Neo-Shogun Council

Nodding to SINN, Yasu took the next question. "We are very protective of our Shogun's safety. We did not feel it would be safe to bring him into a public place. If our ideals are fully met, we may expect resistance from the Mafia... therefore, we have reason to fear their jackout barrier technology. We simply can't risk the dangers associated with exposing the Shogun to a public appearance at this time, so please treat me as his representative," she answered.

Yasu didn't nod immediately to SplashWoman. As such, Dee nodded and took the question. "It's mostly a coincidence, although you could say that it's Yasu's fault," she laughed, glancing sideways to look at Yasu.

"T-There's nothing weird about it! It's just er... Yasu doesn't hate men, she just likes women!" Lee piped up, trying to set the situation straight and failing miserably.

Yasu snarled, baring one elbow down on the table. "I don't like anyone!" she hissed, then regained her posture. "I nor any other single member decide the demographic of generals we employ. I assure you it's just a coincidence," she finished, crossing her arms. "Next question!"

Voulge listened carefully to the Shogunate general's answers as he sat back. He raised his eye brow when Yasu mentioned about how they wanted to recruit more generals, immediately thinking back to the time when they tried to force Red to join their cause. He also realized that Yasu was trying to avoid eye contact with him as she continued with the questions, but he decided not to think too much about it and continued listening in.

"Pfft, what a bunch of idealists." Ignis scoffed, much to Voulge and Licht's surprise, and began to raise her(his) hand to ask a question. "Hey, topless-girl, or one of you scrumptious ladies. Answer me this question..." The SP even went as far as to stand up, rest one hand against her(his) hip, and point at the generals. "You talked big about all these army, military power, your goal, and some other crap. So does that mean you'll only reach your goal through force and violence, not some other, I dunno, normal means?"

Voulge was honestly surprised by Ignis's question in the fact that it actually having some meaning behind it compare to his pointless questions he always make. The SP was still standing up, but her(his) eye slowly turned towards Voulge and a big grin came up on her(his) face. "Eheheh, that'll show that tinhead that I'm not all brawn!" Though Ignis tried to hide his ulterior motive, it was plain in sight as she(he) began to chuckle to her(him)self.

As the fedora-wearing man caught his hat from falling and gave Terra a leer, the terraformer merely replied with an uncaring stoic face, staring straight ahead without any reaction. Psh, like she was going to be intimidated by such a crude person. Continuing to intently listen to the session going on, Terra nodded to herself, gathering her information about the group.

"Previously hostile group, pro-imperialist view. Current viewed strength in administrative positions approximated to be seven total, all female in gender type. Main leader presumed to be male, name Neo-ShogunMan, currently absent for security purposes. Immediate objective of recruitment of administrative-type positions. Stated long-term objective of imperial administration of the Internet," her mind analyzed.

"Unknown information: current methods of expansion-"

Her line of thought was then interrupted as she heard Ignis' question loudly proclaimed in front of everyone. She then went through another line of thought, and after some deliberation, decided to raise her hand. Should she get a nod, her question would be, "I'd like to ask about what kind of criteria the Neo-Shogunate looks for in recruitment of general positions."

Sensing that it would be best for somebody other than Yasu to answer Ignis' question, as the first general would almost certainly respond hotheadedly, Vee nodded to take the issue. "We use a two-pronged approach of military force and diplomacy. Unfortunately, from a realist's point of view, diplomacy is only a method that those who have bargaining power can use. Against the GNA especially, but also the NP and Mafia, we have no real bargaining power. For this reason, our current methods may be forceful, but we believe that the end will justify the means," she responded, though with her orange text quiet voice, it was somewhat hard to understand.

Dee nodded to take the next one. Seeing another glare from Yasu, she decided to answer as seriously as she could, although she was rolling her eyes before she even started. "We seek recruitment on the basis of fighting prowess and other benefits to the organization. All of our generals are either proven fighters recruited in good faith by the Shogun or have been added at the recommendation of other generals. Therefore, there are two ways to enter the Shogun's dynasty as a general: recommendation from another general, or proving one's own strength in a general sense."

Ignis chuckled, thinking that it may actually get things going with the Q&A, and looked back at Voulge to see his reaction. "How was that, tinhead?" Unfortunately, the spearman was rather unresponsive by the general's answer, only surprised by the fact that Ignis took the initiative and the depth of the question and nothing more. "..." After sensing that Voulge had no interest, Ignis quietly sat down to her(his) corner and turned her(his) head away like usual.

"I have a question." Voulge raised his hand to catch the general's attention. "How does one prove her strength and catch the attention of the Neo-Shogunates. For example..." The navi had a second thought whether or not he should go through with the question. However, it seemed like it was only natural to ask since it was in his mind for quiet a long time. "A navi who was the victor of a prestigious battle tournament, how would you go about recruiting that said navi?" Voulge knew that a question like this would raise the hostility between him and Yasu, but he figured he would need to push some buttons if he wanted some answers. "And to add: How has the three new generals proven themselves worth of becoming one?"

SplashLady simply decided to hang back for a while, listening to the various questions and answers, including those made by SPs. Voulge's question was odd, though...it was awfully specific. Eh...it was probably just her imagination. She was still a little on edge from some of the things that had happened earlier. Yeah, that's all it was.

However, a question suddenly popped into her head. It was kind of a silly one, but...hey, couldn't hurt to ask. And as such, she raised her hand.

And once she got the nod..."All right, I've got another question. Do you get paid for joining your army? And if so, how much?"

Yasu took the opportunity to answer Voulge's question before Vee could step in to quell the bad blood. "The winner of a prestigious tournament would certainly be worthy of our attention. We would spare no means towards recruiting her if such an event had proven her battle prowess. Our first step would be to locate that navi, then our next would be to present her with an attractive offer. If she refused, then we may be inclined to try other methods," she responded brazenly. The warlike glint had returned to her eyes. "Of course, we would never force someone to become a general or fight for us, but we may instead seek sponsorship, verbal or otherwise."

Seeing that it was a bad topic, Dee tapped Yasu lightly on the head with her fan, then took over. "Addressing your other question, Voulge; I believe that I mentioned the officers could be elected either by merit or by recommendation? Each of these three girls has my personal recommendation. They all have talents that I believe will be of tremendous aid to the Neo-Shogun Dynasty's army," she responded simply, trying to act official simply to upset Yasu.

Yasu spoke back up to answer SplashLady's next question, resting her elbows on her table and wrestling the leadership position back from Dee. "At this time, there are no monetary benefits that are applied strictly for becoming a general. Like the NP and Mafia, we currently reward our officers on the basis of merit. That is, in exchange for performing tasks for us, we will provide you with similar benefits to the ones that the other factions do in the form of point exchanges. More importantly, however, performing tasks for our Shogun could be highly profitable in the future, should he ever come to reign as the head of a new unified Net State." It sounded like a grand promise, but still a vague one.

SINNBAD nodded his head and smiled occasionally as the questions and answers bantered back and forth. It had been an informative meeting, that was for sure. Though, now, all of the most important questions had been answered that he could see. So, he just waited patiently for it to be over. Although it was possible that something else interesting could be said.

"Our first step would be to locate that navi, then our next would be to present her with an attractive offer"

"Ah...She said 'her'" Ignis pointed out as she(he) pointed her(his) finger at Yasu.

Voulge didn't care too much about the general's slip of tongue, but it confirmed his belief that the Neo-Shogunate really weren't as they said they were. "A little white lie are expected at a public council meeting such as this...But still..." As a sigh went off, Voulge crossed his arms together and simply waited for the Q&A session to be over...

Well, that pretty much did it for her. Now completely out of questions, SplashLady leaned back a bit, relaxing. ...Or so until Ignis and Voulge made remarks about the answer to their question, which raised her eyebrow more than the answer itself. There was definitely something weird going on between him and the NeoShogunate, and she wanted to know what it was. "Voulge? Do you know something about these guys?"

"Well..." Before he realized, Splash was able to get a hint on Voulge's relation with the Neo-Shogunate and their generals. "...I won't lie that I do have some history with the current three generals, but I don't want to dwell int-"

"This guy was taking an underaged girl to a 'picnic' but then they 'happen' to come across the three chicks taking a swim and this guy decided to beat the shit out of grouchy because they were trying to take away his only one shot at actually scoring with a girl. Also he totally made grouchy undress with his 'dril-- *Smack*" Ignis went on to tell Splash of Voulge's encounter, in her(his) own words as usual, before Licht smacked her(his) head with the end of her(his) fan. "Damnit, Licht! Is this how you respect your older sibl-*Smack*-DAMNIT!"

"...I'm sure you know Ignis enough to know those words are strongly, strongly distorted." Said Voulge as he rubbed his head from the sheer stress his SP built up in just minutes. "Part of what Ignis said was true, and I'm sure you'll know which one to distinguish from the truth or not. I was in the net with Red, the Net Tournament champion, because we were going out to find some...foods." As he went on with the story, the navi suspected that it might be too strange for Splash to accept.

"We encountered with the current three shogunate generals" He continued as he pointed his hand towards the three in front. "And they were actually tracking Red down so they could recruit her for their faction...Needless to say, Red disagreed but they weren't going to accept no as an answer." Voulge turned his head towards Yasu and shrugged, returning to the story with an reluctant tone of voice. "I made a deal to a one on one against the first general to see if Red would join or decline. I was able to emerge victorious...with few complications. So there, that's all that I have left to say."

It was strange that Voulge was so open about talking about this stranger history with Splash, but it felt like he had to get this out of the way before it began to complicate things in the council meeting. "DON'T FORGET THAT HE UNDRE-*Smack*-That fricken does it, Licht! I am so gonna get you after this!!"

SplashLady continued to listen, this time to the two variations of the same story. Needless to say, the second version was much more believable. And perhaps surprisingly to the teller, she actually did believe it. Not just because she was more inclined to trust a friend, but it would explain a lot of the little weird things about the meeting. "Huh...so basically, they're not the benevolent force they're claiming they are. Somehow that doesn't surprise me very much..."

She took a hard look at Yasu, who Voulge had called the first general. So, she was the ranking officer here? And he said he defeated her pretty easily...that was a bit of a relief to her. But... "...You know, I would say they're all talk if their second in command lost without putting up too much fight...but there isn't really any shame in losing to you. Now I'm curious. How strong are they?"

"Without too much fight? No, Splash, they're not a force to underestimate." Voulge turned back to look at the NetPolices standing in a row, also raising up the question of how far the shogunates went during their invasion to gather such attention.

"I was almost down to my feet against Yasu. With her...distasteful perspective against males, she was definitely a force to reckon with." The navi began to rub his stomach where both him and Yasu traded the final blow against one another, already starting to ache from the mere thought of it. "I couldn't afford to pull any punches against her. And it goes without saying that I wouldn't have won if all three of them ganged up on me."

Voulge had a serious expression on his face as looked up at the three generals, but with a jolt of memory, he also began to remember all the lewd situations the battle had forced onto them through ungodly coincidence. His body slumped and his head lowered, unable to relive the situation and not even dared tell what happened to Splash.

"...Lets wait to see who these new generals are."

Although she couldn't make out their words, Yasu was none the less irritated by the chit-chat going through the audience while the meeting was going on. Wasting no more time, she rested her elbows on the desk and folded her hands beneath her chin. "The Q&A session has concluded. We will now lay out guidelines by which you yourself can seek the attention of our Shogun and make yourself viable for recruitment into our organization. After that, we'll hold the induction," she spoke, authoritatively attempting to shut down Voulge and SplashLady's conversation.

Lee coughed into her fist, then read discreetly from a text recorded elsewhere. "Those seeking to join the Dynasty may take missions in our name by directly addressing us here or simply by continuing to demonstrate fighting prowess. By demonstrating your skills, you market yourself to the Shogun's recruiter's and become an attractive prospect. All able-bodied warriors should anticipate and look forward to the day where they are approached by our recruiters. Alternatively, as stated, you can apply directly at this time. Thank you very much," she finished, reading the text in a rehearsed, static voice.

"Now our final issue of business will be the induction of our newest recruits. Ladies, if you will, please kneel before the desk on the audience side. Using the authority of the Shogun, I will induct you," Yasu finished, smiling to the three and nodding.

The girls obediently bowed, moving around to the front of the desk. However, as the time came to kneel, Arch seemed hesitant to go along with it. Yasu's eyebrows twitched and Vee leaned over to whisper something in her ear. The nearby audience could hear just a bit of it. "I understand that she's a bit of a critic... not fully accepting of the dynasty yet. I'd worried she might not go along with it or might disrupt the ceremony, but not in so brazen a fashion," the ninja whispered.

Overhearing Vee's words, Dee gave a haughty laugh. "Little Miss Ninja doesn't understand! But really, Archie, quit playing around and do what Yasu says," she giggled, her brown eyes shining deviously from over the top of her unfolded fan.

Arch gulped, going slowly down to one bent knee and resting one arm across her breast. However, instead of stabilizing herself with the other hand, she placed it over the back of the skirt. It was clear now that she didn't want to kneel because the low dip in her armor skirt was a little more revealing than she liked. The whole business further emphasized the needlessly risque designs of the uniforms. They hadn't left enough room between the desk and audience, furthermore, so the backs of the girls were somewhat unintentionally close to those sitting on the front row.

Yasu seemed to understand that something was going amiss with their ceremony, but continued regardless. Lee and Vee drummed the large, hide-covered drums in a slow rhythm as the first general began a slow narrative, inducting the three and using their ridiculous, ridiculous overly-flowery names. The fact that she was saying them with a straight face was extraordinary. The front row audience was close enough to actually watch the reactions of the new initiates...

Arch's body seemed to visibly twitch in indignation as hers was given out. Her already blushing face was now as red as a beet.

Escort's shoulders raised as if in revulsion of hers, but quickly settled. The audience felt somewhat thankful that it was hard to see the expression of her serious eyes at the moment.

Sake was drunk out of her gourd, so there wasn't much out of the ordinary there.

With a wide smile, Yasu spread her arms. "This meeting is now adjourned! But please, before you go, give your blessings to our newest generals and feel free to ask us any lingering or personal questions. Also please download a NeoShogunBanner.dat over here at the desk, near the left drum. You can use this to identify yourself in the future as an informed member of the populous and increase your standing in the Shogun's eyes." Most people weren't really sticking around, despite her offer. It appeared that perhaps the council had gone a little less than successfully from a PR perspective... Even the terribly dressed NP officer seemed to be regarding them in a blase, non-threatening manner now, looking more repulsed by incompetency than by the sensation of a threat.

((SplashWoman and Voulge get +3 FXP))
((All attendants receive NeoShogunBanner.dat))
((You're free to leave now or stay))

"...I see. You wouldn't really think that just from watching them now, though..." Seriously, they looked as competent as a bag of wet sand. But hey, appearances were deceiving, since she was pretty sure Voulge wouldn't lie about that...

After watching the induction of the generals, SplashLady stretched, the meeting now over. While no more inclined to join the NeoShogunate than before, she got a chance to bust with a good friend. So it turned out to be a good idea to come, anyway. Though, there was one big question concerning that busting that needed to be answered. "So, Voulge, shall be off to do some busting? I'm good with wherever, which you probably already guessed."

SINNBAD listened as the titles and names were given, seemingly uninterested in the row of shapely female bodies in their revealing outfits kneeling with their backs to him.

Quote (Yasu)

"- 'Flawless Attack Coordination Specialist, Golden Bow-Woman,' Arch. - 'Ultimate Iron-Wall Defender, Black Shadow,' Escort. - 'Sterling Celebratory Victory Herald, White Nurturer,' Sake..."

Each name seemed to intentionally reveal the style of combat each employed. This struck SINN as an odd practice. Why would one intentionally reveal such information to potential foes? Unless it was an effort to deceive... Though it probably wasn't. And that kind of pride blinded.

Regardless, SINN was sent here to join if they fulfilled the criterion that Lord Destin had set. SINN took a moment to go over the list in his head. Satisfied that the answers given in the session fulfilled his Lord's wishes, he stood up and walked over to the desk. His helmet continued to rest on the blanket.

He paused a moment before his approach to help each of the three girls up, since he did not see them stand after they were 'knighted.' He offered his hand to each in turn, starting with Arch. The one who seemed the most blustered of all.

"Allow me, My Lady."

He said with a smile and a soft leather palm.

"Seems that it's over," said Scarlet, somewhat disappointed that the event was so short-lived. Scratching her head with slight hesitation, she thought about it. Terra was only newly made, and she didn't yet develop any skills worthy of mention. Especially her social skills, the operator thought, they needed the most work. She crossed her arms, closing her eyes in thought.

"Should I do something else, Scarlet?" inquired Terra in reply to her operator's statement. Absentmindedly, she played around with some dirt in her closed hands, swirling them around and practicing her manipulation techniques.

Scarlet decided, "Ehh, I guess we should leave?"

Terra nodded, standing up from her kneeling position. Walking over to the left drum where the indicated banners were, she took one, dispersing it into her inventory space. Turning to the generals, she bowed quietly, saying in a serious tone, "Thank you."

As the Navi turned to leave, Scarlet interrupted her, "Hmm, hey, Terra."

"Mm?"

"I think we should be able to tackle the home network in Yumland now. It would be great for you to fight in home ground, and it'd give me a chance to see how your upgrades are working out for you," said Scarlet.

Terra put a hand to her cheek, scratching it with an apathetic look on her face. "Okay," she replied, looking up in acceptance. "Nearest Yumland network port?" she asked.

"Ehh, faster if you just jack out and use the inn links," said Scarlet.

Terra nodded again, walking off from the meetup area before disappearing into a pillar of light.

[Transfer: Yumland Net]

When the meeting was finished, Voulge stood back on his feet, but examined the area to see how the other navis reacted to the Neo-Shogunate's message. The armored navi from before seemed eager to join their cause, while the troublemaker only recieved the banner and nothing else, voicing no interest what so ever. The NP was also uninterested nor started to take the self-proclaimed faction seriously, which Voulge feared that it would be for better or for worse.

"Sweet mama." Ignis commented as she(he) also stood up and walked towards Voulge. "Di'ja see that chick blonde chick and the rest? A luscious bunch, if you ask me, and I'm a goddamn woman!" The SP wasn't afraid to comment about the new generals and their look, even going as far as to chuckle out loud and gaining everyone's attention. "So since you're with the NetPopo, I guess you'll have to fight against one of the soon or later, right? Be sure to get the one with the mask, Escort or whatever, so you can do your usual magic and I'll be able to see what's under 'Door #7," if you know wha-*Smack*-Oh take a hike, Licht!!"

Licht was once more there to smack some sense into her(his) uncontrollable sibling, tapping the ends of her(his) fan against her(his) palm as a sign of further punishment. However, Licht was holding onto one of the banners on her(his) other hand, carelessly waving it above her(his) head without a care. "You guys are causing too much trouble." With a tap against belt buckle that held his emblem, Voulge deactivated the GMOs and everyone reverted back to their usual selves.

"Ah...Oh well..." Surprisingly, both Ignis and Licht was rather disappointed that they returned to their usual form, hopefully assuming that they were disappointed in the fact that they lost the use of human limbs and not the other, creepier possibility. Voulge was back to his armored form and twirled his spear above his head before he quickly sheathed it onto his back, feeling much more relaxed in his armor than his casual attire.

The spearman didn't bother meeting with the new generals, since the outcome of his discussion with the generals, especially with Yasu, would only end in a disaster. Thankfully, Splash offered to team bust with her once more just as he wondered what to do next. With a smile on his face, Voulge nodded his head and pointed the way out of the meeting for his partner as they walked along. "...How about Hades? That was where we were separated from our ways, I think it's a good idea that we start up from there once more."

After intentionally ignoring the Support Program's questionable remarks, SplashLady watched as Voulge made him and his entourage look more like themselves. "Hades, huh?" Truth be told, she was kinda hoping he'd say that. "And I'm sure we won't get separated like last time. Just make sure you don't open any Mystery Data without me, okay? Even if it's yours, I'll give you an Untrap so it'll be safe. We can't have history repeating itself, you know!"

A moment later, she started setting up the needed processes for sudden area movement. "But anyway, no point hanging around here anymore. I'll go ahead on to Hades. Don't worry, I'll leave a data trail so you can follow!" A blue-green light enveloped the mermaid Navi, causing her begin the warp to a more hellish landscape. However, there was a faint light trail remaining, signaling a path for Voulge to follow.

(TO ROGUE HADES)

"She seems rather chill about going to hell on Earth." said Ignis as he and Licht hovered above Voulge's shoulder. "Wasn't whatsherface too scared of going to Hades before?"

"That was Sabrina, Splash's operator...I think she knows what she's getting into this time." Voulge replied as he walked towards the trail of light left behind his partner. After making sure that all of his armors were back in place, the navi drew his spear and hung it over his shoulder, stepping into the light and promptly teleporting the navi to his destination.

======
Destination: Hades Rogue
======