Fernando turns the corner, the same corner that Chip had taken according to the trail of blood he left behind. But Fernando was not following the trail of blood. He pulls out his dumbphone and makes a call.
 
The Japanese Smart Phone system is a bit more advance in deducing if a number connected to a Smart Phone is on or off, thus alerting the caller if the phone was off to call later. It would not say why the phone is off, as such meta-data is not accessible through an off unit. But if it were on, it act normally, and if one does not want to answer, then it would just ring until voice mail picks up the call.
 
He calls Kei, and it is immediately goes into alerting him that her unit was off. The same with Hondo’s dumbphone. Calling Yuri, the phone just rings and rings until voice mail answers the call. He is not happy with either result. He talks to the voice mail message service. “Yuri, Kei, this is Fernando. Call me immediately when you can. And I mean immediately!”
 
He then closes his dumbphone and pockets it. He thinks about doing a temporal trace of Hondo but without knowing of his last location and going further back would intrude on their privacy of their intimate moments between Hondo and Val. He continues to walk hoping that some clue would be found.
 
Walking in a spiraling pattern around the hotel, he is getting frustrated in the fact that neither Kei nor Yuri have not returned his call. On top of everything else, he has to eventually go to the hospital to see both pretend Gadgets that are being held there. He decides that the two Gadgets in the hospital are of a lower priority and can be seen at another date.
 
Though not as bad as China in its control of the news media, Japan tends to withhold some bad events that happen in order to make the nation look like a tourist paradise on the news. Tokyo, like any other major large city in the world, has its crime and blight in various areas that affects the populace. Thus looking at the local newspapers, Fernando could not find any reports of Chip’s rampage for the past couple of days, which is odd as Chip and a Chip Clone was in a firefight a day or two ago with the two Gadget impersonators ending up in the hospital.
 
He continues walk around, approaching a 7-11 shop when He sees an all-too-familiar female come out of the shop with a couple shopping bags filled with junk food. He quickly steps to her until he is within several steps of her.
 
“Yuri Sato! Why have you not answered your phone? And where is Kei and if you know – Hondo!” Fernando tells her loudly.
 
Yuri freezes in places after flinching her shoulders to her head.
 
“Yuri Sato, turn around and face me!” Fernando tells her sternly.
 
She slowly turns around to face him, saying meekly, “Hello, Fernando?”
 
“Don’t give me that shit!” He tells her, “Why have you not been Answering Your Phone? Where is your partner Kei? And if you know, where is Hondo?”
 
“Well, uhm, I do not know.” She replies.
 
“Then let’s go.” He tells her.
 
“Let’s go where?” She asks.
 
“To where ever it is you are going. This is more than enough food for just you alone.” He tells her.
 
“But... this is for a date...” Yuri begins to say.
 
“Either I go with you or you can go to Ichiban Drive on Nichimora Road for traffic detail right now!” He tells her.
 
Yuri looks at him with her jaw dropped.
 
“You are not to be dating on my time. Until this mission is over, it is my time all the time. Now let’s go to where it is you were going or to the police station and report to Ichiban Drive on Nichimora Road for traffic detail.” He tells her.
 
Yuri hesitates on answer but answer what she did not want to say, “Alright, I’ll take you to Hondo.”
 
“Then let’s go.” Fernando tells her.
 
Yuri lets out a sad mew, like a kitten being taken away from a place it likes by its mother. Fernando follows her as she walks through the crowded streets, going from the chic downtown area to one of the lower income areas of Tokyo. But the low income areas of Tokyo are more like the yuppie areas in Brooklyn New York and not the slums of Harlem. Another couple minutes of walking, they get to a private hotel-like building. He does not help her with her bags or keys, knowing that she would try to run if given the chance. With some struggle and complaint of not helping her, Yuri opens the building’s private entrance before going in. He follows her into the building and then up a couple flights of stairs, down a hall and stop by an apartment/private room. Like downstairs, she has to heft her bags to a better position to unlock and open the door. Together they walk in with Fernando closing the door and locking it. She does to a nearby table to put down her bags.
 
“Where is he.” Fernando demands.
 
“He’s...” Yuri beings to say as she points to a room down the hall.
 
“Don’t tell me. Take me to him. NOW!” Fernando barks at her.
 
Yuri cowards before she starts walking to the room down the hall that she pointed to moments ago. Fernando follows her into the room.
 
They walk into the bedroom, Fernando sees a large bed in the middle of the room by the furthest wall. He is not impressed to find a (half naked but bandaged up) Hondo tied spread eagle on it. He turns to Yuri. He knows what is going on as he seen her do this before.
 
“You are go to the hide out and wait for me to return. Until then you are not leave the hide out until I return. You are not to look for Kei, you are to go to the hideout on your own. Now leave.” Fernando tells her angrily with a growl.
 
“Yes sir...” Yuri says meekly before she walks backwards out of the room. In a few seconds the door is heard slamming shut.
 
Fernando then looks at Hondo, pulling out a knife and start cutting the binds as he says to himself, “I am not going to ask what is going on here.”
 
“It was Chip, he attacked us and...” Hondo begins to explain.
 
“I said I Do Not Want To Hear It.” Fernando tells him. He throws at him, “First we take care of your injuries and get you cleaned up, then we take you home. You smell like the Funk at a Dirty Love Hotel, but I’m not saying you did that, I’m saying what you smell like.” Cutting the last bind holding Hondo down, Fernando points down the hall, “Go to the bathroom and wash up.”
 
Hondo tries to sits up, but reaches out to grab something with his left while putting his right hand to cover his eye and forehead, “Whoa...”
 
“Take it slow.” Fernando tells him. He then throws in, “In fact, sit there for a while until you get used to and the room stops spinning. Who knows how long Yuri had you tied up, but more than 24 hours, it will mess with your head. So just relax.”
 
Hondo turns his head to face him, “Don’t you want to hear what Chip did?”
 
“Chip just shot up the Hilton Hotel in a Chicago / Detroit / Newark / New York City Blood/Crip Drive By, hitting many people and almost hitting me. The police are still out there counting the dead and wounded. So frankly, I do not care what Chip did to you, because you are now just a number in the things he’s doing to get at us and this is now become personal. And Becoming Personal, It Shall Become Ugly.” Fernando tells him.
 
“Wait... He... Did... What?!!” Hondo replies.
 
“Chip Did A Gang Style Drive By at the Hilton Hotel where I have the Penthouse Hideout.” Fernando tells him. He then continues, “Now, once we get you together, you are going to gather Val and take her to the ranch you have and set things up for the rest of us to get there within 48 hours. Shop online and get things delivered, do not go out shopping. Until Chip is caught, no one is safe in Tokyo. I’ll keep the other hide-away with Maria B&B going but except for Charles and his crew, it will be empty. You will take care of everyone at your ranch and nobody leaves or enters it without your or my authorization.”
 
“I swear, if I get my hands on that ‘Munk...” Hondo begins to say.
 
“You are not doing to anything. This is between Chip and I. I need you to take care of the others while I take care of Chip.” Fernando tells him.
 
Hondo just scowls at him for the moment. Fernando did not want to hear stories of what happened or excuses, because in his mind that would just waste time and mislead the focus on the priorities of getting Chip for what he did. But also in his mind, if Chip wants to take it Gangsta Style, Fernando is going to take it to levels of Harlem Meets Little Tokyo.
 
Fernando points down the hall, “Go wash up first before I check on your injuries so we can get out of here.”
 
Miffed at the situation, Hondo slowly gets up and does as he is told. He wanted to take a shower but the bandages Yuri put on him limited his options. Instead he spends the next half hour giving himself a wipe down and bird bath while not getting his bandages wet. Fernando was in the bedroom, giving Hondo’s clothing an inspection and temporal cleaning and repair.
 
What bothers Fernando’s mind the most is whether Misao is involved with it or not, though he doubts she actually is but just in case she is involved, he has to take her down like he is going to take down Chip.
 
Hondo gets out of the bathroom, walks to the bedroom and sits on the bed. He gathers his pants and personal wear to put them on. Just putting these things on made him exhausted, having him breathe heavy. Fernando just looks at him, shaking his head.
 
“Sit up, fold your hands behind your head and tell me what Chip did to you. No details to where, why or why.” Fernando tells him.
 
“That bastard tried to castrate me!” Hondo lets out.
 
Fernando puts the crystal of his cane under Hondo’s chin. “Look, unless you got bull testicles on your neck, last I seen of you just now, your balls are down there like everyone else. Now what happened to your shoulder, and this scar going up and down your chest.”
 
Hondo looks down at himself as Fernando remove the cane from under his chin and scans the rest of his body with it. There is a time when he and Fernando can mess around like friends hanging out at a bar and there are times when it is time to be more professional than the Vatican Guard. The fact that there is no line between the two can make it difficult at times.
 
He looks up at Fernando, “Chip did it. He sliced me down across the chest and then sent the knife through my shoulders.”
 
“Anything else?” Fernando asks.
 
“He’s gotten a couple lucky blows, especially down there.” Hondo explains.
 
“And who bandaged you up?” Fernando asks.
 
“Yuri did. Kei disappeared chasing after Chip.” Hondo explains.
 
“You lost a lot of blood.” Fernando points out. Hondo does not want to say a word. Fernando continues, “Why didn’t Yuri take you to the hospital? I have half the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Force looking for you.”
 
“I do not know. I was passed out when she brought me here and tied me up for some reason.” Hondo tries to explain.
 
“She tied you up so you would not go half cocked after Chip in the weakened state you are in and get yourself killed or worst – get somebody else killed.” Fernando tells him before throwing in, “Also Yuri is a bit of a Dom and thought she had a chance with dominating you into sexual submission. But I do not want to know if anything happened between you two and you better keep it a secret from your wife.”
 
Hondo nods like a chastised kid in being told the truth. Fernando goes out of the bedroom for a moment, searching through the bag of things Yuri brought before coming back with a beer. He hands over to Hondo.
 
“Drink it. I know I shouldn’t but this calls for an exception.” Fernando tells Hondo as he gives him the beer.
 
“What you talkin’ about?” Hondo asks.
 
“You’re taking another bio pill with that pill.” Fernando tells him as he takes the small metal box from his pocket and pulls out one of the pills inside. Keeping the pill in the palm of his hand, he reaches out to Hondo with it.
 
Hondo opens up the beer can before taking the pill and popping it into his mouth and washing it down with the beer. He tries to hold in his disgust as Asian Beers tastes nothing like American or European beers, and imported Asian beers are flavored to be more like American Beers.
 
Fernando takes a couple steps back from the bed, raises his cane and points to Hondo, giving him a temporal healing to eliminate the scarring and injuries as much as possible and give a boost in energy to heal and recover on. The energy transfer only lasted for a couple of seconds. He stands there looking at Hondo.
 
“Feeling better?” Fernando asks.
 
“Yeah.” Hondo says.
 
Fernando raises his cane and takes aim to Hondo’s chest, zapping the bandages off him and neatly wrapping them up for disinfection and recycling as they disappear in a flash of light.
 
Hondo gets the rest of his clothes and puts them on.
 
As Hondo puts on his clothes, Fernando tells him, “If Val asks, you were chasing Chip for the past couple days and I know nothing of it. Also, you do not know but we captured Lawhine and a Gadget Clone. While you were missing, Chip and Lawhine ran up against a Chip and Gadget Clone and there was a gunfight. Lawhine and The Gadget Clone were hit in this gun fight but the two Chips managed to miss each other at point blank range. The girls are in the hospital and under arrested for now.”
 
“I see. Anything about the Gadget Clone?” Hondo asks.
 
“They are the Uruguayan Embassy and are the armed guards for the Embassy and their VIPs.” Fernando explains.
 
“VIPs as in that weirdo Mengele?” Hondo asks.
 
Fernando nods. Hondo gets up as he puts his foot down from putting on his last boot. Fernando begins to walk out of the room, taking the bag of supplies Yuri brought in. Hondo walks up to Fernando.
 
“Where to now?” Hondo asks.
 
“You are taking my car to Maria B&B. Then you and Val are going to pack up and head to the Ranch. Do not stay behind for any reason. My daughters will be there tomorrow. I will be in and out as I got things to do. And there is a dinner party in two days.” Fernando tells him.
 
“What about my motorcycle?” Hondo asks.
 
“You’ll get it when I’ll find it which is when I find Kei. She’s the next one for me to look for as she is currently missing too.” Fernando tells him. He then hands Hondo his keys to the pale yellow Mustang he drives and then presses the crystal on his cane. They both disappear from the place in a flash of light.

Next Day at the Diver City Tokyo Plaza mall.  
 
Charles, Widget, Dale, Foxglove, Maggie and Burbon were doing shopping at the mall. Since Charles, Dale and Burborn were carrying the girls clothing they bought.  
 
Burborn: Man how much they buy?  
 
Charles; You don’t know my wifie and daughter.  
 
Dale: Same as my wife too.  
 
Then they heard a commotion as they seeing customers runnimg.  
 
Charles; What the?  
 
Then he went to one of the customers a female Cat.  
 
Charles; Miss what gong on?  
 
Female Cat: There a Male mad Chipmunk with a Fedora. Robbing Development Bank of Japan.  
 
Charles: A Chipmunk with a Fedora?  
 
Dale: That Chip!  
 
Charles: Great. Dale and Burborn. Take Widget, Foxglove and Maggie to the car. While deal with chip.  
 
Dale; Come on I want to face him too.  
 
Charles; Not yet. I need you protect your wife, my wife and my daughter. He might come for them. I will deal with him and also give him a punch for you.  
 
Dale then nodding.  
 
Dale: Ok.
 
Then they went to the car. As Charles heading to the bank.  
 
AS he enters into the bank. He saw Chip got the money also grabbing a Female Mouse girl too.  
 
Chip: Come on you coming with me babe.  
 
Charles: Chip Give it up. Were you going to go? You can’t get out of Japan. Since they have your passport.  
 
Chip See Charles as he grab the girl and put a gun to her head.  
 
Chip: Don’t even think about it. Charles. I am going somewere. Were you or Fernando never find me.  
 
Charles: Don’t be hastey Chip *Then hee took out a needle and throw it at Chip arm as it hit the arm with the gun.  
 
Chip: OUCH!  
 
Chip drop the gun and the girl as she run. Then Charles jumps and tackle Chip. AS they began to fighting each other. Then they got off and went into there own stance. Charles went into a Marital arts stance. While Chip went to a fighting stance.  
 
Charles; Well Let do this the hard way. Since you went down hard!
 
Chip: Oh Yea I will show you and Fernando. Like I did to Hondo.  
 
(BGM: Run it by DJ Snake, Rick Ross and Rich Brain)  
 
Chip: ARGGGG  
 
Then Chip went for a punch, but Charles block it, then did a round house Kick to back of Chip Head send him to the ground. Then Chip getting up as he growing and going for a combo punching but Charles was blocking them. Then Charles Grab Chip arm and throw him to the Wall. Charles was rubbing his Jacket while looking at Chip and shaking his head.  
 
Charles: You have no form.  
 
Chip: WHY YOU!  
 
Then Chip Grab a Pole as he swinging at Charles. But Charles ducking as he see another pole, then he kick it in the air while ducking Chip attacks and grab his pole. Then blocking Chip attacks with his own Pole, then kick him in the stomach and then trip him with his own pole. As Chip Flying 360 in the air and on the ground hard.  
 
Charles: Do you give up Chip? Since you a Has-been. A Wash up Star. You let your Jellosey at Fernando. He was helping us to save the world. What did you do? Get your Team in trouble. Gadget don’t want to see you anymore. Stay away form her. Dale He don’t want to see you anymore too. Since he doing better. Stay away form Montray Jack too. As for Zipper. You got him Killed. YOU IDOT SELF! IT the Reason why Zipper is DEAD. BECASE OF YOU JELLOSEY SELF!  
 
Chip; You SHUT UP YOU DUMB F@#$%^
 
Charles: Then Get up and Fight ME!
 
Then Chip getting up as he running towards Charles But Charles Punch him back.  
 
Charles; Time for your lesson on manners. Lesson 1
 
Then went for a round house kick to Chip Face.  
 
Charles: Lesson 2.  
 
Charles then Punch and kick Chip hard.  
 
Charles: Lesson 3
 
Then Charles went for a backhand strike to Chip Face.  
 
Charles; Lesson 4.  
 
Then Charles did a Mui Tai Knee strike to Chip Chest 4 times.  
 
Charles: Now Final Lesson Chip and you going to learn it the hard way. Krav MAGA!  
 
Then CHalres Knee Chip Gron 6 Times. As Chip was screaming and then Charles let him go. While Chip was holding his Gron.  
 
Charles; There that will teach you. Now go. Next Girl you try to mate. It will Hurt like Hell!  
 
Chip: I WILL GET YOU FOR THIS CHARLES!  
 
Then Chip Running the other director as Japan Police went after him while Charles show Them his NSA Badge too. They nodding to him.  
 
Charles; Just let him go. Got order form Nando. Just Fight him and let him go that it. But we might know were he is heading. Get the Female Mouse girl to the hospital since her arm is hurt. Once she is ready to talk and know were Chip is going. Let me know.  
 
Cat Officer: Right Agent Roberts.  
 
Then they call the ambulance for the female Mouse girl as they checking on her. As Japan Police take picture of the bank and also put the gun that Chip had in the evidence bag too.  
 
Then Charles see them as he get in the Car with them and head to the hide out.  

As Hondo pulled into the drive in Fernando’s pale-yellow Mustang, he sighed and shook his head. This was all getting out of hand fast, too fast.
 
He got out and headed to the stairs that lead up to the top floor porch, but was nearly knocked back down, as Valentine met him at the top, launching herself into him as soon as he hit the top step.
 
“I was so worried!” She exclaimed as she grabbed him tightly and pressed her tear dampened cheeks into his chest.
 
He grabbed her with one hand and the railing with the other as he pulled himself upright and moved them both away from the stairs.
 
“Damn, Darlin’! Almost knocked me over!” He exclaimed, chuckling and shaking his head at her as he held her.
 
She pulled back suddenly and looked at him with worry.
 
“Areyouokay? Areyouhurt?! WhatHappened?!? Wherewhereyou?? Didsomethinggowrong?!?! Whydidn’tyoucall??!!?? Iwassoworriedaboutyouand terriffiedthatyouwerehurtorkilledandIcouldn’thelp!!! Ididn’tknowwhattodoandFernandowasgoneandIdidn’twanttothink,exceptyouwerecaptured
orhurtorworseand…MMMPH!!” She rambled a mile a minute before he put his hand gently over her mouth to stop her so he could get a word in edge wise.
 
She reminded him a little too much of Gadget at that moment, a little more than he cared to be reminded of her, honestly.
 
“Whoa, whoa! Slow down! I’m barely understanding you, woman!” He exclaimed before taking his hand off her mouth.
 
She looked at him and sighed before she started to cry again softly and leaned against him.
 
“I..I’m sorry. I *sniff* I .. I was just so worried! *sniff, sniff*.” She said softly, and she grabbed tightly onto his arm.
 
He sighed, “I know an’ I’m sorry. I’d have called but somethin’ happened to the battery on my phone an’ I was only able to get a new one right before I called you.”
 
 
She leaned against him for a moment before, clinging to his arm for dear life, before pulling back enough to look up into his eyes.
 
“Are you okay?” She asked softly.
 
He nodded, “Got beaten up a bit, an’ had it not been for some help from Yuri and Kei I’d have been up shit creek, but I’m alright.”
 
“What happened?” She asked, worriedly.
 
“Charles Maplewood happened.” He replied with a frown.
 
“Chip?? You found him???” She asked quickly.
 
“Briefly, then lost him again. He’s got Gadget’s younger sister in tow, callin’ her Gadget an’ abusin’ her somethin’ fierce, plus a bunch of other local flunkies who are at least mildly trained in combat. They are the reason we didn’t get the bastard.” Hondo replied.  
 
“What happened, then?” She asked
 
“Long story, which I’ll tell ya later, but we don’t have time.” Hondo replied.
 
“I know I shouldn’t ask, but why?” She said, sounding rather worried still.
 
“This place isn’t safe anymore.” He replied.
 
She continued to stare at him, expectantly waiting for more. HE sighed after a moment and shook his head.
 
“This whole deal with Chip has gone sideways as I underestimated him.” HE said
 
“I know you are in a hurry, but I need to know what happened.” She begged.
 
He sighed again then nodded after a moment.
 
“Alright… I went into this expectin’ just that bastard Chip. What I didn’t expect was Chip had new flunkies, when I faced off with him. They came out of the #$@!in’ shadows an’ took me down hard. Had it not been for Yuri chargin’ in at the last moment, an’ Gadget’s sister Lawhine pushin’ back at Chip’s order’s despite her fear of him, I’d have lost my balls an’ possibly bled out in some alleyway.” He replied sourly.
 
“Lost your balls? Is that a metaphor?” She asked hesitantly.
 
Hondo frowned and shook his head, “Nope, not a metaphor. He planned to castrate me then throw me in an alley somewhere an’ leave me to fate. If I lived I was supposed to deliver a message that he was gonna come after y’all an’ I was supposed to live as half a man, watchin’ helpless while it happened, knowin’ my time would come!”
 
“What! He didn’t, though.. right?” She asked quickly her hand moving to the crotch of his pants almost without thinking, to make sure he was still whole.
 
He chuckled and took her hand from his crotch and held it, “No, Yuri saved my life an’ my balls… Once we got away they tried to give chase, but they took some heavy casualties. Tried to take out Chip but… *sigh*… Long story short, he got away.”
 
“Sounds like we owe Yuri a lot, then.” She said softly.  
 
He frowned at the thought and growled under his breath, “Yeah, don’t remind me.”
 
She looked up at him and cocked her head at him, “Why do you say that?”
 
He cussed at himself mentally, realizing what he had said, it being more of a knee-jerk reaction than a thought-out reply. He remembered what Fernando had said, and though nothing had happened, he did not trust Yuri to leave things alone nor to not cause trouble for him if he did not pay her back, as she demanded. He did not like lying to her, but after all she had gone through he decided to lie, though he felt bad for doing so.
 
“Just hate owin’ anyone.” He said quickly, “It shouldn’t bother me, I know, but, I guess I’m just a bit tired an’ growly after runnin’ from an’ chasin’ that bastard for almost two days.”
 
She smiled softly, accepting his words as the truth immediately, which just made him feel worse about it.
 
“I’m sorry, my love. I’m sure you are tired. You know where Chip may be hidin’, at least?” She asked.
 
He shook his head, “No, that’s part of the reason we have to go an’ the frustratin’ part of it all. Feels like it was all a waste of time, other than maybe makin’ him act a bit more reckless an’ hopefully show his hand sooner than later. But he did threaten to gun everyone here down, so this place is not right now, which is why we need to get to the ranch an’ get the lodge setup an’ stocked. Heard from Jefe that Chip shot up the front of the hotel where his fall-back safe room is, after I lost him. Guess it’s not so safe now either, so we need to get things ready quickly as folks need to start filterin’ in tomorrow at the latest.”
 
She nodded and pulled back from him, “I got most everything pack. I even got a couple tool kits, a bag with five rifles and mags, another bag with three shotguns, and one of the pistol chests packed up.”
 
“Will need ammo too.” He replied.
 
She nodded, “All those bags, 4000 rounds for the rifles, 3000 for the pistols, and 1000 rounds for the shotguns are loaded in the car, as well as our clothes.”
 
“Speakin’ O’which, ‘ow am oi ta fit with the bloody cah full, skippah??” A voice called out from behind Valentine.  
 
Hondo glanced up at the open door to their room where Monty stood with his bags in hand.
 
“Not today, Jack. You stay here an’ help watch over the place. If Fernando brings my motorcycle back tonight you can drive it over when you show his daughters the way.” Hondo replied.
 
“Aw, now, skippah. I knows ya don’t like me none an’ I can’t say you’re a pally O’mine eithah, but I’m ‘ere ta ‘elp an’ you’ll need moi ‘elp getting’ thet Lodge setup!” He protested.
 
Hondo frowned angrily, “Listen, Jack, I appreciate ya wantin’ to help, but I make the calls! I want you here to watch those girls! Val an’ I can setup things. We have the girls I hired to help on the ranch who can help us if available. Besides, I’d bet Shingo has them there workin’ already.”
 
“If ya’re showah skippah.” Monty said shrugging noncommittally, while trying to hide his anger at being told off again.
 
“I am sure, Jack… Listen, lives come first. If we all have to sleep on the floor an’ eat canned soup, we can survive doin’ that! If someone dies, it doesn’t matter what we have setup or what luxuries are at hand, they are still dead!” Hondo replied coldly.
 
Monty frowned a bit and nodded, “*sigh* Aye, aye, skippah.”
 
He turned and left without saying anything further.
 
After he was gone Valentine gave him a bit of a sad, judgmental look.  
 
“What?” He asked.
 
“You could be nicer to him.” She said.
 
“Why??” He asked. “The bastard said he hates me an’ he gave you the business. What reason do I have to be nice to him?”
 
“I’m still a bit angry with him too, for what he said about you, but I also know he lost everything. He’s not so young anymore, and he’s lost his job, his home, people he saw as family, his very purpose for bein’. I can’t imagine how much anger and despair I’d feel if that happened to me. I’m not makin’ an excuse for what he said, only that I understand his feelin’ angry and lost. He needs friends, and a purpose again. Just try to be a little nicer. At least he’s tryin’ to help. Can’t say I blame him for questionin’ leadership after what he went through with Chip. He let himself follow blindly and now he blames himself for not seein’ what was happenin’ to Gadget. He feels he betrayed her. If Fernando betrayed you like that, would you so easily follow someone else’s orders without question?” She asked
 
“Who says I don’t question Jefe now? Ask him, an’ he’ll probably admit that I’m not the easiest partner to deal with.” Hondo retorted, evading the question.
 
“You trust him a lot, though. What if he broke that trust?” She asked
 
“He wouldn’t do that, so it’s irrelevant.” Hondo replied, again ducking her meaning.
 
“I know he wouldn’t but… You know what I’m sayin’, my love.” She said again sounding a bit defeated.
 
Though he did not want to admit she was right he gave in as he felt like he owed her at least that for lying to her.
 
“Alright, Yeah I understand what you are sayin’… doesn’t mean I like the rat bastard, still.” He groused.
 
She shook her head, “Not askin’ you to be his best buddy, just try to be a little kinder and understand why he responds how he does. I think he wants to help, but maybe he’s also worried about losing another team, like if we leave without him we might leave him behind?”
 
He shrugged, “Hell if I know. Men are pretty simple with my feelin’s, so hard to believe it’s that deep. We are either sleepy, hungry, angry, or horny. ‘bout it.”  
 
He tried to look serious but she could see the edges of his eyes crinkle ever so slightly, telling her that he was teasing her to try to change the subject.
 
“I know you better than that, Hondo Sackett. You men try to play tough, but you’re deeper than you give yourself credit for… though, if that’s all you feel, what are you feelin’ now?” She asked a bit playfully.
 
“Does wantin’ a drink count as hungry?” He asked flatly.
 
Her face fell a bit, “I.. I guess.”
 
He nodded, “Alright, then I’m hungry for a drink, tired of this place, an’ horny to get you to the lodge alone so we can break in that bed tonight.”
 
He gave her a bit of a mischievous look, causing her to blush a bit.
 
“Well, I have one of your flasks in the room still, full, if you want to grab it so we can hit the road.” She said, grinning as placed a hand gently on his chest.
 
“That will work, anythin’ else we need to grab?” He asked, turning back to business.
 
She shook her head and took a step back as she put her hand to her side, “I don’t think so. There is some gear and guns upstairs but they are locked up in crates and the door is locked. I left most of the alcohol here, other than a couple bottles of bourbon for you, and a small bag for each of us with two changes of clothes in case we had to run back or stop here. Only need to grab them in case we are leaving here completely.”
 
He shook his head, “Not yet anyway, though only time will tell… I wish I had found those girls already, though, in case we can’t make it back.”
 
She put her hand on his arm again reassuringly, “That Tonya seemed like a fighter. If they made it this long they should make it a few days longer.”
 
He blew air out his nose in a frustrated manner then nodded after a moment, “I guess… I never expected this mission to be a cake walk, but this is gettin’ ridiculous. Too many already wanted to kill us as is, without that murderin’ asshole Maplewood makin’ this mess all the worse. Hell, more than half our issues have been because of him. You an’ I should be workin’ out, cleanin’ guns until the finish starts wearin’ off them, findin’ those girls an’ helpin’ them, an’ screwin’ till the hair is all worn off my ball-sack! Fernando should be here spendin’ time with his new daughter, screwin’ his wife, takin’ her out to those weird raw fish places he likes, and just gatherin’ intel. None of the rest of this should even have been a reality!”
 
Valentine sighed, “Yeah, instead I’m messed up, you keep getting’ hurt, Tammy isn’t Tammy anymore because of drugs, she ran off with their daughter, leaving Fernando without his child or wife and me without a friend, Gadget is here in his arm and needs more work than a 70’s ranch-hand’s truck, everyone is in danger, and we have to delay findin’ those girls! But… I know there’s nothin’ we can do about it now, other than keep movin’ forward.”
 
Hondo’s frown deepened as he nodded, “Yeah, but I could have done somethin’ a long time ago… Had more than one chance to end that bastard when I was younger… Saddens me I didn’t.”
 
She put a hand on his arm and stretched up to give him a quick kiss on his cheek before she headed off towards the car. Hondo grabbed the flask from the desk, leaving Fernando’s mustang’s keys in its place, took one last look around, and then closed and locked the door, unsure if they would be back or even see this place ever again. Life was always a bit of a gamble, and though he knew the deck was stacked against them most of the time, he could not help but feel it was stacked against them worse than they even comprehended.  
 
Before much longer, after checking out their car thoroughly for bombs and boobie-traps and finding none, they fired up the engine and roared out onto the road, heading away from the ranch.
 
After about a half hour of checking for a tail, they took hit a more desolate highway and started heading in the right direction, a bit faster than normal, but the road seemed mostly empty anyway and void of any police, so they made up for lost time. A little after sunset they pulled up to the ranch drive and were met by two young men with rifles, one Hondo recognized and the other he did not. As the one he recognized approached he rolled down his window.
 
“Clint Eastwood.” Hondo said with a nod.
 
Clint bowed and shook his head, “Hondo-sensei, please call me Clint Saito. I not a worthy of East-a-wood name.”
 
“You’ll regain that honor, an’ you’re off to a good start here.” Hondo replied.
 
“Thank-a-you, Hondo-sensei… we have expected you. Tanaka-sensei waits for you at Lodge Sackett. I will escort you. Follow, please.” Clint said before bowing again and trotting off to a dirt-bike that was parked beside the driveway.  
 
He put the rifle in a scabbard on the bike, climbed on and kick-started the engine, starting it with one stomp. As the engine fired up another man stepped out from the shadows and took his place, Hondo recognizing him as one of Clint’s compatriots. Clint looked back at the others quickly, then looked at Hondo and nodded once before taking off down the driveway. As he took off Hondo followed, passing the ranch house and the main barn before heading out through a field and eventually into a two-track dirt road that lead into a forest. After several minutes of driving through the forest path they came into a large clearing, where the lodge could be seen sitting about a half mile ahead. A large pond, or more so small lake, stood out front in the front and wrapped around the far side of the lodge, and the back hosted a fenced patio with lounging, grilling, picnicking, and gaming areas, as well as a large pool, which was not currently fill but tarped over to prevent leaves and animals from falling in.  It was set up to be luxurious, while having a rustic look, and though it looked done and was fully functional, there were some amenities still in the works, that had not been finished yet, and others that were not setup as it was not being used yet, but many items that normally would have been stored away had been pulled out, like covered tables and lounge chairs.  
 
Off to the right, a couple hundred yards from the lodge sat the workshop and hanger, the grass airfield starting in front of it and heading off at an angle away from the lodge. A parking area, surrounded by a tall, nature-wood colored fence stood between the lodge and the shop and though it was setup to be paved, it was only dirt and gravel at this time still.
 
As they approached, Clint drove over towards the shop, leading them to a small access road that went between the shop and the fenced parking and went through the trees behind the lodge. The road snaked around the lodge and came up at the far back corner at a small loading dock and worker parking area that was fenced from view from all sides but the one where the road accessed the area. Clint stopped short of the loading dock and as they pulled up, Shingo Tanaka came out of the loading bay and approached them.
 
Hondo parked the car beside the dock and got out to greet him.
 
“Sorry to spring this all on you, last minute.” Hondo said as he approached and held out his hand.
 
Shingo shook his hand and bowed slightly, “Hondo-san, good see you again. It no trouble. We hoped you come stay soon, but under better circumstance.”
 
“I wish it was under better circumstances as well. I apologize if this inconveniences you and your family.” Hondo replied as Valentine walked up beside him.
 
“No trouble. We have much ranch work to do. No need to go to town. I put in order for food basics for lodge and some stocked already. Long storage foods now, no perishable. You give me food order tonight and I add it to order for tomorrow. Be here by noon.” Shingo said.
 
“We appreciate it… I noticed some more security. More of Clint’s friends?” Hondo asked
 
“Some, some sent by Samurai Cowboy. He send more security to help and send couple ranch hands. Plenty workers, plenty security for ranch, but not enough for here too.” Shingo replied, almost hesitently.
 
“We can cover here, as long as you have enough to keep your family and the ranch safe.” Hondo replied, reassuringly.
 
“We have enough.” Shingo replied, bowing slightly as he spoke.
 
“Forgive intrusion, sensei, but Ranch safe with us.” Clint said approaching and bowing as he came up to them.
 
“Don’t let your pride cloud your judgement on this. I’d rather hear you say you need more help, than to think you can handle it an’ someone gets hurt. It’s more honorable to admit you need help if you do, especially when other people’s lives are at risk.” Hondo said flatly.
 
Clint bowed again, “Sensei, I say this not with pride but with what I believe. We are nine who live at bunkhouse. Seven for day and two for night. Samurai Cowboy-sensei sends six more for night and four more for day. They stay close but not on ranch. Work here until he says no more.”
 
Shingo nodded in agreement, “Clint good hand. Samurai Cowboy come two days ago with more help and was here again when you call. We talk over plans. Two can patrol from front of lodge lake down road to ranch at all times. Watch for intruders, warn you if someone come.”
 
“Sensei, I will patrol road and watch lodge alone, if you would let me.” Clint said, still bowing.
 
Hondo shook his head, “I’d rather you stay up at the ranch an’ coordinate security an’ ranch work from there. Let two of Yuudai’s men take each shift, but have the same two each day. I’d like them to meet with me at the beginning of their first shift so I can know who they are. Please make sure they speak English as English an’ a little Spanish are about all I can do.”
 
Clint looked up, bowed a bit deeper in response then stood up, “It will be done sensei. I leave now to make happen.”
 
He bowed again quickly before striding to the bike again, starting it once more, and taking off down the road.  
 
They watched him leave and once out of sighed they turned back to each other.
 
“Please, Hondo-san, let me show you how things work. The cleaning girls have everything ready for your stay and can help clean or cook daily if you so wish.” Shingo said.
 
“Lead the way, my friend. We should be able to clean up after ourselves, and I would like as little traffic back and forth as possible. Do not want to draw attention to us bein’ here.” Hondo replied.
 
“As you wish, but know they can help when you need.” Shingo replied.
 
They followed him in and took a bit more technical tour this time. The main floor was mainly kitchen, dining, indoor gaming, lounging, workout room, hot tub and sauna which had tinted glass roll up doors to the back to allow them to be part of the back-patio lounge area if desired, a small wet bar area which was supposed to look like an old western saloon, but with the couch and fireplace more looked like an Irish pub, and a small private theater.  
 
Upstairs boasted two large honeymoon-like suits, one on each end of the building, with a mini bar, Wyoming King sized beds, private balconies, jet tub bathrooms that opened onto the private balcony and waterfall showers, large screen TV in the room, a small lounge area with a fireplace. Between them were several single room, that though they did not boast the amenities of the two larger ones, still had nice private baths, TVs and private balconies with a shared lounge area outside of them.  
 
The basement on one side hosted a couple small employee rooms, storage, laundry facilities, and other staffing and maintenance areas. On the other side it had three family room setups, each one having a master bedroom with private bath, three other single rooms with a shared bath, and central lounge with TV.  
 
Once Shingo left, Hondo and Valentine hauled their gear inside and up to one of the suit rooms, choosing the one which had a window that could see the approaching road and airfield. They took a little time to sort stuff out before looking over the already stocked supplies, making a list, and sending it via email to Shingo. In that time the two night security guards who would be patrolling the road to the lodge stopped in and spoke with Hondo. Though he acted like he had them come to make sure they knew what to do, he more so wanted to see them and get a feel for them. Neither of them gave him any bad feelings in and of themselves, though he still had a bad feeling in his guts about everything, a feeling that he was not sure would even go away if Chip was taken down.  
 

At the hide out. Charles got a call from Fernando as he listing and nodding too. “Ok I let them know and we be packing once I call Hondo for directions. Bye.” Then he turn too. Burborn, Widget, Dale, Foxglove, and Maggie. “Hay Fernando saying that we have go to Hondo place for a couple of days and head to the Empora ball tomorrow night. So pack up while I get direction to Hondo Ranch.” Then he Calling Hondo get directions to the Ranch.  
 
 Burbon: I didn’t knew Japan have cowboys here?  
 
Charles: You be surprise Burbon.  
 
Then they getting pack up while Charles calling Hondo and Widget was packing up his clothing too.  
 

[Inside Junk Beach; Junk Beach, 1 Chome−10−34]
 
The girls gathered several bikinis (most of them in black) and a black 1-piece bathing suit. They also chose a solid color bikini and a patterned/multicoloured bikini. Gadget bought a couple of simple bikinis, one in black and one in purple, and a purple 1-piece bikini. The total price for all the swimwear is about 35,000 Yen ($350).
 
Though while the girls were making their selections, Hiromi hinted to them that she should go across the street to the lingerie store and get a few things is they are going to sleep at the hotel and then over the weekend at ranch house. As usual Naomi was the only one who was against it for personal reasons but peer pressure gets the better of her. While they are purchases are bagged into separate bags, their sum is tallied up on the cash register for Gadget to pay with the credit card.
 
As the girls gather their bags, they wait at the end of the register for Gadget to pay for the sum. Gadget hands over the credit card to pay. The cashier looks at the card, noticing that there is no name on it. Gadget nods at the cashier. The cashier eventually swipes the card and the sale goes through as paid. The mile long receipt is printed out and handed to Gadget along with the credit card.
 
The girls gather outside by the door of the store as they wait for everyone to be together. As soon as Gadget steps out of the store, Hiromi takes her by one arm while Kitsume takes her by the other arm with the other girls getting behind them and guiding them to cross the street to get to the Triumph Lingerie store. Stepping into the lingerie store the girls look about the various selections out on display with awe and wonder. Of them all Kitsume would be the one that regularly wears such fancy lingerie as it is something her mother got her into. The others would wear such things rarely and on special occasions, if at all.
 
Every item was in some smooth material like Rayon, Nylon, Silk, Polyester, Spandex and other materials; from basic Pajama sets to camisoles, bra and panty sets. Other items were also sold: 1-piece body suits, stockings and various hosiery, fancy slippers and various other items to enhance one’s sex appeal. Most of the girls separate from the group and look at the various items they would want to buy.
 
Chieko wanted to get something but not sure what to get as she stands there looking about. Hiromi was still holding onto Gadget’s arm.
 
“Let’s get something for tonight for Fernando to see us in and something for the weekend ranch.” Hiromi says as she literally hauls Gadget into the store with Chieko following them.
 
Though Naomi was about to buy a typical flannel shirt and pants pajamas, Kitsume intercepts her and tries to convince her to buying some silk and nylon bras and panties, and a camisole sleepwear. Naru and Sakura were looking about, wondering in their minds how they would look in such sex appealing underwear but being joined by Kitsume and Naomi, they decide what to get. Hiromi joins in with Gadget and Chieko, reminding them that they need things for tonight and weekend trip at the ranch. Bras with matching panties in the smoothest of materials, camisoles, negligees, hosiery and other things are selected for purchase.
 
Another fifteen minutes of selecting and taking, they take their choices to the cash register for Gadget to use Fernando’s credit to make the purchase. Unlike the Bikini store, the cashier took Gadget’s credit card as everyone’s items were placed into separate bags, gives it a look and swiped it after a shoulder shrug. The purchase is accepted and she is given the card back with another mile long receipt. The girls gather by the door waiting for Gadget to get to them. Once gathered together they go out onto the street. Gadget gets her Dumbphone from her purse, and selects ‘Fernando’ from her call list.
 
 
[32nd floor suite at the Hilton Hotel]
 
Fernando’s Dumbphone rings, grabbing the attention of him and Jeanette. He answers it.
 
“Hello? Gadget? I need you guys to be at the exact spot where you ‘landed.’ You’re there? Good.” Fernando says on the phone while spinning the crystal on his cane before pressing it onto the cane.
 
A bright flash happens in the elevator lobby of the suite. Gadget and the high school girls stand about, though not wondering how they got there as they know what had happened. Fernando sees them with bag from Junk beach but also from Triumph Lingerie.
 
“I’m not going to ask.” Fernando says to himself.
 
Gadget notices Jeanette being there, “What is ‘SHE’ doing here?”
 
“She was outside alone, which is not safe to be out there with Chip causing problems for everybody. So I brought her here.” Fernando explains.
 
Jeanette gets straight to the point with Gadget, “Since I won’t get an answer from him, I will ask you - have you and him been engaging in sexual intercourse?”
 
“Considering what both our spouses are putting us through and that they cheated on us with each other, it a pointless if we did or we didn’t. And what we do is none of your business. You had him as a boyfriend all to throw him away to Tammy...”
 
“Gadget, don’t go there.” Fernando tells her, throwing in, “Ex-girlfriend or not, I do trust her with things I would not with others. And I honor and respect her with same level she gives me even though we do not agree on many things anymore.”
 
“If I did not know any better I would say that was a marriage proposal.” Jeanette says to herself though everyone heard her.
 
“If it were, you still reject it.” Fernando says towards her. He throws in, “You need to respect Gadget as she is now my Number Two as you once were. And who I stick my penis into is the business of who I’m screwing and mine, not that of anyone who are not involved. And like Gadget said, and as you seen the video, Tammy cheated with Chip while I was on a mission in South America with Hondo. I will further point out to you that Gadget was abused to greatly by Chip, and never got the medical treatment she needed in dealing with the computer chip put into her head. I had to do that for her with the help of the Emperor’s medical staff and now she is Chip Free, if you can excuse the pun.”
 
“That answers my question about you two being sexually involved.” Jeanette states.
 
Hiromi jumps in stating “Here in Japan one can be involved sexually with somebody else other than their partner and as long emotions are not involved. When emotions are involved then it can be considered as cheating even if there is no sexual connection between the two. And in the time we have been together with them, to us there is no indication of them being emotionally connected like it would with other couples.”
 
“What would you know about how people behave when they are in a sexual relationship? You’re just a high school kid.” Jeanette asks.
 
“They are high school seniors and considered as adults in their senior year and when they graduate, Jeanette. And though national school policy says that there should be no interaction of intimacy and affection between couples on school property but what happens outside of school is ‘anything goes.’ And the age of consent in Japan is 13 years of age, thus girls can be dating boys as young as ten and the relationship can get more intense when they become 13, usually when they go to Jr. High School. I’m not calling them hoes or sluts, but they should be experienced with dating and having a boyfriend in some point in their lives like any other girl. In that alone they should know something about relationships and how people behave.” Fernando throws at her. He waits for a second or so for a rebuttal but throws in as she remains silent, “Being my former partner, I know of your past relationships from what we shared in honest and intimate private conversation, and I will say that when you should have been dating boys, you were with your sisters making movies and performing in concerts living out a very lonely existence. Though it was expected for you to date Theodore, you only done so to keep up with appearances and there was no true loving relationship between you two, and I was the one you were most serious with and your many firsts was with me. Your words, not mine.”
 
“Those conversations were between you and I, and nobody else should know.” Jeanette throws at him.
 
“I gave out no details, and all this is not public knowledge as all this has been printed and speculated on the tabloids. Me stating personal and intimate information of you would be stating what color and material you like your panties to be as they hug up on your ass and the location of every birthmark on your body.” Fernando points out.
 
“If you value our friendship, you will not dare mention my personal information to any others.” Jeanette sounds like she is making a threat but falls flat on it.
 
“Oh, like you not giving Misao all of my personal information and secrets and her using them against me. Consider her damn lucky I did not blow her brains out when she bad mouthed my first wife, may she forever rest in peace. But I let her off with a warning that I ever found out she mentions my first wife’s name ever again, they will be the last words she will ever speak. Since they already know, I will remind you that my first wife is dead and has no way of defending her character or persona when verbally attacked, and thus I have to do so in her absence.” Fernando tells her, adding, “I trusted you with such personal and intimate information of my person and life, and you went off sharing it with a complete stranger who tried to use that information against me. And you wonder why I’m angered against Misao and pissed off against you? What we had before she came around was something many women at the café were jealous off – a stable relationship with somebody who cared about you. If Misao would have never arrived, we could have gotten married before the Tammy missions to rescue her and her family. You and I could have been standing here as husband and wife, our trust never faltered, our love tested and true. But you did what you did to me with Misao at your side. Why? She licked your pussy better than I could have? Because you never let our relationship go that far until we were married and I kept that promise to you and never forced you onto such a situation. So you need to repair to me that trust I gave you and never ruined. You have a lot to make up for with me, or you can walk out that door and hope you do not run into Chip, because after what he did to Tammy, he was going to target you next. Now that is he on the loose, he just might have that chance with you yet again. I value our relationship, but apparently it seems that you do not, at least not at the level I do with you.”
 
Jeanette stands there in awe and unable to say anything in rebuttal.
 
Fernando begins to give instructions, “Girls, move the beds into my bedroom, and you all are sleeping there with Gadget. Jeanette, you have the room next door to my bedroom, which was Tammy’s room. I will be sleeping on the couch.”
 
“What about, uhm, the fashion show?” Hiromi asks.
 
“If you really want to do it... well, get the bedroom together first before it. And when we start, we can discuss about dinner as well.” Fernando explains.
 
“Fashion show?” Jeanette asks.
 
“It is something we discussed and they want to do, it is not something of a sexual. But it is something to correct a lot of negative body imagery girls have that needs to be dealt with and eliminated where possible. And it something of their idea, not mine though they are involving me in it.” Fernando tells her.
 
Hiromi says out loud, “Let’s get those beds moved and we can start the fashion show!”
 
Kitsume joins in on the excitement, “Yeah, let’s do this!”
 
Gadget shakes her head a bit, “I’ll be in the bedroom supervising...”
 
The girls go about moving the beds to Fernando’s bedroom, while he goes over to the couch and sits on it.
 
Jeanette looks about at the activity as the girls go from room to room and moves the beds to the main bedroom. She goes into the refrigerator and gets a bottle of water before going to the livingroom. Though there are several seats to choose from, she decides to sit on the couch Fernando is sitting on. She takes a swig of her water from the bottle.
 
Fernando tries to not pay her any attention. It bothers her that he is not paying her attention.
 
“Well?” Jeanette asks.
 
“Well, what?” Fernando replies in question.
 
“Aren’t you going to explain why you are here, why are the girls here, and what it this fashion show the girls are giving you about?” Jeanette prods with questions.
 
“I was originally here looking for Hondo as he was missing, and before then on the night before we – Gadget, the girls and I were on a pre-dinner date when we were attacked by Chinese Slave Takers, where I had to draw my service weapon and put them out of their misery. We have been with the police for much of the past couple of days, as in killing these slave takers exposed a missing person that is now found. They could not go to school and were excused and their parents made aware of what it going on though as ‘adults’ in their society, they do not need adult permission to be with me, just notification of where they are.” Fernando explains, adding, “Chip being on the run and causing problems out in the streets is making a danger out of places we normally would go. If he was locked up in jail, I would have let you walk the distance between the Marriot and the Hilton on your own.”
 
“And of you cheating on Tammy with Gadget? Don’t lie, I can smell her scent on you.” She tells him.
 
“Yes, we slept together, a few times I was not aware of it as I went to sleep first and she would get up in the middle of the night and crawl into my sleeping space with me and later caught by Hondo to wake her up and send her back to her room.” Fernando explains.
 
“Her scent is too engrained on you to just be ‘causally sleeping’ with her.” Jeanette points out.
 
“Then here.” Fernando thrusts his arm out at her, “Sniff that and tell me if there is another scent on me that is not mine?”
 
Jeanette takes a sniff. She picks up a scent but it is not Gadget’s as Gadget’s scent was washed off in his last shower earlier that day, but it is female mouse’s scent, one from this part of the world. And is it very familiar but it is a scent she can not place it.
 
Fernando takes back his arm, “Now, does that smell like Gadget?”
 
“Well, uhm no.” Jeanette says.
 
“Does it smell like Gadget at all?” Fernando asks.
 
“No it does not.” Jeanette says.
 
“Then how can you claim Gadget’s scent was on me?” Fernando dared to ask.
 
“Because I smelled it on you in the recent past.” Jeanette tells him.
 
“So because you smelled Gadget’s scent on me, that she and I practiced on making babies?” He asks.
 
“How else would her scent be on you that heavily?” She throws back at him.
 
“And when we came out of that Antarctic Rescue, your scent was very heavy on me as mine was on you as we shared a large sleeping bag to stay warm for several days and there was no way to shower during that time... the rumors of you and I practicing making babies all the time was high. You dealt with it with the women of the café, I had to deal with it with the guys – including Chip, which meant slamming his ass against a wall and threatening that if he continues, I would send him through the wall next time. That day he proved to me that old ‘munks can learn new tricks.” Fernando explains.
 
“Don’t remind me...” Jeanette replies.
 
“Well then, it does not matter whose scent is on me. It does not mean that her – whoever she is – and I spent the day practicing making babies. That includes you. So don’t you forget that!” He tells her.
 
Jeanette sighs.
 
“Again, Jeanette, who I stick my penis into my business and the business of the girl I’m sticking it into.” Fernando reminds her.
 
Though distracted with each other, Gadget approaches them from the front while the girls gather about from behind the couch. They were all wrapped up with a hotel bath robe. Gadget derails their conversation, “Yeah, whoever she is that he has sex with is their business. Just like if you and him had sex, then it’s your business and not mine, and if he and I had sex, it is our business, not yours.”
 
Hiromi says from behind them, “If he has sex with any or all of us, it is our business, not yours.”
 
“As true as that statement is, I am not interested in having sex with him.” Naomi points out.
 
“Well, that’s you.” Hiromi throws in, “I’m sure the others would if they are willing.”
 
“I would if I was in a situation where I was very lonely and in need of companionship and service.” Kitsume lets out.
 
“You could say that about all of us.” Sakura points out.
 
“But the point still stands, anyone in a sexual relationship with another, it is their business and not the business of others.” Naru tries to explain.
 
“Yeah!” Hiromi says with a bit too much enthusiasm.
 
Jeanette pays attention to the girls, not at what they are saying but their scent, because as they gathered behind them, she picked up the slight scent of the scent that is on Fernando. With Hiromi being directly behind and to the right of Fernando, the furthest point from her. Her scent mixes with the others though Jeanette can pick it up but can not figure out from who it is coming from.
 
Fernando tries to change the subject, “Well ladies, before we begin with the show, what shall we have for dinner?”
 
They all begin stating their ideas for dinner at about the same time.
 
Fernando tells them as he got up, “You guys figure it out. I have to make a couple of phone calls.”
 
He takes his phone to the bathroom and makes his call. He has to wait a bit longer as the phone continues to ring. Eventually somebody answers.
 
He says before the other could answer, “Took you long enough to answer.”
 
“What’s going on dad?” a female voice answers.
 
“First of all, where are you and the other girls?” He tells her.
 
“We’re at that house you rented for us, packing our things like you requested.” She tells him.
 
“You do not have to pack up until tomorrow. But you should be ready in the least. And do not go into town. I’m sure you seen the news about the violence in Tokyo. All that is from Chip. It seems he’s escaped and is causing problems because he can to draw me out.” He says.
 
“You sure know how to pick your enemies.” She tells him.
 
“I don’t pick my enemies. They tend to pick me. You know I have friends on both sides of the law. But that does not matter.” He tells her. He then asks. “Did an elderly lady dropped by and delivered some food?”
 
“Oh yes, in fact she did.” She explains, “I brought her into the house and she picked up some pots, pans and bowls in exchange.”
 
“I hope they were clean.” He says, adding, “That was Maria, landlord of the place. She provides a service to feed her tenants, which I already paid for the service. Whatever it is, enjoy it. I’m sure it is good. Just make sure to clean her pots, pans and bowls for her to pick up tomorrow. We will be at a dinner party at the emperor’s palace tomorrow, so I have to call her and cancel all meals for tomorrow and the time we are at the Ranch House.”
 
“Where will you be?” She asks.
 
“I’m with the Tokyo police deal with this Chip Issue.” He tells her.
 
“And I assume Gadget is there too?” She asks.
 
“Yes she is, and Jeanette as well.” He tells her.
 
“Hmmm... Your current and former squeeze.” She says.
 
“Rachel, cut it out.” He tells her.
 
“I’m just saying...” She points out.
 
“Look. Just make sure the girls are safe and stay inside. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” He tells her.
 
“Bye... daddy. We all love you.” She tells him.
 
“Yeah, whatever.” He says as he takes the phone off his ear before ending the call.
 
He waits a couple of minutes, checking his time before deciding on making his next call. A couple of minutes after 6:30PM he decides to make his call to Maria of Maria B&B. The call is answered by her in a couple of rings.
 
“Konichwa Maria-San. Hope things are well with you. I must thank you yet again and apologize as well. Thank you for the food delivery, my girls – the Embassy staff at the place you met, are grateful for the great food and service you are providing. I am terribly sorry for not being there, as I am with the police department. As you may have heard the news about the terrible things happening in Tokyo, those are the actions of an American Citizen we are currently hunting down for immediate arrest and judgment. Being part of that investigation, I have not been able to be at the house to greet you. I hope my girls were not too much trouble. They weren’t and were very cordial? Thank you on letting me know. Before I end the call, I have to inform you that we will be at the Emperor’s dinner ball tomorrow and during the weekend we will be at a ranch resort during the weekend, so we will not been needing dinner meal services until Monday. Thank you for understanding, and thank you again for your services. Take care and so long!” Fernando is heard on the phone. He then hangs up the phone and turns to face the door way.
 
He turns to face the door seeing Hiromi in the door way, though the other high school girls were unseen by the doorway.
 
“Yes Hiromi? How can I help you?” He asks her.
 
“Well... a lot of personal things have been mentioned about you and, uhm, Miss Miller(?), maybe...” Hiromi begins to say.
 
“First of all, what is in the past is in the past. Jeanette, Miss Miller that is, and I had a very close and intimate relationship before Misao entered into her life and virtually destroyed our relationship. Before we had our relationship, she was my rescue partner. We had to be in situations where we had to trust each other with our lives, be in situations where we had to face each other in nothing more than our birthday suits, be in situations if one did not act – the other would be dead. So we share a relationship where trust and respect has to be there or one of us would be putting flowers on the other’s gravestone. So since that time we had a more involved relationship which could have ended in marriage between us. That was until a few short years ago, when Misao entered the picture and the events of rescuing another disrupted our relationship.” He interrupts her.
 
“Well, somebody who betrays a trust is no longer a friend. Not in our culture, and to my understanding, not in many other cultures as well.” Hiromi explains.
 
“You are not counting religion like Buddhism and Christianity where one has to give others who have wronged them a second, third and even more chances to redeem themselves but only if their intentions were swayed by an outside influence like money or power. Otherwise if one is truly unchangeable, then you can remove them from your circle of friends and influence. Being Roman Catholic, a kind of Christian, I have to give those who have wrong me those chances to repair the damage done and restore the trust and respect that was lost.” Fernando tells her.
 
“Seems like a waste of time and resources to me.” Hiromi says. “You could be doing a lot better with somebody else instead of dealing with a situation that might not change over for the better.”
 
“Who says I’m not. I’m trying to repair one relationship, I am creating others. I’m not saying that I am running on a Plan A / Plan B thing, but I am having as many options and opportunities open and available to me.” He tells her before he throws out, “Look, you Japanese people are doing the same thing with Misao Sakimori and her Lantean people. They literally invaded Japan hundreds if not thousands of years ago, but they go not share technology or culture with Japan, but make Japan as their own in order to hide in plain view of everyone. Occasionally there would be a Japanese / Lantean couple where children are created, but that is rare as I know. But it does not matter if they look like you or they eat the same food as you or use the same technology that you do, they will not do those things of sharing what they have with you. They are a parasite on the Japanese people, culture and community. They are not of this earth and never will be. So what they are 98 percent genetically compatible in order to mate and breed with them – hell I’m a flying squirrel and am genetically closer to you than they are to you. But your people allow them to be part of your nation and part of your culture though is they who are taking more from you than you are from them. It is a very unfair and skewed relationship.” Fernando explains.
 
“How can you say that of the Lantean people?” Jeanette walks into the room, going past Hiromi to do so. Hiromi enters the room after her with the rest of the girls and Gadget following her.
 
“If the Lantean people were so helpful and giving to the Japanese, Japan would be a world power and a Space Power to contend with. Japan would not have had two of its cities nuked out of existence in World War II, and they would have defeated the USA shortly after bombing Pearl Harbor. But we are living a history where the Lanteans, with their advanced Space Travelling Technologies and Weaponry could have save Japan from such a defeat in WWII but did not and have been leeching on this nation for what it is worth all this time. And your statement of Lantean being of this Earth will not ever be true no matter how long they have been on Earth as they are not part of the biome or fossil record that created this planet. They are, as insulting as it sound, little more than interstellar immigrants.” He explains.
 
“Lantean have been around on Earth for over 10,000 years!” Jeanette says.
 
“Yes they were, enslaving the people of the Inca South America, not giving them technology or even a written language, keeping that and other technologies to themselves while enslaving the people until 1525 when Francisco Pizarro and his few men came in and took over the entire empire in six short years. The Lantean people saw him coming, they left and did not help the Inca from being conquered by the Spanish. As far as that area is concerned, the rest is history. The Lanteans would arrive in Japan and were able to hide within the population for a while until 1542 when the Portuguese came in and traded with the Japanese, giving them muzzle loading fire arms. The Japanese were able to copy these fire arms, bring to an end of Samurai Empires and in a strange way unifying Japan. But the Lantean people did not share in their advanced technology and took what the Japanese people had instead: Swords, Guns, their culture and their heritage. Since that time, the Lantean have done little to advance the Japanese people and their culture, but at the same time, being an armed people, the Lanteans were not able to enslave the Japanese people like they did with the Inca people in South America.” Fernando throws the history to Jeanette, adding, “Just because they were here for over 10,000 years, does not make them part of this world or any of its societies.”
 
“Yes it does...” Jeanette throws out a pointless point.
 
Fernando throws it bluntly to her, “Just because some man you never knew is doing your mother lovely and shares her bed on a regular basis does not make him your father. The same applies to the Lantean people; just because they were here for so long, does not make them part of this world. Just like that man doing your mother lovely would never defend you, the Lantean people would never defend those they have enslaved. The proof is in 1525 when Francisco Pizarro and his Conquistadors come into Inca South America, and here in Japan in 1945 when the USA Nuked Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII. The Lanteans left the people of the land to suffer while they went out to save themselves. People of Earth unify and fight together, even if they fight each other. The Lantean never fought for anyone of Earth but when it comes to needing this and that to fight their battles, they demand that Earth helps them. No, it does not go that way. It is like that Chip Maplewood, only doing rescues for awards, rewards and recognition. You do not go about doing rescues to gets rewards and recognition, you do rescues of others to make this world a better place and when you do a rescue you put your life on the line to save another, not look for an easy way out to get it done or it does not happen at all. As my Rescue Partner, you should know that! Because that is how I operate and we were well rewarded for the work we did without want of those rewards. You may be famous as a voice actor for your character but you are also famous as a rescuer and not because you were part of CDRR but because of what you did to do those rescues and who you rescued – all without seeking or wanting compensation of reward, awards or money. How many people here can say they have an award from the UN Council for helping a nation in dire need of help of their situation? Within 1500 miles from this very spot, and excluding the group we are in as many within that group I assembled were all awarded similarly to you? And Chip tried to take that away from you, just like the Lanteans are trying to take away Japan from the Japanese people.”
 
“The Lantean never tried to take Japan from the Japanese.” Jeanette points out.
 
“The Lantean can not ever try to take Japan from the Japanese, because they are an armed people willing to fight to the last standing member to the end. A Lantean war with the Japanese would end up costing them so much, losing such a war would be better than victory.” Fernando points out.
 
“You do not know the Lantean people like I do.” Jeanette points out.
 
“Do not make statements of what I do or do not know. But let’s have history have a say. A bit over 10 years ago, when these ladies were in elementary school, The Emperor’s son was kidnapped. Misao Sakimori was requested to help, using her Lantean friends and technology to find his son and bring him back for him. Instead she refused to help him. I was called to provide what help I can and with the help of Officers Yuri Sato and Kei Ichitora, Detectives Iris and Molly, a few members of Tokyo’s Finest, and a couple American Agents under my command, we rescued the Emperor’s son. But that rescue came with a high price of the deaths of Detectives Iris and Molly. Those deaths should not have happened but they did. Back up to them should have arrived sooner but because of radio interference and officers and agents keying up the radios on each other, their call for help was never heard and by the time a call of help was received, it was too late. They arrived to find Molly dead from a 50 foot fall holding onto Iris’ hand attached to her dismembered arm, and Iris missing in action and presumed dead. Yet all Misao had to do was locate the prince with her Lantean technology and teleport him into safety but she refused to do that. The Emperor will never forgive her for that. Yet Misao claims to have the Emperor’s ear, which you seen at the dinner party days ago, she does not. But because of what I did for him, the Emperor and I are best of friends. That says a lot to me.” Fernando tells her.
 
Jeanette has nothing to say on that, or on anything else.
 
Hiromi interjects, “That staff you carry sometimes, you used it to teleport us to places, is it Lantean technology?”
 
Fernando turns to face her, noticing Gadget and the others with her. He gives them a nod before saying, “No, it is not Lantean Technology, though it is technology that the Lanteans want and tried to steal from me.” He pauses for a second before continuing, “Do not get this information convoluted or confused. In the barest of bone explanation, I am a Time Traveler. I am not from the future or from another star system; I am from this world and this time. As such, I work with various agencies to make sure no one is altering history to somebody else’s benefit. If you ever seen ‘Doctor Who’, the main character has an assistance he calls ‘Number Two’. Jeanette was my former Number Two until she befriended Misao and through her tried to steal my technology and information.”
 
“How did you get Time Travel Technology?” Hiromi asks.
 
“Hiromi! Certain questions you should not ask such questions!” Naomi interjects.
 
“No. It is OK.” Fernando says to Naomi. He then turns to Hiromi, “I am an American Federal Agent but before I was part of a group of scientists working on Time Travel. There we were successful but then problems occurred with various Time Travelers from other groups and world interfering with Earth’s history, so we sort of became a Temporal Police department of sorts. But our Time Travel abilities are limited. If anybody gets killed in a case, they cannot be brought back. If bad things happen, then they cannot be changed into a good outcome as a much more worse outcome will occur. So within those limits, I do can what I can to set things right, and in that protect people like you girls from bad things happening to you. That is all I can say.”
 
“Oh...” Hiromi replies, “I can accept that.”
 
“How can you accept that? How do you if he is not lying to you?” Jeanette asks.
 
“Everything he has done and said has been truthful to us.” Hiromi begins.
 
“We observed that he has not manipulated anything to try to persuade us into anything we would not want to do.” Sakura throws in.
 
“We are aware of what guys say and do in order to get us to have sex with them.” Kitsume begins, “He has done nothing to show or say that he wants us in that way.”
 
“Though some of us may want him in that way, those lines are not being crossed.” Hiromi throws in.
 
“Hiromi! Why must you do that!? None of us want him in that way!” Naomi throws out loud.
 
“That’s not true. I know some of you want him in that way, and there is nothing wrong in wanting. It is acting to get it that is the problem, and even then it is not a problem either as we all are consenting adults in Japan. And no one is forcing anyone to do anything against their will. So what is the problem?” Hiromi says and asks.
 
“How about we cut it out.” Fernando says sternly to the girls. He then turned to Jeanette, “If you do not trust me like you used too, if you think that I would go after high school girls to get my jollies off, if you think I am in the wrong in all this, then I’m going to give you a choice: You can leave this place and make it to the house rental on your own, knowing that Chip is out there trying to hunt each of us down, or you can try to rebuild what we had to some extent and sleep here over night and I take you and Gadget back to the house rental while the girls go to school tomorrow. That is provided that you are willing to rebuild something of what we had and you start trusting me again.”
 
Jeanette scowls at him before turning to Gadget, “What do you know about your husband escaping, then causing problems and creating crimes?”
 
“Yes he’s escaped this morning that I know of and he has causing problems and attacking those of us he can find.” Gadget says.
 
That statement made Jeanette blink twice as if doing a brain reboot at the facts that verifies in some things Fernando told her about Chip’s activities. And if Chip is out there looking for them to do violence and other crimes against them, then she is not safe to be outside alone at all.
 
“What’s your decision?” Fernando asks her.
 
“Where are you going to sleep?” Jeanette asks.
 
“Considering that this is my place, where I sleep is my business but I can assure you that it won’t be with you.” He tells her. He throws in, “I’ll further add that whoever I sleep with is my business and not yours unless I am sleeping with you.”
 
“There is no need to get vulgar.” Jeanette throws back.
 
“Look. Hiromi is right in her actions and statements but wrong on her execution because that is the only way she is able to get a reaction out of the others. The girls and I already talked about where we stand with each other and how far we want to take it in the future. That is not of your concern or business. But between you and I, we had a relationship that spans years and crossed many levels of trust and that trust has been trusted to just a couple days ago. It was both Hondo and I and what associates we have here in Japan that saved our butts on more than one occasion, including a bombing at the Emperor’s first ball. It was Chip who contacted that Yaccusa and gave them the information to do several bombing that targeted me and my crew which included you. With Misao doing nothing and making excuses, Chip is getting away with literally murder. I already warned him that he were to ever threaten my wife and my baby, that I would hunt him down and kill him myself. But Misao gets in the way of the investigation too many times. I’m doing my job in keeping everybody safe while helping and observing history pass as an invited guest. Your placement here, though originally through Misao invitation as been replaced with my invitation as her invites have been taken away from her. You had one job – to help my wife with the baby, and you failed that job, mostly not through your fault but there is a point where it did. That point was when you went to see Misao, leaving Tammy alone with Aiesha lone enough to ditch Aiesha and make an escape to Italy. I do not want to hear excuses why you were Misao, you should not have been with her at all when you should have been with my wife helping with our baby. So I need to be vulgar because you will not listen when I am a nice gentle man who makes requests with ‘Please’ in them.” Fernando tells her.
 
They stare at each other for a while.
 
Hiromi lets out trying to change the subject, “About dinner... Maybe some Chicken Curry with rice and a Ramen Soup?”
 
“Hot spicy curry or sweet curry?” Fernando asks.
 
“Sweet Curry?” Hiromi asks before the others could.
 
Pointing to Gadget and Jeanette, he explains “Some people cannot take Spicy foods. I think that might be Indian Cuisine but other Asian cultures do have sweet curry dishes as well.”
 
Naomi throws in, “Some places serve a ‘Vermont Curry’ which is a sweet Curry made with Apples and Honey.”

 
“Alright, order a Katsu Curry with that Vermont Sweet Curry, a Ramen soup and anything else you girls want.” Fernando tells Naomi. He turns to Gadget, “Still have my credit card?”

 
Gadget replies, “Oh, yeah!”
 
“Go with Naomi to order the dinner for us and have them deliver it. And give Naomi the credit card to pay for the order.” He tells her.
 
Gadget nods as she leaves the bedroom with Naomi. Others follow to make sure the order is made correctly with their added items. Hiromi is heard saying as she leaves, “I never had Vermont Sweet Curry...”
 
Jeanette looks at him, “I too can handle spicy foods.”
 
“Jeanette. You start choking on General Tso’s Chicken, and though that is hot by American Standards, that is considered mild by true Asian standards. The Spicy Curry here would kill you.” Fernando tells her. He adds though to himself, “And to believe that the Japanese flavor pallet tends to go for hints of flavors, yet they go for furnace flames for spicy foods. Go figure.”
 
 
[Nakamise Shopping Street and towards the Asakusa Shopping Street malls]
 
Aratani and her friends sat about one of the outdoor tables of the mall.
 
“Where would they be?” Aratani asks, adding, “They are not at the malls, not at the Karaoke bars, not at the arcades...”
 
They had not seen the news thus they are unaware of Chip’s escape or of his actions of terrorist actions, but there he was entering the mall from the far end. Aratani sees him.
 
“Why I’ll be...” Aratani says to herself.
 
“What?” The others say.
 
“That’s our in...” Aratani says as she points out Chip.
 
“Who is he?” Midori asks.
 
“That is the head of the Rescue Rangers, and invited to the Emperor’s dinner parties. We can get to him and have him invite us to the next dinner party at the palace.” Aratani says as she slowly gets up. While talking to her friends, she does not see him selling and giving away drugs to some of the local teens. She gets up and says, “Follow me and learn.”
 
The girls get up and follow Aratani as she heads to Chip. Once with his personal space she asks, “You’re Chip Maplewood, leader of the Rescue Rangers, aren’t you?”
 
“What of it? Want an autograph or something?” Chip says in a mean tone.
 
Aratani steps up to him and puts her hand on his chest, putting on the feminine charm, “A big strong man* like you have connections we need. Perhaps if you do us a favor, we will do you a favor in return.”
 
“Hmmm... what kind of favor?” Chip asks, the gears in his head turning.
 
“We just want an in to one of those Emperor’s dinner parties you have been going to.” Aratani says in a begging female tone, as she slowly slides her hand down from his chest to his groin, giving it a squeeze. She pretends to react, “Oh! It is true about what they say about you Alpha Types...”
 
“What they say about Us Alpha Types?” Chip asks, totally dumb in the situation.
 
“You know... You are more than ‘man enough’ to handle any female... if you know what I mean.” Aratani says.
 
“Well, it comes with the job. Staying in shape, pumping iron, rescue work requires one to be strong and ever ready.” Chip says as he looks at Aratani like a hungry man looks at a meal. He thinks before he says, “Meet me at my hotel room at the Marriot hotel, room 2013 later this evening and I’ll see about getting you ladies in, depending on what you are willing to do for me.”
 
“Marriot hotel, room 2013, say about 7o’clock?” Aratani asks.
 
“7o’clock is fine with me.” Chip says.

---

 
Note: *Chip is actually a bit shorter than Aratani