Episode 12 - Who is the enemy? (Important decisions)
On the last exciting episode of SF II-Deep Core Crisis: The strike on the Shadowlaw establishment on Menorca had escalated into a frenzy and the survivors were scarce, meanwhile Chun-Li is still in being held by Vega.
-- Unknown mansion in the outskirts of Barcelona, 8:00 AM --
Chun-Li lay in her comfortable bed and looked at the ceiling, she could hear the birds sing outside, it was morning and Alanza would soon knock on her door to inform her that breakfast was ready; she knew this because it was routine. She sat up on the bed and looked down at her lap, thoughts drifted through her mind, speculations concerning her decision to play along with Vega's scheme. She stood up and walked to the window, she opened it but her view was obstructed by steel bars, this made her feel like a prisoner. She could see that the Mansion she was in was located on a hill surrounded by lush vegetation and was not too far away from the city. If only she could bend steel she thought for a moment, a faint smile revealed itself on her lips before it sank, her realization was bitter. She took a deep breath of the fresh morning breeze and continued to her morning routine; she collected a fresh long towel from the closet and some clothes before heading to the bathroom which conveniently located next to her room.
-- Barcelona, 8:22 AM --
In a cafeteria near the town centre sat Cammy and Guile, they were eating breakfast and discussing their next move.
"So what the hell are we supposed to do?" Guile looked troubled as he devoured his omelet.
"I don't know sir..." Cammy giggled, amused by his lack of table manners.
"What were you doing in the castle of de Maria Isabelle?" He took a sip of his coffee and looked seriously at her.
"The British Interpol agency was informed about a reopening of the Shadowlaw investigation and I was the first to be recruited for the assignment since I have been involved in the case before." She said and took a sip of her coffee.
"I wish you hadn't seen me getting my ass kicked!" Guile scowled and sighed.
"It's alright sir, I'm glad I came to aid you, since you were outnumbered." She said with warmth he knew to cherish.
"I kicked Balrog's ass, but the other guy was a tough customer?" He smirked and made her giggle.
"Hehe! Sir I saw how you dealt with him, it was outstanding!" Her features lit up.
"The other one was Sagat, we never heard of him since the case was closed." She commented.
"I had never seen him that's what bogs my mind, but I'll get him next time!" He clenched his massive fist.
"He had the element of surprise sir, I am sure that you will be victorious next time." She said and excused herself for a moment, while leaving for the rest room. Guile looked around and locked eyes with a small boy who sat next to his mother. The boy had a plastic gun and pointed it at Guile; it struck a nerve in Guile and forced him to grin. Meanwhile a police officer entered the cafeteria. The man held a steel briefcase and placed it near the counter before taking a seat and ordering some coffee to take with him in his patrol car that was parked outside the building.
"So, should we get going?" Cammy said to Guile who noticed her standing beside him.
"Yeah sure, I'm just gonna pay for this, stay put." Guile made his way to the counter and took a bill with him, as he paid he noticed that the officer had left without the briefcase that was still lying by the counter. Sweat appeared on Guile's forehead, his eyes widened at the possibility.
"Everyone get out now! There is a bomb in the briefcase!" Guile grabbed the little boy and ran to Cammy and pulled her with him while dashing to the exit, some customers followed them, while others stood behind watching in awe as the six foot four muscle tower of a man sprinted out the door. As they got out an explosion followed which imploded the entire building, flames spewed out of every possible entry the blast could be heard miles away Cammy and Guile were violently thrown into the street where they rolled into several by standers.
"Son of a bitch!" Guile exclaimed while looking at the destruction that had unfold, as he looked down he saw the boy who was unscathed in his strong arms. He carefully put the boy down and ran to Cammy and helped her get up on her feet.
"Thank you sir, I'm alright? What just happened?" She asked aghast.
"Someone just tried to kill us!" Guile looked around and spotted a familiar patrol car parked in a safe distance as he came closer he saw the man who had left the briefcase in the cafeteria. The man was talking into his cell phone, as Guile approached him the man quickly spotted him and immediately started his engine.
"Cammy, watch out!" Guile jumped out of the car's way. The second attempt in taking his life had almost worked.
"I'll get you!" Guile jumped onto the car and held on for dear life as the man backed the car into another forcing Guile to fly over the car and onto the pavement.
"Sir!" Cammy ran to him and saw that he was bruised but it was nothing serious.
"He's getting away! God damn it!" Guile had lost hope when he saw that the car was distancing.
"Not everything is lost sir." Guile turned and saw Cammy who held a license plate which had fallen off the car; it displayed the car's district number as well as registration number.
"Nice work Cammy!" Guile smiled cunningly, but his smile was short lived, as he witnessed the destruction they had left behind, firemen had surrounded the burning building, all whilst the small boy was searching for his lost mother.
-- Unknown mansion in the outskirts of Barcelona, 10:48 AM --
Chun-Li walked around the mansion seemingly interested in the various artifacts which could be found in it. Vega had decorated the hallways with exciting statures; it never got boring strolling around the complex even though she had other worries to tend to. She wore a blue dress which complimented her in every way; she thought that it was interesting to look in the mirror each day resembling more another person than her normal self. She had nothing to worry about, yet she found herself fearing for the worst.
"Dearest Chun-Li, may I accompany you?" She heard him say, and looked for him, but he was nowhere to be found.
"Up here beautiful one." As she turned her gaze to the source of his voice she spotted him sitting comfortably on one of his statures which were over eight feet tall. He elegantly pushed himself off the stature and made a summersault in mid air before landing elegantly on his loafers.
"Do I have a choice?" She asked bluntly, he only smiled in reply. As they made their way across the vast hallways of the mansion, Vega invited her out for a walk outside.
"Do come outside my dear, I will show you the gardens." He politely opened the door for her.
"Oh my..." She stepped outside and admired the beauty of his massive garden.
"You like it?" He asked.
"It's beautiful. Did you design it?" She turned to meet his gaze.
"Yes... "He replied and lead the way; they sat on a bench facing a fountain, Chun-Li spotted small birds that bathed in the fountain, and it filled her heart with joy, it evoked old memories from her past. They were surrounded by flowers of all shapes and colors, and as Chun-Li took a breath she could not avoid inhaling the enchanting scent of each and every flower. As she turned to look at Vega she found him starring at with his cunning smile. It was as if he played with her, experimenting with her reactions and trying out new ways of seducing her even though she saw through most of his attempts.
"What are you thinking of?" She asked and crossed her legs while observing the nature around her.
"I was just admiring your presence lovely one." His voice was soothing, and she knew what was coming.
"I consider it an honor to have you stay at my mansion." She gave him an insecure look and looked down seemingly trying to avoid his eyes.
"When are you going to turn me over to Shadowlaw?" Their eyes locked.
"Answer me. You don't need to hide it from me." He rolled with his eyes and began laughing.
"What is so funny?" She asked with a bitter tone.
"What makes you think that I would do something like that?" He countered.
"Because you answer to M. Bison ." His expression turned into a serious one.
"I answer to no one. You of all people should know this." He stood up and walked to the fountain.
"I know that Bison gives you many liberties, but is he not interested in me?" He came near her and knelled before her, she was surprised to have him this close as their lips were only inches apart.
"I have no intensions of delivering you to anyone, unless you want to go to him freely?" She scowled bitterly to his arrogant and now provocative tone.
"Very funny Vega." She evaded his gaze.
"You are free to go." He stood up and sat on the edge of the fountain while calling to the birds that landed on his shoulders. Chun-Li looked in awe as the birds flocked around him.
"What did you just say?"
"You are free to go where ever you want to." She noticed that his expression turned into a sad one.
"Thank you for your understanding Vega. I... I don't know what to say." She stood up and turned away from him.
"You don't need to explain yourself to me my love." Her heart skipped a beat when she heard this.
"Vega I feel nothing for you." She said casually.
"I know it is hard for you to swallow such a harsh reality."
"Don't try to force your psychological tricks on me Vega. You know it won't work." He walked up behind her and turned her around so she could face him.
"Then how do you explain this?" He covered her mouth with his, and proceeded to kiss her. His soft lips were rubbing against hers in a way that she had never experienced; she felt a rush engulf her. Suddenly she pushed herself away from him and slapped him across the face.
"You are impossible!" She turned and started running, but found herself gasping for air.
"What have you done to me?" She fell on her knees and started panting.
"Oh it is a just precaution; you see it would have been naïve to think you wouldn't run away. So I used a special cocktail which I administrated every day." He walked to her and offered her a hand.
"You drugged me!" She cried out.
"I had no choice, I knew you would eventually run, but there is more to this." He helped her up on her feet.
"Just remember that you are Shadowlaw's priority number one. The entire city is filled with surveillance cyborgs that monitor every move you make. Sooner or later they will find you, and then I won't be able to protect you. But you are none the less free to go; I can drive you to the nearest police station?" Her breathing gradually stabilized. Chun-Li stood in front of a crossroad, if she decided to leave she would bring herself into severe danger, one she knew she couldn't handle herself, and she knew Vega would not harm her.
"If I stay will you tell me everything about Shadowlaw and their plans?" He gave her playful smile which she acknowledged as being a somewhat positive answer.
A/N: On the next exciting episode of Street Fighter II – Deep Core Crisis! Chun-Li is digging deeper into Vegas past, all while Guile and Cammy are chasing the bomber who has taken many innocent lives. Will Ken and Ryu discover the truth behind the joint Interpol and Military operation? Find out on the next exciting episode: – Insolence Not Ignored – (Unsettled scores) – GONNA BURN SOME MUSCLE!!
A big thanks goes out to my dear readers. I am so happy that the reader base is slowly growing, and that people find my story entertaining. This only fuels my motivation to keep going! An update should be out by the end of the month. Thank you for your patience.