Full Metal Tokyo Panic
Chapter 8
August 2nd 2033AD
Caldwich-Archangel Tower, Tinsel City, Japan
Dustine stepped into the meeting room which was filled partly by her executive staff and the other side with the Solnoid survivors. They all seemed anxious, looking around in wonder and somewhat overwhelmed all in one. She took a deep breath and smiled as she stepped towards the group. "Well it seems everyone has been revived, yes."
"Thats an affirmative ma'am," Catty nodded as she stood in between the Solnoid side and the C-A executive's side.
"Alright," Dustine nodded and smiled. "I guess formal introductions are in order. I'm Dustine Ageni, Director of the Far East Asian branch of Caldwich Archangel and this is my executive staff."
"I'm Natsuki Kuga." Natsuki nodded and smiled "I'm the vice director of this division. Along with me is Shizuru Fujino, Chief of Security Haruka Suzushiro, Chie Harada and Yukino."
"...and she is?" Eluza pointing to Mai Tokiha.
"My secretary," Dustine shrugged.
"Fair enough," Eluza nodded and introduced herself. "I'm Eluza. Former Captain of the Starleaf. This my bridge crew, Rabby, Patty Sally and Miti."
"We've met," Rabby and Patty smiled.
"I don't think we have though," Sally a dark skinned solnoid with waist length dark hair shook her head.
"Me neither," Miti, a tall girl with very curly lime green hair noted.
"Well you've met me..." Lufy nodded and gestured to Shildy's group. "This is Shildy, Spea and Amy and you've met their Catty too."
"Indeed we have," Dustine nodded then smiled a bit. "This..probably is very new and strange and confusing for you. So we've taken some steps to help out."
"To begin, we've arranged communal housing for you," Natsuki said.
"Eh?!" The girls blinked.
"We felt as you all know each other, you'd be comfortable together," Natsuki added
"You'll also get full internet and training programs," Mai nodded
The solnoids glanced at each other, murmured amongst themselves then stopped when Eluza held up a hand.
"Whats the catch?" Eluza asked.
"Oooh she's quick," Shizuru whispered to Dustine.
"She has a right to be. Feels like they've been through hell," Dustine whispered back then smiled. "No catch. Catty has provided us with various assistance that more than pays for the help."
"Oh?" Eluza asked.
"I am very good at picking stocks," Catty noted.
"Saying that, some of you do have some tactial experience and would fit in here quite well. Along with your scientific and other skills but...thats up for you to decide." Dustine nodded.
"Mm." Elzua nodded then looked to her staff who nodded curiously. "Fair enough."
"Catty also helped create some of the socialization classes, as she knows your culture and ours, now," Natsuki noted
"We'll be holding those classes here." Shizuru smiled.
"How to interact with men is probably a key class in itself," Dustine noted. "I know the next few weeks and months will prove to be challenging but we'll help you along the way."
"I...thank you." Rabby smiled, misty eyed.
"Likewise." Eluza nodded.
"Yeah. Thanks." Patty smiled while the others nodded.
"Just like that?" Lufy blinked.
"Yes, Lufy, just like that. No frills no mess," Dustine grinned and walked over to the other side of the room she toggled the windows open and smiled. "In any case, welcome to your new home. Mega-Tokyo."
Half of the group gasped at the skyline. Rabby, Patty and Lufy had already seen it but the others haven't until now. One by one they went up to the window to take in the city.
"So many buildings." Sally blinked.
"How many people are here ma'am," Miti asked.
"Five million." Dustine nodded.
"Five...Million?" Spea blinked. "Thats alot!"
"Yeh," Miti noted.
They chatted on for a bit glancing at the sky line, on occasion asking what was and so forth. Shildy was last to approach. She walked up, taking in the city before her. She put a hand on the glass as she stared out at the mass of towers in front of her. Memories flashed to the fore, what she and the others dared to do in Damia's orbit. How much they sacrificed. Tears flowed freely from her eyes as she clenched her other hand.
"Shildy?" Dustine blinked and was about to reach out to her.
Catty, however, tugged her aside.
"Give her a moment," Catty advised as Amy and Spea moved to support their dark haired team leader. "This is...probably very rewarding for her."
Dustine didn't fully understand what they went through but she did know when others needed to be left alone. Even for just the moment. "Very well."
"Do you think it's going well?" Haruka asked Natsuki
"They don't look TOO freaked out," Natsuki answered
"Yeah." Mai nodded. She blinked as a few started to cry into their friends shoulders. "Then again..."
Mai looked to Dustine who then nodded and gestured for her to go over. Mai smiled and walked up to console the girls.
August 7th 2033AD
"Oh there she is," Mai smiled at Dustine as she walked up to their table in the cafeteria. "How's the project going."
"Slow but steady," Dustine sighed as she flopped down next to her friends. "We're getting them settled in the communal housing today. Classes are going well or so I hear."
"Still mother henning them?" Mai teased.
"A little..." Dustine rolled her eyes.
Moments later, Shizuru lead in the girls who were wearing C-A track suits. Dustine nearly spit taked as she lead them to the food line to grab some grub.
"Now look whose mother henning," Mai chuckled.
"Should SHIZURU be the one taking care of them?" Dustine sighed then pointed to Amy and Patty. "I can just hear her ara ara's with the young ones.
"Now now. She's not THAT bad." Natsuki sighed.
"At least they're getting along with the staff," Mai noted.
"Yeah." Dustine sighed
She watched the girls leave one by one and Shizuru leads them to a table two rows dowm. Dustine waved to the girls who waved back. She grinned then sighed "So we've got this, random security threats and the security conferenec which is two weeks away."
"I'd say we'll be plenty busy." Natsuki nodded.
"Yeah." Dustine nodded.
"Oh by the way, Mikoto says she wants to move in with me," Mai changed the subject.
"Oh really?" Dustine blinked
"Yeah." Mai nodded.
"Did she say why?" Dustine asked.
Uhm..." Mai blushed
"Oh? OH!"
"Alright. Just remember that her brother IS a Genom exec." Dustine sighed.
"Can she do that forever?" Natsuki frowned.
Mai frowned at all of them, "Mikoto isn't a idiot. She'd know not to tell Reito things, you know."
"Riiight." Natsuki and Dustine nodded then blinked when Amy and Spea came over with trays of food. "Oh hey...?"
"Hi. Could we sit here?" Spea asked.
"Sure?" Dustine blinked.
"Thanks." Spea nodded then sighed.
"Is something the matter?" Dustine blinked.
"That shizuru woman is very...flirty." Spea sighed.
"If she 'ara ara's at me again, I'm gonna freak," Amy added.
"I'll have a talk with Shizuru," Natsuki sighed.
"Lets hope she doesn't hit on your captain," Dustine rolled her eyes.
Mai laughed nervously and watched the girls dig in to lunch. They took a few bites and got a little misty eyed didn't break down. Dustine watched them for a while as did Natsuki.
"How are you settling in?" Natsuki asked. "Mai is overseeing it, right?"
"Oh. Mai's great!" Spea smiled. "We've already checked out the place and picked our rooms. Mai do you have the photo on your device."
"Sure do," Mai smiled and held up a Navi showing the two story building that looked like a old styled Inn of some sort. There were a few photos of them checking things out.
"Looks great." Dustine nodded.
"We want to check out the town." Amy nodded. "Rabby said there's a lot to do around here."
"First you finish your culture course. And honestly I'd rather you not go out alone just yet," Dustine noted
"Yes ma'am," Spea and Amy nodded.
"That's the mother hen that we know," Natsuki nodded.
"Lay off," Dustine sighed and looked back at the other table. Catty was talking to the others while Eluza and Rabby shrugged off an obvious come on by Shizuru. Dustine sighed. "Natsuki..."
"On it." Natsuki nodded and marched over to the table. Seconds later, she was tugging Shizuru away from the table by her ear. Rabby gave Dustine a thank you wave and a nod.
August 9th 2033AD
It was a rather warm day in Mega-Tokyo, and the air conditioning was on full blast within the tower. However there were some sections of the tower which were extremely stuffy. Thinking nothing of it, Lufy and Spea, after training stripped down to their underwear to find the nearest shower. They blinked when several of the men and women gasped and blushed. Two female security guards, who were on patrol in the tower stopped them, chided them and pulled them into a woman's bathroom and called for Mai on their devices.
Mai came running with spare track suits in hand and found the girls sitting on the toilets, looking confused, embarrassed and maybe a bit sheepish.
"What's the matter with you guys?!" Mai Tokiha demanded.
"It was hot..." Spea stated.
"So?!" Mai Tokiha then frowned. "You just don't walk around naked in public hallways here. Its indecent and you'll be likely targets of perverted men and women."
"Is...this also in our training?" Lufy asked, looking frustated and confused.
"Yes," Mai nodded and handed them the tracksuits. "Here. Put these on."
"Yes ma'am," The girls nodded and the two women pulled the tracksuits on. Spea glanced at her. "What now?"
"We're going to have a full class on this right now." Mai grabbed her hand. "Lufy you're with me too."
"Yes your highness..." Lufy snarked but then sank back a bit when Mai gave her a very furious look. "Ah...I mean right."
"Good." Mai nodded.
The next day, Dustine's office around 12:30PM
"Okay. See you then. Bye now." Dustine spoke into the phone and waited for the link to cut before hanging up. She sighed and sat back into her chair and closed her eyes. The security council was two weeks away. The USSD issue was mostly resolved but she had a nagging feeling something might pop up between now and then.
"Whew."
She looked outside at the city. "Its calm for now. But for how long."
Moments later, her phone intercom beeped. Dustine sighed and tabbed the button. "Yes Mai?"
"Miss Mikihara is here to see you ma'am," Mai replied.
"Let her in," Dustine answered and turned her in her chair as Megumi strolled through the doorway. She had in her left hand a few manilia envelopes in her hand.
"Good afternoon Miss Ageni," The brown haired woman smiled as she approached the desk.
"Good afternoon," Dustine nodded then smiled as Megumi handed the envelopes to her. "These are their new ID's right."
"Yes. Birth certificates and everything." Megumi nodded then asked her. "How are they doing by the way. Fitting in well?"
"Mai told me that Lufy and Spea were caught wandering the halls stripped down to their underwear," Dustine noted which Megumi to chuckle nervously a bit. Dustine signed then shrugged when she continued. "Security grabbed them and Mai and hauled them into an office for a lesson about indecency. Heck she hauled in the rest of the girls for good measure too. Heck they didn't know about separate bathrooms until recently."
"Did they not know about men either?" Megumi asked.
"Nope." Dustine shrugged her shoulders then chuckled wryly as Megumi arched an eyebrow at her. "Catty had to give them a class about that recently too. This is going to be very interesting and strange for all of us."
"I see. Well at least we're giving them a lot of support and info rather than shoving them off into the world." Megumi nodded then asked her. "No other incidents with the MIYUs either, right?"
"Nope. Its eerily quiet on the USSD front." Dustine shrugged.
"That's because the Heavenly Sovereign herself scolded Commander Matherson about the recent MIYU incidents," Megumi noted then smiled wryly. "Seeing as they didn't want to loose this charter, they complied. Also Matherson, we've learned, is a bit more progressive than his predecessors. We're not sure if he has much sway in USSD as a whole though."
"Hmm." Dustine nodded.
"That said, its best to keep an eye on the girls for a little while longer," Megumi nodded then sighed. "Andrews pride was wounded when you foiled his plans and wounded even further still when Chikage-chan destroyed the rest of the MIYUs on the base."
"I see," Dustine frowned thoughtfully.
"I heard you went on full alert for a while," Megumi nodded then smiled. "That was probably a good call."
"Yeah. I was worried Andrews was gonna send a full suit team to retreive his nephew," Dustine sighed.
"Where are the spies by the way," Megumi asked.
"Hidden in different cities," Dustine shrugged.
"Also a good call," Megumi nodded then blinked when when her watch beeped. "Ah I've got to get going."
"Oh, I'll see you to the door, I've got to hand these off to Mai," Dustine smiled and gathered up the folder and walked with her. She opened the door for Megumi who complimented her.
"Such the gentleman," Megumi winked at Dustine as she walked over the threshold. Dustine blushed then walked into the receptionists office just in time to See Catty walking up to Mai's desk.
"Oh, Catty-sama, good day," Megumi smiled at her as they stopped at Mai's desk.
"Do I know you?" Catty blinked, unsure of this new arrival.
"Oh this is Megumi Mikihara," Dustine smiled at her. "She's from Toratotaka International and definitely a friend of us and your friends, Catty."
"I see," Catty nodded then wondered. "What's the world largest security funds corporation interest in us?"
"All we want to see is that you're safe and sound, Catty-sama," Megumi nodded then gestured to the receptionst door. "I've got to get going now. Nice meeting you, Catty-sama."
With that Megumi left the room.
"Do they REALLY want to make sure we're safe and sound?" Catty asked.
"Yes." Dustine nodded and handed her the folders,"Here, she gave us your new identification cards."
"Ah," Catty nodded, gazed at the folders then looked at Dustine. "Why are they interested in our survival?"
"Lets just say that they're trying to do some good," Dustine said.
"Hmm," Catty nodded, noting to herself that Dustine's not telling her the whole truth. She continued to look at Dustine. "Does it have to do with the fact that we're aliens, Dustine?"
'She's quick.' Dustine noted
"Yeah," Dustine admitted then held up a hand. "But they want nothing and I mean nothing from you and your friends, Catty. Nothing. I mean it."
"Alright. I believe you." Catty nodded then smiled. "I'll take these to my friends."
"Right." Dustine nodded. Catty started to walk to the door and then glanced back.
"Oh and Dustine." Catty said then smiled gently"Thank you."
"Your welcome," Dustine nodded as Catty exited the door.
"Why didn't you tell her the whole truth, boss?" Mai asked as she leaned forward on the desk, with her hands on her cheeks and chin.
"Maybe one day," Dustine sighed.
"Waiting until the USSD gets it butt out its ass, then?" Mai smirked.
"You could say that yes." Dustine nodded.
later that day
A C-A convoy traveled through the city. Dustine along with Mai and a few others, had taken Shildy's group and some of Eluza's group on motorized tour of the city. Lufy came along with as did Rabby.
"So boss, how did you this position?" Lufy asked as Dustine's car took point.
"I'm not your boss yet, you know," Dustine chuckled.
"Nope but I'm definitely thinking of joining," Lufy grinned then prodded her. "So what's the story."
"Lufy..." Catty and Rabby frowned at her
"Relax. It's all right," Dustine sighed then explained. "My family owns this buisness. I told you that I wanted to be a pro Brave Duelist, right? Well mom and dad didn't want that. They wanted me to join the company so they pressured me to join...and well I did. Spent several years in security then got bumped up to vice director at the Kyoto Annex."
"Hmm." Lufy scratched her cheek. "So you just did as your Mom and 'Dad' told you to?"
"Yep." Dustine nodded then sighed. "After Mom and Dad died in the accident several years ago there was a shift in the boards and I was pushed here, to be director."
"Eh?!" Rabby blinked while Catty looked a little sad. Lufy looked confused.
"That must have been awful." Catty replied.
"Why?" Lufy blinked.
"Lufy, parents on Terra are those who give birth and raise their young," Catty explained to the former pilot. "So it must have been heartbreaking for Dustine to loose them."
"Ah. Well the idea is still a little odd to me," Lufy scratched her cheek.
"It'll take time I'm sure," Dustine sighed then pointed to the GENOM Tower in Shinjuku. "Not long after I found out that someone in that tower put a hit on my parents when they were visiting the Middle East."
"Are you serious?!" Rabby blinked.
"Serious." Dustine nodded then explained. "I wanted revenge at first but I had my hands full with Boomer rampages and keeping you guys secure under the tower."
"That's..." Lufy frowned then blinked when there was an explosion not to far off. "What the..."
Moments later, Dustine's phone rang. She tabbed her earpiece in her right ear quickly. "Ageni speaking."
"Boss! Divert the convoy at the next light!" Haruka ordered over the phone line. "A Ebisu made Boomer is tearing up the commercial district. We're dispatching a AEGIS strike unit now."
"Right." Dustine nodded, punched the emgerency lights on her dash and manuvered her car to the right lane. The SUV's quickly slipped in line behind her, emergency lights also flashing.
"What's going on!?" Rabby demanded
"Boomer rampage!" Dustine frowned as she weaved in and out of traffic. "Sorry! But, we're going to have to cut our drive short!"
"Understood..." Rabby nodded and held on to a handhold on the roof. Catty and Lufy held on for dear life as they turned left at the next light. Dustine drove down a block or two then gasped when a tan colored cyberdroid jetted out of a side street. Dustine slammed on the breaks as it it crashed into a small compact car two rows up.
"What the..." Lufy blinked.
"Boomer!" Dustine yelped.
The boomer then unsteadily lifted the small compact car with the driver and the passenger still inside. It turned and and looked like it was gonna toss the car in their direction.
"Out! Now!" Dustine ordered and they bailed from the car and to the the other SUVS. The boomer tossed the compact car which landed with a loud crash ontop of the sedan in front of Dustines.
"Those people!" Catty yelped then frowned as the other civilians bailed from their cars. "We have to save them."
"What'll we do?" Rabby asked Dustine as the Boomer blasted a random building with its mouth beam cannon. The rest of the girls had also piled out of the SUVs and ducked down for cover.
"Orders ma'am?" Shildy asked.
"Not giving you orders directly but I want you guys to stay safe." Dustine sighed.
"Ma'am those people are in danger." Catty gestured to the cars piled onto each other.
"I know..." Dustine nodded then grinned as a hard suit lept from one of the rooftops and judo threw the Tan ebisu boomer down the street. "Right on time."
"What are those?" Lufy blinked.
"Hardsuits. Our best tatical armor yet." Dustine grinned then looked over at Shildy and Rabby. "We'll need to get those people out of the cars and have the others direct civilian's to safety. Grab some gear from this SUV."
"Right." Rabby and Shildy nodded and followed Dustine to the back of the SUV. She opened up the back gate, pulled a panel back to reveal safety gear and some equipment. She handed out the hazard lights to the girls. "Go. Direct the people away."
"Yes ma'am." Rabby, Shildy, Spea, Amy nodded and gathered the gear.
"What about arms?" Lufy asked.
"Don't shoot the civvies." Dustine sighed as she handed her a light smg.
"Right." Lufy grinned.
"As for you Catty..." Dustine blinked as Catty was ducking in and out of cover to the two cars.
"Catty?! Shit! " Dustine growled.
"Idiot!" Lufy growled.
"Cover her!" Dustine ordered.
"Yes ma'am!" Lufy nodded and ran over to the two cars as Catty slipped over to the Sedan and the compact car. She peered into the sedan, grunted when she saw a family in there then looked up to se a couple hanging upside down in the compact car.
"Catty! Hold up!" Lufy blurted.
"We have to get these people out of there!" Catty blurted then yelped when the boomer, who was fighting two of the hardsuits, lept between the SUVs and the ruined cars. It turned to face Catty.
Catty eeped when its mouth opened and deployed its mouth laser.
"Shit!" Lufy blurted, nudged Catty away and aimed the SMG at its face. The short burst of SMG fire from the Samguk weapon ruinned the optical beam cannon as well as its left eye and some armor. THe boomer reeled at the attack and tried to punch Lufy but she ducked out of the way. Moments later, one of the hardsuits plowed a laser blade into its stomach while the other one took out its head with a knucklebomber.
The Ebisu boomer fell into a heap as Catty blinked. "So that's a boomer..."
"The 55Cs are tougher." Dustine noted then poked Catty in the cheek. "Don't do that again. Especially around a 55C. You could get injured or killed. Got that."
Catty thought about how strong she was. She was about to protest that she could handle herself but the odds of the others finding out who or what she was could put herself in danger. Still though...
Moments later they heard sirens approaching...
"Are you guys okay?" Haruka demanded. "An ambulance and a rescue team was on its way...
"We're fine Haruka and thanks," Dustine replied and turned to the pair. "Sounds like cops or rescue is on its way. We should stand back."
Catty peered at the vehicles again and Dustine tugged her aside. "Look I know you want to help but if you open a door or two the roof might collapse. Let the pros handle it."
Catty pouted then nodded "All right."
To be continued...