HELLO EVERYONE! I MEANT TO POST THIS THREE DAYS AGO, I REALLY DID, BUT LIFE HAPPENED. NOW, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE CAR BATTERY, AND I AM GOING TO BE HURTING ON FUNDS UNTIL MY NEXT PAY PERIOD. ANYWAYS, I WILL BE UPLOADING THE NEXT CHAPTER HOPEFULLY NEXT WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY. ENJOY!
Chapter 2: Meeting and First Contact
"Finally!" Damien shouted, getting off the plane, Sampson walking behind him.
"Calm down. Remember, this isn't America," Samson reminded, taking hold of Damien's collar. "And we want to keep a low profile."
"I know. Trump isn't here," Damien joked. They went to the luggage claim, and took their duffle bags, checking to make sure everything was fine. Damien's bow and arrows were unharmed, as was Sampson's sword. They didn't take the weapons out for good reasons, and headed out. They looked at the letter, Damien pulling up the address on his phone, seeing that it was too far to walk, over three hundred miles.
"Damn it," Sampson swore, Damien sighing.
"Well, might as well catch a cab. Luckily I converted some of my USD to yen before leaving. I'll get us a cab," Damien informed.
"How much USD do you have remaining?" Sampson asked.
"None. I figured that we wouldn't mind that small loss once we get paid after the job," Damien answered.
"Geez," Sampson sighed, wondering how his brother could be so reckless.
"Relax. I'll get us a cab to the train, and we take the train to the nearest station and walk the rest of the way. I think if we explain the situation to them they'd be willin' to let us stay," Damien explained.
"And if they don't?" Sampson inquired.
"They better," Damien informed, hailing a cab.
/-/Five Hours Later\-\
"Sir, there are people here. They say they're here for the meeting," someone informed Chase and Ichiro.
"The meeting isn't for another month. Send them up anyway. Best to see their gear now rather than later to make sure they followed instructions," Chase informed.
"I also took the liberty of inviting the daughter of my good friend. She's a master in her line of work," Ichiro informed Chase.
"We need him alive in order to save your ass," Chase reminded.
"She's never failed any mission. Cut her some slack. They are currently sight seeing here in Japan now," Ichiro informed. "I have her dossier on file. I'll get it for you now if you wish."
"Get me the dossier on the people here right now. I need to make sure they are fit for the job," Chase said.
"I have all the dossiers of all the people we sent invites to. I priced it high to ward off the ones who are only looking for easy jobs. Thin out the competition and get the best. Only ten people in the world know of this," Ichiro informed, seeing two American enter the room with the guard.
"Who are they?" Chase asked Ichiro.
"Siblings Damien and Sampson Tauno. Outstanding records, and they seem to only take jobs that challenge them," Ichiro informed.
"So, you two are brothers?" Chase asked.
"Guilty," Damien answered. "Um listen, we don't have a place to stay, and I was wondering if we could stay here until we are deployed."
"His idea, not mine," Sampson spoke, not getting involved with it yet.
"Weapons. What are they?" Chase inquired.
Damien opened his duffel bag, removing the clothes he packed to cover and protect his bow. It was a recurve bow, with a navy blue stain finish, and the arrows were steel tipped, and he even had vials of different toxins.
"We want him alive," Chase reminded.
"Sleeping agents. I rarely use them on arrows but it works. Ingest it or get it into their blood stream and they are out cold," Damien informed. "I deal with the toxins in our family. Chemist really."
"I see. You came prepared. And what about you?" Chase looked at Sampson. He simply took out a katana, and showed it to Chase. "Nice blade. Any experience with it?"
"Plenty. I always take this baby with me," Sampson informed.
"Draw it," Chase demanded. "I want to see how sharp it is."
"Don't ask for a price, as I'm not selling it," Sampson spoke. He then drew the blade, revealing that it was white, and the blade worker's signature was in a blood red color, the two wondering how he got his hands on such a unique blade. "I can apply my brother's toxins and prevent any lives from being taken."
"That is quite the blade there. Where did you get it?" Ichiro asked.
"I requested it myself, and asked the maker to use a name they would never use again," Sampson informed.
"It's almost as sharp as my partner's blades. You might want to sharpen it while you wait here," Chase spoke.
"Wait, we can stay?" Damien confirmed.
"Unless you have somewhere else to go," Chase replied.
"Thank you," Damien thanked. "Where will we be staying?"
"Find a place and make yourself comfortable," Chase smirked.
"I'll set up in that corner over there," Damien informed, taking his duffel bag and gear over to the corner, Sampson trying to find a place he could find himself sleeping in. He has a hard time sleeping on hard surfaces, unlike his brother who could sleep anywhere. Finding a somewhat good spot out of the way, he set up there. He knew he would have to make the best of the situation, as he always had to when his brother did things like this.
/-/One Month Later\-\
"Everyone that wanted to come is here. If they are late, they missed their chance," Chase informed everyone, five files in his possession. There were five people in front of him as well, two which he tested and knew their capabilities. They were the Tauno brothers, who spent the last month training and prepping for the mission. Damien was busy creating more sleeping agents, including a sedative that was administered the old way, but much stronger than what is on both markets.
"I'll assume that you all are wondering how the payment will be handled. Ichiro and I have discussed it, and agreed that three million was appropriate. For each of you. Everyone will get what they were promised, as long as you collect the target alive," Chase started, making sure they knew to bring him in breathing. He opened Damien's file first.
"Damien Tauno. Obtained his PhD in chemistry at the age of twenty-five, and your toxins expert. He has provided the sleeping agents for this mission and support," Chase informed.
"I only have enough for five grams for each of you moment. Liquid or powder, I have both," Damien interrupted, letting them know his inventory. He also had on his gear. Light armor with his quiver on his back, and a standard combat knife at his waist, his bow resting on the crate he was sitting on. His headband was part of his gear. He also had on steel toed combat boots.
"Frank Harrison. Demolitions expert. He has agreed to use only tactical explosives and grenades in order to bring home our agent," Chase added. Frank Harrison was a man of thirty seven, putting him at the oldest man on the mission into the place. Messy black hair, he had a beard and mustache combo, and had black hands, as they were stained with gunpowder and other explosives that can be made or acquired in bulk. He currently had on his gear, which was what one would see a military person wearing, except he had all sorts of explosives in place of weapons. He too had a combat knife, as a precaution should he run out of explosives.
"Sampson Tauno. Tactical master, he should be the one to consult should you coordinate a group attack. He is knowledgeable in more than just combat situations, and uses a special sword should things get dicey." Sampson also had on his gear, which looked identical to Damien's, expect his lower body also had some protection, as he was usually engaged in close quarters.
"Hayley McGee. Close combat expert and adept with any and every weapon known to man. She will be assisting those on the front lines, and will most likely be the one using Damien Tauno's powders to knock out our target and anyone in her way. Watch you back around her though. Says that she can be a flight risk to certain teams." Hayley McGee was a younger woman at thirty years with red hair and brown eyes. Her gear was simple: a flak jacket, boots, and cargo pants. Her hair was in a pony tail as she didn't want it to get in the way during the mission.
"Chelsea Harpvok," Chase froze, making sure he read that right. Everyone was confused when he moved over to Ichiro, pulling him out of the room. At best they heard incoherent yelling from both parties. After a good five minutes, the two re-entered, appearing to be calm. "Chelsea Harpvok. A skilled assassin who, in my professional and personal opinion, should not be on the mission. I'll warn you all now. Should she attempt to take the target's life, whether she succeeds or not, you have permission to eliminate her at any and all costs."
Everyone but Chelsea was confused, but when they looked at Chase, they saw a death glare being thrown in her direction, making it clear that something happened.
"Also, she has nanobots in her body, so blowing her to pieces should do the trick should she attempt this. If she kills him, and you guys kill her, you'll be paid two million each. Keep a close eye on her," Chase added, the four now looking at her. They weren't going to let her jeopardize the mission, and she felt their glares.
"Relax. I want the three million just like all of you. I'll behave," Chelsea spoke.
"Kill him once you get back, I'll personally see you tortured and I'll execute you when I see fit. Nothing will change this," Chase warned. Everyone was now wondering what went down between Chelsea and either Chase or their capture target.
"I promised to behave. Can't you trust me?" Chelsea asked.
"After what we uncovered and sent to every nation and organization, I'm surprised anyone could trust you, let alone take you in. They must be one heartless bastard," Chase growled, both in each other's face.
"I don't think you should be challenging me right now if you know what's good for you Chase. Remember, I can easily kill you and everyone here right now," Chelsea came back.
"Break it up!" Ichiro shouted, everyone looking at him. "Remember there is a job to do. You all have your assignments. Now get going before I personally oversee your deaths!"
Chase backed down, knowing that Ichiro could easily keep his word with all the tech he's seen. Chelsea smiled, knowing Chase couldn't do anything. A gunshot was heard, Chase holding his Glock, smoke coming from the barrel. He had shot right next to her right ear, the shot whizzing by her head, taking a few hairs.
"I could have easily hit you. But I think I should let him do the honors of killing you," Chase replied, everyone now terrified of Chase and his pinpoint accuracy. Chase walked over to a rather large machine that Ichiro was at. The two started up the portal, seeing a blue and yellow swirling disk. "Get going before I change my mind."
Chelsea entered first, winking at Chase. Chase had to resist going in to bash her skull open. Frank followed with Hayley, Damien having stopped Sampson, whispering something to him. After a short conversation, they followed the rest of their squad into the portal.
They found themselves inside a bamboo like forest, looking around. "I will say this now, so you all better listen. Should anyone kill anyone, I will kill you. We should assume that there is some kind of civilization," Sampson informed, looking at Chelsea.
"I'll behave. I promised, remember?" Chelsea reminded.
"And why don't I believe you?" Sampson questioned. "Hayley, keep a close eye on her. Damien will also be watching, though you don't want to be on his bad side."
Damien was already climbing one of the bamboo chutes, everyone but Sampson wondering how he was able to without breaking it. He scanned the area, stopping when he saw a castle. Quickly climbing down, he spoke. "There is a castle over in that direction. We should start there."
"You heard the man. Let's move," Sampson spoke, everyone following, since they had nowhere else to start. Before even five minutes passed, they came along a dirt road, and knew that there was intelligent life here. Damien took out a vail, and dipped an arrow in it, corking the vial and placing it back in its place on his belt. He held his bow and arrow at the ready, the five deciding to follow the path. Ten minutes later they saw a small peaceful house styled after Japanese houses, and relaxed a bit, Damien falling to the back so he could have a good shot should it be a trap. As they got closer, they saw a rather young looking woman drinking tea on the front step. However, Damien noticed something the others didn't even though he was in the back of the group.
He saw ears and a tail. He resisted the urge to squeal in joy and run up and give her a hug. Only his brother knew that he was a furry, and as he saw what his brother saw, he knew that Damien was internally losing his metaphorical shit with each passing second.
"Calm your shit Damien," Sampson spoke back, not even turning around. Everyone was baffled by this sudden statement, Chelsea assuming that it was because he was looking to bang the girl, and lose his virginity if he hadn't already. Only when they had gotten in the fence did they see the ears and tail, all of them now wondering if that was what was making him to lose previously mentioned metaphorical shit.
"Good day," she spoke, taking a sip of the tea. She saw them, and was a bit confused, seeing that they were humans from Earth. "Might I ask why you are here? I don't remember Jaxson mentioning anything about visitors."
"I'm Sampson Tauno. These are my companions Chelsea Harpvok, Frank Harrison, Hayley McGee, and Damien Tauno. Might we have your name?" Sampson introduced his team, indicating each one as he introduced them.
"I'm Hina Makishima. If you looking for Jaxson, you just missed him. He was training with everyone else up until an hour ago," Hina informed.
"Where might we find him?" Chelsea asked, Hina instantly detecting an inhuman bloodlust that matched, if not surpassed, Jaxson's in demon combat. And she looked completely normal and innocent.
"He can hardly sit still. I'd try the training grounds in the Biscotti Republic," Hina informed. "Oh, Miss Harpvok, might I ask you why I sense so much bloodlust coming from you?"
Everyone was kind of shocked that she sensed something like that, Chelsea even taking a step back in shock. She quickly regained her composure, and smiled. "It might be the majority of jobs I've taken. Jaxson and I shared a similar career if you must know."
"I could tell. But do you regret any of the families you've torn apart?" Hina asked.
"Not really. Besides, I'm already dead," Chelsea informed casually. Everyone was now baffled, wondering what she meant.
"If you are here to kill him, I will stop you here," Hina warned.
"We aren't here to cause trouble," Frank explained. Hina simply looked at him, finding that hard to believe. "I know it's hard to believe, but we are simply here to talk."
"She might not believe you since you have explosives all around you," Hayley informed. "But we really are here to talk to Jaxson. Someone known as Banshee asked us a favor."
"Banshee? There's a name I haven't heard in a while," Hina started.
'How famous are Chase and Jaxson?' Chelsea thought.
"He should be here again in five days. You are actually close to seeing one of the training exercises we had before Jaxson came here. Would you like to watch?" Hina offered.
"We will. How many days away is it?" Damien answered.
"Three days from now is when it will start. Of course, I will be involved in the skirmish," Hina added.
"Okay. Thank you. Guys, a word," Damien thanked, walking over to a rather far area so that Hina wouldn't hear him. "Okay, listen. If we charge in blindly, we would get our asses kicked, correct?"
"You all would," Chelsea answered.
"And you, as you haven't seen him in a while, and don't know what he's done here. This skirmish will allow us to observe him and figure out how we will approach him," Damien informed.
"Didn't Banshee say that Sampson was the tactical master?" Frank asked.
"I don't take all the credit. Besides, when it comes to infiltration, assassinations, and data gathering, which is what we usually do, my brother is the mastermind. However, I can plan ahead when lives are at stake that aren't supposed to be. Sampson does help with those," Damien revealed.
"So, what's the next move?" Chelsea asked.
"Find a place to stay. We already know his general area. We try to find a place today, and tomorrow, we will try to track him," Damien informed.
"Sounds like a plan. Why not here?" Chelsea wondered.
"The second he sees us, he will know something is up, and will most likely kill us," Damien sighed as if it were obvious. "And since something clearly happened between you two, we need to keep you two apart."
SO, THEY FINALLY ENTER. LIKE I SAID LAST TIME, ONE YEAR HAS PASSED, SO PEOPLE WILL BE ACTING DIFFERENTLY SINCE JAXSON HAS LEFT AN IMPACT ON MANY PEOPLE HE'S ENCOUNTERED. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL STAY TUNED TO SEE WHAT i HAVE IN STORE FOR THIS STORY...
UNTIL NEXT TIME!