Tag Archives: BigBad

Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #035

The Bome City Shuttle Port was relatively far from the hospital, but Duard’s constant irritations led the cab driver through the fastest possible routes.  Duard had no interest in seeing the sights or even the locals.  Only the shuttle port mattered.  Consequently, it took much less time to reach than usual.  Of course, his next destination was still a mystery but he was definitely leaving this land.  

Being a booming city, Bome’s port was always busy.  There were more shuttles parked than one would care to count.  Every space was full.  A few shuttles were preparing to launch while others hovered and spun in the sky preparing to land in the soon to be empty spots.

Each shuttle had a graphic noting their next stop.  After leaving the cab, Duard leaned on a pillar to think and make a call.  The shuttles’ graphics animations were slightly entertaining.  Duard watched as the graphics described their next destination while writing out the city’s name.

The call was to Champion’s Chronicle Headquarters.  If Duard was to make any impact on events, he had to be informed.  A lot may have changed in a day.  

It was just after hour seventeen so in Bome City it was well into evening.  However in South Coast, it was a very uncomfortable hour of morning .  Understandably, it took more than a few rings for Humberto to answer, but he was there.  The Chief was always there.  As expected, Chief Meng was a little grumpy this time of day; or night.  However, he knew about all the important stories at the Chronicle.  He seemed unusually glad that Duard was up and about and shared the story freely.

The tale of Juquan and the BigBad Crew moved quickly as Humberto only spoke in important facts.  Apparently they partied and cheated the casino.  After that, the story took a few unexpected turns.  The strangest turn was the reporter Humberto used to follow them.  Duard’s keen memory often kept him from asking for the same information twice, but Chief Meng’s selection was simply inconceivable.

“There has to be a mistake,” Duard corrected with unhideable disbelief, “Brisa?  My Brisa?”  Duard had to stop and lean the communicator to his ear.  There was no way he had heard that part right.

“Yeah Brisa Gan, your errand girl,” the Chief said with certainty, “She hasn’t called in for a while though.  She’s either doing fine or she’s dead.”

“What do you mean dead?”  He asked the question without thinking.  This whole situation seemed like a road trip horror story, “Where did they go?”

“West Drop.”

“West Drop!”  Duard knew for certain that his errand girl hoped to be as good a decent reporter.  However, following the BigBad Crew was too much for her as was going to West Drop.  The two facts together made absolutely no sense.   “Why not throw her to the bear-frogs while you’re at it!”

“She was there, and she could walk,” Humberto shouted back reminding Duard that he could not at the time, “If you want to catch up on the rest of the story, I suggest you go there and talk with her.”  Those were the Chief’s words before ending the connection.

Things were going terribly.  Sadly, things were probably much worse than Duard believed.  His plan to destroy Jaquan hung on a thread.  How could he find evidence to damage Jaquan if he couldn’t find Jaquan.  However, he was glad to have called.  He would look a fool if he had walked into this with the information he had only yesterday.  

Duard rushed to his private craft.  There was no time to lose. He should be there in a few hours.  

He scoffed at the idea of Brisa doing fine on anything.  All she’s fine for is getting my tea and sandwiches.  If she went to West Drop, chances are that she’s already robbed and stranded.  I’ll have to clean up whatever mess she’s found herself in.

#1 – Opportunity #34 – Opportunity #36

Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #033

West Drop, Sunflower Lounge:

While Liana was calling Neely, Jaquan picked through the heavier pieces of the crew’s luggage.  According to Justice, fighters in these tournaments “preferred victory over pride.”  Jaquan didn’t know exactly what this meant.  Perhaps they trained nonstop.  Maybe they just avoided publicity.  Either way, they were probably stronger than the fighters he was used to in the arena.  If Jaquan was going to have a chance against these new fighters, he would have to become stronger.

Jaquan got several long strong chains out of his bags.  They were some of the many weapon modifiers he used with all his weapons.  By combining the different parts, he was usually able to make the perfect weapon for the variety of fights.  Today, the chains had a separate purpose.

After a bit of planning, the luggage was lined up and tied together into a larger package.  He then padded his shoulders, looped his arms into the chains, and carried the heap on his back.

Walking with the pack was a lot harder than he remembered.  It didn’t look at all glorious, but the feeling was quite nostalgic.  He hadn’t done this training since before he was the Circuit Champion.  Since then, he rose to the top and relied on more measurable training tactics.  However, those times were gone.

By choosing this path, he had renounced his championship.  The World Circuit was all he knew for the longest and it was great being on the top.  However, two Holy Talent users had told him this was the best road.  He changed paths with a good amount of assurance but knew the consequences.

There was little chance that he would be welcomed back into the World Championship Circuit.  Those that promoted him would have nothing to do with him.  So now, all he had was his friends and the leftover winnings from his past fights.  However, the weight on his back reminded him of the freedom this path had given him.

He struggled to make it out of the building, while his companions walked easily in front of him.  Jaquan’s efforts made the load exceptionally lighter for the other two.  Justice carried a few bags leaving Liana’s hands free to continue her call.  Quite unfair given that her powered mech suit had a communicator installed.  All she had to do was talk to speak with Neely.

How did I do this so easily?  Jaquan couldn’t help but think to himself as he staggered out of the door.  He knew that he looked silly.  He also knew that the news casters would not know anything about his side of the story.

The media was having too grand a time dragging his name through the mud.  However, that was expected from a group of sensationalists.  It made a bit more sense to him that the stronger fighters were unknown.  At times, Jaquan wished to be a broke and unknown rather than a rich media target.

The news crews seemed to only make money from what people read.  People only read stories that seemed exciting enough to finish reading.  The stories didn’t have to be true, only true enough.

For “authentic stories”; they haunted people going though celebrations, ruining the spirit; and hounded people going through tragedy, never giving them time to heal.  Granted reporters would apologize for incorrect information, but apologies were never as entertaining.  Most of the public only remembered the original report.

Today, stories about former Circuit Champion Jaquan Zu’s “cowardice” gave them ratings.  Knowing Orien Quan, the story will be in the forefront of the news until the next Circuit Championship fight.  Apparently, people wanted to hear it.  It wouldn’t be long before the story would appear again.

By the time Jaquan reached his friends on the street, Liana was finished talking with Neely.  She told him something about the two adventurers staying there for the night.  That was so much like them.  They were best friends and trouble makers long before Jaquan had met them.  Neely and Catlin could take care of themselves.  However, they were still on a side quest when he preferred them to be near.

He and his whole crew knew that Orien Quan would do something like this.  He used the media and the media seemed to enjoy being used.  Jaquan had a counter plan but with the two still looking for their reporter, it seems to have failed.

Just as well.  He still hated reporters.

#1 – Opportunity #32 – Opportunity #34

Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #032

Catlin and Neely dashed through the back alleys of West Drop for a sign; any possible signs of struggles.  Catlin needed to search thoroughly but she knew they were running out of time.  If the city’s citizens were to be believed, Brisa was seen running with a young lady down these very alleys a few hours ago.

When there were fewer people around, Catlin searched more intently.  She knew the gankers attacked quickly and efficiently.  They would attack where they would not be seen, kill the target, and take what they wanted.  Catlin hoped that Brisa found a way to escape the trap and get away, but with Brisa’s perception the way it was, chances were slim.

Though Neely’s movements were aided by his new mech suit, Catlin often left him behind as they frantically searched each and every alleyway.  Catlin hoped to find Brisa whole and alive.  Soon, every bend became a dramatic event.  With every empty or otherwise used alleyway, Catlin praised that Brisa wasn’t found harmed yet was frustration that Brisa wasn’t found at all.

The pair had come to what seemed like another dead end.  They had searched the area’s set of back alleys with no trace of Brisa yet.  They were very near a populated area, a shopping complex.  There, they had turned to an alley they had barely seen with Catlin’s rushed pace.

About half an hour ago, they had gained the attention of a guard though he lagged far behind them both.  He was strangely unconvinced that Brisa had been taken this way even though every townsfolk up to this point had said otherwise.  They searched through the alley for evidence but found none of Brisa.

After a few minutes, the guard jogged around the corner.  They learned his name was Sasuke Si, a new recruit that apparently has not finished his endurance training.  Bent over and out of breath he barely managed to speak, “I think… we should go… to head… quarters… get more men… looking.”

At this the pair stared at each other and then at him, in awe.  They were astonished as his actions showed utter incompetence.  In the alley, there were blood stains, sword slashed walls, and many other signs of numerous struggles.  This may not have been where Brisa was lead, but it definitely was worth looking into.

Catlin’s eyes turned flame red though she asked calmly, “What do we have to look for?”

At almost the same time, Neely spoke up, “I think you should call this in.”

Taking in the sight of the bloody alleyway, Sasuke staggered back and had to agree.  He promptly left the alley and reached for his handheld.

Looking at the guard walk away, Catlin knew he would be of no help.  She searched deeper into the alley and found a locked door that she knew had to lead somewhere.  Waving Neely to her area, she asked, “Do you think this is the place?”

“This has to be the place,” he responded, “The rest stop guy clearly said there was a singular group of gankers.”  He reasoned further, “The townsfolk also said that the same lady had brought other people in this way.”

“And this is where they went,” Catlin reasoned.

Neely’s handheld buzzes.  He answers and finds Liana on the other end.  Apparently he and Catlin had lost track of time because it was nearing hour seventeen.  Jaquan wanted to leave for Bear Gate immediately.

Neely understood his rush, Jaquan had taken a big risk setting aside his pride for this opportunity.  However, looking at Catlin’s face Neely knew that she wanted to stay in West Drop and find Brisa.  “I’m sorry,” he said, “Could you go on without us?  We’ll catch up to you guys soon.”

“Alright, see you th…,” were Liana’s words as her image faded from his handheld.

#1 – Opportunity #31 – Opportunity #33