Yugioh/ML Chapter 13
An Uneasy Alliance
Juleka had visited Sol Technologies before, visiting her brother for various reasons. But now she was entering as an employee of sorts, meaning that several doors that were closed to her before were now open. Luka led her past offices and meeting rooms to a central command room, one that resembled the bridge of a sci-fi ship from a show the two of them watched.
At the head of this room was Kitamura, Luka's replacement. Juleka pretty much already knew of him, from how much Luka complained about his incompetence and his hare-brained "AI Army" scheme. In person, Kitamura was just as weasely and pathetic as she imagined, but Juleka knew enough about office politics to keep quiet.
"Ah, this is the new recruit, Couffaine?"
"Yes, Sir. She was the one who recovered the cure for the Deleted."
After examining her, Kitamura humphed. "Well, so far, I'm not impressed. For one thing, she failed to secure the cyberse cards she was given. From what I hear, they disappeared from your account as soon as Doctor Genome was defeated. And for another thing, this cure has only worked on those previously affected. The Knights of Hanoi have responded by altering the virus' formula, making this cure obsolete."
"I understand that, sir." From her position behind him, Juleka could see the clenched fist Luka was making. "But that is why I have come up with a plan to take out the virus at its source. According to one of my contacts, the main knight responsible for the creation of the virus is known as Baira. If we take her out, I'm certain the Deleted attacks will grind to a halt."
"And who is this contact, Mister Couffaine? I would like to verify this information for myself."
"I figured you would, and arranged for a meeting with her." Luka walked over to one of the computers, pressing a few buttons. In seconds, the screen on the wall opened up a video call, revealing Safari in Link Vrains.
"Hello, hello! I see that you're in need of my services again, Mister Couffaine. This is turning into quite the profitable partnership for me."
Before Luka could say a word, Kitamura stepped in front of him. "I am Kitamura, Chief of Security in Sol Technologies and Luka Couffaine's superior. Any business dealing you may have had with him are now to handled by me."
"Of course, Sir. You see, after a bit of digging, I managed to find not only the identity of the knight who is responsible for creating the Deleted virus, but where she is for the time being. If we hurry, we can catch her and stop her from producing any more."
"Well, what are you waiting for? Give us the location!"
"In due time, Sir. In due time. First, I need to settle some debts."
"Yes, yes, Sol Technologies will be sure to compensate you substantially for your information."
"Oh, I'm not talking about money, though I will be demanding triple my usual rate. Instead, I have another business partner that will need to be informed."
Safari pressed a button on her duel disk, and the screen split into two, with her on the left side, and Ladybug on the right.
"Hello, Mister Kitamura." Ladybug began. "At this point, only Safari and I know the location of Baira, and that information will only be good for a limited time. My demands are simple; not only do you drop your manhunt for me, but we form an alliance against the Knights of Hanoi."
Judging by his expression, one would be forgiven for thinking Kitamura was going to explode. "You can't be serious! You have infiltrated our servers, stolen company data, and have something which is the intellectual property of Sol Technologies! Why on earth would we be stupid enough to let you go?"
"Because, like it or not, we have to work together if we want to stop the Knights of Hanoi, and protect Link Vrains and its inhabitants. I'm only one person, and you don't have the power to stop them. It's the only way."
"Absolutely not! Once we're done with the Knights, we'll-" Kitamura's phone rang, and an uneasy silence filled the room. He pulled his phone out and answered it. While Luka could only hear the one side of the conversation, it was obvious from Kitamura's new subservience and politeness who he was talking to; the Board of Directors.
After a few minutes, Kitamura hung up, then turned back to Ladybug. "Sol Technologies accepts your terms for as long as the Knights of Hanoi are a threat to Link Vrains."
"Good to hear."
…
An awkward silence permeated the air as Reflekta and Ladybug flew through Link Vrains towards the remote corridor where Baira was hiding. Though the latter hadn't said anything, Tigress could still feel an irritation coming from her.
"So, uh, Ladybug. Something seems to be bothering you. Wanna talk about it?"
"Sure. What should we talk about? The time you tricked me into dueling you, risking both our lives for a publicity stunt, or the time you somehow stole my cards and impersonated me? I'd still like to know how you took them, by the way, or how you returned them without my knowing."
Not having an easy answer, Reflekta shut her mouth and the two continued their trek.
The corridor eventually came into view, a cave at the bottom of a ravine. As the two approached, knights flew out of the cavern to meet them, like a white cloud billowing out of the ravine.
Reflekta activated her communicator. "This is Reflekta. We've engaged the enemy. You are clear to attack!"
Behind the two of them, an almost equal swarm of AI logged in, then flew to combat the knights. Reflekta and Ladybug deftly flew through the chaos, never losing track of their target. As they expected, Baira was flying the opposite direction of the knights, obviously hoping her army would cover her escape.
She thought wrong.
Once the two managed to break through the swarm of knights, they were able to catch up to Baira fairly easily. She had a similar white robe as Doctor Genome, and had red hair with a visor over one eye.
"Give it up!" Ladybug shouted. "You can't run forever!"
"Surrender the virus and come quietly!" Reflekta added.
Baira turned her duel board around to glare at them. "Your impudence knows no bounds. The Knights of Hanoi shall destroy the Kwami, and save Link Vrains from itself!" She readied her duel disk, as did her pursuers.
From their hidden base, Black Knight watched from afar. Fools. While they waste their time stopping Baira's little pet project, my superweapon nears completion. Soon, the Kwami will be over.