Lupin The Third: The Gunslinger's Lament

Chapter 21

Author's Note: I'm sure an intelligent reader, and one far smarter than I, could point out the flaws in my understanding of physics and aerodynamics in this chapter. However, do keep in mind that this is a work of fiction - and an anime, at that! So fictional laws apply. ;)
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The men stiffened.

Jigen was the first to react.

"Sergio!? You bastard!"

Sergio offered Jigen a menacing grin over Ruby's shoulder. But before he could speak, Fujiko stepped forward.

"Sergie!" she hissed. "What the hell are you doing? This isn't what we discussed!"

If those words weren't ever damning...

Not only was Sergio Jr. on the plane, but now it was official... Ruby was right all along. Fujiko was in cahoots with the slimy bastard! Lupin shook his head in dismay.

"C'mon, Fujiko... Really?"

Jigen grit his teeth hard. "Are you really fucking surprised, Lupin!?"

"Ruby had it right all along!" said Goemon. "How can you truly be such a fool?"

Neither the arguing, nor even the claims of Ruby having it right all along... None of it could save Ruby. At this point, it didn't really feel that great, being right. Now, the point was moot.

"Sorry, baby," said Sergio with an apologetic shrug at Fujiko. "You may have been using me to get to Aderlass. But I was using you, too." His malevolent gaze moved back to Jigen. "I was using you to get to Daisuke Jigen."

Jigen shook his head. "Damn it all..."

Ruby's face was paler if possible. With Sergio's gun pressed to her head, they could all see in her eyes just how frightened she was. And in that moment, every single one of them – even Fujiko – felt acutely for the girl.

But the look was fleeting. For as Sergio tapped her head twice with the barrel of his gun and said, "Drop the piece, sweetheart," not only did Ruby comply, her arm falling limp and dropping the gun; her entire demeanor, from her defeated posture to the expression on her face, to the look in her eyes went from fear...

... to acceptance.

It was a look of a girl who felt she had nothing left to live for. It was the look of a girl who was ready and willing to die. And it practically killed them all to see it. A girl so full of life was losing her will to live.

"Sergio," demanded Jigen. "If you wanted me, you didn't have to do this... You should've just come and got me! Just faced me like a damned man!"

Sergio grit his teeth as he pressed the barrel of the gun harder against Ruby's temple. "I am a man. I'm the man that's going to destroy you from the inside-out, Daisuke."

"So," Lupin addressed Sergio. "You used Fujiko to get to Jigen. But if you're on this plane... I suppose..." His eyes flicked in the direction of the cockpit. "...the pilot of this flight was also paid a handsome sum."

Jigen glared at the cockpit. "MENDOZA!"

"I'm sorry, Jigen," came the voice from the intercom. And to his credit, Mendoza did sound sorry. "I never really left the Riccis. Not the way you thought I did. They made me an offer I couldn't refuse. There's nothing I can do. Just... don't make this any harder than it needs to be."

The intercom shut off and there was silence. Nothing more Jigen shouted at Mendoza was granted any sort of response. The line had gone dead, as it were.