Title: Welcome to Metropolis
Plot: Shunsaku Ban came to metropolis to solve one simple case, only to find himself involved in saving the world. As a power-struggle begins between opposing forces over a mythical creature and the power to conquer the world, the question of what it means to be human, to be alive comes into play. Dedicated to Osamu Tezuka.
Chapter 4: Love and Hate
By: rockofmarduk
Writers comment: Sorry it took so long to get the next chapter up. I've been having a little computer trouble lately. First the computer goes down, then I can't get back onto the Internet and now my computers memory bank keeps on going down and its hard to get it back up again. (Sigh) its been a stressful week. P.S. This is probably the longest chapter I've done to date. **
Last time on metropolis: A mysterious man named Dr. Laughton paid a call to Duke Red. Wonder what their up to? And Mitchy (the grandson of Dr. Laughton) made two new friends; a girl named Emmy and Rock. But trouble starts when Rock's fellow Marduk's met up with Polar's execution force and start a barroom fight. But Rock breaks up the fight and "oh" boy are they in big trouble now! **
A little while later in the hallway of the Marduk headquarters...
Rock passed back and forth in front of his Marduk comrades with anger written all over his face. All four of them looked like they had been through hell and back. Their clothes were ripped and they were covered in cuts and bruises from head to toe.
"What the hell were you four idiots thinking?" Rock shouted angrily at his men. "After everything I told you, you just had to pick a fight with Polar's men! How do you think this is going to look to Duke Red when he hears of this? He'll think that I can't control my own men!"
All four of them cringed at Rock's words.
Seeing the looks on their faces Rock calmed himself down before speaking again. "What I want to know is, who started the fight?"
Rock waited for an answer but none came. Rock walked in front of them and glared Mirum in the face. Mirum, who now had a black eye from the fight, refused to look up at him.
"Was it you Mirum?" Rock asked.
"No sir!" Mirum answered as he tried to look at their leader.
"Then who was it?"
"I don't know sir?"
"I don't know." Rock grumbled the repeated reply and then walked up to interrogate his next suspect.
"I know you Hudson. It must have been you who through the first punch?" He said as he stared eye to eye with Hudson.
"No sir, I didn't." Hudson stammered.
"Then who did it?"
"Well sir it could have been just about anyone in that room? Even one of the waitress's." Hudson chuckled as he tried to put a little humor into the conversation. It didn't work. Rock wasn't the slightest bit amused.
"Well then, since no one will confess to the fight you will all have to be punished." Rock said as he started to pace again. "So starting tomorrow all four of you will join me in my routine robot round in zone-1."
"Ah not zone-1 sir! That's were all the poor people live!" All four of them groaned.
"Yes zone-1and you're going to keep on going down there until I say to stop. I'm going easy on you guys because you're my best friends, but I'm also your commander so I have no choice."
Rock pointed down the hall. "Now go to the infirmary and get bandaged up. Then go straight to your quarters. I don't want to see your faces again until tomorrow. We start at seven sharp so you'd better be ready. Dismissed!"
As all four of the Marduk's started walking down the hall grumbling, they noticed Polar come out of another room with his men in tow. The Marduk execution force noticed the other Marduk's and grinned evilly at them. Polar also noticed Rock and smirking mouthed the word bastard to him. Then they left. It took all of the Marduk's will power not to run after them and beat the crap out of them.
Rock growled under his breath as he began heading towards the shooting range. Not only was it good for some target practice it was a good place for him to get some thinking done. It was obvious that they weren't punished at all for what had happened, which to Rock showed all the signs of a bad leader. A true leader had to discipline his men not let them run wild through the streets. Rock sighed. He needed a vacation.
As Rock turned a corner he saw four Marduk women who had just come out of the shooting range themselves. All of them were very pretty and were of Marine stature. As they walked past Rock, they all blushed and giggled. One even winked at him. Rock wasn't at all surprised by their actions. Rock had heard from one of his friends that he had been voted most eligible Marduk bachelor by the Marduk women and that all of them were interested in dating him. All of this was quite flattering to Rock, but at the moment he had more important things to worry about then girls. **
A few minutes later...
Rock, (now in the shooting gallery), put on his earmuffs and began shooting his target, which was nothing more then a large piece of paper with a human outline on it. Not much of a challenge but it would have to do. The only problem was he had so much on his mind that he kept on either missing the target or shooting it in the wrong place. Rock growled out his frustrations.
"Boy you really are a bad shot today Rock." A voice spoke up beside him.
Rock turned to see a chubby young man with sticky-out brown hair standing beside him, ready to shoot his own target. His name was Daisuke and although he is just a year older then Rock and still a marine, he had managed to earned Rock's respect and friendship that landed him second in command of the Marduk's.
"So Rock, is it true what others have been telling me. That those four hotheaded friends of ours started a fight with the execution force?" Daisuke asked already knowing the answer.
"Yea they did." Rock answered a little melancholy. "You know they really disappointed me today. After everything I told them they still acted like idiots. What were they thinking?"
"Thinking is something that they weren't doing." Daisuke sighed. "But did it ever occur to you that the execution force were more to blame for the fight? I mean it's obvious that they started it."
"Yea I know, but there suppose to know better. I mean I taught them better then that." Rock's mind wandered off for a moment as he remembered a figure from his past. "Maybe if he was still alive and if he was still leader then maybe..."
"Don't think like that Rock!" Daisuke's shout startled Rock from his thoughts.
"You're a good leader Rock." Daisuke continued a little quieter. "He choose you to lead the Marduk's and he made a good chose. You haven't let him or any of us down."
"If I'm such a good leader, then why did the one who started the fight not come forward and tell me?" Rock asked sadly.
Daisuke patted Rock on the shoulder. "Because he's probably scared Rock. He'll come and tell you when he's ready."
Rock just nodded his head in agreement. Daisuke loaded up his gun and grinned at Rock. "So Rock do you think that you can take your head out of the clouds long enough so I can beat your old shooting record? Bet yea I'll win this time?"
Rock grinned at Daisuke, his spirits lifted. "Not a chance." **
Meanwhile in the Marduk infirmary...
"Ouch that hurt!"
Darrel gripped his arm in pain as Pete the Marduk's personal doctor put some iodine on one of the many scratches on his arm. "Damn Rock, damn the execution force, damn the whole freaking world!" Darrel shouted angrily at the floor as Pete finished bandaging his arm.
"Their now. That didn't hurt to much now did it?" Pete asked Darrel sarcastically. Darrel growled at Pete.
Pete was a nice nineteen year old Marduk that took care of any ailing Marduk. He had golden hair that was curled up at the back and had a large piece flopped over the right side of his face and covered his right blue eye. He wore a marine Marduk outfit under his long white doctor's coat and had two armbands on both his right and left arms. On the right was the Marduk symbol and on the left was a white armband with a Red Cross, symbolizing he was a doctor.
Picking up his doctor bag he headed over to where Mirum was sitting on one of the examining tables.
"So Mirum, lets look you over and see were your wounded shall we?" Pete asked as he started checking Mirum. Mirum pushed Pete away.
"It's ok Pete, I'm completely fine." Mirum sighed. "I still can't believe that I started that fight?"
"What Mirum. It was you who did it?" Pete sounded surprised. "I thought you were always so calm and non violent?"
"Yea I know. I just don't what came over me? I'm really sorry I did it."
"Well I'm not!" Darrel interrupted as he climbed off his examining table. "Those little shit's had it coming, and I'm really glad that you stood up to them Mirum."
"Leave him alone Darrel. He doesn't need any complements from you." Hudson spoke up from the other side of the room. Both he and Gregory were siting on another examining table waiting for Pete.
"What the hell is your problem?" Darrel asked confused. "Are you jealous that Mirum had the guts to fight back while you two hid in your beers?"
"No." Gregory sighed. "It's just that both me and Hudson agree that we shouldn't have disobeyed Rock like that. I think we should all go and apologize to Rock before anything else bad happens."
"Apologize! Are you crazy?" Darrel shouted. "The day I apologize to that bad excuse for a leader, I'll be in a wooden box!"
As the three Marduk's started arguing, Mirum sat quietly on the table thinking. Making his decision he got up off the table and started heading towards the infirmary door.
"Hey Mirum, where are you going?" Pete's question interrupted the other's fighting.
"I'm going to apologize to Rock alone. It's my fault anyway. Can't let you guys take the blame." Mirum said quietly as he left the room.
"I think your nuts pal!" Darrel called after him, then turning to the others. " I've lost all respect for that guy now."
Pete shook his head and turned his attention to Hudson and Gregory. "Ok boys roll up them sleeves. Time to give you guys your injections." He said holding up a large needle.
Everyone groaned. **
Later in Rock's office...
Rock sat at his office desk working on some paper work. The room was neat and tidy, just the way Rock liked things. The room's walls were the colors of aqua and white while his tile floor was aqua and black, except for the large dark purple carpet which lead to Rock's desk. Two large windows on the right side of his office gave him a clear view of the city of metropolis. A table, a file cabinet, and a couch sat at the side of the wall for his own personal usage. He even had his own bathroom.
In front of Rock's wooden desk were a couple of chairs used for visiting guests and Marduk's. The desk itself was all shinny and new, and a nameplate was siting at the front of his desk with the name ROCK OF MARDUK printed across it. A simple lamp sat on the side shinning it's light down on the papers Rock was working on. Rock glanced over for a moment to stare at a picture of himself and Duke Red that was taken of them when he was only five years old. Rock sighed, stretched and yawned in his leather easy chair before continuing on with his paperwork.
That's when there was a knock at his door.
"Come in." He called without looking up from his work.
Mirum walked into Rock's office and stood in front of Rock's desk. Rock looked up at Mirum without a hint of surprise on his face.
"Yes Mirum, what is it?"
Mirum wiped some sweat off his forehead before speaking. "Rock, I came here to confess. I'm the one who started the fight at the bar. The others had nothing to do with it."
Rock put his elbows on his desk and rested his chin against his knuckles. He studied Mirum carefully before speaking. "I had a feeling it was you."
Mirum looked up at Rock surprised. "But sir. You knew it was I the whole time. How did you know and why didn't you say anything?"
Rock smirked. "Question one; I knew it was you because you refused to look into my eyes while I was questioning you and the others. All the other Marduk's looked me straight in the eye because they had nothing to hide, but you were too embarrassed to even raise your head."
Mirum looked down at the ground feeling guilty.
"As for question two;" Rock continued. "I didn't say anything because I wanted you to come to me on your own and confess. And you did, and I'm very proud of you Mirum."
Mirum looked up with a smile "Thank you sir."
"But!" Rock quickly interrupted. Just because you confessed doesn't mean I'm not going to drop the punishment."
"But I started the fight, not the others." Mirum argued back.
"Yes, but the others should have known better. They should have stopped the fight before it even started." Rock shot back.
Mirum wasn't at all surprised by Rock's angry outburst and just nodded his head. "Yes sir." he said quietly.
Quieting himself down Rock spoke again. "Hopefully after this incident you and the others will learn something about respect and be the brave upstanding men your suppose to be and..."
Someone screams suddenly interrupted Rock. Both Rock and Mirum ran out into the hall just in time to see Darrel go running past them with Pete, Hudson, and Gregory hot on his heals.
"There's no way in hell your going to put the needle into me pal!" Darrel shouted back at Pete.
Pete held up the needle to show Darrel. "Darrel it's not that big, see look. It's not going to hurt you."
Darrel screamed even loader and ran even faster. The others picked up the pace and followed him down the hall. Mirum and Rock stood there with blank looks on their faces, a little bit shocked and embarrassed at the scene that had just ran past them. Mirum finally broke the silence.
"So, what were you saying about becoming brave and upstanding men?"
In Duke Red's office...
At the same time Duke Red himself sat at his office desk staring out at the great city of Metropolis from his own window. Unlike Rock's office though, Duke Red's was way more luxurious. Glossy green floors and shinning red and golden walls as far as the eye could see. His horseshoe shaped desk was of the same colors and had many pictures on it. All of which were of the same young blond hared girl. One showed the girl running down a path with her long blond hair and bluish purplish dress flying behind her. The next one showed her sitting on a bench with a white dove sitting on her hand. And the last one showed Duke Red himself siting on a couch holding the little girl in his arms. They looked so happy together. Duke Red sighed as he reached over and picked up the last photo and studied it more closely. He was staring at the photo for so long that he didn't notice someone enter his office.
"Duke Red sir, may I have a word with you?" A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"If you must." Duke Red sighed as he sat the photo down. "What is it Laura?"
Laura was Duke Red's personal secretary and a beautiful one at that. She had long brown hair; most of it was up in a bun on top of her head with long strands flowing down her back. She wore a pair of glasses that covered her hazel eyes and made her look like a bookworm. She wore a simple white blouse that showed off her large breasts and slim waist and a green skirt which some people thought was way too short for her. If it weren't for her voluptuous body no man would even give her a glance.
"Sir here's the rest of the reports you asked for. They also include the reports from this morning." Laura said softly as she handed him a folder full of papers.
"Thank you Laura, I'll look at them in the morning." Red responded as he sat the folder on his desk and returned to looking out the window. Red then realized that Laura had not left yet. "Is there something else Laura?"
"Yes sir. I thought I saw Rock going down into zone-1 today. Did you know he was there?"
"Yes I know Laura, I sent him there myself. We need someone to bring order and discipline to that crummy zone and he's the best."
"Yes I know but sir. I've read Rock's last report and it said that he came in contact with the robot leader of the attack and he himself almost became a victim. I'm worried that at his age he could get seriously hurt. Sir I know it's none of my business to say but I think you should take Rock off this Marduk detail... For his own saftey that is."
Duke Red peered over his chair with an eyebrow raised. He then smirked at Laura. "Why Laura, I had no idea you cared so much for Rock's well being." Closing his eyes he rested his chin against his knuckles and his smirk grew even larger. "I guess you think that the safest place to put Rock is in your own bed. Preferably with you in it I suppose?"
" No sir!" Laura said trying to sound surprised. " I'm just saying sir that I don't think he's fit enough to be handling this kind of assignment. That's all."
Laura turned to the side shifting her short skirt and showing off her magnificent figure to Duke Red. This little maneuver did not by any chance go unnoticed by Duke Red. Whenever she came into his office she would silently flirt with him and with Rock when he came here. Usually it was her way of getting what she wanted from men by seducing them, but it didn't work with either Red or Rock. Duke Red gave her body a look over before shaking his head and turning back to the window. He had to keep his mind on the topic instead of the subject in front of him.
"I know about the feelings you have for my adopted son Laura." Duke Red continued as he glanced at the photo of the young girl on his desk. "He may be young but he's the best we have and I wouldn't trust anyone else with this assignment. So let's just leave it at that."
"Yes sir." Laura quietly said. Sighing, she started making her way to the office door for a quick exit. Just then part of the office door opened and Rock walked in. Making himself comfortable, Rock leaned against the closed part of the door with his arm's crossed, waiting for Laura to leave. As she walked by, Laura wondered if Rock ever gave her a look over behind those dark glasses? Her question was answered when she saw out of the corner of Rock's dark sunglasses his eyes watching as her short skirt rid up and down her long sexy legs.
After Laura left Rock shocked his head. "Women." Rock muttered to himself as he headed towards Red's desk. It still amazed Rock how large his father's office was. Duke Red turned around in his throne like chair and smiled at Rock.
"Hello Rock. What's this I'm hearing about your Marduk's attacking Polar's Marduk's?"
Rock groaned to himself. He had been praying all day that Duke Red wouldn't find out about the fight but by the looks of things God let him down this time. Realizing he needed to respond to Duke Red's question, he quickly and thoroughly explained everything that had happened up to this moment. The expression on Duke Red's face was one of disappointment to say the least after Rock was finished.
"Rock, do you know the reason why you're the head of the Marduk's?" Duke Red asked.
""Because I was appointed by the last leader of the Marduks."
"Besides that. You became leader because you are strong and you knew how to handle your men. Now after hearing about what happened today from Polar, (like we didn't know it was him who told.), one would think I would reprimand you for your failure to control your own men. But I know you better then they do and I trust you with the job put before you. Never give up on yourself and stop listening to those foolish words of Polar's. No matter what you do I'll always be proud of you. Never forget that Rock."
"Yes father." Rock replied proudly at his father's words.
Duke Red frowned when he said this. "Rock how many times must I tell you that I am not your father?" Red said in an almost whisper.
"I'm sorry sir." Rock replied sadly. But under his breath he added. "You use to let me call you that when she was still around."
"Your dismissed Rock. Have a goods nights sleep. I expect you up bright and early tomorrow." Duke Red finished as he returned to window.
Rock bowed and quietly exited the office. Passing Laura's desk outside he noticed that she wasn't sitting in her normal place. Usually when Duke Red worked late Laura would also stay behind to help him and only leave when he did. And sometimes she'd hit on Rock even if the Duke were only a few feet away. Rock shock this memory from his head not really caring one way or the other where Laura was. Taking the elevator down he discovered the place empty except for a few sweeper bots cleaning the floors.
Rock decided to use the shortcut through the wheel room to get to his quarters. The wheel room was just that, a large room with giant wheels that helped run and powers the ziggurat itself. Water ran just underneath the wheels, bathing them in an aqua colored light. It even had it's own railway going along just above the water and just under the wheel's themselves. It was an interesting place were Rock sometimes came to think. But right now all Rock wanted to do was go to bed and forget all about today.
As Rock made his way across the catwalk he heard a voice behind him.
"Hello Rock. Feeling a little bit tired are we?"
"Hello Laura." Rock said quietly as he turned around to face her.
Laura herself was leaning up against a desk near an old chalkboard, next to the wheel rooms doorway. Her glasses were resting on the tip of her nose and her seductive eyes gave Rock a good looking over. More of her hair had been let down from its bun and was now cascading down her back and shoulders. Her white blouse was no longer tucked in and the top of her blouse was unbuttoned showing off her lacey pink bra underneath. Rock swallowed hard at the site of Laura as she rubbed her legs together and very gently touched her lacey bra.
"What's the matter Rock? You act as you never seen a woman before." Laura said seductively as she started walking towards Rock.
"Well I've never seen a woman show herself off as much as you had before." Rock gulped as he tried to back away from Laura only to find himself backing into another desk, trapping him.
"Now Rock, I have a hard time believing that you're still a virgin?" Laura whispered softly as she moved in closer to Rock. "Maybe its about I help you out in that department?"
As Laura pressed herself up against him, Rock suddenly felt a strange presser between his legs that caused his pants to tighten up on him. His chest also tightened up, making it hard for him to breathe. It was a strange new feeling that Rock had never felt before. It was also making him quite uncomfortable.
"Alright Laura, what do you want and what are you up too?" Rock growled as he started to lose his patients with her.
"Why Rock whatever do you mean?" Laura asked innocently. "I'm only trying to make you happy Rock. Both you and Duke Red." Laura slowly began undoing the rest of her top revealing her nicely rounded breasts, covered by her pink bra. "Maybe I should show Duke Red what I was willing to offer you? I'm sure he'd except it being a real man and all."
"Leave now Laura!" Rock shouted angrily at her and pointed to the door. "Get out before I decide to tell father about your proposed prostitution!" Rock's face was now bright red from both embarrassment and anger at what she said.
Laura giggled and grinned evilly at Rock. "Run along home then Rock. I think it's well past you bedtime." She said with a wave of her hand.
Rock glared at her for a moment before heading towards the exit. Laura smirked as she twirled a strand of hair with her finger. "He'll be back. I know he'll be back."
As Laura began heading back to her post, she didn't see a figure standing just above where her and Rock were standing, leave. **
Emmy made her way back from the wheel room and decided to visit her aunt before going to her own room. It was really late and if she wanted to get up early to sell her flowers she needed sleep. She still couldn't believe what she had just seen and heard. Laura had made a pass at Rock.
"But she's to old for him." Emmy thought as she knocked on her aunt's bedroom door.
"Come in." A voice called from inside. Emmy turned the knob and let herself in.
"Auntie Enmy, it's me." Emmy called as she placed her box of flowers on a table. The room she was in was small but cozy. A large bed was near the window, a private balcony, and a dresser with a large mirror and with it's own bathroom made the room look like it was a palace all on its own. A woman, who was a little, bit taller than Emmy came out from her bathroom. She had dark brown hair that was held back by a headband and had brown eyes. She wore a simple brown and white dress with a high collar. Enmy was the head maid here in the Ziggurat and handled all the needs of Duke Red and his guests. Emmy was the daughter of Enmy's older sister and was staying with her because she had a much better chance of a better life on the top zone then living in zone-1.
"Emmy where have you been. Do you know how late its getting?" Enmy asked her niece as she walked over to the table.
"I know, I sorry. But I had such a great day today, that I just lost track of the time." Emmy exclaimed as she started to tell Enmy about her day. "First I made five dollars and three cents selling my flowers. And then I met this nice boy and we became friends. But I never found out his name because he had to leave in a hurry. I hope I will get to see him again." Emmy decided to leave out the part about her almost getting hit by the Marduk's van knowing that her aunt would freak-out.
Enmy just nodded her head as she went on about her business. "Emmy where exactly are you getting those flowers to sell in the first place?" Enmy asked curiously.
"Ah, from a friend." Emmy replied rather nervously not wanting to tell her aunt the truth about where she got them. Enmy just excepted her answer and went back to tidying her room.
"Auntie Enmy, you know about most things that go on here at the Ziggurat don't you?" Emmy asked remembering the Laura and Rock incident.
"Yes, just about everything that goes on. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I was using the short-cut through the wheel room when I saw Rock and Laura together. And well, Laura was trying to.... You know?" Emmy played with her skirt as she tired to explain to her aunt without getting to descriptive. "Get Rock interested in her, but he refused. And well, I've been trying to figure out why she would do that, I mean she's older then Rock. I mean she could be mistaken for his mother for peat's sake."
Enmy looked at her niece and sighed as she tired to figure out the proper way of explaining Laura's behavior to Emmy. "Well Emmy, Laura is what we like to refer to as an ass-kisser (oh yea very proper). She's always willing to sleep with just about anyone to get to the top and use every trick in the book to get what she wants. She's been after both Duke Red and Rock ever since she started working here. If I were you Emmy, I'd stay as far away from that woman as you possibly can. Ok."
"Ok auntie Enmy, I will." Emmy said as se rested her chin in her hands. Even though she was satisfied with her aunts answer she was now worried. "I know that I can stay away from her but can Rock?" **
Later that night...
She stood on top of one of the larger buildings in metropolis. Her multi- colored tail feathers blew back gently through the wind as she watched the Ziggurat from her perch. Spotlights around the Ziggurat could be seen lighting up the sky and making the stars shine like diamonds. The entire city with its multi colored machines and two story buildings, looked like it belonged in heaven itself.
"So beautiful." She said with a sigh. "Lets hope by the time this evil ends it will still remain this way?"
With this said, she spread her golden wings and took off towards her next destination.
To be continued...
Next time on metropolis: When a client of Detective Shunsaku Ban's is murdered Ban will stop at nothing to find the killer and find out the secret which led to his death.
Plot: Shunsaku Ban came to metropolis to solve one simple case, only to find himself involved in saving the world. As a power-struggle begins between opposing forces over a mythical creature and the power to conquer the world, the question of what it means to be human, to be alive comes into play. Dedicated to Osamu Tezuka.
Chapter 4: Love and Hate
By: rockofmarduk
Writers comment: Sorry it took so long to get the next chapter up. I've been having a little computer trouble lately. First the computer goes down, then I can't get back onto the Internet and now my computers memory bank keeps on going down and its hard to get it back up again. (Sigh) its been a stressful week. P.S. This is probably the longest chapter I've done to date. **
Last time on metropolis: A mysterious man named Dr. Laughton paid a call to Duke Red. Wonder what their up to? And Mitchy (the grandson of Dr. Laughton) made two new friends; a girl named Emmy and Rock. But trouble starts when Rock's fellow Marduk's met up with Polar's execution force and start a barroom fight. But Rock breaks up the fight and "oh" boy are they in big trouble now! **
A little while later in the hallway of the Marduk headquarters...
Rock passed back and forth in front of his Marduk comrades with anger written all over his face. All four of them looked like they had been through hell and back. Their clothes were ripped and they were covered in cuts and bruises from head to toe.
"What the hell were you four idiots thinking?" Rock shouted angrily at his men. "After everything I told you, you just had to pick a fight with Polar's men! How do you think this is going to look to Duke Red when he hears of this? He'll think that I can't control my own men!"
All four of them cringed at Rock's words.
Seeing the looks on their faces Rock calmed himself down before speaking again. "What I want to know is, who started the fight?"
Rock waited for an answer but none came. Rock walked in front of them and glared Mirum in the face. Mirum, who now had a black eye from the fight, refused to look up at him.
"Was it you Mirum?" Rock asked.
"No sir!" Mirum answered as he tried to look at their leader.
"Then who was it?"
"I don't know sir?"
"I don't know." Rock grumbled the repeated reply and then walked up to interrogate his next suspect.
"I know you Hudson. It must have been you who through the first punch?" He said as he stared eye to eye with Hudson.
"No sir, I didn't." Hudson stammered.
"Then who did it?"
"Well sir it could have been just about anyone in that room? Even one of the waitress's." Hudson chuckled as he tried to put a little humor into the conversation. It didn't work. Rock wasn't the slightest bit amused.
"Well then, since no one will confess to the fight you will all have to be punished." Rock said as he started to pace again. "So starting tomorrow all four of you will join me in my routine robot round in zone-1."
"Ah not zone-1 sir! That's were all the poor people live!" All four of them groaned.
"Yes zone-1and you're going to keep on going down there until I say to stop. I'm going easy on you guys because you're my best friends, but I'm also your commander so I have no choice."
Rock pointed down the hall. "Now go to the infirmary and get bandaged up. Then go straight to your quarters. I don't want to see your faces again until tomorrow. We start at seven sharp so you'd better be ready. Dismissed!"
As all four of the Marduk's started walking down the hall grumbling, they noticed Polar come out of another room with his men in tow. The Marduk execution force noticed the other Marduk's and grinned evilly at them. Polar also noticed Rock and smirking mouthed the word bastard to him. Then they left. It took all of the Marduk's will power not to run after them and beat the crap out of them.
Rock growled under his breath as he began heading towards the shooting range. Not only was it good for some target practice it was a good place for him to get some thinking done. It was obvious that they weren't punished at all for what had happened, which to Rock showed all the signs of a bad leader. A true leader had to discipline his men not let them run wild through the streets. Rock sighed. He needed a vacation.
As Rock turned a corner he saw four Marduk women who had just come out of the shooting range themselves. All of them were very pretty and were of Marine stature. As they walked past Rock, they all blushed and giggled. One even winked at him. Rock wasn't at all surprised by their actions. Rock had heard from one of his friends that he had been voted most eligible Marduk bachelor by the Marduk women and that all of them were interested in dating him. All of this was quite flattering to Rock, but at the moment he had more important things to worry about then girls. **
A few minutes later...
Rock, (now in the shooting gallery), put on his earmuffs and began shooting his target, which was nothing more then a large piece of paper with a human outline on it. Not much of a challenge but it would have to do. The only problem was he had so much on his mind that he kept on either missing the target or shooting it in the wrong place. Rock growled out his frustrations.
"Boy you really are a bad shot today Rock." A voice spoke up beside him.
Rock turned to see a chubby young man with sticky-out brown hair standing beside him, ready to shoot his own target. His name was Daisuke and although he is just a year older then Rock and still a marine, he had managed to earned Rock's respect and friendship that landed him second in command of the Marduk's.
"So Rock, is it true what others have been telling me. That those four hotheaded friends of ours started a fight with the execution force?" Daisuke asked already knowing the answer.
"Yea they did." Rock answered a little melancholy. "You know they really disappointed me today. After everything I told them they still acted like idiots. What were they thinking?"
"Thinking is something that they weren't doing." Daisuke sighed. "But did it ever occur to you that the execution force were more to blame for the fight? I mean it's obvious that they started it."
"Yea I know, but there suppose to know better. I mean I taught them better then that." Rock's mind wandered off for a moment as he remembered a figure from his past. "Maybe if he was still alive and if he was still leader then maybe..."
"Don't think like that Rock!" Daisuke's shout startled Rock from his thoughts.
"You're a good leader Rock." Daisuke continued a little quieter. "He choose you to lead the Marduk's and he made a good chose. You haven't let him or any of us down."
"If I'm such a good leader, then why did the one who started the fight not come forward and tell me?" Rock asked sadly.
Daisuke patted Rock on the shoulder. "Because he's probably scared Rock. He'll come and tell you when he's ready."
Rock just nodded his head in agreement. Daisuke loaded up his gun and grinned at Rock. "So Rock do you think that you can take your head out of the clouds long enough so I can beat your old shooting record? Bet yea I'll win this time?"
Rock grinned at Daisuke, his spirits lifted. "Not a chance." **
Meanwhile in the Marduk infirmary...
"Ouch that hurt!"
Darrel gripped his arm in pain as Pete the Marduk's personal doctor put some iodine on one of the many scratches on his arm. "Damn Rock, damn the execution force, damn the whole freaking world!" Darrel shouted angrily at the floor as Pete finished bandaging his arm.
"Their now. That didn't hurt to much now did it?" Pete asked Darrel sarcastically. Darrel growled at Pete.
Pete was a nice nineteen year old Marduk that took care of any ailing Marduk. He had golden hair that was curled up at the back and had a large piece flopped over the right side of his face and covered his right blue eye. He wore a marine Marduk outfit under his long white doctor's coat and had two armbands on both his right and left arms. On the right was the Marduk symbol and on the left was a white armband with a Red Cross, symbolizing he was a doctor.
Picking up his doctor bag he headed over to where Mirum was sitting on one of the examining tables.
"So Mirum, lets look you over and see were your wounded shall we?" Pete asked as he started checking Mirum. Mirum pushed Pete away.
"It's ok Pete, I'm completely fine." Mirum sighed. "I still can't believe that I started that fight?"
"What Mirum. It was you who did it?" Pete sounded surprised. "I thought you were always so calm and non violent?"
"Yea I know. I just don't what came over me? I'm really sorry I did it."
"Well I'm not!" Darrel interrupted as he climbed off his examining table. "Those little shit's had it coming, and I'm really glad that you stood up to them Mirum."
"Leave him alone Darrel. He doesn't need any complements from you." Hudson spoke up from the other side of the room. Both he and Gregory were siting on another examining table waiting for Pete.
"What the hell is your problem?" Darrel asked confused. "Are you jealous that Mirum had the guts to fight back while you two hid in your beers?"
"No." Gregory sighed. "It's just that both me and Hudson agree that we shouldn't have disobeyed Rock like that. I think we should all go and apologize to Rock before anything else bad happens."
"Apologize! Are you crazy?" Darrel shouted. "The day I apologize to that bad excuse for a leader, I'll be in a wooden box!"
As the three Marduk's started arguing, Mirum sat quietly on the table thinking. Making his decision he got up off the table and started heading towards the infirmary door.
"Hey Mirum, where are you going?" Pete's question interrupted the other's fighting.
"I'm going to apologize to Rock alone. It's my fault anyway. Can't let you guys take the blame." Mirum said quietly as he left the room.
"I think your nuts pal!" Darrel called after him, then turning to the others. " I've lost all respect for that guy now."
Pete shook his head and turned his attention to Hudson and Gregory. "Ok boys roll up them sleeves. Time to give you guys your injections." He said holding up a large needle.
Everyone groaned. **
Later in Rock's office...
Rock sat at his office desk working on some paper work. The room was neat and tidy, just the way Rock liked things. The room's walls were the colors of aqua and white while his tile floor was aqua and black, except for the large dark purple carpet which lead to Rock's desk. Two large windows on the right side of his office gave him a clear view of the city of metropolis. A table, a file cabinet, and a couch sat at the side of the wall for his own personal usage. He even had his own bathroom.
In front of Rock's wooden desk were a couple of chairs used for visiting guests and Marduk's. The desk itself was all shinny and new, and a nameplate was siting at the front of his desk with the name ROCK OF MARDUK printed across it. A simple lamp sat on the side shinning it's light down on the papers Rock was working on. Rock glanced over for a moment to stare at a picture of himself and Duke Red that was taken of them when he was only five years old. Rock sighed, stretched and yawned in his leather easy chair before continuing on with his paperwork.
That's when there was a knock at his door.
"Come in." He called without looking up from his work.
Mirum walked into Rock's office and stood in front of Rock's desk. Rock looked up at Mirum without a hint of surprise on his face.
"Yes Mirum, what is it?"
Mirum wiped some sweat off his forehead before speaking. "Rock, I came here to confess. I'm the one who started the fight at the bar. The others had nothing to do with it."
Rock put his elbows on his desk and rested his chin against his knuckles. He studied Mirum carefully before speaking. "I had a feeling it was you."
Mirum looked up at Rock surprised. "But sir. You knew it was I the whole time. How did you know and why didn't you say anything?"
Rock smirked. "Question one; I knew it was you because you refused to look into my eyes while I was questioning you and the others. All the other Marduk's looked me straight in the eye because they had nothing to hide, but you were too embarrassed to even raise your head."
Mirum looked down at the ground feeling guilty.
"As for question two;" Rock continued. "I didn't say anything because I wanted you to come to me on your own and confess. And you did, and I'm very proud of you Mirum."
Mirum looked up with a smile "Thank you sir."
"But!" Rock quickly interrupted. Just because you confessed doesn't mean I'm not going to drop the punishment."
"But I started the fight, not the others." Mirum argued back.
"Yes, but the others should have known better. They should have stopped the fight before it even started." Rock shot back.
Mirum wasn't at all surprised by Rock's angry outburst and just nodded his head. "Yes sir." he said quietly.
Quieting himself down Rock spoke again. "Hopefully after this incident you and the others will learn something about respect and be the brave upstanding men your suppose to be and..."
Someone screams suddenly interrupted Rock. Both Rock and Mirum ran out into the hall just in time to see Darrel go running past them with Pete, Hudson, and Gregory hot on his heals.
"There's no way in hell your going to put the needle into me pal!" Darrel shouted back at Pete.
Pete held up the needle to show Darrel. "Darrel it's not that big, see look. It's not going to hurt you."
Darrel screamed even loader and ran even faster. The others picked up the pace and followed him down the hall. Mirum and Rock stood there with blank looks on their faces, a little bit shocked and embarrassed at the scene that had just ran past them. Mirum finally broke the silence.
"So, what were you saying about becoming brave and upstanding men?"
In Duke Red's office...
At the same time Duke Red himself sat at his office desk staring out at the great city of Metropolis from his own window. Unlike Rock's office though, Duke Red's was way more luxurious. Glossy green floors and shinning red and golden walls as far as the eye could see. His horseshoe shaped desk was of the same colors and had many pictures on it. All of which were of the same young blond hared girl. One showed the girl running down a path with her long blond hair and bluish purplish dress flying behind her. The next one showed her sitting on a bench with a white dove sitting on her hand. And the last one showed Duke Red himself siting on a couch holding the little girl in his arms. They looked so happy together. Duke Red sighed as he reached over and picked up the last photo and studied it more closely. He was staring at the photo for so long that he didn't notice someone enter his office.
"Duke Red sir, may I have a word with you?" A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"If you must." Duke Red sighed as he sat the photo down. "What is it Laura?"
Laura was Duke Red's personal secretary and a beautiful one at that. She had long brown hair; most of it was up in a bun on top of her head with long strands flowing down her back. She wore a pair of glasses that covered her hazel eyes and made her look like a bookworm. She wore a simple white blouse that showed off her large breasts and slim waist and a green skirt which some people thought was way too short for her. If it weren't for her voluptuous body no man would even give her a glance.
"Sir here's the rest of the reports you asked for. They also include the reports from this morning." Laura said softly as she handed him a folder full of papers.
"Thank you Laura, I'll look at them in the morning." Red responded as he sat the folder on his desk and returned to looking out the window. Red then realized that Laura had not left yet. "Is there something else Laura?"
"Yes sir. I thought I saw Rock going down into zone-1 today. Did you know he was there?"
"Yes I know Laura, I sent him there myself. We need someone to bring order and discipline to that crummy zone and he's the best."
"Yes I know but sir. I've read Rock's last report and it said that he came in contact with the robot leader of the attack and he himself almost became a victim. I'm worried that at his age he could get seriously hurt. Sir I know it's none of my business to say but I think you should take Rock off this Marduk detail... For his own saftey that is."
Duke Red peered over his chair with an eyebrow raised. He then smirked at Laura. "Why Laura, I had no idea you cared so much for Rock's well being." Closing his eyes he rested his chin against his knuckles and his smirk grew even larger. "I guess you think that the safest place to put Rock is in your own bed. Preferably with you in it I suppose?"
" No sir!" Laura said trying to sound surprised. " I'm just saying sir that I don't think he's fit enough to be handling this kind of assignment. That's all."
Laura turned to the side shifting her short skirt and showing off her magnificent figure to Duke Red. This little maneuver did not by any chance go unnoticed by Duke Red. Whenever she came into his office she would silently flirt with him and with Rock when he came here. Usually it was her way of getting what she wanted from men by seducing them, but it didn't work with either Red or Rock. Duke Red gave her body a look over before shaking his head and turning back to the window. He had to keep his mind on the topic instead of the subject in front of him.
"I know about the feelings you have for my adopted son Laura." Duke Red continued as he glanced at the photo of the young girl on his desk. "He may be young but he's the best we have and I wouldn't trust anyone else with this assignment. So let's just leave it at that."
"Yes sir." Laura quietly said. Sighing, she started making her way to the office door for a quick exit. Just then part of the office door opened and Rock walked in. Making himself comfortable, Rock leaned against the closed part of the door with his arm's crossed, waiting for Laura to leave. As she walked by, Laura wondered if Rock ever gave her a look over behind those dark glasses? Her question was answered when she saw out of the corner of Rock's dark sunglasses his eyes watching as her short skirt rid up and down her long sexy legs.
After Laura left Rock shocked his head. "Women." Rock muttered to himself as he headed towards Red's desk. It still amazed Rock how large his father's office was. Duke Red turned around in his throne like chair and smiled at Rock.
"Hello Rock. What's this I'm hearing about your Marduk's attacking Polar's Marduk's?"
Rock groaned to himself. He had been praying all day that Duke Red wouldn't find out about the fight but by the looks of things God let him down this time. Realizing he needed to respond to Duke Red's question, he quickly and thoroughly explained everything that had happened up to this moment. The expression on Duke Red's face was one of disappointment to say the least after Rock was finished.
"Rock, do you know the reason why you're the head of the Marduk's?" Duke Red asked.
""Because I was appointed by the last leader of the Marduks."
"Besides that. You became leader because you are strong and you knew how to handle your men. Now after hearing about what happened today from Polar, (like we didn't know it was him who told.), one would think I would reprimand you for your failure to control your own men. But I know you better then they do and I trust you with the job put before you. Never give up on yourself and stop listening to those foolish words of Polar's. No matter what you do I'll always be proud of you. Never forget that Rock."
"Yes father." Rock replied proudly at his father's words.
Duke Red frowned when he said this. "Rock how many times must I tell you that I am not your father?" Red said in an almost whisper.
"I'm sorry sir." Rock replied sadly. But under his breath he added. "You use to let me call you that when she was still around."
"Your dismissed Rock. Have a goods nights sleep. I expect you up bright and early tomorrow." Duke Red finished as he returned to window.
Rock bowed and quietly exited the office. Passing Laura's desk outside he noticed that she wasn't sitting in her normal place. Usually when Duke Red worked late Laura would also stay behind to help him and only leave when he did. And sometimes she'd hit on Rock even if the Duke were only a few feet away. Rock shock this memory from his head not really caring one way or the other where Laura was. Taking the elevator down he discovered the place empty except for a few sweeper bots cleaning the floors.
Rock decided to use the shortcut through the wheel room to get to his quarters. The wheel room was just that, a large room with giant wheels that helped run and powers the ziggurat itself. Water ran just underneath the wheels, bathing them in an aqua colored light. It even had it's own railway going along just above the water and just under the wheel's themselves. It was an interesting place were Rock sometimes came to think. But right now all Rock wanted to do was go to bed and forget all about today.
As Rock made his way across the catwalk he heard a voice behind him.
"Hello Rock. Feeling a little bit tired are we?"
"Hello Laura." Rock said quietly as he turned around to face her.
Laura herself was leaning up against a desk near an old chalkboard, next to the wheel rooms doorway. Her glasses were resting on the tip of her nose and her seductive eyes gave Rock a good looking over. More of her hair had been let down from its bun and was now cascading down her back and shoulders. Her white blouse was no longer tucked in and the top of her blouse was unbuttoned showing off her lacey pink bra underneath. Rock swallowed hard at the site of Laura as she rubbed her legs together and very gently touched her lacey bra.
"What's the matter Rock? You act as you never seen a woman before." Laura said seductively as she started walking towards Rock.
"Well I've never seen a woman show herself off as much as you had before." Rock gulped as he tried to back away from Laura only to find himself backing into another desk, trapping him.
"Now Rock, I have a hard time believing that you're still a virgin?" Laura whispered softly as she moved in closer to Rock. "Maybe its about I help you out in that department?"
As Laura pressed herself up against him, Rock suddenly felt a strange presser between his legs that caused his pants to tighten up on him. His chest also tightened up, making it hard for him to breathe. It was a strange new feeling that Rock had never felt before. It was also making him quite uncomfortable.
"Alright Laura, what do you want and what are you up too?" Rock growled as he started to lose his patients with her.
"Why Rock whatever do you mean?" Laura asked innocently. "I'm only trying to make you happy Rock. Both you and Duke Red." Laura slowly began undoing the rest of her top revealing her nicely rounded breasts, covered by her pink bra. "Maybe I should show Duke Red what I was willing to offer you? I'm sure he'd except it being a real man and all."
"Leave now Laura!" Rock shouted angrily at her and pointed to the door. "Get out before I decide to tell father about your proposed prostitution!" Rock's face was now bright red from both embarrassment and anger at what she said.
Laura giggled and grinned evilly at Rock. "Run along home then Rock. I think it's well past you bedtime." She said with a wave of her hand.
Rock glared at her for a moment before heading towards the exit. Laura smirked as she twirled a strand of hair with her finger. "He'll be back. I know he'll be back."
As Laura began heading back to her post, she didn't see a figure standing just above where her and Rock were standing, leave. **
Emmy made her way back from the wheel room and decided to visit her aunt before going to her own room. It was really late and if she wanted to get up early to sell her flowers she needed sleep. She still couldn't believe what she had just seen and heard. Laura had made a pass at Rock.
"But she's to old for him." Emmy thought as she knocked on her aunt's bedroom door.
"Come in." A voice called from inside. Emmy turned the knob and let herself in.
"Auntie Enmy, it's me." Emmy called as she placed her box of flowers on a table. The room she was in was small but cozy. A large bed was near the window, a private balcony, and a dresser with a large mirror and with it's own bathroom made the room look like it was a palace all on its own. A woman, who was a little, bit taller than Emmy came out from her bathroom. She had dark brown hair that was held back by a headband and had brown eyes. She wore a simple brown and white dress with a high collar. Enmy was the head maid here in the Ziggurat and handled all the needs of Duke Red and his guests. Emmy was the daughter of Enmy's older sister and was staying with her because she had a much better chance of a better life on the top zone then living in zone-1.
"Emmy where have you been. Do you know how late its getting?" Enmy asked her niece as she walked over to the table.
"I know, I sorry. But I had such a great day today, that I just lost track of the time." Emmy exclaimed as she started to tell Enmy about her day. "First I made five dollars and three cents selling my flowers. And then I met this nice boy and we became friends. But I never found out his name because he had to leave in a hurry. I hope I will get to see him again." Emmy decided to leave out the part about her almost getting hit by the Marduk's van knowing that her aunt would freak-out.
Enmy just nodded her head as she went on about her business. "Emmy where exactly are you getting those flowers to sell in the first place?" Enmy asked curiously.
"Ah, from a friend." Emmy replied rather nervously not wanting to tell her aunt the truth about where she got them. Enmy just excepted her answer and went back to tidying her room.
"Auntie Enmy, you know about most things that go on here at the Ziggurat don't you?" Emmy asked remembering the Laura and Rock incident.
"Yes, just about everything that goes on. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I was using the short-cut through the wheel room when I saw Rock and Laura together. And well, Laura was trying to.... You know?" Emmy played with her skirt as she tired to explain to her aunt without getting to descriptive. "Get Rock interested in her, but he refused. And well, I've been trying to figure out why she would do that, I mean she's older then Rock. I mean she could be mistaken for his mother for peat's sake."
Enmy looked at her niece and sighed as she tired to figure out the proper way of explaining Laura's behavior to Emmy. "Well Emmy, Laura is what we like to refer to as an ass-kisser (oh yea very proper). She's always willing to sleep with just about anyone to get to the top and use every trick in the book to get what she wants. She's been after both Duke Red and Rock ever since she started working here. If I were you Emmy, I'd stay as far away from that woman as you possibly can. Ok."
"Ok auntie Enmy, I will." Emmy said as se rested her chin in her hands. Even though she was satisfied with her aunts answer she was now worried. "I know that I can stay away from her but can Rock?" **
Later that night...
She stood on top of one of the larger buildings in metropolis. Her multi- colored tail feathers blew back gently through the wind as she watched the Ziggurat from her perch. Spotlights around the Ziggurat could be seen lighting up the sky and making the stars shine like diamonds. The entire city with its multi colored machines and two story buildings, looked like it belonged in heaven itself.
"So beautiful." She said with a sigh. "Lets hope by the time this evil ends it will still remain this way?"
With this said, she spread her golden wings and took off towards her next destination.
To be continued...
Next time on metropolis: When a client of Detective Shunsaku Ban's is murdered Ban will stop at nothing to find the killer and find out the secret which led to his death.
