❝ So… Nice yacht! Is your boyfriend going to introduce himself as well? Or is he not part of the possible consultation? ❞
"The Wakagashira doesn't meet with just any gaijin. That shit get's dumped on me..."
Mitsuo gave an annoyed look but casually ran a hand through his immaculately kept hair. With a grin, he gestured toward the yacht's interior.
"This is what you're going to get, heh."
"That's enough of that. Collect our honored guest's belongings. Please, follow me."
Shu turned on her heel and strode into the depths of the Eien no Taiyō. Mitsuo checked his Rolex as he followed, one hand in his pocket.
"Mr. Jackson, the Owari adhere to strict traditions, often misunderstood, sometimes dismissed as outdated, forgotten, or even unwanted in the modern world. If you prove yourself, perhaps you'll earn the respect of your new employer."
The way she said "New employer" was somewhat specific.
They passed through winding gray tunnels adorned with increasingly elaborate murals, mythological depictions of ancient Japan, stories rendered in sweeping color and detail.
"Himiko. The land of peace she forged in Wa even brought the Wei Kingdom to awe. The only tale that made it into any mainstream consciousness governed by political and religious overseers. There are countless stories in these paintings, and far more within Kumichō's home, but let's be honest, Mr. Jackson… what matters to you is the present. And your future"
The group, including Chris, eventually arrived in a private room, thankfully well-furnished. One wall was lined with a rack of international liquor. Ornate chairs circled a table whose surface doubled as a massive screen.
"No floor sitting here. A tradition I'm happy to ignore."
"Watch that mouth Mitsuo, someday you might regret it. *Ahem* Mr. Jackson. Please, sit. If you drink, you may select from anything you see here."
"The tradition of a woman knowing her place I'd love to keep..."
He muttered the comment under his breath while grabbing a bottle.
The table lit up, casting a pale green glow as a map of the United States appeared.
"To understand what you will be doing for us, you will need to understand some... delicate information."
She tapped a manicured nail against a circled point in the Midwest. There were several such circles across the U.S., but she clearly wanted him focused on this one.
"Your government has been steadily restricting access to certain areas. One such location is the Grand Canyon. Over the years, they've expanded the prohibited zones more and more."
A document slid across the table, spun so it faced Chris.
Nexus Corporation and all of it's approved subsidiaries have full clearance to explore, construct, innovate, and/or conduct operations for the betterment of American development.
"In short, we want in, Mr. Jackson. We want you to find a loophole that even Unity the most powerful AI on the planet, has not yet closed. We want to have a lawyer that can go up against the best Nexus has and give us a way into that land."
"Japan, or more specifically, the Owari, have plans. Big plans, see? …And this isn't all you'll be handling, right, Shu-san?"
"Yes. You will need to have unrivaled ability to manipulate the laws of your government for us. Then to a further extent, any regulatory laws that will get in the way as we move forward beyond your homeland. Terrasphere and it's unique properties will help you with that. You are someone who can grow for us."
It looked like there was a bit more than just a
consultation in play here...
