Face to Face

Interpol Unit 7 Mobile HQ, Hangar V2   //  Changi International Airport

Outside, tropical rain hammers the airport, grounding flights and causing delays. The deluge drums against the hangar's metal roof, with no end in sight.

At the analysis bay, Tomomi places the surviving blade of Mika's katana on the examination table with trembling hands. She activates the laser scanner, its beam tracing the sword's elegant curves while cameras track along precision rails.

“Mika…” Tomomi whispers to herself as she watches the process. She glances back at the holoscreen, watching numbers and graphs climb higher. And higher. Higher than normal parameters.

Tomomi’s tired eyes widen in disbelief.

In the conference room, a news broadcast fills the tense silence: “Tragedy struck today as Esteemed Councilor Five collapsed following his address at the annual Asia Peace Conference. The Councilor was departing the Asia Peace Center when he was struck in the head by what appears to be a high-velocity projectile. This attack has baffled experts, who previously dismissed such deadly precision as purely theoretical. The World Council has responded by immediately imposing martial law in the city-state of Singapore, with a continent-wide curfew under consideration.

“Accel Order’s leader, known as Icarus, has claimed responsibility for the assassination. In his statement, Icarus declared Councilor Five 'an enemy of humanity.' He praises his invention, describing the weapon as a 'firearm.'

“Accel Order remains as one of the largest dissident organizations active today. Despite their elusive nature, they maintain a significant presence on anonymous forums such as Cloverleaf...”

Ray shuts off the broadcast. He turns to face his teammates, their attention on Locke's communication device sitting ominously in the center of the conference table.

“What do you think they'll do to her?” Jade's voice wavers.

Dell ponders. “They might torture her. Or kill her. Or worse.”

“No,” Ray interjects. “If they want to trade her for the chip, they won't risk harming her. They need her alive to be their leverage.”

“That doesn’t mean they won’t do anything to her,” Dell adds.

Jade slams her fists against the table. “We have to act now!”

“We can't rush in blind without a gameplan,” Ray maintains his composure.

Suddenly, the communicator buzzes to life. Ray instantly picks it up.

On screen is an address, followed by instructions and the words in bold letters:

Return the algorithm. Come alone.

Ray clicks his tongue. “Damn it. They want their chip back.”

“Are we really going to just going to hand it to them?” Jade asks.

“Yes. That’s why I am going there. Alone.”

“Are you insane?” She protests, rising from her chair. “Solo?”

“You’re crazy, boss,” Dell protests as well. “We can back you up.”

“Mika’s life is in their hands. We have no choice but to play by their rules.”

“You’re assuming they have rules.”

The heavy silence is broken by Tomomi's excited voice as she barges in the conference room.

“I-Incredible! The blade's nanostructure... it's perfectly aligned throughout. The material composition is really pure—strong yet not brittle.”

“Tomomi, what are you talking about?” Ray turns toward her.

“Their weapon fires a projectile that can pierce even the most advanced armor, yet it didn't break this sword. It actually deflected it. That's the only reason Mika survived. I can't even imagine how medieval Japanese swordsmiths achieved this. Even for a relic, the fact that it's completely intact after centuries of warfare...”

She shrinks slightly under their collective gaze.

“S-sorry. I just got a little excited.”

“So what does it mean?”

Tomomi raises her head, her voice clear and confident. “It means there’s a way to stop these projectiles.”

***

Undisclosed Location  //  Unknown Locale

Mika slowly comes to as she registers the feel of her head resting on a thin pillow. Harsh fluorescent lights temporarily blind her. Slowly the room comes into focus: too grimy for a hospital, too clinical for a prison cell. She looks around to gather her bearings. Rusted cabinets, empty shelves. Desk littered with medical supplies from an open first-aid kit.

As soon as she turns her head to the side, she freezes.

She sees Locke staring back at her.

Mika jolts awake, chains straining as she instinctively tries to move. Handcuffs attached to each of her wrists and ankles each limb secured to a post of the rickety hospital bed. Her left hand is completely bandaged up.

Locke's cold gaze pins her in place.

“You should be grateful for Icarus-sama's mercy. Being told to treat your wounds hurts my soul.“ Locke circles the bed like a shark. “So you're the globetrotter's new pet. How does it feel, doing their dirty work?”

Mika maintains her defiant scowl.

“All you pigs look so righteous while oppressing dissidents. Keeping us down.” Locke roughly grabs Mika's chin, studying her face. She traces the fresh scar on her cheek with a feathery touch.

“You'll never break me.” Mika growls.

Locke slaps her face as consequence for the comment. Mika winces at the sting.

“Oh, I’m not here to interrogate you. I am here to examine you, for my own interest.” Locke releases her grip. “I am curious what made Icarus-sama so interested in a mere Enforcement officer.” She eyes her up and down. “I suppose you are a unique specimen.”

Locke straddles Mika on the bed, savoring the power she has over her. She presses the cold barrel of her matchlock against Mika's lips.

“How does it feel? Knowing your life is in my hands? One pull of this trigger and it's over.”

She withdraws the weapon and drives her fist into Mika's face. Mika grunts but maintains her defiance.

Locke dismounts with casual disdain and gets off the bed. “If it were up to me, I would have you tortured and killed. But it seems Icarus-sama has other plans for you.”

Footsteps echo as a figure emerges from the shadows. As he draws closer, Mika realizes who it is. Her eyes widen in shock, defiance giving way to disbelief, before she readjusting her expression to her stoic front.

A young man about Mika's age approaches, but looking much older than he is due to the stress on his face. He adjusts the glasses perched on his nose, white lab coat billowing behind him like a cape.

There’s no doubt about it. It’s him.

“Hello again, Mika.”

“It’s been a long time, Caleb.”