Chapter 15

Every night Tim's bar was full to the brim with officers from the precinct after their shifts. Over time, he kept his drug addiction a secret from most of his colleagues, but they all knew about it anyway and never spoke of it. Tim's colleagues were too occupied as Wood Oak City had ungone many changes during the past couple of years. Slowly, there emerged a different kind of criminal organisation compared to the one previously under Mr X's rule. The bosses this time kept a low profile from the public and to the everyday citizen, they could have been any businessman or woman who crossed their path in the street.

All of the money they were cleaning out was being invested in projects such as a high speed outdoor city railway in the making, brand new skyscrapers as well as record labels and art galleries. Anything that could make Wood Oak City gentrified and appealing to foreign investors was their objective and there was no doubt that this corrupted organisation had their fingers in every pie. They even stretched as far as the police force and the government. The fact that violent crime remained at a constant level meant that no attention came back to a suspected new Syndicate organisation running the show behind the scenes.

Independent bodies such as the SIF where Adam worked had no reason yet to suspect anything out of the ordinary regarding crime in the city. In fact, Wood Oak was now more known for its low level street gangs rather than the big rich bosses similar to the previous gangsters like Mr X. Often, Adam and Estel were appointed to larger assignments outside of the city because the crimes in Wood Oak were just not worth the SIF resources and were a waste of time chasing up, according to them.

But the people of the city were no fools. These big investments in state of the art technology and infrastructure were actually forcing citizens to lose their homes and businesses. The price of the land and rent had soared in recent times. What should have been the opportunity to invest in local people all turned out to be a facade of broken promises. Robots, computers and anything else to cut costs slowly replaced skilled labour.

One of the few construction firms left that tried to defy this change was a company called Powerhouse Corp. Their bosses refused to let any of the new major conglomerates buy them out and they remained as one of the few construction firms that kept on its local workforce. The New Syndicate and the Government behind the scenes were desperate to get their hands on this company due to their next construction project which was the largest designed proposal the city had ever seen.

Powerhouse Corp were contracted to build the tallest skyscraper in Wood Oak. It was set to dominate the city's skyline and the tower's purpose was to host brand new offices, apartments, restaurants, and shops. Even the talk of a brand new arena up there was on the cards. This company aimed to invest in local people once the ambitious 4 year project was completed, however the New Syndicate had other ideas for it.

After several business meetings with the directors of Powerhouse Corp and countless bribes, members of the New Syndicate resorted to desperate measures that resulted in devastating consequences. One morning, the city witnessed the worst construction disaster it had ever seen. An isolated fire broke out on the 14th floor which caused a large 50 tonne concrete crate to plummet down. It wrecked glass, panels and scaffolding during the drop and resulted in the tragic deaths of 18 construction workers, plus dozens more who were badly injured.

One of the workers amongst them was a trained Maori wrestler named Floyd Iraia. That very same morning, his life changed forever. After falling down a steep drop, then being crushed under several tons of concrete across his upper body, both of his arms had to be amputated. The young fighter at the tender age of 20 survived, but had to spend months in rehabilitation bearing the scars and the pain of that fateful morning. Floyd was extremely lucky to still be alive, but many of his colleagues were not as fortunate.

After almost a year, Floyd had started to become used to the prosthetic arms the clinic had provided. They were a huge help in getting through everyday tasks and even though they enabled him to eventually pursue another career, to Floyd's disappointment, he knew his fighting days were numbered. He became hell bent on finding out what really happened on that day as he understood deep down that this disaster was no tragic accident.

After a modest payout from the firm to keep the injured workers quiet, Floyd decided that this wasn't enough and that he had to take matters into his own hands. Every day and night, he studied the new corporation who bought out Powerhouse Corp, including its brand new set of directors who took over the skyscraper project. Despite the old firm's good intentions, there was no way Powerhouse Corp could bounce back or continue after the high-profile disaster under their name.

The company was eventually renamed as Y-corporation. The mammoth project of completing the already half-made skyscraper also changed its name from 'Sanctuary' to 'Y-Tower'.

Floyd would spend vast amounts of time following these new directors who stepped in. He even had a small team of old friends that were injured from the 'accident'. They worked tirelessly together underground in the basement of Floyd's small apartment. There, they would spend hours around the clock hacking emails, scanning surveillance and monitoring information sent related to Y-Corp and its directors.

Floyd was determined to expose every single one of them for what they had done. His gut feeling told him that this new company that bought out Powerhouse Corp had been planning a tragic disaster like this for a long time in order to buy them out. Floyd also had reasons to believe that this project they had taken over was about to be turned into a criminal hub that was rigged with dirty money investments.

Over time, he had come to discover even more shocking revelations about Y-Corp. Oddly, they continued to purchase dozens of large speakers which showed up on the company's inventory every month. What was the need for this? He wondered. And still, after almost a year of tracking them, the real owner/s of Y-Corp never once emerged on his radar. The real owners chose to keep their identities a secret, even from their own employees. This was another mystery that Floyd wanted to seek his teeth into.

Something just wasn't right and the data they found didn't add up. Then one evening, Floyd followed a suspected hunch from a tip-off they had. His team brushed it off, but following it through proved worth its glory.

Floyd discovered that the funds for part of the Y-Tower project tracked all the way back to a liquidated company called RoboCy. He remembered reading about the scientific firm and the controversial projects that were previously shut down, including its involvement with the radioactive element Rakushin and its secret experiments on turning innocent civilians into robotic weapons.

The most relevant thing about RoboCy however, was who its main shareholder and owner was - none other than the relentless criminal, Mr X. That funding for the new skyscraper had to have been linked to him and the stash he had hidden before he died. And who would have had access to his money? That road only led to one possibility - his two children. They were twins and had recently turned 21. This all added up and was the perfect time for them receiving their inheritance.

Almost 7 years had now passed since the death of their father. Floyd remembers how shocked he was after watching the two young teenagers on TV all those years ago expressing their distaste and determination to find their father's murderer. All of their emotions seemed 'acted out' on that day for the camera. Those two rich kids were spoiled and hungry for power, even before their father was buried.

That funding had to have been authorized by them, there just was no other alternative!

Floyd understood that, to get to the bottom of this in exposing them, he would have to delve back in time to study the Old Syndicate and their dealings during the last decade. It was too much of a risk to approach the police force, but there were a handful of vigilantes Floyd had heard about on the streets who once defeated Mr X. As ambitious as it was, tracking these retired fighters down wasn't going to be easy….

As soon as Floyd walked into Tim's bar, he recognised dozens of officers from Wood Oak's main Police Precinct scattered around off duty. They eyed up the tall hench wrestler from head to toe, glaring at him with distaste like a bad penny. Floyd kept things cool as he pulled up one of the stools by the bar.

"What can I get ya to drink?" An old Irish man in a grey t-shirt behind the bar approached him.

"I'll just have a soda please…"

The barman gave him a look of disgust to say 'is that all you're buying here?'

Floyd casually smiled back at him when he heavily placed the bottle down on the bar top, "thanks".

As he leaned forward to sip on his drink, Floyd peered around the corner of the bar. There, he could see a striking woman in her late 20s with long brown hair sitting on one of the counters far back behind the bar towards the kitchens. She had a black leather jacket on and black torn leather gloves. She was deeply focused on sharpening her knife.

Floyd immediately called back the barman. "Hey, er… I'm looking for someone. I heard that he was Murphy's old partner back at the precinct..."

"Who?" The old man spat, tilting his head. This barman wasn't the conversation type of guy.

"Axel Stone?"

The Irishman quickly shrugged, having no idea who this stranger in front of him was or who he was talking about. "You'll have to wait til Tim gets back, I'm sure he can help ya…."

"What's your business here?" Suddenly, an English voice interrupted and the woman he saw stepped forward, giving Floyd an evil stare with her blue eyes. Her knife was now safely tucked away but she could reach for it at any moment if she wanted to, so Floyd watched her every move with caution.

"I er.. Am looking for…."

"I know who you're looking for!" She cut his sentence short before turning back to the barman. "Don't worry Dave, carry on working. The customers over there are waiting to be served."

"Yes ma'am" the old man nodded at her, keen to get away.

"I heard Tim Murphy used to be partners with Axel Stone…" Floyd remarked.

"Sssh, don't mention that name in here," the brunette worriedly glanced around the bar at the array of cops enjoying their drinks. "Why are you here?" She frowned, observing Floyd's prosthetic hands under his jacket.

"I have some information. It's to do with project Y-Tower and all of it dates back to Mr X and the old syndicate…"

"You'd better come with me then," she sighed.

Floyd suddenly came to the realisation as to who this woman standing in front of him actually was. He had heard of her name on the streets several times but they had never before crossed paths. "Wait! Your Blaze Fielding, aren't you?" Floyd stared up at her with hope in his eyes. He then frowned whilst glancing around the bar, surprised at the fact that a talented fighter like Blaze was working in a place like this.

"Yeah, I err…" she shrugged.

Just as the brunette finished her sentence, Tim bursted into the bar after a long day at the precinct. He charged forward as soon as he spotted Floyd, curious at who this stranger was and why he was having a discussion with Blaze.

"Everything ok here?" Tim smiled as hopped behind the bar next to her.

"Yeah, it's fine", Blaze forged a smile back as Tim kissed her on the cheek.

"What do you want then?" His eyes quickly darted towards Floyd with a less than enthusiastic manor.

"Hi, it's so great to finally meet you, I'm Floyd. I came here because I was just wondering…" as he began his sentence, he could see Blaze's eyes worriedly darting around behind Tim as she discreetly shook her head at him. Desperate to stop his sentence, she unexpectedly interrupted Floyd.

"This man here was just enquiring about taking up some of my dance classes…." Blaze blurted out the first excuse that came into her head. She innocently smiled and gestured her chin up towards the poster advertising her classes above the bar. "See?"

Floyd instantly gave Blaze an embarrased frown. She could have at least come up with a better excuse if she wanted him to keep his mouth shut!

Tim was slightly taken back and surprised for a second. A man of Floyd's build and size wasn't the typical dance student who regularly attended Blaze's classes. As the three of them paused in awkward silence, Tim stared down at Floyd's prosthetic arms.

"...You? Taking dance classes?" He then let out an arrogant hint of laughter.

"Well err…" Floyd shrugged as he hesitated to answer.

"This guy's physio said it would be good for him as he was sick of the gym!" Blaze optimistically informed Tim. She then gave Floyd an anxious look, encouraging him to go along with the story.

Floyd cleared his throat, "yeah! I think it will be a great hobby for me to learn a few new moves" he sheepishly nodded.

"Good luck!" Tim sniggered pessimistically.

"I just need to take the down payment for the next six classes….but I forgot that my book and card machine are back at the studio. I'll be back in half an hour," Blaze smiled before giving Tim a quick kiss on the lips.

"Come on, the studio is only a couple of blocks away, I'll show you where it is!" She turned to Floyd.

"See you soon then sweetheart," Tim smirked. "Oh, and when you get back I need those inventories drawn up and you need to pick up some food for me on the way home," he ordered. The word 'food' was Tim's codeword for drugs.

"Yeah, sure!" Blaze nodded without a fuss.

She caught her breath as soon as her and Floyd stepped outside into the street.

"What the….?" Floyd questioned Blaze with shock.

"Just keep going along with it, they're still watching us…" she smiled at him as she whispered.

Eventually, the two of them made it to Blaze's dance studio a couple of blocks away. She unlocked the front door, then led Floyd up the stairs towards the tiny office.

"So, are you gonna explain why you brought me all the way here and why you stopped me from talking to Murphy?" Floyd took a seat in front of the desk.

"First, I'm gonna need a transaction for you," Blaze said as she reached for the card machine.

"What?! Why?!" Floyd shrugged defensively.

"Those cops in there, they can get their hands on any information they choose if Tim wants. For him to believe this little meeting of ours, you need to pay for a course…"

"How much then?" He huffed.

"$200,"

"Whatttttt? Are you serious?!"

Blaze didn't even bother to reply. She just simply took the card machine and passed it to him.

After Floyd used his credit card to make the transaction, Blaze tore off the receipt then handed it to him.

"So why were you so keen then to stop me from asking Tim about Axel?" Floyd demanded answers.

"Why are you so keen on finding a man who has been gone now for almost 7 years?" Blaze folded her arms as she rested back against the desk.

"Because Y Corp and all of their projects are being funded by Mr X's cash! They're the whole reason why I lost my arms and why my friends are now dead!" He explained, exasperated in his reply.

"Are you referring to the Sanctuary Tower disaster?" Blaze queried.

"Yes!" Floyd bluntly answered.

"Then you could have just come and asked me. I was part of the crew that destroyed the Old Syndicate…"

"Yeah but, word on the streets was that Axel was the one who killed Mr X. He could have worked alone, along with the support of the police…"

Blaze couldn't help but let out a pissed off laugh, shaking her head as she began to pace up and down the room. "That's what you think! Besides, the police force has always been corrupt, even when we used to work for them. And I got news for you, Axel wasn't responsible for Mr X's death."

"Then why did he leave on the run?"

"Who says he ran away?" Blaze took a deep exhale, staring down at the ground as her nostrils flared.

"Ok, but that still doesn't explain how Mr X died and why his children funded Y-Corp!"

"Y-Corp?" Blaze raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

"Yeah. They're taking over the whole city!"

Floyd couldn't help but notice a large bruise below Blaze's red top one side of her body as she sat under the light. He suspected her ribs may have been cracked or broken, but he couldn't tell. Either way, she was doing well to hide the pain.

"I can see that you still like to fight huh? In fact, I could really use your help…"

"No way!" She answered, immediately closing her jacket to cover her midriff.

Blaze shook her head at him. "I'm sorry, but this ain't my problem anymore. I got my own vendetta to deal with. And you wanna be careful from now on about mentioning Axel's name around places like Tim's bar. You never know what trouble it could get you into…"

She tested his patience and Floyd snapped back. "I've spent the last year and a half recovering and learning to use my arms again after what they did to me! I didn't think I could ever work again, let alone fight! Thanks for nothing!" Floyd bitterly huffed as he stood from his chair, screwing up the paper receipt Blaze gave him.

"Wait!" She halted him as he approached the door. Blaze felt part of his pain, understanding the struggles and what it was like to find strength to rehabilitate, recover and carry on after being physically broken.

Floyd took a deep breath as he turned back around to face her.

"Look, I can't help you and I have no idea where Axel is, but why don't you try to contact Adam Hunter?. He was also a member of our team…"

"You think I didn't try Hunter already?!" Floyd snapped. "He's always out of town or occupied!"

Blaze bit her tongue as she nodded in agreement. Then she decided to pull out a piece of paper from one of the drawers along with a pen. "Then go to this address. There is a man there called Dr Zan. He will help you find the answers you're looking for, no doubt. Tell him I sent you and he'l take you in without hesitating".

Floyd suddenly felt very grateful and guilty for shouting at Blaze as he took the piece of paper from her. "Thank you…"

"I hope you find what you're looking for, I really do. And make them suffer for what they did to you," Blaze hatefully remarked as Floyd opened the door.

"They'll get what's coming to them sooner or later," he replied before he left.

Once Floyd was gone, Blaze used her key to re-open the drawer. There, she found tucked away the old note reading,

'I'm coming back for you, I promise x".

Blaze paused as she stared down, holding onto it with sadness in her eyes. She remembered every part of that day when Axel left all those years ago.

She then took out a tiny plastic bag of pills from her jacket pocket. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to swallow one. However, Blaze immediately regretted it. She tightly placed her hand over her mouth with tears in her eyes after giving in to her addiction, but by now it was too late. Within seconds, the drug started to kick in and she began to forget the past once again.