 |
• Welcome
|
|
|
| | |
 The Soul System, The TSS Version of The Matrix
| Sendo Kentachi |
|
Author of the Soul System
Group: Shinigami
Posts: 11
Member No.: 13
Joined: 29-September 07
|
Here it is: the first chapter! Here, we'll see the first characters take their place...
Chapter One: Yuki in a Jam
In the world of the living, in a suburb of Tokyo, there was an abandoned hotel. The name had long since forgotten by the city inhabitants, but no one bothered entering. There were rumors it was cursed.
That was, until a computer somewhere picked up a phone call being made there.
CALL TRANS OPT. RECEIVED: 2-15-98 1:19:98 REC: LOG
“Yeah?”
“Is everything in place?”
“...you weren’t supposed to relieve me.”
“I know, but I felt like taking a shift.”
TRACE PROGRAM: RUNNING
“You like him, don’t you? You like watching him.”
“Don’t be stupid.”
Here, the computer begins running numbers, slowly falling into place.
“We’re going to kill him. You understand?”
“Captain Raikou thinks he is the One.”
“We all know he does. The question is, do you?”
“What I believe is beyond the point."
“You don’t, do you?”
“...Wait a sec, you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
“Is this line clean?”
“Should be.”
“...I’d better go.”
***
Meanwhile, policemen were swarming the outside of the hotel, some of whom were already outside the speaker’s door. Guns raised, the leader kicked down the door, flashlights on a girl at a computer, a phone at her right.
“Freeze, police!” he said.
“Hands on your head!” said another. “Do it! Do it now!”
The girl, an orange-haired girl of about sixteen in a white dress, slowly stood from her seat and did what she was told, her face expressionless.
Outside, a car pulled out, revealing three important men. Obviously, due to the earpieces and dark glasses, they were from some secret government bureau.
“Lieutenant,” one of them said.
“Ah, crap,” a policeman nearby murmured.
“Lieutenant, you were given specific orders,” the leader of the tree said, moving towards him, his cohorts close behind.
“Hey, I’m just doing my job here,” the policeman countered. “And if you try to give me that ‘juris-my-dick-tion’ crap, you can shove it up your ass.”
“The orders were for your protection,” said the agent.
The policeman laughed. The agents did not.
“I think we can take one little girl,” the policeman said.
The agent turned to one of his comrades and gestured. He nodded, and moved towards the hotel.
“I sent two units!” the policeman called to the agents. “They’re bringing her down now!”
“No, Lieutenant, your men are already dead,” the agent said.
Before he could reply, they were gone.
***
Let’s get back to the girl. Her hands were already on her head, and one of the policemen was reaching for his handcuffs, moving towards her...
Seconds before he reached her, the girl struck, sending her fist right into his face. Before he had a chance to recover, she had already caught up to him, placing two fingers on his chest.
“Bakudo, Number One...SAI!”
The policeman fell to the ground, paralyzed by an invisible force. The battle had begun.
One policeman hefted his gun at her, but she was already gone. That’s when she reappeared, sending both of her feet at his back in a kangaroo style double kick. She landed in a handstand, and then jumped through the motion to her feet. Another one began to fire at her, but she started running along the wall, hands flashing almost wildly, but in a strange pattern.
“Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondaniini,” she said, dispatching a third one with spin kick off the wall. “Look upon your burning soul...”
She kicked another policeman heading for her in an attempt to tackle, forcing him to the ground.
“And sever your throat! Bakudo, Number Four...GEKI!”
The last one glowed red and fell to the ground, paralyzed like the first one. Surveying her handiwork, she muttered, “Crap,” before reaching for a cell phone which she had kept on the other side of the computer and hitting a number on speed dial.
“Captain Raikou, the line was traced. I don’t know how.”
“I know, Yuki. They cut the hard line,” a voice replied. “You’ve got no time, you have to reach another exit.”
“Any Arrancar?” the girl, now known as Yuki, asked.
“...Yeah.”
“God dammit.”
“You have to focus, Yuki. You can make it. There’s a door at Wells and Lake.” Raikou said.
“Alright,” she said.
“Go.”
Hanging up on the run, she disappeared from the room, only to see the agent and more policemen heading her way. Turning around, she sped for the fire escape and headed towards the roof.
The agent wasn’t far now. She quickly leapt over an alley to the next building. The agent made the jump easily, but about two or three policemen almost didn’t make it.
She headed up and over another building until she was forced to stop. Too far. At least a sixty foot leap.
She looked behind her. The agent and policemen were coming fast. Looking towards the gap, she disappeared...and reappeared again on the other side, safe.
The agent somehow imitated the motion, but the policemen stopped.
“That’s impossible,” one of them breathed.
Not impossible for the other two, apparently.
***
The agent wasn’t far now. Yuki’s breath was ragged; she couldn’t run from him any more at this rate. She needed to get to that portal...it was her last hope of escaping another day. Looking around, she saw a window across the way. That would do.
She began to run again, and then took a flying leap through the window. Tumbling down the stairs, the moment she hit the landing, she drew her sword, pointing it at the way she had come...nothing happened.
“Get up, Yuki. Just get up. Get up!” she told herself.
With that, she forced herself to her feet and tore off for the door.
***
By the time she got to the street corner, a large truck had arrived, waiting for the door. The engine roared as they awaited the signal.
It arrived: a white crack appeared in the door. The truck rumbled forward...
“Hakabakashii Shippu!”
The girl’s sword transformed one to four blades, almost like a shuriken. She was at the door in an instant, perhaps faster than the driver had anticipated, but now she was right in the middle of the line of attack the truck had obtained. She would either escape or die. She thrust her new sword into the light...
The door, doorjamb, and half the wall cracked under the sheer force. The agents came out to observe the damage...there was no trace of the girl amongst the rubble.
“She got out,” one observed.
“Nonetheless, we have their next target,” another added.
“The name is Sendo. Sendo Kentachi,” the last finished.
“We’ll need a search running,” the first said.
“It is already underway.”
***
That's right, Yuki....you're our leading lady!
|
|
|
| Sendo Kentachi |
|
Author of the Soul System
Group: Shinigami
Posts: 11
Member No.: 13
Joined: 29-September 07
|
Here's chapter two, everyone!
Chapter Two: The Impossible Pursuit of Blu Raikou
Sendo Kentachi, nicknamed “Nightowl” by his friends by the fact that he was often up all hours of the night doing late-night hackwork, was currently getting some shuteye while his computer was working on a worldwide search for a famous terrorist named “Blu Raikou.”
Suddenly, the screen went blank, save for three words.
Wake up, Nightowl...
And woke up he did. His eyes opened, looking at the screen, a look of confusion.
“What?” he asked himself.
The words were replaced with more.
The Soul System has you, Nightowl...
“What the hell is this?” Sendo asked.
Follow the white rabbit, Nightowl...
Sendo hit a few keys. Nothing happened.
Knock knock, Nightowl...
There was a knock on the door.
“Who’s there?” asked Sendo.
“It’s Aero,” was the reply.
Sendo looked back at the screen...it was blank. Thinking nothing of it, Sendo left his bed and went to it. On the other said was Aero, one of his clients.
“You’re late,” Sendo said.
“I know,” said Aero. “It’s her fault.”
He nodded at a girl alongside him.
“You have the money?” Sendo asked.
“Two grand.”
Aero handed him a wad of bills.
“Give me a moment,” Sendo said.
Sendo headed back into his apartment and pulled out a book...or what looked like a book. In reality, it was a container containing a series of discs. Taking one marked “Aero,” he handed it to him.
“Hallelujah. You’re my savior, man,” said Aero. “My own personal Jesus Christ.”
“Remember,” said Sendo. “You get caught...”
“Right. This never happened,” said Aero.
“Right,” muttered Sendo.
“Something wrong?” asked Aero. “You seem paler than usual.”
“...ever have that kind of feeling when you’re not sure if you’re awake or still dreaming?” asked Sendo.
“All the time. It’s called mescaline,” said Aero. “It’s the only way to fly...I think you need to unplug, Nightowl. What do you think?” he turned to his friend. “Shall we take him with us?”
The girl tilted her head.
“Definitely.”
“I can’t...I’ve got work tomorrow,” Sendo said.
He saw something on the girl’s shoulder...
“Oh, forget it. I’ll go.”
***
Sendo regretted saying that fifteen minutes later. The lights and music were driving him crazy, and being away when work was due the next morning was making it seem as though he were committing a mortal sin.
“Hello, Sendo. Or can I call you Nightowl?”
Sendo turned to see a girl with brown-red hair, dressed in a black robe that showed off an insanely deep cleavage. Sendo closed his eyes...a habit of his around girls who...showed off.
“How do you know they call me Nightowl?” asked Sendo.
“I know a lot about you,” said the girl. “My name is Yuki. Yuki Tenkuu.”
“Yuki Tenkuu...wait a minute...are you the Yuki Tenkuu that hacked into the database at the IRS?” Sendo did a double take.
“That was years ago,” Yuki said.
“Yeesh...Jesus. I just imagined...you were a guy,” Sendo scratched his head, embarrassed.
“It’s an impression I like to cultivate,” Yuki smiled.
“Then...that was you. You were the one who was using my computer. Follow the white rabbit,” Sendo realized.
“Good boy. You learn quick.”
“How...how’d you do that?”
“For now, all I can say is, you’re in danger,” Yuki said. “I brought you here to warn you.”
“Of what?” Sendo asked.
“They’re watching you, Sendo.”
“Who is?”
“Please, Sendo, listen.”
She came closer to him, so close he could actually feel her body heat...Sendo turned red.
“I know why you’re here, Sendo,” she said. “I know what you’ve been up to. I know why you can hardly sleep at night...probably the reason why people call you Nightowl, isn’t it? ...I know why you live alone and why, night after night, you’re glued to a computer screen...you’re looking for him, aren’t you?
“I should know...I was looking for him too. And when he found me...he told me that I wasn’t looking for him...rather, I was looking for an answer. It’s the question that drives us, Sendo Kentachi. That’s what’s brought you here. You know that question...just as I did.”
Sendo finally spoke.
“What is the Soul System?”
“The answer’s out there, Sendo. It’s looking for you. And it will find you...if you want it to find you.”
As she walked away, Sendo could hear a distant buzzing...almost like...
Sendo swung out, silencing his alarm clock with a single overhead slam. When he checked the time on the clock, he swore at least three times before getting out of bed as fast as he could, Yuki’s words still hanging around in his mind...
***
A pair of window cleaners wiped away at the windows at NeoCortex, one of the biggest software companies in the whole world. The boss, Irou Ansaro, stared across at Sendo at his desk.
“It seems you have a problem with authority, Mr. Kentachi,” he said. “You believe that you are special, that rules do not apply to you. However...you are mistaken.”
Sendo said nothing.
“This is one of the top software companies in the world today,” Ansaro continued. “because every employee understands that they are many of one. Thus, if an employee’s got a problem, then the whole company has a problem.”
Sendo was finding it hard to stay focused...his mind was on the window cleaners.
“It’s time that you made a choice, Mr. Kentachi,” said Ansaro. “Either you choose to be at your desk on time from today onward...or find yourself another job. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Mr. Ansaro. Clear as day.”
***
Afterward, Sendo was back to typing on a computer at his desk. It was hard to stay focused without thinking about Yuki...or her words. They seemed to have a haunting air about them.
“Sendo Kentachi?” asked someone.
Sendo looked up and found a postman outside his cubicle.
“Speaking,” he said.
The postman handed him a package. Sendo signed for it and proceeded to open it as the postman said, “Have a nice day,” and left.
It turned out to be a cell phone. White, sleek. And almost immediately, it began to ring and unfolded itself. Sendo put it to his ear...
“Hello?” he asked.
“Hello, Sendo. Or maybe you’d prefer Nightowl. Do you know who this is?” a voice said.
Sendo’s eyes widened, then turned to his computer, as if to think he was still at work.
“Blu Raikou.”
“Good thinking, Nightowl,” Blu said. “I’ve been looking for you. I’m not sure you’re ready for what I want to show you, but it seems that we both have run out of time. They’re coming for you, and I’m not sure they’re up to.”
“Who’s after me?” asked Sendo.
“See for yourself,” said Blu. “Stand up, but not too high...”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
Sendo peeked over the edge, and found three men in important suits across the way...they caught his glance and made their way towards his desk.
“Oh, crap!” he whispered, ducking down. “What is it that they want?”
“I’m not sure, but if you don’t want to find out, you’d better get away,” Blu replied. “Before you ask how, I can show you, but you have to obey my commands to the letter.”
“I’m listening.”
“The cubicle across from you is empty.”
“But what must I do to...” Sendo began.
“Go. Now.”
Sendo obliged and hid within the desk.
“Now stay for a moment.”
The men came to his empty seat, and looked at each other, as if wondering what to do.
“When I tell you, move for the cubicle at the end of the row and get into the row behind you, then to the office at the end of the hall. Stay as low as you can.”
Sendo waited, gathering together his trembling muscles...
“Now.”
Sendo obeyed, staying as low to the ground as he body would allow, then disappeared into Mr. Ansaro’s office.
“Good. Outside, there’s a scaffold.”
Sendo looked, and lo and behold, there it was.
“How do you know all this?”
“Now’s not the time,” said Blu. “See that window on your left? Go to it. Then open it, then use it to get to the roof.”
Sendo did so...up until he opened. He was at least forty stories high.
“No! No! This is madness!” he said.
“There’s only two ways out. And I’m sure you know the other way out. That’s not going to end well if you take it. Either way, it’s up to you.”
With that, Blu hung up. Sendo looked between door and window, then with a mutter of “Insane...” he headed up the window.
“What did I do to deserve this?” he asked himself. “Ho, this is cake. I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m gonna die...”
He headed towards the scaffold, inch by inch, cheating death all the way...then a wind caught his grip as he tried to move to the window, blowing his only link to Blu Raikou to the city eight hundred feet to the ground.
“God dammit!” he swore. “No...I can’t do this.”
With that, he left the window, where he was swiftly caught by the police...
***
As he entered the car, a particular red-brown-haired girl was watching. A man looked at her, and before anybody knew, she was off on a motorcycle.
|
|
|
Track this topic
Receive email notification when a reply has been made to this topic and you are not active on the board.
Subscribe to this forum
Receive email notification when a new topic is posted in this forum and you are not active on the board.
Download / Print this Topic
Download this topic in different formats or view a printer friendly version.
|  |
