Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I'm back, with more resolve than ever...something needs to be said though. Since this is a side-story, I most probably won't upload as often (yeah, often, that's just funny) as New Horizon. Hoping that this won't cause too much of an interest damping that this long absence already was, please enjoy.
A RUN-DOWN MOTEL, LOS ANGELES
Inside the dingy room barely illuminated by the sun rays coming through the window, a red-haired agent was checking the perimeter outside, as she self-imposed herself to do at the stroke of every hour. Vanessa knew that anyone could be spying her, or at the very least keeping an eye on her, from any angle. She kept the TV on for background noise, keeping tabs on New Horizon; it was the event on everyone's mouth after all and there wasn't a single news network that wasn't following this new edition of KOF 24/7.
After making sure the area around the outside of her room was clear, she sighed in relief. Vanessa isn't used to working on this kind of operations alone. Usually, Ramon and Seth would be by her side, all three watching each other's back, but those two have been assigned elsewhere...ensuring the safety of the fighters and the public alike, together with the Ikari Team. For all the his endless flirting, Vanessa was the first to admit that his presence always managed to light things up when most needed. Then again, She asked to investigate the MIST Directive alone herself, on the basis that too many agents being moved around would certain bring attention, so she doesn't exactly have much ground to complain.
"Aargh, no distractions, Vanessa. You have to be 100% focused on the task right now." If it was up to her, a cold beer would have done the trick, but getting wasted in the middle of a top-secret operation like this wouldn't exactly be the most ideal work ethic.
To grab her attention, her phone started buzzing. Could it be the message she was waiting for all morning? She took her phone as quickly as a lightning strikes the earth, hoping for the best.
"CONGRATULATIONS, you have been selected for this year King Of Underground Fighters. The event will start the night after the first round of New Horizon precisely at midnight. Latecomers not allowed.
Organizer's Note: You won't stand a chance at KOUF. Throw in the towel as soon as you step in the ring and preserve what little dignity you have left, worthless mercenary."
"Thanks for the concern, Misty." Vanessa scoffed to herself. "Still, this is perfect. I can finally give Heidern some good news."
The agent reached a bag she was hiding under the filthy couch she was forced to share space with and pull out a laptop inside it. After the few minutes it needed to turn on, Vanessa immediately called her superior officer using an encrypted frequency to give him the good news.
"Vanessa reporting. 24th of July, 12:57."
"Copy that. Anything new to report?"
"You bet, commander. Just now, that NESTS harpy gave me confirmation. I'm in the tournament." Vanessa enthusiastically announced.
"Good to know. But remember, I trusted you to able to do this on your own, at your request. Back-up will be sent only in a life-or-death scenario, understood?" Heidern reminded.
"Yeah, yeah, no need to nag about it. What about the rest of team? Did they dug up something interesting?"
"Less than nothing. It's one dead end after another." Even the usually stoic commander of the Ikaris couldn't hide his frustration in that moment. "About the surveillance nothing new. We are still keeping tabs on the various criminals and suspect teams and making sure they pull anything before New Horizon starts. The Outlaws, The Chinese, Yagami and especially that sponsored fighter, Botan. No matter how thorough we are in searching her history or past associations, nothing comes up. It's like she just appeared out of nowhere one day and decided to infiltrate the KOF web, it makes no sense."
"Good thing I took the freelance path. All the fun with none of the boring busywork." Vanessa joked, although the stern look she was given in reply suggested Heidern didn't share her particular brand of humour. "I-in any case, let's keep each other updated. You never know when something useful could drop on your lap-"
In the most outrageous example of tempting fate, someone violently knocked on Vanessa's door, making her skip a heartbeat.
"Hey, what's wrong? Something happened?" Heidern asked concerned.
"S-someone's banging on the door...but that's impossible. Nobody should know I'm here."
With an exchanges of glances, they understood nothing more needed to be said. The agent closed the laptop and went for the holster. With a running somersault, she landed by the side of the door. A bit dramatic but she couldn't take even the slightest chance, for all she knew someone could've pumped her full of lead right where she was sitting.
Who the hell could it be? The hosts have tracked her down and sent someone to dispose of her? The Hizoku maybe? Someone else entirely? Why did they knocked and not going for the element of surprise? What was she doing, asking herself such stupid questions? It was someone here to kill her and that was enough information. The grip on her gun was so tight, she could've sworn a finger was about to bend in ways that the human body never intended.
With her heart going a thousand miles per hour, she took the bait and risked it all. She opened the door so furiously, she could be mistaken for the aggressor in this scenario. However, barely standing before her, was someone who clearly wasn't out for blood...at least that day, luckily for her.
"Put that peashooter away. If I wanted to kill you it wouldn't have done you any good."
"Lin!? What the..."
"Don't just stand there with your mouth agape, let me in." The Deva looked like he clawed his way out of the grave. His body half-banged, stitched from head to toe and trembling from fatigue, Lin was on verge of vomiting his soul. Confused, Vanessa let him enter, quickly closing the door behind him. In the time it took her to do so, the member of the Hizoku collapsed on the floor, not having the bare minimum strength to soften his own landing.
"Lin, LIN!? Goddamn it, you can't just waltz in here and pass out on me!" Vanessa screamed terrified.
But there was no response. The assassin seemed like a statue, no reaction whatsoever. Being completely overwhelmed, the least she could do was lifting Lin and put him on the couch. But panic was taking a hold of her, it all happened so fast, her mind shifted to one thought to next without rhyme or reason.
"Christ, what happened to you? And most importantly, why the fuck did you come to me of all people?" Vanessa desperately shouted while kicking the wall out of pure, unbridled fury.
Man, this was something I needed. Hopefully I'll get back my rhythm ASAP so you won't have to wait another two months for the next update. Still, I can't thank you enough for your patience, see you at the next chapter.
