Breakout

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision, BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision, Vine, and AthleteTamashi #51View on SuiVision stepped into the casino. The inside had bright white tile floors, and dark chestnut walls. Straight ahead, was a massive room with several tables for gambling. Their bright green colors contrasted sharply with the rest of the casino. To the left and right were rooms filled to the brim with slot machines, but everyone on Chaos’s side was straight ahead, sitting anxiously across the several tables. Kasumi started walking ahead and was approached by a manTamashi #58View on SuiVision in a bright white suit, red shirt, and orange tie.

“ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision was captured by KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision.” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision stated. “We’re looking for anyone who might be able to break him out.”

The manTamashi #58View on SuiVision nodded with a sad grave expression. “I don’t know who fits your description,” he said. “ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision promised me this place would be filled with life and energy when he took charge.” he shook his head. “Now I’m not so sure. I’ll do anything I can to help. Maybe you can talk to the high rollers over there.” the man gestured to the table at the center of the main room.

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision, BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision, Vine, and AthleteTamashi #51View on SuiVision approached the main table. The manTamashi #32View on SuiVision with a graph on his screen, a manTamashi #24View on SuiVision with blue lines on his screen, a manTamashi #40View on SuiVision with a black and white shirt, and a manTamashi #46View on SuiVision with wooden logs around his head all sat across the table. The man with wooden logs and the man with a graph on his face both had large stacks of chips in front of them, while the rest had two or three chips at most.

“I’d say that was only a fifty-six percent chance that time, but I’m feeling good tonight!” the manTamashi #32View on SuiVision with graphs on his face laughed, staring at his chips.

The manTamashi #24View on SuiVision with blue lines leaned his head against his hand, “You can’t be allowed to count cards when we do this, MathTamashi #32View on SuiVision. It’s just not fair.”

MathTamashi #32View on SuiVision laughed, “Don’t handicap me for learning how to win.” he smiled.

“I actually quite like the challenge.” the manTamashi #46View on SuiVision with wooden logs said.

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision approached the table with her friends standing behind. “Do any of you know how to break out of a prison?”

“I know how to build a prison.” the manTamashi #24View on SuiVision with blue lines said, “but that I don’t know.”

“I actually might have an idea!” The man with wooden logs stood up and outstretched his hand to KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision. “Hi, I’m EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision.”

“Hi EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision.” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision shook his hand. “Have you ever been to a prison?”

“No.” he smiled, “But I’ve studied them. Breaking out of prison is an interesting puzzle. And if you can’t tell, I love puzzles.”

“That’s great.” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision said, “But we don’t know where he’s being held.”

“I think I do.” the man with blue lines said. “I’m DesignTamashi #24View on SuiVision. MathTamashi #32View on SuiVision and I worked for OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision back when Gang was in charge.”

“Not with?” BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision asked.

“He’s not someone you can work with.” DesignTamashi #24View on SuiVision stated. “With him it’s his way or the highway. He’s always going to make the most structured choice, no matter what.”

“So if he’s holding someone in prison…” BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision started.

“It’s going to be a literal prison.” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision realized. “Do any of you know where the police station is?”

“I know where everything in this city is. OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision made me memorize it.” DesignTamashi #24View on SuiVision shook his head. “It’s three blocks west of here. You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you.” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision said. She turned and began to walk towards the exit when GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision walked in front of her and blocked her path.

“Can I talk to you privately?” heTamashi #21View on SuiVision insisted.

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision and GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision sat on the front steps of the casino. GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision hung his hands wearily against his legs while KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision sat with her fingers interwoven. The wind’s empty air provided an evanescent stillness. To the right was the edge of Nozomi. The city continued on, but electricity only existed for three square blocks of the city. Even though there was light and life, the dark edge still persisted as a stark reminder that life as they all remembered had not returned, not yet.

GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision paused and looked towards KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision . “I thought we had an understanding.”

“What do you mean?” sheTamashi #50View on SuiVision answered.

“When you saved meTamashi #21View on SuiVision from that fire. I told you ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision was a bad person. Why did you join his side?”

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision shook her head, “Because he’s right! We can’t have another triangle company again. We need to relish in the moment and be happy. That’s what everyone in the resistance fought for - the opportunity to be a little bit selfish and feel good again.” she paused, “We shouldn’t have to do what we’re told forever. Now is our chance to live our lives the way we should have in the first place.”

“But he’s not a good person.” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision said. “He took me in at fourteen. The first thing he had me do was steal a woman’s family heirloom and hide it on top of a street sign. He didn’t even want the money. He even told her what he’d done. He just wanted to watch her - desperately look for it across the city. After that, he asked me to take someone’s life, as an initiation. That’s the kind of person he is. He really did a number on me.”

“Maybe … maybe you’re wrong. Maybe he meant something else?”

“He didn’t!” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision insisted.

“I just - I know he isn’t a good person.” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision said, “But I think he’s who we need right now. We need someone strong who can make sure no one takes charge and takes away what it means to be free. We just got away from the Triangle company. I couldn’t stand it if someone like Takahashi squeezed us until he had all of the control. He’s not a warm and fuzzy guy, but he’s given us a chance to be free.” she paused, “And I don’t see you on team OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision’s side!”

GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision stared at the ground. “I’ve had a lot of rage against him for a long time. Even before I met him, I was plotting to kill him. That rage directed every decision I made until a week ago when he told me he’d known the whole time.” he took a breath. “For twelve years I plotted my revenge, and for twelve years he watched me wrestle with my anger. I’d played into his hands the entire time. Now I don’t know what to do. Maybe I was wrong to spend my life on revenge. If I attack him, am I just doing what he wants me to do? I really don’t know.”

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision stood up, dusted herself off, and walked back inside the casino. A manTamashi #6View on SuiVision with a beating heart on his screen passed her to walk outside. BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision , Vine, AthleteTamashi #51View on SuiVision, and EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision were waiting for Kasumi inside.

“What did he say?” Vine asked.

“Just that ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision is a psychopath and that we shouldn’t trust him.” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision answered.

“And you’re going to trust GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision?” BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision scoffed, “He’s just going to use this opportunity to grab power again.”

“Yeah … you’re right.” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision said, “Let’s just go to the police station.”

The manTamashi #6View on SuiVision with a beating heart on his screen faced the street beside the casino. He saw GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision sitting alone by himself on the steps. The man glanced intently at Gang and said nothing.

ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision sat silently in the corner of his cell. He casually glanced towards the manTamashi #69View on SuiVision on the outside of the bars wearing a policeman’s uniform. The man sat silently, but picked up his head when he saw OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision walk in. Order stood up straight with his hands by his sides and stared down at Chaos.

“How kind of you to celebrate your premature victory with me.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision smiled.

“Actually I’m here for fact-finding.” OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision replied, “What exactly was your plan? You seem like the talkative type, so I’m hoping you can give me something of value.”

ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision laughed to himself with his dark red eyes leering. “I’ll give you something of value!” He sneered, “Do you know why I have many more followers than you? It’s because I tell people what they want to hear. I can see the whispers of their soul and point them towards their desires. Freedom, parties, anarchy, fire, blood, life!” he smiled. “And what do you promise them again?”

“Order.” OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision said, “and stability. In case you haven’t noticed we haven’t rebuilt the world yet! We have a long way to go, and obviously we need structure. Building that structure is our next logical choice.”

“Oh, but that’s so boring!” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision whined, “Wouldn’t it be better to tell everyone to relax! Wouldn’t it be easier to tell everyone that the hard work is done and all that’s left is to party, kick back, and relish in the fire of what we’ve created!”

“But that’s wrong.” OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision insisted, “I believe people are better than that. They’ll resist their base impulses and do what needs to be done.”

“They’ve already chosen not to.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision grinned, “It’s so much easier to do what you want to do than what you should do. And so much more fun! You’re a textbook and I’m a smartphone. In the end, which of us gets more attention?”

SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision walked into the police station with his sword by his side. The policemanTamashi #69View on SuiVision stood up in shock, but sat back down when he realized OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision wasn’t startled.

“We should go.” SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision stated.

“SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision!” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision taunted, “It’s good to see you again! I haven’t seen your sister. I suppose that means you’re fighting together! That’s awfully kind of her.”

SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision furrowed his brow and ushered OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision out of the station.

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision, EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision, Vine, BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision, and AthleteTamashi #51View on SuiVision sat quietly behind a dumpster in a narrow alley facing the police station.

“Look!” AthleteTamashi #51View on SuiVision said in a loud whisper. “That’s Order!” The group saw OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision leave the police station with SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision leaving behind him. His dark red sheath shimmered in stark contrast against his dark blue suit.

“Not him again.” Vine frowned. “That guy can fight.” AthleteTamashi #51View on SuiVision said. “Smart of him to travel with a bodyguard.” BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision noted.

EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision narrowed his eyes at the police station, examining it from every angle. He carefully examined every feature of the building ahead.

“Do you see any way in?” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision asked.

“I don’t believe that’s the solution.” EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision stated, “I’m familiar with this model of police station. It’s used to store prisoners for only one night before they’re transferred to an actual jail. The cell is small, used to store one to a few people. There’s enough room for a single desk inside and a single door in the front.”

“So how do we sneak past?” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision asked.

“We don’t.” EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision said. “We rush in.”

“We what?!” BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision exclaimed.

“Believe me, I would love to recommend some complex infiltration, lockpicking and climbing through ducts.” EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision said, “but this place isn’t large enough to sneak by and is designed for only one attendant. Sometimes the best path is a straight line. But I don’t know if we can take him ourselves. Do any of you know how to fight?” Everyone turned to Vine who only smiled politely.

“I do know some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.” Vine said.

“Some?” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision said, “Didn’t you say you were the world champion?”

“Once, yeah” Vine said.

“Yeah, that should work.” EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision said with his eyebrows up.

“What got you into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the first place?” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision asked.

“I used to have an anger problem.” Vine said.

“Really?” BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision said, “But you seem so mellow!”

“That’s because I’ve found a way to channel my aggression.” Vine smiled sweetly. “Alright then! Nobody messes with her!” EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision chuckled to himself, then turned to face the police station. “Alright, let’s move in.”

The group crept up to the police station and waited patiently by the door. EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision and AthleteTamashi #51View on SuiVision crouched on the left side of the door while Vine, BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision, and KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision crouched on the right side. Enigma raised his head towards the door, but couldn’t detect any sounds on the other side.

“Whenever you’re ready.” EnigmaTamashi #46View on SuiVision whispered. Vine nodded. She placed her left hand on the doorknob and waited a moment to take a breath. Then she violently swung the door open and everyone rushed inside. By the time KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision made it in, she could see Vine standing a foot away from the single police officerTamashi #69View on SuiVision. Vine jabbed forward with her left hand to hit him in the neck, then she grabbed onto him and swung her right foot against his legs. Both of them fell to the ground with Vine laying on top and her right arm forearm across the officer’s neck.

“So many familiar faces.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision said as he stood against the bars of his cell. Are you here to let me go or rough me up?”

“We’re letting you go.” AthleteTamashi #51View on SuiVision said. Vine tossed him a key from the officer’s pocket which he used on the locked cell. With a bit of force, the cell door swung to the side and ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision walked through.

“I’m grateful for what you’ve done here tonight.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision smiled a sinister grin. “Let’s return to the headquarters.” Vine started to stand up and Chaos turned to the officerTamashi #69View on SuiVision on the ground. Chaos kneeled by the officer’s side. “I think it’s best if you wait five minutes after we leave before running off.” he whispered at the officer, “Unlike her, I don’t stop after you’re knocked down.” Chaos stood back up and walked towards the entrance while everyone except the dumbfounded officer followed. “That was a good pin. But fear is far more effective.”

The officerTamashi #69View on SuiVision remained on the ground for six more minutes.

“We have ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision said to OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision, who frantically sketched notes across several sheets of paper. “We need to do something now to rally the people to our side.”

OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision rested his hand against his temple, then shook his head and jotted down more notes. He sat at a mahogany table at the base floor of an apartment building. KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision stood over a corner of the table while Order focused on his papers. ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision stood in the corner of the room watching them work.

“It’s just not that simple!” OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision exclaimed. “I can’t be in charge of these people if they’re going to be this undisciplined! I can’t just be in charge. I need to have control. Without that, how can I hope that my plans will follow through? I need to be certain.” “Why don’t you take charge?” ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision said to KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision.

“I wouldn’t be any good at it.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision answered. “While I’ve led rebel strikes, leading a people is a different animal. I’ve spent most of my life away from the modern world. It’s not something I’m prepared for.”

“I’d appreciate it if you demonstrate the discipline to stay on the same team. And read some of these plans I’ve made. I want to know your thoughts.”

ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision shook his head.

Music played loud at the casino while people raised their glasses and drank whatever alcohol they could find. Spirited gambling could be heard across the card tables while everyone present laughed and shouted loudly.

ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision smiled to himself and stared across the crowd. He’d started a new movement of hedonism, anarchy, and chaos. Chaos assumed that most of them didn’t understand the implications of his plan, but as he glanced over their drunken faces, he started to wonder how many of them secretly shared some of his world view.

ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision turned to the side and saw Witch standing next to him. “Ah, WitchTamashi #4View on SuiVision .” he said, “It’s been some time.”

“Now that you’re back, I thought we could talk.” she said, “With KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision, SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision and HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision on the same side, I thought we could use some muscle. I know of a way to help with that.”

“I’m interested.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision smiled, “But you’re the only part of our gang that I could never figure out. How can I trust you?”

“Because I know who you are.” WitchTamashi #4View on SuiVision said, “Who you really are. And I know what you do to people who betray you.”

“If you knew me before this, you’d be running in a very different direction.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision said.

“Not if we want the same thing.” WitchTamashi #4View on SuiVision said. “I’m going to help you set the world on fire.”

ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision narrowed his eyes at WitchTamashi #4View on SuiVision . She was a middle-aged woman with a dark shirt and a witch’s hat on her screen. She stared him down with a dark confidence that even gave Chaos pause, but ultimately, he was intrigued.

“I got my start as a neuroscientist at the Triangle Company.” WitchTamashi #4View on SuiVision stated, staring directly at ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision. “Tell me, what do you know about neurological mesh?”