A larks sweet serenade brought a musical background to the late November morning. However, the earthly scene was in need of a much darker foreboding soundtrack. Dozens of the constable's men, along with several construction workers, the governor's representatives, the bank men, and overall town folks milled about in the half destroyed courtyard to the tunnel. The first chill was in the air, and blankets and warm drinks were served to all the gentlemen around. The last red leaf fell off a tree in the park nearby. Winter was soon coming.
Julia Swan and her financier were about as well, taking in the damage and accumulating how much they'd have to pay. Edward Falcon was here and there, also around, trying to keep the swarms of townsfolk.
Galuda, the kind and large Native American was dressing Rouge's wounds as he listened to her tell the tale. Not far off, Accel was recounting the scene to the constable, and Ayame stood confused, watching a wounded Jack sit still for once. It was a sad scene indeed. The clouds had cleared and the sun did shine. But the sun did not shine for these warriors.
Rouge shook her head and stared at the ground. "…I must have gone berserk on him at least a thousand times within the hour last night. With those some attacks and strengths I used, I could have killed maybe fifty good men."
"It is not your fault Rouge. …Other Jack is created from a power stone remember? His powers are greater than any of ours." Galuda winded a bandage around her arm.
"I know, but his powers… were so immense! I still cannot believe what I say, and you could never understand until you've laid your eyes on what this creature lived through without crying in pain! Not once did he cry in pain!"
"Rouge, I think you may have took a blow to the head. What you describe is certainly unbelievable. Have you look in the tunnel? It looks as if a volcano erupted within last night!"
"I know what I saw Galuda! He didn't cry out in pain! Not even once!"
Galuda flipped a hand to his brow and flicked his long black hair from his face. His face was the epidemy of puzzlement.
Rouge just shook her head in disdain. She no longer had that long beautiful hair everyone was use to. She repeated. "He didn't cry out in pain… not even once."
Galuda finished her arm. She was looking better, but she seemed to be having some kind of mental problem. Was Other Jack really as horrible as she said?
Gourmand, Julia's expert cook, came by with a trolley full of gastronomical delight. Blackberry and honey crumble with sliced apples and crystallized pear, along with some fine elderberry wine. He came upon the two and offered a slice of the delicious food.
"It looks like quite a scramble went on here. It's a good thing you're not seriously hurt." Gourmand said.
Rouge took the plate but couldn't bring herself to smile. She ate the food slowly, as if her entire being depended on each chew.
"Come now, eat! So what if you're current situation is bad! It can only get so bad!" Seeing his advice was getting nowhere, he leaned down and picked up Rouge's chin with his plump fingers and smiled into her face. "What I mean to say is, you have to look at what's happened, and learn from it. I can find that if I burn a pasty because it is in the oven for an hour, I know that is too long for a pasty to be in the oven."
Rouge looked into the man's bright eyes and smiled again. "Thanks Jean-Paul. I needed that."
Galuda nodded to the cook. "You truly are a wise man, though I know not what a pasty is."
Grinning, the gourmet cook took a nice hot sample from the trolley and presented it to Galuda. He gave a broad wink. "Then you're missing out on a grand piece of gastronomical delight, my friend. Try it."
Galuda took the pasty from Gourmand, scanning every square inch of the pasty's surface area. It smelled delicious, looked incredible, and felt invitingly warm. Galuda took a nibble, chewing slowly and thinking, his eyes turned to the top right corner of his sockets. He swallowed after a moment. "This is really good. Nice and flaky."
"Of course. After attempt after attempt, I've learned how to cook a pasty, just as you people will learn how to beat this Other Jack fellow."
"Hey Gourmand, can you pass me on of those?" Rouge asked.
Gourmand passed a pasty to Rouge and nodded.
** *
"I tell you constable, the last thing I remember is a second Jack knocking me out cold! I don't think he meant to kill me, cus I'm standing her right now!" Accel told the constable, who was writing everything down on a pad with an ink pen.
"I see, and this was after you shot twelve bullets into him?" the constable asked, almost sarcastically.
"It's the truth, God damn it! I emptied both of my colt six shooters into his chest, every bullet hitting him! He fell down and then got back up as if nothing happened!" Accel shouted.
"You must forgive me Mr. American, I just find it hard to believe that any thing, man or beast, would just get back up like nothing happened if he was shot twelve times!" The constable addressed.
"Then how about that tunnel!" Accel pointed to the burnt out hole. "Do you think any one could survive that?! Most of the tools in there are nothing more than puddles on the ground!"
"Right, and you say this 'Other Jack' emerged from the burning tunnel unharmed as well?"
"Look, I really don't need to be playing chicken shit games right now! I told you what happened to the best of my knowledge! There's three other people here that saw it and all of them say the same thing!"
"And the entire town of …Salem was it? Said they saw the devil walk among them! It's mass hysteria, you all are just seeing things." The constable put it.
"Listen dumb ass, I know what I saw was real! Mass Hysteria can't cut a woman in a hundred places, throw a man so hard into the ground that it cracks, or knock me out cold with one jab! If you don't want to believe me, go ahead, but the investigation is still on!" Accel said.
"Right, as long as Ms. Julia pays for all the damages here. Construction will be delayed for another month due to your antics. You're dismissed."
Accel was about to say something more, but decided it was best not to push his luck. The constable walked off to a deputy and gave his notes to him; speaking words that Accel didn't bother to pay attention to. It was a busy scene, and Accel wanted to escape.
Then Falcon arrived.
"Look, before you even start some kind of joke, excuse, or plan to shout, scream, or drive em into the ground, let me tell you that yes, I did screw up! O.K, I let Other Jack get us, knock us around, and tear us up! O.K, now you can keep your damn mouth shut Ed!" Accel shouted as he got into Falcon's face.
Falcon was shocked. Here he was going to offer his apologies and tell the cowboy he believed him, every detail about the horrifying experience in last night's storm. But now! Now, after what Mr. John Accel screamed, Falcon was going to speak nothing of the sort. He narrowed his eyes after a moment and spat back.
"Fine, Did a fine job of saving me energy and breath, Yankee! Now get going and get out of my sight, you wreck!" Falcon said venomously.
Accel pushed past the aviator, sending his shoulder ramming into Falcon's chest. "Good." He then stormed off to a scene unknown.
Falcon was visibly shaking with so much rage. If you do not understand yet why Falcon had shouted such horrid things to Accel, understand this: Falcon was a prideful man, whom very seldom apologized for anything. His word was just and right, and he never bothered to give his actions a second thought on nearly all counts. But when he finally did do this, and actually tried to apologize, lowering his pride for an error made, Accel just shoves it's all into his face. Now Accel did not do it on purpose either. Falcon had been treating him horribly the entire trip, and this morning he was not going to stand for it after the ordeal of Other Jack. Falcon stomped off in the other direction, heading to where Rouge, Galuda, and Gourmand were sitting.
** *
As Falcon stormed towards the cor4ner of a tall gray building, a tall, thin man clad in spectacles and a tailed over coat passed the many confused townsfolk, aiming for the Lady Julia, whom was busy speaking to a many of her financial advisors.
The man hastily pushed himself in to the circle. "Ms. Swan, we hate to inform you that if something of this caliber happens again, we'll have to put Jack the Slayer back into the dungeon! These kinds of things will not, let me repeat, WILL NOT be accepted by the governor or his representatives! What would the Prime Minister think?"
Julia excused herself from her fellows and tapped her parasol against the tall man's diamond studded collar. "Now hear me monsieur Abondeus, I do not think you should go and bother the Prime Minister about a small explosion within an unmanned in construction tunnel. He is still busy and all trying to fix the government after the last revolution twenty years ago. T'would be silly to bother him with such miniscule items!"
Monsieur Abondeus tapped his black shoes in an impatient manner. "Do not jest with me Lady Swan! Do take me seriously or I will put a stop to your investigation, despite your nobility! I am a reprehensive of the governor, and I am not to be taken lightly! Do you hear me?"
Julia sighed. "Yes, I do take you seriously. I shall pay for all damages caused in this incident and any others if they arise-"
"There will not be any more damages! This is the first and only! What if there were men still in this work place? They would have been incinerated! That would just not do! Unlike you, I have a respect for human life, thank you very much!"
"If you do then, you would let us continue this investigation and stop the mad beast that is slaying all the women! Do you think it too much to even bother trying to solve it?! You and your constables have done nothing!"
"I can tell you the murderer is loose ion these streets because of you! That Jack creature is the source of these deaths!" Monsieur Abondues was turning red. "ONE more mistake and you'll be in that dungeon along with him! I shall take my leave now. GOOD DAY MADAM!"
Abondues turned on his heel and marched off, huge text in one hand and nose held high. Julia's circles of financiers were silent, awaiting a move from Julia, who shook her head in despair.
** *
Ayame Uematsu was confused and scared. She stood alone, in the middle of the court. In reality, she was not alone at all, for she was thronged by the hundreds of businessmen going about on the business of such an event. But in mentality, she was by herself. At her side was Jack, who for some reason lay dormant and quiet. Rest assured he was neither dead nor sleeping.
"Why? Why was I spared? Why was I the only one that was not attacked by Other Jack?" Ayame asked herself in a quiet, monotone voice.
Jack sat Indian style, polishing his daggers.
Ayame turned to the bandaged man. "Don't you know anything? Why did he spare me?!"
Jack looked at the girl as if for the first time. After a moment, he shook his head and continued polishing.
"Answer me damn you! He's you and you're him! Tell me why he didn't bother to kill me?!" Ayame shoved Jack.
"Wot do I look loik, a psychic? Jack only knows few things, made evident by these chains that I have around me." Jack said in an irritated mood.
"What are you talking about, chains? There's nothing around you at all!" Ayame tried to explain.
"Gah, your so stupid. You cannot see the invisible chains and weights tied around me! Jack do this and Jack do that! Send that man over to Jack and watch 'em! Never know wot that Jack's gonna do, Ee moight slay thee in the noight, that he will!"
It struck Ayame then. This whole time, she thought of Jack as an insane creature who'd kill at the mere notion. But now, Jack was showing sighs on humanity. The whole time, every one treated him like a caged animal or a child. Sure Jack's reputation had preceded him and caused great mistrust, but how far did the adventurers have to go with this? She suddenly felt a wave of pity for the creature, the poor man wrapped in blood stained bandages. Underneath those bandages, even Jack was human.
"I'm… I'm sorry Jack. I guess I never thought of you as an equal, more like a dog or cattle that was only useful for one cause." Ayame confessed.
"Bah, You know nothing of the torture of Jack! I have not a single bit of respect, and am sent to an eternity of punishment, just for liking pretty girls and their jewelry. And for these damned bandages! DAMAN WRAPPINGS! HA HA HAHAHAHA DAMN BANDAGES HAHAHAHAHA!" Jack began to shriek.
Ayame put her fingers to where Jack's mouth should be, an almost motherly attempt to stop a child from wailing in displeasure.
"Hush now. Shhhhhhhhhhh…" Ayame sat down on her haunches to be at eye level with the green-coated monstrosity. "Calm yourself Jack. You're a very special person. I… I now see beyond your outer layer. You are a human, you have a soul too. Think of yourself as … as an onion. On the outside, there is an ugly, brittle, smelly layer. But on the inside, there is a center in which people enjoy. I don't think anyone has ever got to your center Jack. I don't think you've let them."
Jack's eye showed confusion. He looked at Ayame strangely. "You… You really think that Jack is above that of the rats and dogs?"
"That I do. Jack, do you have family? Where are they?" Ayame smiled.
Jack looked at his daggers, trying to think. His brain hadn't even processed the thought of family in so long. "Jack …has …family? I don't recall any family… All I can remember is a woman, a pretty woman, and the most beautiful ever! And she had a stone! A nice shiny stone! Oh, Jack is often relaxed and filled with a warm feeling when he thinks of that woman and that stone…"
"…Was that woman your mother?"
"How do I know? Tis all Jack can remember. That is why Jack must have women and shinies! They make me feel nice all over. A nice warm feeling." Jack replied, his eye closing every time he said the words.
Ayame patted Jack head, avoiding the greasy black tuffs of hair. "I know the feeling Jack. I get that feeling every time I think of my mother's cooking, or my father's stories. I get the feeling when I think of flying great kites on a sunny day near the Lord's pagoda, or chasing the little boys near the shrine." Ayame became unexpectedly homesick. This whole time she had been preaching nothing more than the Western lands and the entire great things they offered, ignoring her family and her heritage. She blinked back tears that were forming in her eyes. She suddenly wanted to see her family.
"Wot be the matter girl… err Ayame? Does Jack displease you?" Jack asked his new friend.
"No, no. I was just thinking …about home." Ayame wiped away her tears and smiled.
"Come on, let's go find the others. They can be your friends to. I think you already know Galuda well enough."
"Hahaha! Galuda is Jack's big friend. Saved him from a cannon ball I did. Haahahaah!" Jack laughed.
** *
Falcon reached Rouge, Galuda, and Gourmand. The three were busy conversing and eating the fine delicacies laid out by the master cook. As they saw the aviator approach, the smiled and gave a salute.
"Hey Falcon. You should try Gourmand's pasties! They'll raise your spirit fifty times fold!" Rouge said.
"They are rather good!" Galuda said as well.
"Thanks, I'll need one." Falcon grabbed a pasty and bit in. "Mmmm, these are good. Hey Jean-Paul, I think you can forget about Zulu now, thanks to these!"
Gourmand bowed. "Thank you sir."
Falcon leaned on the trolley, chewing on his pasty. "Well, I see you guys got the shit beat out of you last night, so we need to think of something that doesn't involve mass suicide."
"I through everything at him. He didn't even budge." Rouge told.
"And Accel shot twelve bullets into him and nothing happened." Galuda recapped.
"Yes, yes, I heard all that. The thing is practically invincible!" Falcon commented.
"Invincible maybe, but whatever you do, you better not blow anything else up! The Governor's representative has threatened to pull the plug on your investigation if you do something like this again!" Julia emerged by herself. She swung her parasol over her shoulder as she smiled to Gourmand and bit a pasty.
"Well that certainly isn't good. Especially when he's totally bonkers." Falcon admitted.
"Jack isn't crazy!" Ayame and Jack strolled up.
"No one said he was, we're talking about Other Jack here." Falcon said.
"Well, we just need Accel here and we can start a plan up." Rouge suggested.
"We don't need that idiot." Falcon said through a mouthful.
"Falcon! Accel bravely fought last night! You need to relax and leave him alone!" Ayame defended her good friend.
"What we need is someone else who's invincible." Gourmand joked.
"Say that gain old chap!" Falcon said.
"I was just kidding master Falcon! No one is invicible!" gourmand replied.
"No, but there are people who are immortal… I got me an idea!" Falcon was excited.
"What? What is it?!" everyone asked eagerly.
"I'll need only two of you to get him, but we need to ge pick up some one!" Falcon grinned.
"Who?" Galuda asked.
"The one and only Captain Kraken!" Falcon winked.
The group gave a confused look to the aviator. Falcon laughed at his idea. "Why didn't I think of it before? Quickly, we must make haste to the Hockenheim! Who's coming, wot wot?"
"Do you even know where he is?" Rouge asked.
"That's where you and your crystal ball come in! Quickly, some one volunteer! We don't have all season y'now! December will be here before the weeks through! Hurry your bums up chaps and chapesses!" Falcon laughed.
**
