World's Finest in Ghost City

CHP57: A Step Forward

It had been days since the murder of Deputy Hisao Itaru and those closes to him were left mourning and the force itself was in somewhat of an uproar. A worker to Gegato Tech took her home work with her from the office with a couple sheets of paper lied out over the table. The doorbell rang and she looked up from the stacks.

"Shall I get that Miss Layce?" Ryotei asked, who was Meila's driver and attended to many more of her needs.

She considered him family, more than anything.

"Yes, thank you," she replied.

He made his way down the hall and opened the front door, jumping back slightly and surprised at who stood on the other side.

"Meila asked to meet, is now a bad time?"

Ryotei stepped off to the side and cracked the door open further.

"Who is it?" Meila called out from down the hall.

"Mister Madoka," Ryotei replied.

"Oh really," Meila said chirpily. "Please see him in."

Ryotei pulled open the door completely as Bruce stepped through and he followed him down the hall and into the room where Meila awaited them. With her arms extended outward she threw them around Bruce and embraced in a hug.

"I'm so glad you could make it," she broke away from him and looked to the papers over the table. "I wanted your opinion on a couple blue prints that were handed down to me. The configurations have had me going back and forth in relation to where I should."

Bruce moved in beside her and ran a hand over her left shoulder.

"Of course, I'd be glad to help."

"I knew I could count on you, Kei-san," Meila lowered her head over the side of his shoulder.

Ryotei coughed, clearing his throat as he took a couple steps back.

"I'm just gonna go ahead and excuse myself, but if you need anything at all madam I won't be far."

"Thank you Ryotei," Meila smiled back at him.

He departed from the space as Bruce leaned in taking a closer look.

"Do you know what it is or do I need to..."

"The potential upgrade to Mitsubishi Motor Six," Bruce looked back at her from the corner of his eyes. "I heard from Boqin that someone among those in our faction would be handed the project, but I had no idea it'd be you. I can certainly help out and give a few pointers."

"I'll lead the charge, but it's great to have a knowledgeable mind and helping hand beside me."

Bruce smiled at this watching Meila walk across the room and return with a cyber pad in hand.

"What do you say we get right to work," she grinned warmly. "I jotted down a handful of notes but didn't really get into specifics."

"Great, that's a start," Bruce looked down as she started up the small electronic device.

And from then they went right to work looking things over together. Bruce had much more on his agenda concerning Gec Corporation Center and even his extra nightly activities, but he didn't mind putting all that aside to help out a friend. And while working together on the Mitsubishi Motor Six the duo lost track of time as nearly two hours passed, engaging in different conversations and sharing laughs. It was during which Meila found her hand dropping atop his, and both froze. Not a moment later she nervously chuckled as she pulled her hand away from his and looked up at him.

"That was an accident, sorry," she twiddled with her fingers while her eyes fell over the ground. "But you know as they say...there's nothing like mixing business and pleasure."

Her gaze returned to his as Bruce took a couple steps back.

"This really isn't a good idea, your father doesn't approve of..."

"Ssssshhhh," Meila quieted with a finger to the lips. "I lead my own life and I'm my own person, remember. And besides daddy isn't here, and my life is my life."

Taking hold of his hand Meila pulled him along through the halls and she did so at a quick pace.

"Where are you taking us?" Bruce asked, doing his best not to stumble.

"You'll see in just a minute."

She pulled them along up a couple steps and down another two halls before pushing into a room, closing the door behind them. The walls were painted white and sky blue, and a king-size bed was positioned against a wall surrounded by white bed curtains, the pillows and blankets in the colors of white and blue. A large ceiling lamp hung at the center of the ceiling above them, which was clicked on the first thing upon them entering.

"This is your bedroom?" Bruce questioned looking around.

"Uh huh, what do you think?"

"Very spacious and I like the layout and how you've arranged things."

"Glad that you do," Meila pulled at his shirt and forced him to face her.

She then wrapped her arms around his neck and Bruce knew exactly what was to come next as her lips pressed against his. He lifted her left leg over his shoulder as they deepened the kiss, and their tongues swirled against each other's. After several seconds it was Meila that pulled back kissing at his cheek and then areas around his neck. She then lowered her hands and began pulling up his shirt.

"I don't know if this is a good idea," Bruce took hold of her wrist.

"Yes it is, we both want this and I'm not going to let anyone take that away, especially not my father."

Meila forced his shirt up and over his chest and marveled at the scars over his body, kissing at his chest as she gradually lowered herself and pecked at his flesh. Eventually her lips returned to his and they locked lips again as Bruce lifted Meila off her feet and carried her toward the bed and slowly lowered her over the blankets as they continued making out. She moved one hand up and down his back while he did the same over her side. Taking control, Meila forced Bruce over his back and sat atop him with her hands placed over his chest. Next she removed her shirt over her head and tossed it aside and then reached back unbuckling her bra allowing it to drop and her breasts out in plain view.

"You seem so comfortable and in control, and if I didn't know any better I'd say I'm not your first," Bruce said.

"Not my first, but hopefully my best," Meila blushed. "There's lots daddy doesn't know about me and I intend to keep it that way."

Meila lowered herself over him, chest to chest and locked lips in another hot kiss.

XXX

He awoke to the feel of his lover's nakedness rubbing against him and he looked down at her with a warm smile as she brushed her forehead against the side of his face. His thoughts recollected their night of love making and how great it was. They cuddled and embraced each other for a long while, Meila with her arms wrapped around him and her head lowered over his chest.

"Last night was sensational," Meila whispered, being the first to speak. "I didn't expect that...guess I'm not the only one with experience."

Bruce smirked at this while running a hand over her arm.

"I look forward to more nights like that," Meila kissed as his lips as she sat up. "I'm scheduled to be in the office in exactly two hours so I should get going. Thanks so much for your help with my project and for this..."

Meila trailed her hand up his leg and over his stomach trailing her fingers over his stomach.

"Gonna catch a quick shower, care to join me?" she smiled.

"I should leave, but I'll give you a call la..."

Taking hold of his hand Meila yanked him out of bed and pulled him across the room and toward the bathroom; both in full nude.

"We both desperately need cleaning up after last night, and besides now that we're officially together there's nothing weird about this. You've seen just about every inch of my body anyway," Meila winked.

"We're official?" Bruce questioned.

"Uh huh," Meila pulled open the curtains and pulled both she and Bruce into the shower. "We're a couple, we don't have to go fully public yet let's just enjoy the moment and take our time."

She started the water as they soaped each other's blind spots. The water felt refreshing over their bodies and they faced each other as they locked lips and embraced.

Elsewhere the Commander Fumio Bunta winced as the door to his office slammed shut and a singular individual approached.

"And so we finally meet," the commander lowered his feet off his table, staring at the man that approached. "Clark Kent or do you prefer Superman?"

"Clark works," he took a seat in the chair provided for him that was just across from Fumio's desk.

"Nice to know, I'll certainly keep that in mind," Fumio said pushing his paperwork aside. He then took a moment to smile. "So how have things been with Gina and Cecil?"

"Can't really say," Clark said with a shrug. "They've barely just been assigned to me."

"Fair enough," Fumio nodded. "They can be a bit tough around the edges but you will find that both can be quite pleasant once they open up."

"What is the point to this conversation, sir?" Clark posed.

"I don't know, guess you could say I was a little interested in getting to meet with the man of the hour." Fumio spoke leaning forward "You're talked about on every radio station and prime news casts as well." he continued while looking Clark in the face. "But with all that said, I'd even venture and say some people are scared of you."

"What gives you that vibe?"

"Are they right?" Fumio twirled his fingers. "Should civilians of this city be afraid?"

"Of course not, that is ridiculous. My purposes are to protect, and even with my powers and abilities being what they are there are boundaries even I could never cross," Clark replied.

Fumio gave him a smile as he nodded his head slowly.

"Just what I wanted to hear," he sat back turning his attention to his monitor. "You can't save them...us all, in war there are casualties and unforeseen forces that cannot be avoided nor stopped."

"Obviously, I'm not going to sit here and tell you I'm a god. My purpose is to protect and inspire others to do good and that's exactly what I'll do."

Fumio nodded his head with a grin.

"You should limit your breaks from work a maximum of an hour. Sky Times is especially tight on their rules and regulations, and you'd be hired in a heartbeat if you don't abide by those rules. It doesn't matter how skilled you are, or what you think. And besides it looks bad and if your superiors see you wandering off every fifteen minutes, someone might start getting suspicious."

"I'm no amateur, I know how to handle myself and go about doing things the right way."

"That's what everybody thinks, Kent. Come to think of it, that's what a major part of this city's muscle believes, pride and personal accomplishments sometimes blinding them."

"I'm not them," Clark glared.

The commander of Branch CW Zero chuckled, applauding the kryptonian.

"I like you, Clark. All I'm saying is to keep up your appearances. It shouldn't be that difficult, really. This Phantom criminal is said to have eyes everywhere and if he found out about your civilian identity due to..."

"That won't happen, and he will be stopped," Clark spoke with determination in his eyes. "I will see to it."

"Confident man, it's good to see your head's in the game and with good intentions. But you understand why you must be observed at all times, don't you?"

"More or less, yes."

"Good, then you're free to go," the commander informed.

Clark raised an eyebrow at this.

"Really, that's it? I expected a much longer conversation when told you wanted to speak."

Fumio was cut off from speaking as a woman stepped into his office. She stood at 5'7 with long green hair, and dark blue eyes, wearing a black uniform similar to what a secretary would wear. Her high heels gave off a clicking sound as she walked across the carpet.

"Am I interrupting something?"

"Your timing couldn't be more perfect Gina," the commander grinned. "Clark and I were just finishing. Be sure to keep a close eye on him, and don't be afraid to engage in small talk...after all you will be seeing a lot of each other from here on out."

Clark stood from the chair and headed toward the exit while Gina approached her boss.

"I will, but there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

"All ears, you know my door is always open."

"Thank you," she bowed her head, sitting in the chair Clark was in just moments ago.

Seeing as he was no longer needed, Clark exited out and waited on the opposite side of the door. When there he leaned against the wall and waited for over twenty minutes and at the conclusion of the conversation, Gina emerged from Fumio's office.

"Guess it'll be just you and I...Cecil was assigned to a separate mission that might take up a couple days. You can go ahead and head for Sky Times, I'll be watching you from afar."

"Understood," Clark nodded as they headed for the elevators. "How about after I wrap up my shift we meet up somewhere and have dinner? Not like a date or anything, but as friends or whatever you want to call this."

"Excuse me?" she raised an eyebrow.

Clark bit back in response to her lack of enthusiasm on the request.

"If you aren't interested that's fine," he replied.

"Listen," Gina went on. "I'm not your friend or associate, my job is to keep a watchful eye on you and that's what I intend to do. Anything else is just unnecessary and a waste of time."

"Maybe," Clark shrugged. "But I don't believe that, and if that's the way you feel then so be it but if you change your mind the offer is still open."

The branch CW Zero member said nothing as they exited through the doors and down the hall.

Elsewhere the team members of Section Nine overviewed footage of the attack made on Deputy Hisao Itaru and other fellow police officers. Motoko, Borma and Ishikawa were the only members present inside the team facility and so the major created a cyber network which allowed the others to link with them as if they were standing in the room.

"I won't keep you all for long but it's important we review what happened the other night," Motoko inquired.

"Sure thing, Togusa and I are up town questioning folks on this side of the city if they saw or heard anything. So far no luck," Batou informed.

A large cyber window was put on display for all to see as visuals of the attack were replayed.

"This is recovered footage from the street where the attack occurred," Motoko pointed to the screen. "As you can see Deputy Hisao Itaru steps out of the bar followed by the other off duty officers, and that's where the attack commenced."

The entirety of the group watched in silence as the footage rolled. The throat of one was sliced open in a flash, followed by lots of shouting and gunshots fired. The shots however were fired at random given the unit couldn't see their attacker.

"Camouflage," Paz uttered with his hands situated together. "They didn't even see the attack coming."

Togusa gritted his teeth together watching as more and more of them fell in blood spatter. One even had his arm completely sliced off, and the another with a deep slash wound that extended from his upper chest to lower stomach. Everything happened so fast that Saito contemplated if there was more than one attacker using camouflage. Hisao Itaru was the last to fall, his left arm completely twisted around and an invisible blade forced through his heart as his lifeless body dropped to the ground.

The footage was played over and over as each took note looking for anything they might have missed in the first couple go rounds. Other governmental agencies with the police included had access to the same footage and were working their own leads. Even so Section Nine was aware of possible deception inside the force, but they hadn't any clue if that same darkness ranged into governmental branches. The Specters of Shadows were the ones clearly behind this, and if the suspicion of inside men within the force was true many investigations could be compromised which is why Section Nine knew inquiring for outside assistance was absolutely out of the question.

"Whoever did this is good...really good," Paz ran two fingers over his chin.

"You can say that again, and with the addition of camouflage as high caliber as what's been caught on tape the one responsible must be linked to an organization or provider with exceptional resources," Saito chimed in.

The footage was again replayed a few times as they broke down each section, and even went through the daily activities of each officer leading up to their deaths.

XXX

"Get that bitch out of here!"

"What about them, are we just going to leave them?" another questioned.

"Leave them," the one in charge looked down on the man and young girl. "You know the consequences for betrayal Hirokuni. We didn't want to involve your family, but your continued failures left us no choice."

"Please I beg of you," Hirokuni struggled to stand, bleeding from his nose and mouth. "If you even lay a hand on her I'll..."

With a fist to the stomach Hirokuni had the breath knocked out of him as he dropped to his knees.

"Remember that what happens from here is your fault," the leading guy grinned. "We'll take good care of your pretty wife. She might not want you after we're done with her."

His laughter brought terror to Hirokuni's eyes as he was elbowed to the ground and the group of gangsters took off in nearby vehicles. The young girl immediately ran to her father's side embracing him tightly.

"Dad, where are they taking momma?!"

He had no answer and could only watch helplessly as they took off. It was about a twenty minute drive into an abandoned location. They were greeted by others of the small gang as they arrived with the unconscious woman.

"Hirokuni's woman, man she's more gorgeous in person," one looked down on her. "Take her upstairs and tie her down."

A small group stood beside the vehicle, one of them carrying the woman through the entrance and another followed close behind. They moved up a set of stairs into a room where she was tied to a mattress by her wrists, in addition to a piece of cloth around her mouth. Out front another arrived in a black vehicle carrying a large briefcase and entered through the front entrance. Two guarded the woman while everyone else remained on the lower levels.

"Finally made it Banri, and in one piece," an individual with a scar over his left eye spoke. He handed him the briefcase, finding a place against the wall afterward, "This has been a successful transaction! Now that we've got the last of the materials it's time we negotiate with them. This time it'll go as we wish, they'll surely include us. With this we can prove our value."

"Hope you're right," another took a couple steps. "There's a chance they put a bullet in us all the moment we hand this stuff over, so we should have some sort of plan in place in case that happens."

"Maybe...maybe not, but regardless of what any of us thinks this matter must be taken care. I will personally deliver this box myself."

"You think the man in the mask will be there himself, I mean the Phantom?"

"Doubtful, but we shall meet with whoever is behind that mask soon enough."

Selecting eight out of the crowd, the leading guy ordered everyone else to stay and keep a lookout. Through the front door they took off with the briefcase. None were aware of a dark figure standing atop a nearby building, taking aim on the briefcase and getting off a shot. After a couple dozen minutes the wife of Hirokuni awoke and when trying to move, grasped she was tied down.

"So the beautiful princess has finally decided to wake," one out of the two sat on the mattress running a hand over the side of her face.

She instantly tried freeing herself and screaming but the cloth quieted her. Whatever she was drugged with was still fresh in her system, taking away much of her strength.

"This is all because of your husband, don't take what happens to your personal…" he smirked evilly running a couple finger up her legs, reaching into her dress. He then lowered his head and licked at the left side of her neck. Removing his hands from her leg, he ripped open the upper section of her dress, eying her cleavage and sky blue bra.

Delicately running a hand over her stomach and slowly making his way up to her chest, triggered a squeak out of her. The woman held back tears trying hard not to think about what was likely to happen next. Just as he lowered his head again there was a loud bang that came from downstairs and he immediately stood.

"I can't see a thing! What the hell is happening?!"

The gangster took his hands off the woman and felt his heart skip. The sound of bullets, glass shattering and bodies tumbling was loud. The other inside the room kicked open the door and went to go take a look for himself. The woman could see and feel the fear coming from her attacker, and kept her fingers crossed that it was in fact the police force that had arrived. Not much longer the commotion downstairs died down with not even the slightest sound. A third person busted through the door with fear in his eyes and carrying a small hand gun.

"What the hell's happening out there?!"

"Don't know, everything just went dark and then this thing appeared out of nowhere!"

"What do you mean thing?"

"It looked like a demon, pointy ears and glowing eyes...it moved around so fast and overwhelmed us all!"

The other opposite him and standing beside the woman uncovered a gun as well.

"Damn this, things is too quiet down there." The one closes to the door felt sweat run down the side of his face. "Do you think it's him...the Batman?"

"Stop whining and be a man and let's go check it out!" The other demanded, on the edge of the bed next to the woman.

"You didn't see what I saw man, that thing ain't human...probably one of those cyborgs!"

Hating the situation, he placed a hand over the doorknob and slowly turned it with no other choice. As he pulled back the door fell flat over him and standing In the doorway was a dark 6'2 figure, glowing white eyes, long black cape, pointy ears, gray armor, gold utility belt, bat symbol over the chest, with black gloves and boots.

"Well I'll be dammed! Stay back or I blow this bitch's brains out!" The last one standing pointed the weapon to her head, "I ain't messing around get moving or she dies!"

The weapon was knocked from his hand by a small projectile thrown from the masked vigilante. The criminal then reached for a knife reached for a knife but a blue/red flash zipped through the window and tossed him as he was sent across the room and through a wall where he fell unconscious. The woman's constraints at cloth around her mouth had also been removed in that split second. The woman popped up and looked to her left and standing there was none other than the city's symbol of hope.

"Superman!"

She jumped up and threw her arms around him, and holding him tightly.

"It's Ok, I'm going to get you out of here," Superman whispered.

He'd taken his eyes of the dark knight for only a moment and he was already gone, but knew he couldn't have gotten far. They needed to talk and Superman had no intention of leaving until that conversation was had. Taking the woman to his hands Superman zipped out through the window he entered, flying her to the nearest police station before returning to the crime scene. With a combination of his super hearing and enhanced vision he keyed in on the caped crusader.

"Nice night," the kryptonian hovered downward in front of his ally. "What're you up to."

"Superman…" the dark knight stared into his eyes.

To be continued