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> Adventures in Parodyverse - Saving the Future Part 28.1
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> Liu Xi Xian realized that someone was standing behind her even though she wasn’t really looking, and there was no shadow or reflection over her.  That’s how she figured out just who it was - only the Psychic Samurai had the spooky ability to make her presence known that way.
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> “It’s difficult, isn’t it?”  Chiaki asked the Chinese girl, her voice barely louder than the sound of the water fountain a few feet away.  She sat cross-legged atop a stone in the Lair Mansion garden, just across from where Liu Xi was doing the same.  She set her sword down carefully so it balanced against the side of her leg.
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> “Hmm?”  Liu Xi asked.  She was still lost in her own thoughts - while she heard what Chiaki said, she didn’t really comprehend the words.
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> “I still visit here.”  Chiaki went on.  “I still visit Jay.  Even though it secretly breaks my heart every time I see him.”
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> Liu Xi perked up then.  She saw a sadness in Chiaki’s eyes that the Samurai kept secret until she spoke of it.  All at once, she understood what Chiaki was trying to tell her.  
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> “I know.”  the elementalist admitted sadly.  “The feelings I had...it was something created by someone else.  Something not real...like a dream.  But I still feel like--”
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> “Like you might cry any time you see him.”  Chiaki nodded sympathetically.
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> “Yes.”  Liu Xi replied, bowing her head as she did.
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> “Then cry.”  the Samurai advised her.  As she said that, she moved her sword across her lap and held its sheath like a security blanket.  “Cry, so he understands.  It will not win you his heart, but you will become better friends for it.”  
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> With a sigh then, Chiaki looked down and whispered, “It’s the biggest mistake I made with Jay, you know.  We can’t be so close, because I didn’t cry when my heart was broken.  So now he doesn’t understand.”
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> “You made a mistake?  But you’re always so perfect.”
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> Chiaki smiled, and then laughed.  “You always make me smile, Liu Xi.”  She picked up her sword and slowly stood.  “I intend to return the favor someday.  Once I’ve convinced Jay not send me to jail.”
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> “He’s going to let you go to jail?”  Liu Xi leapt to her feet.  “I won’t let him do that.”
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> “Thank you for standing up for me--”  Chiaki gently put a hand on her shoulder.  “But this is something I must deal with on my own.  Commissioner Graham and the Mayor want me arrested, and Hatman will likely fall in step...unless I can convince him it’s a mistake somehow.  Convince him and Graham both.”
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> Liu Xi nearly said something encouraging about how Hatman really cares about Chiaki.  But she also remembered that Jay had been stung before in that regard, and might not let his emotions control his actions in this case.
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> “I have to make a solid case.”  Chiaki told Liu Xi.  “As you guessed, I can’t simply ask him for mercy.  When it comes to the law, Jay has none.”
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> “It could have been much worse.”  Liu Xi suggested.  “It could have been someone who wanted destruction.  That can be a defense.  It could have been worse, but you prevented that.  You tried to protect the city.”
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> Chiaki tilted her head.  “I suppose.  It’s going to be difficult, as there is no vigilante defense for prison escapes.  No matter the reason or result, there are stiff penalties.  I can’t directly admit guilt, I must be acquitted or have the charges dismissed.  Otherwise, whether I was right or wrong, there can be no other result than a long jail term.”
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> “Can you ask Akiko for help?”
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> “I...don’t know.”  Chiaki replied sadly.  “I have never asked her for something this big before.  If I do, I’ll have to be prepared to pay big--”
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> The Samurai’s eyes widened, and Liu Xi’s did too.  Liu Xi seemed to have stumbled onto an idea.
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> “Yes.”  Liu Xi said with a slight smile.  “If Jay won’t help you--”
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> “--I’d be forced to go to Akiko.”  Chiaki completed.  She then sighed sadly.  “I suppose I’ve been backed into a corner, with no choice.  Thank you, Liu Xi, for your help.  Perhaps I will use it.”
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> “No problem.”  Liu Xi nodded.
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> Chiaki turned to walk away.  But then she stopped and turned around again.  “Don’t be so hasty to leave.”  she said.  “You help more people, more often than you realize.  Especially Danny.”
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> ---
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> Jay Boaz entered his office at the Lair Mansion and stopped to savor it for a moment.  It was the one room he liked least, as it required him to spend precious hours sitting at his desk and doing paperwork, rather than being out there fighting for justice.
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> He sifted through his mail bin.  There was one curious envelope on top of the usual mail.  It was a bright red envelope with his first name written whimsically on the front:  ‘Jay’.  On the back was a curious stamp, a seal he remembered seeing before...on Chiaki’s sword.  He opened it quickly, and unfolded the single handwritten page within.
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> By now you have heard that Commissioner Don Graham has requested my arrest for the incident at the Safe.  I have spoken to him already; and determined that his actions are dictated by politics, by the needs of the Mayor to answer to the public.  While I cannot fault him for attempting to save face, he is missing key facts.
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> There is a serious flaw in the security operations of the Safe.  One that could be exploited by nearly anyone granted a one-hour visitor pass.  The fire alarm could be triggered by anyone visiting the security office, often guarded by just one person.  Once it’s triggered, the security staff is woefully inadequate for managing a safe evacuation.  The result would be a mass, uncontrolled exodus of dangerous prisoners.  The explosives found around the Safe were not mine; I believe someone was planning to fully exploit the security fault I discovered.
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> Jay stopped and re-read that last paragraph.  The room started to feel very warm.  Those words detailed what could very well have happened during the Safe escape.  Perhaps there was more to blame than just one person.  He continued reading.
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> If you trust me and believe in me, Jay, I hope you will investigate what I cannot.  I hope you will try your best to clear my name, if you can.  I ask this as a favor from a friend.
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> I apologize for any public embarrassment you may suffer as a result of this.  For what it’s worth, I am deeply sorry I have failed you.
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> Love, your Asian Princess
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> He stared at the crudely drawn smiley face to the right to the word ‘Princess’, and then almost put the letter in his desk drawer...but then, for some reason, he worried that someone might find it there.  Instead, he folded it twice and shoved it into his pocket.
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> Typical of clever Chiaki, to write an apology with so much caring, yet at the same time refuse to admit to any guilt.  It was a little frustrating, but at the same time, deep down somewhere, made him feel like smiling.
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> ‘I am deeply sorry that I have failed you’, that text haunted him long after the letter was safely in his pocket.  He looked at his other mail and didn’t feel like opening it anymore.  Instead, he left his office.
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> ---
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> “I cannot do what you ask.”  Akiko Masamune said with a frown, as she paced around the office of one of her safe houses.  There were no guards or attendants there, they had been send outside.  There was no need - Chiaki was a trusted ally and friend.  “I cannot suggest your charges be dropped.”
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> Chiaki nodded, and while she looked a little hurt, she said nothing at first.  Then finally, she asked, “Why?”
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> “Regretfully, with the sheer amount of money competing for attention in worthless crime syndicates, I have lost my political connections in Paradopolis.”  Akiko explained.  “I have no foothold in Graham’s police department.  I would be forced to resort to intimidation.  If it fails I would be putting this entire family at risk.”
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> “I understand.”  She nodded again.
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> “But.”  Akiko added thoughtfully.  “Perhaps someone who works at the safe is reluctant to come forward.  Someone underpaid and unappreciated.”
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> The pink gangster picked up a cordless phone from her desk and pressed a button.  She simply said, “Prepare a care package.  The recipient will be determined soon.”
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> “I’ll of course pay you back for any expense--”  Chiaki started to say, but Akiko stopped her.
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> “If you’re arrested.”  Akiko pointed out, “The police will use you to get to me.  You know all of my businesses, all of my locations.”
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> Chiaki slowly smiled as she said, “Then I thank you for not killing me.”  She was only half joking.
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> Akiko gave a sad sort of laugh, laced with a slight tearing of her eyes.  “You’re my sister,”  she said, “and an absolute gem.  The world would be darkness without you in it.”
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> The Samurai nodded, and her smile slowly faded.  “I am grateful to have people who love me.”  she said.  “I hope it’s enough to save me.”
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> “It will be.”  Akiko promised darkly.  “It will be.”
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> TO BE CONTINUED?
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> -- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2008 by Jason Froikin, and may not be 
> --    reprinted without permission.  
> -- Yuki Shiro designed by Jason Froikin, based on designs by Masamune Shirow
> --  Liu Xi Xian and the Psychic Samurai are original design by Jason Froikin
> --  Lara Night is an original creation by Jason Froikin
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