At Ran�s home, Lum and Jariten waited while Ran scurried about pretending to gather clothes for a small overnight bag. In reality, she was searching for her stun gun, cursing herself for not being more organized. She rummaged through one of her closets tossing items carelessly out.
�Ran!� called Lum.
Shit!
Ran turned. �Yes?� she called back in her sweetest voice.
�Can I use your telecommunicator and start transmitting instructions to my UFO?�
Drat! She�s making this hard. I might have to physically take her out, along with that little brat cousin of hers.
�Uhm� Lum, could you go upstairs and uhm� see if you can find my, ah, my flight jacket?�
Lum hovered around the corner. �Your what?�
�My flight jacket. You know, the one I always wear when we go flying?�
�Really, Ran,� Lum replied with a laugh. �I don�t think you�re going to be needing it. My UFO will not be flying around much.�
�You know I don�t go anywhere off world without my flight jacket!� shouted Ran. �Now go upstairs and look for it!�
Lum, fearing more of Ran�s volatile anger, whisked up the steps.
Close, thought Ran. She dived back into her search, finally coming across a small silver case. Quickly opening it up, inside lay a small hand pistol with a short blunt barrel. Ran checked the charge and found it still good. �Ran-chan,� called Jariten from behind, and she jumped startled by his unexpected presence.
Jariten tried to look inside the closet, but Ran spun around hiding the pistol from his view.
�Yes,� she said breaking into a smile.
�I�m hungry. Do you have any cookies?�
�Why sure, Jariten. In the kitchen, top shelf.�
Jariten smiled. He hovered up into the air and started flying away, when he felt the cold barrel of Ran�s stun gun against the back of his left leg.
�Huh?� he said and then there came a short, sharp sting that made him yelp.
�What the�!� The dark look on Ran�s face and the gun in her hand told Jariten that trouble was afoot. He turned trying to flee, calling out Lum�s name.
�Lum-chan, Lum�!�
The Oni child dropped, Ran catching him before he could hit the ground. Lum�s call of his name alerted Ran of her approach. She pulled the boy up cradling him, concealing the pistol behind her back once more.
Lum flew around the corner. �Jariten? Oh!�
�Asleep,� Ran told her. �He just could not keep up.�
�He�s so cute,� Lum said, taking her cousin from Ran. �I could not find your flight jacket, Ran. I don�t remember you ever having one come to think of it.�
�It�s around. Why don�t you go back into the living room and I�ll search for it.�
�Alright, but we better hurry and get my UFO down here.�
�Right, UFO,� said Ran as Lum turned away. �I think you need a nap too.�
�I�m not tired.�
�Not yet.�
The barrel pressed up against Lum�s shoulder, Ran snapping off a shot that made her jump. The effects rushed through her body and Lum dropped to her knees staring wide-eyed out into space. Somehow she managed to look back at her friend, seeing the victorious grin on her face before her eyes rolled back.
�Whoops, hold on there, Lum,� said Ran, catching her before she could fall over.
She gently laid the two Oni�s out on the floor, staring down at them for a second then headed for her phone. Ran pulled Hiroki�s card out from her pocket and tapped in the number on the keypad.
[Hello?] came Motoabe�s voice.
[Hiroki, it�s Ran. I have some good news for you�]
* * * * *
Once things were ready at the Moroboshi home, Blade led his newly formed posse over to the Club Red Moon. By the time they arrived the sun was starting to set, and they knew they had to work fast. The parking lot was empty as the seven riders dismounted. Eric made a quick inventory of the weapons on him, making sure that he was ready for quick action. The guys flanked him on either side and they stared at the closed double doors.
�This is it, gentlemen. Destiny. What we�re about to do now might very well decide the future of this city and Japan,� Blade said.
�I guess that means there�s no turning back?� said Parma, swallowing lightly.
�That option was never available,� replied Eric, eyes scanning the building.
It appeared clean, but his senses felt the presence of vampires and they were lusting for blood.
�It�s time to go inside.�
Ataru grimaced. �Uh, can we have just a few more minutes more, Blade?�
Eric turned around, leaning close into his face.
�It�s time to go inside,� he repeated.
�Yes, right, gotcha, on our way in now.�
They walked boldly across the lot to the double doors. Ataru grabbed one of the handles and pulled.
�Whoops! Looks like their locked. Guess we�ve got to go!� he said, turning around.
Blade grabbed him by the back of his neck in a tight grip, taking the handle with his other hand and pressed down on the release. The doors opened, and he led them inside.
�You chucklehead,� he grumbled at Ataru, jerking him up front.
�That�s the usual Moroboshi way,� commented Shu. �No class and no guts.�
�Hey, I�ve got more class than you, pal, and I certainly want to keep my guts inside my body thank you!�
�Let�s fight the vampires and not each other,� Megane told them, and they went silent.
Out into the main floor emerged the seven. Eric stopped, and he slowly looked around at the platforms above. Empty, he knew something was up. For Hiroki to allow them this far told him that a trap was in the works.
�Hm, maybe Ataru was right,� said Chibi.
�No,� Blade replied.
They walked further in, and when they reached the center of the dance floor, all the surrounding lights went out, a spotlight snapping on above their heads. The party lights started flashing, and a dance song played through the speakers.
[Well, well, well! Look who�s here!] called a familiar voice across the PA system. [Eric Blade and his underdeveloped clones!]
Blade told the guys to form a circle and be ready for anything. A long laugh carried across the PA. Abe appeared at the railing on one of the high platforms across the room, his warclub resting across the back of his shoulders.
[Blade, my brethren! How nice of you to come down and join us for your final dance.]
�We aren�t here to dance, asshole!� shouted Eric. �Where�s Motoabe?�
[He�s taking care of other business right now,] replied Abe. [Told me to greet you properly and have some fun while I�m doing it.]
�You�re going to have a hell of a time taking all of us!� shouted Megane.
Abe regarded them for a moment, pressing his lips together in a tight impish smile. [Lights!] he called out, and the darkness broke exposing their surroundings now filled with Abe�s minions.
He allowed them to take in the situation and laughed again. [As you can see, I�m not going to have any trouble taking care of you would be heroes.]
�Shit!� said Ataru, eyes darting around. �Shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT!�
�They all can�t be vampires,� said Parma.
[Right you are, young man,] answered Abe. [You will note that I have an assortment of personnel here. A few of Tokyo�s finest below me.]
A squad of police officers stepped out brandishing shields and sharpened batons.
[Across the room, our esteemed Marine force has graciously come to practice some of their marksmanship.]
Fatigue clad soldiers appeared in full combat gear, automatic rifles locked and loaded.
[Oh, and for you, Mister Shutaro Mendou, I also invited some of our friends residing in your family�s service.]
Across from Shu, several dark suited agents from the Mendou Family Security force walked out into the light. Shu tensed with anger unable to believe what he was seeing.
�Traitors!� he cried, pointing furiously at them. �I will personally execute each and every one of you for this!�
One of the agents chuckled sinisterly. �The young master will come around and embrace our lord Rimialdi�s plan� or there will be no young master left to oppose us.�
�You dare threaten me!�
[Tch, tch, tch, tch� such a hot head,] continued Abe. [Well, Blade, looks like your days on this earth have ended. Too bad. You and your flunkies might have made fine additions into our ranks. Well, all except for you, Moroboshi.]
�M-Me?� stammered Ataru.
[Yep. Master Rimialdi does not like having competition when it comes down to his women. You must die.]
�You see, Blade! I told you I should have stayed back at the home!�
Eric ignored him. He made a short laugh as he stepped away from the guys. �You haven�t won anything yet, pal.�
[The name is Abe, not pal, Blade.]
�You won�t be needing it much longer,� replied Eric, waving him off. �In fact, I�m glad you brought all these fine idiots along. Will make this shindig more interesting.�
His casual arrogance irritated Abe. He sneered down at Blade, moving his warclub into a ready grip.
[Do you have anything else to say before we commence to wipe your asses all across this dance floor?]
�Yeah, I do.� Eric looked back over a shoulder. �Megane, you want to take those grunts out.�
From the holsters inside his coat, Megane whipped out a pair of autopistols, their blazing fire raking the soldiers across from him. The surprise was complete, Megane�s gunfire quickly joined by the others as battle was joined�.
* * * * *
Grace Kimball sat at the short tea table staring with concern at the couple sprawled out across it. Mr. And Mrs. Moroboshi snored lightly, their cups of tea tipped on one side, Benten mopping up the liquid with a rag. Gently, she lifted Mr. Moroboshi�s head wiping up the puddle that pooled around his face before resting his head back down on a dry towel. Benten looked up finding Grace now staring at her with a questioning hint in her eyes.
�What?� said Benten, moving on to Mrs. Moroboshi.
�You drugged them!� exclaimed Grace.
�So?�
Grace slammed her fist down on the tabletop. �Benten, why the hell did you drug them?�
�Because, it would be easier than trying to explain to them that their lives are threatened, maybe?�
�Nooo!� moaned Kimball. She covered her face with her hands, running them back through her hair with an exasperated sigh.
�Benten, what if we have to move, huh? Who�s going to carry them?�
�Hm,� Benten let out, staring down at the couple. �Good question. Guess I didn�t think about that part.�
�Guess I didn�t think about that part,� mocked Grace. �Come on, help me wake them up.�
�Uh� that�s going to be slightly difficult.�
�How difficult?�
Benten gazed innocently up at the ceiling.
�Benten��
�Very difficult.�
Grace sat back with a smirk, and then asked in her calmest voice, �Benten, how long are the Moroboshi�s going to be asleep?�
�Oh I�d say about�.� Benten nervously rubbed the side of her face, looking down at the floor, eyes cutting occasionally over at Grace.
��two to three� days?�
Kimball went still as stone, torturing Benten with a steady glare of annoyance. Once her moment of shock passed, she looked back over her shoulder towards the kitchen.
�Shinobu!�
Shinobu timidly peeked around the corner, a pillow held protectively before her.
�I told her not to do it! Benten did it all by herself! Please don�t rip out my heart!�
�Stop whining! Yeesh!� Kimball rolled her eyes. �Is there a closet around here?�
�Yes, in the hallway just below the stairs.�
�Clear out enough space to fit the Moroboshi�s.�
Benten frowned. �What good will that do?�
�If we are attacked and overpowered, the Moroboshi�s will appear to be gone and might get overlooked.�
�Oh.�
They stared at the Moroboshi�s again then Grace reached down taking Mr. Moroboshi by the waist.
�Well don�t just gawk at me. Grab Mrs. Moroboshi and�.�
There came a sudden knock on the door.
Shinobu spun from the closet doorway and stood clutching her fist to her chin in mute terror. She looked over at Grace waiting for some kind of instructions. Benten and Kimball moved up to the side of the wall, pistols drawn.
�Shinobu, answer the door,� whispered Grace.
Shinobu shook her head; feet planted firmly where she stood.
�Shinobu!� Grace called again. �Answer the door!�
�No, you do it!� she whined back.
Angrily, Grace leaned back, pulling a silencer out of her back pocket. �Who is it?� she called as she affixed it to the barrel of her gun.
�Deliveryman. I�m here to exchange propane bottles.�
�Help me out here, girls,� whispered Grace unsure if this was normal.
�It could be, but I�m not up on their schedule,� said Benten.
�Shinobu?�
Shinobu shrugged. �I don�t know!�
Benten caught the slight movement of a shadow pass at the bottom of the drawn shades of the patio door. �Grace,� she said, moving down behind the couch. �Somebody�s in the backyard.�
Shinobu let out a fearful moan, stopping abruptly as the so-called deliveryman called to them again.
�Shinobu, tell him we don�t need any,� Grace told her.
�Uh� w-we don�t n-need a-a refill!�
�I have an order here for a refill scheduled today. Is this Mrs. Moroboshi I�m speaking to?�
Shinobu�s terror filled eyes widened. She looked back over at Grace awaiting her next instructions.
�You�re the babysitter,� she was told.
�I-I�m the babysitter!�
An uncomfortable pause followed.
�Oh,� finally came the reply. �Okay, I�ll go and come back tomorrow.�
Kimball smirked, not liking the tone of his voice. Her keen hearing picked out the click of a safety being removed. Immediately, Grace leaped across the hall, tackling Shinobu. Muffled burst from an autopistol ripped through the door, shooting away the lock holding it closed. As it was kicked open, Grace braved the waning light of the sun and rolled out, firing a shot that hit the man standing in the doorway.
His cry followed him to the floor. Grimacing from the burning rays, Grace scrambled back around the corner into the living room. A crash sounded, another figure breaking through the pane of the patio sliding door. The intruder never had a chance, Benten lancing him clean through the chest. They both paused, breathing hard as they waited for more attacks.
�Think we got�em all?� whispered Benten to Grace.
�I don�t know. Stay alert.�
Shinobu�s scream startled them, Grace crawling rapidly across the floor towards the hall. Up on the second floor stood a postman brandishing a machine gun in his hands. He was sneering at Shinobu ready to cut her down, but Grace�s appearance brought the weapon around. Silenced burst ripped through the walls and floor driving her to cover. Benten traced the shots and fired through the wall, hearing a cry followed by the heavy thump of the postman�s body as he rolled down the steps.
�Grace! Shinobu!� she called out.
�Yeah,� answered Grace. Shinobu�s sobs carried through the hallway.
Carefully, Kimball sat up against the wall with her pistol aimed up the steps. Benten remained low near the foot of the couch and they waited in a nervous silence. It was quiet, and after several minutes, Grace lowered her gun.
�Just three?� she said, looking at Benten.
�They might not have been expecting us here,� replied Benten.
They waited a few more minutes deciding that would be better to do something rather than sit and wait to be killed.
�At least we know they weren�t vampires,� said Grace. �Shinobu! Stop crying and go close the door!�
Shinobu ran to the front as Benten and Grace stood up.
�Boy, these vamps sure have their mitts into the city,� said Benten, gazing down at the postman lying dead on the floor. �Talk about postal. Next thing we might encounter are rabid garbage men.�
Grace knelt down next to the man and shook her head. Using these innocent people for their dirty work, Rimialdi must have promised them a lot to take such a chance.
�Grace, I can�t close the door!� called Shinobu.
�Why not?�
�There�s a body in the way!�
She shuddered, head dropping forward.
�Shinobu! Pull him inside and close the door before somebody sees!�
They could hear Shinobu�s grunts as she dragged the body inside. Finally, she got the door closed and they joined her. Shinobu stood staring down at a man clad in gray-blue overalls, a dark stain covering most of his back.
�He was the deliveryman,� she said as they arrived.
�Wonderful,� commented Benten, giving the girl a brief smirk.
�Lets not stand here staring,� said Grace. �You two drag this one into the kitchen; I�ll get the other two.�
Benten and Shinobu took the deliveryman by the arms and hefted him up. Grace was just about to round the corner when Shinobu�s casual observation stopped her dead in her tracks.
�Oh look, Benten. He�s got the same funny mark Ran has on the back of her neck.�
Thump!
Grace held Shinobu up by the shoulders against the wall.
�What did you say?�
�About what?� cried Shinobu.
�About Ran! What did you say about her?�
�I said that guy has the same mark on the back of his neck just like her!�
Thump, thump!
�Shinobu! Why didn�t you tell us this sooner?�
�Tell you what? Benten, what have I done wrong?�
Benten could not believe what she just heard. �Ran is a slave?�
�What! How?�
�Damn it, Shinobu. You should have told us this!�
�She didn�t know, Grace,� said Benten. �Shinobu wasn�t here when Eric told us about the tattoos.�
True, Grace setting Shinobu down. Things had gone from bad to worse, and it was too late to warn the guys about it.
�We�ve got to go to Ran�s home,� she told them.
�What about the Moroboshi�s?� asked Benten.
�Stick them in the closet. I doubt anymore of Motoabe�s goons will come here. I�ll move the bodies into the kitchen you guys grab them. Go!�
Benten and Shinobu ran off, leaving Grace to her work. She hefted the dead man up over her shoulders, taking a quick look up at the clock. The sun would be sufficiently down below the horizon to make traveling safe, but would they be in time?
They had better be for Lum�s and Jariten�s sake�
* * * * *
�Lum��
Lum moaned, shifting slightly hearing the call of her name.
�Mmmm� Darling.�
�Lum,� called the deep voice again.
�Mmm, Darling!�
�LUM!�
She let out a moan again, eyes slowly opening. �Mmnn, DarlingAHHH!�
The evil face of Malenkov Rimialdi hovered close to hers. Lum screamed trying to back away but found herself chained spread eagle upright between two metal posts. Rimialdi laughed at her efforts, drawing back too peruse her supple figure.
�Your movements� excite me, Lum,� he said.
�Let me go!�
�I�m afraid not, Miss Lum,� Hiroki�s voice called out of the surrounding darkness. He walked casually out into the light Ran huddled close beside him.
�You have been chosen by the Master to be his concubine.�
�No!� cried Lum. She tried to fly up, but the heavy chains held her in place. Desperately, she looked at Ran.
�Ran, Ran why, and where�s Jariten?�
�Jariten?� said Rimialdi.
�Her little cousin, Master,� answered Ran. �He is not here, Lum. No harm as come to him.�
Lum could only stare in shock at her one time friend.
�Ran� why? What have I done to you?�
Ran remained quiet, her face a drawn blank, eyes staring listlessly out into thin air.
�Ran is my servant now, Lum,� Hiroki told her. �Just like you are now the property of the Master.�
�I belong only to one man, and he will come to save me!�
�Who? That disgusting loser, Moroboshi?� said Rimialdi. �He, Blade, and your friends are being eliminated even as we speak.�
It was too much for Lum. She hung her head and cried, sagging against the chains. Rimialdi smiled, looking back at Hiroki.
�You have done well, my faithful one,� he said.
�Thank you, Master, but it is Ran who deserves most of the credit.�
�Yes,� said Rimialdi with a pleased look. He gently ran his fingers lightly beneath Ran�s chin, caressing her skin. �A fine catch, Hiroki. Will you be turning her tonight?�
�Yes, Master.�
Rimialdi faced Lum again. �Then you may go now. I need to be alone with my new �bride�.�
Hiroki grinned, pulling Ran close. Lum�s tear�s had ceased and she hung like a limp doll, staring down at the floor. Malenkov moved towards her.
�My dear Lum, I can be benevolent. Ours will be a world unseen by any before, and you I will make one of the most powerful women on the planet.�
Slowly, Lum looked up. Her eyes were wide, and to Rimialdi�s surprise Lum began to grin innocently.
�You see, Hiroki,� he said reaching out to touch her skin. Lum�s grin grew wider. �A few persuasive words, and even the hardest hearts fall intoOOOOOOOOHHHHHAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!�
Ribbons of electricity ripped through the Old Blood�s body, Lum�s electric zack holding him rigid. Hiroki and Ran shielded their eyes as he cried out. Finally, Malenkov managed to pull himself away and he landed on the floor frantically patting out the flames in his hair and beard.
�You try touching me again!� shouted Lum. �I�ll zack you into microscopic bits of dust!�
�Master!� cried Hiroki, running to Rimialdi�s side.
The Old Blood swatted him away, rising up to his feet. A threatening growl cut the air, Malenkov glaring at Lum.
�What is the meaning of this!� he shouted, rounding on Hiroki and Ran.
�It is Lum�s power,� answered Ran.
Hiroki stood up. �That is not a good thing to be keeping from us,� he said.
�Hiroki!� snarled Rimialdi.
�A moment, Master. I�m thinking.�
Hiroki stared at Lum for a second. �Electricity?� he said to Ran.
�Yes.�
�Hm.�
Quietly, Motoabe turned and walked off into the next room. They could hear him rummaging around, returning with a shiny bundle in his arms.
�How ironic that one of my own props would have such a use,� he said spreading it out on the ground.
It was a sheet of fine chain link metal mesh, large enough to cover Lum. Hiroki opened a box pulling out some spare power cords, and with a strong tug ripped the plugs off both ends. He took the wires of one end and wound them to a corner, handing the other end to Rimialdi.
�If you would, Master,� he said, gesturing towards a pole across the set.
Rimialdi connected the bare wires to the pole; Hiroki taking the edge of the mesh up in his arms.
�And you are doing what, Hiroki?� asked Malenkov.
�Lum is a battery. To drain a battery you must draw out its charge.�
�That might kill her, Hiroki,� Ran told them.
�I do not want her dead,� said Rimialdi.
�We�ll keep an eye on her.�
Motoabe smiled at Lum. �Ready?�
Lum shook, tugging lightly on the chains. �No, please,� she pleaded, to no avail.
�I would like to comply, but your power is much to dangerous to be left unchecked. Sorry.�
He tossed the mesh net over Lum, sparks arching as it landed. Her cries increased as the sudden grounding of her body began to drain away Lum�s electric power.
Rimialdi watched with a satisfied smile. �Hiroki, how long will this take?�
�I am not sure, Master. It all depends on how much energy she has stored up.�
�Then watch her close. Notify me when she is sufficiently drained and ready.�
�Yes, Master,� replied Hiroki as Malenkov strode angrily out the room.
Motoabe crossed his arms, turning to Lum. �Such stubbornness,� he said, shaking his head lightly. �It is so futile��
* * * * *
Benten�s hoverbike streaked over Tomobiki township towards Ran�s home. It careened around, settling quickly down into the front yard and it�s three occupants leaped off charging up the walkway. Grace; now wielding an Uzi, slammed up against one side, Benten; carrying her favorite heavy blaster, against the other while Shinobu grabbed hold of the doorknob. She tested it, finding it locked and shrugged.
�Get out of the way!� shouted Benten.
She pushed her back, leveling the blaster at the knob and fired popping the door off its track, and they rushed inside.
�LUM!� called Grace, looking around. There was no reply, and then Shinobu called her.
Running into the main hallway she found Shinobu kneeling on the floor with Jariten�s unconscious form in her lap, Benten standing guard over them.
�Is he hurt?� she asked Shinobu.
�Doesn�t look like it.�
That was a relief, but now Rimialdi had Lum for sure. With the trail lost, there was no way they would be able to find out where Ran had taken her. Suddenly, Jariten stirred, letting out a light moan.
�L-L-Lum-chan?� he said groggily, eyelids cracking open.
�Jariten,� said Shinobu. She shook him a bit. �Jariten, wake up!�
The child moaned again, then abruptly sat up looking around. �LUM-CHAN!� he cried.
�She�s gone, Jariten,� Grace told him.
�No!� Jariten leaped out of Shinobu�s lap, staggering to his knees still weak from the effects of the stun ray. �Ran� Ran had a gun, she shot me, I don�t know why!�
�She�s working for Motoabe,� Benten said.
He drew in a long gasp staring up at them fear in his eyes. �We�ve got to find them!�
�We will,� said Grace. �Somehow.�
�We could try the Red Moon,� suggested Benten.
No, Motoabe would not be that stupid and bring Lum anywhere Eric and the guys were. Grace thought a moment trying to narrow their options to the most logical place.
�He�s a photographer,� she said. �So he has to have a studio in this city.�
Benten snapped her fingers. �Right! And he has to have an address too.� They looked around spotting the phone and phonebook on the table in the living room. Benten grabbed the book then paused staring down at the phone itself.
�What?� asked Grace.
�Redial,� she said pointing at the keypad. �Ran could not have carried Lum off without help.�
Punching the button, the dial tone came up on the speaker followed by several beeps. It rang for a few minutes before a switching over to an answering machine.
[Hello, you�ve reached the studios of Hiroki Motoabe. Please leave your name�.�
Benten hung up, scribbling down the number on the readout. She picked up the receiver and dialed the operator.
[Operator, what city?]
[I�m not after a phone number. I need the address to the following number; can you look it up for me?]
[What is the number?]
Benten read it off, and in a mater of minutes had an address situated in the heart of the Takanawa district. She thanked the operator and hung up.
�Why that son-of-bitch,� said Shinobu. �That area is thriving with students and tourist.�
�Perfect place to hunt,� added Grace.
�What now?� asked Benten.
Grace took off one of her pistols and handed it to Shinobu.
�What are you doing? What am I going to do with this!� she exclaimed staring down at the heavy pistol threatening to tip her over.
�You�re going to use it if you have to,� Grace replied. �You and Jariten are going back to the Moroboshi�s with that address. Wait for Blade and tell him to get down there as fast as he can.�
�B-B-By ourselves! Alone, back there?�
�Benten and I are going after Lum, hopefully we�ll get there before she�s turned.�
�I want to go with you!� cried Jariten.
Grace smiled down at him, admiring his devotion. �No, this is too dangerous for you, little man.� She knelt and kissed him on the forehead. �Don�t worry, we�ll save her.�
Jariten reluctantly agreed, pouting angrily as Grace and Benten headed for the door.
�Good luck!� called Shinobu.
They watched as Benten revved up her bike, shooting up into the sky. Shinobu tucked the pistol into the waistband of her skirt, covering it as best she could with her blouse.
�Come on, Jariten,� she said nervously, running down the walkway to the street�
* * * * *
Gunfire roared through the club Red Moon, the smell of rotting flesh and blood mixed with the bitter smell of cordite from the smoking bodies of decaying vampires and shattered electrical equipment. A light haze hung in the air making it harder for Blade and the guys to pick out targets in the gloom.
Hunkered behind several overturned tables and chairs, they fought for their lives as Abe�s mixed teams attacked with relentless fury. It was fortunate that they were the ones with the most firepower neutralizing the threat of being overpowered in one massive rush. However, their numbers and quick reflexes forced them to keep up an unceasing barrage, wasting valuable ammunition in the process.
�Blade!� cried Kakaguri hunkering down to reload his shotgun. �I�m starting to run low on ammo!�
�Me too!� said Megane.
Eric trap shot a vampire attempting to dive over the top of their barricade, ducking down avoiding several shots. He knew they would have to do something quick and decided it was time to go on the offensive.
�Shu, Megane, Moroboshi, you�re with me. Parma, Chibi, Kakaguri keep us covered!�
�Where are we going?� shouted Ataru, cowering prone on the floor with his hands over his head.
Blade jerked him up. �After Abe! Get ready!�
Shu holstered his mini-pistol, sword flashing out of its scabbard. Eric followed suit as Megane slapped another clip into the magazine of his gun. He checked on Ataru and found him standing ready with� a mallet and silver stake in his hands?
�Moroboshi, what are you going to do with those things!� Blade shouted at him.
Ataru shrugged. �Isn�t that how you kill a vampire, by driving a stake through their heart?�
�Put those damn things away! You won�t even get close enough to use�em!�
Megane angrily thrust an Uzi into Ataru�s hands.
�Okay!� continued Blade, �we go out and clear the way, Parma you guys follow us, got it?�
�Let�s do it before I have a change of heart!� cried Chibi.
Blade leaped out into the open, Shu close behind, their silver embossed swords cutting through the vampires and slaves rushing towards them. Megane and Ataru drove back another group charging down from the far upper platforms, Parma, Chibi, and Kakaguri moving out covering the rear. A short glance up by blade found Abe up on the next level and he shifted his advance towards him.
Nashimaru raged at his minions furious that they had been taken off guard so easily. His underestimation of Blade cost them dearly, and now it looked like Blade was coming for him.
Just as well, he thought with a sinister grin.
Abe stared down at Eric briefly before moving towards the steps.
* * * * *
Benten guided her hoverbike over into a long bank, arcing around over the long warehouse that was home to Hiroki Motoabe. She called back to Grace and pointed down at the structure asking her if she wanted them to set down. Kimball told her no, peering down at the top of the building. It looked strong enough to support the bike, but no doubt they would be heard by anyone inside.
They could see dim flashes coming from inside though the skylights, arcs that matched Lum�s electric power.
�She�s fighting them!� said Benten above the rushing air.
Grace flicked the safety off on her Uzi, cocking it. �We�re about to find out!�
�Where do you want me to land?�
�We�re not!�
�Huh?�
Grace pointed down at the skylights.
�Oh no, I just bought this bike too!� shouted Benten, bringing them around.
Meanwhile, Lum was reaching the end of her resistance, the mesh covering effectively completing its grim task. She could barely stay conscious, limbs heavy and numb feeling the power drain away. With considerable strain, Lum lifted her head up.
�r-r-r-ran�� she called in a weak voice, �help me� please!�
But Ran stood motionless, impassionate to Lum�s plight. Motoabe slipped up behind Ran and placed his arms around her waist. He smiled, caressing the side of her cheek, playfully running his fingers through her crimson tresses.
�Lum, Lum, Lum. Why don�t accept your fate and join us? It is not as bad as you think.�
�Nooo�,� Lum moaned. �I� I want Ataru��
�Forget about him,� Rimialdi�s voice said. He stepped out into view, glaring at Lum. �Surrender, Lum.�
�� never��
He growled deep, impatient over the delay and her resistance. �Hiroki, how much longer?�
�It should be quite soon, Master.�
�It had better be.�
A high-pitched whine made Hiroki and Malenkov wince, looking around in wonder.
�What is that?� demanded Rimialdi.
�I�m not sure, Master.�
�It sounds like Benten�s bike,� Ran told them.
�That is a motorcycle?� asked Hiroki. He listened again, frowning. �It sounds like it�s coming from above.�
�It is. Her bike flies.�
Motoabe�s curiosity was answered by a roar and shattering of glass and metal, Benten�s hoverbike crashing down into the set next door. Dust blew up into their faces and as they hacked and coughed, two blurred figures stepped into the room.
�Can�t credit you for pinpoint landings,� Grace Kimball was heard to say.
�The hell with that, my bike is ruined!� grumbled Benten.
Grace fanned away the dust. �Let�s see if�.�
They both stopped dead in their tracks equally surprised as the three staring back across the room. Nobody moved, unsure what to do next. Finally, Rimialdi turned his hulking form towards them.
�Who are you?� he said with a deep throaty growl.
�AIEEE! A BEAR!� cried Benten. She swung her blaster around prompting Motoabe, Rimialdi, and Ran to dive for cover. Her frantic fire tore up curtains, props and light fixtures, threatening to destroy everything before Grace could grab Benten�s arm.
�(Huh, huh, huh) Did I get�em?� said Benten.
�No, you just shot up the place!� shouted Grace.
�And that was quite rude too,� said Hiroki, rising up from behind an overturned chair.
Immediately, Grace�s eyes lit up. Her Uzi snapped over, but Motoabe scurried out of the line of fire, rolling into the next room. Up shot Rimialdi letting out a stupendous roar. Kimball turned to fire, but Ran sprang from the floor, forcing her arms up. The shots went harmlessly into the ceiling, and as they struggled Rimialdi bolted out before Benten could get him.
�Ran, knock it off!� shouted Grace fighting with the girl. She pushed Ran away rearing back delivering a sharp blow to her chin. Ran collapsed like a rag doll.
�Boy you know how bad I�ve wanted to do that?� Benten said, staring down at her.
Grace gave her a wry look.
A moan from Lum brought them around. �Oh my god!� exclaimed Grace, and they rush to her aid. Benten kicked the wires free and they pulled the mesh off of her.
�Lum, Lum,� called Benten, patting her cheek to revive her. Lum opened her eyes trying to speak, but she couldn�t.
�Benten, hang on to her,� said Grace.
She drew her pistol aiming it at the link of chain holding her left arm up, shooting it apart. She shot away the three remaining chains and Lum sagged into Benten�s arms.
�How is she?� asked Grace.
Benten tipped Lum�s head back, brushing the hair away from her face. Lifting an eyelid, it appeared that Lum was just hanging on to life, her pupil dilated.
�We�ve got to get her out of here,� Benten told her.
A shout from the next room signaled the return of Hiroki with reinforcements. Grace placed an arm around Lum. �Go get Ran,� she told Benten.
�Why? She�s on their side!�
�Just go get her!�
Cursing low under her breath, Benten pulled Ran up from the floor, draping her over a shoulder. Shadows lingered at the far door, more steps rumbling up the stairs.
�We better get a move on,� Benten said.
�Where too? Your bike is done you said.�
�I don�t know, but anything is better than standing here.�
The only safe route was back the way they came. Grace carried Lum across the room following Benten. �Freeze!� cried a security guard that suddenly appeared at the doorway, but a burst from the Uzi drove him back.
�Find us a way out, Benten,� said Grace with some urgency.
They fled out the room just as Hiroki led a swarm of his people in.
�Damn it!� he shouted, fist clenched tight. �Get after them!�
As the security teams rushed off in pursuit, the heavy steps from Rimialdi stalked up behind him.
�Why are we having so many troubles, Hiroki?�
�We will have them soon, Master. There is no other way out of here but through us.�
Rimialdi spun Motoabe roughly around, taking him by the throat. He lifted him from the floor going eye to eye with Hiroki.
�I am tired of excuses! Get Lum back, and eliminate these intruders!�
Malenkov thrust him away to the floor. Hiroki gasped for breath, staring fearfully up at the Old Blood.
�Yes� Yes, Master,� he said.
Scrambling to his feet, Hiroki ran off. Rimialdi stared in the direction of the fleeing women, eyes blood red with fury.
�Lum,� he said, stalking after them�
* * * * *
The pitiful wails from dying vampires and their minions filled the air as Blade, Shu, and the guys forced their way up to the second platforms. From their new position, they had the advantage of having only one direct front making it easier to defend themselves. But now, much of their ammunition was gone, and it was only through the repeated efforts of Blade and Shu that kept the vampires at bay.
At the top of the steps Shu wielded his sword with deadly efficiency, deflecting knives and daggers, loping away taloned hands slashing for his face, kicking away other intruders trying to get past. Behind him, Blade drove on towards the last spot he saw Nashimaru, giving no quarter to the enemy retreating before him. Megane and Ataru followed, firing short burst over the railings to keep those below from hitting Eric.
�BLADE!� called a furious Abe from the top of the next stairs.
The vampires fighting Eric quickly withdrew allowing him to see Abe. He smiled, brows beetling as he stared back.
��Bout time you showed your ugly face.�
�I�m going to smash you, then rip out your little shithead friends hearts while they�re still alive!�
Ataru tugged on the back of Eric�s coat.
�Can vampires do that, Blade?�
�Will you get back over there and watch my flanks!� he snapped.
Blade looked up in time to see Abe leap down the steps, his warclub held high over his head. With no time to dodge, Eric lunged hitting Nashimaru in stomach. They tumbled into a heap across one of the tables, fist flying with rapid fury.
Meanwhile, the rest of the guys were having no better a time with the renewed onslaught swarming up over the stairs and railing. Parma pumped shot after shot into the beings climbing up, until finally he ran out of ammunition. Dropping back, frantically Parma groped through his pockets only to find out he was out of shotgun rounds. A Man reared up on the rail, teeth barred in a terrifying snarl. There was no hesitation, the butt of the shotgun smashing into his mouth and the vampire pitched back over the side leaving several teeth behind. A hard swat across the face knocked Parma back to the floor, a female vampire leaping over.
�AHHH,NOOO!�
She growled victoriously, taking him by the collar when something sailed through the air exploding with a wet splat in her face. She dropped Parma, pausing for a second and turned her head around to the person that threw it. Chibi stood in one of the booths wielding what appeared to be water balloons.
�What do you think�.� In mid-sentence, she stopped then clutched her face as the skin suddenly began to bubble up around her eyes and mouth. With a hideous scream, she bolted leaping back over the railing, and before she hit the floor, her head burst into flames.
�Yes, it worked!� cried Chibi, dancing victoriously around.
Parma scrambled over to him. �What is that?�
Chibi handed one of the balloons to him. �Garlic and lemon juice mix. If the Acid don�t get�em, the garlic will.�
�Is that what you did in Mendou�s kitchen?�
�Yep. Pretty smart huh?�
Kakaguri slammed down on top of the table, machine gun held before him in a desperate tug-a-war with a vampire.
�Guys� a little� help here!� he said.
Chibi whipped out a water pistol, shooting a stream into the vampires ear. It shrieked, clawing at its head before bursting into flames.
�What the�,� began Kakaguri, but Parma cut him off with a shake of his head.
Tossing aside the shotgun, Parma pulled out a pair of Sai, twirling them around. He helped Kakaguri up then the three members of Lum�s Elite Stormtroopers surged back into the fight.
With Blade and Abe locked in deadly combat, Shu interposed himself between them, fending of any help from the rest of the vampires. Standing with sword poised at his side, he stood still with head tilted slightly to the floor, almost daring someone to attack. Their came several steps and the sword flashed leaving decaying corpses or gurgling moans in its wake.
Shu chuckled deviously. �Be gone, or taste the wrath of my blade once more,� he said.
The human slaves in the group scurried away, but the vampires all let out hisses of anger, weapons barred ready to engage him once more.
Behind him, Abe and Blade traded blow after blow, the solid cut of metal imbedding into the wood and iron filling the air with a loud heavy thunk. Blade drew back, ducking a wild swing from Abe and twirled drawing his sword up. Nashimaru surprised him by parrying the cut turning the blunt end out with a solid blow to Blades chin. He staggered back, taking another blow to the chest, tumbling to the floor.
�Ha, ha! Blade you�re such a chump!� cried Abe, warclub high over his head.
�Chump? Chump this!�
The heel of Blades boot slammed into Abe�s stomach staggering him. A blur; Eric shooting up to attack drawing his sword across the top of Nashimaru�s head leaving a broad patch of his scalp exposed. Abe dived aside and backed away up underneath a table.
�Where you going!� shouted Eric, kicking the top off of its mounts. �Stand your stupid ass up so I can kill it!�
Letting out a screech, Abe held his hands up before him as Blade drew back. The blow never came down, Eric looking to his side as Megane flew headfirst into the booth next to him, several vampires swiftly pouncing on top. He turned and went to his aid, sword slicing through bodies to extract Megane before they ripped him to shreds. Shu, also noticing the situation, grabbed Ataru by the collar dropping back driving away more vampires inching up the steps.
Finally, Megane was free, cuts and bruises about his head and shoulders. As Eric pulled him out, the thick end of Abe�s warclub slammed him in the chest. He flew to the other side, hit the railing and slumped to the side sword dropping from his grip.
�DIE!� cried Abe, face twisted with maniacal rage.
Blade gripped the nearest post, kicking out but was slow. Nashimaru batted it aside, twirled and brought his weapon down with a mighty force landing straight on Eric�s outstretched leg at the knee. A low sickly pop followed by crushing bone and cartilage precluded Blade�s painful yell.
He dragged himself aside grimacing in pain then Abe�s kicked him over and planted his foot square on his chest.
�You�re done, Blade!� cried Abe. His arms lifted the warclub high.
SWISH!
Both of Nashimaru�s hands fell to the floor still clutching the warclub. Abe�s piercing scream cut the air and he turned receiving the lunging thrust from Shutaro right through the heart. His skin decayed, sloughing away off his bones amidst sparks and embers of flames.
Abe�s death quickly brought the fight to a halt. His minions stood stunned staring at the smoldering remains. One by one they backed away until finally the only persons left I the club were Blade and the guys.
Ataru crawled from beneath another table and stood next to Shu. They stared down at the ashes then Moroboshi slapped him hard on the back.
�Great job, Mendou! You got him seconds before I could get him.�
�What were you going to do? Shake him to death,� replied Shu.
�Nah, I figured you had things well under control.�
Mendou sneered. �Go check on Megane!� he shouted and Ataru scurried away.
Shu rushed over to Blade who lay clutching his shattered knee in mute pain.
�Blade, the vampires have gone. What do we do now?�
Eric reached out grabbing Shu by a shoulder and pulled. Mendou helped him sit up, and the rest of the team joined them.
�We still haven�t found Motoabe,� said Eric between grimaces. �We�ve got to get back to the girls� he�s not going to sit idle.�
�Right.� Taking a look down at Blade�s leg, Shu wondered if how they were going to defeat Motoabe and Rimialdi now. �You�re going to have to ride tandem with me. Megane, can you ride?�
Megane winced as Chibi made a makeshift sling for his left arm. �I�ll manage,� he replied.
�Okay. Moroboshi help me carry Blade out. Parma, help Megane. Chibi, Kakaguri reload and cover us incase the vampires try to stop us.�
Chibi picked up Abe�s warclub, knocking off the skeletal fingers locked around the hilt. He smiled up at Kakaguri, slinging it across one shoulder.
�Trophy,� he said with a shrug.
Ataru retrieved Eric�s sword, slipping an arm around Blade to steady him.
�If Motoabe is not here, where is he?� he asked.
�I�m guessing he�s paying another call at your home. Hopefully, the girls can hold out until we get there.�
�Are you going to be able to take him in your condition?�
Blade grimaced, looking down at Ataru.
�Let�s tackle that problem when we get to it, okay?�
Ataru sighed, going silent as they headed back down the stairs�