Eternal City Crystal Tokyo

Other Business

Major Motoko Kusanagi frowned as the blue-black haired woman took a orbital transport, arching up over the planet to fall towards North America. It roughly resembled the maps of her youth, but rising water levels had eroded the shores, and several wars had left crater-lakes and new valleys in the former locations of Washington DC and Dallas Texas.

The transport descended to what was near the north-eastern United States, now the free state of New Chicago. The fourth Civil War carved out a semi-independant state, made up of much of Illinois, and states around Lake Michigan, pretty much controlling all around the lake. Despite much of Old Chicago being submerged there was a new city on the shoreline, one vibrant and full of life.

'Also the hub of criminal activities in North America,' Motoko mused as they descended to the airport, 'and second in criminal activity to only that cesspit Roanapur itself.'

They landed on the island based airport and Motoko breezed through customs, what customs there were. The staff in the airport were disgustingly casual by Motoko's standards, but she tried not to let it show as the jumpsuit clad woman watched the crowd going by thoughtfully.

Her agent was waiting in the airport's lounge, and managed to reach her without looking awkward or sneaky, as many former reporters might. Cory Emerson nodded hello, the attractive blond falling into step behind her. She wore a simple woman's suit in blue, one fitting her cover as a professional information broker.

"Cory," Motoko nodded, the two of them walking through the busy airport towards the exit.

"I have good news and bad news," Cory murmured just quietly enough that Motoko's enhanced hearing could pick it up, "I've cracked the Bloodfire network, but I think the local gangs are also onto our operations."

"I was sort of expecting that," Motoko admitted as they went out of the sprawling airport. "You know the local family moving Bloodfire into the States from the Luna Colony?" she asked.

"Confirmed, they were shipping it down in containers labeled 'genuine moon rocks' it seems," Cory noted dryly. "The Genoard family is responsible, though nailing them for it will be harder."

"Hmm," Motoko nodded. 'Bloodfire' was the latest addictive drug on the market, and was invariably lethal after a few doses. Yet somehow there were always more people willing to take it... "Did you bring a car?" she asked.

"Public transit," Cory answered, "I wasn't taking chances."

"Car bombings?" Motoko asked curiously as she shouldered her bag. The two walked over to a commuter bus, Cory paying for them both.

"They wouldn't be so crass," Cory smiled wryly, "as far as I can tell things are run very... politely, here. Mind you if you break one of the unwritten laws here you're dead, but they won't get innocent bystanders involved." She sat, Motoko beside her on the seat as she said, "Following someone on transit is just more complicated for our enemies."

Motoko chuckled softly as they started off, studying the passengers with her eyes. Several had gotten various over-the-shelf gene treatments to look part animal or alien, while others appeared to be mostly human. There were also a few cyborgs, but no one she recognized from military or covert work.

"So what' the mission, assuming I'm cleared to know it?" Cory asked as they drove down a elevated road towards the city itself, waves crashing against the supports of the road.

"It's not as cloak and dagger as usual," Motoko admitted to her agent wryly. "With the upswing of Mesa based activity in and around Earth, the queen wanted me to informally see where the Chicago mobs stand."

"First of all, don't refer to them as mobs," Cory corrected her as they moved through the outer flood wall and through the docks, "the lead family considers themselves Camorra, and take great pride in it. Referring to them as mob of Mafia might spoil the whole discussion."

"Thank you," Motoko said, even though she already knew that. Instead she was testing how deep Cory's knowledge went, and so far was quite satisfied. "And who's head of the families in Chicago?" she asked, noting how many modern, crystal buildings there were. It almost seemed like the city was trying to be too modern, in a way.

"The Martillo family," Cory answered promptly, "in an alliance with the Gandor family. They control the majority of shipping in the region, as well as having agents in the police and customs departments." She paused, "It's almost certain they already know you're in town."

Motoko raised a eyebrow, "Even though I came into town with a false name?"

"Don't underestimate the families, they have a spy network nearly as good as yours," Cory cautioned her boss gently.

"Hmm," Motoko looked over at Cory thoughtfully, "would being seen with me put you in danger, then?"

"Not really," Cory looked sheepish, "I'm kind of seeing a grandson of the Martillo family."

"I usual encourage my agents to get committed to the job, but this is rediculous," Motoko teased the younger woman gently.

"Ma'am!" Cory blushed.

The buses stopped in a station near the center of town, not far from the entertainment district and the best restaurants. Motoko was faintly disappointed that it was so similar to Crystal Tokyo, though she was surprised to see several distinctly American businesses. There was a McDonalds, the old brand still going strong, as well as music stores and other businesses that never really succeeded in the modern Japan.

As the two women got off the bus Motoko felt that odd... itch between her shoulders. Long experience as a espionage agent had given her a almost supernatural sense for knowing when she was being watched. She casually scanned their surroundings, noting that several people had followed them off the bus. All seemed to be casually going about their business, but every now and then she found herself meeting a young boy's eyes.

"Cory, do you know that kid?" Motoko whispered softly. There was something... odd about the boy. The black haired child looked like any other local kid on the surface, but his eyes seemed much to knowing for his apparent age.

"Oh, that's Cres," Cory said, "I've seen him around the Martillo family, but he's just a follower."

Motoko gave Cory a flat look, "I think you've let yourself judge too much be appearances."

Just then the boy seemed to smile slightly, then moved like a shot, racing away from them. "What the...," Cory yelped even as Motoko took off in hot pursuit. She wasn't anywhere near as fast as Motoko, but the slim blond made herself run after them, even as she checked the gun holstered under her stylish jacket.

Racing into a alley she saw Motoko facing off against the small boy, blinking in astonishment as the little boy held twin pistols, keeping Motoko covered calmly. "You read lips, I suppose?" Motoko asked calmly.

"I do," Crez agreed, "it's a skill that comes in handy over the years." He tilted his head to the side as he asked, "Are you serious about just wishing to talk to the Martillo family?"

"I am," Motoko agreed, the tall cyborg deliberately not deploying any of her internal weapons systems or going for her gun.

"Well, that's all right then," the boy calmly said as he put the guns under his deliberately baggy overcoat. Crez smiled as he called out, "You can back off, now."

Cory whirled around, only then realizing that a seeming old lady, a young teenager and a traffic conductor had all been holding weapon and ready to act. 'I'm going to have to turn in my spy license at this rate,' she thought ruefully.

Within a few minutes they were lead through the alleys to a restaurant called the Alveare, based in the basement of one of the city's many towers. Despite the new interior the inside of the place was similar to ones from hundreds of years ago, with wooden tables, what were probably fake wood beams holding up the roof and matching walls. It was roomy, despite being in a basement, and was packed with people eating and drinking.

Crez lead them through a curtain blocking off the back room, where a group of young seeming men and women were talking quietly. The man at the head of the table was short, but he seemed to have the respect of the others as he spoke, his light brown hair falling into his eyes.

"Hey, Crez," the man smiled warmly, "are these the ones?"

"Yes," Crez agreed, "the cyborg even spotted me, which is pretty rare these days." He gestured, "Motoko, Cory Emerson, I'd like you to meet Firo Prochainzo, the head of the Martillo family."

"Until they find someone better, anyway," Firo smiled engagingly even as he shook their hands.

"Don't joke," the attractive redheaded woman beside him said, "you've more than earned your position, my love."

"Thanks, Ennis," he said, Firo kissing her cheek. He looked up at their guests a bit sheepishly, "Please, grab a seat. We don't do formalities much here."

"Thank you," Motoko said, sitting down as she studied the men and women across from her. Supposedly all of them had taken a immortality serum back in the early twentieth century, leaving the leaders of the family virtually unkillable. Of course, her data was incomplete and she was surprised not to see any of the older men who supposedly ran the family...

A smiling man leaned forward, his eyes oddly kind as he said, "I'm Maiza Avaro, it's a pleasure. I understand you're here on behalf of the Crystal Kingdom's intelligence service."

"I am," Motoko nodded, "as you're no doubt aware, Mesa attempted a attack on the Crystal Palace itself recently."

One man made a spitting gesture, "Scum, attacking in such a way."

"Agreed," Cory nodded firmly.

"They've also made moves into organized crime on Earth," Motoko said, "I wanted to warn your organization to be ready for their tactics."

"They like subborning people," Crez noted wisely, "catch you in something they know you'd be ashamed of, then use it to blackmail you."

"And I assume you're worried we might be doing business with Mesa," Ennis noted as she smiled slightly. "I assure you that the family opposes everything that Mesa stands for."

"Yet Mesa is behind Bloodfire, we think," Motoko said calmly, "and you're shipping it, if not dealing it."

There was a moment of dead silence after she dropped THAT bombshell. "You'd better be joking," Firo said flatly.

"They're shipping it through the Chicago docks. I can verify that, even if I can't nail down exactly who is behind it," Cory said a bit nervously as the family glared at them, "or at least I can't prove it legally."

"Who is your prime suspect?" Ennia asked rather more calmly than the others at the table.

Cory was surprised when Motoko silently indicated she should answer. "The Genoard family, through various cut-outs," she said. Cory wasn't expecting the disgusted looks that crossed the men's faces, not to mention how annoyed Firo got.

"Damn it," Firo snarled, "they used us to try to set us up." He shook his head in disgust, "Is the family never gonna let go of the feud?"

Motoko looked intrigued, "I take this has been running awhile?"

"You have no idea," Firo sighed as he and the others began to explain...

To be continued!

Notes: Based off the anime Baccano! If you haven't seen it I would recommend the series, and it's just out as a set from Funimation. I plan to expand on this later, possibly into a separate story.