Disclaimer: I do not own YGO 5Ds
Crash Town turned out to be a more urgent issue than I expected for a simple reason: sewage. I mean the rest of the infrastructure too, but mainly sewage.
Let me explain.
The Satellite was blessed with a reliable sewage system and, despite all of our misgivings, Goodwin's constant investments to its repair and maintenance after he came into office. I guess broken sewage plants don't fit into his vision of a perfect world. The city we're building from scratch, Netherdale, doesn't come with such conveniences. I didn't even forget about the plumbing this time! Kalin totally had it as part of his city planning. We just didn't quite expect... um... the volume.
So now I have already moved tens of thousand people into NDC, and we were supposed to double the population in weeks. It was all part of my plans to start the third agricultural revolution (as I like to call it, and I'm the only one since nobody else remembers the first two). Well, after a certain threshold, our limited pipes just weren't enough, and we were at serious risk of turning into the palace of Versailles.
The problem was, these things needed materials. Yusei can provide the technology at the cost of putting everything else on hold (again, this is a fairly urgent problem), and when desperate, Zigzix can usually come up with some robotic contraption to replace human labor. But even they can't create something out of nothing. We need the metal and ceramics and organic materials with long names that I can't pronounce. Given our rather unique situation and what I describe as a frenemy relationship with the country we're in, people are understandably reluctant to sell massive quantities of industrial grade materials to a new commercial entity wielding the Momentum.
Yes, I'm still insisting that we're a commercial entity, anything else would risk war with Japan. As such, I'm trying very hard to establish an image as a local power not trying to take over the world. Being viewed as a threat leads to trade embargoes, limited immigration, decreased revenues, frequent assassination attempts and so on. It's bad for business, also tends to get you killed. It's almost comical how many murder attempts Fidal Castro survived through.
Neo Domino, as a popular tourism destination, has neither the raw materials nor the industrial capacity to provide what we need, Crash Town however, could. More specifically, Crash Town produces dyne, a highly sought-after metal that I could subsequently trade for other raw materials... With other political powers that also has a frenemy relationship with Japan.
Yusei had vetoed our 'use Akiza to conquer Crash Town' plan. He shouldn't be able to do that, he shouldn't even be involved in our military strategy sessions, but you get to do things like that when you built the Momentum.
It's really too bad, I personally preferred this plan on the basis that it would very cost-effective.
He also vetoed our 'use psychic duelists to summon duel monsters to start a guerilla war with Crash Town, defeat the federal army and force Crash Town to ask us for military assistance and thereby essentially granting us local control' plan. I also really like this plan, though I admit the name still needs a bit of work, which it will never get, because Yusei vetoed it.
So we had to rely on somebody else.
We really have fewer choices than I thought. I mean, essentially, we're interview for a sponsored dictator, you'd think we would have tons of applications. Well, we can't really advertise the position so we won't get any applications but you get the idea. The problem is, the position really has very strict requirements.
Management, experience, diplomacy and so on, while important-sounding, are the negotiable qualifications. The only hard requirements are that this person cannot be a pawn for another state (since they need to be our pawn), and they must be able to stay alive against everybody who wants them dead.
That second one is really the deal breaker.
Given Crash Town's resources, Tokyo had maintained fairly tight controls over the area through proxy local powers and Kaiba Corp; it kept over political entities at bay through... well, through diplomacy stuff I don't understand yet... I think.
Now that we take over, if we were to take over, the area will be seen as vulnerable again. By being seen as vulnerable, it becomes vulnerable. Therefore whoever manages the area is prone to becoming dead.
We don't have the systematic security forces necessary to protect any single person outside of NDC. Nor do we have the diplomatic prowess to stop other states/countries/companies/evil organization from trying to kill said person. Therefore self-sufficiency and self-defense is the only way to go. Akiza would have been ideal for this, except we need her in Netherdale to keep the rest of us alive. Sayer has the qualities of a local dictator, but he's in hiding and presumably actively trying to kill me. That leaves us with...
"...I have to say, this is certainly an interesting choice." Chaos managed, scratching his chin.
"Sure that douche bag will stay alive, but he's as good to us alive as he is dead." Vincent seethed, showing very little camaraderie for his former, and soon to be future, colleague.
"Devack would be firm in his convictions. Duel monsters are his family, the desire to save them from their own fate had brought him back from the dead! He would never stray from the path to realize his one dream, just as he had stayed loyal to the Dark Signers. This is now the only chance he has." Roman argued in support of his former minion. "Yet his dreams are absurd to the outsiders, so he appears just malleable enough to not attract too much hostility
"You mean stupid." Galen rolled his eyes, "stupid enough that everybody thinks it'll be easier to trick him than fight him."
Unlike the rest of the Dark Signers, Devack did not lose his ability to summon duel monsters after the Netherworld Monster withdrew its powers. More specifically, his monsters chose to still respond to his summons despite his current mortal (ish?) state and share their powers with him. Yusei had described it as a true bond forming between duelist and monster, he strives for the same relationship with his Stardust.
I think it's terrifying and likely to cause the next apocalypse.
But at the end of the day, only somebody with the protection of their duel monsters can reliable stay alive in a situation like this. The only one we have available and can kind of rely on is Devack.
"Devack may not be the brightest, even among my recruits," Roman shot a non-too-subtle glance at Vincent's direction, "but I assure you, Master Yuki, he is completely under my control." He continued, getting down on one knee, with the heat of his breath brushing against the back of my hand, "And I, yours."
Chaos promptly dragged him to the other side of the room.
"Ugh, anyway." Felice made a show of rolling her eyes. "Let's dial the creep factor back down."
"What exactly is this dream you speak of? The offer is quite uncharacteristic of Devack." Kalin obviously took Felice up on her suggestion.
"Well,you see," I struggled a little to find the exact words in order to not portray Devack's stupid dream as entirely crazy, I guess his motives doesn't exactly line up with mine, "He wants to integrate duel monsters into human society, and he wants to do it at Crash Town."
Yep. The madman (and I don't use that word lightly in this world filled with madness) wants to build a city were humans and duel monster can co-exist, a sort of habitat for duel monsters, as though the fire-breathing acid spewing creatures are some endangered species in need of protection.
"Through only peaceful means and under the ever watchful eyes of the Netherdale City Council." Roman quickly added, which doesn't help Devack's case at all.
"But we are the NDC council!" Greiger protested in alarm, "Exactly what would we be watching for?"
"We have no idea," Galen agreed, "and I don't want to be ever watchful."
Vincent sniggered.
"Ms Simington is experienced in such matters," Rex Goodwin offered in an attempt to quell the rising the rising tension, "She would no doubt keep Crash Town under control."
"Like you kept Satellite under control you mean." Chaos added his two cents for the first time in this meeting. No, Rex Goodwin is still unpopular here, and for good reason.
"I-I think Devack is trying to do the right thing." Akiza stammered, her conviction growing under Yusei's encouraging smile.
These two really shouldn't be here, we don't need their opinion. But then again, it's difficult to say no to your nuclear weapons.
"I think Devack is doing the right thing." Akiza repeated, a little louder this time, "Humans and duel monsters need to live in harmony, and Devack is taking the first step! We need to help our duel monsters in this world just like they help us in duels and-"
"Right." I had to cut her off. With that rhetoric, she might actually convince half of my team, and I really don't want to fight a Blue Eyes while preparing for Aporia, or Sayer or whoever else is currently trying to destroy the world. "Let's put a pin in that, shall we."
Yusei clearly looked disappointed, Akzia pouted a little.
"If you're not allowing duel monsters in NDC, how are you going to convince Devack to take over Crash Town for us?" Kalin mused.
"Watch and learn," I smirked. I do have a plan for Crash Town, I guess Devack might as well be the one to carry it out.
"Ms. Tono." Devack stopped at the doorway with his duel monster behind him, easily towering over the rest of us sitting on the couch. He gave a curt nod to acknowledge the rest of the room, then fixated his eyes on me. Mad Dog of Darkness (lv 4, 1900/1600) darted inside, licking his lips; both human and monster surveying their audience. Curious, I reached out a hand facing down, the duel monster raced over, stretching out as he lowered himself to sniff at my palm.
Chaos jumped up immediately, shielding me from the dog, much to my disappointment.
"Devack, good to see you again," I had to reach forward and pull Chaos back onto the couch, which really distracted from the imposing image I'm trying to pull off. "How have you been."
"Better now with my duel monsters by my side," Devack responded with a snarl, easily looking more aggressive than his dog, giving a short whistle that summoned his pup back to his side. "I won't fall that easily to your tricks again, my companion can devour this room in seconds."
"Devack." Roman reprimanded his old employee, "This is a rare opportunity and I expect you to treat it as such."
"Your expectations are meaningless to me Goodwin," Devack replied from his position by the door where he blocked our exit route, "You have betrayed our cause and those of us who fought for you."
Mad Dog of Darkness barked quietly seemingly in agreement.
So cute.
Must not pet dog.
I think he's a cane corso, with the stout figure, triangular ears and short tail. They used to battle like gladiators in the Roman Empire, even fighting against lions and bears.
SO fluffy.
"And you." Devack turned to me, speaking tersely, "I trust you won't interfere with my governance of Crash Town?"
"Governance?" I chuckled, "You and what government?"
Unless Ape Magician can balance general ledgers and Mad Dog of Darkness enjoys infrastructure design, Devack is fresh out of luck.
"This one." Devack petted his duel monster again, the dog positively purred. Try as I might, I cannot get that dog to look me in the eye.
"That's just not gonna happen," I replied, eyeing Devack jealously as he ran his fingers through the dog's fur. I should get a dog, I really should. But I don't think I'm ready for the emotional attachment, or really any permanent attachments to this world. Then again, I always wanted a dog, I just never had the financial resources. Now that I can finally afford a dog, I don't think I'm ready.
"Ms. Tono, am I wasting your time?" Devack interrupted my (runaway) train of thoughts, "Or are you wasting mine?"
He stepped forward until he was directly in front of me. Mad Dog of Darkness following closely by his human's side, with his black triangular ears pulled back, pulling his teeth back in a way that reminded me of Kalin. The monster was still 4' tall even when sitting, so not that much shorter than me. He looks so fluffy! And smart! I've always wanted a pet I could ride into battle! And his tail looks so soft! And he has these big round eyes and...
Devack snapped his fingers, Mad Dog of Darkness immediately abandoned me for his human.
"Devack," Roman stepped up, only to face Mad Dog of Darkness as the duel monster physically pushed Roman back into the corner.
"Hedge Guard!" Akiza reached for her deck.
"That won't be necessary. Here boy," I patted the arm of the sofa as Mad Dog of Darkness approached, "Sit."
The 6' tall dog paused, then turned back, bumping his snout against my hand, sniffing my palms as he did before. I kept my hand facing down, encouraging the monster to crouch down against the hardwood floor to nuzzle against my palm like a puppy.
Devack looked down. His duel monster had already betrayed how desperately he wanted this.
"Come on," I stood up with a genuine smile this time, "Devack, have a seat."
It was fairly obvious from the start, Mad Dog of Darkness was about to roll over for as soon as he walked through the door, eager and submissive, but never hostile. Since animals don't usually like me (despite how much I like them), I can only assume it's a reflection of his human's mentality.
The problem comes down to options, really. I mean I do have the option of foregoing Crash Town thereby giving up on our sewage system. It won't be pleasant but I can live in Neo Domino for another year, it's doable.
Not working for me, not ever seeing duel monsters in the real world, isn't an option for Devack.
Lets be honest, no political state in their right mind would follow the plans designed by an ex-Dark Signer to release duel monsters into the human world. I hope not at least, even anime villains should be smarter than that. Other anime villains I mean.
"I cannot allow duel monsters to roam free in Crash Town or NDC," I began as Devack sat down, continuing before he stood up again, "I would love to, but it's too dangerous for us and for them."
"How so?" Devack questioned.
"They're inherently dangerous creatures," I explained reasonably, because I do have reason on my side for once,"if you really do want to see them in this realm, their integration must be flawless as not to alarm the general public."
"These are not wild beasts!" Devack retorted harshly, "They are every bit as intelligent as you and I, with as much right to this earth as those of us who inhabit it."
And those of us who currently do inhabit this earth would like to continue doing so without the constant threat of death when our neighbor so much as sneezes in the wrong direction. But I can't say that right now.
"We cannot control how the rest of the world will react to real-life duel monsters, nor can we control the repercussions of their subsequent responses." I lied, "While duel monsters are peaceful by nature," LOL, "their powers are easily abused in the wrong hands. We can't stop that yet, and neither can you."
"So my monsters will be trapped in the Darkness for another five thousand years by evils of humanity?" Devack demanded.
"You can't stop that," I repeated myself, "We can't stop that yet."
Devack's eyes lit up. I took the chance to pet his duel monster again.
"But we can start helping this world get more comfortable with the idea of duel monsters roaming this realm."
"You just said-" Devack paused, then understood my implications as we both looked to a still-oblivious Akiza.
"The Black Rose is an urban legend, a hero, a rebel who doesn't follow the rules."
Naturally somebody the average fan of this children's card game, being ten years old, would idolize.
"Local governments fear her, yet envy her powers." Devack finished the thought. "they envy her for having duel monsters."
Akiza smiled a little proudly.
"It's a start." I agreed, "Letting the public know about real, physical monsters out side the holograms, letting them know the average person might interact with these monsters and emerge unscathed. I plan on gathering psychic duelists in Crash Town, then NDC, keeping them safe while other duelists become more comfortable with the monsters they summon."
"It is a start," Devack admitted, "Though nothing more. What next?"
"Then we wait. The best duelists in the world would influence others," I nodded in Yusei's direction, "from them, the non-duelists will follow."
"This starts at Crash Town," Devack asked.
"This starts with you," I replied. "I will have Ara manage the psychic duelists, she has experience with them, Nervin will coordinate your communications. They will have Akiza as their role model, but at the end of the day, you are the one onsite to guide them onto the right path."
Devack nodded solemnly at the responsibility with which he had been entrusted. "I will provide the training they need."
I smirked.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you convince somebody to build you a psychic army.
"Anyway," Felice coughed. "We will try to help you when we can, definitely reach out. We will too if anything comes up. I'll get Ara to talk over the details with you."
"She'll coordinate the bureaucratic side of things," I explained, like Ara isn't going to run the Crash Town government, "Vincent, uh, Galen will work with you on security details after you get settled in." I purposely avoided the words 'militant takeover'.
"That won't be necessary," Devack replied, "I need nothing other than the companions I already have."
Mad Dog of Darkness roared softly in agreement.
I huffed. You think that, until you realize you have build a sewage system. Crash Town doesn't look like it had functioning modern infrastructure either.
Now that we have a figurehead, aka a target to draw all the enemy fire, we can proceed with our (Yusei-approved) plans for Crash Town.
Here's what will happen.
News will spread of a mysterious, completely unknown duelist in Crash Town, a duelist with impeccable luck, who always drew the right cards, the one Chosen by his deck and his monsters. Rumor will spread that he had never lost a duel. This duelist had hacked into the control system in Crash Town to release the miners from their collars, and with them formed a gang to overthrow Lautner's control over the area.
For Freedom!
And Justice, and all that attractive, righteous, holier-than-thou, heart-of-the-cards stuff.
I call the plan "Yusei 2.0".
Devack obviously doesn't have Yusei's computer skills, charisma, almost-invincible deck or even luck, but with the proper financial resources, publicity and technological backing, we can make any duelist look like Yusei.
Satellite territories, all superpowers have them! Now you can too! Create your own satellite power! Receive financial and political support from a 'neutral' region! Take advantage of under-developed local economies! Activate option of proxy warfare!
All for the small price of changing the very dynamic of duel monsters in this reality.
Terms and conditions apply, you must control real-life duel monsters to qualify.
Crash Town is a great supplement to the agriculture-based Netherdale and consumer hub Neo Domino. Mining can, of course, be done with machines rather than human labor. Our geographic location and unique access to nearly unlimited wireless transmission of energy positions us to be Crash Town's natural ally, making it easy to foster a one-sided, dependent relationship.
Ideally, we would, and indeed very well should, place people loyal to our cause at key positions in Crash Town. We'll do what we can in that department but we really don't have a lot of people loyal to our cause. Whatever our cause is.
Education, or even brainwashing, takes time. For now, we must trust *shudders* Devack.
"So who's gonna keep an eye on Devack?" I asked after the ex-Dark Signer is safely out of ear shot.
"Gah!" Galen complained, collapsing on the sofa. "We don't need anymore than on our plate!"
"I'll take good care of him," Akiza offered with a polite smile, her pearly whites glistening against our Momentum powered LED bulbs, "Devack poses no real threat, not to us."
"No real threat?" Vincent repeated skeptically, "Your team isn't the one cleaning up dead bodies when that Mutt of his goes bonkers."
"Devack's duel monsters can respond to his summons, but they cannot grant him the power to use spell and trap cards." Akiza dismissed, "As long as Ara keeps the psychic duelists on our side, Devack can't really do much."
Right, so what she's saying is that we can overpower him with brute strength. Always reassuring.
But... "Can all duel monsters just... cross over when they're summoned?"
"Of course not!" Akiza laughed. "Devack was a vessel for the Netherworld Ruler, it's much easier for the rest of us to channel our powers through him!"
Rest of us. Easier. Huh.
I didn't pursue the topic further, maybe when things slow down a bit. An important topic, but thankfully not urgent, yet.
"You were right," Devack glanced at the blond suspiciously. He doesn't trust attractive people, this one least of all. "They never suspected a thing."
"Netherdale got to their head," Blizzard shrugged dismissively, "What can I say, it was just too much power for them to handle. Now they think they're invincible."
"What of my aims?" Devack pressed.
"Recruiting psychic duelists to Crash Town was more than you hoped for," Blizzard argued, "What else do you want?"
"True, this is a step towards my aims, but only a step. What of the next one?" Devack asked again.
"Give it time," Blizzard replied, "Wait till they actually need the psychic duelists, then there's no way they can hide these monsters from the rest of the world."
"I thank you for your assistance," Devack nodded his goodbye, grateful though no less suspicious. He knew not of this man's intentions, despite his apparent familiarity with Devack.
"Don't mention it," Blizzard grinned. "Seriously, don't ever mention it to anybody."
Sayer kept his experiment results secret, not even saving his life helped Blizzard get his hands on those records. Once located in Neo Domino, any records of Sayers experiments had since been relocated to Neo Domino for safe keeping. Blizzard wasn't about to risk facing Akiza's monsters to get his hands on them, but once Devack gets a copy, it might as well be public record.
A/N: Duel monster army, the natural next step.
After you develop strategic weapons, the next step is traditional forces.