GunSmith Slayers
Chapter: 2
Clues and Leads
Early the next morning Lina rose from her bed. None to say she was still half asleep and the half that was awake wasn't that great of a morning person. She got up and walked into the hall bathroom to take a shower. The room was warm and still slightly filled with steam, indicating that Amelia was already up. Lina shut the door and began to undress out of a shirt and her undergarments which made up the gist of her pajamas. Some of the steam and heat was beginning to awaken her fully. As she turned on the water and stepped in she felt the same foreboding feeling from last night slip into her mind. Here we go again. Another day, another criminal organization to take care of. She took out the shampoo and began to lather up her hair as she still mused over the case. Last time wasn't too bad...Yeah right if you don't mind almost getting killed several times. Even then we were only up against humans, this guy is supposedly a chimera. He probably has more abilities than any human could muster and that makes him dangerous.
Lina turned off the water, toweled off, and then wrapped the towel around her. She walked down the hall towards her room. As she was about to open the door she heard from down the hall, "Miss Lina what should I wear," Amelia asked as she held two different dresses in front of her.
Lina sighed and said, "Amelia honestly. We're only going to Zangulus' office, no need to worry too much about your looks. Just pick something."
As Lina closed the door she heard Amelia mumbling something about no wonder no one was interested in Lina if she didn't care how she looked. Lina decided to just close the door instead of committing murder right before visiting the ATF. Lina pulled out a red sweater and a pair of jeans and dressed. Honestly, why does that girl worry so much about how she looks all the time. We're only going to see Zangulus not like he is the top of the most wanted on the date list. Even though she does have a thing for older men now doesn't she, Lina mused with a smirk on her face.
Lina slipped on her heels and put on her two gold earrings. She combed her hair while looking at her reflection in the mirror. "There everything ready to go," she said to herself as she stepped out of her room to be greeted by Amelia in a green dress.
"Ready to go," asked Amelia in her usual cheery way.
"Yeah, let's get going before Zangulus sends some agents after us," Lina said jokingly.
"Still think he might pull the same shit he did last time," Amelia asked.
"I'm pretty sure he will, but I guess we kinda owe him. If it wasn't for that one shot he got off, Radnikough would have cut right into my chest," Lina stressed while placing a hand over where she would have been hit.
"Well let's get going," Amelia said as she headed towards the door.
"Right behind you," Lina said as she raced towards the door.
Outside the Chicago division of the ATF a cobra comes screeching to a halt in the first open parking spot and two females hop out. "You know Lina, I don't think we needed to take that at eighty-five back there," Amelia said somewhat sheepishly.
Lina looked over the top of her sunglasses at her partner and asked, "Ah come on Amelia. Not getting weak in the stomach are you?"
Amelia just scoffed at Lina as they entered the building. They were soon waiting outside Zangulus' office. They sat for about five minutes before the secretary said, "You may go in now, Zangulus is ready to begin."
Lina and Amelia entered Zangulus' office to see him behind a desk in a high backed leather chair. He was arranging a few papers in a file when he heard them come in. "Come in, come in girls," he said in a suspiciously cheery manner.
Both bounty hunters took a seat in front of the desk. Lina then took off her sunglasses and said in a commanding manner, "Ok Zangulus, we're here so out with it!"
Zangulus only smiled smugly at Lina as he tossed the file her way, "Here you go."
Lina caught the file and opened it. She was greeted with the chimera's picture, but without his hood and mask. "Seems like our friend really is what his namesake makes you believe," Zangulus said as Lina examined the photo.
Lina looked at the face up and down. There he was the chimera right in front of her with a cold, smug smile on his face. He had pale blue skin and patches of dark blue all other. Could he be made of stone, Lina mused as she wondered what the patches could be. She also noticed the sliver steel hair that draped down over his right eye. You know he's kinda cute...WHERE DID THAT COME FROM, Lina mentally yelled. "Any idea what he is made out of?"
"Well, we had a doctor look over it and she deduced that he was one-third human, one-third golem, and one third Mazuko," Zangulus replied with an air of boredom.
"MAZUKO," Lina shot up and grabbed Zangulus by the collar, "You think I am going to just go along with this against a person who has Mazuko blood running through his veins?!? I don't think so, Mazuko are some of the most dangerous things in this world, and don't give me that look, you should have guessed I knew they existed!!"
Zangulus freed himself from her grip and dusted himself off, "Well, he's not a pure blood thank god, what is the great Lina Inverse scared," Zangulus asked mockingly.
"What was that," Lina asked dangerously.
"I mean if you can't handle it I'm sure I can send in some of my better agents," Zangulus said as he turned towards the widows of his office.
"I didn't say I wouldn't. I just said I would need a little more incentive than you stupid van to take on this one," Lina replied with an air of a professional business woman.
"Like what," Zangulus asked smugly as he turned.
Lina placed her finger on her chin and thought for a moment. "Oh I don't know...Wait, you know I have always wanted to go to Hawaii," she said with stars in her eyes while thinking of her dream vacation.
Zangulus facefaltured at the statement. He soon got to his feet and asked, "Do you realize how much that would cost us? Even for a reward that's a bit pricey."
"Come on, you work for the government, pull some strings," Lina said disappointedly.
Zangulus sat back in his chair and replied, "I'll think about it now back to business."
"Go on," Lina replied.
"As you can see he has a few high level agents working for him. Their pictures are in the file as well," Zangulus pointed out.
Lina took out the pictures and examined them. The first was of an old man that was going bald with a white beard. He was well built for a man his age and looked to be someone who could hold his own in a fight. The second was a of a middle aged man with aqua hair and mustache. He looked to be more of a cloak and dagger type then to stand up and fight. The third was of a young man who looked to be no older than twenty-one. He had aqua hair with gold eyes. The oddest thing was the single horn that jutted out of the top of his head. "Who are these guys," Lina asked a bit confused.
"The first is a man known as Rodimus. He is an ex-marine gunnery sergeant that has seen his share of battles. He is an expert solider and marksmen. The only pro for us is he is a man of honor. The second is known as Zolf, ex-French intelligence agent. He is a master at getting in and out of place undetected. The third is who you would expect to be in this case, a street punk anarchist known as Valgaav. We have no ideas why the first two went rouge and so far as we can tell Valgaav is just in it to cause trouble," Zangulus finished off what facts he knew.
"Valgaav, where have I heard that before," Lina asked rhetorically.
"You mean Gaav," Zangulus answered.
"GAAV!!! You mean Chaos Dragon Gaav. One of this cities biggest crime lords, Gaav," Lina sputtered.
"Well, use to be. Gaav died recently and my guess is Valgaav joined the chimera to get help on getting revenge," Zangulus assured her.
"What do you mean revenge? Did someone kill Gaav?"
"Yes, he's biggest rival, a man by the name of Phibrizo," Zangulus added coolly.
"I see, Phibrizo had Gaav killed and now Valgaav is looking for support to avenge his boss," Lina said putting the pieces together now.
"Yeah, and that's just about as much as I can tell you. Now, if you will excuse me I have to meet with my boss about some case plans," Zangulus said as he hurried them out the door.
"Well, lets go home," Lina said as the door shut behind them.
Lina pulled up into the driveway and turned the car off. Amelia and her got out and headed for the door. Lina started fiddling with her keys, trying to find the one for the house, when she noticed the door was slightly ajar. She signaled Amelia to stop and drew her desert eagle fifty from her side. Amelia and her moved slowly and silently towards the door. Lina kicked open the door and aimed her gun to find no one in her view. They made their way down the hall when they heard a noise coming from the kitchen. Lina repeated the action at the front but this time her gun sight came level with the head of a certain purple haired senator who was sipping a cup of coffee. "Lina-chan, Amelia-chan, glad to see your finally home," he greeted cheerfully.
Lina walked up and pistol whipped him out the chair and took his cup. "Xellos, what are you doing here," Lina shouted down at him.
"Ouch, Lina-chan that hurt," Xellos said as he recovered and put on his best hurt act.
"I'm not falling for it Xellos. Now what do you want," Lina asked before taking a swig of coffee.
"Oh, I just have some information on this chimera chap of yours, that's all," Xellos replied nonchalantly.
Lina spit out what coffee was in her mouth and grabbed Xellos in a head lock, "You better come clean right now or I will make sure you are in a world of pain," Lina threatened.
"Do you promise," Xellos asked playfully as Lina glared at him, "Actually I was going to wait till Filia-chan came in before I started."
Lina dropped the weird senator back onto the floor while mumbling something about tricky government bastards. It was about this time that Filia came in, "Lina, Amelia I think I'm on...What is that Namagomi doing here," she screamed as when she saw the offending senator at the table.
"Why, I have some information that you might find useful," Xellos said cheerfully as he got up and walked towards Filia.
Filia glared at him as he walked towards her. She was about to move away when Xellos planted a small kiss on her cheek. Filia blushed bright red and while screaming, "Namagomi bastard," while drawing her mace from under her dress.
Lina and Amelia rushed to control their friend before she killed their only supposed lead in this case. After a few moments of holding her still Filia calmed down enough for conversation to continue, "So Xellos spill it," Lina ordered.
"Well, as you already know, the chimera is just that a chimera. But, what Zangulus and the ATF don't know is that he is working for a crime syndicate that has been around for quite a while," Xellos began.
"Are you sure Xellos," Lina asked suspiciously, "This guy doesn't look like the type to take orders."
"Even if he doesn't look it he does. He is dealing in firearms and narcotics. Why are you looking at me like that? I have given you information when I felt you needed it."
"Yeah, when you felt we needed it," Lina said putting the emphasis on the word felt.
"I even know where he is making his next exchange," Xellos said while smiling brightly, "He is planning to have it on the eastern side of the city in warehouse forty of the old abandoned textile mill tomorrow night."
"Hmm, seems we have some investigating to do," Lina said while planning out their actions.
"Are you sure about that," Filia finally spoke up, "What if he's wrong, or even worse, they are expecting you two. Do remember that you two made quite a name for yourselves in the underworld with that last case."
"No worry Filia-chan, my information is correct and I don't think the chimera will be expected you. I've heard he's kinda arrogant and things that the ATF or you two won't catch him," Xellos said in a serious tone.
"That's final," Lina said with a smirk, "Let's go burst this guys little bubble."
"Well, you won't be needing me anymore, and I need to get back to the office," Xellos said while getting up.
Xellos walked outside and got into his care thinking, That's good I have them in hook line and sinker. Now to see what Zel-kun will do with it. Xellos pulled onto the road and took out his cell phone and dialed a number. The phone on the other end rang three times before it was picked up and a cold, emotionless voice came through, "What?"
"Good news Zel-kun, Lina and Amelia-chan have fallen for my information and are going to be staking out the opposite side of town tomorrow night."
"Good job Xellos," he could hear that was forced, "Now where did you send them," asked the voice on the other side.
"I sent them to the old abandoned textile mill on the eastern side of town, warehouse forty to be precise." Xellos said with an evil smirk on his face.
"I see, I will have to test the two bounty hunters myself. I can now deal with them without messing up my shipments. Oh, and Xellos," the voice kinda brightened while saying the last pharse.
"Yes, Zel-kun what is it," Xellos smiled slightly.
"THIS NEVER HAPPENED," he yelled as he slammed down the receiver.
Zel-kun you need to lighten up, Xellos mused and then remember that odd sensation he got from Lina when he talked about the chimera. Hmm. seems our little Lina is slightly attracted to Zel-kun. Hehe, this will be interesting to watch. Xellos picked up his phone and dialed another number. "Senator Xellos Metallium's office, this is Sandra how may I help you," came the voice of Xellos' secretary.
"Hi Sandra, listen in need you to cancel my meeting with the members of the city board tomorrow night, some things have come up and I won't be able to make it."
"Sure boss," Sandra said cheerily, "I will get right on it."
"Thank you dear," Xellos said as he hung the phone up.
Disclaimer: Any characters or ideas from The Slayers do not belong to me. I am not selling this material, just writing for the heck of it as I go.
GunSmith Cats belongs to Kenichi Sonoda. Any material used in this series isn't being use for any form of profit.
Feedback is requested, please send all comments to [email protected]