The sun, if it can be called that in the Seattle Metroplex, sets on another day. The drizzle of the acid rain can still be heard inside Mazuko's new doss over the quiet humming of a small array of drones still setting up the shop. If it hadn't been for the Mercurial job, he'd already be done with the setup. But then, a lot of things would be different if not for the Mercurial job. Including Mazuko's cred balance.

Even with the progress however, it doesn't change the fact that he has made little progress in locating his sister. Missing since the Arcology shut down over a year ago, the only word he's had of her was a confirmation from the fixer "Lili" that she was, in fact, inside during the lockdown. Whispers and rumors are all over the place, and the UCAS National Guard had locked down the Arcology. No one in or out.

Adding to his problems, the local yakuza are suddenly much less genial. He'd come to the UCAS and incurred a substantial debt to cover the cost of augmentations he'd never be able to get at home in Japan. Being an oni was seen by some here as an advantage. Seattle had it's own dark history with meta-humanity, but it was no where near as brutal or efficient as Japan. Only his family's strong roots in Renraki, and his own talents as a soldier had saved him from being shipped to Yomi island like so many others of "his kind". But with that privilege came obligation. Obligations to the company and his family he had ignored by leaving. He'd done well so far on paying down that debt and keeping the clan and keeping the Nishidon-Gumi satisfied.

His contact, a kumi-in who, with more than a hint of iront, liked to call himself Ryu, had been surprisingly dependable so far. Going further and even providing information when asked had been a surprise. But the yakuza were the outcasts, the same vicious kind of criminals he'd been honor bound to defend him corporate family against. But had he now abandoned that family? Or shamed himself beyond any possible reconciliation? Where then did that leave him?

These thoughts and so many others occupied his thoughts as a pair of sedans pulled up to what was supposed to be his unknown shop.

Mazuko's daily routine finds him waking up early to exercise and eat breakfast. He then goes about doing maintenance on his weapons, armor, drones, and vehicles. After lunch he meditates in a small grassy area outside that he has tidied up into a small garden. He has designs to put a wall around the property, and make a proper courtyard garden out of part of the parking lot. He has converted the store-area of the Pep Boys into his living area. It is still a very cold environment - store tile floors, and wide open space with a few leftover shelves that have been repositioned to make "rooms". In his free time, he tinkers with making ammo to get the hang of it before he tries his hand at making AV, APDS, and other ammo for real use, or sale. He spends his evenings searching the matrix for any news about the Arcology, or anyone who claims to have gone in and come back out. He goes out to eat sushi a few times a week, staying mostly to authentic Japanese joints - avoiding the Japanese-(insert other style of food) fusion-type places.

Mazuko's family, The Yamashita's, is very well off, being fairly high up in Renraku's heirarchy. The family also has some ties to the Japanese Imperial family. There are elements of his family who are involved in the Yakuza in Japan, but they are mostly ignored, if not shunned by the family. His parents, Itsuki (tree) and Hikari (light), are mid-level executives in Renraku. His father, Itsuki, is tolerant of Mazoku's condition - believing that having a son sent off to a Metahuman prison island would be a worse shame than having an Oni at home. His older sister, Sakura (cherry blossom) is the only member of his family who has been supportive of him after his goblinization. She saw his interest in the matrix and taught him the basics to navigate it, as it was one place where he wasn't judged for what he was. Sakura is an expert in the matrix, and specializes in Artificial Intelligence. She transferred to Seattle to help work on some projects at the Arcology. After she left, Mazoku's father made him focus on martial talents, as there were rumors that the imperial family was taking a liking to use Oni as imperial guards. Finally, maybe this would be how the Yamashita family could gain some honor from having an Oni son. Training in martial arts, and to a lesser extent, matrix security and rigging, Mazoku managed to get transferred to the Renraku arcology in Seattle to get away from his cold family, and finally see his sister again. That was what he thought would happen...

The security system around the former(-ish) Pep-boys is not considerable. Enough conduit remained to run basic lines and work into the framework of a pre-existing security system. The monitoring system pings an alert as the two dark sedans come to a stop outside the doss. A trio of japanese men in good clothing exit the cars, presumably with the driver from one not exiting, as the right side of the car opens. Their stylish but expensive clothing mark them as likely Yakuza, the three men wearing mainly slacks and button ups, with underarm holsters.

The trio approach the front entrance, watching their surroundings as they approach, although no one's reached for an apparent weapon. Stopping at the entrance, one of them calls out in Japanese, with a bit of an American-ised accent. Mazuko-san! You home? Someone wants to talk with youuuu. He grins but doesn't approach closer. None of them look familiar but he's seen them before anyway. Kumi-in, street muscle, and although they're probably not the meanest meat on the street, they are still Yakuza. Fighting with them will have consequences.

Mazuko gives a mental command for his Steel Lynx to wait behind the closest garage door as he goes to the front and greets the men with an appropriate bow.

How can I help you gentlemen?

The lead man sketches a quick bow back but it's barely correct. There's a bit of a smirk and an almost daring look in his eye.
You need to come with us, Mazuko-san. Mr. Goto-sama wishes to speak with you.

Roll Street etiquette or Underworld politics to recognize the name.

Of course. Let me clean up real quick and I will come with you.



To Sakura, my Agent program: When I go with them, track the SUV that I'm in, and find out the address of where I get out. Send the GMC Bulldog near my location, preferably street parking.
Monitor my condition, and make me an escape route, if needed. Unlock doors blocking my way, lock doors in the way of anyone seeking to harm me. Neutralize any matrix-enabled security impeding me.



Mazuko heads back into the living area of the Pep Boys to make himself presentable.

Mazuko recognizes the name Goto, a Shategashira in the Shigeda-Gumi. The Shigedas are not exactly rivals to the Shotozumis, whom Mazuko still owes cred to, but they aren't allies either. Competitors, working in different parts of Seattle. The clans clash occasionally, but they still work to prevented a united front against the other syndicates the like Mafia, Triads, and the newer incursions of the Vory. They rarely fight against each other in the open, but it does happen. Goto Kenta is an influential man, who, like many of the more powerful Yakuza, also has strong corporate ties. If he wants to talk, it can only be about what happened during the Mercurial job.

For now though, he apparently wants to talk. Sending these men also sends a signal. Muscle for muscle, he sees Mazuko as a runner first most likely. But he still extended the "courtesy" of an invitation, even if it's one he can't say no to without consequences.

The group allows him time to "get cleaned up", albeit with some grumbling and the encouragement that Mr. Goto-sama does not like to be kept waiting. These men are brash, eager, but doing as they're told. They make room for Mazuko in a large SUV and head into the Everett district of the Metrolplex. The ride is quiet, the vehicle following Grid Guide's route on autopilot.
The vehicle stops in front of an older nightclub, bold in it's presentation but just short of garish. The "Rubber Suit" has been in Seattle for decades, a popular nightclub themed on Japanese monster movies. Mazuko has never been himself, but he's heard of it.

The Kumi-in pile out, one holding the door for Mazuko. The men monitoring the door to the club and corralling the line of people waiting to get in don't look to be Yakuza at first glance, but they make room for the group as they enter the club. One of his escorts peels off and heads into the club as the others direct him to the foyer for the coat and weapons check.

Leave weapons here. Goto-sama just wants to talk, lucky for you. You will walk in, and you will walk out. ... Unless you reaaally frag something up! Just talk, stay arctic, null sheen chummer. If Goto-sama does not like what you have to say, we can always kill you later, eh?!. The young man, Mazuko didn't get his name, laughs ,but at least seems to mean it.

The Rubber Suit it a big club and busy tonight. It's main draw seems to be Japanese, but it's not as exclusive, or more aptly, xenophobic as some places he's seen. There are certainly clubs in Chiba and even Seattle that do not welcome Gaijin or metas. Here there are some of both. But there are also the Yakuza, small groups here and there, most relaxing and having a good time, laughing, drinking and dancing like everyone else. But they're given their space.

The club looks like it was ripped from the old Gojira movies. Tables are buildings, the bar is a monorail (with a working train that delivers drinks along the length). Small drones that look like circa 1960s helicopters deliver trays and drinks to tables while most of the floor looks like streets , some partially destroyed by some great monster. The AR here is very advanced, adding moving cars, tanks, and even running people to the floor, which can make it disorienting. Kaiju storm about in different places, AR projections battling it out, mock eating a guest, or attacking a helicopter bearing sake to a table. The trids on the walls show everything ranging from the original monster movies to "soft"core porn. The music starts loud and stays loud throughout the night. In some ways it's not a bad place for a meet, as there's little chance of anyone overhearing anyone else's business. However it's safe to assume there's private rooms here somewhere.

Mazuko hands over his Predator, Machine Pistol, Cougar Fine Blade, collapsible staff, and iBall. He does not surrender his Memory Blade. He is respectful when interacting with the Shigeda-gumi muscle.

The group shows Mazuko through the club and to the back halls. Up a flight of stairs there are private suites, some overlooking the floor below, some more isolated. They bring him to one of these, recognizable by the large Japanese man in a suit in front of the door. Human and clearly augmented, he's nearly Mazuko's size, if not height. Without a word he opens and holds the door for Mazuko.

Another main waits inside, an older human likely in his fifties. Japanese, with his hair starting to gray, he has features that look like they are used to being stern. The street samurai in a suit follows Mazuko into the suite. The buzz and input of the club's AR fades away as he enters the plush suite. A glass coffee table and a series of couches are the centerpiece with a decently stocked bar to the side. There is already a bottle of Japanese whiskey on the table, along with a pair of glasses.

The man who could only be Goto stands a Mazuko enters.
Mazuko-san, I have heard a great deal about you in the last few days. I am Goto Kenta. He gives a polite bow respectful but definitely not diffident. Assuming Mazuko politely returns his greeting he offers him a drink and a seat.

Mazuko returns a polite greeting to Goto.

How may I help you, Goto-san? I believe my associates and I had a confrontation with some of your clan during a professional interaction, which resulted in their deaths. I assure you, this unfortunate result was purely coincidental to non-Yakuza business; to my professional obligations to my client, and the limitations in foresight by my partners to not obliterate the opposition. They are quite thorough, and I trust them. I stand by their methods to ensure success, even though I would have preferred to attempt parley - although, I doubt Sumiko Hotoda or her crew would have given us a chance. My condolences if you lost anyone important to you.

Goto sits with Mazuko across the coffee table, pouring each of them a glass of whiskey as Mazuko speaks. He briefly raises his glass then takes a drink. Continuing in Japanese he says:

Your openness is appreciated, Mazuko-san. In this world, we are bound to cross paths with people we should not. Hotoda-san was a skilled woman, and one of us. that is a mark not easily earned. You though, are not a foreigner. You are in a foreign land, like us, and our traditions remain the same. You know that it does not matter why you interfered in our business. Or even if you knew that it was. Were circumstances only a little different, we would be in a very different place now, and we would be peeling your eyeballs with a potato peeler, one at a time, so you could watch us feed them to the dogs that would later devour the rest of you.

As it is, I know Hotoda-san did not give you the opportunity to surrender the Mercurial woman willingly. I believe she, likely rightly, believed your gaijin associates would not have willingly given her up. You I do not know about. Perhaps you would have... perhaps not. You have also cost us a great deal of time and money. Your interference with our project will cost millions. Far greater than any other sum owed.

We therefore have every reason to make an example of you. I have not yet decided however, if we have an obligation. Perhaps you can give us a reason why we should not?

Mazuko takes a sip of the whiskey

My family - most of my family, has a strong corporate background. We were still raised in traditional Japanese ways, of course, but held back from certain elements of our family's background. Namely, those with ties to the Yakuza, so I am still finding my bearings in the underworld since the corporate world was taken from me when I was declared missing/dead after the arcology shutdown.

Mazuko takes another sip of the whiskey

You are right, we would not have surrendered the woman - I certainly would not have, as I had agreed to protect her. The fact is, your people attacked us. Their demise was of their own making. Yet, I harbor no ill-will toward you or your clan. They had a job, we had a job. We came out on top. Maybe if Hotoda-san had tried talking to me, instead of putting a fake bounty on my friends and I, we could have come to a solution that resulted in the safety of my charge, and her getting what she needed. I could try slandering Hotoda-san, saying that she failed because she was a woman. But that is pure bull drek. She failed because she underestimated an "enemy", and she paid the price for it. Professionalism has served me well so far in the Shadows.

I do not know if there is anything that I can do to mitigate your losses, but there certainly isn't anything I can do if I'm dead.

Mazuko takes another sip of the whiskey

I still owe the Shotozumi for helping me get established in Seattle after everything was taken from me. I will pay them back what I owe, as promised. For the future, I don't know exactly where I will end up standing with them, as I'm an Oni. As I see it, because of my "flaws", for the foreseeable future, I'm likely just a Shadowrunner with ties to the Yakuza. If I'm to be more than that, it is yet to be seen. Maybe I can be of service to the Shigeda-gumi, or maybe not. We need not be enemies. Leave me, and my associates alone, and we can be assets to you.

Mazuko takes another sip of the whiskey

I only stayed in Seattle because my sister is trapped in the Arcology. If I told Renraku that I was alive and not trapped in the arcology, they would have sent me somewhere else, where I would not be able to help my sister. Thus leading me to the shadows. My primary concern is finding a way to get my sister out of there, alive. Anything that gets in the way of that will see my professionalism...absent, and my determination...absolute.

Mazuko finishes the whiskey