Chapter 5
Zack took a deep breath as he arrived in sector a1. It had been an enjoyable morning after he had left the weapon research facility. He had traveled to a park found in sector b4, and had spent time among the trees just relaxing in the scent of fresh air, and the sounds of nature. Now he had arrived at one of the two international transport centers to pick up his sister Christine.
Walking out of the Transport Center, Zack made his way towards where new arrivals would appear. As he crossed through one of the waiting rooms, he heard a woman cry out "stopped that thief".
Looking up Zack saw a short man with crumbled colored hair running out of the waiting room, and towards the coffee shop. Realizing he was the closest to the individual, Zack took off running in pursuit of the individual.
To Zack's surprise the man was rather quick. He would weave in and out of pedestrians, traffic, and assorted obstacles while holding on tightly to a purse that he had apparently stolen from the woman who it's screamed. Drawing the sword that he always carried with him, Zak performed an over the shoulder roll that carried him near where the man was running. Deciding not to give away that he was chasing the man he went past him, then hid around the corner. Not looking where he was going the man ran around the corner and straight into the sword that Zack was holding at stomach level. Fortunately for the man Zack had the flat side of the blade out so that all it did was knock the wind out of the man. The difference in speed however was enough to cause the man to cartwheel over the sword blade, slam his head into the wall, and come to rest on his back breathing heavily.
As Zack secured the man's hands behind his back with some ties that he always carried with him, one of the officers ran up.
"Thanks Zack"he said pulling out his own set of handcuffs that he placed over the ties that Zack had already tied the man's hands with.
"No problem officer McCalahan"Zack said stepping back.
The officer searched the man, and found not only the woman's purse that he had somehow jammed into his vest, but also a Wallet that he had apparently lifted from somebody else unawares.
"Any chance you could take this purse back to the woman who yelled in the room?"
"Sure thing"Zack replied taking the purse and walking back towards the waiting room.
Arriving back in the waiting room Zack raise his voice. "Who here had their purse stolen?"
A woman in a bright red dress walked forward. "I did sir"she said taking the purse that Zack held out to her. "Thank you so very much."
"Not a problem mam"Zack said smiling as he walked over to look at the arrival gates.
"Still saving damsels in distress brother?"
Zach Spung to look at a young woman that had just come through the red transport gate.
"Afternoon Chris"Zack said pulling the woman into a hug.
Returning the hug Christine looked over her brother. "I see you're still keeping yourself in shape"she said tapping him on the chest.
Zach blushed. "I spend too much time behind the desk as it is still."
"That maybe so"she said. "It doesn't keep you out of shape however."
The two of them walked out of the transport center waiting room and back towards the actual transport center chatting along the way about what Christine had seen on her trip.
Arriving back at home the two were heading towards the house when they saw a young woman with a glaze look at her eyes examining their house.
"Can we help you miss"Zach asked taking a step-in front of Christine.
"I... am... here... to... observe... the... holder... of... the... place... holder... for... the... Mana... Sword..."
Christine frowned. "Are you OK miss"she said standing beside her brother.
"This... unit... does... not... require... your... assistance."
With those words the woman turned, and walked down the street, before vanishing in a black light.
Zack frowned. "What did she mean by the Mana Sword?"
"A better question"Christine said "is why was she observing our house. It's not like there was anybody there."
"And what was with her voice"Zack said unlocking the front door. "It sounded almost like she was in some kind of trance."
"She said unit"Christine said following her brother into the house. "Could she be some kind of Mac?"
"I'll ask around at work tomorrow"Zach said as the two of them sat down to eat some lunch."
"And I'll research the library"Christine said. "Maybe there is some information on the Mana Sword there."
Nodding Zack and Christine continue to eat their lunch.