Copyright 2001, 2002
Julian McKenzie
Shenmue II Possible Outcome
by Paul Forest © 2001
Chapter One: Into China
Chapter Two: Aberdeen
Chapter Three: The Darkside of Aberdeen
Chapter Four: The Heavens Open
Chapter One: Into China
As Ryo left the docks at Yokosuka, he was thinking about everything he was leaving behind, Nozomi, who he could possibly never see again. Ine-san and Fuku-san people who had been great to him since his fathers death. Although Ryo had been out most of the time, they were still there for him, he even knew Ine-san's scoldings were supposed to be in good spirit. He was leaving behind his education, something his father had wanted him to do well in and Ryo was always forced to study hard before his exams, possibly why he was a good student. Ryo was also thinking about everyone he left behind, his new friends Goro and Mark, Gui Zhang (Who Ryo doubted would be along soon due to his injury when kicking the girder), Master Chen and all his friends from school, especially Ichiro and Naoyuki.
But what Ryo was mainly thinking of was what lay ahead of him, in China. Who was Zhu Yun Da and why did Master Chen owe him such a debt. Also would Zhu lead Ryo to Lan-di, and who was this girl who Ryo kept dreaming of. He wished it would all be answered very soon. Ryo headed down from the top balcony of the ship to the level below (which was the level which Ryo first walked on when coming onto the boat.) There weren't many people on the boat, a few of Master Chen's men who were sailors. They done the Hong Kong route several times a month with priceless antiques.
When Ryo got to his room, he noticed Master Chen had spared little expense in the rooms. It must have been the best on the ship but since the ship wasn't too good itself then it probably was the best on the boat. The room had a double bed, a chessboard for some reason, a large table with good quality wood and a chair to match, and several lights. The room was twice, almost three times as large as Ryo's bedroom at home, although he didn't like the dirty porthole windows which gave almost no light through during the day. "Daylight is natures way of showing you that light is a very important thing" as his father once said to him.
Ryo went to sleep at 7:30 that evening, he sat pondering over everything in his notebook. Who first told him where Lan-di was? As he flicked through the pages he realised it was Master Chen. How did he know? Ryo had earlier had something to eat with the crew in the Ships mess. The meal wasn't great, some type of fish. He didn't really like fish but when there is nothing else he'd eat it. Ryo didn't sit with the crew; he sat at a table at the side, away from everyone. One sailor sat across from him. This man who never gave a name, was talking about Hong Kong.
"Hong Kong is really big, although the boat doesn't land in Hong Kong port. It lands in a small Harbour called Aberdeen. Hong Kong City centre is a good few miles away from the port. We still land on Hong Kong Island though." Ryo decided the man seemed to know a bit about Hong Kong so he showed him the letter.
"Zhu Yun Da.. Hmmm." The man seemed to be in deep thought indicated by the finger tapping on his left cheek. "The name rings a bell but.."
"But what."
"I don't know it seems like I know him well yet I've never met him."
"What do you mean?"
"It's hard to explain kid but." the man paused.
"No I don't know him." He replied after a second or two.
"Okay thanks anyway."
Ryo later left the crew's mess to go to his room. It must have been the sea air because he would still be out at this time, 7:30. He slept still thinking of who Zhu Yun Da was.
The next morning he got up a lot later than usual, 9:50 probably because he couldn't really find out anymore because no one else seemed helpful enough. That day Ryo became friendly with the ships mate.
"We are approximately three quarters of the way across the East China Sea, we should arrive there early tomorrow morning. We were going to stop off for a short stay in Taiwan but we've had to cancel that because Master Chen has a large shipment of Antique goods going to Yokosuka." Ryo also asked him who Zhu Yun Da was and the man didn't know.
"I'm Japanese, I only know the people who take the goods on and off the boat." Ryo was just walking away from him when the man said.
"Oh yeah, by the way how much Hong Kong Dollars do you have."
"Hong Kong dollars?" Ryo said puzzled.
"Yeah that's the currency in Hong Kong, how much do you have."
"Well. None I only have Yen"
"Well how about you give me 50,000 yen and I'll give you 500 Hong Kong Dollars." Ryo though for a minute or two trying to figure it out how much it would be at a currency exchange. Ryo wondered though, how the man got hold of 500 Hong Kong dollars.
"How do you have 500 Hong Kong Dollars"
"On the last trip" The man replied "When we sold some of the Japanese Antiques they didn't have any Yen so they had to give us Hong Kong Dollars. Master Chen wanted me to exchange it for Yen in Hong Kong but kid, you'd be saving me a lot of hassle. What do you say?"
"Yeah ok." Ryo estimated that if the exchange rate was the same as this man was giving him then he could almost get another 60 or 70 dollars.
"I'll accept but on one condition."
"Name it."
"That before you leave you tell me everything I need to know. When do you head back to Yokosuka?"
"The day after tomorrow."
"Okay here you go" Ryo handed over the 50,000 yen to the man, he took his Hong Kong dollars from an envelope and held them out also. Both men checked they had been giving the right amount.
"Oh yeah and a second condition." Said Ryo.
"Yeah what"
"That you wake me up as soon as Hong Kong is visible"
"Okay I'll do that" said the man.
Ryo stayed up a bit later that night looking out over the ocean. It was so calm and peaceful, away from Lan-di, away from all of Ryo's troubles and then at 10:00 he went to his room and slept.
Ryo was woken up by the man early in the morning.
"Wake up son, Hong Kong is in sight. Oh by the way I didn't catch you're name."
"It's Ryo Hazuki."
"Ryo.Hazuki, from Yamanose?"
"Yeah how did you know"
"Everyone knows about your recent tragedy, shouldn't you be with your family."
"No, I." Ryo paused he couldn't tell the man he was after a man called Lan-di he could be working for him.
"It's your own problem, I'm James, James Smith. I was working as a forklift driver a few months ago but when my wife left me I looked for a better paying job. I heard a rumour that someone was hiring novice sailors and that I would be away from home. So I sold my flat and whenever I'm at a port I have a night in a hotel and I got to this rank because I was always covering for people when they were sick, but for some reason I never get sick."
"Well good for you." Ryo put on his jacket and left the room and looked out to the bay. It was quite a big bay and was lined with tall buildings and when they got closer. Ryo could see Aberdeen, in all it's glory. Although it's glory wasn't very glorious.
Chapter Two: Aberdeen
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