that, but what happens if we use all our energy getting to their camp, only for our Digimon to be too tired to fight them. We'd be torn apart, and Tommy and the rest of your people would have no hope of rescue."
"He's right Alice," Lopmon agreed, "I'm not in a condition to fight right now, but in a few hours I will be."
"If you think it's the best idea," Alice looked down at the rookie in her arms, "Then I'll agree to it."
"It'll also give us more time to discuss a battle strategy." Majester reasoned.
"Then we're all agreed." Koji looked at his partner, then at Alice and Lopmon, who all nodded. "Let's get some supplies, and then head on out. We've got a long day ahead of us."
