By: Ominae
Rating: T
NOTE:
All characters of Striker/Spriggan are under the copyright of Hiroshi Takashige and Ryoji Minagawa. Cameo appearances of other characters are under the copyright of Capcom. All other characters are under my jurisdiction.
Summary:
Safely retreated from a battle-scarred Central after engaging Trident forces in an urban war-style gun battle with elements of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Strikers realized that they have to move against Trident as soon as they can before it's too late. Can the Strikers deal a severe blow to Trident's operations in Hong Kong? What information did the Strikers acquire from Tsang Sie Yu? Can they make good use of it? Stay tune to this chapter to find out.
Chapter 8: Today's Meetings
Ada's Room, Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong SAR, China
"Ada, I do trust that everything's all right back there."
Back in her hotel room, Ada spoke to Wesker via cellphone as they decided not to use the hotel landline for safety reasons.
"Indeed I do. I did take the footage of the Strikers from the rocket attack until their evacuation. They'll be sure to make good use of it." Right Wesker, thanks for being concerned about me after flinging me into that shootout in Central.
"I trust that you were not seen by the Raccoon City survivors." Wesker asked, double checking if the spy was spotted.
Ada hesistated for a split second, remembering that she saw Leon's face in the safe zone before replying, "No, everything went well as planned." The black-haired woman made a decision that she shouldn't Wesker about Leon's presence in the former crown colony.
"Good. The highers up told me that you should have a little rest for now. Enjoy the sights of Hong Kong."
Sure I will. Ada internally growled at Wesker before shutting off her mobile, lying on her bed to rest before going out of her hotel room to grab a bite to eat, staring at the bare ceiling on top of her.
Conference Room, ARCAM Hong Kong Hospital, Wan Chai North, Hong Kong SAR, China
The Strikers, having successfully retreated from Central, adjourned themselves into the conference of the ARCAM Hong Kong Hospital. Surprisingly enough, ARCAM has managed to establish hospitals all over the world in capitals of most countries. These structures enable ARCAM operators to use the place as a launch pad for their operations or as a refuge point when they receive wounds during their missions.
"I can't believe it!" Most of the Strikers were listening to Yu rant and rant about what happened a while ago back in Central while they were busy waiting. "We just had our meeting with our closest link and BOOM!" Yu used his hands to indicate the explosion that took out their van. "Central just became a war zone in a matter of minutes!"
"The reason is how Trident was able to stay one step ahead of us after all this time..." mused Riza, sitting next to Jean, who was busy napping. "That's the big question that we have to address first."
"I agree there." John came back from the vending machine outside with a can of Sprite. "They must have been really worried that they decided to send some of their best men against us. I mean, I personally think a rocket launcher used against us is overkill."
"We can't worry about that now." Wesley decided to make a point. "What we better worry about is where do we strike Trident and when. I mean, we just got word that the security chief's hassling the poor men and women of intel."
"You're probably right there." Roland nodded, stretching his legs on the conference table.
"Heads up, folks." Mark went inside the conference room, escorting Yeo Ching Hua to the room. "We've got brand new info."
"This better be good." Michelle drummed her gloved fingers on the table, since all of them still had their civilian clothes on top of their Armored Muscle Suits.
"Good news and bad news for today, ladies and gentlemen." Yeo started the meeting. Michael stood up from his seat to close the door before the ARCAM Hong Kong security chief started the projector that linked up to a COMPAQ monitor.
"Bad news is," Yeo typed up the website for the CNN webpage. "Tsang Sie Yu has been killed a while ago after the incident that you people have done back in Central."
"You can't blame us!" Yu was enraged, slamming his hand on the table and standing up at the same time. "We couldn't help it if those Trident dummies were there!"
"Ominae!" Mark glared at him. "I will not say this again, but I will suggest that you sit down and shut up." Yu grudgingly sat down on his seat.
"Sir." Mark rubbed his forehead. "Why is he on the CNN network anyway? And who killed him?"
"Ah yes." Yeo fixed his glasses. "He does have some links to major American and British politicians, which was rumored that he contributed some money for the campaign of certain politicians."
"Oh."
"And second," After the CNN Asia links had shown up, he clicked a link that showed the man's picture. "We believe that Trident assassinated him shortly after the little war that happened back there."
"By who?" Now awake, Jean was a bit interested in the information that the security chief offered.
"By this." The projector instantly reflected the picture of Tsang Sie Yu was on the ground of a parking lot, neck shown to have two hole marks with blood trickling out of his neck.
"What the?" Tudor's eyes nearly buldged out of his skull when he saw the pale businessman's face in the picture. "Did Dary do that to him?"
Yeo scratched his left cheek. "Most likely. He must have been ordered by Larry to finish him off in order to prevent him from alerting the police."
"So what now?" Mark yawned after hearing the news.
"Our sources in the Security Bureau have reported that high-ranking officials from the HKPD are having a meeting right now. Initial reports have stated that their report on the shootout is a minor incident, but the other participants are saying that HKPD will be on maximum alert for a number of days."
"We'll have to move quickly before Trident decides to speed up their operations."
"Indeed." Yeo nodded in agreement. "Intelligence is working around the clock to find the probable location of the facility that Tsang Sie Yu has mentioned. But all I can tell you for now is that the location is either in the secluded peaks of Kowloon or in the New Territories."
"That sounds like good to us, sir." Jean played with his blonde ponytail.
"Well." Yeo stood up from his seat. "I've received word that chopper transport is on the way here as I speak. It'll take us back to ARCAM HQ as soon as you're all ready."
Conference Room, Takasumi Zaibatsu Hong Kong, Wing On House, Central, Hong Kong SAR, China
"I don't believe it!"
Lawrence Soong, head of the Takasumi Zaibatsu Hong Kong branch, was furious upon hearing the report from Trident on the shootout that occured in Central between Trident commandos and the Strikers that lasted for approximately 2 hours.
When he had received the report, he was not in a good mood to say anything about it.
"Of all the things that you could have done to get your business with them!" Lawrence slammed his two open palms on the wooden, polished table. It was a good thing that the table was strong or cracks would have appeared on top of the conference table. "You lot have to conduct a massive shootout with the Strikers with all the bystanders standing around!"
"Cool it, chief." insisted Sidewinder, leaning on the wall next to the door leading outside the conference room. "It's not like we want to do it anyway."
"Even so!" Lawrence shouted back, making Sidewinder wish that he didn't speak his mind out. "Of all those who all of you traded shots with, you Trident hotshots had to get the Hong Kong Police and the SDU involved!"
The Trident agents, seated around the conference table, sighed. They decided to let him finish whatever he had to say to their faces instead of speaking.
"The Security Bureau even had a meeting with some initial suspicions on Takasumi Zaibatsu, Clovers Heavy Industries and the Campbell Company branches. It was with luck that they don't have major evidence against us." Lawrence stopped to wipe his sweat from his brow. "You all should know that I personally have ordered our rural facilities to increase security following the incident."
Dary grinned at him. "You don't have to worry about Tsang Sie Yu. I personally took care of him for all of us."
"I hope so." sighed Lawrence. "The last thing we need is him going to the police for protection against us. Also, Larry has informed that all of you are to head to the facility tomorrow to help demonstrate the use of the finished prototype Armored Machine Suit and to help oversee that no one interferes with the rest of the production."
"You can count of us." boasted Jack, pointing his left thumb to himself. "We'll see that no Striker bum tries to wreck the operation tomorrow."
"It better be. For our sake."
Penthouse, The Atrium, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong SAR, China
"Dagnabit!" mumbled Mark, who had gotten out of his shower. He eyed a note on the kitchen table, with his brother's handwriting.
Bro,
Had gone out with some of the guys to Pacific Place mall for shopping.
Will be back.
"Least I can get some peace and quiet for now." Crumpling the note, he tossed it to the nearby trash can beside him. Since they didn't have anything to do, the Strikers in unison decided to relax for a bit. Riza went back to school for the meantime to catch up with her lessons while the others planned to do some shopping in Pacific Place since only a small portion of Central was sealed off due to the shootout that had instigated between the Strikers and Trident's commando force.
Mark opened the TV provided inside the room while preparing his lunch, merely consisting of spicy ramen. His main favorite, it was his main staple when he gets up in the morning.
"Now that the food is ready." Mark stared at the wall clock. "CNN should have an update by now."
"Due to the shootout that took place yesterday in Central between two unknown parties, small sections of the district will remain closed prior to cleanup of the burnt GFS helicopter wreckages near the outskirts of Exchange Square. Hong Kong Police officials have informed CNN yesterday evening that its SDU operators have sustained medium casualties, though most of them are expected to be out of danger by tomorrow morning since some of them were extracted from the second helicopter wreck with minor injuries and with little fatalities. In a meeting recently concluded by the Security Bureau, its delegates have said that the incident yesterday was a minor incident and does not affect the safety of Hong Kong, despite some share losses in the Hang Seng Index in the morning with other stock shares losses in other parts of Asia. Security has been increased in the area with more police officers conducting foot and vehicle patrols in order to prevent a repeat of the said incident."
A little trouble for both us and Trident in the meantime thanks to the wonderful, lovely people from Trident. Mark was preparing the bowl and putting the noodles inside. Besides, I don't think that Akatsuki and the others are really going to risk another attack on us, at least in the urban areas while the spotlight on them for now. Maybe in a few more days from today.
A soft rap was heard on the door, making the only penthouse occupant a bit nervous.
"Wonder who could that be?" Frisking his back, he was thankful that he hid his Sig Sauer SP 2022 under his clothing. Patting his right side, he felt the pistol on his white shirt and black short, a good sign for some event to occur in case something should happen.
This better be good! Walking towards the entrance to the penthouse, he slowly opened the door after using the peephole to confirm his visitor.
Ms. Margaret? Mark opened the door to see the brown-haired woman in ordinary civilian clothes. What's she doing here at this time of hour?
"Afternoon." Margaret smiled at him. "I hope that I didn't disturb you."
"Nah." Mark waved his hand to assure her. "I was having a little bit of lunch right now."
"Should I come back later, then?"
"No. Come in, I think I do need a guest around." Margaret smiled at him before allowing herself inside.
"So why are you here, Margaret?" Mark was ready to eat his spicy ramen in the table, Margaret was seated across while the television was still on. "I thought you were supposed to be with the professor and all."
"Professor Mayzel doesn't need me for the meantime." Margaret shook her head. "So I'm fine for a while until late in the afternoon."
"Really?" Mark raised an eyebrow. "Is he supposed to give the talk in the university and all?"
Margaret again shook her hand, watching Mark eat his lunch. "No, he won't go to The University of Hong Kong until the next day after tomorrow."
"Oh." Before Mark slurped another round of noodle strands from his bowl, he took out his Sig Sauer SP 2022 and placed it on the tabletop beside him before consuming the hot soup after activating the safety. The woman eyed his pistol and sighed before she asked him.
"Um, Mark?"
"Yea?" He stopped drinking his soup, staring at the woman after his name was addressed.
"Try to take it easy."
Mark suddenly became a bit alarmed at Margaret's words. "Excuse me?"
"Take it easy." Margaret reached out for his left hand and held it gently with her hands; Mark's cheeks suddenly turned red at this.
"Uhhh..." Dammit! What's Margaret trying to do? Initimidate me?
The woman had her eyes closed, speaking out her mind. "You're still young. Even though you're a Striker with the ARCAM Corporation, you have a long way to go since you have many opportunities ahead of you. Don't try to waste it."
"Err..." Mark was at a loss of words after hearing Margaret's sermon. She does have a point. I better have another mission after school's done and over with. I do need some rest and time off from being a Striker... The Filipino Striker stared at his almost empty bowl while he reflected on the woman's meaningful words.
"Please, Mark." Margaret rubbed his hand with her soft thumbs. Mark's cheeks turned to a deep shade of red, indicating that he liked the little activity that she was doing. "Try to relax, even if you're not on duty right now, okay?" She stared at his brown eyes, waiting for his answer.
"Okay." Mark nodded. She sounded a bit concerned about my welfare.
"You just remind me of Yu, that's all. Only exception is that your parents are in the US, right?"
Then it hit the teenaged Striker; his parents were in San Francisco working in business, most of their years with Citibank.
"Yea. They've been there ever since I was in the 5th grade with my brother."
Since the table was not that bad, Margaret was able to lean on Mark and kissed him on his forehead. Mark stiffened a bit; the kiss somehow reminded him of someone he met back in Hong Kong as a young boy and his mother, still with his father in San Francisco.
"Margaret..." whispered Mark. "You really didn't have to..."
"It's alright." Margaret was the one who now blushed in front of him, though she tried to hide it from him.
"Still, you didn't have to do that. It was unnecessary."
Somewhere in The Mall, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong SAR, China
"This is the life."
Yu and some of the other Strikers were in The Mall, relaxing a bit from their Striker duties as they would wait for final confirmation for the location of Trident's secret facility as ARCAM intelligence was still using its satellite assets to get the exact location of the area.
"Isn't there arcade in this place?" asked Jean, looking around the mall for any signs of it.
"Sorry, Jean." replied Michael. "There are some arcade places that we can go to in the Wan Chai district. Not all of the arcades are found in malls, like back home."
"Look, guys." Roland said, pointing to some girls hanging out near the food courts. "Some chicks."
"Come on." quipped Yu, giving him a sermon. "Is that all you want to do today? Score some girls?"
"I bet I can get one to go on a date with me." The Swiss Striker grinned and casually walked towards the females, trying to look good.
"Anyone want to bet that Roland's gonna mess up?" said Yu, wanting to see if he would do a bet.
"Nah!" said the other Strikers in unison, knowing the obvious.
The group waited until the girls left Roland alone. They watched their facial expressions, indicating that they didn't want to do anything with him.
"Looks like it didn't work." Michelle grinned, running her hand on her ponytail before sticking her tongue work at him.
"Ah, whatever." Roland simply waved his hand at them, telling them to buzz off.
"Hey," grinned Yu. "You can always try again in the near future when we're together again for another mission."
Roland glared at the Japanese Striker, not saying anything to him in return.
"It's lunchtime now." Wesley pointed at his watch. "Why don't we get something to eat first?"
Penthouse, The Atrium, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong SAR, China
It was late in the afternoon since Margaret paid Mark a visit in his ARCAM-paid penthouse suite in The Atrium; the teenaged Striker decided to stare at the traffic down via window, which overlooks a portion of the Admiralty area.
What now? Despite that massive shootout that took place in Central, which was cleared off in a few days, we still have no idea where Trident has their facility even if we had 2 areas that intelligence is looking at right now.
Walking back to the sofa, he decided to watch a bit of TV as he was a bit bored for a lack of action until intelligence could really confirm the exact location of the obscure Trident facility where the prototype Armored Machine Suits are currently based and tested. Mark went to do a bit of channel surfing so as to relax himself for a bit.
If Trident does have some suits ready, I could nick one for myself since their suits are a lot more agile than ours, though it can still handle a rocket attack on the suit if someone is bold enough to use an RPG-16 against me for instance.
Running his hand on his short black hair, Mark suddenly remembered something that Margaret told him before she left.
Margaret mentioned that she's inviting me to her apartment downstairs later on. Wonder what she can cook up for dinner? Better leave a note to bro and the others to get some take out, maybe pizza or some local Cantonese food. Bro does like the latter more than the former, or maybe he'll take both for once.
Larry Markson's Office, Takasumi Zaibatsu USA, Los Angeles, California, United States
Seated in his personal office, Rally Markson was fortunate enough to have offices ready for him in most of the Takasumi Zaibatsu, Clovers Heavy Industries and Campbell Company branches in countries from Europe to Africa, Asia and North America as it was needed for his legal cover as an executive, though his real occupation is the head of Trident and a liason between the group and the three corporations that have founded and funded Trident.
"Hmm?" Larry heard a call from his phone on his desk, ringing hard. He took the handle and spoke to the other party. "Wonder who it is?"
"Mr. Markson?"
"Yes?" Larry rubbed his left eye, feeling a bit itchy.
"I have some developments for you from Hong Kong."
"It better be good, Lawrence. Otherwise, I'll ask the phone bill company in Hong Kong to charge you for wasting valuable time in international long distance."
"Of course." assured Lawrence, speaking to the head of the Trident Corporation from the other line. "The Security Bureau had recently concluded a meeting a while ago, chaired by Regina Ip."
"And?"
"It's okay, Larry. They don't have evidence against us, but they did step up security in the Central area. Recently a lot of police officers conducting foot and vehicle patrols."
"All right." Larry sighed. "Keep me posted if new developments will come here."
"Sure."
Larry replaced the handset back at the cradle, wondering what could go wrong next.
I just hope that Lawrence can fix things in Hong Kong for now...
Chapter 8 END
Notes/Terms:
CNN - Known as the Cable News Network. Founded by Ted Turner and has a worldwide audience as it has established itself on all 6 continents.
Regina Ip - Full name is Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee. She became known in the local and world media for trying to pass Article 23, official name Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23, which calls for the Hong Kong security forces to prevent anyone or any group from creating any subversive movements or actions against the Chinese government by using Hong Kong as a safe haven. Basically, an anti-political law. Folks from Catholic groups in Hong Kong to countries like Canada and Australia voiced outrage at her for trying to implement the pre-planned law. It was then shelved temporarily.
Also, she is also mocked at by local media for her bushy hair. She was known as Broomhead for a short time before changing her hairstyle, though at first she wouldn't do so in order to please her critics. She is currently planning a campaign to be the next Hong Kong Chief Executive. Also, Regina Ip is a PhD student of the Center for East Asian Studies at Stanford University.
Another thing is she has a boasting similarity to the woman in the New Option TV series starring Michael Wong. acting as the chief. I almost swore that the two were related, maybe even the woman herself. ;p
Security Bureau (Hong Kong) - Responsible for police and firefighting duties in the Hong Kong territories. Kinda like an Interior Ministry, Department of Interior and Home Ministry for most countries. As of 2006, Ambrose Lee is the Secretary for Security.
The Atrium - An apartment-style hotel based in the Pacific Place complex in Admiralty. Has floors from the 39th to the 50th with some penthouse suites as it operates in unison with the JW Marriott Hotel in the same building, meaning that they can share the same facilities. I heard that they have a different entrance aside from the Marriott's, so that's kinda cool. Kinda like the Oakwood apartments that we got in the Makati area in the Philippines as it operates under a similar manner, except that we've got no hotel built near or in the building used. Go figure.
