At the infamous building, Desperado, Monsoon and Jetstream finally finish their vigorous sparring session. To cool off, they decide to take a stroll through the Japanese style reception area...
"Well, I'm glad that's over!" sighs Jetstream. "I should get an award for most sweat produced in one day!"
Monsoon shoots Jetstream an irritated look as he continues walking. "Oh, quit your whining, Sam!" he scolds. "We get paid to do this, so shut-up and be thankful!"
Jetstream pauses in his stride as he takes a moment to swallow that harsh dialogue. "Sheesh..." he says under his breath.
Suddenly, the lights start flickering, which stops the cyborg pair in their tracks. Seconds later, the lights go completely out.
"Hey, what's up with the lights?" asks a concerned Jetstream. "Someone forget to pay the electric bill or something?"
Monsoon didn't find Jetstream's joke very funny. "Hold on," he groans. "I'll turn on my night vision..." As Monsoon scans the area, he suddenly gets a call. "Hello? This is Monsoon." he answers.
"I'm well aware of who you are, Monsoon..." says a mysterious female voice.
Monsoon is taken aback. "Wha..? Who is this?" he asks with confusion.
"My name is Cassandra," answers the voice. "I need a favor of you two..."
Instead of getting suspicious, Monsoon is intrigued. "Is that so....?" he says with interest. "We're listening...."
Jetstream looks at his partner in disbelief. What is he doing? thinks Jetstream.
"I want you and Jetstream to infiltrate a building and see what you can find," the woman explains. "It's uninhabited, so don't worry about getting caught.."
Monsoon likes it so far, but Jetstream isn't so satisfied. "What's in it for us?" he asks aggressively. Monsoon gives his partner a quick glance before returning his attention to Cassandra.
"That is for you to find out," she answers. "So... do we have a deal?"
Monsoon and Jetstream exchange glances with each other. "Alright... you have a deal," says Monsoon. "But this better not be a trick. I've got my eye on you... whoever you are..."
Jetstream thought it was a little late for Monsoon to finally showcase some suspicion. He lets out a sigh as he pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head.
"That won't be a problem," says Cassandra, completely unfazed by Monsoon's warning. "You start at midnight. Until next time." Cassandra ends the call and Jetstream swiftly faces his partner.
"Next time? What did you just get us into?" asks an angry Jetstream.
Monsoon puts on a mischievous smirk. "Afraid to live on the edge, Sam?" he chuckles. "Life is oh too short for that--" Monsoon is interrupted when the lights suddenly flash on. Both cyborgs are temporarily blinded as their vision got accustomed to the darkness. The pair then heard heavy thumps in the distance. It was no other than Senator Armstrong, their boss. He comes rushing into the reception area, where he spots Monsoon and Jetstream...
"Monsoon!? Sam! What happened!?" he asks demandingly. "I was trying to contact you, but all I got was static!" This wasn't good. The Senator couldn't find out about this. Accepting jobs from people outside the business would get them fired and they didn't have any time to think of a cover story.
After standing frozen in front of the senator for a good few seconds, Monsoon finally speaks up. "Uhh.. yeah. My signal must've went out in that power surge," he lies. "But everything seems to be back online now..."
Armstrong furrows his brows, sensing something is off. "You sure?" he asks.
Jetstream nervously scratches the side of his head. "Uhh... yep! We're sure..." he answers with a fake smile.
The senator's grey orbs dart back and forth between the cyborgs a couple times before deciding to drop the interrogation. "Alright then... If that's all it was," he says, turning away. "I outta screw that electric company.."
"Yeah... um.. I'll go check the circuit track to be sure..." suggests Monsoon. Before Armstrong could saying anything back, Monsoon sprints out of the reception area. Armstrong's gaze then moves to Jetstream. There is a moment of extreme awkwardness.
"Uhh.. I'll go with him!" Jetstream blurts before bolting after Monsoon. Armstrong strokes his chin suspiciously as he watches the samurai cyborg flee the area. It's pretty obvious that those two are definitely hiding something from him, but Armstrong doesn't have time to babysit. Whatever they're up to, he'll find out soon enough...

End of chapter