http://clampfix.fanworks.net/guests/darkdrag1.txt </head><body><pre>Dark Dragon-Part One (I'd like to thank Shannon Richmeyer for allowing me to use the characters and situations from her `Dragon Interlude and Dreams story which everyone should read because of their quality. Hope you all enjoy!) Almost precisely two months after she had last left the Atlantic Liquidation Bank in Geneva, Miss Cecilia Travis found herself watching the little row of lights in one of the building's elevators. She was weary because of the long trip from New York and the jet lag that came with it but when you received a summons from the Council of Four you did not refuse. The little row of lights carried on, 87...88...90... It flashed at 91, supposedly the building's highest floor but she maintained a mental count in her head of the floors that were a carefully hidden secret, 92...93...94...95! The elevator doors swung up and Cecilia found herself staring at a middle- aged man with graying hair who was accompanied by six of Mulligan's new Androids. Strongheim's creation was popping up all over their facilities for increased security. Several institutions belonging to the other three foundations that made up the Four Sisters had already been making inquiries among them and now Cecilia could see why. When she returned to the States she was definitely going to be bringing a few of these with her, they'd prove useful in forthcoming events. `Welcome to Geneva, Miss Travis,' the man said in a quintessentially British accent as she took his offered hand, `My name is Peter Townsend, I'm the Manager of Global Affairs around here. I must say it's a pleasure to meet you after hearing so much about you from my colleagues and I hope that we'll be able to get know one another in the coming weeks. The previous head of your project considered me a valuable addition to her efforts.' He grimaced at that. Lady L had been a superb agent for the Four Sisters and he had counted her as a friend after the amount of time they'd spent working together on the Ryudo Brothers during his time in Japan. Her death two months ago on board the U.S.S. Dynasty had been a severe blow to him, though he'd been able to derive some consolation from his promotion to Geneva. Her successor was a vivid contrast. Miss Travis was apparently one of the Rockford Foundation's top agents and she had acquired the nickname Shadow. An apt nickname he thought as his eyes traced the outlines of her body. An attractive woman in her mid thirties wearing a smart black suit that perfectly complemented her chocolate skin, brown eyes and shoulder length dark hair. `Shall we get going Mr.Townsend. I have an urgent matter to discuss with the Council.' `Of course,' he replied with a smile, `right this way.' The six Androids fell in around the two as they walked down the plush corridor that led from the elevator to the Council Chamber. It was quite a long walk as the corridor leading to the council chamber spiraled inwards. The council felt it intimidated its visitors. `So,' said Mr.Townsend, `have you had any luck in pursuing our wayward Dragons? The last time I heard of them was an unexplained trip to China a few months ago but since then my department has heard nothing on their whereabouts or what they may be doing. I trust you've been having similar luck?' Mrs. Travis's eyes held a tinge of surprise and her mouth a tinge of amusement as she turned to face him. `It seems to me, Mr.Townsend, that Lady L may not have found you as valuable as you'd like to think.' `I'm sure Lady L placed the highest confidence in me, as I'm sure you will once we work together for a while,' said Mr.Townsend, his brows furrowed as he pondered her statement. `But your answer would seem to suggest that you know where the Ryudos are. How can that be? I've had my agents scouring the U.S. for them and they haven't found a trace. How can it be that you've found them and I haven't?' Cecilia was perplexed by Mr.Townsend's response. His answer had revealed an unauthorized attempt to track down the brothers and that was definitely intruding on her authority. She could just smile and continue on in order to gain a small measure of revenge, but decided telling him the truth would frustrate him even more as he saw all the time and effort he'd wasted. `Firstly, Mr.Townsend, I trust you're familiar with the Order of Solomon's Seal?' She got her answer when his face darkened. `Yes, I'm the one who first encountered them. It was six months ago, just after Tsuzuku Ryudo trashed most of central Tokyo. I hired a small group of mercenaries to catch the brothers and they were brilliantly successful. They even managed to get them to America before that blasted Order intervened and freed them. Another dead-end effort,' he sighed. `A dead-end effort that was entirely your responsibility as I understand it, Mr.Townsend.' `Now that's not entirely fair, Miss Travis' he replied in defensive tones. `My Operation has come closest to success out of all of our efforts concerning the Dragon Kings and even if it did end in eventual failure it wasn't entirely a disaster. The mercenary leader Travis was more than happy to give us the Dragon collar technology in recompense for his failure, and then there was Lee...' His mind wandered back to that night. As his helicopter flew towards the mercenary compound following confirmation of a Dragon sighting, one of the search teams he'd had scouring the area for the other Ryudos had radioed in with startling news. They'd found a man washed up on a beach about two miles from the compound. Though he didn't match any of the descriptions they'd been given, they said that the silver haired man had scaled skin. Even if not a Dragon King, bringing back at least one Dragon to the Four Sisters had probably saved his career and very likely his life. `I understand he was placed in your care after you took up control of the Dragon project?' Cecilia nodded, ` Lee... he's been most helpful in the past few months. Our recent advances would never have happened without him. We keep him in one of those Dragon traps your Technicians built should you ever capture one of the Ryudos, and he wears a collar at all times. I've gotten to know him quite well, considering he spends most of our conversations screaming at me. As regards the Order, they've been shielding the Ryudos as best they can, that is superbly, which is why none of your agents have been able to locate them' `And you've succeeded where I have failed?' Townsend said tersely. `Actually, yes. It was quite easy. I knew precisely where they were within five minutes of joining the project. Those four boys are quite fond of their cousin Matsuri and almost everywhere they go, she goes. A few months ago Lady L realized the implications of this and kidnapped Matsuri. Primarily it was part of the plan to eliminate the Old man from Kamakura's underlings but while she had Matsuri she managed to implant a nanite-tracking device. It would be worthless implanting one on the Brother's themselves as it's nearly impossible to break through their skin and should we even succeed there the tracker would be destroyed as soon as they changed into their Dragon shapes. Lady L entrusted the Tracker's frequency to the council who in turn entrusted it to me two months ago following Lady L's death.' `So you mean to say that you've known where they've been for the past two months and you've done nothing to apprehend them? Why?' `Because, my dear Mr. Townsend, they're exactly where I want them to be and I've been waiting to ensure that my plan works. Lady L seems to have been obsessed with them; she never took the time to really plan out those operations. As soon as one plan failed she dashed another, equally doomed one, into operation.' The corridor finally came to an end and Cecilia found herself facing a set of huge ornate doors marked by vast golden bull's heads. `I intend to avoid that error Mr.Townsend.' The huge doors swung open revealing pitch-blackness. As Cecilia headed in Mr.Townsend said, `I don't suppose you wouldn't mind telling me where they are, Miss Travis?' She turned to regard him, a broad smile creasing her face. `Now that, Mr.Townsend, is confidential information.' The hint of a wry grin appeared on Mr.Townsend's own face. `I guessed that would be your answer Miss Travis. Good luck.' Cecilia turned and stepped into the beckoning shadows with the android that carried her personal items, while Mr.Townsend began to retrace his steps back to the elevator. * The darkness soon faded and Cecilia once again found herself in the large room from which four men ruled the world. The room was dominated by the color red. There was a red carpet and a red ceiling. A part of the room to her far right was partitioned off by a set of red tapestry. The long window to her left with the stunning panorama of Geneva was decorated by red curtains and the cabinets (containing various drinks) were made from a reddish type of wood. The center of the room lay under a vast crystal chandelier, a golden pedestal that was the world's first real-time holographic projector. At the cardinal points around the pedestal there were four large chairs, chairs that were occupied. `Welcome back, Shadow,' said a deep voice emanating from one of those chairs, `You say you have urgent news regarding the Ryudos. Please, join us.' She walked towards the room's center as an aperture opened beneath the pedestal, swallowing it whole and then closing again, leaving the center clear for herself. Four men sat in those chairs, the four heads of the foundations that made up the Four Sisters. To her north sat a blond-haired man with a sly face, Mr. Rockford, her own employer. To the west an elderly southern gentleman with a distinguished goatee relaxed in his chair with a glass of brandy, she knew him as Mr. DuPon. To her south sat a heavy-built man with harsh features, that was Mr.Mulligan. And to her east was a quiet, rather sickly looking man with brown hair, his name was Mr.Perdam. It was Mr.DuPon who spoke first, `Shadow, let us get to the point. For years your services have been invaluable to our organization. Single-handedly you've managed to keep several minor conflicts I Southeast Asia going for the past decade and I don't need to remind you how profitable those endeavors have been to the organization. Two months ago, in view of your past record and your healthy interest in...biological research, we put you in charge of the operation regarding the Ryudo brothers. Because of these factors you were our top candidate to fill the vacancy left by Patricia. But now...' `But in those two months you have done nothing in the way of trying to catch them,' Mr. Perdam interrupted, his tone substantially more heated than DuPon's. She hoped that nothing unpleasant would happen to her before she gave her report as had been known to happen in the past to other agents the Council believed had failed them. `But,' he went on, `we were...monitoring... your conversation with Mr.Townsend and what you said seems to suggest that you have finally come up with a course of action. Well, have you?' `Or have you just been playing your own little game of politics with your peers again?' sneered Mulligan. She ignored that. He'd been unhappy that control of the project had passed out of the control of his foundation following Lady L's demise and chose to snub her whenever he could. Instead she said, `Gentlemen, I appreciate your concerns. No one is more aware of how precarious our situation is at the moment than I. Should the Ryudos move nearly two months of planning and preparation will be wasted. But the reason I have held back so far is because I wish to be sure of success. And as you were listening to my chat with Mr.Townsend then you already know this.' `We accept that preparation is an essential part of any plan' said Perdam, `but you must also accept that our patience is not infinite. The Ryudos have been sitting in Boston for the past six weeks but they could move any day now and then what? Have you an answer for that?' `But that's the real reason I'm here sir. Not in response to your summons, but to personally inform you that all my preparations are complete. In a few days we will have a Dragon King. The operation should be beginning any time now.' * This, decided Nijikawa as he labored up the crowded street chasing Mizuchi, was turning out to be a really lousy day. In fact, it was the latest lousy day in a series of lousy days that had begun just over two months ago when he was implicated in the destruction of the Tokyo Police Headquarters. And further actions hadn't helped him, such as the kidnapping of the Japanese Prime Minister and then fleeing the country. He thought he was probably the sixth most wanted person on earth, after the brothers and their cousin Matsuri whom the authorities had finally decided was as guilty as the rest of them. This day had started off well enough. He'd woken up to be greeted by the familiar walls of the Order's Boston Commune as he'd been for the previous few weeks. He was truly beginning to loathe them. Sure he had the peace of mind knowing that they were free from the Four Sisters for a time at least but so much time cooped up in one place, even for a couch potato like him, was just too much. So he'd labored out of bed and had headed for the communal kitchen which Kevin, the communal head, always had well stocked. The Compound consisted of a series of houses in a Boston suburb that the order had purchased and then cordoned off. There were living quarters, libraries, a school, a good few living rooms and several recreational facilities (which he promised himself he'd try one day). Rummaging about a bit he'd settled on a bowl of cereal and had just sat down at one of the big tables when Mizuchi had arrived and announced to him that he was going out again to see some more of Boston. Nijikawa was flabbergasted by the man's complete obliviousness to the nature of their situation. `Um, Mizuchi...' he began gently. `Yeah, Nijikawa?' `What the hell are you thinking! What if the Four Sisters saw you? Don't you know we'd have to run again? Don't you realize just how much danger this could put us in? If Hajime even thought that you were considering this he'd.... `Relax Nijikawa, Hajime already knows' Nijikawa was stunned. `Hajime's happy about this?' `Well I wouldn't exactly say happy but don't worry' he said `I've been done this a few times already and nobody has even recognized me. All these Americans can't tell one Japanese guy from another.' Nijikawa groaned inwardly at Mizuchi's idiocy. One slip and they'd have to run again. He was surprised that Hajime let Mizuchi go but short of knocking him out there was no way Nijikawa supposed the man could stop him. `So, you're telling me all of this because...?' Nijikawa said slowly, already guessing the answer. The commune may be dull but at least it's safe. `Well, Boston's a big place and not many people here speak Japanese. I want to share everything I've seen with one of my friends. Shows I have a big heart. Whaddaya say?' Nijikawa groaned again as he saw Mizuchi grinning beatifically. And so for the previous four and a half hours he'd followed Mizuchi around, watching him wolf-whistle at pretty girls and talking about his life in the military. Sometimes he'd talk about his ambition to become a musician (despite Nijikawa remembering from their high school days that Mizuchi had as much musical talent as a dead turkey). Occasionally Nijikawa felt nervous that someone would recognize them and he kept his eyes on the pavement as much a possible, munching steadily through a bag of jelly-babies. But, after a while, it seemed that Mizuchi was indeed right. No one paid any real attention to tourists. They were certainly dressed like tourists, Mizuchi in the dark top and sunglasses he favored while Nijikawa felt comfortable in a light green shirt and baggy trousers. Boston was a pretty big city but it was nowhere near as big as Tokyo and Nijikawa felt distinctly underwhelmed. But a city was a city and he soon found that keeping up with Mizuchi's brisk pace took its toll for someone as generously proportioned as Nijikawa was. Eventually, he collapsed on a bus-stop bench asking Mizuchi to stop while he caught his breath. But when he looked up Mizuchi was halfway down the street and disappearing fast. `Self-centered bastard' he muttered as he lifted his up his body and began what was obviously a fruitless jog to catch up. After a few minutes he stopped and sat down on the sidewalk, puffing and panting. `I give up,' he said between breaths, `if that Jerk gets caught, see if I care.' His stomach groaned, and he realized that he hadn't eaten since breakfast. Looking around he saw a small delicatessen, which he duly entered in search of a snack. The assistant behind the counter looked up and asked him something in English that he couldn't understand. He spoke a few words in Japanese and gestured at the wrapped sandwich he wanted to purchase. The guy obviously understood what he was talking about because he got the sandwich and Nijikawa gratefully paid him. I've had enough of this walking about, he thought, I'm going to get this and I'm going to go back to the compound. He was about to take a bite out of the sandwich when two police officers walked in, carrying a bunch of fliers. Even from this distance he could clearly make out the pictures of the Ryudos, Matsuri, Shinkai, Mizuchi and himself. One of the two cops noticed him and with a jerk looked at the fliers. With a look of surprise the two started toward him. No doubt they hadn't expected to find the terrorists they were looking for in here. This was one really, really lousy day he decided. * Through the fish bowl view of the small camera in the `officer's' badge, Jonathan Lynch watched the two agents lead Nijikawa away. The open jaunts of the man named Mizuchi had not gone unnoticed by the Four Sisters and they had allowed him to remain unmolested until they were ready. Though it had been Mizuchi they had intended to capture, the fact that they'd caught another of the Brother's friends didn't matter, any of the three would do. He called Miss Travis to inform her that the first stage of the plan was complete. `It'll take about three hours to get Nijikawa to the location. Once he's secure, I'll call the Ryudos. And if everything goes to plan, we'll soon have our Dragon. `Do you think they'll fall for it Cecilia? If they don't behave as we've predicted then we'll have failed. Even if they do fall for it there's a good chance that this won't work.' `Jonathan, many people consider me to be one of the finest agents in the Four Sisters. Do you know how I think I acquired that reputation? I never commit myself unless I'm sure of victory and I never try to grab too much at any one time. That was Lady L's failing and as I have explained so often recently I will not repeat her mistakes. I will succeed. The Blue Dragon King will behave exactly as he did in all the other instances we've tried to capture him or one of his brothers. And because of that, I'm going to win. ' * For Hajime Ryudo the Library in the Commune had become a place of refuge from the grind of his life. The large, blue carpeted room was filled with books from all over the world and was one of the largest libraries the Order possessed in the United States. They'd filled both floors of two semi-detached houses with books and later in the day it was filled with chattering children trying to complete school assignments. At this time of day it was quiet as usually empty. They'd arrived six weeks ago following that business with the possessing Gyushu. He shuddered at the memory of what he had done and he adhered to the small group's rule never to speak of it. Tita Saint-Germain had told the leader of the Commune, Kevin Sanders to expect them and he'd been told who they were. To the other fifty families in the compound, the Ryudos and their friends were just visiting Order members from Japan. Life had assumed an air of normality for him and his brothers. Amaru and Owaru were taking classes in the Commune's small school while Hajime had taken up tutoring Tsuzuku and Matsuri. Whatever free time he had he spent here, researching anything and everything he could that might give them a hint of what was going on. Unlike his friends and family he couldn't relax in the commune's false security. Out there, the Four Sisters were looking for them, and they would find them. Mizuchi and his journeys outside had upset Hajime more than the man knew but Hajime also knew that Mizuchi wasn't capable of sitting still for so long. Did it really matter how quickly the Four Sisters found them? They would eventually, and maybe it would be better if it came sooner rather than when they'd grown attached to the place. They had already lost one home. He sat there in his chair for a few minutes, his desk stacked with unopened books, fully intent on brooding. `Hajime, you spend far too much time moping around in here. If you keep this up much more I'm going to have drag you out and try to cheer you up and that's a nearly impossible task.' `Hello, Matsuri,' he said. He'd smelt her coming for a while now, the powerful perfume that marked her as his mate having been carried along by the eddying air currents. Today she was dressed in the black jeans and orange top she'd come to favor over the past few weeks. Matsuri had an optimistic view on life and he'd learned that she was an optimist who wouldn't tolerate a pessimist. She walked over to where he was sitting, in the shadow a large bookcase and placed herself firmly in his lap and immediately began talking. `Are you sure you're feeling OK? You've been down for the past few days and I'm worried about you. I can't see what's depressing you, unless it's Mizuchi and his escapades. If it is, I'll give him a piece of my mind, putting all of us at risk just for a look around.' She noticed Hajime quietly sniggering. `And what do you find so funny?' she asked indignantly? `You really should see your face Matsuri. That's the best impression of Amaru when he's being serious that I've ever seen' `Why you...' Matsuri replied as she aimed a jab at his ribs which missed but her lips collided with their target. When Hajime pulled back from the kiss he saw Matsuri's beautiful face split by an incredible gin. `I guess a cheered you up,' she teased. `I guess you did,' he said, laughing softly. He'd hadn't even realized how low he'd been feeling until just now. `And in record time too! See life can't be all that bad. But Hajime,' Matsuri said, `just what has been getting to you lately anyway? This place is wonderful. Amaru, Owaru and Tsuzuku are glad that they don't have to keep looking over their shoulders for the Four Sisters, or a vampire who's out to drink their blood or a crazed surgeon or who knows what trying to nab them. Me too, come to think of it. In the past few months I've been kidnapped more times than any of you.' Hajime put on a pained expression, `Matsuri, I've tried to protect you as best I could but sometimes I couldn't stop them. The only way they'd ever leave you alone is if you never had any thing else to do with us...' `Let's put a stop to that line of thinking right now Hajime. If I let you go with that you'll have me bound for some distant Order hideaway before I can blink twice. Firstly, if the price for my safety is to be away from you and the others then that's just a price that's too high. And even if we did separate, the Four Sisters would still find me and use me against you. So as you can see the only way I can ever be safe is if I stay with you'. She swung her arms about him, `Wouldn't you agree?' He smirked, trust Matsuri to have an answer for everything, and the worst part of it was it made sense. `Yeah, I guess that's about right. Look's like you're staying with us. And as you've asked what's been depressing me...it's just that I can't help but feel insecure here. We all know that the Four Sisters are still-hunting us but we haven't seen or heard from them since I dropped the Dynasty on the White House lawn. That's been around two months now and they haven't found us. Back in Japan we found ourselves involved in another one of their childish schemes virtually every week. Eight weeks of silence doesn't seem right, and I find myself thinking that any day now...' `Any day now what?' a voice piped up behind them. Matsuri literally leapt out of Hajime's lap as Amaru came up behind them, her face going a bright red. `Amaru, it's not nice to sneak up on people,' Hajime chided gently as his youngest brother took up a seat opposite him with a book tucked under one arm. Like all his brothers, Amaru had taken to wearing jeans and a T-shirt that matched the color of his Dragon skin. Hajime himself was no exception, it felt...right. `I wasn't sneaking up on anyone. I was just heading in this direction anyway. Was it my fault that you were here too?' Hajime had to grin at that, Amaru could argue anybody out of anything when he put his mind to it. `So Amaru, where's Owaru? You're usually with him after classes end.' He was surprised that it was that time already. `Owaru wanted to play Basketball again and he wanted me to play with him but I didn't really feel like it. So I came here instead, I was going to practice my English.' He held up the book he had on the table. It was an exercise book for Japanese students of English. `Mrs.Schweiss said I'm coming along really well. In a few weeks I'll be as good as you are!' `I sincerely hope you will Amaru. But one thing confuses me. Extra study has never been like you; you've always found something else to occupy you. So why now?' `Well, there's nothing else to do. Children's TV is awful and all the magazines are in English. Anyway, I really want to do well here. Everybody speaks English and since America is our new home...' Hajime stared intently at Amaru's suddenly sorrowful features, knowing full well that he was right. From what Tsuzuku had told him the Japanese Prime Minister now knew who they truly were. Hajime knew that while he may be corrupt he was also very clever, or he wouldn't have been able to get the job. It wouldn't have taken him long to figure out why the Four Sisters were after them. And should they ever return to Japan, the Prime Minister would be looking for any opportunity to ingratiate himself with the Americans. `Yes Amaru. I suppose this really is our home now. All we can hope to do is make the best of it.' `I still miss Japan though' `We all do, Amaru' Matsuri said. Before anyone could continue further, Shinkai burst into the library gasping for breath. `Hajime, get to Sander's office now!' `What's wrong Shinkai?' Amaru asked in alarm. `The Four Sisters got Nijikawa'. * As Hajime raced through the corridors towards Sander's office, weaving his way past anyone in his way, a thousand thoughts raced through his mind. He'd been stupid, he'd relaxed his guard and now he was paying for it. He'd been so desperate for a release from the constant worrying and responsibility that he'd been able to see in the Order some sort of salvation. Again he cursed himself and wondered about his fitness to lead them, as yet another suffered from his failure. He should have stopped Mizuchi and his damn outings. He reached Sander's office and nearly broke down the door in his haste to get in. Tsuzuku and Owaru were already there in the clothes they preferred. As always he took a quick look at Tsuzuku as his brother had been pining since he'd had to leave Jasmine. Though she had wanted to come, Tsuzuku hadn't allowed it; he would not inflict the kind of life he knew he would have to lead on her. That didn't mean he wouldn't miss her. It made Hajime feel lucky and at the same time selfish that Matsuri was with him. The last he'd heard of Jasmine and her sister Eleanor was that they'd been sent to Russia on Order business. He wondered what for? The head of the Commune, Kevin Sanders, was a portly bald man with a bristling white beard who had made the Ryudos welcome here. All looked extremely concerned. Hajime took the phone offered by Sanders and sat down in the chair behind his desk. After a moments thought he switched on the intercom so everyone could hear. `Am I speaking to Hajime Ryudo?' a husky Irish voice said. `I'm Hajime Ryudo, yes. I take it you're the Four Sister's agent holding our friend?' `That would be me. I suppose you're worried about your friend's safety. If you want to see him alive and well again all you have to do is follow our instructions. Are we agreed on this then?' It was obviously another trap in an attempt to catch one of them. While he was pretty sure they'd beat the Four Sisters again, they must surely be learning from their mistakes. How long before they outmaneuvered him and he delivered all four of them into their enemy's hands? `Why are you hesitating Ryudo? Does your friend really mean so little to you? I didn't know that you Dragons were so bloody callous. I can see him screaming on this monitor here. We've got him in quite a place, one of our Biological research centers. All those experiments are having quite a profound effect. Do you want to hear?' There was a barely audible click and a scream that was obviously Nijikawa's filled the room. It went on for a few seconds before another click heralded the agent's return. `You know, when you come to get him maybe you should bring that cousin of yours along as well. I'm sure she'd find the place as entertaining as your fat friend there.' `All right you bastard enough!' Hajime barked. `What do you want us to do?' `That's better. You'll find our Research center outside a town called Bull's Head, it's underneath a derelict warehouse. I'm sure your buddies in the Order will be able to find it for you. Oh, about the Order, if I see any sign that they're helping you, helicopters, mercenaries, anything... Don't bother trying to save him. Do I make myself clear?' `Perfectly.' `Excellent. We'll be expecting you around one in the afternoon tomorrow.' The line went dead, and with a resigned sigh Hajime put the receiver back into place. `Well, we all know that this is a trap, but it seems obvious that we have only one course of action,' said Tsuzuku. `Of course we do' said Owaru in indignation. `We go in, kick those dickheads' skulls in, grab Nijikawa and be back in time for Dinner. We've done it before and we'll do it again.' `Are you sure you want to go Owaru?' asked Hajime as he looked at his always-overeager brother. `I think we both know what "biological research" means.' He saw Owaru involuntary shudder as he relived his time with Dr. Tamozawa. `Positive. Nothing the Four Sisters have could be as bad as what that old freak had in his collection.' Hajime nodded in response. `So when do we leave? asked Matsuri from her corner across the room. `You're not going, Matsuri' Hajime said quietly, bracing himself for the storm he knew would come. `Not going? Hajime, you just can't exclude me because of what that guy said. I've been through far worse situations than this. Are you suddenly saying you don't trust me to handle myself?' `Matsuri, please listen,' Hajime said, the pleading in his voice stopping Matsuri dead. `I do trust you, and I know that you'd do anything to stay with me. But please, this time they're going to be using their latest weapons in a place where there will be no one to watch them. Weapons that would injure one of us and most likely kill you or Shinkai. That's why both of you have to stay here. Please, Matsuri, stay safe this once. I'm begging you.' For a few seconds Matsuri simply stood, wrestling with the decision. Eventually she let her shoulders down in defeat and said quietly `OK, Hajime'. After a second's thought she added fiercely, `But only this once!' Hajime smiled in relief. At least Matsuri would be safe. `That means you too Amaru, I don't want you anywhere near that place.' Amaru wanted to go and help Nijikawa, like all his brothers he liked the detective a lot. And he was tempted to argue, but then Hajime had just faced down Matsuri! If he could do that, Amaru knew he didn't have a hope. Deciding to acquiesce gracefully, he bowed his head slightly and said `OK, Elder brother.' At that moment Mizuchi entered the room. `Hey! I was told all of you guys were in here. Does anyone know where Nijikawa is? I lost him in town and I want to apologize for being such a big lummox.' The eyes that regarded him were uniformly cold, save one pair. Hajime's eyes burned. * Jonathan picked up the phone to Cecilia as soon as his conversation with the Dragon King was over. `He'll fall for it, don't you worry' Cecilia assured him over the phone as he once again expressed his doubts. `And if he doesn't,' she continued, `it'll be another piece to the puzzle of his psychological profile. We will defeat him, but I'm confident tomorrow will be a resounding success. By the way, do you have the cargo?' `It arrived from Geneva just today' he said, stroking the black briefcase. `Has Lee arrived yet? He was pretty pissed off at being moved halfway around the world'. `No he hasn't, but his flight is due in any hour. I wish I knew why the council had him moved. No matter. Oh, one last thing, are the modifications to the android's finished?' `Of course'. `Tomorrow will vindicate me Jonathan. Good night'. * The news of Nijikawa's kidnap stunned Mizuchi and because of this he missed most of Hajime's angry tirade. As Hajime eventually stalked away in disgust, Mizuchi sat down on one of the empty couches. Most of his friends were settled down like that as they contemplated today's events. He couldn't help but feel intense guilt over what had happened. It was his fault that his old buddy was in the hands of their enemies. He'd led the Four Sisters right to them despite Hajime's pleas. He'd foolishly trusted to his luck and now their friends were paying the price. Even if they got Nijikawa back they'd have to run again. `Listen' he said finally to the somber group. `This whole situation is my fault. I know I screwed up and I want to help fix things.' `How?' Tsuzuku said absently. `They'll be throwing all their new toys at us. That's why Matsuri and Shinkai can't go. Why should you? You'll just end up dead and we don't want that. You'll screw up again and again Mizuchi but you're still our friend.' Tsuzuku's words reassured Mizuchi greatly, but he went on. `That's my point. I've been looking at maps of where this Bull's Head is and it's at least a five-hour drive. Now I know even Dragons need their rest and when you get Nijikawa out you'll be exhausted from busting all those weird gizmos they'll have in there. I'm going to drive you up! When do we go?' Tsuzuku looked at Mizuchi and saw in his eyes the need for redemption. He saw that the man was desperate to play any role in Nijikawa's rescue. And besides that his plan made sense. The trip would have been faster by helicopter but any Order intervention had been forbidden by the kidnappers. `Seven o'clock'. A sonorous boom from the large Grandfather clock showed that it was already two. Everyone save Hajime, Owaru and Tsuzuku decided to call it a night. The Three elder brothers had a lot of planning to do. * It had been a long, grueling trip and Hajime had been unable to sleep, the stress of their impending flight from their pursuers beginning to gnaw at him. Always, he shouldered such worries alone, as was his duty. They had traveled a good deal trying to make sense of the local map with their destination circled in red. After having gotten lost a few times and sometimes asking directions they finally managed to find the village. Hajime found village to be a poor term. Hamlet would have been more like it. They stopped again and a local told them where to find the old warehouse. Sure enough, the decrepit building emerged from behind a hill in the spot where the woman had said it would be. The warehouse was the last one left standing in the area but the foundations of others were visible nearby. He decided that he ought to wake up Owaru and Tsuzuku. * Pain laced through every part of his immense, sleek body. Everywhere around him a fire raged, its tongues licking against his scaled skin. Tsuzuku was barely aware of being himself; his consciousness mercifully pushed aside as his primal Dragon nature took over. All around him stood buildings of concrete and metal, and he sensed life within. Life like that which had caused him so much pain. And so he lashed out, sending a bridge of fire arching into the tower nearest the one he was wrapped around. He did not care about the suffering he caused. Again and again he struck, ignoring the cries and screams and prayers that reached him across the distance. One voice began to dominate the rest, rising in a crescendo out of the masses, becoming more insistent each time. Tsuzuku...Tsuzuku...Tsuzuku! * `Tsuzuku...Tsuzuku...Tsuzuku'. Tsuzuku's eyes flapped open to reveal Hajime's concerned face. He groaned and got up, shading his eyes as they adjusted to the afternoon sun. `Anything wrong?' asked Hajime. `Nothing' replied Tsuzuku wearily. `Just some bad memories'. Hajime knew his brother well enough not to pry any further. If Tsuzuku wanted to talk to him about it, he would. Instead he got out of the car to survey the terrain, then signaled for the others to follow. `We'll be back with Nijikawa' Owaru shouted back at the beleaguered sergeant as they trudged across the mucky ground to the entrance. Mizuchi had simply waved back before dozing off. The warehouse had lost most of its roof as the years had gone by, and birds nested in the rafters. Hajime led the way into the building; already alert should there be anything amiss. He tensed and stuck out at a sudden noise, only for a bird to flap away in fright. `Well, at least you're keeping alert' Tsuzuku commented. Hajime grunted at that. `Their agent said they were holding Nijikawa underground, so there's got to be some sort of trapdoor or a stairway. Spread out and look for something strange. It shouldn't be too well hidden.' They split up. Hajime suspected that as the Four Sisters wanted them in their trap it would be easy to find. Sure enough it only took a few minutes before Owaru began enthusiastically shouting, `Hey guys, come over here! I found it!' Hajime and Tsuzuku rushed over to find Owaru examining a metal stairway, hidden behind a large stack of crates. `What do we do?' quizzed Tsuzuku. `We go down of course' replied Owaru, who began bounding down the staircase before either brother could stop him. Hajime sighed at his brother's zealous attitude before he and Tsuzuku went after him. They emerged in a dimly lit hi-tech corridor and as soon as he entered Hajime felt funny. He could see that his brother's gestures meant that they too were affected by this phenomenon. `What is this?' Hajime asked, and as if on cue a massive door slid down, blocking the way they had just come. `Hey!' shouted Owaru, who swung a fist at the door. It connected with a solid thud, the metal underneath crumpling. Hajime and Tsuzuku stared in shock, while Owaru held his fist to his face in disbelief. While Owaru had accomplished more than any normal human could it was still far less than what he should have done. `You think they've found some way to sap our strength?' Tsuzuku asked, `Is that their trap?' `Maybe' said Hajime. He saw a similar looking door on the opposite side of the corridor. `Or maybe it's just to make us exhaust ourselves so they can pick us off. But Nijikawa is somewhere in here so let's get moving'. They went up to the new door and as one they gave it a solid blow. There was a series of deep dents. Again they punched it. And again. And again. Eventually the door gave way to reveal another stretch of corridor and...another door. Owaru groaned. `I think that your exhaustion theory is looking more likely, Hajime' said Tsuzuku as they started on their fourth door. Whatever was behind the tingling, almost painful, sensations in their heads was also responsible for their lack of strength. It took half an hour to both knock down a door and to spend some time resting. This was a routine they followed for the rest of the day. Every time a door went down Hajime fully expected that the Four Sisters would attack now. After a while he was surprised that they hadn't already and later he began to think. Something was very wrong here. It was surprisingly Owaru who pointed out the obvious, as they sat panting after busting down another door. `Hajime didn't that Irish guy say that Nijikawa was being held in some sort of freaky lab? And yet all we have here is one big corridor. Why do you think he lied?' Hajime thought about it for a while before answering `I'm not sure Owaru. This entire situation doesn't feel right. I'm sure they're up to something. `Maybe it's just a test' mused Tsuzuku. `What do you mean?' `They're obviously using something to retard our abilities here but maybe they don't know to what extent. If it didn't affect us too badly then we'd destroy anything sent at us yet if it affected us so badly that we changed it would mean the entire effort was for nothing.' `So you mean they're just observing us as if we were lab rats?' asked Owaru, obviously feeling uncomfortable at the notion. `Could be. `I don't think so' said Hajime. `Even if this were a test, wouldn't they have some Androids about to grab us in case it all went smoothly? I don't think the Four Sisters would ever let an opportunity to capture us go by'. `So what do you think, Hajime?' `I don't know' he said wearily, `all this is happening for a purpose, you can be sure of that. What I do know is that we've many more doors to go through and Nijikawa maybe at the end.' With that he picked himself up and began pounding again with his brothers. Seven hours after they had entered the warehouse they broke through the last door. Exhausted, they peered into the gloom ahead to see what they had found. Before them sat an unconscious Nijikawa tied to a chair in the center of an unlit and cramped room. If it hadn't been for their enhanced sight, Hajime doubted whether he would have seen him at all. `You two wait here,' said Hajime as he moved cautiously towards the slumbering man, prepared for any ambush. The room was deathly quiet, save for the shallow breathing of his friend. He was alert, more so than during their trip through the tunnel. He reached Nijikawa and gave him a cursory glance. His face was covered in bruises and one of his lips had been torn. There was also a rank smell, which Hajime found hard to place. There was, however, no sign of any traps. With the dull headache still gnawing at the back of his skull, Hajime really wanted to get out of here. He untied Nijikawa and slung the man over his shoulders. It was then that Hajime found out what the smell was. Obviously, his captors had not seen fit to allow the man to relieve himself decently. Gritting his teeth, Hajime began to head for the exit. In his weakened state, Hajime found Nijikawa quite a burden. The forty- minute walk back along the corridor gave Hajime time to think at the very least. Nothing had happened. They were exhausted, but they hadn't been confronted. They came to the door blocking the way out. They took care of that. As Hajime led them out into the night, he feared that maybe now their foes would launch their attack. There was nothing, only a starry night visible through the gaps in the roof and the dull sound of music flowing from the car as Mizuchi waited for his friends. Hajime sighed in relief as the tingling ceased and his strength returned Nijikawa was now as light as a feather. As he walked towards the car he tried to put the thoughts that something was amiss out of his head. They didn't go away as he slung Nijikawa into the back seat. He barely heard Mizuchi expressing his relief at the success of the whole thing. Instead he leaned his head against the car window, so deep in thought that sleep came unbidden and unnoticed. * Jonathan watched Hajime and Tsuzuku chase Owaru into the underground tunnels through a well-concealed camera. As the door slipped behind them he crowed, `He fell for it!' Turning to the driver of the van he was in he shouted `Go!' The vehicle roared to life. Jonathan sat back and looked directly at the three modified androids that sat opposite him. All of them wore the same disturbing face. All too human, and yet not. He just hoped that they were as efficient as Cecilia said they were. * Matsuri hated waiting for her cousins to return. She had discovered that when they had gone in search of Hajime following his failure to return home after a day of job-hunting. They hadn't returned until noon of the next day and she hadn't been able to sleep that entire night. She still hated it, though this time Shinkai and Amaru kept her company in her misery. She mopped about the compound trying to kill time. She had gotten up early that morning to see the brothers off so she took a few naps. She read a book on Dragons in the library, though it was about their Western counterparts who were as evil as any Gyushu and it soon bored her. She had a small talk with Sanders over their concerns and even played a game called Cluedo with Amaru. Amaru was looking as morose as she did while they played. `Don't worry, Amaru. I'm sure Hajime and the others will come back safe and well. I mean, we haven't met anyone so far who's even come close to beating you.' She didn't mention Shiyu, anyway what chance was there that he'd be there? `I hope your right Matsuri' he said glumly. She ruffled his hair; something she knew irritated him. `Of course I'm right Amaru, I'm bigger than you after all.' Her jibes restored some good humor, yet even that dissipated by the time the game finished. As soon as she had guessed it was Professor Plum in the library with the candlestick, the depressing thoughts returned. They packed the game away, Amaru wandering off in search of other diversions to keep his mind off the situation. That was the last thing Matsuri wanted to do, so she went in search of Shinkai instead. She found him in one of the compounds numerous sitting rooms on the second floor. He was calmly sitting in a chair by the window, reading an American newspaper and taking sips from a cup of coffee. `What are you doing?' she exploded in a temper. Shinkai looked up in surprise. `Here you are relaxing while Hajime and the others maybe in danger. How can you do such a thing?' She paused for breath, but she never got a chance to continue. She had fully intended on giving him a long lecture that deep down she knew was just another way of wasting time. A series of screeching noises from outside drew both her and Shinkai to the window where they looked across to the expansive lawn towards where the front gate had stood. Numerous black vans with the word SWAT painted on their sides had just driven through it. Dozens of officers in black uniforms poured out of those trucks, guns in their hands. As one they advanced towards the compound. As Shinkai pulled her away from the window she heard him mutter, `This can't be good.' * Jonathan couldn't believe his luck; his targets had actually leaned out a window and thus shown him exactly where they were. `There', he said to two of the androids accompanying him, pointing at the window. * They had been heading towards the door when she heard the windows behind them breaking in, showering the place with broken glass and chunks of window frame. Both she and Shinkai turned around to see two massive men in SWAT uniforms climbing in through the debris. No wait, Matsuri thought. She had seen those faces before. The Androids advanced towards them. `Matsuri get out of here!' shouted Shinkai as he flung himself at the nearest android armed with a chair. `Shinkai don't!' she shrieked a warning too late. The chair broke apart as Shinkai smashed it into the Android's face. There was no effect. Instead the Android lunged towards Shinkai, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him into the nearest wall. For a moment she stood still in fright, but that quickly turned to relief as she saw that he was breathing, if dazed. That moment cost her, as a heavy hand descended on her shoulder and wouldn't let go no matter how much she fought. It was then that she felt a sharp pain in her neck. She gasped, but the pain was soon gone and the Android's grip on her lessened. In the distance, the cacophony that had been the SWAT team at work subsided. She guessed that whoever wanted them would arrive soon. Sure enough, another android appeared in minutes at the door, escorting in a tall red haired man with rugged facial features wearing an immaculate suit and who was carrying a briefcase with him. He paused as he surveyed the damage to the room before he turned his attentions to Matsuri. `Miss Toba, I believe', he said in a familiar voice. `My name is Jonathan Lynch, and I'm here as a representative of the Rockford Foundation.' `You're the one on the phone' said Matsuri slowly, `the one who talked to Hajime. You're the one who kidnapped Nijikawa!' Jonathan nodded. `Yes that's me. What happened to your friend was regrettable but necessary. He'll be alright though, your cousins should get him out in a few hours.' Jonathan paused for a second as he gazed out the door towards the corridor, listening for something. `I really can't believe that the Blue Dragon was so careless as to become a slave to a pattern,' he said, half to himself. `What do you, mean?' said Matsuri as she fought to suppress the rising tide of fear within her. He was up to something. Did they intend to take her again to use against Hajime, as she had long feared they would? `Every time we, or someone else, has taken you or one of your friends of one of the brothers themselves the Blue Dragon has faced us on our turf and always succeeded in freeing you. This is what has happened and has always happened in hostage situations regarding the Ryudos. When we realized this we did our best to change our playing field. He expected the threat to be around his friend we caught. I'm sure he considered that we'd strike here instead but we knew he'd dismiss it. He has a bit of a one-track mind you see.' `Then what are you here for?' Matsuri asked. She knew he was after her. They would use her to take Hajime. She couldn't allow that. She wouldn't. `I think what we're looking for will be here any second'. She wondered at the meaning of his words until she heard the distant screams. At first she thought it might be the other Commune members? It shouldn't be, they were brought up knowing that their lives would be one of hardship. Then it came to her. `No, oh no' she said in a voice that was somewhere between a groan and a plea for reassurance. * Amaru had been in the library at the time moping about the place when one of the invaders had burst in. The black uniformed man said something in English that Amaru couldn't quite catch, and then the man had come over and tightly grabbed his arm. Amaru's reaction had been immediate; a quick punch to the officer's stomach had caused him to double over before collapsing in a heap. If there are more of these guys here, then Matsuri's in danger! He was pretty sure that the Four Sisters were behind this operation and while they couldn't take him, he had to save his friends. He'd rushed out into the chaos of the corridors then, intent on finding his cousin. The place was a shambles. He saw many of the people he'd met in the past month and a half being dragged away by guards. He barely managed to stop himself from intervening. He had to find Matsuri before they moved her. He could free them later when he had the opportunity to do so but right now, finding and protecting his brother's lover was his priority. Occasionally, despite his best efforts he'd run into one of the black-clad men but they only had time for a surprised grunt before he disabled them. Sometimes they'd scream in pain, despite his attempt to make the blow as painless as possible. He'd have to talk to Owaru about his technique. Eventually, he found Matsuri in one of the sitting rooms. She was pinned against the wall by a burly figure he recognized as one of the Four Sister's androids. Another android held an unconscious Shinkai while the third in the group stood by group's red haired leader. `I take it that you are Amaru Ryudo?' the man said briskly. `I am,' Amaru replied as coldly as he could. He looked about the room trying to see how he could free Matsuri before the android had a chance to harm her. `My name is Jonathan Lynch. Now I know you're trying to come up with a way to free your cousin over there, but I'm telling you now that it won't work.' `Oh? Are you so sure about that? I bet I could smash every one of your robots before anything happened to her, no problem.' `It's a bet you'd lose Amaru. I assure you we've been most meticulous in our plans this time around. Miss Toba?' Matsuri looked at Lynch in response. As always in situations like these she stood defiantly. `When you were taken, I believe one of my androids injected you with the contents of a syringe.' Matsuri visibly paled, though her stance did not falter, and Amaru felt a pang of panic. He hoped Matsuri would be all right. If she weren't, he'd make sure this guy paid. `What syringe?' Matsuri said in steel tones, slight inflections in her voice revealing the fear she was struggling to control. At a gesture from Lynch one of the androids held up it's index finger. A needle shot up from the tip. `Wha...what did you put inside me?' she whispered. `Nanites. Microscopic machines. Quite a new innovation in robotics, wave of the future and all that. The batch we pumped into you was an early model. Only has a lifespan of twenty-four hours. Some of our latest ones can go on for years. But these ones are currently embedding themselves in your synapses. And for the next twenty-four hours Miss Toba, we can make your life very unpleasant.' Amaru decided there and then to knock Jonathan out. If he took out the controller then there would be nobody to activate the nanites. He'd barely shifted his weight in readiness for the strike but somehow he'd noticed it. `I wouldn't do that. See, if I'm knocked unconscious or killed or if my three buddies here are damaged then there is no way we can complete our mission. Miss Toba then becomes expendable, which would be quite unfortunate for her. Her death wouldn't be very pleasant. If you don't believe me I can give you a taste of what she'll experience.' He talked into an obvious communication device on the lapel of his shirt. For Matsuri it began as a tingling, then it became an itch. Rapidly, the sensation got worse until it went far beyond unbearable. She didn't remember when she'd begun to scream. `Stop it!' Amaru shouted in desperation. He wanted it to stop. He looked pleadingly at the man. `Please stop it!' `Why? What'll you do for me? I have to take something back to my superiors.' `Take me,' Amaru said. He had no hesitation in surrendering himself. He knew that he stood a chance of escaping, something Matsuri did not. Lynch smiled as he again spoke into his lapel. Matsuri stopped screaming and just slunk into the Android, quietly crying. Amaru sent a comforting look towards his cousin, before approaching the man who had them at his mercy and who was now fiddling with a briefcase, which he eventually opened. `Do you recognize this?' he said to Amaru as he removed the contents of the briefcase to dangle them before the boy. Amaru did recognize it. A strip of metal lay in there in the man's hands, though this time it was silver in color. `A Dragon collar'. `An advanced Dragon collar, my young friend. We got the technology off those mercenary friends of yours. They were only too happy to trade following their failure in Maine. But this collar has been altered. It's made from a material called Dragon's Bane. It'll sap your strength to the point where it'll be the same as everyone else your age. The collar itself will, as you know, separate you from the your Dragon aspect. In essence, you'll be a normal thirteen-year old boy and as difficult to handle. Of course, you don't have to do this. We can't force you to put it on but then, Miss Toba will die.' Matsuri saw what was going on despite the haze of her pain. She tried to shout at him to forget her, but all that emerged was a croak. Amaru looked at her then, a soft smile on his young face. He knew what she'd been going to say. Amaru looked at the Collar that would bind him, and cautiously reached out his hand to touch it. He pulled it back suddenly as a fierce pain lanced up his arm He dreaded to think what it would be like when he put it on. With Matsuri's life at stake though it wasn't much of a choice. He bowed his head in acknowledgement and in preparation of his fate. There was a click as the collar was fastened around his neck. The jolt of pain that went through Amaru then was far worse than what Matsuri had experienced, but mercifully he soon blacked out. As the darkness took him he held on to the hope that his brothers would find and rescue him. They always had. Matsuri watched in mute horror as Amaru went suddenly rigid from the agony before he collapsed into Lynch's arms. Lynch handed him to one of the androids that hurried out of the room. Lynch stood for a second, gazing after them before gesturing to the androids holding herself and Shinkai to follow him. Matsuri took in few details during that brief trip. All she knew was was that the Commune was in ruins. The wreckage of furniture, ornaments and toys littered the floor in mute testament to what had been here before. Occasionally they were accompanied by a spatter of blood, a reminder of what had destroyed this place. She felt guilty for that, this place had been sacrificed because they had hidden here. Soon, they stumbled across a knot of SWAT team members busy scouring the place for anyone missed in the first sweep. A short well built man who was obviously in charge stepped forward, curiously eyeing herself and Shinkai. `This them?' he said with a curt nod to Lynch. Lynch simply nodded. `Fine, we'll take it from here'. His men were already relieving the androids of their burdens. Matsuri watched Lynch turn and walk away. Only then, as Amaru before her had, did Matsuri welcome oblivion, collapsing into the arms of a woman in black. * Groggily, Hajime awoke to the silent hum of the car's engines and an American radio station droning on in the background. Tsuzuku was shaking him. `Ok, I'm up, I'm up' he said in an annoyed tone. He'd been having a very strange Dragon Dream. Usually they were so vivid that they were indistinguishable from reality but for some reason this had been vague and without substance. It had involved Amaru's previous incarnation Kikei but he didn't know why. `Nijikawa is awake' Tsuzuku said. Hajime turned to see Nijikawa, obviously still exhausted, smiling weakly at him in a way that said `I'm all right'. Maybe now he could get some answers. `Nijikawa, I know you've been through a lot, but can you tell us anything about why they took you? There has to be some reason'. In the background the latest news bulletins were on the radio. Hajime paid them little heed; he was entirely focusing on Nijikawa who was struggling to put his story into words. `Our main story tonight, a daring daylight raid in the suburbs of Boston today resulted in the smashing of a terrorist ring involved in recent acts of violence in Japan.' Both Hajime and Tsuzuku paled; they were the only ones in the car who could understand English. Tsuzuku hurriedly turned up the volume, which Nijikawa and the others took to mean something important was happening and hence kept quiet. `Over one hundred and fifty people were taken into custody today by Government forces following the raid on the fortified commune. Among them were wanted terrorists Matsuri Toba, 18 and Saburo Shinkai, 26, who have been accused of involvement in the kidnapping of the Japanese Prime minister, the theft of military property, an attack on an American Consulate building and the destruction of a municipal Police station in Tokyo. They are expected to be deported shortly to face trial in Japan, but are being held for the moment in a secure location'. `Also taken today was the terrorist leader Kevin Sanders, but Hajime Ryudo, the mastermind behind the group and his brothers remain at large. We go now...' Hajime stopped listening, barely hearing Tsuzuku answering Owaru's worried queries about what was going on and his third brother's demands as to what they were going to do. It all made sense now, he could see it all so clearly. Not a trap, a diversion. One he raced headlong into leaving those he wished to protect the most at the mercy of their enemies. They had Shinkai and Matsuri and...Amaru. There had been no mention of him during the bulletin. He hoped his little brother had managed to get away but if something had happened to him it would be his fault. The agitated debate in the car stopped abruptly as Hajime punched his fist through the car window and screamed his rage into the wind. * A few hours earlier the sun had been setting, causing the mostly clear sky to erupt in a vivid expression of ochre tones. The few clouds were like islands of fire. Lynch had always appreciated beauty, having seen so little of it during the sectarian strife that had paralyzed his native Belfast some twenty-five years before. He'd been about Amaru's age then. He looked down at the unconscious boy, nestled in the limo's backseat between him and an android. But unlike him, Amaru had managed to retain his innocence despite the trials that he had faced. He wondered how long that would now last. The limo passed through the gates that marked the entrance of the Air Force base. A few meager rows of fighter planes stood lined up on the tarmac in the distance. Before the Blue Dragon had come, Lynch recalled seeing dozens of them here. He gave a faint smile, proud of what the organization had accomplished in leveling the upstart superpower. The limousine, usually black but now a sleek maroon under the fiery sky, sped towards a private jet that lay waiting for them on the other side of the field. As the car finally drew to a stop Lynch saw that his contact was none other than the dapper Mr. Townsend, his predecessor. Lynch had always held a mild dislike for the man but that was more due to the fact he was British rather than any real personal flaws. He also noticed that the Mulligan agent was accompanied by several androids dressed in Army fatigues. He got out from his seat and shook hands with him. `You are to be commended Mr. Lynch. This is by far our most successful operation regarding the Ryudos to date. The Council is ecstatic! But tell me, are you sure his brothers don't know yet? I'd hate to be attacked by an enraged Dragon on my way to Geneva.' `Positive sir. They're still pounding their way through the facility at Bull's Head looking for their friend. They'll find him in another few hours.' `You've left Nijikawa alive then?' `Of course. There was no reason to kill him, and he can be used again in future.' During this exchange the android had left the car cradling Amaru Ryudo in his arms. `Splendid!' said Mr. Townsend warmly, as he approached the android. `You know this is the first time I've ever been so close to one of the brothers? But was getting the smallest one wise? Surely you could have managed Tsuzuku or Owaru... `The order to take Amaru came directly from the top.' Mr. Townsend's brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to figure out why the Council had specifically requested Amaru Ryudo, but he gave up with a quick grin. `Android,' he said to the being carrying the captive Dragon King, `It's time for us to go. Goodbye Mr. Lynch, I'll see you sometime. Shadow should be returning from Geneva any day now.' The Androids filed up the gangway, disappearing into the plane. As Townsend turned to go he suddenly hesitated and turned towards Lynch again. `You know Vincent of course?' Lynch grimaced. The Four Sisters' `advisor' to the President had developed a strong distaste for Lynch, and Lynch could testify that the feeling was mutual. One day, he hoped he would occupy Vincent's position, a day that he felt was closer than ever. Everyone knew that the Council held Vincent responsible for President Forrester's wild actions during the Dragon crisis. `Yes, what of it?' `Nothing, it was just that I thought I'd see him here today. No matter. Goodbye Mr. Lynch, and good luck'. With that he bounded up the gangway and into the jet, the door closing behind him. Lynch climbed back into the limo, and instructed the chauffeur to head back towards the facility. As he watched the plane prepare to depart from the car window he pondered his next move. He and Shadow would have to keep the Ryudos busy. He wondered what challenges he would face tomorrow. Maybe a Dragon trashing Boston in retribution? Perhaps. Suddenly he glanced to his left, thinking he'd seen something. But when he looked, all he saw was an Eagle silhouetted against the setting sun, not the man he'd believed he'd seen. A mere trick of the light, a product of the day's tension. All that was left of the day though was this glorious sunset for him to appreciate. He barely heard the background hum as the jet flared to life, nor saw it lift off from it's runway to soar into the eastern sky, heading for that distant European City called Geneva. * Once more Cecilia stood before the Council, but this time in triumph. She permitted herself the hint of a self-satisfied grin, but only the hint. Presumption could be dangerous to your career when you worked for the Four Sisters. Her employer, Mr.Rockford was beaming with pride that he succeeded. Mr. Mulligan was seething that he had failed. The others were indifferent to them, but one could sense a barely concealed excitement at the capture of Amaru Ryudo. `Well, Shadow,' said Mr.Perdam, `it seems that we have indeed underestimated your skills. Let us be the first to congratulate you upon your success.' Cecilia bowed slightly at that; the Council didn't hand out commendations too often. `Now we must put your skills to work in other areas. You will not be returning to the U.S.' That took her completely by surprise, and she wondered what was going on. She took the news stoically however; such changes were to be expected. `Your associate Mr.Lynch will succeed you as head of research. He's valuable that one, maybe the one we're looking to for to succeed Vincent when he eventually retires.' `Then what will be my task?' she asked. Suddenly a deep gong sounded, reverberating throughout the entire room. The four men rose from their seats and plodded over to the curtain that partitioned off a section of the room. Cecilia got the distinct impression she should follow. As she approached the partition she noticed a ruddy, ethereal glow that seeped out from beneath the curtain. She grew more hesitant in her step but she persevered. What was going on here? `It is not for us to tell you Shadow, what your task shall be.' It was then that the four most powerful men in the world fell to their knees, heads bowed in reverence and fear. She nearly turned away then, but an uncontrollable urge caused her too to fall to her knees. The curtain parted slightly to reveal an unbelievable sight. The partially seen body of a large serpent, its purple-scaled skin was obviously the source of that red glow. Then, it spoke; it's voice penetrating every part of her body producing a strange mixture of fear and pleasure simultaneously. `My name is Ophishu, lord of the Gyushu clan and governor of the Heavenly Sphere. You may call me Master, as they do.' To Be Continued...</pre><p><a href="./">Back</a></p><p><a href=http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=216><img border=0 alt="Donate towards our web hosting bill!" src=https://secure.newdream.net/donate1.gif></a></p></body></html>