Spending the time before reaching our first destination training, I put my Teacher skill to the test. Training the group in hand to hand combat, the difference between my results and others was frightening. Having the skill allowed me to convey the information far better than anyone without it. Former noncombatants were progressing nicely, and the more skilled fighters were honing their skills far beyond what they thought possible in a few days. It still wasn't perfect, but having the skill alone made a noticeable difference.
The biggest challenge was Sayo's request to have me help control her alter ego. She wanted to be an asset to me in combat, not a liability. Her alter ego listened to me perfectly, but that applied only when I was nearby. Once I was out of a set range, the obedience stopped and she'd go back to her animalistic way. Giving her regular intercourse helped, but they still fought each other constantly. Her alter ego wasn't make this easy for me.
"So what do you think?", Yuko asked me as we drew near our first port stop.
The map showed that there were several groups of survivors in the city, and they weren't all friendly. Throughout the groups there was a mix of red, white, and blue dots signifying that while they didn't like each other, they were willing to work together to survive. As for the undead, they were everywhere in the city. Unsurprisingly the group that destroyed the Takagi group had come here. and were attacking people.
Using binoculars to scout the area, I told them that the pier looked vacant. The mini map backed that, and I saw where we could dock to empty the waste tanks and refill the water tanks with city water...assuming the water still worked. Steering us to the location, the docking team tied us off while I took the maintenance group to go over the work I needed them to do. Explaining the process for emptying the waste tanks, refilling the water tanks, and refueling I asked them to then proceed with cleaning the ship while we were away.
Telling them to ask for assistance from the others with cleaning, the maintenance team got work immediately. Taking my team out, I left the other three teams to hold down the boat while we were away. Disembarking the ship, I led my group to the parking lot where I hotwired a small tourist bus to take us into the city.
Once everyone was onboard, I pulled out a map of the city and marked down places we would loot. Telling them that we would hit the furthest location first, we would then work our way back. Nodding their heads they sat back and silently watched the scenery go by. Twenty minutes later we arrived at our first location, a camping supply location. In addition to water and toilet paper, we were running low gas tanks for the few gas stoves and heaters we had gathered. Stowing most of the bottles in my storage before we entered the building, the women were none the wiser as they started loading up on gas bottles I left for us to take.
Grabbing additional arrows, knives, sleeping bags, water purification tablets, and meal rations we took as much as we could stow before leaving. Unsurprisingly the toilet paper and other materials like first aid kits were long gone by the time we had arrived. Crossing that stop off, I had Kyoko doing inventory while we went to the next stop.
Several stops later we reached a restaurant that we wanted to steal cooking equipment from. Due to the number of survivors we had, the cooks were having to cook several batches instead of a single large batch. Taking commercial grade tools would allow us to cook more effectively, and would make the cook's lives easier. Picking the lock on the back door, we quickly entered the building to get off the street.
Greeted by a few undead Rei, Saeko, Pucca, and Nina dispatched them in very short order. Wiping the blood from their weapons, we moved to the kitchen where the deceased corpses of a few survivors were rotting. Wanting to hurl, we all got the equipment we needed and got out of there before the smell became overwhelming. As we were loading the bus up, another group of survivors approached us from the front. Looking at the mini map, a smaller detachment of them had gone around to come behind us.
"Saeko and Pucca, they are acting too bold...only be coming from the front likely means they have people coming around us. Watch our backs to make sure no one sneaks up on us.", I told them in a low voice.
"Got it.", the two women said focusing on the area behind us.
"That's close enough.", I stated flashing my side pieces at the approaching group, "You just stay right there, and we will be gone shortly."
Coming up to the front, a college boy pointed a makeshift spear towards me.
"Give us the bus, and you can walk away.", he tried to threaten me.
"I hope you don't honestly think you can close the gap faster than I can gun you down.", I remarked narrowing my eyes, "We don't take threats light boy, I suggest you back off or you will meet your maker."
"We need the supplies more than you and those bimbos do!", they shouted.
"I would watch what you say young men.", Yuko said as her hair turned white, "You don't want this fight, we have are only a small part of a larger group. If you have any sanity you will leave us alone, or die here."
Whistling to signal their comrades, the people came around the building right into Saeko and Pucca's striking range. Having been waiting for them, the poorly trained attackers were killed in a few seconds. Watching their friends be killed, the group in front of us became agitated. Drawing my pistols I pointed them at the leader and used my intimidation skill to make them silent.
"Don't act like you weren't about to attack us. This is a doggy dog world now kid, if you can't handle that you need to just crawl in a hole and die. We were nice in not killing you when you approached us so abruptly, but now you have over stayed your welcome.", I stated as Sayo cracked her knuckles with a smile.
"We going to kill them?", she asked me.
"I don't know, how did you feel about being called a bimbo?", I questioned.
Feeling the murderous aura coming from Sayo, the group lost their wits and bolted away from us. Watching them flee, Sayo laughed at them as she had only been playing with them. She found it amusing they broke so easily after their surprise attack didn't succeed. Finishing loading up, we vacated the area for our last stop.
Pulling up to a pharmacy, all of us got out to get as much medicine as we could find. Knowing that there were people in here, based on the mini map, I made sure to be more cautious. Getting in through the roof, we were immediately greeted by a group of shrieking medical students who were using a mop to attack us...well me anyways. Being jabbed with a mop handle was unpleasant, but getting jabbed the butt was worse. Glaring at the woman doing the prodding, I told her to stop or I would shove it up her ass. Dropping the mop, she ran over to the group of four women trembling in fear of us.
"Is that how you greet every unknown woman?", Yuko laughed teasing me.
"She was jamming that thing up my ass.", I complained.
"Sounds like you deserved by their reaction.", Yoko said with an amused smile.
"Yeah...no.", I remarked.
"It's okay, his bark is worse than his bite.", Saya stated with a smirk.
"You all are enjoying my suffering.", I chuckled.
"I don't want to hear that from a guy that can fling a tank.", Kiriko jabbed.
Shaking my head, I kicked the door down into the medicine room so we could get everything we needed. Leaving Yuko and Yuriko to handle the petrified students, the two women approached the five students.
"It's okay, we aren't here to harm you.", Yuko assured them.
"That's what the last group said.", they replied, "A group of men came here a few days ago, and when we wouldn't let them in they started threatening to kill us. Next thing we knew they started shooting at us."
Looking around to see the walls riddled with bullets, Yuriko felt bad for them. Asking them who they were, they informed her they were students from a nearby medical school. They were here interning when everything got crazy outside. The pharmacy employees said they would go get assistance, but they never came back. With no combat experience and nowhere to go they had been holding out here living on what was in the refrigerator.
"You said you were medical students?", Yuriko asked, "What year where you in your studies?"
"We had a year left.", they answered, "We took the internship here since this pharmacy is associated with a large hospital. Our plan was to show how good we were, and transfer to the hospital."
"I understand.", Yuko told them, "I was a surgeon at Mochizuki Hospital, if you want you can with us back to our group."
"You...you would take us?", they hesitantly asked.
"Yes, we can use more medical staff.", Sayo responded carrying a bag of medicine out of the room, "That is okay, right Victor?"
"Of course, medical staff are always welcome.", I answered, "...so long as they don't try to give me a prostate exam again."
Laughing at that, they took Yuko and Yuriko's hand and accepted the offer. Helping them down to the bus, we got them some food and water as they had been eating food that most would have tossed out. Once we were all onboard, we got back to the boat and offloaded our goods. Double checking the tanks and fuel, I was satisfied with the work they did and got us back underway. Once we were out in open water, I sat back and watched the shoreline for activity.
"Have a successful trip?", Namiyo asked me as she brought in a cup of tea.
"It was successful enough, we got what we needed and a bit extra. How are the interns we saved doing?", I inquired.
"They are alright, they are sound asleep right now. All of worrying kept them up and they are mentally exhausted.", she told me.
"Understandable.", I said, "Anything happen while we were away?"
"Not really, after we got things cleaned up some of the men started fishing with the children.", she stated wrapping her arms around my neck with a sigh.
"Everything okay?", I questioned patting her arm.
"I am worried that Takashi isn't trying to partner up.", she admitted, "Could you maybe-"
"You know he won't be happy if I interfere.", I told her, 'Kohta is one thing, but Takashi and Hisashi...my assistance is not putting them with only men. I am not going out of my way to find love for them, that's all on them.'
"That is true...I am just worried that he won't find someone. I am his mother, I worry about these things.", she remarked, "I want to see my son become a good man, and have a family
"I understand that, you are a very good mother.", I agreed complimenting her, "You are a much better judge of character than me, maybe you should find women that you think would pair well with him. That's usually how it works, right?"
"That is true...my mother introduced me to my former husband.", she admitted, "Alright, I can handle that."
Giving her a smile, I was relieved that I wasn't the one doing it. It was common place here for a young man's parents to introduce him to prospective women. I didn't like to use the term Dad with Takashi so I was certainly not going to play match maker. Things were already complicated with the relationship I had with his mother. To keep the peace I didn't openly flirt with Namiyo, but in private he could kiss my ass about what I do with her.
"You thinking about any of those interns?", she inquired with a playful smile.
"Nope, I have plenty of beauties in my life.", I chuckled.
"Did you hear that Shizuka?", Namiyo asked seeing Shizuka peeping on us.
"Did you forget about me!", Shizuka pouted puffing her cheeks.
"I consider anyone sleeping in my room one of my beauties.", I teased her, "Is that not okay?"
"There is an order to things!", she huffed.
"I suppose that is true.", I admitted getting up from my seat.
Walking over to Shizuka I took her hands with a firm grip.
"Shizuka, will you please be my lover and stay by me till the end of the world?", I asked.
Turning bright red, I swore I saw steam coming out of her head. Acting like a shy schoolgirl that had just heard her first confession, she fidgeted around uncomfortably.
'This is exactly why I love her. These reactions keep me from going off the deep end, and doing things I might regret.', I thought waiting for her answer.
"Come on Shizuka, you have been waiting for him to ask you.", Rika stated leaning into the room, "You just going to cockblock the poor boy?"
"Cockblock?", Shizuka questioned not understand sexually phrases or vulgar sayings.
"What she means to say is that he asked you out, and you should give him an answer.", Yuko said putting Rika in a headlock, "You know that Shizuka doesn't understand those kinds of things."
"I know, I wanted to see Victor try to explain it to her.", Rika laughed.
"Jeez...you are brutal.", I chuckled, "Well Shizuka, will you join me on this journey?"
"...since you are being so bold, and I am single...", she said nervously, "I...I will be your woman."
"It warms my heart.", Rika stated as she faked some tears, "Little Shizuka is growing up."
"Rika!!", Shizuka shouted running over to her and lightly using her fists to hit her, "You are being a big meanie!"
"So you consider all of us your women?", Yoko asked slipping past the three friends as they laughed at each other.
Turning to look at her, I knew she was the wild card in all of this. Everyone else that slept here had pretty much agreed to it, it was just her that had been holding out. After living a life where she was constantly looking over her shoulder for assassins, it was understandable that she mistrusted people. I wouldn't have been surprised if she had been betrayed by lovers in the past given who she worked for.
"I do, speak up now or forever hold your peace.", I told her.
"I am fine with it, you have shown your ability to lead and I have seen you fight. If you will take a woman like me who has killed people to make a living, I will be your woman.", she agreed.
"You did what you had too so your sister wouldn't suffer. Besides which, none of the people you killed were innocent by any mean...they were competitors of your former employer.", I pointed out, "Black Label took out scumbags same as you, I should be the one with the biggest issue. My parents worked for the very people that started this mess."
"The sins of the parents don't extend to the child.", Saeko told me, "If they did the lives my father has taken would be on my hands too."
"Agreed, you aren't responsible for their actions.", Rei agreed.
Giving them a smile, I thanked for that and returned my attention to steering the ship. Opting to take a nap, all of them wanted to sneak in an hour of rest before beginning afternoon training.
"Midna, there any issues with the group that you have noticed?", I asked her telepathically.
"No, all of them are faithful to you. They have food, water, shelter, safety, and above all hope so no one is considering mutiny.", Midna said sitting on the instrument panel.
"Got anything on the group the interns encountered?", I inquired.
"Yes actually, they were a group of looters from a large group of citizens that want to execute feudal era ruling. The group is gaining power and will likely clash with the government forces as they try to gain control of the country.", Midna told me, "They blame interactions with foreign nations for the death of so many Japanese people. Their goal is to sever ties with the outside world, and eradicate foreigners here. The populace can either submit, or be beheaded."
"Go freaking figure...", I sighed, "Is the same happening in other places?"
"Yes, several other countries have already been taken over by nationalists that want to eliminate foreigners.", Midna giggled, "It's ironic that so many people want to cut themselves off from the world, but it will only lead to their demise. These groups won't want to help their neighbors, and that will lead to a domino effect where nations will fall one after the other. A quarter of Europe is already overrun by the dead, and Miranda is already making plays to make an army."
"All of her people in play too?", I questioned.
"If you are concerned about Miss Nine Foot Tall Killer, she is very much an active member in Miranda's forces.", Midna giggled, "Thinking about making her your lover?"
"I will make an attempt, but I also happen to know what she looks like in her monster form.", I stated.
"Hehe, she would be a very powerful ally in reaching Raccoon City. If you want to stop this you are going to have to go there, and take control of the computer systems.", Midna said, "All of the drone and mutants are controlled from there by Umbrella Staff."
"Wesker is there, right?", I asked.
"...yes.", she admitted with a playful smile.
"There something you aren't telling me?", I questioned.
"Nope, he is there and is helping further the Tyrant program.", Midna stated, "Just remember next time you engage the Tyrant's and others that Umbrella is now going to store the data in Raccoon City. Up till they ran into you they thought that it was unnecessary and were saving the data locally."
"Remote recording huh?", I said with a smirk, "Maybe I should call my hacker buddy in South Korea. He can try to make contact with Red Queen or White Queen. Speaking of them...has Umbrella learned of people like Aoi?"
"Not yet, but they are still in the process of taking over governments.", Midna replied, "It may be a few weeks before they encounter someone like her, the gene that protected her is in 1 in every 100 million people."
"Hmm...I will have to talk to the Black Label scientists to see what they have found.", I said looking back at the sleeping women, "If we can replicate it, we can hopefully make a cure for bitten people."