Note (To Hondo): It fits perfectly.

It was 7 am Tokyo Time as Charles getting up as he was yawing, then put on his robe on, heading to the shower as he enters into the bathroom, close the door and then take his robe off. Then he turns on the shower as he getting into the shower and began to washing up.  
 
45 seconds later.  
 
He was dress in a University of Michigan sweet shirt, pants and sneakers. As his team was waking up and taking showers. He went to wake up Dale as he opens his cell and wake him up.  
 
“Dale time to wake up, it training time today after breakfast and it here rather than our training building.” Charles saying.  
 
Dale waking up as he was yawing too.  
 
“Ok chief.” Dale saying  
 
Then he went up as Dale went to the bathroom, as he sees Burborn and Rex was in the kitchen. As they going to fix breakfasts for the group.  
 
“So, what you making for us?” Charles saying  
 
“Going to make my famous Texas Breakfast. Texas French Toast Bake, Eag and Cheese Casserole, Savory Keto Breakfast Cookies, Oven-Baked Eggs with Cheese, Texas Roadhouse Rolls, Churro Waffles, Country Breakfast Skillet and Hash Brown Egg Casserole. With Orange juice, Coffee and Apple Juice.” Burborn saying.  
 
“Wow.” Charles saying.  
 
“You be amazed.” Burborn saying.  
 
Then Charles walking by as he sees Fernando on the Living Room couch. “You can join us for breakfast if you want Nando.” Then he went to check on Dale.  
 
Then Dale came wearing a Sweet shirt, Pants and sneakers too.  
 
“Glad you ready dale also Later on after the training. I am going to improve you of art of blinding in. Since you do wear woman clothing. That what we need to work on in the spy area.” Charles saying.
 
“Well I dose it best but ok I want to see if you can train me in more advance blinding in.” Dale saying.
 
“I will.” Charles saying.
 
“Breakfast is ready.” Burborn saying.  
 
As they enter into the dining room while they began to eating breakfast, drinking coffee and juice.  
 
“Ok we need to train more in our fighting skills and also hearing skills too.” Charles saying.  
 
“Un why dad?” Maggie saying
 
“Well We need to be on guard for anything ok daughter and this will sharpen our fighting skills too.” Charles saying.  
 
“Ok Boss.” Charles team saying.  
 
*
After Burborn and Rex wash the dishes. They were in the training room doing some training.  
 
“Ok Dale I want you to attack the dummy and give it all you might.” Charles saying.  
 
“Ok I will give it all I got.” Dale saying as he punches the dummy but didn’t make a dent.
 
Then Charles was thinking and he got an ideal how to get dale in a fighting mode.  
 
“Dale remember Chip keep you down since he did say you can’t be the leader and you never bet the leader. Always second best? Also, he did keep you down and mocking you.” Charles saying  
 
“WHAT HE SAY THAT!” Dale saying.
 
“I want you to use that as your fighting fuel on that dummy. Visualizes that dummy is Chip mocking you.” Charles telling Dale.  
 
Then Dale Visualizes the dummy as Chip face appears on the dummy.
 
Fake Chip: HAHAHA You can’t be the leader Dale. Because you always goof up. You never be good as me and I am better than you. You can’t lead a shoe!
 
Dale getting angry.  
 
Dale: GRRRR I WILL SHOW YOU CHIP!  
 
Then Dale pounce on the dummy as he began to beating the dummy and tearing apart as Charles and his team see this while Charles rubbing his head.  
 
“Un Ok maybe I over done it too much. But it did work. And he is fighting too.” Charles saying  
 
“Can we snap him out of it?” Rex saying
 
“Give him time to get all the anger out of him. About 1 or 2 hours.” Charles saying.  

Everyone in the house was mostly out by 9AM to do their finalized shopping needs. Fernando was still asleep on the couch in the living room. Gadget was in her room, occasionally checking on him but with the house now empty, she decides to make her move. She walks out in her t-shirt and panties, stepping up to the couch and sits by him. She leans over to his face and brushes back his hair with her hand.
 
“Hey, sleepyhead. Wake up.” She says to him as softly as possible while at the same time loud enough to be heard.
 
“I’m awake.” Fernando says in a tired groggy tone.
 
“Then if you’re awake, how come you’re not complaining about my mode of dress?” Gadget points out.
 
Fernando gets up slightly and shakes his dead before looking at her. “That’s all you’re wearing?” He asks.
 
“Yes, for now.” She replies.
 
“I swear, maybe we should go to your room and practice making babies on your bed.” He says to himself but she heard him.
 
“I’m available for just that anytime you want.” She tells him but adds, “But I know you want to save your marriage with Tammy first. But if that fails, I’m there for you.”
 
“Thanks.” He says to her, “Thanks for understanding...”
 
“We can still go and do it if you like.” She throws at him.
 
“Gadget...” He tries to call her.
 
“But if we do, it has to be kept secret so your wife Tammy would not take it out on either one of us. But isn’t this Japan? I mean, in Japan, one can have a sexual affair and it would not be considered as cheating as long as emotions are not involved.” She begins to ramble.
 
“Gadget...” He calls to her again.
 
“Now... that can be a problem because I like you and that would encroach on emotions being involved from me. The question is, ‘do you like me?’” She asks herself before turns to face him.
 
“I would not be here with you if I did not like you, Gadget. Nor would I have helped you as I did. It is what being ‘friends’ is about, even though we may not agree with everything but at least we respect those differences and learn to deal with them.” He tells her.
 
She just looks at him before she asks, “Do you ‘like – like’ me?”  
 
Fernando slowly sits up and leans towards her. He takes her by her waist and draws her to him before whispering in her ear, “Is the house empty?”
 
Gadget nods as she turns her head to face him with her back against his front as they sat on the couch.
 
He reaches up to her breasts and cups them in his hands from their bottom before he whispers in her ear, “You would not be my secretary if I did not like-like you.”
 
“Oh...” She replies, adding, “I like-like you too.” She tells him as she put her hands on his.
 
He sniffs her neck for a brief second as he fondles her breasts, “You showered up?”
 
Gadget nods.
 
“Good. Then get dressed while I take a shower and get dressed myself.” He tells her.
 
“What should I wear?” She asks as she pulls off his hands off her slowly.
 
“Well, the Emperor’s Dinner Party is tonight so if you think you can dress for it and stay fresh and clean the whole day, then get dressed in that.” He says to her.
 
“And what are you wearing?” She asks.
 
“Though it should be a tux, I’ll put on a black suit and put the tux jacket in the trunk of the car.” He answers.
 
“Oh. OK...” She replies.
 
“You girls got it easy. Bra, panties, stockings maybe, and a one piece dress, preferably in black or some other matching color, shoes to match the dress, and purse to match the shoes. I have to have t-shirt, briefs, pants, shirt, tie, suit jacket, shoes must match the belt, and tie has to match the belt or contrast it. Oh yes, cuff links as well, and a watch, large and gaudy as possible. Ring of education or group affiliation must be in gold.” He says more like a matter of fact.
 
“We girls have to deal with make-up, hair and nails, and how we smell with perfume and everything must match.” Gadget complains.
 
Fernando slowly gets up from his bed and head to his room his wife does not want to share in.
 

---

In Akasaka-Mitsuke Maeda Hospital...
 
“Ms Sakimori, it is unsafe for you to leave this facility. You require several more days of medical treatment and professional care.”
 
“It is more important that I get out of this hospital and back to the Emperor’s side!”
 
“Ms Sakimori, no. You have a contusion on the brain, a bruise on the heart, several cracked ribs, two fractured wrists, bruised joints and soft tissue damage to several vital organ systems. Nothing is more important than your life. You step out that door, you will not survive.”  
 
“I’ll take my chances, for I have places to go and things to do!”
 
“Listen Me Sakimori, you step outside without medical assistance to monitor you, there is a good chance you will die from your injuries. You are failing to realize how fragile your situation is.”
 
“I’m sure she understands the details of her situation.” Another voice joins in.
 
“Jeanette! I’m so glad you came!”
 
“And who are you?”
 
“I am Emergency Medical Technician Jeanette Miller from the United States. I’m here to visit Ms Sakamori and see how she is doing.”
 
“As you see, Ms Sakamori needs to remain here. She is in no condition to leave.”
 
“There are things I have to do that are more important than my own life.”
 
“How about I take care of her while she is outside?”
 
The doctor stands there without answering.
 
“Get me my things.”
 
“I protest. You are too injured to leave.”
 
“I’ll take care of her.”
 
“You will take on responsibility if she dies out there? Even though she dies from her injuries, you would be at fault for her death.”
 
“I’ll take on the responsibility of her wellbeing until she improves to be on her own.”
 
“You heard her, get me my things.”
 
“Then just wait, your things will be returned to you but first you will need to sign away your rights to medical care first.”
 

---

9:30AM: Maria’s B&B.
 
Fernando was in his bedroom putting on his clothes after taking a shower. He only had his shirt that he was buttoning up when Gadget enters the room in just her bra and panties.
 
“Gadget!” He holds back from yelling at her.
 
“I just want to know what are we going to go and do during the day before the dinner date?” She asks as she walks up to him.
 
“I don’t know. Maybe lunch later at a fine restaurant, but nothing for the mission. So just dress up for the dinner and look good all day. That is all you have to do.” He tells her.
 
“Oh.” She replies before she turns around to walk out the door. But then she stops at the door and turns back to face him. “You know that it is just us two alone in this big house.”
 
“And?” He replies, knowing what she might try to imply.
 
“Well...” She says in a defeated tone.
 
“You figure that we’re alone, that we can have some alone time together. Right?” He throws at her.
 
“Can you blame me for trying?” She throws back at him.
 
“No, I don’t.” He says to her. But he then throws at her, “We’re both married to different spouses, despite that both our marriages are failing.”
 
She interrupts him, taking a couple trotting step to him, “With Chip in prison waiting to be executed, my marriage is already over, even if he is alive right now.” She begins pounding on his chest with the side of her fists while at the same time repeatedly, “It’s over for me! Over!”
 
Eventually Fernando takes her arms by the wrists and stops her from hitting him, though emotional adrenaline was making her stronger than she actually was. But in holding her wrists, she stops her flailing and stands there for a moment. He lessens on his grip on her wrists but not letting them go. He does lower her arms to her sides. For the moment she seems to be holding it together. She then leans over to him and begins crying on his shoulder. He can do nothing more than let her wrists go and hold her.
 
Fernando does not say a word as he holds her, just lets her continue with her emotional train wreck happening in slow motion, one that cannot be stopped and many would witness to its destruction. If it were 15 – 20 years ago, it would be like a father holding his daughter through her break down, all they can do is let it go through its course until it is over and pick up the pieces to put things together again.
 
It takes longer than expected for Gadget to calm down.
 
“I’m sorry...” She says as he holds her.
 
“What for? You have no reason to be sorry for.” He tells her.
 
“B.B.B.But...” She tries to begin.
 
“No Buts... We are all under a lot of stress; especially with our spouses giving us shit and not giving us love. Making it worse is that we only have each other. Yes, I understand you need to be loved as a woman needs, and like you I need it just as bad but we are not married to each other or are we a couple in that regard. I know it hurts you a lot, for it hurts me.” He tells her.
 
She nods as he says these words to her.
 
He continues, “Look, I do not want to end up having sex with you because it would be without emotions though it would seem to be. I do not want to lead you on in thinking we have something we may not. But if anything does happen between us, ‘Thank you’ for being there for me.”
 
“Like in that Mafia Strip Club when I gave you a blow job?” She asks.
 
He kisses her on the forehead, “I did not tell you then but I’ll tell you now, that was the best blow job I ever had in a long time.”
 
“I did it for you. I did not want those hoes to touch you, and had to convince them that you are mine.” She tells him.
 
“I know.” He says to her. There is a moment of silence between them, which he breaks, “Look, if things were different now or even years ago, I would have married you.” He pauses for a second with a sigh, “Hell, if Tammy goes through her divorce, I would want to marry you if you so accept.”
 
She sniffles a bit before answering, “Yes, I accept!”
 
“It’s a bit premature...” He says before she puts her lips against his.
 
She then looks at him before asking, “What is it when two fall in love during a mission?”
 
“A mission crush.” He answers.
 
“And how far can it go?” She asks.
 
“It can go all the way.” He answers but adds, “But at the end of the mission, it can fall apart and leave one with hurt feelings. I do not want to do that to you.”  
 
“What happens now will not hurt me later on after the mission is over.” She says.
 
Fernando’s smartphone begins to buzz, signifying a text message and not a phone call. He separates from Gadget and goes to his smartphone. Gadget follows him as he takes the phone and she shoulder surf him as he reads the text on the screen. It was from Tammy.
 
“In the airport, going to Italy to Bink’s graduation. Taking Francesca with me. See you in a week. You better stay away from those hoes Gadget and Jeanette!” Fernando reads to himself with Gadget behind him listening in as she reads the tiny screen.
 
“What you’re going to do now?” Gadget asks as she leans on him.
 
Fernando sighs for the moment, “Don’t know. I’m going to have to make a few phone calls but that has to wait as it is still night time in Italy right now.”
 
“Oh... But aren’t you going to stop her with your Time Travel Thingy?” She asks.
 
“No. She does need to go to her sister’s graduation. I’m not taking that away from her. I’m more worried about Francesca than I am for her.” He explains.
 
“Oh.” Gadget replies.
 
Fernando puts down his smartphone on the dresser and turns to face her, though he wanted to go into the living room and kitchen for at least some coffee. But Gadget was in his way.
 
“Well, Tammy is gone.” She says to him, slowly moving her hand to his groin. She traces the bulge on his briefs lightly with her finger.”It’s just you and me now.”
 
“You should not do that.” He points out.
 
“Why not?” She asks as she continues, feeling him growing and hardening inside his briefs.
 
“You’re tempting me to do something we might both regret later.” He says.
 
“You regret me giving you a blow job at the Gangster’s strip club?” She asks.
 
“No...” He says.
 
“Then, can I ask, do you think you getting a blow job from me or anyone else is cheating?” She asks as she gives him a slight squeeze down there.
 
“It is, but it happened, and I’m not going to say or do anything about it.” He replies.
 
“I have no regrets about it either. It was something I had to do for you at the time and place it was done. And I’ll do it again if and when it is needed, and even give you more of me.” She says before giving him a kiss on his lips. She then slowly gets down on her knees, giving the bulge on his briefs a quick peck of a kiss. She leans back a bit to eye the size of his covered manhood as she takes hold of waist band of his briefs.
 
He takes his hands onto hers to keep her from pulling down his briefs. She looks up at him.
 
“You do not want it?” She asks.
 
“It depends on what ‘IT’ is?” He replies in question.
 
“We can start with a blow job and then who knows from there.” She answers, still staring at his groin and not up at him.
 
“How about no?” He replies.
 
Gadget releases a sigh before she sits on her kneeling legs.
 
He tries to take her hands off his brief’s waistband and to pulls her up onto her feet. She reluctantly complies and gets up. Once on her feet, he takes her by the waist and pulls her towards him until their bodies pressed against each other.
 
“Look, I do not mean to tease you or to mislead you. But I will say that we are both under a lot of stress, and that stress will drive us into some sort of actions we may or may not want. I’m saying, lets relax on that for a while and then maybe we can act on it some other time. Maybe some time soon, but not now. Give that to me, please.” He tells her.
 
Gadget nods but says, “I too do not want to tease or mislead you but I need something too, something to deal with this stress, something that only you can give me.”
 
Fernando looks down at himself, knowing what to do and knowing what is right from wrong, but in it all knowing what should be done for the best. But who’s best? He lets out a sigh.
 
Letting her go, he takes a step back to separate themselves from each other and begins to take off his shirt and t-shirt, standing there in just his briefs. He then takes a step to the door and closes it before going back to Gadget, standing behind her, putting his arms around her waist and drawing her to be against him. For the moment he holds her there in place against him. He kisses her where her jaw and neck meets, making her shudder slightly.
 
She calls to him softly, “Fernando.”
 
“Yes Gadget?” He replies.
 
“If you do not want to...” *GULPS* “You do not have to...” She says nervously.
 
Fernando continues to kiss up and down her neck, slowly moving his hands from her waist to her breasts. He whispers in her ear as he lifts the cups of her bra off her breasts, “It is up to you to say ‘No.’”  
 
She remains silent for the moment.
 
He stops after a while, stepping in front of her and look at her as she opens her eyes. They stare at each other for the moment. Without saying a word, he guides her to his bed and both get under the blankets.
 

---

10:30AM: Tokyo Marriot Hotel
 
A tall white mouse changes her dress from what she had on before to something better in appearance and able to cover most of her bandages. She puts the dress on her hotel bed as she walks about the room to gather other things. Her friend stands there and watches as she goes about gathering things.
 
“Where’s Tammy? Aren’t you helping her with her baby?” The mouse says.
 
“Tammy left for Italy for Bink’s graduation and come back a few days later. Aiesha went with her.” Her friend says.
 
“So, Fernando is alone?” The mouse says.
 
“Not really. He made Gadget into his secretary and has her following him about.” The friend says.
 
“He’s probably screwing her right now in some wild orgy with that cowboy and their friends. You should have moved in and be his secretary and be able to handle the situation better what is going on now.” The mouse says.
 
“Misao, I was entrusted in taking care of Tammy and her baby, not Fernando.” her friend tells her.
 
“Jeanette, weren’t you Fernando’s girlfriend at one time? You should be the one at Fernando’s side right now and report to me of his plans and actions.” Misao tells her.
 
“I almost became his fiancée and later on his wife if it were not for you.” Jeanette tells him.
 
“Remember I saved you from that ordeal Tammy is going through with that poor excuse of a man.” Misao tells her.
 
“We are not here to talk about my past with him, as through my experience Fernando is a kind and generous person though he does have his issues. But I know why he has those issues, and in what we had, he tried his best to make me happy. It was not about money or things we had, but about my happiness. He gave me more freedom as his girlfriend than most guys I seen in their actions with their girlfriends and as such he was more than patient with me when most would not have. Now what problems he is having with Tammy is from her and not of his doing. The question is why.” Jeanette tells her.
 
“I do not care about their problems. All I care is what is happening with my people in our sovereign nation.” Misao tells her. She picks up a two-way radio from her personal items as she sits on the room’s bed, “Yes. I need some medical attention here, send Doctor Hikaru over to my personal room. Thank you.”
 
In a few seconds, a female mouse in a lab coat with a medium sized black leather bag materialized in the middle of the room from a teleportation beam. The process takes about a few seconds to complete.
 
Dr. Hikaru walks over to Misao, “Everything OK?”
 
“I’ve been in the hospital for the past couple days and still healing from the injuries.” Misao explains as Dr. Hikaru waves a handheld medical scanner at her.
 
“These injuries are extensive, how did they happen?” Dr. Hikaru asks.
 
“I do not remember.” Misao answers.
 
“I got a message on my phone that she was in a car accident.” Jeanette says from behind her.
 
“I see...” Dr. Hikaru says. She takes another handheld medical device, shining a blue light to various areas on Misao’s body, “Hold still while I use this dermal regenerator, it should take care of most of your injuries when I’m done but you will still be sore for a couple of days.”
 
“Thank you.” Misao tells her.
 
The process takes almost 30 minutes, most of it in silence except for when Dr. Hikaru told Misao to change position.
 
“There. Now take it easy for the next few days, do not over extend or exert yourself.” Dr. Hikaru tells her.
 
“Thank you.” Misao tells her in kind.
 
“If you need me, let me know immediately. God knows what these 20th century butchers will do to you next time you are sent for their care.” Dr. Hikaru tells her. Misao nods before Dr Hikaru signals to her to be teleported back where she came from.
 
“I hope she know that you cannot contact her if your unconscious or in a coma.” Jeanette tells her.
 
“Her intentions are good despite the limitations society places on all of us.” Misao tells her.
 
“You feeling any better?” Jeanette walks up to her and begins to help her take off her bandages.
 
“Like she said, I’m going to be sore for a couple days.” Misao states. She sees Jeanette taking the removed bandages and rolling them up neatly. “Why are you doing that?”
 
“In case you may need then again. Better to have them then not too.” Jeanette explains.
 
“Throw them away. We’ll get more for us to have later.” Misao tells her.
 
Jeanette lets out a disgruntled sign before taking the rolled up bandages and tossing them into a nearby trash bin. Misao looks at her.
 
“Is that what you are going to wear to the ball?” Misao asks.
 
Jeanette looks at herself, “I’m not there to impress anyone.”
 
“We’re going shopping, get you a better dress and you are going to seduce Fernando before that blonde mouse does.” Misao tells her.
 
“I will not to that.” Jeanette tells her.
 
“Want him to have a sexual affair with that blonde drug addict?” Misao tells her.
 
“Blonde drug addict? What are you talking about?” Jeanette asks.
 
“I have kept tabs on all of you and I know that Chip has been drugging his wife and forcing her into prostitution because things with The Rangers were floundering in debt and ill repute since Fernando pulled that little ghost stunt on them at the UN.” Misao explains. Jeanette looks at her in shock and horror as she adds as she puts on her dress, “You did not know about this? It was quite obvious what was going on.”
 
“If that is true, that ‘munk deserves more than the death penalty he is about to face at his trail!” Jeanette tells her.  
 
“I will pull what strings available to me in order to free him from his crimes.” Misao tells her.
 
“Why.” Jeanette says in challenge and authority.
 
“It is not his fault that such crimes were committed. Him being charged of the crime of terrorism is like suing the car manufacturer and dealership for a car accident a drunk driver caused.” Misao tells her.
 
“There is a difference between giving somebody the means and reason to commit a crime and somebody committing the crime themselves. Chip pointed out Fernando and his group to those who would do them harm for the right price. These very same people would not have acted if they did not know where Fernando and the group were at, what vehicles we had and where we would be. And in doing so, who know what Chip said to them, he could have implicated or targeted you as well.” Jeanette tells her.
 
“He better not. That is why I have you. And you are going to restart your former relationship with your former boyfriend and make sure he is not screwing that blonde harlot even if you have to screw him yourself. He eroding what power I had with the emperor and that cannot happen if everything is to go according to plan.” Misao tells her. She gets up from the bed fully dressed and walked over to Jeanette, putting her hand under her chin and stares into her eyes, “Let’s get you a new dress. This will not do for you to go to the Emperor’s Ball.”
 

---

11:00AM: Maria’s B&B Hideout.
 
Gadget rests with her arms around Fernando and her head and upper body on his chest. She was lightly napping with a smile on her face. Fernando was somewhere between sleep and consciousness as he holds on to her. His smartphone goes off louder than expected, waking Gadget up.
 
“HUH?!!” Gadget waked up startled from her rest.
 
“Relax girl. It’s my cellphone getting a text.” Fernando says as he slowly sits up on the bed. He gets his smartphone and reads the text, “Dad, Tammy set me up at the airport and I’m in jail there. She is on a plane on her way to Italy with Baby Francesca. ~Aiesha.”
 
“This is not good.” Fernando says to himself.
 
“What are we going to do about it?” Gadget asks.
 
“Well, first we are going to get dressed. Then we are going to the airport and get Aiesha from jail. Then we are going to prepare for the Emperor’s dinner party and go there and I will call the SWA about Tammy’s action. That is all I can do for now.” He explains.
 
Gadget, standing on all fours on the bed takes a couple steps to him. She tells him, “Before we go, I have to say this...”
 
“What is it Gadget?” He asks.
 
“Thank you.” She says to him before leaning over to him and plants her lips on his for a moment, “That is the first time anyone made love to me and did it in a way that they meant it and not just getting their jollies off from me.”
 
“Gadget...” He says to her.
 
She interrupts him, “Look, if it comes to a point, I say yes. Yes to being your sex partner, yes to being your girlfriend, yes to being your fiancé, and yes to being your wife.”
 
Fernando looks down at his lap, hands and smartphone. He then looks up at her, “Let’s get showered up, dressed and go. We got a lot to do and little time to do it.”

Hondo parked the bike beside the bar, and after looking around carefully, he shut the engine off, swung out of the seat, and headed into the bar. As he walked in he spotted Shingo Tanaka sitting in the back corner in the same booth they had met in with Yuudai before, of which was reserved for Yuudai and those very few he deemed worth to use it. Seeing Hondo approach, Shingo stood up and extending his hand.  
 
 
 
“Hondo-sama, I thank you for meeting on so short notice.” Shingo said, bowing slightly as he shook Hondo’s hand.
 
 
Hondo nodded, “No worries. I was in town already anyway.”
 
 
“Please, sit down. I have the papers in my case, but it would honor me if you would allow me to have a drink with you first.” Shingo said as he motioned to the booth.  
 
 
“I’d be glad to have a beer with you.” Hondo said as he sat down.
 
 
Shingo signaled to a waitress who came over and took their drink orders. The men talked about the ranch, and other business while they enjoyed their beers. The talk was of nothing too serious, but it was light, informative, and relaxing talk. Once they were done their beers Shingo pulled out the papers.
 
 
“These are papers you need sign. I have four set: one to file, one for myself, one for you, and one for business advisor. They are to show that we are legal full partners of ranch, which is free and clear of all leans. These also say partnership subjected only to terms we agree on when we last met, of which can be change by us agreeing with two witnesses at any times.” Shingo explained.
 
 
Hondo read them over carefully, and after seeing there were indeed no new terms, he signed them and handed three of the sets back to Shingo.
 
 
“That should do it. Was there anything else?” Hondo asked
 
 
 
“No, Hondo-sama. That was it.” Shingo said.
 
 
 
“No new threats against you or your family, I hope.” Shingo said.
 
 
 
“I hear no threats yet. I expect to hear threats soon, though. Eastwood-san and his friends are doing good work on the ranch and they work to restore honor. I think ranch safe with them. Threats will come, but I am worried no more.” Shingo replied with a confident smile.
 
 
Hondo nodded, “That’s good to hear, but if you receive any I do want to know.”
 
 
“Yes, Hondo-sama. If I receive any, I will call you and our advisor as soon as I get threat. Shingo said with a nod.
 
 
“That works for me. My wife and associate are on their way here to have dinner. Would you care to join us?” Hondo asked.
 
 
“I thank you, but must respectfully say no. My waifu and son are in town shopping. I must get them soon.” Shingo said signaled the waitress to get his bill.
 
 
After he had paid, he stood up to leave and Hondo stood up to shake his hand again. About then Valentine and Monty entered the bar and headed their way.
 
 
“I thank you again, Hondo-sama and I hope we see you at ranch soon.” Shingo said as he shook Hondo’s hand.
 
 
“Well, thank you for the beer. We will probably be out in a few days if things stay quiet.” Hondo replied
 
 
“It was my honor. We will be to have you at the ranch and expect you to stay for a meal when you visit.” Shingo said.
 
 
Hondo nodded, “Sounds good.”
 
 
Valentine and Monty walked up about then, so Shingo turned to them and bowed.
 
 
“Valentine-sama and Jack-san, it is a pleasure to see you both again.” Shingo said.
 
 
“Aye, Mate, good ta see you again too.” Monty replied in a friendly tone.
 
 
Valentine smiled and nodded, “Good to see you again too, Mr. Tanaka. You joinin’ us for lunch?”
 
 
Shingo shook his head, “Hondo-sama invited me, but I cannot as I must meet my waifu and son in town. I thank you, though. Your husband said you will visit us again soon. We will share a meal then.”
 
 
 
“I understand, and I look forward to visitin’ again.” Valentine replied.
 
 
 
“As do we. I must go now.  osewa ni narimasu. ki wo tsukete.” Shingo said, bowing slightly as he spoke.
 
 
 
“Take care.” Hondo replied.
 
 
 
Shingo nodded once more then turned and headed out the door. As he left Valentine crawled into the seat beside Hondo and Monty slid in across from them, fitting a bit more snuggly than he cared for as the booth was not built for someone with his rotund figure.
 
 
 
Hondo ordered a round of beers and they all ordered a light meal. Monty was extremely quiet, which was odd, but Hondo did not think much of it as Monty’s moods were the least of his concerns.  Valentine did most of the talking, though Hondo did discuss the houses bug issue with them both and made it clear they should watch what they say and where they say things until he or Fernando gives them the all clear.  
 
 
It was almost 2:00 pm by the time Hondo paid the bill for their dinner and they headed outside. The mustang was parked a couple spots down from the motorcycle, so Hondo and Valentine stopped at the bike for a moment before taking off. Monty continued to the Mustang to wait.
 
 
“You have more shoppin’ to do?” Hondo asked
 
 
“No, we got everythin’ done. I did get a new dress for this evenin’. It’s looks Japanese but is a mix between Japanese and American styles.” Valentine replied.
 
 
Hondo smiled softly, “I’m sure you’ll look lovely in it as you do anythin’ you put on.”
 
 
She smiled back with a slight blush in her cheeks, “I do hope you like it.”
 
 
“If it’s on you, I know I will.” He replied. “Now, we’d better head back if there’s nothin’ else goin’ on.  
 
 
Valentine nodded and started to walk away but stopped and looked back at him, “Oh, Monty said somethin’ and it got me thinkin’…. You don’t think Fernando would, … you know… hook up with Gadget while he’s still married to Tammy?”
 
 
Hondo shook his head, “It’s not any of our business, but I don’t believe he would. He honor’s marriage as a promise and commitment, and until Tammy voids it, I don’t see it happening. If Tammy does, then probably. Unless …”
 
 
“Unless what?” Valentine asked
 
 
 
“Well, from what I’ve seen she’s been actin’ like an attention starved nympho. If she’s let us see that, how much more is she doin’ when we’re not there? A man can only take so much, especially when he’s hungry.” Hondo replied.
 
 
Valentine frowned, “So it’s possible.”
 
 
Hondo nodded, “Possible but I’d like to think not probable. What brought this question on?”
 
 
Valentine shrugged, “I don’t know, exactly. Monty was talkin’ about how he feels everythin’ has been taken from him, then he was getting’ defensive over Gadget bein’ with Fernando and he even said he doesn’t believe you aren’t chasin her.”
 
 
Hondo growled, “He an’ I talked ‘bout that an’ I told him I wasn’t and he could believe me, not believe me, or get the #$@! out but he was gonna not ask ‘bout it again!”
 
 
Valentine chuckled softly, “So that’s why he said you’d rather rip his head off and shit down his neck than to talk to him!”
 
 
“He said that?!” Hondo asked
 
 
 
Valentine nodded, still chuckling softly, “Those exact words!”
 
 
 
Hondo shook his head and swore softly under his breath, “#$@!in’ bastard.”
 
 
“Don’t be too mad. He at least talked to me. I was pissed at him to for insinuatin’ that you’d stoop to the level of some of these auxiliary ranger fan-boys, but the runnin’ helped. If he talks to me then we at least know what’s on his mind.” Valentine replied
 
 
 
Hondo sighed and nodded, “Yeah, You’re not wrong. Let’s get back.”
 
 
Valentine nodded, kissed him on the cheek quickly, then trotted off to the car. Once Valentine pulled out, Hondo fired up the bikes engine and took off to follow them. They arrived back at the B&B a little before 3:00 pm.
 
,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,
 
It was around 4:30 am, that same day, a hooded figure climbed out of the dumpster, which was behind a small grocery market, and scurried back into the shadows, clutching a small canvas sack, which held the contents of her haul. It was not clear of where she was headed, as she seemed to turn randomly, zig-zagging her way through the buildings of the smaller community. Eventually, once she was sure she was not being followed she made her way across a larger street and down a smaller road to the outside edge of a park. She cautiously approached some bushes at the far edge, hidden in the shadows of the night. She stopped and stood still, listening, and looking. Her mechanical eye detected no heat signature which worried her a bit as she expected to see at least one. Finding that she was alone she called out softly into the night, an edge of worry in her voice.  
 
 
“Zoey? …. Zoey?! Where are you?” Tonya whispered.
 
 
A clanking sound to her left drew her attention and she spun and crouched, ready for battle. She relaxed as a slightly mechanical voice called out to her and a small figure crawled out from under a secluded, metal bench.
 
 
“Tonya, I’m over here.” Zoey said as she crawled out on her hands and knees.  
 
 
Tonya trotted over and helped her up.
 
 
“You had me worried! I couldn’t see your heat signature. What were you doing under there?” Tonya asked, the worry slowly draining from her voice.
 
 
“I’m sorry. There was a policeman passing through, so I hid. I can’t see in the dark like you can. I wish I had two eyes still.” Zoey replied sadly.
 
 
Tonya sighed and squeezed her shoulder gently, “It’s alright. We will find a way to get you out of here and get you working again, I promise.”
 
 
Zoey tried to smile back but it was becoming more difficult to smile. It was getting hard to remember what being whole was like, for her, and the hope of becoming so was seeming more and more like a fairy tale with each passing day. Zoey knew Tonya meant well, but that she thought they could succeed was inescapably a lie. The truth was that she would keep trying until the end, but success seemed impossible without a miracle. Still, though both of them knew this, Tonya would keep telling Zoey that she would be free and whole someday to keep her hopes up, and Zoey would pretend to believe it was possible to keep Tonya from giving up on herself.  
 
 
“Did you find any food?” Zoey asked.
 
 
“A little, but I’ll have to go out again soon once I get you settled.” Tonya said
 
 
Tonya sat on the bench and looked over the park for a moment. She sighed softly as she stared out into the darkness. Zoey cocked her head at Tonya slightly.
 
 
“What is it?” Zoey asked.
 
 
“Just looking at the park and thinking.” Tonya replied.
 
 
“What you looking at? I can’t see too far. It’s too dark.” Zoey
 
 
“Hmm? Oh, sorry. I tend to forget how limited your vision is, as its so easy for me to see with this eye. They have a running track, a field with some trees for frisbee playing or picnics, and a nice pool. I was thinking how much I miss being able to be out in the daylight, be free to do things like go to the pool or sit in the grass and enjoy the sunshine without being afraid of being caught or having people stare at me for being so different. I wanted to be different once, wanted to be special. Now? …. I’d give about anything to blend into the crowd and not be noticed.” Tonya said longingly.  
 
 
Zoey hobbled over to her and sat beside her to where she could grab Tonya’s good hand with her own. They sat there in silence for a long time. Zoey wanted to say that she would someday see that again, but she did not believe it enough to even form the words, so she stayed silent.  
 
 
After a bit Tonya sighed again and stood up, “We better get moving.”
 
 
Tonya helped Zoey up onto the bench so she could climb on her back once more. Once Zoey climbed back on and Tonya had grabbed up the canvas sack again, they were off through the darkness of night, once more, sticking to the inky shadows of foliage and buildings as they moved off.
 
 
“How much further?” Zoey asked
 
 
“We have to go the long way around for safety, but not too much longer.” Tonya said.
 
 
After that the only sound that was heard was the sounds of the night, light foot falls, and the slight whirring noise Tonya’s mechanical legs made as she walked.
 
 
About an hour later they approached a neighborhood from the north side and made their way into it. There were many vacant lots, all showing signs of having houses on them in the past, and several old houses that appeared to have been long boarded up. Tonya stopped behind some bushes in a vacant lot and surveyed the area. She did not see the heat signature of a single soul, save a couple feral cats that prowled the area looking for mice. After she felt it was safe, she crossed the dark street, moved swiftly through some vacant lots, and ducked down between a couple old houses. There she surveyed an area behind the houses and carefully moved into some bushes behind the house. Inside what seemed like a random clump of bushes there was a small clearing and a set of metal doors. She let Zoey slide down off her back and get herself somewhat stable before moving to the doors.
 
 
“What’s this?” Zoey asked in a low voice.
 
 
Tonya held her finger up to her lips and then turned to the doors and opened them carefully. The rusty metal hinges creaked slightly, though to the girls it sounded as if the noise was being amplified by a megaphone, due to their being a bit jumpy and for just reasons. After a painfully slow few seconds, Tonya eased the doors open and helped Zoey down the stairs into the inky darkness below. Once inside Tonya pulled out a flashlight and lead the way down a dark corridor.  
 
 
“It’s safe to talk now. This is a back entrance to the basement of one of the abandoned houses.” Tonya said as she led Zoey to a wood wall and pressed on a latch that made it open up. On the other side was a mostly open room with a few benches and some storage shelves, most of them empty save for a few jars of canned goods.  
 
 
“Is any of this food good?” Zoey asked
 
 
“I’m not sure. I’ll check it out later. Don’t try any on your own, though.” Tonya replied.  
 
 
Zoey stopped in the middle of the room and leaned on her crutch as Tonya moved towards a set of stairs where she stopped and looked back at Zoey.
 
 
“Aren’t you coming?” Tonya asked.
 
 
“Where we going?” Zoey asked.
 
 
“Upstairs.” Tonya said
 
 
“Upstairs?” Zoey asked.
 
 
“Yeah, I scouted this place out several weeks ago. It was the only one that has all the windows boarded up, has it where we can nail the door shut, and has power that doesn’t run through the meter. Whoever built this place was worried about something, but it’s been abandoned for a while and has not been knocked down so there has to be a reason its still standing. We can sleep on actual beds here and it has running water so we can clean up and wash our clothes. Just don’t turn on any lights upstairs. Not sure they all have power anyway but we need this place to look abandoned still.” Tonya said.
 
 
“Real beds?? I’m not sure I remember what that’s like! And clean clothes?! Can we wash them right away??” Zoey asked.
 
 
Tonya chuckled, “No we’d better rest and wait. I am tired and I need to recharge. We can do it later this afternoon. Though the windows are boarded there is a little light. We can wash upstairs to make it look abandoned down here still, but we will have to be careful and quiet. We might need to try to set up beads down here tomorrow night just in case anyone comes poking around.”
 
 
Tonya also knew she needed to get out and scout a new fall back location soon too. She had a couple leads but nothing solid yet and she did not like that. She knew they had little chance of succeeding at finding a better life, but being recaptured was not an option, and if became inevitable she had already set her mind to making the hard choice. If they went back to the lab it would not be alive!
 
 
 

Fernando’s Mustang materializes in the basement garage of the Tokyo Marriot Hotel. He and Gadget get out of the vehicle and make it to the elevator. They get off on the 22nd floor and walk down the hall to her room there. She unlocks and opens the door with her key and walks inside.
 
“Just sit down. I should only take a minute.” Gadget says to him.
 
“Alright...” Fernando says as he watches her go into the bathroom and then walks to the window of the room to look outside. Much of that part of Tokyo can be seen, as one of the most crowded cities in the world goes through its day. Unlike Los Angeles or Mexico City where it is sprawling for tens of miles to fit its population, Tokyo is like New York City – fixed in its area of no more than 10 X 25 miles and packed with people. Almost 10million for New York City, but over 15million for Tokyo for about the same amount of land. Looking down at the streets below, there is an order to the chaos as people move about in groups in time with the vehicles in the street and the traffic lights to orchestrate the movement of it all.
 
After a few minutes Gadget steps out of the bathroom. She walks up to Fernando.
 
“What you looking at?” She asks.
 
“Just looking.” He answers.
 
“Anything interesting?” She asks.
 
“No, not really.” He says before letting out a sigh. He turns to face her, “You ready to go? I have not eaten and need some coffee.”
 
“Yeah. Where are we going?” She says and asks.
 
“That ‘Gusto’ place since they serve American food there.” He tells her.
 
“OK...” She replies.
 
Fernando turns to walk to the door with Gadget taking his hand. He looks at her for a second but continues to the door.
 
“You have your key?” He asks.
 
“Yes I do.” She replies before they walk out the door. She locks the door behind her.
 
It is a short walk to the elevator where they waited.
 

---

Tokyo Hilton, 30th floor by the elevator bay.
 
“Chip is not the problem, Fernando is. I will go all in my power to get him released from prison and pardoned by the Emperor. Fernando on the other hand needs to be taken in as he is a detriment to all of us. Where he got his ability, it needs to be taken away from him.” MIsao tells her friend.
 
“You know he’s immortal, that can never be taken away from him.” Jeanette tells her.
 
“No one is truly immortal. Everyone has a beginning and an end. We need to bring him to his.” Misao tells her.
 
“I will not take part in any action intended to hurt somebody.” Jeanette tells her as the elevator doors open.
 
“You will and you have, or at least allowed others to do it for you.” Misao begins, looking at Jeanette for a reaction but continues as she gets into the elevator, “In your job as rescue worker, during a rescue, you have the right to stop and even kill another who is trying to stop you from doing a rescue.”
 
Jeanette follows her in but does not give a reply.
 
“I’m trying to create a safe and secure society for my people, which he has been trying to stop since the beginning. We have been on Earth for over 10,000 years. We are part of Earth, like anyone else!” Misao says as the elevator goes down.
 
The elevator suddenly stops on the 22nd floor and the door opens. Gadget steps in without paying attention. Fernando stops at the doorway as he sees Jeanette and Misao. He steps inside cautiously and stands on the opposite end of the elevator to Misao.
 
He looks at Misao, “As much as one tries to make their conversation private, sound travels through these thin walls rather easily. So if you have plans of trying to harm me, then go ahead and try it. I am just going to say this once and only once today adding it to the thousand times I have told you – you and the Lanteans are not of Earth, not part of its fossil records, and though your DNA is compatible to ours it has never evolved from the bio-diversity of this planet. Therefore you are not part of Earth, you are a transplanted invading life force that has caused problems throughout history. You’re lucky that your kind was not obliterated back in WWII. But that is not the problem. Your problem is that you and your kind will not lift a finger to help this island nation or its ruling family and government except when it benefits you and your people. I would have helped you and the Lanteans a long time ago if it were not for your selfishness. So try it. Try something stupid. Try to take any and all action against me, and you will find yourself in the other cell next to Chip facing similar charges as he is.”
 
“Chip will be released soon enough and you will be facing the noose when the time comes.” Misao hisses.
 
“You need to stop drinking and driving. Your next accident could be fatal to you.” Fernando tells her.
 
“What do you know about her accident?” Jeanette asks, raising a hand to keep Misao quiet.
 
“I was called by the police and hospital staff when she was brought in and it was explained to me that she drove through a retaining wall in a garage and fell some 50 feet to the street below. The police are waiting on toxicology reports to see if she was either high or drunk when she had her accident.” He explains.
 
“I was neither drunk nor high...” Misao lets out.
 
“Then you must have been stupid to drive your Miata off a garage’s floor, through a retaining wall and straight down 50 feet to the street below. You’re just lucky no one else was hurt, or else you would be handcuffed to your bed waiting trail for accidental vehicular homicide.” Fernando throws out at her. After a bit of silence from them not willing to say anything, he adds, “With you handcuffed to your hospital bed, there is no way you will be getting Chip out of jail as you will be trying to get yourself out of jail.”
 
The elevator stops on the first floor and the door opens.
 
“Gadget, let’s go.” He tells her.
 
They both walk out onto the hotel lobby and make their way through to the exit.
 
Misao steps out with Jeanette behind her.
 
“He has set me up, I know he has.” Misao tells her.
 
“You have any proof that he has?” Jeanette asks.
 
“No I don’t.” Misao replies as they walk to the hotel exit.
 
“Then until you have proof, I do not want to hear about it.” Jeanette says with some doubt entering her mind.
 

---

Downtown Tokyo
 
Fernando and Gadget make their way to Gusto just a few blocks away. They enter the restaurant and the wait staff takes them to a table towards the rear of the place as requested. Fernando orders a bacon and egg breakfast with coffee and toast, Gadget just orders a cheese muffin with juice.
 
As they wait for their food, Gadget tries to start a conversation.
 
“I know Misao wanted us to chase some bad guys for her, which she said we would be paid and rewarded. What are you doing here? What is your mission here?” She asks.
 
“My mission is two-fold. One – Since Tammy was dragged into this mission Misao created, I came for her and our baby. I am not going to allow Misao or any other idiot she is siding with to try to do anything that would harm them. Two – as friend of the Emperor, I was invited to view and partake on history of thie treaty signing with South Korea and later assist with the Unification of Korea soon after. I’m not getting paid for it and everything being bought or rented is coming out of my pockets. But if they are willing to give me a reward, award or any other commendation, I’ll take it. But I am not doing this to obtain such rewards. I’m doing it as a favor for a friend who happens to be a national ruler. As such, friends and family that I choose are welcomed to be witness to history in this treaty signing. You are part of that group with me.” He explains.
 
“So this is not a ‘hired’ mission of rescue?” Gadget says.
 
“Rescue what? The Emperor has his own group of hired guards to protect him and his family. I will say that there in some investigations and data gathering to do but that is simple to do.” Fernando explains.
 
“Oh.” She replies. She then asks, “How do I fit in as your secretary?”
 
“Well, I need you to keep track of things for me, and then I need you to do certain tasks that I cannot do like go into the girls’ bathroom and check something out for me. I might ask you to do some things only you can do with your technical skills, but most important of all, I am to protect you from what harm might come our way. If something were to happen where somebody is going to get hurt, get behind me so I am the one that gets hurt and not you. I can deal with getting hurt, you could be killed from what only hurts me.” He explains to her.
 
“So I’m your assistant, like Robin is to Batman?” She asks.
 
“You are my secretary, and in that you would be my assistant but not in all things. So you would not be like Robin is to Batman. I’m also willing to listen to what you may have to say if it is worth being heard. I am not going to want to hear ‘I told you so’ or ‘you were warned’ or ‘you should have listened to me.’ I am not here for that. I only want from you is facts, ideas and theories, not opinions or one-sided comment of ratings and rantings.” He tells her.
 
“And of what happened between us earlier?” She asks.
 
“What happened between us is what happens between friends who care about each other. If it continues on, that depends on us and how we take it. But Gadget, in being truthful, Mission Crush or not, I am in a mind set to make sure that we as a group comes out of this mission unscathed as possible. I might say or do things that might be hurtful to you or others and you should not take it personally. Everyone comes before me and you come before me but I will put myself up first so that the others can go on without harm. Understand that.” He tells her.
 
“So, if I can be so bold, do you love me?” She asks.
 
“I will say yes but there are limits in what we can do with that ‘love.’ Understand that. Understand that we are in a mission and that comes first. And understand what I do for you, I am doing for you and not because I owe it to you...” He explains to her as the waiter steps up to them with their food.
 
The waiter hands out the food and drinks accordingly. Thanks are given to her before they begin their meal.
 

---

1:15PM...
 
Voice over loudspeaker, “This is your Captain speaking, Air Italia will be taking off in a few moments and arrive in Italy some 8 hours later. There is a bit of congestion ahead, so please be patient.”
 
In First Class section of the plane a hand is raised to get the attention of a stewardess. A female in her early to mid 20s holding a baby in her arms holds a baby bottle to her.
 
“It is possible that you could put this baby’s milk in your food heater or microwave oven for just a few seconds to warm it up?” She asks.
 
The Stewardess takes the bottle, saying, “I’ll see what I can do.”
 
In about a minute the stewardess returns with a warm bottle, “There, I hope it is to your child’s liking.”
 
“Thank you.” The young woman replies. She checks on the temperature before giving to the baby she was holding, it begins to drink from the bottle.
 
Soon after the child finishes its baby bottle, the young woman pulls out her cellphone and sends a text message, “Marco, will be arriving Rome International in about 8 hours. See you then.” In a few more minutes the aircraft goes down the runway, gaining speed in order to take off until the wings get enough lift to take the weight off the wheels and accelerate even fast until it lifts off from the ground. It continues down it straight path until it gains a couple thousand feet of altitude before turning to its course towards its destination in Italy.
 

---

“I think we have more than enough dresses already.” A young teen female complains.
 
“You can never have enough dresses.” An older adult female says.
 
“Or shoes.” Another older teen female says.
 
The younger teen female sighs.
 
“Look Tabi, nothing wrong with getting things to look good, especially for a fancy dinner party. We would never be able to go to such events or places or wear such nice clothing if we were at home with our poor family?” If we never ran away to be movie stars with Stars in the Sky productions, we would be a couple of hillbilly gals in a hillbilly town going to hillbilly school and dating hillbilly boys. You think they would take us to such fancy balls or dinners, fly around the world, or live in a big city and have a chance to go to college?” The older teen female explains.
 
“Dad maybe generous in giving to his girls, we girls have to represent that we are from his ilk, to be a cut above average because...” The older adult female begins to say.
 
“Because there is no such thing as average.” The other older adult female says.
 
“I don’t know, Sabi...” Tabitha says to herself.
 
“You think Malik would take you out on a date like this? I know Melvin won’t be able too.” Sabrina explains.
 
“Boys in college would better to date with boys in high school. They are a lot more mature, not connected to their parents, and are financially stable. You need to set yourself up financially as well but college is about studying for your career, dating takes a back seat to studying and grades first. The guy you date is not going to support you if things start to go bad.” The older adult female says to them.
 
“No guy out there is going to support you even if you marry him. But dad will.” The other older adult female says.
 
“But... how did he get to know the Emperor of Japan or high ranking people in Italy?” Tabitha asks.
 
The two older adult female look at each other, with one saying to the other, “Rachel, you were with dad longer than I...”
 
“Michelle, I’m going kill you...” Rachel tells her.
 
“Just tell us...” Sabrina asks.
 
Rachel sighs before answering, “Opportunity.”
 
“Opportunity?” Tabitha and Sabrina ask at the same time.
 
“Opportunity.” Rachel replies. They just look at her for the moment before she is forced to explain, “Look. It is known that whatever father undertakes, he tries to be the best there is in it. But at the same time he is not going to kill himself to be the best there is, so he is willing to relax a bit on that. But on that, he has built a reputation on being the best out there without being a snob. And he has never walked away from a call for help. Now, whether you know it or not, though he works as a rescue worker, he is a licensed medical doctor, and an expert technologist. Mixing the two fields, he is able to work any job thrown at him. And thus, he has worked for high level missions and has gained people who can trust him and even call him friend. This includes the Japanese Emperor.”
 
“Aren’t you two doctors as well?” Tabitha asks.
 
“We are.” Rachel replies.
 
“I am but I also deal with technology and body/machine interface for disabled people, though some try to use such technology for life enhancement and extending.” Michelle states.
 
“Aiesha’s a doctor, that we know, what about Nicole?” Sabrina asks.
 
“Nicole has medical training to be a doctor but she dropped out to be an artist.” Michelle replies as she shakes her head.
 
“What about Tammy?” Tabitha asks.
 
“Tammy is, or was a Rescue EMT worker for the Rescue Rangers. She was studying to be a doctor or a nurse but dropped out of school, ended up in Italy and, well, the rest is history.” Rachel explains.
 
“Oh.” Tabitha replies.
 
“I’m not why he married her, she was always negative to us since the beginning.” Sabrina points out.
 
“Originally he was going out with Jeanette and they planned to get married but something happened and she ended up walking away from him and somehow Tammy came into the picture though the three of them knew each other for years working as rescue workers for the rangers.” Rachel explains.
 
“Jeanette... that red haired chipmunk?” Tabitha asks.
 
“Yup.” Michelle throws in before Rachel could answer.
 
“Wow... She seems nice but it seems like she is hiding something.” Tabitha points out.
 
“I get that too.” Sabrina throws in.
 
“Dad’s private life should not be privy to our discussion.” Michelle throws in, adding, “Now, about this dress...”
 
“It’s tight in certain areas!” Tabitha complains.
 
“Sorry if you are not built like the average Japanese teenaged high school girl.” Michelle comments.
 

---

2:00PM
 
In a private store, Fernando has Gadget measured and fitted into a bespoke dinner dress and shoes. Though as a male Fernando did not have to be there as Gadget was told to strip to her bra and panties and measured in various areas. She is told to put on a slightly larger black velvet dress before the tailor and seamstress measures and adjusts the dress on her body, putting pins and tape to various areas to make it as form fitting as possible.
 
“Not too tight ladies, I want her to be able to move about as freely as possible, especially in case of an emergency.” Fernando tells them. They nod to him and made more adjustments to the dress on her. After a few minutes, they took the dress to a back room to adjust it to size.
 
Gadget complains from the pedestal, “How much is this going to cost? I do not want to owe you anything.”
 
“First of all, if I am giving it to you then you do not owe me anything. Second, it is for your job as my secretary, as such if I need you to be eye candy, then you are going to be eye candy for me while still pertaining to the responsibilities of your job. That will show others that you are someone who is valued for your looks and your work, that you can be entrusted to represent your boss and your company to the utmost level of business and negotiations. Third, even as my secretary, consider it as your pay without it being taken out of your pay – per say. As is you’re working for me 24-7 non-stop but when this mission is over, you will be paid for your services with a pay check containing 6 places after the decimal. Pay that is rightfully yours – pay that Misao nor Chip would not be able to give you because she has nothing to give. Pay that could have been somebody else’s if they were in your place instead of you. And all that on top of what awards and rewards you might get on top of everything else. So just sit back and enjoy the ride, for where we are going, few have ever gone for it is a dangerous ride we are going to take.” Fernando explains to her.
 
Gadget sighs in trying to take all that was said in.
 
He continues, “Your hair is fine, but you cannot just go in with just that dress. Jewelry store is our next stop after this. Then maybe back to your hotel room. Much of the day is still open until 6PM when we have to get everyone together to get them to the palace.”
 
“OK...” Gadget says.
 
“Something bothering you?” He asks.
 
She turns to face him from the pedestal. “On a way, I mean, well, are we doing some kind of secret agent mission?” She finally asks him.
 
“Would it make a difference if it were?” He asks.
 
“Yes. No. Maybe. I do not know.” She tries to tell him.
 
“If it is, I will tell you this much – the secret agent game of 40 percent preparing, 40 percent getting information, 40 percent trying to bring back that information and keeping yourself alive and 40 percent enjoying the rewards of the job after getting it done. Right now as my secretary, we are at the 40 percent of getting you prepared.” He tells her as he gets up from his seat and walks over to her. Knowing that the tailor and seamstress will be taking a while in cutting and sewing the dress, he steps up behind Gadget and holds her against him.
 
“I don’t think this is the time or place for us to get touchie feelie.” Gadget says to him.
 
“It’s going to take them a while for them to put your dress together. In that time you could give me a blow job or I get to pound your little ass from behind.” He hints at her.
 
Though she smiles at the thought, she refuses, “No, not here not now. Maybe later in my hotel room or someplace else...”
 
He kisses her behind her ear and whispers, “Thank you for knowing the right time and place to do such things.” He then lets her go and goes back to his seat.
 
She looks at him from the pedestal before stepping off it, taking the few steps to his seat. She leans over to him, holding herself up on the armrests of his chair.
 
“Are you leading me on? I do not want to be lead on.” She tells him.
 
“I’m not leading you on, Gadget.” He tells her.
 
“Then why are we here? And why you asked about doing it while holding me and getting me touchie feelie?” She asks.  
 
“I am not testing you but it was a test of sorts.” He explains.
 
“A test?” She asks.
 
“Yes.” He answers. She just looks at him, he adds to his answer, “You said, ‘anytime, anywhere.’ So I decided to test that. Nothing more.”
 
“That’s leading me on.” She holds back from yelling at him.
 
“Take it as you like but I do not think I was.” He tells her. He adds, “We’ll discuss it after we go back to your hotel room and go over those things we need you to have for the Emperor’s dinner party. Now get back on the pedestal before they come back.”
 
“HMPH...” Gadget lets out, and then says to herself, “You should not even be there.”
 
“I’m the one paying for this, I’m the one over seeing what you need for the job, and after what happened this morning I am no more than your friend and supervisor. Plus I’ll explain later, but this store works for me as in they work for the agency and know me on a personal level to get things I need for my female associates.” He tells her.
 
“So you are going to be a hard ass then?” Gadget says.
 
“If you are going to disrespectful, I can send you back home in a box alive.” He tells her. He then throws in, “I’m the boss, and while on the job you do as I say.”
 
Gadget just huffs back onto the pedestal, standing there with her arms crossed.
 
“You better relax up there; they might take a while to put together your dress.” He tells her.
 
She just scowls at him for the moment.
 
“I do not know what just gotten into you girl, but I am not to be trifled with. Now we can have fun and enjoy witnessing history happen or you can go home or what is left of it since the Danger Rangers too over the Ranger HQ and you no longer have a place to live in.” He reminds her.
 
She sighs before letting her shoulders slump.
 
He continues, “When all this is over, you will have a place to live in and all your personal stuff that my people could recover is safe in private storage. So do not worry about that.”
 
In a couple of minutes the tailor and seamstress comes out with the dress for her. She slowly cooperates as they help put the dress on her. Fernando gets up and steps over to them, handing over his credit card “Nice, I’ll take it now and the other four when you get them ready. Tomorrow maybe?”
 
“Not a problem.” The tailor says as an assistant comes over and has Gadget try on some matching red-soled shoes. She adds, “Want to box up the dress?”
 
“She will wear it. Box up her personal things. I’ll sort them out at home.” Fernando tells her as another gives Gadget a small clutch like purse.
 
“Will do sir.” The tailor says.
 
“You look good.” The seamstress says to Gadget.
 
Gadget slowly gets up, being able to move more freely in the dress even though it was snug against her body. She feels about the dress, seeing how tight it was against her and yet she can move as if she wore nothing on at all. “How is this possible?” She asks.
 
“I’ll explain later. But first, there are four more in different colors we will pick up tomorrow afternoon. Now let’s keep going.” He tells her as he gets back his credit card and a receipt with it. He folds the receipt and pockets it and the credit card goes back into his wallet.
 
Gadget is given a bag wither clothes in it and Fernando takes her hand and helps her off the pedestal.
 
“Thank you, ladies! You do us honor with your fine work!” Fernando tells them as he leaves the store. He turns to Gadget, “Follow me.”
 
Gadget follows him, thinking that she would be clumsy and ungraceful in a tight dress and high heel shoes (they were not that high) but she seemed to walk almost naturally as a woman should but she does not walk like that often. He takes her arm in arm and guides her to the jewelry story (Kataoka Jewelry).
 
“Ah, Fernando-san, welcome back! What brings you in today?” A waiting store manager on the floor greets them.
 
“I just need a simple string of pearls for her neck, a gold chain bracelet and gold and silver watch for her.” Fernando tells the store manager.
 
“Definitely, come right this way!” The store manager tells him.
 
They follow him to a counter with a couple of seats. Fernando helps Gadget to sit on one of them before he takes the other to sit on. The manager comes over with a couple of sets of pearl necklaces, bracelets and watches. Fernando chooses a thin chain bracelet and watch for Gadget, putting them on her before looking at the necklaces. He decides on a necklace and puts it on her.
 
“I’ll take these for now. She will be wearing them.” He tells the manager as he gives her his credit card.
 
“A good choice of items you selected.” The store manager says as she picks up the items and empty jewelry boxes to process and finalize his sale.
 
“Why are you getting all his for me?” Gadget asks.
 
“Why not? Tammy is not here to get these, so they are now yours instead of hers. And you need to look good for me, even as my secretary. We are here to impress those of who we are and what we can do. And as is, you will be making up where my wife fails, including with what happened this morning.” He explains to her.
 
The store manager comes back with his credit card and the receipt of his purchase. “Here you go, sir. Have a good day and come back. We appreciate your business!”
 
“Thank you!” Fernando tells her before taking Gadget’s hand and leads her out of the door.
 
Together they walk to the Hilton hotel for Gadget’s room. But it is not without interruption.
 
As they walk by some of the many malls of the area, several high school girls stop in front of them.
 
“Fernando?” One of them asks.
 
“Ladies?” He asks to them, “What are you all doing out of school?”
 
“We were dismissed early in order to get ready for the Emperor’s dinner party.” Naomi says to them.
 
“Emperor’s dinner party?” Fernando asks.
 
“Yeah. We know you had something to do with it.” Naru throws out.
 
“Now wait a minute. All I did was treat you guys to a small meal and took you home. I do not even know who the emperor is. Maybe it is someone you know that made the connection?” Fernando points out.
 
“Oh sure. Deny it all, why won’t you. We know you had something to do with it. The Emperor even said that ‘through a good word of a very close friend that we are invited to several dinners at the palace.’ You were the only one that we met in these past days.” Kitsume throws at him.
 
“Who is woman with you?” Hiromi asks.
 
“I’m...” Gadget begins to say but is interrupted.
 
“She’s a friend who also happens to work for me. And she only answers to me.” Fernando tells her to shut up Gadget before she says too much. He then adds, “You ladies need anything?”
 
They all look at each other for the moment.
 
“Not really.” Naomi points out.
 
“Don’t be too hasty, Naomi!” Kitsume lets out, throwing in, “We may need a little something.”
 
Fernando pulls out his wallet, thumbing through the paper money in it, “Hmmm... Hope you are good in math.” As he pulls out a few bills and rolls it up in his fist, “That should get you something to eat and a cab for home later tonight is you six stay out again.” He pulls out several bills and rolls it up into his fist. He turns to Naomi and puts it into her hand but holds her hand from having her see it. “Until next we meet again. I am in a rush so I have to go, bye.” He lets go of her hand and hauls Gadget away.
 
The girls except for Naomi turn to them and say their salutations before turning to Naomi.
 
“Well, how much did he give us?” Kitsume is the first to say as they all look at Naomi. They do not notice the flash of light behind them with Fernando and Gadget disappearing.
 
Naomi unrolls the paper money, counting 10,000 yen notes she is revealing. There were 20 of them making for about 200,000 yen (about $200 USD).”Two hundred thousand yens?” She lets out.
 
“No Way! I did not see him pulls out so much!” Kitsume tries to point out.
 
“Wait – 200 does not go into the 6 of us evenly!” Naru throws out.
 
“We’ll figure it out.” Hiromi says.
 
“No, we can catch up to them and... Where did they go?” Kitsume looks around for Fernando and Gadget.
 

---

A flash of light in the middle of Gadget’s hotel room materializes the two of them and their belongings.
 
“Who were those girls? And why you interrupted me?” Gadget stammers at Fernando.
 
“I said long ago that because of my past missions here I have developed a fan base here. Last time I was here, some idiot took a picture of me using a very specific type of Apple Computer laptop. Next day Apple stores sold out of that very same laptop, 50,000 units – all sold within a day!” He tells her.
 
She just stares at him. He stares back at her.
 
“You are not to say a think publically to anyone about me or us. I do not want anyone to know who we are or what we are doing, our mission, though it is to help the emperor, is top secret to anyone else. Especially the public.” Fernando tells her.
 
“Oh.” Gadget finally replies. She then asks, “Alright then, why the dress and jewelry?”
 
“Like I said, you need to keep up appearances.” He tells her, adding as he steps up to her, ”Also Spider Web Silk give some protection to some small fire arms, though it won’t let the bullet to penetrate the dress, you will feel it and it will injure you though it won’t kill you for the most part.”
 
“Spider Web Silk? How much did this cost?” Gadget demands.
 
“Let me ask this – how much is your scaly tail worth if I had to save it?” Fernando asks.
 
“You already saved my scaly tail twice, when you removed the chip and when you cleaned and restored my body.” She says noticing him getting closer. She does not move when he steps up to her and holds her by her waist.
 
“500,000 yen, or about $500 American. And you are worth it because it is bullet resistant but not bullet proof, thus if you get shot in this mission, you will be hurt but you won’t be killed. That is why I bought it. Now, it is also tear resistant but not exactly knife proof. Do not rely on it as some sort of superpower because that is not how it works. It is just some protection in case things go wrong. Got that?” He tells her.
 
Gadget nods slightly as she looks down between them, softly saying “Yeah.”
 
“Good.” He says, before asking, “Who’s the boss here?”
 
“You are.” She replies quietly.
 
“And who is the secretary?” He asks.
 
“I am.” She replies quietly.
 
“And what is inside the word ‘secretary’?” He asks.
 
“’Secret’ is in the word ‘secretary.” She replies.
 
“And that means...?” He asks.
 
“A secretary has to keep what secrets her boss gives her as secret.” She replies.
 
Fernando nods, “Good.” He pauses for a second, “We got a couple hours to rest before we go anywhere and then go home for the Emperor’s dinner party. What do you want to do?”
 
“What do you want to do?” She asks.
 
“I got a headache and need some rest before I continue any further.” He says.
 
“You can lay down my bed if you need too.” She says to him.
 
“I’ll take up on your offer but nothing like this morning better not happen again.” He says to her.
 
“I’ll lay down with you and be as quiet as a church mouse.” She says.
 
“That is what worries me.” He says.
 
“Seriously, if you are not feeling well, you should lie down. I’ll be here with you.” She says.
 
 
Time point: 3:00PM.