Chapter 10

One hour later, Terry was on his was to Metro City International Airport in a limousine with a police escort courtesy of Metro City in "appreciation for the contributions" of former Mayor, Mike Haggar. Terry didn't care how he got there, so long as he got there. Cody, Guy and Haggar sat across from him in the back seat, each one wrapped in his own thoughts. Few words had been exchanged after Terry gave the trio a rundown of the coming battle. Each man knew the name of Geese Howard and the stories that accompanied it.

At the airport, the group was able to bypass security and go straight to the tarmac where a fully fueled Lear jet was just starting its engines. Haggar spoke for the group and said: "We'd go with you if we could but you're right to make us stay behind. Geese Howard is not a man to be trifled with. Good luck warrior." Terry thanked the former wrestler and got on the plane. Five minutes later, he was in the air. He told himself: "Hold on Maki. I'm coming for you and nothing on this earth will prevent me from stopping Geese Howard for sure this time! Nothing."

The flight back to South Town on the Lear jet only took half as long as the commercial flight going to Metro City had. From the airport, Andy picked Terry up and took him to the marina where Terry was able to rent a powerboat. The thirty minute run across the water felt like thirty years, even at the boat's top speed. As Terry neared the island, memories of his first visit came to mind. This time though, Terry wasn't sneaking onto the island, he had been invited and so he tied up at the pier.

Ripper and Hopper both were waiting to meet Terry. As ordered, they both gave Terry a short bow of respect. Geese may have hated Terry but he did respect him as an opponent and made sure his personal assistants were aware of that. Hopper's voice carried a slimy shadiness to it that made Terry instantly dislike him. Ripper was quiet and only stood next to his partner. Hopper said: "Greetings Mr. Bogard. My employer, Mr. Howard has been expecting you. Please follow me."

Terry followed the two lackeys upa set of carved stone steps similar to those he had climbed years ago to get to the main compound. The main courtyard used the same set up as from Terry's first visit. Manicured and lush, green grass leading to a Japanese style wooden foot bridge with a pond full of koei fish. Off to one side was an enclosed fighting arena. Hopper pointed and said greasily: "Mr. Howard is waiting for you in his personal dojo over there." Terry walked over to the steps, climbed them and opened the shoji doors at the top. Inside in a kneeling position, was Geese Howard.

Geese looked up at Terry, hatred practically oozing from his eyes as he saw his enemy. Dressed in red hakama pants with white ankle socks on, Geese wore no gi jacket, only a medallion around his neck that rested in the center of his chest over a deep horizontal scar. He said: "Welcome, Terry Bogard. I have been waiting for you for quite some time." Terry spoke: "Cut the crap Geese! I want proof of life that Maki is alive and well." Geese said: "You are in no position to demand anything from me Bogard! Even though I hate you with every fiber of my being, I have to acknowledge that since you did defeat me once, I can respect you as an opponent. Because of that, I will grant your wish. Ripper, Hopper! Take Mr. Bogard to see his woman and bring him back to me." Both men had followed Terry and bowed low, but Hopper was the only one who spoke as he said: "Yes sir."

The two thugs took Terry down into a dungeon like cell below the house proper to a large room that held six identical cells. Each had thick iron bars for walls and measured perhaps eight by ten foot square. Only one cell was occupied and in it sat Maki in a meditation pose on her pallet of straw. Off to one side was a sheet hanging from the ceiling and a lidded bucket for eliminating into. She seemed none the worse for wear as Terry said: "Open the damn door and get out! I want her to talk to me straight, not out of fear of what you might do to her if she doesn't say what you want her to."

Hopper opened the cell door andleft withRipper. As he closed the larger room door he said lecherously: "Heh, heh, heh. You have five minutes, and remember, we'll be watching!"

Maki opened her eyes as Terry came in. When the larger room door closed behind the two henchmen, she practically leapt off her pallet and into Terry's arms. She held onto Terry tightly as she cried on his shoulder. She said: "I was so scared Terry. They drugged me and took me from my home without a word. They wouldn't even tell me why they did it until today when I found out I was bait for you." Terry held her to him and said: "Shhh, shhh. I'm here now and I promise I'll get you out of here. Did they hurt you? Maki said: "No more than a tranquilizer dart to the arm, but that bastard out there, the only one of the two who talks pulled the trigger and he looked like he enjoyed doing it." Terry said: You know what I have to do to win this fight don't you?" Maki still in Terry's arms said: "Yes, I know. Only one of you will be coming out of this fight alive. Terry said: "I hope you can forgive me for what I must do."

Hopper came back in and said: "Time's up." Maki stared daggers at him as Terry said: "I'll be back for you Maki. I finally have something to truly fight for." Maki's expression softened as she heard these words and kissed Terry on the lips. The kiss was broken slowly. Maki said: "Go my warrior. Fight well."

Hopper closed the cell door behind Terry as he left Maki's cell. After he stepped around Terry to lead the way back up the stairs, Terry said: "Hey slime ball, turn around." When Hopper did, he didn't know what hit him when Terry suddenly said: "Burn Knuckle!" The glowing fist blasted the man known only as Hopper square in the face and sent him into the stone wall to bounce off it and land on his face and lie still. Terry recovered from his signature attack and looked at Ripper who had a slight smirk on his face at the state of his partner. No words were needed as Ripper took Terry back to his master, Geese Howard.