Chapter 1: Stacking the deck.

Somewhere in Akibastar

Akibastar, beneath the charred torched wasteland hides one of the many gems of hope. Akibastar was the home of one of the most famous gureilla live groups AKB0048, the group's reputation is known to have bring smiles to the galaxy at large as well as headaches to the DGTO. However it also had a seedier side to it, and it was located Diamond Dust, Diamant's personal night club and his palace of vice and decadence. The nightclub was only second to the large AKB0048 performance theatre of Akibastar, while it lacked the stature of the theatre, the club itself was like a complex, designed as an underground military depot, the club was a three story party central from the outside and inside it held more seedy deals from "bath houses" to firing ranges and arms deals being made. The central network of criminals, mercenaries and anti DES contractors seeking to make their mark here.

"Home sweet home" Diamant said as his car pulls up to the front, tourists and citizens flocking to the converted warehouse turned into nightclub locale. As he walks in he was greeted by them, eager and waiting to see him. As he walks into the club, he notices several familiar faces, Hikari Kimishima (9th Generation Yuko Oshima) and Mayu Watanabe Type 3 who was able to ignore the line as they run up to Diamant, wearing a stylish nightlife outfit with expensive jewelry and a state of the art commlink that match even the best of DGTO's commlinks on his wrist.

"Back for another performance, Diamant?" Hikari lept onto him, glomping him as walked, Mayu's reaction was unusually listless, different from her onstage personality.

"You had to hold us up, apparently the guards weren't convinced that we were performing tonight.

"Well I am more excited about yours tonight." The fans were asking for Hikari's autograph. She signs a couple before she had to go as Diamant's security escorted them in. Mayu followed as well, keeping awareness of anything suspicous.

The nightclub itself was an ultramodern slice of the galaxy, state of the art security ensures nothing slips past him and every word is remembered by the bartenders and performers in case the talk at the bars proves to yield interesting info. Entertainment itself was also top notch, playing a mix of "modern" dance music with some AKB0048 songs, one particular night was "Cover night" where idol groups perform covers of classics and other artists. The time he had an AKB48 cover dance night it was something to remember, but general rule of the thumb is these songs are more aimed at entertaining people rather than a gureilla live where they have to fight off CorpSec. Hikari and Mayu change their clothing to something more revealing from their evening wear, cocktail dresses that leaves little to imagination and giving maximum sex appeal while avoiding being too embarassing to wear as a casual outfit.

"So we are performing Sistar's My Boy...if the original Mayu had found out, she would have left AKB48 rather then sing something like this..."

"At least it does have a nice pheremone feeling to it, it really brings out my sexiness" Hikari was very eager to do this song, it doesn't matter if it was a cute song or a sexy song. Music to her was a way to open the hearts of people and this song was Diamant's way of expressing it...

A good movement does need money and his events are big draw to the Akibastar's nightime entertainment economy, serving up what some call the "SDN0048", even though the group's popularity didn't last long, Diamant had ran a steady gig with various AKB0048 grads and girls entering the early twenties and effectively seniors of the AKB0048 group. Hikari is an oddity in the fact she was only 18, too young to drink at the bar, but old enough to perform at his stage but has proven herself competantly in the nightlife stage. Mayu though is a complete mystery, she is dazzling but there are just so many secrets about her even he couldn't figure out but she is one hell of a performer.

"Oh my boy...oh my boy baby..." Mayu practiced her vocals as she changes to the clothes, her voice was heavenly for a robot girl. Reminds her of some japanese robot idol who was the centerpiece of a megacorp. But damn, listening to her sing does something to him...everytime.

"Mayu, I am going to have a contact today meet me at the VIP Lounge, make sure you keep tabs on him while you perform."

"You sure you don't want me to give him an afterparty show so I get to know him better?" Mayu's voice shifted to a emotionless tone, her standard act when she isn't performing on stage, but even with Diamant she acts somewhat perky just for him.

"Don't joke, the data I had stumbled upon had something big, the last thing I need is my client to fleece us over. Now you got a show to perform, I will see you on the other side."

"There's no way you know how I feel. Don't let me down boy" Hikari finished practicing the last of her piece on the song. Confident and ready, both of them step on to the stage. The patrons ranged from famous sports stars, fans young and old, members of the Rabbit Hole resistance who while wincing to anything from AKB0048's main playlist would gladly cheer as loud as any fan of the original group. It was a sight to behold even in the nightclub as the front row had their most devoted fans waiting for a taste of their performance.

"GOOD EVENING AKIBASTAR! YOU ALL READY?"

The music and the lights roared to life, the sound techs and DJ pressed played on the music device as Yuko began to sing. The fans cheered as the girls sang the song, the way Yuko sang was mesmerizing to Diamant, something about the way she sang and danced just opened his mechanical heart...he still remembered that beneath the synthetic skin he was not a true human. It was so long yet it always felt like yesterday he had lost his humanity, Diamant attempted to regain his focus, he had a job offer to pick up. But Mayu and Yuko were still giving a hell of a show, the backup dancers were able to pick up on their idol spirits, even if they didn't have the successor spirit, the idols themselves were so inspiring that they for a moment almost become like the idols themselves. And even for pheremones it was a huge contrast from what they do on stage, a candle that burns twice as bright but half as long, Mayu swayed seductively with Yuko and strike a dazzling finish that had the crowds screaming their names. Diamant looked from the VIP lounge, smirking in approval. He was approached by a man in his early 20's, his appearance was that of a regular corporate suit from the factory designed suit to his composture of a dull dreary eyed human being designed to press out company reports for his scrip, unlike most of the party goers who wore casually to the nightclub event who were all lively and enjoying the night out in town. A dead fish out of the water...

"Ah, the famous Diamond Dust Mercenary Team Leader. I have been waiting to meet the man behind one of WOTA's most famous...or should I say infamous. Even within Akibastar it seems you have a dangerous reputation and I am interested in your services." Diamant ordered one of the girls to pour him a drink as he sips some whiskey, high quality stuff "imported" from DGTO planet Arkanzastar. Diamant kept one eye on the idols and the other on the stage

"Quite a nice bunch of showgirls huh? Few men can say they can get a bunch of AKB0048 idols on stage to perform here at a club where they get hog wild and express their love for music in the most forward method possible. So give me your offer for the data." Diamant flashed the data stick to him, he pulls out a tablet device and began uploading the data. As he attempts to read the file, he makes a scrowl that has his composutre cracking.

"Your data is no good, there is one problem with the information and it's that the good parts are encrypted."

"You want me to decrypt it personally?"

"No, my client needs the data untouched with brute force, he doesn't want your involvement in tracing the files since it leads back to you and this mission is of a less legal nature for my representative. Even by your standards, still I have work for the other job."

A typical corporate man, not my concern but running a resistance does need money, and I need a bit more for my big score...

"Explain to me the details of this job then."

"Several months ago, we have gotten word of corruption within corporate ranks of the DGTO's corporate elite. My client believes in brutal honesty and adherence to one's personal or national values. Your job will be to expose this fallout so that we can put them on the path to righteouness."

"Spare me the whole speech about causes, give me my target."

"We need you to handle the problem by finding Zodiac Industry's inner circle of security. The Horoscope Company." He shows him a photofeed of several soldiers, they wore highly customized versions of the DES Combat Armor they were known for, their armor was a sleek pale white suit with several armor plates designed ornately . However their armaments are also quite customized, one of them carried a flamethrower and the other a plasma cannon with heavy armor. "You will be tasked with wetwork against them, feel free to use whatever method to eliminate them. Our group will keep track of your elimination of the operatives"

"Horoscope Company? I only heard rumors about them, corporate wetwork and black ops . They are usually handle stuff the DES couldn't handle, which is saying a lot given that we only hear of them when they wipe out some WOTA cell.

"But you are not WOTA, you are Rabbit Hole. You men have proven to be more merciless and daring than the average WOTA resistance. And the people need you in this finest hour. Are you willing or not?"

"Payment"

"45 Million credits."

"50"

"48, final offer."

Diamant nods, the client nods as he shook hands with him.

"So you want to keep the data? Or want me to keep it?"

"If you find the keys to the data, I may offer you a deal you cannot refuse. For now though, focus on the task at hand, I will send you information as soon as possible."

"Very well Mr. Johnson."

He smiles slyly. As he leaves, Mayu and Yuko were finished with their performance. Yuko estatically hugs Diamant as he feigned interest in her, pretending they were in love as they embraced, the club knew how popular he was with the ladies and he can put up a facade in front of the crowd. Mayu then gives Diamant a direct look, giving hints that she has something important to tell him as she switches from her sexy demeanor to a more stoic tone.

"There is going to be a concert at Rankastar soon and we will honored if you will be watching the concert and cheer us on." Mayu gave 4 golden tickets to him, one for every leader of the regiment, it has everything from handshakes to dinner dates and a chance to mingle with the AKB0048.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth...

"And by the way..." Mayu was interrupted when her pigtails light up, trouble was here...

Diamant already knew though, as commotions of a fight was heard outside, the girls and Diamant gathered together outside to see...

The streets of Akibastar are generally safe, it isn't so safe when there is booze involved and a modus operandi to start some shit up. In this case, he saw a six man fight, two who he knows. One of them was wearing hip hop style clothing, baggy jeans, hoodie and ice. The man was in his late twenties and was bigger than most of them, Ronaldo Amnon, leader of the Club 9 company. The other was a leather wearing punk, with baseball bat in his hand itching for a fight, he was no older than 20 years old, Lee Colby, the leader of Ace of Blades. Lee went for the first blow at one of the men as he swung his bat at the face of a man who swifty dodges and swung back at Lee. Diamant observed closer and saw that he work the jacket of an Anti-WOTA, officially they are a "environmental rights group" but in reality they are something much worse...

"You defiling creeps are the reason why the DES attacks our planets so often! Fuck the Rabbit Hole and their fucking Rabbits! Emphasis on the leader of the Heartbreaker gang"

"Ain't no Heartbreaker but I wouldn't mind breaking your face today." Ronaldo replied as he flipped him off.

"FUCK YOU!"

The Anti-WOTA screams as he threw his fist at Ronaldo, the hit grazes the skin of Ronaldo's face as a swift kick is seen lashing back at him, delivering a clean hit as the guy was knocked onto the ground. Lee wasted no time following Ronaldo's attack as he finishes him off with a blow to the face before turning to the other underlings. One of the thugs threw a fast straight punch at him as he didn't noticed Diamant's metal hands grabbing him from behind. As he attempts to break free, Diamant delivers a sleeper hold as a snap on the neck is heard and the thug was rendered unconscious. ran for their lives only to bump into a familar figure, Shinn Hyuk Hyuk...leader of the Heartbreaker, with him are Yukirin 6th Generation and Kojiharu 8th generation, both were in evening casual wear with Shinn wearing a fine evening suit for high end parties. Shinn's reaction was to a swift punch to their faces as they were knocked onto to the waterfront.

"What's the commotion?" Shin was utterly confused at the commotion that Diamant and the gang had caused, Lee was laughing at the Anti-Wota down the river as he calls a flurry of insults at them as Ronaldo checks if the unconscious WOTA are ok.

"I thought I told you laid low, the Anti-Wota were looking for you." Diamant was clearly irritated with Shin's appearance, he already breaks a number of rules involving AKB0048 but there is little he can do about him.

"Ayako's cooking left me wanting more, so we are heading to Kanniku to have some Korean BBQ..." Ayako taps Shinn as she makes a pouty expression. "It was Ayako's suggestion."

"Yeah, Shinn's getting us premium BBQ tonight, you can come along if you like Lee." Ayako butts in "Shinn's buying."

Shinn was at shock over Yukirin's suggestion, should have never made fun of her cooking.

"I will pass, me and Ronaldo are going to get plastered at the pub tonight, Sayaka wants to get a couple of fighting sessions before the big Rankastar concert..."

"But that is where the ..." Diamant was more than welcome to invite Lee as well.

"Don't go there..."

"Besides, I am not too keen on going to watch as he feeds AKB0048's girls before he takes them to the slaughter. I know you are a meat eater Shinn, but you better watch what you are eating, them bones leave a trail."

Shin was fuming heavily as Lee and Ronaldo walked away. Kojiharu and Ayako continue to hold Shin as they lead him and Diamant to the restaurant.

On the way to the Blade of Damocles Pub, Lee was thinking about what Diamant said. To him, he remember his days in Rankastar and he does not think of them highly at all...all the suffering, all the oppression, he still had it a lot better than Ronaldo though, raised in Columbiastar where cartels, the DES and DGTO all controlled the planet with an iron fist, that area of the planet was considered off limits to AKB0048 as the area was a dangerous place to perform a gureilla live there. He knew off hand what they would do to any idol trying to bring hope to the planet, and it was brainwashing them to purge them of their radiance before selling them as concubines and slaves to local warlords on the planet,

Most didn't survive beyond 2 years in such conditions.

Ronaldo was one of the lucky people who found his way to salvation, but the memories for him lingered with the scars on his body, his chest was lined with old lashes and bullet stitches from all of the fights he was in.

"So of all of the scars on you, which one was the most important I always wondered..." Lee then received a glance from Ronaldo's eyes, his one of his brown eyes was replaced with a glowing green iris...

"Lost it when I fought off a bunch of DES dogs a couple of years ago. Always felt that moment it could have been better but it didn't. But why are you asking me Lee...what's bothering you?"

"It's Rankastar, that is where I met him..."

"Is it Diamant?"

"No, someone else..."

Their conversation was interrupted when Sayaka comes out of a nearby alley victorious from a fight. As she makes a rather excitable face from her victory against her opponent, Sae followed her.

"So what are you guys up to tonight? The night is still young for all of us!"

"Going for drinks, hey can I come along? I want to try beer! Heard it goes great with..."

"Aren't you a bit too young to be drinking? I am talking to you Sae..." Ronaldo said in a tough tone...of all of the understudies she was the youngest but yet she could pilot an Assault Suit with the best of them, and Sayaka was proven to be one of the best. Ronaldo halfheartedly laughs as he puts his hands on Sae's shoulder, obviously making a pass at her.

"Well then...I should probably take her back and..." His words are interrupted by Lee, who uses the element of surprise to knock him to the ground...

"Take her back to the dorms, Megu and and her friends are wondering where the fuck she went..." Lee said, keeping his grip restraining the much more able bodied one of the two.

"And besides, if you misbehave...I am going to put you through KojiHaru's feminization course, with Ushiyama making you his dance partner." Sayaka laughs andgives a playful tease on Ronaldo's butt as he walks away with Sae dragging him in tow.

"How about a drink and some fried chicken?"

The pub was a farcry from Diamant's nightclub in the city, instead of a sleazy nightclub it was a rowdy lawless frontier pub with beer that is affordable but intoxicating, the furniture was several centuries old, a combination of road house and British pub decor. The clients there were a mix of WOTA and his boys, they get along relatively fine as the light hearted matches of darts and arm wrestling brings the bonds of these men together quite swimmingly. Lee sat at a private booth with Sayaka as he gets a cigarette out and started smoking.

"So Sayaka, what are your recent thoughts?"

"Oh the usual, concerts, training and handshakes. How's things on your side?"

"I have been thinking about Rankastar, I haven't head there in the last 4 years. It's not my real home, but I had most of my formal training as a member of Rabbit hole soldier. Not sure about going "home" though."

"Oh, what did you learn?"

"Fixing assault suits, car bombs, how to kill a man with my bare hands, oh and I learned that I was a kickass front man for a metal band."

"You sing?"

"Yeah."

"So you did you play Instrument?"

"Guitar."

"Are you good at any of those?"

"I am running a resistance, not a band. I leave that stuff to actual members beneath my group. They can start Gureilla lives for all I care, all I want is to see DES blood spilt."

"Lee, you have been working for us for the last 4 years, Diamant recommended you to join the WOTA's allied resistances, he knows that you had something unfortunate happen at Rankastar and that was the reason why you would fight."

"And how does it relate? My days in Rankastar are long gone, I have no part in the rebel efforts these days. Right now the only focus is bringing as much DES property as I can before I catch a blade, bullet or a missile."

"You are one hell of a fatalist there, Lee."

Lee gave her a stare with a cross expression. It wasn't that he was angry at her, but shocked at her ignorance of his situation

"You should listen to some of my songs. You will know what kind of guy" Lee passes her a memory chip, as Sayaka plugs it in, she could feel the dark, angry and sombre tone that left her speechless. It was good, but it was also angry.

"Working for a bunch of happy go resistance fighters isn't the gig I exactly signed up for. I am doing this because Diamant saved my life, but if you are so inclined on me going back to the place that still gives me nightmares, be my guest."

"It can't be that awful, I know some undergraduates who had it as bad as you did"

"Let me put it this way, Reaper Company does not care if you are idol or rebel, any dissidents are just moving targets for them and my days in Rankastar..."

As he thinks about her offer and dwells in his past, the thoughts were interrupted by the fragrant smell of fried chicken and pitcher of beer pouring into his mug.

"So you sure about going back to Rankastar?"

Sayaka asked as she finishes her mug of beer, she passes a golden ticket to Lee. It had a shiny gleam with the logo of AKB0048 on it. He held it in awestruck, to be considered to be VIP fans...something must have been done right for such an effort.

"Hell yeah I am sure."

"Then we will drink to that."

Author's notes: The first chapter where we are finally introduced to AKB0048's main cast, as you see, my story is inspired by stuff like Shadowrun and similar cyberpunk stories. Sure AKB0048 may be a true heroic resistance but every good resistance needs somebody to play the bad cop. The one who doesn't hesitate to leave a body trail to set an example to more stubborn enemies as well as establish a threat that does not share the same sentiments of the DES who would rather jail the girls. The main antagonist seeks to snuff out the idol threat and we will soon see them operate.