“Later, Jefe.” Hondo replied, nodding at Fernando as he walked away, before turning back to Monty and Valentine.
 
Valentine stared at the table, a somber look on her face, as her mind still ran through all Mengele had said about her father and the revelation that Hondo sprung on her that he had been told her father was alive but had kept it to himself until tonight. She did not want to feel the way she did, but she felt a bit hurt and betrayed. She knew why he had done it, and knew there was nothing malicious in his decision to keep it from her, but it still hurt.  
 
Valentine’s look did not go unnoticed by Hondo, but he tried to ignore it, as now was not the time to handle this.
 
“Well, looks like discussion is moot at this point. Let’s go find Gadget an’ Rachel.” Hondo said to the other two as he stood up.
 
Valentine sighed and nodded, standing up slowly.  
 
Monty grunted, then stood up with a groan. “Hmph… Ooogrrrahh! Not as young as I once was… Alroight, skippah, lead the way.”
 
“Don’t think I forgot you, Jack. Seems our talk earlier wasn’t enough, so we’ll be havin’ a discussion at the lodge.” Hondo said coolly, giving him a hard look as he spoke.
 
“Why not ‘ere an’ now?!” Monty growled slightly.
 
Hondo gave him a side glance, “Not the time or place, Jack.”
 
Monty just frowned at him, a bit angrily. He was not as much angry at Hondo as he was at life right now. He had half given up, and had felt better after their talk on the balcony, but after seeing Chip’s dead body, having it sprung on him that it was a cyborg and now not sure if it was Chip or not or even when he might have seen the real Chip last, thinking that maybe they were manipulated so that a false Chip could break Gadget down while they were led astray and blinded by a false limelight, having been gassed and passed out while their only evidence was stolen, and knowing Gadget did not know the truth, he felt angry. He knew it went against Hondo or Fernando’s wills to talk to Gadget or tell her what he had seen, as Hondo had told him who knew about cyborg Chip, and Gadget was not named, but he felt it was right to tell her. He had failed to protect her before, and he wanted to make up for it, so he acted brashly in a failed attempt to do something for her. His head was unclear and filled with anger, but one things Hondo said did get through; It was not the time or place.
 
It does not take long for Hondo to find Gadget, Rachel, Michelle, and the others, as they were standing in the gathering area, just inside the entrance, putting on their jackets and shawls, in preparation for leaving. Rachel looked up and saw them approaching, and gave him a disapproving look.
 
“There you are! We are ready to go, and was wondering when you were going to join us. Once we get Gadget’s bags out of our limo, you can lead out, we’ll follow, and the dirty pair and the others can bring up the rear.” Rachel said, a bit of condescension to her voice.
 
Hondo was use to it by now, as Rachel and Michelle never really liked him for some reason. He got along better with Aiesha, but the only ones who actually listened and were respectful to him were the skunk sister, most likely because he was there when they were rescued and he helped look after them for a while when in Italy. What he had ever done to get their ire, he was not sure. Not long after the first trip to Italy, Rachel and Michelle ganged up on him and verbally tore him a new one over something he had not done, and ever since they seem to regard him with some disdain, though Fernando generally kept them at bay.
 
“Your father said it was just your limo an’ Gadget was goin’ with you.” Hondo replied.
 
“Well, that’s not how it’s going.” Rachel said flatly.
 
Hondo shook his head, “No, your way is not how it’s goin’, as I have my orders an’ we’re not waitin’ for the others.”
 
“But, I wanted to go with Fernando!” Gadget squeaked.
 
“Gadget, be quiet.” Hondo said firmly.
 
Rachel frowned angrily, and spoke coldly, “Listen, you’re just some sidekick he got from the loser pool of ranger wanna-bes and I’m his daughter. I make the calls when he’s not here.”
 
“Fernando did say there wasn’t supposed to be an argument about who’s in charge.” Gadget interjected timidly.
 
“Shut up, Gadget!” Rachel growled, “Or do we need to remind you of your place?!”
 
Gadget shrunk back and shook her head quickly, not wanting a repeat of earlier as her and Michelle scared her to death.
 
Hondo stared at her blankly, trying not to get angry, “I don’t know why you hate me, an’ it doesn’t matter at the moment, as I was given a job, an’ that’s to get you gals safely to the lodge. Gadget rides with you gals, an’ unless Jefe says otherwise your limo is followin’ me an’ the others will come later. I was told to take you gals, Jeanette, an’ Gadget, all in one limo, followin’ me. I’m not tellin’ the others to follow too, as he said nothin’ ‘bout them, so he may want them to follow him. If you don’t like it you can find your father an’ ask him, otherwise, your followin’ this loser sidekick an’ the others can either follow your father or figure it out on their own, understand?”
 
Rachel narrowed her eyes at him, “Fine, but I’ll be talking to daddy about this later.”  
 
Rachel turned to go tell Michelle about the situation, leaving Gadget standing with them.
 
“W.why does she hate you?” Gadget asked timidly.
 
Hondo shrugged, “Hell if I know. They haven’t said an’ I’ve not asked.”
 
“M.m.maybe you sh.should.” Gadget replied softly.
 
Rachel looked over at them, “Gadget! Here now!”
 
Gadget jumped and ran over to here, as Michelle had walked off.
 
“Stay with us, or you’ll not be around to bother daddy again! Understand?” Rachel said in a commanding tone.  
 
Gadget swallowed hard and nodded quickly.  
 
A few minutes later Michelle came back with an annoyed looking Jeanette in tow.
 
“I wasn’t ready to leave yet! OW! Stop pulling on me!” Jeanette groused, seeming a bit tipsy.
 
“Found her guzzling wine.” Hondo over heard Michelle say to Rachel.
 
Rachel shook her head, “I don’t know why Daddy keeps her around, but every time I say something he tells me it’s not my business.”
 
“It’s not.” Aiesha chimed in.
 
“We weren’t asking you, as you’re still in trouble for stealing daddy’s plane and letting Tammy pull one over on you!” Michelle snapped at her.  
 
“Are we ready?” Hondo asked as he stepped up to the group.
 
“No thanks to you.” Rachel replied coldly.  
 
Hondo closed his eyes and shook his head briefly, at her reply, sighing slightly as he did.
 
“*sigh* … Good. Then head to the limo an’ get set. Let the driver know to follow me.” Hondo replied.
 
They did not reply but headed out, gathering Sabrina and Tabitha, who stood by waiting. As the 6 of them marched out Aiesha hung back a bit.
 
“Don’t let Rachel get to you. She’s in a bad mood after what those girls did and I guess Gadget pushed Daddy again, so that pissed them both off, too.” She said.
 
“I figured there had to be somethin’ buggin’ her, as she’s more surly than normal.” Hondo replied.
 
Aiesha shrugged, “They mean well, but can be overprotective. Plus, you’re not their favorite person.”
 
“I’ve taken that hint.” Hondo replied.
 
Aiesha shrugged again, “What can you expect, being café trash.”
 
Hondo raised an eyebrow at her, but did not ask, as it was not the place to hash out anything.
 
“We’d better get goin’.” He said.
 
Aiesha nodded, “Sure, but a word of advice… We are his family and you are not. It would be good to remember that.”
 
Hondo just blankly stared at her as she stared back at him for a moment before she turned and walked off to follow her sisters.
 
Monty grinned a bit, “Noice ta see ‘ow loved ya are, eh skippah?”
 
Hondo shot him a cold look before looking at Valentine, to see her turn away from him. She had been doing her best to not make eye contact with him since that incident with Mengele and it was starting to irritate him.  
 
“Let’s just go. Think I’ve had enough of this party.” Hondo half growled.
 
As the three of them started to walk out, a familiar voice called out, “Hey Hondo! Wait up!”
 
Hondo turned to see Charles trotting his direction, with his crew lagging behind them as a couple of them worked to keep Dale on his feet.
 
“Hey, we were riding with The dirty pair and Fernando’s friends, so don’t leave us behind.” Charles said.
 
Hondo shook his head, “Jefe said I was to take his girls, Gadget, an’ Jeanette out to the lodge an said everyone else would be with him.”
 
“I just spoke to him, and he said he sent his buddies and the dirty pair to the car, and we needed to get out there, if we were going with, as you were leaving.” Charles replied.
 
Hondo sighed and shook his head, “Clearly it’s not my night then.”
 
“What do you mean?” Charles asked.
 
Hondo shook his head, “Don’t worry about it. Just get drunkie the clown to the car an’ don’t make us wait.”
 
Hondo started to walk off, Monty, Valentine, and Charles with him.
 
“I’ll walk with you, as the others are right behind us, so you shouldn’t have to wait. Besides, Bourbon and Foxglove have Dale well in hand.” Charles replied.
 
“Speakin’ of that,” Hondo said, as he walked, his tone getting firmer, “I understand he needs time an’ took tonight hard, but lettin’ him get trashed tonight was not good.”
 
Charles shrugged, “Eh, it wasn’t bad either. The rest of us had it covered. You can’t expect a trainee to be able to handle the stress of shit like that, like us field veterans can.”
 
“That also adds to the point! He’s a trainee, an’ lettin’ him do that sets bad precedence! AN’ then there’s Foxglove, she shouldn’t be here!” Hondo replied more firmly.
 
“Come on, Sackett. Show some compassion for once!” Charles replied with a grin as he hit him in the shoulder firmly, in a supposedly fun, friendly way. “We’re here for a year, at least! Couldn’t let him be the only one who had to do without his sweetheart!”
 
“There’s plenty of reasons why he should do without, mainly that he is a trainee an’ obviously can’t sort out the job from his emotions, an’ she’s not ready for all of this, let alone ready to prop him up!” Hondo half growled, not liking his friendly punch at all, as though they worked together alright, they were not exactly friends.
 
“Oh, she’s fine! And he will learn, don’t worry. We’ll get it out of his system in the next couple days, and then its all business. Trust me.” Charles replied.
 
“Fine. He’s your minion, his fate is on you. But, if he gets one of us or some innocents killed, or Foxglove gets hurt over this, I’m comin’ to you.” Hondo replied flatly.
 
Charles raised an eyebrow at him, “If that came from anyone else, I’d take it as a threat.”
 
“Take it however you want, but it’s not a threat. Just a warnin’. I don’t have a say in his trainin’, but if he fails due to lack of or improper trainin’, an’ people get hurt, I’m goin’ to the one responsible, an’ that’s you.” Hondo replied.
 
Chales nodded, “Fair enough, my growly friend. You named foxglove personally, though. Why? What’s she to you?”
 
Hondo shook his head, “Nothin’, but I’ve known her since before the auxiliary rangers were even a thing, an’ I know she’s a sweet kid. A little too sweet for this life, an’ maybe a little too fragile too. Just hate to see someone like her get ran through the gears of this work an’ spit out.”
 
“She’ll toughen up.” Charles replied.
 
“Maybe, but hate to see her have to.” Hondo replied.
 
In truth, foxglove reminded him a bit of Laurie, how she had been when they first met. Sweet, caring, easy going, and so willing to please. Yet so small, fragile, and so unready for the hells that this life would bring. Back then he wasn’t even so heavily involved in this sort of life, only helping where needed and on a more amateur basis. Things had changed a lot for him since those days, and a lot about him had changed as well.  Still he hated the thought of what this life would do to someone like Foxglove, especially if Dale did not get the proper training and shape up fast. But, like Charles had said, they were not his responsibility or worry.
 
Nothing else was really said further as they walked on, and they parted ways not long after getting outside, as the limos had been pulled up front for the occupants to load there, and the mustang was still in the garage. Hondo, Valentine, and Monty walked past the limo’s and down the sidewalk that lead the to the garage. Inside they found the mustang, and after a brief inspection to make sure it was alright, Hondo had the others step back as he hit the remote start. The car started fine, and with no explosions, they climbed in, and headed out, both Monty and Valentine still being quiet.
 
The mustang soon pulled out of the garage and swung into the circle drive, where the limos sat, and Hondo waved for them to follow him. Both Limo’s blinked their lights, signaling that they saw him, and they pulled out behind him and followed him out of town.  
 
The trip was uneventful, but longer than it had been from the safehouse they had been using, adding another forty-five minutes onto the hour and a half drive it had taken from the safehouse, due to being further away, and now having to deal with down town Tokyo traffic.  
 
 
Being as it was well after midnight when they left the palace, they did not reach the ranch entrance until close to three am. Most of the limo occupants had fallen asleep, as had Monty, leaving a few up besides the drivers.  
 
Hondo glanced over at Valentine a few times, to see her either staring into the darkness, out the window, or staring down at the floor. He wanted to talk to her, but not with Monty in the back seat, even if he was asleep, so he stayed quiet, not even turning the radio on to quiet his own thoughts.  
 
At the ranch Clint and one of the other hands were waiting to lead them in, with a couple of Yuudai’s men staying there, to keep watch.
 
Hondo had a brief talk with Clint, telling him that others would be coming, and if he had any questions to call him and he would come down to personally verify they were who was supposed to be coming. After that, Clint jumped on his motorcycle and lead the way, with the other following the group. At the lodge, two more of Yuudai’s men were found waiting there, the same two from the night before, and after they told Hondo that they had verified that everything was secure, they headed out to patrol the road to the lodge. Clint spoke to Hondo again, as everyone started to amble out of the Limos, and with Hondo needing nothing further, the other hand with him headed back down to road, as well, heading back to his post to wait for the arrival of the last limo, and Clint stood by to escort the limo’s back out, as they would not be needed again, at least not for a couple days.  
 
Once everyone was out and inside the lodge, Hondo and Valentine set to showing everyone their rooms, showing Fernando’s daughters to basement family room two, Charles and his group to the staff quarters, Gadget to upstairs single room 1, Jeanette to upstairs single room 2, the dirty pair to the upstairs single rooms 3 and 4, the boys from the hood to upstairs single rooms 6, 7, and 8, and Monty to upstairs single room 5.
 
(Note: See drawings in separate section for Sackett Lodge. Upstairs rooms start a #1 from the stairwell and are numbered counter clockwise from the first room around their hall, with the second cluster of 4 rooms starting at #5 and being number counter clock from that one around their shared hall.)
 
With everyone set to their room, and luggage carried in, the limos left, and Hondo stood outside and watched them go. Once the taillights were fully out of sight, he sighed to himself, and headed back inside, and up to his room to change.
 
(To be continued …)

(Jump back to end of my last post, blue from Fernando's post)
 
 
As Hondo opened the door to his room he heard a gasp, coming from Valentine, as she jumped and held a t-shirt over her breasts. She stood looking at him wide eyed for a moment, him having startled her when he entered, standing in nothing but a pair of grey cotton panties and the t-shirt she held against her body. After a moment she looked down and half turned away from him.
 
“Y.you startled me.” She said quietly.
 
“I noticed… Am I supposed to knock before comin’ into your room, now?” He asked, his tone and body posture giving away his surly state of mind.
 
She shook her head, “Don’t be like that. It’s both of ours, and I’d never ask that of you… I just… *sigh*”
 
“You’re still pissed with me over not tellin’ you ‘bout your father. Yeah, I don’t have to be a mind reader to see that.” He replied flatly, though his facial features showed he was a bit angry.
 
She looked up at him quickly, “Stop, please! I’m NOT angry! I’m.. I’m just very hurt and confused.”
 
“I did what I had to do.” He replied firmly.
 
“Why couldn’t you trust me?” She asked, looking down again.
 
Hondo sighed in frustration, “*sigh* … We went over this already! You’d have ran off an’ gotten killed on a piece of intel that came from unreliable sources an’ couldn’t be verified! I cared too much ‘bout you, even back then, to let that happen, an’ I barely knew you yet! Plus, I had just seen my ex, who I thought was dead, try to kill us both then get blown away, you were hurt for a second time, I nearly got blown up an’ in the process was hurt, an’ then had to go through Hatfield’s mental games before finally blowin’ that asshole away! Neither of us were in a good place, I didn’t trust you to handle it well, an’ after investigatin’ it, I came up empty, so I thought it was garbage info planted by Hatfield, another one of his mind games set up to take you away from me! So, no, I didn’t trust you to listen to me ‘bout it, an’ not run after a possible ghost, to your own possible death! I didn’t trust the info to be real, either! An’ I sure as hell couldn’t take losin’ someone again, not so soon after all that, an’ not someone I loved!”
 
She looked back up at him, “But, you didn’t even say you loved me for months after!”
 
“Because I couldn’t! I…” He sighed and lowered his tone, “*sigh* … I couldn’t say it as I fear if I said I loved you, I’d lose you for sure an’ I wasn’t strong enough to go through that again. Not after losin’ Laurie once, then havin’ to see here like that, havin’ Red an’ Rose turn on me like they did, Not after all of that… I did what I did because I loved you. Maybe it was a little selfish too, but I couldn’t lose you… Trust me, I planned to tell you if Jefe an’ I found somethin’ that proved it could be true, but we found nothin’. Even the CIA, an’ all the other documents we could get from the other alphabet soup agencies said he was dead. No one knew when or why or how or by whom, an’ they all had different speculations, but they all had him as dead, if they said anythin’ about him at all.”
 
“I see.” She said softly, before sighing and pulling on the baggy t-shirt. “*sigh*…. I know you meant well, but… I just can’t get over it right now.”
 
“You said you’d trust me.” He replied quietly.
 
She looked up at him quickly, “I never said I didn’t but… But it doesn’t stop the hurt! Please understand.”
 
He frowned, “I’m tryin’, but I’m havin’ a hard time. I reckon I expect too much from you.”
 
She looked down again and turned away from him, “I’m sorry I can’t be what you need me to be.”
 
For the first time, he did not argue with her, and though he did not know it, his silence hurt her more.
 
He looked at her for a moment again before going to his bag, where it sat on the dresser, and started putting things into it and pulling other out.  
 
Val turned to look at what he was doing when he did not reply, and though she felt compelled to ask, her heart sank as she knew the answer.
 
“What are you doing?” She asked softly.
 
“Grabbin’ my clothes to change with an’ packin’ the rest.” He replied.
 
“Please don’t.” She replied softly.
 
“There is a spare room in the staff area I can use, so you can have your space.” He continued, as if she had said nothing.
 
She grabbed his arm to stop him and he tensed his fist as he kept himself from reacting reflexively.
 
“Please, Hondo, stop! If anyone should leave, it’s me, but… please… I just need some time to sort my mind out! The past few weeks have been long and hard on all of us, and I know you’re stressed out, like the rest of us, so please don’t do something we’d regret over this! Please?!” She begged.
 
He pulled away from her, as he felt a bit hurt himself, from her reactions, and the stress, fatigue, and whatever it was that was dragging his system down was not allowing him to blow it all off properly, but before either could say anything, his phone buzzed and he pulled it out to look at it who was calling, welcoming the interruption.
 
“Trouble?” She asked, worriedly.
 
“It’s Jefe.” He said flatly, before answering the call.
 
The call was brief, as Fernando was just letting him know he was close to highway exit for the ranch. Hondo gave him some directions, in case his GPS was off, and gave him instructions to wait at the gate for one of the hands who was working security to verify it was them, then to show them the way to the lodge. Once he hung up, he quickly called Clint Saito, formerly Clint Eastwood, to let him know to expect Fernando shortly, and to show him to the lodge once he arrived. Once that call was done, he shut his flip phone and set it on the dresser before going back to pulling things out of his bag.
 
“Please don’t leave like this.” Val begged.
 
“I’ve got to change an’ go meet Jefe out front to get him an’ his girls situated. We’ll talk ‘bout it once I am done.” He replied firmly, making it clear that he did not want to talk further at the moment.
 
Valentine nodded and backed up a few steps, and just stood there with her head down, occasionally glancing up to see if his back was still towards her.
 
He stripped out of his formal clothes and into his normal garb quickly, pocketing his phone and throwing on a shoulder holster and pistol before slipping into his vest. Once dressed again, he turned and walked out without giving Valentine a second glance, as he just did not have the mental power to deal with her attitude and how he felt about it now, as the time was almost 4:00 am, now. As he shut the door, Valentine stared at it for a moment, before going over to the bed and sitting on the edge. After a minute of sitting there quietly and thinking, the hurt, stress, fatigue, and frustration form the last few weeks overwhelmed her emotions and she plopped on the bed, on her belly, and started to cry. After a bit she curled up into a ball and sniffled softly.
 
“*sniff* I’m sorry, I’m not a enough.” She whispered to herself, as she thought about him, but she soon started crying again.
 
She felt so confused about it all, and so betrayed, yet she knew she was making him feel betrayed too, and that made her feel worse.
 
-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-
 
Hondo walked down the main stairway, to the front door and stood there for a bit in the cool night air, waiting for Fernando and his group to get there. The trek from the ranch took 15 to 20 minutes, at least, and though one could do it in 15 or less my UTV or pickup truck, the limo’s were not really designed for this sort of road, so the trip took a bit longer. About 15 minutes later, the lights of the limo, and the motorcycle leading it out, were seen through the trees. The limo soon pulled up and the girls got out, with their bags in hand, though several looked sleepy, they were all looking around and chattering excitedly. Hondo welcomed them and showed the to the basement stair case, before telling them that family suites one and three on the lower floor were theirs and they could decide who slept where in the rooms, as each suite had four rooms in them, one each with a queen bed, and three each with double beds, and a fold out couch in each suite as well.  
 
Once the girls were on their way downstairs, Hondo shook his head a bit, wondering if the drama that seemed to follow these girls would be worth it or not, before he turned and headed out the side door to the parking lot.  
 
Out in the parking lot, Hondo found Fernando standing, with his bag in hand, staring up at the stars. The lack of light and city pollution, topped with the cool night air, made the number of stars visible multiply infinitely over what could be seen from the safe house.
 
“Figure Dracos would be over our heads.” Fernando says.  
 
“It is late Spring.” Hondo points out.  
 
“That I already know.” Fernando replies, throwing in “Being in the mountains would mean cold nights and hot days. So where are the girls being shacked up, vs. my room?”  
 
“The high school girls? They have a couple rooms in the basement, and you are on the top floor.” Hondo explains.  
 
“And Gadget?” Fernando asks.  
 
“On the top floor on the other side of the building.” Hondo points out.  
 
“I’ll take a look around but chances are I will be moving Gadget to be with the high school girls so they can have some adult supervision and be away from Monty.” Fernando point out.  
 
“Gadget? Adult supervision? That's not one I've heard before... You can move her, but that would mess up the order of things.” Hondo stated.  
 
“I’ll be responsible for what happens. And I’ll take care of the move. You just relax, the high school girls are my responsibility.” Fernando says.  
 
“I’ll trust you in doing the right thing.” Hondo replies.  
 
“Thanks.” Fernando tells him. He then adds, “Let’s go talk to the girls and then get Gadget moved in with them.”  
 
Hondo nods though a bit uneasily. Despite what problems could have occurred, things went smoothly with the move: getting the girls into one room with Gadget like at the hotel, and the upstairs room emptied which Gadget separated her further from Monty. Fernando gets into his room upstairs and takes off his tuxedo jacket. Hondo gives his salutations before leaving to be in his room with Val.
 
Hondo turned and headed back to his room, but half way there he was stopped by a couple of the high school girls, who had changed out of their dresses, and now wore oriental style silk robes, though they were not as fancy as many that one would find at the higher end shops or tourist traps, but still nice and utilitarian.
 
“Uhm , Mister… I’m sorry, but I fogot your name.” The one says to him as they come up to him.
 
“Hondo.” He replies. “An’ you two are?”
 
“I’m Naomi and this is Hiromi.” She said.
 
Hondo nodded, “Alright. What can I do for you ladies at this hour?”
 
“Uhm, we were…” Naomi started to reply before.
 
“We need to see, Sensei Fernando, right away!” Hiromi said, speaking quickly over Naomi.
 
“Do not be so rude!” Naomi exclaimed.
 
“How is that rude?! He’s Fernando’s employee, right? So, he should help us since we’re Fernando’s guests!” Hiromi said, not thinking of anything but Fernando and the longing in her loins.
 
“I, uh, I think he owns the place.” Naomi said.
 
“No way!” Hiromi answered.
 
Hondo scowled at her a bit, “Yeah, I own the place.”
 
“Really?!” Hiromi said, thinking it had to be a joke, as this American cowboy looked too uncultured to own something so nice, and he was not nearly as suave or good looking to her as Fernando was.
 
“An’ I’m Fernando’s partner, not his employee. You all are my guests, though I’m not sure I appreciate your tone, right now.” Hondo replied firmly.
 
“We are so sorry, Hondo-sama!” Naomi quickly replied, embarrassed at her friend’s reply and ashamed at the disrespect shown to their host. “I was not sure, who you were exactly either, but that was no excuse for the rudeness shown! Please forgive us!”
 
Naomi bowed slightly and held it, as she elbowed Hiromi.
 
“Ow!” Hiromi replied as Naomi elbowed her.
 
 It took her a moment longer for it to click what Naomi had wanted her to do, but when it did, she sighed and then bowed slightly.
 
“*sigh* … My apologies, Hondo-san. I did not understand that you were the owner, or Fernando-sensei’s partner. I misunderstood.” She replied.  
 
Hondo nodded, “Maybe so, but it’s no excuse to treat people like that. Even if I was his employee, I don’t owe you a damn thing. You should always be respectful when talkin’ to anyone, older, younger, the same age, no matter if you think there are greater or lesser than you, as everyone deserves the same level of respect, unless they prove they don’t. IT shouldn’t be done because you aren’t sure who someone might be either, but done that way as you shouldn’t respect someone for their station, but for who they really are. Plus, you would want the same respect back, despite your station in life. Now, I know you all might do things different in this country, but I won’t tolerate disrespect in my place, unless someone has shown they deserve it, an’ then I’m liable to throw their asses out, understand?”
 
The both nodded, and replied, though their replies differed slightly, though Hondo was not up enough on his Japanese to understand the difference.
 
“Yes, Hondo-sama.” Naomi replied
 
“Yes, Hondo-san.” Hiromi replied.
 
Hondo nodded, “Alright. Then I’ll accept your apologies this time.”
 
They both stood up straight again, though only Hiromi made eye contact now, as she did not feel the shame that Namoi felt, since she only had Fernando on her mind at the moment, and only apologized for Naomi’s sake.
 
“Thank you, Hondo-sama. It won’t happen again.” Naomi said quietly.
 
“I hope not. Now, what can I help you with?” He asked again.
 
“We really need to talk to Fernando-sensei, but are not sure where his room is, other than he said it was up here.” Hiromi replied.
 
Hondo nodded down the hall, where he had just came from, “Last door, down the hall, with the silver number two on it. Can’t miss it.”
 
“Thanks!” Hiromi said, before trotting off down the hall.
 
“Thank you. Again, my apologies.” Naomi said, before turning and following her classmate.  
 
Hondo watched as they trotted to Fernando’s room and let themselves in, as if they were use to having a free pass to him. He shook his head a bit before turning back towards his room. He did not want to think Fernando was #$@!ing them, but they were of legal age for this country, so it did not matter much, other than the drama that would ensue if Gadget found out. He momentarily wondered if Gadget was involved in it too, but then he shook his head at the thought. Even after all she had been through, Gadget was too simple in areas of love, and too clingy and jealous from what he had observed, to be engaged in a one-man orgy with Fernando and those girls.  
 
He shook the thought out of his head and headed to his room. Even if Gadget, Fernando, and the girls were doing something, that was their problem, not his. His problem lay behind the honeymoon suite with the silver number one on the door. He stopped at the door for a moment and sighed, as he looked at it, before shaking his head and turning towards the stairs.
 
“Not much of a lady’s man, are ya, skippah?” A familiar voice said, seeming to ooze with contempt. “Thets just a roight bloody shame. A noice bloke loike you gettin’ the shaft from yur own sheila, as well as a bunch of local school tarts! Heh heh!”
 
Hondo half turned to glare at Monty, who stood leaning against a wall in the hall. Giving him a look of contempt.
 
“What the #$@! is wrong with you?!” Hondo snarled.
 
“You are, mate! You are what’s wrong, ‘ere! I tried ta do good, I roight did, an’ aye, I failed. I know I failed, but now you an’ Fernando an’ everyone look down on me, think yur so much better than I am, an’ keep rubbin’ my nose in it! I can’t do anythin’ to make it roight, but I could have told ‘er, as she should know, but you two think you know so much better than everyone else!” Monty snarled.
 
“Are you drunk?!” Hondo asked.
 
“Only ‘ad one drink since I got ‘ere. So not yet! I’m just bloody well pissed an’ tired of you two arse’oles treatin’ me like scum!” Monty growled back, a bit more loudly.
 
“Outside!” Hondo snarled back.
 
“Why? ‘fraid someone might ‘ear the thruth about you?!” Monty replied angrily.
 
“Folks are tryin’ to sleep!” Hondo growled through grit teeth. “Outside, NOW, as this isn’t the place to have this conversation!”
 
Monty sneered at him before standing up and grumbling the whole way down the stairs and out the door. Hondo bared his teeth at him angrily as Monty passed him, but he stayed quiet as he followed him out the door. Monty stopped right out the door and turned to Hondo with a growl.
 
“Now thet we’re outside, I’ll tell ya what a roight bastard… ! Hey! … Where ya goin’??” Monty said, going from angry to perplexed as Hondo passed him and walked out, down the front porch stairs and across the drive.
 
He trotted off after Hondo, following him across the drive and onto the lawn that lay between the lodge and the pond.
 
“Hey! You said we were gonna have us a conversation, yet ya keep walkin’! Ya scared of what truth ya moight learn ‘bout yerself! .. **POW*** Gak!! **THUD*** *Gasp* What The HELL!” Monty exclaimed as Hondo turned suddenly, send a power right cross to Monty’s face, causing him to half chock on his own words and hit the ground before exclaiming from pain and surprise.
 
Though Hondo was a big man, six foot tall, maybe a bit taller, with broad, powerful arms and shoulders, Monty had almost 6 inches on him in height, and was bigger overall, and though at one time most of it had been muscle, overeating, lack of exercise, and age were catching up with him and making him soft, though some of the old muscle still hid. Had he been fit and younger, it would have been more of a challenge for Hondo to take Monty out, but even then, Hondo was a bit more skilled and his stress and frustration had been piling up for days. Even his couple passionate love making sessions with Valentine had barely made a dent into the stress he felt, and her current attitude had undone any stress relief he had felt, and maybe even added to the frustrations he had been feeling. All that, combined with his finally being done with Monty’s attitude left him dangerous, as beating Monty’s ass was the only thing on his mind now, and that focus gave him the edge, even without everything else that was stacked in his favor.
 
Hondo stared coolly down at Monty as he shucked off his hat, vest, shoulder holster, and shirt, before throwing them off to the side, saying nothing as he did.
 
Monty glared up at Hondo for a second before grinning at him, evilly.
 
“Well, now… I thought we ‘ad to wait for this, but since ya started this dance, now I aim ta finish it now!” Monty replied before standing up with a groan. “GRahhh!... Well, these bones may be gettin’ old but I reckon I can still whoop… **BIFF POW** Gahooph!! **POW** **THUD**”
 
As Monty ran his mouth Hondo unleashed a combo on him, jabbing with his right, before stepping in to slam an uppercut into Monty’s gut, before hopping back enough to send a right cross to Monty’s jaw, knocking Monty back to the ground.
 
“Gahoow! *Gasp* *cough, cough* What the blood ‘ell!” Monty groaned, as he rolled from his side to his knees and pushed himself back up to his feet much more slowly.
 
“I’m not in the mood for talk, anymore, Jack!” Hondo growled. “I’m through talkin’! Now I just want to beat your ass!”
 
Monty snarled and launched at Hondo with an angry yell as he grabbed him around the waist and attempted to pick him up and squeeze the life out of him at the same time, hoping to slam him to the ground and daze him to stun him further after squeezing him enough to make him dizzy. Unfortunately for Monty, Hondo had been working out, and his firm abs did not let the squeezing do much, and in Monty’s haste, Hondo had kept his arms from being trapped, and was able to land a series of blows on the back of Monty’s neck, causing him to let go and stumble back, dazed.
 
Hondo tried to slam his face again, but Monty managed to block him this time, with one hand, while he struck out at Hondo’s balls with the other. He did not land a serious blow there, but still hit hard enough to cause Hondo to double over in pain. Monty seized the opportunity and clasped his hands together and brought them down like a club at the base of Hondo’s neck, stunning him and knocking him to the ground.
 
“Ya loike thet. Mate! *pant, pant* The ol’ man’s still got it! Now, I’m gonna beat the loife outta ya!!” Monty shouted as he put the boots to Hondo, kicking him in the guts once, trying for the gonads again a couple times, though he only managed to get his thigh both times, and then kicking at his face, of which he only gazed as Hondo managed to move his head back, before angrily kicking him as hard as he could in the ribs, causing Hondo to cry out and roll a couple times from the force.
 
“Go ahead an’ beg for mercy, if ya want, but I’m all out of it for you self-roicheous bastards!” Monty yelled as he marched over to where Hondo was trying to push himself to his feet.
 
Monty tried to kick him in the face, but Hondo grabbed his foot and with a twist and a shove, caused Monty to lose his balance, stumble back, and land on his ass. Hondo scrambled to his feet and stood over him, as Monty got to his knees and they tried to shield himself.
 
“Get up, you rat bastard!” Hondo growled.
 
“Jest kick me an’ get it over with!!” Monty snarled back.
 
Hondo snarled back, “I could end you on the ground right now, but I’m gonna prove I’m better than you, by beatin’ you on your feet, you piece of shit! Now on them!!”
 
Monty feigned moving slow, putting some extra emphasis on his groaning as he partly stood, though he stayed a bit bend over and panted, hoping to play on Hondo’s being nice. As Hondo moved up slowly, Monty grinned in the dark and lashed out with a quick jab to the nuts again, but Hondo was ready this time, spinning enough to take the blow on the hip, and catch Monty’s wrist with his left before spinning and sending a right cross to Monty’s cheek again that caused him to fall back on his ass.
 
“**POW** Oooph!! … *pant, pant* Alroight… Alroight, Skippah. I’ve ‘ad enough.” Monty said holding one hand up at him defensively.
 
“#$@! that! You’ve had enough when I say you have!” Hondo growled.
 
“Wha? Ya gonna beat an’ ol’ man while ‘e’s down, skippah?? Gonna prove me roight thet ya aren’t nothin’ but a savage??” Monty hissed, taunting him.
 
“No, I’m gonna beat you while you’re on your feet, ya miserable old, has-been!” Hondo growled.
 
That got Monty’s ire up and his glare intensified, “Who’s gonna make me get up?!?!”
 
“You’re gonna do so willin’ly, you old has-been!” Hondo replied angrily.
 
“Call me thet again, mate… Call me thet jest one more time!” Monty snarled.
 
“I tried to help you all! I loved Gadget, an’ I tried to save her from that asshole, but none of you listened! I almost died because of him! I almost died to save her life, an’ you all turned your back on me! I could have forgiven that, but then you lazy, self-righteous asshats ran others over for glory, until you let him destroy her, an’ here you are feelin’ sorry for yourself when she an’ others were hurt! I at least tried! Did you?!” Hondo snarled
 
“Shut up, mate!... If ya bloody well know what’s good for ya, you’ll shut up!!” Monty snarled.
 
“Gadget’s uncle?! Bah! Geegaw’s best friend?!? Bah!! You let that #$@!in’ munk drug her up, an’ lend her out as some cheap whore to scum to #$@!, abuse, an’ make sick!!” Hondo half yelled
 
“Shut up, Skippah, I’m warnin’ ya!!” Monty snarled again.
 
“Gadget, Tammy, an’ who else?!? My wife was on his list, as were others! Did he do the same to Foxglove, but she’s too afraid to speak?? What about the other women at the café?? What about Bink or the other girls there???” Hondo continued, just holding back from yelling.
 
“He’d not hurt no girls! Never!!” Monty spat.
 
“Why not?! He hurt Geegaw’s little girl, didn’t he?? The one you were supposed to protect an’ Dale claimed to be like his sister?!? Were you all that blind, or were you waitin’ for your turn with her?!!” Hondo snarled.
 
“You’ve gone too far, now, Mate!” Monty yelled as he started to stand up.
 
“So, ya didn’t wait? You were probly in there gettin’ sloppy second, eh? Watching as he shot drugs into her veins, and tied her face down to a bed, and then lifted your tail and pounded her cunt, yourself!” Hondo growled.
 
“Thet’s a lie!!” Monty said, as he shoit the rest of the way to his feet.
 
Hondo shook his head, “No, that’s no lie. I see it all now. There’s no way you were blind to it all! Whether or not you got that old, floppy prick of yours wet or not, you #$@!ed her!”
 
“No!” Monty snarled.
 
“You drugged her!” Hondo replied.
 
“No!!” Monty snarled more loudly.
 
“You destroyed Gadget with your own hands! You destroyed Geegaw’s little girl, you rapist!” Hondo shouted
 
“NOO!!!” Monty yelled as he launched at Hondo, swinging wildly and screaming like a mad man.  
 
Hondo’s plan had worked, getting Monty blind angry enough to lauch at him, instead of feigning to have lost, just to bide his time and cause problems again later. Monty threw punches blindly, letting his rage empower him, though it also made his sloppy. Hondo used his rage too, but he controlled it at the moment, and used it to fuel him instead of controlling him, like Monty had done. Monty had been lucky to get Hondo to the ground earlier, as Hondo had made the mistake of thinking he would fight fair, but he would not make the mistake again. Though he expected Monty to fight dirty, other than the mental warfare he used to get Monty angry, Hondo would not use dirty moves, as he refused to give Monty ammunition against him.  
 
Monty got off several lucky punches, but Hondo barely felt them, his own rage kept the pain at bay. Hondo played a blocking game at first, striking only when he had a solid opening, and otherwise letting Monty wear himself out. Though it took longer than he thought it would, Monty eventually began to slow down and he took his first opening, laying out a barrage of his own combos on Monty, pummeling the big Aussie with powerful blows as he silently beat the shit out of him. Monty still tried to fight back, but a mix of age, fatigue, and surprise kept him from thinking straight enough to counter the younger man’s attacks, despite the blind rage wearing off. He knew he could not win, but he half figured if he did not try to fight back, Hondo would kill him, so he continued to fight, though it was a loosing battle.  
 
In a lucky shot, he managed to land a blow on Hondo’s ear, staggering him enough for another nut shot, but it barely grazed the boy, which just made Hondo madder, though it did buy Monty a few seconds as Hondo jumped back.
 
“You’ll *Gasp, pant* Noit *Pant, Wheeze* Kill me, without *pant* a foight!! *Pant, pant* I’ll Not go into thet good night, peacefully!” Monty bellowed as he gasped for air.
 
“*pant, pant* … Shut up.” Hondo growled before moving in again.
 
The moment gave Monty enough time to put together a better fight strategy, and move in with his knowledge on his fists once more, but it was too little too late, as Hondo moved in with a fast series of blows, moving almost as fast, if not a bit faster, than he had at the start.  
 
IT was not much longer, and a series of blows, two to the gut and three to the face staggered Monty considerably. He swung a couple wild haymakers as his consciousness threatened to leave him, but they did not connect as Hondo deftly dodged them both. Hondo stepped him, slamming his fist into Monty’s gut again, causing him to double over in pain this time, as his muscles were too fatigued to protect him anymore. Hondo grabbed the old man by hair and pulled his head up, and with one last swift uppercut, he knocked him out cold, and let him drop onto the grass.
 
Hondo staggered a bit, before bending down to put his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. Once he caught his breath again he bent down and checked on Monty. He was alive, but out cold.
 
“You can freeze there, for all I care!” Hondo spat. “If you live, that was only a taste of the hell you’ll get from me if you don’t change your ways fast, as next time I’ll kill ya!”  
 
Hondo stared at him for a moment as if expecting a response, though he did not, and after a silent minute or two, he went and grabbed his shirt, holster, hat, and vest from the lawn, before heading into the lodge. He staggered a couple time, the pain and fatigue starting to hit him as the adrenalin wore off, but he managed to right himself and make it inside. Inside he went to the kitchen and washed up at the sink, before gingerly pulling on his shirt. He knew his face had to be a bit of a mess, from the blood on the kitchen towel, but he knew it could not be as bad as Monty’s as he had worked him over. As he tucked his shirt in he groaned as the bruising on his ribs, and guts make themselves known, and he started to limp a bit as he left the kitchen, where Monty had kicked him in the thigh.
 
HE limped slowly to the stairs, his hat, vest, and gun in its holster under one arm, but he stopped at the bottom and looked up, shaking his head after a moment, before instead heading to the little Irish style pub that sat at the top of the basement level stairs. Inside he sat his gear on a table, at one of the little booths inside the door and walked over to the bar, where he grabbed a bottle of whiskey, the first he could reach. Though he preferred bourbon, the first one he grab was an Irish whiskey, and at the moment that did not matter to him. He grabbed a glass with the other hand, from under the bar, pulled the cork with his teeth, and spit it out on the counter, a splatter of blood hitting the counter with it. He rubbed his jaw and noticed it too was sore, and found a tooth loose. He figured it should heal, but even if it did not, he did not care at the moment. He walked over to the small gas fireplace in the far corner as he poured the glass full, sitting it and the bottle on a little round table that sat at the end of a leather couch that faced the fireplace, along with a couple leather easy chairs. He turned on the gas logs, as the room was a bit chilly, and he was starting to feel it due to his body cooling off and the fatigue setting in, grabbed his pistol off the booth table, and then eased himself onto the couch, before trading spots with his gun and the glass of whiskey. He downed half the strong liquid in one gulp, coughing slightly and frowning at the cuts in his mouth and on his lips that burned from the whiskey touching them. He refilled the glass again before kicking off his boots and sitting back to think, as he stared at the fire and sipped on his drink. Unfortunately, he felt too tired to do much thinking, so after a bit he downed the last of his glass, set it on the floor, and laid down to stare at the ceiling for a while before closing his eyes.
 
Hondo slept some, but it was far from well. He was not sure how long it had been, but he guessed it had been an hour before he heard the door open and someone stumble inside. From the slurred, grumbling and groaning, he knew it was Monty. He heard him stumble in, and then it sounded like he half crawled up the stairs, before stumbling to his room and loudly shutting the door.
 
About an hour or so later, soft, familiar footsteps again partially woke him as they approached him. He did not open his eyes, but let her stand there and waited for her next move. Valentine did not say anything, but she soon sat on the edge of the couch and the softly laid down, pulling a soft blanket over them, before putting an arm around him and laying her head on his chest. She sighed deeply, and she could feel a wet spot on his chest, and heard her sniffling, as she softly cried herself to sleep on him. After a while he finally fell into some sort or real sleep, everything before barely being called sleep.  
 
He slept until the morning sun hit his face and woke him. As he woke up he found himself covered up, but alone. The faint sound of grease sizzling, and the light scent of bacon, coffee, and fresh biscuits wafted in the air, telling him that Valentine had got up and started breakfast. He was not sure he wanted to get up and face the day, but he did anyway, sitting up with a groan and squinting at the light that shone in the day. He did not know what the day might bring, but he hoped it would better that the night before.

After the Hot Tub. Charles Took Dale to see Monetary Jack while Widget is with Foxglove doing some girl time.. As he see Hondo.  
 
Charles; Boss Fernando want Dale talk to Monetary Jack. He need you make sure Gadget don’t see Dale and Monetary Jack. I be standing by.
 
Hondo: Fine but this is Boss orders anyway.  
 
Then Hondo went away as Dale enter into Monetary Jack room. As Monetary Jack was resting Dale went to Sit next to him.  
 
Dale: Jack I need to talk to you right now.
 
Jack: What is it my chum.
 
Dale: You need stop Making Hondo and Fernando more angry at you. Mention Chip Name. Also Not See Gadget until Fernando Say so.  
 
Jack: Why?  
 
Dale: Chip is dead Jack. He is Dead. The One we were with was not the Real Chip. That a Clone Chip or Fake Chip.  
 
Jack: NO way. That the Real Deal!
 
Dale: NO Is not. When we came out of the Hospital after that Weird Acorn put us in. He Change and I notices too. When we were getting ready our mission. I saw Chip Beating up on Gadget. I know he never do that. But I see Gadget was liking it and I saw some Pills on the Table. Means he Drug her. Then I saw Zipper was acting weird too.  
 
Jack: He couldn’t did that?
 
Dale: Yes he did. Then He notices that I was spying on him. So That day. When you, Gadget, Zipper and Foxglove went to get parts. Chip Grab me from behind and then he told me. That I was spying on him and didn’t like that. So he took me to our room and I was rape by him.  
 
Jack: What?
 
Dale: Yes He rape me and told me that Real Chip your best friend is not coming back. So you have to deal with me. Lucky I didn’t drug you. Since I drug girls. I will go after Foxglove if you tell Jack or others. Keep this a secret got it. So I Nod to him and he did a evil smile at me. Saying Good boy. Also since you like dressing up in girl clothing. You be my personal femboy servant and do everything I say. Got it? Then I nod again.  
 
Jack: Oh Dale.  
 
Dale: So I became his Personal Femboy Servant and not say anything. As he continues beat up Gadget and then Drug Tammy. Also Got the Rescue Rangers disband after what he did to cause Rescue Aid Society get Real Angry at us.  
 
Jack then Hugging Dale. “OH dale.”  
 
Dale: That why I decide to become a Spy with Charles Training. Once I past his Test. Then he will give me my own team to command. So Jack. You need to listen to Hondo and not get him angry at you. Because My Handler Charles haven’t got angry with me or Fernando too. So Listen to Hondo and Follow his commands. Also Don’t see Gadget and Also not Tell her what I say to you Ok.  
 
Jack: Ok Dale I will try. But it going to be hard. Since me and Hondo haven’t got on the Right foot. I will do it for you dale. Never Say that Fake Chip Name and Know that Real Chip is dead. I have to accept the truth.  
 
Dale: Thanks Jack.  
 
Then Dale went to Charles as he nodding. Then Charles and Dale Share a hug as Charles did heard everything. Then they went back to see there loves. While Jack processing what Dale Told him.  
 
Jack *so Chip and Zipper are Really Dead and that Fake Chip Ruined our Reputation. Now I Know the Truth and have start over again with Hondo try to get on his good side*  

Gadget and the girls wake up at around 8o’clock, sleeping late on a weekend when they can. The girls prepare to take a morning shower, while Gadget finds a robe and goes to the kitchen to see about breakfast. Though she could have ordered a breakfast through the staff, Though Valentine was already cooking a mix of American food, and warming up pre-made traditional Japanese breakfast food, Gadget did not know this, and Valentine was not in sight. She walks into the self service kitchen and gets into a border line panic – all this time she works and experimenting, the most she ever done in preparing food was making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, just learning hot to make a small omelette and a couple fried items from Fernando. She is too used to ordering take out or going to the café and getting served her meal. Chieko, Hiromi, Naomi and Makiko walk into the self serve kitchen covered up in a wrap around robe and in house slippers, finding Gadget in a near panic.  
 
“What’s the matter, Ms Gadget?” Hiromi asks.
 
“Who’s gonna make the food? I don’t know how to cook...” Gadget lets out.
 
Chieko tells her, “We’ll deal with breakfast. This is a self serve kitchen. You sit down and relax.”
 
Hiromi throws in “Need anything special? Everything is set up for a traditional Japanese Breakfast.”
(A traditional Japanee breakfast is a small amount of rice, grilled fish or meat or tofu, small bowl of steamed or pckled vegetables, seaweed, green tea and a small bowl of Miso Soup.)
 
“We’re used to getting a Continental Breakfast.” Gadget replies.
 
“A Continental Breakfast?” Chieko asks.
 
“It’s an American breakfast of eggs, meat, cooked potato cubes with peppers and onions (home fries) or round patato patty (hash browns), and toast or some other bread or pastry and juice or coffee.” Makiko points out.
 
Chieko throws in, “I can set up a Tamagoyaki Gohan Breakfast for you guys.”
(Tamagoyaki Gohan - A rolled omelet made from seasoned beaten eggs with the Japanese Breakfast. Tamago meaning “Eggs” and Gohan meaning “Meal”.)
 
“I don’t know...” Gadget lets out quietly.
 
“We’ll figure something out. You sit down and relax.” Hiromi states to Gadget.
 
A voice from the open pantry door, that they did not notice before calls out, "No need to figure out anythin'. I have it handled."
 
Valentine came out with an arm full of supplies.
 
"Val? You're cooking" Gadget asked. "I thought there would be staff!'
 
Valentine shook her head, "They have not hired full-time staff yet, as the lodge was not open for business yet. They had pretty well just finished when they had threats of foreclosure, as some businessmen wanted to take over their ranch for themselves. That's why Hondo bought into it, to pay off the debts and keep it out of those crooked asshats hands."  
 
"So, there is no staff here?" Hiromi asked.
 
"Not full time. There will be some coming this afternoon to do some cleaning and make the evening meal. Breakfast I will handle, though I'm only makin' the continental part. A caterer pre-made the traditional Japanese part and sent instructions for heating, so I'm just warming it up, really. Sorry it's not fresh, but I've not made enough Japanese food to be confident in making it for everyone."
 
Namoi shrugged, "That is alright. Though fresh made is better, pre-made is popular as everyone works long hours as adults, in our country, and making it fresh is often impossible."
 
"I've seen some of it at those smaller stores and quick-stops. In the US, pre-made food at those type of stores is often barely edible." Valentine commented, "But this was made for reheating, by a caterer, so I hope it is alright."
 
"It smells good!" Chieko replied.
 
"I'd like to learn how to cook the continental breakfast... Could.. could I watch and learn?" Gadget asked.
 
Valentine nodded, "Sure, though I'm half done today. When we go back to the safe-house, if you get up a bit earlier, I'd be glad to teach you how to cook for Fernando... Surprised you didn't learn back when you and Hondo dated."
 
"*sigh* .. There was a lot I did wrong back then." Gadget replied. "I know he liked that cooking, but I focused on my inventions more. I thought a relationship just happened if it was meant to, and when we broke up I thought it was justified in that thought since I was told he was a bad man... I was wrong on a lot of things."
 
"That's the past, so don't worry about it too much. Just try to do better for the future. It's all we can do." Valentine said.
 
"Wait. You and that cowboy dated first?" Hiromi asked.
 
"Yes, but that was long ago." Gadget replied.
 
Hiromi smiled sweetly, "You know, maybe he wants two women. You could always try again."
 
Valentine frowned and looked down sadly, which several noticed.
 
"Hiromi!" Naomi scolded.
 
Hiromi frowned grumpily, "Cannot blame a girl for trying."
 
"You will have to tell us all about when you dated him, tonight!" Chieko exclaimed
 
Gadget shook her head, "I don't really like to talk about that."
 
"Awww." Chieko replied sadly.
 
Gadget ignored her and looked back at Valentine, "How are you and he doing? I noticed some tension last night.
 
"I don't know." Valentine said with a shrug. "I kind of hurt him last night. I didn't take somethin' right and pushed him away... I've been messing up more than doin' right lately."
 
"You need to talk?" Gadget asked.
 
Valentine shook her head, "No... Not right now, at least. If you want to watch I'll be cooking eggs here soon. Cheese omelets and over easy, unless someone wants scrambled. There is coffee made fresh if you want some, too."
 
“But what about Fernando?” Gadget asks.
 
“We’ll take care of him.” Hiromi states before opening her robe slightly and wrapping it about tighter around her. She starts to walk awalk away.
 
“Where are you going?” Naomi stops Hiromi with her words.
 
“I’m... just gonna check on our sensai Fernando...” Hiromi answers.
 
“Not alone you’re not!” Naomi goes behind her to follow her to Fernando’s room.
 
As Hiromi and Naomi walked away to go upstairs to Fernando’s room, Makiko asks “What’s all that about?”
 
Chieko lets out a sigh before answering, “Hiromi has a crush on Fernando-san and Hiromi being who she is, is rather vocal about it and wanting to take our relationship with him to higher sexual level.”
 
“Well, we’re all almost adults here and we are all of legal age of consent, so what people do in the privacy of their bedroom is of nobody else’s business. That’s how I see it.” Makiko points out.
 
“Things can be rather complicated in that.” Chielko throws out.
 
“Well, as long as there emotions involved, it can’t be considered cheating.” Makiko throws back.
 
“There might not be an emotional connection with Fernando-san, there is with Hiromi. That can get complicated.” Chieko adds.
 
“Well, who Hiromi lets into her panties is her business, not mine nor ours.” Makiko throws out.
 
“As true as that is, we do not what that decision she makes to interfere with what we have with Fernando-san. We do not want it to look like we dropped our panties for him to give us those things we are getting. He gave us a chance to earn these things and we are doing what is asked of us in the work we do, not because we had sex with him.” Chieko points out.
 
“If you are honest with your work and your self, you have nothing to worry about, even if Hiromi end up being Fernando-san’s bed mate.” Makiko points out, adding “Hiromi on the other hand...”
 
“Hiromi has as a crush on him, nothing more, though her past experience with boys complicates things in that she goes about it out os control at times, sometimes taking it to one extreme or another.” Chieko points out, unknowingly adding “The medication Fernando-san had given us should have repaired the physical and emotional damage Hiromi went through when in her freshman year she was set up by Aratani and gang raped in the boys’ locker room by her male friends.”
 
“Wait, explain all that... starting with the medication Fernando-san gave her?” Makiko asks.
 
“Fernando-san gave us a pill that heals us from the damage of the things we suffered through... in the rapes and sexual assaults that happened to us. It also cured other things but it was meant for repairing injuries the body has gone through, including sexual damage. Haven’t you noticed – Kitsume’s face had been restored from the injuries she got in her gang rape in sophomore year (10th grade)?”  
 
“I noticed. It sounds like Lantean Medicine to me...” Makiko points out.
 
“Fernando-san ensured us that it was not Lantean Medicine but something he and others are working on in the USA.” Chieko states.
 
“Alright, and of Kitsume’s gang rape and attack sophomore year? I remember it being mentioned in Diasuke’s school trail but not the details of it. And this is the first I heard of Hiromi’s gang rape attack.” Makiko asks and says.
 
“Aratani set up Hiromi because Hiromi had a crush on one of the school’s baseball team players and was about to ask the boy out but instead was grabbed, taken, assaulted, and gang raped by certain members of the baseball team. Aratani set her up because she thought Hiromi was going after Daisuke – the rich kid that was arrested for Kitsume’s attack, and it was Diasuke that lead Hiromi’s gang rape attack. And all through out Freshman Year spread rumors of Hiromi being a slut and a hoe for having sex with the baseball team.” Chieko explains. She continues, “Kitsume’s attack was because Aratani dd not want anyone to be cuter than she is, even though Kitsume’s mom was a make up and beauty company executive with rather stunning looks that Kitsume inherited, but the same thing – Aratani set Kitsume up like she did Hiromi the following year in the 10th grade, when it was the Nakano Prefecture Beauty Pageant which Kitsume was part of but Aratani wasn’t. Aratani was jealous of Kitsume’s beauty and popularity so she had Kitsume set up, attacked and gang raped. Aratani had all of us attacked and some of us raped or sexually assaulted directly or indirectly. Naomi was attacked because she won the school science fair freshman year, Naru and Sakura were attacked for trying out for the girl’s baseball team. And I was attacked for outdoing her grade average.”
 
“Well, she’s no longer allowed in our school anymore.” Makiko throws in.
 
“She’s not allowed in our school anymore, what’s to say she won’t try to get revenge on us outside of school.” Cheiko points out.
 
“Well, she’s been arrested for attempted arson and attempted murder in the Imperal Palace. That alone will put her in jail for a very long time.” Makiko points out.
 
 
[Upstairs on the Second Floor, by the door of Honey Moon Suite Fernando is sleeping in]
 
After knocking on the door a couple times Hiromi tries to open the door, finding it locked. Thus they stand there and argue as to what to do next. Hiromi wants to go back downstairs for breakfast but Hiromi wants to stay upstairs until Fernando opens his door. As they argued as to what to do Hondo walks up to them to see what the commotion that was going on.
 
“Hey, little ladies! What's going on?!” Hondo asks.
 
Naomi steps in to answer before Hiromi does “We came upstairs to see if Fernando-san would like some breakfast but his door is locked.”
 
“Well, if Jefe’s door is locked then he must be asleep.” Hondo started to say.
 
“But we’re getting breakfast together for him!” Hiromi lets out a little louder than she should have.
 
Hondo begins to wonder which voodoo witch doctor or Japanese Domokun he offended to get this kind of assault, though he knows it’s unintentional. He looks at them and tells them sternly “Take a few steps back an' wait outside while I go in to check on him. Just wait out here an' do not go in behind me.”
 
Naomi steps back but Hiromi tries to get behind Hondo until Naomi grabs her by the arm and pulls her to where she was. Hiromi tries to complain but gets a pointed finger to her face from Naomi, shutting her up.
 
Hondo takes his master key and opens Fernando’s room, closing and locking the door behind him. He can hear the girls bickering from behind the door. Ignoring them he heads to Fernando’s bed. Fernando was lying on the bed with the blanket over his head. Hondo reaches over to him and nudges him, “Hey, Jefe. You need to get up.”
 
“The place better be on fire, I swear.” Fernando says in a slow groggy tone.
 
“No but your girls are.” Hondo throws at him.
 
“Huh?” Fernando throws the blanket off his head. “What are you talking about? Rachel is in charge of the girls.”
 
Hondo throws back “No, not your daughters, but those high school girlies. Two are outside wantin' to see you, one with the glasses an' long hair braid an, the other with the half sleepy look on her face.”
 
Fernando slowly sits up on the edge of the bed “Tell them to wait for me downstairs. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”
 
“I’ll tell’em but I don’t think they are the type to listen, especially that sleepy one.” Hondo points out.
 
“Yeah. I’ll take care of it. But if they don’t listen...” Hondo says before taking a couple steps to the door,
 
“I know.” Fernando begins, throwing in at the end “Thanks.”
 
Hondo gives a nod before he steps back to the door. Stepping out of the door, he noticed another was added to the two: Jeanette. She is standing there with a robe wrapped tightly about her. He closes and locks the door behind him.
 
Jeanette lets out, “Is he awake? I need to speak to him.”
 
“Whatever business you need to deal with him can wait when he is downstairs.” Hondo explains.
 
“How long is that going to take? And is Gadget with him?” Jeanette throws at him.
 
“However long it will take for him to wake up so he can shit, shower and shave. And no, Gadget is downstairs with the girls.” Hondo tells her.
 
“No need to be vulgar about it.” Jeanette throws at him.
 
“What vulgarity is there? He needs to wake up and take care of basic body functions and personal hygiene, Miss. An' as his former Acorn Rescue Partner, you should know how he can get, so wait for him downstairs. Now if there is anything I can do for you, ask politely an' I’ll do for you as I can.”  Hondo tells her and then asks.
 
Jeanette has to do a personality shift from a demanding person to a more laxed one as she lets out a sigh. She then asks, “When is breakfast and where can I get it?”
 
“There are two types: first type is served by the staff – a standard Japanese breakfast of rice, fish soup, vegetable salad and tea. Then there is a self serve where you make your own breakfast, though Val is handlin' both, so talk to her. If you have problem with that you can ask the staff Val to help, as the staff won't be here until around eleven, but on top of the standard Japanese breakfast, with a few added items like eggs, meats like sausage and bacon, and various pastries and bread and coffee.” Hondo explains.
 
“You said this was downstairs?” Jeanette asks.
 
“Yes, in the dining area by the kitchen area.” Hondo replies.
 
“Thank you.” Jeanette says with a nod before she leaves.
 
Hondo turns to Naomi and Hiromi “You two better get downstairs before they run out of food. Jefe will meet you downstairs.”
 
Naomi takes Hiromi by the arm and starts dragging her out of the area, “Let’s go. We got the others to feed.”
 
Hondo stands there for a moment, wondering what just happened. A few seconds later Fernando opens his door in his slacks and white shirt.  
 
“They’re gone?” Fernando asks.
 
“They’re downstairs getting breakfast. Jeanette is with them. No doubt she wanted to know if Gadget was in your room with you.” Hondo explains.
 
 “If Gadget was in where with me, she would be squeaking as we test out the bed springs as we practice making babies.” Fernando throws out.
 
Hondo gives him a long hard scowl before telling him. “You an' I know Gadget does not squeak...”
 
“Well, you’re right on that...” Fernando replies.
 
Hondo continues with his long scowl for the moment, before giving Fernando a shove on his shoulder and lets out a laugh. “Jefe! I thought I was bad, but you need to lighten up a bit. No one knows we are here. Only troubles we have are with ourselves, and we are here to take care of that so we can be free of those stresses.”
 
“Yeah. Speaking of which I would like a meeting with you, Monty, Charles and Dale around 4PM to deal with some issues we are dealing with.” Fernando explains.
 
“You mean Chip?” Hondo asks.
 
“Yeah.” Fernando replies.
 
“Well, I’ll be seein' you around. Don’t be a stranger an' take it easy.” Hondo throws at him.
 
“Yeah, I’ll see you around.” Fernando replies before Hondo leaves. He then looks around before going back into his room and locking the door. Walking into his room, he sits down on a large cushioned arm chair in the room.
 
He’s tired and would not mind 3 days of non-stop sleep, but everyone knows that is impossibility. He waits for about 5 minutes, starving for coffee, gets up and leaves his room to go downstairs for breakfast.
 
The Minorigaoka High School girls including the student president and vice president have gathered downstairs and started to make their breakfast. He stands on line to wait his turn with Hiromi and Naomi in front of him, Naomi playing defense from Hiromi’s advancements towards Fernando. Fernando looks around for a free table and seat, finding one with Gadget by herself, another with Jeanette and a couple of others with a free seat or two with the girls. He sets up a modified Japanese breakfast with eggs and meat (bacon and ham) with a large coffee. He takes his meal to Gadget’s table.
 
Gadget asks as he puts down his meal and gets ready to eat “Can we have some alone time?”
 
“I need you to be with the girls during the day, I will be with Hondo and Charles during the day about what happened at the ball last night.” Fernando states to her. He begins to eat his morning meal before saying “Dale and Monty are to leave you alone. If they don’t, they are going to ask about Chip. Your only answer to them is to ‘it is something that has to be done and for them to leave it alone.’ They press the issue, tell them to leave it alone or you would tell me, Hondo and Charles of their harassment. Right now there are too many unanswered questions we need answers for. Got that?”
 
Gadget nods “Yeah, I got it. Secret is in secretary.”
 
“That’s a good girl.” He tells her. He adds, “Believe me, when we have some alone time, we will have it. But until then, help take care of the girls for me, being a guy I can’t be in places where they are in like the dressing rooms or women’s only hot springs.”
 
“I’ll do all that for you.” Gadget says.
 
“Thanks.” Fernando replies.
 
Jeanette moves her seat from the lone table to join Fernando and Gadget, throwing herself into their conversation “What’s going on with you two?”
 
“Nothing.” Fernando tells her.
 
“Nothing? Then why you two hushed up when I arrived?” Jeanette throws at them.
 
“Because we are talking about mission specific issues that needs to be dealt with.” Fernando tells her,
 
“Yeah, like what?” Jeanette throws at him.
 
Before Fernando could say a word Gadget jumps in “If you want to know – We’re setting up to make a porno sex film with the girls over there where Fernando gets to #$@! them all by the lake. I will be running one of the cameras. And I know Fernando approached you to be part of it but you refused, so no cock for you...”
 
Jeanette sits there with her jaw dropped open for several moments before Gadget and then Fernando begins to laugh.
 
Fernando throws at Jeanette “Jeanette, you’re so wrapped up in trying to find something bad about me, you’d believe anything instead of the truth standing in front of you! I swear! You’re seeing what you want to see and not what is actually there!”
 
“How could you do this, I swear!” Jeanette lets out.
 
“Before you start saying about us being close and trusting friends or the hell we went through together, let me tell you all that went out the window when you sided with Misao and not with me. So I’ll do what I have to do with what few friends – old and new – I have. You are no longer part of that list as you burned that bridge a long time ago.” Fernando tells her. He adds, “I have to check a few things and there will be a meeting with Hondo, Monty, Charles, Dale and myself about what happened at the ball last night at 4PM today. Do Not Be Part Of It.”
 
He then takes a few large bites of his meal and a swig from his coffee to wash it down. He then turns to Gadget, “Before you take the girls to the hot springs, talk to Hondo about where it is and what you and the girls need to be there and what you ladies can and can not do over there. And if you ladies need some staff there or not.”
 
Gadget nods, “I’ll see him after breakfast.”
 
“Good, and thanks.” Fernando tells her.
 
“Anyone can be at this meeting?”Jeanette throws herself into the conversation.
 
“If you were listening in, that meeting is for Hondo, Monty, Charles, Dale and I.” Fernando tells her.
 
“Why is it just the men in this meeting?!!” Jeanette lets out.
 
“Because I do not expect you or the other women to pick up a fire arm to put somebody down in defense of yourself or others.” Fernando tells her.
 
.”I will do what has to be done when the time calls for it.” Jeanette tries to show off some bravado.
 
“Hmph... In the many years working with you as a partner, you never stepped up to the plate to put somebody down who deserved it. I know the action of taking a life is a big and difficult step to take but this is a world where one has to make the decision to take action to put someone down to save another or themselves. This is the best option one can hope for than those who criminally take a life because they are not getting what they want and think in eliminating the victim would get them what they want. Murder is something totally different from killing in defense of one’s self or in the defense of others. I had to do the latter several times and never the former. Chip in his latest actions before he was taken down was doing the former and doing so rather wantonly and without limits and very little excuse. Understand that difference.” Fernando tells Jeanette sternly.
 
A voice behind him says “Yes, he had to kill several Chinese Slavers who tried to kidnap us a week ago pretending to be Tokyo police.” It was Hiromi who was there with the rest of the girls.
 
Naru throws in “In taking such actions he unknowing rescued another person who turned out to be the missing Princess Ichinaru Shoda. The news media called her ‘Taro Yamada’ until it was verified she was the lost Princess by the emperor’s press agent. At the time, the Chinese slavers pretending to be the Tokyo police called her ‘Mei Fung Lai Phuc’ and saying she was an illegal Chinese migrant whoring herself.”
 
“We can not defend ourselves from those with guns and other weapons. He can and did for us.” Cheiko throws in.
 
“We spoke of this before not too long ago.” Naomi starts, “Japan is a nation where you are on your own on the actions you do, can do or want to do. But with some individuals, they bully others in order to promote themselves to a higher position than those around them. In that there is a stressful situation where those left at the bottom think that their best is not good enough, and open us up to become victims to those who would deem us as targets of convenience. Rape, drugs, assaults, extortion and who knows what else they would do to us. If it were not for him caring about us and doing those things to help us, we could have ended up like that princess girl we found – but tied up in some ship or airplane’s cargo hold and on our way to China.”
 
“The Tokyo Metropolitan Police are not helpful unless somebody is willing to take on the responsibilities of pressing charges for an arrest.” Sakura points out.
 
Kitsume walks around between Fernando and Jeanette at the end of the table, untying her robe and opens it, showing the Violet/Indigo bikini she was wearing that seemed to glow in UV. She looks at him for affirmation “What do you think?”
 
Fernando looks at Kitsume from head to toe though he was tired and hungry, one could misinterpret his gaze at her of hunger for her flesh. And who wouldn’t – a young virile female showing herself to an older alpha male, an easy prey target to a hungry predator. But such thoughts Fernando keeps to himself as he eyes every inch of her body from toes to head.
 
“You look great.” He tells her as he looks into her eyes.
 
“Thank you!” Kitsume literally pounces on him and hugs his head tightly against her teenaged breasts with an occasional kiss on his cheek. After a moment she stops holding his head close to his chest.
 
Fernando looks up at her, slowly getting her hands off his face and looks to the others. He dare asks, “Any other of you girls got your bikinis on?”
 
Hiromi opens her robe next, showing off the black bikini he had them all buy, while Naomi states “We all are... Hiromi, you did not have to show him! Just tell him!”
 
Hiromi looks at Naomi “I just want to know how he thinks on this looks on me!”
 
“It looks great on you, Hiromi, as I’m sure it will on all of you! I am interested to see Cheiko as I want to see if she took my advice and how well it took t her. I’m sure she is as splendid as you all are.” Fernando states.
 
Cheiko steps over to him, turning to face him and untying her robe to open it. She then opens the robe, letting it drop to the floor and pool about her feet where Kitsume and Hiromi still had their on their shoulders. Fernando puts his hands on her waist and guides her to have her in front of him after moving his chair. He then gets up and looks down at her, inspecting her, running his finger along her bra straps, panties elastic bands at her hips and the frilly areas like the tiny skirt on the bikini panty. He then lightly cups the underneath of her breasts and feels the support band there.
 
He asks her “How does it feel? Any pinching or binding on you?”
 
“It feels fine.” Cheiko replies.
 
“Good. Now I have to say this much: it looks better than I expected. It’s enhancing what you have and not just barely covering certain areas, which can look right if done right but many get wrong. Appearance is all about attitude and the image of how one presents themselves, not just about looking good with name brand stuff on your body. It’s about being proud of what you got no matter not little or much that might be. Then you can accent what you have with tiny bits like the bikini, a bit of make up, and a dash of perfume. Nothing more. The fact that Japanese culture uses a minimal amount of perfume says a lot of its people. But there are some out there that will literally bathe in the stuff.” Fernando explains.
 
“You’re just using these girls for your amusement!” Jeanette throws out.
 
Fernando and the girls turn to her, even Gadget turned to face her. He tells her, “If I was using these girls for my amusement, we would all be in my room doing experiments Sex Ed, and no doubt getting all of them pregnant by the time they graduate from school.”
 
“We can’t get pregnant, we’re all on the pill since we were 13!” Hiromi lets out.
 
There were a few forehead slaps, but Jeanette lets out “What?!! That’s Immoral!”
 
“Actually, the age of consent in Japan is 13*. 10 in China though they make claims otherwise. And around the world it can be as low as 7 and as high as 25. These girls are on the pill for 1) sync’ing their hormones and 2) for birth control if they decide to be sexually act at that age. In Japan, though one becomes an adult at 20**, many are taking on adult responsibilities at 16, 14 in some cases. Nothing immoral about it. I’m sure there are Lantean worlds out there living the ancient Japanese dream-life with 7 to 10 year Geisha Assistant Girls. But I’m sure Misao is hiding that fact from you as she does not want to hear your self righteous mouth yapping away.”
 
“Yeah, we heard about the preteen girls being used and sold on Lantean Planets!” Hiromi lets out.
 
“I don’t want to hear falsehoods and lies about Misao and her Lantean people!” Jeanette lets out.
 
“Jeanette, you better understand that the Japanese live within the shadows of Lantean Society. What the Lanteans want to hide of their society as secret, it gets leaked out in rumors and lore, rumors and lore with roots to the truth. Personally I do not care. My beef is with Misao and using you to get at my equipment when all she could have done was asked me. Whether I say yes or no was my prerogative, it was never yours to make. And frankly I’m sick of it, and I’m sick of your attitude. Maybe next time you face death, I won’t be there to save your chipmunk butt and you can die. Maybe your blood can enrich the soil it flows onto.” Fernando tells her sternly.
 
Charles and Dale walk in to see about breakfast as they walk into the dining room listening on this little conversation. Charles walks up to the table with Fernando, Jeanette, Gadget and the girls, “What’s going on ‘Nando? Hondo told me you want a meeting with us guys at 1600 hours?”
 
“Yeah, for now enjoy the day.” Fernando tells him.
 
“How can we enjoy the day when we are on a mission?” Charles asks.
 
“Charles... this was never meant to be a mission, we were to sit with royalty and world leaders while history is made during this treaty signing, but until then it is going to take a year or so to sort out details. In that time we are to rest, relax and observe. If we can help out, we will be paid accordingly. But this has become an internal affair mission with the Rangers Organization being destroyed and Chip going bonkers on a one-man crime wave. Now what happened and where we are? That is what we are going to discuss in that meeting. Since we all pulled the trigger to put down Chip, only to find out it was not Chip but some robotic clone of him, that is what we need to figure out the how and why.” Fernando explains.
 
Charles nods. He then asks, “Where can we get some breakfast here?”
 
Fernando points with his pinky as pointing with the index finger could be taken the wrong way in a false accusation, “The crew Valentine, over there, can give you a traditional Japanese Breakfast, or [you can cook something yourself over there, with Valentine's permission, but if you cook, you need to clean up after yourself. They got ham, bacon, eggs, breads and buns, pastries, batter or pancakes and waffles, anything you need for you to cook your own meals. A Japanese breakfast is rice, grilled fish, Miso soup, a small veggy salad, and Valentine has a few other options like eggs and ham. You can mix and match like I did for me.”
 
“You think we can take it to our room?” Charles asks.
 
“I do not know. You would need to ask them Hondo or Valentine, and maybe they can help set you up.” Fernando tells him.
 
“Yeah, my group is kinda big, you know. Better if they eat in their room.” Charles explains.
 
“There is the big dining room just past here too, that you all can use as well. Just enjoy the day, we’ll deal with problems at the meeting.” Fernando explains.
 
“Where will you be all day?” Charles asks.
 
“If I’m not with the girls here or my daughters, I’ll be sleeping in my room.” Fernando tells him.
 
“I’ll see you around then.” Charles tells him before nudging Dale, “Come on, let’s see what we can get to eat here.”
 
Dale lets out, “Hopefully they got chocolate covered nut clusters cereal!”
 
Charles “Ewww... How can you eat that stuff?”
 
“It tastes great!” Dale says.
 
“That stuff has enough sugar to kill a diabetic! That’s it. I’m doubling your exercise routine! And no more chocolate covered nut clusters cereal!” Charles replies sternly.
 
“Awww...” Dale replies as they get to the Japanese Breakfast Crew line.
 
 
Fernando looks at the girls, getting their attention with a glance. He tells them, “What you just heard does not go into your report. I ask that as a favor, not as a command or order.”
 
“Don’t worry, that will be a secret with us!” Hiromi lets out.
 
The girls look at Hiromi for a second before Naomi throws in, “We’ll keep it a secret. But what was that all about?”
 
“Simple. While you girls were in the other room with the dignitaries, we pretended to have a fake award ceremony for Dale, who Chip was impersonating as he was a wanted man we were trying to capture. In the middle of the ceremony we exposed him as Chip and he tried to get away and shoot up the place. We took him down. Had to, as he was willing to kill anyone and everyone who got in his way. If he would have surrendered, he would be alive. That is all I can say of this. Again, this does not go into your reports.” Fernando tells them.
 
“We promise not to put it in our reports.” Naru replies.
 
“Good.” Fernando replies “And thanks.”
 
“You work very hard in trying to keep us safe from those who think they are above the law. The fake police who were Chinese Slavers, Aratani and her friends, this Chip person and who knows who else you are protecting us from.” Cheiko throws out, adding as she turns to Jeanette, “For someone who is supposed to be his rescue partner, all I hear from you is complaints, bitchiness and from what Fernando-san says you being Misao’s friend and you turning against him for her. Let me tell you as a Native Japanese living with the Lanteans, Misao is somebody you do not deal with unless you want death and destruction to follow you about. The woman is a walking curse and she only cares about the Lanteans, people like you who think you are her friend she will just use until she can’t use you no more, and then she will abandon you in the poorest state possible on some unknown world. We seen her do it before, we see her doing that to you even if you do not see it within yourself. As for Fernando-san using us – I rather have him take me and screw my brains out on this table right now because he deserves that and more from me and the others for saving our lives more than once and he would not do us harm unlike a Chinese Slaver would do us harm or this Chip guy would do harm to you. And it would not be considered cheating as emotions are not shared, just the physical act which any one of us would gladly partake with him. So it sounds to me that you owe this man more than your life, sex and servitude would not be enough for you to pay off that debt to him but instead you are taking the bitch road to make him walk away and you would think you owe him nothing. Like he said, the next time you face death, he won’t be there to save you because of your actions against him. You do not make a man who cares to not care anymore for that price is too high to bare and people will get hurt in the end because of it So if Fernando-san wants, he can take me and feel me up all he wants, as I would offer him my body for that is all I have to give him.”
 
“The man restored my face, my life, my faith in my self image and my future. How would you repay that debt? If he wants to see and feel my breasts and rub my kitty and later take me sexually, he’s welcomed to it. If I could marry him, I would.” Kitsume tells Jeanette.
 
Naomi speaks up, “There are a lot of people who are drunk on power and money, thinking they can take advantage of others like us because we are on a lower social level than they are. Aratani had money, power, family fame – all she cared about is getting more power and money. She used those around her, she used her friends, she used her boyfriend, she used her family – their money and their influence. She used them to bully others like us. We said it before that we were beaten, bullied and abuse by her, her family and her friends. Some of us were beaten more than other, some of us were bullied more than others. Given that we would not achieve our life’s dreams as we were constantly trodden upon by the likes of her and her friends, until he came along. He gave us a second chance, he gave us a second life, he restored our self worth and our reason for living. If he wants to take me and use me, I would welcomed it, I would allow it and I would want it.”
 
Naru steps up, looking at Jeanette with a scowl that could scare a Domokun*** “I can see that you want power and authority without the responsibility, the rewards without the work. So what you’re one of the Chipettes, fame is fleeting and you just work hard to keep it. But fame is not power or money – the three things people want but most only obtain two and chase the third to their self destruction. I would like to see your rescue logs to see if you are an actual rescuer or you were just a body to look good in the background and take credit or actions you did not take.” She points to Fernando “He’s proven to us without being asked to that he is a man of honor and action. We were young children but later to learned in life that he was instrumental in the rescue of the Emperor’s son when he was kidnapped over 10 years ago. Where were you in this? You, your sisters, along with Alvin and his brothers were making a film at the time, so you could not have been part of that or any rescue. Every time we see you, you are always complaining, making demands, whining about something, even when he rescued you from being killed when this ‘Chip’ shot up the outside of the hotel. Complain, complain, complain, that is all you did. If it were not him, you would be dead by Chip’s actions. How many people died that day, how many were wounded? You could have been part of that number, part of the dead or wounded, but you complained how he pushed you to the ground and busted your nose that he treated and healed.”
 
Fernando throws out “Naru – that’s enough.” He then turns to the others, “You girls are with Gadget. Gadget will talk with Hondo about using the Hot Springs or the Lake. Jeanette, I do not care where you go. Just leave me alone.” He takes the last few bites of his breakfast before continuing “I’ll be in my room resting.”
 
He slowly gets up and asks the staff Valentine about where to put his things for clean up and was told to leave it on the table and they she will take care of it. He tells her them “Thanks (Arigato)” and goes upstairs to his room, locking the door behind him.
 
(To Be Continued...)
 

---

Notes:
*As mentioned before, at the time GsB4 happens around 2013; when the age of consent in Japan was 13, and had been for literally centuries. In 2021 it was changed to 21, and due to public outcry was reduced to 16 in 2022.
 
**On April 1, 2022, Japan lowered the legal age of adulthood to 18 years old. Some two million people who are 18 and 19 years old came of age in Japan on that day. This follows revision of the Civil Code, which first set the legal age at 20-year-old in 1876 of the Meiji Period.
 
***A Domokun is a malevolent spirit in the Shinto religion, a minor demon.
 
 
Other notes:
 
Taro Yamada (山田 太郎) – the equivalent of Jane Doe in Japan.
 
A traditional Japanese breakfast typically includes steamed rice, miso soup, a protein source, pickled vegetables, seaweed, and green tea. Components:  
 

• Steamed rice: A staple of Japanese cuisine, rice is rich in carbohydrates and provides energy.  
  
• Miso soup: A traditional part of a Japanese breakfast.  
  
• Protein: A source of protein like grilled fish (usually Mackeral or other small fish), natto (fermented soybeans), or tofu. Other meats can be used.
  
• Tsukemono: Pickled vegetables that come in different flavors, colors, and textures.  
  
• Dried seaweed: Also known as Nori, seasoned seaweed is often eaten with steamed rice.  
  
• Green tea: A typical drink for breakfast in Japan.  
  

 
Other breakfast items:  
 

• Tamagoyaki A rolled omelet made from seasoned beaten eggs.  
  
• Tamago kake gohan, a simple, comforting meal that can be prepared quickly at home.  
  
• Ochazuke A quick dish made by pouring hot green tea over cooked rice and topping it with savory ingredients.