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onlygirlshavewings) wrote2012-08-29 05:44 pm
onlygirlshavewings) wrote2012-08-29 05:44 pm
Entry tags:
Drama CD - Crashers ~Knight & Ran~ 1
Crashers Knight & Ran
trans. by Jey Kama and Athena
------
Note: Crashers is a non-lethal unit designed to supplement police activity by framing criminals for suitable civilian justice, rather than killing them as Weiß does, or merely investigating them, as Kritiker does. This drama occurs in the short time between Ran's time in Kritiker and Weiß, roughly two years before the events in the Weiß kreuz TV series.
[Ice cubes tinkle against the shotglass, floating in liquor.]
[A cellphone beeps insistently in the silence, answered with a tone after the glass is set down.]
Queen: Hello? [a pause] Yes... Yes, I understand. I'll be off immediately.
[She turns the cellular off. A long moment ends.]
Queen: Ready? ... Go.
[The ice clatters in the cup.]
Chapter - The Plan Fell Through
[The corridors echo with the scream of alarms.]
[Two men scramble through, seeking escape. Behind them are their pursuers.]
Guy: They're over there!
Guy: Call in reinforcements!
Guys: Yessir!
Knight: I don't need you to tell me we're screwed!
[They dash into a room, getting some relief.]
Knight: Rook, hurry up! We've failed!
Rook: I KNOW that!
[But Rook runs over and tugs fiercely on the handle of another door.]
Knight: Rook! The police'll take care of all the girls!
[He pounds on the door in frustration.]
Rook: Nope.
Knight: Huh?
Rook: If I can save'er...
Knight: Wha... What're you talking about?! You never told me this!
Rook: [choking up a bit] ... I'm sorry!
[He resumes attacking the door.]
[Bishop's urgent voice filters through their headsets.]
Bishop: Knight! Rook! Please make haste. Pawn is setting the explosives to secure your escape route.
Knight: [somewhat desperate] Understood, Bishop. But Rook's...!
Bishop: What is going on?
Rook: Stupid door! It's not gonna open!
Knight: Rook!! After a mission failure withdrawal takes precedence!
Rook: I KNOW that!! But... somehow... at least just her!
Guy: There they are! This way!
Knight: They found us!
Rook: Damn!
[They flee, while the guards' oddly muffled gunfire sprays around them.]
Knight: Shit! It's nice of them to try killing us with SILENCED firearms.
Rook: You go on ahead and escape!
Knight: Roo--?!
Rook: I'm gonna try something out!!
Knight: What the hell're you think you're doing?!
Rook: Shit, just GO! I'll explain later
Knight: Rook!!
[Someone unlocks a pistol from concealment. Only Rook notices the tiny click, and bashes Knight out of the way.]
Rook: Knight, move!!!
Knight: Ugh?!
[The gun fires unsilenced.]
Rook: Gwaa!!
Knight: ROOK!!!
Chapter - Hospital
[A flock of pigeons bursts into the air in the hospital esplanade. Ran stands moodily next to the fountain, embroiled in his thoughts.]
Ran: Everywhere in the heart of every city seems to be? A hospital.
[He heaves out a sigh, then perks as an object blows to his feet.]
Ran: A scarf?
[A pretty nurse (Yamadera Akiko) calls out to him, trotting over on heels.]
Akiko: Excuse me!!
Ran: Uh, this?
[She reaches him, catching her breath.]
Akiko: Thank you very much. It flew off in a sudden gust of wind.
Ran: Is this? yours?
Akiko: Me? No, I wouldn't own anything this expensive!
[An elderly lady's voice (Sakakibara Yoriko) calls out weakly.]
Yoriko: I'm so sorry. I was being a little careless.
Ran: Nn?
[The nurse walks back, and brings the elderly lady forwards in her wheelchair.]
Yoriko: Mm? I've seen you before at this hospital on occasion?
Ran: [He replies mildly, a bit amused] Sometimes.
Yoriko: Are you visiting a relative? Or is it a friend?
Ran: Eh?
Yoriko: [she catches herself] Eheh, excuse me. Age only made me nosier. Being hospitalized for so long makes me curious about other people's business.
Ran: No, it's all right.
Yoriko: Without the help of this wheelchair, I wouldn't even be able to enjoy the outside air? And the cherry trees are so beautiful now, too...
Ran: ... Cherry trees?
Yoriko: Well, at the far end of the garden in my estate, there's an ancient cherry tree. During springtime, the blossoms are so wonderful...
[He chuckles absently, but the nurse reminds Yoriko of the time.]
Akiko: Mrs. Sakakibara?
Yoriko: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to spout such boring talk.
Ran: No, it wasn't...
Yoriko: ... Thank you.
Ran: Um?!
[She turns to the nurse.]
Yoriko: Thank you, Ms. Akiko. Let's take me back to my hospital room.
Akiko: Yes, ma'am. [She turns to Ran] Thank you for catching the scarf!
Ran: It was nothing?
[The nurse wheels Yoriko back to the hospital]
Chapter - Arbiter
[Knight winds through the busy lobby, trying to get at the elevator.]
Knight: Hotel? King? Why the heck at a place like this? Cripes...
[A tinny female voice chimes from the elevator speakers.]
Voice: Welcome.
Knight: Ugh, who likes these crowds?
[Pawn shoves his way through and slinks into the elevator with Knight.]
Pawn: Knight, it's in room 695, so push the button already!
Knight: I know, I know. Just don't get so excited! You're givin' me the wrong impression.
[The elevator chimes softly as he smacks the button. Pawn looks at him obliviously.]
Pawn: About what?
Knight: Nothing! Let's just go get the key!
[They walk towards the front desk, where a sultry woman they don't recognize (yet) greets them.]
Woman (Queen): Welcome, where wonders await inside. Here is the key to room 695 for you. Good luck.
[He snatches the heavy keys from the desk, disgruntled and scowling.]
Knight: Don't you start.
[Knuckles rap on door 695 before they open it.]
Bishop: You're late.
Pawn: Are we really? [The door swings closed.] Or did you just get here way early, Bishop?
Bishop: I habitually arrive five minutes before the appointed time. Is that too early?
Pawn: Okay, okay. By the way, Knight, how's Rook?
Knight: For the meanwhile, he's resting.
Pawn: Then? It's bad enough that he can't come to the mission brief?
[Queen's voice appears from nowhere, no doors opened or shut, apparently]
Queen: Junior, about Rook? Not only did he fail, but disobeyed orders a tad on top.
[They turn in surprise.]
Pawn: Huh? Queen?! Where the heck'd you come from?
[She giggles, then resumes her sultry manner.]
Queen: Love hotels have many secret spaces.
[Note: Love hotels being, places where couples just rent a room and 'cavort' the night.]
Pawn: [he laughs] Like where?
Queen: [coyly] I'll tell you, when you've become a man.
[He grumbles in disappointment.]
Pawn: Damn.
Knight: Let's put off the idle chatter for now. So we failed? What's our punishment?
Queen: Punishment? If we intended for that, you wouldn't still be breathing, would you?
Pawn: I didn't fail anything!
Queen: These apply to all of you as a team, Junior.
Pawn: Queeen? Would'ya please stop calling me tha---
[He's interrupted as Knight slaps a hand over the boy's mouth.]
Knight: So if you don't out to punish us, what DO you intend?
Bishop: Do you wish us to continue working, but without Rook?
[She paces around the room, heels clicking on the floor.]
Queen: We're giving him some R&R. If he is allowed to fail after overextending himself, we would not be pleased? And he would do that, wouldn't he?
Knight: But he has a strong sense of responsibility!
Queen: There's no explanation for this mess except for a weak sense of duty.
[Knight grunts, unable to say more.]
Queen: We have prepared a new Rook for you.
Knight: Wait a minute! Without even consulting us?!
Queen: I'll consider, when you actually have complaints.
[a small pause.]
Bishop: What kind of person?
Knight: I don't think there's a better guy for the job than him?
Pawn: Yeah, me too? Rook was like my big brother.
Queen: Well, of course it's easy to get along with his schoolboy mentality.
Bishop: Queen-- and King? What are you two conspiring?
Queen: [she smiles] Conspiring? You affront our respectability! We'd only like for you to test our new Rook out for yourselves?
Pawn: Test?
Bishop: Interesting?
Knight: I've never met a man able to withstand a bribe.
Queen: Do you think? we would choose such a man?
Bishop: Well then, we take up your permission, and leave the rest up to you.
Chapter - A Certifying Exam
[Ran wanders aimlessly in the busy streets of Tokyo.]
Ran: (M) A long time ago, Marigold gave me only one order: mull in your thoughts. What the hell does that mean?
[He bumps (or is bumped) roughly out of his thoughts.]
Person (Bishop): Ah, excuse me.
[Ran dismisses it, and back into this thoughts he goes.]
Ran: (M) Just 'excuse me'? Snobbish jerk. If you're going to run into someone, at least you can be friendly about it, instead of just moving on without giving any particular reason! What am I supposed to be doing with all these people around?! I just feel like prey?
[He senses something watching him?]
Ran: ... Prey?
[He turns around, upon which Pawn bolts. Ran mumbles to himself wrathfully.]
Ran: I've been found by someone?
[He chases after.]
Ran: (Who is that? What's going on?)
[On Pawn and Knight's side?]
[On the frantic run, their headphone plugs hiss, and Bishop talks somewhat resignedly.]
Bishop: He certainly noticed you quickly enough.
Knight: Pawn blew our cover!
Pawn: Eheh, sorry! I just wanted to see what he looked like!
Knight: Yeah, and thanks to you, all the dead have come back to life!
Bishop: Oh? It appears he intends to use a car. You did remember to check the license plate number?
Pawn: Sure thing! [slyly] And a bit of a psyche-out on the side.
Knight: What'd you do?! You aren't supposed to do that in the middle of the city!
Pawn: Excu~~se me! I wouldn't do that, no matter how much you keep telling me not to!
Bishop: Well then, shall we view his temper in person?
[The headphones spritz out.]
[He tugs his keys from a coat pocket, opening the car door and sitting in the driver's seat.]
Ran: Who were they? Why were they looking for me?
[Then, he notices a faint ticking sound coming from below?]
Ran: Hn?
[It gets slightly louder?]
Ran: A bomb-- inside the city?!
[He shouts to the people around.]
Ran: Watch out, there's a bomb in here! Get down!!!
[Amidst the screams of the citizens, the ticks get louder and louder until the bomb explodes? firecrackers.]
Ran: What?!
[Everyone murmurs disbelievingly, and continues on their way.]
Ran: Firecrackers?
[He glares balefully for a long moment, then shuts the car door.]
Ran: A prank?? Heh, indeed. I guess they don't want me taking this route. So I should-- walk? That way's starting to look interesting.
[Their headphones beep again.]
Bishop: So that was your psyche-out?
Pawn: Nn..well?.!!
Knight: The doings of kids're beyond me.
Pawn: [seriously] But-- he passed my test of character. -I- think he's pretty good.
Bishop: For the time being? Well, he left the car and is now on foot. So shall we do, Knight?
Knight: So now it's my turn, heh? Bishop, you'll be backup?
Bishop: Rest assured. It's impermissible to believe anyone could best Knight in battle too easily.
Pawn: And me?
Bishop: Pawn, your turn is ended. Please don't interfere.
Pawn: [WHINE] Alreaaaaaadyy!??!?!
Knight: Let the adults handle this now.
Pawn: Okay, okay...
Bishop: Knight, the two of you head towards portside. There are many empty warehouses there, where our activities may remain unknown.
Knight: You don't need to tell me that.
[A boat horn blares in the distance. Ran succinctly pushes a warehouse door aside and steps in, footsteps echoing.]
Ran: Hm?
[He notices something...]
Ran: So what do you want with me?
Knight: [voice muffled and echoing] If we didn't, we wouldn't have led you to this empty place.
Ran: How about coming out from hiding and showing yourself?
[Something shoots out, quick and fierce, and snaps at a pipe next to Ran.]
Knight: Easily done.
Ran: A cundledargeon? An exotic weapon, but looks like you haven't learned how to use it!
Knight: Looks like you're better at fighting with words!
Ran: It's not mere talk!
[In a single bound, he leaps the distance between him and Knight.]
Knight: What the?!!
Ran: I'm behind you.
[He draws his katana, and brings it over Knight's throat.]
Knight: K??!!
Ran: Don't move. If you try, it only takes one stab in the back.
Knight: [sarcastically] Huh, in the back? Not very chivalrous.
Ran: [blandly] Unfortunately, I have none of that. Meanwhile -- [he ignores Knight, calling out] You, the careless one, hiding in the shadows!
[A bunch of boxes and equipment clatter around nervously.]
Ran: If you don't come out, I can't guarantee what'll happen to this guy!
[Pawn tentatively walks out]
Pawn: Aah-- looks like I've been found?
Knight: [annoyed] Dumb kid--
Ran: You're the firecracker specialist?
Pawn: [nervously] Bingo! Heh?
Ran: And-- Mr. Peeping Tom, observing the proceedings from some place?
Pawn: [surprised] How'd you know?
Ran: [quietly] The man who ran into me earlier apparently planted a tracer on my jacket.
Pawn: Wow!
[While Pawn goes wide-eyed, Ran calls out loudly]
Ran: Come out! If you don't want your friend to be killed.
[Bishop ducks out from the shadows, brushing dust from his suit.]
Bishop: It seems that you've found us out.
Ran: One learns to be careful when things stick to your clothes. Especially single strands out of place.
Bishop: A man who rules his mind? [he pauses] Well, you realize we do not mean to kill you? So can we put that dangerously live katana of yours aside?
Ran: Not mean to kill...? So was that cundledargeon strike your way of greetings and salutations?
Bishop: I apologize for Knight's rash behavior.
Knight: Bishop!!
Bishop: [sternly] Knight, this is not a battle.
Knight: Shit--
[Ran contemplates for a few seconds, then smoothly sheathes his blade.]
Ran: Fine. I'll believe you.
Bishop: Thank you.
[Bishop walks over to Ran, who relaxes his demeanor.]
Ran: May I have an explanation?
[Pawn flops over, still a little embarrassed.]
Pawn: Well, we were just testin' you.
Ran: ... Testing?
[Suddenly from nowhere, Queen emerges, voice silky?]
Queen: ... Welcome to Crashers-- for better or worse.
[Reflexively, Ran flashes his katana.]
Ran: Who's there?!
[Queen minces forward, taking her time.]
Queen: Apologies for thrusting this upon you, but you've heard them already.
Knight: Queen?!
Ran: [doubtfully] Queen?
Queen: Yes, from hence on, you shall call me that. One more thing, be a good boy and listen to this--
[She turns on a tape recorder, and out spouts the voice of none other than King/Marigold/Persia.]
King: Codename, Ran. From today, you have the option of resigning from Kritiker in order to join Crashers.
Ran: ... Crashers?
Queen: [amused] I suppose nothing's been explained to you yet. You belonged to Kritiker, whose job is to gather information. However, our organization isn't concerned solely with that.
Ran: I know that much. The information we gathered distributed for others' use. As usual, I only learned of this after the fact.
Queen: Of course. Your Kritiker might better be imagined as our organization's sense of touch. The mission of Crashers depends on the information gathered by Kritiker to crash those organizations, perhaps even individuals, beyond the reach of the police, rendering them beyond revival.
Ran: ... That's it?
Knight: We don't kill?
Bishop: We only 'crash.' That was the mission given to us, that we do not condone criminal activity.
Pawn: We hand'm over! The bad guys, that is.
Ran: But still--
Queen: From your place in Kritiker, you may now join us as our new Rook. Of course, you may refuse. It wouldn't be a bad life just to return to Kritiker and gather data. At least it's much safer than this line of work.
Ran: ...What're you talking about?
Pawn: The previous Rook, well, is out because of injuries on the job...
Knight: Pawn!!
Pawn: But-- it's true!
Ran: So-- Am I supposed to be the stand-in until the previous Rook returns?
Queen: Not necessarily. The better performance of your abilities, perhaps-- the greater the rewards.
Ran: ... I'm expensive.
Queen: Double Kritiker's pay.
Ran: ...Hmph, fine.
Pawn: Eh? So ya like money?
Ran: [stiffly] What? Is that bad?
Knight: I can't trust people dirtied by materialism.
Bishop: Well, that's all right-- Everybody's their own person. Ah-- we already know who you are. My codename is Bishop. Mission planner.
Pawn: I'm Pawn. Explosives professional.
Ran: And you?
Knight: [disgruntled] Nn?
Ran: You, the cundledargeon guy..
Pawn: He's Knight.
Knight: [outraged] Pawn!!
Pawn: But-- we gotta introduce ourselves-- right, Bishop?
Bishop: Of course-- And isn't social grace the pillar of chivalry, Knight?
Knight: ... We're not gonna get along.
Pawn: Arara! A fight?
Bishop: Don't worry, Pawn. Knight and Rook are both pros, right?
[ice clatters against an empty shotglass, and the cellular beeps insistently.]
Queen: Yes?
King: How was it?
Queen: There is nothing to worry about.
King: Can you use the new Rook?
Queen: Well enough.
King: If you have confidence, I should not worry?
Queen: Leave it to us. We shall redeem our prior failure.
King: I'm glad you are so confident.
Queen: Please, do not worry.
Translation by Athena 8
Chapter - Instructions: (from 2:00)
Setting: Queen is holding a briefing with Crashers to give them their next assignment. It is actually their second go at their previous assignment, which was botched by Rook's unexpected detour.
Pawn: Can you really run a prostitution ring from a regular home?
Queen: There's no legal prostitution in this country.
Pawn: Oooh, is that right?
Ran: Do you have the brain of a fish?
Pawn: Yup, I'm a fish!!
Knight: Idiot.
Queen: This area mostly houses the residences of financial bigwigs and various embassies. Thus, it makes it difficult for the police to conduct any kind of investigation here.
Bishop: And in the midst of this, it is said that there exists a vast, covert prostitution ring.
Queen: Outwardly, it can be said that it's just a gathering of financial leaders who wield their vast influence from the shadows. The Sakakibara family has in essence ruled over Japan's finance world from behind the scenes. It has been rumored that they have had connections with the government for quite some time, and are just a step away from having direct influence over the current prime minister. However, it so happens that the current head of the family, Sakakibara Shinnosuke fell in good graces with one of the predecessors, and married the only daughter of the then reigning Sakakibara. And the moment she was hospitalized for life threatening cancer--
Bishop: Using the Sakakibara name and mansion, he began a prostitution ring.
Ran: Corruption, essentially.
Queen: He may have plans on running for office, but the real issue here is the women being used.
Bishop: The daughters of political and financial leaders...and apparently some women who have regular occupations. But all of them women who have public reputations to protect. In other words. Sakakibara Shinnosuke and Kousuke have in their hands the weaknesses of various political leaders. When you combine money with power, you have nothing to fear, in this country.
Pawn: Bastards.
Ran: I see. So they're putting insurances on both the victims and the perpetrators. They're smart.
Queen: In any case, our mission is to secretly take these victimized women under our protection and to hand Sakakibara Shinnosuke and Kousuke to the police. We've botched this up once. There won't be a second time.
Setting: Hospital. Knight has come to see how his injured colleague Rook is faring...
Rook: Knight!
Knight: A gift. *offers him a bundle of flowers*
Rook: It doesn't thrill me to receive flowers from a guy.
Knight: Then I'll take them back.
Rook: Idiot. Just leave them at the nurse station.
Knight: I have a message from Queen: "Who were you looking for?"
Rook: An angel.
Knight: This isn't a joke.
Rook: I'm not lying. She's not the daughter of some aristocratic family, nor does she have connections to politics.
Knight: What are you talking about?
Rook: If I said anything, I thought they would just tell me to leave it alone.
Knight: I won't tell Queen.
Rook: How is the owner of the Sakakibara estate doing right now?
Knight: How--?
Rook: Isn't she hospitalized? It may appear to be a hospital, but it actually houses a hospice as well.
Knight: You...?
Rook: I inadvertently overheard the Sakakibara mistress speaking...
Flashback: the discussion Rook overheard between the Sakakibaras...
Kousuke: Aunt, please! I haven't done anything.
Yoriko: I know what you are doing. And you are doing it, knowing that the police cannot intervene in that area.
Kousuke: I am just using it to entertain the bigwigs! And Uncle has given his consent!
Yoriko: It depends on the nature of this "entertainment." And I had the history of your work records investigated. It seems you are in quite a bind. I don't know what my husband told you, but you cannot tarnish the Sakakibara name--
Kousuke: *laughs bitterly* Aunt, you haven't changed at all. Ever since I was a kid, it was always "the Sakakibara name is what's important."
Yoriko: Kousuke!
Kousuke: Isn't that right?
Yoriko: Cease your indecent activities at the house at once! I will not allow you to rub dirt into the Sakakibara name!
Kousuke: So you say...but you know, there are those who were "saved" because they were close to you, you know. Even as you are here, you are helping others.
Yoriko: What did you say?
Kousuke: Because there are so many beautiful nurses here...
Yoriko: Kousuke! You're not saying you...did something to Akiko-san...
Kousuke: I haven't been raised to speak ill of others...as a descendant of the Sakakibara family. *chuckles*
Yoriko: How could you---! Even if no one else knows, the sakura tree probably sees what you are doing and it's weeping. *begins to cry and wheeze*
Kousuke: Come now, Aunt. Getting excited is just going to aggravate your health. I'll send a nurse over, ok? Take care of yourself.
Akiko: *rushing over* Sakakibara-san!
Kousuke: *whispers to Akiko* Akiko...tonight?
End of Flashback. Rook continues his story to Knight...
Rook: I don't know any more than that, but it sounds like Sakakibara's nurse got entangled somehow in the nephew's prostitution ring.
Knight: So you were looking for her?
Rook: If I had told Queen, she would've rejected the plan immediately.
Knight: But it's not that you have any connections with that nurse or anything, right?
Rook: I had taken note of her dedication...and couldn't leave it alone.
Knight: Just for that?
Rook: During the last mission, I was looking at this sakura...
Knight: Sakura?
Rook: And the falling sakura petals looked like a maiden's tears to me.
Knight: Sakura....hm.
Rook: Heh.
Knight: *laughs* That's like you.
Rook: But...thanks to that nurse, I was able to take a long-term break.
Knight: Hah! So idiotic.
Rook: How's the new Rook?
Knight: Annoying as hell.
Rook: Aaah. So he's good.
Knight: He's not all that.
Rook: The fact that you hate him is proof enough. It seems you'll have a good sparring partner while I'm away.
Knight: Quit joking around.
Chapter - Secret
Setting: A high government official arrives in his car at the Sakakibara residence...
Kousuke: Secretary Saruwatari, we have been waiting for your arrival.
Saruwatari: Hm.
Kousuke: We have arranged for the woman you asked for.
Saruwatari: Are you sure everything is under control? I have heard someone infiltrated this mansion the other day.
Kousuke: Oh, that! Information certainly reaches the government very swiftly. To think that such a minor incident like that would reach your ears, despite the back of police investigation...
Saruwatari: No need for any embellishment.
Kousuke: My apologies.
Saruwatari: Is it just me, today?
Kousuke: No...Mr. Kawanami from the Heisei party is already...
Saruwatari: You are certainly well prepared.
Kousuke: Oh, well this was only made possible by the assistance of you, Mr. Secretary, and other Congressmen. Our enterprise really depends upon it.
Saruwatari: I'll think about it.
Kousuke: Thank you. Well, then...I will lead the way.
The voices fade out, mingling with static as their conversation is obviously being captured via listening device. Bishop is listening in on this conversation in a private rooms someplace when his teammate interrupts him...
Pawn: Bishop!
Bishop: Pawn! I told you not to come here.
Pawn: Ooh...I'm sorry.
Bishop: Especially when I'm working.
The surveillance continues...
Kousuke: You do not need to worry. This is an area that cannot be so easily investigated by the police. We have already planned for such situations. There are plenty of insurances we have placed for every kind of problem.
Bishop: Well that's for sure. No one wants it to be known that their daughter was prostituting herself.
Ran: Is it what's called the "social order"?
Bishop: Rook! *turns off the listening device* I'm surprised you found this place.
Pawn: Ooops...sorry, Bishop, I think he tracked me here.
Bishop: *sighs* Pawn-kun...
Ran: Crashers have apparently not accepted me completely yet. So I did some investigating of my own.
Bishop: I see.
Pawn: Rook is so awesome! He managed to get a hold of that mansion's floor plans!
Bishop: That's impressive.
Knight: He apparent he snuck into the company that designed that mansion and stole the plans the other day.
Bishop: Knight!
Ran: I wasn't part of Kritiker for nothing.
Pawn: But it's just awesome! I mean, we only got the assignment from Queen three days ago, and he's already gathered this much information!
Knight: The miserly deeds of a make-shift thief?
Ran: I don't need to hear that from someone who made some dubious mistakes!
Knight: What??
Ran: No one asks, do they? Why you failed.
Bishop: Actually, now that you mention...
Pawn: The old Rook wouldn't possibly make any decisions just on his own.
Ran: You certainly have a lot of faith in him.
Knight: Of course. He wasn't some mercenary like you, who let money decide everything!
Ran: What's so bad about that?
Knight: Heh! You're ultimately just in it for the money.
Ran: You're blind.
Knight: What??
Ran: For someone who likes to talk big, you're completely blind!
Knight: I don't need to hear this from you!!
Ran: Then I'll ask again...why did you fail? Why did the old Rook obtain enough of an injury to put himself out of commission?
Bishop: Rook does have a point there...
Pawn: Bishop, whose side are you on?
Bishop: Yes....well, I would like to know the truth.
Ran: Tell me.
Pawn: It must've been something big, if the old Rook went against orders.
Knight: Mrs. Sakakibara...
Bishop: The one in the hospital?
Knight: Mrs. Sakakibara's personal nurse was...there.
Pawn: He wanted to save her?
Knight: Rook did.
Ran: What an idiot.
Knight: What?? Rook was thinking about Mrs. Sakakibara's sentiments about her home....her wishes to rescue her personal nurse...
Ran: What are you trying to say?
Knight: He was really torn about this.
Ran: Oooh. *sarcastic* I didn’t realize Crashers was a team of do-gooders.
Knight: It's about time you shut the hell up!! *punches him*
Ran: Unfortunately...I don't have the time to bother with the concerns of total strangers! *punches him back*
Knight: Rook wasn't gonna defy orders in the beginning, either! It's just...he saw the sakura in the yard, and...
Bishop: Sakura?
Pawn: Sakura?
Yoriko: *in a flashback* There's a large sakura tree on the outskirts of my yard. And in the spring, it would bloom so beautifully...
Ran: Could it be...?
Pawn: Rook? What's up?
Ran: I just remembered something.
Bishop: Where are you going?
Ran: Don't worry. I'm not going to make any moves on my own. *walking off* Or if you're worried, you can always put another tracking device on me?
Bishop: Er....of course not.
*door closes behind Ran as he walks out*
Pawn: You lose, Bishop!
Bishop: Ooh...ouch. But I certainly was able to hear some interesting news, because he followed Pawn here. Eh, Knight?
Knight: Don't tell Queen.
Pawn: But...I wonder where Rook's going?
Bishop: He seemed to be concerned about the....sakura.
Knight: Sakura? Can it be...?
Chapter - Cherry Blossoms
Setting: Mrs. Sakakibara has a visitor at the hospital...
*knocking on her hospital room door*
Yoriko: Yes?
Ran: *from outside the door* May I come in? *he enters*
Yoriko: Oh...you are...the person who picked up my scarf that day...
Ran: I had some business close by, and it might be rude to say, but it was on the way, so decided to stop by...
Yoriko: Not at all, I'm very happy to see you.
Ran: The cherry blossoms must be quite far from your view here inside the hospital room....Mrs. Sakakibara.
Yoriko: ...so you know who I am.
Ran: You don't looks surprised.
Yoriko: Are you the police?
Ran: No.
Yoriko: I see. You don't have the aura that is particular to the police.
Ran: Thank you.
Yoriko: I thought my husband and Kousuke had been taken by the police.
Ran: No...not yet.
Yoriko: So Akiko-san is still alright?
Ran: Your usual nurse?
Yoriko: Yes. Even though my cancer is already beyond treatment, she stayed by my side always to care for me. Her smile was my best medicine. I hear she went through much trouble to become a nurse. And as I was listening to her stories, it seemed that she had become like a daughter to me, although I have no children of my own. Because of her, I was able to live twice as long as the three months they told me I had left.
Ran: Is that right?
Yoriko: If you...have a moment, would you mind listening to the ramblings of an old lady?
Ran: I would be happy to.
Yoriko: I spent most of my life abroad with my parents, so my current home had been designed after an old English mansion. My parents did this for me so whether I was abroad or in Japan, I could always feel at home. On the outskirts of the lawn, there was an old cherry blossom tree. The home was designed so as to keep that tree from being damaged. I suppose we had wanted to see cherry blossoms whenever we returned to our home country. In the spring, the four of us would go flower gazing - me, my parents and Kousuke. Kousuke is the only son of my older brother and his wife. He had lost his parents when he was young, so whenever he had vacation from boarding school, he would stay with us. Those days were filled with such happiness...
Flashback:
Young Kousuke: Look, Aunt! I can climb all the way up to here!
Yoriko: Kou-chan! You can't! What if you fall?
Young Kousuke: I'll be ok. Aunt, take my picture, ok? Of me and the cherry blossom tree!
Yoriki: Ok, ok! I will take your picture. And after that, you must come down. We can have lunch together.
Young Kousuke: What's for lunch?
Yoriko: Today I made your favorite, sandwiches!
Young Kousuke: Alright! I love your egg sandwiches! You haven't put any cucumbers in them, have you?
Yoriko: You shouldn't be so picky.
Young Kousuke: If you put cucumbers in them, then I’m not coming down from here!
Yoriko: Aw....Kou-chan! *laughs*
Yoriko: To me, he was like a real son. But it doesn't go so easily, does it? Maybe it was because I had that feeling that I wasn't his real mother...and I indulged him a little too much.
Ran: Weren't you always together?
Yoriko: No, after that period, my husband and I had to move abroad again for his work, and lived there for more than ten years. Kousuke changed in that time. He started his own business with the money he inherited from his parents and the allowance that we sent him. People took advantage of him and his business failed miserably. Before he knew it, he had so much debt. By the time I found out about it, it was....too late for me, as well. Kousuke is my only successor for the mansion. My husband knew this, and he let this happen...
Ran: So is it too late for everything?
Yoriko: I had at least wanted to preserve the home in its original beauty, because it is filled with so many of my memories. But Kousuke is using the mansion to bring all those women in...and with that, he's trying to fix his mistakes. He even drew Akiko-san into that mess.
Ran: What do you wish to do?
Yoriko: If only the mansion could just disappear, before it becomes thoroughly tainted...that is what have come to believe. If the home will be used for such indecent acts, even after my death, then...
Ran: Is that so?
Yoriko: But the cherry blossom tree.. the tree should remember all the happy memories of my past. I would want that tree to remain. For even if the blossoms fall, the tree will always bloom again in the following spring, along with its memories. If the cherry blossom remains, then someone new may inherit all the beautiful memories we once shared...
Chapter - Mission Plan
Setting: Crashers mission hub. Bishop lays out the details of their upcoming target as the team discuss how to go about infiltrating the Sakakibara residence...
Bishop: *pushes a button to bring up images on the computer screen* Take a look at the monitor. This is a graphic of the Sakakibara residence at the time we infiltrated them previously. The red blinking lights indicate the locations of the old warning sensors. That included the infrared sensors located on both sides of the gate and in five locations on the lawn. Every door and window was equipped with alarms connected to a private security company.
Knight: Haven't they toughened up on security since then?
Bishop: Of course. I will now add the new data. *clicks on some more buttons, and the beeping sounds indicating alarm locations suddenly multiplies*
Pawn: Whoa!! It's packed with sensors!
Bishop: Unfortunately, they are not just regular sensors. They have been replaced with shotguns that react to infrared waves.
Pawn: Shotguns? You mean...the things that enter people's bodies and then scatter into many little pieces?
Bishop: Exactly.
Knight: So where do we infiltrate from? And what if there are women inside?
Bishop: Not "what if." Ever since then, they have always kept one woman on the premises at all times in case they need to take a hostage. So. What's the plan?
Ran: What about that nurse?
Knight: You--!
Bishop: She's there.
Ran: I want her cooperation.
Knight: What?
Ran: I am painfully aware of how circumstances change after one failed attempt, from my experience at Kritiker. I want an insider to help us.
Bishop: I agree.
Knight: But--!
Ran: We'll leave the cherry blossom tree as is. Is that not enough?
Knight: *grunts*
Bishop: I don't understand, but this sounds interesting. So...why don't we try this? We'll create an opportunity for Rook to rendezvous with the nurse. To accomplish this, we'll have Knight cause a distraction, in the lawn.
Knight: Wait just a minute! The lawn? You're telling me to become the target for those shotguns??
Pawn: The bigger the better for targets, right?
Knight: Pawn!
Ran: Bishop, where is the nurse?
Bishop: Hmm... *pushes some buttons* In a room on the second floor, where there's a view of the cherry blossom tree.
Ran: While Knight is causing a ruckus, I'll go speak with the nurse. During that time, will you check up on the situation?
Knight: Are you sure someone as vulgar as yourself can pull off a stunt like that?
Ran: Don't trust in me...but in that nurse. It's a woman the old Rook defied orders to try to save. Isn't that right?
Knight: Keh! If I'm torn to pieces, I'll come back as a ghost and haunt you!
Bishop: Ok. So Knight will try his best to pull out all the guards from the mansion. And Pawn...
Pawn: ...will destroy the alarm system control room?
Bishop: No. The entire mansion.
Pawn: Huh??
Bishop: Knight and Rook just wanted to leave the cherry blossom tree, right?
Knight: Well...I....
Ran: Yeah, if possible, I would like to leave it.
Bishop: Pawn, can you do it? To set the explosives, you'll have the time it takes for Knight and Rook to seize the guards and pull Sakakibara Shinnosuke and Kousuke outside the mansion.
Knight: That's a pretty over-the-top plan.
Bishop: Knowing our target, they most likely have documents about the women hidden in the mansion somewhere so they can use them for blackmailing purposes. Rather than bothering to find them, wouldn't it be easier to just burn them all up? What do you think, Rook?
Ran: I agree.
Bishop: Knight?
Knight: Fine.
Bishop: Pawn?
Pawn: Hmmm...I think I can do it. This house was designed after an old foreign mansion. See? Isn't there the kind of explosions where the building just collapses and sinks into the ground? I can do it like that.
Bishop: Then it's decided. You should set your communication devices at the frequency of...72.4. From infiltration to explosion, we'll have ten minutes. We have a lot of work to do. Rook, please make sure to find out from the nurse the escape route for Shinnosuke and Kousuke. And remember, everyone....nothing too crazy.
Pawn: It's crazy enough as it is.
Chapter - Night & RUN
Setting: Sakakibara residence. Mission commences.
Bishop: *cutting in via radio communication over static* Knight. Rook. Have you arrived at the agreed upon location?
Knight: He says he can jump on over to the cherry blossom tree whenever we're ready.
Ran: I'm not a monkey.
Bishop: I know. Well then, I leave the rest to you. *communication cuts out*
Ran: But this cherry blossom tree is certainly magnificent.
Knight: You (*)...how do you know about the cherry blossom?
Ran: Would you cut that out with the "you"?
Knight: It's not like I've approved of you yet.
Ran: Stubborn bastard! You're like an old geezer.
Knight: What??
Bishop: *cutting in over the radio* Please reserve your fighting until after we're done.
Knight: That little meddler.
Bishop: Eh? What did you just say?
Ran: For once, I agree with Knight.
Bishop: Pawn will set off the fireworks as an indicator. The guardsmen and the nurse will probably come to the window side to see what's going on. Rook, don't miss that chance.
Ran: Right. *Bishop out* Alright then, Knight-geezer. Don't get yourself turned into a beehive!
Knight: And you'd better watch your mouth around the lady.
[(*) translator's note: Knight refers to Ran here as "omae." It's a rather casual way to say "you," and not very respectful if you aren't familiar with the addressee.]
Setting: Inside the mansion. The Sakakibara's are in the middle of a discussion...
Shinnosuke: Kousuke, how was Yoriko's condition?
Kousuke: The doctor said she has about a month left. Are you sure you're not going to visit her at the hospital?
Shinnosuke: Hmph! That woman always treated me like an idiot, ever since I married into this family! I have put up with it for all these years. I will establish the Sakakibara name on my own terms from now on. And to achieve such ends, I will use any means necessary.
Kousuke: You have nothing to worry about. I have a video of the head of the Heisei political party's daughter serving our clients, and the rape photos of the daughter of the chief justice of the supreme court. We can use them effectively should the need arise.
Shinnosuke: No matter how stupid the girls, I suppose they all cherish their daughters. Heh! Or is it about saving face? No one will be able to lay a hand on this mansion.
Kousuke: Uncle, you are too much.
Shinnosuke: Hmm...but come to think, you had brought Yoriko's nurse into this. She's an annoyance!
Kousuke: But I had wanted to teach my naïve aunt about the ways of the world.
Shinnosuke: Didn't she take good care of you once?
Kousuke: I'm not my aunt's pet! Besides, it was the same as with you, Uncle. She kept telling me to become like my dead father. My father was my father. I am myself.
Shinnosuke: I see. Even so, when I see that girl, it still...
Kousuke: I understand your sentiments, but we get a lot of requests for her.
Shinnosuke: Aren't there other nurses besides her?
*Fireworks can be heard going off outside*
Shinnosuke: What's that?
Kousuke: Fireworks? At this time of year?
Elsewhere in the mansion, on the second floor...
Akiko: Fireworks? Where?
Ran: Akiko-san, was it?
Akiko: *surprised* You are?
Ran: I am here to preserve Mrs. Sakakibara's memories.
Akiko: Mrs. Sakakibara's?
Ran: She wanted this mansion buried before it becomes completely tainted.
Shooting and screaming can be heard from outside.
Akiko: What's that?
Ran: We're drawing out the minions from the mansion. What we want to know is...the location of Sakakibara Shinnosuke and Kousuke.
Akiko: I don't know...
Ran: Just anything you may have noticed is fine. The mistress loved this home, and the cherry blossom tree you see from here, you know this better than anyone.
Akiko: *hesitates*
Knight: *cutting in over the radio com* What's taking you so long?? *struggling can be heard in the background* You'd better not be doing anything forceful on a woman!
Ran: Shut up! And you'd better not have gotten two or three bullets in the stomach!
Knight: I'm still alive and kicking! *cuts out*
Akiko: Er...
Ran: Mrs. Sakakibara worries over you, still. She said you were like a daughter to her.
Akiko: Mrs. Sakakibara said...that...?
Ran: She also said that she was able to miraculously hang on for as long as she has because of you.
Akiko: I...
Ran: Please tell me! Where are Sakakibara Shinnosuke and Kousuke?
Akiko: Um...I've heard that there's a tunnel connected to a nearby embassy.
Ran: Thank you. *into his com device* Knight! I got it!
Knight: So get your ass down here now!
He comes down and meets up with Knight down below.
Ran: Sorry to keep you waiting.
Knight: Don't kill them!
Ran: I'm not guaranteeing anything!
Knight: What??
Ran slashes at two oncoming guards, and they fall to the ground with a groan.
Knight: You bastard! You killed--
Ran: Don't worry, I've missed their fatal spots.
Knight: Bastard...
Ran: Forget it, we need to find the tunnel. If it's close to the embassy...
Knight: Then it's below the cherry blossom tree. There has to be entrance. Bishop!
Bishop: *over the com* I found it. There's a cavity just underneath the tree. After Pawn sets the explosives around the house, he'll come back out and throw a grenade from the manhole and plug up the tunnel. The entrance is under the kitchen. Do be careful of the blast from the explosion. *cuts out*
Ran: Careful of the blast?
Knight: From inside the tunnel?
Setting: Inside the tunnel, the Sakakibaras make their attempted escape...
Kousuke: *panting as they run* Uncle, this way!
Shinnosuke: How much longer...is it?
Kousuke: It's connected to the embassy's wine cellar. Just beyond the street!
Explosions can be heard.
Shinnosuke: *coughing* What is going on?
Kousuke: The tunnel is blocked!
Ran: You see, we've got this kid who's an explosives expert.
Knight: It seems the marathon has taken a harsh toll on your old body.
Shinnosuke: What?
Ran: So you were going to eat away even the cherry blossom that the mistress held so dear.
Kousuke: Who are you---?
Knight: We missed making your acquaintance once before. And my partner suffered some injuries, you see...What's this called again?
Ran: Revenge, right?
Knight: Don't be so unrefined.
Ran: It's the same, however you say it.
Knight: You'll have to excuse this guy - he's a bit vulgar.
Ran: Vulgar works just fine for guys like these.
Kousuke: You're not gonna catch us! *he shoots at them*
Knight: Don't you know it's dangerous to fire a gun in a tunnel? You don't know where it'll hit and ricochet.
Ran: These bastards! *draws his sword*
Knight: Don't kill them!
Ran: No one's looking!
Knight: It's the rule!
Ran: Shut up!!
Kousuke: Don't come any closer!!
He shoots, and the bullets ricochet, striking Akiko, who had followed them into the tunnel. She screams..
Ran: You're--!
Knight: No! She was hit by a stray bullet!
Ran rushes to her side.
Akiko: Please...kill me too.
Ran: You didn't run away?
Akiko: I set fire to the study. All the videos and photos these men were going to use for evil...they're all ashes now. It's the only thing I could do...to make it up... Please take care of...the rest... *she dies*
Knight: How dare you corner this woman like this? You bastards!
Shinnosuke: Wai-wait! I'll pay you money!
Ran: Money, hmm? I do want some of that...
Knight: You..!?
Ran: I want it, but there are different kinds of money. Any money I'd get from you, I'd rather burn it all or throw it into the gutter!
Knight: Don't worry, the police will find you right away. *he strikes at them with some kind of weapon, and they groan* I'm sorry, did that hurt? It must be too much for your elderly body.
Ran: That's a pretty sight.
Bishop: *on the com* Knight? Can you hear me?
Knight: Mission complete!
Bishop: The explosives that Pawn set will soon go off. The target?
Ran: Secured.
Bishop: Then as we planned...
Explosives detonate.
Knight: That Pawn...he's a little happy-go-lucky, but the timing of his explosions is always perfect.
Ran: Yeah.
Sirens sound in the background...
Knight: I see. So Pawn's explosives only destroyed the mansion.
Ran: Yeah, you can really tell from this distance.
Pawn: There are no mistakes in my work. But...the cherry blossom tree will burn.
Ran: If only that old geezer and stupid nephew hadn't dug that tunnel...
Knight: But the roots of the tree will work like breakwater, and they'll be turned over to the police without a scratch.
Ran: What about her body?
Knight: In the mistress's bedroom, in the mansion.
Ran: You're certainly a romantic, how surprising.
Knight: I thought that's what Rook would've wanted.
Ran: The old one?
Knight: Isn't it you now?
Ran: Heh.
Knight: It matches.
Pawn: Eh?
Knight: The image of the cherry blossom petals, within the flames.
Ran: I don't get it.
Knight: Someone as vulgar as yourself wouldn't understand...newbie Rook.
Pawn: Oh? Hey, Knight...does this mean you've approved Ran as the new Rook?
Knight: Who said anything like that?
Bishop: *on radio* That's what it sounded like to me too.
Ran: Meddler.
Knight: Agreed.
Pawn: What? What's this? Hey! What happened?
Ran: Ask the cherry blossoms.
Chapter - Stalemate Checkmate
Setting: The wind blows through the trees on a peaceful day at the cemetery. Someone approaches as Knight stands before a particular tombstone...
Knight: Oh, it's you.
Ran: You're here visiting the grave of the mistress? It's like you.
Knight: And you? What are you doing here?
Ran: I like to come out where the air is fresh every now and then.
Knight: So a graveyard?
Ran: Mrs. Yoriko Sakakibara died in her sleep the day after the mansion burned to the ground. They said she was not in pain, and that she had a peaceful look on her face as she died.
Knight: And the cherry blossoms?
Ran: I don't know. But they say the life force of plants are nothing to sneeze at.
Knight: Maybe I'll come here again if it ever blooms.
Ran: I'm not coming with you.
Knight: *snorts* Who asked you?
From a distance...
Pawn: Hey Bishop...what were those two talking about in front of the grave?
Bishop: Who knows.
Pawn: Do those two actually get along? Or not?
Bishop: I wonder. Humans cannot be explained in just one word.
Pawn: Hmmm.
Bishop: The scent of cherry blossoms is in the air... It isn't quite spring without the cherry blossoms.
Elsewhere, a phone rings...
Queen: *picks up* Yes. Everything is done. I will leave the rest to you. Yes, Crashers are always awaiting your orders. Checkmate.
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