Striker/Spriggan: Unknown Object
By: Ominae
Rating: T
NOTE:
All characters of Striker/Spriggan are under the copyright of Hiroshi Takashige and Ryoji Minagawa. All other characters are under my jurisdiction. Any mention of Jonathan Harker (Real name unrevealed) is the courtesy of rx79guntank as he allowed me to use him only in name itself, not in character.
Summary:
Having been summoned by ARCAM to head out to Hong Kong, the Sy brothers are deployed a few weeks after their comrades have infiltrated the Clovers Heavy Industries' Hong Kong branch. What will they be doing in the former crown colony? Will they be able to get through this and defeat the Trident Corporation again? Stay tune to this chapter to find out.
To rx79guntank - Let me know if you liked the location of ARCAM's Hong Kong HQ. :)
Chapter 4: In Hong Kong
ARCAM Airlines Boeing 737, en route to Hong Kong
"Head out to Hong Kong and find out about Trident's latest operations regarding a prototype machine suit. Yu and the others will make contact with you boys once you land in Chek Lap Kok."
"Strange." whispered Mark, sitting in the first class compartment of the plane while remembering the orders received from Chairman Rodriguez. "What does Trident have to do in Hong Kong anyway."
A week had passed before the two Filipino Strikers operators were heading to Hong Kong by themselves on a Friday afternoon. In the main section of the Boeing 737 were some ARCAM employees either heading back to work or were only heading to the former crown colony for simply a vacation as part of their leave from ARCAM Philippines. The employees on board with the Strikers were a mix of personnel from Hong Kong and the Philippines for the most part, with a few Americans, Australians and New Zealanders. A couples of Malaysians were also present. Secretly, the employees were not told of the Sy brothers on board the plane as part of ARCAM's security measures for the most part, though most ARCAM personnel knew of the secret existence of the Strikers.
"You okay?" Michael asked his twin.
"Nah." Mark shook his head, fixing his shirt. The two Strikers were in civilian clothes before they were flown out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. "Just thinking about what Trident has up their sleeves."
"Dont' worry." Michael patted his brother on the shoulder. "We'll get them." He then had a sudden frown on his face.
"Even if we had to duke them in the streets of Hong Kong."
Baggage Claim, Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre, Chek Lap Kok Airport, Chek Lap Kok, Lantau, Hong Kong SAR, China
Arriving at the designated baggage claim area, the twin brothers were met by Yu Ominae and Jean Jacquemonde waiting for them at the carousel.
"Hey guys." Yu gave high fives to Mark and Michael. "Hope your flight was okay."
"When you'd get here with Jean?" Michael slapped Yu on his arm.
"Yesterday." answered the French Striker, looking around the carousel like a security guard.
"Come on." Yu assisted Mark in getting their luggage from the carousel as it hummed to life. "I've got some stuff to show you back in the bus. Yamamoto told me that Patrick, Michelle and Miguel are coming tomorrow. I think one more might come in with the three too."
The four Strikers were met by Riza, Gerald, Wesley, Tudor, Roland and John before they boarded their waiting vehicle in the arrivals area of the airport.
ARCAM Toyota Coaster Bus, en route to ARCAM Hong Kong
"Here you go." Jean handed Mark the folder, as told by Yu prior to boarding their bus. John sat next to the driver, Mark sat in the single seat behind John with Yu sitting in a chair near the opening doors. The others were seated in double seats on the bus.
"Thanks, Jean." Mark flipped the folder, revealing information on a seemingly 18-20 year old person wearing an American Woodland uniform, armed with a Colt M4A1 assault rifle. He had typical Asian features, including black hair and yellow skin. Mark quickly assumed that the person had to be Japanese based on his facial features.
"Who's he?" asked Mark, reading over the person's bio and personal information.
"Names Jonathan Harker." said Yu, crossing his arms on his chest as the bus roared out of the airport's arrival area. "Child soldier like me, lost his parents at an early age. Japanese-American."
Mark raised an eyebrow at this. Sound familiar. "Was COSMOS involved in this?"
"No." Yu shook his head. "Died in an accident. He was taken in by a man named David Marcel and became his guardian."
"I know him." Michael was seated next to Tudor in an adjacent seat next to Mark. "Wasn't he that mercenary who participated in Operation Desert Storm and Restore Hope when he was with the US Marines?"
"Yep." nodded Yu. He watched Mark leaf through another page of the folder given to him. "Heard about him when I was in COSMOS."
"It says here..." Mark began to read the rest of the information provided to him. "that Jonathan faked his age and joined the US Marines after Marcel passed away of a heart attack. Posted with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force before subsequent transfer to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit." The Filipino Striker continued to rest through the current page that he was reading. "Participated in several operations including Iraq in Operation Desert Fox and in East Timor with INTERFET."
"I don't get it." Mark closed the folder. "What's the deal with him?"
"Well..." Yu sheepishly scratched his head. "Honchos at the main HQ were looking forward to recruit him after he sent a message to one of our offices in California, expressing interest." The Japanese Striker scratched his chin. "Besides, Yamamoto wants your opinion on this after asking some of us."
Mark closed his eyes. "Don't know. This is the first time that we're getting a Striker from the ranks of the US military and a current soldier to boot." He knew some ASPA personnel were formerly American soldiers, some of them from its Marine Corps.
"Does he have a real name or anything I should know?" He asked Yu.
"His first name is Takashi, if I'm right. I'm not sure on his surname." Yu began to think hard. "Oh yeah, he's currently a candidate for the Marine Corps. Force Reconnaissance, aka Force Recon."
"If he's lucky," said Tudor, offering some infomation. "he'll be based at the same camp as he was in the 15th MEU."
Lucky bastard. grinned Mark, still rereading Jonathan's data again. "When will he be with the Strikers?"
"Not for a while." replied Yu, waving his hand. "His tour of duty ain't over yet, so maybe in a few years from now. Not sure how long."
"What are we gonna do in HQ?" asked Michael. His brother was busy reading the rest of the data in the folder.
"You guys are gonna be given the lowdown thanks to the Hong Kong branch's security chief." answered Yu.
Tudor added some more information. "We've got some reliable intelligence regarding the locations of a prototype armored machine suit that Trident's making."
"I see." Michael nodded. "Do you guys know?" He saw Tudor shaking his head. "Fine." Michael waved it off.
Conference Room, ARCAM Hong Kong, One Pacific Place, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong SAR, China
It was of convenience that ARCAM established its main HQ in One Pacific Place, one of Hong Kong's office buildings in the Pacific Place complex, known for its shopping malls, apartments and office towers. Since it is connected to the MTR and the hotels nearby, ARCAM operatives have found it very useful to stage their operations from the confines of the office tower without fear of being attacked, though ARCAM security personnel posted in the building are ready to thwart any attempted invasion.
"Welcome." Yeo Ching Hua welcomed the Strikers after entering the branch's conference room. Mark and Micheal were informed that ARCAM Hong Kong had purchased the last 10 floors for the branch's use.
"Sir." Mark and Michael nodded at him. Yu, Jean and the other Strikers who have accompanied them found their seats in the conference room as the security chief began to debrief them.
"Since the chairman is still undergoing rest in the hospital, I'll be taking over command of your upcoming operations in Hong Kong." began Yeo, clearing his throat.
"Understood, Mr. Yeo." replied Micheal. "But tell us, sir. Why are we summoned here? You have Yu Ominae and Jean Jacquemonde with some of the others in here."
"I know your concerns." The security chief adjusted his glasses. "But intelligence has acquired recent information that lead us to believe that Trident has plans to begin production of a prototype armored machine suit that would prove to be superior than the ones being fielded by the corporation."
"Damn death merchants." muttered Mark. Yu nodded, feeling the same way.
"Intelligence is checking up on the remaining bits of information that were encoded during the recent infiltration of the Clover Heavy Industries' Hong Kong office." Yeo filed some papers in front of him before turning on a projector on the long table. "So far," he pointed to a picture of a memo noted to Trident scientists in the Takasumi Zaibatsu Hong Kong branch office. "Trident has begun testing of the secret suit from overseas."
Jean raised his hand. "So you're telling us that the suit was first made overseas and it's now here." The French Striker was a bit irritated. "Didn't those business suits try to stop them at first?"
Yeo knew that Jean was referring to the board of directors. He gave a sigh, understanding his frustration. "I understand your concern too, Jean. But they didn't notice it until you infiltrated Central Plaza a few weeks ago and obtained their research data."
Riza fixed her ponytail and brushed some black locks from her face before asking the security chief a question.
"So what do we do while we're waiting for the information?"
Yeo replied. "Well, intelligence did pass on some interesting data regarding someone who has inside knowledge on Trident's latest work."
Tudor raised an eyebrow, running his hand on his brown hair. "Really? Who is it?" He watched Yeo as he operated the projector to change focus to a man in his late 30s, having black hair and glasses.
"His name is Tsang Sie Yu, aka Ronald Tsang. He's a businessman with ties to the Trident Corporation here in Hong Kong."
"That's it?" Yu nearly snapped, wanting to pound the table. "Has the guys in intel been slacking off lately?"
"Cut it out!" snapped Mark, yelling at his comrade. Yu decides to listen to his friend and pay attention. "Sorry, sir. But he has a point. Has intelligence been able to find any other relevant information about him?"
Yeo adjusted his glasses. "He is residing in the Fontana Garden apartments in Causeway Bay. As for his work, we do know he's working somewhere either in the Central or Admiralty district. I'll get them to start asking our informants in the business network to dig up some information about his exact office."
"That's good." piped Gerald. "You know we've been waiting for days on this." The Irish Striker nodded at himself, making a point.
"So when do we move out?" asked John.
"Soon." replied Yeo, gesturing to emphasis his point. "I'll let you all know when you'll be able to get to work later tonight. Latest would be by Saturday morning."
Conference Room, Takasumi Zaibatsu Hong Kong, Wing On House, Central, Hong Kong SAR, China
Inside the conference, the Trident supersoldier operatives consisting of Iwao Akatsuki, Jack the Ripper and Hedgehog were seated. Dressed in their standard Trident uniform, they awaited news on their next of course ever since their arrival in Hong Kong. Using the Takasumi Zaibatsu Hong Kong branch as their main camp, they began to discuss on their upcoming operation.
"So I reckon that the Strikers have already arrived here?" Hedgehog pushed the bridge of his eyeglasses, smirking like an evil mad scientist. He realized that the Japanese corporation bought some top level floors for them to conduct their operations, similar to what Clovers Heavy Industries had done in the Central Tower.
"Intel did confirm their presence." responded Iwao. Cracking his knuckles, he grinned to the man seated next to him. "Guess this means we'll have a battle ahead of us."
"One thing, Akatsuki." Jack went to raise a point to his comrades. "We don't know what their purpose is that the Strikers are doing. They could be there to ruin more of our operations."
The others nodded at him. The half-cyborg did have a point in telling them that the Strikers could move in to infiltrate the Takasumi Zaibatsu's Hong Kong branch next.
"Excuse me."
A young Asian woman in her 20s came inside the conference room.
"What is it?" Jack addressed the woman.
"I've been informed that the operation will be starting very soon. No further details as of now."
"What about the rumor that COSMOS is being bought up?" Iwao asked.
"I have no idea. But Mr. Markson will probably address that later on."
"Hopefully." murmured Iwao, not sure of the upcoming operation would be a success or not.
Corridor, ARCAM Hong Kong, One Pacific Place, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong SAR, China
Mark Sy, now taking a break from the debriefing, excused himself from his comrades as he needed to take a look around the branch since he hasn't been here. The other Strikers were taking their break back at rooms acquired by ARCAM Hong Kong at The Atrium, an apartment area located with the Hong Kong JW Marriott hotel on the right side of One Pacific Place.
He had been walking a bit around the office so much that he didn't notice someone calling out to him until he felt something solid hitting the rear of his head.
"Dammit!" Mark touched the back of his head, feeling the pain. "Can't you act like a normal civilized person out here?"
"Well, well." said the person behind him. "Looks who's talking."
That voice. The lone Striker turned around to see Professor Mayzel, who was grinnning at him. At his hand was a newspaper rolled up to the size of a stick.
"Hello, Mark." snickered the professor. "Sorry if I had to do that to you."
"Come on, doc." Mark rolled his eyes at him. "You could've simply tapped me on my shoulder to grab my attention, you know."
"Can't." Mayzel grinned even more at Mark. "It was a bit priceless to see you look like that." His remarks had earned him another WTF! look from the Filipino Striker.
"Whatever." scoffed Mark. "So why did you call me anyway? Something I have to get from you?"
Mayzel nodded. "Yes."
"Professor." The old man turned his head around to see his assistant walking towards him.
"There you are, Margaret." Mayzel turned his attention to address Mark. "Margaret, I assume that you remembered Mark Sy and his brother, Michael."
The brown-haired woman smiled at the Filipino Striker. "Yes I still do, Professor Mayzel."
"Then, come along." Mayzel walked towards his office, with Mark and Margaret following behind. "I have to show you something that could be useful to you in the near future."
"I apologize for the professor." apologized Margaret, walking with Mark. "He really does have that habit of hitting people on the world to call their attention."
Mark rubbed the back of his head. "No wonder."
Margaret smiled again at him. "But I'm sure that it's not a problem between you two anyway."
"Don't worry, Ms. Margaret." Mark smiled back at her. "I'm not really angry at the professor or anything, it's just that I don't like his way of getting people's attention."
The Filipino Striker, still walking alongside, noticed her cheeks turn read.
"Please.." insisted Margaret. "Just call me Margaret. It sounds better than calling me Ms. Margaret."
It was Mark's turn to blush, making Margaret smile at him. "Sure."
Research & Development Office, ARCAM Hong Kong, One Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong SAR, China
"Ah, there you are." Mayzel turned around from his chair to see Mark and Margaret enter the R&D office, now empty except for the old professor.
"You alone in the office, doc?" Mark raised an eyebrow at the old man, who chuckled at him.
"Most of the staff have already went home." Mayzel typed a few commands on the keyboard of a Dell computer. Mark couldn't make out the model as he was unfamiliar with Dell PCs. "I'm just here in Hong Kong to give a talk to some students at The University of Hong Kong in a few days."
"I see." He was handed a plastic cup of water by Margaret. "Thanks, Margaret." Mark drank its contents before throwing it to a nearby trash can.
"While you're here," said Mayzel, facing away from his workstation to see Mark. "there's something I need to hand to you."
Mark watched as the professor grabbed two gloves from the long table that held his workstation. Making sure he took the objects, he threw it at him, making Mark catch it before they fell to the floor.
"Pardon me prof." Mark was a bit confused at the sight of seemingly ordinary gloves. "But they look like the gloves used in our Armored Muscle Suits."
"Yeah they do." Mayzel adjusted his glasses. "In fact, I've tried my hand in modifying them so much that it's a special kind of AMS gloves that are compatible with your suit."
Mark glanced at the gloves in his hand. "What do they do anyway?"
"I suggest you try them first." Mayzel explained. Mark wore them after removing the original gloves from his AMS before replacing them with the gloves given to him by the professor.
"Got it." He flexed his hand on the newly worn gloves. Strange. They seem a bit different.
"How does it feel?" asked Mayzel, watching his young friend try to feel the newly worn gloves over his hands.
"Something like the old gloves on the suit." Mark moved his hands around. "Thought they felt a bit different." He moved his hands again to see if he was right. "A bit different, but the same as with the old ones."
"I did make some modifications with those gloves that you don't need much gadgets to use it." Mayzel gave a brief overview on the gloves that Mark wore. "Press all your fingers on the glove's palm."
Mark did that and he felt something was activated from inside the glove itself. "I feel something moving from the inside." He had his gloved fingertips on the glove's palm. "What is it?"
"You'll see." Mayzel motioned to Margaret to bring out a wooden dummy used in martial arts training. "Okay, release your fingers from the palm and stretch out two fingers."
Complying to his request, Mark extended his index and middle finger. To his surprise, two thin fiber wires flew out and wrapped itself around the wooden dummy's head.
"You see that?" questioned Mayzel, pointing out to the wires. Seeing Mark nodding to him, he began to explain on the wires from his gloves. "The wires exit from a small opening on the fingertips of the gloved fingers there." He pointed to him the area where the fiber wire are protruding from. "The openings are camouflaged, so no one should be able to detect them."
"Even from using X-ray machines?" The wires were still wrapped around the wooden dummy's head.
"Yes." Mark yanked the wires out, slicing the dummy head. With that done, Margaret went to dispose of the dummy into the trash.
"Wow!" Mark gave a whistle. "Very effective." Giving a single press on the palm with his thumb, he watched the wires retract back into the glove.
"I got this concept from the Spider-Man comics." grinned Mayzel. "Remember that all you have to do is to press the number of fingers on the glove's palm and the corresponding number of fiber wires will emerge from its fingertips."
"Where'd you get the fiber wire stuff?" Mark admired his newly earned gloves.
"Research from combat data with Little Boy during the Turkey mission." Mark remembered how he, his brother and Yu faced Little Boy with Fatman. The three Strikers had gotten away from being killed by the two supersoldiers.
"I have to tell you that the amount of strength that you exert on the wires will determine the pressure that you'll use when the wires are latched onto people or objects." expounded Mayzel, giving Mark a run down on how to use the wires. "No motor is used in the gloves since the wires automatically retract itself back into the gloves."
Mark pondered on the scientist's words. "Reminds me of the tape measure and how the tape retracts back once it's pulled out, only expect I have to use the wires first."
"Exactly." Mayzel nodded. "Also, the extent that the wires can travel is up to 500 meters." Seeing that the boy nodded at him in understanding his words, he then told him to give the gloves back to him. "You better hand that back to me first. I better check on it before I hand it to you tomorrow." Mark agreed and removed the gloves from his hands, giving it back to the ARCAM scientist.
"I better come with you." Margaret walked with Mark out of the office. "I'm heading back to The Atrium with you."
"Really?" Mark was in surprise; he always thought that she'd hit the local hotel and not some apartment room that ARCAM Hong Kong had procured.
"Yea." Margaret then slipped her arm through Mark's. "Come on then, you're going to escort me back." She watched him blush, making her giggle.
"With pleasure." answered Mark as the two exited the main reception of ARCAM's Hong Kong branch before heading towards the building's elevators. The two ARCAM personnel would eventually make their way back to The Atrium and their rooms via underground pathway.
Chapter 4 END
Notes/Terms:
Fontana Gardens - Apartment complex in Causeway Bay. I've lived there for a few years; not a bad place actually.
Force Recon - Full name is United State Marine Corps. Force Reconnaisance. Special forces of the US Marines. The Philippine Marines has the same special forces unit with the same name.
INTERFET - International Forces East Timor. A multinational task force sent to East Timor during the rampage of pro-Indonesian militias in 1999.
MTR - Mass Transit Railway. Hong Kong's official subway system. In Chinese, MTR literally means underground subway.
Operation Desert Fox - Deployment of foreign troops to as a show of force to intimdate Saddam Hussein after his expulsion of UN inspectors on the country's WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) hardware. Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force were among those deployed to the region.
The University of Hong Kong - One of Hong Kong's old universities, established back in 1910. It currently faces a decline in English proficiency after the ex-colony's handover to China. Surprisingly, the Chancellor of the school is the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Donald Tsang. Kinda cool to have the head of Hong Kong's government as the chancellor of your school if you guys are studying in the university.
