Soul Drive: Ignition

Chapter 10: Change

As he began to pack his belongings, Masato couldn't help but reflect on the years he'd spent working toward this point. It was all slipping through his fingers, but he wouldn't let it end like this. He would take control of the situation, even if it meant breaking every rule in the book.

With his box of belongings in hand, Masato stepped out of his now former office, the door clicking shut behind him. He kept his eyes fixed forward, refusing to look back as he walked down the sterile hallway, each step echoing with finality. He knew what he had to do, and he couldn't afford any hesitation.

Stopping at a washroom, Masato glanced around to ensure that he was alone. He locked the door behind him and crossed to the last stall, where he'd hidden glasses, a lab coat, and a fake ID badge in plastic bags in the back of the toilet. He changed quickly, pulling the lab coat over his clothes and adjusting the glasses on his nose.

"Alright, Masato," he muttered under his breath as he checked his reflection in the mirror. "It's showtime."

Carefully avoiding the surveillance cameras' blind spots, Masato made his way to the lab, his heart racing with every step. He swiped the fake ID badge and slipped inside, the hum of machinery greeting him like an old friend.

"I will show them the true power of the Machs," he thought, scanning the room for the Machs he would need. His eyes landed on a video camera, a power drill, a digital camera, an old alarm clock, and a rechargeable razor - each one housing a powerful weapon within its innocent exterior.

He gathered them up, feeling their weight in his hands, a symbol of the power he was about to wield. As he turned to leave, the sound of movement nearby made him pause, adrenaline surging through his veins. Time was running out. Masato sealed the room and left, his heart pounding in his ears.

"Five will have to be enough," he thought again, steeling himself for the path that lay ahead. "I'll build my own army...and change the world."

Masato slipped back into the bathroom, his heart pounding as he locked the door behind him. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror, the lab coat and glasses concealing his true identity. With swift, practiced movements, he removed the disguise and changed back into his own clothes, folding the lab coat and glasses neatly before placing them in his box of belongings.

He tucked the five Machs into the box as well, their innocuous exteriors hiding the devastating power they held within. As Masato closed the lid, he couldn't help but feel a certain thrill at the thought of what he was about to do – change the world.

"Goodbye, old life," he whispered, and then stepped out of the bathroom, carrying the box with an air power surrounding him.

As he exited the building, Masato took one last look around, his eyes lingering on the familiar surroundings that had been his world for so long. "No turning back now," he murmured under his breath, and with a sense of grim determination, he walked away from his former job and into the unknown.

-----

"Mr. Prime Minister," a voice crackled through the speakerphone, "we're convening this emergency conference to discuss the recent events in Japan."

The Japanese Prime Minister, Mamoru, sat stiffly in his office, surrounded by advisors and security personnel. The faces of other world leaders stared back at him from the screen, their expressions ranging from concern to outright hostility.

"Your country has created something unprecedented and highly dangerous," the Chinese representative began, her tone accusatory. "These Mach weapons have the potential to destabilize global peace. We demand to review your data and evaluate the threat they pose."

"Agreed," chimed in the American delegate, his voice firm. "This technology is too powerful to be left unchecked."

"Indeed," added the Russian representative, his gaze cold and unyielding. "We support a thorough investigation and suspension of the program."

The Prime Minister clenched his fists under the table, his face betraying no emotion. He had anticipated this reaction, but it still stung. With a calm, measured voice, he responded: "These Machs were mere prototypes. They were never intended for use on the world stage, and we are still years away from completing the program."

"Be that as it may," interjected the Chinese delegate, "we cannot ignore the potential threat they pose. The United Nations demands a full investigation and suspension of your program until further notice."

The Prime Minister took a deep breath, his mind racing as he considered the implications of their demands. Finally, he nodded. "Very well," he said. "We will comply with your request."

As the conference call came to an end, the Prime Minister's thoughts turned to how he would be able to regain control of this situation, their greatest secret was out and he knew every country would want a piece of it.

The Prime Minister stared out the window of his office, watching the sun set over Tokyo, its fiery hues casting long shadows across the city. He muttered a curse under his breath, clenching his fists until his knuckles turned white. They had been found out, and now everything they'd been building was at risk.

"Sir," one of his secretaries approached hesitantly, holding a file in her trembling hands. "It's come to our attention that five Machs are missing from the facility."

"Missing?" The Prime Minister's voice cracked like a whip, making the secretary flinch. He took a deep breath before continuing. "Erase any evidence that those Machs existed. Find Masato but don't approach him, just keep tabs on him for the time being."

"Y-yes, sir." The secretary stammered, bowing quickly before scurrying away.

"Masato most likely took them," he mused to himself, rubbing his temples. "But perhaps this could work in our favor. We can claim he was the one who released an unhinged Mach on the country and fled the scene. Let the world find and destroy him, and once they do we can simply reclaim our property."

-----

Far away in Ottawa, Mr. Stark paced back and forth in his office, his brow furrowed in worry. He had also been on the UN call, and he knew how the world would react if they discovered Canada's involvement with the Machs. Their own program, reverse-engineering the five Machs they possessed, was shrouded in secrecy.

"Damn it," he muttered, slamming his fist on the desk. "We need some positive publicity for this project."

"Sir?" His assistant looked up from her computer, startled by his sudden outburst.

"Get me the profiles of our pilots – they need to be ready for their first real mission," Stark said, determination burning in his eyes. "We're going to relieve Japan of their remaining Machs and destroy the two that got away."

"Are you sure about this, sir?" His assistant asked cautiously.

"Absolutely," Stark replied with a nod. "The world needs to see that these Machs can be used for good as well as destruction."

As the sun dipped below the horizon in Tokyo, casting the city into darkness, Mamoru poured himself a glass of whiskey and stared at the amber liquid, lost in thought. He knew Masato was a wild card, but he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps his actions would ultimately save them all – or doom them to ruin.

"Only time will tell," he whispered to himself, raising the glass to his lips. "But one thing's for certain: the game has changed, and we must adapt or perish."