Shindou:
“Adachi-san is late and it’s almost five.” I say to no one in particular. Where the hell is the chief?!
I look at Makimachi-san who Fujita-san has saddled me with and although she has been -useful- providing reconnaisance, the fact that she’s let her “boyfriend” be on his own worries me. Her admiration of him is probably clouding her judgment, to just leave everything to her “Aoshi-sama”. I pace around a bit, “And the fact that Himura is in Tokyo…” I murmur and shake my head. Maybe I should instead insist for Makimachi-san to give me the location of the other warehouse? Where their former acquaintance and likely others are hiding out. She and Adachi-san can stay here and get the women out and I can provide back-up to Shinomori-san or at least pick off those he thinks are “small fry”. No one is allowed to escape after all.
I look at the police troops that are gathered and has secured a perimeter close to the sewers, there’s a lot of them here and further away down the street. Though the opposite way, closer to the docks, Adachi’s lookouts are less conspicuous as they surround the warehouse. Adachi-san’s forces certainly has the area surrounded, in 3 layers so it will be virtually impossible for the traffickers and their accomplices to escape.
I let out an exasperated breath. “So what is -your- “solid” plans for attack Makimachi-san? We might as well review it while we wait for the Chief.” The numbers are there but I don’t think these men will do anything unless their boss is here and gives the orders.
I review the positions of the local police. I’m impressed that Saitou has so much pull with the cheif here to muster such a force! And they’re well-disciplined. It’s a relief to see professional policing spread across Japan, even if it’s not the sort that will welcome those like us much longer.
I’ve been doing reconnaissance for most of the day. Aoshi-sama got my note but -of course- did not leave me anything! I bite my lip. Stubborn man.
The one I’m most worried about is Shindou-san! He looks like he’s about to start -pacing-.
So what is -your- “solid” plans for attack Makimachi-san? We might as well review it while we wait for the Chief.
I -ignore- his impatience. “I’ve been watching the place since last night.” I’ve been trained to not need sleep for long stretches, after all. “There are regular deliveries of foodstuffs.” They’re not starving their prisoners. “Twice today large deliveries that I’m assuming are from the women, and once from a local place with a smaller order, probably for the guards. So that’s one option, go in as that.” I’d smile but that would probably set this young cop -off-, but it does remind me of that time with Yahiko-kun and I going to see Saitou – but not with that silly costume! -That- was all Yahiko-kun’s idea!
“The other ‘delivery’ is there’s been three visits by different men who brings in one girl at a time. So they’re getting deliveries of girls, too,” I say, my tone dry. I want all of this -over-! And for these police to be -on- this all of the time, and not just as part of a major case!” But then I do smile. “So we can try that way, if you think you can bluff your way with the guards. It’s more likely to get us past the door, unlike the delivery method.”
I look over at him. “Which way do you prefer?” I still think he looks and acts too much like a cop for any deceptive work. He’s even brushed his hair all tidy agian!
Shindou:
She gives me a choice and I just look at her for a minute.
“The food delivery is too suspect. We don’t know if they’re the one’s ordering.” I let out a long sigh, “A long time ago I used to infiltrate yakuza groups but Fujita-san always thought I wasn’t very good at it and had me reassigned to him instead.” And now? That man is the one back on the field and I’m the public face.
I walk around Makimachi-san, assessing her. Would she really pass off as one of the abducted women? She’s no Aioi-san that’s for sure… “You’re going to have to show a little skin when we get in there and play the damsel in distress type.”
As for me, I thow open my suitcase that had a few disguises. Something for a hired hand, one that’s not too yakuza like but not too casual either. I decide on traveling clothes, they’d expect me to come from… I suppose where Fujita-san is now, in Ito Shizuoka. Quickly I change and the last thing I do? I take a small mirror and add a bit of tan and for effect a small scar at the corner of my right lip. I got to look a little rough after all. Turning to Makimachi-san I ask, “Well what do you think? It’s the color of the day.”
Chief Adachi:
I run! Arranging some maritime police for Fujita was a real -pain-. But I wanted good men, not just the usual port police or harbor patrols. I needed those with maritime navigation -and- combat experience. But we don’t have enough armed boats and the travel is long so my men not only need to retrofit some of the boats but also have it all fueled. My maritime captain said they can’t launch until much later in the night but I’m not too worried. If Fujita is the only one working the case or with very little support, it’s probably reasonable to think he’d move in the dead of night or midnight! I grin. I still got his number, we did undergo the same police training after all!
Huffing and puffing I -finally- get by the sewers and I survey my men. -Good-. And I spot Kunoichi-chan and Shindou-kun and I go over to where they’re at.
“Sorry I’m late.” I say a bit out of breath. It’s only then that I notice Shindou’s not wearing a cop uniform… And as for the Kunoichi-chan? “Don’t tell me you two are going to sneak in?” Why do ninjas always have play the stealth game? We can easily overpower those men, once the women are out. Oh… That’s probably why they’re sneaking in.
He goes for the option that surprises me – getting -in- open us to more danger unlike dropping off food. But Saitou wouldn’t sent a coward, after all.
A long time ago I used to infiltrate yakuza groups but Fujita-san always thought I wasn’t very good at it and had me reassigned to him instead.
What!? Saitou who have you given me to be my right hand? “I hope you learned something from him!” Well, maybe not his skill for snarky comments, but even in -that- he’s been slipping lately.
You’re going to have to show a little skin when we get in there and play the damsel in distress type
“They have all types,” I say in a quiet voice. Certainly professionals get caught up in these things, but it’s usually naïve country girls who think they’re headed to respectable work. But I understand – it’s not just the look, but the attitude. “Great beauties and rather plain girls. There’s a customer for all of them.”
Well what do you think? It’s the color of the day.
I nod, “not bad!” My own makeup makes me look grubby, with my eyes red-rimmed like I’ve been crying. My shabby kimono I have on over my ninja garb looks like the simple garb of a poor girl from outside of the cities.
“Don’t tell me you two are going to sneak in?
Adachi-san shows up, trying to catch his breath. “I’m impressed by your showing here, Adachi-san,” I tell him. “And yes, we’re going to approach the building as a carrier with ‘goods’ – me – to get inside.” I look at him. “It’s probably going to go fast, as you know, once they realize that it’s a raid. We’re going to secure the women and whoever is inside but if they run…” I look at the assembled group, “that’s where you come in. Either the women or their captors.” I hope they’re ready to treat the two groups differently…
“My associate is aware of our plans and should be securing the other location.” I tell both of them. He better not get in over his head…
“I hope you learned something from him!”
I stare at her for a minute. I -did- learn something, maybe a little too much about myself. That I don’t handle failure very well and yet, here I am with my job back. Suddenly I smile at Makimachi-san and just nod a bit, turning back my attention to getting ready.
“Great beauties and rather plain girls. There’s a customer for all of them.”
“I guess you’re right.” I say thoughtfully, “But what type do you want to be? or rather what yout hink you can pass off as? Our stories should be the same if they ask. I’ll tell them that I’m just a “courier” from Ito.” That should allay most of their suspicion about -who- I work for.
And I suppose I shouldn’t have asked? She gets in character and starts looking like a disheveled girl who has -no- idea what she’s in for. Just crying her eyes out. Well that will make me? An asshole I guess.
“And yes, we’re going to approach the building as a carrier with ‘goods’ – me – to get inside.
Oh the kunoichi-chan is going to be the “goods”? Will that work? I give her another look over. I suppose she can pass off as one of those village girls taken from their home. “You look young enough.” I nod. But -I- wouldn’t fall for it honestly but it’s hoodlums we’re talking about here. They’re not very picky about who they get in and probably don’t even have a say in it.
We’re going to secure the women and whoever is inside but if they run…” I look at the assembled group, “that’s where you come in. Either the women or their captors.”
“How do you plan to secure the women?” I ask with some concern, “I’ve already told my men that any woman who comes rushing out is to be secured and assisted but that’s -not- an ideal situation – even if you were to sneak some of them out, you wouldn’t be able to sneak -most- out.”
I glance back at the Kunoichi. “Kunoichi-chan, I’m told you’re very capable but overzealous. It might be better to draw out all the guards and lock the women inside to keep them safe. But worse comes to worst,” I nod to a building not too far, “I had medics setup inside that building in case someone gets hurt. It’s guarded so no one can easily go inside unaccompanied by one of my men.”
“And how about the kidnappers?” Shindou suddenly interjects, “You didn’t forget about that part did you -sir-?”
I throw this young man a glare, “I suppose since you work under Fujita you’d get some of his “attitude”… But don’t worry youg man I’m -not- green, my orders to my men were simple, arrest any man who is armed within the vicinity of that warehouse.” Of course we may arrest someone we don’t intend to and who maybe -innocent-, but that’s what interrogation is for. “No one will escape. The Yokohama police is a proud contingent you see.”
He blinks taken aback. He must be under a lot of pressure? I wonder why… Oh wait, his boss is that dick Fujita. I almost laugh. “-Relax-. -My- men and -I- won’t fail. Otherwise I’d never hear the end of it!” And he’s not getting one over me. I’m the -star- of the show this time! Saving his sorry ass back in Ito and directing his “best assets” in -my- turf!
But what type do you want to be? or rather what yout hink you can pass off as? Our stories should be the same if they ask. I’ll tell them that I’m just a “courier” from Ito
“Just an ordinary village girl,” I tell him, shouldn’t my disguise make it obvious? I guess he’s imagining some beautiful woman of wit and charm – ha! But his ideas work about being a courier. This is a large operation.
How do you plan to secure the women? I’ve already told my men that any woman who comes rushing out is to be secured and assisted but that’s -not- an ideal situation – even if you were to sneak some of them out, you wouldn’t be able to sneak -most- out
“I’ll start with the women, and let them know what’s about to go on and not to panic.” I also have some tools of the trade, depending what the situation demands. “How easily we’ll get them out and when depends on what we find in the warehouse and if they fight or flee.” I pull out a small whistle. “It’s loud – if you hear it twice, that’s your sign to storm the place because we’re overrun. I will keep the women as corralled a possible, but we always have to be careful for wildcards – those who have come to see their captors as protectors, for example.” I nod over at Shindou-san. It also helps that he doesn’t have a scary face.
Kunoichi-chan, I’m told you’re very capable but overzealous. It might be better to draw out all the guards and lock the women inside to keep them safe.
“They’ll never leave their ‘assets’ alone – unlike crates of drugs or weapons they can run on their own,” I sigh, ignoring his words that most likely came -straight- from Saitou’s blabbing mouth. Overzealous?!? “I would always prefer not to have a fight near hostages, and if the situation presents itself like that… then yes, of course. But we should also prepare for it not to go as we would wish.” Both Adachi-san and Shindou-san should know that it’s rare we’re -lucky- in these cases.”
I smile brightly. “I’m sure Fujita would be pleased with the turnout, and how through you’ve been, setting up the medical care as well, Adachi-san.” Really, he’s been invaluable. I never even attempt to predict a mission’s success before we start, but it’s good to have staunch allies.
“Alright, Shindou-san, ready to go?” I look up at the stars, reading the time. Hopefully Aoshi-sama is closing in on his part of all of this. And what of Saitou?
It’s now dusk with the sky painted red. Makimachi-san shares her plan. “We’ll also have to watch out for those who may panic and give us away.”
How easily we’ll get them out and when depends on what we find in the warehouse and if they fight or flee. They’ll never leave their ‘assets’ alone – unlike crates of drugs or weapons they can run on their own
If any of that happens or if the criminals don’t surrender… I’ll do what I need to. I’m not packing heat for nothing after all. A katana would’ve been good but that would be too obvious and I still remember the weight of it in my hands back in Yoshiwara. It felt heavy and hard to wield unlike sabers… but now I see how -flimsy- sabers can be. But for now I rely on a firearm.
Makimachi-san tells the Chief about the “signal” and also compliments him. I must say I’m surprised at the amount of support we are getting… I know the Superintendent doesn’t want us to fail but I’m starting to think it’s not just that. He’s asked Adachi-san to protect us. They must go way back.
I’m sure Fujita would be pleased with the turnout, and how through you’ve been, setting up the medical care as well, Adachi-san
“No kidding! Why just getting this perimeter secure and getting him sea support was a pain in the…”
My ears pick up. Sea support? From the maritime police? I look at the Chief and he just grins. I have more questions but…now is not the time.
Alright, Shindou-san, ready to go?
What would he say to that? Nothing will happen if no one makes a move, but I simply say “Yes.”
(Ooc: you can close and start a new thread for Misao)
-Sea support-? That’s not their jurisdiction, there’s the whole maritime police for that and people who run operations like this rely on the fact that they don’t always work well together to pull off schemes like this! This Adachi-san can really deliver…
But it’s Shindou-san that I focus on. He’s ready.
“Alright,”I say, instructing him to hold me by my upper arm as we head towards the warehouse.
(OOC – close)