As they prepared for the mission on the windy ledge, Kiro brought up the chaotic call.
KIRO: "So, Raiji said over the comms that one of your guys attacked the other. A guy named Neo."
DESTRIPADOR: (Fastening a strap on his glove, not looking up) "That's unlike him. Strange." He finally glanced at Kiro, his white eyes narrowing. "But we can't think about it now. We're in enemy territory."
He pointed down to a massive, thick pipeline that stretched from their skyscraper across a chasm to a secluded, heavily fortified mansion on a private island below. The entire island was awash in the distinct, ominous green of the Green Dragon Clan.
DESTRIPADOR: "We'll use these gravity boots and jet boosters to get down to the pipe. It's our direct route in. Let's go."
With a synchronized leap, they activated their gear. The boosters flared, controlling their descent as the gravity boots magnetically clamped onto the large pipe with a solid thunk. They were now on the literal pipeline to the enemy's heart.
They moved silently along the large pipe, the city winds whipping around them.
DESTRIPADOR: "We go in stealth. Through the vents. You have that invisibility gear, right? We need it. These Green Clan executive guards aren't like the people you fought as a bounty hunter or in the pits. They're strong. Too strong. I would usually just kill them stealthily, but you want to be Mr. Nice Guy."
KIRO: "Sure, I have the gear."
They activated their cloaking devices, vanishing from sight. They slipped into a vent, moving through the complex without a sound until they dropped down into a lavishly furnished, rich-looking room.
DESTRIPADOR: (His scanner whirring quietly) "She's in here. I can sense her."
KIRO: "Sure. Let's break in."
Destripador didn't hesitate. He kicked the reinforced door down with shocking ease.
Inside, two hulking bodyguards immediately turned, their eyes locking onto the intruders.
DESTRIPADOR: "I'll take the one on the left. You take the right."
Kiro lunged forward, throwing a powerful punch at his target. To his shock, his fist connected with a dull thud and the guard didn't even flinch.
KIRO: "What?! How?"
Destripador fared no better. His punch also had no effect. But he was faster to adapt. He followed with a swift kick to the guard's side, and in the same motion, wrapped the chain from his glove around the guard's neck. He pulled hard, using the momentum to slam the man into the wall, then delivered a crushing shock from the glove. The guard spasmed and collapsed.
DESTRIPADOR: (Dryly) "You need help there, rookie bounty hunter?"
KIRO: "No!" He gulped, shifting into a tight boxer's stance. He gave the second guard a lightning-fast "1-2" combination, ending with an uppercut. Again, no effect.
BODYGUARD: (A deep, grating voice) "I've got cyberware that makes my skin like a Pangolin. You can't hurt me."
KIRO: "A what? Never mind. You're done anyway." He focused all his energy. "Okay, animal I don't know... try this! SUPER PUNCH!"
He put his entire body into one final, overwhelming blow. The force lifted the guard off his feet and sent him flying across the room, crashing into the far wall and slumping down, unconscious.
Both Kiro and Destripador turned their attention to the woman in the center of the room. She was in her mid-40s, strikingly beautiful, with long, vibrant green hair. She hadn't even flinched during the fight.
Kiro stared, completely disarmed. "Destripador... are you sure it's her? She's too... hot to be the villain that enslaves people. I think we chose the wrong room. Ma'am, our apologies"
DESTRIPADOR: (His voice was calm, but deadly serious) "Kiro. Really. It's her."
The woman smiled, not looking up from the holographic screen she was typing on. "What are you two cute boys doing here? You must know I am Executive Duchess Vesper Drake." She finished typing and finally stood up, revealing her full, imposing height. "My role? Junior Executive, Special Projects Division."
KIRO: "Wait... so it is you?"
VESPER: "For now, why don't you both sit down? You two can actually help me with something. It's about enslaving someone... kinda."
DESTRIPADOR: "How dare you!" Enraged, he lunged forward, the chain on his glove shooting out like a metallic hook aimed for her throat.
But Vesper simply lifted a single hand. A visible, emerald-green wind erupted around her, so strong it rustled everything in the room. With a gentle, almost lazy flick of her wrist to the side, she deflected the chain. The hook was wrenched from Destripador's grip and slammed deep into the far wall with a sickening crunch.
VESPER DRAKE: (Her voice still perfectly calm) "Calm down, boy. You look as old as me, but I can tell you're still young. Now, sit. Let me explain."
The air filled with an immense, crushing pressure. Kiro grunted, forced down to one knee by the sheer weight of her presence. (She's strong... but how?! This isn't just a Cube!)
DESTRIPADOR: (Eyes wide with shock) "I could have taken the stealth approach... my way. But is this that move?" He understood the sheer power disparity. "Fine. I'll calm down."
Suddenly, the oppressive wind and pressure vanished. The room was still again. Defeated without a real fight, the two rivals had no choice but to sit down.
VESPER DRAKE: "Okay, boys. The mission was to distract a Senior Executive. Now, you're asking why you should help me? I'll tell you why. Your ultimate goal isn't to arrest me," she said, looking at Kiro, "or kill me," she finished, her eyes locking with Destripador's. "It's to stop the slave problem. Right?"
KIRO: (After a moment's hesitation) "Okay... we're in. Who is it?"
DESTRIPADOR: "Wow, wow, slow down! I never said I was in."
Vesper projected a holographic image from her wrist. It showed a man in his mid-50s, with handsome, sharp features and distinctive white hair at his temples.
VESPER: "This is the guy."
DESTRIPADOR: (Eyes narrowing with suspicion) "Okay, good. And why us? This guy framed you, I assume? Right?" He looked at her, his expression clear: I don't trust a word you say.
VESPER: "Yes, it's him. He's the one who framed you. Correct. But I'm only buying time. At your current level, beating him is impossible. I'd rather win a crypto-chip for myself. So, go get him, boys. And don't worry," she added with a sly smile. "It will only last 5 minutes. I'll even come to rescue you and give you safe passage out."
Destripador weighed his options. She was clearly using them, but she was also offering a path to a much bigger target. He let out a frustrated sigh.
DESTRIPADOR: "Uuuh... fine. I'm in."
A cold realization washed over Destripador. His mind raced, connecting the dots. Dr. Silas is our info guy... and Neo attacked him. Silas's strange behavior... this is the first time his intel has ever been false. It was a setup. The thoughts tumbled through his mind in a split second. He had to warn Neo.
He turned back to Vesper, his voice sharp. "This green clan guy... did anyone help him set this up?"
VESPER: "Not that I know of. But my intel suggests he's been meeting someone in secret. That's what I need more info on. So, distract him."
Destripador's blood ran cold. He immediately tried to call Neo. The comms line fizzed with static. No connection.
DESTRIPADOR: "Damn it, Neo! Pick up!"
KIRO: "What's wrong?"
DESTRIPADOR: (Voice tight with urgency) "Dr. Silas is an impostor!"
KIRO: "What?! I'll try to get Raiji!" He quickly switched channels. "Raiji! Pick up!"
RAIJI: (Voice strained, sounds of movement in the background) "Can't speak right now, man!"
KIRO: "Don't trust Silas! He's a fake!"
RAIJI: "Talk later!" The line went dead.
Kiro looked at Destripador, worry etched on his face. "I hope he got it. For now, our mission is all we have."
KIRO
(Suddenly serious, stopping in his tracks)
So. Very important question.
VESPER
(Stares at him, deadpan. Says nothing.)
DESTRIPADOR
(Looks at Kiro, waiting impatiently.)
KIRO
What is a Pangolin?
DESTRIPADOR
(Scoffs in disbelief)
Really? We got a job to do.
(Destripador grabs Kiro firmly by the arm and drags him out of the room. Vesper watches them go, perhaps with a slight shake of her head.)
With a final, uneasy glance back, the two of them left Vesper's room, moving with new purpose toward the other side of the complex, the warning hanging ominously in the air.
They ran through the halls, their invisibility flickering as they moved with rushed urgency. They arrived at a heavily fortified section, seeing two guards in advanced green armor standing before a massive, reinforced door.
They looked at each other, but saw only empty air. For the first time, they were perfectly in sync. Destripador reached out and gave Kiro's shoulder a firm, approving pat. Okay.
Without a word, Destripador's chain shot out, looping around one guard's neck. He yanked hard, slamming the armored man head-first into the huge door with a deafening CLANG!
KIRO: "My time! Perfect!" He became visible mid-air, delivering a devastating super kick to the second guard. The impact sent the man flying over the senior executive's head, crashing into the far wall of the massive training area.
Inside, the senior executive was calmly drinking coffee, observing a training session. He sighed, not even looking up. "Who comes here and bothers my coffee time and training session?"
KIRO: (Dropping his invisibility) "Well, if you're him... let's just say we're here to kick your ass for your crimes."
SENIOR EXECUTIVE: "Stupid rookies." He took a slow sip. "Get them, my students."
Four trainees, one crackling with lightning, another swirling with wind, all jumped at the intruders. Kiro and Destripador moved in a blur, so fast they were almost invisible. In the span of a single breath, all four trainees were on the ground, defeated.
The executive finally stood up from his seat, his butler's jacket seeming to melt away as raw, crackling lightning began to arc around his body. "I must increase their training. It seems I have to handle this myself. Come at me."
KIRO: (Eyes wide, feeling the immense pressure) "Why do I have a feeling this is out of our league? This is a first."
DESTRIPADOR: (Cracking his neck, a grim but eager smile on his face) "Speak for yourself."
In unison, they launched their attack. Destripador spun his chain hook in a wide, deadly arc, while Kiro lunged forward, fist pulled back to deliver a knockout punch.
The Executive, Fulmen, didn't move to block. Instead, he simply disappeared, leaving only a crackling afterimage of lightning behind.
WHAM!
He reappeared instantly in front of Kiro, driving a lightning-charged punch into his stomach that sent him flying backward. In the same motion, Fulmen flicked his wrist, hurling a searing bolt of lightning at Destripador, who barely managed to cross his arms in defense before the force slammed him into the wall.
Both intruders crashed to the ground, smoke rising from the points of impact.
FULMEN: (Dusting off his hands) "You can call me The Bolt, by the way. Before you come into a man's home to die, you should give me your names. Because today is going to be your last day on Earth. My name is Fulmen."
Kiro pushed himself up, gritting his teeth against the pain. "My name is Kiro!"
Destripador - DESTRIPADOR rose to his feet, his white eyes burning with cold fury. "It doesn't matter much to me," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "But since I will be killing you, it's only right I be a gentleman. I am Sosiego."
FULMEN: (Taking a slow drag from his cigar) "So, bounty hunter... aren't you injured?"
Kiro looked at him, then down at the bandages on his arm. With a sharp tug, he ripped them off, revealing skin that was perfectly healed, without a single scar. The brief rest and his Cube's power had done their work completely since they spoke to Vesper.
(But don't tell him that.) Kiro thought, letting the implication of his impossible recovery hang in the air as a silent threat.
Both he and Sosiego got to their feet, their stances shifting. The playful试探 (tàn, probing) was over. Now, they were serious.
Fulmen stood there, unaffected. He took one last, long drag from his cigar, then dropped it, grinding it under his heel. The fight was about to begin in earnest.