UNWANTED RESOLVE: A Happy, joyful slice of HELL...The road to hell is paved in good intentions.
The crowd was almost a riot. Chanting and raving, betting and drinking and deal making this was one neat little slice of hell. Lt Mao had no doubt that if she had brought a Mithril Squad in here they could arrest the whole lot and find Known terrorists, drug dealers, wanted criminals and probably put the kibosh on 78% of the illegal activities in this region. But that was not there mission.
“ SOUSUKE!!! SOUSKE!!! SOUSKY!!! SOUSKI!!!”
They chanted over and over at full volume. Another hand found her ass and she broke the nose of of it's owner. That was the fifth one tonight. But if the chanting was right it would be worth it. Kurtz motioned to a spot on a catwalk that would have a perfect view of the ring.
Hard to believe that there friend could fall this far Sousuke would be 28 now. His life was a wreck just when it had gotten right, He and Kaname had wed. It was a beautiful wedding Kurtz was best man; Tessa and Mao along with Ms Tenkawa were brides’ maids. A year Latter Kaname Had become pregnant she was going to make Mao the godmother, but then every thing had gone wrong. First. Kaname was killed by a car bomb well waiting for Sousuke in a restaurant . Then The TTD1 was attacked and lost along with Tessa. After that Sousuke was never the same man he was colder and found the bottle. Then one day he up and vanished, AWOL.
They had heard rumors of him here and there and then one was confirmed it said Sousuke was fighting gladiator style in some back ally Fight club in a backwards pit of a former soviet country. And so here they were trying to get him back.
The crowd suddenly broke in to jeers as one fighter enters the ring he was a big man about the size and build of an arm slave. And then the crowd cheered, as the other fighter came in to view it was Sousuke no doubt about it. His hair was longer he wore a beard. He wore finger less gauntlets that covered his arms up to the elbow a pair of torn away shorts and a sleeve less vest and combat boots all of brown leather His long but well made frame covered in every bit of exposed flesh by scars. He entered the ring The AS look a like seemed cocky when he looked at his small challenger, guess he never heard of David and goliath.
The bell rang and the fight began the big man tried to slam Sousuke with a killer punch, but Sousuke was too fast and nailed the behemoth with a kick to the ribs. Followed by a chop to the back of the neck. The big man had brawn if he got a hit in it would surly lay Sousuke out for a month, but Sousuke knew that and was not allowing any hits. Sousuke had experience and agility, he used these to keep his appoint guessing well he delivered Key hits to points of weakness. The giant thought he had Sousuke but in truth Sousuke was toying with him the way a cat plays with a mouse. He was playing to stretch the time out after all no one likes a short fight. A very few people could truly appreciate the Art of Sousuke’s moves and tactics But both MgySgt. Kurtz and LT. Mao could. The crowed was thrilled and right then the climax Sousuke broke the man. Sousuke’s victim fell a bloody beaten pulp. The poor fellow would be eating from a tube for a year. Cheers of applause and glee filled the room as lucky betters and fans cheered there success. The ring opened and several ladies escorted Sousuke out and away.
Sousuke sat at his bar stool, no matter the position his true location was the same one he had occupied for 4 long years the bottom of a liquor bottle. There was a time when he was ashamed of that, but that no longer mattered to him. Sousuke Sagara was Dyeing slowly killing himself; trying hard to fight the visions in his mind he saw it over and over again every time he closed his eyes that day that dreadful terrible day came back.
It had been a beautiful day. Simply glorious, Sousuke and Kaname had made arrangements to meet each other they were both very excited. Sousuke was going to get a change in duty assignments he was going too be staying in Japan. He walked down the street almost floating. He turned a corner and there she was sitting at an out door table in the café she was wearing her blue dress the one that matched her hair perfectly. She saw him and stood smiling. She waved almost giddy but then the heat hit Sousuke felt it the concussion slammed him back in to a plate glass window he could feel ribs break, glass pierce his flesh and that flesh burn.
“Kaname!!!!!!!”
He rasped. He forced him self to his feet. The café was only a hole in the building now.
“No!”
He forced him self to move only one thing in his mind a thought repeating like a broken record. The name of his wife the name of his love “Kaname… Kaname… Kaname…” was all that ran through his mind he ran injured and in immense pain he worked his way too the fire; where was she? He could not see her. The fire burned his broken skin and then he saw it the bracelet he had given her. And that was the only thing he had left of her.
He picked up the twelfth shot glass in the line and knocked it back. He was getting better with his liquor.
“When a man drinks like that its ether to kill his dreams or him self then again It could be both.”
Stated vaguely familiar female voice. He glanced to his left and saw a Beautiful older woman the face sparked a memory. He knew her but the name was just out of reach.
“ BAR KEEP A BEER!! ”
That finish the picture he knew now who it was. She was Mao. On instinct he looked around and spotted Kurtz. But some thing else was missing.
“ Did you quit smoking Mao?”
“ Yes I did. And you seem to have picked up a nasty habit your self their buddy.”
“ It’s all I have these days.”
Sousuke took another shot.
“Well that’s a rather morbid view on life.”
She took a drink of her beer.
“You call this life?”
“Point taken. But you did this to your self.”
That hit Sousuke like a shot below the belt.
“ Why are you two here, in this oh so happy slice of hell I call home?”
“We are here for you Sousuke.”
“HAH!! The man you're want is dead. He died with his wife.”
“That’s Bull shit you're still alive and if you stop drowning your self in this poison I am pretty sure you’ll breath to.”
“Great advice from some one who drank more than any two people I have ever known.”
Replied Sousuke.
“ I am going to forget that statement because of your condition.”
“ Do what wanna do just don’t sucker me in to it.”
He pulled back another shot.
“Look Sousuke this self destruction of yours has got to stop. If Kaname were here I Know she would be disgusted beyond that Helsing of hers.”
Sousuke was on his feet a bitter scowl on his face.
“BUT THAT’S IT SHE IS NOT HERE AND NEVER WILL BE AND IT’S MY FAULT.”
Mao was about to respond but a large hand fell on her shoulder.
“Is there A Problem Mr. Sagara?”
The owner of that hand was a giant. Surrounded by giants each one packing heavy heat, a mixture of AK 47 copies.
“Oh No problem. Just old friends about to leave, they will be leaving now wont you?"
“Well not quite yet the Boss Wishes to see them.”
The numbers were against Mao and Kurtz. They had no choice but to comply.
Kurtz and Mao were escorted away. Sousuke sat back down and picked up the next shot glass. He stared in to the amber fluid it held, and then slowly brought it to his lips. He took in a deep breath of its aroma, tipped it back felt the fluid pass his lips hit his tongue and burn his esophagus. A tear hit his cheek. Right or wrong this was his life.
Mao and Kurtz were forced in to a back room. It was the type of back room one would expect illegal activities. Before them sat a Man in his fifties with a shaved head and a serious looking scar on his head.
“I hear you have an interest in my Business.”
He gestured with his hand and one of his men produced a Cigar.
“I am afraid you are mistaken we were just trying to see our friend…”
“Ahh but your Friend is my property and there for he is one of my business.”
He cut the Cigar and brought it to his mouth. Mao’s lips twitched. The man lit his cigar and puffed it in to there face, which made Mao flinch. Kurtz could see Mao was having trouble she had quit smoking only a few months back, and the smoke of the cigar was putting her in a trance
“How can you own a human being?”
“That is non of your concern now you two have interfered with some thing of mine I want to know why.”
He took a deep drag on his cigar.
“Like we said. Sousuke is a friend of ours.”
“Well more like he was a friend of yours. I don’t like trouble makers and I smell all the ingredients on you two so here is what’s going to happen.”
All the guns were brought to position, Aimed at Mao and Kurtz.
“My men here are going to escort you two out of my town and you are never coming back.”
They were dead or they would be though the man had tried to pass it off as a threat. Mao and Kurtz new what was really going to happen they were going to be taken some place and Executed, but they could do nothing and so along they would play along for now when they had there captors right where they wanted them to be; they would act. Until then they stared at each other well sitting in the back of an old delivery truck. Bouncing around biding there time waiting for the truck to stop. The ride dragged on for almost an hour. The Ak 47’s never dropping. Finally they stopped.
“All Right you two get out-!!”
Kurtz and Mao hopped from the van and found them selves in an abandoned quarry at night surrounded by men with guns. The AK-47s were aimed right at Kurtz and Mao.
“ The boss says you are not to come back so you will not be leaving here alive.”
At that moment Kurtz in Mao thought it was over they would have to act but the Strangest thing happened...
“From Russia with love I fly to you,
Much wiser since my goodbye to you.
I've traveled the world to learn
I must return from Russia with love.”
Singing some one was singing. Some moron with a deep Russian ascent was here in the middle of nowhere singing, and by fate of all the places he could. be here he was?
“I've seen places, faces, and smiled for a moment,
But oh, you haunted me so.
Still my tongue-tied young pride,
Would not let my love for you show
In case you'd say no.”
In to the quarry came a man dressed in a wool greatcoat and clothing of Russian origin. He was stumbling as if drunk. And still singing
“To Russia I flew but there and then,
I suddenly knew you'd care again.
My running around is through,
I fly to you from Russia with love.”
“HAY YOU, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING HERE!”
The drunk stopped and looked around.
“What the…. This is not town… Hmm damn shame.”
He turned around the ring leader aimed his AK at the drunk
The Drunk stopped
“Tell me your names would not happen to be Kurtz Webber and Melissa Mao would they?”
Kurtz and Melissa looked at each other confused.”
“WHO THE HELL ARE YOU AND HOW DO YOU KNOW THEIR NAMES?”
Demanded the ringleader.
“ I am Chekhov, it is my job to know; as I am an information dealer.”
Chekhov dropped and spun. His hands flew from his coat in them a pair of PP2000 sub machine pistols ripped firing in to the ringleader’s chest. The gang went to react Kurtz tackled one of them Mao downed another and then more gunshots rang out. Seven burly men firing A91M assault rifles killing off the remaining wise guys now occupied the entrance to the quarry.
Once again Kurtz and Mao were out gunned. But this time they were armed.
Chekhov approached.
“I am vary sorry I could not have helped you earlier.”
This man now baffled Mao and Kurtz.
“What do you want from us?”
He spread is arms wide and smiled.
“I want nothing it is what do you want from me?”
Kurtz aimed his AK at the man
“What the hell are you talking about?”
The burly men aim at Kurtz. But Chekhov signaled them down.
“Please allow me to explain my name is Mikhail Chekhov. I am an information dealer, and supplier of services. A gofer of a sort you need some thing? I am the man to call. About a week ago some one contacted me and told me some friends of there’s a woman named Melissa Mao and a man named Kurtz Weber, would be in town, They would need help; I was given a rather large sum of money as a down payment. I am to insure your safety here that your mission succeeds and that you leave this charming hellhole unharmed. So I am at your service. What ever you need I can get it.”
