Saints Row 3 Lovers
Episode 12: A Friendly Enemy?
...
Author's Comments/Notes: When you wait for literal days for an upload, always know the bastard that is me will delay it because I am either sick, lazy, or forgotten about it. Again, sorry for the late drop, but don't expect much.
In Loren Square, Isabella has arrived at Stillport General Emergency Care, moving Shaundi closer to the Saints' territory in the town. When moving her to a specific room, Isabella waited until her right hand partner to be in position. After a few minutes passed by, Shaundi cleared her throat and looked at the Boss, frustrated.
Shaundi: When am I getting the fuck out of here? I can move- damn it!
Isabella: [rest her hand on her forehead] You're still warm… When I saw you bleed from right here… [traces finger] I panicked…
Shaundi: There was nothing you could do about that… I got carried away…
Isabella: I should have protected you-
Shaundi: Hey, Boss… There was nothing… you could do, ok? Stop beating yourself up…
Isabella: [nodded and sat down slumped]
Shaundi: Anyway, anything happen while I'm trapped in this hell…?
Isabella: I've been helping Kinzie with the Deckers… Been a hell of a ride, bit of a mess, but we managed to make it work…
Shaundi: And who's the "we" in this conversation?
Isabella: Pierce…
Shaundi: Ugh, god… Why him, and not one of your daughters?
Isabella: [shakes head and laughs softly] Next time maybe…
A few doctors came in the room to do a quick check on Shaundi's condition and blood pressure. All vitals were significantly better, which made Isabella's heart rate calm down just a little, and asked the doctors if Shaundi is ready to be escorted outside the public local hospital. A sign of good news with a nod and smile, and instantly, the Boss hugged Shaundi tightly.
Shaundi: God you're such a softie…
Isabella: Oh hush! You love it!
Shaundi: [chuckles]
Getting undressed out of Shaundi's hospital gown and back into her regular clothes, both have walked out to head towards Isabella's car.
Shaundi: Thanks for visiting me more times than not… but I'd like to go home please…
Isabella: No problem honey! [starts engine and turns up the radio] Let's get you to your crib!
Driving faster than a roller coaster at the festival, Isabella dropped off Shaundi and proceeded to call Kinzie, seeing if anything happened with the computer that was hand delivered by the Saints.
Hi…
Hey Kinzie, how's the set up going?
Hold on, how about now?
What the hell?
We're trying to get this hooked up to all the systems we need… Now?
Sounds like it isn't going well…
We're almost done here…
Ok, I'll head there in a bit…
Wait, go back! Ok see you… Tune it out, not inward! Ok great!
Hanging up the phone, Isabella goes around the area to clear up any more activities involving the Deckers until she gets to call Kinzie again.
In Kinzie's Warehouse…
Kinzie: Perfect!
Bella: [tilts head and tinkered with a screwdriver]
Kinzie: What are you doing?
Bella: If we are going to use this computer to combat the Deckers, we would need a NEMO chair to hook it up, accessing the device succumbing a person's subconscious into the Decker User-Net… Hypothetically, I can triangulate a certain number to anyone's energy wavelength connecting to the main frame, making it compatible for taking on the personification that wields it, and all together now, creating the perfect model of a masterpiece!
Kinzie: [shocked] …Huh?
Bella: [stand up and stood next to Kinzie] Yes! It's so perfect for beta testing! I wanna tinker a bit more with it so whenever it comes to virtual reality, I wanna shape the modifications into something more realistic! Maybe improve the graphics a bit to make it stand out more!
Kinzie: Bella, wha… Are you…
Bella: Huh? Oh, sorry! Anything that's scientific or experimental involved around me, like this for example, I think out loud to myself! [giggles] I'm sorry about that!
Kinzie: [hold her shoulders] Bella, where were you all my life?
Bella: Um, mostly in the streets of this city, then my girlfriend's home, then the DeWinter Sisters' Family Residence, and here with you! Life is one big journey, you know?
She hugged Bella tightly until Oleg came around the corner, telling Kinzie that the hookup is now set and ready to operate. She also quickly got off of the Boss's girlfriend awkwardly while Bella casually giggled. Taking another look at the super computer, Kinzie was receiving a call from none other than the Boss herself. Kinzie spoke first…
This is the greatest piece of machinery I've ever seen!
Glad you're happy…
Oleg and Bella helped me get it up and running throughout the day…
So it's ready to go?
It's been ready for a while actually…
You could've called you know?
I know but I needed some time with this!
Honey, you need help…
This isn't like a gun you can pick up and shoot! You need to know how it works, get a feel for its power, make sure it isn't too much to handle, learn its quirks!
Actually, that's exactly like a gun… Or a car!
Trust me, it's-
Or a man…
It's not-
Or a woman if you're into that sort of thing…
It's not the same!
So we ready to go then?
Sigh… Yes!
After arriving at Kinzie's Warehouse, Isabella hugged and kissed Bella, telling her the "I miss you's" and "I love you's" at one another, before getting to the actual mission. Unfortunately for Kinzie who cannot stop geeking out when saying something so simple be so complicated and controversial to explain, she sighed deeply when looking at the Boss's face, finding her completely dumbfounded… and tries to explain it again.
Kinzie: I'll explain it again… real… slow… I want to broadcast your subconscious into the Decker User-Net… Then you'll be able to interact with the avatars of users and corrupt the abstract representations of data that are the cornerstone of their online operation… To do that I'd need-
Oleg: A NEMO chair. Of course.
Isabella: [sighs] A what chair?
Oleg: NEMO… Neurological Electro Magnetic Onieroscope. The KGB destroyed the only one in existence.
Kinzie: The Deckers have one…
Oleg: Impossible. How could they mask the signal?
Kinzie: They're keeping it here! [grin and points to the screen]
Oleg: [put his finger held between thumb and forefinger in the typical thoughtful attitude on his chin and grin] Clever.
Isabella: Ok nerd time is over! What is this thing and Kinzie for fuck's sake keep it simple, for once, please!
Kinzie: [face palm] We need the chair… to stop the Deckers…
Isabella: Thank you! My goodness!
In the background, Bella giggles again, and saw that Kinzie was going with the Boss to retrieve said chair. In the meantime, Bella wanted to play chess ever since that whole STAG evacuation thingy, and the Josh Birk tower defense. Oleg accepted the challenge to Bella's invitation, and got started on the first move.
Outside of Kinzie's Warehouse, both got in their sports car (Raycaster), and drives off.
Kinzie: Once we get to the nuclear plant, I'll need to cut the external power uplinks to the main building…
Isabella: Wouldn't it be easier to take the chair?
Kinzie: Well we could if you want all its circuits to fry as we try to disconnect it from the power grid!
Isabella: Oh, that'll be bad…
Kinzie: Uh, yeah!
Isabella: Ok then, so am I gonna be comfy while hooked up to this thing?
Kinzie: How should I know? It's a chair!
Isabella: Yeah but my ass needs some padding!
Kinzie: That's what you're worried about? If your ass is going to be comfy?
Isabella: A girl deserves to be pampered sometimes!
While heading to Burns Hill, Isabella notices that Kinzie looks very spaced out and wanted to cheer her up. It's like with Zimos, it was crazy because he was cool with anything that came his way, and Angel who was more into fighting than killing anyone with a gun. Nonetheless, they were fairly decent. Kinzie, however, she was an odd girl. She was no ordinary girl, and that made Isabella feel good deep down inside; and alternately, in the future, they may even be closer than being friends.
Isabella: Wanna listen to some music?
Kinzie: No thanks…
Isabella: No upbeat pop songs to brighten the mood?
Kinzie: Not interested…
Isabella: You don't like happy music do you?
Kinzie: God no!
Isabella: Classical? Hard rock?
Kinzie: Hardcore gangster rap…
Isabella: [baffled] Ok you're lying… No way that's a thing…
Tough. No, more like that was a rough start, but it was on the path to success. Isabella believes it to be true after all. Anyways, reaching the nuclear power plant, Isabella has to make sure to keep Kinzie protected from the Deckers while she hacks by unmasking the signal that keeps the chair unguarded.
Kinzie: All right, here's the power uplink locations… Keep the Deckers off me while I disable each one…
Isabella: Ok…
Bella: Bishop two to pawn one…
Oleg: [chuckle] First mistake. [moves and takes a piece] Checkmate.
Bella: Ahh! Darn it! Let's go again! I'm still learning!
Oleg: I can do one more, just because I like you.
As Oleg resets the chessboard, Bella looks at the brute, feeling uneasy as she asks a question.
Bella: Oleg?
Oleg: Yes?
Bella: How much… do you know about the VanGong's?
Once he reset the chessboard pieces, Oleg turned the board around so he can play the whites and Bella can play the black pieces.
Oleg: The VanGong's are the worst people to ever exist. From personal experience, they manipulate people to achieve their selfish goals into creating another massacre to quote unquote, "building a better world."
Bella: [moves pawn] …
Oleg: They have enemies across the globe because they are known for their manipulations and manifestations, which include their ability to control the enemy, or just an innocent person, to act against a war, claiming to be a false accusation against bigger organizations. You see, my dear friend, you might not know what I am talking about, but you will learn. [moves knight]
Bella: I'm sorry for asking this sensitive topic but… these enemies across the globe, which ones are the biggest threats to them?
Oleg: I only know of three; the Nahualli, the Gyn's, and lastly, the Brimstone's.
Bella: [shocked] I'll, um, I'll not talk about it anymore… Th-Thank you for telling me, Oleg, I…
Oleg: [looks at her with a warm smile] Do not be afraid of the VanGong's, my friend. Your girlfriend will always protect you, yes?
Bella: Yeah, she will, and always…
Oleg: Now, on with our game?
Bella: [nodded]
She gulped the biggest saliva, and proceeded with the game. It was a good thing that Oleg doesn't know Bella's last name, let's hope it stays that way.
Back in Burns Hill…
Kinzie: Ok, that's it!
Isabella: Now can we get that amazing padded chair?
Kinzie: Nope, now we go up in a helicopter…
Isabella: You… never… told me, or mentioned… about a helicopter…
Kinzie: They could be keeping the chair anywhere, I have to triangulate its exact location, while you-
Isabella: Act as a guardian angel, ugh…
Kinzie: See? We're communicating!
Isabella: And where is this helicopter going to land?
Kinzie: In front of the plant…
Getting out of the power plant to kill off hordes of Deckers, brutes, and specialists on roller skates, a Saint hurriedly saw Kinzie and the Boss, immediately landing down to hopefully not get shot by loads of them, and flew away.
All right, we'll have to fly around the area for this…
Ok well do your thing and I'll take over from there…
It's simple! I measure the-
Ah, don't get all schoolteacher on me…
Right, forgot…
Figure out anything exciting?
There's a lot of power output coming from this place so it's hard to get a lock on a chair… I'll need more time!
Hey, no rush…
Circling around the top of the nuclear plant, Kinzie heard a beep from her laptop.
Got it! It's right under that main cooling tower! Logical really…
Ok, time to get that-
Just you, and you'll have to take the quick way… The Deckers may already be destroying the chair to keep it from us…
There's a quick way?
Yeah! Jump!
I gotta jump… and find out? God…
Grabbing a parachute, Isabella hopped off into the hole of the cooling tower, falling thirty meters below to pop open a parachute, and landing down safely.
Isabella: I'm in Kinzie!
Kinzie: Cut the chair from their system by disabling the router connections…
Isabella: So basically I press the off button?
Kinzie: That's what I said wasn't it?
Isabella pulled out her pistol, locking and loading it, and goes in quietly. The place was huge too, to be expected right? It is a power plant. When seeing the stairs, Isabella saw a Decker with white hair, hiding in a corner with an SMG. The person heard a click from a gun cocking before getting into position, but the Boss already had them at gunpoint.
Isabella: Don't you fucking move!
?: [chuckle] I won't…
Through Isabella's earpiece, Kinzie came between the two of them.
Kinzie: No! Boss! Don't kill him!
Isabella: Why!? He's a Decker!
Kinzie: That's my friend! His name's Shin!
Isabella: …What? Your friend?
Shin: Please, hear me out, ok? I have been on this mission ever since my brother destroyed your helicopter, so please miss, let me deliver this equipment to her and I will be out of your hair…
Isabella: [squints]
Shin: I understand you have a lingering hatred for these Deckers and I do not blame you, however, it will make Kinzie entirely upset to kill me right here and now… Plus, do not be mad at her… Generally I would rather you use your anger out on me instead…
Isabella: [put her gun down slowly]
Shin: You can keep me at gunpoint if you are still feeling like I cannot be trusted…
Isabella: Listen, I'll cover for your ass because of Kinzie, but that's it…
Shin: Fair enough…
With that settled, a tag team made down the stairs to head into the main event… and by god it was a humongous room for a power plant. Four separate operative units with computers and one giant blue forcefield surrounded the big NEMO chair.
Isabella: What's Miller doing anyway? Planning the next world war?
Kinzie: It's what I'd do…
Shin: [puts hoodie over his head and wears a mask]
Isabella: There's the chair!
Shin: Shut down the routers powering the forcefield… I'll buy you time to do two while I get the other two…
Isabella: Got it!
Shin knocked out the Deckers on the left side when powering down the routers and the Boss on the right side doing the same as well, except for not knocking them unconscious, but more of killing them outright. They cleared out most of the Deckers as the forcefield shut down.
Isabella: Ok, the routers are shut down… Now what else?
Kinzie: The chair's still pulling power from the system, I don't get it…
Isabella: Maybe because it's still plugged in?
Kinzie: Oh! Cut that link too!
Before Isabella could get to the chair and cut the power link, Shin elbowed a Decker in the face, then typing several buttons on the keyboard of the super computer, and started handcuffing the Decker on the ground. Dispatching the last remaining cyberpunk boys, she walked up to him, and had his gun aimed at him.
Shin: [sigh] Oh Gabriel. You led a dangerous lifestyle, my friend…
Isabella: [arched eyebrow]
Shin: [have hands up] I have not done anything wrong…
Isabella: Two questions, why are you helping out Kinzie when you are a Decker your damn self? And secondly, why are you tying these bad guys?
Shin: One, it is in my nature that I have some sort of protective mechanism toward those who deserves to be protected. Two, these Deckers are just teenagers, some of them are adults, living a dangerous life that will eventually get them killed. Outright killing them means nothing, but make a monster out of anyone that'll kill for no good reason.
Isabella: [puts gun down] Fine, I'll let you off the hook… for now…
Shin: What is your name, miss?
Isabella: [disturbed] …Isabella Lycian…
Shin: [held out his hand to shake] A pleasure to be acquainted, Ms. Lycian…
Isabella: [scoff] Just Isabella…
Shin: Apologies, Isabella…
He pulls out his burner phone and dial the number for Kinzie Kensington.
Yeah?
Kinzie.
Shin, are you ok?
Yes, thanks for your concern. Can you call any helicopter to carry this to your warehouse?
Yeah, I can do that! Thank you so much Shin!
Heh, of course… I will be there for another day, but next time, I'll be sure to come visit you.
Isabella: [looks at him]
Shin: Of course… Goodbye… [looks at her and smashes his phone]
Isabella: The fuck was that for?
Shin: I only have emergency phones, burners… No one will track or trace my phone when I call anybody, therefore, I break it…
Isabella: [sighs deeply] I'm going home…
Shin: You should turn this power plant into your very own home…
Isabella: Excuse me?
Shin: This is my brother's only hideout, so taking out what was his would be very special for you to overtake, wouldn't you say? So, please, consider the possibility of this offer… [walks away]
Isabella: Who in the hell are you?
Shin: [smiles]
As he walks out, Isabella did a little investigation around the power plant, and honestly? She will absolutely turn it into a crib, but it has to be done properly and perfectly. With that, Isabella tries to find a way out… and leaves the area to head to Loren Square, getting a lot of construction workers to form a better place.
Isabella: [gets a phone call] Hello?
Bella: Isabella, hey, um…
Isabella: You ok?
Bella: Um, you don't mind… if we go on a date, like, right now?
Isabella: Oh you bet! I got enough days to spend off so let's do it now!
Bella: Really? You'll actually…?
Isabella: Where are you at right now? At Kinzie's?
Bella: Yeah…
Isabella: I'm coming over, see ya!
Bella: [hung up and clutch her phone] Oh geez… I'm so freaked out…
To Be Continued…