-No, nobody is staying in this island, not while I’m around!- Goemon declared with seriousness as he glared at Dan and Jose. –We gotta go and I ain’t leaving you people here to face the JHWAB… they are a bunch of stiffs!- The Karate Star was talking out of his gut. –And as that creepy guy said we have the medals, we need to protect them, as Grandmaster Fukuma did, I ain’t letting those government dogs take the treasures of Grandmaster Fukuma.- With the Heat Medal clutched tightly inside his hand and fire in his eyes Goemon lead the way.
–Everybody to my boat! I’m getting us outta of here!- And with that he charged towards the south, to a nearby beach were his ship crashed. He might be forceful on his manners, but Goemon was thinking about the best course of action for everybody, not to mention his innate dislike for authority other than martial arts master was also a factor on his choice. Hoping the others followed him he arrived to his ship and mustering his fading strength, after being punched, slashed and burned, he pushed his ship back into the ocean and climbed aboard, waiting for everyone who wanted to leave and then high-tailed through the waves in the middle of the night.
1 hour later
Minutes after Goemon’s daring escape the JHWAB flooded the island, several branch leaders and high ranking inspectors with full crews of investigators using magic and technology to analyze the island looking for traces of Gainen Energy. They found Jin, the Half Tengu, dead on the forest, a pool of blood under him. Somebody opened his neck from ear to ear, a scarlet smile over his pale skin. Evidence of fights and physical alterations teemed in the island, giving the place a very eerie feeling, like insects crawling inside the skin of the people present. And they kept finding more evidence.
Reiji Fukuma, still catatonic, was in shackles and chains, ready to be transported to Kumoshiro, the JHWAB prison for Tengu Level or higher individuals. Their devices and relics studied the Gateway, tightly shut from inside and the more they dig around the more they found. Callis was under medical care, conscious but really shaken by some kind of experience beyond his comprehension. Many knew the Beast Knight at least by name, as his condition as a benign and stranded Drifter was quite unusual. They knew he was here on BHA orders and wouldn’t press him on the spot with an interrogation.
They didn’t have any luck with his own men, as the interrogation of Kameko the Kappa was fruitless, he said he couldn’t quite remember details on the individual who knocked him down, the Kappa remembered getting hit in the head, so maybe the concussion was blurring his memories, and considering his high standing and service record nobody even doubt his word. The evidence of the fights was inconclusive, there wasn’t much to it apart from hits and destruction, it would take weeks to analyze everything and discover who was involved in this incident. This would be known as the Sakurajima Incident and it would bring great turmoil to the world.
2 Days Later
Rin and Yuriko were prohibited entry to Sakurajima or any place near to the island by the JHWAB. The official story given to the Mundane press talked about an oil spill in the bay where Sakurajima was located, with an evacuation to protect the nearby towns from the noxious effects of the petroleum in the sea. Yuriko tried to use her money and influences but it was useless, the region was tightly locked and without anything else to do they tried to call Crow Cementerio, hoping to get his own pull in the BHA as a tool to get the truth. Rin was the one to send an email.
“Cementerio-Dono, I’m Rin Shishioh, I hope you are okay. I don’t desire to disturb you, but I’m deeply worried about my brother and his master, as the JHWAB is blocking the entry to Sakurajima. Do you know anything? If you don’t, could you please ask your contacts in the BHA if they can gather any information?”
5 Days Later
The Branch Leaders of the JHWAB and Roshi Yasumori were seated listening to Norio Bushitora, Head Inspector of the Intelligence Branch, giving a status report about the Incident. -We still cannot determine who was involved in the events apart from our own people and the BHA members involved.- Norio explained, adding a small comment.-We have important evidence leading in one direction, but it would be wise to wait for confirmation, we don’t want to get it wrong and get on the Artemis Branch wrong side.- Of course he was talking about Crow’s bullets. -And the interrogations of Kameko and Callis Nomene were fruitless, both of them know nothing.-
-We know that apart from Fukuma there are still at least 5 more individuals who share the blame for the incident, we managed to prove no magician or technology based Denizen was on the island, at least apart from ours.- Norio opened a map of Sakurajima pin pointing the shrines and lines directed to the gateway.
-Changing the topic towards a more urgent matter our technicians can confirm several things.- He used a laser pointer to point at the Volcano. –The Gateway was open around 1 hour or maybe up to 2 hours.- Eien, Moe and Roshi were visibly perturbed by this information. The Leader of the JHWAB only managed to utter a single question. –How many Bushitora-san?-
Norio was silent, everybody waiting for his reply. Roshi asked again, trying to be more specific. –How many of those things escaped?- The Old Inspector couldn’t reply, he was trying to avoid saying it out loud, because he felt that when he said it there would be no coming back. Finally he gathered his resolve and spoke.
-We don’t know… the release was bigger that we could count…- This time around the fear was intense enough to make Moe gasp in terror. Roshi’s eye grew sadder as his mind wandered into the days were they had to fight the Gainen. The peaceful days they had were over and new war was about to start… and they were woefully unequipped for it, as Norio was about to inform.
-And the situation is dire, as we lack any Contaiment Device to capture them and according to our technicians and researchers apart from the Branch Leaders the only ones who could potentially destroy or contain the Gainen is the Omega Squad, but using them would mean that we would have to replace them in the “lynchpins”- Roshi heard this and started meditating the best course of action.
Eien no Ha decided to comment. –There are many members of the Military and Intelligence Branch more than capable to hold the “lynchpins”, but that would severely deplete our firepower. Any thoughts Yukishiro-kun?- He looked at Subaru hoping that the Cold Prodigy could find a strategy to help them out in this dangerous situation. Without a single moment of doubt Subaru replied. –We will hire the BHA to supply manpower, or even freelance contractors.-
Moe objected to this. –We don’t have enough funds, we are cutting close as it is, where will be get money to pay for those overpriced dogs?- She was quite vehement, meaning this time around she was serious about the situation. Shiraginu, the Culture Branch leader was the one to bring a solution to the table. –I think we won’t have to bother about it, first of all we have part of the Shishioh state that was donated after the Osaka incident, we got shares of their Zaibatsu and those will grant us a cut of their profits.-
-We also can get a enhanced budgets from the JSDF if we talk to the Inazuma Headmaster, he will convince them of the Gainen and their threat to the national security.- Shiraginu continued explaining. –Not to mention we could always try to get the help of outer Organizations, I’m sure the HWIC would be able to construct some sort of alternative to the Containment Devices.- As soon as he finished talking he realized he made a mistake, as Roshi was glaring at him.
Finally the JHWAB leader took the lead of the conversation. –We will hire the BHA to fill the void left by our agents covering for the Omega Squad, which will be renamed as the Shin GStai from now on, as capturing and eliminating Gainen will be their main occupation. - Everyone nodded. –We will gather more funds, but we won’t ask for help of any foreign organization, we can’t know what they could do if they manage to harness the power of the Gainen.- Roshi feared it, the day other countries managed to get their hands on the Gainen powers the JHWAB sealed with such effort.
-We need to do this not for our world, but for the world of our descendants, we cannot fail and we cannot stray out of our path. – Roshi stood up, signaling the end of the meeting and the Branch leaders left. The only person who stayed was Norio, who moved closer to Roshi and asked something. –What about the investigation of the Organization Summit uninvited guests? Should I move the Inspectors to Gainen Duty as well?-
-Yes, we don’t have time to chase a ghost when real danger is knocking at our door.- Roshi patted Norio’s shoulder. –This changes the schedule a bit my friend, but know this, once this crisis ends I will retire and you are the one who will replace me.- Norio was shocked, he wasn’t powerful enough and he was always content helping over leading, the Old Inspector fell to his knees and bowed. –I’m not worthy. I don’t have the power or skills to even match you-
Roshi helped him up. –You might think that, but in the days to come you might prove that resourcefulness, something you are especially good at it might be the strongest weapon in our arsenal, so rise up and help me finish this last task fate imposed to me before retiring my old friend.- Norio stood up smiling with teary eyes. He bowed and shouted. –OSU!-
Meanwhile…
-Ugh…Ughk….arrrgh…- Painful grunts and cries echoed against the cold metallic walls, puddles of blood formed as Kuro-san threw up the scarlet liquid on the floor. Veins popping under his skin, filled with some sort of black miasma. His blood shot eyes barely could focus on anything in the room, which even under a glance seemed like part of a sci-fi movie. The Former Emperor weakly stumbled towards a desk, falling with his whole wait over it, trying to support his battered body, filled with bruises and cuts. Even he fell prey to the distortive effects of the Gainen Space, clearly showing his control over his medal was tenuous at best.
Polar resolve was shining on his eyes as he convulsed, barely able to stay standing with each increasing jolt of pain coursing through his nerves. Finally he fell on the floor, shaking and shivering, while cold sweat poured from his skin. The Former Emperor curled in pain, his face inhumanly calm, even as every other evidence clearly showed his pain. His emotionless mask wouldn’t be broken by this level of pain. A figure hidden in the shadows moved near Kuro-san and helped him up, supporting his broken body and taking him to a bed, in which he strapped the Former Emperor in. The mysterious helper was a middle aged British man, dressed in a three piece blue suit. He wore spectacles and red tie.
-Calm down, you’re already in the bed, keep still so I can connect the iv.- The man spoke with a soft voice, deeply tinted with sadness. Behind him a metallic arc, similar in shape to the Gateway in Sakurajima, powered down. The Artificial Gainen Space Gateway, the one everybody forgot… or better put was made to forget. –Just allow me to help you, leave everything in my capable hands.- Finally Kuro-san, with anesthetic coursing through his bloodstream stopped convulsing in pain. DGT, the Prodigious Hacker entered the room, followed by Ikari, The Herald and Sakka. –Is the boss okay Dr. Lazarus?- The Hacker asked quite fearful of Kuro-san state. Before the doctor could reply Ikari spoke.
-Of course he is okay, he was even worse when he came back from the summit and he was back and running in no time. The good Doctor will patch him up and recharge his brain and he will be fit as a fiddle, you’ll see kiddo.- Ikari wasn’t lying, as that was bound to happen when one of the greatest medical doctors ever was helping the recovery of a patient, but as DGT he was worried, since Kuro-san lost memories every time he used the medal, and even the backups created by Dr. Lazarus didn’t work perfectly, as each time the Former Emperor reloaded lost memories he didn’t have any attachment to them, making him grow colder and more detached of his humanity.
That was something that even managed to unnerve the Agent of Hatred, as if he was witnessing the birth of a monster. Sakka sneaked towards the bed and tried, while everybody was focused on Ikari and Lazarus, to take the Memory Medal, but as soon as she was about to reach it a line of electricity hit her hand, making the Wicked Writer to jump back while she grabbed her hand wailing in pain. The Herald, on his stocky muscular form shot an arc of lighting to her, stopping Sakka on her tracks. –Don’t break your promises little girl, or I will eat you.- His threat didn’t sound fake and Sakka backed out with anger on her face.
-Who cares if the grimdark old guy is okay or not?- She moved towards the door. –You people clearly have some sort of old guy fetish and I’m not into that, I like my men like Ikemen!- Everybody looked at her shaking their heads in frustration. –I will call if I need help, I’ve gotta make my next playground soon…- She closed the door and left them in the room as Kuro-san breathing normalized. The Former Emperor just whispered a single, inaudible, word.
-Nadeshiko…-
In space, around the planet Earth, a lone flame travels. One that exploded beyond its limits and now is waiting to come back, Gen might be dead, but his Spirit remains unbroken, with <Battle> held tightly on his hand and inside his soul…
Gen will return…