INTERLUDE: "THE TRACKS"
Location: Abandoned Bullet Train Station, Kabukicho District
The maintenance tunnel ends and opens up to a defunct service platform overlooking a criss-cross of bullet train tracks. Some are still functional, while others are appear abandoned or inactive.
They walk past the bombed out train cars and wrecked tracks. Within seconds of arriving, they feel the rush of a bullet train blasting past at devastating speeds, their quantum engines leaving trails of blue light.
"The Kabukicho station used to be one of the busiest stations anywhere. The stop is no longer working, but plenty of trains still pass through here. There's no way around it. We'll have to cross the tracks," XH-14 says, his alien companion icon calculating train patterns.
"Time it wrong, and..." Another bullet train screams past, the wind nearly knocking them over.
They begin the deadly crossing. Each track requires split-second timing. 303's enhanced reflexes make the first jump easy. Second track. Third. XH-14 follows, his advanced alien protocol helps anticipate train arrival times.
Halfway across, XH-14's alien icon suddenly flashes red. The Groom’s main general, the Best Man, stands on a parallel platform, his long-barreled handgun catching neon light from passing trains. No words. Just the terrible crack of the gun - specially modified for AIGENT hunting.
XH-14's alien companion icon shatters. 14 stumbles, falls. Blood mixes with rain on the tracks. The Best Man takes aim at 303, but a bullet train rushes between them. Then another. And another.
When the sequence of trains passes, 303 is alone on the far platform, XH-14's body gone, claimed by the rushing bullet trains.
​
Here come the trains again. 303 keeps it moving before the Best Man can figure out a way across.
He emerges in a rain-soaked alley behind the hotel, among floating trash collectors and recycling bots. His tactical display shows pursuit spreading out in a search pattern above - they've lost his trail. Safe for now, GM-303 walks in the rainy shadows of Roppongi streets.
The neon glow of a Lawson catches his eye. The perfect place to catch his breath, recharge, and figure out just what the hell this Key really is.
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