Genke followed the screams to a larger building less than a block from the ice cream parlor. As he approached he could tell that he wasn't the only person who'd heard the screams. A large crowd had gathered near the entrance to the building. That's when Genke recognized the building.
It was Greye Industries, a company that created artificial intelligence equipment for the military, as well as home use.
Genke pushed his way through the crowd and got the frontlines. A group of policemen had barricaded the entrance. He began asking the officers what the problem was, and one of them responded by saying a break-in had occurred last night.
"A break-in?" Genke asked.
"Yes the hoodlums made a huge mess, but nothing seems to be missing," replied the officer in charge of the investigation. That's when Genke recognized someone inside the building.
"Freya!" exclaimed Genke, as he pressed through the officers, and headed into the building.
"Sir you can't go in there!" shouted an officer who followed after Genke. The officer caught up with Genke just as he began talking to Freya.
"Sir, you're going to have to come with me," stated the officer, trying to look professional, although it was clear that he was still a cadet.
"Its okay officer," replied Freya, "he's here to help me with the investigation and cleanup." The officer seemed to relax a little.
"Well all right ma'am, but don't let me catch him pulling a stunt like that again, or I'll have him brought down to the station," the officer exclaimed as he left the area.
Freya was a longtime friend of Genke. She was with Genke and Kayil, when Master Eiji had found them, fifteen years ago. She was probably the strongest girl that Genke knew, and definitely the smartest. She had recently been hired by Greye industries as a researcher for their newest invention, which the public, and Genke, had been left in the dark about.
"Thank heavens you showed up Genke," sighed Freya, as she moved her aside a piece of hair that had fallen into her face. "I was going to go crazy if one more of those stupid officers hit on me!"
"Well," said Genke laughing, "I'm here to protect you now, so no one will bother us anymore!"
"Oh brother," replied Freya, "just help me clean this place up, so we can get to the dojo in time for lunch. If I don't beat someone or something up today, I'm going to snap!"
"Okay," laughed Genke, as he began picking some papers up off the ground. "By the way, what did happen here last night?"
"I guess some people broke in and decided to take nothing except a few inexpensive tools. They also decided to have a party in here, or at least that's what it looks like," explained Freya as she threw some papers in the trash.
"You mean to tell me with all this expensive, sophisticated equipment, all they decided to take was some nuts and bolts?" asked Genke, looking unsatisfied with Freya's explanation.
"Well, that's all they took from the main floor, I'm not allowed to go downstairs into the restricted area. Who knows what they took from there," said Freya, before sitting down for a quick break.
"I thought you knew what was down there Freya," replied Genke.
"I thought I did too, but they've stopped letting me go down there these past few weeks, but Dr. Greye promised me she would let me take a sneak peek before they unveil their work next week at the world technologies convention," Freya said, sounding exhausted. "Lets just get this cleanup finished so we can get to lunch, I'm starved."
"I couldn't agree more," Genke replied, as he quickened his pace.
********
The clouds covering the midday sun gave little comfort from the heat. Kayil had been running around the forest for almost two hours now.
"What a fool Genke is!" thought Kayil aloud, as he quickened his pace.
"Wandering around town, while he could be training even harder! He knows the world martial arts tournament is coming up next month, why would he even think twice about doing anything but extreme training?!" Kayil's thought was cut short when he collided with someone. He quickly got up and turned to see whom it was.
"You should watch where your going Kayil!" Genke said jokingly, as he brushed some dirt off his clothes. Kayil was enraged.
"Ah…you imbecile!" Kayil yelled, "I can't believe you! Getting up at the break of dawn, going into the city just for fun?! You know the martial arts tournament is next month, why aren't you training?!"
"Oh spare us Kayil," Freya exclaimed as she landed behind him. "We all know Genke's stronger than you'll ever be, you should be the one worrying about training!" The sentence angered Kayil even more. He wound up, and took a swing at Genke. Just as the punch was about to land, Genke accidentally dodged as he was jolted to attention.
"Do you guys smell what I smell? LASAGNA CASSEROLE!!!" Genke shrieked, as he took off a full speed, towards the dojo.
"Never a dull moment with you two," Freya laughed, as she began to follow Genke.
"Just you wait Genke," Kayil thought to himself, "we'll see who's laughing this afternoon." And with that he took off after the other two fighters, towards the dojo.