Carrying his weapons bag over one shoulder, Sousuke made his way towards
the Finance Division compound at the far end of the complex. He would be on
his own as soon as he entered the large security doors. But, he had only
gotten this far by relying on others. Cmdr. Horowitz and Lt. Cmdr. Ben-
Eleiden had given their support, and had kept the TDD-3 and its fighting
forces within reach of the island. Kurz and Melissa were waiting patiently
in their M9s, just off shore, ready to rush to his aid if necessary.
Casimira had provided invaluable information and was already in the
compound, risking serious consequences if her evidence gathering was
exposed.
Kaname had given him the will to see this through, even though she wished he would just let things be.
As he walked, the young soldier reminded himself again that Mr. Borodenko was by all reports affiliated with the Russian mafia. That organization bore no resemblance to the Sicilian mafia or 'La Costra Nosa.' Two of Sousuke's favorite movies were 'The Godfather' and its only worthy sequel, 'The Godfather II.' He would not be meeting a man like Don Corleone. His reading in 'Red Mafiya,' in 'Russian Organized Crime: The New Threat?,' and in the 'National Institute of Justice' Journal had disabused any such notions. The Russian mafia was not associated with honor and respect.
Mr. Borodenko's background was a matter of great conjecture, but a number of things were known for certain. He had grown up in a three generation family of steel workers, living in the shadow of the Magnitogorsk Metal Works. He had served in the military. He had started his postgraduate studies in the aerospace field, but soon transferred to the Academy of Economics. Later, established as a bright young mind, he had worked for various independent companies doing consulting work for government officials on a federal and regional level. He specialized in short-term, medium, and long-term macroeconomic projections. In his free time, it seems, he branched off into more lucrative and less acceptable pursuits.
What was truth and what was conjecture? The current Finance Minister of Mithril had been linked with Russian mafia efforts to assist Mexican cartels smuggle drugs. While living in Paris, he had been implicated in shady dealings between Mossad and corrupt scientists of his home country--- the sale of fissionable materials on the black market had been uncovered by French intelligence. His underlings had been fingered in a huge credit card e-theft, but his involvement was never substantiated. When the German police had uncovered Russian criminals trying to sell Rubens paintings that had vanished from the home of Joseph Goebbels during the second world war, his name was linked to the gang hawking the works of the great Flemish master. 'Looks like he has led an interesting life.'
Sousuke entered the main building. He would have to leave his bag at the security desk. There was no way that the perimeter guards would let him into the heart of the building carrying arms. If all Hell broke loose, and he had walked into a corrupt den of vipers, he might be able to fight his way back to his stash. Might.
Knowing what he did about Borodenko's bodyguards, there was a good chance that his concealed weapons would be discovered---even though it would paint him in a bad light, he would risk sneaking those items in. All four men were formidable opponents. Ex-KGB, they were adept in all forms of personal weaponry. Having gone through Spetsnaz training, they were well versed in 'Systema,' the Russian system of martial arts. 'Systema Boyevogo Iskustvo,' dating back to the Cossacks, had helped repel invading Vikings, Sarmations, Scythians, Pechenegs, Drevlinians, Volgaa Bolgars, and Mongols. Sousuke had faced special forces soldiers aplenty in Afghanistan. He knew the type of men who would be keeping a close eye on him. He had no choice but to respect their abilities.
The most senior guard had been a SpecOps soldier before joing the KGB. Once a shadow warrior for the GRU before his stint in the KGB, he had been briefly linked to the fabled 'Zaslon' unit after leaving the secret police. Only the best soldiers of the Russian Army could qualify for those positions.
As it turned out, one of the bodyguards was waiting for him at the security desk. Evsei Solonik. A man with a checkered past. Rumored to have been involved in smuggling and black market weapons sales. The overly large dress coat that he wore did not entirely disguise a lopsided bulge. KEDR submachine gun, 9mm, 30 round magazine. No doubt he carried a Stetchkin APS pistol as well.
"I am Sousuke Sagara, here for my meeting with Mr. Borodenko." Sousuke held his arms out, prepared to be searched. He was not.
What is this?
"Yes." That was all that the short one-eyed man said. He turned and walked. Sousuke followed.
Silently, they walked through a long hallway, passing by alcoves and rooms of busy accountants and financial specialists. Passing by a room filled with bank upon bank of computing engines, Sousuke noticed that he had picked up a shadow. Sergei Ivankov. Once linked to racketeering and protection work. The squat and powerful man had a bulge under his coat as well, longer and fuller. Bizon-2, with a 64 round helical magazine? Good bet. No words were exchanged. No search was performed.
The building was much larger than it had appeared on the outside. The décor and furnishings grew more ornate and more impressive as they walked further down the corridor. A third escort joined the procession. Gregor Mogilevich. Hired killer. Brutal in the extreme. Well suited to being a bodyguard to a man with a checkered past. He too wore a costly dress coat. Yet another concealed automatic weapon.
For a moment, Sousuke's mind drifted. He was struck by an odd thought. In his imagination, he pictured himself walking into a room...the chair spins around after he is announced...and Borodenko is Gauron. A quick shake of his head erased that pointless daydream. He was in dangerous enough company as it was.
Who had approved these men? Just what type of individuals would Mithril accept into its ranks???
After a short while longer, Sousuke reached his destination. A velvet covered chair, its carved arms in the shape of crouching lions, sat just outside of a huge carven door. Lounging in the chair, one long leg hooked over its arm, a tall thin man looked remarkably relaxed. The young Mithril lieutenant new better. Given a choice, he'd rather face the crouching cats.
Pavel Totahounov. Once nicknamed The Red Angel for all of the men he had helped escort to the Pearly Gates, the one time Russian SpecOps member had garnered every award a man in his station could receive. Choosing a darker path, he had gone on to commit every crime imaginable. A man like that had no business being here. A monster like that had no business being alive!!!
Yawning, then stretching, the chief bodyguard ground out his cigar against his bare wrist. Tossing back his head, he drained the last of his Prostokvasha. He smiled. "Lt. Sagara, I presume. From what I have heard, I expected you to be ten feet tall, with scales and fangs." He laughed, a low pitched gurgling sound. "Perhaps we won't all be needed after all." Sousuke did not like the way that sounded. 'What exactly is he saying? He was less of a threat than they thought, so there will be less need for bodyguards? Or, it won't take as many men as expected to take him out?' "You're trustworthy, aren't you? There's no need for a search, is there?"
"No." Souske had not lied. There was no need to search him. That did not mean that he was not carrying a concealed weapon.
"Marvelous." Totahounov walked over and spoke quietly into his ear. "I had so hoped that you would reward my trust in you. It must take great willpower to walk peacefully among Russian men, seeing what you went through in Afghanistan. But then, we are all on the same team, right?"
"One would hope." Sousuke smiled, brushing off his sleeve. "Russian men are usually honorable. They're not ones to change teams, are they?" Sousuke caught the slight stiffening of the man's posture. A hit. Why? "Even the less than angelic members of Mithril are a part of the family, are they not?"
"Of course." The guard had to fight to keep from smiling at Sousuke's thinly veiled reference to his colorful nickname. "But, I am afraid we have no time to further our acquaintance. I have kept Mr. Borodenko waiting far longer than I should." Totohounov's smile seemed natural enough. "You are free to enter." He waved his arm towards the door.
Sousuke stood quietly, unmoving. His eyes were riveted on the face of the chief bodyguard. Neither man blinked. "Thank you." He walked into the room.
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This is the life!'
His seat reclined fully, Kurz tapped his hand against the ARX-7s control lever, his eyes glued to the Arm Slave's external view screen.
"Wail on that thang, B.B.!" Kurz watched the colorful fish swim amongst the reef, listening to a Blues CD he had burned the week before. "You are the master."
"At least you have that right, numb nuts." Melissa's voice had an edge of urgency to it. "Turn that shit off and pay attention, pretty boy."
"Well. Babe, I knew you thought I was hot. It was only a matter of time before---"
"QUIET!!!!!!"
Kurz knew better than to say another word when Melissa used that tone.
"Lt. Weber, I have just heard from Cmdr. Horowitz. An assault force is preparing to attack the island, taking advantage of what they must think is a shortage of defenders. We will be amongst the first Mithril troops to show them the error of their. Buckle up, little man, it's time to move. Access the beach behind the breakwater. Take out any and every enemy you see."
"Sousuke?" Kurz already knew the answer.
"He's on his own for now." Melissa sounded none too pleased.
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It was an exceedingly tense time aboard the TDD-3. The ship had surfaced after the first salvo of 'Sea Lance' ASW-SOWs were launched, immediately raising the ECS masts and sending out sonar decoys.. The hangar crew had been busy launching the T35s, Apaches, and Arm Slaves. A number of RPVs were sent aloft for reconnaissance and to provide data to the GPS aiming systems.
'This is a damn fine crew.' Cmdr. Horowitz sat in his chair on the bridge, simultaneously scanning the incoming visuals, issuing orders, and conversing with the commanders aboard the other Mithril submarines. 'I have a feeling that I will soon have a wonderful opportunity to see how they act under extreme duress.' His thoughts were prophetic.
By all accounts, the enemy Viperfish survived the initial attack. Though shrouded by its own electronic camouflage system, the craft was launching its air and land combat forces. A number of cruise missiles had been launched. Before long, he expected to see what they had sent in his direction.
One of the Lampreys was destroyed, hit by the light torpedoes jettisoned from a pair of Sea Lances. If they hadn't all been so close to land, the Commander would have ordered the SOWs loaded with W-89 nuclear warheads. 'But, the infernal devices have a 6 mile effective radius. Give or take a few hundred yards.'
"Sir, we have coordinates. One of the Osprey-R's from the TDD-1 confirmed the attack sub's coordinates before they were all knocked down.." The massive RPVs, based on the V-22 tilt-rotor craft, carried large amounts of sophisticated equipment useful in detecting masked undersea craft. Adjacent differences in sea temperature...eddy currents...magnetic flux...theses things and more could be used to pinpoint the location of the enemy. "The Chevrons are going in hot and nasty, loaded for bear."
"Good! Ensign, patch the coordinates into the fire control system. Launch the remaining Sea Lances. Vector half of the F35s to the subs location. That rat bastard must be lonely, so far from his home base. Let's help him feel wanted."
Cmdr. Horowitz was thrown from his seat, suffering a fierce impact with a bank of instruments halfway across the bridge. Wiping away the blood pooling in his eyes, he saw that his fellow sailors had suffered a similar fate. The TDD-3 had lurched fully up on to its side following the impact of an undetected missile. Men and equipment had been dumped into the sea, never knowing what hit them.
"Ensign. Ensign Kukrika. REPORT!"
Ensign Kukrika did not answer. His neck sat at an unnatural angle.
"Ensign Sipe, take over damage control. FIND OUT HOW WE STAND, PRONTO!"
Sirens were sounding throughout the ship. Automatic fire fighting systems were at work. Emergency bulkheads were closed or closing. The rocking motion of the vessel was uneven, everything tilted as if the TDD-3 listed heavily to one side.
"Aye, sir. It looks like we were hit in the lightly armored area of the launch bay. One of the giant external hatches has been entirely blown away. I cannot tell much more by visual. There's too much smoke. The gyroscopes are working in the red already. We are taking on water."
"Holy Mother of God! At least we had put a fair number of craft in the air. Listen up people. Let the other subs know our condition. Direct welding teams to the site of hull breeches. Help direct the rescue personnel. Find out what weapons systems are still operational."
The bridge personnel moved quickly to comply with their instructions.
"Let's see just how tough you are, old girl." Cmdr. Horowitz winced in pain, whispering to the spirit of his boat. His hip. Broken or dislocated. 'Damn. Old age catches up with us all, sooner or later.' "I'd really like to make it home for the wife's birthday."
I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast for I intend to sail into harm's way. That, and other sayings from John Paul Jones rushed to the forefront of his thoughts, followed by one from James Lawrence. "Don't Give up the ship!" He watched as his crew redoubled their efforts. 'Let's hope we fair better than the USS Cheasapeake did back then.'
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Picking herself off of her cabin floor, Kaname wondered what had happened. She had been thrown violently against a storage locker, leaving a huge dent. The sound had been so very loud, accompanied by vibrations that had caused her teeth to rattle.
'Was that an explosion? Well, if it was, she couldn't blame Sousuke THIS time. Or, could she?'
The door to her cabin was obviously not watertight. She could tell by the water seeping in at an alarmingly steady rate.
'Should I open the door? What if the hallway is already completely under water? But if it's not, and I waste my chance to escape? I need answers!'
She hit the call button on the intercom.
There were many others with the same idea.
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Sousuke walked into the room with tangible feelings of trepidation and curiosity. He hated to turn his back on the bodyguards, knowing what type of men they were. But, he was seeking the attention of a powerful and proud man. It was unwise to do anything that might insult the Finance Minister or invite his wrath. It would be potentially foolhardy to create a bad impression of himself. Showing a lack of trust or an obvious deficiency of courage might poison the mood irreparably. After all, he had come here with two separate but intertwined purposes. Fact finding. Followed by favor asking, if the first part went well. It was a major gamble, and he had little control over the cards he would be dealt.
The footsteps behind him ceased soon after he entered the room. He focused his attention on the room around him, taking note of everything. Obviously, there had been some form of celebration here. Looking past that, he tried to learn something about the man he was approaching. The furnishings were ornate but not opulent. Valuable but not showy. Varied but not eclectic. Mr. Borodenko was apparently a lover of history, and more precisely, a collector of ancient weapons and martial items. Roman. Russian. Mongol. Etruscan. Phoenecian. Mayan. A very impressive selection.
The walls of the room told Sousuke more. The man valued family, very much so. He also valued paintings by the old masters. The sight of one large painting in particular brought Sousuke up short. A Rubens, or an excellent replica. No doubt Mr. Borodenko was aware of some of the allegations made against him in the past. Obviously, he was either unconcerned or purposefully trying to make a point. The doubt alone made a powerful statement. It would keep knowledgeable people guessing.
Sousuke could not help himself. His heartbeat had sped up and his breathing had quickened. His own actions---and the reactions of the man he was about to meet---could have significant repercussions.
Kaname.
The man's eyes watched him, like those of an experienced hawk tracking a viper. His face showed no emotion. His posture gave little away. The set of his mouth changed ever so slightly as he evaluated his young visitor. 'Is that approval? Amusement? Boredom?' The man's eyes left Sousuke briefly, then returned. He was likely checking the positions of his bodyguards, or sending them a subtle message.
"Sir, my name is Sousuke Sagara, Lieutenant of Mithril. I offer you my sincerest thanks for allowing me to meet with you today." Sousuke's voice had not wavered. He showed no signs of distaste or discomfort, even though he found himself beset by both feelings to some degree.
"Vyacheslav Borodenko...but then you know who I am." The Finance Minister waved his hand towards a plush velvet covered chair, its periphery decorated by polished bronze studs. A large coffee table flanked the seat, glass-topped, displaying an ivory-handled Russian cavalry saber of 19th century origin. A large goblet appeared freshly filled with ice and nothing more. A clean plate and wrapped set of utensils lay near it.
After Sousuke nodded his thanks and seated himself, Mr. Borodenko continued. "We celebrated my niece's engagement earlier today. I had them leave the food and refreshments out until my appointments for today were finished. Please help yourself to anything you might like. Knowing your history, it is possible that you might find ethnic Russian food unsavory in principle. I apologize if that is the case."
"I am neither hungry nor thirsty, sir. Nonetheless, I thank you for the courtesy. I will add that I am not offended by the offer in any manner. If I may be blunt, I have not come seeking a reason to be insulted, and have no desire to create or embellish any hard feelings." Sousuke had meant the statement as a reassurance, a statement of intent, and an opening for the obvious question.
"Ah, that is reassuring." Mr. Borodenko smiled openly. He had caught Sousuke's intent and was pleased by its subtlety. "May I ask then...." He too would offer opportunity.
"At the risk of being offensive, I will forego matters of supplication and denouement . I have matters of great importance to report, and seek either recommendations or assistance with subsequent actions. The facts and questions in themselves may appear accusatory, but that is not my intent. While my primary purpose is a selfish one, I am also acting out of the best interest of Mithril as I see it. If my story is news to you, there may be benefit for yourself in the telling of it as well." Sousuke wished he could get inside of the other man's head. 'Did that sound reasonable, or have I polluted the well?'
The elder gentlemen, his round face slightly tense and his eyes narrowed, rested his chin on his clasped hands. He took stock of Sousuke with quiet intent, reacting first to the implications in his visitors words. Soon enough, he sat up straighter and smiled. The entreaty was plain enough and well spoken. "You may proceed." He actually laughed, breaking the mood. "Rest assured, I will not sift the words looking for threats or insults. I will ask however, that you give me a brief statement of what this is about before speaking in any detail."
"Sir. I have been the victim of a plot that arose in the Finance Division a number of years ago. A person who I treasure, and who I was assigned to protect, was at the greatest possible risk. I have come seeking some manner of redress." Sousuke saw a light of understanding arise in the other man's eyes. That, and a look of suspicion."
"Miss Chidori? And you used both past tense and present tense."
Sousuke was startled. Soon thereafter, he felt embarrassed to have shown that reaction. "Yes sir, Kaname Chidori. In essence, someone we both trusted was driven to deceive the two of us, convincing both myself and Miss Chidori that the other had died under unfortunate circumstances. She had good reason to believe that Miss Chidori would have met a true and untimely end if she did not see to matters satisfactorily."
It was Mr. Borodenko's turn to be shocked. He too blushed at the show of his emotion. The pieces fell together quickly. He had a name if not a reason. "Liang Yong?" He tried to keep the distaste out of his voice, but failed. But, his reaction earned him a valuable insight when he saw the young lieutenant's response to it. "I came across his name linked to yours today, looking through your records. Naturally, there was no mention of a plot."
"Yes." Some of the tension eased in Sousuke. He wanted to take the question one step further, but there was no way to do so without risking insult. As it turned out, he did not need to ask.
"You need not reply, but what you want to know most of all is whether he acted on his own, had received my blessing, or was acting under my orders. Those would be the questions I would have in your place."
Sousuke nodded.
"I suppose I should not be surprised by this. Not by your circumstances in particular, but by his willingness to take things to such an extent. He is indeed a dangerous man, as you must be well aware. His influences are far reaching and his ambitions are poorly disguised. He is a subtle and patient man, but his patience will go only so far. Did you realize before coming, that this meeting would put me at risk?" The Minister's voice had come dangerously close to becoming a growl. Sousuke was on even more perilous ground now.
"Yes, I did. Not only did I contemplate the damage my question might cause you, but I also gave consideration to the injury that my actions might cause me." Sousuke looked straight into Mr. Borodenko's eyes. "To be precise, I gave thought to the danger you might pose to me. Miss Chidori, and any of the persons who might rightly or wrongly be associated with my actions." After pausing to regain his equilibrium, he continued. "My feelings for Miss Chidori are what prompted the incident long ago, and are what bring me here today. I place her well being before my own, and before anyone else's. Furthermore, I place Mithril's well being before my own."
Vyacheslav Borodenko was awash with different emotions. Ultimately, he could find no fault with the young soldier's actions. After all, it was precisely what he would have done himself. "I see. Then---"
Whatever the Mithril Minister of Finance had intended to say was interrupted by a series of loud explosions, the concussions from which shook the room and sent a crystal chandelier swinging wildly. A half full punchbowl sloshed its contents out and over expensive linens. Books fell over and porcelain figurines were knocked from their perches. Pictures and paintings sagged crookedly on the walls.
A series of smaller explosions followed. There was the unmistakable sound of jet aircraft flying close overhead. Compound sirens sprung to life. A growing commotion could be heard outside the room.
"Evsei, Segei, see what is going on. Be quick about it."
Sousuke had been watching the Minister closely, even after the explosions had begun. His eyes widened shortly after he gave his order. The sound of feet was approaching, not receding. The other man quickly brought up a gun he had been holding under his desk all that time.
Without sparing time enough to glance behind him, Sousuke settled on a course of action. He had worked his way through a different scenario with similar risks. 'If I am mistaken, I will apologize and accept what comes. If I am not, I must move swiftly and successfully. Otherwise, myself and Mr. Borodenko are likely doomed.'
Sousuke's memory was good. He had mapped out possible sites of cover and the location of any object that could be used as a weapon. His first course of action was to by enough time to assess the situation and react accordingly.
Gunshots rang out from in front of him and behind him. Pistols. If his worst fears came to life, there would be submachine gun fire soon thereafter. Seeing Mr. Borodenko jerk backward, hit high in the shoulder, he completed a subtle but determined course of action. He had pressed firmly down on the heels of both feet, twisting abruptly. The backs of his dress shoes detached, activating a trigger mechanism in each. 'I owe the Infiltration operatives in Intel a round of drinks if I get out of here alive!'
Sousuke threw one powerful flash grenade at the area the gunshots behind him originated from. He threw the other back by the rear wall of the room where the other guards had taken up station. In a flash of motion, he noticed that Pavel Tothounov jump out of the room through the open doorway.
'Every second counts now....'
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"Somebody's fcking serious, alright!" Melissa felt an uncontrollable urge to curse, fighting hard to keep her ARX-7 on its feet immediately after the huge explosions shook the ground, sending enormous fireballs expanding ever upward. Pieces of buildings and large amounts of soil rained down on her machine and everything else in the general vicinity.
She checked the map reader on her console. The initial wave of the attack—presumably cruise missiles---were directed towards the barracks, the hangars, heavy equipment sheds, and the communications facilities. The Finance buildings were relatively untouched. 'Hope your luck holds out, Sousuke.'
The threat detectors screamed for immediate attention. Melissa toggled through a number of different systems, biting her lip. Her pulse rate went up and her hands clenched the controls spasmodically. 'OK. It's payback time. You motherfckers won't be expecting us, will you?' Enemy Arm Slaves were arriving by means of powered gliders. Small submarines were dropping off troops just beyond the nearest reefs. The IFF system was having a nervous breakdown trying to sort out the combatants in a growing dance over head.
The three TDD class submarines had enjoyed the luxury of surprise. They had launched their own forces shortly before the enemy had. Three full squads of Arbalests were moving into position. If the Amalgam forces were going to reach their objectives, it would not be without a fight.
"All right you apes, listen up. It's time to kick some tail. Anyone slacking off will get my foot up their ass when the smoke clears. That's whether they are dead or alive!" Melissa had been given nominal control of all ground forces. The IFF system indicated that a number of vehicles were approaching form an inland direction. 'Friendlies. Looks like the advanced warning had allowed some of the remaining troops to move out before the missiles struck.' The automatic frequency sorter signaled its success. "You guys are just in time. Leave the heavy work to us. There'll be some tourists coming up on the beach any moment now. I'd appreciate it if you'd give them your undivided attention."
"Sis, it's time to ROCK AND ROLL!!!" Kurz' voice came in loud over the com set. Melissa smiled. She wasn't going to slap him down this time. He had reason to be excited. They all did. It wasn't often that they got a chance to fight on home territory. ']Yes, it ought to be very sweet getting a chance to ruin the enemy's day. Finding an excuse to burst Kurz' bubble later will be an added bonus. It's a great day to be alive....'
"It's time children. They're within range. Knock'em out of the air if you can. Make'em pay dearly for every step they take on our soil!" Melissa moved her ARX-7 ahead at full stride, bringing her Javelin missile system to bear on the first target entering her zone. 'Adios, asshole!!!'
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Ling Yong couldn't contain himself. He tilted back his head and laughed after each massive explosion sent a tremor through the room. Not part of the plan, his bodyguards did not know what was happening---they were very edgy, forced to stay by his side while he lounged in his favorite chair seemingly unperturbed. 'That is NOT the sound of impending doom. Those are the glorious drums of war, signaling my triumph. All of my careful plans will be coming to fruit.'
A number of underlings ran into the room, reporting that the island was under attack. They urged the Deputy Minister to head for the fortified underground shelters. Sneering, he told them to run if they wanted. He told them to keep on running. He would remember each and every name. "I have full trust in our brave troops. They will repel the foolish invaders." He smiled at his own lie. There were not enough soldiers remaining in the barracks to repel a women's knitting circle.
Ten minutes passed, the sounds of battle outside growing more heated with every moment. Liang Yong was more concerned about gunshots that should have taken place within the building. 'Borodenko should be dead by now. Sagara, too. Such a tragedy. Who could have possibly seen such a conspiracy coming?' Sarcasm was something he relished, more now than ever. Liang Yong had complete faith in the four turncoat bodyguards. His grip on them would tighten even further now. 'Marvelous. Simply wonderful. The King is dead. Long live the King!'
His excitement grew. He had to have confirmation now. He needed to see it with his own eyes. Time to keep up with the act. "You three. Let's go, now. We must assure the safety of the Minister."
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Sousuke had been through this before. He could imagine a giant clock inside his head. As he watched each movement of the second hand, he would swear that the movement came at least a minute too late. Frame by frame, the scene before him advanced.
Borodenko fell or ducked behind his desk.
The stun grenades were on their way.
Eyes closed, he picked up his chair and flung it towards the area he had last placed the foremost guard.
Gunshots came form that direction. 'Pistol.'
Elbow brought down with great force, he smashed the glass top of the nearby table.
Eyes open again, he took out the razor sharp saber, grateful that it had not been displayed in its scabbard.
More shots, in rapid succession. 'Submachine gun. No, plural.' A lacquered leather Mongol shield fell off the wall near him. A bullet whizzed by close to his ear.
Rolling on the floor, he came to his feet, positioning himself so that the lead guard was between him and the other guards.
Gunshots behind him, target unknown.
Rushing the slightly disoriented guard---Solonik---Sousuke felt a sharp pain in his left thigh. 'Bullet.'
Another large explosion shook the room. Unknown items fell, causing a racket. His target stumbled, putting his gun hand down on the ground. 'Opportunity. Lunge NOW!!!'
Leaping and thrusting in one forceful motion, he arrived at his opponent before he could bring up his weapon.
Gunshots from all directions. Some were hitting the floor dangerously close to him.
The moment of victory, the feel of a blade passing through flesh. The jar of his arm, as the tapered tip ran up against bone.
Life on the line as he makes a fateful decision. Momentarily prone and unmoving, he reaches inside the dying man's dress coat and swings around the Bizon-2. Its movement limited by the sling around the man's neck, the gun fires as the trigger is pulled.
Looking up, he sees Totahounov standing behind the outer frame of the door, pistol pointed at his head. 'No way to swing the submachine gun in that direction. No shot. Still alive. Why?'
Movement to the left. Ivankov. Bizon-2 chattering away, shells littering the floor. Ducking behind the piano. If he was not going for Borodenko, it was a flanking maneuver.
More movement. Mogilevich. He's clutching his abdomen with one hand, KEDR firing away in the grasp of the other. His path noted.
Risky decision. Gun angled upward, he shoots to sever the electrical cable on the chandelier. Most of the room goes dark. Totahounaov silhouetted in the doorway, unmoving.
More gunshots behind him. Pistol. A grunt. The sound of the piano as a hands slams down on the unseen keys.
Exposed and vulnerable, he takes the time to extricate his gun from the dead man's body.
Small divan to the left, estimated four paces. 'Jump!' Bullets spray across the area he just left.
Landing on the top of the furniture, he loses balance as the piece flips over on its back, providing minimal cover.
'Listen!' Any sound or movement is a target. Hopefully Borodenko will not make a dash for the door.
Running feet. A table bumped into, glasses falling against one another. Gunfire, with bullets sending plaster down upon his head. 'The aim is too high. Luckily. The direction was spot on.'
Returning fire, hoping the large magazine still had plenty to offer. The sound of glasses shattering. A startled cry. The sound of wooden furniture collapsing. A gun firing, then stopping.
"Sagara!" Borodenko's voice. "Lt. Sagara, I have taken down Ivankov. I saw his form fall across the light from the door. Soldier, are you still alive."
Options considered. Speaking would pinpoint his location. But, Totahounov already knew where he was. If the others were down, there was no new risk. "Sir, Solonik is dead. Mogilevich went down, but I do not know if it was involuntary or whether he is lying low. The leader remains outside the door."
"Traitors. Accursed snakes. Their families will pay for the sins they have committed." There was the sound of movement low to the ground. Coming from near the desk.
Sousuke began to crawl in the dark as well, keeping the doorway in sight.
"That is precisely the reason we were here, Minister." Totahounov's voice. "Nothing else could have driven us to break your trust. I could not bring myself to follow through, however. Sergei. Gregor. Evsei. Their blood is on my hands now because of that." There was a moment of complete silence. "It was Liang Yong. He placed our families at risk. He ordered the assassination" Totahounov raised his pistol, placing the muzzle against his right temple.
"Pavel! Wait!"
"Lt. Sagara. You would have provided a useful and convenient cover story. I am glad you have survived. Yours skills are admirable. I wish we could have met under different circumstances." He bowed his head. "Minister, forgive me. I ask that you protect Ivana. She is in danger from Liang Yong's men. This is my last service to you."
A gunshot rang out. The gaunt man's lifeless form fell heavy to the floor.
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Kaname was growing fatigued. Her legs had begun to cramp up. The chill of the water began to numb her spirit.
Bang. Bang bang. "Hey, there's somebody in here. Help. I need help!!!" Bang bang. "Help, I need helbgrgglgll."
The force of her blows kept driving her back under water. She spat out a mouthful, coughing. Her fists were bruised and sore from banging on the bulkhead. She could no longer stand on top of the small table or cot and keep her head above water. 'How much longer can I keep this up. I'm tired. I'm beginning to feel sleepy. The air vents are all under water. Am I running out of oxygen?'
"Damn it Sousuke! I told you not to go. If I die I'm going to grglglllgr. If I die I'm going to kill you. If I live, I'm going to do something WORSE!" She was certain. Had Sousuke been here, he would have found some way to rescue her. But now, he was in harm's way, somewhere else. If she were to die, it would all prove unnecessary.
Bang bang bang.
Bang bang bang.
She would keep on fighting. She was not a quitter. Sousuke's quiet words gave her the inspiration to continue:
'Kaname, I want you go go with me to the TDD-3. You'll be safe there'
"Safe? SAFE? SOUgrgllgrglllgl. SOUSUKE!!!"
Bang bang bang.
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Cmdr. Horowitz had pulled himself back up into his chair. For a moment, he sat quietly, listening to the various reports coming in. The onboard rescue personnel were busy. Divers had been required. Individuals were trapped in their cabins, some of which were under the waterline.
They had all been fortunate. 'They may not think so now, but they will realize just how close we came to joining those bastards at the bottom of the sea.' the damage had been severe. But, had the remaining fuel reserves caught fire, the resultant explosion would have gutted the TDD-3 and sent her down.
The runways on the island would be busy soon. They had not been targeted by the cruise missiles, no doubt being preserved for the Amalgam aircraft after the certain victory. The hospital was also undamaged. The staff there would be getting little sleep. Medical personnel had been requested from other facilities as well.
"Commander Horowitz, we have word from the TDD-1. Their Search & Rescue aircraft are in our vicinity. They're coordinating operations with the TDD- 2."
"Thank you, Ensign. Send our regards. Let them know we're watertight where it counts and in no damage of capsizing. Tell them that I intend on bringing the boat in. Call the harbormaster and request all available tugs."
"Aye, Sir!"
The helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft would fish any surviving seamen and aviators out of the sea. A fair number of the missing men and women had called in, requesting assistance. There were a lot of injuries, but with the exception of the hangar area, the fatalities were less than would have been expected.
The TDD-1 and TDD-2 were uninjured.
The air battle was nearly over, with the Mithril forces having their way. The Amalgam pilots were courageous and remarkably skilled, but no more so than the men and women they fought against. The aircraft were roughly equal in performance, as well. There had been no way for the enemy to overcome the imbalance in numbers, especially since they had come in with an expectation of surprise, but were themselves caught off guard. The survivors were allowed to escape, but not out of charity or any sense of honor. They would be followed. It was unlikely that they would head for any secret base or facility, but there was little to lose from the gamble.
"Commander, Lt. Cmdr. Ben-Eleiden is on line 2. He wishes to speak with you."
The news was good. Reports from the ground forces were highly favorable. The enemy 'Banshee' Arm Slaves---the latest descendants of the 'Shadow' class of mecha, but possessing Lambda Driver technology---were put to route with a relatively small number of friendly casualties. A large number of enemy ground troops were dead, captured, or taking their chances with the sea.
'All in all, things could have been much worse.' Cmdr. Horowitz frowned, thinking of what would have happened if he had not taken part in Lt. Sagara's plans. They had scored a significant victory, destroying a significant amount of Amalgam hardware and taking the lives of a large number of dangerous men. The adversary had risked much, and had paid a heavy cost. Had they succeeded, without opposition, the outcome would likely have been far different, no matter what retaliatory actions were taken.
"We have met the enemy and they are ours." The words of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry seemed more than appropriate then.
The battle was essentially over. But, the battle was not what had brought them here in the first place. 'What did Lt. Sagara accomplish before all Hell broke loose?'
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'The best laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft a-gley.'
Suffice it to say, Robert Burns was not Liang Yong's favorite poet. Nonetheless, the words from 'To A Mouse' held all the wisdom he would ever require from that moment forth. 'A-gley.' Awry. Amiss.
'An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, For promis'd joy.'
He had run ahead of his bodyguards, forcing them to sprint to catch up. Catching sight of Pavel Totahounov's collapsed form, the blood pooling steadily around him, the Deputy Minister slid to an abrupt halt, causing one of his followers to knock him to the ground accidentally. 'What the Hell happened here.'
A gunshot broke his reverie. Before he fully felt the pain, he noticed a red streak appear across his impeccably pressed white slacks. He had been grazed by a bullet. Were it not for the presence of mind of his nearest bodyguard, he would have died a moment later. Two more shots passed through the space he had been occupying, as his body was pulled back by a strong arm.
"I guess that's why some have nicknamed you 'Lucky Liang.' It didn't go as you expected, Yong. It would be a good time to start running. I must say, I would clearly enjoy a hunt. Lt. Sagara, I believe you have a score to settle with the Deputy as well. Let's say, the one who enjoys the privilege of the kill will compensate by buying the other a fine meal?" Borodenko. There was a hint of pain in his voice, but he was laughing. He meant every word that he said.
Liang Yong did not wait so see what Sousuke's response was, or to see if he ever replied at all. "Come on you fools! Do you want to die here? Or would you rather make a stand at a place of your choosing?" Running as fast as he could, he headed towards the other end of the building. All he needed to do was buy some time. His friends should be arriving soon, after they finished mopping up the pitiful force guarding the island.
'Still thou are blest, compared wi' me The present only touchest thee; But, Och! I backward cast my e'e On prospects dear! An' forward, tho' I canna see, I guess an' fear!'
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Kaname felt her last remaining strength ebb from her body. Curiously, she watched the sights around her waver in and out of focus as she sank towards the depths of her watery room.
'Sousuke. Sousuke, I don't want to leave you.'
There was so much she wanted to do. So many things she wanted to share. But, at last she had found him again, if only for a little while. They had shared an intimacy that made her life meaningful once more.
'A light. I see an orange light. Is this what they talk about. Am I....'
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Cautiously, both Sousuke and Borodenko made their way out into the hallway, each squinting as their eyes grew used to the light. The elder man knelt by the body of his fallen guard. Bowing his head, he said a quick prayer. "Liang Yong did this. Ultimately, it was he who pulled the trigger." The man's anger was a tangible thing.
Their wounds were painful, but superficial. Each had lost a significant amount of blood, but not enough to weaken their resolve.
"You never answered me. Lieutenant. I kill Liang Yong, and I will buy you the best meal a man ever had. I'll even serve it to you myself, in my French manor house. If you get the slimy son of a whore, will you extend me the same courtesy?" Borodenko's look was feral in the extreme.
"No."
"What? You will not extend me the same courtesy, or you will not try to kill him?" The Finance Minister's face took on a look of disbelief.
"I would gladly buy you a meal that cost a full year's salary. I would act as your servant, until you had eaten your fill. But, I will not kill an unarmed man." Sousuke's voice was firm, final. He noticed the anger in his companion's face but did not back down. He set his jaw and held his head high.
Barely able to contain his disappointment and disbelief, Borodenko spat. "It's not a problem, then. Liang Yong is the furthest thing from a man. He's a snake. A pitiful toad. If you grind his skinny neck into the ground, you'd be doing a service to mankind."
"I do not disagree with you. But, I will not commit murder." Sousuke clenched his teeth. One eye twitched. Old memories flooded him, uninvited and unwelcome. Reginald Smithers. He had been given a gun. But, he might as well have been unarmed. It wasn't murder by definition. But, that judgment felt like a technicality. 'I will NOT go through that again.'
Borodenko surprised Sousuke. He stopped walking and threw his head back. The bellows of laughter brought tears to the older man's eyes. He couldn't stop until he was short of breath. "You have killed more men than most armies, Lieutenant. You have turned more enemy weapons into junk than any third world army could ever hope too. You have destroyed entire facilities in your search for justice. You have removed countless gangsters, drug manufacturers, and terrorists from the ranks of the living. And you will not give such a terrible man the death he so richly deserves?"
Sousuke kept walking. He intended to gather up his belongings. It would be good to have familiar weapons in his hands again. Not looking back, he answered. "No. I will not."
"You are incredible. Simply unbelievable. Does your kindness extend to the bodyguards as well?" Borodenko grimaced in pain, but moved to catch up.
"Yes, if they are weaponless. If not, they will wish they had been."
The Finance Minister nodded his head. "Of course. If Mr. Yong were to be holding a gun, would you kill him then?"
"Naturally." Sousuke almost sounded as if he were explaining something obvious to a young child.
Borodenko laughed again. You are priceless, do you know that? You have a rather twisted sense of morality!" His look became very serious. "But, against my better judgment, I find myself respecting you. I can only wonder how my life would have turned out if I was more like you." His face brightened when he suddenly smiled. "I wonder how many men you could have killed if you were more like me."
Sousuke put his Glock in place. Slamming a fresh clip into his F2000, he shouldered it. He dropped a number of grenades into his pockets. Each of his favored knives found its home. "Shall we go, sir? Stay behind me. I will deal with the guards." He threw the other man a TMP.
Shaking his head, Borodenko followed Sousuke. He had been taken aback for a moment, seeing the brief look in the younger man's eyes: guns in hand--- prepared for battle---he might as well have been an avatar for the gods of War and Death.
People were milling around the secretarial pool. They looked on aghast when Sousuke walked by, armed. Their countenances softened when they saw the Finance Minister.
"Has any one seen Liang Yong? Be quick about it!" Borodenko's voice carried with it the sound of impending disaster. He swung his submachine gun around. He would take no chance with misplaced loyalties here. The frightened men and women were startled as much by the tone as they were by the weapon. One spoke up quickly, stammering.
"H-He went that way. T-There were guards with him." The woman pointed. She sat down hard when the two armed men left.
Borodenko walked next to Sousuke, matching him stride for stride. "I have considered your plight, Lieutenant. I have graciously decided to help you. For his transgressions against you and Miss Chidori, I will chastise Liang Yong most severely!" He stroked his borrowed gun, an evil grin on his face.
Sousuke kept an answering grin of his face, but could not disguise the look in his eyes. "Your wisdom is even greater that I could ever have expected. I am in your debt."
"Damn. Lieutenant. If I'm not careful, I might find myself liking you. Although, I cannot say if that would be a good thing for you! Wait a moment, young man. My wisdom? Are you saying you had a low opinion of me." This time it was the Minister's eyes that gave him away, despite a perfectly outraged roar.
"I fear I must refuse to answer that, Sir. It would be against my best interests."
"Ah! Such a breath of fresh air. Have you ever considered working in Finance, young man?"
"As penance, Sir?" Sousuke's voice was deadpan.
Borodenko's laughter filled the hallway again, causing a number of financial assistants to duck out of sight. His merriment stopped abruptly when Sousuke raised his hand.
"Remain here. That area ahead is ideal for an ambush." He moved with a suddeness that caught the ex-mafia member by surprise.
There were gunshots, coming from doors on both sides of the hallway.
Sousuke rolled out of the way, just as bullets marred the floor where he had been running. Standing around a corner, he pulled the pins on two fragmentation grenades. 'These are not on the list of equipment approved for use in the Finance Division, I would guess. It is good to have the head honcho on my side. I'd better NOT get a bill for this.' He dashed into the middle of the hallway, tossed two grenades, one to either side, then rolled again.
Two explosions threw debris out into the hallway. Sprinting, Sousuke made it to the first door unchallenged. Swinging his assault rifle around, he fired at the one guard left alive in that room. The man collapsed in a spray of blood. The second guard---or what was left of him---offered no resistance.
"I've got the other one." Borodenko ran to the opposite door before Sousuke could yell for him to halt. There was an exchange of gunfire.
The Finance Minister backed off and waved Sousuke in his direction. "The man was very insistant. He wants to play with you, Lieutenant." 'Whew! I'm getting too old for this....'
"I thought he might, sir. Best not to disappoint him." Sousuke raised an eyebrow and one corner of his mouth. "I presume he is still armed?" The older man shook his fist at Sousuke, smiling at the subtle humor.
"Do you want the bill for this damage fest, young man?"
Sousuke feigned shock, put in a fresh clip, then tossed a flash grenade into the room. After the detonation, he slid across the floor, firing. His foe had been crouching behind a large desk. The shots took him to the ground, pulping his ankles. The next shots passed through the desk, his chest, and his abdomen.
Walking back into the hallway a minute or so later, Sousuke carried a piece of paper he had written on. He handed it to Borodenko. "You can send the bill to this address."
Captain Teletha Testarossa. Commanding Officer. TDD-1.
The two men conducted a room to room search. They found Liang Yong in his own office, pistol in hand. When Sousuke peered in the room, the man fired, widely missing the mark. Sousuke fired back, purposefully missing. Borodenko gave him a look of disbelief.
"He is armed, sir."
"That's not what surprises me, Lieutenant. He's still shrieking in there." 'In other words, he's still alive. I think you know exactly what I mean.'
It was true. Liang Yong was frightened more than he had even been before. And, his carefully planned scheme was crumbling around him. "Laugh while you can, you fools. My friends will soon be here. They will. Then you'll see. Then it will be my turn to take control. This is long overdue."
Sousuke peered in the room again, attempting to draw the babbling man's fire. He did. The shots came uncomfortably closer this time.
"Borodenko, you will be dead soon enough. You can't imagine how happy I'll be. It has been a disgrace serving under a peasant like you for all these years." The laughter that followed was further indication that Liang Yong had slipped a few cogs. "Sagara. You meddling dog. This time I will kill everyone who means anything to you." Seeing Sousuke's head again, he fired. He kept squeezing at the trigger, even after the clip had emptied.
Borodenko handed Sousuke his gun. "Do you have a knife I can borrow? The duller, the better." Receiving one, he walked slowly into Liang Yong's office.
"What are you doing. No! Someone like you cannot do that to me! No. Peasant. I will not urrrhhhlllggghh, ahhh, ohhh, AAAAH-h-h-h-h-h."
When Borodenko exited the room, both hands dripping with blood, he winked at Sousuke. "May I keep this knife? I have grown rather fond of it. I was hoping to hang it on my office wall...." He wiped his hands on the immaculate white wall.
"Certainly, sir." Sousuke nodded his head, suddenly feeling a terrible weight lift from his shoulders. "Mr. Borodenko, while I am quite accustomed to Japanese cuisine, I also enjoy Indian, Thai, Spanish, and Cajun."
Borodenko stood, his mouth agape. Then he smiled, and the smile grew. He guffawed. "Young man, do you remember that I told you it might not be in your best interest if I come to like you?" He walked over to Sousuke, his face growing serious. He held out his hand. "Seriously, if you ever find yourself in need of a favor, do not hesitate to ask. I may have solved your problem for you, but I still consider myself in your debt."
"Sir. I am honored."
"Good. You should be. Now, are you hungry? There is still plenty of food back in my office." Borodenko patted his ample stomach. He had built up quite an appetite.
"Uh."
"Still not hungry?" The Finanace Minister's eyes showed his good humor.
"I should probably see what is happening outside." Sousuke's fingers twitched on his gun hand.
"I see. Kids these days. So much into violence." Both men smiled.
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The fighting outside had died down by the time Souske had made his way out of the Finance Divisions compound. That did not mean that the danger was over. Not by a long shot. Not for Sousuke.
After getting a complete lowdown from Melissa, Sousuke literally ran all the way to the base hospital. As he ran, he could see helicopters coming in for a landing. Orderlies and physicians were waiting. A large triage tent was set up outside. Strong men grunted under the weight of huge coolers holding blood products. Stretchers with IV polls were scattered about.
Kaname
Melissa had received word that Kaname was on the way in. She didn't have the full details. The uncertainty was far more painful than his own wounds.
Kaname. The danger is over now. You HAVE to be OK!
"Hold on there soldier, I can't let you over there armed." A large nurse blocked Sousuke's path. "Besides, it looks like you could use some medical attention yourself."
Sosuke dropped all of his weapons without even as much as an evil look. "I will be able to wait for treatment. Have you seen a young woman. A young woman with blue hair?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not working triage. No one fitting that description has been sent to the OR, treatment rooms, or temporary morgue staging area." The woman regretted the last words the moment they left her mouth. She saw the look of fear in the young wounded man's eyes.
A stretcher rolled by. The noise Sousuke heard made him lose his balance momentarily. His knees felt weak. It was a familiar voice. A very weak and familiar voice. "S-S-Sousuke?" It was Kaname. She was alive! "Soouussuukkee."
Sousuke grabbed the rail of the wheeled stretcher. "Kaname!"
"Soldier, we need to get her inside, stat. The Doc says she came close to drowning. She's cold and needs a warming blanket and a warm IV." Sousuke let go of the railing.
He started to follow, when the nurse's hand grasped him firmly by the arm. "You won't be doing her any favors by getting in the way, son. "She let go. "I understand how you feel. But, it won't be much good if you keel over, will it? Go over there and have those injuries tended to. I bet that young lady will want to see you when she's stable."
Sousuke complied. It was one of the hardest things he had ever been forced to do. His heart jumped into his throat when he heard Kaname's voice getting fainter as she was rolled away. "Sooouuusssuuukkkeee...."
After waiting while the more severely injured combatant's were treated, Sousuke had his time with the emergency physicians. His wounds cleaned, sutured, and bandaged, he made his way into the hospital, waiting for a chance to see Kaname. While impatiently passing the time, he was patched through to the TDD-3 and gave his report to Lt. Cmdr. Ben-Eleiden. In turn, his commanding officer filled him in on the day's events. The submarine was limping home, but should be there before nightfall. As it turned out, Cmdr. Horowitz had been evacuated to the hospital. Sousuke agreed to pass along his report in person, as soon as the Commander was medically ready.
Minutes seemed like hours. Hours masqueraded as days. Finally, late in the evening, Kaname was cleared to have visitors.
Sousuke approached her bed slowly, his eyes glued to her. Her eyes were closed. Her chest raised and fell with comforting regularity. The cardiac monitor showed a normal sinus rhythm. One of her hands, covered by a hospital blanket, twitched.
"Kaname?" Sousuke spoke quietly. He didn't want to wake her if she were asleep.
Kaname did not open her eyes. Her hand stopped twitching. Her heart rate went up, monitor leaving no room for doubt. "Sousuke?" The voice was weak. Sousuke had trouble hearing her. He moved closer.
"Kaname? Are you going to be alright?" He carefully bent over her, not wanting to dislodge her IV line or the leads from the monitor.
Her eyes opened. Her heart rate leapt upward. Her voice was a strong growl. Her hand raised, dislodging the blanket. Somebody had found her a halisen. "Alright? I'll show you 'alright'!!!"
WHAMMM!!!
"Owww. Kaname, that hurt. What was that for?"
"For telling me I'd be safe aboard that submarine!"
WHAMMM!!!
"Ahhhh. Now what???"
"That's for not kissing me the moment you walked in the room!"
"But..."
WHAMMM!!!
"Hey. What? Why."
"You still haven't kissed me!"
Sousuke moved quickly to rectify the situation. He felt Kaname's arms go around his neck. In her embrace, he felt as if he were home. The kiss lingered. Kaname was smiling when she came up for air.
He smiled in return.
WHAMM...WHAMMM...WHAMMM...WHAMMM
"Ouuwww. WHAT?!!"
"I'll have to think about that later." She reeled him in for another kiss.
When Kaname had finally settled down, Sousuke pulled up a chair and politely accepted a tray of food from an orderly. Between mouthfuls, Kaname told her tale. Sousuke reciprocated.
"Well then, it looks like there is a wonderful future ahead...." Kaname ventured when Sousuke was finished.
"For some people." It was Melissa's voice, soon followed by the owner of that voice. She was pushing a wheelchair. Kurz was in the chair, sitting on an air pillow, his head swathed in bandages.
"Kurz! What happened to you?" Sousuke stood to go check on his friend.
Melissa answered before Kurz could. "He was injured. But, it was only the first round."
"First round?" Kaname asked, puzzled.
"Yes. His ass hurt my foot." The look in Melissa's eyes was frightful.
Kurz cringed.
Sousuke and Kaname exchanged glances and smiled. Things were just where they should be again.
Kaname had given him the will to see this through, even though she wished he would just let things be.
As he walked, the young soldier reminded himself again that Mr. Borodenko was by all reports affiliated with the Russian mafia. That organization bore no resemblance to the Sicilian mafia or 'La Costra Nosa.' Two of Sousuke's favorite movies were 'The Godfather' and its only worthy sequel, 'The Godfather II.' He would not be meeting a man like Don Corleone. His reading in 'Red Mafiya,' in 'Russian Organized Crime: The New Threat?,' and in the 'National Institute of Justice' Journal had disabused any such notions. The Russian mafia was not associated with honor and respect.
Mr. Borodenko's background was a matter of great conjecture, but a number of things were known for certain. He had grown up in a three generation family of steel workers, living in the shadow of the Magnitogorsk Metal Works. He had served in the military. He had started his postgraduate studies in the aerospace field, but soon transferred to the Academy of Economics. Later, established as a bright young mind, he had worked for various independent companies doing consulting work for government officials on a federal and regional level. He specialized in short-term, medium, and long-term macroeconomic projections. In his free time, it seems, he branched off into more lucrative and less acceptable pursuits.
What was truth and what was conjecture? The current Finance Minister of Mithril had been linked with Russian mafia efforts to assist Mexican cartels smuggle drugs. While living in Paris, he had been implicated in shady dealings between Mossad and corrupt scientists of his home country--- the sale of fissionable materials on the black market had been uncovered by French intelligence. His underlings had been fingered in a huge credit card e-theft, but his involvement was never substantiated. When the German police had uncovered Russian criminals trying to sell Rubens paintings that had vanished from the home of Joseph Goebbels during the second world war, his name was linked to the gang hawking the works of the great Flemish master. 'Looks like he has led an interesting life.'
Sousuke entered the main building. He would have to leave his bag at the security desk. There was no way that the perimeter guards would let him into the heart of the building carrying arms. If all Hell broke loose, and he had walked into a corrupt den of vipers, he might be able to fight his way back to his stash. Might.
Knowing what he did about Borodenko's bodyguards, there was a good chance that his concealed weapons would be discovered---even though it would paint him in a bad light, he would risk sneaking those items in. All four men were formidable opponents. Ex-KGB, they were adept in all forms of personal weaponry. Having gone through Spetsnaz training, they were well versed in 'Systema,' the Russian system of martial arts. 'Systema Boyevogo Iskustvo,' dating back to the Cossacks, had helped repel invading Vikings, Sarmations, Scythians, Pechenegs, Drevlinians, Volgaa Bolgars, and Mongols. Sousuke had faced special forces soldiers aplenty in Afghanistan. He knew the type of men who would be keeping a close eye on him. He had no choice but to respect their abilities.
The most senior guard had been a SpecOps soldier before joing the KGB. Once a shadow warrior for the GRU before his stint in the KGB, he had been briefly linked to the fabled 'Zaslon' unit after leaving the secret police. Only the best soldiers of the Russian Army could qualify for those positions.
As it turned out, one of the bodyguards was waiting for him at the security desk. Evsei Solonik. A man with a checkered past. Rumored to have been involved in smuggling and black market weapons sales. The overly large dress coat that he wore did not entirely disguise a lopsided bulge. KEDR submachine gun, 9mm, 30 round magazine. No doubt he carried a Stetchkin APS pistol as well.
"I am Sousuke Sagara, here for my meeting with Mr. Borodenko." Sousuke held his arms out, prepared to be searched. He was not.
What is this?
"Yes." That was all that the short one-eyed man said. He turned and walked. Sousuke followed.
Silently, they walked through a long hallway, passing by alcoves and rooms of busy accountants and financial specialists. Passing by a room filled with bank upon bank of computing engines, Sousuke noticed that he had picked up a shadow. Sergei Ivankov. Once linked to racketeering and protection work. The squat and powerful man had a bulge under his coat as well, longer and fuller. Bizon-2, with a 64 round helical magazine? Good bet. No words were exchanged. No search was performed.
The building was much larger than it had appeared on the outside. The décor and furnishings grew more ornate and more impressive as they walked further down the corridor. A third escort joined the procession. Gregor Mogilevich. Hired killer. Brutal in the extreme. Well suited to being a bodyguard to a man with a checkered past. He too wore a costly dress coat. Yet another concealed automatic weapon.
For a moment, Sousuke's mind drifted. He was struck by an odd thought. In his imagination, he pictured himself walking into a room...the chair spins around after he is announced...and Borodenko is Gauron. A quick shake of his head erased that pointless daydream. He was in dangerous enough company as it was.
Who had approved these men? Just what type of individuals would Mithril accept into its ranks???
After a short while longer, Sousuke reached his destination. A velvet covered chair, its carved arms in the shape of crouching lions, sat just outside of a huge carven door. Lounging in the chair, one long leg hooked over its arm, a tall thin man looked remarkably relaxed. The young Mithril lieutenant new better. Given a choice, he'd rather face the crouching cats.
Pavel Totahounov. Once nicknamed The Red Angel for all of the men he had helped escort to the Pearly Gates, the one time Russian SpecOps member had garnered every award a man in his station could receive. Choosing a darker path, he had gone on to commit every crime imaginable. A man like that had no business being here. A monster like that had no business being alive!!!
Yawning, then stretching, the chief bodyguard ground out his cigar against his bare wrist. Tossing back his head, he drained the last of his Prostokvasha. He smiled. "Lt. Sagara, I presume. From what I have heard, I expected you to be ten feet tall, with scales and fangs." He laughed, a low pitched gurgling sound. "Perhaps we won't all be needed after all." Sousuke did not like the way that sounded. 'What exactly is he saying? He was less of a threat than they thought, so there will be less need for bodyguards? Or, it won't take as many men as expected to take him out?' "You're trustworthy, aren't you? There's no need for a search, is there?"
"No." Souske had not lied. There was no need to search him. That did not mean that he was not carrying a concealed weapon.
"Marvelous." Totahounov walked over and spoke quietly into his ear. "I had so hoped that you would reward my trust in you. It must take great willpower to walk peacefully among Russian men, seeing what you went through in Afghanistan. But then, we are all on the same team, right?"
"One would hope." Sousuke smiled, brushing off his sleeve. "Russian men are usually honorable. They're not ones to change teams, are they?" Sousuke caught the slight stiffening of the man's posture. A hit. Why? "Even the less than angelic members of Mithril are a part of the family, are they not?"
"Of course." The guard had to fight to keep from smiling at Sousuke's thinly veiled reference to his colorful nickname. "But, I am afraid we have no time to further our acquaintance. I have kept Mr. Borodenko waiting far longer than I should." Totohounov's smile seemed natural enough. "You are free to enter." He waved his arm towards the door.
Sousuke stood quietly, unmoving. His eyes were riveted on the face of the chief bodyguard. Neither man blinked. "Thank you." He walked into the room.
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This is the life!'
His seat reclined fully, Kurz tapped his hand against the ARX-7s control lever, his eyes glued to the Arm Slave's external view screen.
"Wail on that thang, B.B.!" Kurz watched the colorful fish swim amongst the reef, listening to a Blues CD he had burned the week before. "You are the master."
"At least you have that right, numb nuts." Melissa's voice had an edge of urgency to it. "Turn that shit off and pay attention, pretty boy."
"Well. Babe, I knew you thought I was hot. It was only a matter of time before---"
"QUIET!!!!!!"
Kurz knew better than to say another word when Melissa used that tone.
"Lt. Weber, I have just heard from Cmdr. Horowitz. An assault force is preparing to attack the island, taking advantage of what they must think is a shortage of defenders. We will be amongst the first Mithril troops to show them the error of their. Buckle up, little man, it's time to move. Access the beach behind the breakwater. Take out any and every enemy you see."
"Sousuke?" Kurz already knew the answer.
"He's on his own for now." Melissa sounded none too pleased.
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It was an exceedingly tense time aboard the TDD-3. The ship had surfaced after the first salvo of 'Sea Lance' ASW-SOWs were launched, immediately raising the ECS masts and sending out sonar decoys.. The hangar crew had been busy launching the T35s, Apaches, and Arm Slaves. A number of RPVs were sent aloft for reconnaissance and to provide data to the GPS aiming systems.
'This is a damn fine crew.' Cmdr. Horowitz sat in his chair on the bridge, simultaneously scanning the incoming visuals, issuing orders, and conversing with the commanders aboard the other Mithril submarines. 'I have a feeling that I will soon have a wonderful opportunity to see how they act under extreme duress.' His thoughts were prophetic.
By all accounts, the enemy Viperfish survived the initial attack. Though shrouded by its own electronic camouflage system, the craft was launching its air and land combat forces. A number of cruise missiles had been launched. Before long, he expected to see what they had sent in his direction.
One of the Lampreys was destroyed, hit by the light torpedoes jettisoned from a pair of Sea Lances. If they hadn't all been so close to land, the Commander would have ordered the SOWs loaded with W-89 nuclear warheads. 'But, the infernal devices have a 6 mile effective radius. Give or take a few hundred yards.'
"Sir, we have coordinates. One of the Osprey-R's from the TDD-1 confirmed the attack sub's coordinates before they were all knocked down.." The massive RPVs, based on the V-22 tilt-rotor craft, carried large amounts of sophisticated equipment useful in detecting masked undersea craft. Adjacent differences in sea temperature...eddy currents...magnetic flux...theses things and more could be used to pinpoint the location of the enemy. "The Chevrons are going in hot and nasty, loaded for bear."
"Good! Ensign, patch the coordinates into the fire control system. Launch the remaining Sea Lances. Vector half of the F35s to the subs location. That rat bastard must be lonely, so far from his home base. Let's help him feel wanted."
Cmdr. Horowitz was thrown from his seat, suffering a fierce impact with a bank of instruments halfway across the bridge. Wiping away the blood pooling in his eyes, he saw that his fellow sailors had suffered a similar fate. The TDD-3 had lurched fully up on to its side following the impact of an undetected missile. Men and equipment had been dumped into the sea, never knowing what hit them.
"Ensign. Ensign Kukrika. REPORT!"
Ensign Kukrika did not answer. His neck sat at an unnatural angle.
"Ensign Sipe, take over damage control. FIND OUT HOW WE STAND, PRONTO!"
Sirens were sounding throughout the ship. Automatic fire fighting systems were at work. Emergency bulkheads were closed or closing. The rocking motion of the vessel was uneven, everything tilted as if the TDD-3 listed heavily to one side.
"Aye, sir. It looks like we were hit in the lightly armored area of the launch bay. One of the giant external hatches has been entirely blown away. I cannot tell much more by visual. There's too much smoke. The gyroscopes are working in the red already. We are taking on water."
"Holy Mother of God! At least we had put a fair number of craft in the air. Listen up people. Let the other subs know our condition. Direct welding teams to the site of hull breeches. Help direct the rescue personnel. Find out what weapons systems are still operational."
The bridge personnel moved quickly to comply with their instructions.
"Let's see just how tough you are, old girl." Cmdr. Horowitz winced in pain, whispering to the spirit of his boat. His hip. Broken or dislocated. 'Damn. Old age catches up with us all, sooner or later.' "I'd really like to make it home for the wife's birthday."
I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast for I intend to sail into harm's way. That, and other sayings from John Paul Jones rushed to the forefront of his thoughts, followed by one from James Lawrence. "Don't Give up the ship!" He watched as his crew redoubled their efforts. 'Let's hope we fair better than the USS Cheasapeake did back then.'
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Picking herself off of her cabin floor, Kaname wondered what had happened. She had been thrown violently against a storage locker, leaving a huge dent. The sound had been so very loud, accompanied by vibrations that had caused her teeth to rattle.
'Was that an explosion? Well, if it was, she couldn't blame Sousuke THIS time. Or, could she?'
The door to her cabin was obviously not watertight. She could tell by the water seeping in at an alarmingly steady rate.
'Should I open the door? What if the hallway is already completely under water? But if it's not, and I waste my chance to escape? I need answers!'
She hit the call button on the intercom.
There were many others with the same idea.
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Sousuke walked into the room with tangible feelings of trepidation and curiosity. He hated to turn his back on the bodyguards, knowing what type of men they were. But, he was seeking the attention of a powerful and proud man. It was unwise to do anything that might insult the Finance Minister or invite his wrath. It would be potentially foolhardy to create a bad impression of himself. Showing a lack of trust or an obvious deficiency of courage might poison the mood irreparably. After all, he had come here with two separate but intertwined purposes. Fact finding. Followed by favor asking, if the first part went well. It was a major gamble, and he had little control over the cards he would be dealt.
The footsteps behind him ceased soon after he entered the room. He focused his attention on the room around him, taking note of everything. Obviously, there had been some form of celebration here. Looking past that, he tried to learn something about the man he was approaching. The furnishings were ornate but not opulent. Valuable but not showy. Varied but not eclectic. Mr. Borodenko was apparently a lover of history, and more precisely, a collector of ancient weapons and martial items. Roman. Russian. Mongol. Etruscan. Phoenecian. Mayan. A very impressive selection.
The walls of the room told Sousuke more. The man valued family, very much so. He also valued paintings by the old masters. The sight of one large painting in particular brought Sousuke up short. A Rubens, or an excellent replica. No doubt Mr. Borodenko was aware of some of the allegations made against him in the past. Obviously, he was either unconcerned or purposefully trying to make a point. The doubt alone made a powerful statement. It would keep knowledgeable people guessing.
Sousuke could not help himself. His heartbeat had sped up and his breathing had quickened. His own actions---and the reactions of the man he was about to meet---could have significant repercussions.
Kaname.
The man's eyes watched him, like those of an experienced hawk tracking a viper. His face showed no emotion. His posture gave little away. The set of his mouth changed ever so slightly as he evaluated his young visitor. 'Is that approval? Amusement? Boredom?' The man's eyes left Sousuke briefly, then returned. He was likely checking the positions of his bodyguards, or sending them a subtle message.
"Sir, my name is Sousuke Sagara, Lieutenant of Mithril. I offer you my sincerest thanks for allowing me to meet with you today." Sousuke's voice had not wavered. He showed no signs of distaste or discomfort, even though he found himself beset by both feelings to some degree.
"Vyacheslav Borodenko...but then you know who I am." The Finance Minister waved his hand towards a plush velvet covered chair, its periphery decorated by polished bronze studs. A large coffee table flanked the seat, glass-topped, displaying an ivory-handled Russian cavalry saber of 19th century origin. A large goblet appeared freshly filled with ice and nothing more. A clean plate and wrapped set of utensils lay near it.
After Sousuke nodded his thanks and seated himself, Mr. Borodenko continued. "We celebrated my niece's engagement earlier today. I had them leave the food and refreshments out until my appointments for today were finished. Please help yourself to anything you might like. Knowing your history, it is possible that you might find ethnic Russian food unsavory in principle. I apologize if that is the case."
"I am neither hungry nor thirsty, sir. Nonetheless, I thank you for the courtesy. I will add that I am not offended by the offer in any manner. If I may be blunt, I have not come seeking a reason to be insulted, and have no desire to create or embellish any hard feelings." Sousuke had meant the statement as a reassurance, a statement of intent, and an opening for the obvious question.
"Ah, that is reassuring." Mr. Borodenko smiled openly. He had caught Sousuke's intent and was pleased by its subtlety. "May I ask then...." He too would offer opportunity.
"At the risk of being offensive, I will forego matters of supplication and denouement . I have matters of great importance to report, and seek either recommendations or assistance with subsequent actions. The facts and questions in themselves may appear accusatory, but that is not my intent. While my primary purpose is a selfish one, I am also acting out of the best interest of Mithril as I see it. If my story is news to you, there may be benefit for yourself in the telling of it as well." Sousuke wished he could get inside of the other man's head. 'Did that sound reasonable, or have I polluted the well?'
The elder gentlemen, his round face slightly tense and his eyes narrowed, rested his chin on his clasped hands. He took stock of Sousuke with quiet intent, reacting first to the implications in his visitors words. Soon enough, he sat up straighter and smiled. The entreaty was plain enough and well spoken. "You may proceed." He actually laughed, breaking the mood. "Rest assured, I will not sift the words looking for threats or insults. I will ask however, that you give me a brief statement of what this is about before speaking in any detail."
"Sir. I have been the victim of a plot that arose in the Finance Division a number of years ago. A person who I treasure, and who I was assigned to protect, was at the greatest possible risk. I have come seeking some manner of redress." Sousuke saw a light of understanding arise in the other man's eyes. That, and a look of suspicion."
"Miss Chidori? And you used both past tense and present tense."
Sousuke was startled. Soon thereafter, he felt embarrassed to have shown that reaction. "Yes sir, Kaname Chidori. In essence, someone we both trusted was driven to deceive the two of us, convincing both myself and Miss Chidori that the other had died under unfortunate circumstances. She had good reason to believe that Miss Chidori would have met a true and untimely end if she did not see to matters satisfactorily."
It was Mr. Borodenko's turn to be shocked. He too blushed at the show of his emotion. The pieces fell together quickly. He had a name if not a reason. "Liang Yong?" He tried to keep the distaste out of his voice, but failed. But, his reaction earned him a valuable insight when he saw the young lieutenant's response to it. "I came across his name linked to yours today, looking through your records. Naturally, there was no mention of a plot."
"Yes." Some of the tension eased in Sousuke. He wanted to take the question one step further, but there was no way to do so without risking insult. As it turned out, he did not need to ask.
"You need not reply, but what you want to know most of all is whether he acted on his own, had received my blessing, or was acting under my orders. Those would be the questions I would have in your place."
Sousuke nodded.
"I suppose I should not be surprised by this. Not by your circumstances in particular, but by his willingness to take things to such an extent. He is indeed a dangerous man, as you must be well aware. His influences are far reaching and his ambitions are poorly disguised. He is a subtle and patient man, but his patience will go only so far. Did you realize before coming, that this meeting would put me at risk?" The Minister's voice had come dangerously close to becoming a growl. Sousuke was on even more perilous ground now.
"Yes, I did. Not only did I contemplate the damage my question might cause you, but I also gave consideration to the injury that my actions might cause me." Sousuke looked straight into Mr. Borodenko's eyes. "To be precise, I gave thought to the danger you might pose to me. Miss Chidori, and any of the persons who might rightly or wrongly be associated with my actions." After pausing to regain his equilibrium, he continued. "My feelings for Miss Chidori are what prompted the incident long ago, and are what bring me here today. I place her well being before my own, and before anyone else's. Furthermore, I place Mithril's well being before my own."
Vyacheslav Borodenko was awash with different emotions. Ultimately, he could find no fault with the young soldier's actions. After all, it was precisely what he would have done himself. "I see. Then---"
Whatever the Mithril Minister of Finance had intended to say was interrupted by a series of loud explosions, the concussions from which shook the room and sent a crystal chandelier swinging wildly. A half full punchbowl sloshed its contents out and over expensive linens. Books fell over and porcelain figurines were knocked from their perches. Pictures and paintings sagged crookedly on the walls.
A series of smaller explosions followed. There was the unmistakable sound of jet aircraft flying close overhead. Compound sirens sprung to life. A growing commotion could be heard outside the room.
"Evsei, Segei, see what is going on. Be quick about it."
Sousuke had been watching the Minister closely, even after the explosions had begun. His eyes widened shortly after he gave his order. The sound of feet was approaching, not receding. The other man quickly brought up a gun he had been holding under his desk all that time.
Without sparing time enough to glance behind him, Sousuke settled on a course of action. He had worked his way through a different scenario with similar risks. 'If I am mistaken, I will apologize and accept what comes. If I am not, I must move swiftly and successfully. Otherwise, myself and Mr. Borodenko are likely doomed.'
Sousuke's memory was good. He had mapped out possible sites of cover and the location of any object that could be used as a weapon. His first course of action was to by enough time to assess the situation and react accordingly.
Gunshots rang out from in front of him and behind him. Pistols. If his worst fears came to life, there would be submachine gun fire soon thereafter. Seeing Mr. Borodenko jerk backward, hit high in the shoulder, he completed a subtle but determined course of action. He had pressed firmly down on the heels of both feet, twisting abruptly. The backs of his dress shoes detached, activating a trigger mechanism in each. 'I owe the Infiltration operatives in Intel a round of drinks if I get out of here alive!'
Sousuke threw one powerful flash grenade at the area the gunshots behind him originated from. He threw the other back by the rear wall of the room where the other guards had taken up station. In a flash of motion, he noticed that Pavel Tothounov jump out of the room through the open doorway.
'Every second counts now....'
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"Somebody's fcking serious, alright!" Melissa felt an uncontrollable urge to curse, fighting hard to keep her ARX-7 on its feet immediately after the huge explosions shook the ground, sending enormous fireballs expanding ever upward. Pieces of buildings and large amounts of soil rained down on her machine and everything else in the general vicinity.
She checked the map reader on her console. The initial wave of the attack—presumably cruise missiles---were directed towards the barracks, the hangars, heavy equipment sheds, and the communications facilities. The Finance buildings were relatively untouched. 'Hope your luck holds out, Sousuke.'
The threat detectors screamed for immediate attention. Melissa toggled through a number of different systems, biting her lip. Her pulse rate went up and her hands clenched the controls spasmodically. 'OK. It's payback time. You motherfckers won't be expecting us, will you?' Enemy Arm Slaves were arriving by means of powered gliders. Small submarines were dropping off troops just beyond the nearest reefs. The IFF system was having a nervous breakdown trying to sort out the combatants in a growing dance over head.
The three TDD class submarines had enjoyed the luxury of surprise. They had launched their own forces shortly before the enemy had. Three full squads of Arbalests were moving into position. If the Amalgam forces were going to reach their objectives, it would not be without a fight.
"All right you apes, listen up. It's time to kick some tail. Anyone slacking off will get my foot up their ass when the smoke clears. That's whether they are dead or alive!" Melissa had been given nominal control of all ground forces. The IFF system indicated that a number of vehicles were approaching form an inland direction. 'Friendlies. Looks like the advanced warning had allowed some of the remaining troops to move out before the missiles struck.' The automatic frequency sorter signaled its success. "You guys are just in time. Leave the heavy work to us. There'll be some tourists coming up on the beach any moment now. I'd appreciate it if you'd give them your undivided attention."
"Sis, it's time to ROCK AND ROLL!!!" Kurz' voice came in loud over the com set. Melissa smiled. She wasn't going to slap him down this time. He had reason to be excited. They all did. It wasn't often that they got a chance to fight on home territory. ']Yes, it ought to be very sweet getting a chance to ruin the enemy's day. Finding an excuse to burst Kurz' bubble later will be an added bonus. It's a great day to be alive....'
"It's time children. They're within range. Knock'em out of the air if you can. Make'em pay dearly for every step they take on our soil!" Melissa moved her ARX-7 ahead at full stride, bringing her Javelin missile system to bear on the first target entering her zone. 'Adios, asshole!!!'
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Ling Yong couldn't contain himself. He tilted back his head and laughed after each massive explosion sent a tremor through the room. Not part of the plan, his bodyguards did not know what was happening---they were very edgy, forced to stay by his side while he lounged in his favorite chair seemingly unperturbed. 'That is NOT the sound of impending doom. Those are the glorious drums of war, signaling my triumph. All of my careful plans will be coming to fruit.'
A number of underlings ran into the room, reporting that the island was under attack. They urged the Deputy Minister to head for the fortified underground shelters. Sneering, he told them to run if they wanted. He told them to keep on running. He would remember each and every name. "I have full trust in our brave troops. They will repel the foolish invaders." He smiled at his own lie. There were not enough soldiers remaining in the barracks to repel a women's knitting circle.
Ten minutes passed, the sounds of battle outside growing more heated with every moment. Liang Yong was more concerned about gunshots that should have taken place within the building. 'Borodenko should be dead by now. Sagara, too. Such a tragedy. Who could have possibly seen such a conspiracy coming?' Sarcasm was something he relished, more now than ever. Liang Yong had complete faith in the four turncoat bodyguards. His grip on them would tighten even further now. 'Marvelous. Simply wonderful. The King is dead. Long live the King!'
His excitement grew. He had to have confirmation now. He needed to see it with his own eyes. Time to keep up with the act. "You three. Let's go, now. We must assure the safety of the Minister."
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Sousuke had been through this before. He could imagine a giant clock inside his head. As he watched each movement of the second hand, he would swear that the movement came at least a minute too late. Frame by frame, the scene before him advanced.
Borodenko fell or ducked behind his desk.
The stun grenades were on their way.
Eyes closed, he picked up his chair and flung it towards the area he had last placed the foremost guard.
Gunshots came form that direction. 'Pistol.'
Elbow brought down with great force, he smashed the glass top of the nearby table.
Eyes open again, he took out the razor sharp saber, grateful that it had not been displayed in its scabbard.
More shots, in rapid succession. 'Submachine gun. No, plural.' A lacquered leather Mongol shield fell off the wall near him. A bullet whizzed by close to his ear.
Rolling on the floor, he came to his feet, positioning himself so that the lead guard was between him and the other guards.
Gunshots behind him, target unknown.
Rushing the slightly disoriented guard---Solonik---Sousuke felt a sharp pain in his left thigh. 'Bullet.'
Another large explosion shook the room. Unknown items fell, causing a racket. His target stumbled, putting his gun hand down on the ground. 'Opportunity. Lunge NOW!!!'
Leaping and thrusting in one forceful motion, he arrived at his opponent before he could bring up his weapon.
Gunshots from all directions. Some were hitting the floor dangerously close to him.
The moment of victory, the feel of a blade passing through flesh. The jar of his arm, as the tapered tip ran up against bone.
Life on the line as he makes a fateful decision. Momentarily prone and unmoving, he reaches inside the dying man's dress coat and swings around the Bizon-2. Its movement limited by the sling around the man's neck, the gun fires as the trigger is pulled.
Looking up, he sees Totahounov standing behind the outer frame of the door, pistol pointed at his head. 'No way to swing the submachine gun in that direction. No shot. Still alive. Why?'
Movement to the left. Ivankov. Bizon-2 chattering away, shells littering the floor. Ducking behind the piano. If he was not going for Borodenko, it was a flanking maneuver.
More movement. Mogilevich. He's clutching his abdomen with one hand, KEDR firing away in the grasp of the other. His path noted.
Risky decision. Gun angled upward, he shoots to sever the electrical cable on the chandelier. Most of the room goes dark. Totahounaov silhouetted in the doorway, unmoving.
More gunshots behind him. Pistol. A grunt. The sound of the piano as a hands slams down on the unseen keys.
Exposed and vulnerable, he takes the time to extricate his gun from the dead man's body.
Small divan to the left, estimated four paces. 'Jump!' Bullets spray across the area he just left.
Landing on the top of the furniture, he loses balance as the piece flips over on its back, providing minimal cover.
'Listen!' Any sound or movement is a target. Hopefully Borodenko will not make a dash for the door.
Running feet. A table bumped into, glasses falling against one another. Gunfire, with bullets sending plaster down upon his head. 'The aim is too high. Luckily. The direction was spot on.'
Returning fire, hoping the large magazine still had plenty to offer. The sound of glasses shattering. A startled cry. The sound of wooden furniture collapsing. A gun firing, then stopping.
"Sagara!" Borodenko's voice. "Lt. Sagara, I have taken down Ivankov. I saw his form fall across the light from the door. Soldier, are you still alive."
Options considered. Speaking would pinpoint his location. But, Totahounov already knew where he was. If the others were down, there was no new risk. "Sir, Solonik is dead. Mogilevich went down, but I do not know if it was involuntary or whether he is lying low. The leader remains outside the door."
"Traitors. Accursed snakes. Their families will pay for the sins they have committed." There was the sound of movement low to the ground. Coming from near the desk.
Sousuke began to crawl in the dark as well, keeping the doorway in sight.
"That is precisely the reason we were here, Minister." Totahounov's voice. "Nothing else could have driven us to break your trust. I could not bring myself to follow through, however. Sergei. Gregor. Evsei. Their blood is on my hands now because of that." There was a moment of complete silence. "It was Liang Yong. He placed our families at risk. He ordered the assassination" Totahounov raised his pistol, placing the muzzle against his right temple.
"Pavel! Wait!"
"Lt. Sagara. You would have provided a useful and convenient cover story. I am glad you have survived. Yours skills are admirable. I wish we could have met under different circumstances." He bowed his head. "Minister, forgive me. I ask that you protect Ivana. She is in danger from Liang Yong's men. This is my last service to you."
A gunshot rang out. The gaunt man's lifeless form fell heavy to the floor.
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Kaname was growing fatigued. Her legs had begun to cramp up. The chill of the water began to numb her spirit.
Bang. Bang bang. "Hey, there's somebody in here. Help. I need help!!!" Bang bang. "Help, I need helbgrgglgll."
The force of her blows kept driving her back under water. She spat out a mouthful, coughing. Her fists were bruised and sore from banging on the bulkhead. She could no longer stand on top of the small table or cot and keep her head above water. 'How much longer can I keep this up. I'm tired. I'm beginning to feel sleepy. The air vents are all under water. Am I running out of oxygen?'
"Damn it Sousuke! I told you not to go. If I die I'm going to grglglllgr. If I die I'm going to kill you. If I live, I'm going to do something WORSE!" She was certain. Had Sousuke been here, he would have found some way to rescue her. But now, he was in harm's way, somewhere else. If she were to die, it would all prove unnecessary.
Bang bang bang.
Bang bang bang.
She would keep on fighting. She was not a quitter. Sousuke's quiet words gave her the inspiration to continue:
'Kaname, I want you go go with me to the TDD-3. You'll be safe there'
"Safe? SAFE? SOUgrgllgrglllgl. SOUSUKE!!!"
Bang bang bang.
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Cmdr. Horowitz had pulled himself back up into his chair. For a moment, he sat quietly, listening to the various reports coming in. The onboard rescue personnel were busy. Divers had been required. Individuals were trapped in their cabins, some of which were under the waterline.
They had all been fortunate. 'They may not think so now, but they will realize just how close we came to joining those bastards at the bottom of the sea.' the damage had been severe. But, had the remaining fuel reserves caught fire, the resultant explosion would have gutted the TDD-3 and sent her down.
The runways on the island would be busy soon. They had not been targeted by the cruise missiles, no doubt being preserved for the Amalgam aircraft after the certain victory. The hospital was also undamaged. The staff there would be getting little sleep. Medical personnel had been requested from other facilities as well.
"Commander Horowitz, we have word from the TDD-1. Their Search & Rescue aircraft are in our vicinity. They're coordinating operations with the TDD- 2."
"Thank you, Ensign. Send our regards. Let them know we're watertight where it counts and in no damage of capsizing. Tell them that I intend on bringing the boat in. Call the harbormaster and request all available tugs."
"Aye, Sir!"
The helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft would fish any surviving seamen and aviators out of the sea. A fair number of the missing men and women had called in, requesting assistance. There were a lot of injuries, but with the exception of the hangar area, the fatalities were less than would have been expected.
The TDD-1 and TDD-2 were uninjured.
The air battle was nearly over, with the Mithril forces having their way. The Amalgam pilots were courageous and remarkably skilled, but no more so than the men and women they fought against. The aircraft were roughly equal in performance, as well. There had been no way for the enemy to overcome the imbalance in numbers, especially since they had come in with an expectation of surprise, but were themselves caught off guard. The survivors were allowed to escape, but not out of charity or any sense of honor. They would be followed. It was unlikely that they would head for any secret base or facility, but there was little to lose from the gamble.
"Commander, Lt. Cmdr. Ben-Eleiden is on line 2. He wishes to speak with you."
The news was good. Reports from the ground forces were highly favorable. The enemy 'Banshee' Arm Slaves---the latest descendants of the 'Shadow' class of mecha, but possessing Lambda Driver technology---were put to route with a relatively small number of friendly casualties. A large number of enemy ground troops were dead, captured, or taking their chances with the sea.
'All in all, things could have been much worse.' Cmdr. Horowitz frowned, thinking of what would have happened if he had not taken part in Lt. Sagara's plans. They had scored a significant victory, destroying a significant amount of Amalgam hardware and taking the lives of a large number of dangerous men. The adversary had risked much, and had paid a heavy cost. Had they succeeded, without opposition, the outcome would likely have been far different, no matter what retaliatory actions were taken.
"We have met the enemy and they are ours." The words of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry seemed more than appropriate then.
The battle was essentially over. But, the battle was not what had brought them here in the first place. 'What did Lt. Sagara accomplish before all Hell broke loose?'
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'The best laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft a-gley.'
Suffice it to say, Robert Burns was not Liang Yong's favorite poet. Nonetheless, the words from 'To A Mouse' held all the wisdom he would ever require from that moment forth. 'A-gley.' Awry. Amiss.
'An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, For promis'd joy.'
He had run ahead of his bodyguards, forcing them to sprint to catch up. Catching sight of Pavel Totahounov's collapsed form, the blood pooling steadily around him, the Deputy Minister slid to an abrupt halt, causing one of his followers to knock him to the ground accidentally. 'What the Hell happened here.'
A gunshot broke his reverie. Before he fully felt the pain, he noticed a red streak appear across his impeccably pressed white slacks. He had been grazed by a bullet. Were it not for the presence of mind of his nearest bodyguard, he would have died a moment later. Two more shots passed through the space he had been occupying, as his body was pulled back by a strong arm.
"I guess that's why some have nicknamed you 'Lucky Liang.' It didn't go as you expected, Yong. It would be a good time to start running. I must say, I would clearly enjoy a hunt. Lt. Sagara, I believe you have a score to settle with the Deputy as well. Let's say, the one who enjoys the privilege of the kill will compensate by buying the other a fine meal?" Borodenko. There was a hint of pain in his voice, but he was laughing. He meant every word that he said.
Liang Yong did not wait so see what Sousuke's response was, or to see if he ever replied at all. "Come on you fools! Do you want to die here? Or would you rather make a stand at a place of your choosing?" Running as fast as he could, he headed towards the other end of the building. All he needed to do was buy some time. His friends should be arriving soon, after they finished mopping up the pitiful force guarding the island.
'Still thou are blest, compared wi' me The present only touchest thee; But, Och! I backward cast my e'e On prospects dear! An' forward, tho' I canna see, I guess an' fear!'
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Kaname felt her last remaining strength ebb from her body. Curiously, she watched the sights around her waver in and out of focus as she sank towards the depths of her watery room.
'Sousuke. Sousuke, I don't want to leave you.'
There was so much she wanted to do. So many things she wanted to share. But, at last she had found him again, if only for a little while. They had shared an intimacy that made her life meaningful once more.
'A light. I see an orange light. Is this what they talk about. Am I....'
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Cautiously, both Sousuke and Borodenko made their way out into the hallway, each squinting as their eyes grew used to the light. The elder man knelt by the body of his fallen guard. Bowing his head, he said a quick prayer. "Liang Yong did this. Ultimately, it was he who pulled the trigger." The man's anger was a tangible thing.
Their wounds were painful, but superficial. Each had lost a significant amount of blood, but not enough to weaken their resolve.
"You never answered me. Lieutenant. I kill Liang Yong, and I will buy you the best meal a man ever had. I'll even serve it to you myself, in my French manor house. If you get the slimy son of a whore, will you extend me the same courtesy?" Borodenko's look was feral in the extreme.
"No."
"What? You will not extend me the same courtesy, or you will not try to kill him?" The Finance Minister's face took on a look of disbelief.
"I would gladly buy you a meal that cost a full year's salary. I would act as your servant, until you had eaten your fill. But, I will not kill an unarmed man." Sousuke's voice was firm, final. He noticed the anger in his companion's face but did not back down. He set his jaw and held his head high.
Barely able to contain his disappointment and disbelief, Borodenko spat. "It's not a problem, then. Liang Yong is the furthest thing from a man. He's a snake. A pitiful toad. If you grind his skinny neck into the ground, you'd be doing a service to mankind."
"I do not disagree with you. But, I will not commit murder." Sousuke clenched his teeth. One eye twitched. Old memories flooded him, uninvited and unwelcome. Reginald Smithers. He had been given a gun. But, he might as well have been unarmed. It wasn't murder by definition. But, that judgment felt like a technicality. 'I will NOT go through that again.'
Borodenko surprised Sousuke. He stopped walking and threw his head back. The bellows of laughter brought tears to the older man's eyes. He couldn't stop until he was short of breath. "You have killed more men than most armies, Lieutenant. You have turned more enemy weapons into junk than any third world army could ever hope too. You have destroyed entire facilities in your search for justice. You have removed countless gangsters, drug manufacturers, and terrorists from the ranks of the living. And you will not give such a terrible man the death he so richly deserves?"
Sousuke kept walking. He intended to gather up his belongings. It would be good to have familiar weapons in his hands again. Not looking back, he answered. "No. I will not."
"You are incredible. Simply unbelievable. Does your kindness extend to the bodyguards as well?" Borodenko grimaced in pain, but moved to catch up.
"Yes, if they are weaponless. If not, they will wish they had been."
The Finance Minister nodded his head. "Of course. If Mr. Yong were to be holding a gun, would you kill him then?"
"Naturally." Sousuke almost sounded as if he were explaining something obvious to a young child.
Borodenko laughed again. You are priceless, do you know that? You have a rather twisted sense of morality!" His look became very serious. "But, against my better judgment, I find myself respecting you. I can only wonder how my life would have turned out if I was more like you." His face brightened when he suddenly smiled. "I wonder how many men you could have killed if you were more like me."
Sousuke put his Glock in place. Slamming a fresh clip into his F2000, he shouldered it. He dropped a number of grenades into his pockets. Each of his favored knives found its home. "Shall we go, sir? Stay behind me. I will deal with the guards." He threw the other man a TMP.
Shaking his head, Borodenko followed Sousuke. He had been taken aback for a moment, seeing the brief look in the younger man's eyes: guns in hand--- prepared for battle---he might as well have been an avatar for the gods of War and Death.
People were milling around the secretarial pool. They looked on aghast when Sousuke walked by, armed. Their countenances softened when they saw the Finance Minister.
"Has any one seen Liang Yong? Be quick about it!" Borodenko's voice carried with it the sound of impending disaster. He swung his submachine gun around. He would take no chance with misplaced loyalties here. The frightened men and women were startled as much by the tone as they were by the weapon. One spoke up quickly, stammering.
"H-He went that way. T-There were guards with him." The woman pointed. She sat down hard when the two armed men left.
Borodenko walked next to Sousuke, matching him stride for stride. "I have considered your plight, Lieutenant. I have graciously decided to help you. For his transgressions against you and Miss Chidori, I will chastise Liang Yong most severely!" He stroked his borrowed gun, an evil grin on his face.
Sousuke kept an answering grin of his face, but could not disguise the look in his eyes. "Your wisdom is even greater that I could ever have expected. I am in your debt."
"Damn. Lieutenant. If I'm not careful, I might find myself liking you. Although, I cannot say if that would be a good thing for you! Wait a moment, young man. My wisdom? Are you saying you had a low opinion of me." This time it was the Minister's eyes that gave him away, despite a perfectly outraged roar.
"I fear I must refuse to answer that, Sir. It would be against my best interests."
"Ah! Such a breath of fresh air. Have you ever considered working in Finance, young man?"
"As penance, Sir?" Sousuke's voice was deadpan.
Borodenko's laughter filled the hallway again, causing a number of financial assistants to duck out of sight. His merriment stopped abruptly when Sousuke raised his hand.
"Remain here. That area ahead is ideal for an ambush." He moved with a suddeness that caught the ex-mafia member by surprise.
There were gunshots, coming from doors on both sides of the hallway.
Sousuke rolled out of the way, just as bullets marred the floor where he had been running. Standing around a corner, he pulled the pins on two fragmentation grenades. 'These are not on the list of equipment approved for use in the Finance Division, I would guess. It is good to have the head honcho on my side. I'd better NOT get a bill for this.' He dashed into the middle of the hallway, tossed two grenades, one to either side, then rolled again.
Two explosions threw debris out into the hallway. Sprinting, Sousuke made it to the first door unchallenged. Swinging his assault rifle around, he fired at the one guard left alive in that room. The man collapsed in a spray of blood. The second guard---or what was left of him---offered no resistance.
"I've got the other one." Borodenko ran to the opposite door before Sousuke could yell for him to halt. There was an exchange of gunfire.
The Finance Minister backed off and waved Sousuke in his direction. "The man was very insistant. He wants to play with you, Lieutenant." 'Whew! I'm getting too old for this....'
"I thought he might, sir. Best not to disappoint him." Sousuke raised an eyebrow and one corner of his mouth. "I presume he is still armed?" The older man shook his fist at Sousuke, smiling at the subtle humor.
"Do you want the bill for this damage fest, young man?"
Sousuke feigned shock, put in a fresh clip, then tossed a flash grenade into the room. After the detonation, he slid across the floor, firing. His foe had been crouching behind a large desk. The shots took him to the ground, pulping his ankles. The next shots passed through the desk, his chest, and his abdomen.
Walking back into the hallway a minute or so later, Sousuke carried a piece of paper he had written on. He handed it to Borodenko. "You can send the bill to this address."
Captain Teletha Testarossa. Commanding Officer. TDD-1.
The two men conducted a room to room search. They found Liang Yong in his own office, pistol in hand. When Sousuke peered in the room, the man fired, widely missing the mark. Sousuke fired back, purposefully missing. Borodenko gave him a look of disbelief.
"He is armed, sir."
"That's not what surprises me, Lieutenant. He's still shrieking in there." 'In other words, he's still alive. I think you know exactly what I mean.'
It was true. Liang Yong was frightened more than he had even been before. And, his carefully planned scheme was crumbling around him. "Laugh while you can, you fools. My friends will soon be here. They will. Then you'll see. Then it will be my turn to take control. This is long overdue."
Sousuke peered in the room again, attempting to draw the babbling man's fire. He did. The shots came uncomfortably closer this time.
"Borodenko, you will be dead soon enough. You can't imagine how happy I'll be. It has been a disgrace serving under a peasant like you for all these years." The laughter that followed was further indication that Liang Yong had slipped a few cogs. "Sagara. You meddling dog. This time I will kill everyone who means anything to you." Seeing Sousuke's head again, he fired. He kept squeezing at the trigger, even after the clip had emptied.
Borodenko handed Sousuke his gun. "Do you have a knife I can borrow? The duller, the better." Receiving one, he walked slowly into Liang Yong's office.
"What are you doing. No! Someone like you cannot do that to me! No. Peasant. I will not urrrhhhlllggghh, ahhh, ohhh, AAAAH-h-h-h-h-h."
When Borodenko exited the room, both hands dripping with blood, he winked at Sousuke. "May I keep this knife? I have grown rather fond of it. I was hoping to hang it on my office wall...." He wiped his hands on the immaculate white wall.
"Certainly, sir." Sousuke nodded his head, suddenly feeling a terrible weight lift from his shoulders. "Mr. Borodenko, while I am quite accustomed to Japanese cuisine, I also enjoy Indian, Thai, Spanish, and Cajun."
Borodenko stood, his mouth agape. Then he smiled, and the smile grew. He guffawed. "Young man, do you remember that I told you it might not be in your best interest if I come to like you?" He walked over to Sousuke, his face growing serious. He held out his hand. "Seriously, if you ever find yourself in need of a favor, do not hesitate to ask. I may have solved your problem for you, but I still consider myself in your debt."
"Sir. I am honored."
"Good. You should be. Now, are you hungry? There is still plenty of food back in my office." Borodenko patted his ample stomach. He had built up quite an appetite.
"Uh."
"Still not hungry?" The Finanace Minister's eyes showed his good humor.
"I should probably see what is happening outside." Sousuke's fingers twitched on his gun hand.
"I see. Kids these days. So much into violence." Both men smiled.
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The fighting outside had died down by the time Souske had made his way out of the Finance Divisions compound. That did not mean that the danger was over. Not by a long shot. Not for Sousuke.
After getting a complete lowdown from Melissa, Sousuke literally ran all the way to the base hospital. As he ran, he could see helicopters coming in for a landing. Orderlies and physicians were waiting. A large triage tent was set up outside. Strong men grunted under the weight of huge coolers holding blood products. Stretchers with IV polls were scattered about.
Kaname
Melissa had received word that Kaname was on the way in. She didn't have the full details. The uncertainty was far more painful than his own wounds.
Kaname. The danger is over now. You HAVE to be OK!
"Hold on there soldier, I can't let you over there armed." A large nurse blocked Sousuke's path. "Besides, it looks like you could use some medical attention yourself."
Sosuke dropped all of his weapons without even as much as an evil look. "I will be able to wait for treatment. Have you seen a young woman. A young woman with blue hair?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not working triage. No one fitting that description has been sent to the OR, treatment rooms, or temporary morgue staging area." The woman regretted the last words the moment they left her mouth. She saw the look of fear in the young wounded man's eyes.
A stretcher rolled by. The noise Sousuke heard made him lose his balance momentarily. His knees felt weak. It was a familiar voice. A very weak and familiar voice. "S-S-Sousuke?" It was Kaname. She was alive! "Soouussuukkee."
Sousuke grabbed the rail of the wheeled stretcher. "Kaname!"
"Soldier, we need to get her inside, stat. The Doc says she came close to drowning. She's cold and needs a warming blanket and a warm IV." Sousuke let go of the railing.
He started to follow, when the nurse's hand grasped him firmly by the arm. "You won't be doing her any favors by getting in the way, son. "She let go. "I understand how you feel. But, it won't be much good if you keel over, will it? Go over there and have those injuries tended to. I bet that young lady will want to see you when she's stable."
Sousuke complied. It was one of the hardest things he had ever been forced to do. His heart jumped into his throat when he heard Kaname's voice getting fainter as she was rolled away. "Sooouuusssuuukkkeee...."
After waiting while the more severely injured combatant's were treated, Sousuke had his time with the emergency physicians. His wounds cleaned, sutured, and bandaged, he made his way into the hospital, waiting for a chance to see Kaname. While impatiently passing the time, he was patched through to the TDD-3 and gave his report to Lt. Cmdr. Ben-Eleiden. In turn, his commanding officer filled him in on the day's events. The submarine was limping home, but should be there before nightfall. As it turned out, Cmdr. Horowitz had been evacuated to the hospital. Sousuke agreed to pass along his report in person, as soon as the Commander was medically ready.
Minutes seemed like hours. Hours masqueraded as days. Finally, late in the evening, Kaname was cleared to have visitors.
Sousuke approached her bed slowly, his eyes glued to her. Her eyes were closed. Her chest raised and fell with comforting regularity. The cardiac monitor showed a normal sinus rhythm. One of her hands, covered by a hospital blanket, twitched.
"Kaname?" Sousuke spoke quietly. He didn't want to wake her if she were asleep.
Kaname did not open her eyes. Her hand stopped twitching. Her heart rate went up, monitor leaving no room for doubt. "Sousuke?" The voice was weak. Sousuke had trouble hearing her. He moved closer.
"Kaname? Are you going to be alright?" He carefully bent over her, not wanting to dislodge her IV line or the leads from the monitor.
Her eyes opened. Her heart rate leapt upward. Her voice was a strong growl. Her hand raised, dislodging the blanket. Somebody had found her a halisen. "Alright? I'll show you 'alright'!!!"
WHAMMM!!!
"Owww. Kaname, that hurt. What was that for?"
"For telling me I'd be safe aboard that submarine!"
WHAMMM!!!
"Ahhhh. Now what???"
"That's for not kissing me the moment you walked in the room!"
"But..."
WHAMMM!!!
"Hey. What? Why."
"You still haven't kissed me!"
Sousuke moved quickly to rectify the situation. He felt Kaname's arms go around his neck. In her embrace, he felt as if he were home. The kiss lingered. Kaname was smiling when she came up for air.
He smiled in return.
WHAMM...WHAMMM...WHAMMM...WHAMMM
"Ouuwww. WHAT?!!"
"I'll have to think about that later." She reeled him in for another kiss.
When Kaname had finally settled down, Sousuke pulled up a chair and politely accepted a tray of food from an orderly. Between mouthfuls, Kaname told her tale. Sousuke reciprocated.
"Well then, it looks like there is a wonderful future ahead...." Kaname ventured when Sousuke was finished.
"For some people." It was Melissa's voice, soon followed by the owner of that voice. She was pushing a wheelchair. Kurz was in the chair, sitting on an air pillow, his head swathed in bandages.
"Kurz! What happened to you?" Sousuke stood to go check on his friend.
Melissa answered before Kurz could. "He was injured. But, it was only the first round."
"First round?" Kaname asked, puzzled.
"Yes. His ass hurt my foot." The look in Melissa's eyes was frightful.
Kurz cringed.
Sousuke and Kaname exchanged glances and smiled. Things were just where they should be again.