GetBackers Fan Fiction / Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Drawn to Danger ❯ Return ( Chapter 1 )

Title: Drawn to Danger [1/?]

Author: Rubious

Series: Trigun & Get Backers

Rating: R

Warnings: angst, violence, humor, gunplay, AU-OOC.

Disclaimer: Trigun © Nightow. Get Backers © Aoki and Ayamine. All original characters including but not limited to Blaine, Lamassi, etc, are © Rubious and are not to be used without permission. This story is a work of fanfiction and is for entertainment purposes only.

Spoilers: Contains minor spoilers for both series.

Archive: fanfiction.net under "Rubious", mediaminer.org under "Rubious2", and my home page, Odango and Donuts, URL in bio info.

Notes: While on assignment with Ban and Ginji of the Get Backers, Meryl and Milly are drawn into danger as they meet old friends as well as foes in May City.

//thoughts//

*****

"Stryfe!" the claims department manager called out from the open door to his office, "Could you come in here please?"

Every employee in the room momentarily paused their activities; all heads swiveled to see Meryl Stryfe's reaction to the boss's request. As afternoon sunshine spilled through the windows, curious coworkers whispered amongst themselves about the meeting because it wasn't often an employee was summoned into the manager's office. The speculation was a welcome diversion from the monotony of yet another dull day at the Bernardelli Insurance Society.

But the others would be disappointed to see that any explosions wouldn't be forthcoming. Sighing as she pushed her chair back from the desk, Meryl walked quietly into the manager's office, shutting the door behind her.

"Please sit down," Mr. Lamassi said invitingly, gesturing for the subordinate to take a seat in one of the chairs before his messy, paper-strewn desk.

Meryl studied the man's facial expression for any clues for the sudden change to a friendlier tone of voice. She wondered why he seemed so jovial. Was it time for the quarterly performance reviews? Speculative rumors of impending downsizing were circulating through the office because the firm's financial situation had become dire after paying off the claims filed in the aftermath of the Augusta disaster.

She hoped she wouldn't become another statistic standing in the unemployment line. The insurance investigator knew her work hadn't been exemplary since returning from her assignment to monitor Vash the Stampede, but dismissed it as part of the trouble in readjusting to the office routine. The real cause of her distraction was the Humanoid Typhoon dominating her thoughts. Meryl's undeclared fondness for him preyed on her mind, causing her to lose focus on her daily reports.

Lamassi sensed the uneasiness in the usually confident woman sitting across the desk from him. //With all of the rumors swirling around about the company's future, I would be too, especially if I didn't know the reason for being called in to see the boss.//

In twenty years with the firm, he had worked his way through the ranks from an entry-level job to his current upper management position and he was known for his genuinely caring attitude he exhibited for the employees in his department.

The boss felt the new assignment would be the stimulus to improve Meryl Stryfe's work, which had been lagging in quality recently. It suited her talents particularly well and also could possibly lift her sagging spirits from the doldrums.

He leaned forward in his seat, elbows resting on the edge of the desk, and spoke in a non-threatening manner. "Meryl, the Bernardelli Insurance Society is moving in a new direction and…" A telephone call interrupted him. "Excuse me," he said to Meryl and quietly finished the phone conversation.

The momentary pause sent Meryl's heartbeat racing, causing her to take a deep breath to try to steady her growing anxiety. //This is it. I'm getting laid off. Maybe Milly is too. What are we going to do?// A memory of Milly washing the windows as punishment for her habitual tardiness. // But I'm more worried about Milly than myself.//

He hung up the phone and apologized for the interruption, "Sorry about that. Now where was I?"

Meryl concentrated on what the manager was saying. "We want you be in the forefront. Because of the huge claims paid out after the tragedy in Augusta, the company is beginning a loss prevention program in an effort to curb potential claims. We have engaged the services of a unique team that specializes in retrieving stolen items; therefore if the missing items are recovered, the firm won't have to pay any claims for stolen property."

She sighed with relief, grateful that her worries of impending unemployment were dispelled.

Lamassi smiled, seeing that his employee wasn't unnerved by his announcement. "Because of your recent experiences in loss prevention on your last assignment," referring to Meryl's travels with Vash the Stampede, "I'm recommending that you and Milly Thompson be chosen to work with the retrieval team."

The insurance investigator's face brightened when she heard that Milly would be working with her again. "Thank you, sir, for choosing me for this new project. We won't let you down." Not wanting to appear overly eager, she paused a few seconds before asking, "Can you tell me any more details about this assignment?"

"In fact, Meryl, I can. You will be meeting the retrieval team shortly." He directed his secretary over the intercom to alert Milly to escort the two visitors waiting in the lobby to his office.

Several minutes later, Milly Thompson, who had been reassigned to receptionist duty several weeks earlier, knocked on Mr. Lamassi's door.

"Come in," Lamassi said.

>"Mr. Lamassi, the members of the retrieval team are here for the meeting. Is there anything else you need?" the tall brunette reported cheerfully.

"Milly, gentlemen, please have a seat," the manager motioned to the newcomers to sit down in his office. Milly took a seat next to Meryl while two handsome young men plopped down on the sofa.

"Hi, Meryl. I didn't know you were here for the meeting too," Milly whispered.

"Yes. I've got some great news to share." Glancing over at the two new arrivals, she asked in a hushed voice, "Who are those guys?"

"They're the Get Backers. Ginji Amano is the blond and the guy with the sunglasses is Ban Mido. We had a great time chatting in the lobby," Milly answered.

"There's just something about Ban," Meryl remarked uneasily of the blue-eyed man peering at them.

While the two women discussed their first impressions, the blond Get Backer smiled at them and nudged his partner, "Ban-chan, the girls seem very nice. The short one reminds me of Himiko."

Ban eyed the insurance women over his round-lensed glassed. He noted Meryl's resemblance to a former colleague who had vowed to kill him, but he was presently more concerned with their financial situation. The Bernardelli job had come along at an opportune time because the men had been eking out a day-by-day existence.

Lamassi got everyone's attention and brought the meeting to order. He gestured to the recovery team to introduce themselves to Milly and Meryl.

Rising from the sofa, Ban stood with his arms akimbo, his long white shirttails hanging untucked from the baggy black pants and began his boastful speech. "We are the Get Backers. I'm Ban Mido and he's Ginji Amano." Ginji smiled at the mention of his name. "Our slogan is `If something is stolen, we'll steal it back.' And our success rate is 100%."

"Is that true?" Meryl inquired, skeptical of the youthful newcomer's claims. In the seat next to her, Milly giggled because the 18-year-old was behaving like the pro wrestlers she used to watch on Saturday morning television with her brothers, who exhibited an arrogant tone while they exhorted their fans to "say their prayers, eat their vitamins, and that they vowed to open a can of whupass on their opponents." [1]

Lamassi assured the older investigator he had verified the information and that one of the references provided, the proprietor of the Honky Tonk Café, had recommended them highly.

Stepping from behind his desk, the manager continued, "Gentlemen…"

Meryl muttered, "Yeah, right." Milly glared reproachfully at her coworker. Luckily, the Get Backers didn't hear her rude remark.

Resuming his statement, Lamassi spoke positively, "The Bernardelli insurance investigators traveling with you are top-notch agents who earned high praise for their work in handling Vash the Stampede. You'll be working with Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson on this assignment."

"Excuse me, but who is Vash the Stampede?" Ginji asked, curiosity etched on his face.

For a moment, Meryl couldn't believe her ears. Someone hadn't heard of the notorious Humanoid Typhoon?

"Have you been living under a rock? Everyone's heard of Vash!" she blurted, and then she immediately regretted her outburst. She didn't want to offend the people she'd she had just met and would be working with.

"Actually we live in Ban's car," the blonde answered matter-of-factly.

"Sorry if we're not up to date, but we're new in town," Ban said firmly.

In an effort to avert any further verbal sparring, Milly interjected, "Chief, so what is our next assignment."

Relieved to see any differences nipped at an early stage, Lamassi explained, "I'm glad you asked. Our records indicate that theft claims for valuable firearms in May City soar in conjunction with the annual Quick Draw Tournament. Your mission is to act as the company's representatives and handle any claims that may be filed during the event. If there are any reports of stolen property, the Get Backers will handle the recovery effort."

"Isn't it the police department's job to handle thefts?" Meryl wondered. Privately, she was glad the Get Backers weren't displaying any ill feeling towards her.

"They're currently investigating a wave of robberies in the region, which might be attributed to an organized crime ring operating in the area. If you come across any useful information, please cooperate with the authorities," Lamassi answered. Looking at his employees, he said, "Since you were in May City for last year's tournament, you'll be on familiar ground for this assignment."

"When do we leave?" Meryl asked.

"Tomorrow morning. Meet here at 9am sharp."

"We'll be there," Ban Mido said, sauntering out the door.

In the lobby en route to their car, Ginji remarked, "It'll be good to sleep in a soft bed for once."

Ban readily agreed, "Right. It gets cramped sleeping in the car and it's murder on my back."

*****

Several women had gathered in the staff lounge, drinking coffee and gossiping about the closed-door meeting in Lamassi's office. "Oh, my, those dudes were hot! Milly and Meryl are so lucky to be going with those hunks. I bet…" one secretary said.

"Come on, those girls are too old for those guys. If they did hook up with the guys, they'd be robbing the cradle," a nineteen-year old intern snidely remarked.

"Stacy, Milly and Meryl are only a couple of years older than you," retorted the first employee.

"They're old hags!" Stacy said emphatically, the green viper of jealousy flashing its fangs in her barbed comments.

"Don't let them hear you say that," another woman warned. Meryl's temper and Milly's imposing stature intimidated others into holding their tongues lest they would receive a sharp-edged retort or if things became heated, a shot from a well-aimed derringer.

"Ladies, that's enough!" The senior administrative assistant, a woman in her early sixties, admonished the younger employees, her forehead wrinkling in disapproval. "Our two coworkers are very professional. Nothing will happen. Even if anything did, it's none of our business. Now get back to work before Mr. Lamassi comes around, wondering why his office staff is wasting company time."

Stacy held her tongue, not willing to risk the wrath of the older woman who was in charge of the final grading on her performance in the work-study program. Privately, she wished the bitchy crone's dentures would fall out.

Exiting the room, the haughty intern accidentally bumped into Meryl and Milly, who were en route to the bus stop where they would catch the uptown bus near their apartment, and mumbled an insincere apology.

Milly nodded cordially and the pair continued on their way.

A man who had just returned from a weeklong conference that day carried a stack of folders into the room. Glancing over his shoulder, he asked the intern, "Where are the Danger Girls off to?" She told him what little information she knew about it.

The investigators were unaware of the moniker their fellow employees had bestowed upon them. "Danger Girls" was apropos for the duo as they had a penchant for being assigned to perilous missions as evidenced in their high-risk duty of monitoring Vash the Stampede.

While they would be traveling to familiar territory, the morning would bring the start of a new adventure where the future would collide with the past and painful memories would resurface.

*****

To be continued...

Author's Notes

[1] Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin inspired Ban's speech.

[2] Danger Girl was a popular Image comic in the mid-`90s by J. Scott Campbell and Alex Garner. Wildstorm/DC recently published a Danger Girl one-shot.