The Erotic Mind-Control Story Archive

Crimson Azure

CHAPTER 5

PREVIOUSLY... After their press conference, Crimson and Azure begin to grow cautious as they realize there is suspicion of their true motives. However, the suspicious reporter Violet Smith was captured and converted into an Azure Persona Unit.

Crimson looks to Azure in surprise.

CRIMSON:

You been working on those nanites a long time, huh?

Azure turns, bearing an expression of pride.
AZURE:

Well, their actual production started last year, but there was about a decade’s worth of research that my father did. He’d have done it, but they just didn’t have the proper materials at the time.

Crimson pauses, then smiles.
CRIMSON:

I see... so you’re quite proud of its success.

AZURE:

Yes. After more than twenty years of family dedication, we’ve finally completed my father’s dream project.

CRIMSON:

I’m sure he’d be proud. Congratulations.

AZURE:

Thanks... I wouldn’t have done it without my team. Especially my programmer, Makoto, and my engineer, Angus.

Crimson’s eyebrows rise, impressed.
CRIMSON:

They must really be something if they have the skills to pull that off.

Azure gives a light-hearted laugh.
AZURE:

Well, they have talent, not to mention a knack for saving my ass when a project’s about to be delayed. But enough about that. We should get going.

CRIMSON:

Alrighty then. See you... Thursday?

Azure nods.
AZURE:

Thursday it is.

—Two days later...—

At Sergio’s, a fancy Italian restaurant downtown, the heads of the Crimson Syndicate wait in one of the private dining rooms in the back. The lower-ranked staff seem to be getting nervous about the upcoming dinner, especially Jack. His more laid-back boss approaches him.
CRIMSON:

You alright, Jackie? You look pretty wired.

Rose mutters to Crimson.
ROSE:

It’s about this Lincoln chap... I have found practically no new information about him, not even a picture of what he looks like. I’m worried... The only conclusion I could come up with is that he lives off the grid.

Crimson scratches his chin pensively.
CRIMSON:

So we’re basically chasing a shadow...

ROSE:

I’m afraid so. No record of him, no picture, no references, nothing...

The CEO sighs in frustration.
CRIMSON:

Well, I can only hope Morpheus has more luck in his investigations, then.

No sooner than he says that, than the door opens and Azure peeks his head in.
AZURE:

Ah, so this is the room.

Crimson notices this.
CRIMSON:

Oh, Morpheus, come in!

The doors are thrust open and several other people follow him in. Aphrodite, a couple of men of various builds, and a young woman enter.
AZURE:

Well, since we’re all here, I guess I should introduce you to my team. My chief programmer, Makoto Aoi...

Azure motions to a slightly short Asian man. He’s dressed very smartly and even wears with a sleek pair of rectangular glasses. Everything about this man shouts “high-grade”. The man bows respectfully.
AZURE:

Next, my chief engineer and mechanic, Angus Cerulean.

Cerulean seems to stand a head taller than his boss. With his broad shoulders and muscular arms, he might as well be Azure’s bodyguard. His rough hair is a vibrant shade of orange, and he speaks with a thick Scottish accent.
CERULEAN:

How d’ya do, laddies?

AZURE:

...My secretary, Aphrodite.

She nods humbly and speaks in her gentle robotic voice.
APHRODITE:

It’s a pleasure to meet you all.

AZURE:

...And finally, Miss Tammy Maroon, our top errand girl.

She cheerfully smiles and waves.
TAMMY:

Hey there!

Crimson smiles.
CRIMSON:

Nice to meet you all. As you perhaps know already, I’m Richard Crimson.

He gestures to his employees.
CRIMSON:

Jack Rose, an assistant from London...

Jack nods nervously.
CRIMSON:

Siegfried Rosenrot, one of the best psychiatrists from Germany.

Siegfried nods. His short, thick beard seems to make everyone think of Freud.
SIEGFRIED:

Guten Nacht.

CRIMSON:

Charles Vermillion, from Australia.

Vermillion, a handsome man, waves casually. His thick, blonde hair and his healthy tan seem to go well with his smooth voice.
VERMILLION:

G’d’even.

CRIMSON:

Jason Maroon, from here in the U.S....

Maroon gives an awkward nod. He seems a little uncomfortable with the fact that he’ll be eating dinner with his little sister.
CRIMSON:

My secretary, Vanessa Scarlett...

Vanessa nods quietly. Crimson points to Banshee standing silently against the wall.
CRIMSON:

And that over there is my bodyguard, Miss Helena Rhodes.

Banshee also nods quietly.
After all the introductions are done, they shake each other’s hands.
CRIMSON:

Well, it’s gonna be a while before we actually eat, so how about we just order drinks and chat for a while?

Everyone in the room nods and mutters in agreement.
AZURE:

Sounds good to me.

After a few minutes, both groups are enjoying their drinks.
There are several conversations going on in different groups of people. Some are exchanging points of view on music or art, others are practicing politics. Crimson comes across Tammy, and gives a friendly smile.
CRIMSON:

So you’re Tammy Maroon? Morpheus told me quite a bit about you.

Tammy looks to him with a coy smile.
TAMMY:

Oh? What did he say about me?

CRIMSON:

Well, he said you were quite intelligent.

Tammy modestly giggles.
TAMMY:

Well, ever since high school, I had to read up on my programming and computer lessons. To be honest, those took forever....

CRIMSON:

Doesn’t seem like it. You’re pretty smart for a young lady. Morpheus claims you helped with his secretary’s programming, right? I’m no computer wiz, but I doubt anyone even twice your age would have learned how to do that.

Tammy giggles again, embarrassed.
TAMMY:

Stop it, now you’re making me blush...

As they continue their conversation, Cerulean and Maroon are leaning against a nearby wall. Cerulean takes a swig from a bottle of scotch. Maroon simply frowns.
CERULEAN:

Ugh... Look at ‘im... throwing line after line, an’ hoping she’ll take the bait...

Maroon sighs in frustration.
MAROON:

That’s my boss for you. Ever the playboy.

Cerulean shrugs.
CERULEAN:

Can’t be helped... She’s a sweet lassie.

He takes another swig of scotch.
CERULEAN:

Ah, nothing like a good scotch after a hard day’s work. All I need is some haggis and I’m in paradise.

MAROON:

Haggis?

CERULEAN:

Aye. Great stuff, that...

After a few more minutes of conversation, a slow, loud, deliberate clapping can be heard. Everyone’s attention turned to the door, but they realized it wasn’t Crimson or Azure that got their attention.
There is a man standing in front of the door, his hair a violent red. He seems to be wearing a long, dark green trenchcoat and yellow sunglasses.
????:

Sorry to crash the party, but I would like to have a word with the two CEOS, Morpheus Azure and Richard Crimson...

The intruder’s demeaning tone suddenly puts everyone on edge. Crimson steps forward defiantly.
CRIMSON:

And who the hell are you?

The stranger seems to smirk and sneer at the same time.
????:

The name’s Mick... Mick Lincoln.

Suddenly, the room goes silent. The tension grows so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Azure calmly steps forward.
AZURE:

I take it you saw the press conference earlier this week?

Lincoln gives a sideways glance to Azure through his shades.
LINCOLN:

Yeah, I did. And I couldn’t help but notice Crimson’s reaction at that last reporter’s question. Not too many react like that if that kind of accusation wasn’t bang on the money. I assume you silenced her after the press conference?

Crimson simply glares at Lincoln.
CRIMSON:

Smart ass... Why are you sending your men after me and Morpheus?

Lincoln seems to hesitate. He heaves a sigh of frustration.
LINCOLN:

Thing is, I didn’t. My men want to see justice served, as do I, but some of them are... less patient about it than others.

AZURE:

Well, that’s a convenient excuse.

LINCOLN:

Think about it. One of my men blabbed that I’m targetting both of you. Don’t you think it’d be a little reckless to send just one man to eliminate both targets at once, given the amount of security? Not to mention the spontaniety of Azure going to visit Crimson, his high school rival?

There is silence. Apparently, no-one in the room can think of anything to counter that argument. Lincoln scoffs as he takes a flask from his belt.
LINCOLN:

That idiot disobeyed my orders and paid the price, just like the previous “assassins” did. All because he developed an itchy trigger finger.

He opens the flask and takes a swig.
CRIMSON:

Well, let me rephrase the question, then... What have you got against me and Morpheus?

Lincoln swallows and replaces the flask. He gives Crimson a taunting smirk.
LINCOLN:

Well, I’m not after POWER, if that’s what you’re thinking...

AZURE:

...so you’re out for revenge?

Lincoln turns his taunting smirk to Azure now.
LINCOLN:

Now, what gave you that idea?

Azure coolly replies.
AZURE:

Well, I’m no psychologist like Richard, but I know two of the most common logical reasons for someone to act so maliciously... Greed, whether for power or wealth... or retaliation for something you feel was unjust. In other words, revenge.

There is a pause. Lincoln’s derogatory smirk is gone. He seems pensive, considering his answer carefully.
LINCOLN:

I guess it’s because of one that I seek the other.... Your greed and lust have done too much harm for me to stay silent any longer....

He focuses his glare on Crimson.
LINCOLN:

...Especially after what you did to my girlfriend.

CHAPTER END.