The night before had certainly been a wild one, even if it had been only one round. All the same, he was glad they went for it...And if anyone heard, well, they'd just deal with that in the morning. "Just remember that we're about to blow the war horn against Sector...And tough as you are, don't need those cowards trying to exploit a jacked-up shoulder." he teased, giving her a light touch on the nose.
However, both of them would fall asleep, their bodies still as she laid atop him. The bed messed with evidence of their carnal activities, both of them looking rather content. They both knew that bringing their relationship up now wouldn't do them any good, so unless anyone asked they had an unspoken agreement to keep it silent. And when she would take her turn in the shower, he would follow after she'd finished. Following close behind her as they went to greet their underlings.
Yamichi paused when she asked about hacking the Facility's cameras, looking up from his meal as he pondered her query. "Honestly? I have no clue; I haven't even tried yet. But if it's as tight on security as I've heard, it'll more than likely be completely closed circuit. Hard back-ups of all footage to local storage, heavily encrypted transmissions, the whole deal like that. Not saying it would be impossible...But when exactly are you guys planning on doing this suicide mission?"
Hotsuma just laughed, "Suicide? Buddy, you're getting all worked up for nothing. We'll stroll in there and come right back out, I promise." At this Yamichi slammed his chopsticks down and looked fiercely at his boss, tears pricking the corners of his eyes "That's what you said when you went across the bay, and look what happened there! Seriously, Hotsuma, you're not invincible you fucking idiot!" And without giving them another chance to ask, Yamichi got up and left the table, Hotsuma asked as he tried to chase him "Hey, hey, wait man, where you going?" to which the young techie responded harshly "Out, I need some air".
And just like that, he was gone. Leaving Hotsuma thoroughly confused but also knowing exactly what Yamichi was referring to; maybe he was being too care-free though. "Uh...Yuna, I hate to say this, but I think we're going to be on our own for this one."
"Boss...You know he'll come around...Just give him some time" Takeshi chimed in, Hotsuma just shaking his head, "Not in enough time he won't; it's going to get a lot worse." The young man knew what was up, to an extent: The poor guy had his own tragedy, lost someone important. but that was all he got out of him. And Yamichi earned the right to a secret; Hotsuma knew if he wanted to share he would.
"So, what is the plan exactly? We gotta hold down the fort again?" asked his fourth, Hotsuma nodding, "Yeah...But I won't lie, if things go as we expect them to, we'll be kicking the hornet's nest hard as fuck this time. Sector's going to respond violently, and there's no doubt going to be fallout. Which is what I'm going to make asking of you all even more important: Spread the word. Don't say we're going in, but let them know shit is about to hit the fan."
Yamichi, meanwhile, had taken the D-Wheeler used for transport and rode; thankfully he'd traveled enough with Sosuke/Hotsuma and knew his way around. And with the rig on his wrist, he could pick up incoming Sector patrols all too easily. He was tapped into virtually everywhere on Satellite that had reliable electricity, something his boss had used many times to great advantage.
But the moron was being too reckless now; just what had happened in the Tops to make him
want to storm the Facility? The place was a fortress, even if they did get in, how the fuck were they going to get back out? If they started a riot in there, the guards would sure as hell execute the two of them.
Eventually Yamichi reached his destination: A small overlook on the South Side of Satellite, overlooking the city and the ocean that it bordered. Memories came back, memories of that day. Memories of a lover lost, someone that had given their life to make sure he could escape Security's wrath. A place he had thought safe, even in the harshness of the Satellite.
"Yamichi...You talk like this is our last goodbye. When Sector comes, I want you to run. I'll hold them back, and meet you at the rendezvous. Don't worry, little guy...I'm a lot tougher than the girly figure implies."
The voice was warm, kind, even when faced with such overwhelming odds...It was a bittersweet comfort, an event that made his eyes wet and glisten with tears. Especially since he couldn't even be around to help him in a time of need.
"He said the same thing too, Hotsuma...And now he's dead. Baka, all this bravado's just going to get you killed." he whimpered, eyes squinching shut as his fists clenched.
Goodwin and Jack decided that this first series of tournaments would be a far better selection process than just letting anyone apply; by scanning multiple groups of people across several tournament platforms, it would help weed out those that clearly weren't fit to participate. And plus, by downsizing the slots, it would make sure that only the best and most talented would have the greatest chances of showing up. And the prize pool wasn't half bad either: The top two of each smaller tournament would get a chance to compete in the Fortune Cup, one of the hottest tournaments that would precede the World Racing Grand Prix. But what surprised Goodwin the most was that Jack wanted to participate in the first one; he was already given a spot in the Fortune Cup, but he supposed the boy was following his impulses and wanted to remind everyone of his status.
"So Jack...I'm assured that you're ready to face whoever comes your way? I was informed of your encounter with that strange woman by your associates; you really should have come to me. I would have seen her barred and jailed." Goodwin remarked, Jack just letting out a 'Tch' and replying "Someone as insignificant as her isn't worth your attention or mine. Besides, she'll face the King's wrath if she comes near me again."
Goodwin just chuckled, "Yes, yes...Well, I'm glad to see you're excited for this. We should get a nicely sized contestant pool once all the smaller Selection Tournaments are concluded. You'll have a chance to crush them all and show everyone who the real King is." Jack only nodded, "They already know who the King is, and this tournament will be a reminder as to why I'm at the top." adding as he clenched a fist, "Why I'm the Dueling King!"
However, before their meeting could continue, Goodwin received a message on his personal communicator. One of his field agents reported in, saying it was urgent. "Pardon me, Jack, but it seems this requires my attention." Jack just said, "Sure; I'll be here preparing for the tournament."
Stepping outside, "Officer, there had better be a damned good reason you're calling me directly..." However, he stopped as he heard the other voice on the line state his reasoning, the white-haired man's eyes going wide as his pace noticeably increased, nearly sprinting back to his office and meeting a familiar face.
"They got WHAT!? Officer Kazama, I demand an explanation; you had better not be joking with me! Especially since you risked breaking your cover!" Goodwin practically shouted, the blue-haired male taking a step back, "Director, s-sir, I just thought you should see this..." and the man gently placed a white-bordered card on the table. One Goodwin knew all too well...
"Beelze...How did those rats get this?" Goodwin snarled, taking a seat as he looked at the powerful Dragon card. And he was so damn sure Divine had something to do with it; that circus show of his had freaks of every nature there...But this was irrefutable proof that thugs from Satellite had raided their convoy. "Sir...Syd got it from the Fiend. He hand-delivered it to him personally." Kazama explained, the revelation only seeming to make the Director angrier. That damned punk, he thought; this 'Fiend' was starting to become more than just an annoyance. If he coordinated a successful raid on a Sector convoy and gave cards like Beelze out as if they were candy...Maybe he should mobilize now.
"And your friend...Where is he?" Goodwin asked pointedly, Kazama replying "R-right outside, sir..." This was followed by Kazama being dismissed, Goodwin saying "Keep the card for now; now that Syd gave it to you he'll be expecting you to use it. Do what you must." And right as Kazama left, Goodwin would see another face come in, his right arm bandaged and still in a sling
"Well...Glad to see you're not too hurt; I do hope Officer Yui apologized." said the Director, the young man nodding "Thankfully her gun was the only one trained on me...And that she has terrible aim. I'm sorry sir...I heard about the convoy attack; I had no way of knowing he would do something like this." Goodwin seemed rather easy to forgive with him, saying "Well...You were sent somewhere different. We had hoped you could provide intel at that point, especially their base of operations." The young officer shook his head, "Unfortunately, the base is somewhere hidden among hundreds of other warehouses in a large processing district. And each route we took only two people knew, and it was changed every time to counter the beat officer's routes."
Goodwin sighed, "And you, Agent Raiko, were not one of those people. We put you undercover so that you could infiltrate and discern the location." At this the officer replied, "Sir, with all due respect, these aren't amateurs. They stripped their headquarters of any and all markings, filed off all company logos; looking for it by name would take way too long. Let me back out there; I can get him, sir!"
At this Goodwin placed his chin on his interlaced fingers, "No...He'll believe you're either dead or detained in the Facility. Exposing you again would be too much of a risk; and if he finds out you were part of his organization...There's no telling how he would react. I'm sorry, Agent Raiko, but effective immediately you're being reassigned to the Facility. It's the best cover for you now...Report to Overseer Armstrong in the morning."
Raiko, that young man that had tagged along with Sosuke for so long, seemed despondent at being stripped of the chance to nail the Fiend. But, orders were orders, and he just crisply saluted with his good arm. "Sir!" he replied, Goodwin just saying "As you were." before Raiko would take his leave. Leaving the Director to rub his temples and groan, "These fools...They don't see I'm trying to help them..."
On the eve of the tournament, the New Domino Duel Stadium was quickly filling up. Contestants and spectators alike poured into the respective entryways, those wanting to participate laughing and joking with each as they stood in line to register. Sector was here in force, mostly to ensure no one got TOO rowdy but at the same to escort those using forged cards; more than once, someone would see a contestant being pulled aside after their decks were verified to have fraudulent cards or they had made illegal modifications to their Duel Disks. Because they kept the pools small for this tournament, there would be no Turbo Dueling yet. Only Ground Duels, and those would not be selected this time around would get another shot at one of the other Selection Tournaments.
"Name?" asked a young male volunteer, wearing a shirt emblazoned with Jack Atlas and his signature monster Red Dragon Archfiend on the back, the symbol of perseverance and Dueling as a whole. A true icon to Duel Monsters players everywhere...Thankfully, the woman he was asking wouldn't be able to see this, despite him not knowing that.
"And when you're done, please slide your deck into the reader...Nothing personal, but we were instructed to make sure all cards are legal; I can't believe someone would use fake cards...Who does that?"