Chapter 9:

Aki the Lost

Rat's Reason


Mako and I remained in Kolyagrad, as the Rat King’s attacks always lasted nine days. Every day we fought for a few hours, rested, and fought again. I slept poorly; the chaos didn’t stop at night. Though, the sleep deprivation didn’t matter much. Fighting as a Venator wasn’t the hardship I imagined.

I imagined fighting alone in a desolate city, one man against thousands of foes. In reality, hundreds of Venators more capable than me were present. Wherever I went, whether I wanted it or not, fellow Venators supported us. We briefly encountered Iju Wataru, who wielded a shield and hammer. He skipped down a narrow street and crushed androids, whistling a merry tune as he went.

More than hardship, I imagined being a hero. Except, there wasn’t anyone to save. The city evacuated during the first couple days. I had no heroic moments. The closest I got was pulling a dog out of a river. A news helicopter overhead got footage of it and later a story went cyber-side about me saving a dog getting drowned by androids. But there weren’t any androids. And the dog could swim.

The days felt more like pest control. Go to a location, shoot, take a break. We encountered danger, but not enough to worry about being killed. Honestly, what worried me was encountering certain people.

That worry proved well-founded. On the fourth day, as Mako and I cleared a plaza, two figures emerged from a nearby café. They wielded rifles similar to mine, but they also wore bulky sets of armour, the sort used for riots. They flipped up their visors and stared at me. It took a while to register, but they were my sister and brother: Mayumi and Hideki. Mother and Father must've transferred their licences. 

We didn’t speak for long, but it went as I’d expected. They looked at me with apprehension and pity. I looked at them with envy and anxiety. They must’ve wondered how I could so readily align myself with Mako. I wondered how they’d perform as Venators.

I couldn’t decide if I’d betrayed my family. On the current path, I had a chance at avenging Tatsuya. But, on an alternate path, I’d be with the people I loved.

‘Chin up,’ Mako said, as we parted from Mayumi and Hideki. ‘You’re doing well.’

I watched Mako. An unlit cigarette hung from her lips and blood trickled from a shallow wound in her forehead. She matched my gaze and smiled.

Perhaps the alternate path wasn’t wholly out of reach.

On the seventh day, the attacks subsided. I received a message from Asa-8, who gave directions to a hotel. Asa-8 met us in the lobby but ordered Mako to stay behind. I followed Asa-8 into the hotel’s restaurant. The interior was mostly intact, aside from broken windows. With staff gone, Asa-8 helped herself to drinks. She didn’t offer me anything.

‘Why did your train continue to Kolyagrad?’ she asked, pouring rum into a crystal tumbler.

‘It received new orders.’

‘I find that difficult to believe.’

‘It’s the truth.’

Asa-8 downed the rum, eyes fixated on me. ‘Then what happened?’

‘Serizawa and I exited the train. I opened fire on androids at the station.’

‘Then?’

‘We proceeded into the city. Most of the androids were clustered at a biotech company’s headquarters. We cleared the building accordingly.’

‘Is that all?’

‘From what I can remember, yes.’

Asa-8 tapped her wrist. A holo-projector implant cast a video on the wall. The video showed my meeting with Lia. Must’ve been the company’s cameras. Luckily, it didn’t have audio.

‘You’re spying on me?’ I asked.

‘It’s my job to manage new Venators within the Sumiaka-kai.’ She poured another glass of rum. ‘Your life has taken an unusual turn, hasn’t it? First you leave your family to shack up with the syndicate’s slut. Then you coincidentally meet an old Aquinor friend, who just so happens to be the Viper’s daughter.’

I crossed my arms, as if to restrain my growing anger. ‘It is unusual.’

‘Do you know what an aberration is?’ She drank her rum. ‘An unwelcome departure from what is normal. You. Why did you meet with Aurelia Sorannus?’

Saying I wanted to chat with an old friend would only make Asa-8 push harder. I needed to give her something. ‘Meeting her was a coincidence, but she claimed to know something about the Rat King,’ I replied. ‘She wanted the Yagi clan’s resources in exchange. I informed her of my current…separation from the Yagi clan.’

Asa-8 seemed to accept this.

‘Do you think she was telling the truth?’ I asked.

‘Of course not. Whatever she may or may not know about the Rat King won’t help humanity.’ She sneered. ‘Montim Aquinor have always been more interested in the weapon than the victim.’

‘Does the Sumiaka-kai not have a research department?’

Asa-8 scowled. ‘Why?’

‘For understanding the androids…’ As I trailed off, I noted a scent of perfume.

‘What is there to understand? Shoot the androids. Protect humanity.’

‘But—’

‘It seems you’re still too new, Venator Akinori. Do your duty. Failing to do so will impact others: The Yagi family, Managi Taeko, and Aurelia Sorannus.’

I didn’t doubt Asa-8’s ability to hurt the people I loved. My parents weren’t Venators anymore, and their status in the syndicate didn’t make them invincible. Taeko was a surgeon’s apprentice with no connections. Lia—you know.

‘…Very well.’ I turned to go.

‘There’s a jet going home in a few hours.’

‘Kolyagrad—’

‘Kolyagrad will be fine. It’s an Aquinor-centric city. Let them take care of their own.’

Asa-8’s previous words weighed on my mind. Disobeying was not wise. Plus, I’d had enough of the cold city.

#

During the flight to Neo-III Tokyo, I flipped cyber-side and called Lia. She was safe in Neo-II Sendai, but she declined the call and sent a message in reply.

Aki: What’s wrong?

Lia: Nothing.

Aki: You can’t talk?

Lia: What do you want, Aki?

Aki: Can we meet?

Lia: I’ll contact you when it’s ready.

As I typed a reply, Lia went offline. I flipped real-side and settled into the jet’s heated leather seats. Lia and I used to talk with visible faces and audible voices. She hated using messages because, in her words, it was way too robotic. Although, we hadn’t seen each other in two years. There was also the Horace incident to consider. It wouldn’t be unusual if she’d changed.

Afternoon bled into evening when we landed in Haneda. I told Mako to go ahead, as I wanted to run some errands. I hailed a taxi.

I had a rough idea of where to find the Sumiaka-kai’s research facilities, so I set a destination and activated the temporary CIC. Using it, I compiled a global list of individuals or parties who had published works about the Rat King’s origins or location. When I trimmed down speculation and conspiracy theories, the list of formal, peer-reviewed papers was shockingly small.

Despite the slim amount, multiple research papers had been penned by someone named Proteus N. G. While we drove, I skimmed the papers. Some of the information I knew, and some I doubted anybody had even considered. Either way, my overall impression was that this “Proteus N.G.” toed the delicate line between raving lunatic and unappreciated genius.

Proteus N.G. had only published work recently. I searched for information on him but found nothing. Even if Proteus N.G. was an alias, he should’ve had some kind of presence cyber-side. Yet, he appeared to exist solely as the author of esoteric research papers, a result more baffling than frustrating. No, it shouldn’t have been possible. No information in the modern era existed in complete isolation.I downloaded the research and—

I glanced down. I hadn’t changed clothes since arriving in Kolyagrad. My suit was a mess of organic and artificial fluids. I gave the android taxi driver another few destinations…

Within an hour, I’d bathed and bought a new suit: Beige jacket and slacks from Brignac, white shirt made of Egyptian cotton, cobalt necktie with dove pattern designed by Renée Du Rey (with matching pocket square), and mocha-toned leather boots. I felt like a man worthy of being called a Venator. And, perhaps, that was the problem. I did not feel purposeful as a Venator when I fought the Rat King. I felt purposeful as a Venator when I walked the streets in a new suit and knew people stole glances at me. I would have asked myself what this meant, but I’d never been good with introspection. I knew how to put things into my brain, not take things out.

With my new suit, I walked to a certain Sumiaka-kai building. I checked each floor individually until I found the research department. Only a quarter of the floor was dedicated to it. I passed administrative pods and slid open the research department’s door, where I found three “researchers” shooting toy pellets at each other. They ducked and dived and circled the central countertop.

I paused, checked the sign on the door, and cleared my throat.

One of the researchers, a girl little older than me, called timeout, pocketed her pellet gun, and dusted a stack of folders from the corner. As she handed them to me, she drew her pellet gun and continued firing at her colleagues.

‘What is this?’ I asked.

She hid their irritation poorly. ‘We moved the labels to the inside, but I don’t have time to talk you through them.’

I flipped through the folders. Yes, they were labelled. But…

Armenian Spider Cotton: Tests 12-18.

AvMak Resistor Couplings: Tests 3-6.

Diplomacy Implant: Results inconclusive.

So…the Sumiaka-kai had a research department, but they didn’t do much. ‘How long did this take?’

‘Three months,’ one of the other researchers, a boy, replied. ‘The AvMak delivery was delayed.’

Three months? I almost laughed. ‘Do any of you know about—’

They were engrossed in their game.

‘I’m trying to learn about—’

One of the pellets hit my forehead. It stung. None of them noticed. Jaw clenched, I grabbed the girl’s toy gun and snapped the plastic in two. Under my cybernetic arms the plastic felt like dry straw. The pellets stopped flying. The three fell silent.

‘Do any of you know anything—’

I could’ve stopped there.

‘—about a scholar named Proteus N.G.?’

The girl and boy glanced at each other, while the third, an older man, fiddled with his toy gun. My cybernetic eyes noted tiny physiological changes like sweat and heartbeats, just enough to detect a reaction. ‘What do you know?’ I asked the third researcher.

'Nothing,' he replied. 

I repeated my question. 

‘It’s…complicated,' he admitted. 

I didn’t speak. I’d seen Father use silence against low-ranking syndicate members. Be a looming threat; wait for people to crack.

‘He’s sponsored by Aquinor,’ the man said. ‘He’s a recluse, never leaves his laboratory. Thinks he’s going to crack the mystery of the Rat King.’

‘How’s that complicated?’

The man glanced at his colleagues. ‘Sometimes he asks for…assistance.’ He flinched when I spun to him. ‘I don’t do anything, just transfer files when he asks. It isn’t bad for the syndicate. Please don’t—you’re not going tell, right?’

‘Where’s his laboratory?’

‘Hong Kong. Aquinor compound in Aberdeen. I’ll show you.’ He brought up a map and showed a specific location. Turns out he didn’t “only” transfer files. Sometimes he personally delivered things to the compound.

‘Good,’ I said, and turned to leave. I ignored the pleading man and stack of folders about spiders and couplings and whatever. My vision of the noble, efficient Sumiaka-kai was faltering.

#

I caught a taxi north, to the estates. I wanted to walk the streets I knew so well. Recent months weighed on me. I disliked showing physical weakness and loathed mental weakness even more. It was difficult to admit that the stalwart Yagi Akinori might feel weary. Though introspection wasn’t my specialty, it didn’t take much thought to understand why I felt weak.

Purpose.

When becoming a Venator was the goal, I had a path to follow. No matter how arduous the path became, I knew to persevere. Now, as a Venator, the path turned to a smooth road, but I was shrouded in fog.

Where to go?

Become like Mako? Drinking and meandering through life?

Become like Asa-8? A rigid component in the syndicate?

Become like my parents? That wasn’t an option. I might be able to distance myself from Serizawa Masako, but it wouldn’t be a smooth path up the syndicate’s ranks.

That left helping Lia and avenging Tatsuya. Both short-termed goals. But, at the end…the Rat King. You might not think curiosity is the strongest motive, and it isn’t, but it was enough to keep me walking.

I strolled the streets.

Two women walked their dogs. I recognised them from the night Ennio attacked. The unchanged state of the estates made me feel all the more incongruous. I had always belonged somewhere, whether at home or a syndicate training hall. Now, I belonged…at a pagoda?

On a whim, I asked the women for directions to the Yagi estate. They noted my suit and general demeanour. Heartrate increased. Minor changes to blood flow indicated one of them blushed. She offered to show me personally, but I declined. I’d wanted to see if they recognised me.

I had the feeling my family wouldn’t, either. Well, they would, after half-a-second, but that was too long. I did not feel I belonged, but I could’ve been convinced. My family would not be able to convince me. They would wonder if I belonged, too, or if I wanted to belong, and I wouldn’t know how to answer.

Why had I visited the estates, if not to confirm why I shouldn’t return?

Hands in pockets, I strode away.

I tried using public transport, but the terminals kept detecting my Venator status and offering other fancy methods. The attendants, too, offered various amenities. If I’d asked to be carried on their shoulders to my destination, they may have agreed. After declining dozens of offers, I got on a train. People openly stared at me. I got off earlier than intended and walked the rest of the way to the Île-de-Dominus auxiliary ward.

The walk was quiet. Soothing. Until a jar broke against my side, darkening my suit with piss. The red eyes of Jargoyles glowed in the night. Coarse laughter erupted.

Have you ever had a day of ninety-nine bad moments? You smile and hold it together, but the hundredth bad moment makes you explode? It could be a small thing, and people would argue you’re being too harsh, but it’s the culmination.

I drew my AvMak pistol from my inner holster and waved it at the glowing red eyes. AvMak boasted about their propriety “Ez-Lever” trigger mechanism, making it easier to fire with precision. Too easy. My finger drifted to the trigger but froze. I lowered the pistol.

Another jar of piss soared. I ducked, sprinted up the road, and climbed the steps going to the shrine. The smell of piss clung to me like midnight meloncholy. 

#

Sounds came from the pagoda, but I was too tired to notice. I pushed open the door and stepped inside. I found the source of the sounds. A dozen people in various stages of undress occupied a massive inflatable mattress. Exaggerated moans and the smell of sex pervaded the area.

I groaned and turned to leave.

‘Aki,’ Mako said, sliding off the mattress. She pulled on a singlet and underwear. She sucked on her lip, embarrassed. ‘You were gone a while, so I figured you were staying somewhere else tonight.’

‘I will, now.’

A bearded man peered up at me, from between a woman’s legs. ‘You’re messing up the fuckpile vibe, man.’

I left. Mako rushed to my side and followed me outside the pagoda. ‘Are you okay, Aki?’

Centuries ago, miners used canaries to warn them of deadly gases. I didn’t know how a bird detected danger, and I didn’t know how Mako detected my feelings. She’d detected them before I did, and perhaps saved me from something impulsive.

I didn’t respond. I neither shook my head nor nodded. I levelled an even gaze at Mako, who returned it with equal sobriety, perceiving something intangible bleeding from the edges of my irises.

People like to say “I’m here if you want to talk” but few, if anybody, says: Hello, yes, I’d like to talk about my feelings. Most humans, even with all our technological advancements, are too fickle and wary.

I’d never met someone like Mako, someone who saw through the impassive expression I offered her, as if I’d audibly said: I need your advice.

Mako went back into the pagoda. ‘Everyone out!’ she called. She tossed clothes onto people and dragged the unwilling out by their ankles.

The bearded man went chest-to-chest with me. ‘We rented this place for three hours, man!’

‘And you have three seconds to leave,’ I replied.

As I turned toward Mako, the man grabbed my wrist. I felt moisture through my shirt. I grimaced and head-butted the man, who toppled into the remnants of what he termed the “fuckpile”.

When the orgy had dispersed, Mako and I sat on the veranda. She crossed her legs, while mine hung off the edge. Mako lit a cigarette and offered me one. I declined. She offered me a bottle of vodka. I accepted it and drank deeply, though it burned my throat.

‘Ennio, the Muted Man, killed Tatsuya,’ I blurted. 'Like you said.'

Mako, for all her quips and teasing, waited for me to continue.

‘I need to avenge him. To do that, I need to find the Rat King. And to do that, I need to help Aurelia Sorannus, daughter of the Viper of Aquinor.’

‘Help how?’

‘She wants to kill Horatius Claudius Nerva, Horace, a big-shot in Aquinor.’

‘I know him.’

‘So, I’m sitting here thinking: Is that the goal? If we find the Rat King, that’ll be one of the most significant discoveries in the last century. Big cost for a relatively small goal.’ I drank more vodka, before Mako plucked the bottle from my hands. ‘So then I thought: What am I doing?’

‘Is avenging Tatsuya what you need?’

Well…

I wanted Tatsuya avenged. Mother needed him avenged.

‘This may be tough for you, Syndikid, but let’s try and imagine a life beyond the Sumiaka-kai. For you, Yagi Akinori, what makes it worth living?’

‘I…’ A thought formed, but I wasn’t sure about vocalising it.

‘You thought of something.’

‘No, I didn’t.’

‘You don’t have to tell me, but I have to know you’re telling yourself.’

I took back the vodka and had another drink. ‘Taeko,’ I said, and choked on a bit of the drink left in my mouth.

‘The girl from the police station?’

‘We’ve been friends for a long time. When I was younger, I dreamed of marrying her.’ My cheeks felt warm. The evening scene gained a pleasant haze.

‘Okay. Wow. That’s adorable.’

‘But, she isn’t part of the Sumiaka-kai. As a Yagi, I’m supposed to marry a daughter from, like, the Maekawa or Akahoshi clans.’

‘Consider this. Stay with me. Since you’re barely a Yagi—’

‘Whose fault is that?’ I slurred.

‘—can’t you do whatever you want? Be with whoever you want?’

‘I think I love Taeko.’

‘That’s a strong word.’

‘I think I love you, too.’

Mako looked taken aback, before she sighed. ‘Do you remember your debt, in return for my Venator licence? It’s related to my daughter.’

‘You have a…?’ I almost lost my balance. Mako didn't seem the type to have a daughter. She barely seemed capable of keeping a pet alive. 

‘She’s living with her dad in Shanghai. All my Venator funds went to her. I want her to get into one of the best schools in the world, but it’s sponsored by the Sumiaka-kai. Money wasn’t an issue, but my reputation isn’t exactly platinum. I needed someone like you, a Yagi.’

‘You just said I’m barely a Yagi.’

‘I planned to have you impersonate Yagi Ginjiro.’

‘Wow, thanks.’

‘I know what you’re going to say.’

I hopped off the veranda and faced Mako. Ash from her cigarette landed on my lapel. ‘I’m glad you used me.’

‘That…wasn’t it.’

‘I think my old life would’ve been happy, but it would’ve been…’ I fumbled the words. ‘I’m out here, and I’m kind of sad, but I feel…free?’ It was an unconscious feeling, the slightest sense that I was in control, even if I shouldn’t have been. Wrong man behind the wrong wheel. ‘That plan of yours—you bet a lot on a slim chance.’

‘That’s the kind of person I am. High risk, low reward,’ Mako replied. I laughed, and she lit another cigarette. ‘If you want Taeko, you should go see her.’

‘I can’t.’

‘Oh for fuck—why not?’

‘I need to help Lia. I need to know the truth about the Rat King. If I don’t—I don’t know how to phrase it.’ I reached for the vodka bottle, but Mako kept it out of reach. ‘It feels like part of my brain will always be switched off unless I sort this out.’

Mako nodded to herself, sagely, feigning wise mannerisms incongruous with her body, so she looked like a malnourished owl. ‘I’ll check on some old contacts, see what I can get on Horace.’

'Thank you,’ I replied – and I really meant it.

‘Also, Aki?’

‘Yep?’

‘You smell like piss.’