Guldrin’s Gluttony: Family Bound by Speed & Food

Beckman leaned back in her chair, her expression momentarily unreadable. The silence stretched between them like a taut wire, both sides weighing the stakes of this unexpected negotiation. 

The tension was palpable, as though the entire room held its collective breath, waiting to see who would blink first.

"Royalties," Beckman said finally, her tone neutral but laced with a subtle challenge. "Do you even understand what you're asking for, Guldrin? Government contracts aren't exactly built on the premise of handing over a slice of the pie for every unit produced."

"I understand perfectly," Guldrin shot back, his voice sharper now, a spark of irritation evident. "You're sitting on a design that wouldn't even exist if it weren't for me, a kid. You've already invaded my privacy, bugged my home, and now you're dangling information about my own family in front of me like it's some kind of prize I have to earn? Don't talk to me about fairness, General."

Beckman's eyes narrowed, her composure hardening like stone. "Watch your tone, young man. You might be clever, but you're not untouchable."

"Oh, is that a threat?" Guldrin snapped, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "Because it sure sounds like one. Let me spell it out for you, General: I'm not some chess piece you can move around the board. I've got skills, resources, and frankly, a lot less to lose than you seem to think. You want my designs? Fine. You want to keep playing Big Brother with your bugs? Knock yourself out, but Casey will continue to be messed with by internet memes.

Casey clenched his teeth and growled, "I knew it… I knew you were doing it on purpose! Ugh… hours and hours of mind-numbing music! You did it on purpose…" He fumed but Guldrin and Shiro just smirked while Guldrin continued, "But don't you dare try to leverage my past, my lost family, against me. That's not negotiation; that's extortion."

Shiro placed a hand on Guldrin's shoulder, a silent gesture of support, though her eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and pride. Guldrin took a breath, steadying himself before continuing.

"Here's my counter," he said, his voice calmer but no less firm. "You give me everything you have on my family. Every file, every shred of intel, no matter how insignificant you think it is. In return, you get the knife design, exclusive rights, even. But I get a royalty, and I set the terms. Ten percent of every unit sold. No exceptions."

Beckman leaned forward, her hands clasped tightly together on the desk. "Five percent. And the intel stays classified unless I determine it's safe to disclose."

"Ten," Guldrin countered without missing a beat, "and you don't get to decide what's 'safe.' You hand over everything, unedited, unredacted. I'll decide what's important."

The General's jaw tightened, the barest flicker of frustration crossing her face. "Seven percent. Final offer. And the intel… will be reviewed for security risks.You are a kid, you don't know what this information could cause if it ever came out."

Guldrin's eyes blazed with defiance. "Nine percent. No reviews, no redactions. You've already invaded my life, General. The least you can do is stop playing gatekeeper to the only thing that might help me make sense of it."

"You're overestimating your leverage," Beckman said coldly.

"And you're underestimating my patience," Guldrin shot back. "Nine percent, and I promise if I plan to sell any more of my ideas, I will first contact you personally with the first offer. This isn't a governmental deal, this is me making connections with a famous general. I won't give you exclusive rights to all my work, but if they are useful, cutting-edge, or dangerous, then I will contact you." 

Beckman's steely expression faltered for the briefest moment. Guldrin's audacity was undeniable, and his confidence, while borderline infuriating, had a certain charm. Her instincts as a tactician urged her to seize the opportunity, but she couldn't let him walk away thinking he'd dictated terms to the United States government.

"Eight percent," she said, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "And you will notify me of all designs you create, whether or not you think they're cutting-edge or dangerous. I'll have first right of refusal. That's non-negotiable."

Guldrin crossed his arms, his golden eyes narrowing. "Eight and a half. And I'll notify you of designs related to weapons, tools, or tech that could be used militarily if I plan to sell them. You don't get a peek at my every little invention. Some things are personal. First right of refusal will be yours."

Beckman sat back in her chair, tapping her fingers rhythmically against the polished surface of her desk. She was weighing the options, and calculating the risks versus benefits. Guldrin's offer was unprecedented, no civilian, let alone a child, had ever approached her with such boldness. Yet, there was a strange logic to his terms, and the potential payoff could outweigh the inherent risks.

"Done," she said finally, her tone clipped. "Eight and a half percent. You'll notify me of anything with potential military applications. Also, upon meeting your family, you will help establish communication between us. In return, I'll provide the unredacted intel we have on your family, but be warned if any of this information jeopardizes national security, there will be consequences. "

Guldrin smirked, his posture relaxing slightly. "Consequences, huh? You mean like the ones I could have dished out after finding your bugs in my home? Let's not pretend, General. This is a two-way street. You're getting just as much out of this as I am."

Beckman's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't argue, after understanding the breach in their security systems, she knew that wasn't an empty threat. Instead, she motioned to an aide just out of view. A moment later, a secure data link was initiated, and a file transfer began on the screen in front of Guldrin and Shiro hijacked it and uploaded it to her tablet.

Seeing Shiro's actions, Beckman and everyone else wanted to comment on it but chose to stay silent. "This is everything we have," Beckman said. "You'll find records, reports, and… some personal notes. It's not a complete picture, but it's a start."

Guldrin leaned forward, his expression softening for the first time during their exchange. The sight of the files, labeled with names he didn't yet recognize, filled him with a strange mixture of hope, familiarity, and apprehension. He reached out to touch the screen, hesitating for a brief moment before opening the first document.

Shiro, who had been silently observing, placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "Whatever's in there," she said quietly, "you're not alone in this. Nothing you learn will change how I feel about you, or mother-in-law, Mia, Father-in-law, or anyone else feels."

He glanced at her, his gratitude unspoken but deeply felt, and then returned his attention to the screen. The first document was a dossier, detailing a man who bore a striking resemblance to him. The name listed was unfamiliar, 'Jin ?????? Goldblood,' but the face, there was no mistaking the familial connection.

He had shortish vibrant purple hair, a scowl on his face, and all the evidence of a man who fights for a living, scars across his body, ripped beyond belief, and appeared to be unconcerned about the world around him.

"You didn't think to tell me I had a father out there somewhere?" Guldrin said, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief.

"We didn't know the full extent of his connection to you," Beckman replied. "He disappeared years ago, presumed dead when the calamity fell on your family. The only reason you, your mother, and your sister survived, was that you were in a different part of the country for some unspecified reason. Anyways, moving on," 

She paused and allowed him to display the next part of the document, "Next is your Mother, Unohana Goldblood, and your sister, Rindo Kobayashi… She has dropped the Goldblood name to avoid trouble and assumed the disguise of a red-haired woman.

The room seemed to grow impossibly still as Guldrin absorbed the weight of Beckman's words. His fingers hovered over the screen, scrolling through the files with a tentative mix of awe and trepidation. Every line, every photograph, every thread of information pieced together a puzzle he hadn't even known existed. It was overwhelming, yet he couldn't look away.

He opened the next file, marked with the name Unohana Goldblood. The picture attached was hauntingly elegant, she is a woman with serene yet piercing eyes and a demeanor that spoke of unshakable strength. Her jet-black hair with purple highlights was immaculately tied back in two elegant braids, and at her side was the sword Beckman explained she was never seen without. Always present, always ready. 

The notes described her as the head of multiple companies that once belonged to the Goldblood family before their fall, and her movements were enigmatic at best. She had seemingly disappeared from public life, yet her influence was palpable in every industry her companies touched.

"Never leaves her sword," Guldrin murmured, the words sticking in his mind like an unanswered riddle. He focused on the blade, it was a long katana, a red hilt with golden embroidery, and a purple sheath; no photos have ever captured it having been drawn.

Shiro leaned over his shoulder, her gaze narrowing at the screen. "That's unusual. Most people in positions of power don't feel the need to carry weapons, especially in the circles she operates in, and a cold weapon at that."

"She's not most people," Guldrin replied quietly, his voice heavy with an emotion he couldn't quite name. Was it admiration? Or the echo of something deeper, more personal? He wasn't sure yet. Was it a memory?

Then came the file on Rindo Kobayashi. His sister. The photo startled him, it was a striking woman with wild red hair and a mischievous grin that seemed to radiate chaos; something about her stirred feelings inside him. 

The report detailed her current identity as a celebrated graduate of Totsuki Culinary Academy, a fact that added another layer of disbelief to Guldrin's mounting revelations. She had changed her name, buried her ties to the Goldbloods, and carved out a life of her own in the culinary world. Yet, even in the grainy surveillance photos, he could see it: the unmistakable family resemblance.

"She's a chef?" Guldrin asked, incredulity creeping into his tone.

"One of the best," Beckman confirmed. "Her talent is undeniable, and her reputation at Totsuki is stellar, she was the second seat of the big ten when she graduated. She's kept her distance from anything connected to the Goldblood name, likely for her safety."

"Safety from what?" Shiro asked, her tone sharp with suspicion. "What aren't you telling us, General?"

Beckman hesitated, her composed mask cracking ever so slightly. "The Goldbloods wasn't a simple everyday family. They were involved in... let's call them delicate matters, industries, and dealings all over the globe that made them powerful but also made them enemies. When their downfall came, it wasn't only financial. It was a calculated effort to erase them entirely. Even to this day, the truth of what happened is mired in shadows."

Guldrin's grip on the tablet tightened. "And you think those enemies are still out there?"

"Unquestionably," Beckman said. "That's why Rindo went into hiding, why Unohana operates from the shadows, and why your existence has been a closely guarded secret. If certain parties knew you were alive..." She let the implication hang in the air.

Guldrin's jaw clenched. "You didn't protect them, did you? The government just stood by and let it happen."

Beckman's expression hardened again. "The situation was... complex. There were alliances, betrayals, things you're too young to understand. But make no mistake, we've been monitoring the situation ever since. The ones responsible have been surveilled since then, at least the ones we could connect to the downfall. Something about how it all happened has left the world stumped, the truth is long hidden."

"Monitoring," Guldrin echoed bitterly. "That's at least something…"

Shiro placed a calming hand on his arm, but her eyes never left Beckman on the screen. "You've given us the files. Now what? What do you expect him to do with this information?"

"That depends entirely on him," Beckman replied. "Our arrangement was for disclosure, not interference. How he chooses to proceed is his decision."

Guldrin stared at the screen, his thoughts a chaotic whirlwind. Part of him wanted to march out of the room and start searching for answers, for his family, for closure. 

But another part of him, the part shaped by years of survival and mistrust, urged caution. These files, as enlightening as they were, felt like a double-edged sword.

"Unohana, Mom…" he said finally, his voice steady but low. "Where is my birth mother?"

Beckman hesitated, then motioned to the tablet. "The last verified sighting was in Kyoto, but that was months ago. She's elusive, and her movements are difficult to track. As of yet, no sightings have been reported, but she seems to be scouring the world in search of any traces of you, all while taking out any criminal organizations in her way."

"And Rindo, my sister?"

"She's currently in the savanna searching for unique and exotic ingredients. We have sent some people to search for her, the intent is to hire her for a job and then present her with the information that you are still alive. Make no mistake, neither has given up finding you, both have been searching using their own methods."

Guldrin stared at the tablet, the weight of Beckman's words pressing down on him. Kyoto. The savanna. His mother and sister were out there, separated by continents but bound by the same mission, finding him. For a moment, the room felt suffocating, the enormity of it all threatening to overwhelm him.

Shiro tightened her grip on his arm, her touch grounding him. Her voice was soft, yet firm. "You've waited this long. They've waited this long. We can figure this out together, Guldrin. No need to rush into anything unprepared."

Guldrin nodded, his jaw tightening as he inhaled deeply. "Fine," he said, his voice quiet but resolute. "Let's assume this plan to reach Rindo works. What's the contingency if it doesn't? I'm not interested in chasing ghosts or walking into traps."

Beckman straightened, her demeanor steely. "The plan is sound, but should it fail, we'll pivot. Your family has resources, even as fragmented as they are. Rindo has proven adept at slipping through the cracks of the most powerful networks. If anyone can reconnect the dots, it's her. As for Unohana..." Beckman hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Let's just say she's more of a force of nature than a person. If she realizes you're alive, you won't need to find her, she'll come to you."

"So the kid has a powerful mother scouring the world for him… And… That sword…" He shivered, "Is she the rumored: Death Sword?" Beckman shot him a look that screamed, "Shut Up,"  

The thought stirred something in Guldrin, a mixture of hope and unease. The mother he'd never known was a shadowy figure, wielding a reputation powerful enough to unnerve even Beckman. What kind of woman was she? And what would she think of him after all these years?

"Your mother's sword," Shiro interjected, her sharp intellect slicing through the tension. "Why does she carry it everywhere? It's not typical, even for someone constantly on guard."

Beckman regarded Shiro with a flicker of respect. "Unohana's sword isn't a simple weapon. It's a symbol of her identity, her resolve. From what little we know, it holds deep personal significance, perhaps even a connection to her past as a Goldblood. She's never been seen without it, not even during the times she's gone into hiding. Rumor has it, and take these as you will, that this sword has magical, or supernatural abilities."

Shiro absorbed this, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "A constant reminder of her fight, or a shield against those who would try to erase her?"

"Perhaps both," Beckman replied. "But make no mistake. She's fighting back in her own way, dismantling the same networks that sought to destroy your family. At least, that is what we have been able to gather."

Guldrin's lips curled into a bitter smile. "A family legacy of making enemies and burning bridges. Seems I fit right in."

Shiro shot him a warning look, but Beckman spoke before she could. "Your family's enemies are powerful, yes. But they underestimated the Goldbloods' resilience. That resilience is why you're still alive, Guldrin. Don't dismiss it."

He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment. The conversation was a whirlwind of revelations and unspoken dangers, each thread leading to more questions. He felt the pull of something greater than himself, a legacy he didn't ask for but couldn't ignore.

When he opened his eyes again, Guldrin felt as though the air in the room had changed. The weight of the conversation still lingered, but something inside him had shifted. He was a Goldblood, a scion heir of a legacy that had been all but erased, yet still had threads of power woven into the fabric of the world, but he was also a Toretto… That would never change, could he be both? Nah, it isn't a question, he was both. 

The revelation both scared and invigorated him. This was something far more dangerous and complex than he could have ever imagined.

Guldrin's gaze snapped back to Beckman, who was watching him closely, as if waiting for him to make the next move. She seemed to sense the shift in his demeanor, her eyes narrowing with a new understanding of the resolve she saw taking root in him.

"You don't have to decide everything right now," Beckman said, her voice gentle but carrying an undercurrent of authority. "But time is short. People are already looking for you. They've been looking for years, and they won't stop just because you're hidden away. Rindo might be the key to finding your family, but she's also a target, just like you."

"I know," Guldrin replied, his voice calm despite the storm of thoughts raging inside him. "And that's why I want to take control of this. You'll handle the initial contact with Rindo. If they want to find me, they'll have to come to me." 

His eyes met Beckman's, and for the first time, he saw a flicker of respect in her gaze. "I'm done being hidden. I'll expose myself, and if they want to try something... well, they'll regret it."

Shiro gave him a sideways glance but didn't say anything. She knew better than anyone that Guldrin was never one to back down, especially when he was dealing with matters that involved his family, or lack thereof. 

She had seen this determination before, a dangerous spark in his eyes that could lead him to make reckless decisions, but she also knew that this time, something was different. He wasn't acting out of anger or frustration. There was a deeper purpose in his actions now.

Beckman nodded slowly, as if weighing the implications of his decision. "That's the spirit. You'll have to be prepared for the consequences. There are people who would want to silence you, and they won't care about the method."

"Good," Guldrin said simply, standing up and adjusting his jacket. He turned to face the door, his mind already focused on the next steps.

Beckman stood as well, motioning through the screen to the nearby console. "Before you go, there's one more thing you need to do to fulfill your end of the agreement."

Guldrin raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"I need the files," she replied, her voice taking on a businesslike tone. "The ones containing the designs for your fishing knife and sword. You promised to provide them, and I expect you to follow through."

Without hesitation, Shiro walked over to the console and tapped a few keys on the touchpad, accessing the encrypted files. He had designed both the fishing knife and the sword with precise care, tools that were versatile weapons. 

They were an extension of himself, crafted for specific purposes. The fishing knife was a versatile tool that could be used for more than just catching fish as it started off being, it was a combat knife, with high tensile strength wire, capable of enduring immense force without breaking. The blade was honed to perfection, and its handle was crafted for optimal grip, ensuring that it could be wielded efficiently in any situation.

But the most unique feature of the knife was its electroshock capabilities. The base of the handle contained a miniature, advanced hidden power source that could generate high-intensity electroshock when triggered. The shock was enough to incapacitate a person for a few seconds, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks. 

But Guldrin had taken it a step further. The knife was equipped with a red button located near the hilt. If pressed, the voltage surged tenfold, creating an incapacitating wave of electrical energy that could disable even the toughest targets, and kill should it continue beyond the threshold of safety.

Shiro uploaded the design files directly into the system, watching as they transferred smoothly onto Beckman's servers. When the transfer was complete, Guldrin turned to face her on the screen. "There. It's all in your hands now."

Beckman nodded, but her eyes lingered on him, appraising him as if measuring the weight of his decision. "Good. Now, I expect you'll honor your commitment to us as well. You've given us the tools. We'll help you with your family. But remember, this is just the beginning. You've opened a door, and there's no turning back."

Guldrin didn't flinch. "I'm not backing down. But make no mistake, I am not joining the government, I and Shiro are more like freelance contractors and inventors."

Beckman's lips curled into a faint smile. "I didn't think you would."

Turning to Casey, who had been standing off to the side, arms crossed and watching the interaction with intense scrutiny, Beckman motioned for him to approach. "Take the knife. Test it. We need to know if it's as effective as the designs suggest."

Casey raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. He walked over to the table where Guldrin had placed the knife, his large hands closing around the handle. He felt the weight of it immediately, noting the balance and the quality of craftsmanship that went into its design. It was a weapon, but it felt more like an extension of the user. The grip was solid, and the blade seemed to hum with potential.

"Let's see what this thing can do," Casey muttered to himself.

Casey gripped the knife tightly, testing its weight in his hand as if trying to gauge its potential. His knuckles flexed, and his fingers adjusted around the handle, making sure the fit was just right. It felt almost natural to him, like it was designed to be wielded with precision and power. 

He turned, his eyes narrowing with a smile that could only be described as dangerous.

"Alright," he said, grinning at the others in the room, "time to test this baby out."

Without another word, he moved toward the nearby training dummy, one of those life-sized, practice figures that simulate a real body, used for testing weapons and techniques. He planted the dummy firmly in place, adjusting its height and stance, before taking several paces back. The others watched quietly, knowing what was coming next. Chuck and Sarah exchanged a glance, both knowing they'd probably be witnessing something over the top.

Casey raised the knife, inspecting the blade one last time as he prepared to test it. His expression was deadly serious, and anyone who'd seen him in action before could tell he was enjoying this a little too much. 

With a sharp exhale, he lunged forward, the knife slicing through the air in a quick, controlled arc. The blade met the training dummy with a dull thud, and the figure's head flew off with startling precision.

Chuck blinked. "Whoa… That is scary."

Sarah shot him a side-eye but couldn't hide the amusement playing at the corner of her lips. "He definitely knows how to use a knife. Casey may have found his new favorite toy."

Casey didn't stop there, though. As soon as the headless dummy sagged in its stand, Casey was already moving again, spinning the knife in his grip. 

His motions were fluid and practiced, each slice following the last in an almost rhythmic sequence. The knife cut deep into the dummy's midsection, tearing through the fabric, ballistic gel, and simulated organs with ease. 

He then pulled back and jabbed it forward, his strength sinking the blade into the target's chest, driving it in with a satisfying grunt.

"Damn, this thing is sharp," Casey muttered to himself, thoroughly impressed. He took a step back, studying the dummy for a moment before he turned to Guldrin, the gleam in his eyes now matching the intensity of his previous strike. "This thing's a beauty."

"Not bad for a test run," Guldrin said casually, leaning back against a wall, Shiro leaning on him. His arms were wrapped around her as he observed, but his expression remained nonchalant, even though the satisfaction of seeing his work in action seemed to please him.

Chuck, ever the curious observer, leaned forward. "So... what's the deal with the red button on the handle? Is that like the red button Morgan pushed and took out the power grid?"

"Nah, I fixed that already, no more electric malfunctions," Guldrin spoke and gestured for Casey to continue.

Casey didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned the knife over in his hands, giving the red button a pointed look. A grin spread across his face as he traced his thumb across the button's surface, his eyes gleaming with something dangerously close to excitement.

"Guess it's time to see," he said, the thrill in his voice palpable. Without hesitation, he pressed the button.

A sudden, electric hum filled the room as the voltage inside the knife surged to life. 

The atmosphere seemed to crackle with energy, and for a moment, the air felt charged with tension. A crackling blue glow sparked from the blade, and Casey grinned wider, like a kid in a candy store. 

He thrust the knife forward again, this time with an unrestrained, almost reckless force.

The dummy's body convulsed violently, jerking as if it were a marionette caught in a storm of raw energy. The sheer force of the electrical current sent it flying off its stand, crashing to the ground in a heap of charred fabric and splintered straw. The smell of scorched material and ozone filled the room. As it flew across the room, he shot the high tensile strength wire at it and yanked the dummy back, all while the electricity flowed down the wire.

"Well... that's one way to test it," Chuck said, his voice a little too stunned for his own comfort. "Uh, Casey, I think you broke it."

Sarah's mouth twitched as she tried, and failed, to hold back a chuckle. "I think you broke everything, Casey."

Casey was unfazed, still holding the knife with a sense of satisfaction that bordered on glee. "That's what I call a clean kill."

Power is back, and the area is a mess, but all in all, I am back to work. Hopefully, there are no mistakes, if there are, feel free to point them out and I will fix them

(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You! Leave reviews and comments, they motivate me to continue.)