The Maelstrom of Stardew

Year 1 (Summer)

Chapter 6: The Spring-Summer Swan Song (Part 3)

Monday, the 30th of Spring, 2017

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Taeko walked out of the Stardrop Saloon pleased with the plate of [Spaghetti] he ate and the calls he made to Hitomi and Velma. He merrily went home to deal with his artisan creations. All the wines (that wasn't for Chen) and the cheese went straight to the [Casks] in the cellar. He put most of the mayo made in the selling bin along with most of the preserves made. The dozen [Strawberry Wine] for Chen was packaged and awaiting pickup. One of Chen's guys came to take the package before giving Taeko the money. He went inside to get his computer before going up on the site for foreclosed properties going straight for hangars.

He went for the most pricey option there, Fort Zancudo Hangar A2 for a few reasons aside the discount. It was in a military base so if he was being chased or had to fly over it, he'd have no issue and the military would be inclined to shoot down any attackers. Having low-level access to the fort meant he should snatch some weapons…and a fighter jet for himself. The description was right…it was perfect to hide in plain sight.

"Ok, I'll take the red theme for color, gray for the support beams that have the lighting, the red star graphic for the floor, modern decor for the hangar office, modern living quarters, and the workshop." Taeko said before getting a total. "Thank you, discount."

What would have cost him nearly five million was only costing a little over 2. With this purchase, he was informed he could access the Free Trade Shipping Company from the hangar office to run his smuggling business. The hangar also counted as a safehouse (and thus a FT point after he goes to it for the first time) and the restriction of starting smuggling was now pushed back to the first day of Summer to his relief.

"I should go see Ruby." Taeko said with a grin.

He went to see Tom and Logan ripping apart a Rock Crab and feasting on it while it screamed. Taeko set down a [Pink Cake] next to them to eat to which the pets bellowed out a thankful noise. He set down a few things in the shed before to see Elly May who was enamored by a television show.

"Elly." Taeko said as she turned to him. "I just put some stuff to make more wine, preserves, and mayo. They'll be done soon. When they're done…put them in the selling bin."

"Yes sir." Elly said before Taeko left.

Taeko got on his [Shotaro] before using Fast Travel to his Grapeseed house. From there, it was a decent drive to the base to which he was let in. He arrived at a new base of operations.

"Hey, it's Marcie. Congrats on the new asset. You already got most of the rundown. You can use the computer to set yourself up to get cargo. Using the large warehouse format, you can store up to 112 crates of air cargo here. I'll be your guide for buying and selling missions. Have fun, ya perv."

Taeko rolled his eyes before making sure to put a bit of money in to up Velma and Ruby's pay before heading inside to find Ruby.

"Like the new digs?" Taeko asked.

"It's amazing, and the living space is better. And I noticed you upped my pay…I'm thankful for that." Ruby said chipperly. "Especially given my boyfriend's in need of a place."

That got his attention, but he did not mind. Ironically, considering things…he felt glad he had not went for the 'favor' system with her..

"I went to high school with him. I graduated early and he had to finish his last year, so we took a break in our relationship. I was dealing with the loss of my parents and stuff. He was trying to finish school. But he graduated…didn't walk, just took the diploma and left. There he is now." Ruby remarked.

Taeko was relieved to see it was Oscar. He had seen far too much of Jaune all over the internet.

"Hello there, I'm Oscar." He greeted, shaking Taeko's hand.

"Taeko. You got a good woman on your hands, I suggest you don't bomb it." Taeko lightly jokes. "But it's a pleasure. So he's just staying with you for now?"

"Yeah, I'm trying to look into both work and getting a place for me and Ruby." Oscar said. "I don't want to rely on Rub-"

"Say no more. Welcome to Shadow Yakuza as our kumi-in." Taeko said plainly.

Oscar balked.

"I need new members…especially men. We're actually kinda low on dudes." Taeko remarked. "So you're hired. You should be getting a kit and a rundown from my assistant."

The door to the hangar opened as in walked Aleida.

"A military base? You picked a military base to stash shit!" Aleida said. "Why?"

"Because who'd look for illegal shit here, plus it's protected. Our organization can fly in the airspace, anyone trying to kill us…can't." Taeko said thoughtfully. "Oh, and consider yourself promoted to Kumi-in."

Her tone of voice changed to one of a brown-noser as she tossed Oscar the starter kit.

"Aleida, show Oscar the ropes and take out a few jobs." Takeo said before texting Daya. "You'll be working with Daya, and she's in charge. Oh, and don't lay a finger on Oscar. He has a girlfriend he's happy with."

Aleida groaned as Ruby chuckled.

"I guess I'll get back to work. See you in the evening for dinner? It's my turn to cook." Ruby said as Oscar kissed her goodbye. "Love you."

"Love you too." Oscar said before Taeko stopped him.

"Hang on." Taeko said before going into the living quarters.

He took the one [Automatic 9mm] out of the closet before returning to give to Oscar.

"Only fitting I do that." Taeko said before leaving.

Tempting as it was to start up doing cargo missions, he decided instead to steal a [P-996 LAZER] that was sitting in the open. He hopped in and got it airborne before any military mooks could see him on the ground. Quickly, he flew out of the base's airspace giggling to himself that he had a fighter jet. He was quite happy for Ruby. Now that he thought about it, he had mostly left her to her own devices most of the time. He shrugged internally, not like he was all that interested. Then his phone rang to which he answered to hear Velma.

"Velma, what's up?" Taeko asked.

"Just checking. Also I have to leave town for a bit to attend a family function." Velma said.

"Have fun then." Taeko said. "When will you be back?"

"Start of summer." Velma remarked. "Marcie will handle things while I'm gone. But I do have one thing I want to ask of you…there's a car I need you to pick up for me. A [Coquette D10] should be at the import lot at the Dillimore Police Station. Just park it at my house in the cul-de-sac, the garage door will open for you."

"Got it." Taeko said before flying down to Kurokusa.

He landed the jet inside the hangar before Taeko jogged down to Dillimore. Picking up the car was no issue before he was out driving back into the city. He would have had to pass through the Tataviam Mountains to get back to the city had it not for the Redshot Overpass…a similar highway system that went over the ocean and cut into the Palomino Freeway, fittingly enough. After a decent drive, he dropped off the car before going into the bookstore.

"Hitomi." Taeko said as Hitomi grinned.

"Hey Taeko." Hitomi stated, rather relieved. "Guess who's finally done with school."

"Congrats, every graduation?" Taeko asked.

"Nah, I took advantage of an old loophole to take the twelfth grade exit exam early. My high score was just enough credits to qualify to graduate. So they had to let me get my diploma. I refused to take part in the ceremony. I'm finally free…" Hitomi said at peace. "Which means I can run the bookstores with no worry of that shit school. I even got some new employees, so I'll only be behind the counter for a few hours on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays."

"That's great, I'm glad you can have time to yourself to relax." Taeko mused as Hitomi handed him some gold. "Almost forgot."

"5000. All there. Would you just prefer I have profits handed in by the week?" She asked.

"Yeah, that'd be good. So what do you have planned for the summer?" Taeko asked. "I'm getting into the club business."

"Sounds exciting? Me. Tour around some sites. I don't really get out much and I feel I should do so." Hitomi said. "Maybe I can have some company doing so. Chloe's a lot more friendly…but I think she's on pot."

"She is running my weed farm." Taeko said. "By the way, the employees are clean?"

"Yeah, no criminal ties on most of them. Some from areas the Amps had wrecked, I actually recommended them to your apartment buildings." Hitomi remarked as Taeko received 1200 gold from new tenants.

"That's great to hear…but I should be going. Plenty to do to prep for the summer." Taeko remarked.

"Actually, wait. There's some guys I should introduce to you. They're using the dungeon, one of the private rooms for gaming. My best customers…among the few people from that school I actually like."

Taeko went along with her.

"Likely Kevin, Ian, and Davendithas." Taeko thought.

His thoughts were proven right as Hitomi introduced them to him. There were a few differences, given that XanTech sold FusionFall gear, they bought some for their outfits. Kevin was still a big guy, but didn't look as overweight. He wore an [Monkey King's Queen] on his head alongside the [Monkey King's Linen] set. Ian still had his glasses, but no acne or braces while wearing normal clothes save for the cowboy boots and hat. Davendithas straight up wore the blue [Academy Graduate] armor set, helmet included.

"Hitomi, you grace our presence." Kevin remarked.

"Yeah, well. I had to introduce you to the owner of the place. Taeko Maelstrom. Taeko, this is Kevin, Ian, and Davendithas…but everyone calls him Daven. He's the strong silent type." Hitomi said.

"Noted. And this makes me nostalgic for the old days of hanging around and gaming for an hour or two to forget about stuff. Considering I'm nowhere to being five years out of school, that's saying something. A pleasure to meet all of you." Takeo mused.

"The pleasure is ours!" Kevin said rising you. "You saved our safe haven and kept Hitomi in her home. Us trio are indebted to you."

"Nah, just doing what I'm doing. At the rate things are going…Kiba's Books might have to go through a name change because I was going to consider expanding on selling figures and video games. I was thinking of calling it Kiba's Keep."

"Eh, it works." Ian remarked. "But we've heard plenty of you…Black Shadow."

"Then that makes you a loose associate. Don't worry, we're all friends here." Takeo said before noticing a poster of the Mario princesses. "In fact, I think you'll enjoy my newest upcoming project in due time." Taeko said before winking and leaving.

Davenditha made some motions with his hands.

"I know, right?" Kevin said curiously. "But I am intrigued."

"I could use some dinner." Taeko thought before getting a call from Chloe.

"Hey boss, we're out of supplies, but the warehouse is full so we're good to sell when you're ready." Chloe said.

"Thanks, I'll get to that soon." Taeko said before hanging up.

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(A/N: So much to do for this chapter and so much to set up for the summer. Next chapter will finally bring this day to a close.)