Interlude 20: Blue Collar Man

Times change, man. Six months ago, I was just another resistance fighter. Trying not to die as we struggled against the Brits crushing us under their boots.

Now?

Now I'm an intelligence and supply officer, and the primary contact for the underworld with the Black Knights. Now I feel like I'm doing something.

'Cause I got something to believe in. Or rather, someone.

Zero. The Demon King. If you'd told me before I met him that I'd end up working for a masked lunatic Britannian dressed in an opera costume? I'd have socked you in your Refrain-addled jaw for being a dumbshit motherfucker.

Then again, that's probably how most of us felt when Zero and his...whatever she is.

I called her a bimbo once and got decked. But come on! She walked around in a prisoner outfit! How was I supposed to know she wasn't a hooker?!

I sigh and smile as I look over today's paperwork. Good profit returns, couple of dummy corporations working as cover, and I got a meeting today with one of my old buddies from when I was dealing.

Hmm, Kawaguchi Inc. got raided. Meh, that was a shit name anyway. After what happened at that hotel, nobody's gonna wanna answer to that name for awhile. Not after the boss mutilated and executed the JLF commander running that op.

I ain't handling the shit having to do with Kyoto's money, anyway. That's high finance and not my field. That cute girl Sumeragi Ka-something is handling it.

I sign off on the money transfer to more low profile assets.

The old guy, Kirihara, he and Zero are tight. Like two old war buddies. Course, some of us weren't happy when we found out that Kyoto were the ones who fucked us over.

I flex my left hand, remembering when I punched the concrete after Zero outed Kyoto's part in the war.

Fucking rich assholes. Boss Man was right, they're not much better than the Brits. Makes me wish Zero was running the country back then.

Prime Minister Zero...nah. That ain't right.

Emperor Zero.

And not like the guy we used to have, a figurehead, some guy who just signed papers, cut ribbons, and shit.

Nah, Zero's old school. I may not have been a great student when I was on school, but even a dumbass like me knows who his title is talking about.

I shuffle the papers on my desk as I put them in the dispatch box. And man, that's a trip right there. Me, a small time thug and resistance grunt, having a desk and being an officer.

I look at the wall scroll, the one that's in every office in our bases. Our 'war maxim', as the boss puts it.

天下布武。 (Tenka Fubu.)

Military rule, all under heaven. Every kid over a certain age in Japan knew who Nobunaga was. He was the biggest badass and scariest warlord of all time.

'Cept nowadays? When people whisper names on the street? Zero is the one said in fear. Or awe, depending on who's talking.

I stand up, stretching to get the crinks out of my back. Just seeing a picture of him doesn't do it. You have to hear him speak, see him live, to understand it.

I appreciated the guy, got along with him. Hell, I even thought he was a damned good boss, to start off with.

Then Narita happened.

Some jackass tried to take a shot at the boss. Kallen, me and him all pulled guns on the idiot.

But then Zero offered his gun. And I'm like, 'holy shit, is he fucking crazy?'

He said whoever killed him would be responsible for fighting Cornelia. THE Cornelia! The fucking Witch of Britannia herself! Scariest woman alive!

And this motherfucker who's daring us to kill him? He even had the gigantic balls to hit on her! I must have been laughing for a whole hour after he told us that after Saitama!

After threatening to kill the next idiot who challenged him?

He started talking. And as his voice raised, and the blood dripped from his hand? We got angry. We felt hungry for victory. And most of all? We started to BELIEVE.

Even Ohgi, the most skeptical guy I know. Even he's backing Zero all the way!

I toss my jacket on and light up a joint as I leave the office. Feels good to smoke again. Haven't had the money or time to do this in awhile.

Didn't feel like it after Naoto died...

"Yo! I'm out to a meeting! I'll be back in an hour! Call my cell if you need me!"

My assistant salutes and gets back to her typing. Nice girl, think her name is Akari, Akane? Something like that. Boss said I needed someone handling the filing and making sure I was on a schedule.

I was annoyed at first, until CC started laughing and said Zero has Ohgi and a few other people handling this for him. It's the kind of shit that needs to be done that he don't have time for. And what I'm doing is too important to waste doing paperwork.

I sheepishly nodded and got back to work after that. I didn't realize it till after Narita, but that girl? She's not just an officer, she's the one running the show when the Boss ain't here.

Ohgi might be second in command by rank, but everyone knows if you need something done ASAP, 'Zero's wife' is the one to ask.

Lady's got the same kind of presence the Boss does. Nobody's dumb enough to mess with her.

Well, the Boss does. But talk around the base is that he likes getting smacked. I swear, man, Brits are all fucking pervs.

I stop on the way out as something occurs to me.

"Shit, that's probably why Kallen likes him."

She's a good kid. She could have joined any group in this country, hell, she could have joined the Britannian army. She's not just nobility, she's an ace.

And what does she do? She joins us. True, it was mostly 'cause of Naoto. But even after he died, she still stuck around.

There's a betting pool on when she's finally going to nail Zero. That blonde girl said she had dibs after him, though.

Funniest part was? Kallen turned azuchi-bean red and walked out of the room. That definitely got people talking.

I cough as smoke goes down the wrong way. Truthfully? I don't give a shit if Kallen's a Yuri girl. Though given how Brits are? She probably likes both.

'Course, there's a limit to how far everyone is willing to tease her. The video of her wrecking Cornelia made the rounds around the base after Narita. Later on, her fight with the Lancelot joined it.

Un-fucking-real, man. I knew she was good, but this? She's the greatest Japanese pilot of all time. Even Miracle Tohdoh admitted she's better than him.

CC said something I didn't get, though. Something about Kallen being 'the next Flash' ?

I don't know who that is, probably some Brit ace. Whoever that guy was though, it spooked the other pilots. Guy must have been some scary son of a bitch.

I tap my phone, sending a coded message to my contact.

After like ten minutes, a guy with green striped hair and a nose ring walks up, carrying a backpack and wearing a dusty trench coat.

"たける?!緑のカッパ?!まちがいない、お前だ!" (Takeru?! Green Kappa?! No mistake, it's you!)

My buddy looks up and breaks into a wide grin.

"たまき?!紅いアホ!?久ぶりだよ, この野郎!" (Tamaki?! Red Retard?! Long time no see, asshole!)

We embrace and hug it out. Takeru was my best bud back when I was dealing. I knew him before I met Naoto and Ohgi. Lost track of him years ago; thought the Brits got him. This is awesome!

"Holy shit, I ain't seen you in years! How ya been?!"

Takeru flashes me a V sign as he drops his pack.

"Dude, I have been through some shit! Look at you, looks like you made out like a bandit!"

I'm wearing an overcoat over my uniform. One, 'cause it's getting colder this time of year. And two? Because it ain't safe wearing the Black Knights uniform in public.

Yeah, we're meeting in a ghetto. But the walls have ears, yo. Boss Man was very insistent on my being paranoid about meetings in public.

"Tamaki, listen to me very carefully. It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you. And trust me? THEY ARE. So you will observe Operational Security in the field, or so help me, I will pummel you unconscious to ensure the lesson sticks. Is that understood?"

Zero is fucking scary at times, man.

"Yeah...keep it quiet, bro. I can't be flashing this shit out here."

He looks around cautiously before nodding, "Got it. Gotta keep shit quiet during deals, sorry."

I wave him off as we walk inside a building after seeing no one else around. Yeah, it's not likely anyone would be in a ghetto, but...well? Paranoia, man.

We sit down and just look at each other. He looks like he's in good health. Kinda pale, but that's normal for dealers.

"Seriously, what happened to you after the war?"

He spits off to the side in disgust. Ouch, that bad?

He sighs after looking at my face, and starts rolling a joint.

"I was staying with my grandparents out in the country. My folks wanted me out of Tokyo when the bombs started falling. Found out later...my house got hit by a stray bomb. Mom was crushed in the rubble. Dad...dad tried to shield her and bled out."

Fuck...

He sparks up the J and passes it to me.

"I got back into dealing again less than a year later. Grandma didn't want me joining the resistance. She said it was pointless after they executed the Emperor."

Goddamn, I remember that. That one broadcast did more to break the Japanese spirit than all the bombs combined.

I shiver as I take a toke. We all kinda gave up for awhile after that. Yeah, the JLF was around. But they didn't do shit. I didn't see one of their guys launch even a raid after that happened.

"So who do you sell to? My boss wasn't around back then."

Takeru blows a smoke cloud in the air as he answers.

"Yakuza, middle men for business types that don't want to be seen. I got to pay a premium to the Britannian mob, though."

I raise an eyebrow. Why the fuck would THOSE assholes care about weed? Their money comes from people-smuggling and Refrain.

"Yeah, I didn't get it, either. Probably just being greedy. But I can't sell to the Brits directly, even if I could get into the Settlement."

Right. 'cause nobody's gonna buy from an Eleven.

"So I paid them to sell my shit through a middleman, so I can get enough to get by. I know they're ripping me off, but what can I do? I'm just one guy, I can't fight the mob."

I might have done the same thing if Naoto hadn't grabbed me and Ohgi and convinced us to fight.

"So how is the mob looking lately? Boss is wondering what they're doing," I ask with a sidelong glance.

After Zero started posting bounties for Refrain dealers and taking heads, the trade shriveled up. Between him and the Princess prosecuting the nobility behind the trade, 'frain dealing is a death sentence in Kanto.

"Not too good. They're barely making any money, and the higher-ups are scared shitless Zero's going to come after them."

Takeru rubs his nose ring with a cheeky grin, "None of us liked the 'frain dealers. Those guys are always shitheads. So we were happy to let Zero kill off the competition. By the way, thanks for helping with the co-op. Means a lot to those of us in the trade."

I smirk as I bump fists with my buddy. That was an idea I had awhile ago.

The Boss was bemoaning the fact that we couldn't get any good weed in Tokyo. Kallen said he needs to smoke for stress relief, so it was kind of a priority.

So I thought, 'Why don't we give money to the dealers and set up a group to handle stuff so we have a steady supply?'

Zero mentioned he was thinking about this awhile ago, but I think he had too much bullshit on his plate at one time.

Swear to God, the entire room turned and looked at me like I had a second head or something when I mentioned it in a meeting.

So with the requirement of monthly reports and needing to send my budget for approval? Zero named me as chairman of the Cooperative Marijuana Growers Organization of Tokyo.

Most of us just call it the Weed Union, though.

"No problem, man. Gotta look out for the little guy. And the shit helps with costs for medical issues, too."

Turns out, weed works really well as pain meds when you grow it for that. Not sure why, some of the experienced growers knew what Zero was asking for, though, so we get supplies that we distribute to doctors when we can. We give out all kinds of relief supplies in addition to that to the ghettos, but...there's only so many we can reach at one time.

Takeru and I both look up at the night sky through a hole in the bombed out building we're in. It feels weird being in one of these old places. Like I want the past to return...but not.

I know things weren't as good as some people like that asshole Yoshino claimed. But...it's gotta be better than this...right?

"Hey, Takeru?"

He grunts in reply.

"Why don't you join the Black Knights, bro? The mob already hates the pot dealers, 'cause they think you guys ratted out the 'frain dealers. So why not join up with Zero?"

Takeru pauses smoking and shakes his head slowly.

"I thought about it. After those crazy speeches of his, and the things he's done. He's way stronger than the JLF ever was. Hell, even Tohdoh works for him now, doesn't he?"

I nod. It's fucking crazy that I actually get to sit at the same table as 奇跡の藤堂 (Miracle Tohdoh), of all people.

"But...maybe you don't see it, 'cause you're too close. Red...your boss is scary. Like, he's actually scarier than Cornelia. And she's...Cornelia."

I raise an eyebrow. Seriously?

"Are you fucking kidding me? That's it?"

Takeru looks at me with a confused expression. Can't remember the word for this, Ohgi would probably know it.

"Dude's like a yuurei. He gives off this aura of fucking dread. Zero's something out of a legend, bro. As far as anyone can tell, guy's totally bat-shit, and he's our best hope," Takeru says with a shudder

I spit to the side as I look my buddy in the eye.

Truth is? He ain't wrong. But still...

"We all know Zero's fucking crazy. Hell, guy breaks into a crazy laugh at times just because he can. He's actually told some of the officers to smack him, if he does that too long. But you know what, Kappa?"

I smile, remembering WHY I follow this guy. This crazy fucking Brit that thinks he's the Devil.

"He cares, bro. He actually gives a shit about people. Some of us think he might have been some kind of Brit noble the Empire fucked over. But even if he was? He's not like the rest."

Kappa snorts and chews on the tip of the joint.

"Yeah, right. All those Britannian shitheads are the same. They just want to steal everything."

I give my old buddy a hard look. I used to think that way. Used to think all Brits were monsters who hated everyone that wasn't Britannian.

But talking with that blonde girl, with that weird reporter Reid, with Zero, it made me think.

Kallen, she's half Brit. None of us said shit 'cause she was Naoto's kid sister. But a lot of groups? They wouldn't have taken her. Hell, some like the Yamato Alliance that Zero blew up would have done shit to her, just because her dad was a Brit.

"Kappa, you're wrong, man. The Brits aren't all bad. A lot of them, sure. But it's the asshole nobles that run shit, and the Emperor with his shitty hairdo that makes things happen. That's who ya gotta hate."

He shakes his head slowly.

"I can't, man. I...Tamaki. I'm joining the SAZ."

I jump up in surprise. What the fuck?! The SAZ?!

"Are you fucking kidding me?! That stupid pipe dream of Princess Euphemia?! You know it's bullshit! There's no way it's real!"

On the other hand...Zero did say Euphie was one of the only royals who was actually a good person...

"What the fuck else should I do, Red?! I can't fight, I don't know a thing about being a soldier!"

I growl at him, "That ain't got shit to do with it! Look at me, I'm garbage to average at being a soldier, and I found things I can do to help! Hell, this thing with the co-op and you guys passing info to the Boss? That's doing a lot of good and saving lives! So shut the fuck up with that trash!"

He quivers, tears falling from his face.

What...

"That's just it, Tamaki. It ain't just me anymore. I got a girl now. And...she's pregnant, bro. I can't go off to fight a war with a kid on the way."

Oh shit. Goddamn...no wonder he's freaking out.

"Hey, I'm sorry, Takeru. I didn't know..." I whisper quietly as I pat him on the back.

"Your boss...he's not gonna stop at Japan, is he?"

I open both eyes wide. How does he know that?! We haven't said shit about that!

He gives me a look. Same one he used to give me when we were in school and he thought I was being a dumbass.

"C'mon, Red. You can't be that dumb. Your boss keeps talking about justice and taking the fight to Britannia. How he's leading an army. You think he's gonna stop here? Everyone knows he's not stopping, Zero isn't even bothering to hide it."

I rub the back of my head sheepishly. Alright, I'm a dumbshit, that's on me.

"Yeah, and you know what's gonna happen regardless of whether he wins or not? A lotta people are gonna die, Red," he says in a haunted voice.

I silently puff away at the weed.

It's not something anyone tries to think about. We all just kinda expect it.

But...

I look up at the waning moon in the sky. Some things are worth fighting for. Hell, worth dying for, if you haveta.

"Better to die fighting than live as a slave. I've taken all the shit I can handle from Britannia. I ain't taking any more."

My buddy leans back against a cracked pillar, looking like his heart broke, "Yeah...but that's you. If it was just me, maybe I'd agree. But...I got a kid on the way. I gotta think about what's good for them. And even if it does turn out to be bullshit, I gotta try the SAZ. It's the only way I can think of for my kid not to grow up in a war zone. Ya know, like we did."

Fucking hell. I mean...goddammit. That's as heavy as a mountain. I feel bad even trying to push him to join the Black Knights now.

"Sorry, man."

Kappa gives me a pained smile, like he's trying to act tough and hide that someone stabbed him.

"It's no big deal. I know you're trying to help. But a man's gotta protect his family first and foremost, right?"

I nod solemnly. I ain't got the right to tell a man how to raise his family. Even if I think this SAZ thing is bullshit?

A man who doesn't do everything for his family is lower than dirt.

"Yeah. I got ya. Hey, Takeru, take care, man. I gotta get back to work."

I shoulder the backpack as we face each other. I don't know that I'll see him again anytime soon.

"Tamaki...take care, bro."

I pat him on the back as we hug, "You too, Takeru. Hey? Invite me when the baby is born, a'ight?"

He nods and gives a salute.

I start heading back to base. A backpack full of high-quality weed. Normally, I'd be pleased at an easy deal like this.

But fuck, man. This is crap. How many people in this country are talking like that? How many people are too scared of Zero and desperate to try anything to avoid going through the Second Pacific War again?

Hell, we don't even know how Zero feels about the SAZ, to begin with. Dude's been MIA since a few days into the ceasefire. First he was taking time to do something important quietly, and then he phoned Ohgi to say he was taking a 'mental health day' or two to hash some shit out between him and his 'wife'.

We all had a good laugh at the thought of Zero having a domestic argument. But he picked the worst fucking time to pull this bullshit.

I hear a beep from my phone in my pocket as I walk back to base. I pull it out to see who's texting me.

OH SHIT! It's the boss!

[I am aware of the SAZ. We will be having a meeting to discuss our options tomorrow evening. The Princess has announced the grand opening in three days. We must prepare a proper response. EVERYONE ATTENDS TOMORROW'S MEETING, NO EXCEPTIONS.]

I turn my phone off and take a deep breath. I don't know what he's going to do, but knowing Zero?

It's gonna be both terrifying and awe-inspiring.