Chapter 5 - Unexpected Changes
Kazuya arrived at the museum at 8:15. He had dropped in the fake during his lunch break the previous day. Downey had promised him to exchange the stone in the evening and hand it over to him in the morning.
He made his way to Downey's office and knocked at the door.
"Come in," he heard Downey's voice.
The man looked up from his desk when Kazuya entered. He had dark circles under his eyes.
"Good morning." Kazuya said.
"It's not good, I'm afraid." Downey replied.
Kazuya immediately understood that something had gone wrong.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I fear the stone was stolen."
"What do you mean, 'the stone was stolen'?" Kazuya said angry.
"Your father sent his guys here and they have taken it."
Kazuya sighed. "Well in that case... Just replace it. It shouldn't be a problem to take the real stone from him when the time is right."
"That's exactly where the problem lies. They have taken the copy." Downey continued.
"What?" Kazuya asked disbelieving. "I don't believe it, how can they be so stupid."
"It's a very good fake you got from that guy."
"No, it's not..." Kazuya said unnerved. "And what do you suggest now?"
"I cannot give you the stone without raising suspicion, we need a replacement."
"You had your replacement… We won't find another forger before the next full moon!"
Downey shook his head in despair.
"We have to get the fake back from Heihachi." Kazuya continued. "But I cannot do it; he will suspect me right away. We need someone to blame."
Downey was silent for a moment, deep in thought. Then he suddenly spoke again, "I think I know someone who is perfect for this job."
"I doubt this someone exists. No one can set foot into the mansion and get out, with a stolen stone, in one piece."
"She can. She has done this before." Downey said.
"She?" Kazuya said suddenly sounding very interested.
"She is an archaeologist, an adventurer," Downey went on, "A mixture between James Bond and Indiana Jones. She moves like a cat... Her name is Lara Croft."
"Lara Croft?" Kazuya repeated.
"She might be waiting for a job like this. She will be delighted if I tell her, she can save the world..."
"Save the world? We are not talking about protests against whale hunting here."
"No, that's not her field of expertise. - The whale hunters should consider themselves lucky." Downey commented.
"It seems we have no choice. Contact her! I have to go back to work now. I will call you later."
"Ok, I will call her and ask her if she wants to take the job."
Kazuya had just entered his office when there came a knock at the door. "Come in," he said.
"Good morning, Mr. Mishima." said a young Japanese woman while entering. She seemed to be nervous. She had started working for the Mishima Zaibatsu two months ago. When she applied for the job, she didn't know that she would be working for the bosses' son. She thought she would be one of thousand employees, nothing special, but then she found out she had to work with the second most powerful man in town. When she had first met her boss she was so nervous, she could hardly speak. And even though he was really nice to her and treated her with respect, she was still a bit uncomfortable around him. And she still felt uncomfortable with the job, she felt she had started in a too high position.
"Good morning, Natsumi." he replied while starting up his computer. "What have you got for me?"
"It seems someone has filed a complaint against you," she said shyly, ready to expect the worst.
He sighed. "So what is it?"
"Driving too fast, stealing a parking space." Natsumi said worried, reading the file she had in her hands.
"Does he have any witnesses?" Kazuya asked calmly, almost sounding arrogant. He typed in his password to set into the computer system.
"Doesn't seem that way." Natsumi replied. "They are asking for your statement."
He looked up at her. "We've got a preprint for that case. Just fill in the correct dates and print it out; I will sign it later."
Natsumi had a surprised look on her face. Kazuya had to grin. "Happened before, unofficially I am an irresponsible driver."
The girl smiled. At moments like these, she was very glad that she had gotten this job within the Zaibatsu. Kazuya was the only one giving her orders and although he had a reputation of being very tough, she got along with him well and he never took anything out on her.
"I will have it ready in half an hour," she said to him.
"No need to hurry, as long as they have it on their desk tomorrow morning."
The girl bowed and left Kazuya's office.
Kazuya checked his mail and his to-do-list for today. He would be here for a very long time today. However, right now he was not in the mood to get started. He walked over to the fridge and took out a can of coke. With it he walked back to his desk. He sat down, leaned back in his chair and put his feet onto the desk. What more could go wrong today? Today he had his first fight in the Martial Arts Tournament. He had to admit, he didn't even know who his opponent was, yet.
'Considering my luck today it's that bear,' he thought.
He stretched out his hand to try and grab the mouse. When he'd been successful he sat up straight and looked up the tournament timetable in the computer.
"Armor King" he read and put his feet back up on the table, leaning back again. "Maybe this day isn't going to be that bad after all."
Author's Note on Chapter 5:
1 day before Lara's story starts. It's Friday.