Chapter 14: Black VS Black

09:25 AM (Australia Time), Thursday August the 1st…

"… Wake up, Nelaus. Preparations are ready…"

"OK…"

"That hamburger must've been delicious, no?"

"Sure. It's been a long time since I last had one!"

"Did you make sure to use the restroom and all?"

"Of course, I did…"

"Good. It's 4 hours and 30 minutes to Ogasawara…"

"Let's hope that man doesn't annoy us on our way there…!"

Nelaus sat on the bed, stretching.

"This course is also a test of your reflexes and concentration…"

"Naturally…"

He left the dorm and stepped into the hangar.

The plane had finished maintenance and was ready for takeoff.

"I thank the A/C! Because else I'd be melting in that heat!"

"Can't be helped. It was 15 Celsius in Gondwana Base…"

He climbed into the cockpit and checked everything.

"This is Control. Your supervisor has left for your next destination…"

"Understood, Control!"

"We have scoured the skies, but the Blackbird hasn't reappeared…"

"Maybe it pretended to head west but veered NE afterwards…"

Isaac rubbed his chin.

"Well. We have the escorts, nevertheless…"

"Roger that…"

"Begin taxiing…"

The plane exited the hangar after the shutter opened.

It headed towards the runway.

"You're clear for takeoff. Good flight!"

"Thanks!"

The plane gained speed, and the nose lifted.

It eventually took off from the runway, towards the skies.

"I confirm that the escorts are on standby in our computer…"

"Those are new-gen Net Navis, too?"

"Probably. They are isolated, can't hear or talk to us…"

"Understood…"

"A transmission… It's the Supervisor…"

"This is Supervisor… Blackbird is roaming over Melville Island…"

"That's near our flight path, on the NE of the continent…"

"We sent dummies to distract it…"

"Alright. It'll take us over 90 minutes to get that far, anyway…"

"I know. But the sooner we shake it off, the better…"

"I didn't mean to argue, sir…"

"Don't worry about it. Not the time to fight over trivial things…"

"Understood, sir!"

"You can play some music to relax, too…"

"Will do that. Over and out…"

11:45 AM (Australia Time)…

"… This is Supervisor. What is the status?"

"We've flown past Timor Oriental. Maluku Islands ahead of us…"

"Good. We shook off Regal as well…"

"What does that man want, anyway?"

"To crush us. Since we busted his ploys…"

"Must be a complicated tale. I won't ask questions…"

"Good. Dealing with him isn't in your mission objectives, anyway…"

Nelaus talked to the "Supervisor" over the radio.

The islands spread below the plane.

"By the way… Could you tell where Regal headed to?"

"Appealed to head south, but…"

"He might have veered and is heading north again…"

"I am aware. But it's hard to detect him… The SR-71 is too good…"

"Where did he find a functional one, anyway?"

"Guess that the Air Force kept one as sample somewhere…"

"And swapped it for a fake…"

"Likely… The man also runs many dummy businesses…"

"Can't the escorts bring it down?"

"I tried. But it also has a barrier…"

"Had the feeling that it wouldn't go so easily…"

"When it comes to that man, nothing is easy…"

"Is he that formidable?"

"More like he's a cunning fox…"

"Roger that…"

"While we're at it… Your specialty will be Net Battles…"

"I did undergo many training missions about that…"

"Correct. But battles are constantly evolving…"

"Additional training will be necessary?"

"Yes. I will arrange for those that will train with you…"

"Noted, sir…"

"Once at Ogasawara, you'll be given written instructions again…"

"Excuse me for being defeatist, sir, but…"

"I am aware that Regal might chase you all the way to the destination…"

"So how do we shake them off?"

"I'm readying something to fight them back…"

"Wonderful, sir…"

"And safety systems in case that he means to recycle my creations, too…"

"Splendid, sir. We can beat them at their game, then?"

"Exactly!"

"I sent another bunch of music data to you. Install it…"

"I'm on it, sir!" Isaac confirmed.

"Once you get here, there'll be plenty of things to use as pastime…"

"Looking forward to it, sir…"

"Well then… I'll resume work on dealing with the pesky bird…"

"Roger. We'll keep our course unless something happens…"

"Do that. Over and out!"

"Roger!"

13:08 PM (Japan Time)…

"… Finally! Ogasawara is in sight!"

"That to the left is the Hahajima Attol. About 50km until Chichijima…"

"Say. That means "Mother Island" and "Father Island", right?"

"Sure. What about it?"

"… I don't remember my parents. Do you know why?"

"Sorry. I only know about mission objectives…"

"Fair. Guess that Mr. Supervisor knows…"

A small group of islands had become visible.

"Missing me, young men?"

"Regal! I knew it! It was tailing us!"

The "Blackbird" appeared to the right, matching their speed.

"We have hacking and virus countermeasures!" Isaac announced.

"No doubt. And those two "Darkloids"… Tom & Jerry, was it?"

"What!? Who's "Tom"!?" Cloud Man growled.

"Who's "Jerry"!?" Swallow Man growled next.

"Always chasing each other in an endless strife…" Regal laughed.

"REEEGAAAALLL!"

"Clark. About the time that you showed up. I was bored…"

"Like I'd know! Go debate with Stephen Hawking!"

"No need to. I prefer seeing your face of frustration, Clark!"

"Cloudy! Birdy! What are you waiting for!? Sortie time!"

"Y-yes! Sir!"

"Overload their barrier!"

The two "Darkloids" materialized and chased the "Blackbird".

"Eat my new moves! 100,000 Volts!"

Cloud Man formed an arc of electricity and shot it at the barrier.

It bounced off the barrier and he barely dodged it.

"It bounces off attacks, sir!"

"Swallow Cutter!"

Swallow Man tried the same, but didn't have better results.

"Fools. As if I didn't test it before installing it…"

"You want a piece of me!? Fine!"

"Come with me to the Marianna Trench…!"

The plane suddenly dived into the ocean below.

However, it regained control and flew westwards.

"What happened?" Nelaus asked.

"Hacked it by sending a dummy Navi and forced it westwards…"

"Feels too easy, no?"

"I know. It'll probably only last a short while…"

"We better hurry and land before it returns…"

"I'm setting up more dummy rendezvous points…"

"What do we do, sir?" Swallow Man asked.

"Come over here. I'll update your attacks to pierce that shield!"

"Delighted, sir!"

"The ground crew in on a standby. Take a break. Next is the final leg!"

"Roger, sir!"

"Let's get ready for landing!"

15:15 PM (Japan Time)…

"… Man! That ramen was impressive!"

"It must be!"

"Now's where I wish that Navis could eat and drink, too…"

"You never know. Maybe such research is already ongoing, too…"

"True. I wish that I could see it, too!"

Nelaus woke up from another nap.

He opened the envelope and drew the piece of paper.

"We must go to nearby Puuwai, Jawaii…"

"How much is that?"

"Slightly over 3 hours and 30 minutes…"

"Fine. It's the final stretch…"

He walked towards the hangar.

"Australia was dry, but here is humid instead…"

"But thanks to the A/C, we don't really feel it…"

"I know. Such a great invention!"

"Naturally!"

He climbed onboard the plane.

The canopy closed.

He checked all systems.

"You're clear for takeoff…"

"Roger!"

"Gear up! The final leg!"

"I know!"

00:22 AM (Jawaii Time)…

"… We're finally about to reach the destination!"

"Great!"

"But we can't be overconfident…"

"I know. That Regal man is bound to show up again…"

"The man must also have airfields to refuel, too…"

"No surprise…"

The plane was approaching the destination.

"Excellent job, young men. Show me where Clark is lurking!"

"See?"

"You're more annoying than a stalker!" Isaac grumbled.

"Deploy!"

"This is as far you come, foul bird!"

"Your shield won't protect you anymore!"

"You're welcome to try…"

Swallow Man and Cloud Man surrounded the "Blackbird".

Regal wasn't impressed by that, though.

"100,000 Volts!"

"Swallow Cutter!"

The attacks pierced through the barrier.

However, they were absorbed by the plane's fuselage.

Two laser beam guns formed and shot at both "Darkloids".

One of them tore off Cloud Man's right arm.

The other cut Swallow Man's left leg and part of the left wing.

"Shit! It counterattacks!"

"Regal…!"

"I haven't been idle, either!"

"However… I have an ace in the hole!"

"Really. Team Star Wolf?" He mocked him.

"No need to! Eat EMP cannon!"

A cannon formed before Cloud Man and loaded energy.

It shot a powerful beam at the "Blackbird".

Sparks and whims emerged from it.

"Shit!" Regal growled.

"Once more!"

Cloud Man fired again, and some internal components exploded.

"Not even that thing can resist such a powerful, close-rang EMP!"

"Whatever… I can tell that this area is your turf, anyway…"

"Far from it. This is but a resupply area!"

"Bluffs don't work on me, Clark…!"

"Swallow Man! Destroy the cockpit!"

"By your orders! Eat Stinger missile!"

He formed the launcher and shot a missile at the cockpit.

It destroyed the canopy and pierced through the cockpit itself.

"Aim for the engines! Take it out!"

"Roger!"

"Fire EMP again!"

"At once!"

Swallow Man took out the engines.

Cloud Man overloaded more internal components.

The engines exploded and burned.

Unable to keep its course, the plane fell for the ocean.

"It'll shatter upon impact, anyway…"

"That was a persistent fool!" Isaac grumbled.

"I'll send a beacon. You can land using the VTL system…"

"Roger!"

The plane headed for a small, volcanic island.

The "lake" on its crater split in two and opened.

"Amazing!"

The plane slowly landed on a platform set on an arm.

There were other platforms.

One of them had a KA-60 chopper parked there, too.

They were built over a lake at the bottom of the shaft.

The yacht was parked there.

The plane slowly touched down on the platform labelled #4.

Nelaus and Isaac climbed down.

Clark walked up to them as well.

"Jonathan Clark. I'll be your instructor, Nelaus…"

"Pleasure is mine…"

He shook hands with him.

"Welcome to Deadly Pandora. Your real mission will now begin!"

"Delighted, sir!"

"I'll show you to your quarters. Rest and then I'll explain things…"

"Roger, sir…"

"Here is a card key. Use it to move between sectors…"

He handed him a card key, and he pocketed it.

"We're currently in a cooperation with a business, Deadly Pandora…"

"And this is their base of operations?"

"Correct. But your missions come through another chain of command…"

"Roger…"

He followed him to the door as a ground crew headed to the plane.

"They're pros. Won't ask questions…"

"Naturally, sir…"

"The other main staff also knows their duties…"

"Each to their duty…"

"And won't interfere with your missions or training…"

"Understood…"

He followed him through another door.

"Your first priorities will be becoming up to date with battling…"

"Yes, sir… Such is my main mission…"

"My men will help with that. They pack a punch!"

"No doubt, sir…"

"Ignore them if they start to prank. I'll scold them myself…"

"Clear as water, sir…"

"Good, good…"

"Looking forward to the field missions…!"

00:44 (Jawaii Time)…

"… Glad that he made it safe and sound…!"

"But we were right that Regal would interfere with it, sir…"

"That pesky pirate!"

"Excuse me?"

"Ignore it! It's but a rambling!"

"As you desire, milady…"

Clark met with Izono and Anaya afterwards.

Anaya was rambling, confusing Clark with her complaints.

"Anyway. As we previously insisted…"

"I am aware. Not a single word about sex before him…"

"We did condition him to lack interest on it, after all…"

"Yes. Missions are everything to him…"

"Good. And pretend that we're but executives…"

"Yes. That the real leader is somewhere else…"

"But be aware that Regal won't give up so easily…"

"Wasn't counting on the pirate being that stupid, anyway…"

"Must want to play the long game…"

"Two can do that…!"

"Maybe he'll stir a fuss in Japan to draw our attention, too…"

"… Wait. Speaking of Regal…"

Anaya trailed off, as if recalling something.

"Oozono! Maybe the man means to ice her, too!"

"If he bothers to remember about her, that is…"

"Must pretend to be uninterested but is waiting for a chance…!"

"What should be done about it, milady?"

"I'll send one of my women agents to surveil Oozono…"

"Understood…"

"And if she sees Regal, she'll send a message to the server…"

"And I can fly to the scene to deal with the man…"

"It's going to be a fake, but that's not going to stop us…"

"Agreed. But fixating too much on the man could be a danger…"

"Because we'd overlook what the cops are up to?"

"Correct…"

"Fine! Send one of the intelligent men to check on the cops…"

"Cosmo Man or Yamato Man will do…"

"Good. Arrange for it…"

"As you desire…"

"And tell those two to behave, too!"

"I did. But if they continue, I'll reprogram them…"

"Good. Show them that there's a limit to our patience…!"

"They brought it into themselves, anyway…" Izono added.

"I did dispose of the infected terminals, too…"

"Great. They can't attack from there…"

"It was more meant to be harassment than a threat…"

"When did the man become a bully!?"

"Milady. We are not able to object…" Izono warned.

Anaya directed an annoyed glare at him.

However, Izono became expressionless and didn't beat an eyebrow.

"I hate that gambler's face!"

"YOU told me to use to impress the thugs of the "empire"…"

She was about to say something but gave up on it.

She fumed and looked away.

"Anyway! Twilight! Show Regal that he's woken up a tiger!"

"It'll be my pleasure…"

"Anything else that we should be worried about?"

"No. Vadous is still digging in Shanghai…"

"Good! Opoulos and his staging worked perfectly…"

"I never questioned it… Glued their eyes there…"

"I know! Make a copy of trigger-happy Takaya and set it there!"

"Takaya… The cult leader of Persona 3, correct?"

"Exactly!"

"It shall be done right away…"

"But make sure that it only fires at specific targets…" Izono warned.

"Yes, sir. Only if Vadous and his collaborators appear…"

"I'll spread some tale about Taiwanese spies and so on…"

"That should rile up the local cops, true…"

"Always looking for opium or spies!"

"By the way. Nelaus can't come over to this room, right?"

"No, sir. His card key doesn't have such permits…"

"Good. Let's keep security tight…"

"I am constantly working on it…"

"Perfect. Handle it…"

"Roger…"

"By the way. The ducks ducked and were ducking ducks!"

"Excuse me?"

Anaya made up some lame rhyme and laughed at it.

"Shanghai Duck Vs Beijing Duck! The death battle of the year!"

She laughed again.

The two men sighed, too used to that.

"Marco! You also spread some tale in Beijing about spies…"

"It'll be very easy…"

"Say that it's a James Bond wannabe that blows things up!"

"Yes. That will drive them up the walls…"

"Last thing they want is a handsome stealing their glory!"

She laughed at her joke.

"Gelar will become AR-Gel! Augmented Reality Gel!"

"Patent it, milady…" Izono sighed.

"And we'll slowly shave his pirate's beard, too!"

"I fail to see what that accomplishes, but…"

"Marron him to a deserted island, like Jack Sparrow!"

"Feels like he'd easily make it out of there, though…"

"It's a joke! What I want to ice him! Once and for all!"

"Understood…"

"I shall go ready everything…"

"Wait for my vengeance, Regal…!"