On the night that MC returned from block seventeen, he went straight into his room, threw off his sopping wet clothes, and changed into something dry. He laid in his bed fighting what felt like a strong caffeine buzz. The effects of the flash bang were still lingering.
As usual his sleep was restless and fitful. He was plagued by nightmares, having the same dreams almost every night. The dream where his father was killed by Jin. It was slightly different every time. This particular nightmare was fairly true to his memory. He saw Jin’s blurred face in the shadows of the flames. His childhood home burning in a sea of hot flames. He remembered the feeling of how powerful that fire was. The intensity of the heat felt from the front yard.
The next morning, MC slept in a bit. Eventually he woke and walked out of his room and headed for the kitchen portion of the clubhouse. The door to GM’s room hung open, meaning he had not returned from whatever shenanigans he found himself a part of last night despite it being nearly ten in the morning. Sora was still fast asleep on the couch with a laptop on the ground next to her. Her legs stuck out from under the blanket as she snored softly. Typical morning around here.
He walked out into the kitchen area of the clubhouse. His hands rummaged through the refrigerator until he found a carton of eggs and cracked several of them into a blender. Next, he added a variety of green vegetables to the mix until he was satisfied with the portion. Gently, he held the lid on the blender and started it up.
Sora stirred from her slumber like a troll under a bridge. “MC! What the hell are you doing?” yelled Sora. Unaware, MC kept blending the mixture into a rather unappetizing looking smoothie. “Dammit MC,” yelled Sora. She flopped her arms and legs around in protest. MC turned off the blender and reached for a tall cup in the cupboard.
Now that Sora was finally able to be heard she bombarded MC with a barrage of insults ending in, “I can’t believe you woke me up so early.”
“I didn’t realize I woke you? Sorry about that.”
“Never mind,” Sora sighed, wiping the sleep from her eyes.
MC poured the smoothie into a cup and gulped it down.
“How can you drink that stuff?” asked Sora as she sat up out of the blankets. Her baggy sweatshirt and sweatpants flopped about. The same clothes she’d worn the previous day.
“The smoothie’s not too bad. You get used to it. What I don’t understand is how you keep falling asleep on the couch despite getting woken up like this most mornings. You’re lucky I slept in today.”
“Shut up, baka!”
“What’s that mean again?”
“I told you like a hundred times. It means idiot, idiot.”
“Oh yeah that’s right. Is that person on your shirt a baka?” he asked, pointing at the blue-haired anime character on Sora’s sweatshirt.
“Gahh, you’re so annoying.”
MC chuckled. “Just giving you a hard time.”
“At least now that I’m awake I can get back to finishing those reports for Gil. I’ve been staying up even later than usual to get them done.” Sora leaned over and picked up her laptop. She typed in a lengthy password and then used a facial recognition scanner to start the software up. “Compiling all of our potential data breaches into a single spreadsheet is so much work. Not to mention boring. Can’t Gil just give me normal easy stuff like hacking into security cams or remotely hacking smart cars?”
“You’re lucky you’re so talented with electronics. I couldn’t do half the stuff you do on a computer and I like to think I’m decent with that stuff.”
“Speaking of which, let’s do a little hacking just for fun,” said Sora. “There’s a new project I’ve been working on,” she said with a devious smile as she waved MC over. He rinsed his empty cup in the sink then went over and sat next to her on the couch.
“What kind of hacking is it this time?”
“Check this out.” She pulled up several camera feeds on her computer screen that showed the inside of a car from three different angles.
“Is that GM in the car? It totally is him. He’s even wearing that old tan overcoat he always wears. Looks like he’s driving right now.”
“Watch this,” she giggled and typed furiously at her keyboard. All of a sudden, the windshield wipers came on and wiper fluid sprayed the windshield.”
“What the fuck!” GM yelled in confusion. He turned knobs and flipped switches but the wipers kept wiping and the fluid kept spraying. Sora laughed hysterically. MC even let out a chuckle.
“Looks like GM’s about to pull up outside. Act natural!” she said as she slammed her laptop closed and turned on the television.
A moment later, GM walked in through the front door. “What a morning,” he sighed. Gil’s got more work for us and my car’s busted. Damn smart car got another virus or something.”
“More work?” Sora exclaimed, shooting a side eye to MC.
“Not so much for you, Sora. Mostly for MC and I.”
“Is the mission related to Jin?” asked MC, ignoring Sora.
“No, calm down kid, it's just a rescue mission. Allow me to explain. Some of the noncombatant members from The Organization have been kidnapped by the Black Diamond. I think they’re from the business department or something. Damned Black Diamond. It just never stops with those guys.” GM walked across the living room to a lengthy steel case on the wall and typed a passcode into a nine-digit pad next to it. The pad beeped with each input and then let out a pressurized squeal. The case popped open revealing an arsenal of different weapons. “Our three guys are being held in a makeshift prison on a ship out in the harbor. Our intel says they were transported there about an hour ago. Gil said they’re essential to The Organization. That’s probably why they’re not dead already. The Black Diamond wants ransom money in exchange for them.” GM grabbed a pistol out of the case along with a couple extra cartridges of bullets. “I’ve got a plan, but it involves waiting until tonight. We might need that time to get some supplies together anyway. Come on over here MC we need to start getting ready right now.”
MC went over to the case and GM handed him two compact submachine guns. We’re going to keep you nice and light. I’ve got something special prepared for your role tonight.”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” said MC nervously.
“On a normal mission there are fewer factors to consider. This one is slightly different. We need to make it out alive with the noncombatants that are being held hostage. On top of that we have to sneak onto that ship in the middle of the harbor which is a feat by itself.”
“Why can’t Gil just pay the ransom?” asked MC.
“There’s several reasons but for starters if he does pay the money, they’ll know we cave in and they’ll try something like this again. Also, he thinks we can just rescue the hostages fairly easily. Let’s hope he’s right. It’s a price that comes with being good at this job. Getting put on stupid high stakes missions like these.”
Despite typically being an unreliable oaf, GM really is top tier when it comes to missions. He knew to follow GM’s directions when he was serious. If they slipped up, it meant death… or worse.
“Shouldn’t be much trouble,” said GM. With all the training you and I have been doing, it shouldn't be out of your physical limits. Stay smart and use your head. I know I’ve taught you well.”
“Is that what you call it? Teaching? You mean passing out in a lawn chair and letting junkyard dogs chase me around all day.”
GM made an embarrassed face. “Besides that! Man, you’re ungrateful. You wouldn’t be who you are without me! How long has it even been since we did that junkyard dog bullshit anyway? At least a year.”
“Oh, then you mean the time before that when told me to dig a hole as deep as I could and then took out the ladder when I wasn't looking?”
“Ok ok I get it. My training was a little unconventional. Forget that for now. Just do your best tonight and remember to keep your wits about you.”
“Don’t forget, GM, I only joined The Organization because it gives me access to resources like weapons and information. I’ll make sure to complete the mission to continue to be a part of these resources.” MC walked into his room and began to pack his supplies.
“He seems off today. What happened?” GM asked Sora.
“He was out late last night with no luck. I guess his last lead didn't know anything either. The block 17 captain.”
“He’s so fixated on the same thing all the time. Would do him some good to go out and do something fun every once in a while. As far as training and such, his abilities already almost match mine and he’s been with The Organization for only a few years. There’s only so much I can teach him. It’s been mostly hands-on training with him completing missions and going out on his night time excursions looking for information.”
“He really is like a prodigy or something. I’ve only ever seen a few people as strong as him in the org and most of them are dead now,” said Sora.
The day grew late and night fell upon Strongzinburg city. Far above the streets of cars and pedestrians clear up on the top of a skyscraper, MC looked over a waist-high barrier that spanned the length of the roof. A strong wind buffeted his body threatening to send him over the edge. His eyes would have been watering if it weren’t for a pair of dark protective goggles.
The harbor below was dimly lit by the remaining lights after all the dockside businesses had closed for the day. The water below was sheltered from the wind and gentle waves sparkled with reflections of orange and yellow lights.
The harbor was not an exceptionally large one. Docks lining the water spanned about a two-mile long half circle around the edges. Along the docks were various boats tied up with thick cords to connect them to the dock for the night. Leftover fishing gear and scraps littered the wooden planks of the docks creating a smell that even MC caught whiffs of all the way up on top of that building.
He adjusted a strap on the backpack containing a parachute ensuring it was firmly mounted to his back. Submachine guns strapped tightly to his sides were locked and loaded with full clips. His tight black outfit was thick to protect against the cold of the night. A high collar wrapped around the bottom of his chin and neck. Hanging from shoulder to waist was a sash that held six flash bang grenades mounted like oversized shotgun shells across his torso.
His earpiece crackled and then he heard Sora’s voice come through. “We’re about ready for you, MC,” Sora said over the comms. “GM is moving into position.” Sora, was miles away, at home in the clubhouse. She monitored the mission through satellite cameras and GPS trackers embedded in the team’s gear. Several computer screens filled her vision as she monitored everything at once. She even had a rough image of the yacht’s deck, but there wasn’t much to see in the darkness aside from the occasional flickering of a flashlight from the security guards performing their duties.
MC pressed the goggles firmly onto his eyes and stood on the railing. He could see the entire harbor from there. The black water flashed with orange as it moved and swayed with currents and in the middle, was the yacht where his fellow members from The Organization were being held captive.
GM steadily paddled a blown up raft through the water. Carefully and quietly he approached the yacht. The raft was hastily spray painted matte black for stealth in a timely fashion for the mission.
He felt a little uncomfortable not wearing his usual long overcoat. Instead he was clad in black clothing from head to toe. The darkness of the night was his ally.
“Ok MC, GM is close enough,” said Sora over the comms.
MC climbed onto the railing of the balcony. He took a deep breath and dove off the rooftop. Wind rushed past him as his body careened through the darkness. He went headfirst with his hands tucked at his sides at first, then changed his form into a star shape with his arms and legs outstretched to slow the descent and carry him forward slightly. Wind pushed against his frame and he positioned himself to glide closer towards the water.
Upon approaching the airspace above the edge of the water, he pulled the cords releasing a parachute from the backpack. It flapped in the wind and yanked hard against his body, slowing him down into a soft and steady glide. He could just barely make out four guards patrolling the ship with flashlights and rifles in hand.
The yacht stood tall and firm in the water. This particular model had a deck big enough to comfortably play a game of volleyball, thus providing for plenty of landing space.
Once in position about a hundred feet straight above the ship, he took a flash bang out of its holster and pulled the pin. He dropped it straight down onto the deck of the yacht. It landed and bounced around with a thud. Guards all spun around at once in response to the unexpected sound and that was their downfall. The flash bang erupted with a loud bang and an intense flash of white light that blinded and disoriented. A successful surprise attack.
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The parachute slapped in the wind as MC steered closer to the ship. Now being only about thrice the length of a man above the ship, he pulled the cords and released himself from the parachute like a jump from a swing on the playground. His booths landed directly on the back of an armed Black Diamond guard. He took extra care to land with a sharp stomp, killing the guard instantly. Upon landing, he tucked his body and did a somersault across the deck then instantly stood up with guns drawn in each hand. A guard about twenty feet away turned around to see what had happened. Wasting no time, MC aimed and fired a burst of rounds into the chest of the guard. It was so quick that he didn't even have time to react. His body dropped into a pool of dark crimson.
“MC is on board,” commed Sora.
“Really, I couldn’t tell,” said GM sarcastically as he docked against the yacht.
MC’s glamorous entrance onto the ship caught the guards by surprise. One of the guards who’d missed the brunt of the flash bang attack turned towards MC in alarm and reached for his weapon, but his vision was clouded by a white haze.
MC’s unexpected flash bang attack had done exactly what it needed to. It frightened and confused the enemy. Dulling their senses and creating a significant handicap. Their reaction times were slower and their aim was nonexistent. MC spread his arms wide, aiming each gun at a guard to his sides and blasted their bodies full of rounds.
GM fastened the raft to a metal rung that hung off the side of the yacht and climbed up. He reached his hand over the edge just in time for MC to grab his wrist and pull him aboard.
“The deck is cleared,” said MC. “Five targets down. There’s likely to be more inside.” He pointed to a door that led into the downstairs area of the yacht.
“Just like we planned. You go to the captain, I’ll go down below and get the prisoners out, " said GM.
MC nodded then threw off his goggles and took off up the stairs leading to the captain’s cabin. His steps were swift and almost silent.
Down below, GM had started making his way to wherever his fellow Organization members were being held. It was a tight hallway hardly big enough for two people to walk by each other. There were rooms on both sides of the hallway. Each one fitted with a small porthole window on the door. As quietly as he could, he walked down the hallway and looked in each window for either a threat or the prisoners. He’d looked in five of the six doors so far and found only empty rooms. Only the last one of that level remained.
He carefully poked his eyes just high enough to look into the room and was met by a flurry of bullets that ripped through the door. His reactions were quick and he avoided the shots by dodging to the side. There was a pause in the shooting. The man inside must have been reloading. This was GM’s chance to get the upper hand. He pressed his pistol to the wall and aligned it to where the bullets came from and fired twice. A moment later, he heard a soft thud. He peeked inside once more and saw that his shots had hit their target. The first floor had been cleared.
MC approached the captain’s cabin. There was a thick wooden door with a porthole carved into it. He peeked his head up to peer inside, but he couldn’t make much out in the darkness. It appeared to be a rectangular room only large enough to cram about eight people into at the most. There was a small glow from various sensors and meters, but it was very faint. He decided the best route would be to burst in with guns drawn rather than try and creep in quietly. There was sure to be someone waiting for his arrival inside.
GM pressed a button on his earpiece, “I’m heading down to the bottom floor,” he said. He turned and continued down into the ship. He descended the small staircase and turned into the hallway. BANG! A bullet whizzed past him and he pressed back around the corner on the staircase. Hushed voices were heard alerting him that there were multiple enemies. He sighed and reloaded. “This isn't going to be easy. They’re in different rooms too.”
It was a stalemate. Both GM and the enemy were tucked behind walls. If either one peeked it meant a chance of death. GM pulled a crumpled pack of cigarettes out of his pant’s pocket along with a lighter. He put a crooked white cigarette between his lips and lit it, inhaling deeply. “Well, here we go.” He took the glowing red stick out from between his lips and flicked it as far as he could around the corner and down the hallway. It bounced off the wall and onto the carpet igniting it in seconds. If the enemy attempted to stomp out the fire they’d be exposed to being hit, but if they let the fire spread they’d have only one way to go and that was towards GM who blocked their passage out of the ship. GM heard hushed mumbles that grew louder as a minute or two ticked by. Smoke began to collect along the ceiling in the hallway. The Black Diamond members had no choice but to surrender or make a deadly charge into a shootout.
“We surrender,” one of them shouted. They each tossed their guns up the hallway and they landed close enough for GM to see them. “We’re coming out,” they yelled. They began walking with their hands behind their heads, jumping through the fire to avoid getting burned. Three total.
“Are there any more of you guys down there?” GM asked.
“No just us three. There’s three prisoners in the cell room too.”
“Alright,” said GM before quickly knocking out two of them at once by banging their heads together. They collapsed at his feet. The last one attempted to fight back. He threw a punch that went over GM’s head as he ducked and sent a punch back at the enemy’s stomach. He heaved over and GM gave a quick knife hand strike at the base of his neck, knocking him out along with the other two.
Flames were growing down the hall and started to engulf a large area of the hall. GM sprinted for the last door at the end of the hall and jumped through the flames. He looked inside the porthole window and saw the three people tied up with their faces covered by pillow sheets.
The door was locked but with a stern kick, it broke off the hinges. GM whipped out a silver pocket knife and cut them all free. When the prisoners took off their blindfolds, GM was recognized as a friendly face.
“We’re saved,” one of them said.
“I thought I was gonna die,” said another one as he began to tear up.
“We’re not out of here yet,” replied GM as smoke started to fill the room. “Come on, quickly, follow me.”
He led them out into the hall where they saw a great blaze overtaking their path. If you run through you should be fine. Just don’t stop. Make your way up to the deck and I’ll meet you there.”
The three stood still, fearful of the path ahead. None of them dared venture into the great blaze. GM noticed their fear and shook his head in disappointment. “Ok, let's do it this way,” he said. “I forget you pansies are from the business section of The Organization.”
He picked up the closest one and threw him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He ran through the flames until he was on the other side and set him down. “Go up the stairs,” he commanded and the man followed his instructions.
GM ran back and did the same for the second person. “Go up onto the deck!” He ran through again to get the last remaining person. By now the flames were melting the roof and spreading to the rooms. GM’s clothes and hair were singed all over. He picked up the last person and threw him over his shoulder. As fast as he could, he ran through the flames for the last time and set the man down on the other side.
He began to ascend up the steps himself, but as he stepped over the unconscious Black Diamond members on the floor his consciousness nagged at him. He was torn with a decision of letting them burn or dragging them out. After a moment of consideration he grabbed one of them and put his limp body over his shoulder. He grabbed the other two by the wrist and dragged them up the stairs. He dragged them all the way to the deck above where he figured they were likely to make an escape before the boat completely burned. “That’s as far as I’m taking these bastards. They’re on their own from here.”
The three business members from The Organization stood around in a daze unsure what to do. GM took charge. “Over here he called out to them.” He showed them the spot where they could climb the rungs down onto the raft below. One by one they started their descent into the dark and damp raft.
Where the hell is MC? He should have had plenty of time to confront the captain by now. Did something go wrong? “Sora, where’s MC?” He commed into his headset.
“I haven’t heard from him since you did. Stick to the plan. Get down into the raft. He’s MC, he’ll be there soon.”
GM lifted his leg to step over the deck railing and climb down as he witnessed his fears coming to reality.
The window to the captain's cabin shattered as MC’s body hurled through it. He fell past the stairs and all the way to the deck below.
MC had opened the door to the captain’s cabin and tossed a flash bang in. He’d waited for the detonation and then stormed in with his guns raised. The next thing he knew he was crashing through the windows and heading for the deck below.
His head bounced off the wooden deck and he felt a warming sensation coat his face. Glass shredded parts of his clothes and cut into his skin. He put his arms under himself and tried to stand up and as he saw that he was separated from his guns. They were laying on the ground several feet away.
The attacker leapt from the shattered window and landed on MC’s back. Mc felt several ribs crack or break and struggled to breathe.
MC jerked him off and stumbled to a kneeling stance. “Are you the captain?” MC asked in a wheeze.
“You really don't recognize me after all these years? I suppose that’s to be expected.” It was dark on the yacht. The figure had straight dark hair and eyes that were like dark holes in the night. His black overcoat made a ruffling sound in the wind.
“Recognize you? Who are you?” asked MC, squinting into the darkness.
The figure bent down next to MC’s face. MC couldn’t believe it. After all this time, Jin was standing right in front of him.
“You… You’re Jin.”
“So you do remember.”
MC began to seethe with rage. His arms started shaking and he clenched his teeth. All of his training and sacrifice was for this moment in time. The moment where he would face Jin.
“Are you alright, boy, you seem to be having a little trouble controlling yourself.”
“I’ll kill you,” MC snarled through clenched teeth.
“You don’t really seem to be very capable of that right now,” said Jin while flaunting a pistol in the air. “To think a little surprise attack like that would throw you off so much. I’ve heard about your reputation in The Organization and to be honest, I expected more.”
“Shut up!” yelled MC. He was furious with himself for letting a simple surprise attack catch him off guard like that, but there was something different about it. The attack was so quick and powerful. The flash bangs didn’t even seem to have affected him either. MC wondered how he was still alive after being hit with a combination of attacks on that level.
Jin put his own gun away in a holster at his side. “Come on, MC let’s see what you’re actually able to do without your weapons. Show me how far you’ve come. How much you’ve trained. How deep your hate is.”
MC was still catching his breath and felt intense pain in his back and abdomen. He pushed it aside as he’d done many times before and steadied himself for a battle.
He took a flash bang and popped it on the ground right between them. The impact of the detonation didn't even faze Jin, but MC suddenly felt a bit rejuvenated. The pain dulled and his senses heightened. His fist curled next to his body and he leapt forward with a powerful punch. Jin easily dodged with his hands casually at his sides.
MC swung again. Another miss that was returned with an attack. Jin punched MC in the face and he felt his feet slide back on the wet deck.
This isn’t good. I’m losing ground and I’m putting my full attack power into the fight. If I hadn’t started off so badly injured, I’d be quicker. Before he knew it, he was taking a kick to the face. He toppled over and heard Jin shift his foot stance to come in for another attack.
“This is really the best you can do?” I expected more,” said Jin. As he spoke flames flickered out the entryway to the downstairs area where GM had gone. Smoke poured out through every loose board and seam making the air thick and hazy.
MC thought fast and grabbed a combat knife out of the holster on his leg. He swung it at Jin’s ankle, but missed as he jumped up into the air. MC used the opportunity to roll across the ground and spring onto his feet.
“Hey, not bad,” said Jin, clapping quietly. If I’d been a regular inexperienced Black Diamond member, I’d be dead by now. So I guess you’re not completely talentless.”
“Shut the fuck up. You’re dying here tonight.” As he spoke, he began to doubt his words. Jin was much stronger than he’d anticipated. GM’s warning and years of training really were necessary. It was easy to see that right now, Jin was just toying with him.
MC squeezed the handle of the knife and made a dash at Jin. He swung the blade and Jin moved out of the way and parried the attack with a strike to MC’s forearm.
He’s much faster than GM. It’s incredible.
MC spun the knife around in his hand to a new grip and went back in for another attack. He slashed, punched, and kicked, but couldn’t land a solid hit. A new plan was necessary. He came up with the quickest and most effective thing he could think of.
He closed the distance between them again and unleashed a flurry of attacks. In his motions, he pulled a pin from a flash bang that was on his chest and allowed it to detonate right there. It was an attack that Jin had no way to dodge, but neither did MC. The flash sparked bright on the harbor, lighting it up like a firework for a brief second while the bang rang out louder than a gunshot.
GM could only watch. He knew better than to interfere in a fight of this level and even more, a fight of revenge.
After the detonation. MC and Jin both jumped back from each other a few feet. They had to be careful where they stepped now. Flames were spreading across the deck of the yacht. The heat was intensifying and the smoke was making it hard to breathe. “I really didn't expect that,” said Jin. “That was quite a reckless move.”
“This is all or nothing. I’ve waited years for this moment and I’m not letting you best me. Do you even know what happened to my mother?”
Jin was silent.
“She hasn’t spoken a word since that night my father died. She’s a shell of a person.”
“And is that why you feel so strongly about killing me?”
“Of course!”
“I see. Your hate is shallow. Almost selfish. You need to learn a real reason to hate. You only know me as the man that killed your father, but you don't even know why you should really hate me.”
Those words came as a surprise to MC. What did he even mean by that? MC was puzzled. All he knew was that he needed Jin dead to feel better.
Flames crackled and began filling more of the deck. There wasn’t much room to move around and fight without getting singed.
“Looks like our reunion has run out of time,” said Jin. Before MC could react, he jumped high into the air into a backflip over the fire and over the rails of the ship. MC raced through the flames and climbed onto the railing where fire tickled his feet. It was pitch black in the water and there wasn’t a sound of splashing either. Jin was gone just like that.
“Arrrggghhh!!” MC yelled in frustration. “Jin! I’ll kill you,” he screamed at the top of his lungs.
Footsteps sounded on the deck behind him. It was GM. “MC come on. We’ve got to go. What are you doing? The ship is sinking and the fire’s spread too much. If we don’t go now we’re going to be treading water. Don’t forget our mission. We have to get these guys to safety.”
“Fuck the mission. I have to find Jin.”
“He’s gone, MC. There will be another chance.”
“He was right here in front of me. I… let him escape.”
“Then let’s go. We need to get the hell out of here.”
MC stood still and thought deeply. The flames rose and crackled around him, singing his shoelaces and the ankles of his pants. He gave one last look and listened for signs of Jin, but there was nothing. He scowled and turned away from the water.