BANG! BANG! BANG!

“Jesus Yuko, you’ve been in there for an eternity! Are you trying to get us chewed out again?!” Haru said as she banged on the bathroom door.

“I’m sorry. I'll be out in just a minute!” replied a muffled and mildly frantic voice coming from the other side of the door.

Yuko sighed exasperatedly. She had yet again spent too much time binge watching her favorite series, and yet again slept through her four alarms on her cell phone. When Haru finally woke Yuko from her heavy slumber she had less than thirty minutes to complete her morning routine before having to report to her internship at The Inquirer. They had been tardy too often, mainly because of her, and if it weren’t for her ‘raw reporting talent’, as her supervisor had put it, she was sure they would have been fired a long time ago.

She did a once over in the mirror, styling her auburn hair in a side ponytail. Her fair skin had been washed and conditioned. She popped in her contacts and walked out of the bathroom toward the kitchen in their apartment. Haru stood waiting on the girl impatiently. Haru and Yuko had become fast friends since they first met 3 years ago during freshman orientation. Haru was a girl of average height, dark hair and brown eyes. She loved tattoos and piercings, in fact, she had an impressive sleeve on her left arm. Additionally, she had her ears and nose pierced (which she had of course removed for work). Haru handed her a foil wrapping containing jellied toast and sausage for breakfast as they both headed out the door.

The cool ocean breeze from Oshan’s harbor was a welcome sensation on the summer morning as the two girls walked their usual route through the markets towards the train station. Though Haru had a car, they preferred to walk to save gas and not deal with the hassle of traffic or parking. At seven in the morning, the market was bustling with activity. Fresh caught seafood and produce was being processed for the cities, restaurants. Eager customers were haggling with merchants for their wares. Wading through the chaos, they finally reach the station and boarded the train together.

“So, I hope whatever obscure marathon you had last night was worth it,” Haru remarked snidely as they settled into their seats. Yuko turned to her roommate, eyes bright with enthusiasm.

“Interested, eh? Well if you must know it was a series of documentaries about the mass extermination of the Kyushu criminal underworld. They had a presence for centuries, then suddenly over the course of about a decade, BOOM, all gone!” Yuko exclaimed, clapping her hands together for dramatic effect. Haru rolled her eyes and took a bite of her toast.

“You’ve always been attracted to the mysterious, just like that guy you hooked up with freshman year,” she joked.

“First off, I can't help it,” Yuko said, “It’s my naturally inquisitive nature as an investigative reporter.”

“Intern!” Haru interjected.

Yuko shot her friend a glare before continuing, “And second of all ‘he who shall not be named’ was just a phase, or should I remind you of your freshman folly?”

Haru choked on her breakfast.

“Kinda went something like that, right?” Yuko joked.

“Low blow, Hiragi,” This elicited a smile from her roommate as she happily continued her breakfast.

The two disembarked the train as it arrived at their station, a few blocks from the large Eastern Inquirer building. They both showed their temporary ID cards to the security guard at the front desk as they made their way to the elevators.

“Well here's to a full day of wrapping cables…again,” griped Haru as she pressed the call button, “The glamorous life of a production intern”.

“Hey, that's a skill!” Yuko quipped.” “Who else would be able to decrease my chances of tripping by such a large amount?”

Yuko felt for her friend, they would be working in the same building for the majority of the summer, yet they were both pursuing different fields. While she herself was working in the journalism department, Haru was interested in being behind the scenes as a production assistant and eventually a full-blown producer. But instead of getting a baptism by fire like Yuko was, Haru’s day was mainly reduced to gopher tasks such as coffee runs, remedial errands, and of course making sure the cables of the equipment was in proper order for each segment. Basically, wrapping cables all day. They pressed the call button and boarded the elevator heading for their respective floors.

The newsroom chaos was already underway. Walls of television screens were showing the current morning broadcast, while various news tickers and graphics scrolled along the walls with information and events across the world. “Home sweet home,” Yuko mused as she made her way towards her desk. “Hiragi!”

Yuko turned to see a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair eyeing her furiously from across the room. Her supervisor and lead editor of the Eastern Inquirer John H. Simmonds. “My office now!” He shouted, closing the door behind him.

“Off to a great start already,” she said as she resigned herself to his almost daily verbal tirade.

“...And this is the problem with you millennials! Always taking things for granted, spoiled by all this techno mumbo jumbo we have in this day and age!” Simmonds ranted. Yuko daydreamed as she sat opposite her boss, trying her best to drown out the now hour long rant.

“How do you kids even sleep through 4 alarms? What was so interesting that kept you up at night anyway?” he finally asked.

“Wha...Oh! It was a documentary series about the extermination of the Kyushu Crime Organization. They were operating for the better part of a decade when--”

“Yeah, yeah I know the story.” Simmonds cut her off. “That obsessive inquiring nature is the reason I decided to take you on in the first place.”

He grabbed a cigar from his desk and lit it. He took a few puffs before leaning back in his chair. “You know, Hiragi, if it wasn’t for your raw reporting talent, I would’ve given you the boot long ago…but the stuff you turn in is too damn good.”

He sat up and paced toward the window looking out at the city below. “You’re a junior, right? This time next year you’re graduating and you’ll be out in the real world.” He said, turning towards her.

“Yes, and enjoying the crippling debt that comes with it,” Yuko commented sadly. “I’m happy that you have given me a chance to intern here, but honestly I think I can take on more demanding tasks.” She stated.

“Like what?” Simmonds asked, interested in her response.

“Like a story of my own. You keep saying I’m talented. Let me use it. Let me break a story of my own, score me an interview and I’ll deliver!” She looked at him, eyes blazing with determination. He looked at her for a long while, before nodding.

“You’re right,” The editor finally said. “I think you’re ready.”

He then began to sift through the massive stack of papers on his desk, before settling on a certain file. “Ah, here we are.”

He handed Yuko the folder. She opened it to find the picture of a heavyset man at a ribbon cutting of one of the largest skyscrapers in the city. “That's Jensen Skagg, CEO of JenSys Industries. Ever since they opened a headquarters here we have been trying to reach out to them to get an interview with the man himself but to no avail. Why don’t you take a crack at it? If you manage to get a sit down with Mr. Skagg ...well let's say it would bode very well for your future here.”

Yuko’s heart leapt with excitement. “Thank you so much, sir! You won’t-”

“Save it kid, just get to work!” Simmonds interrupted the overjoyed girl, shooing her out of the office.

He watched her practically skip towards her desk as she cradled the file in her hand. He took another puff of his morning cigar and turned his chair back toward the window. “I feel like I'm forgetting something,” He said to himself.

“Jensen Skagg? You’re sure?” Haru said at the other end of the phone line.

“Yes!” Yuko answered. “It's unbelievable, I know! He gave the assignment to me!” Yuko proclaimed excitedly as she stole a few minutes in the ladies room to tell her friend the news. Haru made a groaning sound.

“I don’t know Yuko...you sure you want to do this?” Haru asked.

“The guy doesn’t have the…. best social reputation,” she stuttered.

“What do you mean?” asked Yuko, who deflated.

“Well, he was involved in several sexual harassment cases in the past, as well as a recent scandal when he was overheard in his limo talking about when he sees beautiful women he just wants to ‘grab their private parts’.”

Yuko shuddered at the information.

“Jesus, a regular Prince Charming,” she retorted as if she didn’t have enough hurdles with this assignment. Along with the struggle of getting in the door she might possibly have to deal with sexual assault. Great, she thought to herself for a moment.

“What if…” Yuko started. “What if I get him to meet with me and expose a corrupt businessman in the process? It’d be a slam dunk of a story!” Yuko proclaimed. She could nearly hear her friend roll her eyes at the euphemism.

“Well, for starters how are you going to get in?” Haru asked.

“I’ll obviously use my...feminine wiles to charm him, shouldn’t be too hard to get an interview if I do that.” Yuko teased.

“Not to burst your bubble, but you’re as charming as a cave troll with makeup,” Haru jested.

“But as much as I don’t want you to go, that might be the best way.” She sighed. “I mean it could just go by the book and you could get a great story out of it, but…what if something happens? These kinds of people...always attract the wrong kind of attention. I’m worried.”

“Thanks for the concern Haru…. but it’s a part of the job. It’s literally what I signed up for. If I can’t handle this...I’ll never be able to make it as a pro. I’m doing it.” Yuko stated. Hearing her friends resolve, Haru sighed. “Alright, let's at least get you ready.”

The JenSys building was a marvel of modern architecture. At 2700 feet from base to pinnacle it was easily one of the tallest buildings in Oshan. It housed an impressive lobby, with marble floors and intricate fountains which poured into waterways. This lead into the wide open plaza that proceeded to the elevators and other floors. In a spacious conference room, on one of these floors, sat Yuko Hiragi. Much to her surprise, getting in and setting up a meeting was much easier than she had anticipated. Upon arriving in the building and checking in with the secretary, she had waited merely moments before she was informed that, Mr. Skaggs’ afternoon just ‘opened up’ and could spare some time for an interview.

She was then promptly marched up to the conference room where she now waited. It would have been a relaxing environment if she didn't have to share it with the dozens of armed security personnel lining the room. She fidgeted with her skirt nervously. Simmonds had let her go home early to prepare, and Haru had given her some…choice suggestions for her attire. A short skirt with thigh-length stockings, and a button-up dress shirt-with a few buttons loose to show off her…assets, with a blazer to keep it somewhat professional. “Now I know what bait feels like, ugh.” She checked her watch. “When is this guy going to get here,” she said to herself tapping her foot agitatedly. She had been waiting for nearly half an hour and was beginning to get impatient.

As if on cue, the conference room doors opened and through them walked Jensen Skagg, the company’s namesake. He was…. big... to put it mildly. Easily standing over 6 feet tall, he was wearing an expensive looking black tuxedo and fine leather shoes. “Good afternoon,” His deep voice bellowed. “You must be Miss Hiragi,” He said as he extended a large, thick hand to shake. “A pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine Mr. Skagg,” She answered, taking his hand in a firm shake. “Thank you again for taking the time to meet with me, you must be very busy,” She said.

“Of course, but how could I refuse a request from such a budding young…journalist,” He said as he gave her body a once over. Yuko nearly rolled her eyes at the lascivious comment. “Well, thank you, sir. Shall we get started?” She said, trying to get his attention back on focus, motioning for him to sit down.

“Yes, lets.” He said as he sat down.

Yuko pulled out her notebook and pen and set up her recorder. “Would you mind telling me a brief history of how the JenSys corporation began?” Yuko asked.

“Yes, of course. It all began with my father Jensen Skagg Sr. He always felt like humanity’s current state was stagnant, not evolving. So, he had a vision of helping people achieve their fullest potential with pharmaceutical and technological enhancements.” As the man spoke, Yuko felt uneasy. She watched his eyes lecherously scour her body: her chest, her legs, her lips. Though she remained professional and continued to ask questions and feign interest, she could sense that he was considering making a move. She would have to make one first.

“Our move to Oshan was a strategic one, as we knew it was the major port that connected the eastern and western continents. We knew if we could establish a foothold in the city we would be able to expand our profits and services to a larger demographic.” Skagg said as he finished answering her most recent question.

“Before we continue, Miss Hiragi, would you like some water? I’m a bit parched myself,” He said motioning for one of the guards in the room to fetch some water. Yuko had been to enough college parties to know the dangers of not preparing your own drink. She would not make the same mistake twice.

“No, but thank you for offering,” she said with a smile. Anger quickly flashed across the man’s features, only for it to be replaced with his calm facade once again as the guard set a pitcher filled with ice cold water and two glasses on the table.

“Shall we continue then?” He said as he poured himself a glass.

“Of course, I’ve been meaning to ask you something that's been on my mind” she began. “Is there a purpose for these guards? Your building's security seemed thorough enough, yet you pretty much have a small army in here as well. Why do you feel you need them?” Skagg’s posture straightened in his chair.

“These are merely the JenSys security force. Instead of outsourcing to third-party security staffing agencies, we train and employ our own personnel at our facilities. Some would say our work can be...controversial at times so it is good for our employees to feel adequately protected.” He stated defensively. Yuko was testing him with that question, she observed how his posture straightened, and his brow furrowed slightly. It was a question he had been asked before, something that he was used to explaining, but under the surface, he was afraid of something being exposed. She intended to do just that.

“When I was led to this conference room I didn't see many of the guards patrolling or anything in the building. Upon coming to this floor their presence drastically increased, and when I got in this room they were already here lined around the room. I assume because you were coming down here, but even so, I was curious as to what could possibly concern you so much that you would need to travel with such an entourage in your very own building. Don’t you think that's quite excessive and makes it a bit uncomfortable for the regular employees?” Yuko asked, smiling politely while awaiting his answer.

Skaggs demeanor changed. She had set a trap, and he had no choice but to spring it. He had been around long enough to know when he was being baited. She was meaning to uncover something, most likely his involvement in those troublesome lawsuits. It was no matter, she could get what she wanted, but he planned to make sure her story never got out and if need be he could have her easily silenced. “To answer your question,” He started again. “They are for my personal protection, a man of my stature must always be wary of threats.”

“Like threats on your life?” Yuko pushed.

“Yes, several attempts have been made already.” He answered earnestly. He watched her as she quickly jotted in her notepad. She flipped to another page that had already been filled with notes and paused for a moment. He knew where this was going. She chewed her pen as she gathered her thoughts, then asked, “Do you have any idea who made those attempts? Did they seem connected?”

“No idea, none of them seemed connected,” he said.

“Do you think that they have anything to do with the sexual assault claims that have been made against you?” There it was. Skagg took another sip of water and rose from his seat. “It seems you’ve already done some digging, Miss Hiragi. I underestimated you.” He said as he towered over her.

“Well it's my job to come prepared,” She said nervously. She thought she heard the clack of the doors locking as the guards moved to conspicuously block them. Alarm bells blared in Yuko’s mind, screaming for her to get out...and fast. She ignored it, as she hadn’t finished her interview. She was close, all she needed was to get him to prove his connection on record. “Would you please answer the question? This would be a good chance to clear up any misconceptions, don’t you think?” She needed to intensify the question, make it worth answering. Hell, even if he fed her complete bullshit at this point she would consider taking it. Her resolve was getting weaker by the second as the bad vibes she was feeling from her current situation seemed to magnify.

“There's nothing to clear up.” He said. “It's true, all of it.”

He took a step closer to her. She tried to stand her ground but found herself taking inching backward as he advanced.

“This world has always run on a fundamental principle. Those who are powerful control the world. Those who are not are controlled.”

He loosened his tie a bit. “I have worked hard to build the empire I have, and when I want to have a little fun...”

He removed the tie completely as he removed his suit jacket.

“The world says that it’s illegal, unethical, non-consensual. Foolishness, utter foolishness.” He began to loosen the buttons on his shirt.

“I am power; I deserve to get what I want. Don't you think?”

He lunged for her, moving much faster than she anticipated and pinned her on the table. She struggled in vain against the man’s iron grip.

“Don’t you think I’m powerful, Miss Hiragi?”

He said as he snaked a hand up her thigh.

Yuko thrashed wildly, desperately trying to fight the man off.

“Help me! Please!” She pleaded to a nearby guard, only to be met with no response. No one moved to help her at all. His eyes were mad with lust, his breath hot against her face. Tears began to stream from Yuko’s eyes, she had never felt so helpless, so scared in her life. Skagg made a motion to undo his belt buckle, ripping her skirt and tearing off her shirt. Suddenly, the whir of failing electronics sounded through the room.

“What’s going on?!” Skagg demanded.

“It seems like power is out for the entire floor. Must be a local shortage.” One of the guards reported.

“Well get it fixed immediately!” Skagg barked.

“Right awa..auuugghh!!!” The guard's statement was cut off as he screamed in pain. The rest of the force trained their gun mounted flashlights in the direction of the sound to see the man impaled through the chest by a large glaive. The man was then tossed aside like a ragdoll, landing in a bloody heap on the table. To the surprise of the guards, they expected to find their assailant behind the slain man. But there was no one. At this point, Skagg had pulled himself from atop Yuko and moved behind his advancing guards, who were sweeping the large open space trying to find whatever had killed one of their own. Suddenly, another guard screamed as he found his arms removed, then went silent as his head was removed from his body.

“Shoot, you fools!” Skagg yelled out. A cacophony of gunfire rang out as the men opened fire, the discharge of automatic weapons lighting the room in fiery spurts. Yuko watched in horror as the men were shredded left and right, tossed across the room in bloody messes or eviscerated horribly. She still couldn’t make out the identity of the attacker as she took refuge under the table, trying to suppress a scream as the gunfire began to slowly die down as the guards’ numbers began to dwindle.

Soon, only Skagg was left with his one remaining guard. Yuko heard the sound of boots landing on the table above her and the heavy footfalls as they approached Skaggs direction. Another quick burst of gunfire rang out before being silenced with a heavy thud against the nearby wall.

Skagg reached for a pistol off of a dead guard and fired frantically at his approaching assailant, only to have the rounds casually dodged or deflected. He was grabbed by the throat and hoisted high in the air, an impressive feat considering Skagg’s massive build. His vision began to darken as he felt his windpipe being crushed, drool leaking from his gaping mouth as he fought in vain for air. The hooded figure let out a slight chuckle and spoke.

“It's always funny, the hubris of men.” Yuko noticed the voice sounded male, and not too much older than her.

“You always build your castles, your armies, you make yourselves out to be gods.” He raised the guan dao and sliced across the man's neck, cleanly decapitating him.

“But death is the ultimate equalizer,” Yuko screamed as the head dropped to the floor in front of her. The assassin whirled around letting out an “Oh Shit!” in surprise as he seemed to have completely forgotten her presence. She saw a hand grip the table and flipped it as if it weighed nothing.

“Looks like I missed one,” he whirled his glaive around and started to approach her.

“Wait! Please! Don’t kill me...I...I’m just a reporter! I mean an intern!” He got closer. “I don’t even know what's going on, I was just here for an interview!” She pleaded.

“Begging for your life, eh? Jeez, could you be a little more cliché? Maybe offer me a deal or saying whatever they're paying you I’ll triple it!” the assassin jested as he raised his weapon to strike her down. Yuko braced herself for her bloody end…. only for it not to come. The assassin had stopped.

“Did he do that to you?” He asked earnestly. She looked down at her disheveled clothes, her torn skirt and ripped buttons on her shirt. She was surprised he could see that considering the dark room.

“So…the rumors were true after all.” He lowered his weapon. “Count yourself lucky, you almost became another of his victims.”

A poppy ringtone blared in the room as the man whipped out his phone.

“It's about the appointed time. I take it Jensen Skagg is dead?” A female voice on the line spoke.

“Yup, mission accomplished. Aunt Maya, please tell Mom I'll be heading back in a day or two,” he said.

“Very good, young Master. Find a place to lay low, and I’ll send Shelty to come to find you.” The woman Maya said.

“Great, oh also...do you think I can buy that new television for the…”

“No, you're not getting a TV for the bathroom, goodbye, young master.” The line went dead.

“Damn, that woman, never letting me have any fun...now as I was sayi-” Yuko was gone. She barreled down the hall, screaming for help but to no avail. “Where is everyone? This floor was busy just an hour ago!” A blur appeared in front of Yuko and she slammed headfirst into it, knocking her off her feet.

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this.” It was the assassin, dressed in a hooded black garb, still holding the bloodied weapon.

“But. How…” she said in disbelief.

“I’m pretty fast, love, also yelling for help won't do you any good. Everyone on this floor is unconscious, don’t ask... spare yourself the headache.” He said.

“Now I need you to stay with me for a bit because I... we don’t have much time.”

He removed his hood revealing a messy head of black hair and golden eyes.

“My name is Satoru, my family was contracted to kill Jesen Skagg by a group of his...victims and that's about all I can disclose. Okay, now that introductions are out of the way, the power should snap back on soon and then this place will be swarming with cops. I also need to ask you a few questions but can’t do it here soooooooo, I need you to come with me.”

Before Yuko could protest, Satoru had hoisted her to her feet and tucked her under his arm.

“You might want to loosen up a bit for this, by the way.” With Yuko tucked under arm, he leaped out of a window into the city below...