Chapter 3
Hoshiguma slides off her motorcycle and walks toward the front of the building.
Emperor’s leaning against the door with a bottle in hand with Texas on his right and Croissant on his left. He notices Hoshiguma, cracks her a grin, and opens the door.
Hoshiguma walks through and heads straight towards the elevator as the rest follow.
The moment they arrive they’re greeted with a wyvern rolling her eyes at a smiling vulpo who is fiddling with her rapier. As she steps out of the elevator the vulpo gives the wyvern a playful shove before waving them in. She glances at the nametags and takes note. Liskarm and Franka. The same ones from the Misha op.
As they’re escorted to the front, she’s greeted by Chun-tao who is sitting by the entrance with a welcoming smile. “Hoshi. Looking good as always.”
Hoshiguma returns the smile.
“Work’s been treating me well.”
“Frank will be happy to hear.”
Chun-tao opens the door. Emperor walks in first with Texas and Croissant right behind. Hoshiguma follows through.
The rest of Penguin Logistics is seated nearby in a separate booth. Exuisai enthusiastically waves her fork in the direction of Hoshiguma as Bison tries desperately to clean the cream from her face. Sora is chuckling as she flashes a quiet smile in their direction.
As she walks past the fountain the rest of the group, save for Emperor who heads into the kitchen, peels off to sit in the booth. Taking a seat at the bar a violet-haired sankta immediately sets a glass in front of her. She takes a look at the topaz colored drink and pushes it away.
“I don’t drink on the job.”
“But you’re not on the job.”
Hoshiguma frowns at the smug grin before firmly replying.
“Representing Lungmen is my job.”
The sankta shrugs and places the drink under the bar. The rest of the time is silent save for the fountain and the tinkling of glasses being meticulously cleaned. A handful of laughs and sighs from the booth in the back cut through the monotony.
To pass the time she looks up at the rows of bottles attempting to identify as many as she can. By the time she reaches the fifties, the kitchen door opens.
Frank walks out first followed by the Emperor who immediately heads over to the bar and orders a bottle. Frank sighs before following Emperor and asking for a drink of his own.
The next person causes her breath to hitch if only a little. Ch’en shoots Hoshiguma a sideways glance. She could see the small tug on Ch’en’s lips as she gives her a smile. Her eyes light up as they make contact with Hoshiguma’s.
Hoshiguma simply nods in response. The smile on Ch’en’s face falls. The light in Ch’en’s eyes fizzles out as she simply nods in kind.
A small chill goes down her spine as Kal’tsit walks out. Commanding and confident with her signature lab coat the doctor heads straight towards the bar sitting next to Hoshiguma. Kal’tsit taps the bar twice and the violet-haired sankta immediately sets a glass of water in front of her.
“Hoshiguma. You’re the representative they sent.”
Hoshiguma internally frowns. It’s condescending at worst and dismissive at best.
“Yes.”
Kal’tsit nods and taps the bar once. This time the platinum-haired girl places a drink in front of Kal’tsit. It was the same topaz color as the one given to Hoshiguma. Kal’tsit downs it before tapping it again. She pushes the drink over to Hoshiguma.
“Take the drink. It’s on me.”
“May I ask what it is first?”
“A cocktail from a friend. Name’s Death of Pride. Not for the faint of heart,” the sankta answers with a wink.
Hoshiguma reluctantly takes a sip of the strange drink. She chokes back the cough and downs the rest. It’s strong, extremely strong. No complexity to the cocktail at all. Not even an ounce of sugar could be tasted. The only taste that was left on her tongue is burning alcohol and a strange fire in the back of her throat. Whoever decided that this is a good cocktail is unfortunately wrong. Kal’tsit taps the bar once again. Another pair of the topaz drink appears.
“As much as I appreciate the hospitality Kal’tsit, I didn’t come here to just share drinks with you.”
Kal’tsit downs her drink before nodding at Hoshiguma’s.
“Drink that one and we’ll talk.”
Hoshiguma internally frowns again before downing her drink. Whatever information she wants out of Hoshiguma, drinking is probably the worst way to get it out. Choking down the drink, she places the glass on the counter with a loud thud. Hopefully, the good doctor understands.
Kal’tsit nods and takes out a picture sliding it over to Hoshiguma.
It’s a spiraling mountain with a single tower on top encased in a triangle. There is one word written at the bottom of the image. Babel.
“You’ve been seeing this more and more around Lungmen haven’t you Hoshiguma.”
Hoshiguma nods tapping the bar once. Another more refined cocktail is immediately placed in her hands. “Ever since the Sircusian mobs have arrived and during a string of other unrelated murders.”
“Kazdel spies.”
Hoshiguma narrows her eyes. “What’s it to you Doctor Kal’tsit?”
“Because I know what is going on in Wei’s head Hoshiguma. And it’s the same question we all have. Why?”
“So then please enlighten me Kal’tsit,” Hoshiguma says as she throws the image back onto the table.
“Babel is a relic of the past. An organization that took part in the Kazdel civil war under the old regent.”
Explains the spies. Yet, under the old regent. Last Hoshiguma heard about Kazdel was the death of the old regent and the rise of the new one. The new spies were tagged with Babel’s symbol, they didn’t wear it.
“And what business do they have in Lungmen?”
“They have scores to settle Hoshiguma.”
Scores. Everyone seems to have a score to settle nowadays.
“Shouldn’t they settle it with the new regent in Kazdel.”
Kal’tsit shook her head. “Babel is just a name Hoshiguma. They’re people behind the name.”
Hoshiguma quirks a brow. Diverse and enough influence to scare Lin as well as countless Sircusian mobs. “And who exactly are the people behind the name?”
“The doctor knows doesn’t she Kal’tsit,” Emperor says as he drains the last bit of the bottle.
“Maybe. We don’t even know. At best we have a vague idea of who we are dealing with,” Kal’tsit replies as she taps the bar once.
Hoshiguma leans forward and furrows her brow.
“You told me Frank had an informant here.”
Kal’tsit nods. “With Frank’s permission, we already moved her onto to Rhode Island. We just need you there to help with the questioning.”
Hoshiguma can’t help but clench her fists. Lungmen was her jurisdiction. Everything that happens in the mobile city was for her to know. To have an external factor as random as Kal’tsit disrupt that.
Frank cleared his throat. “Wei and I already had a talk Hoshiguma. He couldn’t afford to wait.”
Sighing, Hoshiguma throws a hundred down before standing back up.
“Then we have nothing more to discuss here.”
Kal’tsit nods and heads to the door.
~
“With all due respect sir, you and I both know that this is bigger than Lungmen.”
“And Miss Swire I am very aware of the current situation in Victoria. However, Lungmen cannot just send it’s finest off to a foreign land and leave her open to attack. We have already lost one special inspector chief and I’m not sure if we can lose another.”
Swire gnaws at the bottom of her lip. She knows she has a couple of minutes left to convince Fumizuki. Fumizuki is right, Lungmen can’t afford another shakeup in the guard this close to one. A bevy of new officers is already making their lives difficult. Add another new special inspection chief and a new senior super indent in the mix. Yet, this is what she's been planning for.
“Hoshiguma and I have already chosen our successors in the case of our absence. In addition, Lin has agreed to keep the gangs, clans, and mobsters at bay.”
“The answer is no Miss Swire.”
Swire tries to hold back the frustration in her voice. It never helps in a talk. Especially with someone like Fumizuki. She quietly takes a deep breath.
“Sir. If what happens in Victoria spills over to Lungmen do you think we will survive?”
Fumizuki simply folds her hands together.
Swire internally smiles. Finally, she’s getting somewhere. Taking advantage of the small dent in her armor Swire presses on.
“Do you think Lungmen can survive even a fraction of Victoria’s military might should we draw their ire?”
“What point are you getting at Miss Swire?”
Swire could feel the dent getting pushed further in.
“Victoria is ready to combust and the fire that it starts will reach every corner of the world sir. You know this and I do as well.”
Fumizuki lips are drawn in a tight line. Swire could see the hole now. A little more is all she needs.
“And if Lungmen falls before that? Our enemies are many and they are growing bolder by the day. Should they catch wind that Lungmen’s shield and her armor are gone they will advance.”
A counterattack. The hole can’t be resealed, but Fumizuki won’t let Swire damage her armor further.
Fumizuki gestures outside her window. “They already have knowing that her spear is gone.”
Swire could feel the wind escape from her lungs. It was painfully obvious to everyone in Lungmen what it was like when they lost their spear. Statistics about the surge in every possible crime all flash before her eyes. Two months before they finally saw a drop. Another before they were at normal levels. Hoshiguma and even Swire were towering figures, but none struck the fear of god into everyone inside and outside of Lungmen than Ch’en.
She sits there with the seconds ticking by. Swire quickly eyes the clock. Two minutes left before the conversation is shut. She has to try to get something out of this. Anything. Swire knows she can’t let this drag out.
“Sir it won’t matter what our shield and armor are if the enemy can puncture it. Sometimes the best defense is the best offense. Pressure our enemies. Force a mistake and strike.”
“And if the initial strike fails Miss Swire?”
“Then we at least have an ally. A small one, but an ally, nonetheless. And not one that we owe.”
“We already do Swire.”
“Do you think Yen will really come to Lungmen’s aid?”
Fumizuki narrows her eyes. Another reaction. Good.
“When the dam breaks and all hell break loose who do most people save first?”
Fumizuki opens her mouth to answer.
“Trick question. Themselves.” Swire says. She winces at her own statement. Too much like her grandfather.
“Do you truly believe in that sentiment, Miss Swire?” Fumizuki asks.
No. She doesn’t. So many people have proven her grandfather wrong. She knows this, but she can also read the writing on the wall.
“I don’t matter in this regard Fumizuki. You know Yen better than any in this room. I think you know the answer better than anyone here.” Thirty seconds.
Fumizuki sighs. “Fine. I'll discuss it with Wei.”
Swire nods and walks out of the room.
Fumizuki grabs a piece of paper and hastily scribbles a note.
“Shirayuki. Send the note to Data.”
Shirayuki appears from behind and takes the note. With a quick nod, she dashes off.
Fumizuki grabs the phone from her desk dialing a number. As the phone rings, she stares outside the office window at the towering skyscrapers of Lungmen. When the person finally picks up, Fumizuki swallows the lump in her throat.
~
Data walks through the large double doors and laughs as he opens his pale arms for a hug. Wei is leaning against his desk looking outside at the Lungmen skyline.
“Mister Yenwu! How’ve you been? Your precious wife sent me a beautiful little message saying we need to have a little chat!”
Wei takes a drag of his pipe and gestures to the couch. “Sit and we’ll have our talk.”
Data laughs and throws himself onto the leather couch. “Well we do have a lot to talk about, don’t we Mister Yenwu?”
Wei lets out a grunt taking another drag.
Data stretches himself out propping his feet onto the armrest of the couch. He folds his arms behind his head and closes his hazel eyes. “Mister Yenwu. Enjoying Lungmen’s skyline?”
“Drop the Mister. And if you’re going to prop your feet up take off your sneakers at least.”
Data chuckles. “Sorry, Mister Yenwu. Can’t do that.”
Wei lets out another grunt. He lets out a puff of smoke before grabbing a ceramic bowl and uncorking it.
Data open an eye at the sound. Thumping his tail on the floor he lets out a sound of disappointment. "Fumizuki ain’t gonna like that Mister Yenwu. She thought she got rid of your secret stash.”
“Fresh batch.”
“From Mister Yushia huh. Well, Mister Yenwu I won’t tell the princess. But what I will tell is that Fumizuki called me for a specific reason and time is money Mister Yenwu.”
“Rhodes Island. What do you think of them?”
Data grins. “They’re very interesting people Mister Yenwu.”
“What makes them interesting?”
“That I don’t know a lot about them.”
“Babel. Who are they?”
“Madam Kal’tsit runs a tight ship Mister Yenwu. They had the old regent, had that doctor, had Madam Kal’tsit. The keyword as you can tell. Had.”
“Duly noted.” Wei says rolling his eyes.
“Other than that. An operator named W. Hired Sarkaz mercenaries and had a lot of connections to a lot of people. That doctor. I’ll give you a heads up. They called her a prettttyyyy mediocre nickname if you ask me. Wished they came up with something more creative, but you know them mercenaries. Not much for thinking just fighting really.”
“Get to the point.”
“Alllrrrriiiighttttt, alllrrrriiiightttt, just sharing opinions with a friend.”
“The. Point.”
“Jeez. Her nickname was the butcher.”
“The butcher.”
“Pretty bad don’tcha think? I mean you could call her the real devil. Or the true sarkaz. I don’t know just something better and less tacky?” Data snaps his fingers opening his eyes. “Oh! I got it! The fallen angel! Ain’t that a snazzy nickname?”
Wei grunts and grabs a lighter. He flicks it open and lights his pipe.
“Victoria?”
Data lets out a yawn. “A hell of a three-way clusterfuck.”
“The combatants?”
“That’ll cost you extra Mister Yenwu and I’m accepting payment in favors or cash.”
Wei makes a note to let Fumizuki know that they’ll have to slash the budget this year.
“Kazdel?”
Data stifles another yawn. “Mister Yenwu if I told you everything then I wouldn’t have much of business, now would I?”
“Kal’tsit.”
Data blinks. He slowly sits up and coughs into his fist. “Madam Kal’tsit is off-limits Mister Yenwu.”
“Amiya.”
“The bunny is too.”
Wei lets out a slow nod. “Understood Data.”
Data stands up cracking his back. “But I’ll let you know this Mister Yenwu.”
Wei turns to face Data.
“It’s time to burn away the old and let in the new.” Data says as he looks into Wei’s eyes. “All empires fall eventually Mister Yenwu. Yours is no exception.”
“So which generation do you throw your hat in the ring with Data?” Wei asks.
“That’s between me and me.” Data throws his head back and laughs. “I’ll see you a couple of years from now Mister Yenwu. Don’t die!”
Wei takes another drag of his pipe and puffs out a sigh.
“Data!”
“Yes, Mister Yenwu?
“What are the odds?”
“Well, Mister Yenwu it depends on who you throw your hat in the ring with. Even in your prime, you couldn’t take one of these young lions down. You think a bunny, a cat, and an amnesiac doctor can?”
“There’s an old saying in Lungmen. Happy is the man without sickness. Rich is the man with no debts.”
Data stops. Wei can hear the quiet chuckle. “Alright, Mister Yenwu. But remember, you aren’t rich yet.”
Before Data takes another step, he grabs a piece of paper in his pocket and crumbles it up. He lobs it over to his shoulder to Wei landing on his desk.
Setting down his pipe, Wei smooths the paper out and reads the cleanly written note.
“I’d say I’d give it to Dublin. Got that slight edge Mister Yenwu, but Rhodes Island is a factor I can’t predict.”
Data slams the large double doors shut leaving Wei in silence.