"Well well, I'm impressed." Boss man snapped his little fingers, and like that the laptop was taken by one of his goons who closed it up and stuffed it into the backpack over his chest - yes he was wearing it backwards; no, Kurome didn't know why.
"Did you expect anything less?" She questioned, receiving a chuckle in response.
"Why yes, I did. Facing the goddess alone is usually a guaranteed defeat, and Planeptune Tower is not only the nations central hub of information, but also the goddess's home. Security is supposedly impenetrable, especially over the last few years after reported break-ins were leaked to the public. The fact that I haven't even gotten word of your mission is not just impressive, but borderline mythical."
"What can I say, I'm the literal best." Kurome was bragging a little, but seeing as how she not only pulled off her 'Uzume' flawlessly, but also got the goddesses on board for looking into the cartridge she found; in her eyes she deserved all that praise.
"Apparently so, but let's see how you handle the eggplants first."
"You're giving me the mission then?" Kurome counted that as another score.
"Yes, I suppose I am." He clapped, and the other guard present reached out and placed a small slip of paper on the table. "Read this, memorize it, and bring it with you. This will act as the receipt for your 'delivery'. Once the mission is done that little thing will be burned, and this will all have just been a rumor at best should information leak."
"Right. So when do we start?"
"Tomorrow."
"That soon hmm?" Kurome had no issues; quick mission meant quick money after all.
"Yes. Recently there has been a few issues propping up, and rather than wait and watch them get worse I've opted to send out the goods early. I don't like doing so before receiving payment, but it should come in later. However I cannot fail to deliver, otherwise my credibility will falter."
"One's word is important I see."
"Your word is everything. Without trust our operation is no different than a simple mugger. I run a business, not a gang; it's best you remember that."
"Have I not gained your trust at all?" Kurome watched the mini-man sneer.
"I trust no one. However it is not your fallibility I worry for." His eyes fell to her 'partners'. "It's theirs. I for one am hoping you can keep them from tanking your mission."
"I like to count myself as a safe bet. They'll cause no issues with me, otherwise I'd have thrown them in the trash long ago."
"Unfortunately I'll have to take your word for it." With a sigh the boss righted himself. "Well then, I grant you leave. Return here at 4:30 am tomorrow morning, and I'll have my men load up that shoddy rust-bucket you call a vehicle."
"Understood." The crew took their leave shortly after that, with Linda in particular allowing the breath she was holding to finally release.
"Damn, I'll never know how you can hold such a steady poker face."
"You've got balls to face the boss so directly, chu. Metaphorically of course... unless-"
"Don't push your luck." Kurome spoke with a threatening air, but still wore her laidback grin. "But thanks. I managed to get us the job, so don't go mucking it up. Now, you'll be driving, mostly because you lot seem to have been around Planeptune quite a bunch. I'll be counting on you to use whatever shortcuts we have available."
"Roger that, chu." The rat wore a devious grin, that was until Linda opened her mouth again.
"Wait, don't you need to help Chuko out extra time tomorrow? We can't both just ditch, and tomorrow is my regular day off anyway."
"What!? Don't go brushing all this side hustle on me, chu! Why don't you work the shop and leave the driving game to me!?"
"Well... for one, you're probably the most conspicuous little guy I know, plus you have a known rep for selling pirated games and other criminal actions."
"And you were part of a terrorist organisation, chu, I fail to see your point." Warechu crossed his arms, seemingly content in his answer, meanwhile Linda continued.
"Yeah, but you'd be noticed on sight. The goddesses never released public descriptions of me, plus they don't have much photographic evidence on me like they do you. Hell, half the time they don't even remember my name; calling me underling every damn time!"
"Yeah, well I-"
"Enough!" Kurome situated herself between the two, halting their argument. She started walking ahead again, pulling the duo in tow as they exited the still very active club. Hopping in the passenger seat of the truck, Linda took to driving and Warechu slipped into the back. "Look, it doesn't matter who's more infamous. All that matters is we do this mission, and we do it right. This is our one chance to prove ourselves, and we can't afford to screw it up."
"Look, all I'm saying is I'm tired of being thrown off to the side." Warechu began. "Last time you had me doing doubles at the shop; it doesn't feel fair, chu."
"I understand, and you'll get your moment later, but if what Linda says is true, then are you really willing to risk a score this big?" Kurome watched as Warechu internally debated the thought, only to sigh in irritation.
"No."
"Then leave this to us. Once we get this done, it'll be a simple matter of you two taking turns."
"And what about you, chu? Chuko's been wondering where you've been at the past few days."
"Crap, that's right!" Linda jumped in. "She called a little bit after I dropped you off, asking if you were available."
"Tell her I'm dealing with a few... 'family issues', yeah, that sounds about right." Kurome smirked. "Let Chuko know I'll be back as soon as I can, but that I have some serious problems to contend with."
"Okay, but I don't think she'll be too happy." Linda slowed their drive, pulling off next to their home. "She's patient, but she's ultimately a business mouse. Push her too far and she'll consider firing you; noting personal of course."
"Just business." Kurome finished as they stepped out and went inside. "I get it. Look, once we get this job done, I'll leave a few deliveries for you two, and cover both your shifts. How does that sound?"
"Kick ass!" Linda leapt onto her beanbag, excitement in her every movement, only to calm down a little. "Wait, hold up. Do you even know what you're asking for?"
"Yeah, chu?" The shorter of the trio took his standard place on the edge of the couch, taking the remote and clicking a few channels. "Sure it's not a difficult deal with a team, but going solo at that place is hectic; I speak from experience here. You'll be sweating up a storm, especially if you accidentally undercharge; that woman's brutal on mistakes with money."
"I can handle it." Kurome relaxed into the cushions, brushing aside the worries of the other two. "I've been through worse."
"If you say so, chu."
Warechu stopped his surfing, and Linda silently cheered as the cartoons began to play.
.
.
"Damn it feels good to be back!" Uzume was feeling much better now that her stomach calmed down. "I feel like I could bench this whole freaking tower!"
"Why don't we just get inside first? I'm sure mini-me and the others will be itching to see us again." Big Neptune suggested, and Uzume silently agreed as they walked in.
Planeptune's prized tower acted as both the head Basilicom of the nation, as well as the personal home of the goddess. With any luck Nepsy was around, but considering how the girl does nothing but laze around all day, Uzume was certain the only bout of excitement she'd see was Histy's angry ranting at the slacker. Hey, at least it wasn't aimed at her... hopefully.
Strangely enough though, what greeted Uzume upon the usual nod from the receptionist was not a standard greeting, but something else.
"Welcome back again."
"Thanks." Uzume offered, wondering if she'd seen this man before. She couldn't quite recognise his voice, but assumed it was one of the people she'd come across during her multiple visits. "Is the goddess in today?"
"Yes, lady Neptune just went up. Pardon a moment while I update the records." He typed away at his desk, only for a ding to sound out. "And there we are. You are set to go; have a pleasant day."
"Thanks." Uzume waved a little as the duo started towards the main elevator.
"Do you know that guy?" Big Nepsy asked, to which Uzume shrugged.
"I'm not sure, maybe? But hey, he was nice enough."
"Yeah, I guess."
Forgoing Big Nep's confusion the elevator started up to the top floor, where it's goddess rested her divine head. Uzume couldn't help but chuckle a bit as she looked out. With the doors being transparent, it allowed her to take a decent look at the workers of the various floors going about their day. For an instant Uzume wondered what it was like being an ordinary human, working for the person you practically worshiped as perfect your whole life.
She never got to wonder long as the ride was over almost as quick as the questions arrived. With the doors opening the pair left for the main hub, and stepping inside they were greeted with both the excited face of Nepgear, as well as the calm collected smiles of IF and Compa.
"Uzume, you're back." Nepgear called, only for IF to add her own piece.
"And looking much better today too. So, I take it there aren't any new issues."
"Not a bit!" Uzume grinned. "Hell, I'm feeling better than ever!"
"Good to see you listened." IF crossed her arms. "We wouldn't want you rushing off to the bathroom again."
"Yeah." Uzume scratched at the back of her head, recalling the last few days with an internal shiver. "Trust me, I won't be over-indulging like that ever again, I promise."
"Good." IF relaxed again. "So, find any more info on the blue cartridge?"
"Huh? What cartridge?"
"You know, the blue one you brought to us yesterd-"
"I'm back!" The door behind shot open, and Neptune came marching in. "You won't believe the amount of dogoo I just beat up... oh... Uzume, h-hi?"
"Hey Nepsy." Uzume called, only to hold herself back from leaping as she saw the smaller Neptune looking kind of... disturbed. "Uh... you doing good Nepsy?"
"Me?" She shook her head. "I'm doing just fine... hey, um..." Nep hopped over quickly to whisper in Uzume's ear. "You're not angry at me for walking in on you yesterday, are you?"
"Nepsy, what are you talking about?"
"You know... that thing from yesterday." She held up her hands quickly. "But hey, you don't need to worry, I don't judge... mostly."
IF chose here to jump in.
"Nep, what's going on?"
"Oh, nothing... nothing at all." Neptune gave a nervous laugh. "Right Uzume, nothing at all."
"Nep?" IF was starting to get annoyed, but Uzume had enough of this.
"Okay, let's call it here." She faced Neptune. "Nepsy, tell me whatever it is you're talking about."
"C'mon Uzume, I already promised not to tell-" She stilled at Uzume's stern expression. "Geeze, short term memory much." And then sighed. "But fine, it's your call after all. I was down on the lower levels yesterday, enjoying a nice trip around the tower when I noticed you walk into that room you and nep-junior always went into together."
"Wait..." Nepgear interrupted. "Are you talking about the tower's central information servers?"
"Yeah, that room. Anyway, I was thinking of seeing what the two of you were doing, but when I greeted Uzume I saw... um..."
"Just tell us Nepsy."
"Fine." Neptune shrugged. "Your call. I greeted you, and you looked at me with a pacifier in hand, told me to tell nobody, gave it a couple sucks, and threatened me with Histy. Is this really not ringing any bells?" Her eyes lit up. "Oh, I get it now. You're traumatized from me finding out your kinky secret yesterday, and it was so embarrassing you've locked those memories away." Her smile brightened. "Well don't you worry Uzume, even if you like being treated like a baby, I'm still your friend, even if I don't understand your dirty night time fantasies."
"Uh..." IF let out. "Is... any of that true Uzume... Uzume?" Looking over the girl instantly noticed how bone white the woman was, her form seemingly frozen in time with a stilled expression. Waving her hand before the woman IF tried to spring some life into her crimson haired friend. "Hello, Gamindustri to Uzume, are you there?"
"I think she's in shock Iffy." Compa tried. "I know I would be if my friends outed my naughty wishes."
"I'm not so sure they're necessarily naughty dreams." Nepgear theorized. "I think where Uzume was alone for so long in Zero Dimension, coupled with the fact she had to be the leader and hero of so many, combined to make her wonder what it's like to be the one looked after. I think this is just her wanting to experience being coddled herself, rather than being the one to do the coddling."
"Woah." Neptune smirked and chuckled triumphantly. "You're sharp as ever sis." She looked back to the frozen Uzume. "So, is it true, come on you can tell me, don't hide this from your old pal Nep!"
"Uh... guys?" The larger Neptune broke everyone from their web of conversation, and as they all faced her it was clear she was wearing a... less than certain look. "As much as I'd like to play with the idea of Uzume's mental state, I'm afraid I'm gonna need to debunk all of these ideas."
"And why's that?" IF questioned, and Big Nep scratched the back of her neck.
"Yeah... well, Uzume was with me all day yesterday. We never left the hotel room." Silence permeated the atmosphere, until one brave nep - of much smaller stature - chose to strike through the darkness.
"Say what? Hey, bigger me, um, can you repeat that? I'm not sure I heard you right."
"I'm saying Uzume was with me all day yesterday, we never even came to the Basilicom."
"That's... not possible." IF threw out. "Uzume was here, heck, she even needed to rush to the bathroom." She faced the stilled girl. "Uzume, don't you recall how we all agreed to help you figure out what that blue cartridge is all about?"
"What IF claims is true, Uzume." The voice came from behind, and even managed to snap Uzume from her shock. IF in turn was the first to greet the tome bound woman.
"Histoire, so it did happen." She seemed a little relieved. "Good, I was actually starting to question whether we all just had a suspiciously similar dream."
"Yesterday was very real. As a matter of fact I've recently gotten word back from Noire on the cartridge as well, but you won't like the news I have."
"What news?" With IF's question, Histoire held out a small tablet. On the screen looked to be an ancient shrine, mossy stone and wear from years passed painted it's surface. The picture was indeed a photograph, but the quality of the camera was rather poor. In the center was a small rectangular casing, which was free of any descriptor, and only a stark pale violet. Histoire slipped on a pair of small glasses and began her explanation.
"This is the shrine of 'Lock-on', an ancient technology fashioned for Lowee. Supposedly, the idea was to interconnect games through a quick 'swap' of the cartridge. Of course this would require two compatible games."
"Huh?" Neptune - the little one - raised her hand. "Hey Histy, why wouldn't they just link their games with a cable, or read save data instead?"
"Don't interrupt me Neptune, especially after skimping out on your chores yesterday. Histoire sighed as Neptune nearly jumped. "Anyway, this was back in the days when games had their saves stored on the game itself."
"Woah." Nepgear chose to inject. "Histoire, are you implying this is ancient tech?"
"I am, Nepgear. This idea is older than any of you, back in the days when 3D was a brand new landscape. Unfortunately, this idea of 'Stop & Switch' as it was dubbed was quickly abandoned when it came to light how the technique could damage systems. To nail the project into the ground further, newer consoles of the time provided a miniscule window to even perform the 'switch', rendering it impossible."
"Drat." Big Nep slipped in her opinion. "That actually sounded kind of cool."
"Indeed." Histoire nodded. "However, regardless of it's history, the idea was lost. As far as we know the games which held this innovation instead were sealed together in this shrine. Noire believes this may be related to the blue cartridge that Uzume showed us yesterday.
Uzume, now awake and sensible, chose not to miss her chance, and pulled out the object of her confusion.
"Histy, look."
"Uzume-" Histoire paused, and came in closer. "Wait, why is it red now?"
"That's the thing." Their adventuring senior spoke. "I never had a blue one, only this red one. I was also back at our hotel room sick all day yesterday."
"Uzume, are you certain you never came here?" Histoire questioned once more, all the while IF grew a concerned look.
"I literally just said that, I've been saying that since I came in, haven't I?" Uzume allowed some tension to slip in. "Whoever was here yesterday, that wasn't me."
"This is... concerning." Histoire backed away a little. "Uzume, are you intent on learning more about that game cartridge?"
"Duh, although now I guess there's someone else doing the same." She slipped the cart away and slammed her fist into her open palm. "Someone stupid enough to pretend to be me."
"Very well then." Histoire nodded. "I'll leave that to you. The location of the shrine is on the tablet. You have my permission to favor the shrine over today's chores."
"Score!" Cheered Neptune, much to Histoire's annoyance.
"But only because we're helping out Uzume. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go check the security footage. I have a feeling our little imposter was here for more than a simple question."
Histoire took off, but while the others began planning on the trip, Uzume found her mind racing. A lookalike of her... and one carrying the blue cartridge she saw fade away; this wasn't looking good. Uzume wanted to guess it was a certain somebody, but she accepted her 'other half' back into her already, meaning that it should have been impossible her less than sane side was active and moving around... right?
The small instance of hollowness in her heart yelled otherwise, and Uzume was left in a conflicted state of emotion... until Neptune called out.
"So Uzume... do you like baby stuff, or was that just the fake?"
And once again her everything shut down, all the while everyone else was berating the smaller of the neps.
.
.
The morning was supposed to be easy; get in the truck, drive the veggies, make some credits. It was simplicity itself, and so when Kurome leaned over to Linda and whispered her question, she did so with the upmost scorn.
"Linda, please inform me why my 'ten minute nap' has ended with us chained to a stone idol of an 'X'?"
The girl, in turn, send a sheepish look her way, and Kurome ignored the rattling of their chains to focus on just what type of bullshit Linda had marched them into. One moment she was sleeping peacefully in the truck, and the next an army of hooded figures was chanting some type of prayer in what looked to be a massive cavern.
The first thing Kurome really noticed was how the 'X' they were bound to was painted red, and how the cult - because of course it's a cult - repeatedly chanted 'cancel out' at them.
"I... well..." Linda was avoiding the question, or maybe she was trying to think of a way to make the explanation anything but asinine. Kurome didn't care and just wanted some answers.
"Spill it, please, so I know how much I need to punish you later."
"C-come on, there's no need for t-that." Linda offered a worried chuckle. "I can explain, honest."
"Well, then explain."
"Okay. Well, it all started..."
Author's note
...
And bam, we have the obligatory - and expected I'm sure - cliff-hanger. Things went from 0 to 100 real quick there, but at least Uzume got some answers to her questions, even if Kurome was the one who asked in the first place.
Histoire is none to happy, but at least they have a lead.
Catch you later.