lempereur | IC Contact; MoM

If the police had anything useful on them, I wouldn't have to do it myself.

[ That's how he had gotten into this from the start, wasn't it? The adults supposedly in power were unable or unwilling to do what needed to be done. Here, especially, the idea that the police would do anything to stop the Constellation, or any other dangerous imPorts, was laughable. ]

They could have something useful if you'd allow me to help you. Why are you being so stubborn? It's like you aren't being logical about this situation.

[ He knew what kind of person Dooku was better then any one of them. Yusuke was just a stepping stone to power, easily disposed of when he was bored with him, or felt like he knew too much. He would send someone after Yusuke, and no one in Constellation would care that he was a child. ]

I could start an investigation, look into suspicious criminal activity -- I can aid you in keeping your cover!

Yes, do that, so I can be sent to do to you what I did to Adachi. Or worse, he sends someone else who will not be as concerned over whether you live or die.

[ He isn't being stubborn. Or, he is, but he isn't trying to be. The net is too wide, and he trusts everyone who knows already to keep their mouths shut, but it would only take one stupid mistake by any of them, and everything he's done, everything he's had to do, will have been for nothing. ]

Stealing their hearts, making sure they confess of their own will, that is the best way.

As if it matters. I clearly did not survive our last encounter, what is another?

[ That's not a concerning statement at all. ]

That can still happen but you need more than simply trying to continue this facade without much aid. I can offer you support within the law so something can at least be started.

What is your plan, Akechi? Since you know about as much as I do, surely you must have one by now?

If they are a criminal network, then there has to be a trace of them somewhere. I would think we could start with searching through the database to show some sort of pattern involving imPort related crimes. By starting through a different route we can see if there are known instances of the name being used to promote an agenda and dig for their names.

[ He pauses. This isn't how he wanted this conversation to go but.... it was something. Maybe he can still salvage it. ]

What is your plan, Kitagawa-san?

[ That all makes sense. He hates how much sense it makes, but he's more opposed to the involvement of Akechi or anyone else not already in the middle of it, more than he is to having his assistance now that he does. He shouldn't know, and he is still seething with rage at Akira for letting him know in the first place, but he does. It can't be changed, any more that Yusuke joining in the first place can be changed.

He sighs, staring him in the face for a long moment before saying anything. ]

There have been two instances of explicit propaganda by the Constellation. The first was publishing a government watchlist of imPorts they find suspicious. I do not know who made it. The second was just the other day, that was me.

[ He...is not proud of it. Most of the things he said, he felt, legitimately, and that scares him, especially now, looking at Akechi and knowing what he's been through. And what he's put other people through as a result. Some of the things he said were even worse, and still, he said them. Anonymously, like a coward. ]

My plan is to earn his trust, and with it, access to information. Plans, the names of the others, where the money is coming from. I will not settle for just Dooku, I want it all gone.

I will do some digging, and utilize your anonymous network post in order to start verifying information. It is a better start to this then we have for those of us on the outside.

[ He pauses, tapping his fingers against his chin in thought. He knew this wasn't ideal for Yusuke, knew this isn't what he wanted but he was willing to try and help. ]

Then start from the bottom. If we simply go after Dooku it would turn into someone else taking control -- we take out each rung of the ladder, then we reveal to the world that they are not working for the best interest of imPorts.

At least...that is what I would do. You are on the inside, Kitagawa-san, it will be your call in the end.

[ He wasn't going to step on toes. ]

There is a structure. I can show you, somewhere more private.

[ Which is, still, something he does not want to do...but whether Akechi is trying to step on his toes or not, this is the hand he's been dealt. ]

But not right now. I need to think this over. There are other people involved besides myself, I would rather speak to them before I let you in.

Of course, I understand.

[ He takes a deep breath. ]

I will not argue with that. If I find anything of import, however, I will send it your way. If it keeps you alive and your cover? I will do what I can.

I simply do not want to see you end up in my shoes.

[ It hits a little too close to home. ]

...anything of imPort?

[ Sorry. No. Bad, Yusuke. He can hear Futaba groaning in his ear. ]

I appreciate that. Really, I do, but next time, you should start by just saying so.

[ He simply fixes Yusuke with a look that's torn between being amused and being annoyed. ]

The point was to pull you aside to a more private area. You never know who is watching, unfortunately. My apologies, however. I will be sure to be more blunt in the future.

Then say that. "We should talk somewhere privately," not, "I might cannibalize you."

Did you know there is something here that will actually do that? Not metaphorically? It ate my clone.

The crow in the metaphor wasn't -- right. I apolgoize.

[ Pause ]

W-What?!

Futaba found the CCTV footage. It is profoundly disturbing. Cannibalism is no laughing matter.

You are taking the crow thing too seriously.

[ He rubs his face. ]

Are they part of this organization too or are you unsure?

[ You know he has no chill, Goro. This is well documented! ]

Who, whatever ate the clone? I don't think it was related. Its behavior on the footage was erratic, it did not appear to be planned.

[ He is learning this. He is never going to make this mistake again. Do not use metaphors with Yusuke. Ever. EVER. ]

Then we tackle one problem at a time. Do you think it will come back? Could we have Futaba possibly track it through CCTV's?

[ Maybe just not ones that hit close to home for a dozen different reasons!!! ]

We tried. We were able to follow it for a while, it found its way into a blind spot. I won't ask her to search for it any further.

Of course, that makes sense.

Then we look later -- let's just start with what we know and where we are going from there.

I don't know any more than what I saw on the video. Did you want to watch it? I would suggest not.

I was talking about Constellation, not the monster.

[ But he is a little curious. Just a little. ]

Ah. Well, in that case.

[ Yusuke looks around, tugging again on the back of his ear, and lowers his already quiet voice again. ]

This does not mean I am agreeing to your help. But I have another name that was not on Adachi's list. Dio Brando, codename Jupiter.

I understand. [ A slight pause ] Dio Brando as Jupiter. I'll be sure to add him as well. If I learn of any names through my investigation I will be sure to let you know.

[ Though he can't help but ask.... ] Why do you keep touching your ear?

Am I? [ A beat. ] It itches.

IC Contact; MoM

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I accidentally deleted this and only found it because I was digging for a PlayStation store receipt

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