[FIC] The Most Dangerous Game (part 6) Finale
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:00 am
“Kaname, why are you hesitating. Isn’t this any woman’s secret dream?” Maewe laughed, a perfumed hyena. “Fine. Never let an opportunity go to waste, may father says. Let’s make this more fun.” Reginald!” She called out the wounded man’s name with great scorn. “You get to live a little bit longer. That bandage is taking its good time turning red. I must only have grazed you.” She shook her head, wondering how that could have happened. “Walk over to Miss Chidori, and take off her bra with your teeth. You know you want to.”
A rather risky idea came to Kaname, either out of a sense of modesty, or as a result of pure inspiration. As soon as Reginald stepped between her and Maewe, she jumped off the table and used the wealthy young man’s as a mobile shield, pushing her towards the gun-wielding girl.
Kaname grudgingly gave Maewe credit. She was a quick thinker. Quick acting, too. The older girl threw herself to the floor, gun at the ready, giving herself an unobstructed line of fire. That should have been the end of Kaname, except for the fact that Jakinson saw an opportunity to act and took it. He flung himself towards Maewe, who was thus forced to change targets. Having no choice, she pumped a pair of shots into the servant’s chest and abdomen.
Still dressed only in her undergarments, Kaname made good use of Maewe’s predicament, leaving the room in a mad rush. She heard the gunshots behind her. Maewe’s voice yelled out “Bakayarou," the sound chasing at Kaname’s heels even as the angry girl remained back in the room. This was Kaname’s chance. It would likely be her only chance.
Which way? Kaname, think! She had to decide quickly. Should she go with the flow of scurrying people, or fight her way against the crowd? That way. She would go in the direction she had not seen yet, hoping there might be a good place to hide. If she was lucky, the frantic mass of partygoers would slow down Maewe or cause her to search in the other direction.
***********************************************
Sousuke’s next kill was simple. It occurred on automatic. One of his unseen antagonists had found a Claymore-like mine. It had done him some significant degree of harm, and caused him to stagger into the kill zone of a jumping mine. His remains were not a pretty sight. Few facial features were recognizable---Sousuke estimated the corpse to have been of Oriental descent. Most likely Paek Yong-Kwan. He should have stuck with smuggling and espionage.
Another mine went off in the distance. Jumper. Yet another detonated. Claymore. There was no way for him to know whether or not either mine had proven effective. They could easily have been triggered by a clever soldier. Two more mines exploded over the next two minutes. One of each. At the very least, they pinpointed the places where at least one enemy had been temporarily: near the center of the large arena.
Carefully peering around a corner, flanked by large wooden crates filled with parchment paper and spools of twine, Sousuke heard the faintest of sounds behind him. Quickly, he stepped within a short narrow crevice between rows of stacked boxes. Not a moment too soon. A man of Arabic complexion, most likely Majeed Al-Mughassi, carefully made his way along the path Sousuke had just walked, his early model Soviet submachine gun at the ready. More movement. A second enemy, his back turned towards Sousuke, walked along the elevated structure holding one of the large conveyor belts. He was only intermittently visible, seen through the cracks between building fragments and large shipping enclosures.
The near man would need to go first. It would have to be a quiet kill, lest he give away his position while he was still in a less than optimal location. As it was, there was still the possibility that he was under the scrutiny of an as yet identified observer, or soon could be after any gunshot. He could not afford to be pinned down in his current locale.
Ever so quietly, movements hidden, he unzipped his bag, removing a telescoping blow gun. E extended the weapon to its full length. Opening a small leather wallet, he unscrewed the top on a small phial. He grasped a small tufted dart by the feathers, dipping its point within the glass container. Nerve. Nerve, he thought, remembering something Rainsford’s way of steeling himself. Holding his breath, he placed the dart into the blowgun ever so carefully. Swiftly, with an economy of motion, he brought the weapon to his lips…sighted…and blew hard with a truncated explosion of breath.
The dart flew straight and true. It embedded itself in the side of the unsuspecting man’s neck. With a grunt of surprise, he started to bring his hand up, intending to remove the small projectile. He moved very little before stopping, falling to the ground in an awkward position.
Cone shells, marine snails prized for their intrically designed shells, produce a potent neurotoxin that allowed them to immobilize their much quicker prey. Conus geographus, The Geographic Cone, produced the most potent toxin. Delivered in the dose that Sousuke had applied, it caused near instant paralysis, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest.
Sousuke shook his head. Kurz and Melissa had made fun of ‘his little toy.’ He judged it to be an unqualified success.
Time to leave concealment. Carefully. Very carefully. Just because he knew the location of another target, he could not afford to grow even the slightest bit careless. Sousuke moved like a flowing shadow, keeping to less well lit avenues of approach, eyes always scanning the path ahead of him and behind him. It was the longer of three possible routes, but he felt confident it was the prudent choice.
Before stepping out into the open, he took a small mirror on a flexible wand out of his bag. After checking various directions from an assortment of angles, he felt confident enough to move onward. Bringing his binoculars to his eyes, he spotted his quarry. The man, most likely of African descent, walked at the far end of the conveyor belt, facing away from Sousuke. Mr. Mdladlana, I presume. His one side was bloodied and he dragged one foot. Perhaps he had triggered one of the mines.
This is dangerous, Sousuke thought. I will be exposing myself for a while. Still, it was worth the risk. If he were not seen, this trick would not pinpoint his location the way gunshots would. The man was far out of range of the blowgun. This should work. He left his bag on the ground behind him. Holding his last two jumping mines, he climbed up onto the wooden structure, crawling on his belly to the conveyor belt. Both mines were placed upright, set for remote detonation, and sent on their way.
Safely back under cover, with a good view of the far end of the mechanical contrivance, he marked the progress of the two patient and intrepid explosive devices, one located a few feet behind the other. He zoomed in on his enemy’s face. Good. He looked unawares so far. When his mines neared the end of their long straight journey, Sousuke flicked one switch twice. The man’s face looked inquisitive at first, the curiosity soon replaced by a look of recognition and panic.
The two mines jumped out of their plastic enclosures, traveling to two different preset heights. At their apex, they detonated, sending a vicious spread of shrapnel raining down on the ex-member of the SADF, severing his thread of life. Scratch another off the list.
The next few moments felt like an eternity to Sousuke. He felt an illogical upwelling of combat paranoia, certain that all eyes were turned on him. Avoiding his own traps, he crept along the path he judged to be the safest. Soon enough, he changed his approach. It was time. He would seek out the two remaining men. Focused, he sought any available clue.
After making his way halfway around the central mechanized area of the great room, Sousuke took note of a prickling sensation at the back of his neck. One of his senses must have picked up some hint of danger. He had long since learned to place all of his trust in that kind of feeling. Placing his night vision goggles on, toggled to infrared, he steeped into a place of deep cover, after making certain it was unoccupied and devoid of obvious booby traps.
His small mirror flashed a brief glimpse of movement, off to the right. Sousuke, inching forward on his belly, raised the binoculars to his eyes again. Subtle. Very subtle. He had been fortunate to catch sight of that. Keeping low to the ground, someone was moving towards the area he had found the tarps and pits in. There was another trail that would lead Sousuke to the same area, more likely than not getting him there first. Time to move!
In little time, he found himself in a thin-walled crate with convenient perforations in the side. Soon thereafter, he saw a man lean slightly out of concealment, a FAMAS rifle barely visible in his hand. That would be the ex-Legionnaire, Jean-Pierre Deladier. How good are you, sir? Would you be so kind as to step out into the open.
By a stroke of good fortune, at least for his unseen opponent, the Frenchman complied with Sousuke’s silent wish. Wait. Wait. A bit more. Nodding his head, Sousuke pushed a switch upward, detonating a small cache of plastic explosive, setting a huge tower of scrap metal on a slow but inexorable course towards the ground. None of the falling debris would strike his adversary, unless he blundered into its path. No, it would limit his choice of movement, and maybe even herd the man in a direction that Sousuke had thoughtfully chosen for him.
Perfect! The results were just what Sousuke had hoped for. Not wanting undue attention drawn to the area of the terrible racket before he could vacate the premises, the one time deserter ran towards the nearest point of concealment. No, no, go right. RIGHT. Never mind. Clear shot! I’ll take that first. Sousuke concentrated shorts bursts of smei-automatic fire at the retreating form, gracing his arms and legs. Not a kill shot, but it served Sousuke’s purpose nonetheless, sending the man towards a series of enclosures on the right..
Sousuke ran after his prey, firing his F2000 as he closed the distance. He scored another hit on the other man’s hip, causing him to stumble but not fall. Yes. Take the quickest route to cover. A rabbit with the hounds right on his heels, the wounded foe had little time to examine the environment in front of him. Stepping on a dirt-covered tarp, he fell into one of the concealed pits. Wanting to be certain, Sousuke pulled the pin on a fragmentation grenade, tossing the small bomb into the pit. Only one more to go. Are you OK, Kaname?
***********************************************************
“Finally, things are looking up. Sort of.” Kaname was counting her blessings. No, she did not consider herself to be fortunate to be trapped here in this insane den of depravity. Likewise, it was not her fondest dream to be running around barely clad amongst a large crowd of strangers. But, no one had made any attempt to take advantage of her rather vulnerable condition. And, she had no further sign of Maewe, Reginald, or any of their recognizable associates.
“You. YOU THERE. Have you seen a half naked woman come this way? TELL ME!” Obviously, Kaname had spoken much too soon. It was Maewe’s voice.
Galvanized into action, Kaname put all of her energy into looking for a place to hide and for something to use as a weapon. Yes. That will do. That will do nicely. A large grill area was completely abandoned, the cook fires still smoldering away. Large skeweres of meat and vegetables lay roasting over the coals. Pitchers of beer, wine, and sangria littered the polished wood countertop.
There’s still a chance. Oh. And there’s a mirrored pillar there, just in the right spot. I can duck behind the bar and still have a good view of that bitch if she comes this way. Yes. If she comes too close, lights out! Kaname smiled. It would be wonderful to add Maewe to the grill. Get real! This is NOT a game. I'll be lucky just to survive.
Too late, she realized a simple but crucial fact. If she could see Maewe in the mirror from one angle, their was a very good chance that Maewe could see her from a different angle. Her fears were soon realized.
“Hungry are we, Kaname? I would have thought that you’ve added too much meat to those bones of yours already.” Maewe sounded rather pleased with herself. “I suppose the condemned deserve their last meal. Take a bite or two if you like. I am feeling rather charitable. I can wait a few more moments."
************************************************
“All right Sis, here we GO!” Kurz had piloted his M9 up onto the roof of the warehouse building. Melissa’s M9 was on the ground below him, standing near the wall that was closest to Sousuke’s current position.
Both Arm Slaves moved in near synchrony, bringing there monomolecular cutters into position. Sparks flew like glowing fountain sprays as the powerful devices cut their way through steel and pig iron.
“Needless to say, junior, shoot first and accept surrender second. We can’t afford to trust anyone until Sousuke is safe and sound. After that, it’s your choice whether or not you want to stick with any of the statutes of the Geneva f@cking Convention.”
“You betcha, babe. I’ll be going in with guns blazing. OH YEH! It’s party time.” Kurz pushed the ‘play’ button, queuing up his next song.
It’s criminal, there ought to be a law
Criminal, and you know what we’re shootin’ for
Shouting at the other guy
when his back is turned
Don’t know the reason why
Ain’t it about time you learn
“Settle down, shithead!” Melissa sounded exasperated. “Don’t get too crazy now. We don’t want to hit Sousuke. You want to try and explain something like that to Kaname?”
“Really? You think? You really are such a great teacher. I never would have thought of that on my own. Beer must really be good brain food! Ooooh, sing it with me sensai….”
If you want blood, you got it
If you want blood, you got it
Blood on the sheets, blood on the rocks
Blood in the gutter, give my last drop
You want blood, you got it
Wha-ooh
“Your ass is gonna be brain food, Weber. The only decision I have to make is whether I should carve it up fresh or roast it first. Stop all the bullshit and get in there already!”
It’s animal, livin’ in the human zoo
It’s animal, and I know what you gotta do
It’s the curse of the working’ man
Givin’ more and getting’ less
Doin’ everything he can, cleaning up the mess
Pealing back a large area of cut roofing, Kurz looked down into the arena. Sensors fully operation and appropriately set, he located Sousuke’s position quickly, slaving his optics to the transponder signal. Working the controls, he zoomed in, seeing his friend in the middle of a gun battle with a single enemy. Hmmm. Would Sousuke be more pissed if I let him die or get wounded, or if I take out that guy for him? Sure, that’s easy. Better do it anyway.
Swinging the Bofors into position, Kurz fired off four rounds with startling rapidity. Sousuke’s opponent was torn asunder by the well-placed 57mm HE rounds. Seeing Sousuke look up in his direction, Kurz manipulated his right arm waldo, having his M9 give the younger soldier the ‘thumb’s up’ sign.
If you want blood, you got it
If you want blood, you got it
Blood on the sheets, blood on the rocks
Blood in the gutter, give my last drop
You want blood, you got it
Oooooh
Scanning the room for other small heat signatures indicative of other people, Kurz was disappointed. No more targets. Shit! Sousuke must have been up to his old tricks again. Too damn efficient. Never enough concern about the feelings of his squad mates.
Kurz saw Sousuke reach into his bag, unwind something, and place it on his head. Microphone, no doubt. Sure enough, a message came through.
“Kaname. What do we know about Kaname?” Sousuke sounded winded.
“Hey, Sousuke old chum, is that the way that you thank me for saving your tail? After putting up with all that crap from Mao?” Kurz was his usual self. When he finished with his jibes, he dropped his M9 carefully to the ground, landing with a jarring THUD.
“Shut it Weber, before I nail it closed!” Melissa’s voice was rather fierce at first, but soon softened as she spoke to Sousuke. “We don’t know anything yet, Sousuke. I’m changing from your transponder frequency to her bracelet signal.” She moved her Arm Slave to stand next to Kurz.’ A few moments later, the large mecha lifted its arm and pointed towards one area of the building expanse. “She’s in that direction.”
“Sgt. Major Mao, those large mirror panels at the top of each walls are a reflective coating on windows. Might I suggest that you and Sgt. Weber use the Arm Slaves’ fists as battering rams, gaining access to the area beyond?” Sousuke turned to stare in the direction Melissa’s M9 had pointed. “First, I would appreciate it if someone could gain entrance for me, lift me up, and put me down in Kaname’s vicinity.”
“Oh Yeh!!! Time to start breaking some glass and kicking some ass.” Kurz sounded rather wound up. He was having altogether too much fun. “Anybody who moves is bad, if they’re not Kaname, dressed as a fireman, or one of our assualt troops. Right, babe?”
“That’s what I’ve been told, sergeant. What the bloody f@ck are you waiting for? Get that useless heap of metal moving!”
Sousuke watched as Kurz’ M9 ran off towards the nearest wall, starting to climb when it reached a pyramid of industrial supplies.
“Climb up, Sousuke. Chauffeur service for one. Destination Kaname.” A few moments later, the young sergeant found himself sitting on the giant palm of Melissa’s Arm Slave. He grabbed a hold of one large finger as his squad leader climbed up the side of the wall in question. He covered his head with his arms when she directed her M9 to swing the but of its portable cannon towards the window. “Shit! That stuff is mighty tough. Gotta try something different.” The mecha dropped its Bofors 57mm and took out the monomolecular cutter again. Running the humming cutter along the top of the window area, the M9 created a dense cloud of glass shards and metallic dust. “Alright Sousuke, get ready. I’m going to pull some of that crap down. I’ll make you a stairway out of the A.S.’s arm when I’m done. Haul ass as soon as you can!”
When he saw his opportunity, Sousuke moved.
************************************************
Explosions in various areas of the roof gave access to men in uniforms. What did it all mean? Was this some special branch of the police? The JSDF? A private military force of one of her father’s competitors? Maewe had no clue, but knew it did not bode well. “Better make this quick.”
She started to walk towards Kaname’s place of hiding, freezing in place when she looked out into the arena. Two Arm Slaves suddenly seemed to appear out of thin air. Curiouser and curiouser. How did they do that? Better yet, Why were they here? As she watched, one pointed in her direction. She saw Sousuke Sagara climb on its outstretched hand. Then, it advanced in her direction. Was someone going to try and kidnap her? Worse yet, attempt to kill her? She almost ran towards the far end of the room when a giant knife-like weapon pushed through the wall bordering the arena, its chainsaw like edges moving way too fast to see the individual teeth.
“Over there. That woman has a gun.” A masculine voice, behind her. That man possessing that voice might try to stop her. Maewe rushed to throw herself towards Kaname. She needed to get this done while she still could. Her left leg suddenly crumpled beneath her. She had been shot. She fell hard into the side of the bar, bruising her cheek and splitting her lip. Her gun clattered across the floor. “Leave that one. Come with me. There is a group of armed men held up in a room over there.” Another soldier spoke to the first, convincing him to move on to more pressing business.
Maewe smiled. She thought of Kaname cowering behind the bar. Going after her gun, she couldn’t resist one final barb. “Kaname, dearest. This will be the crowning glory of my night, even better than seeing Sousuke shot in the head. Ooops, there I go ruining the surprise. You couldn’t see that down there, could you?”
That’s IT! That’s more than enough. God help you bitch, if it’s true! Kaname grabbed a pitcher of sangria in one hand, stepped over to the grill, and grabbed a blackening skewer of food. At full speed, she ran straight at Maewe, seeing her bend over to retrieve her pistol. Gotta swing for the fences. All or nothing, Kaname.
Kaname’s atleticism proved the difference between victory and defeat. Before Maewe could bring her gun up all the way, her erstwhile victim swung her pitcher with all her strength, rather than tossing its contents in the other girl’s face as she had originally planned. The handle of the pitcher broke off under the force of the blow, along with some of Maewe’s pearly whites. The older girl fell hard to the floor, gun still in hand.
Some things make a lasting impression. Kaname would never forget the feel or sound of what came next, no matter how hard she tried. Before Maewe could bring her gun to bear, Kaname followed up her initial strike with another, thrusting the skewer deep into the prone girl’s abdomen. The resultant scream of pain sent shivers down her spine. She felt faint. Hang tough, Kaname. She stepped on the gun, looking down at the agonized look on her tormentor’s face.
Kaname did not know whether to feel relieved or disappointed. Maewe was still alive. She didn’t know if she could bring herself to take any further action. That didn’t stop her from getting in a barb of her own. “I guess what they say about a man doesn’t hold true for us gals. The way to a woman’s heart is not through her stomach.”
“Drop your weapon. Step away from that woman with your hands on your head.” Kaname complied immediately, turning slowly. A soldier in a Mithril uniform stood five yards away, rifle leveled at her chest.
“Mithril. You’re Mithril. I’m a friendly.” Intent on convincing the soldier an the two troops who joined him, Kaname made the mistake of taking her foot off of Maewe’s gun. Suddenly she saw the soldier swing his rifle lower. She saw Maewe’s gun. The soldier would be too late.
Gunshots rang out, from behind Kaname. Maewe’s head exploded in a revolting spray of brain matter and skull fragments. The dead girls’ pistol fired, missing her intended victim.
Turning, Kaname saw Sousuke.
************************************************************
Mithril soldiers were busy rounding up their captives and literally running groups of them off to waiting vehicles. There wasn’t too much time before the real police and fire companies should show up. Yes, they were currently busy with harmless diversions that Mithril operatives had set off elsewhere, but a small trcikle of official forces could arrive any time.
Kaname knew that she should come up for air, but she did not care if she passed out, as long as she was in Sousuke’s arms. The kiss had been fierce and untelegraphed. Sousuke had had no chance to escape. Initially tense with shock, he yielded to her strong embrace. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy her kisses. The soldier in him hated surprises.
Tears running down her face, she found herself speaking the obvious. “Sousuke, you’re still alive.”
“Obviously, Kaname. As are you, I am happy to see.” Sousuke felt weak with relief.
“Really? How happy?” Her eyes held longing, but also impending danger. She stepped away from Sousuke.
“Very much so. How could it be otherwise? You should be quite aware of how I feel about you now.”
“Yes, Sousuke. But, a girl needs to hear that. Over and Over and over.” She stomped her foot. They had been over this before. She kicked him in the shin, but soon pulled his arm back around herself.
“I love you, Kaname.” Sousuke may have still been somewhat clueless about women, but he knew the right thing to say at that moment, He should have stopped there. “Why are you dressed like that, Kaname?” In the great rush of emotions he had experienced when he realized Kaname was safe, Sousuke had somehow overlooked her state of undress until now.
The satisfied look on Kaname’s face soon became replaced by anger. “SOUSUKE! I suffer indignity piled on top of embarrassment…face physical trials and tribulations…and nearly meet my end…and you ask about my clothes?! Y-o-u-u-u.”
“Yes, Kaname. You know that I love you, but I do not know why you are dressed like that.” It was typical Sousuke logic. “We should find your clothes.”
A number of Mithril soldiers approached Sousuke, passing along information about the current situation. By the time they had finished, Kaname’s boil had been reduced to a simmer.
“We will need to move quickly, Kaname. It would be unfortunate to be in this building when police forces arrive.” At that moment, he received a transmission from Melissa. He turned and saluted the two Arm Slaves out in the arena, watching as their ECS were engaged and they blurred into de facto invisibility.
“My things are in that room.” Kaname’s voice had a rather sharp edge to it.
The two of them walked toward the indicated room. Sousuke moved with a slow measured gate and a limp. Kaname strode with exaggerated swings of her arms and legs and a chip on her shoulder. Mithril operatives were leading a line of captives out into the hallway. Kaname stopped at the sight of one particular person. A loud slap could be heard across the room.
“You bastard!” Kaname yelled. Overcome by negative emotions, she kneed Reginald hard in te groin. “I hope you burn in Hell for the things you made me do!”
“But Kaname, my sweet, it was only in good fun. Naturally I would never have….” Reginald was not able to finish his unctuous reassurances.
“Who is this man, Kaname?” Sousuke had interrupted Reginald, having no interest in what the other man had to say. “What did he do to you. Were you in some kind of danger because of him?”
Before Kaname could answer, Reginald’s pride and overconfidence proved his undoing. “What the two of us shared is not as important as what could occur in the future.” His voice carried a forced tone of bravado and a rather unwise hint of innuendo. “My father and I are very powerful people. When word of all of this gets out, neither you nor the delectable Miss Chidori will be safe, unless I want you to be!” Reginald actually smiled, despite the throbbing pain in his wrapped knee. "You can both disappear just as easily as the others did!"
Sousuke stood rock still for a few moments, his eyes narrowed. He clenched and unclenched his hands, the feel of battle still about him. “We will continue this conversation in private.” Kaname flinched. Sousuke’s voice was so flat and lifeless. What did he intend to do?
“Corporal, I will interrogate this man. He may well know of secret hiding places used by the elite. Take the remaining prisoners to the vehicles in accordance to prior instructions.” The captive group of club members looked stricken at the word ’prisoners,’ finally realizing the depths of their troubles.
“Sousuke, what are you doing? Why are we going back into this room?” Kaname was obviously uncomfortable, but was more concerned about whatever Sousuke had in mind. It took her a moment before she remembered her clothes.
“What exactly did he do, Kaname? And, is he as dangerous as he claims?” Sousuke listened patiently as Kaname told him everything that had happened. She passed along everything she had learned about Reginald and his father that night. Blushing, she had gathered up her blouse, skirt, and shoes and put them back on.
When Reginald tried to interject, Sousuke silenced him with a brief but brutal pistol-whipping. Kaname put her hand to her mouth. She had never seen Sousuke quite like this before.
“Kaname, you will want to leave the room now. You are in great danger. The prisoner is about to make a grab for a gun.” Sousuke put a fresh clip into his Glock.
Both Kaname and Reginald stared, slack-jawed, slowly becoming aware of precisely what Sousuke’s statement implied.
“No. You can’t do this! You can’t just put me down like I’m some kind of dangerous animal.” Reginald’s voice had gone up a few octaves. His muscles tightened. He was about to make a run for it. Sousuke grabbed a lamp off of a nearby table and clouted the wounded man across the jaw with it, sending him sprawling to the floor.
Sousuke was Rainsford’s avatar now. He needed to finish the game. Reginald may not have been Zaroff before, but for all extensive purposes, he was Zaroff now. In the short story, the amoral Russian general might have let his prey go, seeing that Rainsfords had survived the game. In all likelihood, however, he could not have allowed the secret of his island to reach international authorities. Rainsford could not take that risk, or didn’t even bother worrying about risk, still caught up in the fever of his life and death struggle. He had still been filled by the spirit of the beast.
“Sousuke. Please. Don’t.” Kaname did not want to be here. She didn’t want to see this. If she stayed in the room, would he still go through with it?
“He is a great danger to you, Kaname. He may be a serious danger to the organization.” Sousuke did not look at Kaname. He would NOT make the same mistake he had made with Gauron. Letting him live when he surrendered cost Mithril two fine soldiers and took two more comrades out of his life. It had almost led to the destruction of the TDD-1. Some dangers were just too great. Kaname's life had risk enough as it was.This was no time to hold a debate on morality and ethics.
“I know Sousuke. I can accept that.”
“I cannot.” Sousuke threw Maewe's pistol to Reginald. The young man did not look so full of himself now. Sousuke held his own pistol down at his side. "What was the game? You have one minute...."
Seeing only one chance to live, Reginald brought the gun up as quickly as he could. A single gunshot echoed about the room. Reginald’s blood began pooling around his lifeless form.
For a moment, Kaname stared at Sousuke as if she had never seen him before. Did that really happen? Is this some kind of bad dream? It came to her, the fact that this Sousuke had always been there. Underneath. A remnant of his violent upbringing. She was torn between feelings of disbelief, horror, fear, and sympathy.
“You may very well grow to hate me, Kaname” Sousuke said quietly, correctly predicting her thoughts. “I knew that before I pulled the trigger. Nothing is more important than your life. Nothing.” The gun fell from his hand.
“Sousuke….” Tears welled up in Kaname’s eyes. There was sorrow in Sousuke’s voice. Great sorrow, and pain. But no regret.
“I love you, Kaname. That will never change, no matter how you feel about me. I had to do things today that will probably haunt me. It seems that you have given me a conscience. Before I met you, I never carried such a heavy burden. It is worth it, however. For the time that I got to spend with you….”
Kaname’s heart skipped a beat. Time he spent with me? SPENT? As in past tense with no future tense? What exactly was he saying? Was he going to put in for reassignment? “Sousuke….”
“Kaname, I had aleady written myself off as expendable today. All that mattered to me was that you be made safe again. By all rights, I should be food for the crows now. If I am dead to you, I must learn to accept it….”
She stood still a moment, her heart pounding and her mind abuzz. Kaname clenched her teeth, ran over to the sullen Mithril sergeant, and slapped him hard across the face.
“I deserve that, Kaname.”
“You sure do, you MOROSE MILITARY MORON!” She had to fight the urge to kick him repeatedly. “The Sousuke I love wouldn’t stand here, head hung, giving up. He would fight for me!" She knew there would be issues for her to work through, but the true core of her feelings was intact.
“Kaname?”
Kaname realized what she had said. It had always been implied that she loved him. He should have been able to tell that from her actions. But, she had never actually come out and put it into words.
Sousuke stood staring at her, waiting for her next words. Aside from the blood, grease, and smears of dirt and dust, he looked just like any other teenage boy. But, he was a cold-blooded killer. Ruthless when he had to be. Willing to do whatever was necessary to ensure her safety. Could she deal with him now, after all this? Did she really want to? What might happen tomorrow, next week, a year from now? She asked herself those questions for completeness sake. She needed to be fair to herself and Sousuke. The answer was obvious, however, despite all that had happened. In some small way, because of all that had happened. She had challenged Sousuke with some strong words. How could she simply give up, now?
It was not a fairy tale. It was far from a perfect world. But, Sousuke fought with everything he had to make certain she remained a part of that world.
Kaname walked over to Sousuke, part of her feeling scared. Not because of what he had done. Not because of a day’s worth of danger she had faced on her own. This was not the situation she had imagined, for what she planned to say next. She didn’t know how Sousuke would react. But, they both needed this. Now. “Sousuke” she said softly, taking his hand and pulling it to her cheek. “I love you.” She put her head against his shoulder, shivering ever so slightly.
“Kaname, I….”
“Sousuke, if you had died today, I don’t know if I would have wanted to go on living….”
“I see.” Sousuke’s look was unreadable. “It is a good thing that I survived, then.” He found himself falling to the floor, Kaname draped all over him. “Kaname, there is no time for this now. We should leave while we can.”
“Shut up, Sousuke….”
***********************************************************
END
A rather risky idea came to Kaname, either out of a sense of modesty, or as a result of pure inspiration. As soon as Reginald stepped between her and Maewe, she jumped off the table and used the wealthy young man’s as a mobile shield, pushing her towards the gun-wielding girl.
Kaname grudgingly gave Maewe credit. She was a quick thinker. Quick acting, too. The older girl threw herself to the floor, gun at the ready, giving herself an unobstructed line of fire. That should have been the end of Kaname, except for the fact that Jakinson saw an opportunity to act and took it. He flung himself towards Maewe, who was thus forced to change targets. Having no choice, she pumped a pair of shots into the servant’s chest and abdomen.
Still dressed only in her undergarments, Kaname made good use of Maewe’s predicament, leaving the room in a mad rush. She heard the gunshots behind her. Maewe’s voice yelled out “Bakayarou," the sound chasing at Kaname’s heels even as the angry girl remained back in the room. This was Kaname’s chance. It would likely be her only chance.
Which way? Kaname, think! She had to decide quickly. Should she go with the flow of scurrying people, or fight her way against the crowd? That way. She would go in the direction she had not seen yet, hoping there might be a good place to hide. If she was lucky, the frantic mass of partygoers would slow down Maewe or cause her to search in the other direction.
***********************************************
Sousuke’s next kill was simple. It occurred on automatic. One of his unseen antagonists had found a Claymore-like mine. It had done him some significant degree of harm, and caused him to stagger into the kill zone of a jumping mine. His remains were not a pretty sight. Few facial features were recognizable---Sousuke estimated the corpse to have been of Oriental descent. Most likely Paek Yong-Kwan. He should have stuck with smuggling and espionage.
Another mine went off in the distance. Jumper. Yet another detonated. Claymore. There was no way for him to know whether or not either mine had proven effective. They could easily have been triggered by a clever soldier. Two more mines exploded over the next two minutes. One of each. At the very least, they pinpointed the places where at least one enemy had been temporarily: near the center of the large arena.
Carefully peering around a corner, flanked by large wooden crates filled with parchment paper and spools of twine, Sousuke heard the faintest of sounds behind him. Quickly, he stepped within a short narrow crevice between rows of stacked boxes. Not a moment too soon. A man of Arabic complexion, most likely Majeed Al-Mughassi, carefully made his way along the path Sousuke had just walked, his early model Soviet submachine gun at the ready. More movement. A second enemy, his back turned towards Sousuke, walked along the elevated structure holding one of the large conveyor belts. He was only intermittently visible, seen through the cracks between building fragments and large shipping enclosures.
The near man would need to go first. It would have to be a quiet kill, lest he give away his position while he was still in a less than optimal location. As it was, there was still the possibility that he was under the scrutiny of an as yet identified observer, or soon could be after any gunshot. He could not afford to be pinned down in his current locale.
Ever so quietly, movements hidden, he unzipped his bag, removing a telescoping blow gun. E extended the weapon to its full length. Opening a small leather wallet, he unscrewed the top on a small phial. He grasped a small tufted dart by the feathers, dipping its point within the glass container. Nerve. Nerve, he thought, remembering something Rainsford’s way of steeling himself. Holding his breath, he placed the dart into the blowgun ever so carefully. Swiftly, with an economy of motion, he brought the weapon to his lips…sighted…and blew hard with a truncated explosion of breath.
The dart flew straight and true. It embedded itself in the side of the unsuspecting man’s neck. With a grunt of surprise, he started to bring his hand up, intending to remove the small projectile. He moved very little before stopping, falling to the ground in an awkward position.
Cone shells, marine snails prized for their intrically designed shells, produce a potent neurotoxin that allowed them to immobilize their much quicker prey. Conus geographus, The Geographic Cone, produced the most potent toxin. Delivered in the dose that Sousuke had applied, it caused near instant paralysis, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest.
Sousuke shook his head. Kurz and Melissa had made fun of ‘his little toy.’ He judged it to be an unqualified success.
Time to leave concealment. Carefully. Very carefully. Just because he knew the location of another target, he could not afford to grow even the slightest bit careless. Sousuke moved like a flowing shadow, keeping to less well lit avenues of approach, eyes always scanning the path ahead of him and behind him. It was the longer of three possible routes, but he felt confident it was the prudent choice.
Before stepping out into the open, he took a small mirror on a flexible wand out of his bag. After checking various directions from an assortment of angles, he felt confident enough to move onward. Bringing his binoculars to his eyes, he spotted his quarry. The man, most likely of African descent, walked at the far end of the conveyor belt, facing away from Sousuke. Mr. Mdladlana, I presume. His one side was bloodied and he dragged one foot. Perhaps he had triggered one of the mines.
This is dangerous, Sousuke thought. I will be exposing myself for a while. Still, it was worth the risk. If he were not seen, this trick would not pinpoint his location the way gunshots would. The man was far out of range of the blowgun. This should work. He left his bag on the ground behind him. Holding his last two jumping mines, he climbed up onto the wooden structure, crawling on his belly to the conveyor belt. Both mines were placed upright, set for remote detonation, and sent on their way.
Safely back under cover, with a good view of the far end of the mechanical contrivance, he marked the progress of the two patient and intrepid explosive devices, one located a few feet behind the other. He zoomed in on his enemy’s face. Good. He looked unawares so far. When his mines neared the end of their long straight journey, Sousuke flicked one switch twice. The man’s face looked inquisitive at first, the curiosity soon replaced by a look of recognition and panic.
The two mines jumped out of their plastic enclosures, traveling to two different preset heights. At their apex, they detonated, sending a vicious spread of shrapnel raining down on the ex-member of the SADF, severing his thread of life. Scratch another off the list.
The next few moments felt like an eternity to Sousuke. He felt an illogical upwelling of combat paranoia, certain that all eyes were turned on him. Avoiding his own traps, he crept along the path he judged to be the safest. Soon enough, he changed his approach. It was time. He would seek out the two remaining men. Focused, he sought any available clue.
After making his way halfway around the central mechanized area of the great room, Sousuke took note of a prickling sensation at the back of his neck. One of his senses must have picked up some hint of danger. He had long since learned to place all of his trust in that kind of feeling. Placing his night vision goggles on, toggled to infrared, he steeped into a place of deep cover, after making certain it was unoccupied and devoid of obvious booby traps.
His small mirror flashed a brief glimpse of movement, off to the right. Sousuke, inching forward on his belly, raised the binoculars to his eyes again. Subtle. Very subtle. He had been fortunate to catch sight of that. Keeping low to the ground, someone was moving towards the area he had found the tarps and pits in. There was another trail that would lead Sousuke to the same area, more likely than not getting him there first. Time to move!
In little time, he found himself in a thin-walled crate with convenient perforations in the side. Soon thereafter, he saw a man lean slightly out of concealment, a FAMAS rifle barely visible in his hand. That would be the ex-Legionnaire, Jean-Pierre Deladier. How good are you, sir? Would you be so kind as to step out into the open.
By a stroke of good fortune, at least for his unseen opponent, the Frenchman complied with Sousuke’s silent wish. Wait. Wait. A bit more. Nodding his head, Sousuke pushed a switch upward, detonating a small cache of plastic explosive, setting a huge tower of scrap metal on a slow but inexorable course towards the ground. None of the falling debris would strike his adversary, unless he blundered into its path. No, it would limit his choice of movement, and maybe even herd the man in a direction that Sousuke had thoughtfully chosen for him.
Perfect! The results were just what Sousuke had hoped for. Not wanting undue attention drawn to the area of the terrible racket before he could vacate the premises, the one time deserter ran towards the nearest point of concealment. No, no, go right. RIGHT. Never mind. Clear shot! I’ll take that first. Sousuke concentrated shorts bursts of smei-automatic fire at the retreating form, gracing his arms and legs. Not a kill shot, but it served Sousuke’s purpose nonetheless, sending the man towards a series of enclosures on the right..
Sousuke ran after his prey, firing his F2000 as he closed the distance. He scored another hit on the other man’s hip, causing him to stumble but not fall. Yes. Take the quickest route to cover. A rabbit with the hounds right on his heels, the wounded foe had little time to examine the environment in front of him. Stepping on a dirt-covered tarp, he fell into one of the concealed pits. Wanting to be certain, Sousuke pulled the pin on a fragmentation grenade, tossing the small bomb into the pit. Only one more to go. Are you OK, Kaname?
***********************************************************
“Finally, things are looking up. Sort of.” Kaname was counting her blessings. No, she did not consider herself to be fortunate to be trapped here in this insane den of depravity. Likewise, it was not her fondest dream to be running around barely clad amongst a large crowd of strangers. But, no one had made any attempt to take advantage of her rather vulnerable condition. And, she had no further sign of Maewe, Reginald, or any of their recognizable associates.
“You. YOU THERE. Have you seen a half naked woman come this way? TELL ME!” Obviously, Kaname had spoken much too soon. It was Maewe’s voice.
Galvanized into action, Kaname put all of her energy into looking for a place to hide and for something to use as a weapon. Yes. That will do. That will do nicely. A large grill area was completely abandoned, the cook fires still smoldering away. Large skeweres of meat and vegetables lay roasting over the coals. Pitchers of beer, wine, and sangria littered the polished wood countertop.
There’s still a chance. Oh. And there’s a mirrored pillar there, just in the right spot. I can duck behind the bar and still have a good view of that bitch if she comes this way. Yes. If she comes too close, lights out! Kaname smiled. It would be wonderful to add Maewe to the grill. Get real! This is NOT a game. I'll be lucky just to survive.
Too late, she realized a simple but crucial fact. If she could see Maewe in the mirror from one angle, their was a very good chance that Maewe could see her from a different angle. Her fears were soon realized.
“Hungry are we, Kaname? I would have thought that you’ve added too much meat to those bones of yours already.” Maewe sounded rather pleased with herself. “I suppose the condemned deserve their last meal. Take a bite or two if you like. I am feeling rather charitable. I can wait a few more moments."
************************************************
“All right Sis, here we GO!” Kurz had piloted his M9 up onto the roof of the warehouse building. Melissa’s M9 was on the ground below him, standing near the wall that was closest to Sousuke’s current position.
Both Arm Slaves moved in near synchrony, bringing there monomolecular cutters into position. Sparks flew like glowing fountain sprays as the powerful devices cut their way through steel and pig iron.
“Needless to say, junior, shoot first and accept surrender second. We can’t afford to trust anyone until Sousuke is safe and sound. After that, it’s your choice whether or not you want to stick with any of the statutes of the Geneva f@cking Convention.”
“You betcha, babe. I’ll be going in with guns blazing. OH YEH! It’s party time.” Kurz pushed the ‘play’ button, queuing up his next song.
It’s criminal, there ought to be a law
Criminal, and you know what we’re shootin’ for
Shouting at the other guy
when his back is turned
Don’t know the reason why
Ain’t it about time you learn
“Settle down, shithead!” Melissa sounded exasperated. “Don’t get too crazy now. We don’t want to hit Sousuke. You want to try and explain something like that to Kaname?”
“Really? You think? You really are such a great teacher. I never would have thought of that on my own. Beer must really be good brain food! Ooooh, sing it with me sensai….”
If you want blood, you got it
If you want blood, you got it
Blood on the sheets, blood on the rocks
Blood in the gutter, give my last drop
You want blood, you got it
Wha-ooh
“Your ass is gonna be brain food, Weber. The only decision I have to make is whether I should carve it up fresh or roast it first. Stop all the bullshit and get in there already!”
It’s animal, livin’ in the human zoo
It’s animal, and I know what you gotta do
It’s the curse of the working’ man
Givin’ more and getting’ less
Doin’ everything he can, cleaning up the mess
Pealing back a large area of cut roofing, Kurz looked down into the arena. Sensors fully operation and appropriately set, he located Sousuke’s position quickly, slaving his optics to the transponder signal. Working the controls, he zoomed in, seeing his friend in the middle of a gun battle with a single enemy. Hmmm. Would Sousuke be more pissed if I let him die or get wounded, or if I take out that guy for him? Sure, that’s easy. Better do it anyway.
Swinging the Bofors into position, Kurz fired off four rounds with startling rapidity. Sousuke’s opponent was torn asunder by the well-placed 57mm HE rounds. Seeing Sousuke look up in his direction, Kurz manipulated his right arm waldo, having his M9 give the younger soldier the ‘thumb’s up’ sign.
If you want blood, you got it
If you want blood, you got it
Blood on the sheets, blood on the rocks
Blood in the gutter, give my last drop
You want blood, you got it
Oooooh
Scanning the room for other small heat signatures indicative of other people, Kurz was disappointed. No more targets. Shit! Sousuke must have been up to his old tricks again. Too damn efficient. Never enough concern about the feelings of his squad mates.
Kurz saw Sousuke reach into his bag, unwind something, and place it on his head. Microphone, no doubt. Sure enough, a message came through.
“Kaname. What do we know about Kaname?” Sousuke sounded winded.
“Hey, Sousuke old chum, is that the way that you thank me for saving your tail? After putting up with all that crap from Mao?” Kurz was his usual self. When he finished with his jibes, he dropped his M9 carefully to the ground, landing with a jarring THUD.
“Shut it Weber, before I nail it closed!” Melissa’s voice was rather fierce at first, but soon softened as she spoke to Sousuke. “We don’t know anything yet, Sousuke. I’m changing from your transponder frequency to her bracelet signal.” She moved her Arm Slave to stand next to Kurz.’ A few moments later, the large mecha lifted its arm and pointed towards one area of the building expanse. “She’s in that direction.”
“Sgt. Major Mao, those large mirror panels at the top of each walls are a reflective coating on windows. Might I suggest that you and Sgt. Weber use the Arm Slaves’ fists as battering rams, gaining access to the area beyond?” Sousuke turned to stare in the direction Melissa’s M9 had pointed. “First, I would appreciate it if someone could gain entrance for me, lift me up, and put me down in Kaname’s vicinity.”
“Oh Yeh!!! Time to start breaking some glass and kicking some ass.” Kurz sounded rather wound up. He was having altogether too much fun. “Anybody who moves is bad, if they’re not Kaname, dressed as a fireman, or one of our assualt troops. Right, babe?”
“That’s what I’ve been told, sergeant. What the bloody f@ck are you waiting for? Get that useless heap of metal moving!”
Sousuke watched as Kurz’ M9 ran off towards the nearest wall, starting to climb when it reached a pyramid of industrial supplies.
“Climb up, Sousuke. Chauffeur service for one. Destination Kaname.” A few moments later, the young sergeant found himself sitting on the giant palm of Melissa’s Arm Slave. He grabbed a hold of one large finger as his squad leader climbed up the side of the wall in question. He covered his head with his arms when she directed her M9 to swing the but of its portable cannon towards the window. “Shit! That stuff is mighty tough. Gotta try something different.” The mecha dropped its Bofors 57mm and took out the monomolecular cutter again. Running the humming cutter along the top of the window area, the M9 created a dense cloud of glass shards and metallic dust. “Alright Sousuke, get ready. I’m going to pull some of that crap down. I’ll make you a stairway out of the A.S.’s arm when I’m done. Haul ass as soon as you can!”
When he saw his opportunity, Sousuke moved.
************************************************
Explosions in various areas of the roof gave access to men in uniforms. What did it all mean? Was this some special branch of the police? The JSDF? A private military force of one of her father’s competitors? Maewe had no clue, but knew it did not bode well. “Better make this quick.”
She started to walk towards Kaname’s place of hiding, freezing in place when she looked out into the arena. Two Arm Slaves suddenly seemed to appear out of thin air. Curiouser and curiouser. How did they do that? Better yet, Why were they here? As she watched, one pointed in her direction. She saw Sousuke Sagara climb on its outstretched hand. Then, it advanced in her direction. Was someone going to try and kidnap her? Worse yet, attempt to kill her? She almost ran towards the far end of the room when a giant knife-like weapon pushed through the wall bordering the arena, its chainsaw like edges moving way too fast to see the individual teeth.
“Over there. That woman has a gun.” A masculine voice, behind her. That man possessing that voice might try to stop her. Maewe rushed to throw herself towards Kaname. She needed to get this done while she still could. Her left leg suddenly crumpled beneath her. She had been shot. She fell hard into the side of the bar, bruising her cheek and splitting her lip. Her gun clattered across the floor. “Leave that one. Come with me. There is a group of armed men held up in a room over there.” Another soldier spoke to the first, convincing him to move on to more pressing business.
Maewe smiled. She thought of Kaname cowering behind the bar. Going after her gun, she couldn’t resist one final barb. “Kaname, dearest. This will be the crowning glory of my night, even better than seeing Sousuke shot in the head. Ooops, there I go ruining the surprise. You couldn’t see that down there, could you?”
That’s IT! That’s more than enough. God help you bitch, if it’s true! Kaname grabbed a pitcher of sangria in one hand, stepped over to the grill, and grabbed a blackening skewer of food. At full speed, she ran straight at Maewe, seeing her bend over to retrieve her pistol. Gotta swing for the fences. All or nothing, Kaname.
Kaname’s atleticism proved the difference between victory and defeat. Before Maewe could bring her gun up all the way, her erstwhile victim swung her pitcher with all her strength, rather than tossing its contents in the other girl’s face as she had originally planned. The handle of the pitcher broke off under the force of the blow, along with some of Maewe’s pearly whites. The older girl fell hard to the floor, gun still in hand.
Some things make a lasting impression. Kaname would never forget the feel or sound of what came next, no matter how hard she tried. Before Maewe could bring her gun to bear, Kaname followed up her initial strike with another, thrusting the skewer deep into the prone girl’s abdomen. The resultant scream of pain sent shivers down her spine. She felt faint. Hang tough, Kaname. She stepped on the gun, looking down at the agonized look on her tormentor’s face.
Kaname did not know whether to feel relieved or disappointed. Maewe was still alive. She didn’t know if she could bring herself to take any further action. That didn’t stop her from getting in a barb of her own. “I guess what they say about a man doesn’t hold true for us gals. The way to a woman’s heart is not through her stomach.”
“Drop your weapon. Step away from that woman with your hands on your head.” Kaname complied immediately, turning slowly. A soldier in a Mithril uniform stood five yards away, rifle leveled at her chest.
“Mithril. You’re Mithril. I’m a friendly.” Intent on convincing the soldier an the two troops who joined him, Kaname made the mistake of taking her foot off of Maewe’s gun. Suddenly she saw the soldier swing his rifle lower. She saw Maewe’s gun. The soldier would be too late.
Gunshots rang out, from behind Kaname. Maewe’s head exploded in a revolting spray of brain matter and skull fragments. The dead girls’ pistol fired, missing her intended victim.
Turning, Kaname saw Sousuke.
************************************************************
Mithril soldiers were busy rounding up their captives and literally running groups of them off to waiting vehicles. There wasn’t too much time before the real police and fire companies should show up. Yes, they were currently busy with harmless diversions that Mithril operatives had set off elsewhere, but a small trcikle of official forces could arrive any time.
Kaname knew that she should come up for air, but she did not care if she passed out, as long as she was in Sousuke’s arms. The kiss had been fierce and untelegraphed. Sousuke had had no chance to escape. Initially tense with shock, he yielded to her strong embrace. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy her kisses. The soldier in him hated surprises.
Tears running down her face, she found herself speaking the obvious. “Sousuke, you’re still alive.”
“Obviously, Kaname. As are you, I am happy to see.” Sousuke felt weak with relief.
“Really? How happy?” Her eyes held longing, but also impending danger. She stepped away from Sousuke.
“Very much so. How could it be otherwise? You should be quite aware of how I feel about you now.”
“Yes, Sousuke. But, a girl needs to hear that. Over and Over and over.” She stomped her foot. They had been over this before. She kicked him in the shin, but soon pulled his arm back around herself.
“I love you, Kaname.” Sousuke may have still been somewhat clueless about women, but he knew the right thing to say at that moment, He should have stopped there. “Why are you dressed like that, Kaname?” In the great rush of emotions he had experienced when he realized Kaname was safe, Sousuke had somehow overlooked her state of undress until now.
The satisfied look on Kaname’s face soon became replaced by anger. “SOUSUKE! I suffer indignity piled on top of embarrassment…face physical trials and tribulations…and nearly meet my end…and you ask about my clothes?! Y-o-u-u-u.”
“Yes, Kaname. You know that I love you, but I do not know why you are dressed like that.” It was typical Sousuke logic. “We should find your clothes.”
A number of Mithril soldiers approached Sousuke, passing along information about the current situation. By the time they had finished, Kaname’s boil had been reduced to a simmer.
“We will need to move quickly, Kaname. It would be unfortunate to be in this building when police forces arrive.” At that moment, he received a transmission from Melissa. He turned and saluted the two Arm Slaves out in the arena, watching as their ECS were engaged and they blurred into de facto invisibility.
“My things are in that room.” Kaname’s voice had a rather sharp edge to it.
The two of them walked toward the indicated room. Sousuke moved with a slow measured gate and a limp. Kaname strode with exaggerated swings of her arms and legs and a chip on her shoulder. Mithril operatives were leading a line of captives out into the hallway. Kaname stopped at the sight of one particular person. A loud slap could be heard across the room.
“You bastard!” Kaname yelled. Overcome by negative emotions, she kneed Reginald hard in te groin. “I hope you burn in Hell for the things you made me do!”
“But Kaname, my sweet, it was only in good fun. Naturally I would never have….” Reginald was not able to finish his unctuous reassurances.
“Who is this man, Kaname?” Sousuke had interrupted Reginald, having no interest in what the other man had to say. “What did he do to you. Were you in some kind of danger because of him?”
Before Kaname could answer, Reginald’s pride and overconfidence proved his undoing. “What the two of us shared is not as important as what could occur in the future.” His voice carried a forced tone of bravado and a rather unwise hint of innuendo. “My father and I are very powerful people. When word of all of this gets out, neither you nor the delectable Miss Chidori will be safe, unless I want you to be!” Reginald actually smiled, despite the throbbing pain in his wrapped knee. "You can both disappear just as easily as the others did!"
Sousuke stood rock still for a few moments, his eyes narrowed. He clenched and unclenched his hands, the feel of battle still about him. “We will continue this conversation in private.” Kaname flinched. Sousuke’s voice was so flat and lifeless. What did he intend to do?
“Corporal, I will interrogate this man. He may well know of secret hiding places used by the elite. Take the remaining prisoners to the vehicles in accordance to prior instructions.” The captive group of club members looked stricken at the word ’prisoners,’ finally realizing the depths of their troubles.
“Sousuke, what are you doing? Why are we going back into this room?” Kaname was obviously uncomfortable, but was more concerned about whatever Sousuke had in mind. It took her a moment before she remembered her clothes.
“What exactly did he do, Kaname? And, is he as dangerous as he claims?” Sousuke listened patiently as Kaname told him everything that had happened. She passed along everything she had learned about Reginald and his father that night. Blushing, she had gathered up her blouse, skirt, and shoes and put them back on.
When Reginald tried to interject, Sousuke silenced him with a brief but brutal pistol-whipping. Kaname put her hand to her mouth. She had never seen Sousuke quite like this before.
“Kaname, you will want to leave the room now. You are in great danger. The prisoner is about to make a grab for a gun.” Sousuke put a fresh clip into his Glock.
Both Kaname and Reginald stared, slack-jawed, slowly becoming aware of precisely what Sousuke’s statement implied.
“No. You can’t do this! You can’t just put me down like I’m some kind of dangerous animal.” Reginald’s voice had gone up a few octaves. His muscles tightened. He was about to make a run for it. Sousuke grabbed a lamp off of a nearby table and clouted the wounded man across the jaw with it, sending him sprawling to the floor.
Sousuke was Rainsford’s avatar now. He needed to finish the game. Reginald may not have been Zaroff before, but for all extensive purposes, he was Zaroff now. In the short story, the amoral Russian general might have let his prey go, seeing that Rainsfords had survived the game. In all likelihood, however, he could not have allowed the secret of his island to reach international authorities. Rainsford could not take that risk, or didn’t even bother worrying about risk, still caught up in the fever of his life and death struggle. He had still been filled by the spirit of the beast.
“Sousuke. Please. Don’t.” Kaname did not want to be here. She didn’t want to see this. If she stayed in the room, would he still go through with it?
“He is a great danger to you, Kaname. He may be a serious danger to the organization.” Sousuke did not look at Kaname. He would NOT make the same mistake he had made with Gauron. Letting him live when he surrendered cost Mithril two fine soldiers and took two more comrades out of his life. It had almost led to the destruction of the TDD-1. Some dangers were just too great. Kaname's life had risk enough as it was.This was no time to hold a debate on morality and ethics.
“I know Sousuke. I can accept that.”
“I cannot.” Sousuke threw Maewe's pistol to Reginald. The young man did not look so full of himself now. Sousuke held his own pistol down at his side. "What was the game? You have one minute...."
Seeing only one chance to live, Reginald brought the gun up as quickly as he could. A single gunshot echoed about the room. Reginald’s blood began pooling around his lifeless form.
For a moment, Kaname stared at Sousuke as if she had never seen him before. Did that really happen? Is this some kind of bad dream? It came to her, the fact that this Sousuke had always been there. Underneath. A remnant of his violent upbringing. She was torn between feelings of disbelief, horror, fear, and sympathy.
“You may very well grow to hate me, Kaname” Sousuke said quietly, correctly predicting her thoughts. “I knew that before I pulled the trigger. Nothing is more important than your life. Nothing.” The gun fell from his hand.
“Sousuke….” Tears welled up in Kaname’s eyes. There was sorrow in Sousuke’s voice. Great sorrow, and pain. But no regret.
“I love you, Kaname. That will never change, no matter how you feel about me. I had to do things today that will probably haunt me. It seems that you have given me a conscience. Before I met you, I never carried such a heavy burden. It is worth it, however. For the time that I got to spend with you….”
Kaname’s heart skipped a beat. Time he spent with me? SPENT? As in past tense with no future tense? What exactly was he saying? Was he going to put in for reassignment? “Sousuke….”
“Kaname, I had aleady written myself off as expendable today. All that mattered to me was that you be made safe again. By all rights, I should be food for the crows now. If I am dead to you, I must learn to accept it….”
She stood still a moment, her heart pounding and her mind abuzz. Kaname clenched her teeth, ran over to the sullen Mithril sergeant, and slapped him hard across the face.
“I deserve that, Kaname.”
“You sure do, you MOROSE MILITARY MORON!” She had to fight the urge to kick him repeatedly. “The Sousuke I love wouldn’t stand here, head hung, giving up. He would fight for me!" She knew there would be issues for her to work through, but the true core of her feelings was intact.
“Kaname?”
Kaname realized what she had said. It had always been implied that she loved him. He should have been able to tell that from her actions. But, she had never actually come out and put it into words.
Sousuke stood staring at her, waiting for her next words. Aside from the blood, grease, and smears of dirt and dust, he looked just like any other teenage boy. But, he was a cold-blooded killer. Ruthless when he had to be. Willing to do whatever was necessary to ensure her safety. Could she deal with him now, after all this? Did she really want to? What might happen tomorrow, next week, a year from now? She asked herself those questions for completeness sake. She needed to be fair to herself and Sousuke. The answer was obvious, however, despite all that had happened. In some small way, because of all that had happened. She had challenged Sousuke with some strong words. How could she simply give up, now?
It was not a fairy tale. It was far from a perfect world. But, Sousuke fought with everything he had to make certain she remained a part of that world.
Kaname walked over to Sousuke, part of her feeling scared. Not because of what he had done. Not because of a day’s worth of danger she had faced on her own. This was not the situation she had imagined, for what she planned to say next. She didn’t know how Sousuke would react. But, they both needed this. Now. “Sousuke” she said softly, taking his hand and pulling it to her cheek. “I love you.” She put her head against his shoulder, shivering ever so slightly.
“Kaname, I….”
“Sousuke, if you had died today, I don’t know if I would have wanted to go on living….”
“I see.” Sousuke’s look was unreadable. “It is a good thing that I survived, then.” He found himself falling to the floor, Kaname draped all over him. “Kaname, there is no time for this now. We should leave while we can.”
“Shut up, Sousuke….”
***********************************************************
END
Okay...
Or just have Mao kicking