by B.A. Savage
Chapter Seven
Inside the lead helicopter of the Katsuya Corporation’s private armada, returning home with the Shelto in tow, sits Brick Johnson with The Imperial Chee-Chee on his shoulder. Both are silent, both are sporting jet black shades. Sitting across from them in the sound proof compartment are Jin Jun Katsuya and Baino. Baino is the second highest ranking official on the company’s board. Baino can’t seem to divert his attention from Chee-Chee.
Chee-Chee notices and is about to start his usual outburst when Jin Jun breaks the silence before he can. “Brick Johnson, the Imperial Chee-Chee. Do you mind if I explain to my colleague how your master The Host created you two very unique individuals? Mr. Baino wasn’t fortunate to be there.”
Brick nods in acknowledgement, while Chee-Chee fumes silently.
“Thank you, gentleman. Well, Mr.Baino. Brick Johnson here was paralyzed by an explosion at his college dorm planted by a rival competitor with an explosive temper. After a year of being a living rug, he decided to undergo a secret experiment conducted by The Host. Not only was Brick able to walk again but he was able to harden his body to a rock-like form, therefore he became known as Brick. Unfortunately, just to walk, he has to solidify some of his molecules which caused an unexpected side effect that requires him to undergo some kind of daily treatment, which I was not told too many details about.”
Brick sits motionless and Chee- Chee appears restless.
Appealing to Chee-Chee’s vanity, Katsuya continues “And now on to the Imperial Chee-Chee. The Host also didn’t go into too much detail about him; except for the fact that he was his personal creation built from scratch and that he was made from, and correct me if I’m wrong, feline, owl, monkey, flying squirrel and Koala bear DNA with a modified human brain.”
Chee-Chee says nothing.
Katsuya once again continues, “But sadly, with him being a first generation creation there was an unexpected side-effect. He’s slowly going insane.”
Chee-Chee glares over at Baino, “Yeah, so don’t piss me off, idiot!”
Brick smiles, so does Katsuya. Baino shrugs it off, and then asks Katsuya could they speak in private inside the storage compartment. They excuse themselves and go into the compartment holding the Shelto. Once the door is shut Baino turns to Jin-Jun and asks, “Why again are we working with those two circus side shows? I understand the ‘why’ but what is the real reason? You and your old man must talk at the estate.”
“What my father and I talk about at home stays at home, but I assure you that you know all there is to know. I myself, on the other hand, am the one who is usually left in the dark.”
“Please spare me the poor me story. We both know that once your old man is gone you’ll be running the whole show.”
“That’s beside the point. I don’t get the respect I deserve from my father or anyone in the family either. But that’s okay cause one day. Well, like you said, one day I will be running the whole show.”
The Shelto, inside the enclosed and reinforced cage, starts kicking and scratching the walls.
Baino asks, “And, why again are we getting involved with all this DNA and genetic engineering crap anyways? I would rather use a traditional ninja assassin or shogun warrior any day.”
“I agree. But we are entering a new day and age. A time where genetically created warriors will dominate and pump fear into the hearts of people around the world. The perfect warrior, the perfect assassin is right around the corner. With the help of The Host, we will achieve it before any of the other families or governments around the world.”
“You mean with the help of Dr. Frankenstein?”
“Call him what you want but the man is brilliant...” The gleam in Katsuya’s eyes disappears, “... and kinda creepy.”
“Because of some personal business I had to take care of, I never got to meet him”
“And that’s probably good. There haven’t been many men who have the aura that puts the fear of death in my mind just from being around like he does.”
“Explain.”
“That’s just it. I can’t. He’s just...creepy. Anyways, he created Brick and Chee-Chee and believes he can create a non-defective brand of super human-like warriors using the DNA of the Shelto.”
Baino kicks the cage, “What’s so special about this thing anyways?”
“I’m not completely sure, but you do remember what it looks like?”
“Yes.”
Katsuya asks with a smile, “Would you want to be in that crate with it?”
“Hell no.”
“Exactly. Plus if The Host can make creatures like the two upfront, imagine what he could do with the DNA of that beast. We could have our super warrior soon.”
“I don’t know but all this creeps me out. I think we should just continue our focus and efforts on human subjects, robotics and weaponry.”
“That will always be open for debate but not here. Let’s not continue to be rude to our guests.”
They both return to their seats. Brick and Chee-Chee are still in their same spots.
An hour later and after the rest of the Armanda has broken off, the lead helicopter lands on top of the Katsuya corporate skyscraper. Katsuya and Baino exit first and after a few steps Katsuya realizes that their guests are not exiting the helicopter. The doors of the copter open and both the pilot and co-pilot are tossed out. Baino yells back, “What the hell’s going on?”
Brick is now in the pilot seat. Chee-Chee is in the co-pilot seat. He yells, “Plans have changed, idiots! Master will experiment back home where he has good equipment, not Katsuya junk. Don’t worry, idiots. Master will still deliver the finished product.”
Katsuya stands smiling and saying nothing. Baino on the other hand, “That was not part of the agreement. You can’t just change plans like this! This is unacceptable!”
“We just did, idiot! You’re lucky master said that we can’t kill you. He still honors the deal, idiots!”
Chee-Chee shuts the door. Baino runs up to the co-pilot door as it starts to ascend. Chee-Chee kicks the door open violently nailing Baino in his face and sending him to the ground. Chee-Chee is hopping up and down in the seat like an excited monkey. Brick can be seen smiling too. The helicopter leaves the roof and soon is out of sight.
Baino’s face is bleeding from a small yet deep gash. He turns toward the cool and calm Jin-Jun, “Can you believe this? And why are you just standing there smiling?”
Katsuya reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small device that looks like a compass. “Because of this. A homing device. Just in case this happened and with the probability that they will probably destroy the helicopter, I had one of the technicians plant one inside the casing of the cage holding the Shelto.”
“Then let’s go get them!”
“No, not yet. We have to make sure they are inside The Host’s lair, which he would not reveal the location of. This is what made me be a little more cautious. Don’t worry, I planned for this. The armada is on stand-by as we speak.”
“Did you plan this with your father?”
Confidently Katsuya answers, “No.”
Baino snaps, “What are you thinking? You can’t do this without his permission. And if you thought this could or might happen, we could have been prepared to prevent this. We just lost that Shelto thing.”
Katsuya is visibly frustrated with Baino’s lack of confidence, “Well I did! And it has happened, so let’s go get ready. We leave tomorrow morning.”
Baino mumbles under his breath, “Arrogant little brat.”