Stage Three
Chapter 38
Saeko Busujima was gorgeous, Nene had to admit. Tall, VERY full figured, with long black hair and almost cat like eyes.
"Nene," Saeko smiled, "I haven't heard back about the threesome."
Nene blushed. "You...," she blurted.
Saeko laughed.
The two were waiting for Sylia, sitting together in a lounge on the upper floors of Genom. A staffer had served them tea, then hurried off.
"I notice that staff is about even split between Boomers and humans," Saeko noted.
"Hmm," Nene nodded, "we lost a few Boomers in the refit process, but yes, that's right. We're also looking into next steps."
"Next steps?" Saeko asked.
"We've seen some Boomers develop remarkable mental ability," Nene noted, "are they sentient? Should Boomers be people?"
"Wouldn't that put Sylia out of business?" Saeko wondered.
"Not necessarily," Sylia said as she strode in. "Sorry to keep you waiting," she added.
"No apologies needed," Saeko waved that off.
"Besides, if you had called ahead and actually booked a appointment, you wouldn't have had to wait," Nene noted dryly.
Saeko laughed again, "Ouch! You do not hold back, Nene."
"If this was a work meeting, I'd be less blunt," Nene admitted.
"Point," Saeko conceded.
"Well, what can I do for you today," Sylia addressed Saeko.
"I'd like to take you both out to lunch," Saeko smiled at both women as she purred, "so we can discuss my proposal."
"You were serious, what you said to Nene?" Sylia asked.
Saeko smiled impishly, "Correct."
Sylia and Nene exchanged a glance. "Oh, what the hell," Nene shrugged.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"So we just shadow them?" Linna asked as she, Reika and Priss followed them.
"Well, we are bodyguards," Priss shrugged.
Reika noted, "How do we know if they're in trouble?"
"Both Nene and Sylia are carrying emergency alert devices," Linna said.
"Too bad there's not an open comm link," Priss noted, "I'd like to hear the conversation, if what Nene said is true."
"That Saeko wants them BOTH?" Reika said, amused.
The trio settled in to a high end cafe, and they parked Reika's car across the street. "Think Saeko knows we're following?" Linna asked.
"Of course. She knows enough executives to be aware," Reika pointed out.
"She just waved at us," Priss laughed.
"Augh," Linna made a face.
"We COULD just go over there?" Reika suggested.
"We should let them talk privately," Linna shook her head.
Priss got out of the car as she said, "Okay, I'm going to get us something for lunch. Keep a eye out, I'll be right back."
"Get me a bento box," Reika called.
"Ditto," Linna agreed.
They watched as Sylia, Nene and Saeko talked, and Saeko was very tactile, flirting as she looked at both women intently.
"Do you think Sylia or Nene are falling for her?" Reika wondered.
"Good question," Linna noted as Nene laughed at something Saeko said.
Priss returned a few minutes later, "Here you go, two crappy store bentos."
"Gee thanks," Reika laughed as she and Linna took their food.
"Welcome," Priss said as she got a sandwich and chips out.
"Your girlfriend is going to be pissed at you eating so badly," Linna pointed out.
"Yeah, yeah," Priss took a bite.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"So, you have insider info on Genom operations?" Dustine McCormick addressed the potential new hire.
Reiko Asagi smiled bravely, "Yes, I can give insights on their internal processes and have twenty years of experience."
Dustine got a bad feeling, but couldn't quite nail it down. "I see you have references, but none from Genom itself," she noted.
"I was let go unjustly," Reiko said, "I am weighing my options."
'Uh huh,' Dustine thought dubiously. "So, insider info... tell me something interesting that Genom is keeping secret?" she challenged.
Reiko hesitated then said, "Someone is using boomers in an attempt to kill Stingray."
'I did NOT expect her to lead with that,' Dustine admitted. "I'm surprised you know," Dustine mused aloud.
"I wouldn't have brought it up but I understand there was a attack here too," Reiko admitted.
"True," Dustine agreed. "Okay, we'll check your references then get back to you," she said, shaking her hand and sending her off.
"Next appointment is in half a hour," her assistant Keiko told her.
Keiko had, mostly, recovered from the boomer attack in the building. Keiko had been very close to her boomer assistant, Mio, and had been horrified when Mio attacked her.
Not to mention Linna shooting her right in front of Keiko...
"You know, you don't HAVE to be back to work so soon," Dustine reminded her.
"You gave me a few days off," Keiko shook her head, "I'm fine. Do you want me to start phoning her references?"
"I'm going to call a few contacts," Dustine said, "take five."
"I'll get you a fresh coffee," Keiko smiled.
Dustine pressed a control on her desk, "Call Sylia Stingray."
A moment later Sylia answered, "What do I owe this pleasure to?"
"I have one of your former employees applying for a job," Dustine admitted.
Sylia raised a eyebrow, "Who?"
"Reiko Asagi," Dustine said.
"Oh," Sylia said flatly.
'Yup, that's not good,' Dustine mused. "Speaking purely hypothetically, is there a reason I shouldn't hire her?"
"Again, hypothetically, we gave her the option of being fired and going quietly vs charging her with embezzlement," Sylia said dryly.
"Why not charge her?" Dustine blinked.
"The evidence was aquired indirectly due to another matter," Sylia admitted. "We PROBABLY could have charged her and won, but...," she shrugged.
"Okay, got it. Thanks," Dustine nodded.
"You owe me one," Sylia teased and hung up.
To be continued...
Notes: Short chapter. I fell on my face and bashed my hand... not serious, but hurts to type.