103 Chapter-102 The Nuclear Codes pt-3
(At a hidden mansion, somewhere)
Steps!
"What is the current status of our getaway transport?"
Overhaul stepped forward towards the monitor to look at the headlines in the news.
ᒥ...Tokyo Airlines dealing with some technical difficulties!...ᒧ
"Sir! The cargo flight that we were supposed to board has been delayed due to some unknown reason!"
One of his faithful followers calmly explains the new information that had just been made public; a couple of minutes ago.
He goes on to explain what he had been doing all this time; when Overhaul had told them that there wouldn't be any changes to the original plan.
"Following your orders, I have been keeping an eye on the government officials but so far..."
"...this doesn't seem to be their doing."
He turned towards his boss, looking for his next command...whereas Overhaul seemed in deep thoughts.
After what seemed like a couple of minutes; Overhaul questioned his subordinate about the status of their travel route.
"What about our travel route?"
The subordinate once again turned; facing the monitor as he easily accessed the traffic monitor system.
The reason behind his actions was self-explanatory; they couldn't take any chances!
The subordinate once again spoke up after doing some research.
"It seems that even our travel route has been compromised!"
Overhaul looked at the monitor with cold eyes as he processed the information presented to him.
"Hm..."
"Judging from the fact that a change this big!"
"Went noticed by others makes me think that it isn't the government targetting us."
"But who?"
Tap! Tap!
Overhaul rhythmically tapped on the table with his index finger and closed his eyes; analyzing his current situation.
'Tokyo Airlines is a government facility, changes can't be made this easily if you aren't that influential.'
'Now that leads me to question the identity of this....threat.'
'Someone who holds great power in the military.....a Major?'
'But even a Major would have to first go through several procedures to take such actions!'
'That means that this person is heavily related to the military yet isn't bound by the restrictions; an official is subjected to.'
'In that category, only two people come into the mind.'
'Kudou Retsu and the current [Chief of Foreign Affairs]...'
'Mibu Yuuzou!'
'Hm....one of these two old fools have been quite active lately whereas the other is more focussed on foreign affairs.'
'Also, isn't Kudou Retsu collaborating with Erik Saltzman in the construction of the Saltzman Paradise Resort?'
'That explains why our routes are compromised!'
'All of this is clearly Kudou Retsu's doing!"
'The flight and route to the airport have been compromised due to the interference of that old bastard!'
"Sir! What should we do now?"
Before Overhaul could go it dept pf cursing at the old man; his subordinate pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Humph! If these fools think that these plots can catch me they let them think so..."
"So what if our flight is delayed?"
"So what if our travel route is compromised?"
"Travel by road, air, or water; aren't the only options!"
"Get me a detailed map and layout of the sewage system!"
Overhaul had a calculating smile on his face as he sneered at the rather nice try to smoke him out.
---
(Inside Erik's Office)
"I don't think your plan will work."
"Check!"
Mia gracefully placed the queen piece diagonally across the board; making a threat for the enemy kind piece!
"Oh! Why do you think so?"
Erik questioned his subordinate with a curious expression on his face; he calmly moved the pawn piece one block forward to block the threat by the enemy queen piece.
Yes indeed!
Currently, Erik was engaged in a challenging match of chess against Tatsuya's mom!
"Well, you made an impressive move!"
"You first eliminated the total number of transport vehicles the enemy choose to takeover; by effectively shifting all the passengers to your own Airlines."
"Except trade flights which is probably the most optimal way to escape the country."
"Secondly, you eliminated the number of travel routes the enemy could have used to reach the airport; by regulating traffic to certain roads."
"Third and most importantly, you did all this under the facade of being Elder Kudou to avoid attention."
"You used this opportunity to get Kyouko to work for you with loyalty; in exchange for healing her boyfriend."
"She would be able to help you with lots of information based details!"
"Not to mention that your relations with Chiba Naotsugu and Chiba Erika would improve even further!"
"Your help to the government also helped you in forging a good relationship with the officials while also making an impact on the people."
"You even used social media to smoothen out the bumps and edges within the application of your plans!"
"So to summarize all of it...you benefitted a lot from your plans."
"Unfortunately, I don't think the enemy would fall into your trap..."
"...even if we consider how sneaky and subtle you have been in your actions, I still don't think that an X-rank criminal would go down like this!"
"Also, let's assume that you indeed somehow capture Overhaul and get the nuclear codes, what will you do with them, anyway?"
Mia or Miya, whatever you wanted to call her had lots of questions going through her mind as she tried to under Erik's goal.
What exactly would he gain from all this?
Why exactly was he so interested in getting the nuclear codes from the criminal?
She horizontally moved her queen piece across the board; switching from attacking the left portion of Erik's defense to attacking the right portion.
Even when faced with the aggressive "brain-play" of the opponent, Erik remained calm and collected and instead asks his own questions!
An amused smile appeared on his face!
"Why do you assume that I did all of this to try and capture, Overhaul?"
Erik diagonally eliminated the enemy pawn piece with his pawn piece but his real target wasn't the enemy pawn piece but rather the enemy queen piece!
As soon as Erik eliminated the enemy pawn piece, the rook piece behind the pawn piece had a clear pathway to the enemy queen piece!
Mia couldn't move her queen piece from its place as behind her stood the King piece!
So in order to support her queen piece!
She moved her Bishop piece to diagonally support the queen.
Unfortunately for Mia, this move made by her just spelled her doom!
With nothing to diagonally block the threat!
Erik elegantly placed his queen a couple of blocks, diagonally away from the enemy King piece, giving the latter a threat!
Mia's King was in the corner so he couldn't move at all!
The only way left to block the threat was to eliminate the enemy queen with her own queen since they were in the same row but unfortunately, her queen piece was obviously pinned by the hook!
If she moved her queen, the rook piece would kill her King piece and she didn't move her queen piece then the enemy piece would kill her King piece.
Erik had effectively forced her to move her bishop piece out of the way so that he could launch a counter-attack and defeat her in one move!
"And check-and-mate!"
Left with nothing to use against Erik...
...she lost!
Once again as always!
Erik observed his subordinate with a calm smile as he slowly explained the reason behind his actions.
"You see Mia-san, sometimes you need to force your enemy into making certain choices so that you are the one who actually benefits from them."
"All of this wasn't to capture or smoke him out!"
"No!"
"I did all this to force him into using the sewer system to travel safely!"
"What!?"
Erik's declaration shocked Mia, after all, who would use the sewer system to travel!?
"Yes, think about it!"
"No water-routes, air-routes, or ground-routes are safe enough for him to travel."
"So the only safe and unsuspecting way to travel left is via the sewer system. He would obviously choose to travel through a more secure route."
"I created these circumstances for the sole purpose of forcing the enemy into making a certain move."
Basically, Erik forced Overhaul to unknowingly make a certain decision that the former had already thought of!
The X-rank criminal was acting according to Erik's plans and he didn't even realize what was happening!
A masterful move indeed!
"But why sewer system?"
Mia still couldn't understand the reason behind preferring to use the sewer system for battle.
Erik simply smiled.
"Well, there is no shortage of shadows underground."
"And as for what I will do with the codes?"
"Just have patience and observe..."
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