A Second Chance

Tell me Miyuki, have you ever heard of the Dark Assassin?’

‘No Father. heard about it, from the stories Mother told me at bedtime’

‘ I see. Long ago, the legends say that an artefact of considerable power crash landed. The people who found it, our ancestors, built what would become this city to protect this power from outside interferences. It is our job now to safeguard this city against those who will destroy it or corrupt it. ‘

But Father, how does the Dark Assassin fit into this?’

‘ Well, the artefact will choose who will inherit the title, and this grants the inheritor an incredible amount of power. But this power will come at a cost, as the inheritor will be eventually consumed by this power and be filled with hatred and rage.’

‘But it will keep us safe right?’

‘Well yes, in theory’

‘Miyuki, seems like your Mother has overheard us’

‘Dear, what have I told you about filling Miyuki’s head with these tales. You know she gets excited when she hears these things’

‘Why? You think it’s wrong for her to learn about her history?’

‘Miyuki! Bed. Now.

‘Yes Mother.’

‘Miyuki? Miyuki? Miyuki!’ Miyuki could hear a very faint voice calling her name in the distance. Her vision was blurry, although she could make out a spinning fan above her on the ceiling

Doctor! She’s not responding. Are you sure the cybernetics were installed properly?’

‘Ms Hanan. Let me assure you that these are state of the art cybernetics. I can assure you they’ve reached 100% compatibility with all our test subjects,’

‘But she’s not responding!’

‘It takes time for the body to accept the installation of cybernetics Ms Hanan.

Heart rate rising. Blood pressure looks OK. Neural interface looking good. Cybernetic hand working. All five fingers are in working order. ‘

‘So she’ll live?’

‘Yes Ms Hanan. I think the best thing to do now would be to just let her rest.’

‘How long for Doctor?’

‘Usually for patients with these kinds of severe injuries the optimum recovery time is between 7 and 8 days.’

The days felt like weeks as Miyuki lay dormant in the hospital bed. Miyuki’s eyes slowly unravelled themselves as she awoke. The hospital room lay caked in silence, with nothing but the sound of a heart monitor for company. The room itself was sterile white, with only a bed situated in the middle of the room and a single chair at the front of the bed. The metal door of the room creaked open as a man in a white lab coat and thick rimmed glasses stood at the foot of the bed, his white wispy hair staying firmly still on his head.

‘Welcome Miyuki. We are honoured to have you here in our facility.’’

‘Who are you?’

Miyuki was still half asleep and slurred her words.

‘The affects of the chloroform are slowly wearing off. You’ll be numb for a few hours before your motor functions kick in and your able to move around as normal.’ My name is Doctor Monroe.’

Monroe raised his right hand and gestures towards Miyuki.

‘You’ll see we’ve installed a new arm. A cybernetic one. As you may recall, your caretaker Ms Hanan told us that you lost it an an accident. Take your time to get used to it.

‘M-My caretaker?’

‘Yes. As soon as your body returns to normal, I’ll walk you through your new arm. ‘

‘’Where am I?’

‘Right now, you’re inside King Hospital. You’ve been here for the last week. We were treating you for your right arm.’

‘M-My arm. That’s right… My arm’

Miyuki ran her left hand over her cybernetic arm, it’s silver metallic finish reflecting the harsh lighting of her hospital room. She began to slowly clench and unclench the fist over and over.

‘Are-Are you sure that.. that nobody can find me here?’

Monroe looked at Miyuki with a stern look on his face.

‘Rest assured. This facility is extremely secure. This is a private facility used to treat Guild members. Your Father had this facility set up. It’s fitted with the best security and surveillance technology in the city, not to mention the cybernetics we offer here are top of the range. ‘

‘I understand, Doctor. When will I be combat ready?’

‘Generally speaking? Not for another few days yet. We still must-‘

‘No Doctor. That won’t do. I must be combat ready at the very latest by tomorrow.’

‘Rest assured, we are doing the best we can-‘

‘If this is the best you have, then it’s simply not going to cut it. I’ve told you I need to be combat ready by tomorrow.’

‘Very well. We’ll begin final preparations and discharge you immediately. But if something goes wrong, it’ll be on you. Only a fool would ignore treatment when one’s body is

In such a poor state as yours is’

‘That’s fine Doctor. I’m used to that anyway.’

‘Do you need to speak to your caretaker before you go?’

‘No. I’d rather she not be involved going forward. ‘

‘Understood Miyuki. I will inform your Father of your treatments’

Miyuki looked up at the doctor as he stood up and walked towards the door

‘No. That won’t be possible. My Father is busy at the moment.’

‘Hmm. I see.’ You’ll have to wait overnight while I get the paperwork ready.’

As Miyuki closed her eyes she recounted the events of the last week in her head, her Father was dead and Mikael had killed him. All she knew now was that she needed to find and eliminate Mikael and his Furies before they seized total control of her Father’s organisation and led it to ruin. Miyuki could still see her Father dying everytime she closed her eyes. Soon, morning came, signalled by the sounds of daffycons chirping outside Miyuki’s window. The sky turned into a mesmerising shade of pink and orange as the sun rose from its slumber.

There was a click at the door as it slowly creaked open.

‘Miyuki? Are you awake? It’s me, Doctor Monroe. You’re ready to be discharged now.’

‘Oh, it’s only you Doctor. Has your paperwork been completed?’

‘Yes. Oh I almost forgot. Here’

Monroe handed Miyuki a crumpled sheet of paper, on it were hand drawn schematics of a cybernetic arm as well as a handful of scribbled notes.

‘What’s this Doctor?’

‘That is the schematic for your cybernetic arm Miyuki. Should you need to make repairs, I’ve written down the best way to perform them’

‘Thank you Doctor’

‘If you get injured again, do come and see us.’

Miyuki got dressed and walked out of her hospital room, then walked towards the exit. ‘

‘Lady Miyuki! ‘

A voice greeted Miyuki as she exited the hospital.

‘Hanan?’

‘Lady Miyuki! I was waiting for the day when you would wake up. Come, let’s get you into the car.‘

Miyuki recognised the car instantly, it was her Father’s car. The black tinted windows and bulletproof armor was a dead giveaway.

Hanan quickly shepherded Miyuki into the car and began to drive away..

‘Hanan. Where are you taking me? You’re supposed to take me home’

‘I’m terribly sorry my Lady, but that’s not possible right now.’

‘Why not Hanan?’

Mikael’s Furies control it now. They’re using it as their base of operations.’

‘Base of operations? I need to take control of my estate back!’

‘My Lady, you need to think this through. Do you really believe you can challenge Mikael’s Furies in your current state? You’re not even equipped to deal with the common street thug. This was always your problem. You let anger control your decision making. ‘

‘Then what do you propose I do Hanan? Just sit back and watch as my Father’s work gets stomped on? ‘

‘No My Lady. First you’ll need gear. I’m taking you to one of the finest arms dealers in the city. He arms The Guild as well as the many wannabe gangs around here. ‘

‘Are you sure this man will help me?’

‘Yes My Lady. I have already made the necessary arrangements.’

‘Then let’s go see him.’