Chapter 34
The man in the Eagle costume groaned, and his head slid down the wall as his body slumped to the ground. As he fell, it became evident that there was a large crack in the back of his helmet.
"Ken!" Jun cried, distressed, but then she saw something that made her gasp.
"Joe..." she said, tugging on the Condor's arm, "this isn't Ken's helmet. It's not true ISO Birdstyle."
"What are you talking about?" Joe asked, somewhat preoccupied with figuring out an escape route.
"Look at this!" Jun insisted, pulling Joe's head to the helmet crack.
"The interior... it doesn't have the transmutation gel that's supposed to be inside. This is just filled with styrofoam..." Jun explained.
"This uniform is a fake, Joe." she stated. "A very good fake, but a fake."
"Why would Ken have a fake uniform?" Joe asked. "He's not fighting like Ken, he has a fake uniform... is that because..."
"It's because he's not Gatchaman!" sneered a familiar voice.
Joe and Jun turned around, to see Berg Katse standing behind them, pointing at the manacled form of the Eagle who was dangling from the ceiling by a long chain.
It was clear that the Eagle had been badly beaten, and blood was dripping down his uniform.
"Oh, Ken..." Tears filled Jun's eyes as she saw what they had done to her Commander.
"Don't worry." Joe whispered in her ear. "I have a plan."
But they had both turned their backs on a forgotten Kyle...