by B.A. Savage
Chapter Nine
Archan pops open a vent and enters once again into a hallway inside the Katsuya corporate building. He thinks, “Man, here we go again. I need to be more alert this time.”
He surveys the hallway, every so often ducking down into a hiding position, when he thought he heard someone. Finally, he makes it to his destination, Jin-Jun Katsuya’s office.
“I never had to interrogate anyone before, but I just hope junior boy has the nerve to play stupid.” Thinking back to the major beating he received at the hands of Katsuya Jr. during his last visit to the building, Archan slowly opens the door revealing Katsuya Jr. talking on the phone with his back to the door. Katsuya says speaking into the phone, “I assure you the situation has been completely resolved. Thank you for your patience. And you too, have a nice day.”
At the same time he hangs up the phone, Archan shuts the door behind him. The usual casual smile on Jin-Jun’s face disappears as soon as he turns around to find himself facing an unexpected visitor dressed in black.
“What is the reason for this intrusion? Wait...don’t I know you?” referring to Archan’s outfit, similar to the one he wore during his first visit.
Archan barks, “I’ll be the one asking the questions here. Where is the Shelto?”
“I assure you that I have no idea what you are talking about,” states Katsuya coolly.
This is music to Archan’s ears, “I was hoping you would say that.”
Archan slams a lightening quick right cross to Katsuya’s chin sending him to the floor after a slight spin in mid-air. Archan didn’t think he hit him that hard, but the pause Katsuya is taking is proof. Archan didn’t notice that Katsuya pushed a button on his watch as soon as he hit the ground, alerting his personal security that something was wrong. Katsuya manages to get back to his feet, “That voice and the outfit; you’re the guy...”
Archan cuts him short by leaping effortlessly across the desk landing a solid kick to Katsuya’s chest sending him falling into the adjacent wall. Archan smiles and thinks, “Man, this is too easy but a lot of fun too.”
Cana’s voice echoes in his head, “Please remember we need information also.”
“Yeah and remember this guy beat the hell out of me and tried to kill me!”
“Yes, I remember, but there is a bigger task ahead.”
“And your point?! I’m nobody’s hero.”
Cana doesn’t reply. This pause in action gives Katsuya time to catch his breath and stand up. Archan visibly upset, asks again this time with more bass in his voice, “One last time or this time I’ll be the one calling the SDCC!”
Katsuya realizes two things at the same time. One, this is the man from before and he’s hell-bent on revenge; two, it’s only a short matter of time before this lunatic becomes Swiss cheese thanks to his bodyguards destined to arrive shortly. Time to stall.
“The Shelto creature was stolen from us.”
“What?! You’re full of shit! Where is it?”
“I’m not misleading you. Other parties involved in this venture double-crossed us.”
“Then you’re useless. Time to die,” says Archan as he approaches Katsuya.
“Wait! I know how to find them. I have a tracking device.”
“Where is it? Now!”
Referring to the jacket he’s wearing, Katsuya says, “in my coat pocket.”
Archan tells him to slowly pull it out and no funny business. Katsuya starts wondering, “What is taking those idiots so long to get here?”
Cana is sitting at the end of the hallway on the floor of Katsuya Jr.’s office. An elevator door opens and three armed men emerge and head toward the office and the undetectable griffin. As Katsuya pulls out the device, Cana tells Archan, “You’ll have visitors in mere seconds.”
“Who?” says Archan out loud. Katsuya wonders what Archan means.
“Some of Katsuya’s men.”
Archan comes to two quick conclusions: Katsuya must’ve called these men somehow and that he was stalling. Immediately, Katsuya feels the impact of another lightning fast jab. Archan manages to snatch the device out of Katsuya’s grasp before he lands. The office door flings open and the three men appear with guns drawn.
“Shit, Cana, I’m trusting you, north side window!” says Archan out loud. He then heads toward the wall-sized window and dives at it as bullets from behind smack into the window.
Archan’s body shatters the already crumbling glass. Katsuya and his men run over to the now exposed opening and look downward expecting to see Archan falling, but instead see him gliding through the air as if on the back of an invisible flying creature.
Katsuya, a little bruised up, smiles through the pain and thinks, “Now I know the “Who” but now we must figure out the “What”.” Then he turns and goes back to his desk and uses the phone.
“Lab,” states the voice on the phone.
“This is Jin-Jun, get the EXO-5 ready for use.”
“But sir, that’s an antique that we never...”
Katsuya cuts him off, “Do you like your job?”
“Yes, yes sir, the EXO-5 will be ready.”
“You have one hour. Also, get a tech team ready. We might be acquiring some new technology.”
“Yes sir.”
Katsuya presses the button down to hang up, then releases it and presses a few speed dial numbers. While it’s ringing, Katsuya reaches into his desk and pulls out another tracking device identical to the one Archan took.
“Yes,” answers a man.
“Have the armada ready in one hour. We leave today to get back what is ours.”
“Yes, sir. It will be ready.”