Question Laura and the Fan Club

Friday, September 9, 2016 - evening
Otsuka home, Shizuoka, Japan

Natsuo and Kei Otsuka, along with the twin girls Emiko and Fuchiko, back home after a long day of travel part of it being a flight. How can those two have so much energy after a flight, I was 13 last I was on a plane and it exhausted me. An unexpected break from fall school term, a trip to New York, no wonder they are so full of energy.

Boy, how school has changed, nothing to do until back at school. They always gave us enough to keep busy over a school break. 'Gadget Girl Heroes' sight, don't tell me they saw the incident in New York with members of MMM. Wishing to be gadgeteers and dreaming of what they would make, cute. Wait, don't tell me they are going to manifest and end up at Whateley? Laura is going to have her hands full soon if that happens. Dang, a car like that would sell for a lot, but be very popular. Ah, so a lot of Japanese kids wish to be gadgeteers, interesting.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 - evening
Dickinson Cottage, Whateley Academy[/color] Kiyoko Onishi and Sumika Miura talking about a viral video, Sumika's roommate is Vera Sato, how can she study with earbuds in, I could never concentrate. Oh boy, they are starting to put the pieces together about who is in the videos. Of course, the class roster photo gallery would rat Taka out. Shoot, and now Laura has been figured out as well, image-editing program making identity impossible to hide. Ack, no! Sumika, don't go online and tell people their identities!

Friday, September 16, 2016 - afternoon
Otsuka home, Shizuoka, Japan

Emiko and Fumiko now know who Taka and Laura are, d'oh! TV station sending a crew to interview them about the heroes...oh boy.

She knew the girls would relish the opportunity to politely correct a reporter; they were both very bright. They were also both very determined and a bit outspoken and not in the slightest deferential - just like their mother.

Okay, liking them more now.

Saturday, September 17, 2016 - late evening
Taniguchi Family Home, Osaka, Japan

Hideo Taniguchi complaining to Takeo someone beat them to the market again. Ouch, company hurting because they can't afford a good research and development department. Competing with the bigger companies when they can pay the gadgeteers better, the markets must be more brutal. Hanako-chan, Takeo's grand-daughter, talking about the Gadget Girl Heroes site, if he only paid more attention. Hideo's 12-year-old daughter to the rescue who knows about the site and what they have been talking about. Listening to youth can find new avenues for business nowadays.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016 - After Dinner
Near Crystal Hall, Whateley Academy

Aw, Laura has to study tonight because she is helping out Mrs. Barton tomorrow night. Ack! Morgana likes devisor coffee.

"I do not, and you know it!" Laura huffed. "You don't need me there, anyway. Just go down there, wiggle your butt a few times while winking and smiling coyly, and you'll have the guys getting you all the sludge you can drink."

"I think I might just do that," Morgana countered.

Seems the guys in the workshop tunnels haven't changed much over the years.

Yikes, close one, don't just pop up suddenly like that Eurydice. Especially on a person whose group have been attacked on more than one occasion. I don't like how she slips her arm around Laura's, this creep needs to be taught boundaries. Riled by Laura's words about Brita, says she doesn't own her, nor does Brita belong to her, oh brother.

Gossip around the halls of Poe, which Laura and the other freshmen had heard and which made Laura very nervous, was that Brita was extremely possessive and fixated on Val, and Val was a tease to her which kept Brita angry and on edge.

Val is playing a very dangerous game there.

Darn it!

No-one knew how Val did it, but it was rumored that she used some form of psychic persuasion, which had gotten the attention of the psychic arts faculty, but there was never any conclusive evidence.

I had hoped they could prove what she did and reverse it. And Laura considers that flirting, that is very aggressive and almost pushy by Val imo. At least Val slipped up here, revealing she knows far more than a non-Poesie should about the dorm and its residents. The way Val says that almost sounds like Brita will keep attacking Morgana unless Val says to stop and is suggesting she needs some incentive to do so. Glad Laura sees it for what it is, though I hope she doesn't go for the offer.

In the Crystal Hall now with Brita, late to a meeting with Val due to an elevator being out of order near the Amazon's clubhouse, good. Thinks Val left to her own dorm room in Dickinson Cottage, has to give a weekly status report to Mrs. Horton as she is one of Poe's RAs...ahhhh! Ugh, her attitude about changelings. Oh crap! She spotted Laura talking with Val, this is extremely bad. Only the security cameras keeping her back from attacking Laura knew this girl was psycho but good grief, one of the changelings can't even talk to someone she likes without her nearly losing it.

Tuesday, September 21, 2016 - Late Evening
Taniguchi home, Osaka, Japan

This should either say Wednesday or still be Sept 20. Koichi Taniguchi called into his father's home office to have a chat. Ugh, Hideo just became a creep to me, judging his own son like this on things he doesn't have, areas he isn't interested in, and the type of power he manifested as a mutant which he had no control over.

Koichi was a projective esper, able to send out his thoughts and feelings, especially when he was working on a painting or sculpture. More peculiar, and of great confusion to the Japanese authorities on mutants, was that his projected feelings seemed to bind onto whatever art object the boy was making. His art was more than seen and touched; it was felt emotionally with the same intensity and feelings the boy had had when he created it.

Now that is an awesome power for an artist to have. *sigh* Hideo is going to regret this later in life, not trying to connect to his son.

Koichi was a Japanese boy raised in a traditional Japanese family. He knew his place.

Ugh, know your place ticks me off whenever I hear or read it, as if the person has no choice in the path their life goes. Oh god, Hideo is thinking of using his own son like that. Sending Koichi to Whateley Academy just so he can seduce Laura and convince her to work for his father's company, that is wrong on so many levels.

Bwahaha, Hideo hears about Whateley and doesn't think it is a school for mutants. And now suggesting Laura would make Koichi a good wife, right now I want to hit Hideo with a giant mallet. And forcing Koichi to do this against his own will, this man is a horrible father only thinking about his company instead of what is good for his son. An interview with the Imp to be admitted to Whateley, nice way to bribe the artist.

"What if the Americajin girl doesn't like you? What if she doesn't want to be your girlfriend - or wife?" She smiled at her son. "Your father cannot make Laura-chan like you or marry you. You cannot do that, either."

"But ... if I fail, father will be disappointed," Koichi protested, wincing as he spoke. He didn't want to disappoint his father or bring shame on the family.

The only shame on the family is your father putting you up to this, Koichi. Masumi gives good advice, I like her a lot more than her husband.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - Dinnertime
Crystal Hall, Whateley Academy

Laura getting a lot of emails and thinks it is spam, the Gadget Girl Heroes site somehow found out her email and shared it with her fans who are all sending a ton of emails, oh boy. Ah, sent to her Whateley email account and it is from Japan didn't know dot jp is Japan. Hikaru translating for her and Laura finds out she is getting fan mail, a boy who thinks she is cute and wishes to meet her someday, good grief.

*facepalms* A woman trying to set Laura up with her son and thinks Taka is her boyfriend, this is going to give her a migraine before it is over at this rate. 4 mothers in total trying to set Laura up with their sons, this is out of control. And the picture the Japanese tourists wanted of them. 19 sites with that image on it from Japan, eep. Man, Kurenai is good to get all those details about the Otsuka family and likely chain of events.

And a video of the interview with Emiko and Fumiko, Laura doesn't want a fan club, poor kid. Plus dozens of boys wanting her to come to Japan for dates or marriage, talk about aggressive.

By some herculean feat, Tanya managed to keep a straight face. "I told you so."

I should have known this was coming and that picture would come back to haunt them.

Woods between Campus and The Village, Whateley Academy

Late evening and Brita is stalking someone else moving through the woods, trying to set up an ambush for the other person, this girl needs a serious reality check. Hhm, what can this other person be pulling from the tree? She plans to attack Laura this close to the Village so the security cameras won't catch it, psycho needs to be locked up.

*eyes bug out* Who has caught Brita so thoroughly she can't even scream? Released from whatever power held her in place, two figures in black with black masks, ah, these two again. Told Laura is off-limits to her Brita starts to charge for attack only to be stopped before she can take a single step.

"Okay. You deserve to know what you're up against," the girl said, sounding very confident in herself. "The girl is very, very important to some ... interests ... off-campus."

The tall boy nodded. "Very rich and very powerful interests."

"The people who are interested in her have a very long reach. Anyone who tries to bring harm to her will be stopped - at any cost."

Brita stepped in it deep this time, those who don't care about the Neutrality of Whateley are either very foolish or very powerful.

"Most of the different factions who would enforce a violation of Neutrality share our common interest. They'll overlook a little think like a violation of Neutrality if it furthers all our interests." Brita could practically hear the smug smile. "We're here. We are among you. You have no idea who or how many of us there are. We will protect the girl, and if you get in the way, you are disposable."

Okay, now I'm concerned about the different factions that share their common interest. And the guy of the two shows they can and will use lethal force, Brita had best behave when it comes to Laura.

It had been years since she'd been unable to intimidate others and bully her way to getting what she wanted, years since anyone had made her cow before them. But these two unknown people had done just that, and so easily and with not a hint of hesitancy. Though none had ever targeted her, she had seen psychopaths, she recognized killers, and she'd just met two of them. They'd strike her down without a second thought if they wanted to, and they'd proven that they could strike from anywhere at any time.

Brita came to the conclusion that she had to find out who that 'interest' was, who had threatened her, and why that damned blue fake girl was so damned important.

And so instead of just leaving Laura alone, she is going to keep digging deeper. Brita's stubbornness is going to be the end of her at this rate.

Thursday, September 22, 2016 - Morning
Several Miles West-Northwest of Downtown Kansas City, Kansas

Only a couple in inches shorter than his boss, Collin Reineke, he was even more intimidating in appearance. A mutant with a significant case of GSD, Ronald looked like he was a living gargoyle sans wings, with deep steel-blue skin covering his muscular body from head to toe, four demonic fangs protruding from both upper and lower jaws, and pure white eyes.

Ronald Lincoln has had a rough life but falling in with Evolution Rocks because of Collin Reineke, yikes. The Directorate, why does that name concern me?

Collin Reineke, former Navy SEAL who'd been discharged for mental health reasons after his mutant wife was 'accidentally killed' by the MCO and H1, headed the group that was preparing for what he and others feared would be a new 'final solution' against mutants, carried out by the MCO and their stooges in Humanity First.

Oh crud, this is very bad, both that this group exists and if they are right about the 'final solution' against mutants.

Almost forgot about Hugo Butler and the Financier, stupid memory of mine. And of course, the Mayor as they call her, with Laura as one of her 'test subjects' for forcing the meta-gene complex to activate from all that we have learned so far. A base for four-thousand people for a long-term siege, yup, this is very bad.

"This is set up for an 'inspection' by The Financier next week," Lincoln practically spat with disgust. "It looks like a group shelter, and nothing more." The Financier and Butler were very demanding that they account for all expenditures, and that nothing 'off the books' be done.

"Don't underestimate her," Reineke shot back. "She may be very young, but she's no dummy. Since she joined the team, the Finance Commission has tripled its gains. I think she could do Butler's job better than he could. No doubt when she comes to visit, she'll be inspecting and estimating your expenditures to see that they're in line with what she's provided."

We haven't met the Financer yet, only heard her mentioned. Please let her not be Ayla.

Geeze, this base is made to be a fortress.

"Hard light hologram. Courtesy of Whateley."

It's worse than I thought, they have Whateley tech. 10 powered armor suits per site and they have ones in LA, New York, and more. They are building an army and have multiple bases all outfitted for prolonged sieges, this is bad no matter which side you are on.

"There are two tunnels into the facility, both in heavily-trafficked commercial buildings, both of which are rigged with explosions and two-hundred-ton deadfalls like in the pyramids. If they aren't invited, no-one is getting in easily."

This sounds like they don't care about civilian casualties. Okay, they have planned this out very well, I pray it doesn't come to this war they are building for. Ah, they need to get arms and ammo smuggled in still, I hope someone stops this before it is too late.

Let's do the math, 15 large facilities, 27 medium facilities, and an unknown number of smaller facilities they plan to build, yikes. Wheal, a Welsh mutant they'd hired, just how expensive is he?

"The man is a gift. He can drive a five-meter diameter tunnel forty or forty-five meters in a day. The big challenge is getting enough TKs to clean the rubble behind him." The Wheal was a mutant who could project energy balls - up to twenty at a time - one and a half to two meters into solid rock. When he let go of his control, the energy balls expanded - silently - shattering the rock as if it had been blasted with dynamite.

Now that is a powerful power for tunneling. If only he went into construction work instead, think of all the tunnels through mountains and such that could be made more easily.

Tech Tunnel Beneath Kane Hall, Whateley Academy

Afternoon now and Laura is getting teased by Steve Gevorgian about that site, now that is just mean. They put up THAT picture on the wall behind her workbench, Marlene Fisher teasing her about Taka being her boyfriend, this is way out of hand. Trying to work while ignoring barbs and jokes at her expense, at least it works and they leave Laura alone after a while.

I wonder what Laura feels as being off, could one of those spying on her be there now and Laura can sense it to a degree? No power going to the personal field generator, did someone mess with her project?

A quick glance over her shoulder saw Photech and Weaponeer, who had adjoining benches, both jerking their heads.

Those two messing with her project, I wouldn't put anything past them, petty creeps. Deliberate sabotage, who would go to the trouble of cutting something that small so it would be hard to detect?

Dismayingly, but not unexpectedly, a component for her enhanced neural neutralizer was gone, as was a field modulator for the PFG she was working on. Inwardly she fumed; outwardly, she gave no sign of just how angry she was.

And theft as well, she needs a private lab with security on it. Show the lab supervisor the damaged circuit and tell about the missing components, with the tech kids would video of the lab show anything? Some of them know how to disrupt or alter such footage without getting caught.

Friday, September 23, 2016 - Mid-Afternoon
Office of Taniguchi Industries, Osaka Japan

Mori Yumiko there to talk to Hideo about his inquiries of the Department of Paranormal Studies. No tea or refreshment for Mori, Koichi is an Empath-3, interesting. Only through his art his powers manifest, very interesting form of projective empathy.

"Yes. But this fact is not generally known. As you probably know, the American attitude toward mutants is not generally favorable. Even their superheroes are viewed with suspicion."

"I am aware of that," Hideo agreed.

"If Japan had experienced the Fools Fight, or the rager incidents that America has dealt with, our attitudes might be different as well."

Sounds like ragers are either rare in Japan or none have ever been triggered causing an incident.

"Japan has a school for mutants?" It was Hideo's turn to show some emotion - in his case, surprise.

"Yes, several in fact with strong programs to teach those blessed. However, none of the ones that accept those gifted are suited for those who come from... a certain standing," Yumiko replied.

Darn, sounds like you have to be very wealthy or from the royal line to get in those programs for mutants. A government stipend to attend Whateley, that is one great thing they do. And she wants him to get some of the gadgeteer students interested in moving to Japan. An interesting start to this story, wonder how things will go for Laura and for poor Koichi, can't wait to read more in the future.

Fatigued by a long day of travel, even with attempts at sleeping onboard the JAL flight, Natsuo and Kei Otsuka staggered into their small home, dragging their roll-on luggage. Behind them, their twin girls Emiko and Fuchiko, both fifteen, seemed to have absorbed energy from their parents, as they were bubbly and excited.

Sure they don't have the mutant trait for that?

"Okay," Emiko replied. "That boy - he was kind of cute!" she added.

"But he has a girlfriend!" Fumiko shot back.

1) Sexuality of the girl says no. Jury's still out for the boy.
2)... How does Japan feel about changelings, including FtM ones (I swear, if it ever comes out like that)?

"So does father!" Fumiko laughed. They referred, of course, not to simply girls who had an interest in tech, but to those girls who were gadgeteer and devisor mutants. "And if you were, I would be too!"

Debatable. Also, Fury Twins say that twins with powers aren't always best thing... But I guess your parents aren't a Super-Nazi bitch.

"I'd make an automated bed-maker!" Fumiko said. "That'd save a little time every morning."

"Yeah, mother really wants our rooms clean. Why not an automated clothes-folder and hanger?"

The lack of such a thing yet in a world of gadgeteers bodes ill for its feasability.

"Why not a flying car?"

Euuuuuh...

Fumiko shook her head. "Can you imagine how many wrecks there would be over Tokyo every day?"

"Then there'd be a market for force fields to protect the buildings," Emiko countered. "And if it could keep out rain and snow ...."

That. No flying coffins for me, even with forcefields. I'd take forcefiels on vehicles and for pedestrians though.

"It's crazy!" Sumika replied, shaking her head. "Some heroes are a new sensation in Japan! One is a Japanese boy, and the other I think is an American gadgeteer girl. They were part of a team that fought and defeated a big-time villain."

"Really? What's an American gadgeteer doing in Japan?"

Internet. Distance loses meaning quickly.

"From that silly Mutant Mayhem Machine team. The ones who ...." Kiyoko's eyes widened. "The ones who fought a villain on the way here - just a few days ago!"

Slow to the uptake, uh? Besides, it was a C-Zone one. Optimistically.

"The pictures look the same girl. Laura was in New York, and she and her friends were in a fight - and the dates match. More than fifty percent match on facial recognition." She looked at the other girl. "It has to be her."

Sumika stared some more, then she smiled. "My sister is going to be SO jealous that I'm going to school with the gadgeteer girl and the Japanese hero!" She turned to her laptop and began to type furiously.

Okay fame is nice and all, but if two high school girls can do that (WHateley ones, granted)...

"Mostly about the heroes we saw," Emiko corrected her twin. "Many of the girls were talking about the boy!"

"Mitsuo did a facial recognition search," Fumiko interjected insistently, "and found out his name is Taka Ono! He was sent to America to school!"

"A Japanese girl who's going to the same American school posted more information and a couple of pictures of the girl," Emiko added with a grin. "She's a real gadgeteer, and her name is Laura!"

That. Bigger attention incoming.

Hideo Taniguchi took another sip of shochu, then set the cup back on the table. "They beat us to the market again, Takeo," he said somberly, his mood enhanced a slight bit by the amount of shochu he and his friend had consumed. Hideo was the majority shareholder of Taniguchi Industries, a small conglomerate company which had been started by his great-great grandfather many years ago making bicycles and simple motorcycles. Now, the company made a wide range of goods, but it seemed to be cursed to be out-innovated by the bigger top-tier companies which had the budget for a good research and development department, a luxury that Taniguchi Industries lacked.

And that transition isn't filling me with confidence.

"It would be good if we could recruit some gadgeteers," Hideo mused between sips of shochu. "Abe-sama has been generous to companies who bring in new talent."

Yup, no confidence at all.

"I think Tadeo-san is speaking of Gadget Girl Heroes website and fan group," the young girl said meekly. "There is much discussion about teen-age heroes fighting a villain in New York. One was a Japanese boy, and the other was an Americajin gadgeteer girl. It is a big Internet sensation right now."

Hideo's ears perked up. "Come and sit, Sakura-chan." He refilled Tadeo's shochu cup and then his own. "Please tell us more about this Gadget Girl Heroes fad."

Duck.

"Hmmmph! I bet you only offered so you can get more devisor coffee!" Laura laughed. Seeing the reaction on Morgana's face, Laura grinned. "I knew it! The only reason you come down there is for that vile black tar!"

Laura, you're an elrod character and are cute and all, but these were the words of a filthy heretic ignorant of the finer things in life. And I suggest you repent very quickly.

"And you just waltz in the lab, bat your eyes and smile, and let the guys trip over themselves bringing you coffee, too!" Laura added gleefully.

"It works, doesn't it?" Morgana shot back, grinning. "As if you don't use a bit of feminine wiles to get a little help in the labs, too!"

"I do not, and you know it!" Laura huffed. "You don't need me there, anyway. Just go down there, wiggle your butt a few times while winking and smiling coyly, and you'll have the guys getting you all the sludge you can drink."

And you don't enjoy the show yourself when she's around, right?

"I'm going to warn Bianca that you're dosing up on caffeine. I'm sure she'll want to take appropriate precautions so you don't keep her up all night. Again!"

Lies and slander. Morgana wouldn't cheat on Thulia like that. Survival instinct, you know?

Startled, Laura spun and almost automatically reached to her belt area, grabbing a small object that resembled nothing so much as a Star Trek hand phaser. She recognized the source of the interruption even as she fingered the activating buttons.

"Hey, it's just me!" Valentina - Eurydice - blurted, surprised by Laura's defensive reaction. "I didn't realize I warranted a hostile response!"

You're a sicko-lesbian very eagerly and happily mind-raping girls into your fucktoys and additional grunts for the Attack Bitches, Screeching Siren. If anything, any reaction leaving anything to bury out of your wretched corpse is too little.

The blue girl winced. "Um, you don't," she said meekly. "Sorry. It's just ...." She lowered her gadget. "Some ..., people ... haven't exactly been friendly to my team," she offered an explanation.

She isn't one to you either, Laura. Just ask Calliope how Nefertiti switched gears to that degenerate.

"Yeah," Laura said, somewhat apprehensive about Val's presence but allowing the upperclassman girl to steer her toward the walkway to Poe. "Your ... girlfriend ... Brita really doesn't like some of my friends," she added. "And I get the feeling she doesn't like me much, either."

I am surprised Stale Farce hasn't screamed out loud about the changelings situation to the whole camus. She neither showed the restraint, the subtlety and the smarts to not do so, and only very barely the animal cunning to know better.

"Oh? That's not how it looks to ... to some people," Laura replied hesitantly. Gossip around the halls of Poe, which Laura and the other freshmen had heard and which made Laura very nervous, was that Brita was extremely possessive and fixated on Val, and Val was a tease to her which kept Brita angry and on edge. Some said that Val always sought a new challenge, and she was very successfully persuading girls to the sisterhood, the boy-hating lesbian club. According to stories, she'd converted several girls, some of whom even dumped long-term boyfriends. No-one knew how Val did it, but it was rumored that she used some form of psychic persuasion, which had gotten the attention of the psychic arts faculty, but there was never any conclusive evidence. Everyone who wasn't part of the Amazons considered Brita and Val to be trouble. And getting on Brita's bad side could be very unhealthy, as Laura's friends already knew.

That's a nice 0.76 version of the Wicked Bitch of the Great North, and then Assholo's scam you've got here, Screeching Siren. I'll deeply enjoy seeing it crash and burn.
And hope that brainwashing isn't doing any lasting damage to the victims.

Laura goggled, her jaw hanging open at the blatant way Val seemed to be flirting, even bluntly stating that she was a lesbian. "I don't ... don't know what ... what you're suggesting," she stammered, flabbergasted at Val's very forward comments. Of course, Val was right - Laura did prefer girls, as witnessed by her own girlfriend Antonia, but that wasn't common knowledge. In fact, everyone in Poe strove to keep it a secret, because the world was still very prejudiced against gay and lesbian people. And changelings like her? It was far, far too dangerous for anyone to know the truth. And yet Valentina seemed to know more than a non-Poesie should, far more than Laura had told anyone outside of the safe haven of Poe.

Again, Stale Farce. Does she even remotely look like someone able to keep any sort of secret? And don't talk me about the wards, people should know better than to take this sort of security for granted. Or more likely I guess, Mind-rapist unable to keep it in her mental pants.
(And am I that badly out of touch with reality? I thought at least some progress had been made on that front by the late 2010s.)

"I've seen how you react when boys are interested in you. And I've seen how you look at some of the prettier girls. I can tell that you're curious," Val crooned. "Let me give you one more thing to think about. I know that Brita was behind the assault on your teammate - the red-headed girl. She won't stop on her own; she'll keep on until she hurts your friend pretty badly. Unless I stop her." She smiled knowingly, then turned and walked back toward Schuster, her hips swaying seductively in a blatant sexual display.

Behind Val, Laura goggled at the seductress' words, feeling like she'd been gut-punched. It was a not-so-veiled threat and bribe all in one. The thought of going along with Eurydice to spare Morgana felt cheap, dirty. And yet, there was something nagging in her mind, some sense of safety and security, that made her wonder.

Abort, the bitch is sinking her mind-hooks in! Treat everything she says as bullshit! Nowhere near perfect, but a start.

Brita Baumann felt like screaming as she pushed noisily through the exit doors, her eyes already scanning for Valentina who was supposed to be waiting for her on the fixers' patio. Brita was late, and the reason was part of the source of her anger. She'd been sparring in the Amazon's clubhouse, and after a quick shower, she discovered to her annoyance that the closest elevator to the clubhouse, which served the lower levels of the tunnels, was out of service. That meant a longer, more circuitous route to the surface, and to make matters worse, she seemed to have hit 'rush hour' for the devisors and gadgeteers rushing to the cafeteria for dinner.

If only your dirty little hole in the mud was legal, maybe it wouldn't be so bad... With the next one, once this one is properly condemned by you and your Attack Bitches.

To add to her frustration, Valentina wasn't waiting for her. Among other things, the two girls were going to work on homework, with some relaxation. While Brita could have 'relaxed' with one of the other girls, like Muliebris, she really wanted Val to be her steady. A quick glance at her watch confirmed that she was almost ten minutes late, which meant that Val had probably given up and gone to her own room in Dickinson Cottage.

You know, I thought I couldn't be surprised at how low she could sink, but she manages it. Points for rampant hypocrisy on fidelty.

Though she hated the time it took to do the reporting properly, Brita was diligent in her duties. The lives of her charges depended on it. As long as she didn't have to deal with any of the 'false girls'.

That bias alone makes her shit for that duty. People in her position are supposed to look up for everyone, all preferences be damned. Is that bint so well-entrenched here, better candidates so few/lacking, or Horton that clueless?

If not for the omnipresent security cameras, Brita's first instinct would have been to give in to her rage, to charge in and demonstrate why her codename was StahlFaust - the Steel Fist - especially since Val was so brazenly coming on to a falsches Mädchen. But that would lead to a huge scene with Val later and another visit to security - and she'd probably lose er privileged RA position.

Please, it's Whatley. The only reaction triggered would be having the guards fetch popcorn while you do that, try it.
(Don't say anything, she is dumb enough to buy it, and it is about time the doughnut stuffers remember they are supposed to have some measure of competence.)

The third strike came because of a trait Koichi had inherited. He had only recently shown himself to have an active meta-gene complex, a mutant. This wouldn't have been a bad thing if his talent hadn't been one of those psychic powers, the intrusive mental gifts that were feared by Japanese people as being unnaturally intrusive into their private little shells. Of all the mutant traits to have, psychic and esper powers practically made the person an outcast. And his son had that type of power.

Joy, more hypocrisy... Although not the sort culturally unexpected in Japan.

Koichi was a projective esper, able to send out his thoughts and feelings, especially when he was working on a painting or sculpture. More peculiar, and of great confusion to the Japanese authorities on mutants, was that his projected feelings seemed to bind onto whatever art object the boy was making. His art was more than seen and touched; it was felt emotionally with the same intensity and feelings the boy had had when he created it.

Pretty sure there are no lack of artists willing to kill for a talent like that.

All in all, the boy's interests and powers were of no use to Hideo and his worries about his company, unlike those of his sister Sakura, who seemed naturally gifted and highly interested in things technical. It was therefore no wonder that daughter related more to father, and son related more to mother.

Two words, Mr. So Smart: Public Relationships.

Hideo clicked on a menu, and selected an option, then another page came up. "This girl is an Americajin gadgeteer girl. According to the site, she is a hero in a battle against a supervillain."

"Interesting," Koichi said carefully. He wasn't sure where his father was going with the conversation.

"She is cute, no? For an Americajin, I mean." Hideo had a smile that Koichi associated with his father closing a good business deal.

Oh non. Yes, I know what's going on, I already read the story, but leaves me the denial, it is one of the only things left.

"How does this concern me?" Koichi's curiosity had been piqued.

"Such a cute girl would make a good wife for some lucky boy, wouldn't she?"

The boy's eyes threatened to bulge from their sockets. "A ... wife? Are you suggesting ... that I ...?"

That webcomic, Rain, says it better than I ever could: 'Dude, she's a lesbian'.

"As an artist, you may have heard of a mutant called the Imp?" Hideo seemingly changed the subject abruptly.

The boy perked up again. "The Imp? She is a very well-known art instructor, at least in the art schools. It is said that she was once an art thief, but no-one has proven that."

Oh, and here is the carrot. And now everything is better, alright and okay./s

"The girl is Americajin. They do not have the same customs. Arranged marriages and strict obedience of parents is not their standard."

That, and there is the whole sexuality thingie.

"But ... if I fail, father will be disappointed," Koichi protested, wincing as he spoke. He didn't want to disappoint his father or bring shame on the family.

Japan or not, the ducktard isn't worth it.

"All of a sudden I started getting a ton of spam!" Laura complained. She fiddled with her phone, swiping and deleting messages. "And there are so damned many of them!"

Are you sure you're a Gadgeteer/Devisor, Laura? I'd think decent firewalls would have been amongst the first things to create.

"Offers for resort vacations if you listen to their sales pitch for time-shares?" Bailey added.

"Breast enhancement products?" Tia tossed in.

1) Diablolik is officially fed-up with his timeshare lair with Baron Blitzen.
2) Just the newest untested Exemplar created drug released. Nothing to see.

"Not great English, and lots of Chinese characters," Laura said. She fiddled with the phone a bit. "See? Lots of Chinese characters, and this says something about Gadget Girls." She held it out for Hikaru to see.

Someone is about to get a reaming about identification of ideograms...

"What?" Laura's jaw nearly hit the table. "What's going on?"

42. Nah wait, Internet.

"After we fought Squidley?" Bianca leaned over and craned her neck to look. "I bet it's from those Japanese tourists who wanted your picture."

And now you know why everyone dread Japanese tourists and their photo-taking mania.

"I anticipated your request and I've already transfered the image from the phone," Kurenai said semi-smugly. "So far, I have located nineteen sites from the JP domain which feature this picture. Shall I list them?"

Meh, you're an AI, and Hikaru gave you the time to do it while reading more mails.

Laura sat, stunned and shaking her head. "This is the worst thing that's happened to me since we got here!" she said.

Nah, the worst one is that a mind rapist wants you as her newest fuck-toy. Priorities, lady.

As her teammates tried and failed to suppress mirth ranging from giggles to outright laughter, Laura face-palmed. "Go ahead, say it," she muttered to Tanya.

By some herculean feat, Tanya managed to keep a straight face. "I told you so."

Outstanding demosntration of friendship. Keep it in mind for the day she is the one slipping up.

Brita stood beneath a tree, only feet from the wide walkway, waiting with eager anticipation. She'd teach Laura Samuels to not get involved with one of her girlfriends! And it would be a total mystery - this close to The Village, the teacher's residence area, there were no security cameras, since this was a restricted area, off-limits to students. Closer to The Village, magic warding provided an alarm if anyone unauthorized tried to disturb the peace of The Village, and closer to campus, security cameras covered the main walkway. But here? Here was a perfect spot.

That's what they want you morons to believe... Right?

It took her a few seconds to shake off the effect of whatever had captured her so she could clumsily pull herself back to her feet. When she did, she goggled at two figures, also dressed in black, faces hidden by black masks, who stood before her, having approached completely silently.

... Okay, I was about to ask you making everyone a favor and offing the bint, but now I realize the bigotry is somehow restraining a little the mind rapist, so... Just beat her up badly?

"She is off limits to you," the deep voice echoed again.

"What's it to you?" Brita snarled. "Why are you interfering in ....?"

"We're keeping you from interfering," the second voice, obviously a girl's voice, stated. "The girl is off limits to you or anyone else who wants to bring her to harm."

Someone isn't getting a step-daughter either... Please, I have been a (relatively) nice person, give the early Christmas gift and off her.

"She is off limits to you," the deep voice echoed again.

"What's it to you?" Brita snarled. "Why are you interfering in ....?"

"We're keeping you from interfering," the second voice, obviously a girl's voice, stated. "The girl is off limits to you or anyone else who wants to bring her to harm."

I am sure Assholo, the Wicked Bitch of the Great North, and Witbitch were all as smug at some point before they all crashed and burnt.

"Most of the different factions who would enforce a violation of Neutrality share our common interest. They'll overlook a little think like a violation of Neutrality if it furthers all our interests." Brita could practically hear the smug smile. "We're here. We are among you. You have no idea who or how many of us there are. We will protect the girl, and if you get in the way, you are disposable."

Euh people? some bitch is getting the hots about mind raping Laura into a fuck-toy. I am sure it is an important info for you.

As she began to walk hesitantly back toward campus, Brita realized to her horror that she was trembling. It had been years since she'd been unable to intimidate others and bully her way to getting what she wanted, years since anyone had made her cow before them. But these two unknown people had done just that, and so easily and with not a hint of hesitancy. Though none had ever targeted her, she had seen psychopaths, she recognized killers, and she'd just met two of them. They'd strike her down without a second thought if they wanted to, and they'd proven that they could strike from anywhere at any time.

Wonder if that's how the people I mentioned above felt when their own world crashed in fornt of their eyes...

Brita came to the conclusion that she had to find out who that 'interest' was, who had threatened her, and why that damned blue fake girl was so damned important.

At the very least you're like them, unable to quit. Hey, Spooky People, the bitch wants another round! Please oblige her.

Collin Reineke, former Navy SEAL who'd been discharged for mental health reasons after his mutant wife was 'accidentally killed' by the MCO and H1, headed the group that was preparing for what he and others feared would be a new 'final solution' against mutants, carried out by the MCO and their stooges in Humanity First. Reineke knew that it had been no accident, and he couldn't cope with being unable to even the score to avenge his wife. Evolution Rocks, though a public and vocal advocate for mutant rights, was too pacifist for Reineke, but it was the only game in town. He figured that their approach, preferring talks and diplomacy even in the face of murderous riots stirred up by H1 and the MCO against mutants, was a waste of time and a path to extermination. If the goal was diplomacy, Arnold Rogers, head of Evolution Rocks, was well-suited for the job. Reineke, though, wanted vengeance, so when The Directorate inquired, he threw himself into the more radical hidden group within Ev Rocks.

Read X-Men, people, that shit never works for your side. Also, Nikki, you have a cockroaches infestation back home, you might want to do some clean-up.

"The best use of his money," Reineke shot back. "Better than pouring it down the drain trying to buy politicians!"

That sort of maneuvers gave the Goodkinds Hammond, you know? You could give it a fairer shot.

"For a long-term siege, it'll handle three and a half to four thousand. Short-term, we could probably handle six thousand, but it'd be cozy."

And nowhere near enough for your breed of brainfarts.

"This is set up for an 'inspection' by The Financier next week," Lincoln practically spat with disgust. "It looks like a group shelter, and nothing more." The Financier and Butler were very demanding that they account for all expenditures, and that nothing 'off the books' be done.

"Don't underestimate her," Reineke shot back. "She may be very young, but she's no dummy. Since she joined the team, the Finance Commission has tripled its gains. I think she could do Butler's job better than he could. No doubt when she comes to visit, she'll be inspecting and estimating your expenditures to see that they're in line with what she's provided."

Eh. You bozos are in nowhere near big enough of a league to pull a fast one on Trevor.

The pair went into another section. Reineke would have gasped at the array before him, but he knew Ronald Lincoln too well for that. "How many powered armor suits?"

"We're going to try to allocate at least ten per site. LA, New York, and such will get more - up to thirty if we can afford them. According to the designer, they're better than anything H1 or the MCO has."

I am writing this after being reminded of that earlier mention of youur group, so two big counterpoints to your logic:
1) Inspiration from Nazis, automatical out. And I don't even need to throw at you the colossal foutoir their war economy system was.
2) They lost, fucktard. Copying losers only give you losers' tools.

"You've thought of everything, it seems." Collin nodded his approval.

Magic words said, something will go wrong... Like a density Warper with a nose for rotten fishes. And don't get him started on food.

Looking down to avoid the gazes of all the other gadgeteers and devisors in the lab, Laura went to her bench, stopping and gawking at a picture stuck on the wall behind her workbench, a picture of her and Kenshin taken by the tourists and posted on the Japanese website. Behind her, she heard snickering and giggles from the girls. She spun, anger writ large on her face, to stare down the girls who were laughing.

Every single one of them boiling in Jealousy at the idea your odds with Taka are far better, despite being lesbian.

Something seemed a little 'off' to Laura, although she couldn't put her finger on what had triggered her unease. She looked around the lab, but everyone was attending to their work. Thinking she was just being paranoid, she shrugged off the feeling and began to set up her equipment and parts.

Never in Whateley. Better to build nice detections thingies.

After a sigh, she got out some test equipment and began to probe the small circuit. It had worked flawlessly the day before, but now it didn't, and that bothered her. She'd never had reliability issues on her gadgets. A quick glance over her shoulder saw Photech and Weaponeer, who had adjoining benches, both jerking their heads. What little she could see of the boys' expressions looked like smug smiles, hinting that maybe they knew something about the inexplicable failure of her project.

Sigh... At least they aren't Belardo.

Whoever it was, Laura had no direct evidence. She decided to work late, until the lab supervisor chased them all out for dinner, and by lagging to be the last one to leave, she could show him the damaged circuit and tell him about the missing components. Perhaps there was video of the lab that could identify the culprits.

Hey, Spooky People! Make yourself useful, please!

Hideo nodded. "I know his ability with ... emotions ... worries people," he admitted, his eyes lowered. "I do not wish him to worry others unnecessarily, as he tries to master what the kami gave him..."

Dude, I am still replacing the bullshit-o-meters Wile E Coyote made explode last thing. Cut that shit.

"If Japan had experienced the Fools Fight, or the rager incidents that America has dealt with, our attitudes might be different as well."

Egg/chicken situation here.

"Japan has a school for mutants?" It was Hideo's turn to show some emotion - in his case, surprise.

"Yes, several in fact with strong programs to teach those blessed. However, none of the ones that accept those gifted are suited for those who come from... a certain standing," Yumiko replied.

Yeah, I don't think Yama Dojo was built for artists.

"He will be accepted." The woman slid the folder onto Hideo's desk. "Perhaps while you are there you will have an opportunity to meet some of the American gadgeteer students. Abe-san has made it a priority to recruit and welcome any gadgeteer mutants that would come to Japan, and in your line of business, you could provide challenging and rewarding employment opportunities to some gadgeteers."

It took a supreme effort, but Hideo managed to keep his expression neutral. Either the woman was accurately speculating based on history of what the bureau did or she was reading his mind.

That could be ignored. He had the blessing of the Japanese government for the trip and schooling for Koichi. And for recruiting any gadgeteers he could. They didn't know that he'd set his sights on a particular Gadget Girl Hero.

Welp, good luck with that, Monsieur Gogo. I guess even 10 years after G1, busting would-be recruiters is still one of the lead sports on the campus.

Friday, September 23, 2016 - After Lunch
Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

A school assembly, wonder what this is about. Geoffrey Mazarin and Robert Turner, oh boy, this is serious. An important briefing missed and one violation of a vital policy, please let this be about Exquisite and her crew and not something involving Laura.

Ah, the principle of Neutrality and the reasons it exists. Yikes, we know due to what happened with Bladedancer and those idiots of the Black Madonna, but how bad were the retaliations for other incidents to trigger such reactions in students? That slide-show must be the kind of thing that would make even the most crazed student think at least 3 times about breaking Whateley Neutrality.

Dinner time at the Crystal Hall and Laura getting laughed at, ouch, all because of a simple mistake. And the teasing is going to get more annoying, argh! Onishi Kiyoko and Miura Sumika show up to apologize about posting information to the Gadget Girl Heroes site about Laura. Crud, seems those girls posting her image online without Laura's permission probably broke some laws in Japan.

"Which algorithms must have assumed, since photos were taken in a public space, others in the photos did give permission, and caption and text describe you as a hero," Hikaru explained, "which is by definition a public figure."

Oh darn it.

Oh good, Laura accepts the apology. Now if only they could reverse some of the damage. *facepalms* I can't believe Sumika asked that after the mess they got Laura in.

Late afternoon at the Amazon Clubhouse, Brita's mood swings so much when it comes to Valentina, kissing her and asking if she will see her at dinner. Paulina, Melissa, and Irina, seniors, coming over to talk to Brita about her temper, uh oh.

"We're concerned that if you keep it up, our club is going to be associated with your temper and attacks, since you were elected president. And if that happens, another incident or two could cause the administration to pull our charter."

And of course Brita tries to defend herself by calling them 'so-called girls', ugh. Ooo, goodie. Either knock off the attacks on the Poe girls or get expelled from the Amazons.

Saturday, September 24, 2016 - Afternoon
Barton's Apartment, The Village, Whateley Academy

Laura cleaning for the Bartons, to the point Vanessa has to block the vacuum to get her attention and get the girl to take a break. There is such a thing as too much work ethic. Laura working on a lift seat in a car for Vanessa, that girl loves that family. Almost done with a scale-model prototype, nice.

Dang, now I wish I had a history teacher like Mr. Barton, bringing history to life is a rare skill. Those 2 guys need a hard lesson not to deliberately try and hurt someone in Martial Arts class.

"And we're still trying to figure out Hikaru, because she's ...." Laura wrinkled her nose. "It's hard to say. Sometimes, I get the feeling that she isn't really interested in being with our group. And sometimes, it seems like she's afraid to let anyone get close to her. Like she's built a wall around her inner self."

After what happened to her family it is going to take a lot to chip down that wall, give her time.

Hehe, Vanessa knows just how to tease without going over the line. Doesn't want to be a hero or celebrity, the universe doesn't always let you choose your own path in life. Ah, doesn't want to get famous because she thinks it will make her an asshole like her father became.

Vanessa patted Laura's arm to reassure her. "Jake and I were celebrities when we were heroes," she said calmly. "We didn't let that change us. John didn't let it change him. Deb didn't let it change her." She waited until Laura made eye contact with her. "It won't change you if you don't let it. You just have to keep yourself grounded."

Listen to the voice of experience. And gossip at Whateley travels faster than light speed, someone else will be the source of it in a few days.

Woods behind Laird Hall, Whateley Academy

Black Hole has a very interesting look, wonder what he and the girl with him are looking for in the woods with a devise to sense something. Oh crud, a blind spot in the sensor array so they can communicate outside Whateley without being detected. And it is those two agents, nice to have a name for one and description for both now.

Silverplate, oh brother, guessing it is the not-so-good doctor who experimented on Laura and a boy who also goes to Whateley now without them knowing. Subject 2 just blends, doesn't cause trouble and seems to be well-liked in his cottage, hmm, wonder who that might be. And discussing Laura now, including her job in the village for the Bartons, and Val flirting with her.

"You know what you have to do with this distraction," the woman's voice came through sternly. "I can't take any chances of my subject being injured through stupidity of others."

Welp, nice knowing you, Val. Now the situation with Brita, figures Val's flirts more with Laura when Brita is around, twisted girl.

*eyes bug out* She wants them to recruit Brita to have muscle, this is very bad. And sounds like through Brita get to the Amazons as 'useful idiots', if only Nef's brainwashing could be reversed before all this goes down. Oh, just going to discourage Val, darn, thought she could take a more permanent solution. After what Val has done I have no sympathy for her. And they have a contact in the Secret Squirrels to investigate who is sabotaging Laura's projects. At least some good will come out of this.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - Near Dinnertime
Tech Tunnel Beneath Kane Hall, Whateley Academy

Laura leaving her lab and having to deal with Kosuke Nakano, a freshman boy from Japan who is infatuated with her. Just what she doesn't need. Five zaibatus interested in Kosuke, just what area does his specialization as a gadgeteer cover? Ugh, trying to push her into moving to Japan for a job and that he is interested in here, this kid is far from subtle.

Hints about the issue that the boy was skirting around, Laura shook her head. "I can't leave my mom and my little sister. And moving to Japan? I don' understand any of the culture. I'd be a fish out of water!" She gave a half-hearted chuckle. "And I bet that if I signed up with a company, someone would contract a reality show about a blue gaijin in Japan! No thanks."

She's not wrong about that last part, I could see an animated series based on Laura's life in Japan being hit over there.

Kosuke gulped at Laura's revelation. "Families like to have gadget inventor. It is prestige. It shows importance." He looked down, wincing shyly. "And I read that some boys say 'anata wa utsukushī tenshi desu'."

You are beautiful angel, Laura doesn't realize just how attractive she is I think.

The boy says something many girls would love to hear and Laura has to tease him, seesh.

The boy nearly fell over with relief. "Is that what Americans call no-win?"

"Yeah. A verbal trap. Another way is to say 'damned if you do, damned if you don't."

Have to watch out for those, easy to fall in.

Seeing his expression of extreme curiosity, Laura continued. "I help Hikaru and Tia keep their rooms clean and do their laundry, and I babysit for teachers' kids in The Village."

*eyes bug out* Dang, I thought the house cleaning and babysitting just for the Bartons and Codys were enough, also cleaning and laundry for Hikaru and Tia. Laura, you may not like housework but you sure do a lot of it. Blah, I still can't understand how Morgana can stand that devisor coffee.

Behind Laird Hall, Whateley Academy

Evening and Brita is sneaking around, trying to avoid a potential ambush. All this to figure all that out and get the Amazons to help her, but lie about stalking Laura, this girl is going to get caught in her web of lies sooner or later. A silent alarm to alert all the Amazons to her location, not as confident as before, are we.

All too easy to manipulate Brita, especially after that film with Helen Goodkind. And Brita doesn't want to fight to defend men, even mutant men, oh brother. Vanguard, cover for the Directorate, now Brita knows about them.

She slowly came to the conclusion that this game had far more potential for using the skills she and the Amazons built, for the good of mutants everywhere, and that the downside of chasing Val - a pursuit that had so far proven fruitless - seemed paltry in comparison.

Brita is interested, this won't end well, for who though it's too early to tell.

Monday, September 26, 2016 - Morning
Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

Hideo Taniguchi and Koichi at Whateley for the meeting with the Headmaster. Mazarin and Mr. Turner show up, bowed to and bowing in return.

"Teachers tell me I have potential as artist. This is good, because I like art. I want to be artist and learn how to use my gift to help my art," Koichi said plainly.

I hope Koichi wasn't coached to say that.

Imp admired by artists in Japan, Mr. Turner is right, she is going to be insufferable for at least a month after hearing this. D'oh! Of course, Hideo wants to talk to Laura and Taka. Leave them alone with Hideo and Koichi, why does this feel like a bad idea to me.

Security not telling why Laura is to be taken to administration, bad form, always provide such information so the students don't panic thinking they are in trouble when they aren't. Lead by the secretary to the conference room, Hideo smiling like that comes across a little creepy knowing his plans for his son and Laura. Great, Koichi finds Laura attractive, things just got more complicated.

Laura being direct, that is almost an understatement, almost. Taking charge once he is the only adult in the room, hope he doesn't go too far. At least he admits to Taka why he wanted his son to meet both of them.

"I don't want to be a famous Gadget Girl Hero!" she protested.

I lost track of how many times she's said that so far.

"Why not? It's not like a picture or two will make things worse than they already are."

Laura, that is one of those expressions you just don't say, it's tempting fate.

Now lunch at the Crystal Hall.

Following Taka and Laura, Koichi's eyes were wide in surprise at the number of mutants with GSD who were queued up to get lunch, talking with other kids as if it was normal for a living, walking stone to be joking and laughing with another resembling a human lizard and a third who looked like a young Greek god.

Now I wonder about how mutants with GSD are treated in Japan. And the biggest shock, finding out how the cafeteria at Whateley works.

Okay, that is something we didn't know about the Crystal Hall. A place to make your own custom pizza and a devisor pizza oven to cook it in a minute, awesome. Morgana and Tanya joking about not being average or normal, bwahaha. Joking about Whateley being an insane asylum, with some of the students and even staff there you would have a hard time telling the difference sometimes.

Trying to figure out how Morgana and Bianca put up with being roommates, heh. Sometimes I think Bailey's able to find lost things is the most useful. Man, Laura is on a roll with teasing all of them in front of the potential new kid. Ouch, poor Callie, I hope her shoulder is okay.

"And we already did the 'we're not average or normal' line," Bianca interjected as Erica wound up to say something similar.

"You're no fun!" Erica frowned.

hehehe, they know each other too well.

Aww, poor Koichi has to hope Hikaru shows up so she can explain his power in English.

Glancing at the waterfall and then at Laura, he quickly sketched a scene, his imagination putting Laura, in a flowing kimono, standing at the railing of a Japanese-style bridge which spanned a koi pond, with the waterfall in the background falling onto rocks and flowing into the pond. Around the pond, Koichi sketched bamboo shoots and flowers, filling in the sketch as his pencil danced across the page.

He sketched that fast, is that part of his power too or due to years of practice?

"I feel the sketch!" she declared in astonishment. "I feel like I'm a visitor learning to love the waterfall and pond. I feel the peace and tranquility of the scene. I feel the satisfied curiosity of ...well, of me ...." She shook her head slightly. "It's ... it's unreal! Like I'm looking at myself and feeling how I would be starting to love ... Japan? ... in real life."

That is one potent ability.

And the effect of his power is potentially permanent, whoa. Introducing him to Imp, this will be fun to watch. And his father thinks he is kureji, strange, he will definitely fit in with MMM.

Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

Afternoon and Bailey is worried about missing class, heh. I love that sign hanging above the door. And the nameplate on the door, classic Imp.

The door had what appeared to be a doggie door in the lower panel with a sign above it reading "Acme Deliveries Only."

Don't tell me she got a cat or dog and named it Acme just for that joke. And the cat and mouse outlines painted on the lower edge of the door, too perfect. I wonder how many see all those locks, etc. and don't notice the note about just turning the doorknob.

On the door jamb was a doorbell button, too, which had several Post-it-notes around it warning "Please do NOT press this button!" - likely from other teachers. Below it was an engraved panel stating "Please Stand on the X When Pressing Button. Not a Trap! Honest!" The group looked down and noticed a large white "X" which had appeared on the floor, with a barely-visible square around it, like the outline of a large trap-door in the floor. Almost as one, the kids jumped back from the square.

Laura couldn't resist and she pressed the button. A loud two-pitched foghorn sounded, followed by a booming, deep voice emanating from near the top of the door asking, "You rang?"

Oh god, the Addams Family reference, just how many different references are at the entrance to her office? Figures, all those 'decorations' were made by Mischief for Imp.

Koichi telling Imp how she is a well-known art teacher in Japan and she doesn't believe him at first.

"Finally," Imp said triumphantly, "all my bribes to the judges and art critics has paid off! Bwah, hah, hah!"

Being a mother hasn't changed Imp a bit, if anything I think she has gotten zanier. And of course Imp wants to teach you, Koichi, an artist with your power seems like a once-in-an-age event.

Tunnels Beneath Kane Hall, Whateley Academy

Laura left alone with Koichi and his father to show them around the tunnels now, talk about uncomfortable. Asking if Laura has an interest area, Mr. Taniguchi needs to learn subtlety. Specialty markets, no wonder his business is having trouble. An invention to subdue with non-lethal force used by doctors to help patients with seizures, interesting.

Interested in talking to the other gadgeteers, just how close to bankruptcy is his company?

Berghold Stuttley, a devisor with persistent Diedrick's Syndrome

Oh boy, please let this not escalate beyond his wanting to show Mr. Taniguchi about his latest project. And the ranting just gets worse, while Steve Gevorgian pulls out a strange-looking gun. Don't do it!

Steve's lowest-powered weapon could out-power a military-grade taser, making it potentially dangerous to the target, to say nothing of the fact that the energy discharge wasn't exactly a straight-line beam, so anyone nearby could potentially receive the paralyzing jolt.

Good lord, this guy shouldn't be allowed to make anything without close monitoring by security.

Kosuke stalls Steve long enough for Laura to use her neural neutralizer on Berghold, good.

"My NLI Mark 3 would have done just as good a job," Gevorgian grumbled angrily, yanking his arm clear of Kosuke's hands.

"Your Non-Lethal Interdictor, Mark Zero," Michelle Brown started sarcastically, "is about as target selective as a hand grenade!"

"And the aim is about as accurate as a blunderbuss!" her brother interrupted his conversation to toss in another jab.

Okay, why someone isn't stealing parts from this guy to keep his projects from being completed is beyond me.

"It causes resonance with the inter-neural chemicals, causing a temporary polarizing alignment and impeding neural impulses," Laura explained.

I wondered how it worked, very interesting.

"There are very subtle differences between the autonomic nerves and the voluntary nerves. The beam is very narrowly tuned to affect only the voluntary nerves."

Oh my god, with just some minor adjustments that could be used to treat seizures, very impressive.

<This happens all the time,> Kosuke chuckled. <He will not be in trouble. They will take him to the medical center to check, but he should be back in a half hour or so.> He glanced at Laura, and Koichi could read in his expression that he was interested in Laura. <Laura's neural neutralizer is very effective, and the instructors want her to make some for the lab staff in case someone has a Diedrick's event.>

I hope Laura does, a non-lethal means of taking down anyone having a Diedrick's episode would prevent a lot of trouble.

Laura glanced up from her animated technical conversation with Mr. Taniguchi, and groaned. "Someone hide the coffeepot! The coffee vampire is here to rob you guys again!" In response to Laura's comment, Morgana replied diplomatically and maturely - she stuck her tongue out at the blue gadgeteer.

Coffee vampire, priceless.

"Yeah, that's it ... wiggle your butt, throw out your boobs, give the boys a cheap thrill, and then drink all their coffee!" Laura chuckled, shaking her head. Beside her, Mr. Taniguchi was taking in the exchange with disbelief. The group in the labs was so informal, so jovial, that he wondered how they could accomplish the things that gadgeteers were well-known for.

Well, enjoying your work, being relaxed, and having friends you can joke around with can help creativity. Aww, Koichi having to woo Laura due to his father instructions and being attracted to Morgana, both unattainable.

Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

Koichi is going to Whateley and his father is having him start now, having his mother send his stuff and he brought plenty of clothes and can buy what else he needs. Seesh, any faster and it would be obvious you are dumping your kid on them. And Mr. Turner just thinks he is better prepared than most parents, sigh.

And Koichi doesn't wish to be in Melville, the social cottage, good for him. And his father agrees with his assessment of why not to be placed in Melville. Emerson, at least he will have some good company there. At least Mr. Taniguchi is polite, I give him that. Invites her to come to Japan and see his company, I wonder if lingering effects of Koichi's sketching are influencing Laura still.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016 - Very Early Morning (Other side of Int'l Date Line)
Taniguchi Family Home, Osaka, Japan

Sakura excited for an email from Koichi.

Sakura turned back and opened the e-mail app. "He's going to attend Whateley Academy," she replied. "He's already met Laura-chan," she paused and scrolled on the mail. "Look! He's got a picture with her!" Sakura moved so her mother could see the picture. "Do you suppose father-san took the picture?"

"Probably," her mother answered.

"And ... a group picture of gadgeteers that share a lab with Laura-chan!" She looked longingly at the image. "I wish I could go to Whateley!" she complained. "It sounds so cool!"

What are the odds of Sakura manifesting as a gadgeteer within the next year or 2? And the picture with Imp as well, nice. Father home in 3 days, business meetings while in America. No Sakura, don't do that, Laura has enough attention as it is without adding more information to the Gadget Girl Heroes site.

Monday, September 26, 2016 - Dinner
Crystal Hall, Whateley Academy

More Japanese students swarming poor Laura as she comes to the Crystal Hall for dinner, inviting her to have dinner with them.

One of the other girls spoke up. "You help newest student from Japan. We want to show appreciation."

Sure, that is the only reason why. She wasn't interested in Japan before, yet after holding that sketch Koichi made she suddenly is. I hope it is just from hanging out with Hikaru and not something more. Figures they have a clubhouse with Japanse decor and Japanese-style dining, though I would like to visit myself. Dining with them periodically, oh boy.

Thursday, September 29, 2007 - Late Afternoon
Behind Crystal Hall, Whateley Academy

Skin that changes color and still no idea of what triggers it, interesting but must be a pain to deal with. Day-glo hot pink, that would be a nightmare. Melissa Wang aka Flicka and a member of Vanguard, given the day's code phrase by the girl on the other end of the line. The Financier given her information by a friend of Silverplate, still curious who Financier is.

I hope she means help Laura to get the neural neutralizer licensed. I understand wanting to work against what the Home Guard is planning, but the Financer can't be Ayla, he would never steal someone's invention and claim it as his own.

"So. If we can license the rights to build it, we would be supplying purely defensive weapons, and that would undercut the Home Guard's rational for acquiring weapons that could be used in an uprising. I have good rationale to limit their funding to preclude them gaining offensive weapons."

If Laura retains the rights to the patent for her invention, okay.

The woman chuckled. "I'm an alumna of Whateley, and I dealt with some gadgeteers and their technology licensing. The school licenses things that were invented at the school. But the girl arrived at Whateley with a working device, which means that she didn't invent it here, so the school has no legal justification for getting involved ."

Crud, Financier is Ayla from the sound of things, just what happened to him to want to use such underhanded means now?

An interesting story from start to finish. I loved seeing the effect social media can have if you aren't careful about who you let take your picture, poor Laura having to learn the consequences of such, and Onishi Kiyoko and Miura Sumika posting Laura's information on the Gadget Girl Heroes site all because of one missed briefing to the students about a vital policy. Now we have Koichi going to Whateley, his father trying everything to save his company including using his own son for a scheme involving Laura, and all these Japanese students interested in getting to know Laura better and introduce her to their culture.

Brita being stopped by the agents of Vanguard from attacking Laura, then that twist about her being recruited by them, never thought that would happen. She seems too unpredictable for such an organization to trust for long. The funniest part was Imp's office and why she put all those 'decorations' which Melissa made her years ago, plus her reaction to finding out she is famous in Japan. I just hope all the clues about Financier being Ayla are wrong, I would hate to know what would lead him down this path. Glad to see another piece by you again, elrod, can't wait for another on any of your characters.

He came back with his own mercenary fleet in tow.

Igirisu-san is a bit eccentric. Truth in Television?