Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 File 1: Dominant Species
Part 3: Casualties
Chapter 30: Foxhunt
by P. Kristen Enos (bgcpost2040@aol.com)
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A Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 English Dub Version Fanfic. All rights belong to AIC, ADV Films and the other creative powers that be. I just want credit for writing the story. Contains spoilers! Rated PG13. Yuri warning! Nothing in here should be a shock if you've watched the episodes and paid attention. All I'm doing is filling in the gaps with my own interpretation of events! Special thanks to egret for betaing!
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For the first time in her entire professional career, Madigan paused before entering an office. She knew of course that she was just the messenger, but personal security didn't matter when there were unpleasant variables involved. She had been disturbed but not surprised by her superior's temper tantrum when she had had to phone him extremely early that morning to deliver the news about Sylvie's disappearance as well as the presumed failure in her assassination assignment. She knew his venting wasn't directed at her so much as being just a way to let off steam against an unknown culprit. Someone had outfoxed them and it was a matter of seeing if this was a case where they should have seen this coming, or if this was a completely new variable altogether.
Madigan took a deep breath, firmly gripped her data pad and proceeded forward so that the sensors registered her presence and slid the door open.
Quincy stood before the large wall of windows and stared out at the afternoon sun over Tokyo Bay. In his hand was a half-consumed glass of brandy. He gave her an acknowledging glance before turning back to his view.
Recognizing this as her cue to speak, she turned her attention to the pad and said, "All four of our search vans have reported that they have not had any positive reading for Sylvie. The theory is that she's either completely destroyed so she's not emitting any signals, or she's out of range, such as out of the city or country. I've told them to continue their search."
Quincy gave a supportive nod.
Madigan then continued her status read out. "My source at the hospital did not uncover any additional information from the staff or patients beyond general gossip about strange sounds such as metallic squealing and pounding. And of course some people had noticed the police cars searching the area."
"What about Yamazaki?"
"Records indicated that she checked out this morning, however she never arrived at home nor at work. Our source at Hugh-Geit uncovered a modification made this morning to her employment record that effective immediately she is on indefinite leave from work due to being in police protective custody."
"So this leads back to our Detective Wong," Quincy surmised with a definite edge in his tone.
"Yes, sir," Madigan confirmed. "Our contacts at the police department show that he had arranged for a medical team at the hospital to be on standby as well as the police officers to be on special alert without informing them of anything other than it was based on a lead for the Plaza Slaughter."
Quincy then glanced down and noticed that he gripped his glass with white-knuckled fingers. He walked over to his desk and put the drink down, knowing his tension would have broken the container. "So, we have a missing boomer, a missing witness, and a detective whose actions are just a little too conveniently timed.... And we've confirmed that Sylvie is not being held at the Police Department?"
Madigan nodded. "Our sources have searched every possible holding place she could be, as well as for any equipment that could have any capability of overwhelming or damaging her."
"Have you learned anything else noteworthy about Detective Wong?"
"Actually, yes," she responded as she put the pad down and recited from memory. "He was a part of the A.D. Police up until they were shut down because Genom had cut their funding. His whereabouts are not completely traced during that time, as with most people who remained in the city during the Revolution. But he did eventually transfer to the Osaka Police Department and quickly became a detective there before transferring back to Tokyo.
"He was instrumental in the creation of his current department, the Neo-Tech Crimes Division. They perform similar functions to the A.D. Police but without as much manpower or equipment resources since they are funded by the government rather than Genom. But even with his current resources, there is nothing he has access to within the Police Department that even comes close to matching Sylvie's capabilities. He couldn't have pulled this off without outside help."
Quincy arched his eyebrow at the subtle hint in her tone. "It sounds like you found a lead."
"Possibly," she answered, glad that his curiosity seemed to defuse some of his anger. "I just had an extremely interesting conversation with our data recovery team. Two of the staff were assigned here in Tokyo just prior to the Revolution before they were transferred out, with the rest of the Headquarters personnel. They both brought up the fact that they were part of a special surveillance assignment managed directly by your grandfather and Mason. This surveillance project focused on a team of three or four individuals called the Knight Sabers, who appeared only when boomers went rogue in order to destroy them before the boomers did too much damage. They appeared to be women dressed in hardsuits, but they could have been boomers themselves - to our staff's knowledge it was never determined exactly which. Apparently these Knight Sabers did a better job handling rogue boomers than the AD Police, causing them to be labeled vigilantes.
"No one on the data recovery team could remember too much, other than that your grandfather had expressly ordered the cover-up of any of their activities when possible. When the headquarters was shut down, Genom stopped their surveillance. Because the Knight Sabers haven't made an appearance since then, the general consensus is that they could have been destroyed by the Revolution. The other interesting thing to note is that as far as the general public is concerned, few people even thought that they existed, as if they were just some sort of urban legend. One of our staff members did remember an instance of sensational news coverage where they were caught on camera. I'm having our connections with the television news stations launch an archive search to see if we can find that piece.
"And it was also brought to my attention that the recovery team has noted that none of the recovered files mentions the Knight Sabers, but that's not to say that their information wasn't housed in the unsalvageable sections. I've ordered the team to do a priority search on them in the Genom files as well as our AD Police files. Of all our options on who could have subdued and caught Sylvie, these Knight Sabers are the most likely candidates. The technology capabilities as well as the method of operation matches."
Quincy finally sat in his chair and scratched his beard thoughtfully. "So it's a very good possibility that our Detective Wong has access to these Knight Sabers, or someone who had strong enough connections to the original team to be able to reproduce their hardware and abilities. I also want a round the clock watch posted on Detective Wong, including screening all calls and contacts he makes...." He finally smiled to himself and said, "This definitely changes things, which we might be able to use…. What is the status on our other girls?"
"We've given them the highest priority to their upgrades to full Sylvie level. They should be completed in another month."
Quincy leaned back in his chair and said, "Set up an emergency meeting with Dr. Yuri before the day is out. I want to talk to him about developing a deployable and, if necessary, disposable combat only model. If these Knight Sabers are active, we might be able to rely on their 'on call' status to conduct some tests of our own. I want to find out as much information as possible about this group, if they are indeed the ones who are behind all of this. Also ask him where we're at with our male prototype."
"Yes, sir," Madigan said as she made a new note in her data pad.
The intercom line suddenly buzzed on Quincy's phone.
He pushed the button and said, "Yes, Heinrich?"
"Sir," his secretary's voice answered, "Dr. Yamada is here to request an audience with you. He says it's regarding his resignation, effective as soon as possible."
The two executives exchanged a raised eyebrow look before Quincy answered, "Please send him in."
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" - I realize that I am not honoring my commitment to see this project through by leaving now but I do hope you understand how much the current circumstances have forced me to make such a decision." Dr. Yamada said as he sat in the chair, his gaze lowered as he wasn't able to meet his superior's gaze. "Dr. Yuri is more than qualified to manage the team and the project going forward. Otherwise, I would not have felt comfortable to request the rest of the week off to tend to my fiancée."
Quincy leaned back in his chair and said, "Well, Dr. Yamada, I do agree with your assessment on Dr. Yuri's capabilities, and I am glad you can confirm that my judgment was sound. I do not see a reason why we would have to keep you here longer than you feel necessary. I am curious though on what you plan to do now?"
"My fiancée's late father had acquired a London electronics company in order to let me manage their research division. They specialize in general electronics and parts. It's work I think I can easily adapt to," he said softly. "I have no more interest in boomer research."
The CEO of Genom Corporation was quiet for a moment before he said with a kind smile, "It is unfortunate to have you leave but I do understand why. I accept your resignation effective immediately, thank you for your many years of loyal service to Genom Corporation, and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors."
"Thank you, sir," the scientist answered gratefully. "If you don't mind, sir, I would like to clean out my office before I leave."
Quincy shook his head but still maintained his pleasant smile. "I'm afraid that won't be possible, Dr. Yamada. Even future ex-employees are not allowed in such secure areas, as you can imagine why. Madigan will make certain your personal items are sent to you."
Dr. Yamada looked undeniably disappointed as he responded, "I - I understand, sir. Then is there any way I can have one last visit with Sylvie? It-it may sound overly sentimental for a scientist such as myself, but I would like to say good-bye to her before I go."
Because the scientist's gaze was on the floor before him, he didn't see the curious look the executives exchanged.
Quincy cleared his throat and said, "Again, I am truly sorry, Dr. Yamada. But she is considered highly classified as well."
"Oh." Dr. Yamada took a deep breath and tried to hide the painful twinge in his heart. He then stood and bowed. "Thank you, sir, for your graciousness and understanding. I am truly grateful for the experience and opportunities I have gained with Genom Corporation. And may you have continued success as well."
Quincy stood and bowed in return. "Thank you, Dr. Yamada. Madigan will make certain your resignation matters are settled as efficiently as possible."
Once the scientist left under the escort of Quincy's secretary and a security guard, the two executives exchanged another look.
"That was certainly interesting," Quincy mused. "Either he's suddenly developed acting skills, or he honestly doesn't know anything about last night."
"Should we keep an eye on him?"
Quincy thought about it and then said, "No. I don't think he's a factor anymore. And if he does become important again, we'll deal with him then…. And, Madigan, make certain we give him a 300% bonus in his final pay check. He did serve us well, after all."
"Yes, sir."
-- End Chapter 30 --
