After journeying down the rungs into the bottomless pit that was the British underground sewage, squadron four found themselves in the large pipes of a massive connected system that had since been abandoned.
The warped walls that curved upward and outward were stained with various substances, the scent of the place itself rather dull. Although it was a sewage system, the pipes themselves hadn't been used in years. The odors expected of a place had long gone. Now, only the calm whiffs of corroding metal could be smelt.
"Shouldn't have to say this, but don't touch the walls." Takeshi spoke up, turning to Riley.
"I'm not an idiot. I could already figure where we are." Riley snapped back lightly, crossing his arms.
"Oh yeah? A person who isn't an idiot wouldn't fall on a young lady and then proceed to give them THEIR ENTIRE LIFE STORY! WITHOUT GETTING UP!" Akemi shouted frantically.
"I didn't apologize for that, did I? I'm sorry, Akemi. It was an honest mistake and it won't happen again." Riley apologized, his voice and face matching sincerity.
"You bet it won't happen again. Once Maddox finds out you're a fluke that can't control your special ability, he'll throw you back out onto the streets and I'll never see you again." Akemi whipped, join in the rest of the crowd as Riley stared at the ground, hurt by her remark.
"I'm not too sure if I'm full sold on the concept of this guild. They seem like nice guys, but at the end of the day...they're taking things from others and selling it. Sure it's helping the commonwealth, Sure they stomp out evildoers...but...I don't even know at this point. Part of me tells me to go forward with this. But the other part says I'd be better off working odd jobs again. Oh...never mind. I'm a convicted criminal. I have no choice. As far as the police know...I'm still locked up. Damn it. Now I have no choice but to get into this stupid guild. Well, I hope their leader likes me." Riley thought, rejoining Takeshi at the front of the group.
The gang made their way into another set of rungs, lowering themselves further into the sewer. On the lower level, the slight noise of chatter and coalition could be heard down the pipes. They were on the right level.
"This is our entrance pipe. This'll lead us directly to Spectre headquarters. Half a mile out from there is Bount City. If you get in, we'll take you on a tour. Something tells me you'll like it there. Lots of odd people doing odd things for money. Mostly crime, though."Takeshi rambled. He was always seeming to be in high spirits, Riley noted. The boy always spoke with a positive tone, except for the scene that unfolded before in the alley. He compared the two images, effectively ending up with two completely different men.
The Takeshi Riley stood next to now seemed to be rather carefree and relaxed. But the one that drew his sword and shot a man across the street was much more tense, precise, and calculated. It seemed that whenever his or the lives of others were threatened, Takeshi shed the shell that is his normal state, becoming a cold battle machine that effectively analyzed and broke down opponents. The thought of it sent chills up Maxwell's spine. How he was able to change between the two personalities was cunning enough. But it was clear to some extent his harsher self was more of a front— a way to intimidate and get the opponent to back down before anything serious happens.
His methods of breaking down and making the enemy fear him were much different that someone else, in sake of comparison, Oxford. The man simply brandished his muscles with full flexes and odd poses to throw others off guard. But there was an unnerving sense of genuine coldness and blight about Takeshi whenever he got serious. Maxwell pushed the thought to the side as they group arrived at the headquarters. A few guards stood outside a massive metal wall with a small padlocked door fastened to reinforced hinges on the frame.
They chatted amongst each other playfully, letting the occasional passing member into the base. As they arrived, each member individually pulled out an identification card, as well as presenting an official guild branding.
"ID and Proof, sir." A guard responded as Takeshi approached.
"C'mon, Charlie. You know I'm a captain. Just let me in."
"I've seen lots of imposters in my day, sir. I'm just doing my job."
"Charlie, how many friggin captains do you know have a mechanical arm? Tell me!? How could someone pull off a replica of this?" Takeshi barked, raising his metal shogun guard.
"People would go to great lengths to get into this base, Captain. I wouldn't be surprised if some bloke cut their arm off and made a phony prosthetic to break in as you."
"God damn it, Charlie. I'll talk to you about all this later. Keep doing your job. But at least cut us a break."
"As you wish, sir."
Takeshi presented his identification card as well as the guild branding. The symbol was that of a Japanese kanji, imprinted on his shogun guard. It was hard to miss, as the color of the guard was a bright red, with the branding being a deep charred black. Although his mother taught him basic speaking Japanese, Riley could not figure out what was inscribed on his arm.
Up next was Oxford, who presented the card as well as the branding which was on his inner left thigh. The picture itself was that of the Oxford family crest. Given Riley knew something of Oxford's past, it was odd to see the symbol of his own family that disowned him on his body as a sign of identification.
Akemi was next. Her branding was on the left inner palm. Like Takeshi, it was another Japanese kanji that he couldn't read. It looked almost identical to Tanaka's, he could recall.
Cutter's branding was incredibly unique. When asked for it, the man simply removed his coat. Riddled across his arms were various tally marks, all signifying...definitely something not good. As a mercenary, it was common in the business to track progress made. Riley was certain the marks stood for something related to his line of work.
When Riley finally got to the entrance, the guards were quick to stop him.
"Oi Captain, a dodgy chav followed you guys here. I'll follow protocol and execute him immediately." A guard thrusted forward, drawing a British saber from his sheath.
Takeshi blocked the blade with his own katana, not even turning back to face the guard. He had done it almost entirely by reflex, as it seemed.
"You will not, Harrison. The boy's with me. He's the one Maddox has been on about. Disengage." Takeshi sheathed his sword, the guard quickly following suit.
Riley quickly entered the base, giving the guards a nasty look. The boy was not ready to see what was next.
The entire complex, which was large in size and height, was filled with people. But to the normal person, these individuals were far from commonplace. All shapes. All sizes. All skin tones. They were as varied as the selections of flavors at an ice cream shoppe. Most of them tended to stand out from their mode of dress, which ranged from classical and in taste to foreign and ahead of its time.
Takeshi carefully guided his squad through the hordes of people passing through the crowded centerfold, as it was called. In the centerfold, seven different hallways were connected. Each one led to different areas of the complex, which all served a purpose. One hallway led to the dorms, the other to the academy, another to the mess hall, a few more for multi-use purpose, and last but not least, a straight shot to Riker Maddox's office.
Riley tried to take in the environment all at once. It didn't work. The sheer amount of people and space was overwhelming in itself. So many unfamiliar faces, so much ground he had never covered. It felt as if Maxwell entered another world.
"Hey Captain Takeshi! Wanna check out the schematics for my new project?" A boy with vibrant green and pink hair chanted, running up to Tanaka with a large wad of parchment in his hands.
"In a while, Toyuma. Maddox and I have things to discuss. We've also brought in a rookie. Hopefully things work out and he joins our forces. We could use some new blood after...after…"
"Don't mention it, Takeshi, I know what's going on. I'm sure he'll be a good replacement. It's the kid you mentioned before, right? The black hand?"
"That's him. Would you like to meet? He's right behind me."
"Sure! I heard from Kuina that he's my age, so I'm sure we'd become friends really fast."
"Alright, here he is. Ril-" Takeshi turned back to his squad who had been standing there dormantly. However, the familiar brown haired Brit was out of sight.
"Oh no. Of all the times he could get lost…one second Toyuma. I'll have to do some searching."
Takeshi broke from the crowd as he called for Maxwell, to no avail. He shifted through the crowd in search of his trademark hairstyle, which was odd and extremely noticeable for a boy of low class. Alas, Takeshi's keen eyes couldn't spot him. But, it wouldn't be long before an obvious clue came about.
"YOU TOOK MY GUNPOWDER, YA JERK!" A woman shouted, devilish horns sprouting from her head. Her teeth were grit, her eyes were shaped like pitchforks. Her hair, which was normally purple, turned a bright red. The shadow she seemed to cast was also much larger, darkening the vision of a scared boy in her midst.
"MAM, I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T MEAN IT I SWEAR! WHAT WOULD A KID LIKE ME NEED GUNPOWDER?" Riley explained nervously, scratching the back of his head as buckets of sweat dripped from his forehead.
"TO BUILD GUNS, DUH!!!!! JUST GIVE IT BACK AND I WON'T RIP YA TO SHREDS, GOT IT!?"
"Ah...you see….I can't exactly do that quite yet….I gotta go. BYE!" Riley shot back through the crowd in search of a Takeshi, of who he bumped into rather quickly.
"Takeshi, thank god! Please explain to this monster lady that I took her gunpowder by accident and I can't give it back!" Riley demanded.
"GET BACK HERE AND GIVE ME MY GUNPOWDER, YOU LITTLE WANKER!!!" The girl brushed through the crowd, screams and desperate cries shrilling out as she approached the brown haired boy with a large mechanical wrench.
"Bridgett, please, put the wrench down. I have to explain some things." Takeshi began.
"I'VE GOT TO GET MY GUNPOWDER BACK FIRST! MY ONE AND ONLY RULE...ACTUALLY ONE OF MY RULES...NO….MY ONLY RULE!!!! NEVER TAKE ANYTHING FROM MY WORK BENCH!!! AND ALSO NEVER TOUCH MY TOOLS! WAIT...THAT'S TWO RULES…SHIT. YOU GET MY POINT!"
"Bridgett, this guy is the black hand. The one the whole guild's been talking about for the past two months. He stole your gunpowder on accident. Also, you'll have to get some more, my treat of course. There's no way he can get it back to you any time soon. It's a kink he's hoping to work out soon." Takeshi explained.
"So ya mean to tell me this kid has a godly ability to steal things unconsciously but can't bring them out? What good is he to us then?"
"That's for Maddox to decide and for you to accept. Get back to work."
"Not. Until. I.get. My.Gunpowder."
"Get back to work, Bridgett. Captain's orders."
"No! Get this jackass kid out of here first!"
Takeshi approached Bridgett coldly, his fists clenched. Slowly he rose to her ear, whispering. Then, letting his last sentence be heard out loud.
"It would be awful for your career be ruined by a boy you barely know. As far as Maddox is concerned, he'd have a hell of a lot more use than a mechanic who screams more than she builds. Don't push it. Get back to work." Takeshi turned away, returning to his normal self as he adjusted his pea coat.
Once again Riley witnessed the 'cold' Takeshi firsthand. It still had a shocking effect on him. Never had he seen or met people more deep or unique than anyone in this guild. It was odd enough for him to be present. To be soon considered one of them was a stretch.
"A goldfish in a shark tank." Riley laughed to himself.
"You guy's head over to the dorms and wait for me. Set a bed for Maxwell while I take him to see Maddox. Don't leave to the mess hall without us, got it?" Takeshi ordered, his squadron obeying quickly as they made their way through one of the farther hallways.
"Okay, Maxwell. Let's go see the big man himself. I have a feeling you'll like him. He's a character, to say the least."
"Is he...scary? Ya know, like every other big boss involved in organized crime. I figure the guy's got a loaded steam pistol in every cabinet of the office. Hell, he probably has one in his coat pocket, ready to fire at a moment's notice! What if he sees me as useless? Oh no...he'd shoot me for sure! He'll figure out I can't use this stupid hand and send me to high heaven…"
Takeshi cut off Maxwell with a fit of childish laughter that erupted from his belly. Each time he tried to break the streak with an interjection of a word, the laughter continued again. Riley simply looked on in horror, certain he had hit his expectations on the head.
"Him being one of the greatest thieves in the world...oh, he'd probably hide my body and make sure no one would ever find it! And if by some rare occurrence the police did, he'd probably slaughter the entire task force in cold blood to keep them at his knees! Then he—"
"Maddox is a teddy bear, Riley! You get way too ahead of yourself! Yeah the guy's a criminal mastermind, but he's not a cold hearted killer, nor is he a bad man. Just meet him and you'll see for yourself. He's very caring and thoughtful. I wouldn't be surprised if the guy got you a gift or something."
Riley began to wipe away a slight tear that had formed in the corner of his eye.
"R-really?"
Takeshi contained to laugh some more as the two drew closer to the office. When they arrived, it was as clear as day they were in the right place. Guards protected the entry of another massive steel door with a padlock the size of a human body. At the edge of the door stood a man of Middle age, patiently waiting for something like a servant of sorts. He wore a stylish, slick suit made of thick black suede. His tie, matching the color of his blade, was a silk black that shined in the gaslights hanging above. His hair was grey, but only on the sides. Slicked back on his scalp was a large mound of jet black hair, held in place with some sort of combing barber product. He was quick to greet the guests.
"Ah, Captain Tanaka! It's good to see you again. When will we have tea? I do recall you invited me some weeks ago." The man said in an incredibly posh accent. If he didn't know any better, the man could have been taken for a royal servant.
"Maybe sometime on the weekend, Charlemagne. Is Maddox in his office? I've brought his special guest."
"Ah yes, he's just had lunch."
"Barley? It's already far past dinner!"
"The boss has had some heavy work to do today. He hasn't been on break at all until just now. He might be a bit on edge. I'd proceed with caution. Is this the boy?" Charlemagne said, making a quick gesture to Riley.
"Yes. Introduce yourself, Maxwell. Don't be shy."
"Maxwell Riley. Nice to meet you." The boy shook the older man's hand, feeling a tight, firm grip in return.
"Charlemagne Sterling, second in command of the Spectre guild and master Maddox's personal servant. Do make yourself at home, Mr. Riley."
Maxwell could appreciate Charlemagne's manners, as it had been probably the only sense of positive outlook towards him he had received all day.
"Bristol, George, get the door open. I'll notify Master Maddox of your arrival. One moment."
Sterling along with a few guards moved into the dark chamber that was Maddox's office. Their echoing footsteps across the solid granite floor sent shivers down Riley's spine.
"Well, he's awfully nice. Why do I get the feeling he's a nobleman?"
"Because he is. Charlemagne is a member of the prestigious Sterling family of butlers and servants. Their family has served the royal subjects for hundreds of years. Charlemagne found no power in the actual throne, so he chose to serve someone with genuine influence and ambition. It meant breaking away from his roots and family, but he's never turned back since."
"Well...isn't this place just crawling with formal royals and people of nobility."
"You'd be surprised. A lot of the smart higher class have decided to join our efforts. Akemi, Oxford, Charlemagne, they're just a few who've decided to fight for a better landscape and future. But I'll let Maddox explain all the important stuff. Speaking of which, Charlemagne just gave the signal to come in. Go right ahead."
"What? By myself?"
"Uh, Yeah. I won't speak to him until later, he's in a bit of a tough day. I bet meeting you will make it better, though. So hurry! Best not keep him waiting."
Maxwell slowly entered the office, immediately being shrouded in darkness. The large room had no lights on whatsoever. It was silent yet warm, as a single small blaze was left burning in the fireplace at the corner of the room. Even the crackles of the wood didn't seem to make noise.
As Riley entered fully, Charlemagne shut the door behind him with a loud thud. Now, the fire had dwindled away into darkness. It was pitch black now.
A voice broke the new silence, booming in its deep tone of authority.
"Come further. Tell me who you are." The man boomed. At the center of the room behind a large desk sat the man himself. Only a thin outline of his figure could be seen.
Silence again.