From stone to bronze, from bronze to steel
Along the road-dust of the sun,
Two revolutions of the wheel
From Java to Geneva run.

The snarl Neanderthal is worn
Close to smiling Aryan lips,
The civil polish of the horn
Gleams from our praying finger tips.

The evolution of desire
Has but matured a toxic wine,
Drunk long before its heady fire
Reddened Euphrates or the Rhine.

Between the temple and the cave
The boundary lies tissue-thin:
As yearlings still the altar crave
As satisfaction for a sin.

The road goes up, the road goes down-
Let Java or Geneva be-
But whether to the cross or crown
The path lies through Gethsemane.

From Stone to Steel by E. J. Pratt (1883-1964)

Bubble Gum Crisis
An Alternate Story of the Knight Sabers
2034 Year of the Tiger
Neo No Armour Against Fate (Section 3 of 5)
Satisfaction For a Sin (1 of 8)
by Shawn Hagen(1999)

Based on situations and characters created by Suzuki Toshimichi.

February 23rd, Thursday, 13:45, MegaTokyo

The events of the previous week, while certainly not forgotten, had been accepted as a one-time thing and most of MegaTokyo's population was letting life return to normal.

Amongst them were Genom, which had recently lowered its alert status to something closer to normal. With most of the members of Prometheus Bound, both in the city and all of Japan, rounded up, or killed, the company was willing to relax. Yoshiro Andrews was very glad for that.

He was considered by Genom to be a target, so there was always some sort of security around him. He also suspected he was not completely trusted. With the relaxed posture of Genom he was no longer confined to secure areas, nor followed by a C-class security boomer. He had decided to go out to a little coffee shop near the tower, drink overpriced lattes, and read all the boomer articles that had come out in the Journal of Science.

He had sent in a paper for the journal, but it had been rejected. They were going to put it in the next month's journal, however. Yoshiro felt that it was, in some ways, the story of his life. He never quite got up there with the greats. He was always in the back ground, for one reason or another. Perhaps it was the article by Sylia Stingray they had published that had bumped his. He thought, uncharitably, that the only reason Katsuhito's daughter was included was the Stingray name.

He flipped to the inside, front cover and read through the message from Justin Bestar. There was a man who was well known, and yet he hardly knew anything about the subject. He had been the money maker at MRAStech, a man who knew who to ask, how to ask and when to ask for resources. He knew the funding game well.

Whenever Katsuhito had had to go to some dinner, or some meeting, or whatever the bloody function was, Justin went with him. Half the pictures of Katsuhito Stingray showed him with Justin. Somewhere along the line Katsuhito's fame had rubbed off on Justin. Never mind the fact that Justin Bestar knew nothing of the programs that made the boomer what it was; never mind that he probably could not even begin to repair the simplest damage to a boomer; never mind that he spent more time out of the lab than in, when one was asked about the greats of boomer research, Justin Bestar was mentioned.

Yoshiro knew it was stupid to be jealous of the man, he knew that among those who truly understood the work, his own name would be mentioned before Justin's. It was that Justin's name would be mentioned at all that bothered him.

Yoshiro flipped back to the article he had been reading, on the use of boomers for space exploitationnothing new there reallyand took a drink of his coffee. When it came right down to it, Yoshiro felt unappreciated. He was very good at what he did, but no one ever seemed to notice.

That was why he had joined up with Mason, then worked with Largo, and had been willing to try once more with the Beta plan. He should have been part of a group that was going to change Genom, perhaps the world.

It had never worked out that way.

Katsuhito had never needed him, not really.

Mason had used him, but had never listened to his opinions.

Largo had come close to killing him, just because he was human.

Then there was Domino, in a way, part his creation. She ignored him. Any hopes that he might be able to blackmail her with the truth he knew had been dashed by D when she had brought him back into the Genom fold. Quincy knew who and what Domino was, and did not care.

Sometimes he thought that D might have lied to him, told him that to protect Domino. It was something she would do. If she was not lying, and he tried to blackmail Domino, he would be signing his death warrant, or worse. That he knew for certain.

Unwilling to take that chance, he remained silent.

He flipped through more of the pages, stopping to look over an article about new avenues of boomer research. That was another of his problems, he was not working with anything new. He had been put into areas where he worked to improve older designs. He was good at it, but there was no real glory in it.

Sometimes he wished he was involved in something larger.

"Excuse me, could you help me?" someone asked, in English.

Yoshiro looked up. He almost dropped his coffee cup. Standing near his table was a man, tall, with café-au-lait skin. Yoshiro might not have recognised him but for the voice. Without the breather he could now see the man's features. A strong face, not quite handsome, and dark blue eyes. He had not seen that man since he left Paris. Terrence Lecoix.

"What...?" Yoshiro began to ask.

"Can you help me? I don't speak Japanese and I am lost," he said, interrupting whatever Yoshiro had been about to say.

The question stopped Yoshiro and made him think. Blurting out a question that would make it obvious he knew this man might not be wise. "Yes, I speak English," Yoshiro said.

"May I sit down?" Terrence asked, smiling.

Yoshiro nodded. "Please."

He took a seat, placing several maps onto the table. "You see, I am trying to get to Roppongi."

"You're a bit off," Yoshiro said.

He smiled and nodded, then began to unfold one of the maps. "Could you show me where I am?"

Yoshiro leaned forward to look at the map. It was of MegaTokyo, with the train lines highlighted.

"Doctor, do not act nervous, do not do anything foolish," Terrence said softly. "Just act normal."

"You see, you are here," Yoshiro said, putting a finger on a place in the map.

"Ah, I see. It is so confusing," he said.

"Well it can be," Yoshiro nodded. "You want to go to this station here, and get on the Yamanote Line and take it to Ebisu."

Terrence leaned forward to look at it. "Your watchers are fairly relaxed, as long as you do not do anything odd, they are not going to take notice." He took a pen from his jacket pocket. "Do you mind?" he asked, smiling.

"Of course." Yoshiro took the pen and began circling the stations in question. "I'll write the kanji characters, and the hiragana, just in case," he said. "At Ebisu you get on the Hibuya line and continue to Roppongi."

"Thank you," he smiled. "My employers have been quite pleased with the work you did for us. It is unfortunate that you could not give us what we really needed."

Yoshiro's hands tensed, he smudged the kanji he was writing quite badly.

"We need some more help."

"I can't do anything for you," Yoshiro said softly, continuing his writing.

"Of course you can. We need all the information you can provide on the boomer AI system, the black box tech."

"I can't do that!" he hissed.

"Be calm doctor. Ask me if I want to just go to Roppongi."

"You just want to go to Roppongi?" Yoshiro asked in a normal tone.

"Well, actually, I planned on going to the New Tokyo Tower."

"Well, you'll have to continue on the Hibuya line one station past Roppongi to Kamiyachou." He began to mark that on the map.

"You can do it," Terrence said softly. "If you don't, Genom finds out about the help you gave us."

Yoshiro looked up, staring angrily at the man.

"Thank you very much," he said, beginning to gather up the maps. "You have been most kind. Can I perhaps buy you a coffee as a thank you?"

"That won't be necessary," Yoshiro said, fighting to keep his tone even.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Well, thank you. I'll remember this when my friends ask me about Japan. You are very kind." He smiled, then stood.

Yoshiro nodded, keeping a smiled pasted on his face.

Terrence turned and walked from the coffee shop.

Yoshiro forced himself to go back to drinking his coffee and reading the magazine, trying to appear as if nothing was bothering him.

How could he get them what they wanted? Katsuhito's research, the so-called back box items, which made his boomers the wonderful creations that they were, was something that Genom kept under the tightest security. How could he expect to get that?

If he did not get it though, what might happen to him? If Genom found out what he had done, he was certain that they would destroy him. And as he knew, death was only one of the options Genom had to use as punishment, and not the worst.


February 27th, Monday, 14:32

Since Nene had been promoted to Sergeant and transferred to Leon's section she had found herself busier than ever before. The nice thing about Leon though was he was happy with results. As long as she gave him everything he wanted, he did not concern himself with where she was during the day. It made skipping out of work so easy.

Skipping out on work was what she was currently doing.

Not that she wasn't working, she had a lap top on her knees, putting together a report Leon wanted on the sale of improperly recycled boomer parts and the parties responsible for it. While not all of the information could be used in a conviction, it would let him stop the trade in many cases.

She was not doing any hacking, or working on anything directly related to Genom. A wise precaution considering where she was.

The West Pillarthe Pillars were four office buildings, one on each compass point around the Tower. The sixth to ninth floors were home to the Genom Education Department. Nene was on the ninth floor, seated in the reception area, waiting for her appointment with the chief admissions officer for Genom Daigaku(university).

She had, more or less, promised Kate she would try for the University. Research had shown her that Genom Daigaku, Gendai, was an institution with a growing reputation both in Japan and abroad.

So, she had made an appointment to speak with the person in charge of admissions. Now she was waiting.

"Romanova-san," the receptionist called.

"Hai?" Nene looked up from her laptop.

"Koeda-san can see you now," the young man told her, smiling.

"Thank you," Nene said as she shut her computer off then closed it. She got to her feet and walked towards the desk.

A woman, a bit taller than Nene, looking to be in her mid forties, stepped out from an office as Nene approached. "Romanova-san, I am Koeda Junko, chief admissions officer for Genom Daigaku, please, this way," she said, indicating the office she had come out of.

Nene entered the office, Junko stepped in behind her, partially closing the door. The office was fairly large, the back wall a window, looking out at the Tower. Quite the view, Nene thought.

"Please, take a seat," Junko said, indicating the two leather chairs in front of her desk. As Nene did so Junko circled around her desk and took a seat behind her large, pine desk. "Just a moment," she said, smiling, then began to look through pile of printouts on her desk. "Romanova-san, you'd like admission into the Genom Daigaku, if I understand everything correctly."

"Hai." Nene nodded. "I'd like to write the entrance exam for the University."

Junko nodded as she flipped through some of the pages. She pursed her lips for a moment. "Well, your scores on the Central Exam are very good, and your grades from your high school, though a bit odd, are also very good. There is no reason that you should not have a chance to write the exam."

Nene nodded, then waited to see if the woman had anything else to add.

"You're currently employed with the ADP are you not?"

"Ah, yes," Nene said, a little confused. She was wearing her uniform after all.

"Do you plan to continue to work there after you start attending University?"

"No," Nene shook her head. "Would it be a problem if I did?" She wondered what the woman was saying. Would they not let her into the University because she was in the ADP?

"Not a problem as such," Junko said, smiling. It was a friendly smile. "We prefer that our students dedicate all their time to school work and avoid part time jobs. If they choose to pursue jobs, we allow them to, not that we could really stop them, but we often notice their marks suffer."

"I see," Nene said.

"Like most Universities in Nihon we realise that our students worked very hard in both junior and Senior high, and that University is seen as something as a time to kick back and relax. We try to allow them to do so, but we do expect a certain level of performance. A part time job, combined with school work and a social life is often too much."

She paused and took a breath. "I must admit, that with the antagonistic feelings that exist between Genom and the ADP, justified or not, having a part time member of the ADP attending the school might cause some unnecessary friction."

"I don't think the ADP would allow an officer to work in a part time fashion," Nene told her.

Junko stared at Nene for a moment, then laughed. "Yes, I suppose you are right Romanova-san. Well, now that that is out of the way, let's talk about the school, shall we?"

"Of course."

At that moment the receptionist entered the office, carrying a tray with him. He came up to Nene and placed a cup of green tea and a small plate of cookies on the table beside the chair that Nene was seated in.

"Thank you," Nene said.

"Don't mention it," he told her, then moved to place another cup and plate on Junko's desk.

She nodded at him, then he turned and left the office, bowing before leaving.

"Now," Junko took a drink of her tea, "Genom entered into the business, if it can be called a business, of education soon after its formation in its present incarnation. At the time it was one of the perks that Genom offered to attract as many potential employees as possible. A number of young people had families and were often worried about the quality of their education. By offering excellent education facilities and instructors, Genom was able to give them what they wanted at a very low price.

"Now, while Genom schools have always been private institutions, carrying a charge for attendance, the tuition fee is only ten percent of what similar institutions charge. In fact, just to let you know, Genom Educational operates at the largest net lost out of all divisions within the company." Junko smiled. "We are rather proud of that in a perverse way.

"Of course, that loss is used to offset gains made by other parts of the company, and the over all result is that money is made. If you end up taking any of the more advanced economics courses, assuming you gain admission of course, this will all be explained to you."

Nene nodded and took a drink of her tea. She picked up one of the cookies. They looked very good. It was nice to see that Genom did not skimp.

"Our expansion into the field of post-secondary education has only been part of the company's policy for a little over a decade. Before that we were involved in providing funding to various Universities and their research. The reason we decided to set up our own University was two fold at heart.

"We had a number of parents asking for it. They were very pleased with the quality of education that their children received while in Genom schools and were hoping it could progress beyond Senior High School.

"At the same time, roughly, we were beginning to see signs of burnout in many of our staff and researchers. It was suggested that moving them into teaching positions might be of help in dealing with the stress. It gives researchers a chance to work on projects that they might not have otherwise, and many of our executives took to teaching as well. It keeps them sharp, and while there is stress, it is not the same."

"What about making the students loyal to Genom?" Nene asked, unable to help herself.

"Of course, that is a benefit, but not our primary concern, well, not Genom Educational's primary concern. We wish our graduates to be well adjusted and well educated members of society. We want them to be a benefit to any company that might hire them or to any part of society that they find themselves in." As she talked there was something of a passion in Junko's manner.

"I see. I'm sorry," Nene said. The woman was obviously committed to her ideals.

"No need to be sorry. It is a valid concern. There are many people in Genom who would like to see Genom Educational churn out loyal workers who have been trained specifically to work for Genom. Fortunately those individuals do not have much, if any, say in the running of Genom Educational.

"Where were we?" Junko asked, then picked up her cup and took a drink.

"You were telling me that the school gave Genom employees a chance to deal with stress I think."

"Yes. Well, the school did give us what was wanted. The parents were happy, and the new professors enjoyed the change of pace. Four years ago we started adding Master Programmes to our course of study, and as of today offer Master level work for all undergraduate courses taught at Gendai. Two years ago we began to offer PHd courses as well.

"All things considered, Gendai can be considered a success. While the Nihon campus is the only one in existence today, we are hoping to set up other campuses world wide, one day."

"You have a growing reputation as a very good educational establishment," Nene said.

"We are happy about that. Now, when it was set up, we knew that is was going to be primarily a University for the graduates of a Genom SHS. It is the top of an escalator system. While we have space for students outside of that system, we do limit their numbers. Our first consideration has to be to the children of our employees. Of course, one accepted into Gendai, you are, in a way, considered to be an adopted member of the corporate family and are treated the same as any other student. That is one thing that we insist on."

"I'm glad to hear it," Nene said.

"I'm glad to say it. Now, if you wish to apply for acceptance you do have to write an entrance exam, and I have to admit it is terribly unfair. As an outsider you are expected to show a much higher level of performance than any student coming up the escalator. If you do pass though, Genom offers a full scholarship. An apology of sorts for asking you to attain a much higher level."

"I guess it is fair," Nene said, though she was not sure that she agreed. It all seemed too elitist to her.

"Not really. It is a rather elitist system in many ways. Oh, we are not only interested in academic performance. Any talents, artistic, athletics, and such are also considered. You did not mention them when you called us so I did not think you were applying in such a way, but if you have any such talents, please let us know."

"It sounds," Nene paused, not sure if she should say it, "like you are collecting the best and the brightest."

"That is exactly what we are doing. Genom, like any other company, needs the best and the brightest if it is to prosper and compete. If you gain entrance to Gendai it is hoped that you might work for Genom when you graduate, but we do not demand such a thing." She stopped and looked at the ceiling for a moment. "I think that is it. Do you have any questions Romanova-san?"

Nene though about it for a moment. What she had been told was enough for her to make her first decisions. "No, not right now. I would like to write your entrance exam, if I can." The difficulty of it was like a challenge to Nene. She wanted to pass it, just to show she could.

"Of course." Junko smiled. "You can write it any time you choose. Because we are near the end of the current school terms and approaching a brand new school year I would suggest writing it sooner than later, but you don't have to feel rushed."

"Sooner is fine," Nene told her. "Would the first of March be all right?"

"If that is when you wish to write it. The test does take all day."

"That is fine," Nene said, fairly certain she could get the day off. "Though if something comes up..."

"Rescheduling will not be a problem," Junko told her.

"Good." Nene got to her feet. Junko did the same. "Thank you very much," Nene said, bowing.

"You're welcome," Junko said, returning her bow, but not so deep. "You can make an appointment with Hita-san outside. He will be able to tell you everything you need to know."

"I will, thank you," Nene said, bowing once more before turning and walking from the office.


February 28th, Tuesday, 22:07

Sylia lifted the coffee cup to her lips, taking a small drink. As she placed the cup onto the saucer, causing them to chime softly, she noticed that she had left a small smudge of lipstick on the white porcelain. "Your choice of meeting places is improving," Sylia said, looking about the sixth floor, Ginza coffee shop.

Fargo smiled ever so slightly. "That name put me off. 'The Grind', I thought it was a strip bar."

Sylia almost smiled at that. "What is it you wish to talk to me about?"

"Some interesting things that have been happening. Genom recently got in touch with a mercenary company that may have been working in the city not so long ago." Fargo took a drink of his coffee. "Wants to repatriate a member."

"For some information?"

"Seems likely."

"Interesting. Anything else?"

"About Genom? Not really. Operations as normal. They are recovering quite well."

"As would be expected." Sylia turned the cup on her saucer one complete revolution. "What else?"

"News from abroad is interesting."

"Tell me." Sylia picked up her cup and took a drink.

"The belief is that Hou Bang went out of its way to take a deal away from Aphros Industries in Brazil. They basically cut off Aphros' cheap supply of titanium, which will hurt the company. It was also suspected, though in no way proved, that Hou Bang might be behind the fire that gutted their offices in Toronto."

"I see. Has Genom taken any actions against Aphros?"

"Not that anyone can tell."

Sylia nodded. "Anything else?"

"Want to go dancing?"

Sylia finished her coffee, placed the empty cup down, and then got to her feet. She removed a thousand yen bill from her purse, put it on the bar, then turned and walked away.

"Guess not," Fargo said.


Sylia took the elevator to the lobby, then left the building, crossing the road to the parking garage opposite. Her car was parked on the first level, near the gate. It did not take her long to get out on the road.

Fargo's information was interesting. Some of it she already knew. Some of it was new to her. All of it was useful. It looked as if Aphros was, in some way, behind the trouble between Hou Bang and Genom. She wondered why Genom had not done anything, and why Hou Bang's actions, to date, were so minor?

There was more going on than Aphros Industries trying to cause trouble between Genom and Hou Bang. She would have to watch things. Perhaps she might learn something of value.

She stopped at a red light, behind several other cars. Keeping and eye on Genom and Aphros was just one of her concerns. She was still in the planning stages for her new motoroid, though it was progressing well. In a few days she hoped to start construction.

The light changed to green. Sylia waited until the car in front of her began to move then slowly let up the clutch.

There was the potential problem with Linna. Now that Reika Chang had made her an offer, Linna was deciding what she would do next. Sylia did not want to lose Linna, but could not think of a way to stop her, even if she was willing to do so.

Reika Chang, innocently enough, was giving Sylia problems.

She was still considering a possible replacement, and had talked to Priss about them, but they had yet to find anyone that would fit in well with the Knight Sabers. She had had a long list of potential candidates, but it was rapidly shrinking as she or Priss found some reason to reject them.

At times she was worried that she might be rejecting them for all the wrong reasons. She really did not want to replace Linna.

Sylia slowed the car down as she approached a yield sign. She would deal with it when she had to deal with it. Until then, she had plenty of other things to concern her.


March 1st, 14:24

Linna rapped at the door frame.

"Come in," she heard from beyond the door.

Linna slid the door open and stepped into the office. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes." Andrea looked up from her desk. "Please, have a seat." She indicated the folding chair that sat in front of her desk.

"Thank you," Linna said as she took a seat.

"Yamazaki-san, I'd like to tell you that I'm pleased with your progress."

"Are you going to tell me that?" Linna asked before she could think. She had discovered that she cared a lot about what Kikuchi-sensei thought about her.

Andrea looked at Linna curiously for a moment, then laughed. "All right, I guess I deserved that. No, this is not a play on words Yamazaki-san. I am quite pleased with your performance. One day, when you stop having to deal with so many outside considerations, you may be among the greats, for a time."

"For a time?"

"You can't dance forever. Age related problems often happen sooner for dancers. Don't worry about it though. The future will deal with itself. That is not what I called you in here for. I'd like to talk to you about the singer Vision, Chang-san."

Linna nodded.

"I must admit I was a little surprised when she called me. She is a friend of yours I take it?"

"Yes. I knew her late sister."

Andrea nodded. "Do you know why she is hiring you?"

Linna nodded. "She needs a friend."

"And you want to help her?"

"Yes," Linna said.

"Admirable. You will do an excellent job for her."

"Thank you," Linna said, a little sadly. It sounded so much like a dismissal.

"She on the other hand will not be so excellent for you."

"What?" Linna looked up at her teacher and employer.

"For what she requires, she will not need you to be better than you are now. It is unlikely that you will advance much while you are with her."

Linna said nothing for a time. "Are you telling me not to do this?" she asked after several seconds.

"No." Andrea shook her head. "I'm only making sure you understand your options and what they mean. You still have to make a decision, but I want you to make the right one, for yourself."

Linna sat back, thinking about that. For herself. What was right for herself? She felt she owed Reika something. She was not sure why, but she did not feel that she could turn her back on a friend who needed her.

"Think about it," Andrea said.

Linna nodded, recognising the dismissal. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Andrea told her.

Linna left the office, then leaned up against a wall, letting out a short sigh. It kept getting more and more confusing."

"Linna-san, hurry up," Mako Namura called out.

"What?" Linna turned towards the other dancer.

"We have to get our costumes fitted," Mako told her.

Linna had a confused look on her face, then shook her head. "Sorry, I forgot." She pushed herself away from the wall. "Let's go."

"So anything terrible happen in there?" she asked, looking back at Andrea's office.

"No, not really," Linna said as she began walking towards the theatre. "Do you ever think of moving on?" Linna asked.

"From here?" Mako asked.

"Yes."

"Of course, but it's hard to leave here. Kikuchi-sensei gets all this money from the government for keeping ancient traditions alive, and from corporations, so she does not let money concern her that much. This is more of a school than a dance company in many ways. I might not get a chance at fame while I am here, but I am getting very good."

"So you'd stay here?" Linna asked as they started up the stairs to the dressing rooms on the upper floors.

"Well, for a time. I want fame." Mako smiled. "If the perfect job came along, I might take it. As it is, I think I'll hang on for the current work we are doing, and one or two after that. Then I'll start looking. You can only dance professionally for so long, and if I want fame I'll have to start working on it."

"How long have you been dancing for Kikuchi-sensei?"

"Almost two years now. Most of her dancers stay on for two or three years before moving on. Why are you asking? Got a job offer?"

Linna stopped on the steps for a moment. "Maybe. It is hard to say." She started up the stairs again.

"Really? What is it?"

"A choreographers position."

"A technical advisor," Mako said, smiling.

"I guess," Linna said. She stopped in front of the door to the dressing room.

"Well, tell me what you eventually decide."

"I will," Linna said.


"Okay, let's try this again," Priss said. "Yuuko-san, come in fast again and I'll break a finger."

"Which finger?" Yuuko asked, not particularly bothered by Priss' threat.

"Don't see that it will matter," Norio said. "She only knows three chords."

Yuuko smiled broadly at Norio and gave him the finger. "How about I have my boyfriend beat you up?"

"Shut up," Priss said good naturedly. "Now, once more, from the top. Takeshi." Priss looked back at her drummer.

He nodded, then began to drum out the beat.

A moment later Norio added his guitar to it, Priss followed, and Yuuko came in last. Very nice, Priss thought. Then she began to sing:

"The tides of darkness are rising and rising real fast.
They're rising real high and I fear they will last.
There's an evil so seductive that it's calling to me.
An evil so strong that it won't set me free.
Went looking for answers, went looking for love.
Found a gleaming steel fist in a black velvet glove."

Priss let the rest of the band play giving them their chance to show off. She let her guitar swing back so it was not in the way.

"They've corrupted my heart, they've corrupted my soul,
My very life has been corrupt on the whole.
I struggle in vain to set myself free,
But the gleaming steel fist is crushing me.

"Well I don't fear death," the rest of the band came in for 'death', punching it up.
"but I do fear life," once again, the other band members added their voices to 'life.
"And I balance my existence on the edge of the knife.
The adrenaline high is where I live,
But it burns me out leaving nothing to give."

The music continued on for several more seconds before ending abruptly. The people cleaning the club, and getting it ready for opening clapped loudly. Priss smiled, then looked at the rest of the band and nodded. "That's what we are looking for."

"Does that mean I don't get my fingers broken?" Yuuko asked hopefully.

"This time."

"Very impressive," Kano said, clapping as he walked up to the stage. The Hard Rock Café was still closed and made a good rehearsal space for the band. "Care to tell me just what you plan to do tonight?"

"I want it to be a surprise," Priss told him. "You'll like it though."

"That's all very well to say Priss-san, but I would still like to have an idea to what my club will experience tonight."

"You'll find out with everyone else. Now leave us alone, we're trying to practice."

He shook his head, smiling, then turned and walked away.

"We need a less public place to practice," Norio said, playing a few chords on his guitar. "Not that this is Shinjuku Station or anything."

"It would help with the new stuff, especially if you want it to stay unknown." Yuuko said.

"Not a big worry, but admittedly I'd like a more private place." Priss nodded. "Give me some time to think about it. Okay, let's move on. Rock Me, from the top," she looked back at Takeshi who nodded and began on the drums.


Nene smiled as she walked through the lobby of the West Pillar. She had aced the test, she was sure of it. While she was not entirely sure that she wanted to attend Gendai, knowing that she could gave her a sense of satisfaction.

She stepped out into a pleasant enough March day. The thick clouds, while obscuring the sun, were holding in the heat. She walked out of the lobby, through the front, glass doors, and out onto the steps. She was looking out at the city, the Tower behind her.

Nene zipped up her light coatit was warm, but not that warmand looked about her. The steps were wide, and on either side were large, stone dragons. Each of the pillars had similar guardian animals, looking out, away from the Tower. The dragons looked quite fierce.

She started down the stairs, passing by the security guards that stood at the base of the steps. Most likely boomers Nene thought, but was not sure.

From the sidewalk, she ran across the road, stopping suddenly to let a car go by, then crossed the rest of the road. As Nene walked along the sidewalk she considered what she might do next. Leon had given her the day off, but he wanted her to complete her report on the recycled boomer parts. If she worked hard, she could get that done in a few hours. That would give her a chance to see Priss play at the Hard Rock Café that night.

Turning at the corner, Nene continued towards the train station. She had to get home fast if she was to get all her work finished.


Kano stood near the front door of the club, looking out over the crowd. The Tokyo Hard Rock Café had become quite a fixture over its years in the city. It was a place where a number of performers had launched their careers, revitalised them, and even ended them-most often by retiring, but not always.

All things considered, it had a history.

Kano had built on that reputation, making the club a success again. He had taken a lot of chances over the two years he had owned it. Tonight was just another of those chances. If Genom took a large dislike to him giving Priss this chance, then he would suffer. He was betting that Genom would not care.

The audience was an interesting mix, he thought, looking down at tables below him. Slummers who had seen Priss at Hot Legs, friends of those slummers, fans from Hot Legs, and people who were just interested in seeing a band they had not seen before.

There was a small crowd outside the club, people who just could not get in. A packed room was a joy to Kano. He just hoped the people milling around the outside of his club did not cause any problems. That sometimes happened.

He stopped looking over the crowd and shifted his attention over to the stage. Through the ear piece he had just been told that the band was heading for the stage.

The house lights went down, enough to let the audience know the show was about to begin. The buzz of conversation faded away as people became silent.


Priss looked back at Norio and winked at him. He smiled back. "Let's show them what we can do," Norio said.

Priss nodded, then turned and walked out into the light.

The band walked out, stepping onto the lit stage. There were a few murmurs of surprise in the crowd, from long time fans who knew something was different, as well as people who had suspected something else from the band.

Priss had abandoned her trademark blonde wig. Her shoulder length brown hair was pulled back from her face with a white ribbon. Even with the knee length, tight, black skirt, the matching jacket and white blouse gave her the look of a professional woman rather than a rock musician.

The rest of the band was all dressed similarly. Norio was in a light grey suit, his long black hair tied back in a ponytail. Takeshi's suit was black, light brown hair combed back neatly instead of spiked up. Yuuko was wearing a blue blazer with a pleated, white skirt. Her hair was held back from her face with a set of tortoiseshell haircombs.

That they carried their instruments, except for Takeshi, was the only way that some of the crowd knew they were supposed to be the band.

Taking her place on centre stage, Priss reached back and activated the radio link on her guitar. She could hear the hum of the speaker stacks as the rest of the band activated theirs. She smiled, wishing she could see more than a blurry image of her audience. In her mind she could picture the look of surprise on their faces. With that thought she hit the stings of her instrument with a pick that shone like polished silver.

The audience was once again surprised. The music was not the hard, fast beat of rock, but something softer. More suited to a church perhaps.

Priss' voice, pure and clean, gave words and life to the music.

"Yuuyake koyake no Akatonba Owarete mitano wa Itsu no hika"
(One time in the sunset's afterglow/Dragonflies I saw/Softly lulled on mama's back /Many long years ago.)

The audience stared, some opened mouth, as they listened to the singer on the stage. Almost all of them had memories of the song and the few that had never heard it recognised the reverence with which it was sung.

"Yama no hatake no Kuwa nomi o Kokago nitsunda wa Maboroshika"
(One time climbed I up a high hill/Mulberries to pick;/Even many years after/Memory lingered still.)

"Yuoyake koyake no Akatonba Tomatte iru yo Sao no saki."
(One time from the evening sky/To my bamboo pole/Crimson dragonfly of a sudden/Lighted like a memory there.)

When Priss finished she slid the pick in between the strings on the guitar. The rest of the band continued to play the soft, beautiful music, holding her audience entranced. She smiled again, everything going like she had planned.

Reaching behind her head she untied the ribbon and pulled it from her hair. Flicking her wrist she threw it into the air over her audience's heads. All the bodies and the stage lights created warm air currents that held the ribbon in the air. It floated towards the back of the room, twisting slightly, the air currents in the room giving it a semblance of life. More than one head turned up to watch it.

Priss hooked her index finger into the collar of her blouse and yanked down, popping three of the buttons off.

Freeing her pick from the strings she launched into a loud, fast, hard riff. After the slow, hymn-like music, the angry, punching rock was like acid on an exposed nerve.

Takeshi used his foot pedal to continue pumping out the new beat Priss had set while he put his sticks down and removed his jacket. He pulled off the tie he had been wearing then rolled up his sleeves. Retrieving his sticks he pounded out a fast beat on the snare and used the foot pedal for the high hats.

Norio kept playing as he kicked off his shoes, then stopped long enough to unfasten his belt, undo his trousers and let them drop. He was wearing shorts with the British flag emblazoned on them. Priss had almost refused to let him do it, feeling it was a bit too much. As he began to play again he kicked the pants from around his ankles.

Yuuko reached up to her left shoulder then pulled at the jacket sleeve. The already weakened stitches snapped and the sleeve fell. She repeated the process with the right side.

With her band behind her, Priss started in on her next song. She would give them one new ones.

"Shadows dance on bone white concrete,
and darkness rules the night.
There's a patch of unknown waiting for me,
at the top of this stair flight."

Priss sang, her words painting a clear picture in the minds of her audience.

"Well I'm terrified of this dark place,
and I run in fear to hide my face.
But the darkness has teeth and the darkness has claws,
and it chews on my soul in its filthy maw."

"Footfalls echo off the buildings,
as you run through the canyons of glass.
Around you the city is deserted,
and darkness is coming fast."

Leaping back she turned her attention to her guitar, letting Yuuko and Takeshi pick up the chorus.

"Well I'm terrified of this dark place,
and I run in fear to hide my face.
But the darkness has teeth and the darkness has claws,
and it chews on my soul in its filthy maw."

Priss moved out front again, hitting her strings hard, getting the sound she wanted.

"Rain swept streets empty fast,
as the darkness comes again.
And like a lover it caresses my skin,
oh, my soul once more knows pain."

"Well I'm terrified of this dark place,
and I run in fear to hide my face.
But the darkness has teeth and the darkness has claws,
and it chews on my soul in its filthy maw."

Priss let her guitar drop, the Fender swung towards the ground before the strap over her shoulder stopped its downward motion. As it swung behind her, the head almost grazing the floor, she grabbed the mike in both hands.

"Stark white lights of death blind me,
but shadows dwell behind.
Between the devil and the deep black sea,
My fate is so unkind."

"Well I'm terrified of this dark place,
but I won't run in fear to hide my face.
For the darkness has teeth and the darkness has claws,
and it chews on my soul in its filthy maw."

The music ended. A moment later the applause began. Priss waited a few moments, letting their adulation wash over her. It felt good. The she grasped her guitar, swung it up, and started with the notes of 'Mad Machine'.


Nene showed the bouncer the backstage pass that Priss had supplied her with. He let her through the door into the rear of the club. She walked up a short set of stairs, then down a darkened hallway towards an open doorway bleeding light into the corridor.

Priss was leaning on a small table, a grey towel around her neck. Two hours of performing had soaked the overly warm clothes. She had discarded the jacket early on when, during one of the songs, she had put the guitar aside. Her long sleeved blouse was stuck to her with perspiration and was getting cold and uncomfortable. Her underwear felt even worse.

Unfortunately Norio and Takeshi had grabbed the only two showers in the club, which meant she had to wait. Yuuko had leapt off the stage as soon as they had ended, making directly for Leon. It must be love, Priss thought. She could see no other reason why Yuuko was not back stage, waiting for a shower.

She was ambivalent about having Leon around so much now that he was dating a member of her band, but at least Yuuko kept him from bothering her.

Nene ran to Priss, throwing her arms around her, ignoring the sweaty garments, hugging her.

"You were great Priss." Nene smiled up at her.

"I'm glad you liked the show." Priss laughed, returning Nene's hug for a moment. That she did so surprised her a little, but the show had gone so well.

Nene released Priss. "It's too bad Linna couldn't make it. Honestly, you would think she could be here."

"She has her own dreams."

"If I had known she wasn't coming I would have invited Naoko. It might have saved me some trouble."

"What?" Priss asked, using the towel to wipe at her forehead.

"All the people trying to pick me up."

"Ahh. No accounting for taste."

Nene smiled, not bothered by the insult. "Too bad Mackie was busy, I think he would have liked it."

"What, were you going to hand all the guys hitting on you off to him?"

"No, but maybe some of the girls."

"So that's the kind of people you attract. But would anyone take Mackie over you?"

"Are you saying that just because you know what an incredible hentai Mackie is, or because you really like me?"

"Guess." Priss pulled the towel over her head and began to rub it through her hair.

"Hmm, not that I care. You're just the sort my mother always told me to avoid." Nene said with mock anger. "Of course she was talking about boys."

"Are you suggesting something Nene-chan?" Priss placed a hand on the smaller woman's shoulder, giving her a look that could be considered threatening.

"What ever makes you think that?" Nene stepped back.

"Your penchant for foolishness perhaps? But I'll forgive you tonight."

"You really impressed everyone out there." Nene brought the original topic back.

"I hope so," Priss said, sounding distracted.

"So, what's next?"

"Huh? Oh, I don't know, a party that will drag on till early hours of the morning more than likely. Want to come Nene-chan, hang around with an all new crowd?"

"I have to go to work tomorrow."

"So?" she asked knowingly.

"You do have a point, but not this time. Leon has been cutting me a lot of slack for the past few days, but not tomorrow."

"Oh well."

"Are you coming home tonight?"

Priss paused for a moment. Home. An innocent sounding word, but it packed a lot of weight. She was going to have to get out of that house as soon as she could. "No, I'll be crashing out real late. I'll pass out on a friend's couch and probably wander in after everyone has gone to work."

Nene nodded. "Maybe everyone can show up on Saturday night. You are here for a week right?"

"That is the plan."

Nene nodded, smiling.

A moment later Norio stepped out of the bathroom, a towel around his shoulders and nowhere else. Nene spun to face a wall, a flush spreading across her face.

"Put some clothes on," Priss told him as she headed for the open door, undoing the remaining buttons on her blouse.

"Why?" Norio asked.


Sylia was up late.

Part of that was because she and Mackie had been working on her new motoroid design. Part of it was that she had new information coming in from other information sources. There was also the fact that she needed to work with the New York stock exchange.

She sat at her computer, looking at all the information coming in. She sold ten thousand shares of a company she knew was about to go under. She bought five thousand of another that she suspected was about to be involved in a hostile take-over. She sold a large number of GovernmentAmerican governmentBonds she had been holding onto, then used the money to buy another twenty thousand shares of the company that was soon to be taken over.

She read the patterns, used insider information, and every now and then trusted to luck. It had proven to be a very successful method of attaining money, though most of it she could not easily touch. Her financial empire was well hidden, so well that she often had a lot of trouble getting at her own resources. A necessary evil in order to keep it all hidden, however.

Turning her attention away from the stock market, for a time, she looked at another screen. New information on Genom and Hou Bang, as well as Aphros. Both of the megacorporations were rebuilding from their losses, close to being back to where they were before everything started. Hard to say who might come out better when all was done. Aphros was still reeling from the damage they had taken. Why had such a small company done anything to upset the likes of Genom and HouBang?

Other megacorps had tried to take advantage of the slightly weakened companies, with predictable results for the most part. Genom was still Genom, and they were not about to let anyone take what was theirs. Hou Bang may not have the raw power of Genom, but they had so many parts that it was a hard organisation to hurt, and it could strike back very effectively if it needed to.

She read the information that scrolled across her screen, but saw little of real value.

She took note of Genom's acquisition of G&B. The megacorp had played it the smart way-take in everything it needed then toss out what was left, the crumbs, for the others.

Being so busy trying to snatch up those crumbs kept them from taking a close look at Genom, using the time between absorption and full integration to rip some of those parts away, or to attack them.

Sylia turned back to the information coming from the stock exchanges. In time she was certain that she would have all her answers. She just had to be patient, careful, and alert.


Notes on Dragonflies:
I was first planning on having Priss sing Amazing Grace so you can guess the feeling I was going for. Dragon Flies was written by Rofu Miki and translated by Tetsutaro Ariga. It is a popular piece for the New Years Red and White show.

"As long as you do not know life, how can you know death"
-Confucius