The Maelstrom of Stardew

Year 1 (Summer)


Chapter 5: The Spring-Summer Swan Song (Part 2)

Monday, the 30th of Spring, 2017

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While Taeko did get the property for free, he still had to pay for upgrades and such excluding the additional storage and garage space. No, what he did pay for was the third color scheme to make the club exude opulence, dry ice, a Lightning Storm light rig, leather clothes for the dancers, a graphic for the club's name: Stardew Galaxia, and all three upgrades. He had gotten the long winded explanation for how this would work and that the more popular the club is…the more profits he got everyday. From what he got from the mini-map, the ground floor was the nightclub, the floor below was the Glamour Slam, and then the Meta Bordello. Of course, there were sub floors for his warehouses and garages. So he looked at the place before going inside to meet with his contact. He was a short one in a relaxed black suit with glasses probably about as old as him.

"Mr. Maelstrom, a pleasure to meet you. Name's Cameron. My business partner…is…"

"Lightning's back."

Unlike Cameron, Lightning was a big guy, tall…the jock that filled out the black soiree suit.

"Pleasure to be working with a big name in the underground." Lightning said, shaking Taeko's hand. "I love the design choices…and I do look forward to the strippers downstairs…and the bordello under that."

"Same here. So what do we need to get started?" Taeko mused.

"Your fine sound assistant already got people to steal the equipment." Lightning mused.

"As for a DJ, we have that covered. So all we have for you is to collect the staff. Namely, a head bartender, head bouncer, a warehouse technician, and optionally a medic." Cameron remarked. "The medic is a bit of an insurance policy…you'd need a little extra to get that set up. Whenever you're ready."

"Yes, I'm ready." Taeko remarked as he got a mission.

[Accepted Quest]

[GTAZ Mission: Getting the Nightclub Staff]

You're getting a team together to get your nightclub up and running, so get to it!

Objectives: Find [?]

Find [?]

Find [?]

Take Staff to Nightclub.

Requirements: Has to be completed today.

Quest Reward: Nightclub is set up and be opened tonight

"Ok, you're looking for Marco Diaz, Connie Maeshrawn, and Arthur Watts. I headhunted them myself…Connie's at a beach party and Marco's working his last day at another club in the city." Cameron remarked. "As for Yohan, not too sure where he is."

"What about the medic?" Taeko asked.

"That would be Connie's mother, Priyanka. I can call her myself…I have your assistant deal with her." Cameron said before Taeko left.

Going into the garage, he got in his ice white Buffalo S before driving out.

"Marcie, I need you." Taeko said activating his implant with a thought.

"Buy me dinner first and then I'll consider your booty call." Marcie snarked. "Velma says you're a gentleman, but an animal in the sheets."

"Cute. I need you to track some people down. Connie Maeshrawn, Marco Diaz, and Arthur Watts." Taeko remarked.

Marcie got to work.

"Ok, just got a ping on Marco's phone, near Split Sides West." Marcie informed.

"Thanks, M. I'm on it." Taeko said before hitting the gas.

Taeko sped through the streets before coming up to the club and spotting Marco who had the build of his older look from his bout in Hekapoo's world. Taeko lowered the window.

"Marco Diaz." Taeko said.

"Who wants to know?" He asked.

"Taeko Maelstrom. I believe Cameron informed you." Taeko mused as Marco got in.

"Yeah, he did. Pleasure to be working with you…I really could use the money. Got a wife and kid to support." Marco remarked.

"Glad to be of help." Taeko remarked. "Now we need to get the others. You wouldn't know a Connie Maeshrawn or an Arthur Watts."

"Connie, I can help with. My wife taught her and me in college." Marco remarked sheepishly.

"So you caught the heart of a college prof. Nice." Taeko said as Marco snickered.

"Just that Diaz charm." Marco remarked before going to his phone.

Taeko caught a glance of Marco's lock screen that showed what appeared to be a photo of a human version of Hekapoo with dark skin in a bikini. Marco merely checked social media to find out.

"Ok, Connie's going to a beach party?" Marco said, surprised.

"Something up?" Taeko asked.

"Connie and I weren't close, but she was the studious type. She was studying to get into aerospace." Marco remarked.

Marcie had informed Taeko of exactly where Connie was as Taeko arrived at Del Perro Beach to find several young people chilling out around a bonfire. Taeko recognized Connie…who looked about his age and well on her way taking after her mother.

"Connie!" Taeko said, honking the horn. "We got a nightclub to start up!"

Connie came over taking up her purse before getting in as Taeko drove off.

"So you're our head bartender." Taeko remarked. "Name's Taeko Maelstrom."

"I've heard of you, Mr. Bigshot. I know people in the life." Connie said.

"I'm surprised you quit college." Marco said as she sighed.

"I get it…but I couldn't keep doing the college try. I was burning myself out…and it's simply too expensive. Mom's a doctor while my father is private security. I realized I had no desire to burn a massive hole in their pockets." Connie mused.

"I get it. So you got into working as a bartender to support yourself." Taeko said, trying to fill the blanks.

"Grandmother was a drinker…had me make her shots. So I got really good at it…When I agreed to come on, I gave him one rule: no watering down any bottles. You've got to serve the best quality shit nowadays or you'll get one starred." Connie said as Taeko agreed with him.

"Got a ping on Watts. Sending you the location."

With the blip from Marcie, Taeko found Watts having a chat with two bikers seemingly unaffiliated with any group on top of a pair of Hexers. Watts looked pretty much the same, even had the overcoat, but the rest of his clothing was more modern.

"Yo Watts." Taeko said, winding down the window.

Watts turned to the bikers before telling them both something before the two rode off. Watts got in as Taeko began driving back to the nightclub.

"Welcome abroad." Taeko mirthfully said.

"Glad to be working for you. I've heard good things from Misty." Watts said. "Thanks for getting her out of that life."

"No problem at all…" Taeko said, arriving at the place. "Here it is. Welcome to Stardew Galaxia."

Takeo parked the car before letting them all into the nightclub which got a mission complete screen.

[Completed Quest]

[GTAZ Mission: Getting the Nightclub Staff]

Taeko was pleased to hear from Cameron that the three could go ahead to start setting things up for tonight's grand opening. Then he got a text from Candace that Velma let her know that the new Glamour Slam is opening…she was on her way over along the staff for the GS, leaving Taeko to focus on the Meta Bordello. Taeko found his office within the building which he found well decorated with doors to accommodations and a private elevator that went down.

He entered the private elevator to which he got a text box with some explanations for how the business was going to work. He would get a new menu alongside his Interaction Menu for 'Nightclub Management'. Immediately, he got the dry ice enabled. He'd set the entry fee later…he could have the first night free. He was informed of the missions he could take to manage the nightclub from the club's computer in his office (or any computer he was near to access it) and that the nightclub's profits would depend on a percentage of how popular it is. Then he got the text box for the Glamour Slam and Meta Bordello.

[Dens of Vice]

[Owning the Glamor Slam and Meta Bordello puts you in need of girls to work there. Fret not! They can be purchased from sources of ill repute across the multiverse, bagged and tagged to work for you. The app and website were sent to your devices. Do note that the cost of waifu will depend on how difficult she would be to capture. The device would start them at Level 1 which limits them to only working at the nightclub. As for upgrading the control device, Level 2 upgrade (would enable them to work in the GS) would be about 60k and Level 3 upgrade (would enable them to work in the MB) would be 120k. Level 4 is for 100k, but can only be obtained via full corruption to which they won't need to be 'controlled' to work. You decide their schedules and you visit their 'cells' in their living quarters to interact with them. As a welcome gift, you'll be able to receive a choice of free waifu out of three pre-select options after seeing your madam. On the matter of profits, the GS will bleed over into the nightclub essentially giving you double. The MB profit system will be explained (and you will receive gains) once enough captures are there for it to run. You are limited to only keeping 24 girls to manage.]

Taeko wondered who the madam would be as he arrived on the MB's floor. Fancy just like he expected with its theme, he noted, perfect for the high rollers. He went into the marked door that was the madam's office. He was surprised to see Maria there.

"Maria?" Taeko said, closing the door. "I thought you were…"

"Yeah, things have changed." Maria said sheepishly. "I kinda realize I'm not exactly parent material either. Me and Yadirel had an earnest talk…and we decided Pepa should stay with his uncle in Forjado. Funny enough, his uncle married my aunt right before Pepa was born…she was estranged from the family. They live in a good place near a good school. Pepa can thrive there, and we can call whenever. All me and Yads need to do is pay child support every few weeks. That's why I took the job…I figured I'd be less likely to be shooting up."

"I won't judge and you have a good head on your shoulders. So you'll be managing the GS too?" Maria remarked.

"Nah, Nani opted to manage it. Said she needed safer work, but she'll work under me. I'll also be giving recommendations for girls as Velma let me in on a bit of how we're doing this...and I won't lie…but I'm kinda jealous all our customers get to bang their wildest fantasies. I know I could take part, but I'm not into women." Maria remarked. "If only you could get me Nightwing."

Taeko got a text from Candace that she was here and getting to work. Given how the building was, entering it led to the hall which had the doors to the club, the stairs down to the GS, and the elevator to both the GS and the MB. He also got a notice from the System that his popularity went up by 10% percent.

"You wish. But I got a message from Candace, she and her stripper friends are already getting to work. So I'll get to deal with our first girl in the cells." Taeko said. "And thanks Maria, for all your hard work. Seeing that you and Nani are basically Komon…I'm running low on grunts."

Maria laughed as he left with the world gray. He was shown three headshots with a bit of information and asked to choose. He was informed that whatever he did not choose could be purchased (or captured via mission).

[Chell - Portal]

[Princess Peach - SMB]

[Rogue - X-Men Evolution]

Chell was out. He would have wanted her, but he would need time to prepare something given her circumstances. He doubted she'd respond well to another human, off the bat. Rogue had an appeal and corrupting her would be fun given the circumstances of her powers. However, he looked at Princess Peach. The princess had a more general appeal.

"Seeing that this princess is from before Melee and Super Princess Peach came out…she's not exactly going to be putting up anything of a fight." Taeko thought before choosing her.

Going on his phone, he'd simply pay for her 'device' to be upped to Level 3. He was quite happy with the discount only making him pay 90k for both upgrades. He decided to visit her cell and went to the subfloor that housed living quarters, getting an explanation about how the cells were on the way down.

~[Entering Princess Peach's Cell]~

The cell was empty save for the person, the room was white. Completely bone white with completely smooth and soundproof. Taeko looked over the subject. It surprised him that Peach was fairly tall. She was a fair-skinned woman in her early twenties with an average build. She had a soft, oval face with large blue eyes framed by six lashes and thin, dark blonde eyebrows. She has long, flowing, golden-blonde hair with both V-shaped and fringed bangs, and a single two thin locks framing her face. She wore a floor-length pink gown with puffy sleeves, a high collar, deep pink panniers at the waist and a ruffle of the same color at the hem, her typical crown, a sapphire brooch set in gold on her chest, round earrings of the same color, white evening gloves beyond elbow-length, and deep pink high heels. All and all, your classic princess.

"Who are you? Is this Bowser's doing?!" Princess Peach said, trying to sound unafraid.

"Bowser? No. I will say that he's been dealt with." Taeko remarked as Peach gasped.

"Mario will rescue me." Peach said, crossing her arms.

Taeko rolled his eyes.

"Doubt it." Taeko remarked darkly. "But I do have to ask that until then…you won't be a problem that requires some 'handling'."

"Nn…no." Peach said faltering.

"We're far…far…away from anywhere you know and anyone you know." Taeko remarked suavely. "And you're basically neutralized, essentially rendered harmless. Unless you like standing in an empty white room…I could provide a bed with some color if you comply with a simple request."

The princess was tempted to refuse, but the idea of being trapped in a white room was starting to wear on her. She asked what he wanted.

"Turn around, raise your dress, and present your rear to me." Taeko said.

Peach's face reddened as she asked why even ask for something like that.

"Because it amuses me, but I guess if you want to stare at white all day, I can go." Taeko said, turning towards the door.

"Wait! I'll do it." Peach said as Taeko turned around.

Peach turned around and lifted her dress revealing a rear clad in white underwear, stockings, and garters. He smacked it lightly, getting Peach to yelp.

"All those sports you play paid off." Taeko said, snapping his fingers.

A bed fit for a princess materialized in her cell as Peach let her dress fall.

"As I promised, a bed. You'll get other amenities in time and the room will get less white the more you comply. I'll be seeing you later." Taeko said before leaving.

"Why do I feel so tingly when he does that?" Peach asked nervously.

~[Exiting Princess Peach's Cell]~

"How did it go?" Maria asked, waiting in the hall. "And who did you pick?"

"Princess Peach." Taeko remarked. "First meeting went well, she'll be easy to crack. She's used to be in a cage…used to be near Bowser who'd be interacting with her. Bowser was a threat, but he was pretty stupid. I established myself as a cut above him."

"So how soon can the bordello really start?" Maria said.

"When I get more girls. At least three to fill the slots here for the customers. I'll continue my efforts tonight, possibly." Taeko said as Maria shrugged.

She was still getting paid so she had nothing to complain about. Taeko saw his leave looking at the time, deciding he was going to have a late lunch.


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(A/N: As promised, I finally got around to the Glamor Slam and the Meta Bordello. Before you give your suggestions, Taeko will get Rogue and Chell soon enough. I'll also be taking suggestions for alternate outfits those in the cells could get. Next chapter, we finally get to dealing with the hangar.)