Chapter 5 - Mission Briefing

Creed, Jade and Jephtah followed Tanri to her desk to take a look at their next mission. Tanri's desk was very technologically advanced because her data was not located in a conventional computer. The computer appears in front of her via virtual reality so the only thing she needs is to push the buttons present on her desk and the data will appear in front of her in an instant. She was now scanning the data base for next mission of the trio.

"Here it is. For the past several weeks, people have been disappearing in certain locations of the western part of this continent. I've traced the three hotspots of these disappearances which are namely, Liguarnia, El Roka, and Di Freya cities, but the latest activity seemed to be in El Roka, I suggest you start there." Tanri said.

"El Roka. A city to the west." Creed said.

"That's right." Tanri replied.

"Have you ID'd the fugitive yet?" Jephtah asked.

"Yes but little is known about this man. There's no photo on our database even though our data updates regularly. He goes by the code name of "Shadow Blade."" Tanri replied.

"Shadow Blade? No way... It can't be him.."  Creed thought

"What's his rap-sheet?" Jade asked her.

"Says here that he is the main cause of the mass disappearance of people in those areas I have mentioned. Also he has killed 700 people in just one week. Whoever this man is he's one hell of a fighter." Tanri said.

"Weapon of choice?" Creed asked to verify who the criminal is.

"Shadow Blade's weapon of choice. Hmmm, it says in here in the database that he mainly uses a long range Katana as his main weapon but that's all I can dig up." Tanri replied.

"So...It must be him..." Creed thought with verification.

"Did you identify the client or the one who requested this to us? What's the reward for Shadow Blade's head if ever?" Jade asked.

"The client's name is Selena Grey and yes she has specified the amount of the reward to be given. She's prepared to give you Z10,000,000 with a down payment of Z3,000,000 as soon as you accept this mission." Tanri replied.

"Selena Grey? That's another familiar name. My past just continues to hunt me down huh?"  Creed thought.

"Z3,000,000 as down payment? This guy must be on a priority list or something. Something doesn't smell kinda right though." Jephtah replied.

"Are there other agencies that Ms. Grey contacted?" Jade asked.

"She tried AXL Hunters and the DIAMOND Squad but they turned her down for various reasons. The RFI's the only agency that accepted this." Tanri said.

"What's their reason for declining her request?" Creed asked.

"Apparently, Shadow Blade's rap-sheet alone is enough reason. I received this report directly from these agencies so in other words they were the ones who relayed me the info. on this particular case." Tanri explained.

"We have to meet Ms. Grey first to collect the down payment." Jephtah said. "Can you relay us her location?" he added

"I knew you would say that. Just wait a second I'll tap into the network to see where Selena Grey is staying currently." Tanri said as she began to look for whereabouts of Selena Grey's location.

Creed became silent while Tanri was searching for the client's location. Jade could not help but notice this so she went and approached Creed to ask him if he is alright.

"Are you okay? You seem to be pre-occupied in your thoughts." Jade said.

"It's nothing really Jade. Maybe I'm just a bit tired that's all." Creed said to her.

"Is this about the dream you had earlier?" Jade continued to ask.

"No it's not. I honestly forgot about that already." Creed said as he smiled and pat Jade's head softly.

"Okay Creed. Just tell me and Jephtah if there's anything wrong okay? We're here for you." Jade replied.

"I found it!" Tanri exclaimed. "It says here in the database that she's currently staying her in Etto city. To be precise, she's staying in the Great Gargantua Hotel which is a five star hotel by the way." She added.

"Damn her pockets must lined well if she can give Z3,000,000 away in an instant." Jephtah said. 

"I'm going to meet her." Creed said immediately as he grabbed his .45 pistol and put it in his holster.

Jade saw a change in Creed's facial expression. She noticed the change in his personality from the calm and docile state to the fierce and focused state.

"Hold up we're coming with you." Jade said.

"You guys stay here. It'd be better if you listen to Tanri more about the mission proper and how the insertion method is going to be. You guys can just fill me in later when I get back." Creed replied. 

"He's right. In that way we could cover more ground. Besides it's just a collection of the initial fee right? It's not like something's going to go down there." Jephtah said.

"All right you go take care of yourself okay?" Jade said to Creed.

"I'll be fine." Creed said and he smiled at Jade.

Creed got out of the RFI head quarters main entrance and now began to make his way to the Great Gargantua Hotel. To get to the hotel, he had to take the floating bullet train to the main central point of Etto city. This was also called the Ventra strip because it was like a gambling central, there were casinos everywhere and five star hotels were everywhere as well. 

He took the floating bullet train and got off the Main Ventra Station. He got out of the train station and walked past the central square of the Ventra strip. He passed to more casinos until he reached the entrance of the Great Gargantua Hotel.

"Here's where the real fun begins" Creed thought as he entered the hotel.