Chapter 8: Sudden Challenge
Hayate closed the door behind him and drew himself onto the chair seated in front of the small table. He reached into his jacket coat and removed his notebook and pen, flipping it open, ready to take notes. "Evening." Drowned Blackthorn from opposite the table. Hayate nodded in recognition. His eyes dashed to his notebook.
"You can confirm you name is Carmine Blackthorn before I begin questioning?"
The lawyer chuckled. "Whada you think?"
"That wasn't the question was it sir." The commandant retorted without looking up, pen ready.
Silence rubbed the air momentarily before Blackthorn nodded. Tick. Commandant Hayate looked up, taking in his interviewees features. His normally clean face was covered on his left side by gauze, covering the likely scar that would appear upon his visage after his attack. Hayate had little true sympathy for the man, Blackthorn had a history of squeezing individuals linked to the Arcadia Movement out of tight cases who were unofficial guilty of all charges and more. He was a fantastic lawyer, he would not deny that, but he was wildly unpopular with the Investigative Branch for it. When he got going in a court he was like a freight train. Especially against the administration for crimes against defendants whether human rights or 'torture cases held together by seemingly irreverent info only he could string together and yet convince a jury with.
"Can you identify the man?" He knew the answer already, everyone did due to his attack being sniffed by a news station before his testament to the police but it was necessary and there were usually things that the press didn't get to report. For the next 20 minutes he recalled the event and Hayate asked various questions. Few had worthwhile answers that would aid capture. "Ok Mr Blackthorn last question. Do you have ay enemy-" He stopped and sighed, signing the book.
"You knew that officer." Blackthorn grinned a half grin, his smile hidden. "I'm a goddamm lawyer. The leech of society." Hayate nodded and got up to leave. Blackthorn did too. Grabbing his arm.
"Here, you get first glimpse for free." Before Hayate could stop him he pulled the gauze off. His face had a broad cut mark along his left face from ear to edge of mouth making it look like some kind of feral snarl. Caked blood over the skin. "Does it add to the threatening persona? I'm thinking of foregoing plastic surgery."
Hayate said nothing. "Good day Mr Blackthorn." In the lawyers eyes a glint of emotion flashed shortly. Satisfaction? Fear? Anger?
"Good day officer. Just remember, one slip up in this thing and I own your department's ass…again." The Commandant left the room with a feeling of unease. Something was wrong with the vent. It didn't seem right.
"And that wound." He thought. "Why was he so eager to show me. He always comes across as a vain arsehole when I meet him. It's almost like he was trying to validate it. As if maybe he is trying to pass off something like…a lie."
SATELLITE- Dawn
Crow swallowed his porridge with a slight grimace. It was stale but edible, a by-product of days left in a hold of a dank ship. He set the bowel down on his table and took some steps toward the window. The glass was gone leaving just curtains that shivered as the day was born. The sunrise burning the landscape and painting the clouds and sky. He stared upward at the Daedalus Bridge. A symbol of everything his life was striving for. The symbol that no matter who you were, you could be great and respected. Like the man who began the bridge that fateful day, years ago. Turning from the window he entered a small room toward the back of the shelled out home. Lying on an old creaky mattress was the guy he had duelled the day before. He was still in his clothes although Crow had tied up the odd wound that looked as if it would go septic. He'd be sore when he woke, he could promise that.
"Who are you?" He asked no one in particular.
"Jacob." The unexpected reply was uttered from the lying teen. His left eye opened. "I told you remember."
Crow blinked. "You have a surname?"
"Yes."
Crow sighed. He was playing it tricky which obviously meant he was either someone who shouldn't be here or a prick. He favoured the latter. "And it is?"
He paused for a few seconds, mulling it over. "Grint."
"Jacob Grint." Crow repeated. The name seemed different yet strangely familiar from somewhere and he was sure he had seen his face as well. Jacob went to sit up and grimaced in obvious pain before letting himself fall back onto the mattress. He tired again slower this time. His face twisted somewhat as he pulled himself onto his feet, exhaling heavily when he arrived upright.
"Whoa." He chuckled. "I'm sore." Crow turned his back to him for a moment and leaned into the next room, he grabbed a bowel of porridge on the side he had prepared before and handed it to the teen. "Thanks." He replied, clutching the spoon and slurping it into his mouth.
As he ate he walked over to the window and examined his surroundings. Daedalus Bridge, the encampment, the bay to Neo Domino which was barely visible from here.
"Where you from? Your obviously not a local." Asked Crow making his way next to his guest.
"Britain." Said Jacob after finishing a mouthful. "Accent does give it away a little."
"Hm." Grunted Crow, he didn't like being corrected over these sort of ,he noticed this was not the average Briton. It was an upper class one. People like the ones in Neo Domino who looked down on Satellite. It wasn't only the accent that gave it away but the way he carried himself, the body language. A deepest aura of dignity and privilege. Of course after the British Revolution everything had changed. Crow wondered whether perhaps he was housing a refugee.
"Do you have my belongings by the way?" Asked the Briton earnestly.
"Yeah…" He headed over to a small battered closet and opened it revealing the duffel bag that had been entrusted to him and the deck sitting upon it. Jacob approached and retrieved it and placed it on a harness under his jacket where an empty deck box was revealed. 2 other full boxes sat showing 3 decks in all on that side.
"How many decks you have?" asked Crow, crossing his arms.
"Six. It reduces the risk of counter decks." Explained Jacob as he rubbed his side before continuing with his porridge. "3 are riding decks and 3 ground duels. Basically same decks minus speed spell. I'd imagine you probably do the same." Crow nodded. It was a trick of the trade since D-Wheels turned up. Idea being you had just a good a grasp with one as the other.
"I'd imagine my Bike is dead now." Stated Jacob to which Crow nodded.
"Couldn't salvage it. Got back to steal some stuff and others had already been there." Explained the orange haired guy.
"I admire your honesty. Seems I'm stranded for a short while then." They stood in silence for a short while.
"What are you doing here?" Crow posed the big question. Jacobs posture tightened instantly and he slowly turned away, placing his bowel on a ledge. He stared out across the waters in silence for awhile.
"Wandering." He finally said. "Just…Travelling far from home." Crow decided not to ask why, he understood. Now. He was a refugee. Still he couldn't get the familiarity out of his head.
Yusei opened the door and headed across the room to the heavyset desk, surrounded on all sides by panoramic views of the city. The Directors office although built with aesthetic in mind was also built to withstand missile attack and could withstand substantial amounts of radiation before leaking in. Director of the Dominion (As is his official title) Rex Goodwin sat behind the desk shifting through papers, looking up when he saw Yusei approach. It was an unannounced visit but he didn't seem disturbed. Yusei felt the familiar sense of dislike summon up inside him. He had no place in his heart for Rex Goodwin. The man, who had ordered the deaths of Bommers family, had manipulated so many and who had oppressed the satellite people. Yet he could still admire his resolve and efficiency no matter how cold. Goodwin knew how to play people as Yusei knew from experience. He had to be wary for that but also acceptant of his position and role in his life.
"Yusei Fudo." He said simply as he reached opposite the desk, the island of Satellite just visible from this distance and height, a plume of smoke and a dark body of rubble and steel. Behind Yusei was the rubble of another zone, the conference centre where a certain terrorist had launched an insurrection against the holy. Alias already had a global jihad on him now, Goodwin had barely lifted a hand so far except a rushed statement. "I did not expect you here today. What can I do for you then?"
"I need to know something." He replied coolly, meeting his eyes with a stare. He wouldn't be intimidated. Rex motioned for him to continue. "Who controls the Criminal marker Tracking System?"
Rex looked at him for awhile before leaning back in his seat. His eyes bearing down on him, searching for weakness. "I do. Me and Commissioner Jaeger."
He tilted his head slightly. "But I suspect you want a more detailed description of procedure."
Yusei narrowed his eyes. "Someone found me. On the Satellite, said he could find me anywhere. He wasn't bluffing."
"You know this?"
"I felt it." Countered Yusei. He trusted his instincts with his life and they had saved him so many times that he rarely doubted his gut feeling. "I need to know whether the system-"
"Is compromised." Finished Goodwin. He looked out of the window to his left, in thought although Yusei had a feeling that it wasn't over his enquiry. "The system can only be added to by street level officers; it has 6 separate firewalls so hacking is out of the question. Not accessed without authorization from me or Jaeger."
"That's too impractical. "Said Yusei. "Law enforcement needs case files. If its locked up the system would fail."
"High enough investigative officers may access partial files excluding location and other key components." Goodwin was speaking smoothly and almost patronizingly. He grinned ever so slightly which made Yusei feel a sense of anger rise in him. "Your details are perfectly safe, Yusei Fudo, with me."
"I'm no criminal. Why should you still keep them?" Asked Yusei knowing the answer.
"I like to know where my…colleagues, are. Besides like I said beforehand. It's a one way system. Add or view alone." In essence; Goodwin wanted to play Big brother. "Did that answer your q-." But Yusei had already entered the elevator and was proceeding back to ground zero.
In the elevator Yusei exhaled. He didn't feel secure with the explanation and no way would Rex allow him to see the system itself in order to manually check its security. He had hit a dead end and had a bad feeling a wolf was just around the corner, ready to pounce.
Jack drove down the highway at high speed. His mind focused partially on the road and partially on his upcoming duel. He had been challenged a few weeks earlier and in a weeks time he would be facing his opponent. He had a very good record although despite this jack felt confident in victory. He had already planned a victory speech and a little bike stunt at the end. He was currently riding home from the Ylliaster HQ where he had been training. The place had a very smart AI duel program and although Jack found victory in the end he had to work for it. He stared straight, wrapped in his won thoughts. From behind he did not hear his follower. Another D-Wheel, this one orange and of similar design to Saiga's was closing in, skimming between traffic skilfully. The rider was in full leather riding gear with a black helmet that covered the face leaving only the small green eyes to squint out at the white design of Jacks. "Jack Atlas." He stated in a surprisingly high pitched voice. "Lets get this on." He pressed a button on the side of his bike and 4 steel orbs folded out of his back at the front and sides and back, flashing. He pressed a second button, initiating Speed World. His auto pilot took over. He then proceeded to draw 5 cards fro his deck. "Lets duel." He said simply pressing a final button.
Jack looked around his bike in confusion as speed world activated on his Duel Runner. "I didn't activate this!" He cried in surprise, glancing over for any damage to his hull. Had he hit something and damaged the computer system? Had the chip snapped off?
"Jack Atlas, duel me now!" He turned to see an orange bike and a black clad rider pull up beside him.
"How did you activate my Speed World?" demanded Jack haughtily.
"My boss knows stuff." He said almost proudly. He threw an arm out and pointed at him. "Duel me Atlas, duel me and prove your worth as Future King."
Jack frowned. He didn't duel just anyone, he was better than that. But this guy had done something to his bike. "What if I refuse?"
"My hack will erase all duelling capabilities; it will cost a lot to repair." He laughed. "It's also time consuming, which means you will forfeit the match next week if you do quit. How embarrassing." As his opponent laughed Jack sighed and reluctantly drew 5 cards. He didn't want to do this. "You will regret this! Behold the power of a future king!" He snapped the sixth card from his deck.
Rider: 4000 (1)
Jack: 4000 (1)
"Set two facedown spell or trap cards." He declared loudly with confidence, he then slapped another card down. "Normal summon Twin Breaker (4/1600/1000)."
The samurai esque bladed warrior appeared with a cry and swish of its blades. "End turn." Stated Jack.
"Draw card!" the rider spoke slowly and examined the text of his new card carefully.
Rider: 4000 (2)
Jack: 4000 (2)
The rider set a monster card facedown silently as well as a spell or trap. "End turn."
Jack narrowed his eyes and drew. "That kind of weakness will not get you anywhere."
Rider: 4000 (3)
Jack: 4000 (3)
Jack slapped a new monster into play. "Summon, Power Supplier (2/400/400)!" A mage of sorts clad in purple robes with a staff took place next to twin breaker.
"Next I will declare the attack of Twin Breaker upon your set monster! Go!" The ninja bladed warrior launched itself toward the holographic card representation and pierced its side with a slice, briefly exposing a strange orange tube like creature with flailing limbs.
The rider lifted it. "Flip effect activates now! Worm Apocalypse (1/300/200) destroys a spell or trap on the field." He pointed at one of Jacks which exploded briefly revealing Half or Stop trap card. Jack laughed however.
"Twin breaker has a piercing damage effect and can attack again after battling a defence mode monster!" He chuckled arrogantly as the LP change took place.
Rider: 2600 (2)
Jack: 4000 (3)
Twin Breaker lined itself up and planted a sharp blow across the rider who cried out.
Rider: 500 (0)
Jack: 4000 (3)
"500 life points!?" shouted Jacks opponent incredulously. Jack snorted.
"Power Supplier can once per turn target a monster of mine and grant it 400 attack points more until the end phase." He explained. He hadn't used it immediately for fear of his enemies trap or spell, which was a bluff it seemed. "Now Power Supplier your turn!" The spellcastor aimed its staff and fired a bolt of Magic. It burst into the riders face painfully.
Rider: 100 (0)
Jack: 4000 (3)
"End turn." Jack grinned. "Are you regretting challenging me now?"
The rider did not answer. He drew.
Rider: 100 (1)
Jack: 4000 (4)
"This duel has to last longer." He willed himself. He thought he could easily play his opponent down but 3900 LP damage in a turn was making him reconsider.
"I can't give up. Not with her waiting for me." He thought of his sweetheart in hospital, all those tubes in her. The accusing faces of her relatives. The hospital bills. And finally the offer by letter… He looked at his new card and almost laughed. Success when he needed it.
"Summon, Worm Tentacles (4/1700/700)." A large octopus like thing materialized with a golden bulbous 'head'. "Activate Tentacles effect, by removing a reptile type worm in the grave from play for this turn he can attack twice."
He removed Worm Apocalypse swiftly into his inner pocket and the Octopus threw an arm each at both of Jacks monsters, they entombed the two humanoids in fleshy chains before being crushed to death with much pain.
Rider: 100 (1)
Jack: 2600 (3)
"I set another card and end turn." Declared the rider proudly of his small comeback.
Jack drew his next card eager to fight back.
Rider: 100 (2)
Jack: 2600 (4)
"I activate my set trap card." The card flipped revealing a graveyard with a sinister purple smog erupting from the ground. "Call of The Haunted revives in attack position Power Supplier!" The card expelled the smoke seen on the front and formed the spell castor. The rider frowned.
"Why not Twin Breaker?" he asked.
Jack ignored him. "Activate Speed Spell-Summon Speeder! When I have 4 or more speed counters I can special summon a level 4 or lower monster from my hand. I pick Dark Resonator (3/1300/300)."
The diminutive demon stood resolutely with its small tuning fork beside Power Supplier. The Rider shuffled on his bike nervously. He didn't like where this was going.
"Normal Summon, Magic hole Golem (3/? /2000)." The stony figure made its way next to the duo. Its central body nothing but a gaping hole as the name implied. "Synchro Summon!" laughed Jack in supreme tones. "Dark Resonator go!" The tuner struck its fork and the sound waves quickly enveloped the field, drawing in Jack's monsters, forming a great starry mass. When the light dissipated a thunderous roar announced the arrival of Jack's signature monster.
"Red Dragon Archfiend (8/3000/2000) come to the aid of your master!" The hellish red and black horned dragon circled the highway snarling the whole time. The rider stared in awe.
"So this is Red Dragon Archfiend ." He was quickly snapped back to reality by a siren like noise from his duel runner. He looked it over. The metallic orbs were sparking with electricity. The readout read OVERLOAD! On Jack's side he suddenly felt a throbbing pain in his arm, he looked down and saw his Dragon Birthmark glowing angrily. Red Dragon Archfiend was also crying out in rage.
"What the..?" Jack gripped his arm and gritted his teeth. "My birthmark." Suddenly just as it had begun it subsided. Jack stared at it for a short while and shifted his eyes round to his opponent. "Was that him?" He wondered aloud. Nevertheless he decided to continue his move. "Archfiend, attack Worm Tentacles!" The great dragon prepared a fiery punch and dived down at the octopus at great speed.
"Negate Attack activate!" The familiar card blocked the advance of Jack's dragon and ended his battle phase.
"Card set and end turn." Jack did as he said. He knew next turn he could easily win. The rider snapped a card. He only had to last until his next turn and he could walk away with what he needed.
Rider: 100 (3)
Jack: 2600 (5)
"I move Worm Tentacles to defence mode and set another monster, I end my turn there." The new monster appeared and Jack laughed.
"You will pay for challenging me with this pitiful strategy!" He snapped a card proudly into his hand.
Rider: 100 (4)
Jack: 2600 (6)
Jack looked at the newest card in his hand. He would do this in style. "Activate Speed Spell-Over Boost!"
His Duel Runner suddenly unexpectedly accelerated ahead. "This card adds 4 more counters to my total as long as it is reduced to 1 this end phase."
Rider: 100 (4)
Jack: 2600 (10)
"Finally Speed Spell-End of Storm!" the card flipped round and the rider gulped loudly.
"I'm not going to do it!" he whimpered in anguish as his defeat faced him. All the monsters in play suddenly set alight and roars and screams of pain echoed around. "That card destroys all monsters. And then the players lose 300 lp for each of theirs destroyed! I'm dead in the water!"
As the last cinders of all the creatures blew away the last LP changes took effect.
Rider: 0 (4)
Jack: 2300 (10)
"Duel End." The words were quietly spoken by Jack. He turned to confront his foe when out of the blue the rider turned off into an exit road, Jack zoomed past it at a rate that meant turning and trying to catch up would never work. He hit the side of his seat in frustration. Still at least he had a win to calm himself with, no matter how easy.
The rider rolled along the road crying tears of sorrow. He had blown it. She would die now. It was all his fault. The world turned into one big blur as he accelerated faster and faster. There was nothing he could do. He imagined his boss examining the data he collected and the disgust at his premature loss.
"Why carry on." He whimpered in self pity. She would not want him by her side and her relatives would certainly not. He would just end it now. He would wait for her on the other side, so she would not be alone when she left this world. So with one huge effort he twisted the steering mechanism and with a sickening impact of glass and metal on the concrete wall he knew no more.
Alias sat over the laptop, he analysed the data sent by his quick hire henchman, his word for anyone he temporarily brought into his circle. In reality in the end they were all quick hires but he decided that secret was better kept for their cooperation. He looked over the information with a chuckle. It was better than expected.
The guy had played terribly but for some reason Jack Atlas had summoned his Ace card. It was beyond expectation. The man's ego had landed him where Alias wanted him quicker than if he had dragged him there at gunpoint. There had been no need for the turn limit after the dragon was summoned.
He sighed and leant back, talking to himself. "Now I got to find the bastard and pay him; not sure whether with money or death…yeah…death definitely death. More fun."