A/N: A little less Ryu/Juri in this chapter. This will serve as to how Juri got to where she is now. This will jump around a little bit. Also, if anyone has seen the Street Fighter 4 OVA where Juri was 1st introduced, there's apart in this chapter that slightly reimagines some of those events.
I also claim no ownership of Street Fighter or associated trademarks.
8 Months Ago, Unspecified Rainforest of Southern Thailand
She'd done it.
S.I.N was hers.
Juri finally decided to make her move on Seth.
Seth was tough, no doubt about that. The arrogant android managed to make her break a sweat, but he was just a warmup (though it took more out of her than she'd ever state out loud, even having to use the Feng-Shui engine to rebuff Seth's attacks).
Now it was time to plan her move on Shadaloo and nab the prize.
Bison's head.
Juri gave the fallen android very little regard as she lifted her foot to shatter Seth's core, ensuring he wouldn't be coming back.
Not unlike the roach who's fond of red military garb, thought Juri.
The moment she crushed the Tanden Engine under her own foot, that was when Bison decided to reveal himself.
The metal automatic door hissed open, Bison stepping into Seth's office, as if he owned the place.
She could hear bangs, shouting, explosions and gunshots beyond the office, making it clear Bison didn't come alone.
It was no secret that Bison had moles in S.I.N, but Seth, being the unimaginative automaton he was, did nothing to eliminate them; furthermore even having S.I.N's base in the same rainforests as the main Shadaloo base.
She remembered the humanoid once stating the mountains and forests of southern Thailand were naturally impenetrable.
Naturally impenetrable my ass, thought Juri.
The devil among men barely made any preamble.
He goes on the attack after giving a haughty "humph."
Bison left his feet, charging her, the paramilitary leader going into a spin as the ki of his psycho power enveloped him.
She just managed to dodge him, jumping out of the as he blasted past her, shouting, "Psycho Crusher!"
Looking to take advantage of the opening she charged him as he recovered.
Bison came out of the spin of the psycho crusher, landing on both feet just as Juri came up on him.
Juri threw a flurry of punches and kicks to his body and head, hoping to catch him cold.
But Bison was no push over, he dodged, blocked or parried everything she threw.
After one parry, he held on to her wrist squeezing it tight as he shrouded it the burning ki of his psycho power.
In response, Juri then refocused her attack. She threw a kick low, thrusting her foot heel first with crippling intention towards Bison's knee.
He grunted in pain, but his grip remained tight.
She did again.
Once more.
He released his grip, then produced a burst of sudden ki creating almost shield around him forcing Juri back.
She regained her footing, then began circling Bison as she shook her wrist.
The defensive aura ki around Bison disbursed, as he kicked the kinks out of his knee.
He smiles, "You intend to cripple me, girl?" He asked mockingly as he took his stance, widening his feet, placing his hands in place to protect his face and body.
Juri smiles at him, but with no mirth in her features. "I reckon a one-legged man is easier to kill than one with two," she said shrugging off his question.
Bison charged her once more, taking a large step throwing himself into a low kick of his own aiming for her standing leg.
Juri, no stranger to such a tactic, leaps above the strike, flipping into the air with the intention of landing on her much-hated foe.
She makes contact with Bison, touching down both feet on his armored shoulders. She recognized he's still off balance having thrown his body into that low kick, so she pushes off him performing another flip.
Bison collied with the ground, landing on his hands his back away from Juri; while Juri landed gracefully in a 3-point stance.
He regains his footing, just as Juri is on him once more.
He goes for a double collar tie, grabbing at the collar bones on Juri on both sides.
Juri sees this another opening, throwing a barrage of punches toward his now unprotected body.
"A…small…price…to pay," Bison managed to spit out between landed blows.
It was then that he landed a thunderous knee to her midsection, using the collar tie to tilt her body to expose the vulnerable areas and pull her into the blows.
He tilts her to his left, kneeing her on her right side and vice-versa.
She desperately tries to fight her way out this clinch, punching, clawing, even swimming her hands using circular motion to break the dangerous embrace, but Bison has too much size on her, too much strength.
She wills the Feng Shui Engine to life in a last-ditch effort.
The boost the device gives her increases her strength enough for her power out of Bison's hold, peeling his hands from her collar bones with her bare hands through sheer brute force and creates distance with a push kick to his body.
She needed to get back on the offensive as this boost he's been granted won't last long.
Plus, there's a few things working toward her disadvantage.
Bison's most recent attack took more out her than she realized, she was more fatigued from her clash with Seth than she'd care to admit, and of course have used the Feng-Shui Engine against Seth; it yields diminishing returns if utilized too soon in successive fashion.
"Did you use your little trinket against my spare?" he asked with a mocking smile.
"What does it matter," she responded through gritted teeth, fists clinching tight, "you'll fall just the same."
They clashed again, this time Juri getting the better of the exchanges, the speed and power boost granted by the Feng-Shui Engine guiding her through.
But for each punch landed, she slowed slightly.
Each kick connected had a little less might behind it than the last.
She was reaching her limit and she knew it.
And would appear Bison picked up on it too.
He timed a punch batting it down and through that opening he threw an elbow to her face, it landing square on her nose.
Juri yelled, "Bastard!" as she retreated, holding her face.
Bison then approached her, imbuing his fists with Psycho energy.
He then begun to rain down punches on her, the Psycho Power-enhanced blows not only impacting her head and body, but also burning with each one landing.
She desperately covers up, trying her best to block the incoming attacks but it's of little use, the Feng-Shui Engine whirring down as the boost it provided has completely elapsed.
The way he rained down blows on her made it clear he wasn't there to beat her into submission or subservience.
He wasn't there to make an example of her.
He was there to take her out and take S.I.N.
No!
Not when she'd just taken it for herself.
She tries to activate the Feng-Shui Engine once more.
Just as it starts to hum to life once more, Bison utters, "No more of that."
He grabs her by the neck, lifting her into the air squeezing the life out her. He slams her back into the nearby steel wall, while still holding her by the throat.
She struggles with her feet kicking in the air as she gasps for breath, pounding desperately on the arm holding her up.
Bison reaches for her left eye, his intention to rip the Feng-Shui engine right out her head clear.
"Kkekk," she spits out as her struggle gets more erratic, batting his hand away with each attempt only being more futile than the last while Bison squeezes her neck tighter.
As her consciousness fades, she enacts one more act of desperation.
She grasps the sides of his head, pushing her thumbs into his sockets.
He lets out a wail, "Rahh! You wretch! I'll make you suffer for this!"
Take mine, I'll take your you son of a bitch, she thought.
He grabs her by the wrists, tearing her hands from his face.
Still holding her by the arms, he throws Juri across the room.
She crashed into Seth's desk, the piece of furniture exploding into splinters upon impact.
Juri hacks and coughs, trying to regain her breath after being strangled. Her hand massaged her neck as body throbbed in agony after being thrown.
She observed Bison, staggering about the room, hands at his eyes, trying to rub the vision back into them.
"Tell me where you are, and your suffering will be brief!" He screamed, as he dropped his hand from his eyes, the skin around them red and swollen from being thumbed.
"Ah, a good attempt," he said facing Juri, the south Korean presumably coming into focus, "but it will take more than that to take down the mighty Bison."
Juri tried to push herself up but found her body too fatigued to do so, collapsing immediately.
She managed to get herself on her knee, bracing herself with a hand on the ground. She looked up and saw Bison powering his way toward her.
Is this it?
This can't be it.
Not when I have the bastard right here!
She clenches her grounded hand in frustration but finds it closing around a piece of wood from the destroyed desk.
One surely wouldn't be performing surgery with it but it's ends look sharp enough that with enough force it could do some damage.
She looks around, seeing she's not too far from a wall.
She pushed herself up, makeshift shank in hand, letting her momentum guide her to the wall to minimize any effort it would take to stand and move otherwise.
She would need the energy.
Bison continued his stride toward her, just passing where she kneeled previously.
"Run, run, little spider," mocked Bison.
He must still be blurry-eyed, thought Juri, as he's made no mention of the piece of wood nor made no move to disarm her.
He reaches out with both hands, clasping around her neck to finish what he started.
"Take heed and be happy that the last thing you'll see is my…"
Bison is cut off, as the pointed piece of wood is plunged into abdomen just below the chest, Juri aiming for the heart or liver.
She stabs again, he responds by grabbing at his wounds with one hand choking her with the other, but the clasp isn't as tight as it was before.
Must've hit pay-dirt.
She takes the improvised weapon by both hands, this time plunging it into Bison neck with all the strength she had left.
She pulls out the piece of wood, the crude weapon coming out with a wet splunk.
Bison releases her, as he stumbles back, blood spraying out his neck.
His now free hand goes to his neck wound trying to stop the bleeding.
He drops to his knees, now holding both lacerations.
He then holds out both hands, looking down at them with a sneering smile.
He looks up to Juri, as his face relaxes and then his body crumbles into a heap unceremoniously.
Juri throws down the piece of wood at the unmoving Bison.
"Dae-Jung and Areum Han say hello from heaven, you fuck," Juri muttered weakly before she herself collapsed.
Ryu stared at Juri as finished this piece of her story, her own stare was downcast.
"That story in the newspapers was that Bison…"
"I know Juri," interrupted, "my guess is that leaders of the world figured is better the everyday citizen thought Bison went down like some grand finale befitting an action movie villain, and not stabbed to death by a desperate girl on her last legs."
Ryu noticed a slight tremble of her hand, the memory of her final battle with Bison obviously a very sore spot.
Juri must've observed him seeing her display of anguish, as she brought her hand to her mouth, biting her index finger between her lips.
"Juri, you could've told the story that circulated in the papers and wherever and I wouldn't have been the wiser," said Ryu, as he took the hand she had up to her mouth into his hand. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked earnestly.
She looked down at their entwined hands, and then looked back to Ryu.
Smiling sadly, her nodding down as she looked at him through her eyelashes, "Maybe I'm a nicer person than I've led on all these years. Maybe since you trusted me with your problems, I feel like I can trust you with this." She finished as began to caress Ryu's hand.
She took a noticeable breath, preparing to speak.
But before she could, John walked up to their table from behind Ryu, asking, "Can I get you both anything else?"
Juri pushed Ryu's hand away, as if it was scalding hers, looking in a direction away from both John and Ryu.
She cutely pouted, as crossed her arms across her chest.
Ryu smiled at her as she angrily told John, off, "We're fine!" She huffed out.
He can see Rachel motioning behind Juri, signaling for John to leave the couple be.
"Uh, yeah. " said John, as he walked away.
She unfolded her arms, taking deep swig of her wine, "I'd like to continue if you don't mind?" she asked lightly.
"Go right ahead," responded Ryu, motioning her to go on, "I'm eager to hear what happened next," he said as he placed his hand on the table.
"I woke up a few hours later, the first thing on my mind was…"
She did it.
She'd finally did it.
After almost a decade of toil her one goal since her parents' death has come to fruition.
Bison's dead.
And by her hand.
She ought to feel happy, celebratory even.
She opened her eyes, the lights of the florescent blubs above her burning them.
"Fuck," she muttered to herself, covering her eyes with her arm while attempting to sit up.
But her whole body is incredibly sore, likely from the battle with Bison.
Had it not been for this pain she would've been left with a hollow feeling.
The empty, hollow she feared would surface once her revenge was consummated.
Just as Chun-Li warned…
"I see you're awake," called a voice from the side of the bed Juri occupied.
Juri looked at the figure from underneath her arm, laying her eyes on Crimson Viper.
The S.I.N agent is seated in a plastic seat, metal legged chair with her legs and arms crossed. Her red hair is in a messy ponytail. Viper has a few cuts here and there marring the otherwise mesmerizing beauty, the most obvious of which is one on her pouty lips. Viper's looking at her with a neutral look on her face as if she's trying to get a read on her. Absent is her usual business suit that hides her battle equipment, in its place is a skintight red catsuit with a solid black line running down the arms, sides, continuing down legs plunging into solid black combat boots and she has matching tactical gloves on her hands. She has a holster around her shoulders with a handgun the model of Juri is having trouble identifying.
"Nice to see you're still among the living," said Viper, as her expression softened slightly.
"I feel like death," responded Juri through gritted teeth, as tried to stand up again this time succeeding despite the pain.
"Maybe halfway alive at least," joked Viper.
"I take it I'm in the infirmary," asked Juri.
"You got it."
Juri looks around, noticing not too many of the other beds of the infirmary occupied.
"How many of ours did we lose. I mean, when I was fighting Bison things seemed to be going to hell outside of Seth's office. I take it we didn't lose too many?"
"Not a whole lot, though obviously we did suffer some casualties. Despite the idiocy of keeping the mobile base of S.I.N in the same forests as Shadaloo base, Seth did have an efficient plan for the inevitable Shadaloo attack. A shame he didn't live to see it through." Finished Viper as she gave a pointed look to Juri.
"Oh," Juri laughed," you're sorry he's gone?"
"You insult me by asking. Only thing I'm sorry about is that you got to him first," said Viper, as her eyes narrowed at Juri, in which the Taekwondo fight reads as look of resentment, "both of them."
Whatever plans Crimson Viper had regarding Seth and Bison are now irrelevant, and really don't concern Juri.
With Bison dead, her next move should be moving on Shadaloo as soon as possible. Juri doesn't doubt Bison has a spare body or two lying around the main base.
But also, she needs to do something, anything before the hollowness consumed her.
"Early bird gets the worm," Juri responded, throwing on a façade of confidence, "and since I took out Seth that means I call the shots here now!"
Crimson Viper looks at Juri, looking at her almost as she sees through her.
If she did, Viper didn't make any mention of it.
"I guess it does," Viper replied simply.
"How soon do you think we'll be able to move on Shadaloo," asked Juri.
"In your condition?" Said Viper with a surprised inflection, leaning forward, "You can barely stand upright in that bed without wincing in pain!"
"Huh, didn't know you cared so much Viper, but that's not what I asked."
"Fine, you're the boss I guess," said Viper, "we can probably be ready in under 12 hours. Bison brought with him about 500 soldiers, and by our latest estimation he had a total of 700 at his disposal at the main Shadaloo base. Most of those 500 he brought with are either dead or captured right now. At our last head count of our manpower, we had 400 men at our disposal, and we barley lost 100 in this battle. Plus, we can probably bolster our numbers with those we've captured or at least those whose loyalty can be bought. Also, those among detained we've got F.A.N.G, their second in command. We can probably use F.A.N.G to take 'em without any further conflict."
"But where's the fun in that," responded Juri.
Ryu looked on as Juri spoke further, leaning forward in anticipation of the next part of this story.
She paused as John came back, taking their plates.
"Can I get some more water," asked Juri.
John simply nodded, stepping away from the table, having taken his que from Rachel to avoid interrupting the couple too much.
Maybe, I shouldn't think of us as couple, though Ryu, maybe just acquaintances having dinner.
Juri, as if reading Ryu's mind continued, "And there's not really much to say about taking on Shadaloo. We mobilized all able-bodied members S.I.N plus those members of Shadaloo that stormed the base that we're willing to change alliances and stormed their base. We even used the air carriers they used to come to us to travel there. They were out manned, out gunned so surrender was the only logical thing Shadaloo could've done."
Ryu looked on at Juri, slightly disappointed, "I kind of expected more but considering the circumstances, surrender was probably the most likely outcome."
"Yeah, I mean we brought F.E.N.G with us to prove we weren't playing around let alone the troops we brought with us. The most exciting thing after that was my 1st official act as head of Shadaloo. It was well known that Bison has 'spare' bodies laying around," Juri said using quotation marks. "I demanded to know where were in the base. I was taken to a subterranean room where there were 4 glass tanks, each containing a fully realized clone of Bison floating in some liquid. I ordered them all off whatever life support system they were connected to. And just to make sure there was no coming back for him, I took a side arm from one of my escorts and put two in the head chest of each copy." Juri stopped, looking at Ryu as if she was ready for him to pass judgement on her for what she did.
"Lay it on me tough guy. I know you have something to say about this. Whatever it is, I can take it." Said Juri impatiently.
Ryu's brows shot up in surprise.
He could imagine being in her shoes if something happened to someone he cared for.
Hell, he almost crossed that line when Crimson Viper decided it was a good idea to torture Cammy in order to goad out the Satsui no Hado.
"Juri," he started seriously, "While I have been a witness to the cruelty of M. Bison, it has always been in the context of a fight. I cannot begin to fathom the things he's done to others in the name of his criminal empire, least of all what he put you through. If you thought it was necessary to complete your revenge, I will not judge you for it. The least I can say is that he will not be missed," Ryu finished, as he returned Juri's stare.
She laughed sadly.
"You're being nicer to me than I was to myself was to all those months ago."
"How do you mean?" asked Ryu.
"Well remember earlier when I described my feelings after I woke up in the infirmary. Hollow, empty. I hoped that what was left of Shadaloo had put up a fight. That way I can occupy myself with something other than this emptiness. Fucking bastards, rolling over as quickly as they did," Juri spoke with bitterness in her tone. "And after that? After that I thought about what my parents would want. Would they have wanted me to avenge them like this? No. My dad probably would've wanted me to be like Chun-Li, go into law enforcement. Or be like him, become a prosecutor. Take the bad guys down, all fair and just like," she said as waived her hand. "And that hollowness showed too. Everything I was to be briefed on, I showed no interest in. Crimson Viper knew that too. That might be why she approached me afternoon of the following day…"
Juri Han sat at a large desk (likely made from some rare or expensive species of wood she surmised), her elbow on its surface as she held her head in her palms as she stared down its fine finish.
Buttons and retractable screens were built into opulent the piece of furniture, likely for delegating decisions for running this to go smoother. But for the life of her, Juri didn't know how (or even care to) work them.
Nothing in particular was on her mind, she simply sat there.
Existing.
She found herself surrounded by luxurious and posh things, but Juri just couldn't find it in her to care.
Despite that, there was no fanfare to her becoming the new head-honcho of Shadaloo and reconsolidating S.I.N back into its fold. It was just simply understood among those in the base.
It's not that she'd expected anything either, the only thing she was given was a brief of ongoing operations.
Said briefing probably included how to work the do-dads on this desk, not that she paid any attention to it.
Almost in a haze she followed around some scientist or engineer she didn't bother to get the name as the big brain droned on about one thing or another.
She'd ended up just leaving Crimson Viper with the scientist, leaving it up to her to brief her later.
Viper took it upon herself to be acting number two, following Juri around like she did. Juri simply made it official.
Her 2nd act as the new head of Shadaloo.
Guess I should make the 3rd act a crash course in how to work this desk, thought Juri.
But before she could put a fingertip to a button, the doors to the office hissed open.
The doors completed their cycle revealing Crimson Viper (dressed in her normal battle suit) and two Shadaloo/S.I.N troops.
"Hear for that briefing, Viper?" Juri asked.
"A briefing, I guess you can say," Viper answered.
As the doors hissed back closed, Viper approached the control panel next to the opening typing something into it.
As she did that, the two troops came into the room with her pulled silencers from their person, fixing them into place on the muzzles of their sub-machine guns.
"I see," said Juri, as the troops trained their weapons on to her, "making your move. Make it quick at least." She finished, ready to accept her fate.
"That depends on you," said Crimson Viper as she approached the desk.
"I'm sorry," said Juri incredulously, "are you not taking Shadaloo for your own purposes? Cause that's what it looks like to me!"
"I am, just not in the way you think."
"Well," replied Juri, waving impatiently at Viper to clear the air, "stop fucking double talking with me!"
"I've been working deep cover as an agent through the C.I.A, with the goal of taking down Shadaloo and S.I.N and considering those have just become one, though I guess it's just Shadaloo now."
"I just made your job easier it looks like, you're welcome."
Viper simply scoffs at her, staring down, almost through Juri as the C.I.A operative continued. "We were planning a joint raid of both facilities within the next few weeks as we had good information that Bison was going to attack S.I.N soon. It never could've been anticipated that he would strike at the same time you took out Seth. The plan was to raid whatever was left over as it'd be in a weakened state, but it could be said that's still the plan now. Observing you after Shadaloo's attack, I recommended we move up the timeline for the raid. It was clear to me that whatever motivation you had died with M. Bison. And with you as the head of Shadaloo the body would fall easily."
"Ok," said Juri, still unsatisfied with the answer, "I get arrested with everyone else here assuming you three are the only undercovers. That still doesn't explain why you came to me now. Why not just take me down during the raid? Shit, why not just take me out of the equation right now? Something tells me you're looking to make some kind of deal and let me walk away from this little meeting, provided I say the right things," Juri said as she leaned back into her chair. "What makes you think I won't just say what you want hear and I won't just run for it afterwards?"
"Well," said Viper, lips curling into a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "the assumption that we're the only three undercovers would be wrong. We've got people all over this place, including the exits. Should this meet go sour or you try to run, you will be killed. Cover stories already prepared, 'Juri Han was shot dead after making an undercover operative and compromising the upcoming raid.' And why bring you into the loop? You can leverage your current position as leader Shadaloo. Make yourself nice a soft-landing after the fall."
"But why come to me start with? If Shadaloo goes down and me with it, I'm fine with that at this point. There's nothing in this world left for me," responded Juri.
"Exactly," said Viper.
Juri's brow creases, her lips splitting into a sneer. She brings her fist into the table, making a sizeable dent as she screamed, "You're doing this because you feel sorry for me!"
"Maya, clear out for a shot," said one of the agents obviously prepared to fire on Juri.
"No," said Viper, motioning at them to hold their fire. "Call it a good deed, but despite everything I know you don't want die to here. Shadaloo is going to fall and you along with it. The difference being is your cooperation. You want to be difficult, fine. We have enough to bury you in the deepest, darkest international hell hole we can find. You go along with it, you're probably looking at a life sentence, with the possibly parole in a decade or two. Maybe even you get to walk, but I can't guarantee anything."
Fair enough, thought Juri, but it's the pity that I cannot stand. It reminds of when my parents were killed. Everyone saying that they were sorry, it made me feel so fucking powerless! Like how I'm powerless now…
"So, what now. We just wait for the raid," asked Juri as she unfurled her fist.
"Raid takes place tomorrow morning, 0500 hours. 0500 is an hour before the night guards switch shifts with the morning guards. That's the best window we surmised to minimize any casualties. Night guards would be too tired and not as vigilant at the end of their shift. Moring guard wouldn't even be in position to repel any attack. I recommend you read up on how this place runs and on current running operations as you can. The more you know, the more leverage you'll have. This control panel should have everything you need to familiarize yourself with everything, knowing that mind of yours has perfect recall." Viper pulls a device from a pocket on her battle suit, "One the things I was briefed on yesterday was how operate this thing, the recorded instructions are on this."
Crimson Viper placed the recorder contraption the desk as she turns to walk away, motioning at the two guards.
The two troops lower their weapons and remove the silencers from the muzzles.
"See tomorrow morning Juri."
Juri doesn't hesitate to dive into Shadaloo's files as the three C.I.A operatives take their leave, activating the recording device. The big brain from yesterday afternoon begins to drone directions for operating the desk/control console, his recorded voice bouncing off the walls the office.
Juri loses track of time, seeing things she knew, seeing things she didn't know, but also seeing things she wishes she didn't.
A few things she makes note of, as they may serve as leverage come tomorrow.
Before she realizes it, it's 3 am local time. 2 hours before the raid.
She can't sleep, she's much too anxious.
She should probably shower as facing the day ahead with funk of the previous day not seeming like a good idea.
Luckily this office has an in-suite bedroom that included a bathroom.
After a 20-minute shower, she fixes her in her signature spider fang style, that killing another 45 minutes.
4:05am.
Still another 55 minutes to the raid.
Juri decided to eat something, as she doesn't remember the last time she ate something and would definitely need the energy to face the day.
Luckily this office had a mini fridge stocked with fresh fruit and water bottles.
She helps herself to a few handfuls of grapes, a banana and a water bottle.
After finishing she looks at the clock again.
4:40am.
Shit.
This waiting is killing her.
So, she decided to do one more thing.
She discovered Shadaloo had money and a lot of it.
If several million went missing who's know the difference.
And being the head of Shadaloo (though only for a few minutes more) she had access and control.
Viper even said there's a chance she can walk!
No way she starts over without a, what did Viper call it?
'A soft landing spot.'
A few key stokes here and a whole shit ton of money moved to an off sore account under an assumed name Shadaloo already had under its use, said account removed from the database.
There!
Soft landing secured.
Even if she doesn't walk, she at least has something she come back to when she meets parole.
And not a moment too soon as the clock now read 4:59am local time.
5:00am
Juri waits with bated breath for all hell to break loose.
And just as clock hits 5:01am, she hears simultaneous booms indicating breach explosives have been used at all points of entry.
Then the loud klaxon of an alarm starts to blare.
She hears commotion and orders being barked but no sounds of fight being put up.
Viper was on the money after all.
It's not until another hour after the initial raids that the doors to the office open again.
Once more it's Crimson Viper or Maya as one the troops from yesterday afternoon called her and several more people dressed head to toe in tactical gear (she presumes they're C.I.A).
"Had a good night I hope," said Viper.
"Better than you might expect," replied Juri.
Viper looks back at one of soldiers, motioning them toward Juri.
The tactically dressed soldier then steps forward, removing their helmet revealing the twin ox tail hair adorned with white broaches and ribbons, brown hair and angular face of Chun-li.
The INTERPOL officer looks to Viper, "It won't make up for Bison," said Chun-Li, pulling out a pair of handcuffs, "but it's a start."
Juri goes to stand.
"You didn't have to do all this just to get me in cuffs, all you had to do is just ask officer," Juri spoke lightly as she lifted her hands above her head, "though I'd prefer to be cuffed to the head of a bed than this."
Chun-Li shook her head at Juri, her face a stone mask and simply replied, "Please fuck this up. Besides, that won't be needed anyways. Hands in front of you and sit back down, slowly."
Juri looked to Viper as she obeyed the command, "Is Bazooka Joe and the kitten joining us?" She asked.
"As a matter of fact, they will be, but in the meantime, I think you and the agent here," said Chun-li as the jutted her head in Maya's direction, "have somethings to discuss."
Another one of the tactically dressed troops steps forward, this one with a curved grab bar (like one a person would see in a shower or bathroom, but this looked more heavy-duty) and a nail gun.
He places them on the floor as he feels around the desk, likely for a spot where no wires or electricity runs through, their intention to handcuff Juri to the desk becoming clear to her.
"This thing's bolted to the floor, correct?" asked the faceless soldier, referring to the desk.
Viper nods.
The soldier, having found a spot he liked, places the bar on the desk quickly nails in place as Chun-Li cuffs Juri's wrist and cuffs the other end to the bar.
Juri tugs her cuffed hand, the metal of the cuffs and bar making a loud clanking noise, "I figured I'd test…"
She's interrupted by a high-pitched whine and a pain emanating from the left side of her head.
"FUCK," Juri said loudly.
"That was a test of this little number," said Viper waiving a small remote in her hand, "to ensure your compliance. It interferes with Feng Shui Engine. So don't get cute."
Juri, holding her head as she's reeling from the effects of this mysterious remote says, "Bitch, I'm fucking beautiful."
Viper smiles cruelly as goes to press it again.
"Viper, come on!" Intoned Chun-Li, as she grabs the C.I.A agent's hand, stopping the button press. "This isn't necessary. We've got her, she's completely beleaguered, and her life is practically on the line!"
"Fine, I suppose we better get this started," said Maya, pocketing the remote, but Chun-Li snatches the remote into her own hands.
The soldiers present then train their weapons to Chun-Li.
"I'll hold on to this," she said not even blinking at the fact that she has several dozen guns pointed at her. She then levels her unwavering stare at Viper, resolved steeled in her brown eyes, "While I don't trust Juri, I trust you even less."
Viper returns a glare at Chun-Li, "This is why your types don't make it in espionage. Always thinking with your heart," said Viper. She motioned the other troops present to lower their weapons. She then pulls out a thumb drive as walked towards Juri, "If you'll be a dear get this built-in panel activated. This thumb drive contains spyware that will stream all data to a team of a few dozen analysts to disseminate everything contained in this system. All I need for you is to turn it on and insert the thumb drive. The program will do the rest. You learn anything going over this database last night?"
"I learned this organization is way more fucked up than I thought," replied Juri.
Juri takes the thumb drive from Maya, pushing a button that pulls up a keyboard and panel, that panel acting as a screen.
"You know another thing I learned is there is cute little button," intoned Juri.
"Juri…" warned Viper.
Juri stuffed the drive into the crotch of her tights, "It acts as mass a delete of all Shadaloo databases of not just here, but all 25 bases worldwide."
Juri feels a slight thrill of payback as Viper's features melt into a frown.
"Oh, looks like you didn't know that did you? I committed the locations to memory and intentionally locked the data pertaining to those locations behind a password protected file. Windows 10 is amazing isn't?" Said Juri as she smiled arrogantly at Viper.
Viper then looks to Chun-li, expectantly.
"Don't look at super cop here, if you didn't notice torture's not something she'd stoop to. Sometimes it pays to be the bigger person," Said Juri.
A few of soldiers then level their guns at Juri, her hand hovering over the mass delete button. "Who knows whatever else precious information I've committed to memory?"
"No," said Viper commanding soldiers present to stand down. "No, you're right. What do you want?"
"Whoever's running this operation, tell them I want to talk about what I get for my cooperation. Tell them I want to walk! Tell them wow!" Commanded Juri, the hollowness of yesterday forgotten now that a chance to live, even the smallest chance, is in her grasp.
"Juri, I told you. I can't guarantee…" said Viper.
But then Chun-li interrupted.
"This is a coalition run by the C.I.A, INTERPOL, International Court of Justice, Delta Red and about a dozen other international law enforcement and military agencies. We can get word to someone Viper." Stated Chun-li.
"Fine," said Viper, pulling out a cell phone. "But I need something from you. Anything!"
"Okay," said Juri, "Shadaloo was aware of your status as C.I.A asset, but being seeing as you were only with S.I.N they'd decided to sit on the information until you really became a problem. They also know that Maya isn't your real name. Also, when you're on assignment, your daughter stays…"
Viper's eyes go wide. "Fine, Fine. I get it," she interrupted as punched the pad on the cell phone.
Juri can hear the dial tone ring a few times, before someone on the other line picks up.
"Its Maya," said Viper.
Juri rolls her eyes at the assumed name.
"If we want this to go ideally, we're going to need to wheel and deal."
The voice on the other side of the line rambles loudly, not sounding happy at all.
"We have no leverage!"
The rambles once more.
"Chun-li took the device and refuses to use it! I told you to leave her out of the raid!" Said Viper as gestured angrily. "Yeah, guess it was stupid of me to leave Juri Han to her own fucking devices!"
The voice speaks once more, this time more calmly.
"Fine. I'll tell her."
Maya drops her hand holding the phone as she audibly sighs.
She turns back Juri and says, "Life, parole eligible in 15 years, a federal prison somewhere in America. It's the best we can do right now. Those above me will discuss everything with World Court for anything better, but that depends on what we can glean from here."
"That works, for now," said Juri, pulling the thumb drive from her tights, inserting it in the port.
Viper puts the cell phone back to her ear, "we're good at the moment," she said.
At that moment the doors open once more, this time Cammy and Guile crossing the threshold.
Guile's dressed in a navy blue pilot's uniform, the zipper down to about the middle of his chest, revealing a plain white T-shirt underneath. A pair of aviator sun glasses also hang in space created by the unzipped one piece uniform and his look is completed by black boots.
Cammy is dressed in an oversized green camo bomber jacket, and oversized camo pants stuffed into brown boots. The jacket is covering what could be presumed to be her unitard, as despite the pants being held up by a belt, they still sag a bit revealing a sliver of her hips. Her feet pound the metal flooring covered by brown combat boots as she and Guile fall in line by Viper and Chun-Li in front of the desk Juri is cuffed too.
"Looks like we missed the good part," said Guile as looked around the room taking in the of heart of Shadaloo. "On the way in were they still escorting people out of here. Couldn't tell if they were newly freed prisoners of Shadaloo or soon to be prisoners that worked for them." His eyes then fell onto Juri, "I don't need to guess which one you fall into."
"Please, solder boy," said Juri mockingly, with a matching grin, "I'm in a class of my own. That's why I'm in the big seat, surrounded by admirers, and this extra special jewelry on my wrist."
"Hmph," simply responded Guile.
Juri then looked over to Cammy, "Hello there, kitten," she greeted the Delta red operative, smile never leaving her face.
Cammy's face remains neutral, trying not to rise to the bait, "Juri. Why are you here? Why aren't you being escorted out like the others? And what happened to M. Bison?"
"They don't know?" Juri asked Viper and Chun-li.
Both shook their heads.
"I wasn't told much," started Cammy, "I was told Shadaloo was being raided while I was doing in-service training. My superiors told me Delta Red was being brought in the fold, but I wouldn't make it here in time to participate in the op. A platoon was already near here on other business. As you can see," Cammy then gestures to her state of dress, "this was pretty last minute for me. I was then hurried onto a jet, that was early last night."
"Pretty much the same," Guile added, "except the same transport that picked up Cammy would be my ride as well. I was ushered on to that same jet as they were refueling at my base near San Francisco. We still don't know the whole story, but seeing as you," Guile said as looked to Viper, "aren't in cuffs, you must be some kind of spook. And you are in cuffs," he continued looking to Juri, "my best guess is this is the end game. Shadaloo's done for, am I right?" Guile asked, his question directed to both Chun-li and Crimson Viper.
"You're on target Colonel," responded Viper.
"But what about Bison? Juri? Why is she here and not being dragged away with the rest of the trash?" Interjected Cammy, "Hell what happened to S.I.N for that matter? Last I checked both of you was still working for them and neither them nor Shadaloo were best of friends."
"I closed the book on Bison myself after taking out Seth. I then consolidated both groups together, but as you can see that's not going too well…" trailed off Juri. "But to some folks out there that interested in more than Shadaloo's downfall."
"Speaking of which," interjected Viper, pulling palm pilot-like device from her person, "looks like were starting to glean some very interesting information from this data base."
Juri observed Cammy and Gulie look on in shock, maybe even surprise.
"So, he's gone?" Cammy muttered.
"Charlie can rest easy," Guile stated lowly.
They both then snap back to reality, looking at each other, then to Viper.
"What do you mean information," asked Guile.
"And if I can follow the logic here, that would mean you plan on bringing in Juri as cooperator?" Said Cammy, as her neutral expression began grow into a frown.
"Cooperation's already been done, sweetie," said Juri, "I'm just holding a few more cards close to my chest for some more leverage."
"You can't be serious," said Guile, as he tossed his aviators in anger.
"Bullshit," said Cammy, her hands clenching into fists.
"This is what it has to be," interjected Chun-li as she approached her friends, placing a hand on their shoulders in hopes to calm them, "I know it's not ideal, but…"
"Look," Viper sighed, running a hand through her hair, "Bison was the catch everyone was after. There's was no question about that. But if he were to be brought in, I highly doubt he would provide any cooperation and probably would take as many of us down with him. I sure there's a self-destruct switch somewhere here. With Juri that presents us with a unique opportunity than to just collar a few bad guys. Shadaloo has, or had, more than a few scientists, doctors and engineers at their disposal. Some of which had joined to ply their trades away from any ethics or laws, while some were forced join. Not mention those that kidnapped to be a part of those experiments."
"My sisters," Cammy added.
Viper nods, she continued, "Not just the dolls. There's also other prisoners to consider not to mention the countless killers, rapists and other criminals among the rank and file that acted as troops for Shadaloo."
"What is Juri getting in return," asked Guile.
"Right now, 15 to life," Juri said.
"Jesus Christ," exclaimed Guile, as walked in a circle, angrily kicking the air.
"And you said you were keeping things close for further leverage?" Said Cammy, her features having melted into a full-on scowl. "What else could possibly be more valuable? Juri should be put away, a killer is a killer."
Juri just nodded to the blonde. "Can't just give the other party everything they want in a negotiation."
"Negotiation," Cammy questioned, incredulously, "this is miscarriage of justice!"
"Justice? Please," Juri stated contemptuously, "What about you, 'Killer Bee'. I know for a fact there's more blood on your hands than just that of a Prime Minister. And don't feed me that crap about mind control. Killer is a killer, right? And what about the tall thai boxer, Sagat? You all are on more friendly terms with him these days, right? He was Bison's number 2 for years! Can you imagine what he did to obtain that position? Imagine what he had to do to maintain it? Maybe throw him in cell, tell him how fair it is…" Juri trailed off.
Viper's cell phone rang.
"You say that as if you only killed those who had it coming!" yelled Cammy.
"Oh, I have plenty of blood on my hands, but none of it was innocent." Juri argued back.
"What of that woman at that amusement park, when you killed those S.I.N agents? Was she just collateral damage?" Shot Cammy.
"She in fact survived that incident," Chun-li said, "it was believed she was killed but a paramedic found her to have a faint pulse and rushed her to the hospital. The local police had later received a tip someone fitting Juri's description left a backpack with a load of cash at the hospital for that woman's family. By the time it crossed my desk, wasn't much we could do with that tip, considering if that was Juri she would've been long gone by then. It's like I said Cammy…" Finished Chun-li as she rubbed soothing circles at Cammy's back.
Juri would have to remember Chun-li speaking up for her like this, maybe send her a bottle of wine if I walk, thought Juri.
"As entertaining as all this is," Viper cut in, "there's one more piece of business we need to discuss, Juri."
"Your boys found something they couldn't crack into?" Said Juri.
"Yeah, there's a file called, 'super-secret stuff', my guess it's the file you've put an encrypted passcode too. We suspect this file contains the other Shadaloo base locations. We also suspect that the file contains the names and positions of everyone in Shadaloo's pocket. Despite everything our analysts have found, that's the one thing we haven't discovered yet." Said Viper.
"It wouldn't surprise me if they were involved in corruption," said Chun-li.
"A good source said they have people high up in several governments, multinational corporations, military and law enforcement agencies including all 3 organizations you all work for," Viper than looks to Juri, "we just need the magic word from our girl here to bring it all home."
"What's it worth to ya? I'm sure whoever's on the other end of that phone gave you a little more leeway. I'm sure this is what you were after all along," answered Juri.
Viper purses her lips.
"ICOJ is willing to let you walk, with some conditions," intoned Viper.
Juri couldn't help but smile at the news. She let out an involuntary lough, "Well," she said between chuckles, "what are the conditions?"
"Your case will be placed on," she pauses, "I guess the closest equivalent would be a Maryland rule called a stet docket for a max of 10 years, you will also serve probation for a maximum of 10 ten years," responded Viper.
"Pretend I don't have a law degree," said Juri through a smile, "what the hell is a stet docket?"
"It is a legal proceeding that essentially puts a case on the shelf. Obviously were not in the state of Maryland, but in exchange for this level of cooperation we were willing to apply this to your case. But know this, that case can come off the shelf and if there's even a chance of you being involved with anything illegal. We have your file, and you will be buried with it."
Juri is shaking her head in disbelief, her smile having left her face but still filled with jubilation.
"Society says you get a 2nd chance, look alive Han." Said Guile sarcastically.
Her face then melts into a frown.
"Society built a man so obsessed with power he would do literally anything to obtain or maintain it, including killing and torture of the family of a man who simply sought to stop him in order to protect the innocent. I'll give you a second to guess who I'm talking about."
After a pause, Juri continued, "Society can lick my twat."
Juri waived John over asking for the check.
"Entered the password, freeing up in the information Crimson Viper wanted so badly," continued Juri, "after that I hand cuffed, this time for real, and escorted to a plane. It was to take me to ICJ headquarters in the Netherlands. This was to finalize my agreement. Chun-li was my only escort. She must've gotten the news about being what equates to my parole officer early, she was in no good humor the whole plane ride. She was empathetic enough to ask me how I was feeling," Juri cracked a smile as she continued, "I told her, 'I was ready to be a good girl,'" Juri shook her head as the laughed at the memory.
Ryu shared a smile with her as well, he said, "If know Chun-li like I think I do, I can probably guess how she responded."
They both met eyes, and stated simultaneously, "She facepalmed!"
They both laughed, coming down as John returned with the check.
Juri pulled out a few bills sending John on his way.
"Thank you Juri," Ryu said earnestly, "Thank you for the meal, thank you for sharing with me and thank you for getting my mind off things. I feel a lot better now."
As Ryu got up to take his leave, Juri grabbed his hand once more, "Night ain't over yet tough guy," this nick name she's given him filling him with a pleasant feeling he can't yet describe, "Think I'm just gonna feed ya and kick you to the curb? Stay with me. Who knows what havoc we can get into tonight?"
"I'd like that," responded Ryu, not at all disliking the idea of continuing the night with Juri.
