Lady Jaye bit her lip as she stared at half packed bags and piles of clothes strewn about her quarters.
"What should I pack for Japan?," she wondered. It would be an information gathering job, she knew. She and Flint would both be working at Heidaina Corporation in Kanagawa. She sat on the bed, combed her hand through her short, brown hair, and sighed deeply.
Japan. She had not been to Japan since the Joes were on that mission a couple years ago. Cobra had planted strategical placed bombs hoping to set off a massive earthquake that would destroy Tokyo and subsequently unleash a huge tsunami that would cross the Pacific. Fortunately, the Joes found all four bombs, and thanks to Bazooka, managed to defuse them just in time. They had celebrated over a lavish Japanese dinner…She smiled softly, remembering it well as Flint turned green as octopus was served. She had teased Flint that he should be adventurous and at least try the food so as not to offend their host. But, he was so far out of his element, a real meat and potatoes kind of guy, that he only managed to pick at his food. After the meal, he had steered her into the nearest McDonalds, to her embarrassment. And yes, they really are everywhere.
She sighed. It's not like she didn't enjoy her time there it was just…Japan. She hated to admit that Japanese was not one of her sharpest languages. And Flint as her partner? She sighed again.
And then there was the bureaucracy that had Hawk's hands tied. The additional "unauthorized" information she had only made the situation more difficult, more dangerous. When she had shared it with Flint, he was not pleased to say the least.
Cobra was slowly and discretely collecting various brain altering chemicals and rumors were being passed around that these chemicals were already being tested on Cobra subjects. It was feared they were trying to develop some kind of mind controlling weapon.
Lady Jaye shuddered. You couldn't put anything past Cobra. Unfortunately with them, it seemed the crazier the scheme, the more likely they would try it.
She picked up the Visiting Japan: Culture and Basic Phrases she had flung to the side earlier. She opened it and sighed again as she read, "When meeting someone for the first time bow and say, "hajimemashite doozoyoroshiku" she read slowly, feeling out the words in her mouth.
There were three written forms of Japanese, she knew. She had learned the 48 Hiragana characters the night before. It was a simple phonetic reading. But the Kanji's, those troublesome Chinese picture characters, proved much more of a challenge. There were thousands of them.
Luckily, both Lady Jaye's and Flint's jobs at Heidaina didn't require much Japanese. Flint would be going in as a janitor. Lady Jaye would be working in the English side of the company as a personal receptionist for one of their business representatives.
Lady Jaye glanced down at the book again. "Remove your shoes before entering a home."
Well, duh, at least that one she knew already.
It certainly didn't help that her partner was even more ignorant of Japanese than she. Flint…, who couldn't even eat sushi for goodness sake! What would he do in Japan? She frowned. At least he could pass as a janitor. Maintenance and cleaning didn't require much conversation with anyone.
She shoved these thoughts aside as she glanced toward her half packed bags. Well, at least I can pack easy to put on and remove shoes…not to mention comfortable to walk in, she mumbled under her breath. Though there were cars in Japan, she and Flint would not have one. Most people got around by taking trains anyway - trains, or bikes, or simply walking. She and Flint would be doing a lot of walking. Yes, definitely comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes she decided, nodding to herself, packing light skirts and blouses as well as light weight slacks. Classy enough for business but comfortable and movable.
Her thoughts drifted back to what else she knew about Japan. It was July, which meant summertime in Japan. Hmmm…mushi atsui. She smiled as she easily recalled some of the Japanese vocabulary she had been studying. It pleased her that it was beginning to stick. Unfortunately though, "hot and humid" also meant mosquitos. A frown quickly replaced her triumphant smile. She threw in a bottle of her favorite bug spray just in case. Glancing down, her bags were nearly full. Just as Lady Jaye placed the last personal items in her bags, she was distracted by a hesitant knock on her door followed by the voice she knew so well.
"Jaye, are you in there?"
"Yes Flint, come on in."
He entered, taking in the disheveled appearance of Lady Jaye, the mounds of clothes, the very full appearance of her two travel bags.
"Are you finished packing?," he asked hopefully.
"Yes," she said flopping on the bed with a weary smile, "just."
He let out a sigh in relief. "I know you are tired but would you mind helping me with mine? I have no idea what to pack for Japan….please…", he flashed his lopsided grin.
"Yes, of course," she laughed. She could never say no to him. "The most important thing for you to remember is shoes…Comfortable, easy to slip on and off, shoes."
"Shoes?"
"Yes," she tried to get up and fell back heavily, giving a mock pout.
He smiled obligingly and pulled her to her feet. Drawing her close, he bent down and pressed his lips to hers in a quick kiss. Then he whispered into her ear, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," she said with a chuckle, pulling out of his arms, "Come on, let's go. Just remember you owe me one."
"Sure thing. Anything in mind?," he teased.
She just raised an eyebrow mischievously and grinned. He mirrored her grin as he followed her out the door.