Cowboy Samurai X Badass Android Read online

  Chapter 9: This looks like a job for, Mr. Suit!

  Jake was dreaming about what really happened that fateful night when his family was abducted by aliens…

  He had been out in the cornfields, laying on his back and stargazing when he caught sight of the silver flying saucer. Unlike, Nova Inara’s spaceship this one was not on fire and seemed to be perfectly fine. That alone sent a chill down Jake’s spine. Jake froze and held his breath as he watched the flying saucer head in the direction of the Lonestar Ranch.

  The ranch…his family! Jake quickly pushed himself up off the ground and ran, tripping through the cornfields, towards the ranch. As he approached he saw that the flying saucer was now hovering mere feet above the ground directly in front of his house. The cockpit was open and a being in a silver space suit and helmet was visible. This alien being was currently talking to his father. Even though Jake was dreaming he felt surprised that he was remembering this new scene.

  The memory of this alien had been so terrifying Jake had buried it deep within his mind. This alien man had an intense battle aura and the force of his raw power made the air around Jake feel heavy. This force could easily flatten a normal person to the ground if used to do so.

  The alien in the space suit suddenly exited the flying saucer and stalked over to stand in front of James. Jake could see that the alien was at least a foot taller than his father. The alien grabbed Jake’s father by the front of his shirt and lifted him up off the ground. James was not a light man either; he weighed about a hundred and eighty pounds. “Where is he, human? Where is your son? We know he has the D. Spark that was stolen from us. We know it’s here on this pathetic mud ball of a planet.”

  James shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I have no son…”

  Jake felt hurt by his father’s words not yet realizing that his father was just trying to protect him.

  “Don’t lie to me, human. We can smell lies…if you don’t tell me where your son is I’ll kill you and your family…” The alien threatened and then he began to release some of his power.

  This burst of the alien’s raw power was like a shock wave. The air became heavy and his mother Jessie and sister Bonnie were flattened to the ground instantly while Jake was crushed to the ground in his hiding place.

  Jake’s father actually spit on the alien’s helmet and grinned. “I’ll never tell you…where he is…” James felt guilty that he hadn’t believed his son about the existence of aliens.

  …Father?! In that moment, Jake realized his father was trying to protect him.

  The alien tossed James to the ground roughly. “If you won’t tell me where he is…I’ll take you and your family hostage. You all will be our bargaining chip for when we find and locate your son!” The alien then spoke into some kind of high-tech wristband communication device. “Beam us up.” The alien man unconsciously put his hand over the hilt of what appeared to be a samurai sword strapped to his waist. Jake definitely didn’t remember that detail before either.

  Jake looked up to see that the flying saucer had flown higher into the sky. For the first time in Jake’s memory the flying saucer was completely visible. Jake could see its smooth metal surface. There was something elegant about the alien spacecraft. Another interesting detail surfaced in Jake’s dream and he was able to remember seeing strange symbols on the surface of the metal disc. One of the symbols became burned into his mind: it was a round circle with a single vertical line running through it and a curved line cutting through the circle horizontally. This made the symbol look like a horned face with some kind of sword piercing through it. There was a single star within the circle.

  Jake’s eyes were fixated upon that strange alien symbol in fear. He had wanted to forget ever seeing that symbol.

  The flying saucer glowed with a blue light before the bottom of it began to glow brighter and brighter until the light concentrated into a beam that engulfed the alien man who was beamed up first. The beam then captured Jessie and began to beam her up.

  James began to freak out upon seeing his wife being taken from him. “Jessie!”

  “James! Help!” Jessie called down and reached her hand out towards James.

  The next to be captured by the beam of light was Bonnie. She too stretched her hand out to her father for help. “Pa! Save me! Help!”

  “Bonnie!” James called out. “You bastards! Taking even women and children!” James shook his fist up at the alien spacecraft.

  Jessie and Bonnie had already been beamed aboard the flying saucer until only James remained. Trembling, Jake stumbled out of the cornfields into his father’s line of sight. James turned to look at his son and his eyes widened.

  “Jake…” James’ expression turned sad and regretful. “I’m sorry we didn’t believe you, son. We treated you like a freak, but you were right. Aliens do exist. I’m sorry, son. I should have believed you - my own son. If you can’t count on your family to have your back, who can you count on? We never should have doubted you. Family means believing in each other until proven wrong. I won’t lose any more of my family, good bye, Jake.” James threw a horseshoe at Jake’s forehead and knocked him out cold.

  And then James was beamed up.

  Jake came to a few minutes later and ran after the alien spacecraft as it was flying over the cornfields. It tried to beam Jake up but the teleportation device blew up inside of the ship causing a huge shockwave that blasted Jake off his feet knocking him out cold for a second time.

  This was what really happened. Apparently, the aliens had been after Jake and his family had protected him.

  ***

  Inside of the newly constructed log cabin in Brooklyn Prime, Jake woke with a start. He was covered in sweat, was pale, panting for breath, rattled, trembling - the dream had been so real. No, Jake’s eyes widened as he realized that it hadn’t been just a dream but that it had been real. A buried memory.

  Jake felt a sinking feeling in his gut as he suddenly remembered the alien symbol, the clavicula nox that had been on the side of the alien spaceship. The same symbol was on Orochi’s sheath and Orochi had already told Jake that the Dragon Aliens had made him. Did that mean that it was a Dragon Alien who had abducted Jake’s family…a member of the most powerful warrior race in the galaxy? Jake felt like he was going to be sick.

  It was them…the Dragon Aliens. They kidnapped my family.

  Jake also began to remember how the dragon alien had been after him for some reason that he couldn’t remember and that his father had protected him. His family hadn’t been randomly abducted at all. They had been abducted because of him.

  Jake frowned as he tried to think about what else he knew about the Dragon Aliens. How could he find them? He wondered if he should ask Orochi about the mysterious alien race.

  Jake was currently all bandaged up like a mummy. He leapt out of bed (which was a mattress Mayor Stark had provided him with along with a bed sheet), tripped over his bandages and fell flat on his face with a SMACK! He stumbled over to the sheathed Orochi. He looked at the scabbard that had the sinister clavicula nox symbol on it. Orochi had already openly told Jake about how the Dragon Aliens had made him…but that was all the sword knew about the race, or was it?

  Jake unsheathed the living-metal sword and grasped the hilt. Orochi…wake up! Orochi! Speak to me! Dammit! Tell me about the Dragon Aliens! Shit…

  There was no response from his sword.

  Jake suddenly remembered his encounter with Astra and how she had a pendant that used to belong to a Dragon Alien that had supposedly killed her family. If anyone possessed information on the Dragon Aliens it would be Astra, Jake realized. Jake decided to head on over to the alien woman’s house so he could ask her more about the Dragon Aliens. Dressed in nothing but a pair of frayed jeans, his Martian headband, and with his torso still bandaged like a mummy, Jake approached the front door of Astra’s small home and called out loudly: “Howdy! Astra! Are you home?”

&n
bsp; However, the door suddenly burst open and a blue blur hit Jake knocking him to the ground. Jake looked up to find Astra straddling him and pointing a blaster into his gaping mouth.

  “Prepare to die, Mummy Monster!” Astra cried.

  “EPPPP!” Jake squeaked in fear, tears in his eyes. Astra had mistaken Jake for some kind of monster. “Mommy!”

  But Astra quickly realized that it was just the Martian Jake since no one could look that pathetic or cowardly except for him. “Jake? What the…? What are you doing dressed like a mummy? Are you celebrating some kind of human holiday? Although I thought that Halloween was celebrated in October.” She took her blaster out of his mouth and got off of him.

  Jake inwardly pouted and regretted that he hadn’t gotten to enjoy Astra straddling him suggestively like that for a little while longer since he had been scared out of his mind.

  “I was injured and now that you just reminded me…” Jake suddenly remembered that he was horribly injured! His painkillers had worn off too and he was in a lot of pain. “Ow…it hurts…whaaa~!”

  Astra gave Jake an incredulous look and sighed heavily rubbing at her temples. “Get a hold of yourself, Jake. Why did you come to see me so early in the morning?” It better not have anything to do with a morning wood…or I’ll sue him for sexual harassment.

  “I wanted…to ask you about…the Dragon Aliens…” He managed to get out between pained pants.

  Astra’s eyes widened. “The Dragon Aliens? Why would you need to know about them?” She gave Jake a suspicious look as she narrowed her deep blue eyes at him.

  However, at that moment Ultraviolet had arrived upon the scene. “JAKE LONESTAR NO BAKA!” Jake got a flying sidekick his way courtesy of Ultraviolet. Jake went flying. He painfully lifted his head and saw that Ultraviolet was dressed in her sexy nurse outfit once again. Jake gulped since Ultraviolet looked pissed. “Where were you, you shitty bastard?! I was worried Nova Inara had kidnapped you or something!”

  Jake was pretty tough so he managed to get up unscathed, with a hopeful, puppy-dog look forming on his face, “Aw, you were worried about me, V?”

  Ultraviolet’s jaw dropped, “In your dreams, cowboy.” She lit a cigarette and took a drag. “Anyways, you look like shit…” She declared as she looked him over with a critical eye.

  “I feel like shit.” Jake agreed. “Ultraviolet~ it hurts. Can’t you give me something for the pain? Pretty please~” Jake begged.

  “Che. Weak, pathetic, cowardly, baka!” Ultraviolet took out a huge syringe, “Fine. Come here.” There was a glint in her eyes.

  Jake swallowed and took a step back. “On second thought, I’ll just make a run to CVS and get some Advil…Ehehehehe…” Jake began to laugh nervously.

  Ultraviolet attacked Jake and pinned him to the ground before he could escape. “Oh, you’re not getting away!”

  “Mommy!” Jake cried.

  The feisty android flipped Jake over onto his stomach and injected his ass with a large dose of morphine.

  “Ow! Ahhh~” Pain quickly turned to a martini high and Jake’s painful expression transformed into one of pure bliss. A goofy grin also formed on his face. “So V why are you here? Besides the fact that you obviously missed me and can’t stop thinking about me.” Jake’s eyes had turned into two large pink hearts. He was obviously delusional.

  “Idiot. You have a new mission. Haven’t you seen this morning’s paper?” Ultraviolet asked.

  “No…” Jake admitted sheepishly. Being responsible was so not his thing. That was Mr. Suit’s thing.

  Ultraviolet flung a newspaper in Jake’s face. Jake took the newspaper off his face and unfolded it so that he could see the front page, which read:

  20 KILLED ON BROOKLYN QUEENS EXPRESSWAY

  RESULT OF GANG WARFARE BETWEEN RIVAL CYBORG BIKE GANGS

  Last night, the biker gang known as the Metalheads and their rivals the Solar Flares took to the streets of New York City and fought over turf. The bikers were reported to have been going at a speed of 900 MPH! 845 MPH over the legal speed limit. A few of the bikers died from the g-force their bodies experienced from going 900 MPH when their bodies exploded gruesomely over the streets.

  They were recorded to have experienced an average of 75 gs. The cyborg bikers caused multiple car accidents last night as innocent bystanders were caught up in the bloody gang war. The NYPD has reported that they will not be handling this case because the perpetrators are cyborgs and this case also deals with illegal E.T. Tech. The NYPD will be handing this case over to the Samurai Superheroes Force and it will fall to them to apprehend and arrest these dangerous cyborg bikers ASAP so that the streets of New York City can be safe once again.

  Jake’s eyes widened as he read the article. Well, that explained what the stolen Accelerator Tech had been used for - but why? Jake had a sinking feeling in his gut. “SSF…you don’t mean Mr. Suit and I are already expected to go after these guys? That’s crazy…!”

  “You don’t have to go with me, lazy coward.” Came Mr. Suit’s chill voice and Jake turned to see Mr. Suit riding Pinstripe down the riverbank towards him and Ultraviolet. Close behind Pinstripe, Ginger was galloping down the riverbank and towards them on her own. She was one smart horse. “You’d only get in my way anyways. Although you can feel free to give me your living-metal sword Orochi.” An evil smirk formed on Mr. Suit’s face. “He’d be better suited in my capable hands.”

  Grrrr! Jake inwardly growled. “Who would want to help you anyways, pompous bastard? I could care less about what happens to you. If you think you’re soooo~ great and powerful you should handle this mission alone because you don’t need my shitty help.” Jake challenged in a rather petulant manner.

  Lightning flashed between their gazes.

  But then Ultraviolet whacked Jake over the back of his head. “BAKA! There’s no way Mr. Suit can handle this case all on his own. It’s too dangerous. But…even you won’t be much help. I had better tag along and keep an eye on you two.” Ultraviolet lit up a cigarette and took a long drag. “Make sure you two work together and make sure Mr. Suit doesn’t bite off more than he can chew. He’s always pushing himself too hard…” Ultraviolet gave Mr. Suit a worried look.

  Jake noticed the look Ultraviolet was giving Mr. Suit and frowned. She always seemed to be looking out for Mr. Suit. Maybe Ultraviolet had a crush on him. That bothered Jake for some reason.

  As soon as Jake had mounted Ginger and Ultraviolet had hopped up behind him Mr. Suit rode off down the riverbank expecting Jake to follow him. “Giddy-up, Ginger!” Follow him Jake did and soon the Samurai Superheroes were riding on busy New York highways, swerving through traffic and passing Porsche Boxsters and Ferraris on their cyborg warhorses.

  Jake was a little afraid since Ginger was so fast. He was trembling but then without saying some sarcastic or smart-ass comment Ultraviolet wrapped her arms around Jake’s torso and slightly squeezed, and in that moment Jake knew he was not alone. He stopped trembling and took a deep breath. He was with Ultraviolet and Ginger, and so he didn’t need to be afraid…yet.

  He hoped that Mr. Suit wouldn’t notice that Ultraviolet was practically hugging him in order to calm him and give him strength. I mean, how pathetic was that? He didn’t want Mr. Suit to think he was a total pussy.

  While Jake clung to Ginger’s reigns until his knuckles turned white, Jake thought about how strange his life had become and how strange all this was. Samurai Superheroes on horseback riding through modern-day traffic, and battling cyborg criminals. Well, Dr. Valery had genetically altered the horses so that they could keep up with cars but it was still bizarre. Dr. Val sure had some odd fetishes. It was totally weird for futuristic samurai to be going after souped up bikes on horseback. It was ludicrous, crazy, unreal, impossible. The bikers they were going after were no normal bikers either - they were cyborg bikers that had the reflexes to be able to handle a motorcycle that had been altered with E.T. Tech to be able to go up to 900 MPH. Usually, Jak
e would be pissing his pants right about now, but with Ultraviolet and Ginger so close by he actually felt safe.

  Jake was pulled from his musing by a sudden commotion on the road ahead of them. A group of bikers dressed in all black leather and another group of bikers dressed in yellow leather outfits and matching helmets were zooming through traffic at such an incredible speed that Jake could barely see them. They were just black or yellow blurs. Jake squinted at them and their movements seemed to slow down and he saw that they weren’t just flying through traffic but fighting one another. The two groups were shooting blasters, slashing energy sabers, shooting normal guns and even clashing cybernetic limbs against each other.

  A Metalhead took out a Solar Flare and the Solar Flare’s bike tipped and began to skid across the road right into the path of an oncoming car. The car hit the bike and flipped into the air and crashed down upon the unforgiving pavement. The car began to set on fire. The cars that were behind this car tried to skid to a stop but one of the cars hit the overturned car and soon there was a domino effect as the cars began to slam into each other, causing a pile up.

  Jake and Mr. Suit were forced to use all of their concentration in order to avoid flaming, crunched cars. As Jake passed the cars he began to feel worried about the people who were still stuck inside the vehicles. “Hey! Mr. Suit! Shouldn’t we stop and help those people?”

  “Already way ahead of you, cowboy.” Mr. Suit shouted over his shoulder. “I dialed 911 and gave them our GPS location - multiple ambulances are already on the way to the scene. Remember, our primary objective is arresting those cyborg criminals. Those are obviously the Metalheads and the Solar Flares ahead of us. But they won’t get away. Come on!”

  Jake frowned as he spotted entire families inside of the cars. He really wanted to stop and help those people, but instead he had to chase after these crazy cyborg bikers?! Unreal. What the hell was Jake supposed to do against them anyways? Jake put his hand on the hilt of Orochi. Would he need the sword’s help again? And how could he get it?

  In retaliation for their fallen comrade the Solar Flares pulled a risky move. They aimed their blasters at the front tires of an oncoming semi-trailer truck. One of the tires was blown out and the truck driver began to lose control of the vehicle. The truck began to swerve across the road and almost entered the wrong lane. This was about to put not only the Metalheads but also innocent bystanders in danger as well. Mr. Suit pursued the Solar Flare who pulled this nasty stunt, but got cut off from Jake and the rest of the Metalheads as the back trailer of the truck swung into the opposite lane.

  Shit! Jake began to panic.

  Ultraviolet did not. “Jake! Ride ahead of the Metalheads and get in front of them. Then raise your sword and cut the truck in two!” The android directed.

  Jake looked back at Ultraviolet and gave her an incredulous look. “Um, you do realize I’m the only other person with you on this horse, right? And that I’m not Mr. Suit. You can’t actually think I can do something like that, do you?”

  Ultraviolet sighed heavily. She was quickly losing her patience, “Baka! Don’t think or feel! Just do what I tell you to do! Because I know you can do it! I’m an android - I’ve already calculated your odds.”

  “Don’t think or feel, just do it?” Jake stuck his tongue out. “Fine, but we’re so going to die!” Jake wouldn’t say it aloud but he trusted and believed in Ultraviolet. I can’t believe I’m about to do this but…Jake kicked Ginger’s sides and galloped through traffic passing the Metalheads gang.

  He stood in front of the Metalheads in position, directly in front of the huge semi-trailer truck that was skidding across the road and heading for Jake now. Jake was completely terrified, “Okay, now what, robo chick?”

  “Now, just use the living-metal sword - it can cut through anything. This will be a piece of cake! Easy peasy!” Ultraviolet claimed.

  Jake’s entire body was trembling and as he raised his sword he realized his arm and hand were shaking badly. He hoped this wouldn’t affect what he was about to do. Ultraviolet put a hand on his arm in a comforting gesture.

  Her touch steadied Jake and he stopped trembling, but he still felt like he was about to hyperventilate. “I can’t do this V…I’m not a superhero…I think I’m going to piss myself…”

  “Disgusting baka…don’t even think of pissing yourself or I’ll kill you. If you’re such a coward just close your eyes…I’ll guide you. I’ll be your eyes, cowboy.” She almost purred, though Jake was sure he imagined it.

  Jake’s eyes widened. “You’ll do that? Alright, fine…” Jake closed his eyes and suddenly his fear just vanished. He couldn’t fear what he couldn’t see. Heh. Now I know how Daredevil felt!

  Ultraviolet quickly gave Jake instructions. “Okay, now, connect with Orochi via your psy-link and summon the sword’s power using your will. And go into Evolution One. Do it now, baka cowboy!”

  Jake concentrated on connecting with Orochi…and it just like happened and the living-metal sword glowed with a green-tinged light in his hand. “Orochi Evolution One!” Jake murmured as if in a trance and Orochi transformed so that its blade now had a deadly ridge of triangular-shaped metal teeth. The sword then increased in size until it was ten feet long.

  “Charge!” Ultraviolet commanded Jake.

  Jake obeyed. “YEE HAW!” He galloped forward towards the truck, sword raised and attacked.

  Meanwhile, Mr. Suit’s living-metal sword Ōkami was clashing against a cyborg biker’s energy saber. He looked behind him and caught sight of Jake charging the semi-trailer truck with his eyes closed, glowing living-metal sword in Evolution One form in his hand and also noted the sword’s increased size.

  Mr. Suit nearly fell out of his saddle in shock. “What does that idiot think he’s doing?! He doesn’t even know how to communicate with his sword…does he?”

  “Do you really think you should be taking your eyes off your opponent, samurai?” The cyborg Solar Flare biker slashed his energy saber at Mr. Suit, and the Samurai Superhero barely managed to block the attack as it grazed, cut, and burned into his side painfully.

  “Shit!” Mr. Suit was forced to turn his attention back to the Solar Flare.

  The Solar Flares realized that Mr. Suit had become separated from his partner and as one they decided to take advantage of the situation. Without even having to signal it the Solar Flares all began to surround Mr. Suit on their bikes, planning to overcome him using their numbers.

  Mr. Suit sensed the tight pinch he was about to be in and raised his sword. “Ōkami Evolution One!” Mr. Suit’s sword glowed with a green-tinged light and then transformed into a gigantic wolf claw. “Bring it! You cyborg bastards!” Mr. Suit challenged.

  The Solar Flares smirked at each other and chuckled darkly, raising their blasters, cybernetic limbs, and energy sabers Mr. Suit’s way before they charged.

  ***

  Jake’s living-metal sword Orochi sliced through the truck and both halves went careening past Jake on either side of him as he rode forward. One by one the Metalheads rode after Jake and escaped collision with the truck because of the escape route that Jake basically created for them to follow. Because of Jake the Metalheads had been saved.

  Nix Duo rode ahead on his bike so that he could see the face of the Samurai Superhero who had just saved his life and saw that Jake was gripping his reigns with white knuckles and that he clearly had his eyes shut. Beneath his faceless mask Nix Duo’s dark eyes widened and he laughed. “My brave hero! Thanks, cowardly samurai. I guess, I owe you one. Come on, guys, let’s get the hell out of here before Mr. Suit decides to try and arrest all of us!” Nix Duo cried and revving his engine spun around to ride off in the opposite direction that they had originally been heading.

  “Alright, Nix Duo!” The Metalheads cried as they all turned their bikes around and rode after Nix Duo. They became black blurs speeding through traffic.

  Jake was blushing with his eyes still closed, not used to p
raise. “Aw shucks, it was nothing, really.”

  Ultraviolet became pissed. “Jake! Open your damned eyes, you baka cowboy! The Metalheads are getting away! We’re supposed to capture and arrest them, you fool!”

  Jake reluctantly opened one eye and then the other - just in case that scary truck was still in front of him, but it really wasn’t there. Phew. What was in front of him, however, was the sight of Mr. Suit facing off against what appeared to be the entire Solar Flare gang.

  Jake watched as the cyborgs attacked Mr. Suit with deadly attacks aimed to kill, but Mr. Suit was skillfully managing to block and evade all of their attacks. He was also managing to disarm the cyborgs without hurting them. Jake realized that it wouldn’t be long before Mr. Suit would have the entire Solar Flare gang subdued and arrested. Jake frowned, grudgingly admitting to himself that Mr. Suit was pretty good.

  “Cool.” Jake murmured before he realized he was acting all starry-eyed for Mr. Suit of all people! For that narcissistic asshole! He shook his head and turned to see that Ultraviolet was right - the Metalheads and Nix Duo were getting away! “Ack! The Metalheads are getting away!” Jake paused for a moment. “Mr. Suit needs to go after them!”

  BONK. Ultraviolet bonked Jake over the back of his head. “BAKA! You’re a Samurai Superhero too, remember? You need to go after them!”

  “Me…?” Jake questioned hesitantly.

  As one, the Solar Flares realized that it would only be a matter of time before the skilled Mr. Suit defeated them and knew they needed to come up with some kind of plan to defeat the Samurai Superhero stat. That’s when one of the Solar Flares caught sight of a pretty female driver in one of the cars that had been forced to stop in the middle of the road because of the biker gang war. The Solar Flare smiled underneath his helmet. She would do perfectly. Mr. Suit had a reputation for being extremely chivalrous, therefore, his weakness was women.

  The Solar Flare biker stalked over to the car and opened the driver’s side door. He grabbed the young woman’s arm and yanked her out of the car beginning to use her as a hostage. “Hey! Mr. Suit!” The Solar Flare called out loudly in order to get his attention.

  Mr. Suit turned to see the cyborg with a young woman in his grasp. The cyborg raised his hand and it transformed into a series of wiggling, razor-sharp, metal tentacles that converged into a sharp point that he placed beneath the young woman’s neck. The biker was pressing the weapon against the young woman’s neck in such a way that a thin cut was produced and began to bleed slightly. Mr. Suit froze at the sight of the woman’s blood.

  …a drop of blood trickled down her pale neck and Shin was unable to do anything to stop it…

  The cyborg’s expression turned triumphant and he smirked at Mr. Suit’s unease. “Good, it looks like I have your attention, Mr. Suit. Now…I want you to drop your sword or else this little lady will get hurt…”

  Mr. Suit didn’t hesitate to drop his sword and tossed it aside. Mr. Suit’s living-metal sword hit the pavement and lost its aura of green-tinged light. There was an ominous clanging sound as his sword hit the pavement.

  “Rough him up, boys.” The leader of the Solar Flares ordered.

  Mr. Suit didn’t resist when the Solar Flares pulled him off his horse Pinstripe and tossed him to the pavement. Pinstripe immediately went wild and began to kick his hind legs at the cyborgs sending a few of the cyborgs flying before Mr. Suit called out to him. “Pinstripe. No.”

  Pinstripe let out a frustrated huff, pawed angrily at the road, but the horse did not resume his attack upon the cyborg bikers.

  Now that it was safe to approach Mr. Suit again the bikers then began to beat the shit out of Mr. Suit. Their punches and kicks had a force that was ten times as strong as that of a normal man because of their cybernetic enhancements with brutal effects.

  A sickening crack rang through the air as a metal foot came down hard on Mr. Suit’s ribcage.

  Jake watched everything that was happening in shock. “Mr. Suit!” Why…why is he letting himself get beaten up for some girl he doesn’t even know?! I don’t know if I could be such a Saint! Why did he toss his sword away! Shit! And I’m so scared I can’t even move…he’s not expecting me to help him is he? That would be dumb…

  Flash, the leader of the Solar Flares, watched Mr. Suit allowing himself to get beaten up and his expression turned dark. “I heard rumors about you, Samurai Superhero Mr. Suit - the gentleman samurai who won’t fight against a woman even if it means his death. Who’ll risk his life for a woman even if he doesn’t personally know her. Unreal. Allowing yourself to get this badly beaten up or even killed to save that young woman. You don’t even know her…she won’t care if you die…how does that make you feel?”

  “I don’t care…as long as she’s alright…as long as she stops bleeding…” Mr. Suit panted out.

  Jake had a funny feeling that Mr. Suit wasn’t talking about the young woman in the cyborg’s grasp when he said those words.

  “I hate hypocrites like you.” Flash sneered. “I think you need to learn a lesson. I’ll teach you that you can’t save everyone no matter what you do - even if you sacrifice yourself - this world isn’t that kind!” Flash reached out and wrapped his large metal hand around the young woman’s neck. He then lifted her up off the ground and began to carry her to the side of the bridge. Then without saying anything he simply threw her right off the bridge.

  The woman’s shrill scream as she fell through the air pierced the night coldly.

  …her screams of pain could be heard in the next room and Shin covered his head with his pillow knowing that he wouldn’t get any sleep again that night…

  A fierce glint came to Mr. Suit’s eyes and he suddenly pushed all of the cyborgs off of him with a cry and they went flying. He picked up his living-metal sword and rushed for the side of the bridge. Mr. Suit ran past Flash ignoring him and jumped off the bridge with his living-metal sword glowing green.

  “MR. SUIT!” Jake cried, seeing Mr. Suit jump off the bridge after the young woman. However-

  [Mr. Suit’s POV]

  Mr. Suit’s body ached all over. He had a couple of broken ribs that were making it hard to breathe. Hopefully, they wouldn’t puncture one of his lungs. But he focused on his mission. He straightened his body like an arrow and freefell through the air after the plummeting young woman. He soon reached her and put his arm around her waist. He then raised his living-metal sword. It glowed with a green-tinged light. “Ōkami Evolution One.” The sword began to shoot upwards; the tip of the sword resembled a small claw. The claw grabbed the top of the bridge and Mr. Suit and the young woman’s descent was abruptly stopped.

  The jarring stop caused the woman’s scream to be cut off abruptly. “Ahhh-mph!”

  Mr. Suit looked up at the bridge, and found that his vision was going in and out of focus. He could barely breath. He knew he needed to gather his remaining strength and will in order to command Ōkami to pull him and the young woman to safety but…he just couldn’t do it. He was in so much pain. He was about to pass out, but he knew he couldn’t let go of the bridge whatever the cost. “Don’t worry mademoiselle I won’t let go. I won’t let go…” I won’t let go. Mr. Suit began to chant in his head over and over as he struggled to remain conscious.

  The pretty young woman looked at the battered and bruised Samurai Superhero with worry etched in her features. She knew he wouldn’t last. She looked down at the river below them. The water was gray, swirling, and rushing past at a rapid pace.

  [Jake’s POV]

  Flash ran to look over the side of the bridge. “Idiot just killed himself…” But as he looked over the side of the bridge he saw Mr. Suit and the woman dangling from the bridge from what looked like some kind of metal rope. Flash’s eyes widened when he realized that Mr. Suit had actually managed to stop their descent using his living-metal sword. “Bastard! He actually managed to save her. He used his living-metal sword…dammit!” Flash saw the ‘claw’ of the living-metal
sword holding onto the top of the bridge and it wasn’t that far away from him. A sly smile curled Flash’s lips. “Die cunning bastard!” Flash raised his cybernetic dagger and brought it down upon the living-metal claw of Mr. Suit’s sword-

  A clashing and then shattering sound filled the air which worried Jake immensely until he saw that as the cybernetic limb clashed against the living-metal sword the hand was shattered into pieces and metal whizzed through the air.

  “Shit! My hand!” Flash swore as he cradled his destroyed hand. “This tentacle hand cost a fortune!” The remnants of his hand were sparking.

  Jake let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding. Phew. Mr. Suit was still alive.

  But now Flash was even more pissed. He quickly used his other cybernetic tentacle hand to cut a huge piece of the pavement away from the road and lifted it up over his head with one hand. Flash then carried the gigantic slab of pavement over to the side of the bridge and looked down at Mr. Suit and the young woman while grinning psychotically. “I’ll flatten you, Mr. Gentleman Samurai! You and that pretty woman!” Flash declared.

  Why isn’t he coming up yet? Jake thought frantically. Why hasn’t he retracted his sword? That’s when with a sinking feeling in his gut Jake realized that Mr. Suit wasn’t coming up yet because he couldn’t. Something was wrong and so Mr. Suit was in danger. Jake began to panic. No! His body went into autopilot. He urged Ginger into a gallop and headed towards Flash while raising his sword. “STOP!” Jake slashed his sword down upon the large cement slab-

  Jake managed to cut the slab in two and somehow accidentally knocked the slab in such a way that it fell right on the top of Flash’s head knocking him out cold. Jake gripped his sword, trembling, afraid, and still feeling oddly angry at Flash.

  Jake pulled Ginger’s reigns to turn her around so that he could face the remaining Solar Flares. Jake dismounted Ginger and stalked towards the Solar Flares with his sword held out to his side. He didn’t know if he was trembling from fear or from anger anymore. “You bastards! Leave my partner alone! Can’t you see he’s busy being a true hero?” Jake said before letting out a yell and recklessly attacking the Solar Flares.

  Jake began to slash his sword at the Solar Flares at random and the cyborg bikers were able to easily evade Jake’s attacks. They raised an eyebrow at his lousy fighting skills. Jake was so freaked out and angry that he didn’t even use his superhuman reflexes to the best of his ability. One of the Solar Flares shrugged his shoulders before walking up right behind Jake and knocking him out with a quick blow to the back of his head.

  Jake stumbled forward on woozy legs before he hit the pavement face first.

  The other Solar Flares chuckled once Jake was knocked out. “What the hell was up with that guy? Trying to act all cool when he was scared shitless?”

  “Pathetic,” Another biker agreed with a sneer.

  “Jake!” Ultraviolet called out with worry. She was about to go to his aid, however-

  Ba-thump. Ba-thump. Ba-thump.

  Orochi possessed Jake’s body and a shockwave of power manifested itself spreading outwards and knocking the Solar Flares off of their feet as they were blasted back.

  Jake’s body twitched and then Orochi was quickly standing up and tying his shaggy, orange-brown hair into a ponytail. “I am Samurai Orochi. Fear me for I am your worst nightmare.” He got into a fighting stance, his living-metal sword held out before him and glowing green. “Foul-mouthed Onna! Retrieve Mr. Suit and that other pathetic onna.” He barked out the order to Ultraviolet.

  “What was that, asshole? Did you just try to give me an order?” Ultraviolet shot back in a sassy manner, hand on her hip. Orochi was a sexist and Ultraviolet a feminist, so they reacted like oil and water.

  “Fine, let them die then, baka onna. I do not truly care. My main objective is defeating these pathetic opponents first.” Orochi declared as he turned to face the Solar Flares.

  “Tsk.” Ultraviolet scowled realizing she had no choice but to help Mr. Suit. She hopped down off Ginger and rushed to the side of the bridge and peered over it. She looked down and spotted Mr. Suit and the young woman who were still suspended below by Mr. Suit’s sword.

  “Mr. Suit! What the hell are you waiting for, you shitty samurai? Pull yourself up baka!”

  Mr. Suit looked up and frowned at Ultraviolet. “So unlady like…I…I’m trying…” Mr. Suit grit his teeth.

  “Well, try harder! I didn’t think you were this weak, Mr. Suit! After all the hours you train I would think you’d be stronger than this. Now come on - hurry up and get your ass up here so I can kick it into next week for being such an idiot!”

  “Shut up…V…” Mr. Suit concentrated on his living-metal sword and slowly he began to cause the sword to retract, which caused Mr. Suit and the young woman to begin to get pulled up into the air and back towards the bridge.

  While Ultraviolet was ‘helping’ Mr. Suit to get back up on the bridge, Orochi, with fierce green glowing eyes, looked at the cyborg bikers with a pissed expression on his face, “You pathetic cyborgs won’t even be a challenge. What a pity.” Orochi charged forward, using his superhuman speed. He moved so fast that even the cyborgs couldn’t follow his movements.

  Orochi’s sword flashed through the air in a green blur, and Orochi passed the Solar Flares before turning around to face them - the Solar Flares appeared untouched for a moment but then all their clothes - their yellow leather jumpsuits - fell off of the bikers in shreds. The Solar Flares were now completely buck-naked.

  Inner Jake: Aw man, I so did NOT need to see that, man! Now…if you want to cut all of Ultraviolet’s clothes off I could hardly complain…

  The Solar Flares immediately freaked out and covered themselves with their hands. Orochi approached their leader Flash and placed his sword at the man’s throat. Orochi smiled creepily. “You think you’re naked? You still have your skin, pathetic human…what if I decided to remove it?” Orochi trailed his sword down the cyborg’s body thoughtfully.

  The cyborg Flash began to panic. “P-p-please don’t hurt me! What do you want? You’re just supposed to arrest me…you’re an SSF officer! Right? You can’t kill me!”

  Orochi raised an eyebrow at the cyborg. “You are mistaken, fool. I am not Jake Lonestar. I am Samurai Orochi. I can kill you if it pleases me.”

  “What do you want?” Flash asked tremulously.

  “Information.” Orochi jabbed his sword into the man’s gut almost playfully. “Why did you and Nix Duo purchase the illegal Accelerator Tech from Tech Thief Prism? I know she had other Tech available so why the Accelerator Tech specifically?”

  Flash sighed in defeat. “It’s time for the next E.T. Tech Race. This year Gold Fist will sponsor it and he’s also acting as the bookman. The prize this year is five million dollars. And it’s a recession so…”

  “E.T. Tech Race? And Nix Duo will be entering?” Orochi stroked his chin thoughtfully.

  Inner Jake: E.T. Tech Race? What’s that?

  Jake was ignored.

  Ultraviolet grabbed Mr. Suit’s wrist as soon as he was at the top of the bridge and using her android strength she pulled Mr. Suit and the young woman easily up and back onto the bridge safely.

  The young woman’s eyes were wide that this petite girl had just displayed such an incredible feat of strength.

  Mr. Suit approached Orochi and Flash while slicking his hair back and smoothing the wrinkles out of his suit with his hands. “Jake is probably curious about what the E.T. Tech Race is, so I’ll explain…

  “The E.T. Tech Race started seven years ago. It’s an illegal underground race held here in New York City. It used to be just bikers, but now there are drivers too since other types of vehicles other than just souped up bikes are now allowed to participate. Everyone participating in the race is using illegal E.T. Tech: hover tech, accelerator tech, nano tech, and weapons tech. It’s a no rules, anything goes, race to get to the finish first in order to win millio
ns of dollars, reputation and turf.

  “Last year the Noppera-bō Gang won…again…Nova Inara’s biker gang is the Metalheads. I’ve already mentioned that their leader is Nemesis Zero, Nix Duo. You’ve probably already guessed this but Nix Duo and I…have a history. He hates my guts and he holds a grudge against me since I single-handedly almost succeeded in stopping the Metalheads from winning the race last year.

  “The SSF have been trying to find out the specifics of this year’s race so that we can stop it. The where, when, how.” Mr. Suit pushed his green-tinted sunglasses up his nose and gave Flash a knowing look. “And I’m guessing you know all this. Am I right, Flash?”

  Orochi and Mr. Suit both cornered Flash. They made an intimidating pair. Flash sighed in defeat. “Yea…I know…this year’s E.T. Tech Race is scheduled to happen this Saturday at midnight. In order to enter you need to sign up at the VR club Kaleidoscope. The password to be allowed entry into the VR club Kaleidoscope is: ‘Beam me up, Scottie’.”

  “The VR club Kaleidoscope.” Mr. Suit murmured with interest. “We never could figure out where Kaleidoscope was located. Even with my vast information network. It’s the usual hang out for all those participating in the race. The Metalheads are probably there…” Mr. Suit gave Flash an expectant look.

  Orochi pressed his sword beneath Flash’s chin. The cyborg swallowed and his Adam’s apple rubbed against Orochi’s sword blade. Flash’s eyes darted psychotically from Orochi and Mr. Suit and began to laugh. “It’s been right under your noses all this time! Kaleidoscope is beneath club Salamander. And I know the SSF are all regulars of Salamander too!”

  “Beneath Salamander?” Mr. Suit gave the cyborg a surprised look. “Uso, no way, I’m such an idiot. So…I just have to tell the bartender the password and he’ll take me to the secret entrance of Kaleidoscope, then? You better be right about this Flash or else you’re so dead.”

  Flash nodded vigorously. “I’m sure although…I’m not sure how they’ll react to the SSF trying to get into Kaleidoscope but…” Flash shrugged. “I guess you’ll just have to try and find out.”

  A steely glint formed in Mr. Suit’s eyes. “Count on it.”

  Inner Jake: Awww man! I hate it when he gets that look!