LRAB Chapter 13: 13 The Critical Week
Chapter 13: 13 The Critical Week
Chapter 13: 13 The Critical Week
After a brief introduction, Yin Sen, very gentlemanly, helped Kagura Hitomi set up her bedding for rest.
Inside the cave room, all the bedding was temporary.
With two new hostages added to the group, it seemed to cause a small inconvenience for the Ten Commandments gang.
As a result, the two new "beds" in the room were less than ideal—one was a recliner converted into a makeshift bed, and the other was simply a wooden crate pieced together.
"Girls deserve priority," Yin Sen generously moved his bedding to the crate and offered the only real bed—a medical stretcher—to Kagura.
Not only that, but he thoughtfully pulled a curtain to divide off a portion of the room, giving her a semblance of privacy.
Though the conditions were modest, Yin Sen did everything he could to ensure Kagura's comfort.
Once everything was settled, Yin Sen and Kagura sat side by side on the edge of the bed to rest.
"So, you're Tony Stark's assistant?" Yin Sen asked.
"Well, more accurately, I'm Ms. Pepper's assistant," Kagura replied calmly, "I'm only temporarily working with Mr. Stark on this trip."
"Ah, your first trip and you get involved in something like this, truly unfortunate," Yin Sen said, gently patting her shoulder. "I'm sorry for what you're going through."
"It's fine. I believe Mr. Stark will find a way out of this," Kagura shook her head and smiled.
Yin Sen nodded. "Honestly, Tony Stark is someone I greatly admire. His intellect is on another level. He's in a league of his own, and I think the word 'genius' was probably invented just to describe someone like him."
If Kagura's trust in Tony Stark came from having seen the "script," Yin Sen's trust was purely out of his admiration for Stark's genius.
"Do you know him?" Kagura asked.
"No, just met him once at an academic conference," Yin Sen looked up, seemingly lost in thought. "But Tony Stark definitely wouldn't remember me. he was so drunk, he could barely stand, let alone give a lecture on electromagnetism."
He paused, a wistful smile crossing his face. "Funny, isn't it? At that time, I never imagined I would meet him again... in a place like this."@@@@
"How did you get captured?" Kagura asked, curious.
"Well, that's a long story," Yin Sen shrugged. "The so-called 'Ten Commandments gang' randomly attacked my village..."
He paused again, wiping his nose. "Maybe I was of some use to them, because they didn't kill me. Instead, they locked me up here, making me treat their injured and occasionally fix some of their weapons."
"How long has it been?" Kagura asked.
Yin Sen looked up at the electronic surveillance camera on the wall. "A month? A year? I really don't know. In places like this, it's easy to lose track of time."
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Tony Stark said, leaning on Kagura to steady himself.
"The great Tony Stark," the leader of the gang spoke up, "I'm giving you one week. You'll build us the Jericho missiles here."
As he spoke, he paced back and forth. "Whatever materials or tools you need, we have it all. Our equipment is all from you, we're your loyal customers, Mr. Stark."
"Oh, and once the job is done, I'll let you and your beautiful assistant go. How does that sound?"
The leader moved closer to Tony Stark, offering his hand.
Tony looked at Kagura, smiled, and reached out his hand. "No, you won't let us go."
Of course, the leader didn't understand Tony's words. He probably mistook it for agreement.
Their hands briefly shook, as they pretended to come to an understanding.
...
'Bang!'
Once the Ten Commandments gang left, the door was slammed shut.
Tony Stark, exhausted, sat down on a chair, his hands on his face, sighing heavily.
"Mr. Stark..." Kagura sat next to him, gently patting his shoulder.
"Sorry..." Tony Stark shook his head. "I got you involved in this. I'm sorry."
"It's fine," Kagura shook her head. "We still have hope. We'll find a way out."
"Hope... sigh... There's no hope. I'm not a superhero. I have no solution," Tony Stark shook his head dejectedly.
"This is a dead end. Whether or not I can build the missile, we're all going to die in a week. What difference does it make?"
"Then this will be a very crucial week, won't it?"
Kagura took both of Tony Stark's hands in hers, gripping them tightly. "Thank you for saving me on the battlefield earlier, Mr. Stark. You're someone who never gives up. I believe in you."
Hearing this, a spark of determination reignited in Tony's eyes.
Looking at the silver-haired girl before him, his gaze grew resolute, as though he had made up his mind.
"Alright, then let's make something in this week!"