“Well, the Pucks are off limits to them, but you guys are planning on staying here after we leave, aren’t you?”
Yuko nodded. “I’ve been asked what I want to do, and Bethany Anne is setting something up for us to stay here in Japan. Akio and our team, plus another will be remaining behind. We will be representatives of the Queen.”
William said, “I imagine you’ll be left with a defensive suite and other toys as well so you’ll have Pucks and the ability to control them outside of the Japanese government. As long as they provide you land and support, your capabilities will be a strong force multiplier with theirs, so negotiate well on that aspect. Bethany Anne isn’t going to leave you weak, I’m sure.”
“No, and we will have Pods for travel and secondary locations if we have to run. But, my plan is to stay in the background as much as possible, go underground if possible.”
“It’s the hacker in you wanting to hide, isn’t it?” William asked.
“I am trying to think strategically,” Yuko said. “And I have asked Akio and the others how they stayed hidden for so long and they believe hiding has many benefits. So, when Akio finishes with his response to the attack, we will have many additional relationships, some owing us favors.”
“So, not quite the power behind the throne, but power the throne can call on?” William asked.
“Yes, I believe that is what we are working on. The Japanese government, of course, is the throne in this case, not the actual royal family, but the idea is there.”
William nodded. “With everything going on in the news, it’s becoming more and more obvious we’re heading for a showdown, aren’t we?”
Yuko thought about it for a moment. “Yes. Most likely. We see it on the dark web where you can buy and sell names for pennies on the dollar. Thieves in countries you can’t locate on a map steal from banks in the biggest cities in the world. The largest nations are preparing to destroy each other digitally each day, so anyone with half a clue should probably at least pay attention to it.”
“God, who needs the aliens to do us in, we’re doing it to ourselves,” William grunted. “Well, there are always bright spots, right?”
“Sure,” Yuko said. “We have new ways to generate power, which feeds into exciting ways to produce food which is one of the biggest problems we have. Then, there’s shelter, but with the 3D printing of cement coming along I understand they will be able to 3D print a house. With all of the sand in the desert, it seems likely we have some use for it.”
“Agreed, the promise is there, we just have to turn ourselves towards something other than trying to beat each other up, but that isn’t why Japan is helping us,” William said.
“No, they are setting up defenses and we,” she nodded to Akio, “are here to establish a hidden safe house for the UnknownWorld.”
William smiled. “That would be a big surprise for any country trying to attack. Run smack dab into the Empress’s own first battalion Wechselbalg brigade… those fuckers don’t know when to lay down and die!” he laughed.
“Well, sure, but covertly,” Yuko added.
“Of course. Let me show you some technology. We have a room temperature superconductor that will make their scientists cream in their… ahhh…. sorry!” William covered his face with his hands, “I blame Bobcat,” he said behind muffled hands. “He doesn’t teach me how to speak in front of ladies.”
“No,” Akio added from behind Yuko. “He does not.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Berlin, Germany
Terry kept quiet as he watched Melissa discuss the particulars with the other scientists. He and Melissa had a long, hard talk about a working relationship among adults.
Which is to say, Terry fought hard about acting like an adult until he got hard and he capitulated to all of her demands.
Every. Last. One. Of. Them.
Shit, he couldn’t even remember everything he promised to do. The only thing on his mind at the moment was how was he going to protect this damned expedition? They weren’t bringing along any of the German government’s special operatives because there was a chance they would run into the American Navy and they didn’t want an incident. Plus, this was supposed to be led by the industrialists, not the eggheads, which was a nice change.
Perhaps, maybe. Well, depending on the Idiot In Charge.
Fuck all, he needed to make a phone call.
He turned and nodded to the two guys manning the door. “Phone call, be back in ten.”
He stepped out into the street and walked a short way. He pulled up his phone, hit a shortcut and waited.
It went to voicemail.
“C’mon Robert, you owe me,” Terry mumbled and hit the number again. This time, it was picked up on the second ring.
“Okay buddy, you are getting in between me and some possible action, this had better be better than fucking good,” Robert complained in his ear.
“Love you too, sweetheart, and between you and me, your palm isn’t a hot date,” Terry replied.
“Ass.” Robert laughed. “What do you need, bro?”
“I possibly need a small group of mercenaries for a trip similar to the one I’ve taken recently, but this time going south.”
“How south?” Robert asked.
“All the way till hell freezes over south,” Terry rolled his eyes when he heard the snicker. “Yeah, freezing nuts and all.”
“Wait, don’t tell me,” Robert asked, his grin coming through loud and clear in his voice. “Melissa is involved?”
“Yes.”
“I thought she broke up with you?”
“I didn’t get the message,” Terry replied.
“The message that you were supposed to chase her?” Robert asked, “Didn’t you get that message with what’s her name back in school?”
“Apparently not, asswipe, and would you be so kind as to not mention previous flames anywhere near her?”
“I’m not, I’m in America, and you’re in Germany, right?”
“Yes, and frankly that isn’t far enough.”
Robert said, “Terry my friend, you have it baaaaad.”
“Tell me something I don’t know. I’m going to fucking Antarctica for her, so yeah, I know nothing fun is happening in frozen popsicle land horizontally speaking and I’m still willing to go. Plus, I’m suffering this phone call and all of your ridicule as well.”
“Not enough protection?” Robert asked.
“No, they got my name from somewhere, and they learned the German government isn’t lending any ops people, so I get to go hiring.”
“We aren’t cheap, buddy,” Robert grinned.
“Fucking double-dipper!” Terry replied. “Don’t give me that shit. Your, uh, previous employers would stand around in a circle-jerk for this opportunity.”
“I love it when you beg,” Robert said. “Man, I’ll check and they’ll probably okay it. But give me a couple of hours to get the right permissions and text me the dates and details. We’ll do a pick up on your way down south.”
“Great, I’ll owe you one, Robbie,” Terry answered.
“No, I’ve got that feeling. You still got something to pull out of the hat?”
“Same one as last time,” Terry admitted.
“That was the best one I’ve ever seen. So, it would be pretty hard to top it,” Robert pointed out.
“That’s true. Okay, I’m going to go back in, send me your merc outfit credentials and details so I can sell you guys.”
“Game on, brother,” Robert said and hung up the call.
Terry looked down at his phone and then looked left and then right down the street. He slipped the phone into his pocket and started walking back to the building. “You got that right, Robert. Game on, brother, game on.” He walked, his back straightening. Like his worries had been lessened, shared, among those who had been there, done that and walked out together.
Tokyo, Japan
Special Liaison Investigator Jiro Dai parked his car and sighed. Anot
her assignment to hand hold someone wanting special information on criminals. Someone who would probably want to hug the criminals and sing religious songs.
Not his type of people.
He grabbed his laptop and his badge and walked into the hotel, nodding to the people at the desk and taking the elevator to the top floor. He clarified his thinking. These were rich touchy-feely types.
Even worse.
The elevator dinged, and he stepped out, surprised to find someone on guard in front of the only door in the hallway.
Dai got the impression he had already been judged as a non-threat, and it was a little annoying to be dismissed so quickly.
The door opened, and another man stepped out. He had a sports bag filled with something light over his shoulder, and some canvas covering something long held in his other hand. He turned to the guard. “The Queen’s trust is in your hands, understand?”
“Hai!” The guard agreed, and the man turned his eyes toward Dai.
Dammit! Now he felt twice judged, and he was an ant. What the hell had his boss gotten him involved in? The man nodded and started towards the elevator Dai had exited. “We will have a long night Inspector, I hope you slept well?”
Dai turned around, looked at the guard then shrugged and followed the new guy back into the elevator.
Dai got in; the new guy hit the ground floor button. “My name is Akio, and tonight we will see the type of justice you have wanted for years, Inspector. I hope your stomach is up to the challenge of your desires.”
“What are you talking about?” Dai finally found his voice. “I was told to come to this address and help the person who wanted to communicate with criminals?”
Akio looked at him. “Investigator Jiro, this night will be about communication, but not equal communication. It will be about sending a message from the Vicereine who receives her instructions from my Queen to those who attacked her people. Attacking is never permitted without a response.”
“What? Who is the Queen we are talking about? Vicereine?” Dai was trying to get his wits about him.
The elevator dinged, and Akio stepped out and nodded to a man Dai hadn’t seen earlier. So, they had a watchman at the bottom, no wonder the upper guard hadn’t been worried about him.
It took Dai a few seconds to realize that Akio was retracing Dai’s steps right back to his own car. “You will need to drive us back to your home.”
“What, why?” Dai asked, sliding into his seat and popping the locks so Akio could get in.
Akio slid into the front seat and closed his door. “So there is a record of you being at home this evening. You do know you have a tracer on your police-issued car, yes?”
“Well, yes, I guess. I hadn’t thought about it before.” Dai pulled out of the Hotel’s superstructure and started driving back to his house. “Why am I doing this, again?”
“Because you are not the only one who is tired of the criminals hiding behind the law, and I will send a message they will understand for decades.”
“What message?” Dai asked, turning onto the freeway.
Akio answered, “You do not mess with the Queen’s people, or she will reply in kind.”
“Do I want to know her response? I understand you don’t wish to talk nicely with them.” Dai was surprised to hear the grim man chuckle.
“No. My Queen does not talk nicely to those who attack first. She will just respond.”
“You are talking about the incident from last week, aren’t you?” Dai asked, finally cluing in on the vague rumors and comments around the office. He had been working his own cases, so hadn’t listened too hard to office talk.
“Yes.”
“Then isn’t your response a little late?” Dai asked, turning off the freeway and then another turn down a side street.
“No. One does not create a night that will be remembered with hurried planning,” Akio told him.
That sounded ominous. “Just what are you going to do?”
Akio turned to Dai. “Send her response, of course. And make sure that it is understood and agreed something like last week will not be tried again.”
“How are you going to do that? I can’t do anything without special permission, and the NPA isn’t going to give me that.”
“No, all the NPA has done has allowed you and me to speak for a few minutes, making sure we understood that you were doing your best to handle the case, then you drove home. The information in your car’s GPS will corroborate your story as the data is sent real time back to your headquarters.”
Dai slowed and pulled into a small, narrow two-story and pushed the button for the garage to open. Pulling into the garage, he hit the button to close the door.
Akio got out and grabbed his bag. “Now, as they say in America, is where you decide if you want to take the red pill or the blue pill.”
“What?” Dai asked. “You mean the Matrix?”
“Yes, Inspector. Do you want to go to sleep, and learn about this in the morning like everyone else, or do you want to participate?”
Dai looked at the man two bags. “What is in those?”
Akio lifted the sports bag. “This one is my uniform,” he lifted the other, “These are my weapons.”
“Just you?”
“Inspector, you are ignorant of just what I am, or you would not be so questioning.”
“Okay,” Dai was agitated. “Tell me who I just let into my own house for reasons I’ve yet to truly understand to do what to people I probably would agree need stuff done to them.”
“Inspector, I’m retribution for my Queen. She has a message, and when she wants one of these messages sent, she sends the very best.”
“And you are?”
“I am,” Akio told him, “a Queen’s Bitch.”
—-
Dai couldn’t believe what he was doing. He watched as Akio changed into his uniform with a fanged skull emblem on the shoulder. He unrolled his pouch with two swords inside. One was very, very old but obviously well kept.
Akio had asked him one more time, ‘red pill or blue?’
“I’ll stick with red and see how far down the rabbit hole we go,” Dai said.
“Then you need to get on your protective gear. I don’t expect you to fight, but if someone shoots at you, you need to make sure you are as protected as best you can be.”
Now, he was putting on his bulletproof vest for maybe the second time in his career and his blood was starting to pump. This was happening, it was really happening.
He was going underground and helping someone who was going to take the fight back to those who flouted the law.
He was going all Dirty Harry on the criminals. The American police movies were some of his favorites.
He pulled his SIG P230 and strapped it on. His colleagues, those fighting the Yakuza were the few that carried the automatics.
“If we do this right,” Akio told him, “you will not use that tonight. We want to limit any proof you are anywhere but here. Keep your holster, but leave the SIG here, I’ll have something inside the Pod for you.”
Dai pressed his lips together, but Akio made sense. He put the gun down.
“How do we get to the roof?”
Dai stopped asking why all of the time. He sounded clueless, which he was, and he would find out soon enough.
The two men stepped outside and then made their way up the back steps that took them to his roof. Dai’s eyes opened as he realized there was a large black object hovering.
“Let’s go, Dai. We have messages to deliver tonight,” Akio said. Dai walked around to see Akio open the Pod doors and then reach behind the two seats and pull out a metal box. He pressed his thumb on the lock, and it popped open. He pulled out a pistol and handed it to Dai who took it and tried to see what it looked like in the dark.
“Look at it in the Pod, that is a Dukes’ Special. It fires metal slivers using rail-gun technology. I’m going to lock it to a maximum of power level four.”
“What does it go t
o?” Dai asked as Akio put the box back and pointed him to sit in the left chair. He sat down after holstering the pistol and started locking himself in as Akio sat, strapped himself and the doors shut, and the screen lit up with holographic controls.
“The pistols,” Akio said as the view out the window showed the neighborhood disappear beneath them. “Go to ten, but your wrists would most likely shatter at six.”
The Kurtherian Gambit Omnibus 05 - The Fans Version: My Ride is a Bitch - Don't Cross This Line - Never Submit Page 13