A mahogany table dominated the large room. All the high-back chairs surrounding the table were empty. None would bear flesh-and-blood people. Merely holographic projections of ME Corp's board of directors. And cutting a groove into the carpet with their back-and-forth pacing with a vexed woman in a blouse, loose jacket, pencil skirt, stocking and heels. She ran all the various permutations and scenario's over in her head. The statistics, connections, business contacts and dealings. Legal and illegal.
"Raiden-sama," a calm voice called from the doorway.
Mei flicked her eyes up. Hanakawa stood with a tablet in one hand, impeccable in her business suit. Her personal assistant walked into the room and came up to Mei.
"You're nervous," she said bluntly.
"I've been under pressure in the past, Hanakawa. This is merely another negotiation."
"There is a difference between negotiating with a sword and negotiating with words. Take a seat."
It was less request and more order. Mei sat in an empty chair. Her personal assistant clucked her tongue, set the tablet on the table and pullet a small case from the inside of her jacket. Popped it open. A miniature make-up kit.
"I've already done my make-up."
"And you have already messed it up when touching your face. You didn't realise you were. That's how nervous you are."
Breath hissed through Mei's nose. But she couldn't fault Hanakawa. The woman was right. And it irked her. She had faced down planet destroying entities. Killed her twin self. Twice. Risked life and bloody limb against titanic foes. Declared war on international organisations legal and terrorist. Severed all ties with her friends. And right now, she was a wreck having to deal with ordinary humans. Mei swallowed her pride and let Hanakawa clean her up.
"Was Oto-sama ever nervous?"
A gentle smile, laced with a touch of pain, bloomed on Hanakawa's face.
"He played with Raiden Sachiko-sama's wedding ring in those moments."
"He played with his… wait. Oka-sama's?"
"Mmm. You were far too young to remember. After the funeral Ryoma-sama took off his wedding ring, put it in a box and never wore it again. He only wore Sachiko-sama's. He would think of her and twist the ring."
Mei knew it was important to keep her face straight. Forcing down her own smile proved hard.
"I cannot imagine Oto-sama being nervous."
"He had no choice. After Sachiko's death, Ryoma-sama vowed to continue what she had started."
Mei's eyes lingered on Hanakawa. There was something her she wasn't following.
"You inherited your ruthlessness from your father," Hanakawa explained. "Your beauty and intelligence were from your mother. As a married couple, they decided that Sachiko-sama would be CEO of ME Corp once they had taken control. Life isn't always fair and illness took her from us. Ryoma-sama vowed to see their dream become a reality. He is still a very good businessman. Yet…"
"Oka-sama was better?"
"A Valkyrja vs. a Herrscher."
That odd comparison left Mei's heart fluttering just a little. In a good way. Her breathing was even now. Hanakawa stood, gave an appraising eye and nodded.
"Good."
Mei made to stand, only to have a hand in her face. Like a good girl she sat back down. Hanakawa walked behind and combed out Mei's hair, braiding a small portion back from either temple and let the rest run sleekly down her back. Hanakawa's warm hands rested on Mei's shoulders and put pressure on the tense flesh. It wasn't quite a shoulder massage. More a cycle of squeeze and relax. It did wonders for Mei's shoulders and she considered just where Hanakawa had learned such a thing. Mei sensed her PA crouch behind her. A pair of frameless glasses descended before her face and slipped on, perched neatly on her nose.
"My vision is just fine," Mei noted.
"You're old enough they now fit you. I'm sure Sachiko-sama would have approved."
Again, there was that flutter. Mei lifted a hand and very gently brushed fingertips along one arm of the glasses. It was completely irrational. Not based in science or any logical thought. But the frames felt warm and reassuring.
"How long?"
"2 minutes."
Mei was up and out of the chair. She strode over to the end of the table, blinked twice to bring up her AR interface via the contacts and organised the last of her speech. All the work Hanakawa and Amarant had put into this would not be put to waste. Hanakawa moved to stand behind Mei, tablet in one hand, face impassive and professional. It was a reassurance that empowered Mei in ways she had not previously thought possible.
'I think I'm beginning to understand now, Oto-sama. This woman is more valuable than either of us will ever admit. And we will protect people like her with all our might.'
At the agreed time holograms flickered into being. Each of the seats was filled with people from all manner of ethnicity. ME Corp directors were based geographically and hired from those that rose up the ranks in that geographic region. There was no nepotism or parachuting of people into roles. If you wanted it, earn it. The board of directors for ME Corp, still minus a CEO, looked at Mei like they would a morsel of meat ready to be devoured. Or a morsel of rotten meat to be thrown away lest the maggots multiplied. It depended. Regardless, none looked happy to have someone barely an adult summon them on a seeming whim. Mei didn't need the breathing exercises; she was already in control and commanding.
"I thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me today. After the events of Coral, I expect ME Corp are reeling from the economic blow."
"I'm here because I wanted to humour Raiden's daughter once," one woman jumped in quickly, "and little more. Now I've seen your face my days entertainment is done. This meeting is—"
Hanakawa where she stood in the shadow summoned up multiple graphics. The data Amarant had sifted out of the server had been valuable. The problem was taking that raw information and cross-referencing it with other resources to build a sound picture. You could see that a purchase had been made. A contract signed. A shipment written off. Teasing out the truth was the real art. This was where Amarant and Hanakawa shone. The pair sifted through and located information then extrapolated in ways that made Mei appreciate such lateral thinking. After that the difficulty was converting it into easily digestible components. That was Hanakawa's job. Present the damning evidence in a way that could be interpreted and consulted. No doubt each of the directors had their own PA observing the meeting and giving advice much as she did.
"This is an agreement you made with a national military without board approval. And the extras awarded to you by that government for the contract. Then there are business secrets you sold in helping design their next generation anti-air capabilities."
Mei smiled faintly.
'And this director knows we are holding back on her connection to Cocolia and how she facilitated the initial meetings.'
The director was silent. The ways her eyes performed micro-movements indicated she was rapidly communicating via her AR. Mei didn't slow down. More graphics appeared above another director.
"EM weapons sold to a PMC without first putting the contract out to tender. The bonus pocketed. The weapons stock discrepancy written off by the convenience of a nearby Honkai attack. Of course, this stock was stored at the facility after the fact and then marked as destroyed."
Another graphic appeared. This one above the director of South-East Asia.
"Processing equipment for production of medical supplies. Except that this equipment is used in human experimentation. Schicksal would be ashamed of getting caught in this one. But they have more lawyers than we do."
Mei's smile turned to a flat line. Another graphic for the same director.
"Speaking of human experimentation. Refrigerated chemical weapons storage units. These were installed in a safe location in Arc City. Later used by World Serpent, an international terrorist organisation, in conducting multiple urban chemical experiments. The installation and transport crews were liquidated to hide all evidence.
Oh yes. Some of those targeted were the Immortal Blades, the elite Valkyrja of Schicksal. It is my understanding that Rita Rossweisse was most displeased for what was done to both herself and the murdered members of her squad. No doubt she is looking into the background on this even as we speak. And the No #3 S-rank Valkyrja of Schicksal is a very, VERY diligent woman."
Almost all the board turned to look at the particular director in the hologram. He didn't look pleased. But kept quiet.
"If you were wondering why the director was not killed like all his staff associated with the sale, it is fairly simple. He happens to be a member of World Serpent."
At this point the man half stood up and pointed an angry hand at Mei.
"You have no proof, you psychotic bitch. That's what happened to you when the terrorists kidnapped you. They broke you and—"
A partial arm reached into the hologram where the man stood. Dragged him beyond the projectors sight. Nobody could see him. But they heard the gunshot. Some flinched. Others nodded in approval. Mei's people had been efficient as usual. An older woman, hair shot with grey, eyes still fierce with vitality, looked to Mei.
"I appreciate you cleaning up our mess."
Mei inclined her head. She had read up on all the directors. Since Cococlia's arrest nobody had stepped up to the role of CEO.
'Zelda Rothschild. British-French Director. The real power broker.'
Data on several illegal or at the very least questionable dealing by various directors was transmitted to the assembled board. Mei gave them a minute to digest.
"If you have the time there is more. Much. Much more."
The threat was explicit. I know all your dirty little secrets. I can let everybody know what everybody else has been up to.
"Every part your father's child," Zelda noted.
"The compliment is appreciated. I shall cut to the chase. The man who just died, I want his seat. That is all. Leave South-East Asia to me to manage and I can make this all go away."
The directors looked to each other. Mei could see the tiny movements of their eyes. Communicating with each other and other important people via AR. The director for Australia raised a hand before pointing at Mei.
"How did you come across this information?"
Mei let that whisper of a smile return.
"I know what I want and I will get it. That simple."
"You didn't really answer my question."
"No. I didn't."
The director had been looking at Mei. Mei had not returned the gesture. Her eyes were on Zelda.
"I want South East Asia because of the manufacturing facilities and resources it possesses. Though without Coral this has been significantly reduced. I have contracts ready to tender out to multiple countries. Contracts containing cutting edge anti-Honkai technology that has not been seen on market yet. Research avenues even Schicksal has not explored. After the events of the last year multiple nations have expanded their defence budgets. I also have patents and manufacturing facilities blueprinted and ready to go for a suite of medical technologies that will help in disaster recovery regarding Honkai related incidents."
Hanakawa was already uploading the briefs to the directors. All had a rapid browse through the contents. Over half looked shocked that so much had been put in place so quickly. All they needed to do was approve Mei's ascendance as a director and the money would begin to flow.
Zelda rested her head in the palm one, elbow on the table and looked at Mei.
"What's your angle, Raiden?" she asked in a dry voice.
"Humanity is too reliant on Schicksal and Anti-Entropy. We also have the likes of World Serpent to deal with. If we are to survive, we must ready and protect ourselves. ME Corp is the only international business positioned to provide such a necessary service. I'm not doing this for idealistic pap. If we don't prepare ourselves, what happens when one of the great powers fails? It's a possibility I do not like to entertain considering how painfully reliant we are upon them currently."
"You believe that you can make that difference?"
"The retired South East Asian director was compromised for many years. It will take me time to uncover everything he did. And some other directors, you know I'm already at work, have similar ulterior motives. Imagine how much damage they have already inflicted. We are too busy destroying ourselves and not the Honkai. My goal. My ONLY goal, is to see the Honkai purged from this planet once and for all. Everything is secondary. I can do this much in a week. Imagine what I can do in a month. Or a year. Because we have a year, possibly two if we go by my optimistic information broker, before the Honkai exterminates the species."
All the damning evidence winked out of existence. The room darked, the pale flickering holograms of the directors providing all the illumination.
"I cannot provide the Stigma of Schicksal, nor the Previous Era technology of World Serpent and certainly not the weakness and impotence of Anti-Entropy."
Mei placed palms on the table, spread her hands and leant forward in an assertive posture. She had not backed down previously and would not change that habit now. The assembled personnel listened attentively.
"ME Corp is the single largest weapons manufacturer on the globe. We are not going to face the big three head on. That would be suicide. But we can still operate in ways and means the others cannot."
A quick gesture summoned a hologram. Most people stared in surprise. One man at the back whistled in appreciation. None of them could deny the audacity.
"The last things I need are more soldiers and business resources. Everything else is ready in the pipeline."
Zelda's chuckle would have made Kate Mulgrew proud.
"I submit a motion to nominate Raiden Mei for the seat of South East Asia director. Do I have a second?"
The director for Australia raised a hand.
"All those in favour?"
It was closer than Mei had thought. Mei was Japanese so she was geographically eligible. They needed a super-majority to elect an outsider straight to the position. She just squeaked by.
"Motion is passed."
A quiet chime echoed in Mei's ear, followed by a suit of communication protocols being downloaded. Access to the ME Corp WAN opened up.
"Welcome to ME Corp," Zelda greeted, no warmth in her voice. "South East Asia director. I hope you perform as well as your father did."
Mei gave a low, polite bow.
"We will convene in one weeks' time to take a report on your progress, director. Do not disappoint us."
All the holograms winked out. The lights turned up. Mei sighed and reached to tap her temple. Then stopped before she ruined Hanakawa's excellent job with her make-up.
"Thoughts?" Mei asked.
"Not as strong as we wanted. We have the director's chair. I will begin organising our business assets immediately."
The table, chairs, lights, carpet floor, everything winked out of existence. Replaced with matte grey walls. The hard-holo projection room had been worth investing in once they had landed in Tokyo. Something found in top-end hotels for businessmen, diplomats and celebrities that needed that extra level of immersion. The pair left the room and walked down the corridor for the elevator. Once inside Hanakawa submitted the digital key for the penthouse and continued work on her tablet as Mei stood and decompressed. The doors chimed open, admitting them to a luxurious open-plan suite. All faux classical Japanese architecture and aesthetics. Wood everywhere, plots of greenery, warm lighting and tatami mats. Mei kicked off her shoes, Hanakawa doing the same.
Dr Orr and Amarant sat on opposite sides of a broad wooden table, body language assertive and voices raised as they argued over something. Kurikara watched the pair with the barest hint of amusement.
'There's a little more humanity in her each day.'
The moment Mei stepped into the room Kurikara did switch back to old habits. She was beside Mei in barely a second. It would have seemed impossibly fast for any regular human. Amarant raised a hand to silence Dr Orr and asked the obvious question.
"Success?"
Mei raised a single eyebrow. It screamed 'did you think it would go any other way?'
The information broker did a little fist pump.
"One more duck in a row. I've reached out to my contacts. Organising a meetup for anyone who meets your criteria for recruitment. You've got some strange parameters, dear customer. But I can find those that fit."
"How long?"
"Well that really depends on when Dr Orr finally gives."
Mei walked over to where the pair were sitting. She sat between the two. Kurikara was already there with a glass of white wine. Mei hadn't realised how exhausting board meetings were. A sort of mental fatigue that seeped into the bones. And this had gone for barely 10 minutes. She sipped at the glass thoughtfully.
"Why the impasse?"
Dr Orr clicked his fingers. A hologram of planet Earth appeared above the table.
"We need a base of operations. Everyone has given their opinion. Clearly, we are limited to locations within South East Asia. What complicates matters is the criteria. We are operating within a timeframe that precludes us from building a whole new facility. By the time we're done the Honkai have won. So that means repurposing an existing location. We do have ones abandoned during the 2nd Eruption and Honkai Eruption several months back. But none fit our criteria."
Amarant shook her head.
"That is because you're falling for the nirvana logical fallacy. We need to take what we can get and retrofit as best we can."
Multiple site locations lit up areas of South East Asia. Amarant and Orr, though not rude, continued their back and forth on viable locations. Mei glanced up at Hanakawa where she stood. The woman shook her head a fraction.
'Doesn't want to get involved in this one, hmm? I cannot blame me. It looks like I'll have to be the tie-breaker.'
Mei tipped a little more of the wine down her throat and readied herself. Instead, it was Kurikara that acted first. The woman walked over to the globe and poked one finger at a particular point. One that hadn't been highlighted.
"Why not here?"
The conversation in the room stilled. Mei cocked her head to one side. Hanakawa was already ahead and bringing up relevant information. The additional data was added to the hologram.
"She may be on to something," Dr Orr conceded.
Amarant remained still. Then squeezed her eyes shut. Then chuckled. Wryly.
"We repurpose a Schicksal base then? It was abandoned in 2014. Still. Most of the facilities and infrastructure would be up to date. They left quickly and never returned so we'd have plenty of supplies and resources."
The information broker tapped a few commands into their phone.
"It was constructed atop a hill so minimal water damage. The radiation was dealt with a few weeks ago. I can get most of the original access codes to open everything up. Plenty of space to expand upon for weapon development, manufacturing, construction, research, training, storage etc."
Amarant clucked her tongue. The next words were delivered with a quick glance in Mei's direction.
"Otto fired off the 2nd Divine Key nearby."
That was the deciding factor.
"Hanakawa, organise a team you trust to go do a survey of the site. 7 day timeframe. I want brutally honest answers. Some repairs, retrofitting and repurposing are expected. Keep the budget to less than 200 million US dollars for restoration."
"I'll draw it from the family expenses accounts," Hanakawa replied.
"If the site is viable, then we return to Nagazora."
The irony of it all was not lost on anyone.