[i] Thirty-Minutes Prior… [/i]

Deep within the deserts of Egypt, a lone monument stood which had been long since lost to modern civilization. Its immaculate design made more radiant by the beaming sun above. There was nothing outwardly strange or different about this pyramid when compared to the many structures that had once spread across the sandy dunes all around it. The silence surrounding the area made it pretty clear to any approaching that this land was abandoned and forgotten to time itself. Curious then…that a young man seemed to exit the pyramid’s interior from a gaping hole in the wall. 

Black suit shirt tucked neatly into white dress pants, the figure looked far out of place in this inhospitable zone – yet if he seemed perturbed by his locale and its conditions it was not apparent at first. Dress shoes, not suited for the dusty landscape seemed to scuff and dirty with every step seeming causing a grimace of dislike. The large black handgun held in his left hand seemed out of place to his appearance. A heavy sigh escaped the young man’s lips as he ran a hand through auburn strands. His head darted left and right, as if searching for some unseen threat. 

“Well, there’s no sign of that strange shadow…I guess that’s that. Not a bad test run for this bad boy…” Mazono’s right arm was brought before his face as he examined a large silver apparatus strapped to his forearm. “Still...that was my favorite Fedora…and my favorite coat! God Damn him…”

A Familiar curse escaped his lips as the young man lamented his missing attire. Earlier in the day, maybe a few hours prior, there had been a brutal battle within the Pyramid slowly vanishing behind him. The outcome had been in his favor, but the sacrifice seemed to wound his vanity. Enraged at the lost garments, the young man let out a frustrated yell of irritation. 

“I swear, when I get home I’m going to give him a piece of m-“

As if summoned by his anger, a ring in his pocket stopped him mid-sentence. Reaching within, he removed the cellular device and placed it gingerly upon his ear – careful not to short it out like he had so many others. A feminine voice met him on the other end, jovial and kind in its tone. Her professional etiquette was of course what made her Jhieten’s secretary. 

“Agent Mazono, you’re late for check-in. I trust since you answered the test was a success? No difficulties?”

Gritting his teeth, he responded as only he would. 

“Oh [i]of course not [/i] Rachel. Everything’s rainbows and butterflies here on Earth’s dry Asscrack. OF COURSE IT DIDN’T GO WELL! YOU SET ME UP YOU SONS OF BITCHES!” The dam broke and with it came a slew of profanity. Regardless of whom was on the other end, he knew the truth. Regardless if he had his little mouthpiece call him, Jhieten could hear every word and Mitsu was determined he knew EXACTLY how he felt.

“I only lost my favorite Fedora and Trenchcoat. Do you have any idea how expensive that shit is?! More than you make I’ll tell ya that much! On top of that, do you have any idea what the hell you put me through for this test fire?! What the fuck was that thing?! I wan’t answers right no-“

“Good. Your next assignment has been prepared by Mr. Matsunagi and you’re to leave immediately fo-“Rachel was once again cut off by the rude and angry Mazono.

“Oh HELL no! I’m not going anywhere but home! I’ve been in the field for three weeks now! You can tell Jheiten to he can kiss My F-”

A brilliant pillar of light erupted from the sky above, encapsulating the young man in its ambience. His physical form would shift into lines of energy as his entire mass was broken down and moved en mass to the designated combat zone. For Mitsu, it was as if time had frozen in that moment – unaware that he was being forcibly shifted from one plane to another. As the pillar of light crashed down upon the strange red planet of Mars, time once more seemed to start for the man in white. Before he could exclaim any further into his irritated message, his eyes noticed the change in environment. With an exasperated tone, he uttered out the final word;

“Fucking….Asshole.”

Situated within one corner of what looked like an open air complex, Mazono took a brief moment to examine the landscape before him – all the while maintaining the ten foot translucent field consistently generating from his body. The concrete structures and openings gave the appearance of what may have once been a warehouse? No. the contours and design wasn’t the same. It almost gave the appearance of an ancient arena like the coliseum of old Rome. Unlike the Romans however, this one had no seating arrangements that he could see to allow for spectators. 

A familiar beep caused him to draw his attention once more to his phone. There was no longer a connection with HQ, however on the screen he could see a single message sent to him directly by Matsunagi; “I’ve sent you to pick up a potential new operative for your unit. Do try and keep things…professional? He’s unaware of my interests.”

Of course. Out of the frying pan and into the fire so they say. Mazono sighed and, as he went to place the mobile device back into his pants pocket – he found himself blocked by a newly generated White Trenchcoat. Reaching up, Mazono once more felt the familiar comfort of the Fedora ever present. A smile crossed his lips. While he did indeed have some issues with his boss, Jhieten always managed to find a way to impress him. A flash of light caused him to turn his attention to the area opposite of him, illuminated embers of red and bluish whites flittering above the square box obstruction blocking a clear line of sight to this potential recruit. 

He had his orders, bring this kid back. Simple enough, though knowing Jhieten the rest of the message was probably a warning about some volatile nature or another. Taking nothing to chance, Mazono expanded his Thunder Dome outward from its normal ten to its maximum thirty-yard radius. Simultaneously, the several canisters of Iron Sand attached to his belt would bloat and burst releasing his potent Iron Sand onto the floor all around him.  As if suddenly made aware of it, Mazono would raise his left hand up into firing position, his Ratifier having yet to be put back into his holsters. It was assumed by him that whatever sciencey bullshit Jhieten did to get him here and replace his favored clothing had probably replaced the ammunition in his weapons as well.

[i] Locked and Loaded, let’s hope he’s not shy! I wanna meet this kid!” [/i]