Chapter 3

Wakashika leaned on the railing. "He's been going in that circular logic for forty-five minutes. There is nothing else in that room. I'm surprised he hasn't tried propping up Kearu at one end."

"Sakaido wouldn't do that." Momoki scratched an eyebrow. "Ok, I really hate to make this call guys, and I hope I don't regret this." He took a deep breath and looked to Togo.

Her eyes widened. "Are you really suggesting … "

"Well, he's not in a coma any longer."

Wakashika cocked his head. "Seriously? It's a locked room without any doors, and Narihisago's already annoyed with him. How well do you think this is going to go?"

"All he needs to do is take one of the keys and operate the mechanism in tandem. It's not like it will be that difficult."

Habutae shook his head. "This is Fukuda we're talking about."

"There's no way he can commit suicide in there."

"If anyone can figure it out, the screw job will."

"Alright, that's enough." Momoki held a hand up. "Remember, this is the same guy who helped Sakaido and Hijirido navigate the wellstorms. It is possible … remotely, that he'll cooperate. Besides, Narihisago will go along with it if I tell him to."

Shiratake peered through his glasses. "Are you certain?"

The hesitant half-groan that escaped him betrayed his doubt. "Honestly? No, I'm not. But Sakaido can't operate both mechanisms on his own. And Fukuda will have the ability to shorten the process. All he has to do is remind Narihisago who he is, since this isn't his own id well it won't be a problem."

"Inspector, that's a lot you're asking of him." Habutae held up a finger.

Wakashika leaned on his elbow, hand bracing his chin as he rolled his eyes. "Which one? Fukuda to cooperate or Narihisago to tolerate him?"

The Wellside staff looked at one another knowingly.

"I'm not really thrilled about this idea either. But I honestly don't have a better one. So … have the second cockpit raised and the guards bring Fukuda to the chamber." Rubbing the bridge of his nose he shook his head, "And a quick prayer that this doesn't backfire might not be such a bad idea."

~ID~

Narihisago opened his eyes back in the cockpit chamber. At least it was a regular extraction, not a death this time. That made it a touch less disorienting.

"Sorry for the disruption. But we didn't think this was going to get anywhere. We have an idea on a new approach."

"Oh yeah?" He leaned forward as the chamber door opened.

Two guards escorted in the lanky Fukuda who shot him a cocked grin as he sauntered in. "Hey, pal! Guess we get to work together after all!"

Narihisago's tight throat emitted a strained gurgle before he found his voice. "Oh hell no. Momoki, I just need a little more time to figure it out."

"No amount of time is going to matter. Unless you can defy the laws of physics and be in two places at once, there isn't a solution on your own."

"We've seen stranger physics breaking in wells."

"Narihisago, just give this a try."

He glowered as they removed the cuffs from the seated Fukuda.

"So," Fukuda shifted back in the second cockpit, "what has my co-pilot been up to?"

Rolling his eyes, he crossed his arms over his chest and stared straight forward.

"I mean it. You need a hand. Ask nicely."

Narihisago shot a glare at the ceiling. "I can't believe this is your solution. Fine. Stainless steel room, no doors. Two panels, one at either end of a twenty foot span. Two keys, each one opens a panel while the key is held and reveals a button. Current theory, they both have to be pushed at the same time."

"Aha." Fukuda pointed three times to his head and winked. "And you need me to go in with that knowledge."

"Not really. I figured all that out in the first five minutes. What I need you to do a trained monkey could achieve."

"Narihisago. Do you have to be so abrasive? Look Fukuda, it might be helpful to reveal his real identity, just to speed things up. I see no reason not to go right to turning the keys and finding out what those buttons do."

Fukuda offered a slow smile edged with mischief. "You got it, pal."

"Why don't I trust you." Narihisago cupped his chin, offering a sour smile. "Oh yeah, maybe because of what you first tried to pull in my id well."

"Ancient history, friend." He shrugged. "Water … or uhh in your chase, sand under the bridge. I'm just here to lend a helpful hand."

"We'll see about that." Settling back into the cockpit, Narihisago sighed. "Alright Momoki, if you're really insisting on trying this, let's get it over with."

"Don't sound so enthusiastic."

"Now who's trying to be funny."