The Skin Trade
Chapter 4 - Max's Curiosity.

"Agent Z, we have analysed the data which Tyson and Kai have provided in their training sessions." A fellow employee rushed into her facility office and quickly closed the door behind him.

"It's just as you predicted. Both the men have failed their tests." The employee then tossed down two files labelled, 'top secret' onto her desk. He arched himself over the desk and slammed his hands down in temper. "These two young men are famous bladers, not agents. So send them back to Japan. They should be present in a tournament, and not in an underground warzone."

"Maybe, but who am I to go against Mr Dickinson's orders?" The head agent replied in a slick tone. She glided her hand across the files but refused to open them. "Which blader failed the most miserably then?"

Unsure as to where he should start, the red-faced adviser lowered his head and growled under his breath.

"Well, if you'd made the effort to open the files, you'd quickly realise that it was Tyson. During the shooting test, the big-headed gloat refused to even pick up the weapon. He claimed that he couldn't possibly take somebody's life as it would be dishonourable."

"Oh." The slender female maintained a content expression, but she was secretly dying to grin. "And what of Kai?"

"Kai was defeated by our agent in the training exercise. Therefore we have gained the information that we have been looking for." The dark-haired agent then straightened his broad figure and took a deep breath, "But the only problem is that we didn't gain a recording of the scene-"

Agent Z's eyes narrowed like a predator, "WHAT!?" She roared with her lungs almost giving out of air.

"The recording cameras have been tampered with, so it's our word against Kai's and the Hiwatari's are well known for being untouchable. They have an army of lawyers on speed-dial." A heavy-hearted sigh cooed from those cracked dry lips, and the male agent folded his arms across his chest. "But the agent did write down a record as to what he saw during that match. I have placed his account in Kai's file for you to read. Once you have finished, I would be grateful if you could inform me of what you want me to do next with those trainwrecks."

Livid with the recent failure, Agent Z had no choice but to swallow her rage. After all, she was a woman with plenty of life experience under her belt.

"The two boys need a new identity for their set missions." She implied, "Kai will be sent into the heart of the trafficking ring to find out who is at the very top of this industry. Once he's done so, he can then begin to destroy the main trafficking sites, one by one."

"You want to send Kai? Despite that, he lost to our agent-"

"Kai is more withdrawn, so he will get the mission done. Besides, he is the one who destroyed half of Balkov Abbey before he ditched them. This man has personal experience with fast-paced environments, therefore, Kai is a survivor who has what it takes to bring down the evilest people in this industry."

"He failed-"

Agent Z continued to talk over him, "Tyson on the other hand, he cares much more than what Kai does. He can be sent into the field to search for the missing BBA Agents. Tyson can also piece together his findings to figure out who the shifty agent was that leaked everything to the press."

"This plan is too risky. What if Kai or Tyson are recognised? You cannot just send them into the trafficking trade and expect them to walk out as free men."

Another huff cooed from Agent Z's lips, "Mr Dickinson believes in these legends, so we must too. So get out of my office and prepare them for their missions. Don't brief them until they are boarded onto their flights to their set locations. Kai will head to Italy, yet Tyson will fly to America." Once she'd finished her instructions, Agent Z waved her hand to dismiss her assistant.

There was no room for a discussion here.

"Oh, and before you go. Authorise an agent to hack Voltaire's computer. I want everything."

'With Kai out of the frame, his grandfather is now vulnerable.' Agent Z began to see the advantages of having Kai in the service. 'But why would Mr Dickinson want Tyson too?'

xXx

With everything now in Hiro's hands, the team continued their roles and duties to ensure that they were prepared for their upcoming match. Their new captain had stepped up to everyone's expectations pretty well.

If there was one thing that Hiro was good at, it was ensuring that he could motivate people to the best of their ability. Some of the teammates were beginning to wonder if this was a Granger family trait because they too were reminded of Tyson's presence whenever Hiro spoke.

"Just remember, if you are thinking about giving up; you need to remind yourselves that Tyson and Kai are most likely watching your match. Those boys wouldn't miss your games for the world, so let's make them proud."

With that mini prompt constantly circling in their minds, Ray and Max had somehow found the strength to push themselves past their limits.

Ray gasped with sweat dripping down his chiselled face, "I won't let them down-"

"Neither will I!" Max gritted his teeth and gained eye contact with his teammate, Ray. They were both in the middle of an intense battle. "And I won't let anyone stand in my way!"

Impressed by their performances, Kenny continued to analyse the on-going match. "I don't know how Hiro does it, but he just knows how to push bladers into the danger zone. Ray's stamina has increased by 20 percent, yet Max's power has increased by 30. Draciel and Drigger will seriously injure one another if things don't calm down." His fingers were typing away like there was no tomorrow, Kenny was determined to jot down every single detail.

"Perhaps we should stop the match." Hilary squinted, "After all, they are teammates. The real rivals are out in the tournament. So they should save their new power levels for the big games."

"You will do no such thing." Hiro fired at her with a dirty look, "They are exploring new territory with their power-"

"Pft, I am the team manager, so who are you to override me? They can play with their new energy on their own. That way, nobody will get hurt and I still have two bladers in the tournament." Hilary wasn't having any of it. She walked past the new captain and placed herself behind Ray, "Boys, come on. Break time. I don't fancy taking someone to the hospital today. So let's finish this up quickly and peacefully."

Hiro's eyes almost rolled out of their sockets, "Is she being serious?"

"Hilary isn't afraid of no-one." Kenny smiled warmly at her efforts. "Hilary is so strong that she keeps everyone in line, even Tyson and Kai."

"Hilary, I think we should continue-"

"I don't care." She shut Ray down. "Now finish this match off before I do."

A large smile then smeared across Max's lips and his eyes lit up, "Well, you heard the boss. Let's call it off and continue this another time." Naturally, he obeyed the brunette and relaxed his figure so he could cool off his Draciel.

Afterwards, Ray grunted with disapproval but nodded to understand the order. Both of the bladers raised their hands into the air to catch their blades and then turned to face Kenny to read his expression.

"You both amazing guys!" The Chief almost fangirled, "I will break down the match with each of you, but today, I'd like to start with you Ray. I've spotted a potential weakness that you might want to address."

Max winked, "Sounds good to me."

Ray and Max then exchanged a thumbs up before going into their separate ways. Ray approached Kenny and sat beside him on the fresh grass, meanwhile Max snuck away to the nearby bushes to gain himself some privacy.

"Where's he going?" Hilary muttered out loud as she passed Hiro again, "I better go check on him to make sure that he's alright."

"No." A hand reached out onto Hilary's shoulder to prevent her from leaving, it was Hiro. "He's probably got a call for mother nature. So leave him be."

Hilary's face blushed at the thought and she held in her breath. 'Damn it. Men are so lucky to have that advantage in the wilderness.'

Once he was adamant that he was secure from the group, the blond attached his blade onto his belt and he then pulled out his mobile phone from his pocket. Max knew that he was breaking the 'teams golden rule', but he stole his phone back for the peace of mind of knowing that his teammates were still alive.

It'd been a week since Tyson and Kai had left the team to start their missions, and for Max, it felt like time was dragging. He was missing Tyson terribly and his fragile heart ached at the thought of losing him. Besides, he was his best friend. But that didn't mean that Max didn't miss Kai either, if anything, Max was beginning to wish that he too had volunteered to take part in the secret missions.

'Wait, is it too late to volunteer?'

Once he'd finished skimming through the news to see that there was still no stories that related to Tyson or Kai's well-being, Max decided to call the BBA headquarters to get in touch with Mr Dickinson's office.

"I'm sorry, but Mr Dickinson is out of the office for a few days at the moment. But I can take a message on your behalf-"

A heavy huff flared from Max's nostrils. "No, it's fine. Tell him that I would like to speak to him, it's pretty urgent." He then hung up and slammed his mobile down onto his bag-pack.

'Why is this man suddenly nowhere to be seen!? What has this man got to hide?! I'm so tired of these secrets.'

Before Max could react properly to the negative outcome, he was disturbed by a shadow that appeared in the corner of his eye. It fluttered through the bushes and paced itself with the cool breeze. Seconds later, the breeze then picked up to form a strong gail around Max's figure.

"I'm seriously not in the mood for this." The Draciel wielder straightened himself up and prepared his launcher, "You've already made an entrance, so come out already!"

Without warning, a slash dragged across Max's cheek. "UH!" He grunted and closed his eyes for a brief second to brace himself for anything else.

"You're not the one I am looking for." A faint whisper hissed within the breeze. "Goodbye, Max."

Seconds later, the winds then disappeared and so did the sensation of the intruders presence. The scene had instantly calmed and it was as if nothing had happened.

xXx

A/N: I'm sorry that this chapter is a little shorter than the previous ones, but I just couldn't resist the thought of making you guys anymore. I've been working 7 days a week and I am currently saving up to buy a house with my boyfriend. Yeaaa, Granger is finally settling down and I am LOVING this quiet life. Plus, I have been writing some of my original novel. Anyhow! I hope you're all well, thank you for all the favourites, follows, comments and private messages, I really appreciate it. Have a cracking summer! - Granger~