8: Fear Begets Anger, Anger Begets Revenge…
Just in case you've forgotten, in the last chapter Kai was shot and Lee and Kevin brought the gunman crashing to his knees. After that… well, read on.
Disclaimer: And it has to be a life-sized poster as well. Highly detailed images from the first series. Otherwords, Kai must have the scarf. He just isn't as cool without the scarf.
A.J.: Kai is down! I repeat, Kai of the Blade Breakers is down!
Mariah and Ray rushed to where Kai had fallen, Max already by his team leader's side as Tyson hung back and Kenny slowly moved to join them. Dropping to his knee beside Kai, Ray looked across as Max as the other reached forward to check the elder teens pulse.
"He's still alive," Max said softly. "Barely."
Mariah rested her hands on Ray's shoulders as Max and Ray gently rolled Kai onto his back, Kai's eyes were closed, expression almost peaceful as if in sleeping. But Ray knew that Kai never slept peacefully, making the expression that much more unnatural and building on the fact that something was seriously wrong.
"We need to get him to a medic," Mariah said softly as Gary joined them. Ray didn't answer. "Ray?"
Pulling himself from her grip, Ray moved to the side of the bunker and grabbed the broom the cleaners used to sweep up the messes after the battles. Knocking off the brush, he held the handle in a white knuckled grip and crossed the stadium, eyes locked on the gunman as he slowly stood under the glare of Lee and Kevin.
Not stopping for anyone, Ray closed the distance and with a cry of pure rage put everything behind the swing that caught the gunman in the side of the head and sent him crashing back to the ground.
Brad: Woah, he's going to be seeing stars after that one.
Ray raised his weapon to strike down at the gunman's head; put the blow never came down as Lee and Kevin grabbed his arms and held him back.
"Ray don't!" Kevin cried.
"Don't do it Ray," Lee agreed. "He's scum, I agree, and I'd love to see him dead but that's not a memory I want you to live with, nor that fact that I didn't stop you."
Ray clenched his teeth. "Kai…"
"I know. But killing this loser won't help him." Lee felt the muscles in Ray's arms relax as his childhood friend and former White Tiger leader stopped straining against his grip.
Ray sighed, lowering the stick. "You're right, Lee. It won't help. I just-" Ray gave a sharp cry of pain as another gunshot split the air, the broom handle clattering to the ground as Ray grabbed his upper arm and feeling the warm wetness where the bullet had torn through.
"Be thankful I decided I needed you alive." In the crowd, a man with long greying hair stood, handgun clutched in one gloved hand, pointing down toward where the three boys stood. "Now be good little children and go back to your friends." Ray reached out to pick up the broom handle. "Ah-ah-ah. Leave it."
The three boys backed away, Kevin growling at the back of his throat while Lee reached up to press one hand against Ray's back in support. When they had reached the others, the man smiled.
"There you are. Now stay." His eyes scanned the crowd. "Consider yourselves hostages. Around the stadium I have placed several of my people ready to permanently bring an end to any resistance. And you," he pointed to one of the camera men, "will keep the show rolling. If I find out that we are taken off the air, I promise to shoot each and every one of you."
A.J.: I don't think this guy is joking.
Brad: I had a feeling this was going to be a long day.
A.J.: Did you hear something?
Brad: No… I uh… haven't been able to hear much after that last gunshot.
A.J.: It came from somewhere behind us.
Jazzman: Mind if I join you?
A.J.: Woah, where did you come from?
Jazzman: In through the back door that I can access from my platform.
A.J.: We have a back door?
Brad: I knew I could feel a breeze.
A.J.: Want a corn chip?
Brad: Don't mind if I do.
A.J.: I was talking to D.J.
Brad: Oh.
Tyson slowly came out of his shock and took a couple of steps forward. "Who are you and what do you want?"
The man smiled. "My name is Mr Winton, and my business is with the BBA. I was once an executive of the corporation until they fired me due to my underworld dealings. That was fair enough, only the BBA owed me money. A lot of money, which they refused to give me. Money I intend to get one way or the other." He moved down the steps and onto the main stadium floor. "I sent the BBA my proposal during the night and they have been deliberating on it all day. I know that they will reject it, so I'm here to up the anti… and the price."
Kenny's eyes widened. "Mr Dickenson's meeting!"
"Yes, Dickenson." Winton turned to the camera. "If you're watching this Dickenson, then this is my message to you. I want my money, no strings attached, by the time the sun vanishes tonight. If you don't, I will finish what I started." He gestured around him. "Could there be a more suited place then the world tournament where two of the world's best teams are competing, including the current world champ?"
He turned and pointed toward Kai. "When the sun goes down, I will shoot the world's best dead if he is still alive. He will not receive any medical attention at all til I have the money. Also note, that once I shoot him, I will also shoot the second best, and every hour after that, one more." He glanced at his watch. "You have just over four hours, so you had better get to work."
Yes, I'm evil, but I'm so good at it. Comments? Criticism?