Zettsu was approaching Golden Dragon Casino in Shikoku. Adachi invited him there, so it would be stupid not to come. He had problems with Junkers, and nobody hates Junkers more than Hogosha. Mutually beneficial relationship, he thought. Still, he'd rather not blow his cover and pose as an ordinary Libertonian citizen looking for some legal and not-so-legal amusement at the Hogosha's establishment.
He sent a docking request and soon there he was, in the Golden Dragon's hangar. Everything here seemed so elegant, such a nice facade for an organization like Hogosha. At least that's what he heard at Tinkers Haven. It was about the time to see for himself.
He combed his hair over the right, red eye, shook off the invisible dust of his coat, pinned his usual, black half-cloak and jumped off the ship. He looked around for a way to the first floor and soon was on his way to the bar.
On the Golden Dragon Casino, on one of the decks of the guest lodgings, a man hurriedly leaves one of the rooms in direction of the bar, doing it's best to set up his businessman tie while moving at a forced march. He had been out of Kusari for so many months, that the previous evening he spent a few hours munching down plates and plates of Kusarian food and about 3, or 4, bottles of sake. Adachi still felt some symptoms of the hangover, but he hoped that those would soon clear over, as they usually do when he gets on his feet the morning after.
Fuyudori Adachi arrived at the entrance of the bar, where he stopped to regain some breath. Having finally managed to make himself look presentable.
After a while, amongst the people passing by the far corridor, one of them entered the bar. Recognizing the person he had been... that he was supposed to be waiting, he approached the entry with a calm pace and a discreet smile.
"Irasshai, irasshai, Tor--- I mean Zettsu-san. I was hoping you would come by on one of the first days, and seems I was right. Hope your journey went well,yes? Right this way, right this way." He motioned towards one of the tables.
One of the novices of the Hogosha had taken some time looking at the guest and their actions, but was dissuaded but the loud noise of the bartender setting down a glass of beer in front of him, complemented by a evil look that sent "Mind your own business" messages all over the rookie.
"Good day to you as well, Mr Adachi", he said, following him to the table.
"I am really interested to hear what you've got for me," he went straight to the point after they had taken their seats. He sat back and said, "I, frankly, didn't expect an assignment as soon, but let's cut the unnecessary platitudes. I'm all ears."
He looked at Adachi with his one revealed eye, cold and emotionless, like a professional who's here to do nothing but their job, no matter what it would be. But inside, he was deeply curious about what possibly could the Hogosha want from him.
Adachi noticed the the interest of the pilot, and he proceeded in explaining the job slowly.
"Alright, here's the deal. One of our associates has managed to get the some folks from Cryer to hand over some samples of this new consumable drug they have been tinkering in a remote location in the Sigmas. He also found that the Corsairs manage regularly to hijack some of this "synthetic weed", and bring the loot to Lagos Depot, their outpost nearby. You've heard of the place?" He says, measuring how well he was following the story.
"Anyway, our man started to check around where he could make a sale discreetly and with a profit. He tried the nearby Newport Station, and guess who comes to buy some drugs? Them bloody Outcasts."
Seems they have a thing for trying new stuff, since they are too used to their orange dust. Fortunately, our guy was using a broker, so they didn't had to meet face to face."
Adachi paused a little, pondering the next part.
"He said that the effect on the Outcasts was quite strong, and they stood 2 nights hazed out before returning to space. Seemed they had some nice equipment, and money to spare.
Our associate suggested we be in the area when he goes to make the next delivery, as the Outcast will probably return. My idea is, we take advantage of their pleasure trip, and leave their hangars dry.
That's where you come in. Using our men on this part is quite risky, as we don't want to raise too many waves in Newport, specially with the Outcasts letting their guard down over there. You don't look like Hogosha material, and I could keep myself discreet with some Libertonian suits or so.
We would come aboard the Association's transport and lie low for a day, until they arrived and knocked themselves out. Then, we would hack their hangar, hijack whatever they have good there, and sabotage the rest.
If the pattern holds, and I get the materials needed for the infiltration, it should be an easy job. You could even get something to replace that old scrapper ship. That thing will blow out on your hand someday. What do you think?"
"Kantsubaki is left at Manhattan right now,", Zettsu smiled. "No worries, you won't see it in the nearest future. As far as the details you've given-- I'm intrigued. Robbing an Outcast seems like a nice idea, this blight needs to be harassed as brutally as possible."
He pondered for a while. Outcast ships were one of the best, a lot of criminals in Liberty used them. It would be good to have them taste their own medicine. It'll probably need some disinfection from Cardamine. He noticed Adachi looking at him, waiting for his decision. He dramatically moved his hair away from his red eye and spoke.
"Excellent. I have a transport that will head there on hold for us, and will be able to depart in a few hours to Newport. Grab whatever gear you require for the operation. I advise some weapons in case things get complicated. Meanwhile, you get some rest or leisure until I call you."
He signaled a passing waiter, and presented his club card to him. "Bring me some green tea o kudasai.
I'll be leaving for a while, so I want to settle my bill and reset my credit. Also, bring some chips for my friend while you're at it. He will try our slots." Adachi said to the waiter with confidence.
Inside however, he was still concerned as to what would yesterday's bill amount to. The thought didn't please him, and he needed to make sure that this job would set him good for the next months.
He started drinking the tea as it arrived, and tried to ease his mind while watching the Kusari News Network.
He politely refused the chips. "I appreciate that, but thank you. If that is all, send someone to me when you're ready. I will be in my ship. Until next time," he rose from his seat, bowed and directed his steps towards the hangar. He climbed on the back of his ship, Axiom, and snapped his fingers. There was not much to do until someone from Adachi shows up so he might as well get some rest.
But before that--, he thought and looked around for his guitar. He picked it up from the ground, sat down by the cargo bay's wall and just started playing. After a while he put the instrument down and fell asleep, as he sat.
The following day, after he had woken up he walked around the hangar, gathering everything he'd need for the trip to Newport. He looked at his equipment and tested everything. For an inattentive eye he seemed to have no defence, but that was deceiving. On his side, under the half-cloak he hid a holster with a spring baton. This weapon has proven its usefulness multiple times already, with a few quick swings able to break bones and knock out the individual who had the misfortune of staying on the wrong side. On his right wrist he had something that looked like a little watch, but in fact was one of many Manhattan-produced Gabriel self-defence tasers. Not enough kick to knock the enemy out, but effective in piercing through clothing, applying sufficient electrical current to cause a temporary muscle contraction. These two things were unexpected and efficient enough to get him out of a dire situation with ease.
He went to the cockpit and saw Adachi entering the hangar, looking around for his ship. He smiled lightly. That meant it was time to depart. He jumped off the Axiom and went towards Adachi's ship.
Hector Marco was on his way back to Newport. He was going there to buy another load of Synthetic Marijuana, since the last one had had a great effect, helping him recover from temporary Cardamine put down. After he had jumped to Sigma-13, on the other side there was a GMG patrol. He started to fight them in his newly acquired Rapier, a beautiful ship, one of the best Outcasts had to offer.
After he had finished the GMG, he docked. He looked at his Rapier with admiration. "What a beauty," he thought. "I'm lucky I got it for such a low price."
He went to the Bar to meet the Synth dealer, unfortunately he wasn't there. "Something must have slowed him down," he thought. He ordered a drink and started waiting for the dealer.
A day had almost passed when the Hayatomi-maru arrived at the docks of Newport Station, carrying a large supply of H-Fuel and Engine Components, as well as a small group of unassuming passengers.
Adachi came down the walkway, as the crew began making preparations to empty the cargo into the warehouses. Confirming the checklist of the buyers, he signed off the transactions on the datapad, which would mean some money for him later on.
Walking to a more quiet corner of the hangar, with Zettsu in tow, he activated his headset, making contact with his Associate partner.
"Moshi moshi, Mori-san? It's Fuyudori. Listen, we have just arrived on Newport, and are ready to start the operation. -- Um, right. --- Don't forget to hire the broker to the deal. We need to keep our connection to the cargo as faint as possible. -- Hai. Hai. You know what to do. Dewa, I'll meet you when you arrive. Until then."
Cutting the connection, he turned to Zettsu, who was nearby.
"Right, our transport with the goods will arrive soon. He will set up the trade, but he already gave us some details on the potential targets. I'll try to enter the databases and locate where they might be stationed."
He looked at the datapad, struggling a little with the layout of the new base.
"While I do that, I think you should check the public areas, and see if you can identify who might be our potential Outcast buyers. There should be a few on station, but some might stand out. Try to stay out of trouble until we start."
Adachi waited for Zettsu to react, while overseeing the unloading of the Hayatomi-maru, and peeking into the databases of Newport.
He nodded and left Adachi's ship. Newport once used to be a Junker station, but was abandoned after Yanagi Pocket was cleared out by ALG. Some Freelancers took it over, looking for a quiet place of refuge, and soon the news started spreading around Rheinland, Kusari and even Omicrons about its reopening. Very much like a Freeport, free flow of any type of goods here was permitted, and even encouraged. It was as easy to buy a shipful of Cardamine as to get a shiv in the ribs.
He looked around their landing bay. Not many people were around, some skeleton crew providing with repairs and one other small freighter. Its pilot was nowhere to be found. Zettsu felt a bit lost, so he directed his steps to the most obvious place possible - the bar.
He sat by the counter, ordered a cup of mint tea and looked around. Some bored GMG miners were here, probably looking for a break from the job at Naha and Helgoland. A man of a difficult to judge profession talked to an ALG employee. A lone Chrysanthemum woman sat in the corner, seemingly ready to fire a headshot to the first guy trying to make a pass at her.
The last person sitting in the bar was an older dude sipping beer under the wall. Zettsu looked a bit more carefully and noticed a small tube running from his nose to somewhere under the man's clothing. "Bingo," he said under his breath and smiled lightly. He turned back towards the counter and started drinking the tea. Adachi will have the target.