Disclaimer – I own no rights to Lupin III or the related character, but I am always looking to increase the number of Lupin III DVD's I do own.

A/N – I can't believe it's been almost a year since the last time I updated this. Guess I got a little distracted by other things. To those of you who have reviewed and favorited since the last chapter, thank you. With the Blu-Ray/DVD release of "The Woman Called Fujiko Mine" just around the corner, I was finally motivated to update this, even if it is just another small chapter. But it is a small chapter introducing a pretty key player, and I mean "pretty" in more ways than one.


"Machii Robotics main HQ, huh?" Jigen said, studying the imposing building from his seat at the park across from the entrance.

"Yep," Lupin responded, before slurping up another noodle from the cup he'd bought at a nearby stand.

"Security's gotta be freakin' ridiculous. I mean, being responsible for some cutting edge technology, they've got to have some pretty advanced stuff."

"Just the usual stuff, really. Laser trip wires. Security cameras, most of them hidden, capable of rotation 360 degrees. Pressure sensors under the carpet in Machii's office. Once they're activated, an ant can't set foot in there without setting off an alarm."

He passed Jigen his phone, discretely showing him the blueprints and security notes he'd photographed with it. Jigen didn't bother asking Lupin how he'd had the opportunity. He already knew Lupin was well-connected, and also possibly resourceful enough to dig them up by himself.

"Usual, huh?" Jigen replied, frowning.

"But all completely worthless," Lupin said, tapping a corner of the blueprint with his finger tip, "without human security guards watching the monitors or activating security."

The blueprint zoomed in to a room labeled "Security."

"Everything's controlled from that one room," Lupin continued. "Lasers, cameras, even door locks." He dragged his finger across the screen, dragging the image until Jigen could read "Private elevator." "That's our last obstacle. That elevator shaft is the only way into Machii's private office on the top floor. Machii usually opens it by scanning his left palm print. But in the event that the scanner is offline, two keys are required to manually override it. One belonging only to Machii, the other to his head of security."

"So how are we getting in?"

"Machii's hosting a big event inside tomorrow night, to show off some of the new research he's working on to investors and members of the press. Most of the human security will be stationed around the reception hall to make sure none of the guests wander off and try peeking around the building. It's the perfect diversion."

"But what happens after we're inside?"

"I really hadn't thought that far ahead."

"You hadn't what?"

"I wasn't sure whether or not I'd talk you into helping. Didn't want to waste the brain-power figuring out how to do all this single-handed if it was going to end up being a two-man job."

"So you're saying rather than planning ahead, we've got just over 24 hours to put this entire operation together?" Jigen waited angrily for a response. "Lupin? Are you even paying attention to me?"

"Nope."

Jigen turned to follow Lupin's gaze. His friend's mouth was agape as he stared at a young woman among a throng of tourists in the park.

Even Jigen had to admit she was beautiful. Dark, almond shaped eyes, smoldering beneath thick eyelashes, even from a distance. Elegantly defined cheek bones. Full, pouty red lips. Long brunette hair flowing like silk over her shoulders, dangling just above her breasts, drawing attention to her incredibly feminine curves.

As she came closer, it was easier to see that her clothes were dirty and clingy, and her makeup was mussed. Her eyes were anxiously scanning the park. She ran the last few steps to where Lupin and Jigen were sitting.

"I'm sorry to bother you," she said demurely. "But you have such friendly faces, and I so desperately need someone to help me."

"O-o-of course," Lupin stammered. He shook his head, trying to snap out of his daze, and straightened his back, trying hard to put on an easy-going appearance. "What can I do to y—I mean for you?"

She eyed what was left of the cup of noodles next to Lupin's hand.

"It's been so long since I've even had something to eat."

Lupin pushed the cup towards the girl. She nodded to acknowledge her gratitude and began sipping the broth from the cup.

"I'm just so hungry," she said. "Though I probably should be watching my figure."

"That's all right," Lupin said, eying her more attentively as she ate. "I'll watch it for you."

Jigen gave him a quick swat on the back of the head, eliciting a whiny "ow."

"Ma'am, what is it that's happened to you?"

"Thieves!" the woman exclaimed loudly, causing both Lupin and Jigen to look around, frightened, for exits as the crowd seemed to notice them. "Robbers!"

"Have we been made?" Jigen wondered.

The woman clutched the lapels of his jacket.

"I was just visiting the city. I'm not from around here. I know I shouldn't have been out walking alone at night, but everything was just so beautiful . . ." She began to sob. "These thugs attacked me . . . stole my purse. I don't have enough money to take the train back home, or even buy myself something to eat." She turned to Lupin, putting her hand on top of his. Lupin's free hand began tugging at the collar of his shirt as sweat dripped down his brow. "I just don't feel safe by myself. You both look so sweet and strong . . . Maybe you could escort me to the police station?"

"No!" Lupin and Jigen both blurted simultaneously.

"Oh," the woman said, her pout deepening in disappointment. "I'm sorry to bother you, then . . ."

She turned around to walk away.

"No! Wait!" Lupin called out.

She turned back again. Lupin reached into the red jacket and pulled out a small wad of bills.

"It's not much, but it should be enough to pay your train fare, maybe grab a quick bite and something to drink."

Jigen groaned, but he reached into his wallet and fished out a few bills for her as well.

"You two are angels! Thank you both so much!"

She hugged Jigen tightly before he could say anything, squeezing him so tightly he could barely budge from her grip, then turned to Lupin and embraced him as well, planting a scarlet kiss on his cheek.

Then she pranced away, turning once to blow kisses before disappearing back into the crowd.

"What a sweet girl," Lupin said, slurring and swaying like he was intoxicated. "And we'll probably never see her again."

Jigen stood up, stretched, and then began digging through his pockets.

"My wallet's gone," he said.

Lupin quickly stood up, staring at Jigen, and checked for his wallet as well.

"Mine too," he said. "Dammit. She pickpocketed us."


Fujiko smiled at her reflection in the well-polished glass of the nearest building. A few quick swabs with a tissue, and the make-up she'd put on sloppily to give the effect of a distraught damsel was as neat and proper as any of the other women's around. The stained clothes would still have to do until she made it back to her room to change, but they looked great on her. The dirt and water just made them cling more tightly to her curves. Curves that turned most men, and some women, into drooling idiots.

Every man she'd ever met shared one weakness, and its name was Fujiko Mine.

She began counting the cash she'd taken from her two latest marks when she noticed their reflections behind her own.

She turned, still flashing the same confident smile, even as the thuggish man in the fedora snatched his wallet back from her hand.

"Don't you have any idea who you're dealing with?" he asked.

"Yes," Fujiko responded, still smiling. "I mean, you I don't know. But you . . ."

She turned to the man in the red jacket, eyes wide in admiration.

"You're Lupin the Third!"

"You've heard of me, then?" Lupin said, flushing almost as deep of a red as his jacket.

"Of course I have. The world's most wanted thief, Arsene Lupin III. According to legend, the grandson of notorious criminal Arsene Lupin. Though thought by some to be an alias, as Arsene Lupin is considered by most to be a fictional character, invented in 19th century France by author Maurice . . ."

"That's it. I don't have to take this," Lupin said, turning to walk away, the thuggish man at his side.

Fujiko grabbed Lupin's arm, freezing him in place.

"I didn't mean to offend you. I'm actually a huge fan of yours. Don't you see? That's why I took your wallets. I was just trying to impress you. My name is Fujiko Mine, and I've always dreamed of working with the great Lupin the Third."

She turned to Jigen.

"And who's your friend?"

"Oh, him?" Lupin said dizzily. "No one important."

She offered Lupin his wallet, but he waved it away.

"I don't need the money back," he said. "You've earned it."

"I think I'll keep mine," the man in the fedora insisted, making a show of placing it back in his inside jacket pocket.

"Miss Fujiko Mine," Lupin said, "how would you like a job?"

The other man pushed his fedora back, just so Lupin and Fujiko could both see the shock in his eyes.


A/N – As Lupin himself might say, "Looks like the gang's all here! Time to pull one over on Fumio Machii. He'll never know what hit him . . . if he doesn't hit me first! Inspector Zenigata will be there, and so will this guy with a sword . . . but you're just going to have to keep reading to find out about that. The next chapter will be called 'Domo Arigato, Mr. Robot-Show'! See ya then."