“Is it available?” Yuko asked.
“According to my research, it was taken by the government after the owners quit paying taxes and refused to remove or repair it. They have been looking for a buyer, but with the cost of the cleanup and the availability of vacant buildings, no one has shown any real interest.”
Yuko smiled as Eve told her this. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to contact the liaison and see what he can find out. Maybe we can get a deal on it.”
“I am certain that he would be willing to help. He did get you the information on this site within a day of you asking. As for getting a deal, the government has a surplus of available property. So many businesses relied on exports that when the world collapsed, they quickly failed. That was before the earthquakes destroyed so many more.”
Yuko nodded. “It looks like we are going into business, then. How soon will you have enough simulations and hardware ready to start?”
“I have fifty-two simulations in testing now. The hardware is taking a little longer. We need to find a company that can make some of the components and put in the stuff we must supply. If all we had to do was create the neural interfaces, it would go much faster.”
“See what you can find for a company to do the things you need. You take the lead in the negotiations. You know what our budget is as well as I do. If you have any trouble, let me know.”
Eve felt a sense of pride when Yuko let her know she trusted her to deal with this. It made her feel like the partner she was. “I’ll get on it as soon as we get back to base. Should we close on this one today?”
“Have you researched the price of buildings like this in the area?” Yuko asked. “Are we getting a good deal?”
Eve stopped and got the look on her face that Yuko knew signaled she was accessing data. A few seconds later, she turned to Yuko, and in a low voice, told her, “This property has been on the market for over two years. There have only been three comparable to it sold in this area during that time, and they were similarly priced. We could probably negotiate the price down some if you wanted.”
Yuko shook her head. “No, I like Yamota-san. He has been very easy to deal with and has responded to all my requests promptly. If the price is in line with the others, I would rather not negotiate on this. We may want to use him again, and it could be helpful to have a friend in the business.”
Yuko motioned the agent back into their space. “Yamato-san, we will take it. Draw up the contracts and call me when you are ready to close the deal. If you could recommend some good contractors to divide this space the way we need it, that would be most helpful, too.”
“Certainly, Yuko-san. I will get the contracts to you along with a list of reputable contractors by the end of the week if that is acceptable to you.”
“That would be perfect, Yamato-san. I look forward to hearing from you then.”
Yuko and Eve left the agent and walked to a wooded area about a kilometer away. The building was on the outskirts of what was becoming a thriving business district. It was also located close to an area that was the site of a large park and several temples and museums before the WWDE. The business area was starting to show signs of life again, but the park had become overgrown in places and made a perfect site to bring in the Pod.
Before the earthquakes and the collapse of trade across the world, Japan had imported most materials for construction. It had taken time to get local manufacturers producing the needed products. Trade was starting to return as well, but it was a slow process with the lack of easily-acquired oil and fuel for the huge container ships that had traveled the seas by the thousands before. There was a small fleet of ships that used electric engines and solar power making inroads to China, Russia, and Korea, but they were still few.
The lack of petroleum imports had been devastating for the local populace. Many people now had to walk or use other methods to get around since the government had seized control of most of the oil and fuel made in Japan. It was needed for the Navy and the fishing boats that protected the country and kept them fed.
“Someone should work out a personal transport system that runs on a power source other than oil,” Yuko mentioned as they walked along with the throngs of people heading home from work. “There are a few electric vehicles on the road and the trains run on electricity, but almost everyone has to walk to get around the areas where the trains don’t run.”
Eve looked around and saw what Yuko was referring to. “Etheric-powered vehicles that ran on a grid controlled by an EI would work. There could be small passenger vehicles for local trips, bus types for traveling main routes, and cargo haulers to move products around.”
Yuko looked at Eve with a thoughtful expression. That she had assessed the problem and found a solution so fast was not a surprise. That she had given her the seed for their next business venture was.
When they entered the overgrown park and had moved to an area that offered privacy, Eve summoned the Pod that had been holding above them since they had arrived. In moments, they were above all the people and speeding back to base.
“We need to go to Kume and see Koda and Asai soon. It’s been a few weeks since we personally checked on them, anyway,” Yuko told her when they got back to base.
“I will check with Akio and see if he would like to go, too. We can head over in the morning if you like,” Eve replied.
Tokyo, Japan, Shinjuko City District, Riko’s Noodle House
The door opened into the dimly-lit back room of Riko’s Noodle House, a popular restaurant that served lunch to the working people from the tall buildings surrounding it.
Sero Ogai walked in unannounced. “Muto, may I speak to you privately?”
“Did you forget how to knock, Sero? Can’t you see that I’m in a meeting here?” He laughed.
His meeting consisted of a barely-eighteen blonde girl wearing an unbuttoned shirt and a miniskirt that was pushed up to her waist.
“I’m sure your meeting can wait for a few minutes. I have information on the people our Chinese friends are asking about.”
Muto pushed the young woman off his lap. She landed on the floor with a squeal. “Go get something to eat or something,” he growled. “Fix your clothes before you go. I run a classy establishment.”
The woman looked like she wanted to protest, but a glare from Muto made her face turn pale. She quickly slipped out of the door.
“This better be good, Sero. I was just starting to enjoy myself.”
“It is more information on the ones we were told to find than we have had in months,” Sero told him. “One of our people saw the woman and what looked like a child looking at a nearby property for sale today.”
“And?” Muto demanded.
“I called the listing agent and was told the property was pending a sale. I have put watchers on it, and we will know as soon as the woman or the man show up there again.”
Muto smiled. “That’s good news, Sero, and smart to put people on it. We are being paid well for this, so be sure that the building is covered around the clock. Offer a bonus to whoever finds where they live. Say, twenty thousand Yen and their pick of any girl in any of our brothels, free for one night. That should make them pay attention.” He chuckled.
“I’ll see to it.”
“See that you do. Send the girl back in when you go. Don’t disturb me for at least two hours. I think this meeting is going to take a while.”
Sero laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”
“You’re just jealous that all the girls prefer me to your brooding ass. Now, get out of here, and don’t forget to send her back in when you go.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Kume Island, Okinawa Japan
The sun was high in the clear blue sky when a black shipping container followed by a Black Eagle approached Kume. Yuko had purchased some much-needed building supplies for the islanders that took up more room than the Pod could handle, which made the container the best option. Bobcat, Marcus, and William had left a few of
the original puck-equipped antigrav containers on the moon, and Eve had brought this one down to move the materials.
Yuko and Eve had wanted to get here earlier, but Akio had been called out on a mission that had taken him several days to complete. They had been contacted by the government liaison, who’d told them of a small town near Nita where a group of Weretigers had set themselves up as rulers. The tigers killed a squad of soldiers who were sent to investigate, but one of the men had called in the attack before he died. Akio had explained the error of the tigers’ ways before he relieved them of their heads and freed the humans they held as slaves.
Prior to their demise, he’d learned that they were the remainder of a group of Weres from China called the Sacred Clan, an old enemy of Bethany Anne’s. He had also found that they were part of a larger organized group that was traveling to many different locations around Japan and neighboring countries, setting themselves up as rulers over the humans.
He had eliminated multiple bands in the past few days while Eve provided intelligence support from the base.
Yuko had used that time to finalize the purchase of the warehouse and the adjoining property, as well as interviewing contractors to start remodeling the building according to Eve’s blueprints.
She had chosen two different contractors to do the work on the main building. One specialized in converting commercial space into luxury apartments. The other was experienced in commercial remodeling. Both assured her that they would be done with the jobs within a month.
The craft settled in a vacant area near the town center that had been cleared and marked off as a permanent landing site for them. Yagi had told Yuko that it was not fitting for the saviors of their island to have to walk in from the outskirts of town when it only took an afternoon to prepare a better place for them.
A group of villagers led by Yagi was waiting at the landing area when Akio, Yuko, and Eve exited their respective craft.
Yagi bowed to each of them. “Akio-sama, Yuko-sama, it is good to see you again. We all look forward to your visits.”
Akio and Yuko returned the bow, then Yuko smiled at the man.
“Is it us, or the sake we bring that you most look forward to, Yagi-san?” Yuko laughed.
He placed both hands over his heart with a big grin on his face. “Yuko-san, you know it is your smiling face that brightens this old man’s days and makes life more fulfilling. The sake is an added benefit.”
Yuko giggled at this, happy that Yagi had recovered enough from the horrible experience with Isamu and his Forsaken to find his sense of humor. She had grown to know and love him over the past months and knew without a doubt that he was the leader the people of this island needed.
Eve exited the container with several boxes in her arms. “Did someone mention sake?” she inquired as she set them on the ground.
Yagi’s face lit up when he saw that one of the cases bore the label of his favorite brand. He was already calculating if there was enough for each adult who wanted a cup since he always made it a point to share the beverage with his people. Knowing this, Yuko had left another bottle in the container to give Ono for when Yagi needed it. Although the island was recovering, the community still wasn’t able to sustain itself like it had before most of the residents had been killed. That haunted Yagi and caused him many restless nights as he tried to work out ways to improve the lives of his people.
Yuko indicated the growing pile of boxes Eve had already unloaded. “Yagi-san, we brought some supplies that we thought you could use along with your sake. Eve will unload them. If you could get someone to take charge of distributing them, that would be helpful.”
Yagi motioned to four young men and one older woman. “You four take the supplies to the storehouse. Put them where Kiya-san directs.”
He faced Yuko again. “You’re too kind, Yuko-sama. You have already done so much for us that we can never repay you.”
“I have told you many times that you don’t owe us, Yagi-san. Besides, I like the people here, and it gives me great pleasure to help in whatever small way I can until your people can take care of all their needs. That is the main reason we came today. Are Koda and Asai around? Eve and I would like to speak with them.”
“They are working with Ono in the field today. Everyone alternates between working the field, fishing, and repairing homes since we lost so many. I can send for them if you like. Otherwise, they will probably be a couple more hours.”
Yuko smiled. “Yes, that would be best. I also need you, Ono, and Koda’s father to meet with all of us.”
Yagi’s eyes widened with concern. He turned and spoke with two of the women who were with him, directing one to the field to get the women and the other to the beach where Koda’s father was repairing nets.
“Is something wrong with the girls?” Yagi’s voice was laced with concern.
“Oh, no, Yagi-san,” Yuko assured him. “I didn’t mean to alarm you. There is nothing wrong with either girl that I know of. I have a proposition for them, and as their parents, I want you to be present when I talk with them about it. It is something that will benefit them as well as everyone here.”
Yagi smiled as he offered his arm to Yuko. “In that case, please allow me to escort you to my home. We will have refreshments while we wait. Although Ono is with the girls, I brew a pretty good cup of tea if I do say so myself.”
“I’m not sure that it will be safe for Koda in Tokyo,” Takai Rii insisted for the fifth time.
“I am a grown woman and capable of taking care of myself.” Koda huffed.
Ono rolled her eyes as she watched the two of them. Since Yuko had explained to them and their daughters what she had in mind, Takai had dug in his heels and would not admit that Koda was no longer a little girl who needed his protection.
“Takai, I understand your reservations, but do you honestly think Akio-sama or Yuko-sama would allow anything to happen to Koda?” Ono calmly rebutted.
“It’s not that, sister. It’s that she’s only been off Kume once, and I fear that there will be too many distractions for an inexperienced young girl in Tokyo.”
“So, you’re saying that you don’t trust me? Is that it, Chichiue?” Koda stood and paced back and forth across the small kitchen of Yagi’s and Ono’s house. “It’s okay for me to go out on the boats where a sudden storm could sink us, or to work in a house that could collapse without warning. But, I can’t be trusted to work for Yuko-sama and Eve-san in Tokyo?
“I, uh, no. I mean…” Takai looked at Ono, his eyes wide and his expression begging for help.
Ono folded her arms across her chest and found the teacup in front of her to be extremely interesting as her brother floundered.
Seeing he would get no help there, he drew a deep breath to calm his nerves. “Koda, I do trust you, but Tokyo is so far away. I fear that you will not be happy there. Plus, I will miss you so badly if you go,” he finished quietly.
“Chichuie, I will miss you too.” Koda gave him a quick hug. “But this is an opportunity for all of us. Yuko-sama explained that much of the money made will be used to improve things here on Kume. That she trusts me to help run the business should make you proud, not cause fear.”
Takai stood and held his daughter tight, his head resting on top of hers for a few moments before he released her and sighed. “I know you are going to do it, just as you already know it, too. I might as well admit defeat now. Also, for the record, I have always been proud of you.”
Koda squealed as she slammed into him, wrapping her arms around him and almost taking both to the floor in her exuberance.
“Don’t break him, please, he still has nets to mend,” Yagi deadpanned as everyone in the room, Takai included, started laughing. “I guess you two need to pack so you can be on your way,” he added with a hitch in his voice.
Asai stood and walked to him. She wrapped his seated form in a hug and kissed him on his cheek. “We will both be fine, Chichuie. I am certain we will be able to visit often. Yuko-sama
did say that she would be making regular trips here to deliver medicines and other needed items as well as to check on the progress of the repairs. I’m sure she will let us tag along for visits as long as the business is running smoothly.”
Yuko and Eve had left them in Yagi’s house to discuss the offer in private. The two walked along the beach, looking over the rubble of the old dock. Eve took measurements so they could get an idea of how much material would be needed to make the repairs. With shipping increasing around the islands, the new dock would play a vital part in the island’s recovery, although much of the local cargo was hauled on sail-powered ships.
Akio had taken the Black Eagle and made a circuit of the island while they did this, his senses extended as he searched for any sign of Forsaken. The group emerged from Yagi’s house as Akio landed, Koda and Asai smiling ear-to-ear. Yuko and Eve made their way back, and everyone met in the square.
Asai bowed formally before she spoke. “Yuko-sama, Eve-san, we are honored that you trust us to be part of this venture. We both have much to learn, but if you are willing to teach us, we promise to do our best to make this business successful.”
Eve clapped with joy.
Yuko smiled at both young women. “I am certain that you will both be quite capable of what we need. Until the building is done, Eve has some training programs that will prepare you for when we are ready to open. Plus, you will need time to shop for the items you want in your new homes. Eve will advise you on the necessities as well as help you locate decorations and other things that will make them yours.”
Yuko turned to Yagi and the others. “If you would like, one of us will pick you up for the grand opening. It will give you a chance to see what these two are doing to help improve life here.”
Yagi smiled, his eyes wide and excitement in his voice. “Does that mean I get to fly in one of your machines? If that’s the case, sign me up now.”
Reprisal Page 12
