—
Yuko, Akio and her team were in the temporary quarters based in the docks. While it was close to the tram to go In-World, they were here temporarily and rarely needed to go inside the base.
Yuko put on a burst of speed. Outside of their quarters were a few doors leading to larger rooms for those in the military, which Yuko was surprised to realize she was, to get together outside of the smaller rooms. There were operations offices and HR as well. Finally, it moved to cafeterias, regular apartments and then the main demarcation to the docks that the area was named after. Finally, she turned the corner to the pride of the docks.
All Guns Blazing.
She slowed down. Fast enough that Akio had to react more quickly than normal to not bump into her.
He was about to ask her what was wrong when, looking ahead, it was apparent. All Guns Blazing had a long line to get in.
“That line is going to take forever!” she complained. “How are we going to get to the party in time for me to see Bethany Anne?”
Akio smiled and put an arm around her shoulders. “Like this, young one.” Walking her forward, Yuko allowed herself to trust Akio and feel safe, still staring at the large crowd they had to go through.
—
William was up at the front, handling the crowd that had learned that Bethany Anne was in the club. Anytime she showed up, it was good for business.
But it sucked for crowd control.
William spotted his brother from another mother and stood up, putting his hands in the air, “People!” He got their attention. With a unique All Guns Blazing shirt that said ‘Owner’ on the back, most recognized him, Bobcat and Marcus anytime they were in the club.
“Folks,” he called out. “Please move aside and allow my brother through,” a few people tried to adjust, but it wasn’t a pretty situation and William’s face had a disgusted look on it. “Okay, I tried nice.” William pointed to the people. “Remember that in your stories, that I tried nice. You get one chance, folks.” William grabbed a box and stood on it, catching Akio’s eyes and called out, “BITCH BE COMING THROUGH MOTHERFUCKERS, MAKE WAY!” then, in a calmer voice, “Akio, turn up the heat.”
That’s when the fear hit and people realized and others called out, “Queen’s Bitch!” There were a couple of ‘Oh Shits’ and a couple fucking move alreadys.’ Then, soon enough, the fear abated as Akio, holding Yuko’s arm, walked through the middle of the hall and up to William.
They fist bumped and Akio escorted Yuko into the club, taking the stairs up to the viewing deck, nodding at the two guards.
William looked at the people who stood transfixed with the reality of what they had heard before and what they experienced.
The fear a Queen’s Bitch could bring was beyond explanation.
William told his bouncer, “Nick, take care of the front, now.” Nick nodded and William turned back to those in line. “Next time, I suggest you make room when I tell you, feel me?”
William walked back into the club hearing the ‘hell yeah we feel yous’ behind him.
—
“That was an awful feeling,” Yuko told Akio. She smiled. “I’m glad you’re my friend.”
“I’m hundreds of years old, Yuko. Understand when I say I am very glad you call me friend.”
Yuko put her head against him. “I don’t deserve you guys, you know that?”
Akio put his arm around her as they made their way up the round staircase. “And that is precisely why you do.”
This time, Akio was ready for Yuko to stop when she saw how packed the viewing deck was.
Everyone was waiting for her and Akio to join them and this time, Yuko couldn’t stop the tears from falling. She put her hand up to her face, trying to catch the tears when Gabrielle suddenly was beside her, wiping them with a tissue.
“Bethany Anne told me to be ready, but damn girl, you were supposed to make it at least five steps inside the club for me to win.”
Yuko choked a laugh as she took the tissue and dabbed at her eyes. “Who won?”
“ADAM, that AI silicon sonofabitch,” Gabrielle spat. “I’m out two ounces of gold, too. Greedy bastard.”
ADAM? Yuko called.
YES?
You bet on me?
Of course.
But… Yuko didn’t have anything to say.
I had to have money, or else I couldn’t give you my present. ADAM said.
You got me a present?
Yes. Bethany Anne told me if it was to be from me, then I had to make the money myself. So, I’ve been doing that.
What do you need money for? Yuko asked. You don’t owe me anything.
I might not owe you anything, but I wanted to give you something, he said. Now, enjoy the party.
Yuko took a step onto the viewing deck and greeted her friends.
—
Akio was talking with Darryl and Scott when he felt her presence. Turning around, he bowed to his Queen. “Got a minute?” she asked.
“Yes, my Queen.” he replied and she put a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll be right back,” she told the guys and disappeared.
“Now that,” Scott observed to Darryl, “I’d like to figure out how to do.”
“I understand it takes a certain amount of something you don’t have,” Darryl said his friend.
“Really?” Scott turned to him. “What?”
Darryl patted Scott’s shoulder. “Intelligence.”
—
Bethany Anne and Akio arrived in one of the bar’s private rooms. It was locked from both sides, so no one would accidentally venture in while Bethany Anne was transporting back and forth. While she made an effort to look before she arrived, it was always better to be as safe as possible.
“Yes, my Queen?” Akio asked her.
“How is Yuko?”
“A young woman who has made her decision, but it is still painful as friends must leave.”
Bethany Anne nodded. “I understand. Are you okay with staying?”
Akio nodded, “I am good with this, my Queen. It isn’t like I can’t speak with you,” he tapped his head. “If I must.”
“True, but remember due to the distance, it’s very draining.” She put a hand on his shoulder. “He will be back, Akio. I don’t know when, probably not soon. Please, take care of my people on Earth as they do whatever the hell they do. Continue the responsibilities of the Queen Bitch in my absence. Are we clear?”
“Hai, we are clear, my Queen,” he replied. Then, looking into her eyes, he smiled. “You brought honor back, when I felt there was none left. Myself and my men will do what you ask, until our dying breath, or we have him again.”
“I’ll be back, whether it’s a hundred years, or a thousand,” she said. “If I’m not dead, I’ll be back when this is finished.” Bethany Anne took her hand off his shoulder and walked to a small dresser on the side of the room. Opening the top drawer, she pulled out a sword in a sheath, and closing the drawer, she turned around.
“You are my Elite, my Bitch on Earth. Take this sword as evidence of my faith in you and wield it in my absence. You are my representative. Your actions bring me honor, your respect brings me honor. Take it now and know you have my complete trust, Akio.”
Akio pursed his lips and bowed. “I understand you will not accept my refusal,” he held out his hands. “So, I accept my Queen.”
Bethany Anne smiled and put the sword in his hands. “Good, cause I really don’t want to have to fight you to make you take it.”
Akio smiled. “That would not be respectful, my Queen.” Then he grinned. “Nor would it feel good, either.”
Bethany Anne laughed. “You know, I think being around William has helped loosen you up a little, Akio.” She thought about it for a second. “Not much, but a little.”
“Yes,” he smiled as they headed towards the door, “William is an interesting experience, my Queen.”
“I’ve been putting this off as long as I can,” she sighed. “Now comes the worst p
art of the evening. I have to tell Yuko goodbye.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
“So, I was shot, blood gushing out of me,” Yuko listened for the umpteenth time as William related his story of getting shot in Japan, “when Akio comes and just slays the guys who did this to me. I’m foggy, fading in and out of consciousness and I see Akio, red eyes blazing as he kneels down and I bravely bite on a piece of leather as he jams in his claws to pull out the slugs…”
“He fainted.” Akio said from behind William.
William turned around and looked down at Akio, who had Bethany Anne behind him. “Hey, you are absolutely messing up a good story with the facts. Didn’t Bobcat and I teach you better than that?”
“Right,” Akio deadpanned. “Well, I’ll switch places with Yuko here,” he reached out and gently pulled Yuko towards him. Then, he did some sort of trick where one second he was behind her and the next, she was behind him. “My Queen,” he said to Bethany Anne who winked and then the two ladies were gone.
Akio turned back around to those listening to William. “I understand I looked like this?” Akio asked and then willed his eyes to go red, his voice a little harsher. “Do continue, brother!”
Those listening to William took an involuntary step back, but leaned forward to listen to the story, anxious to see what happened next as Akio took up helping William tell the story.
If not exactly the true story.
—
Bethany Anne and Yuko appeared in her suite and Yuko looked around. “Oh!”
Ashur chuffed from the bed and Yuko walked over to him. “I’ll miss you too, fluffy one!” She grabbed him around the neck. “You protect our Queen, all right?” Ashur whined and Yuko laughed, letting him go. “Yes, I know that is an impossible task, but you are the dog for the mission, right?”
Ashur chuffed again and Yuko rubbed his head. “I thought so.”
Yuko turned around to see Bethany Anne dabbing at her eye with a tissue. “Don’t, Bethany Anne! You’re going to make me mess up my makeup…” Bethany Anne opened her arms and Yuko stepped forward to hug her.
“You know we’re all going to miss you, right?” Yuko nodded and said something muffled in Bethany Anne’s chest. “Especially ADAM.”
Yuko looked up. “Hey, ADAM! What was it you wanted to give me?”
“Ah,” Bethany Anne stepped back. “I was wondering if you were going to keep it a secret, ADAM.”
ADAM’s voice came from Bethany Anne’s bathroom. “I had to use it as a way to help Yuko attain equilibrium and, well, Gabrielle ratted me out.”
Yuko leaned to her left, to look around Bethany Anne who was blocking her view of the bath. “ADAM?”
Yuko heard movement and then he appeared. Yuko moved out from behind Bethany Anne who stepped aside.
“ADAM?” Yuko asked, confused. “This isn’t possible, is it?”
“No,” the android agreed. “You are hearing me speak from this android. I have been working on this gift for a year.”
Yuko looked up at Bethany Anne who smiled. “He had to generate the funds,” Bethany Anne told her, then added, “Legally.”
“Yes,” the little android agreed. “It was that requirement which took me a little longer.”
“He’s…” Yuko reached out and felt the body. It was metal, and the whole unit didn’t try to act like a human. “Beautiful.”
The little android put his hand up to touch Yuko’s, gently. “Thank you.”
ADAM’s voice switched to coming out of the room’s speakers. “Adam Nacht, say hello to Yuko.”
The android faced Yuko and its mouth, animated to some degree, spoke. “Hello Yuko, I am Adam Nacht, I am the Entity Intelligence who will be working with you.”
Yuko looked at Bethany Anne, “His name is Adam?”
Bethany Anne smiled gently. “His name is whatever you decide to call him. It’s up to you to change it, then the E.I. is forever that name.”
Yuko turned back to the android. “Can you turn around?” The E.I. turned easily and Yuko sought the seams that must occur in his body. “What is he made out of?”
“Well,” ADAM said. “He is a synthesis of human metals and Yollin alloys which we were able to forge out here in the asteroid.”
“How?’ Yuko asked, still feeling the seamless body.
“With a lot of help,” ADAM said. “There are a lot of friends that helped back at the party.”
“I’m going to have to tell them all thank you,” she said, tears smearing her makeup.
“What would you like my name to be?” The E.I. asked her. “I can be either male, female, or gender neutral.”
Yuko thought about it. “Well, ADAM is ADAM to me. And it feels weird to have a boy as a friend…”
Yuko held out her hand. “Hello Eve, my name is Yuko and you have no idea how pleased I am to meet you.”
Bethany Anne handed Yuko clean tissues after she finished shaking hands with the shorter android.
“Are there special care instructions that go along with her?” Yuko asked as she tried to clean up her mascara.
“No, I have a multi-century power supply,” Eve answered.
“Ah, I get it, ADAM and Eve,” ADAM said.
“Interesting,” Bethany Anne murmured. “Eve was beget from ADAM, and that’s true here, as well.” Bethany Anne dabbed at her eyes one last time. “Yuko, I have a few words to say before I go. I have to go meet with a bunch of sticks in the mud about stuff they want that I won’t give them.”
Yuko turned to Bethany Anne.
“First, you can’t police the world. Don’t try. Whatever they do, let them do. Your responsibility is for the UnknownWorld. Akio has the responsibility to take care of any Forsaken, you have the responsibility to take care of those who would honor Michael’s family, or me.”
Yuko nodded her understanding.
“So, be strategic, be smart. I know you already understand how to rely on Akio and the team. But you are getting older and wiser yourself. You have good intuition, remember to use it. Continue with your strength and martial training, it will come in handy. So,” she nodded at Eve, “will she. We have two E.I. containers running her intelligence. She is damn near the closest A.I. we have.”
“Perhaps, one day, she will be a true A.I.,” ADAM added. “I’ve calculated the computing power, and it is within the realm of possibility.”
“Truly?” She asked, looking at Eve who returned her look. “What would it take?”
“That is something you will need to figure out,” Bethany Anne said. “ADAM has placed a huge amount of information in the E.I. for you to review on this subject. It could take multiple lifetimes to go through, and master, all of it.”
Yuko opened one arm and Eve walked over and leaned into her, hugging her gently. “Oh my…” Yuko squeezed the android and smiled. “At least I can’t hurt you.”
“That is true,” Eve said. “Not much can.”
The Kurtherian Gambit Omnibus 05 - The Fans Version: My Ride is a Bitch - Don't Cross This Line - Never Submit Page 42