Chapter 8 - Highflyers
A/N: This is a rare out of the blue (eyes) update but sadly, it does not feature them meeting, that's the next chapter.
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Kaiba paused his endless catchup of emails, flexing tired fingers and looked up. Mokuba sat across from him on the cushioned ivory seating of their KaibaCorp jet. The boy's head was slumped and his eyes fluttered open, only to surrender to sleep once more.
He looked irresistibly cute like that with his dark mop of hair falling across his face, mouth hanging open slightly. Kaiba watched him for a minute and smiled. These moments were precious, he might have lost them forever in the flux of dimensions, his pride dissolving him into nothingness while his brother waited in vain back on Earth.
I'd never abandon him. Kaiba thought. Nothing will ever stop me from returning to you, Mokuba.
Embarrassed, he glanced out of the window, eyes drawn by the view. The clouds towered around them like giant cumulus castles, achingly fluffy. It would be easy to lose oneself to fantasy here amidst the bright blue sky, far above the world and its troubles. Kaiba tapped his armrest and shifted in his seat. He had too much to do to give into flights of fancy. He was also regretting the use of the private plane instead of his Blue Eyes jet, but it gave him the opportunity to work which was essential if he planned to take time off for his little pet project with Téa in New York.
But ever since that punk Alister had managed to hijack a plane right under his nose he hadn't trusted them. Kaiba sighed and rubbed his eyes. One thing Gozaboro had not taught him in his cruel mentoring regime was how to plan for maniac goons who periodically targeted you with magical powers to further their own schemes. (Kaiba might, if he was feeling particularly vindictive, count Atem on that list at least at first, but the CEO had rather brought that one on himself.)
His stepfather had actually mentioned Paradius in passing, with a sinister warning not to mess with them. Kaiba had supposed this was because they were a global crime syndicate operating at the highest levels of society.
How foolish of me for assuming a rational explanation, Kaiba thought, shaking his head. Gozaboro had neglected to mention that Paradius was in fact a death cult with vast resources and possible supernatural powers who worshipped a huge primordial snake as a god. His stepfather had still managed to fuck up some kid's life in connection with them though, who had of course tried to take it out on Kaiba instead.
I wonder what other titans of industry have had to put up with all the things I've had to, Kaiba thought, recalling the savaging the board and the principle shareholders had given him hours ago over his disappearance and what they had dubbed 'increasingly erratic behaviour.'
He'd kept them at bay by sheer force of will and his earlier successes but they were not happy, again bringing up his focus on Duel Monsters and his personal projects as 'a source of uncertainty for the market.' As if all their current wealth hadn't been as a result of his 'personal projects!' As if Duel Monsters wasn't one of the biggest and most profitable pastimes on the planet now!
Well if all goes to plan with Gardner, perhaps I will give you what you want, you decrepit band of fools, he thought acidly. But it won't be because of your sniping or so called 'vision.' It will be because of mine!
They'd called off the attack once he'd shown some teeth and dangled his precious ideas in front of them without telling them anything of value. The Neurons VR system and the Duel Links world spoke for themselves despite the board's previous reservations about them too.
He could still see the pathetic way their eyes lit up at the thought he might finally open his precious inventions up to other sectors.
"Mr Kaiba I am thrilled that you are finally considering the revolutionary possibilities your brilliant innovations could bring to different industries."
"-Why we'd kick Disney back into the Stone Age and as for Sony-"
"-The entertainment revenue streams alone-"
"-Everyone is always talking about transmedia, multimedia… we could release the movie, tie-in comics-"
"-Yes, and interactive experiences-"
"Not to mention science, and er education…medical uses!" one slightly more aware board member said, glancing at him.
"Indeed," Kaiba sat back, observing them. "I've no doubt you've been approached from all these areas."
Lennard Kowsalki coloured and Kaiba sneered inwardly. According to Kaiba's sources the porn industry were working him as hard as any 'actor' in their sleazy videos to get the rights to utilise KaibaCorp's patented VR technology. Apart from Defence he couldn't think a worse sector to get their grubby hands on his tech.
"No military contracts," he said, standing up, and several board members attempted and failed to hide their disappointment.
"Several governments, including-"
"I said no military and that's final!" Kaiba snapped. "I will not have my work used as a weapon of destruction." He let his words ring out in the sudden silence. "This bears reiterating since it appears I have been gone longer that I anticipated and the stakes have grown higher."He fixed each one of them with a glacial look in turn. "You know I believe in the power of combat, in the struggle of will against will to better the soul. That is the nature of humanity. It must be channelled and harnessed for us to develop as a species. As I told you all when you first joined or invested in my company, KaibaCorp is and will continue to be at the forefront of that process. Everything I have done or sacrificed has been in service to that aim."
Electra Vittori opened her mouth but Kaiba's glare silenced her.
"But I will not, repeat, not, allow that energy to devolve into the carnage of war," he continued. "I will not have families torn apart, children orphaned," his voice grew momentarily ragged, "nations beggared to service some ageing mens' need for glory. Whatever your private thoughts about Duel Monsters, that is the reason for my 'so-called' fixation on it and games in general. Let people duel through proxies and let KaibaCorp be the ones to arm them!"
The room burst into a spontaneous round of applause. Kaiba gave them a curt nod and sat back down, arms folded.
"Sir, I of course concur with all you have said," Ayano Nakamura said with a bow, "but how does this tie into possible transmedia avenues?"
"I hired you all to be pioneers united under my vision," Kaiba replied silkily, "I want the world to duel through KaibaCorp, dream through KaibaCorp, live through KaibaCorp. We can shape their minds while they continue to give us their hearts. I do want to expand, but it needs to be managed carefully. The board will give me the best proposals for different sectorsand how they can link up by the end of the month. I need structural plans as well as creative concepts. I'm travelling to New York to test out various ideas of my own for a few weeks. I expect not to be disturbed. "
"New York, sir?" Steve Grasner asked.
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"Not at all…I hear it's wonderful this time of year," the older Californian replied doubtfully.
I hear it's cold, grey and as ever polluted, but it does have one redeeming quality, Kaiba thought, recalling Gardner's perky face.
"Good, we're done here."
They stood up as he strode out, no doubt glad, as ever, to see the back of him.
The whole thing had been annoying but it had bought Kaiba some time and now the path forward was becoming clear as well as the means to join his desires in the most perfect combination.
He had two weeks to get Gardner onboard and producing results before she had to return to her classes. If things worked out well he may even have to call in a few favours at Juilliard and get that time extended.
Whoever said money doesn't buy happiness was a fool, Kaiba smirked. The KaibaCorp Foundation didn't currently fund the conservatory as Kaiba preferred to support STEM organisations and orphanages, but plenty of his business associates did. Someone could put him in touch through the right channels… Plus he had no doubt that the president of Juilliard might look favourably on one of their rising stars missing some time if Kaiba offered to upgrade their facilities to the space-age standards he enjoyed and fund a few scholarships. All off the record of course.
These arts institutions were the same underneath no matter how much they crowed on about creative integrity. That was one lesson of Gozaburo's that he had taken to heart - anything could be bought for the right price. Only those with power and money could further their aims unrestricted by worldly needs.
See Gardner, you should be grateful. This is just a taste of the things that I can do for you. Where's the power of 'friendship' compared to that?
His smirk turned wicked. Oh Atem, it's going to burn you to see me make your girlfriend's dreams come true. You're going to wish you'd stayed here, Pharaoh, when you see me living the life you long for…
Kaiba chuckled and then had to suppress a sudden yawn. Perplexed, he glanced at his laptop screen for the time. It was night back in Domino but here, chasing the sun, it felt like perpetual day. Sleep hovered around him, weaving its subtle spell and he wavered in and out of consciousness like his brother.
Inexplicably there was a whiff of cigar smoke and Kaiba stirred, his lips curling in a sneer as the memory took hold.
"Get ready, Seto, we're going on a little field trip."
His stepfather stood in the hall in his brick red suit, ubiquitous cigar crunched between his teeth. The ash dropped to the marble floor unnoticed.
Seto wrinkled his nose, he hated the smell of smoke. "Where?" he glanced at the antique grandfather clock to the side, its dial at almost nine. "It's after dark and we've already had dinner. You didn't tell me about any parties."
"Oh, so I'm meant to run my decisions past you now, am I?" Gozaburo scoffed, "got another appointment in your busy schedule, have you?"
Seto's fists balled despite himself. Busy schedule! You'd know, you damn tyrant, you created it! He kept his expression mask-like.
"I was just enquiring." Seto replied in a mild tone that carried the faintest hint of distain. He was getting very good at that.
His stepfather snorted, looking him up and down. "The white suit will do. Get your coat and meet me out front in five minutes." He strode out of the hall without another word, leaving Seto's mind seething.
Where is he taking me?
Hobson appeared as usual without being summoned. Seto was sure he listened at doorways. For such a large, grotesque man he moved silently. Mokuba joked that he belonged in a horror film. Seto didn't respond that Hobson was in a horror film - their lives.
The butler held out Seto's coat - a long blue trenchcoat that he had acquired recently. At least there was no argument about it tonight and although Seto would never admit it the item gave him a sense of control. He needed that now, latent anxiety was trying to worm its way through his chest.
Where is Gozaboro taking me so late? What is he up to?
The hyper-vigilance sharped but as always he had no choice. For now he was still Gozaboro's pawn, but soon, like in that fateful match that started it all, the pawn was in for a promotion…
He slipped into the black limousine facing his stepfather and adopted his usual crossed limbed pose.
Gozaboro lit up another cigar. Seto longed to open the window as the area filled with smoke, but he refused to show any weakness.
"Where to, sir?" Roland the new chauffeur opened the glass partition and gave Seto some much needed air.
"Marguerite's," Gozaboro said curtly and pressed a button, raising the divide again.
Marguerite's? Seto couldn't place the name, he did catch Roland's concerned glance at Seto before he disappeared into clouds of silver haze.
"Do I have to guess what this is about?" Seto asked, his throat roughening in the cloying atmosphere.
Gozaboro gave him a wolfish grin. "It's not the orphanage, don't worry."
Seto hated him for the thrill of fear that blossomed at the mention of that place.
"Hmph." Seto looked out of the window through the smoke, observing the nighttimecountryside turn into suburban grime then finally to the high-rises of central Domino.
"So superior, aren't you?" Seto glanced back to see Gozaburo still watching him. "Think you know it all at only fifteen." The older man harrumphed and took another long drag on his cuban cigar. "You remind me of myself at that age."
Seto forced his face to remain impassive. I'm nothing like you, you degenerate snake!
"I'll admit you have passed every test I've set. Completed your education with flying colours. Lector was most impressed with you on your final assignment."
Seto's eyes widened and he forced down the sycophantic sliver of pride he felt at the rare praise.
"Is that so?" He allowed himself a small smirk. "Then why do I feel you're about to try and pull the rug from under me?"
"Because you know me well enough by now," Gozaboro returned his smirk. "Don't worry though, you might actually enjoy this lesson. Well you will if you aren't made of metal and wires like those gadgets you love to tinker with."
'Gadgets' you dismissed, then stole and sold for war, you mean? Seto struggled to keep the venom from his stare.
"We're here," Gozaburo said, as the car came to a halt outside a discreet black door round the back of a block of buildings. "Better go in this way since you're with me. I don't care what people say but I'm not going to cause a tiresome stir just for you."
"So it's somewhere I'm not supposed to be?" Seto asked.
"Relax, Junior, I'm not taking you to be shot." Gozaburo climbed out of the car stiffly as Roland held the door open for him. Seto took a blessed breath of fresh oxygen as his sharp eyes detailed the surroundings- a dark car-park with high-rises looming on all sides. It centred on the discreet but well-presented doorway with a small awning and box plants in front of Seto. A man stood to the left in a smart black overcoat, earpiece over one lobe. The street lamp shone off his bald scalp and he gave them both an appraising look before nodding in respect to Gozaburo and opening the door. The hard features, broad build and cold eyes said private security, possibly ex-military. Seto had been in affluentcircles long enough to recognise the type. He wondered if there was a factory they came off the assembly line…
Entering just behind his tall stepfather he noticed the gold lettering in the glass above the black door.
Marguerite's Exclusive Gentleman's Club.
Seto's eyes narrowed.
Kaiba pulled himself awake, shaking his head. His neck ached and he felt grotty, not least because of the old memories. Marguerite's? Why did that come to mind?
Declining a heated muslin cloth in exotic herbal water from an air hostess, he stalked to the bathroom and washed his face.
Marguerite's. A pleasant place which had concealed a key lesson. Clearly some old code of his stepfather still lingering in his unconscious felt this game with Téa might be dangerous to Kaiba, as if he was still fifteen.
He couldn't help a smile as he stared at himself, blue into blue.
Love? Infatuation? As if I'd be tempted…she's a prize, nothing more…
"Sir, we'll shortly be arriving at Teterboro Airport," another slim KaibaCorp air hostess said as he re-entered the cabin.
"I can see that," Kaiba said as he saw the glittering lights of New York City through the window.
"I better use the bathroom now. Thanks Stacey!" Mokuba said and hurried off down the aisle. The hostess bowed before leaving, but Kaiba ignored her as he settled back down.
Below him amongst the sprawling mass of humanity Téa Gardner lay like a hidden jewel. Tonight he would set the first face-down in his scheme to win her. On a whim he brought out his deck and drew a card.
Enemy Controller.
Kaiba threw back his head and laughed.
"Let the games begin, Pharaoh," he said.
Purple eyes opened, staring with grim resolution at the altar stone in front of him.
Atem took back the Millennium Puzzle, the last glimmers of its power fading. Mahad and Mana released joint breaths of strain as they knelt to either side of him in a spell-circle.
"We'll see, Kaiba…we'll see…"
Author's Note:
Yeah so…what a year and a half it's been, huh? Complete nightmare. I'm sad that I had to leave this story for so long, especially since I had nearly finished several chapters ahead but having to start a demanding Masters, moving twice, illness and you know, living through the joys of 2020/21 it was inevitable. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for the reviews during this time. It means so much.
Just an FYI I'm still trying to finish my dissertation despite set-backs and then will have to move after that so I've no idea when the next update will be. I've also lost my hyperfixation on Yugioh but that's cyclical so hopefully it will come back round again as I do love this story and Azureshipping.
In light of this if you enjoyed it I'd really appreciate a nice note and yes I know it's more Kaiba character-building not the long awaited meeting, but the story gets written as it wants to be written - I'm just the conduit in a way. Please at present refrain from concrit or telling me I need to hurry and get to the meeting. I'm really not in a place for negative feedback right now and I do have the next chapter almost ready with their meeting but my health and energy is poor and I have to prioritise my MA. A little kindness goes a long way as Téa, Yugi and Atem would say. :)
Gozaburo mentions Paradius or rather 'Doma' in the Sub I believe, bear in mind I'm still blending the two but with Dub names if you don't recognise something.
Teterboro Airport is the most popular airport for private jets and closest to Manhattan in case you're wondering why Kaiba didn't swoop into JFK airport. He doesn't mix with mere mortals like you and me!
Take care.