Click to Enter - Chapter One
To: ToriAtama@Zanzaforhire.com From: KenHim2028@JNSA.com Subject: A funny thing happened on the way to the Director's office today
It seems they've decided to replace our old water fountain with a newfangled water and coffee dispenser. Also, Katie had her baby two days ago, a little girl. She's named her Meiko. Mrs. Funabashi from the 30th floor has finally decided to retire, three years from now. Miss Hattori will be taking her place as head secretary. And did you know that Fumihiro and Kazuki from the field office are suspected of having a very illicit affair?
Note to self: Never get caught in a hallway alone with Mrs. Sunada ever again.
Why does this woman think I am actually interested in all of her gossip?
Director Saitou has a new job for us, one that the department heads agree is right up our alley. Seems there's even a possible link to our old friend Shishio and his ever present plans for world domination.
Get back to the office ASAP for an early dinner and brainstorming. This case needs to be cracked and cracked quick, my promised vacation has been put off until this job is done.
Himura 12-09-2034
: P
Sanosuke Sagara was just being handed a hot cup of coffee when his pager began buzzing as if its next page would be its last. When he began cursing he didn't really know who he was cursing at, the hot coffee cup burning his fingers, the waitress who hadn't given him a napkin, or the punk who had dared page him during his morning coffee break. To fuel his annoyed state, the buzzing stopped as soon as the cup was on the table, just in time for everyone in the nearby vicinity to know exactly what he thought of his parents, their parents, and the state of the world in general.
As he pulled his pager out of his pocket he remembered that this was in no way possibly the worst way to start the morning. He could have been forced to skip his morning caffeine break while listening to a bunch of fat headed department officials try to dump more work on him and his buddy. He knew that Kenshin was a master at deftly maneuvering his way out of stupid assignments and so had left it up to his partner to attend the meeting in his stead.
The thought that this page might be about the results of said meeting had Sano cringing as he laid out a napkin on the table and used the unique piece of machinery that was his pager to project the message onto the now light colored background. After several more curses and a yell for a to-go cup he balled the clean napkin up and threw it at the empty booth in front of him.
"Mr. Sagara," a clear voice admonished him. "I will have to clean that up, now." Tae Sekihara, owner of Sano's favorite coffee bar stepped up and shook her head at him. "First you come in and scare my new waitress half to death then you dirty my restaurant. What am I going to do with you, Mr. Sagara?"
The tall man stood up with a resigned look on his face. "Let me pay you back later, Tae sweetie. I'll bring Kenshin in this afternoon so you can gather all your girlie customers together."
Tae frowned and turned on a heel. "Get out of here you big lug, and make sure you bring him between four and four-thirty."
Sano grinned and walked out leaving his coffee behind completely.
`(U'.') Coffee breaks are for the spineless. Martini breaks are much more my style.
Kenshin was already nose deep in the file he'd been given when his unhappy partner strode into their office. He vaguely waved a finger in the direction of a plastic bag full of wrapped sandwiches and packaged fruit stuffs. Without a word, Sano sat down at his desk and swiveled so he could stare at the back of the red-head's head until he noticed.
After several minutes of the silent treatment Sano got tired and pulled the tempting length of hair just as he would have a fifth grade girl's pigtail. "Well," he drawled out. "What did they find that they think we're so perfect to handle"
Kenshin let out a startled "Oro," as his eyes were suddenly pulled away from the newspaper clipping he'd been reading to focus on the pockmarked ceiling above him. "The director had Katsu work on it, and you know how Katsu is. There's actually more in here about the art and design of the case than the possible criminal aspects surrounding it."
"Give it to me straight," Sano asked in a low tone fearing the worst. Their last job had been a work of art from Katsu also. It had taken them out to sea, on a deserted island with only a manly pirate chick and her monkey boy lackey. They'd somehow managed to stop a smuggling ring, but the resulting paperwork from all the stakeout's and research they'd been forced to do had kept them office bound for almost three weeks afterwards. He was not looking forward to building another case from the ground up.
Kenshin pulled himself back into a proper sitting position and swiveled around till the two partners were facing each other. "It's an investigation into a game. The first game to be a complete Online adventuring world. Kids plug themselves into this world and have a virtual experience unlike any other."
Sano's brows raised. "What, he's got us going after a porn thing?"
Kenshin shook his head. "Katsu briefly mentions a possible link between this game and the rash of electronic thefts that have become so common throughout the city. It seems that some of the spec requirements for the game are beyond what the normal teenager is allowed in his or her bedroom." Kenshin grabbed a clipboard and scratched some notes down. "That's police fodder."
Sano stood up and stretched his long limbs. "That can't be the only thing he found. Why are they siccing us two specifically on it? What link are we going after?"
Kenshin flipped several pages then looked up at his tall partner. "We are to research and report on the accidental deaths of several people while Online and in the game. It seems that there's a bug in the programming. This one is causing the brain deaths of some very high officials.
"I thought the fourth floor had been given those 'mysterious' deaths?" They're the ones who handle political assassinations."
"It seems that the game is more involved than previously thought. At least that's what the fourth floor came up with. So now they're dropping it in our laps because it no longer fits nicely into their political assassination definition." Kenshin sighed as he pulled out a large glossy picture and handed it to Sano. "This picture should help you realize why we were given the case."
"It's an old Japanese town." Sano looked up at his partner cluelessly. "What's this supposed to tell me?"
"Meiji era Japan, that's the game setting."
"And? What's so big about a background?"
It's not a background on a screen, Sano. It's all around you. The game is Online. People play it using Plug Ins. They log on and run around the game acting as if they lived in that era. It's like.."
"Another world, maybe?"
Both men turned to the door of their office. A ?young? girl stood there with a smile and a mini-skirt. Kenshin resurfaced from his thigh watching thoughts first with a shake of his head. "Yeees," he drawled. "Something like that."
The girl's grin widened as she stepped into the office and held her hand out. "Misao Makimachi, pleased to meet you. I've been ordered from above to help you two out."
Sano sputtered a bit and finally raised his eyes to her sea green orbs. "Why would we need your help, girlie?"
Her happy eyes sharpened as she tilted her chin until she was facing Sano. "I am the information specialist from downstairs specializing in the Online and its coordinating technology. I'm a master cracker of security codes and have been ordered to introduce you to your research field and guide you in your efforts." She turned back to Kenshin with a quick twist. "So, where do I sit?"
"Oro?"
"Che, do you see any extra room in here? Get your own office." Sano was about to sit down again but was stopped by a thick braid hitting him in the chest. He looked down to see Misao sitting in his seat. "Hey! What do you think you're doin?"
"Oh, this will be fine. Maybe with a bit of cleaning. Wow! I've been trying to find this type of pen for ages." She swiveled the chair around to face the grinning Kenshin. "I love gel pens."
"Oi! Get out of my chair," Sano spluttered above her.
"So Misao, why don't we start out with how much like a different world this game is." Kenshin was doing his best to keep his grin to a minimum but was unable to hold in the laughter as Sano stormed out between the two agents.
Misao nodded as she paused to gather her thoughts. Her eyes automatically began running over the walls while she tried to think of where to begin. They and her train of thought stopped on an oddly placed decoration in the tiny office. It occurred to her that it actually wasn't unusual to see an antique looking sword displayed in an agent's office, but normally it was in a higher level agent's office; not to mention that it was never placed in an easy to access holder so the owner could easily grab it on his way out.
Kenshin's eyes followed hers after listening to silence for several minutes. He sighed and shrugged. He didn't want to know what she would think of the basket of wrappings that Sano kept in the bottom drawer of his desk. She would eventually remember the incident several years ago with Shishio, bring to mind how it all ended, and realize that the sword she was staring at was still a commonly used weapon. Most of the crazies he and Sano were told to hunt down were adamant in their need to be defeated 'honorably' while using ancient weapon styles. His second sigh fell heavier as he realized she would soon remember the nick-name the pair had been given just after they..."
"You two are the Kenshin-Gumi, aren't you?"
Too late. Kenshin's tortured smile told Misao all she needed to know about that name and caused her to laugh. "So I get to join the only agents on the job who actually know how to defend themselves without using a laser pointer and a computer. She chuckled and offered her hand to him. "Let me introduce myself again, maybe you'll understand even better why they decided to pair us up. "Misao Makimachi, the only girl to ever win the gold at the national kenpo tournament."
Kenshin's eyes widened. "You like kenpo?"
"I live it! I slump around if I miss practice for more than two days. It's the only thing that's allowed me to keep my girlish figure while sitting on my butt all day staring at a computer screen." Misao giggled and crossed her ankles.
"So, now we're a threesome, huh?" The two sitting agents turned to see Sano leaning in the doorway, a rolling chair just behind him. "A swordsman, a fist fighter, and now a ninja." He sighed and rolled the chair into the office. "There're gonna be alot more bloody faces when word gets around about you." He cracked his knuckles as he sat down in the obviously wrongly purloined chair. "So, what's the scoop?"
Misao smiled softly and began.
"Many years ago a rogue programmer, tired of the whole Microsoft experience, decided to put his god-given talent for programming to good use. He created what we now call the Online; a new world to plug in to for those who are tired of their own. It was, strangely enough, created originally for security and monitoring purposes, a VR world where code is actually in a malleable form instead of just lines on a screen. Now, thirty or so years ago technology wasn't ready for this new world so he shelved it for a bit while focusing on technology in the real world. In his free time he continued to develop the world and the plugin technology. He found that it wasn't enough to just immerse oneself in sounds and fingertip nerve impulses. He created a way to have one's mind completely enveloped by the world using a Plugin. The First Plugin."
Misao grew starry eyed and continued. "He was the first to be able to access the construct of the Online, an actual program running on his computer alone using the newest and not always legal technology."
"English please," Sano muttered.
"Koshijirou Kamiya was able to send his mind into a computer, one he'd specifically programmed to allow his entrance. He began creating code with a thought instead of having to type. He was able to draw his dreams in electronic code and save them onto a hard drive, well actually it was a high density silicon drive that he wasn't supposed to have but hey, he made it work. In short, he turned his computer into a mind reading and machine. The controlling part came later."
Both males spoke in unison. "Controlling?"
Misao blinked at a sudden thought then gasped. "Have you two never been Online before?"
Both men nodded causing her jaw to drop. "And they want me to explain this to you?" The two nodded again. Misao began cursing but cut off as Sano started to laugh.
"This," She began primly, "Is better shown than explained." She stood up and slid around Sano who was blocking the door. "We have four Plugin stations downstairs. I'll kick someone off if I have to, but you two will be going Online today, now as a matter of fact. Follow me."
The two agents shrugged at each other and meekly followed; Kenshin only after grabbing his sword and Sano with his hands thrust into his pockets.
. . . .
To Be Continued . . . .
Author's Note: Sorry to end it there, but I didn't want this chapter to get any longer. But be happy.. this just means that the next one is already on its way out. I seem to continue to confuse people no matter which story I right, ne? Well, this is an explanation chapter, action begins in the next one. Please look forward to it.
Jaded: I'm glad you like how I write, but prologues are always the easiest. Please reserve your judgment until you actually tackle the first chapter, but thank you for your support! And I'm just winging it on most of the game and computer stuff.
MP: Hmm? No, actually I would hate to see Kenshin actually working for Shishio, and somehow Oro-chan just doesn't seem to fit into an electro-geek image. I tried, but it just didn't work.
Marstanuki: always a pleasure to see you, here's the first chapter!
JML: It's developing quickly so you won't have too long to wait.
Additional notes: Imagine the Online as the Matrix and you got it pretty much down pat. Disclaimer: I don't own Kenshin, don't own Microsoft, don't own a car.. would you like me to go on?
Author's second note: Yeah, much smoother now. tell me what you think!!
To: ToriAtama@Zanzaforhire.com From: KenHim2028@JNSA.com Subject: A funny thing happened on the way to the Director's office today
It seems they've decided to replace our old water fountain with a newfangled water and coffee dispenser. Also, Katie had her baby two days ago, a little girl. She's named her Meiko. Mrs. Funabashi from the 30th floor has finally decided to retire, three years from now. Miss Hattori will be taking her place as head secretary. And did you know that Fumihiro and Kazuki from the field office are suspected of having a very illicit affair?
Note to self: Never get caught in a hallway alone with Mrs. Sunada ever again.
Why does this woman think I am actually interested in all of her gossip?
Director Saitou has a new job for us, one that the department heads agree is right up our alley. Seems there's even a possible link to our old friend Shishio and his ever present plans for world domination.
Get back to the office ASAP for an early dinner and brainstorming. This case needs to be cracked and cracked quick, my promised vacation has been put off until this job is done.
Himura 12-09-2034
: P
Sanosuke Sagara was just being handed a hot cup of coffee when his pager began buzzing as if its next page would be its last. When he began cursing he didn't really know who he was cursing at, the hot coffee cup burning his fingers, the waitress who hadn't given him a napkin, or the punk who had dared page him during his morning coffee break. To fuel his annoyed state, the buzzing stopped as soon as the cup was on the table, just in time for everyone in the nearby vicinity to know exactly what he thought of his parents, their parents, and the state of the world in general.
As he pulled his pager out of his pocket he remembered that this was in no way possibly the worst way to start the morning. He could have been forced to skip his morning caffeine break while listening to a bunch of fat headed department officials try to dump more work on him and his buddy. He knew that Kenshin was a master at deftly maneuvering his way out of stupid assignments and so had left it up to his partner to attend the meeting in his stead.
The thought that this page might be about the results of said meeting had Sano cringing as he laid out a napkin on the table and used the unique piece of machinery that was his pager to project the message onto the now light colored background. After several more curses and a yell for a to-go cup he balled the clean napkin up and threw it at the empty booth in front of him.
"Mr. Sagara," a clear voice admonished him. "I will have to clean that up, now." Tae Sekihara, owner of Sano's favorite coffee bar stepped up and shook her head at him. "First you come in and scare my new waitress half to death then you dirty my restaurant. What am I going to do with you, Mr. Sagara?"
The tall man stood up with a resigned look on his face. "Let me pay you back later, Tae sweetie. I'll bring Kenshin in this afternoon so you can gather all your girlie customers together."
Tae frowned and turned on a heel. "Get out of here you big lug, and make sure you bring him between four and four-thirty."
Sano grinned and walked out leaving his coffee behind completely.
`(U'.') Coffee breaks are for the spineless. Martini breaks are much more my style.
Kenshin was already nose deep in the file he'd been given when his unhappy partner strode into their office. He vaguely waved a finger in the direction of a plastic bag full of wrapped sandwiches and packaged fruit stuffs. Without a word, Sano sat down at his desk and swiveled so he could stare at the back of the red-head's head until he noticed.
After several minutes of the silent treatment Sano got tired and pulled the tempting length of hair just as he would have a fifth grade girl's pigtail. "Well," he drawled out. "What did they find that they think we're so perfect to handle"
Kenshin let out a startled "Oro," as his eyes were suddenly pulled away from the newspaper clipping he'd been reading to focus on the pockmarked ceiling above him. "The director had Katsu work on it, and you know how Katsu is. There's actually more in here about the art and design of the case than the possible criminal aspects surrounding it."
"Give it to me straight," Sano asked in a low tone fearing the worst. Their last job had been a work of art from Katsu also. It had taken them out to sea, on a deserted island with only a manly pirate chick and her monkey boy lackey. They'd somehow managed to stop a smuggling ring, but the resulting paperwork from all the stakeout's and research they'd been forced to do had kept them office bound for almost three weeks afterwards. He was not looking forward to building another case from the ground up.
Kenshin pulled himself back into a proper sitting position and swiveled around till the two partners were facing each other. "It's an investigation into a game. The first game to be a complete Online adventuring world. Kids plug themselves into this world and have a virtual experience unlike any other."
Sano's brows raised. "What, he's got us going after a porn thing?"
Kenshin shook his head. "Katsu briefly mentions a possible link between this game and the rash of electronic thefts that have become so common throughout the city. It seems that some of the spec requirements for the game are beyond what the normal teenager is allowed in his or her bedroom." Kenshin grabbed a clipboard and scratched some notes down. "That's police fodder."
Sano stood up and stretched his long limbs. "That can't be the only thing he found. Why are they siccing us two specifically on it? What link are we going after?"
Kenshin flipped several pages then looked up at his tall partner. "We are to research and report on the accidental deaths of several people while Online and in the game. It seems that there's a bug in the programming. This one is causing the brain deaths of some very high officials.
"I thought the fourth floor had been given those 'mysterious' deaths?" They're the ones who handle political assassinations."
"It seems that the game is more involved than previously thought. At least that's what the fourth floor came up with. So now they're dropping it in our laps because it no longer fits nicely into their political assassination definition." Kenshin sighed as he pulled out a large glossy picture and handed it to Sano. "This picture should help you realize why we were given the case."
"It's an old Japanese town." Sano looked up at his partner cluelessly. "What's this supposed to tell me?"
"Meiji era Japan, that's the game setting."
"And? What's so big about a background?"
It's not a background on a screen, Sano. It's all around you. The game is Online. People play it using Plug Ins. They log on and run around the game acting as if they lived in that era. It's like.."
"Another world, maybe?"
Both men turned to the door of their office. A ?young? girl stood there with a smile and a mini-skirt. Kenshin resurfaced from his thigh watching thoughts first with a shake of his head. "Yeees," he drawled. "Something like that."
The girl's grin widened as she stepped into the office and held her hand out. "Misao Makimachi, pleased to meet you. I've been ordered from above to help you two out."
Sano sputtered a bit and finally raised his eyes to her sea green orbs. "Why would we need your help, girlie?"
Her happy eyes sharpened as she tilted her chin until she was facing Sano. "I am the information specialist from downstairs specializing in the Online and its coordinating technology. I'm a master cracker of security codes and have been ordered to introduce you to your research field and guide you in your efforts." She turned back to Kenshin with a quick twist. "So, where do I sit?"
"Oro?"
"Che, do you see any extra room in here? Get your own office." Sano was about to sit down again but was stopped by a thick braid hitting him in the chest. He looked down to see Misao sitting in his seat. "Hey! What do you think you're doin?"
"Oh, this will be fine. Maybe with a bit of cleaning. Wow! I've been trying to find this type of pen for ages." She swiveled the chair around to face the grinning Kenshin. "I love gel pens."
"Oi! Get out of my chair," Sano spluttered above her.
"So Misao, why don't we start out with how much like a different world this game is." Kenshin was doing his best to keep his grin to a minimum but was unable to hold in the laughter as Sano stormed out between the two agents.
Misao nodded as she paused to gather her thoughts. Her eyes automatically began running over the walls while she tried to think of where to begin. They and her train of thought stopped on an oddly placed decoration in the tiny office. It occurred to her that it actually wasn't unusual to see an antique looking sword displayed in an agent's office, but normally it was in a higher level agent's office; not to mention that it was never placed in an easy to access holder so the owner could easily grab it on his way out.
Kenshin's eyes followed hers after listening to silence for several minutes. He sighed and shrugged. He didn't want to know what she would think of the basket of wrappings that Sano kept in the bottom drawer of his desk. She would eventually remember the incident several years ago with Shishio, bring to mind how it all ended, and realize that the sword she was staring at was still a commonly used weapon. Most of the crazies he and Sano were told to hunt down were adamant in their need to be defeated 'honorably' while using ancient weapon styles. His second sigh fell heavier as he realized she would soon remember the nick-name the pair had been given just after they..."
"You two are the Kenshin-Gumi, aren't you?"
Too late. Kenshin's tortured smile told Misao all she needed to know about that name and caused her to laugh. "So I get to join the only agents on the job who actually know how to defend themselves without using a laser pointer and a computer. She chuckled and offered her hand to him. "Let me introduce myself again, maybe you'll understand even better why they decided to pair us up. "Misao Makimachi, the only girl to ever win the gold at the national kenpo tournament."
Kenshin's eyes widened. "You like kenpo?"
"I live it! I slump around if I miss practice for more than two days. It's the only thing that's allowed me to keep my girlish figure while sitting on my butt all day staring at a computer screen." Misao giggled and crossed her ankles.
"So, now we're a threesome, huh?" The two sitting agents turned to see Sano leaning in the doorway, a rolling chair just behind him. "A swordsman, a fist fighter, and now a ninja." He sighed and rolled the chair into the office. "There're gonna be alot more bloody faces when word gets around about you." He cracked his knuckles as he sat down in the obviously wrongly purloined chair. "So, what's the scoop?"
Misao smiled softly and began.
"Many years ago a rogue programmer, tired of the whole Microsoft experience, decided to put his god-given talent for programming to good use. He created what we now call the Online; a new world to plug in to for those who are tired of their own. It was, strangely enough, created originally for security and monitoring purposes, a VR world where code is actually in a malleable form instead of just lines on a screen. Now, thirty or so years ago technology wasn't ready for this new world so he shelved it for a bit while focusing on technology in the real world. In his free time he continued to develop the world and the plugin technology. He found that it wasn't enough to just immerse oneself in sounds and fingertip nerve impulses. He created a way to have one's mind completely enveloped by the world using a Plugin. The First Plugin."
Misao grew starry eyed and continued. "He was the first to be able to access the construct of the Online, an actual program running on his computer alone using the newest and not always legal technology."
"English please," Sano muttered.
"Koshijirou Kamiya was able to send his mind into a computer, one he'd specifically programmed to allow his entrance. He began creating code with a thought instead of having to type. He was able to draw his dreams in electronic code and save them onto a hard drive, well actually it was a high density silicon drive that he wasn't supposed to have but hey, he made it work. In short, he turned his computer into a mind reading and machine. The controlling part came later."
Both males spoke in unison. "Controlling?"
Misao blinked at a sudden thought then gasped. "Have you two never been Online before?"
Both men nodded causing her jaw to drop. "And they want me to explain this to you?" The two nodded again. Misao began cursing but cut off as Sano started to laugh.
"This," She began primly, "Is better shown than explained." She stood up and slid around Sano who was blocking the door. "We have four Plugin stations downstairs. I'll kick someone off if I have to, but you two will be going Online today, now as a matter of fact. Follow me."
The two agents shrugged at each other and meekly followed; Kenshin only after grabbing his sword and Sano with his hands thrust into his pockets.
. . . .
To Be Continued . . . .
Author's Note: Sorry to end it there, but I didn't want this chapter to get any longer. But be happy.. this just means that the next one is already on its way out. I seem to continue to confuse people no matter which story I right, ne? Well, this is an explanation chapter, action begins in the next one. Please look forward to it.
Jaded: I'm glad you like how I write, but prologues are always the easiest. Please reserve your judgment until you actually tackle the first chapter, but thank you for your support! And I'm just winging it on most of the game and computer stuff.
MP: Hmm? No, actually I would hate to see Kenshin actually working for Shishio, and somehow Oro-chan just doesn't seem to fit into an electro-geek image. I tried, but it just didn't work.
Marstanuki: always a pleasure to see you, here's the first chapter!
JML: It's developing quickly so you won't have too long to wait.
Additional notes: Imagine the Online as the Matrix and you got it pretty much down pat. Disclaimer: I don't own Kenshin, don't own Microsoft, don't own a car.. would you like me to go on?
Author's second note: Yeah, much smoother now. tell me what you think!!