Soul Drive: Ignition

Masato from Noboru sat across from each other at steal visitor's table, the once-celebrated detective now imprisoned for murder. The dim lighting caused eerie shadows to spread across Noboru's face as he sighed deeply, preparing to relive the darkest moment of his life.

"Alright," Noboru began, his voice rough and weary. "I'll tell you. I had stumble into a case, where police weapons were used in the killings. Seven more followed it and soon it was clear certain officers were being hitmen for hire. I arrested those dirty cops, but one of them, Ro, managed to escape. He wasn't there that night filmed them meeting with a potential client, so courts didn't have the evidence to find him guilty."

Noboru stared at the cold concrete floor as memories flooded back. "Two weeks later, I was working the night shift when I received a text from my wife. She said it was an emergency and I needed to come home immediately. I tried calling her, but she wouldn't pick up. So I raced home, my heart pounding in my chest."

The pain in Noboru's eyes was unmistakable as he continued. "When I arrived, I found my wife and son dead." His voice trembled with emotion, fists clenched tightly. "Ro had planted evidence to make it look like I had been planning it for months. It was the fastest trial on record."

Masato leaned over the table, his gray hair catching the faint light. A cunning smile spread across his face. "Well then, it sounds like you know who should really be here instead of you. And I have the paperwork to order your immediate release right here." He patted a thick envelope. "This world needs someone like you, with a strong sense of justice. Your government will give you a full pardon and you can track down Ro, but we could also use your help. A piece of dangerous government tech was stolen, and we believe you can help us find it."

Noboru's brow furrowed, suspicion clouding his thoughts. This was why they wanted him released in the first place, wasn't it? Would they just use him and toss him back into this cage once he'd served their purpose? "How do I know you won't just throw me back in here when the job is done?"

"Ah," Masato replied, his cunning smile unwavering. "That's where trust comes in, my friend. We're not just looking for any detective; we're looking for someone who could join our ranks. Someone who can sniff out those looking to betray their government. You would be head of your own department, sniffing out spies in our ranks."

Noboru hesitated, weighing his options. He could stay here, trapped and unable to find justice for his family, or take a leap of faith with Masato and possibly reclaim his life while chasing down those who had wronged him.

"Alright, Tanaka," Noboru said finally, his voice resolute. "I'm in."

"Excellent!" Masato clapped his hands together and stood, the sound echoing through the small room. "Now, let me tell you about the perks that come with this offer" He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Between you and me, the government would be more than happy to look the other way if you sought revenge on those responsible for your family's deaths. They are the true criminals after all."

Noboru's eyes widened at the mention of revenge. The thought of getting justice for his wife and son without the restrictions of the law was good to resist. "What kind of tech was stolen?"

"You'll be briefed on our way, it's far too sensitive to be discussed here," Masato replied cryptically. He motioned to the guard by the door, who stepped forward and removed Noboru's handcuffs with a heavy clang. Together, the two men walked out of the prison, leaving behind the cold, gray walls that had been Noboru's home for far too long.

As they settled into Masato's sleek, black private car, the scent of leather upholstery mingling with the faint smell of cologne, Noboru couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and unease. He glanced at Masato, whose calm demeanor seemed to suggest that everything was under control.

"Ready for your briefing, Noboru?" Masato asked as the car hummed to life and pulled away from the prison.

"Go on," Noboru prompted, trying to squash the doubt gnawing at him.

"Your mission is quite simple," Masato began, his voice taking on a serious tone. "A weapon called a Mach was used to attack a pier earlier this week. That technology was being developed in secret but somehow someone got their hands on it. This weapon could kill a lot of people and we need it recovered by any means necessary."

"A Mach? What the hell is that?" Noboru asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Why don't you see for yourself." Masato reached into a compartment in the car and pulled out a small object that looked like a portable gaming device. "This is Mach 3. It's a very powerful weapon even though it doesn't look that way. It is a disguised suit of cybernetic armor that enhances the abilities of the one who pilots it. Since we need you to be able to stand a chance against the stolen Mach, this one is yours."

Noboru took the device, turning it over in his hands, feeling the cool metal against his skin. The thought of wielding such power was both exhilarating and frightening.

"Before you're deployed," Masato continued, "you'll be trained on how to fully operate the Mach at our base. We want to be sure you are fully ready for the task at hand."

Noboru studied the Mach 3 for a moment longer before nodding. "I'll do it." If this device was as powerful as Masato said then it would be the perfect weapon of revenge. He smiled to himself, he had his freedom at last and he was never going to let anyone take it away from him again.

"Excellent," Masato said, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Welcome aboard, Noboru. Prepare yourself for one hell of a ride."

-----

Weeks of rigorous training and constant monitoring pushed Noboru to his limits, but he emerged stronger than ever. The day had finally come when he was declared the first official Pilot of the Mach system by the Japanese government. With newfound purpose, he strode through the doors of the training facility, his Mach 3 securely tucked away in his pocket.

"Congratulations on completing your training," Masato said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You may now take the Mach off base and begin your mission."

"Thank you," Noboru replied, trying not to let his eagerness show. He knew exactly how he'd use his Mach of base - seeking revenge on those responsible for his family's demise.

His heart pounded with adrenaline as he returned home to his small, cramped apartment. Scattered across the cluttered table were notes, photographs, and newspaper articles - evidence of his relentless search for everyone involved in his family's murders.

A glimmer of satisfaction flickered in his eyes as he traced his finger over one name: Ro. After countless hours, he'd managed to locate the man who had set him up. Noboru grabbed his Mach and left the building, determination fueling each step.

Meanwhile, Ro stumbled down the street, slightly drunk from a night at the bars. He hummed to himself, swaying with the rhythm of the melody. In his intoxicated state, he spotted a beautiful young woman, seemingly just as drunk, stumbling into a quiet park. Intrigued, Ro followed her in, unaware of the danger lurking nearby.

As Ro ventured deeper into the park, he lost sight of the woman and found himself disoriented, unsure of his surroundings. A sudden movement caught his attention, and his blood ran cold at the sight of Noboru approaching with a predatory grace.

"Wha- what are you doing here?!" Ro stammered, panic coursing through his veins.

"Hello, Ro," Noboru replied coldly. "Is that any way to greet an old friend? I just got out of prison and you and I have so much to catch up on,"

Ro's survival instincts kicked in as he turned on his heels and sprinted away, desperately trying to escape the vengeful man. The once quiet park was now filled with the sounds of Ro's ragged breathing and pounding footsteps.

Ro's legs burned with exertion, but he couldn't outrun the terror that clawed at his chest. He glanced back, searching for Noboru, but saw nothing. His breath hitched as relief washed over him. Maybe he lost him somewhere in the park?

Slowing down, Ro tried to catch his breath, each gasp rasping in the cool night air. He turned a corner and nearly jumped out of his skin when he collided with Noboru, who seemed to materialize out of thin air.

"Now that was rude. Why would you run from me, Ro?" Noboru's voice dripped with disdain, his eyes cold and unforgiving.

Before Ro could react, Noboru activated his Mach, His body being coated in shimmering orange armor, and the two men shot into the sky. Ro was still in shock from what he witnessed and unable to speak as the park below them was reduced to a dark, shadowy abyss.

"Please!" Ro finally choked out, his fingers digging into Noboru's arm in a futile attempt to anchor himself. "I didn't want to do it! They made me!"

"They made you murder my wife and son while they slept? Made you become a hitman? wow these people must be quite something to have invented a mind control device like that.," Noboru demanded, his grip tightening around Ro's wrist.

"It's not like that, these people, they find you when you are at your lowest, offer to help and that is when they get you. If I didn't do it then it would have been my own family dead."

"It still might be," Noboru threatened

"Please don't, I'll tell you what I know. Okada, Yamazaki, Sato, and Watanabe, are all a part of it, higher up in it than me I swear," Ro blurted out, desperation etched on his face. "Please let me go!"

"Good boy," Noboru sneered, his smile chilling. In the depths of Ro's eyes, he saw the same fear that must have consumed his wife and son in their final moments. It was a grim satisfaction, knowing that his family's murderer would experience that same dread.

"I gave you what you wanted, you can take me to jail, and I'll confess to everything." Ro stammered, his voice barely more than a whimper.

Noboru's smile widened "I have no use for you anymore," he released his grip on Ro, watching with detached interest as the man plummeted toward the ground. The wind ripped Ro's screams away, leaving only the sound of his heart pounding in his ears.

Noboru hovered above, savoring the sight of retribution. His family was gone, but at least their killer had paid the price. He knew, however, that this was just the beginning. Four names – four people he had worked so closely with, who had betrayed him. It was time for them to meet the same fate.