Thanks for reviewing and such. It's hard to get these chapters in, I don't have internet anymore but I find a way to squeeze in updates.
Late update, I know, life has been hectic again.
I'm failing math...
That's really depressing for me, a nursing major, but it'll get better. I wrote this chapter and it's cheered me up. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for bearing with me :)
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Mortal Kombat; it belongs to its creators Ed Boon, John Tobias, John Vogel and their crew.
Chapter Two
"I would not have believed it," Reptile's master spoke.
The figure paused as he and Reptile stood at the edge of the woods. In front of them was a patchwork of metal low-lying structures that served as the domed-roofing of an underground facility. The warehouse was the main headquarters of one of the realms' most deadly gangs. Reptile knew this already, he'd been inside of the insidious building days ago. He expected his master to be insulted and offended at seeing the proof of their infestation but as the Saurian looked to him now, he found the cloaked figure to be merely observing the scene with mild interest.
Isn't he angry? By the way he demanded I lead him to this place I thought he would be, Reptile mused with a twitch of his hands.
"If I had not seen it with my own eyes," His master stated quietly.
Reptile frowned and tried to remember what it was the being had said to begin with. He shook his head and kept his eyes trained on the crew of men docking on the shores of the island some distance away. They weren't privy to neither Reptile's nor his master's presence of course and continued to unload unmarked crates with silent efficiency.
Stolen goods, no doubt, Reptile thought to himself.
It was obvious to the raptor why the notorious gang would make this place their home. Immunity against punishment from Earthrealm and its legal authorities, not to mention the owner of the island (who was standing not two feet away) wasn't the only incentive; weapons were in high demand in Outworld. The 'organization' would be bathing in gold in less than a month. That is, if Reptile's master allowed it.
"What will you do about this?" Reptile asked said being, "If I may ask." he added.
His master didn't answer right away. When he did he said, "There could be use for them yet."
Reptile sighed to himself. He really should have known. His master was always looking for pawns; unwitting individuals, or in this case gangs, to use to his advantage. The Saurian didn't consider himself to be a pawn though.
Not really.
Reptile just hoped whatever plans his master had for the sinister organization didn't require him having to encounter them again. In his opinion, they were more trouble than they were worth.
So I guess it's safe to say I can book a trip to Japan.
After I got my hands on Kano's files I had a major breakthrough. In those manila folders was enough information to confirm the location I'd suspected him of being at yesterday. I'd spent hours at my kitchen table on my laptop, searching and garnering as many details regarding this remote island and the tell-tale criminal behavior that seems to follow a gang as I could. It wasn't easy but my efforts paid off. What really gave him away was the abnormal rise in homicides near the supposedly peaceful little city in the east and the rumors of a 'foreign force' being the cause: the bastard was there, I was sure of it. Now all I had to do was get a chopper to take me out there and investigate. Do some recon, get to know the area and drag his ass to jail where he belongs.
At least until he's good and six feet under that is.
I closed my itchy sore eyes. They, like the rest of my body, weren't too satisfied with the long nights I'd been pulling lately. That couldn't be helped. Despite my minor aches I smiled. This was it. I was sure of it. Well as sure as I could be. I'd definitely been wrong before. Not really wrong but either too late or deliberately mislead. I did leave some room for error in this instance but there wasn't enough doubt in my mind to deter me from going to check this out for myself.
From the chair I stood and bent over backwards until my bellybutton was facing the ceiling. That felt nice. I spotted my fallen cell phone from this angle and reached for it. After I righted myself I rolled my neck and brought the black device to eye-level. I pushed a button that brought it to life and scrolled through my extensive contact list. Most of the names were aliases of course, like the one I searched for now. Linda. I had 'her' on speed dial.
"Is this an emergency?" The not-so-feminine voice of my C.O. sounded over the line.
I smirked and said, "You bet. Meet me at the rooftop at seven next Thursday, we're going to Japan."
"Finally taking that vacation?" he chuckled dryly.
I rolled my eyes and replied, "Not quite."
"So you've got a lock on him?" he asked solemnly.
"Think so. Bring your cell but leave the trackers at home, I don't want Kano picking up on the foreign interference." I advised.
"You sure about this?" Jax inquired.
"Sure enough." I told him honestly.
"Alright," He conceded, "I'll be there."
"Good." I smiled.
I knew I could count on him but it still felt good to hear from his own mouth that he was on board with this impromptu plan. It was a lot to ask of him, this mission. Not only was it last minute and risky, but I hadn't even told him all the details yet. He really trusted me and that was important. I needed that trust. And I also needed sleep.
If I was gonna confront Kano, I'd need to be at my peak.
He didn't cry. He didn't grieve. He didn't succumb to those human emotions that plagued many other species. But here, in his true form, at his home in Zaterra, Reptile came closest than ever to expressing true sadness. He was mourning his people in some sense, though one would never know it by looking at him. There were no tears in his slitted eyes nor was there a stilt in his stance, no tell-tale hunch in his frame at some amount of anxiety bearing down on him. He stood and he was. Simply. He overlooked the leveled remains of what was an old Saurian jungle. Stumps of tall proud trees and deep craters defined the area now. It was disheartening.
He was lonely. Perhaps. If he were to make a correlation between the feeling he had and its humane emotional counterpart then yes, he was terribly lonely. Utterly lonely. Without his brethren or his matriarch or anyone.
Reptile lifted the charm from his pocket and slipped it round his neck. He closed his eyes and did not open them until he'd changed. Until his body stopped humming from the alien magic battling with his own Saurian essence. Until he was human again. Then he made a vow. No matter what it took and how long, he'd restore his homeland and bring forth his race once more. He had to.
"We need to go by foot from now on," I said quietly.
I nodded to the pilot who'd dropped Jax and me off and stared at my surroundings. The place was packed with trees, I could see that much. Pretty ideal environment for a dirty bunch like Kano and his thugs. The pilot left in a flurry of wind and whupping propellers and then we were alone.
Jax had taken to following me. I'd told him earlier in the week what I was planning and he wasn't too convinced we could do this. But he still came, so that was fine by me. I led him through the tangled woods with my gaze divided between the area in front of me and the map in my hands.
"Hey," Jax said after a while.
I didn't stop but threw my head back in his direction for a second. He took that as the most acknowledgement he'd get out of me while I was in 'mission mode' and continued.
"I know this is important to you," He said, "But just know that if things get ugly-"
"You know they will." I cut in with a wry smirk.
"Well if they get out of hand," He amended, "I'm pulling you out of there."
I paused at that. The map in my hands held no meaning as I frowned at his tone of finality. I knew he meant what he said and he was well within his rights to act on those words. There was nothing I could, no would do about it either. There was only so much rebelling against the system I could do. If it came down to it, I had to obey him. And besides, I did see his reasoning. Sometimes I did get caught up and it was good to have him there to pull me out, no matter how much I'd hate it at the time.
"I understand." I told him.
"Good." He sounded relieved.
With that matter settled, I was back to studying the map and the immediate view ahead of me. I was extra focused and armed to the teeth today. Quite literally actually: there was a slim razor within a case of plastic nestled safely in my mouth, hooked onto my back teeth. I had two of my guns and an array of gadgets hanging onto my belt. My wristcom was deactivated so as not to give off any interference but I could still use it to shoot projectiles. The armbands I had on it were full of little 'miracle pills' that were used in emergency situations, if I was especially low on energy. Around my neck was a vial of mildly toxic poison. It looked like a crystal charm, a piece of costume jewelry. The poison inside was only good for knocking somebody out. I didn't bring anything heavier in case it breaks against my neck in a fight. Or if Kano gets wise and tries to use it against me. In my bra I stored these seven bombs. They're small and flat but powerful enough to bring the place down if I have to.
For perhaps the fifth time in the span of the last thirty minutes the current emperor of Outworld shifted in their seat. They slouched lower in the chair and released an inaudible sigh. Ermac knew the room was called a study but didn't intend to be doing so for the last half hour. They'd been studying the downcast head of the familiar wraith the whole time. Said wraith was also sitting in a heavy wooden chair with a desk in front of him and a pen in hand.
"If you spread your legs any further you might tear those pants, Ermac." Noob remarked.
Ermac said nothing but once more changed his position. This time they leaned forward onto the cluttered oak desk. This study was nothing more than a small room with two plain wooden chairs, horrible black carpeting, and a shoddily carved rectangle of wood that served as a desk. There were no windows and the ceiling was relatively low. Ermac was beginning to feel stifled.
"Could you get off the desk please?" Noob entreated without looking up from his work, "You're in my work-space."
Ermac narrowed their eyes but obliged the wraith. Noob never ceased to scribble things down onto the pad and every now and again punch in a few numbers on a hand-held black square of a calculator.
"How long does it take," Ermac began impatiently, "to add a bunch of numbers?"
Noob sighed but still continued to work. "It's more than that; there's fixed costs as well as variable expenses to be considered. I need to work them all out. It's complicated work."
The wraith paused and tapped his pen to the pad for a moment, "You know, if you would've taken my advice and had your paperwork ready before I got here then you wouldn't have had to wait as long."
Ermac frowned but knew the wraith was right. It had taken a good ten minutes to gather the necessary documents before he could even get started. Besides, Ermac knew not to offend the wraith, they needed him to do this for them. With all their multiple personalities you'd think at least one of them would be financially keen but that was not so.
"Alright, I'm done." Noob stated at last.
The wraith laid his pen down atop his pad and leaned back in his chair. Ermac straightened in their own seat and folded their arms.
"Well?" They asked, "What does it look like?"
"There's good news and bad news," Noob drawled.
"Continue," Ermac insisted.
"The good news is," Noob started, "The conjectured cost to rebuild the palace and surrounding cities is lower than the actual cost."
"By how much?" Ermac wanted to know.
"Fifteen gold Koins." Noob stated.
Ermac frowned and said, "How the hell is that good news? The conjectured cost was sky-high!"
"The bad news," Noob ignored his comrade's outburst.
The host was still agitated but listened closely. They didn't see how the news could get any worse than that.
"The royal treasury's been robbed clean and there aren't enough valuable assets remaining in the palace that could compensate for the amount of money lost." Noob relayed.
Ermac only narrowed their green eyes in response to the news. It wasn't as if they hadn't seen that one coming. Between Shao Kahn's reign of tyranny and Quan Chi's violent paranoia, it wasn't as if the royal stash was well-protected. Or well spent.
"If it's any consolation," Noob said helpfully, "The amount of those palatial assets wouldn't have sold for enough to cover the cost of the project anyway."
"And what's the cost for the project?" Ermac asked dully.
Noob quirked a brow and said, "We've already been over this: 500,000 gold, silver, onyx, and jade Koins 100,000 ruby and sapphire Koins."
Ermac's frown deepened.
"Now before your mood sours even further," Noob said, "I have taken the initiative to come up with several ways for you to get that amount of money."
"Such as?" Ermac barked.
"For one you could steal it." Noob stated.
Ermac opened their legs more and slouched back into their seat. "No. That would take too long; nobody here has that kind of money aggregated in one spot. Not to mention the temples and shrines have already been raided."
Noob tilted his head and drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. "Hm. Okay then. You could host events at the palace and charge outrageous entrance fees."
"This palace," Ermac started, "Looks like shit. Nobody in their right mind would pay to come here. Plus We have yet to staff the palace."
"You need to do that as soon as possible, by the way." Noob reminded them.
"We will in four days. There is an intensive screening process after all." Ermac explained.
Noob droned, "By 'screening' I'm assuming you mean mind-linking them all?"
"It's necessary," Ermac defended, "What happened to Chi and Kahn won't happen to Us."
Noob looked confused and asked, "Doesn't linking all those people overload your mind, er, minds?"
"Not at all." Ermac answered simply.
Noob didn't miss the way Ermac glanced down at the amulet on their belt. So that's what's been aiding him, eh? Pretty risky if you ask me, the wraith thought. He didn't see the value in trusting help from old charms that the former evil sorcerer once dealt with. And anything of Shinnok's he wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.
"Another way you can get the money is by raising taxes," Noob then suggested.
Ermac shook their head almost immediately. "We've been bleeding the mortals dry with all the ones levied already, it wouldn't do to have them revolting against us."
Noob was about to speak when Ermac again cut him off.
"And we've been taking forty-percent of the Black Dragon's profits."
"Are you finished?" Noob asked patiently.
Ermac shrugged so the wraith began to say his piece.
"The steady income is good but not enough. You need to do something else." He told them.
"What?" Ermac implored.
"I'll have to ask that you stop taking that tone with me," Noob frowned. At the host's glare he said, "And stop eyeing me up like that, I'm only trying to help."
"Then help," They ground out.
Noob decided the host's impatience was inevitable. "You have Rain er, employed under you, why don't you use him to make money?"
"How?" Ermac snorted, "Prostitution?"
Noob tilted his head thoughtfully and replied, "Thats...an idea, but I was thinking you could hire him out as an assassin or bounty hunter."
"No." The host growled. "Hell no."
Ermac certainly didn't trust Rain not to try and run away or screw up the missions he was given. The host was sure they'd lose money rather than gain any if they were to assign serious tasks to the demigod. When the wraith stood, however, Ermac was brought out of their reverie.
"Where are you going?" Ermac asked.
Noob folded his arms and said plainly, "Maybe I should go since it seems you're dead-set on shooting down every one of my suggestions."
"What?" Ermac scowled.
They didn't understand why the wraith took offense so easily. His ideas were horrible ones, it wasn't Ermac's fault for pointing that out.
"I don't think my input is appreciated," Noob added.
Now Ermac stood as well and said, "Don't be so sensitive; the prostitution idea was pretty solid."
Noob sighed. "That wasn't my idea. Now if you'll take it to heart, I do have one more way for you to get the money."
"Let's hear it," Ermac encouraged.
Noob smirked and said simply, "A tournament."
Ermac didn't understand the brilliance of the proposal. "A tournament? Like the ones Kahn held to invade Earthrealm?"
"Yeah, but this one will be for fundraising purposes." Noob explained.
"Fund raising?" Ermac mused. "Keep going."
"You can charge people to enter and" Noob was interrupted.
"What makes you think they'll enter?" Ermac asked skeptically.
Noob shrugged, "Well for one, people love to fight. It's popular sport in both Outworld and beyond. And once they hear of your incentive, they'll be signing up in droves."
"And our incentive is?" Ermac spoke questioningly.
"I'll leave that up to you. If it were up to me, I'd offer the winner of the contest some ridiculous prize, like money or a position or a precious artifact. Or a combination of the three." Noob inputted.
Ermac pondered it. "This must be your best idea, yet, Noob."
The wraith smirked and said, "Well thank you. I put a lot of thought into it."
"Yes. We're sure." Ermac replied dryly.
They really couldn't care less. All the host was concerned with was working out the details to this latest scheme. It was a golden idea and they supposed they should be more grateful towards the wraith. Should being the operative word.
I was starting to get that feeling of nostalgia as Jax and I skulked through the dimly-lit warehouse with out weapons at the ready. My finger hovered over the trigger of my piece as I stepped lightly on the balls of my feet. With each corner we rounded I was hyper-alert. I was expecting Kano to be around any one of them but so far we've seen hide nor coarse hair of him. It took us both a full three days to get the habits and shifts of the guards and gang members down. Only then did Jax and I bravely set foot into the base. Because of our carefulness we had yet to encounter any hostiles.
Jax and I held out our breath and pressed ourselves into a nearby closet when we heard advancing footsteps. They weren't Kano's, I could tell that much. Just some random thug. While waiting for them to pass, I glanced at my C.O.
"This definitely is the Black Dragon's hideout, but where's the Cyclops?" He whispered.
I whispered back, "I don't know."
I shrugged. I really didn't know. I hoped to God he was here but I was starting to lose hope. We'd been up and down this warehouse. It wasn't well-guarded and looked disorganized. All the weapons crates filling each room were thrown sloppily on metal shelves.
"Well he ain't here so let's split." Jax advised.
I relented with a nod but I really didn't want to give up just yet. If Kano wasn't here and the place seemed to be so haphazardly thrown together, like a new house that was not quite broken into yet, then it could only mean one thing; this wasn't the Black Dragon's main location. I needed to find out where it was.
His master was quiet. And he was dressed differently. No longer did he mask his figure under the guise of a heavy black cloak. Now his olive-skinned torso shone under a sleeveless black vest above a pair of pants and boots of the same color. His muscular body was taut and firm with youth and all of his senses were keen and revitalized. He was quiet though, which worried Reptile.
It wasn't that Reptile was afraid of his master, not at all. But he needed certain things from the being and to get what he wanted he had to keep his master satisfied. The Saurian thought over his actions and behavior but couldn't find anything he'd done that would've displeased the being.
Maybe he isn't displeased? Reptile figured. He chanced a glance at the being next to him and traced with his eyes the smooth lines in the being's jaw and forehead. There was definitely something on his master's mind. But what? Reptile pondered this as he walked alongside the being in the dreary Living Forest.
"I need to reclaim all that belongs to me." His master spoke at last.
Reptile looked over as the being continued.
"My land. My possessions." He stopped and turned to Reptile. "I have a task for you."
With a turn of his wrist the being conjured up a piece of parchment littered with black marks. Reptile took the paper from him and recognized the script as a form of human writing. It was a list of names, he found out upon further inspection.
"What am I to do with this?" Reptile asked warily.
His master stared straight ahead, not at Reptile. "Hunt them down and bring them to me. Alive."
Reptile nodded and bowed curtly. The charm round his neck not only sustained his human visage, it also allowed for inter-dimensional travel. He utilized its abilities to leave the Living Forest and travel back to Zaterra to organize his thoughts and form a plan of action.
Once there he studied the list more carefully. He saw then that the names were culturally diverse; he'd have to travel to different parts of Earthrealm to track these people down.
This might take a while.
"Remind me again what we're doing here?" Jax murmured.
I shushed him before I answered. He and I were crouched behind a tree, looking out at the shoreline of this small island. There was a huge boat being loaded with crates of weapons by a bunch of thugs. Thanks to the thicket of trees our position wasn't compromised. I watched for a bit longer as crate after crate was methodically passed from thug to thug and stacked on the deck of the wooden sea vessel. Then I answered my C.O.
"When we were inside the warehouse," I whispered, "I heard the men saying something about getting weapons 'to the main'. I think they were referring to the main location."
"Which is where Kano probably is," Jax guessed.
I nodded. "Exactly"
"Come on." I urged then, standing as the last of the men boarded the ship.
Jax made a noise of surprise as I began to dart towards the shore. The men didn't even look my way as I took off with Jax in tow. I was trying to hurry before the ship actually started moving. When I got down to the water's edge, I waded into its depths and sneaked around to the other side of the boat, near its rudder.
As Jax swam up behind me he had to ask, "You sure about this?"
"When am I not when Kano's involved?" I muttered back.
"You do have a point there," He acceded.
I knew I did. There was no one better and quicker about tracking down Kano than me. Call it a special skill of mine or call it determination and luck but I always found him. Always.
I climbed up onto the boat behind a huge stack of crates and helped Jax up as well. Nobody saw or heard us as we pulled out four crates and crawled into the space created by the loss. I dragged two of the crates back over but it wasn't really necessary. The wall of boxes in front was enough protection and it wasn't as if the thugs were even paying attention to the cargo. While in our hiding place, all we could do now was wait.
I wouldn't lie, I was anxious. This ship could be headed anywhere. I really hoped I was making the right choice. It was my instinct that pushed me to get on in the first place and it rarely led me wrong so that was comforting. As well as the fact that I had my C.O. backing me up, too. I was glad for that.
A/N: Thanks everybody for reading, now if you could please review, that'd be awesome! Next chapter is coming soon! Until then...
~DymondGold~