Keep it Brief 003

The aftermath of the battlefield was a scene filled with carnage. Blood & broken parts were everywhere, as the mecha wolves were being recovered by a team of workers hauling them off into trucks. Meanwhile, ambulances were removing the remains of the security personnel. Twisted metal limbs were strewn across the ruined courtyard of Capsule Corp like some macabre art exhibit. 

Ty hovered just above the ground, chest rising and falling as adrenaline slowly bled away. His blue-edged longsword dimmed, and the energy field retracted with a soft hum before the blade collapsed into its hilt. Below him, smoke poured from the Capsule Corp HQ, and firefighters were hard at work. Additional corporate security officers had cordoned off the area, preventing the media, and governmental police from snooping around. 

Amanda was hovering beside him, and he looked at her new body to see if it had been damaged in any way. 

She arched an eyebrow at his roaming gaze, before turning back to survey the battlefield. 

Her android body showed no blemishes, and was as perfect as it was an hour ago. Red energy faded from the edge of her katana as she sheathed it in a smooth, perfect motion. Her eyes scanned the devastation in rapid, inhuman sweeps, cataloging losses, blast patterns, and monetary costs. For a moment, she said nothing.

Ty clenched his fists, brooding over the fact that a day of celebration had so quickly transformed into one of sudden violence. 

Amanda-as if she had sensed his inner turmoil-turned toward him, and briefly dropped the analytical look on her face to an expression that was more comforting. However, knowing him well, she didn't try to appease him, but got down to business. 

“What would you like to know?” She enquired. 

Ty exhaled slowly, then looked at her, his next words were heavy with resolve. 

“What are our odds of a successful assault?”

Amanda’s eyes briefly flickered as she accessed stored data. 

“Based upon reconnaissance gathered by our drones, public record, and crypto programs.” She began, her voice slipping into a calm, analytical cadence. “Pod Corporation maintains an active defense force consisting of thirty-two additional mecha units comparable to the wolves we just engaged. Variants include aerial, subterranean, and heavy-armor quadrupeds.”

She raised a hand, projecting faint red holographic outlines in the air, showcasing several robo-beasts bristling with weapons.

“In addition, they have contracted a known independent combatant. Codenamed: Warlord.”

The holograms shifted, showing a towering cyborg figure standing at a height of at least 7ft tall. A bald headed manly man with a ruby red robotic eye, and a mechanical arm, he was an intimidating foe. In the image, it showed a brief video of him going on a rampage. Tearing people apart like it was nothing, his ruby eye also shot laser beams, vaporizing steel beams with ease. 

“Warlord is a confirmed war criminal wanted by the World Government for inciting rebellion in several countries. Recorded footage shows him breaching armored divisions by himself. In one engagement, he dismantled three main battle tanks in under twenty seconds.”

Ty’s jaw tightened. He recognized Warlord as an antagonist from one of the games. The way Amanda was laying things out, their odds of victory were looking extremely slim. 

“Projected outcome if we engage him directly indicates that our personal energy shields would fail after one direct hit. Two, at most, if he is not fully exerting force.”

Silence stretched between them, as Ty didn’t want to believe that revenge was so far out of reach. Capsule Corp was the richest company on Earth, surely there was a solution to this? 

Ty finally let out a low, humorless breath at the news. He then looked past her, imagining Pod Corporation’s headquarters surrounded by mecha units, and protected by one crazy SOB cyborg, he could only cluck his tongue. Those odds were quite unfavorable. 

“Assaulting Pod Corporation HQ with just the two of us sounds impossible.” Ty said with a frown. 

Amanda hovered closer, close enough that he could feel the faint hum of her internal power core on his...she tilted her head, lips curling into a confident smile.

“Impossible? Since when was that a word in Ty Briefs’ lexicon?”

Ty met her gaze, and looked at her curiously, mind racing. 

“We don’t have to face Warlord, or the mecha animals. At least, not alone.” Amanda said with a smile. 

Ty ignored the casual flirtation with a frown, and looked back out over Capsule Corp’s shattered grounds as he was deep in thought. 

Capsule Corp security was good enough to keep normies in check, but against the supernatural, they couldn't last more than a minute. The drones he’d built were brilliant at surveillance, infiltration, data theft…but in a straight fight? They were glass cannons at best. As for the security guards, they were just regular dudes with guns, hardly something you could throw against bulletproof mechas. 

Ty began to think about his strengths, and realized he had one thing in abundance more than anyone else: money. 

As a look of dawning realization spread across his face, Amanda had moved behind him, arms sliding around his torso in a warm, reassuring embrace. Her chin rested lightly on his shoulder.

“So?” She murmured in amusement. “Do you have the answer?”

Ty let out a short laugh, one that was half disbelief, half excitement. “I should’ve thought of it earlier.”

Amanda’s smile widened.

“If Pod Corporation can hire a notorious war criminal, then there’s no reason we can’t hire, or recruit someone who can help even the odds.”

He pulled free of her embrace, and kissed her full on the lips. 

“You're brilliant, Am! And I already know exactly who to call.”

Amanda folded her arms, feigning innocence. 

“Oh?”

Ty didn’t hesitate. “Bring up everything you’ve got on the notorious assassin: Mercenary Tao. If there's anyone capable of pulling this crazy mission off, it's him!”

Amanda’s eyes flickered as she checked the internet, and the Capsule Corp internal database.

“Here's his contact information, shall I arrange a meeting?” Amanda said with a tilt of her head. 

After reading all of the details, Ty nodded. 

“Let's do this.” 

After a quick call, Tao had been given an express plane ride to West City, and a luxury limousine to the Capsule Corp HQ. 

The damage to Capsule Corp had been mostly cleared by the time Mercenary Tao arrived.

Mostly.

A few scorched walls and half-melted beams still bore silent witness to the earlier attack. However, the Capsule Corp employees were professional, and most of the damage had already been patched up. 

Tao barely acknowledged the damage, or work crews as he strolled through the courtyard. He wore his pink outfit-the Chinese style clothing known as a changshen-with dignity. His posture was rigid, full of self-importance and confidence. Tao's chin was lifted high, as he had been in this business for well over 200+ years. So what if Capsule Corp was the richest company in the world? He had outlasted the previously most wealthy company, and he would outlast this one too. 

He stopped several meters away from Ty and Amanda, arms folding slowly across his chest as he sized them up.

“Hmph. So. You are the ones requesting my services.” Tao scoffed. 

Ty’s jaw tightened instantly at the sheer level of disrespect, but it wasn't like he didn't know what he was getting into. 

Tao’s gaze slid over him dismissively, then lingered on Amanda a fraction longer, lips curling into a smug grin. “I don’t come cheap. Five million Zeni. Up front.”

Ty’s eye twitched. He knew the prices that this man charged, but that didn’t mean he had to like it! Just because Ty was rich, didn't mean he was an idiot or easy to take advantage of. 

“How about three?” Ty tried to haggle. 

“Non-negotiable.” Tao interrupted coolly. “My time is invaluable. And if you cannot afford me, I suggest you find another fool willing to die for your cause.”

Amanda stepped forward before Ty could say something regrettable. Her expression was pleasant, composed, and professional. 

“Before we proceed, we’d like a demonstration of your capabilities.” Amanda smoothly said, and then gestured towards a dummy that had been set up in advance. 

Tao turned his head slowly, and sneered, clearly he was insulted. 

“A demonstration?” He gave a sharp, humorless laugh. “I am Mercenary Tao. My reputation-”

“-is well documented.” Amanda cut in smoothly. “However, our current enemy has demonstrated firepower beyond standard human parameters. Verification is simply prudent.”

For a long moment, Tao stared at her.

Then he sniffed. “Very well. If you insist on wasting my time.”

He pivoted on one heel and pointed lazily toward the reinforced Capsule Corp training dummy stationed at the far end of the yard. It had thick plating, layered alloys, and was built to withstand experimental weaponry. From Ty's tests, only an overclocked power sword could cut through it, otherwise, it took two to three energy blasts to pierce its armor. 

“Observe.” Tao said, voice dripping with disdain.

“Dodon…Ray!”

After thrusting one fingers forward, there was no build-up like with a Kamehameha Wave, no, the attack was instant! A piercing golden beam erupted from his fingertips, screaming across the courtyard in a straight, lethal line. The beam punched straight through the dummy, vaporizing metal and concrete alike before carving a molten trench into the ground behind it. A resulting shockwave rippled outward, rattling nearby structures.

Ty inwardly grumbled that his power armor's energy beam was bigger, and had a wider area of attack. This ‘Dodon Ray’ was thin in comparison, if it was off by an inch, it would miss. 

Smoke curled upward from the impact site, and for all his internal grumbling, Ty had to admit, the man was going to be worth every last Zeni. 

Amanda’s eyes flickered rapidly as she processed the data. “Power output analysis complete. The energy discharge is equivalent to three synchronized blasts from the mecha wolf units we previously engaged.”

Tao turned back toward them, dusting his sleeve as if bored. “Satisfied?”

“You’re hired. Five million Zeni, as per our agreement.” Tossing a capsule at the man, it exploded open, revealing a briefcase full of money. 

Tao’s grin widened into something predatory as he accepted the money. “Excellent. I do enjoy clients who recognize quality.”

Amanda glanced sideways at Ty, just a hint of amusement in her eyes.

Whilst Ty was feeling better about the upcoming raid on Pod Corporation, the courtyard lights flickered, and his HUD registered movements on the periphery. 

Without warning, the silent whooshing sound of metal flying at high speeds met his ear. 

A wave of shuriken burst from the shadows at speeds that could compete with that of bullets. Each and every one of them were aimed squarely at Mercenary Tao's back! 

Tao moved without even looking.

His arms snapped up in a blur, palms and fingers striking with great skill & speed. Every shuriken was swatted aside, deflected into the pavement or embedded harmlessly in nearby walls. Not one came close to drawing blood.

However, during this moment when he was trying to act cool, the subtle sound of cloth tearing was clear as day. 

Tao froze in place. 

His eyes dropped to his sleeve, where a single shallow cut marred the pristine fabric.

Tao’s jaw tightened. The air around him seemed to drop several degrees. 

“You.” He said softly, his voice was razor-cold, and absolutely dripping with venom. “You have made a grave, grave mistake.”

A blur exploded from the darkness, seconds after the shuriken had been thrown. 

A lithe teenage boy vaulted into the open courtyard, flipping once before landing lightly on the balls of his feet. He wore a tight black bodysuit reinforced at the joints, and a short cloak fluttering behind him. Messy black hair slightly covered mad, insane, excited eyes. This guy's look absolutely screamed that he lived for the thrill of the fight. 

Without a word, he drew a katana, and lunged at Tao with a swipe. The elder martial artist met him head-on.

Sparks flew as the sword met Tao's fists & fingers. They traded well over a dozen moves in but a handful of seconds. Every move was like something out of a play, it was beautiful to watch, yet the large gouges, and furrows in the ground were evidence that this was anything but a performance. 

“Please tell me you are recording this.” Ty whispered. 

Amanda gave a thumbs up. “Combat technique analysis is ongoing, the simulator has already been updated.” 

Ty rolled his eyes. He didn’t want more training in the sim! Watching this fight later when he was bored would be entertainment enough! 

The teen moved with elegant grace, and pounced like a cat. He was constantly darting, around, rebounding off walls, slashing from unpredictable angles, and retreating when Tao was about to catch him. 

“He’s keeping up with Tao.” Ty muttered in shock. 

Amanda’s eyes flickered rapidly as she compared their fight with analytical data. “Confirmed. Reaction speed and agility are comparable.”

The fight surged across the courtyard, destroying all the repairs in a whirlwind of fists and swords. Tao struck with unmatched brutality, whilst the teen countered with reckless swipes, grinning even as attacks grazed him. A cut dripped blood from the teen's forehead, and he lapped at it when it dripped down his face, his movements seemingly became faster and faster the more banged up he became. 

For several breathless seconds, neither gained ground. 

Then, simultaneously, as if by some unspoken signal or unwritten rule, they leapt back.

Tao flexed his hand, as if it stung, and seconds later, a single drop of blood slid down his fingertip and splashed against the pavement. 

The teen straightened, resting his katana against his shoulder with exaggerated casualness. 

“Heh, didn’t think an old fossil like you would bleed so easily.” He said in a smug tone. 

Tao glared.

The boy turned his attention to Ty and Amanda, thumb hooking toward his chest. “Name’s Speed-o'-Sound Sonic. Ninja for hire.”

He smirked, eyes flicking back to Tao. “And wow, this guy’s almost 300, no, 400 years old, right? Couldn’t even beat a sixteen-year-old. That’s gotta hurt.” Sonic barked with a sharp, childish laugh. 

Tao bristled, killing intent rolling off him in waves.

Sonic ignored it completely, and pointed lazily at Ty. 

“Oh, and you, the girly boy, I’ll take the job for one million Zeni.” Sonic said, pointing at Ty. 

Ty was just beginning to realize how changed this DBZ world was, and was deeply lost in thought due to the ramifications that this was apparently a crossover world with One Punch Man. Amanda glanced at him, and then tossed a capsule at Sonic. It burst open, revealing another suitcase full of money. 

“Sonic, is it? Welcome to the team.” Amanda smiled dangerously. “However, you both seem to misunderstand something.” 

Amanda slowly unsheathed her katana, taking a step forward. “Disrespect your employer-Ty Briefs-again, and you answer to my sword. Do we understand each other?” 

“I've killed for less.” Sonic muttered to himself, only to barely get his sword up in time to deflect an oncoming katana. 

“Lady are you crazy?! You just hired me!” Sonic hurried to say as he backpeddled to avoid her attacks. 

Ty smirked, silently cheering Amanda on. This was kid Sonic, nowhere near as strong as his adult self in the main series. She had this in the bag. ‘Go Amanda, kick his ass!’ 

Tao had moved beside Ty at some point to watch the show, and coughed into his hand. 

“You've done well for yourself, young man.” Tao smirked, glancing at Amanda's creamy legs, and black lace. “I look forward to working with you…but you're going to have to pay me extra if you expect me to stomach this brat's insult.”

Ty felt the smile on his face freeze in place. 

What even was today? 

~~~~~~~~

AN: Thus the toxic Tao/Sonic duo have joined Team Briefs!