Chapter 4:
Battleground
Nene left shortly after the others. A million thoughts ran through her mind. Sylia had seemed shocked to see Michael’s name. How did she know him anyway?
Sylia was a ‘mystery of two conundrums of a riddle of another mystery.’ And things like that bothered Nene a lot, and at times, like the battle on top of GENOM Tower, totally unnerved her. Sylia became wild and unpredictable. Nene, Linna, and Priss didn’t expect her to end Meison’s life like that. Not that the bastard didn’t have it coming.
This was something that Nene would have to take a look into. Starting with Michael.
“We are all shocked and sadden by the deaths of those brave A.D. Policemen and women last night.” Chairman Quincy stated from the podium at the top of the stairs in front of GENOM Tower. “This is a devastating blow to Mega-Tokyo and the A.D. Police.”
Leon leaned against his police cruiser watching the press conference. The cameras flashed, video-cams rolled, and digital recorders taped.
‘Anything for news.’ Leon sniffed. ‘You’d think that Quincy ran the city from the way the man talked. And that was probably not too far from the truth.’ He looked up at the group the surrounded the head of GENOM, Reginald Dickinson stood to the left of Quincy, as well as boomer bodyguards, and aides to the Chairman.
Leon looked up at Reginald. The man looked professional. But Leon wondered about him. Was he on the straight and narrow, or was he cooking up his own agenda?
“Restitution will be made to the families of the slain officers. And to the brave Lieutenant that survived last night. We at GENOM wish you well, and a quick return to the force.” Quincy finished. “Mr. Dickinson, will answer your questions. Good day.” The older executive turned and returned to the building.
Leon shook his head. “Just tell them what they want to hear.” Only GENOM could cause a bloody rampage, and literately get away with murder in this town. “You couldn’t be bothered to look up his name or the others, could you?”
“Mr. Dickinson! Lisa Vanette, Mega-Tokyo Daily! Are the Knight Sabers on your payroll?” a reporter called out.
Reg cleared his throat. “Of course not! Those kinds of terrorists are NOT on the GENOM payroll. There would be no reason to have such vigilantes working for us!” He sneered.
Leon snickered. “Of course not, they’re too damn efficient.” He got into his cruiser.
Sylia sat in front of her computer. She was glancing through the headlines from the past six years. One in particular caught her attention:
December 4, 2029
L.A. Times
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L.A. Times Staff
Julianna Mason, 39, Known for her involvement with Dr. Katshuito Stingray’s Boomer project, was killed in a tragic plane crash over the Pacific Ocean. Causes of the crash have not yet been discovered. She worked for GENOM’s Research and Development Department in Boomer Technology, continuing with Dr. Stingray’s work. All other passengers aboard the airliner where also killed. GENOM and the All Nippon Airways are looking into the matter.
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From Wire Report
December 20, 2029
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By Jonathan Chance
The picture that appeared with this article showed Meison with his normal sly look. ‘Where you responsible for killing her, murderer?’ Sylia thought to herself.
She shut off her computer and sat in the dark, thinking.
********************************
Priss lay there looking up at the tattered Journey poster that hung on her ceiling. “Damn them!” she thought. “If only they knew….” She really wanted to succeed in the music business. She knew she could do it. Except her ‘part time’ job got in the way.
The words had hurt her. Her band was starting to give up on her. After all that they had been through together. Kaneda and herself had grown up in the same orphanage together. Both had watched out for each other there. But it seemed that wasn’t the case anymore.
The session had been a tense one. Priss wanted to jump down their throats for what they said. They had a show tonight. They’d be lucky if she showed up.
“Damn it.” She sat up and got off of the bed. Come hell or high water, Priss and the Replicants would make it. Even if she had to dump them, right now, she had a show to get ready for.
She undressed and climbed into the shower.
**********************
Reginald returned to his office. The inane questions that those reporters ask!
or
Knight Sabers. Knight Sabers. KNIGHT SABERS! The mere mention of their names bothered him. They had defeated all of GENOM’s boomers. That was child’s play with their battle armor. What was even more impressive is when they defeated that Superboomer, the one that called itself ‘Largo’.
After all, he released the RX-71 from the lab. Of course it was only a prototype, still in it’s early developmental stages. He wanted to see how the Knight Sabers could handle it. They took it down with ease.
Nene took the subway to a station near Michael’s apartment. She wanted to check him on him and see if he was any better shape.
She walked four blocks from the station to his
building. Knocking on his door, she waited
for an answer.