Characters: Riki, Alec, Katze, Iason, Zack
Sound Effect: An interstellar travel cargo ship dives into the jump gate and lands at Midas' spaceport.
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Midas, Area 8. Terminal 5, 20th floor below ground.
SE: Riki and Alec are at work. They busily carry the containers with a lorry to their designated place. They're completing their last task.
Riki & Alec: (letting a big sigh out)
Riki: We're done...
Alec: We made it...
Riki: We really rushed...
Alec: Yeah. Feels like we finished with a full-scale sprint... But first, you go report to the Boss, Riki.
Riki: Me?
Alec: Chores are for newbies.
Riki: (grumbling, he retrieves a mobile phone from his jacket's pocket and opens it)
SE: Riki retrieves a mobile phone from his pocket and opens it. He dials Katze's number and Katze's image appears.
Riki: Does that mean... we're free to do whatever?
Katze: (through the phone) You are... But you two won't be able to enter the auction hall with the pass you have. Don't forget that.
SE: the call cuts.
Riki: (clicking his tongue lightly) And here I thought I might peek to see what a secret auction set by the Black Market looks like.
SE: he closes the phone.
Riki: Well, can't do anything about it. I'll have plenty of chances to do that in the future.
Alec: (stretching) Well, then... first, we go eat!
Riki: Yeah, I only ate a jelly ration this morning.
Alec: I was so focused on rushing here, I completely forgot my empty stomach.
Riki: Right. Let's grab a meal first, then we'll sleep like logs... okay?
Alec: Let's go, then!
SE: Riki and Alec get on the lorry. Riki lets Alec drive and leans into his seat. The lorry starts quietly. At the other end of the container depot, another lorry is operated.
Riki: (hearing the sound) what? (looking in its direction) What's up? And here I thought we were the last. There's an unlucky guy who made it even more barely to send his container in?
SE: The lorry grows noisier.
Riki: They're working full strength. They must be anxious. (noticing the back of the man suirveilling them) So it comes with a supervisor? The tallest guy must be the most important... And this... seems to be some kind of decorum to attend the auction? Maybe he came on behalf of the container's owner.
SE: The operation is finished.
Riki :"Mission accomplished"... right? Oh! He's bowing so low to that guy. Must be quite a big shot.
SE: The man slowly turns on his heels. His steps resonate terribly through the perfectly silent container depot.
Riki: (catching a glimpse of the face of the man who has just turned back, he gets a jolt) Him!
SE: Riki unconsciously leans forward.
Riki: (leaning forward) No way! He's... That Blondy?
SE: Iason climbs into a cart and leaves the scene.
Riki: I'm sure of it! He may try to disguise himself with short brown hair and eyeshades, I'm sure he's that bastard! Shit!
SE: Riki grabs Alec's arm.
Riki: Stop!
Alec: What?! What happened?
SE: The lorry they're riding stops.
Riki: I got something to do.
SE: Riki jumps off and runs away.
Alec: Wha... Hey, Riki!
SE: Riki runs after Iason's cart.
Riki: Bastard! Don't think I'll let you get away!
SE: The cart turns right and left. Riki runs with all his strength not to lose it from sight.
Riki: (breath accelerating)
SE: The cart stops. Iason gets off and disappears through the door.
Riki: Shit, I'll lose sight of him...
SE: Riki runs out of breath rushing to the door.
Riki: (noticing the door was opened after the cart was slotted in, Riki clicks his hand in anger) What the hell, an identification code? Aah... shit, if I don't hurry, he's gonna get away! (suddenly remembers) Right, the pass card Katze gave me...
SE: Riki retrieves the card from his pocket and slots it. Sound of the safety lock being released.
Riki: Nice!
SE: The door slides open. Riki enters and the door closes. Riki hastens. Further ahead, Iason walks with quiet steps.
Riki: There. (he takes little deep breath to bring his breathing under control)
SE: Riki starts walking in step with Iason. After walking for a moment, Iason turns right. When Riki also turns right, there is no sight of him.
Riki: What? He's not here...? How?
SE: Riki looks around him.
Riki: Maybe it's that black door?
SE: Riki calmly walks to the door.
Riki: He's right ahead. But... Still... I feel my hair standing up on my neck. Is this... That must be pretty dangerous, right? (gazing far ahead) What am I freaking for, after coming all the way here? (resolute, he swallows and turns the doorknob)
SE: Riki slowly pushes the door. It opens and he enters. Inside is a silent, blueish world.
Riki: (half stunned) What is... this place? An entirely deep blue world... as if there's no ceiling nor floor... I don't know where I am and I can't make out distances... makes me feel sick.
SE: The sound "blurs", just like Riki's sight. Then, it disappears, as if thumping at the edge of his field of vision.
Riki: (getting the impression he got a glimpse of something at the edge of his field of vision, he starts)
I think I just saw something... Or did I imagine it?
(muttering) The hell am I freaking out for?
Come on! If he saw me like that, that guy'd just mock me again.
(lightly slapping his hands against his cheeks to give himself some courage) Tch!
SE: At that moment, the sound of a knock against the reinforced transparent glass resonates.
Riki: (stands petrified)
SE: The source of the sound moves around, thumping two, three times.
Riki: (almost speechless) what... is that?
SE: the sounds continue to reverberate, seemingly closing in on Riki, trapping him.
Riki: A mouth stretching from ear to ear... fins with protruding hooked claws... silver scales... is that... a human fish... chimera?
SE: The chimera violently smashes its tail against the reinforced glass, making the whole room shake as the sound reverberates across it.
Riki: Ah... Aaaaah... (unvoluntarily screams and falls to the ground)
SE: The next moment, an alarm-like electronic sound rings. The entire room is shielded by a shutter.
Riki: What... what... what the fuck is happening?
SE: Riki's heartbeats race until it can no longer. Iason unhurriedly comes closer, the sound of his boots reverberating. Riki's pulse and Iason's steps synchronize, fading out when Iason stops.
Iason: (insincerely) What a coincidence... shall I say? I didn't think I would meet you again in such a place.
Riki: (half panting) Y... You...
Iason: You deserved it. Did it scare you so much your legs gave way?
Riki: A Ga... ela?
Iason: It is a man and fish hybrid experiment. Though it seems it'll take time to put its new form to military use.
Riki: (trying to gather his breath)
Iason: (holding back a laugh) If you don't have the strength to get up, should I lend you a hand?
Riki: (glaring at him)
Iason: Ah, right... You hate owing people things, don't you?
Riki: Bastard... treating me like an idiot...
SE: When Riki tries to get up, prideful and determined, the strength leaves his legs. Iason grabs Riki's collar with one hand and pulls him relying on his strength.
Riki: (reacting to being pulled up, screaming) Bastard, let go! Let me go!
Iason: Are you sure you want me to let go? You'll only fall sprawling.
Riki: (glaring fiercely)
Iason: (snickering coldly) Don't glare at me like that, as if you could bite me any moment. You'll make me want to make you cry again.
Riki: Told you to let go of my hand!
SE: Iason lets go of Riki's collar. Riki slightly staggers but still stands firm with determination.
Riki: ... where's the exit?
Iason: There is none.
Riki: (trying to contain his rage) I'm not here to joke with you. Where's the damn exit?!
Iason: No matter how much you try to threaten me, this won't change the situation. Isn't that right, Riki?
Riki: (astonished) How... does he know my name?
Iason: Didn't Katze teach you? That excessive curiosity will doom you...
Riki: (speechless with astonishment)
Iason: Though, in his particular case, he was lucky to get away with his prized face in one piece.
Riki: Katze's scar... Could he be... the one responsible for it?
Katze: (in Riki's memories) This is... a warning. Against getting your vision clouded by your vanity.
Iason: He was quite sharp for a slum mongrel. He proved quite a good distraction after all. And he had other use than being thrown into a lab and cut to pieces to serve in a live experiment. So, what about you?
Riki: Who... are you?
Iason: Iason Mink. Just a Blondie whose motto is to always be superior in all things.
Riki: Don't lie to me!
SE: Riki slowly takes a step back.
Riki: Just what... is he? Who is he?
SE: Riki stiffly takes a second step back.
Riki: This is bad... no, dangerous! I'm done for!
SE: Before taking his third step, Riki is caught by the arm and pulled nearer by Iason.
Riki: (he crouches when Iason grabs his arms and draws him near)
Iason: You've gotten quite the ferocious look since the last time I saw you. It seems you go by "Riki the Dark" on the Market, though he must feel his old scar throbbing whe he looks at you. He's still too sentimental.
Riki: (catches his breath) Was I... set up?
Zack: (in Riki's memories) Say Riki⌠how about becoming a carrier?
Riki: One day, an opportunity just landed on my lap...
Zack: (in Riki's memories) Even so, just anybody wonât do.
Riki: But what if that wasn't a coincidence?
Katze: (in Riki's memories) What Iâm looking for is neither an errand boy looking for tips nor a smartass stealing goods to make a quick buck. Thereâs nothing better than being both smart and bold, but I donât need a mad dog who cannot follow rules. If thatâs fine by you, want to give it a try?
Riki: That was... a trap? But why?
Katze: (in Riki's memories) What and how will you choose? You will be the one to make that decision, Riki, don't forget that.
Riki: What... do you plan to do with me?
Iason: (snickering coldly) What do you want me to do with you?
Riki: (falls silent, his mouth too dry to speak)