The next morning had been a tedious one.
Assisting the police with their enquiries on the two encounters of yesterday. The entire Hyper Force now found themselves sat around a large wooden table in the Superintendents' office.
The atmosphere was tense, as an older man entered the room. Despite his greying hair, he was still as sharp as a knife.
His stern, gruff voice broke the silence in the room. Bucking Sprx's and Otto's ideas of sleeping the meeting clean away.
"Good morning Hyper Force." The man greeted as he bought through a large ring binder folder which he carefully placed on the table.
"I would like to begin by thanking you all for agreeing to attend this meeting at such short notice. As you are well and truly aware we have a new public enemy in our midst."
Nodding carefully, Antauri watched the Superintendent slowly unclip the large folder. The reason for bringing it along becoming more obvious.
"I have here all of the photographs from the security footage we've seized on our latest problem. Ranging from damages caused, items stolen and to images of the culprit. As you can see there are no real identifiable features throughout."
As Antauri, Gibson, Nova and Jinmay began to study the photographs intently the green mechanic and red pilot lacked their comrades' enthusiasm.
"We're wasting time." Sprx grumbled. Boredom evident in his tone. As he held his head in his hands.
"Can we go look for Chiro instead?" Otto chimed. "Please?"
Curling her lip to bare her teeth, Nova turned and glared at the red and green monkeys. "Zip it, show some respect. We will look later." Nova threatened her hand nearly scrunching the photograph to a pulp.
"From the interviews with my officers, the museum curator and drivers from the convoy and armoured vehicles. They all agree this is no ordinary criminal. There is definitely super powers involved, and we cannot be sure it is truly human."
"So one rogue assailant has effectively spooked the entire police system." Sprx asked. His matter of factly tone earning a look from the silver primate.
"In a sense… yes he has." The Superintendent reluctantly agreed.
"The thief is manipulative of both people and situations. All confrontations so far have spiralled out of control and back into his favour. He is unidentified and has extensive Shugazoomian knowledge. He could be mingling with the public outside as we speak."
"Indeed." Antauri agreed.
"If the public sees first hand how dangerous this thief is, it could cause mass panic and outcry. Especially if the police are seen to be unable to stop the assailant. From a public safety point of view it would be a PR disaster. It could also be a matter of time before a more direct attack is made on the city; Which he is capable of. The case would then be transferred straight over to you, the Hyper Force, anyway."
"So we've got a thief to catch then?" Sprx surmised. An amused grin etching his face.
"In reality we cannot handle the situation. If it were to progress further it would be too dangerous for my police force. It could end with larger consequences and no justice being served. Something I am not willing to risk. Which is why I believe it is best for the Hyper Force to manage this case from the beginning. We can assist with the allocation of a cell in the Moon-base Theta Prison Complex."
Nodding the silver primate spoke for the gathered group. "It is a wise decision." Antauri agreed. "Since Chiro's disappearance it has been strangely quiet on all fronts for us. It could be a storm brewing or a way for us to find a potential lead on Chiro."
Jumping up on his chair the green monkey cocked his head to one side eyes lighting up in excitement, "you really think we're going to get leads to Chiro."
"It could be a possibility." Antauri suggested.
"All right let's go find this thief!" Otto exclaimed in wild excitement. Punching his right fist in the air.
Grinning at the renewed enthusiasm and excitement of the team. Nova smiled. "Careful Otto, it won't be easy but at least we won't all become soft from the recent lack of action."
Holding his head in his hands the teen was still recovering from the shock of what he was hearing.
His usually bright cerulean eyes had dulled to a slate grey from the stress of the 'big news'.
The brain's mechanical outer shell twisted into a sickening smirk as it watched the young teen in turmoil.
"Remember Chiro I want one hundred and ten percent effort every step of the way or it's a firework display hosted by your adopted family!" Maezono snapped in mockery.
Fists clenched painfully, Chiro began to zone out of reality. His gaze slowly wandered to the glass cabinet to the right of Maezono. Inside lay the ebony black Savage Land's Crystal he had retrieved from the Museum mission earlier in the week.
The boy's eyes remained fixated on the dark stone for some time as silence filled the room. There was something eerily cold about that artefact, yet it was also alluring.
Just as Chiro was about to shake himself back to reality and out of of his day dream, his vision completely filled with red. Resting on the laboratory table, Chiro looked perfectly normal on the outside. No signs of distress.
However internally, a strange wildness had gripped his body. His irises eventually flashed a dangerous, vivid crimson as he felt his power primate surge in retaliation.
"So let me get this straight. The government run science facility on the edge of town is the next target." Chiro asked matter of factly. Breaking the silence that had hanged in the room. His tone changing to a more sterner approach.
"Yes. They have stolen my projects from younger years. I need them retrieved."
Breathing deeply, Chiro regained his composure. Slumping his shoulders, Chiro's vision returned to normal. The red fading away to reveal the normal every day colours of the room, as his body relaxed. His irises cooled back to a soft slate grey.
Calming his power primate down to a minuscule level again, Chiro breathed a sigh of relief. Very unsure of what just happened.
He had to keep his powers down to low so they could not be detected by the highly skilled silver primate. He just hoped the sudden flare up would not become a regular occurrence.
Returning back to the Super Robot after a long day patrolling the city, the team sat in their pod chairs for a casual meeting before their usual evening split. A trait that had seemed to infect the robot since Chiro vanished.
"We searched everywhere Antauri," Sprx whinged; demoralised yet again. As he held his head in his hand.
"No Chiro and no thief!" Otto joined in with the whining simultaneously. "They have to be out there somewhere."
Sighing Jinmay flicked her pink hair out her face. "The thief might lay low for a few days now after it's recent set of stunts." Jinmay suggested as she folded her arms.
"It is a strong possibility." Gibson agreed with the robotic girl. "We also have to factor in the possibility that we are more and more likely looking at a recovery mission the longer Chiro is missing." Gibson said sadly.
"You what?!" Sprx growled. The stresses of Chiro missing had taken its toll considerably. Only encouraging his wayward, outspoken ways.
"Chiro could be de…"
"Shut your mouth now Brainstrain." Sprx snapped. Pointing his magnet at the blue scientist.
"Enough!" Nova yelled at Sprx. "Put the magnets down!"
Deactivating his magnet back to his paw. Sprx crossed his arm. "The kid is alive."
"It is still a possibility." Gibson argued back, visibly irate from his brother's narrow mindedness. One that clashed with his logical mind.
"Antauri would have felt that, unless your saying he's covered it up." Sprx growled back.
"You are now just twisting what I'm saying Sparky."
"Enough." Antauri stated sternly. Arms folded as he levitated. "Arguing is not going to solve any of the problems we have at the moment."
Watching as the arguing quietened down to zero. The faces of the other monkeys gave the feelings away. They had all taken a big hit with Chiro missing.
"Antauri?"
Closing his eyes the silver primate attempted to focus on the sudden surge in the power primate. However, as quickly as it began, the power signal stopped.
"Antauri are you ok?" Nova inquired. Concern etching her face.
Nodding in reply. Antauri made a mental note to try and search out the cause in the surge later in his meditation session.
Pacing around the back room like a caged tiger. The troubled teen hit the wall with his fist for the umpteenth time.
The raven haired boy was suppose to be sleeping now in preparation for the early morning strike, but he had abandoned that thought after two seconds of hearing the actual mission.
Looking as the clock struck pass 11pm. Chiro drew out a long sigh. He had three hours to go now before the 'suicide run' began; as Chiro 'affectionately' called it.
Feeling the tears beginning to threaten to fall again. Chiro shook his exhausted body.
His mind was running crazy. Thoughts, ideas, plans all mixed into a heavy fog. Panic and pain began to set in. He had to do this. He had no choice.
Gripping his hair in stress, the boy was knocked out of his trance. Blinking rapidly to adjust his eyes to the blinding lights that billowed in from the main lab as the makeshift door opened.
The boy reluctantly acknowledged the other's disgusting presence. As he began to back up into the furthest and darkest corner of the room.
"One day I hope you will learn to enjoy the chaos. Causing misery and mayhem to anything that stands in our way! Human, cybernetic, robots alike…"
"Shut up." Chiro violently snarled. Slinking into the shadow of the room. The teen watched the other with a face that rivalled daggers.
"So we're not much of a conversationalist now are we? You can hide behind a facade if you want Chiro, but deep down you know the truth and you know how this will be unfolding." Maezono taunted.
Clenching his fist instantly. Chiro failed to acknowledge the blood seeping in his hand as his nails dug fiercely to cut his skin. Feeling his rage building the teen's irises dangerously danced a wild crimson.
"There's a 99% chance I'm going in a body bag." Chiro spat back. Fist slamming into the wall of the cave that camouflaged the monstrosity that had infiltrated Shugazoom City.
"One hundred percent effort Chiro, otherwise your city, your robot, your precious, precious monkeys and girlfriend are gone!"
"As soon as I figure out a loop hole in your malicious scheme. I am destroying this cave, your control points and the laboratory. And once I've sent them on a one way ticket to oblivion, I am coming back for you." Chiro threatened back darkly. Palm beginning to glow red.
"Oh how noble of you to let me know about my future demise. But let me remind you once again, young naive Chiro. I pull the strings. I set the bar to be jumped. Your confrontational outbursts will be your undoing. Your temper is so locked away you've become a fractious out of control mess."
Eyes stalking the other like a predator watching it's prey. Chiro cursed through gritted teeth. "My temper is under control."
"Good then get ready to leave. I want you out of here by no later than midnight."
I would just like to say a big thank you for the lovely reviews and likes. I hope the revised edition is a bit better than the original.
