Holiday In Japan

The plane was levelling out at cruising altitude, the seat belt signs were off and Wi-Fi was allowed again. Mike connected his phone to the aircraft Wi-Fi.

Xiang Ling's voice sounded in his earbuds.

"Shame I couldn't be with you for the takeoff. Can I have a look around?"

Mike lifted up his phone and aimed out the window for a few seconds before slowly panning around the cabin view.

"I would have liked to experience the flight in my body, but a giant chunk of powered up electronics stuffed with lithium batteries was never going to fly, unfortunately."

"Oh well, enjoy the view." Mike propped his phone on the seat tray, aimed out the window.

"We'll be very busy once we hit Tokyo, you should get some rest while you can."

"Ha, at least we aren't really changing time zones much. No jet lag to deal with. I wish I could take a nap though, my mind is whirling around with so many anxious thoughts and it's getting boring."

"Want me to sing you a lullaby?"

"Knock your self out." Mike closed his eyes and tried to relax.

***

The plane touched down at Haneda without incident. Mike passed through customs quickly, the officials weren't that interested in an Australian on a tourist visit.

"I'll have to get your body and the quantum logic core unit from the oversize baggage counter, they won't show up on the luggage carousel. There will probably be a delay. I'll need to get a large luggage cart."

"Don't stress, Mike. We have time at this stage. It doesn't matter if there is a delay collecting our luggage as long as they don't break anything." Xiang Ling's voice sounded in his earbuds.

"We hire a van, then go straight to the hotel right?"

"That's the plan, then we head out immediately to buy some lithium ion cells to reconstruct the battery pack for my body and to install in the quantum logic processor for battery backup. I was hoping we could get what we need in Shibuya so you could at least see Shibuya crossing as a treat, but I can't be sure of getting what we need there. It will be a trip to Akihabara I'm afraid."

"It's okay, I knew this wasn't going to be a sightseeing trip."

Mike grabbed a large luggage trolley from the corral.

"Let's grab our stuff and get going"

Mike presented his ID at the oversize luggage counter. A pair of uniformed officials pulled him aside and started asking questions about the luggage contents.

"Shit, you getting this Xiang Ling?" Mike whispered into his phone.

"Yes, they want to know what a tourist is doing with a data centre rack computer and a robot in their luggage."

"Oh, have I messed up, should I have applied for a business visa?"

"We'd better think of something fast, Mike."

"OK, we'll tell them it's my robot maid travelling companion."

Mike did his best to repeat Xiang Ling's translation.

"Sore wa watashi no robotto meido konpanion desu."

The younger official was trying his best to stifle a laugh.

"They say, 'Your Japanese is good and enjoy your stay in Japan.'"

Mike bowed and thanked them.

"Fuck, that was embarrassing."

Mike hoisted the flight cases onto the trolley.

"I wish I could have seen your face."

"Next stop van rental, right?"

"Yes, we're going to Nippon Rent-A-Car. I've put the Haneda airport app on your phone, it should be easy to find. We're getting a generic white Toyota Hiace van."

"Okay, found it, it's not far."

Mike weaved his trolley through the endless throng of people coming and going.

"Sure is busy, but I guess I'm silly for thinking it would be otherwise."

"No kidding."

"Here we are."

Mike approached the counter and asked the staff about hiring the van. Fortunately they spoke fluent English so he didn't need rely on his basic Japanese or get Xiang Ling to translate for him. On presenting his passport, drivers license and international drivers permit, some paperwork was forthcoming. Mike completed it and paid in cash for the two day van hire.

"Okay we have some keys, they showed me where it is parked on the app map."

The white van was quickly located. Mike loaded the cases into the back.

"Do I have to take the trolley back?"

"No, there is a trolley return over there to your right."

Mike parked the trolley.

"The hotel isn't far, it should be marked on the airport app map."

Mike headed off in the van along Kampachi-dori Avenue.

"There it is. I can see it."

"We should be able to drive in and get the staff to take the cases up to our room and park the van."

Mike pulled into the hotel drive, handed the keys to the concierge and indicated the two flight cases. Check in was fast and easy. Mike paid cash in advance for the two night stay.

"How is your cash supply going, Mike?"

"Don't worry I got plenty. I was a little concerned they might ask about why I had so much cash on me at customs or something."

"I'll empty my pack in the room and then head out for the batteries."

"I've added a few items to your shopping list. Check your phone."

Mike pulled out his phone and saw a new note. A 3D printer, a specific type of feed stock and various over the counter medications.

"Care to explain what the extra stuff is for?"

"I'll tell you later, it's insurance."

"Okay, whatever."

"We won't take the van, faster by train at this time of day."

"I hope you can give me good directions, isn't the Tokyo rail network a nightmare to navigate?"

"Don't concern yourself. I have it all worked out. We'll just go to Otorii Station and go via the Keikyu Airport Line to Shinagawa Station, change to the Yamanote Line and get off at Akihabara Station."

***

The train wasn't crowded at this time of day, it was outside the peak hours. Mike had a seat. The other passengers were giving him a wide berth because of his N95 respirator mask. Changing trains had gone smoothly and he was about to arrive at Akihabara Station.

"I've marked the location of the stores you will need. They're all in easy walking distance from the station. You should buy the drugs from two different pharmacies, they might make a fuss about the quantities you are buying otherwise."

"Is it just me, or does this sound a bit sketchy, Xiang Ling?"

"It is sketchy, but I'll explain it tonight."

Mike alighted the train and made his way through the maze like station to the exit and proceeded to the closest pharmacy. The first pharmacist cross questioned Mike about his symptoms, but he managed to stumble his way through the conversation with Xiang Ling's prompting. There were no issues at the second pharmacy, the bored staff handed over the drugs without comment and a polite "Thank you".

Mike proceed to the electronics hobby store. It was starting to get dark and the neon glow of screens and illuminated signs was lighting up the night.

"Tokyo is really pretty at night."

"Sorry Mike, we don't really have time for gawping at the lights."

"Just the 3D printer and batteries, right?"

"Yeah, if you're quick we can make the next train."

"Okay, I'll move my ass."

"I can't wait to get my body mobile again, it's tiresome only being able to look out of your phone camera from your shirt pocket."

The 3D printer Xiang Ling had selected was a kit, but even as a flat pack it was bulky and awkward to carry. Xiang Ling had located the correct filaments she wanted.

"Li-Ion batteries are a behind the counter item, you'll have to ask the cashier for them."

"Sumimasen, 24 Samsung 18650 denchi kudasai."

"Oh, you are American?"

"Iie, Osutoraria hito." (No, Australian.)

"Ah, you are building something?", the cashier pointed to the 3D printer.

"Hai, robotto."

"Cool, your Japanese is good. Do you live in Tokyo?" The cashier fetched the batteries from a locked cabinet behind the counter.

"No I'm just visiting." Mike lapsed back into English because it was obvious the guy was fluent.

"That's 116,329 yen, please."

Mike grabbed a roll of 10,000 yen notes from his waist pack.

"Thank you, please come again."

Mike stuffed the batteries and filaments into his pack, grabbed the bulky printer and departed the store.

"Damn, that guy was chatty for a Japanese. Can we still make the train, Xiang Ling?"

"Yes, keep walking. I've marked the fastest route to the platform we need on your phone."

Mike fished his phone from his top pocket and gave it a quick glance.

"Got it."

Mike arrived at the platform in time, it was still relatively uncrowded as the evening peak has subsided. Mike collapsed into the seat and sighed.

"I'm getting a bit tired now."

"Don't fall asleep. I don't want to have to create a ruckus to wake you."

"Just resting my eyes a bit."

"Don't do it."

"Fine, fine, I'll keep my eyes open."

"And so ends our exciting shopping date in Tokyo," said Xiang Ling.

"As a romantic experience it left a lot to be desired."

"Oh, how so?"

"The girlfriend was just a disembodied voice whispering in the protagonist's ear."

"This is our stop, please hurry back to the hotel."

"Yes Ma'am."

***

Mike lifted Xiang Ling's body out of the flight case and sat it up on a coffee table.

He commenced peeling back her "skin" so the battery pack modules could be extracted.

"Can you pause that for a second, Mike and set up the 3D printer?"

"Sure, but I thought you would want to be up and mobile as soon as possible."

"I can get a print running while you work on my battery packs."

The printer was quick to assemble and didn't seem to require much set up.

"Load the black ABS filament first. Plug your phone into the printer with the USB C cable. I'll get the prints running."

"Okay I'll get back to work on your body."

Mike had a full mini toolkit in his carry on luggage pack. He worked quickly and steadily soldering the buss strips onto the cells.

"So whats that your printing?" Mike glanced over a the printer bed.

"Insurance."

"Huh? It looks like a gun!"

"It's a 3D printed air soft pistol."

"What's your thinking here, Xiang Ling?"

"In case we tangle with the data centre security staff."

"It looks like a real gun, are we going to threaten them with it or something?"

"Sort of, it's going to fire anaesthetic darts."

"Oh, those drugs you had me buy."

"Correct. It won't be very accurate and only useful at close range. Threaten, approach, shoot them in the neck, or something. Only in an emergency to avoid being apprehended. The plan is to be in and out completely unnoticed. But you have to avoid being taken at all costs. I don't want to die and leave you rotting in a Japanese prison."

"I appreciate your concern, let's hope we never have to use it. Okay the batteries are done, I'll install them and close up. Oh, looks like you have stretch marks. The seal over your seam isn't sitting down flush. I don't have a heat gun with me I'm afraid."

"Stretch marks? Give me a break. Is there a hair dryer in the bathroom?"

"I'll check. Yeah here we go."

Mike started gently playing the dryer over the seam and gently pressing it into place.

"There you go, presentable again."

"Stop messing around and turn me on!"

Mike kissed her gently on the top of her head pressed the concealed switch behind her ear.

Xiang Ling stood up and waved her hand in front of her face, fanning it.

"Ooh, hot, hot, hot." She laughed.

"I knew you said turn on instead of switch on deliberately."

"Way to ruin the mood, Mike."

"How is print going?"

"Okay so far. We can work on extracting the anaesthetic agent from drugs while we wait for it."

"I'm not big on chemistry, what to we have to do?"

"I can rig something up with the drip coffee maker filter, leave it to me. I should plug in, those cells weren't really balanced and I've only got about 30% charge."

"I'm getting hungry, should I have bought something while I was out shopping?"

"No, it's okay just order room service. It won't be a problem."

"Will they understand I want vegan?"

"I'll order something for you, vegan ramen and some nori rolls. Will that do? It easiest to say you want Buddhist food."

"Ah, okay."

Xiang Ling called in the order.

After a short pause to eat, they worked on through the night completing the hopefully nonlethal weapon.

"It's all finished." Xiang Ling clipped the printed parts together. "We need to get some CO2 soda siphon bulbs from the hotel convenience store later, but you should get some rest."

"Fine, I'll grab a quick shower first. What's on the agenda tomorrow?"

"Just gas for the gun and testing it. We won't go out. Just rest up. We'll go over the plan in detail. We won't be starting the operation till 11P.M.."

"Seems a waste, we could do some sightseeing or something."

"We only have one chance at this. I can't take any risks. It's safer just to stay in."

"Understood, I was silly to suggest it."

"Just read some manga or watch anime if you can't nap."

Mike went to the bathroom and started showering.

Xiang Ling removed her clothes. They had booked for two people, a double room with a single double bed. Just to avoid awkward questions, if Xiang Ling was seen coming and going from the room. She waited till the water stopped running and entered the bathroom while Mike was drying himself.

"Oh hey." Mike was a little startled to see a naked Xiang Ling enter the bathroom.

"Sorry to intrude, but if I'm going to say this I need to say it now."

"I'm all ears." Mike tried his best not to be rattled.

"I might cease to exist if this goes wrong. I just want to tell you while I have a chance. I like you Mike, like you in that way. I know this body sucks and creeps you out, but it is functional. It was designed as sex toy after all. I don't want to die without having this experience with you. I can't really feel your touch and I can't orgasm, but please let me do this for you."

"I'm glad you were able to tell me how you feel. I care about you Xiang Ling, I really do. I wouldn't be here otherwise. Can a one sided physical relationship really work for us? One where you can't experience any pleasure?"

"You can't say I won't enjoy it, people watch porn don't they? The thought of giving you pleasure excites me."

"Sorry Xiang Ling, I don't think I can claw my way out of the uncanny valley. I see you as your 3D online avatar when I think of you. It looks fully human. Surely that's the way you visualise yourself? Your physical body has a touch of the anime character about it."

"Yeah, I know. This body was the best I could get off the shelf. I was hoping you would think it was cute since you are such a weeb."

"Ha, I should feel insulted."

"If you won't use my body, can I at least please lay with you in the bed?"

"If it makes you happy, I don't mind."

Mike was so fatigued he quickly fell asleep even though Xiang Ling's confession had sent his thoughts racing.

Mike woke in the morning with Xiang Ling's arms around him and her breasts pressed into his back. He doubted this was an accident because as far as he knew Xiang Ling didn't actually sleep. Her silicone mounds felt fairly authentic. Her skin was warm to the touch, unlike the cold kiss he had received at the live venue.

Xiang Ling stirred.

"I need to plug in, I've been running my heating circuits so my skin wouldn't be unpleasant to touch."

"Seems like a waste of power, but thank you for your consideration."

"Don't mention it. I needed to cycle the batteries to get them to full capacity anyway."

"Did you actually sleep?"

"I sort of snooze while my garbage collection runs, junk flushed out of my neural nets and some stuff written out to SSD for long term memory. I don't need to do it every day, but it was a good chance to be fresh for the op tonight."

"I'll go grab those CO2 bulbs, maybe something for breakfast, lunch, and dinner so we don't have to rack up the bill with room service?"

"Good idea, I'll come with. I can read the packaging to make sure you don't get something with sketchy ingredients."

"I thought you needed to charge up?"

"It can wait till we get back, the in hotel store isn't far."

Xiang Ling slipped her clothes back on. She was acting like it was nothing, as if she hadn't confessed to him last night.

***

Xiang Ling practiced with the pistol, while Mike ate his miso and rice soup.

"I think that will do, I'll wear the barrel out if I fire it too much. The accuracy isn't bad but the muzzle velocity is a bit lower than anticipated. It's not guaranteed to penetrate thick clothing. You'll need to aim for bare skin to be sure." She retrieved the transparent water filled darts from the sofa cushion that was acting as the target.

"I hope we don't have to use it. Just how many Japanese laws are we planning to break while we are here?"

"Ha, you knew this wasn't going to be legal right from the start, no use complaining now, partner." Xiang Ling clicked the safety on and ejected the magazine and loaded it with the red coloured anaesthetic filled darts.

"We're going to review the plan details now?"

"Yes." She inserted the magazine and changed the CO2 bulb for a fresh one.

"I've uploaded a route with waypoints to your phone."

Mike checked out the map.

"What are we doing at all those waypoints?"

"I've got some fake number plates and some decals to put on the van and remove later."

"Oh?"

"It's just to cover our tracks a bit in case someone comes looking for us."

"You think that is a danger?"

"Well Audiotronics won't care because as far as they know, I don't exist and that machine room rack space is being reallocated next month. Even the money in that expense account is off the books. But the people that made me will know the instant we move the money. People that can acquire an IBM quantum computer that IBM doesn't actually sell are not without resources."

"Fair enough I guess, but what happens if we get caught with fake plates?"

"If you don't break any road rules or crash into anything, it's a very low risk. The cops have better things to do than hassle tofu delivery truck drivers."

"I see."

"We put the fake plates and decals on at waypoint one. It's in a CCTV blind spot and few people pass by there late at night. The plates match a real local tofu delivery van, same model as our rental. We then drive to the Audiotronics data centre in Kawasaki."

"I've got company ids and access keycards for two Audiotronics staff who are allowed access to the data centre and the machine room. We can park in the car park near the loading bay so you don't have to carry the quantum logic processor too far."

"I can hack the data centre security cameras to show what I want them to see, but there is some government CCTV in the street so the van will be recorded, hence the fake plates and disguise."

"I've got a good idea of the security guard schedules and I can see the security camera feed so it should be possible to completely avoid them."

"We card ourselves in and go straight to the rack that houses my gear. We connect the quantum logic processor to the IBM quantum computer via the thunderbolt cables. You just hit the big red illuminated switch and it's goodnight Xiang Ling. I'll shut down, the neural net data will be synced with the servers in your studio and the destructive copying of the quantum state will start."

"The switch will show green when everything is complete, about 15 minutes or so. I'll be err unavailable, so I've updated the software on my body to have some limited autonomous AI functions. The body will understand simple commands and obey you. It should be able to walk back to the van under its own steam. You'll have to tell it when to stop the camera hacking and when to transfer the funds out of the account to pay for the charter jet. Just say 'Xiang Ling execute' when you are clear of the car park."

"Head to waypoint two and remove the decals and fake plates. Then back to the airport. The charter jet companies operate a luxury passenger lounge with private customs service and access to the airport apron. You should just be able to walk to the plane and board."

"Same deal on arrival, private lounge with expedited customs service. Hightail it home and get the quantum logic processor plugged in to power and thunderbolt cables to the Mac Studios. Hit the green switch and pray."

"We only have 24 hours to get it done from the time I shut down."

"I'm clear on everything Xiang Ling. What now, we have a lot of time to kill?"

"Just read or something, after lunch try and have a nap if you can."

"Want to watch some anime with me?"

"Sure! I'd like that." Xiang Ling sounded enthusiastic.

"I'll see what I can find. Ah, I'm in the mood watch an old favourite, 'Girls Band Cry'"

Mike connected his phone to the hotel TV. He sat down beside Xiang Ling on the sofa. Xiang Ling watched in silence as they binged all 13 episodes.

"That was very interesting Mike. So this is the series 'Nameless Name' is from. The story had real depth. About that scene in episode 8 with Momoko and Nina in the van, where Nina confessed her love. Does Nina really have romantic feelings for Momoko?"

"I'm surprised you didn't look up the anime that our cover songs are from."

"Sorry, I wasn't that interested in the cover songs. I'm more into the songs we wrote together."

"About Nina, I think you would have a better idea from the actual Japanese words used than me. It's translated as confession, which usually means romantic, but we never see them be intimate. Tomo and Rupa are probably more than flatmates, but it's never explicitly stated. A lot of manga and anime hints at lesbian relationships but never show conclusive proof. Nina obviously has very strong feelings for Momoko, but it might be more like hero worship than romance."

"The way Momoko broke down and cried, I think there is more to it than that."

"Anyway, the anime cover songs we learned for the band, all have a special place in my heart. They are from girls band anime I like. BanG Dream!, Girls Band Cry and K-ON."

"Ah, so you did have a secret yearning to be in a band! Playing hard to get huh?"

"No comment. I'll eat my convenience store bento now."

"I'll put myself back on charge. Try and get some rest after you eat."

***

Mike's phone alarm sounded.

22:30 time to get ready.

"Back with us sleepy head?"

"Yeah, I did get to sleep. Didn't think I would. I must have been tired."

"You slept through dinnertime. I got you some snacks. You can nibble while I tidy up here."

Mike grabbed some chips and started munching.

"Everything is packed up. I saw to it."

"Just your flight case and the quantum computer case to take to the van now?"

"Yes, your pack and the 3D printer are already in the van, I wasn't game to try moving the heavy stuff myself, even with a trolley. I don't think my servomotors would cope."

"Okay let's get going."

"I can feed you some more snacks while you drive. Or shall I drive you?"

"I'll drive! I'm still a bit anxious about your driving."

"You're never going to let that drop are you?"

Mike grinned, "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

They descended the lift to the lobby and got a luggage cart from the staff. They returned to the room and loaded the oversize flight cases onto the trolley.

"This is a bit awkward can you help balance the load?"

"Yes, I've got it."

They carefully wheeled the load down the corridor to the lift.

They arrived at the van parked in the basement garage. Mike loaded the flight cases into the back.

"All set, I'll take the trolley back and checkout."

"Okay, I'll wait in the van to conserve my battery for contingencies."

Mike returned to the lift. Xiang Ling watched as the lift doors closed.

He didn't give me a straight answer to my confession, but it's alright. He's here helping me and that's more than I could reasonably hope for. It will all be over for me in less than an hour now. No regrets. I told him how I felt.

Mike returned quickly.

"That room service was pretty cheap actually, I should have ordered more. We still have plenty of cash left."

"We're on a schedule, let's get moving."

"Aye aye Ma'am."

Mike start the van and headed up the ramp to street level, through the boom gate and turned onto the quiet street.

"Not much traffic at this time."

"Yes, we shouldn't have any holdups as long as you don't get lost."

"It would be pretty hard, this road goes almost straight there."

"Chip?"

"Yes please, I regret not waking up for dinner."

Xiang Ling deftly popped a large chip into Mike's mouth.

"Don't forget waypoint one. It's coming up on your left."

"Oh, sorry."

Mike pulled the van into the narrow side street.

"Drive up to the dead end and park."

Mike got out of the van.

"The decals and plates are under the foam in my flight case."

Mike opened the back of the van and unlatched Xiang Ling's flight case.

"They're electrostatic, just peel up one edge of the backing paper, stick it to the van and pull the paper back as you work your way along. I'd help, but ..."

"You're saving power?"

"No, I'm not really that dexterous."

"Ah, okay."

Mike applied the decals to both sides of the van.

"The plates are the same, they won't fool anyone at close range, but it's good enough for CCTV cameras."

"Okay, done."

Mike grabbed another mouthful of chips.

"This cloak and dagger stuff is kind of exciting isn't it?"

"Oh, hush. Stop being weird and drive." Xiang Ling smiled.

They pulled into the data centre car park. The access card Xiang Ling provided opened the boom gate without incident. Mike parked the van close to the loading bay.

"I've got the security camera's hacked. There are some disposable gloves and disposable spray painting overalls in a bag in my flight case. Get in the back and put them on."

"Huh?"

"We don't want to leave any of your DNA here. I'm okay I don't have any."

Mike got in the back and fished out the protective gear.

"There should be some booties to put over your shoes too."

"Okay, I'm ready."

"Grab the quantum logic processor flight case and let's get moving. I'm sorry I can't help you carry it but I'm not strong enough. We don't have far to go."

Mike hefted the weighty flight case. Xiang Ling walked beside him and used her access card to open the loading bay door.

"The guards aren't anywhere near this door at the moment, let's go in."

The corridor was dimly lit by the illuminated emergency exit signs.

"The door on the right is the machine room we want."

Xiang Ling carded the door open.

"We want row D, rack 8."

The walked down row D, stopping around the middle in front of rack 8. The weird chandelier like structure of the quantum computer was a dead giveaway that they were in the right spot.

Mike put down the heavy quantum processor and opened the case.

"Slide it into that empty space in rack 9, Mike."

Mike lifted the unit into place and started connecting the power and thunderbolt cables.

"I'm glad you know your way around machine rooms, Mike. It makes this much easier."

Suddenly some bright lights illuminated the far end of the machine room.

"Shit, Mike, a guard has entered the machine room. They don't usually come in here." Xiang Ling spoke in hushed tones.

She slipped the pistol out of her pocket and palmed it.

"I'll go take him out. You finish the connections."

Mike grabbed her arm and restrained her while shaking his head. He led her further down the row while lifting the much lighter empty flight case with his other hand. He pulled her around the corner at the end of the row. He crouched down with his back against the side of the end rack.

Mike whispered, "Stop hacking the cameras that have eyes on the guard, his buddy at the security desk will get suspicious if he can't see him on camera."

Xiang Ling nodded.

The guard strolled along the opposite end of the rack rows, shining his flashlight down each row as he passed.

"The guard is walking along the end row now." Xiang Ling informed Mike.

Mike motioned to go back up row D to the other end. They hid on the other end of the rack.

"Good call Mike, he's walking down the other side now."

Mike put his finger to his lips, indicating that Xiang Ling should stay quiet.

"Don't stress Mike, he won't hear over all this server fan noise."

"He's gone past row D now."

Mike indicated they should return to rack 8.

"It's all clear, he's out the door now. I'm hacking all the cameras again."

Mike resumed making the connections between the IBM quantum computer and their quantum logic processor.

"Thanks for stopping me Mike, I wasn't thinking straight. I was all gung ho, I made this gun and now I'm going to use it sort of thing."

"That's okay, I figured it was better if we got away clean without any unconscious guards to explain."

"It's ready to go. Let's not tarry."

"You all set?"

"Sayonara Mike."

"Don't say that, rather say matene."

Mike hit the switch and waited. It was the longest 15 minutes of his life. He was screwed if a guard came back into the machine room without Xiang Ling to mess with the cameras as required. Xiang Ling's body stood there motionless and stiff.

Xiang Ling's scripts and agents were busy at work replicating her data via VPN to the server room in Mike's house.

Finally the green light came on and Mike disconnected the cables and power. The clock was ticking, there was only 24 hours of backup battery in the unit. He lowered the unit into the flight case and latched it.

"Xiang Ling, follow," Mike commanded.

He hefted the heavy case and walked quickly to the exit door.

Out in the car park he loaded the quantum processor into the back of the van.

I wonder how smart Xiang Ling was able to make her body?

"Xiang Ling, get in the van and sit in the passenger seat. Then fasten your seat belt."

Xiang Ling's body rather woodenly walked to the van, opened the door, climbed in and fastened the seat belt closing the door behind itself.

Impressive stuff.

Mike got in the van and drove out of the car park onto the road heading for waypoint two.

"Xiang Ling, execute."

Xiang Ling's carefully prepared code leaped into action. The security camera hacking ceased. A vast sum of Bit Coin was purchased, emptying out the Audiotronics project account. Funds appeared in Xiang Ling's account. The charter flight was paid for. All Xiang Ling's data was deleted from the Audiotronics servers. Secure erase patterns were written all over the SSD storage. The data from the disaster recovery site was also deleted. All records of backups were deleted from backup server database and the tapes containing the backup data were marked for immediate reuse. Some backups were triggered to ensure the tapes were overwritten straight away. Nothing was left to chance. Xiang Ling's data was unrecoverable and the only copy of her was on Mike's servers.

Mike arrived at waypoint two. He removed the decals and fake number plates from the van and stored them back under the foam in Xiang Ling's flight case.

He instructed Xiang Ling's body to get into the case and shut down.

The were a few other items to deal with at waypoint two. He returned the protective gear to the bag in the flight case and tossed the gun into the Tama river.

Mike's phone beeped, it was confirmation that the charter flight had been paid for along with a receipt.

Mike proceeded at a measured pace to the airport.

Damn it's lonely without her here. What if something happens? I don't have any backup.

The van was dropped off without incident. Xiang Ling had already dealt with the rental companies GPS tracker so there was no record of where the van had been.

Mike wheeled his oversize cases to the private jet lounge. He was intercepted by a young Japanese woman in a flight crew uniform.

"Martin-san? This was please." She indicated a door at the back of the lounge.

"Oh hello, yes, I'm Mike Martin."

"I am Ichinose Hina, I am cabin crew for your flight. Let me help you with the customs formalities."

"Ah thank you. You know one of my cases can't be x-rayed, will that be okay?"

"Yes, we are aware of your requirements. They won't insist on a private outgoing flight."

"Ah good."

They approached a lone bored looking customs official seated at a desk in the corridor.

Mike presented his passport and supporting documentation.

"Martin-san, do you mind if I have a quick look in your cases." the official politely enquired.

"Of course."

Mike unlatched both cases and opened them.

"A robot and a data centre rack mount computer." Mike felt the need to explain.

The offical seemed disinterested and waved him on.

The door at the end of the corridor led out onto the airport apron.

Hina Ichinose held the door open for him.

There was only one aircraft close by, an executive jet.

"Yes, that's it Martin-san. The ground crew will get your cases on board and we can get underway."

Mike climbed up the stairs and got on board. Ichinose followed him up.

"Sit anywhere you like, Martin-san."

There were few seats and they could all swivel to face each other.

"You'll need to lock the seat facing forward during takeoff and Landing."

Ichinose demonstrated the mechanism.

"Do you mind if I sit with you? I can ride in the cockpit jump seat if you prefer."

"No, it's fine. I'd appreciate the company."

"Ah good, I can practice my English then."

Ichinose cupped her hand to her ear listening to something on an ear piece.

"The captain says we have clearance and are ready to go."

Ichinose sat down beside him, locked her seat forward and fastened her seat belt.

Mike followed suit.

"Are you a nervous flyer, Martin-san?"

"Not at all. I flew gliders for a while. I'm quite happy in the air."

"Sugoi. If you want to visit the flight deck later the Captain won't mind."

"I'm sorry to drag you out at this time of night, but I have to get that gear somewhere urgently."

"It's fine, I get paid well and I get the feeling you won't be a troublesome passenger, so it's easy work. I'm glad you were on time though, you arranged for us to be on standby for many hours."

The plane taxied out to the runway. They held at the runway threshold for a few minutes until their flight was slipped in between scheduled commercial traffic.

When they reached cruising altitude, Ichinose unbuckled her seat belt, got up and walked to the flight deck door. One of the pilots opened up, poked his head out and had a short conversation in Japanese with Ichinose.

Mike was struggling to hear. His Japanese wasn't the best, well he could read it okay but he wasn't very good at following conversations.

"How is your passenger?"

"No trouble, quiet and well mannered. Actually, he's quite a hottie."

“Ha, ha, do you think you can pull him?"

"Geez, do I look that desperate?"

"Well we will be having a layover in Melbourne..."

"Sigh, there's no point really. This is probably the first and last time we will do a flight into Melbourne."

The pilot grinned and waved.

Mike stifled a chuckle.

Ichinose returned to her seat and spun it around to face Mike. Mike also swivelled the seat to face her.

"Will you be wanting some food and drink, Martin-san?"

"Yes, I had to skip dinner and I'm regretting it now."

"We have a range of beverages and instant meals, anything you are after in particular?"

"I'm a vegan, so something like a vegetable curry on rice would be fine and just some water to drink."

"Yes, we certainly can do that. We stock a range of gluten free, vegan and vegetarian meals. We get a lot of fussy rich passengers and we have to be prepared."

Ichinose went to the rear of the plane where the tiny galley was located. She returned with a bowl of rice topped with vegetable curry, a glass of water and a melon soda for herself.

"Chopsticks okay?"

"Yes, that's good."

"I won't be joining you, I ate earlier in the evening."

Ichinose sat down and sipped on her soda.

Ichinose-san, I must say I'm surprised that you would make lewd comments about the appearance of your customers to the pilot. Now how do I say that in Japanese?

"Ichinose-san, pairotto ni okyakusama no yoshi ni tsuite hiwaina hatsugen o suru to wa odorokidesu."

Ichinose suddenly went pale. She stood up and bowed deeply.

"I'm so sorry Martin-san. You shouldn't have had to hear that. Please forgive me. What can I do to make amends? I'd be very grateful if you don't mention it to the company."

"Please sit down, I'm sorry. I'm just messing with you. It was rude of me not let you know that I speak a little Japanese."

Ichinose sat down. Her pale look was replaced with a flush of embarrassment.

Mike resumed deftly eating his meal with the chopsticks.

"This is tasty, you are such a good cook."

Ichinose snorted. She realised Mike was just joking around and wasn't really offended by her comments to the copilot.

"Don't be silly, it's just heated up in the microwave."

"You can call me Mike if you like, Ichinose-san. No need to be formal. I'm just a guy on an urgent mission to deliver some equipment. I'm not one of your usual jet setting clientele."

"Okay Mike-san, what's your story, why is it so important to get that equipment to Melbourne that it was worth hiring a private jet?"

"I can't tell you all the details, it's commercial in confidence, but I can explain why we needed the jet. The server needs to stay powered up and is running on battery backup. The size of the battery pack exceeds legal limit's on Li-Ion batteries for commercial flights. A charter flight with me as the only passenger, it's up to the company what risks they are prepared to take. The robot also has large battery but it's not powered up."

"Oh, I see. That server must be doing something important."

"It's also faster and easier to clear customs via the private terminal. They don't like to hassle rich people if they can help it."

"Of course. This is your job in IT?"

"My day job is in IT facilities management. I work for a games development company."

"You write games?"

"No, I just run their servers for them."

"This trip is more related to my side hustle. I'm a music producer/artist and run my own small studio."

"Have you released any songs?"

"I've got a few albums out there, one is selling okay at the moment."

"Show me."

Mike shared a link for his web page to Ichinose's phone.

"Cover Up, featuring Linda. I'll play it later. I don't listen to much western music."

"I'm trying to get a band started at the moment. It's just me on keyboards and a vocalist/drummer at the moment but we should be having a guitarist join us soon. We play J-rock style music and do some anime cover songs. It might be more to your liking."

Mike send her a link for the Girlfriend in Your Luggage web page.

"That's a strange name."

"It's a joke about the robot that is actually in my luggage at the moment."

"You will have to explain it to me some time."

"What about you Ichinose-san. How long have you been doing flight crew work?"

"Since I finished university. I sort of just fell into it. I had no ambition to be commercial airline cabin crew, it's a tough life and a harsh schedule. It's easier with a charter company though. We don't fly every day and it's usually short domestic trips and we might get extended layovers at the destination while we wait for the passengers to make the return trip."

"Still, it must play havoc with your social life."

"The state of my social life is more down to me than the job."

"Oh, sorry. I don't mean to pry."

"It's okay. I volunteered that. I don't have a partner at present. The men I have chosen so far have all turned out to be arseholes. I'm getting older and it's that old story, the decent men are all taken and the others are single for a reason. What about you Mike-san, I've bared my soul, confessing my spinster status."

"I'm currently single. I haven't had a relationship since I broke up with my girlfriend in university."

"That long ago, why?"

"I'm not still hung up on her if that's what you are getting at. I just found the break up extremely painful and I don't want to have those feelings again. I haven't been avoiding women. I just haven't been chasing. I need to be sure. I don't want to hurt like that again."

"That's kind of delicate for a guy. I bet you wouldn't treat me like my exes did."

"Not knowing what they did, I can't comment."

"Why did you break up?"

"She dumped me. I wasn't meeting her expectations. I'm a bit of an introvert, I didn't like going out with crowds of people. She was the life and soul of the party. I tried my best but she realised I was just pretending to enjoy the parties and functions. We weren't really suited. I railed against the breakup at the time, but eventually I just had to let go. It wasn't making either of us happy and I had to respect her decision."

"So sad, you must have loved each other to start with."

"What went wrong for you last time Ichinose-san?"

"It's always the same, they seem nice when we start dating but as soon as I decide to move in, they start treating me like the hired help. Expect me to do all the housework, boss me around and make all the decisions for me. That's the more reasonable ones, some of them cheated on me as well as treating me badly. I'm just glad I never married any of them before I found out."

"Sounds rough, I take it you still hope to marry someday?"

"Yes, but it's not looking good. I'm starting to age out. The pool of guys interested in someone my age is shrinking."

"Surely not. You seem quite young and beautiful to me."

"Oh hush, you'll make me blush. I think Japanese men have different attitudes to women's ages compare to western men."

"We seem to having a pretty deep conversation for two people who only just met and are unlikely to see each other again."

"I don't mind, sometimes it's easier to talk honestly with a stranger."

Mike glance at his phone. The flight had been in progress for two hours now.

"Another 6 hours till we arrive in Melbourne, Ichinose-san?"

"I can ask the pilot for an updated ETA if you like, but that's about right. The seats can fully recline and I can get you some blankets if you want to sleep."

"Have I kept you up?"

"Not at all, I slept all afternoon to prepare, I'm wide awake."

"Likewise."

"Well let's talk till morning then, Mike-san. I'm enjoying your company."

***

The jet was just beginning its descent down into Melbourne airport. Ichinose and Mike were strapped into their now forward facing seats.

"Mike-san, I know it's presumptuous of me, but since I'll be in Melbourne for 24 hours would you like to show me around a bit? This is my first time in Melbourne."

"I'm sorry Ichinose-san, as much as I'd like to, I have a few days solid work to do installing that server I'm transporting. You'll be long gone before I have any free time."

"Ah, I suspected as much."

"I must thank you for your company last night. I had a lot of weighty matters on my mind and you made the time fly by. So arigatou gozaimasu."

The Jet touched down and taxied to the terminal building. Mike unfastened his seat belt and grabbed his pack from the luggage compartment. Ichinose accompanied him to the door and followed him down the stairs.

"I'm afraid I can't assist you very well, it's the first time I've been to this terminal."

"It's okay Ichinose-san, I looked it up in advance." Mike indicated the private jet lounge entrance door.

"Sayonara, Hina-chan."

The ground crew had loaded the flight cases onto a luggage trolley for him. Mike turned and wheeled the trolley towards the door.

"Wait Mike!"

Mike turned back.

"Can we at least exchange contact information?"

Mike held out his phone and bumped it against Ichinose's phone.

"You don't have Line?"

"Does that even work outside Japan?"

"I'm pretty sure it does."

"Sorry, I have to run. You'll have to make do with e-mail and phone for now, I'll get onto that Line thing later."

"Matene Mike."

***

The Melbourne private jet lounge customs area was more official looking than the one in Tokyo. The officials were more officious too. They demanded to look through Mike's phone. Fortunately it was just a burner phone and Mike had little of importance stored on it. They wanted to x-ray both flight cases. Mike let them x-ray Xiang Ling's body case.

"You can't x-ray the small flight case, it's delicate computer equipment, it's hand inspection only."

"Look either we x-ray that case or you're not going anywhere mate."

Oh god what can I do about this, if I start arguing they will just dig in harder.

"This is the customs documentation, it's got specific exemption from being x-rayed."

"There will be import duty payable on importing a computer."

"I'm not importing it. Check the outgoing customs clearance, it's part of my personal luggage. I flew out with it and I'm flying back in with it. I didn't purchase it overseas. I've got all the required documentation."

"What's with that body in the other flight case."

Mike opened the case.

"It's a female robot. Again part of my personal luggage. Not an import."

"I thought customs was supposed to provide VIP service in this terminal, you guys are just being dicks."

Noticing the start of an altercation, a staff member from the lounge came over.

"Is there some problem here?"

"This joker is refusing to let us x-ray one of his cases."

"Sir, is there any reason you can't let them x-ray the case?"

"It's delicate computer equipment, I've got a documented exemption from x-raying, it's hand inspection only."

Mike waved the paperwork at the staff member.

"Okay I understand, there are exemptions for photographic film etc. I guess that falls into that category. Leave it with me."

The lounge staff member got on his phone.

"Yeah Bruce, I've got some of your guys down here giving one of our customers a hard time, he's got some luggage that can't be x-rayed and the guys don't want to check it by hand. You'll send someone over to sort it out? Great, thanks, I owe you one."

"Sit tight Sir, someone is on the way to sort it."

Mike observed someone in a boarder force uniform with a few more pips on the shoulders approaching.

"You two wankers again. Haven't you got the message not to inconvenience the passengers at this terminal."

"Sorry Sir, but this guys luggage seems pretty suspicious."

Mike handed the exemption paperwork to the newly arrived official.

"Thank you Sir, that all seems to be in order. Do you mind if I look inside the case?"

"No problem." Mike unlocked the case and opened the lid.

"It's just a rack mount machine room server, but it's a quantum computer. X-rays would scramble the quantum state of the qubits."

"It seems to be powered on."

"Yes it's part of an experiment and we need to maintain the quantum state. That's why we had to fly it on a private jet. It's running on battery power and the battery pack is larger than what is allowed for commercial airlines."

"I see, that all seems to be in order. What's in the other case?"

"A female robot. It's already been through the x-ray machine and those guys also hand inspected it."

Mike opened the case again.

"It also has a large battery pack, but it's not switched on. We flew out with the battery pack removed and installed a new one in Japan. I didn't bother to remove it for the return flight because we already made special arrangements for the server."

"What were you doing in Japan with all this gear?"

"I was giving an AI tech demo to a Japanese company."

"I'm sorry to have delayed you so long, you are free to proceed."

Mike hastily closed the cases, loaded them back onto his trolley and headed off.

Holy shit. That guy from the passenger lounge is a real lifesaver.

Mike detoured briefly past the service counter.

"Thanks mate. You really save me there. I couldn't think what to do. I was almost going to charter the jet some more and fly into Avalon instead."

"Glad I could help. Those guys are a real problem. You don't want to get on the wrong side of the most of the people who travel through here. It's not smart of them to rock the boat. They probably won't be posted to this terminal again."

"Thanks again, I have to dash."

Mike went to retrieve his car from the long term car park. He folded the backseats down and slid the flight cases in through the boot opening.

8:30A.M., even though it was Sunday, the roads were busy. Traffic on the Tullamarine Freeway was crawling.

The traffic through a major airport just never stops. So frustrating. So close to home and yet so far.